Morning Headlines - Wednesday, April 16, 2025

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

UK Supreme Court Backs 'Biological' Definition Of Woman

Judges at the UK Supreme Court have unanimously ruled that a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law.

It marks the culmination of a long-running legal battle which could have major implications for how sex-based rights apply across Scotland, England and Wales.

The court sided with campaign group For Women Scotland, which brought a case against the Scottish government arguing that sex-based protections should only apply to people that are born female.

Judge Lord Hodge said the ruling should not be seen as a triumph of one side over the other, and stressed that the law still gives protection against discrimination to transgender people.

IRS Faces Mass Exodus Of Workers

The IRS could see a mass exodus of up to 40 percent of its workforce through a combination of buyouts offered by the Trump administration and widespread layoffs, according to an internal memo obtained by POLITICO.

The memo outlines the agency’s plans to reduce its workforce to between 60,000 to 70,000 employees, down from a previous headcount of roughly 100,000. Notices of “reductions in force” will start going out this week, the memo says, specifying that “taxpayer services and compliance will need to be trimmed.”

Study Highlights Cancer Risk From Millions Of CT Scans Performed Annually

CT scans diagnose afflictions from tumors to kidney stones to life-threatening diseases and injuries, such as aneurysms and blood clots leading to stroke.

But the radiation emitted by this essential diagnostic tool may cause more harm than previously known and could eventually be responsible for roughly 5% of all cancers diagnosed in the U.S. in a single year, a new study finds.

Universal’s New Epic Universe Park Set To Generate $2 Billion For Florida In Year One

Universal’s Epic Universe theme park opens May 22, the first major theme park development in Florida in 25 years.

The 750-acre amusement park is expected to generate $2 billion for the state of Florida in its first year of operation.

Epic Universe is projected to create more than 17,500 new jobs in its first year of opening.

Republicans Reconsider Their Commitment To Tax Cuts For The Rich In Trump Agenda Bill

Republicans are discussing an idea that has long been anathema within the party: a tax hike on the wealthy.

In a twist, members of the GOP are debating whether to allow tax rates to go up on top earners when major parts of the 2017 tax law expire at the end of this year as part of a massive bill to pass President Donald Trump’s agenda.

The issue has come up in private meetings among Senate Republicans as they grapple with how to limit the red ink and pay for other provisions of their party-line package, which includes additional funding for immigration enforcement and the military.

Wisconsin Headlines

Wisconsin Proposal To Exempt Gun Safes From Sales Tax Advances With Bipartisan Support

Bipartisan sponsors of a Wisconsin bill hope that a tax break will encourage safe gun storage.

The proposal would exempt gun safes and other “firearm safety devices” from sales and use tax in Wisconsin.

During a public hearing Tuesday, state Rep. Adam Neylon, R-Pewaukee, the bill’s author, said his goal was to make it “more affordable” for Wisconsinites to store guns.

Madison Clerk Resigns Amid Probe Over Failure To Count 193 Absentee Ballots

Madison’s city clerk has resigned after being put on leave a month ago amid a state probe into why her office failed to count 193 absentee ballots cast in the November election.

The Elections Commission voted earlier this year to open a probe into why the city failed to count the ballots, as well as whether Witzel-Behl failed to comply with the law or abused her discretion. During a March vote to approve hearing depositions from Madison employees, Commission Chair Ann Jacobs, a Dem appointee, knocked Witzel-Behl for a “complete lack of leadership.’’

The State Of Wisconsin Will Pay To Have You Sterilized

If you make less than $48,000 per year, the State of Wisconsin will pay to have you sterilized. You read that right. The Wisconsin DHS is offering to sterilize men and women over the age of 21 through the Family Planning Only Services Program, a program whose details remain clouded in mystery.

The Planning Only Services Program operates under the Wisconsin DHS. Its purpose is to prevent pregnancy, by providing low cost or free ‘reproductive health care’ for those with low-income. Moreover, to qualify, individuals must live in Wisconsin and not be enrolled in Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus.

Fentanyl And Firearms Trafficker Sentenced To Fifteen Years In Federal Prison

Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 11, 2025, Azjuan Meriwether (age: 25) of Milwaukee, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for drug and firearm offenses.

According to court records, a proactive law enforcement investigation revealed that Meriwether was the leader of an armed drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing at least 32 kilograms of fentanyl, at least 375 grams of para-fluorofentanyl (a fentanyl analogue), as well as methamphetamine, cocaine, and other drugs. Meriwether and his organization also engaged in firearms trafficking involving the illegal sale of firearms, machinegun-conversion devices, also known as “switches,” and “ghost guns.” “Ghost guns” are privately made firearms, often assembled from pre-made kits, that do not possess serial numbers or other identifying markings, which make the firearms difficult to trace back to the original purchaser and manufacturer. As part of his plea agreement, Meriwether agreed that he personally and illegally sold 18 firearms and 6 “switches.”

Help Birds During Spring Migration

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages bird watchers to enjoy the return of migratory birds to Wisconsin this spring and take a few simple steps to help our feathered friends.

Because Wisconsin is next to the Mississippi River flyway and Great Lakes shorelines, more than 350 species of birds have been reported in May. In addition, our diverse grasslands, marshes and forests provide key habitats for migratory birds.