Some FEMA staff are put on leave after signing dissent letter

Some FEMA staff are put on leave after signing dissent letter

By GABRIELA AOUN ANGUEIRA Associated Press

Some employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency who signed a public letter of dissent earlier this week were put on administrative leave Tuesday evening, according to documents reviewed by The Associated Press.

More than 180 current and former FEMA employees signed the letter sent to the FEMA Review Council and Congress on Monday critiquing recent cuts to agency staff and programs, and warning that FEMA’s capacity to respond to a major disaster was dangerously diminished.

Thirty-five signed their names while 141 signed anonymously for fear of retribution.

The Associated Press has confirmed that at least two of the signatories received notices Tuesday evening informing them they would be placed on leave indefinitely, with pay and that they must still check in every morning confirming their availability. It was unclear what the status was for other signatories.

The notice said the decision “is not a disciplinary action and is not intended to be punitive.”

FEMA did not respond immediately to questions about how many staff received the notice and whether it was related to the opposition letter.

The Washington Post first reported that some FEMA employees were being put on leave.

The dissent letter contained six “statements of opposition” to current policies at FEMA, including an expenditure approval policy by which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem must approve contracts exceeding $100,000, which the signatories said reduces FEMA’s ability to perform its mission.

It also critiqued the DHS decision to reassign some FEMA employees to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the failure to appoint a qualified FEMA administrator as stipulated by law, and cuts to mitigation programs, preparedness training and FEMA workforce.

In an email Monday, FEMA spokesperson Daniel Llargues said that the Trump administration “has made accountability and reform a priority so that taxpayer dollars actually reach the people and communities they are meant to help.”

“It is not surprising that some of the same bureaucrats who presided over decades of inefficiency are now objecting to reform,” Llargues said. “Change is always hard.”

Employees at other agencies including the National Institutes of Health and Environmental Protection Agency have issued similar statements. About 140 EPA staff members at the were placed on administrative leave for signing an opposition letter.

N.C. State, East Carolina resume testy instate rivalry with season-opening matchup

N.C. State, East Carolina resume testy instate rivalry with season-opening matchup

East Carolina at N.C. State, Thursday, 7 p.m. EDT.

BetMGM College Football Odds: N.C. State by 11 1/2.

How to watch: ACC Network.

Key stats

ECU (2024):

Overall offense: 436.4 yards per game (24th in FBS)

Passing: 264.0 yards per game (27th)

Rushing: 172.4 yards per game (50th)

Scoring: 32.0 points per game (34th)

Overall defense: 405.2 yards allowed per game (100th in FBS)

Passing: 235.3 yards allowed per game (96th)

Rushing: 169.8 yards allowed per game (94th)

Scoring: 27.3 points allowed per game (83rd)

N.C. State (2024):

Overall offense: 377.8 yards per game (76th in FBS)

Passing: 232.6 yards per game (58th)

Rushing: 145.2 yards per game (83rd)

Scoring: 28.5 points per game (62nd)

Overall defense: 390.8 yards allowed per game (88th in FBS)

Passing: 233.8 yards allowed per game (93rd)

Rushing: 157.0 yards allowed per game (79th)

Scoring: 30.2 points allowed per game (104th)

Team leaders

ECU (2024)

Passing: Katin Houser, 2,006 yards, 18 TDs, 11 INTs, 60.8 completion percentage

Rushing: London Montgomery, 359 yards, two TDs

Receiving: Anthony Smith, 799 yards, 41 catches, six TDs

N.C. State (2024)

Passing: CJ Bailey, 2,413 yards, 17 TDs, 10 INTs, 64.9 completion percentage

Rushing: Hollywood Smothers, 571 yards, six TDs

Receiving: Justin Joly, 661 yards, four TDs

Last game

East Carolina beat N.C. State 26-21 in the Military Bowl to end last season in a game that included a late on-field brawl. N.C. State finished 6-7, while ECU went 8-5.

Next game

East Carolina has its home opener Sept. 6 against Campbell.

N.C. State will host Virginia on Sept. 6 in an unusual scenario: a meeting of Atlantic Coast Conference teams that won’t count in the league standings. The schools added that game to fill a nonconference spot in the schedule rather than being paired through the league’s scheduling model.

Easy Lemon and Spinach Orzo

Easy Lemon and Spinach Orzo

This orzo pasta recipe is the perfect quick and easy comfort food. It’s warm and cozy and full of flavor.

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp. butter
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp. lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 cup orzo pasta (uncooked)
  • 2 1/2 cups broth of your choice (vegetable or chicken work well)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tbsp. pepper
  • 1 tbsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Prepare the base
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the oil and garlic and sauté for a minute or so, until the garlic is slightly toasted.

2. Add the pasta
Combine the lemon zest and uncooked orzo and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently until some of the pasta is slightly toasted and brown.

3. Add the liquids
Add the broth and lemon juice to the mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often to make sure the orzo doesn’t stick. When the orzo is al dente and most of the broth has been absorbed, it’s done!

4. Dress it up
Incorporate the spinach, heavy cream and parmesan cheese and stir together until the spinach is wilted and the orzo is creamy. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.

5. Serve it hot
Serve immediately and enjoy the coziness!

August 27th 2025

August 27th 2025

Thought of the Day

August 27th 2024
Photo by Getty Images

Time is like the ocean, always there, always different.

Wet Nose Wednesday: Meet Lena and Zucchini!

Wet Nose Wednesday: Meet Lena and Zucchini!

Buckle up, adventure seekers! I’m Lena, your purr-fect companion ready to explore life with you. I’m always eager to cuddle up close and be the center of attention during our journey called life. I absolutely adore being right by your side, soaking up every moment of companionship and making sure you never feel alone. My friendly personality means I’m always up for meeting new people and making friends. So pack your bags, grab my carrier, and let’s embark on the adventure of a lifetime together – I guarantee with me around, every day will be filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories! How did I get here? Transferred from Durham APS. **I have tested positive for FeLV (feline leukemia) – please speak with an adoption specialist for more information.** ~My adoption fee is waived.~

Hey there, I’m Zucchini, your soon-to-be celebrity canine companion! Think of me as the Jennifer Lawrence of the dog world – totally easygoing, charming, and ready to steal your heart. While I might have a bit of a playful side when it comes to energy, I’m basically the cool, calm celebrity who knows how to work a room (or a living room). I’ve got some impressive skills like sitting, shaking paws, and looking absolutely adorable on command. If you’re looking for a co-star who will bring joy, cuddles, and a touch of star power to your life, then look no further – Zucchini is ready for her close-up! PS: I’m not big on cat co-stars, so let’s keep this casting call strictly about us. I am full grown at ~53lbs. How did I get here? Adopted & returned when my owner was no longer able to care for me. ~My adoption fee is $120.00.~

Meet Lena

Meet Zucchini

Cracker Barrel relents, says its old logo will return

Cracker Barrel relents, says its old logo will return

By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer

Cracker Barrel said late Tuesday it’s returning to its old logo after critics — including President Donald Trump — protested the company’s plan to modernize.

In a post on its website, Cracker Barrel said it will retain its old logo, which features an older man in overalls sitting next to a barrel and the words “Old Country Store.”

“We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel,” the company said in a statement. “Our new logo is going away and our ‘Old Timer’ will remain.”

The tempest over the logo began last week, when the company announced plans for a simplified design featuring only the company’s name. Lebanon, Tennessee-based Cracker Barrel, which has 660 restaurants in 43 states, made the change as part of a wider plan to modernize its restaurants and appeal to younger customers.

The chain’s sales have been slipping as it faces growing competition from breakfast chains and others. In its 2024 fiscal year, Cracker Barrel’s same-store sales, or sales at locations open at least a year, dropped 0.1% despite a 4.9% increase in menu prices. Same-store retail sales at its shops fell 5.5%.

But many protested the change. On Monday, Cracker Barrel put out an apologetic statement, saying it “could have done a better job sharing who we are and who we’ll always be.”

At that point, Cracker Barrel didn’t say it would change the logo, but said it would listen to its customers and keep many of the things they have come to love about the restaurant, like the rocking chairs on its front porches. The company said it would continue to honor Uncle Herschel — the older man in its logo, who represents the uncle of Cracker Barrel’s founder — on its menu and on items sold in its stores.

But the controversy continued. On Tuesday morning, Trump said via Truth Social that Cracker Barrel “should go back to the old logo, admit a mistake based on customer response (the ultimate Poll), and manage the company better than ever before.” Cracker Barrel’s shares rose after more than a week of declines.

By Tuesday evening, Cracker Barrel had made its decision and scrapped the new logo.

“At Cracker Barrel, it’s always been – and always will be – about serving up delicious food, warm welcomes, and the kind of country hospitality that feels like family,” the company said. “As a proud American institution, our 70,000 hardworking employees look forward to welcoming you to our table soon.”

Trump was among those celebrating the move.

“Good luck into the future. Make lots of money and, most importantly, make your customers happy again!” Trump said via Truth Social.

Kitty Interviews Beauty and the Beast Performer Kevin Ligon

Kitty Interviews Beauty and the Beast Performer Kevin Ligon

Listen in as Kitty interviews performer Kevin Ligon, who plays the character of Belle’s father in DPAC’s upcoming production of musical “Beauty and the Beast.” Catch Kevin’s excitement as he shares about changes and enhancements that been made to the Disney show for this latest touring production. You can enjoy the show — and see Kevin in person — at DPAC from September 2nd through September 14th.

Overcoming School-Related Anxiety: Madison Interviews Mental Health Counselor Kim Dillon

Overcoming School-Related Anxiety: Madison Interviews Mental Health Counselor Kim Dillon

Looking for practical tips on how to overcome back-to-school anxiety for parents and children alike? Then listen to Madison’s interview with licensed, clinical mental health counselor Kim Dillon from Therapeutic Partners in Raleigh. You’ll hear informational nuggets about how to get children to open up and share their feelings, the warning signs of when professional help is needed to overcome school-related anxiety, and the mindset that parents are encouraged to adopt for their college-age children.

A late push sends Wall Street near its records

A late push sends Wall Street near its records

By DAMIAN J. TROISE and ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writers

Wall Street capped a choppy day of trading Tuesday with slight gains for stocks, leaving the major indexes just below their recent all-time highs.

The S&P 500 closed 0.4% higher after wavering between small gains and losses for much of the day. The benchmark index finished just 2.6 points below its record high set earlier this month and short of recouping all of its losses from the day before.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average also bounced back from an early slide, finishing with a 0.3% gain. The Nasdaq composite added 0.4%.

The market’s uneven start to the week comes after Wall Street notched big gains last week on hopes for interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve.

Gains in technology, financial and industrial stocks helped outweigh losses in communication services and other sectors. Chipmaking giant Nvidia rose 1.1% and JPMorgan Chase added 1.2%.

Boeing rose 3.5% for one of the biggest gains among S&P 500 companies after Korean Air announced a $50 billion deal with the company that includes buying more than 100 aircraft. Dish Network parent EchoStar surged 70.2% after AT&T said it will buy some of its wireless spectrum licenses in a $23 billion deal.

Treasury yields mostly fell in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.26% from 4.28% late Monday.

The broader market remained subdued following President Donald Trump’s escalation of his fight with the Federal Reserve. On Monday, he said that he’s removing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Cook’s lawyer said she’ll sue Trump’s administration to try to prevent him from firing her.

It marks the latest escalation in his dispute with the central bank over its cautious interest rate policy. The Fed has held rates steady since late 2024 over worries that Trump’s unpredictable tariff policy will reignite inflation. Trump has also threatened to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell, often taunting him with name-calling. Still, he is only one of 12 votes that decides interest rate policy.

“We will continue to monitor rising political pressure on the Fed but expect its decision-making to remain guided by its mandate in the near term,” said Ulrike Hoffmann-Burchardi, chief investment officer for the Americas and global head of equities at UBS Global Wealth Management.

Wall Street is still betting that the Fed will trim its benchmark interest rate at its next meeting in September. Traders see an 87% chance that the central bank will cut the rate by a quarter of a percentage point, according to data from CME Group.

The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks expectations for Fed action, slipped to to 3.68% from 3.73% late Friday.

The Federal Reserve spent much of the last several years fighting rising inflation by raising interest rates. It managed to mostly tame inflation and avoided having those higher rates stall economic growth, thanks largely to strong consumer spending and a resilient job market.

The Fed started shifting its policy by cutting its benchmark interest rate late in 2024 as the rate of inflation neared its target of 2%. It decided to hit the pause button heading into 2025 over concerns that Trump’s unpredictable tariff policy could reignite inflation. Lower interest rates make borrowing easier, helping to spur more investment and spending, but that could also potentially fuel inflation.

The Fed and Wall Street will get another update on inflation Friday, when the U.S. releases the personal consumption expenditures index. Economists expect it show that inflation remained at about 2.6% in July, compared with a year ago. Businesses have been warning investors and consumers about higher costs and prices because of tariffs.

The Fed has recently become more worried about the state of the employment market, which has shown signs of weakening. Aside from keeping inflation in check, the central bank is tasked with using its tools to help maintain a healthy job market. It will get another big update on the employment market in early September, ahead of its next policy meeting.

Consumer confidence declined modestly in August as anxiety over a weakening job market grew for the eighth straight month. The small decline from the Conference Board’s monthly survey was mostly in line with economists’ projections.

Crude oil prices fell. European and Asian markets closed lower.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 26.62 points to 6,465.94. The Dow gained 135.60 points to 45,418.07, and the Nasdaq added 94.98 points to 21,544.27.

Cameron Young put his Wake Forest teammate on the bag and has been on a roll

Cameron Young put his Wake Forest teammate on the bag and has been on a roll

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer

ATLANTA (AP) — Cameron Young’s biggest goal this year was to play in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, about an hour away from where the native New Yorker grew up, the course where he once held the scoring record while becoming the first amateur to win the New York State Open.

And there he was in May, spinning his wheels. He missed five cuts in eight tournaments, finished out of the top 50 in two others. That’s when he called an old friend.

Young was teammates at Wake Forest with Kyle Sterbinsky, who was still trying to make his way through various mini-tours. Sterbinsky is from the Philadelphia area, and the PGA Tour was at the Philadelphia Cricket Club for the Truist Championship.

“He was nearing the end of when he was going to keep playing or not. I needed a change. Things were going poorly, and when things are going bad, you change something,” Young said.

“I didn’t want to force his hand,” Young said. “He said, ‘Yes, I’ll work for you as long as you want.’ It was going to be a couple of weeks. Played well. Another four weeks. Played well. And here we are.”

Another key change was Young switching to a Pro V1 prototype before he broke through at the Wyndham Championship for his first PGA Tour victory. Young said it helped him manage how much he spins the ball.

More than close friends and teammates, Young said Sterbinsky is a “fantastic” — he emphasized each syllable — reader of greens.

“Caddies can help you with a lot of things, but I don’t know how many you’re going to find who are actually better at reading greens than any of the players,” Young said. “If he’s not better, he’s very, very good.”

Young, on the cusp of winning two majors as a rookie in 2022, finished the year with a win, a tie for fifth in the first FedEx Cup playoff event, a tie for 11th at the BMW Championship and a tie for fourth at the Tour Championship.

He has gone from No. 67 in the world ranking to No. 20 with Sterbinsky. And as he left East Lake he found himself hopeful of a call from Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley.

Tiger’s new deal

Tiger Woods hasn’t played since last December and his name came up twice last week, a look into the future that was as much about his birthday and any injury.

He turns 50 at the end of the year.

Paul Azinger, upon accepting the Payne Stewart Award, was thanking a close friend from the Concession Golf Club in Florida when he chuckled and said, “Hosting the Senior PGA Championship next year. Tiger is turning 50!”

And then came word that Woods had signed a brand partnership with Insperity, a business performance solutions company in Houston that has hosted a PGA Tour Champions event in the Houston area since 2011.

His agent at Excel Sports Management, Mark Steinberg, said it was an organic relationship that evolved over the last three years. Should golf expect to see Woods in Houston next year? Another chuckle. No, Steinberg said that wasn’t part of the contract.

Still, it was the first big deal involving Woods since he left Nike and launched his apparel brand Sun Day Red at the start of 2024.

Insperity will use Woods in brand campaigns and various programs, and the company plans to support several events that benefit his TGR Foundation and its mission of education, including support of the Genesis Invitational and Hero World Challenge.

“Insperity’s commitment to helping businesses thrive and their focus on long-term growth resonate with my values and goals,” Woods said in a news release.

Breakfast at Bethpage

The Ryder Cup now has what amounts to its own pregame show on the golf course.

“Breakfast at Bethpage” makes its debut this year, hosted by Colin Jost of “Saturday Night Live” in what has been described as a blend of CollegeGame Day and ManningCast.

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions is behind this program that will be broadcast live from the grandstand at the first tee each morning of the matches on Sept. 26-28. There also will be reports from among the fans on the first tee and other parts of the course, with celebrity guests on the show.

“The Ryder Cup’s First Tee is legendary for its energy, and Breakfast at Bethpage will put fans right in the middle of that excitement,” Manning said.

Pro Shop Studios, the production company behind the “Full Swing” Netflix series and co-producers on “Happy Gilmore 2,” has teamed up with Omaha Productions to develop the format and is collaborating on all creative elements for the program.

It will be available to watch on the Ryder Cup’s website, app and YouTube page, along with being streamed on Peacock.

The Fanny connection

Harry Hall completed his best year by reaching the Tour Championship, which sends him to the Masters for the first time next year. Part of that is a connection with Nick Faldo, which led him to Swedish caddie Fanny Sunesson.

They met at The Players Championship a few years ago. Hall also got to know Faldo, who invited him to his home in Montana to hit balls.

“The best experience in the world,” Hall said, adding that Faldo watched him hit balls at Royal Portrush last summer.

Sunesson is more than a caddie. Long ago she worked with the German national team on course management, including one young lad years ago whose name was Martin Kaymer.

“I’ve been working with Fanny Sunesson on my mental game really, and we’ve been working together for the last 3 1/2 months,” Hall said at the BMW Championship. “And I’ve put a lot of my decision-making and getting a little bit more comfortable on the course down to my work with her.”

Hall was among those who reached the Tour Championship without full access to signature events to start the year.

He got into Kapalua from winning an opposite-field event in 2024 (tie for eighth). His tie for sixth at Colonial helped get him into the Travelers Championship, where he tied for ninth.

His sixth-place finish at the BMW Championship allowed him to get into the Tour Championship, and he’s set for 2026.

Europe on the rise

Tommy Fleetwood finally got his first PGA Tour victory. He also became the 17th player from the European continent to win on the tour over the last three years.

Fleetwood was the sixth English winner in that span, joining Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, Harry Hall, Aaron Rai and Matt Wallace. More remarkably is that Sweden is the only other country to produce two winners in that stretch, Ludvig Aberg and Vincent Normann.

Europeans combined to win 10 times this year, not a bad sign for them in a Ryder Cup year.

Divots

Two streaks are getting plenty of attention. Scottie Scheffler has gone 14 consecutive tournaments finishing no worse than eighth, which the PGA Tour says is the longest such streak since Ben Hogan over three years in the early 1950s. And the LPGA Tour now has had a different winner in the first 22 tournaments to start a season, the longest streak in its 75-year history. … Auburn junior Jackson Koivun has a PGA Tour card waiting for him when he turns pro next summer. He also has spots in the U.S. Open and British Open if he’s still an amateur. The major exemptions come with Koivun winning the Mark H. McCormack Medal as the leading player in the world amateur golf ranking this year.

Stat of the week

Tommy Fleetwood was the first player since Chad Campbell in 2003 to make the Tour Championship his first PGA Tour title.

Final word

“Look, the sports business is not that complicated. You get the product right, you get the right partners, your fans will reward you with their time because they’re telling you it’s good and they want more of it. And then the commercial and the business part will take care of itself.” — Brian Rolapp, CEO of PGA Tour Enterprises.

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