Donald Trump Jr.'s venture capital firm denied claims that it used political connections for special advantages. The firm responded after Representative Jamie Raskin suggested it might benefit from insider political influence.
Key Facts
Donald Trump Jr.'s venture capital firm faced accusations of using political ties for unfair advantage.
Representative Jamie Raskin raised concerns about possible insider political influence involving the firm.
The firm publicly rejected these claims on Tuesday.
The issue was reported by CBS News.
No evidence was presented in the article confirming the accusations.
The firm emphasized that it operates independently without special political help.
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Just two months before the election, two court orders in Missouri conflicted over which congressional map to use. One judge blocked the old district lines, while the Missouri Supreme Court said to use the old lines instead of a new map supported by President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Missouri’s congressional district map for the November election is unclear due to conflicting court orders.
A federal judge temporarily stopped Missouri from using the old district lines.
The Missouri Supreme Court ordered the state to use the old district lines for the election.
The U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Missouri Supreme Court’s decision to stand.
The new congressional map was drawn by Republicans and supported by President Donald Trump.
Legal disputes over redistricting in Missouri have lasted more than a year.
Some Missouri voters are unsure which congressional district they belong to for the upcoming election.
This confusion comes just eight weeks before Election Day.
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The United States experienced its hottest summer ever recorded, with temperatures averaging 74.4 degrees Fahrenheit between June and August 2026. Many parts of the country faced extreme heat, drought, and lower than average rainfall, especially in the West and Southwest.
Key Facts
The average summer temperature was 74.4°F, the highest since records began 132 years ago.
August 2026 had an average temperature of 75.6°F and a daytime high average of 88.6°F, both record highs.
Summer 2026 was about 3.5 degrees hotter than the 20th century average summer temperature.
Record warmth was widespread in the West, Southwest, southern Rockies, and parts of Florida.
California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado all had their warmest August temperatures on record.
Nighttime low temperatures were also at record highs in several Western states.
Average rainfall from June to August was slightly below the 20th century average, with some areas like California experiencing very dry conditions.
Drought affected over 59% of the U.S. by early September, spreading further into central regions.
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The Hill’s show "Rising" will provide live primetime coverage of the Republican National Committee’s first midterm convention. The event takes place on September 9-10 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas and features speeches by President Donald Trump and Vice President Vance.
Key Facts
The Hill’s “Rising” will air live in primetime from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. EDT.
The coverage is for the Republican National Committee’s first midterm convention.
The convention happens on September 9 and 10.
It is held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Key speakers include President Donald Trump and Vice President Vance.
The focus of the convention is on modern American history.
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President Donald Trump will speak at a special Republican event in Dallas on Wednesday. This event is unusual because it is held in the middle of the election cycle to encourage voters to support Republicans in the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
The Republican Party is holding a midterm convention in Dallas.
This is the first time such a midterm convention has been organized this way.
The event aims to get voters ready for the November midterm elections.
These elections will decide who controls Congress during President Trump's last two years in office.
President Donald Trump will appear and speak at this convention.
PolitiFact will provide live fact-checking during the event starting at 4 p.m. EDT.
The coverage encourages support for trustworthy news and civil conversation.
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President Donald Trump said he might pardon his former lawyer, Michael Cohen. Trump expressed frustration with how the legal system treated Cohen, who was a key witness in the 2024 New York hush money trial and later withdrew his statements.
Key Facts
President Trump said he would consider giving a pardon to Michael Cohen.
Michael Cohen was Trump's former attorney and fixer.
Cohen was the main witness in the 2024 New York hush money trial.
Cohen later took back (recanted) the statements he made in the trial.
Trump criticized the way the legal system handled Cohen’s case.
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A WalletHub study ranked all 50 U.S. states on happiness based on health, work, and community factors. Hawaii, New Jersey, and Utah were among the happiest, while West Virginia and Louisiana ranked lowest. Experts say happiness in these states relates to security, connection, and access to resources like healthcare and nature.
Key Facts
WalletHub compared states using 30 measures including work hours, commute times, economic security, and health indicators.
The 10 happiest states include Hawaii, New Jersey, Utah, Idaho, Maryland, Nebraska, Connecticut, Minnesota, California, and New Hampshire.
The least happy states are West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alaska, and Kentucky.
Experts link happiness to feeling safe, having good jobs, healthcare, schools, and strong social connections.
Access to nature and stable local economies also support happiness by reducing stress and increasing positive feelings.
In 2025, 30% of U.S. workers reported high burnout; many Americans now focus on well-being and aging healthily.
Happiness rankings provide useful data but may not reflect personal experiences, as people value factors differently.
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A mistrial was declared in the Lindsay Clancy murder case. CBS News reporters shared new details from the courtroom, including jurors' views and key moments. The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office is deciding what to do next.
Key Facts
The Lindsay Clancy murder trial ended with a mistrial.
CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul and reporter Kristina Rex provided courtroom updates.
Jurors shared their perspectives on the trial.
Reporters revealed behind-the-scenes details of the final courtroom moments.
The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office is considering its next steps.
The coverage is part of the "48 Hours" podcast and CBS News reporting.
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An emergency inflatable slide on the Air Force One plane, which was gifted by Qatar, was deployed at Joint Base Andrews. This happened before President Donald Trump left for the Republican midterm convention in Dallas.
Key Facts
The emergency inflatable slide was attached to the Air Force One plane.
The plane was gifted to the U.S. by Qatar.
The slide was deployed from the front right door on the plane’s right side.
President Trump usually uses the left front door to board the plane.
This event took place at Joint Base Andrews.
President Trump was departing for a Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Texas.
The deployment happened on a Wednesday.
The slide is used for emergency evacuation but was deployed before the flight.
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Texas State Representative James Talarico criticized Attorney General Ken Paxton for using an AI-generated ad that falsely represents his statements. The two candidates are competing in a major U.S. Senate race in Texas this November.
Key Facts
James Talarico is the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate from Texas.
Ken Paxton, the current Texas Attorney General, released an AI-generated ad claiming to show Talarico's views.
Talarico says the ad misleads people and includes statements he did not make.
Paxton was impeached in 2023 on charges including bribery and abuse of public trust.
Talarico says he does not use AI in his political ads; all of his ads are made by humans.
The Texas Senate race is expected to be very expensive and closely watched.
Paxton defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff earlier this year.
Democrats hope to break Texas’s long streak of electing Republican senators and see this race as key for Senate control.
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A federal appeals court heard arguments about a case that could stop access to medication abortion across the United States, even in states that currently protect abortion rights. The case involves Louisiana, the FDA, and drug companies that make and distribute abortion medication.
Key Facts
A three-judge panel from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held the hearing.
The case could lead to stopping the availability of medication abortion nationwide.
Medication abortion means using pills approved by the FDA to end pregnancy.
Some states, often called "blue states," currently allow access to abortion, including medication abortion.
Louisiana is one of the states involved in the case challenging access.
The FDA is part of the case because it regulates abortion medication.
Two drug companies that make and distribute the medication are also involved.
The court’s decision could change abortion access laws across many states.
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The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) raised its forecast for diesel prices in 2027 due to tight global supply and low U.S. inventories caused by conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. President Donald Trump said oil prices might not drop until after the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
The EIA now expects U.S. retail diesel to average $4.40 per gallon in 2027, up 33 cents from the previous forecast.
Diesel prices recently hit record highs due to Middle East conflicts and attacks on Russian refineries.
Low U.S. diesel inventories are partly caused by supply disruptions in the Middle East, Russia, and China.
Diesel inventories are expected to remain below normal levels through much of 2027.
EIA also raised its 2026 diesel price forecast to $5.07 per gallon.
President Trump said oil prices will start falling after the midterms but noted it could take time.
The EIA expects global distillate (a type of diesel fuel) production to stay below last year's level, keeping prices high.
If Middle East supply problems last beyond 2026, diesel prices and refinery profit margins could be even higher than forecast.
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A study found that Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) operation in the Chicago area last year caused local businesses to lose more than $1.2 billion. The research showed that people living in mainly Latino neighborhoods visited restaurants and stores much less in areas affected by the ICE operation.
Key Facts
ICE ran an operation called "Midway Blitz" in the Chicago area.
The operation caused over $1.2 billion in losses for local businesses last year.
The study was done by the University of Illinois Chicago’s Great Cities Institute.
People in Latino neighborhoods in Cook County visited local restaurants and stores much less.
Business drops were linked to fear and avoidance of ICE enforcement actions.
The study highlights economic impacts of immigration enforcement on local communities.
Chicago has a large Latino population affected by ICE activities.
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September 11 is not a federal holiday but is observed as Patriot Day, a national day of remembrance with flags at half-staff and moments of silence. Creating a federal holiday requires congressional approval and involves costs and disruptions, which has limited new federal holidays.
Key Facts
Patriot Day on September 11 honors the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks but is not a federal holiday.
Federal holidays apply mainly to federal employees and Washington D.C., while states can have their own holidays.
The last federal holiday added was Juneteenth in 2021, marking the emancipation of enslaved people.
Adding a federal holiday requires a law passed by Congress, which is rare due to costs and business impact.
Patriot Day was established by a 2001 congressional resolution and is recognized with flag ceremonies and moments of silence.
In 2009, Patriot Day was designated a National Day of Service and Remembrance, encouraging community activities.
Federal holidays aim to celebrate important American history or heritage events.
The fast establishment of Patriot Day as a remembrance likely reduced efforts to make it a federal holiday.
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President Donald Trump said he thinks the U.S. war with Iran will end right after the November midterm elections. He made this statement while talking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews before heading to the Republican midterm convention.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke about the Iran war on a Wednesday.
He believes the conflict will end immediately after the November midterm elections.
Trump made the comment at Joint Base Andrews.
He was traveling to the Republican midterm convention in Dallas at the time.
He said Iran “can’t hold out any longer” in the conflict.
The statement implies an expectation of a quick resolution after the elections.
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Prosecutors have not decided whether to try Lindsay Clancy again after the first trial ended without a verdict. Clancy’s attorney plans to ask that the jury be kept isolated during the new trial to avoid outside influence.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy’s first trial ended in a mistrial.
A mistrial means the jury could not reach a decision.
Prosecutors are still deciding if they will retry the case.
Clancy’s lawyer wants a jury sequestration if the case goes to a new trial.
Jury sequestration means jurors are kept away from outside information during the trial.
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President Donald Trump gave several White House aides large cash gifts, including a $45,000 gift to Natalie Harp. A former White House ethics lawyer says these payments may violate a federal law that stops government workers from getting extra pay from outside sources and could lead to legal problems or impeachment.
Key Facts
Natalie Harp received a $45,000 cash gift from President Trump, reported as a holiday gift.
Other aides, Margo Martin and Chamberlain Harris, also got $45,000 gifts; Walt Nauta received $20,000.
These gifts equal about 30% of the aides' yearly salaries, which are around $150,000.
The law in question (18 U.S.C. § 209) bans executive branch workers from getting extra pay from private sources related to their government jobs.
The White House says the gifts are personal and not linked to government duties, so they are allowed.
The key legal issue is if these gifts are secret extra pay for government work or just personal presents.
The aides all had close, long-term ties to Trump before joining his current administration.
Former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter argues this may be illegal pay supplementation.
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Four pregnant women who worked in Amazon warehouses filed a class-action lawsuit claiming Amazon did not allow them basic pregnancy-related accommodations like extra bathroom breaks and the option to sit down. The lawsuit says Amazon punished them for taking medically needed breaks and violated a federal law called the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed in US District Court for the Eastern District of New York by four former Amazon warehouse workers: Willamina Barclay, Kristina Green, Jennifer Hatch, and Dazaria Parks.
They requested accommodations such as bathroom breaks, an extra 15-minute break, and being allowed to sit instead of stand while working.
Amazon denied these requests and reportedly punished the women by reducing their unpaid time off and threatening termination.
The women were fired from Amazon facilities in New York between April 2025 and July 2026 after taking medically necessary breaks.
Amazon required medical documentation for every pregnancy-related accommodation, even those usually considered basic.
The 2022 Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires employers to give reasonable accommodations to pregnant workers unless it causes major problems for the business.
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) found reasonable cause that Amazon discriminated against pregnant workers and may now seek an agreement with Amazon.
Amazon denies the allegations and says it follows federal law on pregnancy accommodations.
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Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee faces a strong challenge from Helena Foulkes in the state's Democratic primary. McKee won a close race against Foulkes four years ago but is now criticized for how his administration handled the repair of a key bridge in the state capital.
Key Facts
Rhode Island's Democratic primary election took place on Wednesday.
Governor Dan McKee is running for re-election and trying to win his party's nomination again.
Helena Foulkes, a former CVS executive, is McKee's main challenger in the primary.
McKee narrowly beat Foulkes in the 2018 Democratic primary.
The sudden closure of an important bridge in the state capital in 2023 caused safety concerns.
The slow and costly bridge repair upset many Rhode Island residents.
Foulkes used the bridge project issues to criticize McKee’s leadership.
If McKee loses, he would be the first sitting governor in the U.S. to lose a primary since 2018.
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President Donald Trump's flight to Texas was delayed when an emergency slide on the new Air Force One unexpectedly inflated on the tarmac. Workers checked the slide, deflated it, and the plane then took off without problems.
Key Facts
The incident happened on September 9, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews just before President Trump was to board Air Force One.
The emergency slide inflated and touched the ground, causing the delay.
A backup, the old Air Force One, arrived during the delay.
President Trump said the slide was being checked as a safety measure and there was no security concern.
The new Air Force One was gifted by Qatar and has seen intermittent use since it was unveiled earlier in 2026.
President Trump used the old Air Force One after a missile threat in Turkey in July.
The new jet is undergoing security upgrades while the older plane remains in use.
President Trump plans to use the new Air Force One for an upcoming trip to Ireland later that month.
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