Morning Headlines - Friday, May 24, 2024

U.S. and World Headlines

NCAA, Power Five Conferences Vote To Approve $2.8B Settlement In House, Hubbard And Carter Cases

In the spring of 2021, attorneys for the NCAA, appearing before the U.S. Supreme Court, argued vehemently against providing each college athlete with additional cash annually.

The amount: $5,980.

Three years later, in a landmark agreement that will transform the course of major college athletics, the organization left behind its archaic rules, shook off its long-time amateurism argument and thrust the industry into an era of direct athlete compensation.

The amount: more than $15 billion in new cash is expected to funnel to athletes over the duration of the 10-year agreement.

Here’s What’s In The Mammoth $883.7B Defense Bill Passed By The House

The House has advanced its mammoth $883.7 billion Defense policy bill for fiscal 2025, legislation that includes a number of controversial measures including the rehiring of troops kicked out for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine and one giving state governors veto power over a Space Force transfer.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was approved Wednesday night by the House Armed Services Committee in a vote of 57-1 after more than 700 amendments were negotiated over roughly 12 hours. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) was the lone vote against the legislation.

ICJ Orders Israel To Halt Military Offensive In Rafah

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an order on Friday calling on Israel to stop its military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

It's the court's first order about the war in Gaza, where more than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to local health officials.

The order from the court, which began discussing the matter in January, significantly increases international pressure on Israel to stop the latest fighting in Gaza that began after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage.

Flags Outside Of Alito's Houses Spark Political Backlash As Supreme Court Nears End Of Term

Reports of two different flags flown outside of Justice Samuel Alito's houses have ignited a political firestorm and reinvigorated a focus on ethics practices at the Supreme Court, as Democrats push legislation that would require the court to adopt a binding code of conduct and call for the justice to recuse himself from cases involving former President Donald Trump and the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Oil Prices Hit Three-Month Lows, Head For Weekly Loss As Summer Driving Season Kicks Off

Crude oil futures fell to three-month lows on Friday and are heading to a weekly loss as the summer driving season gets underway with the Memorial Day holiday.

U.S. crude oil hit an intraday low of $76.15, the lowest level since Feb. 26. Global benchmark Brent fell to $80.65, the lowest level since Feb. 8. The two benchmarks are on pace for a weekly loss of about 4% and 3%, respectively.

Wisconsin Headlines

Wisconsin Criminal Justice Groups Argue For Invalidating Constitutional Amendments On Bail

Wisconsin criminal justice advocates argued in court Wednesday that Republican-backed cash bail constitutional amendments approved by voters last year should be invalidated over procedural flaws, a case that elections officials and the Legislature call a cynical attempt to undo election results.

Dane County Circuit Judge Rhonda Lanford did not rule from the bench following arguments. She said she would issue a written decision later.

Northern Zone Musky Season Opens May 25

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds anglers the 2024 northern zone muskellunge (musky) season begins May 25 and runs through Dec. 31.

During the open season, anglers can catch musky on open waters within the northern muskellunge management zone. All regulations and license requirements apply.

Know Before You Go: WisDOT Offers Travel Tips For Memorial Day Weekend

Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) reminds drivers to focus on the road ahead, be courteous to other drivers and slow down on Wisconsin roads. According to AAA, Wisconsinites will travel in near-record numbers this holiday weekend. Peak travel times are expected between noon and 7 p.m. Friday (May 24) and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday (May 27). Motorists should plan ahead with 511 Wisconsin, 511wi.gov​, and check their route before traveling.

Northern Wisconsin Park Reopens After Years Of Advocacy By Residents

When the U.S. government closed Green Lake Park in 2015 citing budget cuts, nearby residents lost access to a local park, the lake within it and a historically protected structure.

In the Town of Mountain, in Oconto County, the park had been a staple for over 80 years, said Brenda Carey-Mielke, a town board supervisor. The park’s closure in 2015 “hit the community really hard,” she said.

New Marquette Law School Poll Shows Impact Of Trump's Hush Money Trial On Presidential Election

The latest Marquette Law School Poll shows President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are still tied for the November presidential race. It also looks into whether Trump's legal troubles will have any effect on voters as the election quickly approaches.

Trump's defense lawyers in his New York hush money trial finished presenting their case on Tuesday. The sitting judge on the trial says closing arguments are set to take place as early as next week.