U.S.

Powerful storms killed at least 24 people, injured hundreds and left a wide trail of destruction across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina and Missouri, obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where dozens sought shelter in a restroom during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S. The storms inflicted their worst damage in a region spanning …

Ashley White received her earliest combat action badge from the United States Army soon after the first lieutenant arrived in Afghanistan. The silver military award, recognizing soldiers who’ve been personally engaged by an attacker during conflict, was considered an achievement in and of itself as well as an affirming rite of passage for the newly deployed. White had earned it …

The knock at the door came at nighttime on Mother’s Day 2008 in Oregon, where Jessica Ellis’ parents lived. It was around 9:20 p.m. and his wife, Linda, was already in bed; her father Steve Ellis told CBS News, that he thought someone let their animals out — but two soldiers in Class A uniforms were standing at the door. …

The U.S. military has released photos of the B-21 Raider in flight as the futuristic warplane moves closer to becoming the nation’s next nuclear stealth bomber. The B-21 Raider began flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California, the Air Force said in a statement, as the plane “continues to make progress toward becoming the backbone of the U.S. …

The National Park Service (NPS) denied claims that park officials at Denali National Park ordered a construction crew to not fly the American flag over Memorial Day weekend. The claim appears to have originated from a report by Alaska Watchman, a conservative news outlet, which cited an anonymous construction worker. The crew, the report said, was working on a 475-foot-long …

Bill Walton, the dominant college big man who won two NBA championships and later enjoyed a successful career as a colorful sports broadcaster, has died, the NBA announced on Monday. He was 71. Walton died after a prolonged battle with cancer, the league said. He was surrounded by his family. “Bill Walton was truly one of a kind,” NBA commissioner …

A suspected top assassin in Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel was extradited Saturday to the United States, where he will face charges linked to drug and weapons smuggling, the Justice Department announced. Nestor Isidro Perez Salas, known as “El Nini,” was one of the Sinaloa Cartel’s “lead sicarios, or assassins, and was responsible for the murder, torture and kidnapping of rivals …

Richard M. Sherman, one half of the prolific, award-winning pair of brothers who helped form millions of childhoods by penning the instantly memorable songs for “Mary Poppins,” “The Jungle Book” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” — as well as the most-played tune on Earth, “It’s a Small World (After All)” — has died. He was 95. Sherman, together with his …

Pro-golfer Grayson Murray died Saturday, PGA officials said. The two-time PGA Tour winner was 30 years old. “We were devastated to learn – and are heartbroken to share – that PGA TOUR player Grayson Murray passed away this morning. I am at a loss for words,” PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement. “The PGA TOUR is a …

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce weighed in on his teammate Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College earlier this month. Speaking on the Friday episode of his “New Heights” podcast with brother Jason Kelce, the tight end said he does not agree with “just about any” of Butker’s views but cherishes him as a teammate. “He’s treated family …