Two recent polls show Democrat Abdul El-Sayed leading in the Michigan Senate race, but by a smaller margin than Jocelyn Benson in the governor’s race. The Senate contest is close, with El-Sayed facing Republican Mike Rogers and concerns about his appeal to moderate voters.
Key Facts
Abdul El-Sayed leads Mike Rogers by 2-3 points in two recent polls in the Michigan Senate race.
Jocelyn Benson holds a larger lead over Republican John James in the Michigan governor’s race.
The Senate seat is open because Democratic Senator Gary Peters is retiring.
El-Sayed is seen as a progressive candidate supported by figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Some Democrats worry El-Sayed’s progressive views may hurt him with moderate voters who supported President Donald Trump in 2024.
Polls surveyed around 800 to 1,000 likely voters with margins of error of about 3-4 percentage points.
Republicans hope to win the Senate seat by attracting independent and moderate Democrats.
El-Sayed won a close Democratic primary against more moderate Haley Stevens.
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Former U.S. Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, known for his work on water policy in the western U.S. and his role in confirming Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, has died at age 84. He retired after a long career in Congress and briefly returned in 2018 to fill Senator John McCain’s seat.
Key Facts
Jon Kyl died at age 84 from a neurological disorder after being diagnosed with dementia in late 2025.
He served nearly 30 years in Congress, both in the House and Senate, representing Arizona.
Kyl was influential in creating Arizona’s 1980 groundwater law to manage water in drought conditions.
In 2004, he authored major legislation settling tribal water rights for the Gila River Indian Community.
He was appointed to the Senate in 2018 by Governor Doug Ducey to fill the vacancy left by Senator John McCain.
President Trump praised Kyl when he returned to the Senate in 2018.
Kyl reached a leadership position as Senate minority whip during his last full Senate term.
The Arizona State University Kyl Center for Water Policy is named after him.
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Several environmental and health groups have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. They are challenging the decision to remove most climate rules that limit pollution from coal and gas power plants.
Key Facts
Groups suing include the Natural Resources Defense Council, American Lung Association, American Public Health Association, Clean Air Council, Clean Wisconsin, and Environmental Defense Fund.
The lawsuit was filed on a Thursday.
The case targets the Trump administration’s effort to cancel climate regulations for power plants.
These regulations were designed to reduce harmful emissions from coal and gas power plants.
The groups say removing these rules could harm the environment and public health.
The legal action is part of ongoing disputes over climate policy in the United States.
Power plants are a major source of pollution affecting air quality and climate change.
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Recent polls show Democrat Xavier Becerra leading Republican Steve Hilton by a large margin in California’s governor race. Although Hilton’s support has increased slightly in recent surveys, Becerra maintains a strong lead with about 60 percent support compared to Hilton's 38 percent.
Key Facts
The latest poll by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) found Becerra at 60% support and Hilton at 38% among likely voters.
Hilton gained two points since the previous PPIC poll but remains behind by 22 points.
Other polls from UC Berkeley and Kreate Strategies also show Becerra leading by double digits.
A poll commissioned by Hilton’s campaign showed a smaller margin, with Becerra at about 49%, Hilton at 41%, and nearly 10% undecided.
Market prediction platforms give Becerra approximately a 95-96% chance of winning in November.
Affordability and cost of living are the top concerns for California voters in the governor race.
Most likely voters prefer Democratic candidates over Republicans in local House races by about 62% to 36%.
Over half of Californians feel the state is going in the wrong direction, especially Republicans and independents.
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President Donald Trump’s administration is starting new programs to improve the food served in schools. These programs include giving more money for farm-to-school projects and upgrading cafeteria equipment.
Key Facts
The Trump administration is focused on improving school nutrition.
New initiatives will increase funding for farm-to-school grants.
Farm-to-school grants help schools buy fresh food directly from local farms.
The administration is also investing in better cafeteria equipment.
These efforts aim to provide healthier meals for students in schools.
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Jon Kyl, a Republican senator from Arizona who served for more than 25 years, died at the age of 84. His family announced that he passed away due to complications from a neurological disease.
Key Facts
Jon Kyl was a senator from Arizona and a member of the Republican Party.
He served in the U.S. Congress for over 25 years.
Kyl was known for his three terms in the Senate.
He died at age 84.
The cause of death was complications from a neurological disease.
His family made the announcement about his passing.
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Two women have filed a new lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, claiming Epstein had illegal sexual images of many children, including themselves. They want a court to create a program to identify and notify all victims and are seeking money damages from Epstein’s estate executors.
Key Facts
Two anonymous women, described as survivors, filed the lawsuit in New York federal court.
The lawsuit is against Epstein’s former lawyer Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn, who are co-executors of his estate.
Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.
The complaint says Epstein possessed, transported, made, and shared child sexual abuse material (CSAM) for over 20 years.
One plaintiff was about 12 years old when Epstein stole her partially nude photos that were originally part of an artist’s study.
The lawsuit claims Epstein’s assistant took nude photos of children paid by Epstein beginning in the 2000s.
Attempts to report Epstein’s possession of these photos to law enforcement were allegedly ignored.
The plaintiffs say many victims found in Epstein’s CSAM collection have never been identified or notified.
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A change to the Endangered Species Act, made under President Trump and effective this week, removes a definition of "harm" that previously protected endangered species' habitats from unintentional damage. Critics worry this change could threaten the survival of species that have recovered because of previous protections.
Key Facts
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was created in 1973 under President Richard Nixon to protect endangered plants and animals.
The recent rule change removes the definition of "harm," which included unintentional damage to species' habitats.
Removing this definition could weaken protections against activities like logging, fishing, and development that affect endangered species.
The Departments of Interior and Commerce say important protections still remain despite the change.
Animal groups like Oceana warn that this change risks pushing some species closer to extinction by allowing more accidental harm.
Examples of species helped by the ESA include the bald eagle, humpback whale, gray wolf, and American alligator, among others.
North Atlantic right whales, with about 380 left, are highlighted as especially vulnerable under the new rule.
The ESA is considered a key law in helping many species recover from endangered status.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries did not say if Democratic members who vote against the party will be punished. He said he will discuss the issue later when there is more information.
Key Facts
Hakeem Jeffries is the House Minority Leader and a Democrat from New York.
Some Democratic members have voted against the party’s position.
Jeffries avoided answering questions about possible punishments for these members.
He promised to speak more about the situation in the future.
The article mentions two moderate Democrats, including Jared Golden from Maine, as examples.
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Patrick Clancy's wife, Dr. Rachel Danis, will speak publicly for the first time on 60 Minutes about their family’s experience after Lindsay Clancy’s trial for the deaths of her three children ended in a mistrial. Patrick Clancy also discussed his grief, mental health, and social media conspiracy theories related to the case.
Key Facts
Dr. Rachel Danis is appearing on 60 Minutes this Sunday to talk about her private life after the trial.
Lindsay Clancy was on trial for the 2023 deaths of her three children: Cora (5), Dawson (3), and Callan (8 months).
The trial ended in a mistrial, and prosecutors have not yet decided if they will ask for a new trial.
Patrick Clancy spoke about the grief he feels and the mental health issues connected to the case.
He mentioned how conspiracy theories on social media affected their family.
Patrick Clancy shared that he still talks to his children often.
The interview will air on September 20 at 7 p.m. Eastern/Pacific on CBS and Paramount+.
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Dr. Rachel Danis, the wife of Patrick Clancy, will appear on the TV program "60 Minutes" this Sunday. The interview took place shortly after the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy ended with no decision.
Key Facts
Dr. Rachel Danis is married to Patrick Clancy.
Both were interviewed by Ross Douthat for "60 Minutes."
The interview happened a few weeks after Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial.
The trial ended without a verdict, meaning no final decision was made.
The interview will be shown on CBS News this Sunday.
Viewers can watch it on the CBS News app or on Chrome and Safari browsers.
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Children often learn subjects like math and reading but receive less teaching about practical health skills such as calling 911 or treating burns. Experts suggest teaching lifesaving skills early using stories, games, and repetition to help children understand and remember what to do in emergencies.
Key Facts
Children usually get more education in school subjects than in health and safety skills.
Practical skills like recognizing emergencies, calling 911, and first aid are important life skills.
Teaching these skills early helps children act safely before an emergency happens.
Using stories, characters, and fun activities can help kids learn health skills without it feeling like schoolwork.
Research shows children aged 9–12 can learn health literacy, which means understanding and using health information.
The American Heart Association promotes teaching children CPR and AED use.
"Camouflage education" means embedding lessons inside enjoyable stories and games.
Repeat exposure to safety messages helps children remember what to do in emergencies.
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Pennsylvania has asked the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for emergency help to control a large measles outbreak. The state wants the CDC to officially confirm four measles-related deaths, saying that without this recognition, they may cancel the request for aid.
Key Facts
Pennsylvania is facing a major measles outbreak with 731 confirmed cases in 38 counties this year.
Four people in the state have died from measles-related illness.
Pennsylvania’s health department requested an emergency support called an Epi-Aid from the CDC.
The state wants the CDC to publicly acknowledge the four measles-associated deaths.
The CDC has not included Pennsylvania’s deaths in the national measles death count, following instructions from US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy has questioned whether deaths were caused by measles or other conditions and has accused Pennsylvania’s governor of politicizing the outbreak.
Pennsylvania had initially refused CDC help but made the request as the outbreak worsened.
The outbreak is one of the largest and deadliest in the US in over 30 years, linked to increasing vaccine hesitancy.
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Democratic Representatives Jared Golden and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez voted with Republicans to pass a special rule on September 1. This action led to criticism from their own party leaders and raised questions about whether they will lose their committee positions.
Key Facts
Jared Golden and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez are Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
On September 1, they voted alongside Republicans to approve a special House rule.
Their vote went against the wishes of Democratic party leaders.
Party leaders expressed criticism toward both representatives for this vote.
There is a possibility that Golden and Perez could lose their committee assignments because of this vote.
Committee assignments are important roles that representatives hold to help shape laws.
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A new poll shows Democrat Mary Peltola leading Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan in Alaska’s Senate race ahead of the November election. The poll highlights Peltola’s strong support among younger voters, women, and independents, while Sullivan leads among older voters and men.
Key Facts
The AARP poll surveyed 800 likely Alaska voters from September 8-11.
Peltola has 46% support in the initial ballot; Sullivan has 41%.
In a final ranked-choice voting round, Peltola leads with 53% to Sullivan’s 47%.
Peltola leads by 45 points with voters aged 18-34 and by 18 points with voters aged 35-49.
Sullivan has small leads among voters aged 50 and older.
Peltola leads independents by 32 points (58% to 26%).
Peltola has a higher favorability rating (+6%) than Sullivan (-4%).
Prediction markets give Peltola about a 67-68% chance to win, Sullivan about 34-35%.
Peltola opposes factory trawling to protect fisheries and says Sullivan received donations from the trawling industry.
Sullivan supports the Bycatch Reduction Act to limit accidental catching of certain fish and highlights his work on a military build-up in Alaska.
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Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar from Florida criticized President Trump’s immigration policies in a new campaign ad, saying some actions have gone too far. She warned that many Hispanic voters who supported President Trump in 2024 now feel betrayed by his immigration enforcement.
Key Facts
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar is a Republican from Florida and a Cuban-American.
Salazar said in her ad that half of the 50,000 detained immigrants in July had no criminal record.
She urged President Trump to rethink his immigration policy and called for a more respectful approach to immigrants.
Salazar’s Miami-area district is mostly Hispanic and leans Republican.
A CBS News poll showed 55% of adults disapprove of President Trump’s handling of immigration.
July was the first month in President Trump’s second term when over half of those arrested had only civil immigration violations, not criminal charges.
Salazar supports immigration reform that allows undocumented immigrants without criminal records who pay taxes to have legal work status.
She is running for reelection against Democrat Eliott Rodriguez in the 2026 midterms.
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Abbott Laboratories will pay nearly $385 million to settle claims that it sold contaminated infant formula to government programs, contributing to the 2022 formula shortage. The company agreed to the settlement without admitting guilt.
Key Facts
Abbott will pay $384,999,040 to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act related to contaminated infant formula.
The contaminated formula was produced at Abbott’s Michigan and Arizona facilities, especially at the Sturgis, Michigan plant between 2018 and 2022.
The Justice Department said the Sturgis plant had roof leaks and equipment defects that increased contamination risk.
Abbott allegedly continued to operate equipment with cracks and pits and extended production runs between cleanings.
Some contamination test results were not reported to regulators as required.
The contaminated formula was sold to federal and state programs like WIC and Medicaid, which buy over half of the infant formula in the U.S.
The formula crisis caused major nationwide shortages in 2022, affecting many families.
The settlement includes $348.7 million to the federal government and $36.3 million to states’ Medicaid and WIC programs.
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A Republican representative from Florida, Maria Elvira Salazar, criticized President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies in a new TV ad, saying some actions have gone too far. Salazar supports immigration reform and co-sponsored the Dignity Act, a bill that would give some undocumented immigrants legal status but not citizenship.
Key Facts
Maria Elvira Salazar represents Florida’s 27th Congressional District, including parts of south Miami.
She aired a TV ad warning President Trump that his immigration crackdown is hurting Hispanic voters who supported him.
Salazar said 50% of the 50,000 people detained in July had no criminal record.
She defended stricter immigration reform but opposed harsh enforcement measures.
Salazar co-sponsored the Dignity Act with Democrat Veronica Escobar, which proposes temporary legal status for undocumented migrants who meet requirements like background checks and paying taxes.
The bill does not grant a path to citizenship but includes border security and asylum process improvements.
Salazar’s position is one of the more public disagreements among Republicans on Trump’s immigration policies.
Recent immigration reforms have not passed Congress despite efforts under both Trump and Biden administrations.
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has removed climate rules for power plants, leading several health and environmental groups to sue the agency. The groups argue this change will increase pollution and harm public health, and they have asked a court to review the EPA’s decision.
Key Facts
The EPA finalized a rule that removes climate pollution limits for power plants.
Several groups, including the American Lung Association and the Natural Resources Defense Council, filed a lawsuit against the EPA.
The lawsuit claims the EPA’s decision goes against the Clean Air Act, a key U.S. law to protect air quality.
The EPA says the rule change will save billions of dollars on energy costs for Americans.
Critics say the change could cause thousands of premature deaths due to increased pollution.
The EPA argues the health harms from power plant pollution are hard to directly connect to climate change.
Advocacy groups warn the rollback will worsen climate change, heat, and poor air quality.
The lawsuit asks the US Court of Appeals to review and possibly block the EPA’s new rule.
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