Oklahoma lowers tornado death toll amid frantic search

By Carey Gillam and Ian Simpson MOORE, Oklahoma (Reuters) - Emergency workers searched for survivors in the rubble of homes, schools and a hospital in an Oklahoma town hit by a powerful tornado, but officials on Tuesday sharply lowered the number of deaths caused by the storm. The Oklahoma state medical examiner's office said 24 bodies had been recovered from the wreckage of Monday's storm, down

Pentagon to take over some CIA drone operations : sources

By Tabassum Zakaria and Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's administration has decided to give the Pentagon control of some drone operations against terrorism suspects overseas that are currently run by the CIA, several U.S. government sources said on Monday. Obama has pledged more transparency on controversial counterterrorism programs, and giving the Pentagon the res

Connecticut rail delays continue, seen repaired by Wednesday

By Richard Weizel WESTPORT, Connecticut (Reuters) - Connecticut rail commuters endured crowded and rerouted rides in to work on Monday, as Metro-North worked to repair the busiest U.S. rail line after a two-train collision and derailment injured more than 70 people late last week. Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy said commuters should expect "serious disruptions," and encouraged riders to stay

Raw video: Parents reunite with children after tornado levels Oklahoma elementary school

Dramatic raw video, taken just after a massive tornado ripped through Briarwood Elementary School in Moore, Okla., on Monday, shows panicked parents reuniting with their shell-shocked children. The harrowing scene was repeated throughout the Oklahoma City suburb, where dozens of people were killed and many others feared dead. Seven children died at Plaza Towers Elementary [...]

How to Help: Midwest storms

Several tornadoes tore through the Midwest on Sunday, May 19, laying waste to entire neighborhoods and killing at least two people.

Witnesses describe deadly Oklahoma tornado: ‘All you could hear were screams’

MOORE, Okla. – The hell he saw was harrowing, but it’s the sounds at Plaza Towers Elementary that Stuart Earnest Jr. says will haunt him forever. “All you could hear were screams,” Earnest said. “The people screaming for help. And the people trying to help were also screaming.” Plaza Towers, a pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade school, [...]

Amid fears about debt, one family goes to the extreme to avoid student loans

Claudia Poglianich had just one major request when her daughter Olivia began looking at colleges two years ago: that Olivia would pick a school where she had the greatest chance of emerging debt-free. It was an ask that seemed almost quaint in a world where college costs have reached record highs and students are almost [...]

Massive tornado rips through Moore, Oklahoma: 51 killed, including 20 children; more feared dead

A devastating, mile-wide tornado touched down near Oklahoma City on Monday, killing at least 51 people—including 20 children—decimating homes, businesses and a pair of elementary schools in the suburb of Moore. According to the state's medical examiner, the death toll was expected to rise. About 40 bodies were expected to be transported to the medical [...]

Montana man dies in Yosemite climbing accident

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — A Montana man died in a rock climbing accident as he tried to climb to the top of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, authorities said.

Conn. foster mom pleads guilty for spoon-spanking

NORWICH, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut foster mother faces 100 days in jail after acknowledging she spanked a 4-year-old girl with a wooden spoon.

Easier travel ahead for Conn. commuters

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — Commuters facing long delays after a train collision disrupted their route along Connecticut's shoreline can look forward to easier traveling.

Utah police close missing mom case after 3 years

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (AP) — Josh Powell reportedly had an affair just months before his wife disappeared and his brother may have been "heavily involved" in getting rid of her body, Utah police revealed as they announced they couldn't solve the sensational case.

AP photographer sees kids pulled from Okla. school

MOORE, Okla. (AP) — I left the office in Oklahoma City as soon as I saw the tornado warnings on TV. I had photographed about a dozen twisters in the past decade, and knew that if I didn't get in my car before the funnel cloud hit, it would be too late.

Recovered remains of Pa. WWII veteran to be buried

FREEMANSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A military burial is scheduled in eastern Pennsylvania for a World War II soldier whose remains were recovered after more than 65 years.

Slow pokes: Acupuncture helps hypothermic turtles

QUINCY, Mass. (AP) — Two endangered sea turtles that are shells of their former selves after getting stranded on Cape Cod during a cold spell are getting some help easing back into the wild — from an acupuncturist.

LA picks new mayor after low-drama campaign

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles is about to elect its next mayor.

Crews dig through night after deadly Okla. twister

MOORE, Okla. (AP) — Search and rescue crews worked through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood. At least 51 people were killed, including at least 20 children, and those numbers were expected to climb, officials said Tuesday.

AP photographer describes destroyed Okla. school

MOORE, Okla. (AP) — I left the office in Oklahoma City as soon as I saw the tornado warnings on TV. I had photographed about a dozen twisters before in the past decade, and knew that if I didn't get in my car before the funnel cloud hit, it would be too late.

Apple's Cook to face Senate questions on taxes

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate panel says Apple Inc. is avoiding paying billions of dollars in U.S. taxes, but the world's most valuable company says it is complying with the laws and pays "an extraordinary amount" in taxes to the U.S. government.

Remains found in woods could be missing Maine teen

BANGOR, Maine (AP) — State police in Maine say a body found in the woods likely is that of a 15-year-old girl last seen more than a week ago.

Decision due on dismissal of Kennedy case in NY

ARMONK, N.Y. (AP) — A town judge in New York is deciding whether the drugged-driving case against Kerry Kennedy should go to trial.

Caroline Kennedy's jury acquits NYC drug dealer

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine.

Obama to make statement on Oklahoma disaster: White House

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama was being briefed on the response to the deadly tornado in Oklahoma and will deliver a statement at 10 a.m. (1400 GMT) Tuesday, the White House said. Obama spoke Monday night with Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and U.S. Representative Tom Cole to express sympathy and condolences, the White House said. He has approved federal disaster funding to help vic

More tornadoes in forecast for central US Tuesday

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — More severe weather is in the forecast for parts of the central United States already reeling from powerful tornadoes this week.

Convicted U.S. killer Arias would join tiny death row group

By Tim Gaynor PHOENIX (Reuters) - Jodi Arias, convicted of brutally murdering her ex-boyfriend, is expected on Tuesday to address a jury in Arizona tasked with deciding whether she should join the small group of women sitting on death row in the United States. Arias, 32, was found guilty earlier this month of the murder of Travis Alexander, whose body was found slumped in the shower of his Phoenix

President Obama to speak on Oklahoma disaster

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will be meeting with his disaster response team, including Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, on Tuesday before delivering a statement on the devastating tornado that tore through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday.

Disabled NY newlyweds offered apartment

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP) — A newlywed mentally disabled couple forced to live in separate New York group homes may soon be able to move in together.

Average credit card debt, late payments fall in 1Q

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Americans got better about paying their credit card debt on time in the first three months of the year, a period when many borrowers use income tax returns to tackle their holiday season debt.

S_47P::::10 Things to Know for Today

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

In tornado's wake, worried parents seek out kids

MOORE, Okla. (AP) — The parents and guardians stood in the muddy grass outside a suburban Oklahoma City church, listening as someone with a bullhorn called out the names of children who were being dropped off — survivors of a deadly tornado that barreled through their community.