Good morning. Here are some of the headlines on this Monday.
1. California Burning: 12,000 Evacuated as Fire Grows
Wind-whipped wildfires have forced the evacuation of thousands more people and burned dozens of homes. Fire officials say the so-called Rocky Fire now covers 54,000 acres after almost tripling in size over the weekend. Read more in NEWS.
2. Island Combed for MH370 Clues
Police are scouring the beaches of Reunion Island in the Southern Indian Ocean looking for more airplane debris. A wing flap and suitcase discovered last week have been sent to France for testing. Read more in NEWS.
3. Trump Campaign Fires Staffer for Facebook Posts
The staffer denies it, but the campaign says he was behind posts describing President Barack Obama as a “Socialist Marxist Islamo Fascist Nazi Appeaser” and calling Rev. Al Sharpton’s daughter a racial slur. Read more in POLITICS.
4. Tight Race for Debate Spots in Latest NBC Poll
The first debate is three days away. The poll shows Trump leading the Republican field and three candidates in danger of being left off the primetime stage — Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, former Gov. Rick Perry of Texas and Gov. John Kasich of Ohio. Read more in POLITICS.
5. Second American Accused of Lion Kill in Zimbabwe
A Pennsylvania doctor hunted there without a permit, authorities say. Zimbabwe already says it will try to have a Minnesota dentist extradited for killing Cecil the lion. Read more in NEWS.
6. Suspect in Police Officer’s Killing Still on the Run
Authorities are looking for Tremaine Wilbourn, accused of shooting and killing the officer on Saturday night during a traffic stop. He has a record and is considered armed and dangerous. Read more in NEWS.
7. 9-Year-Old Bat Boy Dies After Struck by Swing
Kaiser Carlile was wearing a helmet when he was struck by the practice swings of a batter at an amateur baseball game in Wichita, Kansas. Players are mourning, and an official says the boy was “simply doing something he loved.” Read more in NEWS.