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Sen. Schiff urges Trump admin to exclude firefighters from federal hiring freeze

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Sen. Schiff urges Trump admin to exclude firefighters from federal hiring freeze

Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., called on multiple federal agencies to exempt federal seasonal firefighters from President Donald Trump’s executive order implementing a federal hiring freeze.

In a letter to the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior and the Office of Management and Budget, Schiff noted that Trump’s hiring freeze issued on Jan. 20 had stopped the onboarding of thousands of seasonal firefighters that could harm readiness to respond to wildfires, as Southern California is still grappling with the aftermath of last month’s wildfires.

“The memo issued on January 20 states that it does not apply to positions related to public safety, but this onboarding delay is directly contrary to that claim,” Schiff said in the letter dated Friday. “Our constituents and communities rely on the hard work and sacrifice of our more than 15,000 seasonal federal wildland firefighters each year.”

LOS ANGELES FIRE VICTIMS TO BE BOOTED FROM RED CROSS SHELTER TO MAKE SPACE FOR FILM CREWS, EVENTS

Adam Schiff talks to the media after voting at McCambridge Recreation Center in Burbank on Nov. 5, 2024. (Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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“Seasonal firefighters are essential to the public safety of those who live in fire-prone areas, and I am alarmed that federal firefighters are not party to this exemption,” he said. “In light of this, I am requesting information from your agencies explaining why the federal hiring freeze has extended to the hiring of seasonal federal wildland firefighters.”

Southern California was devastated last month by two major wildfires and several smaller ones that killed nearly 30 people and destroyed more than 16,000 structures.

Some of the firefighters subject to Trump’s order that halted the onboarding of thousands of seasonal federal firefighters were from agencies that helped in the response to the wildfires in the Los Angeles area, according to NBC News.

A firefighter battles the Eaton Fire on Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, California. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

A Bureau of Land Management official told the outlet that despite Trump’s order excluding positions related to “public safety” from the hiring freeze, federal firefighters are not exempt.

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“In the face of increasingly destructive wildfires, we cannot afford to diminish the tools at our disposal to fight these fires,” Schiff said in his letter. “Impeding the onboarding of federal firefighters and encouraging the early retirement of others, threatens California’s firefighting capacity and puts communities at great risk. Californians rely on the support of federal firefighters, and I hope you share my appreciation for the essential role these individuals play in keeping residents safe.”

TABLES TURN ON LOS ANGELES ARSON SUSPECT IN CAUGHT-ON-CAM TAKEDOWN: ‘WRONG NEIGHBORHOOD, BUDDY’

Vehicles and a house burned as powerful winds fueling devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area forced people to evacuate the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, Jan. 8, 2025. (Reuters/David Swanson)

The senator also requested information on how the hiring freeze impacts federal firefighting applicants, the number of voluntary resignations and the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency’s role in the hiring, preparedness or readiness of federal wildland firefighters.

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Hawaii

Washington Football Pursuing Coveted 2028 Four-Star Hawaii Athlete

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Washington Football Pursuing Coveted 2028 Four-Star Hawaii Athlete


Whether four-star 2028 prospect King Pitts has an offer from the Washington Huskies as an offensive lineman or an athlete, he’s firmly on Jedd Fisch and the Washington Huskies coaching staff’s radar.

The 6-foot-5, 255-pound two-way lineman is back in his native Hawaii and set to play his junior season at Kapa’a High School after playing at Cardinal Newman in California, after establishing himself as a national recruit during his sophomore year as an offensive tackle and versatile defensive lineman.

The No. 241 overall recruit—according to the 247Sports Composite—Pitts holds 43 total scholarship offers with two years still left of high school football.

As a defensive lineman, Pitts can play either defensive tackle or defensive end with his ability to be a disruptive force against the run and pass. Whichever position the Islands product ends up playing at the next level, there isn’t a question of if, but how well he’ll hold up against Big Ten and SEC-caliber talent.

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UW hasn’t ventured heavily into recruiting Hawaii as much recently as the football program has in previous decades. Aside from signing tight end Kekua Aumua in the 2026 class, who began and finished his prep career at Kahuku after transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for his junior season, Fisch has only signed one other prospect from Hawaii, Mililani quarterback Treston Kini McMillan in 2025.

Over the years, the Huskies have featured several notable recruits from the Islands, including defensive tackle Faatui Tuitele in 2019 and a pair of edge rushers, Zion Tupuola-Fetui in 2018 and Hau’oli Kikaha in 2010.

If Fisch and Co. can get the coveted two-way lineman on campus for at least one, if not multiple, unofficial visits over the course of the next 12 months, UW should be a major factor in Pitts’ recruitment long-term.



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Idaho

BYU-Idaho Launches BYUI Live! as New Name for Campus Entertainment

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From chart-topping bands and Broadway stars to comedians and inspirational performers, live entertainment has become a valued part of the BYU-Idaho experience. Brigham Young University-Idaho is pleased to announce the rebranding of its long-running Center Stage series as BYUI Live!—a new name that reflects the university’s vision to create memorable live entertainment experiences that bring BYU-Idaho students and the surrounding community together.

For decades, Center Stage has welcomed exceptional performers to campus, building a tradition rooted in the fine arts. As the series has evolved to include nationally recognized artists such as OneRepublic, Andy Grammer, and Brett Young, the need for a brand that better reflects the breadth of today’s programming became clear.

“BYUI Live! better represents what we’re trying to create,” said Tanner Christensen, who oversees the university’s live guest entertainment series. “Our goal is to bring people together through memorable experiences in our amazing venues at BYU-Idaho. We are excited to bring the community the best entertainment in the industry that the entire family can enjoy.”

BYUI Live! is designed to be more than just a series of concerts or performances. Each event is an opportunity for students, families, and friends, to spend an evening together on campus—enjoying food, activities, and community before gathering for an unforgettable live show.

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The new brand launches alongside an exciting lineup of upcoming events. BYUI Live!’s first performance will feature two-time Grammy Award-winning artist Lauren Daigle on Friday, September 18 at the BYU-Idaho Center. Guest artists for the university’s annual Christmas production and other upcoming performances will be announced in the coming weeks.

While the name is changing, the mission remains the same: “to provide uplifting, high-quality entertainment that enriches the student experience, strengthens community, and creates lasting memories.”

For upcoming events and ticket information, visit BYUI Live!’s new website www.byui.edu/live

For media inquiries, please email Tanner Christensen at live@byui.edu





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Montana

French Montana Shares Rare Insight into Khloe Kardashian Relationship

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French Montana Shares Rare Insight into Khloe Kardashian Relationship


Where Khloe Kardashian Stands With Ex French Montana More Than 10 Years After Breakup

French Montana is done keeping up with reality TV.

In fact, he only agreed to appear on Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Kourtney & Khloé Take the Hamptons over a decade ago as a favor to then-girlfriend Khloe Kardashian.

“She said to get on the show,” he exclusively told E! News at the BET Awards on June 28. “And I got on the show. Shout out to Khloe.”

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The “Ever Since U Left Me” rapper, who split with Kardashian in December 2014 after eight months of dating, said the experience was “fun” because her family kept it real. 

“They filmed their real life,” he continued. “And we were part of something together that one time. So it felt great. It didn’t feel like work because they film what they do everyday.”

As for his future in reality TV, the 41-year-old said those days are over, shutting down any prospective offers with a simple, “Negative.” 

Although the “Unforgettable” artist—whose real name is Karim Kharbouch—may not be returning to television anytime soon, he has no problem hanging out with his ex-girlfriend these days. 



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