Obamas wrap up Day 2 of DNC; poll reflects VP choices

On the version of Hot off the Wire:

CHICAGO (AP) — Warning of a difficult fight ahead, former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have called on the nation to embrace Kamala Harris in urgent messages to the Democratic National Convention that were at times both hopeful and ominous. “America, hope is making a comeback,” the former first lady declared. She then tore into Republican Donald Trump, a sharp shift from the 2016 convention speech in which she told her party, “When they go low, we go high.” Barack Obama, the first Black president in U.S. history, insisted the nation is ready to elect Harris, who is of Jamaican and Indian heritage and would be the nation’s first female president.

HOWELL, Mich. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has pledged to “make America safe again ” while campaigning in Michigan as the Democrats who gathered in Chicago to nominate Kamala Harris branded him a career criminal. Trump campaigned Tuesday in Michigan as part of a battleground campaign swing designed to counter the Democratic National Convention.

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian authorities say Moscow has come under one of the largest attacks yet by Ukrainian drones since the start of fighting in 2022, and that it destroyed all of them. The Ministry of Defense says Russia downed 45 Ukrainian drones overnight.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — A bus carrying Shiite pilgrims from Pakistan to Iraq has crashed in central Iran, killing at least 28 people. The crash happened Tuesday night in the central Iranian province of Yazd.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tim Walz and JD Vance have vaulted themselves out of national obscurity as they hustle to introduce themselves to the country, but the senator from Ohio has had a rockier start than the Minnesota governor. A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that Walz had a smoother launch as a running mate to Vice President Kamala Harris than Vance did for former President Donald Trump.

• Democrats turn their roll call into a dance party with celebrities, state-specific songs and Lil Jon.
• Fannie Lou Hamer rattled the Democratic convention with her ‘Is this America’ speech 60 years ago.
• More than a dozen protesters arrested after clash with police outside Chicago’s Israeli consulate.
• Blinken ends latest Mideast visit without a cease-fire, warning ‘time is of the essence.’
• New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez resigns from Senate after bribery convictions.
• Sen. Rick Scott wins Florida GOP primary as he seeks a second term.
• Arizona Supreme Court clears way for voters to decide on constitutional right to abortion.
• ‘Hitting kids should never be allowed’ Illinois bans corporal punishment in all schools.
• 3 people charged after death of federal prison worker who opened fentanyl-laced mail.
• Army and police missed chances to intervene before Maine mass shootings, final report says.
• A new setback hits a Boeing jet US will require inspection of pilot seats on 787s.
• Jennifer Lopez files for divorce from Ben Affleck after 2 years of marriage.
• Disney drops bid to have allergy-death lawsuit tossed because plaintiff signed up for Disney+.
• A flurry of moves headline the day off the field in Major League Baseball, the Orioles hold on to outlast the Mets, the Guardians need 12 innings to beat the Yankees, the Braves prevail over an NL East rival and more.
• WNBA players would like more time off after the Olympics are over before league play resumes.
• Spanish woman believed to be the oldest person in the world has died at age 117.
• India’s top court creates task force on workplace safety after doctor was raped and killed.

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.