In California: Trump denies, then OKs aid for fires; more than 1 million Golden Staters have voted

I'm Winston Gieseke, philanthropy and special sections editor for The Desert Sun in Palm Springs, wrapping up another week in our beautiful state of California. Here are some of today's headlines.

In California brings you top Golden State stories and commentary from across the USA TODAY Network and beyond. Get it free, straight to your inbox.

President denies, then approves federal funding for fires

Holy change of heart, Batman! After at first saying it wouldn't pay up, the Trump administration on Friday afternoon approved federal aid for California wildfires.

The White House had initially said California's request for a presidential major disaster declaration was rejected because it was "not supported by the relevant data."

On Friday afternoon, however, Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Sacramento) tweeted that President Donald Trump had reversed the earlier FEMA decision, though he did not share the reasoning behind the reversal. But letters asking for a reconsideration sent by Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) and State Sen. Andreas Borgeas (R-Fresno) m may have helped change the president's mind.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said he spoke by Trump by phone Friday and was "grateful" for the approval. In a Sept. 28 letter to the administration, Newsom said the financial impact of the recent wildfires had exceeded $229 million. "Federal assistance is critical to support physical and economic recovery of California and its communities," the governor wrote. The fires referenced in the request included:

• The Creek Fire, the largest wildfire in the state's history, which has burned 341,722 acres across Fresno and Madera counties

• The Bobcat Fire in Los Angeles County, which burned 115,796 acres

• The gender reveal party-caused El Dorado Fire in San Bernardino County

• The Valley Fire in San Diego County

• The Oak Fire in Mendocino County

• The Slater Fire in Siskiyou County

In addition, Tulare County was added to the Federal Major Disaster Declaration for Wildfires due to the SQF Complex Fire. That blaze continues to burn in the Sequoia National Forest and Golden Trout Wilderness and has destroyed more than 200 structures in the county. The federal funding will help the state with debris removal as well as emergency protective measures undertaken as a result of the wildfires.

More than one million Californians have voted

It's been less than two weeks since mail-in ballots were sent to registered voters in the Golden State, and more than 1.5 million mail-in ballots have already been returned.

If you're not good at math, no worries. The New York Times calculates that's around 7% of the 21 million ballots dispatched that have been received and processed. This is quite a jump from the 2016 election, where — by the same time that year — only 150,000 ballots had been received.

"Californians are voting early in historic numbers," said Secretary of State Alex Padilla. "We knew the COVID-19 pandemic would pose significant challenges, but elections officials have prepared and voters have responded. More Californians voting early will mean a safer Election Day for everyone — voters, poll workers and elections officials alike.."

One survey found that 14% of respondents preferred to vote by mail out of fear of catching COVID-19 at the polling site. This number was twice as high among Black voters surveyed.

Do you want to vote by mail but are concerned because of things Trump has said about the process? The New York Times can help you separate fact from fiction.

Want to track your mail-in ballot? Read this.

Hearst Castle assesses how to make itself COVID-safe, parking tickets are back in L.A., and RIP Tab

The keepers of Hearst Castle, California’s most famous mansion, are trying to figure out how the historic site can reopen, COVID-style, according to the Los Angeles Times. The 127-acre compound, a beloved tourist attraction that once saw up to 1,800 visitors per day, was slated to celebrate its 100th anniversary in April 2020.

If you've been parking with abandon in Los Angeles, it's time to stop. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation, which had relaxed its parking enforcement as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, began issuing tickets again Thursday. "So bummed for everyone who didn't know LA street sweeping enforcement was starting back up," tweeted @hanalyst on Thursday. "My neighborhood is a parking ticket massacre this morning."

And finally, in sad soda news, Coca-Cola announced that after 60 years it is discontinuing Tab, it's first-ever diet drink. "Tab had an amazing run," said Robert Bixby, executive director of the Concord Coalition, who also happens to be a long-time Tab fan. "As a business decision I can understand it, but it's a very sad day ... I do feel it's like losing a friend." Looks like those who want to maintain their California beach bodies will need to find a new low-calorie beverage.

And with that, I wish you and yours a very happy, healthy and safe weekend.

In California is a roundup of news from across USA Today network newsrooms. Also contributing: CNN, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump OKs aid for fires; more than 1 million Californians have voted