24/7 News: The Latest
The Latest: 01/25/2025 01:59am ET
This is your 24/7 News Update, the latest news this hour in just four minutes. The Commander-in-Chief visits areas of LA after recent devastating wildfires. President Trump is telling LA's mayor that there will be no delays when it comes to granting permits to rebuild. During a briefing on Friday, there was a testy exchange when Trump told Mayor Karen Bass he heard crews could not start rebuilding for 18 months. Bass vowed that will not be the case, and Trump replied, "I just hope you're right," and they should be able to start tonight. He also told the mayor the residents themselves should be able to clear out debris on their property. President Trump is promising federal support for Los Angeles County in the wake of those devastating fires. The federal government standing behind you, 100 percent, the first lady and I are in California to express a great love for the people of California. He also toured the disaster area in the air and on the ground. Trump then took questions and comments from local officials and property owners. Trump also says he plans to come back to Los Angeles to celebrate when disaster areas are cleaned up and rebuilt. And Vice President J.D. Vance is confirming Pete Hegseth as the new Secretary of Defense. On this vote, the yeas are 50 and the nays are 50. The Senate being equally divided, the Vice President votes in the affirmative and the nomination is confirmed. A tense vote in the Senate on Friday night ended in a tie after three Republicans voted against his confirmation. Vice President Vance had to act as a tiebreaker and voted Hegseth in. This is only the second time in history that a Vice President had to act as a nomination tiebreaker. Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell buttered against the former Fox News host, Hegseth has faced allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking on the job. I'm Jim Forbes. The Northern Lights may be visible in parts of the Northern U.S. into early Saturday morning. A coronal mass ejection from the Sun, earlier this week, is pushing the Aurora Borealis further south than usual. Overnight viewing may be possible in places like Iowa, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont. The Department of Justice says it will largely stop prosecuting people who stop women from accessing reproductive health care. Ryan Shook has the very latest. It's currently illegal for protesters to block entrances, damage property or threaten patients in front of reproductive health clinics. On Friday, the DOJ said it will now reflect President Trump's position on abortion access and will reduce efforts to charge protesters who stop women from going into places like Planned Parenthood. Trump has already pardoned protesters who injured a nurse and harassed patients at a female health care clinic in 2023. I'm Brian Shook. musician Marilyn Manchin won't face sexual assault charges in California, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman made the announcement Friday after a four-year investigation. The DA said, quote, "We have determined that allegations of domestic violence fall outside of the statute of limitations, and we cannot prove charges of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt." Congress and Manchin's ex Rachel Wood and four other women came forward with allegations of abuse in 2021. Hochman said, quote, "They recognize and applaud the courage and resilience of the women who came forward." And some of music's biggest names will take the stage at this year's Grammy Awards. Pop stars Charlie XCX, Chapel Rohn and Sabrina Carpenter will all sing at the ceremony. The 67th annual Grammy Awards will be held February 2nd, and that's the very latest. I'm Jim Forbes.