
The ocean is swallowing San Francisco in this curious novel
Bay Area rain has an insidious way of creeping into the bones — of people, of buildings. When I lived there, my bathroom maintained a clammy topicality, even in drought months. Once, a strip of paint and damp plaster peeled off the wall and exposed its innards, confirming my worst fear: that the whole house was largely glued together by black mold. There was an inevitably to it as sure as there was to the damp, the kind of ongoing apocalypse that you can only live with, never really prevent.

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New York Times
44 minutes ago
- New York Times
Acting FEMA Chief Told Staff He Didn't Know About U.S. Hurricane Season
The acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency told employees on Monday that he did not know the United States has a hurricane season, according to two people who heard the remarks and said it was unclear if he was serious. The official, David Richardson, has served in the Marines and worked in the Department of Homeland Security's Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office. After he joined FEMA in May, some FEMA workers expressed concern about his lack of experience in emergency management. The remark, coming a day after the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, could deepen those concerns. The two people who described the comment asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, said in a statement that Mr. Richardson was joking. The agency statement said FEMA would be focused on disaster response this hurricane season and said the Trump administration is in the process of reforming an agency it believes is bloated. Even if the comment was a joke, the timing would be questionable. The hurricane season, which began on Sunday and lasts through Nov. 30, is considered the agency's most challenging period, during which the country is the most vulnerable to large-scale devastating disasters that can overwhelm state and local disaster managers. In addition, FEMA has just gone through a major reduction in staffing. During the same meeting, according to the two people, Mr. Richardson told agency employees that FEMA should plan to respond to this year's hurricane season the same way the agency responded to last year's hurricane season. But employees have expressed concern with that approach because of the agency's reduced staff. Since the start of the Trump administration, FEMA has lost about a quarter of its full-time staff, including one-fifth of the coordinating officers who manage responses to large-scale disasters, according to a former senior official. The departures came after pressure from the Department of Government Efficiency, previously led by Elon Musk, for a massive culling of federal workers. Mr. Richardson's predecessor at FEMA was Cameron Hamilton, who was pushed out in early May, a day after telling members of Congress that FEMA was vital to communities 'in their greatest times of need' and should not be eliminated. The comment appeared to be in conflict with President Trump, who has suggested the agency be eliminated. On his first full day as acting administrator, Mr. Richardson told the agency's employees that if any of them tried to obstruct his agenda, 'I will run right over you.'


CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Tornado warning goes into effect in small section of northeastern Colorado
Jesse Sarles manages the web content and website operations for CBS Colorado. He writes articles about Colorado news and sports in and around the Denver area.


CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Warmest Temperatures of the Year Expected Across Maryland This Week
Marylanders can expect a taste of summer this week as the region warms up to the highest temperatures of the year so far, with hazy skies and the return of 90-degree heat on the horizon. After a string of cooler nights, conditions will turn noticeably milder Monday night. Skies will remain clear and temperatures are expected to settle in the lower to middle 50s across most of the state. On Tuesday, skies will take on a hazy appearance, not from clouds, but due to a plume of Canadian wildfire smoke drifting into the region. While the smoke will remain elevated, it will reduce air quality slightly. The Maryland Department of the Environment has placed the region in the "moderate" category for air quality, meaning those with respiratory issues should take precautions. Afternoon highs will climb into the low to mid 80s under filtered sunshine. The real heat arrives midweek. Wednesday through Friday could bring the first 90-degree readings of the year to many areas, with highs each afternoon reaching the upper 80s to near 90 degrees. Overnight lows will offer some relief, holding in the upper 50s to 60s. A cold front will approach from the west by late Friday, bringing with it a slight chance for thunderstorms across western Maryland. However, much of central Maryland, including the Baltimore metro area, is expected to remain dry through Friday night. Storm chances increase by Saturday as the front pushes farther east. Scattered thunderstorms—some of which could be strong—may develop during the afternoon and evening hours. Highs will still reach the mid 80s before the cooler air behind the front settles in. Temperatures will dip slightly to start next week, but the cooldown will be brief. Forecasts suggest a return to the 80s for highs by the middle of next week, continuing a warm and unsettled early June pattern. Residents should monitor daily forecasts, especially those with outdoor plans later in the week, as storm chances evolve heading into the weekend.