Morning Headlines - Wednesday, May 1, 2024

U.S. and World Headlines

Dueling Protesters Clash At UCLA Hours After Police Clear Pro-Palestinian Demonstration At Columbia

Dueling groups of protesters clashed Wednesday at the University of California, Los Angeles, grappling in fistfights and shoving, kicking and using sticks to beat one another. Hours earlier, police burst into a building at Columbia University that pro-Palestinian protesters took over and broke up a demonstration that had paralyzed the school while inspiring others.

After a couple of hours of scuffles between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators at UCLA, police wearing helmets and face shields formed lines and slowly separated the groups. That appeared to quell the violence.

The Fed Rate Decision Meeting Is Today. Here Are The Odds Of A Cut

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday afternoon will announce its third interest rate decision of 2024, but consumers aren't likely to see any near-term relief from high borrowing costs.

At year start, about 9 in 10 economists had forecast that the Fed would cut its benchmark rate at its May 1 meeting. Yet shifting economic winds and stubbornly high inflation have complicated policy makers' plans. As a result, Wall Street now expects the Fed to hold rates steady today, according to economists polled by financial data firm FactSet.

Biden Cancels $6 Billion In Student Loans For 317,000 Americans Scammed By Art School

The Biden administration announced Wednesday it canceled $6 billion in student debt for borrowers who attended the Art Institutes between 2004 and 2017.

Numerous legal actions accused the U.S. college chain of using 'pervasive' methods to entice students, including using one-time student Serena Williams' multi-million dollar salary as a means to skew the average wage of alumni.

President Joe ​​Biden's latest handout brings the total forgiveness to $160 billion for 4.6 million borrowers ahead of November's election. It doubles-down on Biden's promise to wipe out student debt after the Supreme Court ruled he could not take the sweeping action he wanted earlier in his administration.

Americans Older Than 60 Lost $3.4 Billion To Scams In 2023: FBI

People older than 60 lost more money in scams in 2023 than the previous year -- an 11% increase totaling more $3.4 billion overall, according to a new report released by the FBI on Tuesday.

Commonly known as "elder fraud," financial crimes against seniors totaled $3.4 billion in 2023, up from $3.1 billion in 2022, according to the FBI's 2023 "Elder Fraud Report."

Almost 40% Of Local Election Officials Surveyed Report Threats Or Abuse, Says A New Report

A survey of local election officials across the U.S. found that 38% report experiencing “threats, harassment or abuse” and 54% are concerned about the safety of their colleagues, according to a report released Wednesday by the Brennan Center for Justice.

The survey of more than 925 local election officials in February and March also found 62% are concerned about political leaders’ attempting to interfere with how election officials do their jobs.

Thirteen percent of the local officials who responded said they are “concerned about facing pressure to certify results in favor of a specific candidate or party.”

Wisconsin Headlines

Voter Enthusiasm, Negative Partisanship And Wisconsin's Swing Status In 2024

A notable number of voters – in Wisconsin and around the nation – say they are so disinterested in the rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump that they don’t want either man to hold that office again.

And because of that, some of them are saying they may not vote at all in the November 2024 election.

UW-Madison Leaders Say They’re Willing To Speak To Protesters If They Stop Camping On University Land

UW-Madison leaders say they are willing to speak with organizers of a pro-Palestinian encampment about their demands, but only if they stop camping on university land.

Protesters urging the university to divest from Israel pitched tents at the campus’ Library Mall Monday despite a prohibition against camping on campus grounds.

In a joint statement last night, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, Provost Charles Isbell and three vice-chancellors said they are prepared to meet with protesters “once compliance with campus policy and state law has been achieved” and tents have been removed from campus property.

Wisconsin DOJ Provides Resources As Sextortion Cases Increase

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is providing resources for online safety as sextortion cases increase throughout the country, including in Wisconsin. A La Crosse man was recently sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in a sextortion case investigated by the Wisconsin DOJ Division of Criminal Investigation.

“We must keep our kids safe from online dangers,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “The Wisconsin Department of Justice is committed to holding accountable those who use the internet to commit crimes against children.”

After Record Outbreak, Wisconsin Could See Another Bad Year For Spongy Moths

Wisconsin saw its worst spongy moth outbreak in more than a decade in 2023. The state could see a repeat this year, unless spring rains help decrease their population.

Spongy moths, renamed in 2022, are invasive insects native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. They were first introduced in the late 1800s, and outbreaks occur every five to 10 years. Spongy moths are destructive during the caterpillar stage when the voracious eaters can completely strip leaves from entire forests.

Trump Campaigns In Wisconsin Wednesday, Under Judge’s Warning Of Jail Time If He Violates Gag Order

Donald Trump on Wednesday will use a one-day break from his hush money trial to rally voters in the battleground states of Wisconsin and Michigan, a day after he was held in contempt of court and threatened with jail time for violating a gag order.

His remarks will be closely watched after he received a $9,000 fine for making public statements about people connected to the case. In imposing the fine for posts on Trump’s Truth Social account and campaign website, Judge Juan M. Merchan said that if Trump continued to violate his orders, he “will impose an incarceratory punishment.”