Morning Headlines - Tuesday, July 9, 2024

U.S. and World Headlines

Trump Pushes New GOP Platform Softening Party’s Positions On Abortion And Same-Sex Marriage

At the urging of former President Donald Trump and his allies, the Republican Party is set to abandon a decadeslong push for a federal abortion ban and soften its stance on same-sex marriage in its platform, according to changes made in a draft policy platform passed Monday morning ahead of next week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

The new draft party platform, which still must get approval from the full Republican National Committee, came after the Trump campaign made a quiet push to keep those seen as too socially conservative off the platform committee out of concern that they would make a vocal push for things like a federal abortion ban, which has consistently been unpopular in public polling.

Before Biden Can Save Ukraine, He Must Use The NATO Summit To Save Himself

The NATO summit was long planned to celebrate the alliance’s 75th anniversary, to lock in longterm military support for Ukraine and even to future-proof the West against a possible second term for Donald Trump.

But no one expected the meeting in Washington this week to turn into a public test of 81-year-old President Joe Biden’s health and cognitive capacity with his reelection campaign facing an existential moment after his disastrous debate performance.

How Canada Became A Car Theft Capital Of The World

Early this summer, Interpol listed Canada among the top 10 worst countries for car thefts out of 137 in its database - a “remarkable” feat, said a spokesperson, considering the country only began integrating their data with the international police organisation in February.

Authorities say once these cars are stolen, they are either used to carry out other violent crimes, sold domestically to other unsuspecting Canadians, or shipped overseas to be resold.

SpaceX Launches Turkey's First Domestically-Built Communications Satellite

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Monday launched Turkey's first domestically-built communications satellite, a powerful relay station designed to carry secure military traffic within Turkish borders while providing expanded commercial services across India, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

"We have just launched our domestic communication satellite Türksat 6A into space," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğa said on social media. "We have witnessed another source of pride for our country and our nation. More than 81 percent of the subsystems, satellite ground stations and software in the 6A project, which is of great importance for the future of our country in space, have been produced by Turkey with national resources."  

TSA Sets New Single-Day Record With More Than 3 Million Travelers At Airport Security

The high volume of travelers in the United States passing through airport security after their Fourth of July getaways helped set a new single-day screening record for the Transportation Security Administration.

On Sunday, July 7, TSA officers screened 3,013,413 people at checkpoints nationwide, which surpassed the previous record of 2.99 million set on June 23, 2024, the agency announced Monday.

Wisconsin Headlines

Less Party Business And More Trump Expected At Milwaukee’s Republican National Convention

Next week, thousands of people will descend on Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, where party leadership is expected to announce Donald Trump as the nominee for president.

But Americans have anticipated this announcement since around March. So what is the value of the convention?

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee political scientist Kathleen Dolan said some official party business will take place, such as speeches from Republican candidates for Senate and governor, and the likely announcement of Trump’s running mate.

Now What? Wisconsin’s Public Unions Prepare For World With Fewer Act 10 Restrictions

Public sector unions and worker organizations are preparing for a world where their bargaining powers are unshackled from the 2011 law that restricted much of their ability to fight for their members.

In a July 3 decision, Dane County Judge Jacob Frost ruled Act 10 violated the equal protection provisions of the state constitution.

Drug Distribution In Menominee And Ho-Chunk Tribal Communities Leads To Prison Sentence For Former Keshena Man

Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that Charles A. Parham (age: 42), a former resident of Keshena and Wausau, received a prison sentence of 144 months following a conviction for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

The sentence, imposed on July 8, 2024, by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach, was the result of a guilty plea entered by Parham on April 10, 2024. After he completes his prison sentence, Parham also will spend eight years on supervised release.

Nearly One-Third Of Doctors Working In Wisconsin's Prisons Have Been Censured

While serving time in a Wisconsin prison in 2021, Darnell Price watched a golf-ball-size lump on his thigh grow as large as a football. Price pressed for a thorough examination, he said, but the prison’s physician, Dr. Joan Hannula, did not order a biopsy.

Months later, when Price moved to another prison, a different doctor ordered the test and diagnosed him with Stage 4 soft-tissue cancer. Soon after, the state’s Department of Corrections took the extraordinary step of granting him compassionate release, a measure reserved for the terminally ill or elderly.

Organizers Of Second Campaign To Recall Vos File Court Appeal

Organizers of the effort to recall a top Wisconsin Republican have appealed the bipartisan state elections commission’s rejection of their petitions in court.

Recall organizers filed their appeal in Dane County Circuit Court on July 5, a week after their effort to recall Assembly Speaker Robin Vos effort failed due to officials determining that not enough valid signatures were collected.