Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024

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 and the end for a little humor to go with your news!

U.S. and World Headlines

Trump Announces Musk, Ramaswamy Will Lead Newly-Created Department Of Government Efficiency

President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that billionaire Elon Musk and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy will head up a new temporary agency known as the Department of Government Efficiency.

Trump in a statement said the two "will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies - Essential to the 'Save America' Movement."

Trump's Defense Choice Stuns The Pentagon And Raises Questions About The Fox News Host's Experience

President-elect Donald Trump stunned the Pentagon and the broader defense world by nominating Fox News host Pete Hegseth to serve as his defense secretary, tapping someone largely inexperienced and untested on the global stage to take over the world's largest and most powerful military.

The news was met with bewilderment and worry among many in Washington as Trump passed on a number of established national security heavy-hitters and chose an Army National Guard captain well known in conservative circles as a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend.”

Dems Torn Over Transgender Issue: Centrists Worry That Party Is ‘Reading The Public Wrong’

Some Democrats, reeling from Republican attacks tying their party to transgender rights issues, are privately furious at their leaders and explicitly warning they need a better strategy going into 2026.

Campaign ads focusing on transgender issues were some of the most-aired attacks against Democrats, including one prolific spot from Donald Trump with the tagline: “Kamala’s For They/Them. President Trump is for you.” The culture war push also made its way down-ballot, targeting Democratic candidates in competitive House and Senate races. Some Democrats responded directly, while others opted to ignore it.

US Says Israel Hasn't Breached Its Law Against Blocking Aid In Gaza

The US says Israel has not breached American laws on blocking aid supplies, after a 30-day deadline it gave Israel to boost humanitarian aid access in Gaza or risk having some military assistance cut off lapsed.

Officials said on Tuesday that Israel has taken a number of steps to address its demands to surge supplies into Gaza, but added that more progress must be made.

DirecTV Says Dish Purchase Is Off

DirecTV’s proposed acquisition of Dish assets is more than likely dead after a group of bondholders rejected a revised offer.

The deal could possibly be salvaged if Dish Chairman Charlie Ergen comes to the negotiating table, but that currently appears unlikely.

DirecTV offered to acquire Dish’s pay TV business for a nominal $1 plus the assumption of roughly $10 billion in debt.

Wisconsin Headlines

Wisconsin GOP Senate Candidate Weighing Options After Race Called For Opponent

Republican Senate candidate Eric Hovde released a video Tuesday questioning the Wisconsin election results that show he lost to incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D) last week.

“Many people have been wondering why I have remained quiet since election night. I believe it’s better not to comment until I have the facts,” Hovde says in the video he posted to social media.

Hovde said he went from receiving “congratulations” calls to doubting a shocking loss after more than 100,000 new absentee ballots were reported.

Republican Vos Reelected As Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Despite Losing Seats, Fights With Trump

Wisconsin Republicans reelected Robin Vos as the speaker of the state Assembly on Tuesday, a position he has held longer than anyone in state history and that he reclaimed despite a challenge from a more conservative lawmaker and Democratic gains in the election.

The speaker is the most powerful position in the Assembly and Vos, who has held the post since 2013, will preside over the smallest Republican majority in 18 years. Vos was challenged by Rep. Scott Allen, who supported impeaching the state's nonpartisan election leader. Vos opposed impeachment.

Wisconsin Scientists Study Driving And THC Impairment

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are gearing up to administer set levels of delta-8 and delta-9 THC to people in a pilot study, and place them in a driving simulator.

Their goal?

To see how the drugs influence people behind the wheel.

Office Of School Safety Releases 2023-2024 Annual Speak Up, Speak Out Report

The Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of School Safety (OSS) today released the 2023-2024 annual report for Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO). SUSO is a free statewide threat reporting tipline available to all Wisconsin schools. SUSO also serves as the hub that connects all OSS initiatives and the entry point where schools can access comprehensive services offered by OSS as well as local, state, and national partners.

“Kids in our schools should be able to focus on what they’re learning in class without having to worry about their safety,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “Speak Up, Speak Out has been a remarkable success, assisting an increasing number of students and helping many schools that are working to take a comprehensive approach to school safety.”

DNR Seeking Public Comment For Environmental Review Of Cumberland Safe Drinking Water Loan Program Project

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the city of Cumberland is an applicant for funding through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program to improve its public drinking water system.

The project includes constructing well #6 to replace well #1 in the city of Cumberland.

Activities related to this project are minor actions under Chapter NR 150, Wis. Admin. Code, for which no environmental analysis is required; however, following the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program federal requirement 40 C.F.R. §35.3580, an environmental review must be conducted before funding this project.