Good morning. Here are some of the stories we’re following today:
1. Tornadoes Sweep Across Midwest, Storms Head Northeast
Five people were rescued from a campground as tornadoes swept across the Midwest overnight, with almost 50 million more Americans under the threat of further damaging thunderstorms on Tuesday. Winds of 122 mph were recorded in South Dakota and baseball-sized hail fell in Indiana as the severe storms ripped up trees and power lines. Read more in WEATHER.
2. Is the Tide Turning on the Confederate Flag?
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Lindsey Graham, and other prominent leaders are calling for the Confederate flag to be removed from state grounds after a young white man opened fire in a black church last week, killing nine parishioners. The debate doesn't stop in South Carolina, though. Walmart on Monday pulled all Confederate flag merchandise from its shelves, and the Republican speaker of Mississippi's state House called for Confederate battle flag imagery to be removed from his state's flag. Read more in NEWS.
3. Surprised? Clinton Leads Democratic Field, Tops GOP Rivals
Seventy-five percent of national Democratic primary voters favor Clinton in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. Looking ahead to the general election, Clinton also leads Jeb Bush by eight points (48 percent to 40 percent), Marco Rubio by 10 points (50 percent to 40 percent) and Scott Walker by 14 points (51 percent to 37 percent). Read more in POLITICS.
4. DNA From Prison Escapees Found in Remote N.Y. Cabin
DNA from both Richard Matt and David Sweat was found in a burglarized cabin in Owls Head, New York, about 20 miles from the prison where they escaped more than two weeks ago, a source familiar with the investigation told NBC News. Law enforcement descended on the area, but the main search remains near the prison. Read more in NEWS.
5. 'Titanic' Composer’s Plane Crashes in California
A single-engine plane registered to Oscar-winner James Horner, who composed music for "Titanic," "Avatar" and other hit films, crashed in Southern California Monday, killing the pilot. It was unclear who was piloting the aircraft, but tributes and condolences quickly flooded social media. Read more in POP CULTURE.
6. Sean 'Diddy' Combs Arrested for Assault
The hip-hop mogul was charged with assault with a deadly weapon in an incident at an athletic complex at the University of California Los Angeles early Monday afternoon. Combs' son, Justin, is a defensive back with the UCLA Bruins. No one was seriously injured in the incident, which police said involved a kettlebell — a large ball with a handle for exercising, usually made from iron. Read more in POP CULTURE.
7. Lego Wants to Phase Out Plastic in Its Toy Bricks
Lego wants kids of the future to continue having fun with its toy building blocks, but not at the expense of the environment. To that end, the Denmark-based Lego Group has announced a plan to find "sustainable" materials to replace the plastic used in its bricks by 2030. The company says it will invest more than $150 million to establish a Lego Sustainable Materials Centre and staff it with more than 100 employees. Read more in NEWS.
7. Nightly Spotlight
Days after a devastating crime that was intended to pit neighbor against neighbor, thousands in Charleston showed they would not be divided.