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President-elect Donald Trump has directly blamed the governor of California for the unprecedented wildfires raging in some of the swankiest neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

The Republican sharply criticized Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom as four fires, including the Palisades fire, swept through Los Angeles County, killing at least two people.

Trump accused Newsom of prioritizing “worthless” fish instead of letting more water flow to Southern California.

“Governor Gavin Newscombe refused to sign the Water Restoration declaration submitted to him that would have allowed millions of gallons of excess rain and snowmelt water from the north to flow daily into many parts of California, including areas that are currently burning in an almost apocalyptic fashion,” Trump wrote Wednesday morning on his Truth Social platform.

“He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called smelt by reducing the amount of water (but it didn’t work!). But they don’t care about the people of California.”

Trump claimed that the people of California are now paying the “ultimate price” for decisions the California governor made during his first term in the White House.

Trump wrote, “I will ask this incompetent governor to let beautiful, clean, fresh water flow into California!” He should be held accountable.”

“The worst thing is, the fire hydrants are out of water, the firefighting planes are out of water. What a disaster!”

Trump appeared to be referring to a presidential ban he signed in February 2020 to divert water from northern California to farmland areas in the southern and central parts of the state.

On the day of Trump’s announcement, Newsom vetoed the measure, calling it “a harmful attack on our state’s critical ecosystem and environment.”

Newsome said at the time, “We will file a legal action in the coming days challenging a federal biological view to protect endangered fish species from extinction.”

On Wednesday, Newsom’s communications director Izzy Gardon responded to Trump’s social media posts, saying “our focus is on protecting lives and putting out fires, not playing politics.”

Garden told Fox News: “There is no such thing as a water restoration manifesto, it’s a fiction. The governor’s focus is on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need.”

Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday and on Wednesday canceled a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a memorial service for former President Jimmy Carter.

The Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire near Altadena and Pasadena, and the smaller Hearst Fire and Woolsey Fire have forced the evacuation of more than 70,000 residents.

Newsom said he intends to lobby officials for more federal funding before Democratic President Joe Biden leaves the White House.

“Gavin Newsom has arrived, ready to take a photo and watch his state burn to the ground,” TikTok’s Libs wrote on the X (formerly Twitter) account.

Trump repeatedly criticized Newsom during his first term for his handling of the California wildfires. In January 2019, Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from California if the state did not reform its forest management Service.

On Wednesday afternoon, Trump also took a swipe at Biden, writing on the Truth Social: “There is no water in the fire hydrants and no money for FEMA.” That’s what Joe Biden left me. Thanks, Joe!”

It looks like Matt Campbell is once again the hot coaching figure in the rumor mill.

Campbell, who led Iowa State to the first 10-game winning season in school history last year, is expected to interview for the head coaching job with the NFL’s Chicago Bears.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Campbell will at least pass an interview to become the storied franchise’s 19th head coach.

Campbell, 45, had been linked with coaching the Detroit Lions in 2021, but the team chose Dan Campbell instead. Dan Campbell led the Lions to the No. 1 seed in this year’s NFC playoffs. Campbell has also been rumored to coach the New York Jets.

Campbell had a number of winning seasons with the Cyclones while also delivering several high-level players to the league. Those players include San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy, New York Jets running back Brees Hall and Jets teammate Will McDonald IV.

In December, Iowa State school officials announced that Campbell signed an eight-year contract extension that runs through the 2032 season. He is the third-longest-tenured coach in the program’s history and has a school-record 64 wins.

The Bears had previously interviewed Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.

“It’s going to be a diverse group,” Chicago general manager Ryan Bolles said. “They will come from a variety of backgrounds, including offense, defense, special forces, college and professional teams; We’re doing everything we can to make sure we do it the right way.”

The Poles did announce that after the interview, the names of the candidates for the interview will be released to the public as long as they have the consent of the candidates.

The Bears fired Matt Eberfrus last season. Thomas Brown coached the last five games and was just 1-4.

Chicago’s roster includes former Heisman Trophy winner Kaleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s NFL draft. They also have wide receivers Keenan Allen, DJ Moore and ROM Odenzer, running back Dendre Swift and tight end Cole Kermett.

The Cyclones also lost an assistant coach when former player Kyle Kempt announced he had found a new job.

Jordyn Wieber, Denise Richards, Landon Donovan, Brody Jenner and other stars are the latest to find out just how tough they are. “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” Season 3 premieres Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 8 p.m. ET.

Stream the season premiere for free with trials from Fubo and DIRECTV Stream, or watch it live on Sling. The show will also be on Hulu starting Jan. 9, which you can watch with a free trial or through the Disney Bundle.

About the show:
“Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” features celebrities who endure some of the harshest, most grueling challenges from the playbook of the actual Special Forces selection process. Across ten exhausting episodes, participants will meet some of the greatest mental and physical challenges of their entire lives. The episodes will air two per Monday night for the next five weeks.

Here is what to expect tonight, Jan. 8, at 8/7c on Fox:

8/7c: “Ocean Warfare” – Sixteen new celebrity recruits endure the harsh reality of ocean warfare.

9/8c: “Survival” – Challenges include treading water as a group and bungee jumping off a 12-story viaduct.

“Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” Season 3 trailer:

Where to watch Fox:
Fubo (free trial) – Get your first month of Fubo for $79.99. Stream 200+ top channels of live TV, sports and news without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.) Plans include Cloud DVR as well as a free trial.
DIRECTV Stream (try it free) – With plans starting at $79.99/month, switch to DIRECTV Stream to enjoy 75+ channels and numerous add-ons. Click here to explore more DIRECTV options.
Sling (try today) – Save on Sling for a limited-time. For the first month, plans start at HALF off — that’s $23 for Sling Orange or Sling Blue, and $30.50 for both Orange + Blue (followed by $45.99/month and $60.99/month, respectively). Register and stream 35+ channels including sports, History, DVR storage, add-on packages and more.
Hulu (7-day free trial) – After the free trial, get Hulu with ads for just $7.99/month or $79.99/year. Ad free Hulu costs $17.99/month. Eligible students can also get Hulu with ads for only $1.99/month. Watch thousands of shows from the Disney, ABC and Fox library, including next-day episodes of current seasons.
Disney Bundle with Hulu – Choose the Disney Bundle to unlock either a Hulu and Disney+ duo for $10.99/month, or a Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+ trio for $16.99/month. Stream episodes the day after they air. You can also unlock a Hulu, Max and Disney+ Bundle for $16.99/month.

Cast:
Nathan Adrian: Eight-time, Olympic-winning swimmer
Stephen Baldwin: Actor
Alana Blanchard: Professional surfer
Landon Donovan: Former professional soccer player
Carey Hart: Former motocross racer
Brody Jenner: Reality TV star on “The Hills”
Marion Jones: Olympic track runner
Ali Fedotowsky-Manno: Former star of “The Bachelorette”
Cam Newton: Former NFL quarterback
Kayla Nicole: Sports journalist
Kyla Pratt: Actress
Denise Richards: Actress
Christy Carlson Romano: Actress and podcast host
Trista Sutter: First star of “The Bachelorette”
Golden Tate: Former professional football player
Jordyn Wieber: Olympic-winning gymnast

Jan. 7 (UPI) — As Girl Scout cookie-selling season gets underway, two flavors of the sought-after treats will be retired later this year.

Girl Scout “S’mores” and “Toast-Yay!” cookies will be available for the last time through April, before they are gone forever.

“Discontinuing Toast-Yay! and Girl Scout S’mores may lead to something new and delicious,” a Girl Scouts of the USA spokesperson teased without revealing a reason for the retirements.

This is not the first time GSUSA has retired a cookie flavor in its 112-year history. Two years ago “Raspberry Rally” was discontinued right before an online frenzy revealed its popularity with boxes being resold on eBay for as much as $30 a piece.

No word on whether S’mores or Toast-Yay could enjoy the same popularity resurgence as the Girl Scout organization looks to refresh its offerings.

Boxes of Girl Scout cookies, including the popular Thin Mints, Samoas and Tagalongs, typically cost $7 each, depending on the flavor and location. The price has gone up a dollar a box over the last two years.

S’mores cookies — the “crunchy graham sandwich cookies with chocolate and marshmallow filling” — were first introduced in 2017.

“This is the last season you’ll be able to get your hands on Toast-Yay! And Girl Scout S’mores. Yep, you heard that right — they’re going out with a bang, and you’ll want to stock up before they’re gone for good,” GSUSA wrote Tuesday.

“These sweet staples have been fan favorites for years, and now’s your chance to say goodbye in the most delicious way possible.”

TuneIn has announced the launch of a new show hosted by veteran entertainment journalist Billy Bush. Entitled “Hot Mics with Billy Bush,” the program promises bold insights into pressing issues across sports, politics, entertainment, technology and pop culture. With 24 years of experience, Bush aims to leverage his deep industry connections to bring diverse and influential voices to the fore, ranging from A-list celebrities to political figures and tech innovators.

The show, debuting on January 13, will feature candid, twice-weekly broadcasts where Bush will dissect cultural phenomena and offer unapologetic commentary on contemporary events. The inaugural episode will explain the origin of the show’s provocative name and feature television journalist Megyn Kelly as its first guest.

Billy Bush, whose career includes over a decade as a primary anchor on “Access Hollywood” and co-hosting roles on the “Today Show” and “EXTRA,” expressed enthusiasm about his new platform: “I’m excited to dive deep into culture-shaping moments and offer a raw, unfiltered take on today’s biggest stories,” Bush said. He emphasized his editorial independence, remarking, “The only person that can cancel me is me.”

The program is backed by a robust production team led by three-time Emmy award winner Rob K. Silverstein, who previously worked with Bush on “Access Hollywood,” and co-executive producer Steve Harding. Silverstein highlighted the unbridled nature of the new show: “There are no gatekeepers. No guard rails. The gloves are off. Be ready to see and hear Billy at his best.”

TuneIn CEO Rich Stern commented on the partnership: “Billy brings a wealth of on-air radio and entertainment experience that makes ‘Hot Mics’ a must-listen show. We are proud to provide a platform that reaches our engaged audience.”

“Hot Mics with Billy Bush” will air live every Monday and Wednesday at 5pm ET, with broadcasts available for on-demand listening across major podcast platforms and a full video version on YouTube.

Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday, January 6, 2025, in a shocking announcement. As viewers around the world tuned into his live press conference, Trudeau opened up about his decision to step down. So, does this mean the 53-year-old politician is no longer the country’s prime minister? Find out what Trudeau’s resignation means and why he chose to do it.

Is Justin Trudeau Still Canada’s Prime Minister?
Trudeau is still Canada’s prime minister until a new leader is selected, he noted during his press conference.

“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its new leader,” he pointed out. “Every morning I’ve woken up as prime minister, I have been inspired by the resilience, generosity and the determination of Canadians. I have fought for this country, for you.”

Trudeau further recalled Canada’s accomplishments during his premiership, noting that they “rallied to support each other through the pandemic … to stand strong with Ukraine, and our democracy, to fight climate change, and to get our economy ready for the future,” adding that the nation is “at a critical moment in the world.”

“If I have one regret, particularly as we approach this election — well, probably many regrets that I will think of. But I do wish we’d been able to change the way we elect our governments in this country so that people could simply choose a second choice, or a third choice on the same ballot,” the PM added in his speech.

Why Did Trudeau Resign?
Trudeau resigned at a critical moment, as he has recently faced criticism over his leadership. The Liberal Party leader explained that he is stepping down “due to internal battles” within the country’s party.

“Parliament has been paralyzed for months after what has been the longest session of a minority parliament in Canadian history,” Trudeau elaborated. “This morning, I advised the Governor General that we need a new session of parliament. She has granted this request, and the House will now be prorogued until March 24.

Where Is Trudeau Going?
Trudeau did not reveal what he intends to do next after stepping down as prime minister.

Who Could Replace Trudeau as Prime Minister?
The Liberal Party of Canada must choose a new PM. Multiple members of the party have been cited as potential replacements of Trudeau. However, none of them has confirmed the rumors. Among the top candidates for Trudeau’s replacement include Former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Anita Anand, Dominic LeBlanc and Mark Carney, per BBC.

News that northern China is seeing a surge of the respiratory illness called human metapneumovirus (HMPV), bringing an uptick in hospitalizations, is sparking a bit of anxious déjà vu on social media.

But Chinese authorities are pushing back against worried, COVID-like narratives, with a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson noting on Friday, “Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season. The diseases appear to be less severe and spread with a smaller scale compared to the previous year.”

“I think we’re just more cautious of outbreaks now,” Jacqueline Stephens, PhD, a senior lecturer in public health at Flinders University in Australia, told the Guardian. “Everyone is hypervigilant, and you hear this term human metapneumovirus and it sounds kind of scary.”

But HMPV is not new, and the U.S. has also seen spikes, which receded, most recently in spring of 2023.

HMPV is “probably much more common than we know,” Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, previously told Fortune.

“We are finding it more often because we are testing people for respiratory diseases post-COVID and RSV,” he says.

Human metapneumovirus is a leading cause of acute respiratory infection, according to the American Lung Association. As with RSV, most humans have been infected with HMPV by age 5. While the vast majority will fare fine at home, as many as 10% of pediatric hospitalizations are due to lower respiratory infections caused by the virus, according to the National Library of Medicine. A 2010 study found that it was the one of the most common viruses among 256 children hospitalized with respiratory ailments, second only to RSV.

When it comes to elderly adults, about 22 in every 10,000 are hospitalized with the virus each year—particularly seniors with cardiovascular disease, according to a 2013 article in the journal Viruses.

Symptoms are pretty much identical to other respiratory viruses, and testing is necessary to tell them apart. As with its relative, RSV, HMPV has the potential to hit harder for the young and the elderly, as well as for those with weakened immune systems.

Here’s what you need to know about the oft-undetected virus, known to spike each winter and spring.

What are the symptoms of HMPV?
Symptoms are similar to other respiratory viruses, according to the CDC, and include:

cough
fever
nasal congestion
shortness of breath
In severe cases, symptoms may eventually progress to bronchitis and pneumonia.

Where did HMPV come from?
It’s believed to have evolved from a virus in birds, and likely spilled over to humans about 200 years ago, according to a 2022 article in the medical journal Viruses.

How does HMPV spread?
The virus spreads from person to person in the way most respiratory viruses do, including:

coughing and sneezing
close personal contact like shaking hands
touching objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes
It usually takes three to six days to fall ill with the virus after being exposed.

How do I know if I have HMPV?
Only a lab test can tell if you have the virus. In rare cases in which someone is hospitalized and suspected to have the virus, doctors might perform a bronchoscopy, during which a small, flexible camera collects fluid from the lungs, according to the American Lung Association.

Are there treatments for HMPV?
There currently aren’t treatments, nor are there vaccines. If you have human metapneumovirus, you’ll likely end up taking pain or fever relievers, resting, and staying hydrated. Your doctor may also recommend using a humidifier or taking a long, hot shower to ease sore throat and cough. In severe cases, hospitalized patients may require oxygen and fluids, according to Merck Manual, a popular reference for doctors and pharmacists.

How can I avoid HMPV?
Tips for avoiding the virus are the same you’d follow to steer clear of other respiratory pathogens like cold, flu, and COVID. They include:

Stay away from sick people.
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your face before washing your hands.
Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, countertops, and light switches regularly.
If you’re sick, stay home if you can, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

Cases have been surging in northern China, particularly among children, according to local authorities. The country’s center for disease control has warned people to take precautions with health and hygiene, but has also pushed back against online claims of overwhelmed hospitals and fears of another COVID-like pandemic.

Eight years after filing to legally end their relationship, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have settled their divorce.

Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, signed off on their divorce on Monday, December 30, according to People.

“More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt. She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family,” Jolie’s lawyer James Simon told People in a Monday statement. “This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over.”

A rep for Pitt declined to confirm or comment.

Pitt and Jolie were together for a decade before they exchanged vows in August 2014. Two years later, Jolie filed for divorce in September 2016 after two years of marriage and a decade as a couple, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. They share six kids: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne. Jolie’s rep said at the time that she filed for divorce “for the health of the family.” Pitt was later investigated by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services regarding an incident with their eldest son on a plane. Although the allegations — which Pitt has denied — were investigated by the FBI, no charges were brought against the actor.

The exes have been declared legally single since November 2019, but have been battling it out in court over custody issues and their French winery, Château Miraval.

In November, Jolie took a major step forward in her ongoing legal feud with Pitt when a judge tentatively ruled that the actor must turn over documents and communications that Jolie claimed would prove that he covered up alleged domestic violence against her and their children.

“I want to again emphasize that Angelina never wanted any of this. She never pressed charges, she left all their properties, and she is the one who tried to sell him the business in the first place,” Jolie’s attorney Paul Murphy exclusively told Us in a statement at the time. “To this day, Mr. Pitt has never been held accountable for his actions and has at all times controlled Miraval and the winery, yet he still demands more.”

The statement concluded: “She wants this to end, the children want this to end, and Mr. Pitt should focus on healing their family, not pursuing lawsuits. If he does not, Angelina will defend herself in court by presenting the evidence necessary to demonstrate that Pitt’s allegations are demonstrably false.”

A source close to Pitt exclusively told Us later that month that the ruling was “mostly irrelevant because he has provided so much information already.”

Jolie and Pitt have also continued to fight over Miraval throughout this past year, which is not connected to their divorce proceedings. The legal battle over the $164 million French estate and winery began in February 2022 when Pitt filed a lawsuit against her claiming she illegally sold her shares of Château Miraval. Pitt claimed that he and Jolie previously agreed they could only sell their shares with each other’s approval.

In November, Us confirmed that a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the Château Miraval case heading to trial — and Pitt’s remaining claims against Jolie have been allowed to proceed. The judge upheld that Pitt has sufficiently alleged a contract regarding shares in the holding company, and Pitt’s claims were valid on two counts of interference. The update came after a judge previously shut down Jolie’s attempts to have the case tossed.