Latest news with #Emilee
Vox
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Vox
Why it's taking LA so long to rebuild
is a correspondent at Vox writing about climate change, energy policy, and science. He is also a regular contributor to the radio program Science Friday. Prior to Vox, he was a reporter for ClimateWire at E&E News. Sisters Emilee and Natalee De Santiago sit together on the front porch of what remains of their home on January 19, 2025, in Altadena, the wake of the record-breaking wildfires in Los Angeles in January — some of the most expensive and destructive blazes in history — one of the first things California Gov. Gavin Newsom did was to sign an executive order suspending environmental rules around rebuilding. The idea was that by waiving permitting regulations and reviews under the California Coastal Act and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), homeowners and builders could start cleaning up, putting up walls, and getting people back into houses faster. But that raised a key question for housing advocates: Could California do something similar for the whole state? Earlier this month, Newsom took a step in that direction, signing two bills that would exempt most urban housing from environmental reviews and make it easier for cities to increase housing by changing zoning laws. Newsom also signed another executive order that suspends some local permitting laws and building codes for fire-afflicted communities with the aim of further speeding up reconstruction. Los Angeles is a critical case study for housing for the whole state, a test of whether the Democratic-controlled government can coordinate its conflicting political bases — unions, environmental groups, housing advocates — with a desperate need for more homes. Revising the state's environmental laws was seen by some observers as a sign that the Golden State was finally seeing the light. Related California just showed that a better Democratic Party is possible But despite the relaxed rules, progress in LA has been sluggish. More than 800 homeowners in areas affected by wildfires applied for rebuilding permits as of July 7, according to the Los Angeles Times. Fewer than 200 have received the green light, however. The City of Los Angeles takes about 55 days on average to approve a wildfire rebuild, and the broader Los Angeles County takes even longer. (Los Angeles County has a dashboard to track permitting approvals in unincorporated areas.) 'LA's process is super slow, so that's not surprising,' said Elisa Paster, a managing partner at Rand Paster Nelson based in Los Angeles and specializing in land use law. 'Anecdotally, we've heard that a lot of people have decided they don't want to go through the process of rebuilding in LA because it is quite onerous.' Now, half a year out after the embers have died down, it's clear that changing the rules isn't enough. Advocates for CEQA say the 55-year-old law is really a scapegoat for bigger, more intractable housing problems. Other factors, like more expensive construction materials and labor shortages, are still driving up housing construction costs, regardless of permitting speeds. And some environmental groups worry that the rush to rebuild everything as it was could recreate the conditions that led to the blazes in the first place, a dangerous prospect in an area where wildfire risks are only growing. How CEQA reforms can and can't help communities harmed by wildfires CEQA is one of California's tentpole environmental laws, signed by then-Gov. Ronald Reagan in 1970. It requires that state and local governments preemptively look for any potential environmental harms from a construction project, like water pollution, threats to endangered species, and later, greenhouse gas emissions. Developers need to disclose these issues and take steps to avoid them. The law also allows the public to weigh in on new developments. In the years since, CEQA has been blamed as a barrier to new construction. Many critics see it as a cynical tool wielded to prevent new housing construction in wealthy communities, even being invoked to challenge highway closures and new parks on environmental grounds. It's one of the villains of the 'abundance' movement that advocates for cutting red tape to build more homes and clean energy. However, CEQA isn't necessarily the gatekeeper to rebuilding single-family homes after wildfires, according to Matthew Baker, policy director at Planning and Conservation League, a nonprofit that helped shepherd CEQA in the first place. For one thing, CEQA already has broad exemptions for replacing and rebuilding structures and new construction of 'small' structures like single-family homes. 'Our general take is that the executive orders around revoking environmental review and environmental regulations around the rebuilding [after the fires] did little to nothing beyond what was already in existing law,' Baker said. He added that the vast majority of projects that face CEQA review get the go-ahead, and less than 2 percent of proposals face litigation. An aerial view shows homes burned in the Eaton Fire on February 5, 2025, in Altadena, the mere threat of a lawsuit and the precautions to avoid one can become a significant hurdle on its own. 'CEQA can be an expensive and lengthy process, especially for large or complicated projects. This is true even if there is not litigation,' according to a 2024 report from California's Little Hoover Commission, the state's independent oversight agency. 'Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report under CEQA can take a year or longer and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, or even, in some cases, more than $1 million.' In addition, CEQA does come into play for people who want to make more extensive changes to their property as they rebuild, like if they want to expand their floorspace more than 10 percent beyond their original floor plan. The law is also triggered by broader wildfire risk reduction initiatives, namely brush clearance and controlled burns, as well as infrastructure upgrades like putting power lines underground to prevent fire ignitions or installing more pipelines and cisterns for water to help with firefighting. Exempting these projects could help communities build fire resilience faster. For multifamily homes like duplexes and apartment buildings, CEQA can be an obstacle, too, if the developer wants to rebuild with more units. 'We have multifamily buildings in the Palisades that had rent-controlled units, and what we've been hearing from some of these property owners is like, 'Yeah, sure. I had 20 rent-controlled units there before, but I can't afford to just rebuild 20.' Those people want to go back and build 50 units, 20 of which could be rent-controlled, or all of which are rent-controlled.' By bypassing CEQA, higher-density housing has an easier path to completion. Environmental regulations aren't the only barriers to rebuilding Rebuilding after fires is always going to be expensive. Your home may have been built and sold in the 1970s, but you'll have to pay 2025 prices for materials and labor when you rebuild. California already faces some of the highest housing costs in the country and a shortage of construction workers. The Trump administration is pushing the price tag higher with tariffs on components like lumber and its campaign to deport people. About 41 percent of workers in California's construction industry are immigrants, and 14 percent are undocumented. But even before they can rebuild, one of the biggest challenges for people who have lost their homes is simply becoming whole after a loss. 'From the clients that I've spoken to, they've had to argue with their insurance company to get full replacement value or reasonable compensation, and that's where they're getting stuck,' said David Hertz, an architect based in Santa Monica. On top of the tedious claims process, insurance companies in California have been dropping some of their customers in high fire-risk areas, leaving them no option besides the FAIR Plan, the state's high-priced, limited-coverage insurer of last resort. But after the multibillion-dollar losses from the Los Angeles fires, the FAIR Plan had to collect an additional $1 billion from its member companies, a move that will raise property insurance prices. People who can't get property insurance can't get a mortgage from most lenders. There's also the concern of exactly where and how homes are rebuilt. In 2008, California updated its building codes to make structures more resistant to wildfires, but bringing burned-down old homes to new standards in high fire risk areas adds to the timeline and the price tag. 'There's this tension between all of us wanting to have people be able to rebuild their homes in their communities, and there's the question of 'Are we just going to build back the same thing in the same unsafe place? Are we going to try to do things better?' Baker said. All the while, wildfires are becoming more destructive. Wildfires are a natural part of Southern California's landscape, but more people are crowding into areas that are primed to burn, and the danger zones are widening. That increases the chances of a wildfire ignition and makes the ensuing blazes more damaging. With average temperatures rising, California is seeing more aggressive swings between severe rainfall and drought. The 2025 Los Angeles fires were preceded in 2024 by one of the wettest winters in the region's history, followed by one of the hottest summers on record, and bookended by one of the driest starts to winter. It created the ideal conditions for ample dry grasses and chaparral that fueled the infernos. Related 5 approaches that experts say are our best shot at surviving future wildfires 'The question is, how does one really exist within a natural system that's designed to burn?' Hertz said. Reducing wildfire risk on a wider scale requires coordination between neighbors. For example, Hertz said that in many of the communities that burned, there are likely many residents who won't come back. Neighbors could coordinate to buy up and swap vacant land parcels to create a defensible space with fire-resistant trees like oak to serve as fire breaks and water storage to help respond to future blazes. Hertz himself leads a community brigade, trained volunteers who work to reduce wildfire risk in their neighborhoods. He also cautioned that while there's a lot of well-deserved pushback against regulations like CEQA, the reasoning behind it remains sound. Development without any environmental considerations could put more homes in the path of danger and destroy the ecosystems that make California such an attractive place to live. 'I think there's a balance,' Hertz said. 'Nature doesn't have its own voice.' At the same time, without speeding up the pace at which California restores the homes that were lost and builds new ones, the housing crisis will only get worse. The state will become unlivable for many residents. Long after the burn scars fade and new facades are erected, communities will be altered permanently.
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tammy Hembrow delivers cutting response to Matt Zukowski's comments about their divorce
Tammy Hembrow has seemingly responded to her ex Matt Zukowski's recent comments about their split. The fitness influencer, 31, took to Instagram on Thursday to post a video of her dancing with her daughter Posy, three, in the kitchen. However, despite it looking like a candid family moment, it's the choice of song that comes across as cutting. Tammy was seen in the clip dancing to Love Me Not by Ravyn Lenae, the same song that she and her sister danced to in the wake of her split announcement. Last month, Emilee posted a seemingly shady video of the pair enjoying a boogie to the song and fans flooded the comments section, noting that Emilee never had a good feeling about Matt and his relationship with her sister. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Ooh, I know Emilee hated that man,' one person wrote. Another penned: 'Her sisters knew but what can you do but support and love Tammy. Your time will come.' 'You always knew he wasn't for her and he was going to hurt your sister,' another chimed in. On Thursday, Matt broke his silence regarding the pair's break-up in the latest episode of his Where's Your Head At? podcast alongside co-host Anna McEvoy. Matt admitted he is 'struggling a lot' and has been going to therapy regularly to help heal amid his divorce. 'I'm absolutely shattered to announce it, to be honest. But at the end of the day, we weren't right for each other and in this relationship, I've learnt a lot about myself,' he said. 'I've learnt a lot about what I need in a relationship and what's right for me. Moving forward, I'm gonna focus on myself and focus on healing and moving forward with my life.' Matt continued: 'I know there's a lot of speculation and people are looking for me to clear up all the whispers online but that's not me. 'This is literally real life, like, this is happening to me right now and I'm still trying to process it. I'm still trying to heal from it.' He said he has respect for Tammy and doesn't want to share private details about their relationship. 'This has been one of the toughest periods of my life and it's honestly been so stressful on my mental health,' Matt continued. 'Right now, I'm not in a place where I want to talk about this any further. But I've been hanging around my loved ones, my family. I've been going to therapy, which has helped heaps in navigating this time in my life.' Matt also thanked his fans and listeners for their 'understanding and kindness' over the past few weeks. 'I think coming here every week and doing an hour podcast with my best friend Anna is going to be healthy for me to forget what's going on and just have fun,' he continued. 'Obviously Anna's in a different stage in her life now, she's just had a kid, so, coming in here and being around that energy is contagious and I love doing that. So, I'm keen to move forward doing that. 'And to my listeners, thank you for staying with me through all these life stages. Whilst this isn't one I wanted to take you on, I hope you can give me grace as I navigate through this difficult time. Thank you.' Tammy and Matt confirmed they had split on social media last month. Love Island Australia star Matt announced the couple's separation in a sombre Instagram Story on Sunday, telling fans the decision was not taken lightly. 'It's with a heavy heart I share that Tammy and I have decided to separate,' Matt began. 'Both of us have struggled with making this decision, however we need to do what is right for ourselves and her three children. 'This wasn't a decision we took lightly. Our time together will always be cherished and never forgotten,' he added, before thanking fans for their support and asking for privacy. Despite their short-lived marriage, both parties have asked for privacy as they adjust to life post-breakup.
Metro
02-07-2025
- Health
- Metro
First female founded sports nutrition brand now available at Boots
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more Supplements are growing in popularity and awareness with a growing conversation around supplements being designed and tested with men in mind. But it shouldn't be a one size fits all, at least that was the inspiration behind sisters Tammy, Emilee and Amy Hembrow's new brand Selfish Supps. According to research women account for over 39% of the UK's sports nutrition category, yet the majority of supplements or sports aids focus on male performance, their bodies, needs and aesthetic. Yet, they don't have the hormones women have, and consequently the needs. This is where Selfish Supps come in. Selfish Supps is a female-first sports nutrition brand created by women, for women. The Selfish Supps range includes seven functionally formulated products that cover the full spectrum of women's everyday health needs, from energy and performance, to digestion, hydration and muscle recovery. Each formula is free from unnecessary fillers, vegan, gluten-free and halal-certified, yet packed with flavour to make it pleasant to consume. The items in the range include Give Me Plant Protein, Balance My Gut, Hydrate Me, Give Me Protein Water, Give Me Plant Protein Powder, and I Want Energy. All products come in delicious flavours which span from Pink Lemonade, Juicy Watermelon, French Vanilla, Blueberry Bliss, to Very Berry. We know many can be bitter or leave a chalky texture in the mouth, but not Selfish Supps. More Trending Selfish Supps is available to buy directly from the website, as well as Boots, both online and in stores. The supplements typically retail for £29, however, you can make a saving as Selfish Supps is offering shoppers 25% off online purchases. To claim the discount all you have to do is enter the discount code 'METROSELFISH25', which is valid from now until July 14 with a minimum spend of £29. View More » Plus, the 25% off discount only applies to a one off purchase, so select your favourites wisely. This protein powder contains 20g of lean plant protein. It has also been formulated with prebiotics to encourage muscle growth without any bloating. Available in French Vanilla and Rich Chocolate. BUY NOW FOR £29 We're familiar with green powders, but Selfish Supps has created an alternative in the form of 'blue-greens gut health powder'. Formulated with a blueberry phyto blend, sea moss, spirulina, probiotics, vitamin C and fibre for overall wellness. It aims to debloat, aid digestion, nourish the gut microbiome and heal the leaky gut. It doesn't have a gritty texture, there are no artificial sweeteners or bulking agents. It's vegan, gluten free, soy free, halal friendly and soy free. BUY NOW FOR £29 Hydrate Me is an electrolyte – hence the with magnesium, coconut water, zinc and vitamin C, to rehydrate the body. It also offers immunity support and aids the body post-workout. It is a low sodium formula with no artificial sweeteners. BUY NOW FOR £29 If you would prefer something more lightweight when it comes to protein shakes, Give Me Protein Water is a welcome alternative. This fast-absorbing vegan protein water has been formulated with hydrolysed plant protein that is not gritty but hydrating and an effective boost of protein. It functions to support muscle growth, tone and support recovery after a workout. Available in Very Berry or Tropical Crush flavours. BUY NOW FOR £29 If you have ever tried pre-workout you may have found your skin feels extremely itchy and irritated, you struggle to focus and sweat, but it is said to kickstart your body into workout mode, and those initial reactions wear off as you work out. Thankfully, Selfish Supps has created a jitter-free pre-workout. It has been formulated with aminos, BCAAS and green tea, which combine to help with performance, strength, but also boost focus. It offers a more sustained boost of energy without the clean, vegan and gluten free formula has also been said to increase muscle definition. BUY NOW FOR £29 Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below MORE: I'm a shopping writer and here's what I'm buying this week – from Berghaus to Skin Rocks MORE: Protein Works' Creatine Powder is the filler-free vegan supplement you need to know MORE: The best protein powders that actually taste good – and have nutritional benefits Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Hull dad's tribute ride for baby who lived one day
A dad said he would be "forever grateful" to hospital staff who cared for both of his daughters - one of whom died the day after she was Turner's daughter Hope lived for just one day after being born 17 weeks early in March 2021 and lived only one day. Emilee was born 13 weeks early in 2019 and survived. Mr Turner, who is about to cycle 1,000 miles (1,609km) to raise money for Hull's neonatal unit, said the nurses went the extra mile for children on the ward by buying baby clothes, cotton wool and day-to-day items using their own money."Myself and my family are forever grateful for the care that they gave to my children and this is my way of giving back," he said. Weighing 1lb 11oz (764g), Emilee spent 13 weeks in Hull Women and Children's Hospital's neonatal had multiple operations and setbacks but, despite initially going home with a feed tube, the farmer from Hull said his daughter came on "leaps and bounds"."To look at her now you would never know – she's one of the tallest in her class but she used to fit on my hand," the 30-year-old added: "I don't know why - whether it being the care or the people around, I just always knew that she would be fine." Hope - Mr Turner's second child - was born 17 weeks early on 4 March 2021 and weighed 1lb 3oz (539g). After experiencing a collapsed lung and other complications, Hope died the day after she was born."Every week when you're born early matters - 13 weeks to 17 weeks is a dramatic difference," Mr Turner said."I looked on the wall because they had printed photos of the babies that made it through and she would've been the lightest baby to make it through the neonatal."Mr Turner said: "I was just nervous through it all. You never know what to expect and the worst thing for a parent to do is to lose a child."It's in the back of your mind but I'm trying to be strong for Emilee and everybody else in your family but inside I'm a little bit broken and holding it together through it all."Mr Turner described the support he and his partner received from the neonatal unit as "unbelievable"."I spoke to a few nurses who would buy clothes for parents that maybe didn't have it or didn't have enough," he said."Some of the nurses buy the cotton wool and day-to-day things themselves or through donations. That was really eye-opening while we were in there - just the amount of stuff that they do and the nurses themselves." Mr Turner is planning to cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats to honour both of his daughters. "Part of the reason I wanted to do this was to give back and the other part was to see how far I can physically push myself," he taking on a half marathon last year, Mr Turner hopes to run a full marathon and Dragon's Back race - an ultra-running race through the Welsh mountains."I would never have done any of that before. I would have just carried on being a farmer, doing my day-to-day life and never pushed my boundaries."Mr Turner is starting the challenge with two friends - Dan Peacock and Spencer Cooper - on 28 said he hopes the money raised the neonatal unit will help ensure other families receive the same level of care and support his family experienced."I would imagine every single person would know somebody that's had a child either go through the neonatal or have some form of care from the nurses in the neonatal and they really do go the extra mile," he said."There is nothing that they wouldn't do for a mother or father that's in there." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
7NEWS
08-05-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
Tammy Hembrow's new supplement brand is already receiving rave reviews: ‘It's delicious'
The supplement market can feel so overwhelming at times. With endless options lining the shelves and flashy marketing promising quick fixes, it's tricky to find products that are natural, effective, and still taste good. But cutting through the noise is a new celebrity-founded supplement brand that's already generating buzz — and shoppers can't stop talking about it. Aussie fitness influencer Tammy Hembrow has teamed up with her two sisters, Amy and Emilee to create Selfish Supps. Selfish Supps is a range of healthy and effective supplements for women, that also taste delicious. 'So many women feel really confused or overwhelmed by the amount of supplements available and don't know where to start,' Tammy tells Best Picks. ' Everything felt too masculine, too complicated, too preachy or didn't taste good.' The range features five different products, Give Me Plant Protein, Give Me Protein Water, Hydrate Me, I Want Energy and Balance My Gut. Tasty and easy to drink, you can pick up the formulas for just $39.99 at Chemist Warehouse. Some of the scrumptious flavours include tropical crush, pink lemonade, juicy watermelon and blueberry bliss. Studies show that while women represent 40 per cent off the sports nutrition market in Australia, many are left still searching for effective sports nutrition. ' Supplement aisles are overwhelming and we didn't want women picking it up and wondering 'is this even right for me?' It's really clear what each product is for, and the things we've left out like gluten, soy and dairy,' Emilee explains. 'We're all mums, we know what it's like putting yourself last and the guilt that comes with investing in yourself,' Amy adds. The name 'Selfish' echoes the brands ethos; to encourage women to prioritise their own wellbeing. Shoppers have given the new supplements, a 5-star rating on Selfish Supps' website. 'Very delicious,' one shopper wrote. I have tried so many gut powders and they all taste so gross. I have been taking this for the last week and and obsessed with the flavour. It's also really helped with my bloating! Love it,' another reviewer added. 'A nice tasting, natural pre-workout which gave me no jitters,' a third impressed shopper commented. Shop Selfish Supps products:
