Local News
Several residences on fire from the Pacific Palisades Brush fire in California
“Firefighter down” reported by Los Angeles fire department amid pacific palisades wildfire.
LOS ANGELES, CA — Southern California is grappling with a potentially destructive windstorm, raising the risk of wildfires across the region.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has described the conditions as life-threatening, with gusts peaking at 80 mph and isolated mountain areas experiencing winds exceeding 100 mph.
The storm has fueled a wildfire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, prompting evacuations and an all-out emergency response.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is battling the Palisades Fire, which broke out in the foothills of this coastal neighborhood.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire has led to chaotic scenes, with people abandoning vehicles and fleeing on foot. The LAFD reported a “firefighter down” incident and confirmed that people were trapped in the affected area.
Evacuation orders have been issued for residents in the wildfire’s path. The LAFD advised:
“Pack all people and pets into your vehicle and leave the area immediately. If you are not in the mandatory evacuation zone, stay off the roads to allow first responders and evacuees to move quickly.”
An evacuation center has been established at the Westwood Recreation Center, located at 1350 South Sepulveda Boulevard.
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has temporarily relocated students from three campuses in the Pacific Palisades area.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared a citywide tactical alert to assist with evacuations and firefighting efforts.
While there are no confirmed reports of injuries or structural damage at this time, authorities are bracing for further challenges as the wildfire spreads.
LAFD Capt. Erik Scott highlighted the urgency of the situation:
“We threw everything we had at it really quick. We knew that if we didn’t get it in 20 minutes, it would grow to hundreds of acres and become nearly impossible to control, even with a significant initial attack.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass acknowledged the coordinated response in a statement, noting that strike teams had been pre-deployed in anticipation of the high winds.
Firefighters from Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City, and Ventura County are working together, utilizing the region’s extensive aerial firefighting resources.
The NWS has issued red flag warnings, effective through 6 p.m. Thursday, for multiple areas, including:
- The Malibu coast
- Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area
- San Gabriel Valley
- San Fernando Valley
- Santa Clarita Valley
- San Gabriel Mountains
- 5 and 14 Freeway corridors
These warnings underscore the heightened risk of wildfires due to the extreme winds and dry conditions.
Residents across Southern California are urged to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders promptly.
Those outside the evacuation zones are advised to avoid travel in impacted areas to ensure emergency vehicles and evacuees can move freely.
The cause of the Palisades Fire remains under investigation, but authorities stress that conditions are ripe for additional fire outbreaks.
Los Angeles County residents “can really be proud that we arguably have the largest initial attack of aviation resources in the United States,” Capt. Scott added, emphasizing the robust mutual aid between local and regional agencies.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Local News
Suspended Dearborn Ford worker Thomas Sabula received more than $320K after Trump flips him off
DEARBORN, Mich. — A suspended Ford Motor Company employee has become the focus of national attention after a confrontation with former President Donald Trump during a visit to a Dearborn assembly plant, prompting an outpouring of public support that has raised more than $324,000 for his family through an online fundraiser.
The worker, Thomas “TJ” Sabula, a 40-year-old United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 member, was placed on suspension pending an internal investigation following an exchange that occurred while Trump was touring the facility.
According to video later obtained and published by TMZ, an off-camera voice can be heard shouting “pedophile protector” at the former president, an apparent reference to the administration’s handling of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
In the footage, Trump appears to mouth an expletive and make a hand gesture before walking away.
The Washington Post subsequently identified Sabula as the individual who made the remark.
In an interview with the newspaper, Sabula confirmed that he was suspended after the incident and said he believes the action amounts to political retaliation.
“As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,” Sabula told The Post. “But I am concerned about my job. I believe I’ve been targeted for political retribution for embarrassing him in front of his friends.”
Sabula, who describes himself as politically independent, said he has never voted for Trump, though he has supported Republican candidates in the past.
In the days following the incident, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist Sabula and his family during his suspension.
The campaign states that Sabula is “a father of two young children, a husband, and a proud UAW Local 600 line worker,” and that the funds will be used to help cover household and living expenses “during this time of uncertainty.” Donations quickly surged past $100,000, with notable contributions reportedly made by the rock band Dropkick Murphys.
Supporters have characterized Sabula’s actions as a form of protest and free expression, while others have questioned whether his conduct violated workplace policies.
Ford Motor Company and union representatives have not publicly released details regarding the status of the internal investigation or whether disciplinary action beyond the suspension is being considered.
Following his visit to the Dearborn plant, Trump went on to deliver remarks at the Detroit Economic Club, where he had last spoken in October 2024.
The incident continues to draw attention amid broader political debate, as questions remain about workplace discipline, free speech, and the role of political expression in employment settings.