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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
Sheryl Williams Stapleton, a former New Mexico House Majority Leader, pleaded guilty to state charges of fraud and money laundering for diverting millions of dollars meant for vocational education to businesses and charities she was connected to. She agreed to a prison sentence of 10.5 years and restitution over $1.8 million, with most other charges dropped under a plea deal.
Key Facts
Sheryl Williams Stapleton was a high-ranking Democratic legislator in New Mexico since 1994.
She diverted over $3 million intended for vocational education in Albuquerque Public Schools to companies and charities linked to her and her associates.
She pleaded guilty to state charges including money laundering and fraud in August 2026.
A federal jury had convicted her of similar charges three weeks before her guilty plea.
Her plea deal includes a 10.5-year prison sentence and repayment of more than $1.8 million.
Prosecutors said she worked with Joseph Johnson, a friend and co-defendant, who owned a company that received the diverted funds.
She resigned from the legislature and was fired by the school district in 2021 after investigations began.
Both Williams Stapleton and Johnson failed to report income from their scheme on federal tax returns and were convicted federally but have not been sentenced yet.
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Barry Morphew, a Colorado man charged with killing his wife, was arrested after a hit-and-run crash in Denver while on bond. He broke the rules of his bond by traveling away from home for a non-work reason.
Key Facts
Barry Morphew was free on a $3 million bond while awaiting trial for the death of his wife, Suzanne Morphew.
He was arrested after causing a hit-and-run crash involving two other cars near Denver International Airport.
Morphew was only allowed to leave his home in southern Colorado for work or limited reasons, but he reportedly went to the airport for another reason.
His wife, Suzanne Morphew, disappeared in 2020, and her skeletal remains were found in 2023.
Initially, charges against Barry Morphew were dropped but later reinstated with a first-degree murder charge.
Investigators found no clear injury marks on Suzanne’s remains but did find traces of drugs used to tranquilize animals in her bone marrow.
Authorities say Barry Morphew was the only person legally allowed to use those drugs in the area.
He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial next summer.
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A fake website claiming to be for the 2026 Republican National Committee midterm convention redirected visitors to the Department of Justice’s Jeffrey Epstein files. The Republican Party quickly denied any connection to the fake site and directed people to the official convention website. The prank revived discussion about the handling of Epstein’s files during President Donald Trump’s administration.
Key Facts
The website gopdallas2026.com appeared as the top Google search result for the 2026 Republican midterm convention in Dallas.
Clicking the site redirected users to the DOJ’s website with files on Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
The Republican Party called the website fake and pointed users to GOPConvention.com for official information.
Epstein’s files release was required by law but criticized for redactions and revealing victim identities.
President Trump, who will speak at the convention, has faced scrutiny over his past connection to Epstein.
The 2026 midterm convention, held September 9-10 in Dallas, is the first ever midterm convention by a major party.
Republicans aim to maintain control of the House and Senate amid President Trump’s declining popularity.
Democratic lawmakers highlighted the prank to criticize how the Epstein files were managed under the Trump administration.
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A judge has ordered former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin to spend 60 days in jail because he did not follow court rules in a child support case with his estranged wife. He was arrested on a warrant related to this case and was denied bail.
Key Facts
Former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin was ordered to serve 60 days in jail.
The jail time is related to a child support case involving his estranged wife.
Bevin was arrested on an outstanding warrant linked to this case.
The judge denied him bail, meaning he must stay in jail until his sentence is complete.
The judge criticized Bevin for not respecting the court’s rules and decisions.
This order came after repeated issues with Bevin and the court.
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The trial of Lindsay Clancy, accused of killing her three children, ended in a mistrial because the jury could not agree on a verdict. Clancy’s lawyers said she had postpartum psychosis and should not be blamed for the crime, while prosecutors said she planned the killings.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy faced trial for killing her three children.
The trial lasted five weeks with seven days of jury deliberation.
The jury could not reach a decision, leading to a mistrial.
Clancy’s defense argued she had postpartum psychosis, a mental illness after childbirth.
Prosecutors claimed the killings were planned in advance.
The case involved discussions about mental health and criminal responsibility.
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A judge in Massachusetts declared a mistrial in the murder case against Lindsay Clancy after the jury could not agree on whether she was guilty of killing her three young children. The case is now uncertain, and a hearing is scheduled to decide what happens next.
Key Facts
The jury spent about a week trying to decide Lindsay Clancy’s guilt but could not reach a unanimous decision.
The judge declared a mistrial due to a hung jury, meaning no verdict was reached.
Lindsay Clancy is charged with murdering her three children by strangulation in their home.
After the killings, Clancy tried to end her own life and is now paralyzed.
Clancy admits killing the children but pleads not guilty, with her lawyers arguing she had postpartum psychosis, a serious mental illness after childbirth.
The next hearing is set for September 29, where prosecutors will decide whether to retry the case or consider a plea deal.
Clancy remains in a mental health facility while awaiting the next steps.
The jury must be unanimous to convict, proving guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which they could not do in this case.
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Former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin was arrested for not following court orders in a family and child support case. A judge ordered him to spend 60 days in jail and pay a fine after he failed to provide required financial documents.
Key Facts
Matt Bevin served as Kentucky governor from 2015 to 2019 and is an ally of President Donald Trump.
Bevin was arrested on a movie set while working as an extra in Paris, Kentucky.
The arrest resulted from a court order requiring Bevin to submit financial records related to child support and a family dispute.
Bevin failed to provide the documents, leading to a civil contempt ruling and a bench warrant.
The legal dispute involves Bevin’s ex-wife Glenna and their adopted son Jonah Bevin.
Jonah alleges he was abandoned by his parents at age 17 in a youth facility in Jamaica.
Jonah sought financial support to rebuild his life, but Bevin repeatedly missed court deadlines.
Judge Angela Johnson ordered Bevin to jail for 60 days and fined him $500 for non-compliance.
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The Trump administration delayed a survey meant to find out which industries release harmful PFAS chemicals through wastewater. This survey was first sent for approval nearly two years ago during the Biden administration but has not yet been approved, slowing efforts to regulate these chemicals.
Key Facts
PFAS are man-made chemicals linked to cancer, developmental problems in children, and vaccine resistance.
Many wastewater treatment plants release PFAS because they cannot fully remove these chemicals from the water.
The EPA planned a nationwide survey of wastewater treatment plants to identify major sources of PFAS pollution.
This survey was submitted to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in October 2024.
The approval process has taken much longer than normal, with no clear explanation.
The Trump administration kept some strong PFAS water limits but delayed other important PFAS regulations, especially concerning wastewater from chemical manufacturers.
EPA officials say good data on PFAS pollution in industrial wastewater is hard to get without this survey.
The delay could slow work on creating new rules to limit PFAS pollution and protect public health.
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A federal judge has extended a court order to stop President Trump's plan to limit mail-in voting. The plan would have required states to use special ballot envelopes and send voter lists to the federal government.
Key Facts
A federal judge paused the Trump administration's plan on mail-in ballots.
The plan wanted states to use scannable ballot envelopes.
States would also have to send lists of voters eligible for mail ballots to the federal government.
The court order to block this plan has been extended indefinitely.
David Becker from the Center for Election Innovation and Research provided analysis on the issue.
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The Trump administration plans to start building a 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery soon. Some people, including a retired general, argue that the arch would disturb important historic views that represent the country’s unity after the Civil War.
Key Facts
The arch will be 250 feet tall.
It will be located just outside the gates of Arlington National Cemetery.
The Trump administration plans to begin construction within two weeks.
Critics say the arch will disrupt historic sightlines around the cemetery.
These sightlines symbolize the nation’s reconciliation after the Civil War.
Retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton is a vocal critic of the project.
Eaton is part of VoteVets, a veterans group involved in a lawsuit to stop the arch’s construction.
The project has raised concerns about respecting historic and national symbols.
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David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart discussed President Trump’s comment calling the conflict with Iran "small potatoes." They also talked about President Trump’s impact on the midterm elections, how Democrats are campaigning, and Senator Susan Collins’ comments about choosing political relevance over principle.
Key Facts
President Trump described the conflict with Iran as "small potatoes."
The discussion took place on MS NOW with Geoff Bennett.
David Brooks is from The Atlantic.
Jonathan Capehart is a commentator on MS NOW.
They analyzed President Trump’s influence on the upcoming midterm elections.
The conversation included how Democrats are running their campaigns.
Senator Susan Collins spoke about prioritizing political relevance within the GOP instead of strictly following principles.
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The CBS Evening News on September 4 reported on the mistrial ruling in the case involving Lindsay Clancy. It also covered the impact of storms and heat waves that caused disruptions during the Labor Day holiday.
Key Facts
A mistrial was declared in the Lindsay Clancy legal case.
The news discussed the meaning and consequences of this mistrial ruling.
Severe storms occurred around Labor Day.
Heat waves also affected the U.S. during the holiday.
These weather events caused disruptions for many people.
The report was broadcast on CBS Evening News on September 4.
The news included coverage accessible through the CBS News app.
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A chemical tank collapsed at a pulp mill in Longview, Washington, in May, killing 11 workers. Records reveal the company had many past safety complaints, fines, and maintenance issues. Investigations into the accident and the plant’s safety are ongoing.
Key Facts
The pulp mill is operated by Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview, Washington.
11 workers died when a chemical tank collapsed, releasing hazardous liquid.
The company had 54 environmental violation notices since 2016 and fines totaling $41,500 for serious violations.
The state Department of Labor and Industries fined the plant nearly $7,000 for safety violations since 2018.
More than $2.4 million has been paid for workers’ compensation claims related to injuries since 2015.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board said the failed tank was known to be unsafe but continued in use.
A lawsuit was filed by a victim’s family claiming poor maintenance, training, and emergency planning.
A valve handle on an ammonia tank was previously found detached, creating a risk of toxic air release and explosion.
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A federal judge extended a court order blocking new U.S. Postal Service rules about mail-in voting. The rules were set to be used in the November midterm elections, but the judge stopped them after states and voting groups raised concerns.
Key Facts
Judge Indira Talwani issued a preliminary injunction to stop the Postal Service from enforcing new mail voting rules.
The rules were finalized and published at the end of last month.
The court previously blocked the rules temporarily on August 26.
The extension came after a hearing and a request from about 24 states led by Democrats and voting rights groups.
The decision affects preparations for mail ballots in the November midterm elections.
The judge’s order prevents changes to mail voting processes just before the election.
The news is developing and may be updated as more information comes in.
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A federal judge refused to stop the Pentagon from firing three Stars and Stripes journalists who say they were punished for speaking out about the newspaper’s editorial independence. The judge ruled the journalists likely cannot prove their First Amendment rights were violated because their interviews were part of their official work.
Key Facts
Three Stars and Stripes journalists sued after being fired by the Pentagon.
They claim they were disciplined for speaking about the need for editorial independence.
The judge said the journalists’ interviews were done as government employees, not as private citizens.
The judge ruled that firing them did not clearly violate their free speech rights under the First Amendment.
One journalist was fired for insubordination related to a CBS News interview.
The Pentagon partially funds Stars and Stripes and installed a military officer as deputy publisher.
The lawsuit names Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Defense Department as defendants.
The judge previously ruled in favor of the Associated Press in a related free speech case.
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Steve Hilton, the Republican nominee for governor in California, has proposed banning smartphones in schools to limit children's screen time. He shared these ideas during his campaign against Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra.
Key Facts
Steve Hilton is the Republican candidate for governor in California.
He wants to ban smartphones in schools to reduce kids' screen time.
His opponent is Xavier Becerra, the Democratic nominee.
The proposal is part of Hilton’s campaign platform.
Hilton discussed these plans on a CBS News program called "The Takeout."
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The Pentagon posted new guidelines requiring testosterone deficiency screening for male service members aged 30 and over but quickly removed the guidelines after saying they had been posted by mistake. The Defense Health Agency will update the guidelines to reflect current medical science before releasing a final version.
Key Facts
The Pentagon introduced mandatory testosterone screening for male active-duty and reserve military members aged 30 and above.
This screening is part of the military’s annual health check-up, announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in July 2026.
If a service member is recommended testosterone replacement therapy, the choice to pursue treatment is up to the individual.
New clinical guidance documents were posted on the Defense Health Agency (DHA) website but then removed the next day, labeled as "draft" and posted by mistake.
The “Interim Guidance on Testosterone Deficiency Screenings” remains in effect during the update process.
Female service members were also to be asked about fatigue and menstrual issues related to hormone problems in the guidelines.
The Pentagon official said the draft needed more medical input to avoid outdated practices.
Low testosterone is a known concern in the military, especially for personnel under extreme physical and mental stress.
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The Trump administration removed information about nonbinary students and bullying based on gender identity from a federal school civil rights survey for the 2023-2024 school year. This action follows an executive order defining sex only as male or female, which led to hiding data about harassment and policies protecting transgender and nonbinary students in public schools.
Key Facts
The Education Department's Civil Rights Data Collection survey includes nearly every public school in the U.S.
For the 2023-2024 school year, the survey originally included "nonbinary" as a gender category.
Data on nonbinary students and bullying related to gender identity were replaced with a message saying the information was suppressed due to an executive order.
President Donald Trump signed the order on his inauguration day, defining sex strictly as male or female for federal purposes.
About 1,800 out of over 13,000 districts reported data on transgender and nonbinary students in the last survey collection.
The administration’s action means less information is available about the experiences of transgender and nonbinary students in schools.
The Trump administration has also filed a lawsuit against a Kansas City school system over its policies for transgender students.
Researchers warn that without this data, it is harder to identify and fix bullying problems for nonbinary students in schools.
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Energy Secretary Chris Wright recently returned from Venezuela after working on a new oil agreement between the United States and Venezuela. He said this deal could help lower gas prices in the U.S. within a year or two.
Key Facts
Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Venezuela to negotiate a new oil deal.
The agreement is between the U.S. and Venezuela.
Wright said the deal aims to increase oil supply.
Increased oil supply could reduce gas prices in the U.S.
The expected timeframe for gas prices to drop is about one to two years.
The visit and deal are part of ongoing efforts to stabilize energy markets.
Venezuela is a country with large oil reserves.
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A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer named Christian Castro pleaded not guilty to lying about a shooting incident involving a Venezuelan man during a Minnesota immigration operation. He was released from custody after the hearing, with conditions including bond and GPS monitoring.
Key Facts
Christian Castro is an ICE officer charged with lying to investigators.
The charge is related to a January shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan man.
Castro allegedly lied by saying he was attacked with a broom and shovel before shooting.
He was arrested and appeared in federal court in McAllen, Texas.
At the hearing, he was shackled but later ordered released.
His release included a $75,000 unsecured bond and a GPS ankle monitor.
The incident occurred during a Minnesota immigration crackdown last winter.
The case is part of a federal indictment against Castro.
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