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UNDATED (AP) — Twin weather systems are being blamed for storms stretching from the Carolinas to California today. An unusually early tropical storm is lurking off the Southeast coast, while heavy snow is in the forecast for the Rocky Mountains and the Black Hills of South Dakota. Oklahoma and other Great Plains states are bracing for another round of severe weather that could include heavy rain, hail and possible tornadoes.
ATLANTA (AP) — A medical examiner in Atlanta is still working to positively identify the four people killed when a small plane crashed into an Atlanta interstate yesterday. DeKalb (deh-KAB') County Medical Examiner Patrick Bailey said his office will likely need until early next week to positively identify the remains. The fiery crash happened shortly after the Piper PA-32 took off from DeKalb Peachtree Airport. The cause is under investigation.
HAVANA (AP) — The daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro has sponsored a blessing ceremony for gay couples today. Nearly two dozen gay couples held hands or embraced as American and Canadian Protestant clergymen blessed them as part of official ceremonies leading up to the Global Day against Homophobia on May 17. Castro's daughter Mariela heads Cuba's Center for Sex Education, which has been pushing for gay rights in a country with a history of persecuting homosexuals.
VATICAN CITY (AP) — A senior Vatican cardinal is predicting there will be no change in the Catholic Church's teaching about marriage, divorce and the reception of communion at an upcoming meeting of bishops on family issues. Cardinal George Pell told a gathering of conservative Catholics in Rome today that he believes the October synod "will massively endorse the tradition" of the church. Conservatives have complained that the two-year study on family issues convened by Pope Francis has created massive confusion among Catholics.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Ozzy Osbourne has donated $10,000 to a Kentucky children's percussion group after watching a video of the students performing Osbourne's signature hit, "Crazy Train." The Courier-Journal reports the rock star saw a YouTube video of the Louisville Leopard Percussionists, a group comprised of more than 60 students, ages 7-14. Members of the community nonprofit group come from 48 schools in the Louisville area and practice after school.
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