TY ONEIL

Video journalist

ONeil is a video journalist at The Associated Press and is based in Las Vegas.

Danny Westergaard, left, cools of with water with pacing help from daughter Madison Westergaard as the sun rises during the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Death Valley National Park, Calif. (AP Photo/John Locher)

The grueling 135-mile journey of a 66-year-old runner through one of the hottest places on Earth

For 37 years in a searing California desert, runners from across the globe have embarked on a 135-mile race through one of the hottest places on Earth.

Students learn how to document wildland fire origin scenes on Monday, March 17, 2025, in Prescott, Ariz. (AP Photo/ Ty O'Neil)

On the heels of a dry winter, firefighters around the US brace for wildfire risks

From the southwestern U.S. to Minnesota, Iowa and even parts of New Jersey, it was a dismal winter. Many communities marked record dryness between December and the end of February.

Acting United States Attorney for the District of Nevada Sue Fahami speaks about an alleged romance scheme that turned deadly during a news conference in Las Vegas, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Woman accused of drugging and robbing older men in a deadly romance scheme

The FBI in Las Vegas says a woman lured at least four older men on online dating apps to meet in person, drugged them with sedatives and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in a “sinister” romance scheme.

Duane "Keffe D" Davis, left, appears in District Court for his involvement in the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, Pool)

Nevada judge reschedules trial for the suspect in Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing for next year

The trial of the only suspect ever charged in the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur has been postponed.

Red Star hens, a hybrid breed that lays large brown eggs, walk around outside their coop at Historic Wagner Farm, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in Glenview, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Can suspending a cage-free egg law solve the soaring price problem? Nevada takes a crack at it

Record high egg prices prompted Nevada lawmakers to unanimously back suspending their cage-free egg law, but the six other states with similar laws in effect have shown no sign of dropping them even if it might help lower grocery bills.

A Mexican long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) feeds on agave nectar in Nuevo León, Mexico, in July 2022. (Chris Galloway/Horizonline Pictures/Bat Conservation International via AP)

Arizona has added an endangered bat to the list of night-flying creatures that frequent the state

Arizona has added a new species of bat to the list of night-flying creatures that frequent the state.

This image provided by Alcides Antunes shows a Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside President-elect Donald Trump's Las Vegas hotel early Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (Alcides Antunes via AP)

Soldier shot self in head before Cybertruck exploded outside Trump’s Las Vegas hotel, officials say

Authorities say the highly decorated soldier inside a Tesla Cybertruck packed with fireworks that exploded outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas shot himself in the head just before detonation.

Police block the area after a vehicle caught fire and exploded outside the lobby of President-elect Donald Trump's hotel Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Firework mortars, gas cannisters stuffed inside Tesla that exploded outside Trump’s Las Vegas hotel

A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside President-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel early Wednesday, killing a suspect inside the vehicle and sparking an intense investigation into possible terrorism.

A member of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office goes out to help residents trapped in their homes as waters rise after Hurricane Milton caused the Anclote River to flood, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in New Port Richey, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

Floridians cleaning up from Hurricane Milton are hampered by a widespread fuel shortage

Many Floridians spent much of Saturday either waiting hours in line for gas, trying to get home or beginning the arduous work of cleaning up after Hurricane Milton. Gov.

Only handrails are visible after a beachfront swimming pool was inundated with sand displaced by Hurricane Milton, at Sea Villas condominiums in Venice, Fla., Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Residents slog through flooded streets, clear debris after Hurricane Milton tore through Florida

Florida residents are repairing the damage caused by Hurricane Milton and cleaning up debris. The storm smashed through coastal communities, tore homes to pieces, flooded streets and spawned a barrage of deadly tornadoes.

Matt Ramos, center, and his girlfriend Alana Mariah of Albuquerque broadcast a live video stream while wearing costumes during the mass ascension at the 52nd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

‘Magical’ flotilla of hot air balloons take flight at international fiesta amid warm temperatures

A flotilla of hot air balloons ascended into a clear desert sky on Saturday to kick off a colorful mass ascension at the 52nd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

A sign denoting park lodge closures hangs on the door as a guest exits the Bright Angel Lodge, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Grand Canyon, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Grand Canyon visitors move to hotels outside the park after unprecedented breaks in water pipeline

Tourists with plans to stay at Grand Canyon National Park over Labor Day weekend were forced to move Thursday to accommodations outside the park.

A helicopter looks to make a drop of water as the Quarry wildfire burns in the foothills near the Ken Caryl Ranch development Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, southwest of Litteton, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Heat, erratic winds and possible lightning could complicate the battle against California wildfire

Firefighters battling California’s largest wildfire of the year are preparing for treacherous conditions entering the weekend.

Brenda Stows-Johnson, from Chico Calif., pets a cow who was evacuated from the Park Fire, in Oroville, Calif., Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty O'Neil)

Behind the lines of red-hot wildfires, volunteers save animals with a warm heart and a cool head

COHASSET, Calif. (AP) — While firefighters continued to battle California’s biggest wildfire of the year, Norm Rosene was spending 18-hour days behind fire lines with a different task –- saving the animals.

A firefighter walks by the remains of a home that was destroyed in the Park Fire near Forest Ranch, Calif., Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

Firefighters make progress against massive blaze in California ahead of warming weather

Fire crews are working to hold on to the progress made against the largest blaze in California this year ahead of warming temperatures forecast for later this week.

A runner and their pacer run as the sun rises behind them on California Route 190 during the Badwater 135 mile (217 kilometer) ultramarathon in Death Valley, Calif., Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

First runners reach the finish in the annual Death Valley ultramarathon called the world’s toughest

The first of 97 runners are starting to hit the finish line after pushing off in desolate Death Valley for an annual ultramarathon billed as the world’s toughest foot race.

Members of the Henderson Fire Department prepare to take Deb Billet, 66, to the hospital for heat-related symptoms, Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in Henderson, Nev. Billet has been living on the street. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Las Vegas hits record of fifth consecutive day of 115 degrees or greater as heat wave scorches US

A prolonged heat wave has baked Las Vegas in its record fifth consecutive day of temperatures sizzling at 115 degrees or greater.

Thor Teigen poses in a fur jacket next to a thermometer displaying a temperature of 131 degrees Fahrenheit / 55 degrees Celsius at the Furnace Creek Visitors Center, in Death Valley National Park, Calif., Sunday, July 7, 2024. Forecasters said a heat wave could break previous records across the U.S., including at Death Valley. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Tourists flock to Death Valley even as a searing US heat wave is being blamed for several deaths

Hundreds of Europeans touring the American West and adventurers from around the U.S. are still being drawn to Death Valley National Park.

A long exposure image of the thermostat at the Furnace Creek Visitors Center taken just after 10:00 p.m., in Death Valley National Park, Calif., Sunday, July 7, 2024. Forecasters say a heat wave could break previous records across the U.S., including in Death Valley. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Tourists still flock to Death Valley amid searing US heat wave blamed for several deaths

Hundreds of Europeans touring the American West and adventurers from around the U.S. are still being drawn to Death Valley National Park, even though the desolate region known as one of the Earth’s hottest places is being punished by a dangerous heat wave blamed for a motorcyclist’s death over the w

Aravaipa Hotshot Katie Williamson, left, instructs a Wildfire academy student using a chainsaw, Monday, March 11, 2024, in Prescott, Ariz. Forecasters are warning that the potential for wildfires will be above normal in some areas across the United States over the coming months as temperatures rise and rain becomes sparse. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

US wildfires are getting bigger and more complex, prompting changes in firefighting workforce

Forecasters are warning that the potential for wildfires will be above normal in some areas across the United States over the coming months as temperatures rise and rain becomes sparse.

Brian Nelson, left, and Kathleen Nelson, right, both of Bishop, Calif., pull kayaks into water at Badwater Basin, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Death Valley National Park, Calif. The basin, normally a salt flat, has filled from rain over the past few months. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Kayakers paddle in Death Valley after rains replenish lake in one of Earth’s driest spots

Kayakers have been paddling in one of the driest places on Earth after a series of storms battered California’s Death Valley and replenished Lake Manly.

Women hug after digging through rubble of a home destroyed by a wildfire on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

New fire prompts evacuation as survivors of Maui’s wildfires return after death toll rises to 67

Police say a new fire burning on the Hawaii island of Maui on Friday night has triggered evacuations of a community to the northeast of the area that burned earlier this week.

Wildfire wreckage is left behind following a stubborn blaze on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

‘Ash and debris': Journalist covering Maui fires surveys destruction of once-vibrant Hawaii town

A Las Vegas-based video journalist for The Associated Press dispatched to cover devastating wind-fueled wildfires in Hawaii says the scene over Maui was one of the worst he’s seen in more than eight years of covering the disasters.

In this photo provided by Tiffany Kidder Winn, burned-out cars sit after a wildfire raged through Lahaina, Hawaii, on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. The scene at one of Maui's tourist hubs on Thursday looked like a wasteland, with homes and entire blocks reduced to ashes as firefighters as firefighters battled the deadliest blaze in the U.S. in recent years. (Tiffany Kidder Winn via AP)

53 people have died from the Maui wildfires, governor says, and historic Lahaina has burned down

Wildfires, whipped by strong winds from Hurricane Dora passing far to the south, took the island of Maui by surprise, leaving behind burned-out cars on once busy streets and smoking piles of rubble where historic buildings had stood.

Burned landscape with Joshua Trees damaged from the York Fire in the Mojave National Preserve on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Nipton, Calif. The York Fire was partially contained by Tuesday morning after the blaze ignited Friday in a California wildland preserve and spread into Nevada. (AP Photo/Ty O'Neil)

Progress made against massive California-Nevada wildfire but flames threaten iconic Joshua trees

Firefighters aided by rain have made progress fighting a massive blaze that swept through the California desert into Nevada and is threatening the region’s famous spiky Joshua trees.

A Joshua Tree burns during the York Fire on Sunday, July 30, 2023, in the Mojave National Preserve, Calif. Crews battled “fire whirls” in California’s Mojave National Preserve this weekend as a massive wildfire crossed into Nevada amid dangerously high temperatures and raging winds. (AP Photo/Ty O'Neil)

Crews balance firefighting and protecting a fragile ecosystem in containing California-Nevada blaze

Firefighters battling a massive blaze in California’s Mojave National Preserve on Tuesday are facing the difficult task of stopping the fire without using heavy equipment that could damage the region’s famous Joshua trees and other sensitive plants.

People run to get sunset photos at Zabriskie Point on Saturday, July 8, 2023, in Death Valley National Park, Calif. July is the hottest month at the park with an average high of 116 degrees (46.5 Celsius). (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Death Valley visitors drawn to the hottest spot on Earth during ongoing US heat wave

Most visitors to Death Valley National Park only make it a short distance to any site at the hottest and driest place on Earth before returning to the sanctuary of an air-conditioned vehicle.

Performers celebrate at the finish of the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Long heritage of Native Hawaiian gender-fluidity showcased in Las Vegas drag show

The concept of gender-fluidity has existed in Hawaii for hundreds of years and is the hallmark of a culture that allows space between the concepts of male and female.