Tentative deal reached to avoid government shutdown; comedian Richard Lewis dies; McConnell will step down as Senate GOP leader

Episode Description

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted Feb. 29 at 7:15 a.m. CT:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders have announced a tentative agreement to prevent a government shutdown, for now. Wednesday's deal comes days before an end-of-the-week deadline that risked shuttering some federal operations. Under the plan, Congress would temporarily extend funding for one set of federal agencies through March 8 and for another through March 22. In the meantime, Congress will try to draft and pass packages of legislation to fund the government for the remainder of the budget year. Notably missing is a $95 billion emergency package for Ukraine, Israel and Indo-Pacific allies, which remains stubbornly stalled. Hard-right Republicans want steeper spending reductions. Voting in the House is expected Thursday, right before Friday's deadline when some federal monies run out.

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Witnesses say Israeli troops fired on a crowd of Palestinians waiting for aid in Gaza City. According to healthy officials, more than 100 people were killed, bringing the death toll since the start of the Israel-Hamas war to more than 30,000.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and Donald Trump are both heading to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas. On Thursday, the two will be there and have chosen optimal locations from which to make their respective points.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court's decision to consider whether Donald Trump can face prosecution in his federal 2020 election interference case injects immediate uncertainty into the legal and political calendar over the next several months. Wednesday's decision raises the potential that a trial could collide with the final stretch of the 2024 election — but also the potential that a trial that had initially been set for March might not take place this year at all. The Supreme Court will decide a legally untested question: whether former presidents are immune from prosecution for official acts they take in office.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration will investigate potential national security risks posed by Chinese-made “smart cars” that can gather sensitive information about Americans driving them.

NEW YORK (AP) — Richard Lewis, an acclaimed comedian known for exploring his neuroses in frantic, stream-of-consciousness diatribes while dressed in all-black, leading to his nickname “The Prince of Pain,” has died. He was 76. A regular performer in clubs and on late-night TV for decades, Lewis also played Marty Gold, the romantic co-lead opposite Jamie Lee Curtis, in the ABC series “Anything But Love” and the reliably neurotic Prince John in “Mel Brooks’ Robin Hood: Men In Tights.” He re-introduced himself to a new generation opposite Larry David in HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” kvetching regularly.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mitch McConnell says he'll step down as Senate Republican leader in November. The 82-year-old Kentucky lawmaker is the longest-serving Senate leader in history. He's maintained his power in the face of dramatic changes in the Republican Party. He made the announcement Wednesday on the Senate floor.

In other headlines:

An appellate judge refuses to halt Trump's $454 million fraud penalty while he appeals.
Rep. Lauren Boebert's son facing possible felony charges in string of vehicle break-ins.
Luka Doncic celebrates his birthday with a triple-double, Tyrese Haliburton keeps the Pacers from blowing a big lead, LeBron James rallies the Lakers from a huge fourth-quarter deficit, college football's playoff looks to expand again, Caitlin Clark adds another record to her resume, and the Saudi Arabian government looks to invest in another North American sport.
Kirk Cousins and Chris Jones head an NFL free agents list filled with star-quality players.
Anheuser-Busch and Teamsters reach a labor agreement that avoids a strike.
Chrysler is recalling more than 330,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees due to steering wheel issue.
New Yorkers morn Flaco and want a statue, while lawmakers want bird safe buildings.
Fired scientists in Canada failed to acknowledge links to China, newly released records say.

—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.