Under pressure to control housing costs, Republican lawmakers rejected standards meant to protect against disasters, experts say.

The Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed throughout North Carolina after Tropical Storm Helene tore through the mountains last week, and the National Park Service says it doesn’t know when the road will reopen.

Helene’s death count in North Carolina is by no means final. But Lau was one of dozens known to have been killed after the hurricane’s powerful remnants reached Western North Carolina, with more fatal tragedies yet to be reported or even discovered.