A tiny town just got slammed by Helene. It could massively disrupt the tech industry Spruce Pine is a major global supplier of high-purity quartz. It’s an essential ingredient for microchips and solar panels. Read more on NPR

Why the most climate-resistant glaciers are hiding in plain sight In the American West, white glaciers and snow fields are outnumbered by long-overlooked “rock glaciers.” The rock covering these vast hunks of ice makes them far less affected by warming temperatures. Read more on NPR

Ryan Routh pleads not guilty to attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump Shackled and dressed in khaki prison garb at a hearing in West Palm Beach, Fla., Routh also requested a jury trial. He faces four other charges, such as possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Read more on NPR

Israel conducts intel raids in southern Lebanon ahead of a possible ground invasion Israeli commandos are conducting limited intelligence-gathering raids inside southern Lebanon, and that there are indications that Israel will be carrying out a limited ground incursion. Read more on NPR

San Francisco ramps up policing of homeless camps, with the Supreme Court’s blessing There are fewer tents on San Francisco sidewalks. The city has ramped up enforcement of anti-camping laws, and police are playing a bigger role. Read more on NPR

Trump turns to darker rhetoric as voting begins In a pair of weekend events in key swing states, Trump claimed Harris is “mentally disabled” and went on to suggest police violence could curb crime. Read more on NPR

Historic flooding strands hundreds in North Carolina. And, Hezbollah leader mourned Tropical storm Helene has left western North Carolina with catastrophic damage from historic flooding to a loss of power for thousands. And, Lebanon mourning the loss of Hezbollah leader. Read more on NPR

Maryland seemed poised this year to legalize medical aid in dying. What happened? Most Americans support allowing some terminally ill patients to end their own lives. But a Maryland bill’s narrow defeat shows the issue is still religiously fraught and politically delicate. Read more on NPR

Helene death toll rises to over 90 as millions remain without power At least 91 people across several states were killed. Officials warned that rebuilding from the widespread loss of homes and property would be lengthy and difficult. Read more on NPR

An NPR investigation: A murder in Hebron Was the murder of a young Palestinian man in the West Bank an anti-gay hate crime? NPR identifies the accused killer and explores the parallel systems of justice that have yet to resolve this case. Read more on NPR