On today's episode:

• Attorney General Pam Bondi defends herself against Democratic criticism that she's weaponized the Justice Department.
• Former FBI director James Comey to make first court appearance in Justice Department case accusing him of lying to Congress.
• National Guard members from Texas are in Illinois in Trump's latest move to send troops to cities.
• No, Taylor Swift did not turn down the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show.
• Supreme Court seems skeptical about state bans on 'conversion therapy' for LBGTQ+ kids.
• At the center of shutdown fight, health care is one of the most intractable issues in Congress.
• Trump administration threatens no back pay for federal workers in shutdown.
• Bob Ross paintings to be auctioned to support public TV stations after federal funding cuts.
• Nobel Prize in Physics goes to 3 scientists whose work advanced quantum technology.
• Sean 'Diddy' Combs' lawyers want him sent to a New Jersey federal prison that offers drug treatment.
• Defendant's DNA was found on gas can in failed arson of news vehicle in Utah, prosecutors say.
• Motorists lift medical helicopter to rescue woman after crash injuring 3 on Sacramento highway.
• USDA warns that Hello Fresh subscription meals may contain listeria-tainted spinach.
• US stocks snap a 7-day winning streak as gold’s price tops $4,000 per ounce.
• New York stays alive with a big rally and Seattle takes control in their American League Division Series, the back-to-back defending champs open a new hockey season with a victory, a former Super Bowl-winning signal caller is traded and two major fines in the NFL.
• LeBron James teased 'the decision of all decisions' announcement. It was an ad.
• Truck driver sues Mark Sanchez and Fox after violent fight over parking space.
• UK police uncover gang suspected of smuggling thousands of stolen phones to China.

—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