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New Orleans, gulf coast brace for tropical storm Nate.

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The hurricane has sustained winds of 75 mph and is located 495 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River, in the southern Gulf of Mexico.

States from Louisiana to Florida were bracing Friday for Nate, forecast to pound the Gulf Coast this weekend.

A hurricane warning extends from New Orleans to Lake Pontchartrain and Grand Island, Louisiana, eastward to the Alabama-Florida border.

The storm is expected to make landfall by Sunday east of New Orleans, which was devastated 12 years ago by Hurricane Katrina. It would be the third hurricane, after Harvey and Irma, to hit the US mainland in six weeks.

A storm surge warning was put in place from Morgan City to the western part of the Florida Panhandle, as well as along the northern and western shores of Lake Pontchartrain.

"Residents in these areas should heed any evacuation instructions given by local officials," the hurricane center said.

Nate killed at least 24 people as it passed Thursday over Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras, where it caused widespread flash flooding and mudslides, officials said.

The storm was forecast to gain strength as it moved across the Gulf of Mexico Friday night into Saturday and become a hurricane by the time it reaches the northern Gulf Coast, the hurricane center said.

New Orleans gearing up

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu ordered a mandatory evacuation of the Venetian Isles, Lake Catherine and Irish Bayou areas of the city after having already declared a state of emergency Thursday.

"We remain focused on vulnerabilities in Venetian Isles, Lake Catherine and Irish Bayou because these areas are outside of the levee system, and because one of the greatest threats to this storm is not necessarily interior rain, but storm surge. It is a serious concern to us," Landrieu said Friday. "The projections are that we could see six to nine feet of surge."

He said residents must evacuate by 12 p.m. (1 p.m. ET) Saturday, when the nearby flood gates will be closed. The New Orleans Fire Department and Neighborhood Engagement Office will be conducting outreach through Saturday to coordinate the evacuation effort, he added.

With the majority of the storm's impact and storm surge expected to occur overnight, Landrieu also announced a mandatory curfew will take effect Saturday at 6 p.m. and end Sunday morning. In preparation for overnight flooding, he said the city's police department will put up barricades and close underpasses once the curfew is in effect.

"If we all stay informed, if we all stay alert, if we all stay prepared, ultimately, we will all be safe, which is our No. 1 priority," Landrieu said.

Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for all of Louisiana. The storm will "make landfall in the close vicinity of New Orleans," the proclamation noted, adding that six parishes have declared emergencies and others would do so soon.

New Orleans, much of which lies below sea level, was gearing up for a hit, and Landrieu urged people who live "outside the city's levee protection system or in low-lying area" to seek higher ground.

Residents have been wary since the city's unique drainage system experienced critical deficiencies during heavy summer rainstorms, leading to the flooding of several hundred properties.

Of the city's 120 main drainage pumps, three major and nine smaller ones were offline Thursday night, city records show. Also, all 24 major pump stations had backup generators, records show, as only three of five turbines that help power the city's oldest, most powerful pumps were available for service, a city water utility spokeswoman told CNN.

"Residents who live inside the levee system should prepare to take shelter with essential supplies including food, water and medications," the mayor said Thursday.

Edwards authorized 1,300 National Guard troops to mobilize ahead of the storm, with some headed to New Orleans to help monitor the pumps, he said.

Storm to move through quickly

Nate would be the first hurricane to hit Louisiana since Hurricane Isaac in 2012 as a Category 1 storm.

"It will still be fairly strong when it makes landfall, but it will be a quicker moving storm than the last few we have had," CNN meteorologist Haley Brink said. "It's supposed to be in and out pretty quickly."

The storm could drop 3 to 6 inches of rain, with 10 inches possible in some areas, from the central Gulf Coast north through Tennessee and the southern Appalachians through the weekend, possibly spawning flash floods, the hurricane center said.

The last hurricane to hit the Louisiana-Mississippi-Alabama region in October was Hurricane Lili in 2002. The last time three hurricanes hit the mainland in the same year was 2008, when Dolly, Gustav and Ike came through.

Gulf Coast states prepare

Hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge watches were issued late Friday from Florida's border with Alabama east as far as Indian Pass, the hurricane center said. The tropical storm watch was later expanded to include most of Central Alabama and several counties in northwest Georgia, according to local National Weather Service offices.

With parts of Florida still reeling from Hurricane Irma, Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for 29 counties.

"Based on the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center, (Tropical Storm Nate) will continue in the Gulf of Mexico and we expect it to become a hurricane and bring severe weather to the Florida panhandle this weekend," Scott said Friday. "To be clear, Florida is now in the cone."

He told residents to anticipate evacuation zones, warning that bridges will close once wind speeds get to 30-40 miles per hour and people won't be able to evacuate.

"In Florida, we know to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best, but we don't take any chances," Scott said, urging people to get their medications and have three days of food and water. "Please stock up on supplies today, the storm is ... fast-moving."

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant said in a news conference the state was well-prepared for Nate.

Bryant said he had signed an emergency order for a state of emergency in six southern counties.

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency director Lee Smithson said residents should "ride out the storm in the safest place possible" and listen to any evacuation orders.

"We can see a storm surge of up to 10 feet, tornadoes, inland flooding and flooding of low-lying areas. This storm will impact the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast," he said.

Smithson said people needed to prepare for winds of 80 mph, "widespread power outages and be prepared to be on your own for 72 hours with no electricity, no running water, no stores open for food."

In Alabama, a statewide emergency declaration signed by Gov. Kay Ivey went into effect Friday morning. The move "frees up personnel and resources in case there is a need to respond to any storm related activity."

Mayor Sandy Stimpson of Mobile, Alabama, warned residents Friday about storm surge.

"We encourage citizens in low-lying areas to pay special attention to newscasts," he said at a news conference. "There is a projected 4- to 7-(foot) storm surge. It will happen to coincide with high tide, which will give you additional water levels."

Mobile officials were checking storm drains for debris, taking measures to avert power outages and deploying critical equipment. Shelters were prepared to open, if necessary, Stimpson said.

"Don't wait 'til Saturday after dark to decide what you have to do in case things with the storm change," he said.

Deadly storm slams Central America

Of the 24 dead in Nate's passage through Central America, 12 died in Nicaragua, 10 in Costa Rica and two in Honduras, officials said. Several people also were reported missing after the storm hit.

Hundreds were rescued from floodwaters, and many lost power and running water in Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica, officials said.

The main threat for Central America was heavy rainfall, which triggered life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

Costa Rica President Luis Guillermo Solis declared a national state of emergency to assist those affected by the storm.

Rain was expected through Friday night in parts of Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and Belize, forecasters said.
This story has been updated to reflect the latest death toll from authorities.

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hurricane nate heads to us gulf coast - cnn

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The hurricane has sustained winds of 75 mph and is located 495 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River, in the southern Gulf of Mexico. States from Louisiana to Florida were bracing Friday for Nate, forecast to pound the Gulf Coast this weekend.

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'Bump stock' ban opposed byh gun owners groups, Despite NRA stance.

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The bipartisan call to ban or better regulate "bump stocks" after the Las Vegas gunman appeared to use them to boost his arsenal's lethality is facing some resistance from gun-rights advocates, even as the National Rifle Association opens the door to new rules.

Gun Owners of America, a nonprofit lobbying group, announced its opposition Thursday to any such restrictions.

"Gun Owners of America opposes a ban on bump stocks," Executive Director Erich Pratt said in a statement, noting that the Obama administration's ATF allowed the devices "to help gun owners with disabilities fire their weapons."

Pratt added, "Any type of ban will be ignored by criminals and only serve to disarm honest citizens." He said it's "sad to see some Republicans quickly call for a vote on gun control."

"Bump stocks" can be used to effectively convert semi-automatic rifles to fire so rapidly as to simulate an automatic weapon. The devices were found on guns used by Las Vegas shooter, Stephen Paddock, who killed 59 and injured hundreds Sunday night.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have quickly moved to consider new rules and a possible ban on the devices, in a rare point of concurrence for Republicans and Democrats in the gun control debate.
NRA CALLS FOR ATF REVIEW OF 'BUMP STOCKS'
In a major development, the NRA called Thursday for a federal review of "bump stocks" and suggested new rules might be needed, in its first statement on the Las Vegas shooting.

"The NRA believes that devices designed to allow semi-automatic rifles to function like fully-automatic rifles should be subject to additional regulations," the NRA said.

"In Las Vegas, reports indicate that certain devices were used to modify the firearms involved," the NRA said. "Despite the fact that the Obama administration approved the sale of bump fire stocks on at least two occasions, the National Rifle Association is calling on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) to immediately review whether these devices comply with federal law."

But GOA, which on its website features a quote from ex-GOP Rep. Ron Paul calling the group the only "no compromise" gun lobby, tweeted, "No law -- including a 'bump stock' ban -- would've stopped the Las Vegas shooting."

While some congressional Republicans are on board with a "bump stock" review, others are not.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., called the issue a distraction.

"Proposed 'bump fire stock' ban is a red herring that would lead to ban of other firearms and accessories," he tweeted.

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'Bump stock' ban opposed by gun owners group, despite NRA stance

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The bipartisan call to ban or better regulate "bump stocks" after the Las Vegas gunman appeared to use them to boost his arsenal's lethality is facing some resistance from gun-rights advocates, even as the National Rifle Association opens the door to new rules.

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another storm

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The hurricane has sustained winds of 75 mph and is located 495 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River, in the southern Gulf of Mexico.

States from Louisiana to Florida were bracing Friday for Nate, forecast to pound the Gulf Coast this weekend.

A hurricane warning extends from New Orleans to Lake Pontchartrain and Grand Island, Louisiana, eastward to the Alabama-Florida border.

The storm is expected to make landfall by Sunday east of New Orleans, which was devastated 12 years ago by Hurricane Katrina. It would be the third hurricane, after Harvey and Irma, to hit the US mainland in six weeks.

A storm surge warning was put in place from Morgan City to the western part of the Florida Panhandle, as well as along the northern and western shores of Lake Pontchartrain.

"Residents in these areas should heed any evacuation instructions given by local officials," the hurricane center said.

Nate killed at least 24 people as it passed Thursday over Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras, where it caused widespread flash flooding and mudslides, officials said.

The storm was forecast to gain strength as it moved across the Gulf of Mexico Friday night into Saturday and become a hurricane by the time it reaches the northern Gulf Coast, the hurricane center said.

New Orleans gearing up

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu ordered a mandatory evacuation of the Venetian Isles, Lake Catherine and Irish Bayou areas of the city after having already declared a state of emergency Thursday.

"We remain focused on vulnerabilities in Venetian Isles, Lake Catherine and Irish Bayou because these areas are outside of the levee system, and because one of the greatest threats to this storm is not necessarily interior rain, but storm surge. It is a serious concern to us," Landrieu said Friday. "The projections are that we could see six to nine feet of surge."

He said residents must evacuate by 12 p.m. (1 p.m. ET) Saturday, when the nearby flood gates will be closed. The New Orleans Fire Department and Neighborhood Engagement Office will be conducting outreach through Saturday to coordinate the evacuation effort, he added.

With the majority of the storm's impact and storm surge expected to occur overnight, Landrieu also announced a mandatory curfew will take effect Saturday at 6 p.m. and end Sunday morning. In preparation for overnight flooding, he said the city's police department will put up barricades and close underpasses once the curfew is in effect.

"If we all stay informed, if we all stay alert, if we all stay prepared, ultimately, we will all be safe, which is our No. 1 priority," Landrieu said.

Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for all of Louisiana. The storm will "make landfall in the close vicinity of New Orleans," the proclamation noted, adding that six parishes have declared emergencies and others would do so soon.

New Orleans, much of which lies below sea level, was gearing up for a hit, and Landrieu urged people who live "outside the city's levee protection system or in low-lying area" to seek higher ground.

Residents have been wary since the city's unique drainage system experienced critical deficiencies during heavy summer rainstorms, leading to the flooding of several hundred properties.

Of the city's 120 main drainage pumps, three major and nine smaller ones were offline Thursday night, city records show. Also, all 24 major pump stations had backup generators, records show, as only three of five turbines that help power the city's oldest, most powerful pumps were available for service, a city water utility spokeswoman told CNN.

"Residents who live inside the levee system should prepare to take shelter with essential supplies including food, water and medications," the mayor said Thursday.

Edwards authorized 1,300 National Guard troops to mobilize ahead of the storm, with some headed to New Orleans to help monitor the pumps, he said.

Storm to move through quickly

Nate would be the first hurricane to hit Louisiana since Hurricane Isaac in 2012 as a Category 1 storm.

"It will still be fairly strong when it makes landfall, but it will be a quicker moving storm than the last few we have had," CNN meteorologist Haley Brink said. "It's supposed to be in and out pretty quickly."

The storm could drop 3 to 6 inches of rain, with 10 inches possible in some areas, from the central Gulf Coast north through Tennessee and the southern Appalachians through the weekend, possibly spawning flash floods, the hurricane center said.

The last hurricane to hit the Louisiana-Mississippi-Alabama region in October was Hurricane Lili in 2002. The last time three hurricanes hit the mainland in the same year was 2008, when Dolly, Gustav and Ike came through.

Gulf Coast states prepare

Hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge watches were issued late Friday from Florida's border with Alabama east as far as Indian Pass, the hurricane center said. The tropical storm watch was later expanded to include most of Central Alabama and several counties in northwest Georgia, according to local National Weather Service offices.

With parts of Florida still reeling from Hurricane Irma, Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for 29 counties.

"Based on the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center, (Tropical Storm Nate) will continue in the Gulf of Mexico and we expect it to become a hurricane and bring severe weather to the Florida panhandle this weekend," Scott said Friday. "To be clear, Florida is now in the cone."

He told residents to anticipate evacuation zones, warning that bridges will close once wind speeds get to 30-40 miles per hour and people won't be able to evacuate.

"In Florida, we know to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best, but we don't take any chances," Scott said, urging people to get their medications and have three days of food and water. "Please stock up on supplies today, the storm is ... fast-moving."

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant said in a news conference the state was well-prepared for Nate.

Bryant said he had signed an emergency order for a state of emergency in six southern counties.

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency director Lee Smithson said residents should "ride out the storm in the safest place possible" and listen to any evacuation orders.

"We can see a storm surge of up to 10 feet, tornadoes, inland flooding and flooding of low-lying areas. This storm will impact the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast," he said.

Smithson said people needed to prepare for winds of 80 mph, "widespread power outages and be prepared to be on your own for 72 hours with no electricity, no running water, no stores open for food."

In Alabama, a statewide emergency declaration signed by Gov. Kay Ivey went into effect Friday morning. The move "frees up personnel and resources in case there is a need to respond to any storm related activity."

Mayor Sandy Stimpson of Mobile, Alabama, warned residents Friday about storm surge.

"We encourage citizens in low-lying areas to pay special attention to newscasts," he said at a news conference. "There is a projected 4- to 7-(foot) storm surge. It will happen to coincide with high tide, which will give you additional water levels."

Mobile officials were checking storm drains for debris, taking measures to avert power outages and deploying critical equipment. Shelters were prepared to open, if necessary, Stimpson said.

"Don't wait 'til Saturday after dark to decide what you have to do in case things with the storm change," he said.

Deadly storm slams Central America

Of the 24 dead in Nate's passage through Central America, 12 died in Nicaragua, 10 in Costa Rica and two in Honduras, officials said. Several people also were reported missing after the storm hit.

Hundreds were rescued from floodwaters, and many lost power and running water in Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica, officials said.

The main threat for Central America was heavy rainfall, which triggered life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

Costa Rica President Luis Guillermo Solis declared a national state of emergency to assist those affected by the storm.

Rain was expected through Friday night in parts of Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and Belize, forecasters said.
This story has been updated to reflect the latest death toll from authorities.

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hurricane nate heads to us gulf coast - cnn

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The hurricane has sustained winds of 75 mph and is located 495 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River, in the southern Gulf of Mexico. States from Louisiana to Florida were bracing Friday for Nate, forecast to pound the Gulf Coast this weekend.

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19 men and women were killed after train slams into a bus in Russia

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Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry says that 19 citizens of the ex-Soviet nation were killed when a train slammed into a bus carrying them near Moscow.

Russia's state Investigative Committee said that another five passengers of the bus were injured in Friday's collision, which occurred in the town of Pokrov, about 85 kilometers (53 miles) east of Moscow.

The Uzbek Foreign Ministry said that 56 people on the bus were Uzbek citizens and two others, drivers, from Kazakhstan. The local administration said that the bus was carrying migrant workers from Uzbekistan heading to their native country.

According to preliminary information, the bus got stuck in a railway crossing because of a technical malfunction. The train's driver hit the brakes, but was unable to prevent the collision.

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19 killed in Russia after train hits bus stuck on crossing

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Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry says that 19 citizens of the ex-Soviet nation were killed when a train slammed into a bus carrying them near Moscow. Russia's state Investigative Committee said that another five passengers of the bus were injured in Friday's collision, which occurred in the...

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19 killed in Russia after train hits bus stuck on crossing.

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Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry says that 19 citizens of the ex-Soviet nation were killed when a train slammed into a bus carrying them near Moscow.

Russia's state Investigative Committee said that another five passengers of the bus were injured in Friday's collision, which occurred in the town of Pokrov, about 85 kilometers (53 miles) east of Moscow.

The Uzbek Foreign Ministry said that 56 people on the bus were Uzbek citizens and two others, drivers, from Kazakhstan. The local administration said that the bus was carrying migrant workers from Uzbekistan heading to their native country.

According to preliminary information, the bus got stuck in a railway crossing because of a technical malfunction. The train's driver hit the brakes, but was unable to prevent the collision.

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19 killed in Russia after train hits bus stuck on crossing

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Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry says that 19 citizens of the ex-Soviet nation were killed when a train slammed into a bus carrying them near Moscow. Russia's state Investigative Committee said that another five passengers of the bus were injured in Friday's collision, which occurred in the...

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Louisiana declared evacuation as Tropical Storm Nate is headed directly toward them

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The mayor of New Orleans late Thursday declared a state of emergency for the city ahead of Tropical Storm Nate, which has already been blamed for 22 deaths in Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

The city's mayor Mitch Landrieu said residents who live outside the city's levee system or in low-lying areas should move to higher ground.

"There is no need to panic," he tweeted. "Be ready and prepare. Get a plan. Prepare to protect your personal property."

Evacuations were ordered Thursday for parts of Louisiana, including St. Bernard Parish east of New Orleans.

In New Orleans, officials were outlining how they intend to fortify that city's pump and drainage system after flash floods this summer exposed weaknesses in the system.

In Florida, the western Panhandle was facing a potential threat as it just outside the eastern edge of Nate's 3-day forecast cone but inside the edge of the 5-day cone.

A direct impact to South Florida is not expected but the area will likely see some more rain this weekend as Nate churns up through the Gulf.

"Nate will pass well to the west of South Florida, so that means a continued deep flow of moisture from the south and a good chance of showers and thunderstorms during the weekend," said Dennis Feltgen, spokesperson for the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.

The storm's maximum sustained wind speeds stayed at 40 mph for much of the day Thursday but those winds were expected to intensify when Nate emerges over the Caribbean Sea Thursday night.

Nate is the busy 2017 Atlantic hurricane season's latest named storm, having originated from Tropical Depression 16 - which developed Wednesday in the southwestern Caribbean Sea.

In the past 24 hours, Nate's projected path has changed, with the track shifting west and farther away from Florida.

Initially, the official forecast track from the National Hurricane Center on Wednesday had the storm's core headed straight for Florida's northern Gulf Coast near Panama City Beach.

That changed overnight. The storm's center as of Thursday was headed toward the general vicinity of the mouth of the Mississippi River at the southeastern tip of Louisiana.

U.S. Gulf Coast population centers within the cone as of Thursday included Baton Rouge and New Orleans in Louisiana; Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula in Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama.

But forecasters say that the cone doesn't tell the whole story.

"The center of the storm can be anywhere inside the track forecast uncertainty cone," Feltgen said. "And remember, this cone has nothing to do with the impacts, which will be over a much wider area."

In Nicaragua, Nate's arrival followed two weeks of near-constant rain that had left the ground saturated and rivers swollen, the Associated Press reported. Authorities placed the whole country on alert and warned of flooding and landslides.

Nicaragua's vice president and spokeswoman, Rosario Murillo, said that at least 15 people had died in that country due to the storm. She didn't give details on all the deaths, but said two women and a man who worked for the Health Ministry were swept away by a flooded canal in the central municipality of Juigalpa.

The government closed schools nationwide.

Costa Rica's President Luis Guillermo Solis blamed two deaths in that country on the storm. Flooding drove 5,000 residents into emergency shelters.

As of the 5 p.m. Thursday update from the National Hurricane Center, Nate's core was expected to travel over eastern Honduras Thursday evening after passing over eastern Nicaragua for much of the day Thursday. Nate was expected to travel over the Caribbean Sea Thursday night and Friday.

"Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts," the hurricane center said in its 8 p.m. advisory. "Strengthening is likely once the center moves over the northwestern Caribbean Sea tonight and Friday, and Nate could be near hurricane strength as the center approaches the Yucatan Peninsula."
The Associated Press contributed to this report

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Tropical Storm Nate: New Orleans declares state of emergency ahead of storm

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The mayor of New Orleans late Thursday declared a state of emergency for the city ahead of Tropical Storm Nate, which has already been blamed for 22 deaths in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The city's mayor Mitch Landrieu said residents who live outside the city's levee system or in low-lying areas should move to higher ground.

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The investigation into what drove Stephen Paddock to open fire on a music festival in Las Vegas last Sunday is crawling into its fifth day with ever-mounting questions and few answers.

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The investigation into what drove Stephen Paddock to open fire on a music festival in Las Vegas last Sunday is crawling into its fifth day with ever-mounting questions and few answers.

Paddock, the lone suspect according to Las Vegas police, killed himself in the hotel suite he had rented on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino as police closed in on his location. And along with Paddock went any clear answer for why he opened fire on the festival and killed 58 people and wounded 489 others.

Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo, the public face of the investigation, has had few answers for why Paddock committed the crime. Authorities did not hold a press conference on Thursday, the first day since Sunday there was none.

Sunday's attack was in stark contrast to recent mass shootings, which have had motives surface soon afterward. Omar Mateen, who killed 49 people at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida in June 2016, called police to confess to being an ISIS sympathizer while still in the club. When Nidal Hassan shot and killed 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009 authorities were already aware he had reached out to radical clerics in the Middle East. Dylann Roof walked into a church in Columbia, South Carolina in December 2016 and killed nine people only after telling friends he planned to kill people and posting a manifesto espousing white supremacy.

The investigation into Paddock has had no such crystalizing context.

Lombardo has said investigators are looking at a computer and multiple electronic devices found in the suite at the Mandalay Bay hotel. Authorities have also removed evidence from homes Paddock owned in Mesquite and Reno, Nevada. There have not been any revelations so far.

Authorities also found a note in Paddock's hotel room but said it was not a suicide note. The contents are unknown.

Police say there is no question the attack was "meticulously planned," as Lombardo described it. The shooter brought 10 luggages worth of weapons -- 23 guns, many of them rifles, and thousands of rounds of ammunition -- up to his hotel room.

Lombardo said on Wednesday Paddock may have had help and that he planned to escape the scene, but provided no further details on either piece of information.

Authorities' best hopes seemed to be pinned on the girlfriend of Paddock, Marilou Danley, who was in the Philippines at the time of the shooting. Danley returned to the U.S. on Tuesday night and began speaking with the FBI on Wednesday. Danley, however, has told authorities she had no idea Paddock was planning an attack and her lawyer read a statement saying she knew him as "a kind, caring man."

Paddock bought Danley a plane ticket to her native Philippines and wired her $100,000, according to authorities. However, she's said she thought the dual purchases were a context to breaking up with her.

Danley continues to cooperate fully with authorities.

Less than 24 hours after the attack, Eric Paddock, Stephen's brother, told reporters outside his home that his brother had no connection to political or religious groups, and no obvious motives.

About the only clues into a reason for the attack center around Paddock's mental state. A person briefed on findings from the investigation told ABC News' Brian Ross that Paddock's mental state was deteriorating in the months prior to the attack, including weight gain, an increasingly slovenly appearance and an obsession with Danley's ex-husband.

The biggest revelations on Thursday into the investigation spoke more to the planning of Paddock than motive. Officials briefed on the investigation told ABC News that Paddock had booked hotel rooms in Chicago in early August coinciding with Lollapalooza, the massive annual music festival held in Grant Park. A source with the Chicago Police Department confirmed to ABC News that Paddock had reservations at The Blackstone Hotel, across from the park, though the hotel said no one with the name Paddock had stayed in their hotel in August.

A source also indicated to ABC News that Paddock had searched for hotels around Fenway Park in Boston, but there was no indication he had traveled there.

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Motive remains elusive five days after Las Vegas massacre

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The investigation into what drove Stephen Paddock to open fire on a music festival in Las Vegas last Sunday is crawling into its fifth day with ever-mounting questions and few answers. Paddock, the lone suspect according to Las Vegas police, killed himself in the hotel suite he had rented on the...

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Tropical Storm Nate is headed toward Mexico and the U.S. Gulf Coast after hitting Central America, leaving at least 22 people dead.

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Tropical Storm Nate is headed toward Mexico and the U.S. Gulf Coast after hitting Central America, leaving at least 22 people dead.

Nate is expected to reach the eastern Yucatan peninsula by Friday evening and the northern Gulf Coast by Saturday evening, according to forecasters.

Here's what you need to know.
Where is Nate now?
Nate is about 115 miles northeast of Guanaja, Honduras, and about 230 miles south-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center's 7 a.m. ET Friday advisory.

The storm has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and is moving north-northwest at 14 mph.
What else do you need to know?
A tropical storm warning is in effect for parts of Honduras and Nicaragua as well as parts of Mexico.

A hurricane watch is in effect for Morgan City, La., to the Mississippi-Alabama border. New Orleans, the Lake Pontchartrain and the Lake Maurepas areas are also under a hurricane watch.

A tropical storm watch is also in effect for west of Morgan City, La., to Intracoastal City, La.

Forecasters predict that Nate will become a hurricane by the time it reaches the northern Gulf of Mexico as it strengthens.

The U.S. Central Gulf Coast states should expect to experience three to six inches of rain, according to the National Hurricane Center.

In Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards already declared a state of emergency and mobilized 1,300 National Guard troops, with 15 headed to New Orleans to monitor the fragile pumping system there.

With forecasts projecting landfall in southeast Louisiana as a Category 1 hurricane, Edwards urged residents to ready for rainfall, storm surge and severe winds - and to be where they intend to hunker down by "dark on Saturday."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Tropical Storm Nate: Track its path here

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Tropical Storm Nate is headed toward Mexico and the U.S. Gulf Coast after hitting Central America, leaving at least 22 people dead. Nate is expected to reach the eastern Yucatan peninsula by Friday evening and the northern Gulf Coast by Saturday evening, according to forecasters. Here's what you need to know.

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Tens of thousands of young people eligible for renewed protection from deportation had yet to submit their applications hours before a Trump administration deadline Thursday night.

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Tens of thousands of young people eligible for renewed protection from deportation had yet to submit their applications hours before a Trump administration deadline Thursday night.

Under a phase-out plan announced by the president last month, more than 150,000 people covered by the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program were invited to submit renewal applications by Oct. 5. DACA shielded hundreds of thousands of people from deportation and allowed them to work legally in the country.

The Department of Homeland Security said about 118,000 out of the roughly 154,000 people eligible for renewals had submitted their applications by midday Thursday.

That leaves 36,000 - or about 23 percent of those eligible - outstanding.

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Tens of thousands have yet to submit DACA renewals

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Tens of thousands of young people eligible for renewed protection from deportation had yet to submit their applications hours before a Trump administration deadline Thursday night. Under a phase-out plan announced by the president last month, more than 150,000 people covered by the...

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remarkable maneuver with wind turbine blade over bridge.

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remarkable maneuver with wind turbine blade - cnn video

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Remarkable maneuver with wind turbine blade - CNN Video

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A trailer carrying a 57.5 meter (189 foot) wind turbine blade makes a stunning 90-degree turn over a bridge in Scotland.

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The patriots are so far away from the Super Bowl Champs. They are 3-2 and they almost lost to the Buccaneers the score was 19-14.

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Phelan Ebenhack/Associated Press
Tom Brady is a modern marvel, but he can't do everything for the New England Patriots. Sometimes it feels like the 40-year-old quarterback can do anything, but even if Brady plays at a high level, the current rendition of Bill Belichick's squad isn't capable of another Super Bowl run.

Coaches will always take a poorly played victory over an outstanding performance in a loss. Belichick must be concerned, though.

A sloppily played 19-14 victory Thursday over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers only accentuated the Patriots' negatives instead of building anything positive.

Once thought of as the NFL's best, New England's roster has been exposed in five weeks of play, starting with the offensive line, extending into the skill positions and permeating throughout the entire defense.

The D received so much attention because of its poor play-and rightfully so- but the offensive line's performance has been downright abysmal.

Brady is a master of subtle pocket movement. He's not the most athletic quarterback, but he's quite mobile, which can be seen in the way he navigates his protection. Furthermore, the veteran signal-caller usually displays a propensity to get the ball out quickly. This combination often made the Patriots offensive line look superior to the opponent's pass rush.

Offensive tackles Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon proved to be particularly stout. Their performances helped propel New England to its fifth Super Bowl victory.

However, the same starting five from last season-when the team surrendered only 24 sacks-is still in place yet playing much worse.

With three sacks surrendered Thursday, Brady has already been brought to the ground 16 times, once more than he was in 12 regular-season games last year.

Solder, in particular, looked out of sorts. Two penalties were called against the left tackle, and the 29-year-old blocker struggled to mirror edge-rushers.

Another poor performance isn't anything new. Pressure got to Brady during the first four contests, too, per PFF NE Patriots:

PFF NE Patriots @PFF_NewEngland
Total pressures allowed by Patriots OL: Shaq Mason 6 David Andrews 11 Joe Thuney 11 Nate Solder 13 Marcus Cannon 15 (3 games)
2017-10-5 14:45:13

Even a grand maestro like Brady can't operate when continually pressured. The veteran operates with surgical precision when allotted enough time in the pocket and weapons that create separation. Sometimes, the future Hall of Fame inductee doesn't even need a receiver to be open in the traditional sense. His touch throwing the spheroid borders on supernatural.

Mistakes occur when pressure ensues. Brady can be rattled and forced into turnovers. In fact, he committed two Thursday. An errant pass led to an interception early in the contest. A strip-sack occurred in the second half.

When Brady is kept clean, he needs those around him to turn into playmakers.

The Patriots lacked mismatches against the Buccaneers without tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Julian Edelman in the lineup. Gronkowski turned into a surprise scratch because of a lingering thigh injury, per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.

Instead, Brandin Cooks, Danny Amendola and Chris Hogan picked up the slack. These three targets combined for 21 receptions, 236 yards and a touchdown.

None of those three scare defenses. Cooks has the potential to do so, but he still doesn't appear to be on the same page with Brady and dropped a pair of passes.

Tight end altogether disappeared from the scheme in Gronkowski's absence. Rookie Jacob Hollister forced a defensive penalty, but he didn't catch a pass. Neither did Dwayne Allen.

Gronk's importance to the offense can't be understated. The fact Brady basically avoided the position without him in the lineup shows how much the team missed the four-time All-Pro performer.

Even with Gronk, Brady has been forced to throw into tighter windows this season, per NFL.com's Matt Harmon:

Matt Harmon @MattHarmon_BYB
Noted in the #NextGenStats All-Pro piece that Brady was throwing into tight windows more. Back down to 13.5% tonight https://t.co/EbSNb60urQ https://t.co/QsJpBm3DNj
2017-10-6 03:03:57

Despite being short-handed at the skill positions, the NFL's top-rated offense still managed 402 yards.

Meanwhile, the defense must be driving Belichick mad. Granted, everyone already thought the Patriots head coach already had a little mad scientist in him, but this year's unit is awful.

The league's worst defensive squad allowed 409 more yards to Jameis Winston and his crew. Two things became obvious during the performance.

First, the Patriots are soft along the defensive line.

Once Doug Martin entered the contest, he easily gained chunks of yardage and finished with 74 rushing yards on only 13 carries. Whether it's Malcom Brown, Alan Branch or Adam Butler along the interior, New England lacks a true physical presence, and Vince Wilfork isn't walking through that door. He's too busy barbecuing.

Winston managed 334 passing yards despite an off night and had the Buccaneers in a position to win late in the contest. Tampa Bay's quarterback became the fifth signal-caller in five games this season to throw for 300 or more yards against the Patriots secondary.

Last week, communication issues plagued the group. As a response, defensive coordinator Matt Patricia decided to play softer coverages in an attempt to prevent big plays-which it did.

The Buccaneers found themselves in Patriots territory eight times and came away with only 14 points. Granted, kicker Nick Folk's 0-of-3 nightmare helped. Still, New England needed some type of confidence-building performance, and the bend-but-down-break approach worked better for the team's defensive backs.

"Pretty much everything," Belichick said when asked what areas the defense improved upon compared to the previous four weeks, per ESPN.com's Mike Reiss.

Patricia's defense might have performed even better if not for multiple bone-headed mistakes. New England gifted Tampa Bay with three first downs with penalties after stopping it.

As for not delivering on preseason expectations, the Buccaneers are in the same boat as the Patriots (pun intended).

Dirk Koetter's squad became a chic pick to take over the NFC South and make the playoffs. Instead, the team is just trying to keep its head above water. Winston has yet to provide an efficient performance. DeSean Jackson seemingly isn't happy with his usage. Meanwhile, the defense is dealing with multiple injuries and isn't operating at a level necessary to succeed.

Whereas the Bucs have no track record of fixing crippling issues, the Patriots do. They've made Super Bowl runs seem commonplace because their two key components haven't left. Brady and Belichick steer the organization toward its true north. But they can't keep the Pats as a Super Bowl contender forever.

At some point, the Patriots dynasty will end. This inevitability may occur sooner rather than later if the issues around Tom Brady aren't fixed.
Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter:@brentsobl eski.

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Despite TNF Victory, New England Patriots Still Far from Super Bowl Contenders

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Phelan Ebenhack/Associated Press Tom Brady is a modern marvel, but he can't do everything for the New England Patriots. Sometimes it feels like the 40-year-old quarterback can do anything, but even if Brady plays at a high level, the current rendition of Bill Belichick's squad isn't capable of another Super Bowl run.

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Elon Musk is planning to help with the situation the Puerto Rico is without power. He is saying that his companey's solar unit can help in getting that power back for a long time.

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Elon Musk is offering to solve Puerto Rico's energy crisis -- for the long haul.

Millions of Puerto Ricans are living in the dark at home after Hurricane Maria pummeled the island, knocking out its already fragile electric grid. Two weeks later, only 9% of residents have electricity, according to Puerto Rican government figures.

Musk, the CEO of electric-car maker Tesla , suggested his company's solar power unit could be a long-term solution.

"The Tesla team has done this for many smaller islands around the world, but there is no scalability limit, so it can be done for Puerto Rico," Musk tweeted Thursday morning, adding that the decision is up to Puerto Rican government officials.

Related: Puerto Rico's pension system is still in crisis

They didn't take long to respond.

"@elonMusk Let's talk. Do you want to show the world the power and scalability of your #TeslaTechnologies? PR could be that flagship project," Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló tweeted Thursday night.

A Tesla-powered system would be a complete reversal for Puerto Rico's energy grid. Right now, the island imports and burns oil to generate electricity.

Under that antiquated system, ordinary Puerto Ricans have been paying exorbitantly high electric bills for years. Several told CNNMoney this week that a monthly electric bill can easily go for $250.

Related: Elon Musk promises world's biggest lithium ion battery to Australia

Tesla has built solar energy grids for islands before, such as Kauai in Hawaii. However, that island's population is about 70,000 people. Puerto Rico has 3.4 million residents.

Musk has previously stepped into other energy crises around the world. In July, he promised to deliver the world's largest lithium ion battery to help communities in South Australia that have been suffered from power shortages.

Last November, Tesla acquired energy firm SolarCity for $2.6 billion.

CNNMoney (New York) First published October 5, 2017: 10:04 PM ET

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Can Elon Musk fix Puerto Rico's broken power grid?

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk said it would be possible to rebuild Puerto Rico's electric grid using solar power. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello replied, "Let's talk."

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Will Trump allow release of final JFK assassination documents?

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That is, unless President Donald Trump, citing national security, certifies that some unreleased or redacted files be kept from public view.

The documents are among the last of still-secret papers the government amassed on the assassination. Some grand jury and tax documents will remain secret.

The JFK Records Act passed in 1992, following the release of the Oliver Stone movie "JFK" and a surge in interest about the killing. The law mandated the government release the remaining files to the public and gave it 25 years to do so. October 26, 2017, will mark 25 years since then-President George H.W. Bush signed the measure into law and is the deadline for full release.

But concern has abounded from advocates of total disclosure that the Trump administration might block some of the release at the behest of the intelligence community.

The National Archives said government agencies had deemed files covered by the act prior to its passage too sensitive for release, and the Archives would not characterize them outside of noting many are likely only somewhat related to the investigation.

They run the gamut from FBI to CIA materials and all manner of documents said to pertain to investigations into Kennedy's death.

The Archives said the full collection -- much of which is already publicly available -- spans millions of documents.

Many files have been released about the Kennedy assassination over the years, including some in redacted form. Barring a waiver from the President, the obscured text will berevealed, and the Archives posted a tranche of files in July ahead of the October deadline.

CIA spokesperson Nicole de Haay said, "CIA continues to engage in the process to determine the appropriate next steps with respect to any previously-unreleased CIA information."

The FBI and the White House did not respond to requests for comment on the upcoming deadline.

'It's time to let the people know the truth'

Two Republican lawmakers said they intend to push the administration to release the full archives.

Rep. Walter Jones, R-North Carolina, and Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, have unveiled legislation urging full compliance with the spirit of the 1992 law.

In an interview with CNN, Jones said his next step would be to reach out to political consultant Roger Stone -- an ally of the President and co-author of a boo k that claims President Lyndon Johnson was at the center of a conspiracy to kill JFK -- to lobby Trump personally on full release. Stone is an outspoken advocate for complete disclosure of the Kennedy files.

"I'm going to play that card," Jones said of reaching out to Stone.

Jones said reading a book by Larry Sabato, a leading researcher into the assassination, sparked his interest in the files and led him to take action. He said he will continue working with his colleagues to drum up public demand for the Kennedy papers. He said there was no justification for the government to withhold some files and called it plain "wrong" to keep information from the public.

"For God's sake, it's time to let the people know the truth," Jones said.

Jones said he was unsure if there would be any major revelation in the remaining files and described the process of studying the assassination as "like a puzzle" where different pieces of information could eventually build a complete story.

Grassley took to Twitter following the two Republicans' announcement on their efforts, saying it was an example of over-classification.

Widespread speculation

The full release of the documents would mark the end of a decades-long struggle for researchers to get a hold of all available information, but will certainly not quell the debate over Kennedy's death.

The US government, via the Warren Commission report, declared Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone and without assistance to kill Kennedy before Jack Ruby murdered him while in custody.

The Warren Commission report did little to put alternate theories to rest.

For his part, Jones said he thought others besides Oswald were involved in the murder but that he could not speak to what degree without access to more information.

"My thinking is that there were other individuals and possibly agencies that were complicit," Jones said.

There has been widespread public speculation and in-depth research about the Kennedy assassination. A Gallup poll in 2013 showed 61% of respondents said more than one person was involved in the shooting and some pointed to the Mafia, the government, the CIA, Cuba and others as playing a role.

Trump himself touted an alternate theory to the Kennedy assassination on the campaign trail last year, when he alleged Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz's father could have been a part of a plot to kill Kennedy. Trump's comments were widely criticized.

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final jfk assassination files due for release - cnnpolitics

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Will Trump release final JFK assassination documents?

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That is, unless President Donald Trump, citing national security, certifies that some unreleased or redacted files be kept from public view. The documents are among the last of still-secret papers the government amassed on the assassination. Some grand jury and tax documents will remain secret.

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Texas man cleared of killing daughter, 2, after son, 7, confesses

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A capital murder charge against a North Texas man in the 2015 death of his 2-year-old daughter has been dismissed after prosecutors learned her older brother admitted causing the death.

The father, Anthony Michael Sanders, 33, was accused of smothering Ellie Mae Sanders at their home in the Fort Worth suburb of Watauga. Investigators believed Sanders held his hand over the girl's mouth out of anger for her interrupting his computer games.

Jailed since April 2016, Sanders denied responsibility. He said he found his daughter not breathing after his son, then 5, reported that she was asleep and would not wake up.

But the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports prosecutors recently learned the boy, now 7, had told his mother that he had hit his sister with a pillow and the pillow was too heavy to remove from the girl's head.

Sanders' defense attorney said his client as "elated" the charges were dropped.

The Star-Telegram reported that the girl was found with some bruises and two bite marks, but Sanders' attorney said any further charges would be up to the district attorney.

"It's my understanding that it's over," he told the paper. "There will be no more charges coming out of it."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Texas man cleared of killing daughter, 2, after son, 7, confesses

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A capital murder charge against a North Texas man in the 2015 death of his 2-year-old daughter has been dismissed after prosecutors learned her older brother admitted causing the death. The father, Anthony Michael Sanders, 33, was accused of smothering Ellie Mae Sanders at their home in the Fort Worth suburb of Watauga.

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A man was arrested for saying that "it's not murder if they're black". He posted it on the website 4chan, where the coppers tracked it to the Panera where he bought something, and he was arrested.

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The FBI arrested a sex offender registered in Virginia they suspect threatened to murder black students at Howard University through online message boards.

John Edgar Rust in 2015 allegedly used the in-store Wi-Fi at an Alexandria Panera to share his vicious messages on the website 4Chan - which allows users to post anonymously, according to the FBI affidavit.

The 26-year-old wrapped his online threats by saying, "After all, it's not murder if they're black," authorities said.

Investigators were able to trace the posts back to the Panera and determined Rust connected his computer to the eatery's Wi-Fi and made a purchase there the same day, according to court documents

He was arrested and faces a maximum 5-year prison sentence. He was charged with "transmission in interstate commerce of a comunication containing threats to injure the person of another."

(The Washington Post/The Washington Post/Getty Images)

Howard University in a tweet said it was "relieved" by Rust's arrest. The Maryland school increased security on campus and at nearby Metro stops after the threats were first posted nearly two years ago, according to NBC Washington.

Students also held demonstrations and rallies to condemn the divisive posts, laden with expletives and racial slurs.

This isn't the first time Rust has been in trouble with the law. He was convicted in November 2012 on two sex charges - idecent liberties with a child and aggravated sexual battery of a minor - and is currently on supervised probation for both crimes, WRTV reported. He is listed among those in the Virginia sex offender registry.

Rust is slated to appear before a federal judge Thursday afternoon.
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Man charged after saying 'It's not murder if they're black'

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The FBI arrested a sex offender registered in Virginia they suspect threatened to murder black students at Howard University through online message boards. John Edgar Rust in 2015 allegedly used the in-store Wi-Fi at an Alexandria Panera to share his vicious messages on the website 4Chan - which allows users to post anonymously, according to the FBI affidavit.

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The 2017 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons for the groups work "to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons.

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2017 nobel peace prize winner announced - cnn video

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2017 Nobel Peace Prize winner announced - CNN Video

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The 2017 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons for the groups work "to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons."

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All of the lives lost in the Vegas shooting.

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Carrie Barnette was a Disney employee, Walt Disney Co. Chairman and CEO Robert Iger said on Twitter. Barnette had worked for Disney for 10 years and was "beloved by her friends and colleagues," Iger said. "A senseless, horrific act and a terrible loss for so many. We mourn a wonderful member of the Disney family."

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Victims of the Las Vegas concert shooting

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On Sunday night, as a crowd of about 22,000 people took in the final performance at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, a gunman fired into the crowd, killing at least 58 and injuring hundreds more. Here we remember the lives lost.

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New Orleans, and states from Louisiana to Florida are bracing for Tropical Storm Nate.

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The hurricane has sustained winds of 75 mph and is located 495 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River, in the southern Gulf of Mexico.

States from Louisiana to Florida were bracing Friday for Nate, forecast to pound the Gulf Coast this weekend.

A hurricane warning extends from New Orleans to Lake Pontchartrain and Grand Island, Louisiana, eastward to the Alabama-Florida border.

The storm is expected to make landfall by Sunday east of New Orleans, which was devastated 12 years ago by Hurricane Katrina. It would be the third hurricane, after Harvey and Irma, to hit the US mainland in six weeks.

A storm surge warning was put in place from Morgan City to the western part of the Florida Panhandle, as well as along the northern and western shores of Lake Pontchartrain.

"Residents in these areas should heed any evacuation instructions given by local officials," the hurricane center said.

Nate killed at least 24 people as it passed Thursday over Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras, where it caused widespread flash flooding and mudslides, officials said.

The storm was forecast to gain strength as it moved across the Gulf of Mexico Friday night into Saturday and become a hurricane by the time it reaches the northern Gulf Coast, the hurricane center said.

New Orleans gearing up

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu ordered a mandatory evacuation of the Venetian Isles, Lake Catherine and Irish Bayou areas of the city after having already declared a state of emergency Thursday.

"We remain focused on vulnerabilities in Venetian Isles, Lake Catherine and Irish Bayou because these areas are outside of the levee system, and because one of the greatest threats to this storm is not necessarily interior rain, but storm surge. It is a serious concern to us," Landrieu said Friday. "The projections are that we could see six to nine feet of surge."

He said residents must evacuate by 12 p.m. (1 p.m. ET) Saturday, when the nearby flood gates will be closed. The New Orleans Fire Department and Neighborhood Engagement Office will be conducting outreach through Saturday to coordinate the evacuation effort, he added.

With the majority of the storm's impact and storm surge expected to occur overnight, Landrieu also announced a mandatory curfew will take effect Saturday at 6 p.m. and end Sunday morning. In preparation for overnight flooding, he said the city's police department will put up barricades and close underpasses once the curfew is in effect.

"If we all stay informed, if we all stay alert, if we all stay prepared, ultimately, we will all be safe, which is our No. 1 priority," Landrieu said.

Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for all of Louisiana. The storm will "make landfall in the close vicinity of New Orleans," the proclamation noted, adding that six parishes have declared emergencies and others would do so soon.

New Orleans, much of which lies below sea level, was gearing up for a hit, and Landrieu urged people who live "outside the city's levee protection system or in low-lying area" to seek higher ground.

Residents have been wary since the city's unique drainage system experienced critical deficiencies during heavy summer rainstorms, leading to the flooding of several hundred properties.

Of the city's 120 main drainage pumps, three major and nine smaller ones were offline Thursday night, city records show. Also, all 24 major pump stations had backup generators, records show, as only three of five turbines that help power the city's oldest, most powerful pumps were available for service, a city water utility spokeswoman told CNN.

"Residents who live inside the levee system should prepare to take shelter with essential supplies including food, water and medications," the mayor said Thursday.

Edwards authorized 1,300 National Guard troops to mobilize ahead of the storm, with some headed to New Orleans to help monitor the pumps, he said.

Storm to move through quickly

Nate would be the first hurricane to hit Louisiana since Hurricane Isaac in 2012 as a Category 1 storm.

"It will still be fairly strong when it makes landfall, but it will be a quicker moving storm than the last few we have had," CNN meteorologist Haley Brink said. "It's supposed to be in and out pretty quickly."

The storm could drop 3 to 6 inches of rain, with 10 inches possible in some areas, from the central Gulf Coast north through Tennessee and the southern Appalachians through the weekend, possibly spawning flash floods, the hurricane center said.

The last hurricane to hit the Louisiana-Mississippi-Alabama region in October was Hurricane Lili in 2002. The last time three hurricanes hit the mainland in the same year was 2008, when Dolly, Gustav and Ike came through.

Gulf Coast states prepare

Hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge watches were issued late Friday from Florida's border with Alabama east as far as Indian Pass, the hurricane center said. The tropical storm watch was later expanded to include most of Central Alabama and several counties in northwest Georgia, according to local National Weather Service offices.

With parts of Florida still reeling from Hurricane Irma, Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for 29 counties.

"Based on the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center, (Tropical Storm Nate) will continue in the Gulf of Mexico and we expect it to become a hurricane and bring severe weather to the Florida panhandle this weekend," Scott said Friday. "To be clear, Florida is now in the cone."

He told residents to anticipate evacuation zones, warning that bridges will close once wind speeds get to 30-40 miles per hour and people won't be able to evacuate.

"In Florida, we know to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best, but we don't take any chances," Scott said, urging people to get their medications and have three days of food and water. "Please stock up on supplies today, the storm is ... fast-moving."

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant said in a news conference the state was well-prepared for Nate.

Bryant said he had signed an emergency order for a state of emergency in six southern counties.

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency director Lee Smithson said residents should "ride out the storm in the safest place possible" and listen to any evacuation orders.

"We can see a storm surge of up to 10 feet, tornadoes, inland flooding and flooding of low-lying areas. This storm will impact the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast," he said.

Smithson said people needed to prepare for winds of 80 mph, "widespread power outages and be prepared to be on your own for 72 hours with no electricity, no running water, no stores open for food."

In Alabama, a statewide emergency declaration signed by Gov. Kay Ivey went into effect Friday morning. The move "frees up personnel and resources in case there is a need to respond to any storm related activity."

Mayor Sandy Stimpson of Mobile, Alabama, warned residents Friday about storm surge.

"We encourage citizens in low-lying areas to pay special attention to newscasts," he said at a news conference. "There is a projected 4- to 7-(foot) storm surge. It will happen to coincide with high tide, which will give you additional water levels."

Mobile officials were checking storm drains for debris, taking measures to avert power outages and deploying critical equipment. Shelters were prepared to open, if necessary, Stimpson said.

"Don't wait 'til Saturday after dark to decide what you have to do in case things with the storm change," he said.

Deadly storm slams Central America

Of the 24 dead in Nate's passage through Central America, 12 died in Nicaragua, 10 in Costa Rica and two in Honduras, officials said. Several people also were reported missing after the storm hit.

Hundreds were rescued from floodwaters, and many lost power and running water in Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica, officials said.

The main threat for Central America was heavy rainfall, which triggered life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

Costa Rica President Luis Guillermo Solis declared a national state of emergency to assist those affected by the storm.

Rain was expected through Friday night in parts of Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and Belize, forecasters said.
This story has been updated to reflect the latest death toll from authorities.

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hurricane nate heads to us gulf coast - cnn

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The hurricane has sustained winds of 75 mph and is located 495 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River, in the southern Gulf of Mexico. States from Louisiana to Florida were bracing Friday for Nate, forecast to pound the Gulf Coast this weekend.

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Las Vegas shooter tried to buy tracer rounds before the shooting

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Las Vegas police: Security responded to door alarm, drew fire from killer | CNN

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An open door a few rooms away from the Las Vegas suite of the man who was gunning down concertgoers at a music festival set off an alarm that prompted a response from a security guard, Clark County Undersheriff Kevin C. McMahill said Friday.

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fishing boat colides with oil tanker

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A Chinese official says rescuers have found the bodies of 12 Chinese people who went missing after their fishing boat collided with an oil tanker near Japan.

The official at the Chinese consulate in Osaka said by phone on Friday that nearby fishing vessels had picked up four crew members after the boat capsized early Thursday, including one person who later died.

There were 16 crew members aboard the fishing vessel at the time of the collision about 400 kilometers (215 nautical miles) north of the Oki Islands in western Japan.

Chinese state media said the Japanese coast guard deployed three patrol vessels and divers in the search.

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13 die after Chinese fishing boat, tanker collide near Japan

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A Chinese official says rescuers have found the bodies of 12 Chinese people who went missing after their fishing boat collided with an oil tanker near Japan. The official at the Chinese consulate in Osaka said by phone on Friday that nearby fishing vessels had picked up four crew members...

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19 killed in Russia after train hits bus on crossing.

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Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry says that 19 citizens of the ex-Soviet nation were killed when a train slammed into a bus carrying them near Moscow.

Russia's state Investigative Committee said that another five passengers of the bus were injured in Friday's collision, which occurred in the town of Pokrov, about 85 kilometers (53 miles) east of Moscow.

The Uzbek Foreign Ministry said that 56 people on the bus were Uzbek citizens and two others, drivers, from Kazakhstan. The local administration said that the bus was carrying migrant workers from Uzbekistan heading to their native country.

According to preliminary information, the bus got stuck in a railway crossing because of a technical malfunction. The train's driver hit the brakes, but was unable to prevent the collision.

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19 killed in Russia after train hits bus stuck on crossing

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Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry says that 19 citizens of the ex-Soviet nation were killed when a train slammed into a bus carrying them near Moscow. Russia's state Investigative Committee said that another five passengers of the bus were injured in Friday's collision, which occurred in the...

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Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda makes new song with celebrities, called "Almost A Prayer," and while it cost money, the proceeds go to Puerto Rico. It came out late last night.

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A 24 year old named Amy Caroline Brown in Washington gets sentenced 18 years for meeting a man online and murdering him and eating his heart

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Woman who planned to eat man’s heart, become serial killer gets 18 years in prison

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A 24-year-old Washington woman who planned on becoming a serial killer after murdering a man she met online and eating his heart was sentenced Tuesday to 18 years in prison.