There’s a wrinkle — or many — in the story behind an elephant’s trunk A bump in the elephant brain stem pointed scientists to the wrinkles on their trunks and the role those folds play in the animal’s life. Read more on NPR

My parents once worked 7 days a week. Now, they’re reclaiming their joy in life Aging can be a lifeline for immigrants, like my parents, whose life was defined by work. Read more on NPR

This year’s ‘October surprise’ may be no surprise at all It is not uncommon for political commentators to call a late-breaking story during a presidential election an “October surprise” — even when there is little evidence that it mattered all that much. Read more on NPR

Gael García Bernal believes that nothing ends — it just transforms Gael García Bernal was basically fated to be an actor. He talks to NPR’s Wild Card about being the best version of himself, how he thinks about death and what has surprised him about getting older. Read more on NPR

‘There is no home:’ Floridians find helping hands after floods Many residents impacted by inland flooding near Tampa can’t return home as floodwaters slowly recede. One church in Valrico is providing food and other resources to residents in the neighborhood. Read more on NPR

The stark divide between Harris and Trump on voting rights Harris wants to make it easier for eligible voters to cast ballots and rebuild Voting Rights Act protections against racial discrimination, while Trump pushes for more restrictions to voting access. Read more on NPR

With no running water, Asheville finds other ways to flush thousands of toilets Since the remnants of Hurricane Helene hit Asheville, most of the city has been without running water. The people of Asheville have devised elaborate systems to stay clean and flush their toilets. Read more on NPR