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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow new Postal Service restrictions on mail-in ballots to take effect, despite a lower court blocking these rules. The Supreme Court will consider the case just as the first ballots for the November midterm elections are being mailed.
Key Facts
The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to lift a temporary ban on Postal Service changes affecting mail-in voting.
A Boston judge ruled that new restrictions on mail ballots could cause serious problems and are hard to follow so close to the 2026 midterms.
The Supreme Court has a mixed record on mail-in voting cases, including a recent 5-4 ruling allowing ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted even if received later.
Some justices, like Amy Coney Barrett and Chief Justice Roberts, supported counting late-arriving ballots; others, like Samuel Alito, dissented, worried about election integrity.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh has consistently warned against changing election rules near voting time, citing the "Purcell principle."
Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson disagree with lifting previous injunctions against the administration’s orders, citing concerns about legal authority and election chaos.
Legal experts say the case could go through several courts quickly and are skeptical the administration will succeed, questioning the president’s power over state election rules.
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A judge is likely to declare a mistrial in the case of Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her three children in 2023. The jury has been unable to agree on a verdict, and the judge must decide if the prosecution will try the case again or consider other options.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is charged with three counts of first-degree murder for killing her children.
Clancy admits to killing her children but pleads not guilty, claiming postpartum psychosis affected her responsibility.
The jury must be unanimous to decide guilt beyond reasonable doubt, but they remain deadlocked after several days.
Judge William Sullivan gave special instructions to encourage jurors to keep deliberating but may now declare a mistrial.
A mistrial means the trial ends without a verdict. The prosecution can retry Clancy, negotiate a plea deal, or drop the charges.
Clancy will stay in a mental health facility during any new trial or legal proceedings.
Prosecutors often seek a new trial in serious cases, but scheduling depends on court and legal factors.
The jury’s identities are kept private, and they have no obligation to speak publicly after trial ends.
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The Trump administration removed all data about nonbinary students and bullying based on gender identity from a federal survey on school civil rights for the 2023-2024 school year. This action follows an executive order that defines sex only as male or female, which has led to less information about the experiences of transgender and nonbinary students in schools.
Key Facts
The U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Data Collection survey includes nearly every public school in the nation.
For the 2023-2024 survey, the "nonbinary" gender option was initially included but later removed from published data.
Data on harassment or bullying related to gender identity, as well as school policies against such bullying, were suppressed.
The suppression was done to comply with President Trump’s executive order defining sex strictly as male or female.
Only about 1,800 out of more than 13,000 school districts reported data on transgender and nonbinary students in the last survey.
Experts say the removal of data blocks understanding the experiences of transgender and nonbinary students nationwide.
The Trump administration has generally reduced protections and data collection related to transgender and nonbinary people in multiple federal programs.
The White House and Justice Department have been involved in legal conflicts with school systems over policies serving transgender students.
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Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States that began in 1894. It honors the efforts of American workers who fought for fair work conditions and days off.
Key Facts
Labor Day was established as a federal holiday in 1894.
The holiday celebrates the achievements of American workers.
It recognizes the labor movement’s fight for safer workplaces.
The holiday highlights the importance of fair work conditions.
Randy Korgan, a labor union leader, spoke about the history and future of labor in America.
Labor unions have played an important role in improving workers’ rights.
The holiday is a reminder of ongoing efforts to protect workers.
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The Trump White House released a group of simple online games on its website. These games are designed using old-style video game graphics but carry political messages, especially about immigration and school food.
Key Facts
The games use early-90s pixel art style and are based on popular games like Flappy Bird and Tetris.
One game, Build the Wall, involves strengthening the southern border to stop immigrants.
Another game, Rio Run, involves collecting people who then follow the player in prison-like clothing.
There is a game where players protect school lunches by sorting out unhealthy food.
Trump Savings Tycoon involves catching money and gold coins for “Trump accounts.”
These games follow previous use of game-related images and memes by the Trump White House for political purposes.
The use of video games for political messaging has roots in earlier movements like Gamergate.
Some creators of the original games and gaming communities have reacted negatively to these adaptations.
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A report from the Labor Department’s Office of Inspector General found that former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer created a harmful work environment with intimidation and humiliation. The report also says she broke several department rules, including improper relationships, misusing travel, and not reporting gifts correctly.
Key Facts
Former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer oversaw a hostile and unpleasant workplace.
She had an inappropriate relationship with someone on her security team.
She mixed personal travel with official travel, breaking travel rules.
She broke alcohol rules set by the department.
She asked staff to do personal tasks during work hours.
She did not report gifts as required by department rules.
Senior staff under her sometimes criticized employees publicly.
Some hiring and staffing choices were allegedly based on looks, not skills.
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The CBS News show "Sunday Morning" aired a special episode on September 6 that focused on remembering September 11, 2001, highlighting three sites affected by the attacks and stories of people involved. The program also covered topics like postpartum psychosis, a serious mental health condition after childbirth, and reflected on historical events, including a tribute to feminist leader Gloria Steinem.
Key Facts
The episode included a special report remembering 9/11, featuring stories from the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the Flight 93 crash site.
It shared personal accounts from people who helped victims or were affected by the 9/11 attacks.
The show explained postpartum psychosis, a rare but severe mental illness that can occur after childbirth, with expert insights and a mother’s experience.
It revisited the moment when President George W. Bush was informed about the 9/11 attacks while visiting an elementary school.
A segment honored Gloria Steinem, a key figure in the women's rights movement and co-founder of Ms. Magazine, who recently passed away.
The episode highlighted the Ms. Magazine anthology celebrating 50 years of feminist work.
It also featured a piece about a Tokyo burger shop known for its high-quality Wagyu beef burgers.
"Sunday Morning" airs Sundays at 9:00 a.m. ET on CBS and streams later on the CBS News app.
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Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Reform party, responded to secretly recorded comments by his aides about possible illegal foreign donations by calling them careless talk. Two senior aides have stepped down while the party investigates the claims, and Farage said the party did not receive any illegal funds.
Key Facts
Nigel Farage leads the Reform UK party.
Two aides, James Orr and Dan Jukes, were recorded suggesting ways to bypass UK rules on foreign political donations.
The recordings were made by undercover reporters posing as potential donors.
UK law requires donors to be UK voters or UK companies.
Jukes and Orr resigned from their jobs pending an internal party investigation.
Farage said no illegal money was given to the party and that the comments by aides were exaggerated or untrue.
Channel 4’s report included claims that foreign-funded opinion polls were paid for without disclosure, which would be illegal.
The investigation and resignations followed accusations of entrapment by the undercover operation.
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Vice President JD Vance said he does not consider the current conflict with Iran to be a war. He also stated that he would not set artificial deadlines for resolving the tensions with Tehran.
Key Facts
Vice President JD Vance spoke about the situation with Iran.
He said he would not call the conflict a war.
Vance did not want to set specific timelines to end the conflict.
The tensions involve Iran and the United States.
The comments were reported by CBS News.
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President Donald Trump urged the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates after a strong jobs report showed the U.S. added 162,000 jobs in August. He also warned of cutting off trade with some countries if the rate cuts do not happen.
Key Facts
The August jobs report showed 162,000 new jobs, much higher than the expected 53,000.
President Trump wants the Federal Reserve to reduce interest rates.
Interest rates affect borrowing costs for businesses and consumers.
Trump threatened to stop trading with certain countries if the Fed does not lower rates.
The Federal Reserve is responsible for setting interest rates to control the economy.
A strong jobs report indicates the U.S. economy is growing.
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Eighteen U.S. service members have died and hundreds have been wounded since the start of the war involving Iran. Families of fallen soldiers, such as 1st Lt. Tyler Feehan, remember their loved ones and share how they supported their troops during deployment. About 50,000 U.S. troops remain in the Middle East, with no clear plan from President Donald Trump on when they will return home.
Key Facts
18 U.S. service members have died in the Iran war so far.
There have been a total of 808 U.S. casualties, including wounded soldiers.
1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, died in July during an Iranian missile and drone attack in Jordan.
Feehan helped soldiers in his unit with college enrollment and academic support while deployed.
Families of fallen soldiers honor their service and have set up foundations to support troops.
About 50,000 U.S. troops remain deployed in the Middle East amid ongoing conflict.
President Donald Trump has not announced a timeline or exit plan for U.S. troops from the region.
The Department of Defense is investigating the July attack that killed Feehan and others.
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President Donald Trump is involved in actions that may hurt Republican chances in the midterm elections. His military conflict with Iran and trade disputes with Canada are causing economic problems and dissatisfaction among voters. These issues affect key states and voter groups, making the election outlook more difficult for Republicans.
Key Facts
President Trump started a conflict with Iran that has led to violence and increased economic costs.
The war with Iran has raised US government borrowing costs and is pushing interest rates higher.
Rising costs are affecting US voters through higher gas and grocery prices.
Trump’s trade policies have caused a negative reaction from Canada, which is impacting US states important for the elections.
States like Michigan, Ohio, Maine, Iowa, and Texas are suffering economically due to Canadian retaliation against US tariffs.
Farmers in states like Iowa, who usually support Republicans, are harmed by Trump’s trade wars.
Datacenters have become highly unpopular in the US due to concerns about their environmental and energy impact.
Many Americans, including Republicans, do not want datacenters built near where they live.
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Representative Analilia Mejia from New Jersey is starting a super PAC called "Unbought, Unbossed PAC" to support progressive candidates who refuse corporate money. Her group will train and fund leaders from working-class and underrepresented communities and provide voter education and protection.
Key Facts
Mejia won a surprise victory in a special Democratic primary in New Jersey despite being out-raised in campaign funds.
She aims to help similar underdog candidates beat better-funded, establishment-backed rivals.
The super PAC will only back candidates who reject corporate political action committee (PAC) money.
Mejia’s group will offer training, funding, voter education, and voter protection resources.
They plan to build a nationwide network of candidates and organizers.
Mejia wants to support candidates who represent everyday Americans, not just lawyers or billionaires.
The PAC supports banning members of Congress from trading stocks.
Mejia’s win was partly due to heavy spending by a group against her main opponent.
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The Trump administration has proposed a plan to speed up the approval process for oil drilling projects in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) made this proposal after a trade group asked for faster approvals.
Key Facts
The Trump administration wants to speed up oil drilling approvals in Alaska.
The proposal focuses on the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPRA).
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is the agency leading the proposal.
A trade group requested the faster approval process.
The plan aims to make it easier and quicker for companies to start drilling oil and gas projects.
This move could increase drilling activity in the NPRA area.
The proposal was announced on a Friday (specific date not provided).
The policy change is part of the Trump administration’s energy strategy.
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The FDNY band played music at hundreds of funerals and memorials for firefighters who died during and after the 9/11 terror attacks. Their performances helped honor the memories of these fallen heroes and provided comfort to their families and communities.
Key Facts
The FDNY band is made up of firefighters from New York City.
They performed at many funerals and memorial events after 9/11.
The band's music paid tribute to firefighters who died in the terror attacks.
Their performances offered support and respect to the families of fallen firefighters.
The band helped keep the memory of the firefighters alive through their music.
9/11 led to a very large loss of life among New York City firefighters.
Music has been an important part of honoring heroes in difficult times.
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With the 2026 midterm elections coming up, both major U.S. political parties are dealing with difficulties related to how popular the president is and disagreements within their own groups. These challenges will affect their strategies and chances in the elections.
Key Facts
The 2026 midterm elections are approaching in the United States.
Both the Republican and Democratic parties face challenges ahead of these elections.
One challenge is managing the current president’s popularity among voters.
Another challenge is dealing with different views and divisions within each party.
These factors will influence how each party plans its campaign and selects candidates.
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Representative Thomas Massie introduced a bill that would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release more files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Over 100 lawmakers have signed a petition to force a vote on this bill, which aims for greater transparency about the investigation into Epstein’s activities.
Key Facts
Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a federal jail in 2019 while awaiting sex trafficking trial.
The DOJ has released some Epstein-related files, but Massie says many are still withheld or heavily redacted.
The new bill, called the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, would let state attorneys general, victims, and members of Congress sue the DOJ for not releasing or properly handling documents.
The bill would allow victims to get unredacted records related only to themselves.
DOJ and FBI officials could face penalties for hiding or falsifying Epstein-related records.
More than 100 House members have signed a discharge petition to force a vote on the bill.
The House has 218 Republicans and 214 Democrats, so support from at least four Republicans is needed to reach a majority vote.
Some Democrats and Republicans, including Nancy Mace, have cosponsored the bill.
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The jury in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy has said they cannot agree on a verdict. The judge plans to declare a mistrial because the jury is deadlocked.
Key Facts
The trial is about the murder of Lindsay Clancy.
The jury told the court they cannot reach a decision.
The judge is William Sullivan from Plymouth Superior Court.
A mistrial is expected to be declared because the jury is deadlocked.
The judge allowed an extra hour before officially declaring the mistrial.
CBS News covered the event with Tony Dokoupil as anchor.
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North Carolina is the first state to send out mail-in ballots for the 2026 US midterm elections, which will decide control of Congress during President Donald Trump’s term. However, there is confusion because Trump is trying to enforce new federal rules on mail voting that are currently blocked in court, and election officials are unsure which rules will apply.
Key Facts
North Carolina began mailing ballots for the 2026 midterm elections on April 9, 2026.
President Trump signed an executive order in March 2026 to tighten controls on mail voting.
The new rules would require barcodes on ballot envelopes and sharing voter lists with the USPS.
A federal judge blocked these new mail voting restrictions, and Trump is asking the Supreme Court to reinstate them.
USPS whistleblowers warned that a new verification system might delay or reject ballots due to technical issues.
States have different mail voting rules, and these federal changes could cause confusion during voting.
North Carolina officials said they will continue with the usual mail voting process and not use the disputed federal system.
The midterms will take place on November 3, 2026, and will affect the last two years of President Trump’s current term.
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Senator John Fetterman reportedly canceled a meeting with three disabled veterans, after previously dismissing funding concerns for a children’s hospital. A report claims he pretended to be ill to avoid the veterans but later gave an interview instead.
Key Facts
Senator John Fetterman is a first-term senator from Pennsylvania.
He was scheduled to meet with three disabled veterans but canceled the meeting.
The cancellation happened almost one year after he dismissed concerns about funding for a children’s hospital.
The Wall Street Journal published the report about the cancellations and his earlier dismissal.
The report claims Fetterman faked being sick to avoid meeting with the veterans.
After canceling, he gave an interview instead of meeting the veterans.
This news focuses on his interactions with veterans and views on hospital funding.
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