Georgia GOP senator, banned by House speaker, arrested at governor’s speech
A Republican state senator in Georgia was arrested Thursday, Jan. 16, after attempting to attend Gov. Brian Kemp’s “State of the State” address in the state Capitol chambers. Video posted to the senator’s X account shows a scuffle outside the chamber doors before he was escorted out by police and taken to jail, according to the senator’s team.
In the video, the senator can be heard saying, “It has gone too far. I have an obligation to be in that room. I represent 200,000 people in northwest Georgia who duly elected me to be here today.”
Senator Colton Moore, who exposed and defeated corrupt District Attorney Fani Willis last year, has been arrested by the Anti-Trump Speaker of the Georgia House.
Colton is being held in the same Atlanta jail as President Trump.
The incident is the latest in a series of controversies involving Colton Moore, whose career has been marked by intense disputes, including a growing divide with members of his own party.
Moore was expelled from the Republican Caucus in the state Senate in 2023 and was banned from the House floor the following year.
In 2023, after then-former President Donald Trump’s indictment in the state, Moore called for a special session to investigate and potentially impeach Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. However, Moore’s fellow Republicans disagreed and said he launched verbal attacks against them for not supporting his efforts.
In response, the Georgia Senate Republican Caucus indefinitely suspended Moore.
“The Georgia RINOs responded to my call to fight back against the Trump witch hunts by acting like children and throwing me out of the caucus,” Moore said in response to his suspension.
In March 2024, following a remembrance ceremony for late Speaker David Ralston, Moore was banned from the House chambers. At the memorial, Moore criticized Ralston, calling him “one of the most corrupt Georgia leaders we’ll ever see in our lifetimes,” due to allegations that Ralston leveraged his political power as an attorney to delay cases for high-paying clients.
Moore’s remarks were interrupted by Republican colleagues who deemed the comments inappropriate for the occasion. Speaker Jon Burns condemned Moore’s statements, calling them “vile,” and ordered Moore banned from entering the House chambers.
The altercation Thursday occurred ahead of the governor’s address, after Burns sent Moore a letter reminding him that the ban from House property remains in effect. The letter referred to Moore’s March 2024 comments about Ralston, and reinforced the order barring him from entering the House chamber.
In response, Moore posted a letter on his social media claiming that the ban was “unconstitutional” and “illegal” and reaffirmed his intention to attend the address.
Moore now faces a charge of “willfully obstructing law enforcement officers.”
Biden warns of ‘oligarchy’ and ‘tech-industrial complex’ in farewell speech
President Joe Biden’s farewell speech to America on Wednesday included several warnings. And a ceasefire deal to end more than a year of fighting in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas hit a snag. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.
Biden warns of ‘oligarchy,’ ‘tech-industrial complex’ in farewell speech
Speaking from the Oval Office one last time, President Joe Biden delivered his farewell address Wednesday night, Jan. 15. Biden spoke on reforms he would like to see in Washington and issued a stark warning detailing his concerns about what he sees as a concentration of power among the ultra-wealthy and the risks of technology.
In what is likely his final address to the nation after a political career spanning five decades, Biden opened his speech with the ceasefire deal in Gaza announced earlier in the day. He said he kept the incoming administration fully informed during the process.
He said some of his top accomplishments in office include job growth following the pandemic, infrastructure modernization and Medicare reform, telling Americans it will take time to feel the full impact of what has been achieved.
With the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump just days away, Biden said he would ensure a peaceful transfer of power, but he did have a warning.
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead,” Biden said. “We see the consequences all across America, and we’ve seen it before. More than a century ago, the American people stood up to the robber barons back then and busted the trusts. They didn’t punish the wealthy. They just made the wealthy play by the rules everybody else had. Workers want rights to earn their fair share.”
Referencing former President Dwight Eisenhower’s concerns about a military-industrial complex six decades ago, Biden said he’s equally concerned about the dangers of a potential rise of a tech-industrial complex.
“Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation enabling the abuse of power,” he said. “The free press is crumbling. Editors are disappearing. Social media is giving up on fact-checking. The truth is smothered by lies told for power and for profit. We must hold the social platforms accountable to protect our children, our families and our very democracy from the abuse of power.”
Biden remarked on the rise of artificial intelligence, calling it the most consequential technology of our time. He emphasized that the U.S., not China, must lead the race.
The president also spoke of his hopes for change in the nation’s capital, calling for an end of hidden funding called “dark money” from campaign contributions, a ban on stock trading from members of Congress and for the U.S. to enact an 18-year term limit on Supreme Court justices. He also called for the U.S. Constitution to be amended.
“We need to amend the Constitution to make clear that no president, no president is immune from crimes that he or she commits while in office,” Biden asserted. “The president’s power is not limit[less] — it is not absolute. And it shouldn’t be.”
In closing, Biden called on Americans to stay engaged in democracy. Telling the story of a veteran who worked at the Statue of Liberty, known as the Keeper of the Flame, he said America will always be defined by one word: “possibilities.”
“My eternal thanks to you, the American people,” Biden said. “After 50 years of public service, I give you my word, I still believe in the idea for which this nation stands [for] — a nation where the strength of our institutions and the character of our people matter and must endure. Now it’s your turn to stand guard. May you all be the keeper of the flame. May you keep the faith. I love America. You love it, too.”
Republicans, Democrats react to Biden’s farewell address
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., wrote on X, “Joe Biden discussing democracy, a free press, institutions and the abuse of power in his final farewell speech is rich.”
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., also weighed in, writing, “Joe Biden’s going out of office the same way he went in: petty, partisan and frankly not telling the truth.”
“President Biden’s ‘farewell address’ should have been a formal apology for the endless lawfare, inflation-fueling policies and reckless decisions made during his administration,” Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida added.
Democrats responded differently.
“Tonight, President Biden delivered his farewell address to a nation that is stronger because of his leadership,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “In doing so, he honored the vision of founders, the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and the aspirations of our children.”
Former President Barack Obama also responded to his former vice president.
“Four years ago, in the middle of a pandemic, we needed a leader with the character to put politics aside and do what was right. That’s what Joe Biden did… I’m grateful to Joe for his leadership, his friendship and his lifetime of service to this country we love,” Obama said.
Netanyahu says cabinet won’t meet over ceasefire deal with Hamas yet
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said his cabinet will not meet to approve the deal for a ceasefire in Gaza until Hamas ends a “last-minute crisis.” The decision comes after Netanyahu’s office said Hamas retracted on some of the terms of the agreement but did not specify which.
Even as a deal seems close or even imminent, Israeli strikes continued in the Gaza Strip, with the territory’s health ministry reporting at least 48 people killed over the past day.
Under the three-phase ceasefire agreement, fighting will stop in Gaza for 42 days. Thirty-three Israeli hostages, including two Americans, and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will be freed during the first phase. It is set to go into effect Sunday, Jan. 19.
The remainder of the hostages, including Israeli male soldiers, are to be released during the second phase. Hamas said it will not release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.
Israeli troops will pull back to the edges of Gaza and many Palestinians will be able to return to what remains of their homes — something many people took to the streets to celebrate. Israel is also set to allow a flood of humanitarian aid into the region.
The Associated Press reported Thursday morning that mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the U.S. will meet in Cairo on Thursday for talks on implementing the deal.
On Truth Social, Trump said his administration will continue to work closely with Israel to make sure Gaza never again becomes what he called a “terrorist safe haven.”
Crews work to control Los Angeles area wildfires as winds die down
The National Weather Service lifted the red flag warning for the Los Angeles area Wednesday night as winds died down. Strong winds have made it harder for fire crews to battle the flames.
However, dangerous fire and weather conditions are expected to return next week.
Good news: We are expecting a much-needed break from the fire weather concerns to close this week. Bad News: Next week is a concern. While confident that we will NOT see a repeat of last week, dangerous fire weather conditions are expected. #cawx#PalisadesFire#EatonFirepic.twitter.com/zhXmHUWtgp
This comes as firefighters still work to contain the two biggest, deadliest and most destructive fires in Southern California. The Palisades and Eaton fires continue to rage in the Los Angeles area.
Plus, a new vegetation fire broke out in the San Bernardino area Wednesday afternoon.
The Eaton and Palisades fires have not grown much over the past few days, but they are both still largely uncontained. Fire officials reported some progress in the desperate fight to extinguish the flames.
Meanwhile, the Little Mountain fire in San Bernardino spans over 30 acres at 0% containment. Police arrested a man in connection with that fire on two felony charges, including one of reckless burning.
Senate confirmation hearings continue as Inauguration Day nears
Senate confirmation hearings continue Thursday, Jan. 16, as President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for interior secretary, EPA administrator, housing and urban development secretary and treasury secretary answer questions from lawmakers.
“To my knowledge, Donald Trump has never acknowledged the legal results of the 2020 election,” Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin said to Bondi. “Are you prepared to say today, under oath without reservation, that Donald Trump lost the presidential contest to Joe Biden in 2020?”
Bondi replied, “Ranking Member Durbin, President Biden is the president of the United States. He was duly sworn in, and he is the President of the United States. There was a peaceful transition of power. President Trump left office and was overwhelmingly elected in 2024.”
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for secretary of state, also had his hearing Wednesday. Straight Arrow News political correspondent Ray Bogan has a complete breakdown of what happened here.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket lifts off on first space flight
Thursday morning saw a big win for billionaire Jeff Bezos’ space company, Blue Origin, as its New Glenn rocket blasted off into orbit.
The company’s first rocket powerful enough to launch satellites into space took off just after 2 a.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. All seven of its engines fired successfully.
Blue Origin marked the mission a success after demonstration technology on board, called the Blue Ring Pathfinder, was safely carried to orbit.
However, the company did not reach its bonus goal of guiding part of the New Glenn rocket back to a safe landing on a platform in the middle of the ocean after takeoff.
It took rival SpaceX four tries to get a similar maneuver right.
Still, Blue Origin stressed its most important goal was for the test satellite to reach orbit. NASA intends to use the New Glenn rocket to launch two orbiters to Mars in the future.
South Korean president reacts to arrest after massive police operation
The death toll rises slightly as relentless Southern California wildfires continue to burn. And President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary wins over a key senator for his confirmation. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.
South Korean president arrested in massive police operation
After weeks of avoiding arrest, South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol is in custody after a massive law enforcement operation Wednesday morning, Jan. 15.
Investigators with the country’s anti-corruption agency arrested Yoon for questioning in multiple criminal investigations related to his short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024, including accusations of leading an insurrection — a crime punishable by life imprisonment or even the death penalty in South Korea.
Following his arrest, which saw around 3,000 police officers descending on his residence, Yoon released a pre-recorded video message calling the investigations “illegal,” saying “rule of law in this country has completely collapsed” and adding that he only agreed to cooperate with the investigation to prevent violence. The embattled president avoided arrest for weeks, holed up in his fortified residence and surrounded by his presidential security team.
President Yoon Suk Yeol has been taken into custody, but he again reached out to his supporters decrying the investigation as illegal and that he was complying with the warrant to avoid "bloodshed."#SouthKorea#news Here is the break down: https://t.co/mn8CM5nRoIpic.twitter.com/Qks6ganmiU
Officials said that so far, Yoon has refused to answer investigators’ questions or comment and will not allow the sessions to be recorded.
The anti-corruption agency has 48 hours to request a court order for a formal arrest on a charge of attempting a rebellion or release Yoon. If Yoon is formally arrested, investigators can extend his detention to 20 days before transferring the case to public prosecutors for indictment.
South Korea is a key American ally. The U.S. has nearly 30,000 troops stationed there. In addition, President Joe Biden hosted Yoon for a state visit in Washington, D.C. in April 2023.
Southern California wildfire death toll rises to 25, ‘dangerous situation warning’ issued
The National Weather Service issued a warning that the Los Angeles California area is “not out of the woods yet,” even though winds were not as strong as expected on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Wind gusts are forecast to pick up Wednesday, with a dangerous situation warning in effect from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. PST for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Evacuation orders remain in place for 88,000 Los Angeles residents. About 90,000 others remain in evacuation warning zones, meaning they might need to leave at a moment’s notice. A total of 6 million people are under a critical fire threat.
The death toll from the fires rose to 25 on Tuesday. The Eaton and Palisades fires — burning for a full week — are now considered the most destructive and second-most destructive wildfires in Southern California history.
The Palisades fire remains the largest, scorching nearly 24,000 acres of land. It is only 18% contained, a small improvement from Tuesday’s 14% containment.
The Eaton fire spans about 14,000 acres and is now 35% contained. The Auto fire in Ventura County grew slightly from 56 to 60 acres but is now 47% contained, according to CalFire’s latest update.
As of Wednesday morning, five fires continued to scorch the region, with winds forecast to hit 70 miles an hour later Wednesday and into Thursday, Jan. 16.
Pete Hegseth faces tough questions on Capitol Hill
Late Tuesday night, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, told Fox News she’d vote to confirm Hegseth. She was on the fence ahead of the hearing, and many Democrats hoped she would vote no. Her support for Hegseth could put him over the top.
The hearings continue Wednesday for several nominees, including Trump’s picks for attorney general, Pam Bondi; secretary of state, Marco Rubio; and CIA director, John Ratcliffe.
Find Straight Arrow News political correspondent Ray Bogan’s full recap of Tuesday’s proceedings here.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission files lawsuit against Elon Musk over X shares
Elon Musk, one of the heads of Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency, faces a new lawsuit over his social media company X. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Musk.
Since Trump appointed Musk to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency during his second term, it’s unlikely the incoming Trump administration will pursue this lawsuit.
US watchdog sues Capital One, alleges bank cheated customers out of $2B
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is suing Capital One, saying the bank misled consumers about its offerings for high-interest savings accounts and cheated customers out of more than $2 billion in interest payments.
The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, focuses on Capital One’s promises and handling of its “360 Savings” accounts. The Bureau said despite promoting 360 Savings as an account that provides one of the nation’s highest interest rates, Capital One froze its rate at a low level for at least several years, even as interest rates rose nationally.
The CFPB said that at the same time, Capital One created “360 Performance Savings,” which saw a much higher growth rate but did not notify 360 Savings account holders about the new offering and instead “worked to keep them in the dark.”
The lawsuit alleges the company marketed the products similarly to obscure their distinction and banned employees from “proactively telling” those with 360 Savings accounts about 360 Performance Savings.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is seeking to impose civil penalties on Capital One and provide financial relief to those impacted.
Musicians come together for benefit concerts to support wildfire victims
With the wildfires in California impacting so many people and uprooting people’s lives, entertainers are coming together to hold benefit concerts to support the victims.
Ringo Starr is taking the famous song lyrics, “I get by with a little help from my friends,” seriously. The former Beatles drummer is holding a two-night benefit concert this week in Nashville. It will feature guest performances from Jack White, Sheryl Crow and “War and Treaty.”
Funds from the concert, which will air as a special on CBS later this year, will be directed to the American Red Cross.
Live Nation is gearing up for its benefit concert, titled “FireAid,” to be held on Jan. 30. Sources told TMZ the response from musicians has been so overwhelming that the event will likely be held in two different venues.
Live Nation is expected to announce the lineup within days.
Laken Riley Act advances in Senate as chamber debates immigration law
The Senate will consider amendments to the Laken Riley Act Monday, Jan. 13, a bill Republicans hope will be a first step in overhauling United States immigration law. The bill would require immigrants to be held in detention if they are arrested or convicted of a burglary, theft or shoplifting offense.
Even if the criminal case is adjudicated, the individual would remain in custody while their immigration case proceeds.
The House passed the Laken Riley Act on a bipartisan basis on Tuesday, Jan. 7, after 48 Democrats voted yea, bucking party leadership.
Senate Democrats also supported the legislation during an initial vote so they could propose amendments later in the process. They hope to make multiple changes to the bill, including removing a measure that will allow states to sue the federal government if they believe it is not properly enforcing the law.
“I don’t think we want the entire immigration system being litigated in district courts all across the country,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., told reporters, according to CNN.
Laken Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered by an immigrant in the country illegally. She was attacked while going for a run.
“Right now ICE is unable to detain and deport these illegal criminals who commit these minor level crimes. But the Laken Riley Act will fix this,” Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., said.
House Democratic leadership opposed the Laken Riley Act, and told their members to vote against it.
They objected to the bill applying to immigrants who are protected from deportation, like DACA recipients, and that it only requires an arrest for detainment, not a conviction.
“This bill does nothing to fix the immigration system or to prevent future tragedies like this,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said. “It is simply an attempt to score cheap political points off of a tragic death. And in the process it unfairly sweeps up many more innocent lives with no due process.”
Republicans tried to pass this bill last year but it never went beyond the House.
Man with blowtorch arrested near LA wildfires was in country illegally: ICE
California police made an arson-related arrest on Sunday, Jan. 12. Now, details have emerged about the immigration status of another man involved in a separate incident in the Los Angeles area on Thursday, Jan. 9.
A video showed police arresting Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva after residents chased him down and detained him. The residents claimed they saw Sierra-Leyva set fire to old Christmas trees and debris. His arrest comes amid the state’s ongoing struggle with severe and deadly wildfires, heightening tension and vigilance among residents.
Authorities are still investigating the incident as a possible case of arson. However, Sierra-Leyva has not been charged due to a lack of evidence.
Sierra-Leyva is currently in custody on a felony probation violation, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Authorities did not provide details on his prior conviction.
NEW: Per ICE sources, the man seen in a viral video being subdued by residents & arrested by police w/ a blowtorch near the #KennethFire in West Hills is an illegal alien from Mexico named Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva. He is in custody on a probation violation & has NOT been charged…
Immigration and Customs Enforcement sources told Fox News and the New York Post that Sierra-Leyva is from Mexico and is in the U.S. illegally. The agency plans to request a detainer to involve federal authorities. However, California’s sanctuary law prohibits local law enforcement from collaborating with ICE.
The New York Post also reported that Sierra-Leyva has a criminal history, including an assault with a deadly weapon charge in 2023.
🚨 Arson Arrest🚨
On Sunday, January 12, at approximately 12:30 PM, Los Angeles County Fire Engine #29 responded to a small brush fire near Rivergrade Road and the 605 Freeway. While on scene, LACOFD personnel observed a suspect actively lighting fires in the area. pic.twitter.com/avstxl0alg
— Irwindale Police Department (@IrwindalePolice) January 12, 2025
The possible arson case comes after authorities arrested Ruben Montes on Sunday, Jan. 12, on suspicion of arson. Firefighters reported seeing him start brush fires near the Eaton Fire, the deadliest of the current wildfires in Los Angeles.
US offers $25M reward for info leading to Maduro’s arrest as third term begins
The U.S. State Department is now offering $25 million for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The move to raise the bounty from its initial $15 million came as Maduro was sworn in for his third term as president on Friday, Jan. 10, despite evidence that he lost the election to opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez in July 2024.
The Biden administration does not recognize Maduro as the rightful president of Venezuela, and has said that he should step down, saying that the exiled Gonzalez should take his place.
Gonzalez has presented thousands of public vote tallies that show he handily won the presidential election, and he recently met with President Joe Biden in Washington, D.C. to thank Biden for his support.
Gonzalez is facing the threat of arrest if he returns to Venezuela. Additionally, the country’s defense minister rejects any notion that Gonzalez should be president. The defense minister said that Venezuela’s armed forces would only recognize Maduro as president.
The White House said that the reward for Maduro’s arrest is meant to show “solidarity with the Venezuelan people” and put pressure on Maduro and his allies.
The U.S. State Department also raised the arrest bounty on Venezuela’s interior minister from $10 million to $25 million and added a new reward of $15 million for the capture of the country’s defense minister.
The U.S. Treasury Department also announced on Friday that it is placing new sanctions on eight Venezuelan officials to freeze any assets they have in the United States.
Looters arrested as wildfires rip through Los Angeles
Officials in Los Angeles County, California, are cracking down on looters taking advantage of people fleeing tragedy as deadly wildfires rip through the area. So far, police arrested 20 people accused of raiding homes since the start of the fires.
Around 180,000 people are under evacuation orders as of Thursday, Jan. 9, as the fast-moving flames reduce many homes to rubble from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena, California.
Fire officials said they’re still assessing the destruction. However, preliminary reports estimate thousands of structures are either damaged or destroyed.
In the middle of the chaos, looters have been spotted as officials warn potential copycats to stay out of evacuated homes.
“Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said during a news conference.
A member of a private security firm told the Los Angeles Times he was hired to guard areas against looters who might see the fires as an opportunity to target affluent neighborhoods, some with celebrity homes, that have been deserted.
So far, he said he’s had to chase off two people on a moped who were trespassing on a client’s property and caught a man leaving another home with a drone inside a luxury bag.
The Los Angeles County sheriff said around 400 department personnel have been deployed to the fire areas and are patrolling for looters.
Georgia teen arrested for bringing gun to school where 4 killed in past shooting
Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, canceled school and all extracurricular activities on Thursday, Jan. 9, after a 14-year-old student brought a gun to school just months after a gunman killed four people in September 2024. Local police arrested the teen Wednesday, Jan. 8, for bringing the weapon to the same school.
Authorities charged the student, who is not being identified due to his age, with two counts of possessing a weapon on school grounds, theft and being a minor in possession of a gun.
Barrow County deputies said they arrested the boy “without incident” Wednesday afternoon at the school and said there had been “no reports of the student threatening anyone with the gun.”
Police did not disclose the type of gun or what led up to the boy’s arrest.
In September, then-14-year-old Colt Gray allegedly shot and killed two students and two teachers at the school. Police said several others were wounded during the shooting.
Prosecutors charged Colt Gray as an adult, indicting him on 55 counts, including malice murder and aggravated assault.
Colt Gray pleaded not guilty.
His father, Colin Gray, also faces more than two dozen charges, including two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors claimed he gave his son access to guns despite “sufficient warning” that the then-14-year-old would hurt others.
Man arrested after opening door, deploying slide on JetBlue flight
Massachusetts State Police arrested a JetBlue passenger Tuesday, Jan. 7, after he opened an emergency door on a flight taxiing for takeoff at Logan International Airport in Boston. The incident occurred less than 24 hours after workers discovered two bodies in the wheel well of one of its planes that landed in southern Florida.
While airport officials called the police in response to the incident, other passengers restrained the suspect, 23-year-old Angel Luis Morales Torres. An off-duty FBI agent then handcuffed him.
JetBlue released a statement to CNN saying the customer opened an emergency exit over an aircraft wing, causing the deployment of an emergency slide. The motive behind the action remains unknown.
Torres appeared in East Boston District Court on Wednesday. Prosecutors charged him with interfering with aircraft operation.
The judge released him to his parents after they posted $500 bail.
A passenger on the flight, Fred Wynn, told Boston affiliate WBZ that Torres and a young woman on the plane appeared to be arguing over a cell phone. Wynn said that when she refused to give him the phone, that “set him off.”
Torres’ attorney said he has no recollection of the incident, and this was more of a medical issue than a criminal one. The judge allowed Torres to travel home to Puerto Rico to be with his parents.
The affected flight from Boston to San Juan arrived safely.
5 dead, thousands of homes destroyed as fires rip through Los Angeles area
Five wildfires now burn in the Los Angeles area of Southern California, leaving death, destruction and devastation in their paths. And the infernos led President Joe Biden to cancel his final international trip in office. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
5 dead, thousands of homes destroyed as fires rip through Los Angeles area
At least five wildfires were burning in the heavily populated Los Angeles area of California on Thursday, Jan. 9, destroying thousands of homes and putting millions of lives in danger. At least five people died from the blaze and more than 100,000 evacuated their homes.
Dry conditions and strong winds continue to fuel the flames.
The newest fire, the Sunset Fire, sparked Wednesday night in the famous Hollywood Hills region. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s latest update at 11:50 p.m. PST on Wednesday, the blaze engulfed 60 acres at 0% contained.
The Palisades Fire remains the biggest threat, covering over 17,000 acres at 0% containment.
Officials said it destroyed at least 1,000 buildings, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
The deadly Eaton Fire near Pasadena and Altadena spanned more than 10,000 acres at 0% contained. All five reported deaths were linked to the Eaton Fire.
Fire crews made headway on the Hurst Fire in the San Fernando Valley, containing about 10% of the blaze that spread to almost 900 acres, according to CalFire.
Crews made the most progress in fighting the Lidia Fire in Acton, about 50 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. That fire scorched about 350 acres, but CalFire said it was 40% contained.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said more than 7,500 firefighters, including crews from Oregon, New Mexico, and Washington state, are battling the flames.
More than 7,500 firefighting personnel are on the ground working with local and federal partners to respond to California's ongoing historic wildfires.
Southern California residents — please remain vigilant tonight. Listen to local officials and be ready to evacuate if you're…
While mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for certain areas, officials told everyone in the area to pack a go-bag and be prepared to leave.
Celebrities among victims to lose homes in California wildfires
With tens of thousands of people impacted by the ongoing wildfires in California, come countless personal stories of loss, grief, shock and, in some cases, gratitude. Among those affected in the Los Angeles County and Hollywood area are some famous names.
Celebrities shared their accounts of the devastating scenes, something many said is like out of a movie.
“This Is Us” star Mandy Moore posted videos to her Instagram account of the fiery destruction in Altadena, writing, “I love you, Altadena. Grateful for my family and pets getting out last night before it was too late. Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all, so many have lost, including my family … our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together.”
“Seeing our home burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. The devastation is unimaginable. To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking,” Hilton wrote.
Actor Billy Crystal released a statement with his wife after losing his Pacific Palisades home.
“Janice and I lived in our home since 1979,” Crystal said. “We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.”
James Woods, who once starred on the television show “Shark,” openly wept in a CNN interview as he talked about his immense loss and the search for his neighbors.
As the fires spread across the hub of the entertainment world, organizers postponed multiple movie premieres, TV productions and award shows.
The Critics Choice Awards, originally scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 12, have been moved to Jan. 26. The Oscar nominations announcement was pushed back two days to Jan. 19.
An NHL hockey game involving the Los Angeles Kings was postponed Wednesday night. The NFL said it is monitoring the conditions as the Los Angeles Rams are slated to host a playoff game Monday night, Jan. 13.
Biden to deliver eulogy at Carter’s funeral, Trump to attend
On Thursday afternoon, President Joe Biden will deliver the eulogy at the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral.
President-elect Donald Trump will also attend the funeral. Trump, along with his wife Melania, were among those to pay their respects as the 39th president was lying in state at the Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday.
After the funeral, Carter’s body will take one final trip back to his home state of Georgia where he will be buried next to his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn.
While in Washington on Wednesday, Trump held a private meeting with Republican senators at the Capitol to discuss a strategy for top priorities heading into his second term. While speaking to reporters, Trump called the wildfires in California “a true tragedy.”
Biden announced Wednesday he canceled his final international trip of his presidency. He said he will remain in Washington, D.C., to monitor the deadly fires in Southern California.
Biden was set to take part in a three-day trip to Rome and the Vatican where he would meet with Pope Francis and the Italian president. His announcement came just hours after meeting his first great-grandchild, born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Capitol police arrest man who brought machete to Jimmy Carter viewing
As thousands of Americans paid their respects to Carter at the Capitol, authorities arrested a man Wednesday at a security screening for people waiting to view the late president as he lies in state in Washington.
Capitol police said the man, identified as Washington resident Mel Horne, carried a machete and three knives in a bag. Authorities spotted the weapons as the bag went through an X-ray machine. Horne now faces multiple charges of carrying a dangerous weapon.
Capitol police also said officers arrested a Virginia man who lit a bag containing accelerants on fire on top of his car near the Capitol. They do not believe the two incidents were connected.
Port strike averted after tentative deal reached
Longshoremen reached a tentative new contract deal Wednesday with shipping and port companies along the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S., averting a potentially crippling strike for now.
The United States Maritime Alliance, which represents ship lines and port operators, and union International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) said they’ve agreed on a six-year deal. However, the agreement is not official until ratified by union members.
The ILA represents 50,000 members who fill 25,000 jobs at 14 ports from Maine to Texas. If this deal wasn’t reached, port workers were set to go on strike beginning next Thursday, Jan. 16.
Details of the agreement have not yet been publicly released, but sources close to the matter said it addresses a key sticking point for workers: automation.
In October, Longshoremen agreed to a wage increase of 62% over six years, and the two sides pushed other issues into 2025 to end a three-day strike.
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