10, at least 55 people were
confirmed dead on the island of Maui due to fast-moving wildfires, CBS News reports.
.
That same day, the fire that demolished the town
of Lahaina was reportedly 80% contained.
.
Four wildfires continue to burn
on the island, according to Maui
County Fire Chief Bradford Ventura.
.
Officials predict that the
death toll will continue to rise.
Gov.
Josh Green said that "hundreds of homes" have been demolished so far.
.
What we saw is likely the largest natural disaster in Hawaii state history, Hawaii Gov.
Josh Green, via statement.
When asked how many people are estimated
to still be missing, Maui County Police Chief
John Pelletier said, "Honestly, we don't know.".
As for Lahaina residents who
want to go back home, Pelletier said it
could be weeks before that's a possibility.
.
But we have to respect the fact that we've got loved ones in that earth,
and we've got to do the right thing
to get them out the right way, Maui County Police Chief John Pelletier, via statement.
President Biden issued a federal disaster declaration on Aug.
10.
Our prayers are with the people of Hawaii,
but not just our prayers — every asset
we have will be available to them.
, President Joe Biden, via statement.
They've seen their homes,
their businesses destroyed,
and some have lost loved ones,
and it's not over yet, President Joe Biden, via statement
Phase One Investigative Maui Wildfire Report , to Be Released Next Month.
ABC reports that seven months after deadly
wildfires devastated Maui, an investigative
report will be released on April 17, 2024.
Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez commissioned the
Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) to conduct an
independent investigation alongside several local agencies.
The first phase of the investigation is meant
to analyze how the disaster unfolded during
the first 24 to 72 hours, as well as its aftermath. .
The report also includes
a comprehensive timeline of events. .
According to the AG's office, the FSRI research
team ran into unexpected delays while
gathering information critical to their review. .
In November of 2023, subpoenas were served to the
Maui Emergency Management Agency, the County
of Maui Department of Public Works and the
County of Maui Department of Water Supply.
Those subpoenas demanded materials relevant
to the investigation, including documents and photos, as well as video and audio recordings.
Being able to review all of the data,
which is extensive, has a tremendous
impact on the comprehensive analysis
of the fire incident and our
recommendations to make Hawaiʻi
a safer place to live, work and play, Steve Kerber, Ph.D., PE, vice president and executive director of FSRI, via ABC.
An analysis of this magnitude cannot be
rushed, and we must allow for the time
needed to make sure this investigation,
based on science, is done correctly, Anne Lopez, Hawaii Attorney General, via ABC.
I am confident that the Phase One
report will provide some answers
to the questions surrounding
the tragic wildfire incident, Anne Lopez, Hawaii Attorney General, via ABC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Cardi B won’t be casting her ballot for Joe Biden or Donald Trump this November … 'cause she’s calling them both failures as Commanders In Chief. Cardi.. TMZ.com
Biden Asserts Executive Privilege , Over Audio of Interview With Robert Hur.
In February, Hur's yearlong investigation
into whether President Biden mishandled classified documents ended without enough evidence to support criminal charges.
In February, Hur's yearlong investigation
into whether President Biden mishandled classified documents ended without enough evidence to support criminal charges.
House Republicans were provided a
transcript of Biden's interview with Hur, but they wanted the audio, which the DOJ denied.
As a result, House Republicans were
moving to hold Attorney General
Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress.
On May 16, the Department of Justice told House Republicans that the president asserted executive privilege over audio from his interview with the special counsel.
The move protects Garland from criminal exposure as GOP lawmakers seek to hold him accountable.
Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte
explained the DOJ's actions in a letter.
The Attorney General must draw a line
that safeguards the Department from
improper political influence and protects
our principles, our law enforcement work,
and the people who carry out that work
independently, without fear or favor, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte, via letter .
The Committees seek to hold the
Attorney General in contempt
not for failing in his duties,
but for upholding them, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte, via letter .
With the information you now have,
the Committees ought not to proceed
with contempt and should instead avoid
unnecessary and unwarranted conflict, Assistant Attorney General Carlos Uriarte, via letter .
White House Counsel Ed Siskel also wrote a letter supporting the assertion of executive privilege. .
The absence of a legitimate need
for the audio recordings lays bare
your likely goal—to chop them up,
distort them, and use them for
partisan political purposes, White House Counsel Ed Siskel, via letter
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
President Biden's getting better at saving himself from nasty tumbles ... 'cause he was thiiis close to going down Wednesday in the middle of a memorial for.. TMZ.com
Trump Accepts Offer , to Debate Biden.
On May 15, President Biden revealed that he agreed to an offer from CNN to debate Donald Trump and then challenged his predecessor to do the same.
I’ve received and accepted an invitation
from @CNN for a debate on June 27th.
Over to you, Donald. As you said:
anywhere, any time, any place, President Joe Biden, via X.
Donald Trump lost two debates to
me in 2020. Since then he hasn’t shown
up for a debate. Now he’s acting like
he wants to debate me again, President Joe Biden, via video message.
Well, make my day, pal, I’ll even do it
twice. So let’s pick the dates, Donald –
I hear you’re free on Wednesdays, President Joe Biden, via video message.
Trump took to Truth Social to respond.
I am Ready and Willing to Debate
Crooked Joe at the two proposed
times in June and September, Donald Trump, via Truth Social.
Both candidates have expressed a preference to debate sooner than the fall dates initially proposed by the Commission on Presidential Debates.
Both candidates have expressed a preference to debate sooner than the fall dates initially proposed by the Commission on Presidential Debates.
According to Biden campaign chair
Jen O'Malley Dillion, those dates are
"out of step with changes in the structure of our elections and the interests of voters.".
Trump went on to say that he'd like
to debate Biden more than twice.
I would strongly recommend more
than two debates and, for excitement
purposes, a very large venue, although
Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds - , Donald Trump, via Truth Social.
That’s only because he doesn’t get
them. Just tell me when, I’ll be
there. 'Let’s get ready to Rumble!!!', Donald Trump, via Truth Social.
That’s only because he doesn’t get
them. Just tell me when, I’ll be
there. 'Let’s get ready to Rumble!!!', Donald Trump, via Truth Social.
The first debate between the two
presidential candidates will be June 27.
The first debate between the two
presidential candidates will be June 27
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Joey Graziadei & Kelsey Anderson chat with THR at the 'IF' premiere and say it feels like a "breath of fresh air" to be out and about following 'The Bachelor' season finale. Plus, they dish on visiting Joey's second home, Hawaii, and their thoughts on Jen being the next Bachelorette.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:57Published
The death toll from a blaze that started overnight in a central Johannesburg building has climbed to more than 70, including children. It was not immediately clear what caused the blaze. House fires..
Authorities Release Names of , 388 People Still Missing Weeks After, Deadly Maui Wildfires.
Officials in Maui have released the names of
388 people who are still unaccounted for..
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
The death toll in Maui has climbed to at least 96, with the number expected to rise. As rescuers work around the clock to track down hundreds of people that remain unaccounted for, the catastrophe has..