right now on "america this morning," breaking news, for the second consecutive night, a deadly tornado outbreak. >> oh, my god. >> this time new orleans in the bull's-eye including parts of the city devastated by hurricane katrina, the dramatic images just coming in. breaking overnight, president biden's new round of punishments for russia as he prepares to leave for europe today and the emergency nato summit. the russian military in ukraine suffering a new setback. the disturbing new message from vladimir putin's spokesperson. the boeing jet disaster in china. what we're learning about the passengers' final moments before crashing into the mountains and what could now hamper the investigation. supreme court nominee ketanji brown jackson faces a grilling from senators lasting well into the night.

one senator asking her how she would define a woman. how the judge responded. the shocking announcement from the world's top ranked women's tennis player. why she's retiring at age 25. and later, move over, new york and chicago, the new number one city in the u.s. when it comes to pizza. everyone. we begin with the breaking news, another night of deadly storms slamming the south, this time in new orleans. >> dramatic video shows a twister moving across the water not far from a cruise ship and other vessels in the area, and now we're getting a clearer ureg on land. these photos tweeted by the new orleans fire department show the debris piled high. the storms ripping lives apart. overnight, new images of the deadly tornadoes striking new orleans. >> oh, my god. >> reporter: causing widespread damage across the city's lower

ninth ward and st. bernard parish, two areas devastated by hurricane katrina back in 2005. >> that was a church. >> we have a home that was lifted off its foundation and put into the middle of a street right around the corner from here. >> reporter: this local business in st. bernard parish destroyed. an employee says the owner lost her husband to covid-19 earlier this month. >> now she's got to go through this, and it's just not fair. oh, my god. >> reporter: emergency responders are conducting search and rescue efforts in new orleans. authorities last night said there were multiple injuries and at least one death from the tornado. >> this is going to be a long haul. we just got off the phone with the governor. tomorrow we will have a better assessment of all of the homes, the number of homes, the number of people affected. >> reporter: in starkville in neighboring mississippi, the fast-moving line of storms also downing trees on the campus of mississippi state university. at least 40 tornadoes were

reported tuesday across texas, oklahoma and mississippi, all from the same storm system. at least one person was killed during the storms in texas. abc's marcus moore is in the city of round rock near austin. >> you can see the house just behind me, it has been destroyed, and we've seen just debris spread throughout the entire neighborhood. >> damage has also been reported in parts of alabama as the storms move east. we'll check today's forecast in just a few minutes. president biden departs today for an emergency nato summit where he's expected to announce new ways to punish russia for the war in ukraine. meanwhile, the russian military is suffering new setbacks on the front lines. breaking overnight, the biden administration is expected to announce new sanctions against russia reportedly targeting hundreds of russian lawmakers. "the wall street journal" reports president biden has prepared sanctions against 300 members of russia's lower house of parliament and could reveal the punishments tomorrow when an emergency nato summit gets under way in brussels.

the pentagon says the summit may also address new security questions including whether to keep u.s. troops in eastern europe for the long term as a deterrent to russia. >> we're not sure where this is going to go, but the secretary is convinced that wherever it goes, the security environment on the european continent is now changed, and we've got to think about it in a completely different way, no matter how this all ends up. >> reporter: meanwhile, a victory for ukrainian troops. officials say they've reclaimed an important suburb of kyiv from russian forces along with control of a key highway allowing them to block the russians from surrounding the capital. after 28 days of fierce resistance, a senior u.s. defense official says the russian military has lost 10% of its combat power in ukraine, and troops are running low on food and fuel, and some lack gear to protect them from frostbite. the pentagon says russia is once again changing tactics shelling the besieged port city of mariupol by sea for the first

time. new satellite images of mariupol show smoke filling the sky and civilian areas bombarded by strikes, and now a spokesperson for vladimir putin is refusing to rule out the use of nuclear weapons. >> if it is an existential threat for our country, then it can be used in accordance with or concept. >> so you are basically saying only an existential threat to your country. i still don't know whether i've got a full answer from you. >> meanwhile, ukrainian authorities say russia detained 15 rescue workers from a humanitarian convoy who were trying to get food and other supplies to people in mariupol. new details about a potential cyberthreat from russia targeting u.s. infrastructure. the fbi says hackers associated with russian internet addresses have been scanning the networks of five u.s. energy companies in possible preparation for a cyberattack. u.s. security officials held a

three-hour call yesterday with thousands of industry leaders urging them to secure their systems. we're learning more about the deadly crash of a boeing passenger jet in china this week. chinese state run media published this video reportedly showing the 737-800 jet carrying 132 people dropping from the sky flying into the ground at more than 640 miles per hour. and now there's word one of two black boxes from the jet has been found but is badly damaged. the u.s. intelligence source says regarding the cause of the crash, nothing can be ruled out yet including the possibility that the crash was intentional. after more than 12 hours of questioning tuesday on everything from abortion to critical race theory, supreme court nominee ketanji brown jackson will be back on capitol hill today for round three. the questioning at times got heated and lasted well into the night with one senator asking jackson for the definition of a woman as they discussed abortion rights. jackson saying any dispute about definitions must be argued before the court. abc's alex presha is here with highlights from the hearing.

alex, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, mona. judge jackson gearing up for a final day of questioning after spending hours tuesday defending her record to republicans. this morning, judge ketanji brown jackson preparing for a final day in the hot seat defending her record to republicans who claim she is soft on crime. >> as someone who has had family members on patrol and in the line of fire, i care deeply about public safety. >> reporter: judge jackson also responded directly to misleading accusations that she's let child porn offenders off the hook. >> nothing could be further from the truth. >> reporter: republican mitt romney telling "the washington post" the attacks on judge jackson's sentencing record are off course. his colleagues also asking a wide range of probing questions accusing her of calling former president george w. bush a war criminal during her time as a public defender. >> so to be clear, there was no

time where you called president bush or secretary rumsfeld a, quote, war criminal, closed quote? did you want to respond? >> correct, senator. >> reporter: and on abortion rights, she said this. >> roe and casey are the settled law of the supreme court. >> reporter: and senator ted cruz questioning the judge on the political issue of critical race theory. >> that views every conflict as a racial conflict. do you think that's an accurate way of viewing society? >> senator, i don't think so, but i've never studied critical race theory, and i've never used it. >> reporter: cruz then asking jackson about one children's book after another, the judge e >> senator, i have not reviewed any of those books, any of those ideas. they don't come up in my work as a judge, which i'm respectfully here to address. >> reporter: senator sheldon whitehouse, who sits on that

judiciary committee, tells abc news that he believes judge jackson is weathering these hearings extremely well, but ultimately these are likely just a formality because democrats don't need any republican support to push judge jackson through. mona. >> all right, alex, thank you. for live coverage of today's hearing, it begins at 9:00 a.m. eastern on abc newslive. gas prices may have started to level off in parts of the country but not in southern california. average gas prices now top $6 per gallon in los angeles county for the first time ever. the average is now $6.09 after 28 consecutive days of price increases. time now for a look at your wednesday weather. good morning. the threat for severe storms continues into early wednesday morning from the florida panhandle northward into alabama. tornadoes still going to be possible there, folks. now, heading into wednesday morning around daybreak, we have got thunderstorms from the southern appalachians, atlanta down to the florida panhandle, some of them could be strong to

severe. wind, hail and flooding. the storms roll east as we head through the day on wednesday, severe weather will be possible across much of the southeast here from the carolinas to florida. i'm accuweather meteorologist kevin coskren. coming up, the new survey on how many americans want to quit their job. but first the search for a teenager possibly abducted from a walmart parking lot goes nationwide. the new clues in the case. and later, how scientists are trying to redefine pizza.

back now with an assault at the airport. a police officer was punched in the head without warning while walking through the salt lake city airport. the suspect appeared to get

ready for a second punch but then surrendered. no word on his motive, but local police say assaults on officers are up 16% in the last year. the search for a teenager who was last seen at a walmart in nevada is now expanding. abc's andrea fujii has those details. >> bring her back to us. >> reporter: this morning, a candlelight vigil for a missing nevada teenager now the subject of a nationwide search. 18-year-old naomi irion was last seen at a walmart parking lot march 12th around 5:00 a.m., waiting for a shuttle ride to her job nearby. >> this is life or death for a beautiful and fun and amazing sister. >> reporter: authorities releasing this surveillance video of a man with a mask and hoodie walking through the parking lot before approaching irion in her car. irion's brother says more video not yet publicly released shows the man do or say something to her. irion then moved into the passenger seat while the man

took the wheel and drove off with her. investigators say they hope someone recognizes the suspect's unique walk. police in neighboring counties and the fbi now joining the search. >> please save my daughter and bring her home. please, anything. any little tiny bit of information, please call. >> reporter: irion's car was found a few days later abandoned at a nearby industrial park. but there's been no more activity on her phone. detectives say evidence collected in the car points to a crime, but they won't specify what they found. investigators believe the suspect may now be driving this chevy truck. irion's family pleading for help. >> she was just -- >> is. she is. she is. >> she's just starting her adult life. she hasn't even gone to college yet. she just graduated high school. >> reporter: police say there were several other cars in that parking lot with people inside at the time of the possible

abduction, so they're hoping those people will come forward with new information. mona, andrew. >> andrea, thank you. turning to the economy, more americans want to say "i quit." a new survey finds 44% of employees are either looking for a new job or planning to look for a new job. and most of them say the reason is they want more money. inflation is taking a toll on everyone, but especially workers in the service industry. new data shows workers at coffee shops and salons are now making less from customer tips, which had spiked during the pandemic. coming up, another person attacked by a tiger in florida. also ahead, the terrifying moments involving a bounce house at a children's birthday p

you don't know how much pressure you put on your septic system. but rid-x does. in a 21 month study, scientists proved that rid- x reduces up to 20% of waste build up every month. take the pressure off withid ♪ ♪ flavors so fresh you won't be able to choose a favorite. well... maybe you will. ♪ ♪

well... would you like to try a breakfast sausage made with plants? plants? it's delicious and i'm a kid, so if i like it... [makes satisfied eating noises] morningstar farms. america's favorites, made from plants. and, try incogmeato. dad, we got this. we got this. we got this. we got this. life is for living. we got this. let's partner for all of it. edward jones is now a good time for a flare-up? enough, crohn's! for adults with moderate to severe crohn's or ulcerative colitis, stelara® can provide relief, and is the first approved medication to reduce inflammation on and below the surface of the intestine in uc. you, getting on that flight? back off, uc! stelara® may increase your risk of infections, some serious, and cancer. before treatment, get tested for tb. tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu-like symptoms, sores, new skin growths, have had cancer, or if you need a vaccine. pres, a rare, potentially fatal brain condition,

may be possible. some serious allergic reactions and lung inflammation can occur. lasting remission can start with stelara®. janssen can help you explore cost support options. back now with a tragedy in southern oklahoma. six teenage girls are dead after a crash involving a semi truck. it happened around lunchtime. police aren't saying what caused the crash, but they say the car was at a stop sign. all six girls went to the same high school. in north carolina, a scare at a children's birthday party. high winds lifted a bounce thegt to use if aboverhour, b reached 40 miles per hour. >lorida, authorities are investigating yet another tiger attack, the second in three months. but this time the tiger survived. this morning, a florida man is

in the hospital after a tiger attack at this wildlife attraction in collier county. >> the left arm and multiple puncture wounds to the right arm. >> authorities say the tiger was being fed by its caretaker at everglade airboat tours when an employee not authorized to be with the animal entered the enclosure. >> it appears he was somehow reaching for the tiger for whatever reason, and the tiger latched onto him. >> the tiger injuring both of the man's arms. he was rushed to the hospital. his condition not immediately released. while this may seem like a freak incident, officials say it's remarkablely similar to an attack three months ago at nearby naples zoo. >> i'm being attacked by a tiger. please, please, please. >> body camera footage captured the moments after a cleaning worker entered a restricted area and stuck him arm inside the tiger enclosure. a malayan tiger bit the man's arm.

the deputy later opened fire killing the tiger. doctors initially feared they would need to amputate the man's arm but were able to save it. the sheriff's office tuesday noting the similarity of these cases saying in a statement, we are having a hard time comprehending this happening again. in this later case, the tiger was safely contained by its caretaker and was not injured. the ex-wife of amazon founder jeff bezos has announced her next mega donation. mackenzie scott is donating $436 to habitat for humanity to create more affordable housing. the writer and philanthropist is following through on her pledge to give away her fortune. coming up, one of the world's top ranked athletes announces a surprise retirement at age 25. also ahead, a surprise from ever wonder what everyone's doing on their phones? they're banking, with bank of america. the groom's parents? they just found out they can redeem rewards for a second honeymoon. romance is in the air. like these two. he's realizing he's in love.

and that his dating app just went up. must be fate. and phil. he forgot a gift, so he's sending the happy couple some money. digital tools so impressive, you just can't stop banking. what would you like the power to do? with relapsing forms of ms... there's a lot to deal with. not just unpredictable relapses. all these other things too. it can all add up. kesimpta is a once-monthly at-home injection... that may help you put these rms challenges in their place.

kesimpta was proven superior at reducing the rate of relapses, active lesions, and slowing disability progression vs aubagio. don't take kesimpta if you have hepatitis b, and tell your doctor if you have had it, as it could come back. kesimpta can cause serious side effects, including infections. while no cases of pml were reported in rms clinical trials, it could happen. tell your doctor if you had or plan to have vaccines, or if you are or plan to become pregnant. kesimpta may cause a decrease in some types of antibodies. the most common side effects are upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and injection reactions. ready for an at-home treatment with dramatic results? it's time to ask your doctor about kesimpta.

♪ time to check "the pulse," and we begin with a 25-year-old retiring at the top of her game. >> ashleigh barty is leaving professional tennis. barty has been the number one women's player since 2019. she says she's happy and ready to retire. >> i just know at the moment in my heart for me as a person, this is right. >> at 25 years old, barty finishes her career with nearly $24 million in prize money. next, attention pizza lovers in new york. we've got some surprises. >> we'll start with pizza made without a key ingredient. researchers in naples, italy, have made pizza without yeast, using some high-tech equipment and pressurized gas. the whole project was started because one of the researchers is allergic to yeast. back here in the u.s., congratulations to detroit, which was just named the best pizza city in america. the criteria includes the variety of pizza available and the number of pizza places per

square mile. cleveland, columbus, boston, and pittsburgh rounded out the top five. >> i still knead to know how they came up with that. next, the high priced designer chopsticks being panned on social media. >> a guy on tiktok recently showed off his purchase of louis vuitton chopsticks. they cost $1,600. the gold-colored hardware includes four engraved cop sticks in a monogrammed case. >> most people were unimpressed. one asking, is this serious or satirical? >> this is above my tax bracket. finally a surprise from tom hanks. >> he's been working in pittsburgh and he was walking by and saw a bride on her day. he asked to take a photo. of course she said yes. >> the bride said she immediately started screaming but grabbed her phone and camera to snap pictures. hanks was joined by his wife rita wilson, they do this all the time. it's great.

>> they look so happy. memories for homegrown tomatoes...nice. i want to feel in control of my health, so i do what i can. what about screening for colon cancer? when caught in early stages it's more treatable. i'm cologuard. i'm noninvasive and i detect altered dna in your stool to find 92% of colon cancers, even in early stages. early stages? yep, it's for people 45 plus at average risk for colon cancer, not high risk. false positive and negative results may occur. ask your provider if cologuard is right for you. consider it done. you'd think the sax player would be getting ready for his solo... but no. he's currently checkin' his investments. you gotta have a plan outside the band, man. digital tools so impressive, you likwer to do? age before beauty? sibldiminish edkin in... crepe coec age before beauty?

where does your almondmilk come from? almond breeze starts here with our almond trees in our blue diamond orchard in california. my parents' job is to look after them. and it's my job to test the product. the best almonds make the best almondmilk. blue diamond almond breeze. (host) more and more cat parents are feeding tastefuls from blue buffalo because it's tasty and healthy. and now blue tastefuls comes in single serve portions. just snap it, peel it, pop it, chop it. pick up tastefuls singles and find out why one taste is all it takes. before nexium 24hr, pick up tastefuls singles anna could only imagine a comfortable night's sleep without frequent heartburn waking her up. now, that dream... . ...is her reality. nexium 24hr stops acid before it starts, for all-day, all-night protection.

can you imagine 24 hours without heartburn?

♪ ♪ who do you think you are? canceling plans, commanding a room, being your own biggest fan. who said you could do that? take up space, make a scene, indulge yourself. who said you could say no? emphatically. unapologetically. no to settling, no to compromising. yes to getting all the above, and doing only what you want to do... who? no, really. tell us.

who do you think you are? oh, that's right. you're you. and tj maxx is where you can afford to be you to the maxx. >> building a better bay area, moving forward, finding solutions. this is abc 7 news.

>> tornado tearing through the new orleans area. >> an investigation in contra costa county after deputies shot and killed someone. >> racism in the housing market. now our in-depth reporting getting results. abc7news is in washington dc. >> the fire concern as we expect yet another warm day of spring weather. >> good morning on wednesday, march 23. >> on the coast we will see a will down this morning. live doppler 7 showing from santa rosa to petaluma -- seeing changes to our weather pattern.