Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Jul. 12, 2023

U.S. and World Headlines

Where Do 2024 Candidates Stand On Ukraine?

More than 500 days after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the war in Ukraine remains at the top of American foreign policy priorities.

As President Joe Biden discusses with allies at the NATO summit in Vilnius how to provide increased security guarantees for Ukraine, at home 2024 presidential candidates have been discussing their own views on the war in Ukraine.

In both parties, Democrats and Republicans are divided on the war in Ukraine and whether the U.S. should continue providing military aid for Ukraine.

MyPillow Auctions Off Equipment Amid ‘Massive Cancellation,’ CEO Lindell Says

MyPillow is auctioning off hundreds of pieces of equipment and subleasing some manufacturing spaces amid what founder and CEO Mike Lindell calls “a massive, massive cancellation.”

Lindell, in an interview with the Star Tribune, said MyPillow lost $100 million from “attacks by box stores, the shopping networks, the shopping channels, all of them did cancel culture on us.”

Several retailers, including Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond and Kohl’s, pulled MyPillow products from their shelves after Lindell continued to claim the 2020 presidential election was stolen from former President Trump.

Iowa Lawmakers Pass Six-Week Abortion Ban During Marathon Special Session

Iowa's Republican-led Legislature passed a bill banning most abortions after roughly six weeks of pregnancy during a marathon special session Tuesday that continued late into the night. Gov. Kim Reynolds immediately said in a statement that she would sign the bill on Friday.

The measure passed with exclusively Republican support in a rare, one-day legislative burst lasting more than 14 hours over the vocal - and sometimes tense - objections from Democratic lawmakers and abortion advocates protesting at the Capitol.

The House passed the legislation with a 56-34 vote shortly after 9 p.m. It then moved to the Senate, where it was OK'd in a 32-17 vote at 11 p.m.

McCarthy Summons GOP Factions To Counter Threat Of A New Conservative Rebellion

Speaker Kevin McCarthy is working furiously to prevent another House floor takeover by his hardest-right conservatives as the GOP prepares to tackle some of the year’s biggest bills.

With the House back for a final stretch before its August recess, McCarthy on Tuesday afternoon summoned a group of leaders from multiple corners of his conference to shape a strategy for staving off further right-wing revolts — which his team can’t afford this summer. Underscoring the urgency of their task, the group of GOP lawmakers met in the shadow of what could become a new right-flank rebellion over the rule for debating a must-pass Pentagon policy bill.

Amazon Prime Day – July 12, 2023

Sometimes, Christmas does come in July. At least holiday season sales do. With its annual Prime Day, Amazon — the seventh largest retailer in the world — has marked out the middle of the year as its own, personal, mega-shopping holiday. This year, it’s from July 12 to 13.

Check out the latest deals going on now!

Wisconsin Headlines

830-Acre Fire In Waushara County 99% Contained

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fire crews and local agencies are on the scene of the now roughly 830-acre Pallet Fire in Waushara County, southeast of Coloma. The fire is 99% contained.

Three primary structures and 17 secondary structures have been lost. The cause of the wildfire is debris burning.

Previous reports have stated various sizes; the update to 830 acres is based on the use of infrared/satellite technology and location points taken on the ground used to help get a more accurate depiction of the size of the fire. The fire size will be updated as more information is available.

U.S. Marshals Task Force Apprehend 11 Fugitives In Wisconsin

The Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force for the Western District of Wisconsin arrested 11 fugitives, including seven non-compliant sex offenders, during a 10-day warrant sweep named “Operation Northern Exposure” from June 19-June 30.

“Operation Northern Exposure” targeted sex offenders and dangerous fugitives located in Dane, Sauk, Rock, and Juneau Counties. This was the second phase of the operation; 26 sex offender compliance checks were completed with the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry in Dane County, identifying 23 compliant and three non-compliant sex offenders. These non-compliant sex offenders could face new felony charges for sex registry violations.

Project: Drive Safer: State Patrol Aims To Reduce Reckless Driving Through Partnership And Increased Presence

Reckless driving continues to plague Wisconsin, posing a significant threat to public safety. With an alarming rise in speeding and other dangerous behaviors, the Wisconsin State Patrol is intensifying its efforts to combat this issue.

About 3,000 people are injured by a reckless driver every year in Wisconsin; 118 people were killed in 2022.

"It's always been a problem, but reckless driving, especially past this pandemic, we saw an increase in the amount of reckless driving, and a big component of that is speeding, of course. Tickets for over a hundred miles an hour have almost tripled since the pandemic, and they continue to be high," said Bureau of Transportation Safety Director David Pabst.

Wisconsin Boy Killed In Sawmill Accident Was Doing Work Allowed By State Law, Records Suggest

A 16-year-old boy killed in an accident at a Wisconsin sawmill appears to have been doing work allowed by state child labor laws when he was injured, police records obtained Tuesday show.

Michael Schuls was attempting to unjam a wood-stacking machine at Florence Hardwoods on June 29 when the conveyor belt he was standing on moved and caused him to become pinned in the machine, according to Florence County Sheriff’s Office reports obtained by The Associated Press. Schuls died in the hospital two days later.

His death comes as lawmakers in several states, including Wisconsin, are embracing legislation to loosen child labor laws. States have passed measures to let children work in more hazardous occupations, for more hours on school nights and in expanded roles. Wisconsin Republicans back a proposal to allow children as young as 14 to serve alcohol in bars and restaurants.

Packers Running Back AJ Dillion Releases A Children’s Book

Packers running back AJ Dillon brings joy to fans when he runs over opposing tacklers and now, he’s bringing joy to children.

On Tuesday, Dillon launched his first children’s book, “Quadzilla Finds His Footing.” “Quadzilla” is his nickname, based on the size of his quad muscles. Dillon held a book reading and signing Tuesday morning in Green Bay.