coastal home destroyed and tipped onto its side

Federal disaster programs could run out of money as hurricane approaches Florida

The federal government’s disaster relief programs face financial strain as Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm, threatens Florida, following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.

Thomas Frank reports for POLITICO.

In short:

FEMA’s disaster fund, flood insurance and the SBA’s disaster loan program could run out of money within weeks.
Congress has been reluctant to allocate more funds, with key lawmakers refusing to reconvene before the November election.
Over 31 million people are in declared disaster zones due to recent hurricanes, raising concerns about long-term recovery funding.

Key quote:

“The frequency and intensity of disasters continue to increase every year, and the number of federal disaster declarations continues to rise in parallel.”

— Carrie Speranza, president of the International Association of Emergency Managers.

Why this matters:

As climate change intensifies disasters, federal programs are struggling to keep up with recovery costs. Without urgent funding, millions of Americans may face delays in rebuilding essential infrastructure, homes and businesses after catastrophic events.

www.politico.com

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.

a bridge that is lit up at night with wave breaking on a nearby lake shore in foreground.

Credit: Brad Switzer/Unsplash

Tribes exit pipeline negotiations in Michigan over lack of consultation

Seven Indigenous nations in Michigan have walked away from federal talks over a proposed oil pipeline tunnel, citing a lack of meaningful engagement and treaty violations.

Izzy Ross reports for Grist and Interlochen Public Radio.

In short:

The tribes oppose Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel project, which would replace part of a 72-year-old pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac, a critical freshwater corridor between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
Their withdrawal follows the Army Corps of Engineers’ move to fast-track permitting under President Trump’s energy emergency order, which tribes say dismisses their environmental and legal concerns.
Tribal leaders and legal advocates argue that the project threatens water resources and violates both U.S. treaty obligations and international law requiring Indigenous consent.

Key quote:

“Tribal Nations are no longer willing to expend their time and resources as Cooperating Agencies just so their participation may be used by the Corps to lend credibility to a flawed [Environmental Impact Statement] process and document.”

— Letter from seven Indigenous nations to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Why this matters:

Buried beneath the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron converge, Line 5 has become a flashpoint in the battle over fossil fuel infrastructure, Indigenous sovereignty, and environmental protection. The aging oil and gas pipeline — operated by Canadian energy giant Enbridge — moves millions of gallons of crude and natural gas liquids daily through a region that holds 20% of the planet’s surface freshwater. A proposed tunnel to house a replacement segment beneath the lakebed has drawn fierce opposition from tribal nations, who warn it risks catastrophic spills and continued desecration of sacred territory.

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Federal disaster programs could run out of money as hurricane approaches Florida

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