"Leadership has consequences ... What's happening in California is the ramification of many decisions over many years." — Kristi Noem Sen. Richard Blumenthal pressed South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem at her confirmation hearing for DHS secretary. He asked if she would push back against the president if Trump made statements made that could threaten emergency funding to states led by governors with differing political opinions. "I will deliver the programs as the laws dictate," Noem said. #politics #kristinoem #news #abcnews

"Doing something positive while I'm doing this sentence is most important to me." Approximately 1,000 inmates are currently helping battle the blazes torching California, for modest per diem compensation and time off their sentences. Participating individuals are typically paid between $5.80 and $10.24 per day plus $1 an hour when responding to active emergencies. One inmate firefighter shared his experience with ABC News. #firefighting #wildfires #california #news #abcnews

The ATF is taking the lead of the newly formed Los Angeles Regional Wildfire Investigative Task Force — probing the origins and causes of the devastating wildfires in Southern California. Alex Stone has the latest. #news #atf #wildfire #losangeles #california #abcnews

ABC News' Matt Rivers is in Los Angeles' Brentwood neighborhood as firefighters continue to battle the devastating Palisades Fire. Firefighters have been using water from swimming pools to help tackle the blaze. The Palisades Fire began in the Pacific Palisades area of the city on Jan. 7 and has scorched over 23,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures and is 11% contained as of Sunday morning. #news #abcnews #california #wildfire

Hospitals across the country are dealing with a wave of respiratory illnesses. The CDC says more than half of the country are seeing high levels of the flu, COVID, RSV and the common cold. #news #abcnews #flu #covid #rsv #health