Flash flooding in northern California leads to soaked roads, water rescues and 1 death

REDDING, Calif. (AP) — Heavy rain and flash flooding have soaked roads in northern California, leading to water rescues and at least one confirmed death. Authorities say police in the city of Redding received numerous calls Sunday from stranded motorists who tried to drive through flooded areas. According to Mayor Mike Littau on Monday, one person died who was pulled out of a vehicle that was flooding. The National Weather Service expects more rain through the Christmas week and warns of potentially flooding, mudslides and rockslides. The flooding in California comes after stubborn atmospheric rivers drenched Washington state earlier this month.

Schumer urges Senate to take legal action over DOJ’s staggered Epstein files release

NEW YORK (AP) — The Senate’s top Democrat is urging his colleagues to take legal action over the Justice Department’s incremental and heavily redacted release of records pertaining to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced a resolution Monday that, if passed, would direct the Senate to file or join lawsuits aimed at forcing the Justice Department to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. That law, enacted last month, required disclosure of records by last Friday. In lieu of Republican support, Schumer’s resolution will face an uphill battle for passage. But it allows Democrats to continue a pressure campaign for disclosure. The Senate is off until Jan. 5.

Betty Reid Soskin, oldest National Park Service ranger, dies at 104

RICHMOND, Calif. (AP) — Betty Reid Soskin, who rose to national fame as the oldest National Park Service ranger and used the spotlight to talk about the African American experience during World War II, has died. She was 104. Her family and the park service announced her death through social media, saying she was surrounded by loved ones at her home in California when she died Sunday. They did not release a cause of death. “She was a powerful voice for sharing her personal experiences, highlighting untold stories, and honoring the contributions of women from diverse backgrounds who worked on the World War II Home Front. Thank you for your service, Ranger Betty,” the park service said in a statement.

Ex-CIA director John Brennan wants ‘favored’ Trump judge kept away from DOJ inquiry

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawyers for former CIA Director John Brennan want the Justice Department to be prevented from steering an investigation of him and other former government officials to a “favored” judge in Florida who dismissed the classified documents case against President Donald Trump. The request Monday is addressed to U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga, the chief judge in the Southern District of Florida, where federal prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation related to the U.S. government assessment of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Brennan and other officials have received subpoenas and Brennan’s lawyer say he’s been advised by prosecutors that he’s a target of the investigation.