A powerful storm and likely a tornado hit the New Orleans area early on Tuesday, killing an elderly woman, injuring at least 15 other people and damaging dozens of business and homes in a region still trying to recover from Hurricane Katrina. Trailers provided by the government’s emergency agency were tossed around and homes collapsed.

Tropical Storm Cindy began moving ashore on Wednesday, pelting the Louisiana coast with rain and intermittent squalls. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Dennis is brewing in the Caribbean but will likely arrive in the Gulf of Mexico by the weekend.
July 5 is the earliest date on record for four named storms.

Louisiana voters overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages and civil unions, one of up to 12 such measures on the ballot around the country this year. Only in New Orleans, home to a politically strong gay community, was the race relatively close.