🍁 Fall has entered the chat

Cooler temps, changing leaves, pumpkin-spice everything – it's official: Fall is here. Russians flee the country as military mobilization begins. And whose cellphones did the FBI take?

👋 Hey! Laura Davis here. It's Thursday – and fall has definitely arrived here in Denver! I've got my hoodie on, and I'm locking down leaf-peeping plans in the mountains this weekend. Hope you have a good one! Now, let's get to the news.

But first, need a smile? 🐾 Four paws up for funny, furry friends! See photos that sum it all up from the Comedy Pet Photographer of the Year competition.

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🌤 What's the weather up to in your neck of the woods? Check your local forecast here.

It's fall, y'all! Or is it autumn?

Is it more accurate to say Sept. 22 is the start of "fall" or "autumn"? Both words originated from Britain, according to Merriam-Webster. "Autumn," however, was the first of the seasonal names to emerge back in the 1300s, originating from the Latin word "autumnus." It would take 300 years for "fall" to come into the picture. After many poets began using the phrase “the fall of the leaves,” the word itself became associated with the season during the 1600s. Eventually, "fall" made its way to the New World.

In short: Autumn leaves, autumn sneeze, fall breeze and fall trees ... say whichever one you please. 🤗

• Visual guide: Just what is the autumnal equinox anyway?

• When is the autumnal equinox? Should I turn my clock back? What to know.

Russians protest, flee country as military mobilization begins

Russia's announcement of a partial military mobilization set off protests resulting in hundreds of arrests – and a run on plane tickets out of the country. The plan to boost troop numbers in the face of Ukraine's counteroffensive was in full swing Thursday: Conscripts answered summonses, schools were commandeered for recruit intake, and there was plenty of controversy. President Vladimir Putin said the mobilization was necessary because his country is fighting not just Ukraine but the entire Western world. The military is adding 300,000 soldiers from the ranks of 25 million reservists, officials said. But some draftees said they had no military experience.

📸 Photo gallery: Protests erupt in Russia over Putin's declaration of mobilization.

What everyone's talking about

• My twin died by suicide. I’ve been too ashamed to talk about it – until now. | Mike Radu

• Border shelters warn migrants about human trafficking after DeSantis' flights to Martha's Vineyard.

• What ties does Ginni Thomas, the Supreme Court justice's wife, have to Jan. 6?

• Babies in the womb smile over carrots, grimace at kale, new fetus study finds.

• I'm trying to reach you about your car insurance: Watch giant lizard claw at the window of a Florida home.

• Video: Unruly passenger punches American Airlines flight attendant.

• Prince William, Princess Kate make first post-funeral appearance to thank volunteers, support staff.

The Short List is free, but several stories we link to are subscriber-only. Consider supporting our journalism and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today.

'We are not OK': Life in one Puerto Rico town after Fiona

The island is digging out. Days after Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico, more than 1 million people remained without power and nearly half of people were still without water service. In the town of Comerío, some residents were without water and running low on food. Others don't have refrigeration for medicine. And they are struggling to cope with the loss of "some very precious things." What it's like on the ground.

Fiona still making waves: As the Category 4 storm churned toward Bermuda, weather conditions are expected to deteriorate on the island Thursday before the storm heads toward Atlantic Canada. Though Fiona is expected to weaken on its march north, it is still forecast to be "a large and powerful post-tropical cyclone with hurricane-force winds" when it hits Canada, forecasters said.

Hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico? There could be one soon, which poses the "most significant threat to the U.S. mainland" so far this hurricane season, forecasters warned Thursday. Most computer forecasts predict the system – probably at hurricane strength – will curl into the Gulf of Mexico around the middle of next week, threatening Florida's Gulf Coast.

Whose cellphones did the FBI seize?

Cellphones contain vast amounts of information, including email, text messages and geographic locations. As the Justice Department investigates efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, it has subpoenaed dozens of Donald Trump's high-profile associates, including a Republican congressman. The FBI has been seizing cellphones and other devices from nine people connected to Trump. Here's a look at what was taken, when, and why.

• Trump claims in interview he can declassify documents "even by thinking about it."

• Poll: Third of the public doesn't believe Trump had classified materials at Mar-a-Lago.

Real quick

• Celtics coach Ime Udoka faces suspension for violating team policy.

• Florida man charged with killing ex-wife, stepson in dispute over lights left on.

• Iran's president backs out of interview after reporter refuses to wear headscarf.

• Tesla recalls more than 1 million vehicles over window-safety issue.

• Indiana's near-total abortion ban temporarily blocked by judge, a week after it took effect.

• $238,000 in change fees? Former Spirit employees charged with fraud.

• Alex Jones takes the stand in defamation trial over false Sandy Hook claims.

• He was on TV as a financial expert. Now he's wanted on federal fraud charges.

They're undocumented and retiring without money. What happens next?

Millions of Latino immigrants came to the U.S. throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, seeking better fortunes than they could find in Mexico or Central America. They raised families. They paid taxes. They settled down. They became elderly. But now they are aging without care. With about 40% of the undocumented population expected to reach 55 or older by 2038, some say the situation is a looming public health crisis. A look at what happens next.

A break from the news

• 💔 Adam Levine scandal: Why we love to hate 'the other woman' in affairs

• 💃🏻 Getting your steps in? A simple lifestyle change could save your life.

• 🐶 Gotta see this: How a dog's natural instincts save a woman with epilepsy

• 🤷‍♀️ Do you have a good credit score? What is considered good credit? Experts share tips on boosting your score.

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Send her an email at laura@usatoday.com or follow along with her adventures – and misadventures – on Twitter. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Subscribe to the newsletter here or text messages here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: First day of fall, Russian military mobilization, Puerto Rico, Hurricane Fiona. Thursday's news.