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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
The U.S. Education Department has started an investigation into Smith College, a private all-women’s school in Massachusetts. The investigation focuses on the college’s policy of admitting transgender women and allowing them access to women-only areas.
Key Facts
The Education Department opened the investigation on a Monday.
It concerns Smith College, a private college for women in Massachusetts.
The probe is based on Title IX, a law that prohibits sex discrimination in education programs that receive federal funding.
The issue is about admitting transgender women to the college.
The investigation also looks at allowing transgender women to use women-only spaces on campus.
The department’s Office for Civil Rights is handling the investigation.
Title IX aims to ensure equal treatment regardless of gender in education settings.
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Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said that recent court decisions have caused confusion in Louisiana. The court sped up a ruling that found Louisiana’s voting districts were unfairly drawn based on race and said the state did not have to add another majority-minority district. This has affected election plans and led Louisiana’s leaders to suspend a House primary election to redraw the map.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled Louisiana’s congressional map unconstitutional because it was a racial gerrymander, meaning it unfairly divided voting districts based on race.
The court said the Voting Rights Act did not require Louisiana to create another district where most voters belong to a racial minority.
The court sped up the ruling to allow lower courts to act quickly before upcoming elections.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson disagreed with the court’s timing, saying the decision caused confusion because some voters had already mailed ballots.
Louisiana’s Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill suspended the May 16 House primary election to redraw the congressional map.
Voters and candidates who already voted are challenging the election suspension in court.
The ruling could affect redistricting rules in other Republican-controlled states and may change the balance of congressional seats by 2028.
The court’s opinion was written by Justice Samuel Alito and supported mostly by conservative justices; Jackson dissented as one of the liberal justices.
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Spirit Airlines closed, causing flight cancellations for passengers like Lyndee Domka. She was stuck in Orlando, Florida, but eventually found a different way to return home to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Key Facts
Spirit Airlines shut down operations unexpectedly.
Lyndee Domka was in Orlando when her flight home was canceled.
Her original flight was supposed to take her to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Due to the airline closure, she had to find another way to travel.
The closure affected many Spirit Airlines passengers.
Lyndee shared her experience in an interview with CBS News.
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President Donald Trump said he did not call ABC reporter Jonathan Karl the morning after a shooting near the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Jonathan Karl had shared that President Trump contacted him to check in following the incident.
Key Facts
A shooting occurred near the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
Jonathan Karl, an ABC News reporter, said President Trump called him after the shooting.
President Trump denied making that phone call.
The disagreement about the call happened publicly on April 26.
President Trump posted a video on the social platform X to deny the report.
The story involves both the White House Correspondents’ Association and media reporting.
The event and follow-up calls relate to safety and communication after a violent incident near an important political event.
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The White House is dealing with low approval ratings related to the Iran war and the economy before the midterm elections. New polls from ABC News and The Washington Post show that many people disapprove of how the Trump administration is handling these issues.
Key Facts
The Trump administration is facing poor approval ratings.
Polls focus on public views of the Iran war and the economy.
The polls come from ABC News and The Washington Post.
This situation is happening shortly before the U.S. midterm elections.
Low approval ratings could affect the outcome of the elections.
The White House is working to address these concerns publicly.
The coverage was reported by CBS News correspondents Kathryn Watson and Eleanor Watson.
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Alabama lawmakers ended a special session after protesters entered the State House during demonstrations about redistricting. This happened after a US Supreme Court decision that reduced some Voting Rights Act protections, leading to disputes over how election districts are drawn before upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
Alabama lawmakers held a special session focused on redrawing election districts.
Protesters entered the State House during this session to protest redistricting plans.
The protests followed a US Supreme Court ruling that weakened parts of the Voting Rights Act.
The changes in the Voting Rights Act impact protections against unfair voting rules.
Republicans are leading efforts to redraw districts before the midterm elections.
Lawmakers adjourned the special session after the protests occurred.
Redistricting determines how voting areas are shaped and can affect election results.
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The US Supreme Court fast-tracked a ruling to help Louisiana Republicans redraw congressional district maps before the midterm elections. This move follows a decision that struck down Louisiana’s current map and limited a key part of the Voting Rights Act.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court allowed a recent ruling on Louisiana’s voting maps to take effect sooner than usual.
The ruling struck down Louisiana’s congressional map and limited Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
Normally, the court waits 32 days before formally sending its judgment to lower courts.
Louisiana asked the court to speed up the judgment so it could redraw district maps before elections.
Early voting has already started, and the general election is in six months.
Louisiana canceled its May 16 primary for Congress after mail ballots were sent overseas, stirring legal challenges.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, criticizing the court for quickly speeding up the ruling, saying it showed bias.
Justice Samuel Alito and other conservative justices defended the decision, calling the dissent’s claims baseless and insulting.
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A recent poll by ABC News and the Washington Post shows that 62% of people disapprove of President Donald Trump’s job performance. This is the highest disapproval rating he has received so far.
Key Facts
The poll was conducted by ABC News and the Washington Post.
62% of respondents disapprove of President Trump.
This disapproval rating is the highest recorded for him.
Political strategists Tiffany Smiley and Ameshia Cross discussed the poll results on CBS News.
The poll reflects public opinion on President Trump’s current term.
The discussion took place on CBS News and its app.
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President Obama said in a recent interview that if he criticized President Trump more often, his words would have less impact. He has chosen to speak out selectively during President Trump’s time in office to make sure his message stays strong.
Key Facts
President Obama has been careful about how often he criticizes President Trump.
He believes frequent criticism would weaken his influence.
He compared constant criticism to comedians who speak out weekly.
President Trump is serving his second term as the current U.S. President.
Obama’s approach is to speak out only when it will have the most effect.
The interview highlighted Obama’s strategy of selective criticism.
Obama’s comments show a focus on how best to impact public opinion.
The discussion reflects on political communication during Trump’s presidency.
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Federal prosecutors support a request to unseal a note allegedly written by Jeffrey Epstein during his failed suicide attempt in July 2019. The note is connected to criminal cases involving Epstein’s former cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, who claimed to have found it. A judge will decide whether the note can be made public.
Key Facts
The note is said to be from Epstein’s unsuccessful suicide attempt in July 2019.
Epstein’s former cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, said he found the note inside a book after the attempt.
The New York Times asked a judge to make the note public since Tartaglione has already talked about it.
Federal prosecutors agreed the note should be unsealed, saying Tartaglione’s statements remove the need to keep it secret.
Epstein died by suicide in jail in August 2019 before standing trial on sex trafficking charges.
A prison report described Epstein’s failed suicide attempt, noting a homemade noose and injuries on his neck.
Epstein originally accused Tartaglione of trying to kill him but later said he didn’t remember what happened; Tartaglione denies harming Epstein.
Tartaglione first publicly mentioned the note on a podcast, describing some of its contents, including a smiley face and a goodbye message.
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Two U.S. soldiers went missing off the coast of Morocco after one fell into the Atlantic Ocean during a hike. Officials say one soldier was trying to save the other when both disappeared, and the search for them is still ongoing.
Key Facts
One U.S. soldier fell off a cliff into the Atlantic Ocean while hiking in Morocco.
Another soldier tried to save the fallen soldier.
Both soldiers are now missing.
Moroccan and U.S. officials are searching for the missing soldiers.
The incident happened on the Moroccan coast.
The exact location is near the Atlantic Ocean.
No confirmed information yet on their condition or whereabouts.
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The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily allowed people to receive the abortion pill mifepristone by mail again. This decision pauses previous restrictions and lets patients access the medication without going in person.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court made a temporary decision on Monday.
The ruling restores mail delivery of mifepristone, a medication used to induce abortion.
This pauses earlier limits that stopped people from getting the pill by mail.
The change affects patients who need easier access to abortion care.
The decision is not final and could be reviewed again later.
This ruling comes amid ongoing legal debates over abortion medications.
The case relates to federal regulations and court challenges about abortion access.
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President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces struck seven Iranian boats during an operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The operation, named Project Freedom, aims to protect and guide ships in this important waterway.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump launched Project Freedom on Monday.
The project involves moving stranded ships safely through the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. forces struck seven Iranian boats during this operation.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for global shipping.
The operation seeks to ensure safe passage for ships in the region.
The announcement was made by President Trump and reported by CBS News.
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The U.S. Supreme Court quickly enforced its decision to reject Louisiana’s current voting district lines, speeding up the usual process. Justices Samuel Alito and Ketanji Brown Jackson disagreed strongly about this fast action, each accusing the other of not showing enough caution.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana’s congressional map is invalid.
The ruling took effect immediately, faster than the usual 32-day wait period.
This faster timeline is unusual for Supreme Court cases returning to lower courts.
Conservative Justice Samuel Alito and liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson disagreed publicly.
Each Justice accused the other of lacking restraint in their approach to the ruling.
The case concerns how voting boundaries are drawn, which affects election results.
The decision influences how soon changes to election maps will happen in Louisiana.
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A United Airlines plane was about 20 feet above the New Jersey Turnpike when its landing gear struck a truck. This happened as the plane was landing at Newark Airport.
Key Facts
The incident occurred on a Sunday.
The plane belonged to United Airlines.
The landing gear is the part of the plane that supports it when it is on the ground.
The plane was very low, about 20 feet above the highway, when the landing gear hit the truck.
The New Jersey Turnpike is a major highway near Newark Airport.
The article does not provide details on injuries or damage.
The event was reported by CBS News and included video coverage.
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House Democrats are having disagreements after the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) endorsed several candidates in contested primary races. Some members of the party say these endorsements favor certain candidates and do not reflect the choice of voters.
Key Facts
The DCCC endorsed eight Democratic candidates who are competing in primaries.
Endorsements come through the "Red to Blue" program, which helps candidates running against Republican incumbents.
Five of the eight endorsed candidates still face opposition in their primaries.
Some House Democrats and outside groups criticize the DCCC for favoring certain candidates over others.
Critics say the party leadership is influencing races in a way that may not reflect voter preferences.
The DCCC says it informed many lawmakers before making endorsements and believes taking back the House is very important.
Specific endorsements mentioned include Jasmeet Bains in California, Bob Brooks in Pennsylvania, and Marlene Galán-Woods in Arizona.
Some Democrats argue that ignored candidates, including Latino candidates, are important to winning the House majority.
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President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to 35 percent, the lowest of his second term, according to CNN's Poll of Polls. His disapproval rating is at 64 percent, showing more people disapprove of his job performance. Several recent polls confirm this trend across various voter groups.
Key Facts
CNN’s Poll of Polls shows President Trump's approval at 35% and disapproval at 64%.
These ratings are the lowest for Trump during his second term as president.
The polls included data from ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos, Pew Research Center, Reuters/Ipsos, and AP-NORC.
Approval ratings in these individual polls ranged from 33% to 37%.
Disapproval ratings in individual polls ranged from 58% (Fox News poll) to 67% (AP-NORC poll).
Trump’s support among key voter groups like Gen Z and independents has decreased notably.
Factors influencing approval include public concern over cost-of-living and international issues like the Iran conflict.
A Fox News poll showed a slightly higher approval rating of 42%, but still a majority disapprove.
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The U.S. Air Force is working to replace its old Minuteman III nuclear missiles with a new system called Sentinel. The upgrade is behind schedule and over budget but aims to improve safety, reliability, and security of the country’s ground-based nuclear weapons.
Key Facts
About 400 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are ready for use across several states including Wyoming and Colorado.
The Minuteman III missile system has been in use since 1961 and is well past its original design life.
The new Sentinel missile system is bigger, faster, has longer range, and can carry more warheads than the Minuteman III.
The Sentinel program costs roughly $141 billion, which is about 80% over the original budget.
The U.S. Air Force is building over 450 new missile launch silos and 50 to 75 new launch centers for Sentinel.
The first Minuteman III silo to be decommissioned as part of the transition is located near the Colorado border.
Security at missile sites remains very tight, including teams trained to retake silos if threatened.
Once fully operational, the Sentinel system is expected to be cheaper to maintain than the Minuteman III.
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