10 things you need to know today: December 27, 2015

Dallas rocked by tornadoes, Rubio snags endorsement from Benghazi chair, and more

A man runs through downtown Dallas, which was under a tornado warning Saturday
(Image credit: LM Otero/Associated Press)

1. At least 11 dead as tornadoes strike Dallas

At least 11 people died as tornadoes struck the Dallas area Saturday night. Five of the deaths occurred when one tornado pushed cars off of an overpass into the interstate traffic below, officials said. About 50,000 people were without power after as many 11 tornadoes swept the region. In all, more than 20 people have died this week as storms ravaged the South.

2. Benghazi chair endorses Marco Rubio for president

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), who chairs the Select Committee on Benghazi, endorsed Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in the 2016 presidential race Saturday. "Marco is a rock solid conservative and a strong leader we can trust," Gowdy said. The legislator is set to appear at six of Rubio's seven Iowa campaign stops next week.

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The Washington Post Townhall

3. ISIS releases message purportedly from reclusive leader

The Islamic State released a 24-minute audio message Saturday purporting to be from Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the terrorist group's reclusive leader. "Be confident that God will grant victory to those who worship him, and hear the good news that our state is doing well," al-Baghdadi purportedly said. "The more intense the war against it, the purer it becomes and the tougher it gets." In the message, apparently the leader's first since May, he also threatened Israel.

Reuters The Associated Press

4. Chicago police fatally shoot 2 in responding to domestic disturbance

A Chicago police officer fatally shot two people early Saturday after responding to a domestic disturbance call. The father of Quintonio LeGrier, a 19-year-old engineering student, reportedly called the police because his son seemed agitated and was carrying a metal baseball bat. LeGrier was reportedly shot seven times. Bettie Jones, who opened the door for police, was "accidentally struck," police said. The officer has been placed on 30-day administrative leave and the incident is under investigation.

Chicago Tribune CNN

5. Donald Trump slams Bill Clinton as sexist amid clash with Hillary

In an ongoing feud with Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump bashed her husband as sexist Saturday, alluding to the Lewinsky scandal. "Hillary Clinton has announced that she is letting her husband out to campaign but HE'S DEMONSTRATED A PENCHANT FOR SEXISM, so inappropriate!" he tweeted Saturday. The phrase "penchant for sexism" is how Hillary Clinton described Trump in a recent interview, stemming from Trump's comment that she was "schlonged" by Barack Obama in 2008.

CNN

6. European capitals reportedly warned of possible terror attack

European capitals have received a "friendly" warning of a possible terror attack before New Year's, Vienna police said Saturday. The warning, which indicated a shooting or bombing attack, specified the names of potential attackers, but no potential targets. A Vienna police spokesman declined to name the other cities warned. Authorities in Vienna do not plan to cancel any events, but said they'll increase surveillance in crowded places.

Reuters The Guardian

7. Firefighters work to contain California blaze

About 600 firefighters in Southern California had a 1,238-acre wildfire 60 percent contained by Saturday night. No homes were burned in the blaze, which began Friday night northwest of Ventura, fire officials said. By nightfall, an evacuation order for 50 homes was lifted and the Pacific Coast Highway was reopened in the area.

ABC News

8. Peyton Manning denies performance-enhancing drug allegations

Peyton Manning and his wife received shipments of human growth hormone, a performance-enhancing drug banned by the NFL, a former pharmacist at an Indianapolis clinic told an undercover athlete working with Al Jazeera on a documentary released Saturday. The Denver Broncos quarterback denied the accusation. "The allegation that I would do something like that is complete garbage and is totally made up," Manning said in a Twitter statement. Manning is one of many high-profile athletes the documentary mentions.

Al Jazeera The Huffington Post

9. Disneyland to close attractions in preparation for new Star Wars area

On Jan. 10, Disneyland is set to close 10 attractions and eateries to make way for the California park's biggest expansion yet: a new 14-acre Star Wars land. Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland, Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue, Big Thunder Ranch petting zoo, and Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree will close permanently, with other attractions nearby only temporarily shutting down. Ahead of the closings, Disneyland upped annual pass admission fees by up to 31 percent.

Los Angeles Times

10. Duke pulls out 44-41 Pinstripe Bowl victory over Indiana

The Duke Blue Devils notched their first postseason win since 1961 by topping the Indiana Hoosiers 44-41 in overtime at Saturday's Pinstripe Bowl. Duke quarterback Thomas Sirk tied the game with 41 seconds left in regulation on a 5-yard touchdown run. The Hoosiers' Griffin Oakes didn't fare so well, missing a 55-yard field goal that would've won it for the Hoosiers in regulation as well as a close 38-yard attempt in overtime that wasn't reviewable.

ESPN

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Julie Kliegman

Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.