U.S. and World News

Grants to help build 'safe rooms' delayed by red tape

(NBC News) -- Officials in the Oklahoma City suburb ravaged by deadly tornadoes Monday complained earlier this year about FEMA's foot-dragging over $2 million in federal grants for "safe rooms" in 800 homes that would protect people from severe weather.

How could so many have survived Okla. monster tornado?

Viewers glued to TV following Monday's tornado that hit here with the destructive force of an atomic bomb very likely expected to wake up Tuesday to a death and injury toll in the thousands.

Terrified kids asked teacher, 'Is This Really Happening?'

 As the terrified tornado-whipped students of Briarwood Elementary School in Moore, Okla., cowered on their hands and knees with backpacks over their heads, tearfully pleading for their parents, they asked their teacher, "Is this really happening?"

Jodi Arias begs jury to give her life sentence

PHOENIX, Az. (AZ CENTRAL) -- Jodi Arias begged jurors Tuesday to give her life in prison, saying she "lacked perspective" when she told a local reporter in an interview that she preferred execution to spending the rest of her days in jail.

Marathon bombing victims urged to apply for funds

The administrator of the Boston Marathon victims' compensation fund says so far just five people have filed applications for a portion of the $30 million the One Fund has already collected.

16-minute tornado warning saved lives

(USA TODAY) -- Sixteen minutes.

That's how much of a warning the residents of suburban Oklahoma had before a tornado dropped out of a cloud onto the ground a few miles west of Newcastle, Okla.

Atlanta Telethon raises $57,000 for Moore, OK victims

ATLANTA, Ga. (WXIA) -- The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross teamed up with WXIA for the WXIA Cares: Atlanta gives Moore fundraising telethon on Tuesday evening.

WXIA steps into a Texas tornado simulator

LUBBOCK, Texas (WXIA) -- After an EF3 tornado tore through northwest Georgia, last week, WXIA's chief meteorologist, Mike Francis, traveled to Texas Tech in Lubbock to check out their cutting edge research created to help keep you safe.

Boy Scout Leaders to vote on lifting gay ban

The Boy Scouts of America will convene a two-day meeting of 1,400 local leaders to consider changing its long-standing ban openly gay boys belonging to the scouting movement.

Anthony Weiner declares he's running for NYC mayor

Former congressman Anthony Weiner officially jumped into the race for New York City mayor, ending weeks of speculation by declaring his political comeback bid in a YouTube video posted late Tuesday.

Safety experts say Okla. school was ready for tornado

The teachers and students in Moore, Okla., were as prepared as anyone could have been to respond to the devastating tornado that struck Monday, several school safety experts say.

Ark. treasurer resigns amid charges she took cash

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- Arkansas' state treasurer has resigned after federal prosecutors accused her of taking cash payments from a broker who handled a large amount of the state's investment portfolio.

Coast Guardsman admits desertion

HONOLULU (AP) -- A Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Hawaii whose months-long disappearance lead to a massive search is admitting to desertion, saying he spent three months camping in the mountains of Oahu and didn't plan on ever returning to his job.

2 more reports of anti-gay attacks in NYC

NEW YORK (AP) -- New York City police say there have been two more reports of possible anti-gay attacks, following the killing of a gay man taunted with homophobic slurs.

Senate panel approves immigration bill

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved far-reaching immigration legislation that gives a chance at citizenship to millions living in the country illegally.

Oklahoma 'storm of storms' leaves 24 dead

Emergency crews and National Guard troops in Oklahoma picked through neighborhoods without recognizable streets Tuesday in a grim, house-by-house search of the blasted-out husk of a city left behind by a ferocious tornado.

IRS official in Tea Party scandal to plead 5th

WASHINGTON (USA Today) --  The Internal Revenue Service official who oversaw the agency's tax-exempt office will invoke her constitutional right against self-incrimination and decline to answer questions when she appears before Congress on Wednesday.

Army gen. suspended over adultery allegations

WASHINGTON -- The Army announced Tuesday that it has suspended the top general at Fort Jackson in South Carolina over allegations of assault and adultery, the latest in a string of sex scandals to rock the military.

USA TODAY live coverage of Oklahoma tornado

USA TODAY live coverage of Oklahoma tornado

Jodi Arias pleads for a life sentence

Jodi Arias, who said after her murder conviction she would prefer death to life imprisonment, stood before the jury Tuesday and pleaded for her life instead, asking them not to punish her family for her actions.

Obama: We will stand with Oklahoma

President Obama to speak on Oklahoma disaster

WASHINGTON, DC (AP) -- President Barack Obama will be meeting with his disaster response team, including Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, on Tuesday before delivering a statement on the devastating tornado that tore through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday.