John Seewer

Neil Armstrong’s boyhood home in Wapakoneta, Ohio, where he built model aircraft, tested them in a basement wind tunnel and learned to fly, is on the market for $430,000. Retired educator Karen Mikesell, who has preserved the house since buying it in 1988, hopes a buyer will respect its historic character or donate it to the Armstrong Air and Space Museum, which lacks the funds to purchase it. The privately owned home has hosted several astronauts and contains memorabilia connected to Armstrong and the Apollo 11 mission.

An EF3 tornado with winds estimated at 136–165 mph remained on the ground for more than 20 minutes and traveled about 12 miles through northeastern Wisconsin's Fox Cities. The storm damaged or destroyed homes and businesses, overturned vehicles, toppled utility poles and left more than 15,000 customers without power. No deaths or missing persons had been reported, though injuries occurred. Officials were assessing damage, arranging shelters and addressing a boil water advisory, while meteorologists noted that such a powerful tornado is rare in the region and that its southward path was unusual.

Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, east of New Orleans, and was moving west toward the upper Texas coast. Officials warned of tropical-storm-force winds, storm surges of up to three feet, flooding and heavy rainfall, though the heaviest rain was expected to remain offshore and widespread damage appeared unlikely. Southern Louisiana simultaneously faced an unusual combination of tropical storm and extreme heat warnings. The storm was the second named system of the Atlantic season and threatened coastal Mississippi communities still recovering from earlier flooding, while Hurricane Fausto remained offshore in the eastern Pacific and posed a surf and rip-current threat along Baja California.

Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. Warnings covered the Gulf Coast from Alabama to Louisiana, including New Orleans, with winds and storm surges of up to three feet posing the main risks. Heavy rain remained offshore, limiting widespread flooding, and the storm was expected to weaken and dissipate inland in Texas by Friday.

Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, bringing strong winds extending more than 100 miles, storm surge up to three feet and heavy rainfall across the Gulf Coast. Beaches, parks and roads were closed as tropical storm warnings covered areas from the Alabama–Florida border to Louisiana. Authorities in several states distributed sandbags and issued beach closure warnings. Bertha is expected to weaken as it moves toward Texas after passing the Florida Panhandle, Alabama and Mississippi. Additional severe weather this week included tornado reports from Cincinnati to New Jersey and flash flooding in West Virginia. In the Pacific, Hurricane Fausto strengthened while remaining well offshore, with swells threatening the Baja California coast.

Tropical Storm Bertha formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to make landfall Wednesday night in a lightly populated area of southeastern Louisiana near New Orleans. With maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, the storm could strengthen and bring prolonged heavy rain, flash flooding, coastal inundation, dangerous surf, storm surge of up to four feet, and isolated tornadoes from Florida to Louisiana before drifting toward Texas. A tropical storm warning and storm surge watch are in effect, while Gulf Coast communities prepare by closing beaches and filling sandbags.

Communities along the U.S. Gulf Coast closed beaches and opened sandbag distribution sites as Tropical Storm Bertha approached Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The storm was expected to make landfall southeast of New Orleans with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, storm surges of up to four feet and heavy rainfall capable of causing flash flooding. No evacuations or shelters had been ordered, but officials remained alert because parts of Mississippi were still recovering from earlier flooding. Bertha was forecast to weaken over Texas, while Hurricane Fausto continued moving west in the eastern Pacific, generating dangerous surf conditions near Baja California.

More than 90 temperature records across the United States could be tied or broken through Wednesday, with many involving unusually high overnight temperatures. Cities including Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston and Charleston may remain above 80°F overnight, while parts of the Midwest and Northeast could stay above 70°F. Experts warn that persistent nighttime heat prevents the body from recovering, increasing risks of heatstroke, cardiovascular strain and death, particularly among older, pregnant and medically vulnerable people. They recommend early cooling measures, hydration, checking on vulnerable people and using public indoor spaces or other low-cost methods to escape the heat.

Sixteen children aged 18 months to 18 years were rescued from a dilapidated home in Hamden, Ohio, where authorities reported human waste, severe neglect and prolonged confinement in a small room. Some children reportedly could not speak, and one developmentally disabled 18-year-old could not write her name. Parents Gary and Christina Siders and grandparents Gary and Elizabeth Siders were charged with second-degree felony child endangerment and each received a $300,000 bond. Seven children were hospitalized, including one in critical condition, after authorities discovered them while executing an unrelated search warrant.

Sixteen children aged roughly 18 months to 18 years were rescued from a heavily deteriorated home in Hamden, Ohio, where authorities said they had been confined largely to one room amid trash and human waste and had not been enrolled in school. Seven children were taken to hospitals, with one reportedly in critical condition. The children’s parents and two grandparents—Christina Siders, Gary Siders Jr., Gary Siders Sr. and Elizabeth Siders—were arrested and charged with second-degree felony child endangerment; each entered a not-guilty plea and received a $300,000 bond. The children were placed in the temporary custody of Ohio’s child-welfare authorities while investigators examined how the family concealed them from neighbors and government records.

A timeline traces the Titanic from its 1912 maiden voyage and sinking through the 1985 discovery of the wreck, subsequent salvage expeditions, and decades of legal disputes over ownership and preservation. RMS Titanic Inc. recovered thousands of artifacts and secured salvage rights under conditions requiring the collection to remain intact. After the 2023 Titan disaster and later expeditions, the company disclosed plans in 2026 to auction 100 lots of artifacts, prompting opposition from the U.S. government and NOAA, which argue that the sale conflicts with federal law and international protections for the wreck site.

RMS Titanic Inc. plans to auction more than 100 artifacts recovered from the Titanic, including personal belongings and decorative items, alongside a traveling exhibition. The U.S. government, represented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, argues that the sale would violate court orders and agreements tied to the company’s exclusive salvage rights. RMS Titanic Inc. maintains that court approval is unnecessary and that the proposed auction is legally permissible. Preservation advocates and relatives of victims have opposed previous sale attempts, arguing that the artifacts should remain available for public benefit rather than become private collectibles. The dispute will determine whether the company can commercially sell items from the wreck while continuing to conduct future salvage operations.

Police arrested 20-year-old Eljay Crisp-Carr and charged him with 11 counts of felonious assault in connection with a shooting at Toledo’s Old West End Festival that injured 12 people. Investigators allege video shows Crisp-Carr joining a fight and then firing into the crowd after another man opened fire. A warrant has been issued for Ka Nye Taylor, the second suspect, who remains at large. The festival’s second day was canceled, while bystanders, police and medics helped treat victims ranging from teenagers to people in their 60s.

Police identified 20-year-old Ka Nye Taylor as a suspect wanted on 11 counts of felonious assault and asked the public to help identify a second shooter after gunfire between rival groups wounded 12 people at Toledo’s Old West End Festival. Three victims were involved in the initial altercation and the others were bystanders; most had been released from hospital. Authorities said the shooting began after someone was tackled and assaulted, while police and bystanders quickly applied tourniquets and helped the wounded. The festival’s remaining events were canceled.

A 25-year-old Houston man is accused of bypassing United Airlines boarding-pass checks with a fake pass and boarding a flight to Los Angeles at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. After hiding in a restroom, he was discovered by a passenger while the plane was taxiing. The aircraft was evacuated and checked for explosives, delaying departure by three hours. He faces a charge of impairing or interrupting the operation of critical infrastructure, while TSA said he had initially presented a valid pass and passed standard screening without prohibited items.

Joni Lamb, president of the Daystar Television Network and its co-founder with her late husband Marcus Lamb, has died at 65 after serious health problems worsened following a back injury. No cause of death was released. Under her leadership, Daystar grew from a single Dallas-area station launched in 1993 into a Pentecostal Christian network broadcasting in more than 200 countries and reportedly reaching 2.3 billion homes. Lamb hosted Joni Table Talk and later Ministry Now, and helped lead the network through personal and organizational challenges, including her first husband's public admission of infidelity. Daystar says a leadership team is in place and the ministry will continue.

A shooting following a fight at a large party near Arcadia Lake in Edmond, Oklahoma, left an 18-year-old woman dead and at least 22 other people injured by gunfire or shrapnel. Police said many victims were uninvolved attendees, one remained in critical condition, and no arrests had been made. Investigators said there was no continuing threat to the public but declined to disclose details about suspects, the number of shooters, or the weapons involved.

Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck the Northern Mariana Islands with sustained winds reaching 150 mph, flipping cars, damaging roofs, toppling utility poles and causing widespread flooding, debris and power outages. Saipan and nearby islands reported significant damage but no deaths, while Guam also experienced strong winds. The American Red Cross and partners sheltered more than 1,000 residents as authorities began assessing the destruction.

Super Typhoon Sinlaku, a Category 4 storm with winds reaching 140 mph, is battering Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands with torrential rain, flash flooding and destructive winds. Saipan has reported power outages, flying debris and collapsed structures, while rescue efforts are hampered by dangerous conditions. Emergency disaster declarations for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands will enable additional federal aid and coordination through agencies including FEMA.

Super Typhoon Sinlaku, a Category 4 storm with winds reaching 140 mph, battered Saipan, Tinian and other Northern Mariana Islands while moving unusually slowly, prolonging dangerous winds, torrential rain and flash flooding. Buildings and trees were damaged, residents sought shelter, and some rescues were carried out. Guam also faced flooding and severe weather, prompting military personnel to shelter in place. The storm had already damaged outer islands of Micronesia, while emergency declarations for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands enabled federal assistance, including nearly 100 FEMA staff and personnel from several agencies. Saipan’s tourism-dependent economy was still recovering from previous typhoon damage and the pandemic.

Super Typhoon Sinlaku, producing sustained winds of 173 mph, is expected to pass near or make landfall in the Northern Mariana Islands as a Category 4 or 5 storm, bringing destructive winds, heavy rain and flooding. Guam is under a tropical storm warning, while authorities and US military personnel prepare for potential disruption. President Donald Trump approved emergency disaster declarations for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands to support response efforts.

Super Typhoon Sinlaku, producing sustained winds of up to 173 mph, is forecast to pass near or make landfall in the Northern Mariana Islands as a Category 4 or 5 storm. Guam is under a tropical storm warning, with damaging winds, heavy rain, flooding, and possible power outages expected. US military personnel have been ordered to prepare and shelter in place, while President Donald Trump has approved emergency disaster declarations for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Tiger Woods was arrested in Florida after authorities said he drove his Land Rover at high speed, struck a trailer and showed signs of impairment. He denied drinking alcohol or using illegal substances, tested negative for alcohol, declined a urine test and later pleaded not guilty. Woods was released on bail and received court permission to leave the United States for comprehensive inpatient treatment, prompting him to pause his golf career, miss the Masters and decline the 2027 Ryder Cup captaincy.

TSA security wait times improved at some airports after the agency began issuing paychecks to workers who had gone unpaid during the 44-day Department of Homeland Security shutdown. Long lines persisted at New York’s LaGuardia and Baltimore-Washington International, while staffing shortages, worker resignations and high callout rates continued to threaten airport operations during the spring break travel period. President Donald Trump ordered immediate payments and deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to some airports, but the broader funding dispute with congressional Democrats remains unresolved, particularly over immigration enforcement and deportation policies.

Passengers anxious about unusually long US airport security lines are arriving hours before departure, but airports warn that this behavior can create additional bottlenecks and cause more missed flights. Staffing shortages at the Transportation Security Administration, attributed to a government funding standoff, have pushed waits beyond two hours at some airports and as high as four hours at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Airlines recommend checking TSA wait times and arriving according to current conditions rather than relying on excessive extra time.

Investigators are examining the cockpit voice and flight data recorders, air traffic control activity, and why an Air Canada-operated Jazz Aviation flight collided with a fire truck while landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The crash killed both pilots, injured dozens of people, and left the affected runway closed while investigators sift through debris. Most passengers were released from hospitals, while the National Transportation Safety Board prepares to release initial findings.

Treasure hunter Tommy Thompson, who discovered the wreck of the S.S. Central America in 1988, has been released after more than a decade in prison. He was jailed for contempt of court after refusing to reveal the whereabouts of 500 missing gold coins and also began serving a sentence for failing to attend a 2012 hearing. Investors had previously accused him of defrauding them of millions from the recovered shipwreck treasure.

The Department of Homeland Security restarted Global Entry after suspending it during the partial government shutdown, restoring expedited airport entry for pre-approved travelers. Customs and Border Protection personnel had been reassigned to process other arrivals, while long lines at some airports raised concerns about disruptions during the spring travel season. The shutdown stemmed from a dispute between Democrats and the White House over Homeland Security funding and immigration operations, prompting renewed discussion of protecting airport security from future political impasses.

Treasure hunter Tommy Thompson has been released after more than a decade in prison stemming from his refusal to disclose the whereabouts of 500 gold coins recovered from the S.S. Central America. Thompson discovered the 1857 shipwreck off South Carolina in 1988, but investors later sued over proceeds from the sale of recovered gold. After becoming a fugitive, he was imprisoned for contempt of court and later served a separate sentence for failing to attend a 2012 hearing. A judge ended the contempt sentence after concluding that continued imprisonment was unlikely to produce the location of the coins.

A gunman identified by The Associated Press as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne allegedly attacked Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden and nearby pedestrians in Austin’s Sixth Street entertainment district, firing from an SUV and then using a rifle before police killed him. The shooting left multiple people dead and 14 wounded, including three in critical condition; the body reports three deaths despite the headline’s reference to two. The FBI is investigating whether the attack was terrorism after officials noted indicators on the suspect and in his vehicle, but said it was too early to reach a conclusion. Police and emergency responders arrived rapidly, and the mayor said their response saved lives.

Savannah Guthrie said her family is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to the recovery of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, who disappeared from her Arizona home on January 31. Authorities believe Nancy may have been kidnapped and are concerned about her health because she requires daily medication. The FBI released surveillance footage of a masked person near the home, and investigators found blood on the front porch. Hundreds of people and multiple agencies are working the case, which has generated more than 20,000 tips.

Doorbell-camera footage from Nancy Guthrie’s Arizona home may provide investigators with clues about the masked suspect believed to have abducted her. The FBI has identified the backpack as an Ozark Trail Hiker Pack and is examining details including the suspect’s holster, gloves, clothing, flashlight use and movements. Former law-enforcement officials say enhanced video analysis could help establish the suspect’s physical and psychological profile, identify where clothing and equipment were purchased, and potentially generate leads through store records and surveillance footage. Several hundred detectives and agents have been assigned to the case.

Authorities detained a person during a traffic stop south of Tucson and began a court-authorized search at a location in Rio Rico in connection with Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. The FBI released surveillance footage showing a masked person with a backpack and possible handgun holster outside Guthrie's home, though the footage does not establish what happened to her or whether she is alive. Guthrie's family continues to appeal for her return and has indicated a willingness to pay a ransom, while investigators have not identified a suspect or confirmed contact with kidnappers.

The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, Savannah Guthrie’s mother, entered its sixth day after authorities concluded she was likely taken against her will from her home near Tucson. Investigators were unable to recover footage from a disconnected doorbell camera because the device lacked an active subscription, frustrating Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. Blood found on the porch matched Nancy Guthrie’s DNA, and officials are increasingly concerned because she requires daily medication for serious health conditions. The FBI is investigating ransom notes that reportedly included payment demands and deadlines, while federal authorities assist Arizona investigators. No suspects have been identified, and the Guthrie family continues to appeal for proof that Nancy is alive.

Communities across the United States welcome 2026 with unusual New Year’s Eve drops inspired by local foods, wildlife and regional identity. Examples include a cheese wedge in Wisconsin, a bologna in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, a pickle in Dillsburg, a MoonPie in Mobile, a walleye in Port Clinton and a digital drone peach in Atlanta. The tradition grew from New York City’s Times Square ball drop, first held in 1907, and is used to foster civic pride and attract tourists. A controversial live possum drop ended in western North Carolina after protests and legal challenges, while Tallapoosa, Georgia, continues a version using a stuffed possum.

Federal immigration officials have launched the two-month Operation Catahoula Crunch across southeast Louisiana, with a stated goal of making 5,000 arrests, mainly of violent offenders. New Orleans leaders and immigrant advocates say the target is unrealistic and warn that agents are detaining workers, mothers and teenagers during routine checks and workplace or home operations. Federal officials claim early arrests include people accused of homicide, kidnapping, child abuse, robbery and assault, but have not released detailed totals. Data from the comparable Chicago crackdown showed that only about 15% of early detainees had criminal convictions, most for traffic offenses, misdemeanors or nonviolent felonies, raising concerns that the New Orleans operation could expand beyond violent criminals.

The Trump administration plans to impose new federal student-loan caps that distinguish between graduate and professional programs, excluding nursing, physical therapy, social work and several other fields from the higher borrowing limits. Professional-program students would be eligible for up to $50,000 annually and $200,000 overall, while other graduate students would face limits of $20,500 per year and $100,000 total. The Education Department says most nursing students would not be affected and that current students would be grandfathered in. Nursing and health care organizations argue the policy will make advanced training less affordable, drive students toward costly private loans and intensify the nursing shortage.

A series of shootings involving people who mistakenly approached or entered the wrong homes is raising questions about the limits of stand-your-ground and self-defense laws. The cases include the fatal shooting of house cleaner Maria Florinda Rios Perez De Velasquez in Indiana, the killing of Nicholas Anthony Donofrio near the University of South Carolina, the wounding of Ralph Yarl in Missouri, and the deaths of Kaylin Gillis and Renisha McBride. Several homeowners claimed they feared intruders, but outcomes have varied from acquittal and no charges to guilty pleas and murder convictions. The 2012 acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin helped bring national attention to the legal debate.

A continuing U.S. government shutdown has prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce flights at 40 major airports, beginning at 4% and potentially rising to 10%. More than 1,000 flights were canceled on the first day, while air traffic controllers have faced nearly a month without pay, mandatory overtime and staffing shortages. Although most airlines initially maintained schedules and rebooked affected passengers, analysts warn that prolonged cuts could disrupt tourism, business travel, air freight and manufacturing, potentially increasing shipping costs and consumer prices ahead of Thanksgiving.

Dictionary.com selected “6-7” as its 2025 Word of the Year after the nonsensical phrase surged through TikTok, reportedly originating from rapper Skrilla’s 2024 song “Doot Doot (6-7)” and spreading through basketball-related videos. The expression has no fixed meaning, though it can suggest “so-so” or uncertainty when paired with a hand gesture, and is often used by teenagers to amuse themselves or frustrate adults. Parents, teachers, influencers and child psychologists have responded with explanations, bans or attempts to embrace the trend, which has also reached professional sports. Dictionary.com said the phrase’s rapid growth and influence on online communication justified its selection.

Federal prosecutors must prove that Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier knowingly participated in separate gambling schemes, rather than relying only on suspicious circumstances. Experts say communications, cooperating witnesses and unnamed co-conspirators could provide key evidence: Billups is accused of recruiting players to rigged poker games, while Rozier allegedly disclosed plans to leave a game early so others could profit from prop bets. Defense lawyers may challenge the context of text messages, the absence of evidence that either man received proceeds, and the alleged motives behind the conduct.

Former NFL running back Doug Martin died at age 36 after Oakland police arrested him while investigating a reported break-in and described a brief struggle before he became unresponsive. The cause of death has not been released, and the officers involved were placed on paid leave as questions remain about the encounter and restraint methods. Martin's former agent said he had been battling serious mental health challenges, had become overwhelmed and disoriented, and had entered a neighbor's home before police confronted him. The article also recounts Martin's standout career at Boise State and with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders, alongside the injuries and substance-related suspension that affected his career.

More than 400 puppets, props, costumes, set pieces, posters and autographed items from the Jim Henson Company archives will be auctioned for the first time. The sale, organized by California-based Julien’s Auctions, includes a full-body Naia Drenchen Gelfling puppet from The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, estimated at $15,000–$25,000, with online bidding beginning October 22 and a live auction on November 25. The auction coincides with the company’s 70th anniversary and follows earlier donations of iconic Henson creations, including the original Kermit the Frog and an original Miss Piggy, to the Smithsonian Institution.

Prosecutors say Tyler Robinson confessed by text to his transgender romantic partner after allegedly fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Court documents describe a note, messages about planning and retrieving the rifle, disposal of evidence, and instructions to delete texts and remain silent. Robinson faces capital murder and other charges, including witness tampering and obstruction, and could face the death penalty. Investigators are examining whether anyone else assisted him, including people from a Discord chatroom, while authorities have not established a clear motive. Prosecutors cited Robinson's statements about Kirk's perceived hatred and noted his shift toward left-wing views and support for gay and transgender rights, but said a jury would determine whether those views motivated the attack.

Prosecutors are expected to file capital or aggravated murder charges against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Investigators say DNA links Robinson to a rifle, towel and screwdriver connected to the attack, and that he wrote a note indicating an intention to kill Kirk. Authorities believe Robinson acted alone but are investigating whether others knew of his plans, while the motive remains under examination amid speculation about political and transgender-related issues. Robinson has been held without bail and is scheduled for a virtual court hearing.

FBI Director Kash Patel said DNA from a towel wrapped around a rifle near the scene of Charlie Kirk’s shooting matched Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect, and that investigators also linked Robinson to a screwdriver found on the rooftop. Utah authorities were preparing capital murder charges. Officials allege Robinson hated Kirk, had been influenced by online radicalization, and left a note indicating an intent to kill him; investigators also cited political and meme-related engravings on ammunition. Robinson has not cooperated with authorities, and it was unclear whether he had legal representation. Tributes to Kirk continued nationwide, while Vice President JD Vance planned to host Kirk’s talk show in his place.

Two people detained after Charlie Kirk was shot at Utah Valley University were later cleared of involvement but faced threats and doxxing after their names and images circulated online. Utah officials said they were people of interest rather than suspects and warned that they did not deserve harassment. Former detective Felipe Rodriguez criticized the release of detainees’ identities, while conflicting statements from FBI Director Kash Patel and Utah authorities created confusion about the status of the investigation. The shooter remained unidentified and at large.

Independent Arabia photojournalist Maryam Abu Daqqa’s final photographs show the damaged stairwell at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, moments before she was killed in a subsequent Israeli strike. She was among 22 people killed, including five journalists, after Israeli forces said they targeted a suspected Hamas surveillance camera. Witnesses and health officials said the initial strike killed a Reuters cameraman filming live television and another person, while Hamas denied operating a camera there. Abu Daqqa, 33, documented displaced Palestinians and wounded patients throughout the war. At the UN Security Council, Algeria’s ambassador read her final letter to her 13-year-old son, in which she asked him to remember her and name a future daughter Maryam.

Hurricane Erin generated strong winds, large waves, dangerous rip currents and possible coastal flooding from the Carolinas through New England as it moved farther into the Atlantic. Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard were battered, while North Carolina’s Outer Banks experienced dune erosion and flooding on Highway 12 but no significant structural damage or new inlets. Bermuda remained under a tropical storm warning, and coastal flood warnings extended to New York and New Jersey. Erin remained a large Category 2 hurricane with winds near 100 mph, though it was expected to weaken gradually.

Hurricane Erin battered North Carolina’s Outer Banks with strong winds, high waves and coastal flooding, forcing the closure of Highway 12 and disrupting access to Ocracoke Island. Although the storm was not expected to make landfall along the East Coast, forecasters warned that it could strengthen into a major hurricane and produce dangerous conditions, rip currents and flooding from Florida to New England. Beaches were closed in several states, while officials warned that erosion, storm surge and large waves threatened vulnerable homes and communities. Erin remained a Category 2 hurricane with winds near 110 mph and an unusually broad wind field, with warmer Atlantic waters increasing the risk of rapid intensification.

Hurricane Erin prompted evacuations on Hatteras Island and Ocracoke in North Carolina’s Outer Banks despite forecasts that the Category 4 storm would remain offshore. Authorities warned of dangerous rip currents, coastal flooding, 15-foot waves and possible highway washouts during the height of tourist season. Erin had previously reached Category 5 strength and affected the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, while Bermuda faced the most severe threat later in the week. Scientists linked the rapid intensification of Atlantic hurricanes to climate change.

A shooting at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, allegedly carried out by Patrick Joseph White after he expressed anger about COVID-19 vaccines, killed DeKalb County police officer David Rose and heightened security concerns among CDC employees. Public-health workers and vaccine experts say years of misinformation and hostility have normalized threats against them, while Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. condemns violence but continues to criticize the CDC’s pandemic response. Kennedy’s department rejects claims that his rhetoric fuels anti-vaccine violence. The attack comes amid staff cuts, resignations and controversy over CDC vaccine policies, with officials urging employees to report new threats.

Uvalde County leaders released police body-camera footage and documents detailing the law enforcement response to the May 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting, which killed 19 students and two teachers. The records show that nearly 400 officers waited more than 70 minutes before confronting gunman Salvador Ramos, prompting widespread criticism of law enforcement training, communication, leadership and priorities. The release followed years of litigation by victims’ families and media organizations, including the Associated Press. Former school district officers Pete Arredondo and Adrian Gonzales are the only officers facing criminal charges, both of whom have pleaded not guilty.

Authorities identified 28-year-old Michael Parker as the man who allegedly ambushed three Lorain police officers with a high-powered rifle. Officers Phillip Wagner, Peter Gale and Brent Payne were wounded, with two in critical condition. Parker died at the scene, but authorities had not determined whether he was killed by return fire or died by suicide. Investigators searched his home and said he possessed an arsenal of weapons, while the coroner planned an autopsy.

Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year federal sentence after being convicted of grooming underage girls and helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse them. The U.S. Department of Justice, amid political backlash and renewed scrutiny of the Epstein investigation, plans to interview Maxwell about whether she has information on crimes committed against Epstein’s victims or others. Maxwell continues to deny wrongdoing, while her lawyer says she will testify truthfully. Her conviction is being appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and she is currently imprisoned in Tallahassee, Florida.

At least 13 people, including CityBeat reporter Madeline Fening and photography intern Lucas Griffith, were arrested during a Cincinnati-area protest supporting Egyptian immigrant and former Cincinnati Children's Hospital chaplain Ayman Soliman, who was detained during an ICE check-in. Protesters crossed the Roebling Bridge into Kentucky carrying a “Build Bridges Not Walls” banner and were arrested after police said they refused orders to disperse and blocked the bridge. Charges included felony rioting, obstruction, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct, with bonds set at $2,500 each. Video showed tense confrontations, including an officer punching a protester. The arrests come amid broader concerns about journalists being detained or injured while covering immigration protests, including the case of Spanish-language journalist Mario Guevara.

A mother and her 9-year-old son were rescued from a remote California forest after their GPS directed them onto old logging roads and their car became stuck. A volunteer search-and-rescue team located them by following handwritten notes marked “HELP” that they had left along the road. The pair had spent the night in their car with food and drinks, and the boy used three short whistle blasts, a Boy Scouts distress signal. Authorities said they improved their chances of being found by leaving information about their plans, staying with the vehicle and signaling for help.

Disneyland is marking its 70th anniversary with summer celebrations in Anaheim, including the debut of “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” featuring a lifelike animatronic of Walt Disney. Opened on July 17, 1955, the park began with a troubled first day but helped revolutionize amusement parks through immersive storytelling and technology. It attracted more than 17 million visitors in 2023 after the COVID-19 closure and remains one of the world’s most visited theme parks. The resort has expanded to include Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney, while ongoing changes and planned Southern California expansions aim to accommodate new attractions and maintain competitiveness.

Firefighters are working to protect cabins, mule stables and other structures on Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim after the Dragon Bravo Fire destroyed the nearly century-old Grand Canyon Lodge, dozens of cabins and a visitors center. The Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires have burned more than 90 square miles and remain uncontained, prompting closures and evacuations. Questions have intensified over the National Park Service’s decision to let the Dragon Bravo Fire burn initially, while Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has called for a federal investigation and Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego have sought information about wildfire decision-making. Fire ecologists say the park’s long-standing use of prescribed and naturally ignited fire can reduce future wildfire intensity by creating more varied, previously burned areas.

Search efforts continued in Texas’s Hill Country as improving weather offered some relief, but hopes of finding survivors faded after the flood death toll exceeded 100. At least 84 people, including 28 children, died in Kerr County, while 19 others were reported dead in surrounding counties. At Camp Mystic, at least 27 campers and counselors were killed and 10 campers and one counselor remained missing. Hundreds of professional rescuers and volunteers searched through debris along the Guadalupe River. The disaster has also prompted questions about whether local officials adequately warned residents and summer camps about forecast flood risks, though officials said those issues would be examined after search-and-rescue operations were completed.

Severe flooding in central Texas killed at least 82 people, including 28 children, while rescue crews searched for 41 people still unaccounted for, including 10 girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic. More heavy rain threatened already saturated areas, complicating rescue efforts and increasing fears that the death toll would rise. Survivors described escaping through rapidly rising water, attics and trees, while authorities faced questions about warnings and disaster preparations. President Donald Trump declared a major disaster for Kerr County, and Governor Greg Abbott pledged a round-the-clock response. The National Weather Service had issued flood warnings before the disaster, but officials said they had not anticipated rainfall of such intensity.

Search and rescue operations continued in central Texas after a flash flood killed at least 51 people, including 15 children, and left 27 girls from Camp Mystic missing. The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in 45 minutes, destroying camps, homes and vehicles, while helicopters, boats and drones helped rescue more than 850 people and locate victims. Officials declared a day of prayer, but authorities faced scrutiny over whether weather warnings gave camps and residents enough time to evacuate and why a proposed river warning system was never implemented. Survivors described being swept into trees or forced into attics, while officials said the operation was moving from rescue toward a lengthy recovery effort.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s ban on puberty blockers and hormone treatments for transgender minors, giving the Trump administration and Republican-led states a significant victory against legal challenges to restrictions on transgender care. Transgender people, parents and LGBTQ+ advocates expressed fear that the ruling will encourage further state bans, including in New Hampshire, and force families to consider moving. Conservative activists celebrated the decision, while supporters of gender-affirming care argued that the treatments are medically supported and essential to transgender youths’ well-being. People interviewed in Texas and Wisconsin said the ruling leaves them disheartened and uncertain about the future, while vowing to continue advocating for transgender rights.

Federal prosecutors say Vance Boelter had identified dozens of potential targets, including more than 45 Democratic state and federal officials in Minnesota and politicians in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Investigators allege that he spent months conducting surveillance, compiling notebooks and disguising himself as a police officer before attacking lawmakers. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed at their home, while Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were seriously wounded. Boelter was arrested after a two-day search and faces federal and state murder charges, potentially including the death penalty. Authorities have recovered weapons, cash, passports, notes and messages indicating advance planning, but say they have not yet established a clear motive or political ideology.

A Franklin County judge dismissed William Husel’s defamation lawsuit against Trinity Health and Mount Carmel Health System, ruling that the defendants’ evidence was incontrovertible and preventing the case from going to the jury. Husel sought more than $18 million, claiming the health systems falsely portrayed him as a killer after firing him over high-dose fentanyl orders for patients who later died. He was acquitted of 14 murder charges in 2022 but surrendered his medical license and says the allegations left him unable to work and suffering from PTSD and depression. His attorney said the defense would consider an appeal, while Mount Carmel welcomed the decision.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said immigration raids in Los Angeles and elsewhere will continue, describing the operation as a model for other communities. Her remarks came as a federal judge ruled that Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops in California was illegal, though an appeals court temporarily blocked the order and scheduled a hearing. Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned the intervention, while the White House defended Trump's authority. Protests continued in Los Angeles and spread to cities nationwide, with roughly 470 arrests in Los Angeles. The administration is considering troop deployments in other states, prompting governors to weigh their responses and Democratic governors to call the deployments an abuse of power.

President Donald Trump said a planned multibillion-dollar overhaul of the U.S. air traffic control system will revolutionize flying, as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy prepared to outline the proposal. The system has faced renewed scrutiny after a deadly January midair collision, a radar failure at Newark airport, flight disruptions, technical breakdowns and a nationwide shortage of controllers. Congress has estimated that modernization could cost $12.5 billion, in addition to more than $14 billion already spent on upgrades since 2003. Although Trump blamed the Biden administration and called the system outdated and broken, the article notes that its weaknesses have been documented since the 1990s. The plan will require congressional approval and substantial funding, while its effectiveness remains uncertain given the limited results of previous reform efforts.

The Federal Aviation Administration has about 14,000 air traffic controllers but needs roughly 3,000 more to fully staff the system, despite hiring more than 1,800 people last year. Understaffing has caused mandatory overtime, fatigue concerns and flight limits in busy areas such as New York and Florida. The shortage has persisted for more than a decade because the job is stressful, training is lengthy, turnover is high and experienced controllers must retire at 56. The Trump administration plans to accelerate hiring and offer incentives to delay retirement, but Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said it will take at least three or four years to meet current staffing needs. Applicants face strict age, citizenship, medical, background and skills requirements, and fewer than 10% are accepted into training.

A 30-second failure of primary and backup communications at the Philadelphia air traffic control facility on April 28 left controllers unable to see, hear or communicate with Newark-area aircraft. Although safety safeguards prevented an accident, Newark traffic was reduced afterward, and controllers taking trauma-related leave worsened staffing shortages, triggering widespread delays and cancellations. United Airlines cut 35 daily Newark flights and urged the FAA to limit airport slots. The disruption has renewed pressure to modernize aviation infrastructure and address the nationwide controller shortage, while the Trump administration prepares a multibillion-dollar overhaul and new recruitment incentives that may take several years to produce results.

A lawsuit by the East Palestine school district accuses Norfolk Southern of failing to reimburse the district for disaster-related building use and abandoning a planned $30 million community wellness center. The railroad says it remains committed to its promises and has spent more than $1.1 billion on cleanup and over $115 million on community recovery, while residents remain divided over lingering health concerns, settlement payments, park renovations and the cancellation of a first-responder training center. The dispute has intensified doubts about whether Norfolk Southern is fulfilling its pledge to “make it right” after the 2023 derailment.

Just Born Quality Confections produces about 5.5 million Peeps daily, or roughly 2 billion annually, at its Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, facility. The Easter candies come in numerous colors and flavors and are made from sugar, corn syrup and gelatin. A mechanized process developed by Bob Born reduced production time from 27 hours to less than six minutes, and the company continues to use that method today.

Torrential rain and life-threatening flash floods were forecast across parts of the South and Midwest as communities in Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana, Arkansas and Kentucky recovered from tornadoes that killed at least seven people. The greatest flood threat centered on areas along the Mississippi River, including Memphis, while more than 90 million people faced severe-weather risks. Water rescues, sandbagging and emergency supply preparations were underway, with officials warning residents not to let their guard down. Tornadoes destroyed neighborhoods, damaged homes and infrastructure across several states, raising concerns about further casualties, transportation disruptions and supply-chain delays.

Severe weather across seven Southern and Midwestern states killed at least 39 people from Friday through Monday. Wind-driven wildfires destroyed more than 400 homes in Oklahoma, while tornadoes caused deaths and widespread displacement in Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri and Arkansas. Dust storms triggered fatal vehicle crashes, including a 50-vehicle pileup in Kansas and additional deaths in the Texas Panhandle. Residents and emergency crews began assessing damage and clearing debris as authorities reported that high winds and dry conditions had overwhelmed firefighting efforts.