Tornadoes rake Southern Plains; more severe weather expected

DALLAS (AP) — A spate of tornadoes raked across the Southern Plains, leaving damage and causing few injuries, and parts of the region were bracing for more severe thunderstorms and possible flooding. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF2 twister Saturday morning with winds up to 130 mph (209 kph)...

The Latest: NWS confirms EF2 tornado in southern Oklahoma

GERONIMO, Okla. (AP) — The Latest on severe weather in the Southern Plains (all times local): 5:15 p.m. Authorities have confirmed a tornado with winds up to 130 mph (209 kph) touched down in southern Oklahoma. The National Weather Service says the EF2 twister Saturday morning traveled for about a half a...

US attempt to improve wildland firefighter shelters fails

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An effort to develop a better fire shelter following the deaths of 19 wildland firefighters in Arizona six years ago has failed. Officials at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise in a decision on Wednesday said the current fire shelter developed in 2002 will remain in use. The...

Mexico City closes schools, restricts traffic due to smoke

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico City officials cancelled classes for millions of students Thursday for a second straight day as smoke from brush fires continued to choke the city of 9 million. Both lower schools and universities were closed for the pollution alert and Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said they would...

5.7 magnitude earthquake shakes Central America

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — A strong 5.7 magnitude earthquake has shaken Nicaragua and El Salvador, where buildings swayed and were evacuated in the capital. The U.S. Geological Survey says the earthquake was centered off the coast of Nicaragua at a depth of 43 miles (70 kilometers), but was felt...

Fire officials determine PG&E equipment sparked deadly fire

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — As California fire investigators officially concluded that the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century was caused by Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. power lines, lawmakers expressed deep skepticism about whether the utility had made the dramatic changes needed to prevent another...

Officials: PG&E equipment sparked deadly California wildfire

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. power lines sparked a Northern California blaze that killed 85 people last year, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century, state fire officials said Wednesday. Cal Fire said transmission lines owned and operated by the San Francisco-based...

North Korea says it is suffering worst drought in decades

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Wednesday it is suffering its worst drought in nearly four decades amid reports of severe food shortages. The official Korean Central News Agency said an average of 54.4 millimeters (2.1 inches) of rain fell throughout the country in the first five months of this...

The Latest: Wildfire investigators found PG&E broke law

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Latest on a wildfire that killed 85 people in Paradise, California (all times local): 5 p.m. A Cal Fire official says investigators found PG&E violated utility law and forwarded their conclusions to the local district attorney to determine if criminal charges should be filed....

California fire investigators say Pacific Gas & Electric power lines caused wildfire that killed 85 people last year.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California fire investigators say Pacific Gas & Electric power lines caused wildfire that killed 85 people last year. .