Hurricane Isaias strengthened to a Category 2 storm with winds of up to 105 mph as it moved toward the northern Gulf Coast. Forecasters warned it could briefly become a major hurricane before weakening, with landfall expected near Pensacola late Friday, likely as a Category 1 storm. Hurricane and storm-surge warnings, evacuations and emergency declarations were in effect across parts of Florida and Alabama. The storm could bring 4 to 8 inches of rain, locally up to 15 inches, isolated tornadoes, and storm surges of 5 to 7 feet.

U.S. gasoline prices remain around $4.36 a gallon—46% above pre-war levels—even as Middle Eastern oil supply and tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz have improved. Analysts point to continued high shipping costs, including risky ship-to-ship transfers and higher payments to tanker crews, as well as uncertainty about renewed fighting or attacks on energy infrastructure. Oil prices have fallen recently but remain more than 40% above pre-war levels, and retail fuel prices tend to respond slowly to declines in crude costs. The temporary closure of Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline after a Houthi attack, and lingering concern about threats to the pipeline and nearby shipping routes, reinforce market uncertainty.

Public health experts recommend vaccination as the respiratory-virus season begins in the United States, with CDC projections indicating peak hospitalizations from flu, COVID-19 and RSV may resemble last season. Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged six months and older, with vaccine types and dosing varying by age and medical history; experts advise getting vaccinated by the end of October, while noting vaccination remains worthwhile later if flu is circulating. Updated 2026–27 COVID-19 vaccines target the XFG Omicron variant, and eligibility varies by age and underlying risk; flu and COVID vaccines can be given at the same visit. RSV vaccination is recommended for adults 75 and older, higher-risk adults aged 50–74, and pregnant people at 32–36 weeks’ gestation. Certain infants and young children may instead qualify for RSV monoclonal antibodies. Experts also clarify that injectable flu vaccines do not cause influenza and that protection takes time to develop.

Gillio Lopes, a Cornell student accused in a sexual assault case, is asking an Albany court to void Gov. Kathy Hochul's appointment of Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor, arguing that James's supportive social media post about the complainant showed prejudgment. Lopes's lawyer also disputes the allegations and says the complainant's account changed, while her lawyer says she was unable to consent. The men deny wrongdoing. The case was initially declined by Tompkins County prosecutors, but the district attorney reopened it after meeting with the complainant and her lawyer following a civil lawsuit. Lopes was suspended for a year after a university process found him responsible for sexual activity when the complainant was incapable of conveying consent; he has continued his studies at Cornell.

Christa Pike is making a notable physical recovery after surviving a failed lethal-injection execution in Tennessee, but her attorneys say she continues to experience concentration and memory problems, psychological trauma, and pain from severe injection-site burns. She was initially placed on a ventilator and remains hospitalized; doctors may need months to determine whether her cognitive injuries are lasting. Pike's lawyers are seeking to preserve evidence and have asked Governor Bill Lee to commute her sentence to life without parole. A judge granted the evidence-preservation motion, while Lee temporarily halted scheduled executions and appointed former U.S. Attorney Ed Stanton to review whether the state's execution protocol was followed. Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada resigned.

A Pentagon official told ABC News that Nidal Hasan's December 3 execution will be livestreamed. President Donald Trump approved the execution by firing squad, scheduled at Fort Hood near the time of day the 2009 shooting began. The choice of method overturned Army plans for lethal injection, and officials are developing updated firing-squad procedures based on rules that have not been revised since 1959. Hasan's attorney, John Galligan, criticized the rapid scheduling and Fort Hood location, citing concerns about transporting Hasan, who is paralyzed and uses a wheelchair, and calling the public execution political theater. Hasan may seek federal habeas relief, which could delay the execution.

A powerful nor’easter is expected to affect the Northeast through the weekend, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, large waves, coastal flooding, beach erosion, possible power outages, and travel disruptions. Waves have already reached 19 feet along North Carolina’s Outer Banks, while gusts could reach 60 mph and rainfall totals may reach 4 to 6 inches in parts of New England, coastal New Jersey, and Long Island. New York and New Jersey officials have declared states of emergency, and several concerts and festivals have been canceled. The storm is expected to weaken Monday and dissipate Tuesday.

Approximately 4,000 nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston voted overwhelmingly to authorize an open-ended strike, which could become the largest such registered-nurse strike in Massachusetts history. No date has been set, and the nurses must provide 10 days' notice. The Massachusetts Nurses Association says the nurses are seeking limits on temporary staffing, cost-of-living wage increases, affordable health insurance and protections for patient care. The vote follows a one-day strike in July and what the union describes as stalled negotiations with Mass General Brigham. The hospital had not responded to ABC News' request for comment.

Ed Sheeran’s Friday and Saturday concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, were canceled because a severe nor’easter was expected to bring strong winds, coastal flooding and heavy rain across New England. Promoter Messina Touring said refunds would be provided and cited fan and staff safety. The cancellations follow a separate dispute in which Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s Loop Tour after pro-Palestinian comments, at the urging of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Sheeran has distanced himself from that decision while expressing opposition to politicizing his shows and describing both the October 7 attacks and conditions in Gaza in stark terms.

Sept. 25 is being celebrated as Dolly Parton Day by California and numerous cities and counties across the United States, timed to the date’s connection with Parton’s song “9 to 5.” California became the first state to establish the observance annually, while Tennessee is considering a similar statewide designation. Proclamations highlight Parton’s entertainment career and her Imagination Library literacy initiative, and celebrations include citywide displays, charitable donations, live music and a parade.