INTRO GOOD (DAY) EVENING MADISON! YOU’RE LISTENING TO THE 5/6 O’CLOCK NEWS UPDATE ON WSUM 91.7 FM MADISON STUDENT RADIO. I’M TALULA HAYES.

IN THE NEWS TODAY, 

IN LOCAL NEWS,
Dane County is allocating $1 million to boost housing development. Dane County Executive Melissa Agard announced on Tuesday that the grant funds would work to address the county’s looming housing crisis. Municipalities can use the funds to update their zoning codes, internal procedures, and permitting processes. This funding will be administered by the Dane County Department of Human Services’ Housing Access and Affordability, which are intended to be informed through the Best Practices Model Code Guide. Every Dane County municipality is eligible to apply for the needed grants. They are able to attend a virtual workshop on March 11 and office hours March 16 and 20, with the first round of applications for the funding expected to be released late March. Dane County has released this funding in order to address goals in the Dane County Regional Housing Strategy, focused on combatting the lack of affordable housing. Affordable housing is defined as housing that is affordable for those that make 80% of the area media income. In Dane County, that is around $70,000 for one person or around $100,000 for a household of four.



IN NATIONAL NEWS,
Trump’s State of the Union address occurred Tuesday, with Trump claiming the U.S. is quote” winning so much” end quote in the longest address in history. The one hour and 48 minute long speech specially highlighted the U.S. economy ahead of midterm elections. He insisted rising costs are not a problem, noting low gasoline costs, mortgage rates, prescription drug prices, and the rising stock market. American citizens directly impacted by economic strains are not feeling as positive, with only 39% of U.S. adults approving of Trump’s economy in February, according to AP-NORC polling. He took time during his speech to recognize the gold medal-winning U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team as well as war heroes. This led to a two-minute bipartisan standing ovation, and he bestowed the heroes presidential medals of honor. This was followed by the condemnation of Democrats, blaming them for rising healthcare premiums and social security costs. Trump claimed the recent 6-3 Supreme Court decision which struck down his tariffs were paid for by foreign countries, which is debated by most studies. He alleged cheating within elections, focusing on his 2020 election loss. In further recent news, he failed to mention the state of Minneapolis and outlined a rationale for using the largest U.S. military presence in the Middle East to potentially strike Iran.


ALSO IN NATIONAL NEWS,
Casey Means, President Trump’s nominee for Surgeon General, deflects questions about vaccines at confirmation hearing. Dr. Means is a wellness influencer who plays a large part in Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement. Means says Americans are suffering from chronic diseases linked to ultraprocessed foods, chemical exposures and a sedentary nature of modern life. The hearing represented a large test for Means, who if elected would be the nation's doctor, without being a practicing physician. She also criticizes the medical establishment, saying it is too focused on sickness and not the root cause of diseases. She said, Quote “I do believe that Americans are ready to hear about spirituality when it pertains to medicine,” and “anti-vaccine rhetoric has never been part of my message” End-Quote. The hearing was in front of the republican controlled Senate Health Committee who have to make the decision to approve her and send her to the Senate. 
For WSUM News, I’m Nathan Jahn

IN INTERNATIONAL NEWS,
Four dead after U.S. speedboat violates international waters on Wednesday. The boat was registered to Florida when the four people on the vessel were killed. A commander of the Cuban border guard was injured, as well as six people on the U.S. boat. A statement from the Cuban Foreign Ministry said a surface unit of the Border Guard Troops approached the vessel for identification and the crew of the violating speedboat opened fire on the Cuban personnel. These actions resulted in the injury of the commander of the Cuban vessel. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said he ordered an investigation into the incident. He said, Quote “The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable" End-Quote. 
For WSUM News, I’m Nathan Jahn


OUTRO: THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN! FROM THE WSUM NEWS BOOTH, I’M TALULA HAYES. HAVE A GREAT EVENING MADISON!