5 Things for November 7: Church Family's Heartbreak

By Doug Criss, CNN

(CNN) -- Before the massacre, the First Baptist Church meant everything to Sutherland Springs, Texas. These videos show why. Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door.

1. Texas church shooting

The man who helped stop one of the worst massacres in modern US history said he was "scared to death." Stephen Willeford, who shot and chased the Texas church shooter, said he feared for his and the congregation's safety when he faced off with Devin Patrick Kelley, who killed 26 people Sunday at a small church in rural Texas. Willeford also said he's not a hero.

Kelley, who was armed with an assault rifle and 15 loaded magazines, fired off 450 rounds during his rampage at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs. He had three gunshot wounds, including a self-inflicted shot to the head. The Air Force said it failed to relay Kelley's court-martial conviction for domestic assault to law enforcement agencies. Doing so could have stopped him from buying the guns used in the shooting.

We're learning more about the people who died in the shooting, and the details are heartbreaking. Lula White was grandmother to Kelley's wife and had received threatening messages from him. Annabelle Pomeroy was the pastor's daughter and just 14 years old. But the losses the Holcombe family endured are unspeakable. Eight members of the family were killed in the shooting, including a 17-month-old baby.

2. Trump in South Korea

No "Rocket Man" insults. No over-the-top rhetoric. Even talk of diplomacy. President Donald Trump's using a softer tone as he discusses North Korea while visiting South Korea today. The President held a joint news conference with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, where he called North Korea "a worldwide threat" (no surprise there) and said it's "time to act with urgency" to stop its nuclear ambitions. But he also said "it makes sense" for Kim Jong Un's regime to "come to the table and make a deal." Trump added that "we hope to God we never have to use" the military strength the United States has on the Korean Peninsula.

3. Election Day

Although we're still hashing out Election Day 2016 (it'll be over one day, won't it?), Election Day 2017 is upon us. And like all things this year, it's all about Trump. No, the President's not on the ballot, but his presence looms large over today's vote. Especially in the governor's race in Virginia, which might give us the best window into how voters view his job performance so far.

Virginia has turned more and more blue in recent years, and Trump is not popular there, so this should be the Democratic candidate's race for the taking. But Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam is in a tighter-than-expected race with Republican Ed Gillespie, who has embraced Trump's policies. Voters will also pick a new governor in New Jersey, while New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to cruise to re-election.

4. Migrant crisis

We haven't talked about the migrant crisis lately, but desperate people are still taking to the Mediterranean Sea, risking their lives with treacherous journeys in flimsy vessels in hopes of finding a better life in Europe. And there's more bad news to report in this slow-motion disaster -- the bodies of 26 teen girls were found this week in the Mediterranean. The girls are believed to have come from Niger and Nigeria via Libya. Coroners will be investigating to see whether the girls had been tortured or sexually abused. Libya is known as a jumping-off point for migrants and a hotbed for human traffickers.

5. Rand Paul

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky suffered five rib fractures in an attack, but it had nothing to do with politics and everything to do with -- yard waste? That's what a neighbor said likely led to the dispute between Paul and Rene Boucher, who is charged with fourth-degree assault in an attack last week on the senator. The two live next door to each other in a gated community in Bowling Green and have quarreled over grass clippings and yard waste for years, according to the unnamed neighbor. Boucher's attorney and the Kentucky State Police would only say that the dispute revolved around a "trivial" matter.

BREAKFAST BROWSE

People are talking about these. Read up. Join in.

Disney grab

Disney's kingdom may about to become a whole lot larger. The entertainment giant is reportedly in talks to buy 21st Century Fox's TV and movie assets.

'i' give up

Autocorrect is always annoying, but doubly so when a bug in an Apple update automatically turns a lowercase "i" into an "A" with a question mark on iPhones.

Smart pacifiers

Guess babies need Fitbits, too. There's a ton of new health-tracking wearables for babies out there, including a pacifier that checks the temperature of wee ones.

Virtual fun

A visit to a theme park in Japan doesn't just mean roller coasters and bumper cars. It can also mean fighting aliens and taking magic carpet rides.

NUMBER OF THE DAY

50%

That's how much Sears is offering as a discount on everything until Thanksgiving as the cash-strapped retailer struggles to survive.

AND FINALLY ...

You don't have to go home, but ...

Two hours at the dog park obviously weren't enough for Hitachi the Siberian husky.

YouTube

Siberian Husky won't go home ( Hatchi ) after 2 hr in park

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