Battle Against L.A. Wildfires Continues
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Fox News, I'm Kathleen Maloney. Efforts continuing to fight the deadly California wildfires being whipped by high winds. Also, local officials hope the incoming president will get a firsthand look at the devastation. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the city has reached out to the incoming Trump administration to see the growing devastation. As a former member of Congress, she expects they will help.

There are also, as I mentioned before, a number of my former colleagues who are up for confirmation. I feel like I will have good relations there. In the meantime, Mayor Bass was asked whether the city has the water pressure to keep fighting the fires that are expected to burn well into the week. Her response? I believe the city is prepared. That answer amid local reports hydrants ran dry during firefighting efforts.

Governor Gavin Newsom's office is investigating. Gernal Scott, Fox News. Eventually, the bill will be due for the cost of the wildfire damage, and that could be a problem for Congress. The cost of the fires likely means another infusion of federal cash for FEMA. This comes as Republicans try to cut spending.

Congress just spent $100 billion on FEMA after last fall's double hurricanes. This price tag could be even more staggering. Other lawmakers say California climate change policies forced insurers to drop fire coverage for homeowners. But Democrats rebuke criticism of California's leaders.

Still, some Democrats questioned the local response. Why didn't they have water? Is it negligence or is it just the fact that so many fires were breaking out all over the city in so many different areas that it was being the system was being pushed to capacity and got overwhelmed? It will take months to assess the cost of the fires.

Fox's Chad Pergram with that report and the Patriots hiring a former Super Bowl champ, Mike Vrabel. America's listening to Fox News.

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PrizePix, run your game. Must be present in certain states. Visit PrizePix.com for restrictions and details. President Biden spoke today with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. They discussed the ongoing negotiations in Doha for a ceasefire and hostage release deal based on the May 2024 arrangement endorsed by the U.N. Security Council. In a statement, the White House says the president stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of the hostages.

President-elect Trump is expected to pass 100 executive orders with a focus on the border once he's inaugurated in eight days. Fox's Madeline Rivera with details. Axios reports Trump could reinstate Title 42, that's the pandemic-era policy, which allowed for migrants to be quickly removed because of the public health crisis. He could also further enforce a law that allows some state and local law enforcement agencies to help with ISIS tasks.

And he wants to continue building the U.S.-Mexico border wall and set of facilities to hold migrants. Meantime, Senate committees are preparing for a slew of confirmation hearings this week. Defense Secretary nominee Pete Tegset's hearing is going to be happening Tuesday. Homeland Security Secretary nominee Christine Noem's hearing is expected on Wednesday. Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio's hearing is also scheduled for that day. President-elect Trump takes the oath of office at noon January 20th.

Gas prices remain stagnant over the last three weeks. Oil industry analyst Trilby Lundberg, who publishes the Lundberg survey, explains. The average price of gasoline at the pump went up one single penny.

The new price is $3.14, and that's just four cents lower than it was a year ago. The South is slowly thawing. Warmer weather is melting snow and ice as crews restore power to parts of North Carolina and South Carolina. Tens of thousands of customers lost electricity over the last few days. I'm Kathleen Maloney. This is Fox News.

Fox stands united with loved one Louisiana in support of the victims and families impacted by the New Year's Day French Quarter terrorist attack. Visit go.fox forward slash NOLA to support. That's go.fox forward slash N-O-L-A.