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1. Hurricane Helene

Helene made landfall Thursday in Florida’s Big Bend as a Category 4 hurricane with over 9 feet of storm surge observed along the state’s coast. There have been at least three storm-related deaths and widespread damage to homes and infrastructure. While Helene has weakened to a tropical storm, watches and warnings are still in place for 60 million people in 12 states as it crosses over central Georgia today. On Wednesday, the hurricane unleashed its fury on parts of Mexico’s Yucátan Peninsula and Cuba. Flooding rainfall plunged cars underwater in parts of Mexico’s state of Quintana Roo while powerful ocean waves pounded the coastline.

2. Israel-Lebanon strikes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to speak today at the UN General Assembly after his office said it “shares the aims” of a US-led plan calling for a 21-day ceasefire across the Israel-Lebanon border. As Israel and Hezbollah trade fresh strikes, Lebanon’s foreign minister warned the crisis “threatens the entire Middle East” and reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire. President Joe Biden said the plan had been endorsed by the US, Australia, Canada, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. However, Netanyahu threw cold water on the multi-national proposal: “My policy, our policy, is clear: We continue to hit Hezbollah with all our might. We will not stop until we achieve all our goals,” he told reporters.

3. Covid-19 tests

People in the US can now order more free Covid-19 tests from the federal government as the country heads into respiratory virus season with high levels of Covid already circulating. Each household is eligible to receive four at-home test kits, which can be requested from COVIDTests.gov. The tests will be able to detect currently circulating variants. The CDC also recommends that people 6 months and older receive an updated Covid-19 vaccine. This year, multiple options are available: mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer target KP.2, a variant that has been dominant in the US since May. A vaccine from Novavax is also available, but it targets JN.1, a variant still circulating but less prominently than a few months ago.

4. Gun violence

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris appeared at the White House on Thursday for an event on curbing gun violence. Harris, who has said she’s a gun owner, criticized what she called a “false choice” between preventing shootings and respecting the Second Amendment. She later added: “I am in favor of the Second Amendment, and I believe we need to reinstate the assault weapons ban and have universal background checks, safe storage laws and red flag laws.” Biden touted measures his administration has taken and signed a new executive action that overhauls active shooter drills in schools. He also established a task force to address the threat of emerging gun technologies, including 3D-printed guns.

5. Japan election

Former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba will become Japan’s new prime minister after winning his party’s leadership contest today, following a crowded race that ended in a runoff vote. The 67-year-old takes control of the scandal-plagued Liberal Democratic Party and will assume command of the world’s fourth-largest economy in October. He was one of nine candidates and beat economic security minister Sanae Takaichi — who was vying to become Japan’s first woman leader — in the runoff, with 215 votes to 194. It was Ishiba’s fifth attempt to lead the party, a conservative political machine that has ruled Japan almost continuously since its founding in 1955.

BREAKFAST BROWSE

McDonald’s vs. Wendy’s: Who has the best ice cream?

A supersized competition is heating up over which fast-food chain has the best desserts. Wendy’s even announced a collaboration with McBroken, an independent website that monitors McDonald’s broken McFlurry machines.

Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards finalists announced

A smiling seal, a stuck squirrel and a contemplative chimpanzee are among the images shortlisted for this year’s Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.

Shohei Ohtani’s record-setting 50-50 baseball is up for auction

The ball that made MLB star Shohei Ohtani the first member of the 50-50 club and placed him firmly in the history books (again) is up for sale — and could be yours for a mere $4.5 million.

Former league MVP Derrick Rose retires from the NBA

Derrick Rose, longtime NBA veteran and former league MVP, announced his decision to retire from professional basketball. Read his statement here.

Many parents are worried their kids don’t have enough friends, poll finds

Forming friendships can be difficult for some kids on the heels of a pandemic and in the age of social media. These are some things parents can do to help their children form connections.

QUIZ TIME

Which state will ban plastic shopping bags at grocery stores starting in 2026?

A. Colorado

B. California

C. Oregon

D. Ohio

Take me to the quiz!

Last week, 50% of readers who took the quiz got eight or more questions right. How will you fare?

TODAY’S NUMBER

$100,000

That’s the price of a watch series in former President Donald Trump’s new timepiece collection, Trump Watches. The GOP nominee announced his latest branded merchandise on social media Thursday — 40 days before the election. This week, he also launched Trump Coins, a 1oz .999% silver medallion with his face on one side and his signature on the back.

TODAY’S QUOTE

“I decided this is the right time for me to move on.”

— Hoda Kotb, co-host of NBC’s morning show, “Today,” announcing Thursday that she is leaving her position early next year. Kotb has co-hosted the program with Savannah Guthrie since 2017, taking over from Matt Lauer, who was fired following allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior at work. Kotb’s exit represents one of the biggest changes to the morning television landscape in at least a decade.

TODAY’S WEATHER

Check your local forecast here>>>

AND FINALLY …