South
FEMA reports it has under 10% of front-line staff available ahead of Hurricane Milton
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has less than 10% of front-line staff available for deployment amid preparations for the second major hurricane to hit the Southeast this month, according to the agency’s daily operations briefing.
FEMA released a daily briefing on Wednesday revealing the agency had only 8%, or 1,115, FEMA staff members currently available as preparations continue for Hurricane Milton, which is expected to hit Florida in the coming days. This number represents a significant drop in availability from a year prior, after an operations briefing from late September 2023 showed the agency had 20% of the same staff available for deployment.
A FEMA spokesperson indicated to Fox News Digital that the availability numbers released by the agency are only in reference to the cadre of staffers who are part of FEMA’s incident management core capacity. They are the first line of FEMA staffers to deploy in any disaster.
Meanwhile, the FEMA spokesperson pointed out the agency has a total workforce of 22,000 staffers it can tap, as well as resources from other agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security.
The fear of front-line FEMA staffing comes amid other concerns about FEMA’s response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, including claims that the agency spent its money on housing for migrants and is blocking private relief distributors from entering areas in North Carolina impacted by Helene.
FEMA HEAD DENIES AGENCY IS SHORT ON MONEY FOR DISASTER RELIEF BECAUSE FUNDS WENT TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
In May 2023, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report indicating that, as of the start of Fiscal Year 2022, FEMA was understaffed by 35% with an overall staffing gap of approximately 6,200 employees. FEMA officials attributed the shortage to “responsibilities due to COVID-19 and managing the rising disaster activity during the year, which increased burnout and employee attrition,” according to the GAO.
This split shows a North Carolina resident after a storm and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein and Mario Tama/Getty Images)
With Hurricane Helene making a destructive and deadly sweep across the South, FEMA has been under high pressure to deliver aid to those in need. In the latest update on FEMA worker numbers, the agency indicated more than 5,600 personnel from across the federal workforce have been deployed, including more than 1,500 from FEMA. Additionally, the agency noted it has shipped more than 11.5 million meals, more than 12.6 million liters of water, 150 generators and more than 400,000 tarps to the region, while also helping thousands of Helene survivors with more than $45 million in “flexible, upfront” funding.
Despite the current staffing shortage, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorks insisted during an interview with MSNBC that Americans “should rest confident that FEMA has the resources” necessary to recover from Helene and prepare for Milton.
“We have search and rescue teams. The Army Corps of Engineers are there. We are ready,” Mayorkas said of Florida, in reference to the federal government’s preparation for Milton. “FEMA likes to say it is, ‘FEMA-flexible.’ We can respond to multiple events at a single time.”
VIDEO RESURFACES SHOWING FEMA PRIORITIZING EQUITY OVER HELPING GREATEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN DISASTER RELIEF
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks at the daily press briefing at the White House.
However, despite the optimistic response to concerns about FEMA resources, Mayorkas did say last week during a formal press conference that “FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the [hurricane] season.”
Questions about FEMA funding have been exacerbated by suggestions that the agency was giving disaster relief money to migrants. FEMA has sent aid to migrants, but the money was part of the Shelter and Services Program, which remains separate from disaster relief funds. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R–La., acknowledged that the funds were part of a separate program unrelated to disaster relief, but noted that he didn’t think the agency should be involved in the migrant crisis.
SPEAKER JOHNSON ADDRESSES CLAIMS FEMA DIVERTED FUNDS TO IMMIGRATION EFFORTS: ‘AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE DISGUSTED’
“The streams of funding are different, that is not an untrue statement, of course,” Johnson told Fox News’ Shannon Bream. “But the problem is with the American people, see, and what they’re frustrated by, is that FEMA should be involved.”
Concerns that private relief distributors are being blocked from entering parts of North Carolina that were impacted have also circulated. “Some of the reports that I’ve received through some of my contacts who are trying to provide assistance… they’re being told that they need special requirements from FEMA in order to enter these certain areas,” said Joe Rieck, vice president of My Patriot Supply, an emergency preparedness company.
Before Helene made landfall, Congress passed a stopgap spending bill that included money for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, but excluded billions in additionally requested supplemental disaster funding. On Friday, President Biden wrote a letter to Congress urging them to provide additional funding because “while FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund has the resources it requires right now to meet immediate needs, the fund does face a shortfall at the end of the year,” he said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., spoke with Fox News Digital after he toured areas in Florida and Georgia hit by Hurricane Helene. (Getty Images)
“Without additional funding, FEMA would be required to forego longer-term recovery activities in favor of meeting urgent needs,” Biden added. “The Congress should provide FEMA additional resources to avoid forcing that kind of unnecessary trade-off and to give the communities we serve the certainty of knowing that help will be ongoing, both for the short- and long-term.”
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When pressed about reconvening the House for a special session to approve additional funding, Johnson suggested FEMA has the funds it needs right now and, in order to approve additional funding, Congress needs requests from individual states to tabulate how much to provide.
“The way the process works is the states, local authorities, they band together, they assess the damages, they send that to the federal authorities and it’s all worked through in that manner,” Johnson responded when pressed about whether he had plans to reconvene Congress for the matter. “It will take some time to tabulate this storm — it’s one of the biggest in our history — so a lot of that work is being done immediately. I think the timing of that will probably correspond when Congress is expected to return to session right after the election.”
Delaware
Delaware man charged with 2 gas station armed robberies, escaping police chase
NEW CASTLE COUNTY, Del. – A Wilmington man was arrested and charged in connection with three armed robberies in New Castle County earlier this month, police announced.
What we know:
Michael Reynolds was charged on Friday with eight felonies, including three counts each of robbery and possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, according to the Delaware State Police.
The first robbery happened on May 3, at a Shore Stop on South Old Baltimore Pike in Newark. According to police, Reynolds walked into the store around 8:15 p.m., armed with a knife and wearing a mask. He demanded money from the clerk, police said, then walked off.
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The next robbery happened less than 24 hours later. Around 7:30 p.m. Reynolds is accused of doing the same thing at a Shell gas station on New Castle Avenue in New Castle. Police say he walked in with a knife and demanded money from the cash register.
After this robbery, officers were able to identify the suspect’s car, a white Ford Taurus, and appeared to find it in Wilmington. Officers tried to chase the car, but the driver got away. Police found the car abandoned.
Reynolds was arrested shortly after that. Once in custody, police said they connected Reynolds to “additional incidents” New Castle County that are currently under investigation.
What we don’t know:
Police did not say what those other incidents were.
The Source: Information in this story is from the Delaware State Police Department.
Florida
Country star Morgan Wallen walks out with Florida legend Tim Tebow, refuses to Gator chomp
Country music superstar Morgan Wallen is one of the hottest acts on the planet right now and is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.
His 2026 “Still The Problem” tour has been rolling through the United States and packing seats at every stop, and that wasn’t any different when Wallen made it to the Sunshine State.
His first of two shows in Gainesville, Florida, saw the country sensation playing to a sold-out crowd at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium where the Gators play, and speaking of the Rowdy Reptiles, Wallen had to pick someone for his patented walkout to appeal to the droves of students decked out in orange and blue.
Morgan Wallen performs the song “’98 Braves” at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards at Truist Park in Atlanta, Ga., on Nov. 19, 2023. (Getty Images)
Enter Tim Tebow, the two-time national champion and Heisman Trophy winner. As far as picks go, Wallen knocked this one out of the park.
MORGAN WALLEN BOUNCES BACK WITH ‘I’M THE PROBLEM’ TOUR FOLLOWING CHAIR-THROWING LEGAL DRAMA
When in Rome — or Gainesville, rather — right?
Judging by the crowd pop, I’d say Tebow was about as popular a pick as anyone Wallen could have gone with.
The man has a statue outside the very stadium where the concert was held, for crying out loud, so it’s safe to say Mr. Whiskey Glasses did his homework when choosing his walking buddy.
Tim Tebow appears on the SEC Nation set before the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Georgia Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., on Nov. 8, 2025. (IMAGN)
While he nailed it with the Tebow selection, Wallen wasn’t ready to fully ingratiate himself with the Florida faithful.
During their walkout, Tebow performed multiple Gator Chomps to fire the crowd up even more, but when he implored Wallen to join him, the multi-platinum singer respectfully turned him down.
That shouldn’t surprise anyone who is familiar with Wallen, who is an East Tennessee native and noted Volunteers supporter.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Morgan Wallen performs onstage during night two of his One Night At A Time tour at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 22, 2024. (John Shearer/Getty Images)
Any guy who writes a song called “Tennessee Fan” probably won’t be caught dead doing the Gator Chomp, so I can’t say I blame him.
It will be interesting to see who Wallen taps as his walking mate on night two of his stay in Gainesville.
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Rumor has it that Steve Spurrier could be the favorite, which would be hilarious given Spurrier’s history of tormenting the Vols.
Regardless, it’s nice to see a Vol and a Gator being so chummy with each other. A rare sight indeed.
Georgia
Tech Mercy-Rules No. 23 BC for 6th ACC Sweep
BRIGHTON, Mass. – No. 3 Georgia Tech (45-9, 25-5 ACC) closes out its record-breaking regular season with a 15-2 (7) run-rule victory over No. 23 Boston College (36-20, 17-13 ACC) on Saturday afternoon at Harrington Athletics Village in Brighton, Mass. The Yellow Jackets scored five runs in the first inning and kept the Eagles off the board for the final six innings of play for yet another dominant victory, securing the most lopsided sweep over a Top 25 opponent in program history (38-3) and 25 Atlantic Coast Conference victories, tied with 2015 Louisville for the most ever recorded over a 30-game conference season.
All nine hitters reached base with six recording multiple hits. Kent Schmidt led the team with three hits (3-for-3) while Vahn Lackey led the way in with three RBI in another complete offensive effort. On the mound, Jackson Blakely settled in after allowing two runs (one earned) in the first inning, delivering four scoreless innings over his 5.0 IP before handing the ball to Cooper Underwood and Justin Shadek to complete the run-rule victory.
QUICK HITS: TEAM
- The Jackets improve to 45-9, the best regular season record, by winning percentage, since going 16-2 back in 1920..
- Tech finishes 25-5 in ACC play, tied with 2015 Louisville for the best 30-game conference record in ACC history.
- This is only the 2nd time Georgia Tech has won at least 45 regular season games in program history, and first since 1987 (47).
- The Jackets have swept six ACC series and nine series overall for the first time in program history.
- The Jackets are now 14-3 against Top-25 opponents, the best win % against ranked teams in program history. Seven of the 14 wins vs. Top 25 teams have been by a margin of at least 10 runs, including tonight.
- Tech has scored 578 runs this regular season. The most runs scored through 54 games in program history and the most scored by any Power 4 team through 54 games in the BBCOR era.
- GT’s 578 runs are a new program BBCOR era record and tied for the 6th-most ever recorded in a single season at GT.
- The Jackets hit two home runs tonight, for a season total of 114 – the 4th most in program history. Tech is eight homers away from the program record (122 – set in 2010).
- GT is outscoring its opponents 578-255, that +323 margin is the highest in program history.
- Tech’s offense is currently on pace to set program records in batting average (.357 – record is .347), on-base percentage (.468 – record is .434), slugging percentage (.626 – record is .575) and runs-per-game (10.6 – record is 10.3).
- Tech pitching finished with an ERA of 4.36 in ACC games, the best in the conference.
- This was the 31st game of the season in which Tech has scored double-digit runs (57.4 % of all games).
- The Jackets scored five runs in the first inning, the 36th inning with at least five runs scored (8.4% of all innings).
- Tech finishes their ACC schedule with a 69-6 combined score over the last five games.
- The Jackets have held their opponents to two or fewer runs in each of the last five league games.
- Georgia Tech has won back-to-back ACC regular season titles for the 2nd time in program history and the first time since 2004/2005
- Georgia Tech is the first back-to-back ACC Regular Season Champion since UVA in 2010/2011 (15 years)
- This is GT’s 11th Regular Season ACC Championship and 8th outright season title.
- Tech has won nine ACC Regular Season/Division titles this century, the 2nd most in the conference behind only Florida State (11)
- James Ramsey becomes the first ACC Coach to win a Regular Season Title in his first season since 1994 (Jack Leggett at Clemson) and the first coach to win the ACC regular season in his first season as a head coach since 1958 (Bill Wilhelm at Clemson).
- GT is the first program in ACC history to win back-to-back ACC championships with two different coaches, securing the conference title with Danny Hall in 2025 and James Ramsey in 2026.
QUICK HITS: THE BATS
- Junior Jarren Advincula extended his hitting streak to a career best 22 games, tied for the 8th longest in program history and the longest since 2005. He recorded his 100th hit of the season today, becoming the 14th Yellow Jacket in program history to record 100 hits in a single season and the first since 2005 (Wes Hodges & Tyler Greene).
- He went 2-for-5 with two singles. He has gotten a hit in 37 of his last 38 games dating back to March 10 and 50 of 54 games this season.
- He is the first Division I player to reach 100 hits this season after also being the fastest to 80 and 90.
- His batting average now stands at .441 for the season, the highest in Power 4 and the 2nd best in the nation. It is the 4th highest in program history. He has the highest batting average of any Tech player since 1979, when Doug Ibele went 52-for-112 (.464)
- Should the season end today, Advincula would have the highest batting average of any Yellow Jacket with at least 200 ABs – a record currently held by Jay Payton (.434) from back in 1994.
- This was his 35th multi-hit game of the season, the most on the team.
- Junior Vahn Lackey extended his hitting streak to a career best 11 games, going 2-for-2 with a home run, a triple and two hit-by-pitches. He led the team in runs scored (four) and RBI (three).
- He hit his 15th HR of the season in the fourth inning to break the game open.
- He has scored 72 runs this year, 13 more than his career total over his freshman and sophomore seasons.
- This was his 25th multi-hit game of the season, his 23rd game with multiple runs scored and his 19th game with multiple RBI
- He hit his team-leading 3rd triple of the season, a new career high, giving him career-bests in doubles (16), triples (3) home runs (15), RBI (69), total bases (145) and walks (43) this season.
- He has driven in 69 RBI this season, the second most on the team.
- Junior Carson Kerce reached base four times, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a triple and two walks, finishing with two RBI and three runs scored.
- He has now hit eight home runs this season, surpassing his career total from his freshman and sophomore seasons (six).
- He leads the team with 39 extra base hits this season.
- Junior Drew Burress extended his on-base streak to 17 games with a pair of doubles, getting an RBI and a run scored.
- He has now scored an ACC-best 74 runs, bringing his career total to 224, the 5th most in program history and eight away from Darren Bragg (1988-91) for 4th.
- His 224 runs scored is the most among active Division I players
- He produced his 3rd game with multiple doubles this season, giving him multiple hits in 12 of his final 16 regular season games dating back to April 19.
- Junior Kent Schmidt went 3-for-3 with two walks and two RBI. It was his fifth game of the season with at least three hits and his 11h game with multiple RBI.
- He finishes as GT’s ACC season leader in RBI, with 36.
QUICK HITS: THE ARMS
- Sophomore Jackson Blakely made his 10th consecutive weekend start, pitching 5.0 innings with one earned run allowed and five strikeouts with five hits and three walks surrendered.
- The Jackets have won each of Blakley’s last nine starts.
- His ERA stands at 2.75 over 55.2 innings, the lowest among all regular starting pitchers on the roster and the second lowest ERA overall on staff.
- He stands at 61 strikeouts this season, the second most on the roster, and 55.2 innings pitched, also the second most, both behind Friday night starter Tate McKee.
- Blakely would get credit for the win, bringing his record to 7-1 for the season and joining Carson Ballard (7-0) for the second most wins on the staff, behind McKee (8).
- He is currently on pace to be the first Tech pitcher with an ERA under 3.00 since 2016 – Brandon Gold 2.48 ERA over 105.1 IP.
- Freshman Cooper Underwood produced a quite 6th inning, recording a pair of outs around a walk before Drew Rogers threw out a would-be base stealer from BC.
- This was his fifth appearance out of the bullpen this season and his 11th overall He owns a 1.04 ERA over 8.2 innings out of the bullpen this year, allowing only three hits with 10 strikeouts.
- R-sophomore Justin Shadek made his 14th bullpen appearance of the season and his 16th He pitched a scoreless seventh inning recording two of his three outs via strikeout.
- He has struck out 40 batters over 23.1 innings this season, a K/9 of 15.43, the most on the team among pitchers with at least 10.0 innings.
Up Next
The Jackets will turn their attention to the ACC Tournament at Truist Field in Charlotte, N.C. As the No. 1 seed, the Yellow Jackets will play the winner of the No. 8 seed vs. the winner of the No. 9/16 seeds on Thursday, May 21 at 3 p.m.
Full Steam Ahead
Full Steam Ahead is a $500 million fundraising initiative to achieve Georgia Tech athletics’ goal of competing for championships at the highest level in the next era of intercollegiate athletics. The initiative will fund transformative projects for Tech athletics, including renovations of Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field (the historic home of Georgia Tech football), the Zelnak Basketball Center (the practice and training facility for Tech basketball) and O’Keefe Gymnasium (the venerable home of Yellow Jackets volleyball), as well as additional projects and initiatives to further advance Georgia Tech athletics through program wide-operational support. All members of the Georgia Tech community are invited to visit atfund.org/FullSteamAhead for full details and renderings of the renovation projects, as well as to learn about opportunities to contribute online.
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech baseball team, follow us on X (@GTBaseball), Facebook, Instagram (@gt_baseball) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com.
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