Fact-first summaries of the news — stay informed, stay grounded.
Your favorite news sources, one calm feed — fact-first summaries that always link to the
original story. No outrage bait, and we tell you when you're caught up. How it works
US News
Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick from Florida resigned from Congress just before a House Ethics Committee meeting about her alleged wrongdoing. She faces charges of stealing nearly $5 million from FEMA funds to use in her campaign and has pleaded not guilty.
Key Facts
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is a Democratic representative from Florida.
She resigned from her position in Congress on a Tuesday.
Her resignation came moments before a House Ethics Committee meeting.
The committee was set to decide if she should be punished for alleged misconduct.
She is accused of stealing about $5 million from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The stolen funds were allegedly used to support her political campaign.
Cherfilus-McCormick has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida is resigning from Congress amid an ethics investigation into her use of campaign funds. The House Ethics Committee found she committed 25 violations and was about to recommend punishment, while she also faces federal criminal charges related to misuse of COVID-19 relief funds.
Key Facts
Cherfilus-McCormick chose to resign rather than face formal punishment from the House Ethics Committee.
The committee found she broke 25 House rules and ethics standards, including campaign finance laws.
Republicans had called for her expulsion from Congress.
She is also charged with stealing $5 million in coronavirus relief funds, which she allegedly used to finance her campaign and buy personal items.
Cherfilus-McCormick pleaded not guilty to both the ethics violations and criminal charges.
Her attorney argued she was not given enough time or a fair process to defend herself.
The Ethics Committee’s investigation took two years, involved 59 subpoenas, 28 witness interviews, and over 33,000 pages of documents.
Some local leaders supported her, asking the committee to be cautious and protect representation for their community.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito asks his law clerks to see their work as part of a serious fight over the future of the Constitution and the country. Alito views the Court as under attack from political and public pressure, especially after the leak of his draft opinion on the abortion case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
Key Facts
Justice Alito tells his clerks they are in a “war” and fighting for America, not just building their careers.
Each justice usually has four clerks who help with research, drafting opinions, and managing cases.
Alito expects his clerks to share his conservative views and work to protect those values.
Alito compares his chambers to an elite military unit, sometimes called the “Green Berets” of the Supreme Court.
One important issue for Alito is protecting religious freedom, shown in cases like allowing a Muslim inmate to have a beard in prison.
Alito believes the Court faces attacks from politicians, activists, and media trying to influence decisions.
He sees threats like court-packing and impeachment as efforts to weaken judicial independence.
The leak of Alito’s draft opinion on Dobbs caused trauma inside the Court and increased security concerns.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against ActBlue, a fundraising platform used by the Democratic Party. He claims ActBlue gave false information to Congress and the public about how it checks donations.
Key Facts
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed the lawsuit against ActBlue.
ActBlue is a major platform used by Democrats to raise money.
Paxton says ActBlue misled Congress and the American public.
The lawsuit alleges ActBlue did not follow state laws against deceptive practices.
The claim states that ActBlue did not properly vet donations as it said it did.
Paxton wants ActBlue to face legal consequences for these actions.
This case focuses on transparency and honesty in political fundraising.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to change the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a group that decides which preventive health services insurance companies must cover without charging patients. The government has started asking for nominations to fill positions on the 16-member panel.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the current U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.
He wants to remake the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
This task force recommends which medical prevention services insurers cover for free.
The Department of Health and Human Services announced a call for nominations to join the task force.
The notice did not state how many of the 16 seats will be appointed.
The task force is important because its decisions affect insurance coverage for preventive care.
The call for nominations was issued on a recent Tuesday.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick announced she will resign from Congress amid an ethics investigation into her use of campaign funds. The House Ethics Committee found multiple violations related to money tied to her family’s health care business and is preparing recommendations for punishment.
Key Facts
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is a Florida Democrat serving her third term in Congress.
The House Ethics Committee detected 25 violations of rules, including campaign finance issues.
The investigation linked millions of dollars from her family’s health care business that were used improperly in her campaign.
The money came from about $5 million overpaid to the family business through coronavirus relief funds.
Cherfilus-McCormick denied wrongdoing and did not testify, citing her Fifth Amendment right.
She faces separate federal criminal charges related to stealing disaster relief funds but pleads not guilty.
Republicans, including the House Speaker and Florida GOP members, pushed for her expulsion from Congress.
After her resignation, a special election will be held in Florida to fill her seat, as required by the Constitution.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick from Florida resigned from Congress on Tuesday. She stepped down just before the House Ethics Committee planned to discuss possible punishment related to allegations of financial wrongdoing and federal charges against her.
Key Facts
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is a Democratic member of Congress from Florida.
She resigned on Tuesday before the House Ethics Committee meeting.
The committee was set to consider penalties for her financial misconduct.
Cherfilus-McCormick faces federal charges connected to these allegations.
Her resignation avoids a possible expulsion vote by the House.
The timing of her resignation happened shortly before the Ethics Committee session.
The details of the financial misconduct have not been fully described in the article.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Kevin Warsh faced tough questions during his Senate hearing to become Federal Reserve chairman. Senators challenged his independence from President Donald Trump and questioned his financial ties, including links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Key Facts
Senator Elizabeth Warren called Warsh a potential "sock puppet" for President Trump but Warsh denied this, saying the Fed must stay independent.
Warsh was questioned about investments possibly connected to Trump, money laundering, Chinese firms, and Jeffrey Epstein but did not directly answer. He said he would sell his holdings if confirmed.
President Trump expects Warsh to cut interest rates soon to help the economy. Warsh denied agreeing to any deal with the president about rates.
Senator Thom Tillis supports Warsh but wants an investigation into Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s building renovation costs resolved before confirming Warsh.
The interest rate set by the Fed affects loans like mortgages, car loans, and business borrowing.
Warsh proposed changes to how the Fed measures inflation and communicates its policies during the hearing.
Jerome Powell plans to stay in the Fed chair role past May 15 if Warsh is not confirmed.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. military will no longer require all soldiers to get the flu vaccine, following a decision by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This change supports personal choice and religious freedom, but military branches can still ask to keep the requirement for a short time.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the flu vaccine is no longer mandatory for all U.S. military members.
The decision is based on medical autonomy (personal control over medical decisions) and religious freedom.
Military services have 15 days to request keeping the flu vaccine mandate if they choose.
This policy change is part of President Donald Trump’s wider effort to reduce vaccine mandates in the federal government.
Public health experts recommend flu vaccines for almost everyone aged six months and older.
The U.S. experienced a severe flu season before this decision.
More than 8,400 military personnel were dismissed in 2021 for not following the COVID-19 vaccine requirement.
The Trump administration also reduced vaccine recommendations for children, a change currently challenged in court.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer has announced she is stepping down while facing several investigations related to scandals. These events have raised concerns about the stability within the government administration.
Key Facts
Lori Chavez-DeRemer is leaving her position amid ongoing investigations.
Multiple scandals are currently being investigated involving her.
The situation has caused questions about government stability.
The article implies there is notable staff turnover in the administration.
No specific details about the scandals or investigations are provided.
The reasons behind the investigations are not explained.
The impact on the administration’s future is uncertain.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick from Florida has resigned from Congress after the Ethics Committee found her guilty of several charges, including using $5 million in COVID relief money for her campaign. She denied any wrongdoing but stepped down before lawmakers could vote to expel her.
Key Facts
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) resigned from Congress on Tuesday.
The Ethics Committee found her guilty of multiple charges, mainly for redirecting $5 million in COVID relief funds to her campaign.
Cherfilus-McCormick denied the accusations.
Lawmakers were preparing to vote on expelling her before she resigned.
The Ethics Committee was scheduled to meet to decide on disciplinary actions.
This is the third lawmaker resignation this month.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) planned to push for a vote to expel Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) over allegations of financial and sexual misconduct.
Cory Mills is currently under investigation by the Ethics Committee.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Kevin Warsh, nominated by President Trump to lead the Federal Reserve, told senators that the central bank will stay independent from political influence. Warsh answered questions during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday.
Key Facts
Kevin Warsh is President Trump's choice to become chair of the Federal Reserve.
The Federal Reserve is the central bank of the United States, which controls money and interest rates.
Warsh emphasized that the Fed will stay "strictly independent," meaning it will make decisions without political pressure.
The confirmation hearing took place before U.S. senators.
This hearing is part of the process to approve Warsh's appointment as Fed chair.
CBS News covered the hearing and reported on the main points.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The House Ethics Committee is deciding what punishment to recommend for Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida after she was found to have broken 25 House rules, including campaign finance laws. She also faces federal criminal charges for allegedly stealing $5 million in coronavirus relief funds.
Key Facts
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is a Democrat from Florida in her third term.
The House Ethics Committee found she violated 25 rules and ethical standards.
Violations include breaking campaign finance laws.
Republicans want to expel her from the House.
She faces federal charges of stealing $5 million in coronavirus relief money.
Allegedly used stolen money to buy expensive items like a large diamond ring.
Cherfilus-McCormick denies both the ethics violations and criminal charges.
The Ethics Committee hearing began at 2 p.m. EDT on Tuesday.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee about the department’s budget request for the year 2027. The discussion includes topics like leadership changes, updates to childhood vaccine schedules, and other programs under President Donald Trump’s "Make America Healthy Again" plan.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
He is testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The hearing is focused on the HHS budget request for fiscal year 2027.
Senators are asking about leadership changes within the department.
Questions include updates to childhood vaccination schedules.
The discussion covers initiatives from President Donald Trump’s "Make America Healthy Again" agenda.
The hearing is taking place on a Tuesday afternoon.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Amir Makled, a candidate chosen by Michigan Democrats, has been criticized for past social media posts. These posts included praising groups like Hamas and Hezbollah and making negative statements about Jewish people.
Key Facts
Amir Makled was selected by Michigan Democrats for a government position.
He has posted tweets praising Hamas and Hezbollah, groups considered terrorist organizations.
Makled called Jewish people "demons" in a retweet.
He shared a message mourning the death of Hassan Nasrallah, a former Hezbollah leader.
Some of these posts were deleted after criticism.
The controversy arises from the content of his social media rather than his political platform.
This story focuses on political candidates and social media behavior in the United States.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve official, avoided answering questions about President Trump’s effort to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board. The issue is currently being reviewed by the Supreme Court. Warsh said the Federal Reserve should focus on its own responsibilities.
Key Facts
Kevin Warsh was questioned about President Trump’s attempt to fire Lisa Cook.
Lisa Cook is a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
The attempt to remove her is now a case before the Supreme Court.
Warsh declined to comment directly on President Trump’s action.
Warsh said the Federal Reserve should "stay in its lane," meaning it should focus on its core duties.
Democratic Senator Angela Alsobrooks asked the questions.
This situation involves the independence of the Federal Reserve from political influence.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A California man named Jarrelle Augustine was arrested for allegedly stealing Lego sets from Target by removing the Lego pieces and replacing them with pasta before returning the boxes. Authorities say he caused about $34,000 in losses through this scam, which was uncovered after Target staff noticed missing pieces during returns.
Key Facts
Jarrelle Augustine, 28, was arrested on April 14 for grand theft related to Lego sets.
He allegedly swapped Lego pieces, including valuable figurines, with dried pasta in the boxes.
Target reported at least 70 theft incidents linked to Augustine across the US.
The total estimated loss from these returns is around $34,000.
Police started investigating after Target's loss prevention team noticed open Lego boxes missing parts.
The investigation began in December 2025 and involved surveillance to identify Augustine.
Other Lego theft cases with similar methods have recently occurred in California.
Target could not resell returned Lego sets that had missing or swapped components.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A federal judge ordered the release of the family of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the suspect in a Boulder Molotov cocktail attack, from immigration custody. Despite the order, the family remains detained at a Texas facility, and their attorney says they are being held without evidence of involvement in the attack.
Key Facts
Mohamed Sabry Soliman is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado.
He faces over 100 charges, including first-degree murder and attempted murder, and has pleaded not guilty.
His wife, Hayam El Gamal, and their five children have been held in an ICE family detention center in Dilley, Texas, for more than 10 months.
A federal judge ruled that the family's detention violates the Constitution and ordered their release.
The family’s lawyer says they have not been released yet and a hearing is scheduled.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is trying to deport the family despite the court ruling.
Hayam El Gamal was taken to the hospital recently due to chest pain and lack of proper medical care while detained.
DHS denies claims of inadequate medical treatment in immigration custody, stating detainees receive appropriate care.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
California Assembly Bill 2624 aims to protect workers and clients involved in immigrant services by allowing them to keep their home addresses confidential to prevent harassment and threats. YouTuber Nick Shirley criticizes the bill, calling it a threat to free speech and investigative reporting, while supporters say it responds to real safety concerns.
Key Facts
AB 2624 is a California bill designed to protect people working with or receiving immigration services from harassment and threats.
The bill would allow these individuals to use a substitute address in public records to keep their real address private.
The bill was authored by Democrat Assemblymember Mia Bonta and cosponsored by several California Democrats.
Nick Shirley, a conservative YouTuber, opposes the bill, claiming it could criminalize investigating fraud and suppress free speech.
Shirley gained attention for his videos on alleged fraud in childcare centers and continues to report on similar issues in California.
Supporters say the bill protects a vulnerable group facing doxing, harassment, and violence, similar to protections already given to healthcare and domestic violence survivors.
Some lawmakers declined to comment on the bill or said they needed to review it before responding.
The bill has been nicknamed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act” by a Republican assembly member, reflecting controversy around Shirley’s criticism.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Ed Markey said that actions taken by President Donald Trump’s administration in the Strait of Hormuz have caused serious problems for energy markets. These actions have contributed to higher fuel prices around the world.
Key Facts
Senator Ed Markey represents Massachusetts and is a member of the Democratic Party.
He criticized the Trump administration’s handling of issues in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway for global oil shipments.
Markey called the situation an "energy apocalypse," meaning a severe crisis in energy supply.
Rising fuel costs globally are linked to tensions in this region.
The Trump administration’s policies and actions are seen as the cause of these problems.
Fuel price increases affect people and economies worldwide.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
