Morning Headlines - Monday, Jun. 20, 2022 | Recent News

U.S. and World Headlines

FINA Votes To Restrict Transgender Swimmers, Including Lia Thomas, In Elite Women's Events

Swimming's world governing body voted to restrict the participation of transgender athletes in women's events and will look into creating an "open competition" category in a membership vote on Sunday.

FINA members voted 71.5% in favor of a policy that requires transgender swimmers to have completed their transition by age 12 to be able to compete, per the Associated Press. There are 152 national federations with voting rights. The vote applies to all events beginning on Monday. Part of the 24-page policy was a proposal for an "open competition" category.

The Big Flaw In Biden’s Plan To Fight Inflation

President Biden’s hands-off approach to fighting the highest inflation in four decades poses major risks to the economy and his political fortunes.

Biden made clear earlier this month he will do nothing to push the Federal Reserve away from hiking interest rates as high as possible to curb price growth. But as the Fed picks up the pace of rate hikes, economists fear the bank will be forced to trigger a recession as it struggles to fight supply shocks beyond its control.

Global Inflation: Five Ways US Rate Rise Will Affect You

The US central bank has announced its biggest rate hike in nearly 30 years as it ramps up its battle to bring soaring consumer prices under control.

It lifted the rate the Federal Reserve charges banks to borrow by three quarters of a percentage point. The consequences will be felt in nearly every corner of the economy - in the US and abroad.

Here are five ways the rate rise in the US will affect you.

8 Primaries And Runoffs To Watch In Alabama, Georgia And Virginia

Wait, haven’t we seen this episode? On Tuesday, voters in Alabama and Georgia head back to the polls for reruns of several races that weren’t decided on May 24. (In those states, if no candidate receives a majority of the vote in the primary, the top two vote-getters go to a runoff.) In addition, Virginia is holding its regularly scheduled primary. In total, this makes for eight competitive primaries we’re watching.

As has been the case for most primary days so far this year, this week’s drama is focused on the Republican side of the aisle.

Caution: Bummer Summer Ahead

This is the least pandemic-y summer in two years, but inflation is dragging down the celebration. Most Americans are now getting their first taste of living in a high-inflation environment — and they don't like it. Prices are up nearly across the board for a lot of things we love to do in the summer,

Planned Parenthood Of Wisconsin Suspending Abortion Appointments

Abortion could suddenly become illegal in Wisconsin so Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin is adding more abortion appointments through June 25. After that, they're suspending appointments and directing patients to facilities out of state. The reason behind this move is to not disrupt care for those seeking an abortion as the country waits for a decision from the Supreme Court.

Wisconsin's PFAS Standards Are On Track To Take Effect. What Happens Next?

Wisconsin will likely see its first standards for so-called forever chemicals known as PFAS now that Wisconsin Republicans have posed no objections to the rules.

An aide for Republican Sen. Steve Nass, who chairs the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules, told the Associated Press Monday that the committee would allow the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to implement the proposed standards.

PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of thousands of synthetic chemicals found in firefighting foam and everyday products like nonstick cookware and stain-resistant clothing. Research has shown links to serious health effects that include increased risk of kidney and testicular cancers, thyroid disease and fertility issues. The chemicals have also been tied to reduced response to vaccines.

Marketing Agency Owner Sentenced To 12 Months For Kickback Scheme

Ryan Weckerly, 48, Sycamore, Illinois, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William Conley to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison for wire fraud and aiding in the preparation of a false tax return. The prison sentence will be followed by 6 months of home confinement and 2 ½ years of supervised release. Weckerly is the owner of two marketing agencies based in Sycamore, Illinois - Morningstar Media Group, and Morningstar Interactive, which did business as Invironments Magazine.

The government’s investigation revealed that between 2015 and 2020, Weckerly and co-defendant Barbara Bortner engaged in a kickback scheme in which Weckerly submitted inflated invoices to Bortner for his marketing work for Mercyhealth. During the scheme, Bortner was the Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at Mercyhealth in Janesville. Once Bortner approved his marketing invoices, Weckerly received payments from Mercyhealth and provided money to Bortner using either cash or checks. In return for the payments, Bortner agreed to use Weckerly’s business, Morningstar Media Group, as the primary marketing agency for Mercyhealth.

Third Defendant Sentenced In Money Laundering Scheme

Moises Amezcua-Cardenas, 21, Schofield, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 18 months in federal prison for his role in a money laundering conspiracy. Amezcua-Cardenas pleaded guilty to the offense on February 24, 2022. Because the defendant had already served that much time in custody, the sentence was considered served.

In November and December 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, together with local law enforcement, investigated a series of thefts by fraud involving individuals who used false pretenses to convince employees of businesses to collect and deliver the businesses’ cash-on-hand to individuals who were supposedly legitimate money couriers. Businesses large and small were targeted in the scheme and the loss to date is approximately $300,000.

UW-Madison Student Crowned Miss Wisconsin

A UW-Madison junior studying nuclear engineering won over $12,000 in scholarships after being crowned Miss Wisconsin Saturday evening.

Competing as Miss Badgerland, Grace Stanke took the title of Miss Wisconsin against a field of 22 candidates throughout the state. Stanke is the first woman to hold the titles of Miss Wisconsin’s Outstanding Teen and Miss Wisconsin.