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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
A report from the Children's Commissioner in England and Wales shows that Black children are eight times more likely to be strip searched by police compared to white children. The report also found that Black children face more use of force during stop and search, and many strip searches happen without an adult present or in public places.
Key Facts
Black children are eight times more likely to be strip searched than white children.
The total number of strip searches on children fell by 56% from 854 in 2020 to 377 in early 2024.
26 strip searches were done in public between July 2023 and June 2024.
22 strip searches happened without an appropriate adult present during the same period.
Black children make up 35% of strip searched kids but only 6% of the child population.
Use of force was involved in about 20% of stop and search cases, mostly ending with no further action.
Black children are more likely to face use of force due to their size or build, unlike white children, who are more often described as having mental health needs.
Nearly one-third of strip searched children had been searched before, raising concerns about repeated harm.
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Dylan Ratigan, a financial journalist who left cable news in 2011, says political corruption in the U.S. has worsened since then. He believes both major parties share blame for a system that benefits the wealthy while harming ordinary Americans.
Key Facts
Ratigan left CNBC and MSNBC in 2011 due to frustration with political corruption.
He said the U.S. two-party system extracts wealth from regular people and rewards those who designed it.
His 2011 viral rant highlighted issues during President Obama’s first term, especially after the financial crisis.
Ratigan criticized the Obama administration for rescuing Wall Street without reforms to prevent future crises.
He believes this failure helped fuel support for Bernie Sanders and President Trump.
Ratigan argues that political corruption now is larger and more open than before.
He points to examples like Jared Kushner’s business dealings and President Trump’s family’s federal contracts.
Ratigan urges Americans to expect more than just avoiding the worst corruption seen elsewhere.
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Police in New York are looking for a man who left a six-month-old baby girl alone in a stroller in Times Square. The baby was found safe and taken to a hospital, while detectives review video and ask people nearby for help finding the father.
Key Facts
A six-month-old baby girl was found alone in a stroller near West 44th Street and Seventh Avenue in Times Square.
The baby was awake, alert, and unharmed when police arrived around 11 pm.
Police are searching for the father, who often visits Times Square, using surveillance videos and talking to locals.
New York law allows parents to safely give up babies younger than 30 days old by leaving them in safe places like hospitals or firehouses.
For babies older than 30 days, parents should contact child services.
The incident follows recent concerns about child safety after a seven-month-old baby was shot in a Brooklyn gang-related shooting.
Another recent tragedy was a mass shooting in Louisiana where eight children died, carried out by their father.
New York’s mayor described the recent violence affecting children as unacceptable.
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President Donald Trump is expected to change the classification of marijuana soon, making it easier to study its medical uses. This change follows an earlier order from the president and will not legalize marijuana or affect current prison sentences.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug.
This reclassification would reduce restrictions on marijuana research.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) would face fewer barriers for studying marijuana.
The change does not make marijuana legal for recreational or medical use immediately.
It will not change the sentences of people currently jailed for marijuana possession.
The president issued an executive order last year to begin this reclassification process.
The move could help gather support from people who favor marijuana research.
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The U.S. Supreme Court considered a case about whether federal or state law applies to a lawsuit involving a Taliban suicide bombing at a U.S. military base in Afghanistan. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the majority opinion that favored state law claims, while Justice Samuel Alito dissented, arguing that military matters during wartime should be governed only by federal law.
Key Facts
The case involves a lawsuit by former Army specialist Winston T. Hencely, injured in a 2016 suicide bombing at a U.S. base in Afghanistan.
Hencely sued Fluor Corporation, a military contractor, for negligent supervision of Ahmad Nayeb, a Taliban operative hired under the "Afghan First" program.
Lower courts ruled that federal law prevents state law claims against military contractors for combat-related activities during war.
The Supreme Court sided with the plaintiff’s right to sue under state law, rejecting federal preemption in this case.
Justice Thomas wrote the majority opinion, joined by five other justices.
Justice Alito dissented, joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Kavanaugh, arguing that war powers belong exclusively to the federal government.
The disagreement centers on whether states can regulate or judge military actions during active combat.
This is a developing story with further updates expected.
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U.S. officials say Iran has more military strength than the government has publicly shared. Despite U.S. and Israeli attacks that damaged Iran's forces, Iran still has many missiles, boats, and airplanes that can cause harm in the region.
Key Facts
About half of Iran’s ballistic missiles and launch systems remain after a recent ceasefire.
Approximately 60% of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard naval forces, including fast attack boats, are still operational.
Iranian gunboats recently attacked commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Around two-thirds of Iran’s air force is still active despite heavy strikes on their bases.
The U.S. military operation called Epic Fury targeted thousands of Iranian military sites.
Pentagon officials claim most of Iran’s large navy ships have been destroyed but smaller boats remain.
Iran still has thousands of missiles and one-way attack drones that pose threats.
Pentagon leaders describe the conflict as a major victory but acknowledge Iran’s ability to cause damage remains.
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States are working to redraw voting districts before the November midterm elections to benefit their political parties. Virginia voters recently approved a plan favoring Democrats, and Florida is preparing for a special session where Republicans will try to redraw districts to their advantage.
Key Facts
Redrawing voting districts is called redistricting and usually happens every ten years after the census.
President Donald Trump encouraged Texas Republicans last year to redraw districts mid-decade for political gain.
Democrats in California responded with their own redistricting efforts.
Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment supporting a Democratic redistricting plan.
The Virginia plan could help Democrats win more U.S. House seats in the upcoming elections.
Florida lawmakers will meet in a special session starting April 28 to try a Republican redistricting plan.
These redistricting fights are happening in several states ahead of the 2024 midterm elections.
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A man in Shreveport, Louisiana, fatally shot eight children, including his own, and injured two women during a domestic violence incident. The mother of three of the children is in the hospital with a bullet still in her face, and the suspect was killed by police at the scene. Federal authorities later arrested a man connected to the firearm used in the shooting.
Key Facts
The shooting happened early Sunday in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The gunman, Shamar Elkins, killed eight children, including seven of his own and one cousin.
Two women were also shot and injured; one has a bullet lodged in her face and is in recovery.
The suspect was shot and killed by police after the attack.
Elkins had a past firearms arrest and reportedly struggled with mental health issues.
The suspect and one of the injured women, his wife, were going through a separation and had a court date the day after the shooting.
Federal agents arrested another man who was charged with illegally possessing the firearm used in the shooting.
This shooting is the deadliest mass killing in the United States in the last two years.
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A nonpartisan group that predicts elections says Democrats are close to winning the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026. This change is because voters in Virginia approved a new voting map that favors Democrats in several districts.
Key Facts
Sabato’s Crystal Ball is a nonpartisan election forecasting group from the University of Virginia.
After Virginia’s new voting map was approved, four House districts were seen as more likely to go to Democrats.
The redistricting, which means redrawing the boundaries of voting areas, took place in Virginia.
This change improves Democrats’ chances of winning the U.S. House majority in the 2026 elections.
The updated forecast was released shortly after the Virginia vote.
Redistricting can influence election results by changing which party has more voters in each district.
The House of Representatives is part of the U.S. Congress and controls many national laws.
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The U.S. Justice Department plans to offer up to $3.5 billion in grants mainly to support immigration-related law enforcement programs, equipment, and personnel. This comes one year after the department cut and delayed many other grants for victims' services, crime prevention, and substance abuse programs.
Key Facts
The Justice Department will soon request applications for grants totaling up to $3.5 billion.
The grants will fund immigration detention construction, police surveillance tools, and law enforcement hiring.
Some funds will pay local prosecutors to assist the department with fraud investigations involving public benefits.
A $300 million grant solicitation for prosecuting fraud related to illegal immigrants was posted recently.
Many other DOJ grants for victim services, hate crime prevention, and substance abuse were cut or delayed last year.
These funding changes have led to program shutdowns, staff layoffs, and long waits for grant decisions.
The DOJ is reviewing and reallocating funds to focus more on law enforcement and public safety priorities under President Trump’s administration.
The Justice Department paused grant solicitations for over a year due to staffing cuts and increased political reviews before resuming some programs in 2026.
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The parents of Sheridan Gorman, a student who was killed at Loyola University Chicago in March, are asking for answers and responsibility for their daughter's death. They spoke with CBS News to share their concerns.
Key Facts
Sheridan Gorman was a student at Loyola University Chicago.
She was killed in March.
Her parents want accountability for her death.
They discussed the situation with CBS News reporter Matt Gutman.
The parents’ interview was shared by CBS News.
The family seeks clarity on what happened to Sheridan.
Loyola University Chicago is the location of the incident.
The case has drawn public and media attention.
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Virginia recently voted to change its congressional map, which redraws the boundaries for voting districts. This change may affect both Democratic and Republican political parties across the country.
Key Facts
Virginia held a vote on changing its congressional district boundaries.
The congressional map determines how voting areas are divided for elections.
Redrawing these districts can influence which party wins more seats in Congress.
Both Democrats and Republicans could be affected by the new map.
The decision in Virginia might have broader effects on national politics.
The report was shared by CBS News reporters Fin Gómez and David Becker.
The story was featured on CBS News platforms including their app and website.
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Anthony Fauci, a well-known scientist and doctor, performed as an actor for the first time in a reading of the ancient play Oedipus the King at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. The event used the play’s story to discuss serious current issues like climate change, with actors including Jesse Eisenberg and Senator Chuck Schumer also taking part.
Key Facts
Anthony Fauci played Tiresias, the blind prophet, in a reading of Oedipus the King.
The event took place at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
The reading was part of an effort to connect the play’s themes to today’s challenges, especially climate change.
Jesse Eisenberg, a Hollywood actor, played Oedipus.
Senator Chuck Schumer participated in the event as part of the cast.
Theater of War, a group that mixes drama with public talks, organized the reading.
The play’s story involves prophecy, denial, and a city suffering from disaster, which organizers linked to current political and environmental crises.
Fauci has a background in Greek and Latin and sees parallels between the play’s themes and climate denial.
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Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger said that the campaign against the state's redistricting vote tried to mislead people into rejecting a plan that would redraw congressional districts to favor Democrats. She encouraged people to vote yes on the measure.
Key Facts
Virginia had a referendum on redrawing congressional districts.
The goal of the redistricting was to favor Democratic candidates.
Governor Abigail Spanberger spoke out in support of the redistricting plan.
Spanberger said the opposing campaign tried to trick voters into saying no.
Supporters encouraged voters to approve the redistricting measure.
The redistricting process affects how electoral boundaries are drawn.
Changing district maps can influence election outcomes by changing voter groups.
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President Donald Trump criticized some conservative Supreme Court justices, saying they have become weak and made poor decisions. He expressed frustration with their ruling on tariffs and doubts about his plan to limit birthright citizenship.
Key Facts
President Trump made critical comments about certain conservative Supreme Court justices.
He said these justices have become "weak, stupid, and bad."
The criticism came after a Supreme Court decision involving tariffs.
Trump also mentioned the justices’ skepticism about his attempt to limit birthright citizenship.
He expressed disappointment that Republican justices do not support each other strongly.
The comments were shared in a detailed post on Trump's social media platform, Truth Social.
This criticism focuses on the Supreme Court’s role in decisions affecting his policies.
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War-related tensions with Iran have caused U.S. gas and oil prices to rise, leading to higher costs for drivers, farmers, and other industries. Gas prices reached over $4 per gallon in March, and diesel prices have increased rapidly due to shortages and global supply issues.
Key Facts
Average U.S. gas prices exceeded $4 per gallon on March 31, the highest since 2022.
The conflict near the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil shipping route, affects global oil supplies.
California’s gas prices are higher due to more oil imports and higher state taxes.
Diesel prices have risen faster than regular gasoline because diesel was already limited before the war.
About half the cost of gas comes from oil prices; the rest is refining, taxes, and marketing.
Gas prices often rise in warmer months because more fuel is used.
The U.S. produces the most oil, but global markets set the price.
Heating oil prices are also rising, affecting home heating costs for Americans.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that a veteran injured by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan can sue the government contractor responsible for the attacker’s work. The contractor, Fluor Corporation, was accused of failing to properly supervise the employee who built the explosive vest used in the attack.
Key Facts
The veteran, Army Specialist Winston Hencely, was wounded in a 2016 suicide bombing at Bagram Airfield during a Veterans Day weekend race.
The attacker, Ahmad Nayeb, detonated his explosive vest after Hencely confronted him, killing five people and injuring more than a dozen.
Hencely suffered a fractured skull, brain injuries, seizures, and partial paralysis on his left side.
Hencely sued Fluor Corporation, the government contractor Nayeb worked for, claiming the company failed to supervise Nayeb properly.
Fluor argued it was immune from lawsuits because it was working under a government contract during wartime.
The Supreme Court majority held that companies can be sued if they fail to perform their supervisory duties while working for the government.
The ruling was written by Justice Clarence Thomas and joined by five other justices; three justices dissented.
The dissenting justices expressed concerns that the lawsuit could interfere with government wartime policies, including employing Afghan workers.
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Wildfires in southeastern Georgia and Florida have destroyed nearly 50 homes and caused evacuations. Dry weather, drought, and strong winds are making the fires worse, and Florida is experiencing one of its worst fire seasons in decades.
Key Facts
About 47 homes were destroyed by a fast-moving wildfire in southeastern Georgia.
Evacuations are happening in multiple communities in Georgia.
Fires are spreading between Jacksonville, Florida, and along Georgia’s coast.
Florida has been in a drought for 18 months, increasing fire risks.
Firefighting equipment is being positioned closer to active fires in Florida.
Smoke from the fires is affecting air quality in Atlanta, Savannah, and Jacksonville.
The National Weather Service predicts continued high fire danger through Friday.
A wildfire caused a temporary disruption of Amtrak train service in northeast Florida.
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A recent Gallup poll shows that only 10 percent of people approve of how Congress is doing its job. Meanwhile, 86 percent of those surveyed said they do not approve of the work done by federal lawmakers from both political parties.
Key Facts
Congress has a 10 percent approval rating according to the latest Gallup poll.
This rating is near the lowest ever recorded by Gallup for Congress.
86 percent of poll respondents disapprove of Congress’s job performance.
The dissatisfaction applies to lawmakers from both major political parties.
The previous record low approval rating was 9 percent.
The poll results were made public on a Wednesday.
The poll reflects opinions about the overall work of the federal Congress.
This shows a high level of public frustration with Congress.
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