US fines American Airlines $50M; Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela dies

DALLAS (AP) — The U.S. government is fining American Airlines $50 million for failing to provide wheelchair assistance to passengers with disabilities and damaging thousands of wheelchairs over a five-year period. The Transportation Department announced the civil penalty on Wednesday. American will only have to pay half of the fine because it is receiving credit for money it spent to improve wheelchair handling and to compensate affected passengers. 

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Voters lined up across battleground Wisconsin to cast their ballots as Democrats and Republicans spread across the state to get their voters out.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said there is evidence that North Korea has sent troops to Russia on Monday, and South Korea’s spy chief told lawmakers that 3,000 North Korean troops are in the country receiving training on drones and other equipment before being deployed to battlefields in Ukraine.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fernando Valenzuela, the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching ace who inspired “Fernandomania” in the early 1980s, has died. He was 63. The Mexican-born phenom won the National League Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, when he helped the Dodgers win the World Series. His death comes as the Dodgers are preparing to open the World Series on Friday night at home against the New York Yankees. 

Denny’s says it’s closing 150 of its lowest-performing restaurants in an effort to turn around the brand’s flagging sales. About half of the closures will happen this year and the rest in 2025. 

In other news:

• Deadly E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders sickens 49 people in 10 states.
• A 2nd major recall for Honda in October, this time for pumps that can crack, leak fuel.
• Rudy Giuliani ordered to turn over NYC apartment, 26 watches to Georgia election workers.
• Former Abercrombie & Fitch chief executive Mike Jeffries has been arrested on federal sex trafficking charges.
• Starbucks reports weak quarterly results despite the arrival of Pumpkin Spice Latte season.
• North Carolina county surrounding Asheville overcounted Helene deaths by as many as 30, sheriff says.
• Teen in custody after 5 found dead in shooting at home in Washington state, police say.
• Eyewitness video captures frantic efforts to save lives after deadly collapse of dock walkway.
• Court upholds freedom for woman whose conviction was overturned after 43 years behind bars.
• ABBA, Radiohead and The Cure musicians sign AI protest letter against 'unlicensed use' of works.
• AARP to honor Glenn Close with Movies for Grownups career achievement award.
• Opening Night in the NBA had some milestones, Dodgers great Valenzuela passes away, starting pitchers announced for World Series Game One, the Rays look for a temporary home, and plenty of NHL action. 
• Ohtani's historic 50-50 ball sells at auction for nearly $4.4M amid ongoing dispute over ownership.
• Watkins, Bueckers headline preseason AP All-America team in women's hoops; 3 sophomores for 1st time.
• Israel says it killed a Hezbollah official expected to be the group's next leader.
• South Korea warns it can send arms to Ukraine after reports of North's troops in Russia.
• Poland alleges Russian sabotage and is closing one of Moscow's consulates.
• Navalny's memoir details isolation and suffering in a Russian prison — and how he never lost hope.
• Hong Kong bars services like WhatsApp and Google Drive from government computers.

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.