Deadly Wisconsin school shooting; Trump holds freewheeling press conference

Hot Off The Wire

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Police say a 15-year-old student opened fire inside a study hall at a small Christian school in Wisconsin, killing a teacher and a teenager. Monday's shooting prompted a swarm of police officers to descend on the school in response to a second grader’s 911 call. Police say the girl also wounded six others in the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, including two students who were in critical condition. Police say the shooter was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound when officers arrived and died en route to a hospital.

A senior Russian general has been killed by a bomb hidden in a scooter outside his apartment building in Moscow. The attack came a day after Ukraine’s security service leveled criminal charges against him. A Ukrainian official said the service carried out Tuesday's attack.

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge has refused to dismiss President-elect Donald Trump’s hush money conviction because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity. But the overall future of the historic case remains unclear. Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan’s decision Monday blocks one potential off-ramp from the case ahead of Trump's return to office next month.

WASHINGTON (AP) — At a time of heightened political division, Americans’ confidence in their country’s judicial system and courts dropped to a record low of 35% this year. That's according to a new Gallup poll.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut has become the latest state to begin notifying its eligible citizens that some or all of their medical debt will soon be paid off. State officials announced Monday that nearly 23,000 residents with debt totaling $30 million are expected to be informed by mail beginning Dec. 23.

In other news:

• Trump weighs in on NY mayor, vaccines and drones in freewheeling press conference at Mar-a-Lago.
• Supreme Court declines appeal from Peter Navarro; Trump White House aide to return after prison term.
• Drone detectors in New Jersey have found 'little or no evidence' of wrongdoing, governor says.
• Two charged in connection with Iran drone strike that killed 3 US troops in the Middle East.
• New Orleans insists its police department is ready to end federal oversight. Not all are convinced.
• Stock market today Nasdaq hits a record as Wall Street drifts ahead of Federal Reserve's meeting.
• TikTok asks the Supreme Court for an emergency order to block a US ban unless it's sold.
• Former TV host Carlos Watson gets nearly 10 years in prison in case about failed startup Ozy Media.
• The Vikings keep winning, the Falcons got a much needed win, the Lions have two more major injuries, the Pistons hold off the Heat in overtime, the Stanley Cup finalists meet
• AP All-America team Travis Hunter, Xavier Watts back on first team; Ashton Jeanty is unanimous pick.
• Negotiators say Israel and Hamas are inching toward a ceasefire deal. This is what it may look like.
• 7 foreign tourists hospitalized in Fiji after drinking cocktails at a resort bar.
• Magnitude 7.3 earthquake causes widespread damage in Pacific island nation of Vanuatu.

—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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