Good morning, all. Want to add some new songs to your fall playlist? Try a few of these picks. Now, on to the news.
NEED TO KNOW
Helene is the deadliest U.S. hurricane since Katrina
At least 213 people have died since Hurricane Helene struck six states in the Southeast, making it the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
A week later: In addition to the growing death toll, officials are contending with ongoing power outages, washed-away roads and flooded areas, all of which continue to slow rescue efforts and immediate recovery. [CNN]
Sending help: People on social media have been raising money for the hard-hit communities and coordinating deliveries of food, water and other supplies. Some have even offered to shelter people whose homes were destroyed. [Yahoo News]
Long-term recovery: President Biden approved requests from Georgia, Florida and North Carolina officials for the federal government to fully cover state and local recovery efforts, though questions about larger costs remain. [USA Today]
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
➡️ Dockworker strike
The union that represents the 45,000 port workers in the eastern U.S. who went on strike earlier this week agreed to suspend the strike until Jan. 15 in order to negotiate a new contract and higher wages. [CBS News]
🌍 Israeli airstrikes
Israel’s military carried out a series of airstrikes overnight in the suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, amid calls for more evacuations. A separate attack also cut off the main border crossing between Lebanon and Syria. [AP]
💰 IRS’s free tax program
The IRS announced that 24 states will have access to its free Direct File tax program next year, doubling the number of eligible states after the pilot program and expanding it to almost two-thirds of Americans. [USA Today]
📣 Big sports moments
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year after a historic first season, while the New York Mets advanced in the playoffs after a ninth-inning stunner against the Milwaukee Brewers. [Yahoo Sports]
📺 ‘Abbott Elementary’ crossover
Actor Rob McElhenney confirmed that It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is doing a crossover episode with Abbott Elementary. Abbott creator Quinta Brunson first teased the collaboration in July. [Entertainment Weekly]
WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY
🎬 Joker: Folie à Deux, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, is in theaters. Here’s what to expect. [Yahoo Entertainment]
🎵 Coldplay released the album Moon Music, which one reviewer called “intergalactically ambitious.” [Rolling Stone]
🏒 In men’s hockey, the Devils and the Sabres play the season opener at 1 p.m. ET on the NHL Network. [AP]
🏀 In women’s basketball, the Liberty and the Aces play Game 3 of the playoff semifinals at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. [SNY]
☀️ And don’t forget to: Read your daily horoscope. Play the Crossword. Check the forecast in your area.
TODAY IN HISTORY
In 1990, the TV drama Beverly Hills, 90210 premiered on Fox, eventually becoming one of its top-rated series. Ian Ziering, who played Steve Sanders during the show’s 10-season run, recently said his character arc surprised him. Here’s why. [Us Weekly]
3 QUESTIONS
…to help plan your next trip
More people are going on trips with pets these days, so Anthony asked travel writer Becca Blond, who travels with her chiweenie, Poppy, about the right way to do it.
Anthony: Give me an overview: What makes a place dog-friendly?
Becca: The places I wrote about don’t just tolerate dogs — they love them! There are hotels with doggie room service menus and no pet fees, restaurants that let your pup eat indoors and plenty of beaches and hiking trails so that your dog is treated like royalty.
Anthony: Where do you recommend going to take in the fall scenery?
Becca: Maybe I’m biased because I live in Colorado, but Colorado Springs is my favorite fall foliage destination. Go hiking in Garden of the Gods, where the changing colors juxtaposed against snow-capped mountain peaks are magical, then stop by Pub Dog for food.
Anthony: I’m already missing summer. What’s a good beach destination?
Becca: San Diego, for all my people out West. It’s a great road trip destination. The warm weather lasts well into the fall, and Dog Beach in Ocean Beach is a popular spot for pups to run off-leash and splash in the surf. I also love that the hotel I stayed in doesn’t charge pet fees.
Want more travel ideas? Becca has plenty. Follow Becca and Poppy on Instagram.
FEEL-GOOD MOMENT
Tara Dower recently broke the men’s and women’s records for the fastest known time hiking the Appalachian Trail. She finished the 2,200-mile journey from Maine to Georgia in just 40 days. It usually takes hikers around six months. [Washington Post
Have a wonderful weekend. See you on Monday!
💡 P.S. Before you go, your daily advice: Almond and peanut butters are nutritious, but here’s why dietitians say almond butter may be the better choice. [Today]
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