South
NC lawmaker accuses Mayorkas of politicizing 'tragedy for personal gain' after FEMA funding alarms
A Republican congressman from hard-hit North Carolina is accusing Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of playing politics with Hurricane Helene after the storm ravaged the Southeast and killed more than 230 people.
Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., implored his district’s residents to not believe “outrageous rumors” about the response to the storm in an open letter published Tuesday.
“[Federal Emergency Management Agency] FEMA officials have repeatedly affirmed that the agency has enough money for immediate response and recovery needs over the next few months,” Edwards wrote. “Secretary Mayorkas’ statement indicating otherwise was an irresponsible attempt to politicize a tragedy for personal gain.”
He also defended FEMA from “outrageous rumors” that disaster funds were being diverted to help illegal immigrants, and that aid was being blocked from reaching its destination.
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GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards, left, whose district was hit hard by Hurricane Helene, is criticizing Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ recent comments. (Getty Images)
“We have seen a level of support that is unmatched by most any other disaster nationwide; but amidst all of the support, we have also seen an uptick in untrustworthy sources trying to spark chaos by sharing hoaxes, conspiracy theories, and hearsay about hurricane response efforts across our mountains,” Edwards wrote.
It comes after Mayorkas warned last week that FEMA did not have the funds to make it through the current hurricane season, spurring alarm across the country.
Mayorkas was forced to clarify those comments during the same conversation with reporters, stating FEMA had funding to meet its “immediate needs.”
The comments were met with skepticism by GOP leaders after Congress made $20 billion in FEMA funds available in federal funding legislation last month, and it exacerbated tensions as some North Carolina residents are already struggling with adequate supplies and aid.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., suggested to Fox News Digital last week that the House would act on additional disaster aid as soon as possible but noted it likely will not be possible until November, when Congress returns after the election.
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Members of the Florida Army National Guard check for any remaining residents in nearly deserted Bradenton Beach, where piles of debris from Hurricane Helene flooding still sit outside damaged homes ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 on Anna Maria Island, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Edwards said in his letter that he was already helping prepare a supplemental funding bill for when the time comes.
The funding woes also prompted some Republicans to point to a separate FEMA-run program that provides support to illegal immigrants at the border, questioning whether the roughly $1 billion allocated there over the last two fiscal years was taken from money for disaster relief.
However, Edwards unequivocally denied that in his Tuesday letter, despite top Republicans like Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., promoting the claim.
HURRICANE HELENE: NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS FIGHT FOR THEIR SURVIVAL AS BASIC GOODS BECOME SCARCE
“Disaster response efforts and individual assistance are funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts,” Edwards said. “FEMA’s non-disaster related presence at the border has always been of major concern to me, even before Hurricane Helene, and I will continue to condemn their deployment of personnel to the southern border, but we must separate the two issues.”
Edwards admitted FEMA had “shortfalls” in its response but denied the federal agency was seizing private property or providing only $750 to disaster survivors, claims that were spread on the internet by unverified sources.
GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards said disaster aid was not being redirected to the southern border. (HERIKA MARTINEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
He also said FEMA was not conducting road closures or vehicle inspections, nor was it restricting airspace for rescue operations.
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“Nobody seeking to fly resources into Western North Carolina will be prohibited from doing so by the FAA or North Carolina Emergency Management so long as they coordinate their efforts with NC Aviation,” Edwards wrote.
It comes after Elon Musk spread rumors that FEMA was blocking the distribution of supplies and that airspace was blocked amid his efforts to distribute Starlink internet connections.
Edwards also assured that Hurricane Helene “was NOT geoengineered by the government,” noting, “Nobody can control the weather.”
That came in response to online conspiracy theories that the federal government intentionally created the hurricane to take control of the area’s lithium mines.
The DHS did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Dallas, TX
Klyde Warren Park reveals expansion plans, construction timeline
Klyde Warren Park, a top attraction in Dallas for more than a decade, is growing. Park and city leaders revealed details about the project on Monday morning, which will expand the park to 7.1 acres.
The park, which opened in 2012, connects Uptown Dallas with the Arts District over a recessed portion of Woodall Rodgers Freeway. The construction will span west to cover the remaining portion of the freeway, totaling 1.7 acres of new park space, according to the plans released Monday.
It will feature the Jacobs Lawn, a 37,000-square-foot green space that can be used for all types of community gatherings, performances and markets. In the winter, the lawn will feature an ice rink. Next to the lawn, the Overlook will give visitors a view of the highway traffic below them.
The expansion will also include a two-story pavilion with 24,000 square feet of climate-controlled event space, plus a rooftop terrace.
“This expansion isn’t simply about adding acreage. It’s an investment in Dallas, an investment in the community and an investment in future generations,” Klyde Warren Park chairman Jody Grant said in a statement.
“The expansion of this Park is exactly the kind of transformative investment we must continue to make throughout Dallas’s urban core. It will add new green space for residents to enjoy while driving continued economic growth, connecting our communities, and enhancing the quality of life that makes Dallas a destination for families, businesses, and visitors from around the world,” Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said in a statement.
Construction firm Archer Western won a competitive bid to work on the project, the same firm that built the first phase of the park.
Construction will begin by the end of the year, and is expected to take two years to complete.
Miami, FL
Person hospitalized after fire breaks out at North Miami Beach apartment building
A person was hospitalized after a fire broke out at an apartment building in North Miami Beach on Monday, officials said.
The fire happened at the 7-story building at 16850 S. Glades Drive.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said crews found smoke and flames coming from a unit on the sixth floor.
Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames and were able to bring it under control before checking to see if other units were damaged.
Officials said two patients were assessed including one who was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
No other details were immediately known.
Check back with NBC6 for updates.
Atlanta, GA
New Venues in Atlanta for Summer 2026 Meetings and Events
Here’s a closer look at Atlanta’s newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this summer. The new and renovated Atlanta-area venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Hotel Phoenix
Rendering: Courtesy of Green Olive Media
One of downtown Atlanta’s most anticipated openings, Hotel Phoenix brings 292 guest rooms, 15 suites, and more than 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space to the rapidly evolving Centennial Yards district, just in time for FIFA festivities. Opening in December 2025, the 18-story property sits steps from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and offers floor-to-ceiling skyline views throughout. For planners, the headline is the flexible event footprint, anchored by an 8,214-square-foot ballroom that can be separated into three spaces by airwalls. The indoor flexibility is complemented by outdoor gathering spaces, which debuted this spring, including a resort-style pool deck, event lawn, and terrace lounge. With modern industrial design, built-in AV capabilities, and easy access to Atlanta’s sports and entertainment corridor, Hotel Phoenix is poised to become a go-to destination for conferences, galas, receptions, and high-energy corporate events.
JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown
Photo: Courtesy of JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown
Following a complete transformation of the former W Atlanta Downtown, JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown debuted in May with 237 guest rooms and nearly 10,000 square feet of refreshed meeting and event space. The property’s redesigned venues include conference rooms, banquet spaces, prefunction areas, and JW Marriott’s signature Blank Canvas Room, a gallery-style venue featuring white walls and wood floors designed to be fully customized for any event vision. An elevated boardroom, one of the city’s largest executive lounges, wellness-focused guest accommodations, and a rooftop pool bar add extra appeal for executive retreats and multi-day conferences. For planners seeking a luxury downtown option with a fresh new identity, this one deserves a spot on the shortlist.
Cosm Atlanta
Photo: Courtesy of Cosm Atlanta
If your attendees have already seen every ballroom in Atlanta, introduce them to Cosm. The new 70,000-square-foot venue in Centennial Yards is anchored by an 87-foot-diameter LED dome that delivers immersive “shared reality” experiences unlike anything currently available in the meetings market. The three-level venue accommodates up to 2,000 guests across three distinct event environments. The Dome seats up to 500 for screenings, presentations, and private experiences beneath the massive 12K+ LED display. The Hall offers a two-story event space with theater seating for 500, while The Deck provides outdoor reception space for up to 400 guests overlooking Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena. From product launches and media events to client entertainment and branded activations, Cosm offers planners a built-in wow factor that requires very little additional dressing.
SKOL Brewing Company & Valhalla Gaming Lounge
Photo: Courtesy of Caren West PR
Already known for its Nordic-inspired brewpub atmosphere inside downtown Atlanta’s historic 200 Peachtree building, SKOL Brewing Company is leveling up with the addition of Valhalla Gaming Lounge, a 30,000-square-foot expansion designed for immersive group experiences. Combined with SKOL’s existing 5,000-square-foot footprint, the venue creates a sprawling entertainment destination packed with more than 40 interactive attractions, including simulators, bocce courts, billiards, darts, arcade games, and experiential gaming zones. Private event options are already available, making this a compelling choice for team-building programs, client entertainment, conference after-parties, and events that need a healthy dose of friendly competition.
Thrillz Atlanta
Photo: Courtesy of Thrillz Atlanta & Brown Bag Marketing
Forget trust falls. Thrillz Atlanta is bringing adrenaline-fueled team building to the city with a massive indoor adventure park featuring more than 20 attractions under one roof. Designed for group outings, corporate events, and large-scale celebrations, the venue combines amusement rides, virtual reality experiences, laser tag, duckpin bowling, obstacle courses, arcade gaming, and towering slide attractions reaching up to 40 feet high. Ten themed private event rooms, dedicated event coordinators, and full food-and-beverage service make planning surprisingly turnkey. For companies looking to inject some serious energy into meetings, incentive programs, or employee events, Thrillz offers an experience attendees won’t forget.
You42 Studios
Photo: Courtesy of You42 Studios
Part content campus, part entertainment complex, part event venue, You42 Studios is one of the most unconventional new event destinations to open in metro Atlanta. Located in Roswell, the 36,000-square-foot facility combines creator studios, production suites, restaurants, nightlife concepts, live entertainment, and flexible event space under one roof. For planners, versatility is the selling point. The campus includes a 3,800-square-foot event venue, 11 professional content-creation studios, podcast suites, themed production sets, and The Block Theater, featuring a 30-by-18-foot LED screen for presentations, screenings, and live performances. Add multiple food-and-beverage concepts led by celebrity chef Katsuji Tanabe, and You42 becomes a one-stop shop for conferences, content-driven events, brand launches, influencer programs, and corporate gatherings looking for something far more memorable than a hotel meeting room.
Peachtree Sporting Club & American Dive
Photo: Zachary Bobo
Downtown Atlanta’s new 207 Peachtree development is betting big on experiential events. The 45,000-square-foot entertainment, dining, and event destination opened this month with Peachtree Sporting Club, an upscale sports bar concept, and American Dive, a live music venue serving Southern barbecue in a nostalgic dive-bar setting. For planners looking to move beyond traditional ballrooms, the venue offers built-in energy, multiple environments under one roof, and the flexibility to host everything from watch parties and networking receptions to buyouts and branded activations. It’s the kind of place where attendees can swap conference badges for cocktails without ever leaving the venue.
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