DALLAS (AP) — The U.S. government is fining American Airlines $50 million for failing to provide wheelchair assistance to passengers with disabilities and damaging thousands of wheelchairs over a five-year period. The Transportation Department announced the civil penalty on Wednesday. American will only have to pay half of the fine because it is receiving credit for money it spent to improve wheelchair handling and to compensate affected passengers.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Voters lined up across battleground Wisconsin to cast their ballots as Democrats and Republicans spread across the state to get their voters out.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said there is evidence that North Korea has sent troops to Russia on Monday, and South Korea’s spy chief told lawmakers that 3,000 North Korean troops are in the country receiving training on drones and other equipment before being deployed to battlefields in Ukraine.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fernando Valenzuela, the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching ace who inspired “Fernandomania” in the early 1980s, has died. He was 63. The Mexican-born phenom won the National League Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, when he helped the Dodgers win the World Series. His death comes as the Dodgers are preparing to open the World Series on Friday night at home against the New York Yankees.

Denny’s says it’s closing 150 of its lowest-performing restaurants in an effort to turn around the brand’s flagging sales. About half of the closures will happen this year and the rest in 2025.

In other news:

• Deadly E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders sickens 49 people in 10 states.
• A 2nd major recall for Honda in October, this time for pumps that can crack, leak fuel.
• Rudy Giuliani ordered to turn over NYC apartment, 26 watches to Georgia election workers.
• Former Abercrombie & Fitch chief executive Mike Jeffries has been arrested on federal sex trafficking charges.
• Starbucks reports weak quarterly results despite the arrival of Pumpkin Spice Latte season.
• North Carolina county surrounding Asheville overcounted Helene deaths by as many as 30, sheriff says.
• Teen in custody after 5 found dead in shooting at home in Washington state, police say.
• Eyewitness video captures frantic efforts to save lives after deadly collapse of dock walkway.
• Court upholds freedom for woman whose conviction was overturned after 43 years behind bars.
• ABBA, Radiohead and The Cure musicians sign AI protest letter against 'unlicensed use' of works.
• AARP to honor Glenn Close with Movies for Grownups career achievement award.
• Opening Night in the NBA had some milestones, Dodgers great Valenzuela passes away, starting pitchers announced for World Series Game One, the Rays look for a temporary home, and plenty of NHL action.
• Ohtani's historic 50-50 ball sells at auction for nearly $4.4M amid ongoing dispute over ownership.
• Watkins, Bueckers headline preseason AP All-America team in women's hoops; 3 sophomores for 1st time.
• Israel says it killed a Hezbollah official expected to be the group's next leader.
• South Korea warns it can send arms to Ukraine after reports of North's troops in Russia.
• Poland alleges Russian sabotage and is closing one of Moscow's consulates.
• Navalny's memoir details isolation and suffering in a Russian prison — and how he never lost hope.
• Hong Kong bars services like WhatsApp and Google Drive from government computers.

—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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TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Israel on his 11th visit to the region since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. He is expected to meet with top officials as the United States looks to revive cease-fire efforts after the killing of top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, but so far none of the warring parties appear to be backing down on longstanding demands. Israel is still at war with Hamas more than a year after the militant group’s Oct. 7 attack, and with Hezbollah in Lebanon, where it launched a ground invasion earlier this month. Israel is also expected to strike Iran after its ballistic missile attack on Oct. 1.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pennsylvania voters are expected to play a pivotal role in the Nov. 5 general election, with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress and the state Legislature hanging in the balance. With its 19 electoral votes, the commonwealth is the largest prize among the battleground states and an important piece of both campaigns’ paths to victory.

FALL CITY, WASH. (AP) — Law officers have arrested a teenager in connection with the deaths of five people found fatally shot inside a home southeast of Seattle.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — An initial toxicology report for ex-One Direction singer Liam Payne, who died last week after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, shows that he had cocaine in his system after his death, an Argentine official said.

NEW YORK (AP) — Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faces seven more lawsuits, including one alleging the rape of a 13-year-old girl. His lawyers meanwhile are complaining about a “fresh wave of publicity.” They asked a judge to order potential witnesses and their lawyers to stop making statements that could prevent a fair trial.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican officials say schools have six months to implement a government-sponsored ban on junk food or face heavy fines. Authorities are confronting what they call the worst childhood obesity problem in the world.

In other news:

• Biden is 'deeply concerned' about the release of secret documents on Israel's possible attack plans.
• Trump makes more debunked claims about FEMA as he surveys storm damage in North Carolina.
• Arizona official who delayed 2022 election certification pleads guilty.
• Central Park Five sues Donald Trump for 'defamatory' remarks made at presidential debate.
• Writer Olivia Nuzzi, New York magazine part ways after relationship with political source revealed.
• Supreme Court won’t revive Michael Cohen’s lawsuit against Trump claiming retaliatory imprisonment.
• General Motors overcomes US sales drop and China losses to post 3rd quarter profit of $3 billion.
• Anderson, Burton, Keith inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame.
• Disney names Gorman to serve as next chairman; anticipates naming new CEO in early 2026.
• The Ravens extend their winning streak as the Buccaneers lose two wide receivers, the Cardinals rally to beat the Chargers, the Maple Leafs improve to 4-2, the NBA season approaches and WNBA players want a new contract sooner than later.
• King Charles III ends first Australian visit by a reigning British monarch in 13 years.
• Storm causes at least 6 deaths in Cuba, where a long power outage is raising tempers.
• Peru’s ex-president Toledo gets more than 20 years in prison in case linked to corruption scandal.
• Brazil environmental disaster victims take case against mining giant BHP to UK court.
• Moldovans narrowly vote to secure the country's path toward EU membership.

—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.

Theme music

The News Tonight, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: ZR2MOTROGI4XAHRX