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.

• Dockworkers' union suspend strike until Jan. 15 to allow time to negotiate new contract.
• President Joe Biden is pledging support to those recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
• Hurricane Kirk could cause dangerous surf conditions along the US East Coast.
• Melania Trump says she supports abortion rights, putting her at odds with the GOP.
• Liz Cheney campaigns with Harris in Wisconsin while Trump holds a rally in Michigan.
• Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years for voting data scheme.
• Jobs report is likely to show another month of modest but steady hiring gains.
• More Americans file for unemployment benefits last week, but layoffs remain historically low.
• Mixed verdict for 3 Memphis officers convicted in Tyre Nichols' fatal beating.
• Los Angeles prosecutors to review new evidence in Menendez brothers' 1996 murder conviction.
• A 5th recall for Tesla Cybertruck within a year, the latest due to rearview display.
• The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat was on display in Major League Baseball Thursday night, a two time world champion is returning to the dugout, it was a passing display on the NFL's Thursday night game, and Caitlin Clark gathers more laurels.
• Augusta chairman confident Masters will go on as club focuses on community recovery from Helene.
• Chiefs put WR Rashee Rice on injured reserve after hurting his knee in a win over the Chargers.
• Israeli airstrikes rock southern suburbs of Beirut and cut off a key crossing into Syria.
• Israel extends evacuation warnings in Lebanon, signaling a wider offensive.
• New NATO chief Mark Rutte visits Ukraine in his first trip since taking office.
• A small town in central Thailand is mourning the 23 who died in a school bus fire.
• Dozens of zoo tigers die after contracting bird flu in southern Vietnam.

—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.

• Florida communities hit three times by hurricanes grapple with how and whether to rebuild.
• Mayorkas warns FEMA doesn't have enough funding to last through hurricane season.
• The president could invoke a 1947 law to try to suspend the dockworkers' strike. Here's how.
• Dockworkers may have the negotiating advantage in their strike against US ports.
• Prosecutors Trump 'resorted to crimes' after losing 2020 election in failed bid to cling to power.
• Cybersecurity head says there's no chance a foreign adversary can change US election results.
• Doctor who helped supply Matthew Perry ketamine pleads guilty to drug charge.
• Prosecutors say they may bring additional charges against New York City mayor and indict others.
• NYC stepping up security as High Holy Days and Oct. 7 anniversary coincide.
• NASA's Webb telescope detects traces of carbon dioxide on the surface of Pluto's largest moon.
• The Tigers and Royals reach the ALDS, the Padres play their way into the NLDS, the Brewers force a Game 3 in their wild-card series, the NFL gets ready to kick off Week 5, Luka Doncic suffers an injury in practice, another WNBA coach gets fired, and a racing team owned by a Hall-of-Famer sues NASCAR.
• Middle East latest Israeli strike in Beirut killed 7 health and rescue workers.
• Typhoon Krathon makes landfall on Taiwan, packing fierce winds and torrential rain.
• Two boats carrying migrants sink in the Red Sea off Djibouti's coast killing 45, UN says.

—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.