Accused CEO killer fights extradition; Kroger-Albertsons merger blocked

ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — The man charged with murder in the killing of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare has made it clear he isn't going to make things easy for authorities. Luigi Mangione shouted unintelligibly and writhed in the grip of sheriff’s deputies as he was led into court Tuesday. And he objected to being taken to New York to face trial. 

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — Weather conditions are forecast to improve this week in Southern California and aid firefighters in their battle against a wildfire that’s forced up to 20,000 people from their homes. Celebrities, including performers Cher, Dick Van Dyke and his wife, were among the evacuees.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Only about 2 in 10 Americans approve of President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter after earlier promising he'd do no such thing. That's according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

A federal judge has rejected the sale of the conspiracy platform Infowars to The Onion satirical news outlet after Alex Jones claimed that a recent bankruptcy auction was fraught with illegal collusion. The Onion was named the winning bidder on Nov. 14 over a company affiliated with Jones. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez’s decision Tuesday night means Jones can stay at Infowars in Austin, Texas.

NEW YORK (AP) — Macy’s is reporting a decline in profits and sales for its third quarter with many customers of the department store chain continuing to divert spending to basics like groceries amid elevated prices. Company shares tumbled 7% before the opening bell Wednesday. 

In other news:

• Key details about the man accused of killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO.
• DA suggests unusual idea for halting Trump’s hush money case while upholding his conviction.
• Biden says he was 'stupid' not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did.
• Task force probing attempts to kill Trump urges Secret Service to limit protection of foreigners.
• US says it will support new Syrian leaders who protect women and renounce terrorism.
• Woman killed in crash as officer responds to threat at Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's home.
• FBI says 2 Homeland Security agents in Utah sold illegal drugs for profit through informant.
• Stock market today: Wall Street slips to a rare back-to-back loss.
• Proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons is halted by federal, state judges.
• Homes burn as wind-driven wildfire prompts evacuations in Malibu, California.
• Nikki Giovanni, poet and literary celebrity, has died at 81.
• The Bucks and Thunder advance to the NBA Cup semi-finals, AP top-ranked Tennessee beats Miami, the Yankees and lefty Max Freid agree to a big-money contract of historic proportions, and PGA star Scottie Scheffler wins another award. 
• Taiwan demands that China end its military activity in nearby waters.
• Ex-defense chief in South Korea tried to kill himself after being arrested over martial law.
• Organized crime gangs expanded into a third of cities in Brazil’s Amazon, report finds.

—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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Hot Off The Wire is a collection of news, sports and entertainment reports. The program is produced by Lee Enterprises with audio provided by The Associated Press.