And now, Preston and Steve's news updates with Kathy Romano.

Today is Thursday, October 17th.

Good morning, Kathy.

Good morning in the news this morning.

Representative Elijah Cummings of Baltimore died early Thursday at the age of 68.

Cummings died at John Hopkins Hospital at 2.45 a.m. from complications concerning longstanding health challenges.

That he said that would keep him away from work

for about a week, his office said. The House oversight and reform committee chairman, a Democrat and

23-year House veteran, was a key figure in the impeachment inquiry into President Trump and a recent

target of intense criticism from the president. Cummings missed two roll call votes Thursday, the first day back following a two-week

house recess.

He previously released a statement saying that he'd be back by the time the session resumed.

He hadn't taken part in a roll call vote since September 11th.

Listen, the recent footage of him, he seemed full of energy and vital.

And it's a bit shocking. He called me completely

off guard. Sad. The procedure already caused Cummings to miss a September hearing on Washington, D.C.'s

Statehood. He previously was treated for knee and heart issues, but right now they're just saying

that he has died from longstanding health challenges. Three people have died after a multi-passenger van carrying 11 people overturned on Wednesday in Chester County, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Authorities say the van somehow lost control and crashed around 2.27 p.m. on Route 1 just north of Newark Road and New Garden Township.

One person was thrown from the vehicle. Two others were trapped in the van and had to be

extracted by fire rescue teams. Three people died in the wreck. Eight others are being treated for unknown

injuries. State police have not released the identities of the victims pending notification of next of kin.

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