Breakaway: The National Hockey League and its players union have reached a tentative agreement that may save what remains of the season. Players have been locked out for 113 days.

Guns & Ammo: The Washington Post reports that the Obama administration is considering wider gun control measures rather than simply re-instating the expired assault weapons ban. New regulations might include better background checks on buyers, a national database, and restrictions on carrying guns near schools.

National:  Reports say President Obama is about to nominate former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel for Defense Secretary.  The former Nebraska senator could have trouble with Senate Democrats during confirmation, a twist for Obama.

•  A gunman and three other people died inside an Aurora, Colo. townhouse during a standoff with the police. Officers returned fire when the gunman shot from a second story window, killing him. The others were found dead inside. A fifth person escaped unharmed. Aurora is the same town where a gunman killed 12 people in a movie theater last July.
•  The LA Times reports that Southern California has a thriving business in “Maternity Hotels”, hotels where foreign nationals can stay to give birth to children who will be US citizens. Many of the expectant mothers are Chinese women who want to give their children an advantage in life. Some of those homes operate illegally in converted houses.
•   The LA Times also reports that a dog that strayed from home in Kansas was found wandering in San Diego. No idea how he got there, but a charitable organization is buying him a ticket home for a surprise reunion with the kids.

Flu: The Centers for Disease Control says that most of the country is now experiencing a high level of influenza. Reported cases are running more than double of last year’s entire season. They recommend that if you haven’t, get a shot.

No Wonder You Didn’t See Him: Contrary to a Facebook hoax, Friday was not the day Marty McFly arrived in the future in the movie, Back to the Future. Look for him on Oct. 21, 2015.

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