George Santos, a former U.S. congressman who was expelled and served time in federal prison, will appear on a reality TV show called “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” on Fox. The show features tough military-style challenges in a Malaysian jungle and includes other celebrity contestants.
Key Facts
George Santos was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022 as a Republican.
He was expelled from Congress after it was revealed he lied about much of his life story.
Santos faced criminal charges for stealing from donors, campaign fraud, and lying to Congress.
He pleaded guilty but had his sentence reduced by President Donald Trump after serving about 84 days in prison.
Santos will appear on the fifth season of Fox's reality show “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.”
The show involves difficult physical, mental, and emotional challenges, including chemical gassing and underground bunker searches.
Other contestants on the show include former NBA player Matt Barnes and actor Ruby Rose.
Santos recently faced federal investigation over alleged illegal online betting practices.
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Several reporters from The New York Times have been ordered to appear before a federal grand jury. This happened after the newspaper published articles about security problems with the new Air Force One airplane.
Key Facts
The New York Times published stories about security concerns regarding the new Air Force One.
Federal authorities issued subpoenas to multiple Times reporters.
The reporters must testify before a federal grand jury.
The case has raised questions about the freedom of the press.
White House correspondent Liz Landers and analyst Will Creeley have discussed these issues.
The situation involves government interest in national security information.
It highlights tensions between press reporting and government secrecy.
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Police in the U.S. use cameras with artificial intelligence to scan many cars every month. Some people say these cameras help catch criminals, while others worry they invade privacy and create a large surveillance system.
Key Facts
Law enforcement agencies in the U.S. use AI-powered cameras to monitor vehicles.
These cameras scan billions of cars each month.
Many drivers do not know their vehicles are being scanned.
Supporters believe the technology helps solve crimes.
Critics say it builds a nationwide network that watches people closely.
There are concerns about how much privacy is lost for the sake of safety.
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Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, faced questions from senators about how he handled files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Blanche admitted to some mistakes but defended his actions during his confirmation hearing.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche was nominated by President Trump for attorney general.
He became acting attorney general in April 2026 after Pam Bondi was fired.
Senate members questioned Blanche about the release of Epstein files to the public.
Blanche acknowledged errors in how the Epstein files were managed.
He was also asked about his personal relationship with President Trump.
The confirmation hearing was closely followed by news outlets, including the BBC.
Blanche defended his decisions during the hearing despite criticism.
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Congress may soon make daylight saving time permanent in the U.S., meaning clocks would no longer change twice a year. Health experts warn that this change could disrupt natural body rhythms and lead to long-term health issues like heart disease and obesity because people would get less morning sunlight.
Key Facts
The Sunshine Protection Act passed the House with 308 votes in favor and 117 opposed, and it now goes to the Senate.
If the Senate approves, President Donald Trump has said he will sign the bill into law.
Nearly all states except two would stay on daylight saving time year-round, with evenings having more sunlight and mornings less.
Studies show people do not generally exercise more just because of extra evening daylight; some existing exercisers may shift their workout time.
Health experts report more obesity and heart disease rates with permanent daylight saving time.
People tend to never fully adjust their sleep cycles to daylight saving time because it conflicts with the body’s natural clock, called the circadian rhythm.
Less morning light and later sunsets can cause difficulty falling asleep and waking up on time.
Poor sleep increases risks of heart issues, weight problems, weaker immune response, and possibly higher cancer rates.
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The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill that would keep Daylight Saving Time all year long. The bill now moves to the Senate, where a similar proposal faced challenges before.
Key Facts
The Sunshine Protection Act aims to make Daylight Saving Time permanent across the United States.
The bill passed in the House of Representatives with support from both political parties.
Currently, clocks are changed twice a year, once in spring and once in fall.
The bill will now be considered by the Senate.
A similar bill in the Senate did not pass several years ago.
The Lock the Clock Alliance supports stopping the twice-yearly clock changes.
Daylight Saving Time moves clocks forward by one hour to extend evening daylight.
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Black doctors in England are much less likely to get training positions compared to white doctors. Researchers found that after being shortlisted, black candidates receive offers for specialist training far less often, suggesting problems with fairness in the selection process.
Key Facts
Black doctors are four times less likely than white doctors to be offered NHS training places.
For anaesthetics training in 2024, fewer than 1% of black applicants got offers, 30 times less than white applicants.
In obstetrics and gynaecology, black applicants were almost 11 times less likely than white applicants to get training offers.
Black candidates were shortlisted at similar rates to white candidates but were less likely to get final offers.
Overall, 12% of black applicants, 19% of Asian applicants, and 47% of white applicants were offered specialist training places.
Experts say systemic racism and implicit bias influence the selection decisions after shortlisting.
NHS leaders call for clear actions to ensure fair and transparent recruitment practices.
The NHS is working to improve recruitment by adding observers and training interviewers on equality.
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President Donald Trump has canceled an order from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that stopped most traffic stops. This change comes after two deadly shootings caused national concern.
Key Facts
ICE had previously suspended most traffic stops.
The suspension was linked to two deadly shootings that received wide attention.
President Trump has now reversed that suspension.
Mark Morgan, former acting ICE director under Trump’s first term, commented on the decision.
The news was reported by CBS News and featured in their app and broadcasts.
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Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania said he does not plan to leave the Democratic Party now. However, he warned that if the party stops supporting Israel, that could be a reason for him to leave.
Key Facts
Senator John Fetterman represents Pennsylvania and is a member of the Democratic Party.
He currently has no plans to leave the Democratic Party.
Fetterman said he supports U.S. backing of Israel.
He warned that if the Democratic Party stops supporting Israel, it would cross a red line for him.
Crossing that red line could cause him to leave the party.
Fetterman made these remarks in a statement on Wednesday.
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A recent article highlights that fewer Americans are reading books for fun. It points out concerns about changes in what people read and how often, not just among children but across all ages.
Key Facts
There is growing concern about how reading habits have changed in the U.S.
Kids are reading fewer books and different kinds of material than before.
A new story in The Atlantic looks at reading trends in the entire American population.
The story raises questions about the amount and type of reading people do for pleasure.
Jeffrey Brown talked with Rose Horowitch from The Atlantic about this topic.
The focus is on understanding how and why fewer Americans choose to read books for enjoyment.
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A federal judge ruled that a high-speed internet grant program created during President Biden’s administration illegally prioritized race when deciding who would receive funding. The judge referred to a recent Supreme Court ruling about affirmative action in education to support his decision.
Key Facts
The grant program was designed to provide money for high-speed internet access.
The program was signed into law by President Biden.
Judge John Bates ruled the program unconstitutional for considering race in fund distribution.
The decision was influenced by the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action in college admissions.
The ruling sided with arguments made by President Donald Trump’s side.
The issue centers on whether race can be a factor in government funding decisions.
This case is part of broader legal debates about race and equality policies in the U.S.
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The National Youth Poet Laureate program recognizes young writers who use poetry to promote social change. Fred de Sam Lazaro interviewed the 2026-2027 laureate, Daniel Umemezie, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, as part of an arts and culture series called CANVAS.
Key Facts
The National Youth Poet Laureate program has been running for ten years.
It honors top young writers in the United States.
The program focuses on writers who inspire social change through their work.
Daniel Umemezie is the National Youth Poet Laureate for 2026-2027.
Fred de Sam Lazaro interviewed Daniel in his hometown, Cedar Falls, Iowa.
The interview is part of the CANVAS arts and culture series.
The program aims to highlight the power of poetry among youth.
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The Trump administration replaced an exhibit about slavery at President George Washington's Philadelphia home with a new version that some historians say downplays the harsh realities of slavery. The city of Philadelphia opposed this change and sued the federal government, while a court ruled that the new exhibit could remain.
Key Facts
The original slavery exhibit was installed in 2010 at the site where the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
It showed the story of nine slaves living with George and Martha Washington in the 1790s.
The Trump administration removed the original panels overnight and installed new ones.
President Trump issued an order to focus historic exhibits on American achievements rather than uncomfortable truths.
The new exhibit includes information about slavery and abolition but omits some detailed content like a slave trade map and critical headlines.
Philadelphia's mayor and historians say the new exhibit whitewashes slavery history.
Philadelphia sued the federal government to restore the original exhibit.
A federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing the new panels to stay.
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Todd Blanche and Jay Clayton had hearings on Wednesday to be confirmed as attorney general and director of national intelligence. The Senate asked them various questions about their plans and views before deciding on their approval.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is a nominee for attorney general.
Jay Clayton is a nominee for director of national intelligence.
Both had confirmation hearings on the same day, Wednesday.
The Senate conducted the hearings by asking questions.
The purpose was to review their qualifications and plans.
The hearings help the Senate decide if they approve the nominees.
Major Garrett provided coverage of these hearings on CBS News.
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The Pentagon will create a panel to review how the 2021 COVID-19 vaccine mandate for the military was planned and carried out. This vaccine rule caused more than 8,700 military members to leave or be dismissed from service.
Key Facts
The Pentagon announced a review panel on Wednesday.
The panel will study decisions, coordination, planning, and execution of the 2021 military COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Over 8,700 service members left or were dismissed due to the vaccine rule.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the review.
The National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), an independent and nonpartisan group, will carry out the study.
The review aims to understand how the mandate was implemented in the military.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said there were errors in how some information was hidden in the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. He faced many questions about this during a Senate hearing for his job confirmation.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the Acting Attorney General.
He admitted to mistakes in redacting, or hiding, parts of the Epstein files.
The Epstein files are documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted criminal.
Blanche was questioned by senators about these mistakes.
The hearing was part of confirming Blanche for his role as Attorney General.
The issue raised concerns about transparency and handling of sensitive information.
This happened during a Senate confirmation on a Wednesday.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that military members aged 30 and older will have annual testosterone level tests as part of their regular health checks. Those found with low testosterone can choose to receive replacement therapy.
Key Facts
Troops aged 30 and older will get yearly testosterone screenings.
Testing for troops under 30 will be optional.
Soldiers diagnosed with low testosterone can opt for hormone replacement treatment.
Low testosterone naturally occurs with age and can affect mental and physical readiness.
Testosterone deficiency affects about 2% of men, usually older men or those with diabetes or obesity.
Many men receive testosterone therapy without proper testing or diagnosis.
The policy is a new part of health assessments, which usually include vaccines and vision checks.
The change comes amid broader efforts to update military fitness and health standards.
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The House of Representatives passed a funding bill for the State Department and other national security programs for the 2027 fiscal year. The bill now moves to the Senate for review and approval.
Key Facts
The House vote was 217 in favor and 209 against.
One Democrat voted with Republicans to support the bill.
One Republican voted against the bill.
The bill funds the State Department and national security programs.
This funding is for the fiscal year 2027.
After passing the House, the bill is sent to the Senate for consideration.
Appropriations bills provide money for government departments and programs.
The State Department handles U.S. foreign relations and diplomacy.
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The U.S. Mint is making a new $1 coin with President Donald Trump's face to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America. The coin has a gold finish and features Trump’s image on one side and the bald eagle on the other side.
Key Facts
The coin honors America's 250th birthday in 2026.
It shows President Trump in a suit on the front with the word "LIBERTY" and the dates 1776-2026.
The back features the bald eagle from the Great Seal of the U.S. with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" (meaning "Out of many, one").
The coin is not made of gold but has a gold finish.
Federal law usually forbids living presidents from appearing on U.S. currency, but the Treasury Secretary approved this coin.
The original approved design was changed slightly in the final version.
The Treasury Department also plans to put Trump’s signature on all new paper money.
President Trump expressed that he felt honored by having his face on the coin.
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Andrea Shaw, a 23-year-old mother in Idaho, is accused of suffocating her twin toddlers and is being held in jail without bail. She has claimed vaccines caused her children's deaths, but prosecutors say she killed them and do not want her near children.
Key Facts
Andrea Shaw is charged with killing her 18-month-old twin toddlers in May 2025.
Prosecutors say Shaw suffocated the children and asked a judge to keep her in jail.
Shaw blamed vaccines for her twins' deaths, citing vaccines given days before they died.
She has not yet entered a plea in the murder case.
A judge canceled her $2 million bail, seeing her as a risk to her newborn child.
Shaw’s lawyer says she is a caring mother who needs to recover and care for her newborn.
Medical autopsy results have not been released yet.
Shaw appeared in an interview with an anti-vaccine group and is part of a lawsuit challenging vaccine guidelines.
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