On today's episode:

• Top Trump administration official defends partial release of Epstein files as Democrats cry foul.
• Nicki Minaj surprises conservatives with praise for Trump, Vance at Arizona event.
• Russian general killed by bomb under his car in Moscow.
• Coast Guard is pursuing another tanker helping Venezuela skirt sanctions, US official says.
• This holiday season could set a record for travel according to AAA.
• Trump removes nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial positions.
• Russia says talks on US peace plan for Ukraine 'are proceeding constructively'.
• Hegseth announces operation to 'eliminate' Islamic State fighters in Syria after deaths of Americans.
• Trump announces lower drug price deals with 9 pharmaceutical companies.
• 09 Justice Department begins releasing long-awaited files tied to Epstein sex trafficking investigation.
• Powerball jackpot climbs to $1.6 billion, among largest lottery prizes ever in U.S..
• Brown attack suspect died the two days before his body was found, autopsy finds.
• Stocks rise on Wall Street as AI stocks turn higher again.
• NTSB unclear who was at controls in jet crash that killed ex-NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and 6 others.
• Anthony Joshua knocks out Jake Paul in 6th round to win heavyweight fight.
• A former No. 1 pick shines to help snap the NFL’s longest winning streak, a second-year QB guides his team into to the playoffs, a multi-time MVP exits with an injury, results from the College Football Playoff’s opening weekend, a 302-point NBA game, an NHL franchise record is set and an international baseball star signs in Chicago.
• Los Angeles Angels settles lawsuit with family of pitcher Tyler Skaggs over fatal overdose.
• Thousands cheer as the sun rises on winter solstice at Stonehenge.
• Multiple gunmen open fire at a South African pub, killing 9 and wounding 10.
• Élysée Palace silver steward arrested for stealing thousands of euros' worth of silverware.
• Israel's Cabinet approves 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
• Russian strike on Odesa kills 8 as US hosts a Kremlin envoy for talks on peace plan.
• Pope Leo summons world's cardinals for a key assembly to help him govern the church.

—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