Good morning, North Carolina! Here's what you need to know today.

The state budget office generated the preliminary figure of $53 billion for damage and potential investments to prevent similar destruction in future storms. "It is no exaggeration to describe Helene as the deadliest and most damaging storm ever to hit North Carolina," Gov. Roy Cooper said while unveiling a request to the General Assembly for $3.9 billion to help pay for repairs and revitalization. He called it a "down payment for western North Carolina's future."

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Expect ample sunshine today with temperatures a few degrees cooler but still above average. We will warm up again Saturday and cool down Sunday.

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Around North Carolina

1. Helene's destruction hasn't stopped N.C. election workers and voters

Finding a new place to set up voting machines — one that hadn't been damaged, had enough room and had access to power — was among the countless hurdles election officials, poll workers and voters have had to manage since Helene brought widespread death and destruction to western North Carolina.

2. Asheville business rebuilds after being washed away during Helene

Many people have seen the viral video of a building in Asheville washing down the river before getting split in half by a power pole. That building was the Asheville Tea Company along the Swannanoa River.

3. 'Ginger-works-of-art’: National Gingerbread House Competition canceled at Omni Park

The Omni Grove Park Inn canceled the event after witnessing the hardships of the community after the Hurricane Helene moved through the Carolinas.

Around The Nation

1. Trump targets hardcore partisans, Harris goes after moderates: Inside the campaign's final sprint

2. McDonald's tries to reassure customers after deadly E. coli outbreak

3. Crew-8 undocks from International Space Station; it will be a more than 30-hour ride home

Editor's Pick - 'I love you, mean it': N.C. community honors fallen hero killed during Helene

Responders and neighbors in western North Carolina came together to honor Battalion Chief Tony Garrison. Officials confirmed on Sept. 27 that Garrison died in the line duty rescuing others during a mudslide caused by Helene. Garrison's nephew Brandon Ruppe was also killed.