In “Three Men in a Room,” Mr. Lachman, an educator and former state senator, charted how power was secretly and corruptly wielded in New York State government. By Sam Roberts Seymour P.

A CBS News analysis of satellite imagery and photos shared by local residents indicates the Palisades Fire likely started close to where that other blaze, the Lachman Fire, broke out on Jan. 1.

Since he published his book in 2006, the pendulum has significantly swung towards empowering regular people, who hold increasingly greater sway with elected officials. Today, it is less about “three ...