CLICK https://x.com/w_terrence/status/1945298127939932569 to see VP Vance cast the tie breaking vote on H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025 (https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/119/hr4), which aims to rescind approximately $9 billion in unobligated funds from various federal programs. The House passed the House on June 12, 2025, with a vote of 235-174 (Roll Call #168), but since the Senate version is amended, it now must be passed again by the House before Trump can sign it into law.
If the Rescissions Act becomes law, it will (among many other things) defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. CPB provides 10% to 15% of the funds used to air PBS and NPR. The rest comes from donations, corporate sponsors, and other sources. Democrats opposed H.R. 4 (of course) saying the end of PBS and NPR would lead to (you’ll never guess!) people dying. CLICK https://x.com/WesternLensman/status/1945493507885662590 [ :32] to hear Chuck Schumer call continued funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting “a matter of life and death.”
Since it wouldn’t occur to me to tune into either during a natural disaster, I asked Grok, “During a natural disaster, what is the best source for emergency information?” I got back the following, which besides never once mentioning PBS or NPR, was useful enough (and so long) that I decided to pass it on to all y’all as a separate post.
During a natural disaster, the best source for emergency information depends on the situation, location, and type of disaster, but official government channels are generally the most reliable and authoritative. Below is a prioritized list of sources, tailored to provide accurate, timely, and actionable information:
- Local Government and Emergency Management Agencies:
- Primary Source: Agencies like FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) in the U.S., or state/local equivalents (e.g., Cal OES in California for wildfires, earthquakes, or floods), provide real-time updates, evacuation orders, shelter locations, and safety guidance.
- Access: Check their websites (e.g., FEMA.gov, Ready.gov), official apps (FEMA App), or social media accounts (e.g., @FEMA or local emergency management on X). During disasters like hurricanes or wildfires, local agencies often post updates on X or websites with specific instructions.
- Example for California: During wildfires, Cal OES or local county emergency services (e.g., Los Angeles County Fire Department) provide evacuation zones, road closures, and air quality alerts via websites, apps like PulsePoint, or X posts.
- National Weather Service (NWS) and NOAA:
- Best for Weather-Related Disasters: For hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or severe storms, the NWS (weather.gov) and NOAA provide accurate forecasts, warnings, and watches. They issue specific alerts like flash flood warnings or hurricane advisories.
- Access: NWS websites, NOAA Weather Radio, or apps like Weather Underground or NOAA Weather Radar Live. NWS also posts urgent updates on X (e.g., @NWS or local NWS offices like @NWSLosAngeles).
- Why Reliable: These agencies use real-time data from meteorologists and are less prone to misinformation than unofficial sources.
- Local News Outlets (Radio, TV, Online):
- Role: Local TV and radio stations (e.g., KNX 1070 in Los Angeles for wildfires) often relay official emergency alerts, road closures, and community-specific information. Many have apps or livestreams for real-time updates.
- Caution: Verify they’re sourcing from official channels (e.g., NWS, FEMA, or local police/fire departments) to avoid sensationalized reports. Check their X accounts or websites for breaking news.
- Emergency Alert Systems:
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs): These are automatic, location-based text messages sent to mobile devices during imminent threats (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, or AMBER Alerts). Managed by FEMA and the FCC, they require no sign-up.
- Local Systems: In California, systems like AlertLA or Nixle provide text/email alerts from local authorities. Sign up in advance if possible.
- Reverse 911: Some areas use automated calls to notify residents of evacuation orders or hazards.
- Official Social Media (X, Twitter, etc.):
- Use: Platforms like X can provide real-time updates from agencies like FEMA (@FEMA), NWS, or local fire/police departments. For example, during California wildfires, accounts like @CAL_FIRE or @LACoFDPIO post evacuation maps and shelter info.
- Caution: Stick to verified accounts to avoid misinformation. Cross-check X posts against official websites or apps, as unverified users may spread rumors (e.g., false evacuation zones during 2025 Los Angeles wildfires).
- Community Networks and Apps:
- Apps: Tools like Nextdoor (for neighborhood updates), Red Cross Emergency App, or Citizen can provide hyper-local information, but they rely on user reports, so verify with official sources.
- Community Radio: In remote areas, local radio stations may be the only source during power outages (e.g., battery-powered radios tuned to NOAA Weather Radio frequencies).
Considerations for Natural Disasters
- Type of Disaster:
- Wildfires (e.g., California’s 2025 Palisades Fire): Prioritize local fire departments (e.g., @LACoFDPIO) and air quality alerts (e.g., AQMD.gov).
- Earthquakes: USGS (earthquake.usgs.gov) for magnitude and aftershock info, plus local emergency services for structural safety updates.
- Hurricanes/Floods: NWS and FEMA for forecasts and evacuation routes.
- Power/Internet Outages: If internet or cell service is down, NOAA Weather Radio or battery-powered AM/FM radios are critical. Pre-download apps or save offline maps (e.g., FEMA App’s offline features).
- Location-Specific Needs: In California, check county-specific resources (e.g., San Diego’s SD Emergency App for wildfires/floods). For SB 549-related areas (e.g., Los Angeles wildfires), Cal OES and local RRAs may post recovery resources.
Tips for Staying Informed
- Prepare in Advance: Bookmark official websites, download apps, and sign up for local alerts (e.g., AlertLA, Nixle) before a disaster.
- Verify Information: Cross-check X posts or news with primary sources (e.g., FEMA, NWS) to avoid misinformation, which spreads quickly during crises (e.g., fake evacuation maps on X during 2025 wildfires).
- Backup Power: Keep a charged power bank or battery-powered radio, as outages are common during disasters like hurricanes or wildfires.
- Multiple Sources: Rely on a combination of official apps, radio, and social media for redundancy, as one channel may fail.
Why Official Sources Are Best
- Accuracy: Government agencies like FEMA, NWS, or local fire/police departments have direct access to real-time data and are legally accountable for accuracy.
- Timeliness: WEAs and official X accounts provide near-instant alerts for imminent threats.
- Actionable Guidance: These sources offer clear instructions (e.g., evacuation routes, shelter locations) rather than just news.
polination.blog 