With Christmas just a week away, the families of 17 Christian missionaries who had been held hostage by a gang in Haiti will able to celebrate the holidays with their loved ones. This week, the remaining 12 missionaries were released, joining the five other missionaries who were set free back in November and earlier this month.

Unfortunately, the news this week wasn't all good, as a devastating string of tornadoes ripped through Kentucky and other midwest states, leaving dozens dead and others still unaccounted for. Christian organizations like CBN's Operation Blessing are on hand to help residents deal with their loss and the destruction left behind, and to pray for the victims and those left homeless ahead of the holidays. CBN News reporter Brody Carter covered both these stories this week, and he joins us on The Rundown with the latest on both.