Morning Headlines - Monday, July 14, 2025

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

Russia Launches 136 Drones Into Ukraine Ahead Of Expected Trump Announcement

Russia launched four missiles and 136 drones into Ukraine overnight into Monday morning, according to Ukraine's air force, after President Donald Trump said the U.S. would provide Kyiv with more Patriot surface-to-air systems to help defend against Russia's nightly bombardments.

Ukraine's air force said in a post to Telegram that 108 drones were shot down or otherwise neutralized during the latest attack, with 28 drones impacting in 10 locations. Falling debris from downed drones was reported in four locations, the air force said.

Nine Killed And Dozens Hurt In Fire At Massachusetts Assisted-Living Home

At least nine people have been killed after a fire swept through an assisted living facility in Massachusetts, and dozens of other residents and five firefighters have been taken to hospital.

Authorities responded to the fire at Gabriel House, in the town of Fall River, at approximately 21:50 local time on Sunday (02:50 GMT on Monday). On arrival, they discovered residents trapped in the blazing building.

About 50 firefighters went to the scene, including approximately 30 who were off-duty at the time.

Democrats Find Reasons For Hope And Fear Six Months Into Trump 2.0

Nearing the six-month mark of President Trump’s frenetic second term, Democrats are fighting to find their footing and claw themselves from the wilds of the minority in next year’s midterm elections.

On the bright side, Democrats in both chambers were unanimous this month in their opposition to Trump’s megabill of domestic priorities — a massive package of social spending cuts and tax benefits that Democrats hope will serve as a powerful messaging tool as they battle to regain the support of disgruntled working-class voters who have shifted allegiances to the GOP.

But they also have good reason to worry. Not only do polls show the Democrats’ approval ratings at historic lows, but they’re still scrambling to identify a national leader almost half a year after Trump’s return to the White House — dynamics that are raising alarm bells in certain corners of the party.

Federal Reserve Quietly Responds To Trump Administration Attacks Over Renovation

A new “Frequently Asked Questions” page on the Federal Reserve’s website defends the central bank’s recent renovation project — and responds to many Trump administration criticisms of it.

Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought slammed the renovation project and said he would pursue an investigation.

Chairman Jerome Powell has repeatedly resisted President Donald Trump’s criticisms and repeated attempts to pressure him to lower interest rates.

How Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" Affects Student Loans

The millions of Americans with student loans, who have already experienced whiplash in federal policy since the pandemic, must again brace for change.

The "big, beautiful bill" that President Trump signed into law on July 4 overhauls the federal student loan system by reducing the number of repayment plan options down to two from seven and capping the amount individuals can borrow for higher education.

Here's how the new budget law will affect people with federal student loans.

Wisconsin Headlines

Wisconsin Invests $5 Million To Preserve Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin Estate

The State of Wisconsin has awarded $5 million to Taliesin Preservation, Inc., supporting critical restoration and preservation work at Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Taliesin estate.

The funding, part of the recently signed 2025–2027 state budget, reflects bipartisan support and marks a major milestone in efforts to safeguard the sprawling 800-acre property.

“I got a press release from the governor at 1:30 in the morning,” said Carrie Rodamaker, executive director of Taliesin. “And just went through, I think it was 70 pages, found it and then started texting all my colleagues and coworkers here.”

Senator Tammy Baldwin Speaks On National Spending Bill

Both Republicans and Democrats continue to sound off, following the passing of President Donald Trump’s budget bill.

Saturday morning in Green Bay, Senator Tammy Baldwin called out the bill for cuts to Medicaid, saying it will cost more than 270,000 people in the state their healthcare and potentially force rural hospitals to close, including one hospital in our area.

Agency That Investigated The Superior Refinery Explosion Faces Elimination Under Trump

Four years after an explosion at Wisconsin’s only oil refinery, federal investigators found a lack of safeguards during a maintenance shutdown led to a 2018 blast that injured three dozen workers and prompted a temporary evacuation of Superior residents.

Now, the board that did that investigation is slated for elimination under Republican President Donald Trump’s proposed 2026 budget.

Both Of Superior’s Carnegie Libraries Are For Sale

When Teddie Meronek was a child, her mother would let her walk by herself to the East End Superior Public Library to pick out her books.

“That was the most exciting thing, that I was allowed to go there and make my own choices about what I was going to bring home,” Meronek, who is a retired librarian and local historian, told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today.”

The library is one of two Carnegie libraries in Superior and was the last Carnegie library built in Wisconsin.

Brewers Select 1B/3B Andrew Fischer, SS Brady Ebel In First Round Of MLB Draft

The Wisconsin and Tennessee pipeline is growing as the Milwaukee Brewers have selected Tennessee 1B/3B Andrew Fischer in the first round of the MLB Draft on Sunday night.

Fischer was the teammate of former Milton state champion and now San Francisco Giant Gavin Kilen.

The Brewers also selected SS Brady Ebel with their compensation pick in the draft. Ebel is the third player out of Corona High School to be selected on Sunday night. He is also the son of Dodgers third-base coach, Dino Ebel.