Politics

Kristi Noem All but Killed FEMA. Will Her Departure Save It?

Jake Bittle / Grist Mar 9, 2026 The embattled Homeland Security secretary froze spending and slashed staff. It may well have been illegal. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Politics

The Revolt Against Kristi Noem Grows

Jake Bittle / Grist Feb 3, 2026 FEMA’s pace of disaster disbursements has slowed to a trickle—and its backlog has reached $17 billion—leading a coalition of disaster survivors to rate her management a failure. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Economic Justice

When Disaster Recovery Becomes a Luxury Good

Rebecca Egan McCarthy / Grist Dec 24, 2025 As federal services deteriorate, a patchwork of private companies is taking their place — for better or for worse. Dig deeper ( 10 Min. Read )

Editorial Cartoons

The Dam Holding Back the Torrent

Paul Duginski Nov 20, 2025 Dig deeper

Labor

Federal Workers Declare Five-Alarm Fires at Key Agencies

Jenny Brown / LaborNotes Sep 25, 2025 Unprecedented public letters express outrage and dismay that their work protecting the public is being wrecked by know-nothing political lackeys. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Economic Justice

Meet the Real Estate ‘Vultures’ Buying Disaster-Ravaged Homes

Sophie Hurwitz / Grist Sep 2, 2025 “We buy homes” companies descend in the wake of catastrophes to acquire damaged properties on the cheap. Survivors say they're predatory. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

Business & Economy

Climate Disasters Are Killing Small Businesses

Tik Root / Grist Aug 5, 2025 Small businesses give an area its character. But they are most susceptible to, and least protected from, catastrophic climate change events. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Editorial Cartoons

FEMA’s Unpreparedness

Christopher Weyant Jul 24, 2025 Dig deeper

Economic Justice

Texas Food Banks Are Rationing Meals for Flood Survivors Because of Trump’s Cuts

Ayurella Horn-Muller / Grist Jul 15, 2025 The July 4 flooding has become the first major disaster to expose the grave effects of Trump’s new food and hunger policies. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Environment

Trump 2.0 Could Devastate California’s Natural Disaster Response

Jeremy Lindenfeld / Capital & Main Jul 11, 2025 Between Trump's proposed cuts to FEMA and his personal feud with Gavin Newsom, he could cost the state billions as climate-driven disasters intensify. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Editorial Cartoons

Ark Funding Cuts

Dave Whamond Jul 10, 2025 Dig deeper

Environment

States Fear FEMA Funding May Be Drying Up

Jennifer Berry Hawes / ProPublica Jun 27, 2025 Many states rely on federal money for the majority of their emergency management funding. FEMA's changes have local leaders in limbo. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )