Two University of Mississippi students died while packaged kratom products were found during the investigations, but officials have not confirmed kratom caused the deaths. The university and local authorities continue to investigate, and the presence of kratom has raised questions about its safety and legal status across different states.
Key Facts
Two students at the University of Mississippi, Aidan Hamilton and Robert Strang, died in separate incidents.
Packaged kratom products were found during both death investigations.
Authorities have not confirmed if kratom contributed to or caused either death.
The cause of death for both students is still under investigation and separate.
The university has offered counseling and support to students after the deaths.
Kratom is a substance from a Southeast Asian tree, used in various forms like powders and teas.
Lower doses of kratom may act like a stimulant, while higher doses may have sedative effects.
Health officials warn kratom may cause dependence, withdrawal, and serious side effects such as nausea, liver problems, and seizures.
Kratom is legal in most U.S. states but banned or restricted in some.
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Mary Peltola’s campaign said reports that she used slurs and shoved a staff member are exaggerated and said her behavior was affected by grief after losing her husband and mother in 2023. The campaign said she generally treats staff with respect and that the difficult times may have caused some struggles.
Key Facts
The New York Times reported that Peltola shoved a staffer and used offensive language based on interviews and text messages.
Peltola’s campaign said these reports exaggerate her behavior and come from a very stressful period in her life.
She lost her husband in a 2023 plane crash and her mother around the same time, while working full-time in Congress and running for re-election.
Peltola was a U.S. House member from 2022 until early 2024 and is running for Senate against Republican Dan Sullivan.
Democrats see the Alaska Senate race as very important to their chances of regaining Senate control.
Sullivan called the reported behavior “sad” and “disturbing.”
Some former aides defended Peltola and said she was demanding but respectful, noting her grief and background in commercial fishing may explain her strong demeanor.
Peltola lost her House seat earlier in 2024 and now seeks to unseat Sullivan in the November Senate election.
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President Donald Trump criticized the TV channels CNN and MSNBC for not showing live video of his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. This happened shortly after a federal judge allowed these outlets to regain their access to the White House.
Key Facts
President Trump had a meeting with China's leader Xi Jinping.
CNN and MSNBC did not show live coverage of this meeting.
President Trump called the channels "fake" for not covering the event live.
A federal judge recently restored CNN and MSNBC's access to the White House.
The judge’s decision allows these channels to report from inside the White House again.
President Trump expressed his dissatisfaction publicly on Thursday.
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The U.S. government paid for a pro-President Trump advertisement that criticizes communism. This happened while President Trump hosted China’s leader Xi Jinping, who leads a communist country, and while a judge stopped President Trump’s ban on three news organizations from the White House.
Key Facts
The U.S. government funded an ad supporting President Trump.
The ad speaks out against communism.
China’s leader, Xi Jinping, visited the United States during this time.
Xi Jinping leads a communist government.
President Trump hosted Xi Jinping at the White House.
A judge blocked President Trump’s attempt to ban three news outlets from White House access.
The news ban was related to restrictions on press coverage.
The story was reported by CBS News and includes analysis from Steve Yates, a former deputy national security adviser.
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President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Heidi Overton, was questioned by senators about her support for changing the childhood vaccine schedule, including splitting the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into separate shots. Senator Bill Cassidy pressed Overton to confirm she would prioritize science and safety over political pressure and confirmed that the MMR vaccine is safe.
Key Facts
Dr. Heidi Overton is President Trump’s nominee for FDA commissioner.
She supported the president’s August executive order proposing to separate the combined MMR vaccine into three individual vaccines.
Senator Bill Cassidy questioned Overton about the scientific evidence for changing the MMR vaccine schedule.
Cassidy asked Overton to reject President Trump’s claim that the MMR vaccine could be “quite lethal.”
Overton stated the MMR vaccine is safe and not lethal during the Senate hearing.
Cassidy also asked how Overton would handle conflicts between Trump’s direction and the FDA’s legal responsibilities.
Overton promised to provide the president her best advice and follow FDA laws on safety and effectiveness.
The hearing took place amid the largest measles outbreak the U.S. has seen in years.
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The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow it to deport immigrants to countries that are not their home nations. They argued that blocking these deportations has left over 1,400 immigrants, including some convicted of serious crimes, in the U.S. and caused canceled deportation flights.
Key Facts
The Department of Justice filed a 45-page emergency appeal to the Supreme Court.
The appeal challenges lower court bans on deporting immigrants to third countries.
Over 1,400 immigrants are currently not deported due to blocked flights.
Some immigrants involved have been convicted of violent crimes like murder and rape.
The Trump administration has created agreements with third countries to accept these deportees.
Human rights groups warn these immigrants could face torture or persecution if sent to third countries.
The government argued there is little realistic risk of harm in these third countries.
The Supreme Court had earlier sent the case back to lower courts after a 2025 ruling.
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Eight sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group tried to take their own lives during a long deployment, according to the Acting Navy Secretary. No sailors died by suicide during the mission, which lasted over 260 days and included mental health staff and efforts to maintain food and hygiene supplies despite some challenges.
Key Facts
Eight sailors attempted suicide during the Lincoln strike group’s deployment; no suicides were reported.
The strike group includes about 6,000 sailors and spent over 260 days continuously at sea.
The Navy sent mental health professionals and a therapy dog to support the crew.
The deployment faced supply issues, causing meal options to be temporarily reduced but provided four balanced meals daily.
Hygiene product deliveries were delayed but prioritized and managed with a rotation system.
Some technical problems occurred, including water piping failures and issues with desalination units.
President Donald Trump minimized concerns about the ship’s conditions during the deployment.
The Lincoln carrier group supported military operations in the Middle East, specifically related to Iran.
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Darializa Avila Chevalier was arrested while protesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to New York City. The protest focused on Netanyahu’s alleged war crimes in Gaza, the violence in the region, and U.S. financial support for Israel. The protest involved hundreds of people demanding an end to violence and a change in U.S. spending priorities.
Key Facts
Benjamin Netanyahu faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes.
The UN’s commission has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, naming Netanyahu as responsible.
Protesters highlight over 73,000 deaths in Gaza and attacks on civilian sites like hospitals and schools.
The U.S. government has sent more than $21 billion in aid to Israel over two years, including weapons sales.
Both the Biden and Trump administrations supported Israel financially and politically despite these allegations.
Around 400 protesters participated in the New York City demonstration, with over 100 arrests made.
Darializa Avila Chevalier is the Democratic nominee for New York’s 13th congressional district.
The protest groups demand the U.S. stop funding the conflict and invest in local communities instead.
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A new bill called the Blue Collar Social Security Fairness Act was introduced to lower the Social Security retirement age to 60 for workers in physically demanding jobs, such as construction and nursing. This bill aims to help these workers retire earlier with full benefits, instead of waiting until age 67 as under current law.
Key Facts
The bill was introduced by Rep. Haley Stevens, a Democrat from Michigan.
It targets workers in physically demanding jobs, allowing them to retire at 60 with full Social Security benefits.
Currently, full retirement benefits start at age 67 for most Americans born after 1960.
People can claim benefits as early as 62 but with reduced payments.
The bill uses a points system based on years worked in tough jobs to qualify for early retirement.
The Social Security Administration would maintain a list of qualifying jobs, updated every three years.
Social Security’s trust fund faces possible insolvency by 2032, which could cause benefit cuts over 20%.
Other Social Security funding ideas include raising or removing the income cap for Social Security taxes.
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The Department of Homeland Security asked the Supreme Court to let it restart sending migrants to third countries where they do not have connections. President Trump has been using this method more as part of his strict immigration policies.
Key Facts
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made the request to the Supreme Court on Thursday.
The request is to allow the resumption of "third-country removals," which means deporting migrants to countries they have no ties with.
President Trump has increased the use of this practice in his immigration enforcement.
The Trump administration has signed agreements to send deported migrants to many countries worldwide.
This move is part of the administration’s broader effort to tighten immigration controls.
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The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow a policy that sends some migrants to third countries instead of their home countries. A lower court blocked this policy because it said migrants must be told and allowed to challenge their deportation before being sent to these third countries.
Key Facts
The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to pause a court order that stops deportations to third countries without giving migrants notice or a chance to challenge it.
The lower court said migrants need due process before being deported to a country they have no ties with.
The policy lets immigration officials send migrants to third countries if those countries promise not to harm them.
The Justice Department said this policy helped deport thousands of migrants, including some with serious criminal records.
Some third countries accepting deportees include African nations with poor human rights records, such as Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, and South Sudan.
Some migrants have been deported without notice or chance to appeal and feel stateless, especially those sent to countries far from their homes like Liberia.
The policy mainly targets migrants protected from deportation to their home countries or whose home countries refuse or limit their return.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is handling the emergency appeal and has set a deadline for responses from migrants’ lawyers.
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A government report found that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) wasted tens of millions of dollars on poorly planned detention expansion efforts since President Donald Trump took office in 2025. The report highlighted unused tents at Guantanamo Bay, empty warehouses bought but unused, and expensive contracts with failed detention centers. ICE lacks a clear strategic plan for managing its $45 billion funding to increase detention capacity.
Key Facts
ICE was given $45 billion by Congress in 2025 to expand detention space.
The detainee population increased from 39,000 in January 2025 to 67,000 by July 2027.
Nearly $3 million was spent on tents at Guantanamo Bay that were never used because they did not meet standards.
ICE bought 11 warehouses for $1.07 billion to hold detainees but plans to sell seven without housing anyone due to poor planning and public opposition.
ICE spent $20 million on costs related to warehouses they will sell and $426 million on renovations halted by lawsuits.
A Florida detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" was costly and later closed.
The Department of Homeland Security promised to create a plan for detention spending by August 2027, but this delay risks more wasted money.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO), a congressional watchdog, issued these findings after investigating at the request of Democratic lawmakers.
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NHS bodies in England are making people wait at least two years to get assessed for ADHD and autism because they cannot handle the large number of requests. Patient groups warn these long waits may harm children and adults by delaying needed support, and many people are turning to private clinics for faster assessments.
Key Facts
Four NHS integrated care boards (ICBs) in England now require at least two years’ wait for ADHD and autism assessments.
Fifteen ICBs covering 19 million people have introduced limits or priority rules on who can get assessments.
There are currently about 960,000 people waiting for ADHD assessments and 295,000 waiting for autism assessments in England.
Private clinics perform half of NHS-funded ADHD assessments and a third of autism assessments because of NHS delays.
The rate of autism diagnoses among boys aged 7 to 18 rose from 0.2% in 2000 to 4.7% in 2025.
The rate of ADHD diagnoses in boys 7 to 18 increased from 0.4% in 2000 to 5.1% in 2025.
A government-ordered review highlighted the huge rise in mental health, ADHD, and autism diagnoses and raised concerns about the quality and financial aspects of assessments.
West Yorkshire’s NHS board saw its assessment costs rise from £7 million in 2023-24 and introduced a two-year wait for independent provider assessments.
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President Donald Trump held a formal ceremony for Chinese leader Xi Jinping. After previously banning some journalists, the White House allowed reporters to return.
Key Facts
President Trump hosted an official event for Xi Jinping.
The ceremony was detailed and formal.
Previously, some journalists were banned from the White House.
These journalists have now been allowed back inside.
The event and changes were reported by CBS News.
The coverage was part of the CBS News program "The Takeout with Major Garrett."
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The U.S. Justice Department announced it plans to end more than 50 old court agreements designed to prevent racial segregation in schools. These agreements date back to the civil rights era and will be reviewed case by case to see if the schools have removed segregation.
Key Facts
The Justice Department wants to end long-term federal cases focused on stopping racial segregation in schools.
These cases involve court orders called consent decrees, many from the 1960s and 1970s.
Federal judges must approve the ending of these consent decrees.
The cases addressed segregation resulting from "Jim Crow" laws and the "separate but equal" policy overturned in 1954 by Brown v. Board of Education.
The department says many school districts have reached "unitary status," meaning they no longer practice segregation.
Some cases have already been dismissed in places like Tennessee, Florida, and Mississippi.
Critics worry that ending these agreements could increase racial segregation and discrimination in schools.
The Justice Department is reviewing each case individually to make decisions about dismissal.
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Representative Don Beyer, a Democrat from Virginia, said President Trump is preparing to build a large arch near Washington, D.C. Beyer visited the site after people told him construction vehicles were there.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump plans to build an arch near Washington, D.C.
The arch is considered controversial by some people.
Rep. Don Beyer represents the area where the arch would be built.
Beyer visited the site after receiving reports that construction vehicles arrived.
The announcement came on a Thursday.
The arch is a project connected to President Trump.
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A teacher in Philadelphia, Hannah Gann, admitted she lied about being Black and Palestinian and has apologized publicly for her actions. Local racial justice groups have cut ties with her, and the Philadelphia school district is aware of the situation and has offered support to the school community.
Key Facts
Hannah Gann, a teacher at the Workshop School in Philadelphia, falsely claimed she had Black and Palestinian heritage.
She publicly apologized twice, saying she regrets her actions and is "heartbroken" by the backlash.
Gann was involved with local racial justice and pro-Palestinian advocacy groups, which ended their relationship with her after learning the truth.
She explained she is a white woman of Jewish heritage and that her claims about Palestinian family members were false.
The Philadelphia school district is aware of the issue and is providing support to staff and students.
Gann denied misusing donations that were raised for Palestinian relatives.
Some people remain curious about why and how she invented the false identity.
No information was given about whether Gann is still employed at the school.
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The U.S. Senate did not pass a resolution aimed at ending the war in Iran, with a narrow vote of 49 against and 50 in favor. Some Republican senators, while critical of the war and its effects on gas prices, mostly voted against the resolution, showing caution about opposing President Donald Trump’s policies directly.
Key Facts
The Senate voted 49-50 against a House-passed war powers resolution related to the conflict in Iran.
Four Republican senators (Murkowski, Collins, Paul, Tillis) voted with almost all Democrats except one to support the resolution.
Senator John Fetterman was the only Democrat who voted against the resolution; Senator Angela Alsobrooks did not vote.
Democrats needed full attendance and five Republican votes to pass the resolution but fell short.
Some Republicans in close election races opposed the resolution despite saying the war should end to help lower gas prices.
Senator Thom Tillis supported the resolution for the first time, citing a need for clearer strategy and more communication with Congress.
President Donald Trump initially predicted the Iran war would last 4-6 weeks, but it has lasted nearly eight months with 50,000 U.S. troops deployed.
Since the first Senate passage of a similar resolution in June, the administration has not changed its Iran policy and called the resolution "poorly timed and meaningless."
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A federal preservation agency said it will stop consulting with Virginia and Washington, D.C., about President Donald Trump’s plan to build a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery. The agency will send its final comments to the Interior Secretary, who will decide if the project moves forward despite local opposition.
Key Facts
The Advisory Council for Historic Preservation (ACHP) is ending talks with local officials about the arch’s impact.
The arch would be built on National Park Service land near Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Virginia's historic preservation agency said the arch would harm the landscape and criticized the lack of meaningful consultation.
The law requires federal officials to try to work with state officials but allows them to end talks if they cannot agree.
D.C. officials did not comment on the arch plan.
ACHP said attempts to reduce the harm would fundamentally change the project and stop it from achieving its goals.
The Interior Secretary will decide whether the project will proceed after receiving final comments.
The National Capital Planning Commission still needs to approve the project design.
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The Trump administration ran a 30-second ad on Fox News that included a message paid for by the U.S. government. Democrats say this ad may break federal rules that stop government money from being used for political campaigns, but the White House calls it a non-political public service announcement.
Key Facts
The ad aired on Fox News and included the label "Paid for by the U.S. Government."
It was seen at least three times during one night.
Democrats, including Rep. Jamie Raskin, say the ad could violate the Hatch Act, which limits political activities by government employees.
The White House says the ad is an educational public service announcement and not political.
The ad promotes patriotic messages and features President Trump speaking against communism in America.
It shows slogans like "Largest Tax Cuts in History" and clips from a speech by UFC CEO Dana White praising Trump.
The ad is similar to one posted on the White House’s official YouTube channel earlier in September.
No single U.S. agency is responsible for overseeing government advertising budgets, according to the Congressional Research Service.
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