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A major storm that began moving into Southern California overnight is set to deliver months' worth of rain and powerful winds — the most potent in a slew ofatmospheric river-fueled storms aiming for the region this week.

It's coming hot on the heels of a storm thatkilled at least one personand brought intense flooding to Northern California over the weekend.

The new storm was starting to slam the entire California coast from north to south with rain and wind Tuesday night.

Torrential rain will get underway in Southern California very early Wednesday morning and continue through the evening.

A Level 4 of 4 "high" risk of flooding rain is in place for the region Wednesday, including more than 6 million people in portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, according to the Weather Prediction Center.

These high risk flooding events are incredibly significant: High risks are issued on fewer than 4% of days per year on average, but are responsible for more than 80% of all flood-related damage and36% of all flood-related deaths, WPC research shows.

Wednesday's high risk is Southern California's first since February 5, 2024, whendisastrous floodingkilled at least two people and triggered more than 100 mudslides.

"Widespread and significant urban flooding will be likely along with rock/mudslides and debris flows," the National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned early Tuesday morning, noting these threats are not just confined to burned areas.

"THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS HOLIDAY STORM," the NWS continued. "ANYONE TRAVELING ON CHRISTMAS EVE OR CHRISTMAS DAY WILL NEED TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom mobilized state resources ahead of the holiday week storm, with agencies pre-positioning crews and equipment, the governor's press officesaid.

Rainfall rates could exceed 1 inch per hour at times in the earliest hours of Wednesday morning, especially in the Santa Barbara and Los Angeles county mountains. That's more than enough to trigger dangerous flash flooding and potentially mudslides.

Life-threatening debris flows are possible on recent burn scars, including from January'sEaton and Palisades fires, that could be pounded with those torrential rainfall rates. The scorched ground of these scars repels water instead of absorbing it, quickly turning rain into a surge of floodwater that pulls mud and debris with it.

Los Angeles County on Monday announced evacuation orders and warnings for areas in and around burn scars in the greater Los Angeles area, including the Eaton and Palisades fire zones. The deadly blazes were two of California'smost destructive fires in historyand burned a combined 16,246 structures, according to CalFire.

The orders are for 383 properties that sheriff's deputies are directly reaching out to, including going door-to-door, the county Office of Emergency Management said Monday. These evacuation alerts went into effect at 11 a.m. PT Tuesday morning.

Evacuation warnings were also issued in parts ofVentura County, with an evacuation order for the Ventura Beach RV Resort going into effect at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Evacuation orders go into effect 8 a.m. PT Wednesday for some areas near the Airport Fire burn scar inOrange County. Parts ofSanta Barbara Countyare under evacuation warnings, including some areas within the Lake Fire burn scar.

Strong winds will add to the danger by potentially bringing down trees and power lines. Winds will be most ferocious in the region's mountains, where sustained winds from the south of 30 to 50 mph are possible with gusts to 80 mph.

The holiday danger doesn't end there: Another atmospheric river-fueled storm will follow Thursday and continue into Friday. It's raising a Level 3 of 4 flooding rain risk for more than 15 million people, including many in Wednesday's high risk.

Steve Schklair and his family, who live in a warning area for debris flow and mudslides, recently moved back into their home in Altadena, which they spent almost a year rebuilding following the fires, he told CNN affiliate KCBS.

But the family will not be evacuating because they live in a "lucky spot" and will instead spend Christmas hunkered down at home, Schklair said.

"All the mud flows — and it does flow — (go) around the house and down the street, never comes up here," he told KCBS.

All told, rainfall totals in Southern California through the end of the week could be as much as 4 to 8 inches in coastal and valley locations, while foothills and mountains see 8 to 12 inches.

To put those totals into perspective, a city like Los Angeles could see anywhere from two months' worth of rain to nearly half a year's worth in just a week.

The same abundant moisture set to slam Southern California will also fuel feet of snow farther north in the Sierra Nevada and make travel there difficult or impossible at times.

The heavy snow will be a big change for the region, which has had much less snow than usual to start the season.

Some relief from this nonstop stormy pattern looks to finally arrive for the upcoming weekend.

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The Justice Department's leadership asked career prosecutors in Florida to volunteer over the "next several days" to help redact theEpstein files, in the latest Trump administration push toward releasing the hundreds of thousands of photos, internal memos and other evidence around the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

A supervising prosecutor in the Southern District of Florida's US Attorney's Office emailed the entire district office on Tuesday — two days before Christmas — announcing an "emergency request from the [Deputy Attorney General's] office the SDFL must assist with," according to a copy of the email reviewed by CNN. "We need AUSAs to do remote document review and redactions related to the Epstein files," the email said.

The email raises the possibility of more Epstein files being released over the coming days, including the Christmas and New Year's holidays. It also underlines the public and political backlash the Justice Department has faced since the deadline passed on Friday to release all documents in the federal government's possession, as mandated by an act of Congress calling for transparency around Epstein files. The Justice Department acknowledged it had not gotten through redacting many of the files by Friday and has continued to release documents this week.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to questions from CNN about the email on Tuesday.

The Christmas-week request, from a top career prosecutor in the US Attorney's Office, attempts to entice volunteer attorneys to work on the files now, in exchange for days off later. It's also possible that the call for volunteers frustrates busy career Justice Department employees after a year of departures and firings across the ranks by Trump administration leadership, as well as several in-court incidents that have hurt the department's reputation in the legal community.

"I am aware that the timing could not be worse," the US Attorney's Office leadership wrote on Tuesday. "For some the holidays are about to begin, but I know that for others the holidays are coming to an end."

The Justice Department was using hundreds of lawyers at its headquarters, especially national security specialists, toprocess the filesover the past month, picking up a project the FBI and other agencies had worked on in slivers previously. The Tuesday request appears to seek to add lawyers to the project, more than a month after Congress passed the transparency act and President Donald Trump signed it into law.

Theredaction guidelinesprovided by the department have been described by some sources familiar with them as being as being confusing or overly cautious on what is being redacted.

And the department also failed to meet the deadline, only releasing on Friday a portion of the files — many of which had already been in the public domain. Overnight, the Department released nearly 30,000 more records that contained many more new documents such as a prosecutor email noting Trump's name on flight logs found in the criminal investigation of Epstein's co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, and the paperwork documenting investigative subpoenas and interviews in 2019 through 2021, when Maxwell was convicted for sex trafficking minors.

Trump has never been accused by law enforcement of wrongdoing related to Epstein's crimes, and he has denied any wrongdoing.

"We have an obligation to the public to release these documents and before we can do so, certain redactions must be made to protect the identity of the victims, among other things," the Southern District of Florida leadership wrote in the email asking for volunteers on the Epstein redactions on Tuesday.

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Two police officers were killed early Wednesday by a bomb in Moscow, close to the scene of acar bombingthat killed a top Russian general two days ago.

The two police officers approached a suspicious person who detonated an explosive device near a police car, Russia's investigative committee said in a statement on Wednesday.

The assailant was also killed in the attack, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

"Investigators and forensic experts from the Moscow Investigative Committee are continuing to examine the scene of the incident," Svetlana Petrenko, a representative for the investigative committee, said in the statement.

Police are also studying CCTV and interviewing witnesses in an attempt to uncover the perpetrator, the statement added.

The deadly blast comes just days after a Russian general was killed by a car bomb on a neighboring street in the Russian capital.

Lt. Gen Fanil Sarvarov, who ran the armed forces operational training department, died after an explosive device installed under the chassis of a car exploded on Monday morning, investigators said.

Russian officials suggested Ukraine could have behind the apparent assassination of the senior military officer. "Investigators are pursuing various motives for the murder. One of the theories is that the crime was organized by Ukrainian special services," the investigative committee said Monday.

Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the attack on Sarvarov, but several prominent Russians have been killed in Moscow in attacks blamed on the Ukrainian security services since thefull-scale Russian invasionof Ukraine in 2022.

The investigative committee did not comment on whether the two incidents are linked.

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Quarterback Maverick McIvor came off the bench to lead three second-half touchdown drives and Western Kentucky rallied to beat Southern Mississippi 27-16 on Tuesday night to win the New Orleans Bowl at Caesars Superdome.

Head coach Tyson Helton has led the Hilltoppers (9-4) to a bowl game in seven straight seasons, winning five of them.

McIvor completed 12 of 19 passes for 199 yards with one interception and rushed for a season-high 48 yards and a score on eight carries. Matthew Henry had seven receptions for 126 yards. Jack Cannon kicked two field goals.

Braylon Braxton threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Tychaun Chapman in the first quarter and Creighton Wilbanks kicked two field goals in the second to help the Golden Eagles (7-6) take a 13-6 lead into halftime.

Southern Miss piled up 265 yards in the first half, while holding Western Kentucky to 84. The Hilltoppers outgained the Golden Eagles 338-112 after halftime.

Freshman quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. completed 9 of 20 passes for 65 yards with an interception for Western Kentucky before leaving right before halftime after taking a hard hit.

McIvor, who hadn't played since starting the first seven games, led the second-half charge.

McIvor capped an eight-play drive with an 11-yard touchdown run to tie it 13-all midway through the third quarter before Wilbanks kicked a 41-yard field goal to put Southern Miss up 16-13 heading to the fourth.

McIvor had a 23-yard run to the Golden Eagles' 1 and George Hart III plunged into the end zone two plays later for a 20-16 lead 7:48 remaining.

McIvor completed a 14-yard pass to Matthew Henry on third-and-11 and Marvis Parrish raced 54 yards for a score on the next play to set the final margin with 3:38 left. The Hilltoppers were successful on all eight third-down opportunities in the second half after going 1 for 9 in the first.

Braxton totaled 258 yards on 24-for-47 passing with an interception.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP college football:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-football

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Wearing a T-shirt, shorts and running shoes following a walk-through practice, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen made his way to the podium with the slightest hint of a limp, and declared himself ready to play this weekend.

"Feels good. Yeah, ready to go," Allen said Tuesday after hewas held out of practice because of a sore right foot.

Allen acknowledged still feeling some soreness from the injury he played throughin a 23-20 win over Cleveland on Sunday. But he otherwise put to rest any doubts about his status for Sunday, when Buffalo (11-4) hosts the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles (10-5).

"Yes, I'll be planning on playing," he said.

In ruling out Allen from practice earlier in the day, coach Sean McDermott said he anticipated the quarterback would be able to play this weekend.

Allen played through the injury after being hurt when he appeared to catch his foot in the turf during a scramble in the final minute of the second quarter. The team announced tests on Allen's foot taken during halftime were negative, and he finished the game without missing a snap.

Buffalo clinched its seventh consecutive playoff berth following Indianapolis' loss on Monday night, and maintained its slim bid to catch the AFC East-leading New England Patriots (12-3). The Bills need to win their final two games and the Patriots lose once to earn their sixth straight division title.

Allen is the reigning AP NFL MVP and ranks second in the league with 37 total touchdowns. The 29-year-old also has 299 touchdowns, putting him one short of becoming the NFL's first player to reach 300 before turning 30.

The eighth-year player has not missed a start since being sidelined for four games with an injury to his throwing elbow during his rookie season in 2018. Allen's 120-game streak of consecutive regular-season starts is the NFL's longest active run among quarterbacks.

McDermott had a lengthy injury list that included tight end Dalton Kincaid, who continues nursing a knee injury, and safety Jordan Poyer, who hurt his ankle on Sunday.

The Bills aren't required to post an injury report until Wednesday.

Also on the list was kicker Matt Prater, who did not play last week after hurting his right quadricep.

Prater's replacement, Michael Badgley, hit a 41-yard field goal, but missed one of three extra-point attempts on Sunday. Badgley missed three extra-point attempts in seven games with Indianapolis, which led to him getting cut by the Colts.

According to the NFL transactions list released Tuesday, the Bills had three kickers in for workouts: Younghoe Koo, Gavin Stewart and Maddux Trujillo.

AP NFL:https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates took another step toward being a contender in 2026, agreeing to a $29 million, two-year contract with All-Star first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn that's designed to give one of the worst offenses in the majors a boost.

A person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the deal includes $500,000 annually in performance bonuses. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because it was not yet official.

O'Hearn receives the first multiple-year free agent deal the Pirates have agreed to since 2016. The left-handed slugger is coming off the best season of his big league career. He hit .281 with 17 home runs and 63 RBIs in 2025 and made the All-Star team for the first time while playing for Baltimore and San Diego.

The rare splurge by the Pirates is their second significant acquisition in less than a week. Pittsburgh acquired two-timeAll-Star second baseman Brandon Lowefrom Tampa Bay on Dec. 19 as part of a three-team deal that included sending starting pitcher Mike Burrows to Houston.

Pittsburgh has vowed to build around a pitching staff that includes reigningNL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenesand rookie Bubba Chandler. The Pirates are coming off a 71-91 season in which the offense finished at or near the bottom of the majors in most significant statistical categories, including runs and home runs.

O'Hearn gives Pittsburgh a bit of versatility. He has played both first base and a corner outfield spot. The Pirates have the left-handed hitting Spencer Horwitz at first, though O'Hearn could see time there and perhaps in the outfield alongside Oneil Cruz and two-time All-Star Bryan Reynolds.

O'Hearn is a career .252 hitter, but his numbers improved as he became a reliable contributor during his 2 1/2 seasons with the Orioles, who traded him to the contending Padres at the deadline. He is batting .277 with 46 homers and 182 RBIs since 2023 and now finds himself playing half his games in a ballpark where the 21-foot-high Clemente Wall starts just 320 feet from home plate.

This story has been corrected. A previous version reported incorrectly that O'Hearn played for Kansas City in 2025.

AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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NEED TO KNOW

• During an interview with PEOPLE at the Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix on Nov. 22, Ali Larter shared the secret to her 16-year marriage to husband Hayes MacArthur

• The Landman star wed MacArthur in Maine on Aug. 1, 2009

• The couple share two children, son Theodore and daughter Vivienne

Ali Larteris sharing the secret to a strong relationship after more than 16 years of marriage with husbandHayes MacArthur.

TheLandmanstar, 49,wedthe fellow actor, 48, on Aug. 1, 2009. While exclusively chatting with PEOPLE at the Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday, Nov. 22, Larter revealed the simple key to her long-term marriage.

"Enjoy every day," Larter says. "Try to be really kind."

David Becker - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty

Since tying the knot in an outdoor ceremony at MacArthur's family estate in Kennebunkport, Maine, Larter and MacArthur havewelcomed two children together— 15-year-old son Theodore and 10-year-old daughter Vivienne. Larter tells PEOPLE that one thing she most admires aboutThe Runaroundsstar is his caring nature toward her and their kids.

"The way that he takes care of our family," Larter answers, of what makes her heart race for her husband.

Larter and MacArthur met on the set of the 2005 movieHomo Erectus. Two years later, the pairgot engagedin December 2007. When the couple said "I do" in 2009, Larter wore a Vera Wang sweetheart neckline, an A-line gown of Chantilly with hand-pieced corded lace appliqué, while MacArthur opted for a Ralph Lauren Black Label peak-lapel tuxedo with a Polo Ralph Lauren bow tie.

Larter and MacArthurbuilt their dream homein Sun Valley, Idaho, afterrelocating there from Los Angeles in 2022.

Speaking toRue Magazinefor a September 2024 cover story, theLegally BlondeandVarsity Bluesalum explained that she and MacArthur "fell in love with the beauty of the mountains and their quiet grandness" as well as the "real sense of community" in the area.

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

"Most of the time in my life, I feel like I'm going 1,000 miles an hour and these giant rocks chill me out," the actress told the outlet.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

She added, "The mountains have a way of grounding you and slowing you down—especially when you're stuck in traffic because there's a herd of elk blocking the road."

Read the original article onPeople