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Associated PressOctober 3, 2017

On the ground in Puerto Rico nearly two weeks after a hurricane ravaged the island, President Donald Trump heaped praise Tuesday on his administration’s relief workers and, more selectively, Puerto Rican officials after earlier dismissing critics of the federal response as “politically motivated ingrates.” Trump told officials and relief workers assembled in an airplane hangar […]

Scott PowersOctober 2, 2017

Monday morning there was a line through the parking lot at the Puerto Rico Family Response Center in Orlando: Puerto Rican families waiting for it to open to offer relocation help in Florida, and LatinoLeadership Inc. President Marytza Senz, who is running the ad-hoc center, said she also took 40 calls by 7:30 a.m. That’s […]

Scott PowersOctober 2, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott declared an emergency in Florida Monday covering all 67 counties to provide assistance to Puerto Rico, and he announced the creation of Puerto Rican disaster relief centers in Orlando and Miami for people fleeing the devastation left behind by Hurricane Maria nearly two weeks ago. “Today, to ensure Florida has every available […]

Bill RuftyOctober 2, 2017

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, the first congressman of Puerto Rican heritage from Florida, landed in San Juan early Monday. “I am heading to the Emergency Operations Center to get a helicopter tour of the Island and to meet with local elected officials,” the Orlando Democrat said. Many news reports have cited villages and rural areas completely […]

Associated PressOctober 2, 2017

In Puerto Rico’s hurricane-ravaged capital, it seems Carmen Yulin Cruz is everywhere these days: handing out bags of ice, wading through chest-deep floodwaters, hugging people in need of comfort. Cruz has long won attention across the island for her hands-on style of leadership in San Juan. But this week she rose to international prominence as […]

Scott PowersSeptember 30, 2017

Amy-Mercado-Victor-Torres-and-Gwen-Graham-3500x2625.jpg

While joining a relief effort in Orlando that included U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy and several Florida lawmakers and local leaders, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham blasted President Donald Trump‘s response to Puerto Rico as “appalling” Saturday. Graham said that the world was witnessing “a failure of planning” for a deadly hurricane that was seen coming […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 29, 2017

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced Friday that Puerto Rican students displaced by Hurricane Maria will be able to get free school meals through the National School Lunch Program. That’s “in response to the ongoing crisis in Puerto Rico and in preparation for an influx of evacuees,” Putnam’s office said in a release. Since 2012, the Florida […]

Scott PowersSeptember 29, 2017

Airbnb, the nation’s largest vacation rental home marketing business, announced Friday it is extending its Disaster Response Program two more weeks in Florida to help with displaced evacuees and relief workers from Hurricane Irma and evacuees from Hurricane Maria. The company and a few of its host properties have agreed to offer rent-free stays for […]

Scott PowersSeptember 29, 2017

The situation in Hurricane Maria-ravaged Puerto Rico is so bleak that the military response needs to shift from talk to all-out action today or “drastic measures” will have to be taken, Florida’s Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson declared in Orlando Wednesday. “This is a disaster of gargantuan proportions,” Nelson said. Speaking at the Acacia Puerto […]

Scott PowersSeptember 28, 2017

After flying to Puerto Rico, visiting the ports, and touring some of the island by air, Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday evening that Florida is ready and in good position to help, though many of Puerto Rico’s challenges are distinct from Florida’s experiences, being an island with limited roads, many washed out from Hurricane Maria’s […]

Tag: Hurricane Maria
Image via AP.

Donald Trump in Puerto Rico, lauds administration’s relief effort

Puerto Rico exodus begun; groups struggling to help

Rick Scott declares emergency in Florida for Puerto Rico, opens relief centers

Darren Soto lands in Puerto Rico

San Juan mayor in hurricane spotlight after Donald Trump tweets

Joining relief effort, Gwen Graham blasts Donald Trump’s Puerto Rico response as ‘appalling’

Incoming Puerto Rican students eligible for free school meals

Airbnb extends disaster response for Hurricanes Irma, Maria

Bill Nelson: Puerto Rico response must ramp up now or drastic measures coming

Rick Scott says Florida is willing and in good shape to help Puerto Rico