Early Start's new website
Russian president Vladimir Putin & wife announce divorce – Phil Black reports
Vladimir Putin's nearly 30-year marriage has ended in divorce, the Russian president and his ex-wife told state-run television in a joint interview.
"This was our joint decision. Our marriage is over," Putin told Russia 24, standing next to Lyudmila Putin, in an interview shown Thursday. "We almost don't see each other. We have different lives."
Lyudmila Putin said the two shared a love for their two adult children, but hinted life in the public eye took a toll.
"I don't like to be in public, and it's hard to take (airplane) flights," she said. "We love our children a lot, we are proud of them and see them all the time."
READ MORE: Putin announces divorce: 'We have different lives'
IRS targetting scandal latest – Brianna Keilar reports
In the middle of his first congressional hearing as the new head of the embattled Internal Revenue Service, Daniel Werfel was asked Monday how he would restore public trust in the agency after revelations that conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status were targeted for extra scrutiny.
"It is going to be a difficult process," acknowledged Werfel, a career public servant appointed by President Barack Obama last month to clean up the mess that is dominating news headlines early in his second term.
Werfel described a process of identifying what happened, who was responsible and steps to ensure it can never happen again to address what Republicans depict as politically motivated harassment that abused constitutional rights of conservative groups.
READ MORE: New IRS chief asks for patience over targeting probe
Wildfires raging in three states – Stephanie Elam reports
Helped by higher humidity, firefighters battled back a wind-whipped wildfire in Southern California, clearing the way for many evacuated residents to return home.
The Powerhouse Fire is burning in the Palmdale area north of Los Angeles. It has destroyed some six homes, threatened as many as 1,000, and grew to more than 32,000 acres as of late Monday, according to Lisa Lugo with the Angeles National Forest.
Three people have been injured since the fire started last week, though it was not immediately clear how.
"So far things look much better than they did yesterday," incident commander Norm Walker told reporters.
READ MORE: Firefighters gain ground against Southern California wildfire
Republicans release IRS transcripts amidst growing controversy – Dan Lothian reports
Chairman of the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif has released partial transcripts into the IRS scandal regarding Tea Party applications. IRS workers in Cincinnati are heard "telling congressional investigators about why they targeted conservative groups," Dan Lothian reports.
“But two democratic sources involved complain Issa released the transcripts before making them available to democrats in what they say is supposed to be a bipartisan investigation,” he says. “The sources tell CNN the excerpts are taken out of context, and Issa's claim they indicate direction from Washington is misleading.”
Three stormchasers killed while following tornado in Oklahoma – Indra Peterson reports
FROM CNN WIRES:
A group of men who devoted their lives to hunting powerful storms died in the middle of the chase.
Tim Samaras, his son Paul Samaras and Carl Young were killed Friday while following a tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma, relatives told CNN on Sunday. Their work tracking tornadoes was featured on the former Discovery Channel show "Storm Chasers."
They were among at least nine people that state officials reported killed in storms that struck Oklahoma on Friday night. On Sunday, Oklahoma City Fire Department officials told CNN that searchers had found the bodies of as many as five additional victims, but state officials could not be immediately reached to confirm whether the statewide death toll had increased.
READ MORE: At least 16 people are dead across Oklahoma
Tragedy along tornado alley; damage and recovery – Ed Lavandera reports
Oklahoma had barely started clearing the rubble from a monstrous tornado two weeks ago when another rash of twisters plowed through this ill-fated swath of Tornado Alley.
At least 16 people are dead across the state from a vicious storm that spawned at least five tornadoes there late Friday, officials said Monday.
And the death toll may rise further.
Authorities will resume their search Monday for six people still missing, including four who sought shelter in storm drains, Oklahoma City Fire Chief Keith Bryant said.
READ MORE: Death toll in Oklahoma rises to 16; hunt for 6 missing continues
Ferocious wildfire in Southern California scorches 25,000 acres; thousands of homes are in danger – Stephanie Elam reports
A wind-whipped wildfire in Southern California grew to some 25,000 acres on Sunday as hundreds of homes remained under evacuation orders.
The Powerhouse Fire, which is burning in the Palmdale area north of Los Angeles, is about 20% contained. According to officials, it has destroyed six homes and threatened as many as 1,000.
"It's moving so fast, and the smoke is hugging the ground because of the intense wind, and it's hard to get a map," incident commander Norm Walker told reporters.
Music's best performs concert for Boston – Brooke Baldwin has the story
Artists with ties to Boston performed at a benefit concert to help bombing victims. Brooke Baldwin speaks to some of the musicians and fans who came to show their support.
Animal Planet scores ratings gold with fake "Mermaids" documentary – John Berman has more on the story
Animal Planet's "Mermaids: The New Evidence" had 3.6 million viewers, making it the highest rated program in the channel's 17-year history.
The show was so convincing, many viewers were left wondering if mermaids are real.
John Berman wonders: Really? He goes into the facts and the myth.
AZ mom is freed from Mexican prison – Rafael Romo has more on her release
A Mexican judge ordered the release of Arizona woman Yanira Maldonado from prison late Thursday. Maldonado was arrested last Wednesday as she and her husband, Gary, were on their way back to Arizona. She was accused of attempting to smuggle 12 pounds of marijuana that Mexican authorities alleged they had found under her bus seat.
Maldonado reunited with her husband with an emotional bearhug after her release and speaks live to the press. Rafeal Romo has more on the story on "Early Start" this morning.
On Twitter
