October 18, 2025

Drought has muted this year's leaf-peeping season

24 minutes

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

Drought has muted this year's leaf-peeping season.

California engineer wins pumpkin contest with 2,346-pound gourd.

Obesity remains high in the US., but more states are showing progress, a new report finds.

The world is heading to add 57 superhot days a year, but study indicates it could have been worse.

The tiny African nation of Lesotho had victories in its HIV fight. Then, the US aid cuts came.

Judge wants immigration agents in Chicago area to wear body cameras after clashes with public.

'No Kings' protests return as Trump ramps up authoritarian practices, organizers say.

Ford recalls more than 290,000 vehicles in US due to issue with rearview camera system.

US blocks a global fee on shipping emissions as international meeting ends without new regulations.

Hannibal Gadhafi, son of late Libyan leader, ordered released in Lebanon if he pays $11 million bail.

Israel carries out a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon.

Polish court blocks the extradition to Germany of a Ukrainian man suspected in pipeline attack.

Hamas reaffirms commitment to ceasefire as delays in returning hostages' bodies fray nerves.

NFL uses AI to predict injuries, aiming to keep players healthier.

The greatest women's college basketball players--Who made the list.

Patriots backup QB Joshua Dobbs praises Drake Maye’s development.

—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.

Theme music

The News Tonight, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: ZR2MOTROGI4XAHRX

...more