Latest news with #CAER
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Texas Chlorine Gas Leak Triggers 'Remain Indoors' Alert
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Residents in Lake Jackson, Texas, were warned to remain indoors with windows closed and air conditioning off following a chlorine leak from a nearby Dow Chemical facility on Tuesday morning. Lake Jackson Police Department issued the alert after it was advised of "an active level 3 chlorine release from Dow Chemical, level 3 meaning the gas is outside the confines of the facility," per a Facebook post. "It is advised to remain indoors with doors and windows closed and air conditioners off," police said. Sirens began sounding at around 9 a.m. following the release of chlorine gas at Dow Chemical's Olin unit in Plant B, Click2Houston reported. Brazosport County Community Awareness & Emergency Response (CAER) said a "shelter in place is in effect for areas of Clute and Lake Jackson, as a precaution." "The leak has been stopped. At this time, no other communities need to shelter in place. The safety of our employees, the community, and our environment is always our top priority," the CAER said in a Facebook post. This is a developing story. More updates to follow.
CBS News
29-01-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
How federal grant freeze impacted food shelves, food programs in Minnesota
ELK RIVER, Minn. — In the span of 48 hours this week, President Donald Trump's administration ordered a freeze on federal grants then reversed course. The back-and-forth has community organizations which rely on those funds feeling some uncertainty. CAER Food Shelf in Elk River serves about one million pounds of food and more than 9,000 families a year. Christian Peralta was stunned when he found out the food didn't cost him anything. People who meet income eligibility requirements can visit CAER once a month. "CAER brings us what [my family] needs, and I'm so thankful for that," he said. Heather Kliewer, CAER's executive director, says 60 percent of their food comes from surplus at nearby grocery stores. They buy 20 percent of their food from food banks using donations. The last 20 percent comes from a federal program called TEFAP, or The Emergency Food Assistance Program. "That's the funding we're afraid of losing," Kliewer said. "We get grant milk, grant eggs, meat, a lot of chicken and hamburger on the TEFAP that is crucial to what people want and need." On Monday, a White House memo ordered a freeze on all federal assistance, so agencies could review compliance with President Donald Trump's executive orders, specifically targeting spending on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and "woke gender ideology." The memo was rescinded Wednesday. Kliewer says this week is an example of why she and her employees feel anything can happen at any time. She says that can cause panic for families that rely on the food shelf. "[We] just really need information because this is a vital source of food for all of our neighbors," said Beth Balmanno, a CAER employee. Kliewer says she's confident community support will allow them to continue if they lose federal funding. Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer, who represents Elk River, called the freeze "good governance" prior to the directive being rescinded.
