Photo: Science Photo Library RF
1 Hurricane Helene To Make Landfall On Florida Coast Later Today
Hurricane Helene is barreling toward the Florida Panhandle and is expected to make landfall around 8 pm tonight as a major hurricane of at least Category 3 strength. The storm is moving through extremely warm Gulf waters, and forecasters say it could have wind gusts as high as 130-mph by landfall. While winds that high could cause severe damage, much of the focus is being placed on forecasts that Helene could smash into Florida with a 20-foot-high storm surge. A storm surge warning is in effect for Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and from Mexico Baeth to Flamingo, Florida, and residents have been told by authorities to evacuate ahead of what’s being called an “unsurvivable” storm surge. Gov. Ron DeSantis urged everyone on the Gulf Coast of his state to evacuate ahead of the storm, and has declared a disaster in 61 counties. President Joe Biden has also preemptively declared a federal disaster in Florida to make it quicker and easier for the state to get federal assistance.
2 NYC Mayor Eric Adams Reportedly Indicted By Federal Grand Jury
Sources revealed to multiple press outlets last night that New York Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted by a federal grand jury. The indictment will reportedly be unsealed today, but until then little is known about the charges. Adams released a video statement last night and vowed to fight the “entirely false” indictment that he said was “based on lies.” The mayor also referenced his speaking out against immigrants being brought to New York, and said “I always knew that if I stood my ground for all of you that I would be a target…and a target I became.” Adams accepted the resignation of his police commissioner two weeks ago after federal authorities seized his phones. Others in the administration have had their phones taken over the last few weeks by federal authorities, including New York City Public Schools Chancellor David Banks, his younger brother Philip Banks, who serves as the deputy mayor for public safety, and first deputy mayor Sheena Wright, the fiancee of David Banks. Mayor Adams’ chief legal counsel, Lisa Zornberg, stepped down last week.
3 Congress Passes Government Funding Bill And Send It To President Biden
Democrats helped push a continuing resolution through Congress yesterday that will keep the federal government funded through December 20th. The bill keeps funding at the same level with the exception of an additional $231-million for the Secret Service. 82 House Republicans voted against the CR, which passed in the chamber by a 341-82 final tally. The Senate passed the bill by a 78-18 margin later yesterday, and sent the bill to President Joe Biden for his signature. The bill was criticized by some Republicans for not including the SAVE Act, but Democrats and the White House praised Speaker Mike Johnson’s legislation.