WalletHub has released its 2024 “Best and Worst Cities to Drive In” list on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Looking at the 100 most populated cities in the U.S., the company compared them using four key categories: cost of ownership and maintenance, traffic and infrastructure, safety, and access to vehicles and maintenance.
The methodology consisted of 30 different metrics for a particular city under those categories. Those metrics included average gas prices, average monthly car insurance premiums, annual hours spent in congestion, average commute time, number of days with precipitation, traffic fatality rate, number of adults who always wear seat belts, rate of car thefts, and number of auto-repair shops, car washes and parking lots.
The best city to drive in according to WalletHub is Raleigh, North Carolina. The rest of the top 5 is Boise, Idaho, Corpus Christi, Texas, Greensboro, North Carolina and Jacksonville, Florida.
WalletHub says Raleigh is the best city because it’s an inexpensive one, ranking low in categories like new car prices and parking rates. At the same time, Raleigh ranks high when it comes to drivers wearing seat belts and is one of the best cities for road maintenance.
On the other end of the list, the bottom five cities are Detroit Michigan at No. 96, followed by Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Oakland, California at No. 100. Oakland ranked the worst in the category of cost of ownership and maintenance risk and towards the bottom of safety risk.
According to the latest data from AAA released in September, drivers spend an average of 60.7 minutes on the road each day and, as WalletHub’s list shows, some cities offer better perks than others for when you do decide to get behind the wheel.
US hospitals face IV shortage as new hurricane threats loom
As another hurricane barrels toward the United States’ Gulf Coast, hospitals across the country are dealing with a shortage of IV fluid caused by the last one. Hurricane Helene forced manufacturers to halt production.
The leading supplier of IV fluids in the U.S., Baxter International, said its facility in North Carolina will remain closed for the foreseeable future after it flooded during the storm. The company supplies about 60% of IV fluid bags in the U.S.
IV fluids treat dehydration and are a critical component of surgery – when patients are asleep for a long time and can’t eat or drink.
Because of Hurricane Helene, Baxter has placed limits on how many IV bags hospitals can buy at one time. There are other fluid manufacturers in the U.S. but they tend to give priority to meeting the demand from their existing customers, one Boston doctor told the Wall Street Journal.
The U.S. also can’t count on European manufacturers to fill the gap because there’s a global shortage of IV fluids right now, as well. Baxter said it’s working with health, emergency, and government officials to get back up and running as soon as possible.
How Hurricane Helene’s destruction led to swarms of bees, wasps, yellow jackets
As thousands continue to recover from deadly Hurricane Helene another danger is lurking: yellow jackets, wasps and bees. Reports of stings from swarms of the insects increased as underground bee colonies and wasps’ nests have been disturbed or washed away from severe flooding.
The increase in stings forced state officials to adjust on the fly and get EpiPens and Benadryl ready for statewide distribution.
North Carolina announced on Friday, Oct. 4, that it was buying up the medications and said officials would give the medications to residents through hospitals, emergency medical services and other health providers soon.
Those allergic to the insects’ venom can die from one sting if medical help isn’t quickly available. Health experts also warned that being stung more than a dozen times can lead to a severe reaction, which can lead to convulsions, vomiting and fever. Additionally, doctors said that individuals should wait to clear trees from their property until nighttime, when the bees and wasps are least active.
If a person does encounter a swarm, experts said they should put their hands over their face and walk away slowly to avoid stings.
Many of those stung are reportedly line workers trying to restore power to hard-hit communities.
In the meantime, state officials told those with deathly allergies to stings to get emergency refills at local pharmacies and carry emergency medication at all times.
Helene halts quartz mining in North Carolina, sparks misinformation online
Update: According to an assessment by Sibleco, key sites for quartz “only sustained minor damage.” The Quartz Corp also remarks they will be able to “avoid” any supply disruptions.
Hurricane Helene has severely disrupted quartz mining operations in North Carolina, raising concerns about a potential ripple effect across the global tech industry. Meanwhile, misinformation is spreading online with unfounded conspiracy theories gaining traction on social media.
Spruce Pine, a small Appalachian town that is home to one of the world’s only sources of high-purity quartz, suffered significant flooding from Helene, halting operations at major producers Quartz Corp. and Sibelco.
The high-purity quartz mined there is essential for producing silicon wafers used in semiconductors, smartphones and solar panels.
Experts warn that prolonged shutdowns could lead to significant delays in global supply chains and shortages of critical components needed for the tech industry
Getty Images
Adding to these challenges are viral conspiracy theories on platforms like TikTok and X. They claim that the hurricane was an orchestrated form of weather manipulation.
These theories suggest the storm was part of a government plan to disrupt quartz mining and advance lithium mining interests. Some allege that the hurricane was a political maneuver to displace voters or seize land, echoing similar claims made during the Maui wildfires of 2023.
However, experts have repeatedly debunked these ideas, pointing out that hurricanes are natural phenomena, and no credible evidence supports such theories.
As cleanup efforts begin, the residents of Spruce Pine are focused on restoring basic services, with the mining industry uncertain of when full operations will resume. The long-term effects of this disruption on quartz supply, particularly for tech industries in both the U.S. and China, remain to be seen.
The strike is over for now, as thousands of dockworkers return to their jobs after a tentative agreement to raise their pay. And why after more than three decades in prison , the Menendez brothers — infamous for killing their parents — might have their case reviewed and the factor it all hinges on. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.
Tens of thousands of U.S. dockworkers are getting back on the job after two days of a strike that clogged dozens of East and Gulf coast ports. The historic labor action, which threatened to drive inflation back up, is now on hold until at least January 15.
Thursday night, Oct. 3, members of the International Longshoremen’s Association struck a tentative deal with the U.S. Maritime Alliance over pay. The agreement will increase workers’ wages by 62% over the span of six years.
The agreement is an increase over the Maritime Alliance’s offer of 50% earlier this week, but a compromise for the ILA, which has called for a 77% increase in wages over the same time period.
The new deal would bring hourly pay for top dockworkers to $63 per hour by the end of the deal, compared to $39 an hour under the most recently expired contract.
Dockworkers had also been calling for a total ban on automation, but no deal was reached on that. Sources close to the matter have said that will be the main topic of negotiations between now and Jan. 15.
I applaud the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance for coming together to reopen the East Coast and Gulf ports and ensure the availability of critical supplies for Hurricane Helene recovery and rebuilding.
More Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut
Powerful blasts rocked Beirut Thursday night into Friday morning, Oct. 4, as Israel unleashed some of its heaviest strikes on the Lebanese capital city yet. This comes as Iran’s foreign minister is in Beirut meeting with Lebanese officials over the expanding conflict between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Thursday, Israel ordered more evacuations for villages in southern Lebanon, potentially signaling plans to broaden the ground invasion there. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s state-run news agency said an Israeli strike took out the main highway between Lebanon and Syria, which tens of thousands of people have used over the past two weeks to flee the escalating fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
🔴Mohammad Rashid Sakafi, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Communications Unit, during a precise, intelligence-based strike in Beirut yesterday.
Sakafi was a senior Hezbollah terrorist, who was responsible for the communications unit since 2000. Sakafi invested significant efforts… pic.twitter.com/PH65nh5FLI
The Israeli military also said it killed another top Hezbollah militant, Mohammed Anisi, in a recent strike on Beirut. Hezbollah has not yet confirmed that claim.
Three ex-officers found guilty in Tyre Nichols beating death
A federal jury convicted three former Memphis police officers in the 2023 beating death of Tyre Nichols Thursday, but they were acquitted of the most serious charges. The jury found Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith guilty of witness tampering for covering up the attack. Haley was also convicted of violating Nichols’ civil rights.
Nichols died three days after the officers brutally beat him following a traffic stop. The officers now face up to 20 years in prison for the witness tampering convictions while Haley’s civil rights violation conviction carries up to 10 years. Sentencing is pending with a hearing scheduled to determine whether they will remain in custody.
The case has triggered federal investigations into Memphis police practices, and Nichols’ family has filed a $550 million lawsuit against the city and its police department.
In a statement, the assistant U.S. attorney who oversees the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said, “Tyre Nichols should be alive today.”
35 years later, Menendez brothers’ case under review following claims of parental abuse
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón announced his office will review the convictions of Erik and Lyle Menendez, nearly 35 years after they were imprisoned for killing their parents in 1989. New evidence, including a letter from Erik Menendez alleging sexual abuse by their father, prompted the reexamination.
Gascón stressed that while the brothers’ guilt is not being contested, the new evidence and changing views on sexual abuse require a review. The attorney for the Menendez brothers argues they’ve been rehabilitated and is seeking a re-sentencing.
A hearing on Nov. 29 will determine the next steps, which could include a new trial or an adjusted sentence.
Country star Garth Brooks accused of rape
A former employee has come forward accusing country music superstar Garth Brooks of sexual assault and battery. In a the lawsuit, the woman said she worked as his hair and makeup artist.
The lawsuit alleges in 2019, Brooks raped the woman during a work trip in Los Angeles.
Before this lawsuit was made public, CNN reported an anonymous celebrity plaintiff — now identified as Brooks — had tried to block the woman from suing and denied the claims.
In a statement released to the media, Brooks said, “For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars.”
If there was ever a night that I really needed this, TONIGHT was that night! Thank you for my life!!!!! love, g pic.twitter.com/q6FFLrJO0a
He went on to say, “Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behavior I am incapable of—ugly acts no human should ever do to another. We filed suit against this person nearly a month ago to speak out against extortion and defamation of character. We filed it anonymously for the sake of families on both sides.”
Category 4 Hurricane Kirk strengthens, expected to stay offshore
Hurricane Kirk, a powerful Category 4 storm, is churning in the Atlantic, with forecasters warning of dangerous swells that could impact the U.S. east coast, Bermuda, the Greater Antilles, and the Bahamas by this weekend. Though the hurricane is expected to remain far from land, its waves might cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.
NEW: #Kirk is now a major #hurricane with 125mph sustained winds and will strengthen to *near Category 5 strength* over the next couple of days. Certainly thankful it will remain out to sea and no threat to land! #HurricaneKirk#weatherpic.twitter.com/frSGbEgtFe
As Kirk strengthens, Tropical Storm Leslie has also formed in the Atlantic but poses no immediate threat to land.
Meanwhile, the southeast is still reeling from Hurricane Helene, which left more than 200 people dead and caused catastrophic damage. Rescue efforts continue as many residents remain without water, power and communication services.
President Joe Biden has visited the region to survey the devastation, pledging federal aid for debris removal and recovery efforts in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
New details in special counsel’s 2020 election case against Trump
We’re getting our most in-depth look so far at Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into former President Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. And there’s new skin in the game in the battle over who actually caught Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024.
New details in special counsel’s 2020 election case against Trump
The new filing, revealed Wednesday, Oct. 2, also claims Trump was “fundamentally” acting as a private candidate and not the President of the United States when he sought to overturn his loss.
The latest court filing comes in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling this past summer that said Trump had immunity for official actions taken while still in office. The filing also alleges the former president knew his claims about the 2020 election being stolen were lies, but he spread them anyways as a ploy to stay in power.
It also includes evidence of Trump’s phone usage during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021 — when, it claims, the former president was scrolling Twitter. The filing also claims Trump pressured then-Vice President Mike Pence to reject Electoral College votes.
“This was a weaponization of government and that’s why it was released 30 days before the election,” he said. “And it’s nothing new in there, by the way, nothing new. They rigged the election. I didn’t rig the election. They rigged the election.”
The new filing was unsealed just 33 days before the election coming up on Nov. 5.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to four criminal charges, accusing him of a conspiracy to obstruct the congressional certification of the election, attempting to defraud the U.S. out of accurate results and interfering with Americans’ voting rights.
At least 6 killed in Israeli strike on central Beirut
It comes after Israeli forces suffered their deadliest day on the Lebanese front since clashes with the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah started almost a year ago. At least seven Israeli soldiers died in Israel’s recent offensive.
Lebanese health officials say in addition to those killed, at least seven more people were wounded in what Israel says was a precise strike on Lebanon’s capitol, which happened not far from the Lebanese prime minister’s office.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army says it downed at least two drones and more than two dozen rockets fired from Lebanon Thursday.
FEMA warns of funding shortages for Hurricane Helene relief efforts
The death toll from Hurricane Helene has risen to at least 191 across six states, making it the second-deadliest U.S. Hurricane in the past 50 years, behind Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The storm hit Florida last week before sweeping through the southeast, causing widespread flooding and devastation, especially in North Carolina, where at least 95 people have died.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing critical supplies like meals, water, and generators, but Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has warned FEMA lacks sufficient funding to sustain relief efforts throughout the entire hurricane season. He stressed the need for additional funding, noting FEMA is meeting immediate needs but might not have the resources to continue if another storm hits.
Hurricane season runs from June through November, with most storms occurring in September and October.
Congress recently replenished $20 billion for FEMA’s disaster relief fund, but lawmakers may need to reconvene before the election to approve more money if necessary.
Since Helene hit, more than 150,000 households have registered for FEMA assistance and that number is expected to grow as damage assessments continue.
Prosecutors ask for indefinite delay in would-be Trump assassin’s trial
Federal prosecutors have asked for an indefinite delay in scheduling the trial for the man charged in an apparent assassination attempt on former President Trump. They say they’ve collected a “massive” amount of evidence since the Secret Service, with the help of local police in Florida, arrested Ryan Routh last month after authorities say an agent spotted him with a gun outside the Mar-a-Lago golf course where the former president was playing.
Prosecutors have asked the judge in the case to officially designate the case as “complex,” saying they’ve interviewed hundreds of witnesses across various states and have thousands of videos to review from electronic devices they’ve seized. They also say more than 100 outstanding subpoena returns are still pending.
According to the filing, Routh’s defense attorneys did not oppose the prosecutors’ request to delay the trial date. Routh’s lawyers have entered a not guilty plea on his behalf, on the attempted assassination charges.
ATF says broken power line caused deadly Maui wildfire
We now know what caused the massive and deadly wildfire in Maui, Hawaii that claimed 102 lives and caused more than $5 billion in damage. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives has classified the fire as accidental, saying it started when a re-energized broken power line sparked, igniting the fire in an unmaintained vegetation area.
ATF also ruled out the possibility there had been two separate fires saying definitively, “This, in fact, was one fire.”
More than 100 people died and flames destroyed much of the historic city of Lahaina. The fire also sparked other investigations centered on police response and the response from state and Maui county agencies.
Second fan files lawsuit over Ohtani’s historic home run ball
The battle over Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball has intensified. A second fan filed a lawsuit claiming ownership of the valuable souvenir.
The ball, hit during Ohtani’s historic Sept. 19 game for the L.A. Dodgers against the Miami Marlins, has reached about $1.5 million in auction bids.
Joseph Davidov, who filed the latest lawsuit in Florida, claims he had possession of the ball before another fan jumped on him, causing it to roll into the hands of Chris Belanski, who later auctioned it. Davidov is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.
This follows 18-year-old Max Matus’ earlier lawsuit, alleging Belanski forcibly took the ball from him during a scramble in the stands. Both fans are pursuing rightful ownership of the ball, which celebrates Ohtani’s achievement as the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
The ongoing legal disputes have delayed the auction, with a court hearing scheduled for Oct. 10. The ball’s rising value has garnered widespread attention, rivaling the $1.5 million sale of Aaron Judge’s American League record-breaking 62nd home run ball in 2022.
Vance, Walz defend their running mates’ records in vice presidential debate
We have a recap of the first, and likely only, vice presidential debate of 2024. And Iran has launched its largest attack ever on Israel. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.
Vance, Walz defend their running mates’ records in vice presidential debate
For the first time, the two vice presidential candidates took the stage next to one another Tuesday night, Oct. 1. Republican Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz introduced themselves to American voters while defending their running mates’ opposing views.
Vance and Walz kept the vice presidential debate cordial, at various times saying they agreed with the other, but they sparred on the policies and the statements made by their parties’ presidential nominees, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Look if you’re going to be president, you don’t have all the answers. Donald Trump believes he does. My pro tip of the day is this, if you need heart surgery, listen to the people at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, not Donald Trump,” Walz said.
“I honestly, Tim, I think you got a tough job here because you’ve got to play whack-a-mole; you’ve got to pretend that Donald Trump didn’t deliver rising take-home pay, which of course he did; you’ve got to pretend that Donald Trump didn’t deliver lower inflation, which of course he did; and then you simultaneously got to defend Kamala Harris’ atrocious economic record,” Vance said.
The debate covered many topics including abortion, climate change, the economy and health care. The two opened the 90-minute CBS News debate discussing the conflict in the Middle East and the need for stability in the White House.
“I’m 40 years old, when was the last time that an American president didn’t have a major conflict break out? The only answer is during the four years that Donald Trump was president,” Vance said.
“So Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon than they were before because of Donald Trump’s fickle leadership. And when Iran shot down an American aircraft in international airspace, Donald Trump tweeted because that’s the standard diplomacy of Donald Trump,” Walz said.
On illegal immigration, Vance and Walz disagreed on whether former President Trump’s involvement helps or hurts solving the border crisis.
“But as soon as I was getting ready to pass [legislation] and actually tackle this, Donald Trump said no, told them to vote against it because it gives him a campaign issue,” Walz said.
“We have a historic immigration crisis because Kamala Harris started and said that she wanted to undo all of Donald Trump’s border policies — 94 executive orders, suspending deportations, decriminalizing illegal aliens, massively increasing the asylum fraud that exists in our system. That has opened the floodgates,” Vance said.
When the debate turned to gun violence, the two VP contenders shared a moment, highlighting the human aspect and often the aftermath.
“I think all the parents watching tonight, this is just your biggest nightmare. Look, I got a 17-year-old and he witnessed a shooting at a community center playing volleyball, those things don’t leave you,” Walz said.
When it was his turn to speak, Vance responded, “Tim, first of all, I didn’t know that your 17-year-old witnessed a shooting and I’m sorry about that and I hope he’s doing OK. Christ have mercy, it is it is awful.”
Things, however, turned contentious over the 2020 election and Jan. 6.
“[January 6, 2021] was a threat to our democracy in a way that we had not seen, and it manifested itself because of Donald Trump’s inability to say — he is still saying, he didn’t lose the election,” Walz said.
Vance replied, “Tim, I’m focused on the future. Did Kamala Harris censor Americans from speaking their mind in the wake of the 2020 COVID situation?”
“That is a damning non-answer,” Walz said.
Both candidates thanked each other for the debate and the viewers at home, who will make their decision at the polls on Election Day, Nov. 5, in just 34 days.
Trump backs out of ’60 Minutes’ election special; Harris interview to still air
CBS News says former President Trump has backed out an upcoming interview with “60 Minutes.”
For decades, “60 Minutes” has broadcast election specials with the candidates. CBS reported both Trump and Vice President Harris had agreed to take part in this year’s special in separate one-on-one interviews, but Trump has since reportedly changed his mind.
In a press conference last night, Trump said his decision was based on his last interview with CBS anchor Lesley Stahl in 2020 — which he walked out of early.
“They came to me and would like me to do an interview, but first, I want to get an apology because the last time I did an interview with them, if you remember, they challenged me on the computer,” Trump said. “They said the laptop from hell was from Russia. And I said, ‘It wasn’t from Russia, it was from Hunter [Biden].’ And I never got an apology, so I’m sort of waiting. I’d love to do ’60 Minutes’, I do everything.”
In a statement of its own, “60 Minutes” said the special will still move forward.
“Our election special will broadcast the Harris interview on Monday as planned,” the statement read. “Our original invitation to former President Donald Trump to be interviewed on ’60 Minutes’ stands.”
The special is set to air Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. ET.
Iran launches largest-ever attack on Israel; Israel vows retaliation
Israel has vowed to retaliate after Iran launched its largest ever attack on Israel. Late Tuesday, Iran fired more than 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which seem to have been intercepted by the Israeli military with help from the United States and other allies.
So far, one person has been reported to have died in the attack, and the extent of the damage is not yet known.
Iran’s military chief also warned of broader strikes if Israel responds. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already vowed to do so, saying, “Iran made a big mistake and it will pay for it.”
Also Tuesday, just before Iran’s barrage began, at least six people were killed and a dozen more hurt when Israeli police say two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a train station in Tel Aviv. Police say the shooting was an act of terrorism and one of the gunmen was killed at the scene while the other was severely injured.
No specific group has claimed responsibility for that deadly attack.
Search and rescue efforts continue in North Carolina after Helene
Combs is already being held without bond at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have said he is innocent of all charges.
Louisiana governor supports bringing back live tiger mascot to LSU games
College sports are known for fierce competition. Now the governor of Louisiana is looking at making things even more ferocious by bringing back an old Louisiana State University football mainstay.
Officials from PETA are now speaking out against the idea, saying it would be cruel and dangerous for the animal.
These days, the current tiger mascot is on campus in an enclosure near the stadium, but the governor says returning the tiger to the field would be “an unbelievable opportunity.” LSU officials have not yet commented on whether there is a possibility of seeing a live tiger at football games once again.
Red Cross gets 3,000 missing person requests in wake of Helene
Crews continued on Tuesday, Oct. 1, to search for hundreds of missing people following Hurricane Helene. According to FEMA, the Red Cross got 3,000 requests from people looking for loved ones in a 24 hour period.
In Tennessee, high water trapped multiple employees at a plastics factory. Impact Plastics confirmed that some of the workers did not survive, but did not disclose how many. Rescuers were looking through the wreckage Tuesday to find workers who are still missing.
There was at least one report that managers would not let the employees leave. The company denies that.
Officials said at least 130 people across five states are dead.
On Wednesday, Oct. 2, President Biden plans to visit North Carolina. Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Georgia to see the damage.
Dockworkers begin strike at East and Gulf coast ports
Tens of thousands of dockworkers are now on strike across the country — what that could mean for you. And the first and only vice presidential debate is just hours away. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.
Dockworkers begin strike at east and gulf coast ports
Thousands of dockworkers along the East and Gulf coasts have walked off the job, impacting the movement of billions of dollars’ worth of goods. They took to the picket lines just after midnight Tuesday, Oct. 1, once the contract between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance officially lapsed.
The ILA has been calling for higher wages for workers and a total ban on automation in a new contract at some of the busiest ports in the country.
The two sides have not met face-to-face since June. Monday, Sept. 30, the Maritime Alliance asked for an extension, but the ILA did not grant one.
The strike has the potential to cause shortages and price increases of consumer goods right as the holiday shopping season approaches. Trucking companies and freight rail operators were scrambling to move billions in products in advance of the strike.
President Joe Biden could invoke a federal labor law to force the longshoremen back to work, but he has said he has no intention of doing that. Straight Arrow News’ Business Correspondent Simone Del Rosario spoke with Syracuse University Professor of Supply Chain Practice Patrick Penfield about when he thinks the White House should step in.
“I give it at least five days, I think,” Penfield said. “After that, I think the government really needs to step in.”
He added, “I think that’s really all we can afford, to be honest with you. And I think, again, if you’re the Biden administration, this is probably a worry because it’s an election year, right? So, again, if the constituents see that there’s issues and problems here and you don’t resolve them, then that could be bad for, you know, whoever’s running for office.”
JD Vance, Tim Walz to take the stage for vice presidential debate tonight
Tuesday is debate night in America once again, this time, between the two vice presidential nominees. Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will participate in the first and only vice presidential debate with just 35 days to go until Election Day.
The 90-minute debate will be hosted by CBS News and simulcast on other networks. It will take place from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City and moderated by “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell and “Face the Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan.
There will be two commercial breaks during which campaign staff cannot interact with their candidates. Pre-written notes are not allowed and, unlike the presidential debates, a candidate’s microphone will not be muted when the other is talking.
On Thursday, Sept. 26, Vance won the virtual coin toss and opted to go last with his closing statement.
The Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris visited FEMA headquarters, where she told them she and President Biden would do everything they could to help the communities impacted.
“The destruction we have seen in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia is heartbreaking,” Harris said. “In coordination with state and local officials, President Biden and I will continue to make sure that communities have the support and the resources that they need not only to respond to this storm and its immediate aftermath but also the resources they will need to recover.”
President Biden said he will visit hard-hit North Carolina on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Harris said she will be on the ground “as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, Republican nominee former President Donald Trump visited Valdosta, Georgia, which suffered severe damage from Helene. While there, Trump said this was not a time for politics.
“As you know, our country is in the final weeks of a hard-fought national election, but in a time like this, when a crisis hits, when our fellow citizens cry out in need, none of that matters,” he said. “We’re not talking about politics now. We have to all get together and get this solved. We need a lot of help. They have to have a lot of help down here. We look out for one another. We pull together, we pitch in, we persevere and we pull it through. That is really the American spirit. That’s what made America originally great.”
Though Trump said he’d leave politics out of it, some of his words caused controversy in Washington. Trump claimed President Biden had not spoken with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R).
Biden responded saying Trump is lying and Kemp himself said he spoke with the president on Sunday, Sept. 29.
Israel launches ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon
The newest phase of war in the Middle East appears to have officially arrived as Israel has begun ground attacks in Lebanon. It’s the escalation in fighting there that the United States and its allies have been trying to keep from happening for weeks now.
Israel now says there’s intense fighting between its troops and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, which started launching strikes against Israel not long after the war with Hamas broke out in October of last year. Hezbollah has said the strikes are a show of solidarity with Hamas.
On Tuesday, Hezbollah said it had launched rocket and artillery attacks against Israeli troops at positions within Israel, but didn’t mention Israeli forces within Lebanon.
CVS board assessing options, including potential company break-up
CVS could be splitting up. According to a new report from Reuters, the company is exploring options to potentially separate its retail and insurance units, as it struggles to rebound into the health care giant that company leaders have been envisioning.
Investors want the company to improve its operations as CVS’ earnings outlook continues to decrease.
Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters the company’s board has been discussing options with its financial advisers in recent weeks — including what a possible split could look like. The sources said the board has not made any decisions yet and could still choose not to make any major changes to the business.
Fmr. NBA star Dikembe Mutombo, MLB hit king Pete Rose pass away
The sports world is remembering two gifted athletes who died on Monday.
Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away at the age of 58 after a battle with brain cancer. Mutombo played 18 seasons in the NBA, was an eight-time All-Star and went on to serve as the league’s first global ambassador.
He became famous for his finger wag after blocking another player’s shot.
In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Mutombo “simply larger than life.”
In his 24-year career, Rose won three World Series championships and was a 17-time All-Star.
However, his career took a turn in 1989 when he was banned from baseball for gambling on games as manager of the Cincinnati Reds. After denying it for many years, Rose would eventually admit he did bet on games in his 2004 autobiography.
Despite not being in the Hall of Fame, Rose still remains on top of the MLB’s career hit list with 4,256 hits. Fans and supporters will remember him as “Charlie Hustle.”
Helene death toll rises to 120; President Biden to visit damaged areas
At least 120 people were confirmed dead across six states on Monday, Sept. 30, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. There are reports of at least 600 people unaccounted for because they can’t be contacted.
Helene was a Category 4 hurricane when it made landfall in Florida on Thursday with winds of 140 mph.
Crews worked to clear debris, restore power and get supplies into communities that are still trapped. Hundreds of roads are closed, especially in the Carolinas, which has made it impossible to enter or leave.
More than 2 million customers were still without power, according to poweroutage.us.
“I’m committed to traveling to impacted areas as soon as possible,” Biden said. “But I’ve been told that it would be disruptive if I did it right now. We will not do that at the risk of diverting or delaying any of the response assets needed to deal with this crisis.”
Vice President Kamala Harris canceled events in Las Vegas on Sunday night after her rally to travel back to Washington. She’s expected to get a briefing at FEMA headquarters about the storm damage.
Donald Trump will make a stop in Georgia for a briefing on the devastation.
