On today's episode:

• Man suspected in Brown University shooting and MIT professor’s killing is found dead, officials say.
• Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and family among 7 killed in North Carolina plane crash.
• US military says 2 strikes on alleged drug boats kill 5 in eastern Pacific.
• Romanian court sentences US rapper Wiz Khalifa to 9 months for drug possession.
• Trump administration moves to cut off transgender care for children.
• Trump signs executive order that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug.
• Trump's handpicked board votes to rename Washington performing arts center the Trump-Kennedy Center.
• Kremlin envoy set to visit Miami for talks on US peace plan for Ukraine.
• Trump administration moves to cut off transgender care for children.
• President Trump's announcement of 'warrior dividends' for U.S. troops not being quite what he described.
• House Democrats release more photos from Epstein's estate.
• In recorded message, Rob Reiner urges resiliency for Holocaust survivors at Hanukkah event.
• The Lumbee Tribe's federal recognition is assured with a final push by Trump.
• Pope names fellow Chicagoan, Bishop Ronald Hicks, as new archbishop of New York.
• Arizona jury sentences man to death in string of killings in metro Phoenix during 2017.
• Tennessee governor pardons country star Jelly Roll, who has sought redemption from criminal past.
• Prosecutor says 14 Minnesota programs are targeted for fraud and the state is swamped with crime.
• Brian Walshe is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife, whose body was never found.
• Wall Street rises after an encouraging inflation update, as Micron helps AI stocks stop their slide.
• U.S. consumer prices decelerated unexpectedly in November, rising 2.7% from a year earlier.
• Average US long-term mortgage rate edges lower, remaining near its low for the year.
• A wild finish secures a playoff spot on Thursday Night Football, a wide receiver gets a new contract, a clutch basket seals a win in an NBA playoff rematch, Milwaukee’s hoops star downplays trade talks and a former NASCAR star dies in a plane crash.
• Betting interest wanes as 1st round of College Football Playoff lacks excitement.
• Rams WR Puka Nacua apologizes for antisemitic gesture, adds more controversy after career game.
• WNBA players union authorizes negotiators to call a strike if needed during CBA talks.
• Timberwolves formalize a reunion with Kevin Garnett, with a plan to finally retire his No. 21 jersey.
• Putin tells his annual news conference that the Kremlin's military goals will be achieved in Ukraine.
• EU leaders agree on 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine after a plan to use Russian assets unravels.
• Israel launches intense airstrikes in Lebanon as deadline looms to disarm Hezbollah.
• India signs deal with Oman as it tries to counter US tariffs by accelerating free trade agreements.
• Mourners grieve 10-year-old slain in Bondi mass shooting as Australia's leader pledges new hate laws.

—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