Hot Off The Wire

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted Feb. 9 at 6:30 a.m. CT:

WASHINGTON (AP) — A special counsel report has found evidence that President Joe Biden “willfully” retained and shared highly classified materials when he was a private citizen, including documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan. The Justice Department report nonetheless says no criminal charges are warranted for Biden or anyone else. In remarks at the White House Thursday evening, Biden denied that he improperly shared classified information and angrily lashed out at special counsel Robert Hur for questioning his mental acuity. The report from Hur, released earlier Thursday, represents a harshly critical assessment of Biden’s handling of sensitive government materials and includes unflattering characterizations of his memory.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Donald Trump has won Nevada’s Republican presidential caucuses after he was the only major candidate to participate. The former president handily won Thursday’s contest run by the state Republican Party and wins Nevada’s 26 delegates as he seeks to accrue enough to become the party nominee. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley skipped the caucuses, blaming what she considered an unfair process that favored Trump.

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel has bombed targets in Rafah, after U.S. officials warned Israel against expanding its Gaza ground offensive to the southern city where more than half of the territory’s 2.3 million people have sought refuge.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has used an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson to urge Washington to recognize Moscow’s interests and persuade Ukraine to sit down for talks.

A new poll by the Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds most Americans believe air travel is generally safe in the U.S.

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate edged higher this week, reflecting a recent uptick in the 10-year Treasury yield. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage rose to 6.64% from 6.63% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday.

The Biden administration is announcing an investment of $5 billion in a public-private consortium aimed at supporting research and development in advanced computer chips.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court seems poised to reject attempts to kick former President Donald Trump off the 2024 ballot. A definitive ruling for the leading Republican candidate for president would largely end efforts in Colorado, Maine and elsewhere to prevent his name from appearing on the ballot. In more than two hours of arguments Thursday, both conservative and liberal justices raised questions of whether Trump can be disqualified from being president again because of his efforts to overturn his loss in the 2020 election.

A federal judge has denied Trump White House official Peter Navarro’s bid to remain out of prison while he appeals his contempt of Congress conviction for refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Navarro was sentenced last month to four months in prison after being found guilty of defying a subpoena for documents and a deposition from the House Jan. 6 committee.

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Communications Commission is outlawing robocalls that contain voices generated by artificial intelligence. The decision sends a clear message that exploiting the technology to scam people and mislead voters won’t be tolerated. Thursday’s unanimous ruling targets robocalls made with AI voice-cloning tools under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Usher says it was a challenge to fit a 30-year musical career into a 13-minute halftime show as he'll have to do at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas Sunday. But when he addressed the media on Thursday he said he's been focusing on how to represent his past, his present and future within the show.

It was a big night for current and past NFL players, trades galore in the NBA, a wild game in college basketball, another big signing in major league baseball and a historic day on the links.

In other headlines:

—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.

Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here.

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted Feb. 8 at 7:15 a.m. CT:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump’s appeal to remain on the 2024 ballot is coming before the Supreme Court. On Thursday, in the justices’ biggest election case since Bush v. Gore, the court will be weighing arguments over whether Trump is disqualified from reclaiming the White House because of his efforts to undo his 2020 election loss, ending with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The case marks the first time the justices will be considering a constitutional provision that was adopted after the Civil War to prevent former officeholders who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office again. Colorado's Supreme Court kicked Trump off the state's Republican primary ballot in ruling that he incited the Capitol riot.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has left the Middle East with public divisions between the United States and Israel at perhaps their worst level since Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza began in October.

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time in more than two decades, Mexico last year surpassed China as the leading source of goods imported by the United States. The shift reflects the growing tensions between Washington and Beijing as well as U.S. efforts to import from countries that are friendlier and closer to home.

Millions of Americans will find something to be excited about when it comes to Super Bowl Sunday. That’s before even factoring in the influence of Taylor Swift. Four in 10 U.S. adults are extremely or very excited for at least one part of the Super Bowl day’s festivities.

NEW YORK (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci has a memoir coming out in June, a look back at his long career as an infectious disease expert and the many outbreaks he contended with, from AIDS/HIV to the COVID-19 pandemic. Viking announced Thursday that Fauci’s “On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Service” will be published in June.

Paxlovid can prevent hospitalization and death from COVID-19, but experts say it's being underused. The pills' high price and doctors’ hesitation to prescribe them are creating obstacles to getting the drug to everyone who would benefit.

In other headlines:

—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.

Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here.

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted Feb. 7 at 7:15 a.m. CT:

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nikki Haley has been swamped in Nevada’s symbolic Republican presidential primary as GOP voters resoundingly picked the “none of these candidates” option on the ballot. Front-runner Donald Trump didn’t compete in the primary, which doesn’t award any delegates needed to win the GOP nomination. President Joe Biden easily won the state's Democratic primary.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a dramatic setback, House Republicans have failed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The vote forced Republicans to shelve a high-profile priority — for now — after a few GOP lawmakers refused to go along with the party’s plan.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A storm that parked itself over Southern California for days, unleashing historic downpours that caused hundreds of landslides, is expected to move out of the region after one final drenching.

Hamas has put forward a detailed plan for a new cease-fire and hostage release deal with Israel, which will be discussed when U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Israeli leaders.

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Bombs ripped through two separate political offices in southwestern Pakistan on Wednesday. Officials said at least 29 people were killed and more than two dozen wounded.

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese officials say a stray dog attacked 11 people, most of them children playing in a park, causing minor injuries.

Nebraska's Education Committee is considering a bill that would allow teachers and other staff in schools to be armed in the hopes of deterring school shootings.

More headlines: 

—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.

Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here.

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted Feb. 6 at 7:15 a.m. CT:

Country music singer-songwriter Toby Keith has died. He was 62. A statement posted on his website says Keith, who was battling stomach cancer, died peacefully Monday surrounded by his family. The statement says: “He fought his fight with grace and courage." He was diagnosed in 2022.

LONDON (AP) — Britain's King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer and has begun treatment. Buckingham Palace said Monday the cancer is not related to the king’s recent treatment for a benign prostate condition. It did not say what form of cancer the 75-year-old monarch has.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rainfall from one of the wettest storms in Southern California history is easing off but forecasters say floods are still possible and saturated ground raises the threat of potentially deadly landslides.

CAIRO (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed ahead with a diplomatic tour of the Middle East on Tuesday, meeting Egyptian leaders as part of his efforts to secure a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in exchange for the release of hostages.

NEW YORK (AP) — A day after Taylor Swift made music history at the Grammy Awards, a band formed long before she was born made their own history. The Grateful Dead have broken the record for the most Top 40 albums to chart on the Billboard 200. The Grateful Dead pulled out ahead of Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra with 59 total Top 40 entries on the chart Monday following the No. 25 debut of their archival release “Dave’s Picks, Volume 49: Frost Amphitheatre, Stanford U., Palo Alto, CA (4/27/85 & 4/28/85).”

In other headlines: 

—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.

Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here.

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted Feb. 5 at 7:45 a.m. CT:

BEIRUT (AP) — A drone attack on a base housing U.S. troops in eastern Syria killed six allied Kurdish fighters late Sunday. The U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said Monday the attack hit a training ground at al-Omar base in Syria’s eastern province of Deir el-Zour, where the forces’ commando units are trained. No casualties were reported among U.S. troops.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The second of back-to-back atmospheric rivers churned through California, flooding roads, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands and leading forecasters to warn of possible hurricane-force winds and mudslides. The slow-moving storm is expected to dump heavy rain on Southern California on Monday, and officials there warned of potentially devastating flooding. Evacuations have been ordered for canyons that burned in recent wildfires that are at high risk for debris flows.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Taylor Swift has won album of the year for “Midnights,” breaking a Grammys record for most wins in the category with four. Miley Cyrus won record of the year Sunday night for her hit “Flowers.” Victoria Monét won best new artist at the performance-packed show that aired live from Los Angeles. Cyrus' win was her second of the night — and her second Grammy ever. Taylor Swift used her 13th Grammy win to announce her new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” will arrive April 19. Dua Lipa opened the 66th annual Grammy Awards with a high-octane medley. Phoebe Bridgers took an early lead, winning four trophies ahead of the main telecast.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators have released a highly anticipated bill that pairs border enforcement policy with wartime aid for Ukraine and Israel. It's already running into opposition in the House. The $118 billion proposal is the best chance for President Joe Biden to resupply Ukraine with wartime aid.

BERLIN (AP) — A college student in Berlin beat a Jewish classmate until he was hospitalized after the two got into an argument about the Israel-Hamas conflict Friday night, police said. One of the students was a a 23-year-old, who held strong pro-Palestinian views, the other a 30-year-old Jewish student, who had posted pro-Israel views on social media.

Other headlines:

—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.

Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here.

Welcome to the weekly bonus episode of Hot off the Wire, where we look back at some of the top headlines from the week in the world of sports and entertainment. 

I’m Terry Lipshetz, Managing Editor of the National Newsroom at Lee Enterprises and your host. Subscribe to Hot Off The Wire through Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts so you don’t miss daily news updates.

As always, be sure to check out our latest episode of Streamed & Screened, a podcast dedicated to movies and television. 

Listen to the latest episode of Streamed & Screened here. 

This week’s top headlines include:

Those stories and more from The Associated Press.

— Compiled and narrated by Terry Lipshetz from Associated Press reports

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.

Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here.

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted Feb. 3 at 6 a.m. CT:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sometimes a story is more appealing than the truth. Experts say that's one of the reasons to explain the popularity of conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories have always been around. They're alternative explanations for world events and they're often not supported by the facts. Today, they're playing an outsize role in politics and culture. Some of the examples are QAnon, as well as conspiracy theories about COVID-19 and stolen elections. Psychologists say conspiracy theories offer a sort of mental shortcut, giving believers a way to navigate a world that to them seems random, frightening and chaotic.

NEW YORK (AP) — Payroll payments per small business moderated as 2023 came to a close, according to new data from Bank of America. The BofA report found payroll payments rose 1.7% in December at small businesses. That’s consistent with the trend last year, with payroll payments rising most months. But the pace of payroll growth slowed “significantly” from its peak in March 2022, the report said. Data is culled from Bank of America’s business clients with less than $5 million in annual revenue. Small businesses have been pressured over the past two years due to high inflation, high costs and a labor crunch.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Preliminary tests by a University of Nebraska road safety research facility and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers point to concerns that the nation’s roadside guardrails are no match for new heavy electric vehicles. At a news conference Wednesday, a university official said a first-of-its-kind test crash of a nearly 4-ton EV pickup truck last fall showed the guardrail did almost nothing to slow the truck. Cody Stolle with the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility says more extensive testing is planned. But he says tens of thousands of miles of guardrails along roads in the nation will likely need to be adapted as more electric vehicles populate the roads.

Those grounded Boeing jets are coming back starting Friday. Air travelers will want to know if they are safe. The head of the Federal Aviation Administrations says he is confident they will be, as long as airlines follow new inspection procedures approved by his agency. Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners have been grounded since early January, shortly after one of them suffered a midflight blowout of a panel on the side of the plane. Alaska Airlines resumed flights with inspected planes beginning on Friday. United Airlines, the only other U.S. carrier to use the Max 9, says its planes will come back starting Sunday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new study shows the return of sea otters and their voracious appetites has helped rescue a section of California marshland. Sea otters eat constantly and one of their favorite snacks is the striped shore crab. Left unchecked, the crabs can turn marsh banks into Swiss cheese that can collapse when big waves or storms hit. Researchers found that the return of the crab-eating sea otters to a tidal estuary near Monterey, California, since the 1980s helped curb erosion. The research was published Wednesday in the journal Nature.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Women are far more likely than men to get autoimmune diseases, illnesses like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis that occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks their own bodies. That gender disparity has baffled scientists for decades but new research may finally explain why. Females have two X chromosomes and Stanford University researchers say how cells handle that extra X can be a red flag for the immune system, essentially an early risk factor. The findings, published Thursday in the journal Cell, could lead to better ways to detect autoimmunity.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The company behind a global recall of sleep apnea machines says it will stop selling the devices in the U.S., under a tentative agreement with regulators. Philips has recalled more than 5 million pressurized breathing machines due to risks that their foam can break down over time and be inhaled by users. The deal announced Monday has not yet been finalized and will have to be approved by a U.S. court. Philips would continue servicing existing machines in the U.S., but would not be able to sell new ones until meeting several corrective actions laid out by the FDA.

NEW YORK (AP) — Infectious syphilis cases in the U.S. rose by 9% in 2022. That's according to a new federal government report released Tuesday on sexually transmitted diseases in adults. The rate of new gonorrhea cases fell for the first time in a decade, while chlamydia rates were relatively flat. Total cases of syphilis surpassed 207,000 in 2022. That count includes the most infectious stages of the disease but also latent cases and cases in which pregnant women passed syphilis on to their babies. It is the highest count in the United States since 1950, and is rising in heterosexual men and women.

Allegations of research fakery at a leading cancer center have turned a spotlight on scientific integrity and the amateur sleuths uncovering image manipulation in published research. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute announced last week it’s requesting six retractions and 31 corrections of scientific papers after a British blogger flagged problems in early January. The blogger is 32-year-old Sholto David of Pontypridd, Wales. He is a scientist-sleuth who detects cut-and-paste image manipulation in published scientific papers. And he’s not the only hobbyist poking through pixels. Other champions of scientific integrity are keeping researchers and science journals on their toes.

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A new state law requires Nevada to hold a primary election next week, but the Nevada GOP voted to hold their own caucuses, or party-run meetings open to Republicans only. The state GOP will only award delegates needed to win the nomination through the caucuses, rendering the state-run presidential primary purely symbolic. Former President Donald Trump is competing in the caucuses, while former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is running in the primary. The unusual arrangement has confused some voters, including some who have received primary ballots in the mail and wonder why Trump's name isn't on it. Critics say the state GOP changed rules to help Trump win.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. adults are only feeling slightly better about the economy, despite stocks being near record highs and surprisingly strong growth last year. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 35% of U.S. adults call the national economy good. That’s an uptick from 30% who said so late last year and up from 24% who said so a year ago. While 65% still call the economy poor, that’s an improvement from a year ago, when 76% did. Voters’ confidence in the economy could be the pivotal factor in this year’s election. President Joe Biden is running for reelection in part on the economy. The poll puts his overall approval rating at 38%.

PARIS (AP) — French Interior minister Gerald Darmanin said Wednesday that some 300,000 spectators will be able to attend the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympic Games, about half the size of what was originally planned. The giant show on the River Seine on July 26 will mark the first time that an opening ceremony is held outside of a usual stadium setting. It will also involve a massive security operation, with tens of thousands of police officers and soldiers deployed. The athletes will be paraded through the heart of the French capital on boats on the Seine along a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) route. Both banks of the river will be lined by spectators, behind multiple security cordons.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico is acknowledging that at least two well-known Mayan ruin sites are unreachable by visitors because of cartel violence or land disputes. But two tourist guides in the southern state of Chiapas say the routes to two other sites are plagued by drug gang checkpoints and many groups are avoiding trips there too. The government seems unconcerned. And there is even anger that anyone would suggest there is a problem. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s policy is to play down gang violence even as the cartels take over more territory in Mexico. Both guides say the imposing temple complex at Palenque is still open and perfectly safe for visitors. But there are fears tourism could be damaged in Chiapas.

In a sweeping two-year investigation, The Associated Press found goods linked to prisoners wind up in the supply chains of everything from Frosted Flakes cereal and Ball Park hot dogs to Gold Medal flour and Coca-Cola. They are on the shelves of most supermarkets, including Kroger, Target and Whole Foods. They’re also exported. The prisoners who help produce these goods are disproportionately people of color. Some are sentenced to hard labor and forced to work – or face punishment – and are sometimes paid pennies an hour or nothing at all. They also are excluded from protections guaranteed to almost all other full-time workers, even when they are seriously injured or killed on the job. And it can be almost impossible for them to sue.

—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.

Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here.

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted Feb. 2 at 6:30 a.m. CT:

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Nikki Haley’s path to the Republican presidential nomination is rapidly shrinking. But she’s vowing to stay in the race indefinitely. And the harder she fights, the more Republican officials fear she may be hurting Donald Trump's long-term prospects in the all-but certain general election against Democratic President Joe Biden. Trump allies describe Haley’s continued presence as a distraction, a drain on resources and a source of frustration. They also worry that Trump’s preoccupation with Haley, whom he frequently calls “birdbrain,” might further alienate moderate voters and suburban women. In practical terms, the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential primary season has barely begun. But after decisive wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, Trump's grip on the nomination has never been stronger.

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Fire officials say a small plane has crashed into a home at a Florida mobile home park, killing several people aboard the plane and in the home. There’s no immediate word on the exact number of people killed. Authorities say the single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza V35 reportedly went down at about 7 p.m. Thursday in Clearwater, about three miles north of St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport. The FAA says the pilot had reported an engine failure. Clearwater's fire chief says the plane hit a mobile home and at least three homes received fire damage.

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — At least three people have been killed in Kenya's capital and 270 others were injured when a truck loaded with gas exploded and set off an inferno that burned homes and warehouses. The death toll is likely to rise. A government spokesman said early Friday that a lot of people were home late at night when the fire reached their houses in a Nairobi neighborhood. Police and the local Red Cross said 271 people were rushed to several hospitals to be treated for injuries. Firefighters were searching the burned area later in the morning.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new poll shows half of U.S. adults believe Israel's war in Gaza has “gone too far." The poll by The Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found growing disapproval among Republicans and political independents for Israel's conduct of its military offensive in Gaza. And notably for President Joe Biden, about 7 out of 10 young people in Biden's Democratic Party disapprove of his approach to the conflict. Overall, 31% of U.S. adults approve of Biden’s handling of the conflict, including just 46% of Democrats. The U.S. has become increasingly isolated in its support of Israel as the Palestinian death toll rises.

NEW YORK (AP) — The latest COVID-19 vaccines are 54% effective at preventing symptomatic infection in adults. That's according to the first U.S. study to assess how well the updated shots work. The shots became available last year and are designed to better protect against more recent coronavirus variants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday released a study of how well the vaccine has worked since then. The finding is similar to what’s been reported in other countries. It's also similar to what was reported for earlier versions of the vaccines.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says he never directed anyone on his staff to keep his cancer surgery and hospitalization secret from the White House but acknowledges he should have handled it differently. He apologized for keeping President Joe Biden and others in the dark for weeks. Austin was speaking to reporters in the Pentagon briefing room on Thursday, providing his most extensive comments to date on the secrecy surrounding his cancer diagnosis and struggles with complications since his surgery on Dec. 22. It was the first time he answered reporters' questions since his surgery.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says it's time to more significantly disable Iran-backed militias that have struck at U.S. forces and ships in the Middle East. And he says the U.S. is poised to take significant action in response to the deaths of three U.S. service members in Jordan on Sunday. For days the U.S. has hinted strikes are imminent. While the threat of retaliation has driven some militant groups to say they were stopping hostilities, as late as Thursday Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels were still attacking vessels and fired a ballistic missile at a Liberian-flagged container ship in the Red Sea.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has issued an executive order that targets Israeli settlers in the West Bank who've been accused of attacking Palestinians and Israeli peace activists in the occupied territory. The order Thursday imposes financial sanctions and visa bans in an initial round against four individuals. The order says those settlers were involved in acts of violence, as well as threats and attempts to destroy or seize Palestinian property. The penalties aim to block the four from using the U.S. financial system and bar American citizens from dealing with them. U.S. officials are evaluating whether to punish others involved in attacks that have intensified during the Israel-Hamas war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the U.S. penalties.

LONDON (AP) — A judge in London has thrown out a lawsuit by former U.S. President Donald Trump accusing a former British spy of making “shocking and scandalous claims” that were false and harmed his reputation. Judge Karen Steyn said the defendant was entitled to summary judgment and the case should not go to trial. Trump sued Orbis Business Intelligence, the company founded by Christopher Steele, who created a dossier in 2016 that contained rumors and uncorroborated allegations about Trump that erupted in a political storm just before he was inaugurated. The former president sought damages from Orbis for allegedly violating British data protection laws. The firm sought to have the case thrown out.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 66th annual Grammy Awards are right around the corner, airing live from Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sunday. So, what can viewers expect? Some new, some old. Comedian Trevor Noah will host for a fourth time. Performances — and the arc of the show — will reflect the nominees, which this year in the major categories, are led by women. There are many potentially-history making moments, too. Executive producers Raj Kapoor and Ben Winston, as well as Recording Academy CEO and President Harvey Mason jr., walk The Associated Press through the 2024 Grammy Awards.

NEW YORK (AP) — Legendary Southern rapper Juvenile says he had been unaware of NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series when a social media post suggested that he do a performance, setting off a frenzy. Two months later, Juvenile's performance became one of the most notable of last year. with nearly 7 million views. NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series began almost 15 years ago as a niche online platform mainly highlighting rock and folk musicians. The series has become one of the premiere live music platforms and a pop culture phenomenon, expanding to include performers from across musical genres. The creators say it all started after they attended a performance where an artist was not heard.

The Knicks and Sixers each win despite missing key players, the Lakers overcome injuries to win in Boston and the Cavaliers remain red hot. In college games, the ranked Arizona men win, but Wisconsin loses and the top-ranked South Carolina women remain undefeated. In pro football, it looks like the Commanders have a new coach.

NEW YORK (AP) — American Express is rolling out several updates to its Delta SkyMiles credit cards that will give additional benefits to users. AmEx is eager to soothe sore Delta Air Lines customers who have considered abandoning the airline after last year’s SkyMiles loyalty fiasco. The updates unveiled Thursday will also come with a higher annual fee, which AmEx says it believes that the new benefits will more than pay for.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Astronomers say an asteroid as big as a skyscraper will pass within 1.7 million miles of Earth on Friday. There's no chance of it hitting us since it will pass seven times the distance from Earth to the moon. NASA estimates the space rock is between 690 feet and 1,575 feet across. That means the asteroid could be similar in size to New York City's Empire State Building or Chicago's Willis Tower. The asteroid was discovered in 2008. It won't be back our way again until 2032, but it will be a much more distant encounter, staying 45 million miles away.

NEW YORK (AP) — Under cover of darkness a year ago, someone slipped into the Central Park Zoo, cut a hole in a cage and freed a majestic Eurasian eagle-owl named Flaco. The owl has become one of New York City's most beloved characters since then. By day he lounges in Manhattan’s courtyards and parks and perches on fire escapes. He spends his nights hooting atop water towers and preying on the city’s abundant rats. Some experts feared he wouldn't be able to hunt after a lifetime in captivity To their surprise, Flaco is thriving. But as his second year in the spotlight begins, the crime that led to his freedom remains unsolved.

—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.

Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here.

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted Feb. 1 at 7:15 a.m. CT:

BRUSSELS (AP) — A top European Union official says the 27 EU countries have sealed a deal to provide Ukraine with a new 50-billion-euro ($54 billion) support package despite weeks of threats from Hungary to veto the move.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Officials say 3 people have been killed and 9 were injured in a collapse of a hangar under construction on the grounds of the airport in Boise, Idaho. The cause of the collapse is under investigation.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed a roughly $79 billion tax cut package expanding the child tax credit for millions of families and restoring three key tax breaks for businesses. Prospects for the measure becoming law are still uncertain, but for a House that has struggled to get bills of consequence over the finish line and signed into law, the tax legislation could represent a rare breakthrough. The bill passed by a vote of 357-70.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The first of two back-to-back atmospheric rivers is drenching Northern California. Heavy rain and gusty winds began hitting the north on Wednesday and much of the San Francisco Bay Area and the Central Coast are under flood watch into Friday morning. The storm triggered statewide emergency preparations. The storm is expected to move south down the coast, hitting San Diego on Thursday with up to 3 inches of rain. 

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. adults are only feeling slightly better about the economy, despite stocks being near record highs and surprisingly strong growth last year. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 35% of U.S. adults call the national economy good. President Joe Biden is running for reelection in part on the economy. The poll puts his overall approval rating at 38%.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Fans have been wondering for days whether Taylor Swift will make it to the Super Bowl next week to cheer on boyfriend Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs and, if so, how many times she’ll show up on TV during the game. They can speculate all they want, but they won’t be able to bet on it legally in the United States.

The CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media companies have testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about child safety on their platforms. The hearing Wednesday came as lawmakers are growing increasingly concerned about the effects of social media on young people’s lives. 

Universal Music Group, which represents artists including Taylor Swift, Drake, Adele, Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish, says that it will no longer allow its music on TikTok now that a licensing deal between the two parties has expired. 

Two NBA stars return to their former home courts, the top two men's college basketball teams pull out wins, women's college basketball has a new number two all-time scorer, and the NFL fills its second-to-last head coaching vacancy. Tennessee and Virginia AGs are suing the NCAA over NIL-related recruiting rules. And the PGA Tour strikes a $3 billion deal with the Fenway-led investment group. 

—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.

Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here.

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted Jan. 31 at 7:15 a.m. CT:

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans have taken a party-line vote toward impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over what they say is his “willful and systematic” refusal to enforce immigration laws. The Homeland Security Committee voted early Wednesday to recommend the two articles of impeachment to the full House.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Iran has threatened to “decisively respond” to any U.S. attack on the Islamic Republic following President Joe Biden linking Tehran to the killing of three U.S. soldiers at a military base in Jordan. The U.S. has signaled it's preparing for retaliatory strikes in the wake of the Sunday drone attack that also injured at least 40 troops.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is meeting with members of the Teamsters Union in Washington as he looks past the GOP primary and towards a general election rematch against President Joe Biden.

WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Chris Wray is preparing to tell House lawmakers that Chinese government hackers are busily targeting critical infrastructure inside the United States including water treatment plants, the electrical grid and transportation systems.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Many scientists have long assumed that moths and other flying insects were simply drawn to bright lights. But a new study suggests that's not exactly what's going on. Rather than being attracted to light, researchers believe that artificial lights at night may actually scramble flying insects’ innate navigational systems.

UPS will cut 12,000 jobs and released a revenue outlook for this year that sent its shares down sharply.

NEW YORK (AP) — Chita Rivera, the dynamic dancer, singer and actor who garnered 10 Tony nominations, winning twice, in a long Broadway career that forged a path for Latina artists and shrugged off a near-fatal car accident, died Tuesday. She was 91. Rivera first gained wide notice in 1957 as Anita in the original production of “West Side Story” and was still dancing on Broadway with her trademark energy a half-century later in 2015’s “The Visit.”

In sports, four NHL players face sexual assault charges, the Blue Jackets and Sharks get shutout wins, the Knicks take their eighth straight, the Celtics hang on after nearly blowing a big halftime lead, Joel Embiid can't cure the 76ers road woes, a pair of top-5 college basketball teams suffer upsets, the reigning World Series MVP will miss most of Spring Training and the Orioles look to be on the verge of having new ownership.

In other news:

—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.

Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here.