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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
The U.S. Supreme Court decided not to reinstate the congressional map drawn by Virginia Democrats. The court allowed a lower Virginia court’s ruling to stand, which found that Democrats did not follow the correct steps in making the map.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court rejected Virginia Democrats’ emergency request to restore their congressional map.
The court’s decision was unanimous, with no justices expressing disagreement.
A split decision from Virginia’s highest court ruled that Democrats did not follow proper procedures.
The map at issue was drawn during mid-decade redistricting.
The decision affects Virginia’s political district boundaries for Congress.
This ruling removes a key chance for Democrats to maintain their position in the state’s congressional districts.
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Louisiana held a simplified state primary election where voters decided if Senator Bill Cassidy would win a third term. Cassidy faces challenges from within his Republican Party, including John Fleming and Julia Letlow, who has President Donald Trump's endorsement.
Key Facts
Louisiana held state and congressional primary elections.
Senator Bill Cassidy is running for a third term.
Cassidy faces opponents including state Treasurer John Fleming and U.S. Representative Julia Letlow.
President Donald Trump endorsed Julia Letlow in January.
Trump has targeted Cassidy for defeat because Cassidy voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial.
Cassidy voted to convict Trump related to the events of January 6, 2021, but Trump was acquitted.
A loss for Cassidy could lead to a Republican Senate group more closely aligned with President Trump.
Democrats are not focusing on Louisiana as a key state to win control of the U.S. Senate.
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Colorado Governor Jared Polis has reduced the prison sentence of Tina Peters, who denied the results of the 2020 election. The Justice Department arrested an Iraqi man accused of planning multiple terror attacks. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, an Ebola outbreak has caused at least 65 deaths.
Key Facts
Governor Jared Polis of Colorado commuted Tina Peters’ prison sentence.
Tina Peters is known for denying the 2020 election results.
The U.S. Justice Department arrested an Iraqi national linked to plans for at least 18 terror attacks.
These attacks were supposedly plotted to retaliate for the war in Iran.
Africa’s leading public health agency reported an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
At least 65 people have died from Ebola in this outbreak so far.
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The United States is experiencing more encounters between people and bears. Because of safety concerns, Great Smoky Mountains National Park has closed several popular hiking trails to protect visitors.
Key Facts
Bear encounters are increasing across the U.S.
Some encounters have become dangerous.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park closed certain hiking trails.
The closures aim to keep visitors safe.
Officials are closely monitoring the situation.
Increased bear activity is causing concern in outdoor areas.
Visitors are advised to follow safety guidelines when hiking.
Wildlife experts are studying reasons for the rise in bear encounters.
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Tina Peters, a Colorado election clerk convicted of crimes related to the 2020 election, had her prison sentence reduced by Governor Jared Polis after pressure from President Donald Trump and conservatives. Peters was originally sentenced to nine years in prison but will now be released in June, drawing criticism from Colorado Democrats.
Key Facts
Tina Peters was the county clerk in Mesa County, Colorado, during the 2020 election.
She was found guilty of attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, official misconduct, and other charges.
Peters allowed unauthorized access to voting equipment, and sensitive information became public.
She was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2024.
President Donald Trump urged Governor Polis to pardon Peters and issued a federal pardon for her, but it did not affect her state conviction.
Governor Jared Polis reduced Peters’ sentence from about nine years to four and a half years.
Peters is now scheduled for release on June 1.
Colorado Democrats, including Senator John Hickenlooper, criticized the commutation, saying it weakens trust in elections.
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The U.S. Supreme Court refused to reopen Virginia Democrats’ plan to use a new congressional district map approved by voters. Virginia’s highest court had stopped the map because lawmakers did not follow the correct process to put it before voters, and the Supreme Court said it would not interfere with that state-level decision.
Key Facts
Virginia Democrats created a new congressional map to help their party in the upcoming midterm elections.
The new map was approved by voters in a state constitutional amendment in April.
Virginia’s Supreme Court blocked the map, ruling lawmakers did not follow Virginia’s rules for changing the constitution.
Democrats asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive the new map, arguing the state court was wrong under federal law.
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected this request without comment.
Republicans opposed the Democrats’ request, saying the issue was about state law, not federal law.
This case is part of broader disputes over redistricting efforts in several states aimed at influencing House elections.
The Supreme Court recently weakened the Voting Rights Act, affecting redistricting battles in southern states.
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Louisiana voters might remove Senator Bill Cassidy in the upcoming primary election, which would be the first time in almost 100 years a sitting senator is voted out in that state. President Donald Trump supports the challenger against Cassidy because Cassidy voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial.
Key Facts
Senator Bill Cassidy is facing a tough primary challenge in Louisiana.
Removing a sitting U.S. senator in a Louisiana primary hasn’t happened for nearly 100 years.
President Donald Trump backs the challenger against Senator Cassidy.
Cassidy and Trump have been politically opposed since Cassidy voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial.
The primary race currently involves three main candidates.
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The U.S. Justice Department is preparing to seek charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro for his alleged role in the 1996 shooting down of planes operated by a Miami-based exile group. This move is part of President Donald Trump’s increased pressure on Cuba, which includes threats of military action and economic sanctions.
Key Facts
The planned indictment relates to Castro’s role as defense minister during the 1996 shootdown of four planes from the group Brothers to the Rescue.
The Justice Department’s potential charges require approval from a grand jury.
The Cuban government has not commented on the possible indictment.
President Trump has threatened military action against Cuba if the country does not open its economy and remove U.S. adversaries.
The U.S. has imposed an economic blockade on Cuba, causing fuel shortages and harming the economy.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe recently met with Cuban officials, including Castro’s grandson.
Raúl Castro retired in 2021 but is seen as still influential behind the scenes.
The Miami U.S. Attorney’s office has formed a special group to investigate top Cuban officials.
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The US Justice Department arrested an Iraqi man named Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi for his role in nearly 20 terror attacks and attempts across the US and Europe. He faces six terrorism charges linked to two groups, Kata’ib Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), both labeled as terrorist organizations by the US.
Key Facts
Al-Saadi was arrested overseas and brought to US custody, appearing in a Manhattan court.
He is charged with providing support to foreign terrorist groups, conspiracy to bomb public places, and attempted destruction by fire or explosives.
The US alleges al-Saadi worked closely with Qassem Suleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, both killed in US airstrikes in 2020.
Al-Saadi is accused of organizing attacks including a firebombing at a bank in Amsterdam and arson at a synagogue in North Macedonia.
He posted videos and messages online calling for attacks on American and Zionist targets, aiming to spread fear in the European Union.
Multiple attacks linked to al-Saadi targeted Jewish sites, causing concern in the UK and prompting official responses.
A group named Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI), considered a front for these terrorist groups, claimed responsibility for some attacks.
Al-Saadi allegedly used social media to activate global terrorist cells in support of the IRGC following US and Israeli military actions.
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David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart talked with Amna Nawaz about recent political events. They focused on President Donald Trump’s trip to China, Congress rejecting a resolution related to war powers on the Iran conflict, and Trump's remarks about Americans’ financial situation.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump took a trip to China.
Congress rejected a war powers resolution regarding the Iran conflict.
Trump made comments about the financial situation of Americans.
David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart discussed these topics on a news program with Amna Nawaz.
The discussion covered important political issues from the past week.
The topics highlight U.S. foreign relations and domestic political decisions.
The conversation reflects ongoing political debates in the United States.
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An Iraqi man was charged for planning terrorist attacks in the United States. Additionally, a large explosion at a lumber mill in Maine caused injuries to several people.
Key Facts
An Iraqi national faces charges related to a terror plot in the U.S.
The specific details of the planned attacks were not provided.
A big explosion happened at a lumber mill in Maine.
Several people were hurt due to the explosion.
Authorities are responding to both the terror plot and the explosion incidents.
The news was reported on CBS Evening News on May 15.
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Colorado Governor Jared Polis has reduced the prison sentence of Tina Peters, a former county clerk convicted of election-related crimes, after pressure from President Donald Trump. Peters, who was sentenced to nine years, will be released on June 1.
Key Facts
Tina Peters was convicted for a scheme involving copying her county’s election computer system.
She was sentenced to nine years in prison but will be released early after her sentence was commuted.
Governor Jared Polis said Peters’ original sentence was unusually long for a first-time, nonviolent offender.
A Colorado appeals court upheld her conviction but ordered a new sentencing because of a judge’s error.
President Donald Trump publicly supported Peters and called for her release.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold criticized the decision, calling it damaging to democracy and the justice system.
Peters has been serving her prison sentence in Pueblo, Colorado, since her conviction in 2024.
Mesa County, where Peters was convicted, is a Republican-leaning area that supported Trump.
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An Iraqi man was arrested and charged with planning terrorist attacks in the United States. The planned targets included a synagogue in New York City and Jewish centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Key Facts
The suspect is an Iraqi national.
He was charged with planning multiple terror attacks in the U.S.
One target was a synagogue in New York City.
Other targets included Jewish centers in Los Angeles, California.
Additional planned attacks involved a Jewish center in Scottsdale, Arizona.
U.S. prosecutors brought the charges.
The arrest aimed to prevent the planned attacks.
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Mallory McMorrow, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Michigan, described her Republican opponent as a strong competitor. The Democratic primary in Michigan is becoming more competitive with less than three months until the election.
Key Facts
Mallory McMorrow is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan.
She is currently a state senator.
McMorrow called her GOP (Republican) rival a "formidable competitor."
The Michigan Senate race is still in the primary stage for Democrats.
The election will take place in less than three months.
McMorrow appeared on "The Takeout" to discuss her campaign.
The race is gaining attention as it becomes more competitive.
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A fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber mill in Searsmont, Maine, injured at least 10 people on Friday. Firefighters are still working to control the blaze, and officials do not yet know what caused the fire.
Key Facts
The explosion and fire started around 10 a.m. at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont, Maine.
At least 10 people were injured, including firefighters and civilians.
MaineHealth Maine Medical Center expected to treat 10 patients related to the fire.
Multiple fire trucks were destroyed in the fire.
The cause of the explosion and fire is still unknown.
Robbins Lumber is a family-owned business operating since 1881.
All Robbins Lumber employees were accounted for after the incident.
Maine Governor Janet Mills and Senator Susan Collins expressed support for those affected and asked people to avoid the area.
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A new bill in Congress called the Teacher Debt Relief Act aims to make it easier for teachers to get student loan forgiveness. The bill would allow teachers to combine benefits from two federal loan forgiveness programs, letting them pay off their student debt faster.
Key Facts
The Teacher Debt Relief Act was introduced by Democratic Representative Jahana Hayes of Connecticut.
It would let teachers qualify for both Stafford Student Loan Forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness at the same time.
Time spent teaching would count toward both programs simultaneously, so teachers wouldn’t have to start over for additional forgiveness.
Currently, teachers must choose one program and can lose benefits by not being able to count the same years toward both.
This new law could help teachers pay off loans quicker, which may make teaching jobs more attractive, especially in areas with shortages.
About 1 in 8 teaching jobs are unfilled or not properly filled, highlighting the need for such support.
The bill could affect hundreds of thousands of public school teachers with federal loans.
Passage of the bill is uncertain because it may conflict with current federal policies on loan forgiveness and repayment.
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Texas Children’s Hospital agreed to create a clinic to help transgender youth who want to return to the sex they were assigned at birth. This settlement came after the hospital was accused of wrongly billing Medicaid for gender-affirming care and agreed to stop providing hormone treatments and surgeries to minors in Texas.
Key Facts
Texas Children’s Hospital will open a detransition clinic for youth who want to reverse gender transition.
The hospital settled with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the US Justice Department over billing issues.
The hospital will pay Texas $10 million as part of the agreement.
Texas banned hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgery for minors in 2023.
The hospital agreed to stop providing puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries to children.
The Justice Department will continue to investigate and take action against providers of gender-affirming care for minors.
President Donald Trump issued an executive order in January 2025 directing federally funded groups to end such medical treatments for children.
Some families in Texas still seek gender-affirming care outside the state due to the ban.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Thursday to temporarily allow the abortion pill mifepristone to keep being sent through the mail. This decision means people can still receive the pill by mail while the court considers further legal challenges.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court made a temporary ruling on Thursday.
The ruling allows mifepristone, an abortion pill, to be sent by mail for now.
The decision does not settle the entire legal case; more review is expected.
Mifepristone is used to terminate early pregnancies.
This ruling ensures continued mail access to the pill while legal debates continue.
The news was explained by CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson.
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The U.S. government may soon announce criminal charges against former Cuban president Raul Castro. The case involves a 1996 incident where Cuban forces shot down planes belonging to a humanitarian group called Brothers to the Rescue.
Key Facts
The possible indictment involves Raul Castro, former president of Cuba.
The investigation is handled by the U.S. Southern District of Florida.
The case focuses on the 1996 shootdown of planes operated by Brothers to the Rescue, a humanitarian group.
President Donald Trump has stated that Cuba will be a next focus for U.S. actions.
Trump recently mentioned plans to "take over Cuba almost immediately" after operations in Iran.
The news is still developing, with more updates expected soon.
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Braden Eric Peters, a social media influencer known as Clavicular, was sentenced to six months probation for shooting a gun near alligators in a Florida wildlife area. He pleaded no contest and agreed to take safety courses and community service as part of a deal that could remove the charges from his record.
Key Facts
Clavicular is a 20-year-old influencer who creates "looksmaxxing" content about improving his appearance.
The incident happened in March in the Everglades Wildlife Management Area, near Miami, during a livestream.
Video showed gunshots fired into swamp water from an airboat where alligators live.
Peters pleaded no contest to unlawfully firing a gun in a wildlife sanctuary.
His sentence includes probation, firearms and wildlife safety courses, and 20 hours of non-monetized community service.
The charge can be removed from his record if he completes all parts of the agreement.
Another influencer, Andrew Morales ("The Cuban Tarzan"), pleaded no contest and got a similar deal.
A third person involved, Yabdiel Anibal Cotto Torres ("Baby Alien"), will enter a plea later in May.
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