Morning Headlines - Wednesday, June 4, 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

'A Disgusting Abomination': Elon Musk Doubles Down On His Criticism Of Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill'

Elon Musk offered his harshest rebuke yet of President Trump’s signature "big, beautiful" tax and spending bill advancing on Capitol Hill, saying it is instead "a disgusting abomination."

"Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong," he said in one of more than 10 posts or reposts on the subject Tuesday afternoon — adding at another point "next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people."

White House Sends Congress Request For $9.4B In DOGE Cuts

The White House on Tuesday sent Congress a request to claw back $9.4 billion in funding for foreign aid and to public broadcasting — the first package that would codify the slashes spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

It is a long-awaited move that many conservative activists have been clamoring for, even as House and Senate Republicans separately push forward on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act full of President Trump’s tax cut and spending priorities.

Boulder Attack Suspect Attempted To Buy Handgun In November But Was Denied: Officials

The suspect in Sunday’s attack in Boulder attempted in November to purchase a handgun, but was denied, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, the suspect, attempted to purchase the weapon on Nov. 22, 2024, but was denied based on National Instant Criminal Background Check System, according to the bureau.

The reason for his denial wasn’t disclosed. He didn’t appeal the denial, the bureau said.

About a month later, on Dec. 30, 2024, CBI denied his application for a concealed handgun permit.

The Trump Administration Just Doubled The Tariffs On Steel And Aluminum Imports

US tariffs on steel and aluminum doubled to 50% as of 12:01 am ET on Wednesday, a move cheered by the beleaguered American steel industry but worrisome to sectors that heavily use the metals, from car makers to can manufacturers.

The jump in import taxes is the latest salvo in President Donald Trump’s trade war, part of a broad range of tariffs he’s levied since February. But the steel tariffs are especially significant to him and his political base, a symbol of once-iconic US manufacturing that has since fallen on hard times.

The leap in tariffs likely won’t hit American pocketbooks immediately – but experts say that higher prices on construction projects, car lots, appliances and elsewhere are all but inevitable from the higher duties.

Cannabis Use Among U.S. Seniors Has Surged 46% In Just Two Years

Marijuana use among U.S. adults aged 65 and older has climbed to a record 7%, up nearly 46% from 2021 to 2023. The trend is especially pronounced among college-educated, married, and higher-income individuals, particularly women.

Usage also rose more steeply in states with legalized medical marijuana and among seniors with chronic health conditions. Researchers urge caution, noting that cannabis can interact with age-related physiological changes and complicate chronic disease management.

Wisconsin Headlines

Republicans Want Supreme Court To Reject Redraw Of Congressional Lines, ACLU Backs New Map

Wisconsin’s six GOP House members and Republican state lawmakers want the state Supreme Court to reject a lawsuit asking the justices to redraw congressional lines.

And the six members of Congress want liberal Justice Janet Protasiewiciz to recuse herself from the case after comments she made during her 2023 race about the maps.

The GOP legislators were among those who met a Friday deadline to indicate whether they wanted to weigh in on a lawsuit that argues the current districts failed to adhere to standards requiring the districts to have identical populations. That would be six districts with 736,715 people and two with 736,714. But some districts when drawn had 736,716 people. The suit, filed by the Campaign Legal Center, also argues the congressional map improperly split counties.

Wisconsin Democrats Reintroduce Gun Regulations After Republicans Pull Them From Budget

Wisconsin Democrats are reintroducing gun regulations after Republicans stripped those measures from the state budget.

Sponsors say they hope to prevent gun violence, which typically spikes during the summer months. The proposals now circulating for cosponsors include expanded background check requirements, a mandatory waiting period for handgun purchases and a red flag law designed to remove weapons from people deemed to be high risk.

Wisconsin Senate Committee Passes Gig Worker Benefits Bill

A bipartisan bill designed to expand benefits for gig workers in Wisconsin has passed a key state Senate committee and is now headed to the floor for full consideration.

The bill would allow delivery and rideshare companies like DoorDash, Uber, and Instacart to voluntarily offer certain benefits—such as accident insurance and income protection—to their drivers, who are classified under state law as independent contractors.

DNR Recommends Wisconsinites Limit Time Outside Due To Canadian Wildfire Smoke

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is recommending Wisconsinites reduce their time outdoors Tuesday, June 3 and into Wednesday, June 4 due to ongoing air quality advisories resulting from Canadian wildfire smoke.

Smoke will be moving from the northwest to the southeast across the state throughout the day. An air quality advisory is in effect until noon today for the northwestern part of the state, as health impacts are expected to reach the UNHEALTHY level, with short-term spikes of VERY UNHEALTHY levels possible. This advisory will be extended to the full state, effective from noon today through noon Wednesday.

Wisconsin High School Pitcher Peter Kussow Drawing MLB Scouts With 97 Mph Fastball

Wisconsin's top baseball prospect Peter Kussow is turning heads with his impressive 97 mph fastball and devastating slider, attracting MLB scouts to his high school games.

The 18-year-old Arrowhead High School pitcher recently threw a no-hitter against Kettle Moraine, recording 16 strikeouts in just 93 pitches.