Trump's makes unexpected defense choice; MLB's Rays need new home

Hot Off The Wire

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has stunned the Pentagon and the broader defense world by nominating Fox News host Pete Hegseth to be defense secretary. Trump has picked someone who's largely inexperienced and untested on the global stage to take over the world’s largest and most powerful military.

Trump will meet with President Joe Biden today at the White House for a transition meeting.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration is prohibiting U.S. airlines from flying to Haiti for 30 days after gangs shot two planes. The United Nations also said Tuesday that it temporarily suspended flights to the capital, limiting humanitarian aid coming into the country.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A company says two employees have died following an explosion at a Louisville, Kentucky, factory that caused a partial collapse of the building and blew out windows in nearby homes and businesses.

BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge has sentenced a Massachusetts Air National Guard member to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to leaking highly classified military documents about the war in Ukraine. Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty earlier this year to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act.

In other news:

• Trump spends first week as president-elect behind closed doors at Mar-a-Lago.
• Judge delays ruling on whether to scrap Trump's conviction in hush money case.
• Speaker Mike Johnson says Republicans are “ready to deliver” on Trump's agenda.
• Trump has promised to 'save TikTok'. What happens next is less clear.
• Trump says Musk, Ramaswamy will form outside group to advise White House on government efficiency.
• Trump ally Steve Bannon blasts 'lawfare' as he faces New York trial after federal prison stint.
• Pentagon secrets leaker Jack Teixeira sentenced to 15 years in prison by a federal judge.
• Jury awards Abu Ghraib detainees $42 million, holds contractor responsible.
• Stock market today Wall Street drifts lower as the Trump trade cools.
• Federal judge blocks Louisiana law that requires classrooms to display Ten Commandments.
• Man jailed after Tuskegee University shooting says he fired his gun, but denies shooting at anyone.
• Eminem, Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow, N.W.A. and Janet Jackson get Songwriters Hall of Fame nods.
• Hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field can be fixed for about $55M in time for 2026 season, per report.
• Joel Embid's first NBA game this season, the Winnipeg Jets continue to be the toast of the NHL, and top match ups in college basketball. Correspondent David Schuster reports.
• USC football placed on 1 year of probation, fined $50,000 by NCAA for violating coaching staff rules.
• Wander Franco charged with illegally carrying a gun in the altercation that led to his arrest.
• US says it intends to shore up support for Ukraine until Trump takes office.
• U.S. wants Israel to do more to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
• At UN climate talks, nations big and small get chance to bear witness to climate change.
• Dutch appeals court overturns landmark climate ruling against Shell.
• Russia strikes Kyiv with a combined drone and missile attack, the first in months.

—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