Hurricane Earl (Update 3): With Earl, Fiona and Gaston, hurricane season heats up

Hurricane Earl has been upgraded to Category four, with sustained winds of 140 mph.

In the last two weeks, it seems as though the tropics have exploded: Hurricane Earl, big, scary and steaming toward North Carolina and a string of states. Tropical Storm Fiona, nearing hurricane strength but heading into hostile conditions and out to sea.

Add the latest wave to roll off Africa, which got itself together enough Wednesday to quickly move from Depression No. 9 to Tropical Storm Gaston.

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James Jay Lee | Discovery Channel Hostage (Video, Pictures, Photos)

A law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing said authorities had identified James J. Lee (James Jay Lee) as the likely suspect. Police had not released the gunman's identity.

A man who railed against the Discovery Channel's environmental programming for years burst into the company's headquarters with at least one explosive device strapped to his body Wednesday and took three people hostage at gunpoint before police shot him to death, officials said.

The hostages — two Discovery Communications employees and a security guard — were unhurt after the four-hour standoff. Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger said tactical officers moved in after officers monitoring the gunman on building security cameras saw him pull out a handgun and point it at a hostage.

An explosive device on the gunman's body detonated when police shot him, Manger said. Police were trying to determine whether two boxes and two backpacks the gunman had also contained explosives.

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