Terror In Flint; Major Storm Hits Coast; GOP Health Care Bill Unveiled: Patch Morning Briefing

Good morning! It's Thursday, and the weekend is getting closer. Here's what you need to know this morning.

Terror In Flint

The FBI is investigating a brutal stabbing at the airport in Flint, Michigan, as an act of terrorism, though it does not suspect the attacker was part of a larger plot. According to officials, 49-year-old Amor Ftouhi of Quebec stabbed an airport officer in the neck with a knife. Meanwhile, the FBI announced that it does not consider the shooting at a congressional baseball game, which appeared to intentionally target lawmakers, to be an act of terror. (Patch)

Tropical Storm Cindy Swamps The Coast

Heavy rains will continue to deluge states along the Gulf Coast as Tropical Storm Cindy makes its way north. From Texas to Florida, residents have faced torrential street flooding and powerful wind gusts. Excessive rainfall is expected to continue Thursday evening and even into Friday. The governors of Louisiana and Alabama have both declared states of emergency. (Patch)

Obamacare May Be On Its Last Legs In The Senate

After weeks of secretive meetings and private deliberations, Senate Republicans are expected to release a draft of their health care reform bill today, an effort to fulfill years of promises to "repeal and replace" Obamacare. If all goes according to plan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will bring the bill to a vote by the end of next week. (Patch)

Quick Hits

Ugly Produce Delivered To Your Door, Saved From Waste (Patch)

Bono Heads To Capitol Hill (Patch)

Gender-Neutral DC Driver's License Possible (Patch)

George Clooney Sells Tequila Business For $1 Billion (Patch)

Puppy Pulled From 133-Degree Car In Riverside County

Animal Control officials say they rescued the pup from the sweltering car just in time. (Patch)

5 Facts About Crystal Griner, A Hero In The Congressional Shooting

Special Agent Crystal Griner is being hailed for her heroic actions in the Alexandria congressional shooting. Here's what to know about her. (Patch)

Is Big Alcohol Taking A Hit From Big Weed?

Shifting consumption trends may spell danger for the massive industry's profits. (Salon)

Wall Street Journal Foreign Affairs Chief Fired Over Business Deal

The newspaper says it was "dismayed by the actions and poor judgment" of reporter Jay Solomon. (Patch)

Murder in the Mojave: Homicides and Body Dumps in the California Desert

"Is a self-fulfilling prophecy at work in this desert?" writes Nile Capello. "Perhaps reports of bodies abandoned and found have inspired others with misguided criminal romanticism." (Vice)

Sneaky Deer Swims In Freehold Township Family's Pool

It's generally frowned upon to swim in someone else's pool without an invitation, but this pool jumper has been welcomed. (Patch)

Philando Castile Video: 'I Don't Wanted You To Get Shooted'

The latest cop footage released in the case of Philando Castile shows a heartbreaking exchange between Diamond Reynolds and the little girl right after Castile was killed. (Patch)

Love Can Ease Your Pain, Study Finds

When romantic couples touched, their heartbeats synchronized and their sensation of pain lessened, a new study found. (Patch)

This Day In History

1942 — Congress officially adopts the "Pledge of Allegiance." It would be more than a decade later that the words "under God" were added to its text.

Famous Birthdays

1933 — Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat who has served in the chamber since 1992

1943 — Brit Hume, a journalist and conservative political commentator

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedways