Major Garrett filled in for Tony Dokoupil on the May 15 CBS Evening News, opening with a string of national and international developments: a foiled terror plot in the U.S., a massive mill explosion in Maine, wind-driven wildfires in the Plains and mounting worries about a fast‑spreading Ebola outbreak in Africa.
Terror suspect arrested and charged
Prosecutors in Manhattan say an Iraqi national, Mohammad al‑Saadi, was arrested and brought to New York after being detained in Turkey. He is charged in a federal case that alleges he tried to hire someone — an undercover officer, prosecutors say — to carry out attacks at Jewish sites in New York, Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona. Authorities say al‑Saadi sent maps and a $3,000 crypto payment as part of the alleged plot and discussed paying $10,000 for an attack. Prosecutors contend he has ties to Kataeb Hezbollah, an Iran‑backed group, and to the late Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. If convicted on terrorism charges including providing material support, he faces decades — potentially life — behind bars.
Maine lumber mill blast injures firefighters and civilians
A massive explosion tore through Robbins Lumber at a mill in midcoast Maine, sending a towering smoke plume meteorologists measured up to 9,000 feet. The blast, which investigators believe started in a silo filled with wood shavings, damaged fire trucks and injured at least 11 people, including firefighters; one patient was reported in critical condition. Robbins Lumber, a long‑running employer in the region, is now the focus of a federal and state investigation into the cause.
Wildfires fueled by severe winds in the Texas Panhandle
Wind‑driven grass fires exploded across the Texas Panhandle, racing too fast for firefighters to consistently get ahead of the flames. Lightning sparked one fast‑moving blaze near Canyon, south of Amarillo, that reportedly consumed more than 17,000 acres and destroyed homes and vehicles. Gusts approached 40 mph and fire behavior created its own weather, forcing air and ground crews to prioritize evacuations and structure protection. Red flag warnings stretched across large portions of the Plains and West; meteorologists warned that strong winds, dry fuels and thunderstorm lightning could produce more outbreaks in coming days.
Health officials watch new Ebola outbreak in Africa
Health authorities are tracking a serious Ebola outbreak in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighboring Uganda. The Africa CDC reported hundreds of suspected cases and dozens of deaths; the World Health Organization is closely monitoring the situation. U.S. doctors who have treated Ebola urged vigilance, noting the virus spreads by contact with infected bodily fluids and poses particular risks to health workers. Some experts also warned that cuts to global public‑health programs and U.S. disengagement from certain international agencies could hinder the response to outbreaks abroad.
Recap from the White House trip to China
President Trump called his summit with China’s Xi Jinping “very good,” and officials announced a major aviation deal: Boeing said China committed to buying 200 aircraft. The president also said China told him it would not supply Iran with military equipment, though analysts noted China remains Iran’s top oil customer and has not announced any binding military restrictions. On Taiwan, the president hinted he might change decades‑long presidential practice by directly speaking with Taiwan’s leader — a move that would be diplomatically sensitive to Beijing.
Technology headaches: Waymo driverless cars clog Atlanta cul‑de‑sac
Residents of an Atlanta neighborhood reported an eccentric traffic jam: dozens of Waymo robotaxis repeatedly circling and getting stuck on a quiet cul‑de‑sac. Video showed a block of driverless vehicles confused by residential traffic‑calming measures. Waymo recently recalled nearly 3,800 robotaxis to fix software that misread standing water; experts said firms must improve communication and routing logic as autonomous vehicles expand.
Bears on the rise, parks close trails
Black‑bear encounters are surging across parts of the country. Wildlife officials and residents in North Carolina and around the Great Smoky Mountains warned that food‑conditioned bears are appearing in yards, trails and campsites. In response, park managers closed some trails while biologists and rangers work on public‑safety measures and outreach about securing food and trash.
Other notable reports
• Video and police accounts showed a dramatic California‑area hit and run and a wild multi‑vehicle police chase in Wisconsin.
• In Chesapeake, Virginia, a speeding freight train struck a septic truck at a crossing and the truck driver survived with severe injuries and remained hospitalized.
• Steve Hartman reported on a retired elementary school principal in Atlanta who returned to his school in a hands‑on role as a site manager, trading a principal’s desk for a mop and bucket while continuing to lead by example.
Weather outlook
CBS meteorologists warned of a multi‑day stretch of dangerous weather: high winds feeding wildfires across the Plains and West, widespread severe‑thunderstorm risks with hail and damaging gusts, and the prospect of tornado risks into Sunday and Monday as the pattern shifts east.
What to know
• Law‑enforcement officials say the arrest in New York prevented a planned series of attacks and that the investigation could reveal additional details about networks and motives.
• Authorities continue to investigate the Maine mill blast and urge caution around industrial facilities handling combustible dusts like wood shavings.
• As U.S. and global health experts respond to the Ebola outbreak, travelers and health professionals are watching developments and guidance from the WHO and regional health agencies.
Major Garrett anchored in for Tony Dokoupil. The program covered the top headlines, live field reports from disaster zones, health reporting from Africa and Atlanta technology issues, and human‑interest pieces showing community resilience and leadership.