On the version of Hot off the Wire posted March 7 at 7:45 a.m. CT:

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to use his State of the Union address to promote his vision for a second term to a dispirited electorate who questions whether he’s up to the job and to warn that GOP front-runner Donald Trump would be a dangerous alternative. Biden’s third such address from the House rostrum on Thursday will be something of an on-the-job interview, as the nation’s oldest president tries to quell voter concerns about his age and job performance. The president hopes to showcase his accomplishments on infrastructure and manufacturing, and push for action on aid to Ukraine, tougher migration rules, restoring access to abortion, and lowering drug prices, among other issues.

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than a quarter of female Black voters describe abortion as their top issue in this year’s presidential election. That's according to a survey out Thursday from health policy research firm KFF. The findings signal a significant shift from previous election years, when white, religious voters were more likely to name abortion as their top priority when casting a ballot.

CAIRO (AP) — Hamas says its delegation has left Cairo and that talks on a Gaza cease-fire and hostage release will resume next week. That makes it extremely unlikely that mediators will broker a deal before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

BEIJING (AP) — China’s foreign minister is accusing the U.S. of devising tactics to suppress China’s rise and he has criticized the Biden administration for adding more Chinese companies to its sanctions lists. Wang Yi said Thursday that relations with the U.S. have improved since Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden met in November, but that America has not fulfilled its promises. 

Gum makers are trying to figure out what will make Americans start chewing again. Generational habits, health concerns and the coronavirus pandemic have gnawed away at gum sales. Some manufacturers are leaving the U.S. market altogether. But Mars, which owns the 133-year-old Wrigley brand, is trying to reposition gum as a stress reliever and a concentration aid as well as a breath freshener. 

In other headlines:

—The Associated Press

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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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