Morning Headlines - Tuesday, June 7, 2022

U.S. and World Headlines

White House Braces For The Death Of Roe V. Wade

The White House is quietly preparing for a Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, a consequential decision expected to come this month that will create immediate pressure to respond and take action.

Members of the administration have held listening sessions with state officials, advocacy groups and other stakeholders on abortion rights regarding the legal barriers to abortion already in place in certain states.

US Official Vows 'Forceful Response' If N. Korea Tests Nuke

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on Tuesday warned of a forceful response if North Korea carries out its first nuclear test explosion in nearly five years as she traveled to Seoul to meet with South Korean and Japanese allies and discuss the escalating standoff.

U.S. and South Korean officials have said North Korea is all but ready to conduct another detonation at its nuclear testing ground in the northeastern town of Punggye-ri, which last hosted a test in September 2017, when it claimed to have detonated a thermonuclear bomb designed for its intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Americans’ Views Of Government: Decades Of Distrust, Enduring Support For Its Role

Americans remain deeply distrustful of and dissatisfied with their government. Just 20% say they trust the government in Washington to do the right thing just about always or most of the time – a sentiment that has changed very little since former President George W. Bush’s second term in office.

The public’s criticisms of the federal government are many and varied. Some are familiar: Just 6% say the phrase “careful with taxpayer money” describes the federal government extremely or very well; another 21% say this describes the government somewhat well. A comparably small share (only 8%) describes the government as being responsive to the needs of ordinary Americans.

America Is Pushing Teachers To The Brink

Teaching has become one of the most draining jobs in America. Today’s teachers are navigating the threat of school shootings, a pandemic and intensifying political interference in their lesson plans — all while their wages remain stagnant.

Teachers are asking themselves whether shouldering those burdens is still worth it, and many experts warn of a looming staffing crisis.

Just How Far Apart Are The Two Parties On Gun Control?

After what feels like a relentless sequence of high-profile mass shootings, Americans are once again debating whether the country needs stronger regulations on guns. Many lawmakers and activists contend that, even in a country as bitterly polarized as the United States, some gun-control measures actually attract wide support — whether Americans actually vote for the measures they say they support is another matter. However, when you compare specific questions by party response, there’s a gap.

Consider background checks. Morning Consult and Politico asked about this gun-control measure in March 2021. How do you think Republicans and Democrats responded?

Wisconsin Headlines

Calls To Wisconsin's School Safety Hotline Are Up After Uvalde Shooting

Wisconsin's Speak Up, Speak Out hotline for reporting potential dangers to schools has seen an uptick in calls in the wake of the Uvalde shooting, the state's Office of School Safety's executive director told Wisconsin Public Radio's "The Morning Show."

"When a school violent event happens like what happened in Texas, we do see an increase in needs for schools, for community members," Trish Kilpin said Monday. "Maybe they've been concerned that an individual could pose violence, but they haven't reported that to anyone — and they change their mind and they see that it's important."

Former Judge Killed: Chippewa County Sheriff Candidate Was On Suspect's 'Hit List'

Marcon is a gun store owner who is running for Chippewa County Sheriff. He spent 14 years with the Department of Corrections, and says he recognized the photo of Uhde that police showed him.

“I know I was working in the prison while he was an inmate,” said Marcon. “But nothing striking about him, or our interactions, comes to mind. I think we had an issue one time. Like we had to search his cell, but nothing stood out. I just remember an older white guy who kind of stayed to himself. I saw him every day. Nothing major.”

Killing Of Retired Judge Has Local And State Leaders Looking Into Enhanced Security For Judges

Milwaukee County’s chief judge says the killing of retired Juneau County Judge John Roemer shows the need to improve security for judges and court commissioners.

Judges are well protected inside their workplaces with several layers of security. The Milwaukee County Courthouse requires everyone who enters to go through metal detectors. Deputies also staff the building and courtrooms that are in use, but whether judges can stay safe in their own homes is now in question.

DATCP Lifts Movement Restrictions From Barron County Areas Affected By Avian Influenza

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) today released three zones in Barron County where poultry movement restrictions were put in place to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). All restricted zones in Wisconsin have now been released.​

DNR Seeking Public Comments On Flambeau Mining Company Petition For Issuance Of Final Certificate Of Completion Of Reclamation For Its Reclaimed Mining Site In Rusk County

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public review and comment on Flambeau Mining Company’s petition seeking issuance of a certificate of completion of reclamation for the industrial outlot portion of its mining site near Ladysmith in Rusk County.

The DNR is also seeking public comments on its preliminary determination regarding issuance of the certificate of completion and its proposed decision as contained in a draft revised mining permit which would replace the existing mining permit.

Flambeau Mining Company was issued a mining permit and other necessary permits to operate an open pit copper mine in early 1991. Ore shipments from the mining site began in 1993 and continued for more than four years. Site reclamation, including backfilling of the pit, was substantially completed by the end of 1999. 

Flambeau Mining Company was later issued a certificate of completion of reclamation for 149 acres of the 181-acre mining site in 2007.  The remaining 32 acres, referred to as the industrial outlot, includes an area for which the original reclamation plan was modified to allow alternate uses of the project buildings and adjacent areas. The site currently includes a DNR Service Center, Xcel Energy's power line maintenance shop and an equestrian trailhead.