Good Morning! Today’s edition is 829 words, a 3-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Bombing in California courthouse

• 3,500-year-old mummy cheese

• Hotel soaps aren’t always what they claim

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Big Story

Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene is forming in the southern Gulf of Mexico and is expected to become a powerful Category 4 storm today.

• All of Florida, except for a small part of the Panhandle, is under tropical storm or hurricane warnings. Florida's west coast, including Tampa Bay, is at risk of major storm surges, with some areas expecting up to 20 feet of water. Evacuations are happening in low-lying areas, and President Biden has approved emergency help for Florida.

• Helene is rapidly intensifying due to the record-high ocean temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s expected to make landfall in northwest Florida near Tallahassee this evening. The storm will bring catastrophic winds, heavy rain, and devastating storm surges. Strong winds and power outages may spread across the Southeast.

• Helene is also expected to cause extremely heavy rain across the Southeast, with flash floods possible in cities like Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte. The southern Appalachian region could see up to 15 inches of rain, leading to a high risk of floods and landslides.

• Experts warn that Helene could cause billions of dollars in damage across the southeastern U.S.

Big Story

Bombing in California Courthouse

A man set off an explosive device in the lobby of the Santa Maria Courthouse in California on Wednesday morning.

• The explosion was reported around 8:45 a.m. in Santa Maria, a city located in Santa Barbara County. The blast injured five people and officials shut down the courthouse and nearby city buildings. EMS took the victims to a hospital after the explosion, with two in good condition and three in fair condition.

• The explosion occurred in the courthouse lobby, where people go through weapons screening before entering courtrooms. Witnesses said they heard a loud bang and saw deputies quickly restrain the suspect.

• The Sheriff’s spokesperson said the blast was from an “intentionally set” explosive device and that investigators believe the suspect acted alone. However, the bomb squad is still processing the scene.

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Big Story

META Unveils Augmented Reality Glasses Prototype

Mark Zuckerberg revealed Meta's prototype for lightweight augmented reality (AR) glasses called Orion at the company's Connect conference.

• The advanced AR glasses can overlay 2D and 3D images onto the real world. They also use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze surroundings and offer suggestions. The glasses are still in development and Zuck admitted that they need to be smaller, more stylish, and affordable before they are ready for the public.

• Meta's competitors, like Snap, are also working on AR glasses, hoping that this new technology will one day replace smartphones. Other tech companies, such as Google, have tried to create AR wearables in the past but failed to get consumer interest.

• Along with the AR glasses, Meta introduced updates related to their advancements in AI. They released Llama 3.2, a powerful model capable of understanding charts and documents. Meta also updated their Ray-Ban smart glasses, allowing users to analyze photos and videos with voice commands, set reminders, and even translate live conversations.

Little Stories

• Scientists have discovered that a mysterious white substance found on 3,500-year-old mummies in China is the world's oldest cheese. The substance, found on the heads and necks of mummies in the Xiaohe cemetery, was confirmed to be a type of kefir cheese. Kefir is a fermented dairy product made with milk and microbial cultures. (More)

• A third house has collapsed within four days on the North Carolina coast, creating dangerous conditions with debris scattered along the beach and in the water. The home’s owner confirmed it was unoccupied and hired a cleanup crew to clear the area. (More)

• China tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Wednesday by firing it into international waters. China called it a routine test and said it wasn’t aimed at any country, but Japan, Australia, and New Zealand are upset because they weren’t warned. (More)

• A 64-year-old American woman died in an assisted suicide capsule in Switzerland. The woman, who had been suffering from serious health issues, used the "Sarco" device at a private forest retreat in Schaffhausen. Swiss prosecutors have now opened a case against individuals accused of encouraging and helping with her suicide. (More)

• Thailand passed a law to become the first country in Southeast Asia to allow same-sex marriage. The law was approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and will take effect in 120 days, allowing LGBTQ couples to marry starting January 22. It also gives married couples equal rights in areas like law, money, and healthcare, no matter their gender. (More)

Extra Credit

🫧 Hotel soaps aren’t what they claim to be. 

🎓️ Princeton tops this year’s list of best colleges. 

🐈️ Lost cat travels 900 miles towards home.

🐸 A glowing frog on a glowing mushroom wins best science photo.