5 Things to Know This Morning

5 Things to Know This Morning

ByABC News
October 16, 2014, 5:37 AM
Frontier Airlines has confirmed that their plane, seen at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on Oct. 15, 2014, is the plane that has been decontaminated after carrying a patient with Ebola from Cleveland to Dallas.
Frontier Airlines has confirmed that their plane, seen at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on Oct. 15, 2014, is the plane that has been decontaminated after carrying a patient with Ebola from Cleveland to Dallas.
Tony Dejak/AP Photo

— -- Your look at the five biggest and most buzz-worthy stories of the morning.

1. Nurse Who Contracted Ebola Called CDC Before Flight, Official Says

A Dallas nurse who treated an Ebola patient contacted federal health officials before boarding a passenger flight Monday due to a slightly elevated temperature, but was allowed to board the flight because she was not exhibiting additional symptoms of Ebola, ABC News has learned.

Amber Vinson’s temperature was 99.5 degrees – below the 100.4 reading for a fever, according to a federal official from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A fever is one of the symptoms of Ebola. Other symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. She was not asked to avoid boarding the flight.

CDC officials believe that Vinson was not exhibiting further symptoms on the Oct. 13 flight.

“The patient was not showing any other symptoms while on board the plane – no vomiting or diarrhea. The only symptom Amber was showing was the fever,” CDC spokesman Tom Skinner told ABC News.

2. Hurricane Gonzalo Aims for Bermuda

Forecasters say Hurricane Gonzalo has strengthened overnight and is again a dangerous Category 4 storm as it barrels toward the small British island territory of Bermuda.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Gonzalo reached Category 4 strength early Thursday for the second time in two days while fluctuating in intensity.

It says Gonzalo is howling with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph and is centered about 540 miles south-southwest of Bermuda. It's moving toward the north at 9 mph toward Bermuda, where a hurricane warning is in effect as the territory rushes to batten down.

3. What to Expect From Apple's Special Event Today

Apple's year of revelations isn't over just yet.

As if two new iPhones and a smart watch weren't enough, Apple has scheduled big announcement today at 10 a.m. PT at its campus in Cupertino, California.

While Apple has kept the agenda for today's event under wraps, industry observers expect the "executive presentation" mentioned on the invitation to include announcements on new hardware, software and products.

4. 'Modern Family' Actress Elizabeth Pena Dies

Elizabeth Pena, the versatile actress who shifted between dramatic roles in such films as "Lone Star" and comedic parts in TV shows like "Modern Family," has died. She was 55.

Pena's manager, Gina Rugolo, said Wednesday the Cuban-American actress died Tuesday in Los Angeles of natural causes after a brief illness. No other details were provided.

Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to Cuban immigrant parents, Pena's Hollywood career spanned four decades and included roles in such movies as "La Bamba," ''Down and Out in Beverly Hills," ''Jacob's Ladder" and "Rush Hour." In filmmaker John Sayles' "Lone Star," she memorably portrayed a history teacher who rekindles a romance with an old flame, played by Chris Cooper.

Pena appeared on such TV shows as "L.A. Law," ''Dream On," ''Resurrection Blvd." and "Modern Family," where she played the mother of Sofia Vergara's character, Gloria.

5. Denver Police Warn Parents About Pot-Laced Candy During Trick-or-Treat Season

Denver Police are warning parents to be on the lookout for pot-laced candy this Halloween -- even releasing a video to show parents how similar pot-laced Sour Patch Kids, gummy candies and gum drops can look like the real thing.

“A kid is not going to be able to tell the difference,” said Denver Police spokesman Ron Hackett. “My daughter is 7 years old. She could care less if it’s growing mold. She’s going to eat it.”