Latest news with #Damage
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Whitmer seeks more time to prepare federal disaster aid request after ice storm
NORTHERN MICHIGAN — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requested an extension from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Monday, April 21 to submit a request for a Major Disaster Declaration in relation to the historic early spring ice storm that hit Northern Michigan. From March 28-30, Northern Michigan was battered by storms that produced several inches of ice, resulting in widespread power outages, fallen trees and impassable roads. 'The historic ice storms in Northern Michigan have required an all-hands-on-deck approach to help get the power back on, clear roads and keep people safe,' Whitmer said in a press release. 'With recovery efforts still ongoing, I am asking FEMA for an extension to submit a major disaster declaration request, so we can get a complete picture of what resources and support these local communities need as they recover from this devastating storm. We'll continue coordinating closely with first-responders, local communities, our federal partners and Michiganders on the ground. Michiganders are strong, and we'll get through this together.' In the letter, Whitmer asked for an extension until May 29. More: National Linemen Appreciation Day takes on new meaning in Northern Michigan this year Recovery operations and response to the storm are still in effect more than three weeks later, with local jurisdictions working to identify community needs. According to the release from Whitmer's office, local damage assessments have been largely completed, paving the way for the Preliminary Damage Assessments that start this week. U.S. Representative Jack Bergman, along with State Sen. John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) and State Reps. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan), Parker Fairbairn (R-Harbor Springs) and Ken Borton (R-Gaylord), spoke in support of the extension request. According to the release, each mentioned that the extreme damage from the storm has limited the ability to have a complete assessment of the resources necessary to rebuild. 'This was a devastating storm that unfolded in slow motion, with wave after wave of ice and trees falling day after day,' Damoose said in a statement. 'Because of the magnitude of the damage, and the fact that it took weeks to even be able to access certain areas within the counties under emergency declaration, damage assessment takes much longer to accurately complete than what one may see in a shorter event like a tornado or hurricane. We hope that Governor Whitmer's request for an extension is approved by FEMA, because Northern Michigan is still in crisis.' More: Proposed bill would start relief funding to Northern Michigan to help with ice storm toll Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage According to Whitmer's office, the State of Michigan will be conducting joint Preliminary Damage Assessments with FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration this week. That will be used to determine whether the extent of the damage from the storm meets the threshold for a Major Disaster Declaration. Depending on the results, the state would be able to request individual assistance and public assistance, offering direct help to homeowners, renters, local governments, nonprofits and more. The extension request comes just days after Fairbairn proposed House Bill 4328, a $75 million state budget plan aimed to bring state relief to the region recovering from the ice storm. The $75 million would be more than the necessary 25% match from the state if $225 million in federal relief dollars could be secured. Additionally, Damoose proposed Senate Bill 212, which would forgive the days area schools were not in session during the state of emergency. Whitmer had declared a state of emergency in Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties following the storm. She visited the region on April 3 and met with local officials and emergency responders. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II visited on April 4 to survey the damage and talk to residents. — Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@ Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Whitmer asks FEMA for extension on disaster declaration request after ice storm
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
K-pop star JUST B's Bain comes out: 'Proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community'
Photo by The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images; Bain from Just B has just come out as gay The world of K-pop recently welcomed Katseye's Lara Rajagopalan into the LGBTQ+ fam, and now we get to welcome JUST B's Bain into the fold, too. The band, which debuted in 2021, consists of members Geonu, Bain, Lim Ji-min, Siwoo, DY, and Sangwoo, is known for their songs like 'Damage' and 'Medusa' and have been gaining popularity stateside over the last couple of years. Over the weekend, at a concert in Los Angeles for the band's 'JUST ODD' tour, Bain, whose real name is Song Byeonghee, stepped forward to perform a cover of Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way.' However, before he started, Bain said, 'All right, before I sing this next song, tonight I wanna share something with you guys.' After a dramatic pause and some cheers from the crowd, he said, 'I'm f**king proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community.' — (@) The announcement sent shockwaves through the fandom, who met the news with grace and encouragement. Following his announcement, Bain proceeded to dance around the stage with a pride flag while he belted out Gaga's iconic tune, often associated as a gay anthem. — (@) Considering the conservative values typically displayed in the K-pop industry, fans viewed this as a bold move. Although K-pop artists have shown various support for the LGBTQ+ community in unique ways over the years, something as outright as Bain's coming out is extremely rare. At the end of the concert, Bain also took some time to thank the audience for their support, saying the evening meant a lot to him. 'I'm so happy that I can be myself,' he said. 'I just wanna say until next time: Stay bold, stay fierce, and lastly, always, always be your true selves.' — (@) Bain joins Rajagopalan in the folds of the queer K-pop world alongside MRSHLL (Marshall Bang), who was the first K-pop star to come out in 2017. Outside of the audience's approval, the rest of JUST B also gathered around Bain to offer their support to his news. Keep scrolling for some other reactions to Bain's announcement. — (@) "bain. omg pls tune into just b, they make nothing but bangers and are SO talented" — (@) "its literally all tears onstage tonight omg #justb #just_b #bain" — (@) "JUST B member Bain has come out as a member of the LGBT community at the recent stop of the group's ongoing tour!" — (@) "my bain we love you so much and we're all so proud of you" — (@) "feeling so emotional rn… i stopped keeping up w just b some time ago but seeing bain come out on stage is so fuckin amazing i wanna cry so bad. i just want him to be happy forever" — (@) "even if you don't stan just b, no one can deny the impact bain has made tonight in the kpop community. i hope he receives endless support for coming out & i hope it helps others feel comfortable enough to be their true selves publicly. being lgbtq+ is ALWAYS smth to be proud of!!" — (@) "oh my bain,,, it takes so, so much courage to do what you did and i hope that you feel all the love and support from everyone around you. thank you for being your authentic self always and for trusting us so much to be on this journey with you. #WeLoveBain #ProudofBain" — (@) "Now back to work where i have to pretend to be normal and not freaking out in excitement over bain and just b low key blowing up the internet" — (@) "seeing just b and specifically bain and their growth from debut to now… so proud" — (@) "genuinely can't stop thinking about how happy i am to be a fan of just b like. the members showing their love and support to bain is so special and so meaningful for a lot of us. truly stanning the right group" — (@) "just b released a new song, whatever you're going through, itll be okay. bain is definitely feeling the love from the audience i promise you" — (@) "i'm bout to cry thinking about my snapshot with bain . i was thanking him for showing his true self and being so inspiring . he listened to sweetly and then fixed my hair for me and gave me the biggest hug . i love him sm"
