U.S. and World Headlines

Zelensky: Russia's Large-Scale Offensive In Eastern Ukraine Has Started

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Monday that Russia's long-awaited offensive in the Donbas region had begun, setting off a decisive second phase of the war centered on a battle for territory in eastern Ukraine.

Russian forces pulled back from Kyiv earlier this month to refocus their efforts on the Donbas. U.S. officials and analysts expect Russia to try to overwhelm and encircle Ukrainian forces after failing in its initial push to seize the capital.

Israeli Attack On The Gaza Strip As Tensions Soar In Jerusalem

Israeli warplanes launched an attack in the Gaza Strip, targeting what the military said was a weapons manufacturing site belonging to Hamas, the Palestinian group that administers the coastal enclave.

No casualties or injuries have been reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry on Tuesday.

Multiple Airlines Allowing Passengers To Go Maskless Following Judge's Ruling

Multiple airlines have made mask-wearing optional for both passengers and employees following a judge's Monday ruling that struck down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's transit masking rules. Delta, United and American are among the carriers that will no longer require masks.

Biden Has Told Obama He’s Running Again

President Biden has told former President Obama that he is planning to run for reelection in 2024, two sources tell The Hill.

The admission to Obama is the latest indication that Biden is likely to run for a second term, something the president has spoken about publicly.

Now Your Instagram Posts Can Look Sponsored, But You Still Won't Make Any Money

Instagram announced on Monday that anyone -- verified influencer or otherwise -- can tag brands and products in their posts.

What’s less clear is why, exactly, you’d want to tag these brands. In its announcement, Instagram notes that creators and influencers have used these tags to “[share] how they use and style their favorite products on Instagram and inspiring their communities,” and that ostensibly, by using these same tags, you can “inspire” your followers, too.

Wisconsin Headlines

Tommy Thompson Announces He Will Not Run For Governor

Voters will not see Tommy Thompson’s name on the Republican primary ballot for Wisconsin governor this fall.

The popular four-term former governor announced Monday that he won’t run again, after publicly floating the idea as he wrapped up his time as interim UW System president earlier this year. A campaign would have put the 80-year-old Thompson on the ballot for the first time in a decade, and 24 years after his last electoral win.

“This is a very difficult conclusion. After a full life of service and leading and growing businesses, I know I have the vision, drive and vitality to serve another term as governor,” Thompson said in a statement.

In Far Northern Wisconsin, Several Districts Long Held By Democrats Are Up For Grabs

In far northern Wisconsin, several districts that have long been a Democratic stronghold are up for grabs after incumbents announced they won’t be seeking re-election this fall. More than two dozen state lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have announced they won’t run again.

State Rep. Nick Milroy, D-South Range, announced Thursday he’s retiring from public office to spend more time with his wife Julie and three children.

The representative of the 73rd Assembly District joins eight other Democrats in the state Assembly who've announced they’re not running again, including Rep. Beth Meyers of Bayfield. She announced in January that she’s stepping down. In February, Senate Minority Leader Janet Bewley, D-Mason, announced she also wanted to spend more time with her husband and grandchildren.

On Tax Day, Sen. Johnson Defends Tax Cut That Benefitted Himself, Top Donors

Following a wide-ranging conversation with firefighters and paramedics in this village of about 11,000 south of Madison, Sen. Ron Johnson defended the tax cut provision he demanded more than four years ago - one his political opponents hope will damage his re-election efforts this fall.

In late 2017, Johnson withheld his support for the sweeping Republican tax cut plan under former Speaker Paul Ryan and former President Donald Trump.

Minnesota Man Sentenced To 10 Years For Trafficking Cocaine

Lashawn M. Bennett, 50, St. Paul, Minnesota was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 10 years in federal prison for possessing over 500 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute.  This prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Bennett pleaded guilty to this charge on January 11, 2022.

On March 17, 2021, a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop for speeding on a vehicle driven by Bennett in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After the trooper detected the odor of marijuana, the vehicle was searched.  Officers found a large black bag containing three individually wrapped bricks of cocaine.  The total weight of the cocaine was approximately 7.5 pounds.

Aaron Rodgers To Pair Up With Tom Brady For June’s The Match

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is expected to miss the team’s offseason program, which began today. On Monday, it was announced that one of the last few free days of Rodgers’ summer break will be spent participating in The Match, a golf foursome that will feature fellow NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, on the first of June.