There is one major gift Trump is inheriting from Biden: A good job market U.S. employers added more than a quarter-million jobs in December, according to the Labor Department. That’s far more than forecasters were expecting. Read more on NPR

What is the flame retardant that planes are dropping on the LA fires? As fire crews and air tankers work to block the wildfires’ explosive growth, images of red clouds of fire retardant falling onto trees are common. What is it — and what’s in it? Read more on NPR

Wildfire victims report looting. And, Trump set for sentencing in hush money case Southern California wildfire victims report looting after returning home to assess damages. And, President-elect Donald Trump is set for sentencing in a hush money conviction today. Read more on NPR

Inmates are fighting California wildfires in long-running and controversial practice California has turned to incarcerated firefighters since 1915. To those opposed to the use of inmates as firefighters, the system is seen as exploitative. Read more on NPR

Jimmy Carter is no saint in my house For President Biden’s legacy, we should look to late President Jimmy Carter’s history in Central America. Read more on NPR

10 people have now died in the wildfires spreading across Southern California The number of dead tied to the wildfires increases as local officials warn the toll will increase. About 180,000 people have had to evacuate. Read more on NPR

Hey, meat eaters. Your gut health can rival a vegan’s. Here’s how Our guts are home to trillions of microbes that influence our health. A new study finds the key to a healthy microbiome is the variety of plant-based food in your diet, even if you eat meat. Read more on NPR

TikTok is heading to the Supreme Court to challenge its U.S. ban. Here’s what to know Lawyers for TikTok will argue that banning the app will violate the free speech of 170 million American users. The Justice Department will contend that the app is a national security risk. Read more on NPR

Trump set for sentencing in his New York felony conviction Trump on Thursday exhausted his last legal maneuver to stop the sentencing, after a narrow majority of Supreme Court justices declined to intervene. Read more on NPR

After 17 years, it’s Hoda Kotb’s last ‘Today’ show Craig Melvin, current news anchor and host of Today’s 3rd Hour, has been named Kotb’s successor. Read more on NPR