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🚨 In the midst of Los Angeles' fiery chaos, a budgetary plot twist has emerged, leaving residents and officials in a heated debate over the city's financial priorities. Mayor Karen Bass, under the spotlight, has been both accused of slashing the fire department's budget by $17.6 million and defended with claims of an actual increase exceeding $50 million. The truth? It's as elusive as smoke in the wind.

The fiscal year 2024-2025 saw a proposed $17.6 million reduction in the LAFD budget, primarily targeting overtime pay. Critics argue that this move hampered the department's ability to respond effectively to emergencies, especially during the recent wildfires. However, city officials counter that the overall budget for LAFD actually increased by more than 7% compared to the prior fiscal year, with additional funds allocated in separate accounts pending contract finalizations.

Amidst the inferno, fire hydrants ran dry, and the city's water infrastructure faltered, leading to finger-pointing and fiery exchanges among city officials, the Department of Water and Power, and the public. Mayor Bass, who was attending an inauguration in Ghana when the flames erupted, faced criticism for her absence during the crisis. She returned to Los Angeles on January 8, 2025, to address the escalating situation.

As the embers settle, the debate over LAFD's budget continues to smolder. Was there a cut, an increase, or a reshuffling of funds? The answer remains as complex as the city's labyrinthine budgetary processes. One thing is certain: in the face of natural disasters, clarity and preparedness are as crucial as water and flame-retardant foam.

Read the full article here from the Los Angeles Times.

The Latest

• 🏥 Michigan firefighter in critical condition after being pinned between firetruck and vehicle - ABC12 Michigan

• 🚂 ‘We hit a fire truck!': 911 audio from FL fire truck, train crash released - FireRescue1

• 🔥 3 firefighters hurt battling large fire in Sunnyside - KPRC 2 Click2Houston

• 🗽 Black Sunday: Reflecting on the fires that changed FDNY - FireRescue1

🎤 ANNOUNCEMENT!

🔥 NOW LIVE!

All my recipes in one spot! Healthy, high-protein recipes for the station and your family. Easy search options and adjustable recipe servings for however big/small your crew is.

👨‍🍳 New recipes posted weekly - go check it out!

Fuel Your Ambitions

• 40g protein, plus 27 essential vitamins & minerals

• Ready in 30 seconds – just shake, sip, go

• New customers get 15% off with code BEHUEL15

Upgrade Your Nutrition Now

Riddle Of The Week

Fuel

🔥 After a long shift, I often find myself daydreaming about breakfast recipes on my drive home. While I’ve shared a few of my breakfast favorites with you before (check them out here), this new creation has me pretty excited: a High Protein Breakfast Quesadilla!

🧀 This is an easy, quick breakfast that the whole crew and family will love. With only 623 calories and 60g of protein in each serving, it’d be tough to start your morning off any better. You can watch the recipe video here or check out the full recipe here with a grocery list, instructions, and the ability to edit number of servings.

🔪 Helpful Kitchen Tools For This Recipe:

Grind

Channel your inner superhero… we all know it’s there

🦸 Supersets for surperheros - It’s the ultimate multitasking trick for people who like efficiency, hate boredom, or just want to feel like a fitness superhero zipping between challenges. Think of it as saying, "Why waste time resting when I can double the fun (and the sweat)?"

🔴 Warm-Up: *2 rounds - 1 min each

• Bodyweight squat

• Inch worms

• Dead-hang

🟢 Main Workout:

• Superset 1: 3 × 10-12 reps

  • Backsquat

  • Deadlift

• Superset 2: 3 × 10-12 reps

  • Overhead barbell press

  • Tricep dip

• Superset 3: 3 × 10-12 reps

  • DB incline chest fly

  • Bicep curl

• Superset 4: 20 reps each

  • High plank with shoulder taps

  • Russian twist

  • Burpees

🔵 Cool Down: 1 min each

• Pigeon pose

• Figure 4 stretch

• Child’s pose

Lead

"Psychological safety is the single most important factor in building a successful team." — Charles Duhigg

💪 What truly makes a great team? It’s not what you think…

In the video "Charles Duhigg Asks: What Makes a Great Team?", Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg dives into the psychology behind high-performing teams, and spoiler alert, it’s not about having the smartest people in the room. Duhigg uncovers that what truly makes a team thrive is something far more human: psychological safety. Imagine a team meeting where everyone feels free to throw out wild ideas, ask “dumb” questions, or even admit when they’re wrong without worrying about eye rolls or judgment. That’s psychological safety in action. It creates an environment where creativity can spark, and collaboration flows naturally because no one’s walking on eggshells.

But that’s not all. Duhigg highlights two key ingredients every successful team needs: social sensitivity and equal conversational turn-taking. Social sensitivity means being in tune with how teammates are feeling, picking up on emotions and responding with empathy. And let’s face it, we’ve all been in meetings where one person hogs the mic while others barely say a word. Teams that thrive make sure everyone gets a turn to speak, leveling the playing field and unlocking the group’s collective brainpower. Duhigg’s insights remind us that building a winning team isn’t about assembling a group of rock stars; it’s about creating a space where everyone’s voice matters and ideas can shine.

Watch the short 2-min video here - you’re team will thank you.

Riddle Of The Week

ANSWER: The future! It’s always ahead of you, but no one can ever see it.

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