Wednesday morning news: December 24, 2025

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LA County storm » California officials are urging drivers to rethink Christmas travel plans as a powerful series of winter storms moves across the state.

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda Solis:

SOLIS: An atmospheric river ex is expected to deliver up to 10 inches of rain across Los Angeles County, making it one of the wettest Christmases in recent history.

That storm will also bring strong winds and threatens flash flooding throughout the week, especially in areas where recent wildfires scarred the ground.

Solis urged residents to prepare now, stay alert to official updates, and follow evacuation orders and warnings.

LA County Sheriff Robert Luna:

LUNA: We have activated key emergency resources including search and rescue teams and Air Rescue five helicopter, which is equipped to deploy swift water rescue capabilities if needed.

Elsewhere in the state, parts of the Bay Area and Sacramento Valley remain under flood and wind warnings

And the Sierra mountain passes could see near whiteout conditions.

More Epstein docs released » The Justice Department has released another batch of documents tied to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Much of what was just made public is routine court material.

References to Donald Trump show he flew on Epstein’s private jet in the 1990s, though there’s no evidence of any wrongdoing.

Trump this week said it’s unfortunate that many photos are now being released of other people with Epstein, from before he came under suspicion.

TRUMP: You probably have pictures being exposed of other people that innocently met Jeffrey Epstein years ago, many years ago, and they're, you know, highly respected bankers and lawyers and others.

Among the new disclosures: a fake passport Epstein used in the 1980s, listing Saudi Arabia as his residence.

One email also appears to reference a British royal, sent from Balmoral Castle in 2001 and signed only with an initial. Many believe it points to Prince Andrew, who is noted elsewhere as refusing to cooperate with investigators.

GDP growth » The U.S. economy picked up speed in the third quarter, growing at a 4.3 percent annual rate — the fastest pace in two years. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin reports:

KRISTEN FLAVIN: That stronger growth blew past expectations. That came largely from Americans continuing to spend, even with stubbornly elevated inflation.

The Commerce Department report was delayed due to the government shutdown.

Consumer spending rose at a pace of three-and-a-half (3.5) percent, faster than earlier in the year. That helped businesses post solid gains through the summer.

At the same time, the numbers show a widening split. Higher-income households, buoyed by investments and savings, are driving much of the spending, while many lower-income families remain squeezed by everyday costs.

Inflation cooled from earlier peaks but stayed above the Federal Reserve’s comfort zone, which could keep interest rates higher for longer.

For WORLD, I’m Kristen Flavin.

Russian attack in Ukraine » Russia launched a massive wave of drones and missiles at Ukraine ahead of Christmas, killing at least three people — including a 4-year-old child.

Ukrainian officials say the attack hit homes and power stations across 13 regions, knocking out electricity.

Air defenses shot down most of the incoming threats, but the strikes left families without heat or light, and added new strain to an already battered power system during one of the coldest weeks of the year.

Trump on Maduro / Golden Fleet » Amid a US Navy buildup in the Caribbean, reporters asked President Trump this week about his intentions toward Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro

TRUMP:  We have a massive armada formed, the biggest we've ever had, and, uh, by far the biggest we've ever had in South America. He could do whatever he wants. It's all right. Whatever he wants to do. If he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it'll be the last time he's ever able to play tough.

It comes as the administration continues to target Venezuelan drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, and the American seizure of multiple oil tankers linked to Venezuela.

The president also announced plans this week for what he’s calling the “Golden Fleet” — a proposed new class of U.S. warships he says would be the largest, fastest, and most powerful ever built.

But any new fleet would still need approval and funding from Congress, which controls defense spending.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Washington Wednesday with Hunter Baker. Plus, a famous Christmas Eve broadcast from 1968.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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