Bass wanted key findings about the LAFD’s actions removed or softened before the report was made public, the sources said — and that is what happened. AdvertisementThe sources told The Times that two people close to Bass informed them of the mayor’s behind-the-scenes role in watering down the report. He has made no public statements about the after-action report or any conversations he might have had with Bass about it. We don’t do that.”The after-action report included just a brief reference to the Lachman fire, a small Jan. 1, 2025, blaze that rekindled six days later into the Palisades fire. AdvertisementAfter the Times report, Bass directed Moore to commission an independent investigation into the LAFD’s handling of the Lachman fire.

That’s even more lopsided than the already-lopsided verdict on Good’s killing. It went from 58% in a poll that spanned the weekend of Pretti’s killing to 62% a week later. The Quinnipiac poll shows 60% of registered voters want ICE out of Minneapolis, and 58% want Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem removed from office. All of these numbers largely confirm what was already written all over the administration’s reaction to Pretti’s killing — at least after some top officials initially sought to paint him as an “assassin” and a terrorist. On this one, it’s evident that Pretti’s killing was seriously jeopardizing that political firewall.

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“Our message is: Wildfire smoke is very dangerous. Other scientists who have studied the death toll from wildfire smoke were not surprised by the findings. “Nobody’s going to have ‘wildfire death’ on their death certificate unless the fire actually burned them or a tree fell on them or something like that,” said Jerrett. They also included deaths related to falls and transport accidents — which are unlikely to be linked to wildfire smoke — to ensure their other observations weren't biased. But he said the county-level data could have led to over or underestimates because wildfire smoke is very dynamic.

Congressman's shouting match with Bessent over Trump family crypto company The heated argument between Rep. Gregory Meeks and the Treasury secretary happened during a hearing on the Trump family’s crypto company and its alleged dealings in the United Arab Emirates.

How to make the best Super Bowl dip: queso fundidoShare via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X LinkedIn Threads Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link URL Copied! PrintContributing food writer Carolynn Carreño walks us through how to make an extra-cheesy queso fundido perfect for any gathering. Check out latimes.com for the full recipe and instructions.

“There is one small problem – the Constitution prevents federalizing elections,” Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, told CNN. “If we don’t get them out, Republicans will never win another election,” Trump said. They both get a voice in that process.”Crucially, the Constitution provides no avenue for a president to decide how elections are run. “Only state legislatures and Congress have the authority to regulate elections, and courts have upheld this many times.”How do states run elections? If Trump really wants a federal takeover of elections, he’d have to go through Congress.

(New Castle County Police via AP)This undated photo released by New Castle County Police, Del., on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, shows William Stevenson. (New Castle County Police via AP)This undated photo released by New Castle County Police, Del., on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, shows William Stevenson. William Stevenson, 77, of Wilmington was charged Monday in a grand jury indictment with killing his wife, Linda Stevenson, 64, on Dec. 28. Jill Biden married U.S. Sen. Joe Biden in 1977. A spokesperson for former U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady said Jill Biden declined to comment on Monday.

LOADING ERROR LOADINGA legendary former editor of The Washington Post has called out the decision to gut the paper’s newsroom, calling it one of the “darkest days” in the publication’s history and torching billionaire owner Jeff Bezos for “sickening efforts to curry favor” with President Donald Trump. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos speaks at the America Business Forum on Nov. 6, 2025, in Miami. Baron said he remains grateful to have had Bezos’ backing during the years he served as The Post’s executive editor. AdvertisementThe Washington Post Guild also took aim at Bezos, calling for him to be replaced if he’s not willing to back the storied publication. It said in a statement, “If Jeff Bezos is no longer willing to invest in the mission that has defined this paper for generations and serve the millions who depend on Post journalism, then The Post deserves a steward that will.”

Now, at age 82, López García is the world record holder in the 80-to-84 age group for the 50-kilometer (31-mile) ultramarathon. They invited López García to their lab for extensive testing. The researchers found that López García has the highest aerobic fitness recorded in an octogenarian, matching that of healthy 20-to-30-year-old men. End of carouselAn unusual athleteEnter López García, a man whose aging has been both ordinary and exceptional. Having seen him, of course I exercise.”For his part, López García has no plans to slow down.

Mayor Karen Bass had no immediate response Wednesday to a report that said she directed the watering down of an after-action report that detailed failings of the Los Angeles Fire Department regarding last year’s deadly Palisades Fire. The Times reported that Bass held onto the original draft until after changes were made. Bass had previously denied she was involved in softening the report, but had no immediate response Wednesday when contacted by City News Service for comments on The Times report. Clara Karger, a spokeswoman for Bass’ office, previously said “The report was written and edited by the Fire Department. The Times first reported the after-action report was altered after reviewing seven drafts before the final report was issued on Oct. 8, 2025.

The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that California this fall may use its new election map, which is expected to send five more Democrats to Congress. Trump’s lawyers said the Texas redistricting favoring Republicans should be upheld, but the California redistricting favoring Democrats should be blocked. In December, the court ruled for Texas Republicans and overturned a 2-1 decision that had blocked the use of its new election map. “In reaffirming the lower court’s decision, the Supreme Court recognized what has been clear all along: Proposition 50 reflects a political decision, not an unlawful racial gerrymander,” said Tianna Mays, legal director for Democracy Defenders Action. Marina Jenkins, executive director of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, said the GOP drive to redraw election maps had backfired.

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Gavin Newsom said in a new memoir that he was going through the motions in his courtship with Kimberly Guilfoyle. Newsom and Guilfoyle wed in 2001 and divorced during his first term as San Francisco mayor in 2006. AdvertisementShe later worked for Fox News (where Newsom theorized she “fell prey” to the culture) and let her MAGA flag fly. Newsom married Jennifer Siebel in 2008 and is in the conversation to be the Democratic presidential nominee in 2028. Advertisement“I thought of myself as a single guy who happened to be mayor,” Newsom wrote.