The Los Angeles area is preparing for heavy winds that pose a high risk of fires, as firefighters continue to battle blazes still burning after a week. Special counsel Jack Smith has released a defense of the Trump Jan. 6 investigation, detailing Trump’s efforts to maintain power after the 2020 election. Childhood vaccination rates are slipping, with more kindergarteners exempted from vaccinations during the 2023-24 school year. In L.A., the Palisades Fire is 23,713 acres and 14% contained, with significant progress reported, while evacuation orders have been lifted in Santa Monica. The Eaton Fire is 14,117 acres and 33% contained. Lawsuits have been filed alleging that utility company Southern California Edison failed to de-energize power equipment, sparking fires near Pasadena. President-elect Donald Trump’s team is discussing a trip to California to view the devastation from the fires. Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth faces Senate hearings for his nomination as defense secretary, amid allegations of sexual assault and other misconduct. Additionally, the percentage of children exempted from vaccinations has risen to 3.3%, the highest ever reported. In Altadena, a diverse enclave in L.A., the Eaton Fire has left the community in ruins, impacting Black and Latino homeowners who have lived there for generations.
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