On today's episode:

• Zelenskyy says US-led peace talks wrestling with Russian demands for Ukrainian territory.
• US national park gift shops ordered to purge merchandise promoting DEI.
• Hundreds are quarantined in South Carolina as measles spreads in 2 US outbreaks.
• Gas explosion in San Francisco Bay Area damages homes, 6 taken to hospitals.
• Average US long-term mortgage rate ticks up to 6.22% after four straight weekly declines.
• Noem links the seizure of an oil tanker off Venezuela to US antidrug efforts.
• Trump signs executive order to block state AI regulations.
• Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from federal immigration detention, his attorney's office says.
• Indiana Republicans block Trump’s redistricting push in a rare break with the president.
• Senators seek to change bill that allows military to operate just like before the DC plane crash.
• Senate rejects extension of health care subsidies as costs are set to rise for millions of Americans.
• Trump's handling of the economy is at its lowest point in AP-NORC polling.
• The man accused of killing Charlie Kirk appears in court for 1st time as a judge weighs media access.
• Venezuelan Nobel laureate credits Trump for pressuring Maduro with ‘decisive’ actions.
• Washington state faces historic floods that have washed away homes and stranded families.
• The US stock market hits record highs, even as worries about an AI bubble continue.
• Atlanta rallies to beat reeling Tampa Bay on Thursday Night Football, an Indiana star is named the AP’s top college football player, Lane Kiffin’s return to Ole Miss is set, a big night for a three-time NBA MVP, a top five men’s hoops team avoids an upset and a two-time Stanley Cup winner notches his second career four-goal game.
• FIFA accused of 'monumental betrayal' over latest World Cup ticket prices.
• NASCAR settles federal antitrust case, gives all its teams the permanent charters they wanted.
• Steelers LB TJ Watt hospitalized after experiencing discomfort in his lungs.
• EU set to lock up Russia's frozen assets so Hungary and Slovakia can't veto their use for Ukraine.
• Winter storm rips through Gaza, exposing failure to deliver enough aid to territory.
• Iceland becomes 5th country to boycott Eurovision Song Contest over Israel's participation.
• Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia intensify with airstrikes and artillery attacks.

—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