5 things to know for Oct. 4: Port strike, Presidential race, Helene’s aftermath, Middle East, Bird Flu | CNN

Some travelers relish planning trips months in advance. Others wait until the last minute to book their flights or renew their passports. If you consider yourself the latter, here’s some good news: The typical processing time for US passports is now four to six weeks, down from the previous wait time of up to eight weeks, the State Department announced.

Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.