Politically charged rumors and conspiracy theories about Helene flourish on X False claims about the hurricane and the government’s response got millions of views on social media. Emergency management researchers say it makes it harder for useful information to surface. Huo Jingnan
In excerpt from new memoir, Melania Trump says women have the ‘right to choose’ abortion The former first lady says she is a longtime supporter of abortion rights. Her memoir is coming out a year after former President Donald Trump said he was "able to kill Roe v. Wade." Bill Chappell
Birders argue over plan to change dozens of bird names On Thursday, a major birding society will discuss how how to go about changing potentially offensive bird names. There's resistance to the original plan to rename all birds named after people. Nell Greenfieldboyce
A downed power line is officially blamed for last year’s Maui wildfire The report from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said the fire that killed more than 100 people and destroyed the town of Lahaina was “accidental.” Greg Allen
Shovel by shovel, N.C. towns dig out from Helene mud and debris The small western North Carolina towns of Marshall and Hot Springs were wrecked by historic floods caused by Tropical Storm Helene's rainfall. Days later, residents are just starting the cleanup. Liz Baker
How Democrats are targeting red seats in blue New York to help win back the House New York Democrats launched a coordinated campaign modeled on more traditional battleground state efforts. Federal, state and local leaders are combining efforts to target a group of House GOP freshmen. Deirdre Walsh
Too much presidential politics? State legislatures are also on the ballot With so much focus on the presidential election, keep in mind these down-ballot races can lead to big changes in your state when it comes to policies like abortion, health care and criminal justice. Ryland Barton
Kamala Harris is making an unusual pilgrimage today — to the birthplace of the GOP Harris will travel Thursday to Ripon, Wisconsin — home to the Little White Schoolhouse, where an 1854 meeting led to the birth of the Republican Party. She'll be joined by former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney. Franco Ordoñez
Former Singapore minister sentenced to a year in prison in rare corruption case Subramaniam Iswaran is the first Singaporean minister to be jailed in almost fifty years. A case that has shocked a country famed for its squeaky-clean reputation. Adam Hancock
