Hunt continues for CEO's killer; Biden considering preemptive pardons

Hot Off The Wire

NEW YORK (AP) — As the investigation into a masked gunman who stalked and killed the head of one of the largest U.S. health insurers moves into its third day, possible leads have emerged about his travel before the shooting and a message scrawled on ammunition.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is weighing whether to issue sweeping pardons for officials and allies who the White House fears could be unjustly targeted by President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. The preemptive move would be a novel and risky use of the president’s extraordinary constitutional power.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is naming former U.S. Senator David Perdue of Georgia to be his ambassador to China. Trump says that as a former CEO, Perdue will bring “valuable expertise” to the U.S. relationship with China.

A Hamas official says international mediators have resumed negotiations with the militant group and Israel over a ceasefire in Gaza, and that he is hopeful a deal to end the 14-month war is within reach.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hiring in the United States likely rebounded last month from a dismal October, when hurricanes and strikes reduced job growth to its lowest level in nearly four years. Friday’s jobs report is expected to show that employers added roughly 208,000 jobs in November.

DALLAS (AP) — A federal judge has rejected a deal that would have let Boeing to plead guilty to a felony conspiracy charge and pay a fine for misleading U.S. regulators about the 737 Max jetliner before two of the planes crashed and 346 people died.

NEW YORK (AP) — About half of working women reported feeling stressed “a lot of the day,” compared to about 4 in 10 men, according to a Gallup report published Wednesday.

In other news:

• House rejects Democratic efforts to force release of Matt Gaetz ethics report.
• Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are bringing Trump's DOGE to Capitol Hill.
• Secret Service director vows reorganization as members of Congress press him over major lapses.
• On its way out, the Biden administration renews a push for airline-consumer protections.
• The US government is closing a women's prison and other facilities after years of abuse and decay.
• Feds say they could sue to force reforms at Memphis' police department if the city won't play ball.
• 'Deny,' 'defend' and 'depose' Ammunition used in CEO’s killing had writing on it, AP source says.
• Russia's top military officer gave his US counterpart advance notice of Mediterranean Sea drills.
• Senior UK commander warns of 'Third nuclear age.'
• The National Weather Service cancels tsunami warning for the U.S. West Coast after 7.0 earthquake.
• Stock market today Wall Street edges back from its records as bitcoin briefly pops above $100,000.
• US applications for jobless benefits rise last week but remain at low levels.
• US judge rejects Boeing's plea deal in a conspiracy case stemming from fatal plane crashes.
• GivingTuesday estimates $3.6B was donated this year, an increase from 2023.
• Taylor Swift 'Eras' tie-in book is a smash, selling more than 800,000 copies in first week.
• A high scoring affair in the NFL isn't decided until the last second, the Cavaliers keep rolling and another coaching pink slip in the NHL.
• 30 Hamas official says Gaza ceasefire talks have resumed after weekslong hiatus

—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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