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Today's headlines

Six of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees are holding confirmation hearings today before Senate committees on Capitol Hill. Some nominees will face an easier path than others, but Trump supporters have pressured Republicans to agree, and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso said Democrats should cooperate.

• 🎧 Some nominees, such as Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state, former congressman Sean Duffy as transportation secretary and John Ratcliffe as CIA director, appear to be well on their way to confirmation .n, Narrated by NPR's Susan Davis first up. One of the most closely watched nominees will be Trump's pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi. Below is information about Bundy's career. Barring extraordinary circumstances, cabinet picks are expected to be approved because Republicans hold a 53-vote majority. The purpose of the hearings was not to win over Democrats but to keep Republicans united.

The winds that sparked massive wildfires in Los Angeles have calmed since yesterday. But forecasters still warned residents to remain vigilant. Communities in the fire zone remain on lockdown, frustrating many homeowners.

• 🎧 "We're not completely out of danger yet," NPR's Martin Castor says. There was some optimism as relatively calm conditions allowed fire crews to intensify efforts on the two largest blazes. Authorities said they have not yet completed door-to-door damage assessments to check for unsafe structures and hazards to allow people to return to their homes. The immediate priority is figuring out how to provide shelter for the large number of people who have lost their homes. There have been numerous reports that rent increases constitute price gouging under California law, and city attorneys say they'll be watching closely.
• ➡️ Not familiar with wildfire terminology Like a red flag warning? Here are the meanings of several words and phrases.
• ➡️ View photos of Southern California pets receive assistance from animal rescue groups.
• ➡️ Victor Shaw died in the Eaton fire. His family remembers his love of sports and close relationship with his sister.
• ➡️ Influencers and politicians spread false claims about Los Angeles’ water supply. Here's what you should know.

a group of news organizations, leaders new york timesyesterday brought ChatGPT maker OpenAI to a federal court for a hearing to determine If tech companies have to face them in copyright infringement trials. The hearing centers on OpenAI's motion to dismiss, in which the judge will decide whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed or dismiss it. The publisher's core argument is that the data powering ChatGPT includes millions of copyrighted works from news organizations and that the articles were used without consent or payment. OpenAI believes the fair use doctrine protects them. What might happen next.

deep dive

The fate of TikTok and its millions of U.S. users is uncertain as the Supreme Court reviews a law The platform could be banned in the United States if its Chinese owner ByteDance does not sell its U.S. operations by January 19. This doesn't mean the app will automatically disappear from users' phones, nor does it mean they will face penalties just for logging in. However, it will become more difficult for US users to access the platform. Here's what to expect and how to prepare:

• 📱 TikTok is likely to disappear from the app storemeaning people will no longer be able to download the app or any newer versions.
• 📱 No ability to updatethe application will not be able to fix bugs, add features, or resolve security issues.
• 📱 Trump has three complex options for trying to overturn the ban. First, he could try to persuade Congress to repeal the 2024 law. Second, he could instruct the Justice Department and Attorney General not to enforce it. Third, he could use the statute’s broad powers to determine that TikTok’s owners conducted a “qualified divestiture.”

life advice

register Life Kit's Dry January newsletter series And get tips and strategies to help you go drink-free for a month. Start your journey anytime.

For those who decide not to drink during Alcohol January or any other time period, the social belief that drinking can make you more interesting can be a huge challenge. It's best to have an honest conversation with your loved ones about your reasons for taking the sabbatical so they can support you on your journey. Here are some ways to solve the social dilemma of sober socializing:

• 🥤 When someone asks you why you don't drink, be direct. Avoiding your reasoning will make it harder to say no.
• 🥤 If your friend is embarrassed by your decisionAsk yourself if you really want to be friends with people who don't enjoy your company when you're not drinking.
• 🥤 As someone who has completely changed his lifestyle.try planning an outing with friends to get suggestions for alternatives to going to the pub.
• 🥤 Order a non-alcoholic drink. Drinking something at a social event can mimic this ritual.

3 things you need to know before you go

1. FDA proposes to require new labels for most packaged foods and beverages sold in U.S. Make it easier for consumers to assess the sugar, fat and salt content of products.
2. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is suing Capital Oneclaims it "orchestrated" members to keep low-yield savings accounts and defrauded families of billions of dollars.
3. The Little Desk Contest is back! If you've ever wanted to perform at this iconic location, this might be your chance. Here's how to enter.

The editor of this newsletter is Suzanne Newyen.