What we’re reading: Hurricane Melissa destruction, Trump tells Department of Defense to test nuclear weapons and more

By Anna Gasowski, Staff Writer

Published Oct 30, 2025

REUTERS/via SNO Sites/Alexandre Meneghini

A man takes pictures of fallen electrical posts on the street in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Santiago, Cuba, October 29, 2025. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

Hurricane Melissa barrels through the Caribbean causing destruction across the islands

Hurricane Melissa made landfall Tuesday as a Category 5 storm, causing destruction across Jamaica, according to The New York Times. The storm moved through Cuba and is expected to pass near Bermuda on Thursday.

More than 20 individuals have been confirmed dead in Haiti and five bodies have been recovered in Jamaica. About than one-third of Jamaica’s population was affected by the storm, U.N. Resident Coordinator Dennis Zulu said.

The State Department announced that it will deploy disaster response teams to Caribbean countries damaged by Melissa.

Blue Jays one win away from World Series title after defeating Dodgers in Game 5

Toronto Blue Jays fans celebrate after Game 5 of baseball’s World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1 on Wednesday night. The Blue Jays now hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, according to CBS Sports.

If the Dodgers can win Games 6 and 7, they would become the first back-to-back champions since 2000. The Blue Jays are seeking their third World Series title in franchise history, with their most recent being in 1993.

Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage struck out 12 of the 24 batters he faced Wednesday night, establishing a new rookie World Series record. Yesavage was the 20th overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft.

The teams will travel to Toronto for Game 6 on Friday, giving the Blue Jays the opportunity to win the championship on Halloween.

Ex-deputy found guilty of second-degree murder in Sonya Massey case

Sonya Massey’s mother, Donna Massey, hugs a supporter outside the Peoria County Courthouse in Peoria, Ill., Wednesday, October 29, 2025. (AP Photo/John O’Connor)

A former sheriff’s deputy from Illinois was found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Sonya Massey, according to USA Today.

Sean Grayson, 31, was charged with first-degree murder, but the jury was given the option of second-degree murder before deliberations began.

Massey’s death caused outrage after she was shot unarmed in her home after calling 911 to report a possible intruder. The case sparked nationwide calls for police reform and sparked a Department of Justice investigation last year.

Grayson claimed the shooting was in self-defense, because he thought Massey was planning to throw a pot of boiling water on him. He faces up to 20 years in prison with a sentencing set for Jan. 29, 2026.

Trump orders Pentagon to test nuclear weapons to be “on an equal basis” with other nations

Trump announced Wednesday to Truth Social that he had instructed the Pentagon to begin testing nuclear weapons, according to NBC News. The announcement came shortly before his highly anticipated meeting in South Korea with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The United States has not formally tested nuclear weapons since 1992, but Trump said the decision to resume testing was about being “on an equal basis with Russia and China.”

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow had successfully tested a nuclear-powered underwater weapon and a nuclear capable missile. The United States and Russia control approximately 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons, with China being a distant third, according to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.