January 11, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode

The desperate battle between firefighters and wildfires in the Los Angeles area has entered its fifth day, with more evacuations underway as high winds threaten more lives and homes. Officials say 11 deaths from the fires have been confirmed so far and at least 13 people are missing. Stephanie Sy reports from Malibu.

Vast plumes of smoke and ash from the California wildfires are threatening the health of people miles away, and has led both the Biden administration and Los Angeles County to declare public health emergencies. Ali Rogin speaks with Dr. Russell Buhr, assistant professor of medicine and health policy at UCLA, to learn more.

In our news wrap Saturday, Biden awarded Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, special counsel Jack Smith resigned from the Justice Department, and singer Sam Moore of the 1960s duo Sam & Dave died at age 89 from complications following surgery.

The chemical formaldehyde is found just about everywhere, including in composite lumber, plastics, paints and glues used in many homes and offices. This past week, an EPA evaluation said it poses “an unreasonable risk” to human health. A ProPublica investigation found that it causes far more cancer than any other airborne pollutant. John Yang speaks with lead reporter Sharon Lerner for more.

Most of the video entertainment we watch these days isn’t at the movies, on TV or even on a computer — it’s on a smartphone. To cater to these changing habits, companies are turning out bite-sized soap operas for phone viewing. Ej Dickson, a senior writer at New York Magazine covering culture, joins Ali Rogin to discuss.