COLUMBIA, Tenn. (AP) — Severe storms were tearing through the central and southeast U.S. late Tuesday and Wednesday, spawning damaging tornadoes, producing massive hail, and killing two people in Tennessee and one person in North Carolina. A storm that rumbled across northeastern Tennessee brought high winds that knocked down powerlines and trees. Claiborne County Sheriff Bob Brooks said a 22-year-old man was in a car struck by one of the trees.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. built temporary pier that had been used to deliver additional humanitarian aid into Gaza was damaged by rough seas and has temporarily suspended operations, three U.S. officials told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The Joint Logistics Over The Shore, or JLOTS, pier only began operations last week and had provided an additional way to get critically needed food to Gaza. The setback is the latest for the pier, which has already had three U.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WJAC) — We have a very hot weekend ahead and some in our area found themselves enjoying the weather outside today instead of being stuck in the office. Local parks and swimming pools were full of people trying to enjoy the heat while staying hydrated. Angel Schropp, a Windber resident told Channel 6, “I got sweat running down everywhere, I don’t like it, its gross.” And Angel Schropp is not the only one on this mid eighty degree day.

LORETTO, Pa. — Lawmakers of all levels met with farmers Tuesday at the annual Cambria County Farm Bureau Legislative Tour at Vale Wood Farms to discuss a wide range of local, domestic and international policy issues. As the rain came down in sheets outside — sometimes so loud that people had to yell to talk to each other — Marty Yahner and other farmers argued that agriculture affects not just them, but “everybody who eats.

PITTSBURGH, Pa (WJAC) — According to a media release from MLB.com, the Pittsburgh Pirates and team president Frank Coonelly have parted ways. The announcement was made early Wednesday and the team says that Coonelly's successor will be announced on Monday, October 28th. This decision comes on the heels of the Pirates worst season since 2010, in which they finished with just a 69-93 record. “The second half of our season was disappointing to our fans and to all of us in the organization,"

The Somerset County man held on a Caribbean island after facing charges for having ammunition in his luggage was sentenced Friday. Bryan Hagerich of Somerset faced up to 12 years in prison under Turks and Caicos gun laws. He had been held there since February after he was caught with hunting ammunition in his luggage that he says he forgot was there. Friday, a judge announced a 52-month suspended sentence for Hagerich along with his release.

WASHINGTON (TND) — Tornadoes, the unpredictable natural phenomena capable of devastating landscapes in mere moments, remain a perpetual concern for communities across the United States, especially during this time of year. While they can strike at any time and in any location, statistics reveal that70% occur during March through June. In April alone, the National Weather Service Prediction Center reported over 300 tornadoes. According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, the monthly average stands at 182.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A baby alligator has been found in the parking lot of a grocery store near Pittsburgh, making it the fourth alligator discovered roaming around the city since May. Shaler Township Police Lt. Dave Banko tells the Tribune Review an employee found the 2-foot-long creature Friday morning near a garbage can at the Giant Eagle grocery store. The police department posted on its Facebook page that reptile's owner should send them a message.

2nd UPDATE |Pittsburgh — A suspect is dead after a shootout with seven deputies in a Pittsburgh neighborhood Wednesday afternoon. Officials say that William Hardison Sr. was pronounced dead just after 5 p.m., nearly seven hours after an intense gun battle started while deputies were serving a court ordered eviction notice. Witnesses say they heard hundreds of gunshots. One deputy was injured while trying to take cover while the suspect was shooting.

JOHNSTOWN -- Police are investigating a string of robberies in Johnstown Friday night. Johnstown police say the first happened at Carpenter’s Food Store on Railroad Street. Another, happened less than a mile away at Pizza Deli Six Pack on Franklin Street. Johnstown police say the man walked in to the pizza shop and reportedly stole the cash register. Police say a third robbery happened not long after at Martin’s General Store on William Penn Avenue.