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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
President Trump said that the conflict with Iran has ended, based on a ceasefire agreement. This has caused confusion among House Democrats who wanted to hold daily votes on the U.S. military’s war powers concerning Iran. Some Democrats dispute Trump’s claim, saying U.S. actions like blockades and airstrikes mean hostilities are still ongoing.
Key Facts
President Trump declared the hostilities with Iran “terminated” following a ceasefire signed on April 7.
Democrats planned to force daily congressional votes on war powers related to the Iran conflict.
The U.S. recently launched airstrikes on Iranian targets but does not see it as restarting the war.
Democrats argue that the military blockade and threats still mean the conflict is active.
Trump’s declaration seeks to avoid the War Powers Act requirement to get Congress’s approval for ongoing military operations.
Republicans might use Trump’s declaration to block war powers votes pushed by Democrats.
Some Democrats continue to push war powers resolutions despite Trump’s statement.
The situation is still being discussed within Congress, with no clear next steps yet.
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Tennessee’s Republican-led government approved a new congressional map before the November midterm elections, changing the state’s only Black majority district. This move follows a recent Supreme Court decision that makes it harder to challenge redistricting that reduces minority voting power.
Key Facts
Tennessee’s Republican legislature and governor approved a new congressional map on Thursday.
The new map splits the state’s only majority-Black district centered in Memphis.
Redistricting is happening mid-decade in several states, not just after the census.
The Supreme Court ruled that challenging redistricting requires proving intentional discrimination.
Black voters in Tennessee tend to support the Democratic Party.
Critics say the new map dilutes Black voting power, while Republicans argue it reflects population and politics.
Redrawing districts to favor one party is called gerrymandering.
Other states like Louisiana and Alabama are also considering redistricting before the midterms.
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More than twelve police officers in Washington, D.C., have been put on leave while officials investigate claims they altered crime numbers. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro expressed that she was not surprised by the investigation’s findings so far.
Key Facts
Over a dozen D.C. police officers were placed on leave this week.
The officers are under investigation for possibly changing crime statistics.
The investigation is internal, meaning it is being done within the police department or related agencies.
U.S. Attorney for D.C., Jeanine Pirro, shared her views on the case publicly on Thursday.
Pirro said she was not surprised by these developments.
The investigation began in August, before the officers were suspended.
Changing crime statistics means altering official numbers that report how often crimes happen.
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President Donald Trump has set a July 4 deadline for the European Union to finalize a trade deal that would require the EU to eliminate tariffs on U.S. goods. If the EU does not meet this deadline, the U.S. plans to increase tariffs on EU products, including cars and trucks, from 15% to 25%.
Key Facts
President Trump announced the EU must complete a trade deal and cut tariffs to zero by July 4.
The trade deal was initially agreed upon in Turnberry, Scotland.
The current tariff on EU cars and trucks is 15%, but Trump plans to raise this to 25% if the EU does not comply.
The automobile sector accounts for 8% of trade between the U.S. and EU.
The U.S. had been charging a 10% tariff on most EU goods but intended to increase it to 15%.
Trump called his phone conversation with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen a "great call."
The two leaders also discussed preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The EU consists of 27 countries and has not yet finalized the trade deal.
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Tennessee lawmakers passed a new congressional map that breaks up the state's only majority-Black district, currently held by a Democrat. The map is likely to help Republicans win that seat in the next election, increasing their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Key Facts
Tennessee's new congressional map splits the 9th District, which covers most of Memphis and is majority-Black.
The 9th District is the only one currently held by a Democrat, Representative Steve Cohen.
Republican Governor Bill Lee signed the new map into law on May 7, 2026.
The map change allows Republicans a better chance to win the district in the 2026 elections.
The state also passed laws allowing redistricting more often than every ten years and funding map changes.
Protests occurred during the special legislative session, with demonstrators removed by police.
Representative Steve Cohen plans to sue, calling the map a form of racial gerrymandering that weakens Black voting power.
The changes come shortly after the Supreme Court struck down a similar Louisiana map over racial concerns.
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Twelve US Senate Democrats sent a letter to the head of the US Central Command questioning the US military's role in Israel's large-scale displacement of people in Lebanon, Gaza, and Iran. They expressed concern that these actions may break international laws about humane warfare and asked if US forces had supported or shared intelligence for these operations.
Key Facts
Twelve Democratic senators wrote to Brad Cooper, leader of US Central Command (CENTCOM).
They questioned the US military’s involvement in setting up "evacuation zones" in Lebanon, Gaza, and Iran.
The senators said mass displacement and destruction of homes may violate international law on warfare.
They asked if US forces provided help like refueling, intelligence, or other support to Israel’s military actions.
The letter pointed out that evacuation orders should not excuse targeting civilians or civilian areas.
Some signers were progressives like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren; also centrist Chris Coons signed.
Israel has been demolishing towns in southern Lebanon and Gaza as part of its military strategy.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib introduced a War Powers resolution to end US involvement in Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
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A report by PEN America shows that the number of nonfiction books banned in U.S. schools doubled during the 2024-2025 school year. A total of 3,743 unique nonfiction titles were removed from school libraries and classrooms during that time.
Key Facts
The report is called “Facts & Fiction: Stories Stripped Away By Book Bans.”
It covers book bans from July 2024 to June 2025.
3,743 unique nonfiction books were removed from schools during this period.
The number of banned nonfiction books doubled compared to the previous year.
The report focuses on book bans in U.S. public schools.
PEN America is an organization that studies free expression and censorship.
Nonfiction books banned include titles covering real-life topics and facts.
The report highlights a growing trend of book removals in education.
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Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, announced on social media that she had a baby girl named Viviana on May 1. She and her husband also have a son, and the family is happily adjusting to the new baby.
Key Facts
Karoline Leavitt is the White House press secretary.
She gave birth to a baby girl named Viviana, nicknamed "Vivi."
Viviana was born on May 1.
Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, have an older son named Nicholas, called "Niko."
The family shared a photo of Viviana in her nursery.
Leavitt said the baby is healthy and perfect.
Their older son is happily getting used to having a baby sister.
The family is enjoying the time with their new baby.
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A council appointed by President Donald Trump proposed major changes to FEMA, the federal agency that responds to disasters. The plan suggests giving more responsibility to states and reducing federal support after disasters, while making FEMA smaller and less centralized in Washington.
Key Facts
The FEMA Review Council was created by President Trump to suggest reforms to FEMA.
The council wants to replace FEMA’s current brand with a new agency that is smaller and less focused in Washington, D.C.
The plan would give states, tribes, and territories more control over disaster readiness and recovery.
Instead of reimbursing states after disaster work, FEMA would give them direct payments within 30 days of a disaster.
Support for survivors would change: housing help would be limited to those whose homes are unlivable, with one-time payments replacing multiple aid options.
The council suggested moving most flood insurance policies from the federal program to private companies.
Some experts worry that states and local governments may not be ready for more responsibility.
The recommendations still need approval from Congress and the administration before changes can happen.
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A review board appointed by President Donald Trump has suggested changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The report recommends giving more disaster-related responsibility to states, tribes, and territories, and altering how the federal government decides which disasters to support and how it provides funds.
Key Facts
The review board was appointed by President Donald Trump.
The board released a report with recommendations to reform FEMA.
The proposed changes do not include fully dismantling FEMA.
The recommendations suggest states, tribes, and territories take more responsibility for disaster management.
The report suggests changing how FEMA decides whether to support disasters.
It also proposes changes in how FEMA pays for disaster recovery costs.
The report includes ideas on changing the types of assistance FEMA gives to disaster survivors.
These reforms aim to change disaster preparedness, response, and recovery processes.
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The Trump administration will begin taking away passports from U.S. citizens who owe more than $100,000 in unpaid child support. The program will start Friday and may soon include people who owe more than $2,500. People who lose their passports can get them back by paying their debts.
Key Facts
The policy targets Americans with child support debt exceeding $100,000, about 2,700 people.
The program could lower the threshold to $2,500 in unpaid child support in the future.
The 1996 law allows the State Department to revoke passports for unpaid child support but has been rarely used before.
People can restore their passports once they settle their child support debts.
Over 4.7 million custodial parents were supposed to receive child support in 2022, averaging $6,400 per year.
In 2022, about $19.2 billion was paid in child support out of $29.9 billion that was expected.
Most child support payments went to mothers ($16.2 billion) while fathers received about $3 billion.
The State Department has not specified if some exceptions will apply to the policy.
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Rep. James Clyburn, the only Democrat from South Carolina in the U.S. House, spoke out against efforts by South Carolina Republicans to redraw congressional district lines. This redistricting move is happening under pressure linked to President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
James Clyburn is the only Democratic U.S. House member from South Carolina.
South Carolina Republicans want to redraw congressional district boundaries.
The state legislature is extending its session to work on the new map.
President Donald Trump has put pressure on Republicans to change the districts.
Clyburn opposes the redistricting effort and says it should not succeed.
The redistricting effort is part of the political process that can affect election outcomes.
Redrawing district lines can change which party has an advantage in elections.
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Several U.S. states are watching passengers from a cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak. Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert, explained why hantavirus is different from COVID-19 and is unlikely to cause a similar pandemic.
Key Facts
At least five U.S. states are monitoring people who were on the affected cruise ship.
The cruise ship was connected to a hantavirus outbreak.
Hantavirus is a serious illness but spreads differently than COVID-19.
Dr. Monica Gandhi is an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco.
Experts say hantavirus does not have the same pandemic potential as COVID-19.
Monitoring passengers helps prevent further spread of the virus.
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At least 14 tornadoes hit Mississippi, causing damage to hundreds of homes and injuring over a dozen people. The storms severely affected the area around Purvis, Mississippi.
Key Facts
Fourteen tornadoes were confirmed in Mississippi.
More than a dozen people were injured due to the storms.
Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed.
The tornadoes struck multiple areas across the state.
CBS News correspondent Jason Allen reported from Purvis, Mississippi.
The event caused significant disruption for local residents.
Emergency and rescue efforts are ongoing in the affected regions.
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A judge postponed the second trial of Rashaun Jones, a former University of Miami football player. Jones is accused of murdering his teammate Bryan Pata in 2006.
Key Facts
The retrial of Rashaun Jones was delayed by a judge.
Jones played football for the University of Miami, known as the Hurricanes.
He is accused of killing his teammate Bryan Pata.
The original incident occurred in 2006.
The case is still ongoing with legal proceedings continuing.
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Democratic lawmakers Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Dave Min have sent letters to 17 people who received pardons or sentence reductions from President Donald Trump. They are asking if these clemencies were given in exchange for favors or payments, a practice called "pay-for-play."
Key Facts
Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Dave Min are leading the inquiry.
They contacted 17 individuals who received pardons or commutations from President Trump.
The inquiry focuses on whether pardons were given in return for something valuable ("pay-for-play").
The list of these pardon recipients was made public by Rep. Dave Min.
The investigation aims to clarify if any pardons were granted under improper or suspicious circumstances.
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A leader of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) pleaded not guilty to fraud charges brought by the Justice Department. The Trump administration claims the SPLC misused funds by funneling money to extremist groups through an informant program that no longer exists.
Key Facts
The SPLC is a civil rights group.
The Justice Department, under President Trump, filed fraud charges against the SPLC.
The SPLC leader pleaded not guilty to these charges.
The accusation involves an informant program that the SPLC had but is now defunct.
The government claims money was wrongly sent to extremist groups.
The case focuses on whether the SPLC defrauded its donors.
This legal action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration.
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President Donald Trump said he had a good phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and gave the European Union until July 4 to approve a trade deal. If the EU does not finalize the agreement by then, Trump warned he will raise U.S. tariffs on European goods to higher levels.
Key Facts
President Trump set a July 4 deadline for the EU to approve a trade agreement reached last year.
If the EU fails to finalize the deal, tariffs on European goods will increase sharply.
The original deal proposed cutting EU tariffs to zero and setting U.S. tariffs at 15% on most EU imports.
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling limited Trump's legal power to impose tariffs under an economic emergency claim.
So far, the U.S. has applied a 10% tariff on many EU goods while reviewing trade concerns.
Trump and von der Leyen spoke positively about the situation on the phone before the deadline was announced.
It is unclear whether the tariff increases will apply to all EU goods or just automobiles.
The July 4 deadline coincides with the U.S. country’s 250th birthday.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries responded to a post by President Donald Trump on Truth Social, where Trump said Jeffries "should be charged with inciting violence." Jeffries dismissed the message as a "deranged rant" and expressed frustration with the situation.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump made a post on Truth Social accusing Hakeem Jeffries of inciting violence.
Jeffries is the House Minority Leader and a Democrat from New York.
Jeffries reacted by calling the president’s post a “deranged rant.”
Jeffries mentioned he was distracted from watching a New York Knicks basketball game due to the post.
The exchange highlights ongoing political tension between President Trump and Democratic leaders.
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The United States has added new sanctions against Cuba, targeting a major military-run company and its leaders. These actions follow a U.S. blockade that limits fuel to Cuba, which U.N. experts say is causing serious problems for Cuban people’s daily lives and access to services.
Key Facts
The U.S. imposed new sanctions on GAESA, a Cuban military-controlled business group, and its top executive.
The sanctions also target Moa Nickel SA, a joint venture involving a Canadian company and Cuba’s state-owned nickel firm.
Sherritt International, the Canadian partner, stopped its activities in Cuba after the sanctions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the sanctions are part of efforts to pressure Cuba’s government to reform.
Cuba’s government called the sanctions “unilateral coercive measures” and said they punish the Cuban people.
The U.S. has blocked Venezuelan oil deliveries to Cuba, worsening Cuba’s fuel shortage and economic crisis.
U.N. experts described the U.S. blockade as “energy starvation” that harms essential services like hospitals and schools in Cuba.
Only one Russian oil ship has reached Cuba recently, adding to the energy problems on the island.
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