It's a wake-up call in more ways than one.
Time for some sh** you need to know.
Well, we talked about this a little, uh, partial kind of because we talked about the potential ceasefire, but or the potential deal with Iran.
But now it is reported that U.S.
and Israeli jets struck Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and other targets.
Hours after the president has suggested that negotiations with Tehran over an interim deal were progressing.
I guess not fast enough for them.
The attack took place south of Larock Island in the Strait of Hormuz with several Iranian personnel killed that according to Iran's state-run News Bureau.
Trump earlier said negotiations between the U.S.
and Iran over an agreement to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait were, quote, proceeding nicely.
American forces hit missile launch sites in Iran and boats trying to place mines according to U.S.
Central Command.
The strikes were defensive and intended, quote, to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.
U.S.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters during a trip to India that talks with Iran could take several days, adding that Trump would either agree to a good deal or make no deal at all.
Well, that's kind of what's been what's been happening since the beginning so that would check that would be right on par from sure from the beginning of this of this war It other stuff you need to know bringing it back to Wisconsin UW Madison is anticipating a smaller cohort of international graduate students on campus next fall That's according to the university's director of the graduate school the dean of the graduate school William Karpus said at a campus meeting last week that fewer international students
have applied to graduate programs, and the university has also admitted a smaller number than in previous years for next fall.
The drop in international student applications at UW-Madison during this admission cycle is an issue that every large university institution is confronting, according to Carpus.
The decrease in applications comes as the Trump administration has instituted a series of policies and actions targeting international students, such as new visa restrictions, travel bans, and also a crackdown on countries like China, which bring in large numbers of foreign students to schools like UW-Madison.
Now, experts say that those efforts, along with a looming rule change that limits the time international students can study in the US, are stirring fear and hesitation to apply to American universities.
Foreign student enrollment this spring at universities in the United States dropped by 20% from last year.
That's according to a recent report from the NAFSA, the Association of International Educators, which is a nonprofit that promotes international education.
Well, I mean, this makes perfect sense with the policies that we've seen.
I mean, it's hard to say, oh, let me go to this country, let me study, let me take my talents there when you're literally not welcome.
Yeah, and there's a good chance that on your way to or from campus you could be detained and you know, you're even they even with a student visa that would not be enough for some people it's and it's a shame because The income brought in from international students to these institutions
is
a nice big chunk of their budget every year and it also It also increases a university's status and just
the overall environment of a university when you have people from different nations, different cultures, all studying and, you know, you're getting, you're getting the smartest people if they're coming in for grad schools.
So
these
are, these are people that you would like to educate here.
And yes, maybe some of them will move back to, to their homes.
Maybe some of them will stay here and, but either way.
Everything's going to be
fine.
Well, and you also look at the fact that these are these are talents that you can't just duplicate always in the United States, right?
No.
These are these are skill sets.
Sometimes they are people who who do things much differently or have learned a different way to do things than we're doing them in the United States, which then also which is a broader discussion, but it leads you back to the where is all that information then going?
It's not coming to the United States.
It's being shared in other countries, which is unfortunate.
Well, let's keep it in Wisconsin for some more stuff you need to know.
Governor Evers is asking President Trump for federal disaster declaration following severe storms and flooding across Wisconsin in April.
State officials estimate the storm caused more than $27 million in damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure across 19 counties and the United Nation.
Flooding and severe weather included tornadoes, hail, straight-line winds, and major rainfall events.
Janesville alone estimates roughly $10 million in infrastructure damage from what officials described as a 500-year flood event
Flooding also prompted evacuations in communities along the Chaktan, including Chaktan in New London.
Local officials said federal disaster aid is critical because many communities cannot absorb the repair costs on their own.
Out of Gamy County, leaders said both Tony Weed and Tammy Baldwin have expressed support for securing federal recovery assistance.
The request now goes to the White House, which will decide whether to approve federal recovery aid.
And we've seen this before.
If if only we had a Republican governor who bought into all the conspiracies in the election fraud, then we'd probably get that money right away.
We probably wouldn't have had to ask for it.
But now with Tony Evers in the governor's seat, we'll see if the president actually grants this money for American citizens, both Republican and Democrat or
tries to play games with it.
And I think Mark Wayne, I don't, I never want to give the administration too much credit.
Mark Wayne Mullen has been better as head of DHS in making sure that all states are getting the aid that they need.
Whether that will... Well,
he got out of the way as
opposed to
Christie Noem
who
made, who had to sign everything that was over
a hundred
thousand dollars.
Mullen seems at least smart enough to get out of his own way.
I mean, if you're the president, and if you're this administration sitting here just a few months before a midterm when, as we talked earlier this hour, your approval ratings are at 34%, I don't know if you just let a certain subsect of voters just wallow and have to come up with this money themselves to get these things fixed.
Nothing ever surprises me.
He doesn't think of anybody else.
He told us he doesn't think of Americans financial situations and affordability is made up.
So nothing surprises me at this point.
I'm just saying a logical human being would probably just sign it.
No questions asked so that people can get what they need.
But of course we've also seen this administration hold funds from very Republican leaning states.
So
maybe his buddy Tom Tiffany can put a word in.
You know, if that's what Tom Tiffany can.
for the state of Wisconsin, then kudos to him as well.
Because this is money that's needed, right?
Honestly, at this point, who cares how it gets here?
Just sign it so people get some relief and small businesses can rebuild.
The big story, though, this morning, this is one that actually went a little under the radar last week.
The Environmental Protection Agency, speaking of this administration, announced nearly $2.9 billion nationwide to help states replace lead water pipes,
including $94.3 million for the state of Wisconsin.
This funding comes through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund supported by the bipartisan infrastructure law passed in 2021.
About $46 million of Wisconsin's funding will support disadvantaged communities through grants or forgivable loans.
EPA officials said the funding will help communities identify lead service lines and replace aging pipes from curb to tap.
show Wisconsin still has more than this number is astounding to me.
The 343,000 lead service lines statewide and nearly 12 billion dollars in drinking water infrastructure needs over the next 20 years.
The state has faced lead pipe challenges for decades.
Some municipalities continuing to install lead service lines even into the 1970s long after other states stopped using them all together.
Lead exposure of course remains
a major public health issue.
We've heard these stories time and again, especially coming out of Milwaukee.
Children especially affected because it can cause long-term developmental and learning problems.
State data shows that nearly 5% of Wisconsin children under the age of six tested in 2024.
So not that long ago had lead poisoning with rates reaching around 20% in some Milwaukee neighborhoods.
EPA officials said the agency remains committed to federal
to a federal requirement calling for most lead pipes to be removed by 2037.
The funding announcement comes as the president has proposed major cuts to the EPA, revolving loan funds in the agency's 2027 budget proposal.
Wisconsin may also qualify for an additional $852,000 in redistributed federal lead replacement funding if the state applies by September.
You gotta imagine
that that paperwork is probably already being worked
on.
You say, I hope so.
It's not gonna be like those ballots that were delivered
late.
No,
no.
Who was supposed to fill out the papers?
I mean, the fact that we still have at least 92 communities in this state who are connected to lead pipes, though, is absolutely crazy to me, especially in 2026.
And when you go back to that number, you mentioned the date in the 70s.
They
were still
here in Wisconsin, still putting in lead pipes in some communities.
And I would love, I'd love to hear the justification other than cost.
Because if it was just cost, that's still not a good enough reason when, as you mentioned, all these other states had already, we knew, we knew lead pipe was not
good.
I do find it interesting, though, that at the same time that's been happening in Milwaukee, and Milwaukee has had so many issues, Madison actually became a national example of what success in basically remedying lead pipes can look like.
In 2001, Madison made a very controversial decision at the time to replace both public and private lead lines entirely, and they became the first US city to eliminate all lead service lines from the water.
system.
Obviously, the decision is now viewed as a model for communities nationwide.
At the time, though, with the cost and the infrastructure changes, you can imagine that people were like, what are you doing?
But I mean,
little lead's not going to
hurt.
I can't imagine, though, yet, though, at this day and age that we're still talking about lead in our schools and in our pipes and in our water.
And it's it's kind of it's actually kind of crazy.
We finally got rid of it with paint.
You don't hear too many
lead
paint stories anymore.
Right.
Thank goodness.
Right.
But
I mean, this is a pretty critical phase though.
Don't you think?
Yeah.
I know it started all over.
There's communities doing it all over the
country.
And it is a huge job to go from curb to the tap.
The mains have to change.
Everything's got to change.
It takes a long time.
It's a lot of work.
It's very expensive.
but it's something that has
to
be done, especially if you're living in one of these communities, if you're one of these 343,000 lead service lines, serviced people, you need clean water.
And again, to come back to the fact that we're still arguing over clean water is amazing to me.
Well, we got to get rid of the lead pipes, but we still got this PFAS.
We don't need to regulate those as much because, which is worth, lead or forever chemicals.
Neither one.
How about we just try to get the water clean?
I mean,
well, they have bottled water, don't they?
No, stop.
Green Bay and Stoughton also, by the way, have been really good at removing one.
Ah, very
good.
Yeah, Milwaukee though, still racing to get that money.
It's a wake-up call in more ways than one.
Time for some shit you need to know.
You might want to stick around here.
Because as we get into- Yeah, Frank,
this first story,
Jamie
added to our, you need to know, and it's right in your, I know how big a fan you are.
So let's start.
It's 8.08.
Let's start.
This
is- This
is what I think it is.
I'm going to be pretty pissed.
It is.
Yeah,
well, that's good.
You're fueled
on hatred.
Banana ball returns to Milwaukee.
The party animals set for 2026 games at Amfam Field.
Party animals are bringing banana ball back to Milwaukee for games June 6th and 7th at American Family Field.
The games, Frank, are part of the inaugural banana ball championship league season, featuring six teams touring 75 stadiums across 45 states.
Banana ball combines baseball with entertainment, whimsy and fun, delightful.
entertainment for all ages, including unusual rules, crowd interaction, stadium performances, hatred by old geezers.
Organizers expect the league to draw more than 3 million fans just this year alone.
Wow.
Games also airing on ESPN, ESPN Plus, not relegated to the Ocho as some would have you believe.
The party animals last played in the Milwaukee area during a sold-out appearance at Franklin Field in 2023.
Some tickets remain available after the events lottery closed.
Check out Brewer's tickets events, Banana Ball, to see remaining tickets and purchase parking.
There you go.
Frank.
How do you feel about this?
Are you buying them for all of us on the show?
Are we having an
outing?
I think if you guys want to go...
and waste your
money
on this, you can go right ahead.
It would be the most enjoyable Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon in the history of baseball.
Parker would go completely tarps
off
bananas
on.
That's right.
Banana hammocks, no tarps.
You know, tarps off would fit in very well.
Oh, yeah.
You must have your torso painted yellow when you go tarps off.
That's right.
Ha ha, we'll look like minions.
No, I know.
That's right.
I know.
Look at, like, you're seething right now.
If you're watching on the
stream, look at it,
Frank Space, he's just seething, even having this conversation.
I'm genuinely looking to see if there are tickets left and I'm not seeing
any.
Yeah, it's pretty, there were some last night, there were a few left, but obviously the media press releases came out about...
You get sweets, but that's...
Yeah, well we
have a suite don't we
not a suite just the upper decks, but anyway, but yeah, I mean it Could be a lot of fun people are excited except for you
great
except for Frank
cut it out Frank
You guys have fun.
I'm
sure each cocoa nuts bring the party animals.
We're not even the bananas actually These are you know two other teams,
but they're
playing banana ball.
I like the party animal logo though.
It's good.
It's super fun
Yeah,
I also like the cocoa nuts logo.
Yeah, it's going to be a good time.
You're the only one not on board with fun.
Are you a fun killer?
Frank doesn't like fun.
Yeah, my
team's lost nine straight.
You think I'm I want fun?
I don't know.
I want
waves.
The Brewers got blown out by 11 three the other night by the Dodgers.
Hear about them.
Wow.
Wow.
It's like here, I use this in my professional life, too, when people talk about.
other shows and other stations.
I don't care about other shows and other stations.
I care about this show and this these stations.
OK,
that's I don't care about the Brewers until like September.
All right.
All right.
All right.
All right.
Still doesn't justify the no.
Are
you going to banana ball?
No.
I
can't get tickets, Frank.
I'm on the I'm on the lottery list.
No,
you're because they've got I.
I signed up last year, I put my name on the list.
It's like pack or season tickets, you'll never get that.
Right, so I'm
waiting.
I'm waiting to hear.
They haven't released the ones for Chicago yet.
I'm praying that I get, yes, I will leave it.
If you entered the
lottery and didn't get the tickets, please drop it in the chat.
Feel free to text us.
I want to know what the ticket buying experience is for this, because I've heard a lot
of
people have had issues with it.
Okay.
Is that also part of your beef with them?
No,
I would never
try to move on.
There's more to talk about.
There's more stuff we need to
know.
Oh, I'm so excited about this one.
Frank, how do
you feel about competing in
other events?
I'm fine with it.
Okay.
All right.
Good.
Cause new Berlin eighth grader, Ethan Robert is not an an alphabet, but he knows how to spell it, Brian.
Uh, and that has earned him a spot at the national spelling bee competition this week and alphabet.
I'd rather
go watch the spelling bee
for the record.
Of course it's exciting.
Spelling bees are awesome.
Uh,
Then alphabet means a person who is illiterate.
That was the winning word at the Badger State Spelling Bee Championship
in
March.
Arnav, Vempati, an eighth grader in Middleton, came in second place at the state championship and will join Robert in Washington,
DC
today through Thursday as they compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
I love it.
Now,
Frank, get us one of these kids for next
week.
Oh, they're going to be brilliant.
They're always so smart.
I know.
Vempati's work.
Olsa Factory, that is the biological process of creating bone.
Now, Vampotti says that he wasn't very good at spelling until middle school.
I find that very hard to believe.
Okay, yeah, in middle school, now he's a ripe old eighth grader.
That's right.
I've been spelling for two
years.
In case you're wondering, the Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation's largest and longest running educational pro-
It was first held, I love this, 101 years ago.
On June 17th, 1925, just nine kids in the competition, this year there will be 247 participants.
The semifinals will be broadcast on ION tomorrow night from 7 p.m.
until 9 p.m.
Then the finals will air again on ION from 7 to 9 on Thursday.
It can also be streamed on spellingbee.com.
Now you all know what I will be doing on Wednesday and Thursday night.
of this week.
I
love
the spelling bee.
I'll be honest, I only watch the clips and the highlights.
Oh, I love it.
But the
stress, I love seeing young children so stressed out they
know what it's
like to be an
adult.
It is high-stakes stuff.
I mean, it
is very high-stakes.
It is.
And you can see, you can see the parents who are very involved.
Yes.
And this is, it's like any sort of competition parent.
Yeah.
They're there and they're
They're sweating over every letter
and they've
trained with their kids and these kids.
Yes.
Hours
and hours and hours.
My mom would tell you that that is absolutely the case.
She knew the words just as well as I did when I was a state spelling bee champion.
Wait a minute, hold on.
I was a state spelling bee champion.
Hold on.
State spelling bee champion for South Dakota?
Yeah.
What year?
What
age?
Not
what year.
I
would have been four, fifth, like sixth grade somewhere in there.
Sixth grade.
Yeah, I won this citywide a couple of times.
Did you go to Scripps?
No, never went to Scripps.
No, there were people far smarter than me.
But you were
not in the state?
But I did the city a couple of times, and then, and I won the city a couple of times, and then made it to state, got out fairly early in those competitions, and then went on in state one year.
But no, it was, yeah,
spelling games.
I am a nutritious
spender.
Thank you.
Thank you, Parker.
How does
that just come out?
Mr. Plow King, by the way.
There's
always a story with Jamie.
You
know, no matter what we
say,
no matter what one
of us has experienced, Jamie's got another one.
We did a Spelly Bee competition once on this show.
Oh, yeah, and you won.
That's right.
Mr. Plow King says he was in the geography bee, and he made it to state twice.
So see, thank you, Mr. Plow King.
I stayed champion.
Why didn't they advance you
because I don't know if I don't know if it was the one that we did the scripts with, right?
Like there's there's several different versions and I don't know.
I don't know if they give you
a buffalo or something as a prize.
What
do you know?
I got some stupid little trophy or something.
I don't know.
It was like a little trophy.
But see that I would have remembered.
I don't know if it was like this wasn't I don't think this was the one cash involved.
No, this wasn't the one that went to the scripts because there were a couple of different spelling bee versions in the
state.
Pretty
good.
Do you remember the word you won with?
No.
I was like, I think I was like a fifth grader.
No, I don't remember the word.
That's pretty cool.
And I know this one wasn't Scripps because they actually let us have paper, right?
Scripps, that's the thing was Scripps.
Oh, so you could write.
Yeah, because with Scripps, you can't write, right?
Like you have to do it on your hand.
With this one, you got to actually have, there was a little table with paper and a pencil so you could write it.
Oh, really?
So that's why I know that's why it wasn't scripts, because you could actually write the word.
Yeah, I see the scripts kids doing it on their hand.
You can't write in scripts.
No, we got to actually write our word out on paper.
But it was the same principle, but we got to write it.
So that's why I know it wasn't actually this.
I mean, if honestly, if I'd made it to the script spelling bee, do you think I would have been quiet about that for this long?
Come on now.
Maybe you were just hang on to stuff.
There's I'm sure I've got a couple in
my holster that I haven't
Unsheathed
it was the scripts like I will be making popcorn.
I'm not kidding Wednesday at Thursday night watching this because I love it Yeah, it's fun stuff.
So did you know what Asa factory
meant?
I knew
I knew what the beginning should be because everything in English has like, you know, the assa.
I knew that that had something to do with creation and the bones because like osteoporosis, right?
Right.
So yeah, you got to combine it all that way.
That's why you spell like
that.
All right, since you're a spelling bee champion, is it a stall tactic when they say, when they keep asking for a definition or to use it in a sentence or its origins?
Is that a stall tactic?
Yes, sometimes.
Or sometimes there's multiple, they're thinking of maybe another word that it could be.
And so they're trying to get the origin to know exactly how they should, should hone it in.
These kids are brilliant.
So they're, yeah, they're, oh, yeah, they're absolutely brilliant.
I know I've
watched Akilah in the bee.
I know.
They're, they're brilliant human beings.
So yes.
All right.
We didn't know it was good.
We were going to.
verge into a Spelly Bee talk but we did but we still have a couple minutes for
the big
story.
About 200 acres protected along Lake Superior have created the longest national scenic trail.
The National Park Service has acquired 213 acres along the south shore of Lake Superior in Iron County for the North Country National Scenic Trail.
It's the nation's longest scenic trail.
The trail stretches through 4,800 miles across eight states from
Dakota to Vermont with about 1,500 miles still unfinished.
Officials say the newly acquired property will allow about three miles of the trail to be moved off roads and onto scenic natural land.
The property will connect Saxon Harbor County Park to the Montreal River and includes shoreline along Lake Superior and Superior Falls.
Conservation groups say the effort to protect the land have been underway for nearly two decades.
The land was purchased using federal land and water conservation fund money with additional support from conservation nonprofits and foundations.
So that sounds very cool.
Excellent.
Yeah.
The
more the the more national natural.
places to go the better, I say.
And by the way, this is good for the economy.
If you're worried, federal data shows outdoor recreation, a record $12 billion in Wisconsin just in 2024.
100,000 jobs to statewide.
