This is an LA Times Studios podcast.

Hi, I'm Faith Pino, and you're listening to Headlines from LA Times Studios.

Here's some of today's top stories from the Los Angeles Times.

President Trump escalating his battle with the central bank, saying he plans to fire Federal Reserve

Governor Lisa Cook. Reporters say Trump announced the move Monday night in a letter posted on

Truth Social. He claims Cook committed mortgage fraud, alleging she improperly claimed two primary

residences back in 2021 in order to get better loan terms. Legal

scholars say the charges appear to be part of a larger effort to control the Fed and that Trump is

trying to open up a seat on the board so that he can install a loyalist who will push for his

long promised interest rate cuts. No president has ever tried to remove a Fed governor before, as the central bank was designed to be independent of day-to-day politics.

Cook, who had not been charged with any crime, denies the president's power to release her, adding that she won't be, quote,

bullied by Trump to step down.

Meanwhile, the firing is expected to trigger a major legal fight and could rattle financial

markets, with economists warning of higher borrowing costs, car loans, and business credit.

COVID-19 cases in California are once again climbing as health officials track the new

Stratus variant tied to Omicron.

Rangong Lin II reports that wastewater data and hospital visits show infections rising

across the state with upticks in Los Angeles, Orange, and Santa Clara counties. Doctors warned that the

timing couldn't be worse. The Trump administration has slowed federal approval for updated

vaccines, leaving states without clear guidance. Last year, vaccines rolled out in September.

This year, they could be weeks late, and it's still unclear

who will qualify first. Health experts say high-risk groups, including seniors, the immunocompromised,

...