Outbreak: The first case of Ebola virus in the US has been diagnosed in a Texas hospital, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The patient is a man who took a commercial flight from Liberia to Dallas on Sept. 20^th. Liberia has had the most cases of Ebola in the current outbreak in West Africa, about half of them fatal. Doctors say the unidentified man in Dallas did not develop symptoms until several days after he landed. The CDC says it is tracking down all the people who may have come into contact with the infected man during the time his illness might have been contagious.

Line of Fire: Secret Service Director Julia Pierson faced the wrath of a Congressional committee yesterday following the incident in which a man armed with a knife was able to jump the White House fence and run through the ground floor. Pierson defended the Secret Service but said “mistakes were made” and suggested that some people might get fired after an investigation. Taking the high seat in the Congressional grandstands, Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch said to Pierson, “I wish to God you protected the White House like you protected your reputation here today.”

Shortly after the hearing, news broke that a security man armed with a gun was allowed to get into the elevator with the president when he visited the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. The Secret Service questioned the man but didn’t know he was armed until his boss arrived and fired him.

Hong Kong: Tens of thousands of pro-Democracy demonstrators continued to fill Hong Kong streets on China’s 65^th National Day. The protests are taking place in several locations. The government has backed away, allowing the protests to take place as Hong Kong executive CY Leung ignores calls for his resignation. After demonstrators used umbrellas to ward off tear gas canisters in the early days of the protest, they have begun to carry umbrellas as a symbol of their cause.

One Word, Son: Plastics.With Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature, California yesterday became the first state to ban single-use plastic shopping bags commonly given to customers at supermarkets, liquor stores and other retail locations. Brown said in a written statement “it reduces the torrent of plastic polluting our beaches, parks and even the vast ocean itself.” The statewide ban follows bans in about 100 California cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles. Customers adjusted easily.

Also in California: Jerry Brown signed a law allowing the police to seize guns from people the police, friends, and family members believe may be a danger. Complainants can go to a judge seeking a “gun violence” restraining order. The law comes in response to the mass shooting by 22-year-old Elliot Rodger in Isla Vista last spring. Rodger was able to buy guns even though his family had warned the police he was unstable.

Domestic: The mayor of Bell Gardens, Calif., a Los Angeles suburb, was shot dead by his wife Tuesday during a family fight. According to police Daniel Crespo, 45, and his wife Levette, 43, were having an altercation when their son intervened. Mrs. Crespo ended up shooting her husband several times. She was released from custody after questioning.

In Deep: Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps, who’s trying to come back from retirement and return to domination of the pool, was arrested for DUI in Maryland. Phelps has won more medals than anyone in the history of the Olympics. He was also busted 10 years ago for DUI and served 18 months probation. Some journalists have blasted Phelps for failing as a role model. He obviously likes a good time, but he also 22 Olympic medals.

-30-