Hurricane Helene has caused at least 128 deaths across six states with fears of a rising death toll. Many are missing due to shattered communication infrastructure. Numerous roads in the Carolinas are closed, hindering supply deliveries, and over 2 million customers remain powerless. A new storm may develop in the Gulf. President Biden plans to visit affected communities. (CNN)
A Fulton County superior court judge ruled Georgia's six-week abortion ban unconstitutional, allowing abortions to be performed until around 22 weeks of pregnancy. Judge McBurney emphasized women's right to choose and criticized legislation restricting that right. Georgia's ban had been triggered after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. (CBS News)
Mayor Eric Adams of New York City, who is fighting federal bribery charges, claims the benefits he received were not bribes under federal law. His attorney argues that common "courtesies" to politicians are not illegal, denying any quid pro quo in exchange for perks allegedly worth over $100,000. Adams plans to continue serving amidst the legal battle. (AP)
A chemical plant fire in Georgia caused a dark smoke plume, leading to air quality concerns across metro Atlanta. Over 90,000 residents were advised to shelter in place, with some schools canceling outdoor activities. Authorities detected harmful irritants like chlorine in the air near the BioLab plant in Conyers. (ABC News)
A study by the Trevor Project shows that state laws targeting transgender people, particularly youth, directly caused an increase in suicide attempts among trans and nonbinary young people by up to 72%. The research, conducted from 2018 to 2022, compared outcomes in states with anti-trans laws to those without. (NBC News)
