14 students killed in school shooting

Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY
·5 min read

The 2022 hurricane forecast just dropped. An Ohio man was arrested after being linked to a plot to assassinate former President George W. Bush. And hacked files offer a look inside China's secret Uyghur internment camps.

👋 Hey! It's your old pal Laura Davis, aka your guide to Tuesday's news.

But first, breaking news: At least 14 students and one teacher were shot and killed at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Greg Abbot said. Police said the suspect is dead. Follow our coverage of this developing story.

Law enforcement personnel walk outside Uvalde High School after shooting a was reported earlier in the day at Robb Elementary School, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement personnel walk outside Uvalde High School after shooting a was reported earlier in the day at Robb Elementary School, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.

The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here or text messages here.

Looks like another active hurricane season

It's that time of year again. Forecasters expect yet another busy Atlantic hurricane season in 2022: As many as 10 hurricanes could form, meteorologists said Tuesday. The season begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. An average season spawns seven hurricanes and peaks in August or September. If predictions hold true, it will be a record seventh consecutive year of above-normal activity. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said 14 to 21 named storms will develop, including tropical storms, which contain wind speeds of 39 mph or higher. Storms become hurricanes when winds reach 74 mph. Of the predicted hurricanes, three to six could be major hurricanes, packing wind speeds of 111 mph or higher. Read more about the forecast here.

⛈ Weather watch: A massive tornado wowed storm chasers in Texas. What's the weather doing in your neck of the woods? Check your forecast here.

Kristen Davis watches the high surf from a boardwalk overlooking the Atlantic Ocean as she and her daughter Addie, 4, are buffeted by winds from Hurricane Dorian in 2019 in Vero Beach, Fla.
Kristen Davis watches the high surf from a boardwalk overlooking the Atlantic Ocean as she and her daughter Addie, 4, are buffeted by winds from Hurricane Dorian in 2019 in Vero Beach, Fla.

Primary elections underway in a handful of states

It's primary time. The Georgia primaries will headline a busy day in politics when four other states will hold elections. Incumbent Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp faces David Perdue, a former U.S. senator backed by Donald Trump, for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. Many eyes will also be fixed on Georgia's GOP secretary of state primary, in which U.S. Republican Rep. Jody Hice, another Trump acolyte, looks to unseat Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Kemp and Raffensperger drew opposition from former President Trump after they refused to overturn Georgia's 2020 presidential election results. For Democrats, Stacey Abrams will win her party's gubernatorial primary after running unopposed. Abrams, who helped flip Georgia blue during the 2020 presidential election, would be the state's first Black governor if she wins the general election in the fall. Live updates from primary races in Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas and Texas.

What everyone's talking about

The Short List is free, but several stories we link to are subscriber-only. Consider supporting our journalism and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today.

A hacker, a researcher and thousands of photos

Thousands of pieces of new and unprecedented evidence obtained by U.S.-based researcher Adrian Zenz appear to show the inner workings of China's detention system for interning and indoctrinating the Uyghurs, a Turkic ethnic group in the Xinjiang region of China. Human rights advocates and experts say Uyghurs are persecuted for supposed "crimes," such as practicing their faith, growing a beard or "provoking trouble." Thousands of Uyghurs are believed to be held in arbitrary detention in hundreds of internment camps across Xinjiang where human rights groups say detainees are subjected to physical, psychological and sexual abuse. Zenz, who says he obtained the trove of internal files from a hacker who accessed Chinese police networks, gave the files to a media consortium that includes USA TODAY, and the group verified some elements of the data. The data provides an unprecedented glimpse inside Beijing's internment of Uyghurs and other targeted ethnic groups. Read more here.

Security personnel guard detainees inside Tekes Detention Center in Xinjiang, China.
Security personnel guard detainees inside Tekes Detention Center in Xinjiang, China.

200 bodies found in bombed Mariupol building

The decomposing bodies of 200 people were found in the basement of a bombed-out apartment building in battered Mariupol, authorities said Tuesday, marking the latest in a series of dismal discoveries since Russia invaded Ukraine three months ago. Mayoral adviser Petro Andryushchenko said residents refused Russian demands to collect the dead, so Russia's Ministry of Emergencies left the bodies amid the rubble. Weeks of missile attacks left Mariupol in ruins. Last week, the last Ukrainian fighters surrendered, giving Russia control of the city that was home to 450,000 people before the war. About 100,000 remain. Mayor Vadym Boychenko claims the Russian bombardment of the city killed thousands of civilians.

👉 More news: Navalny unbowed: Putin "will be defeated in ... the stupid war"; Austin: Ukraine war is "not the United States" fight. Tuesday's latest updates.

Residents carry furniture from houses ruined by shelling in Borodyanka, Ukraine, on May 24.
Residents carry furniture from houses ruined by shelling in Borodyanka, Ukraine, on May 24.

Real quick

Ohio man arrested, linked to George W. Bush assassination plot

An Ohio man allegedly linked to a plot to assassinate former President George W. Bush appeared in court Tuesday, federal officials said. Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihab, an Iraqi national living in Columbus was arrested after a long-running investigation in which the suspect allegedly outlined a plan to smuggle operatives affiliated with the Islamic State terrorist group into the USA to murder the former president, according to court documents. Shihab, who faces a detention hearing Friday, entered the USA in September 2020 on a visitor visa, and in March 2021, he filed a claim for asylum that is pending review, authorities said. During Tuesday's court hearing, Shihab was charged with two felonies: assisting an alien entering the U.S. for financial gain and aiding and abetting the attempted murder of Bush.

George W. Bush's chief of staff says the former president is confident in the Secret Service.
George W. Bush's chief of staff says the former president is confident in the Secret Service.

A break from the news

This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for The Short List newsletter here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Uvalde, Texas school shooting, hurricane forecast, Uyghur camps, arrest made in plot to assassinate George W. Bush. Tuesday's news.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Nike to lay off 740 employees at Oregon headquarters

    The "second phase of impacts" would begin by June 28 at its headquarters, Michele Adams, Nike's vice president for people solutions, said in a legally mandated notice to state authorities. Nike had in December announced a cost savings plan for $2 billion over the next three years, and in February said it would cut about 2% of its total workforce, or more than 1,600 roles. It had about 83,700 employees as of May 31, 2023.

  • The 30 best Walmart deals to shop this weekend — save up to 80% on outdoor gear, gardening supplies, tech and more

    Some major deals on board: a Mother's Day-ready digital picture frame for $30 off, a cordless 6-in-1 stick vac for just $90, and a Chromebook laptop for under $150.

  • Disability expert resigns from federal advisory group over benefit program

    OTTAWA — One of Canada's leading disability scholars is quitting a federal advisory board, saying the government failed to properly fund the disability benefit. Michael Prince, a professor of social policy at the University of Victoria, says he's deeply disappointed with the Canada Disability Benefit. He's resigning from Disabilities Minister Kamal Khera's advisory group effective immediately, saying he has concluded his voice is no longer making a difference. Prince says the amount of funding f

  • Togo lawmakers give final approval to new constitution amid opposition fears

    Togo lawmakers on Friday gave final approval to a constitutional reform that switches to a parliamentary system that triggered criticism from opposition parties who say it allows President Faure Gnassingbe to keep a grip on power. The approval came days before April 29 legislative elections in Togo, where the opposition dismissed the reform as a "constitutional coup" for creating a new prime minister-style post they say will allow the Togolese leader to avoid term limits to stay in office.Togo's

  • Netflix Stock Tumbles On Soft Guidance, Reduced Disclosure

    Netflix stock plunged after the streaming video leader said it would stop giving quarterly subscriber numbers next year.

  • Prosecutor won't bring charges against Wisconsin lawmaker over fundraising scheme

    MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin prosecutor said Friday that she won't bring charges against a Republican lawmaker accused of trying to evade state campaign finance laws in order to unseat the powerful speaker of the Assembly. Waukesha County District Attorney Susan Opper said she would not be filing felony charges against Rep. Janel Brandtjen as was recommended by the bipartisan Wisconsin Ethics Commission. She is the fourth county prosecutor to decide against filing charges against former Pres

  • Dollar stores closing across Ohio

    Dozens of Family Dollar and Dollar Tree locations are set to close across Ohio this week.

  • How Rich Are Biden, Trump and These Other Potential 2024 Presidential Candidates?

    With the 2024 presidential election months away, on November 5, 2024, candidates have been dropping out of the race until just a handful of hopefuls remain. The U.S. president earns $400,000 a year,...

  • Chad air force chief orders US to halt activities at army base, letter shows

    Chad has so far not followed the steps of juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in ending military collaborations with France and other traditional Western allies while they strengthen ties with Russia instead. In the letter dated April 4 to Chad's minister of armed forces, Air Force Chief of Staff Idriss Amine Ahmed said he had told the U.S. defence attache to halt U.S. activities at the Adji Kossei Air Base after “Americans” had failed to provide documents justifying their presence there.

  • China's lithium demand is 'unstoppable': Sigma Lithium CEO

    Lithium is a core component that goes into the construction of EV battery systems, but as electric vehicle demand falters in the US, do lithium mining operators forecast any production slowdowns on their end? Sigma Lithium (SGML) CEO Ana Cabral sits down with Market Domination in-studio to talk about the lithium producer's international business. Cabral notes China's "unstoppable" demand for lithium as the nation's automakers, among other industries, lean into electrification strategies faster than other international manufacturers.  China's lithium demand "has been growing double-digits, China just grew 5.3% just recently... electrification in China is a survival of big cities, let's say secular teases. It's a very different drive than here," Cabral says. "50% of all new cars are all expected to be electric in China in about a year... there are green plates everywhere. It's a combination of regulatory with the need to keep cities livable." For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Market Domination. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.

  • 'Sullivan's Crossing' star Chad Michael Murray reveals why Nova Scotia set reminds him of 'One Tree Hill'

    Chad Michael Murray revealed there's something special about CTV's Sullivan's Crossing that he hasn't felt since Once Tree Hill.

  • I'm a home product tester — and I did a double-take when I saw these chic patio chairs on sale for $37 each

    Outdoor furniture can be ridiculously expensive, but this 'sturdy and beautiful' rattan set won't break the bank.

  • Venue opens doors again more than a year after fatal crush

    The O2 Brixton Academy had heavy security for the reopening.

  • Dow Jones Rises After Israel Strike But Nvidia, SMCI Flash Sell Signals; Tesla Earnings Loom While Bitcoin's Fourth Halving Arrives

    The Dow Jones rose Friday on Friday. Netflix plunged after earnings. Nvidia and SMCI triggered sell signals while bitcoin's halving looms.

  • Super Micro Stock Plunges 23% On Lack Of Preliminary Results. It's A Big Sell Signal.

    Super Micro stock fell hard after the data-center computer specialist didn't announce preliminary results for its fiscal Q3.

  • Late-blooming, mustached goalie Charlie Lindgren carries the Washington Capitals into the playoffs

    ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Alex Ovechkin scored a lot of goals down the stretch for the Washington Capitals, yet he is not the biggest reason they made the playoffs. That would be undrafted, unheralded, late-blooming, mustached goaltender Charlie Lindgren, who emerged as the starter and carried the Capitals the second half of the season. No one in the NHL faced more shots or made more saves over the past three months since supplanting Darcy Kuemper for the No. 1 job. Lindgren's play in net has made h

  • Prayer ban head criticises Braverman for using school as ‘political football’

    The Conservative MP co-founded the school alongside current headteacher Katherine Birbalsingh.

  • Man sets himself on fire outside Trump trial courthouse in New York

    Florida resident in critical condition in hospital after images of incident carried live on television

  • US House advances $95 bln package for Ukraine

    STORY: The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday moved ahead with a $95 billion legislative package providing aid to Ukraine and Israel in a broad bipartisan vote, overcoming hardline Republican opposition that had held it up for months.Friday's procedural vote passed with more support from Democrats than from Republicans, who hold a razor-thin majority in the chamber.The package is similar to one that passed the Democratic-controlled Senate in February. But the Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, held off on it for months in the face of fierce opposition from a small but vocal segment of his own party."This was going to require substantial Democratic participation."House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries on Friday told reporters that his party had to step up and ensure support to U.S. allies Ukraine and Israel because of some lawmakers he called "pro-Putin Republicans.""And we had a choice: are we going to put people over politics. Because the political thing to do is always to let the extreme MAGA Republicans crash and burn. Because they have so many out-of-control members, they cannot govern on their own."Republican lawmakers such as Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie of the House Freedom Caucus objected to advancing the aid package."I'm concerned that the Speaker's cut a deal with the Democrats to fund foreign wars rather than to secure our border."Texas Republican Chip Roy demanded Speaker Johnson live up to a pledge to first get funding for the U.S. Southern Border."To that I say, amen, and where is that, Speaker Johnson?"Republican lawmaker Majorie Taylor Greene has already filed a motion to vacate Johnson's seat as speaker. Greene has not said whether she will pursue the motion, but on Wednesday predicted he would not remain in leadership for long.The House is expected to vote on the measure on Saturday, after which it will return to the Senate, and is expected to move from there to U.S. President Joe Biden's desk and be signed into law.

  • Opening statements set for Monday in Trump's hush money case after judge rejects latest bid to delay

    NEW YORK (AP) — A full jury of 12 people and six alternates was seated Friday in Donald Trump’s hush money case, setting the stage for opening statements next week in the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president. Hours later, an appeals court judge rejected a last-minute bid by the Republican to halt the trial over his claims that jury selection was unfairly rushed. The jury, which includes a software engineer, investment banker, English teacher and multiple lawyers, took final shape afte