The Treasury Department and IRS proposed new rules to limit some immigrants from claiming certain refundable tax credits. This move is part of President Trump’s efforts to reduce non-U.S. citizens’ access to federal benefits.
Key Facts
The proposal targets refundable tax credits available to some immigrants.
Refundable tax credits mean the government can send money back to taxpayers, even if they owe no tax.
The new rules aim to classify the refunded parts of four tax credits as "federal public benefits."
This change would restrict some immigrants from receiving these tax refunds.
The effort is part of broader policies under President Trump to limit federal benefits for non-citizens.
The IRS and Treasury announced these plans on a Wednesday.
The proposal may impact tax returns and refunds for certain immigrant groups.
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Progressive candidate Angie Nixon won the Florida Senate primary, beating moderate Democrat Alex Vindman despite his spending more money. In Alaska, Democrat Mary Peltola received the most votes in the non-partisan Senate primary.
Key Facts
Angie Nixon is a Florida state representative and a progressive Democrat.
Nixon defeated Alex Vindman, a more moderate Democrat, in the Florida Senate primary.
Vindman spent more money on his campaign than Nixon.
In Alaska, Mary Peltola was the top vote-getter in the Senate primary.
Alaska uses a non-partisan primary system where candidates from all parties compete together.
These primary results will influence the Senate races in the November general election.
Lisa Desjardins reported this news.
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A Missouri judge allowed new congressional district boundaries, supported by President Donald Trump, to be used in the November elections. The judge rejected a voter petition to have the new districts decided by a statewide vote, agreeing with state officials that the Missouri Constitution does not allow a referendum on congressional redistricting.
Key Facts
Missouri’s new U.S. House districts were drawn after the 2020 census and used in the August primaries.
The new map was backed by President Trump and aims to favor Republicans in the November election.
A petition with thousands of signatures sought a November referendum to approve or reject the new map.
Missouri’s Secretary of State said the state constitution does not allow a referendum on redistricting, a view the judge agreed with.
The revised map changes boundaries of Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s district to include more Republican voters.
Republican officials argued using the new districts in November avoids voter confusion and maintains election integrity.
The ruling is expected to be appealed by opponents of the new district plan.
Missouri last held a referendum on redistricting in 1922, when voters rejected a new map.
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The FDA has upgraded a recall of frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold at Publix stores to the highest health risk level due to possible E. coli contamination. Twelve people in two states have become sick, and the recalled products should be thrown away or returned for a refund.
Key Facts
Publix recalled four types of frozen GreenWise organic blueberries and mixed berries sold in eight states.
The recall now has a "Class 1" rating, meaning the products could cause serious illness or death.
Twelve people have been infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli in two states.
The recalled items include specific sizes (10-ounce and 48-ounce) and UPC codes.
The products were shipped to stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The expiration dates on the recalled items are before February 9, 2028.
E. coli bacteria can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and in serious cases, kidney failure.
The FDA recently upgraded an egg recall to the highest risk level due to salmonella.
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Natalie Harp is a trusted aide to President Donald Trump. She handles important duties, including managing his posts on Truth Social, and has worked closely with him for a long time. Recently, Senator Jon Ossoff mentioned her in a widely shared speech.
Key Facts
Natalie Harp is one of President Trump's closest and longest-serving aides.
She is responsible for typing President Trump's posts on Truth Social, his own social media platform.
Harp holds a significant role in the president’s inner circle.
Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, mentioned Harp during a widely viewed speech.
Harp’s role has attracted public attention due to her prominence and loyalty.
The BBC provided an explanation about her background and role.
Truth Social is a social media platform linked to President Trump.
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President Donald Trump has chosen Dr. Heidi Overton, a top health policy advisor in the White House, to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Overton supports the president’s health plans, including changes to childhood vaccine schedules that some medical experts oppose.
Key Facts
President Trump selected Dr. Heidi Overton to be the head of the FDA.
Dr. Overton works as a senior health policy aide in the White House.
She supports President Trump’s health policies.
One policy involves changing the schedule for childhood vaccines.
These vaccine changes have received criticism from medical experts.
The decision and details were discussed by Geoff Bennett with Lauren Gardner from Politico.
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President Donald Trump said the United States might resume talks with Iran "at some point." He also said he is generally satisfied with how the war situation is currently going.
Key Facts
President Trump made his comments on Wednesday.
He suggested that negotiations with Iran could happen again in the future.
The talks with Iran are related to ongoing tensions between the two countries.
Trump expressed general satisfaction with the current state of the war.
The information was shared through a CBS News report.
CBS News correspondents Nancy Cordes and Aaron MacLean covered the story.
No specific timeline was given for when talks might resume.
The situation reflects ongoing U.S.-Iran diplomatic and security issues.
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The idea of stopping the twice-a-year clock changes for daylight saving time is being discussed. People and lawmakers in the United States have different opinions about making daylight saving time permanent.
Key Facts
Currently, clocks are changed twice a year in the U.S. for daylight saving time.
There is an ongoing debate about whether to keep changing clocks or make daylight saving time permanent.
Lawmakers and American citizens have mixed views on this issue.
Making daylight saving time permanent would mean not changing clocks in spring and fall anymore.
The discussion reflects concerns about health, energy savings, and convenience.
No final decision has been made yet on changing the current system.
This topic is part of a broader conversation about how time changes affect daily life.
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President Donald Trump said he has a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He also expressed frustration with U.S. military exercises with South Korea, which he has ordered to be reduced. Rebeccah Heinrichs from the Hudson Institute talked about how Trump treats U.S. allies.
Key Facts
President Trump praised his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump is unhappy with joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea.
He has ordered these military exercises to be scaled back.
The discussion about Trump's treatment of allies involved Rebeccah Heinrichs from the Hudson Institute.
Amna Nawaz led the conversation about the president’s relationships with allies.
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Historian Beverly Gage traveled across the United States for her new book, exploring important people and events from America's 250-year history. Journalist Judy Woodruff joined her for part of the trip, starting in Chicago, as part of a series called Crossroads: America at 250.
Key Facts
Beverly Gage is a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian.
She took a road trip across the United States for her latest book.
The trip focused on key people, places, and moments in American history.
Judy Woodruff, a journalist, joined Gage for part of the journey.
Their trip began in Chicago.
This project is part of a series called Crossroads: America at 250.
The book examines connections between past and present in America.
The series marks America's 250 years of history.
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James Percival, the top lawyer for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is facing an ethics complaint from the Florida Bar. This complaint came after he created a public list called the “Worst of the Worst” to criticize federal judges for their rulings.
Key Facts
James Percival is the general counsel (top lawyer) for DHS.
He made a list called the “Worst of the Worst” targeting certain federal judges.
The list publicly criticized judges for decisions that Percival disagreed with.
The Florida Bar filed an ethics complaint against Percival because of this list.
The complaint focuses on whether Percival’s actions were appropriate for a lawyer.
Percival shared these criticisms on social media platform X.
Federal judges are officials who interpret and apply law in court cases.
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The United States national debt has passed $40 trillion for the first time, exceeding previous predictions. This increase is due to higher borrowing, interest payments, and long-term expenses like social security and health care.
Key Facts
The US national debt reached $40.05 trillion on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
This amount is higher than the Congressional Budget Office’s forecast of $39.4 trillion by the end of fiscal year 2026.
Borrowing has increased partly because of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, higher government spending, and tax cuts.
Interest costs on the debt have gone up due to rising inflation and increased interest rates.
Long-term obligations such as social security and health costs are adding to the debt growth.
The federal government runs a budget deficit, meaning it spends more than it collects in revenue, causing it to borrow money.
Experts warn that current deficits are around 6-7% of GDP, which is higher than the 3-4% levels that previously concerned markets.
Rising debt may lead to higher borrowing costs for the government, consumers, and businesses, potentially slowing economic growth.
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A U.S. Army battalion in Georgia is giving soldiers a special four-day leave to play the new video game Grand Theft Auto VI when it launches in the fall. This time off is a reward for soldiers who decide to reenlist in the Army.
Key Facts
The 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion in Georgia is offering the incentive.
Eligible soldiers who reenlist will get a four-day pass to play GTA 6.
The four-day pass allows soldiers time off after the game's release.
GTA 6 is a highly anticipated video game coming out this fall.
The offer is designed to encourage soldiers to sign up again for military service.
This is an example of the Army using popular culture to boost reenlistment.
The battalion is part of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team.
The incentive is a special leave given outside normal military benefits.
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Senator Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Health Committee, expressed serious concerns about President Donald Trump’s choice of Dr. Heidi Overton to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He said her role in the recent vaccine order makes her almost unfit for the position.
Key Facts
Senator Bill Cassidy is a Republican from Louisiana.
Cassidy leads the Senate Health Committee.
He criticized President Trump’s nominee for FDA head, Dr. Heidi Overton.
Cassidy respects Overton’s medical experience but worries about her role in a vaccine order.
He said her involvement in that vaccine order is "almost disqualifying."
The vaccine order refers to a recent decision by the administration.
The FDA is the government agency that oversees food and drug safety in the U.S.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, talked about how President Donald Trump’s administration has promoted lower prescription drug prices. He also shared information about a new vaccine trial that shows promise in treating skin cancer.
Key Facts
Dr. Mehmet Oz is the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
He discussed efforts by President Trump’s administration to reduce prescription drug costs.
The administration is promoting these lower drug prices as a key achievement.
Dr. Oz mentioned a vaccine trial that may help treat skin cancer.
The vaccine trial is currently showing encouraging results.
The discussion took place on CBS News during an interview segment called "The Takeout."
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is a government agency that handles health programs for many Americans.
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Senator Jon Ossoff from Georgia criticized President Donald Trump’s relationship with a personal aide named Natalie Harp. This comment upset President Trump and his team, while many Democrats reacted positively to Ossoff’s remarks.
Key Facts
Jon Ossoff is a Democratic senator representing Georgia.
Ossoff questioned President Trump’s connection with Natalie Harp, who works as a personal aide.
President Trump and his White House staff were annoyed by Ossoff’s comments.
Some Democrats expressed satisfaction with Ossoff’s challenge to the president.
The issue has remained a topic of discussion since Ossoff’s remarks earlier this week.
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A Missouri court has stopped a proposed constitutional amendment from going on the November ballot. The amendment aimed to give stronger protections to laws and constitutional changes passed by voter initiatives, but the court ruled it violated the state constitution by covering too many different topics.
Key Facts
The amendment was designed to protect laws passed by citizen initiative, which allows voters to propose laws by collecting signatures.
Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins blocked the amendment from the ballot, saying it violated the constitution.
The court agreed the amendment combined multiple issues and limited the state’s republican form of government.
The decision came from Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green and is likely to be appealed.
Missouri has experienced political battles over voter initiatives, including the repeal of a voter-approved paid sick leave law and challenges to abortion-related amendments.
About half of U.S. states allow citizens to propose laws or constitutional changes through initiatives.
The group Respect Missouri Voters led the petition drive for the amendment.
The amendment would have made it harder for lawmakers to change or repeal voter-approved laws by requiring an 80% legislative vote.
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Tens of thousands of people in northwest Indiana are still without power more than a week after severe storms damaged power lines and trees. The local power company and outside crews are working to restore electricity, but many residents continue to face hardships like spoiled food, medical concerns, and extended outages.
Key Facts
Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) has restored power to 285,000 customers since August 11, but 85,000 remain without power.
Gary, Indiana, has over 22,000 people still without electricity, with residents depending on community centers for meals and phone charging.
Some residents, like Jeremy Spurrier, use generators that consume expensive fuel and still face food spoilage and medical supply challenges, such as keeping insulin cold.
The storms have caused seven deaths, including a 4-year-old boy and six adults.
More than 600 line repair workers are focusing on restoring power in Gary and the surrounding area.
NIPSCO described the storm damage as “unprecedented and widespread” and brought in crews from across the country to help fix electrical infrastructure.
A NIPSCO repair vehicle was shot at during work in Gary, leading to increased security for workers.
Repeated power outages and communication difficulties with the utility company continue to frustrate residents like Myra Carden, who relies on a generator to keep some food cold.
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The U.S. national debt has reached a record $40 trillion, driven by high spending on defense, social programs, and interest payments. Experts warn that the growing debt is increasing costs for Americans and may cause economic problems in the future.
Key Facts
The U.S. national debt hit $40 trillion, a new high.
The debt grew rapidly, reaching $39 trillion just five months earlier.
Major spending includes defense, Social Security, Medicare, and interest on the debt.
President Donald Trump's administration is focusing on reducing waste and boosting economic growth.
Rising debt leads to higher borrowing costs for things like mortgages and cars.
Experts say the debt could hurt wages and raise prices for goods and services.
Congress sets the legal limit on how much the U.S. can borrow, currently at $41.1 trillion.
The debt limit may be reached between late winter and mid-summer 2027, requiring congressional action.
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In the trial of Lindsay Clancy, a forensic psychologist testified that Clancy was not responsible for the deaths of her three children due to a mental illness called postpartum psychosis. The judge rejected a defense witness who was a TikTok creator and ended the court session early due to an unexpected issue.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is on trial for the deaths of her three children in Massachusetts.
A forensic psychologist testified that Clancy had bipolar disorder with postpartum psychosis, which affected her ability to understand right and wrong.
Clancy reportedly heard a male voice telling her to kill her children and herself.
Prosecutors argued Clancy showed normal behavior on certain dates and had not heard voices since the incident.
The judge disallowed a TikTok creator and former hospital worker from testifying for the defense.
Court was cut short unexpectedly on Wednesday, but the schedule remains on track.
Clancy has pleaded not guilty to murder charges.
The children who died were between 8 months and 5 years old.
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