(ATLANTA, Ga.) — The #StopCopCity protesters have collected more than enough signatures to move its referendum campaign forward in an effort to get the city to repeal the lease it has with the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, dubbed “Cop City” by critics.
Organizers have collected roughly 80,000 signatures to get the fate of the center on the November ballot, more than the 70,000 signatures — or 15% of Atlanta’s registered voters — that’s required per the state code.
The training center, which is intended for specialized training for both law enforcement and fire department service workers, has been the center of controversy in the Georgia city.
Critics argue it will cause a greater militarization of the police and exacerbate environmental damage to the South River Forest.
City officials assert the facility could improve policing.
“This training facility will not only help boost morale, retention and recruitment of our public safety personnel, but will give us physical space to ensure that our officers and firefighters are receiving 21st century training, rooted in respect and regard for the communities they serve,” said then-Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in 2021 at the start of the project.
A judge has extended the deadline needed for protesters to gather signatures, while also denying the city’s efforts to halt the referendum petition.
The city argued the petition’s signatures did not meet residency requirements of those who signed, and that an extension of the petitioning period is disagreeable, according to the court document. “This remedy rewrites the state statute and city ordinance—a power this Court does not have,” the appeal reads.
Mary Hooks, National Field Secretary for the Movement for Black Lives, told ABC News the referendum campaign hopes to reach 100,000 signatures by Aug. 21.
“There’s a question of democracy here, as well, in the ways in which people’s voices have been silenced, how our leaders have betrayed us,” Hooks said in an interview.
“There’s this big question … about police violence and excessive force, and coming out of 2020 — some of the largest uprisings we’ve seen — and this was the city’s response to that,” she continued.
The Atlanta City Council approved funding for the construction of the proposed police and firefighter training facility in June despite a majority of opposition by attendees during an hourslong council meeting on the vote.
Organizers of the referendum petition say city officials are failing to listen to local opposition of residents.
Mayor Andre Dickens called the approval “a major milestone for better preparing our fire, police and emergency responders to protect and serve our communities” in statement following the vote.
ABC News has reached out to the Atlanta Police Foundation, the mayor’s office and the Atlanta City Council for comment.
ABC News’ Alex Ederson contributed to this report.
(HELENA, Mont.) — A group of young people from Montana won a major climate case on Monday after arguing the state failed to protect their right to a clean environment by continuing to use fossil fuels.
The ruling determined that a provision in Montana’s Environmental Policy Act violated the right to a clean environment, which is guaranteed under Montana’s state constitution, by promoting the continued use of fossil fuels.
The court said a provision in the law that prevented the state from considering the climate impacts of energy projects is unconstitutional.
“In a sweeping win for our clients, the Honorable Judge Kathy Seeley declared Montana’s fossil fuel-promoting laws unconstitutional and enjoined their implementation,” Julia Olson, chief legal counsel and executive director of Our Children’s Trust, said in a statement.
Sixteen Montana youths between the ages of 5 and 22 sued the state, the governor, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, the state’s public commission office and other state departments in 2020 over Montana’s fossil fuel-based energy system, citing scientific evidence that burning fossil fuels is contributing to global warming that already causes them harm, according to the lawsuit.
The judge’s order cited the scientific facts presented by expert witnesses that there is overwhelming scientific consensus the Earth is warming as a direct result of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from burning fossil fuels. It also laid out evidence that Montana’s temperatures are expected to increase and that increased impacts of climate change, such as heat waves, have adverse impacts on young people’s mental health and quality of life.
Judge Kathy Seeley wrote that Montanans have “a fundamental constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment, which includes climate as part of the environmental life-support system.”
“Youth plaintiffs have experienced past and ongoing injuries resulting from the state’s failure to consider [greenhouse gas emissions] and climate change, including injuries to their physical and mental health, homes and property; recreational, spiritual and aesthetic interests; tribal and cultural traditions, economic security and happiness,” Seeley said.
The decision is based on a unique provision in the Montana Constitution that guarantees citizens a “clean and healthful” environment. At least three other states — Pennsylvania, New York and Hawaii — have similar constitutional language.
There are similar challenges underway in those states, and the Montana decision will likely be appealed.
Effective immediately, Montana officials will be required to consider the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions when making decisions for oil, gas, coal and other energy permitting. Currently, state law forbids them from considering those impacts.
“As fires rage in the West, fueled by fossil fuel pollution, today’s ruling in Montana is a game-changer that marks a turning point in this generation’s efforts to save the planet from the devastating effects of human-caused climate chaos,” Olson said in a statement. “This is a huge win for Montana, for youth, for democracy and for our climate. More rulings like this will certainly come.”
Another youth climate case against the Hawaii Department of Transportation is scheduled to go to trial in Hawaii next summer.
(WACO, Texas) — Cecily Aguilar, who pleaded guilty to one count of accessory to murder after the fact and three other charges in the 2020 murder of U.S. Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Texas, confirmed Monday.
“Our hope is that today’s sentence brings a sense of relief and justice to the Guillen family, who have endured such pain throughout these past few years,” U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas said in a statement. “Ms. Aguilar’s actions were indefensible, and she will now face the maximum penalty for the choices she made. I’m grateful for our law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly on this case, as their dedication was essential in bringing this defendant to justice.”
Aguilar faced sentencing in Waco, Texas, for her role in the 2020 murder of Guillén. Aguilar, who pleaded guilty in 2022 to one count of accessory to murder after the fact and three other charges, faced a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Aguilar was indicted in 2021 on 11 federal charges of assisting her then-boyfriend, Army Specialist Aaron Robinson, in corruptly altering, destroying, mutilating and concealing the body of Vanessa Guillen, in an attempt to prevent Robinson from being charged for bludgeoning Guillén to death with a hammer in the armory of the Fort Cavazos military base in April of 2020. Her remains were discovered two months later.
When authorities attempted to approach Robinson in 2020 after cellphone records revealed Robinson was the last person in contact with Guillén prior to her murder, Robinson died by suicide. Aguilar was quickly arrested and charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence, and was indicted 12 days later.
(LAHAINA, Hawaii) — Without taking a beat, the culinary world sprang into action to help survivors on Maui in the wake of the deadly wildfires that tore through the historic harbor town of Old Lahaina, and with it, lives, businesses and homes.
As restaurant owners, chefs, food truck operators, suppliers, farmers and others asses the damage from the fifth-deadliest wildland fire in U.S. history that displaced thousands, they have quickly tapped into what comes as second nature in hospitality: serving others.
Culinary community on Maui mobilizes to help feed fire victims
Local food nonprofits, culinary programs and restaurants have pooled their resources to continually prepare food and distribute meals to those in need.
Chef Hui, a Hawaii-based group of local cooks and food service providers throughout the islands, set up a food and meal distribution hub at the University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC) Culinary Arts facility in Kahului with volunteers from World Central Kitchen, Common Ground Collective and local chefs, some of whom lost their own restaurants in the wildfires.
After “an overwhelming response” to the Chef Hui Maui Wildfires Emergency Relief Volunteer Form, the group said on Instagram that it collected contacts who are “on the ground in Maui and those of who would like to help on neighbor islands and outside of Hawai’i, as well, with plans to aggregate responses and call on you when we are ready to activate.” It also set up a Chef Hui Maui Hospitality Relief Fund “to directly aid restaurant and hospitality workers and their families,” the group said.
Celebrity chef Lee Anne Wong, who moved to the island in 2019 to open Papa’aina at the Pioneer Inn, was among those to announce the tragic news that she lost her restaurant to the flames on Wednesday.
“Heartbroken. There are no words for the devastating loss and tragedy that is unfolding on Maui,” she wrote alongside before and after photos on Instagram. “Thank you to all who have reached out to me personally and to @papaainamaui. Historic Lahaina has been my place of business for the past three years and the Pioneer Inn became my second home on Maui … My culinary community, my friends, my people, I know you all want to help and there is already movement and response from several organizations, as soon as I find out more will share. Stay safe out there.”
Since then, Wong has mobilized to help cook at the UHMC culinary facility and has posted numerous updates on her Instagram Stories to help spread the word on what’s needed, from containers and supplies to volunteers, and other helpful information for those on the island.
On Sunday, Wong shared a video to Stories in the kitchen with fellow Maui-based chef and restaurateur Sheldon Simeon, owner of Tiffany’s Maui and Tin Roof Maui, giving a glimpse behind the scenes as they prepared large-format meals and shared updates for other chefs and vendors to get involved.
“I know all of our friends and ohana on the other islands want to see how they can help,” Wong said in the video alongside chef Simeon. She reminded followers they do not want new visitors to come to Maui in an effort “to save all of our available space and housing for those who have been displaced,” but did ask “chefs, farmers, vendors” to help from afar.
“Go ahead and make food over there on your islands in your kitchens, freeze ’em and ship ’em right here to the college,” she said. “We are looking for hearty, nutritious [foods] like stews. Things that we can heat and serve.”
The “Top Chef” Season 1 and 10 alums, respectively, have continually posted local resources on their social pages for followers to support Maui during this time of need.
She also requested supplies from businesses and restaurants “on this side of the island” when they ran out of food containers and hot cups at Maui College, reminding those who could drop off or donate materials that “anything counts.”
Chef Robynne Maii, a Honolulu native and owner of Fête Restaurant, encouraged diners to come for “lunch, snacks or dinner” on Wednesday, Aug. 16, when they will donate 100% of the entire sales that day to the staff at Wong’s former Lahaina eatery.
“Our hearts are heavy with the destruction on Maui… Like so many in Lahaina, our good friend, Chef @leeannewong lost her restaurant @papaainamaui. Her staff lost not only their jobs, but most lost their homes,” she wrote on the restaurant’s Instagram. “This Wednesday, the 16th, we will be donating 100% of our entire sales of the day to the staff @papaainamaui.”
As chef volunteers continue to spread the word on social media, the message for support has stretched far beyond the Pacific islands.
The Southern Smoke Foundation, a crisis relief organization for people in the food and beverage industry, chimed in on Instagram to announce its support for Hawaii and help get funding for those in need on Maui.
“We’re here to help. Tens of thousands of Hawaiians employed in the food and beverage industry are at tremendous risk as a result of the wildfires devastating the island,” the foundation wrote on Instagram. “If you are in F+B and impacted financially by wildfires, please apply for emergency relief funding through Southern Smoke Foundation. Whether you have experienced displacement, property damage, have medical needs, or another financial issue because of the fires, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for assistance. We offer an anonymous process, provide no cap on funding, and can send funds as soon as possible. And we are here for you now and during rebuilding.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
(NEW YORK) — Survivors of the deadly wildfires on Maui shared some of their stories and memories of Lahaina with ABC News in the wake of the devastation that transformed a buzzing, beautiful seaside town into an unrecognizable gray landscape.
ABC News’ Becky Worley met three families from Lahiana, where residents have been allowed back to check on their homes and assess damages, now displaced and living with family on other parts of the island.
The Kahahane family consists of three generations, including young children now using a tent in the front yard of a family member’s home.
“I feel so displaced being out here, because they need an education but I don’t know where?” Ashley Kahahane said. “Is it bad if I don’t send them right away to school?”
For the Brillante and Pasalos household, with 27 people all from one Lahaina home, many of the younger children don’t understand the scope of this tragedy.
The Jose family reflected on how special Lahiana was before the fires decimated the historic West Maui town full of working-class families.
“We when we greet people, we don’t even say ‘hi,’ we call them aunty and uncle, brother, sister,” Marfie Jose told ABC News. “So even if they’re not even our family, that’s how much respect we have for each other, for our community.”
She added there is “so much love with everyone in Lahaina” and that she is “so proud of our Lahaina.”
But those happy days with their vibrant community are now in the past.
“It was joy and laughter … now it’s all gone. We’ve seen pictures and it’s just gray, like no color. It doesn’t look like what we know,” Jose said holding back tears. “Lahaina, it’s just gone.”
Georgette Kahahane told ABC News that she’s grateful they have some place to stay.
“We have some shelter, which some people don’t. In some ways not as bad off as others,” she said. “It’s kind of hard to talk about it because we know they are suffering.”
“Yesterday, I heard the Lahainaluna song playing on the radio and I started to cry,” Kahahane said of the melodic island tune that describes Lahaina’s pristine seaside sunsets and sunrises.
As these local families reflect on what and who have been lost in the state’s deadliest natural disaster, they are holding on to a place that is now nothing but memories. But they all feel Lahaina is in their hearts and hold that history close.
Carole Hartley is seen here in an undated file photo. — Courtesy Hartley Family
(NEW YORK) — Devastating wildfires that erupted on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Aug. 8 have claimed the lives of at least 96 people while many more remain missing, according to authorities.
Officials on Maui have repeated warned that the death toll is expected to rise as they work to contain the active blazes and assess the damage.
Here’s what we know about some of the victims:
Franklin Trejos, 68
Franklin Trejos, 68, died in the historic town of Lahaina on Aug. 8, his friend Shannon Weber-Bogar confirmed to ABC News.
Trejos, who was originally from Costa Rica, had been living for several years with Weber-Bogar and her husband, Geoff Bogar, at their home on Maui. When the inferno began in Lahaina, Trejos and Bogar stayed behind to try to save the house and help their neighbors, Weber-Bogar said.
Eventually, Trejos and Bogar tried to escape in separate cars. Bogar’s car wouldn’t start, so he broke a window to get out and was later rescued by police and taken to a local hospital. The next day, Bogar returned to find Trejos’ remains inside another car on top of their beloved dog, a 3-year-old golden retriever named Sam, according to Weber-Bogar.
Trejos’ niece Kika Pérez Grant told ABC News that her uncle, whom she called “Frankie,” was a “huge animal lover” and would always think of others before thinking of himself.
“And so even in his very last moments, he thought to protect,” Pérez Grant said.
“He was just a loving man. He was a free spirit, he was an adventurer, a nature lover, an animal lover, an artist,” she added. “He was just a great person to be around. Energetic, he had so much gusto.”
Pérez Grant also recalled her uncle’s great smile and love for chocolate milk.
“He was such a wonderful human,” she said. “The best uncle, brother and friend.”
Trejos was very close to his older sister, Pérez Grant’s mother, who has been living with stage 4 breast cancer. He always worried about her and “checked in on her quite often,” according to Pérez Grant.
“She never imagined losing her brother,” Pérez Grant said of her mother. “She always thought she would pass first.”
Trejos would have turned 69 in September.
“This has been a tragic and heartbreaking loss for our family,” Pérez Grant told ABC News “To know that he must have been so scared or to imagine him suffering, there are no words.”
Carole Hartley
Carole Hartley died in Lahaina on Aug. 8, her sister Donna Hartley confirmed to ABC News.
Carole’s body was found by her longtime partner Charles on their property there. The couple were separated as they tried to flee the flames, Donna said.
Charles told Donna that he and Carole were about to get in their truck when it exploded in front of them. He said he told Carole to “run” and he thought she was in front of him running but he never saw her again, according to Donna.
Charles survived but suffered third-degree burns. He returned to their property on Aug. 12 to find human remains alongside Carole’s watch and dental bridge, Donna said.
“It has to be her remains,” Donna told ABC News. “Nobody else has been at our house.”
Donna, who lives in Alabama, said she has struggled to sleep ever since and has been having nightmares.
“I have dreams my sister is on fire,” she said.
Donna described her sister as a “beautiful” person.
“She had a heart of gold and she cared about other people more than herself,” she added. “She was always that way.”
ABC News’ Sasha Pezenik, Stephanie Wash and Jennifer Watts contributed to this report.
(NEW YORK) — Federal prosecutors reneged on a deal that would have resolved tax and gun charges against President Biden’s son, attorneys for Hunter Biden said in a new court filing.
“The defendant’s understanding of the scope of immunity agreed to by the United States was and is based on the express written terms of the Diversion Agreement. His understanding of the scope of immunity agreed to by the United States is also corroborated by prosecutors’ contemporaneous written and oral communications during the plea negotiations,” defense attorneys said in the new filing.
Hunter Biden’s alleged crimes may now be headed to trial after plea negotiations reached an “impasse,” federal prosecutors said.
A judge rejected the combination plea deal and pre-trial diversion program the two sides arranged over concerns it offered too much immunity to Hunter Biden.
Hunter Biden’s attorneys said the government decided “to renege on the previously agreed-upon plea agreement.”
They also said the president’s son, “through counsel, accepted the prosecutors’ invitation to engage in settlement discussions that the defendant and counsel understood would fully resolve the government’s sprawling five-year investigation.”
(NEW YORK) — Officials say the wildfires that erupted on the Hawaii island of Maui on Aug. 8 have become the deadliest natural disaster in state history.
The blazes spread rapidly due to very dry conditions stemming from a drought combined with powerful winds. Much of the historic town of Lahaina has been “destroyed,” officials said, and the inferno has burned thousands of residential and commercial buildings to the ground.
Dozens of people have been confirmed dead, with even more missing.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Aug 10, 6:56 PM EDT
Perfect storm of weather conditions led to devastating wildfires
A perfect storm of weather conditions led to the massive inferno that has killed dozens of people in Maui and caused widespread destruction.
The fires, which sparked Tuesday night, were fueled by an unfortunate combination of a landscape parched by drought conditions and strong winds.
Aug 14, 5:58 AM EDT
Latest wind forecast for Hawaii
Winds are expected to increase in Hawaii this week as another high pressure builds to the north and a tropical cyclone passes to the south. However, they won’t be as strong as they were last week.
The latest weather forecast shows gusts will exceed 30 mph across the archipelago state from Tuesday through Thursday.
The wind speeds are forecast to ease by Friday.
This comes as firefighters struggle to contain deadly wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
-ABC News’ Max Golembo
Aug 14, 4:26 AM EDT
Death toll rises to 96
At least 96 people have died from the wildfires on Maui, authorities said.
The Maui Police Department confirmed on Wednesday night that the number of fatalities has increased to 96, after three more bodies were recovered.
Officials on the Hawaiian island have repeatedly warned that the death toll will continue to rise as they work to contain the blazes and assess the damage.
-ABC News’ Amanda Morris
Aug 14, 2:27 AM EDT
Governor lifts disaster relief spending cap
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation late Sunday, lifting a cap on disaster relief spending and putting in place additional assistance measures.
The proclamation, which is the fifth he’s issued since the fires started, will suspend “additional laws to facilitate emergency response, recovery, and rebuilding,” Green’s office said in a statement.
A $10 million cap on spending from a Major Disaster Fund has been lifted, his office said. And nonessential travel to West Maui is discouraged.
Under the proclamation, pharmacists will be allowed to refill prescriptions with supplies for up to 30 days for those affected the fires, even without refill authorization.
-ABC News’ Marilyn Heck
Aug 14, 1:34 AM EDT
Biden briefed on Maui by FEMA administrator
President Joe Biden received two updates Sunday from FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell on the situation in Maui, according to the White House. The two spoke in the morning and evening, White House officials said.
-ABC News’ Fritz Farrow
Aug 13, 4:50 AM EDT
Death toll climbs to 93, officials say
The death toll from the fires in Maui has increased to at least 93 people, county officials said late Saturday.
-ABC News’ Victoria Arancio
Aug 13, 3:20 AM EDT
2 bodies identified with 3% of destroyed area searched
Two of the 89 bodies recovered from the burned-out area near Lahaina have been identified using DNA, Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said.
Search crews were using dogs on Saturday to look for remains in the wreckage, he said at an evening press conference in Kahului.
Only 3% of the destroyed area had so far been covered, he said. Twelve additional dogs were on the way to aid in the search.
He described the blaze as “a fire that melted metal,” saying it had been severe enough that each recovered body will have to be identified using DNA.
“Every one of these 89 are John and Jane Does,” he said.
He asked locals to get DNA tests at a nearby facility as a way to speed up the identification process.
“We need to identify your loved ones,” the chief said.
Aug 12, 10:55 PM EDT
Death toll rises to 89, public told to ‘brace’ for more: Governor
At least 89 people have died in the Maui fires, Gov. Josh Green said on Saturday during a live press conference.
“It’s going to continue to rise. We want to brace people for that,” Green continued.
With Maui’s wildfire death toll surpassing California’s 2018 Camp Fire, it’s now the deadliest U.S. wildfire in modern history.
Aug 12, 10:13 AM EDT
2,207 structures damaged or destroyed in Lahaina fire, with 2,170 acres burned: Officials
According to the Pacific Disaster Center, an estimated total of 2,719 structures were exposed to the Lahaina fire; 2,207 structures were damaged or destroyed; and 2,170 acres burned.
Of the buildings exposed to the fire, 86% were classified as residential.
-ABC News’ Flor Tolentino
Aug 12, 3:51 AM EDT
Death toll climbs to 80 in Maui wildfires
At least 80 people have died in Maui as wildfires continue to flare up, officials said in an update.
Firefighters were working to contain three blazes in Lahaina, Upcountry Maui and near Pulehu and Kihei, official said at about 9 p.m. local time. A fire reported near Kaanapali was 100% contained.
Restrictions on vehicle traffic were in place throughout West Maui, but the road leading out of Lahaina was open, county officials said.
“The burned historic Lahaina town area remains barricaded, with people warned to stay out of the area due to hazards including toxic particles from smoldering areas,” the update said said. “Wearing a mask and gloves is advised.”
About 1,400 people were at emergency evacuation shelters, county officials said.
Aug 12, 3:48 AM EDT
Fire near Kaanapali 80% controlled, evacuations stopped
A fire near Maui’s Kaanapali area is now 80% controlled and evacuations have been stopped, the Maui Police Department said in an update.
-ABC News Flor Tolentino
Aug 12, 2:44 AM EDT
Evacuation underway in Kaanapali
Residents and tourists in Kaanapali were being evacuated Friday evening as fires continued in West Maui, law enforcement officials said.
“As of this posting, there is a fire in West Maui, residents in the Kaanapali are currently being evacuated,” the Maui Police Department said in a statement posted to social media.
Kaanapali, another area popular with tourists, is on the coast a few miles north of Lahaina.
-ABC News’ Amanda Morris
Aug 11, 11:40 PM EDT
Many cultural landmarks cherished by the people of the island have been damaged
One region particularly ravaged by the wildfires is the historic town of Lahaina, which has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1962.
It was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1820 to 1845 before Honolulu became the capital and before the kingdom was overthrown and Hawaii was annexed by the United States, according to the Hawai’i Tourism Authority.
This includes the historic Waiola Church, the first Christian church on Maui established in 1823, which can be seen in photos engulfed in the blaze.
Buried here are several Hawaiian monarchs, including “Queen Keopuolani, the highest royalty by virtue of bloodlines in all Hawaii,” the last king of Kauai King Kaumuali’i, High Chief Ulumaheihei Hoapili and more.
A more than 60-foot-tall, 150-year-old Indian banyan tree that become a beloved landmark in the city of Lahaina was also damaged in the blaze, pictures show.
The historic tree covers one-quarter of a mile and shades nearly two-thirds of an acre of land.
Other historic homes, museums, and cultural centers were caught in the blaze. Learn more here.
-ABC News’ Kiara Alfonseca
Aug 11, 7:28 PM EDT
Death toll now 67, marking deadliest natural disaster since Hawaii’s statehood
The death toll due to the Maui fires has increased to 67, officials said.
Twelve additional fatalities have been confirmed as of 1 p.m. local time Friday, officials said, bringing the death toll to 67.
That officially makes this the largest death toll from a natural disaster since Hawaii’s statehood.
Previously, the deadliest natural disaster in the state occurred in 1960, when a tsunami killed 61 people.
The Lahaina fire is not yet contained, officials said.
Aug 11, 6:46 PM EDT
Maui fires declared a public health emergency
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency for Hawaii due to the wildfires.
The declaration “gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) health care providers and suppliers greater flexibility in meeting emergency health needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries,” the agency said.
“We will do all we can to assist Hawaii officials with responding to the health impacts of the wildfires,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. “We are working closely with state and local health authorities, as well as our partners across the federal government, and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support.”
Aug 11, 6:45 PM EDT
Doctor in Maui describes treating patients injured by the fires
Dr. Art Chasen, trauma medical director at Maui Memorial Medical Center, described to ABC News what it’s been like treating patients who have been injured by the devastating wildfires.
He said Tuesday night was the first night he experienced a mass casualty event in the 12 years since he has worked at the hospital. Staff saw about 40 patients throughout the night, eight with life-threatening severe burns and the rest with minor burns, smoke inhalation injuries and other fire-related injuries.
Chasen described one patient, a fireman, who got seriously injured while trying to save people from a burning structure.
“He just kept going back until he ran out of oxygen,” Chasen said. “He ended up somehow taking off his mask and collapsing in the fire. His fellow firefighters went in and rescued him. He had severe burns on his legs at the scene.”
“He coded, his heart hard stopped and so he received CPR for three to five minutes…and they brought him back and he was in our ICU overnight.”
The fireman was transferred to Queen’s Medical Center in Oahu. In total, nine patients were transferred to Queen’s and Straub Medical Center, also in Oahu.
Maui Memorial has seen about 60 patients total as of Friday morning, and Chasen expects a second wave of injured patients now that roads are reopening, but insisted that the hospital is not overwhelmed or struggling to accommodate patients.
“We were not overwhelmed. We’ve never turned anybody away,” he said. “We have beds available. We have ICU space available. We’ve been seeing regular trauma patients throughout the time, like motorcycle accidents and things like that. So our hospital surged to meet the demand.”
-ABC News’ Mary Kekatos
Aug 11, 5:43 PM EDT
How the wildfires are affecting people’s physical and mental health
Impacts from the deadly Maui wildfires go beyond evacuations and damaged buildings. Experts say the fires are also affecting residents’ and tourists’ physical health and could have impacts on their mental health.
Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gases, pollutants and particles that people can inhale, penetrating the lungs and even entering the bloodstream.
Research has also shown wildfires and the subsequent smoke can lead to increased rates of anxiety and depression and become worse among people who already have these conditions.
Read more about the possible health impacts here.
-ABC News’ Mary Kekatos
Aug 11, 5:28 PM EDT
Jeff Bezos and fiancée pledge $100 million to Maui
Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, have pledged $100 million to Maui, Sanchez announced on Instagram.
“Jeff and I are heartbroken by what’s happening in Maui,” Sanchez said in the post, which Bezos also shared on his Instagram account. “We are thinking of all the families that have lost so much and a community that has been left devastated.”
She said they are creating a Maui Fund and dedicating $100 million “to help Maui get back on its feet now and over the coming years as the continuing needs reveal themselves.”
Aug 11, 3:53 PM EDT
People will be allowed in homes Friday, officials say
West Maui residents will be allowed into their homes Friday, officials said.
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen announced during a radio update that they will be reopening parts of West Maui with proof of residency, and for visitors with proof of hotel reservation. Access to Lahaina will begin at noon local time, officials said.
There will be a daily curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., he said. During those hours there will be no unauthorized public access to Lahaina to protect residences and property, officials said.
“They will see destruction like they’ve not ever seen in their lives,” Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said in an interview on local station KHON Friday.
“Do not go into any structure remotely effected by fires, we do not want to see any other casualties,” he added.
-ABC News’ Jennifer Watts and Alyssa Pone
Aug 11, 10:18 AM EDT
14,900 visitors left Maui on flights Thursday
As the wildfires continue to rage, 14,900 visitors left Maui on flights Thursday, according to Maui County.
Visitors wanting to leave Maui have been asked to book flights off the island. They can book flights to Honolulu, then continue on another flight to the Mainland.
Aug 11, 7:38 AM EDT
Lahaina looks like ‘a war zone,’ Maui County mayor says
Devastating wildfires on Maui have left its historic town of Lahaina looking like “a war zone,” according to Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen.
He recently toured the damage with other local and state officials for the first time.
“The closest thing I can compare it to is perhaps a war zone or maybe a bomb went off,” Bissen told ABC News’ Eva Pilgrim in an interview Friday on Good Morning America.
“It was cars in the street, doors open, you know, melted to the ground,” he added. “Most structures no longer exist and for blocks and blocks of this.”
The mayor, who grew up on Maui, said he’s familiar with Lahaina. His mother worked at one of the local restaurants for 17 years.
“It doesn’t resemble anything that it looked like when I was growing up,” he said.
As the death toll from the wildfires continues to climb, authorities are bringing in cadaver dogs to search for more victims, according to the mayor.
“So we will be increasing our area that we can search,” Bissen said.
Nevertheless, the mayor remained hopeful that Maui “will rebuild.” President Joe Biden has signed an emergency declaration for the Hawaiian island, allowing access to federal assets and funds, which Bissen said they “intend” to use. There’s also been “an outpouring of so much donations and offers of help,” according to the mayor.
“There is so much support,” he said. “Right now, our focus is on fighting the fires, saving lives where we can or preventing further harm, of course property as well. We’ll get to the investigative stage when that’s appropriate.”
While Lahaina and the west side of Maui has been shut down amid the active wildfires, Bissen noted that the rest of the island remains open.
Aug 11, 3:54 AM EDT
Death toll climbs to 55 on Maui
At least 55 people have died as wildfires tear through the Hawaiian island of Maui, officials said.
Two more fatalities were confirmed on Thursday night amid the active Lahaina fire, bringing the death toll to 55, according to a press release from Maui County.
A total of 19 deaths were confirmed on Thursday and 36 were confirmed on Wednesday, according to Maui County.
Officials have repeatedly said that they expect the death toll to rise.
Aug 10, 10:51 PM EDT
Maui wildfires ‘likely the largest natural disaster in state’s history’: Governor
The wildfires that have devastated Maui are “likely the largest natural disaster in Hawaii’s state history,” Gov. Josh Green said during a press briefing Thursday evening.
Green went on to call the wildfires “catastrophic” and said the state is seeking 2,000 hotel rooms to help the displaced people of Maui.
The governor said “we will continue” seeing loss of life. At least 53 people have died from the wildfires, officials said earlier in the day.
Green also called on residents to help, saying: “If you have additional space in your home, if you have the capacity to take someone in from West Maui, please do.”
After surveying the damage earlier in the day, Green estimated it will take billions of dollars and many years to rebuild Lahaina, and he estimates well over 1,000 buildings were destroyed.
Officials still don’t know exactly how many people are missing, according to Maui County Police Chief John Pelletier.
Aug 10, 9:38 PM EDT
A community struggling to cope
As a funeral director at the Nakamura Mortuary in Wailuku, Carol Chaney is no stranger to dealing with death — but usually, it’s other people’s losses. Now, loss has hit home in an unimaginably painful way. She says she’s still in shock and can’t reach family members in Lahaina.
“We’re still trying to gather ourselves. It’s still very fresh. There’s still a lot to be done,” she told ABC News over the phone.
Since the Maui wildfires, the calls she says she’s received aren’t to make funeral arrangements for those lost — it’s people calling to see if she has information on their missing loved ones. She doesn’t.
“We really have no answers for them which makes it even harder,” Chaney said. “It is getting a little overwhelming, but I know there’s more that’s coming.”
“I don’t know how to explain it, we want to do so much, but you can’t because you’re stuck. This has never happened,” she said.
Even as the death toll continues to rise, Chaney said she’s still coming to terms with what has happened.
“I’m kind of just trying to — I’m in shock. I just don’t want to believe that this happened,” she said. “And today it’s raining. Where was the rain yesterday? Where was it the day before?”
-ABC News’ Sasha Pezenik
Aug 10, 7:45 PM EDT
Coast Guard says it’s rescued 57 people in Maui
The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday it has rescued 57 people amid its response to the Lahaina wildfires in Maui.
Seventeen people were saved from the water, while another 40 were found ashore by Coast Guard Station Maui boat crews, it said.
“The Coast Guard has no reports of missing persons in the water, however Coast Guard aircrews and surface assets continue search and rescue operations,” the agency said.
Aug 10, 7:30 PM EDT
Death toll increases to 53
The death toll from the Maui fires has increased to 53, officials said Thursday.
“As firefighting efforts continue, 17 additional fatalities have been confirmed today amid the active Lahaina fire” as of 1:10 p.m. local time, Maui County said. “This brings the death toll to 53 people.”
No other details were available.
Aug 10, 6:56 PM EDT
Perfect storm of weather conditions led to devastating wildfires
A perfect storm of weather conditions led to the massive inferno that has killed dozens of people in Maui and caused widespread destruction.
The fires, which sparked Tuesday night, were fueled by an unfortunate combination of a landscape parched by drought conditions and strong winds.
Aug 10, 6:46 PM EDT
Husband, wife reunite after losing Lahaina home in fire
While fleeing their burning home in Lahaina overnight Tuesday, Steven Scott got separated from his wife, Patricia, and had been unable to get ahold of her — until now.
After more than 30 hours without a phone, Scott told ABC News he was able to borrow someone’s phone with just 6% battery life left and his wife answered. She had made her way to Walmart and found a way to charge her phone.
Scott quickly told his wife to meet him at the McDonald’s before the phone ran out of battery, telling her he would wait “as long as it takes.” They were soon reunited at the restaurant.
That wasn’t the only reunion for the family on Thursday; Scott said he was also able to locate his son and daughter-in-law, who had fled the flames with only their pets and a few dollars. The whole family lost their homes and business in the fire.
Scott previously recounted to ABC News his harrowing escape. He said he tried to fight the fire with a hose before managing to flee.
“I was trapped,” the 70-year-old said. “We had to run to the harbor.”
-ABC News’ Bonnie McLean
Aug 10, 6:19 PM EDT
Lahaina residents wait to return to check on homes
At the road block to Lahaina, dozens of residents who have slept in their cars are parked along the street waiting for the opportunity to check on their homes and neighbors. Right now, officials are only allowing emergency response crews to pass the blockade.
Lahaina resident Al Crisostomo told ABC News through tears about his escape from the flames days ago.
“It was a huge black smoke and it’s indescribable, it’s like apocalyptic,” he said.
Crisostomo said he fears his home is gone, among the hundreds decimated.
Since the early morning, dozens of emergency resources have passed through the blockade. Multiple Hawaiian Electric trucks are en route to restore power, and several truck loads of food have also gone through.
-ABC News’ Melissa Adan
Aug 10, 5:38 PM EDT
Wildfire in Lahaina 80% contained, officials say
The wildfire that has caused significant damage in Lahaina is reported to be 80% contained, Maui County officials said.
Among the other two active fires in Maui, the Pulehu fire, in an area of Kīhei, is reported to be 70% contained, officials said.
There is no update at this time on the Upcountry fire, in the areas of Olinda and Upper Kula, officials said.
Amid the disaster, Lahaina remains without power.
Some 1,400 people stayed at Kahului Airport overnight Wednesday while waiting to evacuate, the county said.
Aug 10, 5:17 PM EDT
Some tourists just learning extent of the fires
Three buses with 168 tourists just arrived at the packed Kahului Airport in Maui. Passengers told ABC News that they have not had power or cell service for two days. Some said they had no idea how bad these fires were until half an hour ago when they first got cell phone service back and were able to see the extent of the devastation.
Some don’t have plane reservations, while others have tickets for the weekend. They said the resorts told them they had to leave and to get on the buses, so they did without much of a plan and little information.
-ABC News’ Will Carr and Timmy Truong
Aug 10, 4:55 PM EDT
Lahaina resident ‘scared’ to learn death toll
Lahaina resident Leif Wright held back tears as he told ABC News Live he is “scared” to learn the death toll of the fire.
“I don’t even know what the body count is going to be. I’m very scared to hear, but I’m really nervous. A lot of friends are missing,” Wright said.
Wright evacuated after trying to help save neighbors and pets in his neighborhood. He lost his home in the fire.
He urged anyone who wants to help to donate to food drives or help give clothing to residents who lost everything.
Leif Wright, a resident of Lahiana, joins @kyraphillips with an emotional account of the wildfires that burned down his home.
“The entire neighborhood was covered in smoke…a lot of people are still missing.” pic.twitter.com/TWWCenLVLu
In an interview with ABC News Live, Malika Dudley, meteorologist for ABC Honolulu affiliate KITV, said residents are “feeling so, so sorrowful” as more damage is being surveyed and the death toll continues to rise.
“So many people are missing,” Dudley said during the emotional interview. “We’re seeing a lot of things coming up on Instagram, my grandma, my grandpa, my son. I just saw one and a 12-year-old that’s missing. There’s no words. There’s no words.”
Dudley said that Maui residents will need “a lot of support to get out of this.”
“Those are people’s homes, people’s businesses, people’s livelihood,” Dudley said. “And this is on top of the you know, what is most poignant to us right now, which is just the loss of life and trying to reunite families right now.”
-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart
Aug 10, 3:43 PM EDT
Survivor jumped into water to escape flames: ‘It seemed like I might drown’
Shawn Dougherty is recovering from burn injuries at a shelter set up at the War Memorial Gym in Maui after jumping into water to escape from the flames.
Dougherty told ABC News the “first sign of peril” on Tuesday was when a tree in his backyard snapped from strong wind gusts. When a house in his Lahaina neighborhood started to fill with smoke, he and his girlfriend drove toward the harbor, where businesses were on fire.
He and his girlfriend ended up leaving their car and jumping in the water to escape the flames. Dougherty said he got cuts and bruises from getting knocked against the rocks and coral.
“At one point, it seemed like I might drown,” he said. “I’m a good swimmer, but the water was just really rough because of the wind and the turbulence.”
They had to temporarily swim away from the rock wall because of the intense heat from the fires, he said. A first responder eventually told them to get out of the water because “it’s not going to get any better,” so he and his girlfriend took the chance and climbed out.
“I couldn’t even make it across the street because the pavement was so hot. And now I have second degree burns on the bottom of my feet,” Dougherty said.
Dougherty said he had difficulties walking due to his burns and lost track of his girlfriend after getting out of the water. He ended up waiting in the water and on the rock wall until firefighters carried him to a truck and ultimately brought him to a hospital for treatment.
He’s been at the shelter since Wednesday morning and hasn’t been able to get ahold of his girlfriend since.
“I’ve got to find a way to procure a phone so I can start making contacts with people and find my beautiful girlfriend,” he said. “I’m so scared.”
-ABC News’ Izzy Alvarez
Aug 10, 1:12 PM EDT
Biden approves Hawaii emergency disaster declaration
President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration in Hawaii and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires.
The declaration unlocked grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property loses and other programs to help residents and business owners recover from the wildfires. It also unlocks federal funding for state and eligible local governments for debris removal and emergency protective measures in Maui and assistance for emergency protective measures for Hawaii County.
Biden also spoke with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green about the wildfires to express his condolences for the lives lost and the vast destruction of land and property.
“President Biden confirmed he signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Hawaii that will deliver additional federal resources and support on top of the actions already underway by FEMA, the National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other federal agencies to support the emergency response,” the White House said in a statement.
-ABC News’ Molly Nagle
Aug 10, 12:31 PM EDT
United cancels inbound flights to Kahului Airport, as airlines add extra flights from Maui
In the aftermath of the Hawaii wildfires, airlines flying to Maui have added extra flights to take people off the island. United Airlines canceled Thursday’s inbound flights to Kahului Airport so planes can fly empty and be used as passenger flights back to the mainland.
Other airlines told ABC News they are continuing their scheduled operations and have issued waivers or flexible travel policies.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it is monitoring the fires and winds, but operations remain normal. According to FlightAware, 14 flights at Kahului Airport have been canceled and 18 are delayed.
-ABC News’ Clara McMichael
Aug 10, 11:21 AM EDT
Chaos at Maui’s main airport as hundreds try to leave
Hundreds of people spent the night at the Kahului Airport on Maui, after local authorities asked everyone who does not need to be on the island to leave amid raging wildfires.
Many raced to the airport on Wednesday only to find out that their flights had been canceled or delayed. So, they slept there on the ground, on baggage carts and on X-ray machines — whatever they could find that was relatively comfortable.
Some people told ABC News that they are hoping to fly out on Thursday. Others said they were informed by airlines that they won’t be able to get on flights until the weekend.
One mother told ABC News that she has rented a car that she will sleep in with her two young children for the next two days. But that, she said with a tear in her eye, is nothing compared to losing your house or the life of a loved one.
Aug 10, 10:46 AM EDT
Hawaii governor to tour wildfire damage on Maui
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green is scheduled to arrive in Maui early Thursday.
Green is expected to hold a joint press conference with Maui Mayor Richard Bissen after touring the wildfire damage.
Aug 10, 8:01 AM EDT
3 wildfires remain active, uncontained on Maui
There are three active wildfires burning on Maui as of Thursday morning, according to Maui County spokesperson Mahina Martin.
Martin told ABC News that those fires are still not contained, though improved weather conditions have helped the situation.
There was no update for the number of acres that the blazes have burned. The Kula fire was a little over 1,000 acres as of early Wednesday.
-ABC News’ Alyssa Pone
Aug 10, 6:41 AM EDT
Latest wind forecast for Hawaii
The National Weather Service has canceled all high wind and red flag warning alerts for Hawaii as wind speeds are expected to decrease slightly on Thursday.
But wind gusts are still forecast to get up to 25 to 35 miles per hour, which will not help the fight to contain raging wildfires on Maui.
Over the last few days, winds have gusted to as high as 82 mph in parts of Hawaii. In Maui County, wind speeds got up to 67 mph.
This is due to very strong trade winds and the increased pressure gradient between the high pressure to the north of Hawaii and Hurricane Dora to the south.
Dora never hit Hawaii, only coming as close as 700 miles to the south. So the winds are not due to Dora but rather the pressure gradient effect.
-ABC News’ Max Golembo
Aug 10, 4:35 AM EDT
Death toll rises to 36 on Maui
At least 36 people have died as wildfires tear through the Hawaiian island of Maui, according to officials.
During a press conference early Thursday, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen confirmed that the death toll is “growing.”
“We knew of six earlier. We are probably around 36 as of now,” Bissen said.
Maui County also confirmed in a statement late Wednesday that “36 total fatalities have been discovered today”
-ABC News’ Alyssa Pone
Aug 09, 11:15 PM EDT
More than 271 structures impacted
Authorities say more than 271 structures have been impacted, as fires continue to burn into early evening local time.
A federal team has arrived on the island to assist in search and rescue efforts in Lahaina, Maui County said Wednesday.
Close to 100 Maui firefighters have been on duty around the clock, including 11 from the state airport, the county said. The Maui Fire Department has reached out for additional support, requesting 20 more firefighters from Honolulu, Oahu and an incident management team.
Firefighters are addressing spot fires in Lahaina. Two Chinooks, along with four Windward Aviation helicopters, have been battling all three fires with water drops. Three additional helicopters from the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy have conducted search and rescue along the West Maui coastline, the county said.
The Maui FD reported no significant changes for the Lahaina, Upcountry and Pūlehu fires as of the afternoon local time.
There are no new evacuations, however, motorists are prohibited from entering Lahaina while the fire is active, with police on hand to prevent entry into the area. Residents who are still in Lahaina have been advised they can evacuate via Kahakuloa.
Aug 09, 9:37 PM EDT
FEMA approves disaster relief as wildfires rage, thousands without power
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved Hawaii’s request for a disaster declaration for help with a wildfire on Kohala Ranch on the Big Island of Hawaii, according to Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency.
Around 200 homes in and near Kohala Ranch have been impacted by the fires that began on Tuesday, the state’s emergency management agency said in a press release.
“The fire was also threatening a volunteer fire department, local electrical transmission lines and an AT&T cellular communications tower in the area,” Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency said.
There are 12,400 customers without power, according to Hawaiian Electric. The company is working to get some power restored.
Aug 09, 7:30 PM EDT
Helicopter pilot on Maui devastation
When helicopter pilot Richard Olsten flew above Lahaina, Maui, on Wednesday, he said he was not prepared for what he saw.
“It was heartbreaking,” Olsten told ABC News Live. “There’s hundreds of homes burned down to the ground. The entire area of Front Street, the whole historic area, is gone, burned to the ground.”
“We were just speechless with one another as we viewed this horrible destruction of the town,” Olsten said.
Aug 09, 7:27 PM EDT
Latest from airlines
So far on Wednesday, there have been 17 cancellations and 46 delays at Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui, according to FlightAware.
Delta Air Lines said it anticipates operating a full schedule out of Maui on Wednesday, adding two more flights to help accommodate customers from flights canceled the day before.
American Airlines said it canceled all flights to Kahului Airport on Wednesday but expects to operate the majority of flights out of the airport “to ensure customers evacuating OGG are able to do so.”
The Federal Aviation Administration said earlier it’s monitoring the wildfire and winds in Hawaii, but operations remain normal. A spokesperson said that, if necessary, the agency will take steps to manage the flow of traffic safely into areas that experience reduced visibility from wildfire smoke.
-ABC News’ Amanda Maile
Aug 09, 6:47 PM EDT
‘I was trapped’: Maui fire survivors speak out
A Maui resident recounted escaping from his burning home in an interview with ABC News’ Gio Benitez on Wednesday.
“We started smelling the smoke, and that’s when we knew we had trouble,” Steve Scott said. “It came, and it came quick.”
Scott said he tried to fight the fire with a hose before managing to flee.
“I was trapped,” he said. “We had to run to the harbor.”
Scott said the loss is “horrible,” especially along Front Street in downtown Lahaina, just as the tourist-driven area started to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I don’t know if we can recover from this,” he said.
Aug 09, 6:43 PM EDT
Biden on wildfire response
President Joe Biden and the first lady said they are sending condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones in the Maui wildfires.
In a statement Wednesday evening, Biden said he has ordered “all available Federal assets on the Islands to help with response” and is urging “all residents to continue to follow evacuation orders, listen to the instructions of first responders and officials, and stay alert.”
-ABC News’ Justin Gomez
Aug 09, 4:43 PM EDT
‘Our beautiful island has been ravaged by fires’
Maui Chamber of Commerce President Pamela Tumpap detailed the level of devastation in a phone interview with ABC News Live.
“Our beautiful island has been ravaged by fires from the mountain to the ocean,” Tumpap said.
Tumpap said some areas look like they have been “completely leveled.”
“We’ve lost a lot of homes and we’ve lost a lot of business places and we’ve lost cultural and historic resources that were in the Chinatown that have burned to the ground,” Tumpap said. “We are seeing fires unlike what we’ve ever seen before.”
Tumpap cautioned travelers against coming to the island, saying it is “not going to be the Maui vacation that you planned” and visitors will have a hard time finding resources.
Aug 09, 4:20 PM EDT
At least 6 deaths reported in Maui, mayor says
There have been at least six deaths reported in Maui County amid devastating wildfires, officials said.
“We’re still in a search and rescue mode, and so I don’t know what will happen to that number,” Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said during a press briefing Wednesday afternoon.
More than 2,100 people are in shelters in Maui County, he said.
Shelters are “overrun” amid the disaster, Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke said while urging tourists not to travel there.
“This is not a safe place to be,” she said.
Aug 09, 4:01 PM EDT
Mother evacuates in middle of the night with 2 children
Maui resident Malika Dudley described to ABC News Live her experience evacuating from the raging wildfires in Hawaii with her two children in the middle of the night.
Currently in Haliimaile, which is on the slopes of Haleakalā, Dudley can still see the fire from the mountain growing and spreading.
“We were in the very first evacuation at 1 a.m.. I started to smell smoke in my home, and I woke my husband up and he said, ‘Oh, don’t worry about it.’ At 1:30, I thought, ‘No, something’s on fire in our house.'”
Eventually, Dudley, who is also a meteorologist for ABC affiliate KITV, got a call from their neighbor and the fire was right above their property.
“We got a call from our neighbor who said, ‘Get out of your house.’ And we looked out the window and there was a red glow outside of our window,” she said. “The fire was right above our property.”
Aug 09, 3:50 PM EDT
Hawaii governor: ‘Some loss of life is expected’
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green warned “some loss of life is expected” amid the wildfires.
“Heroic efforts by first responders have prevented many casualties from occurring, but some loss of life is expected,” Green said in a statement Wednesday. “Our entire emergency response team, including the Hawai‘i National Guard has mobilized and is being supported by FEMA.”
Green will be returning to the islands immediately due to the wildfire emergency, his office announced.
(ATLANTA) — After a two-and-a-half-year probe, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has signaled that charges could be coming against former President Donald Trump and others allegedly involved in efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.
If Trump is indicted in the probe, it would mark the fourth indictment of the former president, who already faces federal charges in the special counsel’s Jan. 6 and classified documents probes, as well as the Manhattan DA’s hush money case. Prior to Trump, no former or current president had ever been indicted.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Aug 14, 7:43 AM EDT
Key players in Georgia probe include officials, lawyers and 16 ‘fake electors’
Who are the key players in the criminal probe into former President Donald Trump’s alleged election interference?
Some are local officials, including Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who certified the state’s election results, and District Attorney Fani Willis, who is expected to bring the case before a grand jury as soon as Monday.
Others were working with Trump during or after the election, including his former lawyers Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman, both of whom appeared before a special grand jury.
And there were also 16 “fake electors” who allegedly participated in a scheme to overturn the state’s election results were notified that they were considered targets in the criminal investigation, prosecutors in court documents last year.
-ABC News’ Meredith Deliso
Aug 14, 6:39 AM EDT
Fulton County DA expected to begin presenting case Monday, sources say
The Fulton County district attorney who has been probing former President Donald Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia is expected to begin presenting the case to a grand jury on Monday morning, sources familiar with the matter tell ABC News.
The presentation from the Fulton County District Attorney’s office comes after a two-and-a-half-year probe into the matter.
A spokesperson for the DA declined to comment.
This grand jury that will hear the case is a typical grand jury that has been seated for weeks and has heard other cases unrelated to the Trump probe.
It is not immediately clear how long the presentation will take.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
-ABC News’ Olivia Rubin
Aug 14, 7:05 AM EDT
Who is District Attorney Fani Willis?
Many eyes are watching Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis as her investigation into alleged efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia nears its end and a potential fourth indictment looms for Trump, who denies all wrongdoing.
A charging decision is imminent. Willis is expected to present her findings to a grand jury this week.
“I would hate to have Fani Willis after me,” Judge Jerry Baxter told ABC News. “She is a superb trial lawyer and the real deal.”
(AUSTIN, Texas) — One person was airlifted to a hospital and another was taken by ambulance with serious injuries after a boat ran aground at Lake Austin, in Texas, Sunday, authorities said.
According to CE-BAR Fire Asst. Chief Campbell, who spoke to the media on Sunday night, the incident was a single-boat accident. The boaters were traveling downstream when they went over a wake from another boat. They lost control of their boat, bounced to the right, ejected at least one person, and then hit the bank on the river’s right side, he said at the news conference.
According to the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS), in addition to the two people transported to a hospital with serious injuries, two others were described as having “potentially serious injuries,” and a teen was listed as “missing/unable to locate,” the ATCEMS said on X (formally known as Twitter). Two people refused transport to local hospitals, the ATCEMS said.
Authorities declared the accident a Level-5 mass casualty incident.
The incident took place in a remote area and required the use of jet skis to move those who were injured. The responders are in “recovery mode,” according to ATCEMS.
