On today's episode:

• Politicians are reacting after a Politico report unveiled inflammatory language in a Young Republican group chat.
• Supreme Court seems inclined to limit race-based electoral districts under the Voting Rights Act.
• Judge temporarily blocks the Trump administration from firing workers during the government shutdown.
• Angel Reese becomes first pro athlete to walk in Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
• Faulty engineering led to implosion of Titan submersible headed to Titanic wreckage, NTSB finds.
• Trump confirms the CIA is conducting covert operations inside Venezuela.
• Trump claims India will stop buying Russian oil, escalating pressure on Moscow over Ukraine war.
• Journalists turn in access badges, exit Pentagon rather than agree to new reporting rules.
• Democratic governors form a public health alliance in rebuke of Trump administration.
• Ukrainian officials meet with US weapons manufacturers before Trump-Zelenskyy talks.
• Social Security cost-of-living increase announcement delayed by government shutdown.
• This family visit to a military base ended with ICE deporting a Marine's dad.
• Los Angeles County officials approve emergency declaration over immigration raids.
• Florida judge grants protective order against US Rep. Cory Mills at request of ex-girlfriend.
• Alaska airlifting hundreds from storm-devastated coastal villages.
• A discarded straw leads to murder charges in 1984 killing of New York teen.
• New York health officials confirm state's first locally acquired case of chikungunya virus.
• Smucker sues Trader Joe's, saying its new PB&J sandwiches are too similar to Uncrustables.
• Most US stocks rise after swinging through another erratic day.
• The Radio City Rockettes rehearse for annual 'Christmas Spectacular'.
• Toronto storms back into the American League Championship Series, the Kings re-sign a former No. 4 overall pick and add a former NBA MVP, an ex-Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year retires, a pair of injured NFL stars return to practice and the AP midseason All-America team is revealed.
• NBA memo targets fan behavior, reminding teams to address unruly acts proactively.
• Big 12 fines Kansas $25,000 for Lance Leipold’s statement that a knife was thrown at Texas Tech game.
• After months in chains and darkness, freed Hamas hostages begin their long road to recovery.
• Germany pledges big military aid package to Ukraine as Kyiv puts 2026 defense needs at $120 billion.
• Madagascar coup leader tells the AP why he has taken power in the island nation.
• Former Kenyan premier Raila Odinga, a key figure in African politics, dies at 80.

—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