Gun, transgender rights, porn cases loom as US Supreme Court returns

The U.S. Supreme Court launches its new nine-month term on Monday with several major cases already on its schedule — involving guns, transgender rights, online pornography and more — and with the possibility of confronting legal disputes that may arise from the Nov. 5 presidential election.

A tense, policy-heavy debate ends with clash over democracy

WASHINGTON — Sen. JD Vance of Ohio and Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota clashed on Tuesday in a vice presidential debate in which Vance’s well-honed, television-friendly style came up against an aw-shucks approach from Walz that was at times nervous and halting.

Proposal calls for a ‘county radio plan’

State and county agencies and local amateur radio operators should work together to develop an islandwide communication plan to respond to emergencies in case of blackouts, according to a Hawaii County Council proposal.

Biden officials stave off sticker shock on Medicare drug premiums

The Biden administration Friday announced that older Americans next year would face lower average monthly premiums for their prescription drugs, a feat achieved by pouring billions of dollars into subsidies for insurers. The move avoided a potential minefield of higher costs affecting the nation’s most stalwart voters weeks before the presidential election.

Hurricane Helene leaves huge swaths of damage in its wake

STEINHATCHEE, Fla. — Hurricane Helene forged a devastating path of floods and wind damage after slamming into Florida’s Big Bend region Thursday night, submerging much of the state’s Gulf Coast before continuing its destructive march through Georgia and into the mountains of Appalachia. More than 40 people were reported dead in four states as the huge storm spawned flash floods and landslides on its way north.