Barcelona Attack • More Neo-Nazi Protests Planned • Charlottesville Statue Announcement: Patch Morning Briefing

Good morning! It's Friday, and the weekend is almost here. These are the stories you need to know about to start your day.

Terror In Barcelona

The world is on high alert Friday following the terrorist attack and violence in Spain on Thursday. After a van mowed down a crowd of pedestrians in Barcelona's popular Las Ramblas district Thursday, killing 13 and injuring dozens of others in an attack that ISIS claimed credit for, police shot several people to death south of the city while responding to another threat. The regional police for the Catalonia region tweeted early Friday that officers were in the seaside resort town of Cambrils, about 62 miles from Barcelona. (Patch)

Charlottesville Mayor Will Make Announcement About Gen. Robert E. Lee Statue

Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer will make an announcement on Friday about the city's Robert E. Lee statue. It will also touch on Heather Heyer, who was killed in the violence between counter-protesters and white supremacists, and safety at future public events. The announcement will come less than a week after white nationalists clashed with counter-protesters in the city. (Patch)

White Supremacists Plan More Rallies; Anti-Fascists Push Back

The nation's small but newly invigorated contingent of literal neo-Nazis rocketed into the public awareness this week when they descended on Charlottesville with torches and swastikas and, in some cases, weapons of war. They're not done fighting yet — and neither is the anti-fascist counter-movement that met them in Charlottesville last weekend. More of these protests and counter-protests are expected soon across the country. Find out if these events are happening near you. (Patch)

Quick Hits

Ivanka's Upper East Side Rabbi Denounces Donald Trump's Charlottesville Remarks (Patch)

This Might Be The Weirdest Total Solar Eclipse Event We've Heard Of So Far (Patch)

How The Civil War Was Almost Lost In Massachusetts (Patch)

NYC Subway Stations Used As 'Temporary Morgue' Far Too Often (Patch)

Just In Time For Fall, L.L. Bean Boosts Production Of Its Iconic Boot

Perhaps this will solve the Bean Boot's backlog problem. (Patch)

Bullet Train Between Houston And Dallas Closer To Reality

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner signed a memorandum of understanding with Texas Central at City Hall, ensuring the rail facilitator that Houston is on board with the project. (Patch)

Total Solar Eclipse May Confuse, Silence And Cause Animals To Go Wild

In past eclipses, horses have pawed at the ground, birds have gone silent, chimps have gone to bed and poor hippos have become confused. (Patch)

Police Reveal Disturbing Details In 'Torture' Case Of 5-Year-Old Boy

Police in Murrieta, California, say the boy is in "grave" condition. (Patch)

In Case You Need A Break From The News...

California Woman Wins $1.6M On Las Vegas Airport Slot Machine

The lucky woman took a chance and snagged enough cash to pay for her trip and much more! (Patch)

'March On Google' Postponed, Police Confirm

Saturday's free-speech rally was called off due to "credible Alt Left terrorist threats for the safety of our citizen participants." (Patch)

Suicidal Woman Saved In Fort McHenry Tunnel: Police

Police used stop sticks and Tasers in the I-95 tunnel in Baltimore before the driver was taken to the hospital. (Patch)

This Day In History

1963 — In a victory for civil rights, James Meredith graduates from the University of Mississippi, the first African-American student to complete a degree at the school

1971 — As support for the Vietnam War wanes, forces from both Australia and New Zealand withdraw from the conflict

Famous Birthdays

1936 — Robert Redford, an actor and filmmaker best known for his role in "All the President's Men"

1969 — Everlast, an American rapper best known for the song "What It's Like"

AP Photo/Michael Noble Jr