On today's episode:

• US drivers are seeing lower gas prices this holiday season.
• NORAD continues decades-long tradition of tracking Santa's trip around the world.
• A century of sound historic bells mark 100th Christmas in NYC.
• Bethlehem is ready for Christmas Eve.
• Turkey shoot a holiday tradition, with no ruffled feathers.
• Most US adults aren't making year-end charitable contributions, new AP-NORC poll finds.
• Giant lazy Susans bring people together at Mississippi restaurant.
• A look at aging baby boomers in the United States.
• US and Ukraine reach consensus on key issues, but territorial disputes remain unresolved.
• '60 Minutes' segment on El Salvador prison accidentally airs online.
• Supreme Court keeps Trump’s National Guard deployment blocked in the Chicago area, for now.
• Trump critic George Conway takes steps to run for New York City congressional seat.
• Former Nebraska US Sen. Ben Sasse reveals advanced pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
• Medicaid paid more than $207 million for dead people. A new law could help fix that.
• Pope disappointed over approval of assisted suicide legislation in his home state of Illinois.
• FBI says Lyft driver terrorized by escaped Georgia inmates before she was rescued in Florida.
• Colorado man extradited from UK to New York to face Ponzi scheme allegations.
• Explosion at a Pennsylvania nursing home traps people inside, authorities say.
• Boys at her school shared AI-generated, nude images of her. After a fight, she was the one expelled.
• S&P 500 closes at another record, beating the high it set earlier this month.
• US economy expands at a surprisingly strong 4.3% annual rate in the third quarter.
• Consumer confidence slides in December to lowest level since US tariffs rolled out in April.
• A top star defects from golf's most controversial league; a legendary Japanese golfer dies; a rout in an NHL Original Six rivalry; former teammates battle in a key NBA clash; the league’s defending champs suffer a third loss in five games and NFL Pro Bowl rosters are announced.
• Ravens, Broncos, 49ers and Seahawks lead the way with 6 players selected to Pro Bowl.
• Here's a look at the premier sports matchups on Christmas Day.
• Missouri linebacker Damon Wilson II accuses Georgia of illegal punishment in transfer portal lawsuit.
• Pro-Russian hackers claim cyberattack on French postal service.
• Search teams probe wreckage after Libyan army chief and 7 others are killed in Turkey plane crash.
• Libya's military chief and 4 others are killed in a plane crash after takeoff from Turkey Tuesday.
• Greta Thunberg arrested in London while supporting hunger-striking pro-Palestinian activists.
• Israeli settlers spray Palestinian children with teargas in latest West Bank attack.
• Ex-aide says Netanyahu tasked him with making a plan to evade responsibility for Oct. 7 attack.

—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

On today's episode:

• Brown University police chief placed on leave after fatal shooting, feds launch investigation.
• Hundreds mourn Brown University sophomore Ella Cook, killed in campus shooting.
• At least 5 killed after Mexican Navy plane on medical mission crashes in Texas.
• Schumer urges Senate to take legal action over Justice Department’s staggered Epstein files release.
• Powerball jackpot soars to $1.7 billion after another night with no big winner.
• Kansas City Chiefs announce they will leave Arrowhead and relocate across the Kansas-Missouri border.
• US strikes another alleged drug-smuggling boat in eastern Pacific.
• Trump warns Maduro against playing 'tough' as US escalates pressure campaign on Venezuela.
• Trump announces plans for new Navy 'battleship'.
• 21 Democratic-led states sue White House over consumer protection bureau funding.
• Coast Guard is pursuing another tanker helping Venezuela skirt sanctions, US official says.
• Trump administration pauses 5 offshore wind projects on the East Coast.
• Singer-songwriter Chris Rea, known for 'Driving Home for Christmas,' dies at 74.
• Cloudy future for bourbon has Jim Beam closing Kentucky distillery for a year.
• Boys at her school shared AI-generated, nude images of her. After a fight, she was the one expelled.
• Search is on for 3 inmates, including a murder suspect, who escaped from a Georgia jail.
• US stocks rise at the start of a holiday-shortened week.
• A quarterback’s career day leads his team to a fifth straight win on Monday Night Football, a notable NFL franchise will cross state lines for a new stadium, a star wideout is suspended for a fan altercation, an NBA rookie sets a 3-point record and the latest AP Top 25 poll in men’s college hoops.
• It's been 50 years since a lawyer's decision unlocked free agency in MLB and changed sports forever.
• Major Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine kills at least 3 people and cuts power.
• The killing of a general in Moscow follows a series of assassinations Russia blames on Ukraine.
• Bondi Beach shooting suspect conducted firearms training with his father, Australian police say.
• Turkish agents capture an IS member on the Afghan-Pakistan border.
• Cyberattack disrupts France's postal service and banking during Christmas rush.
• Pope offers gentle critique of Vatican culture in Christmas greeting reminiscent of past.
• Denmark insists on respect for territorial integrity after Trump appoints envoy to Greenland.

—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

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