Congress Cuts Data.gov Funding

There has been a public outcry that democracy in the U.S. could be in danger - due to cuts to sites like Data.gov.

Sources:The Sunlight FoundationScribdGoodThe Guardian

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By Julia Corderoy

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Libyan Transitional Gov't Won't Extradite Lockerbie Bomber

The rebels' National Transitional Council has denied calls for the extradition of Abdel al-Megrahi, better known as the Lockerbie bomber.

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By Tracy Pfeiffer

Anchor: Megan Murphy

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FEMA Reroutes Funds from Joplin

FEMA will re-assign money for long-term projects in tornado-devastated Joplin, Mo. in order to assist victims of Hurricane Irene.

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By Victoria Craig

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President Obama Announces New Economic Adviser

Nominates Alan Krueger to chair the Council of Economic Advisers.

Addabbo: 'Now the Work Begins'

Senator Provides Statement on the Effects of Hurricane Irene

New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr., today released the following statement on the effects of Hurricane Irene on his district:

Before Irene hit our area, my staff and I drove around the district and we were pleased to see how prepared people were in bracing for the hurricane. I believe this was a direct result of the media and governmental leaders like Governor Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg repeatedly stressing the severity of the storm.

During the storm, I monitored the constituent calls received by my 24-hour live operator service and most inquiries were regarding possible evacuation procedures, trees, and electrical service issues.

On Sunday afternoon, I went throughout the district assessing the damage left by Irene. As I spoke to residents, many felt the damage could have been worse. I identified and reported specific roads with downed trees and wires. Areas suffering loss of utility services were also reported to the appropriate agency. Everyone in my district was impacted in some way by Hurricane Irene.

While some northern communities in my district like Middle Village experienced black-outs, the mid-district areas of Forest Park, Kew Gardens and Woodhaven had several fallen trees and downed utility poles, in addition to severe flooding that occurred in the southern communities of Howard Beach, especially Hamilton Beach, along with some power outages in Ozone Park.

Now the work begins. My staff and I will assist constituents as they recover from the storm; many of my residents are still without electrical power and utility services. Efforts must be made to ensure that FEMA rightfully compensates residents for the damage done to their property.

I intend to work with the offices of the mayor, the governor, FEMA and others to expedite surveys and reimbursements. This week I will also examine the issue of flood zoning classifications within my district for certain areas, such as Hamilton Beach, and seek changes--only if such changes would benefit my constituents.

Newsy Now: News Round-Up

Mosque bombing in Baghdad; Libyan rebels head to Sirte; Aftermath of Irene; Halo 4 preview released.

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By Tracy Pfeiffer

Anchor: Christina Hartman

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CIA Drones Kill al-Qaeda No. 2

CIA drones killed al-Qaeda's second-ranking figure, Atiyah Abd al-Rahman, in Pakistan.

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By Lee Jian Chung

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Cuomo: 'People Should File an Insurance Claim as Quickly as Possible to Help Protect Their Financial Future'

Immediate Steps New Yorkers Should Take Regarding Hurricane Property Losses and Insurance Claims

Governor Andrew Cuomo has provided advice to New Yorkers on what to do if they suffered property damage from Hurricane Irene.

"The days following a natural disaster can be confusing and stressful, but it is important for those who have suffered property damage to file an insurance claim as quickly as possible to help protect their financial future," Governor Cuomo said.

Benjamin Lawsky, Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services, who oversees the State Insurance Department, said, "We will do everything we can to help people who suffered damage from the storm recover and get their lives back on track as quickly as possible. The purpose of insurance is to help people rebuild and we will be working to see that process does as smoothly as possible."

Governor Cuomo and Superintendent Lawsky suggested the following measures for New Yorkers with property losses:

The first step to getting your home restored is to contact your insurance company and/or agent with your policy number and other relevant information. Be aware that your policy might require that you make this notification within a certain time frame.

Take photographs or video of the damage before clean-up or repairs. After you've documented the damage, make repairs necessary to prevent further damage to your property, such as covering broken windows, leaking roofs and damaged walls. DO NOT have permanent repairs made until your insurance company has inspected the property and you have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs. Be prepared to provide the claims adjuster with records of any improvements you made prior to the damage. Save all receipts, including those from the temporary repairs.

If your home is damaged to the extent that you cannot live there, ask your insurance company or insurance agent if you have coverage for additional living expenses.

Ask what documents, forms and data you will need to file the claim. Keep a diary of all conversations you have with the insurance company and your insurance agent, including names, times and dates of the calls or visits and contact details.

Be certain to give your insurance company all the information they need. Incorrect or incomplete information may cause a delay in processing your claim.

If the first offer made by the insurance company does not meet your expectations, be prepared to negotiate. If there is a disagreement about the claim, ask the company for the specific language in the policy in question and determine why you and the company interpret your policy differently. If you believe you are being treated unfairly, contact the Insurance Department at www.ins.state.ny.us. You can file a complaint about an insurance company at http://www.ins.state.ny.us/complhow.htm.

Consumers should contact their insurance company, agent or broker to get answers to specific questions about their policies. Consumers who need further help should feel free to contact the New York State Insurance Department’s Consumer Services Bureau at 800-342-3736 which operates from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Disaster related calls only should go to the Department’s disaster hotline at 800-339-1759, which will be open starting Monday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for as long as needed

Governor Cuomo and Superintendent Lawsky have also mobilized the State Insurance Department to help New Yorkers with their claims. The Department has:

Opened the Department’s disaster hotline at 800-339-1759, which will be open starting Monday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for as long as needed.

Put all companies that sell homeowners’ and auto insurance on alert to be prepared to handle claims.

Sent staff to join other state and local agencies at the state and at local emergency operations centers.

Initiated the Insurance Emergency Operations Center.

Is sending the Department’s mobile unit to hard hit locations to provide on the spot assistance for consumers.

In addition, health insurance companies have been instructed to accommodate consumers who had to evacuate their homes and as a result have to seek care from out-of-network doctors or other health providers.

The Insurance Department’s online “Homeowner’s Resource Center” offers detailed information and a number of useful tools consumers may find helpful. It can be found at the following location on the Insurance Department’s website, http://www.ins.state.ny.us/hmonindx.htm.

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FEMA to Include 10 More NY Counties in Emergency Declaration

Additional State Resources Directed to Counties With Severe Flooding and Evacuations

Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved an additional ten counties to receive federal assistance as a result of Hurricane Irene.

The initial declaration included the five boroughs as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island. Today FEMA added Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties for emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance.

"Although the storm is now moving out of New York, we must turn our focus on cleaning up and providing assistance where it is needed," Governor Cuomo said.

"This FEMA declaration will direct additional resources to areas impacted by the storm and aid in the emergency response efforts. I urge all New Yorkers to continue to exercise extreme caution in the days ahead."

Governor Cuomo has also directed members of the National Guard and personnel from the State Police and Department of Environmental Conservation to Greene and Schoharie Counties where severe flash flooding has stranded residents. Evacuations have been ordered by local officials anticipating more flooding. Officials in Schoharie County have ordered the immediate evacuation of residents in the villages of Schoharie and Middleburgh.

Approximately 100 National Guard personnel were directed to Greene County to assist with the protection of life in the face of flash-flooding. Another 210 were directed to Schoharie County. Humvees, high-clearance vehicles and dozens of pieces of heavy construction equipment will be used to clear roads so that evacuations can take place. Approximately 35 State Police personnel were also dispatched.

FEMA Official: 'Regardless of its Status as Hurricane or Tropical Storm, Irene is Still Very Large and Dangerous'

FEMA Urges Residents to Continue Following the Directions of Local Officials

WASHINGTON - As Tropical Storm Irene moves up the East Coast, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to coordinate closely with state, tribal and local officials to ensure they have the resources they need for immediate response efforts.

FEMA urges all residents along the coast to continue to follow the directions of state and local officials, prepare for flash flooding and severe weather, and take precautions when returning to their homes or businesses.

As FEMA continues coordinating closely with all its federal, state, tribal and local partners, as well as private sector groups, faith-based and voluntary organizations, and other partners, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate continue to provide daily briefings to President Obama on these efforts.

This morning, the President convened a video teleconference call in the White House Situation Room to receive an update on the storm and its impacts. Vice President Biden, Chief of Staff Daley, DHS Secretary Napolitano, Treasury Secretary Geithner, Transportation Secretary LaHood, Energy Secretary Chu, FEMA Administrator Fugate, Homeland Security Advisor Brennan and other senior White House officials participated in the call.

Under the direction of President Obama and Secretary Janet Napolitano, the entire federal family is leaning forward to support our state, tribal and territorial partners along the East Coast. FEMA has been in constant contact, through its regional offices (in Atlanta, Boston, New York City and Philadelphia), with the governors and local officials of communities along the East Coast.

The President has signed pre-disaster emergency declarations for the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia, making available federal support to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety.

Yesterday, the President also declared a major disaster for Puerto Rico, which makes federal disaster assistance available to affected individuals to help cover damage to their properties or other personal losses caused by Irene.

Although the National Hurricane Center has indicated that Irene has weakened to a Tropical Storm, residents in the Northeast still need to prepare for severe weather and flooding, a point Administrator Fugate emphasized at a press conference Sunday with Secretary Napolitano.

"Regardless of its status as hurricane or tropical storm, Irene is still very large and dangerous, and those in its path need to be prepared for severe weather, including the risks of flash flooding," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.

"As the storm begins to subside in some areas, it's important to continue to follow the directions of state and local officials, avoid downed power lines and flooded roads, and of course wait for the all clear before returning home."

Emergency shelters remain open in coordination with states, localities and the Red Cross along the East Coast up to New England. The Red Cross has shelter information available for residents who need to know where they can go. This information continues to be updated at www.redcross.org.

As evacuated areas begin to reopen, it is understandable that residents of those states will be anxious to return home following the storm, but it's important to be patient and to wait for the all clear from local officials. There may be hazards such as downed power lines, road closures, roads or bridges that are impassable, and non-working traffic lights. Drivers should never attempt to traverse flooded streets, as it takes only two feet of rush water to carry away most vehicles, including pickups and SUVs.

It's also important to remember that those living inland can still experience flash flooding and other severe weather, as well as power outages. The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that portable generators should never be used indoors or in garages, basements or sheds. The exhaust from generators contains high levels of carbon monoxide that can quickly incapacitate and kill.

FEMA currently has proactively positioned a total of eighteen Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs) along the coast to coordinate with state, tribal and local officials to identify needs and shortfalls affecting potential disaster response and recovery.

Six national urban search and rescue teams remain on alert in the event that search and rescue support is needed, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has deployed a total of five Disaster Medical Assistance Teams to staging areas.

Federal and state teams are working together to begin assessments of damages in North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland, and will begin doing so soon in other states hit by the storm, as soon as affected areas are safe to access. FEMA community relations teams are fanning out to shelters in affected areas in North Carolina and are being mobilized to support other states affected by Irene to help inform disaster survivors about available services and resources.

The U.S. Department of Defense has positioned defense coordinating officers at FEMA's national response coordination center in Washington, D.C., and in FEMA regional response coordination centers in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Atlanta to support and coordinate any requests for defense assets and personnel.

In advance of Hurricane Irene, the Department of Defense is also supporting Incident Support Bases at Fort Bragg, N.C., and Westover Army Reserve Base and Joint Base McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst, N.J., for FEMA to stage commodities.

More than 1,200 National Guard men and women across seven states were called up to help coordination with Hurricane Irene efforts, and there are more than 83,000 National Guard personnel available in the affected states that can be activated to assist with hurricane relief efforts if needed.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has personnel in place at FEMA's national response coordination center and in the FEMA regional response coordination centers. The USACE also has power response teams in place in North Carolina, New Jersey, Maryland, and Massachusetts, and is prepared to deploy debris and roofing response teams to assist state and local partners as they work to restore power to affected areas.

At all times, FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets. These items are strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States and its territories. In Atlanta, for instance, FEMA has more than two million liters of water, 1.3 million meals, 16,000 cots and 56,000 blankets.

As the storm clears, FEMA will begin conducting joint preliminary damage assessments with state partners in the affected states, and will continue to coordinate with states and the private sector to support power restoration efforts and debris removal.

FEMA encourages everyone, regardless of where they live, to take steps to ensure their families, homes and businesses are prepared for a possible emergency.

As a reminder, the month of September is designated as National Preparedness Month (NPM). This serves as an opportunity to encourage Americans to be prepared for disasters or emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities.

Individuals and families can learn about events and activities, and groups can register to become a NPM Coalition Member by visiting http://community.fema.gov. NPM is sponsored by the Ready Campaign in partnership with Citizen Corps and The Ad Council.

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Author: Ysangkok
Permission: Public Domain

President Convenes Meeting on Hurricane Irene

President Barack Obama receives an update on Hurricane Irene in the Situation Room of the White House, August 27, 2011. Clockwise from left, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood; Richard Reed, Special Assistant to the President for Homeland Security; Nick Shapiro, senior policy advisor to John Brennan; John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security; and Chief of Staff BIll Daley. Onscreen are FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Joing by phone are Vice President Joe Biden, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Energy Secretary Steven Chu. (Click to enlarge image.)

Meets with Key Administration Officials for Briefing

The President convened a video teleconference at 10:30 a.m. this morning in the White House Situation Room so that he could receive an update on the impact of Hurricane Irene. Vice President Biden, Chief of Staff Daley, DHS Secretary Napolitano, Treasury Secretary Geithner, Transportation Secretary LaHood, Energy Secretary Chu, FEMA Administrator Fugate, Homeland Security Advisor Brennan and other senior White House officials participated in the call.

The President was updated on the response and recovery efforts that are currently underway in coordination with state and local officials as well as the status of critical energy and transportation infrastructure in areas that have been impacted as well as areas that continue to be impacted by this storm.

He was updated on FEMA’s support to state and local partners as important damage assessments begin in areas where the storm has passed. The President asked Secretary Napolitano and Administrator Fugate to continue to be in touch with Governors and local leadership up and down the East Coast.

The President directed that all federal efforts on response and recovery operations underway continue, and he will recovene the team this evening.

Photo source: The White House

Author: Pete Souza

Copyright/Permission: The White House

Mass Killings in Tripoli

The death toll from the Battle of Tripoli is expected to rise, as both rebels and Muammar Gaddafi loyalists reportedly commit extrajudicial killings.

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By Shelly Yang

Anchor: Molly Hulsey

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Greek Bailout in Trouble

Greece bailout may unravel without private sector investors' participation.

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By Katie Brennan

Anchor: Katie Brennan

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Hazare Ends Hunger Strike

An Indian reform activist agreed Saturday to end an 12-day hunger-strike after parliament established a support system for his anti-graft plan.

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By Anthony Martinez

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Britain Meets with Social Media Over Riots

A meeting between the British government and social media corporations has some civil liberties groups worried.

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By Wen Yang and Tracy Pfeiffer

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What is NATO's Role in Libya, Post-Gaddafi?

NATO's role has been primarily to protect and support the rebels. So what happens now that they've effectively won?

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By Nick Adams

Anchor: Anthony Martinez

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The Politics of Natural Disasters

Media analyzes in impact hurricane Irene could have on politician's careers.

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By Blake Hanson

Anchor: Blake Hanson

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Drug War in Mexico Reaches A New Level

Analyzing what the recent casino attack means for Mexico and the role the United States plays

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By Lauren Delaney

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