At Least 9 Dead After Tornadoes Tear Through the Southeast
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:31s - Published
At Least 9 Dead After Tornadoes Tear Through the Southeast
At Least 9 Dead , After Tornadoes Tear , Through the Southeast .
On January 12, at least nine people were killed
as over a dozen tornadoes ripped through
the Southeastern United States.
NBC reports that the death toll
is expected to rise as search and rescue
operations are now under way.
According to Emergency Management Agency
Director Ernie Baggett, seven of the deaths
were reported in Autauga County, Alabama.
On January 13, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced
that two people were killed, including a five-year-old
boy, after "multiple tornadoes" ravaged the state.
On January 13, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced
that two people were killed, including a five-year-old
boy, after "multiple tornadoes" ravaged the state.
The storm moved all across
our state unfortunately, it’s been
a tragic night and morning in our state, Brian Kemp, Georgia Governor, via NBC.
It’s a very dangerous environment,
certainly last night and still is today, Brian Kemp, Georgia Governor, via NBC.
Officials fear the death toll from the storms
will rise as search and rescue efforts
continue across the Southeast.
We're starting our search back up
again this morning to make sure
that we have everyone accounted for, Ernie Baggett, Emergency Management
Agency Director, via NBC.
We have about, we're thinking right now,
about 40 homes that have either been
completely destroyed or have been
damaged to a point where no one
can stay in them anymore, Ernie Baggett, Emergency Management
Agency Director, via NBC.
NBC reports that multiple Georgia departments,
including the state's Emergency Management Agency,
are responding to and assessing the extensive damage.
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McCarthy Defends Trump, but Urges Supporters , Not To Protest.
McCarthy Defends Trump, but Urges Supporters , Not To Protest.
On March 19, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy urged
Americans not to protest in the event of former
President Donald Trump's arrest this week. .
On March 19, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy urged
Americans not to protest in the event of former
President Donald Trump's arrest this week. .
NBC reports that McCarthy contradicted Trump's call
for his supporters to take to the streets and protest his
indictment and arrest on Truth Social one day earlier.
NBC reports that McCarthy contradicted Trump's call
for his supporters to take to the streets and protest his
indictment and arrest on Truth Social one day earlier.
While speaking at a Republican retreat
in Orlando, McCarthy commented on
the former president's call for protest. .
I don’t think people should protest this, no.
And I think President Trump, if you talk
to him, he doesn’t believe that, either, Kevin McCarthy, Republican House Speaker, via NBC.
NBC reports that while speaking at the same news
conference, McCarthy defended Trump, dismissing
the investigation as politically motivated.
NBC reports that while speaking at the same news
conference, McCarthy defended Trump, dismissing
the investigation as politically motivated.
The last thing we want … is somebody
putting their thumb on the scale [of justice]
simply because they don’t agree with
somebody else’s political view, Kevin McCarthy, Republican House Speaker, via NBC.
The last thing we want … is somebody
putting their thumb on the scale [of justice]
simply because they don’t agree with
somebody else’s political view, Kevin McCarthy, Republican House Speaker, via NBC.
That is what’s wrong, and that’s what
infuriates people. And this will not hold up
in court if this is what he wants to do, Kevin McCarthy, Republican House Speaker, via NBC.
On March 18, Trump posted to Truth Social
that "illegal leaks" suggest that the former
president will be arrested on March 21. .
On March 18, Trump posted to Truth Social
that "illegal leaks" suggest that the former
president will be arrested on March 21. .
New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg has been
investigating alleged hush-money payments made to
adult film star Stormy Daniels amid his 2016 campaign.
New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg has been
investigating alleged hush-money payments made to
adult film star Stormy Daniels amid his 2016 campaign.
New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg has been
investigating alleged hush-money payments made to
adult film star Stormy Daniels amid his 2016 campaign.
NBC reports that multiple sources have claimed that
law enforcement in New York were poised to act on
a potential indictment of Trump later this week
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Minnesota Power Plant, Leak Occurred in November, , Public Made Aware in March.
On March 16, regulators in Minnesota said
they were monitoring the cleanup of a leak
of 400,000 gallons of radioactive water.
NBC reports that Xcel Energy's
Monticello nuclear power plant said
that there was no danger to public health.
Xcel Energy took swift action
to contain the leak to the plant site,
which poses no health and safety
risk to the local community
or the environment, Xcel Energy, via statement.
According to NBC, while the leak was reported
to federal authorities in late November,
the public was not notified until March 16.
State officials claim they
waited to notify the public while
they gathered more information.
We knew there was a presence
of tritium in one monitoring well,
however Xcel had not yet identified
the source of the leak and its location, Michael Rafferty, Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency spokesman, via NBC.
Now that we have all the information
about where the leak occurred, how
much was released into groundwater,
and that contaminated groundwater
had moved beyond the original location,
we are sharing this information, Michael Rafferty, Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency spokesman, via NBC.
Xcel, which notified the state of the leak on November 22,
said they have been pumping groundwater, while
also storing and processing contaminated water. .
Ongoing monitoring from over two dozen
on-site monitoring wells confirms that
the leaked water is fully contained on-site
and has not been detected beyond
the facility or in any local drinking water, Xcel Energy, via statement.
According to the company, the water
being stored and processed contains
tritium levels below federal limits
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Credit Suisse Receives, $54 Billion Lifeline Loan.
On March 16, Credit Suisse announced
that it will take out a $54 billion
loan from Switzerland's central bank.
NBC reports that the move comes amid fears of a , global banking crisis.
Following the collapse of two major banks in
the United States, investors have signaled widespread
concerns regarding the stability of the financial sector.
Following the collapse of two major banks in
the United States, investors have signaled widespread
concerns regarding the stability of the financial sector.
Credit Suisse, the second-largest commercial lender in Switzerland, saw its stock recover by about 20% following its loan announcement.
Credit Suisse, the second-largest commercial lender in Switzerland, saw its stock recover by about 20% following its loan announcement.
The move reversed course on
a steep decline in the wake of the collapses
of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.
The move reversed course on
a steep decline in the wake of the collapses
of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.
NBC reports that a number of midsized and regional
banks remain under pressure, including
First Republic, PacWest and Western Alliance. .
Earlier this week, First Republic's stock
was downgraded to junk status by two
major credit rating agencies. .
Following the downgrade, stock
in First Republic plunged 35%.
Meanwhile, stock in regional banks
PacWest and Western Alliance
was down 17% and 11%, respectively.
The banking instability has sent ripples through
Wall Street, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average
down nearly 200 points early on March 16. .
The banking instability has sent ripples through
Wall Street, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average
down nearly 200 points early on March 16.
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Transportation Secretary Urges, US to Take Action Regarding , Air Travel Safety.
Transportation Secretary Urges, US to Take Action Regarding , Air Travel Safety.
On March 15, U.S. Transportation Secretary
Pete Buttigieg warned that the nation's air system
is at risk, citing recent near-miss aviation incidents. .
On March 15, U.S. Transportation Secretary
Pete Buttigieg warned that the nation's air system
is at risk, citing recent near-miss aviation incidents. .
NBC reports that Buttigieg issued the warning
while speaking at an air safety summit
held by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
NBC reports that Buttigieg issued the warning
while speaking at an air safety summit
held by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
According to the transportation chief,
there are indications that the U.S. air system
is under considerable strain.
We can't wait for the next
catastrophic event when we
can see the warning signs today, Pete Buttigieg, Federal Aviation Administration
Safety Summit, via NBC.
NBC reports that the FAA's safety summit comes following
a number of recent runway mishaps and other near
disasters that have shaken the aviation industry.
Jennifer Homendy,
chair of the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB),
also appeared at the summit. .
Homendy reportedly cited six serious runway
incidents that have occurred since January.
According to Homendy, the NTSB is also investigating two
wrong-runway incidents dating back to last June,
which occurred in Burbank, California, and Pittsburgh.
Homendy warned that the recent incidents serve
as a "wake-up call" for the aviation industry.
Echoing Buttigieg's sentiments, Homendy
lamented that actions are often only taken
after a catastrophe has already occurred
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
US Government Files Lawsuit , Against Rite Aid for Contributing to , the Opioid Crisis.
On March 13, the United States government sued Rite Aid Corp,
claiming that the pharmacy chain missed "red flags" while filling
hundreds of thousands of prescriptions for controlled substances.
On March 13, the United States government sued Rite Aid Corp,
claiming that the pharmacy chain missed "red flags" while filling
hundreds of thousands of prescriptions for controlled substances.
NBC reports that the complaint filed by the Department of Justice alleges that prescriptions were filled that were medically unnecessary.
NBC reports that the complaint filed by the Department of Justice alleges that prescriptions were filled that were medically unnecessary.
The complaint also alleges that these prescriptions
for controlled substances, including opioids,
were filled between May of 2014 and June of 2019.
The Justice Department is using
every tool at our disposal to confront
the opioid epidemic that is killing
Americans and shattering
communities across the country, Merrick Garland, United States Attorney General, via NBC.
According to the lawsuit, Rite Aid pharmacists ignored obvious signs of abuse and intentionally deleted
internal warnings regarding suspicious prescribers.
According to the lawsuit, Rite Aid pharmacists ignored obvious signs of abuse and intentionally deleted
internal warnings regarding suspicious prescribers.
One of the nation's largest
pharmacy chains, Rite Aid, operates
over 2,330 stores across 17 states.
'NYT' reports that the Justice Department also accuses
the pharmacy chain of violating the federal False
Claims Act in regard to government healthcare programs.
Along with Rite Aid, the Justice Department has also filed
lawsuits against Walmart Inc and drug distributor
AmerisourceBergen Corp for their alleged roles in the opioid crisis.
Along with Rite Aid, the Justice Department has also filed
lawsuits against Walmart Inc and drug distributor
AmerisourceBergen Corp for their alleged roles in the opioid crisis.
Between 1999 and 2020, over 500,000 people
died of drug overdoses in the United States. .
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, in 2020 alone,
over 90,000 people died from overdoses
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Norfolk Southern CEO , Appears Before Congress as Another , Train Derails in Alabama.
Norfolk Southern CEO , Appears Before Congress as Another , Train Derails in Alabama.
On March 9, a Norfolk Southern train derailed in Alabama
on the same day that the company's CEO appeared before
Congress in connection with another derailment in Ohio. .
On March 9, a Norfolk Southern train derailed in Alabama
on the same day that the company's CEO appeared before
Congress in connection with another derailment in Ohio. .
HuffPost reports that both company and local officials
have said that the most recent derailment
in Alabama does not pose a threat to the public.
Connor Spielmaker, a spokesman for Norfolk Southern,
said that none of the 37 train cars that derailed in Calhoun
County, Alabama, were carrying hazardous materials.
Connor Spielmaker, a spokesman for Norfolk Southern,
said that none of the 37 train cars that derailed in Calhoun
County, Alabama, were carrying hazardous materials.
According to Spielmaker, while two of the cars involved
are "residue" cars that previously contained hazardous
materials, they were not compromised in the derailment.
They did not breach.
There is no hazardous material leak.
There is no risk at all to the public, Connor Spielmaker Spokesman for Norfolk Southern, via HuffPost.
The director of the Calhoun County Emergency
Management Agency, Myles Chamblee, said that
no injuries or road blockages had been reported.
At the time of the derailment in Alabama, CEO Alan Shaw was answering questions regarding last month's derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which involved hazardous materials.
At the time of the derailment in Alabama, CEO Alan Shaw was answering questions regarding last month's derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which involved hazardous materials.
ABC reports that while appearing before Congress,
Norfolk Southern's CEO declined to say if the company
would compensate people in affected communities. .
ABC reports that while appearing before Congress,
Norfolk Southern's CEO declined to say if the company
would compensate people in affected communities. .
That includes any long-term
medical costs, testing or
economic damage.
He also reportedly declined to commit to
the proposed Railway Safety Act, which would
guarantee rail workers seven paid sick days a year.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Analysis Finds , Alarming Link Between , Race and Air Pollution in the US.
A recent analysis by 'The Guardian' took a look at
the places with the worst air pollution in the United States.
Here are some of the areas that made the list.
Birmingham, Alabama, According to the analysis,
one of the nation's most racially-segregated
cities is also one of the most polluted.
Central Atlanta, Similar to Birmingham, the analysis found
that in the most-polluted parts of the city near
interstates and the busiest air terminal in the U.S.,
Black people comprise the largest racial group.
Central Atlanta, Similar to Birmingham, the analysis found
that in the most-polluted parts of the city near
interstates and the busiest air terminal in the U.S.,
Black people comprise the largest racial group.
It’s true all over the country that,
a lot of the time, we put our highways
through African American communities.
That’s the story these maps tell, Brian Gist, an attorney with the Atlanta-based
Southern Environmental Law Center, via 'The Guardian'.
Central Pennsylvania, 'The Guardian' reports that this area has a lot of agriculture,
a transportation thoroughfare and industries that
include plastic manufacturing and metal fabrication.
Central Pennsylvania, 'The Guardian' reports that this area has a lot of agriculture,
a transportation thoroughfare and industries that
include plastic manufacturing and metal fabrication.
St. Louis Metro, According to 'The Guardian' analysis, the populations
in neighborhoods with the highest PM2.5 levels, or fine
particles of air pollution, were found to be 52% Black.
St. Louis Metro, According to 'The Guardian' analysis, the populations
in neighborhoods with the highest PM2.5 levels, or fine
particles of air pollution, were found to be 52% Black.
Houston, Similar to other U.S. pollution hotspots,
80% of residents in Houston's most
polluted tracts are people of color.
Houston, Similar to other U.S. pollution hotspots,
80% of residents in Houston's most
polluted tracts are people of color.
The polluting facilities are all located in our
neighborhoods. And then when we start
looking at which communities are most likely
to have elevated asthma, respiratory
problems, diabetes, heart disease, stroke
or COVID, it’s like, ‘Oh my God, it’s the same
map!’ That’s what we’re mad about, Robert Bullard, environmentalist and professor at Texas Southern University, via 'The Guardian'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
This Day in History:, New Orleanians Take to
the Streets for Mardi Gras.
February 27, 1827.
Groups of masked students
danced in the streets,
marking the beginnings of the
city's Mardi Gras celebrations.
The Mardi Gras celebration
was brought to the region by French
settlers towards the end of the 1600s.
By the time students in
New Orleans danced in the
streets in costumes and masks.
the celebration of Carnival
had been popular in Mobile, AL,
for more than 100 years.
The New Orleans student
celebrations were inspired by their Paris studies.
Within five years, a French plantation
owner had begun raising money
to fund the celebration.
The first fully organized
Mardi Gras occurred in 1857
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 00:50Published
10 , Mardi Gras Facts .
1, The official colors of Mardi Gras are purple (justice), gold (power) and green (faith).
2, Mardi Gras is also known as Fat Tuesday because it’s the last day to indulge before Lent, a 40 day fasting period.
3, Mobile, Alabama, was the first place in the United States to celebrate Mardi Gras.
4. , The first Mardi Gras parade in
New Orleans was in 1837.
5, The Carnival season starts on
January 6 and ends on Mardi Gras.
6. , Mardi Gras is a state holiday in Alabama, Florida and Louisiana.
7. , It is illegal to ride on a
float without a mask.
8. , If you find a small plastic baby inside your slice of king cake, you have to buy the cake or host the party next year.
9, Parades and floats are organized by social groups known as krewes.
10. , Aside from beads, each krewe
has a signature "throw," such
as hand-painted coconuts
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:17Published