Sputtering Worker Productivity Vexes Economy

By LISA MASCARO WASHINGTON (AP) — One by one, all the president-elect’ s men, and women, are falling into place in his Cabinet. While Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth’s nomination was teetering toward collapse just weeks ago, he now appears on track for confirmation after a fiery Senate hearing that focused on his drinking, views of women in combat and lack of high-profile management experience for the top U.

The antique silver menorah. The shabbos candlesticks. The tiny tefillin set. The last remnants from Europe that my grandparents, all Holocaust survivors, managed to shlep to America. And I need to get them out of my house. Right now. I had this thought during a moment when the Palisades Fire raced unchecked in all directions, including south toward my Santa Monica home.

By MELISSA GOLDIN and BRITTANY PETERSON A billionaire couple was accused of withholding water that could help stop Los Angeles’ massive wildfires. Democratic leadership was blamed for fire hydrants running dry and for an empty reservoir. Firefighters were criticized for allegedly using “women’s handbags” to fight the fires. Related Articles National News | The ‘things,’ saved from fire, that have made LA houses into Jewish homes | COMMENTARY National News | Rubio says Cuba is state sponsor of terrorism, suggests quick Trump reversal of Biden decision National News | Congressman Ro Khanna calls for ‘full and transparent’ investigation into death of OpenAI whistleblower Suchir Balaji National News | US government sues Southwest Airlines and fines Frontier for chronically delayed flights National News | Trump and Biden both claim credit for Gaza ceasefire deal Those are just a few of the false or misleading claims that have emerged amid general criticism about California’s water management sparked by the fierce Los Angeles fires. Much of the misinformation is being spread “because it offers an opportunity to take potshots at California Democratic leadership while simultaneously distracting attention from the real contributing factors, especially the role of climate change,” said Peter Gleick, senior fellow at the Pacific Institute, a nonprofit he co-founded that focuses on global water sustainability. Attacks on a water bank Social media users have claimed that Stewart and Lynda Resnick, co-owners of a massive agriculture company that has a majority stake in California’s Kern Water Bank, control California’s water and have refused to lend enough to firefighting efforts. The water bank stores up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water underground for agricultural, municipal and industrial use during dry years.

A developer has sued the city of Hollywood, accusing it of improperly blocking a proposed 17-story, $80 million beachside development that would feature affordable housing. The lawsuit is billed as Broward County’s first lawsuit under Florida’s “Live Local Act,” a state law that offers various incentives to developers to create more affordable housing. The lawsuit alleges the city isn’t easing restrictions in accordance with the Live Local Act. A city spokeswoman on Wednesday could not immediately comment on the lawsuit, which was filed Friday in Broward Circuit Court. Considering building limits Hollywood only allows buildings to be 65 feet tall, or about five stories, on the beach, according to the plaintiffs’ attorney. But a developer, Condra Property Group, is trying to build a 17-story, mixed-use development with 282 units, including 114 affordable units at or below 120% of the median income.

‘Grave Danger: A Jack Swyteck Novel’ by James Grippando. Harper, 329 pages, $30 James Grippando’s propensity for latching on to current events and weaving these issues into brisk, in-depth thrillers are a mainstay of his novels about Miami attorney Jack Swyteck. “Grave Danger,” Grippando’s 19th novel about Jack, is full of believable twists with attention to details, as he mixes a personal story with an international focus that works well. Jack’s 9-year marriage to FBI agent Andie Henning is going through a rough patch, brought on mainly because of friction that arises from their individual careers.

By CHRIS MEGERIAN WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will deliver a farewell address to the nation Wednesday night, seizing what may be his final opportunity to reshape Americans’ grim views on his term before he departs the White House. Related Articles National Politics | Trump’s outsider Cabinet picks are rapidly gaining support for confirmation National Politics | Here’s how to watch Biden’s farewell address from the Oval Office National Politics | Rubio says Cuba is state sponsor of terrorism, suggests quick Trump reversal of Biden decision National Politics | Trump’s pick for budget director won’t say whether he would release Ukraine aid National Politics | Key takeaways from Trump’s energy secretary pick’s confirmation hearing He plans to deliver the speech at 8 p.m.