Morning Headlines - Thursday, Jan. 16, 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 and the end for a little humor to go with your news!

U.S. and World Headlines

Israel And Hamas Reach A Gaza Ceasefire Agreement

Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on a multiphase ceasefire that commits them to end the war in Gaza, President Biden and Qatar's prime minister announced separately on Wednesday.

"This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity," Biden said. He said it was the same as a proposal he made in May 2024, which was endorsed by the United Nations Security Council.

Biden, In Farewell Address, Warns About Dangers Of Unchecked Power In Ultra-Wealthy

President Joe Biden, in his farewell address, reflected on a decadeslong political career but also issued a stark warning to the nation as he prepares to cede power to President-elect Donald Trump.

Speaking from behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, Biden said he was proud of what his administration accomplished as the country climbed out of the coronavirus pandemic and made investments in the economy, infrastructure, gun safety, climate change and more.

Confused About All The Tax Changes In The Past Decade? Just Wait

If keeping up with tax changes in the law were a sport, 2017 and 2025 might be considered the Tax Olympics.

Recall that during the first year of President-elect Donald Trump’s first term, lawmakers defied the odds and passed the largest overhaul of the tax code in more than 30 years.

Now, this year, lawmakers will use the first 11-plus months of Trump’s second term to decide what to do about huge swaths of that overhaul — known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. That’s because most of its key personal income tax provisions — and a few business ones — are set to expire on December 31.

New Critical Microsoft Windows Warning As 3 Zero-Day Attacks Underway

As if Windows users hadn’t got enough to worry about when it comes to security issues, from the forthcoming ending of security support for Windows 10 to a surge in Russian cyberattacks now Microsoft has confirmed that a staggering three new zero-day exploits are being used in ongoing cyberattacks. Here’s what you need to know.

Biden Administration Launches Cybersecurity Executive Order

The Biden administration on Thursday announced an executive order on cybersecurity that imposes new standards for companies selling to the U.S. government and calls for greater disclosure from software providers.

The White House is looking to put in place new rules “to strengthen America’s digital foundations,” Anne Neuberger, deputy national security advisor for cybersecurity and emerging technology, said in a briefing with reporters on Wednesday.

Wisconsin Democrats Adopt Bluesky As The Social Media Landscape Continues To Split

It’s unusual for a new social media platform to find its footing in a landscape dominated by the likes of Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok. In the wake of a contentious election year, a platform named Bluesky has grown rapidly, reflecting a growing partisan divide in the social media landscape, including in Wisconsin.

Bluesky is a “micro-blogging” platform similar to X, formerly named Twitter. X and Bluesky share a founder — Jack Dorsey — who was the CEO of Twitter at two points before technology industry centibillionaire Elon Musk bought the company for $44 billion in October 2022.

Sean Duffy Sails Through Committee Hearing For Cabinet Job

Former Wisconsin congressman Sean Duffy found affirmation from senators of both parties at his Senate committee hearing Wednesday.

Duffy represented northern Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District from 2011 to 2019.

Now, he is President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of transportation. But his soon-to-be boss barely figured in the proceedings of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Evers Creates Office Of Violence Prevention, Vos Pans Proposal

Gov. Tony Evers has signed an executive order creating a new Office of Violence Prevention, which will send $10 million to such efforts statewide after a deadly school shooting in Madison last month.

Evers on Tuesday announced he will be directing $10 million in federal funding to the new Office of Violence Prevention, so the office can begin its work and support grants to reduce crime, prevent gun violence and increase community safety. Evers also plans to include more funding for gun violence prevention in his biennial budget proposal.

Wisconsin Republicans Not Entirely On Same Page Heading Into 2025 Session

The disagreements at the Wisconsin Capitol will not be limited to just Republicans and Democrats.

There is a growing split between what Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly and Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate have on their to-do list.

Republicans in both chambers say they want to pass a tax cut, and limit Gov. Evers’ spending in the next state budget, There’s also unanimous agreement in returning the state’s $4 billion surplus back to the taxpayers.

But there is a rift between GOP leaders over abortion and a move to count absentee ballots in the state before Elections Day.

Frozen Road Law Expands To Entire State

Effective Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) declares highways are officially frozen statewide and the frozen road law will expand to include the entire state.

The frozen road law allows heavier loads for trucks carrying logs cut crosswise (not including woodchips), and salt and sand for winter maintenance while cold weather allows. The seasonal weight restriction program is one way to protect Wisconsin's investments in roads.