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

A History of Hezbollah (Throwback) Hezbollah is a Lebanese paramilitary organization and political party that’s directly supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran. In the wake of the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, and Israel’s invasion of Gaza, there have been escalating attacks between Hezbollah and Israel across the border they share. Today…

A zoo in Finland is returning pandas to China because they’re too expensive to keep The zoo has agreed with Chinese authorities to return two giant pandas to China more than eight years ahead of schedule because they have become too expensive to maintain amid declining visitors. Read more on NPR

US and allies call for an immediate 21-day cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah The U.S., France and other allies jointly called Wednesday for an immediate 21-day cease-fire to allow for negotiations in the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Read more on NPR

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted, sources say New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted by a grand jury on federal criminal charges. The indictment detailing the charges against Adams, a Democrat, was still sealed late Wednesday. Read more on NPR