CRAWFORDVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Authorities are rescuing people trapped by floodwaters and more than 3 million customers are in the dark across much of the southeastern U.S. as Hurricane Helene weakens to a tropical storm over Georgia early Friday. The storm made landfall in northwestern Florida as a Category 4 storm overnight amid warnings from the National Hurricane Center that the enormous system could create a “nightmare” storm surge. There were at least three storm-related deaths. Hurricane warnings and flash flood warnings extend far beyond the coast up into northern Georgia and western North Carolina.

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams could make his initial court appearance on charges that he accepted illegal campaign contributions and free overseas trips from people looking to buy his influence in city government. 

DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines executives have unveiled their vision for turning the carrier into an airline that gives passengers assigned seats, charges them extra for more legroom and offers red-eye flights but bags still fly free. The airline announced on Thursday that it plans to end the open-boarding system it has used for more than 50 years and start flights with assigned seats in early 2026. 

BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium’s prime minister has blasted Pope Francis for the Catholic Church’s horrific legacy of clerical sex abuse and cover-ups. Alexander De Croo demanded “concrete steps” to come clean with the past and put victims’ interests over those of the institution as he delivered a blistering welcome Friday at the start of Francis’ visit. 

In other news:

—The Associated Press

About this program

Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.