Here is what's happening across the United States and around the world today.
Obama to Vegas for immigration rally
WASHINGTON (AP) — Expecting an outpouring of Republican criticism, President Barack Obama is firing up an effort to gain support for his executive actions on immigration.
Obama is starting with a rally today in Las Vegas and the White House is enlisting the aid of immigrant advocacy groups.
The plan would make nearly 5 million immigrants living illegally in the United States eligible for work permits and protection from deportation.
Republicans to respond today to Obama immigration plans
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans plan to respond this morning to President Barack Obama's changes in the immigration system that could shield from deportation some 5 million people living illegally in the U.S.
Republican House Speaker John Boehner has scheduled a news conference.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy calls Obama's executive order that also grants eligible immigrants work permits, is a "brazen power grab."
Iran talks: Kerry to meet UK, French diplomats
VIENNA (AP) — With Iran nuclear talks stalled four days before a deadline for agreement, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is to meet with his British and French counterparts to discuss the way forward.
The meeting, set for this morning, follows discussions Thursday among Kerry, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and former EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
Negotiators from six powers are hoping for an agreement to reduce the potency of Iran's nuclear program and slow its technical ability to produce atomic weapons. Iran denies seeking such arms, but is negotiating in pursuit of relief from international sanctions.
Expectations are growing that the Monday deadline for a full deal will be missed because of differences on how much Iran needs to reduce the size and scope of key nuclear programs.
Some things to know from the AP-NORC employer poll
UNDATED (AP) — A new poll suggests that employee benefits may continue to grow skimpier in the coming years.
A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that companies that offer health insurance see it as a key tool to attract workers and keep them on the job.
But 27 percent say they've changed their offerings in the past year, and another 34 percent have shopped around for a new plan.
Snow, now possible flooding
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Some 7 feet of snow in the Buffalo, New York area could give way to flooding this weekend, when temperatures are expected to approach 60 degrees.
Not only have residents been shoveling three days of snowfall from driveways, sidewalks and roads, but from roofs that have begun to creek and collapse.
And with rain forecast beginning Saturday, the snow could get heavier.
FSU shooter described as troubled
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Authorities in Tallahassee, Florida describe the man who opened fire Thursday in a Florida State University library as having been "in a state of crisis."
Authorities say alumnus and attorney Myron May believed the government was targeting him for persecution, and he detailed his thoughts in a journal and in videos.
May opened fire in the library's lobby, wounding three people.
Officers shot him dead outside the building after he refused to put down his weapon.
Newtown shooter's history reviewed in new report
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut agency that investigated the background of the violence-obsessed man who carried out the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School is issuing a report on his mental health and educational history.
The Office of Child Advocate investigates all child deaths in the state for lessons on prevention. In the case of the Newtown shooting, it said its report will focus on gunman Adam Lanza, and how his "personal, educational, mental health and medical trajectory can inform public health systems."
The police investigation into the massacre concluded more than a year ago with prosecutors saying in a summary report that a motive might never be known.
Lanza killed his mother and then gunned down 20 children and six educators at the school before committing suicide.
The advocate office's report is being released today.
Gambia leader approves law jailing gays for life
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Gambia's president has signed a bill into law that calls for life imprisonment for some homosexual acts.
The Associated Press received a copy of the approved bill today. It's dated Oct. 9, but Gambian officials have not previously acknowledged that the president, one of Africa's most vocal anti-gay leaders, signed it into law.
The law contains language identical to anti-gay legislation in Uganda that was overturned by a court earlier this year on procedural grounds.
Gambia's law criminalizes "aggravated homosexuality," which applies to "serial offenders" and people living with HIV or AIDS. People found guilty of aggravated homosexuality can be sentenced to life in prison.
NEW: Woman in labor loses 2 other kids in fire
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say they're waiting to tell a pregnant woman about to deliver her baby that her two young children have been killed and their father is in critical condition following an apartment fire in San Bernardino, California.
Authorities say the woman had gone into labor and was taken to a hospital before the fire broke out early Thursday.
The family had been living illegally in a building in foreclosure, the exits were blocked and they had been getting their electricity, gas and water from other units.
5 family members killed on 'dream trip' to Disney
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A road trip that was supposed to be a Disney World adventure ended in tragedy after the 16-year-old boy behind the wheel feel asleep and crashed the family's SUV, killing his parents and three siblings.
Authorities say teachers Michael and Trudy Hardman and three of their children, ages 15, 7 and 4, were killed in Calhoun, Louisiana late Wednesday, just a few hours after a relative says they left their home in Terrell, Texas.
A 12-year-old brother is in critical condition.
The 16-year-old is charged with reckless operation of a vehicle.
Ruling expected on New Jersey sports betting
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A federal judge in Trenton, New Jersey says he'll rule today on whether sports betting can begin in the state, in defiance of the federal government and the nation's biggest sports leagues.
But any decision by U.S. District Court Judge Michael Shipp is likely to be appealed to a higher court.
New Jersey officials see sports betting as a way to help the state's struggling horse tracks and casinos. Federal law says that most states are not allowed to authorize sports betting.
That's what's happening. Read more stories to jump start your day in our special Breakfast Buzz section.
