WMDX Monday News Roundup

Transcript

WMDX Monday News Roundup

WMDX News · Mon Jul 6, 2026

WMDX Host

I'm Connie

Connie Feldman

Feldman from the Civic Media Newsroom.

It's well known that many dogs fear fireworks and local shelters take in more animals over the 4th of July holiday.

But wildlife experts say what many don't realize is that those bombs bursting in air can also be a disaster for wildlife.

Experts say fireworks displays cause panic and disorientation in the natural environment, leading to traumatic injuries and death among wild animals and birds.

They say the loud blasts can lead to wildlife abandoning their young.

Experts say if abandoned, the young can easily die of starvation or predation.

Other prey animals like rabbits and deer instinctively flee when they perceive danger like a loud noise, causing accidents and injury.

Much of the research to date focuses on the effects fireworks have on birds being startled as they roost and flying into windows or buildings.

In response, cities like Salt Lake City in Utah and Boulder, Colorado have replaced their fireworks displays with drone shows over the past few years.

The choreographed aerial displays showcase hundreds of drones equipped with LED lights flying in unison to create massive

of 3D imagery set to music.

Experts say drone displays reduce noise and pollution, while also eliminating wildfire risk.

A pair of live stream appearances by Democratic candidate Francesca Hong is sparking debate.

Hong joined online shows hosted by Michael Bayer and Hassan Piker, both known for past controversial comments.

Piker is an influencer that has faced criticism for remarks, including support for Hamas and a comment that America, quote,

deserved the September 11 attacks.

Bayer recently made anti-Semitic comments.

Hong's campaign says she does not support those views, and noted Bayer has apologized.

Opponents argue the appearances still matter.

Two Democratic rivals criticized the appearances, with Milwaukee County's David Crowley calling the host's comments unacceptable, and State Senator Calderoy's accusing Hong of aligning with a controversial influencer for political gain.

Two people survived a plane crash in Winnebago County this week.

Winnebago County Sheriff's deputies say the single-engine plane had mechanical issues and crashed in the town of Clayton just after 4 p.m.

on Thursday.

The 71-year-old pilot from France and a 22-year-old Swedish passenger both got out of the plane without injuries.

Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

A claim about who wrote Wisconsin's Clean Energy Plan is drawing new questions in the governor's race.

Mandela Barnes said online he, quote, authored the state's Clean Energy Plan.

But JS Online reports that records show it was written by state agencies and partner groups.

His campaign says he was referring to earlier work leading to a climate task force that helped shape the plan.

Evers Team says the 2022 plan itself came from the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy.

The Barnes campaign also says a staff member wrote the social media post, not Barnes.

The feds want jail time for Dugan.

With the sentencing set for next week, new court filings are laying out what attorneys are looking for in the case of former Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan.

Defense attorneys are asking for time served, pointing to her decades of public service and arguing the incident was brief and isolated.

Prosecutors say Dugan abused her position by helping a man avoid federal agents and are pushing for a serious penalty under federal guidelines.

They argue the case shows no one is above the law, especially a judge.

Dugan is scheduled to be sentenced July 8th.

The city of Amro is turning frustration into festive fun.

People have their homes decked out in red, white and blue to the max in a 4th of July decorating contest.

The friendly competition is meant to boost community morale during ongoing construction on Main Street and Highway 21, making it difficult for visitors to reach the city.

Instead of getting angry, though, they say they turn that frustration into a festive reason to light up Amro.

The city of Milwaukee is butting heads with ICE agents over the use of masks during arrests.

Civic media's Stuart J. Waddles has the story.

Stuart Chewattles

Milwaukee leaders say ICE agents could face fines for wearing masks during arrests, but federal officials say they won't comply.

A new city ordinance allows penalties of up to $10,000 for officers who don't follow identification rules.

ICE argues that those rules don't apply to federal agents and they say masks are needed for safety.

The disagreement follows a recent series of arrests across the area.

It's still unclear how or if the city can enforce the fines.

For Civic Media News, I'm Stuart Chewattles.

Connie Feldman

The ordinance allows penalties for masked officers who don't properly identify themselves.

Senator Tammy Baldwin is slamming the Trump administration for cutting off funding for people who are paralyzed.

The grant for the National Paralysis Resource Center expired on June 30th, cutting off key services for more than 5 million paralyzed Americans.

In a recent statement, Baldwin says a new grant should have been awarded prior to the expiration date, but the Trump administration delayed the notice of funding for months.

Baldwin says Trump is stopping a lifeline for veterans and others injured in accidents while going full steam ahead building a luxury ballroom and asking for more money to fund the war in Iran.

The lapse comes as Congress on a bipartisan basis appropriated funding earlier this year to continue the program.

Gold star families in Wisconsin can now honor a fallen loved one in a more personal way without paying extra.

The state is waiving the fee so families can now customize their gold star license plates at no cost.

Governor Tony Evers says it's a small but meaningful way to recognize their sacrifice.

These plates are only available to immediate family members of service members killed in the line of duty.

State officials say hundreds of these plates are already on the road.

And that's your Weekend News Roundup.

I'm Connie Feldman for Civic Media News.

Mike Clemens

The Brewers in St.

Louis.

Hi, I'm Mike Clemens with Sports.

The Brewers opening a five game series against the Cardinals tonight at Busch Stadium.

The two teams of the double header tomorrow afternoon first pitch at 1.15 p.m.

The Brewers with a three to two win over the Diamondbacks yesterday in Arizona to win the weekend series.

Brandon Woodruff, now back on the 15 day IL, more trouble with his throwing shoulder.

Brandon Woodruff

I mean, initially warming up.

Everything was good.

First inning was fine and then kind of just

slow progression of just I guess discomfort is the best word.

Mike Clemens

It's assist in his right shoulder.

Pat Murphy

Pat Murphy

assist develops.

You know, he's got that terror of the labor room there and it flares up.

We got to build a strategy on how we can deal with this.

Mike Clemens

The Cardinals coming off a series win over the Cubs in Chicago.

They beat the Cubbies Friday night 17 to one.

The Cubs came back yesterday to win six to four to avoid the sweep.

Milwaukee remains in first place with the sixth game lead in the NL central with sports.

I'm Mike Clemens.

Sean Cable

We're off to a nice start this week.

Mostly sunny high of 84 this afternoon.

Tonight mostly clear.

We're going to drop into the upper 50s to low 60s for an overnight load tomorrow.

More sunshine with a high in the mid to upper 80s with a chance of scattered thunderstorms tomorrow night into Wednesday.

I'm meteorologist Sean Cable.

WMDX Host

That's your Madison News Roundup from WMDX.

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