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CNN Headlines: Storms Batter Mid-Atlantic, Unleashing Tornadoes And Widespread Flooding; Vance: Economic Pressure Is "Most Effective Tool" On Iran; Woman Charged In Connection With Terror Plot To Bomb New York State Capitol. Aired 5-5:30a ET
Aired August 21, 2026 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[05:00:25]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My God, it is spinning around.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is insane.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, we might have to get downstairs, guys.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRAD SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: Dangerous storms tore across the mid- Atlantic, bringing tornadoes and flooding and images of what people saw are frightening.
Plus --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No lights, no wi-fi. You can't charge your phone.
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SMITH: This has been crazy. The power may not be back on until next week, as thousands are in the dark in Indiana, and they have been for days.
Plus, take a look at this video. Two men saved after drifting at sea in a cooler. The story behind this rescue. And this may look like a guy just filling up his gas tank at the gas station, but this was in the middle of a high-speed chase with police, and it didn't end here. We'll get to that and much more today.
Good morning, everyone. I'm Brad Smith, this is CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. Glad that you're with us this morning.
Let's get this started.
We begin with the wild weather that's been slamming the mid-Atlantic, unleashing tornadoes and widespread flooding overnight. Heavy drenching storms that swept through New York City and other parts of the east coast.
Here you see cars driving through more than a foot of water in Brooklyn, the water pouring into New York City subway stations as commuters tried to make their way home last night.
Above ground, a strong waterspout came ashore on Long Island. That's where widespread damage was reported. Nassau County declared a state of emergency. Southeast Pennsylvania and Delaware also got slammed by tornadoes yesterday.
Now, this twister touched down in Lancaster County. That's where buildings partially collapsed.
CNN's John Lawrence has more details from hard hit Delaware
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JOHN LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A dangerous drive in Dover, Delaware, as a tornado tears the roof off a motel.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I heard the train sound. My dad always told me that when you hear a train sound, that's a tornado. And I just bolted into my bathroom.
LAWRENCE (voice-over): Significant damage was seen in other parts of the city with Dover authorities telling residents to not travel unless absolutely necessary.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's a dumpster outside the house. All we saw was like it flying around. It was actually crazy.
LAWRENCE (voice-over): A twister was also spotted in Columbia, Pennsylvania, Thursday and a state of emergency was later declared. This comes after a line of storms dropped heavy rain across the mid- Atlantic and the Northeast, including New York City, where rainfall poured through its subway systems.
ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Now we have had portions of about two to four inches already fall across Indiana and Ohio. That may not sound like much, but remember, these are the same areas that had a foot of rain last week. So, adding even two to four 4in is just going to increase a lot of those creeks, rivers, and streams to swell up again like they did last week.
LAWRENCE (voice-over): More than 29 million people along the I-95 corridor have been under flood watches from southwest Connecticut to tornado-struck Delaware.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It looked like the twilight zone out there. It's just -- it looked crazy. There was a lot of trees down and a lot of branches down.
LAWRENCE (voice-over): I'm John Lawrence, reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Thank you, John.
Frustration is growing in Indiana as tens of thousands of people remain without power. More than a week after storms tore across the region, there. Power crews are working to fix the massive outage, but full power restoration is not expected until next week. In the city of Gary, people have been struggling without air conditioning or the ability to charge their phones. Some, they're growing angry, claiming the majority black city is being ignored. But officials say hundreds of power poles need to be repaired or replaced in Gary alone, after last week's deadly storms.
CNN's Whitney Wild is there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WHITNEY WILD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Here in Gary, Indiana. There are up to 20,000 people who don't have power. More than a week after deadly storms ripped through this area. And let me show you why it is situations like this.
We're outside a home where there's a tree down and it has taken a pole with it. You see these electrical wires hanging off this pole? This is the scene throughout northern Indiana where tens of thousands of people are without power.
This is another good example of what the utility company is dealing with, because they keep saying this is not just a routine repair. This is not a routine power outage. This is a catastrophe. And it's very complicated to restore.
And what we know is that in Gary, there are 300 electrical poles, 44 transmission poles that need to be repaired. And that's just in one city. And when you consider how many people live in this northern Indiana area, that sort of hugs northern Illinois, you get a sense of how catastrophic this really is.
[05:05:04]
The problem is it's still going to take several more days to restore power. For example, in Gary, Indiana, alone, power is not going to be restored here until August 25th. That's according to the northern Indiana Public Service Company. That's the electrical company here. They insist they are working around the clock. They say they have 600 linemen working in Gary, Indiana, alone. The mayor says that he is going to keep on top of the utility company. But for now, residents are simply at a loss
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SMITH: Thank you, Whitney.
The Navy is weighing a name change for a new aircraft carrier currently under construction. It was set to honor a black sailor for his heroism during World War II, but now he might not get that recognition. Take a look.
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HALEY BRITZKY, CNN REPORTER: The U.S. Navy is working to rename an aircraft carrier that was supposed to be named for a Black war hero from Pearl Harbor.
That famous scene from Pearl Harbor shows Cuba Gooding Jr. portraying Doris Miller, a real-life World War II hero and the first Black sailor awarded the Navy Cross. In 2020, the Navy announced the new aircraft carrier would be named in Miller's honor, but sources familiar with internal discussions now say the Navy is reconsidering that plan and looking to rename the ship.
It remains unclear what the carriers new name might be, though two sources say officials have discussed naming it for President Donald Trump. The carrier remains under construction and isn't expected to be delivered to the Navy until 2034. Instead, one source says the Navy is looking to name another battleship after miller, and the Navy has put him in to receive the Medal of Honor for his actions. The highest decoration for military valor. That decision ultimately lies with Congress, and the president.
Asked for comment on this story, a Pentagon spokesperson said they had nothing to announce at this time.
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SMITH: Now to the war with Iran. Vice President J.D. Vance says economic pressure is the most effective tool against Tehran. But he cautioned that it's a delicate dance.
Vance's comments come as President Trump threatens to wage an economic war of attrition with Iran. The vice president says economic pressure is the best way to prevent Iran from rebuilding its nuclear capacity. Iran's foreign ministry is calling President Trump's threat to ramp up economic pressure unlawful, and its Revolutionary Guard Corps is warning that it could use even more destructive options and weapons if fighting resumes.
Meantime, the Trump administration imposed new sanctions on Hezbollah in Lebanon and that designated the group as an Iranian proxy. The move is meant to signal that Hezbollah is acting on behalf of the IRGC. It comes as the White House works to broker peace talks between Israel and Lebanon.
The FBI says that it's foiled a plot to bomb the New York state capitol in Albany. Officials say a 35-year-old Jessica Bowie, conducted surveillance of the building at least five times and pledged allegiance to ISIS in both English and Arabic. She later met with undercover agents who posed as the terror groups facilitators. Authorities say this image shows Bowie at Home Depot buying what she believed were supplies for the explosive. She's been charged with attempting to provide material to support a terrorist group.
According to the criminal complaint, Bowie said she wanted to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill senators while they're meeting. Her attorney declined to comment on the case. Jurors in the Tupac murder trial heard from the defendant himself. It
was on a recorded interview from 2008 with his attorney and investigators. Duane "Keffe D" Davis talked about the night Tupac Shakur was shot in Vegas in 1996. Now, he says that he was in the car with his nephew, Orlando.
Now, listen to what Davis said.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So Orlando shot across Dre?
DUANE "KEFFE D" DAVIS, DEFENDANT: He leaned over on the window, rolled down the window, popped.
HIGGINS: Who was it?
DAVIS: They (INAUDIBLE) drove on my side. . I was popped 'em. You know what I'm saying? But they was on the other side.
HIGGINS: But at any time, was it this car behind you?
DAVIS: Not at all.
DUPREE: None of the homies was behind? No, like three or four cars behind? Nothing like that?
DAVIS: Nothing.
DUPREE: Just one car?
DAVIS: Just one car.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
SMITH: According to people in the courtroom, the jury was listening intently and watching that transcription on the screen that you just saw as well.
A big moment came in that interview when Davis made a stunning allegation that mentions Sean "Diddy" Combs. Davis alleged a massive price tag was put on the heads of both Tupac and Suge Knight, who was in the car with the rapper when he was shot.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KADING: He tells you, seriously, man, I need to get rid of these guys. I mean, he's looking at you in the eyes and he's like, scared.
DAVIS: Yeah, yeah. He's scary, dude.
KADING: You meet him at Greenbacks for dinner. You guys step off to the side. He talks about, hey, I'll -- how much you want? I'll give you $1 million.
DAVIS: Yeah. We went downstairs. KADING: You say, "Cool".
[05:10:00]
DAVIS: Yeah. Consider it done.
I know after it happened, he kept going, is that us, is that us? Yeah, that's us, (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Yeah
(END AUDIO CLIP)
SMITH: We reached out to Sean "Diddy" Combs about that allegation and have not heard back.
He's never been charged in connection to this case.
Davis did that interview as part of a deal related to drug charges, but the murder charges came after Davis wrote a book and did media interviews about it. He's pleaded not guilty. And this morning, jurors are expected to hear another recording.
You can find our full special coverage of the Tupac murder trial on CNN All Access, HLN, Amazon Prime, hosted by Laura Coates.
It was another emotional day of testimony in the murder trial of Lindsey Clancy jurors hearing from just one witness as the case against the Massachusetts mother nears its end. A hospital chaplain telling the court about meeting Clancy a week after she killed her children and attempted suicide. The defense is arguing that Clancy suffered from postpartum psychosis and is not criminally responsible for the killings. But prosecutors say she deliberately murdered her children.
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SHEILA CAVANAUGH, HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN: She said to me as I held her hand to comfort her, I am so glad my children are safe.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Was there any other conversation that you had with her?
CAVANAUGH: I replied theologically to Lindsey and I said, Lindsey, your children are safe. They're safe in heaven with God. And I held her hand throughout that conversation, and we prayed for them
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did she make any other statements to you?
CAVANAUGH: She did. She alluded to having heard a voice and the voice. According to Lindsey told her that if she did not follow the command, neither she nor her children would be safe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: The case has put a major focus on maternal mental health. Hundreds of Clancy supporters gathered outside the courthouse wearing pink. The trial is set to resume in just a few hours. We've got lots more to
come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, the first lady, Formula One racing and foster care. Melania makes a rare public appearance to talk about a new initiative for youth. And a man leads police on a chase on a dirt bike and stops to gas up in the middle of the chase. How it all ended later on in the hour.
Stay with us. You're watching CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
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[05:17:08]
SMITH: We have new information about the FBI's investigation into former Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell for sexual assault allegations. Agents seized electronic devices from him at the San Francisco Airport over the weekend, and also raided his home in Washington, D.C., sources familiar with the investigation telling CNN.
The FBI and Swalwell have not responded to a request for comment at this time. Four women tell CNN that they have been in touch with the FBI as part of this probe. He's facing a criminal investigation by both the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the L.A. sheriff's department. Swalwell has repeatedly denied all allegations of sexual assault.
An experienced pilot, who was also an E.R. doctor was killed Wednesday when his small plane collided with a state police helicopter at an airport in Central Pennsylvania. Two state troopers were hurt. And we want to warn you that the video you're about to see is tough to watch. This graphic video captures the moment that the two aircraft collided Wednesday evening. The two men helicopter crew was conducting routine training on a grassy area next to the runway when a small plane hit it from behind, and the airport doesn't have a control tower, so pilots communicate over a shared radio frequency. The FAA and the NTSB are investigating.
Well, new this morning, two organizers of Hong Kong's former Tiananmen Square massacre vigil have been found guilty of inciting subversion. The pair were convicted under Hong Kong's national security law and face up to ten years in prison. They helped organize the city's annual candlelight vigil commemorating the 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing, an event that authorities have since banned. Authorities in China and Hong Kong say the security laws protect stability, while critics say they have suppressed dissent.
Still to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, imagine being stuck at sea for nearly a week. How these fishermen were finally rescued. We've got those details, coming up.
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SMITH: First Lady Melania Trump back out in public after a record breaking absence. She even joked about it yesterday. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MELANIA TRUMP, U.S. FIRST LADY: Good afternoon. I heard you missed me. Here I am. Welcome to the White House.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: The first lady, noting her absence while announcing a $2 million scholarship initiative to help foster children. Melania Trump has made only 38 public appearances this year. Thursday marked her first in 32 days, a full month out of public view. Her longest absence as first lady.
Author Kate Andersen Brower has covered the first lady extensively, and she spoke with CNN's Kate Bolduan about her appearance as the White House deals with swirling questions around Trump's close aide, Natalie Harp.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATE ANDERSEN BROWER, AUTHOR: It was strange to see her be so self- deprecating. It was -- it was kind of unlike her to make a joke about herself today. And I think that it is something that's deeply upsetting to her. It's been reported that she's upset at all the reports that President Trump is so close to Natalie Harp that they, you know, travel together. He brought her on the military plane and left the decoy behind with Secretary Rubio.
This is somebody he trusts implicitly. And she's with him all the time.
[05:25:01]
Surely, Melania Trump knows this, but she clearly -- no, no married woman wants to have those rumors circulating. So I do think that's part of it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: The White House has been facing questions over harps close ties to Trump. Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff hit a nerve when he brought it up on the campaign trail earlier this week.
The Mexican navy has rescued two fishermen who have been missing for nearly a week. And take a look at what they were found in, that blue box that you see on your screen bobbing in the ocean is a fishing cooler. And those two men were inside of it. They were found 150 miles off the coast, though it's still unclear what happened to their boat.
The Mexican navy airlifted them to port where medics checked them out. Both were doing well enough to go straight home to their families. What a rescue.
Straight ahead on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, a week later and no electricity after storms ripped through Gary, Indiana. Now, thousands of residents, they may not get power back until next week. That's coming your way.
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