The Diva just ran across two lengthy and informative articles re recovery in the Jan. issue of National Geographic. She cannot violate copywrite rules, but here are the titles.
Hopefully a friend or your local library will have a copy of that issue.
From PBS: DHS secretary nominee Mullin presents a different vision for FEMA than predecessor Noem
“President Donald Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Homeland Security presented a softer approach on federal emergency management in his Senate confirmation hearing, rejecting the idea of eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency and pledging to undo some of his predecessor’s unpopular policies.
The remarks by Markwayne Mullin on Wednesday raised hopes among disaster response managers that a shift is coming in the administration’s approach to FEMA after months of turbulence under the outgoing DHS secretary, Kristi Noem.”
From the WashPost: White House details offer to end partial government shutdown
The Department of Homeland Security shutdown has saddled flyers with long lines at airports.https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/03/17/white-house-dhs-partial-shutdown-tsa-airports/
“The White House on Tuesday detailed its counteroffer to congressional Democrats in negotiations to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which has been shut down for more than four weeks leading to long lines at some airports.
Democrats have demanded that Republicans agree to new accountability measures for immigration enforcement agents after officials killed two U.S. citizens in Minnesota during the agency’s Operation Metro Surge.”
From the ASFPM: NFIP Code Blue
“A Code Blue is a high-priority hospital alert signifying a patient is experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, usually cardiac or respiratory arrest, requiring immediate resuscitation. Unfortunately, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is currently experiencing its own Code Blue.
The NFIP provides coverage to 4.7 million policyholders across 23,000 communities nationwide. In addition to insurance, the NFIP oversees floodplain management, flood hazard mapping, and flood mitigation to meet its statutory obligations. A small but dedicated federal staff carries out these functions by relying heavily on contracts, cooperative grants, arrangements, and other formal agreements with private insurers, state/local governments, and vendors. Ironically, this approach to administering the NFIP aligns with the Trump Administration’s priorities for state and local governments to play a more significant role in resilience and preparedness and for greater private sector involvement.”
Thanks to Chris Jones for the citation.
“As deadly tornadoes tore through the Midwest and Plains last weekend, state and local search-and-rescue crews rushed to the devastated areas to look for survivors. It wasn’t until the teams deployed that they realized they were operating without a critical tornado-tracking tool typically provided by FEMA.
That left responders with a less precise picture of where to search first, two sources familiar with the situation told CNN.”
From Politico: Lawmakers Spar Over FEMA funding as Shutdown Drags On
“Senators blocked rival plans Wednesday for funding the Federal Emergency Management Agency.”
From Mother Jones: Kristi Noem Nearly Destroyed FEMA. Will Her Exit Save It?
“Trump’s Homeland chief bottlenecked spending and targeted staff in ways that may have been illegal.”
From The Hill: Noems Ouster Leaves Questions re FEMA’s Future
Questions about the future of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are reemerging because of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s impending departure.
Both Noem and President Trump have sought to dramatically reshape the nation’s disaster response agency.
Trump Administration Live Updates: President Ousts Noem as Homeland Security Secretary
Kristi Noem Fired: President Trump announced Thursday on social media that he was firing his homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, and wanted Senator Markwayne Mullin to replace her. In his announcement, Mr. Trump said Ms. Noem would move into a previously nonexistent security role. Read more ›
Secretary Under Siege: Ms. Noem’s tenure had been marred by a string of controversies, and she faced intense questioning this week from congressional Republicans, including about a lucrative advertising contract. Mr. Trump on Thursday contradicted her testimony that he had signed off on the $220 million ad campaign.
From the Hill: Noem’s spending review has held up more than 1,000 FEMA contracts, grants and awards, Dems say
“Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s policy of personally reviewing expenditures of more than $100,000 has held up more than 1,000 contracts, grants and awards at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), according to a new report from Senate Democrats.
The report says that as of Sept. 8, Noem’s policy had delayed approval of or left approval pending for 1,034 contracts, grants or disaster assistance awards.”
Recovery Diva 