Apple News Today: January 9, 2025 – Los Angeles County is Burning. Here’s What You Need to Know

Hosted by Gideon Resnick for Shumita Basu

1. Devastating Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles County

Overview: On January 9, 2025, Los Angeles County faced a catastrophic series of wildfires that devastated multiple neighborhoods, destroyed over 1,000 homes and buildings, and resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries. The fires, fueled by unprecedented windstorms and a severe winter drought, prompted large-scale evacuations and strained firefighting resources.

Key Details:

• Initial Outbreaks: The first fire ignited in Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood of approximately 23,000 residents nestled between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Subsequent fires erupted near Altadena by the San Gabriel Mountains and in the San Fernando Valley. An additional fire near Runyon Canyon in the Hollywood Hills, a densely populated and popular hiking area, further exacerbated the crisis.

• Human and Economic Toll: The wildfires led to multiple fatalities and injuries, particularly among those who did not evacuate in time. Over 1,000 homes and buildings were destroyed, with estimated total damage reaching $10 billion. High-value properties in areas like Pacific Palisades, where homes average $3.5 million, were significantly impacted. Insurers, already retreating from the California market due to recurring natural disasters, faced increased strain from this latest catastrophe.

Notable Quotes:

• James Franklin: “[The entire town as we've known it for decades is gone.]” (00:36)

• Brenda Simonian, LA County Fire Department Battalion Chief: “We were running down. You could see palm trees, just like random palm trees on fire. So I'm sure leaves are burning and falling down, and it's literally apocalyptic.” (00:41)

• Hoda Kotb: “This is the worst fire I've ever encountered.” (00:50)

Challenges in Firefighting: Fire Chief Anthony Maroney highlighted the arrival of firefighting resources from neighboring states, including Arizona, Oregon, and Washington. Despite this, local Fire Chief Kristen Crowley emphasized the critical need for residents to heed evacuation orders promptly. The rapid spread of the fires was largely due to wind gusts reaching up to 100 miles per hour, enabling embers to ignite new areas swiftly. Additionally, the ongoing winter drought left fire hydrants dry or with insufficient water pressure, severely hindering firefighting efforts.

Brenda Simonian on Firefighting Struggles: “We're losing water pressure up here. We have a lack of resources. The wind, as you see, is pushing it very violently and the lack of water is a huge, huge hurdle that we're trying to overcome so we can save as much as we can. All the hydrants have run dry.” (03:15)

Future Outlook: Meteorologists and fire officials suggested that winds might subside, potentially easing firefighting operations. However, the dry conditions continue to pose significant risks, making even moderate winds dangerous. The Los Angeles Unified School District responded by closing all schools, with two elementary schools in Pacific Palisades being entirely destroyed.

2. Reflecting on Jimmy Carter’s Legacy of Honesty

Overview: The nation mourned the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, with a state funeral held in Washington before transporting him to his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Carter's unwavering commitment to honesty in politics remains a significant aspect of his legacy, though it also contributed to political challenges during his presidency.

Key Insights:

• Commitment to Truth: Carter’s promise to “never tell a lie” was a defining trait that earned him both admiration and political difficulties. Historian Mark Fisher emphasized, “I would not tell a lie, I would not mislead the American people, and I would not betray your trust.” (04:40)

• Political Downfall: Despite his integrity, Carter faced severe crises, including the Iran hostage situation, rampant inflation, and high gas prices. His transparent acknowledgment of these issues, exemplified in his infamous "Malaise speech," led to a decline in public support. He stated, “I'm going to level with you. I'm going to tell you that things are bad. I'm going to tell you that there's no easy. There's a lot of difficult time ahead of us.” (05:17)

Comparative Analysis with Modern Politics:

• Public Expectation vs. Reality: While Americans express a desire for honesty in their leaders, as evidenced by a YouGov poll where honesty ranked among the top three presidential qualities (06:04), the reality often diverges. The election of Donald Trump, who made over 30,000 false statements during his first term (06:20), illustrates a complex relationship between public ideals and political behavior.

• Erosion of Trust: Fire Chief Anthony Maroney discussed the erosion of traditional trust in institutions and leaders, noting, “You know, we talk a lot about how trust has collapsed and people don't trust their doctors or their religious leaders or their political leaders... And across all of the traditional measures of trust, it's fallen off a cliff.” (07:47) However, he also pointed out that trust is being redefined, with new forms of trust emerging in areas like technology.

Notable Quotes:

• Mark Fisher: “The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will.” (05:40)

• Anthony Maroney: “There are very few Jimmy Carter type characters in our politics today. The humility that Carter pervaded, that we just don't see in our politics these days.” (06:30)

3. Historic Milestone in College Football: Black Coaches at the Forefront

Overview: In a groundbreaking moment for college football, Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame and James Franklin of Penn State became the first black coaches to advance to the Orange Bowl, setting the stage for a potential historic national championship.

Key Insights:

• Breaking Barriers: Despite college football's long history, black coaches have been underrepresented, especially in top-tier programs. Rachel Bachman of the Wall Street Journal highlighted that while half of college football players are black, only 12% of head coaches in major programs are black. However, there has been a significant increase in the hiring of black position coaches, rising from 38% in 2009 to 57% in 2022.

• Inspiring Representation: Both Freeman and Franklin recognize the broader implications of their achievements. Their success serves as an inspiration for aspiring black coaches and represents a slow but steady shift towards diversity in college athletics leadership.

Notable Quotes:

• James Franklin: “I don't take it lightly. I really don't. I've gotten a ton of messages from people all over the country that I've worked with or know. But ultimately, it's about Penn State and it's about Notre Dame and our teams going out in the field and competing and representing our schools and our conference.” (09:36)

Future Implications: The potential matchup between Freeman’s Notre Dame and Franklin’s Penn State in the national championship underscores a pivotal moment for diversity in sports leadership. Should either coach secure the title, it would mark the first time a black coach leads a team to a national championship in college football history.

4. Additional Headlines

• Justice Department Report on Trump: The Department of Justice announced the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report concerning President-elect Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. However, details about Trump’s alleged retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago remain undisclosed. Following Trump’s election victory, federal charges related to these cases were dropped.

• Norovirus Outbreak: An uptick in norovirus cases, characterized by symptoms like vomiting, gastrointestinal distress, fever, and body aches, has been reported. The CDC advises maintaining cleanliness and frequent handwashing with soap and water, as alcohol-based sanitizers are ineffective against norovirus.

• Hoda Kotb’s Departure from Today Show: After 17 years as a beloved host, Hoda Kotb announced her departure from the Today show to focus on her family. She shared heartfelt reasons for her decision during an interview with Jimmy Fallon, expressing a desire to spend more time with her young daughters. Craig Melvin will replace her as a Today anchor.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Hoda Kotb: “I was telling them, you know, mommy is gonna be able to take you to school... Probably, you know, somewhere January, February, February.” (11:32)

  • Hoda Kotb: “I might as well like continue working forever for them. It’s the end.” (11:47)

Conclusion

Today's episode of Apple News Today delivered comprehensive coverage of the urgent wildfires engulfing Los Angeles County, reflecting on political integrity through the lens of Jimmy Carter’s legacy, and celebrating a significant milestone for black coaches in college football. Additional stories provided updates on national legal proceedings, public health advisories, and media personnel changes, ensuring a well-rounded briefing for listeners.

For the latest updates and in-depth articles, refer to the Apple News app.

Notable Timestamped Quotes Included:

• James Franklin: (00:36)
• Brenda Simonian: (00:41)
• Hoda Kotb: (00:50)
• Brenda Simonian: (03:15)
• Mark Fisher: (04:40)
• Anthony Maroney: (04:59, 05:08, 05:17, 06:04, 06:20, 06:30, 07:10, 07:17)
• James Franklin: (09:36)
• Hoda Kotb: (11:32, 11:47)