Severe storms have wreaked havoc across the Midwest, causing tornadoes, heavy rains, and flash flooding. First responders and utility crews have been working to clear roads and restore power to hundreds of thousands of customers. A 4-year-old boy died in Indiana when a tree fell on a home, and a person in Ohio died during a health emergency when first responders couldn't reach them due to flooded roads. Indiana authorities also were investigating whether the storms caused a reported house explosion that killed a person. More than 700,000 customers were without power Wednesday morning in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.

The death toll after an overloaded ferry capsized on a lake in Zimbabwe has risen to 44, police say.

U.S. markets are pointing higher ahead the opening bell and before the release of key inflation data for July that could provide a better idea of where prices are heading. Futures for the S&P 500 gained 0.3% Wednesday and futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.1%. Nasdaq futures gained 0.7%. Rising cost are being closely watched by the Federal Reserve, Republicans facing tough midterm elections, not to mention consumers still struggling with high grocery prices. Economists expect it to show inflation slipped to 3.4% in July from 3.5% in June.

July inflation report to provide crucial signs of where prices are headed

Moderate Democrat David Crowley has won the Wisconsin primary for governor. The Milwaukee county executive defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong. Crowley is vying to become Wisconsin’s first Black governor. He pitched himself as the candidate best positioned to win in November against Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump. Supporters of Hong and others in the four-person field faulted Crowley for getting back in the race after he had quit in early July. Crowley locked up the backing of more mainstream Democrats, overcoming Hong’s insurgent campaign. Crowley didn’t address supporters Tuesday night but was expected at an event later Wednesday.

Earthquake response strains Colombia's new government and rescuers as they race against the clock

High school football player in Arkansas practices with a venomous snake in his helmet

Fever coach Stephanie White says divisiveness 'will not win' during pregame rant

Britain's Andy Green sets another speed record, this time in a hydrogen-powered car

President Donald Trump's executive order to change the childhood vaccine schedule could endear him to some “Make America Healthy Again” voters who want more flexibility on immunization. But the Republican president's order is attracting attacks designed to hurt his aligned candidates in November's midterm elections. Trump's order was part of a yearslong focus he's had on spacing out shots into separate visits, an idea contradicting medical groups' guidance. But even among the MAHA coalition Trump credits with helping him win back the White House, a poll shows reevaluating vaccine safety is not a top concern. Democrats slam Trump’s order in messages to voters. Public health experts warn spacing out shots could increase infection risk.