Governor says death toll expected to grow after Friday’s disaster. Plus, Elon Musk named Time person of the year

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Good morning.

Kentucky’s governor, Andy Beshear, broke down in tears yesterday as he announced the deaths of at least 74 people from Friday’s deadly tornadoes that swept across multiple midwest and southern states, and warned that the death toll was expected to grow.

Are rescuers still looking for survivors? Yes, rescuers are continuing to search the wreckage in Mayfield and across the state. Meanwhile thousands remained without power and water, or have been left homeless.

What has the government response been like? Joe Biden declared a major federal disaster in Kentucky. Federal agencies, the president said, were “working like the devil” to get affected states the help and resources they needed.

What did Thompson say? “When the records raise questions – as these most certainly do – you have to come in and answer those questions. And when it was time for him to follow the law, come in, and testify on those questions, he changed his mind and told us to pound sand. He didn’t even show up.”

What else happened? The select committee’s vice chair, Liz Cheney read out texts Meadows received as the 6 January riot unfolded, including from Trump’s eldest son, Don Jr, who implored him “we need an Oval Office address” to stop the Capitol attack.