"Shutdown Threatens To Stall Recovery In Wildfire-Ravaged Paradise, CA"

"The historic government shutdown is beginning to stir anxiety in and around Paradise, Calif. The town of about 25,000 people was almost completely destroyed by a deadly wildfire last November and almost everyone and everything directly affected is relying heavily on federal aid.

So far FEMA and Small Business Administration loans do not appear to be affected. But local officials say the shutdown is causing delays in more under-the-radar infrastructure projects, which could have serious, longterm consequences.

"Time is of the essence, we want to try and move this along as much as we can," says Marc Nemanic, associate director of the local non-profit 3CORE which is aiding Paradise in recovery planning."

Kirk Siegler reports for NPR January 17, 2019.