'No more': Trump says he'll cut off federal funds to fight California wildfires

President Donald Trump said Sunday that he wants to cut off federal funds to fight wildfires raging across California, saying that Gov. Gavin Newsom should "get his act together" and properly manage the state's forests. Trump, in a series of tweets, lauded the efforts of firefighters but accused Newsom of catering to environmentalists instead of focusing on fire deterrence. Newsom's reply: "You don’t believe in climate change. You are excused from this conversation." The comments came as state officials reported that a fire burning through 15 square miles outside of Los Angeles was 50% contained on Sunday but still threatened 2,500 homes and buildings, authorities said. All evacuations orders were lifted, the Cal Fires San Luis Obispo unit said. Fires have swept across the state in recent weeks, fueled by drought-stricken brush, low humidity and high winds. 

• This time, Southern California was prepared for wildfires. Here's how countless homes were saved.
• Maria Fire broke out minutes after utility company re-energized a high-voltage power line.

Whistleblower in Trump impeachment inquiry willing to answer GOP's written questions

An attorney for the whistleblower who helped spark an impeachment inquiry into Trump said Sunday that his client would be willing to answer written questions from Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee without going through Democratic Chairman Adam Schiff. Attorney Mark Zaid said in a series of tweets that he informed the committee's ranking Republican, Rep. Devin Nunes, on Saturday that his client would answer written questions under oath without revealing the whistleblower's identity. Trump and his supporters in Congress have insisted that the impeachment process has been unfair. One of their primary complaints has been the whistleblower's anonymity, along with the closed-door testimony and the inability of Trump's attorneys to cross-examine witnesses. Zaid decried Republican efforts to identify his client "which could jeopardize their safety, as well as that of their family." 

Mongolian Groom becomes the 37th horse to die at Santa Anita since December

Vino Risso won the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday at Santa Anita Park, but the horse race was marred by yet another death. Mongolian Groom, a 4-year-old gelding, was euthanized after injuring a hind leg down the stretch, making it the 37th horse death at the track since December. It’s a death that will haunt horse racing and marked a catastrophic ending to an otherwise incident-free Breeders’ Cup at the embattled racetrack. Taxes and subsidies keep the horse racing industry alive, yet a USA TODAY Network investigation found that thousands of horses are dying gruesome deaths on the track. 

• Horses go from racetracks to slaughterhouses: "It's just a job to me." 

Real quick 

• McDonald's CEO ousted after having "consensual" relationship with an employee.
• Alabama still No. 1, while Florida drops out of top 10 in Amway Coaches Poll.
• 1 dead, 10 sickened after multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to ground beef.
• End of an era: Phil Mickelson drops out of top 50 in the world for first time since 1993.
• Cheap and powerful "meth 2.0" is ravaging communities and slowly killing its victims.
• Chicago's kids are watching friends and family die. The teachers strike may finally bring them help.

Airbnb bans 'party houses' after 5 die in Halloween party shooting at home rental

Airbnb Inc. is banning "party houses" after five people were killed and several were wounded in a shooting at a Halloween party at a California home rental. "We are redoubling our efforts to combat unauthorized parties and get rid of abusive host and guest conduct, including conduct that leads to the terrible events we saw in Orinda," CEO Brian Chesky announced Saturday. Chesky said the company would be expanding manual screening of high-risk reservations, creating a dedicated “party house” rapid response team and taking immediate action against users who violate guest policies. According to the sheriff's office, more than 100 party-goers from throughout the Bay Area attended the "Airbnb Mansion" party. Three people were pronounced deceased at the scene, and two later died of injuries at the hospital. 

'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,' 'Gilmore Girls' actor Brian Tarantina dead at 60

The creators of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and "Gilmore Girls" are mourning actor Brian Tarantina, who died early Saturday morning at age 60. Tarantina's representative confirmed to USA TODAY that the actor died while recovering from complications of a "severe health crisis he experienced a few months ago." The cause of death is being determined by the medical examiner.

Trump unfazed by reports gangs cut border wall

President Donald Trump on Saturday downplayed reports that smugglers were cutting through the new tall sections of wall that he has said are fundamental to security along the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump told reporters he had not heard the reports as he departed the White House on Saturday, but he appeared unsurprised by the news. "We have a very powerful wall," he said, according to Politico. "But no matter how powerful, you can cut through anything, in all fairness." The president did not seem concerned about the possibility because "we have a lot of people watching" and "cutting is one thing, but it's easily fixed." 

P.S. Like this round up of stories? We send it to inboxes every afternoon. Sign up for "The Short List" newsletter here. 

This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Contributing: Associated Press.