Nation in brief: Red Cross names McGovern new CEO

The American Red Cross on Tuesday named Gail McGovern, a business executive and nonprofits fundraiser, as its president and chief executive officer.

McGovern takes the helm of the nation’s leading disaster relief charity, which after years of rapid turnover in leadership faces a $200 million operating deficit and severe job cuts at its Washington headquarters.

After holding top management positions at AT&T Corp. and Fidelity Investments, McGovern could help the Red Cross boost its fundraising, which has been lagging.

Volcano, Hawaii

Fumes force park’s evacuation

Elevated sulfur dioxide levels from Kilauea volcano and a change in wind direction Tuesday forced 2,000 people to leave Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island.

The park was closed, and those at campgrounds and the Kilauea Military Camp, as well as the guests and staff at the 42-room Volcano House hotel, were told to leave.

The Hawaii County Civil Defense also recommended evacuations of five communities outside the park.

York, Pa.

Police say man beat 2-year-old to death

A 2-year-old girl died after being beaten with a video game controller by her mother’s boyfriend, police said Tuesday.

Darisabel Baez’s mother overheard the beating Sunday but did nothing until she realized the girl was unconscious, police said. The girl was pronounced dead Monday at Hershey Medical Center.

Homicide was added to the charges against Harve Johnson on Tuesday; he was already facing aggravated assault and reckless endangerment charges. Neida Baez, the girl’s mother, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child.