Morning Headlines - Tuesday, Mar. 26, 2024 | Recent News

U.S. and World Headlines

Ship Hits Francis Scott Key Bridge Causing It To Collapse

The Francis Scott Key Bridge along I-695 in Maryland collapsed into the Baltimore harbor following a "ship strike" early Tuesday morning.

A livestream of the bridge appeared to show a cargo ship colliding with a support beam, causing the bridge to break apart and fall into the Patapsco River. Multiple vehicles were on the bridge at the time, but no update on casualties has been offered.

Emergency crews including the U.S. Coast Guard, local first responders and the FBI were searching for at least 20 people believed to be in the water, Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press around 3 a.m. Officials have described this as a mass casualty event.

Sean "Diddy" Combs' LA And Miami Homes Raided By Law Enforcement, Officials Say

Sean "Diddy" Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami have been raided by Homeland Security Investigations agents and other law enforcement officers due to a possible ongoing sex trafficking investigation, U.S. officials confirmed Monday.

"Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners," HSI said in a statement. "We will provide further information as it becomes available."

Julian Assange Wins Temporary Reprieve From Extradition As U.K. Court Asks U.S. For Assurances

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was given permission by the High Court in London on Tuesday, to take his challenge against extradition to the United States on espionage charges to a new hearing.

The court ruled that Assange could pursue his appeal at a full hearing, unless the U.S. provided “satisfactory assurances” on the questions of whether he was able to rely on the First Amendment of the Constitution and whether he could be subject to the death penalty. It added that he should not be prejudiced at trial or sentencing “by reason of his nationality.”

Strippers' Bill Of Rights Bill Signed Into Law In Washington State

Legislation in Washington state known as the strippers’ bill of rights, which advocates say includes the most comprehensive statewide protections in the nation, was signed into law on Monday.

Gov. Jay Inslee signed the measure, which creates safer working conditions for people in the adult entertainment industry and makes it possible for the clubs to sell alcohol.

“Strippers are workers, and they should be given the same rights and protections as any other labor force,” bill sponsor Sen. Rebecca Saldaña of Seattle, said in a news release. “If they are employed at a legal establishment in Washington, they deserve the safeguards that every worker is entitled to, including protection from exploitation, trafficking, and abuse.”

Japan To Sell Fighter Jets In Latest Break From Post-War Pacifist Ideals

Japan's cabinet has approved the export of new fighter jets it is developing with the UK and Italy, in the latest move away from its pacifist policies.

It eased arms export rules to allow the jets to be sold to countries that Japan has signed defence pacts with, and where there is no ongoing conflict.

Japan has pledged to double military spending by 2027, citing threats posed by China and North Korea.

Each fighter jet sale will require cabinet approval, authorities said.

Gov. Evers Signs Worker's Compensation Agreed-Upon Bill Into Law

Gov. Tony Evers Friday signed Assembly Bill 1073, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 213. The act makes several improvements to Wisconsin's worker's compensation system as recommended by the Worker's Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC).

"For decades, this council has advised state government on how to best support and strengthen the state's worker's compensation system, and we thank the council for its contributions," Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Amy Pechacek said. "The collaborative agreed-upon bill process keeps our worker's compensation system a national model of stability and effectiveness. In addition to recognizing the council, we thank Gov. Evers for signing this bill into law."

Wisconsin Tourism Industry Opposes Allowing An Earlier Start To The School Year

Wisconsin’s tourism industry is opposing a rule that would allow school boards to start the school year before Sept. 1.

Current law only allows early starts for “extraordinary reasons,” which include major construction projects and building closures. Under the proposed rule that the Department of Public Instruction is considering, school boards could set a new start date if they believe it would improve students’ outcomes.

2 Key Witnesses Testify In Wisconsin DOJ Agent's Criminal Trial

Two key witnesses took the stand Monday in the criminal trial against Wisconsin Department of Justice Special Agent Mark Wagner.

Wagner is charged with second-degree recklessly endangering safety in connection with the Feb. 2022 shooting that happened during the arrest and traffic stop of Quadren Wilson.

Wilson testified for the prosecution. Court records show he was wanted for a drug crime at the time of his arrest.

After School Culture Wars, Wisconsin Voters Will Weigh In On Results

After the 2022 elections, the Cudahy School Board took on a series of contentious battles over everything from bullying in schools and how to address racism to revamping literacy.

By January, the district’s superintendent, Tina Owen-Moore, had had enough.

Owen-Moore sent a two-page letter to her school board tendering her resignation — and pointing directly to the board’s actions as her reason.

Vos On Says Gableman Should Be Disbarred

Robin Vos says his decision to hire Michael Gableman to review the 2020 election was the biggest mistake he’s made since becoming speaker and the former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice should be disbarred.

“Mike Gableman is probably the single biggest embarrassment that I have ever had,” Vos said on WISN’s “UpFront,” which is produced in partnership with WisPolitics. “I hope eventually he gets disbarred. He should not be an attorney. Anybody who thinks about hiring him, call me because I will tell you what an awful decision that I made to hire him.”