Millions of Americans in Path of Severe Weather – What You Need to Know – April 15, 2026

[0:05] This is what you need to know. [0:07] I mean, I view it as very close to over. [0:09] President Trump striking a positive tone about the war in Iran [0:13] as allies step up their criticism [0:15] and the president doubles down on his attack on Pope Leo. [0:19] The growing fallout for former Congressman Eric Swalwell, [0:22] a new accuser, speaks out. [0:24] I did not consent to any sexual activity. [0:27] Severe storms hitting the Midwest, 50 million Americans on alert. [0:30] The hero principal taking on a gunman in his Oklahoma school. [0:35] And why the Royal Ballet and Opera House in London [0:38] is thanking Timothee Chalamet for disparaging the fine arts. [0:42] I don't want to be working in ballet or opera. [0:45] We have much more What You Need to Know Now. [0:47] I'm James Onwin from ABC News. [0:49] It's Wednesday, April 15th, and this is What You Need to Know. [0:53] We'll show you the husband of the missing Michigan woman in the Bahamas [0:56] speaking to ABC News [0:57] and serious price hikes ahead of the U.S. Soccer World Cup. [1:01] But first, the big story. [1:03] President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance [1:06] both trying to sound positive about a quick end to the war with Iran. [1:10] I think it's close to over, yeah. [1:12] I mean, I view it as very close to over. [1:14] You know what? [1:15] If I pulled up stakes right now, [1:17] it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country. [1:21] And we're not finished. [1:23] I think the people we're sitting across from wanted to make a deal. [1:25] And I know the president of the United States [1:27] told us to go out there and negotiate in good faith. [1:31] That's what we did. [1:32] That's what we're going to keep on doing. [1:33] But I feel very good about where we are. [1:36] Stocks rose slightly on their comments [1:38] and oil dipped below $100 a barrel. [1:41] But criticism from U.S. allies is only growing stronger [1:44] as the economic consequences start to bite. [1:47] This was Italian Prime Minister Georgia Maloney yesterday, [1:50] usually among the closest of EU leaders to the president, [1:53] who took issue with Trump's attack on Pope Leo. [1:56] Mr. Trump must tone it down, she said. [1:58] No one throws around nuclear threats like Washington, [2:01] and he should watch his words. [2:03] And the British Treasury Secretary is in D.C. today. [2:05] She has said the U.S. decision to go to war without a plan was a folly. [2:09] No European power is joining in the U.S. blockade of Iranian oil. [2:13] U.S. Central Command says no ships got past that blockade [2:17] in the first 24 hours and that six merchant ships were turned around. [2:21] The U.S. is trying to cripple Iran's economy [2:23] and forced the regime back to negotiations. [2:26] And the U.S. State Department hosted peace talks with Israel and Lebanon, [2:30] even as Israel continues to bombard its neighbor where Hezbollah is based. [2:34] They are not involved in talks. [2:37] This is a process, not an event. [2:39] This is more than just one day. [2:40] This will take time. [2:42] But we believe it is worth this endeavor. [2:44] President Trump has also continued to criticize Pope Leo, [2:47] telling an Italian newspaper the Pope, quote, [2:49] has no idea what is going on with Iran. [2:52] Overnight, he posted, will someone please tell Pope Leo [2:55] that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, [2:58] completely unarmed protesters in the last two months [3:01] and that for Iran to have a nuclear bomb is absolutely unacceptable. [3:05] U.S. Southern Command has taken out another alleged drug boat [3:08] in the eastern Pacific. [3:10] The military posting on X that, quote, [3:11] four male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. [3:15] No U.S. forces were harmed. [3:17] It's the third time since Saturday that the U.S. military [3:19] has struck against what they say are drug cartel smuggling boats. [3:23] The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department [3:25] is investigating a new sexual assault allegation [3:28] against disgraced former congressman Eric Swalwell. [3:32] Lana Drew says she believes the California Democrat [3:34] drugged her drink when they were planning to attend a political event. [3:38] He raped me and he choked me. [3:46] And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness. [3:51] And I thought I died. [3:53] Rachel has more on the fallout from Capitol Hill. [3:57] Well, James, it is rare to see two members of Congress resign on the same day, [4:01] but that is exactly what happened [4:02] as both Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzalez face allegations of sexual misconduct. [4:08] Eric Swalwell, no longer a member of the House, [4:11] at least six women have accused him of sexual misconduct, [4:14] including Lana Drews, a former model who came forward [4:17] to say that Swalwell assaulted her in his hotel room in 2018. [4:20] Now, Swalwell's attorney was quick to respond, [4:22] saying the former congressman categorically and unequivocally denies [4:25] each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault, [4:29] calling them false, fabricated, and deeply offensive. [4:32] And, of course, he's not the only lawmaker to call it quits. [4:34] Texas Republican congressman Tony Gonzalez resigning as well [4:37] amid his own sex scandal. [4:39] He's accused of having an affair with a former staffer [4:41] who later died by suicide. [4:42] The Justice Department has moved to vacate the most serious convictions [4:46] stemming from the January 6th attack on the Capitol. [4:49] Members of far-right extremist groups, the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, [4:53] were convicted of seditious conspiracy for attacking the Capitol. [4:57] They weren't covered when President Trump issued pardons for rioters. [5:00] The filing says the administration has no further interest in upholding the convictions. [5:04] Severe weather is threatening 50 million Americans in the Plains and the Midwest. [5:09] Tornado watches were issued for parts of Michigan. [5:11] Several possible touchdowns have been reported. [5:14] Heavy rain flooding streets in Milwaukee with golf-ball-sized hail. [5:18] There was a similar scene in Indiana. [5:19] A powerful hailstorm left vehicles damaged. [5:22] And in Iowa, a funnel cloud moved slowly across open fields. [5:26] This is now the third day of dangerous conditions. [5:28] The American man in the Bahamas who maintains that his wife fell overboard from their small boat [5:33] and was swept away has spoken to ABC. [5:36] Here's Victor Akenda. [5:39] Hey, James. [5:39] Brian Hooker was emotional at times, opening up about his relationship with Lynette, [5:44] the couple together for 25 years, describing what it was like being in custody for those five days [5:50] questioned in her disappearance while authorities were searching for his wife. [5:54] I will always think there was something I could have done differently. [5:57] My one job, my one job was to look out for her, and that has not happened. [6:06] Lynette and I loved each other the most. [6:10] We've been together almost half our lives. [6:12] Any message to those who doubt your account of the story? [6:15] I have no message to those who doubt me at all, ever. [6:19] I'm going to keep doing what I need to do to find my wife. [6:23] He has not been charged and is free to leave the Bahamas, [6:26] but Brian says he plans on staying here to search for Lynette until his visa expires. [6:32] Newly released security video shows the terrifying moments a gunman opened fire inside an Oklahoma high school [6:38] and the extraordinary bravery of school leaders who stopped him. [6:42] Watch as a former student walks through the front door brandishing two loaded semi-automatic pistols. [6:47] The suspect aims directly at Principal Kirk Moore, who rushes the shooter, tackling him. [6:53] An assistant principal helps to detain the suspect by laying on top of him until law enforcement arrived. [6:58] The principal is recovering from his injuries. [7:01] The suspect was charged with shooting with intent to kill. [7:04] He's pled not guilty and is being held on $1 million bomb. [7:08] And we have much more what you need to know. [7:10] Now to take three, the stories that you'll be talking about today. [7:24] Number three, a fatal operating room mix-up could land a doctor in prison for 15 years. [7:29] Florida prosecutors say Dr. Thomas Shachnowski removed the wrong organ from a 70-year-old man during a 2024 surgery, [7:37] removing his liver instead of his spleen. [7:39] Man died. [7:40] Dr. Shachnowski has denied any wrongdoing. [7:43] Number two, soccer fans are in for some price hikes for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. [7:48] New Jersey Transit plans to charge $100 for train tickets from New York City to MetLife Stadium. [7:54] That same trip costs typically around $12.90 for each one-way trip. [8:00] High ticket prices are already a concern for fans. [8:03] Eight matches are said to be played in New Jersey. [8:05] NGA Transit says they've not yet finalized their plans. [8:08] And number one, need to get some wild boars out of the way? [8:12] Call a robot. [8:13] This viral video shows the robot in Poland's capital city, Warsaw, [8:16] running after the animals, herding them toward a nearby wooded area. [8:20] Before leaving, the robot even waves goodbye to the animals. [8:23] While boars are a common sight in Polish cities, [8:26] where they often wander into urban areas looking for food. [8:30] New today, Gallup out with a new poll showing roughly one in four Americans [8:35] use an AI chatbot for information about their health. [8:37] One notable mention from the report, which was sponsored by West Health, [8:41] is that an estimated 14 million adults skipped visiting a doctor [8:45] after receiving the AI-generated health advice. [8:47] And 32% of adults in households earning less than $24,000 a year [8:51] say they've used AI because they couldn't afford a visit to the doctor. [8:55] That's compared to just 2% of people who earn $180,000 or more. [9:00] And now, one more thing before you go. [9:03] Timothee Chalamet is being thanked by London's Royal Ballet and Opera Chief [9:07] for helping boost ticket sales. [9:09] Back in February, he took some heat for suggesting that no one cares about those fine arts. [9:13] The Opera House took the high road, simply posting on social media, [9:15] quote, take a look at what we're doing, mate. [9:17] Their chief executive now says their ticket sales got an immediate boost. [9:21] Their new message to Chalamet, cheers, Timmy. [9:24] And that's what you need to know for breaking news and live updates throughout the day. [9:27] Check out ABC News streaming on Disney+. [9:29] We'll see you next time.