Monday morning news: October 7, 2024

Hurricane Milton » Florida is bracing for another major hurricane. 

Hurricane Milton is gathering strength over the Gulf of Mexico today and is expected to strike Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday. Michal Brennan with the National Hurricane Center: 

BRENNAN:  We're gonna see widespread impacts, the potential for life threatening storm surge inundation, dangerous hurricane force winds along both coasts of Florida and even across portions of the peninsula as the storm is expected to maintain hurricane intensity as it moves across Florida.

It’s still too early to be precise, but right now, Tampa appears to be in the center of Milton’s path. And it’s currently projected to be a Category-3 hurricane when it strikes land. 

Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie:

GUTHRIE:  I urge Floridians to finalize your storm preparations now, enact your plan. I highly encourage you to evacuate. We are preparing and I have the state emergency response team preparing for the largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has once again declared a state of emergency throughout much of the state, calling it an “all hands on deck” situation.

Helene recovery » Meantime, in several southern states, the long road to recovery from Hurricane Helene has only just begun. Aid continues to pour into the region, but some Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson say the federal response has been lacking. 

JOHNSON:  And you could just ask the people there on the ground. I have been there. When you talk to the people who are directly affected, they will tell you that this has been an abject failure.

And Republican North Carolina Senator Ted Budd added: 

BUDD:  Look, we're 11 days into this and just now seeing the 18th Airborne Corps, which has been waiting, had a make ready order them and the 82nd and the 101st, and they're here now. We're grateful for them, but it was too slow from Biden and the governor. And we needed rapid response.

But FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell fired back saying federal officials have been doing everything possible to assist. 

CRISWELL: This kind of rhetoric is not helpful to people. You know, it's really a shame that we're putting politics ahead of helping people. And that's what we're here to do.

She forcefully pushed back against claims circulating online that a substantial chunk of FEMA funding was diverted to dealing with illegal immigrants. She called that “ridiculous” and just plain false.

Israel latest / Washington support » In Lebanon, a new round of airstrikes has hit Beirut suburbs as Israeli forces continue to target the infrastructure of the Hezbollah terror group. At the same time, Israel’s Iron Dome defense system is still shooting down incoming rockets.

SOUND: [Israel interceptors take down rockets]

Today is the one-year anniversary of the October 7th Hamas terror attacks against Israel. 

SOUND: [Israel hostage families protest]

Some family members of those abducted by Hamas during those attacks have taken to the streets in Tel Aviv.

RELATIVE: We are standing today after a whole year has passed, and they are still there. A year passed, and it seems like the situation has only escalated.

Meantime in Morocco, a Pro-Palestinian demonstration …

SOUND: [Pro-Palestinian demonstration in Morocco]

Some held up pro-Hamas signs emblazoned with the face of terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar. 

Mike Turner on Biden/Iran » As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, Israeli officials say they are preparing a military response to Iran's recent direct missile attack against Israel. 

But President Biden says the U.S. would not support Israel striking Iran's nuclear sites. 

And Republican Congressman Mike Turner, who chairs the House Intelligence committee is calling out the president over those remarks. 

TURNER: For him to give Iran the comfort that their actions of attack directly will not have any consequences for their nuclear weapons program is irresponsible.

He told CBS's "Face the Nation" that Biden’s recent remarks were a reversal from comments he’s made in the past. 

Meanwhile, former President Trump says he does support Israel striking Iran's nuclear facilities, going on to say that nuclear proliferation is the "biggest risk we have."

SOUND: [Trump PA rally “Trump” cheers]

Trump in Butler, PA » Donald Trump rallied supporters over the weekend in Butler, Pennsylvania on the very same grounds where a gunman tried to assassinate him in July.

TRUMP:  Thank you to Pennsylvania. We love Pennsylvania. And as I was saying.

The president began by finishing the thought that was interrupted when a bullet pierced his right ear on July 13. 

TRUMP: I love that chart. I love that graph. Look at the number, that’s the day I left office. It was the lowest, the lowest it’s ever been, illegal immigration. Today it’s out of control.

On this visit to Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump was joined by running mate JD Vance and tech mogul Elon Musk, among others. 

Trump also campaigned in Wisconsin on Sunday. 

Election less than a month away » And with Election Day now less than one month away, many political analysts are watching a few states very closely: The two states we just mentioned, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin as well as a third where Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned over the weekend. 

HARRIS: Oh it’s good to be back in Michigan!

Harris campaigning in Flint Michigan …

HARRIS: We are fighting for a future where we tap into the ambitions and the aspirations of the American people.

Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania are what’s known in politics as the “blue wall.” It’s difficult—though not impossible—for a Democratic candidate to win the White House without carrying those states. 

Many analysts say if Trump carries any one of those three states, it would then be more likely than not that he wins the election. 

An average of recent polls shows all three of those states effectively tied.

I’m Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Previewing a brand new Supreme Court session. Plus, the Monday Moneybeat.

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