Morning Headlines - Tuesday, Jan. 21, 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

Trump Issues Sweeping Immigration Orders On Day 1 In Office

President Trump invoked muscular presidential powers to begin a sweeping crackdown on immigration following his inauguration on Monday, tasking the military with border enforcement, moving to designate cartels and gangs as terrorist groups, shutting down asylum and refugee admissions and attempting to terminate birthright citizenship.

Mr. Trump issued a blitz of executive actions to start reshaping federal immigration and border policies, many of which are expected to face significant legal challenges. "As commander in chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is what I'm going to do," Mr. Trump said in his inaugural address.

Here are the executive actions Mr. Trump took on immigration during his first day back at the White House:

Biden Pardons His Siblings And Their Spouses On His Way Out Of The White House

Joe Biden pardoned his siblings and their spouses on his way out of the White House.

The family pardons were the surprise finale in a series of unprecedented presidential actions by the Democrat, who has been known as an intuitionalist during his half-century in politics. Biden also pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley, members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and allies who have been targeted by Republican President Donald Trump. He was sworn in Monday.

It was a remarkable use of Biden’s presidential power: None of the above has been charged with any crime, and the move was designed to guard against possible retribution by Trump.

Trump Signs Executive Order Recognizing Only Two Sexes

President Trump signed a sweeping executive order Monday during his first hours in office recognizing only two sexes, male and female, and directing federal agencies to cease promotion of the concept of gender transition.

The order, which Trump signed from the Oval Office, is part of a broader campaign promise to rid the nation of what he has called “transgender insanity” and reverse diversity and inclusion initiatives instituted by the Biden administration.

“As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female,” Trump said Monday in his inaugural address.

Trump Pardons Roughly 1,500 Criminal Defendants Charged In The Jan. 6 Capitol Attack

President Donald Trump on Monday issued roughly 1,500 pardons and commuted the sentences of 14 of his supporters in connection with the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when thousands of them stormed the building amid his false claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged against him.

Trump commuted the sentences of individuals associated with the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, who were convicted of seditious conspiracy. He then issued "a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021," a category that included people who assaulted law enforcement officers.

Tesla Brand Value Shed $15 Billion In 2024 With Aging Lineup, Musk At Helm, Researchers Found

The value of Tesla’s brand dropped in 2024 for a second straight year, according to research and consulting firm Brand Finance.

Tesla’s brand value now stands at around $43 billion, down from $58.3 billion at the beginning of 2024, and behind Toyota at $64.7 billion, the firm said.

Regarding Elon Musk’s influence, Brand Finance CEO David Haigh said, “There are people who think he’s wonderful, but many that don’t.”

6 Years Later, Legal Fight Over Wisconsin’s ‘Lame-Duck’ Laws Could Be Headed To Supreme Court

Shortly after Wisconsin Democrats swept statewide races in 2018, Republican lawmakers stripped powers from the incoming governor and attorney general in a “lame-duck” session. Six years later, a lawsuit challenging the GOP legislation continues and could soon be heard by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Weeks before leaving office, former Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed three fast-tracked bills into law in December 2018. One of the changes required incoming Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul to get permission from the Legislature’s powerful Joint Finance Committee before filing civil suits on behalf of the state. It also gave the committee the final say over how to spend funds from state settlements.

Wisconsin Women Refile Lawsuit Over MyVote Online Portal

Two women suing the Wisconsin Elections Commission have amended their lawsuit after a federal court ruled that they can’t sue a state agency.

Their lawsuit filed in federal court in Green Bay now names elections commission administrator Meagan Wolfe as the defendant.

Jeanette Merten, an elections clerk for the Town of Oshkosh, and Brown County voter Dawn McCole are seeking an injunction barring the use of the MyVote.wi.gov online voter portal until cybersecurity measures are added.

They say anyone can request a ballot to be mailed anywhere by putting in someone’s name and date of birth.

Wisconsin Holds 45th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute And Ceremony

Wisconsin held its 45th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Tribute and Ceremony" honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday. The event served as an opportunity to highlight his work rooted in advancing the Black community and to celebrate individuals across the state for their continued advocacy toward equality for all people of color.

"I can stand here today after 45 years and not be afraid to put on this event, because I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors," said Dr. Jonathan Øverby, researcher for Wisconsin Public Radio. "And not be discouraged, because they had a song in their heart. They had spirit in their calling, and they said to this nation. We will not give up.

Wisconsin’s Largest Teachers’ Union Pushes State Supreme Court To Take-Op Act 10 Case

There is another call to fast track what could likely be the end of Act-10.

Wisconsin’s largest teachers’ union, the Wisconsin Education Association Council, on Friday asked the liberal-majority court to take up the Dane County case that challenges Act-10's constitutionality.

“This case affects hundreds of thousands of public service workers across the state who are currently operating under an unconstitutional system,” Jeff Mandell, President and General Counsel of the liberal law firm, Law Forward, said in a statement. “The people of Wisconsin deserve clarity, and we believe this issue warrants the immediate attention of the state’s highest court.”

Man Admits To Setting Fire To Building Housing Wisconsin Rep’s Office Over TikTok Ban

A man has admitted to setting fire to a building housing a House member from Wisconsin’s office over “recent talks of a TikTok ban,” according to local police.

The 19-year-old man was caught Sunday by the Fond Du Lac police, the department said in a post on Facebook that noted the man is a suspect in the burning of a building “which has office space leased to U.S. Representative Glenn Grothman.”