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☆ Second largest wildfire in Texas history has scorched 850,000 acres
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Joe Sutton | Steve Almasy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A satellite image shows Fritch, Texas in August 2023. Maxar Technologies Satellite images show homes in Fritch, Texas, before the wildfire (in August 2023), and after (on Wednesday). Maxar Technologies Satellite images show homes in Fritch, Texas, before the fire (in August 2023), and after (on Wednesday). A sudden shift of wind direction in the Texas panhandle this week contributed to the explosion in size of the Smokehouse Creek wildfire. Latest developments* The Smokehouse Creek Fire grew from 500,000 acres to 850,000 on Wednesday, according to fire officials.

Persons: Joyce Blankenship, Fritch, ” Frank Probst, ”, “, Adam Turner, Snow, Andy Holloway, Greg Abbott, Kevin Stitt, ” Hutchinson, Tyler McCain, Fritch’s, McCain, Addison, Addison can’t, ” McCain, Windy Deuce, Probst, CNN’s Caroll Alvarado, Amanada Jackson, Monica Garrett, Sharif Paget, Sara Tonks, Lucy Kafanov, Andi Babineau Organizations: CNN, Maxar, M Forest Service, AgriLife, Texas, Oklahoma Gov, Amarillo National Bank, Panhandle Disaster Relief Locations: Texas, Rhode, state’s, Oklahoma, Stinnett ., , Texas, Fritch , Texas, Hemphill, Hemphill County, Canadian, Amarillo, Amarillo ., Hutchinson County, Stinnett, Borger, Fritch

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is asking lawmakers for more than $23 billion in emergency funding to help the government respond to the tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes and other natural disasters that have ripped through the U.S. this year. That request is part of a broader package being sent to Capitol Hill Wednesday that asks for additional investments in child care programs and broadband expansion. And that’s on top of the separate, nearly $106 billion request the Biden administration made last week for aid to Ukraine and Israel, as well as other national security priorities. About $2.8 billion is set aside for the Department of Housing and Urban Development to deal with housing needs arising from natural disasters, while another $2.8 billion is allocated for aid funneled through the Department of Agriculture to farmers and ranchers who have suffered from crop losses. The White House is also asking for money to repair damaged roads, help schools in disaster-hit areas and bolster loans for small businesses in such communities.

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden, ” Biden, Idalia Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, Capitol Hill, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Department of Housing, Urban Development, Department of Agriculture Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Hawaii, Florida, California, Vermont, Fla

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is preparing Friday to direct federal agencies to get ready for a shutdown after House Republicans left town for the weekend with no viable plan to keep the government funded and avert politically and economically costly disruption of federal services. “We got members working, and hopefully we’ll be able to move forward on Tuesday to pass these bills,” McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters at the Capitol. McCarthy signaled his preference for avoiding a closure, but a hard-right flank of his House majority has effectively seized control. Trump has urged the House Republicans on, pushing them to hold the line against federal spending. The U.S. Travel Industry Association estimates that the travel sector could lose $140 million daily in a shutdown.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, ” McCarthy, McCarthy, “, ”, Joe Biden, ” Biden, Donald Trump —, Biden, —, Trump, Matt Gaetz, ” Gaetz, Gaetz, legislating, Brian Gardner Organizations: WASHINGTON, House Republicans, Capitol, Biden, Management, OMB, Republicans, Republican, Trump, GOP, Defense, Homeland Security, Foreign Operations, Agricultural, Congressional, Military, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Women, U.S . Travel Industry Association Locations: U.S, Maryland, Washington

☆ Number of billion-dollar weather disasters in US blows through annual record with four months left in the year
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Ella Nilsen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

This year’s billion-dollar disasters have caused 253 direct and indirect fatalities and have resulted in $57.6 billion in damage, NOAA data shows. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Ken Kruse looks out at floodwaters surrounding his apartment complex in Tarpon Springs, Florida, on August 30. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Florida's Fort Myers Beach is seen during high tide ahead of Hurricane Idalia on August 29. Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg/Getty Images Shelves are left empty at a Target store in Gainesville, Florida, on August 29. Sarah Salmonese sits where her apartment once stood in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday, August 11.

Persons: CNN — It’s, Idalia, Hilary, Rachel Cleetus, ” Cleetus, Cristobal Herrera, Shutterstock, Sean Rayford, Cheney Orr, Reuters Jewell Baggett, Ulashkevich, EFE, Thomas Simonetti, Jack Lemburg, Richard Burkhart, Douglas R, Clifford, Zuma Press Donnye Franklin, Joe Raedle, Rebecca Blackwell, Ron DeSantis, Savannah Alderman Nick Palumbo, Ken Kruse, Hurricane Idalia, Eva Marie Uzcategui, Christian Monterrosa, Stephen M, Dowell, Reagan Ortagus, Tyler, Bob Self, NOAA Ana Iris Aguiar, Alexandre Meneghini, Marco Bello, Adrees Latif, Samson, Victor Cassano's, Chris O'Meara, Yamil Lage, Sharon Walsh, Doug Engle, Christine Willis, Andrew West, Harvey, Irma, Maria, Adam Smith, Michael, Laura, Ida, Ian, ” Smith, Deanne Criswell, 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, Criswell, It’s, ” Criswell, Cleetus, ” Organizations: CNN, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Idalia, NOAA, Tropical, Union of Concerned, “, Tampa Bay Times, ZUMA Press, Reuters, Press, Washington Post, Angels Episcopal Church, Savannah Morning, USA, Network Rescue, Zuma Press, AP Florida Gov, Savannah, Bloomberg, Getty, Duke, Orlando Sentinel, Florida Times, Union, AP, Reuters Pike Electric, Southwest Airlines, Tampa International Airport, Reuters Home Depot, Reuters Fort Myers, Federal Emergency Management, FEMA, Senate, Ukraine, New York Times, Staff, US Army National Guard, Maui Police, Facility, AP Volunteers, Grace Baptist, Volunteers, Los Angeles Times, Kahului Airport, Technologies, Kahului, AP Helicopters, Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Maui News Locations: United States, South, Midwest, California, Horseshoe Beach , Florida, Bend, Tampa, Horseshoe Beach, Perry , Florida, Keaton Beach , Florida, Madison , Florida, Steinhatchee , Florida, Samarra, St, Savannah , Georgia, Savannah, Steinhatchee, Crystal River , Florida, Perry, Crystal, Tarpon Springs , Florida, Mayo , Florida, Tarpon Springs, Myers, Hurricane, Gainesville , Florida, Sumterville , Florida, Johns County , Florida, Florida, NOAA, La Coloma, Cuba, Clearwater , Florida, Playa Majana, Suwannee , Florida, Batabanó, AFP, Guanimar, Ocala , Florida, USA, Reuters Fort Myers Beach, Gulf, Lahaina , Hawaii, Lahaina, Hawaii, Maui, Wahikuli, Wailuku, Kula , Hawaii, Kula, Kihei, West Maui, Grace, Napili, Honokowai, Honolulu, Maalaea, Kahului, Las Vegas, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji

☆ Opinion: DeSantis’ snub of Biden in Florida shows why he’s bad at politics
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Dean Obeidallah | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —President Joe Biden traveled to Florida on Saturday to survey the devastation from Hurricane Idalia. But a White House official told CNN the governor hadn’t raised that issue when the president told him of his visit before announcing it publicly. Of course, those concerns were apparently not an issue when DeSantis welcomed Biden to the state to survey past calamities. For example, in 2021, after the deadly condo collapse in Surfside, Florida, Biden and DeSantis came together as the president toured the damage. And it’s really important.”Just last year, again Biden and DeSantis publicly toured the destruction caused by Hurricane Ian in October.

Persons: Dean Obeidallah, Joe Biden, GOP Sen, Rick Scott of, Ron DeSantis, Dean Obeidallah CNN DeSantis, Biden, hadn’t, DeSantis, “ You’ve, ” DeSantis, Hurricane Ian, “ Mr, ”, It’s, Kate Bedingfield, ” Bedingfield, Donald Trump, Gavin Newsom, Newsom, Chris Christie, Barack Obama, Republican Mitt Romney, Christie, Obama, —, “, Romney, DeSantis didn’t, I’m, “ We’re, Republicans —, DeSantis —, Hurricane Sandy —, floundering Organizations: CNN, GOP, Florida Gov, Dean Obeidallah CNN, White, Biden, Biden White House, Sunshine State, Democratic Gov, Trump, Obama, Republican, Army Corps of Engineers, Twitter, Facebook, Federal Emergency Management, Disaster Relief, United States Congress, Democrats, Republicans, Hurricane Locations: Florida, Rick Scott of Florida, Surfside , Florida, Miami Beach, California, New Jersey, Hurricane, Massachusetts, United States

☆ Biden in Florida promises to rebuild, calls on Congress to provide more FEMA funding
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"No winds this strong hit this area in one hundred years," Biden said, speaking in Live Oak, Florida. Biden and first lady Jill Biden traveled to Florida on Saturday to survey the damage done by Hurricane Idalia and meet with locals and recovery personnel. The president said he's directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to do "everything they can" to help rebuild. Speaking Saturday in Florida, Biden once again called on Congress to act. "These crises are affecting more and more Americans, and every American regularly expects FEMA to show up when they are needed," Biden said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Jill Biden, Hurricane Idalia, he's, Republicans —, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Jeremy Redfern, DeSantis, Redfern, Deanne Criswell, Hurricane Ian Organizations: Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, United States Congress, Democrats, Republicans, Florida Governor, White, Republican, DeSantis, Hurricane Locations: Oak, Florida, Bend

☆ White House asks for additional $4 billion for FEMA after Hurricane Idalia, Maui fires
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON — The White House is requesting an additional $4 billion from Congress to bolster funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is down to its last $3.4 billion after a string of major disasters. Friday's request is in addition to a $12 billion ask last month for FEMA's disaster relief fund, part of an overall $40 billion stopgap funding ask. It also comes a day after the White House asked Congress to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government as budget negotiations continue. The White House said the additional funds are needed in the wake of fires in Hawaii and Louisiana, and flooding in Florida due to Hurricane Idalia and Vermont. Criswell told reporters Tuesday that FEMA is prioritizing the immediate needs of people impacted by the Maui fires, Idalia and disasters still to come, which means recovery efforts from past disasters are on the backburner.

Persons: Joe Biden, WASHINGTON —, White, Idalia, Deanne Criswell, Criswell Organizations: Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Coordination, Hurricane Idalia, WASHINGTON, White House Locations: Washington ,, Maui, Hawaii, Louisiana, Florida, Vermont

☆ Biden boosts spending request to help pay for disasters
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Jarrett Renshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Acquire Licensing RightsSept 1 (Reuters) - The Biden administration on Friday added $4 billion to a supplemental funding request to Congress to help pay for relief efforts following a string of disasters that have ravaged large swathes of the U.S. in recent weeks. U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress in early August to approve about $40 billion in additional spending, including $24 billion for Ukraine and other international needs and $12 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster relief fund. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) now needs $16 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), an OMB spokesperson said, citing disasters in Hawaii, Louisiana and Florida. If no action is taken before the next fiscal year begins on Oct. 1, a range of government functions would shut down. Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw in Philadelphia; Editing by Don Durfee and Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hurricane, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Jarrett Renshaw, Don Durfee, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, REUTERS, Federal Emergency Management, White, Office of Management, Budget, Disaster Relief Fund, Thomson Locations: Florida, Washington , U.S, Ukraine, Hawaii , Louisiana, Philadelphia

☆ FEMA is down to its last $3.4 billion as Maui wildfires, Hurricane Idalia slam U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said this week that the U.S. disaster relief fund has a balance of $3.4 billion, which will be exhausted in the first half of September if Congress does not approve additional money. President Joe Biden called on Congress Thursday to pass $12 billion in additional funding for the disaster fund next month, at the latest, when hurricane season reaches its peak. We need this disaster relief request met and we need to do it in September — we can't wait," he added. With funds running low, FEMA is prioritizing the immediate needs of people impacted by the Maui wildfires, Hurricane Idalia that swept through Florida this week and other extreme weather events that may come, Criswell told reporters at the White House on Tuesday. Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said on Wednesday that Washington has known since June that FEMA's disaster fund was "woefully low."

Persons: Deanne Criswell, Joe Biden, Biden, Criswell, Republican Sen, Marco Rubio, " Rubio, Rubio Organizations: Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, White, Republican, Washington, Fox News Locations: U.S, Florida, Washington ,, Maui

☆ Biden vows enduring federal response to Idalia and Maui fires – and sends a warning to GOP
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Republicans have criticized how Biden and the federal government responded to the Hawaii fires, though officials in the state praised the support they received from the White House. “I let each governor I spoke with know if there’s anything the states need right now, I’m ready to mobilize that support,” Biden said. Biden visited the island early last week, pledging sustained federal support for the island and its residents. Biden signed an emergency declaration Monday unlocking federal resources and said Tuesday he was in “constant contact” with authorities from Florida. The US Coast Guard is supporting search and rescue, and there are three disaster survivor assistance teams deployed in Florida.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hurricane Idalia, Biden, Deanne Criswell, Idalia, Criswell, ”, ” Biden, Ron DeSantis, Brian Kemp, Henry McMaster, DeSantis Organizations: CNN, Hurricane, FEMA, White, Ukraine, Florida Gov, Georgia Gov, South Carolina Gov, Florida Republican, Department of Energy, Republican, US Coast Guard, US Department of Agriculture’s Food, Nutrition Service, US Army Corps of Engineers Locations: Hawaii, Florida, Maui, United States of America, Georgia, East Coast, West Coast

☆ Biden wants to make sure Congress doesn't slash pay for firefighters tackling wildfires raging across the country
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Biden administration wants additional funding from Congress for Ukraine, extreme weather, and the border. Currently, wildfire firefighters are working under a temporary pay increase, which will expire by October. "The administration is committed to building a more robust and resilient wildland firefighter workforce and fairly compensate wildland firefighters' difficult and dangerous work that they do. "We've seen bipartisan understanding of the need to provide firefighter pay to prevent a cliff," the official said. On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act, which would make pay increases for firefighters permanent.

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden's, Kevin McCarthy, We've, Josh Harder, weren't Organizations: Biden, Management, Service, Agriculture, FEMA, OMB, NBC News, National Federation of Federal Employees, National Forest Service Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Hawaii, Texas, California

☆ The best ways to support members of SAG-AFTRA and the WGA on strike, as actors and writers exit film and TV productions to hit the picket lines
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The SAG-AFTRA actors' union went on strike Friday, joining the ongoing WGA writers' strike. You can support actors and writers on strike by donating to the hardship funds that help entertainment workers. "Any non-member seeking future membership in SAG-AFTRA who performs covered services for a struck company during the strike will not be admitted into membership in SAG-AFTRA," the union's strike notice outlines. While the writers' strike largely shut down development and production, especially in Los Angeles and New York, some film and TV shoots were able to continue. Others have said the sides are so far apart that this work stoppage could outlast the 100-day WGA strike of 2007-8, which cost the California economy roughly $2 billion.

Persons: Adam Conover, AFTRA, who've, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Oppenheimer, thay Organizations: SAG, WGA, Morning, Alliance, Television Producers, Hollywood, Financial, Disaster Relief Fund, Welfare Emergency, The Entertainment, Washington Post, Mattel Locations: Hollywood, Los Angeles and New York, California

☆ How to support the SAG-AFTRA/WGA strike: Streaming TV shows, going to movie theaters doesn't cross the picket line
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The SAG-AFTRA actors' union went on strike Friday, joining the ongoing WGA writers' strike. You can support the strike by donating to the hardship fund that helps struggling strikers. Streaming TV shows or going to the movie theatres is not considered crossing the picket line. Actors in Hollywood's SAG-AFTRA union went on strike on Friday, joining thousands of writers who have been striking since May — here's how you can support them. One of the most impactful things an average person can do to support both the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike and the WGA writers' strike is donating to their cause.

Persons: Adam Conover, AFTRA Organizations: SAG, WGA, Morning, Financial, Disaster Relief Fund, Welfare Emergency, The Entertainment, Washington Post

☆ Nigerian presidential contender Abubakar calls for flood relief fund
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] Former Nigeria Vice President Atiku Abubakar adresses the People's Democratic Party delegates during the Special convention in Abuja, Nigeria May 28, 2022. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde/File PhotoLAGOS, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Nigeria's main opposition presidential contender on Wednesday called on the government to immediately set up a flood disaster fund similar to one created to fight the coronavirus pandemic, to help victims hit by the worst floods in a decade. Atiku Abubakar said after a trip to oil-producing Bayelsa state, one of the worst hit, that the floods were a reminder of the impact of climate change and urged the government to immediately launch a Flood Disaster Relief Fund. "It is a national emergency relief fund, similar in scope to what was initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic," Abubakar said, referring to a $1.4 billion fund that the government launched in 2020 at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Critics have accused the federal government of being slow to help flood victims.

☆ In a new ad, Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis attempts to share a softer, rarely-seen side of Ron DeSantis, skipping any mention of Trump, a potential 2024 rival
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis starred in a new ad for her husband's campaign. She details how her husband took care of her when she had breast cancer. The ad is a sharp contrast to DeSantis' gubernatorial bid six years ago when Casey DeSantis and the DeSantis children starred in a cheeky campaign ad highlighting then-President Donald Trump's support. Casey DeSantis is widely known among political circles to be her husband's top confidante and to have a significant impact on his career. The new ad featuring Casey DeSantis attempts to show a softer side of the governor that is rarely on public display.

There’s no palpable hunger for a shutdown so close to the Nov. 8 midterm elections, so Congress must pass a bill by midnight Sept. 30 to avert a lapse in funding. “The cleaner the bill is, the more likely” it is to pass quickly, said Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D. He wants tens of billions for Covid, and he says the pandemic is over,” said Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., a physician. Cases, hospitalizations, deaths, mental health aspects of Covid, long Covid. But conservatives are rebelling, saying Congress should push the issue into 2023 in the hope that the GOP will seize the majority and write legislation to its liking.

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