Two children were taken to a hospital and several others injured when a tree branch fell on an inflatable bounce house at a party in Garland, Texas.

Paramedics were called just after 10 p.m. Saturday to a home in the 500 block of Alto Drive in Garland, where several kids were attending a birthday party, Garland fire spokeswoman Merill Balanciere said in a statement.

The children were in, or near, a bounce house when a tree branch fell on the inflatable house. Several kids were treated at the scene and two taken to Baylor Garland hospital.

All injuries were minor, Balanciere said.

The Boy Scouts of America could lift its longstanding ban on allowing gay adult leaders in the organization, NBC News reported.

The resolution was approved earlier this month by the Boy Scouts' national executive committee after former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the organization's president, called on the Boy Scouts last month to "reflect" on the group's "adult leadership standards."

The change comes as the Boy Scouts' membership policy has come under increasing scrutiny and after a historic ballot in 2013, when the organization's 1,400-member council voted to allow gay youth to be members, but not adults.

One of the people shot in last week's rampage at a Lafayette, Louisiana, movie theater is a cousin of Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Louisiana, Boustany told NBC News on Sunday night.

Two people were killed and nine others were wounded Thursday night when the gunman, identified as John Houser, used a legally purchased handgun to fire more than a dozen shots in the audience of a screening at the Grand Theatre 16 before killing himself, officials said.

"I didn't know either of the victims who were killed," Boustany said Sunday night, but "I have a cousin who was in the theater with her husband."

Storms are rolling through the New Haven metro area Monday morning and there could be more statewide later in the day.

Most of the state will enjoy a dry morning commute, but scattered showers and embedded thunder and lightning storms are possible this morning on the shoreline. Later in the day the rest of the state could see scattered showers and storms.

Meteorologist Darren Sweeney is tracking some rain along the Interstate 95 corridor. It's raining hard in New Haven, Branford and Guilford. Lightning flashed in Milford, New Haven and Guilford this morning. Storm cells have been losing intensity as they roll north and east, with the chance of lightning lessening. 

The heaviest rain this morning is along Route 12 and I-395 in Moosup and Sterling, just crawling out of Plainfield. That area is also seeing lightning.

Temperatures will be in the 70s to 80s today. It's expected to be very humid.

Most of Tuesday and Wednesday will be dry. Tuesday to Thursday could bring a possible heat wave with temperatures possibly reaching 93 Thursday. High humidity is expected this week.

Sun is in the forecast for Friday to Sunday, with temperatures in the high 80s.

Witnesses recalled intense heat and blinding columns of dark smoke above the Las Vegas strip when a fire broke out on the pool deck of the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino on Saturday afternoon.

Matthew Mills shot cellphone video from his room at the Cosmopolitan. He told NBC Los Angeles he was sleeping when he woke up to people screaming and the fire crackling right outside his pool-view windows.

"As soon as the fire started to erupt, the room-- it must have jumped up 20, 30 degrees in an instant," Mills said. "It was a big mess. The evacuation wasn't clean, that was for sure. People were just running everywhere."

Two people were treated for smoke inhalation and one of them was hospitalized.

Other cellphone video shows the fire burning trees and cabanas on the 14th floor pool deck, sending thick smoke across the strip.

At Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Southern Californians returning from Las Vegas described the smoke they saw from all directions.

"We were on our way and there was like a traffic jam, and you could just see this huge smoke. You couldn't even see the fire, it was just blinding," said Abbey Scott, who was visiting Las Vegas.

The fire torched trees and cabanas at the Bamboo Pool on the west side of the hotel, but made little impact inside the building, according to the Clark County Fire Department, NBC News reported.

"You would assume a whole high rise was going just from the smoke effect," said another man at Burbank airport.

The fire was extinguished about 45 minutes after it was reported. The cause remained under investigation.

Hartford police are investigating the city's 19th homicide of the year after a 47-year-old man was found shot dead in a minivan in a narcotic-related incident. 

The man, identified as Everett Scott of Hartford, was shot in the chest in broad daylight around 2 p.m. Sunday in the area of Kenyon Court, Hartford Deputy Chief Brian Foley tweeted. A block of Albany Avenue is closed in Hartford as police investigate, but it has since reopened. 

“Patrol officers are there right now. They’re canvassing for witnesses, suspects, anyone that could help us out with the investigation," Hartford police Sgt. Paul Cicero said.

The victim was transported to St. Francis Hospital where he died of his injuries.

"“It’s heartbreaking. It’s definitely sad," Eliezer Mercado, of the My Brother's Keeper initiative, said.

Police said it's too early to know what led to the shooting, but they said drugs were found in the area.

This deadly period of violence in Hartford is frustrating to neighbors and those people who are working to make this community safer.

“To know we’re trying to do our best and these crimes continue to happen it’s definitely heart-breaking," Mercado said. "And I hope that people would stop the violence, put the weapons down.”

Major crimes detectives and special task force officers responded, as well as narcotics investigators. Hartford police had cleared the scene as of 6 p.m.

Police are looking for the shooter and no suspects have been identified at this time.

The homicide remains under investigation. Police ask anyone with information to call the department.

Scattered thunderstorms and showers forecasted into the evening Sunday will be followed by a spike in temperature and a possible heat wave this week.

Showers and thunderstorms are possible up to about 11 p.m. Any storms aren't expected to be severe, but they could pack a punch with heavy rain and lightning.

There are better storm chances in the northern part of the state with chances of isolated showers overnight into Monday and possibly early Tuesday morning. Most of Tuesday and Wednesday will be dry. Tuesday to Thursday could bring a possible heat wave with temperatures possibly reaching 95. High humidity is expected this week.

West Hartford police have arrested two brothers, another man and a minor accused of spending counterfeit cash at local businesses so they could pocket the legitimate cash they received in return.

Police were tipped off to the crime spree when staff from La Petite Bakery called them on Sunday to report that a customer had come in and passed off a fake $100 bill.

That was just the beginning.

Within 20 minutes, police received similar reports from Ben & Jerry’s and Bruegger’s Bagels.

Police said employees at all three stores gave similar descriptions of the counterfeiters and one managed to snap a photo of the getaway car before it left the scene.

Officers soon found a vehicle matching the description and saw items inside that had been bought with the counterfeit cash, according to police.

In all, six businesses were hit. Police arrested the three adults and one minor who were inside the car, along with one other person.

Jason Hayle, 20, and Shawn Michael Hayle, 21, brothers from Hartford, and Andrew Darien  McLeod, 20, of Brooklyn, New York, were arrested.

Jason Hayle was charged with six counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit forgery and one count of fifth-degree conspiracy to commit larceny. His bond was set at $100,000.

Shawn Michael Hayle was charged with 10 counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit forgery, 10 counts of first-degree forgery, conspiracy to commit larceny in the fifth degree and one count of fifth-degree larceny. His bond was set at $200,000.

McLeod was charged with six counts of conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree, six counts of first-degree forgery, conspiracy to commit larceny in the fifth degree, one count of fifth-degree larceny and one count of interfering with an officer. His bond was set at $250,000.

McLeod was also charged as a fugitive from justice based on an out of state warrant.

All the suspects are due in court on Aug. 17. It's not clear if they have attorneys.

Hartford police arrested an 17-year-old Hartford driver and his 15-year-old East Hartford passenger on Friday after finding a weapon in their vehicle.

The driver arrested was Keemo White, 18, of Hartford, and the name of the passenger was not released because he is under 17.

Police observed a car committing multiple traffic violations at 1:17 p.m. near Baltimore Street and Albany Avenue on Friday and stopped it. A juvenile passenger in the car was acting strange and showing physical  behaviors consistent of someone hiding a weapon, police said.

Police got the driver and passenger out of the car, handcuffed them and checked them for weapons. Police found a loaded Ruger LCP .280 gun on the 15-year-old. Police arrested the teenager, bringing him to the Hartford Police Department Special Investigation Division to debrief him and notifying his parents.

White was charged with several traffic violations and taken to the Hartford Police Department for booking.

A man accused of murdering a 23-year-old Hartford resident in May was arrested Monday at a Southington motel.

Police arrested Jonathan M. Contrera, 22, of Hartford, in connection with the murder of Alexis Marrero, 23, of Hartford.

Marrero was shot and killed the night of May 26. Police were called to 618 Maple Avenue around 11:15 p.m. and found Marrero inside the Ciales Grocery store, police said. He had been shot several times in the torso and hand. 

He was rushed to Hartford Hospital, where he died on his injuries early the next morning.

Marrero was the victim of a fourth fatal shooting in a 10-day span. 

Hartford police, as well as the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and Hartford Police Shooting Task Force have been investigating and connected Contrera to several hotels in the area of Southington.

Authorities spotted his car Monday and set up surveillance on a room at the Southington Motel 6. Police said they took Contrera into custody at the door to the room. 

Contrera was charged with murder and carrying a pistol without a permit. It's not clear if he has an attorney.

Police are searching for the man who robbed a bank in Branford around noon Monday.

The robber entered the TD Bank at 1003 West Main Street just after noon and got away with an unknown amount of money. Police said he indicated he had a weapon but didn't display one.

The perpetrator left the bank on foot and was last seen running westbound through a line of tall shrubbery, according to police. State police and neighboring police departments brought in K-9s to help search for the robber.

Police said the man is in his 30s or 40s and stands between 6 feet tall and 6-foot-2. He has very short hair and may be balding.

The robber was wearing a baseball cap with a green front and light-colored mesh in back, along with a gray short-sleeved shirt and blue cargo shorts with white socks and sneakers.

Police are still investigating and continue to search for the robber.

Authorities are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to call Branford police at 203-481-4241 or call the Branford Crime Tip Line at 203-315-3909.

A 19-year-old Naugatuck man is facing charges after posting an explicit photo of a victim on social media, according to police. 

Jesie Rojas was charged with breach of peace and second-degree harassment involving intimidation.

Police arrested Rojas after receiving a harassment complaint around 4 p.m. Friday. It's not clear which social media was involved in the incident.

Rojas is scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on Aug. 5. He was released after posting a $1,000 surety bond.

It's not clear if he has an attorney.

Some ramps of Interstate 95 will be shut down week nights into early mornings through Friday in New Haven as crews work on improvements to the I-95 corridor.

The Wooster Street, I-91 southbound and Route 34 eastbound off-ramps will be closed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday to Friday during the construction as part of the I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing Corridor Improvement program, according to the project website at www.i95newhaven.com.

Nighttime lane closures may take place on I-95, I-91 and Route 34 themselves.

Find out information on detours and project updates at www.i95newhaven.com.

The Transportation Security Administration is investigating how a man slipped past security and boarded a passenger plane without a ticket at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Sunday night.

Officials with the D/FW Airport Department of Public Safety said a 26-year-old man parked his car curbside at Terminal D and somehow slipped past security and into the terminal.

The man, who has not been identified, then boarded a flight, but was soon removed from the plane, arrested and charged with criminal trespassing after a gate agent called airport security.

How the man slipped past federal employees has not yet been disclosed by officials, however they did release the following statement Monday afternoon.

"TSA is reviewing the incident and is working closely with the airport, local law enforcement and stakeholders to ensure that all of our checkpoints at DFW reflect optimal security configurations. Immediately following this incident, TSA made adjustments to the DFW screening area and has added more barriers, and is working to identify other long-term solutions that may require physical adjustments to the area. As always, TSA continually evaluates checkpoint configurations and passenger flows at all our airports to ensure physical security."

When the man entered the terminal, investigators said he left his vehicle parked curbside at the terminal — sparking a security response.

While officials poured over the vehicle, airport visitors were redirected to Terminal D entrances at D16 and D40. The man's vehicle was later found to pose no threat and the the all-clear was given at about 9:30 p.m.

The flight the man wanted to take was delayed, but all other flights operated on a normal schedule, airport officials said.

NBC 5's Ken Kalthoff, Frank Heinz, Todd L. Davis and Brian Roth contributed to this report.

Kroger is recalling four spices over concerns about salmonella.

The spices being recalled are:

• Kroger Bac'n Buds: 12 oz containers UPC: 1111070025
• Kroger Coarse Ground Black Pepper: 17.1 oz containers UPC: 1111070041
• Kroger Ground Cinnamon: 18.3 oz containers UPC: 1111070034
• Kroger Garlic Powder: 24.7 oz containers UPC: 1111070039

Salmonella, accordign to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sickens 1 million every year in the United States. Of those 1 million, 19,000 require hospitalization and 380 are killed.

"Most persons infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.The illness usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment. However, in some, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized," the CDC reports.

The recall affects the following Kroger stores, as well as those in Texas.

Affects: Kroger Stores located in Georgia; South Carolina; Auburn, Alabama; Central and Northwest Ohio; Northwestern Virginia panhandle; Michigan; Indiana (except SE Indiana, -Evansville-); Illinois; Eastern Missouri; Greater Memphis area, Tennessee; Arkansas; Mississippi; Western Kentucky; Hopkinsville and Bowling Green, Kentucky; Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee; Huntsville, Alabama; North Carolina; Virginia; Eastern West Virginia; Eastern Kentucky; Southeastern Ohio; Texas and Louisiana; Jay C, Dillons, King Soopers, Fry's, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Food 4 Less, Smiths

Tom Brady is engaged in settlement talks with the NFL, a source familiar with the talks tells NBC News' Peter Alexander.

Last week, there were reports that the NFL Players' Union had pitched to Commissioner Roger Goodell a possible settlement between Brady and the League.

All of this is playing out as the NFL mulls Brady's four-game suspension, which the quarterback appealed. The NFL determined he was aware of team staffers deflating footballs in the AFC Championship game.

Goodell and Brady last met on June 23 during a suspension appeal hearing.

The Patriots paid a record $1 million fine and were stripped of two draft picks, including a No. 1 selection next year.

The Patriots did not challenge their punishments.

Diligent residents helped police catch a man suspected of stealing from sheds in Orange backyards.

Officers arrested Christopher Esteves, 27, of Ansonia, after two residents of Wheelers Farm Road noticed him scouting garden sheds on their properties in an apparent attempt to burglarize them, according to police.

Police said they found items in his truck that appear to have been stolen. Esteves is accused of successfully burglarizing at least one shed in Orange.

Authorities arrested Esteves Monday after a resident returned home for lunch and watched Esteves' truck pull into his driveway, according to police. The resident said he watched as Esteves rang the doorbell several times, then went around back and checked out the tractor in his shed.

Esteves left without taking anything, and the resident called the police, authorities said.

As officers and detectives headed to the neighborhood, they received a similar report from another resident of Wheelers Farm Road, then noticed Esteves drive by in the truck residents had described, according to police.

Police pulled him over and arrested him for burglary. Both residents were able to identify Esteves as the man they had seen, police said.

Authorities are asking residents to check their garages and sheds for missing items. Anyone with information should call Orange police at 203-891-2130.

A Milwaukee man will be released from prison soon after investigators discovered he was covering up for the real criminal: his son.

In 2013, Juan Silva Sr. was charged with killing a man in a fatal hit-and-run. He was serving a five year sentence to protect his 22-year-old son, Juan Silva Jr, NBC News reported. Investigators began looking into the mis-sentencing last month, after Silva's wife told a co-worker about the plan.

"You have basically a family that decided they were going to decide amongst themselves who should pay the price, instead of a judge or a jury or the system," Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Grant said.

The governing body of the Boy Scouts of America voted Monday to end its decades-long ban on gay scout leaders, NBC News reported.

The organization's national executive board, meeting in Texas, concluded that the policy of excluding gay adults "was no longer legally defensible." The decision was approved by 79 percent of the board.

"This change allows Scouting's members and parents to select local units, chartered by organizations with similar beliefs, that best meet the needs of their families," said a statement from the Scouts' leadership.

Avon officials have planned a service of remembrance in honor of four people who died in a crash at the bottom of Avon Mountain 10 years ago this week.

Maureen Edlund, Barbara Bongiovanni, Chip Stotler and Abdulraheem Naafi died the day of the crash July 29, 2005.

A fourth person, Torrington resident Frank Juan, was paralyzed and died three years later. His family says the crash precipitated his death.

Juan, a softball player and umpire in Waterbury, was driving a commuter bus when a flatbed dump truck driven by Naafi came smashing through the intersection.

The truck's brakes failed. Truck owner David Wilcox had canceled the vehicle's insurance.

Avon officials said the memory of the crash remains fresh in the minds of residents and first responders.

"Our folks from the fire department think about that a lot of time whenever they're going through the intersection," said the Avon fire marshal, Jamie DiPace, who served as fire chief 10 years ago. "We go through the intersection hundreds of times a year and it's always there."

Now, as the 10th anniversary of the crash approaches, Juan's children and relatives are heading back to Avon to pay their respect.

"I'm going to do it. Yes. It's important that I have to do it," said Michael Juan.

"I think it's going to be rough on Wednesday," said his sister, Mona. "It's going to be hard. I have a hard time going over the mountain just any other day, never mind going to [it] that day."

The parking lot of a nearby furniture store will be the scene of the memorial service Wednesday at 7:15 a.m., the time of the crash.