Millions sweltering across the US; Boeing CEO defends safety record; MLB legend Willie Mays dies

Hot Off The Wire

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted April June 19 at 8 a.m. CT:

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A blast of heat and humidity in the Midwest and Northeast days before the official start of summer has put a wet blanket on outdoor activities from festivals to sports camps as officials urge people to take precautions. Cities that opened cooling centers this week advised that Wednesday’s Juneteenth holiday means some public libraries, senior centers and pools where residents could beat the heat will be closed. The dangerous temperatures are expected to peak in the eastern Great Lakes and New England on Wednesday and Thursday, and in the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic on Friday and Saturday.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have signed a new partnership that includes a vow of mutual aid if either country faces “aggression.” Their summit came as both face escalating standoffs with the West.

N'DJAMENA, Chad (AP) — An official says nine people were killed and more than 40 injured when a fire set off explosions at a military ammunition depot in Chad’s capital.

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have killed three Hezbollah fighters as a U.S. envoy tasked with avoiding a devastating regional war returned to Israel after meeting officials in Lebanon.

The CEO of Boeing got his day in front of Congress, and it was a rocky flight. At a hearing Tuesday, senators peppered David Calhoun with questions about the company's safety record and whether it retaliates against whistleblowers.

In other news:

• Half a million immigrants could eventually get US citizenship under a sweeping new plan from President Joe Biden.
• New York's top court declines to hear Donald Trump's appeal of gag order in hush money case.
• US soldier convicted of theft in Russia and sentenced to nearly 4 years in prison.
• The shooter who killed 5 at a Colorado LGBTQ+ club pleads guilty to 50 federal hate crimes.
• Texas megachurch pastor resigns after woman says he sexually abused her in the 1980s.
• Retail sales rise a meager 0.1% in May from April as still high inflation curbs spending.
• Ship attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels in fatal assault sinks in Red Sea in their second sinking.
• Stellantis recalling nearly 1.2 million vehicles to fix software glitch that disables rear camera.
• Baseball legend Willie Mays passes away, Edmonton forces a Game 6 in the Stanley Cup Finals, New York Mets keep winning, and the State of Kansas is trying to lure the Chiefs and Royals.
• Caitlin Clark and the WNBA are getting a lot of attention. It's about far more than basketball.
• MLB switching to challenge system full-time for robot umpires experiment at Triple-A.
• Yankees' Anthony Rizzo sidelined 8 weeks with broken forearm, Ian Hamilton and Cody Poteet also hurt.
• Singer Justin Timberlake charged with driving while intoxicated in the Hamptons.
• Actor Ian McKellen, 85, is in 'good spirits' and expected to recover from fall off stage in London.
• French actress Anouk Aimée, a Golden Globe winner for her role in 'A Man and a Woman,' dies at 92.

—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.