Harris, Trump campaign as Election Day nears; astronauts return

Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Texas after stopping in Atlanta, while former President Donald Trump appeared at the Arizona border as well as in Las Vegas with less than two weeks until Election Day.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Four astronauts are back on Earth after a space station mission that lasted almost eight months. A SpaceX capsule carrying the crew parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida coast before dawn Friday.

BEIRUT (AP) — Israeli strikes have killed 38 people in Gaza and three journalists in Lebanon on Friday. Worries are growing about supply shortages in Gaza and international pressure for a cease-fire is mounting. 

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Tropical storm Trami has blown away from the northwestern Philippines, leaving at least 82 people dead mostly in extensive flooding and landslides.

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — President Joe Biden says he will formally apologize on for the nation's role in forcing Indigenous children into boarding schools, where for more than 150 years many were physically, emotionally and sexually abused, and more than 950 died. 

In other news:

• Beyoncé, whose ‘Freedom’ is Harris’ campaign anthem, is expected at Democrat's Texas rally on Friday.
• Trump's lawyers seek dismissal of federal election case, call special counsel illegally appointed.
• Republican election official in crucial Georgia appeals order saying she must certify results.
• Georgia officials say they thwarted an attempt to crash a state election website.
• Florida sues Garland for blocking state probe into Trump assassination attempt.
• In rare move, Pentagon denies falsehood about troops allowed to use force during election.
• The Biden administration is launching an investigation of competition in air travel.
• The EPA imposes stricter standards to protect children from exposure to lead paint.
• Owner, operator of ship that caused Baltimore bridge collapse to pay $100M in settlement with US.
• Prosecutors to recommend resentencing Erik and Lyle Menendez in 1989 killings of their parents.
• McDonald's says onions from California-based produce company linked to deadly E. coli outbreak.
• US applications for jobless benefits fall, but continuing claims rise to highest level since 2021.
• Average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the US rises again to highest level in nearly 3 months.
• Argentine police raid the Buenos Aires hotel where One Direction’s Liam Payne died.
• Grammy-winning crooner Jack Jones, known for singing 'The Love Boat' theme song, dies at 86.
• County judge strikes down Ohio abortion ban, citing voter-approved reproductive rights amendment.
• Georgia men who killed Ahmaud Arbery want a new trial.
• The Vikings lose their second straight game, Klay Thompson has a successful Mavericks debut, the NBA is investigating why a 76ers star sat out the season opener, and Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky records a milestone victory. 
• Valenzuela to be honored by Dodgers with No. 34 uniform patch during World Series and 2025 season.
• Maria Sharapova and the Bryan brothers are elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
• World on pace for significantly more warming without immediate climate action, report warns.

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.