The United States is grappling with a mix of natural disasters and political turmoil this weekend. As Hurricane Lala brings heavy rains and strong winds to Hawaii, Indiana is dealing with the aftermath of deadly storms. Meanwhile, political battles over voter rolls and election integrity are heating up ahead of the midterm elections.
In Hawaii, the Big Island has been particularly hard hit by Hurricane Lala, which has caused flash floods, mudslides, and widespread power outages. The storm, which narrowly avoided making landfall, has left more than 200,000 households without electricity and caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure.
Hurricane Lala’s impact on Hawaii
The National Hurricane Center reported that Lala dumped up to 32 inches of rain in some areas, leading to life-threatening flooding and mudslides. Despite the severity of the storm, Governor Josh Green noted that there have been no widespread fatalities, although one person was killed in a storm-related car crash.
The storm’s eyewall came within 30 miles of Big Island’s South Point, bringing flash flooding and strong winds. The Hawaii National Guard has been deployed to assist with emergency response efforts, and power outages have affected three hospitals, which are operating on backup generators.
Big Island’s two main airports were temporarily closed but have since reopened. The storm has since weakened to a tropical storm and is moving westward, but the danger is not yet over, according to officials.
Deadly storms in Indiana
Meanwhile, in Indiana, at least six people have died in a powerful storm system that has caused severe flooding and strained emergency services. The storms have also led to widespread power outages, with nearly 200,000 homes and businesses without electricity. Neighboring states, including Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky, have also experienced power outages and flooding.
The U.S. Weather Prediction Center has issued flood watches and flash flood warnings extending from Iowa to West Virginia. The Midwest is bracing for another round of downpours and severe thunderstorms, with up to a 40% risk of excessive rainfall in some areas.
Political battles over voter rolls
As the country deals with extreme weather, political tensions are rising over voter rolls ahead of the midterm elections. Attorney General Todd Blanche has indicated that the Justice Department may ask the Supreme Court to intervene in dozens of cases where judges have ruled against the federal government’s efforts to gain broad access to state voter rolls.
The cases stem from an executive order signed by President Trump, directing states to turn over voter rolls, including sensitive information such as Social Security numbers. While some states have complied, the Justice Department has sued 30 states and Washington, D.C., over their refusal to turn over the data.
Blanche emphasized the importance of election integrity, stating that it is something every American should care about. The Justice Department is collecting the data to investigate potential deficiencies or anomalies, including whether noncitizens are registered to vote.
In other news, the Democratic National Committee has set the 2028 primary calendar, with South Carolina leading a six-state lineup of early presidential contests. The move pushes Black and Latino voters and labor to the front of the line to choose the party’s next national leader.
Former MLB pitcher Tommy John, whose name is linked to the groundbreaking elbow surgery that saved his career, has died at the age of 83. John is best known for his years with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees.
In Iran, state-sponsored billboards featuring violent imagery and anti-U.S. messages have become more prevalent since the country’s supreme leader was killed in an airstrike. The billboards, which appear to have been generated with the help of artificial intelligence, are part of Iran’s propaganda efforts throughout the war.
