Illinois Surveys Damage After Rare December Tornadoes

TAYLORVILLE, IL (AP) — Residents in central Illinois are assessing damage from rare December tornados that ripped roofs off homes, downed power lines and injured at least 20 people. The Springfield Journal Register reports the National Weather Service sent crews Sunday to survey the hardest-hit areas, including Taylorville, 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of Springfield. Assistant Fire…

Life is Slowly Settling Down in Alaska After Major Quake

ANCHORAGE, AK (AP) — Life is slowly settling down in Alaska following a powerful earthquake that rattled buildings, disrupted power and caused heavy damage to the only highway that goes north of Anchorage. Still, hundreds of aftershocks frayed nerves Saturday as people worried about being caught in more massive shakers. “They’re disturbing, and I’m not…