USA Today: Nation

Parents of Covenant students spoke emotionally with reporters after the end of the special session, vowing to return at the next legislative session.

South Korean and US militaries held a wet gap crossing drill in Cheorwon near the border with North Korea on Thursday, the last day of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share

Authorities say at least 64 people died in Johannesburg when a nighttime fire ripped through a multi-story building that had been used by homeless people. An emergency services spokesperson said another 43 people were injured in the blaze that broke out at about 1 a.m.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share

Five people have been shot in Peoria, Illinois and two of them were in critical condition, police said. The wounded, as well as a sixth person who suffered a laceration, were taken to a hospital.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share

Not that long ago, Preethi was begging on India's streets. Her life was transformed since nonprofit group Shishu Mandir gave her an electric rickshaw last year so she could start a ride-hailing service.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share

Hurricane Idalia tore into Florida, splitting trees in half, ripping roofs off hotels and turning small cars into boats before sweeping into Georgia as a still-powerful storm that flooded roadways and sent residents running for higher ground.More | Talk | Read It Later | Share

The U.S. government has filed a court motion to intervene in the salvage case of famous liner The RMS Titanic. The motion aims to prevent any objectionable expedition.

USA TODAY and the USA TODAY Network are providing free news coverage, public safety information and resource guides for Hurricane Idalia.

A viral video of a 12-year-old Colorado student being told to remove a patch depicting the "Don't Tread on Me" flag prompted the governor to respond.

Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida's Big Bend as a Category 3 but has been downgraded to a Category 1.