Morning Headlines - Thursday, July 18, 2024 | Recent News

U.S. and World Headlines

Biden Under New Pressure From Top Democrats As Covid Halts Campaign

President Joe Biden faces new questions over his candidacy in the November election - with his campaign events currently on pause due to a Covid-19 infection.

The top two Democrats in the US Congress, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are both reported to have met him individually to express concerns over his bid for the White House.

Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker, has also privately told him that he cannot beat Donald Trump in November's election, according to CNN.

Trump's Attempted Assassin Posted Message Before Shooting: 'July 13 Will Be My Premiere, Watch As It Unfolds'

Thomas Matthew Crooks apparently teased an attack online days before he climbed onto a roof and opened fire at a Pennsylvania campaign rally, killing one and injuring others, including former President Donald Trump, Fox News has learned.

Secret Service and FBI officials told U.S. senators during an all-members briefing on Wednesday, July 17, that Crooks, 20, wrote a threatening message on the gaming platform "Steam" days before the attempted assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich reported.

According to the officials, Crooks allegedly wrote: "July 13 will be my premiere, watch as it unfolds."

Biden Administration Forgives Another $1.2 Billion In Student Loans. Here's Who Qualifies.

The Biden administration on Thursday said it is forgiving $1.2 billion in student debt for 35,000 borrowers who work in public service, ranging from teachers to firefighters. The announcement marks the latest round in government loan relief after the Supreme Court last year blocked President Joe Biden's plan for broad-based college loan forgiveness.

With the latest student loan forgiveness, the Biden administration said it has waived $168.5 billion in debt for roughly 4.8 million Americans, according to a statement from the Department of Education. That represents about 1 in 10 student loan borrowers, it added.

More Americans Apply For Jobless Benefits As Layoffs Settle At Higher Levels

U.S. filings for unemployment benefits rose again last week and appear to be settling consistently at a slightly higher though still healthy level that the Federal Reserve has been aiming for.

Jobless claims for the week ending July 13 rose by 20,000 to 243,000 from 223,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. It's the eighth straight week claims came in above 220,000. Before that stretch, claims had been below that number in all but three weeks so far in 2024.

WNBA To Get $200M Per Year; Union Exec Concerned

The WNBA would receive about $200 million per year as part of the NBA's recently approved media rights deals, according to multiple reports. Even with an annual increase of around $140 million, the new number still concerns the executive director of the WNBA players' union.

Executive director Terri Jackson said in a statement Wednesday that the WNBA is being undervalued at $2.2 billion over 11 years.

Border Security, Inflation Big Issues For Wisconsin RNC Delegates

Wisconsin delegates at the RNC in Milwaukee tell WisPolitics border security and inflation are some of the biggest issues for them going into this year’s presidential election.

2nd CD GOP Chair Billie Johnson of Madison told WisPolitics the border is his biggest concern.

“A country without a border is not a country, it’s a land to be infiltrated and conquered. So that’s the number one issue. If you don’t have a country, the rest don’t matter,” Johnson said.

'What An Experience': Wisconsin Faith-Based Recovery Program Sings National Anthem At RNC

The "Great Lakes Adult and Teen Challenge” choir sang the national anthem Monday night at the Republican National Convention. The local traveling choir is a true sign of hope and perseverance.

"I was hopeless, I wanted to die,” Great Lakes Adult and Teen Challenge graduate and singer, Krystle Pierce said.

Former Monroe Co. Deputy Charged With Sexual Assault

Misconduct allegations in one case lead to a second investigation that brings sexual assault charges against a now-former deputy for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

A release Wednesday night from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office said that in May, they found out about possible misconduct by Aaron Yang related to a domestic disturbance in Sparta.

During that time, the sheriff's office put Yang on administrative leave.

Gov. Evers, AG Kaul Files Motion To Join State Abortion Lawsuit

Gov. Tony Evers announced Wednesday that his administration is joining an ongoing lawsuit, Planned Parenthood v. Urmanski, and arguing the Wisconsin Constitution protects access to abortion in Wisconsin.

As part of this action, Attorney General Josh Kaul announced that the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a motion and memorandum in support of the Kaul v. Urmanski State Plaintiffs intervening as petitioners in the Planned Parenthood v. Urmanski original action.

New Doc Explores Uniroyal Departure From Western Wisconsin

It was 32 years ago, in June of 1992, when the Uniroyal tire plant in Eau Claire shut down for good.

It had been a stalwart in the western Wisconsin manufacturing landscape for some 75 years. More than 1,000 workers lost their jobs in the closure.

A new documentary chronicles the Uniroyal departure. “When Rubber Hit the Road” combines the talents of multimedia producer Steve Dayton and author B.J. Hollars.