Hurricanes

Some people looking for 2018 insurance under the Affordable Care Act may have a little longer to sign up — for example, in states and U.S. territories hit by this year's hurricanes.

Scientists say they see the fingerprint of climate change in these storms, but it's too soon to say whether this is a new normal.

Many agriculture companies rely on the island's climate for the research and development of commercial corn, soybean and other seeds grown in the U.S. But the storm wiped out needed infrastructure.

A NASA visualization uses computer models to show how recent hurricanes shifted salt from the Atlantic, dust from the Sahara and smoke from fires in Portugal and the Pacific Northwest.

Hurricane victims can replace chairs, cars, even homes. But they can't replace family photos or VHS tapes of grandma. So the Smithsonian and FEMA have dispatched a "heritage task force" to Texas.

A small number of Puerto Rico's schools have opened again. Two in San Juan are facing different challenges, but communities in both came together to provide a sense of normalcy for children.

Nate is likely to become a hurricane and could hit the northern Gulf Coast on Sunday. Forecasters add, "it is too early to specify the timing, location, or magnitude of these impacts."

The recent enormous storms have hit the industry hard, with several signs turning negative. But economists expect a rebound when the weather improves.

The software of major airlines monitor supply and demand, then lower or raise prices accordingly — within seconds. That can lead to some exorbitant prices, NPR's Scott Simon says.

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We know how damaging and costly, in many ways, such natural phenomena can be — but the devastation is not surprising, once you know how much energy is involved, says astrophysicist Marcelo Gleiser.