Daily Briefing: 'We are not OK'

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Hurricane Fiona has brought devastation to the people of Puerto Rico, and now Bermuda is under threat. Reports from a congressional probe show misconduct in for-profit nursing homes. And we'll take a look ahead of Thursday night football as rivals Steelers and Browns go head-to-head.

🙋🏼‍♀️ It's me Nicole Fallert, happy first official day of fall. Before we begin with the news, thank you to all of you who have shared feedback on Daily Briefing. If you haven't dropped a line with our team, we'd love to hear your thoughts.

Let's dive into Thursday's news. 

🌅 Up first: Two people have finally claimed the ticket to win the third-largest jackpot in U.S. history. Read more

Bermuda faces risk of strong waves, damaging winds

After strengthening into a Category 4 storm Wednesday, Hurricane Fiona was forecast to pass Bermuda later this week, bringing threats of blistering winds and surf swells as the storm continues to intensify. The storm flooded Puerto Rico with more than 25 inches of rain in some areas earlier this week, with parts of the island without electricity or running water and under the threat of additional flooding and mudslides, days later. Read more 

One thing to know: Fiona comes on the heels of devastation caused by Hurricane Maria five years ago.

Maria de Jesus Medina, 83, stands in her home in the Ariel neighborhood of Comerío, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 21, 2022. Her apartment was flooded when rains from Hurricane Fiona caused the river and creek in her neighborhood to flash flood.
Maria de Jesus Medina, 83, stands in her home in the Ariel neighborhood of Comerío, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 21, 2022. Her apartment was flooded when rains from Hurricane Fiona caused the river and creek in her neighborhood to flash flood.

Congress hones in on 'horrors' of for-profit nursing homes

The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis held a hearing Wednesday to discuss the findings of a congressional probe into the owners of 850 for-profit nursing homes. Nursing home staff shortages contributed to neglect and deficient care during the pandemic, investigators found, and a byzantine structure helped companies skirt accountability and served to confuse consumers. Read more

A corporate organization chart of Genesis Health provided to Congress showing more than 700 discrete entities. Critics say the organization can help skirt regulations and confuse consumers.
A corporate organization chart of Genesis Health provided to Congress showing more than 700 discrete entities. Critics say the organization can help skirt regulations and confuse consumers.

More news to know now:

🌤 What's the weather up to in your neck of the woods? Check your local forecast here.

Biden says Putin was 'reckless' in veiled nuclear threat

President Joe Biden forcefully condemned the Kremlin's brutal invasion of Ukraine and urged the world to stand firm behind efforts to repel the aggression, telling the United Nations Wednesday that Russian leader Vladimir Putin was "reckless" in issuing a veiled threat about using his nuclear arsenal. The U.N. audience also heard from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose recorded address drew a standing ovation. Zelenskyy said Russia has made no serious effort to negotiate an end to the war. Read more

  • Related coverage: Ukraine warns of "‘nuclear terrorism" after strike near plant.

  • Poland's soccer team captain taking symbol of Ukraine to World Cup.

US President Joe Biden addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City on September 21, 2022.
US President Joe Biden addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City on September 21, 2022.

Here's where gas is cheapest and most expensive

After 98 days of gasoline prices dropping in the United States, the average cost for a gallon of gas increased on Wednesday – but by less than one cent.  And though gas prices have been falling for months, experts have warned that the prices could rise again due to a range of factors, from economic data indicating that the U.S. isn’t going to tip into a recession to a hurricane season hitting hard. Here are the states with the least and most pricy pump prices.

  • What it means for youFed hikes interest rate 0.75 percentage point to tame inflation, and sees aggressive increases ahead.

  • Labor rights: Chipotle to pay New Jersey $7.75 million in child labor law violation settlement.

A man pumps gas into his suv at an Exxon gas station on September 21, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
A man pumps gas into his suv at an Exxon gas station on September 21, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

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Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 3 matchup

Coming off Week 2 losses, Kevin Stefanski's Cleveland Browns and Mike Tomlin's Pittsburgh Steelers face off in a pivotal AFC North matchup for Thursday Night Football. And for the first time since 2004, Ben Roethlisberger isn't part of the Steelers-Browns rivalry, a matchup the Ohio-born-and-bred quarterback dominated for 18 seasons and will now watch with everyone else. Here's a look at the betting details and USA TODAY's NFL staff picks for the Steelers vs. Browns Week 3 game.

A Cleveland Browns fan reacts to the action late in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 31, 2021.
A Cleveland Browns fan reacts to the action late in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 31, 2021.

📷 Photo of the day: Climate activists march in Boston to stop new fossil fuel infrastructure 📷

Climate activists from the group Extinction Rebellion march through the streets after blockading several roads in Boston, Massachusetts, on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. Fifteen people were arrested at various road blocks during the protest to raise awareness on the climate emergency and to call on the state to stop all new fossil fuel infrastructure, including halting those currently in development. Click here to see more photos from the protest.

Climate activists from the group Extinction Rebellion block traffic in Boston, Massachusetts, on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022.
Climate activists from the group Extinction Rebellion block traffic in Boston, Massachusetts, on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022.

A little less heavy

Shay Mitchell attends the Fendi Spring Summer 2023 Show during Milan Fashion Week on September 21, 2022 in Milan, Italy.
Shay Mitchell attends the Fendi Spring Summer 2023 Show during Milan Fashion Week on September 21, 2022 in Milan, Italy.

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note, shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this – subscribe to USA TODAY here.

Associated Press contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Puerto Rico, United Nations, gas prices, NFL: Daily Briefing