McCain Stops Medical Treatment; Australia's New PM; Leonard Bernstein at 100

Hurricane Lane downgraded as it lumbers toward Hawaii. [NPR]( Daily Headlines Friday, August 24, 2018 FIRST UP [Sen. John McCain discontinues medical treatment for brain cancer.]( [Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington last July. The Mayo Clinic announced that same month that he had been diagnosed with brain cancer.]( Cliff Owen/AP “The progress of disease and the inexorable advance of age render their verdict. With his usual strength of will, he has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment,” says a statement released by the Arizona Republican’s family. The 2008 Republican candidate for president and former prisoner of war was diagnosed with brain cancer last July. [Read more](. [National Enquirer publisher said to have immunity in Cohen case.]( David Pecker, the chairman of American Media, Inc., which publishes the National Enquirer, has reportedly been granted immunity in exchange for providing information to prosecutors about Michael Cohen and President Trump's knowledge of illegal campaign contribution payments. Pecker is alleged to have helped organize hush money payments. The publication also kept the story out of the news by purchasing exclusive rights to its content and sitting on it. [Read more](. [Hurricane Lane downgraded as it lumbers toward Hawaii.]( [A car is stuck partially submerged in floodwaters from Hurricane Lane rainfall on the Big Island on Wednesday in Hilo, Hawaii.]( Mario Tama/Getty Images Now a Category 3 storm, Hurricane Lane is slowly making its way toward the island chain. Its outer bands continue to cause significant damage on the island of Hawaii, including mudslides, landslides and flash flooding. [Read more](. [Australia gets a new prime minister.]( On Friday, Australia’s ruling conservative Liberal Party chose Scott Morrison, 50, to replace former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who was ousted over low poll numbers. Morrison is a former tourism official and immigration minister. He is Australia's sixth prime minister in about 11 years, continuing a trend of the country’s political instability. [Read more](. [Former NSA contractor sentenced to five years for leaking classified info.]( Air Force veteran Reality Winner is the first person to be prosecuted by the Trump administration for leaking classified intelligence to the press. The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to sharing documents detailing an attempt by Russian military intelligence to attack U.S. elections. Her 63-month sentence will be the longest served for an unauthorized disclosure. [Read more](. DIGGING DEEPER This Georgia County may close all but two polling places [f the fire station in Benevolence, Ga., is closed as a polling place, voters will have to drive around 15 minutes on Election Day. But some residents are quick to point out that many young and elderly people in the county don't have cars.]( Johnny Kauffman/WABE Voting in the November midterms could get harder in one majority-black Georgia county with a poverty rate nearly double the national average. Randolph County, population 7,224, is located in the state’s rural, agricultural “Black Belt” which has a history of slavery, racial violence and voter suppression. The local board of elections is [considering leaving just two of nine polling places open]( the center of the 428-square-mile county. Why it matters: Residents and civil rights groups say the closure would make voting difficult for African-Americans and people with low incomes who live on the county's fringes. There's no public transportation in the area and many young and elderly people don't have cars, so traveling the extra distance is an issue of access for many voters. Republican and Democrat state lawmakers, including gubernatorial candidates Brian Kemp and Stacey Abrams, say they’re opposed to closing the polling places. Civil rights groups are threatening lawsuits if the county approves the plan. But polling officials says closing some polls in an effort to consolidate resources makes sense. Their proposal highlights the challenges of running accessible elections in financially struggling rural jurisdictions. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( WEEKEND PLAYLIST Paul de Hueck/Courtesy of The Leonard Bernstein Office, Inc. Saturday marks the centennial of Leonard Bernstein's birth. He was a singular American talent — one of the great orchestra conductors of his generation, as well as a composer of symphonies, ballets and hit musicals, a teacher and television personality. NPR’s Tom Huizenga’s [inspired playlist]( — for Bernstein fanatics and first-timers alike — includes many of Lenny’s most amazing melodies, examples of his conducting prowess and a sampling of his serious compositions. Be on the lookout for surprises from [Aretha Franklin]( Jay and the Americans and [Tom Waits](. [To celebrate Bernstein’s 100th birthday]( read reflections from NPR’s Jeff Lunden on the complicated man with a complicated personal life. BEFORE YOU GO [Alberta Aurora Chasers captured STEVE in April in British Columbia, Canada. STEVE is the narrow ribbon of white-purple hues overhead, and the vibrant green light on the right is an aurora located further north.]( Ryan Sault - Behold the mysterious ribbon in Canada’s night sky. [It’s name is STEVE](. - [The KGB played a pivotal role in spreading disinformation]( claiming U.S. scientists created AIDS. - Oopsies! The DNC now says the attempted cyberattack they reported to the FBI was really just [a friendly phishing test](. - Don’t have a will? Half of Americans — i[ncluding music legends Aretha Franklin]( and Prince — die without one. --------------------------------------------------------------- Today’s newsletter was written by [Emily Sullivan](. You received this message because you're subscribed to our News emails. | [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002 [NPR]