HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A judge has granted the state’s motion to recuse District Court Judge Natalia Cornelio from a high-profile death row appeal after she was accused of bias.
Wednesday’s ruling comes after the Harris County District Attorney’s Office wanted Cornelio to be removed from Ronald Lee Haskell’s case after she ordered him back to Harris County under unusual circumstances last summer.
The initial motion for her recusal was filed Oct. 7, 2024, “based on conduct indicating that she has cast aside her role as a neutral, detached decision maker to become an advocate for death row inmate Ronald Lee Haskell,” it reads.
Haskell was given the death penalty in 2019. He was charged with six counts of capital murder for the shooting deaths of six of his family members at their Spring home in 2014.
The crime was described as a “massacre” and the victims included four children, ages four to 13, and their parents, Katie and Stephen Stay. Katie was the sister of Haskell’s ex-wife, whom he stalked, authorities said. Cassidy Stay, just 15 years old at the time, was the only survivor.
Court records show that on June 27, Cornelio issued a bench warrant for Haskell to appear in her courtroom a month later at midnight.
The DA’s office said that never happened, and they had no idea Haskell had been moved from TDCJ custody.
Instead, during Haskell’s nearly three-week stay at the Harris County Jail, he called his mother, acknowledging the secretive nature of his presence, calling it “cloak and dagger,” according to a jail call transcript.
He was also taken to a private imaging clinic near the Texas Medical Center for a scan as seen in still images from body camera video that were filed with the court.
Drue Lyon is Katie Stay’s brother.
“The inmate was feet — three or four feet — away from some random guy sitting at the doctor’s office, waiting for his name to be called. Did that guy know he was feet away from a mass murderer?” Lyon asked. “Who on Earth has that much power and authority? Who authorized that?”
The defense argued the state didn’t have enough evidence to firmly prove Cornelio was incapable of impartiality, but on Wednesday, Judge Susan Brown ruled otherwise.
ABC13 spoke to Joshua Reiss with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office following her ruling in their favor.
“What was very clear is that the victims of Ron Haskell were never going to have a fair shot,” Reiss said.
This article comes from our news partner, ABC13. To read the article, click here.
This developing story comes from our news partner ABC13. For more on this developing story, click here.
The agreement, which was brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, is currently being finalized, Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, announced during remarks in Doha late Wednesday. The Israelis will take the agreement back to their government for approval, he said.
The agreement will begin on Sunday, with the first, six-week phase seeing the withdrawal of some Israeli forces to allow more aid to get in and the release of 33 hostages in Gaza, starting with women, children and the elderly, according to the Qatari prime minister. A number of Palestinian prisoners will be released, as well, he said.
According to the Hamas delegation in Doha, the provisions Hamas agreed to include the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, including the Philadelphi corridor, in stages, and handing over 33 Israeli prisoners, dead and alive, in exchange for the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations would be completed in stages for the release of the remaining hostages, according to the Hamas delegation.
The Israeli prime minister’s office said in a statement that they resolved an issue over forces on the Philadelphi corridor, though there are several “unresolved clauses” in the deal they hope to finalize Wednesday night.
Israel said its security cabinet will convene on Thursday to approve the deal.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the deal is “the right move” and called upon the Israeli government to approve it.
“There is no greater moral, human, Jewish, or Israeli obligation than to bring our sons and daughters back to us — whether to recover at home, or to be laid to rest,” he said.
Ariel Schalit/AP Photo
The provisions also include the opening of the Rafah crossing, according to the Hamas delegation. Coordination is currently underway to open the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing to allow the entry of international aid into Gaza, an Egyptian security source told ABC News.
The second and third phases of the agreement will be finalized after the first phase, the Qatari prime minister said. Phase two will mark a “permanent end of the war,” President Joe Biden said during remarks Wednesday.
Under phase two, the remaining living hostages will be released and all remaining Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza, according to Biden. The remains of the final hostages will be returned in phase three and a “major reconstruction plan for Gaza will begin,” Biden said.
Biden said the mediating countries have pledged to ensure that negotiations move forward “as long as it takes,” and that his team is coordinating closely with the incoming Trump administration “to make sure we’re all speaking with the same voice.”
The Qatari prime minister said Egypt, Qatar and the U.S. will monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
“With this agreement, I emphasize the importance of accelerating the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza to address the catastrophic humanitarian crisis, without any hindrances, until a sustainable peace is achieved through the two-state solution, and for the region to enjoy stability, security and development in a world that is large enough for everyone,” Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said in a statement.
The United Nations is ready to support the implementation of the deal and “scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief,” U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement Wednesday.
From left to right: Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are seen in Washington D.C. on Jan. 15, 2025.
In over a year of war between Israel and Hamas, more than 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza and almost 110,000 injured, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. That figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. However, more than 14,000 children and 8,000 women have been killed, according to the health ministry.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they have killed more than 15,000 combatants throughout the course of the war, which was sparked by the unprecedented Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023, in southern Israel. More than 1,200 people were killed and another 253 were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
During a weeklong ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in late November 2023, Hamas freed more than 100 people. In exchange, Israel released more than 200 Palestinians from Israeli prisons. Several hostages in Gaza have also been freed in the months since, while the bodies of others have been recovered.
Amid the renewed negotiations in early January, 94 abductees remained in Gaza, including 34 who have been confirmed dead, according to Israeli officials.
Hamas is currently advising Palestinians to remain alert until the official start of the agreement and to rely on official sources for information on the timing of the ceasefire.
Following news of a ceasefire and hostage deal being reached on Wednesday, people could be seen celebrating across Gaza and Israel.
Biden said the deal followed “many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar.”
“This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much-needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity,” Biden said in a statement.
“My diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done,” he added.
Biden said he is determined to bring seven American hostages home, three of whom are alive. Americans will be part of the first phase of the hostage release, with more details to come on who will be included in the first phase, he said.
President-elect Donald Trump also said Wednesday that a hostage deal has been reached, writing in a Truth Social post, “WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!”
Trump took credit for what he called an “EPIC” ceasefire agreement, saying it “could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November.” He said his special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and U.S. allies to “make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven.”
The families of seven American hostages in Gaza said they are “deeply grateful” that an agreement for the phased release of hostages has been reached.
“The coming days and weeks will be just as painful for our families as the entirety of our loved ones’ horrific ordeals,” the families said in a statement. “That is why we ask all parties to stay committed to this agreement, every phase until it is fully implemented and everyone has been returned. We feel hopeful that under President Trump’s leadership, every last hostage will come home.”
A new round of ceasefire negotiations began on Jan. 3 in Qatar. Delegations from both Israel and Hamas were dispatched to Doha to resume the negotiations, which were brokered by Qatari and Egyptian mediators. The Biden administration also helped broker the talks.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken had previously told reporters the United States wanted a ceasefire deal in Gaza and all remaining captives released before Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
Blinken on Jan. 6 reported “intensified engagement,” including by Hamas, on reaching a deal, though he added, “We are yet to see agreement on final points.”
“We need Hamas to make the final necessary decisions to complete the agreement and to fundamentally change the circumstance for the hostages, getting them out, for people in Gaza, bringing them relief, and for the region as a whole, creating an opportunity to actually move forward to something better, more secure for everyone involved,” Blinken said at the time.
On Tuesday, Blinken said during an address at the Atlantic Council that Israel and Hamas were “on the brink” of reaching a six-week ceasefire deal that would see some hostages released from Gaza.
The deal comes after a ceasefire deal was reached between Israel and Hezbollah in November 2024, weeks after Israel invaded southern Lebanon as part of an escalation of its conflict with Hezbollah.
It also follows the high-profile assassinations last year of Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar — with Sinwar being one of the key architects of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel — as well as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israel has claimed responsibility for their deaths.
The US Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of red dye No. 3 in food, beverages and ingested drugs, more than 30 years after scientists discovered links to cancer in animals, the agency announced Wednesday.
A synthetic color additive made from petroleum and chemically known as erythrosine, red dye No. 3 is used to give foods and beverages a bright cherry-red color.
The moveacts on a November 2022 petitionsubmitted by multiple advocacy organizations and individuals, including the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Environmental Working Group, which cited links to cancer. The decision by the federal agency also follows in the footsteps of California, whose government banned the additive in October 2023.
Manufacturers using red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs have until January 15, 2027, and January 18, 2028, respectively, to reformulate their products, according to the FDA. Foods imported to the United States also must comply with the requirements.
Miguel Sotomayor/Moment RF/Getty Images/File
Red dye No. 3 is found in some candy, food and beverage products.
“Today’s action by FDA is long overdue, is a small step in the right direction, and hopefully signals a renewed effort by FDA to do its job despite the many barriers the food industry places in its way,” said Dr. Jerold Mande, adjunct professor of nutrition at the Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, via email.
The decision marks a “monumental victory” for consumer health and safety,” said Ken Cook, cofounder and president of the Environmental Working Group, in a news release. “We wouldn’t be celebrating this historic decision today without the relentless leadership of public health champions like Michael Jacobson and others who took up this fight decades ago on behalf of consumers.”
Red dye No. 3 is found in at least dozens of candy, food and beverage products, but some of the most popular brands either never used, or have already stopped using, the additive. Fewer than 10% of products made by the candy company Ferrara, which produces Brach’s candies, for example, contain the additive, as the company began phasing out the use of it in early 2023, a Ferrara spokesperson said via email.
Just Born, the company behind PEEPS, stopped using red dye No. 3 in its production after Easter of 2024, according to a spokesperson.
Some companies instead utilize red dye No. 40, which has been considered a healthier alternative as it hasn’t been as extensively associated with cancer in animals.
However, California also banned red No. 40 from foods and drinks sold in public schools in September due to concerns over links to behavioral and attention difficulties among children. One study found a potential link to accelerated immune-system tumor growth in mice, and other sources say the dye contains benzene, a known carcinogen.
‘The regulatory paradox’ of dye red No. 3
Red dye No. 3 has been permissible for use in food despite the Delaney Clause of the FDA’s Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The clause, in part, “prohibits the FDA from approving a color additive that is ingested if it causes cancer in animals or humans when ingested,” according to the agency.
The FDA already banned the use of red dye No. 3 in cosmetics and topical drugs in 1990 under the Delaney Clause after research found the additive to be carcinogenic at high doses for rats in lab tests. The mechanism for the dye causing cancer in rats doesn’t occur in humans, so those studies didn’t raise safety concerns, and therefore the FDA didn’t revoke the authorization for red dye No. 3 in food, according to the agency.
The FDA has reevaluated the ingredient’s safety multiple times since its initial approval — based on trials conducted in animals, not humans — in 1969, according to the agency.
There don’t appear to be any studies establishing links between red dye No. 3 and cancer in humans, and “relevant exposure levels to FD&C Red No. 3 for humans are typically much lower than those that cause the effects shown in male rats,” the FDA said in its constituent update posted Wednesday. “Claims that the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and in ingested drugs puts people at risk are not supported by the available scientific information.”
But “it doesn’t matter, because the FDA mandate under the Delaney Clause says that if it shows cancer in animals or humans, they’re supposed to keep it from the food supply,” said Dr. Jennifer Pomeranz, associate professor of public health policy and management at New York University’s School of Global Public Health.
The FDA’s decision to revoke the authorization for the use of red dye No. 3 is a matter of law, the agency said.
A few other studies have cast further doubt on the safety of red No. 3, including a 2012 reportthat found a link between the additive and cancer in animals. That same year, researchers concluded artificial food colorings “are not a main cause of (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), but they may contribute significantly to some cases, and in some cases may additively push a youngster over the diagnostic threshold.”
Then in 2021, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment study found red dye No. 3 can make children vulnerable to behavioral issues, such as decreased attention. The report also concluded that federal levels for safe intake of food dyes at that time may not protect children’s brain health. The study noted that the current legal levels, set decades ago by the FDA, didn’t consider new research, according to the Environmental Working Group.
The FDA’s decision “ends the regulatory paradox of Red 3,” said Dr. Thomas Galligan, principal scientist for food additives and supplements at the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, DC. But the agency “has a long way to go to reform the broken system that allowed Red 3 to remain in foods decades after it was shown to cause cancer when eaten by animals.”
The ban also moves the food landscape slightly closer to that of the European Union, which banned the dye in 1994, with the exception of some maraschino cherry products, Pomeranz said. “Europe takes the precautionary principle when it comes to these things.”
“There is not a rational reason within FDA’s mission that they did not ban red dye #3 from food in the 1990s,” and why the agency takes “so long to ban ingredients with known health harms” is unclear, Pomeranz said via email.
At least 10 other states — besides California — have introduced legislation seeking to ban red No. 3 from foods, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
“Americans are sick because of our food,” Mande said. Though the United States is one of the wealthiest nations, in terms of overall life expectancy, the nation ranks as 49th out of 204 countries.
“This is because food companies have lost sight of their primary mission, providing food we will thrive on, and focusing entirely on their profits instead,” Mande added. “Unfortunately, the U.S. government doesn’t fund the research needed to determine the exact health risks posed by Red Dye #3. Industry works with Congress to block funding for the needed research.”
The National Confectioners Association said in a statement that food safety is the number one priority for US confectionery companies.
“Our consumers and everyone in the food industry want and expect a strong FDA, and a consistent, science-based national regulatory framework,” the association said via email. “For years, our industry has been calling for more transparency, more funding, and more staff resources for the FDA to continue fulfilling its mission, and it’s time to put politics aside and work together to fund the FDA at levels that will allow it to continue its work.”
Food and beverage companies will continue to follow the latest science and comply with all food safety regulations to ensure safe and available choices for consumers, Sarah Gallo, senior vice president of product policy and federal affairs at the Consumer Brands Association, said in a statement via email.
Avoiding dyes in your diet
The FDA has already required manufacturers to list red dye No. 3 as an ingredient on food labels — so if you’re concerned about avoiding products containing the dye until the ban is implemented, check ingredient lists before buying. Red dye No. 3 is also listed as “red 3” and “FD&C Red #3.”
Artificial food colorings are mostly found in ultraprocessed foods and beverages you couldn’t make at home, Pomeranz said, so avoiding those products is another way you can eliminate red dye No. 3 from your diet. The Center for Science in the Public Interest recommends parents avoid all numbered dyes, such as yellow No. 5 and red No. 40, as well.
You can find out how much ultraprocessed food you may be eating by taking this quiz.
Formedications that aren’t topical, look for dyes in the “inactive ingredients” section of the drug labeling or package insert, or search for dye-free versions of some drugs, Consumer Reports suggests. But always talk with your doctor before switching medications.
Health officials in China are closely monitoring human metapneumovirus (HMPV) following a notable rise in cases, according to Reuters. Despite the uptick, experts emphasize that the situation is not alarming, and the likelihood of a pandemic similar to COVID-19 remains low.
The World Health Organization noted that respiratory illnesses in China this year are less severe compared to 2024. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States reported a slight increase in HMPV cases since November, with 1.94% of weekly tests returning positive as of late December. The CDC is staying vigilant and maintaining communication with international health partners but stated that the increase in cases is not a cause for concern in the U.S.
What Is HMPV?
HMPV, first identified in 2001, belongs to the pneumoviridae family, which also includes respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It causes respiratory illnesses that can range from mild colds to more severe conditions like bronchitis or pneumonia.
Symptoms and Risk Groups
Symptoms of HMPV include cough, nasal congestion, fever, and shortness of breath. The virus primarily affects young children and older adults over 65, with an incubation period of three to six days. Like the flu, HMPV is seasonal, peaking in winter and spring.
Prevention and Treatment
Although there is no specific treatment or vaccine for HMPV, preventive measures can help reduce the spread:
Wash hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
Stay away from sick individuals.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Refrain from sharing utensils or engaging in close contact like kissing when symptomatic.
For those with severe symptoms, supportive care such as oxygen therapy may be necessary.
Health officials urge continued vigilance and adherence to hygiene practices to minimize the spread of HMPV.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Houston ISD plans to put a weapons security system in all high schools, and now district leaders are explaining how they’re going to pay for it.
They look like metal detectors, but they’re not. The towers, designed to spot weapons, will be found at Lamar High School next week.
“We started with the schools where we have already found weapons this year,” Superintendent Mike Miles explained. “We’ve found weapons at Lamar, Northside, and Bellaire.”
Miles said the weapon detection system is another layer of protection for students. Last week, ABC13 told you about the plans, but didn’t know the cost.
On Monday, Miles explained how all high schools are getting them but didn’t say exactly how much they’ll cost.
“As far as the cost, it’ll run over this year and probably most of next year, probably grant-funded,” Miles said.
The district is limiting the number of places where they need the technology by reducing the number of building entrances to keep costs down. For example, here at Lamar High School, there are five entrances, but that’s being reduced to two.
Finding money isn’t the only hurdle. The devices need staff.
If an alarm is triggered, you need someone there to take action.
“Staffing will be a school-by-school issue,” Miles said. “That’s why we’re doing the drills. We’re doing the plans, going over their plans to see how they will be staffed.”
Miles said they could quickly move the equipment to the school’s students. In half an hour, they can move 600 students through the system.
He hopes the technology will make the campus safer.
“This is not a cure-all,” Miles said. “The weapon detection system doesn’t mean you won’t have guns in the schools, but this is one more layer, and we’re being prudent about having these weapon detection systems placed in these schools.”
Technology will start with high schools, and Miles said that if they can find additional funds, it could also come to middle schools.
This article comes from our media partner, ABC13. Read the article here.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A cold rain arrives on Wednesday, but an arctic cold front arriving this weekend now has us on Weather Watch next Monday (MLK Day) through Wednesday for the possibility of a hard freeze and ice or snow.
First let’s tackle this Wednesday. The weather will be just like Tuesday, except add rain. Those chilly showers will keep our temperatures in a narrow range, and it will feel like it’s in the 40s most of the day. Rain totals will generally measure less than 1/4″ of an inch, but it could rain for several hours. Isolated thunderstorms are possible, especially near the coast.
When will the arctic front arrive and how will it impact our weekend?
The arctic front looks to arrive on Saturday morning. Temperatures will peak in the low 60s and could actually fall through the 50s during the day. Much colder air will arrive Saturday night, and it now looks like the freeze line will enter Southeast Texas on Sunday morning, pulling up just north of Houston. Sunshine on Sunday will warm temperatures out of the 30s and into the 40s. There is a 20% chance of rain Saturday morning as the cold front arrives, then the rest of the weekend will be dry.
What can runners and spectators expect for the Chevron Houston Marathon on Sunday?
It’s going to be a cold one! At this time we expect the start of the race to feature temperatures in the mid 30s along with a north wind up to 25 mph pushing the “feels like” temps into the lower 20s. We expect it to be dry with sunshine breaking through to warm temperatures into the 40s during the race.
What’s the coldest it will get with this arctic front?
Unfortunately a hard, pipe-bursting freeze is on the table because this air is coming all the way from Siberia. At this time we are expect low temperatures to bottom out in the mid 20s for Houston Monday through Wednesday mornings, but it could be several degrees colder, especially if we get ice or snow. Temperatures could easily drop into the teens for a morning or two if we get a blanket of ice or snow. Those extreme temperatures are not currently in our forecast, but it is possible.
When could we get ice or snow, and how much is possible?
We still have low confidence in the details of how moisture may overlap with the cold air, but the window for that occur opens up late on MLK Day, peaks on Tuesday, and winds down on Wednesday. Computer models are currently being aggressive with snow and ice chances over Southeast Texas, but we are taking a more conservative stance right now and saying there is just a 30% chance of sleet or snow showers. However, if the computer models are correct this far in advance, over half a foot of snow could occur. That is not currently in our forecast, but we want you to be aware of some of the extreme possibilities on the table.
The Texas Legislature, known for its conservative stance, began its 89th biennial session on Tuesday, marking a pivotal 140-day period set to address major issues affecting the state’s 30 million residents. Dominated by Republican leadership, the session follows a contentious election cycle that underscored divisions among state leaders.
Key Issues:
Public Education: Governor Greg Abbott aims to advance “school choice,” redirecting public funds toward private school tuition. The debate includes eligibility, priority, and transparency requirements for private schools accepting public money. Public school leaders are advocating for increased per-student funding to support teacher raises and infrastructure upgrades.
Higher Education: Lawmakers are targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and exploring changes to tenure rules and faculty senate influence.
Hemp-Derived THC: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick supports banning consumable THC products like gummies and vapes, sparking opposition from House members favoring looser medical marijuana restrictions.
Property Taxes: Efforts to further reduce property taxes are underway, including eliminating school district property taxes and increasing homestead exemptions. Challenges include finding alternative school funding sources.
Water Availability: With a projected 2050 shortfall of 5.74 million acre-feet of water, legislators plan to invest in desalination, groundwater utilization, and possibly importing water from other states.
Health Care: Plans include addressing rural hospital closures, expanding children’s mental health services, and improving Medicaid reimbursement rates.
Gambling Expansion: Despite growing support for casino gambling and mobile sports betting, Lt. Gov. Patrick’s stance and Senate GOP opposition may prevent progress.
Power Grid: After 2021’s deadly winter storm, lawmakers are focused on strengthening grid reliability by incentivizing natural gas power plants and imposing regulations on renewable energy development.
Immigration and Border Security: Governor Abbott seeks additional funding for Operation Lone Star and proposes new border patrol initiatives. Other measures include barring in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants and voter citizenship verification.
Abortion: Democrats aim to expand exceptions to the state’s strict abortion ban, while Republicans propose further restrictions, including bans on online sales of abortion-inducing drugs.
Throughout the session, lawmakers will form committees, debate proposals, and determine the state’s priorities. While the only constitutionally required task is passing a budget, advocates stress the importance of addressing everyday issues like education, health care, and infrastructure.
Watch the sessions of the House and Senate live with us. Stay tuned for updates on our website.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A major crash has shut down several lanes of IH-69 Southwest Freeway northbound just before Beltway-8 West, where an SUV fell from the HOV flyover ramp and landed on the freeway below.
SkyEye is over the scene, where helicopter reporter Don Armstrong noted there’s a large hole in the retaining wall along the ramp.
Chunks of debris from the destroyed wall are all over the freeway.
Other vehicles hit the crash site as they are also stopped on the freeway.
ABC13 has learned driver is injured. That person was taken to the hospital, according to Houston police.
If you’re coming in from Sugar Land, you can take Highway 90 as an alternate route.
Authorities are letting traffic off, but you should expect it’s going to be a while before the lanes will fully reopen.
Backups are stretching to Highway 6 and delays are at least an hour.
ABC13 has real-time traffic data to help you navigate Houston’s roads and avoid traffic delays.
Sign up for traffic alerts sent straight to your phone through our ABC13 app. Manage your notifications from the settings tab.
LOS ANGELES — Fires tearing through the Los Angeles area have killed at least 24 people, displaced thousands of others and destroyed more than 12,000 structures in what might be the most expensive conflagrations in the nation’s history.
The blazes started last Tuesday, fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds that forecasters expect to kick back up through at least midweek. Cal Fire reported that the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires have consumed about 62 square miles (160 square kilometers).
The Palisades Fire, along the coast, has been blamed for eight deaths, while the Eaton Fire further inland has been blamed for 16 others, the LA County medical examiner’s office said. At least 23 people are missing, and authorities said that number is expected to rise.
Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked the fires. They could be the nation’s costliest ever. Government agencies haven’t provided preliminary damage estimates yet, but AccuWeather, a company that provides data on weather and its impact, puts the damage and economic losses at $250 billion to $275 billion.
Here’s a closer look at what to know about the fires.
Forecasters warn of a “particularly dangerous situation”
The National Weather Service issued a rare warning about a “particularly dangerous situation” related to severe fire conditions beginning overnight Monday into Tuesday.
Sustained winds of up to 40 mph (64 kph) and gusts in the mountains reaching 65 mph (105 kph) are predicted through Wednesday, forecasters said. The most dangerous day will be Tuesday, fire behavior analyst Dennis Burns warned at a community meeting Sunday night.
Strong Santa Ana winds have been largely blamed for turning the wildfires into infernos that leveled entire neighborhoods in and around Los Angeles where there has been no significant rainfall in over eight months.
Interactive maps show locations of damaged homes
LA County Recovers, a government-run program, posted interactive maps on its website that show homes and other structures that have been damaged.
The maps for the Eaton and Palisades fires allow users to click on an icon and get a description of the type of structure, such as a home or commercial building, and the type of damage, such as “major” or “destroyed.”
Addresses may be entered into a search bar to find a specific location. Users can also see photos of the damaged buildings.
Price gouging has become an issue with hotels, short-term rentals and medical supplies. Scammers are also soliciting donations for bogus relief efforts, authorities said.
Thousands remain evacuated or without power
The flames have threatened and burned through several highly populated neighborhoods over the past week, including Pacific Palisades, Altadena and others.
Officials on Monday lowered the number of people under evacuation orders from about 150,000 to under 100,000. However, they cautioned that more evacuations could be ordered when high winds return this week.
Cal Fire reported containment of the Palisades Fire at 14% and the Eaton Fire at 33% as of Monday morning.
The Kenneth Fire, which broke out near West Hills in the San Fernando Valley, was completely contained, while the Hurst Fire was 95% contained.
About 50,000 customers, more than half of them in Los Angeles County, were without power across California as of Monday morning, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide. That is down from about 70,000 on Sunday.
Sewer, water and power infrastructure across the region has been significantly damaged, officials said.
Thousands have fled and many have lost their homes, including Hollywood stars Billy Crystal and Mandy Moore and Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
Meanwhile, singer Beyoncé has contributed $2.5 million to a newly launched LA Fire Relief Fund created by her charitable foundation, BeyGOOD.
The fires have scorched more than just landmarks and celebrity homes
Although the fires have reduced a number of celebrity mansions and movie landmarks to ashes, they also burned through more affordable communities such as Altadena, which has served as for generations of Black families who might have faced discriminatory housing practices elsewhere.
The fires have also destroyed several places of worship, including a mosque, a synagogue, a Catholic parish and a half-dozen Protestant churches.
Investigators are looking into what sparked the fires
The official causes of the fires haven’t been determined yet, but
No cause has been determined yet for the fires. But a person whose home was destroyed in the Eaton fire claims in a lawsuit filed Monday that Southern California Edison’s equipment sparked the blaze. The utility didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about the lawsuit’s claim, but it has acknowledged that fire agencies are investigating whether its equipment might have started a separate, smaller LA-area fire.
Lightning is the most common source of fires in the U.S., according to the National Fire Protection Association, but investigators quickly ruled that out. There were no reports of lightning in the Palisades area or the terrain around the Eaton Fire, which started in eastern Los Angeles County.
The next two most common causes are fires that are intentionally set or caused by electricity lines.
Several events have been canceled and postponed
The Critics Choice Awards rescheduled Sunday ceremonies in Santa Monica for Jan. 26.
The organization that puts on the Oscars extended the voting window for Academy Award nominations and delayed the nominations announcement to Jan. 23.
The NFL moved the Los Angeles Rams’ wild-card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings to Arizona because of the fires. The game will be played Monday night. And the NBA postponed the Lakers’ game against the Hornets.
NBA games are scheduled to return to Los Angeles on Monday night, with the Clippers hosting the Miami Heat and the Lakers set to host the San Antonio Spurs. It’ll be the Clippers’ first game in five days after having their home game against Charlotte on Saturday postponed. The Lakers had two home games pushed back.
Beyoncé has contributed $2.5 million to a newly launched LA Fire Relief Fund created by her charitable foundation, BeyGOOD.
The announcement arrived via the BeyGOOD foundation Instagram account on Sunday. “The fund is earmarked to aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes, and to churches and community centers to address the immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires,” the caption read.
Founded in 2013, the BeyGOOD foundation concentrates on economic equity, by “supporting marginalized and under-resourced programs,” according to its mission statement.
Last week, Beyoncé’s mother Tina Knowles shared that her Malibu bungalow was destroyed in the Los Angeles-area fires. “It was my favorite place, my sanctuary, my sacred happy place. now it is gone,” she wrote on Instagram. “God Bless all the brave men and women in our fire department who risked their lives in dangerous conditions.”
The Screen Actors Guild announced over the weekend it would commit $1 million to help members affected by the fires. While a lot of attention has been paid to stars who have lost homes, numerous less-famous industry workers have also lost homes or been displaced by the fires.
