Morning Headlines - Wednesday, May 21, 2025

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

Senate Unexpectedly Passes The 'No Tax On Tips Act' In A Unanimous Vote

In a surprise move, the Republican-led Senate quickly passed the "No Tax on Tips Act" on Tuesday, giving its official stamp of approval to an idea that has gained traction since President Donald Trump campaigned on it last year.

The legislation would create a tax deduction worth up to $25,000 for tips, limited to cash tips that workers report to employers for withholding purposes on payroll taxes. The tax break would also be restricted to employees who earn $160,000 or less in 2025, an amount that will rise with inflation in coming years.

Trump Unveils Plans For $175B 'Golden Dome' Missile Defense Shield

President Donald Trump on Tuesday unveiled plans to begin building a sophisticated new missile defense shield that could intercept threats from space, estimating the endeavor would cost some $175 billion and become operational in three years.

The project "Golden Dome," which will be led by Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein, echoes President Ronald Reagan's failed "Star Wars" program, which was criticized for being overly ambitious and siphoning money away from other national priorities. The White House cited advancements in technology as a reason why some of Reagan's vision was now possible.

5 Things To Know About SALT, The Tax Break Holding Up Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’

Republicans’ tax-and-spending cut package faces a number of hurdles in its path to President Trump’s desk, but the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap could be the tallest to surmount.

Tax writers on the House Ways and Means Committee have offered to raise the cap to $30,000 for joint filers making up to $400,000 a year. But suburban Republicans from higher-tax blue states have said that number isn’t going to cut it and are threatening to spike the entire bill if they don’t get the increase they want to see.

Mortgage Demand Drops After Interest Rates Jump To The Highest Level Since February

After shifting in a narrow range for several weeks, mortgage rates moved decidedly higher last week. That caused a 5.1% drop in mortgage applications compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances, $806,500 or less, increased to 6.92% from 6.86%, with points rising to 0.69 from 0.68, including the origination fee, for loans with a 20% down payment. That rate was just 9 basis points lower the same week one year ago.

Cheers Stars Pay Tribute To 'Norm' Actor George Wendt

Tributes have been paid by the cast of US comedy series Cheers after George Wendt - who starred as Norm Peterson - died at the age of 76.

Ted Danson, who played bar boss Sam Malone, said he was "devastated to hear that Georgie is no longer with us".

Kelsey Grammer, who played Frasier Crane before starring in his own spin-off, said in a statement to Deadline: "I believe mourning is a private matter. But I liked George a lot. He was beloved by millions."

Wendt starred as Norm in all 275 episodes of Cheers, which ran from 1982 to 93. He earned six consecutive Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series.

Wisconsin Headlines

Judge Who Previously Fought For Abortion Rights Wants To Join Wisconsin Supreme Court

A Wisconsin appeals court judge who was an outspoken supporter of abortion rights in the state Legislature announced Tuesday that she is running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, taking on an incumbent conservative justice who sided with President Donald Trump in his failed attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss.

Wisconsin Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, 57, becomes the first liberal candidate to enter the 2026 race.

The election next year won’t be for control of the court in the battleground state because liberals already hold a 4-3 majority. The race is for a seat held by conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley, who said last month she is running for reelection.

UW-Platteville Authorities Confirm Monday’s Incident Was A Shooting

Two students are dead following a shooting on Monday, a UW-Platteville spokesperson confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

School officials said UW-Platteville Police responded to Wilgus Hall for a report of a disturbance. Once they arrived on scene, police said they found two women suffering from gunshot wounds.

Kelsie Martin, 22, was taken to Southwest Health and then flown to UW Hospital by Med-Flight. Martin was pronounced dead at UW Hospital. UW-Platteville Police said preliminary autopsy findings show that Martin died from a gunshot wound.

Wisconsin Gun Safety Advocates Push For Background Checks To Curb Violence

Gun safety advocates gathered at the Capitol Tuesday to push for reforms and solutions to gun violence in Wisconsin.

The group, known as the Wisconsin Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, emphasized the importance of background checks on gun purchases.

Director of state legislative affairs and law enforcement for Giffords, Sean Holihan, highlighted the issue of private gun sales. "There are 28 states, including Wisconsin, that don't do universal background checks," Holihan said. "That's a lost opportunity to ensure that a bad guy can't get a gun."

US Rep. Derrick Van Orden Wants To End Spring Elections In Wisconsin

U.S. Rep Derrick Van Orden wants to put an end to Wisconsin’s spring elections — a move that would require an amendment to the state constitution. His suggestion comes after a series of losses by conservatives in spring races.

“Republicans don’t vote, period. … We just don’t vote in spring elections,” Van Orden said. 

The Republican congressman called on state lawmakers to make a change to the voting calendar.

“I think they should get rid of that and fold it into a midterm or a four-year cycle,” Van Orden said. “There is exhaustion from the previous election, and it’s just not functional.”

Wisconsin Begins Mandatory Milk Testing For Avian Flu

Wisconsin dairy farms will start to have their milk tested for the avian flu virus this week as part of a mandatory national surveillance program.

The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announced Monday the state is rolling out its plan for monthly, farm-level sampling to meet requirements by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Samples will be primarily gathered through the current process for verifying a farm’s milk quality, said Adam Brock, administrator of DATCP’s Division of Food and Recreational Safety.