Hey there, it’s Friday! And I loved this book in high school. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. Vaping marijuana linked to deadly lung illness, tests show

State and federal health officials have found a link between vaping marijuana products and a mysterious lung illness that is suspected of killing three people. There are currently 450 possible cases of the illness across the nation.

Health officials say it’s too early to tell what is causing the sickness, but lab tests showed a chemical derived from vitamin E was found in all cannabis samples from patients in New York.

The chemical, called vitamin E acetate, is harmless when used as a supplement or skin ointment, but experts believe its oil-like properties make it dangerous to inhale. [Washington Post]

2. Hurricane Dorian lands in North Carolina

The eye of the now-Category 1 storm made landfall this morning over Cape Hatteras, N.C. with maximum winds of 90 mph. Local authorities said they have not received any reports of deaths.

The National Hurricane Center said Dorian is steadily moving northeast, and hurricane warnings remain in effect in parts of North Carolina and Virginia.

Meanwhile, at least 30 deaths have been confirmed in the Bahamas, where Dorian hit as a devastating Category 5 storm. [NPR]

3. Facebook hit with antitrust investigation

The top attorneys in eight states and the District of Columbia today formally launched an investigation into the social media giant.

New York’s attorney general said the probe will look into whether Facebook “endangered consumer data, reduced the quality of consumers’ choices, or increased the price of advertising.”

The coordinated effort includes Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee.

The move comes after the U.S. Department of Justice announced over the summer it was conducting an antitrust review of big tech companies, but did not name them. [NPR]

Meanwhile, more than half of the nation’s state attorneys general are expected to unveil a similar investigation into Google next week. [Washington Post]

4. The U.S. may no longer be a leading place for refugees

That’s because the Trump administration is considering plans to essentially bar refugees seeking to resettle in the U.S. as they flee war, persecution and famine, according to The New York Times, citing current and former administration officials.

According to the Times, top administration officials have created two options.

One would cut the decades-old refugee program altogether while allowing the president the ability to admit people in an emergency. The other option would cap admissions by half or more, and reserve a bulk of the spots for handpicked countries. [New York Times]

5. Should Chicago public school students get free rides?

The city’s public school students get free rides on public transit on the first day of school, but some students and parents said they should get free rides for the entire school year.

That might be a big ask as the city stares down an $838 million budget shortfall. A pilot program under Mayor Rahm Emanuel gave free rides to 500 students for a semester, and it cost $50,000. The program was later expanded to 11 schools and ended up costing $250,000 for one year.

Students do get discounts on bus and train fares, but they say that can quickly add up if students take multiple buses each day to school. [WBEZ]

Meanwhile, schools in New York City give eligible students free transit cards, and Los Angeles recently launched a one-year pilot program giving free rides to K-12 students.

Here’s what else is happening

• The GOP’s plan to retake the House may be in peril as more Republicans retire. [NPR]

• The U.S. economy added fewer jobs last month than expected. [NPR]

• Young immigrants are urging Chicagoans to support an Obama-era immgration program. [WBEZ]

• Weekend podcast listen: Actor Rainn Wilson talks about going to the Bahá’í Temple just north of Chicago. [Preach podcast]

Oh, and one more thing …

I’m really excited to share that Nerdette is launching a book club! Host Greta Johnsen wants to read Margaret Atwood’s The Testaments, the sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, and she wants to read it with you.

On Sept. 13, Nerdette will do a recap of The Handmaid’s Tale (the book, not the TV show), and then she and a panel of guests will talk about The Testaments in three following episodes, which come out on Fridays.

Read along and share your thoughts by recording a message and emailing it to nerdettepodcast@gmail.com, and it might be included in the episodes. [Nerdette]

Tell me something good …

Kids are back in school, and I’d like to know what’s one of your favorite memories about going to school or college.

Suzanne writes:

“Grew up on the South Side of Chicago, oldest of big family, first to go ‘away’ to college to DePaul in Lincoln Park. After commuting by bus the fall quarter, I got financial aid to move on campus in January of 1971, through a big snowstorm. What I remember fondly is listening to live piano music, such as Elton John’s “Your Song,” on the grand piano in the dorm lobby. I was on my own for the first time, just 20 miles from home.”

Jo Segalla writes:

“I went to Maine South HS in Park Ridge & in 1978 or 1979 we went cross country skiing in the Forest Preserve across the street from the HS. It was the coolest gym class ever!”

And David Thill writes:

“My favorite school memories are the Monday mornings in sixth to eighth grade when the cast lists went up for the fall play and spring musical. I dreamed of being a star, and it felt possible on those Monday mornings in sixth to eighth grade.”

Thanks to everyone for sharing some great memories! I wish I could include them all because they were fun to read in the morning.

Thanks for reading, and have a nice night! I’ll see you on Monday.