Speaker Mike Johnson said he warned the White House about possible unexpected problems from lifting some sanctions on Russia. President Donald Trump recently signed an order to delay sanctions on Russia that were part of a law supported by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
Key Facts
Speaker Mike Johnson is from Louisiana and a Republican.
He warned the White House about “unintended consequences” from waiving Russia sanctions.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to delay these Russia sanctions last week.
The sanctions were planned to start under a law passed with support from Senator Lindsey Graham.
Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, had helped push the sanctions law.
The sanctions targeted Russia but were put on hold by President Trump’s order.
The warning from Johnson was made publicly on a Sunday.
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The U.S. Supreme Court refused to allow accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two others to enforce plea deals with military prosecutors. These plea agreements, which would have avoided the death penalty in exchange for guilty pleas, were canceled by the Biden administration and the courts have upheld that cancellation.
Key Facts
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two alleged accomplices made plea deals in 2024 to plead guilty and receive life sentences instead of the death penalty.
The plea deals were approved by a military official overseeing Guantanamo Bay military commissions.
Shortly after, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revoked these plea agreements.
Military judges initially ruled Austin’s cancellation unlawful, but a higher appeals court supported Austin’s authority to withdraw the deals.
The Supreme Court declined to hear the defendants’ appeal, letting the cancellation stand.
Mohammed and others were captured in 2003 and charged for roles in the 9/11 attacks.
Their cases were delayed due to legal disputes about evidence from interrogation techniques considered torture.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh did not participate in the Supreme Court’s decision on this case.
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Some states in the U.S. may not allow people to bet on the outcomes of elections. This means that gambling on midterm election results might be illegal depending on where you live.
Key Facts
Midterm elections are coming soon in the United States.
People may want to place bets on who will win these elections.
Some states have laws that make betting on elections illegal.
Rules about election betting vary from state to state.
It's important to know your state's laws before trying to wager on election results.
Betting on elections is different from betting on sports or other events.
These laws aim to prevent problems related to gambling on political outcomes.
Ignoring these laws could lead to legal trouble for bettors.
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California created a law called the Racial Justice Act to reduce racial bias in the courts. However, recent court rulings have made the law less effective in protecting against this bias.
Key Facts
California’s Racial Justice Act aims to prevent racial bias in court cases.
The law has received positive attention for addressing fairness in the justice system.
Several court decisions have weakened how strong the law’s protections are.
These rulings have limited the law’s ability to address racial discrimination.
The changes mean the law might not fully stop racial bias in court decisions.
The situation shows the challenges in using legal tools to fight racial injustice.
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Data centers are becoming an important issue in the upcoming US midterm elections. There are currently about 3,000 data centers in the country, and their number could double soon, which is raising concerns among voters.
Key Facts
The US has around 3,000 data centers in operation today.
The number of data centers might double in the next few years.
Data centers are large facilities that store and process digital information for the internet and businesses.
Both Republican and Democratic parties see data centers as a key topic in the midterm elections.
Some voters are worried or upset about the growth of data centers.
The report about this issue came from West Virginia, reflecting local voter concerns.
Data centers impact local communities, possibly causing debates about land use, energy, and environment.
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New information is coming out during the murder trial of Matthew Farwell, a former police officer from Massachusetts. The trial focuses on the 2021 death of Sandra Birchmore, who was found dead in her apartment.
Key Facts
Matthew Farwell is a former police officer from Massachusetts.
He is on trial for murder related to Sandra Birchmore’s death.
Sandra Birchmore died in 2021 and was found in her apartment.
The trial is revealing new details about how she died.
News about the case was reported by CBS News and covered by reporter Tom Hanson.
The article mentions other news stories but focuses mainly on this trial.
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President Donald Trump stopped new sanctions on Russia that were supposed to start soon. These sanctions included penalties targeting Russia's oil industry.
Key Facts
President Trump waived new sanctions on Russia.
The sanctions were expected to begin on Sunday.
Some sanctions focused on Russia's oil sector.
The decision was unexpected.
The move was reported by CBS News.
The sanctions were part of ongoing U.S. measures concerning Russia.
This action could affect U.S.-Russia relations and global oil markets.
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The Supreme Court will decide if a nearly 160-year-old federal law banning distilling liquor at home is constitutional. The law, made to stop tax evasion on alcohol, forbids making spirits at home and sets penalties for those who break it.
Key Facts
The law banning home distilling was made in 1868 to prevent people from avoiding taxes on alcohol.
It is illegal to make distilled spirits at home, and violators can face fines, up to five years in prison, and loss of property.
The tax rate on spirits in the 1800s was very high, which made some commercial distillers avoid paying by bribing officials.
The Hobby Distillers Association challenged the law, saying Congress went beyond its powers by banning home distilling.
A federal court found the law unconstitutional, and the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals mostly agreed.
The courts said the ban criminalizes people who might not even be subject to the tax and does not directly tax the product.
The government argues the ban is needed to stop hidden distilling and ensure proper tax collection.
The Supreme Court will hear arguments next year and decide by mid-2025.
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Officials in Wallington, New Jersey, removed data centers from a redevelopment plan after residents expressed strong concerns about potential environmental and community impacts. The redevelopment had included data centers as a permitted use for a former dairy site, but no formal plans for them had been made.
Key Facts
Wallington officials revised the redevelopment plan to remove all references to data centers.
The redevelopment land was previously the Farmland Dairy plant, which closed in 2014.
Ordinance 21, introduced in August 2026, allowed data centers as a future land use, upsetting residents.
Residents worried that approving the plan could lead to data centers being built near homes.
Wallington Mayor Melissa Dabal said no formal data center proposals have been submitted.
Opposition grew strong enough to fill a Planning Board meeting in September.
The revised ordinance removing data centers is planned to be introduced on October 29.
Data centers are controversial nationally, with many Americans concerned about their environmental and quality of life impacts.
In New Jersey, 72% of voters oppose data centers in their towns, according to a Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
Local Representative Nellie Pou is concerned about data centers' environmental damage and is investigating a recent fuel spill at a nearby data center.
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A recent poll shows that 71 percent of Americans believe the United States is moving in the wrong direction. This is the highest level of dissatisfaction recorded during President Donald Trump’s second term.
Key Facts
The poll was conducted by NBC News Decision Desk using SurveyMonkey data.
71 percent of people surveyed think the U.S. is on the wrong track.
This is a record high for dissatisfaction during President Trump’s current term.
The poll was released as the midterm elections approach.
It reflects public concern about the country’s direction.
The poll includes a majority of Americans, showing broad concern.
The exact reasons behind the dissatisfaction were not detailed in the summary.
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Newly released court records suggest O.J. Simpson might have had help in getting rid of the murder weapon linked to the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Simpson was found not guilty in a criminal trial in 1995 but was held responsible in a civil case in 1997.
Key Facts
Court documents related to O.J. Simpson’s case were recently made public.
The documents indicate Simpson may have had an accomplice.
This accomplice could have helped Simpson dispose of the murder weapon.
Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were the murder victims.
O.J. Simpson was acquitted (found not guilty) in a 1995 criminal trial.
In 1997, Simpson was found liable in a civil lawsuit connected to the same killings.
These new details came from a report by The New York Times based on court files.
The story was covered by CBS News and reported by Jericka Duncan.
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The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear appeals from three men accused of planning the September 11 attacks. These men are being held at Guantánamo Bay and wanted to restore earlier plea deals, but the Court declined their request without giving a reason.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court refused to review appeals from three 9/11 attack defendants.
The men are Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Mustafa al-Hawsawi, and Walid bin ‘Attash.
All three are accused of planning the September 11, 2001 attacks.
They are currently held at Guantánamo Bay prison.
The defendants sought to reinstate plea deals, which the Court denied.
The Supreme Court did not provide an explanation for turning down the appeals.
These cases are part of ongoing military tribunal trials related to 9/11.
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The U.S. Supreme Court will review whether the government can continue banning people from making alcohol at home. A lower court recently said this old law, from the 1860s, is not allowed under the Constitution.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court agreed to hear a case about a law banning home distilling of spirits (alcohol).
The ban dates back about 160 years, to the 1860s.
A lower court ruled that this ban is unconstitutional.
The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to step in and review the decision.
The government argues the lower court’s decision could harm existing regulations.
The issue involves whether people have the right to make alcohol at home without government restriction.
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Shawn Oliver, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in Massachusetts, stopped his campaign after being arrested for suspected drunk driving following a car crash. His running mate, Mike Minogue, called for Oliver to suspend his campaign and stated he would ask for Oliver’s resignation if elected.
Key Facts
Shawn Oliver was arrested after a late-night crash where his car hit parked cars and overturned.
Police suspect Oliver was driving under the influence of alcohol and charged him with several traffic violations.
Oliver announced he was ending his campaign to avoid distracting from the election.
Mike Minogue, Oliver’s Republican running mate for governor, demanded Oliver suspend his campaign immediately.
Oliver works as a city councilor in New Bedford and as a corrections officer at a medium-security prison.
Oliver has been placed on restricted duty at the Massachusetts Treatment Center while the incident is reviewed.
New Bedford’s mayor, a Democrat, said the public deserves an explanation from Oliver about the crash.
The lieutenant governor role in Massachusetts is mainly ceremonial but the officeholder is first to replace the governor if needed.
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Millions of voters in four U.S. states will decide on six housing-related measures during the November midterm elections. These measures address housing affordability issues caused by rising home prices and mortgage costs, especially in expensive markets like California and Hawaii.
Key Facts
Six housing measures will appear on ballots in four states during the November midterms, the most in 20 years.
Housing affordability has gotten worse due to rising home prices and higher mortgage rates, causing homeownership rates to drop.
California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island all have serious housing problems, receiving failing grades for affordability and homebuilding.
Some ballot measures come from state legislatures, and others are citizen initiatives focused on easing restrictions on building homes.
Examples include California’s Proposition 1, which would allow the state to issue $11.25 billion in bonds to fund housing programs for low-income residents and veterans.
California’s Proposition 37 would create a new program to offer down-payment help for some homebuyers earning below a certain income.
Rising energy prices and inflation fears, linked in part to the war in Iran, are contributing to housing cost challenges.
Lawmakers and experts support easing land use, zoning, and permit rules to increase home supply.
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A U.S. airman died after falling during a pregame performance at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. This happened before a football game between the Navy and the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Key Facts
The incident occurred in San Antonio, Texas, at the Alamodome stadium.
The airman fell during a pregame performance before the football game.
The game was between Navy and the University of Texas at San Antonio.
The airman died as a result of the fall.
The event took place over the weekend prior to the football game.
The fall was witnessed and described as a distressing experience.
The news was reported by CBS News and Jason Allen.
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Congressional investigators are preparing to look into claims of corruption and wrongdoing involving people appointed by President Trump and his close associates. These investigations are expected to increase as the midterm elections get closer.
Key Facts
Congress is ready to investigate alleged corruption and misconduct.
The focus is on people appointed by President Trump.
Close associates of President Trump are also under scrutiny.
These probes are expected to grow near the midterm elections.
The investigations aim to ensure accountability in the government.
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Federal immigration agents broke the arm of Ricardo Gonzalez, a US citizen, during a confrontation in Long Beach, California. The incident involved ICE officers using force while detaining him, leading to serious injuries and hospital treatment.
Key Facts
Ricardo Gonzalez, a US citizen and former city employee, was detained by ICE agents in Long Beach.
Video shows Gonzalez handcuffed and face down with officers kneeling on him.
Gonzalez was hit by an unmarked ICE vehicle, tased twice, and pinned to the ground.
He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, including a broken arm.
Long Beach police said they found Gonzalez injured and helped him but did not participate in the detention.
Congressman Robert Garcia called the incident a "brutal attack" and supports ending ICE.
The Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not publicly explained the detention or use of force.
A similar case in Texas involved an ICE agent running over and breaking a man’s leg, which may lead to felony charges.
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A new CBS News poll shows that James Talarico and Ken Paxton are nearly tied in the race for the Texas Senate seat. This poll reflects how both Democrats and Republicans are preparing for the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
James Talarico and Ken Paxton are the main candidates in the Texas Senate race.
A recent CBS News poll finds their support levels very close.
Both Democrats and Republicans are paying close attention to this race.
The poll results highlight voter opinions ahead of the midterm elections.
The midterm elections are important for deciding political power in Texas.
Polls help show how competitive political races are before the vote.
Ken Paxton is the current Texas Attorney General.
James Talarico is running to challenge Paxton for this position.
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In 2024, more people got U.S. green cards than in the past decade, with Florida receiving the most new green card holders, just ahead of California. At the same time, the Trump administration is reviewing legal immigration more closely, leading to lower approval rates for some green card applications.
Key Facts
A total of 1.36 million people received lawful permanent resident status (green cards) in the U.S. in fiscal year 2024.
Florida recorded 219,470 new green card holders, slightly more than California’s 217,420.
Texas was third with 160,400 new green card holders, followed by New York with 136,750.
Some states like Florida and Kentucky saw large increases in green card recipients compared to 2023.
The numbers show where green card holders lived after approval, not necessarily where they first entered the U.S.
The Trump administration has introduced stricter reviews of legal immigration applications, causing approval rates to drop.
In April to June 2026, approval rates for family-based green cards dropped from 86% to 81.7%, and employment-based dropped slightly.
Microsoft and Adobe were suspended from a key foreign worker visa program due to concerns by the Labor Department during layoffs.
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