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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
A woman in Essex was sentenced to life in prison for poisoning her 14-month-old son with prescription medicines. The court found she deliberately killed him after a family court ordered the child's removal from her care.
Key Facts
Emma Barnett, 36, poisoned her baby son Oakley with drugs mixed into his milk.
The drugs she used included an antihistamine and an antidepressant.
A family court had ordered Oakley removed from Barnett’s care.
Barnett hid with Oakley in a loft and lied about her whereabouts.
Police found Oakley unresponsive after Barnett admitted to killing him.
Oakley died in hospital nearly two months after the poisoning.
Barnett was sentenced to life with a minimum of 22 years in prison.
She has a known mental health disorder and her five older children were also removed from her care.
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California is still counting 3.5 million ballots after recent primary elections. The final winners in these important races have not yet been announced as the counting process continues.
Key Facts
California recently held primary elections.
About 3.5 million ballots remain uncounted.
The final election results are not yet declared.
The ballot counting process is ongoing and expected to take more time.
CBS News has an election law expert providing analysis of the process.
The delay affects the announcement of winners in two key primary races.
This slow counting is part of the election procedure in California.
Voters and the public are waiting for official results.
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The Social Security Administration (SSA) denied claims that it planned to wrongly classify 2.7 million people as dead. The claims came from a former SSA employee who said the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) pushed this effort to cut off immigrants from benefits and services.
Key Facts
The whistleblower, Jeremiah Schofield, reported the plan in June 2025.
DOGE, linked to the Trump administration and Elon Musk, embedded staff in federal agencies like the SSA.
The plan involved adding death dates to people’s records without proof they had died.
The SSA said it did not add 2.7 million people to the Death Master File.
Being wrongly listed as dead can freeze bank accounts, stop benefits, and prevent people from working.
Two key efforts included marking 6,000 individuals as dead based on a DHS list, and a wider plan for 2.7 million entries.
The whistleblower and others refused to carry out the large-scale plan after checking and finding most people were alive and legally in the U.S.
A DHS official reportedly said marking individuals as dead aimed to encourage "self-deportation" or detain them when they showed up at SSA offices.
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The FBI fired at least five analysts who helped create a 2023 internal memo about radical traditionalist Catholic ideology. The memo was withdrawn after an internal review found errors, though no malicious intent or discrimination. The issue has been politically charged, especially among President Trump's allies.
Key Facts
The analysts worked on the "Richmond Memo," which linked some extremist groups to radical Catholic views.
The memo was withdrawn after a review found it did not meet proper standards and had judgment errors.
No evidence showed the analysts intended harm or acted with bias, according to FBI and Justice Department reviews.
The memo became controversial among President Trump's supporters, who saw it as unfair to conservative Christians.
The Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias, created by a Trump executive order, featured the memo in its report.
The FBI Richmond office was criticized for relying heavily on the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which faces its own legal issues.
Other FBI staff involved in cases opposed by the Trump administration have also been fired recently.
The Justice Department fired prosecutors connected to cases about protests at reproductive health clinics earlier this year.
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A federal prosecutor in California has started several investigations into possible voter fraud. These actions follow claims by President Donald Trump accusing Democrats of cheating in recent primary elections in the state.
Key Facts
Bill Essayli is the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.
His office has opened multiple investigations related to election fraud.
These investigations focus on alleged voter fraud in California's primary elections.
President Donald Trump accused Democrats of cheating in these elections.
The announcements were made public on a Friday.
The investigations are ongoing and details are still developing.
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A recent poll shows Representative Nancy Mace falling behind in South Carolina’s Republican race for governor after President Donald Trump endorsed her rival, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette. Mace’s campaign criticized the poll and pointed to a shift in support following her demand for more transparency in government documents about Jeffrey Epstein.
Key Facts
Nancy Mace is running for governor of South Carolina and gave up her congressional seat to do so.
A Trafalgar Group poll conducted in early June shows Mace trailing multiple candidates in the Republican primary.
President Trump endorsed Pamela Evette, which influences many Republican voters in South Carolina.
Prediction markets give Mace less than a 5 percent chance to win the Republican nomination, while Evette is favored with about 68 percent.
Mace and Trump had a good political relationship before, but it cooled after Mace pushed for the release of classified Epstein files.
Mace has said she would not sacrifice her values for political endorsements and remains focused on transparency and justice.
South Carolina election rules require a runoff if no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary.
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Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maine, held a campaign rally after allegations were made against him. He denied the claims, saying they were politically motivated.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is running for U.S. Senate as a Democrat in Maine.
Several former girlfriends accused him of "unsettling" behavior.
These allegations were reported by The New York Times.
Platner responded by saying the accusations are politically motivated.
He held a campaign rally to address the situation.
CBS News and Midcoast Villager covered the story.
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The Justice Department asked two federal judges to dismiss lawsuits against its $1.7 billion "anti-weaponization fund," saying the fund will not move forward. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the program is halted, making the legal challenges unnecessary.
Key Facts
The Justice Department filed court papers to block lawsuits against the "anti-weaponization fund."
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the fund is no longer going forward.
The fund was part of a settlement related to President Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax returns.
The fund would have given money to victims of what the agreement called "lawfare and weaponization."
Some plaintiffs, including a Capitol attack prosecutor, challenged the fund in court.
A judge temporarily blocked the fund last week to prevent spending while the case proceeds.
The Justice Department argues the court should not interfere because the fund is stopped.
President Trump continues to support the fund, calling it a positive program.
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The top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles announced that several investigations into election fraud are ongoing, but he did not share any details. Officials are working to review California's voter registration lists to ensure only eligible citizens are registered to vote.
Key Facts
The top federal prosecutor in LA said there are multiple election fraud investigations happening.
No specific information about the investigations was provided.
Bill Essayli, Assistant U.S. Attorney, is involved in the efforts.
The DOJ is working with Harmeet Dhillon from the Civil Rights Division for a detailed review of California’s voter rolls.
Officials claim California has blocked attempts to verify voters’ eligibility.
The DOJ has said for a long time that California’s voter lists have problems.
No evidence of fraud has been publicly shared so far.
This news is part of ongoing developments and may be updated later.
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A Virginia man named Brendan Banfield was sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing his wife and another man. The court found that Banfield and the family’s au pair planned the murder and wrongly involved an innocent man as a cover-up.
Key Facts
Brendan Banfield was previously an IRS law enforcement officer.
He was having an affair with the family’s Brazilian au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhães.
Banfield killed his wife, Christine Banfield, and a man named Joseph Ryan.
Prosecutors said Banfield and the au pair set up Ryan to take the blame.
Banfield’s four-year-old daughter was home during the killings.
He was also convicted of child endangerment and a firearms charge.
Banfield claims he is innocent and loved his wife despite affairs.
The judge sentenced him to life in prison due to the serious nature of the crime and his lack of remorse.
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Graham Platner is a Democratic candidate running for U.S. Senate in Maine, presenting himself as a working-class oyster farmer and veteran. However, reports reveal he comes from an affluent background, with his parents being successful professionals and active supporters of the Democratic Party.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is a 41-year-old oyster farmer, U.S. Marine combat veteran, and former local official in Maine.
He is running to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming midterm elections.
Platner describes himself as a "working-class guy" who works with his hands and makes his living from oyster farming.
His father, Bronson Platner, is a local attorney who has donated over $65,000 to Democratic candidates since 2011.
His mother, Leslie Harlow, owns a restaurant and has been involved in Democratic politics for years.
Platner's parents divorced when he was six, but both have supported Democratic causes and attended party events.
He has received financial help from his family, including payments for his home and customers for his oyster farm.
Platner’s campaign has been questioned due to allegations of sending sexually explicit messages to women.
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President Donald Trump visited Wisconsin to talk with farmers affected by tariffs and rising costs linked to the US-Israeli war with Iran. He also aimed to support Republican Representative Derrick Van Orden ahead of the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Trump held a farming roundtable in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
The visit was partly to support Republican Derrick Van Orden, who faces a tight race against Democrat Rebecca Cook.
Farmers have suffered due to tariffs that led other countries to limit imports like soybeans and raised costs on farming supplies.
The US-Israeli war with Iran has increased fertilizer and fuel prices by disrupting trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
A survey found 70% of farmers cannot afford all the fertilizer they need.
Gas prices in the US averaged $4.04 per gallon, a dollar higher than last year.
Trump promised that fuel and fertilizer prices would go down soon and that the war was nearly over.
Polls show Trump's approval ratings are low, especially on gas prices, inflation, and the economy.
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Nebraska recently became the first state to enforce stricter work rules for Medicaid under President Donald Trump's administration. These rules require many Medicaid recipients to work, volunteer, or attend school for at least 80 hours a month to keep their health coverage, which has led to a sharp drop in new enrollments.
Key Facts
Nebraska started enforcing new Medicaid work requirements in May.
The Health Center Association of Nebraska usually enrolls about 15 people monthly but enrolled none in May.
Many potential enrollees may avoid signing up because they think they won’t qualify or find the process too difficult.
The new rules come from a law signed by President Trump last summer called the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act."
These work requirements affect Medicaid recipients with low incomes or disabilities in 43 states and Washington, D.C.
Recipients must prove at least 80 hours per month of work, volunteering, or education starting in 2027.
Most states affected have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Experts worry that these rules could cause many eligible people to lose Medicaid coverage.
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The United States added 172,000 new jobs in May. The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.3%. Meanwhile, Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner faces increasing controversies.
Key Facts
The U.S. economy created 172,000 jobs in May.
The national unemployment rate stayed at 4.3%.
These figures show ongoing activity in the U.S. job market.
Graham Platner is a candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maine.
Platner is involved in several controversy issues.
CBS News reported these updates on the program "The Takeout with Major Garrett."
The news is available through CBS News apps and online browsers like Chrome and Safari.
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President Donald Trump praised recent job growth in the United States, which was stronger than expected. He also said that talks with Iran appear to be progressing positively but did not give more details.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke about stronger-than-expected job growth in the U.S.
He mentioned that negotiations with Iran are going well.
No additional information about the Iran talks was shared.
Trump made these remarks while arriving in Wisconsin.
The visit to Wisconsin was for an agriculture-related event.
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The U.S. job market is stronger than experts expected, with employers adding 172,000 jobs in May and showing steady growth since March. This strength comes despite challenges like tariffs, inflation, and global conflicts, helped by strong corporate profits and growth in sectors like health care and leisure.
Key Facts
Employers added 172,000 jobs in May, exceeding forecasts.
Average monthly job growth from March to May was nearly 190,000, tripling from the previous year.
U.S. corporations increased earnings by about 28% in the first quarter, supporting hiring.
The health care industry added 610,000 jobs in the past year, the most of any sector.
Leisure and hospitality added 240,000 jobs, boosted by summer travel and the 2026 World Cup.
Local government added 55,000 jobs in May due to seasonal demands like parks and public works.
Despite job gains, 70% of Americans feel it would be hard to find a new job.
Hiring and quitting rates remain low, with some workers staying in their jobs due to fewer opportunities elsewhere.
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Three main reporters from the TV show "60 Minutes" said they will continue working on the program. This comes as the network CBS News is making big changes to the show and other parts of the network.
Key Facts
Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim are key correspondents on "60 Minutes."
These correspondents wrote a letter to their colleagues confirming they will stay with the program.
CBS News is undergoing major changes across the network and the "60 Minutes" show.
The letter was obtained by the news website The Hill.
There has been public talk about the future of these correspondents amid the changes.
The correspondents want to assure others of their commitment to the show during the transition.
"60 Minutes" is a well-known news magazine program on CBS.
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Congress is about to approve nearly $70 billion in funding for the Department of Homeland Security. This money will support President Donald Trump's plan to increase deportations during his current term.
Key Facts
The Senate approved a nearly $70 billion funding bill for immigration and homeland security.
The vote happened late at night in the Republican-controlled Senate.
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for approval.
The money will help carry out President Trump's mass deportation policies.
Some Democrats called the bill a "rotten bill."
Pro-immigrant groups criticized it as giving too much support to ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
The bill did not include permanent bans on certain immigration-related funds.
This funding is expected to be used through the remainder of President Trump's term.
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Two Democratic Senators asked the Treasury Department to stop making a special gold coin that shows President Trump’s image. They are concerned that some gold used might come from illegal sources connected to foreign cartels.
Key Facts
The coin is made of 24-karat gold.
It features an image of President Donald Trump.
The coin is meant to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden made the request.
They worry some gold might come from foreign criminal groups.
The coin is produced by the U.S. Mint.
The request was made during President Trump’s administration.
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Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is facing allegations of abusive behavior toward a former girlfriend and controversy about a tattoo with Nazi symbolism. He denies physical abuse claims, admits past personal mistakes, and says he struggled with PTSD and alcohol issues during that time. The Maine Senate race is closely watched and could influence control of the U.S. Senate.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine.
The New York Times reported allegations that Platner was physically abusive to a girlfriend from 2013-2015, which he denies.
Platner admitted to having a tattoo with Nazi symbolism but said he got it while drunk and did not know its meaning; the tattoo is now covered.
He also admitted to sending explicit texts to women shortly after marrying his wife in 2023; his wife supports him.
Platner said he struggled with undiagnosed PTSD and alcohol problems during his younger years.
The former girlfriend who made allegations is a conservative with past ties to Republican campaigns.
Some Democratic leaders have expressed concern about Platner, while others continue to support his candidacy.
The Maine Senate race is important since it may affect the balance of power in the U.S. Senate after the upcoming elections.
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