Tag Archives: Disaster Relief

Interstate 40 in the Smoky Mountains reopens faster than expected after rock slide and flooding

Interstate 40 in the Smoky Mountains reopens faster than expected after rock slide and flooding

HARTFORD, Tenn. (AP) — Crews have reopened a section of Interstate 40 along its narrow corridor through the Great Smoky Mountains after flooding and a rock slide closed the major cross country highway for nine days. Officials initially expected I-40 in far eastern Tennessee to remain closed until July 3, but crews sped along the work and the highway reopened on Friday with one lane in each direction. I-40 is already undergoing major repairs from massive damage and washouts during Hurricane Helene last fall. The damaged section is part of 12 miles in North Carolina and Tennessee that were washed away or heavily damaged by flooding that roared through the Pigeon River gorge.… Continue Reading

Trump urges senators to get his big tax bill done by July 4th

Trump urges senators to get his big tax bill done by July 4th

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump wants his “big, beautiful” bill of tax breaks and spending cuts on his desk to be signed into law by Independence Day. And he’s pushing the slow-rolling Senate to make it happen sooner rather than later. Trump met with Senate Majority Leader John Thune at the White House earlier this week and has been dialing senators for one-on-one chats, using both the carrot and stick to encourage them to act. But it’s still a long road ahead for the bill. Senators want to make changes to protect Medicaid and ensure some tax breaks become permanent. Elon Musk called the whole bill a “disgusting abomination.”… Continue Reading

Turmoil, worry swirl over cuts to key federal agencies as hurricane season begins

Turmoil, worry swirl over cuts to key federal agencies as hurricane season begins

WASHINGTON (AP) — As hurricane season begins, experts in storms and disasters are worried about massive cuts to the federal system that forecasts, tracks and responds to the storms. Experts are alarmed over the large-scale staff reductions, travel and training restrictions and grant cut-offs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 and is predicted to busier than average this year. Representatives of both NOAA and FEMA say the agencies are prepared.… Continue Reading

North Carolina revenue predictions fall with recession risk

North Carolina revenue predictions fall with recession risk

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina officials have downgraded anticipated state revenue collections compared to their recent forecast. Wednesday’s adjustments agreed upon by economists working in Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s budget office and at the General Assembly are in large part the result of higher economic uncertainty and the risks of a recession. The changes from the February forecast keep front and center competing tax-cutting plans passed by the Republican-controlled House and Senate. The updated forecast still envisions lower year-over-year revenues because of expected income tax rate reductions. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein wants to stop those rate cuts.… Continue Reading

The scars from Hurricane Helene are healing slowly in this Appalachian tourist town

The scars from Hurricane Helene are healing slowly in this Appalachian tourist town

CHIMNEY ROCK VILLAGE, N.C. (AP) — Despite being nearly wiped off the map by the remnants of Hurricane Helene, tiny Chimney Rock Village in North Carolina had optimistically predicted it would be open for business by Memorial Day. But in the days leading up to the holiday, a security guard at the town’s entrance still turns away all but locals and construction workers. Mayor Peter O’Leary admits Main Street likely won’t reopen until summer sometime. He said nearly a third of businesses were destroyed by last September’s flooding. While some are likely gone forever, there are signs of progress. Amish volunteers from Pennsylvania are rebuilding wrecked shops and inns. The state is close to finishing a temporary bridge for Chimney Rock State Park to reopen. O’Leary says the long rebuild will be worth it.… Continue Reading

North Carolina House advances more Hurricane Helene aid in $465M package

North Carolina House advances more Hurricane Helene aid in $465M package

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina House has advanced another Hurricane Helene funding package to address pressing needs in the mountains eight months after the storm. The chamber approved a $465 million spending plan unanimously on Thursday. It’s about half what Democratic Gov. Josh Stein requested from the Republican-controlled General Assembly earlier this week. Republican lawmakers had been working on their package before Stein’s pitch. The General Assembly already has provided $1.6 billion in Helene recovery funding. But the needs are many times greater, and federal funds have been slow in reaching western North Carolina. The bill now heading to the Senate includes a business grant program.… Continue Reading

North Carolina governor urges state lawmakers to include more Helene aid in upcoming budget

North Carolina governor urges state lawmakers to include more Helene aid in upcoming budget

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein made another request of state lawmakers to commit hundreds of millions more dollars to western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene last year. Stein’s proposal announced Monday totals $891 million. The governor says the money will go to addressing critical needs such as revitalizing local economies, repairing town infrastructure and providing housing assistance. The state legislature has already appropriated or made available more than $1 billion for Helene recovery since the storm ravaged the western part of the state in September. Stein also emphasized the need for state funds instead of waiting for “uncertain federal assistance.”… Continue Reading

NPR stations targeted for cuts by Trump have provided lifelines to listeners during disasters

NPR stations targeted for cuts by Trump have provided lifelines to listeners during disasters

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — After Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville, North Carolina, the sound coming from open car windows as residents gathered on a street at the top of a ridge trying to get cell service last fall was Blue Ridge Public Radio. And as they stood in line for water or food, the latest news they had heard on the station was a frequent topic of conversation. Now, public radio stations are being targeted for cuts by President Donald Trump, who this week signed an executive order aimed at slashing public subsidies to NPR and PBS, alleging “bias” in the broadcasters’ reporting.… Continue Reading

Loss of FEMA program spells disaster for hundreds of communities and their projects

Loss of FEMA program spells disaster for hundreds of communities and their projects

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — For hundreds of communities nationwide, plans to protect against natural disasters and climate change have been upended because of the Trump administration’s elimination of a federal grant program. Scrapped projects include relocating flood-damaged homes in Pennsylvania, protecting businesses from stormwater in North Carolina, and safeguarding water supply lines in Oklahoma’s Tornado Alley. The grants have been panned by the Republican White House as wasteful political spending. But those grants were seen by local officials and residents as a vital use of government resources to protect lives, infrastructure and economies with smart investments upfront.… Continue Reading

North Carolina budget plan advances as Senate Republicans double down on tax cuts

North Carolina budget plan advances as Senate Republicans double down on tax cuts

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Senate Republicans have advanced a two-year budget for the ninth-largest state. The proposal that received initial Senate approval on Wednesday spends less than what the new Democratic governor requested and doubles down on already enacted income tax cuts. Gov. Josh Stein’s budget pitch sought to spend roughly $1 billion more each year than what the Senate decided in part by halting broad tax rate cuts. But GOP senators are content with their spending, taxes and cost-cutting. The Senate bill locates another $1.3 billion for Hurricane Helene aid and seeks to eliminate hundreds of vacant state positions. The House will soon pass a competing measure.… Continue Reading

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