It's been a year of heartbreak and chronic worry since the most destructive wildfires in the Los Angeles area's history scorched neighborhoods and displaced tens of thousands of people. The two blazes that ignited during fierce winds on Jan. 7, 2025, killed 30 people and destroyed nearly 17,000 structures, including homes, schools, businesses and places of worship. Rebuilding will take years. People whose homes were left standing are still living with the hazards, including new trauma for those afraid of what still lurks inside. A crowdsourced data effort by Altadena residents has found many homes still standing remain unsafe.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is criticizing the United States for missing key United Nations climate talks, calling it doubling down on stupid. In an AP interview Tuesday at the U.N. climate talks in Brazil, Newsom warns that the U.S. risks losing economic power due to climate inaction. He highlights that while states like California are making efforts, the federal absence sends a negative message globally. Newsom points says even countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia are moving toward green energy. He emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change, citing California's challenges with wildfires, droughts, and floods.
