California

Number of missing in fires down to 49

PARADISE — The number of people listed as missing after Northern California’s catastrophic wildfire has been whittled to 49. The figure announced Friday night by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office shows authorities have made significant progress in accounting for survivors of the deadliest wildfire in state history. Two weeks ago, the number of people listed as unaccounted for was 1,300. The Nov. 8 wildfire all but leveled the town of Paradise and ravaged neighboring communities. Many survivors scattered to other towns or cities and did not think to tell authorities or relatives that they were safe. (AP)

New York

Michelle Obama surprises students

Thirty New York City girls were in for a big lunchtime surprise: a vegetable bowl with toasted farro served by a very famous woman. Michelle Obama stunned them with a visit Saturday to the Lower Eastside Girls Club in lower Manhattan. She helped prepare healthy lunches for them with Sam Kass, the former executive director of the Let’s Move! campaign that Obama championed when her husband was president. After lunch, Obama led a discussion with the girls, who are learning about urban farming and cooking. (AP)