Fire crews on both coasts battle wildfires; Sunday's NFL highlights

Hot Off The Wire

POMPTON LAKES, N.J. (AP) — Fire crews on both coasts of the U.S. are battling wildfires, including one in New York and New Jersey that killed a parks employee. In Southern California, crews northwest of Los Angeles made progress Sunday against a fire that prompted thousands of residents to flee and destroyed more than 130 structures.

NEW YORK (AP) — A Manhattan judge is poised to decide whether to uphold Donald Trump's hush money verdict or dismiss it on presidential immunity grounds. Judge Juan M. Merchan has said he will rule Tuesday on the president-elect's request to toss his conviction because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that gave presidents broad protection from prosecution.

NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump says that Tom Homan, his former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, will serve as “border czar” in his incoming administration. Trump wrote late Sunday on his Truth Social site that he was pleased “to announce that the Former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nation’s Borders.” Homan was widely expected to rejoin Trump’s second administration in a border-related role.

President Joe Biden will visit Arlington National Cemetery on Veteran's Day.

This week's entertainment update touches on Sean "Diddy" Combs, Beyonce's Grammy nominations and the death of "Candyman" actor Tonny Toddy.

In other news:

• Biden and Trump will meet in the Oval Office on Wednesday, the White House says.
• 'I got my life back.' Veterans with PTSD making progress thanks to service dog program.
• FBI, Justice Department investigating racist mass texts sent following the election.
• Haul out the holly! Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree arrives in New York City.
• 'Heretic' and Hugh Grant debut with $11 million, but 'Venom The Last Dance' tops box office again.
• 'Saturday Night Live' taps comedian-actor Bill Burr and Charli XCX as hosts for after the election.
• Children's book by chef Jamie Oliver is withdrawn after criticism from Indigenous Australians.
• The Lions and Chiefs win in dramatic fashion, NASCAR crowns a repeat champ, the Bucks early season struggles continue, and the Wild and Devils get upset on the ice.
• Remembering Armistice Day Starmer joins Macron to celebrate Franco-British friendship in Paris.
• UN nuclear head to visit Iran for talks on country's nuclear program as next Trump presidency looms.
• Climate talks open with calls for a path away from the 'road to ruin.' But the real focus is money.
• 6.8 magnitude earthquake shakes Cuba after hurricanes and blackouts.
• Attacks on Israeli fans in the Netherlands prompts prime minister to cancel climate talks trip.
• China delimits a contested South China Sea shoal in a dispute with Philippines.
• While Syrian refugees don't want to return, officials in Lebanon and Syria see exodus as opportunity.

—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.

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