Death toll from Hurricane Helene mounts as aftermath assessment begins More than 50 people were reported dead across the southeastern U.S. and millions without power as forecasters braced for “catastrophic” flooding. Read more on NPR

Who was Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader killed by Israel? Under his leadership, Hezbollah, funded by Iran, became one of the most powerful militias in the Middle East, boasting a military force stronger even than the Lebanese army. Read more on NPR

Why the price of eggs is on the rise again The price of eggs has risen by about 28% in the past year, largely due to outbreaks of avian flu. Those prices could continue to climb during the holidays, as demand for baked goods increases. Read more on NPR

‘SNL’ has always taken on politics. Here’s what works – and why As a historic election looms, Saturday Night Live faces an ongoing challenge to make America laugh – and process an increasingly strange political world. Jean Smart hosts the show’s 50th season premiere on Saturday. Read more on NPR

Opinion: Remembering the marvel, Maggie Smith Jean Brodie, Minerva McGonagall, Violet Crawley: Maggie Smith embodied these memorable roles on stage and screen. NPR’s Scott Simon has a remembrance of the actor, who died yesterday at the age of 89. Read more on NPR

5 things to know from this week’s big report on cannabis More Americans now use pot on a daily basis than alcohol. A sweeping new report says the federal government needs to better understand the risks to the public and get involved. Read more on NPR

VP debates may alter a close race’s dynamic even when they don’t predict the winner Vice presidential debates have produced many memorable moments, but it’s hard to say any has made a decisive difference in the election outcome. It’s worth recalling how much media heat and drama they have generated. Read more on NPR