Adams’ public schedule said he’s in Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate is located.
His spokesperson, Fabien Levy, said the two will discuss “New Yorkers’ priorities.”
“The mayor looks forward to having a productive conversation with the incoming president on how we can move our city and country forward,” Levy posted on X.
Tomorrow, Mayor Adams will sit down with President-elect Trump and discuss New Yorkers’ priorities. The mayor looks forward to having a productive conversation with the incoming president on how we can move our city and country forward.
Adams previously said he wants to work with the incoming Trump administration, especially on immigration and border security after his city has struggled to address an influx of migrants.
The mayor’s office said last week that more than 229,000 migrants have arrived in New York City seeking city services since the spring of 2022.
Eric Adams’ legal fund approaches $1M mark as donations dwindle
New York City Mayor Eric Adams‘ legal defense fund is approaching $1 million in the red as his legal bills pile up and donations dwindle. A new filing submitted with New York’s Conflict of Interest Board Wednesday, Jan. 15, said the trust he uses to cover legal fees in his federal corruption indictment now has $925,000 in outstanding bills, according to news outlet The City.
The trust’s surging debt comes amid a lack of fundraising in recent months. Likewise, according to the most recent reporting period—which spans mid-October through this week—Adams also paid Alex Spiro, the lead defense attorney in his corruption case, a $200,000 retainer fee.
During the same reporting period, Adams raised just $2,200.
Tzvi Odzer donated $2,000 of that. He’s a businessman convicted of bank fraud and was pardoned by then-President Donald Trump on his last day in office in 2021.
The rest of the money came from Alan Sclar, an attorney who previously donated to Adams’ reelection campaign.
The mayor was also forced to return $2,200 in donations. It was found that the money came from entities doing business with the city.
Adams’ legal fees will likely increase as he gets ready for trial in April. His trial is just weeks before the June Democratic mayoral primary.
When Adams reportedly had about $43,000 in debt in October, he insisted he wasn’t concerned about paying it.
“I have legal bills, and I’m going to pay my bills. That’s how I live my life. I will pay my bills,” Adams said at the time.
Adams pleaded not guilty to charges he accepted bribes and illegal straw donations for his 2021 and 2025 campaigns from Turkish government operatives in exchange for political favors.
Adams will travel to Mar-a-Lago for a meeting with the president-elect on Friday, Jan. 17, according to a statement from the mayor’s office released late Thursday.
In the statement, New York City Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy said that Adams “has made quite clear his willingness to work with President-elect Trump and his incoming administration on behalf of New Yorkers — and that partnership with the federal government is critical to New York City’s success.”
Adams has not commented on The City’s legal defense fund report.
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.
Prosecutors want 15 years for ex-NJ Sen. Bob Menendez in bribery case
Federal prosecutors want at least a 15-year sentence for former New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez. He is convicted of trading his political clout for bribes, including $150,000 worth of gold bars, as well as cash and gifts from three businessmen.
Two of the businessmen, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, who were also convicted, did not deny giving Menendez and his wife the valuables, but argued at trial that they were either loans or gifts of good will, intended to nurture a relationship.
The third businessman involved pleaded guilty, and testified at the trial in July.
Prosecutors filed a memo Thursday, Jan. 9, in federal district court, citing the “rare gravity” of the crimes, saying it was an attempt to corrupt the nation’s powers over foreign relations and law enforcement.
The prosecutors’ recommendation comes after Menendez’s lawyers asked for leniency, noting the 71-year-old’s age, his decades of public service, charity work and devotion to his family.
In the filing, prosecutors also recommended a sentence of at least 10 years for Hana and nine years for Daibes.
South Korean investigators suspend efforts to detain impeached president after standoff
The FBI unveils more information about the man who drove a truck into a New Orleans crowd on New Year’s Day, killing more than a dozen. And multiple reports indicate President Joe Biden could make a big decision on the proposed takeover of U.S. Steel. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Jan. 3, 2025.
South Korean investigators suspend efforts to detain impeached president after standoff
After an hours-long standoff, South Korean investigators suspended efforts to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. The standoff between South Korea’s anti-corruption agency and the presidential security service lasted nearly six hours at Yoon’s presidential residence Friday, Jan. 3.
The agency called off its agents due to concerns for their safety after the presidential security service and Yoon’s supporters blocked them from entering Yoon’s residence.
Yoon, a former prosecutor, defied investigators’ attempts to question him for weeks in connection with the short-lived period of martial law he imposed at the beginning of December.
A Seoul court issued a warrant for Yoon’s detention Tuesday, Dec. 31, but enforcing it is complicated. Yoon’s lawyers, who filed a challenge to the warrant Thursday, Jan. 2, said it could not be implemented at his residence due to a law that protects locations potentially linked to military secrets from search without the consent of the person in charge.
The anti-corruption agency said it would discuss the next steps but did not immediately say whether it would make another attempt to detain Yoon. The warrant for his detention is valid for one week.
New Orleans attack investigation continues as city hosts Sugar Bowl
The FBI now believes the suspect in a deadly New Orleans truck attack on New Year’s Day likely acted alone. The agency said Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran, killed 15 people and injured dozens more early Wednesday, Jan 1, after driving into a crowd on Bourbon Street in the city’s French Quarter.
The agency called the attack “a deliberate act of terror,” and said Jabbar was “100 percent inspired” by the radical Islamic terror group ISIS.
The FBI concluded this after conducting hundreds of interviews, reviewing phone calls, social media accounts and electronic devices connected to the suspect.
Investigators said there appears to be no “definitive link” between the New Orleans attack and the explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas at this time.
Law enforcement investigating the Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas identified the man who carried out the attack as Matthew Alan Livelsberger on Thursday, Jan. 2.
Livelsberger was an active-duty U.S. Army Green Beret. He was reportedly on leave at the time of the attack.
Authorities identified Livelsberger’s burned body by matching his tattoos.
Back in New Orleans, life started to return to normal Thursday as the city hosted the Sugar Bowl at the Superdome. Plus, visitors were once again allowed back into the French Quarter.
Notre Dame went head-to-head with the Georgia Bulldogs and came out on top. With Notre Dame’s victory, the college football playoff semifinals are now set.
The Fighting Irish will face Penn State in the Orange Bowl next Thursday, Jan. 9. Texas will meet Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10.
The two winners will play in the National Championship game on Monday, Jan. 20. It will be the first championship game since the NCAA went to a 12-team playoff format.
2 dead, 19 hurt after small plane crashes into California building
Two people are dead and 19 more injured after a small plane crashed into a furniture manufacturing building in southern California on Thursday.
The people who died were believed to have been on the plane while those injured were among the 200 or so people inside the building. Paramedics transported 11 people to the hospital and treated eight others at the scene.
The crash occurred about half a mile from the Fullerton Municipal Airport. Investigators are working to learn what led up to the incident.
Biden to block Nippon Steel’s bid to take over US Steel: Reports
President Joe Biden decided to block Nippon Steel’s bid to purchase U.S. Steel due to national security risks, according to multiple reports. Biden is expected to announce his decision as early as Friday, reports said.
Senior advisers warned Biden that the U.S. rejecting the Japanese corporation’s $14.9 billion offer could damage relations between the two countries.
Biden’s decision comes after the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment could not conclude the risks of Nippon’s offer, leaving the decision up to the White House.
While U.S. Steel shareholders backed the takeover, the proposed deal faced opposition from union members and politicians.
President-elect Donald Trump, who a group of American steelworkers backed during his campaign, also vowed to block the deal when he takes office later this month.
Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel indicated they would take legal action if the federal government blocked the deal.
119th Congress begins Friday with GOP taking control of House and Senate
The 119th Congress starts Friday with Republicans in full control of the House and Senate for the first time since 2019. The new term, which lasts two years, begins when House members are sworn in.
Despite narrowly hanging on to the GOP majority 219-215, Rep. Mike Johnson’s speakership hangs in the balance. At least one Republican said he would not back Johnson and others expressed concerns about his leadership.
Johnson received a major boost this week when Trump publicly backed Johnson.
In the Senate, Republicans will officially take the reins after flipping the majority in the November election. The new Senate Majority Leader will be Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.
Golden Globes kick off award season this Sunday
Hollywood’s award season officially kicks off Sunday, Jan. 5, with the Golden Globes.
Nominees include Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez and Angelina Jolie.
Movies looking to win big include “A Complete Unknown,” “Emilia Perez,” “Wicked” and “The Brutalist.”
“The Bear,” “Shogun,” “Nobody Wants This” and “Only Murders in the Building” are among the television series looking to take home trophies.
Comedian Nikki Glaser, who hosted the Tom Brady roast, will lead the award ceremony. This year, the Golden Globes will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
Chinese-sponsored hackers behind ‘major’ breach: Treasury Department
Investigators accuse China of hacking U.S. Treasury Department computers. And funeral arrangements are set for America’s 39th president, Jimmy Carter. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased updates for Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
Chinese-sponsored hackers are behind ‘major’ breach: Treasury Department
The U.S. Department of Treasury said it’s still working to determine the extent of damage from a data breach it called “a major incident.” In a letter sent to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on Monday, Dec. 30, the Treasury Department said a Chinese-sponsored “threat actor” was able to gain access to department employees’ workstations earlier this month and view “unclassified documents” maintained by those workers.
The letter said the hackers gained access through a third-party cybersecurity service called BeyondTrust and overrode certain department security measures. The department stopped using BeyondTrust after the attack.
The Treasury Department is working with the FBI and other members of the U.S. intelligence community to “fully characterize the incident and determine its full impact.” The department said it will provide Congress more information in a supplemental report within 30 days.
China’s ministry of foreign affairs denied any Chinese involvement.
Arrest warrant issued for embattled South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol
The court recently voted to strip Yoon of his presidential powers. He faces impeachment over his short-lived declaration of martial law.
The court granted the arrest warrant for Yoon on charges of abuse of authority and orchestrating a rebellion. Yoon is wanted for questioning in multiple investigations, including one over accusations of leading an insurrection — a crime punishable by life imprisonment or even the death penalty in South Korea.
President Joe Biden spoke with the nation’s interim president in recent weeks, expressing America’s commitment to democracy there. America has roughly 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea as a deterrent to communist North Korea.
Memorial events scheduled for late President Jimmy Carter
Details are now public about the nation’s plans to pay tribute to the late former President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday, Dec. 29, at 100 years old. Biden declared Thursday, Jan. 9, a National Day of Mourning. New Year’s Day will begin an eight-day mourning period.
The Carter family will gather in the former president’s hometown of Plains, Georgia, over the next few days.
On Saturday, Jan. 4, the state funeral will be held. It starts at 10:15 a.m. ET with a motorcade from Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia, and will travel through Plains, taking a brief pause at 10:50 a.m.
At that stop, the National Park Service will ring the historic bell on the Carter family farm 39 times in honor of the late president. At 10:55 a.m., Carter’s final journey to Atlanta will begin.
At 3 p.m., the motorcade will stop at the Georgia State Capitol for a moment of silence led by Gov. Brian Kemp. It will then go on to its destination, the Carter Presidential Center, for a service at 4 p.m.
Carter will lie in repose from 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5, until 6 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, for the public to pay respects.
He will then be taken to Washington, D.C., where Congress will pay tribute in a private ceremony. Then Carter will lie in state for the public to pay respects until Thursday, Jan. 9, when Carter will be taken home to Georgia for a private family funeral service and internment. Biden is expected to deliver a eulogy at the funeral.
5 people charged in connection with singer Liam Payne’s death
Five people were charged in connection with the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne in Argentina, according to the country’s prosecutor’s office. Payne died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires in October after police said he consumed “various substances,” including drugs and alcohol.
A friend of Payne, the hotel manager and its head of reception are accused of “negligent homicide” in connection with the singer’s death. If convicted, they face a maximum of five years in prison.
Two other hotel employees were charged with selling Payne drugs. They face up to 15 years in prison.
FAA investigating after Gonzaga Bulldogs’ jet ordered to stop at LAX
The Federal Aviation Administration launched an investigation after a private jet carrying the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team nearly crossed a runway as another flight took off from Los Angeles International Airport on Friday, Dec. 27.
The FAA has launched an investigation after a Delta plane almost hit the Gonzaga’s men’s basketball team’s private jet on Friday. 😳
The jet, operated by Key Lime Air, was ordered by air traffic controllers to stop as a Delta flight took off. No one was hurt. Gonzaga was in Los Angeles for its game against UCLA on Saturday, Dec. 28.
Over 1 million expected to ring in the new year at Times Square
The NYPD said while there have not been any “specific credible threats” to the Times Square celebration, the department has been operating in a heightened threat environment since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel.
As for the big celebration, fans braving possible wet weather and the many others watching at home will be able to enjoy musical acts from Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton and the Jonas Brothers.
China builds more detention centers as Xi Jinping ups anti-corruption drive
Chinese President Xi Jinping‘s alleged anti-corruption efforts across China are widening, with more detention centers being built to hold suspects at the center of his crackdown. At least 218 detention centers have been built, renovated or expanded across the country between 2017 and November 2024, according to a CNN investigation.
The facilities, known as “Liuzhi,” keep the suspects for up to six months without access to lawyers or family visits while the individuals are being investigated. The Chinese leader took power in 2012, and has since tried to remove officials accused of corruption, along with political rivals and those he considers disloyal.
The South China Morning Post reported that the corruption crackdown has detained 56 high-ranking officials in 2024 alone. Xi has also targeted anyone exercising public power, including civil servants and managers of public institutions, even school and hospital administrators.
He has also detained businessmen and other high profile figures the Chinese Communist Party government has accused of bribery. Critics argue the detention system is an abuse of power. A lawyer representing officials in corruption cases told CNN that the detainees typically face threats, torture and extreme psychological pressure.
Chinese officials say the Liuzhi system is a crucial step toward what they call “the rule of law in anti-corruption work.” Government documents show that Chinese construction plans involve building more detention facilities through 2027.
UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect fights extradition to NY, denied bail in PA
New details continue to emerge about the man charged with murder in the killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO. And wildfires burn out of control in southern California as strong winds are forecast to make matters worse. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.
UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect fights extradition to NY, denied bail in PA
Luigi Mangione remains in custody in Pennsylvania as he fights extradition to New York one week after authorities say he shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel.
The murder suspect did not waive his extradition to New York. That means Mangione will remain in custody in Pennsylvania as he has 14 days to challenge the detention.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said it will seek a governor’s warrant to force extradition to New York where Mangione faces multiple charges, including second-degree murder. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she will sign a warrant for his extradition to ensure he is “tried and held accountable.”
Watch the @ABC7NY interview where Deputy Commissioner of @NYPDCT Rebecca Weiner and Chief of @NYPDDetectives Joseph Kenny discuss the ongoing investigation regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/3WH9Y0JkMJ
In court Tuesday, Mangione was denied bail on the felony charges of forgery and carrying a firearm without a license in Pennsylvania.
“He has indicated a plea of not guilty. The only charges that we’ve seen thus far, have been the ones here in Pennsylvania. And we have pled not guilty to those charges,” his attorney Thomas Dickey told reporters.
As the investigation in New York murder continues, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told Fox News they are looking into whether the suspect suffered a back injury and filed any claims with the insurance industry prior to the shooting. Mangione’s roommate in Hawaii told various broadcasts Mangione’s back surgery caused him great pain and he was extremely angry about it.
Mangione had three pages of writing on him when he was arrested inside a Pennsylvania McDonald’s Monday morning, Dec. 9. The NYPD said the notes were addressed to “the feds” and told authorities he acted alone.
Investigators said Mangione may have been inspired by the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski and they’re working to determine whether Thompson was the target of “a symbolic takedown” against corporate corruption.
In November, Mangione’s mother had filed a missing persons report for him in San Francisco. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, that came after no one had heard from Mangione since July.
In a statement, Mangione’s family said, “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.”
Fallout from South Korea’s short-lived martial law period
The fallout from South Korea’s martial law declaration widens as the imprisoned former defense minister attempted to take his own life.
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is currently being detained at a facility in Seoul on alleged collusion with President Yoon Suk Yeol in imposing martial law last week, attempted to take his own life late Tuesday night.https://t.co/aHM6HP5TUS
Authorities said former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun has been moved to an isolation room after an attempt on his own life before his formal arrest warrant was issued Tuesday night. Kim was the first public figure to be detained over the martial law declaration on Dec. 3 and is accused of being the one to recommend the move.
Separately Tuesday, South Korean police said they sent officers to search President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office as part of the investigation into the declaration.
Yoon is now banned from leaving the country as police and prosecutors investigate whether he and his supporters in the government as well as the military committed an insurrection when they sent armed troops into the National Assembly last week to try to prevent lawmakers from gathering to cancel the martial law decree. They were ultimately unsuccessful; lawmakers voted unanimously to end martial law just six hours after it was put in place.
Investigators have vowed to arrest, or at least detain, Yoon, who is still the country’s president. He refused to resign after an impeachment attempt on Saturday, Dec. 8, failed when members of his party left parliament and boycotted the vote.
The country’s main opposition party says it’s preparing a new impeachment motion and a vote on that is expected as early as this Saturday, Dec. 14.
Malibu wildfire reaches more than 3,000 acres, 0% contained
Firefighters in Southern California are battling a raging wildfire that has prompted evacuations and damaged homes in the affluent beach community of Malibu, northwest of Los Angeles. The Franklin Fire has spread to more than 3,000 acres and was 0% contained as of CalFire’s update at 9:47 p.m. PT Tuesday.
The fast-moving inferno broke out late Monday night and quickly grew, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds. Some gusts were reported as strong as 90 miles per hour.
Widespread Red Flag conditions across much of Southern California due to Santa Ana Winds will continue to be a threat to residents and property throughout the week.
The Franklin Fire in L.A. County has already consumed over 2200 acres this morning, forcing many evacuations. For… pic.twitter.com/7diQcNdi6B
More than 1,500 firefighters had been assigned to battle the flames and smoke.
Students, teachers and administrators at Pepperdine University were told to shelter in place as the fire kept getting closer and closer. Final exams were canceled.
There have been no reports of deaths or serious injuries, but officials said the fire has destroyed at least seven homes so far. The National Weather Service forecast days of extreme dry windy weather ahead.
Federal judge blocks sale of Infowars to The Onion
Jones was forced to put the platform up for sale to help pay $1.5 billion in damages that he owes to the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims for falsely claiming the massacre in Connecticut was a hoax.
Tuesday night, a federal bankruptcy judge said there was a lack of transparency in the auction process, and it failed to maximize value for the victims’ families, even though they had given their approval for Infowars to be sold to The Onion for an undisclosed amount of money.
NJ lawmaker calls for ‘limited state of emergency’ over drones
Republican state Sen. Jon Bramnick said mysterious drones seen flying over New Jersey in recent weeks should prompt a “limited state of emergency.” Bramnick said in a statement New Jersey should ban all drones until the public receives an explanation regarding these multiple sightings.
His statement came after the mayors of 21 New Jersey towns wrote a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy demanding action.
The FBI so far has only said it is doing all it can to figure out what is going on and the public can continue to call in tips.
This comes a year after GM grounded its fleet of driverless vehicles after an accident in California that led to Cruise being fined $1.5 million.
GM, which owns about 90% of Cruise, said it intends to buy the remainder of the company and will combine GM and Cruise technical teams. GM cited an “increasingly competitive robotaxi market” as one reason it will no longer fund the business.
Cruise founder Kyle Vogt, who left the company in 2023, reacted to the news on X saying, “In case it was unclear before, it is clear now: GM are a bunch of dummies.”
Brazilian police say 5 officers arrested in alleged coup, assassination plot
Brazilian authorities announced they had arrested four members of the military and one police officer on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The five were arrested over an alleged plot to overthrow Brazil’s government and assassinate President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after the 2022 presidential election.
Investigators said those arrested, which included military officials who trained with the country’s special forces and a retired senior military official, also planned to kill Brazil’s vice president and a supreme court justice.
The judge who ordered the operation that led to the arrests said he believed the goal behind the plot was to “undermine the free exercise of democracy and authority of Brazil’s judiciary.”
The arrests come after two top Brazilian military leaders alleged earlier this year that former President Jai Bolsonaro told them he planned to stay in power after he lost the 2022 presidential election. The officers reportedly warned him if he attempted to do so they would arrest him.
Prosecutors have also claimed that the former president is connected to riots in January in the country’s capital one week after Lula’s inauguration.
Bolsonaro’s supporters reportedly stormed government buildings in a bid to overturn the election results.
Meanwhile, President Lula hasn’t commented on the arrests as he was busy hosting the final day of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro and meeting with world leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden.
Adams’ top real estate official accused of lucrative deals with mayoral donors
A longtime aide of New York City Mayor Eric Adams is under scrutiny over a lucrative lease he reportedly gave to a billionaire mayoral donor after taking it away from the initial landlord. Jesse Hamilton, who is New York City’s deputy commissioner of Real Estate Services, allegedly gave the lease to the billionaire after a real estate company had already won the bidding to provide space for the city’s Department of Aging.
The deal was reportedly worth tens of millions of dollars. The City Council met Tuesday, Oct. 29 to discuss Hamilton’s role in the deal and another warehouse deal in the Bronx.
Hamilton is promoting the new Bronx Logistics Center, which was funded by a real estate firm that has employees who contributed thousands of dollars to both of Adams’ mayoral campaigns.
Hamilton is one of several Adams’ aides under investigation as part of a probe into the city’s leasing of commercial properties. His history with Adams includes Adams naming him as his successor in 2014 when he left the state to run for Brooklyn borough president.
Hamilton lost the seat four years later, but Adams hired him as a city lawyer before promoting him to his current role. The deputy commissioner has not commented on his involvement in any of the deals in question at this time.