Morning Headlines - Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024 | Recent News

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

Israel Behind Pager Explosions, Sources Say, As Hezbollah Vows 'Reckoning'

Israel was behind the deadly explosion of pagers across Lebanon on Tuesday, sources told ABC News on Wednesday.

At least nine civilians were killed and more than 2,750 people injured in the explosions, according to Lebanese authorities. Around 200 of the injuries were critical and required surgery, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said.

Sean "Diddy" Combs Arrested, Charged With Sex Trafficking And Ordered Held Without Bail

Sean "Diddy" Combs was ordered held without bail Tuesday after he was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges in federal court in New York City.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky ordered Combs held after hearing from prosecutors and Combs' legal team late Tuesday afternoon.

The Fed’s Biggest Interest Rate Call In Years Happens Today. Here’s What To Expect

This week’s gathering of the central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee carries an uncommon air of mystery.

Will it be the traditional quarter-percentage-point, or 25-basis-point, rate reduction, or will the Fed take an aggressive first step and go 50 basis points, or half a point? Fed watchers are unsure.

Beyond the quarter vs. half debate, this will be an action-packed Fed meeting, with updates on projections for rates cuts in the future as well as adjustments to economic estimates.

Employers Say Many Gen Z Workers Aren’t Prepared For The Workplace: Survey

Generation Z employees have some work ahead to earn their bosses’ trust.

A recent survey by Intelligent.com found that about one in six companies are hesitant to hire recent college graduates, citing concerns over their preparedness, communication skills, and professionalism.

A stunning six in 10 businesses said they had fired college grads they hired in 2024, while one in seven said they may refrain from hiring recent college grads next year.

What Amazon's Strict Return To Office Policy Says About Remote Work

Amazon's hard-core move to push employees back into the office five days a week is a signal that — in the tech sector at least — employers have regained some leverage over workers.

The labor market has weakened. The rank-and-file mostly don't want to be in the office for a full work week — but in a looser labor market, their opinions matter less.

Here's How Wisconsin Scored On A New Infrastructure Report Card

Wisconsin’s overall infrastructure ranks among the best in the country, but there’s still room for improvement, according to a new report from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

The state scored an overall C-plus on the ASCE’s 2024 state infrastructure report card, with scores in some categories as low as a D-plus and others as high as a B.

Wisconsin's Voter-Approved Cash Bail Policy Stands Under Dane County Judge's Ruling

Stricter cash bail measures approved by voters in 2023 will stand despite procedural flaws, a judge ruled Sept. 16.

The decision from Dane County Circuit Judge Rhonda Lanford came in a lawsuit filed by criminal justice advocates over two constitutional amendments. State elections officials and the Legislature said the lawsuit was a cynical attempt to undo election results.

Birders Flock To Wisconsin Point In Superior For Annual ‘Jaeger Fest’ Field Trip To See Rare Birds

Birders from around the state will meet up at Wisconsin Point in Superior this weekend with the hopes of seeing some rare birds.

What started as an organized field trip for the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology is now more of an informal gathering of enthusiasts who jokingly coined the event as “Jaeger Fest” due to the volume of parasitic jaegers that frequent the beach area.

Miss Wisconsin Competitions Leaving Oshkosh After 61 Years

Miss Wisconsin and Miss Wisconsin Teen competitions are relocating to New Berlin, in southeastern Wisconsin, after more than six decades in Oshkosh.

The Miss Wisconsin organization announced the move Tuesday. A reason for the move wasn’t given.

Vance Slams Harris On Immigration At Wisconsin Rally

Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) sharply criticized Vice President Harris over immigration and public safety in a Wisconsin rally Tuesday afternoon.

Speaking to a crowd in Eau Claire, Wis., Vance said Harris has taken away an American “birthright,” which is public safety. “It’s time to give it back” to people, he said.