Thursday, August 31, 2017

Evening Edition: Chemicals ignite at flooded Texas plant

 
Democracy Dies in Darkness
 
 
Evening Edition
The day's most important stories
 
 
Top Stories
Chemicals ignite at flooded Texas plant
The Environmental Protection Agency said it had dispatched personnel to the Crosby, Tex., plant, which is under six feet of water, including aircraft to check the smoke cloud. It did not immediately detect "concentrations of concern for toxic materials." The White House said President Trump intends to donate $1 million to disaster relief efforts, but it did not provide details on where the funds would come from.
Chemical plant operator warns of additional issues as temperatures rise
The compounds manufactured at the plant are used in everything from pharmaceuticals to construction materials. But if they are not kept cold, they could combust.
 
Harvey is a 1,000-year flood event
A new analysis determined the storm flooded a section of Southeast Texas that was equivalent in size to the state of New Jersey.
 
The Fix • Analysis
Trump claimed he witnessed devastation 'first hand.' The White House basically admits he didn't.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders tried to spin it, but she just confirmed Trump's exaggeration.
 
 
Harvey is pulling away from Texas and Louisiana, and taking the flood risk with it
As much as 10 inches of rain are possible from Louisiana to Kentucky through Friday.
 
Two new tropical threats are taking shape in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean
Forecasters are monitoring the potential for a new storm in the Gulf of Mexico next week. Hurricane Irma is forecast to strengthen as it approaches the Caribbean.
 
Harvey FAQ: Latest news and other highlights
A collection of both the latest developments and some of the stories you may have missed.
 
Perspective: Poor Texans are going to suffer the most, thanks to politics
Natural disasters aren't political. But the way their devastation unfolds is.
 
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They were trapped in a bakery for two days. They spent it baking for victims.
Praise has poured in around the world for the workers at El Bolillo Bakery in Houston.
 
Scammers using robo-calls about insurance to fleece Harvey survivors
"This is pure fraud," the national flood insurance director says.
 
Trump officials pick four companies to build prototypes of border wall
Congress has set aside $20 million in the current budget for construction of the concrete prototypes — the first step toward meeting President Trump's campaign promise of building the wall. But money has not been appropriated to build a continuous barrier.
 
Days after sister's visa pitch, Jared Kushner divested asset related to Jersey City project
The Trump aide moved the "contingent right" into his mother's trust after his sister pitched the real estate project to Chinese investors.
 
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U.S. service members, gay rights groups ask judge to halt Trump transgender ban
In the first of several lawsuits, former military chiefs under President Obama warn that the ban will harm readiness and recruitment.
 
Finding the white supremacists who beat a black man in Charlottesville
Activist Shaun King used social media to identify two of DeAndre Harris's attackers, who were captured on video. Police, he says, should be doing more to find them.
 
Trump administration orders three Russian diplomatic facilities in U.S. closed
The move was in retaliation to Russia's demand that U.S. facilities in Russia be reduced by hundreds of people. The State Department said the facilities in San Francisco, New York and Washington must be shuttered by Sept. 2.
 
What's more important than breast-feeding a baby? Giving a father time with his child.
Maryland magistrates ruled that a breast-feeding mother must let her estranged partner give their baby formula so the father can have overnight visits with his son. And they're right.