Morning Headlines - Monday, Feb. 24, 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

Germany To Move Toward 'Independence' From US, New Leader Says

Before the final votes in Germany's election were even counted, Friedrich Merz, the leader of the center-right Christian Democratic Union party, who is set to become the next chancellor, promised a major shift in relations with the U.S.

In a post-election debate, he promised to confront head-on a new reality -- that the Trump administration looks to overturn about 80 years of policy and raises the prospect of abandoning security guarantees for Europe.

Apple Announces $500 Billion U.S. Investment Amid Trump Tariff Threat

Apple on Monday reaffirmed a commitment to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in the U.S. over the coming years amid pressure from President Donald Trump and the growing threat of his tariffs.

The tech giant said it planned to spend $500 billion over the next five years in the United States, with intentions to hire 20,000 new workers and produce AI servers.

Here’s Why Trump Tariffs May Raise Your Car Insurance Premiums

Annual car insurance premiums would rise by 8% in 2025 if tariffs on Canada and Mexico take effect, according to Insurify. They would rise by 5% without such duties, it said.

Trump proposed a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, which may start in March.

Tariffs are expected to raise costs for cars and parts, making it more expensive for insurers to repair or replace automobiles after a wreck.

Angry Democratic Donors Turn Off The Flow Of Money

Democrats are anxious to rebuild their party on the heels of President Trump’s victory in November. But they have a major problem as they try to refashion their brand: The money isn’t there.

Democratic donors — from bundlers to small dollar donors — say they are still angry about the election results and uninspired by anything their side has put forward since then.

Republicans' Love/Hate Relationship With The Education Department

The fight over the U.S. Department of Education has begun, but the battle lines are a little blurry.

President Trump says he wants to close the department, and the Senate is expected to vote soon on the confirmation of Linda McMahon, his nominee to be education secretary.

At her recent confirmation hearing, McMahon said she would work to realize Trump's vision of unwinding the department and "return education to the states where it belongs."

At the same hearing, though, some Republicans appeared torn about the fate of the department – because they support many of the things it does.

Wisconsin Man Missing In Thick Puerto Rico Rain Forest

Authorities in Puerto Rico are searching for a tourist from Wisconsin they say got lost in the dense tropical rain forest of El Yunque in the U.S. territory's east.

Police said in a statement that Abdur Rahman, 64, was hiking with a group when he became separated from them on Sunday.

Crews resumed their search on Monday for Rahman, who police said lives in Wisconsin.

New Lawmakers Find Their Bearings In Wisconsin's Legislature

A pair of new state lawmakers — Rep. Lindee Brill and Rep. Angelina Cruz — share their thoughts on serving their constituents at the start of the 2025 session in the wake of legislative redistricting.

MacIver’s Guide To The 2025-27 State Budget

Whatever the US Constitution does not specifically authorize the federal government to do is left up to the states and to the people. While theoretically restraining the federal government, it provides an open invitation for state government to interject itself into its residents’ lives. There are two main restraints that stand in states’ way as they seek to exploit that constitutional mandate. First, the people can always vote out politicians who go too far. Secondly, the states cannot print money. This means the state budget process is a crucial fight in protecting individual rights and preventing government overreach. The people are ultimately responsible for waging that fight by holding politicians accounting for their decisions. The people can only do this when they have access to reliable information and analysis throughout the budget process. That is why covering this process continues to be a top priority at the MacIver Institute for Public Policy.

Milwaukee Health Department May Shut Down City Schools Due To High Levels Of Lead

City officials gathered earlier in the month to announce dangerous levels of lead dust had been found at Golda Meir Lower Campus and Kagel Elementary School in Milwaukee. One student at each of those schools tested positive for lead poisoning.

Health officials said on Feb. 11 that two additional students have tested positive for lead poisoning. Those children attend Maryland Avenue Montessori School and Trowbridge Street School of Great Lakes Studies. Lead risk assessments are now underway at those schools.

WIAA Boys State Basketball Brackets Revealed

The WIAA has revealed brackets for this year's 2025 Boys Basketball Tournament.

You can check out all the brackets here.

Playoffs start Tuesday, March 4th.

The playoffs culminate in the state tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison. It starts Thursday, March 20 and ends on championship Saturday, March 22.