Tiny burning embers flew miles, causing LA fire destruction on historic scale

LOS ANGELES — Santa Ana winds are infamous for driving fast-moving fires in Southern California, pushing embers well beyond a blaze’s boundary and into neighborhoods and across major roadways.

But officials say the winds that fueled devastating fires in three parts of Los Angeles County were much more erratic and unpredictable than a typical dry offshore wind pattern — and struck areas unaccustomed to such events.

The life-threatening windstorm that prompted several days of dire warnings exploded into a crisis even worse than firefighters predicted, with embers flying an estimated two to three miles ahead of the established fire and in every direction.

The extraordinary winds have created extreme fire behavior almost impossible to anticipate, confounding efforts to establish secure containment lines or utilize firefighting aircraft. They have also led to major structure losses, widespread evacuations and ongoing destruction.

—Los Angeles Times

Chummy Trump and Obama at Carter funeral spur online chatter

President-elect Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama appeared to indulge in some grave humor at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., sharing laughs and conversation before the start of Jimmy Carter’s funeral.

Despite their political differences, Trump and Obama seemed more like old pals as they waited for Carter’s service to begin late Thursday morning.

Seated side by side in the second row, the unlikely duo were caught chuckling and chatting while the rest of the attendees filed into the Woodley Park church, among them former President George W. Bush, former President Bill Clinton and President Biden. They were also joined by their wives: former first lady Laura Bush and former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as well current first lady Jill Biden.

Notably absent, however, was former first lady Michelle Obama, who reportedly missed the event due to scheduling conflicts. Had she attended, Michelle would’ve been been in the spot next to the President-elect instead of her husband.

—New York Daily News

Farmers’ lawsuit prompts Texas bill to limit forever chemicals in sewage fertilizer

A newly elected state representative from Cleburne is calling on companies that manufacture sewage-based fertilizer to limit forever chemicals after five farmers from Grandview sued, alleging the chemicals are killing their livestock, ruining their land and robbing them of their livelihood. Helen Kerwin, R-Cleburne, filed House Bill 1674 on Dec. 19.

The proposed legislation would require companies that manufacture fertilizer from treated sewage sludge to reduce concentrations of certain forever chemicals and test the products monthly before they are sold to farmers and ranchers.

If the test results show high levels of forever chemicals, then the products must be incinerated or taken to a landfill designated for hazardous waste. The manufacturers would also be required to publish the test results on their websites, according to the proposed bill.

If the companies fail to comply with the law, they could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which could include a $4,000 fine or one year in jail.

—Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Lebanon picks US-backed Aoun as president in shift from Iran

Lebanon lawmakers elected army commander Joseph Aoun as the country’s first president in more than two years, picking a U.S.-backed candidate in a sign of Iran’s waning influence in the region.

More than two-thirds of politicians voted for Aoun to begin a six-year term, clearing a hurdle that hadn’t been met in several recent failed attempts. His win ends a lengthy power vacuum and represents a pivot by Beirut toward the West, with Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah weakened by last year’s bruising conflict with Israel.

Lebanon’s dollar bonds, which the government defaulted on in 2020, extended their big rally of recent weeks, as investors welcomed the sign of stability in the crisis-hit nation.

Aoun, who turns 61 on Friday, has led the army since 2017 and will be responsible for the daunting task of maintaining a fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah while working on reforms to resolve a crippling economic crisis.

—Bloomberg News