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Today’s top stories

The Israeli military has launched what it calls a “limited” ground offensive against the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. This action comes nearly a year after Israel and Hezbollah began exchanges of fire that forced Lebanese and Israeli people at the border to flee their homes. It also follows Israeli airstrikes that killed several senior Hezbollah officials in Beirut on Friday. Yesterday, Hezbollah deputy Naim Qassem addressed supporters and said they would continue the fight in support of Palestinians and in defense of Lebanon.

Tanks and troops are gathering in northern Israel on Monday in preparation for a ground invasion.

Maya Levin/NPR

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Maya Levin/NPR

• 🎧 Israel invaded Lebanon for the first time since 2006tells NPR’s Jane Arraf First up. The Lebanese army, which has withdrawn from the border, is much weaker than Hezbollah and has been carrying out attacks in support of Palestinians in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began last year. The Lebanese government said at least 95 people were killed and over 170 injured in Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon and Beirut.
• 🎧 Israeli officials say the point of this push is to push Hezbollah back from the border and create a “buffer zone.” according to NPR’s Kat Lonsdorf. This will allow the tens of thousands of Israelis displaced from the north to return home. However, it is unclear when they will be able to do this. After speaking to several people in northern Israel yesterday, Lonsdorf heard similar sentiments from everyone: This is a necessary next step for Israel, and diplomacy is not an option right now.

For the first and probably only time, Senator JD Vance of Ohio and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will face off in a vice presidential debate tonight. They both need to help win over undecided voters in key swing states as parts of the US are already voting. Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s debate, from how to watch to the rules.

• 🎧 The vice presidential debate is particularly significant because there was only one presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Harrissays NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben. Walz will defend Harris’ record. The vice president has only been the candidate for about two months. Meanwhile, Vance could try to overturn Trump’s widely acknowledged loss to Harris in the presidential debate.
• ➡️ For The first time since 1996Both major parties have elected a veteran as vice president. Here’s what this means for the public’s understanding of veterans and military issues.

Union longshoremen at East and Gulf Coast ports began striking early this morninghalting the movement of more than $2 billion worth of goods, including cars, clothing, paper, farm machinery and more. The picketing began shortly after midnight after talks between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, which represents shipping companies and port operators, failed to produce a new contract. The strike, which is affecting work at 14 ports, has two major sticking points: wages and automation. Trade groups warned President Biden that an extended strike would have devastating consequences for the U.S. economy.

Deep dive

A new report from scientific experts finds that the gap between state and federal cannabis regulations is creating new public health problems

Jim Mone/AP

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Jim Mone/AP

More than half of the states in the US have legalized the use of cannabis for medical or recreational purposes, with some states allowing both. However, the federal government still considers most types of cannabis to be illegal. A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine has found that a separation between states and the federal government leads to fragmented policy and risks to the public.

• 🍃 In the United States, more adults reported using cannabis than alcohol on a near-daily basis in 2022, marking the first time that regular marijuana use exceeds regular alcohol consumption.
• 🍃 The THC concentration in cannabis flowers has increased over time. This can make people more likely to take more than they intended.
• 🍃 There are major hurdles in researching the drug. Cannabis is difficult to obtain for research purposes because it is classified as a Schedule I substance.
• 🍃 Some people believe that cannabis will become less dangerous after legalization. The report suggests that public health campaigns should describe the risks and cannabis retail staff should be trained to discuss the risks and benefits in an informed manner.

Life advice

No one is immune from misinformation. It threatens our democracy and divides communities. People trust information more when it comes from trusted sources. You can help combat misinformation and disinformation by talking to family and friends. Here are some ways to do this:

• 💬 When discussing misinformationConsider using the terms “rumor” or “misleading content.”
• 💬 Your loved ones have their own touching experiences how they deal with news. It can be helpful to break up conversations about the topic over time.
• 💬 One way to point out an unqualified source is by highlighting the source’s lack of skills, professional training, relevant educational background, and any conflicts of interest.
• 💬 You are not trying to change a person’s core beliefs. You are simply giving false information. Someone might shut down if you make them feel like there’s something wrong with their worldview.

See The complete list of tips to combat misinformation.

3 things you should know before you go

San Francisco police officers keep an eye on city workers as they sweep unauthorized tents and belongings from a street in the Tenderloin

Martin Caste/NPR

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Martin Caste/NPR

1. San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced a “more aggressive” search of homeless camps in a city known for its sprawling camps. This came after a Supreme Court ruling upheld local laws that criminalized camping on public land.
2. Ryan Routh pleaded not guilty yesterday Attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at an impeachment hearing in federal court in West Palm Beach, Florida.
3. MLB’s controversial “hit king” Pete Rose has died at the age of 83. He played and managed the Cincinnati Reds. (via WVXU)

This newsletter was published by Suzanne Nuyen.