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US News
Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
Five unions of the Long Island Railroad workers started a strike on May 16, stopping the busiest commuter rail service in the US. Talks to end the strike continued into Sunday night, with government officials and union leaders trying to reach an agreement before the new workweek.
Key Facts
The Long Island Railroad has been shut down since May 16 due to a strike by five unions.
The strike is over workers seeking higher wages from the Metropolitan Transport Authority.
Negotiations have been happening for years without success.
President Donald Trump's administration tried to help negotiate in September but was unsuccessful.
May 16 was the first day the workers could legally strike.
If the strike continues, the US Congress might step in to reopen the railroad.
The strike affects thousands of daily commuters in New York.
Talks between union leaders and New York government officials were ongoing on Sunday night.
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There are rising tensions in America connected to class differences, with recent events in Los Angeles showing visible signs of anger and frustration. This situation reflects ongoing social struggles related to economic inequality.
Key Facts
Recent arson incidents in Los Angeles highlight strong feelings about class issues.
Class resentment refers to anger between different economic groups in society.
Such tensions have historical roots and have appeared in various forms over time.
Economic inequality remains a significant problem in the United States.
Social conflicts over wealth distribution can lead to protests or unrest.
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The South Carolina Supreme Court has overturned Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions. His lawyers plan to hold a press conference to explain new updates, and prosecutors say they might ask for the death penalty in a new trial.
Key Facts
Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions were overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court.
A press conference by Murdaugh’s lawyers is scheduled to share new information about the case.
Prosecutors may pursue the death penalty if the case goes to retrial.
The case is ongoing and will have a new trial after the court’s decision.
Alex Murdaugh was previously convicted of murder before the overturn.
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President Donald Trump is increasing pressure on Iran by renewing threats to push for a deal with the United States. At the same time, a new poll shows many Americans are worried about the economy and the possible costs of tensions or conflict with Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump has renewed threats against Iran to encourage agreement with the U.S.
There is ongoing tension between the U.S. and Iran regarding negotiations.
A recent poll shows most Americans feel frustrated about the economy.
The poll also reflects concerns about the potential impact of conflict with Iran.
Experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies provided analysis of the situation.
The report appeared on CBS News with coverage by Olivia Rinaldi and Anthony Salvanto.
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South Carolina lawmakers are beginning discussions on redrawing the state’s congressional districts, with a focus on creating a map that could allow Republicans to win all seven U.S. House seats. This effort follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that weakens certain protections for minority voting districts.
Key Facts
South Carolina is considering redrawing its U.S. House districts soon.
The goal is to create a map favoring Republicans to win every House seat in the state.
A recent Supreme Court decision reduced protections for minority-focused voting districts under the Voting Rights Act.
This change allows Republicans to redraw districts that have large Black populations, which usually elect Democrats.
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the only Democrat in South Carolina’s delegation, says he will run regardless of how his district is redrawn.
The state’s primary election is June 9, with early voting starting May 26.
Proposed legislation in South Carolina could move the U.S. House primary elections to August.
Republican Governor Henry McMaster supports redistricting to increase Republican seats and prevent Democrats from controlling the House.
Some Republicans worry that trying to win every seat might spread their voters too thin, making some districts vulnerable.
Republicans are pushing similar redistricting efforts in several other states to gain more House seats nationwide.
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Four people were hurt during about twelve random shootings in Austin, Texas, over the weekend. Police say the violence began after a car was stolen. Three suspects, including two teenagers, are in custody.
Key Facts
The shootings happened across Austin, Texas, over the weekend.
About twelve shootings were reported, and four people were injured.
The incidents reportedly started after a car theft.
Police have arrested three suspects connected to the shootings.
Two of the suspects are teenagers.
The shootings appeared to be random, without a clear target.
Authorities continue to investigate the events.
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A CBS News poll shows most Americans are unhappy with how President Donald Trump is handling the economy. Many people believe his policies are making economic problems worse, and most say their incomes are not keeping up with rising prices.
Key Facts
About 70% of Americans are frustrated with President Trump's economic approach.
Two-thirds of people think his policies are making the economy worse.
77% say their incomes are not growing fast enough to keep up with inflation.
The poll reflects public opinion on economic issues under President Trump's administration.
The findings were reported by CBS News.
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Democrats have a better chance than before to win control of the U.S. Senate. The political situation is becoming tougher for Republicans, making Senate races more competitive.
Key Facts
The Senate is the upper chamber of the U.S. Congress.
Democrats aim to win more Senate seats to gain control.
Political conditions are turning unfavorable for Republicans.
This shift increases the possibility for Democrats to win.
The change reflects growing competition in upcoming elections.
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Four crew members safely escaped after two Navy aircraft collided in the air at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. The crash happened during an air show celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday.
Key Facts
The incident involved two EA-18G Growler aircraft.
Both planes were part of the Electronic Attack Squadron 129 based in Whidbey Island, Washington.
The collision occurred at the Gunfighter Skies air show.
All four crew members ejected safely.
The air show was held at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.
The event celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States.
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The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is having its first strike in many years, affecting thousands of workers and many daily passengers. The strike is about disagreements over workers’ pay and health benefits.
Key Facts
The Long Island Rail Road provides service to hundreds of thousands of riders every weekday.
Workers at the LIRR have gone on strike for the first time in decades.
The main issues causing the strike are wages (pay) and health benefits for the workers.
The strike is disrupting travel for many people who use the train daily.
Negotiations between the workers and the company or government agents are ongoing.
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Evangelical preacher Franklin Graham spoke at the Rededicate 250 prayer event in Washington, D.C., where he criticized same-sex marriage and transgender issues. The event also featured video messages from President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Key Facts
Franklin Graham warned that America has become "morally rotten" because of issues like transgenderism and same-sex marriage.
He mentioned concerns about men entering women’s locker rooms.
Graham said the spiritual state of the country in 2026 differs greatly from the time of the Founding Fathers in 1776.
The Rededicate 250 event was a day-long prayer rally held at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The event included video addresses from President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The prayer rally was held ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence on July 4.
The story is still developing and additional details may be provided later.
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Geoff Duncan, a former Republican lieutenant governor of Georgia, is now running as a Democrat for Georgia governor. He left the Republican Party over disagreements with President Trump and is urging conservatives to rethink their political future beyond Trump’s influence.
Key Facts
Geoff Duncan was the Republican lieutenant governor of Georgia before running as a Democrat for governor.
He is running against former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the Democratic primary.
Republicans are still favored to win the Georgia governor’s race, with multiple notable candidates competing.
Duncan publicly disagreed with President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.
After opposing Trump, Duncan and his family faced harassment and threats from Trump supporters.
Duncan wrote a book in 2021 about redefining conservative politics after the 2020 election.
He testified in the Georgia racketeering case related to Trump and supported Democratic candidates like Kamala Harris.
Duncan believes the Republican Party has changed too much under Trump and sees it as no longer viable in its current form.
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Home care workers in New York are planning a new hunger strike because the city council has not yet voted on a bill to end mandatory 24-hour shifts, where workers are paid for only 13 hours. The workers say these long shifts hurt their health and pay, and the bill would limit work hours and increase penalties for agencies that force 24-hour shifts.
Key Facts
In a recent hunger strike, 15 home health workers camped outside New York City Hall for six days to demand a vote on the No More 24 Act.
The No More 24 Act would break 24-hour shifts into two 12-hour shifts and limit workers to 56 hours a week.
Current law allows agencies to pay home care aides for only 13 hours during a 24-hour shift by counting 11 hours as sleep and meal time.
Many home care workers are immigrants and women of color who depend on the job for income and health insurance.
Home care is a $13 billion industry in New York and one of the fastest-growing jobs in the U.S., expected to add 70,000 jobs by 2033.
Home care workers provide essential services to patients who need constant care, such as people with advanced dementia and severe disabilities.
The median annual wage for home health aides nationwide is about $34,900.
Workers and advocates have used hunger strikes and lawsuits since 2015 to fight for better wages and working conditions.
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Experts warn that cuts to weather and climate data programs under President Trump's administration could reduce the accuracy of US weather forecasts. Although NOAA has introduced new AI-based forecasting models, these need extensive data to work well, but data collection efforts and climate research have been reduced.
Key Facts
President Trump's administration proposed a 40% cut to NOAA’s overall budget, despite a modest increase for the National Weather Service.
NOAA launched AI-powered global weather forecast models trained with centuries of weather data to improve forecast accuracy.
Experts say that cutting data collection programs harms the ability of AI models to predict weather accurately.
Staff cuts have reduced NOAA’s ability to operate satellites, weather balloons, ocean buoys, and land sensors.
Traditional physics-based models simulate weather using mathematical equations, while AI models identify patterns from past data.
AI models have difficulty predicting extreme weather events because they rely on historical data, which may not reflect new climate patterns.
Research and funding for climate science and data analysis have been reduced under the current administration.
The US is preparing for a potentially active hurricane season and record-breaking heat due to a "super El Niño."
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President Donald Trump said that Representative Thomas Massie from Kentucky should be removed from his job. Trump criticized Massie and urged voters to vote him out of office.
Key Facts
President Trump made the statement late on a Sunday.
He called Rep. Thomas Massie a “Third Rate Congressman” and a “Weak and Pathetic RINO” (which means Republican In Name Only).
Trump said Massie is from Kentucky, where Trump has had election wins six times.
Trump wants voters to remove Massie from office.
Thomas Massie is a Republican congressman representing Kentucky.
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A Guatemalan man named Freddy Cortez Lugos was held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) even after a judge ordered his immediate release. During this delay, he missed the birth of his first child, which occurred while he remained in detention.
Key Facts
Freddy Cortez Lugos was detained by ICE on April 14 during a routine check-in.
A federal judge ruled on May 1 that ICE violated legal protections by re-detaining him without proper notice or a hearing.
ICE was ordered to release him immediately, but he was only freed on May 4.
Cortez Lugos has lived in the U.S. under humanitarian parole since 2024 and had no criminal record.
His partner gave birth to their son, Izaan, on May 1 while he was still in custody.
The judge stated ICE must provide written notice and a hearing before re-detaining someone in similar situations.
The delay in his release caused emotional stress that contributed to labor complications for his partner.
The case raises questions about ICE’s compliance with court orders and respect for constitutional rights during immigration enforcement.
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Two Navy fighter jets crashed into each other during an air show at an Idaho Air Force base. All four crew members safely ejected, and the Navy is investigating the accident.
Key Facts
The crash happened midair during an air show at an Idaho Air Force base.
Both aircraft involved were Navy fighter jets.
All four crew members ejected safely before the collision.
The incident is currently under investigation by the Navy.
No injuries or fatalities have been reported.
The exact cause of the midair collision is not yet known.
The event occurred on May 18, 2026.
The air show was a public event with live streaming coverage.
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South Carolina lawmakers will start debating a new map for congressional districts, influenced by President Donald Trump’s push to redraw boundaries that may help Republicans win all House seats in the state. The effort follows a recent Supreme Court decision that reduced protections meant to keep minority voting districts, affecting areas held by Democrats like Representative Jim Clyburn.
Key Facts
South Carolina’s state House will begin detailed talks on new congressional district maps.
President Trump supports a map that could allow Republicans to win all House seats in the state.
A Supreme Court ruling weakened protections under the Voting Rights Act for minority districts.
The ruling permits redrawing districts that currently have large Black populations, which have elected Democrats.
Representative Jim Clyburn, the only Democrat from South Carolina’s seven House members, plans to run for re-election despite possible district changes.
South Carolina’s early voting for state primaries starts May 26, with primaries on June 9.
There is also pending legislation to move House primaries from June to August.
Related political events include Senator Bill Cassidy losing a primary in Louisiana and controversies over funding and projects linked to President Trump.
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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has declared a peacetime emergency due to multiple wildfires that started on Friday. The dry, hot, and windy weather has made the fires worse, and the National Guard has been activated to help.
Key Facts
Several wildfires began in Minnesota starting Friday.
The fires spread because of dry, hot, and windy weather.
Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency.
The National Guard has been called in to assist with the fires.
The emergency declaration allows for more resources to fight the fires.
The situation remains dangerous due to weather conditions.
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Mikala Sposito will be the first woman to represent the United States in a global welding competition. This highlights a growing effort to encourage more people, including women, to enter skilled trades like welding.
Key Facts
Mikala Sposito is a female welder from the United States.
She will compete in an international welding contest.
She will be the first woman from the U.S. to take part in this global event.
The event is part of a larger push to promote skilled trades jobs.
Welding is a skilled trade involving joining metal pieces together.
The news reflects efforts to increase diversity in trades industries.
The article was reported on May 18, 2026.
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