Millions swelter as temperatures soar; 'Inside Out 2' sets a record; most evangelicals back Trump

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted June 24 at 8 a.m. CT:

Millions of Americans sweated through yet another scorching day, while floodwaters forced evacuations in parts of the Midwest, including a town in Iowa whose own water-level gauge was submerged. One person was killed during flooding in South Dakota, the governor said. From the mid-Atlantic to Maine, across the Great Lakes region, and throughout the West to California, public officials cautioned residents about the dangers of excessive heat and humidity. In Oklahoma, the heat index — what the temperature feels like to the human body — was expected to reach 107 degrees on Sunday.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The viability of a U.S.-backed proposal to wind down the 8-month-long war in Gaza was cast into doubt after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would only be willing to agree to a “partial” cease-fire deal that would not end the war. His comments, made in an interview with a pro-Netanyahu Israeli TV channel late Sunday, sparked an uproar from families of hostages held by Hamas.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A fire likely sparked by exploding lithium batteries has swept through a manufacturing factory near South Korea’s capital, killing 22 mostly Chinese migrant workers and injuring eight.

Hawaii authorities say a professional lifeguard has died after he was attacked by a shark while surfing off the island of Oahu. City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguard Tamayo Perry died in the attack near Goat Island on Sunday. Shayne Enright of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department says Honolulu police, fire and rescue personnel responded to Mālaekahana Beach just before 1 p.m. after a caller reported seeing a man who appeared to have suffered shark bites.

In entertainment news, former Los Angeles-area gang leader Duane “Keffe D” Davis, accused of killing hip-hop music legend Tupac Shakur in 1996 in Las Vegas, will ask a judge next week to let him out of jail pending trial on a murder charge. "Inside Out 2" sets a record in its second weekend and the US Postal Service will honor former "Jeopardy" host Alex Trebek with a stamp.

In other news:

• "Everything is at stake" for reproductive rights in 2024, Harris says as Biden-Trump debate nears.
• GOP targets a Biden executive order on voter registration ahead of the fall election.
• Most evangelicals say that Jesus is their savior and Donald Trump is their candidate.
• A U.S. envoy visits Hanoi days after Putin, saying US-Vietnam trust is at 'all-time high'
• US aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea as a show of force against nuclear-armed North Korea.
• A fourth victim has died a day after a shooting at an Arkansas grocery store, police say.
• Taylor Swift kicks off UK Eras shows as some fans wonder if singer is ready to say "So long, London.'
• Over 1,000 pilgrims died during this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, officials say.
• The defending World Series champions get a three-time Cy Young Award winner back, the Astros finish off a home sweep, the Braves take the rubber match versus the Yankees, the Phillies keep rolling, Scottie Scheffler wins again, Christopher Bell overcomes the weather and Angel Reese leads the Sky to victory.

—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.

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.