Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024

U.S. and World Headlines

Democrats Flip Santos’s New York House Seat In High-Stakes Special Election

Former Rep. Tom Suozzi (D) has won back his old seat in the House, giving Democrats a critical pickup that will further narrow the GOP House majority, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ.

Suozzi defeated Republican Mazi Pilip in the special election to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. George Santos (R), who was expelled from his seat in December in the aftermath of criminal charges being filed against him and the many false claims he made about his background.

House Impeaches Alejandro Mayorkas, First Cabinet Secretary To Be Impeached In Almost 150 Years

The House of Representatives, by an extremely narrow margin, voted Tuesday to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the first Cabinet secretary to be impeached in almost 150 years.

The result came one week after the stunning loss House Republicans suffered when they last tried to impeach Mayorkas and GOP defections and an absence sank the initial floor vote, a move Republicans had hoped to use to spotlight the Biden administration’s handling of the southern border.

Biden V. Trump: The Battle Over Who’s Too Old, Too Forgetful Or Too Confused

It was always headed here, with President Joe Biden in his 80s and Donald Trump not far behind. But in the span of a few days, the wrinkled and sagging reality staring the nation in the face has become the defining issue of the 2024 campaign.

Following special counsel Robert Hur’s controversial characterization of Biden as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory” Trump assailed Biden’s “hazy memory,” dusted off his “Sleepy Joe” moniker from 2020 and told a crowd, “I don’t think he knows he’s alive.”

Thousands Of US Uber And Lyft Drivers Plan Valentine's Day Strikes

Thousands of U.S. ride-hailing workers plan to park their cars and picket at major U.S. airports Wednesday in what organizers say is their largest strike yet in a drive for better pay and benefits.

Uber and Lyft drivers plan daylong strikes in Chicago; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Miami; Orlando and Tampa, Florida; Hartford, Connecticut; Newark, New Jersey; Austin, Texas; and Providence, Rhode Island. Drivers also plan to hold midday demonstrations at airports in those cities, according to Justice for App Workers, the group organizing the effort.

Justice for App Workers, which says it represents 130,000 ride-hailing and delivery workers, is seeking higher wages, access to health care and an appeals process so companies can’t deactivate them without warning.

Valentine's Day Poll: Most Americans Think They Are Romantic, But What Is It That Makes Them So?

Are you romantic? Most Americans think they are, at least somewhat. And when it comes to what they think makes someone romantic, it's some of the little everyday things that people can do that come to mind first.

And how romantic people think they are is a good indicator of how likely they are to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Wisconsin Headlines

Wisconsin Man Sentenced to 25 years in Federal Prison for Sexually Assaulting a Toddler on Video

John D. Schaefer (age: 35) of Menasha, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 300 months’ imprisonment for production of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.

In November of 2022, law enforcement was contacted by the defendant’s roommate who stated that he had been shown a video produced by Schaefer depicting the sexual abuse of a child who was approximately 15 months old. Further investigation revealed that Schaefer sexually assaulted the child while acting as a babysitter. As part of the investigation, law enforcement seized Schaefer’s electronic items, which contained the video of that abuse and over 2.2 terabytes of child sexual abuse material.

Wisconsin Legislature Passes Legislative District Maps Proposed By Evers

Wisconsin’s GOP-controlled Legislature on Feb. 13 passed legislative maps that were proposed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers — a move designed to prevent the liberal-controlled state Supreme Court from implementing maps that might be even worse for Republicans.

Republicans conceded defeat, while Democrats said they were afraid of being tricked.

“It pains me to say it, but Gov. Evers gets a huge win today,” Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said, adding that under the new maps, “the Legislature will be up for grabs.”

'Sue Big Oil': Youth Climate Activists Press State Attorney General To Be More Aggressive On Climate Change

Teenage activists with Action for the Climate Future demonstrated inside of the Risser Justice Center, the headquarters of the state Department of Justice (DOJ), to call on Attorney General Josh Kaul to sue the fossil fuel industry.

For his part, Kaul is not closing the door on potential legal action against fossil fuel producers.

“Josh Kaul, protect our soil!” the protesters chanted in the building’s lobby. “Do your part and sue big oil!”

Western Wisconsin Health Systems Add Capacity Ahead Of Hospital, Clinic Closures

Western Wisconsin health care systems are looking for ways to expand their capacity ahead of the closure of two area hospitals and a network of clinics.

Hospital Sisters Health System’s Sacred Heart hospital in Eau Claire and HSHS St. Joseph’s hospital in Chippewa Falls will close on or before April 21, according to the health system. Prevea Health primary and specialty care clinics in 10 western Wisconsin communities will also close this spring.

The abrupt closures have caused concern from local and state officials about access to care in the region and the ability of other local health care systems to take on displaced patients.

Assembly Passes $2.1B GOP Tax-Cut Package

The Assembly approved a $2.1 billion GOP package that would expand the state’s second-lowest tax bracket while providing additional breaks for retirement income, married couples and child care.

Dems during floor debate argued the cuts would leave the state with a budget deficit. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau has projected the state will finish the 2023-25 budget with a $3.25 billion surplus.

Rep. Shannon Zimmerman argued the money should go back into taxpayers’ pockets, pointing out Gov. Tony Evers’ proposed budget was projected to create a deficit.