Editors

USA TODAY

Florence's wrath leaves at least 17 dead as flooding fears (and costs) rise

More than 660,000 utility customers were without power Sunday as North Carolina struggled under the crushing fury of Florence. Rivers approached record flood stage after the mighty hurricane diminished to a tropical depression, and the storm's death toll rose to 17. Florence weakened to a crawl over South Carolina on Saturday, but fears of inland flooding grew stronger. "I cannot overstate it: Floodwaters are rising, and if you aren’t watching for them you are risking your life," North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said. Very few North Carolina homeowners are covered by flood insurance, making the flooding even costlier.

Kavanaugh's accuser speaks out in The Washington Post

The woman who wrote a confidential letter accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were in high school says she feared for her life during the attack. “I thought he might inadvertently kill me,” Christine Blasey Ford, now a 51-year-old research psychologist in northern California, told The Washington Post in an interview published Sunday. The Post interview marks the first time that Ford has allowed her name to be disclosed since her accusations against Kavanaugh became public last week. Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.

After Larry Nassar, USA Gymnastics still struggles to change

Even as USA Gymnastics fought to contain a broadening sex abuse scandal last year, it allowed an official accused of misconduct to sit on a committee judging his own accuser’s performance score. It's one sign that the Indianapolis-based governing body still struggles to overhaul the culture that many say enabled longtime USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar to sexually assault as many as 330 women and girls. Some wonder if it can ever regain the trust of the athletes it serves.

'Impeachment is hell,' Ken Starr warns about Trump

Ken Starr, who led the investigation resulting in President Bill Clinton's impeachment, said Sunday he was not surprised to see former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller. "He was under tremendous pressure," the former judge said, on "ABC This Week." "Given the seriousness of the charges that were awaiting him, he did the right thing. He did the smart thing," he said. Starr also said he hopes President Donald Trump does not suffer Clinton's fate because "impeachment is hell."

Postal carrier stole more than 6,000 greeting cards

Last summer, residents of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, complained to the U.S. Postal Service that they were not receiving graduation, wedding, birthday and sympathy cards. Now we know why: A U.S. postal carrier for the area admitted to stealing more than 6,000 greeting cards filled with cash and checks. A test greeting card with a special transmitter helped reveal the thievery. Ebony Lavonne Smith, 20, pleaded guilty to theft or receipt of stolen mail on Sept.12 and will be sentenced at a later date.

'Friends' actor Matthew Perry reveals 3-month hospital stay

Matthew Perry says he's spent the last three months in the hospital. The "Friends" actor, 49, revealed the news on Twitter late Friday, his first social media post since March. "Three months in a hospital bed," he wrote. "Check." The news comes only a month after his rep confirmed to People and E! News that he was recovering from surgery to repair a gastrointestinal perforation. "He is grateful for the concern and asks for continued privacy as he heals," the statement read.