China responded to President Donald Trump's order to impose tariffs on Chinese imports into the U.S. by issuing tariffs of its own starting Feb. 10, according to Chinese state media Xinhua.

Xinhua said it will impose a 15% tariff on imported coal and liquefied natural gas originating from the United States. China will also issue a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, automobiles with large displacement, and pickup trucks, Xinhua said.

RELATED STORY | Tariffs paused on Canada, Mexico after agreement on border security measures

Tariffs are an import tax charged to companies when products are crossing international borders. Economists believe companies will tend to pass the cost of tariffs on consumers.

The U.S. on Tuesday began charging companies a 10% tariff on products coming from China. The Trump administration said tariffs are in response to "Chinas intellectual property theft, forced technology transfer, and other unreasonable behavior."

The White House had said that it was hoping to use the threat of tariffs to leverage "a historic bilateral economic agreement."

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The Trump administration had also announced tariffs against Mexico and Canada on Saturday, but by Monday, those tariffs were put on hold. The White House said it reached agreements with the two nations to strengthen border enforcement efforts.

Black History Month has been around since 1926, and except for the first two years, each year features a different theme.

Last years theme was African Americans and the Arts. The year before, the theme was Black Resistance.

This years theme: African Americans and Labor.

The theme was developed by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

RELATED STORY | On Juneteenth, family honors legacy of church founder, Black pioneer

"The theme, 'African Americans and Labor,' intends to encourage broad reflections on intersections between Black peoples work and their workplaces in all their iterations and key moments, themes, and events in Black history and culture across time and space and throughout the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora," the Association for the Study of African American Life and History said. "Like religion, social justice movements, and education, studying African Americans labor and labor struggles are important organizing for new interpretations and reinterpretations of the Black past, present, and future. Such new considerations and reconsiderations are even more significant as the historical forces of racial oppression gather new and renewed strength in the 21st century."

Groups celebrating Black History Month are including this years theme as part of their commemorations. For instance, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has curated "Slaverys Wake: Making Black Freedom in the World" which "immerses visitors in the freedom-making practices of Black communities navigating both the histories and the legacies of racial slavery and colonialism."

The museum said it is hosting an array of events, programs and tours honoring African Americans and Labor, it said.

This year's Black History Month comes at a time when diversity, equity and inclusion programs are being eroded in the federal workforce by President Donald Trump. President Trump has also signed executive orders aimed at eliminating DEI programs from private companies that have contracts with the federal government.

The NAACP has opposed President Trump's measures to eliminate DEI from the workplace.

President Trump has argued that DEI programs emphasize diversity instead of merit.

Despite lacking formal meteorology training, Punxsutawney Phil delivers one of the most anticipated weather forecasts of the year.

On Sunday, Phil will weigh in on whether there will be six more weeks of winter or if spring will get an early start.

The tradition dates back 140 years. According to data, he has seen his shadow 107 times compared to not seeing his shadow 22 times. There is no record from 10 Groundhog Days.

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Last year marked the end of a three-year streak when Phil saw his shadow.

Despite the pomp and circumstance around Phil when he wriggles out of his burrow, Phils accuracy is dubious.

In the 21st century, Phil has been less than 50% accurate with his forecasts. But by failing to see his shadow in 2024, Phil accurately predicted an early spring. February 2024 marked the third-warmest in U.S. history. Well above-average warmth persisted into March, government forecasters said.

National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a high probability of warm weather in the eastern U.S. for the next month.

Several other rodents are in the weather prognostication business, including Buckeye Chuck in Ohio and Staten Island Chuck in New York.

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The Teamsters union announced early Saturday that it reached a tentative agreement with Costco as thousands of workers were preparing to walk off the job after a collective bargaining agreement reached in 2022 expired.

Terms of the deal have not been released and a final deal still needs to be approved by unionized Costco workers. The Teamsters union said additional details would be released soon.

Nearly 18,000 out of Costco's 208,000 employees are members of the Teamsters.

RELATED STORY | Despite conservative backlash, Costco shareholders stand firm on DEI programs

In January, 85% of unionized Costco workers voted to go on strike if the union could not reach an agreement with the company.

Our members have spoken loud and clear Costco must deliver a fair contract, or theyll be held accountable, Teamsters General President Sean M. OBrien said after the vote. From day one, weve told Costco that our members wont work a day past January 31 without a historic, industry-leading agreement."

On its website, Costco claims it is "much more employee-focused than other Fortune 500 companies."

RELATED STORY | 19 attorneys general want Costco to end DEI practices

"By offering fair wages and top-notch benefits, the company has created a workplace culture that attracts positive, high-energy, talented employees," the company added.

But the Teamsters union said it would challenge Costco to prove its a "pro-worker" company.

The Federal Aviation Administration is restricting helicopters around Reagan National Airport following Wednesdays deadly midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, the Associated Press reported on Friday.

Citing an anonymous source, the Associated Press reported that most helicopters wont be allowed to use low-to-the-ground routes that run under or parallel to the airports flightpaths. The FAA has yet to publicly confirm the APs report.

Fridays report comes as President Donald Trump stated in a social media post that the helicopter was flying too high, by a lot.

It was far above the 200-foot limit. Thats not really too complicated to understand, is it? he added.

RELATED STORY | Investigators begin review of black boxes following deadly mid-air collision

One day earlier, President Trump suggested that race or gender may have played a role in Wednesdays crash that likely killed all 64 on board American Airlines Flight 5342 and three people inside the Black Hawk helicopter.

Officials uncovered the planes flight data and voice recorders on Thursday, which could provide additional details on what led to Wednesdays collision.

There have long been concerns over air traffic congestion around Reagan National Airport. As part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, Reagan National Airport was authorized to add flights from five cities amid ongoing concerns that the airport could not handle any additional traffic.

President Donald Trump said he would impose 25% tariffs on items imported from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on Chinese imports starting Saturday, potentially raising prices for consumers.

"We'll possibly very substantially increase it, or not, we'll see how it is. It's a lot of money coming to the United States," President Trump said from the Oval Office on Friday.

The president cited three reasons for the tariffs: illegal immigration, drugs crossing the borders, and trade deficits.

RELATED STORY | What are tariffs? How the Trump administration plans to implement them in 2025

Oil from Mexico and Canada may be exempt from the 25% tariff.

Im probably going to reduce the tariff a little bit on that," he said. We think were going to bring it down to 10%.

President Trump's commerce secretary nominee, Howard Lutnick, said at his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday that he prefers an "across-the-board" tariff on items.

"Our farmers, our ranchers, and our fishermen are treated with disrespect," he said. "The countries take advantage of American kindness, American gratitude that we used to rebuild the world after the World Wars, and after the Korean War and the Vietnam War. We need that disrespect to end."

What are tariffs?

They are a fee charged for companies to import their goods from another country. Many economists believe that most companies would pass the cost of a tariff to the consumer instead of absorbing the fee

What impact could tariffs have

China, Mexico and Canada are the United States' three largest trading partners, so their potential impacts could be widely felt.

According to research released in October 2024 by Georgia State University, Arizona State University, and Colorado State University, tariffs might not only cause an increase in prices for consumers, but they can also disrupt supply chains.

"While tariffs can provide some protection to certain industries, they can also create inefficiencies for the industries they were designed to protect, as well as for their supply chain partners," the study said.

The disruption to the supply chain could cause additional challenges to the economy.

"These findings demonstrate the ripple effect of unintended consequences that tariffs can lead to throughout supply chains, motivating further theoretical development and informing trade policy," the study said.

According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, Mexico exports over $421 billion in goods to the U.S. annually. Mexicos next largest global trading partner is Canada, as it exports over $22 billion in goods there.

Mexico exports $36.8 billion in computers to the U.S., while exporting $34.1 billion in cars. The U.S. also gets about $31.8 billion in car parts from Mexico.

RELATED STORY | Trump threatens to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China

The U.S. exports $294 billion to Mexico annually, the OEC reports.

Canada exports $438 billion in goods to the U.S. yearly. Its next largest trade partner is China, at $25.4 billion. About 36% of what the U.S. imports from Canada is oil and gas products. The U.S. also takes in about $27 billion a year in cars from Canada.

Motor vehicle parts, raw medals and wood are also major imports the U.S. gets from Canada.

The U.S. sends about $308 billion in exports to Canada.

China sends $501 billion in goods to the U.S., while the U.S. exports $151 billion to China.

More than 18,000 Costco workers could go on strike as soon as Saturday as representatives from the union and company try to work out an agreement.

The Teamsters reached their first national agreement with Costco in 2022, and that contract ends on Friday.

On its website, Costco claims it is "much more employee-focused than other Fortune 500 companies."

"By offering fair wages and top-notch benefits, the company has created a workplace culture that attracts positive, high-energy, talented employees," the company added.

RELATED STORY | 19 attorneys general want Costco to end DEI practices

But the Teamsters union says it is challenging Costco to prove its a "pro-worker" company. Teamsters said earlier this week that Costco has not presented them with a fair contract.

"The Teamsters are committed to securing a fair and reasonable agreement but are prepared to take action if the wholesale giant fails to deliver," the union said earlier this week.

Earlier this month, 85% of unionized Costco workers voted to go on strike if the union could not reach an agreement with the company.

Our members have spoken loud and clear Costco must deliver a fair contract, or theyll be held accountable, Teamsters General President Sean M. OBrien said after the vote. From day one, weve told Costco that our members wont work a day past January 31 without a historic, industry-leading agreement."

RELATED STORY | Costco memberships grow despite price increase as profits surge

As of 2023, Costco had 208,000 employees in the United States. Costco has seen massive growth in recent years with its revenue, company financial reports show.

President Donald Trump suggested on Thursday that the Department of Transportation's hiring practices may have played a role in a mid-air collision between a regional jet and a Black Hawk helicopter.

He claimed that the Biden and Obama administrations lowered the standard to become an air traffic controller with the Federal Aviation Administration.

"They put a big push to put diversity into the FAA program," he said.

Authorities said that it was likely no one on board the helicopter and the airplane survived the crash. At least 30 bodies have been pulled from the Potomac River, officials said.

Officials are at the beginning stages of their investigation, and the cause of the crash has not officially been determined. The National Transportation Safety Board is launching an investigation, but as President Trump noted, its investigations can take months or even years to complete.

RELATED STORY | DC Fire: 'We don't believe there are any survivors' after helicopter collides with passenger jet

It is unknown who was the air traffic controller or whether human error was a factor.

In his address, President Trump blasted the Biden and Obama administrations' policies that promoted the hiring of people with disabilities for government jobs. He claimed that the approach was in place as part of a broader diversity, equity, and inclusion hiring policy within the federal government that he has sought to end.

On July 26, 2010, President Barack Obama issued Executive Order 13548, which stated that the federal government should be a model for hiring people with disabilities.

On Thursday, President Trump echoed a statement he released last week blasting the Federal Aviation Administration for hiring people who have "severe intellectual disabilities."

"Brilliant people have to be in those positions," President Trump said.

RELATED STORY | Champion figure skaters among those on board the plane that crashed into the Potomac

According to the FAA, a person with severe intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities is eligible for non-competitive appointments to FAA positions if they can provide documentation that they are "physically qualified to do the work without hazard to self or to others."

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg responded to Trump's claims on Thursday.

Despicable. As families grieve, Trump should be leading, not lying. We put safety first, drove down close calls, grew Air Traffic Control, and had zero commercial airline crash fatalities out of millions of flights on our watch. President Trump now oversees the military and the Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) January 30, 2025

Also during Trump's first term, the FAA announced a pilot program to help prepare people with disabilities for careers in air traffic operations.

"The candidates in this program will receive the same rigorous consideration in terms of aptitude, medical, and security qualifications as those individuals considered for a standard public opening for air traffic controller jobs. Participants in the program will receive up to one year of experience in an Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) with the potential to be appointed to a temporary ATCS position at the FAA Academy," the FAA said in 2019.

Former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard faced the Senate Intelligence Committee as she seeks to be confirmed as President Donald Trump's director of national intelligence.

She was among three of President Trump's nominees to face Senate questioning on Thursday, all of whom could face significant Democratic opposition. The others who went before Senate committees were secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Kash Patel, President Trump's pick to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

One thing both Gabbard and Kennedy have in common is that they are former Democratic Party candidates for president. Gabbard vied for the Democratic nomination in 2020, and Kennedy ran for president as a Democrat in 2024 before becoming an independent.

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In her testimony, she accused the intelligence community of being "weaponized" against political opponents. She claimed that she was among those targeted by the intelligence community after she said she was placed on a terror watch list within 24 hours of criticizing the nomination of 2024 Democratic Party presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

The New York Times reported that intelligence officials briefly subjected her to special scrutiny on airline flights after she attended an event at the Vatican organized by a European businessman who appeared on an FBI watch list.

"President Trumps reelection is a clear mandate from the American people to break this cycle of failure, end the weaponization/politicization of the intelligence community, and begin to restore trust in those who have been charged with the critical task of securing our nation," she said.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, said that her background checks showed that she was "clean as a whistle."

"I suspect some of my Republican colleagues might disagree with some of Ms. Gabbard's votes in the House of Representatives," Cotton said. "Just as I suspect that some of my Democratic colleagues might criticize Ms. Gabbard's statements and actions since she saw the light and left the Democratic Party. But I sincerely hope that no one today will impugn Ms. Gabbert's patriotism and integrity."

Democrats focused some of their questions on surveillance programs. She also faced questioning from Republican Sen. James Lankford on whether she thinks Edward Snowden is a "traitor."

"Was he a traitor at the time when he took America's secrets, released them in public, and then ran to China and became a Russian citizen?" Lankford asked.

"Senator, I'm focused on the future and how we can prevent something like this from happening again," Gabbard responded.

Gabbard also vowed to "assess the global threat environment" after so-called failures, including the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack, the takeover of Syria, and failures to identify the source of COVID-19.

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"I will assess the global threat environment and where gaps in our intelligence exist, integrate intelligence elements and increase information sharing, and ensure unbiased, apolitical, objective collection and analysis to support the president and policymakers decision-making," she said.

But some Democrats have expressed concern that she does not have the requisite experience to lead national intelligence. While many past directors of national intelligence had political experience, many of them also had experience in diplomacy or national security.

Gabbard served in the National Guard and later was on the House Committee on Homeland Security for one term. She also served on the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

As director of national intelligence, she would play a key role in national security for the White House. Her agency is tasked with preparing the president's daily briefing and overseeing the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council for intelligence matters related to national security.

Her confirmation requires a majority of 100 senators. There are 53 Republicans in the Senate.

The International Skating Union confirmed that several figure skaters, along with their families, friends, and coaches, were "understood" to be among those on board a jet that crashed into the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., Wednesday evening.

The flight, which American Airlines said had 60 passengers and four crew members, took off from Wichita, Kansas, and was just moments away from landing as it collided with a Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport.

Authorities believe no one survived the crash.

The International Skating Union said it was "deeply shocked" by Wednesday's crash.

"We are heartbroken to learn that figure skaters, along with their families, friends, and coaches, are understood to be among those on board," the ISU said. "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. Figure skating is more than a sportits a close-knit familyand we stand together. We remain in close contact with U.S. Figure Skating and offer our full support during this incredibly difficult time."

RELATED STORY | Fatalities reported after Army helicopter collides with passenger jet near DC

The Kremlin told the Associated Press that Russian figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were on board the flight. The two competed in the Olympics in 1992 and 1994 and won a World Championship in 1993.

Unfortunately, we see that this sad information is being confirmed. There were other fellow citizens there. Bad news today from Washington. We are sorry and send condolences to the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in the plane crash, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Associated Press.

The Skating Club of Boston confirmed that six of its members, including Shishkova and Naumov, were on board the flight. Others on board included figure skater Jinna Han and her mom Jin Han, and skater Spencer Lane and his mom Christine Lane. Shishkova and Naumov served as coaches for the Skating Club of Boston.

These athletes, coaches, and family members were returning home from the National Development Camp held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, U.S. Figure Skating said in a statement.

Wichita just hosted the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championship. The event served as the final qualifier for the U.S. World and World Junior Championship teams.

Ilia Malinin, who won the U.S. title at the event's finale on Sunday, reacted to the news on his Instagram account.

"I hope and pray for everyone who was on that flight is ok," he said. "God bless."

Despite facing pressure from the Trump administration, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced that interest rates will remain unchanged as concerns remain over inflation and the job market.

After increasing interest rates to their highest levels in decades in 2023, the Federal Reserve started easing interest rates in September 2024 as annual inflation rates began stabilizing below 3%. The Federal Reserve implemented two additional rate drops in late 2024.

But lately, the annual consumer inflation rate has crept slightly higher, causing the Federal Reserve to pause any additional rate cuts. The Federal Reserve noted that the job market remains strong, another key determining factor in whether to adjust interest rates.

Powell has said the Federal Reserve is trying to balance the need to reduce inflation while preventing the labor market from being stifled. In recent cases when interest rates increased, like they did in 2000 and 2007, a recession followed.

RELATED STORY | Potential homebuyers could face steep mortgages due to interest rates staying put

"The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. The Committee judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals are roughly in balance. The economic outlook is uncertain, and the Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate," the Federal Reserve said.

During last week's World Economic Forum, President Trump said, "Ill demand that interest rates drop immediately, and likewise, they should be dropping all over the world.

The consumer price index, the top measure for consumer inflation in the U.S., increased in December to 2.9% in the 12-month period ending last month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which released the updated consumer price index earlier this month.

December marked the third consecutive month the consumer price index rose, after dipping to an annualized rate of 2.4% in September.

Experts have said that the federal interest rate has the largest effect on car loans and similar large purchases.

Mortgage rates, although not directly tied to the federal interest rate, also reached a 23-year high in 2023 and any future drop in interest rates would likely trickle down to Americans looking to buy a home.

After Costco shareholders overwhelmingly supported the company's diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, a group of 19 Republican state attorneys general urged the company to eliminate its programs.

Last week, 98% of the company's shares voted against a proposal that would have eliminated certain DEI programs within Costco, according to a preliminary count.

The vote came after the company's board urged its shareholders to vote against a proposal submitted by the National Center for Public Policy Research that called on Costco to eliminate DEI programs. The group claims that DEI programs are discriminatory and put the company at financial risk.

The attorneys general argued that Costco's policies are illegal and run afoul of President Donald Trump's recent executive orders that limit DEI programs in both the private and public sectors.

"Although Costcos motto is 'do the right thing,' it appears that the company is doing the wrong thingclinging to DEI policies that courts and businesses have rejected as illegal," the AGs said in a letter. "Costco should treat every person equally and based on their merit, rather than based on divisive and discriminatory DEI practices. That reflects President Trumps executive order encouraging 'the Private Sector to End Illegal DEI discrimination and Preferences.'"

The attorneys general gave Costco 30 days to respond. The letter did not state any consequences if Costco fails to respond.

Costco's policy states, "All decisions regarding recruiting, hiring, promotion, assignment, training, termination and other terms and conditions of employment will be made without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, pregnancy, disability, work-related injury, covered military or veteran status, political ideology or expression, genetic information, marital status or other protected status."

The National Center for Public Policy Research said the Supreme Court decision reached in 2023 in SFFA v. Harvard indicated that companies' DEI programs could potentially be illegal. The Supreme Court ruled that affirmative action policies by colleges violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

Costco's board countered that the group was incorrect in its belief that the company's DEI policies violate the law.

RELATED STORY | Costco memberships grow despite price increase as profits surge

The vote came as numerous companies have eliminated DEI programs in response to backlash from conservatives and President Trump.

Within hours of taking office, President Trump signed an executive order essentially ridding the federal government of DEI training and positions. The president also eliminated a past executive order that required federal contractors to have non-discriminatory practices in hiring and employment.

RELATED STORY | Presidential Shift: Trump reverses key Biden administration DEI policies

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, faced the first of two Senate panels on Wednesday. His nomination is widely expected to be among the most challenging for President Trump to get confirmed.

Kennedy first appeared before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday before his Thursday testimony for the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

These hearings follow a letter sent by Kennedy's cousin Caroline Kennedy, who called RFK Jr. a "predator" and would show off by putting baby chickens and mice in a blender to feed to his hawks while hosting peers.

RELATED STORY | Caroline Kennedy calls her cousin RFK Jr a 'predator' ahead of his senate confirmation hearings

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s view on widely accepted medical practices such as vaccines has come under intense scrutiny. Kennedy has said he is not "anti-vaccine." However, he has made numerous claims about vaccines that have been disputed by major health organizations. One such widely debunked claim is that vaccines are tied to autism.

"In my advocacy, I've often disturbed the status quo by asking uncomfortable questions," he said on Wednesday. "Well, I'm not gonna apologize for that. We have massive health problems in this country that we must face honestly. And the first thing I've done every morning for the past 20 years is to get on my knees and pray to God that he would put me in a position to end the chronic disease epidemic and to help America's children."

He continued to say that he would not reduce access to vaccines if confirmed, which drew apprehension from Democrats on the committee.

"I support the measles vaccine. I support the polio vaccine. I will do nothing as HHS secretary that makes it difficult or discourages people from taking either of those vaccines," he said.

But these answers gave little solace to Democrats.

"The receipts show that Mr. Kennedy has embraced conspiracy theories, quacks, charlatans, especially when it comes to the safety and efficacy of vaccines. He has made it his life's work to sow doubt and discourage parents from getting their kids life-saving vaccines," said Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee.

Conservatives have also expressed doubts about Kennedy due to his views on abortion.

"I agree with President Trump that every abortion is a tragedy," Kennedy said. "I agree with him that we cannot be a moral nation if we have 1.2 million abortions a year. I agree with him that the states should control abortion. President Trump has told me that he wants to end late-term abortions, and he wants to protect conscience exemptions, and that he wants to end federal funding for abortions.

"I serve at the pleasure of the president. I'm gonna implement his policies."

Dozens of Nobel laureates have asked senators to reject Kennedy's nomination based on concerns that Kennedy would put the publics health in jeopardy and undermine Americas global leadership in the health sciences.

RELATED STORY | RFK Jr. says he dumped a dead bear in New York's Central Park a decade ago

In December, a statement from the Trump transition team said, "Mr. Kennedy would help to restore the integrity of our healthcare and make America healthy again."

Kennedy has said that if confirmed, he would push to reduce food additives such as dyes and preservatives, and increase access to healthier foods.

It will take a majority of 100 senators to confirm Kennedy. Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate.

A new report from Realtor.com shows 15,841 residential properties were within the designated fire boundaries of the Palisades and Eaton Fires, with a total value of $40.3 billion.

The report indicated that the median home inside the Palisades Fire zone had a value of $3 million. The median home in the Eaton Fire had a value of $1.3 million.

By comparison, the median home in the Los Angeles area is $870,500.

The report noted that the extent of the damage inside the fire zones has not been fully assessed, but over $40 billion of residential value is within the fires boundaries, and therefore at risk.

RELATED STORY | California will spend $2.5 billion to help the Los Angeles area recover from wildfires

The residences represent about 2% of Los Angeles Countys total home value. The Realtor.com report noted that the wildfires could exacerbate an already struggling housing market in the area.

Realtor.com said that between 2013 and 2023, the Los Angeles metro area added roughly 290,000 new households, and issued about 107,000 single-family building permits. The report indicated that the emphasis on multi-family housing over single-family homes has kept competition fierce and home prices high.

The report found that over three-quarters of those living in and around the fire zones were homeowners. Realtor.com expects many of those homeowners will seek temporary rental housing, placing additional strain on an area that already has the fourth-highest monthly rental rates in the U.S.

RELATED STORY | How exposure to wildfire smoke can put your health at risk

Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka said that U.S. citizens were among those detained in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid at a restaurant within the city. Baraka accused ICE of not having a proper warrant to execute the raid.

"(ICE) went in the back of the establishment," he said. "We believe that there were three people who they say were undocumented that they detained, but they also detained folks that were, in fact, citizens of this country. One person showed military veteran identification and was still questioned anyway."

The raids occurred as the Trump administration has touted stepped-up immigration enforcement since President Donald Trump took office earlier this week. On Friday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted a photo of a military airplane with the caption, Deportation flights have begun. President Trump is sending a strong and clear message to the entire world: if you illegally enter the United States of America, you will face severe consequences.

RELATED STORY | Federal judge temporarily blocks executive order on birthright citizenship

It is unclear if the cadence of deportations is higher now than under President Joe Biden. According to ICEs most recent available data, it conducted 154,204 arrests and 81,547 removals in 2022.

Although arrests and removals were daily occurrences during the Biden administration, President Trump has made immigration enforcement a key theme of his presidency.

RELATED STORY | What are red cards? The 'unprecedented demand' for this tool helping immigrants

This egregious act is in plain violation of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right of the people be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, Baraka said.

Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim released a joint statement saying they were "deeply concerned" by the raids and added "actions like this one sow fear in all of our communities."

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for proposals to fast-track deportations. President Trump signed an executive order that requires noncitizens to prove they have been in the U.S. for at least two years to avoid deportation.

RELATED STORY | Republicans unite to codify Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship

Baraka said that after spreading the news of the raid, he received emails and threats.

"It's a slippery scope when we think it's okay to spin the Constitution of the United States in order to make a political point," he said. "They say in a very cavalier way, 'These things happen.' There will be some citizens who are gonna ask for their ID and their paperwork. My response to that is, how do you determine who's undocumented and who's a criminal? Just by looking at them?

As the Trump administration vows to rid the government of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs while punishing companies that have DEI systems, Costco shareholders overwhelmingly rejected an effort to eliminate the company's DEI programs.

According to the Associated Press, those holding 98% of the company's shares voted against the proposal that would eliminate certain DEI programs within Costco.

The vote came after the company's board urged its shareholders to vote against a proposal submitted by the National Center for Public Policy Research that called on Costco to eliminate DEI programs. The group claims that DEI programs are discriminatory and put the company at financial risk.

"It's clear that DEI holds litigation, reputational, and financial risks to the Company, and therefore financial risks to shareholders," the National Center for Public Policy Research wrote in its letter of support.

The National Center for Public Policy Research said the Supreme Court decision reached in 2023 in SFFA v. Harvard indicated that companies' DEI programs could potentially be illegal. The Supreme Court ruled that affirmative action policies by colleges violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

Costco's board countered that the group was incorrect in its belief that the company's DEI policies violate the law.

RELATED STORY | Costco memberships grow despite price increase as profits surge

"Our success at Costco Wholesale has been built on service to our critical stakeholders: employees, members, and suppliers," the board wrote in response to the proposal. "Our efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion follow our code of ethics: For our employees, these efforts are built around inclusion having all of our employees feel valued and respected. Our efforts at diversity, equity, and inclusion remind and reinforce with everyone at our company the importance of creating opportunities for all."

The vote comes as numerous companies have eliminated DEI programs in response to backlash from conservatives and President Trump.

Within hours of taking office, President Trump signed an executive order essentially ridding the federal government of DEI training and positions. The president also eliminated a past executive order that required federal contractors to have non-discriminatory practices in hiring and employment.

RELATED STORY | Presidential Shift: Trump reverses key Biden administration DEI policies

President Donald Trump said he would end the Federal Emergency Management Agency "right now" if it was up to him.

President Trump made the comments during a visit to North Carolina, where he was touring damage left by Hurricane Helene.

"FEMA is a very expensive organization that really doesn't work out very well," he said.

Trump revealed on Friday that he would be signing an executive order that would overhaul FEMA or possibly "get rid" of the agency.

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The president suggested the federal government could give money directly to states so they could respond to the disasters directly.

However, Ratina Dougherty, an assistant professor at the University of South Florida, said more clarity is needed on how the federal government would support states.

"What is going to be the federal response capacity and the federal expectations and ability to provide aid? Because I think that the biggest thing that FEMA does provide is a lot of that boots-on-the-ground initial response and most importantly the financial aid," she said.

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In addition to potential changes to FEMA, Trump suggested that aid could be tied to certain conditions. In California, where wildfires destroyed thousands of structures, Trump suggested the state should pass a voter ID law in order to receive federal aid.

A spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom called conditioning aid for Americans "wrong."

Ahead of Trump's visit to California on Friday, Newsom signed a $2.5 billion disaster relief bill that was passed unanimously by state lawmakers.

Newsom met Trump on the tarmac when he arrived in California on Friday to shake his hand.

A statement from Newsom's office said he was "committed to advocating for the needs of Californians in partnership with the federal administration." Speaking after Trump arrived on Friday, Newsom said "I have all the expectations were going to be able to work together."

"We're going to get it fixed," Trump said of the wildfires' devastation.

Trump then toured areas damaged by the fires on foot and from the air, noting the difference of seeing the effects in person.

I dont think you can realize how rough it is, how devastating it is, until you see it, President Trump said.

The president did not immediately address his earlier suggestions that aid for California should be conditional.

He left California Friday for Las Vegas, Nevada, where he will hold a rally over the weekend.

After President Donald Trump announced that his administration will soon change the name of Denali back to Mount McKinley, the states top two federal lawmakers said they do not support the change.

In a video posted on X, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said that he prefers the Denali name. Sullivan said that the media in Washington has been obsessed with the name change.

I prefer the name Denali, which was given to that great mountain by the great patriotic Koyukon Athabascan people thousands of years ago, Sullivan said.

In December, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, also said she opposed the name change.

You cant improve upon the name that Alaskas Koyukon Athabascans bestowed on North Americas tallest peak, Denali the Great One, Murkowski said in December when then President-elect Trump first suggested the name change. For years, I advocated in Congress to restore the rightful name for this majestic mountain to respect Alaskas first people, who have lived on these lands for thousands of years. This is an issue that should not be relitigated.

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For decades, the mountain was officially named Mount McKinley in honor of President William McKinley, an Ohio Republican who served from 1897 until his assassination in 1901.

According to the National Park Service, Mount McKinley emerged as its name after gold prospector William Dickey, an admirer of McKinley, used the name in an 1897 New York Sun article. McKinley had no connection to Alaska.

As Mount McKinley became more established in American vernacular in the early 1900s, there were still many people with connections to Interior Alaska who were disturbed by the dismissal of Native antecedents, the National Park Service said.

In 1975, the State of Alaska petitioned the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to change the name from Mount McKinley to Denali. The federal government did not officially adopt the Denali moniker until President Barack Obama and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell ordered the name change in 2015.

According to President Trumps order, Denali would go back to being called Mount McKinley, but the national park would retain the Denali name. Denali is the only mountain in North America to top 20,000 feet.

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U.S. District Judge John Coughenour issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration from enforcing an executive order that would revoke U.S. citizenship for some children born in the U.S.

President Trump's executive order was scheduled to go into effect Feb. 19. The order would not impact the legal status of children born prior to Feb. 19, 2025.

Currently, virtually all children born in the U.S. are granted citizenship regardless of their parents' immigration status. The order would revoke citizenship for children of those in the U.S. illegally.

Coughenour heard a challenge brought by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. Washington was joined by Oregon, Arizona and Illinois in its suit. Overall, 22 states have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration to stop the order from being enacted.

Coughenour is an appointee of former President Ronald Reagan. Coughenour's injunction lasts 14 days.

The American Civil Liberties Union also filed suit against the Trump administration involving the executive order.

We started preparing for this scenario more than a year ago, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said. The excellent team at the Attorney Generals Office is ready to fight this unlawful action, and they will have the full support of my administration.

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The White House angrily responded to Coughenour's order.

Radical Leftists can either choose to swim against the tide and reject the overwhelming will of the people, or they can get on board and work with President Trump to advance his wildly popular agenda," White House principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields said in a statement. "These lawsuits are nothing more than an extension of the Lefts resistance and the Trump Administration is ready to face them in court."

The Democratic-led states argue that birthright citizenship is a right for all people born in the U.S. under the 14th Amendment, which was enacted in 1868.

The first section of the 14th Amendment says, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

But President Trump and his allies say that birthright citizenship is a way for migrants in the U.S. illegally to remain in the U.S. if they give birth to a child who becomes a U.S. citizen.