Morning Headlines - Thursday, April 10, 2025 | Recent News

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

GOP Lawmakers Exhale Deeply After Trump Backtracks On Trade War

Republican senators breathed out a sigh of relief when they found out at a lunch meeting Wednesday that President Trump announced he would drop tariffs on most foreign trading partners for 90 days, sending the stock market shooting up after a week of turmoil and steep losses.

Many of them were hearing a rising chorus of complaints from farmers, small-business owners and other constituents while also watching their retirement accounts sink in value along with those of millions of other Americans.

Ksenia Karelina, US Ballet Dancer, Released From Russia In Prisoner Exchange

U.S.-Russian dual citizen Ksenia Karelina was released from Russian prison in an overnight prisoner exchange, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Thursday.

The exchange took place overnight in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Karelina's lawyer Mikhail Mushailov confirmed to ABC News that she had been released.

Bodies Of 11 Murder Victims Found In Mexico State Plagued By Drug Trafficking

The bodies of 11 murdered victims have been found in the troubled southern Mexican state of Guerrero, local prosecutors and media said Wednesday.

Prosecutors said the bodies were discovered Tuesday night in the municipality of Tecoanapa, while local media reported the killings took place during clashes between rival organized crime gangs.

U.K. Version Of 'Saturday Night Live' Featuring British Cast Due In 2026

An all-British version of NBC's "Saturday Night Live" is coming next year, with show's creator Lorne Michaels acting as executive producer, U.K. broadcaster Sky announced Thursday.

The show will be produced from London by Michaels' Broadway Video and Universal Television Alternative Studio’s U.K. production team and will feature "a star-studded line-up of hosts," the company said in a news release.

MLB Weighs A Salary Cap As Potential Lockout Looms In 2026

MLB has never had a salary cap, but league and team officials are considering what that could look like as the league’s CBA expires in December 2026, sources say.

While the concept of introducing a salary cap has consistently been a nonstarter with the players’ union, there’s some evidence suggesting reforming MLB’s economics could be good for players.

Part of what’s causing spending discrepancies for MLB teams is local media revenue.

Wisconsin DPI Expresses Concerns Over USDE Request

After a request from the U.S. Department of Education, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has expressed concern about the legality and intent of the directive.

The USDE has asked for certification of Wisconsin’s compliance with the Trump administrations antidiscrimination obligations. The order says educational institutions must stop using ‘race preferences and stereotypes as a factor in their admissions, hiring, promotion, scholarship, prizes, administrative support, sanctions, discipline, and other programs and activities’, or face cuts to federal funding.

Republicans Introduce New Version Of Controversial Transmission Line Bill

After facing stiff opposition from within their own party, Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin have introduced a new version of a bill aimed at giving state utility companies first dibs on building new high-voltage transmission lines.

While changes have swayed some Republicans, others are accusing their colleagues of deceit and claiming the legislation is unconstitutional and will raise electricity prices for Wisconsinites.

ROFR is Not Dead At All

ROFR was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatsoever about that. The register of its burial was signed by the Assembly Speaker, the Senate Majority Leader, the lobbyists, and Wisconsin’s energy transmission cartel. You will therefore permit me to repeat, emphatically, that ROFR was as dead as a doornail.

So why did its face just appear on our front porch?

Supporters of Right of First Refusal (ROFR) claim to be singing a new Christmas carol by introducing a compromise bill which is really the same old song and dance: The generous gift of unconstitutional protectionism to the cartel and its allies and a lump of coal to Wisconsin’s citizens.

Bipartisan Bill Seeks To Expand Housing Tax Credits In Rural Wisconsin

A new bipartisan bill aims to incentivize housing developments in rural Wisconsin.

It’s one of a pair of new bills aiming to address the state’s housing shortage. The other would raise lending limits for low-interest loan programs launched in a bipartisan push last year.

The tax credit bill directs the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, or WHEDA, to give 35 percent of its annual credits to developments in rural areas and loosens financing restrictions for projects receiving credits.

'Day Of The Badger' Raises $1.7 Million

University of Wisconsin-Madison officials report that more than $1.7 million was raised to address key needs on campus during the sixth edition of the "Day of the Badger."

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association announced this year's fundraiser attracted more than 4,000 donors. Their donations will support more than 150 causes on campus.