Police dismantling UCLA encampment; early rock guitar hero Duane Eddy dies; interest rates to remain high

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted May 2 at 7:15 a.m. CT:

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Police have removed barricades and begun dismantling a pro-Palestinian demonstrators’ encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles. Thursday morning’s law enforcement action comes after officers spent hours threatening arrests over loud speakers if people did not disperse. 

PHOENIX (AP) — Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is following through on promises to undo a long-dormant law that bans all abortions except those done to save a patient’s life. A signing ceremony was scheduled for Thursday on a bill to repeal the state's near-total abortion ban.

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump faces the prospect of additional sanctions in his hush money trial as he returns to court for another contempt hearing followed by testimony from a lawyer who represented two women who have said they had sexual encounters with the former president.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A senior Ukrainian military official says the situation on the front line in eastern Ukraine is worsening but local defenders are so far holding firm against a concerted push by Russia’s bigger and better-equipped forces.

NEW YORK (AP) — Duane Eddy, a pioneering guitar hero whose reverberating electric sound on instrumentals such as “Rebel Rouser,” “Forty Miles of Bad Road" and “Cannonball” helped put the twang in early rock ‘n’ roll and influenced George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen and countless other musicians, has died at age 86. 

ROME (AP) — A European court has upheld Italy’s right to seize a prized Greek statue from the J. Paul Getty Museum in California. The European Court of Human Rights rejecting the museum’s appeal on Thursday and ruled that Italy was right to try to reclaim an important part of its cultural heritage. The court determined that Italy’s years-long efforts to recover the “Victorious Youth” statue were not disproportionate. 

In other headlines:

• Secretary of State Antony Blinken presses Hamas to seal cease-fire with Israel, says "the time is now" for a deal.
• The Federal Reserve says interest rates will stay at two-decade high until inflation further cools.
• Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene vows to force a vote next week on ousting House Speaker Mike Johnson.
• Prosecutors seek September retrial for Harvey Weinstein after rape conviction was tossed.
• Ford recalls Maverick pickups in US because tail lights can go dark, increasing the risk of a crash.
• Florida's 6-week abortion ban takes effect as doctors worry women will lose access to health care.
• Some North Carolina abortion pill restrictions are unlawful, federal judge says.
• Police killed student outside Wisconsin school after reports of someone with a weapon, official says.
• United Methodists repeal longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy.
• Lebron James faces an uncertain futures with the Lakers after being eliminated from playoffs by Nuggets again.
• Brittney Griner says she thought about killing herself during first few weeks in Russian jail.
• Milwaukee reliever Abner Uribe was suspended for six games and starter Freddy Peralta for five for their roles in a brawl during a Brewers’ game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Tampa Bay outfielder Jose Siri was suspended for three games, a penalty later cut to two, and Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy for two. 
• Tennis legend Boris Becker discharged from bankruptcy court in England.

—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.