LA wildfire deaths rise; Vance addresses Jan. 6 pardons

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Firefighters are preparing for a return of dangerous winds that could again stoke the wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people in the Los Angeles area. Crews made some progress battling the flames this weekend. The relative calm Sunday allowed some people to return to previously evacuated areas. 

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Blue Origin has called off the debut launch of its massive new rocket because of technical trouble. The 320-foot rocket was supposed to blast off before dawn Monday with a prototype satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Officials say Israel and Hamas appear to be inching closer to a phased ceasfire agreement. But a deal hasn’t been reached yet. And there are a number of obstacles that could scupper the talks in Qatar.

HONG KONG (AP) — China’s exports in December grew at a faster pace than expected, as factories rushed to fill orders to beat higher tariffs that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose once he takes office. Exports rose 10.7% from a year earlier.

TOKYO (AP) — A strong earthquake measuring a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 has rattled southwestern Japan. 

After a freezing winter storm shut schools, cut power and cancelled or delayed flights, the South is slowly thawing. Warmer weather is melting snow and ice and letting crews restore power. Power is back in parts of North Carolina and South Carolina, where tens of thousands of customers lost electricity over the last few days. In Atlanta, about 1,000 flights were cancelled or delayed Saturday. Airport officials say all roadways and parking lots were cleared of snow by Sunday and all runways are operational. Power was back for 97% of the retail customers served by Georgia Power — the state largest utility — which serves all but four of the state’s 159 counties, it said.

In other news:

• Vance says Jan. 6 participants who committed violence 'obviously' shouldn't be pardoned.
• Americans have dimmer view of Biden than they did of Trump or Obama as term ends, AP-NORC poll finds.
• President Joe Biden says he dropped out of the presidential race for the good of the Democratic Party.
• US added a strong 256,000 jobs in December as unemployment rate dipped to 4.1%.
• California man says two of his cats died after drinking raw milk recalled for bird flu.
• Sam Moore, who sang ‘Soul Man’ in Sam & Dave duo, dies at 89 due to surgery complications.
• Anita Bryant, a popular singer who became known for opposition to gay rights, dead at age 84.
• Fired US Center for SafeSport investigator arrested on new charges.
• Jalen Hurts returns to help the Eagles advance past the Packers, and a game-winning field goal lifts the Commanders over the Buccaneers in the NFC playoffs, Josh Allen leads the Bills to an AFC wild-card win over the Broncos, the Patriots hire another former linebacker as coach and the Cavaliers’ league-best win streak is snapped. 
• Yankees fans who interfered with Mookie Betts during World Series banned from all MLB games.
• Lamar Jackson repeats and Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson are unanimous choices for AP All-Pro.
• Former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck says he has committed to Miami for 2025 season.
• On this week's AP Religion Roundup, Pope Francis starts the year with legacy-building leadership announcements.
• India kicks off a massive Hindu festival touted as the world's largest religious gathering.
• Uyghurs detained in Thailand say they face deportation and persecution in China.

—The Associated Press

About this program

Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.

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Hot Off The Wire is a collection of news, sports and entertainment reports. The program is produced by Lee Enterprises with audio provided by The Associated Press.