UnitedHealthcare CEO killed in NYC; senators grill airlines over fees

NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the US but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk Wednesday became a mystery that riveted the nation. Police say it was a targeted killing. Thompson was 50. 

PALERMO, Calif. (AP) — Sheriff’s officials say two children have been wounded in a shooting at a tiny religious school in Northern California and the gunman is dead. The Butte County sheriff says the boys aged 5 and 6 were hospitalized in “extremely critical condition” following Wednesday’s shooting at Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Palermo, a small town north of Sacramento. 

CAIRO (AP) — Amnesty International accuses Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip during its war with Hamas, saying it has sought to deliberately destroy Palestinians by mounting deadly attacks, demolishing vital infrastructure and preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid. 

NEW YORK (AP) — Fifty-thousand multi-colored lights are shining on Rockefeller Center’s iconic Christmas tree, with crowds gathering to witness the annual New York City tradition. The giant Norway spruce, which this year hails from a tiny Massachusetts town, is also topped with a Swarovski star crown featuring 3 million crystals. 

MAKAWAO, Hawaii. (AP) — Conservationists say five Hawaiian crows have been released on Maui for the first time as part of an ongoing effort to return the species to its home. Officials with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance say the alala were released on Maui Wednesday. 

In other news:

• Trump considers DeSantis for the Pentagon with Hegseth under pressure over allegations AP sources.
• Trump seeks to have Georgia election case dismissed, citing presidential immunity.
• Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on medical treatments for transgender minors.
• US senators grill officials from 5 airlines over fees for seats and checked bags.
• GivingTuesday estimates $3.6B was donated this year, an increase from 2023.
• Stock market today: Tech stocks and AI pull Wall Street to more records.
• Bitcoin tops $100,000 as big rally sparked by Trump election win rolls on.
• Memphis police use excessive force and discriminate against Black people, Justice Department finds.
• Detroit Mayor Duggan, a longtime Democrat, will run for Michigan governor in 2026 as independent.
• Rescuers reassess the safety of their search for a woman they believe fell into a sinkhole.
• District of Columbia says Amazon secretly stopped fast deliveries to 2 predominantly Black zip codes.
• LeBron James’ bounce-back night isn’t enough for Lakers, the top two teams in college basketball suffer upset losses, Auston Matthews rallies the Maple Leafs past the Predators and more. Juan Soto starting to eliminate teams from negotiations, agent Scott Boras says. LPGA and USGA to require players to be assigned female at birth or transition before male puberty. Suns star Kevin Durant out at least one week with a sprained ankle suffered vs. Spurs.
• Yoon replaces the defense minister as South Korea's parliament moves to vote on their impeachments.
• Philippine police checking reports that a kidnapped American has died after being shot.

—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.