Hurricane Ian makes ‘catastrophic’ Florida landfall, Biden’s gaffe at White House conference, Arkansas hospital shooting suspect in custody

An “extremely dangerous” Hurricane Ian begins “catastrophic” landfall in Florida – Hurricane Ian, with 155 mph winds near Category 5 status, has begun to make landfall over over Sanibel and Captiva islands in southwest Florida, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Floridians are bracing for the “extremely dangerous” storm, with about 2.5 million people now under evacuation orders. Meanwhile, those who have remained face limited resources while braving the elements with widespread power outages topping 624,000 across the state.

“You need to get into the interior of your home and begin to brace for a period of sustained damaging, potentially devastating winds,” advised acting NHC Director Jamie Rhome to those in the path of the storm. “Do not venture outside at all. Do not try to evacuate at this point. You really have to get into the interior of your house and ride this part out.”

Biden searches for deceased Indiana Representative in crowd at White House conference – While speaking at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health this Wednesday, President Joe Biden tried to acknowledge the presence of Rep. Jackie Walorski. However, the commander-in-chief failed to recall that the Indiana Republican had died in a car accident in early August.

“Jackie, are you here? Where’s Jackie? I think she wasn’t going to be here – to help make this a reality,” said Biden.

The White House tried to explain away Biden’s gaffe, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying that “[Walorski] was top of mind for the president” due to a bill signing in her honor this coming Friday.

Police take suspect into custody after 1 person shot dead at Arkansas hospital – Law enforcement officials have confirmed that one person is dead and a person of interest has been arrested following a shooting at St. Vincent North Hospital in Sherwood, Arkansas. The names of the victim and suspect have not been released at this time.

Little Rock police said that they arrested the unnamed suspect at a nearby gas station and notified Sherwood police upon detaining the individual.

Officers from multiple agencies reportedly responded to the scene, including the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.