Helene’s death toll reaches 200 as crews try to reach the most remote areas hit by the storm

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (AP) — Hurricane Helene’s death toll has reached 200 and could rise higher still, as searchers make their way toward the hardest to reach places in the mountains of western North Carolina, where the storm washed out roads and knocked out electricity, water and cellular service to many. Officials in Georgia and North Carolina added to their states’ grim tallies on Thursday, padding an overall count that has already made Helene the deadliest storm to hit the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. President Joe Biden surveyed devastation in Florida and plans to tour disaster areas in Georgia after visiting North and South Carolina on Wednesday.

Guard charged in 2 deaths at troubled prison pleads no contest to reduced charge

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — One of eight guards charged in the deaths of two inmates at a troubled maximum security prison in Wisconsin has pleaded no contest to a reduced charge. The Wisconsin State Journal reports former Waupun Correctional Institution guard Sarah Ransbottom pleaded no contest last week to a charge of violating a law governing conduct by prison staff and paid a $250 fine. Prosecutors charged the prison’s former warden and eight other Waupun staffers, including Ransbottom, in June in connection with the deaths of two inmates during a more than yearlong lockdown at the prison. Ransbottom tells the Wisconsin State Journal low staffing levels, long hours and forced overtime contributed to the death of at least one inmate.

Moose rescued from a swimming pool in New Hampshire

BEDFORD, N.H. (AP) — Police and firefighters in New Hampshire have responded to an unusual call — a moose trapped in a backyard swimming pool. A video shot by police shows rescuers removing a pool covering after arriving at the home at about 8:45 a.m. Thursday morning to reveal the adult moose standing in the water. After the cover was removed, the moose strolled out of the shallow end of the pool and headed to a wooded area next to the home. Bedford Police Chief Daniel Douidi said in a statement that no people or animals were harmed.

Trump’s campaign says he raised $160 million in September, ended month with $283 million banked

PHOENIX (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has raised $160 million for his campaign in September and entered October with $283 million in the bank for the campaign’s final sprint. Trump’s campaign released the figures on Wednesday. The $160 million Trump raised in September is up from $130 million he reported raising in August. Vice President Kamala Harris has not yet released her fundraising numbers for the full month, but her aides have said she raised $55 million during a fundraising swing through California last weekend alone. The prior weekend, a Harris aide said she raised $27 million in New York City.