Happening Today: Russia Probe, Birth Control, Thomas Fire, Carolina Panthers, Gene Simmons

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Trump Says He’s Not Considering Firing Special Counsel Mueller

President Trump said he is not considering firing special counsel Robert Mueller even as his administration was again forced to grapple with the growing Russia probe that has shadowed the White House for much of his initial year in office. Trump returned to the White House from Camp David and was asked if he would consider triggering the process to dismiss Mueller, who is investigating whether the president's Republican campaign coordinated with Russian officials during last year's election. The president answered: "No, I'm not." But he did add to the growing conservative criticism of Mueller's move to gain access to thousands of emails sent and received by Trump officials before the start of his administration, yielding attacks from transition lawyers and renewing chatter that Trump may act to end the investigation.

Holiday Travel Chaos Ahead After Atlanta Airport Outage

While power has been restored to the world's busiest airport, the travel woes will linger for days. Thousands of people were stranded at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where more than 1,000 flights were grounded just days before the start of the Christmas travel rush. A sudden power outage caused by a fire in an underground electrical facility brought the airport to a standstill. All outgoing flights and arriving planes were held on the ground at their point of departure. International flights were being diverted, officials said. Delta Air Lines, with its biggest hub operation in Atlanta, will be hardest hit. An aviation consultant and former American Airlines executive said it likely will be one day before Delta's operations in Atlanta return to normal.

Wildfire Threatens to Become Largest Seen in Modern California

The third-largest wildfire in California history continues to spread in Santa Barbara County, fanned by overnight winds. The deadly Thomas Fire, which was nearing the two-week mark since it first broke out, continues to threaten homes after already consuming 270,000 acres and costing an estimated $116,948,500. The blaze, which Cal Fire said was about 45 percent contained, continues to threaten 18,000 structures as 8,529 firefighters continue to battle the flames. It has already destroyed 1,020 and damaged another 242, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Two people have been killed as a result of the blaze. Virginia Pesola, 70, was found dead at a crash site along an evacuation route, killed by blunt force injuries, smoke inhalation and burns. Cory Iverson, 32, was part of a strike team of San Diego Cal Fire engines who were helping in the firefight. Iverson died during an accident in an active area of the fire, suffering thermal injuries and smoke inhalation. In addition to the fatalities, the fire has also forced 104,607 people to flee their homes, according to Cal Fire.

Judge Temporarily Blocks New Trump Rules on Birth Control

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration not to enforce new rules that could significantly reduce women's access to free birth control. Judge Wendy Beetlestone issued the injunction, temporarily stopping the government from enforcing the policy change to former President Obama's health care law. The law required most companies to cover birth control at no additional cost, though it included exemptions for religious organizations. The new policy would allow more categories of employers, including publicly traded companies, to opt out of providing free contraception to women by claiming religious objections. It would allow any company that is not publicly traded to deny coverage on moral grounds. Beetlestone, appointed to the bench by Obama, called the Trump administration's exemptions "sweeping" and said they are the "proverbial exception that swallows the rule."

Carolina Panthers Owner Selling Team Amid Workplace Misconduct Report

Facing a growing investigation that accuses him of sexual misconduct and using racist language at work, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson announced he will sell the NFL team after the season. The team announced on Twitter that Richardson is selling the team, linking to a five-paragraph letter by the franchise's only owner. Richardson's letter did not directly address the investigation or allegations against him. The NFL awarded Richardson, a former player with the Baltimore Colts, an expansion franchise in 1993, and he has been the team's only owner. Richardson attended Sunday's win over the Green Bay Packers at Bank of America Stadium and was photographed sitting beside his wife Rosalind in his luxury box. He did not speak to reporters. The NFL had no comment on the upcoming sale of the Panthers.

Kiss' Gene Simmons Accused of Sexual Misconduct in Lawsuit

KISS singer and bassist Gene Simmons says he intends to defend himself in court after a woman sued him for sexual battery and other alleged misconduct. In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles and posted on the Orange County Register's website, an anonymous woman, who describes herself as a "long-time on-air personality for a local rock station," says that she interviewed Simmons in November and that he made "unwanted, unwarranted sexual advances" towards her. In her lawsuit, the woman says the interview with Simmons took place in the green room of the San Manuel Casino branch of the Rock &Brews restaurant chain, which the rocker co-founded. She claims that during the sit-down, he allegedly reached over and grabbed her hand and "forcefully, pleased it on his knee and held it on his knee." She said that she removed her hand, "feeling that this was an unwanted sexual advance" and continued the interview "despite feeling extremely uncomfortable."