On the version of Hot off the Wire posted July 30 at 8:15 a.m. CT:

ATLANTA (AP) — Little more than a week ago, Georgia appeared to be slipping out of Democrats’ reach. President Joe Biden’s campaign was pledging to concentrate more on holding the “blue wall” states in the Midwest and suggesting they might be willing to forsake “Sun Belt” battlegrounds. But now that Biden has bowed out of the race and Vice President Kamala Harris is the likely nominee, the Democrats say they have new hope for Georgia. They’re betting a fresh burst of energy and a surge in fundraising has helped make Georgia a toss-up again. Harris plans a show of political force Tuesday in Atlanta, with a large rally like those held by Republican ex-President Donald Trump.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate lawmakers are expected to grill the Secret Service's acting director about law enforcement lapses in the hours before the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

LONDON (AP) — British police are questioning a suspect and working to understand what motivated a 17-year-old boy to attack children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class, leaving three dead and six in critical condition. A total of eight other children and two adults were wounded in the rampage in Southport in northwest England.

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York judge declined to appoint an outside monitor to oversee the finances and internal policies of the National Rifle Association. But he is barring the group’s former leader, Wayne LaPierre, from holding a paid position with the organization for a decade.

In other news:

• Biden unveils plan for Supreme Court changes, says US stands at 'breach' as public confidence sinks.
• Harris and Democrats keep calling Trump and Vance 'weird.' Here's why.
• Trump and Harris enter 99-day sprint to decide an election that has suddenly transformed.
• Trump agrees to be interviewed as part of an investigation into his assassination attempt, FBI says.
• Interpol anti-narcotics operation leads to 206 arrests, seizure of $1.6 of illegal drugs, chemicals.
• Taylor Swift says she is 'in shock' after 2 children died in an attack on a UK dance class.
• Iowa now bans most abortions after about 6 weeks, before many women know they're pregnant.
• Trial canceled in North Dakota abortion ban lawsuit as judge ponders dismissal.
• Fresh quakes damage West Texas area with long history of tremors caused by oil and gas industry.
• 7 people shot, 2 fatally, at a park in upstate Rochester, N.Y.
• Another good day for the U.S. at the Olympics, a long losing streak continues in major league baseball, Aaron Judge goes yard twice and a big three team deal on the eve of Baseball's trading deadline.
• Venezuelan opposition says it has proof its candidate defeated President Maduro in disputed election.
• 6 UK lawmakers are running to lead the Conservative Party after its crushing election defeat.
• The Taliban disavows some Afghan diplomatic missions abroad and rejects their consular services.
• Ukrainian troops say Russia's front-line push has driven them out of two more eastern villages.
• North Korean officials seek medicines for Kim's obesity-related health problems, Seoul says.

—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.