United States: Governor Josh Stein has formally declared a State of Emergency to confront the escalating wildfires ravaging regions of Western North Carolina. 

While numerous local jurisdictions had independently announced states of emergency, Stein’s proclamation at the state level enhances the capacity for a comprehensive response. The declaration amplifies resource allocation and logistical coordination, enabling expedited aid deployment. 

Signed on Wednesday, March 26, the executive order arrived a week following the ignition of two major fires within the Black Cove Complex. 

“The wildfires in western North Carolina are relentlessly expanding, prompting the imperative expansion of our State of Emergency,” Governor Stein affirmed in an official statement. “The State Emergency Response Team remains resolute, employing every available resource to combat the infernos,” according to reports by wbtv.com. 

🚨March 27, 2025 Update

Transylvania County, North Carolina, is under a state of emergency due to three forest fires: the Pisgah National Forest fire at Rattlesnake Branch (623 acres), Persimmon Ridge fire (1,353 acres), and Table Rock Fire in South Carolina (4,566 acres).

A… pic.twitter.com/chgf0B4bQx

— Ashley 🇺🇲 (@Wnc_Ash) March 27, 2025

The extended declaration encompasses the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ sovereign lands, along with the counties of Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey. 

By Thursday, March 27, the North Carolina Forest Service reported the presence of approximately 105 wildfires ravaging an expanse surpassing 8,600 acres. The relentless flames continue to pose significant challenges, necessitating vigilant efforts from emergency responders, as per wbtv.com.  

Residents across the affected regions are urged to remain alert and adhere to evacuation directives as safety measures evolve. Authorities stand steadfast in their commitment to mitigate the disaster’s impact and protect communities across the state. 

United States: Progressive Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, has ignited a firestorm of criticism after making derogatory remarks about Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who uses a wheelchair due to a severe accident. During a pro-LGBTQ benefit event hosted by the Human Rights Campaign in Los Angeles, Crockett referred to Abbott as “Governor Hot Wheels” while making disparaging comments about his leadership. 

“We in these hot Texas streets, honey. Y’all know we got Governor Hot Wheels down there; come on now! And the only thing hot about him is that he is a hot mess, honey!” Crockett said, receiving laughter from the audience, according to Fox News. 

Her remarks follow a series of contentious statements, including calling for Elon Musk to be “taken down” and suggesting Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, should be “knocked over the head, like hard.” These inflammatory remarks have prompted fierce backlash from Republicans and conservative commentators. 

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) condemned Crockett’s comments, accusing her of exemplifying the current state of the Democratic Party. In a social media post on X, the NRCC stated, “House Dems’ top spox Jasmine Crockett applauded after attacking Texas Governor Abbott for using a wheelchair. Recent polling shows Crazy Crockett as one of the leaders of the Democrat Party. This is who they are.” 

WATCH: @jasonrantz unloads on Rep. Jasmine Crockett and the Dems’ clown show:

“It’s making them look like totally unserious clowns and that’s precisely what Jasmine Crockett is. If you’re a Republican right now, you’re probably loving the idea that Jasmine Crockett is front and… pic.twitter.com/3ob3iwPQdy

— Conservative War Machine (@WarMachineRR) March 26, 2025

Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma also responded sharply, reminding the public of the tragic circumstances that left Abbott paralyzed. “FYI to the new spokeswoman for the Democrat party – Greg Abbott became paralyzed after a huge oak tree fell on him, crushing his spine. But sure, go with ‘Hot Wheels,'” Mullin remarked. 

Riley Gaines, a conservative activist, also chimed in, sarcastically encouraging Democrats to give Crockett more visibility. “Democrats, please keep giving Jasmine Crockett the microphone. We’ll never lose an election again,” she wrote, as per the reports by Fox News. 

The mounting criticism extended to legal circles, with former Attorney General Pam Bondi warning Crockett to “tread carefully” or face possible legal consequences. Despite the warnings, Crockett appeared undeterred. In another resurfaced interview, she made additional incendiary comments directed at Cruz, advocating for figuratively “punching” him. 

“I think that you punch, I think you punch, I think you OK with punching,” Crockett stated when asked how Democrats could win elections in Texas. “It’s Ted Cruz. I mean, like, this dude has to be knocked over the head, like, hard, right? Like there is no niceties with him, like at all. Like you go clean off on him.” 

Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, denounced her comments, highlighting the media’s double standards. “Crockett’s comments are disgraceful. Can you imagine if a Republican said something like this? It would be on the front page of NYT and all over CNN,” Cornyn said. 

Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk echoed the outrage, asserting that Crockett’s words reflected poorly on her character and her representation of Texas. “Jasmine Crockett continues to embarrass herself, the state of Texas, and the US Congress by referring to Governor Greg Abbott as ‘Governor Hot Wheels.’ Gov. Abbott was paralyzed at the age of 26 when an oak tree fell and crushed his spine while jogging. This woman is trash,” Kirk stated, according to Fox News. 

Governor Abbott, who has served since 2015, is known for his staunch support of former President Donald Trump. His policies, especially on border security, have drawn both praise and criticism. In 2021, Abbott launched “Operation Lonestar,” deploying state resources to strengthen border enforcement. His actions resulted in frequent clashes with the Biden administration, particularly during the 2024 standoff at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas. 

The controversy surrounding Crockett’s remarks underscores the intense political divide and the heightened scrutiny public officials face for their rhetoric. While her supporters may dismiss the comments as humor or impassioned speech, the backlash suggests that derogatory attacks on individuals with disabilities remain unacceptable in the eyes of many Americans. 

United States: President Trump has resolved to appoint Dr Susan Monarez as the definitive nominee to helm the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sources privy to the deliberations disclosed to CBS News. This move cements her role, transitioning her from an interim leader to a permanent steward of the nation’s paramount public health institution. 

Monarez’s ascension comes in the wake of the White House retracting the nomination of Dr. David Weldon, a former Florida congressman, due to insurmountable concerns regarding his ability to secure sufficient senatorial backing for confirmation. 

An official from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the federal entity overseeing the CDC, corroborated the nomination, while representatives from the White House refrained from immediate commentary, according to CBS News. 

Monarez emerged as the frontrunner after outpacing several prospective contenders, including ex-obstetrician-gynecologist and Texas congressman Michael Burgess. Notably, Weldon had previously championed Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo as a prime candidate for the nomination. 

TRUMP nominates Dr. Susan Monarez as the next Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pic.twitter.com/DmvA0Rtj3c

— James Hirsen (@thejimjams) March 24, 2025

Should the Senate confirm her, Monarez will etch her name in history as the first CDC director to undergo legislative scrutiny following a congressional amendment in 2022 mandating the position’s confirmation. Historically, CDC directors ascended to their posts through direct presidential selection, bypassing the rigorous confirmation process. 

Prior to her tenure as the CDC’s acting director, Monarez held the position of deputy director at the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). Her appointment deviates from precedent, as interim leaders have traditionally emerged from the CDC’s internal cadre of seasoned officials. 

One federal health insider conveyed that White House officials have underscored their intent to “ensure precision” in their selection. Another high-ranking official remarked that Monarez has cultivated a constructive rapport with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. since assuming the interim role, as per CBS News.  

Last week, Monarez and her advisory team convened in Washington DC for pivotal meetings, according to a federal health official. 

Meanwhile, Senate confirmations loom for leaders of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), following recent hearings. 

Monarez is poised to confront rigorous inquiries regarding her involvement in contentious agency decisions, including perceived encroachments on the independence of the CDC’s flagship medical journal, sudden postponements of advisory panel meetings on vaccinations, and the proposal to reexamine the purported correlation between vaccines and autism—an assertion long discredited by the scientific community. 

The CDC currently grapples with a burgeoning spectrum of public health crises, notably an alarming resurgence of measles, fueled by an unprecedented outbreak in under-vaccinated communities across Texas and its adjacent states, as per CBS News. 

As with other nominees, Monarez will likely face intense scrutiny over her stance on Secretary Kennedy’s management of public health emergencies, including his controversial downplaying of measles risks while amplifying vaccine-related concerns. His remarks on addressing other viral threats, such as the surging avian influenza outbreak, have also provoked sharp criticism. 

Furthermore, Monarez has played a pivotal role in orchestrating sweeping workforce reductions at the CDC, with impending layoffs projected to impact up to 30% of the agency’s personnel—a move anticipated to ignite fervent debate over its ramifications for public health infrastructure.