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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
In the upcoming midterm elections, 77 Black women have won primary elections and will appear on the ballots. This number is historically high and shows increased political participation by Black women.
Key Facts
77 Black women are set to run in the midterm election.
Almost all primary elections have finished.
This number represents a record high for Black women candidates.
The candidates are from various districts across the United States.
Their participation is expected to lead to historic election results.
The increase reflects greater involvement of Black women in politics.
These candidates aim to win seats in Congress.
The midterm elections will be held in November.
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Hillary Clinton paid tribute to Gloria Steinem, a well-known feminist leader who died at age 92. Clinton praised Steinem for her work toward women's equality and encouraged younger people to continue her efforts.
Key Facts
Gloria Steinem was a famous American feminist and activist.
She died at age 92 at her home in New York.
Hillary Clinton described Steinem as a key figure in advancing women’s rights.
Rep. Don Bacon from Nebraska expressed support for Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina in calling for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to be removed from his position. Bacon said he does not usually tell President Donald Trump who to hire or fire but agreed with Tillis on this issue.
Key Facts
Rep. Don Bacon is a Republican representative from Nebraska.
Senator Thom Tillis is a Republican senator from North Carolina.
Both Bacon and Tillis want Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to be removed.
Bacon stated he usually does not advise President Trump on job decisions.
Bacon publicly supported Tillis’s call for Hegseth’s ouster.
Pete Hegseth currently serves as the Defense Secretary.
The calls to remove Hegseth come from members of the Republican Party.
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Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government for delaying plans to increase UK defence spending to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030. Badenoch outlined Tory proposals to fund this increase through changes to welfare benefits and tax rules, and called for a general election if the government will not commit to higher defence spending now.
Key Facts
Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader, wants defence spending increased to 3% of GDP by 2030, costing about £10 billion a year.
The current government under Prime Minister Andy Burnham plans to reach 3.5% defence spending by 2035 but has delayed firm commitments.
Badenoch proposed funding the increase by reinstating the two-child benefit cap and reforming housing benefit and VAT exemptions on Motability vehicles.
The two-child benefit cap limits welfare benefits to the first two children a family has; it was removed by Labour but Conservatives plan to reimpose it.
Other proposed savings include changes to the British Business Bank funding and ending a VAT exemption on Motability cars for disabled people.
Badenoch accused Burnham of delaying defence spending decisions despite threats from countries like Russia and Iran.
She claimed current welfare policies could unfairly encourage higher child numbers among some families, affecting economic fairness.
Burnham’s Chancellor, John Healey, previously resigned over defence spending issues but is now seen by Badenoch as less committed to the 3% target.
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US Vice-President JD Vance spoke about his religious belief that the Antichrist might be among us and mentioned the idea of "end times," which refers to the end of the world in Christianity. A friend said these views are common among many Christian Americans, and Vance is focused on his role as vice-president and serving the country.
Key Facts
JD Vance is the Vice-President of the United States.
Vance shared his religious thoughts on a Christian podcast, saying he wouldn’t be surprised if the Antichrist was present in the world.
In Christianity, the Antichrist is seen as an enemy of God who appears during the final period before the world ends.
The "end times" refers to beliefs about the end of the world and God’s plan for that time.
Vance said he tries not to focus too much on these thoughts and concentrates on being a good leader and family man.
Rod Dreher, a friend and conservative writer, said Vance’s beliefs are common among many Republican Christians.
Vance converted to Catholicism in 2019 and aligns his faith with his family values and politics.
Vance is scheduled to give a White House press briefing following the departure of the Press Secretary.
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A man suspected of killing two people and injuring six others in a Minneapolis apartment shooting was facing eviction due to prior violent incidents and showing a gun to apartment staff. The suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and three of the injured were police officers.
Key Facts
The suspect is Carlton Neal Johnson, 35 years old.
Johnson had signed a lease at the Shoreline Plaza apartment in March 2025.
He was facing eviction after multiple incidents including assault and showing a gun to apartment management.
On June 11 and 25, Johnson openly displayed a firearm at the apartment and to residents.
Police were called several times due to Johnson’s behavior before the shooting.
The shooting occurred on September 2, 2026, killing two and injuring six, including three police officers.
One injured officer was in surgery with serious wounds; others had less severe injuries.
City officials reported some officers suffered effects from exposure to an unknown airborne substance during the incident.
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While overall homicides in many U.S. cities have decreased, killings related to domestic violence remain high or are increasing. Funding for domestic violence prevention programs has been cut under President Trump’s administration, even though demand for help, such as housing and legal support, is rising.
Key Facts
Homicides in Chicago dropped from 805 in 2021 to 425 in 2025, but domestic violence killings rose 15% between 2024 and 2025.
Kansas City and Ohio saw general homicide declines but had some of their deadliest years for domestic violence killings in 2025.
Domestic violence-related violent crimes grew from 25% of such crimes in 2020 to 27.5% in 2024, according to the FBI.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline received nearly 637,000 calls in 2020 and one million in 2025.
Housing and legal help are the most requested support services for people at risk of domestic violence.
Early in President Trump’s second term, some federal grants for domestic violence programs were cut or delayed because they didn’t align with the administration’s goals.
Although some funding was restored, the 2027 budget proposal includes nearly $30 million in cuts to grants that support transitional housing and legal aid for victims.
Experts say focusing only on criminal justice and immigration issues misses key risk factors like stalking and controlling behavior that lead to violence.
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Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa joined the social media app TikTok. He shared a video honoring his old family vacuum cleaner named Beth, which had become well-known online.
Key Facts
Senator Chuck Grassley is from Iowa and is a member of the Republican Party.
He created an account on TikTok on Wednesday.
Grassley posted a video about a family vacuum cleaner called Beth.
The vacuum cleaner named Beth had gained a following on social media.
The video showed several pictures of the vacuum over time.
Grassley said it was the right time to honor Beth in his video caption.
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Leon Black, an investor linked to Jeffrey Epstein, is suing the House Oversight Committee to challenge subpoenas that require him to testify and provide documents about nondisclosure agreements. Black argues the subpoenas lack a clear legislative purpose and could reveal private information about women not connected to Epstein.
Key Facts
Leon Black was subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee to testify and hand over documents related to Epstein.
Black left a voluntary interview with the committee without answering questions about nondisclosure agreements.
The committee demanded a sworn, videotaped deposition and information on nondisclosure agreements after Black's initial refusal.
Black employed Epstein for wealth management and discussed private matters, including affairs ending in nondisclosure agreements.
The lawsuit claims the subpoenas expose private women who wanted confidentiality and are unrelated to the committee's goals.
Committee Chair James Comer wants to know if Epstein was involved in these nondisclosure agreements.
Black's lawyer said the committee’s probe is now a "fishing expedition" and an abuse of power.
Committee Ranking Member Robert Garcia called for Black to be held in contempt and accused him of funding Epstein’s abuse.
Emails show Epstein gave Black advice involving former law enforcement to handle a contentious affair.
Black paid Epstein $158 million for services and expressed regret for employing him, calling Epstein dishonest.
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Frank Kendall III, who was Secretary of the Air Force before, said the Defense Department is not working well under Secretary Pete Hegseth. He described the Pentagon as "dysfunctional" and criticized how Hegseth has managed the military department.
Key Facts
Frank Kendall III is a former Secretary of the Air Force.
He served during the Biden and Obama administrations.
Kendall gave his opinion on Pete Hegseth’s leadership of the Defense Department.
Kendall described the Pentagon under Hegseth as "dysfunctional."
Kendall was interviewed by CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins.
The focus was on Hegseth’s handling of the military and Pentagon operations.
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More Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, rising slightly to 206,000 claims, but layoffs remain low compared to history. Employers are holding on to current workers but are not hiring many new ones, leading to a slow job market with an unemployment rate around 4.1%.
Key Facts
Last week, 206,000 Americans filed new claims for unemployment benefits, up from 204,000 the week before.
The four-week average for claims is about 207,250, which is low historically (between 200,000 and 230,000).
Unemployment rate is low at 4.1%, meaning most people with jobs are keeping them.
Hiring has dropped, with fewer than 5.1 million new jobs started last month, a 5% decline.
Some sectors cut 23,000 jobs in July, but overall employers are adding about 61,000 jobs per month in 2026.
Job growth this year is slower than in past years, including the big hiring boom after COVID-19 lockdowns.
Experts expect August to show 65,000 new jobs added and a slight rise in unemployment to 4.2%.
High interest rates and trade policies under President Donald Trump made companies cautious about hiring in 2025.
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President Donald Trump has proposed renaming several places and institutions, including suggesting the Strait of Hormuz be called “Trump Strait.” His administration has already made official changes such as renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America” and the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” for U.S. federal use, although these changes have faced opposition and legal challenges.
Key Facts
President Trump suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz to “Trump Strait” as a new idea.
Lake Ontario was renamed “Lake America” for federal U.S. purposes by an executive order on August 27, but Canada and New York rejected the change.
A poll showed 63% of Americans oppose renaming Lake Ontario.
The Gulf of Mexico was renamed “Gulf of America” for U.S. federal use starting January 20, 2025.
Trump restored the name Mount McKinley for North America’s highest peak while leaving Denali National Park’s name unchanged.
Several Army bases were renamed, but none were given Trump’s name. Some were renamed from Confederate-related names to others.
The Kennedy Center and the United States Institute of Peace had the Trump name added, prompting legal disputes over the changes.
Renaming efforts have raised issues because U.S. federal naming does not automatically apply internationally or in states.
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Jurors in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial told the judge they were still unable to agree on a verdict. This is the second time the jury has said they are deadlocked, leading the judge to give special instructions meant to help them decide.
Key Facts
The trial involves Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of murder.
The jury has been unable to reach a decision twice so far.
Judge William Sullivan is handling the case in Plymouth Superior Court.
On the second deadlock, the judge gave the jury Tuey-Rodriguez instructions.
These instructions are used as a last effort to encourage a unanimous verdict.
The possibility of declaring a mistrial becomes more likely if the jury remains deadlocked.
The trial updates were reported by Caroline Polisi for CBS News.
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Vice President Vance will lead the first White House press briefing in 42 days on Thursday at 1 p.m. EDT. The White House still does not have a press secretary following Karoline Leavitt’s departure at the end of August.
Key Facts
Vice President Vance will hold the White House press briefing.
This will be the first briefing in 42 days.
The briefing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Thursday.
The White House press secretary position is currently empty.
Karoline Leavitt left the press secretary role at the end of August.
Vice President Vance is stepping in for the press secretary during this briefing.
The House of Representatives is wrapping up its session before the next recess.
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The jury in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy is still unable to reach a decision after six days of discussions. The judge gave the jury a special instruction called a "dynamite charge" to encourage them to try harder to agree.
Key Facts
The trial involves Lindsay Clancy, who is charged with murder.
The jury has been deliberating for six days without reaching a verdict.
The jury informed the judge twice that they are deadlocked, meaning they cannot agree.
The judge gave a "dynamite charge," a special instruction to urge jurors to continue discussing the case and try to reach a decision.
The proceedings are being reported by CBS News.
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The jury in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial in Massachusetts is continuing to deliberate after six days but remains deadlocked. The judge gave them a final instruction to try to reach a decision, but there is a growing chance the trial will end in a mistrial, meaning no verdict is reached.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is on trial for the strangulation deaths of her three children in January 2023.
The jury has been deliberating for more than 29 hours over six days but cannot agree on a verdict.
The judge gave a "dynamite charge," a last instruction to encourage a decision, but the jury is still deadlocked.
Options for the jury’s verdict include not guilty, not guilty by reason of insanity, or guilty of varying degrees of murder or manslaughter.
Clancy’s attorney argues she was not responsible due to postpartum psychosis and overmedication.
Prosecutors say Clancy planned the killings and knew they were wrong.
If convicted, Clancy will go to prison; if found not guilty by reason of insanity, she will stay in a state hospital.
A mistrial may lead to a second trial with possible changes in the prosecution’s case.
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President Donald Trump held a dinner for Republican candidates in key states before the midterm elections. He said he will support many Republican candidates who need help to win.
Key Facts
President Trump hosted a dinner for Republicans in important voting states, called battleground states.
He plans to campaign for many vulnerable Republican candidates before the midterm elections.
His goal is to help these candidates increase their chances of winning.
The dinner and campaign efforts are focused on key states that can decide election outcomes.
The event was reported by CBS News with a correspondent named Olivia Rinaldi.
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At least two people died and five others were hurt in a mass shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The person suspected of doing the shooting is also dead.
Key Facts
The shooting happened in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Two people were killed in the incident.
Five other people were injured.
The suspected shooter died, either during or after the shooting.
A man who escaped the shooting shared his reaction to the scene.
The report was covered by CBS News and reporter Jarred Hill.
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Moshe Marvit, who was fired by President Donald Trump from the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, has decided to stop his legal fight against his removal. He disagrees with a recent Supreme Court ruling that expanded the President’s power to fire officials, which affects how independent some government agencies can be.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump fired Moshe Marvit from the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.
Marvit challenged his firing in court but decided to drop the case.
This decision followed a Supreme Court ruling that gave the President more power to remove certain government officials.
The ruling affects the independence of some federal agencies, including the mine safety commission.
Marvit disagrees with the Supreme Court’s decision but accepted that it limits the agency’s independence.
The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission deals with overseeing safety rules in mines.
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