Here's the biggest news you missed this weekend
Hurricane Larry pushes severe weather toward East Coast
Days after Hurricane Ida left a staggering, multistate trail of destruction, forecasters are keeping a wary eye on another storm steaming across the Atlantic that could be even more ferocious. Hurricane Larry is making big waves about 1,000 miles southeast of Bermuda on Monday, but a series of smaller, developing storms could create more big problems for battered Louisiana's Gulf Coast. The National Weather Service says the hurricane probably won't make it to the USA, but "significant" swells will, reaching much of the East Coast by midweek and affecting the shoreline through the end of the week.
Louisiana and Mississippi continue cleanup efforts after Hurricane Ida rolled ashore more than a week ago. Almost 500,000 Louisiana electric customers remained without power Monday. Some areas may not have power restored until month's end, authorities warned. The storm was blamed for more than 60 deaths, more than half of them in New York City and New Jersey. President Joe Biden is scheduled to survey storm damage Tuesday.
Hurricane Ida will be 'devastating' to tourism industry in Louisiana.
Before and after images show devastation of New Jersey flooding.
Biden to survey devastation; NYC basement apartments under scrutiny.
New coronavirus infections are up 316% from last Labor Day
Daily coronavirus infections are more than four times what the USA saw on Labor Day last year, or a 316% increase, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Daily deaths are almost twice as high. Blame the highly contagious delta variant and a swath of Americans refusing easily accessible vaccines that most of the developing world is furiously scrambling to obtain. Hospitalizations are up 158% from a year ago, U.S. Health and Human Services data shows. The result: Some U.S. hospitals are getting so crowded with COVID-19 patients that physicians may soon be compelled to make life-or-death decisions on who gets an ICU bed.
👉 COVID-19 news: In-person learning shut down in 1,000 schools since the start of the academic year. Catch up on the latest updates.
COVID-19 antibodies found in breast milk of vaccinated mothers.
What is the COVID-19 mu variant? And is it in the US yet?
Why the push for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots may be premature.
Florida doctor to refuse in-person treatment for unvaccinated patients.
Real quick
McGuire or Maguire? The mystery of how Labor Day began.
"Today" show weatherman Willard Scott dies at 87.
US Navy identifies 5 sailors killed in a helicopter crash near San Diego.
Bucs QB Tom Brady says he contracted COVID-19 this year.
It's a boy! Cardi B welcomes her second child with husband Offset.
Maine landlord finds 19 tarantulas and a python in abandoned apartment.
College football winners and losers: Georgia, UCLA notch big wins.
Shooter in Florida kills 4, including infant; 11-year-old girl injured
A quiet early Sunday morning in Central Florida was shattered by gunfire that led to a shootout between a suspect and police and ended in the deaths of four people. Reports of gunfire led deputies to a truck on fire outside a house in Lakeland, Florida, where Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said two separate shootouts occurred between law enforcement and the suspect, Bryan Riley, 33, of Brandon, Florida. Riley was shot once and surrendered shortly after. After Riley was in custody, police discovered an 11-year-old girl who had been shot "multiple times," as well as a man, two women and an infant dead. Judd said Riley was a Marine Corps veteran and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He spent four years in the Corps before being honorably discharged. He spent three years in the reserves and was working at ESS Global, providing executive protection and security. According to his girlfriend, Riley had PTSD and was occasionally depressed but never violent.
Scene of shooting where four people were killed in Lakeland.
Mass shootings, homicide rates, gun sales hit highest levels since 1990s.
Taliban say they took last holdout province in Afghanistan
The Taliban said Monday that they took control of Panjshir province north of Kabul, the last holdout of anti-Taliban forces and the only province the Taliban had not seized during their blitz across Afghanistan last month. Thousands of Taliban fighters overran eight districts of Panjshir, according to witnesses from the area who spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for their safety. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid issued a statement Monday, saying Panjshir is under the control of Taliban fighters. In northern Balkh province, at least four planes chartered to evacuate several hundred people seeking to escape the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan have been unable to leave the country for days, officials said Sunday.
What happened to US military equipment left in Afghanistan?
DOJ vows to protect those seeking abortion from new Texas law
The Department of Justice announced Monday it would protect people's access to abortion in Texas despite a new state law that bans the procedure after about six weeks of pregnancy. Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a statement saying that the agency would "continue to protect those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services pursuant to our criminal and civil enforcement" of a law known as the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. The statement comes days after the Supreme Court allowed Texas' controversial abortion law to take effect. The law, one of the most restrictive in the country, bans abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy and before many people realize they are pregnant.
Michael K. Williams, star of 'The Wire,' dead at 54
Actor Michael K. Williams, who played Omar Little in “The Wire” and Chalky White in “Boardwalk Empire,” has died. He was 54. The actor was found dead Monday afternoon in his Brooklyn penthouse apartment, the New York City Police Department confirmed. His death was being investigated as a possible drug overdose, police told The Associated Press. Williams, who is up for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series at the Emmy Awards (airing Sept. 19), appeared on many HBO series, including “The Wire,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “The Night Of” and most recently, “Lovecraft Country.” The actor's films included “Inherent Vice,” “12 Years a Slave,” “Gone Baby Gone” and “The Road.” He's currently Emmy-nominated for his role as Montrose Freeman in "Lovecraft Country."
Pete Buttigieg and husband announce birth of twins
Congratulations are in order for Pete Buttigieg and his husband, Chasten, who welcomed twin children. "Chasten and I are beyond thankful for all the kind wishes since first sharing the news that we’re becoming parents," the U.S. secretary of transportation posted Saturday on Twitter. "We are delighted to welcome Penelope Rose and Joseph August Buttigieg to our family." The couple announced last month that they would become parents.
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This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Contributing: The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Larry, Ida recovery, COVID-19, Lakeland, Florida shooting, Taliban, Pete Buttigieg: Biggest news you missed this weekend
