Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's approval rating has dropped to 32 percent, the lowest recorded by Quinnipiac University. Despite denying plans to run for president in 2028, there is ongoing speculation about his political future and criticism of his leadership.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth’s approval rating as Defense Secretary is 32%, with 57% disapproving, according to Quinnipiac University.
His confidence rating in leading the U.S. military is 39%, while 56% lack confidence.
Criticism includes concerns about his management style and alleged politicization of the military.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis said he has lost confidence in Hegseth’s leadership.
Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall criticized Hegseth for intervening in military promotions and removing senior officers.
Pentagon officials defend Hegseth, denying claims of disarray.
Hegseth denies considering a 2028 presidential run, although speculation continues.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating is 33% approving and 59% disapproving at the same time.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A video captured a man entering a restaurant and trying to shoot his ex-wife, but his gun’s safety was on, preventing it from firing. A waiter intervened and stopped the gunman, preventing further harm.
Key Facts
The incident took place inside a restaurant.
The gunman was the ex-husband of a woman present there.
The gun’s safety was still on, so the weapon did not fire.
A waiter acted quickly to stop the attacker.
The event was recorded on the woman’s cell phone.
The waiter’s actions stopped the gunman from hurting anyone.
This took place recently and was reported by ABC News.
The situation shows an example of quick thinking preventing violence.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A school named after Adam J. Lewis, who died in the 9/11 attacks, was started by his wife, Patty Lewis, to help children from low-income communities get a strong early education. The Adam J. Lewis Academy in Bridgeport, Connecticut, now serves nearly 200 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, continuing Adam’s belief that education can create equal opportunities for all children.
Key Facts
Adam J. Lewis died in the 2001 World Trade Center attacks.
Adam grew up in the Bronx and gained life-changing education through scholarship to The Dalton School.
Patty Lewis, Adam’s wife, left teaching to raise their four children and later returned to education in admissions.
Patty noticed many children in nearby Bridgeport lacked basic skills needed for school success.
In 2011, Patty and a friend started planning a preschool to provide quality education to those children.
The Adam J. Lewis Preschool opened in 2013 with 12 students, growing with support from donors including Adam’s former employer KBW.
The school expanded to serve students up to eighth grade and was renamed the Adam J. Lewis Academy in 2018.
Today, the academy has about 200 students, helping children build strong educational foundations.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said at the Republican National Convention that if the Republican Party keeps control of both the House and the Senate in the November midterm elections, he would give every U.S. adult $5,000. This promise has raised questions about its cost, legality, and how it would be paid for, with some supporters and critics unsure if the payout will really happen.
Key Facts
President Trump said voters would get $5,000 each if Republicans win both congressional chambers in the midterms.
The payout would cost the U.S. government over $1 trillion.
Trump gave few details on how the money would be paid or funded.
Senator Bernie Moreno promised to introduce a bill to try to make the payout official.
Vice President JD Vance suggested the payment would come from economic benefits created by Trump's tariffs.
Critics from both parties say the promise might be illegal and could count as voter bribery.
Some Trump supporters see it as a positive but unusual campaign promise.
California Governor Gavin Newsom called the plan a way to buy votes with taxpayer money.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump spoke at a ceremony at the Pentagon on September 11, 2026, marking 25 years since the 9/11 attacks. The event included reading the names of victims and honored those who died when a hijacked plane hit the Pentagon in 2001.
Key Facts
The ceremony took place on September 11, 2026, at the Pentagon.
It marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
President Trump gave remarks at the event.
The Pentagon's 9/11 Memorial honors 184 people who died in the attack.
Each victim is remembered with a stainless steel bench over a small pool of water.
The memorial is located where Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon.
The site was recently designated as an "Affiliated Area of the National Park System."
A $35 million visitor education center will be built near the memorial and is expected to open in 2029.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said he would likely be able to make deals with Democrats if they win back control of Congress. However, he also said he would work to stop their plans that he disagrees with.
Key Facts
President Trump said he would “probably” be able to reach agreements with Democrats if they control Congress.
He also said he would become a “blocker” to stop what he calls bad policies from Democrats.
Trump mentioned he would try to block their agenda for two years.
His statement shows a mix of willingness to negotiate and strong opposition.
The comments came amid ongoing political debate about control of Congress.
This reflects how Trump plans to act if Democrats gain more power in the government.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Pennsylvania Representative Rob Bresnahan supports a bill to give local towns more say in deciding if data centers can be built near them. However, he also owns significant investments in companies that profit from data centers and related technology.
Key Facts
Rep. Rob Bresnahan is running an ad promoting a bill for more local control over data center development.
Previously, he praised data centers as drivers of economic growth in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Bresnahan owns stocks worth between $19,000 and $110,000 in companies that directly run data centers like Equinix and Digital Realty Trust.
He also holds between $804,000 and $2 million in technology companies that supply parts and software for data centers and AI, such as NVIDIA and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.
Bresnahan has investments worth $777,000 to $1.78 million in major tech firms like Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and Oracle that operate large data centers.
His portfolio also includes stock in Blackstone, an investment firm involved with local energy projects for data centers.
Data centers have sparked local opposition in Pennsylvania due to concerns about their size and impact, with about 29 projects in planning around Northeastern Pennsylvania.
A poll showed nearly 80% of Pennsylvania voters do not want data centers built in their communities.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Michael Bouchard Jr., a Republican running for Congress, talked about why he is attending the GOP midterm convention. He shared his views on the situation with Iran, and discussed a promise by President Donald Trump to give $5,000 payments to Americans.
Key Facts
Michael Bouchard Jr. is a Republican candidate for Congress.
He is attending the GOP midterm convention.
Bouchard spoke about the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
He discussed President Donald Trump’s promise to provide $5,000 payments to people.
The interview took place on CBS News' program "The Daily Report."
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. Supreme Court stopped Missouri from using a new map for congressional districts. This map was seen as helping Republicans in upcoming elections.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court blocked Missouri’s new congressional district map.
The map was designed to give an advantage to the Republican Party.
The decision happened before the next midterm elections.
A law professor explained the Supreme Court's ruling on CBS News.
The ruling means Missouri must use a different map for voting districts.
The case involves how voting areas are drawn, which can affect election results.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said he will go back to Texas to support Attorney General Ken Paxton in his campaign before the midterm elections. Trump spoke to CBS News ahead of his second appearance at a Republican event related to the midterms.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to return to Texas to campaign for Ken Paxton.
Ken Paxton is the Attorney General of Texas seeking re-election.
The campaign efforts are happening ahead of the midterm elections.
Trump gave an exclusive interview to CBS News about his plans.
This was ahead of Trump’s second appearance at a Republican midterm event.
There were protests outside the event venue covered by CBS News.
The interview was conducted by political reporter Jack Fink.
CBS News correspondent Jason Allen reported on the protests.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A woman who lost her husband in the September 11 attacks helped start a school to honor his memory and the memory of others who died that day. The school serves as a way to remember those lost in the tragedy.
Key Facts
The woman is Caroline Lewis’s mother.
Her husband died on September 11, 2001.
She co-founded a school as a tribute to those who died in the 9/11 attacks.
The school keeps alive the memories of 9/11 victims.
The story was shared through CBS News coverage.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump said he plans to block Democratic laws if they win control of Congress after the midterm elections. He also said he might try to make deals with them and expressed no regret about the Iran war.
Key Facts
Trump spoke on Fox News about his strategy if Democrats retake the House and Senate.
He plans to block what he calls "bad stuff" from the Democrats for two years.
Trump indicated he might make some deals with Democrats who will want certain things.
The interview took place during the GOP midterm convention in Dallas.
Trump campaigned for Republicans and promised $5,000 checks for Americans.
He said the current election is not as serious as past campaigns.
Trump said he has no regrets about the Iran war decision and would act the same way again.
Vice President JD Vance and Trump were expected to speak at the convention.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 400,000 people were exposed to harmful dust from the 9/11 attacks. The number of deaths among first responders, who helped during the attacks, continues to increase.
Key Facts
Around 400,000 people were exposed to toxic dust after the 9/11 attacks.
Many first responders were harmed due to this exposure.
The number of first responder deaths linked to 9/11 health issues is rising.
The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund helps those affected by health problems from the attacks.
Nicholas Papain, a union attorney for the FDNY, has handled many claims related to this fund.
The CDC provides data to track the health effects from the 9/11 attack exposures.
Public health problems caused by the attacks continue to be studied and addressed.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Missouri will use the congressional district map approved after the last census for the November election. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a new map supported by President Donald Trump that aimed to help Republicans win an extra seat.
Key Facts
The U.S. Supreme Court refused to approve a new congressional map backed by President Donald Trump.
The rejected map was designed to give Republicans a better chance of winning an additional seat.
Missouri's chief election official instructed local authorities to use the district map passed in 2022.
Missouri had already used a different district map for the August primary election.
The November election will feature different district boundaries than the primary, which is very rare.
About one in four Missouri voters, or over a million people, could see different candidates on their ballots.
This decision ends a legal fight over Missouri’s congressional maps that lasted nearly a year.
The state's highest court previously ordered the use of the 2022 district map.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A legal group called Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit to stop ICE agents from being placed at voting locations before the midterm elections. The group wants to prevent any interference or intimidation of voters at the polls.
Key Facts
Democracy Forward is a legal group with liberal views.
They sued to block ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents from polling sites.
The lawsuit is aimed at protecting voters during the midterm elections.
ICE is a federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement.
The concern is that the presence of ICE agents might scare or discourage voters.
The issue relates to election security and voter protection.
The midterm elections are scheduled soon, making this a timely legal action.
CBS News reported these details with the help of correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Vice President JD Vance has repeated President Donald Trump's promise to give $5,000 payments to every adult American if Republicans win the midterm elections. He says the money would come from tariffs, but experts and CBS News explain that this plan is unlikely to happen.
Key Facts
President Trump promised $5,000 payments to all adult Americans if Republicans take control in the midterms.
Vice President JD Vance supports this promise and says tariffs will fund it.
Tariffs are taxes on imported goods that can raise government revenue.
Experts doubt that tariffs can raise enough money for such large payments.
CBS News analyzed the claim and found it to be unrealistic.
Midterm elections will determine which party controls Congress.
The article explains why this payment promise is unlikely to be fulfilled.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump spoke at the first Republican midterm convention in Dallas. He promised that if Republicans keep control of Congress, every American would receive a $5,000 payment. Similar promises have been made before but not yet delivered.
Key Facts
The event was the first-ever Republican midterm convention.
It took place in Dallas, Texas.
President Trump promised a $5,000 payment to every American.
The payment offer depends on Republicans maintaining control of Congress.
President Trump has made similar payment promises in the past.
Previously, these promised payouts have not been carried out.
The news report was provided by CBS News correspondent Ed O’Keefe.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are scheduled to speak on the final night of the Republican Party's first midterm convention. The event focuses on GOP strategies for the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump will speak at the GOP midterm convention on Thursday.
Vice President JD Vance will also give remarks earlier on the same day.
This is the first midterm convention held by the Republican Party.
The convention aims to support GOP candidates and plans for the midterm elections.
CBS News is providing coverage of the event.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, Nicole Saphier, reported owning stocks in several companies, including tobacco and beverage firms. She has agreed to sell some or all of these investments as part of an ethics deal.
Key Facts
Nicole Saphier has been nominated by President Trump for surgeon general.
She owns investments in Philip Morris International, a tobacco company.
She also has stocks in beverage companies like Monster Beverage, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo.
These investments were revealed in financial disclosure documents.
Saphier agreed to divest, meaning to sell off, some or all of these holdings.
The disclosure and divestment promise are part of ethics requirements for her nomination.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A new poll shows Democrat David Jolly leading Republican Byron Donalds by 3 points in Florida’s governor race, with less than two months before the November midterm elections. Both candidates are competing to replace term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis, and the race is seen as important for both parties in a state that has recently leaned Republican.
Key Facts
David Jolly (Democrat) leads Byron Donalds (Republican) by 47% to 44% in a recent poll.
The margin of error in the poll is about 2.8 percentage points, so the race is very close.
Both candidates aim to succeed Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who has served eight years.
President Donald Trump endorsed Donalds before the Republican primary, and DeSantis supported him after.
Trump won Florida by a large margin in 2024, increasing the state’s Republican strength.
David Jolly was previously a Republican but switched to the Democratic Party in 2025.
The poll surveyed over 1,300 registered Florida voters in early September.
Another recent poll showed a similarly close race, with Jolly slightly ahead.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
