SUMMARY: On Election Day, warm and windy weather is expected, which typically favors voter turnout. Vanderbilt Professor Dr. John Geer notes that comfortable weather benefits voter participation, but historically, bad weather has favored Republicans by discouraging lower-income voters who usually lean Democratic. However, Geer suggests this trend may be changing due to shifts in working-class support toward the Republican Party. This year, the impact of weather on the election is likely minimal, as more than half of the electorate has already voted, reducing the significance of weather on voter turnout.

How do different types of weather impact the election?

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SUMMARY: Over a month after Hurricane Helen caused severe flooding in the Southeast, debris remains a major issue on Douglas Lake in East Tennessee. Marina owners, like Nate from Indian Creek, are tirelessly cleaning up their properties but need help from neighbors and local officials to ensure a viable boating season next year. The rapid drop in water levels after the storm has left behind substantial debris, raising concerns about safety and attracting visitors. TVA is coordinating with state officials for debris removal and encourages the community to assist in cleanups. Optimism is there, but collaboration is essential to prevent future flooding from debris.

It’s been more than a month since Hurricane Helene hit the southeast, unleashing devastating flooding throughout the southeast.

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SUMMARY: Every fall, monarch butterflies migrate from North America to Mexico. At Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tyler Thomas and volunteers participate in a community science project, the Monarch Watch tagging program, initiated in 1992. They tag butterflies to track their migration and gather data on their populations. While monarchs typically live for 2-3 weeks, those that migrate can survive for 6-9 months. The tagging process is minimally invasive, with lightweight stickers placed on the butterflies to collect data. As climate change threatens their survival, this research is crucial for conservation efforts. People are encouraged to join the tagging program.

Every fall, volunteers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park capture monarch butterflies, attach a tag to their wings and release them to track their migration.

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