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Good morning and welcome to kid news. I'm Kim. Today is Thursday, March 12th, 2026. And we begin with more than 90 million people from the Gulf Coast of the U.S. to the Mid-Atlantic, surveying the damage after

as many as a dozen tornadoes ripped through the region the past two days. At least 10 of the

twisters were reported Tuesday alone, most of them in Texas, Illinois, and Indiana. As of this

recording, parts of Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia were also under threat.

According to the National Weather Service, the storms produced huge hail, large enough to dent cars.

One reportedly measured six inches in diameter, twice the size of a baseball, and may have set a new state record in Illinois.

Weather patterns are predicted to change today,

giving residents and first responders a much-needed break and chance to clean up and assess the mess.

California's Death Valley is definitely not living up to its name right now. According to Sunset Magazine,

the famously dry National Park

is very much alive with a once-in-a-decade super bloom. A carpet of gold, orange, purple, pink,

and white flowers now covers the desert floor and foothills at a magnitude not seen since 2016,

and there may be more to come.

Many flowers haven't even sprouted yet, according to the National Park Service, especially in higher elevations.

The Park Service attributes the super bloom to the perfect mix of mild winter temperatures and

lots of rain.

For those who plan to visit, there's one important rule to remember.

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