100 Years Later: Remembering the Deadliest Tornado in US History

Today marks the somber centennial of the Tri-State Tornado, the deadliest tornado in United States history, which tore through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana on March 18, 1925.

The F5 tornado carved a devastating path of destruction spanning 219 miles, maintaining contact with the ground for an unprecedented 3.5 hours. Weather experts estimate the tornado's winds exceeded 300 mph as it thundered across the Midwest with little warning.

In its wake, the tornado left 695 people dead, more than 2,000 injured, and destroyed or damaged thousands of buildings. Entire towns were effectively wiped off the map. Murphysboro, Illinois suffered the greatest loss with 234 fatalities, while the small mining community of West Frankfort lost 148 residents.

What made the Tri-State Tornado particularly deadly was its unusual characteristics. Unlike typical twisters, it lacked the familiar funnel shape, appearing instead as a massive rolling cloud of debris that many witnesses didn't recognize as a tornado until it was too late. The storm also moved at an exceptional speed of 60-70 mph, giving residents precious little time to seek shelter.

At the time, weather forecasting was in its infancy, with no radar systems or modern warning infrastructure. Most victims had mere minutes or seconds to react as the mile-wide storm approached.

A century later, the Tri-State Tornado remains a pivotal event in American weather history that helped drive advances in tornado forecasting, warning systems, and public safety measures that continue to save lives today.

Ruins of Longfellow School in Murphysboro, Illinois, where 17 children perished when the Tri-State Tornado struck at approximately 2:30 PM, devastating the building and forever changing the community

This article was written with the help of generative artificial intelligence.

Musk’s Role in DOGE Ignites Layoff Wave, Controversy

Elon Musk, in his role as de facto head of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has continued his controversial role in aggressively pursuing federal workforce reductions, which have already impacted tens of thousands of federal workers in layoffs and buyout offers.

The Trump administration has escalated these efforts, ordering federal agencies to submit plans for "large-scale reductions in force" by mid-March, as well continuing its return to office mandates for federal workers.

Musk's leadership style, which includes demanding productivity justifications from employees via email, has drawn criticism. At a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump hinted at further dismissals for those who fail to respond to Musk's directives.

These actions have raised concerns and sparked legal challenges about the impact on public services. Critics argue that many of Musk has too much power in the administration and questioned his authority to make these decisions. Musk has been classed as a “special government employee” in his role in the administration.

 

Actor Gene Hackman, Wife Betsy Arakawa Die Under Suspicious Circumstances

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their Santa Fe, NM home this week. Their bodies, along with their deceased dog, were discovered during a welfare check on Wednesday. While authorities initially stated no foul play was suspected, a search revealed suspicious details. 

Hackman's body was found in an entryway, while Arakawa was in the bathroom near a space heater. The unlocked door, scattered pills, and signs of decomposition have prompted a thorough investigation into the Hollywood legend’s death.

 

Tense Trump/Zelensky Meeting Ends Without Deal

Tensions flared during a high-stakes meeting at the White House Friday amongst President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during an Oval Office meeting in front of the press. The discussion, meant to serve as precursor to a press conference later in the afternoon, started out positively before devolving into a near shouting match among the three leaders.

After discussing the potential mineral rights deal during the meeting, Zelensky expressed concerns about trusting Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of any potential deal to end hostilities, which both Trump and Vance pushed back against. Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for the military and economic aid provided by the US during the war. Trump also pushed back against Zelensky’s assertion that Putin would not honor a peace deal, though he declined to lay out specific consequences should Putin not honor the terms of any peace deal that is signed.

After the meeting, Trump asked Zelensky and the Ukrainian delegation to leave the White House, canceling the planned lunch and press conference. In a subsequent Truth Social post, Trump accused Zelensky of disrespecting the United State, saying he would only he would only work with Zelensky again when Zelensky “is ready for Peace.”

In an interview with Bret Baier on Fox News, Zelensky said the argument at the White House was “no good,” but continued to praise the US for its partnership. Zelensky also responded that he did not feel like he owed Trump an apology while also defending his earlier statements about distrusting Putin as a partner in diplomatic talks.

 

Trump Administration Kicks Off With Immigration Enforcement, Federal Workforce Changes

Newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump has kicked off his administration with deportation efforts, federal workforce restructuring, and a brief effort to temporarily freeze a host of government funding programs. Supporters of the president are hailing what they perceive as Trump fulfilling his campaign promises, while his opponents criticize what they call a chaotic start to his nascent presidency.

Trump, following his declaration of an emergency at the southern border in response to a high level of border crossings, has green lit military presence along the border. The deployment of at least 1,500 troops aims to provide logistical and surveillance support to regular Border Patrol units.

Across the US, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has conducted raids targeted those residing illegally in the US. While the administration has promised to target those with criminal histories as a priority for arrest and removal, many of those arrested do not have criminal histories aside from their initial illegal crossing.

Trump has also aimed to shake up the federal workforce, instituting a return to office mandate in an aim to induce attrition and to more fully utilize federal office space. The administration has also offered voluntary severance packages, giving an early February deadline to accept. The same email announcing those voluntary severance packages implied that layoffs are expected in the future and that workers should not expect their positions are guaranteed.

The administration also controversially froze federal funding to programs not providing direct payments to US citizens. The directive, both broad and vague, created confusion over its scope, though the administration said Medicare and Social Security would not be affected. The order was later halted by a federal judge.