US Edition - Today's top story: 300 glaciers have disappeared from the American West since the mid-20th century – the survivors have a few things in common October 13, 2026 US Edition   Top headlines Orange County drug overdoses show risks of out-of-state rehab clinics Data center NIMBYism unites Americans across vast political divides Old bones and rock art reveal we’ve been eating tuna for 44,000 years Lead story If you take a flight across the mountain ranges of the Western U.S., be sure to look down: You might spot one of the last remaining glaciers, likely tucked into a protected niche. These icy expanses were once common in the Rockies and other Western ranges, but they’re quickly disappearing. A newly published study found that more than 300 glaciers have disappeared from the Lower 48 states since the mid-20th century, and most of the survivors are pretty small. Their total area has shrunk by over a third. “Those that survive reflect just how vulnerable mountain glaciers have become as global temperatures rise,” explains geographer and geologist Andrew Fountain, who led the study and explains his team’s findings in today’s top story. “The shrinking and eventual loss of all of these glaciers will affect ecosystems across the West, as well as waterways humans and wildlife rely on.”   Stacy Morford Senior Environment + Energy Editor Lead Story Scientists take measurements on Sperry Glacier, in Glacier National Park, Montana. USGS 300 glaciers have disappeared from the American West since the mid-20th century – the survivors have a few things in common Andrew Fountain, Portland State University A new study compared the glaciers in the Lower 48 states today against historical data from the mid-20th century. The results show the region’s vulnerabilities as temperatures rise. Health + Medicine More rehab centers should mean fewer overdoses. In one California region, we found the opposite Ilan Shrira, Penn State; Joshua D. Foster, University of South Alabama When people travel out of state for addiction treatment, overdose risk is greater than many realize. That brightly packaged sexual enhancement pill at the gas station might be laced with dangerous drugs Andrew Yockey, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Sexual enhancement supplements often contain unlisted prescription drugs that pose serious health risks. Nicotine pouches, vaping or cigarettes: Which nicotine product is actually the least harmful? Emma Fenske, University of Colorado Anschutz; Oregon Health & Science University Not all nicotine products are equally harmful. An addiction medicine physician explains how to parse the science. Politics + Society Why the Paramount-Warner merger is a problem for democracy Seth Ashley, Colorado State University The Paramount merger may make good business sense, but research shows putting more media power in fewer hands can come at a cost to the common good of citizens. Murder of Black suffrage leader Octavius Catto reveals why Election Day 1871 was one of the most violent in Philadelphia history Timothy Welbeck, Temple University Philadelphia has given the intersection of 8th and South streets a new name: Octavius Catto Way. Environment + Energy California is taking a beating from an unusually destructive 2026 Pacific hurricane season Nicholas Grondin, University of Tampa Tropical storms rarely survive in the cool water off California, but waves from storms far to the south can still damaged coastal areas. And flooding rain can sweep in. Across the US, people don’t want data centers coming to their communities Neha Gour, George Mason University; John Kotcher, George Mason University; Teresa Myers, George Mason University Opposition to data centers is widespread across the US, uniting people despite other differences on political and environmental issues. Ethics + Religion Today’s irreverent politics ignore ancient wisdom: The need to know your limits Robert A. Ballingall, University of Maine Many Americans have decried today’s politics as ‘shameless.’ The antidote, a political philosopher argues, may be more reverence – awe at just how difficult democracy is. Economy + Business Americans are stressed about grocery prices, so why do they toss or overlook so much ‘misfit’ food? Jintao Zhang, Binghamton University, State University of New York Quality, rather than discounts or environmental benefits, is what’s needed to encourage shoppers to consider odd-shaped produce. Economics Nobel: How this year’s winners helped to smooth the cycle of economic peaks and troughs Conor O'Kane, Bournemouth University Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford were announced as this year’s winners. Science + Technology Hooked on tuna: People have been harvesting these ocean predators for 44,000 years Emma Elliott Smith, Smithsonian Institution; Torben Rick, Smithsonian Institution Bones in archaeological sites, ancient rock art, paintings on frescos and vases, written historical records and ethnographic accounts all helped researchers recreate a deep history of people and tuna. Education What colleges and universities need from donors to thrive William Blomquist, Indiana University; Genevieve Shaker, Indiana University; William M. Plater, Indiana University Philanthropy, which covers an average of 10% of college and university budgets, can help schools and the students who attend them weather today’s tough times. Trending on site Why fall yard care could start with doing less – but not nothing Anne Carson’s Nobel-winning, genre-defying work bridges the gap between ancient Greek literature and modern life Data centers make heat all year long – here’s how the ground can hold onto it until winter   Today’s newsletter is sponsored by InPress. Read about The Conversation’s underwriting and sponsorship policy here. More from The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our other emails: The Afternoon Story (A daily Substack) Weekly Highlights Politics Weekly Science Weekly Artificial Intelligence Giving Today This Week in Religion Weekly News Quiz Global Perspectives Global Economy & Business Follow The Conversation You can find us on all your favorite platforms: • YouTube • Bluesky • Facebook •