Hurricane Dorian could be catastrophic
Hurricane Dorian gains strength. Alex Trebek is back in action. And it’s not too late to say sorry to James Comey.
It’s Ashley. Here’s the news you need to know Thursday.
But first, genetics are complicated: The largest study of its kind found new evidence that genes do contribute to same-sex sexual behavior but echoes research that says there's no "gay gene."
Calm before Hurricane Dorian
Floridians are closely monitoring Hurricane Dorian, which could hit the state early Monday as a Category 4 hurricane. If it hits as a Category 4, with winds of 130 mph, the damage could be catastrophic: "Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls," the National Hurricane Center said. Forecasters say it’s too early to tell where Dorian, now a Category 1, will have the greatest impact, but any part of the coast between the Florida Keys and the southern part of Georgia could be a landing spot. After that, the storm’s path would be unpredictable.
The most powerful hurricane in US history was a nameless storm that rocked Florida on Labor Day 1935.
Donated kidneys are being thrown away
About 12 people die every day waiting for a kidney, but an estimated 10 donated kidneys are discarded daily. The U.S. ditches about 3,500 donated kidneys a year, many of which could be used to save lives, new research shows. The study, published Monday, showed the U.S. threw away almost 28,000 donated kidneys between 2004 and 2014, often because the donor had hypertension, diabetes, a heart attack or tested positive for Hepatitis C. Last year, nearly 100,000 Americans were on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.
What everyone’s talking about
- The third Democratic debate lineup is LIVE! Here's who made the cut.
- Bradley Cooper has a mustache now, and the internet is not okay.
- Confused ball boy to Venus Williams, probably: “Ma’am… your coffee."
- A very good
boySecret Service dog is being honored for stopping a White House intruder. - A nearly 18-foot python was caught in Florida. Hours later, a second 🐍 was captured.
What is excellent news?
Legendary "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek delivered the answer to that question Thursday, telling fans he has completed chemotherapy treatments for cancer and is hard at work on Season 36 of the syndicated quiz show. "I've gone through a lot of chemotherapy, and thankfully that is now over. I'm on the mend, and that's all I can hope for right now," said Trebek, 79. Trebek announced his Stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis in March. "Let me tell you, it’s going to be a good year," he said.
Former FBI chief James Comey is off the hook
Former FBI Director James Comey broke bureau rules when he kept memos at home about his interactions with President Donald Trump and then had a friend describe one to The New York Times. The Justice Department's inspector general reported Thursday that the memos shouldn't have been revealed (to lawyers OR reporters) without FBI approval. Yet prosecutors found no reason to file criminal charges against him. Within minutes of the report's release, Comey took to Twitter, asserting that the report had absolved him of any wrongdoing.
Real quick
- An arrest warrant was issued for Los Angeles Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge.
- A judge formally ended the criminal case against Jeffrey Epstein, but not without a final tribute to the women who spoke out against the financier.
- The El Paso shooting suspect says he bought his AK-47 style weapon from Romania and ammunition from Russia, a report says.
- The brother-in-law of a Tampa Bay Rays minor league baseball pitcher is under suicide watch as officials struggle to find a motive in the slaying of the athlete’s family.
- Rep. Ilhan Omar denied allegations by a woman who said Omar was dating her political consultant husband.
This shouldn't be the new normal
A Nevada college student was arrested Wednesday after police found a rifle and 2,000 rounds of ammunition in his car parked on campus. The 27-year-old student told university police he forgot that the weapon and ammo were inside the vehicle, College of Southern Nevada president Federico Zaragoza said.
At a North Carolina university, a 19-year-old freshman "obsessed with mass shootings" was arrested Tuesday in his dorm room with two firearms. He told police he planned to kill his High Point University roommate and himself if he failed to get into a fraternity, prosecutors said.
BRB, y'all
We’re taking the day off of Short List on Monday to celebrate Labor Day (we hope you are, too!). But we’ll be back with all the news you crave on Tuesday. Stay safe this weekend, everyone, especially readers on the East Coast. 💙
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