Morning Headlines - Tuesday, July 8, 2025 | Recent News

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 at the end for a little humor to go with your news!

U.S. and World Headlines

Musk Escalates Trump Feud With Third Party Launch, Epstein Attack

Elon Musk has ratcheted up his already volatile feud with President Trump over the last several days, announcing the creation of a third party and taunting the president over the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Musk announced a new “America Party” faction after Republicans signed Trump’s major policy bill into law, prompting a rebuke from the president who called the idea “ridiculous” and blasted his ally-turned-foe a “train wreck.”

The tech billionaire also trolled the Trump administration over the Epstein case, after his allegation last month that Trump is named in the disgraced financier’s files. A memo from the Justice Department and FBI determined there is no “client list.”

US Delays Higher Tariffs But Announces New Taxes For Some Countries

President Donald Trump has officially delayed imposing higher tariffs on US imports, while sending letters to 14 countries including Japan and South Korea detailing the levies they face.

The latest development comes as a 90-day pause the White House placed on some of its most aggressive import taxes was set to expire this week.

The president renewed his threat of a 25% tax on products entering the country from Japan and South Korea and shared a batch of other letters to world leaders warning of levies from 1 August.

Trump Says U.S. Will Send More Weapons To Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday the United States would send more weapons to Ukraine, primarily defensive ones, to help the war-torn country defend itself against intensifying Russian advances.

Washington’s decision to halt some weapons shipments to Kyiv prompted it to warn the move would crimp its ability to fend off Russia’s air strikes and battlefield advances, while drawing criticism from Democrats and some of Trump’s fellow Republicans.

TSA To End Shoes-Off Policy For Airport Security Screening

Nearly 20 years after airline passengers were first required to remove their shoes for security, the policy is being phased out.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is planning to allow passengers to keep their shoes on when they go through the general security line at many major airports across the country.

An unexpected memo went out to TSA officers across the country last week stating the new policy will allow all passengers to keep their shoes on in all screening lanes at many airports across the country, starting Sunday.

‘Big Beautiful Bill’ May Help Some Seniors On Social Security. But It Doesn’t Eliminate Taxes On Benefits

The “big beautiful bill” includes a $6,000 additional deduction for certain older Americans ages 65 and over.

However, the legislation does not end federal income taxes on Social Security benefits.

Here’s how the changes in the bill may impact current and future retirees.

Gov. Evers Stands By Budget, Public School Funding

The new state budget, a compromise between Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and the Republican legislative leaders, will provide an additional $500 million to special education reimbursement for schools. However, some teachers, advocates and Democrats are disappointed the overall funding for the state’s schools.

“It’s progress,” Dr. Jill Underly said after being sworn in for her second term as the superintendent of the Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction.

The new budget will bump special education reimbursement rates from 32.1% to 42% in the first year and 45% in the next year.

Underly Sworn In For Another Term As Wisconsin's Education Leader

Dr. Jill Underly, the state superintendent of public instruction, was sworn in for her next term on Monday.

Underly won re-election to the role in November.

Underly emphasized the importance of public education and its impact on Wisconsin's children and the state's future.

Judge Recommends That Case Against Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan Proceed

A federal magistrate judge recommended Monday that the case proceed against a Wisconsin judge who was indicted on allegations that she helped a man who is in the country illegally evade U.S. immigration agents seeking to arrest him in her courthouse.

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested in April and indicted on federal charges in May. She pleaded not guilty.

The case highlighted a clash between President Donald Trump’s administration and local authorities over the Republican’s sweeping immigration crackdown.

Planned Parenthood, Family Planning Clinics In Wisconsin Face Cuts Under New Federal Law

Family planning clinics in Wisconsin are facing funding cuts under the massive law signed by President Donald Trump last week.

For decades, another law known as the Hyde Amendment already banned using federal money to pay for almost all abortions. But a provision in Trump’s tax and spending plan known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act goes farther than that.

It bans nonprofits that provide abortions from getting Medicaid reimbursements for one year. That applies to any of the medical services offered by those clinics.

Speaking to reporters last week, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin’s Chief Strategy Officer Michelle Velasquez said that while the full extent of the impact on Wisconsin isn’t yet known, the cutbacks will be significant. She warned that the changes will make it harder to provide a range of services — not just abortion.

Gov Evers Defends New State Budget From Democratic Criticism

Gov. Tony Evers is dismissing criticism of the new state budget from statehouse Democrats.

Nearly 50 Democrats voted against the governor’s compromise budget last week, many saying the new spending plan doesn’t spend enough.

Rep. Representative Russell Goodwin, Sr., D-Milwaukee, said the budget didn't have enough "good wins" for his district.

“You cannot claim to love education and leave it underfunded. You can’t be pro-kid and anti-classroom,” he said during the debate over the budget. “I didn’t come to this Capitol to preserve broken systems. I came to challenge them.”