A Colorado immigration officer has been charged with third-degree assault and criminal mischief after an investigation into a protest outside an ICE facility. The officer was seen on video putting a protester, Franci Stagi, in a chokehold and carrying her across the street during a protest related to the detention of Colombian asylum seekers.
Key Facts
The incident occurred outside an ICE facility in Durango, Colorado, in late October.
Protesters were reacting to the detention of three Colombian asylum seekers, including two children.
Video showed a masked federal agent placing Franci Stagi in a chokehold and moving her across the street.
Stagi said the agent grabbed her by the hair, put her neck in his arm, and threw her down an embankment.
The officer involved is named Nicholas Rice.
Charges include third-degree assault and criminal mischief.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigations looked into the case after a request from the local police chief.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed the officer was under investigation but did not respond to questions about the charges.
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President Donald Trump pushed for redistricting to help Republicans keep their slim House majority, but the new maps now favor Democrats in more districts. Recent changes in states like Virginia and California give Democrats a better chance of winning more House seats, while some Republican hopes depend on upcoming actions in Florida and court decisions.
Key Facts
Redistricting is the process of redrawing voting district boundaries, often to help one political party.
Virginia's new district map could change its House seats from 6 Republicans and 5 Democrats to 10 Democrats and 1 Republican.
Democrats could flip several seats in California and Utah; Republicans aim to gain seats in Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, and Missouri.
After Virginia's vote, analysts see 217 districts leaning Democratic, 205 leaning Republican, and 13 as toss-ups.
Florida’s redistricting remains uncertain; recent Democratic wins have made Republicans worried.
The Supreme Court is set to rule on a case that could affect protections against racially biased redistricting.
Court decisions and voter turnout in November will ultimately decide which party wins new seats.
Redistricting can reduce competition and affect election outcomes, but results depend on many factors beyond map lines.
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Florida Republicans are preparing to redraw congressional district maps in a session next week. They aim to counter new maps drawn by Democrats in Virginia before the November midterm elections. Some Republicans warn that this redistricting effort could come with significant risks.
Key Facts
Florida lawmakers from the Republican Party will meet next week for redistricting.
This session is seen as the GOP’s last chance to change district boundaries before the midterm elections in November.
The goal is to respond to new congressional maps created by Democrats in Virginia.
Redistricting means changing the borders of voting districts, which can affect election outcomes.
Some Republicans express concerns that the redistricting process in Florida may lead to problems or unintended consequences.
The effort reflects ongoing political competition between Republicans and Democrats ahead of the elections.
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Virginia voters approved a new constitutional amendment to change the state’s congressional districts, which challenges Republican plans led by President Trump to redraw maps in the middle of the decade. This change strengthens Democrats’ chances to win several House seats in the 2026 elections, countering GOP efforts in other states.
Key Facts
Virginia voters passed a constitutional amendment to reshape congressional districts.
This move weakens Republican efforts to redraw maps in states like Texas and North Carolina.
Democrats could gain up to four new seats in Virginia and five in California due to redistricting.
Republicans aimed to pick up nine seats across several states through redistricting.
Mid-decade redistricting is rare and is being used to try to secure party advantages before the 2026 midterms.
Political experts say this outcome is a setback for President Trump’s redistricting strategy.
The redistricting battle reflects a larger competition ahead of the expected volatile 2026 midterm elections.
Some districts in California and other states remain competitive with uncertain outcomes.
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Two people died and more than 20 were treated after a chemical leak occurred at Catalyst Refiners in Kanawha County, West Virginia. The leak released hydrogen sulfide gas, prompting a shelter-in-place order and emergency response to secure the area.
Key Facts
The chemical spill happened Wednesday morning at Catalyst Refiners in the Institute area of Kanawha County.
Two people died and 21 others sought medical care; one person remains in critical condition.
Seven of those affected were emergency medical workers who were treated as a precaution.
Hydrogen sulfide, a toxic and fast-acting gas, was released during a chemical reaction involving nitric acid and m200A.
The incident led to a mile-wide shelter-in-place order, including nearby neighborhoods and West Virginia State University’s campus.
The shelter-in-place order at the university was lifted early Wednesday after air quality improved.
Emergency teams are still on site monitoring air quality and investigating the cause of the chemical reaction.
Officials are notifying families of the deceased and will provide more updates as the situation develops.
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President Donald Trump's administration is in advanced talks with Spirit Airlines about providing a bailout loan. The loan could be as much as $500 million, and the government might get ownership shares in return.
Key Facts
The talks involve a possible bailout loan to Spirit Airlines.
The loan amount could be up to $500 million.
The government would receive warrants, which allow it to own part of the airline.
The negotiations are described as advanced.
The information comes from sources speaking to CBS News.
The bailout is being discussed under President Donald Trump's administration.
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President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped below 40 percent ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. His current popularity is lower than that of recent presidents at similar times before midterms, making him the second-most-unpopular president out of the past nine midterm periods.
Key Facts
Trump’s approval rating is under 40 percent, according to Nate Silver’s analysis.
This rating is lower than Trump’s approval before the 2018 midterms, when Democrats gained many House seats.
The Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in the House (217-214) and the Senate (53-47).
The only president less popular before midterms was George W. Bush in 2006, with about 34-35 percent approval.
Typically, the party not holding the presidency gains seats in midterm elections.
Trump is no longer fully supported by some important figures in his own party but still has many supporters.
President Biden’s approval rating was around 38-41 percent in the months before recent midterms.
The political situation may change due to ongoing events like the war in Iran and new domestic policies.
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Recent data shows that illegal border crossings between the United States and Mexico are at very low levels compared to history. CBS News reported on this trend at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Key Facts
Illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border are at historic lows.
The information comes from recent data shared by authorities.
CBS News correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez covered the story.
The report was accessible through CBS News and its app.
These low numbers indicate fewer attempts to cross the border without authorization.
The border discussed is between the United States and Mexico.
No specific reasons for the low crossings were given in the report.
The report focuses on current trends at the U.S.-Mexico border.
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Labour party members in the UK are unhappy with their leader, Sir Keir Starmer, due to poor poll results and expected election losses. Despite this, most MPs are not calling for an immediate leadership change because there is no clear replacement ready to lead the party into future elections.
Key Facts
Labour is expected to lose control in Wales and lose council seats in England and Scotland.
The party's leader, Sir Keir Starmer, is facing criticism over some appointments and security issues.
Some MPs privately want Starmer to resign, but no one has publicly demanded it yet.
MPs are concerned about switching leaders too quickly and harming trust in the party.
There is no obvious new leader within the current members of Parliament.
Notable figures like Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner are viewed as unlikely to successfully lead the party.
Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, is seen by some as a possible leader but faces logistical and party approval challenges.
The Labour party lacks an immediate solution to replace Starmer despite ongoing dissatisfaction.
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The Marine Corps has upgraded the valor awards for Marines who protected Abbey Gate at the Kabul airport during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 26, 2021. This was the day a suicide bombing killed 13 U.S. service members and many Afghan civilians.
Key Facts
The upgrades apply to Marines who guarded Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport.
The attack occurred on August 26, 2021, during the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
A suicide bomber attacked the gate on that day.
Thirteen U.S. service members died in the bombing.
Approximately 170 Afghan civilians were also killed.
The Marine Corps reviewed the original awards before deciding to upgrade them.
The Pentagon announced the award upgrades on a Wednesday (date not specified).
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A new study shows that over 17 million people living along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts face very high flood risk. Cities like New York and New Orleans have a large share of their populations vulnerable to flooding, including extreme events like hurricanes.
Key Facts
Researchers from the University of Alabama analyzed flood risks for the Atlantic and Gulf coasts using 16 factors such as geography, population, and past damage data.
The study found 17.5 million people at very high flood risk and another 17 million at high risk.
Extreme flooding, defined as the worst 1% of events, threatens 4.3 million people at highest risk and 20.5 million at high risk.
New York City has about 4.75 million residents in the top two flood risk categories, with over 200,000 buildings likely damaged.
About 380,000 people in New Orleans face flood risk, representing 99% of the city’s population.
Vulnerable groups like the elderly, poor, children, and those with less education are most at risk during floods.
Past major flood events like Hurricane Harvey in Houston and Superstorm Sandy in New York are examples of the danger.
The study was published in the journal Science Advances and used artificial intelligence tools to assess flood hazards.
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The number of 4-year-old children attending state-funded preschool in the U.S. reached a record high of 1.8 million last school year, covering 37% of 4-year-olds. California led this growth by making all 4-year-olds eligible for its transitional kindergarten program, adding 25,000 students, though some quality standards have yet to be met.
Key Facts
State-funded preschool enrollment in the U.S. rose to 1.8 million children last school year.
This represents 37% of 4-year-olds and about 10% of 3-year-olds nationwide.
States added 44,000 new preschool students compared to the previous year.
California accounted for more than half of the national preschool enrollment increase with 25,000 additional students.
California’s transitional kindergarten (TK) program made every 4-year-old eligible for public preschool.
California met 2 out of 10 quality benchmarks for preschools, such as teacher training and class size standards.
Some private preschools in California express concern that public programs are hurting their businesses.
Only six states meet all quality benchmarks, and states vary widely in access and quality of preschool programs.
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A man named Mario Bustamante Leiva was sentenced to three years in prison for stealing a handbag from Kristi Noem, who was a cabinet secretary at the time. The theft happened in a Washington DC restaurant and involved over $3,000 in cash plus personal items. Bustamante Leiva pleaded guilty to several theft-related charges and will face deportation after his prison term.
Key Facts
Mario Bustamante Leiva stole Kristi Noem’s handbag while she was dining with family in Washington DC.
The handbag contained $3,000 in cash, her driver’s license, passport, and DHS access badge.
Bustamante Leiva is a 50-year-old man from Chile.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and one count of first-degree theft.
Investigators identified him through a gift card bought with a stolen credit card.
Police found the stolen bag in Bustamante Leiva’s motel room.
Bustamante Leiva often hid stolen items by covering them with a coat and quickly used stolen credit cards.
He will be deported after serving his prison sentence.
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President Donald Trump claimed that the recent redistricting results in Virginia were rigged, but he did not provide any proof. His statement came after Virginia Democrats won the redistricting battle.
Key Facts
President Trump responded to Virginia Democrats’ redistricting win on Wednesday.
He said the election was “rigged” without giving any evidence.
His statement was posted on his social media platform, TruthSocial.
Trump mentioned that Republicans were winning for most of the day.
The phrase “rigged election” was used to describe the final results.
The event occurred in the state of Virginia.
Redistricting refers to the process of redrawing voting district boundaries.
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The Pima County Sheriff, Chris Nanos, who is leading the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, had his attorney send a detailed 22-page letter to county officials responding to questions about his background and department management. Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing since January 31, and the FBI is reviewing DNA evidence from her home as the search continues.
Key Facts
Sheriff Chris Nanos leads the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
Nanos’ attorney sent a 22-page letter addressing his employment history and department management.
Nanos worked for the El Paso Police Department from 1976 to 1982 and was suspended multiple times there.
Nanos has served with the Pima County Sheriff's Department since 1984 and has minimal disciplinary history there.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31 in Catalina Foothills, Tucson, Arizona, and has not been found.
Nancy Guthrie requires daily medication, which could be fatal if missed.
The FBI is reviewing DNA evidence from Guthrie’s home, including hair samples.
Law enforcement previously tested a glove found near Guthrie’s home as part of the ongoing investigation.
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A federal appeals court stopped a California law that required immigration agents and other law enforcement officers to show visible identification. The court agreed with the Trump administration that the law may not be constitutional and paused its enforcement while it reviews the case further.
Key Facts
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit blocked a California law about visible ID for certain officers.
The law would have required immigration agents (ICE) and other law enforcement to display their identification clearly.
The Trump administration challenged the law, saying it could be unconstitutional.
The appeals court initially put the law on hold to study it more closely.
The latest ruling extends the pause on enforcing the law until the court finishes its review.
The case involves questions about the powers of state vs. federal government in immigration enforcement.
The decision affects how immigration agents identify themselves while working in California.
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Virginia voters narrowly approved a change allowing the state’s Democratic-controlled legislature to redraw congressional districts mid-decade without using the bipartisan commission set up four years ago. President Donald Trump criticized the referendum, claiming the ballot language was confusing and the election was rigged, and urged courts to address the issue. Democrats say the new map will help them win more U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment to let Democrats redraw congressional district lines before the usual schedule.
This change bypasses the bipartisan commission created in 2020 to handle redistricting.
The new map could help Democrats increase their U.S. House seats from six to as many as ten in Virginia.
The amendment is temporary and will last until after the 2030 census, when the bipartisan commission will resume control.
President Trump called the referendum deceptive and claimed the election was "rigged" due to confusing ballot language and mail-in ballots.
Republicans have raised legal concerns about the wording of the referendum and the process used to put it on the ballot.
The redistricting change may affect the balance of power in Congress after the 2026 midterm elections.
Democrats argue the change counters Republican redistricting efforts in other states.
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A study by the American Lung Association found that nearly half of children in the United States are exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution. This means many kids are breathing air that could harm their health.
Key Facts
Nearly 50% of U.S. children breathe air with pollution above safe limits.
The study was conducted by the American Lung Association.
Dangerous air pollution can affect children's lung development and overall health.
The polluted areas include both cities and some rural regions.
Air pollution comes from sources like cars, factories, and wildfires.
The American Lung Association aims to raise awareness and encourage cleaner air policies.
Protecting children from air pollution is important for their long-term health.
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A new report from the American Lung Association shows that 44% of Americans, including many children, live in places with unsafe air pollution. The report ranks U.S. cities by their air quality based on ozone (smog) and particle pollution (soot) data collected from 2022 to 2024.
Key Facts
44% of the U.S. population, about 152 million people, live in areas with unhealthy air pollution levels.
About 33 million people under 18 live in these polluted areas, making children especially vulnerable.
The report measured ozone (smog) and particle pollution (soot) over short and long periods.
Bakersfield, California, is ranked the most polluted U.S. city for particle pollution year-round.
The five most polluted cities include areas in California, Texas, and Oregon.
Bozeman, Montana, was ranked the cleanest U.S. city for year-round particle pollution.
Southern and southwestern states, along with some Texas metropolitan areas, showed notable particle pollution problems.
Air quality has improved in some ways but worsened in others, with 4 million more people exposed to unhealthy smog levels compared to previous years.
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President Donald Trump recorded a video reading a passage from the Bible during the "America Reads the Bible" event, which is organized by a Christian nationalist group. His history with Christianity has been complicated, including past moments that alienated some religious voters.
Key Facts
President Trump read 2 Chronicles 7:14 in a taped message from the Oval Office for a right-wing Bible reading event.
The event is called "America Reads the Bible" and is run by Bunni Pounds, who leads a Christian nationalist group.
Trump previously posted an AI image depicting himself as Jesus and has criticized Pope Francis.
In 2016, Trump struggled to name Bible verses and made unusual comments about communion.
Trump has said he never asked God for forgiveness, a key Christian teaching.
The Bible reading event features conservative figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The group organizing the event opposes LGBTQ+ rights and describes homosexuality negatively.
The event’s audience includes a mix of political and religious supporters with strong conservative views.
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