Morning Headlines - Wednesday, July 16, 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

Trump Says US Attorney General Should Release Any 'Credible' Information On Epstein

US President Donald Trump has said Attorney General Pam Bondi should release "whatever she thinks is credible" on late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as he faces a rare backlash from supporters after seeking to draw a line under the case.

Bondi has been lambasted by some of Trump's political base after her department recently said there was no evidence that Epstein kept a "client list".

This appeared to contradict her previous statements, and those of other Trump allies who have previously called for the release of more information on Epstein.

Senate Poised To Hand Trump $9B In Cuts, Second Big Legislative Victory

Senate Republicans say they have the votes to pass a package of $9 billion in spending cuts, which would give President Trump another big legislative victory in less than a month after GOP leaders quelled a revolt from members of the powerful Appropriations Committee.

Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), told reporters Tuesday that the so-called rescissions package now has enough votes to pass the Senate after he and the Senate GOP leaders agreed to an amendment to remove cuts to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the global initiative launched by President George W. Bush in 2003 to combat AIDS.

Musk's Grok 'Companions' Include A Flirty Anime Character And An Anti-Religion Panda

Days after a Grok antisemitism scandal rocked X, tech billionaire Elon Musk’s AI chatbot has introduced two animated characters that try to pressure users into sexually explicit or violent conversations.

Grok, a product of Musk’s company xAI, is calling the characters “Companions.” So far, there are two companions that users can chat with: a flirty Japanese anime character named Ani who offers to make users’ lives “sexier,” and a red panda named Bad Rudi who insults users with graphic or vulgar language and asks them to join a gang with the goal of creating chaos.

'American Idol' Music Supervisor And Husband Found Shot Dead In Los Angeles Home, Suspect Arrested

A suspect has been arrested in the murder of an "American Idol" music supervisor and her songwriter husband, police in Los Angeles said Tuesday, even as many questions about the slayings remain unanswered.

The victims -- Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca, both 70 -- were found shot to death in their Los Angeles home during a welfare check on Monday, authorities said.

The suspect -- 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian -- was arrested at his home on Tuesday, LAPD Lt. Guy Golan told reporters on Tuesday.

Schwarber, NL Win All-Star Game In 1st Tiebreak HR Swing-Off

The 2025 MLB All-Star Game featured the two best pitchers in the world on the mound to start for their respective leagues and the two best position players in the opposing lineups.

It included the first automatic ball-strike system challenges in All-Star Game history, a rousing six-run comeback, a memorable appearance for a future first-ballot Hall of Famer and a beautiful tribute to the late Hank Aaron just miles from where he surpassed Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list.

Gov. Tony Evers On Balance Of Powers In Wisconsin Government

Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers discusses political implications of a ruling by the state Supreme Court over the powers of the governor and lawmakers to implement or block administrative rules.

Wisconsin Drivers To See Higher Title Fees, License Renewals This Fall

Wisconsin drivers will pay more for vehicle title transfers and driver's license renewals starting October 1 as part of the state's new biennial budget.

The vehicle title fee will increase by $50, from $157 to $207, whenever you buy, sell, or transfer a vehicle's ownership. The fee is waived if the vehicle is transferred from a deceased person to an immediate family member.

Class D license renewal fees, which apply to all regular cars, will increase from $24 to $32.50.

Bradley Raised Nothing In First Half Of ‘25 Amid Speculation About Reelection Bid

Conservative Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley, who told WisPolitics in April she planned to seek reelection next year, raised nothing for her campaign over the first half of 2025, according to a new filing.

The lack of fundraising activity isn’t new. Bradley has only filed one report detailing $700 in donations raised since Jan. 1, 2017.

Still, speculation has picked up in conservative legal circles that Bradley is having second thoughts about running for a second 10-year term in spring 2026 amid a losing streak for conservative candidates in spring races.

Rep Krug: Hell No To Fusion Voting’s Return

One of the top Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly is making it clear that he never wants to see fusion voting return.

Assistant Majority Leader Scott Krug on Tuesday didn’t mince words about the idea from one former lawmaker to allow candidates to run under different political parties in the same election.

“How 'bout hell no!!” Krug wrote in a post on X.

He made his stance clear after former Republican state Senator Dale Schultz filed a lawsuit back in April to bring fusion voting back.

Why Pay Raises Haven't Solved Staffing Shortages In Prisons Around Wisconsin

Responding to staffing shortages that imperiled guards and staff, Wisconsin lawmakers in 2023 significantly increased pay for corrections officers — hoping to retain and attract more workers to the grueling job.

It helped, at least initially. But following significant progress, staffing vacancies are again growing in many Wisconsin prisons. The data support a common complaint from correctional officers and their supporters: The Department of Corrections and the Legislature must do more to retain officers in the long run. Improving training, safety and workplace culture would help, they say.