On today's episode:

• Trump's economy depends on AI for growth, a reality made clear in Saudi crown prince's US visit.


• Trump signs bill to release Jeffrey Epstein case files after fighting it for months.


• U.S. trade deficit drops 24% in August as Trump's tariffs reduce imports.


• Gustav Klimt portrait that spared its subject from Nazis breaks modern art record with $236M sale.


• 5 accused of supporting antifa plead guilty to terrorism-related offense after Texas shooting.


• US Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida indicted on charges of stealing $5M in disaster funds.


• Trump says he'll push for peace in Sudan after Saudi crown prince urged greater US involvement.


• Justice Department says full grand jury in Comey case didn't review copy of final indictment.


• Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers quits OpenAI board after release of Epstein emails.


• NASA unveils close-up pictures of the comet popping by from another star.


• Wall Street swings through another erratic day ahead of a couple of crucial tests.


• Ford recalls more than 200,000 Bronco and Bronco Sports for instrument panel failure.


• A senior shines in a top five college hoops showdown, a buzzer-beater in Portland and another win for the NBA’s defending champs, a high-scoring affair on the ice in DC, a young QB gets his first NFL start while another is done for the season, and a star reliever re-signs in baseball.


• Post on Kris Boyd's Instagram account says Jets cornerback has started breathing on his own.


• MLB will comply with Senate's request on gambling; new media deals total $800M.


• Roger Federer elected to International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1st year of eligibility.


• Israel's military carries out strikes in Lebanon and Gaza, killing dozens of people.


• Nigeria's president postpones G20 trip, vowing to step up efforts to rescue abducted schoolgirls.


• With an eye on Russia, EU wants to make it easier to deploy tanks and troops at short notice.

—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