Great Lakes region braces for more snow; Trump transition updates

Hot Off The Wire

Cleanup work is still taking place around parts of the Great Lakes region socked by lake-effect snowstorms that dropped several feet of snow over the weekend. Forecasters are warning that another storm system could add a few more inches and maybe even more later this week. Many school districts in western Pennsylvania remained closed Tuesday as the storms were finally slowing after several days of lake-effect snow that also fell on parts of western New York, Ohio and Michigan. Snow totals since Thanksgiving in some places are nearing six feet.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is hearing arguments Wednesday in just its second major transgender rights case, a challenge to a Tennessee law that bans gender-affirming care for minors. The justices’ decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which bathrooms they can use.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spent a second day Tuesday on Capitol Hill meeting privately with Republican senators. This comes amid rising questions about his ability to effectively lead the Pentagon.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of job postings in the United States rebounded in October from a 3 1/2 year low in September, a sign that businesses are still seeking workers even though hiring has cooled. Openings rose 5% to 7.7 million from 7.4 million in September. The increase suggests that job gains could pick up in the coming months.

TORONTO (AP) — A Canadian minister who attended a dinner between President-elect Donald Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Trump was joking when he suggested Canada become the 51st U.S. state.

In other news:

• Trump signs agreement to allow Justice Department to conduct background checks on nominees, staff.
• A look at what's next for U.S. House elections, as Donald Trump taps legislators to fill roles in his Cabinet.
• Joe Biden ducks questions on his decision to pardon his son Hunter.
• Biden says the US is 'all in' on Africa during his Angola visit meant to counter China.
• Jill Biden's final foreign trip as first lady will close with her and Trump at Notre Dame cathedral.
• 'Amtrak Joe' Biden uses his visit to Angola to promote a major African rail project.
• Cyber Monday shoppers expected to set a record on the year's biggest day for online shopping.
• Stock market today Wall Street inches higher to set more records.
• GM adds over 132,000 heavy duty pickups to recall for tailgates that can open unexpectedly.
• US closes investigation into E. coli outbreak linked to onions in McDonald's Quarter Pounders.
• Melinda French Gates plans to match $1M in GivingTuesday gifts to groups that support women.
• Some shuffling in the college football playoff rankings, Michigan football makes a coordinator change, a few teams lock up berths in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, and 4th ranked Kentucky falls in college basketball. Red Sox agree with LHP Aroldis Chapman to one-year, $10.75 million deal, AP source says.
• South Korea’s opposition parties submit a motion to impeach President Yoon over sudden martial law.
• French government faces no-confidence vote over Barnier's austerity budget.
• Philippines says China's coast guard fired water cannons and sideswiped its patrol vessel.
• Finnish police don't suspect criminal activity regarding damaged data cables in south of country.
• Police quiz UK nurse convicted of killing 7 babies over more infant deaths.

—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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