Morning Headlines - Monday, July 28, 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

Trump Reaches Agreement With E.U. To Impose 15% Tariff, With Exceptions For Key Industries

President Donald Trump on Sunday announced a trade agreement with the European Union that would set tariffs at 15%, ending what had been months of uncertainty surrounding trade with the United States’ largest trade partner.

The tariff rate is a reduction from the 30% that Trump threatened on July 12 and the 20% he said he would impose on April 2.

Justice Dept. Shuts Down Dark Web Child Abuse Sites That Had 120,000 Members And Millions Of Files

When FBI agents arrived outside William Spearman's home in the quiet suburb of Madison, Alabama, in November 2022, they were prepared for danger.   

Their search warrant was so important to the bureau that it was approved by the FBI director himself. When the agents breached Spearman's door with tactical explosives, Spearman fought back, tussling with the agents as three of his handguns remained barely out of reach. The FBI managed to handcuff and arrest Spearman, a high-value arrest, in what a top Justice Department official called "one of the most successful" prosecutions of its kind.

Suspect Facing Terrorism Charge In Alleged Stabbing Of 11 People At Michigan Walmart

A 42-year-old man is facing charges of terrorism and assault with intent to murder after he allegedly stabbed 11 people at a Walmart store in Michigan and was apprehended by a group of citizens, including one armed with a gun, authorities said on Sunday.

The suspect, whom authorities identified as 42-year-old Bradford James Gille of Cheboygan County, Michigan, allegedly entered the Walmart store in Traverse City, about 150 miles north of Grand Rapids, around 4:10 p.m. on Saturday and began attacking people with a folding knife, Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea said at a news conference on Sunday afternoon.

Elon Musk Confirms Tesla Has Signed A $16.5 Billion Chip Contract With Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics has entered into a $16.5 billion contract for supplying semiconductors to Tesla, based on a regulatory filing by the South Korean firm and Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s posts on X.

The memory chipmaker, which had not named the counterparty, mentioned in its filing that the effective start date of the contract was July 26, 2025 — receipt of orders — and its end date was Dec. 31, 2033.

Rare 4,000-Year-Old Egyptian Handprint Found

A 4,000-year-old handprint has been found on an ancient Egyptian tomb offering by curators preparing for an exhibition.

The discovery was made by University of Cambridge researchers on a "soul house", a type of clay model in the shape of a building, typically found in burials.

Curator Helen Strudwick said the complete handprint, which dates to 2055 to 1650BC, was "a rare and exciting" find.

Wisconsin Headlines

Rodriguez Launches Gubernatorial Bid, Crowley Taking Steps To Get In

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez today announced she’s running for governor, making her the first Dem to officially announce a bid after Gov. Tony Evers decided not to seek a third term.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee County Exec David Crowley said he will take steps in the coming weeks to enter the race.

Rodriguez, a former state rep from Brookfield released a short video announcing her campaign to succeed Evers, touting her background as an ER nurse, small business owner and health care executive. She also lists several reasons why she’s running.

Walker Not Running For WI Governor In 2026, Hints To His Own Political Future

Former Wisconsin governor Scott Walker will not be running for governor in 2026. Walker made this announcement in a video posted to “X” on Sunday that he will not be a candidate in next year’s race.

Walker added that he would be backing a “common sense conservative” in the gubernatorial race. He also hinted toward his own political future.

Why Are Black Women More Likely To Be Murdered? Wisconsin Bill Would Create Task Force.

In Wisconsin, Black women and girls face a disproportionate likelihood of being murdered.

But efforts to create a task force that would address that disparity have stalled for years.

On Friday, state Rep. Sheila Stubbs, D-Madison, announced she’s reintroducing a bill to create a Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls Task Force within Wisconsin’s Department of Justice.

Justice Department Sues Green Bay Landlord For Sexual Harassment And Retaliation In Violation Of The Fair Housing Act

Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 24, 2025, the United States filed a civil complaint alleging that David Jones and D Jones Properties LLC discriminated on the basis of sex in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA).

Jones manages multiple rental properties in the Green Bay, Wisconsin, area, and the complaint alleges that he engaged in severe, pervasive, and unwelcome sexual harassment of a female tenant by, among other things, making unwelcome sexual comments, grabbing the tenant without her consent, entering the tenant’s home without her permission, and taking adverse housing-related actions against the tenant when she asserted her rights under the FHA. The case was referred to the Department of Justice after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) received a complaint, conducted an investigation, and issued a charge of discrimination. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment and a court order barring future discrimination.

Wisconsin Residents Renew Call To Require Decontamination Of Wake Boats

More than 100 waterfront property owners in Wisconsin are backing a petition to require decontamination of wake boats moving between lakes to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Wake boat owners say more focus should be placed on education and resources to decontaminate all boats.

Wake boats are designed to enhance a boat’s wake through the use of ballast tanks or other design features, creating large waves that people can surf.