Stanley Cup, Texas Serial Killer, and Child Care Costs

Hurricane Season Begins

The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season officially began yesterday, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicting a 40% chance of a near-normal year.

The six-month season is expected to see between 12 to 17 named storms, characterized by wind speeds of 39 mph or higher. Among these, five to nine storms are projected to reach hurricane strength, with minimum wind speeds of 74 mph, and one to four could become Category 3 hurricanes or stronger, with winds of at least 111 mph. The forecast suggests that Florida will be at higher risk than other regions.

Various factors are expected to contribute to storm development, including warmer sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic and Caribbean oceans, as well as the intensity of African easterly waves, which seed many powerful hurricanes. However, an evolving El Niño pattern will likely reduce overall activity, as increased upper atmospheric winds can break apart emerging storms before they can strengthen (see 101).

See how an average season is calculated here and see the list of names here.

Golden Knights vs. Panthers

The puck drops tomorrow night in Game 1 of hockey's Stanley Cup Finals, with the Vegas Golden Knights taking on the Florida Panthers (8 pm ET, TNT). Both are looking to capture their franchise's first title. 

For Vegas, who joined the league in 2017, the matchup marks its second title series in six seasons of play. The Knights began the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and boast a balanced offensive attack—six players have scored at least six goals during the playoffs, including center Jack Eichel, with six goals and 12 assists. 

While narrowly making the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Panthers proceeded to knock off the first-, second-, and fourth-place teams from the regular season (Boston, Carolina, and Toronto, respectively). Florida's postseason surge has been led by stout goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky, who boasts a 94% shot block rate and an 11-2 record in the playoffs. 

See expert predictions here.

'You're Looking For Me'

A Texas man previously convicted and imprisoned for murder has been charged in connection with two additional deaths, with state officials saying he may be involved in a number of cold cases. Raul Meza Jr. was arrested after turning himself in and admitting to the killing of his roommate last month. 

Meza served five years in prison in 1976 for aggravated robbery and was found guilty of murdering an 8-year-old girl in Austin in 1982. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison but was released on parole after 11 years. He was suspected in the 2019 death of 66-year-old Austin resident Gloria Lofton—with DNA evidence reportedly linking him to the crime—but investigators did not ultimately make an arrest. Last week, Meza called the police and admitted to killing his 80-year-old roommate while implicating himself in Lofton's murder. 

Officials have not provided details on why Meza was not arrested in 2019 and indicated they are reexamining at least 10 murder cases dating back to 1996 that may be linked to Meza. 

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In-Depth

> The Road to Oregon

Alta | Ruby McConnell. The first two pieces in a five-part series exploring the mid-19th century migration to the Pacific Northwest. (Part 1 | Part 2)

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Vice | Daisy Jones. Two decades after the term (and style) became ubiquitous, a look back at the legacy of hipster culture. (Read)

> 'Almost Magical'

Nature | Mark Peplow. New techniques allow researchers to insert and move single atoms within molecules in what may herald the next big scientific breakthrough. (Read)

> How to Punch Like a Movie Star

Vox | Staff. (Video) A Hollywood stunt coordinator explains the secrets that make movie fights appear realistic. (Watch)

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