‘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

Israel’s military says it killed top Hezbollah leader in airstrikes Hezbollah has not confirmed the death of its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah. If confirmed, it would mark a significant escalation many fear is inching towards a larger regional war. Read more on NPR

Meet the astronauts preparing to travel farther from Earth than any human before This time next year, NASA plans to send its first crewed mission to the moon. NPR visited the facility to find out how the astronauts are preparing for this high stakes exploration. Read more on NPR

Israel strikes Hezbollah in blast targeting the militant group’s leader Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was said to be the target of the strikes, but it was not immediately clear if he was at the site when they happened. Read more on NPR

A weakened Helene brings ‘catastrophic’ flooding as it crosses southern Appalachians Helene, now a post-tropical cyclone, continues to flood parts of North Carolina and the Tennessee Valley. Dozens of storm-related deaths were reported in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Read more on NPR

Justice Department sues Alabama for purging voters from rolls too close to election In a new lawsuit, the Justice Department claims Alabama violated federal law by systematically removing voters fewer than 90 days before a federal election. Read more on NPR

Harris visits the border in Arizona and says she will toughen up asylum rules Vice President Harris is trying to shore up one of her biggest political liabilities while hammering her opponent for his role in inflaming tensions over immigration and border security. Read more on NPR