Morning Headlines - Monday, Jan. 2, 2023

U.S. and World Headlines

Biblical Site Where Jesus Healed Blind Man Excavated For Public View: 'Affirms Scripture'

The Israel Antiquities Authority, the Israel National Parks Authority and the City of David Foundation announced days before the new year that the Pool of Siloam, a biblical site cherished by Christians and Jews, will be open to the public for the first time in 2,000 years in the near future.

"The Pool of Siloam’s excavation is highly significant to Christians around the world," American Pastor John Hagee, the founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel, told Fox News Digital. "It was at this site that Jesus healed the blind man (John:9), and it is at this site that, 2,000 years ago, Jewish pilgrims cleansed themselves prior to entering the Second Temple.

"The Pool of Siloam and the Pilgrimage Road, both located within the City of David, are among the most inspiring archeological affirmations of the Bible.

"Christians are deeply blessed by the City of David’s work and Israel’s enduring commitment to ensuring religious freedom to all who visit and live in the Holy Land, especially Jerusalem — the undivided capital of Israel."

Trump, Mccarthy, Biden: Six Political Storylines That Will Shape 2023

After a 2022 that saw Democrats celebrate passing key parts of their agenda and defy expectations in the midterms, the next year is set to bring about change in Congress and set the table for another big election year.

Tuesday will see the swearing in of a divided Congress. The 2024 presidential field will take shape as Republicans mull whether to take on former President Trump, while President Biden’s own future takes center stage for Democrats. And the Supreme Court could once again reshape the political arena with major rulings.

Here are six storylines to watch that will shape the year ahead.

Scientists Say Planet In Midst Of Sixth Mass Extinction, Earth's Wildlife Running Out Of Places To Live

In what year will the human population grow too large for the Earth to sustain? The answer is about 1970, according to research by the World Wildlife Fund. In 1970, the planet's 3 and a half billion people were sustainable. But on this New Year's Day, the population is 8 billion. Today, wild plants and animals are running out of places to live.

The scientists you're about to meet say the Earth is suffering a crisis of mass extinction on a scale unseen since the dinosaurs. We're going to show you a possible solution, but first, have a look at how humanity is already suffering from the vanishing wild.

Kevin McCarthy's Speakership In Jeopardy As Nine House Republicans Send Stinging Letter Warning

Support for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to become the next House Speaker appears to be falling fast after nine Republican House members wrote a stinging letter warning how electing him would represent a 'continuation of past and ongoing Republican failures.'

On Sunday, McCarthy met with GOP members in an attempt to garner support for his speakership vote on January 3, when the new Congress takes office.

However, several GOP representatives, including Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Chip Roy of Texas, Dan Bishop of North Carolina, Andy Harris of Maryland and Andrew Clyde of Georgia, along with Rep.-elects Andy Nogales of Tennessee, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Eli Crane of Arizona have voiced opposition to McCarthy's candidacy and have pledged to vote against him.

Poor Hydration May Be Linked To Early Aging And Chronic Disease, A 25-Year Study Finds

Adults who aren't sufficiently hydrated may age faster, face a higher risk of chronic diseases and be more likely to die younger than those who stay well-hydrated, according to a new study from the National Institutes of Health.

The results, published Monday, are based on data collected over 25 years from more than 11,000 adults in the U.S. The participants attended their first medical visits at ages 45 to 66, then returned for follow-ups through at ages 70 to 90.

Wisconsin Headlines

Child Dies In House Fire In River Falls, Wisconsin

A child is dead after a house fire in western Wisconsin early Friday morning. The city of River Falls has identified the child as 6 year-old Zaelia Follansbee of Hudson, Wisconsin. 

The River Falls Fire Department received a call about a house fire around 4:30 early Friday morning. 

A neighbor, Cory Anderson, says he's the one who made the call. 

"I woke up to a pounding on my door and I opened it up and a lady was screaming that her house was on fire and so I looked over there and that place was engulfed in flames," Anderson said. 

Wisconsin Residents Can Sell More Than Baked Goods From Home, Judge Rules

Wisconsinites who want to sell homemade goodies to friends, neighbors and the public no longer have to stick to baked goods like cakes and cookies.

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Rhonda Lanford ruled this week that other nonhazardous food items, not just baked goods, can be made and sold from home without a commercial license or kitchen, which plaintiffs argued can be cost-prohibitive. That includes items like candy, cocoa bombs, fried donuts and roasted coffee beans.

Many of those who want to sell homemade goods are people like moms with young children who hope to make a bit of money by selling the items they make at home.

Wisconsin Ranks As 4th Worst Driving State, Milwaukee Leading Speeding, Citations

Wisconsin ranks among the worst in the country when it comes to drivers, according to the insurance review site QuoteWizard.com.

A big reason behind that ranking is the way people are driving in Milwaukee. This ranking means it could cost you more to insure your vehicle even if you have a perfect driving record.

According to researchers, Wisconsin has the fourth-highest number of DUIs and fifth-highest number of speeding tickets. When it comes to what city is driving those numbers for the state, Milwaukee is leading the way.

Here's How 'Kwik Trip Girl' Earned Her Title

Walk into her local Kwik Trip, and there's a good chance you'll find Cassandra Berger browsing the aisles. She's there every day — come rain, shine, sleet or snow.

Some might consider obsessing over a regional gas station odd, but Berger doesn't.

She has a Kwik Trip tattoo. She owns several items of branded merchandise. She's tried almost every Kwik Trip snack and food item.

But last year, Berger might have reached the pinnacle of fandom. In 2021, she visited every Kwik Trip gas station across the entire state of Wisconsin — all 457 of them.

"They have said that I'm their number one fan several times, so, yup, number one fan," Berger said.

Rodgers, Packers Rout Vikings 41-17, Control Playoff Fate

Aaron Rodgers threw a touchdown pass and ran for a score, and the Green Bay Packers continued their improbable playoff push by shutting down Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings in a 41-17 blowout on Sunday.

Keisean Nixon scored on a 105-yard kickoff return and Darnell Savage had a 75-yard pick-6 of Kirk Cousins — one of four turnovers by the Vikings QB — to help Green Bay build a 27-3 halftime lead. Aaron Jones rushed for 111 yards on 14 carries and A.J. Dillon had a 2-yard touchdown run as the Packers won their fourth straight.

Green Bay (8-8) will reach the playoffs if it beats division rival Detroit at home in its regular-season finale. A fourth straight postseason berth seemed out of the question after a 1-7 stretch dropped the Packers to 4-8, but they haven’t lost since and have benefited from favorable results around the league.