Live updates: ‘Particularly dangerous situation’ for L.A. fires as extreme warning returns Wednesday
LAT's STAFF: "Firefighters continue to battle multiple major wildfires.
A “particularly dangerous situation” warning once again went into effect for swaths of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, starting at 3 a.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service reserves the designation for signifying an extreme red flag warning, when especially hazardous fire weather conditions are expected."
READ MORE: ‘Not out of the woods yet’: Extreme red flag warnings are back in effect for L.A. area -- LAT's STAFF
‘Literally off the charts’: LA’s critically dry conditions stun scientists as fires rage
CALMatters ALASTAIR BLAND: "As much of Los Angeles smolders, wind warnings return and fire crews stand guard, scientists say almost unprecedented climatic conditions throughout Southern California led up to the disaster.
Last summer was one of the hottest on record, and the extreme swings between wet and dry conditions over the past two years has been unusually severe. Two rainy winters — which promoted heavy growth of brush — have been followed by near-zero rainfall for the past eight months and counting."
L.A. fires inspire unprecedented turnout of volunteer support for victims
The Chronicle's RACHEL SWAN: "Winds were picking up Tuesday morning as Dale Pitman nosed his Ram 2500 pickup through the fire-scarred hillsides of Altadena, its bed piled high with protein bars.
He pulled up to Station 66, a tiny fire house behind a National Guard checkpoint draped with caution tape. Tables outside were laden with donated food for the firefighters –— bulk boxes of crackers, chewy candies, sanitary wipes, bottled water and browning bananas."
Some L.A. residents displaced by fires allege rent gouging: ‘Utter anger and disgust’
LAT's CHRISTIAN LEONARD: "With thousands of structures destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires, many displaced residents are looking for short-term rental homes while they figure out how to rebuild their lives.
What they’re finding, some tenant advocates say, are unfairly high prices."
Can fire-torn L.A. handle the World Cup, Super Bowl and Summer Olympics?
LAT's DAVID WHARTON: "The wind and flames that continue to plague Southern California — and the long, costly recovery that lies ahead — have raised new concerns about hosting three major sporting events over the next three years.
World Cup matches are scheduled for SoFi Stadium in the summer of 2026. Then comes the 2027 Super Bowl, followed by the 2028 Summer Olympics."
Edison under scrutiny for Eaton fire. Who pays liability will be ‘new frontier’ for California
LAT's JENNY JARVIE: "Six years ago, Pacific Gas & Electric filed for bankruptcy after it was found liable for sparking a succession of devastating wildfires, including the blaze that destroyed the town of Paradise and led to more than 100 deaths.
Wall Street investors lost confidence and ratings agencies threatened to downgrade California’s investor-owned utilities, prompting legislators to come up with an innovative solution: the establishment of a $21-billion wildfire fund, split equally between shareholders and utility customers."
‘Any alcohol use’ can cause cancer, contentious federal study finds
The Chronicle's ESTHER MOBLEY, JESS LANDER: "A controversial federal study with the power to influence public health guidelines has concluded that alcohol consumption even at “low levels” is associated with a higher risk of death.
The study, published by a group called the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD), is the latest chapter in a fierce debate over the health risks of drinking, and has attracted significant criticism during the past year. In response to the report’s publication, U.S. Representative Mike Thompson (D-Napa), said in a statement on Wednesday, “It’s concerning that the agencies in charge of researching and producing our updated dietary guidelines created a new, less transparent review process to issue alcohol consumption guidance to Americans.”"
Newsom committed California to making its own insulin. It’s at least a year behind his schedule
CALMatters KRISTEN HWANG: "Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ambitious plan to produce a cheap, generic insulin for the 3.2 million Californians with diabetes is behind the schedule he announced and unlikely to make it to market for several years, industry experts say.
Civica, Inc., the nonprofit drug manufacturer contracted to produce insulin for California, has not started clinical trials or applied for approval from the federal Food and Drug Administration, both of which are likely to take more than a year to complete."
Sutter Health strikes deal with GE HealthCare. Execs say AI tech will speed patient scans.
ANNIKA MERRILEES, SacBee: "Sutter Health struck a seven-year agreement to acquire imaging equipment and AI-based technology from GE HealthCare — a branch of the Boston manufacturing conglomerate that spun off from the larger business two years ago.
Sutter patients wait too long for imaging tests, said Mark Sevco, the health systems’ chief operating officer. The deal with GE HealthCare will allow the health system to upgrade outdated machines faster and equip the slew of new clinics that Sutter plans to open."
LA colleges move classes online, offer services to students affected by fire
CALMatters STAFF: "Colleges and universities across Los Angeles County are adapting to the ongoing impacts of several deadly, destructive fires, including the Palisades fire on the west side of LA and the Eaton fire to the east in Altadena. Several campuses have closed, reopened or moved instruction online throughout last week and this week. With many campuses returning from winter break this week, students, staff and administrators are grappling with a challenging start to their new academic term and devastation in their communities.
Additionally, some campuses are providing resource hubs, for their own students and employees as well as their surrounding communities. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has set up disaster recovery centers at Pasadena City College and UCLA, which are serving as one-stop-shops for resources."
Breaking: California abandons diesel truck ban and other clean-air rules before Trump is sworn in
CALMatters ALEJANDRO LAZO: "California has decided to abandon its groundbreaking regulations phasing out diesel trucks and requiring cleaner locomotives because the incoming Trump administration is unlikely to allow the state to implement them.
State officials have long considered the rules essential to cleaning up California’s severe air pollution and combating climate change."
One of Sacramento’s most dangerous roads moves a step closer to pedestrian improvements
ARIANE LANGE, SacBee: "The City Council voted at Tuesday’s afternoon meeting to accept $381,000 from Caltrans to plan safety improvements on Fruitridge Road, one of Sacramento’s most dangerous thoroughfares.
In 2024, three men were fatally struck on Fruitridge: two pedestrians — David Rink, 51, and James Lind, 54 — and a 36-year-old father on a bike, Jose Valladolid Ramirez. Seventeen more pedestrians and cyclists were fatally struck on other city streets last year, along with two young women riding electric scooters."
Macy’s lays off nearly 280 employees with closure of four Northern California stores
The Chronicle's AIDIN VAZIRI: "The permanent shutdown of four Macy’s stores in Northern California will lead to the layoff of nearly 280 employees.
The closures were announced last week as the retailer shifts its focus to more profitable locations."
READ MORE -- Over 100 Macy’s employees in Sacramento County to be laid off as 2 local stores close -- ANNIKA MERRILEES, SacBee