Good evening. Tonight: a community in shock after a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana; tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict and fragile ceasefire talks; rising fuel prices hitting farmers; violent spring storms followed by record-cold air; and lighter moments from the weekend.
Louisiana mass shooting
A horrific attack in Shreveport left 10 people shot and eight children killed. Police say the gunman, identified as Shamar Elkins, targeted family members at two homes early in the morning. Investigators say seven of the children killed were the shooter’s own. A survivor escaped and alerted authorities. After the shootings, Elkins allegedly carjacked a vehicle and led police on a pursuit; he produced a handgun during a confrontation and was shot by officers at the scene. Louisiana State Police joined the local investigation as the community mourns and neighbors grapple with how such violence could occur.
Iowa City shooting
In Iowa City, gunfire erupted during a brawl near the University of Iowa. Five people were shot, including three students; one remained in critical condition. Multiple people were hospitalized and police had not yet made arrests.
U.S.-Iran ceasefire and region tensions
President Trump announced that a U.S. Navy destroyer attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged vessel in the Gulf of Oman, a strategic area at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. The Pentagon released video of U.S. forces intercepting the cargo ship. The president warned Iran its critical infrastructure would be targeted if the regime did not agree to a peace deal, saying “no more Mr. Nice Guy.”
The U.S.-Iran ceasefire is fragile, and the two sides remain far from a final agreement. Officials report that more than 50,000 U.S. troops are deployed to the region, with additional forces on the way; several U.S. aircraft carriers and a military blockade are operating in the area to interdict shipments. Meanwhile, Iran state media denied plans to send negotiators to Pakistan even as the White House said U.S. representatives would travel for talks.
At home, the administration named negotiators to lead the U.S. effort — a team that reportedly includes high-level officials. But questions remain about who in Iran is authorized to make binding concessions, and analysts warn the negotiations could be protracted.
Gas prices and farmers
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that gas prices, driven higher by the war and disruption of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, may not drop below $3 per gallon until next year. At the pump, regular gasoline averaged around $4.05 and diesel was above $5.60 per gallon in many parts of the country.
Farmers and truck drivers in Iowa and other agricultural states are feeling the pain. Diesel prices have jumped substantially, increasing costs for hauling, planting and harvesting. Farmers say elevated fuel costs squeeze margins and could force tough choices—fertilizer, planting scale, equipment use—with potential consequences for food prices later in the year. Energy experts say fuel will remain high while shipping through the Strait is disrupted, and farmers may be affected into next year’s growing season.
Ceasefire talks and diplomacy
With only days before the temporary ceasefire was scheduled to end, the White House said U.S. negotiators would head to Pakistan for talks, signaling continued efforts to translate the pause into a longer settlement. U.S. officials told CBS News the aim is a verifiable, enforceable deal. Observers caution that mutual distrust after decades of confrontation will complicate any agreement.
Weather: from tornadoes to Arctic chill
An outbreak of violent spring storms earlier in the week produced at least 53 reported tornadoes across seven states, causing widespread damage and prompting cleanup efforts. Now a dramatic shift in the atmosphere is underway: a surge of Arctic air, unusually cold for late April, is moving into the central and eastern U.S. Meteorologists warned of teens-and-20s overnight in places that saw 80s and 90s earlier in the week. A freeze watch and freeze warnings were issued for over 70 million people, threatening sensitive crops and raising the risk of agricultural damage.
Hot-air balloon makes unexpected landing
In a lighter item, a hot-air balloon carrying about a dozen people made an emergency landing in a residential backyard in Temecula, California. No injuries were reported, and the balloon was later removed. Neighbors shared surprised and amused footage of the unexpected visitors.
Housing and the American dream
Mortgage rates dipped to a four-week low, and spring is traditionally a busy selling season. But first-time buyers remain scarce, making up a smaller share of purchases amid high prices and persistent interest rates. Builders say confidence has slipped as materials and fuel cost pressures constrain construction. Some realtors and economists urged people not to treat homeownership as the only path to building wealth, warning that buyers should avoid stretching finances too thin.
Technology and oddities
In Beijing, robots joined runners in a half marathon. Some Chinese-made machines were faster than the humans: the leading robot finished in about 50 minutes. Separately, Blue Origin successfully reused one of its New Glenn rocket boosters; the company recovered the booster after launch, a step toward lower launch costs and reusability.
Brief regional items
– A single-engine Cessna made an emergency landing on State Route 14 in Vancouver, Washington. No vehicles were struck and no one was injured.
– In Iowa City and Shreveport, authorities continued to investigate the shootings.
– The U.S. military reported taking custody of an Iranian-flagged vessel during operations in the Gulf of Oman.
Weekend feature: baby squirrel foster care
In Lafayette, California, volunteers are helping baby squirrels injured after nests fell during tree pruning season. A seasonal surge in “peak baby squirrel season” has strained wildlife rescue centers, which care for hundreds of infants each year. Volunteers perform around-the-clock feeding and rehabilitation with the goal of returning animals to the wild.
That’s the CBS Weekend News for April 19. For continuing coverage, check local and national updates, and stay weather-aware as the arctic blast arrives. Have a good week.
