Final preparations for tonight’s presidential debate

We're just hours away from the first presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. And we look back on the legendary career of actor James Earl Jones. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.

Trump, Harris prep for first presidential debate tonight

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will take the stage in their first debate Tuesday night , Sept. 10. It's a big moment and opportunity for both campaigns as battleground polls continue to show the presidential race is a close one.

The debate will also mark the first time Harris and Trump meet in person.

Harris has spent the last few days taking part in mock debates , practicing on stage with lights and sparring with former Hillary Clinton aide Philippe Reines, who even dressed as Trump during his performance against Harris.

During a radio interview with host Rickey Smiley , Harris spoke on her expectations of Trump on debate night.

"He plays from this really old and tired playbook,” she said. “There's no floor for him for how low he will go and we should be prepared for that. We should be prepared that he's not burdened to tell the truth. We should be prepared that he's going to speak a lot of untruths."

Meanwhile, Trump has said he doesn't need formal preparation to debate Harris. Instead, he's been holding policy sessions and speaking with a small team of advisors which include former Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard and Republican Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz.

Trump has continued on the campaign trail and made an announcement on his Truth Social platform Monday, Sept. 9, promising no taxes on Social Security benefits .

"To help seniors who are on fixed income who are suffering the ravages of Kamala Harris' inflation nightmare, it’s a total nightmare, I'm announcing no tax on Social Security benefits,” Trump announced.

As for the rules of the debate : there will be no opening statements, no audience, no pre-written notes or huddling with staff during commercial breaks, and microphones will be muted when it’s not a candidate's turn to speak.

The debate is hosted by ABC but will air on other networks as well beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

Ukraine strikes Russia in biggest drone attack yet; dozens killed in Israeli strike on Gaza tent camp

Ukraine struck Moscow and parts of western Russia in one of its biggest-ever drone attacks Tuesday. According to Russia, at least one woman is dead and dozens of homes have been destroyed.

Russian officials said they destroyed at least 20 drones over Moscow alone, and more than 120 over eight other regions. Russia is likening the drone attack to terrorism since it targeted civilian infrastructure.

Ukraine has not commented on the attack .

Meanwhile, in Gaza, dozens of people were killed in what the Israeli military said was a strike on a Hamas command center.

Local residents and medics said the tent encampment near Khan Younis , which Israel has designated a humanitarian safe zone for displaced Palestinians, was hit by at least four missiles.

The Hamas-run government media office in Gaza said more than 40 people were killed in the strike and more than 60 more wounded while many more remain unaccounted for.

Evacuations begin as Francine takes aim at Louisiana

Evacuations have begun along the Gulf Coast as Tropical Storm Francine gains strength . The storm is already bringing flooding to the southernmost parts of Texas as it takes aim at Louisiana .

It's forecast to make landfall there Wednesday , Sept. 11, as a hurricane, bringing even more flooding, damaging winds, and life-threatening storm surge.

Louisiana's governor has declared a statewide emergency ahead of the storm's arrival. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations have been ordered in multiple parishes along Louisiana's coast, as well as parts of southern Mississippi.

Francine is expected to turn into a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall — potentially keeping up that strength when it does.

This is the sixth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season .

Police release bodycam video of Tyreek Hill being handcuffed

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill found himself in handcuffs a block away from Hard Rock Stadium Sunday, Sept. 8, just hours before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Newly released body camera footage shows what unfolded when he was pulled over by police.

In the bodycam video, Hill doesn't comply with the officer's orders to lower his window and that's when things begin to escalate. Hill is seen dragged out of his car and forced face down onto the ground along the roadway in the video. The footage also reveals Hill was originally stopped for speeding.

It takes approximately one minute from when the officer leaves his motorcycle to when Hill is pulled out of his car .

The NFL star received two citations and was briefly detained but never put under arrest .

Apple unveils iPhone 16 with artificial intelligence upgrade

As anticipated, Apple revealed its latest lineup of tech at the company’s “Glowtime" event on Monday. That included the iPhone 16 series with artificial intelligence capabilities.

“The next generation of iPhone has been designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. “It marks the beginning of an exciting new era.”

Cook said the iPhone 16 “raises the bar for what an iPhone can do.”

Along with artificial intelligence, the new phones have bigger batteries, larger displays, and an improved camera and control button. And it’s all powered by Apple’s new A18 chip , which is optimized to running large generative AI models like Apple Intelligence.

The iPhones will be available to preorder starting Friday, Sept. 13, and the starting price is $799 .

James Earl Jones remembered as ‘best of any generation’

Iconic actor James Earl Jones , known for his booming voice, is being remembered by those who knew him after passing away on Monday at 93 years old.

Actor Matthew Broderick, who worked with Jones on the 1994 Disney animated film "The Lion King" told People magazine , “I’m so lucky to have had a chance to work with James Earl Jones, to have had him play my father, my king!”

Broderick also said Jones was “one of the very best of his or any generation.”

Kevin Costner, who costarred with Jones in the 1989 baseball classic Field of Dreams said, “That booming voice. That quiet strength. The kindness that he radiated. So much can be said about his legacy, so I’ll just say how thankful I am that part of it includes Field fo Dreams.”

And Mark Hamill, best known for playing Luke Skywalker to Jones’ Darth Vader in the Star Wars saga honored his on-screen father by saying "RIP dad.”

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