How low can you go?… California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sen. Elizabeth Warren are both coming under fire after exploiting the wildfires in California to solicit Democrat donations. Yesterday, Elizabeth Warren was fact-checked by Community Notes after asking her followers to donate to help those affected by the California wildfires. She claimed that 100% of the donations went to the LAFD and United Way of Greater Los Angeles charity — when, in reality, the organization she linked to took a cut for Democrats! Community Notes fact-checked her claims. Here’s Warren’s post: To help support the communities around L.A. being devastated by wildfires, can you split a donation between the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and United Way of Greater Los Angeles? 100% of your donation will go directly to these organizations: https://t.co/EtgMfHrEtq — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 11, 2025 Then, today, Gavin Newsom was caught doing a very similar think. In an X post, linked to a supposed “fact-checking” website to combat so-called “wildfire misinformation”…but it was really just his own political campaign website… Here’s his post: A lot of misinformation out there. Just launched a new site to ensure the public has access to fact-based data around the Southern CA wildfires. The TRUTH:– CA did NOT cut our firefighting budget. We have nearly doubled the size of our firefighting army and built the world’s… — Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 11, 2025 The good thing about X is it makes it impossible for politicians to pull this crap anymore! Community Notes and individual users on X are pointing out the scheme here. Check out these reactions: The Governor of California and Elizabeth Warren using the devastating fire to raise money for Democrats is straight up evil. This is a new low even for them. pic.twitter.com/IxiWLD4XNB — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 12, 2025 Pocahontas got caught scamming her followers. Community Notes for the win! pic.twitter.com/VwCD54u789 — Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) January 12, 2025 Community Notes stays undefeated. Both Gavin Newsom and Elizabeth Warren were exposed for using the California fires to push Democrat fundraising efforts. It doesn’t get much worse than this. Americans, remember these receipts when you head to the polls. pic.twitter.com/RpNyL0g97a — Jack (@jackunheard) January 12, 2025 Gavin Newscum and Elizabeth Warren using the devastating fire to raise money for Democrats is straight up a new low in Politics. pic.twitter.com/KwLYaqymBb — JOSH DUNLAP (@JDunlap1974) January 12, 2025 The New York Post reported on the scandal: California Gov. Gavin Newsom sparked fierce outrage for soliciting donations to victims of the deadly Los Angeles wildfires via his super PAC, which pushed users to add their personal information to a Democratic fundraising site. Newsom, 57, posted a link on X to californiafirefacts.com, a website set up by his campaign committee, in response to what he claimed was misinformation on the wildfires. But the site urges users to give money to the California Fire Foundation and links them to a module from ActBlue, the Democratic Party’s fundraising platform. The ActBlue donation box says the money is being raised by Campaign for Democracy, Newsom’s super PAC. “Your donation will go directly towards supporting firefighters and the communities they serve, including direct financial support to impacted residents,” the site says. The California Fire Foundation, which helps firefighters, their families and victims, allows users to donate directly without relying on a service like ActBlue to make those transactions. Users who donate via Newsom’s fundraising appeal are also automatically signing up for text messages from his super PAC, if they provide their phone numbers… ActBlue is a controversial platform. Last year, congressional Republicans flagged that scores of transactions on ActBlue had been flagged as potentially suspicious or fraudulent. Other Democrats including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have similarly shared ActBlue fundraisers as they solicit money for wildfire victims. Fox News also confirmed: Gov. Gavin Newsom defended his handling of the raging fires in the Los Angeles area with a new website intended to combat “misinformation” that also links to Democratic Party fundraising giant ActBlue, Fox News Digital found. Fires have been raging in the Los Angeles area since Tuesday, destroying thousands of acres and homes and leaving more than a dozen people dead in its wake. Newsom, amid criticisms of his handling of the fires, unveiled a new website this weekend to combat “misinformation” on California fire prevention and emergency efforts, linking to a website that raises donations through ActBlue.

Democrats at the local, state, and federal level have faced mounting criticism in recent days as Los Angeles and surrounding areas continue to be decimated by multiple raging wildfires. With President Donald Trump re-entering the White House for another term next week, however, one prominent Republican lawmaker is confident that there is light at the end of the tunnel for those impacted by the disaster. Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) appeared on CNN to address the issue, as The Hill reported: In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Jake Tapper asked whether she thinks Trump should honor President Biden’s pledge for the federal government to cover 100 percent of the initial disaster response costs and whether Congress is prepared to act if more aid is needed. “When it comes to the Republican conference, we actually had this conversation this week,” Britt said. “Certainly understand the needs of the people of California, and we’ll continue to learn more.” Britt said she was texting Saturday night with former Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) to get “an idea of what’s going on on the ground.” “And we will be ready to act,” Britt continued, “and so I know that President Trump certainly stands for the people across this nation and will make sure that the people of California have what they need.” Some of the Democrats most closely related to the ongoing disaster have been roundly pilloried by evacuees and ordinary Americans alike: JUST IN: Major radio stations here in Los Angeles are publicly calling for Mayor Karen Bass to be REMOVED These fires have really woken Californians! “Our city has been left in crisis. Water supplies strained, billions of taxpayer dollars misallocated, countless lives lost…… pic.twitter.com/5EDnPenIAC — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 10, 2025 2020: Trump warned Gavin Newsom about the lack of wildfire management in California. 2021: It turned out Newsom lied about wildfire management. 2024: Newsom cuts California fire budgets by $101 million. 2025: Unimaginable preventable destruction. pic.twitter.com/WgTUSOzBTT — Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) January 10, 2025 LA Mayor Karen Bass stripped $17 million in funding from the Fire Dept but gave $14,010 to the “Gay Men’s Chorus” who do drag shows to celebrate pride month. Your tax dollars are funding this pic.twitter.com/7lLsASbM2A — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 12, 2025 Kevin O’Leary says California is a dumpster fire Calls Gavin Newsom the “Justin Trudeau of California” and says it’s time for him to get removed from office immediately Gavin’s Newsom’s days as Governor are numbered!!! Everyone is turning on him pic.twitter.com/ii34kpbtr7 — TONY (@TONYxTWO) January 11, 2025 Trump himself has weighed in on the mismanagement on full display in L.A. and across the Golden State. According to NewsNation: “The fires are still raging in L.A,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out.” “Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?” he concluded. As Los Angeles continues to burn, California politicians have come under sharp criticism by the soon-to-be 47th president, specifically for the state’s water management. Trump has hurled blame at Governor Gavin Newsom (D) – whom he has feuded with for years – for the wildfire crisis, proclaiming he should resign. In a post on his social media site earlier in the week, Trump wrote that Newsom “refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water” to areas now burning, alleging he prioritized “small fish” over California residents. Here’s a clip of Britt’s recent CNN appearance:

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) said during an interview over the weekend that he does not support the Laken Riley Act, named after 22-year-old Laken Riley, who was murdered by 26-year-old Venezuelan illegal alien Jose Ibarra. Padilla made the remarks about the bill, which has received strong support from both parties, during a Sunday interview on NBC News’ “Meet The Press” with Kristen Welker. “So my understanding is there was a procedural vote to allow the measure to come up in the Senate for purposes of allowing a debate, allowing us to offer amendments,” he said. “The bill currently, as written, is first of all, it’s not immigration policy. Second of all, it is already in law that those who commit violent crimes can and should be detained and are in that deportation process.” Welker had to press Padilla two more times to answer whether he would support the bill after Senators voted 84-9 to advance it in the U.S. Senate. “As currently written I’m a no, because it opens the doors for people simply being charged, without a conviction, to be detained and deported,” he said, trying to defend illegal aliens. “That includes minors, that includes Dreamers, that’s shoplifting a pack of bubble gum. There has to be more of a focus on a piece of legislation like this.” WATCH:

In light of the recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County, we felt it was timely to revisit this important piece. As wildfires become an increasingly frequent challenge in our warming world, adapting to their effects is crucial—not just on a global environmental scale, but also in addressing the individual health impacts they bring. While protecting lives and homes remains the foremost priority, understanding and managing the health effects of wildfire smoke is also vital. This article offers practical advice for mitigating the often-overlooked skin-related effects of smoke exposure, ensuring that your overall well-being remains a priority as we navigate this new reality together.   The West Coast wildfires demonstrate that fires will be an increasingly common aspect of a warming world. This means that we will have to learn how to adapt, even as we attempt to reverse and mitigate the effects of climate change. Although skin health isn’t our primary concern when it comes to the threat of wildfires, the state of our skin is part of our wellbeing and overall health, and many people who have been exposed to air pollution and large quantities of smoke experience changes in skin health. The air quality across the entire country has been affected by the wildfires, too, so this is not just a localized issue. Smoke has particulate matter, a kind of air pollution that is tiny enough to seep into your pores and cause free radical damage, which leads to dull skin, an uneven tone, and wrinkles. The soot and ash that gets trapped in your pores can cause breakouts as well. According to Howard Sobel, M.D., “if you have sensitive skin, are acne-prone, or have a skin condition such as rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, the smoke exposure can also cause flare-ups of these conditions.” If you’ve been exposed to smoke, you can take your skin’s recovery into your own hands and soothe smoke-induced irritation by following these tips: Always cleanse your face at night Jeanine Downie, M.D., tells MindBodyGreen that if you don’t want to wash your face more than once a day, then “do it at night so you can take all the pollution off before you go to sleep.” Even on regular days, bacteria and sweat build up on your skin causing inflammation. Soot and smoke exacerbate the issue, even if your face doesn’t look dirty, so washing every night is essential. Introduce antioxidants to your routine Sobel insists that “antioxidants are the number one skincare product to add to your routine if you have been exposed to smoke,” because they stabilize the free radicals that lead to oxidative stress (skin aging and loss of collagen). Adding antioxidants to your routine can boost collagen levels, limit pigmentation, and reduce inflammation. Vitamin C and niacinamide will also help brighten and smooth your skin. Always wear sunscreen The quantity of smoke you’re exposed to may be out of your control, however, you can still protect yourself from other sources of oxidative stress like UV exposure. UV radiation triggers cell damage, which leads to fine lines, sunspots, and sagging skin, so make sure to protect your skin by wearing sunscreen every single day (even if it’s cloudy). Non-nano mineral options are considered the safest for the skin and the environment. Zinc oxide is also recommended for its soothing properties. Cover up your skin if you can Add another layer of protection between you and the elements by opting for long-sleeve shirts and pants when you go outside. You can wear a face mask to help protect the skin on your face, too. Strengthen the skin barrier Sensitive skin, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis are all conditions that are triggered by a compromised skin barrier. Ingredients like ceramides, squalene, colloidal oat, and manuka honey will nourish your skin with healthy lipids and quell inflammation. There is also new research coming out on the benefits of pre-, pro-, and postbiotic products that can support your skin’s flora. Be environmentally conscious Though not necessarily a skincare tip, taking care of the environment does help your skin long-term, because environmental changes can and have already affected your skin and overall health. Being conscious about making daily choices that will mitigate the negative effects of climate change rather than contribute to the problem isn’t just good for you, but will positively impact everyone’s health and that of our planet.The post How to protect and soothe skin from smoke exposure first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Wildfires have once again ravaged Los Angeles County, burning tens of thousands of acres, destroying thousands of structures, and forcing mass evacuations. Fueled by unrelenting winds, the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires broke out on Tuesday, followed by the Woodley, Lidia, and Sunset fires on Wednesday. In response to this escalating crisis, President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for California after consulting with Governor Gavin Newsom and local fire officials. As flames continue to threaten communities, humanitarian organizations and nonprofits have mobilized to provide relief and recovery assistance to those affected. Here’s how you can help the victims of these devastating wildfires and support the heroes working tirelessly to protect lives and property. 1. Aid for evacuees Evacuation centers have become lifelines for displaced residents. CBS News Los Angeles has partnered with the American Red Cross to support these centers, providing food, water, and emergency supplies. Donations to the Red Cross can help ensure that evacuees receive essential care during this challenging time. World Central Kitchen, led by renowned chef José Andrés, has also stepped in, distributing sandwiches, water, and other meals throughout Southern California. 2. Support for first responders The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation is seeking contributions to its wildfire emergency fund. These donations directly equip firefighters with the tools and resources they need to combat the ongoing infernos. Supporting this fund is a powerful way to assist the frontline heroes who risk their lives to protect communities. 3. Help for families in need The California Fire Foundation, in partnership with local fire departments and community organizations, is offering financial aid to affected residents. Through their wildfire and disaster relief fund, victims can access resources to rebuild their lives. Additionally, the League of California Community Foundations is coordinating relief efforts for those impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires. Past funds raised by the coalition have rebuilt homes, restored lost belongings, and provided crucial mental health services. 4. Food and supplies for immediate relief The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is accepting food donations and recruiting volunteers to distribute essentials to those in need. Similarly, the Anderson Munger Family YMCA in Koreatown has put out a call for donations of food, snacks, water, and emergency supplies. Deliveries can be made directly to their location, helping to meet the urgent needs of families and individuals affected by the fires. How to take action Whether you’re in California or across the country, there are several ways to make a meaningful impact: Donate to organizations: Contributing funds to groups like the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, and the California Fire Foundation ensures your support goes directly to those in need. Volunteer your time: If you’re local, organizations such as the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Anderson Munger Family YMCA need helping hands to sort and deliver supplies. Spread awareness: Amplify the efforts of relief organizations on social media or within your community to encourage others to contribute. The road to recovery As Los Angeles County grapples with the devastation caused by these wildfires, the road to recovery will require collective effort and unwavering compassion. From equipping first responders to feeding evacuees and rebuilding homes, every contribution matters. Take the first step today by supporting one of the organizations on the frontlines of this crisis.The post How to help victims of California wildfires: a guide to supporting relief efforts first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

'Haunted by Afghanistan'