AP Photo
Trump makes false claims about federal response as he campaigns in area ravaged by Hurricane Helene
By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON, CHRISTINE FERNANDO and JEFF AMY
Updated 7:50 PM CDT, September 30, 2024
VALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) — Donald Trump repeatedly spread falsehoods Monday about the federal response to Hurricane Helene despite claiming not to be politicizing the disaster as he toured hard-hit areas in south Georgia.
The former president and Republican nominee claimed upon landing in Valdosta that President Joe Biden was “sleeping” and not responding to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who he said was “calling the president and hasn’t been able to get him.” He repeated the claim at an event with reporters after being told Kemp said he had spoken to Biden.
“He’s lying, and the governor told him he was lying,” Biden said Monday.
The White House previously announced that Biden spoke by phone Sunday night with Kemp and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, as well as Scott Matheson, mayor of Valdosta, Georgia, and Florida Emergency Management Director John Louk. Kemp confirmed Monday morning that he spoke to Biden the night before.
“The president just called me yesterday afternoon and I missed him and called him right back and he just said ‘Hey, what do you need?’ And I told him, you know, we’ve got what we need, we’ll work through the federal process,” Kemp said. “He offered if there are other things we need just to call him directly, which I appreciate that.” ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
Trump takes dark rhetoric to new level in final weeks of 2024 campaign: ANALYSIS
In the final weeks of the 2024 campaign, Trump is using increasingly shocking and bleak rhetoric to go after Harris and to paint a picture of a country in disrepair.
Biden administration doubles down on tough asylum restrictions at border
The Biden administration is making asylum restrictions at the southern border even tougher. The changes come in the middle of an election campaign where border security is a key concern, and the administration is increasingly eager to show voters it's taking a hard stance.
apnews.com
Harris says she would 'double' DOJ resources to crack down on drug cartels
Her comments follow Trump's false claims that she wants to legalize fentanyl.
www.nbcnews.com
The latest on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene | CNN
Dozens are dead across multiple Southeastern states after Hurricane Helene made landfall on Thursday. Follow here for the latest.
www.cnn.com
President Jimmy Carter becomes the first US president to live to 100 years old
Former president and Noble Peace Prize recipient Jimmy Carter becomes the first United States president to live to 100 years old.
www.usatoday.com
The US is sending a few thousand more troops to the Middle East to boost security
The Pentagon says is sending a “few thousand” additional troops to the Middle East to bolster security and to be prepared to defend Israel if necessary.
apnews.com
Trump ramps up his pace of campaigning in the sprint to Election Day
Trump has held 26 campaign events in September, according to a tally by NBC News — more than he did in June and July combined.
www.nbcnews.com
Trump numbers show how GOP went wrong on immigration - Washington Examiner
If Trump performs well with Latinos in the election, it would be worthwhile for some Republicans to ask what he got right in appealing to Latino voters.
www.washingtonexaminer.comIsrael begins ground offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon
The incursion follows weeks of heavy blows by Israel against Hezbollah — including an airstrike that killed its longtime leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
apnews.comKamala Harris’s economic policy slate more popular than Trump’s – poll
Exclusive: Harris Poll for Guardian finds Democrat put forward four of top five most popular economic proposals
Trump, in Georgia, attacks Biden and Harris on Helene response, Biden says he's 'lying'
Former President Donald Trump spoke at a furniture store in Hurricane Helene-ravaged Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday.
Trump slams US response to Helene. His own disaster-response record is marked by politics
Former President Donald Trump is criticizing the Biden administration’s response to widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, even as his supporters call for cuts to federal agencies that warn of weather disasters and deliver relief to hard-hit communities.
apnews.com
DNC trolls Trump, Vance with digital projections on NYC's Trump Tower ahead of debate
The Democratic National Committee will once again be putting projections on a Trump Tower about the Trump-Vance ticket ahead of the vice presidential debate.
www.cbsnews.comJudge strikes down Georgia ban on abortions, allowing them to resume beyond 6 weeks into pregnancy
A Georgia judge has struck down the state’s abortion law, which took effect in 2022 and effectively prohibited abortions beyond about six weeks of pregnancy.
apnews.com
'She's crazy liberal': Sen. Lindsey Graham tries to clarify Trump's attack on Harris
Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union," Sen. Lindsey Graham weighed in on Donald Trump's false accusations that Kamala Harris is mentally disabled.
www.usatoday.com
Hurricane Helene by the numbers: Catastrophic destruction covers 400 miles
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region Thursday night as a major Category 4 storm.
Biden approved Taiwan's biggest security package yet. China says the military aid won't deter it.
President Joe Biden said the US will send Taiwan its largest-ever security package worth up to $567 million amid rising tensions with China.
Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges
A man who authorities say spent 12 hours camped outside Donald Trump’s golf course before Secret Service spotted him with a rifle has pleaded not guilty to federal charges including attempted assassination.
apnews.com
Israel-Iran latest: Eight Israeli soldiers killed in fighting with Hezbollah inside Lebanon, says IDF
The Israeli military and Hezbollah both report clashes in Lebanon, a day after Israel announced ground troops were crossing the border.
www.bbc.com
Hochul told Adams to clean house in private call but has not asked him to resign | CNN Politics
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told Mayor Eric Adams to clean house during a private phone call with the embattled mayor this past week, according to multiple sources familiar with the call.
www.cnn.comA history of Donald Trump and Mark Cuban's 'love-hate relationship'
Mark Cuban has said that he has a "love-hate relationship" with Donald Trump. The two have traded insults and compliments for years.
Biden announces he'll travel to NC, slams Trump over criticism of storm response: 'He's lying'
President Joe Biden says he'll visit North Carolina later this week to tour damage from Hurricane Helene.
apnews.com
'People are just scrambling' - North Carolina reels from Helene
Residents describe how the storm "destroyed everything in its path" and wiped out entire communities in the state.
www.bbc.com
Video shows Russian jet zooming by within feet of US plane
Military officials have released new video of a startling interaction between a Russian jet flying near Alaska and a U.S. plane sent to intercept it.
apnews.com
Hezbollah's leadership 'nearly decimated,' national security spokesperson Kirby says
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said that Hezbollah's structure has been "nearly decimated" after a series of Israeli attacks.
What to watch as JD Vance and Tim Walz meet for a vice presidential debate
Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz will meet Tuesday in the lone vice presidential debate of the 2024 election.
apnews.com
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, questions about government response emerge
In western North Carolina, where more than 40 people have died, some residents say the government was unprepared for the storm.
www.nbcnews.com
Election 2024: Trump surveys Hurricane Helene damage in Georgia; Harris gets FEMA briefing
The latest news and updates on the 2024 election. Follow the Trump-Vance and Harris-Walz campaigns ahead of the presidential election in November.
www.nbcnews.comWhat polls show about Tim Walz and JD Vance before Tuesday's VP debate
As both running mates prepare to address a huge audience in next week's vice-presidential debate, Democrats are more positive about Walz and Harris than Republicans are about Vance and Trump.
apnews.com
What are Tim Walz's economic policies? Here's a look at what he's done in Minnesota.
As Minnesota's governor, Tim Walz created the largest state Child Tax Credit in the nation. Here are the economic issues to listen for at the debate.
www.cbsnews.com
Analysis: Why America is looking increasingly powerless as Israel’s war expands | CNN Politics
Israel’s apparently impending ground incursion into Lebanon will drive home a new strategic reality of a year of war — the once-mighty US is powerless to rein in its ally or to influence other major belligerents in a fast-worsening regional crisis.
www.cnn.comBiden says Olympians represented 'the very best of America'
Declaring the U.S. the “greatest sports nation in the history of the world,” President Joe Biden welcomed U.S.
apnews.com
Nevada GOP condemns ‘deplorable’ 43-foot nude Trump statue hanging by highway - Washington Examiner
The statue sparked backlash from conservatives, who called it a "pornographic portrayal" that incites "political violence."
www.washingtonexaminer.comJapan's new Prime Minister Ishiba vows to push a strong defense under the Japan-US alliance
Ishiba was chosen as the governing Liberal Democratic Party’s leader on Friday to replace Kishida, who announced in August his resignation at the end of his three-year term.
apnews.com
VP debates rarely matter - the Walz v Vance showdown is different
In a tight US election race, every opportunity to generate positive attention and political momentum is precious.
www.bbc.comBiden says he hopes to visit Helene-impacted areas this week if it doesn't impact emergency response
President Joe Biden says he will visit Hurricane Helene-impacted areas this week as long as it does not disrupt rescue and recovery operations.
apnews.com
Russia to hike defence spending by a quarter in 2025
The increase represents a new post-Soviet high for the country as it continues its war in Ukraine.
Georgia's six-week abortion ban ruled unconstitutional by Fulton County judge
The ruling means abortions in Georgia will be permitted to take place up to around 22 weeks, instead of a much earlier limit.
www.cbsnews.com
Imminent dockworkers strike could raise holiday prices, experts say
Tens of thousands of dockworkers are set to strike on Tuesday morning.
Oregon DMV waited weeks to tell elections officials about voter registration error
Oregon transportation authorities waited weeks to tell elections officials about an error that registered over 1,200 people to vote despite them not providing proof of U.S. citizenship.
apnews.comFact-checking Trump's migrant murderers claims
The former president has used figures that he says happened during Harris' time in office. DHS says they're being "misrepresented."
Arizona ballot measure aims to end state Supreme Court retention elections - Washington Examiner
If approved, Arizona’s Proposition 137 would end retention elections for state Supreme Court justices and other judges.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Netanyahu warns Iran as Israel continues strikes in Lebanon, AP Explains
Israel's prime minister issued a warning to Iran Monday, just days after an airstrike south of Beirut killed the leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah group, which is backed by Tehran.
apnews.com
Jimmy Carter is setting a new record for American presidents. It’s important for everyone | CNN Politics
Jimmy Carter sets a new record on October 1, his birthday, when he will become the first American president to reach triple digits.
www.cnn.comDonald Trump suggests 'one rough hour' of policing will end theft
Donald Trump has suggested that “one rough hour” of law enforcement action would tamp down retail theft, an echo of his thematic campaign support for more aggressive policing measures.
apnews.com
Walz-Vance VP Debate: How to watch, what to know
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance are set to face off in their only scheduled vice-presidential debate next week.
Claim of $185,000 stimulus for homeowners is nonsense | Fact check
Biden has not signed any stimulus plan that would send homeowners $50,000 or $185,000. There is no evidence such a program exists.
www.usatoday.com
China marks 75 years of Communist Party rule as economic challenges and security threats linger
China is marking the 75th year of Communist Party rule as economic challenges and security threats linger over the massive state.
apnews.com
Democrats sue to block new Georgia election rule requiring hand counting of ballots
The state and national Democratic Party said the rule might introduce "uncertainty" in vote tallying, and "wreak havoc on the general election."
www.cbsnews.comMurders, mayhem and officer's gunfire lead to charges at Brooklyn jail where 'Diddy' is held
Criminal charges unsealed Monday offer a fresh window into violence and dysfunction plaguing the Brooklyn federal jail where Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried are locked up.
apnews.com
Israel-Gaza-Lebanon updates: IDF orders evacuations in Beirut as huge blast hits city
Israel continued its intense airstrike campaign across Lebanon, which included several strikes in Beirut's southern suburbs and in the center of the city.
DOJ sues Alabama claiming names were removed from voter rolls after election deadline
In the latest controversy over a so-called 'voter purge' the U.S. Justice Department has sued Alabama and Secretary of State Wes Allen.
www.usatoday.com
Iran's history of elaborate election interference efforts, before the Trump campaign hack
Iran has repeatedly attempted to create distrust among Americans in the U.S. political system, according to experts and officials.
www.nbcnews.com
Five takeaways from Kamala Harris’s All the Smoke podcast interview - Washington Examiner
Kamala Harris sat down with the All the Smoke podcast to discuss everything from marijuana and the economy to guilty pleasures and the importance of race.
www.washingtonexaminer.comWho were the 7 high-ranking Hezbollah officials killed over the past week?
Intensified Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed seven high-ranking commanders and officials from the powerful Hezbollah militant group, including Hassan Nasrallah.
apnews.com
Democrats see Pennsylvania voter registration advantage in August - Washington Examiner
Democrats thinly outnumbered Republicans in new voter registrations as the election looms just weeks away.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Hurricane Helene hampers early voting efforts in North Carolina | CNN Politics
Early voting in North Carolina is facing hurdles as the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue to devastate communities in the Southeast, blocking roads and disrupting services across the state.
www.cnn.comMeasure to expand medical marijuana in Arkansas won't qualify for the ballot
An effort to expand Arkansas' medical marijuana program has failed to qualify for the November ballot.
apnews.com
Could rival Lebanese factions exploit a weakened Hezbollah?
Rival Lebanese parties may exploit Hezbollah’s weakness as the group struggles to survive a war against Israel.
Trump falsely says Georgia's governor was unable to talk to Biden about storm damage
Republican Gov. Brian Kemp said President Joe Biden offered any help the state needs.
www.nbcnews.comLeaders depart UN facing prospect of a wider Mideast war — but with a blueprint for a better future
World leaders gathered at the United Nations amid warnings of an escalating conflict that could engulf the Middle East and the breakdown of international relations based on nations working together.
apnews.com
Biden administration faces diplomatic frustrations in Lebanon, Gaza
So far, negotiations have failed to advance cease-fires on both fronts.
Native Americans in Montana ask court for voting sites on reservation
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Native Americans living on a remote Montana reservation filed a lawsuit against state and county officials Monday saying they don’t have enough places to vote in person — the latest chapter in a decades-long struggle by tribes in the United States over equal voting opportuniti
apnews.com
Man who claimed he had explosives at Trump rally in Michigan is charged | CNN Politics
The man who allegedly claimed he had C4 explosives in his car and sped through a security checkpoint at Donald Trump’s rally in Michigan over the weekend pleaded not guilty to charges against him on Monday.
www.cnn.com
Hurricane Helene spotlights rising prices for home and flood insurance
The storm left devastation across a vast stretch from Florida to Tennessee.
Justice Department will launch civil rights review into 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
The U.S. Department of Justice says it plans to launch a review and evaluation of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
apnews.com
Israeli troops enter Lebanon as ground operation against Hezbollah launched
Israeli army says ‘limited’ ground operation under way against Hezbollah as air strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs.
VA staffers looked at medical records of vice presidential nominees JD Vance, Tim Walz: sources
More than a dozen VA staffers accessed the medical records of vice presidential nominees JD Vane and Tim Walz, sources told USA TODAY.
www.usatoday.com
Comer subpoenas Mayorkas as investigation into Walz-China ties amps up - Washington Examiner
James Comer subpoenaed Mayorkas on Monday for materials related to Tim Walz and any ties to China.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Israel hits Yemen’s infrastructure again: What we know and why it matters
The large-scale Israeli attacks targeted seaports and power stations.
Startling video shows Russian fighter jet flying within feet of US F-16 near Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Military officials have released new video of a startling encounter between a Russian fighter jet flying near Alaska and a U.S.
apnews.com
Views of Vance, Walz ahead of debate — CBS News poll
Most voters say they plan to watch the VP debate between Tim Walz and JD Vance Tuesday night, which will be moderated by CBS News.
www.cbsnews.com
A hurricane, an intensifying war and a looming strike present a battery of new crises for Harris
The presidential campaigns have scrapped their travel plans and sought to depict themselves as engaged in the recovery.
www.nbcnews.com
2024 election updates: Helene politics is the focus 36 days until Election Day
The presidential candidates are focusing on responding to the devastation from Hurricane Helene and its aftermath.
Former Tennessee Gov. Winfield Dunn, who left dentistry to win as a first-time candidate, dies at 97
Former Tennessee Gov. Winfield Dunn has died at the age of 97. His son says his father died in his Nashville home on Saturday of natural causes.
apnews.com
California bans legacy admissions in all colleges, universities
California has become the fourth state to ban legacy admissions. The move comes after the SCOTUS decision to limit affirmative action.
Everything to know about the VP debate: Date, time and more on Vance-Walz showdown
Vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz are set to debate each other on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Here's how you can watch it.
www.usatoday.com
Wisconsin city replaces ballot drop box after mayor carted it away
An absentee ballot drop box that the mayor of a central Wisconsin city removed a week ago is back in place.
apnews.com
Fact check: Vance’s promise to cover people with preexisting conditions | CNN Politics
Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance has sought to fill in some details about the “concepts” of a health plan that former President Donald Trump mentioned in the presidential debate in September.
www.cnn.comLive music, breakfast and a raffle: Mexico's president makes the most of his final day in office
Outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador turned his final morning briefing Monday into a variety show featuring live music, breakfast and a raffle to gift his watch to a journalist.
apnews.com
'It's very complex': Biden struggles with being out of the national conversation
Biden wants Harris to win at all costs, but privately, he's had to adjust to how quickly his party has moved on from him, six sources tell NBC News.
www.nbcnews.com
UN extends Haiti security mission for another year as violence soars
Measure extends multinational police mission until early October 2025 as Haiti struggles to stem deadly gang violence.
Small 'micromobility' vehicles gain traction amid rising car prices
High car prices have pushed people towards to the micromobility sector, where much smaller vehicles offer greater flexibility for a fraction of the cost.
Michigan voter who was registered but denied a ballot settles lawsuit for $20,000
A community in western Michigan has agreed to a $20,000 settlement in a lawsuit by a woman who was turned away from her polling place in 2022.
apnews.com
‘Zombie vessel’ turns up at Chinese port, posing as retired ship - Washington Examiner
Just last week, an oil tanker appeared at a Chinese port carrying crude despite the ship having been retired nearly three years ago.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Mount Everest: A river may be making world's highest peak taller
River erosion at its base is helping push Mount Everest upwards, a new study says.
www.bbc.com
Putin says Ukraine goals will be ‘achieved’ as he repeats ‘neo-Nazi’ claims
President repeats justification for sending forces into Ukraine as Moscow launches swarms of drones against Kyiv.
Infant airlifted as Hurricane Helene aftermath devastates North Carolina
Some 324 people had been evacuated by air in flooded parts of western North Carolina, the National Guard said Monday.
www.usatoday.com
Ground Game: VP debate, Dems court Trump voters in AZ, North Carolina down ballot races
This newsletter was originally sent out via email to our Ground Game subscribers on date. You can subscribe at any time at apnews.com/newsletters.
apnews.com
What to know about JD Vance's views and policy record before the VP debate
Here's a look at where Sen. JD Vance stands on several important issues heading into Tuesday's vice presidential debate, hosted by CBS News.
www.cbsnews.com
What to know about Tim Walz's views and policy record before the VP debate
Here's a look at where Gov. Tim Walz stands on several important issues heading into Tuesday's vice presidential debate, hosted by CBS News.
www.cbsnews.comStock market today: Wall Street sets more records to close a winning September and third quarter
Wall Street closed its latest winning month and quarter with more records. The S&P 500 climbed 0.4% Monday to an all-time high.
apnews.comTrump Accuses Biden Of What He Himself Did: Withholding Aid To Storm Victims
The coup-attempting criminal former president also accused Biden and Harris of having "left Americans to drown" in the South.
Labor Department under GOP fire for hosting ‘union pep rally’ - Washington Examiner
EXCLUSIVE — The department is back in the crosshairs of Republicans over accusations it sought to boost Democrats by hosting a pro-union event with taxpayer funds.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Hurricane Helene scrambles mail and early voting plans in North Carolina
Flooding risks delaying or destroying mail ballots, which started going out this month in the state, and has forced the closings of several county election offices.
www.nbcnews.com
In razor-thin Georgia, Harris campaign eyeing Asian American voters | CNN Politics
The mobilization of Asian American voters is on full display in Georgia, where they make up a critical piece of Kamala Harris’ game plan against Donald Trump.
www.cnn.com
Video of Harris slurring words in Helene warning is edited | Fact check
The video was manipulated to slow Vice President Kamala Harris' speech. Videos shared by the White House and C-SPAN show Harris spoke normally.
www.usatoday.com
France's Le Pen denies wrongdoing as she and her party go on trial accused of embezzling EU funds
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has denied violating any rules as she and her National Rally party and two dozen others went on trial accused of embezzling European Parliament funds.
apnews.com
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 949
As the war enters its 949th day, these are the main developments.
'It defies all logic:' New York City Mayor Eric Adams' lawyer urges corruption case dismissal
Lawyer Alex Spiro asked a federal court to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, saying no bribery occurred.
www.usatoday.com
10 things to know about JD Vance, Donald Trump's vice presidential pick
Former President Donald Trump chose Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate. The two haven't always seen eye-to-eye.
ISS welcomes crew of docked SpaceX capsule
A capsule sent to bring back two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station has docked.
www.bbc.comHarvesting hops for beer produces a lot of waste. These German groups are seeking to fix that
A startup called HopfON — a play on Hopfen, the German word for hops — and a research society in Bavaria are seeking to solve the problem of waste created during the hops harvest in Germany.
apnews.com
Migrant crossings at the US’ southern border drop again amid campaign year scrutiny | CNN Politics
Migrant crossings at the US-Mexico border remain at their lowest levels since 2020, according to new federal data obtained by CNN, as Republicans and Democrats spar over border security.
www.cnn.com
Biden shores up asylum limits, likely extending border crackdown indefinitely
The Biden administration announced new regulations to shore up the partial asylum ban it enacted at the U.S. southern border in June.
www.cbsnews.comBelarusian authorities pressure pardoned political prisoners, rights groups say
Belarusian human rights activists have accused the authorities of pressuring political prisoners pardoned by authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.
apnews.com
Biden says he plans to visit areas devastated by Helene in North Carolina later this week
President Biden said he expects he will need to ask Congress to pass supplemental funding to respond to the storm.
www.cbsnews.comHow major US stock indexes fared Monday, 9/30/2024
Wall Street closed its latest winning month and quarter with more records on Monday. The drift higher for U.S. stocks followed a wild start to the week for financial markets in Asia, where Japanese stocks tumbled and Chinese indexes soared.
apnews.com
Strike poised to shut down major US ports
The strike is set to significantly disrupt trade, creating uncertainty ahead of the US election.
www.bbc.com
Vance and Walz lean on their wives in different ways on the trail — and ahead of the VP debate
Gwen Walz and Usha Vance have become fixtures on the campaign trail as their husbands compete for the vice presidency.
www.nbcnews.comNEWS FROM THE HILL:
NEWS FROM REUTERS:
NEWS FROM POLITICO:
