SUMMARY: The Federal Highway Administration has approved $352.6 million in Emergency Relief funds for North Carolina and Tennessee for disaster recovery. This is in addition to $167 million for Hurricane Helene recovery. Funds will aid repairs for storm damage, including landslides, washouts, and bridge collapses, with significant portions going to Interstate 40 in both states. North Carolina’s Department of Transportation will receive $250 million, and Tennessee will get $70 million. The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service will receive funds for repairs along the Blue Ridge Parkway and other areas. Helene caused severe damage, with North Carolina suffering $53 billion in losses.

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SUMMARY: The Vinyl Lab in Nashville has closed after nearly four years due to increased competition in the vinyl manufacturing industry. Opened in 2021 during a vinyl boom, the plant pressed albums for notable artists but faced declining orders as more independent manufacturers emerged. The industry now has over 200 manufacturers globally, leading to a surplus in supply. Vinyl Lab’s projects will be transferred to another local manufacturer, Physical Music Products, which has secured funding to complete them. Owner Scott LeMasters expressed disappointment, stating the industry may not sustain such a high number of plants moving forward.

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SUMMARY: A class-action lawsuit accuses Tennessee’s Department of Human Services (DHS) of mishandling Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, violating federal laws. Plaintiffs, facing drastic challenges such as homelessness and malnutrition, claim they were denied benefits despite qualifying, resulting in financial instability. The lawsuit highlights chronic delays in processing applications and appeals, miscalculations of income, and failures in scheduling required interviews. DHS reportedly has thousands of overdue applications and appeals, often taking months to resolve. Plaintiffs seek court-ordered reforms to improve the system, including better communication and timeliness in benefit processing.

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