Children sometimes don't get invited to birthday parties, which is a common experience. Experts suggest parents help kids understand this is normal, explain reasons, and offer other fun activities to manage their feelings.
Key Facts
Being left off a party guest list happens to many children.
Experts say parents should help children build resilience instead of trying to fix every problem.
It's good to explain to kids that not being invited is usually not about them personally.
Parents can plan alternative activities so the child has something fun to do instead.
Children’s friendships become more meaningful around ages 5 to 7.
The number of kids invited to a party may be limited by the host parents’ choices or budget.
Over time, children learn that both being invited and not invited are normal parts of social life.
Parents should reassure children that feelings of disappointment tend to pass as friendships grow.
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Kristi Noem, who was the special envoy for the Shield of the Americas coalition under President Donald Trump’s administration, is no longer in that role. A State Department spokesperson confirmed her departure but gave no further details.
Key Facts
Kristi Noem served as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas coalition.
She was appointed during President Donald Trump’s administration.
The State Department confirmed she is no longer in this position.
Tommy Pigott, a State Department spokesperson, provided this information.
No reasons or future plans for Noem were mentioned.
The confirmation came during an interview with NewsNation.
The Shield of the Americas is an international security cooperation effort.
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Maine Senator Susan Collins and her Democratic opponent Troy Jackson had a tense debate, including a loud protester interruption and a sharp exchange between the candidates. Collins was challenged about standing up to President Trump, and she mentioned an unsuccessful effort to block a Defense Secretary nominee.
Key Facts
Susan Collins is a Republican Senator from Maine.
Troy Jackson is her Democratic challenger in the Senate race.
A protester interrupted their debate, leading to a sharp exchange of words.
Collins was asked about times she opposed President Trump.
She cited her attempt to block the confirmation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The confirmation succeeded because a Republican senator changed his vote.
This Senate race is one of several that will affect which party controls the Senate.
The debate showed a tense and sometimes childish tone between the candidates.
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Michelle Parker, who disappeared in 2011 after a dispute with her ex-fiance on a TV show, has not been found, but her ex-fiance Dale Smith Jr. was arrested in 2026 and charged with her murder. Police used new digital forensic technology and reviewed past evidence to make the arrest.
Key Facts
Michelle Parker went missing in November 2011 after appearing on "The People's Court" with her ex-fiance.
Parker was last seen dropping off their twin children at Smith’s house.
Dale Smith Jr., aged 55, was arrested on a second-degree murder charge in October 2026.
Police reviewed past testimonies and used new technology in digital forensics on devices and vehicles to find new evidence.
Smith has given different answers to police questions over the years.
Parker’s body has not been found yet.
Smith pleaded not guilty and remains in custody without bond.
Smith’s attorney said he cooperated at the start and maintains his innocence.
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President Donald Trump blamed Senator John Cornyn and Karl Rove for making it harder for Ken Paxton to win the Texas Senate race. The race is closely watched since Texas has not elected a Democratic senator since 1988, and recent polls show Democrat James Talarico slightly ahead of Paxton.
Key Facts
President Trump said Cornyn and Rove are causing problems for Ken Paxton in the Senate race.
Texas last voted for a Democratic senator in 1988.
Elon Musk donated $158 million to a GOP super PAC, which then helped a Texas PAC supporting Paxton.
A recent Texas poll shows Democrat James Talarico leading Paxton 50% to 47%.
Over $500 million has been spent on ads in the Texas Senate race.
Talarico raised $64 million in small donations in one quarter, with most contributions under $100.
Paxton raised $18 million in the same period.
Republican leaders warned that a tough primary between Paxton and Cornyn could hurt the party’s chances in the general election.
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The Department of Justice, under President Donald Trump’s administration, flagged over 20,000 California voters as likely noncitizens. They used government data matching and investigations and have asked a federal court to stop these voters’ mail ballots from being counted until their citizenship is confirmed.
Key Facts
The DOJ identified more than 20,000 California voters it suspects are not U.S. citizens.
The process involved checking voter rolls against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Matches were classified as high, medium, or low confidence based on how closely the data matched.
For high-confidence matches, USCIS looked for evidence of naturalization or citizenship through parents.
The DHS used additional data sources, including State Department and Social Security records, to verify citizenship and death records.
After USCIS sent the list, HSI further investigated the names using its own tools.
The DOJ filed a lawsuit asking a federal judge to block ballots from the flagged voters until their citizenship status is verified.
California officials disputed the federal findings and declined to meet the DOJ’s request within the set deadline.
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Paul Craft, the director of the Pentagon’s school system, is resigning at the end of this month. He served less than eight months in this leadership role.
Key Facts
Paul Craft is the director of the Pentagon’s school system.
He will step down from his position at the end of this month.
Craft was selected to lead the agency less than eight months ago.
The Pentagon’s school system serves the families of military personnel.
His resignation comes relatively soon after his appointment.
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Senator Bernie Moreno urged Republican lawmakers to cancel their Thanksgiving break and work nonstop if they lose control of Congress in the midterm elections. He wants the party to pass a large spending and policy bill covering many GOP priorities during the lame-duck period between the election and the new Congress.
Key Facts
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) suggests Republicans stay in Washington from November 9 to December 31 without a break if they lose majorities.
Moreno expects Republicans to pass a big "reconciliation" bill in the lame-duck session to push key party priorities.
Reconciliation is a process that allows passing certain bills with just a simple majority.
Some key Republican senators, like John Cornyn and Mitch McConnell, may not support all efforts as they are leaving office.
Priority items include funding the government, defense spending, raising the debt ceiling, and reauthorizing surveillance laws.
The administration wants to fund new missile defense and weapons upgrades, needing at least $350 billion to rebuild the military.
Sen. Moreno is running unopposed to lead the National Republican Senatorial Committee, aiming to regain Senate control if lost.
Other important tasks during the lame-duck include passing the defense authorization bill, farm bill, permitting reform, and confirming nominations.
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A 16-year-old suspect opened fire at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. A bystander shot and killed the suspect, but the shooting resulted in the deaths of at least three children and one adult.
Key Facts
The shooting took place at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon.
The suspect was 16 years old.
A bystander shot and killed the suspect.
At least three children died in the shooting.
One adult was also killed.
Kieran Carroll, a school safety expert, discussed the event on CBS News.
Multiple law enforcement sources confirmed these details.
The incident occurred on a Thursday.
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White House press secretary Katie Zacharia did not pass the California bar exam, according to sources. She has described herself as a lawyer and President Donald Trump called her "an attorney," but Zacharia clarified she took the exam and did not focus on passing because she planned to work in China.
Key Facts
Katie Zacharia is the White House press secretary as of October 2026.
She graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2011.
Zacharia took the California bar exam but did not pass it.
President Donald Trump referred to her as "an attorney" in a social media post.
Zacharia said she called herself a lawyer, not an attorney at law, and provides legal analysis rather than legal advice.
She said she moved to China after law school to work in international transaction law, where a U.S. bar license was not required.
The White House did not clearly confirm whether she passed the bar exam.
Zacharia emphasized she never presented herself as a practicing attorney.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a new policy proposal to the White House. This policy would let compounding pharmacies temporarily make and sell certain peptides that were previously limited.
Key Facts
The FDA submitted an "interim access policy" regarding peptides to the White House this week.
The policy involves allowing compounding pharmacies to produce and sell peptides temporarily.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids used in some medical treatments.
This change would ease previous restrictions on peptide availability.
The move was reported in a government filing.
The proposal is part of healthcare discussions involving the White House.
The Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare is connected to this news.
RFK Jr. is mentioned as advancing the peptide push, indicating involvement in the issue.
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The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the state of California because California did not provide voter information by a required deadline before the midterm elections. The lawsuit involves access to voter records needed for election-related purposes.
Key Facts
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against California.
The issue is California’s failure to meet a deadline to provide voter information.
The voter records are required ahead of the midterm elections.
Providing this information helps with election oversight and enforcement.
The lawsuit aims to ensure California shares accurate voter data on time.
This action is part of the DOJ’s effort to support election law compliance.
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Heating oil prices in Maine have nearly doubled in one year, causing financial stress for families who rely on it for warmth. Community groups are providing limited help like free heating oil and firewood, but demand is very high, and supplies may run out before winter ends.
Key Facts
Heating oil prices in Maine rose from $3.34 to $5.97 per gallon in the past year, an increase of about 79%.
Chris and Cheryl Oliver, earning about $60,000 a year, face hard choices between buying food or heating their home.
Over 4 million U.S. households use heating oil, with 82% located in the Northeast.
The Olivers received 100 gallons of free heating oil from a community center, worth about $700, but it is not enough for the winter.
The Freeport Wood Bank provides firewood as an alternative heat source to families in need.
The Wood Bank currently helps about 50 families but may run out of firewood supply by mid-winter.
Rising heating oil costs have increased demand for wood firewood at local pantries.
Chris Oliver has serious health problems, making heating support critical for their family.
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Cornell University's president was questioned by faculty members about how he handled gang rape allegations related to a fraternity in 2024. Faculty raised concerns during a senate meeting, seeking answers about the university's response.
Key Facts
The incident involved gang rape allegations at a Cornell fraternity house in 2024.
Faculty members confronted the university president about the handling of these allegations.
The discussion took place during a faculty senate meeting.
The meeting was reported by CBS News.
The focus was on the university’s response to the victims and the incident.
This issue has drawn significant attention within the Cornell community.
The article does not mention any new outcomes or actions taken following the meeting.
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Republican Mike Rogers is running to win a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan, which is currently held by Democrats. This Senate race is getting a lot of attention, including interest from President Donald Trump as the 2024 midterm elections approach.
Key Facts
Michigan has a U.S. Senate seat up for election this fall.
The seat is currently held by a Democrat.
Republican Mike Rogers is the candidate trying to win this seat for his party.
The race is considered important and is receiving significant attention.
President Donald Trump is involved or interested in this Michigan Senate contest.
The election is part of the 2024 midterm election cycle.
Midterm elections decide control of Congress for the following years.
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A contest is taking place in Massachusetts to find the new voice for Boston Logan International Airport. The competition features people who use classic New England accents.
Key Facts
The competition aims to select the new voice for announcements at Boston Logan International Airport.
It is happening in Massachusetts.
Participants showcase traditional New England accents during auditions.
The contest was recently covered in a brief news segment.
Boston Logan International Airport uses this voice for public announcements.
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Recent polls show Democrat James Talarico slightly leading Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race. Political experts discussed this race on the CBS News show "The Takeout."
Key Facts
James Talarico is the Democratic candidate for Texas Senate.
Ken Paxton is the Republican candidate in the Texas Senate race.
Recent polls indicate Talarico has a small lead over Paxton.
Political strategists Chuck Rocha and Erin Maguire analyzed the race on a CBS News program.
The discussion focused on whether the Texas Senate race represents a strong opportunity for Democrats.
The race is part of the wider political events leading up to the midterm elections.
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A shooting happened at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon. Four people, including three children and one adult, died. The shooter was a 16-year-old boy who also died.
Key Facts
The shooting took place at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon.
At least four people died: three children and one adult.
The shooter was a 16-year-old male.
The shooter died during the incident.
Police confirmed these details through law enforcement sources.
The event occurred on a Thursday.
CBS News reported the information based on official sources.
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Vice President JD Vance spoke about issues like corruption and the economy during a town hall event in Michigan as part of his midterm campaign. He called selling access to the White House unacceptable and discussed concerns about inflation and government corruption.
Key Facts
Vice President JD Vance held a town hall in Michigan during his midterm campaign.
The event focused on important topics such as economic challenges and corruption.
Vance strongly criticized the practice of selling access to the White House.
Inflation and its impact on people was part of the discussion.
The town hall was covered by CBS News and took place amid other major news stories.
Vance aims to address voters’ concerns ahead of the midterm elections.
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