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☆ Elon Musk leaps into action as a Trump surrogate — but it's unclear how he'll land: From the Politics Desk
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( The Politics Desk | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

In today’s edition, politics reporter Allan Smith looks at how Elon Musk could help (or hurt) Donald Trump on the campaign trail. Plus, national political correspondent Steve Kornacki breaks down the different paths to victory Kamala Harris and Trump are attempting to chart in Pennsylvania. The disparate images helped paint a picture of both the benefits and the detriments to having Musk in Trump’s corner. Musk’s appearance at Trump’s Pennsylvania rally over the weekend was the culmination of a yearslong rightward drift for the eccentric billionaire, expedited by his purchase of Twitter in 2022. After his appearance in western Pennsylvania, Musk started to offer people $47 if they successfully get a swing-state voter to sign onto a petition backing the First and Second Amendments.

Persons: Allan Smith, Elon, Donald Trump, Steve Kornacki, Kamala Harris, Trump, Elon Musk, Donald Trump’s, cringeworthy, he’s, Hurricane Helene, Musk, MAGA ”, ”, “, Dasha Burns, asha, ake, —, ince, linton, hite, ittsburgh Organizations: NBC, White House, Capitol, Secret Service, Twitter, Trump, America PAC, Politico, ince, ust Locations: Pennsylvania, Butler, Pa, Trump’s, osh

As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Tampa Bay, some residents are saying that the resources needed to evacuate — especially gasoline — are in short supply, despite a mandate to leave the area. Debris from Helene also poses a risk as Milton approaches because the objects can turn into dangerous projectiles. On social media, lines stretching around the block could be seen at the few gas stations in the greater Tampa Bay area that still had fuel. Hurricane Helene had already damaged her family home and she assumes more, if not total damage, will be wrought by Milton. “What’s really sad is seeing people pulling up to gas stations and just staring at pumps that are out of gas,” she said.

Persons: Milton, Ashley Khrais, she's, ” Khrais, ”, Milton “, Hurricane Helene, Helene, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, ” Castor, Ron DeSantis, “, ” DeSantis, Lindsey Carlson, Carlson, she’s Organizations: National Hurricane Center, FEMA, White, Tampa Mayor, CNN, Milton’s, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Florida Division, Emergency Management, Gov, “ Fox, Patrol Locations: Tampa Bay, Holiday , Florida, Tampa, Florida, Hurricane, Lauderdale’s Port, Southeast Florida, Plant City, Lakeland, Jacksonville, Milton

Citrus County: Beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, residents in any structure incapable of withstanding 110 mph winds will be under a mandatory evacuation order, the sheriff’s office said. That includes campers, tents, mobile homes and manufactured homes. A mandatory evacuation order for zones A and B is set to begin at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Glades County: A voluntary evacuation order will begin Tuesday at 1 p.m. for residents in mobile homes, RVs and low-lying areas. Lee County: Residents in Zones A and B are under evacuation orders that went into effect at noon Monday, officials said.

Persons: Doug Engle, Hurricane Milton, “, Daniella Levine Cava, Milton, George Recktenwald, “ We’re, ” Organizations: Ocala, USA, Florida Division, Emergency Management, Dade Locations: Tampa, Florida, Hurricane, Charlotte County, Charlotte Harbor, Peace, Citrus County, Collier County, Naples, Marco Island, Everglades City, Goodland, Glades County, Hernando County, Hillsborough County, Lee County, Sanibel, Manatee County, . Miami, Dade County, Okeechobee, Pasco County, RVs, Pinellas County, Sarasota County, Volusia County, Intracoastal

☆ The challenges Floridians are facing while trying to evacuate
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Alisha Ebrahimji | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Chris O'Meara/AP David Jalving throws outdoor furniture into his father's pool on Tuesday to prepare for Hurricane Milton. Marta Lavandier/AP A man boards up an apartment building to protect it from Hurricane Milton in Progreso, Mexico, on Monday. The state of Florida is trying to keep gas stations supplied as people try to fill up before hitting the road. Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg/Getty Images“Lines at gas stations have been long,” DeSantis acknowledged Tuesday during a news conference. “Gas stations are running out quicker than they otherwise would.”Gas price tracking service GasBuddy reported that as of Tuesday afternoon, 17.4% of gas stations statewide were without fuel, a dramatic spike from just 3% on Monday.

Persons: Hurricane Milton, Helene pummeled Florida’s, Jane Castor, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, it’s, Kevin Guthrie, Ron DeSantis, Rich Lorenzen, Sam Grande, Pete, Octavio Jones, DeSantis, Milton, Mike Carlson, Matthew Dominick, Jose Luis Gonzalez, Reuters John Fedor of, Chris O'Meara, David Jalving, Marta Lavandier, Julio Cortez, Hurricane Helene, Bryan R, Smith, Tristan Wheelock, Gerald, Martin Zetina, Hurricane, Reuters Rich Lorenzen, Pete Beach, Gregg Newton, Brandon Hutchison, ” Hutchison, Irma, Idalia, Milton's, ” DeSantis, Fort Organizations: CNN, Hurricane, ” Tampa, state’s Division, Emergency Management, Florida Gov, National Weather Service, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida DOT, Veterans Expressway, Suncoast Parkway, AP NASA, International, Milton, NASA, Reuters, Tampa International Airport, Getty, Bloomberg, Hurricane Milton, AP Contractors, AP Tropicana, Department of Transportation, Rosen, Resorts, Atlanta Motor, Emergency Management Agency, Gas, “ Gas, Patrol Locations: Hurricane Milton, St, Pete Beach , Florida, Miami, Florida, Tampa, Hurricane, Port Richey , Florida, Orlando , Florida, Jersey, Tampa Bay, Treasure Island , Florida, AFP, Fort Myers Beach , Florida, Progreso , Mexico, New Port Richey , Florida, St . Petersburg, Monnday, Kissimmee , Florida, Georgia, Atlanta, Peach, Dothan , Alabama, RVs, ”, Hampton , Georgia, Henry, Florence, Petersburg , Florida, Fort Myers, Gulf Coast

☆ Hurricane Milton morphed into a Category 5 in 2 days. Take a look at the storm's rapid evolution from space.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Jessica Orwig | Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Hurricane Milton, now a Category 4, is expected to hit Florida's west coast Wednesday. Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified to a Category 5 storm on Monday, leading Florida Gov. AdvertisementNOAA's GOES-16 satellite is tracking Hurricane Milton from space. Hurricane Milton underwent an explosive intensification within 48 hours from a tropical storm to a Category 5. By Tuesday morning, Hurricane Milton had lost some of its strength and is now a Category 4.

Persons: Milton, —, Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, Ron DeSantis, Hurricane Wilma, Hurricane Felix, Stephanie Zick, Zick, Matthew Rosencrans, that's, Rosencrans Organizations: Service, Florida Gov, National Hurricane Center, NOAA, Milton, Hurricane, Virginia Tech's Department of Geology, Astronauts, Space, Hurricane Milton, NHC Locations: Milton, Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane, Florida, Charlotte, Hillsborough, Manatee, Gulf, Mexico, Tampa, Tampa Bay

☆ Airlines, theme parks, cruise lines warn travelers about Hurricane Milton disruptions
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A message board at the Tampa International Airport shows all American Airlines departing flight canceled Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Tampa, Fla., due to the possible arrival of Hurricane Milton. Airlines canceled hundreds of flights, theme parks prepared to close some areas and cruise lines shifted routes as Floridians braced for Hurricane Milton's landfall. Tampa International Airport suspended operations at 9 a.m. Orlando International Airport will close at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Southwest Airlines , which has about a fifth of the market share in Orlando, has struck 402 flights from its total Wednesday schedule, according to FlightAware data.

Organizations: Tampa International Airport, American Airlines, Airlines, Milton's, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Airlines Locations: Tampa, Tampa , Fla, Hurricane Milton, Florida, Orlando

☆ Florida's real-estate market is on edge amid back-to-back hurricanes
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAnother hurricane is expected to hit Florida as the state continues recovering from Hurricane Helene. CHANDAN KHANNA/Getty ImagesBack-to-back hurricanes represent the latest problem for a real-estate market facing buyer's remorse. It's representative of the extremes the Sunshine State's real-estate market has faced in recent years. One Florida resident whose home sustained almost three feet of water damage from Helene cut their listing price by 40%.

Persons: —, Hurricane Milton, Ron DeSantis, Jane Castor, It's, Helene, CHANDAN KHANNA, Jordan Pandy, Dan Latu, Madeline Berg, it's Organizations: Business, Service, Florida Gov, Moody's, FEMA, Small Business Administration Locations: Florida, Hurricane, Tampa Bay, Tampa, Milton, Texas

☆ Tampa mayor warns residents they will 'die' if they don't evacuate, as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Jack Sommers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The mayor of Tampa, Florida, told residents they will "die" if they don't evacuate as Hurricane Milton approaches. AdvertisementThe mayor of Tampa, Florida, has issued a stark warning that anyone who remains in the city as Hurricane Milton approaches will "die." Hurricane Milton intensified into a Category 5 storm — the most severe classification — in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday. The storm comes just two weeks after Hurricane Helene, the damage from which is already stretching the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Hurricane Helene killed 12 people in the Tampa Bay area, the Associated Press reported, and over 200 more across the southeastern United States.

Persons: Milton, Jane Castor, —, Hurricane Milton, There's, Helene, Castor, Hurricane Helene, Ron DeSantis Organizations: Service, CNN, Carolinas, National Hurricane Center, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Associated Press, Republican Locations: Tampa , Florida, Hurricane, Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Florida , Georgia, Tampa, United States, Milton

☆ Airports are closing and American Airlines is operating evacuation flights as Hurricane Milton nears Florida
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday night. AdvertisementFour international airports are set to suspend commercial flights as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, while American Airlines scheduled extra services for evacuees. Orlando International, Sarasota-Bradenton, St Pete-Clearwater International, and Tampa International airports have all announced closures. As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, close to a third of 158 flights at Tampa International had already been canceled, per FlightAware. Related storiesIt's added 11 flights from Tampa International and one from Sarasota-Bradenton, totaling about 2,000 seats.

Persons: Milton, —, Peter O, Hurricane Helene Organizations: American Airlines, Service, Milton, National Hurricane Center, Orlando International, St Pete, Clearwater International, Tampa International, Bradenton, Pete, Clearwater, Tampa Executive, Airport, Federal Aviation Administration, Hurricane, FAA Locations: Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Tampa, Sarasota, Bradenton, Orlando, Plant

☆ Republicans are challenging all aspects of mail-in voting in battleground states
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Casey Gannon | Paula Reid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Key swing states like North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Michigan are still experiencing a high volume of mail-in and absentee voting. That has prompted multiple lawsuits in battleground states where Republicans are suing to challenge everything from whether mail-in ballot envelopes are properly sealed to whether they are postmarked correctly. After his 2020 loss, he has railed against mail-in voting, saying this summer it “isn’t working, it’s corrupt.” But he also emphasizes that every vote matters, including early voting and absentee ballots. The Republican National Committee and Republican Party of Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit to the state’s Supreme Court, seeking to end the mail-in ballot “notice-and-cure” procedures. Mail-in ballots wait to be processed on a table at the Wake County Board of Elections in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Persons: it’s, Donald Trump, ” Trump, Kamala Harris, “, ” Paul Cox, there’s, Keith Weatherly, Greg Flynn, Joe Biden, Harris, Trump, Cox, Cisco Aguilar, Jocelyn Benson, Benson, ”, Pete Hoekstra, CNN’s Marshall Cohen Organizations: CNN, Trump, North Carolina State Board, Republican Party, Wake, Wake County, Republican National Committee, Republican Party of Pennsylvania, RNC, Cisco, Democratic, CNN Michigan Michigan, Republican, Michigan Republican Party Locations: North Carolina , Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, Erie , Pennsylvania, Carolina, North Carolina, Wake County , North Carolina, Wake County, Raleigh , North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Nevada In Nevada

North Carolina’s election board voted Monday to give residents in the western part of the state, which was hit hardest by Hurricane Helene, greater flexibility to vote by mail and run their elections. Previously, voters were limited to dropping absentee ballots off at the board of elections or early voting sites in their counties. Some of the planned voting sites are being used as shelters and warehouses for incoming sites, state officials said, while others were damaged or made inaccessible by the storm. The state’s voter registration deadline of Friday was not extended. South Carolina extended its voter registration deadline to Oct. 14, while Georgia officials say election operations are expected to continue smoothly.

Persons: Hurricane Helene, Karen Brinson Bell, Brinson Bell, Ron DeSantis Organizations: Voters, State Board, Florida Gov, Associated Press Locations: Carolina, Georgia

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is not taking calls from Vice President Kamala Harris about storm recovery just over a week after Hurricane Helene hammered parts of his state. A source familiar with the planning said that the Biden team had invited DeSantis to the event in north Florida. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has not spoken with Vice President Kamala Harris or President Joe Biden about the hurricane response.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Kamala Harris, Helene, “ Kamala, “, DeSantis, Joe Biden, Biden, Deanne Criswell, Jared C, Tilton, Karine Jean, Pierre, Harris, Brian Kemp, Henry McMaster, Hurricane Helene, Donald Trump, ” Trump, Kemp Organizations: Florida Gov, Democratic, NBC News, Federal Emergency Management, Getty, White, Press, White House, Biden, Gov, Georgia Gov, South Carolina Gov, Florida National Guard Locations: Florida, Bend, Tampa, North Carolina, Hurricane Milton, Hurricane, Gulf Coast, Georgia

☆ Hurricane Milton, now a Category 5 storm, threatens an already-battered Florida
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Hurricane Milton has intensified into a Category 5 storm, the highest classification. It's set to make landfall on Wednesday in Florida, which is still reeling from Hurricane Helene. Milton is expected to smash into the state as federal disaster funds are already running out. Hurricane Milton intensified into a Category 5 storm — the most severe classification — in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday and is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday. And that was before Milton intensified in the Gulf Coast and threatened to deal Florida another crushing blow.

Persons: Milton, Hurricane Helene, —, Hurricane Milton, Helene, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, Alejandro Mayorkas, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency —, National Hurricane Center, Associated Press, Analytics, FEMA, AP, Business Locations: Florida, Hurricane, Gulf of Mexico, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Milton, Washington, Gulf, While Florida, —

☆ Trump's Mar-a-Lago, golf resorts are outside Milton's path. But Truth Social's offices are at risk
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

But the Sarasota offices of Trump Media, the parent company of Truth Social, are directly in the storm's projected sight line. Mar-a-Lago, the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach and the Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter are all located in Palm Beach County. The Trump National Doral Miami is in Miami-Dade County. Meanwhile, the Truth Social offices are located directly within the zone where Milton is expected to make landfall on the Gulf Coast late Wednesday. Trump is the largest shareholder of Trump Media , a publicly traded company that mainly operates the Truth Social platform.

Persons: Donald Trump's Mar, Trump, Donald Trump's, Milton Organizations: FBI, Lago Club, Trump Media, Truth, Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach, Trump National Golf, Trump National Doral Miami, Officials, Coast, Securities and Exchange Commission, CNBC Locations: Palm Beach , Florida, U.S, Florida, Hurricane Milton, Gulf, Sarasota, West Palm, Jupiter, Palm Beach County, Miami, Dade County, Milton

☆ Milton erupts into Category 1 hurricane as Southeast reels from Helene aftermath
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-06 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Dennis-Romero-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Dennis Romero | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Tropical Storm Milton rapidly intensified into a Category 1 hurricane Sunday with its path aimed at Florida, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene made landfall in the state. The storm debuted as a hurricane Monday afternoon after producing sustained winds of 80 mph and continued to strengthen by drawing fuel from the Gulf of Mexico's sultry waters. Forecasters said Milton was likely to reach major hurricane status, denoting a Category 3, 4, or 5 storm Monday. It was pushing out maximum sustained winds estimated to be 80 mph, with some higher gusts, the hurricane center said, and moving east at 6 mph. Residents fill sandbags on Fort Myers Beach, in Fla., in preparation for Hurricane Milton on Oct. 6, 2024.

Persons: Milton, Helene, Ron DeSantis, Hurricane Milton, Andrew West, Helene rampaged, It's Organizations: Gov, Hurricane, Press, USA, Florida, Florida Keys Locations: Florida, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Progreso, Mexico, Tampa, Fort Myers Beach, Fla, Milton, Gulf of Mexico, Florida’s, Cuba, Bahamas, Gulf's, Campeche, Big Bend, Pinellas County, Tampa Bay

The storm is quickly strengthening, already boasting winds of 65 mph, according to an update Sunday morning from the National Hurricane Center. It is forecast to intensify into a hurricane by Sunday night — and a major hurricane by late Monday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will likely be issued for parts of the western Florida coast on Sunday — with dangerous storm surge expected for some areas just slammed by Helene. “This is something that potentially would be greater power outages than what we just saw with Hurricane Helene,” the governor said, noting the state’s residents still have a couple of days to get ready. Assets deployed to assist with Hurricane Helene recovery in Tennessee and North Carolina have also been ordered back to Florida, DeSantis said.

Persons: Hurricane Helene, Helene —, it’s, Tropical Storm Milton, Helene ., Milton, Helene, Ron DeSantis, Kevin Guthrie, DeSantis, “, Floridians, ” Guthrie, Ashley Moody, ” Moody, ”, Thomas Chaves, Vinny Almeida, Mike Carlson, Debbie Bright, Bright, ” Bright Organizations: CNN, Tropical Storm, National Hurricane Center, Key, Tampa ., Florida Gov, Florida Division, Emergency Management, Florida, Sunday, Fort Myers, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida National Guard, Florida State Guard, AP, WFTS Locations: Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Tampa, Naples, Tampa Bay, Helene . Miami, Orlando, Miami, Gulf, Helene, Fort, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Tennessee, North Carolina, Hurricane, Chaves, Shore, St . Petersburg , Florida, AP Florida, Pinellas County, ” St, Petersburg

☆ Why Texas Latinos Are Shifting to the Right, Voting for Trump
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-06 | by ( Jack Herrera | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +18 min

Jordan Vonderhaar for BIIn late July, after Biden dropped out of the race, I traveled to Starr County to see why this longtime Democratic stronghold has been shifting steadily to the right. Like the mesquite and huisache that thrive in this arid climate, he has deep roots in Starr County. If any place embodies the dual identity among Latinos in Starr County, it's the Rancho Cafe in the tiny town of Roma. The Rancho Cafe — part Old West saloon, part Tex-Mex hangout — embodies the dual identity of local Latinos. Across the country, Latino Republicans say they feel more able to wear their politics on their sleeve.

Persons: Donald Trump, Alexis García, Trump, García, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, Starr, Trump's, —, baldy, he'd, — you've, Jordan Vonderhaar, MAGA, provocateurs, Joe Biden, Biden, Kamala Harris, hicks, In, Benito Treviño, Todos, Treviño, Treviño's, Toni Treviño, Toni, Harris, Aliriam Perez, Miguel de Alemán, Perez, Perez wasn't, George Floyd, they've, pollsters, Rick Guerra, Guerra, George W, Bush, Roel Reyes, TRUMP, Reyes, Jack Herrera Organizations: Democratic, Trump, Republican, BI, In Trump, South Texans, American, Democrat, Republican Party, Democratic Party, Republicans, Democrats, Alabama Dairy, Army, Texas Lone Star, Border Patrol, Local Democrats, Los Angeles Times, Texas Locations: New York City, Texas, Rio Grande City, Starr County, Trump, la, South Texas, Starr, America, American, Arizona, Nevada, MAGA, Hollywood, Rio Grande, Mexico, Benito, Houston, Roma, sipping, Mexican, West Texas, Alabama, Iraq, Afghanistan, Guerra's

"We have kind of a two-level house — it's not a two-story, but there are two levels," Smith-Frady told Business Insider. AdvertisementIn May 2024, the average cost of flood insurance in Florida was $781 a year, according to personal-finance company NerdWallet. Advertisement"It basically makes the home a total loss if they don't have flood insurance," Meyer Lucas said. "In Florida, there's really high flood risk, which I think is broadly understood, but that the cost associated with that flood risk is not being captured in home values." "The storms are happening so diversely in so many different areas of the state," D'Amario told Business Insider.

Persons: Helene, —, Hurricane Helene, Alexis Smith, Smith, Frady, Idalia, She's, Katie Mallah, Mallah, Katie Mallah Mallah, it's, Heather Cameron, Cameron, Holly Meyer Lucas, Meyer Lucas, Jon Schneyer, Pete, haven't, Jesse Gourevitch, there's, Ryan D'Amario, D'Amario Organizations: Service, FEMA, Business, Flood Insurance, Hurricanes, Sunshine State, Farmers Insurance, Bankers Insurance, Miami Herald, Capital Economics, Palm, Street Journal, Environmental Defense Fund Locations: Florida, St, Petersburg, Hurricane, Bradenton, North Carolina, Tampa, Sarasota, St . Petersburg, Shore, Shore Acres , Florida, Insurify, Palm Beach, Nature, Appalachia, Gulf

☆ House GOP chairman demands FEMA accountability for Hurricane Helene after flooding claims more than 200 lives
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-05 | by ( Laura Strickler | Laura Strickler Is A Senior Investigative Producer | Reporter For Nbc News. She Is Based In Washington. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

The chairman of a House Homeland Security subcommittee is asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency to detail what it did to prepare for Hurricane Helene after it became clear there would be catastrophic flooding. Helene made landfall in Big Bend, Florida, on Sept. 26, causing flooding that devastated North Carolina, Tennessee and other Southern states and claimed more than 200 lives. D’Esposito, R-N.Y., cited a local official from Buncombe County, North Carolina, who claimed that water was requested before the storm started but was delayed, further exacerbating the water shortage in Asheville. Post-landfall, it “surged capacity to where it was needed the most.” She noted that western North Carolina has now been identified as the area that was hardest hit. More than 6,400 federal personnel, including FEMA staff, are deployed in the affected areas.

Persons: Helene, Anthony D’Esposito, Deanne Criswell, ”, Hurricane Helene, Liz Sherwood, Randall, “, Donald Trump, Sen, Thom Tillis, Chuck Edwards, ” Edwards Organizations: House Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Management, Technology, FEMA, NBC News, North Carolina Republicans, Republican, Management Locations: Big Bend , Florida, North Carolina , Tennessee, Hurricane, Buncombe County , North Carolina, Asheville, Bend , Florida, North Carolina, Buncombe

☆ Three years ago, this Florida high school started a skilled trades program — now there's a waiting list to get in
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-05 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Angela Ramirez-Riojas, 18, is enrolled in Riverview High School's construction academy. Courtesy: Riverview High SchoolFor Angela Ramirez-Riojas, 18, going to college was always plan B. Ramirez-Riojas, who is a senior at Riverview High School in Riverview, Florida, enrolled in her school's recently opened vocational program in construction. "Construction trades is not just the physical part, there's other parts of it that encompass the whole industry," Lahdenpera said. In fact, new construction hires earn more than new hires in the professional services, according to payroll-services provider ADP.

Persons: Angela Ramirez, Ramirez, Riojas, I've, isn't, Erin Haughey, Riverview's, Haughey, Jeff Lahdenpera, It's, Lahdenpera, Katie Alderman, Ted Jenkin, Gen, There's Organizations: Riverview, Riverview High School, Finance, Teens, Neal Communities, Associated Builders and Contractors, Junior Achievement, Citizens Bank Locations: Riverview, Riverview , Florida, Lakewood Ranch , Florida, Atlanta

Trump plans ‘different’ eventFive days after the shooting, as Trump captivated Republicans in his convention speech in Milwaukee, the former president vowed to never again mention details of the assassination attempt. “Everybody up there, they were amazing,” Trump told the Erie crowd, some of whom cheered when he asked if any of them had been present at the Butler rally. They saw that we were in trouble.”The event Saturday at Butler Farm Show Inc. is expected to be “different” from a typical Trump rally, a senior Trump campaign adviser told CNN. Harris is blasting Trump on health care in Wisconsin, while Trump is hammering Harris on taxes in Georgia. One focus of Harris’ campaign is Latino voters in Pennsylvania, in a bid to stop Trump from eating away at Democrats’ traditionally large margins of victory among non-White voters.

Persons: Donald Trump, “, ‘ We’re, ” Trump, Trump, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris ’, Butler, “ We’re, ’, Corey Comperatore, David Dutch, James Copenhaver, —, Ohio Sen, JD Vance, Elon Musk, Lee Greenwood, Thomas Matthew Crooks, Crooks, Communications Anthony Guglielmi, Harris, Liz Cheney, — Trump, Tim Walz, Hurricane Maria —, Barack Obama, Harris ’, CNN’s Camila DeChalus, David Wright, Kristen Holmes, Zachary Cohen Organizations: CNN, White, Democratic, Trump, Republicans, Erie, Butler, Republican National Convention, SpaceX, Secret Service, Service, Pennsylvania State Police, Communications, Sun, Democrats, Keystone, Republican, Marquette Law, Wyoming, Republican Party, CBS, Democrats ’, Hurricane, Pennsylvania Locations: Pennsylvania, Butler, Pittsburgh, Florida, Milwaukee, Erie, That’s, Butler Township, Michigan , Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona , Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Georgia, Ripon , Wisconsin, Minnesota, Bethlehem, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican

FEMA has dedicated disaster relief money that cannot be used for other purposes. FEMA’s disaster response efforts and individual assistance is funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts,” FEMA said in its post. “Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts.”FEMA added: “FEMA has enough money right now for immediate response and recovery needs. However, that program called the Shelter and Services Program, or SSP, is separate from FEMA’s disaster relief fund which is more than $20 billion. A spokesperson for Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, said any claims of disaster funds going to illegal immigrants are false.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, “, ” Trump, Alejandro Mayorkas, Helene, ”, Mayorkas, Hurricane Helene, Jim Jordan, Elon Musk, ” Mayorkas, Karine Jean, Pierre, Joe Biden Organizations: FEMA, Customs, Protection, Trump, Homeland, Disaster Relief Fund, Services, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, Congress, Homeland Security, Air Force Locations: U.S, Saginaw , Michigan, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, Ohio, Hurricane

☆ Video shows a stray alligator swimming near Florida's flooded streets after Hurricane Helene displaced it
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Hurricane Helene displaced alligators, turtles, and other wildlife in Florida. AdvertisementFlorida's alligators, turtles, and even sharks are finding themselves in new territory in the wake of Hurricane Helene. While people should be cautious, Claerbout said the FWC hasn't received any reports of alligator bites since Helene made landfall. However, ahead of Hurricane Helene, one Florida gator strolled around the Lakeland neighborhood, northeast of Tampa, and "got bold" enough to walk up to a house's front door, The Miami Herald reported. Alligators weren't the only wildlife affected by Hurricane Helene's floodsAfter Hurricane Helene, a manatee was stranded at MacDill Air Force Base, and the Fish and Wildlife rescuers helped relocate it.

Persons: —, Hurricane Helene, Commission's Lauren Claerbout, Ian, Shannon Stapleton, Claerbout, hasn't, Helene, Scott Tummond, Hurricane Harvey, Rick Wilking, University of Florida's Justin R, Dalaba, Frank J, Mazzotti, it's, Calerbout, Susannah Cogburn, NBC2, Cogburn, FWC Organizations: Service, Collier County Sheriff's, ABC, and, REUTERS, gators, University of Florida, gator, University of Florida's, Florida gator, Miami Herald, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida Fish, Water School, Florida Gulf Coast University Locations: Florida ., Hurricane, Collier County, San Marco, Southwest Florida, Florida, Punta Gorda , Florida, backyards, Taylor, Levy, Seadrift , Texas, Lakeland, Tampa, Park

☆ A majority of North Carolina homeowners didn't have flood insurance. Then Helene hit.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Heavy rains from Hurricane Helene caused flooding across western North Carolina, like here in Asheville. Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty ImagesBut only about 2.6% of the 4.3 million properties across the state — or around 115,000 properties — had flood insurance as of June 2024, according to private provider Neptune Flood Insurance, which analyzed data from the government-backed National Flood Insurance Program. North Carolina Department of Insurance communications director Jason Tyson estimated that about 139,000 properties in the state have flood insurance through the NFIP. Part of the problem with flood insurance is a common misconception that regular home insurance covers flooding, which is rarely the case, four experts knowledgable about flood insurance and disaster management told Business Insider. "We don't think of western North Carolina and the Appalachian mountains as an area that has significant flood risk."

Persons: Hurricane Helene, Melissa Sue Gerrits, Neptune, Jason Tyson, Sue Gerrits, Trevor Burgess, Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, Schlegelmilch, Margaret Walls, they're, there's, It's, it's, Helene, Jeremy Porter, Burgess, Yanjun Liao, Liao Organizations: Service, North, Climate Office, Neptune Flood Insurance, Flood Insurance, North Carolina Department of Insurance, The North, Information Center, Business, Getty, National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Columbia Climate School, FEMA, Associated Press, Resources Locations: Hurricane, North Carolina, Asheville, —, The, The North Carolina, Black Mountain , North Carolina, State, North, Florida , Louisiana, Texas, Asheville , North Carolina

☆ Buttigieg claps back at Elon Musk for false claims about Helene federal response
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Lora Kolodny | In Lorakolodny | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spoke directly to Elon Musk Friday on the billionaire's X platform, part of an effort to counter false conspiracies about federal disaster aid for victims of Hurricane Helene that Musk spread on X, where his follower count stands over 200 million. "No one is shutting down the airspace and FAA doesn't block legitimate rescue and recovery flights," wrote Buttigieg. Buttigieg was replying to a post from Musk that falsely claimed the Federal Aviation Administration was shutting down airspace in the disaster zone and "throttling" flights transporting supplies. An FAA spokesperson told CNBC, "There are no airspace restrictions in place in North Carolina as rescue efforts continue because of Hurricane Helene. Musk frequently uses X to provoke -- but in lashing out at FEMA on Friday, he escalated his battle with the U.S. government.

Persons: Pete Buttigieg, Elon Musk, Hurricane Helene, Musk, Buttigieg, Helene, Donald Trump, Trump, Musk's, SpaceX's, Tesla, DisasterAssistance.gov Organizations: Elon, FAA, Federal Aviation Administration, CNBC, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Republican, Musk's SpaceX, U.S ., Environmental Protection Agency, penalizing SpaceX, SpaceX, Apple Locations: Hurricane, North Carolina, Asheville, Rutherford

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