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National & World Teachers to students: 'Get into the hallway! We don't want you to die!' Teachers to students: 'Get into the hallway! We don't want you to die!' (Photo Gallery)
The principal's voice came on over the intercom at Plaza Towers Elementary School: A severe storm was approaching and students were to go to the cafeteria and wait for their parents to pick them up. But before all of the youngsters could get there, the tornado alarm sounded.

News

National & World Teachers to students: 'Get into the hallway! We don't want you to die!' (Photo Gallery)
The principal's voice came on over the intercom at Plaza Towers Elementary School: A severe storm was approaching and students were to go to the cafeteria and wait for their parents to pick them up. But before all of the youngsters could get there, the tornado alarm sounded.

Entertainment

Offbeat

Offbeat Record 18-foot python caught in Florida Record 18-foot python caught in Florida
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the 18-foot-8-inch snake was caught May 11 alongside a road in rural Miami-Dade County.
Offbeat Slow pokes: Acupuncture helps hypothermic turtles Slow pokes: Acupuncture helps hypothermic turtles
Two endangered sea turtles that are shells of their former selves after getting stranded on Cape Cod during a cold spell are getting some help easing back into the wild - from an acupuncturist.

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Around the World

National & World Vote clears way for epic Senate showdown on immigration Vote clears way for epic Senate showdown on immigration
Far-reaching legislation that grants a chance at citizenship to millions of immigrants living illegally in the United States cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a solid bipartisan vote Tuesday night after supporters somberly sidestepped a controversy over the rights of gay spouses.
National & World FBI ID's Benghazi suspects, but no arrests yet
The U.S. has identified five men who might be responsible for the attack on the diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, last year, and has enough evidence to justify seizing them by military force as suspected terrorists, officials say. But there isn't enough proof to try them in a U.S. civilian court as the Obama administration prefers.
National & World 2 more reports of 'gay bashing' attacks in NYC
Hours after New Yorkers rallied in response to a spate of gay-bashing that's resulted in one death and fueled concern about hate crimes, there were two more reports of possible anti-gay attacks on Manhattan streets, authorities said Tuesday.

Sports

Sports Trout hits for cycle as Angels rout Mariners, 12-0 (New) Trout hits for cycle as Angels rout Mariners, 12-0
Mike Trout hit for the cycle and drove in five runs, Josh Hamilton celebrated his 32nd birthday with a homer and a triple, and Howie Kendrick also went deep in the Los Angeles Angels' 12-0 rout of the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.
Sports Seahawks waive backup QB Josh Portis
The Seattle Seahawks have waived backup quarterback Josh Portis a day after news surfaced of his arrest for driving under the influence earlier this month.

Top Video

Home Baby makes epic soccer goal Baby makes epic soccer goal
During this weekend's retirement ceremony for Chelsea player Paulo Ferreira at Stamford Bridge stadium, a certain toddler managed to snag the limelight, putting on his own show.

Your Life, Your Style

Health Seattle students report getting pot from dispensaries Seattle students report getting pot from dispensaries
Marijuana use among Seattle's high-school students is holding steady, and more than a third of students who use the drug say they got it from a medical marijuana dispensary, according to results from a Seattle Public Schools survey released Tuesday.

Extras

Weather How tornado victims got 25 minutes of precious warning time How tornado victims got 25 minutes of precious warning time (Photo Gallery)
Twenty-five minutes.

That might not seem very long -- about the time it takes to wade through your favorite weekly sitcom if you fast forward past the commercials. But compared to a few decades ago, 25 minutes of time might have saved countless lives during the devastating tornado that struck Moore, Oklahoma on Monday.

Years ago, the residents of Moore would have likely had no idea the tornado was coming until the twister was sighted, giving people barely a few minutes' notice. But thanks to advancements in technology, tornadoes rarely sneak up on anyone anymore.

In fact, forecasters as early as Wednesday began sounding the alarm for a potential severe weather breakout on Sunday and, on Friday, the forecasts became more specific. On Sunday, a Tornado Watch, which indicates conditions are right for tornadic development, was issued at 1:10 p.m. for much of Oklahoma, including the greater Oklahoma City area.
Weather "What does ''EF-4'' mean?' and other tornado questions answered "What does ''EF-4'' mean?' and other tornado questions answered
With tornadoes in the news lately I figured it'd be a good time to post answers to some frequently asked questions about the powerful storms:

What does "EF-4" mean?

WIth the devastating tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, you'll be hearing a lot of about "EF" ratings -- that's from the Enhanced Fujita Scale that rates tornadoes on a scale of 0 to 5, 5 being the strongest.

The Moore tornado was given a preliminary rating of EF-4 ("Devastating") with estimated tornadic wind speeds of up to 200 mph, although many are thinking that rating could be increased to an EF-5 ("Incredible") once more damage assessment is done.

Sadly, it's not the first time Moore has had to deal with such a catastrophic storm. On May 3, 1999, Moore was struck by an EF-5 tornado which recorded the strongest wind speed ever registered near Earth's surface. this map provided by the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma shows just how close the two tracks were.

Entertainment

Entertainment Seattle-born jazz singer Sara Gazarek comes home to give back (Photo Gallery) (Video)
Singer Sara Gazarek didn't grow up with a lot of exposure to jazz -- after all, Seattle is really known more for grunge (and, recently, hip-hop) than for crooning voices and downtown piano bars. But when she joined the jazz choir in high school, she fell in love with the genre. Now, she's an award-winning performer with a new album, who's using her star power to inspire future generations of musicians -- or at least help students understand a genre that often feels elusive.
Entertainment Manzarek, founding member of The Doors, dies at 74
Ray Manzarek, a founding member of the 1960s rock group The Doors whose versatile and often haunting keyboards complemented Jim Morrison's gloomy baritone and helped set the mood for some of rock's most enduring songs, has died. He was 74.

Technology

Technology Tumblr CEO's mom gushes over billion-dollar baby
"There were a few tears and lots of hugs, and a lot of excitement," said his mother, Barbara Ackerman. "This is something that he built — it's his baby — and it's emotional."

Business

Business Apple's CEO faces tough Senate questions on untaxed profits
The Senate dragged massively profitable Apple Inc. into the debate over the U.S. tax code Tuesday, grilling CEO Tim Cook over allegations that its Irish subsidiaries help the company avoid billions in U.S. taxes.
Business Senators agree to expansion of high-tech visas
Officials say leading senators trying to resolve a key issue on immigration legislation have agreed to a compromise covering expansion of a high-tech visa program.

Offbeat

Offbeat 48-hour ride breaks Ferris wheel world record
A manager of Chicago's Navy Pier rode the tourist spot's Ferris wheel for more than two days, bringing the world record for the longest ride to the birthplace of the amusement park favorite.
Offbeat Milwaukee backs off bra ban for historic bar
A historic Milwaukee bowling alley and bar almost went without the appropriate support after a city inspector decided dozens of bras hanging from its ceiling were a fire hazard.
Offbeat Texas senior, 18, bags 800-pound record alligator
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials say 18-year-old Braxton Bielski bagged the record gator last week at Choke Canyon State Park, about 90 miles south of San Antonio.