The Headlines L.A.’s Private Firefighters, and U.S. Childhood Vaccination Rates Fall
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Jan 13, 2025 Wildfires rage in L.A., with strong winds threatening evacuation zones and increasing fatalities. The rise of private firefighters highlights socio-economic divides amid escalating fire dangers. Meanwhile, alarming declines in childhood vaccination rates raise concerns for public health, particularly in regions with partisan divides. Diplomatic talks for a Gaza ceasefire are ongoing, while shifting immigration policies spark debate. The legacy of civil rights is honored as we remember the contributions of Freedom Rider Charles Person.
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Private Firefighters in LA
- Private firefighters are increasingly used in Los Angeles, costing up to $10,000/day.
- Mall owner Rick Caruso hired private firefighters from Arizona, who also protected neighboring homes.
Falling Vaccination Rates
- Childhood vaccination rates have dropped in the last four years for diseases like measles and polio.
- While overall rates remain high, vulnerable pockets exist, making outbreaks harder to contain.
Vaccination and Politics
- A partisan divide exists in vaccination views, with declines sharpest in states Trump won.
- Republicans are more likely to see vaccines as dangerous than Democrats.