Amanda Prestigiacomo

And the state's supposed safety net for those left without private insurance, which is called FAIR, that has a $458 billion exposure, while it only has around $700 million in cash on hand to pay out claims. President Joe Biden has already promised federal funding for those affected by the fires, including low-cost loans for those with uninsured properties.

And House Speaker Mike Johnson was asked on Monday about sending financial assistance to California, and he said that should come with conditions.

And House Speaker Mike Johnson was asked on Monday about sending financial assistance to California, and he said that should come with conditions.

Yeah, things are not looking good for Bass. First, she was on a different continent when these fires started, and her more than 24-hour absence is only compounding what many view as her leadership failures. There's an online petition signed by more than 30,000 people demanding the mayor's resignation, and even legacy media is turning on the mayor. L.A.

Yeah, things are not looking good for Bass. First, she was on a different continent when these fires started, and her more than 24-hour absence is only compounding what many view as her leadership failures. There's an online petition signed by more than 30,000 people demanding the mayor's resignation, and even legacy media is turning on the mayor. L.A.

Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong called his paper's endorsement of Bass a mistake.

Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong called his paper's endorsement of Bass a mistake.

The Florida DMV has canceled the license after the man, who goes by the name JamesIsSmiling on TikTok, shared a video explaining how he changed his sex marker on the ID from male to female using a loophole. The now-deleted video, which gained attention in conservative circles, included a taunting, vulgar message to DeSantis.

The Florida DMV has canceled the license after the man, who goes by the name JamesIsSmiling on TikTok, shared a video explaining how he changed his sex marker on the ID from male to female using a loophole. The now-deleted video, which gained attention in conservative circles, included a taunting, vulgar message to DeSantis.

But now, James is Smiling has a new license with his correct male sex marker on it. DeSantis' press secretary commended the DMV's action, emphasizing that Florida operates on truth and will only provide an individual's true sex.

But now, James is Smiling has a new license with his correct male sex marker on it. DeSantis' press secretary commended the DMV's action, emphasizing that Florida operates on truth and will only provide an individual's true sex.

Right. As neighborhoods were burning down in Los Angeles, Mayor Bass was on a taxpayer-funded trip to the African nation of Ghana. Bass was there for the inauguration of Ghana's new president, and she didn't make it back to L.A. until Wednesday. In the airport, she was peppered with questions to which she did not respond.

Right. As neighborhoods were burning down in Los Angeles, Mayor Bass was on a taxpayer-funded trip to the African nation of Ghana. Bass was there for the inauguration of Ghana's new president, and she didn't make it back to L.A. until Wednesday. In the airport, she was peppered with questions to which she did not respond.

Residents have said that they had very little notice, if any at all, and they're upset that Bass was MIA for so long. Here's one Pacific Palisades resident, Rachel Darvish, expressing some of that frustration on Fox News.

Residents have said that they had very little notice, if any at all, and they're upset that Bass was MIA for so long. Here's one Pacific Palisades resident, Rachel Darvish, expressing some of that frustration on Fox News.

Bass is also taking flak for cutting the fire department's budget by more than $17 million, which is actually a more modest cut than the $23 million the Democrat initially wanted to ax. Bass signed off on that budget just months ago, so the timing is particularly bad. Hmm.

Bass is also taking flak for cutting the fire department's budget by more than $17 million, which is actually a more modest cut than the $23 million the Democrat initially wanted to ax. Bass signed off on that budget just months ago, so the timing is particularly bad. Hmm.

Businessman Rick Caruso, a Democrat who narrowly lost the 2022 mayoral race, said that firefighters' hands are tied by leadership. And he specifically noted that fire hydrants in the area are bone dry. Caruso was one of those criticizing Bass for being out of the country while this devastation raged on.

Businessman Rick Caruso, a Democrat who narrowly lost the 2022 mayoral race, said that firefighters' hands are tied by leadership. And he specifically noted that fire hydrants in the area are bone dry. Caruso was one of those criticizing Bass for being out of the country while this devastation raged on.

Governor Newsom is also taking criticism specifically for the lack of water to fight these fires. One of California's top water supply systems has been heavily regulated to appease environmentalists who are worried about two specific fish populations. Now, Donald Trump, when he was president back in 2019, he tried to pump more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, but was stonewalled.