Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 | Recent News

U.S. and World Headlines

Flights Across U.S. Affected After FAA Experiences Computer Outage

Flights across the United States were affected Wednesday morning after the Federal Aviation Administration said it experienced a computer outage.

All flights in the U.S. were grounded following the incident, a source with knowledge of the situation told NBC News.

The FAA said in a notice on its website that its Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system had "failed" Wednesday morning. A NOTAM is a notice containing information essential to workers involved in flight operations.

"Technicians are currently working to restore the system and there is no estimate for restoration of service at this time," it said.

House Oversight Committee Investigating Classified Documents Found At Biden's Office

The new chair of the House Oversight Committee on Tuesday notified the White House that his panel is investigating President Joe Biden's handling of classified records from Biden's time as vice president -- some of which were found in November at an office Biden had used in Washington, D.C.

In a letter to White House counsel Stuart Delery, obtained by ABC News, Republican Rep. James Comer of Kentucky asked the White House to provide all documents that were retrieved from Biden's personal office.

The Oversight Committee is also seeking a list of those who had access to Biden's office; all documents related to the handling of classified documents, including by Biden's lawyers, and the status of their security clearance; and all documents between the White House, the Department of Justice and the National Archives and Record Administration (NARA), Comer wrote.

Illinois Becomes Latest US State To Ban Assault Weapons

Illinois on Tuesday became the latest U.S. state to ban the sale or possession of semiautomatic weapons.

Just hours after the legislation's passage in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the "Protect Illinois Communities Act" into law during a ceremony at the State Capitol in Springfield. Supporters, some of whom were gun violence survivors, erupted with applause and cheers as the governor presented the signed document.

"For a long time now, I and many other leaders in the Illinois General Assembly have prioritized getting the most dangerous weapons off our state's streets," Pritzker said in a statement Tuesday. "Today, honoring the commitment we made, we passed one of the strongest assault weapons bans in the nation, one I will be proud to sign."

The American Public No Longer Believes The Supreme Court Is Impartial

Never in recent history, perhaps, have so many Americans viewed the Supreme Court as fundamentally partisan.

Public approval of the nine-justice panel stands near historic lows. Declining faith in the institution seems rooted in a growing concern that the high court is deciding cases on politics, rather than law. In one recent poll, a majority of Americans opined that Supreme Court justices let partisan views influence major rulings.

Three quarters of Republicans approve of the high court’s recent job performance. But Democrats’ support has plummeted to 13 percent, and more than half the nation overall disapproves of how the court is doing its job.

Mega Millions Jackpot Soars To $1.35 Billion – 2nd Largest In History – After No Winner Claimed Tuesday’s Prize

The Mega Millions jackpot has reached an estimated $1.35 billion – the second-largest in the lottery’s history – after no winner snagged the big prize in Tuesday night’s drawing, officials said.

That’s a boost from Tuesday’s jackpot of $1.1 billion, which saw no tickets match all six winning numbers of 7, 13, 14, 15, 18 and the Mega Ball 9.

While no ticket matched the jackpot drawing, 16 won the game’s second-tier prize taking home up to $3 million.

Candidates Tangle Over Political Issues, Judicial Perspectives At First Wisconsin Supreme Court Forum For 2023 Election

The four candidates running for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2023 have a short window of time to make an impression before the Feb. 21 primary election, and they wasted no time at a Jan. 9 forum in Madison trying to define themselves to potential voters.

Republicans And Gov. Evers Want To End A Business Tax. Can They Agree On How To Do It?

Gov. Tony Evers said Tuesday he's confident his administration will find enough common ground with the Republican-controlled legislature this year to end one of the state's oldest taxes.

Businesses across Wisconsin pay the personal property tax on equipment such as furniture, equipment and fixtures.

Republican lawmakers are circulating a bill at the Capitol that would eliminate the tax. Evers, who was visiting Watertown Tuesday, told reporters he also wanted to get rid of the tax and was optimistic the legislature will iron out the wrinkles that caused him to veto the bill in 2021.

Lawmakers Debate Constitutional Change To Cash Bail

State lawmakers heard testimony Tuesday on a proposed constitutional amendment that would change the way Wisconsin judges impose cash bail on people charged with committing violent crimes.

The proposal would allow judges to consider a person’s criminal history, among other factors, when determining whether and how much bail to impose. Its supporters argue it would prevent people charged with crimes from returning to their communities and reoffending. Opponents argue it penalizes only those unable to afford to pay their way out of jail.

If approved by lawmakers this session, the proposal would head to voters.

Currently, cash bail can only be imposed in Wisconsin if "there is a reasonable basis to believe that it is necessary to assure the appearance of the accused in court."

Evers Says Flat Tax Or Universal School Choice Would Threaten State Budget

Gov. Tony Evers says “the plan is not to” veto the state budget after working with the Republican-controlled legislature during the next several months, but he isn’t ruling it out.

“We have to start with the notion that we will reach conclusions,” Evers said on WISN’s “UpFront,” which is produced in partnership with WisPolitics.com. “A flat tax, if that’s part of the budget, that could end it. If it’s universal school choice across the state for education, that could be a killer too. But we’ll see. I don’t think any of those things are going to happen, so I’m planning on signing a good budget.”

Republicans are pushing a plan that would create a flat income tax in Wisconsin.

“I’ll consider anything except for a flat tax that essentially provides tax relief to people that frankly don’t need tax relief,” Evers said. “If there’s some other tweaks that can happen to get a deal, we can take a look at that.”

Judge Allows Steven Avery To Respond To State In Evidentiary Hearing Fight

A judge is allowing Steven Avery’s attorney a chance to respond to the state as Avery continues to appeal his conviction of the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach in Manitowoc County.

On Jan. 10, Judge Angela Sutkiewicz released an order allowing Kathleen Zellner to file her reply to the state by January 26. That keeps Avery’s hopes alive for a possible new hearing in the case.