Mike’s Blog Round-up

Insurance companies were worried about many of the homes in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles long before this week’s devastating wildfire burned through the area, ravaging homes and forcing evacuations. The Palisades, because of its location next to the brush-heavy Santa Monica Mountains and the high value of its homes, was too vulnerable to fires to insure at permissible rates without the companies losing money.

Several fires continued to ravage the Los Angeles region on Thursday, killing at least five people and forcing thousands to flee their homes. Firefighters are still struggling to control the blazes, which have led to wildfire smoke that’s worsening the air quality in the region. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Wildfire smoke can travel long distances and affect the air quality far beyond the immediate vicinity of the fire.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing criticism for being out of the country when the devastating wildfires began to ravage the city on Tuesday night, destroying thousands of homes and displacing residents. Bass had been in Ghana, attending the inauguration of the country’s new president as part of the U.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis will offer an evenhanded approach to the coming Trump administration, he said during his annual State of the State address Thursday, while criticizing parts of Trump’s deportation plans and outlining plans to pursue additional housing and transportation reform. “My principle is always: I will work with anyone and everyone when it’s good for Colorado,” Polis said in his prepared remarks, “and I will oppose anyone and everyone — and do everything in my power to protect Colorado — when it hurts our people and state.” Polis’ speech — which began about 11:15 a.m.

Russell Westbrook smelled blood in the water, revealed himself too soon, then still captured his prey anyway. It was the first quarter at Ball Arena, and the Nuggets led the Clippers 19-13 after DeAndre Jordan scored and got fouled. With Jordan famously a horrible free throw shooter — 47.5% in his career, 35% this season — Westbrook went hunting for an offensive rebound. Maybe it helped that Denver was hosting his former team.

On Thursday, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish play the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl, which doubles as one of the college football playoff semifinals. The game marks the latest of Notre Dame’s many successes on the gridiron. In its 138-year history of playing football, the Catholic university has checked off every measure of success.