Republicans win 218 US House seats as Trump returns to Washington

Hot Off The Wire

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have won enough seats to control the U.S. House, completing the party’s sweep into power and securing their hold on U.S. government alongside President-elect Donald Trump. A House Republican victory in Arizona, alongside a win in slow-counting California earlier Wednesday, gave the GOP the 218 House victories that make up the majority. Republicans earlier gained control of the Senate from Democrats. With hard-fought yet thin majorities, Republican leaders are envisioning a mandate to upend the federal government and swiftly implement Trump’s vision for the country.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump says he will nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general, opting for a loyalist who has built a national reputation as a disruptor and has vowed to dramatically overhaul the Justice Department.

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — For the third straight year, efforts to fight climate change haven’t lowered projections for how hot the world is likely to get. T

MEXICO CITY (AP) — U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar has lashed out at Mexico's failure to accept aid in the fight against drug cartels, claiming the country "closed the doors" on security cooperation.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a California teenager pleaded guilty Wednesday in a case involving the swatting of a Florida mosque, among other institutions and individuals. Swatting is the practice of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed police officers to a particular address.

In other news:

• Trump makes a victor's return to Washington and pledges a smooth transition of power.
• Trump promises to turn Washington upside down. He's being welcomed back anyway.
• Republican John Thune of South Dakota is elected the next Senate majority leader.
• Prosecutor failed to show that Musk’s $1M-a-day sweepstakes was an illegal lottery, judge says.
• US federal worker charged in classified documents leak about Israel's earlier plans to strike Iran.
• US and Polish officials open missile defense site that Russia has long protested.
• Investigation into Chinese hacking reveals 'broad and significant' spying effort, FBI says.
• Insurance magnate pleads guilty as government describes $2B scheme.
• Stock market today Wall Street drifts to a mixed finish after an inflation update.
• US inflation rose slightly last month after 2 years of steady cooling but remained low.
• E. coli cases climb to 104 in McDonald's outbreak tied to slivered onions.
• Subway rider who helped restrain man in NYC chokehold death says he wanted ex-Marine to 'let go.'
• John Krasinski named People magazine's 2024 Sexiest Man Alive.
• The Cavaliers stay unbeaten and a pair of big scoring nights in the NBA, the defending college basketball champs continue their early season success, an NFL great plans to return for another season, a couple of overtime thrillers in the NHL and more.
• Eagles host Commanders with NFC East supremacy on the line.
• Homes of Chiefs' quarterback Mahomes and tight end Kelce were broken into last month.
• Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery.
• South African government says it won't help 4,000 illegal miners inside a closed mine.

—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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