Former presidents call for unity at hurricane aid concert

In this Jan. 7, 2009 file photo, Then-President George W. Bush, center, poses with President-elect Barack Obama, and former presidents, from left, George H.W. Bush, left, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, right, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. All five living former U.S. presidents will be attending a concert Saturday night, Oct. 21, 2017, in a Texas college town, raising money for relief efforts from Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria's devastation in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Reina Lobo holds her grandson, Julio, in this 2014 photo. The family…

With more than 4,000 families facing the loss of their state-subidized KidCare health insurance in the wake of Hurricane Irma, Florida regulators have reversed course and now say they are prepared to seek federal help. Florida Healthy Kids, the agency that operates the KidCare insurance program, told the Herald/Times Friday that it will call a special board meeting next week to explore asking the federal government for a waiver to help families still financially stressed from the hurricane.

Border Patrol tests camera-toting balloon

The U.S. Border Patrol is considering a surveillance balloon that can be quickly moved to spot illegal activity, part of an effort to see if more eyes in the sky translate to fewer illegal crossings. Agents in Texas recently finished a 30-day trial of the camera-toting, helium-filled balloon made by Drone Aviation Holding Corp., a small startup that named former Border Patrol chief David Aguilar to its board of directors in January.

Rendell and Witt: Preparing for the new normal – different from the old

As we write this, Hurricane Maria has just recently thrashed Puerto Rico and the Caribbean as one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic. And to make matters worse, it comes on the heels of Hurricane Harvey dumping 11 trillion gallons of water on Texas' Gulf Coast, and Hurricane Irma bringing catastrophic flooding and life-threatening winds that devastated substantial portions of Florida, including areas as geographically apart as the Keys and Jacksonville.

Seafarers Fret Over New Assault on Jones Act in Wake of Storms

On the darkened bridge of the Chesapeake Trader, with radio chatter filling the air, three officers were easing the giant freighter into San Francisco Bay when an unexpected vessel suddenly appeared on the starboard side. They scrambled to avoid catastrophe.

Ryanair’s operations chief to step down after cancellations

Billboards seeking the public's help in the investigation into the Las Vegas concert shooting will serve as a stark reminder that investigators remain stumped about the gunman's motives. Billboards seeking the public's help in the investigation into the Las Vegas concert shooting will serve as a stark reminder that investigators remain stumped about the gunman's motives.

NORC Poll: Just 24 percent say US heading right direction

As told by the people who knew them best, the 58 victims in Sunday's mass shooting at a Las Vegas country concert lived their lives with passion and a love of country music. As told by the people who knew them best, the 58 victims in Sunday's mass shooting at a Las Vegas country concert lived their lives with passion and a love of country music.

As Nate looms, cost of federal hurricane disaster relief grows

While President Donald Trump said this week that disaster aid efforts in Puerto Rico for Hurricane Maria were "throwing our budget a little of whack," the reality is that the relief numbers are quickly growing overall as the feds help deliver aid to those hit hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, with Tropical Storm Nate now possibly ready to take aim at the Gulf Coast in coming days as well. The White House on Wednesday sent Congress a $29 billion request for extra disaster relief funds, which GOP leaders say will be voted on in the House next week, as the Trump Administration acknowledged the cost is not small change.

White House Asks Congress for $29 Billion in Hurricane Aid

The White House asked Congress on Wednesday to approve $29 billion in additional hurricane relief and debt forgiveness, seeking to help Puerto Rico and other battered areas and to shore up the troubled federal program that provides flood insurance to homes and small businesses. The request came nearly a month after lawmakers approved a first installment of $15 billion in disaster relief, taking action after Hurricane Harvey caused devastation in Texas and while Hurricane Irma was heading toward Florida.

Smithsonian Experts Available to Help Survivors Restore Family Treasures

Survivors of Hurricane Harvey can learn how to salvage household treasures damaged by the storm from Smithsonian Institution preservation experts visiting three State of Texas/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers this week. Among the heirlooms that might be salvageable are photos, artwork, quilts, important documents and other keepsakes.

This Is NBC: Pres. Trump Called ‘Bitch’, ‘Cheap…

NBC approved of President Donald Trump being gay-baited and called a racial slur by Saturday Night Live Weekend Update anchor Michael Che during SNL's 43rd season opener Saturday night as the slurs aired unedited. "After the mayor of San Juan attacked the government's Puerto Rican relief efforts, President Trump attacked her on Twitter, saying, "The Mayor of San Juan, who was very complimentary only a few days ago, has now been told by the Democrats that you must be nasty to Trump"" "Oh really, Donald? You bitch! Was she nasty to you? How nasty? Are you shaking? Do you want to go smoke a Virginia Slim until your hand stops moving?" "This isn't that complicated, man, it's hurricane relief.

FEMA’s religious discrimination is a disaster4 hours, 53 minutes | Contributors

FEMA's religious discrimination is a disaster FEMA is not helping houses of worship rebuild after natural disasters. Check out this story on northjersey.com: https://njersy.co/2k9vFm0 Over 2,000 people lined up in San Juan, Puerto Rico Thursday to try and board the Royal Caribbean ship "Adventure of the Seas."