Hurricanes Zero In On Coasts • Russia Investigation Heats Up • Obamacare Repeal Is Back: Patch Morning Briefing

Good morning! It's Tuesday, and we hope your week is going well so far. Here's what you need to know to start your day.

Hurricane Season Barrels Forward

While all eyes in the Northeast are on Hurricane Jose, folks across Irma-battered Florida are wearily watching the development of Hurricane Maria. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center said Maria had strengthened enough to earn Category 5 status by Monday night. Much of the Northeast is bracing for Jose's heavy rain, strong winds and even possible flooding in some parts. Maria is expected to reach Puerto Rico by early Wednesday morning, and Florida residents hope the storm won't make another direct hit as the state still recovers from Hurricane Irma. (Patch)

Trump Campaign Manager At the Center Of The Russia Probe

As Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into ties between the Trump team and Russian officials heats up, two new stories cast former campaign campaign manager Paul Manafort in a central role in the probe. Within minutes of each other the New York Times and CNN each dropped bombshell reports Monday night casting light on Manafort's level of legal jeopardy. CNN found that Manafort has long been under surveillance by federal investigators, and the Times reports that Mueller's team has already threatened the Trump associate with an indictment. (Patch)

Republicans Are Still Trying To Repeal Obamacare

Republicans are operating on a tight deadline to get a new Obamacare overhaul bill passed, because any chance to pass such a law this fiscal year dries up on Sept. 30. Many of Obamacare's defenders didn't take the the newest bill seriously at first, because all previous efforts by the GOP to overhaul health care have failed, and they thought it would be too hard for Republicans to get the votes. On Monday, the Congressional Budget Office said that while it is providing some analysis of the bill, it will not be able to evaluate the legislation's effects on premiums or the number of the uninsured before the deadline passes. (Patch)

Quick Hits

Antidepressants Pile Up In Fish Brains With Scary Results (Patch)

Toxic Plant May Have Sprung Undisclosed Leak During Hurricane Harvey (Patch)

Fraternity Loses Charter After Freshman's Death (Patch)

Florida Sees 'Most Significant Crop Loss Ever' (Patch)

Queens Bus Crash Leaves 3 Dead, 16 Injured

A private tour bus slammed into an MTA bus early Monday. (Patch)

Rhino Horn Seller Gets 2 Years For Trading In Endangered Animal Parts

"Illegal trade in rhino horn and ivory undermines vital efforts to protect imperiled species and is a serious violation of U.S. and international laws,” said the acting assistant attorney general. (Patch)

Brooklyn Man Forged Deed To Steal Old Lady's Home, DA Says

The East Flatbush man has been charged with grand larceny and faces 15 years in prison. (Patch)

Laura Ingraham Gets New Fox News Show; Sean Hannity To Appear Earlier

"We are delighted to unveil this new primetime schedule for both our current and future generation of loyal FNC fans," Suzanne Scott said. (Patch)

RAISE Act: Scholars Explain 'Merit-Based' Immigration

The immigration bill called the "RAISE Act" was introduced by Sens. Tom Cotton and David Perdue. (Patch)

South Carolina Mayor Caught Driving Lawnmower Down County Road With Open Beer

John Gardner, a local mayor and school chief, won't face charges for his late-night joyride, reports say — even after it was caught on tape. (Patch)

See These Award-Winning Hero Dogs: PHOTOS

Abigail, the American Hero Dog of 2017, was found as a stray in Miami missing half of her face. (Patch)

This Day In History

1893 — New Zealand governor agrees to a measure allowing women to vote

1995 — The Unabomber's manifesto is published in major U.S. newspapers

Famous Birthdays

1928 — Adam West, an actor best known for his portrayal of Batman

1949 — Twiggy, a British model known for her rail-thin appearance and doe eyes

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images