Inauguration countdown begins for Donald Trump
News on Merit anchor Loni Coombs joins a political panel to discuss the latest in politics.
Inauguration countdown begins for Donald Trump
Former education official discusses U.S. education crisis
Former education official discusses U.S. education crisis
News on Merit anchor Loni Coombs sits down with Jeanne Allen to discuss the key challenges facing the U.S. education system.
Trump admin targets Chicago for mass deportation plan
Trump admin targets Chicago for mass deportation plan
Chicago City Council to consider allowing police to work with immigration officials if crimes involve drug or sex crimes.
Authorities investigate possible arson in ongoing fires
Authorities investigate possible arson in ongoing fires
As wildfires rage in Los Angeles, questions arise about preparedness, response efforts, and the fires’ origins, with local authorities not ruling out arson.
F Is For Failure: Our Education System is Broken!
F Is For Failure: Our Education System is Broken!
Shockingly low literacy rates, underfunded schools, and overworked teachers are creating a perfect storm, leaving millions of students behind academically. Dr. Phil sits down with educators, parents, a former senior official in the U.S. Dept. of E…
January 13, 2025
January 13, 2025
The News on Merit Street takes you beyond the top headlines of the day providing context and perspective.
Cabinet Senate confirmation hearings set for Pete Hegseth
Cabinet Senate confirmation hearings set for Pete Hegseth
Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, is set to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 9:30 a.m. “Character is everything in an institution,” said former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, who served in the Obama administration and was a longtime Republican senator. “You can’t minimize how important character is in leadership.”
‘Don’t fall for it,’ use caution when donating to help LA wildfire victims
‘Don’t fall for it,’ use caution when donating to help LA wildfire victims
California is battling not only wildfires but also looting, price gouging and challenges with scammers taking advantage of tragedy.
Los Angeles wildfires latest: Returning winds threaten to undo progress
Los Angeles wildfires latest: Returning winds threaten to undo progress
Firefighters are in a critical stage of their almost week-long battle against deadly Los Angeles blazes. Crews report progress, but “extremely critical” conditions could spread the fires as dangerous winds return this week, the National Weather Service warns.
Death toll from Los Angeles-area wildfires rises to 24
Death toll from Los Angeles-area wildfires rises to 24
Fires tearing through the Los Angeles area have killed at least 24 people, displaced thousands of others and destroyed more than 12,000 structures. The blazes started last Tuesday, fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds that forecasters expect to kick back up through at least midweek. Cal Fire reported that the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires have consumed about 62 square miles. The Palisades Fire, along the coast, has been blamed for eight deaths, while the Eaton Fire further inland has been blamed for 16 others, the LA County medical examiner’s office said. At least 23 people are missing, and authorities said that number is expected to rise. Investigators are still trying to determine what sparked the fires. They could be the nation’s costliest ever. Government agencies haven’t provided preliminary damage estimates yet, but AccuWeather, a company that provides data on weather and its impact, puts the damage and economic losses at $250 billion to $275 billion.