Ida batters New York with deadly floods, Supreme Court declines to overturn Texas' restrictive abortion law

To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today's Top Stories from NBC News THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Today we look at the landmark Supreme Court decision that could affect abortion rights across the country, plus the deadly chaos Ida has brought to New York and New Jersey.   Here's the latest on that and everything else we're watching this Thursday morning.     Supreme Court declines to block Texas' restrictive abortion law, dealing a blow to Roe v. Wade A divided Supreme Court late Wednesday declined to block a restrictive Texas law banning abortions after a baby's heartbeat can be detected, in a blow to abortion rights nationally.   The vote, which was passed on a 5-4 majority, allows anyone in the U.S. to sue abortion providers or others who help women get an abortion after about six weeks into pregnancy.   Chief Justice John Roberts dissented alongside the three liberal Justices, who each wrote a separate opinion opposing the decision.   The lack of action by the nation's high court deals a blow to Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationally.   Abortion rights advocates say the Texas measure is the most restrictive anti-abortion law to go into effect in the U.S. in years, with provisions that amount to a near-total ban on abortion in the state.   Read the full story here. Thursday's Top Stories At least eight dead as Ida batters New York region with record rain and floods At least eight people were killed as the remnants of Hurricane Ida battered New York and New Jersey with record rain and flooding that left both areas under states of emergency on Thursday. Meanwhile in Louisiana, residents who didn't evacuate wait for power, water, communication to be restored. READ MORE Exclusive: FEMA closes gap that prevented many Black families in South from receiving disaster aid FEMA is set to announce sweeping changes to the way the U.S. government will verify homeownership for disaster relief applicants who lack legal documents for inherited property. READ MORE Biden hastens a slow-burn shift away from overreach overseas Analysis: The president vowed to "turn the page" on U.S. overreach after Afghanistan. The page was already turning, writes NBC News' Josh Lederman. READ MORE OPINION Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes has an unusual defense for her fraud trial. Will it work? Claiming her co-defendant made her do bad things pretty much requires admitting the bad things actually happened, writes Danny Cevallos, MSNBC legal analyst. READ MORE Also in the News Risk of breakthrough infections remains very rare, 3 studies find Why New Orleans' $15 billion levee held and what experts worry about next Judge will approve Purdue Pharma bankruptcy that shields Sacklers from opioid lawsuits Joe Rogan says he tested positive for Covid, took ivermectin 'We're all ruined': Afghan family says U.S. drone strike killed 10 civilians, including 7 children Editor's Pick INTO AMERICA PODCAST Race and education in an American suburb This week's episode of Into America takes a dive into NBC's new Southlake podcast. Trymaine Lee talks with Antonia Hylton and Mike Hixenbaugh about their reporting and how they were personally impacted it. READ MORE Shopping From air purifiers and face mask accessories to teeth whitening pens and SPF lip balms, here are the most purchased items we covered in August. One Fun Thing Justin Bieber looks like he's wearing Skims in funny billboard placement Justin Bieber became an accidental model for Skims, Kim Kardashian's undergarment line, thanks to an inadvertent mashup of billboards on Monday on the side of the Andaz hotel in West Hollywood, California.   The top half of Bieber's Balenciaga ad with him in a leather jacket was seen above the bottom half of a model wearing Skims underwear and socks for a jarring look.   At least the sexy Skims version of Bieber gave people something to smile about while stuck in the Los Angeles traffic. Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: patrick.smith@nbcuni.com. If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Patrick Smith.     FOLLOW US     Want to receive NBC Breaking News and Special Alerts in your inbox? SIGN UP HERE Check out all of NBC Newsletters here.     Get the NBC News Mobile App   30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 View in browser | Unsubscribe | Manage Subscription | Contact | Privacy