Hurricane Irma Eyes Miami • Equifax Breach Exposes Millions • Court Rebukes Trump Travel Ban: Patch Morning Briefing

Good morning! It's Friday. We at Patch wish that everyone in Hurricane Irma's path makes it safely through the storm without incident. We'll be covering the storm closely over the weekend and beyond, so stay with us for up-to-date coverage. Here's what you need to know to start your day.

Irma Eyes Miami

Hurricane Irma, the most powerful Atlantic storm on record, continues its relentless march today toward Florida as millions of people in its path scramble to board windows, move property to safer areas and join tens of thousands of other residents clogging highways and jamming airports in a massive evacuation across the state and into coastal Georgia. Miami stands directly in Irma's path, according to projections made late Thursday night, though the large storm is likely to have far-reaching effects. According to the National Hurricane Center: "During this weekend, all significant hurricane impact threats are possible, including especially life threatening storm surge flooding and damaging winds." (Patch)

Equifax Announces Massive Data Breach Affecting 143 Million Americans

Equifax, a major credit-monitoring firm, is responding to a massive data breach that exposed sensitive personal information of 143 million Americans, the company announced Thursday night. In addition to names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some cases, driver's license numbers, about 209,000 credit card numbers were also compromised in the cyberattack. The company first became aware of unauthorized access to its data on July 29. Learn what to do if you think you might have been affected. (Patch)

Court Rebukes Trump Travel Ban's Narrow Definition Of 'Family'

Refugees and people with extended family in the United States who were blocked by President Trump's controversial travel ban targeting six Muslim-majority nations will now have easier access to the country. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday rejected the broad scope of the ban, which used a narrow definition of "bona fide relationships" to limit the number of people who could circumvent its restratictions. The ruling marks another blow in the administration's defense of the ban, which the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear in October. (Patch)

Quick Hits

Former Presidents Launch Harvey, Irma Fundraising Appeals (Patch)

Firefighters Rescue Woman, Make Incredible Escape Out Window (Patch)

Harvey And Irma, Devoted Foster Parents, Married 75 Years Before The Storms (Patch)

Students Wearing KKK Hoods In Social Media Photo Face Disciplinary Action (Patch)

Massive Earthquake Strikes Off Coast Of Mexico

Las Vegas Police Union Demands NFL Probe Michael Bennett

Union president Steve Grammas accused Bennett of levelling false charges against the officers. (Patch)

7 Sharks Seized From Pool At A Private Residence

The live sharks were kept in a 15-foot above-ground pool in a home's basement. (Patch)

Chicago, Amazon Talk About 2nd Headquarters In City: Report

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has reached out to CEO Jeff Bezos about bringing the company's second HQ to the city. (Patch)

Dramatic Swim To Safety Ends 29-Day Kidnapping Ordeal For Minnesota Teen

A Minnesota teenager who police say was kidnapped, raped and abused for 29 days swam to safety, then helped police locate suspects. (Patch)

This Day In History

1926 — The League of Nations, a precursor to the United Nations, accepts Germany as a member

1974 — President Ford pardons his predecessor, President Nixon, for all crimes

Famous Birthdays

1960 — Aimee Mann, an American singer-songwriter and former member of the band 'Til Tuesday

1979 — Pink, an American singer, songwriter and dancer known for songs such as "Don't Let Me Get Me" and "Just Like a Pill"

Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images