Total Solar Eclipse 2017 • Trump's Choice In Afghanistan • 10 Missing After Naval Accident: Patch Morning Briefing

Good morning! It's Monday, and the eclipse we've all been waiting for is finally here. Here's how you can watch and all the other news you need to know today.

Total Eclipse 2017 — Are You Ready?

It's finally here: The total eclipse we've talked about for months is about to streak across the continental United States Monday morning and afternoon. As the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, it will cast a shadow across North America, and cities within a narrow path from Oregon to South Carolina will experience complete occlusion of the sun's rays for a few minutes at a time. Hopefully you don't sleep through it — there won't be another one in our neck of the woods until 2024, and even then it won't touch as many parts of country. Here's how to watch. (Patch)

Now For Something Much Less Rare: A President Rethinks Afghanistan Policy

President Trump will address the nation Monday night from Fort Meyer in Arlington, Virginia, to discuss his path forward in the Afghanistan War. The U.S. military has been engaged in the region for nearly 16 years at this point, and there's little hope for a peaceful resolution any time soon. Many of the president's top advisers have been pushing for additional troops to be sent to the embattled country. But will Trump go along with this plan? (Patch)

U.S.S. John McCain's Collision

Ten sailors are missing and another five injured after a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer collided with a merchant vessel over the weekend. It was the second such incident in just more than two months. The Navy says the U.S.S. John McCain was involved in a collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while headed to Singapore Monday morning local time. The more than 30,000-ton, 705-foot-long Alnic was carrying oil and other cargo. (Patch)

Quick Hits

Bonnie Tyler Sings ‘Total Eclipse Of The Heart’ For Total Eclipse Cruise (Patch)

Eclipse Traffic Jams: Officials Warn Of Gridlock As Travelers Flock to Watch Event (Patch)

Dick Gregory, Legendary Stand-Up Comic, Dies At 84 (Patch)

Survivor Of 1979 Klan-Nazi Attack Hopes For A 'Justice River' (Patch)

Farewell To Jerry Lewis

Fans around the country are mourning Jerry Lewis, the legendary comedian and filmmaker known for his slapstick style and creativity, who died over the weekend at the age of 91. While Lewis was well regarded for his work in film, he largely became associated with the MDA Labor Day Telethon later in his life. From the 1960s onward, the telethons raised some $1.5 billion, including more than $60 million in 2009. (Patch)

Lives Aboard The U.S.S. Fitzgerald: Saved By Heroism, Lost By Failure

"Water on deck! Get out!" people shouted as water quickly filled a compartment where dozens of sailors had been sleeping. (Patch)

MLB Umps Wear Wristbands To Protest Detroit Tigers Player's Tirade

Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler went on a tirade, and the World Umpires Association members responded with protest. (Patch)

Artist Wants To Return Rosa Parks’ Detroit Home To US

“There are very, very few monuments to the civil rights movement,” notes artist Ryan Mendoza, who saved Rosa Parks’ home from demolition. (Patch)

Houston-area Woman Announces Bid To Run Against Ted Cruz In 2018

She drew inspiration from Sen. Bernie Sanders' calling for more grassroots candidates to run for political office, especially at the national level. (Patch)

This Day In History

1911 — An employee at the Louvre museum in Paris absconds with its most iconic painting, the Mona Lisa

1993 — The communications link between NASA's Mars Observer and Earth is severed

Famous Birthdays

1930 — Princess Margaret, the sister of Queen Elizabeth II

1938 — Kenny Rogers, an American singer-songwriter and member of the Country Musical Hall of Fame

Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images