Morning Headlines - Thursday, May 12, 2022

U.S. and World Headlines

Senate Republicans Block Bill That Would Codify Roe V. Wade Abortion Rights

The Women's Health Protection Act would codify the Roe v. Wade ruling while also banning requirements some states have put into place related to abortion care, such as waiting periods and mandatory doctor visits before the procedure. But without the 60 votes needed to overcome a GOP-led filibuster, the legislation failed in the Senate 49-51, sending Democrats scrambling for alternatives.

North Korea Launches 3 Ballistic Missiles Toward Sea Of Japan Ahead Of Biden Seoul Visit

North Korea on Thursday fired three ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters, South Korean defense officials say.

The reported provocation comes as President Biden is preparing to visit South Korea and Japan late next week, where he will "discuss opportunities to deepen our vital security relationships" the White House says.

Biden Flexes Power In Primaries To Boost Moderates

When President Biden jumped into an Ohio congressional race to offer a surprise endorsement, progressives weren’t pleased.

In the final stretch of a Cleveland area rematch, Biden threw his weight behind Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) over Biden critic and former state Sen. Nina Turner. Turner, an ally of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), saw disparaging remarks she made about then-candidate Biden during the 2020 election come back to haunt her, including her comment to The Atlantic that voting for him would be equivalent to eating a “bowl of sh*t.”

Palestinians Mourn Slain Al Jazeera Journalist, Blame Israel

Thousands gathered to mourn a slain Al Jazeera journalist in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on Thursday, as the head of the Palestinian Authority blamed Israel for her death and rejected Israeli calls for a joint investigation.

Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American reporter who covered the Mideast conflict for more than 25 years, was shot dead Wednesday during an Israeli military raid in the West Bank town of Jenin. Journalists who were with her, including one who was shot and wounded, said Israeli forces fired upon them even though they were clearly identifiable as reporters.

Airfare Inflation Is The New Used Car Inflation

The latest inflation data included a number that was shocking, though not exactly surprising to anyone who has been booking their summer travel lately: Airfares rose 18.6% in April, the most on record for a single month, which accounted for about a quarter of the overall surge in core inflation last month.

A challenge with interpreting inflation data is determining what to "look through" as a mere one-time adjustment and when to show more alarm. The experience of the last year shows the risks of being too willing to brush off high inflation just because one or two categories are disproportionately responsible.

Wisconsin Headlines

Dane County Judge Overturns GOP Lame-Duck Law Giving Lawmakers Oversight Of DOJ Settlements

A Dane County judge has ruled unconstitutional a law Republicans approved in the 2018 lame-duck session that gave lawmakers final review over settlements reached by the state Department of Justice.

Dane County Judge Susan Crawford wrote in last week’s ruling Republicans have sought to portray the provision — approved just before Dem Josh Kaul took office — as giving lawmakers a “seat at the table.” Instead, she characterized the law as giving the Legislature “absolute power.”

After A Yearslong Search, Wisconsin’s Oldest Tree Is Revealed. Sort Of

The oldest known tree in Wisconsin is a scrawny, scrubby little red cedar growing out of the side of a cliff. It’s not majestic. Actually, it’s so unremarkable that it’s easy to miss.

Wisconsin Election Probe Paused Amid Legal Fights

An investigation into the 2020 election in battleground Wisconsin will be paused while five lawsuits play out and the former state Supreme Court justice leading it will be paid half as much going forward.

Wisconsin's U.S. Attorneys Recognize National Police Week

In honor of National Police Week, Richard G. Frohling and Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorneys for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, recognize the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

“This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. “We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”

Hundreds Pulled Over In Northern Wisconsin As Authorities Target Illegal Drugs

An interdiction hosted by Forest County Sheriff’s Office led to hundreds of traffic stops and multiple arrests.

According to the Forest County Sheriff’s Office, on April 29 a high-intensity criminal interdiction was held across Forest County. The interdiction reportedly lasted eight hours.