An intensifying Helene approaches Florida as southeastern states brace for impact Helene strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane as it nears northwest Florida, where it is poised to make landfall late Thursday. It’s forecast to bring heavy wind and rain hundreds of miles inland. Read more on NPR

NYC Mayor indicted. And, Hurricane Helene expected to be catastrophic NYC Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on federal charges after a corruption probe into his administration. And, Hurricane Helene is projected to reach a catastrophic Category 4. Read more on NPR

‘Governor, don’t kill me for the heck of it’: Oklahoma prisoner asks for clemency Oklahoma’s governor waited until the day of Emmanuel Littlejohn’s execution to announce whether he would grant the prisoner clemency. Littlejohn spoke to NPR. Read more on NPR

Politicians often link crime and homelessness. The reality is more complex As the homelessness crisis grows, it’s common for the public and politicians to conflate homeless encampments and criminal activity. But how much do these camps really affect crime in cities? Read more on NPR

How Russia’s RT went from a cable news clone to covert operator RT was long known to be a source of Russian propaganda. But a recent indictment of two employees for covertly funneling $10 million to pro-Trump influencers shines a light on its covert activities. Read more on NPR

Japanese court acquits a man in a 1966 murder retrial after decades on death row A court ruled Thursday that an 88-year-old former boxer was not guilty in a retrial for a 1966 quadruple murder. He spent 48 years behind bars, making him the world’s longest-serving death row inmate. Read more on NPR