Morning Headlines - Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024

Start your day informed with today’s must-read headlines from around Wisconsin and the world. And don’t forget to check out our Meme of the Day and the end for a little humor to go with your news!

U.S. and World Headlines

ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Israeli PM Netanyahu And Ex-Defense Minister Gallant For Alleged War Crimes In Gaza

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The international court's Pre-Trial Chamber rejected challenges from Israel to its jurisdiction, announcing that it had issued warrants for both Netanyahu and Gallant, whom the Israeli prime minister fired just last month, over the country's assault on the Gaza Strip.

Speaker Johnson Announces Policy Barring Trans Women From Capitol Bathrooms

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced Wednesday that transgender women are not permitted to use bathrooms in the Capitol that match their gender identity, taking a stance on the hot-button issue that has overtaken the Capitol in recent days.

The policy — which Johnson announced in a public statement, a draft of which was first reported by The Hill — will also apply to bathrooms in House office buildings, changing rooms and locker rooms. It is unclear when he plans to publish the comments.

US Regulators Seek To Break Up Google, Forcing Chrome Sale As Part Of Monopoly Punishment

The Department of Justice is calling for Google to divest its Chrome browser, following a ruling in August that the company holds a monopoly in the search market.

Chrome, which Google launched in 2008, provides the search giant with data it then uses for targeting ads. The DOJ said in a filing Wednesday that forcing the company to get rid of Chrome would create a more equal playing field for search competitors.

Are Food Recalls And Outbreaks On The Rise?

The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that the U.S. food supply is still "one of the safest in the world," in the wake of a number of foodborne disease outbreaks affecting items ranging from organic carrots to deli meats to McDonald's Quarter Pounders. E. coli, listeria and other contaminants have sickened thousands of people and forced a number of recalls in recent months.

But despite those high-profile examples, data cited by the FDA suggest recalls were not unusually high this past year.

Duct-Taped Banana Artwork Sells For $6.2m In NYC

Maurizio Cattelan's provocative artwork of a banana duct-taped to a wall has fetched $6.2m (£4.9m) at Sotheby's in New York - four times higher than pre-sale estimates.

The auction house says Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun outbid six other rivals to get the "Comedian" installation of the Italian visual artist on Wednesday.

"In the coming days, I will personally eat the banana as part of this unique artistic experience," Mr Sun was quoted as saying.

Wisconsin Headlines

Madison Superintendent Named In Whistleblower Lawsuit In Former District

Two former employees of Saint Paul Public Schools are alleging “misuse” and “misappropriation” of a substantial amount of federal COVID-19 relief dollars under the direction of their former supervisor, Superintendent Joe Gothard.

Gothard was hired in February to lead the Madison Metropolitan School District.

Former Saint Paul Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Marie Schrul and former Business Systems Analyst Curtis Mahanay filed a 54-page whistleblower lawsuit against the Minnesota school district last month in Minnesota District Court.

School And District Accountability Report Cards For The 2023-24 School Year Now Available

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction today published school and district accountability report cards for the 2023-24 school year.

The DPI publishes school and district report cards annually, as required by Wis. Stat. 115.385. Report cards include data for multiple school years across four priority areas: Achievement, Growth, Target Group Outcomes, and On-Track to Graduation. The Achievement and Growth priority areas are weighted based on a district or school percentage of economically disadvantaged pupils, as required by state law.

Wisconsin Volleyball Hosts 'Silent Set' To Raise Awareness For Costs Of Hearing Aids, Hard Of Hearing And Deaf Communities

The sixth ranked Wisconsin Volleyball team returned to the UW Field House Wednesday for round two of the border battle against No. 16 Minnesota. This time, there was a twist.

The Silent Set was to benefit Chasing Greatness, a non-profit organization started by former Penn State volleyball player Jonni Parker. Chasing Greatness provides funding opportunities for children who need hearing aids.;

After A Dramatic Decline, Lake Trout Have Recovered In Most Of Lake Superior

After decades of work, fishery managers say lake trout have fully recovered in most of Lake Superior after the invasive, fish-killing sea lamprey decimated their numbers.

The Lake Superior Committee of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, which is made up of state and tribal natural resource managers, announced the population’s recovery Wednesday.

QB Love Says Packers’ Playoff Loss To 49ers Provides More Motivation As They Prepare To Meet Again

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love doesn’t hide the fact that the playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers lingered with him throughout the offseason.

Love can gain some measure of revenge Sunday when these two teams face off for the first time since the Packers squandered a fourth-quarter lead and fell 24-21 to the 49ers in last season’s NFC divisional round.