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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
The FBI tried to interview the elections director in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, by visiting her home, according to the county clerk. Milwaukee County officials said the 2020 election there was fair and transparent and that they will cooperate with lawful investigations but defend against attacks on their election process.
Key Facts
The FBI visited the home of Milwaukee County’s elections director to seek an interview.
County Clerk George Christenson said it was inappropriate to visit her home instead of contacting the Elections Commission directly.
Milwaukee County is the largest county in Wisconsin and includes the city of Milwaukee.
In the 2020 election, Joe Biden won nearly 70% of votes in Milwaukee County and carried the state by about 20,000 votes.
The Trump campaign sued in 2020 to try disqualifying over 200,000 ballots in Milwaukee and Dane Counties but was unsuccessful.
Multiple reviews, including recounts and audits, confirmed the accuracy and fairness of the 2020 election in Milwaukee County.
The county says it will cooperate with all legal law enforcement efforts but defend against challenges that undermine voter rights or public trust.
Similar investigations are happening in other swing states like Georgia and Michigan related to the 2020 election.
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New research from Harvard, Stanford, and Dartmouth shows that reading scores for U.S. students have been declining for about ten years, not just because of COVID-19. While a few states have improved, most have seen little progress or further decline in reading skills, and children nationally still read below pre-pandemic levels.
Key Facts
Reading scores have been falling in the U.S. for roughly a decade, starting around 2013.
The COVID-19 pandemic made reading declines worse but was not the original cause.
Only five states and the District of Columbia showed significant reading improvements from 2022 to 2025.
Improvements often link to early literacy programs that teach how letters and sounds connect (phonics-based instruction).
Most states have flat or declining reading results, indicating a "reading recession."
National data shows more students are not meeting basic reading skills after the pandemic.
Problems like chronic absenteeism and student mental health also affect reading progress.
Other possible causes include less focus on early test accountability and increased social media and smartphone use reducing reading time and concentration.
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Abdul Halim Khan, a former imam in east London, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 20 years for sexually assaulting women and girls from 2005 to 2014. He abused his position of religious authority to manipulate and harm seven victims, some as young as 12 years old.
Key Facts
Abdul Halim Khan was convicted of 21 counts including rape and child sexual offences.
The assaults occurred in isolated places like flats and hidden areas.
Khan tricked victims by claiming they were possessed by evil spirits needing cleansing.
He threatened victims and their families with harm through "black magic" if they spoke out.
Khan told one child victim she had ovarian cancer and could only be cured by him before assaulting her.
Victims described fear, manipulation, and severe long-term harm from Khan’s actions.
Despite his crimes, some community members wrote letters supporting Khan before sentencing.
The investigation praised the victims for their courage in reporting Khan and going through the trial.
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Congress is encouraged to require that programs be prepared according to the Green Book standards before they can quickly give out emergency aid. This approach applies to loans, grants, and direct payments and aims to prevent fraud by ensuring programs are ready in advance.
Key Facts
The Green Book sets government standards for managing and reducing fraud.
Lawmakers want programs to meet Green Book readiness before releasing emergency funds.
This rule would cover lending programs, grant programs, and direct payments.
Congress wants to tie fraud prevention to emergency aid delivery.
The aim is to improve the speed and safety of emergency assistance during crises.
Washington has had this anti-fraud plan outlined since 1983.
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Senator John Fetterman explained that a comment by President Trump about not focusing on Americans' financial situations during talks with Iran was taken out of context. Fetterman said the president’s full message was different from the shortened version being reported.
Key Facts
Senator John Fetterman represents Pennsylvania and is a Democrat.
President Trump made a comment regarding negotiations with the Iranian government.
The comment included a phrase about not thinking about Americans financially.
Fetterman said this comment was "clipped," meaning it was shortened or taken out of context.
According to Fetterman, President Trump actually said more that changes the meaning of the original phrase.
The discussion relates to the financial impact on American people during these negotiations.
The exact full statement by President Trump was not fully shared in the article excerpt.
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Republicans have achieved several victories in redrawing voting district boundaries ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. The article also highlights a new poll showing Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as leading candidates for the 2028 presidential election.
Key Facts
Republicans are successfully redrawing voting districts in their favor before the midterms.
Redistricting can influence which party has an advantage in elections.
A recent poll shows Senator Marco Rubio as a top potential candidate for president in 2028.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is also a leading candidate in the same poll.
The midterm elections will test if Republican redistricting wins are enough to counter expected Democratic gains.
The article mentions the possibility of Senator Bill Cassidy losing an upcoming race.
Redistricting battles are part of a larger political struggle between Republicans and Democrats.
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Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao is testifying before a House subcommittee about the Navy’s budget and military actions connected to President Donald Trump’s war with Iran. Cao took the Navy leadership role after the previous secretary left suddenly in April.
Key Facts
Hung Cao is the acting Secretary of the Navy.
Cao is testifying before a House subcommittee about the Navy budget and Iran-related military issues.
The hearing started at 10 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday.
Cao served 25 years in the Navy and has run for U.S. Senate and House in Virginia.
He became acting Navy Secretary after John Phelan left the position unexpectedly in April.
Phelan’s departure came amid a Navy blockade of Iranian ports and targeting of ships linked to Iran.
No official reason was given for Phelan leaving the Navy Secretary job.
This hearing occurs during a fragile ceasefire in the conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
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The remains of the second U.S. soldier missing in Morocco since May 2 were found in a coastal cave. The soldier was identified as Specialist Mariyah Symone Collington, 19 years old, from Florida.
Key Facts
Two U.S. soldiers went missing in Morocco on May 2.
The remains of the second soldier were recovered on a Tuesday.
The location of the recovery was a cave along the coast.
The identified soldier is Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington, aged 19.
She was from Taveres, Florida.
The other missing soldier is 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr.
The U.S. Army announced the identification in a press release on Thursday.
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A transgender woman named Mia Bailey admitted to killing her parents in Utah after years of family conflict, particularly over her gender transition. She pleaded guilty in 2025 and was sentenced to two life terms plus additional years for related crimes.
Key Facts
Mia Bailey killed her parents, Joseph and Gail Bailey, in their Utah home in June 2024.
Bailey said the killing happened because her mother tried to stop her gender transition surgery.
At the time, Bailey was homeless and $20,000 in debt due to costs related to hormone therapy and surgery.
Bailey fired about 12 gunshots, including one near her brother as he tried to escape.
After the shooting, Bailey tried to kill herself but was stopped by the police.
She pleaded guilty in December 2025 and received two sentences of 25 years to life plus five more years for aggravated assault.
Prosecutors wanted the sentences to run one after another, not at the same time, and a judge agreed.
Bailey’s confession called for more support for LGBTQ+ people and less interference in gender transition.
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The Office of the Director of National Intelligence said that reports about a CIA raid on their office are not true. Olivia Coleman, a spokesperson for Director Tulsi Gabbard, denied the claims made in a now-deleted social media post.
Key Facts
Reports claimed the CIA raided the office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Olivia Coleman, spokesperson for Director Tulsi Gabbard, called these reports false.
The statement denying the raid was posted on the social platform X.
The claims originated from a post by Fox News host Jesse Watters, which has since been deleted.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence publicly rejected the raid story.
Tulsi Gabbard currently serves as the Director of National Intelligence.
No official confirmation or evidence supports the report of a raid.
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Education Secretary Linda McMahon will speak to the House Education and Workforce Committee about the Trump administration’s education plans. Since President Trump began his second term, the education department has seen staff cuts, less funding, and some programs moved to other government agencies.
Key Facts
Linda McMahon is the current Secretary of Education.
She will testify before the House Education and Workforce Committee.
The testimony focuses on the education policies under President Trump’s administration.
Since President Trump’s return to office, the Education Department has reduced its workforce.
Some education programs and funding have been cut.
Certain department functions have been transferred to other agencies.
The discussion aims to explain the department’s new priorities and changes.
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Alex Murdaugh, a South Carolina lawyer who was found guilty of murder, will have his murder conviction overturned. The South Carolina Supreme Court decided that he will get a new trial.
Key Facts
Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murder in South Carolina.
The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned his murder conviction.
Murdaugh will be retried in a new trial.
The decision was made on a Wednesday.
Murdaugh is a former lawyer from South Carolina.
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Janet Walsh, a young woman from Monaca, Pennsylvania, disappeared in 1979 after a night out with friends. Her purse and belongings were kept as evidence for over 34 years as authorities continued to investigate the cold case.
Key Facts
Janet Walsh was 23 years old when she disappeared on September 1, 1979.
She lived in Monaca, Pennsylvania, a small town near Pittsburgh.
Janet had a close childhood friend and a supportive family who remember her talent and personality.
She married Scott Walsh in 1976, but they separated in 1979.
Janet worked at a refrigeration company and went out with friends on the night she vanished.
She did not show up for work the following morning, which was unusual and raised concern.
Her purse and contents were preserved as evidence for more than three decades.
Prosecutors and investigators have recently revisited the case, hoping new clues might help solve it.
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Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner will speak to a Senate committee about the government's budget plan for 2027. The budget requests $73.5 billion to address homelessness and housing costs.
Key Facts
HUD Secretary Scott Turner is testifying before a Senate Appropriations Committee.
The testimony is about President Trump's budget request for fiscal year 2027.
The proposed HUD budget is $73.5 billion.
The budget focuses on reducing homelessness.
It also aims to make housing more affordable.
The request comes amid pressure from lawmakers on housing issues.
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Admiral Brad Cooper, leader of U.S. Central Command, will speak to the Senate Armed Services Committee about President Trump's defense budget request for 2027 and the military's position during the Middle East conflict. This hearing takes place while the temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran faces uncertainty.
Key Facts
Adm. Brad Cooper is the head of U.S. Central Command.
He will testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The topic includes President Trump’s fiscal year 2027 defense budget request.
The hearing will cover U.S. military efforts amid conflicts in the Middle East.
The temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is currently unstable.
The Trump administration is involved in managing the situation.
The hearing aims to discuss military strategy and budget needs going forward.
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The CBS News series "USA to Z" explores the history of fast food and how it became a significant part of American culture. The program looks behind the scenes to show the development and influence of fast food in the United States.
Key Facts
The series is called "USA to Z."
It is presented by CBS Mornings.
The focus is on the rise of fast food in the U.S.
The show explains how fast food grew over time.
It highlights the cultural impact of fast food in America.
The series is available on the CBS News app and website.
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South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster plans to call a special session of the state legislature to redraw the state's congressional map. This comes as Republicans aim to secure more House seats, following recent Supreme Court rulings affecting redistricting in southern states.
Key Facts
Governor McMaster, a Republican, will call the special session after the legislature adjourns on Thursday.
The redistricting bill only needs a simple majority to pass in the special session.
Some Republican senators, like Tom Davis, oppose the redistricting, saying current maps are legally sound.
The redistricting effort in South Carolina aims to change Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn’s district to favor Republican candidates.
South Carolina's primary elections are scheduled for June 9, with a bill proposed to move them to August.
The Supreme Court recently ruled that Louisiana’s congressional map relied too much on race, affecting voting boundaries under the Voting Rights Act.
Similar redistricting moves are ongoing in Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee, often favoring Republicans.
These efforts follow a Supreme Court decision that changed rules for how states must consider race when drawing districts.
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Wes Streeting has resigned as health secretary and expressed that he no longer trusts the leadership of Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer. He has not officially started a leadership challenge but hints that there is a lack of vision in the party’s direction.
Key Facts
Wes Streeting has stepped down from his role as health secretary.
He wrote to the prime minister saying the party lacks clear direction ("a vacuum").
Streeting said he lost confidence in Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.
He has not yet launched a formal bid to become Labour Party leader.
The resignation has sparked speculation about a possible Labour leadership contest.
The article mentions ongoing political discussions and other UK political news but the main focus is Streeting’s resignation and its implications.
Sir Keir Starmer remains leader of the Labour Party.
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Stephen Colbert joined fellow late-night hosts Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon on the "Strike Force Five" podcast. This episode marked their reunion and came as Colbert's "The Late Show" was nearing its final episode on May 21.
Key Facts
Stephen Colbert is ending "The Late Show" with the last episode airing on May 21.
Colbert reunited with other late-night hosts on the "Strike Force Five" podcast.
The podcast initially started during the 2023 writers’ strike.
The podcast was created to support staff working on all five late-night shows.
This episode was the first new "Strike Force Five" podcast in three years.
The podcast features hosts Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Stephen Colbert.
Colbert spoke about his feelings now that his show is ending.
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South Carolina’s Republican majority leader Shane Massey spoke against President Donald Trump’s request to redraw the state’s congressional districts. Massey supported most of Trump’s policies but said the proposed map was legally and practically flawed and could hurt Republican chances in elections.
Key Facts
Shane Massey is the Republican majority leader in South Carolina’s state senate.
President Trump asked Massey to help redraw South Carolina’s congressional districts to favor Republicans.
Massey publicly rejected the redistricting plan despite supporting Trump on most issues.
He said his decision was based on legal and technical problems, not ideology.
The new redistricting plan would dismantle a Democratic-held district represented by James Clyburn.
Massey emphasized preserving Republican electoral chances and local community ties.
He argued the plan ignored concerns of South Carolina residents.
Massey described Democrats as “crazy” and “hateful,” but said his criticism was directed at Trump’s opponents, not the president.
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