An Ignoble Experiment: The 7: Fast-moving fires in Los Angeles; Trump’s Gulf of Mexico idea; weird new tech; and more

Get unlimited access for $1 a week You heard it here first. Read the rest with The Post. →

PUBLISHED BY

By Jamie Ross and Hannah Jewell

Listen to this briefing

Good morning. It's Wednesday, Jan. 8, and having 35 roommates sounds like a nightmare to us, but good luck to anyone who ends up in this huge D.C. house. Now let's get to the news.

Firefighters are struggling to contain wildfires in Los Angeles.

The latest: Several fires are ripping through the region, fueled by strong winds. Tens of thousands of people have been forced to evacuate. Follow live updates here.
In Pacific Palisades: A wildfire moved so fast that officers ordered drivers to get out and run. It was a chaotic scene — as detailed in these dramatic photos.

Read this story

Donald Trump declined to rule out military or economic force to expand the U.S.

Yesterday: Trump mused about retaking the Panama Canal, making Canada the 51st state and buying Greenland — an island Denmark's king just made bigger on his coat of arms.
What else? Trump wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico — here's how he could do it. He may not carry out any of these plans, but his threats could spark alarm among U.S. allies.
One more thing: Trump might be setting himself up for a "powerful" early failure.

Read this story

Meta will stop fact-checking on Facebook, Instagram and Threads.

Yesterday: CEO Mark Zuckerberg said fact checks will be replaced by user-generated notes. Meta will also lift restrictions on topics like immigration and gender identity.
The reaction: Trump praised the end of fact-checking, which conservatives have long viewed as censorship. If you struggle to find the truth on social media, here are some tips.

Read this story

Another icy storm is expected to hit more than 20 states this week.

Expected snowfall in inches through early Sunday. Data source: NOAA. (Ben Noll/The Washington Post)

What to expect: A chance of the heaviest snowfall in years in some central and southern states. Snow may also return to places hit earlier this week.
The bigger picture: More Americans are dying from the cold, a new study found. The trend may reflect a rise in homelessness.

Read this story


	Millions of rents across the U.S. may now be set using one company's software.

What to know: RealPage uses an algorithm to suggest rental prices to landlords. It has been accused of colluding with property management companies to increase prices.
Is your neighborhood affected? The Post identified 3.1 million units managed by companies named in rent-setting lawsuits. To see where they are, search this map.

Read this story

It's better for longevity to be fit than be thin, a new study found.

What to know: Being out of shape greatly increases the risk of dying prematurely, regardless of body mass index, the study said. Even a little movement can drop your mortality risk.
Another health finding: We may feel alcohol's impact more as we grow older, but it's not necessarily because our tolerance changes.

Read this story

Some weird and wonderful tech has been unveiled at CES 2025.

Like what? Tiny human holograms, needle-free injections and a spoon that makes food taste better. Find a list of the most notable tech at the Las Vegas conference here.
In other tech news: If you've ever felt like your phone is eavesdropping on you to serve ads, it's probably not. But the truth may be worse.

Read this story

Before you go … the Oscar race is heating up: Here are some early predictions. Plus: Do you agree with this list? The 13 worst movies of 2024.

One more good read: Peter Yarrow died insisting "Puff, the Magic Dragon" was not a drug song.

And finally … test your news knowledge with The Post's daily quiz, On the Record. Click here to play. Or try our word games, Keyword and the brand-new Wridges.

You're all caught up. See you tomorrow.