May 31, 2025

An extra month extreme heat and there's a new COVID-19 variant

27 minutes

Each week Hot off the Wire looks at a variety of stories in business, science, health and more. This week's headlines include:

Half of world's population endured extra month of extreme heat due to climate change, experts say.

The Digital Equity Act tried to close the digital divide. Trump calls it racist and acts to end it.

Why 'wrench attacks' on wealthy crypto holders are on the rise.

A new variant of COVID-19 may be driving up cases in some parts of the world, WHO says.

Scientists have lost their jobs or grants in US cuts. Foreign universities want to hire them.

Supreme Court lets Trump end humanitarian parole for 500,000 people from 4 countries.

CDC removes language that says healthy kids should get COVID shots.

US government is investigating messages impersonating Trump's chief of staff, Susie Wiles.

Maryland's Wes Moore says he's not running for president but high-profile stops keep chatter alive.

US inflation gauge cools with little sign of tariff impact, so far.

Bernard Kerik, who led NYPD on 911 before prison and pardon, has died at 69.

Authorities eyeing whether a kitchen job had a role in the 'Devil in the Ozarks' prison escape.

Lance McCullers Jr. hires security after online death threats, some aimed at 5-year-old daughter.

Escape of ex-police chief known as 'Devil in the Ozarks' has Arkansas residents on edge.

WWII bomber crash left 11 dead and 'non-recoverable.' 4 are finally coming home.

Harvard agrees to relinquish early photos of slaves, ending a long legal battle.

US peregrine falcons adapt well to city living as their coastal cousins struggle with bird flu.

A journalist was killed while writing a book on the Amazon. Here's how friends completed his work.

Japan to use soil from contaminated Fukushima on flowerbeds at prime minister's office.

Only 900 speakers of the Sanna language remain. Now Cyprus' Maronites are mounting a comeback.

Renowned Everest guide says using xenon speeds climb and makes it safer, better for environment.

Meet Hercules and Ned, the border collies fending off wildlife at West Virginia’s busiest airport.

Vessel's implosion can be heard on new video from expedition to Titanic wreckage.

Most LGBTQ+ adults feel Americans don't accept transgender people, Pew poll finds.

Brazilian nuns go viral after beatboxing on Catholic TV.

On this week's AP Religion Roundup, Ken Ham continues his crusade for creationism in the face of science.

—The Associated Press

About this program

Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.

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