@chriskromm.bsky.social
Director, Institute for Southern Studies | Publisher, Facing South
@chriskromm.bsky.socialI was on Battleground Midterms this week talking about the U.S. Senate race in North Carolina and my investigation in @southernstudies.bsky.social and @thenation.com into the Hurricane Helene recovery. #ncpol You can watch the full episode here: www.fox5dc.com/video/fmc-6d...
@southernstudies.bsky.socialReposted by @chriskromm.bsky.socialCheck out our Executive Director's, @chriskromm.bsky.social recent appearance on Headlights: Voices from the Progressive South!
@progsouth.bsky.socialReposted by @chriskromm.bsky.socialThis week: How FEMA has failed North Carolina. We talk to @chriskromm.bsky.social of @southernstudies.bsky.social about his article for Facing South and The Nation that exposes Trump's broken promises — and serves as a warning to the rest of the country.
@chriskromm.bsky.socialRead my full investigation published by @thenation.com
and @southernstudies.bsky.social here:
@chriskromm.bsky.social@chriskromm.bsky.social@chriskromm.bsky.socialIn Marshall, NC, Hurricane Helene's floodwaters swept away 10 downtown buildings in 2024. This summer, I asked the mayor if Michael Whatley — whom Trump said would be "very much in charge" of recovery — had reached out or played a role in rebuilding. He said no.
#ncpol
@southernstudies.bsky.socialReposted by @chriskromm.bsky.social“Durham is this growing, prosperous place and really what our data was showing is that there’s so many people that are falling behind amid this growing wealth,” @chriskromm.bsky.social said.
@chriskromm.bsky.socialDurham Dreams brought together 150+ people this weekend to envision a safer and more just future for the city. This story also highlights @southernstudies.bsky.social research on how Durham's wealthy institutions can ensure better jobs, schools and housing.
@chriskromm.bsky.social@chrislhayes.bsky.social @wunc.org @ncnewsline.com @blueridgepublic.bsky.social @democracynow.org @carolinaforward.bsky.social
@chriskromm.bsky.socialRead our full investigation at @thenation.com and Facing South:
@chriskromm.bsky.socialWestern North Carolina’s experience is a warning for communities nationwide. As Jon Council of @downhomenc.bsky.social told me: “Folks need to pay attention to how [the Helene] recovery has gone, because this may be the playbook that we’re looking at for a lot of future disasters.”
@chriskromm.bsky.socialThen there’s Michael Whatley, whom Trump said would be “very much in charge” of Helene recovery. We interviewed four western NC mayors; all said Whatley had not reached out to them about recovery. Of 14 counties responding to our public records requests, 11 found no record of outreach from him.
@chriskromm.bsky.socialAs western NC struggles to rebuild, FEMA has been severely weakened.
Since Trump returned to office, the agency has lost 4,300+ personnel, including more than half its senior executives; cycled through five administrators; and faced major delays in disaster grants and declarations. #helene
@chriskromm.bsky.social@chriskromm.bsky.socialLast week, Facing South and @thenation.com published my six-month investigation into Hurricane Helene recovery in WNC, two years after the storm.
We found billions in unmet recovery needs, deep turmoil at FEMA, and new questions about “recovery czar” Michael Whatley.
@southernstudies.bsky.social