--:-- Georgia Howe: The NFL is back, and FanDuel's got everything you need to play your game. From same-game parlays to live betting. Right now, new customers bet $5 and get $300 in bonus bets if you win. 21-plus in president select states. 18-plus in Kentucky and Wyoming. Must be first online real money waging. $5 deposit required. Bonus issued is non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire seven days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See full terms at FanDuel.com slash sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
--:-- Georgia Howe: This episode is brought to you by Beam. Put those restless nights behind you with Beam's best-selling dream pattern. You can get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to shopbeam.com slash wire and use code wire at checkout. That's shop, B-E-A-M dot com slash wire and use code wire for up to 40% off.
--:-- Georgia Howe: I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire editor-in-chief John Bickley. It's Wednesday, January 8th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.
--:-- John Bickley: Several wildfires are raging in Los Angeles County with two people dead and thousands of structures burned. Three separate fires are ravaging areas including Pacific Palisades, Silmar, and Altadena near Pasadena.
--:-- John Bickley: Daily Wire reporter Amanda Prestigiacomo breaks down what we know so far. The fires remain completely uncontained as Santa Ana winds intensify, prompting California Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency. Power outages have left more than 200,000 without electricity.
--:-- Amanda Prestigiacomo: Officials warn the strongest winds will hit overnight forcing evacuations for over 30 residents. As fire crews are working tirelessly, officials say conditions are expected to worsen under the current weather forecast.
--:-- John Bickley: President Joe Biden spoke to Newsom and has pledged federal support. Biden is scheduled to visit a Santa Monica fire station today for a briefing on the Pacific Palisades fire, one of the many blazes threatening the region.
--:-- John Bickley: Luxury hotels in Los Angeles are reportedly packed to the gills as ultra-wealthy residents flee the fires. The Beverly Hills Hotel, Four Seasons Beverly Hills, the Peninsula Hotel, and Waldorf Astoria are reportedly all sold out, with many guests arriving with pets.
--:-- John Bickley: Stars like Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, Kate Hudson, Reese Witherspoon, and Tom Hanks all have homes in the fire-stricken Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
--:-- John Bickley: President-elect Trump is calling on the Supreme Court to block his Friday sentencing proceedings. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has more.
--:-- Tim Pierce: Trump was convicted back in May on 34 felony counts related to so-called hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. He's asked the high court to halt the proceedings during his transition to the Oval Office.
--:-- Tim Pierce: This comes after a New York appeals court yesterday rejected the president-elect's latest attempt to delay the sentencing. Trump's lawyers argue that the Supreme Court's recent decision on presidential immunity should cover the current transition period and that the hush money case undermines the presidency.
--:-- John Bickley: The Supreme Court filing comes alongside a similar request to New York's highest court, as Trump continues to challenge what he calls a politically motivated prosecution.
--:-- John Bickley: As things currently stand, sentencing is set for Friday at 9:30 a.m.
--:-- John Bickley: Donald Trump talk of purchasing Greenland has garnered some strong reactions especially from Denmark. Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips has the latest.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: Prime Minister Matej Fredriksson responded to Trump saying Greenland is not for sale. Remarks also follow a personal visit to the island this week by Donald Trump Jr. Fredriksson told Danish TV that Greenland's future is for its own people to decide, dismissing Trump's proposal as unrealistic.
--:-- Cabot Phillips: Meanwhile, Trump Jr. toured Greenland's capital, shooting a video for his podcast but avoiding government meetings. Trump has long claimed Greenland is critical to U.S. security, posting on social media, quote, make Greenland great again.
--:-- John Bickley: Separately, Trump's suggestion to make Canada the 51st state has also prompted some strong reactions from Canadian officials, including both former Prime Minister Trudeau and Conservative Majority Leader Pierre Palliev.
--:-- John Bickley: Mexico is reportedly cracking down on illegal immigrant caravans as Donald Trump's inauguration approaches. Authorities are using a dispersion and exhaustion strategy busing migrants to cities like Acapulco.
--:-- John Bickley: Once a thriving tourist destination, the city now faces crime and instability. Trump has vowed strict border policies and heavy tariffs on Mexico, aiming to curb illegal crossings and deport millions once in office.
--:-- John Bickley: Business leaders, are you here to play or are you playing to win? If you're in it to win, meet your next MVP. NetSuite by Oracle. Right now, get the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning at netsuite.com slash morningwire. Netsuite.com slash morningwire.
--:-- John Bickley: Israel says the bodies of two hostages have been recovered from Gaza. Daily Wire deputy managing editor Tim Rice has the details.
--:-- Tim Rice: Defense minister Israel Katz says the bodies were identified as Yosef al and his son Hamza. Both men were taken prisoner during Hamas' brutal October 7th attack that killed thousands.
--:-- Tim Rice: The return of the two bodies comes amid negotiations of a ceasefire deal that would free the remaining 100 or so hostages. However, Israel believes a third of those held captive in Gaza are dead.
--:-- Tim Rice: During a lengthy press conference yesterday, President-elect Donald Trump addressed the hostage situation. If those hostages aren't back, I don't want to hurt your negotiation. If they're not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East. And it will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone.
--:-- John Bickley: And President Biden says he's still considering preemptive pardons for political figures he believes could face retaliation under President Trump. During an interview with USA Today, Biden mentioned potential pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Representative Liz Cheney, and Senator Adam Schiff.
--:-- John Bickley: Some Democrats fear such a move could set a dangerous precedent, while others see it as a safeguard against Trump. Biden has already issued a record number of clemencies, including a pardon for his son, Hunter, despite insisting that no one is above the law.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Those are your drive home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com. And for more in-depth reporting on the biggest stories of the day, tune into our full episode of Morning Wire every morning.
