Our Daily Planet: Midwest Tornado Video and the BP Oil Spill Anniversary

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe.

Tornadoes Strike: Severe storms hit the Midwest yesterday, uprooting trees and tossing cars, yet no injuries were reported. Some brave storm chasers captured a vicious tornado in Bowling Green, Missouri. [Infographic: Tornado! An Inside Look at Tornado Season ]

Oil Spill Anniversary: One year ago today, BP's Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded and sank. How is the damage and response today?

Frozen Tundra: Nearly 9 inches (23 centimeters) of snow fell in Green Bay, Wis. That's the city's greatest snowfall this late in the season.

Terrible Texas Wildfires: Firefighters don't see an end to the raging wildfires that have burned a million acres in Texas. [Related: Wild Images of Texas Wildfires ]

Previously on Our Daily Planet: North Carolina Tornado Photos and Earthquake Drill

Reach OurAmazingPlanet staff writer Brett Israel at bisrael@techmedianetwork.com. Follow him on Twitter @btisrael.

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Brett Israel was a staff writer for Live Science with a focus on environmental issues. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from The University of Georgia, a master’s degree in journalism from New York University, and has studied doctorate-level biochemistry at Emory University.