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Judge blocks Trump administration’s attempt to end a disaster-preparedness grant program

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published December 15, 2025 at 10:57 AM EST
Pollocksville Mayor Jay Bender, left, talks with North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson about the rescinding of $1.1 million in FEMA funding that would have helped the small Jones County town that was devastated by Hurricane Florence elevate business buildings to prevent future flooding
Annette Weston, Public Radio East
Pollocksville Mayor Jay Bender, left, talks with North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, right, about the impact of rescinding of $1.1 million in FEMA funding that would have helped the small Jones County town that was devastated by Hurricane Florence elevate business buildings to prevent future flooding.

A federal judge in Massachusetts has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to end a disaster-preparedness grant program, protecting millions in funding for North Carolina projects.

Judge Richard Stearns ruled FEMA lacked authority to shut down the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program without Congress.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined more than 20 states in suing after FEMA announced in April it was ending BRIC—a move that would have cut $225 million for storm-resiliency projects statewide.

Jackson said towns “did everything FEMA asked” and were mid-project when funding was pulled.

Local impacts include $1.1M to elevate buildings in Pollocksville; $3M for a flood-prevention ditch in Maysville; $9M for drainage and stream restoration in Greenville; and $300,000 an assessment of Duffyfield Canal in New Bern.

The ruling means those grants—and others—could move forward as planned.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
See stories by Annette Weston