Big Story

Flying Air Taxis

The FAA has set new rules for electric air taxis — aircraft that take off like helicopters but fly like planes.

• The rules explain how the air taxis will operate and how pilots will be trained. The FAA's head, Mike Whitaker, said these air taxis will soon join airplanes and helicopters in the sky, marking the first new aircraft type in nearly 80 years.

• Air taxis are seen as a cleaner option than traditional planes since they don’t burn jet fuel. However, their current size limits mean they’ll likely only be used in cities. Many companies are working on bringing these air taxis to market, and the new rules will help make that possible.

• Airlines are interested in using air taxis to transport passengers to airports. Delta invested $60 million in Joby Aviation, and Toyota recently announced a $500 million investment. United Airlines jumped in with Archer Aviation, with plans to buy 200 air taxis, potentially worth $1 billion.

Big Story

How Smell Impacts Breathing

Researchers found that people born without a sense of smell breathe differently than those who can smell.

• The study observed 21 people who couldn’t smell — also known as congenital anosmia — and 31 people who could. Participants wore a device that measured their airflow for 24 hours.

• The researchers discovered that people with a working sense of smell took more sniffs, likely reacting to smells around them. Those with anosmia had more pauses while breathing and lower airflow when exhaling, especially when awake.

• The researchers could predict anosmia with 83% accuracy just by monitoring breathing patterns. The team is now studying people who lost their sense of smell later in life.

Big Story

Pink Cocaine

The feds have issued a new warning about a recreational drug called pink cocaine.

• Pink cocaine is in the spotlight after it was mentioned in connection with One Direction Singer Liam Payne’s death and the civil lawsuits against Sean (Diddy) Combs.

• It’s a mix of different drugs, often dyed pink for looks. Although the name suggests it contains cocaine, it's more likely to have ketamine, a drug used for anesthesia. Other substances found in the drug include meth, MDMA, and opioids.

• Feds say the big risk with pink cocaine is that users don’t know what’s really in it. Because of this, people easily overdose or get effects they didn’t expect. Fentanyl could also wind up in the powder, making it more deadly.

• Recently, the US Coast Guard found pink cocaine being smuggled from places like Mexico and Central America. It’s also possible that drug dealers in the US are making their own versions by mixing drugs with pink dye.

Quick Stories

U.S. News

• Early voter turnouts have broken records in multiple states, including Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Early reports also show that Republican turnout for early voting is surging in swing states. (More)

• An 8-year-old Colorado girl fought off a would-be kidnapper in a clown mask. The man blindfolded the girl, but she fought back, forcing him to flee. Police arrested the man four days later. (More)

• The US Justice Department has sued Rocket Mortgage and some appraisal companies for undervaluing a Black woman's home in Denver. The lawsuit is part of broader allegations of housing discrimination that have widened the wealth gap for communities of color. (More)

World

• Millions of teens in Africa have asthma but most haven't been diagnosed, according to a study. Researchers looked at 27,000 students from cities in six African countries and found over 3,000 had asthma symptoms, yet only about 600 had an official diagnosis. (More)

• Terrorists attacked the Turkish Aerospace Industries headquarters Wednesday. The terrorists killed four people and injured 14, while police killed two attackers. No group has taken responsibility. (More)

• The UN estimates that Ukraine’s population has shrunk by eight million since Russia invaded in Feb. 2022 and a total of 10 million since the 2014 Crimea occupation. The population is around 35 million today. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed lower on Wednesday (S&P -0.92%, Nasdaq -1.60%, Dow -0.96%). (More)

• September home sales are on track for their lowest level since 2010. Sales were 3.5% lower than in Sept. 2023 and fell in three US regions — only the West region saw a gain. (More)

• Boeing reported a third-quarter loss of over $6 billion and now hopes striking factory workers will accept a contract offer to end a nearly six-week walkout that has stopped airplane production. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• Tickets to watch the 2024 World Series between the Yankees and Dodgers are expensive! The cheapest standing-room ticket at Yankee Stadium is $1,514 and Game 1 resale tickets at Dodger Stadium are averaging over $1,700. (More)

• The Chiefs scored All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Titans for a conditional fifth-round pick. Hopkins will help beef up the injury-plagued receiver core for the defending champions. (More)

• Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski won't go to trial for the alleged 1973 rape of an underage girl after both sides reached an agreement. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but the case has been dismissed. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• After weeks of delays, three astronauts and a cosmonaut left the ISS on Wednesday. They've spent almost eight months in space. Their return was delayed a few times, including once because of Hurricane Milton hitting Florida. (More)

• A recent study found that balancing on one leg is a good test of your health. A good benchmark for those 69 and younger is 30 seconds and 20 seconds for those 70+. Those who can’t for more than five seconds could be at risk of falling more. (More)

• Amazon is offering Prime members a discount on fuel to fight high gas prices. Members get a 10-cent per gallon discount at around 7,000 Amoco, AM/PM, and BP gas stations. (More)

Extra Credit

🔧 Why is it called a monkey wrench?

🐟️ Goldfish crackers are temporarily rebranding to Chilean Sea Bass crackers.

💰️ Cache of old coins found in farmer’s field sells for $5.6M.

👻 The scariest urban legends from every state. 

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