The KKK is stepping up its recruitment efforts. The St. Louis Rams drop Michael Sam. And a U.S. lawmaker seeks to arm Ukrainian troops.
It's Monday, and here are the "5 things to know for your New Day."
1. KKK EFFORTS
Stepping up: The Ku Klux Klan is stepping up its recruitment efforts, leaving fliers and candy outside homes. The packages appear to be part of a wider recruitment effort by the Klan across the country, says Ryan Lenz of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
2. ISIS
Iraqi forces take Amerli town: Iraqi forces have broken the siege of Amerli, prompting celebrations across the town, which had been besieged by the ISIS terror group. The breakthrough came after the United States said it conducted airstrikes and dropped humanitarian aid in Amerli, which is home to many of Iraq's Shiite Turkmen.
3. MICHAEL SAM
Released by the Rams: Michael Sam, who made history as the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL, has been waived and did not make the St. Louis Rams' final 53-man roster. The All-American defensive end was picked by the Rams this year in the seventh and final round.
4. UKRAINE CRISIS
Call for arms: A U.S. lawmaker is calling for the arming of Ukrainian forces battling Russian troops who've crossed into their territory. Sen. Robert Menendez is in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev on a fact-finding mission into the months-long conflict between pro-Russian rebels and the Ukrainian military.
5. LIBYA LAWLESSNESS
U.S. Embassy ransacked? Libyan rebels have turned the abandoned U.S. Embassy in Tripoli into a water park, with a new video showing men diving into a pool. But Ambassador Deborah Jones, who is not in Libya, said the images show a residential annex in the U.S. Embassy compound. "The U.S. Embassy Tripoli chancery & compound is now being safeguarded and has not been ransacked," she says.
There you go. All you need to know to get an early start to your morning.
Be sure to tune in to "New Day," from 6 to 9 a.m. ET, join us at NewDayCNN.com and go and have a GREAT NEW DAY!
No happy, funny or cute things to share this September 1, 2014 New Day?
Thanks for the world udate im wallking t hills of Loma Linda Ca its so beautiful this morning Happy Labor Day
I missed the EXTRA news... at the end of the five things we "need to know." I count on the extra news to make my day a brighter one.
Please put them back!
😉
Michael Sam's statement was strong, positive and sincere. He will play for the NFL.