The Trump administration agreed to provide federal money to the New York MTA for the Second Avenue subway expansion after the MTA filed a lawsuit to get the funding restored. The Department of Transportation confirmed that President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy approved releasing the funds.
Key Facts
The Trump administration is releasing federal funds for the Second Avenue subway project.
The funding release comes after the MTA sued to restore money for the subway extension.
The Department of Transportation confirmed the agreement to give the funds.
President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy approved the funding release.
The money will support the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s subway expansion.
This project extends the Second Avenue subway line in New York City.
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Spirit Airlines has asked the Trump administration for emergency financial help to avoid going out of business. The airline is struggling due to rising fuel prices and may not be able to pay its debts, leading to possible liquidation.
Key Facts
Spirit Airlines approached the Trump administration seeking an emergency bailout.
The airline faces very high fuel costs that hurt its finances.
Some creditors doubt Spirit can make upcoming large debt payments.
Spirit executives and other budget carriers will meet with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy soon.
Spirit was expected to leave bankruptcy after a deal to reduce debt and fleet size.
The deal was made before fuel prices rose sharply due to the conflict in Iran.
The airline has struggled since the pandemic and failed to merge with JetBlue.
An analyst warned customers to book backup flights in case Spirit stops flying.
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Matt Mahan, the mayor of San Jose, is running for governor of California. He is focusing on reducing waste and inefficiency in government and aims to get support from moderate Democrats.
Key Facts
Matt Mahan is the mayor of San Jose, California.
He is a candidate for California governor.
Mahan wants to tackle waste and inefficiency in the government.
He seeks support from the moderate wing of the Democratic Party.
The race for governor became more chaotic after Eric Swalwell left the contest.
Mahan discussed his campaign on CBS News’ program "The Takeout."
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The Senate approved a short-term extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) until April 30. A group of House Republicans disagreed and blocked a longer five-year renewal of the law.
Key Facts
FISA stands for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
The law allows the government to conduct surveillance for national security.
The Senate voted to extend FISA temporarily until April 30.
House Republicans did not agree on a five-year extension.
The disagreement among Republicans stopped the House from voting to renew the law for five years.
Joshua Skule, a former FBI intelligence chief, commented on the situation.
The future of FISA is uncertain because of this political split.
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Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he heard negative rumors about Representative Eric Swalwell and suggested that Speaker Nancy Pelosi also knew about them. McCarthy mentioned concerns about Swalwell’s behavior and frequent trips with Senator Ruben Gallego, who faces unrelated allegations that his office denies.
Key Facts
Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican and former House Speaker, discussed rumors about Democrat Eric Swalwell during his time in Congress.
McCarthy said he never heard about allegations of rape or drugging but heard that Democratic staffers found Swalwell "sleazy."
He suggested that Speaker Nancy Pelosi must have also heard these rumors.
Swalwell recently suspended his campaign for governor amid sexual misconduct allegations which he denies.
Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona, a Democrat, has been mentioned in connection with Swalwell but denies all allegations.
Gallego’s spokesperson called the accusations "right-wing conspiracy theories."
McCarthy noted that Swalwell and Gallego often traveled alone together on trips, which he found unusual.
Swalwell and Gallego have not been contacted by the ethics committee as of this report.
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A federal judge blocked the Justice Department’s request to access voter data from Rhode Island. This ruling is part of broader legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s efforts to obtain voter information from many states.
Key Facts
A US federal judge rejected the Justice Department’s lawsuit to get Rhode Island’s voter data.
The judge said the Justice Department cannot conduct a broad search for voter information without clear authority.
Rhode Island’s Secretary of State said the decision protects states' rights and the balance of government powers.
The Justice Department has sued at least 30 states to get voter data, citing election security concerns.
Many states oppose sharing voter data due to privacy worries and constitutional limits on federal power.
President Trump claims there was widespread fraud in the 2020 election and wants changes to voting laws.
No evidence has been shown to support Trump’s claims of a stolen election.
Some states have given voter data to the Justice Department, while others have refused.
The Trump administration supports the SAVE America Act, which would require stricter proof of citizenship for voters.
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Jack Schlossberg leads in recent polls for the Democratic primary in New York’s 12th Congressional District. He is competing for the seat being left by retiring Representative Jerry Nadler in a strongly Democratic area of Manhattan.
Key Facts
Jack Schlossberg is the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy and is 33 years old.
He currently leads the Democratic primary polls with around 22-25% support.
The seat is in New York’s 12th District, a strongly Democratic district in Manhattan.
Other candidates include Alex Bores, Micah Lasher, and George Conway.
Polls show close competition; some show Bores or Lasher ahead.
Schlossberg is well known for his social media presence and political engagement.
The winner of the primary is expected to easily win the general election.
The district heavily supported President Trump’s opponent in 2024, showing strong Democratic preference.
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President Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department, claiming harm from the leak of his tax returns. His lawyers are now seeking to pause the case for 90 days to try to reach a settlement with the Department of Justice, which raises questions about potential conflicts since Trump leads the executive branch.
Key Facts
Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit accuses the IRS and Treasury Department of causing reputational and financial harm after his tax returns were leaked.
The tax returns were stolen in 2017 by Charles “Chaz” Littlejohn, who was later sentenced to five years in prison.
Trump’s tax returns revealed he paid little or no income tax in many years before he became president.
The lawsuit claims the leaks damaged Trump, his businesses, and his sons Eric and Donald Jr.
Experts say the lawsuit may face legal problems, including the way damages are calculated and the timing of when Trump discovered the leaks.
Critics highlight a potential conflict of interest since the lawsuit is against parts of the government Trump now controls.
Trump’s lawyers want to pause the case for 90 days to explore a settlement, aiming for a quicker and more efficient resolution.
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The Trump administration has made changes in leadership positions at several key agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These changes come as the White House prepares for upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
Leadership changes are happening at ICE, CDC, and FEMA.
These agencies play important roles in immigration, public health, and disaster response.
The adjustments are part of the Trump administration’s efforts ahead of the midterm elections.
The Department of Homeland Security is also involved in these leadership updates.
Molly Ball, a political reporter and author, provided analysis on these developments.
The midterm elections are important events where voters choose members of Congress midway through a presidential term.
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A spokesperson for Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego denied sexual misconduct claims made by Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna. The spokesperson called the allegations unfounded and labeled them as conspiracy theories from the far-right.
Key Facts
Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna accused Sen. Ruben Gallego of sexual misconduct.
The allegations were made during a Thursday night segment called "The Takeout."
Gallego’s spokesperson rejected the claims as false.
The spokesperson described the accusations as right-wing conspiracy theories.
The spokesperson said the claims come from a fringe far-right member of Congress.
CBS News correspondent Nikole Killion reported on the story.
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will add new members to its Science Advisory Board. These members include industry representatives, academics, and scientists. This action follows changes made by the current administration more than a year ago when previous scientists were removed from the board.
Key Facts
The EPA is appointing new members to its Science Advisory Board (SAB).
New members include people from chemical industries, other industries, and academic scientists.
The Science Advisory Board is made up of outside experts who give scientific advice to the EPA.
More than a year ago, the administration reset the board by dismissing previous scientists.
The new appointments aim to bring a mix of industry experience and scientific knowledge to the board.
The SAB helps guide EPA decisions by reviewing scientific information.
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Democratic Representative Haley Stevens told Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that he should be ashamed and should resign as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. She said his views on vaccines and other policies are the reasons why he should step down or be removed by Congress.
Key Facts
Haley Stevens is a Democratic member of the U.S. Congress.
She addressed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Stevens said Kennedy "should be ashamed" of his actions and views.
She specifically mentioned his position on vaccines as a key concern.
Stevens suggested Kennedy should resign from his position.
She also said Congress should remove Kennedy if he does not resign.
The exchange was reported by CBS News.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was appointed as HHS secretary under President Donald Trump’s administration.
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles met with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to discuss working together on advanced AI technology. This meeting came amid government concerns about Anthropic’s software being a security risk, especially after the Pentagon labeled it a "supply chain risk" and the companies are currently in court.
Key Facts
Anthropic is an AI company building advanced tools that could impact the U.S. government.
The Pentagon considers Anthropic a supply chain risk because the company refuses to let the military use its software for all lawful purposes.
Anthropic bans its AI from being used for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons.
President Trump ordered government agencies to stop using Anthropic, but that order is paused due to ongoing legal battles.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent joined the meeting to help align government and company goals.
The White House called the meeting "productive and constructive" and talked about balancing innovation and safety.
Anthropic only released its new Mythos AI model to a few select organizations due to cyber risks.
Most government agencies want to use Anthropic’s AI except the Pentagon (Department of War).
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Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove criticized President Donald Trump for a controversial image he posted of himself as Jesus Christ, linking it to the rising costs associated with the conflict involving the U.S. and Israel in Iran. She expressed her frustration strongly in a video statement.
Key Facts
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove represents California as a Democrat.
She referred to a deleted image posted by President Trump where he portrayed himself as Jesus Christ.
Kamlager-Dove connected the conflict between the U.S. and Israel in Iran to increased costs in the U.S.
She made a strong, explicit remark directed at President Trump during a recorded video.
The video was captured by reporter Pablo from MediasTouch.
The topic involved criticism of the impact of foreign conflict on domestic issues like cost of living.
President Trump is currently in his second term as U.S. President, elected in 2024.
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House Republicans rejected a proposed clean extension of Section 702 surveillance powers, marking a rare defeat for President Donald Trump within his own party. After intense efforts from the White House and GOP leaders, they settled on a shorter 10-day extension as a temporary solution.
Key Facts
More than 24 House Republicans voted against two procedural votes on the surveillance program early Friday.
The White House and GOP leadership pressured holdouts, including briefings and bringing in CIA Director John Ratcliffe to persuade them.
The original plan was a clean extension of Section 702, a national security surveillance tool.
Due to the opposition, leaders agreed to a shorter 10-day extension as a stopgap measure.
Some Republicans raised privacy concerns and pushed to add unrelated measures about digital currency surveillance.
Representative Ralph Norman said the White House started talks too late and last-minute changes failed to resolve key concerns.
President Trump usually has strong influence over House Republicans, but this vote showed limits to that power.
Speaker Mike Johnson now faces the challenge of uniting the party and working with the White House and Senate in the coming weeks.
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President Donald Trump mentioned concerns about the deaths and disappearances of 10 workers tied to government labs that handle nuclear and space technology. Officials investigating these cases say there is no clear connection and describe the situations as personal tragedies rather than a coordinated threat.
Key Facts
Ten government workers linked to sensitive nuclear or space technology have died or disappeared over the past three years.
President Trump referred to these cases as "pretty serious" but said investigations are ongoing.
The workers were connected to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
One missing person is retired Major General William Neil McCasland, last seen in February in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The FBI is providing assistance but is not leading the investigations unless requested by local authorities.
The Department of Energy and its National Nuclear Security Administration are actively looking into the cases.
Experts and former officials say there is no evidence connecting the cases and caution that various tragic reasons can explain deaths and disappearances.
Thousands of people work at these labs, many without access to classified information, which could explain lack of any clear pattern.
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A 27-year-old Cuban man named Aled Damien Carbonell-Betancourt died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Miami after what officials called an apparent suicide attempt. ICE is investigating the cause of death and has informed relevant authorities and family members.
Key Facts
Carbonell-Betancourt was found unresponsive in his Miami detention cell on April 12, 2026, and was pronounced dead shortly after.
He entered the U.S. in October 2024 and was later taken into ICE custody in February 2026 while awaiting immigration removal proceedings.
ICE says detainees receive medical and mental health screenings and emergency care while in custody.
This is the second death of a Cuban man in ICE custody in Miami within a year.
Other recent ICE detainee deaths in South Florida include a 75-year-old Cuban man, a 49-year-old Canadian, and a 44-year-old Haitian woman.
Nationwide, deaths in ICE custody are rising as the number of detained immigrants grows.
ICE notified the Department of Homeland Security, the DHS Office of Inspector General, and its Office of Professional Responsibility after the death.
The official cause of Carbonell-Betancourt’s death is still under investigation.
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More than 35 million people in the central U.S. are facing severe weather threats including tornadoes, large hail, and strong winds. Flooding and tornadoes have already hit parts of the region this week, with more rain expected to worsen conditions.
Key Facts
The severe weather risk covers areas from Wisconsin to Oklahoma.
The National Weather Service upgraded some areas to a level 4 moderate risk for severe storms.
Large hail up to baseball size and wind gusts up to 90 mph are possible.
Tornado watches are in effect for parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.
Multiple tornadoes have been reported this week, including confirmed ones in Minnesota and Illinois.
Flood watches cover Missouri to northern Michigan due to rain and saturated ground.
A man in Wisconsin was killed by a lightning strike earlier in the week.
The recent storms follow a week with at least 28 tornadoes across nine states.
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The Washington Post’s editorial board criticized President Trump for threatening to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. They described this conflict as a pointless fight that will end badly for the president and warned it could harm financial markets and his political reputation.
Key Facts
President Trump threatened to fire Jerome Powell, the head of the Federal Reserve.
The Washington Post editorial board disagreed with Trump’s approach.
They called the conflict a “pointless standoff.”
The board predicted President Trump would lose this fight.
They said the conflict could scare markets, meaning it might hurt the economy.
The editorial warned Trump’s political standing could suffer because of this issue.
The article was published by the Washington Post on a Wednesday.
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A top federal prosecutor, Maria Medetis Long, has stopped working on the investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan after raising concerns about the case. The investigation is connected to claims that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help President Trump, and officials are considering charging Brennan soon.
Key Facts
Maria Medetis Long was leading the Brennan investigation but has now left the case.
Medetis Long is the chief of the national security division in the U.S. attorney’s office for southern Florida.
The investigation involves whether Russia interfered in the 2016 election to support President Trump.
Jason Reding Quiñones, U.S. attorney for southern Florida, has suggested an indictment might be announced soon.
President Trump recently fired Attorney General Pam Bondi, reportedly due to dissatisfaction with the slow progress on cases against political opponents.
Todd Blanche is currently acting attorney general and may be aiming for the permanent role, with his period as acting AG seen as a trial for the job.
A former top aide to Blanche moved to southern Florida to work on the Brennan case.
There is a history of career prosecutors being removed or stepping down after expressing doubts about politically sensitive cases against Trump’s opponents.
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