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Severe Storm Outbreak Set to Peak Across the Plains and Midwest; Investigation Underway After Two Navy Jets Collide at Idaho Air Show; Trump Warns Iran the Clock is Ticking as He Weighs Next Steps. Aired 7-7:30a ET

Aired May 18, 2026 - 07:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[07:00:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. The breaking news, bracing for a new round of severe storms, including tornadoes, that could peak this morning. Overnight, dramatic rescues from this extreme weather.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: And an urgent international effort to contain a deadly Ebola outbreak. We're learning new details about the Americans directly impacted by the global health emergency.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: And a terrifying crash, two Navy jets collide midair during an air show. The four crew members ejected. We have an update on how they're doing today.

I'm Kate Bolduan with Sara Sidner and John Berman. This is CNN News Central.

BERMAN: All right. Happening now, we've got dangerous forecasts that include powerful tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds, heavy rain. One confirmed tornado tore through parts of Central Nebraska. First responders rescued at least two men and a dog from the basement of a collapsed home.

The area had been under a rare tornado emergency warning. So far, they've logged more than a dozen reports of tornadoes, more than 100 reports of hail. Severe thunderstorms hit Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Southern Minnesota. Much of that area is still at extreme risk.

Let's get right to CNN Meteorologist Derek Van Dam for the latest forecast. I understand these storms could get even worse over the next several hours.

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: That's right, John. Today is the peak of the severe weather outbreak, but it's not just the chance of tornadoes and hail, it's also fire weather that we're monitoring. We have extremely critical fire danger across the Texas panhandle, portions of Southeast Colorado, and into Oklahoma. I want to show you some of the visuals coming out of Southeast Colorado, where a wildfire tore through some of these locations. You can see the smoke just billowing into the sky.

We'll get to more of that detail in just one moment. Let's focus on the severe weather that occurred yesterday. This is coming out of Palmer, Nebraska, this tornado completely flipping that vehicle, and you can just see the path of destruction that it left behind, tearing the roof off of that building.

This is the setup. We've got this push and the pull between the seasons, and, yes, right there where the jet stream kind of adds some extra fuel to these storms, we get the severe weather threat.

Today, we're focusing across the central plains and into the Midwest. After a weekend of over 500 reports of severe weather, including 32 tornadoes, you can see them dotted across your screen there, no active tornado watches or severe thunderstorm watches now, but there is signs that this will re-fire into the afternoon, and it's this area that we're most concerned about.

This is a level four of five across parts of Nebraska into Kansas. Strong tornadoes, we're talking about EF-3 or greater, could potentially develop out of this severe weather setup. And guess what? The severe storms stretch all the way into the Midwest, so Chicago to Grand Rapids, heads up into Green Bay, Milwaukee.

But it's this region here from Omaha to Wichita, this is the area we have the potential for these lone supercell thunderstorms to drop a powerful tornado, EF-2, EF-3, on the enhanced Fujita scale. This is the area that we are so concerned about. That hashed region right here is where the potential for our most powerful tornadoes could develop with all the ingredients coming together.

The other story here is the fire threat, and I'm highlighting this area because if you live in Amarillo, you need to be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. These locations across the panhandle of Texas into Oklahoma, Southeast Colorado, the winds are going to shift as this cold front that's helping fuel the thunderstorms, so southwest to northwest as this cold front comes through, and that means dangerous fire conditions on the ground for firefighters and residents. John?

BERMAN: All right. A lot to watch out for today. Derek Van Dam, you are going to be busy. Please keep us posted. Thank you. Sara?

SIDNER: All right. Thank you, John.

Right now, an investigation is underway in Idaho after two Navy fighter jets collided during an air show near Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho. Take a look at this.

My goodness. Officials say, as you saw there, all four crew members from both jets ejected safely using a parachute and are being evaluated by medical personnel. We're waiting to hear from the crew members about what exactly happened there.

CNN Aviation Correspondent Pete Muntean is following us -- following this story for us.

[07:05:01]

This is -- when you look at it, it doesn't appear to the eye that there was a crash. It almost looks like they got hooked together somehow. What do you see when you take a look at this crash, and what are you learning?

PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: Well, the best possible news here, Sara, four parachutes, meaning four successful ejections.

The latest from Mountain Home Air Force Base that all four crew members are in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries, that's especially good because of the extreme forces associated with ejecting from a fighter jet. That video there shows those two Navy jets in formation at this air show.

When the wingman appears to descend into the lead aircraft, the two planes then pitch up together and then the crew of each jet ejected nearly simultaneously. The aircraft came down about two miles from the base, according to base officials. It caused a small fire, which was put out. Nobody on the ground, thankfully, was injured.

These airplanes are Boeing EA-18G Growlers. That is the two-seat electronic warfare version of the FA-18 Super Hornet. The Navy says these planes are from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington State. They're part of what's known as the Navy's Growler Demo Team. It appears from a post on Instagram that this was their first show of the year.

The Navy now says this incident's under investigation. But, remember, crash investigations in the military are not like civilian crash investigations. They're typically conducted behind closed doors. The results are not always made public. Of course, some online already wondering whether this demonstration team will fly again.

Air show flying brings unique risk. Low to the ground, high speed, very little margin for error. The pilots are typically the best of the best, and formation flying adds even more risk. Investigators will want to know whether the wingman lost sight of the lead aircraft.

These airplanes are designed to give excellent visibility to pilots in the battlefield environment, but like any aircraft, they still have blind spots, really not unlike the blind spots in your car. Sara?

SIDNER: Yes. I mean, the question has to be asked, especially during a war, whether this is a great idea to keep doing these. But, wow, it is so incredible that all four people involved in all this, the pilots, all ejected safely.

Pete Muntean, thank you so much for your reporting on this. Kate?

BOLDUAN: Really remarkable video there.

Dozens of people killed, hundreds of suspected cases connected to a new -- all connected to a new Ebola outbreak in multiple African countries. There is a scramble now to contain this virus, and the U.S. is now getting involved.

President Trump is taking his fight against a Republican congressman and kicking it up a notch today, sending the secretary of defense to campaign against Congressman Thomas Massey in what's become one of the most expensive and ugliest races of the midterm cycle so far.

And the wildly dangerous underwater mission that is now underway to recover the bodies of five divers who died in what's being described as a maze-like underwater cave.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:10:00]

BOLDUAN: A new warning now from President Trump on Iran. With talks to end the war apparently still stalled, he posted on social media the following, for Iran, the clock is ticking, and they better get moving fast, or there won't be anything left of them. Time is of the essence.

This comes as The New York Times has new polling out this morning that finds 64 percent of voters believe his decision to go to war with Iran was the wrong call.

CNN's Kevin Liptak is live for us this morning at the White House with much more on this. And what are you hearing from there now, Kevin?

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes. You know, I think it's evident when you talk to officials that the president is staring down another decision point when it comes to what happens to this war in Iran. Does he resume the fighting? Does he try and wait out this diplomacy? He spent at least part of the weekend meeting with top national security officials, including at his golf club out in Virginia, to discuss where exactly all of this is heading. We expect him to convene that group again sometime early this week to talk about resuming the military campaign inside Iran.

And it seems as if right now the U.S. and Israel are in intensive conversations, perhaps the most intensive since that ceasefire went into effect last month, about resuming the bombing run. The president spoke yesterday to the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

And that message that the president wrote over the weekend calling on Iran to get moving, saying that the clock was ticking, I do think underscores some of the impatience that the president is feeling about the pace of diplomacy here. You know, he's frustrated that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. He's frustrated that, in his view, Iranian leadership aren't coalescing around a single negotiating position.

You also hear a rising level of urgency among some of the president's advisers about some of the economic fallout of this war as the midterm elections grow nearer and nearer. And so it's all, I think, coming to a sticky sort of conundrum that the president finds himself in.

You know, there are differing views inside the administration about the best way to proceed. Some officials are advocating a more aggressive approach to try and coerce the Iranians into conceding some of these negotiating positions. You also hear officials who are much more advantageous about diplomacy, and it does seem as if the diplomacy is still grinding forward. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said today that it had sent its latest response to the U.S., so you see how those gears continue to grind. [07:15:03]

And so the president clearly, I think, facing a critical decision here very soon.

Now, if he does decide to resume military strikes, the options could include essentially picking up where he left off when the ceasefire went into place, you know, more aggressive bombing runs against military targets or even some infrastructure sites.

You also still have a number of special operators in the region, Marines, paratroopers, who are essentially on standby to go into Iran to retrieve some of that highly enriched uranium. That's an option that the president has yet to take off the table. Kate?

BOLDUAN: All right, Kevin. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. John?

BERMAN: All right. We are standing by for a crucial decision in the trial of accused CEO killer Luigi Mangione. The judge could decide today whether to throw out a key piece of evidence.

And then breaking news of a broken commute, a strike shuts down the country's busiest commuter rail network, and this morning, hundreds of thousands of people trying to figure out how to get to work, or if you're in this studio right now, trying to figure out how to get home.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:20:00]

Overnight, the NBA Conference Finals now set after a surprising game seven, surprising because it wasn't close.

Let's get to CNN's Coy Wire. Oof, Detroit, what happened?

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Yes, those Detroit fans, they came ready for a dog fight. The Cavs sent them home early with their tails between their legs. The Cavaliers at Pistons, deciding game seven, and Cleveland didn't just beat the east's top seed, they smashed through them like a wrecking ball through drywall, a 31-point beat down.

Donovan Mitchell poured in 26 points. He's headed to the conference finals, first time in his career. Jarrett Allen, Sam Merrill adding 23 apiece. 125-94 is the final. The Cavs will now face the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

SGA MVP again. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the reigning champion Thunder named NBA MVP for a second straight season, beating out Victor Wembanyama and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. SGA became the 14th player to win it back-to-back years.

NASCAR All-Star Race, Dover's Monster Mile lived up to the Monster Park immediately. Lap two, car carnage exploding like popcorn in a microwave, nine car pile-up, John, swallowing former champs left and right. Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Preece's car burst into flames. He climbed out, walked off on his own. All were okay. Denny Hamlin endured to pocket the cool million-dollar prize in one of the most chaotic All-Star races we've seen.

The 108th PGA Championship, Aaron Rai didn't just win it, he mic dropped it, pulling off one of the wildest putts you'll ever see to win his first major and become the first English golfer to win the PGA Championship in 107 years.

Nine under par, three clear of Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley, the 31-year- old still rocks iron covers. Yes, the thing most golfers treat like socks with sandals because growing up, his dad bought him one precious set of clubs. He cleaned every groove with baby oil and a pin after practice, so he keeps the covers as a reminder, never forget where you came from.

Moments after Rai's win, he caught up with CNN's own Patrick Snell.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: From Wolverhampton in England, in the Midlands over there, could you ever have dreamt this day possible?

AARON RAI, 2026 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER: It's an amazing journey to get to this point. There's so much that goes into it and so much sacrifice from so many from people, from parents, from family, from coaches, from friends. So, to try and reflect on it it's absolutely incredible, truly a dream come true.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: Got a big old hug and kiss from wife there, John. Incredible stuff for Aaron Rai. He also wears two gloves because he grew up in that cold weather playing over there in Europe, and he just -- it's his thing now. He sticks to what he knows and what has worked for him.

BERMAN: Does he use, apply the baby oil while wearing the gloves? I was confused by the baby oil and the pins at one point.

WIRE: His dad did that for him as a young kid, John. Details, John, details.

BERMAN: Okay. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. But yet he wears gloves to keep his hands clean of oil and all other substances. I get it.

WIRE: You got it.

BERMAN: Coy Wire, great to see you this morning. Thank you very much.

WIRE: Thank you, John.

SIDNER: Wait, the question is why did John fixate on the baby oil? I'm just saying.

BERMAN: I know. I just -- it was golf all of a sudden we were doing like a grand slam tournament that's all about baby oil? SIDNER: This is a family show, sir.

BERMAN: All right.

SIDNER: Right? Oh, Coy liked that one.

All right, ahead we are -- he's still going. All right, it together, Sidner. Ahead, we are just one week out from the unofficial start of summer with Memorial Day around the corner. How will rising gas prices actually impact all of our plans? We will talk about that.

And the incredible moment a whale watching crew saves the lives of fishermen on a capsized boat.

These stories and more ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:25:00]

SIDNER: This morning, gas prices holding steady at $4.52 for a gallon of regular, but drivers bracing for it to climb. Some experts are warning that gas could hit $5 a gallon before the month is out.

President Trump has taken several steps to try and bring prices at the pump down, but analysts say there is really only one option left.

CNN's Matt Egan joins me now. We can all guess what that is. But this could really affect summer travel, could it not?

MATT EGAN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Yes, look, I mean, it's already been such a financial nightmare for Main Street and a political nightmare for the White House. But other than the obvious, right, getting the Strait of Hormuz reopened, they're really kind of running out of options here to prevent gasoline from blowing past those Biden era records above $5 a gallon.

And, look, they've already taken a whole bunch of break the glass steps, including tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, right, releasing record amounts of oil from the SPR. They've waived the Jones Act, invoked the Defense Production Act, declared a national emergency, and yet gas prices, they do remain historically.