TikTok agreed to pay Alabama at least $100 million and add new safety features for teens after the state sued the company over concerns about harm to young users’ mental health. The settlement requires TikTok to limit teen screen time, block certain filters, and improve parental controls in Alabama.
Key Facts
Alabama sued TikTok in 2025, accusing the platform of harming youth mental health through addictive content algorithms.
TikTok will pay Alabama a minimum of $100 million, potentially up to $300 million if additional conditions are met.
Safety changes include a non-personalized feed option, a two-hour daily limit for teens, and a ban on usage from midnight to 6 a.m.
Teens in Alabama must take breaks after 15, 60, and 90 minutes of continuous app use.
Cosmetic procedure filters will be banned for teen users.
Teen accounts will be set to private by default with stronger age checks and content moderation.
The money will likely fund youth mental health services and related programs in Alabama.
The settlement was reached just before a trial was scheduled to begin.
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President Donald Trump cancelled nearly $1 billion in federal funding by using a method called "pocket rescission," which lets him bypass Congress. The cut funds mainly affected Health and Human Services programs that help undocumented immigrants, unaccompanied children in court, and minority health initiatives.
Key Facts
President Trump used the "pocket rescission" process to cancel almost $1 billion in federal funds.
This method allows the president to stop funding without needing Congress's approval.
The cancelled funds were mostly for the Health and Human Services department.
Programs affected include help for undocumented immigrants.
Support for children in court without guardians was also cut.
Minority health programs under the same department lost funding as well.
The cancellations happened on a Friday.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall of Lior brand ground cinnamon due to possible lead contamination. The product was sold in six states from November 2025 to September 2026, and consumers are advised to stop using it and return it for a refund.
Key Facts
Galil Importing Corp is recalling Lior Ground Cinnamon seasoning.
The recall affects products sold in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, and Illinois.
The cinnamon was sold in 90-gram clear plastic containers with lot code GAP11304.
The recall started after Maryland health officials found elevated lead levels in the product.
No illnesses have been reported related to this recall so far.
Consumers should avoid eating the cinnamon and return it to the store or throw it away.
Short-term low-level lead exposure might not show symptoms, but long-term exposure can cause serious health issues, especially in children.
The FDA recommends checking their website and CDC for updates on food recalls and safety.
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President Trump canceled nearly $1 billion in government spending approved by Congress, using a rare method known as a "pocket rescission." This move, involving funds for refugees, immigrants, education, and housing programs, has raised legal questions and criticism from lawmakers in both parties.
Key Facts
President Trump canceled $567 million for services for refugees and migrants through the Department of Health and Human Services.
The administration also cut $50 million for other immigrant aid programs, $70 million for international education grants, and $56 million for housing programs.
The method used is called a "pocket rescission," where the president refuses to spend funds just before the fiscal year ends.
The Impoundment Control Act allows the president to suggest rescinding funds, but Congress must approve within 45 legislative days.
The Trump administration used this tactic last year to cancel $4.9 billion in foreign aid funds.
Senator Susan Collins criticized the move as illegal and said lawmakers were not warned or consulted.
The Government Accountability Office has previously labeled pocket rescissions illegal.
Some lawmakers plan to challenge the action, citing the need for congressional approval before canceling spending.
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The White House blocked CNN from traveling on Air Force One with President Trump to a football game, continuing tensions between the administration and some news outlets. This follows a recent White House ban on CNN, MS Now, and Politico, which led to a legal challenge over press access rights.
Key Facts
CNN was excluded from flying on Air Force One with President Trump to Tennessee.
The White House did not include CNN in its press pool guidance for the trip.
A week earlier, President Trump banned CNN, MS Now, and Politico from White House access due to critical coverage.
The press pool is a group of journalists who share news coverage of the president and travel events.
The press pool suspended video coverage of the president in protest of the White House restrictions.
CNN, MS Now, and Politico filed a lawsuit claiming their First Amendment rights were violated by the ban.
A judge ordered the White House to restore access to the banned news outlets.
Despite the order, CNN and MS Now were later blocked from covering a state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping.
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Millions of people across the United States celebrated Dolly Parton Day on September 25, honoring the country music star. The date, 9/25, is connected to her famous song "9 to 5."
Key Facts
Dolly Parton Day is celebrated every year on September 25.
The date 9/25 refers to Dolly Parton's hit song "9 to 5."
Millions of Americans participate in celebrations for Dolly Parton Day.
The event recognizes Dolly Parton's impact on music and culture.
It is a nationwide celebration across many states in America.
Dolly Parton is known as a country music icon.
The article references other news stories but focuses on Dolly Parton Day.
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Cities across the United States celebrated Dolly Parton Day on September 25. The events included karaoke, pink lights, live music, and book drives in honor of Dolly Parton's music and contributions.
Key Facts
Dolly Parton Day is observed on September 25, or 9/25.
The date 9/25 connects to Dolly Parton's song "9 to 5."
Celebrations included karaoke events where people sang her songs.
Many places used pink lighting to honor her.
Live music performances took place in various cities.
Book drives were organized as part of the celebrations.
The day recognizes Dolly Parton’s influence in country music and her community work.
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Two men from Queens were arrested in Manhattan after police saw them entering a manhole on the Upper East Side. They face charges of trespassing and conspiracy related to this incident.
Key Facts
Two men from Queens were arrested in Manhattan.
Police spotted them entering a manhole on the Upper East Side.
The men were charged with trespassing.
They were also charged with conspiracy.
The exact reason for their presence in the sewers has not been disclosed.
This event took place on September 25, 2026.
The case is described as mysterious by the news source.
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President Donald Trump is canceling nearly $1 billion in spending that Congress had approved, mainly cutting funds for immigrant services and programs that support diversity. The White House says these cuts are focused on unnecessary spending, especially due to fewer illegal border crossings, but lawmakers from both parties have criticized the move as an overreach of presidential power.
Key Facts
President Trump used a rare power called a "pocket rescission" to cancel nearly $1 billion in government funding.
Most of the cuts target immigrant services such as support for refugees and unaccompanied minors in the U.S. illegally.
The administration argues the funding is no longer needed because illegal border crossings have decreased.
Some of the affected organizations are led by people who worked under former President Barack Obama.
Senator Susan Collins, a Republican and chair of the Senate appropriations committee, criticized the action for being done without warning or consulting Congress.
The Government Accountability Office has said pocket rescissions like this one are illegal because they deny Congress the chance to review cuts.
Last year, President Trump used the same tactic to block $4.9 billion in foreign aid, which the Supreme Court allowed due to presidential authority in foreign affairs.
Critics say this move is part of a trend where the Trump administration is trying to reduce Congress’s control over government spending and increase presidential power.
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Twin brothers Travan and Travis Jasper grew up in poverty in Richmond, Virginia, with no running water and frequent hunger. They both became doctors and returned to co-run the emergency room at Chippenham Hospital in their old neighborhood.
Key Facts
Travan and Travis Jasper are identical twin doctors who co-direct the emergency room at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond.
They grew up very poor, lacking running water and often hungry.
Their motivation to become doctors started when they were 12 after a negative experience with a doctor treating their uncle.
Both twins graduated as co-valedictorians in high school.
They attended Stanford University for college and the University of Chicago for medical school.
They returned to work in the same community where they grew up.
At the hospital, they wear different colored scrubs to help people tell them apart.
Their story shows how they turned difficult experiences into a goal to help others through medicine.
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The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to use a specific database to check state voter rolls. This decision supports efforts to review and verify voter information in elections.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court made the decision on a Friday.
The ruling supports the Trump administration’s request.
The case involves using a database to check state voter rolls.
Voter rolls are lists of people registered to vote in elections.
The database in question has been described as controversial.
David Becker of the Center for Election Innovation and Research commented on the matter.
The review aims to ensure voter information is accurate.
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The Alabama Attorney General’s Office reached a deal for TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, to pay at least $100 million over concerns about the app’s impact on young people’s mental health. The settlement comes just before a court hearing in Alabama about TikTok’s effects on minors.
Key Facts
Alabama’s Attorney General announced a settlement with TikTok and ByteDance.
The minimum amount of the settlement is $100 million.
The case involves concerns about TikTok’s impact on the mental health of minors.
The settlement deal was made shortly before a scheduled court hearing in Alabama.
TikTok has 45 days to respond to the settlement offer.
The settlement amount could increase to $300 million under certain conditions.
The lawsuit focuses on potential harm to children and teenagers using the app.
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The Supreme Court stopped Missouri’s new voting map because it might help Republicans win more seats in upcoming elections. Earlier, the Court allowed the Trump administration to use a larger voter database to verify if voters are U.S. citizens.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court blocked Missouri’s congressional map on Friday.
The map was seen as benefiting Republicans in the midterm elections.
This is not the first time the Court has been involved in Missouri’s voting maps.
The Court previously allowed the Trump administration to use an expanded voter database.
This database helps verify whether voters are U.S. citizens.
The decisions could affect how elections are run and who can vote in Missouri.
The Court’s actions are part of ongoing disputes over voting rules and election fairness.
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Melbourne’s local council banned drinking on the grassy median strips of certain streets after complaints about noise and rubbish. In response, many residents organized peaceful picnics and protests to support keeping these public spaces for social gatherings.
Key Facts
The ban affects median strips on Drummond, Rathdowne, and Canning Streets in Carlton North, Melbourne.
A local bar announced the ban after complaints from some residents about noise, rubbish, and unsafe behaviour.
The council reclassified the median strips, no longer treating them as park spaces.
Over 7,700 people signed a petition opposing the drinking ban in just a few days.
Protest picnics were held peacefully with people sharing drinks and food.
Greens candidate Adam Pulford organized a social media call for a peaceful protest on the strip.
Local councillor Edward Crosling acknowledged concerns but felt the complete drinking ban was too harsh.
A motion may be prepared by the council to reconsider the ban at their next meeting.
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A US appeals court ruled that states can control prediction markets under their gambling laws, rejecting a request from Kalshi to be exempt. This ruling adds to conflicting decisions from other courts about whether prediction markets must follow state gambling rules, with the possibility that the Supreme Court will decide in the future.
Key Facts
The 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals said Ohio and Tennessee can regulate prediction market contracts as gambling.
Kalshi wanted an exemption from state gambling laws for its event contracts but lost the case.
Other courts disagree: the 9th Circuit said Nevada can regulate Kalshi, but the 3rd Circuit said New Jersey cannot.
Prediction markets let people bet on events like elections, sports, and political deals.
These markets are growing fast, raising questions about regulation and ethics.
New York sued Polymarket, another prediction market, claiming it operates unlicensed gambling.
New York’s Governor warned that unregulated gambling puts especially young people at risk.
The split court decisions may lead to the US Supreme Court making the final ruling.
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Twin doctors Travan and Travis Jasper work together as leaders of the emergency room at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. They share the responsibility of managing the hospital's ER.
Key Facts
Travan and Travis Jasper are twin brothers.
Both are doctors working in the emergency room (ER).
They co-lead the emergency department at Chippenham Hospital.
The hospital is located in Richmond, Virginia.
Their story was featured by CBS News reporter Steve Hartman.
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Some Republican senators are unhappy with President Trump for warmly welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States. They are concerned because China has provided support to Iran, which raises questions about the U.S. relationship with China.
Key Facts
President Trump gave a warm welcome to Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to the U.S.
Some Republican senators are upset about this friendly treatment.
Their main concern is that China has helped Iran, a country often seen as a U.S. adversary.
The issue highlights tensions within the Republican Party about how to handle China.
The senators disagree with the idea of close ties to China given its recent actions.
The visit and reactions reflect broader worries about U.S.-China relations and national security.
This news is part of ongoing debates inside the U.S. government about foreign policy.
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The U.S. Army Reserve is checking if it can offer police, medical staff, and other support units to the military's Southern Command within the next four months. This preparation might relate to potential actions near Cuba.
Key Facts
The U.S. Army Reserve is conducting a review to see if it can provide specific support units.
These units include police forces and medical personnel.
The support would go to the U.S. Southern Command, which manages military operations in parts of Latin America.
The planned readiness is set for a timeframe within the next four months.
The information comes from an internal Army message.
CBS News obtained and reviewed this message.
The news story may relate to potential military activity near Cuba.
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Senate Democrats are investigating if Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tried to bypass an ethics agreement related to a vaccine lawsuit. They noticed differences in documents that raised questions about possible deals or arrangements.
Key Facts
Senate Democrats are reviewing actions by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The focus is on whether he found a way around an ethics agreement.
This investigation is connected to a vaccine-related lawsuit.
Discrepancies in official documents triggered the inquiry.
The ethics agreement was meant to set rules or limits for Kennedy’s actions.
The situation concerns accountability and transparency in government.
The vaccine lawsuit involves important health and legal issues.
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Hackers allegedly accessed very sensitive medical records of FBI agents through a security breach in the FBI’s job application website. The FBI said it is investigating the incident but has not yet determined how the breach happened or the full extent of the information stolen.
Key Facts
A group called ShinyHunters reportedly hacked the FBI's job portal, FBIJobs.gov.
The stolen data includes medical records such as blood and urine test results for thousands of FBI special agents.
ShinyHunters shared samples of the stolen data with some journalists.
The FBI confirmed it is aware of the breach and is actively investigating.
The FBIJobs.gov website has been the main place to apply for FBI jobs since 2017.
ShinyHunters is known for large-scale data theft and often uses harassment tactics.
The FBI warned the public about ShinyHunters in May before this incident.
It is unclear if the breach happened through the FBI website or a third-party provider supporting it.
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