Karina Cuevas

President-elect Trump continues to round out his Cabinet, including some key economic appointments. He's chosen billionaire hedge fund manager Scott Bessent for treasury secretary and for commerce, he's chosen Howard Lutnick, the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and a big backer of tariffs. William Brangham discussed what these choices mean for Trump's agenda with David Wessel.

After the election, there was a spike in incidents involving neo-Nazi marches and racist and hateful messages sent online, stoking fear for residents in several states across the country. Black, Latino and LGBTQ+ Americans in at least 25 states have been subjected to racist text messages telling them to report to a plantation to pick cotton. Stephanie Sy reports for our series, Race Matters.

Correction: During this segment, we misnamed the National Business Aviation Association. The transcript has been updated. We regret the error.

Most college students are on their winter break gathering with family and friends. But some from outside the United States may return to campus early this holiday season after several universities and colleges are advising them that the incoming Trump administration may make it more difficult for them to return later. Lisa Desjardins explains.

Investigators identified the man driving the Cybertruck that exploded in front of the Trump hotel in Las Vegas as Matthew Livelsberger, an active-duty member of the Army’s elite special forces. Police said he shot himself before a device detonated a combination of fireworks, gas and camping fuel in the vehicle. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Joe Schoenmann of Nevada Public Radio.

Wildfires accelerated by historically strong winds have created extreme conditions for millions of people in the Los Angeles region. More than 100,000 people have evacuated their homes because of four different fires. Stephanie Sy reports from Los Angeles.

In our news wrap Friday, Venezuelan President Maduro was sworn in for a third term following a disputed election, the White House extended protections for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans and El Salvadorans living in the U.S., the Israeli military struck targets in Yemen after Houthis launched drones at Israel and the Biden administration announced sanctions against Russia's energy sector.

Renowned poet and Los Angeles native Amanda Gorman has penned a heartfelt tribute to first responders battling the wildfires and helping those in need. In "Smoldering Dawn," she expresses her fears and hopes and celebrates how the community is coming together to face this trauma. Amna Nawaz spoke with Gorman about how the poem came to be and her new children’s book, “Girls on the Rise.”

Donald Trump has returned to office as the 47th president of the United States. His second term kickstarts an ambitious, and controversial, agenda that will bring mass deportations, aggressive tariffs on imports from competitors and allies alike, and a promise of 'retribution' against political foes that led to last-minute pardons from outgoing President Biden. Laura Barrón-López reports.

The fire danger in Southern California is far from over. As crews continue their battle, incarcerated firefighters part of a long-running state program are on the frontline. Supporters say the program offers a pathway out of prison, but critics say the work and pay are exploitative. Stephanie Sy discussed more with Sam Lewis of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition.