Could the L.A. Fires Have Been Stopped Sooner?
The Daily
01/14/25
•39m
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A week after fires broke out in the Los Angeles area, Californians are grappling with the widespread destruction.
They’re also seeking answers from their leaders about why so much has been lost.
Mike Baker and Christopher Flavelle, who have been covering the fires, discuss the authorities’ response and whether some of the devastation could have been avoided.
Guests:
- Mike Baker, a national reporter for The New York Times.
- Christopher Flavelle, a reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Some Pacific Palisades residents said the community had long asked for more detailed fire preparation plans.
- The L.A. fires show the limits of America’s efforts to cope with climate change.
- How Los Angeles firefighters ran out of water.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Previous Episode
Big Tech’s Big Bet on Trump
January 13, 2025
•32m
Big Tech’s biggest names are throwing their weight behind Donald J. Trump in the biggest possible way, first as candidate and now as president-elect.
Erin Griffith, who covers tech companies and Silicon Valley for The Times, charts the tech billionaire Marc Andreessen’s journey from top-tier democratic donor to Trump adviser, and explains what it reveals about the growing MAGA-fication of Silicon Valley.
Guests: Erin Griffith, who covers tech companies and Silicon Valley for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Inside Mark Zuckerberg’s sprint to remake Meta for the Trump era.
- The executives of tech’s biggest companies largely ignored Mr. Trump before the 2016 election. This time around, they were far more friendly.
- Wealthy donors to the president-elect’s campaign anticipate a more business-friendly atmosphere, including the firing of Biden-era regulators.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Next Episode
On Tuesday, the confirmation process for President-elect Donald J. Trump’s cabinet picks kicked off with Pete Hegseth, for the position of defense secretary.
Eric Schmitt, who covers U.S. national security, explains how the four-hour hearing unfolded, and what the odds are that Mr. Hegseth will soon be leading the Pentagon.
Guests: Eric Schmitt, a national security correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Read four takeaways from the hearing.
- Here’s how Senate confirmation works.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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