McConnell: GOP prospects 'dicey' ... 2 dead in DC-area fire ... Going for gymnastics gold

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says GOP prospects for keeping control of the Senate after the November elections are "very dicey." Speaking to a civic group in his home state, McConnell said Senate Republicans are going to be "on defense" in this year's election. McConnell's comments come amid mounting Republican concerns about presidential nominee Donald Trump.

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — Two people died, dozens were injured and others were unaccounted for after a massive explosion and fire at an apartment complex outside the nation's capital. Among those injured in last night's inferno in Silver Spring, Maryland, were three firefighters. Fire officials say the explosion's cause remains under investigation. Residents reported smelling gas before the blast.

LIGONIER, Pa. (AP) — A boy is hospitalized after falling from a wooden roller coaster at a Pennsylvania amusement park. A spokesman for Idlewild and SoakZone amusement park near Ligonier (lihg-uh-NEER') says the boy was on the ride with his brother this afternoon when he fell. His age wasn't released. The Rollo Coaster opened in 1938 and takes riders up, down and around a wooded hillside. It doesn't require seat belts.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union is suing South Carolina over what it calls the criminalization of normal adolescent misbehavior. The lawsuit challenges the state's "disturbing schools" and "disorderly conduct" charges as unconstitutionally vague. Plaintiffs include an 18-year-old who videotaped a deputy flipping a student backward out of her chair and tossing her across the classroom. She told the deputy that what he was doing was wrong, and was arrested along with the girl on a charge of disturbing schools.

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — For those planning to watch NBC later today, here's a spoiler alert for the results of women's gymnastics at the Rio Olympics: Nineteen-year-old Simone Biles of the United States has won the all-around gold medal, soaring to a total of 62.198. That was well clear of silver medalist and "Final Five" teammate Aly Raisman (AL'-ee RAYS'-mihn). Aliya Mustafina of Russia won the bronze. Biles is the fourth American woman in a row to win the all-around title and fifth overall.

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