Rescue efforts continue in Maui after fast-moving wildfires caused catastrophic damage across the island this week. The death toll from the wildfires has risen to at least 53 with several others wounded. Thousands of Maui residents have been displaced by the catastrophe, as well.

The Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers will return to the negotiating table today. The meeting comes as the writers' strike just crossed the 100-day mark, a milestone the Guild’s negotiating committee co-chair Chris Keyser has called “an anniversary of shame.”

And in headlines: the first of Trump’s many criminal trials could start as soon as January 2nd, the Supreme Court put on hold a bankruptcy settlement involving OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma, and Virgin Galactic sent its first tourists into space yesterday.

Show Notes:

Help those affected by the fires in Maui

• Maui Mutual Aid Fund - https://www.bit.ly/mauimutualaide
• Hawai'i' Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund - https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong
• Fundraiser for Pūnana Leo o Lāhinā whose school site at Waiola Church, which burned down: https://www.instagram.com/p/CvvWWoqSl9V/
• Fundraiser for Nā ‘Āikane O Maui Cultural Center, which burned down: https://www.instagram.com/p/CvvJeNzy2WM/?img_index=1

• What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
• Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee
• Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/
• For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday