The Hitchhiker’s Guide to confirming Trump Cabinet nominees — perhaps even during inaugural balls

The coastal waters off Laguna Beach between Treasure Island and Table Rock at Aliso Beach are closed due to a sewage spill of 465,000 gallons caused by a main sewer line break near Laguna Niguel Regional Park. Some of the sewage has seeped into nearby beaches, prompting health authorities to keep the area closed to swimming, surfing, and diving until water quality improves. This is the second sewage spill in Orange County in two months,...

President Joe Biden announced a one-time payment of $770 to each California resident affected by wildfires. During his last week in office, Biden signed proclamations establishing the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, protecting hundreds of thousands of acres of land in California. The Chuckwalla National Monument will safeguard over 600,000 acres in the California desert, while the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument will protect more than 224,000 acres in Northern California. Full...

During a House hearing, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, engaged in a heated exchange over civil rights and transgender rights, with Mace challenging Crockett to "take it outside." The dispute was sparked by Mace's rhetoric on transgender issues and Crockett accusing Mace of fearmongering for political gain. Despite attempts to defend Crockett and clarify the situation, the incident ended with Mace clarifying that her statement was not meant as a call...

In the aftermath of the devastating Palisades Fire in northwest Los Angeles, Dr. Karina Maher and her husband Michael Kovac's sustainable and fire-resistant home stood out among the rubble, thanks to features like fire-resistant cladding and defensive space. As they watched their security cameras capture the fire approaching, they experienced mixed feelings of relief and survivor's guilt seeing their home intact amidst the destruction. With a focus on climate change and extreme weather events, the...

Pete Hegseth's contentious four-hour hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee saw Democrats criticizing him as unqualified, while Republicans praised him as the Pentagon's needed choice. Senator Joni Ernst's support after initial reservations suggests Hegseth has the votes to move forward. Despite facing questions about his past conduct and views on women in combat, Hegseth's communication skills were highlighted by Republican senators as a valuable asset for the role. Full Article

President Yoon Suk Yeol was detained for questioning by criminal investigators after a standoff over his martial law declaration. Despite initial resistance by his security guards, he agreed to be questioned to avoid a violent clash. The investigation and warrant to detain him are being challenged as illegal, as South Korea faces a political crisis over the unprecedented attempt to detain a sitting president. Full Article