Israeli army order Rafah evacuation; 'The Fall Guy' falls short at box office; NBA, NHL playoffs continue

Hot Off The Wire

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted May 6 at 7:15 a.m. CT:

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli army has ordered some 100,000 Palestinians to begin evacuating from the southern city of Rafah in Gaza. That signals that a long-promised ground invasion there could be imminent and would further complicate efforts to broker a cease-fire. The looming operation in Rafah has raised global alarm and Israeli’s closest allies have warned against it.

Weekend commencement ceremonies largely went off without many disruptions, although one death was reported at Ohio State after a spectator fell from the stands.

HOUSTON (AP) — Floodwaters have closed some Texas schools after days of heavy rains pummeled the Houston area and left hundreds of people in need of rescue. Authorities say a 5-year-old boy died after riding in a car that was swept away in fast waters.

NEW YORK (AP) — Witness testimony in Donald Trump’s hush money trial is set to resume. That will set the stage for an even deeper dive into the events and people involved in what prosecutors have said was a scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election by buying and burying negative stories about the candidate.

Russia's Defense Ministry says it plans to hold drills simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons. The announcement Monday came days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — It's six months before Election Day, and Joe Biden and Donald Trump are locked in a presidential rematch. The race is highly in flux as many voters are only just beginning to embrace the reality of the 2024 contest.

In other news:

• A $400 million boost in federal funds proposed for security at places of worship.
• A driver dies after crashing into a security barrier around the White House complex, authorities say.
• The SEC charges Trump Media's newly hired auditing firm with "massive fraud."
• As the US moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, could more states legalize it.
• Profit drops at Warren Buffett's firm but thousands still want to hear from the investing guru.
• Biden awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 politicians, activists, athletes and others.
• "The Fall Guy" gives Hollywood a muted summer kickoff with a $28.5M opening.
• Mick Jagger wades into politics, taking verbal jab at Louisiana state governor at performance.
• In the NBA playoffs, the Cavaliers get out of the first round, ditto for the Stars in the NHL after each wins a Game 7, the Twins' winning streak ends, Taylor Pendrith gets his first PGA Tour win and Kyle Larsen captures the NASCAR event at Kansas Speedway in a photo finish.
• Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby by a nose in a 3-horse photo finish at Churchill Downs.
• The UN warns Sudan's warring parties that Darfur risks starvation and death if aid isn't allowed in.
• A Holocaust survivor is marking that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7.

—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.