On today's episode:

• Zelenskyy will hold urgent talks with 30 countries as Trump pushes for swift peace deal with Russia.
• Trump says the US has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.
• Parent of student charged in shooting that killed teen at Kentucky State University.
• Federal Reserve cuts key rate but signals higher bar for future reductions.
• Judge orders Trump to end California National Guard troop deployment in Los Angeles.
• Justice Department can unseal records from Epstein's 2019 sex trafficking case, judge says.
• Blend of unusual weather conditions brings trillions of gallons in persistent rain to the Northwest.
• Bronx man charged in shooting of Jets player Kris Boyd appears in court.
• US stocks rise after the Fed cuts rates and hopes build for more.
• Former 'Real Housewives' star moved from prison to community program for remainder of her sentence.
• Diana Ross will headline 'Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve' lineup.
• Sophie Kinsella, author of the millions-selling ‘Shopaholic’ novels, dies at 55.
• The defending NBA champs match the league’s best start, another Western Conference contender advances in the NBA Cup, a Big Ten football coach is jailed hours after his firing, a five-time All-Star slugger departs New York in baseball’s free agency and an acquitted hockey player signs a tryout deal.
• QB Philip Rivers eager to get back in the game with the Colts after coming out of retirement.
• A'ja Wilson wins AP Female Athlete of the Year following historic 4th WNBA MVP.
• Egypt and Iran complain about planned World Cup 'Pride' match in Seattle.
• After months in hiding, Venezuelan opposition leader Machado reappears as a Nobel laureate.
• Machado's daughter accepts Nobel Peace Prize in Venezuelan opposition leader's absence.

—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