Temperatures were more than 5 degrees above normal, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which published a May U.S. climate assessment Wednesday.
That echoed an assessment Wednesday by the U.N. assistant secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Catherine Bragg, who said further deterioration of the situation is likely because of the severe malnutrition in the region, poor rains and skyrocketing local food prices.
He stood by that assessment Wednesday, telling reporters the GOP would be wise to act on his idea "soon".
Tom Ridge, secretary of homeland security under President George W. Bush, spoke out against Romney's assessment Wednesday, telling ThinkProgress, "I don't think President Obama sympathizes with those who attacked us.
Sara Wurfel, a spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Snyder, disagreed with this assessment Wednesday, telling MLive the administration believed the ruling wouldn't affect Martin's ability to run the school district.
Just weeks away from retirement, Los Angeles County's top administrator offered a frank assessment Wednesday, saying that the major problems facing the region -- such as overcrowded jails, failing medical services, chronic homelessness -- are for the most part intractable.
