1. Authorities: Oregon shooting victims range from ages 18 to 67
The nine people fatally shot by Chris Harper-Mercer at an Oregon college Thursday ranged in age from 18 to 67, Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin said Friday. Some were teenagers just starting classes for the first time at Umpqua Community College, and others were adults going back to school. Lawrence Levine, the 67-year-old, was an assistant professor of English. Authorities have not announced an official motive for Harper-Mercer, who reportedly had a cache of 13 weapons, body armor, and ammunition.
CNN The Associated Press
2. Possible U.S. airstrike mistakenly hits Doctors Without Borders hospital, kills at least 9
A U.S.-led airstrike may have mistakenly hit a Doctors Without Borders hospital in northern Afghanistan on Saturday. At least nine staff members reportedly died and 37 more people were seriously injured. Dozens more are still unaccounted for. U.S. forces have repeatedly attacked Kunduz since the Taliban took control of the city Monday. A spokesman for the U.S. coalition confirmed they led the airstrike suspected of hitting the hospital at 2 a.m. and said the incident is under investigation.
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The Washington Post
3. Education Secretary Arne Duncan to step down in December
Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced Friday he will step down in December. Duncan is one of two remaining members of President Obama's original 2009 cabinet still serving in the same position, the other being Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. In a letter to White House staff, Duncan said that he will be returning to Chicago to live with his family. Obama tapped Education Department official John King Jr. to replace Duncan as acting secretary.
The Associated Press
4. The U.S. economy added 142,000 jobs in September
The U.S. economy added a lackluster 142,000 jobs in September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday. That's below the 173,000 initially reported for August, and that number was revised down to 136,000. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.1 percent.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
5. Rep. Jason Chaffetz plots run for House speaker
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) may be the latest candidate vying to replace John Boehner as House speaker, multiple sources told Politico. Chaffetz, the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, called out the current favorite, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), over his comments applauding the Benghazi oversight committee for successfully tarnishing Hillary Clinton's reputation. McCarthy is still seen as the favorite to replace Boehner when he steps down at the end of October.
Politico
6. Pope Francis met with openly gay couple during U.S. visit
Pope Francis met in private with an openly gay former student at the Vatican Embassy during his September U.S. trip. The student, Yayo Grassi, has been in a committed same-sex relationship for 19 years and brought his partner with him. The revelation comes in stark contrast to the pope's brief meeting with same-sex marriage opponent Kim Davis. The Vatican has since released a statement saying that the meeting between Francis and Davis "should not be considered a form of support of her position."
CNN
7. Obama: Conflict in Syria won't become U.S.-Russia 'proxy war'
President Obama criticized Russia's increased military actions in Syria on Friday, but vowed to keep the conflict from becoming a "proxy war" between the two global powers. President Vladimir Putin has claimed his tanks and troops in Syria are targeting ISIS, but the U.S. has been skeptical. "This is not a smart strategic move on Russia's part," Obama said in a news conference. "It's only strengthening ISIL, and that's not good for anybody."
The Associated Press
8. Coast Guard searches for U.S. cargo ship lost in hurricane
The Coast Guard is searching for El Faro, a U.S.-flagged container ship lost in Hurricane Joaquin. The ship, headed for Puerto Rico with 28 Americans and five Poles, last made contact Thursday morning. The storm is no longer expected to directly hit the U.S., but forecasters said the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic could still see heavy rain over the weekend.
CNN
9. Top FIFA corporate sponsors call for Sepp Blatter to step down
FIFA corporate sponsors Coca-Cola, Visa, McDonald's, and Anheuser-Busch all called on President Sepp Blatter to step down immediately from the soccer governing body. "Every day that passes, the image and reputation of FIFA continues to tarnish," Coca-Cola said in a statement Friday. Swiss authorities recently announced a criminal investigation of Blatter, who has maintained he will step down in February after a special election to select his replacement. In May, the U.S. indicted several top FIFA officials on corruption charges.
The New York Times
10. Saturday Night Live to kick off 41st season
Miley Cyrus will kick off Saturday Night Live's 41st season, serving as both host and musical guest. Hillary Clinton is set to appear in the show's opening sketch alongside cast member Kate McKinnon. All of SNL's cast members from last season are returning, and they'll be joined by newcomer Jon Rudnitsky, who some have already criticized for a history of racist, sexist, and homophobic jokes. Watch the season premiere at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
NBC The New York Times
