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California wildfires prompt House Republican talks on conditioning aid: 'A pound of flesh'

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California wildfires prompt House Republican talks on conditioning aid: 'A pound of flesh'

As wildfires rage in California, Republicans in Washington have begun discussing whether to condition federal aid on changes to policies they blame for the blazes.

“It’s part of the discussion right now,” Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis., told Fox News Digital. “People are unwilling to just stroke a check for something that, quite honestly, they still have a lot of questions. And obviously, the fires are still burning, so we don’t even know what the total is going to be at the end of the day.”

The Los Angeles area has been grappling with multiple deadly wildfires in recent days, with nearly 100,000 Californians under evacuation orders.

Officials are far from knowing what the final damage estimates will be, as well as how much additional funding will need to be approved by Congress.

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Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans are discussing whether to condition aid for the California wildfires. (Getty Images)

But a broad cross-section of Republicans are already blaming the Democratic stronghold state’s policies and management for exacerbating the issue.

“I think there’s going to be a lot of questions raised about it, but we also want to work cooperatively with, you know, everybody on both sides of the aisle,” House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., said when asked about conditioning aid. “But I think that’s just the reality. There’s gonna be some questions we’ll be asking.”

Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., chairman of the House Financial Services Committee’s subcommittee on housing and insurance, said it was too early to be discussing possible specific conditions but criticized California’s home insurance policies.

“I think there’s real issues… For far too long, California state laws have been pushing out insurers from that state, making it even harder to get home insurance,” Flood told Fox News Digital. 

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“I think California’s got to do a couple of things. They have to demonstrate that they are going to create an environment where home insurance, housing insurance, is reflected in the risk, that they understand the risk, and they are pricing accordingly. And then, as it relates to forestry management, I think there’s a lot of members of Congress who will wanna say, ‘How did this happen? What kind of policies led to this?’”

Meanwhile, members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, who typically are adamant about steep cuts to offset any supplemental government spending, are no different on California’s fires.

Rep. Ralph Norman called for a “pound of flesh on any dollar spent” on California (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

“It’s got to be more than paid for. They’ve got to own it,” Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., told reporters. “California has never been exactly the most conservative state in terms of spending. We’ve got to get a pound of flesh on any dollar spent on California, in my opinion.”

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Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., who also sits on the House Appropriations Committee, told Fox News Digital, “Why would we continue to fund the same policies that caused the problem? I mean, seriously, why would you do that?”

California Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., did not explicitly rule out conditioning aid but said people needed help as soon as possible.

“California needs to change the way it approaches issues of water, forest management, and not to mention a lot of other things. I think that absolutely we need to demand those changes take place. At the same time, folks who are suffering, who have lost everything, lost their homes, lost their communities, we need to get them help, and we need to get them help… as soon as possible, and we shouldn’t let anything stand in the way,” he said.

Not all Republicans are on board, however. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., whose own home state has seen a fair share of natural disasters, told Huffington Post, “I think we ought to do aid the way we do everybody else.”

But the idea has gained traction with the highest levels of GOP leadership — including Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who first floated conditional disaster aid to reporters Monday.

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Rep. Kevin Kiley did not endorse conditioning aid but did not rule it out either, while criticizing his home state’s progressive government. (Joseph A. Wulfsohn/Fox News Digital)

“It appears to us that state and local leaders were derelict in their duty. And in many respects, and that’s something that has to be factored in,” Johnson said. “I think there should probably be conditions on that aid. That’s my personal view. We’ll see what the consensus is.”

Democrats, meanwhile, have vehemently attacked the idea.

“Conditioning aid for suffering people who have paid beyond their fair share in federal taxes is uniquely reprehensible, even for my colleagues across the aisle,” Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., wrote on X.

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Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus, told reporters during a press conference on Tuesday. “I just want to say it is outrageous for Speaker Johnson to try to tie conditions onto this disaster relief or to tie disaster aid to unrelated concepts like the debt ceiling. We should not be leveraging the pain and suffering of our fellow Americans to try to force through policy changes.”

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West

Chilean burglary crew filmed themselves during $3M SoCal jewelry heist, caught wearing loot: DA

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Chilean burglary crew filmed themselves during M SoCal jewelry heist, caught wearing loot: DA

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Four Chilean nationals filmed themselves as they smashed through the roof and walls of a Southern California jewelry store during a brazen, multi-million-dollar burglary — even flashing a peace sign at the camera mid-crime, newly released video shows.

The video, released by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, captures the suspects documenting the May 25, 2025 break-in at 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair in Simi Valley. In one clip, a suspect grips a crowbar with a flashlight clenched in his mouth before pausing to throw a peace sign toward the camera.

 Prosecutors said the group ultimately made off with about $3 million worth of jewelry, watches, cash and other valuables, KTLA reported. Prosecutors said the burglary caused losses exceeding $1 million, the threshold for enhanced charges.

“The planning, surveillance, and sophistication involved in this case required the defendants’ removal from society,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. “Ventura County will not tolerate organized burglary crews that treat our communities like targets. If you engage in this kind of conduct, you will face significant consequences.”

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The suspects, from left: Manuel David Ibarra, Camilo Antonio Aguilar Lara, Heidy Nickolt Trujillo and Sergio Andres Mejía-Machuca. Prosecutors said the four Chilean nationals filmed themselves during a $3 million burglary at a Simi Valley jewelry store. (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office)

The stolen goods were later taken to a home in Los Angeles County, where the suspects were arrested June 10 — some allegedly still wearing stolen jewelry when they were taken into custody, KTLA reported. The outlet previously spoke with store owner Jonathan Youssef, who said the burglary left his family-owned business devastated.

Authorities said the crew began orchestrating the burglary in mid-May 2025.

On May 16, one defendant allegedly stole rope from a Home Depot to use in the crime. Days later, three suspects drove a white Volvo SUV to the shopping center to conduct surveillance.

ORGANIZED SOUTH AMERICAN CRIME GROUP BURGLARIZES OVER 60 HIGH-END HOUSTON-AREA HOMES TARGETING DESIGNER GOODS

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The storefront of 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair and neighboring Dr. Conkey’s Candy & Coffee in Simi Valley, Calif., where four Chilean nationals were accused of carrying out a multi-million-dollar burglary. (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office)

Investigators said two defendants observed the interior of the jewelry store through its front window, while the trio later entered the candy and coffee shop to assess surveillance cameras and inspect the shared wall between the businesses. 

One suspect used a cellphone flashlight to examine the wall, another acted as a lookout, and a third mimicked using a spray can — allegedly indicating plans to disable security equipment.

On May 25, the crew returned in the same SUV, which contained a ladder and rope, authorities said.

MASSIVE LUXURY HANDBAG HEIST CAUGHT ON CAMERA AS HEAVILY ARMED POLICE SWARM CALIFORNIA STORE

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A masked suspect is seen flashing a peace sign while holding a flashlight during a burglary at 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair in Simi Valley, Calif., according to video released by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office)

One suspect placed the ladder against the candy and coffee shop, cut through the roof and entered the store. A surveillance camera was spray-painted and the store’s safe was opened, with cash stolen, prosecutors said.

The suspects then cut through a shared wall into 5-Star Jewelry, where they broke into another safe and stole jewelry, cash and silver before transporting the stolen property to a residence in Los Angeles County, prosecutors said.

Manuel David Ibarra and Camilo Antonio Aguilar Lara were each sentenced to four years and four months in Ventura County Jail. Heidi Nickolt Trujillo was sentenced to four years.

Sergio Andres Mejía-Machuca is set to be sentenced March 26.

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All four defendants previously pleaded guilty to felony charges including conspiracy to commit commercial burglary and possession of stolen property. Two of the defendants also admitted to additional burglary and vandalism charges tied to a separate Simi Valley pawn shop break-in.

They also admitted special allegations that the crimes caused more than $1 million in losses and were carried out in a planned, coordinated operation, prosecutors said.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.

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San Francisco, CA

Shocking daylight stabbing in San Francisco’s Chinatown caught on video

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Shocking daylight stabbing in San Francisco’s Chinatown caught on video


(WARNING: This story contains graphic video)

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Surveillance video obtained by KRON4 captured a shocking daylight stabbing that occurred in San Francisco’s Chinatown district on Thursday afternoon.

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In the video, which was captured at the corner of Stockton and Sacramento streets, a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt is seen slowly walking down the sidewalk.

As the man approaches the corner, he suddenly pulls a knife out and with his right hand, thrusts the knife into the back of a man who appears to have been waiting for the crosswalk. The shocking attack appears to have been entirely unprovoked.

The attacker then walks briskly away from the scene, crossing the street, and disappearing from the frame.

The victim can be seen turning around, clutching their lower back and staggering around for a moment before collapsing to the sidewalk. He appears to attempt to get up again before eventually laying down on his stomach.

Several bystanders walk by, but none of them appear to render aid, apart from a man who was standing nearby and appears to pull out his phone to call for help.

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The San Francisco Police Department confirmed that officers responded to a stabbing at 1:13 p.m. Thursday at Stockton and Sacramento. Officers arrived at the scene where the victim was suffering from a stab wound.

Paramedics arrived and transported the victim to the hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries.

During a subsequent investigation, police located a suspect matching the description provided by witnesses near the 600 block of Powell Street. He was detained without incident and arrested.

SFPD has not released the suspect’s name or any pending charges. No information was given on possible motive for the attack.

The stabbing occurred the same day members of Mayor Daniel Lurie’s security detail were involved in an altercation with two people in the Tenderloin district and two days before SF’s Lunar New Year Parade is set to take place in Chinatown.

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Denver, CO

Broncos Bring Back Two Key Free Agents for 2026

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Broncos Bring Back Two Key Free Agents for 2026


During the NFL Combine, we learned the Denver Broncos plan to tender exclusive rights free- agent running back Tyler Badie. Fast forward to Friday, and the Broncos are taking care of business with two other exclusive rights free agents.

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9NEWS‘ Mike Klis broke the news that Denver will tender safety Devon Key and rush linebacker Dondrea Tillman. The ERFA tender is priced at $1.075 million for 2026.

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“Per source, [the] Broncos have agreements to bring back exclusive rights free agent safety/All-Pro special teamer Devon Key and fellow ERFA OLB Dondrea Tillman, who had 4.0 sacks and 2 INTs (with impressive returns) last year,” Klis posted on X.

Most ERFA decisions are a matter of course, but not always. In the case of Key and Tillman, it’s a no-brainer.

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Key’s Resume

Key set a new franchise record last season with 26 special-teams tackles, leading the league and garnering first-team All-Pro honors. It was the first All-Pro recognition of his young career. He became the first player in Broncos history to make the A.P. All-Pro Team as a special teamer.

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Key also forced a fumble and appeared in all 17 regular-season games. Key’s new franchise record eclipsed Keith Burns’ long-held mark of 24 special-teams tackles (2000, 03). Key was snubbed in the Pro Bowl vote, but the A.P. helped offset that.

With P.J. Locke’s pending departure into unrestricted free agency, the Broncos could view Key as the natural safety to step into the No. 3 role behind Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones. Key is a very talented player, and he’s developed nicely since arriving on Denver’s practice squad back in 2022.

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Tillman’s Path to Denver

Nov 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Dondrea Tillman (92) runs with the ball after an interception against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Empower Field at Mile High. | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Tillman arrived in Denver as a college free agent in 2024, technically, even though he’d been playing professional ball in the UFL. As a ‘rookie,’ he notched five sacks as a backup.

Last season, Tillman co-led the team with two interceptions, making a name for himself as a runner after the catch, picking up 59 return yards, including a long of 36. He finished his second NFL season with 41 tackles (13) solo, four sacks, three tackles for a loss, and three passes defensed.

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Not bad for the No. 4 rush linebacker on the depth chart. Tillman and Jonah Elliss have served as the primary backups to Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, and they’ve done well to ensure that when the starters leave the field, the pass-rushing show goes on.

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Tillman is only 27 years old and he has a bright NFL future ahead of him. After this season, he’ll be a restricted free agent. If he continues on his current trajectory, the Broncos might opt to re-sign him instead of tendering him, but that decision won’t be made for another year.

Tillman might become to expensive to keep, if he keeps it up.

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About Jordan Jackson

Besides Badie, whom, again, the Broncos reportedly plan on tendering, defensive lineman Jordan Jackson is also an ERFA. Considering the price tag, Jordan might be the relatively rare exception and go un-tendered.

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