A non-profit organization dedicated to helping broadcast professionals who have fallen on hard times is stepping up to help those personally impacted by Hurricane Ian. 

In a news release, The Broadcasters Foundation of America said it will provide qualified individuals monetary relief if they were affected by Hurricane Ian. The organization said requests have come in from Spanish Broadcasting System, America CV Station Group, Telemundo, and Univision. 

“Our Emergency Grant Program is set up with a streamlined vetting process that allows us to move quickly and get checks to those in desperate need quickly,” explained Tim McCarthy, President of the Broadcasters Foundation of America.

Last week, Hurricane Ian made landfall as a category four storm with sustained winds of 150 mph. The hurricane came ashore as one of the strongest storms ever to strike Florida. 

“Broken pipes, power outages, displacement, and more have brought devastation to many of our colleagues,” McCarthy said. “We’re asking every broadcaster in affected areas to help us get the word out to those who may qualify for assistance.” 

One-time emergency grants are awarded to qualifying broadcast colleagues recovering from a natural disaster, such as hurricanes, tornados, fires, floods, or other serious misfortune.

Personal donations can be made to the Foundation’s Guardian Fund. Corporate contributions are accepted through the Angel Initiative, and bequests can be made through the Foundation’s Legacy Society. For more information, please visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org, call 212-373-8250, or email info@thebfoa.org.

NBC News has hired former CNN staffer Ryan Nobles as its Capitol Hill correspondent. Nobles spent the last eight years at CNN covering Washington D.C. politics. 

According to Deadline, Ken Strickland, NBC News Washington D.C. bureau chief announced the hiring in an internal memo. 

“It’s an exciting time to welcome Ryan, as we enter the final midterms sprint and prepare to cover a new Congress in just a few months,” the memo stated. 

In a tweet Monday, Nobles thanked his CNN colleagues and acknowledged the opportunity to report on so many important stories. 

“It was truly an honor to work with some of the best in the business at such a crucial time,” the tweet read. 

Meanwhile, Noble will begin his tenure a little more than two months away from the critical midterm election. 

“Many of our Washington colleagues know Ryan well — he’s been a staple at CNN, where he worked for eight years both on and off the Hill covering some of the biggest political stories of the decade,” Strickland said.

“We already have one of the best reporting teams in the business on the Hill, led by Garrett, our Senior Capitol Hill Correspondent, along with Ali, Allie, and a terrific lineup of digital reporters and producers,” he added. “I’m confident Ryan will strengthen that operation even further and hope you’ll join me in welcoming him to the team.” 

Former President Donald Trump has reportedly filed a massive defamation lawsuit against CNN. According to The New York Post, the suit seeks $475 million in punitive damages. 

Trump alleges that the network used its influence to defeat him politically. He also alleges that CNN has ramped up its attacks on him in recent months out of fear that he will run again in 2024. 

Trump is facing a multitude of legal challenges including a criminal investigation from the U.S. Justice Department for his allegedly concealing classified documents. 

In August, federal agents raided Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence looking for any evidence related to the case. Last month, New York State Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against Trump and some of his children accusing them of lying to banks and insurers over the value of his assets.

“As a part of its concerted effort to tilt the political balance to the left, CNN has tried to taint the Plaintiff with a series of ever-more scandalous, false, and defamatory labels of ‘racist,’ ‘Russian lackey,’ ‘insurrectionist,’ and ultimately ‘Hitler,’” the lawsuit claims.

A Congressional committee is currently investigating Trump’s alleged role in the Jan 6 Capitol riots.