January 14, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode

CATASTROPHIC FIRES (TAPE + BIGGS DIS)

Unprecedented warnings about wind conditions have residents around the Los Angeles area on high alert again as firefighters work to control major blazes that have destroyed communities and taken at least 24 lives. Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order to remove red tape and speed rebuilding efforts, but as Stephanie Sy reports, it's hard for many residents to look past the next 24 hours.

One of President-elect Trump's most controversial nominees was the first to face the scrutiny of a Senate confirmation hearing. Defense Secretary-designate Pete Hegseth was questioned Tuesday about alleged sexual and financial misconduct as well as concerns he lacks the experience to manage more than three million employees. Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing. Lisa Desjardins reports.

One of President-elect Trump's most controversial nominees was the first to face the scrutiny of a Senate confirmation hearing. Defense Secretary-designate Pete Hegseth was questioned Tuesday about alleged sexual and financial misconduct as well as concerns he lacks the experience to manage more than three million employees. Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing. Lisa Desjardins reports.

During Tuesday's confirmation hearing, Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois told defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth that she doesn't believe he is qualified for the job. Sen. Duckworth is a former Army helicopter pilot who lost her legs in a crash while serving in Iraq and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Sen. Duckworth joined Geoff Bennett to discuss Hegseth's hearing.

In his final report to the attorney general, special counsel Jack Smith stood behind his decision to criminally charge President-elect Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Smith detailed the evidence he and his team amassed and would have presented at trial, writing "the admissible evidence was sufficient to obtain and sustain a conviction at trial.” William Brangham reports.

Israel and Hamas are the closest they have been to a ceasefire in Gaza. That is the word from senior U.S. and Israeli officials and a Hamas statement. Nick Schifrin reports on the latest.

In our news wrap Tuesday, South Korean investigators arrived in the early morning hours for a second attempt to detain impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol, House Speaker Johnson says flags at the Capitol will fly at full height during the inauguration of Donald Trump and Ukraine targeted Russia with several U.S.-made missiles and carried out one of its largest drone attacks to date.

Immigration has been a white-hot political issue for years and helped propel Donald Trump back into the Oval Office. The incoming president has promised mass deportations and is expected to issue a slew of related executive orders soon after being sworn in. Seeing those through will be up to the Department of Homeland Security. Amna Nawaz discussed more with outgoing Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Republican Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and was in the room as Defense Secretary-designate Pete Hegseth appeared for a confirmation hearing. Amna Nawaz spoke with Sen. Banks about how Hegseth handled the attention.