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☆ Burned and uninsured: Wildfires are leaving California’s housing market in trouble
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-18 | by ( Shania Baweja | Taylor Galgano | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

That’s made home insurance increasingly unaffordable or even inaccessible – and that’s leaving more people in the same position as the Daneaus. California’s largest insurer, State Farm, requested a 30% rate increase for its homeowner’s line last month. Last year, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara reached an agreement with insurers with an aim to cover approximately 85% of properties in high-risk areas. “[My insurance plan] wasn’t canceled but my insurance company increased the rates quite a bit,” she said. But he cautioned there’s no guarantee of that, leaving homeowners like the Daneaus grappling with uncertainty.

Persons: Los Angeles CNN —, Michael, Kristy Daneau’s, Kristy, Michael Daneau, Kristy Daneau, That’s, “ We’re, ” Michael, ”, aren’t, Justin Sullivan, California’s, it’s, ” Michael Daneau, Ricardo Lara, Kristy Daneau's, what’s, Steve Hawks, Woolsey, Angela Wilson, LAEPF, Wilson, Brent Woodworth, there’s, “ I’m, we’ve, CNN’s Camila Bernal, Sarah Moon Organizations: Los Angeles CNN, Gas & Electric, Insurance Information Institute, California Department of Insurance, Farm, State, CNN, FAIR, California FAIR, California, Golden State, The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, Institute for Business & Home Safety, for Business & Home, Los, Emergency Preparedness Foundation Locations: Cohasset, California, Paradise , California, Santa Monica, Malibu

☆ Glorious farewell to the Paris Olympics and the U.S. rushes firepower to the Middle East: Morning Rundown
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Elizabeth Both | Elizabeth Both Is An Associate Platforms Editor For Nbc News | Based In New York. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

A spectacular closing ceremony hands the Olympic Games over to Los Angeles. And a false JD Vance rumor sparks a misinformation row. A glorious farewell to Paris OlympicsGetty ImagesAu revoir to the Paris Games. Kamala Harris pledged to eliminate taxes on tipped wages for service workers, matching a proposal from former President Donald Trump. Politics in BriefTrump campaign: Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has said it was hacked by an Iranian group.

Persons: Vance, Katie Ledecky, Nick Mead, Tom Cruise, Ledecky, Simone Biles, Suni Lee, dazzled, ” Sha’Carri Richardson, Noah Lyles, Guy ” Stephen Nedoroscik, Yusuf Dikeç, Read, JD, Vic e, tol, stu, ord, ami, Flo, bui, Ken Bak, roa Organizations: Olympic Games, Paris, Paris Games, Stade de France, Team USA, U.S, acc, Uni, NBC Locations: Los Angeles, The U.S, American, U.S, Turkish

☆ Their homes burned in the Camp Fire. Then the Park Fire destroyed their new ones.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Evan Bush | Evan Bush Is A Science Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +11 min

Courtesy Ken BakerDisplaced in the Camp Fire, Ken Baker plans to return to Paradise after his second home burned, too. The Camp Fire burned for weeks in November 2018, killing 85 people and destroying more than 13,500 homes. Daneau, Baker and Pero were part of the settlement with Pacific Gas & Electric Co., whose utility lines started the Camp Fire. Sylvia Baker Courtesy Ken BakerBaker, 59, is an Iraq War veteran who works for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Chico. When the quote jumped to $12,000, “it became unobtainable.”Kristy and Michael Daneau’s home in Cohasset, which burned down in the Park fire.

Persons: Ken Baker, ” Baker, Ken Baker Baker, Sylvia, ”, Sisyphus, Baker, Ken Baker's, Ken Baker “, Michael Daneau, Kristy, “ It’s, Rick Pero, Lisa Stone, ” Pero, CatMandu, Rick Pero “, Pero, Stone, Rick Pero manicured, Michael, Michael frantically, Daneau, ” Daneau, “, we’re, ” Kristy, Kristy Daneau, Michael Daneau’s Cohasset, Kristy Daneau “, Sylvia Baker, Ken Baker “ You’ve, You’ve, Alex Wood, Wood, Michael Daneau’s, Daneau’s, don’t, can’t, he’s, humbling Organizations: NBC, Pacific Gas & Electric Co, Department of Veterans Affairs, GMC Sonoma Locations: Paradise , California, Cohasset, Paradise, California, Mexico, Chico , California, Chico, Daneau, Iraq, we’ll

☆ With a fire burning just miles away, residents of a Washington town dig in
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Evan Bush | Evan Bush Is A Science Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

“There’s a lot of mistrust going on there.”As fire behavior grows intense because of climate change and overgrown forests, doubts can fester in rural communities as fire managers operate more conservatively than in the past. “Now, we’re seeing fires act more radically, make their own weather and be more unpredictable.”This dynamic is playing out in rural communities elsewhere. Stasiewicz said that based on her own focus groups, surveys and interviews, sentiments like Courtney’s are becoming more common in rural communities. Evacuation often carries a stiff financial cost, she said, and some rural residents worry their properties won’t be prioritized. “We can sometimes see rural communities lose compared to more developed areas.

Persons: we’ve, ”, Amanda Stasiewicz, “, ” Stasiewicz, they’d, Brad Bramlett, ’ ” Courtney, Courtney, Johnston, Magnussen, Stehekin, Stasiewicz Organizations: University of Oregon, “, San Francisco Chronicle, National Interagency Fire Center, National Weather Service, ”, Tourists Locations: West, Northern California, Pacific, Oregon , Washington and Idaho, Lake Chelan, North, Stehekin, U.S

☆ I fell in love with a charming town in Northern California. Once I finally moved there, I couldn't get away fast enough.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Jaime Stathis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Grass Valley, California, was one of those places for me. AdvertisementWhile Martin debated pros and cons, I quickly mapped Sacramento to Grass Valley — it was 56 miles. On a scouting trip, he agreed that Grass Valley seemed like a great place. But once we finally lived in the Northern California town, we realized we may have been better off just visiting. I lived in Grass Valley for two and a half years, and three years after moving away, I'm only in touch with a few people.

Persons: —, I've, Martin, he'd, Patty Thomas, we'd, Califonia Organizations: Service, Business, San, California . San Francisco Chronicle, Hearst Newspapers, Getty, Gold Rush Locations: , California, San Francisco, Missoula , Montana, Sacramento, Grass, Northern California, San Bernardino, Lake Arrowhead, Missoula, Berkley, Lake Tahoe, it's, Grass Valley, California, Nevada, Southern California, New England

☆ Park Fire near Chico, California, destroys over 100 buildings as wildfire ravages Jasper in Canada
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-27 | by ( Dalia Faheid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Cool temperatures are expected to calm fire behavior, which will help the 154 firefighters in Jasper fight the blaze, Jasper National Park said on Facebook Friday night. Two wildfires converged in the Jasper National Park area, becoming what authorities are referring to as the Jasper Wildfire Complex. Together, the fires have swallowed an estimated 89,000 acres, the Jasper National Park said. An evacuation order remains in effect for Jasper and Jasper National Park, with the vast majority of evacuees being visitors, officials said. Along with about 5,000 residents who live in the town, 2.48 million people visited Jasper National Park last year.

Persons: CNN —, Gavin Newsom, Billy, Ronnie Dean Stout, “, ” Stout, Justin Trudeau, Jasper, Sherry Alpers, Noah Berger, Tim Ferguson, KOVR, “ We’ve, we’ve, ” Ferguson, Lauri Schwein, ” Ron Lassonde, KCRA, ”, Kory Honea, you’ve, Norm Rosene, “ It’s, Dan Collins, Amber Bracken, we’ll, ” Karyn Decore, Richard Ireland Organizations: CNN, Western, Cal Fire, DA, •, Malheur National, Jasper National, Facebook, Rockies, National Weather Service, Fire, Camp Fire, KCRA, Animal, Triple, Cal, The Canadian Press, AP, Jasper, CTV News, CBC Locations: Los Angeles, Western United States, Canadian, Butte, Tehama, Sacramento , California, • California, Oregon, Malheur, Malheur National Forest, Jasper, Alberta, California, U.S, Chico , California, Chico, Butte County, Paradise, “, ”, Jasper , Alberta, Canada, Ireland

☆ Park Fire in California burns nearly 125,000 acres as Oregon firefighters battle nation’s largest active fire
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Dalia Faheid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The largest active wildfire in the US has scorched more than 280,000 acres in eastern Oregon and another blaze has exploded to nearly 125,000 acres in California. • Park Fire explodes in size: By Thursday morning, the wildfire had burned an average of nearly 50 football fields per minute since starting Wednesday afternoon. • Firefighters battle massive Oregon fire: The Durkee Fire, which has burned an area larger than the city of Indianapolis, started on July 17 near the Oregon-Idaho state line. • Oregon wildfire destroys buildings: Three people were injured and two homes and 12 other structures were destroyed as the fire spread, according to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. In this image provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation, shows an area burned by the Durkee fire near Interstate 84 close to Huntington, Oregon, on July 23, 2024.

Persons: Tina Kotek, Justin Trudeau, ” Julia Yarbough, Yarbough, Ronnie Dean Stout, Mike Ramsey, “, ” Stout, Ramsey, Stout, CNN Stout, Noah Berger, ’, Danielle Smith, Mike Ellis, ” Ellis, ” Smith, Jasper, Richard Ireland, ” Organizations: CNN, Western, Cal Fire, • Firefighters, Oregon -, Oregon Department of Emergency Management, Oregon Gov, National Guard, Northern Rockies, National Interagency Fire Center, Oregon Department of Transportation, KOVR, DA, “, ’ ”, ”, Public Safety, Emergency, Jasper National, Facebook Locations: Western United States, Canada, Oregon, California, Atlanta, Butte County, Indianapolis, Oregon - Idaho, Baker County, Boise, Colorado , Idaho , Oregon, Washington, Jasper, Alberta, Western, Northwest, Huntington , Oregon, Chico, Butte, Bidwell, Butte County , California, ’ ” Alberta, “, ” Alberta, ” Ireland

☆ Woman who escaped California wildfire just before son’s birth is forced to flee another while pregnant again
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Taylor Galgano | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

And the PSTD from the Camp Fire kicked in instantly, especially with how big the cloud of smoke was,” Penick said. She has received one payment so far, and she used it to pay for her car and the rent on her Oroville house in advance, she told CNN. Penick also just found out she’s pregnant, just like she was when she had to flee the Camp Fire in 2018. Seeing my big old pregnant belly, he said ‘get in.’”She found out her house burned down about six or seven weeks later. We’ve been friends for a good almost 10 to 15 years.”Penick is waiting to hear more about her Oroville house.

Persons: Penick, Thompson, ” Penick, “, ”, I’ve, Andrew ., Butch, ‘, “ I’m, We’ve Organizations: CNN, Camp, National Fire Protection, Fire, Pacific Gas & Electric Locations: Oroville , California, Paradise, Maui, Oroville, Butte County

☆ Opinion: Our disaster responders are exhausted. That puts Americans at risk
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Opinion Pete Gaynor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

However, we have a growing problem: Our unsung American heroes are worn out — and some are even leaving the disaster response workforce. Estimates of the depression rate among disaster response and rescue workers are as high as 53%, according to the National Center for PTSD. As citizens, we have a duty to conserve our vital and limited public safety resources, such as emergency management personnel. By minimizing non-essential requests, we enable our disaster responders to more swiftly and effectively act during ongoing crises. On our worst days, we need disaster responders at their best.

Persons: Pete Gaynor, I’ve, Pete Gaynor Pete Gaynor, We’ve, ” Pete Gaynor, Hurricane Florence, Andrew Caballero Organizations: Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security, Hill International, CNN, Government, Office, GAO, National Center, Emergency Management, Missouri, Reynoolds, Getty, National Centers for Environmental, Twitter, Facebook Locations: Paradise , California, Hurricane, Lealand , North Carolina, AFP

☆ How Biden hopes to recapture voters scarred by inflation
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Ron Brownstein | Analysis Ronald Brownstein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

A majority of Hispanics, and even a plurality of Black voters, said Biden’s policies would cause inflation to rise, the survey found. You can’t not make the contrast and comparison.”These negative retrospective assessments of the Biden and Trump economic records create huge headwinds for the president. “Voters—even past Biden voters who disapprove of his economic record—clearly reject what Trump and Republicans are offering,” Democratic pollster Margie Omero said in an email. After voters were exposed to Biden’s populist arguments, assessments of his economic record improved in the group’s polling, Clark said. But even after hearing that case, most voters in the group’s surveys still gave Biden negative marks for his economic performance, the study found.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, Biden, Biden –, “, ”, Danielle Deiseroth, West Virginia Sen, Joe Manchin, Shawn Fain, Evelyn Hockstein, Adam Green, Michael Tyler, Republican pollster Micah Roberts, It’s, Jim McLaughlin, ” McLaughlin, Roberts, ” Roberts, can’t, ” Tyler, Margie Omero, ’, Bobby Clark, Clark Organizations: CNN, GOP, Trump, Teamsters, Democratic, ACA, West, United Auto Workers, Biden, CNBC, Social Security, Republican, White, NBC News, New York Times, Siena College, CBS, Union, “ Locations: Wisconsin, Michigan, Belleville , Michigan, Scranton , Pennsylvania, Democratic, State, Biden’s

☆ How a warming climate is setting the stage for fast-spreading, destructive wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

This fire adds to an ever-lengthening list of rapidly spreading, destructive wildfires in the US and elsewhere. To understand why the Texas fires have been so fierce you have to look to last spring, said Luke Kanclerz, a fire analyst at Texas A&M Forest Service. It only took a short period of warm, dry weather for them to dry out further, providing a carpet for the fire to spread. Yuki Iwamura/AFP/Getty ImagesScientists are still working to understand what impact, if any, global warming is having on the winds that whip up wildfires. Research has found climate change is fueling the rapid intensification of hurricanes, pushing storms to explode at a deadly pace.

Persons: it’s, Cpl Marc, Andre Leclerc, ”, John Abatzoglou, Luke Kanclerz, Kanclerz, Mike Flannigan, Abatzoglou, “ There’s, ” John Nielsen, Gammon, Yuki Iwamura, Dora, Kaitlyn Trudeau, Trudeau, ” CNN’s Rachel Ramirez Organizations: CNN, United, European Union, Canadian Forces, Reuters, University of California, ”, Texas, M, Service, Texas Panhandle, University of Alberta, Getty, Climate Central, The Locations: United States, Maui, California, Paradise, Canada, Greece, Chile, Mistissini, Quebec, Merced, Texas, Hawaii, West Texas, Gammon , Texas, Lahaina, AFP, Hawaii’s, The Texas, Plains

☆ Maui fires: 100 days later, 4 names remain on the Lahaina missing list. These are the people trying to find them
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Alyssa Kraus | Mike Valerio | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Maui Police removed a fifth individual from the Lahaina fire missing list as recently as October. Officers tasked with finding missing persons from the inferno, or, the remains of Lahaina’s missing, are still searching the burn zone. Details concerning the three remaining people on the Lahaina fire credible missing list have not been previously reported. “Robert Owens, he was known to frequent Lahaina,” Landsiedel said. The officers within MINT carry a triple burden: coordinating Lahaina missing persons investigations, tracking identification efforts, and, ultimately, notifying family members of the dead.

Persons: Mario Tama, Lahaina’s, “, ”, Brad Taylor, Steven Landsiedel, ” Landsiedel, Lydia Coloma, Paul Kasprzycki, Robert Owens, Elmer Lee Stevens, “ Robert Owens, Landsiedel, ” Elmer Lee Stevens, Kasprzycki, Artur Babkov, CNN Babkov, Taylor, ” Taylor, I’m, Billy Graham, Steve, Tony Earles, it’s, ” Earles Organizations: CNN, NASA, Maui Police Department, Authorities, Maui Police, Maui –, Maui, Honolulu Civil, MINT, Honolulu Police Department, Billy, Billy Graham Rapid Locations: West Maui, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, Honolulu, Lahaina . Stevens, California, “, Paradise , California, Northern California, Paradise, West

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Heidi Lange was among the first to rebuild after the deadliest wildfire in California history destroyed her home in 2018 along with much of the town of Paradise. Residents have received annual premiums that near or exceed $10,000 — leaving many to wonder how they're supposed to rebuild their hard-hit community when insurance is so shockingly high for houses in an area that is supposed to be among the most affordable in California. Seven of the 12 top home-insurers in California — including Farmers Insurance, State Farm, Allstate — have paused or restricted new business in California, saying they can’t afford to take on new clients. Carl Johnsen, a retired drywall contractor, has lived in the same house since 1979, when he moved to Paradise. The Robinsons are paying $4,500 through the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan, and $750 with another insurer for supplemental liability coverage.

Persons: — Heidi Lange, “, ”, Ricardo Lara, Michael Soller, Rex Frazier, Carl Johnsen, Johnsen doesn’t, Gene Robinson, Robinson, Lara, Soller, Kathy Ehrhart, ” Lange Organizations: FRANCISCO, Fire, Farmers Insurance, State Farm, Allstate, California’s, Insurance Department, Paradise . Farmers Insurance, Farmers, “, Personal Insurance Federation of, Robinsons, FAIR Locations: California, Paradise, Personal Insurance Federation of California, Louisiana , Texas, Florida, Chicago

☆ Why burying power lines is an effective, but very expensive way to prevent wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Katie Brigham | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Five years ago, PG&E's equipment sparked the deadly Camp Fire, which destroyed the town of Paradise, California, and killed 85 people. But just a year later, in the same county, PG&E's equipment started another catastrophic fire, prompting the utility to announce its extensive undergrounding plan. The utility has undergrounded 350 miles of power lines so far this year, and more than 600 miles since 2021. While Martin says moving power lines underground reduces ignition risk by 98%, it comes at a steep cost. The bill would be footed by PG&E's customers, who already face some of the highest rates in the nation.

Persons: Jamie Martin, Martin, Katy Morsony, Morsony, Daniel Kirschen, Kirschen Organizations: Pacific Gas and, undergrounding, California Public Utilities Commission, Reform, University of Washington Locations: California, Maui, Paradise , California

☆ Australia braces for severe bushfires as Sydney swelters under record September heat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The threat of intense bushfires looms over New South Wales as record spring temperatures and high winds fan the flames of more than 60 blazes already burning in Australia’s most populous state, authorities have warned. Several cities along the east coast saw record spring temperatures Tuesday, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meterology (BOM). Sydney, the NSW capital, was expected to record its hottest September day ever Wednesday, with BOM forecasting a high of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). “The climate influences driving increased risk of bushfire this season are widespread,” said AFAC CEO Rob Webb. On Tuesday, BOM declared an El Niño weather event was underway, which typically results in a warmer, drier spring and summer and an increased risk for bushfires.

Persons: Miriam Bradbury, “, we’ve, ”, Rob Rogers, Rob Webb, climatologist Zhi, Weng Chua, BOM, Karl Braganza Organizations: CNN, Bureau, NSW, Fire Service, Facebook, ABC, Australasian Fire Authorities Council, ”, 9News Locations: New South Wales, Australia’s, Sydney, NSW, Queensland, Tasmania, Australia, Tennant, Northern Territory, New Zealand, ” Australia, El, BOM

☆ House passes bill to improve wildfire prevention accountability after NBC News report
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Adiel Kaplan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A wildfire burns on the island of Maui near an intersection in Lahaina, Hawaii, August 9, 2023. A bill to improve how the federal government tracks wildfire prevention work passed the House in a near-unanimous 406-4 vote on Wednesday, a month after the nation's deadliest wildfire in over 100 years killed at least 115 people in Hawaii. A 2022 NBC News investigation found that the United States Forest Service had overstated how much land it treats to reduce wildfire risk by an estimated 21% over a 15-year period. Tiffany, chairman of the House Natural Resources committee's federal lands subcommittee, cited NBC News' reporting when he introduced the bill. The bill applies to hazardous fuel reduction done by federal land management agencies, which mostly work on federally owned land.

Persons: Tom Tiffany, I'm, Tiffany, Sen, Joe Manchin, John Barrasso Organizations: NBC, United States Forest Service, Natural Resources, Service, Interior Department, Senate Energy, Natural Resources Committee Locations: Maui, Lahaina , Hawaii, Hawaii, Lahaina, California, Paradise

Five more people have been identified, but their names have not yet been released because the authorities have not been able to notify their families. The last time the death toll changed was on Aug. 21, the day that President Biden visited Lahaina, a span of time that reflects the new phase of the recovery effort, as well as the likelihood that many people’s bodies were reduced to unrecoverable ash. The actual death toll is unlikely to be determined for weeks or months. He said that ANDE’s technicians have left Maui, and that determining the final death toll would now largely rely on slow-paced detective work — for instance, interviewing the family and friends of those missing to determine if they were in Lahaina that day and where. The authorities will have to determine whether their investigative results are sufficient to declare those still missing as dead.

Persons: Biden, Stephen Meer, — Locations: Lahaina, California, Colorado, Maui

The suits allege that downed power lines operated by the company contributed to the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. The wildfire risk posed by aboveground power lines is well documented. Lives lost, billions in damagesThe Maui fires have killed at least 115 people with hundreds still missing. But Mitchell said insulating aboveground power lines with a protective covering is also an effective solution that is cheaper and can be rolled out more quickly. There is also technology coming to market that can de-energize power lines automatically when there's a problem, he said.

Persons: Mike Blake, Fitch, Berkshire Hathaway's, Paul Starita, They're, Singleton Schreiber, Alexandra von Meier, von Meier, Marshall, Michael Dougherty, Bob Frenzel, Xcel, Berkshire Hathaway, PacifiCorp, aboveground, Scott Aaronson, Aaronson, Joseph Mitchell, Mitchell Organizations: Reuters Electric, Hawaiian Electric, National Weather Service, Hawaii Electric, . Pacific Gas & Electric, PG, Xcel Energy, U.S . Forest Service, University of California, Moody's, Fitch, Electric, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, Xcel, Marshall Fire, Marshall, Boulder, Labor, Fire, American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE, The Edison Electric Institute, California Public Utilities Commission Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Maui County, Hurricane, California, Berkshire, Berkshire Hathaway's PacifiCorp, Oregon, Colorado, Berkeley, Minnesota, Boulder County, Paradise, Golden

☆ How forensic investigators use DNA, fingerprints and other methods to identify remains after a fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Eric Levenson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“DNA has been really extremely helpful for us, with the Rapid DNA,” said Alison Galloway, professor emerita of anthropology at the University of California-Santa Cruz, who helped identify remains during the Camp Fire. “If you don’t have that … then it’s a lot more difficult.”In general, forensic experts rely on DNA, dental analysis, fingerprints, medical hardware or circumstantial evidence to try to identify remains. “We’re still diligently working trying to make sure that we can identify (remains), and that’s why that DNA is so important, because we got fingerprints from three,” he said. Galloway, the forensics professor, said one of the advantages of the Rapid DNA technology is in quickly determining whether a DNA swab is usable. Maui asks for family members to come forwardFor Rapid DNA to work, family members of the missing have to willingly submit to DNA swabs.

Persons: ”, Alison Galloway, Santa Cruz, Josh Green, CBS’s, Sarah Salmonese, Go Nakamura, Ken Alba, Jae C, Yuki Iwamura, Patrick T, Fallon, Bryan Anselm, Mike Blake, Matthew A, Foster, Rick Bowmer, Lauren Haley, Makalea Ahhee, Justin Sullivan, Max Whittaker, Zoltan Balogh, Robert Gauthier, Mengshin Lin, Evelio Contreras, CNN Vixay Phonxaylinkham, Lana, Phonoxaylinkham, Marco Garcia, Claire Rush, Myrna Ah Hee, Sui, Ty O'Neil, Ku'u Kauanoe, ZUMA, Matthew Thayer, John Pelletier, “ We’re, Stephen Meer, Sudhin, –, Meer, we’ve, you’ve, you’re, ” Meer, Jonathan Masaki Shiroma, what’s, …, Robert Quinn, “, Robert Quinn’s Organizations: CNN, University of California, New York Times, Getty, Reuters, Staff, US Army National Guard, Maui Police, Facility, AP Volunteers, Grace Baptist, Volunteers, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Kahului Airport, Technologies, Kahului, AP Helicopters, Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Maui News, ANDE Corp, Forensic Science, Fire, FBI, Maui Emergency Management Agency Locations: Maui, California, Santa, Hawaii, Lahaina , Hawaii, Lahaina, AFP, Wahikuli, Wailuku, Kula , Hawaii, Kula, Kihei, West Maui, Grace, Napili, Honokowai, Honolulu, Maalaea, Kahului, Las Vegas, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Paradise , California, Galloway, Ukraine, ”, Butte County

Hawaiian Electric CEO Shelee Kimura received a cash bonus in 2022 based on her performance against 10 measures including profit and customer satisfaction. Wildfire risk mitigation was not on the list, according to the utility’s pay disclosures. Wildfire risk had been a concern for several years before the blaze ripped through Lahaina, a historic resort town in Maui. Idacorp declined to comment on its pay practices and how they relate to wildfire mitigation. “You don’t want a wildfire disaster to be the catalyst for a change in public policy,” said Glazer, who supports linking executive pay to wildfire mitigation.

Persons: Mike Blake, ”, Alison Silverstein, Shelee Kimura, Kimura, “, Michael Cerasoli, Michael Underhill, Brian Buckham, ” Buckham, Idacorp, Larry Glazer, Glazer, Tim McLaughlin, Tom Hals, Peter Henderson, Noeleen Walder, Rich Valdmanis, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Workers, REUTERS, Hawaiian Electric, U.S . Federal Energy Regulatory, Electric, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, San Diego Gas &, Global Renewable Energy Income Fund, Reuters, Capital Innovations, SEC, Portland General Electric Co, Boston’s Mayflower Advisors, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, California, Honolulu, Maui ., Idaho , Oregon, Washington, Idaho

☆ Maui government files lawsuit, accuses Hawaiian electric company of causing Lahaina wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Maui County is seeking damages from HECO that may total tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, according to John Fiske, an attorney representing the county in the lawsuit. “Our primary focus in the wake of this unimaginable tragedy has been to do everything we can to support not just the people of Maui, but also Maui County. We are very disappointed that Maui County chose this litigious path while the investigation is still unfolding,” a spokesperson from Hawaiian Electric told CNN in a statement. Hawaiian Electric Company is a for-profit company that serves 95% of Hawaii’s customer base and trades on the New York Stock Exchange. This isn’t the first time a utility company has been blamed for its alleged role in a powerful wildfire in recent years.

Persons: “ inexcusably, John Fiske, “, ” Jim Kelly, Fiske, ”, CNN’s Anna, Maja Rappard, Natasha Chen, Afshar Organizations: CNN, Hawaiian Electric Company, National Weather Service, Watch, Hawaiian Electric, New York Stock Exchange, Pacific Gas Locations: Maui County, HECO, Maui, Hawaiian, California, Lahaina, Kula, Olinda

☆ The looming crisis that's going to crush homeowners from coast to coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Taylor Dorrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

To maintain profitability, insurance companies have to take in more in monthly premium payments from customers than they pay out in damage claims. This has prompted insurance companies to back out of certain markets or pressure states to raise caps on premiums. Without robust rate caps such as those in California, insurance costs have risen by over 200% while DeSantis has been in office. He also signed legislation in December that protects insurance companies from liability claims and disincentivizes homeowners from filing claims to begin with. Despite these policies, insurance prices have continued to go up and insurers have continued to flee the market.

Persons: Cinda Larimer, Larimer's, Larimer, Anthony Roach, Larimer's who's, I've, Roach, Chubb, Justin Sullivan, Benjamin Keys, Anita Waters, Waters, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, Desantis, Hurricane Ian, Dale, Deb Weideling, they've, Keys, Philip Mulder, Jeffrey Greenberg, Jeff Goodell, Xavier Cortada, I'm, Cortada, we're, Betsy, Cinda Larimer wasn't, , haven't, Taylor Dorrell Organizations: Navy, Insurance, Rush, Allstate, American International Group, University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, US Army Corps of Engineers, . Farmers Insurance, AAA, Washington Post, National Bureau of Economic Research, US Treasury, Universal, Getty, Miami, Dakotas, Nationwide, Penn, National Flood Insurance, FAIR, Bay Area Locations: Paradise , California, Paradise, Sacramento, California, , California, . State, Florida, South Carolina, South Florida, Fort Myers Beach, Hurricane, In Miami, States, Louisiana , Oregon, Colorado, Hawaii, Coast, Minnesota, Midwest, Bay, Columbus , Ohio

In the aftermath of the Camp fire that destroyed Paradise, Calif., in 2018, the tally of the missing reached almost 1,300. But by releasing the names of the unaccounted for, the authorities were able to slowly whittle down the list. Of the more than 1,000 still missing in the Lahaina fire, officials from the county of Maui said they did not have any estimate of how many were presumed dead. They did say they had not identified any minors in official tallies of the missing. Classes at four schools on West Maui had been canceled the morning of the fires because of high winds and power outages, according to local news reports.

Persons: ” Steven Merrill, whittle Locations: ’, Honolulu, Maui, Calif, Lahaina, West Maui

☆ Has climate change made utilities a risky bet? What income investors need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The wildfires in Maui are just the latest example of severe weather and the peril facing utilities. However, investors can pick up about 4% yield on stocks that have dividends that are considered safe, which makes them attractive to investors seeking income. Climate change's impact Climate change is altering not only the Earth's temperature, but also precipitation patterns, said Zachary Zobel, risk associate director at Woodwell Climate Research Center. Climate change could impact utilities in other areas, like sustaining damage during hurricanes and floods. "You don't have to just rely on just one sector to get dividend income," said Cheng.

Persons: hasn't, Michael Lonegan, Neil Kalton, Kalton, Zachary Zobel, Zobel, Berkshire Hathaway, PacificCorp, Wells Fargo's Kalton, it's, Marguerita Cheng, Cheng, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, Electric, NBC News, Evercore ISI, Wall Street, Wells, Wells Fargo Securities, FEMA, Woodwell Climate Research Center, Gas & Electric, Blue, Global, CNBC, & $ Locations: Maui, Lahaina, Wells Fargo, California, Berkshire

☆ The doctors, dentists and anthropologists striving to identify Maui's victims
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

While the work can be emotionally taxing, DMORT members already confront death in their day jobs as funeral directors, medical examiners and coroners. DNA samples have become a crucial tool; Sebastian said the Maui team has partnered with a company that can process DNA in just hours. But the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks represented a pivot point, when DMORT teams helped city authorities sift through thousands of remains. Wildfires represent a relatively new response area for DMORTs; teams responded to the 2018 Camp fire that killed 85 in California and the 2020 Oregon wildfires. "As we're starting to see this era of 'polycrisis,' making sure we have enough DMORT team members that we can deploy is going to be really important," O'Connell, the senior HHS official, said.

Persons: Mike Blake, it's, Frank Sebastian, Kathryn Pinneri, Sebastian, Paul Sledzik, Sledzik, Dawn O'Connell, I've, DMORTs, Hurricane Maria, David Hunt, I'm, Hunt, O'Connell, Joseph Ax, Paul Thomasch, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Maui, federal, HHS, World Trade Center, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Seattle, United States, hijackings, Montgomery County , Texas, MAUI, Long, Shanksville , Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, New York, Indiana, DMORTs, California, Oregon

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