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VP Kamala Harris says she plans to 'earn and win' Democratic nomination after Joe Biden drops out and endorses her; New Alabama bill threatens voter rights, legal challenge ensues; Fact-checking GOP claims on immigrants; Water contamination a concern in Midwest flood aftermath.

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President Joe Biden drops his 2024 re-election bid. He's endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his spot on the ticket, and election experts say they see benefits to this decision.

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It's grass-cutting season and with it, rural lawn mower races, Montana's drive-thru blood project is easing shortages, rural Americans spend more on food when transportation costs are tallied, and a lack of good childcare is thwarting rural business owners.

After the storms, Texans help Texans

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Wednesday, May 29, 2024   

Residents of north Texas continue to clean up after the latest in a string of deadly tornadoes.

According to the National Weather Service, an EF-2 tornado with wind speeds of 135 miles per hour killed seven people and injured more than 100 others in Cooke County. It was just one of a series of dangerous weather events across the state in the last several weeks.

The group Texans on Mission, a faith-based nonprofit formerly known as Texas Baptist Men, assists victims worldwide after a disaster.

John Hall, chief mission officer and director of communications for the group, said crews are spread out across the Lone Star State.

"Right now, we are serving in multiple locations in Houston after the high windstorms down there," Hall pointed out. "We're serving in two locations in San Marcos, after tornadoes down there. We're serving after the flooding in southeast Texas; we're serving here after the tornado up in far north Texas."

Hall noted because of the number of recent severe weather events in Texas, they are short on volunteers. The organization is now receiving assistance from partner groups in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and North Carolina.

At least 200 homes and businesses in north Texas were destroyed by the tornadoes. Gov. Greg Abbott has extended an existing disaster declaration to include Denton, Montague, Cooke and Collin counties. The declaration makes the regions eligible for additional funding under FEMA's public assistance program.

Hall explained when volunteers arrive at a disaster scene, residents need basic necessities.

"We'll bring in mobile shower-laundry teams to give people access to shower and laundry services," Hall outlined. "We'll bring in mass feeding teams and then often, we bring in chain saw teams that will take out the large trees that have fallen on people's cars and their houses."

He added the volunteers remain in the affected areas for several weeks after a catastrophic event. Hall said over the past year, they have responded to disasters on six different continents.


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