making news in america this morning, dangerous conditions. a line of powerful storms rolling through several states heading south with a potential of damaging winds, hail and tornadoes. we are tracking it all. indicted. a u.s. senator facing serious charges and remaining defiant. >> this is not how my career is going to end. [ cheers and applause ] >> senator robert menendez promising a fight with his future in jeopardy. dramatic crash. an out-of-control suv smashing into a school bus with students inside. new video showing the moment of impact. plus if you thought tom brady's cliff jump was dangerous, what about what this nfl player is doing?

that has to violate an insurance clause i'm sure. >> it's in there. >> good thursday morning, everyone. i'm bazi kanani in for reena this morning. >> hello to you. i'm t.j. holmes. we start with weather, severe weather striking the heartland. more storms expected today. >> the weather danger can be seen on the radar. a line of storms capable of producing damaging wind and rain and you can see the flashes of lightning. up to 1 inch of hail reported this morning in some areas of nebraska. >> here's the scene in lincoln overnight. video we got from instagram, a bolt of lightning can be seen streaking across the sky. accuweather's justin povick tracking the storm for us. hello to you. >> t.j. and bazi thanks. and good morning. severe weather not letting down once again this afternoon we are concerned about the potential for more damaging winds, large hail, isolated tornadoes and extremely heavy rain.

this go-around setting up along interstate 44 from tulsa to st. louis. cincinnati indianapolis louisville you could have gusty storms, as well. northeast prepping for wintry weather later on this weekend into the upcoming weekend. more of a mixture from central pennsylvania to central new york state. rain along the interstate 95 corridor. meanwhile, heats up over the central plains later on this week and stays stormy in the northwest. t.j. and bazi back to you. >> we turn now to california where they are having an unprecedented drought out there. now unprecedented water restrictions going into effect. again, this drought out there has been historic. >> the hope now is to reduce water use in the golden state by a fourth. abc's rob marciano reports. >> we're in an historic drought and that demands unprecedented action. >> reporter: california's governor ordering all cities and towns to cut water usage immediately by 25%.

from above you can see the expanse of the snowless sierras. these riders not riding on much but california needs that snow to supply water through the year. reservoirs running dangerously low. these before and after pictures showing for the last four years they're the driest in history too. these nasa satellite images show the progression of undergroundwater loss. california's river basins have lost 4 trillion gallons of water every year. far more than all of california would ever consume. the new mandate could possibly see further restrictions on homeowners who were already urged to reduce water by 20%. among the mandates any new home construction would require special water efficient irrigation systems. rob marciano, abc news, new york. >> well the governor's new order bans watering streets and replaces thousands of lawn with drought tolerant plants. what if you're caught wasting water, you could see a fine of

$500 a day. a possible fix this morning to indiana's religious freedom law that triggered a nationwide backlash. they have come up with new language to address claims of discrimination and another governor has abruptly changed course on the same issue. a bipartisan group of lawmakers in indiana will meet this morning to debate a bill clarifying the state's new religious freedom law. >> the religious freedom restoration act was about religious liberty, not about discrimination. >> but opponents say since the state doesn't have an anti-discrimination law protecting sexual orientation under this new law, businesses would have been allowed to turn away gay and lesbian customers. >> if a gay couple was to come in like say we wanted -- they wanted us to provide them pizzas for a wedding, we would have to say no. >> reporter: the comments led to

protests outside the indiana restaurant and an outcry on social media as critics slammed the pizza shop online. >> if you're going to discriminate against somebody because of their sexual orientation, that's just not right. >> reporter: defenders of the restaurant started a go fund me page that has already raised more than $40,000 for the pizza shop owners hoping to avoid the same controversy in his state, arkansas governor asa hutchinson has refused to sign a similar bill. he has asked for changes to the legislation calling the issue divisive across generations, even in his own family. >> my son seth signed the petition asking me dad, the governor to reto this bill. >> reporter: and the ceo of walmart, one of arkansas' largest employers is also speaking out saying the arkansas bill as it is currently written threatens to undermine the spirit of inclusion. indiana's governor says he expects the fix on his desk before the final four this weekend.

>> well senator bob menendez is vowing not to go down without a fight after being indicted on corruption and bribery charges. the new jersey democrat is accused of accepting nearly a million dollars in gifts and campaign contributions from a wealthy florida eye doctor. allegedly taking luxury trips and flying on private jets in exchange for political favors much last night he vehemently denied the allegations before a crowd of supporters. >> i'm outraged that prosecutors at the justice department were tricked into starting this investigation three years ago with false allegations by those who have a political motive to silence me. but i will not be silenced. >> now, menendez was a congressman for 13 years and switched over to the senate in 2006. he is the first to face a bribery charge in more than 30 years. talks over iran's nuclear program getting under way as they struggle to find common ground. john kerry is staying in switzerland for now.

iran and six world powers trying to hammer out an outline that would clear the way for a final deal that includes easing economic sanctions. the state department says they are making progress but so far no agreement. some breaking news from kenya where there's been a deadly attack on a university. this university is about 90 miles or so from the border with somalia. gunmen attacked it. you could hear gunshots and explosions from a building on campus. two security guards among the dead. no group claimed responsibility but the al qaeda-linked group al shabaab has vowed revenge for them sending troops to somalia to fight militants and launched a number of attacks near the border with somalia. a new disturbing report on fighters leaving home to join isis and al qaeda. the u.n. says more than 25,000 people from 100 nations have left their countries to join the terror groups. that's an increase of about 70% in just a year. among the nations with the highest number of foreign fighters, tunisia, morocco,

france and russia. illinois corrections authorities are warning an escaped murderer is still on the run this morning after he beat a guard, stole his keys and uniform and then took off in the guard's suv. they say kamron taylor is armed and dangerous and wore the guard's uniform. he choked and beat the guard into unconsciousness. this morning that guard is in intensive care. >> home state of arkansas can claim we have the world's oldest woman and she says she now wants president obama to attend her 117th birth much day party coming up on the fourth of july. george treat weaver. at the arkansas senior citizens center is where she lives and attend attends church every sunday with her son. she became the world's oldest person with yesterday's passing of a 117-year-old woman in japan. we'll see if he shows up. >> i hope she gets to meet the president. >> hopefully. i don't want to say she doesn't have much time left but she might not have much time left.

>> you better get there soon. >> clock is ticking. still ahead, new questions about how kids are being treated for adhd. >> and collision course. dramatic new video of a school bus in the path of an out-of-control suv. plus take a look at these two cars. can you tell which one is the bentley? there is a battle brewing over these two very similar-looking cars.

about 90,000 workers at mcdonald's are getting pay raises effective july 1st starting wages will be at least $1 an hour above the minimum wage set by local law. the increase applies only to workers at company-owned stores

franchises actually make up the vast majority of mcdonald's global workforce. maybe radio shack isn't done just yet. a bankruptcy judge approved the sale of assets of radio shack to a hedge fund that move will keep more than 1700 stores open and preserve more than 7,000 jobs. the store will carry a lot fewer items, around a thousand down from about 4,000. sprint will also set up shop inside the stores. two automakers are trading barbs over their luxury cars. take a look. on the right you see the bentley flying spur. what a beauty. on the left you see ford's new lincoln continental. bentley's top designer calls the new ford quote, a copy. says this is not respectable. they're kind of close, right but are they that close? maybe some similarities. ford is dismissing the criticism saying it's proud of the new lincoln. airbnb branching out to cuba. the biggest expansion since the obama administration eased half

century-old restrictions of the starting today the popular online home rental company will have more than a thousand properties in havana and other tourist destinations and airbnb says cuba could become one of its biggest markets in latin america. what a demand. when we come back racketeering and conspiracy but this is not a mob case. why a group of educateors is facing prison time. and caught on camera. a massive ship runs aground just feet from shore. flavor feeds the soul. it's the beat you move to, the track you don't want to end. that's why these all-new special k snack bars are full of the good stuff like golden oats, dark chocolaty chunks and salty pretzels. each for 100 feel-good calories. ♪ because you should give life all the flavor you've got. special k snacks. be flavorful.

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watch out, folks. that's a 600-foot freighter floating out of control, if you can't tell. this sis near philadelphia. the ship lost power finally stopped in the mud just feet from shore. several tugboats were used to get it free. well some major trouble spots for this morning's commute. you should watch out for snowy conditions from montana to idaho south to northern utah and heavy rain possible with flooding in parts of the midwest extending almost as far as the east coast. >> and if you're flying plan on possible airport delays in memphis, chicago, as well as dallas. well the giant inferno sparked by an explosionen a mexican oil rig is under control. >> they say the cause of the blast appears to be swg mechanicomething

mechanical. it ignited huge fireballs that engulfed the rig sending hundreds of panicked workers jumping into the sea. four were killed and at least 16 others were hurt. two of those with life-threatening injuries. newly released dash cam video shows the terrifying moments when a tulsa school bus carrying 37 students was hit head-on by an suv. the suv suddenly careened into oncoming traffic and slammed into the school bus. the bus driver did manage to stop but simply had nowhere to go. some of the students suffered bumps and bruises. investigators say the suv driver may have had a seizure. nearly a dozen atlanta educators face prison time after being convicted of cheating on standardized tests in order to earn bonuses or keep their jobs. the judge had them put in handcuffs and taken to jail immediately after the verdict. prosecutors say they either gave students the answers or changed the answers once the tests were turned in. well the first of its kind

study on adhd raising concerns for millions cross the country. the cdc finding a quarter of preschool children with adhd are being treated only with medication. experts say behavioral therapy should be the first line of children in children that young expressing concern over side effects over drugs. what's happening in sports now. >> yeah some college hoops may be going on this weekend you might have heard about but for now the pros will have to do it. highlights from espn. >> i'm neil. he's not. >> that's right. we are going to show you some national basketball association, the kids call it the association. i call it the federation. that's james harden plays basketball for the rockets and he's left-handed. >> and he has a beard. >> yeah has a very long -- look at that. when we say he goes left-handed it's not that big a deal. he made that. he had 51 disappointing night because the record was 100. >> not even close to the record was james harden and he's

humiliated but his team did win by 4. you want a disappointing night let's go up to portland the trail blazers had a 19-point lead over the we're tired, we got beat the night before against golden state and blue a 17-point lead. well portland came and blows a 19-point lead in this one or vice versa. it was vice versa but you understand what i'm saying. big lead lost. chris paul and chris kaman are not hanging out then his own teammates are bloodying his own lip and j.j. reddick, you push -- listen you push chris paul you pushed all of us. >> over and back. >> boy portland thought they had this one. this is a big gut check by the clippers and they win it. >> chris paul had 41 points so he's bummed too. >> not even close. jean carlos tan ton hit a huge home run. it's on the internet. >> we turn to tom brady's cliff jump video. here's another nfl pro putting brady to shame.

he is up there on the wing. detroit lion linebacker deandre levy. >> he hangs on to a wing support while the plane does several big loops several thousand feet in the air. a line yons executive told fans earlier the team's official position about all of this is quote, don't fall. >> yeah but there was a more series conversation behind the scenes however. >> i would hope so. probably a more serious conversation with his family. >> uh-huh. >> after that. coming up next on "the pulse," summer winds and secret surgery? the medical procedure just uncovered about frank sinatra. plus the mother who went to the store for a birthday cake and left $3 million richer. well, put on a breathe right strip and shut your mouth. cold medicines open your nose over time, but add a breathe right strip and pow, it opens your nose up to 38% more. so you can breathe and do the one thing you want to do

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♪ time for us to check "the pulse" starting with a fresh denial from the sinatra family about ronan farrow some say he looks a lot like mia's ex old blue eyes. >> mia admitted that her ex-husband frankel would be ronan's father but sinatra's daughter tina is weighing in. >> telling showbiz 411 that ronan couldn't be her half father because her father had had a vasectomy. chance encounter with a boy with a baseball idol. >> justin verlander posted a selfie with a boy at a starbucks who was wearing a shirt with verlander's name on it and said the kid was pretty surprised when he simply turned around and he was standing there. that is a very cool picture. >> great surprise. >> most people out there winning a free vacation would be a thrill but not so for a man in kentucky. he went to puerto rico without his wife because she had to stay home apparently to take care of their baby they say. >> so he posted a series of sad

face photos like this one when he was about to go snorkeling and those photos have now gone viral. >> he wanted to make sure there was no evidence he might be having a good time without her whether he was out enjoying the sun on the outdoors or playing the slots indoors or even when he was sleeping. his wife got a good laugh out of it. >> i'm sure she believed him that he was miserable the whole time in puerto rico. >> the whole time. >> without her. >> the whole time. >> no fun at all. finally a suburban new york mom says she has no plans of leaving her job as a postal worker even though darlene smith is now a millionaire. she recently bought a scratch-off lottery ticket at a supermarket while she was getting her husband's ice cream birthday cake. that ticket was worth $3 million. >> she says she's not sure whether she'll take the lump sum payment or choose to receive her money over 20 years. our vote take the cash sister and run. for many so of you your local news coming up next.

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>> good morning, i'm tamala edwards. it is thursday, april 2678 queer following breaking news out of kenya. gunman have attacked a university in the eastern part of the country killing two and wounding a number more. the situation is unfolding right now. new jersey robert menendez is due in court today to answer questions about corruption actions. a man puts a woman in a chokehold to steal her purse. "action news" is next. most successful franchises in movie history making billions and now the seventh edition has premiered in hollywood.

>> furious 7 expected to make a quarter billion dollars this weekend alone and kabc's jory rand was there speaking to the stars. there was one noticeable absence revenues it was a hollywood night of stars, screens and selfies. it was the premiere of "furious 7." >> it's very special. i'm excited for the fans to watch the movie. >> reporter: even for hollywood legends who weren't even in this film. >> you know i have a need for speed. >> reporter: but one person's absence loomed larger than even the biggest stars' presence on this night. paul walker who was killed 16 months ago while this film was still shooting. >> angel, our motivation to finish. our inspiration. >> which is why we're here celebrating for the fan, celebrating for the movie, more importantly celebrateing his life. >> that's it. >> he left the world with some beautiful art and we're here to tell the whole world about it. >> this movie almost didn't see the light of day so this night means everything to me right now

and there's a void that needs to be filled but we were saying it's a little bit of sweet but this movie is playing homage to paul. >> reporter: another co-star v.i.n.vin diesel named his new baby daughter after him. >> paul walker told me to cut the umbilical. as i was cutting the cord two weeks ago i couldn't stop but thinking about paul and his advice and when it came down to write down the name pauline just came out. >> sweet tribute. >> that was -- he was just 40 years old. still can't believe he just -- the way he died so suddenly in a car that was speeding and -- just the irony that goes along there but people love those films. >> yeah. fans will miss him. that's what's making news in america this morning. stay with us for "good morning america" and have a great thursday, everyone.

>> good morning here's what's happening on this thursday april 2. a man is flown to the hospital after falling of a a septa platform and being pinned by a train. >> new jersey senator robert menendez fires back at federal prosecutors who accuse him of his corruption. >> police open fire on a man who was violently attacking his own parents. let's go over to karen rogers with accuweather and matt pellman is looking at traffic. >> reporter: good morning we have a