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

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Powerful storms have erupted in the central United States, bringing tornadoes to rural Oklahoma and large hail in parts of Kansas. At least one death has been reported in Oklahoma. Tornadoes were spotted skirting northern Oklahoma, including one that caused extensive damage north of Tulsa in the small town of Barnsdall.

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — An American English-language tutor has been arrested in Moscow on hooliganism charges for reportedly breaking into a children’s library while intoxicated and has been sentenced to 10 days in jail. State news agency RIA-Novosti says William Nycum was found in the library on Friday after breaking a window to gain entry.

Israeli forces have taken control of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt in the Gaza Strip, pressing on with an offensive in the southern city as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remain precarious.

NEW YORK (AP) — Witness testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to move forward again and all eyes are on who will be called next.

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer's disease. Most cases of the mind-robbing disease occur after age 65. A gene called APOE4 has long been considered a key risk factor.

BEIJING (AP) — A knife attack at a hospital in southwestern China has killed two people and injured 21 others. No motive was given for Tuesday's attack at Zhenxiong County People’s Hospital in Yunnan province.

In other news:

• Trump fined $1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as ex-employee recounts reimbursements.
• Sen. Bernie Sanders says Gaza may be President Joe Biden's Vietnam. But he's ready to battle for Biden over Trump.
• House Republicans are ready to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt over Biden audio.
• The FAA investigates after Boeing says workers in South Carolina falsified 787 inspection records.
• Boeing calls off its first astronaut launch because of valve issue on rocket.
• An American soldier was arrested in Russia and accused of stealing, US officials say.
• Brittney Griner still adjusting after Russian prison ordeal. WNBA star details experience in book.
• With help from AI, Randy Travis got his voice back. Here's how his first song post-stroke came to be.
• The Minnesota Timberwolves move up 2-0 in their series against the Denver Nuggets, the New York Knicks get another huge performance from Jalen Brunson in their playoff win, the Boston Bruins take their Stanley Cup playoff series second round opener, and the Minnesota Twins win again.
• 155 police officers injured at German soccer match, most from tear-gas use.

—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.

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

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli army has ordered some 100,000 Palestinians to begin evacuating from the southern city of Rafah in Gaza. That signals that a long-promised ground invasion there could be imminent and would further complicate efforts to broker a cease-fire. The looming operation in Rafah has raised global alarm and Israeli’s closest allies have warned against it.

Weekend commencement ceremonies largely went off without many disruptions, although one death was reported at Ohio State after a spectator fell from the stands.

HOUSTON (AP) — Floodwaters have closed some Texas schools after days of heavy rains pummeled the Houston area and left hundreds of people in need of rescue. Authorities say a 5-year-old boy died after riding in a car that was swept away in fast waters.

NEW YORK (AP) — Witness testimony in Donald Trump’s hush money trial is set to resume. That will set the stage for an even deeper dive into the events and people involved in what prosecutors have said was a scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election by buying and burying negative stories about the candidate.

Russia's Defense Ministry says it plans to hold drills simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons. The announcement Monday came days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — It's six months before Election Day, and Joe Biden and Donald Trump are locked in a presidential rematch. The race is highly in flux as many voters are only just beginning to embrace the reality of the 2024 contest.

In other news:

• A $400 million boost in federal funds proposed for security at places of worship.
• A driver dies after crashing into a security barrier around the White House complex, authorities say.
• The SEC charges Trump Media's newly hired auditing firm with "massive fraud."
• As the US moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, could more states legalize it.
• Profit drops at Warren Buffett's firm but thousands still want to hear from the investing guru.
• Biden awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 politicians, activists, athletes and others.
• "The Fall Guy" gives Hollywood a muted summer kickoff with a $28.5M opening.
• Mick Jagger wades into politics, taking verbal jab at Louisiana state governor at performance.
• In the NBA playoffs, the Cavaliers get out of the first round, ditto for the Stars in the NHL after each wins a Game 7, the Twins' winning streak ends, Taylor Pendrith gets his first PGA Tour win and Kyle Larsen captures the NASCAR event at Kansas Speedway in a photo finish.
• Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby by a nose in a 3-horse photo finish at Churchill Downs.
• The UN warns Sudan's warring parties that Darfur risks starvation and death if aid isn't allowed in.
• A Holocaust survivor is marking that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7.

—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.

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted April May 4 at 6 a.m. CT:

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

• For ex-Derby winner Silver Charm, it's a life of leisure and Old Friends at Kentucky retirement farm.
• Fraudsters target small businesses with scams. Here are some to watch out for
• Less alcohol, or none at all, is one path to better health.
• Utah cat with a fondness for cardboard takes surprise trip to California in an Amazon box.
• A wild orangutan used a medicinal plant to treat a wound, scientists say.
• America's Catholic Church sees an immense shift toward the old ways.
• At time of rising antisemitism, Holocaust survivors take on denial and hate in new digital campaign.
• News organizations have trust issues as they gear up to cover another election, a poll finds.
• US drug control agency will move to reclassify marijuana in a historic shift, AP sources say.
• Mammograms should start at 40 to address rising breast cancer rates at younger ages, panel says.
• Pregnancy-related deaths have fallen to pre-pandemic levels, new US data says.
• The USDA is testing ground beef for bird flu. Experts are confident the meat supply is safe.
• The botched FAFSA rollout leaves students in limbo. Some wonder if their college dreams will survive.
• To fend off tourists, a town in Japan is building a big screen blocking the view of Mount Fuji.
• Want to spend the night in a Paris museum or a house owned by Prince Airbnb plans to list them.
• Five takeaways from the global negotiations on a treaty to end plastic pollution.

—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.