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A tense crash in Manhattan, a massive dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico and a growing crisis of homeless college students make up today's Short List. Here's what to know from Monday.

A helicopter hits a building in New York

A helicopter crashed into a New York City high-rise Monday, killing the pilot and halting traffic on nearby streets in the heart of midtown Manhattan, the city Fire Department said. The crash drew a major police and fire response to the 752-foot-tall skyscraper near Times Square. "There was a fire when the helicopter hit the roof," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, but no one in the building was injured.

Franklin Acosta heard what sounded like a small airplane passing by from his 38th-floor office, he told USA TODAY: “Then it stopped, and the building shook. I didn’t wait. I told my people to come down and get out of the building.” Jacqueline Fajardo, who was on the 42nd floor, said it evoked the Sept. 11 attacks. “When I hear an explosion like this, it makes me think of that day," she said. "You don’t forget.”

Here's what we know on the crash:

Preliminary info indicated an emergency landing on the building, Cuomo said, and It was unclear whether the pilot cleared his flight with LaGuardia Airport.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said there was "no nexus to terror" and " no ongoing threat to New York City."

The helicopter had no passengers aboard, de Blasio said.

Red Sox legend David Ortiz shot in the back

Former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is in serious condition after he was shot in the "lower back/abdominal region" at a bar Sunday night in his native Dominican Republic. Ortiz underwent surgery at a hospital: He reportedly suffered liver damage and had “parts” of his intestines and gallbladder removed but was expected to survive. The Red Sox sent a plane down to the Dominican Republic Monday to take Ortiz to Boston for further treatment. The World Series champion received well-wishes from around the world. Leo Ortiz, David’s father, said outside the hospital that "Big Papi will be around for a long time."

Health care for young undocumented migrants – it's coming to California

California looked poised Monday to become the first state to provide health care coverage to young, low-income adults who are undocumented. That's after legislative leaders gave a thumbs-up to Gov. Gavin Newsom's $98 million plan aimed at almost 100,000 low-income adults. How's it going to be covered? The state will start taxing the uninsured. The deal, which will become effective in January, is part of a larger effort to ensure everyone in the state has access to health insurance. Lawmakers have until Saturday to approve the budget or face losing their pay.

Real quick:

H2(n)o: Dead zone in Gulf of Mexico predicted to be near record in 2019

Scientists announced Monday that the annual dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, a region of depleted oxygen at the bottom of the sea, is predicted to become the second-largest on record this summer. The region, which is harmful to sea life, will be roughly the size of New Hampshire, according to researchers at Louisiana State University. The dead zones occur because of runoff nutrients deposited into the water primarily from a surplus of fertilizer used in the spring. Shrimp and fish are among the marine creatures threatened.

Homeless college students: A growing crisis

Between midterms and term papers, college students have a lot on their plate. Increasingly, students also have to worry about having a roof over their head. Homelessness affects 18% of two-year college students and 14% of four-year college students, according to a survey of nearly 86,000 college students by the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice. The cause? A combination of factors, including rising tuition, inadequate financial aid packages and a lack of affordable housing. A growing number of lawmakers, colleges and organizations in states such as California, Massachusetts and Washington aim to address the often unimagined crisis.

College cheating scandal: Huffman gives in, Loughlin digs in

The star-studded college admissions bribery case enters a new phase in Boston this week as sentencing begins for the first of 20 parents, coaches and other defendants. Twenty-eight people who pleaded not guilty are digging in for trials that could drag on for months. "Desperate Housewives" star Felicity Huffman pleaded guilty to paying $15,000 for her daughter’s SAT scores to be corrected while "Full House" star Lori Loughlin pleaded not guilty to paying $500,000 for her daughters to be athletic recruits. Prosecutors recommended Huffman serve four months of a 20-year maximum prison sentence. Loughlin could face a more severe sentence, given the amount of money and the more serious charges.

Today's Short List was brought to you by USA TODAY's Josh Hafner, Joshua Bote, Morgan Hines and Kirk A. Bado.

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