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NFL and teams announce donation of millions to help wildfire victims in Los Angeles region

The NFL announced it will donate $5 million for wildfire relief efforts as Southern California continues to battle raging wildfires.

"Led by individual contributions from clubs and ownership groups from the Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans and NFL Foundation, these funds will deliver vital resources to local organizations supporting those affected by the wildfires," the NFL said in a statement Friday.

"We are heartbroken over the devastating losses experienced by so many in the Los Angeles area and inspired by the heroism of first reponders and residents who have supported their neighbors," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. 

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"The NFL family is committed to working with the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams to support their local communities in their time of need." 

WARRIORS' STEVE KERR SAYS CHILDHOOD HOME BURNED DOWN IN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES: 'IT'S SURREAL AND DEVASTATING'

More than 10,000 buildings have been destroyed by fire as of Friday morning, officials confirmed. Authorities also confirmed that the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Kenneth Fire, Hurst Fire and Lidia Fire torched more than 27,000 acres across the Los Angeles area.

The Vikings and the Wilf Family Foundation announced a $1 million donation for relief efforts. Brothers Zygi and Mark Wilf and cousin Leonard Wilf own the Vikings. 

"The Vikings and the Wilf Family Foundations are providing a $1 million contribution to support on-the-ground relief efforts in communities affected by the California wildfires," the Vikings' statement said.

Also Friday, the Houston Texans confirmed a $1 million contribution to "provide support and resources to those who have been impacted by the wildfires."

ESSENTIAL PHONE NUMBERS FOR LOS ANGELES-AREA RESIDENTS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP

SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, was originally scheduled to host Monday's NFC wild-card round game between the Rams and Vikings. But the NFL moved the game to State Farm Stadium, the home of the Arizona Cardinals, as wildfires continue to sweep through the region.

On Thursday, a fire broke out just miles from the Rams' training complex in Woodland Hills, California, and smoke was visible from the team's practice field, ESPN reported. The Rams and Chargers are scheduled to play playoff games this weekend, and both teams practiced outdoors Thursday. Some Chargers players elected to wear masks during the practice.

On Friday afternoon, ESPN reported the Cardinals sent one of their Boeing 777 planes to Los Angeles to transport Rams players, staff, their families and some pets to Arizona. The Cardinals are also making their practice complex available to the Rams, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Chargers said the franchise will provide $200,000 in targeted funding to the American Red Cross, LA Fire Department Foundation, Team Rubicon and pet rescue organizations sheltering animals displaced due to the wildfires.

FOX Corporation has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross' California Wildfire relief efforts. The donation will help the agency provide safe shelter, hot meals, emotional support and resources to aid in recovery in the region.

FOX Corporation, which continues to be an annual Disaster Giving Program partner, is encouraging viewers to contribute to help families affected by the devastating wildfires. To donate, visit GO.FOX/REDCROSS

A list of available shelters compiled by the American Red Cross in Los Angeles can be found here.

Fox News' Yael Halon contributed to this report.

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Senior Trump official reveals visit that set ‘trajectory’ for election victory

A top Team Trump official disclosed the moment that "really set the campaign on a trajectory to victory" – the day President-elect Donald Trump arrived in Columbiana County, Ohio, to survey the East Palestine train derailment.

"The ripples from that day do not get enough attention," White House communications director-designate Steven Cheung said on X, formerly Twitter, in retweeting an op-ed making that assertion.

In February 2023, a Norfolk-Southern train hauling caustic industrial chemicals – including vinyl chloride – derailed in a small community near the Pennsylvania border, causing immediate chaos and long-lasting, widespread damage to the region.

A controlled burn held shortly after the derailment released toxic phosgene into the air.

WHISTLEBLOWER ALLEGES MISTAKES IN INITIAL EAST PALESTINE DISASTER RESPONSE

On February 23 – Ash Wednesday – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, hosted Trump at the site, where the former and future president highlighted Americans "forgotten" by President Joe Biden – who had not yet shown up and would not visit for several more months.

The Republican mogul handed out "Trump"-branded water and met with local officials. Meanwhile, officials in both Ohio and Pennsylvania were also visibly working to hold the railroad accountable.

In his tweet, Cheung was responding to an op-ed by Pittsburgh-based Washington Examiner writer Selina Zito, who covered the crisis at the time.

Zito wrote that Trump’s arrival had happened at a political nadir for the Republican, following the 2022 midterm losses and amid a then-close presidential primary race with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

She noted in a tweet that it was Vance – his future running mate – who brought him to the site.

Trump’s mantra of "you are not forgotten" to Rust Belt residents too often forgotten by Washington helped change minds in the area, Zito wrote, quoting a local resident who said she had "switched parties because of the way he spoke directly to the concerns."

"I have voted for him both times since then," the woman, who owns an East Palestine farm, said.

TRUMP VISITS EAST PALESTINE, HANDS OUT TRUMP-WATER: ‘WE STAND WITH YOU’

Trump told residents that day that "in too many cases, your goodness and perseverance were met with indifference and betrayal."

The disparity between Trump’s eagerness to "show up" and Biden’s apparent putting-off of a visit to East Palestine helped turn the tide in the Republican’s favor, the column continued.

"100%," Cheung wrote in his tweet.

Trump’s former running mate, Mike Pence, also called out Biden at the time, saying he was "AWOL" and remarking to Fox News that the Delaware Democrat’s policies had "derailed the economy of East Palestine long before that train came through."

On the Pennsylvania side of the line, both Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and his then-former gubernatorial opponent, state Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Gettysburg, also responded quickly to the derailment.

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Shapiro lodged a criminal referral at the time, and Mastriano led hearings that hosted affected residents along the Ohio border wherein Norfolk-Southern CEO Alan Shaw notably no-showed.

"It is very disheartening to hear that these alleged delays and botched response approaches took place – especially since those in East Palestine, Ohio, and areas in my district here in Pennsylvania have been dealing with the aftermath of this derailment for over a year now," state Sen. Elder Vogel Jr. told Fox News Digital at the time, after a whistleblower had spoken out about alleged mistakes from Biden’s EPA response – which the agency disputed.

Biden pledges $1B in aid to Africa as North Carolina residents continue to struggle after Helene

President Biden pledged $1 billion in humanitarian support to Africans displaced by historic droughts and food insecurity on Tuesday, as North Carolina residents continue to rebuild after the devastation left by Hurricane Helene.

"The United States continues to be the world's largest provider of humanitarian aid and development assistance. That's going to increase, you know, that's the right thing for the wealthiest nation in the world to do," Biden said while speaking in Angola. "Today I'm announcing over $1 billion in new humanitarian support for Africans displaced from homes by historic droughts and food insecurity. We know African leaders and citizens are seeking more than just aid. You seek investment.

"So, the United States is expanding our relationship all across Africa from assistance to aid, investment to trade, moving from patrons to partners to help bridge the infrastructure gap," he added.

Biden’s visit to Angola this week marks the first time the president has stepped foot on African soil during his presidency, and it comes as people in North Carolina continue to face challenges after Hurricane Helene caused destruction and devastation in late September.

BIDEN TRAVELS TO AFRICA WHERE POLICIES WERE ‘OVER-PROMISED AND UNDER-DELIVERED,' AMID MASSIVE CHINA EXPANSION

Last month, the White House requested $98 billion in additional disaster relief funding to help efforts in Helene-ravished areas.

Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle have pledged to act swiftly once they get a formal request from the Biden administration.

On top of that, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told reporters last month that her agency "will need additional funding of approximately $40 billion beyond its 2025 budget request to support the ongoing recovery efforts to these storms and meet our overall mission requirements through the end of the fiscal year." 

HOUSE REPUBLICANS EYE FEMA FUND OVERHAUL AHEAD OF HIGH-STAKES HEARING ON HELENE RECOVERY

Still, until these funds are in place, some continue to slam Biden’s legacy of putting foreign countries before his own, which was seen Tuesday as a video of Biden making the $1 billion announcement in Africa made the rounds on social media.

"BREAKING: Joe Biden just announced a $1B aid package for AFRICAN nations that are rebuilding from natural disasters. What about North Carolina? This is DISGUSTING," one user on X wrote.

"This is by far the WORST President of all time," another said on X.

JOHNSON BLASTS DEM ACCUSATIONS HE VOWED TO END OBAMACARE AS 'DISHONEST'

Still, one more user asked, "Can anyone please explain why Joe Biden hates America so much?"

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the matter.

Helene ravaged part of the U.S. Southeast in late September, killing more than 100 people in North Carolina alone.

It’s estimated to have caused billions of dollars worth of damage as well.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., previously told Fox News Digital that he believed it could be one of the most expensive storms in U.S. history. 

Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.

FEMA director vows to request IG investigation into order to avoid Trump supporters' houses

FEMA Director Deanne Criswell vowed to request an inspector general investigation into orders that FEMA employees avoid homes of Trump supporters during relief efforts for Hurricane Milton.

Criswell made the commitment during her testimony before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday. Criswell has insisted that orders to avoid pro-Trump homes originated from a lone employee and were not part of a wider directive.

Subcommittee Chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa., asked Criswell whether FEMA's ongoing internal investigation included officials above Marn'i Washington, the employee confirmed to have issued the order.

"The investigation includes those that were deployed in this particular incident, and we have found no evidence that there is anything beyond this one employee's specific direction," Criswell said.

HOUSE OVERSIGHT CALLS ON FEMA DIRECTOR TO TESTIFY AFTER OFFICIAL TELLS WORKERS TO AVOID HOME WITH TRUMP SIGNS

"Why shouldn't this be an independent investigation by at least somebody like the [inspector general]?" Perry pressed.

"The actions that this employee took are unacceptable--," Criswell said before getting cut off.

"I know that, you know that," Perry interjected.

FEMA OFFICIAL SAID TO AVOID HOMES WITH TRUMP SIGNS: ‘TO SAY I WAS SURPRISED WOULD BE A LIE’

"And I would welcome an investigation by the IG," Criswell said.

"But you haven't requested – will you request one?" Perry asked.

"I will request one," Criswell confirmed.

Criswell's claims contradict Washington, who asserts that she is being scapegoated by the agency for a wider policy of avoiding pro-Trump homes in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Washington emphasized to Fox News that FEMA prioritizes "avoidance" and "de-escalation" in situations where some employees may feel unsafe, and that is not necessarily politically targeted at Trump supporters. This could include other situations, like urban areas where there are unleashed dogs, she said.

Washington told Fox News' Trace Gallagher that discriminating against people explicitly because of political leanings would violate the Hatch Act, but said "unfortunately, again, the passionate supporters for Trump, some of them were a little bit violent."

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