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Today: Hurricane Relief Money, Harris' Black Grandparents and Dr. Seuss

Plus: Real Last Words of Church of Satan Founder Anton LaVey Were, 'Oh My, What Have I Done'?

Author

Izz LaMagdeleine
October 09, 2024

WEDNESDAY EDITION

Snopes Debunker

A Latino wearing a blue suit speaks behind a podium. You can see a group of people sitting in front of him.

FEMA Isn't Running Out of Hurricane Relief Money Due to Migrant Aid

As the U.S. Southeast recovered from Hurricane Helene's destruction, rumors spread online that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the Federal Emergency Management Agency was running out of money for its relief programs. Some internet users further claimed victims of Hurricane Helene would receive only $750 because FEMA spent more than $1 billion on shelter and services for undocumented immigrants.

While it's true Mayorkas warned that FEMA was running out of funds for disaster relief, the realities of how the agency is funded and how it deploys its funding are much more complicated than online rumor-mongers claim. FEMA, like other U.S. government agencies, obtains its funding through an appropriations process in the U.S. Congress. It cannot simply reallocate funds authorized for one program to another. Snopes reporter Anna Rascouët-Paz has the details.

A Black woman stands to the left of a Black South Asian woman. They are standing outside.

Harris Didn't 'Lie' About Her Black Grandparents

"I'm only prodding the narrative here," conspiracy theorist Candace Owens claimed, "because I'm going to need proof that she's Black."

A screenshot shows the images of 8 people. A caption says, "51 semi trucks have had their tires slashed going to help victims in North Carolina. These are the looters who stole the food & medical supplies from the trucks." At the bottom of the post, it says, "EVERY ONE OF THEM ILLEGAL."

Did 8 'Illegal' Immigrants Slash Tires on 51 Semitrucks Carrying Hurricane Relief Supplies?

One highly engaged post on X began, "Fifty one semi-trucks had their tires slashed en route to help victims of Hurricane Helene."

A white man sits at a table covered by a blue tablecloth. A crowd of people surround him, many of which are white women.

Tim Walz Didn't Sign Bill Allowing Babies Born Alive After Failed Abortion to Die

Sen. JD Vance made the accusation of the Minnesota governor during the Oct. 1 vice-presidential debate.

A black and white image shows a white man wearing a suit next to a stuffed animal of a cat wearing a hat.

Did Dr. Seuss Have Affair That Pushed His Wife to Suicide?

A common rumor about the children's author's personal relationships has plenty of truth, but some facts are unknowable.

Staff Pick

A white man holds a chalice in front of a five-pointed star.

Real Last Words of Church of Satan Founder Anton LaVey Were, 'Oh My, What Have I Done'?

Anton LaVey, who founded the Church of Satan in 1966, died in 1997.