Travel & Weather Disruptions - Labor Day weekend saw millions facing extreme weather, causing travel disruptions and fatalities [1][4] - Thunderstorms in the South and Midwest may affect flights in Miami, Dallas, and Kansas City, while Newark faced delays due to staffing issues [5][6] - TSA screened 174 million passengers returning from Labor Day weekend [7] - Dangerous rip currents led to nearly 600 rescues over the weekend in LA County [7] - Heat wave impacted 25 million people across the West, with temperatures 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above average [8] International Crisis - A 60 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan resulted in at least 800 deaths, with the toll expected to rise [11][13] - The Taliban Health Ministry requested international assistance due to widespread disruption and fragile homes [13] Political & Social Issues - Protests occurred in Chicago against potential deployment of National Guard troops for immigration crackdown [2][14] - Murders are down 32% in Chicago this year, but a Democratic alderman believes federal help is needed [16] - Nine former CDC directors criticized the Health Secretary for endangering public health and downplaying measles vaccines [2][19][21] Human Interest & Rescue - A father rescued a child from a monorail track at Hershey Park [2][27][30] - An Army football player rescued a driver from a burning car [3][42] - Miami Dade Fire Rescue and the Coast Guard rescued four people from a capsized boat 7 miles offshore [43][44] Social Issue: Homelessness - Over 42000 Americans over 65 were homeless last year, and researchers estimate there could be more than 100000 by 2030 [34] - The average social security check has not kept pace with inflation, contributing to senior homelessness [34] Sports - Bill Bellichic is making his college coaching debut at the University of North Carolina, generating significant hype [3][39][40] - UNCC single game and season tickets are sold out [40]

Weather & Travel - Millions face messy travel due to dangerous conditions on the last big weekend of summer [1] - Flash flood warnings are in effect in Texas, with intense rain causing highway crashes involving big rigs [6] - 6 million are under severe risk of flash flooding in Texas and New Mexico, while heat alerts impact 25 million out west [10] - Extreme heat, with temperatures ranging from 90 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, is expected to extend past Labor Day in the West [11] Immigration & Legal Matters - Guatemalan children were seen deplaning after a federal judge blocked their removals from the US [2][12] - A federal judge halted the removals of Guatemalan children for at least 14 days, arguing they are entitled to special due process protections [14] - The president intends to sign an executive order requiring voter ID to vote and ban mail-in voting, which would likely face legal challenges [16] - ICE and Border Patrol plan to increase manpower and scale up operations to arrest immigrants in Chicago as early as this week [18] Crime & Safety - Police are investigating a suspected homicide after a man was found dead at Burning Man Festival [3][23] - Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was seriously hurt with a spinal fracture after a car crash in New Hampshire [3][25] - In Chicago, five people have been killed and 31 others shot this weekend [20] International Affairs - Israel is launching deadly strikes in Gaza City, with a potential ground assault involving 60,000 reservists [4][26] - The Trump administration reportedly discussed a plan to move all 2 million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip with compensation [30] - The Chinese president hosted a summit with leaders from Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and other countries [4][32] Health & Public Safety - New COVID cases are rising across the country, impacting hospitals [36] - The FDA narrowed approvals for the COVID vaccine to adults 65 and over, or younger people with underlying health conditions [37] - CVS will require a COVID vaccine prescription in 13 states plus DC, and won't administer vaccines in 3 states for now [38][39] - 53% of children hospitalized last season had no underlying conditions, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics [41] Human Interest - A boy was rescued after walking on closed monorail tracks at Hershey Park [4][34][36] - A granddaughter's TikTok video of her grandparents singing happy birthday went viral with over 3 million views, leading to over 500 birthday cards from 15 countries and all 50 states for her grandmother's 90th birthday [43][45]