According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, as of Thursday afternoon, more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed, and at least five people have died. There have been nearly 13,926 total emergency responses, 92 wildfires and 29,053 acres burned, per the department.
Los Angeles has declared a state of emergency, and the National Guard has been deployed to assist the hundreds of firefighters – including many from other states – fighting the fires.
President Joe Biden has approved further federal assistance for Los Angeles County as the fires continue to raze homes, schools, businesses and other structures, in addition to scorching vegetation and wildlife in their wake.
“The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Los Angeles County,” said a Wednesday statement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.”
The White House announced late Wednesday that Biden will not be making a scheduled trip to Italy this week so he can monitor the raging wildfires in Southern California.
Speaking from the White House on Thursday afternoon during a briefing on the fires, Biden said federal funding will cover debris removal, setting up temporary shelters, and paying first responders.
“I told the governor and local officials, spare no expense,” Biden said in noting he’s surging federal resources into Southern California, including 400 federal firefighters, 30 federal firefighting aircraft and other assets.
The president provided some moral support as well for those enduring the fires that have turned portions of Southern California into a hellscape.
“We are with you,” Biden said. “We’re not going anywhere. To the firefighters and first responders, you are heroes.”
There was at least a brief respite on Thursday morning as the Santa Ana winds lessened somewhat, but forecasters warned that critical fire weather conditions would continue over the next several days.
While winds aren’t expected to reach the extremes of Tuesday night – gusts of up to 100 mph were recorded – potentially damaging winds remain in the forecast into the next week.
“High winds and low relative humidity will continue to support critical fire weather conditions in southern California through Friday,” the National Weather Service said on its website as of Thursday afternoon. “Red Flag Warnings remain in effect.”
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(DCNF)—An emotional mother personally impacted by the wildfires confronted Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom Thursday and begged him to answer how he will help Californians affected by the natural disaster.
The woman, whose daughter’s school burned down, approached the governor in her neighborhood demanding to know how he plans to aid the communities devastated by the five destructive fires that rapidly spread across parts of Los Angeles. Newsom claimed he was attempting to call President Joe Biden, leading the woman to bluntly tell him she did not believe he was about to call the president.
“Can I hear it? Because I don’t believe it,” the woman said. Newsom claimed that he tried “five times” to make the call, prompting the mother to ask why the president was not taking his calls.
“It’s not going through, so I have to get cell service,” Newsom explained.
“Let’s get it, let’s get it, I want to be here when you call the president,” she responded.
“I appreciate [that], I’m doing that right now and we need to get immediate reimbursements, individual assistance to help you. I’m devastated for you, I’m so sorry, especially for your daughter,” Newsom said.
The woman then asked Newsom why the state’s hydrants lacked the water needed to put out the fires. The governor assured her that he is taking all of the necessary steps to provide Californians with the necessary resources before cutting the conversation short and stepping into his vehicle.
“What are you gonna do? I would fill up [the hydrants] personally you know that,” she said. “I would fill up all of the hydrants myself. But would you do that?”
“I would do whatever I can,” the governor replied.
“But you’re not,” she interjected. “I see — do you know there’s water dripping over there, governor? There’s water coming out of there, you can use it.”
“I appreciate that, I’m gonna make the call to address everything I can right now, including making sure people are safe,” the governor answered.
An analysis from OpenTheBooks, a government transparency organization, said that Los Angeles lacked the budget to fund adequate fire hydrants despite the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) having received substantial taxpayer-funded salaries. Several fire hydrants in the state ran dry as the LADWP and fire department officials attempted to combat the flames that destroyed thousands of homes, neighborhoods and communities in the area.
— Hailey Grace Gomez (@haileyggomez) January 9, 2025
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley committed significant resources to an internal “racial equity plan” and other diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Over 100,000 people had to evacuate their homes and at least five people have died, though officials believe the death toll is higher, according to the Los Angeles Times. About 1,000 homes in Pacific Palisades and the same number of residences in Eaton Canyon perished after the areas were set ablaze.
Residents told the Daily Caller News Foundation Wednesday that they did not expect their homes and personal belongings to completely perish, and that they received notice to evacuate without any prior warning.
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Eighteen registered Democrats in Connecticut, all over the age of 70, appear to have donated $1.9 million to Democratic causes, including ActBlue, through hundreds of thousands of small donations from 2016 to 2024, according to a review of Federal Election Commission filings by Dominic Rapini, cybersecurity company CEO and a former Connecticut Republican candidate for office.
Curious about the donation patterns, Rapini tracked down some of the Connecticut residents and asked them if they really did make thousands of small donations, sometimes multiple in a day, through ActBlue.
Several of the supposed donors told Rapini they did not make any of the reported donations, nor did they know anything about how their names were being used, Rapini told The Daily Signal.
An 88-year-old retired Yale University professor, for example, supposedly made 7,539 donations for a total of $213,163, according to FEC records. After Rapini informed him about the significant donations in his name, he signed an affidavit saying, “I believe this does not reflect my donation frequency or dollars I have donated.”
According to Rapini, who has analyzed numbers for three decades in the tech industry, this is a possible case of alleged identity theft and money laundering. A contribution made by one person in the name of another is illegal.
“When I examine the donation patterns tied to these alleged ‘smurfs,’ the irregularities jump off the page, revealing behavior that defies both human logic and common sense,” he told The Daily Signal. “To safeguard trust in our election process, we must confront these anomalies head-on.”
Rep. Brian Steil, R-Wis., chairman of the House Administration Committee, told The Daily Signal he’s aware of similar reports from across the country.
“In response, last fall, I shared the findings of our investigation with several state attorneys general,” Steil said in an emailed statement. “The committee and I remain fully available to collaborate with any state law enforcement officials who wish to access the information we have gathered on this critical issue.”
An elderly acupuncturist and registered Democrat appears to have made 17 donations in 2022 through ActBlue totaling $317. In an email to Rapini, she promised she hasn’t made political contributions since 2016.
“I can promise you I have NOT made donations myself to the [Democratic National Committee] or Democratic local party since 2016 … ,” she said. “Anything past that are fake and/or manipulated donations.”
A 91-year-old woman appears to have made 2,591 donations totaling $41,000, according to FEC filings. She signed an affidavit with Rapini denying making the reported donations.
Another 75-year-old woman looks to have made 4,270 small donations adding up to $32,323. She too signed an affidavit with Rapini denying making the donations in this frequency or quantity.
ActBlue is currently under congressional investigation for alleged laundering of foreign money laundering.
ActBlue came under fire on Oct. 29 because of its donor-verification policies. In a letter that day to ActBlue, Steil said foreign actors from Iran, Russia, Venezuela, and China could use the platform to launder illicit money for use in U.S. political campaigns.
The Democratic fundraising platform admitted in 2023 to Steil that it didn’t require contributors to use a card verification value, or CVV, to donate on its website with a credit card. Those security codes are meant to ensure that the person making a purchase physically possesses the credit card.
ActBlue responded to The Daily Signal’s request for comment about the affidavits by referring The Daily Signal to a post on its blog, which says, “Because of how reporting works for intermediaries, contributions made on platforms like ours often show up more than once in public FEC records, because both ActBlue and the receiving campaign or committee must report the contributions.
“FEC rules require ActBlue to itemize every contribution made through its platform, regardless of amount,” the post says.
“Additionally, FEC reports often lump multiple donors with the same name together,” the post continues. “This can make it difficult to easily identify which contributions should be associated with each individual donor, especially donors with common names.”
Rapini said whether the suspicious donation patterns come from “sloppy data systems at the FEC” or “nefarious actors laundering money through unsuspecting elderly donors,” an investigation is needed.
“Transparency and accountability are nonnegotiable when it comes to protecting the integrity of our democracy,” he said.
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Trump took to his Truth Social platform to dismiss these claims as “Fake News.” He stated, “The story in the Washington Post, quoting so-called anonymous sources, which don’t exist, incorrectly states that my tariff policy will be pared back. That is wrong. The Washington Post knows it’s wrong. It’s just another example of Fake News.”
During his campaign, Trump had proposed imposing tariffs of 10% or 20% across the board on all imported goods, with a 60% tariff specifically on Chinese imports. However, the Washington Post’s article suggested a shift towards a more targeted approach, focusing on sectors like the defense industrial supply chain, critical medical supplies, and energy production.
The Washington Post’s report, which cited three anonymous sources, indicated that these plans were still in flux. It also noted that the Trump administration had recently considered tariffs on all electric battery materials globally to encourage domestic production, as reported by Reuters.
Despite this, Trump’s denial has led to increased uncertainty among business leaders regarding future U.S. trade policies. Financial markets reacted positively to the report, with some investors hoping for a less aggressive tariff stance, which could lead to reduced inflationary pressures.
Trump’s firm rebuttal underscores his intention to maintain the tariff policies he outlined during his campaign, although the exact implementation remains to be seen as he prepares to take office.
Article generated from legacy media reports.
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]]>On today’s episode of The JD Rucker Show, we discussed why we shouldn’t just assume that people like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos seem to be falling in line because Donald Trump won. We have to assume that there is evil intent and the longer game is not going to play out the way things appear to be heading now.
It feels like the political winds are shifting. Major corporations and influential figures, once vocal opponents of conservative values, appear to be softening their stance. But is this sudden harmony genuine, or is something else at play? Questions linger about the intent behind these actions, and the quiet is unsettling.
Good News… Or Is It?
There’s been what some might consider “good news” lately: Vice President Kamala Harris overseeing the certification of the Electoral College vote without issue, known Trump supporter Dana White being invited to join Meta’s board, and big donations—like Apple’s Tim Cook contributing $1 million to the inauguration fund. Even traditionally “woke” companies and individuals seem eager to participate in this new chapter under Donald Trump’s presidency.
On the surface, this may feel like progress. After all, 2016 and 2017 saw widespread resistance, from riots on inauguration day to corporate backlash against the administration. But now, companies and public figures are stepping up to align with the current leadership. At least, that’s how it seems.
McDonald’s, Meta, and the Appearance of Change
Even brands like McDonald’s have distanced themselves from corporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, which have long been viewed as critical parts of woke agendas. Meta’s choice to add Dana White to its board only fuels speculation about a pivot in the tech giant’s values.
Mark Zuckerberg’s connection to MMA and Dana White is no secret, but appointing a high-profile Trump ally raises eyebrows. Zuckerberg famously spent $400 million to oppose Trump in 2020, so why the sudden shift?
It’s tempting to think these moves signal a new embrace of conservative ideals. But is that optimism warranted? Large corporations like Meta, Apple, or Amazon don’t change course overnight. Are we being lulled into a false sense of security?
What’s Missing: The Resistance
What’s even more suspicious: there’s no chaos. Historically, political shifts like this have met with immediate resistance. Remember the rioting of 2016? Or the protests during the “Summer of Love” in 2020? Where are the activists? Where’s the outrage?
The almost eerie calmness has set off alarm bells. Could this be a case of “the calm before the storm”?
Why Now?
This brings us to the broader question: why now? Why would figures like Zuckerberg, Cook, or even Justin Trudeau seem to change their tune? Whether political realignment, financial incentive, or long-term planning, their motives aren’t transparent.
Global elites have historically served their own interests. The sudden pivot towards conservative values contradicts their track record. These individuals aren’t known to “change their hearts.”
And if they haven’t truly changed, what’s their endgame? Could this be part of a larger play, something yet to unfold?
The Calm Before the Storm
There’s an old saying: “if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.” This silence doesn’t add up. If major figures within the global elite cabal are acting unusually cooperative, it might signal they’re working on something even bigger behind the scenes.
It’s reminiscent of scenarios in fiction where villains conspicuously behave “well” when they know they’re being watched. Could this be a misdirection of epic proportions? Are we being lulled into complacency while more sinister plans unfold?
Trust With Caution
It’s natural to want to believe in change. People love redemption stories, and conservatives tend to see the good in forward progress. But when individuals like Zuckerberg, who fought hard against Trump, suddenly toss symbolic gestures like donations or small board appointments, questions must be asked.
What does Zuckerberg gain by bringing in Dana White? Is Apple’s donation just a public relations move? Why aren’t we hearing from global influencers who were so vocal before?
Don’t Let Your Guard Down
Instead of celebrating too soon, conservatives should remain skeptical. Creating distance from woke ideology or donating to political causes shouldn’t earn these individuals blind trust. Motives matter.
Let the track records speak. Trust figures who have been consistent in their values. Believing that long-time opponents have truly changed their stance after one election sets a dangerous precedent.
Conclusion
Conservative optimism is understandable. After years of fierce opposition, the idea of unity and progress sounds promising. But caution is necessary. The quiet, the calm, and the sudden cooperation feel too convenient.
Stay vigilant. Quiet moves often lead to louder consequences. Always question the motives of those who’ve spent years opposing what they now appear to support. It’s one thing to offer a hand—it’s another to wonder if it’s holding a dagger behind its back.
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They accomplished the second goal to some extent for a while but that faded. As for their primary goal, they failed.
To get “normies” to understand this, here are five facts about the J6 narrative that we discussed on today’s episode of The JD Rucker Show.
- FBI and Antifa were there undercover to spark the “riots”
- Mayor Bowser and Nancy Pelosi denied 10,000 National Guard
- Capitol Police were instructed to NEVER discuss
- J6 Committee DESTROYED evidence
- 5 Police killed “in line of duty” but ZERO charges, arrests, or convictions
Here’s the news portion…
Altman: ‘We Know How To Build AGI’
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, declared that his company has now mastered the creation of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), a form of AI capable of performing any intellectual task that a human can do. Altman shared this groundbreaking news in a blog post released on Sunday, stating, “We are now confident we know how to build AGI as we have traditionally understood it.”
This development is poised to affect the workforce dramatically. Altman predicts that by 2025, AI agents will begin entering the workforce, fundamentally altering the productivity and operational capabilities of companies.
“We believe that, in 2025, we may see the first AI agents ‘join the workforce’ and materially change the output of companies,” Altman wrote.
AGI is distinguished from the more common narrow AI by its capability to understand or learn any intellectual task, mirroring human cognitive abilities across a broad spectrum of activities. This contrasts with current AI systems, which are typically designed for specific tasks without the ability to generalize learning to new, untrained areas.
Altman’s confidence in achieving AGI marks a pivotal moment in AI development, suggesting a future where AI could not only assist but potentially outperform humans in a wide range of tasks. The implications for the job market, education, and economic structures are profound, as AI agents could take on roles traditionally held by humans, potentially leading to both innovation and disruption.
While the announcement has sparked discussions about the future of work, with some seeing it as the dawn of a new era of productivity, others express concerns over job displacement and the ethical implications of such advanced AI. The debate extends to how society will adapt to these changes, emphasizing the need for policies that address AI’s impact on employment and privacy.
This news follows a period where the term AGI has been debated for its relevance, as AI technologies continue to advance. Altman’s statement might signal a shift towards acknowledging that AGI, as a goal, is within reach, possibly altering how AI development is perceived and pursued by other tech giants and startups alike.
Article generated from corporate media reports.
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