Why am I getting this? Because you receive the Globe's Today's Headlines newsletter, and this new offering, Starting Point, is the perfect complement. It features reporter insights, interesting stories, things to do and read, and more. Give it a try or opt out.
But first, I’m handing today’s Starting Point to my colleague Erin Douglas, who explains what Hurricane Helene can tell us about climate change.
TODAY'S STARTING POINT
Destroyed homes in the small community of Dekle Beach, which was devastated by Hurricane Helene near Keaton Beach, Fla. PAUL RATJE/NYT
I’m Erin, a climate reporter for The Boston Globe. I don’t know about you all, but I spent most of the weekend glued to my phone and TV watching updates about Hurricane Helene’s devastating path across the Southeast.
As of this morning, nearly 100 people had died in the storm, the Associated Press reported. Helene made landfall near Perry, Fla., then took a destructive path across several states, where it brought catastrophic floods, caused landslides, and knocked out power for millions of people. Many communities are still flooded or isolated after roads collapsed.
Climate change can make hurricanes like Helene stronger than they otherwise would have been. Hot ocean temperatures add power to hurricanes, while warmer air temperatures increase the amount of rain they can carry.
Helene in particular is a prime example of “rapid intensification,” an extremely dangerous phenomenon in which storms get stronger right before making landfall — the worst case scenario. And emerging science suggests that rapid intensification of storms is getting more common as climate change worsens.
For me, Helene was personal. My paternal grandparents live in a small town in western North Carolina, and my mom’s family lives on the other side of the mountains, in East Tennessee. Some communities in North Carolina have been without power, running water, or cell service for days, and many families, including mine, still have not been able to reach our relatives to find out if they are okay. Saturday afternoon, we heard from a neighbor that although my grandparents cannot communicate with us, they are safe at home – a huge relief.
Hurricane season will come to a close at the end of November, but in Boston, that’s typically when flood season begins. If you haven’t already, create a communications plan with your relatives and friends and update your emergency kits. Stay safe, everyone.
– Erin Douglas
POINTS OF INTEREST
The 2024 edition of the HONK! Festival comes to Somerville and Cambridge Oct. 4-6. Pictured: Attendees watch a performer at the 2023 edition of the outdoor performance weekend. PAT GREENHOUSE/GLOBE STAFF
NEW ENGLAND From library books to gender identity, "parents’ rights" activists across the region are ready for a fight. And they are taking those fights to court. (The Boston Globe)
FENWAY PARK Red Sox play-by-play radio announcer Joe Castiglione, a Connecticut native, retired yesterday after 42 years — a tenure that included calling the final out for three of the team’s last four World Series wins. He had some memorable calls. (Boston.com)
PORTLAND, Maine Attracted by low costs, proximity to Boston, and abundant natural resources, entrepreneurs could make Portland the latest climate tech hub. More and more people are investing there. (The Boston Globe)
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. During the Soundside music festival, singer-songwriter Noah Kahan apologized for previously insulting the state, including a comment about how Connecticut “doesn’t count” in New England. (CTPost)
BLOTTER TALES A truck rolling away. A goat on the loose. Neighbors going to battle. My colleague Emily Sweeney collects lesser-known incidents from police log books — most of which never make the news. (The Boston Globe)
ELECTION INSIGHTS | 35 days until the presidential election
Can you guide Kamala Harris or Donald Trump to victory in the Electoral College?
You get 100 credits (symbolizing resources such as money, staff, and time) to split among 10 tight races: Arizona, Georgia, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska-CD2, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
If you dedicate more resources than your opponents (other FT readers) to a certain race, you win.
Let me know how you did — and how you allocated the resources — at [email protected].
Spoiler alert: In my first try, I beat out only 34 percent of other players. I spent 11 credits on Pennsylvania, 15 on Georgia, 14 on North Carolina, 14 on Michigan, 12 on Arizona, 13 on Wisconsin, 11 on Nevada, 7 on New Hampshire, 2 on Maine, and 1 on Nebraska-CD2.
After a few minutes of adjusting the numbers, I got up to 70 percent and then gave up. Good thing I’m not a political strategist!
This Egyptian cafe/deli has delicious brunch options and is a great place to meet up and hang out with friends. I would make a special trip just for the Um Ali French Toast (pictured). But the portions are a bit small, especially the shakshuka (pictured). The churro latte was delicious, but the baklava latte disappointed a bit in flavor.
I’m a big brunch/breakfast person. The vibes and food are both great here (though as much as I love outdoor dining, I personally wouldn’t want to sit next to such a busy street). The duck Benedict is fantastic and so are the truffle fries. The steak is fine, but not special. And the espresso frappe was a perfect bev for the meal.
Rating: Bagged 8/10 (💰)
HEADLINES IN THE CLOUDS
Guess the headline from three choices based on words that appear in the story.
The Boston Globe
1 Exchange Pl
Boston, MA 02109-2803
You’re receiving this email because you signed up for the Starting Point newsletter, submitted your email address to read stories on Globe.com, have engaged with related content on Globe.com, subscribed to a related Boston Globe newsletter, and/or are a Boston Globe digital access subscriber.
