Kalshi is a company that runs prediction markets, where people can bet on what will happen in the future. CBS News is using Kalshi's market data to see what traders expect to happen in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections.
Key Facts
Kalshi runs prediction markets, letting people place bets on future events.
CBS News is working with Kalshi to share information about these markets.
The focus is on predictions for the 2026 U.S. midterm elections.
The data comes from traders who buy and sell contracts based on election outcomes.
This method helps show what people think will happen in the elections.
The article includes a video segment by CBS News reporter Anthony Salvanto.
The midterms occur halfway through President Donald Trump’s second term.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump explained that the government-funded ads he supports are not meant to promote any political candidate. He said the ads focus on general messages about making the country better and boosting national spirit.
Key Facts
President Trump said he is not running for office currently.
He defended government-funded advertisements linked to his campaign.
Trump stated the ads promote making America great, not a specific candidate.
The ads aim to inspire pride and positive feelings about the country.
Trump spoke about the ads during a press interaction on Wednesday.
He emphasized the ads are meant for the whole country, not just a part.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A recent outbreak of E. coli linked to raw milk cheeses has sickened 13 people across nine U.S. states, with over half the cases in young children. Health officials warn that unpasteurized milk can carry harmful bacteria and pose serious health risks, especially to children under five.
Key Facts
Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized (a process that heats milk to kill harmful bacteria).
A multistate E. coli outbreak is connected to raw milk cheeses from Sierra Nevada Cheese Company.
13 people have become ill in California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Michigan.
More than half of those sickened are children 5 years old and younger.
Eight people were hospitalized, and three developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can cause kidney failure.
The FDA cautions that raw milk can contain dangerous bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria.
A California raw milk farm was ordered to stop operations after two children became critically ill from consuming their product in 2025.
The FDA supports pasteurization to protect public health and prevent foodborne illnesses from milk.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The American Oversight group sued the Department of Homeland Security because the agency did not provide records to prove Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s claim that 250,000 non-U.S. citizens registered to vote in four states. The group had requested these records through the Freedom of Information Act.
Key Facts
American Oversight is a watchdog group that monitors government actions.
They sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The lawsuit came after DHS failed to release requested documents.
The documents were meant to support a claim by Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
Mullin claimed 250,000 non-citizens registered to vote in four states.
American Oversight used the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to request the records.
The FOIA allows the public to request government documents.
The case is about transparency and verifying voter registration claims.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Cornell University agreed to an independent review of how it handled a sexual assault case involving a fraternity. New York Governor Kathy Hochul called for the outside investigation to ensure the university properly protected students and addressed the allegations.
Key Facts
A former Cornell student alleges she was drugged and gang-raped by members of the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024.
Governor Kathy Hochul asked Cornell to conduct an independent investigation into the university’s handling of the case.
Cornell agreed to start the outside review and will report on the details.
Prosecutors reopened the criminal investigation and are considering charges, noting differences from earlier police reports.
The Chi Phi fraternity chapter at Cornell has been banned from the campus.
Some accused fraternity members were removed from the chapter shortly after the initial police report.
Cornell conducted a Title IX investigation, resulting in sanctions against those involved.
About 35% of Cornell undergraduate women reported experiencing sexual assault according to internal data.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
An independent watchdog reviewed the expensive renovations at the Federal Reserve. They found that the higher costs did not break any laws, but poor management was the main reason costs increased a lot.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve had multi-billion-dollar renovations.
Cost overruns happened, meaning the expenses went over what was planned.
The independent watchdog did not find any legal violations related to the cost overruns.
The watchdog said poor project management caused the increased costs.
President Donald Trump had criticized the renovations before the report.
The report focused on how the project was run, not on breaking rules.
The renovations were a major spending effort to update the Federal Reserve’s facilities.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Susan Collins and her Democratic challenger Troy Jackson will have the first of four debates on October 6 in Maine. The race is close as voters focus on key issues like the economy, healthcare, and foreign policy ahead of the November 3 Senate election. Both candidates disagree on how to handle tariffs and other challenges affecting Maine’s cost of living.
Key Facts
Maine’s Senate race is considered competitive and important for control of the U.S. Senate.
Susan Collins is a moderate Republican known for breaking with her party on some issues.
Troy Jackson is a progressive Democrat and former Maine Senate president.
Collins and Jackson will debate four times between October 6 and October 15 on local TV stations.
Major debate topics include the economy, healthcare, foreign policy, and impacts of trade tariffs.
Both candidates oppose tariffs President Trump imposed on Canadian imports, but differ on Collins’ efforts to block them.
Maine voters are concerned about high living costs, fuel prices, and economic impacts on industries like paper mills and lobster fishing.
Polls show a close race with no clear leader as both candidates try to win undecided voters.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that about 20% of generals and admirals have been cut from the Pentagon during President Donald Trump’s second term. He made this announcement in a speech to military members and officers.
Key Facts
The Pentagon reduced the number of generals and admirals by around one in five.
This change happened in President Trump’s second administration.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the announcement.
The announcement was given during a speech to military members and officers.
The cuts are part of changes being made within the U.S. military leadership.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A report by Alan Milburn suggests that children in England should start learning about work and different careers from primary school, starting as early as age four. The report also recommends making work experience placements mandatory for students aged 14 to 16 to help reduce the number of young people not in education, employment, or training.
Key Facts
Alan Milburn, a former minister, recommends introducing careers education to primary school children in England.
He proposes that students aged 14-16 should have mandatory work experience placements.
The report aims to reduce the number of 16- to 24-year-olds who are neither studying nor working, currently about 981,000 in the UK.
Currently, careers guidance is offered to students 11-18 in England, but work experience is not legally required.
Around 40% of 14- to 16-year-olds do not get any work experience, and some rely on their family connections to find placements.
Governments in Scotland and Wales already require career-based learning from age three.
Teaching unions support earlier career learning but warn it could add pressure to primary schools.
The full report will be published in autumn and focuses on recommendations for England.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A fifth unvaccinated person has died from measles in Pennsylvania amid a large outbreak that started in April. The state has seen 943 cases across 39 counties and is working to vaccinate people to stop the spread.
Key Facts
The latest death is in Lancaster County, the outbreak’s main area.
There have been 943 measles cases in Pennsylvania this year in 39 counties.
At least 176 people have been hospitalized due to measles.
Lancaster County has 381 cases and three of the five deaths.
Two previous deaths were infants too young for vaccination.
The other two deaths were in unvaccinated adults, one with severe complications and one with other health problems.
Before this outbreak, Pennsylvania had not reported any measles deaths in 35 years.
The CDC reports only two deaths, but Pennsylvania state officials reported five; the CDC changed its rules on counting measles deaths.
The state has given over 8,500 MMR vaccines this year to fight the outbreak, emphasizing vaccination as the best protection.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said he asked U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche to review a report by the Inspector General. The report cleared Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell of any criminal wrongdoing related to changes at the central bank.
Key Facts
President Trump publicly stated he asked Attorney General Todd Blanche to study an Inspector General report.
The report found no criminal wrongdoing by Jerome Powell regarding Federal Reserve changes.
Jerome Powell is the current Chair of the Federal Reserve, the U.S. central bank.
The Inspector General’s office is an independent watchdog that investigates government agencies.
Attorney General Todd Blanche leads the U.S. Department of Justice, responsible for law enforcement.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
South Korea will invest up to $200 billion in U.S. energy projects, including a natural gas pipeline in Alaska, a gas plant in Texas, and eight new nuclear power plants. President Donald Trump announced the plan during a speech in the White House.
Key Facts
South Korea plans to invest up to $200 billion in U.S. energy infrastructure.
The investment includes a natural gas pipeline located in Alaska.
A natural gas plant in Texas is part of the $200 billion plan.
Eight new nuclear power plants will be built across the United States.
President Donald Trump made the announcement from the Oval Office.
The projects aim to increase U.S. energy production and infrastructure.
This investment represents one of the largest foreign investments in U.S. energy.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Rand Paul blocked a move to quickly pass the Kids Online Safety Act, a bill meant to protect children online. The bill’s sponsors, Senators Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn, wanted to pass it without a formal vote.
Key Facts
The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) is designed to protect children on the internet.
It targets social media companies, holding them responsible for harms to kids.
Senators Richard Blumenthal (Democrat) and Marsha Blackburn (Republican) support the bill.
Senator Rand Paul (Republican) blocked the attempt to pass it by unanimous consent.
Passing by unanimous consent means approving a bill quickly if no one objects.
This bill has been discussed for some time as a way to improve online safety for children.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. Justice Department has filed a complaint against seven federal judges in Minnesota for speaking publicly about challenges during President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts. The judges say they acted properly, and a court spokesperson agrees they followed ethical rules.
Key Facts
The complaint targets seven federal judges in Minnesota.
The judges spoke to The New York Times about pressure from immigration cases during Operation Metro Surge.
Operation Metro Surge was a crackdown that led to thousands of arrests in the Minneapolis-St Paul area from December to February.
The Justice Department says judges crossed ethical lines and showed bias against the Trump administration.
Attorney General Todd Blanche asked the judges to step aside from cases involving the Department of Homeland Security.
The judges and Minnesota’s federal court spokesperson say their comments were allowed under judicial ethics rules.
Judge Patrick Schiltz noted the government failed to follow many court orders and said ICE is not above the law.
The complaint is part of ongoing tensions between President Trump’s administration and the courts over immigration policies.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed plans to reduce the number of generals and admirals by 20%. He criticized diversity initiatives in the military and announced new partnerships with conservative-leaning schools, while dismissing reports of low troop morale.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth plans to cut 20% of generals and admirals in the US military.
He stated that the military will no longer tolerate what he described as "woke" culture or weak performers.
Hegseth denied reports of low morale and highlighted high retention rates on the USS Abraham Lincoln despite a long deployment.
The USS Abraham Lincoln crew was deployed for 286 days, longer than planned, amid tensions with Iran.
Hegseth announced a Pentagon project involving Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich to study the future of warfare.
He criticized Ivy League and liberal arts colleges for promoting diversity initiatives, calling them "woke factories."
The Pentagon will partner with schools like Liberty University and Hillsdale College known for conservative values.
Hegseth is a graduate of Harvard and Princeton, yet criticized those and other Ivy League schools.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Thomas Kennedy, an Argentinian-American immigration advocate, sued the U.S. government after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents searched his phone without a warrant at Miami International Airport. He says the agents copied data from his phone because of his political work on immigrant rights and is now asking the government to delete this information.
Key Facts
Kennedy was stopped at Miami International Airport and his bags and phone were searched by CBP agents.
He was pressured to hand over his phone, with threats that the interrogation would last longer if he refused.
The agents kept his phone for about 45 minutes and likely copied data from it.
Kennedy believes he was targeted because of his activism and work with immigrant rights groups.
CBP can search electronic devices at the border without a warrant, based on the “border exception” to the Fourth Amendment.
CBP states these searches are rare, with only 55,318 device searches out of over 419 million travelers in 2025 (about 0.0013%).
Kennedy is asking the government to delete the copied data from his phone.
CBP’s website says they can copy data if they suspect it contains evidence of law violations or relates to immigration and customs enforcement.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Pete Hegseth announced that Elon Musk will co-lead a U.S. government project called Project Meridian, which will study the future of warfare using new technology. The project will last 120 days and aims to provide public recommendations on how the military can stay ahead in advanced technologies and new battle environments.
Key Facts
Elon Musk will co-lead Project Meridian, a U.S. defense initiative on the future of warfare technology.
The project also involves Palmer Luckey, CEO of defense tech company Anduril, and Newt Gingrich, former House Speaker.
Project Meridian aims to identify technologies that will give the U.S. military a technological advantage in future battlefields.
The project will investigate new warfare environments such as underground areas and the moon.
It will last 120 days and end with an unclassified public report.
Musk’s previous government role was leading the “department of government efficiency” (Doge), which faced criticism and was controversial.
Musk and Luckey’s companies have current defense contracts, linking them closely to military technology development.
Gingrich was a member of the defense policy board during President Trump’s first term but left after President Biden took office.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senators from both parties have agreed on a new bill to speed up the approval process for energy and infrastructure projects. This bill aims to reduce long delays and help meet the growing demand for electricity, especially from new data centers used for artificial intelligence (AI).
Key Facts
The bill is bipartisan, meaning it has support from both political parties in the Senate.
It focuses on speeding up permits for new energy and infrastructure projects.
Current permit approvals often take many years, causing delays.
The demand for electricity is rising due to more data centers supporting AI technology.
The bill requires data centers to pay for the extra electricity they use.
It proposes changes to a major environmental law that currently slows energy project approvals.
The goal is to make it easier and faster to start big energy projects.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Several American politicians were named to Time magazine’s 2024 Time100 Next list, which highlights influential young leaders. The list includes Senators Katie Britt and Andy Kim, Representatives Jake Auchincloss and Maxwell Frost, and James Blair, a former White House deputy chief of staff.
Key Facts
Time100 Next is an annual list of rising influential leaders.
Senator Katie Britt represents Alabama and is a Republican.
Senator Andy Kim represents New Jersey and is a Democrat.
Representative Jake Auchincloss represents Massachusetts and is a Democrat.
Representative Maxwell Frost represents Florida and is a Democrat.
James Blair was a deputy chief of staff in the White House.
The list recognizes political figures who are gaining influence in U.S. politics.
The individuals listed are considered rising stars in their fields.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Department of Justice filed a complaint against seven federal judges in Minnesota for speaking to the media about the surge in immigration cases during the Trump administration’s enforcement efforts. The DOJ says the judges showed bias and wants them removed from cases involving the Department of Homeland Security.
Key Facts
The complaint was filed on Wednesday by the Department of Justice.
It targets seven federal judges in Minnesota.
These judges spoke to The New York Times about their experience with a large number of immigration cases.
The cases came from Operation Metro Surge, an immigration crackdown under President Trump’s administration.
The judges were nominated by both Democratic and Republican presidents.
The DOJ claims the judges violated judicial ethics by speaking to the media.
Attorney General Todd Blanche said the judges showed clear bias in their comments.
The DOJ wants the judges removed from all cases involving the Department of Homeland Security.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
