Spin: Twin tornadoes ripped through northeast Nebraska yesterday, killing a five-year-old child and injuring possibly dozens of others. At least half the town of Pilgar was damaged or destroyed. Homes and grain elevators were flattened and livestock killed. Officials said they were still digging people out as the sun went down last night.

Iraq: About 300 American forces are being positioned in and around Iraq to protect American personnel and facilities as Islamic militants move closer to Baghdad. President Obama is considering choices for military action, including air strikes and sending in Special Forces. In an indication of the seriousness of the situation, the US and Iran are talking about cooperation to help the Iraqi government. Fighting continues. Forty prisoners in Baqubah were killed during an assault on a police station.

The Supremes: The Supreme Court upheld a federal ban on “straw purchases” of guns in which one person buys the weapon for another. It’s considered a big win for gun control advocates. The decision stems from a case in which a former police officer bought a $400 handgun for his uncle, signing the paperwork swearing that he was the actual buyer. The defendant argued that it didn’t matter because his uncle could have bought the gun legally himself. But writing for the majority, Justice Elena Kagan said striking down the law would defeat its purpose, which is to keep guns out of the hands of people who cannot legally buy them for themselves.

Nation: Police in Arizona arrested a 54-year-old man for the murder of a Catholic priest in Phoenix last week. Gary Michael Moran, who was released from prison only in April, is accused of first-degree murder. During a burglary and robbery a 28-year-old priest was shot to death and a 54-year-old priest severely beaten. Police said evidence found in a car stolen from the church and later abandoned led them to Moran.

> The Army has opened an investigation into the disappearance and capture of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in Afghanistan. Bergdahl was returned to a US Army hospital in Texas after five years as a prisoner of the Taliban. The Army previously said Bergdahl walked off his remote base, but is investigating now to determine whether he intended to desert. Bergdahl tried to escape the Taliban and was subsequently held in a steel box.

Recall Motors: GM announced the recall of another 3.16 million vehicles for troubles with an ignition switch that might turn off while the car is in operation. It’s the 44^th recall just this year, for a grand total of 20 million vehicles around the world.

Football: The US beat Ghana 2-1 in its first outing in the World Cup tournament. It was payback for Ghana, which knocked the US out of the last two World Cups. The Americans scored in the first 30 seconds of the game then held on as Ghana later tied it up. John Brooks, a 21-year-old playing his first game for the Americans as a sub for an injured teammate, bounced the ball off his head for a goal in the 86^th minute.

The Obit Page: Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, who turned down bigger paychecks to spend his entire 20-year career with the San Diego Padres, has died of cancer at age 54. Gwynn was a brilliant hitter who specialized in singles through the “5.5 hole” between third base and the shortstop. He had 3,141 career hits and won seven National League batting titles. He died of cancer of the mouth, which he attributed to years of chewing tobacco.

Familiar Names:A report that Chelsea Clinton is paid $600,000 a year to put a face on a handful of reports for NBC News has critics criticizing. Michael Hiltzik in the LA Times wrote, “Plainly, it was done to curry favor with the Clinton family.”  NBC has hired a string of rookies from political families; Clinton, Jenna Bush, Abby Huntsman, and Meghan McCain, all while laying off real journalists. Clinton also works as vice-chair of the Clinton Foundation, something no real NBC correspondent would be allowed to do.

-30-