1. California's "red pill"
Republican activists have tried and failed for decades to end Democrats' near-monopoly on power in California.
More than a week after the Palisades Fire erupted — and with three major infernos still burning — Republicans believe this is their moment.
Elon Musk and his allies are waging a ruthless information war in California — flooding the zone with allegations of gross mismanagement by the state's Democrats.
The targets are familiar: DEI programs at the LA Fire Department, undocumented immigrants, red tape — even aid to Ukraine.
The real short-term political danger is most acute for LA Mayor Karen Bass, who's up for reelection next year. She's been pilloried for traveling to Ghana a day after the National Weather Service warned of dangerous fire conditions.
2. Trump strikes warmer inaugural tone
Eight years ago, Donald Trump took office with a dark message about "American carnage" — a nation ravaged by crime, poverty and drugs.
As he returns to the White House on Monday, his team is stressing "unity" and "light."
The weekend's pre-inauguration festivities have optimistic, hopeful themes, including a "One America, One Light" prayer service.
Trump and his inner circle feel vindicated and validated after winning the popular and electoral votes, and see a broad MAGA mandate.
3. Tech CEOs flock to D.C.
Just about all the biggest names in tech will be in Washington on Monday for President-elect Trump's inauguration.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is the latest addition to the Big Tech guest list for Trump's swearing-in — a day after his company's app is set to be banned in the U.S.
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are also planning to attend, according to media reports.
4. Mayors warn of housing shortage
Mayors across the country are warning of a severe and worsening housing shortfall.
89% of the mayors surveyed said the federal government should provide flexible and direct funding for cities to address housing shortages. The mayors want more low-income housing credits and housing vouchers.
There aren't enough homes in the U.S. to keep up with demand. Some estimates put the total housing shortage in the millions of units.
5. Changes at Meta under Trump
Mark Zuckerberg is living his best life in the Trump 2.0 era, despite the president-elect's campaign threat to jail him.
Meta has been at the front of the pack of tech companies repositioning themselves for Trump's Washington.
Not only has Zuckerberg visited Mar-a-Lago and donated to Trump's inauguration, but conservatives also cheered his changes to Facebook's fact-checking policies and his comments about the need for "masculine energy" in the workplace.
6. Porn site age verification laws spread
Nineteen states have passed laws requiring adult websites to verify that users are older than 18 — and the Supreme Court could soon give more states a green light to follow suit.
The justices indicated this week that they're likely to uphold Texas' age-verification law.
The laws are meant to prevent underage kids from accessing pornographic sites. Critics say they raise privacy and First Amendment concerns.
7. David Lynch dies at 78
Filmmaker David Lynch, whose family announced yesterday that he had died at age 78, was one of the rare artists whose vision was so distinctive that his name became an adjective.
"Lynchian" has been used to describe any number of surreal, unsettling films — but no one ever truly replicated Lynch's touch.
Lynch's work, including "Blue Velvet" and "Twin Peaks," often depicted dark, evil forces lurking just below the surface of idyllic Americana.
8. "Sex and the City" house gets privacy gate
"Sex and the City" fans have been snapping photos in front of 66 Perry Street — the brownstone that served as the exterior for Carrie Bradshaw's apartment — for years.
New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission signed off this week on a request to install a gate in front of the famous stairs, to keep fans further away from the front door.