The White House has requested emergency funding from Congress for pandemic relief for the child care industry, replenishment of U.S. federal disaster funds, and aid for Ukraine. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith have called on President Biden to address the looming expiration of pandemic relief funds in the package. The Biden administration has requested more than $13 billion in emergency defense aid to Ukraine and an additional $8 billion for humanitarian support.
Posts tagged as “Norfolk Southern”
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has requested a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration from President Joe Biden in response to a Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine earlier this year, which caused a fire that burned for several days. East Palestine Fire Chief Bill Jones was one of the first responders and had to decide whether or not to burn toxic chemicals on the train. The disaster declaration would guarantee federal aid to the community in the event that Norfolk Southern’s support ceases. The derailment is still under investigation by the Federal Railroad Administration.
On Thursday, a tornado tore through the Texas Panhandle town of Perryton, killing three people and injuring dozens more. Emergency personnel from surrounding towns and cities and from neighboring Oklahoma have descended on the town to help with the aftermath, while the National Weather Service has issued a warning for the area. Perryton is now in the process of assessing the damage and beginning the long road to recovery, with emergency personnel urging people to stay away from affected areas and follow safety protocols.
South Carolina is set to enact a new law banning most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for fatal fetal anomalies, the patient's life and health, and rape or incest. The bill has been met with both praise and criticism from both sides of the aisle, and is expected to be signed into law by Governor Henry McMaster. The law is sure to be a contentious issue in the coming months, as both sides of the debate continue to battle over the issue of abortion rights.
The US Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency have filed a lawsuit against railroad Norfolk Southern for environmental damage caused by a train derailment on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border in February, leading to the evacuation of half of the 5,000 residents of East Palestine, Ohio. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said the government is seeking to hold the company accountable for the pollution and to ensure it pays for the full cost of the environmental cleanup.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a lawsuit against railroad Norfolk Southern in federal court, seeking to make sure the company pays for the cleanup and environmental damage caused by a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The complaint alleges that the company violated hazardous waste and water quality laws and was negligent for causing the incident, and seeks to force the company to pay for groundwater and soil monitoring and economic losses in the village and surrounding areas. The lawsuit is the latest legal action taken against Norfolk Southern in the wake of the incident and could be a legal route to address long-lasting impacts from spilled and burned chemicals.
At a congressional hearing on Thursday, Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw pledged to improve the company's safety culture and make East Palestine and surrounding communities whole following a February 3rd train derailment that released toxic chemicals. Shaw refused to commit to a number of specific actions proposed by senators, such as supporting new rail safety legislation and temporarily halting stock buybacks, leading to disappointment from Senator Tom Carper. Shaw responded by saying that Norfolk Southern is committed to safety first and is working closely with local, state and federal agencies to ensure the site is cleaned up safely and thoroughly.
Norfolk Southern train derailed Thursday morning in Calhoun County, Alabama, hours before company CEO Alan Shaw was due to testify to lawmakers about a February 3rd derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Approximately 30 cars derailed, but there were no reports of injuries or hazardous material leaks. Norfolk Southern is currently working with local officials to investigate the cause of the incident.