This NPR Up First podcast discusses three key issues: Meta's recent decision to move away from third-party fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram in favor of a community-driven approach, a shift that seems aimed at appeasing the incoming Republican administration; a rise in winter respiratory illnesses, including the flu, RSV, and COVID; and the destructive wildfires in Southern California that have forced tens of thousands to evacuate. Mark Zuckerberg's choice to abandon Meta's fact-checking program marks a notable change from his earlier position, likely under political influence. Listeners are encouraged to take precautions against winter viruses, such as getting vaccinated and wearing masks. The episode wraps up with a detailed look at the rapidly escalating wildfires in Southern California and the struggles faced by those fleeing the flames.
