Each week Hot off the Wire looks at a variety of stories in business, science, health and more. This week's headlines include:

• Cutting food waste would lower emissions, but so far only one state has done it.
• Taxpayers in 24 states will be able to file their returns directly with the IRS in 2025.
• Marketing plans are key for small businesses ahead of a tough holiday shopping season.
• Awareness of 'Latinx' increases among US Latinos, and 'Latine' emerges as an alternative.
• Civilization 7 makers work with Shawnee to bring sincere representation of the tribe to the game.
• Republicans are more likely than Democrats to see Israel as a US ally, according to an AP-NORC poll.
• How one preschool uses 'PAW Patrol' to teach democracy.
• Helene’s powerful storm surge killed 12 near Tampa. They didn't have to die.
• Southerners stay in touch the old-fashioned way after Helene cuts roads, power, phones.
• Toilet paper makers say US port strike didn't cause shortages.
• Thousands of shipping containers have been lost at sea. What happens when they burst open.
• Google's search engine's latest AI injection will answer voiced questions about images.
• The fate of Nibi the beaver lands in court as rescuers try to stop her release into the wild.
• Spider lovers scurry to Colorado town in search of mating tarantulas and community.
• Peru celebrates 2 decades of a fast-growing breed of guinea pigs eaten as a delicacy.
• On this week's AP Religion Roundup, New York steps up security for the Jewish High Holy Days, and the Vatican veers away from ordination for women.

—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.