Parts of central U.S. hit by severe storms; tornadoes strike in Kansas, Iowa
ST. LOUIS — Strong storms have caused damage in parts of the middle U.S. and spawned tornadoes in Kansas and Iowa, including one that left two people hurt. The National Weather Service says an EF-1 tornado touched down shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday near the northeastern Kansas town of Richland. The twister reached speeds of up to 100 mph and was on the ground for about 20 minutes. No details about the two injuries were immediately available. A tornado also destroyed a barn in Iowa, and parts of western Missouri had wind damage. A Chicago-bound flight had to return to Kansas City International Airport shortly after takeoff due to a possible lightning strike.
House’s Ukraine, Israel aid package moving ahead as Johnson fights to keep his job
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson is forging ahead toward a vote later this week on a package of Ukraine funding that also includes Israel and Taiwan. But he is also facing a choice between potentially losing his job and advancing the aid for Ukraine. After agonizing over how to proceed for days, the Republican speaker texted GOP lawmakers that he will start a days-long push to hold votes on funding packages for Ukraine, Israel and allies in the Indo-Pacific, as well as several other foreign policy proposals. The decision to support Ukraine at all has angered conservatives in the House and given energy to a threat to remove him from the speaker’s office.
First 7 jurors chosen for Trump's criminal trial; 11 more still needed
NEW YORK — The first seven jurors for Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial have been chosen after lawyers grilled members of the jury pool about their social media posts, political views and personal lives. The questioning Tuesday was designed to help decide whether they can sit in fair judgment of the Republican former president. The panelists selected are an information technology worker, an English teacher, an oncology nurse, a sales professional, a software engineer and two lawyers. Eleven more still need to be picked before opening statements begin as early as next week. The case accuses Trump of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal during his 2016 campaign. Trump denies wrongdoing.
Russian missiles kill 17 people as the war approaches critical stage
KYIV, Ukraine — Local officials say three Russian missiles have slammed into the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, hitting an apartment building and killing at least 17 people. Emergency services say at least 61 people were wounded. Chernihiv is about 150 kilometers or 90 miles north of the capital Kyiv near the border with Russia and Belarus. The city has a population of around 250,000 people. The latest Russian bombardment came as the war approaches what could be a critical juncture. A lack of further military support from Ukraine’s Western partners increasingly leaves it at the mercy of the bigger Kremlin forces.
Poll: Only 26% of Americans say they get at least 8 hours of sleep
NEW YORK — It seems Americans don't think they're particularly well-rested. A new poll says that a majority of Americans say they would feel better if they could have more sleep. But in the U.S., where the ethos of grinding and pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps is ubiquitous, getting enough sleep can seem like a dream. The Gallup survey found 57% of those surveyed agreed that getting more sleep would help, while only 42% said they were getting as much sleep as they need. That’s a first in Gallup polling since 2001. Younger women, under 50, were especially likely to report they aren't getting enough rest.
Disneyland performers file petition to form labor union
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Workers who help bring Disneyland’s beloved characters to life say they've collected enough signatures to support their push for a union. A group of 1,700 performers at Disney’s Southern California theme parks said Wednesday they filed an election petition with the National Labor Relations Board. A vote would likely be held in May or June. The workers say they also asked The Walt Disney Co. to recognize their union. The union would be formed under Actors’ Equity Association, which already represents theatrical performers at Disney’s Florida theme parks. A message seeking comment was sent to Disneyland officials.
Tesla wants shareholders to reinstate $56B Musk pay package rejected by judge
DETROIT — Tesla will ask shareholders to reinstate the compensation package for CEO Elon Musk that was rejected by a judge in Delaware this year and to move the electric carmaker’s corporate home from Delaware to Texas. In January, Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick ruled that Musk is not entitled to a landmark compensation package awarded by Tesla’s board of directors that is potentially worth more than $56 billion. Musk said a month later that he would try to move Tesla’s corporate listing to Texas, where he has already moved company headquarters. In a document filed with federal regulators Wednesday, the company said it was putting that move up to a vote.
