5 things to know for April 15: Israel, Trump trial, Tax Day, Severe storms, Boston Marathon

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A major Los Angeles highway will undergo weeks of closures to construct “the world’s largest wildlife crossing.” Officials said traffic detours will begin today while crews work to create an overpass for mountain lions, coyotes, deer, snakes, and even ants. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. Iran unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones on Israel over the weekend that escalated regional tensions stoked by the war in Gaza. Israel’s war cabinet is determined to respond — but has yet to decide on the timing and scope. More than 99% of the 300 projectiles were intercepted by Israel and its partners, according to Israeli forces. President Joe Biden and members of his national security team told their counterparts the US would not participate in any offensive action against Iran. Meanwhile, reactions to Iran’s strikes have poured in from world leaders, some openly condemning Tehran, others calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and almost all urging restraint during a moment of huge tension in the Middle East. Former President Donald Trump will make history today when he arrives at a New York City courthouse as the first ex-president to go on trial for criminal charges. Despite a blitz of last-minute attempts to derail the trial, jury selection is expected to get underway and will continue for at least a week until a panel of 12 New Yorkers and alternates are seated. The historic trial centers around a potential sex scandal cover-up that took place just days before the 2016 presidential election. Trump, who has denied having an affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels, is expected to be in court four days a week for the next two months. Depending on the jury’s verdict, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee in the 2024 election could be a convicted felon. Today is Tax Day — the day the IRS expects you to file your 2023 return and pay whatever you owe. If you can’t file your return by today, you should apply for an automatic six-month extension. Some people, however, get an extra day or two to file if they live in Maine, Massachusetts or Washington, DC, due to observed holidays. Most filers have until 11:59 pm today before being possibly penalized for failing to do so. Specifically, the penalty will be 5% of your unpaid taxes for each month — or part of a month — that your return is late. The IRS notes, however, that this penalty will not exceed 25% of your unpaid taxes. If you are owed a refund (like the majority of tax filers), the IRS typically issues them within 21 days of accepting your return. More than 40 million people across parts of the Central and Eastern US are at risk of severe storms today. The largest at-risk area stretches from central Texas to southern South Dakota, including Oklahoma City and Kansas City. Some of the most severe thunderstorms are forecast across central Kansas to South Dakota, where damaging winds are likely. Even before the storms begin, winds will be gusting up to 55 mph from western Nebraska through the panhandle of Texas. The winds, combined with dry air and hot temperatures, will create critical fire weather in the region. Further east, the remnants of a separate weekend storm could pelt parts of North Carolina and Virginia with large hail and powerful winds.