Georgia school shooting updates; China halts foreign adoptions

Hot Off The Wire

WINDER, Ga. (AP) — The 14-year-old accused of fatally shooting four people at his high school in Georgia is expected to make his first court appearance. It comes a day after his father was also arrested for allowing his son to have a weapon. According to arrest warrants obtained by The Associated Press, Colt Gray is accused of using a semiautomatic assault-style rifle to kill two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Winder. Nine people were also hurt in Wednesday’s attack. Authorities have not offered any motive or explained how Gray obtained the gun or got it into the school. The director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the teen’s father was charged Thursday in connection with the shooting, including with counts of involuntary manslaughter and second-degree murder.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Friday’s monthly jobs report will likely mark a pivotal moment for the economy and the Federal Reserve. If it shows that hiring was weak in August and that the unemployment rate rose — similar to the unexpectedly soft figures for July — it would heighten worries that the job market is stumbling.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, has pleaded guilty to federal tax charges months after his conviction in a separate gun case. Hunter Biden said the surprise move was meant to spare his family another painful and embarrassing criminal trial after his gun case conviction three months ago.

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A fire in a school dormitory in Kenya has killed 17 students and seriously burned 13 others. Police say the death toll could rise.

BEIJING (AP) — The Chinese government is ending its intercountry adoption program. The U.S. State Department says it's seeking clarification how the decision will affect hundreds of American families with pending applications.

In other news:

• Trump suggests tariffs can help solve rising child care costs in a major economic speech.
• Trump's lawyer and judge in federal election case clash in the first hearing since immunity ruling.
• US charges former Trump 2016 campaign adviser Dimitri Simes over work for sanctioned Russian TV.
• US government orders big US airlines to explain their frequent-flyer programs.
• US widens indictment of Russians in 'WhisperGate' conspiracy to destroy Ukrainian and NATO systems.
• FBI searches homes of NYC police boss, 3 top mayoral deputies.
• Discord users tipped off FBI last year about suspect in Georgia school shooting, report says.
• Red Lobster says it will soon exit bankruptcy protection after judge approves seafood chain's sale.
• The NFL season is underway, the women's final matchup is set at the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament, the playoff races continue in Major League Baseball, a women's soccer icon announces her retirement, and the Steelers starting quarterback is once again dealing with an injury.
• Federal judge asked to give preliminary OK to $2.78 billion settlement of NCAA antitrust claims.
• Memphis shares letter alleging violations to NCAA as Penny Hardaway fires 4 people.
• Zelenskyy meets top military leaders in Germany as the US announces additional aid to Ukraine.
• Macron names EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as France’s new prime minister.
• Telegram CEO makes first public comments since French authorities targeted him and his app.
• Ugandan Olympic athlete dies after being severely burned by her partner over a land dispute.
• Munich police kill an armed man in an exchange of fire near the Israeli Consulate.

—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.