CONFIRMATION CLASS: Donald Trump’s controversial pick for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, appeared closer to winning confirmation after Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa said she would vote for him following yesterday’s hearing before the Senate Amed Services Committee.   Ernst’s approval …

THE FIRE LINE: Fire crews made progress containing the Los Angeles area wildfires over the weekend even as more acreage burned. Twenty-four people have been confirmed dead and 16 more reported missing now in the eighth day of wildfires.   Hot desert …