Authorities: Man taken into custody after driving van into security gate outside White House

WASHINGTON (AP) — A man was taken into custody on Wednesday after driving his van into a security barrier outside the White House, authorities said. The Secret Service said the man crashed into the temporary security barrier just before 6:30 a.m. He was immediately arrested by officers from the Secret Service’s uniformed division, the agency said. The man, whose identity was not immediately released, was being interviewed by investigators. Criminal charges were pending, the Secret Service said.

Tornadoes kill 2 in northwestern Indiana and raze buildings in Illinois

KANKAKEE, Ill. (AP) — Tornadoes have killed at least two people in northwest Indiana and leveled buildings in Kankakee, Illinois. The Newton County Coroner’s Office on Wednesday confirmed the deaths of an elderly couple in their home in Lake Village, Indiana. A volunteer fire department says less than 10 people were injured in Tuesday’s storms. In Illinois, the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office says a tornado caused extensive damage in the small suburb of Aroma Park, uprooting trees, shattering windows, tearing off roofs and smashing vehicles. Parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio remain under tornado watch Wednesday.

Court hearing for Cher’s son on charges he broke into a New Hampshire home canceled

(AP) — A court hearing for Cher’s son over charges he broke into a New Hampshire home this month has been canceled. Elijah Allman, whose father was the late singer Gregg Allman, has been charged with two counts of criminal mischief, one count of burglary and a count of breach of bail for breaking into the home in Windham on March 1. He was due in court for a probable cause hearing Wednesday but that was continued after he found an attorney. The 49-year-old Allman was also detained Feb. 28, accused of acting belligerently at a prestigious prep school. Officials at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, said he identified himself as the parent of a prospective student.

Epstein’s longtime accountant testifies on his wealth and business ties

WASHINGTON (AP) — House lawmakers were digging into Jeffrey Epstein’s sprawling financial portfolio Wednesday as a committee deposed his former accountant and tried to understand his connections to some of the world’s wealthiest men. Richard Kahn, who worked closely with Epstein for years and now serves as an executor of his estate, appeared for the closed-door deposition on Capitol Hill. He told lawmakers that he had not personally seen evidence of Epstein’s sexual abuse, but provided a fuller picture of how Epstein acquired his wealth. The wealthy financier made hundreds of millions of dollars over two decades during which he struck up friendships with some of the world’s most powerful men. Kahn “was under the impression that Epstein made his money as a tax adviser and a financial planner,” said Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee. Lawmakers argued that a fuller picture of Epstein’s finances could help the public understand how for years he was able to get away with trafficking and sexually abusing underage girls.