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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
The Pentagon instructed military personnel in July to stop using the name "Operation Epic Fury" for the war in Iran. The Pentagon confirmed that the official operation ended on May 5.
Key Facts
The Pentagon emailed military personnel in July to stop calling the Iran war "Operation Epic Fury."
The operation officially ended on May 5.
The news was reported by CBS News.
H. R. McMaster, former national security adviser to President Trump, provided analysis on the situation.
The report came from a reliable news source that obtained the Pentagon email.
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The Trump administration is working on new rules to stop women in late pregnancy from entering the United States to give birth and gain citizenship for their children. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the plan is part of a larger effort to crack down on "birth tourism," where foreign travelers come to the U.S. mainly to have babies.
Key Facts
The administration aims to prevent women in their third trimester (last stage) of pregnancy from traveling to the U.S. to give birth.
This is part of a broader effort linked to President Trump’s push to limit birthright citizenship.
The Department of Homeland Security is working with the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services on the new rules.
Giving birth in the U.S. is not illegal, but authorities want to stop visa fraud and misuse related to birth tourism.
An executive order signed by President Trump in August directs officials to block or revoke visas for those suspected of birth tourism.
Travelers could be subjected to additional questioning or pregnancy tests at the border if officials suspect birth tourism.
Officials can make exceptions for humanitarian or national-interest reasons.
Birth tourism refers to foreigners visiting the U.S. mainly to have babies so the children automatically get U.S. citizenship.
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The U.S. Department of the Interior announced that excavation work will start soon to build a 250-foot structure called the "Great Triumphal Arch" dedicated to President Donald Trump. This construction will take place near the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
Key Facts
Excavation work for the arch is set to begin within the next two weeks.
The arch is officially named the "Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck."
It will be located at Memorial Circle on Columbia Island, between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum shared the news on social media.
The project mentions a wait time of over 125 years for such a monument to be built.
The arch will stand 250 feet tall.
The announcement was made on September 3, 2026.
The project is connected to honoring President Donald Trump’s legacy.
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This year’s 9/11 memorial service will be Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first as New York City’s mayor. He says the event should focus on remembering the victims and their families, not politics, and plans to improve public access to 9/11 documents and support emergency workers.
Key Facts
Mayor Mamdani considers the 9/11 memorial an important day to honor those who died and their families.
The 25th anniversary of 9/11 will be in 2026, marking a major moment of remembrance.
The city budget for 2027 includes $34.2 million to create an online portal for 9/11-related documents that people can easily search.
Mamdani supports releasing documents related to the attacks to the public when possible.
Communication problems during the 9/11 attacks highlighted the need for better equipment for emergency workers.
The mayor wants emergency personnel to have the best equipment and coordination at federal, state, and local levels.
He opposes profiling people based on religion or faith but supports respectful and rights-protecting safety measures by the NYPD.
If credible threats appear, Mamdani would work closely with police leaders to prevent attacks and keep New Yorkers safe.
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Vice President JD Vance spoke at the White House about recent resignations of key military leaders, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. This was the first briefing since the previous White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, left her position.
Key Facts
Vice President JD Vance held a White House briefing.
This was the first briefing after the press secretary Karoline Leavitt resigned.
Dan Driscoll resigned from his role as Army Secretary.
The briefing addressed other important military departures as well.
CBS News correspondent Weijia Jiang asked questions about these resignations.
The briefing was covered and shared through CBS News platforms.
The situation involves changes in top military and White House communications staff.
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In the Lindsay Clancy murder trial, a juror is reportedly refusing to follow the judge's instructions about the burden of proof. The jury is currently deliberating, and the process will continue the next day.
Key Facts
The trial involves Lindsay Clancy and a charge of murder.
The jury foreperson reported that one juror is not following the judge’s legal instructions.
The issue concerns the burden of proof, which means the responsibility to prove the case.
Jurors are expected to listen to and apply the law as explained by the judge.
Deliberations, or jury discussions, are paused and will resume the following day.
The disagreement among jurors seems to be causing tension during deliberations.
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A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump’s recent attempt to limit birthright citizenship, the rule that all babies born in the US automatically become American citizens. The judge said the Supreme Court has already ruled against such restrictions, and the President’s order cannot change that.
Key Facts
President Trump issued a new executive order on August 6 to restrict birthright citizenship.
The order denied citizenship to children born in the US to certain foreign officials, international employees, and parents labeled as “alien enemies.”
The Supreme Court ruled in June that Trump's earlier attempt to restrict birthright citizenship was unconstitutional.
Judge Deborah Boardman said no presidential order can override the Supreme Court’s decision.
The judge warned the new order might wrongly remove citizenship from children already protected by law.
The government has not clarified how it will enforce the new citizenship restrictions.
Groups helping immigrants, like Casa and Asap, sued to stop the new order.
Some affected families remain worried and continue to fight for the right to birthright citizenship.
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Excavation will begin soon on a new, large golden arch planned by President Donald Trump’s administration in Washington, DC. The project faces a lawsuit because opponents say it will harm important historic views between famous monuments.
Key Facts
Excavation work on the 250-foot-tall gilded arch is set to start within two weeks.
The arch will be located between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
The arch design includes white and gold colors, with inscriptions and a winged figure holding a torch on top.
The National Park Service report supports the project but notes it will negatively affect historic sightlines.
Sightlines are the planned views connecting important monuments to show historical meaning.
A lawsuit from veterans and an architectural historian claims Congress did not approve the project.
The Department of Justice is trying to dismiss the lawsuit.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum says the arch idea has a long history and will improve an otherwise empty traffic circle.
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Millions of Americans who receive Social Security benefits sometimes get notices saying they were paid too much money and must pay it back. The Social Security Administration (SSA) sends about 2 million overpayment notices every year and may take part of future benefits if the debt is not repaid.
Key Facts
The SSA sent roughly 2 million overpayment notices each year across its benefit programs.
Between 2020 and 2023, the SSA issued about $32.8 billion in overpayments.
Overpayments can happen due to missing or wrong information, delays in processing, or changes in income or marital status.
Some beneficiaries get overpaid when they claim benefits early and continue to work, causing earnings limits to reduce benefits.
Beneficiaries may be required to repay the money even if the mistake was not their fault.
Failure to report changes properly or timely can lead to overpayments.
The SSA can withhold up to 50% of monthly benefits to recover overpaid amounts.
If you receive an overpayment notice, experts recommend acting quickly and requesting more information, as waivers and appeals are possible.
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A new poll shows that Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) is more popular than Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer among New York voters ahead of the 2028 Senate election. Some Democrats are considering whether AOC might run against Schumer or for president in 2028.
Key Facts
A recent poll surveyed 505 New York voters between August 19-21, 2026.
Schumer’s net favorability was -13 points; 52% viewed him unfavorably and 39% favorably.
AOC had a +8 net favorability; 47% viewed her favorably and 39% unfavorably.
Schumer is up for reelection in 2028 and has faced criticism from Democrats for not opposing President Trump strongly enough.
A previous 2025 poll showed AOC leading Schumer by nearly 20 points in a hypothetical primary matchup.
Prediction markets give AOC a higher chance than Schumer to win the Senate nomination but also suggest she might run for president instead.
Some Democrats see AOC as a possible progressive leader for the 2028 presidential or Senate race.
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New York City is banning the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in public school classrooms for students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade for one year. The ban affects about 600,000 students and stops their use of 40 different AI learning tools, although teachers can still use AI to make lesson plans. The city will study the impact of this policy and test limited AI use in some high school classes.
Key Facts
New York City public schools banned AI tools for elementary and middle school students for one year.
About 600,000 students and 40 AI educational tools are affected by the ban.
Teachers are still allowed to use AI to create lesson plans.
The city will run a pilot program using AI tools in some high school classes with limited weekly usage.
The ban includes limits on screen time to less than 45 minutes daily for younger students and bans “companion chatbots” through high school.
The ban aims to protect student learning and human interaction in education.
This is the largest school district in the U.S. to implement an AI classroom ban, which may influence other districts.
The mayor and experts cited studies showing possible negative effects of AI on children’s learning if used improperly.
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The jury in the Lindsay Clancy trial was sent home on Thursday after the defense said one juror caused a delay by disagreeing with others. The jury appears split 11-1 and will continue talks on Friday, which would be their seventh day in a row.
Key Facts
The jury was excused on Thursday afternoon during the Lindsay Clancy trial.
The defense attorney blamed one juror for causing a deadlock in the jury’s decision.
The jury is reportedly split 11-1 in their discussions.
Jurors have been deliberating for six consecutive days so far.
They are scheduled to return on Friday to continue deliberations, which would be the seventh day.
The trial appears to be facing challenges in reaching a unanimous verdict.
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The Trump administration is threatening to stop federal support and cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution, accusing its leadership of pushing a political agenda. This comes after a July report claimed the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History promotes extreme political views, which museum leaders deny.
Key Facts
The Interior Department sent a letter to the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents threatening to cut federal support and collaboration.
The letter says taxpayer money should preserve culture, not promote a political agenda.
The Smithsonian receives over $1 billion a year from Congress and additional support from federal agencies.
The White House Domestic Policy Council issued a 162-page report accusing the museum of political activism on topics like race, immigration, and transgender issues.
Smithsonian National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig testified that the museum stays neutral and is based on accurate and independent scholarship.
Hartig said the White House report does not fairly represent the museum's work.
The Interior Secretary and White House officials requested a meeting with the Smithsonian’s Board to discuss the issue.
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The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow new rules for mail-in voting to take effect before the November midterm elections. These rules would let the U.S. Postal Service reject ballots from states that don’t follow certain requirements, but there are questions about whether the system to enforce these rules is ready.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump issued an executive order with new restrictions on mail-in voting.
The U.S. Postal Service might refuse to deliver ballots from states that don’t provide voter lists and meet new envelope standards.
States would need to upload lists of mail-in voters to an online tracking system for ballots to be delivered.
If information does not match between the system and ballot envelopes, those ballots could be rejected.
The Supreme Court allowed the plan to proceed temporarily but has not yet ruled on its legality.
In a recent court hearing, the Justice Department could not confirm that the Postal Service’s system is ready to handle the new rules.
A federal judge expressed concern that the government might be testing the system for the first time during the upcoming election.
The case is ongoing and more updates are expected as the situation develops.
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West Virginia Senator Jim Justice said he is thinking about running for governor again in 2028. He left the governor’s office less than two years ago to join the Senate and is considering challenging the current governor in the primary election.
Key Facts
Jim Justice is currently a U.S. Senator from West Virginia.
He was governor of West Virginia before joining the Senate less than two years ago.
Justice announced on a radio show that he is "100 percent" considering running for governor in 2028.
He may challenge the current West Virginia governor in the primary, which means competing within his own political party first.
Justice is a member of the Republican Party.
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An 18-year-old teenager in Washington state was arrested for manslaughter and arson after a deadly July 4 fire started by illegal fireworks. Authorities are also seeking five other adults involved in setting off the fireworks that ignited the large wildfire.
Key Facts
The fire is called the Chelan Hills Fire and burned about 15.6 square miles.
More than 100 buildings were destroyed by the fire.
One person, Robert Lister, a 69-year-old man from Orondo, died when his car slid off the road and burned.
The fire started when illegal fireworks, set off from a truck by a group of people, ignited dry brush on the roadside.
The arrested teenager is from Kent, Washington.
Five other adults involved are wanted by the sheriff’s office.
Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille urged the others to turn themselves in or face arrest.
All those involved are over 18 years old and considered responsible for the fire.
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Many homes and ranches in western South Dakota are running low on water because wells are drying up due to a long drought and high heat. People like the Howie family are having to buy water and use public water stations more often to meet their daily needs.
Key Facts
Wells in western South Dakota, especially shallow ones, are running slow or have gone dry due to a long drought and less snowfall in winter.
The drought and heat in 2026 have made water supplies worse for homes, farms, and animals in the area.
Gordon and Connie Howie, ranchers near Rapid City, struggle with low water flow and must buy bottled water and haul large tanks to care for their cattle.
Underground aquifers, which supply water to many wells, have dropped in level because of less rain and more water use.
Many residents rely on self-serve water stations where you pay to get fresh water from a spout into tanks or trucks.
These water stations are busier than usual, especially in Rapid City, because natural water sources are not enough.
The drought is described as the worst in decades by locals who have lived there all their lives.
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President Donald Trump lifted a pause on a project to stop invasive carp from reaching the Great Lakes after a phone call from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The project, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, had been unexpectedly stopped for months, raising concerns as the invasive fish approach Lake Michigan.
Key Facts
The Trump administration paused construction on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project near Joliet, Illinois, in July without explanation.
The project aims to prevent invasive carp from entering the Great Lakes, an important environmental and economic region.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer called President Trump on a Wednesday to urge lifting the stop-work order.
Hours after the call, the Army Corps of Engineers was allowed to resume work.
Invasive carp were found unusually close to Lake Michigan, about 80 miles upstream on the Illinois River.
President Trump had publicly supported the project and approved federal funding for it earlier.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized the project’s delays, calling for the federal government to advance the work.
The project has faced repeated uncertainty despite years of planning and funding between state and federal agencies.
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The federal government will begin digging soon to build a large triumphal arch near Arlington Memorial Cemetery, a project supported by President Donald Trump. The arch will be very tall, decorated with statues, and include an observation deck. Construction is planned to last two to three years.
Key Facts
Excavation for the arch will start within the next two weeks.
The arch will be 250 feet tall, covered in granite, and topped with three golden statues plus an observation deck.
It will be located near Arlington Memorial Cemetery across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial.
The project marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
Construction will involve a near-constant 20-hour workday, year-round.
Some Democrats, preservation groups, and veterans oppose the arch, worried it will block views and affect the nearby airport.
Two Trump-appointed panels approved the project with some requested changes.
The Federal Aviation Administration is still reviewing whether the arch will affect air traffic near the nearby airport.
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Vice President Vance said he is looking forward to seeing President Joe Biden at a memorial service for the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The event will take place in New York City.
Key Facts
The memorial service marks 25 years since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Vice President Vance spoke about the event during a press briefing.
Vance expressed that he is eager to meet with President Biden at the service.
The ceremony is set to take place in New York City.
The event honors the victims and remembers the impact of 9/11.
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