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YOUR MORNING

Hurricane Milton closes in on Florida

Hurricane Milton: Hurricane Milton continued to move toward Florida’s west coast Wednesday morning, threatening high winds and storm surge. Millions along the coast remain under evacuation orders, packing roads, draining gas stations and getting out of town before Milton’s anticipated landfall Wednesday night. Tampa Bay, which is home to more than 3.3 million people, faces the possibility of widespread destruction. The area has avoided direct hits from major hurricanes for more than a century. Forecasters expect the storm to retain hurricane strength as it sweeps across central Florida. The latest >

Evacuation orders: Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders across at least 11 Florida counties with a combined population of about 5.9 million people, leading to a mass exit from the state. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned that up to 15 feet of storm surge is forecast for her city, which would be deep enough to swallow an entire house. “So if you’re in it, basically that’s the coffin that you’re in,” Castor said. Some Floridians are choosing not to leave and told NewsNation’s “Banfield” they are “hoping for the best.” Watch >

Plane crash: A plane carrying passengers evacuating from Hurricane Milton crashed near St. Petersburg, Florida, on Tuesday morning, according to police. After crashing, the plane became fully submerged in water and all four passengers on board were rescued. Read more >

Gas shortages: As people try to leave the Sunshine State before Hurricane Milton, traffic backups and gas shortages are posing a problem for evacuees. Following evacuation orders, the exodus has left 17.4% of the state’s fuel stations without gas. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis urged residents Tuesday that “time will be running out” for evacuations. What to know >

Tampa Bay hasn’t been hit directly by a major hurricane since 1921. Milton may be the one >

Why do people fill their bathtubs with water before a hurricane? >

Video: Hurricane hunters take turbulent trip through Milton >

Couple says strangers risked their lives to help them during Helene

Helene: A Tennessee couple is thankful to be alive after surviving Hurricane Helene during an anniversary trip in North Carolina. Ever since, they’ve been trying to give back to strangers who risked their lives to help them. “Their selflessness in everything,” the couple told NewsNation affiliate WKRN. Full report >

North Carolina sheriff demands county manager resign over Helene aid >

Brother of missing Tennessee man still searching for answers >

How Hurricane Helene may affect the election in North Carolina >

How Waffle House helps Southerners — and FEMA — judge a storm’s severity

Waffle House: For some residents in storm-prone areas, an indicator of a hurricane’s severity is whether a Waffle House stays open or shuts down. The metric is known as the Waffle House Index, which some federal officials use to gauge a storm’s severity and identify communities in need. What to know >

When will Hurricane Milton hit Florida? >

Florida taking Hurricane Milton seriously after Helene: Mayor >

Florida hospitals and health care facilities in Hurricane Milton’s path prepare for the worst >

Harris: ‘Not a thing comes to mind’ that she’d have done different than Biden

2024 election: Vice President Kamala Harris made a flurry of media appearances Tuesday across Manhattan. The most lasting impression may have been her unwillingness to break with President Joe Biden’s policies. When asked on “The View” how she would be different than Biden, Harris said they were “obviously two different people,” but could not identify a decision Biden made where she would have gone another way. “There is not a thing that comes to mind,” Harris said. Read more >

GOP scrambles to close fundraising gap in swing states >

Election night recipes: Obama’s chili or Trump’s mom’s meatloaf >

Trump, Harris look to score points amid Helene response >

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs files bail appeal again

Diddy case: Sean “Diddy” Combs has filed his third appeal asking to be released on bond in his sex trafficking case as he awaits trial. In new legal documents obtained by NewsNation, Combs’ legal team argues the music mogul poses “no conceivable flight risk.” Combs was arrested Sept. 16, and has denied all the allegations against him. He is being held in custody after already being denied bail twice. What to know about the Diddy investigation >

Diddy’s mom: ‘My son is not the monster they have painted him to be’ >

Tupac Shakur’s family probes possible Diddy link to murder >

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sexual misconduct allegations, lawsuits: Timeline >

Texas firefighters told to keep ‘heads on a swivel’ after Tren de Aragua arrests

Tren de Aragua: The presence of Tren de Aragua gang members in San Antonio, Texas, has raised alarms, especially among first responders who may be at risk while on the job. San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association President Joe Jones sent a memo warning first responders to “keep your heads on a swivel and watch your six” for gang members, meaning to stay alert and watch their backs. Several gang members were arrested Saturday in San Antonio during a multiagency raid on an apartment complex. People involved with the Venezuelan gang have been illegally entering the U.S. and have been arrested for committing crimes in various parts of the country. Read the latest >

Tren de Aragua gang started in Venezuela’s prisons and now spreads fear in the US >

Border town buys drones for migrant-related emergencies >

Biden OKs proposed ‘4/5 Bridge’ in South Texas >

Insurers attempt to block fire settlement in Hawaii’s high court

Maui fires: Hawaii’s Supreme Court will hear questions about how insurance companies can recoup money already paid to policyholders after the devastating 2023 Maui fires. It’s a decision by the state’s high court that could change the fate of a $4 billion settlement made earlier this year. The August 2023 blaze killed 102 people and devastated part of the island. Officials believe it began from an earlier brushfire that firefighters thought they’d fully extinguished. The latest >

Truck recall: What you need to know

Ram recall: More than 129,000 Ram trucks are being recalled due to faulty turn signals, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall is limited to certain 2023-2024 Ram 1500 models, NHTSA says. “The turn signal self-canceling feature may not function properly,” the agency explained. Details >

Mama bear defeats rival that killed her cub to win Fat Bear Week

Fat Bear Week: With more than 70,000 votes, Grazer was crowned the 2024 Fat Bear Week champion in Alaska. The bear defeated the massive male bear named Chunk that killed her cub over the summer. Read more >

Las Vegas bids farewell to Tropicana with celebration, implosion

Tropicana farewell: The Tropicana Las Vegas resort met a spectacular end early Wednesday morning after being deserted since its April closing date. The Las Vegas classic went down in style with a seven-minute celebration that involved 550 drones and 150 “pyrodrones” counting down to the demolition of the resort built in 1957. Watch >

 WHAT WE’RE WATCHING 👀

We’re keeping an eye on these topics today. Make sure you tune in to our latest coverage and share your thoughts with us on social media!

• Here’s everything you need to know about the candidates on the campaign trail today.

• President Joe Biden will deliver remarks on Hurricane Milton.

• House Speaker Mike Johnson travels to western North Carolina to visit areas affected by Helene flooding.

• The U.S. Supreme Court hears a death penalty appeal from an Oklahoma man on death row.
  

NEWS ACROSS AMERICA

New body camera footage shows the race to save a toddler in Oklahoma from a fentanyl overdose. Video from police >

A Black Hawk helicopter crew was grounded after flying low over a Hurricane Helene donation and supply area in North Carolina, blowing over three tents and scattering items in the air. Video > 

A deacon of a Texas church has been arrested for allegedly confessing to making up a false shooting report during Sunday service that authorities are calling a waste of resources. What to know >

A man faces charges after two men were fatally shot by a fast-food employee at a Chicago restaurant. The investigation > 

At least a dozen people in Kansas claim they have been swindled by a business that installs swimming pools, sparking an investigation by a local district attorney’s office. Read more >

The Flaming Lips member Steven Drozd’s missing daughter Charlotte has reportedly been “found and is safe,” Seattle police told media outlets. The latest > 

Eight former employees at a medical marijuana dispensary in Arkansas have been arrested and accused of fraud. The investigation > 

Some hemp products that are legal to buy in Tennessee may not be by the end of the year after the state’s agriculture department released new regulations. Why some worry they will be put out of business > 

A fire during a street takeover in Cleveland has led to the arrest of a man wanted on an aggravated arson charge. Full report >

The battle continues in Hawaii to fight a destructive and invasive bug that is taking over infested palm trees. Read more >

Football fans weren’t the only ones at Empower Field in Denver on Sunday to watch the Broncos take on the Las Vegas Raiders. A feisty raccoon made a surprise appearance in the stands. Take a look >

Woman met her husband after getting donor lungs from his late sister

A woman from West Virginia got a new chance at life and found the love of her life thanks to organ donation. Read more >

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