B-52 Bomber Crash, High-Profile Elections & World Cup Upsets - Tuesday, June 16, 2026

**Erica Mandy** (0:00)
Today is Tuesday, June 16th. We'll tell you about the deadly B-52 bomber crash at an American Air Force base, and how President Trump's new deal with Iran is already facing some major tests. Also, the high-profile elections to watch around the country today. Plus, D.C.'s reflecting pool is green again, just days after a multimillion-dollar upgrade meant to turn it blue. Another country is moving toward a social media ban for kids, and the biggest upset so far at the World Cup. Those stories and even more news coming up.
Welcome to The NewsWorthy, all the day's news in less than 15 minutes. I'm Erica Mandy. Thanks so much for being here. Let's do this.
What was supposed to be a routine test mission at a California Air Force base ended in a fiery crash. The US Air Force bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base about 100 miles north of Los Angeles. All eight people on board died. So far, it's not clear what caused the crash. We do know the crash involved the B-52 bomber that was first introduced back in 1955 It periodically gets updates to become modernized, and those updates are often tested at Edwards. Though the base closed the airfield in the aftermath of the crash and it suspended its normal activities today.
Tens of millions of Americans are now facing a major threat of flooding. The National Weather Service says there's a good chance of flash floods today, tomorrow and Thursday in parts of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Cities considered high risk include Houston and San Antonio, Texas, Lake Charles, Louisiana and Jackson, Mississippi. The trouble actually already started yesterday, and several water rescues have already been reported in parts of Central Texas. Meanwhile, the West Coast has been dealing with threatening rip tides and sneaker waves. Hundreds of people have had to be rescued, and sadly, two people have died after being washed out to sea. The National Weather Service says there's still an elevated drowning risk set to last at least through tomorrow night. The conditions could pull people into the water, wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats. So Californians and visitors are being warned to stay out of and even away from the water at many beaches.
California Governor Gavin Newsom says he's now a target on President Trump's legal hit list. He says federal agents have been questioning his family, friends and former aides in recent days and digging through years of documents. The governor did not elaborate anymore about what he might actually be under investigation for. But the LA Times cited a source who said there are actually two investigations underway. One related to Newsom's former chief of staff and one related to his wife's taxes. Newsom's wife is a documentary filmmaker whose work focuses on the social impacts of sexism. She also owns a film production company and a couple of nonprofits focused on gender equity. As for Newsom's former chief of staff, she already pleaded guilty last month to three felonies in a corruption case, though she says she never witnessed any criminal conduct by Newsom. The Times and other news outlets also cite sources who say these investigations started a year ago in California, not Washington DC. But Newsom says it's just Trump sending the Justice Department after him because he's considering running for president in 2028 And within hours, the governor was fundraising, asking supporters to help him quote, fight off this political witch hunt. The FBI has not publicly commented.
This week, President Trump is meeting with European leaders for the first time since the start of the Iran War. And now he's trying to convince them that the deal the US made to stop fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz is a good one that deserves their support however they can offer it. On the first day of the G7 Summit, he spoke highly of the agreement with Iran. But remember, the bigger test is still ahead. Americans and Iranian officials will try to come to some kind of compromise on Iran's nuclear program. And Trump reportedly told The New York Times he would restart attacks if this deal falls through. There are other potential sticking points too. Like Iran has suggested the agreement could fall apart if Israel resumes attacks in Lebanon. And yesterday, Israel's Prime Minister described the deal as Trump's decision, signaling he might not be totally on board. Also, the Israeli Defense Minister said Israel's military plans to stay indefinitely in land the country holds in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip. Speaking of which, Israel has continued to carry out attacks in the Gaza Strip, despite the ceasefire the US brokered last fall.
This week, Russia launched another large scale attack on Ukraine. Ukrainian officials say the attack killed at least 11 people and damaged homes, infrastructure and military facilities. But one of the most notable targets was a historic Orthodox cathedral. It dates back nearly a thousand years, and the UN has called it one of the most important Christian pilgrimage centers in the world. The Russian government denied any involvement, though Ukraine's security service posted photos online that seemed to prove the damage was done by Russian-made drones. Hundreds of other Ukrainian religious sites, museums, monuments and libraries have already been damaged or destroyed over the course of this war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to speak to the G7 Summit today.