Morning Headlines - Friday, July 25, 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

5 Takeaways From Trump’s Visit To The Federal Reserve

President Trump on Thursday visited the Federal Reserve headquarters alongside Chair Jerome Powell to tour a major renovation taking place there, a project he and his administration have criticized as being over budget.

Powell has drawn Trump’s ire over the central bank’s decision to keep interest rates where they are, citing economic uncertainty. Trump’s visit to the facility included a rare public appearance of the president and Powell together, wearing white hard hats while they walked around the construction site.

Trump notably backed off the notion of firing Powell, whom he appointed in 2017, but kept up the pressure of wanting interest rates lowered to make borrowing more affordable.

Here are five takeaways from the visit.

$8 Billion Acquisition Of Paramount By Skydance Media Approved By The FCC

The Federal Communications Commission said it had approved Skydance Media’s $8 billion bid to acquire CBS News parent company Paramount after Skydance made several concessions to the Trump administration. The merger paves the way for a tectonic shift in ownership of one of America’s three major networks.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a news release that the move would bring change to CBS News’ coverage, claiming “Americans no longer trust legacy national news media to report fully, accurately, and fairly.”

Among the concessions that Skydance made with regulators was an agreement to not implement any DEI programs.

Volkswagen Cuts Guidance After Taking $1.5 Billion Hit From U.S. Tariffs In First Half

German auto giant Volkswagen posted a sharp drop in second-quarter profit, primarily due to high costs from increased U.S. import tariffs.

The results come as Europe’s automakers struggle to get to grips with a series of industry challenges.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently threatened to raise duties on EU auto imports to 30% from Aug. 1.

Hulk Hogan, Pro Wrestling Legend, Dies At 71

Pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan has died, police and World Wrestling Entertainment said. He was 71.

First responders were called to the Clearwater Beach, Florida, home of Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, around 9:50 a.m. Thursday, police said.

"The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest," the Clearwater Police Department said in a statement. He was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

South Park Creator Makes Mock Apology To Trump

South Park co-creator Trey Parker has made a short, joke apology to President Donald Trump for ridiculing him in the opening show of their 27th season.

The episode, broadcast on Wednesday, depicted the US president naked in bed with recurring character Satan.

Asked about the reaction during a panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego, Parker said, with a mock-serious face: "We're terribly sorry."

The White House has said of the episode: "This show hasn't been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention."

Reaction, Speculation Pour-In After Evers Decides Against Third Term

Tony Evers is not running for a third term as Wisconsin governor. Now, politicos on both sides of the aisle, and across the state are looking to who will be running instead.

Evers made his announcement Thursday morning.

“For five decades, my family has sacrificed to give me the gift of service. They’re my world. And I owe it to them to focus on doing all the things we enjoy and love doing together,” the governor said in his announcement. “It’s why, Wisconsin, I’m announcing that I will not be running for a third term.”

As Tony Evers Retires, Possible Candidates Emerge For Wisconsin Governor’s Race

Wisconsin’s political world was turned upside down Thursday by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ announcement that he won’t seek a third term in office. Now, Democrats and Republicans alike are thinking about jumping into what political analysts expect to be crowded primaries.

In the hours after Evers’ announcement, a long list of Democrats who’ve been floated as potential 2026 candidates sent out statements thanking the governor for his years of service.

Republican Lawmakers Want To Cap How Much Universities Of Wisconsin Can Raise Tuition

Two Republican state lawmakers are proposing a bill to cap how much the Universities of Wisconsin can raise tuition each year.

Representative David Murphy and senator Andre Jacque say they want to limit the increases to no higher than the rate of inflation.

In-state undergraduate tuition at all UW schools was frozen from 2012 to 2023.

Judge Orders Abundant Life Shooter's Father To Stand Trial

The father of a Wisconsin school shooter must stand trial on charges he allowed her access to the guns she used in the deadly attack, a court commissioner ruled July 24, rejecting arguments that he didn’t know she was considering violence and didn’t physically hand her the weapons at the school.

Dane County Court Commissioner John Rome issued the order in Jeffrey Rupnow’s case after a preliminary hearing, a routine step in the criminal justice process in which a court official decides whether enough evidence exists to order a trial.

Democrats Bring ‘Epstein Files’ Demands To Wisconsin Swing Districts In New Ads

Democrats are escalating an effort to capitalize on a Republican rift about documents related to financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

And they’re doing it in Wisconsin.

The Democratic National Committee launched a digital ad campaign Friday encouraging Wisconsinites to demand Republican representatives release the “Epstein files.”