Washington’s Top News — Friday, September 5, 2014

Here’s a look at some of the day’s top stories from WTOP:

Missionary infected with Ebola heading to Nebraska

A doctor infected with Ebola while working in Liberia is being flown to a Nebraska hospital for treatment.

Officials at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha say Dr. Rick Sacra is expected to arrive sometime Friday. The 51-year-old will begin treatment in the hospital’s 10-bed special isolation unit, the largest of four such units in the U.S.

US and UK seek partners to go after Islamic State

President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron are pressing fellow NATO leaders to confront the militant group Islamic State that’s wreaking havoc in Iraq and Syria.

As leaders of the Western alliance gather for a two-day summit in Wales, Obama and Cameron have been working to begin forming a coalition of nations that could combat the extremists through military power, diplomatic pressure and economic penalties.

OK governor wants new procedures for executions

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin says new procedures to improve Oklahoma’s execution process must be implemented before the state resumes putting prisoners to death by lethal injection.

Investigators on Thursday presented their findings in the April execution of Clayton Lockett, who died 43 minutes after being given three execution drugs. Fallin says she still believes the death penalty is a just punishment for those guilty of the most heinous crimes, but that the state must make sure it’s carried out effectively.

32 states ask high court to settle gay marriage

More than 30 states have filed briefs asking the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on same-sex marriage.

Massachusetts and 14 other states where same-sex marriage is legal filed a brief Thursday asking the justices to overturn other states’ bans on gay marriage.

Colorado and 16 other states that have banned same-sex marriage filed a separate brief asking the court to rule one way or the other to clear up a “morass” of lawsuits. Their brief doesn’t specifically ask the court to uphold their bans.

Celebrities reflect on Joan Rivers’ life

“A legend, a friend, a mentor, an icon.” “A controlled lightning bolt.” “Every woman in comedy is indebted to her.” Those are just a few of the things that Joan Rivers’ comedy colleagues and other celebrities are saying about the pioneer after her death at 81.

A look at fall’s film offerings

It may still be pretty warm outside, but as far as the film industry is concerned, fall starts next week, and that means the slam-bang action thrillers give way to Oscar contenders. On WTOP’s Entertainment page, film critic Jason Fraley previews the offerings for the new season, which include war epics, family dramas, inspiring history-based works and more.

Advice to avoid helicopter-parenting your college-bound kid

Are you thinking about writing the personal essay on your child’s college applications for them? Yes, a parenting expert says she’s heard of that happening. Don’t be that parent — on WTOP’s Living page, Rachel Nania talks with a parenting blogger about the real dangers of over-parenting a teenager through the college-application process, and details ways to you can avoid the urge to helicopter without driving you and your kid nuts.

Facebook app users could face an icy shock from providers

All those Ice Bucket Challenges and other videos you’ve been watching on Facebook on your phone? They could be adding a lot of money to your monthly bill. On WTOP’s Tech page, Neal Augenstein explains what’s causing such surprising charges and shows you the fast, easy way to keep it from happening to you.

Body found at Vancouver recycling center

Vancouver police say they are not investigating the death of a man whose body was found at a Vancouver recycling center as a homicide.

The man has been identified as 51-year-old Craig A. Mays of Vancouver.

Authorities say they believe the man was transported to the Waste Connections Materials Recovery Center in a load of refuse. His body was found on a sorting conveyor belt. An autopsy has been scheduled for Friday at the office of the Clark County medical examiner.

Redskins season preview

Well, it has to get better than last year’s 3-13, doesn’t it? On WTOP’s Sports page, Redskins beat writer George Wallace goes over the roster for this year’s team, detailing all the changes since last year’s disastrous season, and makes his prediction for the Skins’ final record in the first year under head coach Jay Gruden. Yes, Wallace thinks they’ll improve, but how much?

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.

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