Tragic stories continue to flow from western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene slamming the Appalachian Mountains nearly two weeks ago. So, too, is the assistance. The General Assembly convenes Wednesday,

Since the 2021 assassination of Haiti's last president, armed gangs have expanded their power and influence, taking over most of the capital and expanding to nearby farmlands. Their land grabs have brought lootings, arson, mass rapes and indiscriminate killings.

Ten days after Hurricane Helene ripped through Asheville and the surrounding areas, we're just getting a sense for how bad things really are.