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The extent of walls, it looked like walls, complete walls, melted in this case. I have never

experienced or seen anything like it. L.A. is still burning, and incarcerated people are on the

front lines fighting the fires. It's Monday, January 13th, and this is here and now anytime from NPR and WBUR.

I'm Chris Bentley.

Today on the show, Special Counsel Jack Smith is out.

In the end, what did his investigation into President Trump amount to?

Also, is meta-going MAGA?

CEO Mark Zuckerberg says the parent company of Facebook and Instagram is ending its

DEI and fact-checking programs, calling the recent election a cultural tipping point.

So we're going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes,

simplifying our policies, and restoring free expression on our platforms.

That's coming up in about 15 minutes.

But first, firefighters in California continue to battle three wildfires

that have already reduced more than 40,000 acres to ash and dust.

Well, one crucial part of the state's emergency response is hundreds of incarcerated people working as firefighters.

California has historically drawn on incarcerated firefighters.

At times, they've accounted for almost a third of the state's wildfire support. They're usually trained to help slow the spread of the flames and work on the disaster's front lines. Sam Levin has been reporting on this for the Guardian U.S. He spoke to Peter O'Dowd from L.A.

Sam, welcome. Tell us about the kind of work these crews are doing. Is it on par with the

regular firefighters? Thanks so much for having me. It is on par with the regular firefighters.

...