Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez says she never saw herself running for governor. Still, she’s the first Democrat in the race, launching her campaign last month less than 24 hours after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced that he would not seek reelection.

Milwaukee

Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez has officially launched her campaign for Wisconsin governor, becoming the first Democrat to enter the 2026 race following Governor Tony Evers' decision not to seek reelection. Rodriguez, who has a background in nursing, executive leadership in healthcare, and public service, emphasized her commitment to expanding Medicaid, protecting abortion rights, and increasing investment in public schools.

Rodriguez also addressed her criticisms of former President Donald Trump's administration, particularly regarding policies she views as harmful to Wisconsin farmers and the broader community. She stated her willingness to work with others to improve the lives of Wisconsinites, while also promising to oppose federal policies she sees as detrimental. Additional Democratic candidates are expected to join the race as the election approaches.

Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez becomes first Democrat in 2026 governor's race

Welcome back. Lieutenant Governor Sarah Rodriguez was quick to enter the governor's race last month. Within 24 hours of Governor Tony Evers deciding not to seek reelection, her campaign was up and running. Our City Capitol reporter Harm Van Heusen spoke with the lieutenant governor about her background and her criticisms of President Donald Trump's administration. Lieutenant Governor Sarah Rodriguez hopes her public health background and quick rise from political unknown to the state's second in command will be a winning combo in 2026. She's the first Democrat to enter the governor's race and sat down with us at a campaign stop in Milwaukee to talk about why she wants to replace her boss, outgoing Governor Tony Evers, when his term ends. Politics was never part of my plan. I'm a nurse by background, but I've also been an executive within a large health care system and a vice president of Fortune 100 company. Rodriguez grew up in Brookfield, the daughter of a teaching assistant and a Vietnam veteran. His service was really important growing up and he taught us a lot about sacrifice and service. And so oftentimes my life was about volunteering. Rodriguez began her career serving in the Peace Corps and also worked for the Centers for Disease Control before returning to Wisconsin as a hospital executive. She entered the political arena in 2020, flipping a Republican held assembly district at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. I guess what was disappointing for me within the assembly, within the Republican led legislature, is that there was very little across the aisle working together when I was there. With Republicans grip on legislative control loosening under new legislative maps, Rodriguez is betting big on opportunities for Democrats. It's going to be tight. It's going to be a tight legislature and you're going to have Republicans who are in purple districts and we're going to work on things that we know Wisconsinites want. Her priorities include expanding Medicaid, protecting abortion rights and investing more in public schools. In launching her campaign, Rodriguez also promised to fight against President Donald Trump. Here's why I want to be your governor. First, we've got a maniac in the White House. His tariffs are killing our farmers. How do you see yourself working well with someone you've called a maniac? Well, there's utter chaos at the federal government right now. We need to fight back against a lot of these policies that the Trump administration is putting forward. Again, I'm willing to work with anybody if it's going to make the lives of Wisconsinites better. But there are some very, very harmful policies at the federal level. With more than a year until the general election, more high profile Democrats are expected to jump into the race in Milwaukee. Harm Van Heusen TMJ four News.

Talks between the U.S. President and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded without an agreement on ending the war in Ukraine, despite being widely anticipated as a possible turning point.

Anchorage

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy set to meet U.S. president Monday after no ceasefire deal

For the first time in a decade, Vladimir Putin was on U.S. soil for a much-anticipated meeting with Donald Trump. The U.S. and Russian presidents were supposed to discuss a deal to put an end to Moscow’s war against Ukraine, but they did not mention a ceasefire after the talks.

Trump, Putin wrap up talks with no mention of ceasefire

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska for a high-stakes summit over ending the war in Ukraine. Nancy Cordes and Margaret Brennan have coverage and analysis.

What we know about the high-stakes summit between Trump and Putin

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin have arrived in Alaska ahead of their high stakes talks on Ukraine. The expected one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin has expanded to include U.S. officials Steve Witkoff and Marco Rubio and other Russian officials.

Trump, Putin arrive in Alaska for historic summit

Israel's far-right finance minister approved the construction of a controversial new settlement in the West Bank, saying it "finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state." But it's unclear if this move will actually go through. Rights groups swiftly condemned the plan.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli finance minister approves new West Bank settlement

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated in an interview that he hoped to push Russian President Vladimir Putin toward a second meeting but acknowledged there was a chance Friday’s meeting would not succeed.

Washington

Trump shifts tone, confident on deal to end Ukraine war

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalei Smotrich said a plan to add more than 3,000 homes to a controversial settlement in the West Bank would bury ‘the idea of a Palestinian state.’

Israel furthers plan for settlement that divides the West Bank

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London. This comes one day before U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss a possible ceasefire in Ukraine.

London

Zelenskyy, Starmer meet ahead of Trump, Putin summit in Alaska

Speaking in the Oval Office on Thursday, President Trump sounded optimistic about his upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Trump says he thinks Putin and Zelenskyy will make peace

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced plans to build another immigrant detention center, dubbing it the "Deportation Depot." The facility will be in North Florida.

Jacksonville

DeSantis announces plan to build another immigrant detention center

President Trump had a virtual call Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in Alaska. After the call, Zelenskyy said he told Mr. Trump that "Putin is bluffing."

Ukraine's Zelenskyy warns President Trump ahead of meeting with Putin

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would ask the Republican-controlled Congress to extend federal control of Washington's city police force beyond 30 days, escalating his campaign to exert presidential power over the nation's capital.

Trump wants to extend federal control over Washington police

With just hours left to reach a deal on plastics, negotiators in Geneva were scrambling to resolve a deadlock caused by “red lines” of member countries. Nations are crafting the first global, legally binding treaty on plastics pollution at the United Nations office in Switzerland.

Geneva

Global plastics treaty talks in Geneva stall as deadline looms

At least 123 people have been killed in 24 hours, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says people will be given the opportunity to leave Gaza before a planned ground offensive, but no one is being pushed out.

Israeli strikes pound Gaza ahead of planned ground offensive

America's NATO allies stood firmly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of the face-to-face meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The European leaders showed a united front that there should be no peace deal without Ukraine's involvement.

Kyiv

NATO allies stand with Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin summit

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement must improve conditions for detainees at New York's 26 Federal Plaza, a judge ruled Tuesday.

New York

Judge rules ICE must improve conditions for detainees at NY facility

National Guard troops arrived in Washington, D.C., following President Donald Trump's deployment and federalization of local police to crack down on crime in the nation's capital.

National Guard troops arrive in Washington, D.C.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that he had a "very good call" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, days before his scheduled Alaska meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump had 'very good call' with Zelenskyy ahead of Putin meeting

Israel's military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has approved the framework of a plan for a new offensive in Gaza. CBS News Middle East reporter Courtney Kealy has more details.

Israeli military chief approves 'framework' for new Gaza offensive

President Donald Trump said Wednesday there will be “very severe consequences” if Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn’t agree to stop the Ukraine war after Friday’s summit.

Trump warns of 'severe consequences' if Russia doesn't stop war

A Wisconsin woman on Tuesday was found guilty in the United Kingdom of trying to kill a man at point-blank range in 2019. Aimee Betro, 45, was part of a plot with two other co-conspirators to murder Sikander Ali, prosecutors said.

Birmingham

American woman found guilty of UK murder-for-hire plot

Record-high temperatures across Europe are fanning wildfires across the continent. Experts say a warming climate and an increase in flammable vegetation from rural depopulation are major factors.

Madrid

Historic heat fuels fires across Europe

Hungary's PM Viktor Orbán said the EU attempts to set conditions for a meeting to which leaders of the EU were not invited. He also called for an EU-Russia summit.

Brussels

EU leaders rally behind Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin talks

President Trump said Monday he expects that Russia and Ukraine will "land swap" certain territories as part of an eventual ceasefire deal. Mr. Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

Trump claims 'land swapping' between Russia, Ukraine will happen

Taylor Swift confirmed her 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," in a teaser for her upcoming appearance on her boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast. Swift did not disclose the release date of the album.

Taylor Swift announces new album, 'The Life of a Showgirl'

U.S. President Donald Trump said that his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday will be to "feel out" the leader as pressure mounts for Russia and Ukraine to make a peace deal.

Breakdown