A powerful storm system is moving eastward, bringing heavy rain and potential tornadoes to the Southern Plains and Deep South. Tornadoes have already touched down in Texas and Louisiana, causing power outages and flight cancellations. The National Weather Service has issued tornado warnings and watches, and teams will survey areas for likely tornado damage on Friday. Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay up to date with the latest weather forecasts.
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The EPA has announced that Norfolk Southern will be required to test the site of a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio for dioxins and to conduct a background study comparing dioxin levels in the area to other areas. If dioxins that pose an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment are found, the EPA will order an immediate cleanup of the area. Residents in the area have reported illnesses they believe stem from the crash and the EPA has said it will oversee any possible cleanup.
The U.S. Drought Monitor released new data and maps showing that California is seeing some relief from drought conditions, with half of the state now free of drought or abnormally dry conditions. The report attributed the improvement to the above-normal precipitation of recent months, above-normal snowpack, and improved reservoir levels. However, the report also noted that low groundwater levels remain a persistent problem, and more work needs to be done to ensure that the state's groundwater levels are adequately replenished.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has been hospitalized with shingles and is receiving treatment in San Francisco. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who had a health scare earlier this year, is also on the path to recovery. Feinstein's office said she hopes to return to Washington soon and her constituents and colleagues are wishing her a speedy recovery.
Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee has signed two controversial bills into law, one of which bans gender-affirming health care for minors and the other which criminalizes certain drag shows. The legislation has been met with criticism from civil rights organizations and major medical associations, who have warned of the potential harm it could cause to transgender youth. Tennessee is the first state to criminalize certain drag shows, and is the latest in a string of states to introduce legislation attacking gender-affirming medical care for young people.
Ford Motor Company will resume production of its electric pickup, the F-150 Lightning, on Monday, March 13 after identifying and resolving an issue with a battery fire during testing. Ford worked with South Korean company SK On to investigate the cause of the problem and restarted battery cell production on February 20. The company is now confident that the issue has been resolved and is committed to delivering high-quality vehicles to its customers.
Alex Murdaugh, a former attorney from Walterboro, South Carolina, has been found guilty of murdering his wife and son in 2021. The jury reached the verdict after three hours of deliberation on Thursday, and Murdaugh is facing 99 additional charges stemming from alleged financial crimes. The Murdaugh family has expressed their gratitude for the jury’s decision and hope that the guilty verdict will bring them closure.
Alex Murdaugh, a 54-year-old former lawyer from South Carolina, was found guilty of murdering his wife and son in June 2021 after a jury deliberated for less than three hours. He was also convicted of two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and prosecutors are seeking life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murders. His sentencing is scheduled for Friday.