5 things to know for Oct. 1: VP debate, Helene’s aftermath, Lebanon, Port workers strike, Verizon outage

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Former President Jimmy Carter turns 100 today, making him the first American president to reach triple digits. The Democrat, who served in the White House from 1977 to 1981, is widely revered for championing human rights and brokering a still-standing peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance will face off tonight in their first and only scheduled vice presidential debate of the 2024 election. The matchup, hosted by CBS News, will air live on CNN at 9 p.m. ET, alongside special coverage. It coincides with huge news stories unfolding at home and abroad, including Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East. Vice presidential nominees traditionally play the role of attack dog for the top of their tickets — in this case, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump. Harris earlier this month accepted an invitation from CNN to again debate Trump on October 23, but the former president has reiterated he thinks it’s “too late” because many Americans will have begun casting their ballots. The death toll from Hurricane Helene has reached at least 130 and there are fears the number will continue to rise. Hundreds of people have been reported missing, perhaps unable to leave their location or unable to contact family where communications infrastructure is in shreds. More than 2 million customers were still without power across the southeastern US early today, according to PowerOutage.us. Extensive damage to roads and electric grids has isolated many remote communities in the Carolinas and prevented crews from reaching residents with vital supplies. Some emergency crews are relying on radio communications until mobile cell towers can be established. Israel’s military says it has begun a “limited ground operation” in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah. It marks the fourth time that Israeli soldiers have publicly entered Lebanese soil in nearly 50 years, and the first since Israel’s 34-day war in the country in 2006. There will be “no long-term occupation” of the country, Israeli officials said, but they declined to provide a timeline. Hezbollah said it launched strikes at soldiers in northern Israel following the incursion and vowed to continue fighting Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza. Israel’s blistering escalation defies pressure from the US, a key ally, to reach a ceasefire deal with the Iran-backed militant group. Tens of thousands of longshore workers went on strike at midnight against the nation’s East and Gulf Coast ports, choking off the flow of many of the nation’s imports and exports in what could become America’s most disruptive work stoppage in decades. Some 50,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association could participate in the strike, the union said, citing demands for better wages and “protections against automation.” Depending on the length of the strike, it could result in shortages of consumer goods, which could lead to price hikes. It could also mark a setback for the economy, which has shown signs of recovery from pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions that resulted in a spike in inflation.