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5 key points for October 15: Election campaign, FEMA assistance, Medicare updates, Abducted Israelis, La Niña phenomenon
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1. Presidential election
Vice President Kamala Harris rebuked Republican opponent Donald Trump in Pennsylvania on Monday regarding his comment that the US military should handle "the threat within" on Election Day. She portrayed Trump as dangerous and unstable following his remarks on Fox News Sunday, where he suggested calling on US forces and the National Guard to suppress what he described as "radical left extremists." Trump, who incited violence to try to maintain power after the 2020 election, also said he isn’t bothered by his supporters' actions on November 5. Harris' campaign plans to capitalize on his remarks with a new ad featuring Trump repeatedly uttering the phrase "the threat within" on the campaign trail.
2. FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has restarted door-to-door neighborhood outreach in some Hurricane Helene-affected areas after the arrest of a man accused of making a threat against FEMA employees. This follows the pause in aid to several communities in North Carolina over the weekend due to rumors of a truckload of militia. Investigators later determined that a 44-year-old man, armed with a handgun and rifle, acted alone. FEMA has been dealing with numerous threats and misinformation surrounding its latest relief efforts. These efforts include an initial $750 payment to many victims. “The nature of this misinformation is unprecedented,” a senior administration official shared with CNN last week.
3. Medicare
Medicare Advantage enrollees are advised to evaluate their plans during the open enrollment period, which starts today and lasts until December 7. Health experts warn that insurers are making significant changes that may result in senior citizens needing to find new policies, face higher out-of-pocket expenses, or receive fewer supplemental benefits. For example, more than 16 million enrollees this year are in plans with no drug deductible. But by 2025, over 45% of these members will likely be subject to deductibles for certain drugs if they remain in the same plan. Some insurers are also scaling back on allowances for dental, hearing, and vision benefits.
4. Israeli hostages
The parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American murdered by Hamas militants in Gaza in August, expressed their grief at losing their son and fear that other families will experience the same "devastating news." In an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, both parents wore stickers with "374" written on them to symbolize the number of days since the hostages were taken to Gaza by Hamas. As part of its offensive against the militant group in the enclave, the Israeli military has instructed civilians to evacuate and blocked all food from entering northern Gaza. The UN has warned that Israel may be carrying out a "large-scale forced transfer" of civilians, which could constitute a war crime.
5. La Niña
A weaker than usual La Niña is predicted to develop before winter and impact temperatures, precipitation, and snow across the US. La Niña is a natural climate pattern characterized by cooler-than-average ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. If this year's La Niña turns out to be relatively weak, winter is expected to be warmer than usual in almost the entire southern half of the US and much of the East. This may result in some winter storms in eastern regions turning out to be wetter, rather than snowier. It represents a significant shift from winter 2023, which saw a wetter South and a drier North. Last winter's pattern was the warmest on record for the Lower 48 because of its strong La Niña presence and a warming world affected by fossil fuel pollution.
HAPPENING LATER
Early voting begins in Georgia todayTwo crucial battleground states in the 2024 presidential election — Georgia and North Carolina — are starting early in-person voting this week. In Georgia, voters can visit the polls starting today, and in North Carolina, early in-person voting commences on Thursday. Find out about voting and elections in two vital swing states.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
Starbucks is reducing promotions and discountsUnfortunately for Starbucks enthusiasts ... The coffee chain is discontinuing promotional offers through its mobile app to encourage customers to pay full price for beverages and teas.
What to do if your flight is delayed or canceledNavigating some US airports can be challenging. These are the steps to take when flights get delayed or canceled.
Pets in China are earning 'pet money' in cafesChinese pet owners are sending their pets to work in cafes due to the popularity of unique dining experiences featuring animals.
Watch this robot dismantle its own limbsA robot developed at Yale could be useful for search and rescue missions in hazardous debris and planetary exploration on treacherous terrain. See how it disassembles its own limbs to survive.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs Charged with Sexual Misconduct in Six Fresh LawsuitsThe troubled entertainment tycoon was slapped with sexual misconduct allegations in six fresh lawsuits on Monday, including one claim involving an alleged minor, 16 years old.
DAILY FACT
75This is the number of decades the hardware store brand True Value has been active in the business. With around 4,500 independently operated locations spread across the USA, the company revealed it has filed for bankruptcy and is planning to sell a majority of its operations to a competitor due to financial stress.
DAILY QUOTE
“If this is a world that could support life, it's going to revolutionize our perception of our role in the universe.”
— NASA engineer Jenny Kampmeier was echoing her sentiments after NASA launched a mission on Monday to investigate a potentially habitable water world.
WEATHER FORECAST
Check your local weather forecast here>>>
FINALLY...
Leveraging CNN’s Magic Wall to Track the 2024 ElectionChief National Correspondent John King shows us how CNN’s innovative Magic Wall tool can offer countless resources for delving into the US political landscape, leading up to the upcoming election. Explore the feature here.
1. Us Presidential Election
During the vice presidential debate, Kamala Harris strongly criticized Donald Trump's comments about using the military to handle internal protests on Election Day.
2. FEMA Aid
Despite facing several threats and misinformation, FEMA resumed door-to-door outreach in some areas affected by Hurricane Helene, ensuring that vital aid reaches the affected communities.
