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KNOW IT ALL: Monday's Top Stories at NBC News

Britney's back, and other stories we're following today.
Image: Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon presents the award for Video of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in New York.Charles Sykes / AP

Good morning. Here are some of the stories we're following today:

1. Paris Attacks Inspire Huge Influx of Police Recruits

With its long history of anti-establishmentarianism and a general lack of regard for authority figures, France has never really embraced police officers in the way that America often mythologizes the men and women of the thin blue line. But a shift in popular attitudes toward the police and armed forces peaked shortly after last November's attacks that killed 130 people and injured hundreds more. Waves of new recruits began applying to become police officers and soldiers. Read the SPECIAL REPORT.

2. Donald Trump Could Win Big Even If He Loses Election

If Donald Trump loses the election, many in the GOP establishment are hoping the brash and unpredictable real estate mogul turned reality TV star will just go away. But Trump is unlikely to do that. There's a growing chorus, propelled by a report in Vanity Fair, saying that Trump's endgame is not attaining the nation's highest office — but to launch a right-wing media outlet of his own. Read more in POLITICS.

3. False Reports of Gunfire Cause Chaos at LAX

False reports of gunfire at Los Angeles International Airport sent panicked passengers running from terminals and onto the tarmac on Sunday night. Police responded to 911 calls of shots fired at the airport but later said the reports were unfounded and there had been no gunfire or injuries. Read more in NEWS.

4. Tropical Depression Swirling Off Florida Threatens Heavy Rain

Florida was getting set for a soaking later this week as a tropical depression brewing off its southern coast looked likely to strengthen into tropical storm later Monday or early Tuesday. The National Hurricane Center's (NHC) forecast path showed Tropical Depression Nine moving up from the Florida Keys toward the southern tip of the state and over into the Gulf of Mexico. Read more in WEATHER.

5. NASA Scientists Return to Civilization After Mars Dome Experiment Ends

After a year living in isolation, six crew members on a mock mission to Mars emerged on Sunday. The crew members had been living in an isolated habitation the bare, rocky slopes of Mauna Loa on the island of Hawaii, as part of the HI-SEAS program (Hawaii Space Exploration Analogue and Simulation), based out of the University of Hawaii. Read more in SCIENCE.

6. Inmates Escape Detention Center in Louisiana

A manhunt was underway in northwestern Louisiana early Monday for three "dangerous" inmates who scaled razor-wire fences to escape prison late on Sunday. The trio escaped from the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on Saturday night, jumping over two rolls of razor-wire. Read more in NEWS.

7. Man Dies in Confrontation with Off-Duty N.J. Police Officer

An off-duty Trenton police officer's altercation with a man Saturday night ended with the man dead of a gunshot wound to the chest, New Jersey authorities said. Read more at NBC PHILADELPHIA.

8. MTV VMAs 2016: Highlights From the Show

The 2016 MTV Video Music Awards kicked off in high-gear with an energetic performance from Rihanna. But one of the night's most anticipated events was the return of Britney Spears to the VMAs stage after a nearly decade-long wait. And Beyonce, wearing a long white ruffled frock took to the stage to perform a riveting medley from her now-iconic video album "Lemonade." Read more at TODAY.COM.