DALLAS (AP) — The U.S. government is fining American Airlines $50 million for failing to provide wheelchair assistance to passengers with disabilities and damaging thousands of wheelchairs over a five-year period. The Transportation Department announced the civil penalty on Wednesday. American will only have to pay half of the fine because it is receiving credit for money it spent to improve wheelchair handling and to compensate affected passengers.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Voters lined up across battleground Wisconsin to cast their ballots as Democrats and Republicans spread across the state to get their voters out.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said there is evidence that North Korea has sent troops to Russia on Monday, and South Korea’s spy chief told lawmakers that 3,000 North Korean troops are in the country receiving training on drones and other equipment before being deployed to battlefields in Ukraine.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fernando Valenzuela, the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching ace who inspired “Fernandomania” in the early 1980s, has died. He was 63. The Mexican-born phenom won the National League Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, when he helped the Dodgers win the World Series. His death comes as the Dodgers are preparing to open the World Series on Friday night at home against the New York Yankees.

Denny’s says it’s closing 150 of its lowest-performing restaurants in an effort to turn around the brand’s flagging sales. About half of the closures will happen this year and the rest in 2025.

In other news:

• Deadly E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders sickens 49 people in 10 states.
• A 2nd major recall for Honda in October, this time for pumps that can crack, leak fuel.
• Rudy Giuliani ordered to turn over NYC apartment, 26 watches to Georgia election workers.
• Former Abercrombie & Fitch chief executive Mike Jeffries has been arrested on federal sex trafficking charges.
• Starbucks reports weak quarterly results despite the arrival of Pumpkin Spice Latte season.
• North Carolina county surrounding Asheville overcounted Helene deaths by as many as 30, sheriff says.
• Teen in custody after 5 found dead in shooting at home in Washington state, police say.
• Eyewitness video captures frantic efforts to save lives after deadly collapse of dock walkway.
• Court upholds freedom for woman whose conviction was overturned after 43 years behind bars.
• ABBA, Radiohead and The Cure musicians sign AI protest letter against 'unlicensed use' of works.
• AARP to honor Glenn Close with Movies for Grownups career achievement award.
• Opening Night in the NBA had some milestones, Dodgers great Valenzuela passes away, starting pitchers announced for World Series Game One, the Rays look for a temporary home, and plenty of NHL action.
• Ohtani's historic 50-50 ball sells at auction for nearly $4.4M amid ongoing dispute over ownership.
• Watkins, Bueckers headline preseason AP All-America team in women's hoops; 3 sophomores for 1st time.
• Israel says it killed a Hezbollah official expected to be the group's next leader.
• South Korea warns it can send arms to Ukraine after reports of North's troops in Russia.
• Poland alleges Russian sabotage and is closing one of Moscow's consulates.
• Navalny's memoir details isolation and suffering in a Russian prison — and how he never lost hope.
• Hong Kong bars services like WhatsApp and Google Drive from government computers.

—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.

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TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Israel on his 11th visit to the region since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. He is expected to meet with top officials as the United States looks to revive cease-fire efforts after the killing of top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, but so far none of the warring parties appear to be backing down on longstanding demands. Israel is still at war with Hamas more than a year after the militant group’s Oct. 7 attack, and with Hezbollah in Lebanon, where it launched a ground invasion earlier this month. Israel is also expected to strike Iran after its ballistic missile attack on Oct. 1.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pennsylvania voters are expected to play a pivotal role in the Nov. 5 general election, with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress and the state Legislature hanging in the balance. With its 19 electoral votes, the commonwealth is the largest prize among the battleground states and an important piece of both campaigns’ paths to victory.

FALL CITY, WASH. (AP) — Law officers have arrested a teenager in connection with the deaths of five people found fatally shot inside a home southeast of Seattle.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — An initial toxicology report for ex-One Direction singer Liam Payne, who died last week after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, shows that he had cocaine in his system after his death, an Argentine official said.

NEW YORK (AP) — Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faces seven more lawsuits, including one alleging the rape of a 13-year-old girl. His lawyers meanwhile are complaining about a “fresh wave of publicity.” They asked a judge to order potential witnesses and their lawyers to stop making statements that could prevent a fair trial.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican officials say schools have six months to implement a government-sponsored ban on junk food or face heavy fines. Authorities are confronting what they call the worst childhood obesity problem in the world.

In other news:

• Biden is 'deeply concerned' about the release of secret documents on Israel's possible attack plans.
• Trump makes more debunked claims about FEMA as he surveys storm damage in North Carolina.
• Arizona official who delayed 2022 election certification pleads guilty.
• Central Park Five sues Donald Trump for 'defamatory' remarks made at presidential debate.
• Writer Olivia Nuzzi, New York magazine part ways after relationship with political source revealed.
• Supreme Court won’t revive Michael Cohen’s lawsuit against Trump claiming retaliatory imprisonment.
• General Motors overcomes US sales drop and China losses to post 3rd quarter profit of $3 billion.
• Anderson, Burton, Keith inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame.
• Disney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026.
• The Ravens extend their winning streak as the Buccaneers lose two wide receivers, the Cardinals rally to beat the Chargers, the Maple Leafs improve to 4-2, the NBA season approaches and WNBA players want a new contract sooner than later.
• King Charles III ends first Australian visit by a reigning British monarch in 13 years.
• Storm causes at least 6 deaths in Cuba, where a long power outage is raising tempers.
• Peru’s ex-president Toledo gets more than 20 years in prison in case linked to corruption scandal.
• Brazil environmental disaster victims take case against mining giant BHP to UK court.
• Moldovans narrowly vote to secure the country's path toward EU membership.

—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.

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

• Ahead of the presidential election, small biz owners are growing more uncertain about the economy.
• Missed out on the northern lights Scientists expect more solar storms to produce auroras.
• US retail trade group expects holiday season sales to grow more slowly.
• Wealthier Americans are driving retail spending and powering US economy.
• Most AAPI adults think legal immigrants give the US a major economic boost: AP-NORCAAPI Data poll.
• What's behind the widening gender wage gap/
• Amazon, Google make dueling nuclear investments to power data centers with clean energy.
• Whooping cough is at a decade-high level in US.
• Another study points to correlation between helmet use on motorcycles and odds of survival.
• Lowriding is more than just cars. It's about family and culture for Mexican Americans.
• His country trained him to fight. Then he turned against it. More like him are doing the same.
• Pumpkin weighing 2,471 pounds wins California contest.
• A full-scale replica of Anne Frank's hidden annex is heading to New York for an exhibition.
• Canadian doctors who provide euthanasia struggle with the ethics of killing vulnerable patients.
• Who am I? A South Korean adoptee finds answers about the past — just not the ones she wants.

—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.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump laced into Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats in a pointed and at times bitter speech as he headlined the annual Al Smith charity dinner in New York. Trump, in remarks that often felt more like a rally speech than a comedy bit, repeatedly criticized Harris over her decision to skip the event as she campaigned in Wisconsin.

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine police say a search is underway after four gunmen reportedly abducted an American national, who was shot in the leg as he tried to resist before being spirited away by speedboat.

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — The Texas Supreme Court has halted the scheduled execution of a man who would have become the first person in the U.S. put to death for a murder conviction tied to a diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.

BEIRUT — A statement issued by one of Hamas’ political leaders abroad Friday tacitly — but not directly — confirmed the death of the group’s leader, Yahya Sinwar, in Gaza, and said that Israel is mistaken if it “believes that killing our leaders means the end of our movement and the struggle of the Palestinian people.”

Dozens of farmers in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin are scrambling to feed their flocks after a struggling organic broiler chicken producer abruptly closed a year after getting a $39 million federal loan. Pure Prairie Poultry shuttered its Charles City, Iowa, processing plant after filing for bankruptcy in September.

In other news:

A tough night for New York in baseball’s championship series, a beatdown by the Broncos on Thursday Night Football, a surprising retirement in college basketball, a late rally sends the Lighting past the Golden Knights and more.

—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.

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HOUSTON (AP) — A Texas man who could be the first person in the U.S. executed for a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome is facing a lethal injection. Robert Roberson is scheduled to be put to death Thursday evening for his conviction in the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter.

Two U.S. states plan to execute convicted killers Thursday. Alabama is preparing to put to death a man who admitted to killing five people with an ax and gun during a drug-fueled rampage in 2016. Derrick Dearman is to be executed by lethal injection at Holman prison in southern Alabama.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Fans, music-industry figures and fellow musicians are paying tribute to former One Direction member Liam Payne. The singer died aged 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. long-range B-2 stealth bombers launched airstrikes targeting underground bunkers used by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A former Las Vegas-area Democratic elected official was sentenced Wednesday to serve at least 28 years in Nevada state prison for killing an investigative journalist who wrote articles critical of his conduct in office two years ago. A judge invoked a sentencing enhancement for Robert Telles’ use of a deadly weapon to add eight years to the minimum 20-year sentence that a jury set in August after finding Telles guilty of stabbing Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German to death in September 2022.

In other news:

• Jimmy Carter, at age 100, casts his 2024 ballot by mail.
• A federal judge halts an Alabama program that purged thousands of legal voters.
• Nebraska’s high court says people with felony records can register to vote.
• Rare copy of the US Constitution up for auction is expected to sell for millions.
• Many schools are still closed weeks after Hurricane Helene. Teachers worry about long-term impact.
• Man charged with abandoning dog in floodwaters as Florida residents evacuated ahead of hurricane.
• US agency adopts rule to make it easier for consumers to cancel unwanted subscriptions.
• Defense contractor Raytheon agrees to pay $950 million to resolve bribery, fraud allegations.
• The US Navy says a fighter jet with two on board crashed in Washington state during training.
• Bloomberg Philanthropies launches its largest Mayors Challenge ever.
• Family of Erik and Lyle Menendez call for their release and say they're victims who were vilified.
• Lawyers for Sean 'Diddy' Combs ask judge to release identities of his accusers.
• The Dodgers go up two games to one in the NLCS, the Liberty have the same two-games-to-one lead in the WNBA Finals, Caitlin Clark adds another honor from her rookie season, Evgeni Malkin nets an historic goal in the Penguins win, the Steelers appear ready to start Russell Wilson at quarterback on Sunday and a rule change in NCAA football.
• Newly acquired wide receiver Davante Adams expects to play for Jets on Sunday night vs. Steelers.
• Serena Williams says she had a benign cyst removed from her neck and 'all is OK.'
• Mexico’s ex-public security chief sentenced to 38-plus years in US for taking cartel bribes.
• Ukrainian president Zelenskyy seeks backing for his 'victory plan.'

—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.

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Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are both making pushes to energize key constituencies that their allies worry might be slipping away. The vice president is looking to reach Black men, and the former president is focusing on women. Harris appeared Tuesday at a town hall-style event in Detroit hosted by Charlamagne Tha God. Trump is attending a Fox News Channel town hall in Georgia moderated by host Harris Faulkner featuring an all-female audience. It’s yet another sign that in a razor-tight race, each side is trying to cut into the other’s margin of support.

In hard-hit western North Carolina following Hurrican Helene, some districts warn students will miss up to a month of school, and others say they can’t yet determine a timeline for returning to classrooms.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his plan to win his country’s fight against Russia’s invasion could bring peace next year. But it contains a step that some crucial Western allies have so far refused to countenance: inviting Ukraine to join NATO before the war ends

QANA, Lebanon (AP) — Officials say Israeli airstrikes have pounded areas across Lebanon, killing at least 21 people, including 15 in a southern town where Israeli bombardments in previous conflicts are seared into local memory.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says more than 800 military personnel have seen their service records upgraded to honorable discharges after previously being kicked out of the military under its former “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

In other news:

• Florida residents hard hit by hurricane Milton are getting back on their feet.
• FEMA resumes door-to-door visits in North Carolina after threats tied to disinformation.
• Small business disaster loan program is out of money until Congress approves new funds.
• US warns Israel to boost humanitarian aid into Gaza or risk losing weapons funding.
• Georgia judge blocks ballot counting rule and says county officials must certify election results.
• Protesters demand Kellogg remove artificial colors from Froot Loops and other cereals.
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs a law aimed at preventing gas prices from spiking.
• California health care workers get a pay bump under a new minimum wage law.
• Idaho revamps execution chamber so docs can access deep veins after failed lethal injection attempt.
• The pandas are coming! The pandas are coming!
• Home town fans in the Bronx went home happy for the second straight night, big time wide receivers are changing teams in the NFL, and Tom Brady goes from player to announcer and now owner.
• Phillies enter the offseason confident that bulk of roster is good enough to win the World Series.
• 76ers forward Paul George's hyperextended left knee 'checks out OK,' coach Nick Nurse 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.

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