West
Judge Judy's son wants to see lawsuits in wake of deadly LA wildfires: Public officials 'personally liable'
EXCLUSIVE – As the California wildfires continue to blaze, a couple of popular TV judges say they’re ready to see some consequences.
The California wildfires have burned countless homes and taken over 20 lives as of this week. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have taken the brunt of the blame in the wake of the devastation. Some allege the leaders failed to secure enough resources for the blaze, while others have condemned Bass for going on international travel in the midst of the inferno and cutting the city’s fire department budget by millions.
Adam Levy and Tanya Acker, judges on Prime Video’s “Tribunal Justice,” told Fox News Digital they want to see some accountability. Judge Patricia DiMango serves as the third judge on the “Tribunal Justice” panel.
“I know a number of people whose homes have burned to the ground,” said Acker. “And I know the communities that have burned or are burning… It’s just a really hard time.”
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The wind whips embers while a firefighter battles the fire in the Angeles National Forest near Mt. Wilson as the wildfires burn in the Los Angeles area, during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, Jan. 9, 2025. (REUTERS/Ringo Chiu)
Acker explained she felt “blessed and lucky” because she only had to evacuate briefly and was able to return to her house.
Levy, the son of Judge Judy, who serves as a creator on “Tribunal Justice,” said he hopes to see some lawsuits in the wake of the inferno.
“I hope so,” he told Fox News Digital. “I do. But, you know, the problem is that when there are lawsuits filed, as the lawsuit that was recently filed down in New Orleans and the Bourbon Street massacre, if there is a judgment, if you can overcome issues of sovereign immunity and if you can overcome issues of third-party liability for the criminal conduct, right, of third parties and the issues of foreseeability which always come into play, taxpayers pick up the tab. I think that system has to change.”
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“Palisades Fire” near Brentwood neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, United States on January 11, 2025. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
One lawsuit has popped up against Southern California Edison in response to the Eaton fire. Trial law firms McNicholas & McNicholas, Becker Law Group and Singleton Schreiber filed the lawsuit on behalf of the victims impacted by the fire, alleging that Southern California Edison failed to comply with essential electrical and fire safety standards, including failing to maintain power lines and overgrown vegetation, Fox 11 reported. The lawsuit referred to it as “gross negligence.”
Levy pointed fingers at public officials who he said “know that they are immune from any liability” and are “going to do whatever they have to do to remain in office.”
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“Despite the fact that the decisions that they’re making are putting the majority of their constituents at risk,” Levy said. “You have to. That’s my feeling. And that’s coming from me. And I was a former DA. I set policy. I set my budget, and I did it always with the safety of my constituents in mind… And unfortunately, there are people, there are politicians who don’t hesitate to do the wrong thing so long as it makes it more likely that they are re-elected. And we’ve got to change that. We have to make sure that public officials have skin in the game. And the only way we do that is by changing the tort laws.”
Acker said she hopes people won’t start dragging LA into a really divisive national conversation, but agreed that people are entitled to ask questions of California leadership.
“There’s a difference between sort of trying to dig in and get at the root cause of something and just sort of trying to score political points,” Acker said. “I think the latter is not helpful, but that doesn’t mean that… We have to figure out how and why this happened. And people need to be held accountable for decisions that they made or didn’t make. And, you know, we’ve got to make sure that we do a better job of protecting this community going forward. So, you know, tough questions should be asked. I mean, and the time for doing that, I think, is going to continue for the foreseeable future because there’s a lot to figure out here.”
Adam Levy, right, is Judge Judy Sheindlin’s son, and stars with Judge Tanya Acker and Judge Patricia DiMango in the series “Tribunal Justice.” (Michael Becker/Prime Video)
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“I think that we need to have a really rigorous investigation as to what happened so we can prevent this from happening again,” she later added. “And we really need to dig in and help these communities rebuild.”
As for the reports that looters have started to take advantage of the communities in flames, Acker held nothing back.
“I cannot think of anything more despicable than trying to prey on homes and properties that have been devastated, victimizing people who are already going through one of the worst moments of their lives,” Acker told Fox Digital. “I cannot think of anything more despicable… I’m pleased that our district attorney has indicated that his office will be taking a tough position, a tough stance on those who are preying on people. And I mean, I just I can’t think of anything more abhorrent.”
The Santa Monica Police Department has arrested 39 people in evacuation zones since the start of the Palisades Fire, SMPD told Fox News. Suspects were caught with daggers, window-breaking tools, masks, gloves and narcotics and other “burglary tools,” according to police.
“This community is really going through one of the worst moments in its history. And to exacerbate that pain by victimizing people,” Acker continued. “And I just – I can’t, I have no words for it. And I hope that those who engage in those kinds of activities are caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.”
The second season of “Tribunal Justice” debuts on Prime Video on Monday, January 27, with new episodes every weekday.
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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Charles Manning was not expecting a hallway filled with screaming students and staff at Pahoa High School last Friday.
“I was in total disbelief and shock and overwhelmed,” said Manning. “I figured, when I opened the door, I’d overlook a courtyard and there’d be a few students and a few teachers.”
It wasn’t just a few. A lot of people came out, some with signs and lei, all to hug the beloved social studies teacher one last time.
“And as it progressed, I can’t tell you how many times I cried, how many students I saw, and even ex-students showed up. It was, it was just overwhelming. I didn’t know what to say,” said Manning.
The 67-year-old is retiring after 44 years at the state Department of Education. He spent 42 of those years in Puna, teaching the proud Daggers and he’s leaving quite a legacy.
“One of my greatest highlights was when I started or helped start the girls wrestling team here at Pahoa High School and in the state of Hawaii,” said Manning.
As wrestling coach in the 1980s, Manning encouraged two girls to be the first in the islands to try the sport.
One of them is the daughter of fellow Pahoa High educator, Iwalani Woo O’Brien.
Sarah Visaya made Hawaii sports history by being the first girl to ever pin a boy on Hawaii Island; an accomplishment that Manning said made front-page news.
“They were powerful coaches who gave my daughter her self worth and self esteem back,” said O’Brien. She recalled Coach Manning and the assistant coach telling the girls, “You can go in there. I know it’s boys, but you can do this.”
Manning’s retirement wasn’t supposed to happen this soon, but a cancer diagnosis shifted his focus on his family. His son was there with him for his last day on campus.
“The school starts to sing the alma mater and that’s where me and my dad both kind of started to cry because we did not expect that,” said Jerricho Manning.
“People would ask me, ‘Well why do you stay at Pahoa?’ and I say because at Pahoa, I can make an impact, and I think I did,” said Charles Manning.
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Idaho
Despite earlier concerns, governor signs largest income tax cut in Idaho history – East Idaho News
BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — Gov. Brad Little signed a $253 million tax cut into law Thursday, despite sharing his earlier concerns over the total amount of proposed losses in state revenue this year. It is the largest income tax cut in state history, according to a news release announcing the cut.
In his annual State of the State address, Little proposed $100 million in tax cuts. The Legislature responded by proposing more than four times that amount this session across three bills, including the income tax cut.
RELATED | Idaho Senate passes bill to cut income taxes, reduce state revenue by $253 million
“Idaho families and businesses need and deserve to keep more of their hard earned money,” Little said in a statement. “As we continue to deliver historic tax relief, we must ensure our budget balances as the Idaho Constitution requires.”
House Bill 40 is projected to lower state revenues by $240 million by lowering the income tax rate from just under 5.7% to 5.3%.
The bill also would expand an income tax exemption on military pensions and remove capital gains and losses on precious metals and monetized bullion when calculating state income taxes, according to its. Those two measures would together reduce revenue by another $13 million.
The biggest reduction in taxes will go to those paying the most, lawmakers have said.
“This is the people’s money, not ours in government,” House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star, said in a statement. “We are just getting started.”
Yesterday, an increase to the grocery tax credit from $120 to $155 starting retroactively for the 2025 tax year cleared the Legislature. It is estimated to cost the state $50 million in revenue, according to the bill’s statement of purpose.
The proposed change is now on Little’s desk for his consideration.
The House this week also passed a $100 million property tax cut bill. It awaits a hearing in the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee.
Earlier this year, Little told reporters there could be an “economic shock,” from the coming policy changes at the federal level under President Donald Trump.
“We need to be light on our feet,” Little said, of the transition between the Biden and Trump administrations. “I think we’ve got to be careful.”
Little this year has already signed several significant bills, including to spend $50 million to create a school choice voucher program and a bill banning mask mandates.
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HELENA — In this week’s edition of Out and About: Made in Montana Trade Show makes it to Helena, Former Felons Ball and a Princess Tea Party.
2025 Made in Montana Trade Show – Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds – 03/08
On Saturday, the Montana Department of Commerce will celebrate 41 years of its Made in Montana Trade Show. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds, there will be tons of vendors, with even more Made in Montana products to shop and browse from. Admission is free and open to the public, along with free parking available.
With the Spring season here, it’s a great way to update your home with the latest in Made in Montana food, gifts and other products. Exhibitors will sell directly to the public at retail prices while building brand awareness and gaining new customers.
Former Felons Ball – 03/08
Also on Saturday, Montana Pride will put on their Annual Former Felons Ball around the Capital City celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Montana and around the world.
Starting at 1 p.m. the celebration will begin at the Lewis and Clark Brewery for an ax-throwing event until 4 p.m. Then at 3 p.m., there will be a Drag Story Hour at the Ironfront from community members. Later at 7 p.m., there will be three parties going at the same time all at at different locations, with drag shows starting at 9:30 p.m. to celebrate pride and Mardi Gras. The Gold Ball will be held at the Windbag, the Purple Ball at the Western and the Green Ball at the Rialto. So don’t forget to wear your Mardi Gras masks and for all the latest information on this year’s Former Felons Ball, you can stay updated on Montana Pride’s Facebook Page. You have to be 18+ to celebrate the shows and 21+ to drink.
Princess Tea Party – Helena Civic Center – 03/09
To wrap up the weekend, on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. the Princess Tea Party will commence at the Helena Civic Center. There will be pictures for the mini-monarchs sharing tea with other royalty, tattoos, crown making, nail painting and a silent auction all throughout the event.
If there is an event that you would like to see next week, please send us an email with all of the details to outandabout@ktvh.com.
Beloved Hawaii Island teacher, wrestling coach retires after 44 years
Despite earlier concerns, governor signs largest income tax cut in Idaho history – East Idaho News
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