Latest Emergency management News
Iowa's State Board of Health too short of members to meet
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state board meant to help oversee the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic has not met since May because it does not have enough members. Seven of the 11 seats on the Iowa State Board of Health are vacant, The Des Moines Register...
Severe drought conditions bring North Dakota back in history
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Drought is no stranger to North Dakota. The state’s history includes several extended dry periods called megadroughts, including the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and a six-year stretch in the late 1980s. Even as recently as 2017, the state has...
Kansas will continue extended federal unemployment benefits
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will not stop paying extended federal unemployment benefits that started during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Laura Kelly said. Business groups, companies and Republican leaders have been pressuring Kelly to end the benefits, which include...
Congressman: Federal virus aid wasn't for elected officials
CORUNNA, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan congressman is criticizing COVID-19 bonuses awarded to county commissioners and other elected officials in Shiawassee County. "American Rescue Plan dollars were intended to help frontline workers and families impacted by the pandemic,...
Gov signs bill allowing eateries to continue outdoor dining
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Gov. Dan McKee has signed into law legislation allowing restaurants to continue to use COVID-19 modifications, including outdoor dining and takeout windows. The legislation imposes a moratorium on the enforcement of any municipal ordinance or...
England quarantine rules being relaxed to avoid shortages
LONDON (AP) — The British government has sought to ease food supply pressures in England by exempting more than 10,000 workers from quarantine rules that led to staff shortages and empty shelves and fears of panic-buying. However, it has come under criticism Friday for...
Montana National Guard mobilized to support firefighting
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Gov. Greg Gianforte mobilized the Montana National Guard Thursday to assist in wildfire response as the entire state faces abnormally dry conditions contributing to fire risk. The governor ordered two helicopter support crews, including 24 soldiers,...
US health secretary implores the unvaccinated to get shots
LAS VEGAS (AP) — U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra delivered a stark warning Thursday about the coronavirus pandemic, imploring people to get the COVID-19 vaccine as he visited Las Vegas, a hot spot of rising infections, hospitalizations and deaths. ...
Southwest sees milestone after booking unaided June profit
DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines said Thursday that it turned a profit in June without assistance from the government, a monthly result the company is calling a milestone in its recovery from the pandemic. For the full April-June second quarter, the airline's net income...
Vermont receives $524M as first half of COVID relief money
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The state of Vermont received $524 million in COVID-19 relief money Thursday, the first half of the just over $1 billion the state will receive from the federal government to help recover from the pandemic. As part of the state's allotment from...
