Good to be with you from Washington. Tony Dokoupil. Tonight: a pair of weather disasters — tornadoes in the Plains and historic wildfires in the Southeast — alongside national and local stories, investigations and human-interest beats.
Tornadoes in Oklahoma
– A line of severe thunderstorms produced at least six tornadoes across northern Oklahoma Thursday night, including an EF4 tornado with estimated winds near 166 mph that carved a roughly 10-mile path through Enid and damaged nearby Vance Air Force Base.
– Two tornadoes were observed rotating near Braman and merged into a larger tornado. Hail, heavy rains and damaging straight-line winds accompanied the system across Kansas and into Iowa; winds topped 100 mph in some areas.
– Dozens of homes were heavily damaged or destroyed. Miraculously, there were no reported deaths in Enid; only minor injuries were initially reported. Local residents described frantic escapes — some attempting to outrun storms by car, others sheltering in underground refuges. Communities are bracing for more severe weather over the weekend.
Wildfires in Georgia
– Wildfires in southern Georgia have burned more homes than any fires in the state’s history, with at least 120 homes destroyed in two major blazes. The fires remain only partially contained; at the time of reporting one of the larger fires was about 15% contained.
– Investigators told CBS News one of the fires is believed to have been sparked when a balloon contacted a power line, creating an arc that ignited dry vegetation. Wind shifts and walls of flame up to 50 feet high complicated suppression efforts and spawned new ignitions.
– Residents recounted narrow escapes and catastrophic losses. Some evacuated with children and pets, watched their homes burn over livestream cameras, and now face the task of recovery and, in some cases, denied insurance claims citing “acts of God.”
– In the Southeast, a Florida firefighter reportedly died responding to wildfires, underscoring the human cost of the blazes.
Weather outlook
– Meteorologist Rob Marciano said the same storm system that hit the Plains and Southeast will continue to produce rounds of severe weather: watches and warnings stretching from Texas into the Midwest and potentially into the Great Lakes by Monday. The Southeast could see light rain from the system, which would be welcome but limited.
War with Iran, diplomacy efforts
– Negotiators are pressing for talks to de-escalate the war centered on Iran; Iran’s foreign minister traveled to Pakistan ahead of possible talks. The White House dispatched envoys, including Jared Kushner and associate Steve Witkoff, to hear Iranian representatives; officials signaled a cautious diplomatic push rather than expectations of a breakthrough.
– Meanwhile, the Pentagon reported heightened activity in the Strait of Hormuz and interdictions at sea; average gasoline prices ticked up, and consumer sentiment fell amid the conflict’s economic strain.
Justice Department and federal executions
– The Justice Department closed a criminal probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell regarding renovations at Fed headquarters. The move clears the path for a likely vote on Kevin Warsh to succeed Powell.
– The administration announced a federal policy permitting execution by firing squad in federal capital cases, and officials indicated plans to seek the executions of dozens of inmates in the federal system.
Missing graduate students and an arrest in Florida
– Two University of South Florida doctoral students, Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, went missing after being last seen April 16. Deputies arrested 26-year-old Hisham Abugharbieh, who lived with Limon, after a standoff. Limon’s body was recovered near a Tampa bridge; Bristy remained missing and divers searched Tampa Bay waters.
– Abugharbieh faces multiple charges, including battery, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, failure to report a death and unlawfully moving a body. Police have said they are actively searching for Bristy; motive details remain limited.
Camp Mystic review after deadly floods
– Texas health officials signaled Camp Mystic — the site of deadly floods last year that killed 27 children and counselors — may not be licensed to reopen until the camp addresses major deficiencies in emergency and flood response planning. Regulators requested detailed evacuation maps and revised procedures.
Parent held criminally responsible after e-motorcycle crash
– A high-profile case in Orange County, California: a 14-year-old riding an electric motorcycle struck and critically injured an 81-year-old substitute teacher. Prosecutors charged the boy’s mother with felony child endangerment and related counts after deputies said she had been warned the bike was illegal and then furnished a second similar vehicle. District Attorney Todd Spitzer said the prosecution aims to hold parents responsible when they knowingly enable dangerous, illegal behavior by minors.
Smash-and-grab foiled in Sacramento
– In Sacramento, a would-be smash-and-grab suspect drove a stolen vehicle into a jewelry store. A private guard confronted the suspect before he exited; one person inside the store was injured, and staff sheltered in a back room. No arrests had been reported in the immediate aftermath.
Wildlife rescue and human stories
– California wildlife officials assisted a mother bear whose cub fell into a storm drain and another cub climbed a tree and couldn’t get down; both were safely recovered.
– Reporter Steve Hartman profiled an uplifting story in Denver: nine-year-old Hayden Stine, born without most of her right arm, met pro soccer player Carson Pickett, who has a similar limb difference. The encounter boosted Hayden’s confidence and inspired Pickett, who has embraced the role model mantle, to stay connected.
What’s next
– Coverage will continue across weather, wildfire response, diplomacy on Iran, federal justice developments and local investigative follow-ups. Tony Dokoupil in Washington.