Morning Headlines - Monday, Nov. 11, 2024

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 and the end for a little humor to go with your news!

U.S. and World Headlines

Trump Announces "Border Czar" Will Be Tom Homan, Former Head Of Immigration Enforcement

President-elect Donald Trump says Tom Homan, his former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, will serve as "border czar" in his incoming administration.

"I am pleased to announce that the Former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nation's Borders," he wrote late Sunday on his Truth Social site.

Sotomayor Has No Plans To Resign From Supreme Court

Despite urgent speculation in liberal legal circles and some talk among Democratic senators of potentially outright urging Justice Sonia Sotomayor to resign, sources close to the senior liberal justice have told ABC News that she is not expected to step down in the middle of the term because of the 2024 election results.

Sotomayor, 70, is in good health and a vigorous participant in the court's work. She is well below the average retirement age of 75, and her diabetes, which she has had since childhood, remains well-managed.

After McCarthy Ouster, GOP To Consider New Requirement For House Leadership Elections

House Republicans are set to consider a variety of new internal rules proposals this week, including some proposals that tie back to the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

While there is a broader push to amend the one-member threshold needed to trigger a motion to vacate, there are also some GOP members aiming to make internal changes to their party’s leadership election moving forward. Republicans from the various corners of the conference have put forward their proposals for the 119th Congress, which will be considered this week when the party votes on its new rules package Thursday.

China Roads Blocked By Thousands Of Cyclists In Night Quest For Dumplings

It started as a social media quest for breakfast dumplings, but ended with thousands of cyclists bringing traffic gridlock between two cities in central China.

What should have been a boost to the ancient city of Kaifeng’s economy backfired when the trend went viral - tens of thousands on rented bikes cycled through the night from nearby Zhenghou.

A six-lane expressway between the two cities quickly filled with cyclists as police took to loudspeakers urging them to leave. Bike rental firms warned they would remotely lock bikes taken out of Zhengzhou.

The Big-Money Battle To Host An F1 Race Is Heating Up

The Middle Eastern oil-producing nations see F1 as critical to their economic diversification, and have invested enormous sums to secure it.

Abu Dhabi, which held its first Grand Prix in 2009, spent $40 billion constructing an artificial island to do it. 

To continue growing, F1 will need to tread a narrow line between the sport’s new audience and its core motor racing fans.

Wisconsin Headlines

Wisconsin Supreme Court Hears Arguments Monday In Abortion Lawsuit

The state Supreme Court will hear Monday from attorneys on both sides of a case that could decide the future of abortion rights in Wisconsin.

Oral arguments are scheduled to begin at 9:45 a.m. before the seven-justice court, which flipped to a liberal majority in August of last year.

Planned Parenthood is currently providing abortions at several clinics in Wisconsin, citing a lower court decision. But a ruling from the state’s highest court could provide more finality and clarity about the legal status of abortion in Wisconsin.

Wausau Man Sentenced To 8 Years For Possessing Methamphetamine Intended For Distribution

Jonathan Rodriguez, 39, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 8 years in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine intended for distribution.

Law enforcement received a tip that Rodriguez had in his possession, a significant amount of methamphetamine. Officers located Rodriguez in downtown Wausau and ultimately searched him. He had 319 grams of methamphetamine, some of which was pre-packaged for distribution. Rodriguez also admitted that he had sold about a pound of methamphetamine hours before his arrest.

Teen Is In Custody After Trying To Enter Wisconsin Elementary School While Armed

A 13-year-old boy who had researched school shootings online was arrested hours after he tried to enter a Wisconsin elementary school with suspicious bags, police said.

Investigators believe the boy was armed, judging by videos of him brandishing what investigators believe was a rifle and comments he made to other students, said Patrick Patton, police chief in Kenosha, a city on Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Chicago.

Tiny Paintings And Big Landmarks: The Wisconsin Artist Painting On Tiny Canvases Inside Altoids Tins

The Bronze Fonz is an iconic landmark, regarded by some as the eighth wonder of the world... Well, maybe you only think that if you’re from Milwaukee or you’re Henry Winkler.

Nevertheless, people love to take photos with it, and some even paint it. But you’ve probably never seen a painting of it the way Nate Rose does.

It’s a teeny-tiny Bronze Fonz, painted by Nate Rose, a Wisconsin artist who has recently gained popularity for his ultra-small paintings created inside Altoids containers.

Wisconsin Hospitals Rationing IV Fluids Amid Nationwide Shortage

Wisconsin health care providers continue to feel the effects of a national shortage of IV fluids.

Baxter, the nation’s top manufacturer of IV and irrigation fluids, experienced severe damage from Hurricane Helene at their plant in western North Carolina at the end of September. The plant produced around 60 percent of all IV fluids used daily in the United States, creating a shortage of the products nationwide.

As of this week, Baxter is working to restore its second manufacturing line at the North Carolina plant. Baxter has said late November will be the earliest products will start shipping from the plant.