On the updated version of Hot off the Wire (posted Dec. 14 at 6:31 a.m. CT):

• A destructive storm marched across the United States, spawning tornadoes that touched down in parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, where two deaths were reported. The storm also delivered blizzard-like conditions to the Great Plains and threatened more severe weather Wednesday in the South.
• Pope Francis is calling for a “humble” Christmas this year, with savings from reduced spending on gifts donated to Ukrainians.
• Ukrainian authorities say they thwarted a Russian attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region as their air defense system intercepted and destroyed 13 explosive-laden drones.
• President Joe Biden has signed gay marriage legislation into law. A celebratory crowd of thousands bundled up on a chilly Tuesday afternoon on the South Lawn of the White House to watch the joyful ceremony, which was tempered by the backdrop of an ongoing conservative backlash over gender issues.
• Lawmakers leading the negotiations on a bill to fund the federal government for the current fiscal year say they’ve reached agreement on a “framework” that should allow them to complete work on the bill over the next week and avoid a government shutdown.
• In sports, Alex Ovechkin scored his 800th goal, the Bucks won a battle of the last two NBA champs, Carlos Correa signed a Giant contract, and Argentina and Lionel Messi are World Cup finalists.

On the original version of Hot off the Wire (posted Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. CT):

• The new CEO of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX appeared before a House committee Tuesday, detailing for lawmakers the lack of oversight and financial controls that he discovered since taking over the company a month ago.
• Scientists have declared on the same day that two active Hawaii volcanoes have stopped erupting.
• A massive storm blowing across the country spawned tornadoes wrecked homes and injured a handful of people in parts of Oklahoma and Texas.
• U.S. officials say the Biden administration is poised to approve sending a Patriot missile battery to Ukraine, finally agreeing to an urgent request from Ukrainian leaders desperate for more robust weapons to shoot down incoming Russian missiles.
• The tropical tourist destination of Bali, Indonesia, is facing a worsening water crisis from tourism development, population growth and water mismanagement.
• Scientists announced that they have for the first time produced more energy in a fusion reaction than was used to ignite it.
• Inflation in the United States slowed again last month in the latest sign that price increases are cooling despite the pressures they continue to inflict on American households.
• Stellantis is recalling about 1.4 million pickup trucks worldwide because the tailgates may not close completely and cargo could spill onto the road. The recall covers Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups from the 2019 to 2022 model years.

—The Associated Press