Pope Francis’ health crisis sparks prayers; Auburn, Texas top college polls

• In today's episode: Pope Francis has been working from the hospital despite remaining in critical condition; President Donald Trump is praising the work of Elon Musk for DOGE; GOP members of the House have a budget blueprint; an 5.9 magnitude earthquake is felt in the Domincan Republic and Puerto Rico; a boat sinks off the coast of New York City; Joann is closing all stores; and Apple shareholders reject plans to end diversity programs.
• Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth says he fired the top military lawyers because they weren't well suited for the jobs.
• Federal workers sue over Elon Musk's threat to fire them if they don't explain their accomplishments.
• FDA moves to rehire medical device staffers fired only days earlier.
• US votes against UN resolution demanding Russia withdraw its forces from Ukraine.
• Trump expresses hope Russia's war in Ukraine is nearing an endgame as he meets with France's Macron.
• Judge rejects immediately restoring AP's access to White House but urges government to reconsider.
• Millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy set to join the Ohio governor's race.
• Clint Hill, Secret Service agent who leaped onto JFK's car after the president was shot, dies at 93.
• Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning singer with an intimate style, dies at 88.
• Thieves targeting freight trains in California and Arizona deserts make off with $2M worth of Nikes.
• Pennsylvania hostage-taking and shootout highlight rising violence against US hospital workers.
• Apple announces $500 billion investment in US amid tariff threats that could affect the iPhone.
• Starbucks lays off 1,100 corporate employees as coffee chain streamlines.
• DoorDash to pay NY delivery workers $17 million for using their tips to cover wages.
• Stock market today Wall Street holds steadier but still falls following last week's tumble.
• An oft-injured former NBA MVP misses his 38th game this season, Auburn stays on top of the AP Top 25 men’s poll, Texas claims No. 1 in the women’s poll, a longstanding MLB owner dies, a newly-signed NL East starter could miss the start of the season, an NFL assistant coach is arrested and a key play utilized by the Super Bowl champs could be disallowed. 
• Xi tells Putin that China is pleased with Russia's efforts to end Ukraine war.
• Hezbollah chief who was killed days after taking up post laid to rest in south Lebanon hometown.
• An unknown illness kills over 50 people in part of Congo with hours between symptoms and death.
• A British politician is charged with taking bribes to boost Russia's agenda in Ukraine.
• The biggest takeaways from Germany's election, which will bring change to the EU's leading power.

—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