Executions scheduled in Texas, Alabama; Dodgers take 2-1 NLCS lead

HOUSTON (AP) — A Texas man who could be the first person in the U.S. executed for a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome is facing a lethal injection. Robert Roberson is scheduled to be put to death Thursday evening for his conviction in the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter.

Two U.S. states plan to execute convicted killers Thursday. Alabama is preparing to put to death a man who admitted to killing five people with an ax and gun during a drug-fueled rampage in 2016. Derrick Dearman is to be executed by lethal injection at Holman prison in southern Alabama.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Fans, music-industry figures and fellow musicians are paying tribute to former One Direction member Liam Payne. The singer died aged 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. long-range B-2 stealth bombers launched airstrikes targeting underground bunkers used by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. 

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A former Las Vegas-area Democratic elected official was sentenced Wednesday to serve at least 28 years in Nevada state prison for killing an investigative journalist who wrote articles critical of his conduct in office two years ago. A judge invoked a sentencing enhancement for Robert Telles’ use of a deadly weapon to add eight years to the minimum 20-year sentence that a jury set in August after finding Telles guilty of stabbing Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German to death in September 2022. 

In other news:

• Jimmy Carter, at age 100, casts his 2024 ballot by mail.
• A federal judge halts an Alabama program that purged thousands of legal voters.
• Nebraska’s high court says people with felony records can register to vote.
• Rare copy of the US Constitution up for auction is expected to sell for millions.
• Many schools are still closed weeks after Hurricane Helene. Teachers worry about long-term impact.
• Man charged with abandoning dog in floodwaters as Florida residents evacuated ahead of hurricane.
• US agency adopts rule to make it easier for consumers to cancel unwanted subscriptions.
• Defense contractor Raytheon agrees to pay $950 million to resolve bribery, fraud allegations.
• The US Navy says a fighter jet with two on board crashed in Washington state during training.
• Bloomberg Philanthropies launches its largest Mayors Challenge ever.
• Family of Erik and Lyle Menendez call for their release and say they're victims who were vilified.
• Lawyers for Sean 'Diddy' Combs ask judge to release identities of his accusers.
• The Dodgers go up two games to one in the NLCS, the Liberty have the same two-games-to-one lead in the WNBA Finals, Caitlin Clark adds another honor from her rookie season, Evgeni Malkin nets an historic goal in the Penguins win, the Steelers appear ready to start Russell Wilson at quarterback on Sunday and a rule change in NCAA football.
• Newly acquired wide receiver Davante Adams expects to play for Jets on Sunday night vs. Steelers.
• Serena Williams says she had a benign cyst removed from her neck and 'all is OK.'
• Mexico’s ex-public security chief sentenced to 38-plus years in US for taking cartel bribes.
• Ukrainian president Zelenskyy seeks backing for his 'victory plan.'

—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.