WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: FEMA is monitoring Tropical Storm Francine as it rapidly approaches southeast Texas and portions of Louisiana, bringing heavy rain, flooding and life-threatening storm surge. People in the storm's potential path should closely monitor the weather, follow directions from local officials and evacuate immediately if told to do so. The National Hurricane Center ha  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: As Tropical Storm Francine rapidly strengthens and moves toward Louisiana, FEMA is urging people across the state and the Gulf Coast to prepare now for potentially life-threatening impacts. Francine's projected path poses a serious threat to Louisiana and upper Texas coastline, expecting to make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday. The National Hu  more

BARKSDALE AFB, Louisiana, Sept. 11 -- The U.S. Air Force Barksdale Air Force Base issued the following news: By Senior Airman Seth Watson, 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs In a significant shift towards enhancing combat readiness, the 2nd Bomb Wing activated two new bomber generation squadrons on August 22, 2024. The 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was deactivated and split into the 20th and 96th BGSs. This move is part of a mission-specific maintenance transformation aimed at increasing operat  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: Today, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell travelled to Louisiana and met with Gov. Jeff Landry and other state and local officials. Officials surveyed damage caused by Hurricane Francine and met with impacted individuals. The visit includes stops in areas most affected by the storm to assess the situation and address immediate recovery needs. "I am here today   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued the following news release: Federal health care personnel, resources at-the-ready to support impact areas U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra has declared a Public Health Emergency (PHEs) for Louisianaopens in a new tab to address the health impacts of Hurricane Francine. The declaration follows President Biden's emergency declaration for Louisiana opens in a new taband gives  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- The White House Office of Management and Budget issued the following statement of administration policy on Sept. 9, 2024, on the Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2025 (H.R. 9494), which was introduced by Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Louisiana: * * * The Administration strongly opposes House passage of H.R. 9494, making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2025, and for other purposes. Instead of working in a bipartisan manner to keep the Government open and  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- The White House issued the following news release on Sept. 10, 2024: Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that an emergency exists in the State of Louisiana and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Francine beginning on September 10, 2024, and continuing. The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release: FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Louisiana to supplement response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Francine beginning Sept. 10, 2024, and continuing. The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emer  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (TNSrep) -- The Veterans Affairs Inspector General issued the following oversight report (No. 23-02907-216) on Sept. 3, 2024, entitled "Follow-up Financial Efficiency Inspection of the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System in New Orleans." Here are excerpts: * * * Executive Summary In 2019, the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) started a financial efficiency inspection program. These inspections assess stewardship and oversight of funds at Veterans Health Ad  more