TORNADOS killed 15 people across a four-state area on Sunday (Shutterstock).

Fifteen people were killed and many thousands left without electrical power after tornadoes ripped through Texas, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Arkansas on Sunday.

Seven of those killed were from the small town of Valley View in Cooke County, Texas. Included in the death toll were two children, ages 2 and 5.

There was debris and shattered buildings all through the area, and neighbors banded together to perform rescues and recover furniture that had been scattered across streets and yards.

The federal government has offered to send assistance to the affected area.

Israeli air strike claims lives

An Israeli air strike aimed at what was to be a Hamas compound killed at least 35 people in Rafah in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, it’s claimed.

Palestinian sources say the affected area was a makeshift tent camp for displaced Palestinians; Israel later claimed it killed two Hamas leaders in the attack.

In related developments, the Israeli leadership is said to be meeting to discuss a possible restart to negotiations toward a cease-fire and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Angels and Dodgers lose again

It’s turning into a disappointing holiday weekend for the Los Angeles Angels and the Los Angeles Dodgers as both suffered defeats on Sunday.

The Halos were swept in the three-game series in Anaheim by the Cleveland Guardians, losing 5-4. Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth, the Angels got even on a two-run home run by Matt Thaiss. 

After the Guardians regained the lead at 5-2, the Angels rallied with two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn’t enough. The Angels are 20-33 and in fifth and last place in the American League West. Cleveland has now won nine straight games.

The Dodgers are in a slump, having lost five straight games after a 4-1 loss to the Reds in Cincinnati. Teo Hernandez had two of the Blue Crew’s five hits. Freddie Freeman drove in his team’s only run with a double in the top of the ninth.

The Dodgers are 33-22 and remain in first place in the National League West, leading the San Francisco Giants (27-27) by 5.5 games.

Weather: Just a bit warmer

Our West Orange County area will be just a bit warmer over the next few days. The forecast calls for daytime highs in the low 70s and overnight lows in the high 50s. Monday is expected be 71 (58), followed by 72 (58) on Tuesday, both with morning clouds and afternoon sun.

Wednesday and Thursday will also have partly cloudy skies with highs at 73 and 72 (59).