Widespread severe weather swept the Plains and Midwest, putting more than a third of Americans under tornado and severe-storm threats. Supercell thunderstorms produced tornadoes, damaging hail and destructive winds across parts of Kansas, Minnesota and other states, while heavy rain and melting snow flooded neighborhoods in Michigan. Meteorologist Rob Marciano warned a broad swath from the interior Northeast through the Midwest into the Plains faced risks of tornadoes, giant hail and damaging winds fueled by unusually warm conditions. Tornado and severe-thunderstorm watches remained in effect in parts of the Plains and Midwest as forecasters urged residents to stay alert.
In Washington, two members of Congress resigned amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Texas Republican Tony Gonzales acknowledged a relationship with a former aide. California Democrat Eric Swalwell denied assault allegations but admitted errors in judgment; he has withdrawn from the governor’s race and resigned his House seat. CBS News spoke with two women who say Swalwell pursued them years ago, and one former model has accused him of rape, saying she was incapacitated at an event. Swalwell’s attorneys called the accusations politically motivated. Prosecutors in Manhattan and other jurisdictions have opened investigations.
Markets climbed as discussions about a potential U.S.-Iran ceasefire gained traction. President Trump said face-to-face negotiations could resume, while the U.S. Navy tightened restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz to pressure Tehran — a move that helped lift global fuel prices. White House and international officials met regional diplomats to seek a framework for peace. Energy executives told CBS News that U.S. crude supplies are helping blunt some price spikes, but prolonged disruptions to Middle East shipping could keep fuel costs elevated and strain global supplies. At Chevron’s largest Gulf Coast refinery, company officials urged conservation and acknowledged there’s no simple way to fully shield American consumers from global energy shocks. The IMF warned that extended energy shocks could push the global economy close to recession and stoke higher inflation.
In Texas, testimony resumed in lawsuits stemming from last summer’s flash flood at Camp Mystic, a disaster that killed 27 people. Prosecutors and grieving families pressed camp leaders about decisions made during the storm; one director admitted he had slept through overnight alerts. Relatives of Cile Stewart — the only camper still missing — asked judges to halt cleanup at the site, saying evidence could be disturbed while the camp prepares to reopen on adjacent higher ground. State officials and lawmakers continue reviewing the camp’s operations.
Overseas, investigators probed the death of U.S. influencer Ashly Robinson, known online as Ashlee Jenae, after she was found unconscious in a villa in Zanzibar. A U.S. man was detained as part of the inquiry and later released; Robinson’s boyfriend remains in custody while authorities complete an autopsy and review the circumstances.
In the Bahamas, authorities questioned and released Brian Hooker as they investigate the disappearance of his wife, Lynette, who reportedly fell overboard more than a week earlier. Hooker told CBS News he believes she could still be alive and wants to resume searching. U.S. Coast Guard investigators joined Bahamian teams; family members have called for a thorough, transparent probe.
Locally, a high school principal in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, subdued a suspected shooter in the school lobby this month after reportedly being shot in the leg, preventing further injuries. The suspect faces multiple charges, including shooting with intent to kill.
From the Pentagon and State Department, U.S. officials described ongoing diplomatic efforts around the Iran-Israel conflict, with European partners working to reopen shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz as conditions allow. U.S. naval activity and port restrictions have led some Iranian vessels to turn back, a factor contributing to higher fuel costs.
A human-interest profile highlighted Freddie McGee III, an undersized football player from Canton, Michigan, who has kept pursuing an NFL opportunity after walking on at Eastern Michigan and playing arena football. McGee’s persistence — even standing outside the Detroit Lions practice facility asking for a chance — was framed as an example of grit and opportunity.
Culture notes: the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 includes artists from the 1980s and 1990s and beyond, with inductees such as Oasis, Wu-Tang Clan, Billy Idol and Phil Collins.
Tonight’s coverage combined national developments and human stories — from severe weather and political upheaval to legal battles and everyday acts of courage — underscoring how communities and individuals continue to respond to crises and seek accountability.