Biden pardon frustrates Democrats; Notre Dame Cathedral set to reopen

Hot Off The Wire

Some storm-weary residents of the Great Lakes region have seen continued snowfall and are facing the prospect of even more accumulations this week. Lake-effect snow continues to fall on parts of western New York that were already blanketed with a foot or more over the past four days. Lake-effect snow warnings are in effect through Tuesday night in parts of Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania.

ATLANTA (AP) — Already reeling from their November defeat at the polls, Democrats now are grappling with President Joe Biden's pardoning of his son for a federal felony conviction — after the party spent years slamming Donald Trump as a threat to democracy who operates above the law. The White House on Monday struggled to defend the pardon, claiming the prosecution was politically motivated — a page out of Trump's playbook. That explanation did not satisfy some Democrats who are angry that Biden’s reversal could make it harder to take on Trump.

NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is demanding the immediate release of the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, saying that if they are not freed before he is sworn into office there will be “HELL TO PAY.”

NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump will attend the reopening celebration for Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris this weekend, his first foreign trip since the election. The cathedral will reopen after more than five years of reconstruction following a devastating 2019 fire.

BANGKOK (AP) — China has announced a ban on exports to the United States of gallium, germanium and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The Chinese Commerce Ministry announced the move after the Washington expanded its list of Chinese companies subject to export controls on computer chip-making equipment, software and high-bandwidth memory chips.

A woman who admitted to drinking and who was driving well over twice the speed limit when she smashed into a golf cart killing a bride who had just got married at a South Carolina beach has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. Jamie Lee Komoroski pleaded guilty Monday to reckless homicide and three felony driving under the influence charges.

In other news:

• Biden's broken promise on pardoning his son Hunter is raising new questions about his legacy.
• It's the final holiday stretch at the Biden White House. The theme is 'A Season of Peace and Light.'
• More than 3 million travelers screened at US airports in a single day. That's a record.
• After Black Friday and Cyber Monday it's time for Giving Tuesday.
• Cyber Monday shoppers expected to set a record on the year's biggest day for online shopping.
• Stock market today Rising tech stocks pull Wall Street to another record.
• California lawmakers begin special session to protect state laws from second Trump presidency.
• Ex-Kansas detective accused of sexually assaulting Black women is dead, prosecutors say.
• The Broncos pick off the Browns, the 49ers lose two running backs, the Celtics lead a night of one-sided wins in the NBA, defending champ UConn plunges in the AP men's poll, and two veteran pitchers sign with new teams for next season. 21 Trent Williams' wife, Sondra, says their son was stillborn.
• Stars, heads of state, solemn rituals and high-security celebrations for Notre Dame's reopening.
• NATO's chief avoids talk of Ukraine's membership. He says the priority is helping Kyiv defend itself.
• Israeli strikes kill 11 in Lebanon after fire exchanges with Hezbollah that test ceasefire’s limits.
• Chief of International Criminal Court lashes out at US and Russia over threats and accusations.

—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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