Nova Newsletter
October 9, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,679 words for you today - 8 minute read.
The Spotlight
1. Florida Man Charged in Deadly Palisades Fire
An aerial view shows the devastation left by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades section of Los Angeles, Jan. 27, 2025. Jae C. Hong/AP
Federal prosecutors say a 29-year-old man has been arrested and charged with igniting the Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of structures in Los Angeles County.
Takeaways
Jonathan Rinderknecht was arrested in Florida and charged with destruction of property by fire.
The blaze began Jan. 1 as a small brush fire before reigniting days later under high winds.
Officials say the Palisades Fire burned over 23,000 acres and destroyed nearly 7,000 buildings.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said Rinderknecht “maliciously” started the fire after dropping off an Uber passenger near Pacific Palisades. Investigators allege he lit vegetation with a lighter and later lied about his location.
Geolocation data placed him about 30 feet from the initial flames, contradicting his account to authorities. Digital evidence included AI-generated images of burning cities found on his devices.
Rinderknecht is set to appear in Orlando federal court this week. The DOJ says additional charges may follow. Read More
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2. James Comey Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Charges
Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty in a Virginia federal court to charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
Takeaways:
Comey’s lawyer said the prosecution is politically motivated and plans to seek dismissal.
The case was filed days after former President Trump urged his attorney general to act.
A trial date is set for January 5, 2026.
Comey’s attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, argued that the charges were a form of retaliation against Trump’s critics. The defense also claims the U.S. attorney overseeing the case was unlawfully appointed.
Prosecutors allege Comey misled lawmakers in 2020 about leaks during investigations into Hillary Clinton and Russian election interference.
Comey maintains his innocence, calling Trump a “tyrant” and vowing to fight the case in court.
What’s next: Motions to dismiss are expected before the January trial. Read More
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3. Medical Helicopter Crash Leaves 3 Critically Injured in Sacramento
A medical helicopter is shown after it crashed on Highway 50 in Sacramento on Monday. Scott Marshall/AP
A medical helicopter crashed onto Highway 50 in Sacramento Monday evening, critically injuring all three crew members aboard.
Takeaways:
The REACH Air Medical Services helicopter went down near 59th Street around 7 p.m.
A pilot, nurse, and paramedic were on board no patient or vehicles were involved.
One victim was trapped under the wreckage and rescued by civilians.
FAA and NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash.
The Sacramento Fire Department said bystanders helped lift the aircraft to free a trapped crew member. Fire officials described the debris field as extensive but noted it was “extremely lucky” no motorists were hurt.
Traffic was halted for hours as crews cleared the scene and investigators arrived.
Officials have yet to confirm what caused the crash. Read More
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Quick Headlines
This undated image shows artist Bob Ross, host of the series “The Joy of Painting.” Bob Ross Inc./AP
Thirty original Bob Ross paintings will be auctioned by Bonhams starting Nov. 11 in Los Angeles to support PBS stations struggling after $1.1 billion in federal funding cuts. The sales, expected to raise up to $1.4 million, will help sustain programming like The Joy of Painting and This Old House. Read More
Hundreds of Texas National Guard troops have arrived near Chicago to support President Trump’s immigration crackdown, sparking backlash from Illinois officials who call the move unconstitutional. A federal court hearing is set for Thursday to challenge the deployment. Read More
At least 24 people were killed and 47 injured when Myanmar’s military used a motorised paraglider to bomb a candlelight vigil in Sagaing during a Buddhist festival. Amnesty condemned the attack as part of a worsening campaign against civilians. Read More
New ultrasound technologies like histotripsy and HIFU are transforming cancer care by destroying tumors without surgery. Early trials show high success rates in liver cancer and promise for safer, faster recovery. Read More
The NFL fined Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones $250,000 for an obscene hand gesture toward fans at MetLife Stadium, which he claims was an accidental attempt at a “thumbs up.” Jones is expected to appeal. Read More
Three scientists, Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi, won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing metal-organic frameworks that can store gases and moisture. Their discovery could help combat climate change by capturing greenhouse gases and drawing water from dry desert air. Read More
Deep Dive
4. Pam Bondi Faces Fierce Partisan Showdown in Senate Hearing
Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Win McNamee/Getty Images
Attorney General Pam Bondi clashed with senators in a heated oversight hearing Tuesday, defending her Justice Department’s independence as Democrats accused her of politicizing prosecutions.
Takeaways:
Bondi’s first Senate testimony came weeks after her DOJ indicted ex-FBI Director James Comey.
She refused to answer key questions on Comey, DOJ firings, and Epstein probes.
Democrats pressed her on alleged bias and Trump’s influence; Republicans echoed grievances from past administrations.
Bondi emphasized her focus on “fighting real crime” and claimed political attacks were distractions.
Bondi entered the hearing on the defensive, facing bipartisan scrutiny after former Justice Department staff accused her of dismantling institutional norms. She deployed a familiar Trump-era tactic: offense as defense, targeting Democratic senators personally and accusing them of partisanship.
Her refusal to address core questions on the Comey indictment and National Guard deployments frustrated Democrats. “You owe the president an apology for your entire career,” Bondi shot back when pressed by Rep. Adam Schiff.
Democrats homed in on Epstein-related investigations, accusing Bondi’s DOJ of withholding evidence. She repeatedly declined to comment, citing “ongoing investigations.”
Republicans redirected the hearing toward past Democratic controversies—from Biden family dealings to the 2016 Russia probe—turning the event into a partisan echo chamber.
As the five-hour hearing closed, one truth lingered: trust in the Justice Department has become a casualty of political warfare. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. Disney Parks Raise Ticket Prices Above $200
Getty Images for Disney Dreamers
Disney World and Disneyland have increased ticket prices again, pushing peak single-day entry above $200 for the first time.
Takeaways
Peak one-day tickets now cost up to $209 at Disney World and $224 at Disneyland.
Most other tickets rose by about $5; lowest-priced tickets remain $104 at Disneyland and $119 at Animal Kingdom.
Annual passes and parking fees also jumped, with top-tier Disneyland passes now as high as $1,899.
The hikes, announced Oct. 8, reflect continued demand during holidays and peak seasons. Disney paused New Year’s Eve ticket sales at Magic Kingdom due to high bookings.
Despite the increases, Disney said its parks still offer “a full day of experiences” and options for “a wide range of budgets.” The company also introduced a new discount of up to $250 off per night for 2026 travel packages.
Ticket prices will apply through October 2026, with limited changes to starting tiers. Read More
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6. Zach Bryan Defends “Bad News” After Anti-ICE Backlash
Country star Zach Bryan addressed criticism over his upcoming song “Bad News,” saying it reflects his love for America, not an attack on ICE or law enforcement.
Takeaways
The backlash began after Bryan shared a snippet referencing ICE raids.
Critics, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, accused him of disrespecting law enforcement.
Bryan said the song “hits on both sides of the aisle” and warns against political division.
Bryan’s lyric about ICE “busting down your door” drew swift condemnation from conservative figures and social media users. The White House and Homeland Security officials joined in, framing the song as anti-police.
In a series of Instagram posts, Bryan clarified that “Bad News” was written months ago and celebrates unity, not division. He urged fans to “find our way back” as Americans and emphasized his military service and belief in free speech.
The song has not yet been released, but it has already ignited a national debate over music, politics, and patriotism. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
'Surrender of Lord Cornwallis' by John Trumbull depicting the British surrender which ended the American Revolutionary War (Photo: On this Day)
On This Day — October 9
Siege of Yorktown, 1781– Americans under George Washington and the French under Comte de Rochambeau begin bombardment of Yorktown, the last battle of American Revolutionary War.
Roosevelt Approves Atomic Program, 1941 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the U.S. atomic research initiative that would evolve into the Manhattan Project, reshaping global warfare and science.
Musical “Ballroom” Premieres in New York, 1978 – John Kander and Fred Ebb’s musical Ballroom opened in New York City, earning praise for its heartfelt story and timeless score from the creators of Chicago and Cabaret.
9. Poll
Life Hack of the day
🧴🖊️ Hand Sanitizer for Fresh Ink Stains
Got an ink stain? Grab some hand sanitizer! The alcohol in it helps break down fresh ink, making it easier to wipe away before it sets. Just apply a small amount to the stain, let it sit for a few seconds, then blot clean with a cloth.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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