In other news: Storms bring flooding and ‘thunder ice’ in several states; UK announces plans to demolish shell of Grenfell Tower

Published 12:01 am Saturday, February 8, 2025

Winter storms bring flooding and ‘thunder ice’ in several US states

Thunderstorms caused flash flooding in portions of West Virginia and spawned a tornado in Kentucky, while a wintry mix coated trees and roads and even dropped “thunder ice” in several states. The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado tore apart roofs and scattered debris in south-central Kentucky. A long line of thunderstorms kept West Virginia residents awake overnight with hours of thunder and heavy rains. Several mid-Atlantic states were coated in ice before warmer temperatures moved in. In portions of Indiana, southern Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, residents and storm spotters reported seeing “thunder ice” — freezing rain accompanied by flashes of lightning in the unstable air.

UK announces plans to demolish shell of Grenfell Tower almost eight years after fire that killed 72

The U.K. government has announced plans to dismantle the remains of London’s Grenfell Tower. The announcement on Friday came almost eight years after the deadliest fire in Britain since World War II swept through the high-rise apartment building that killed 72 people. Some of those who lost loved ones in the fire that broke out in the early morning hours of June 14, 2017 have criticized the decision because they wanted to preserve the building’s charred skeleton as a monument to those who died. But the government said that redeveloping the site would help the community heal by removing the remains of the 24-story building.

‘SNL50’ anniversary special will feature Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Dave Chappelle and more

The “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary special will include guest appearances by Tom Hanks, Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, John Mulaney, Dave Chappelle and numerous other stars who’ve been associated with the show over the years. Scarlett Johansson, who is married to Weekend Update co-host Colin Jost, will appear on the “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” that will air Feb. 16. It’s a three-hour live telecast honoring “SNL’s” 50th anniversary. Other guests announced by NBC on Thursday include Adam Driver, Ayo Edebiri, Paul McCartney, Robert De Niro, Martin Short and Kim Kardashian. The special will air two days after a concert, “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert,” livestreams on Peacock.