Receive the morning news briefs delivered to your email inbox every morning. Click here to sign up.
Congress Considering Nearly $1.7B Florence Relief Package
Congress is starting to consider almost $1.7 billion in new money to aid recovery efforts from Florence.
Lawmakers already are facing a deadline this week to fund the government before the start of the new budget year Oct. 1, and members of Congress will try to act on the disaster relief along with separate legislation to fund the government.
The chairman of the House Appropriations Committee says the money would be available as grants to states to help rebuild housing and public works, and assist businesses as they recover from the storm.
Florence: Severe Flooding Feared Near South Carolina Coast
Rivers swelling with the floodwaters of former Hurricane Florence are threatening to swamp communities near the South Carolina coast, leaving thousands ready to evacuate.
More than a week after Florence crashed into the Carolinas, all the water from heavy rains is nearing the coast. Authorities in Georgetown County, South Carolina, say they've put up to 8,000 people on alert for possible evacuations starting Monday in expectation of a "record event" of up to 10 feet floodwaters.
Insurance Camps To Be Set Up In Flood-Battered NC
Insurance camps will be held this week in two flood-battered communities in North Carolina to help storm victims recover from Hurricane Florence.
State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said representatives from approximately 20 insurance companies and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will set up Tuesday in a village-like setting at a Lowe's store parking lot in New Bern. Agents will answer questions and help file insurance claims.
On Wednesday, the camp will be set up at a Lowe's parking lot in Jacksonville.
Interstate 95 Reopened Across North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper has announced that Interstate 95 has been reopened to all traffic within the state.
Cooper announced the surprise development Sunday night in a news release.
The major highway runs north-south across the eastern part of the state and runs just east of Fayetteville. Officials had thought portions of the highway would continue to be underwater for days, but Cooper said floodwaters had receded faster than expected.
Parts of the highway had been closed since Sept. 15 due to Hurricane Florence.
Groups Banding Together To Oppose All 6 Amendment Questions
Several election advocacy and civil rights groups often critical of North Carolina Republican legislative policies are working to fight all six constitutional referendums GOP lawmakers put on fall ballots.
The North Carolina NAACP, Democracy North Carolina, ACLU of North Carolina and North Carolina Voters for Clean Elections planned a Monday news conference in Raleigh to unveil their "By The People" campaign. The effort will include paid advertising, community events and grassroots organizing.
Lawmakers agreed to submit to voters questions on whether to alter how judicial vacancies are filled and the composition of the state elections and ethics board. Other amendments would require photo identification to vote, lower the cap on income tax rates, expand crime victims' rights and enshrine the right to hunt and fish.
300x250 Ad
300x250 Ad