News
FEMA Asks Katrina Victims For Its Money Back
FEMA is seeking to recover more than $385 million it says was improperly paid to victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.
Hurricane Katrina was one of the most devastating hurricane’s the country has seen in the past decade. Four years later, victims struggle to piece together and build a new life.
The initial response to the hurricane was poor and it is upsetting the little effort done to restore the area.
Some Hurricane Katrina victims may have repay
Now FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is trying to retrieve “accidental payments” to those who shouldn’t have received payments, according to reports. To date, FEMA has mailed out nearly 83,000 debt notices.
As the associated press reports,
FEMA is seeking to recover more than $385 million it says was improperly paid to victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. The debts, which average about $4,622 per recipient, represent slightly less than 5 percent of the roughly $8 billion that FEMA distributed after the storms. At least some of the overpayments were due to FEMA employees’ own mistakes, ranging from clerical errors to failing to interview applicants, according to congressional testimony.
But the agency says it is required by law to make an effort to recover improper payments, even if the recipient wasn’t at fault. Last week, however, Congress approved legislation that would allow FEMA to waive many of the debts. President Barack Obama signed the measure — part of a $1 trillion spending package — into law last Friday.
News
5-year-old helps save his family from house fire
5-year-old Juwan Perry Jr. is being held a hero after saving his family from a house fire. Juwan’s mom says if it wasn’t for her son they likely wouldn’t have survived.
5-year-old Juwan Perry Jr is being held a hero after alerting his mother to a house fire, saving his family lives.
5-year-old saves family
On Apr. 5th around 4:40 am, Juwan woke up to the smell of smoke in his home in Warren, Michigan.
He said he saw flames and called for his mother.
His screams came just in time, and his mom Brittany was able to get all seven of the children in the home outside to safety.
Juwan’s mom says if it wasn’t for her son they likely wouldn’t have survived.
As for Juwan, he told WXYZ-TV his motivation for helping save his family despite the fear. “Because I love everybody,” he said.
The Warren Fire Department got the fire under control but the home is a total loss.
To help in recovering from this devastating loss, a GoFundMe has been launched to support them during this challenging time.
News
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake strikes northeastern United States
A magnitude 4.8 earthquake in Lebanon, New Jersey shook the northeastern United States on Friday morning.
A magnitude 4.8 earthquake shook the northeastern United States on Friday morning.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the 4.8-magnitude earthquake was detected near Lebanon, New Jersey, at 10:23 a.m. Friday.
The earthquake was felt in New Hampshire down to Maryland.
According to the Richter scale, which is used to measure earthquake magnitude, they considered the event a “light” earthquake. Still, the geological survey posted on X that it was “notable.” They went on further to say earthquakes are “uncommon but not unheard of along the Atlantic Coast”.
It’s not yet clear if anyone was hurt in Friday’s quake.
News
9-year-old cancer survivor killed in tragic school bus accident
A family is in mourning after a 9-year-old cancer survivor was tragically killed in an accident in Orlando.
A family is in mourning after a 9-year-old cancer survivor was tragically killed in an accident in Orlando, Florida.
9-year-old cancer survivor tragically killed
Elyas Amyr Marshall-Rodriguez got off the bus Tuesday afternoon and, as he was walking away from the bus, he dropped his football when he crawled under the bus to get it and the vehicle began moving.
Marshall-Rodriguez was in remission for leukemia when he was killed on Tuesday after being diagnosed at 2-years-old, according to his family who spoke at his vigil.
He loved life
“He was the life of the party,” said Trenae Gayle, Marshall-Rodriguez’ cousin. “He loved football; he loved basketball. He loved all sports.”
The family has set up a GoFundMe.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the incident and the investigation is currently ongoing.
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