promoearn: Dorian destroyed at least 13,000 homes

Monday, September 2

View images from the Spring City, a town located in the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas. Spring City, located five miles south of Marsh Harbor Airport, was flattened by Hurricane Dorian on Sunday and Monday. These photos were taken by Spring City resident Brandisha Adderley, who lives in Spring City with her grandmother Monica Adderley. "We are all OK physically," Brandisha said. "Still winds and rain. Major flooding. Not a dry place to lay."

Here's the biggest news you missed this weekend

Hurricane Dorian, a mass shooting in Texas and a deadly boat fire: Here's the weekend's top news.

At least 5 dead as 'historic' Hurricane Dorian batters Bahamas

At least five people have died in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said Monday evening as it continues to pound the region as a Category 4 storm. The storm, which tied an 84-year-old record for the most powerful Atlantic hurricane to come ashore, hovered over the islands after grinding to a virtual halt, driving a storm surge and blasting record winds and rain that could exceed 2 feet. The Salvation Army estimated that at least 13,000 homes were destroyed on one group of islands alone. Dorian's crawl, estimated at about 1 mph early Monday, placed it within 115 miles of West Palm Beach, Florida. But forecasters remained unsure of whether, or where, it might make landfall in the U.S. after it takes an expected turn to the north . The National Hurricane Center warned that life-threatening storm surges and dangerous hurricane-force winds were expected along the east coast of Florida through midweek.

•	Flight cancellations: 1,130 and counting as hurricane approaches the East Coast.
•	Dramatic videos show Dorian's devastating force in the Bahamas.
•	Surviving a hurricane in a hotel room: What one survivor wishes he'd known.

Four bodies found, dozens missing after boat sinks in California

A commercial diving boat with dozens of passengers aboard sank Monday after it caught fire near Santa Barbara, California, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Four bodies were recovered near the boat, and dozens were reported missing. Five crew members who were sleeping on the boat's top deck were rescued near Santa Cruz Island, about 30 miles off Santa Barbara. The Coast Guard said a mayday call was overheard early Monday for "an engulfed 75-foot commercial diving vessel with 38 people aboard." The call indicated the boat was already fully ablaze. The vessel sank as fire crews fought the blaze, according to a statement by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Ventura County Fire Department firefighters respond to a boat fire off the coast of southern California. The U.S. Coast Guard said it has launched several boats to help over two dozen people "in distress" off the coast of southern California.

Ventura County Fire Department via AP

Seven killed in Texas mass shooting

A teenager who had just celebrated her quinceañera, a postal worker and a former math teacher were among seven people killed in a mass shooting Saturday near Odessa and Midland, Texas. An additional 23 people were injured in the 36-year-old gunman's rampage , including three police officers and a 17-month old child, police said. The gunman was fired from his job that morning and was "on a long spiral down," Odessa police said Monday. The shooting began after state troopers pulled over the man for failing to use a turn signal. The driver grabbed a rifle and shot multiple times at the troopers through the rear window, according to police. The gunman allegedly shot at other motorists and passers-by before being chased and killed by police. The massacre is the latest in a string of mass shootings in the past few months: Dayton, Ohio; Gilroy, California; and El Paso, Texas. On Monday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted that the gunman had once failed a background check for purchasing firearms. "We must keep guns out of criminals' hands," he said.

Odessa, TX -- Yasmin Natera 16, on the left, and Celeste Lujan, 15, cries for one of their friends who was a victim in a mass shooting in Odessa. The community came together at The University of Texas to pay respect to the victims. The death toll rose to seven Sunday after a gunman's rampage that left many more injured following what began as a routine traffic stop in Odessa, police in the West Texas city said.

Nick Oza, for USA TODAY

'Agreement in principle' reached with Taliban to withdraw 5,000 US troops

The United States had reached a preliminary peace deal with the Taliban that will pave the way for a phased withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Afghanistan that could bring an end to America's longest war, the Trump administration said Monday. U.S. negotiators have agreed to remove about 5,000 American troops from five bases over the next five months if the Taliban fulfills promises to reduce violence and prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorists, the Trump administration's envoy to Afghanistan said. The deal – the fruit of months of negotiations between Trump administration officials and Taliban leaders – could allow President Donald Trump to declare victory on a core campaign promise as he enters the 2020 reelection cycle.

Real quick

•	A New Jersey Labor Day parade was canceled after explosive devices were found.
•	Valerie Harper, the actress beloved for "Rhoda," died at age 80 after a battle with cancer.
•	Boston's Straight Pride Parade drew hundreds of marchers and even more counterprotesters.
•	A 911 dispatcher scolded a drowning woman during her final moments, police say.
•	Naomi Osaka comforted Coco Gauff after their US Open match in a beautiful moment of sportsmanship.

Kevin Hart injured in car accident

Actor and comedian Kevin Hart suffered what police are calling a "major" back injury in the crash of a vintage muscle car Sunday in California. A California Highway Patrol collision report obtained by USA TODAY says 40-year-old Hart was a passenger in his 1970 Plymouth Barracuda that drove off a highway in Malibu and rolled down an embankment. The report says Hart and the driver suffered back injuries. Hart's friend and co-star Dwayne Johnson shared a heartfelt prayer for the comedian's recovery. "We have a lot more laughing to do together," Johnson wrote on Instagram. "Stay strong." Hart's wife, Eniko, said the actor is going to be OK.

Comedian Kevin Hart seriously injured after Malibu Hills car crash

Getty

College football: Tennessee stunned in worst loss ever

There were plenty of highs and lows during the first full weekend of college football. Auburn rallied in the closing seconds and Tennessee suffered a stunning upset. Southern Cal lost its quarterback for the season, and Oklahoma appears to have found the perfect fit for its signal caller. Sooners quarterback Jalen Hurts hadn't started in almost two years, but the Alabama transfer propelled Lincoln Riley's offense to a 49-31 win against Houston. USC wasn't nearly as fortunate: Starting quarterback JT Daniels suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Trojans' 31-23 win over Fresno State. No. 16 Auburn's dramatic 27-21 victory against No. 13 Oregon provided a reprieve for Tigers coach Gus Mahlzan, who began the season on the hot seat. But the heat only turned up higher on Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt, whose Volunteers suffered their worst loss ever, 38-30 to lowly Georgia State.

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