Cruz sends condolences after balloon crash...Wildfire burns in California... Investigation into Chicago police shooting

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LOCKHART, Texas (AP) — Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is sending condolences to "all who have lost their loved ones" this morning in the crash of a hot air balloon. Authorities say at least 16 people were aboard when it caught on fire and crashed in Central Texas, causing what authorities describe as a "significant loss of life." Federal safety officials are opening up a full-bore investigation into the crash near Lockhart, about 30 miles south of Austin. It'll begin Sunday.

BIG SUR, Calif. (AP) — An all-out war is being fought against a massive wildfire burning near California's Big Sur coast. It's already destroyed 57 homes and is threatening 2,000 more. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection officials say the blaze has grown to 52 square miles. More than 5,000 firefighters are battling the week-old wildfire few miles north of Big Sur that killed a bulldozer operator working the fire line.

CHICAGO (AP) — An autopsy has determined that an 18-year-old suspect who was shot by Chicago police died from a gunshot wound to the back. The shooting of Paul O'Neal of Chicago occurred Thursday night during a stolen vehicle investigation. Authorities have said officers stopped a Jaguar convertible that had been reported stolen. Two officers have been relieved of their police powers following the shooting. A third officer's actions are being reviewed.

LEROY, Ala. (AP) —A suspected burglar is dead after an Alabama homeowner caught the man breaking into his home late Friday. According to AL.com, the Washington County sheriff says 68-year-old Nathanial Johnson, of Leroy, caught 31-year-old Cleveland Jones Gully and tied him to a tree before calling 911. Gully was dead when deputies arrived about 10 minutes later. An autopsy will be performed and no charges have been filed yet against Johnson.

BOSTON (AP) — Police say no foul play is suspected in the death of a 7-year-old boy who wandered away unnoticed from a camp at a Boston beach and later was found dead in the water. The Boston Globe reports city police announced Friday that Kyzr Willis died of an accidental drowning. At some point, he slipped away unnoticed from counselors at the community center, where the day camp is held. The center's director was put on paid administrative leave.