Taylor Swift concerts canceled due to threats; Tropical Storm Debby moves up East Coast

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted Aug. 8 at 7:30 a.m. CT:

VIENNA (AP) — Austrian authorities say both suspects in a foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift shows in Vienna appeared to be inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida. They said Thursday that investigators found bomb-making materials at one of their homes. Officials said one of the two confessed to planning to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue.”

HUGER, S.C. (AP) — Tropical Storm Debby has made a second landfall in South Carolina on its way up the East Coast, where residents as far north as Vermont could get several inches of rain this weekend. The National Hurricane Center says Debby came ashore early Thursday near Bulls Bay, South Carolina. The storm is expected to spread heavy rain and possible flooding as it moves inland through the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast. 

TOKYO (AP) — A powerful earthquake has struck off Japan’s southern coast, triggering a tsunami advisory. Residents were urged to stay away from the coastline. 

ROMULUS, Mich. (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris has declared herself and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz “joyful warriors” as they spent their first full day as running mates rallying Democrats across the Midwest. But they got an idea of just how hotly contested the region would be when they overlapped on a Wisconsin tarmac with Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance. 

NEW YORK (AP) — A poll shows that most Americans believe this year's presidential race will be crucial for the future of the country's democracy. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs survey finds that they see the threat differently based on their political leanings. Nearly 6 in 10 Democrats say the November election is “extremely important” to the future of U.S. democracy, compared to about 4 in 10 independents and Republicans. Many Democrats continue to view former President Donald Trump as a threat to democracy after he tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election. But the results also suggest that many of Trump’s supporters agree with him that President Joe Biden is the real threat to democracy.

In other news:

• NASA says chances are growing that astronauts may switch from Boeing to a SpaceX ride back to Earth.
• RFK Jr. closer to getting on New Jersey ballot; in court over NY ballot.
• US auto safety agency seeks information from Tesla on fatal Cybertruck crash and fire in Texas.
• Tropical Storm Debby churns up the East Coast, and affects weather as far away as the Great Lakes.
• Drones warned New York City residents about storm flooding. But the Spanish translation wasn't great.
• Putin accuses Ukraine of a ‘large-scale provocation’ with its raid in southwestern Russia.
• Gold for the United States on the track, United States women's basketball team advances,NCAA gives Harbaugh a penalty, Schwarber homers three times in the Phillies win.

—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.