Category Archives: State/Regional

FEMA to send Georgia more than $300 million in Hurricane Helene relief after accusations of delays

FEMA to send Georgia more than $300 million in Hurricane Helene relief after accusations of delays

ATLANTA (AP) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Friday announced it would send $350 million in funding to localities and electric cooperatives for relief efforts following Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby. The announcement comes two months after Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia released a report that nearly $500 million in Hurricane Helene disaster relief was unpaid.

Hurricane Helene swept across much of the Southeast in September 2024, devastating parts of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and other nearby states with high winds and heavy rains.

Warnock posted on the social platform X earlier this week that the amount of Hurricane Helene relief funds FEMA was withholding had climbed to $600 million. The money will reimburse efforts such as debris removal, road fixes and utility repairs.

“Hurricanes and natural disasters are not political; they do not care if you voted red or blue, and Georgia counties and cities went right to work recovering from Helene’s destruction with the understanding the federal government would fulfill its promises and pay their share,” said Warnock in a statement. “It should not have gotten to this point.”

Warnock said he would continue to push FEMA to deliver the additional funds. Last December, he led a bipartisan effort with a group of Georgia Congress members to send a letter to congressional leaders requesting at least $12 billion in federal supplemental disaster funding for Hurricane Helene. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp requested the aid shortly after the storm subsided.

Georgia farmers are also waiting on funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The agency and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced in September that it would send $531 million to Georgia farmers. However, the aid amount wasn’t accompanied by a finalized agreement on how the state planned to disburse the block grant. Kemp announced Friday that the portal will open soon, once the USDA gives the program final approval.

North Carolina Gov. Stein cancels Medicaid rate cuts amid legal and legislative battles

North Carolina Gov. Stein cancels Medicaid rate cuts amid legal and legislative battles

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is canceling Medicaid rate cuts he initiated two months ago. Stein and Health Secretary Dr. Dev Sangvai announced Wednesday that reimbursement rates for doctors and hospitals will be restored. Legal challenges have already forced some rates back to pre-October levels. Stein said the program still lacks enough funding. He blamed the legislature for not providing enough money, leading to the cuts. Republican lawmakers called Stein’s actions unnecessary and politically motivated. Medicaid serves more than 3 million people in North Carolina. The state also remains without an enacted budget.… Continue Reading

A student dies during stabbing at North Carolina high school

A student dies during stabbing at North Carolina high school

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Authorities say a stabbing at a central North Carolina high school has left one student dead and another injured. Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough said at a news conference that the altercation Tuesday was between two students at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem. His office later confirmed that the injured person was treated at a hospital and released. He said in a video posted later on social media that there was no threat to the community. The school will be closed Wednesday, and a crisis team available for students when it reopens. District superintendent Don Phipps called the event the “worst nightmare of any educator.”… Continue Reading

Lumbee Tribe poised to gain federal recognition through Defense bill

Lumbee Tribe poised to gain federal recognition through Defense bill

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina could be federally recognized through the National Defense Authorization Act the House plans to vote on this week. That would come with federal funding, access to resources like the Indian Health Service and the ability to take land into trust. The issue has been batted around Congress for more than thirty years, but the political opportunity it represented in the last election — with its 60,000 members — could be what pushed it over the finish line.… Continue Reading

Raccoon goes on drunken rampage in Virginia liquor store and passes out on bathroom floor

Raccoon goes on drunken rampage in Virginia liquor store and passes out on bathroom floor

ASHLAND, Va. (AP) — A raccoon broke into a closed Virginia liquor store and drank alcohol from the bottom shelves over the weekend. An animal control officer says the raccoon was found Saturday passed out next to the store’s toilet. The officers says the raccoon then sobered up after a few hours. Officials say they released him back into the wild. Officials say the raccoon had zero signs of injury after the break-in.… Continue Reading

The shutdown has disrupted air travel. Will that drive a surge in car rentals and train bookings?

The shutdown has disrupted air travel. Will that drive a surge in car rentals and train bookings?

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. government shutdown has rattled air travel — most recently with an unprecedented effort from the Federal Aviation Administration to cut flights by 10% at airports nationwide. And the disruptions are causing some to instead hit the road or buy a train ticket. That could mean more and more business for car rentals, long-haul buses and commuter rails like Amtrak — particularly if flight delays and cancellations continue piling up as the U.S. approaches Thanksgiving and other peak holiday travel. Amid the latest scramble, Hertz is already reporting a sharp increase in one-way car rentals. Meanwhile, Both Amtrak and Greyhound owner Flix North America are also preparing for potential growing demand.… Continue Reading

UPS cargo plane with 3 aboard crashes, explodes on takeoff at Louisville airport, igniting huge fire

UPS cargo plane with 3 aboard crashes, explodes on takeoff at Louisville airport, igniting huge fire

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Officials say a large UPS cargo plane with three people aboard crashed and exploded while taking off from an airport in Louisville, Kentucky, igniting a huge fire on ground. The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday that the plane crashed at about 5:15 p.m. The FAA said the plane was scheduled to fly to Honolulu after it took off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Photos on social media showed a large plume of black smoke rising into the sky. The Kentucky governor says there are injuries, but no fatalities have been confirmed.… Continue Reading

Flight disruptions continue as air traffic controllers brace for their first full missing paychecks

Flight disruptions continue as air traffic controllers brace for their first full missing paychecks

A shortage of air traffic controllers has caused more flight disruptions at airports across the country. On Monday, Los Angeles International Airport experienced brief delays, while Dallas and Austin airports saw delays averaging 20 and 40 minutes, respectively. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary ground stop in Austin earlier Monday for about an hour. The disruptions come as the federal government shutdown nears a month. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned last week of increased delays and cancellations as controllers work without pay. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association reports mandatory overtime and missed paychecks are adding stress to the job.… Continue Reading

Virginia gubernatorial candidates debate trans youth rights as LGBTQ+ voters weigh a fraught moment

Virginia gubernatorial candidates debate trans youth rights as LGBTQ+ voters weigh a fraught moment

SALEM, Va. (AP) — The rights of trans youth could be a factor Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial election and legislative control in Richmond. Republican Winsome Earle-Sears opposes the rights of trans kids at school. Democrat Abigail Spanberger has largely avoided the subject. Each candidate is trying to cast the other as the extremist on the issue. LGBTQ+ Virginians have been grappling with what it means to be queer and trans in a moment where their identities are thrust into statewide and national politics. Other Virginians, meanwhile, worry about its impact on their children.… Continue Reading

Democrats look to long term as North Carolina GOP redistricting plan seeks another seat for Trump

Democrats look to long term as North Carolina GOP redistricting plan seeks another seat for Trump

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democrats have rallied against a proposed U.S. House map by North Carolina Republicans in Raleigh. The new map seeks to stop the reelection of Democratic Rep. Don Davis by redrawing two congressional districts. This proposal could result in Republicans winning 11 of the state’s 14 seats. The GOP aims to satisfy President Donald Trump’s call for mid-decade redistricting to attempt to retain a House majority in 2026. The map seems headed for enactment after final House votes as soon as Wednesday. The state Senate gave its final approval Tuesday. Democrats at the rally acknowledged they’ll likely be unable to halt the redraw now but vowed wins in the long run.… Continue Reading

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