Your Morning: Winds threaten wildfires

California wildfires: Strong winds are forecast to return to Los Angeles and threaten the area devastated by wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people. On Monday, homes were doused with pink fire-retardant chemicals, water trucks replenished supplies and crews were positioned near spots with dry brush. The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for severe fire conditions with sustained winds of 50 mph. In the mountains, they’re set to reach 70 mph. The latest >

Federal aid: President Joe Biden announced that people impacted by the Los Angeles County wildfires will receive a one-time payment of $770. The president has also vowed the federal government will cover 100% of the disaster response costs for the next six months. What to know >

Private fire crews: Thousands of first responders are fighting the flames. Along with agencies such as the Los Angeles Fire Department, the California National Guard and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, currently incarcerated people are helping out in the emergency response. Some people and businesses have also hired private firefighters to protect their property. What private crews vs. inmates fighting the fires make >

Looting: Two alleged looters, one of whom was dressed as a firefighter, were detained by Los Angeles County authorities on Sunday along the Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades. Details >

Drones: Three people have been arrested as unauthorized drone flights have doubled in southern California as firefighters work to contain the wildfires. Full report >

California fires: In the historic community of Altadena, multiple generations of families are losing their homes to the flames. Among them are the Williams sisters. Three Williams sisters, along with their parents who once fostered local children, lost their homes to the fires. A fourth sister’s home remains standing but is currently inaccessible. The extended family — 17 people, four dogs and a 40-year-old family parrot named Hank — are now sharing a hotel room. Full report >

Diddy: Several high-profile people have suffered property losses from the ongoing California wildfires, but it appears Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Los Angeles mansion remains unscathed. Combs, who is currently in a New York jail awaiting trial, owns a home in the upscale Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles which has been safe thus far, according to reports. Several celebrities have lost their homes, which has led to some conspiracy theories taking wind on social media about a possible connection to Combs. Full report >

Jack Smith report: Special counsel Jack Smith said his team “stood up for the rule of the law” while investigating President-elect Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Smith said he stands by his move to bring criminal charges against Trump and believes they would have resulted in a conviction if Trump had not won the 2024 election. The report was released just days before Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20. “The throughline of all of Mr. Trump’s criminal efforts was deceit — knowingly false claims of election fraud,” the report states. Trump responded to the report with a social media post claiming he is “totally innocent” and calling Smith “a lamebrain prosecutor who was unable to get his case tried before the Election.” He added, “THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN!!!” Read more >

Confirmation hearings: Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary pick, will appear at a confirmation hearing Tuesday, where senators are set to question the former combat veteran and TV news host about whether he is fit to lead the U.S. military. The hearing comes as Hegseth has faced allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. What to watch for >

Hunter Biden report: In a final report, Special Counsel David Weiss defended how he handled the Hunter Biden investigation and pushed back against President Joe Biden’s move to pardon his son as he was facing both tax and gun charges in two different states. The president previously said the cases against his son were “selective,” “unfair,” infected by “raw politics” and a “miscarriage of justice.” Weiss called the president’s statement “gratuitous and wrong,” adding that he prosecuted the cases because Hunter Biden “broke the law.” Details >