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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The full scope of the devastation in the Los Angeles area from a series of out-of-control wildfires is now only being realized, and many of those fires remain largely uncontained. L.A.
Fire and Sheriff's Department officials in a briefing today say some 4,000 to 5,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed, with the death toll at least five people and expected to rise. Lori Moore Merrill is the fire administrator for FEMA in California, says there was welcome news from President Joe Biden today about disaster assistance.
Given that this has happened so quickly and we got a major declaration so quickly from the president, that has really expedited individuals' opportunity to get relief.
Firefighters are making more progress today with the lessening of some of the high winds that have fanned flames. About 180,000 people in the L.A. area are under evacuation orders. A federal judge has struck down an effort by the U.S. Department of Education to expand federal protections for transgender students. More from NPR's Corey Turner.
For half a century, Title IX has banned discrimination in schools based on sex. At issue in this decision is a rule the Biden administration released last spring interpreting the law to also protect sexual orientation and gender identity. The rule had been hailed by LGBTQ plus advocates, but was challenged by 26 conservative-led states that argued the president had exceeded his legal authority.
In this latest ruling, a federal judge in Kentucky agreed, striking down the rule nationally and writing that it, quote, turns Title IX on its head. Before this decision, the rule had already been blocked in half the country. Corey Turner, NPR News.
While the current living presidents were attendance today, President Jimmy Carter's funeral amongst the current and former first ladies, there was a notable absence. Former First Lady Michelle Obama did not attend the service at Washington National Cathedral. CNN has reported the former first lady had a scheduling conflict and was in Hawaii. Carter was remembered at Washington National Cathedral.
He died last month at the age of 100. U.S. greenhouse gas emissions inched down last year, falling by less than 1 percent, according to a new study. NPR's Michael Copley reports the pollution from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil is raising global temperatures.
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