Good morning. Here are some of the stories we’re following today:
1. 'Psychotic' Escaped Murderer Could Seek Revenge: Accomplice
Escaped murderer Richard Matt is "psychotic," a former accomplice told NBC News, expressing fears the fugitive could seek revenge while on the lam. Matt and fellow inmate David Sweat have been on the run for five days after busting out of a maximum-security prison in upstate New York. Investigators have been chasing down hundreds of tips and mobilizing search teams across the region, but have come up empty. Read more in NEWS.
2. Prison Worker's Son Says Mom Wouldn’t Help Convicts
Joyce Mitchell, a Clinton Correctional Facility employee, was being questioned Tuesday in connection with the escape of Matt and Sweat. But her son told NBC News that his mother would never play a part in helping the prisoners break free. Read more in NEWS.
3. Texas Cop Who Pulled Gun at Pool Party Resigns
Cpl. Eric Casebolt of the McKinney Police Department turned in his badge Tuesday amid an ongoing internal investigation of why he drew his gun on teenagers at a pool party last week and wrestled one girl to the ground. The McKinney police chief blasted Casebolt's actions as "indefensible." Read more in NEWS.
4. Dennis Hastert Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Charges
The former House speaker was thronged by media Tuesday, when he pleaded not guilty to charges he lied to the FBI about illegal bank withdrawals — money he allegedly used for payoffs to keep sexual misconduct accusations under wraps. Legal experts say Hastert's defense team will have its work cut out for it with charges that are wrapped up in a paper trail. Read more in NEWS.
5. Celebrity Nude Photo Hack May Be Larger Than Thought
The stunning leak of nude and intimate photos of scores of celebrities may reach far wider than was previously known, involving the breach of almost 600 online storage accounts, according to unsealed federal court documents. The "Celebgate" hack resulted in the posting on Aug. 31 of almost 500 purported photos of Hollywood stars, models and other celebrities. Read more in TECH.
6. Giant Waves Slow Search for Missing Malaysian Jet
The hunt for missing Flight MH370 has now covered more than 40 percent of the ocean floor search zone in the southern Indian Ocean, but weather conditions are so bad that one of the ships has been damaged by giant waves, Australian officials said Wednesday. Read more in NEWS.
7. Airlines Groups Calls for Smaller Carry-On Bags
Travelers may need to put their carry-ons on a diet. The International Air Transport Association announced an initiative to create one standard size for carry-on luggage accepted by the world's airlines, but there's one hitch: The proposed standard is significantly smaller than what most major U.S. airlines already accept. Read more in BUSINESS.
Nightly Spotlight
A Paralympic hopeful's plans for running in Brazil next year are back on track after fans on the Internet got together to replace his stolen prosthetics.