San Francisco International Airport (SFO) now allows visitors without plane tickets to pass through TSA security with a Gate Explorer Pass. Many other U.S. airports have similar programs that let approved non-flyers enter secure areas after ID checks and security screening.
Key Facts
SFO started its visitor pass program on April 28, 2024.
Visitors need approval, government-issued ID, and TSA screening to enter.
These passes do not allow access to TSA PreCheck or CLEAR lanes.
Many airports limit the number of visitors and the time they can spend airside.
Similar programs exist at 18 major U.S. airports including Seattle, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Orlando.
Some smaller airports also offer visitor passes but with more restrictions.
The programs began in the late 2010s and have grown faster since 2023.
Airports can suspend or change their visitor pass programs at any time.
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President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will hold a farewell ceremony at the White House for King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The event will take place on Thursday morning following a meeting between President Trump and King Charles in the Oval Office.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are hosting King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the White House.
The event is described as a farewell ceremony.
The ceremony is scheduled for Thursday morning.
President Trump met King Charles in the Oval Office on Tuesday.
During the meeting, President Trump praised King Charles.
President Trump also recognized King Charles’s support in efforts to stop Iran from obtaining certain capabilities.
This visit follows previous diplomatic interactions between the two leaders.
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The Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Kevin Lunday, spoke about serious problems the Coast Guard is facing during the partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. He described how the shutdown has caused difficult conditions for the military branch.
Key Facts
The U.S. Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security.
There is currently a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security.
Admiral Kevin Lunday is the leader (Commandant) of the U.S. Coast Guard.
The shutdown has created a crisis within the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard is experiencing tough and urgent challenges because of the shutdown.
Admiral Lunday explained these issues in an interview with CBS News.
The situation affects Coast Guard operations and readiness.
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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth returned to Capitol Hill to give more testimony about the Iran war. His previous session was tense, with many lawmakers asking him tough questions.
Key Facts
Pete Hegseth is the Secretary of Defense.
He appeared before lawmakers on Capitol Hill to talk about the Iran war.
His earlier testimony involved many challenging questions from Congress members.
Hegseth came back for an additional session of testimony.
CBS News reported on these events through journalist Nikole Killion.
The testimony involved discussions related to U.S. military actions and policies about Iran.
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New images show Cole Allen, the suspect in the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, heavily armed shortly before the incident. The event happened on Saturday, and the images raise questions about the security arrangements there.
Key Facts
The suspect's name is Cole Allen.
He was heavily armed minutes before the shooting at the Correspondents' Dinner.
The incident took place on a Saturday.
The newly released images show him arriving just before the attack.
The event targeted was the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
The shooting has led to concerns and questions about security measures.
Reports about the incident were covered by CBS News.
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A very large sea lion weighing about 2,000 pounds, called 'Chonkers', has appeared at San Francisco’s Pier 39. This type of sea lion usually lives in colder places like Alaska, so seeing one in the San Francisco Bay is unusual.
Key Facts
The sea lion is called 'Chonkers'.
It weighs around 2,000 pounds.
'Chonkers' was first seen about a month ago at Pier 39 in San Francisco.
California sea lions are common there, but this one is much bigger.
At least two Steller sea lions have been seen recently in the San Francisco Bay.
Steller sea lions normally live in colder water in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
Sightings of Steller sea lions in the Bay Area are rare.
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Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer and Adam Schiff, are pushing to hold another vote on a resolution that would limit President Trump's ability to take military action in Iran without congressional approval. This effort marks their sixth attempt to pass the war powers resolution as tensions with Iran continue.
Key Facts
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Adam Schiff are leading this effort.
They plan to speak with reporters on Thursday morning.
The Democrats want to force a vote on a war powers resolution.
This resolution aims to stop the Trump administration from taking further military action in Iran without Congress agreeing.
Thursday’s vote will be the sixth attempt by Democrats to pass this resolution.
The situation with Iran is approaching an important point or milestone.
The vote reflects ongoing concern in Congress about the use of military power.
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The US Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana's map creating two Black-majority congressional districts was unconstitutional, saying it relied too much on race. This decision changes how the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is applied, making it harder to challenge election maps as discriminatory without proof of racist intent.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court overturned Louisiana’s congressional map that created two districts with Black majorities.
The ruling was a 6-3 decision, with conservative justices in the majority.
The court said the map was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 protects minority voters from discrimination in elections.
Section 2 of the Act stops voting maps that weaken minority voting power, even without proof of racist intent.
The court’s ruling now requires showing racist intent, not just discriminatory results, to challenge maps under Section 2.
Louisiana’s Governor plans to delay primary elections to redraw new district maps.
The ruling benefits Louisiana Republicans and the Trump administration and affects how minority voting rights are protected.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana's congressional map with two majority Black districts is illegal. This decision reduces the power of the Voting Rights Act and may affect future elections.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court made the ruling on Wednesday.
Louisiana's map had two districts where most voters are Black.
The Court found this map violated the law.
The Voting Rights Act was created in 1965 to protect voting rights.
This decision weakens the protections of the Voting Rights Act.
The ruling could influence the results of upcoming midterm elections.
The story was reported by Ed O'Keefe from CBS News.
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The U.S. economy grew at a 2% annual rate in the first quarter of 2026, showing improvement from the previous quarter but slightly below expectations. Growth was supported by investment in artificial intelligence and tax cuts, while rising energy prices linked to the Iran war created challenges.
Key Facts
The U.S. GDP grew at 2% in the first quarter of 2026, less than the 2.2% forecast.
The previous quarter’s growth was only 0.5%, affected by a government shutdown.
Business investments, mainly in AI, increased by 8.7% annually.
Consumer spending grew more slowly, at 1.6%, down from 1.9% in the last quarter of 2025.
Higher-income households contributed most to the March growth.
The Iran war caused oil prices to rise, with gasoline reaching $4.30 per gallon and Brent crude topping $126 per barrel.
Inflation rose at a 3.2% annual rate, above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
Economists predict 2026 GDP growth of 1.8%, slower than 2.1% growth in 2025, partly due to the war’s impact.
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Maine Governor Janet Mills has stopped her campaign for the U.S. Senate. This leaves progressive Democrat Graham Platner to run against Republican Senator Susan Collins in the important November election, where polls currently show Platner ahead.
Key Facts
Janet Mills, the Democratic governor of Maine, ended her Senate campaign due to lack of funds.
Democrat Graham Platner now faces incumbent Republican Susan Collins in the general election.
Polls show Platner leading Collins by about 7.6 points on average.
Collins had a very narrow lead over Mills earlier, only 0.2 points in polls.
Maine tends to vote Democratic but also supports candidates from both parties.
Collins has won previous elections because of her popularity and ability to work with both sides.
Democrats believe Collins may face a tough race partly because President Donald Trump’s popularity is falling nationwide.
A recent poll showed 48% support for Platner and 41% for Collins among likely voters.
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A shooting occurred during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner event. This violence has raised concerns about the way media and politics influence public behavior and the need to change this culture to prevent further political violence.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.
The event brings together journalists and political figures.
Violence at such events is rare but causes serious concern.
The incident has sparked calls to reduce harmful political and media influence.
There is a suggestion that current political and media culture contributes to violence.
Efforts are being discussed to promote a safer and less hostile environment.
The incident highlights the impact of extreme ideas spreading in politics and media.
All parties are encouraged to reflect on their role in contributing to this problem.
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Florida’s legislature approved a new congressional district map. The map was proposed by Governor Ron DeSantis and has passed an important step in the process.
Key Facts
Florida lawmakers passed a new map for congressional districts.
Governor Ron DeSantis proposed this map.
The map affects the boundaries for Florida’s representatives in Congress.
The approval clears a significant hurdle in the map’s official adoption.
The new map will shape future elections in Florida.
This process is part of redrawing districts, usually done every 10 years after the census.
The map must still complete any remaining steps before final use in elections.
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Representative Anna Paulina Luna said she was confronted by two fellow Republicans during a tense debate over the Farm Bill, which includes controversial pesticide rules. The House postponed a planned vote on the bill after Republican disagreements, with Luna opposing a provision that protects pesticide makers from lawsuits.
Key Facts
The Farm Bill is a broad law meant to support farmers, but some parts about pesticides are controversial.
Rep. Luna claims two Republicans confronted her, accusing pesticide companies of causing cancer.
Luna opposes a Farm Bill provision that would protect pesticide makers from being sued.
The House planned to vote on the Farm Bill along with two other bills under one rule to speed up the process.
This combined voting plan caused conflict and led to postponing the vote after Republican protests.
Luna introduced an amendment to remove rules that shield pesticide manufacturers and regulate pesticide labeling.
Some farm groups and MAGA-aligned lawmakers support Luna’s amendment, mainly over concerns about glyphosate pesticides.
Glyphosate, in weedkillers like Roundup, is widely used but also linked to cancer by some scientific agencies and ongoing lawsuits.
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Maine Governor Janet Mills ended her campaign for the U.S. Senate shortly before the Democratic primary because she lacked enough money for the race. She had support from party leaders but could not overcome fundraising challenges against her opponent, Graham Platner.
Key Facts
Janet Mills is the current governor of Maine and was running for the U.S. Senate.
She dropped out of the Senate race weeks before the June 9 Democratic primary.
Mills said she had the passion and experience but did not have enough financial resources for the campaign.
Her main opponent was Graham Platner, a first-time candidate popular with voters despite past controversies.
Platner faced criticism for online comments and a tattoo linked to Nazi symbolism.
Mills had support from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and left-leaning groups.
The race was seen as important for Democrats trying to win a competitive Senate seat from Republican Susan Collins.
The contest showed ongoing debate within the Democratic Party about how to defeat Republicans under President Donald Trump’s administration.
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Maine Governor Janet Mills has stopped her campaign for the U.S. Senate just before the Democratic primary. She said she does not have enough money to continue, despite her experience and commitment.
Key Facts
Janet Mills is the governor of Maine and a Democrat.
She planned to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026.
Mills ended her campaign due to a lack of financial resources.
She has served two terms as Maine’s governor.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer supported her Senate run.
Mills aimed to defeat Republican Senator Susan Collins.
The Senate seat is seen as highly competitive for control of the Senate.
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President Donald Trump said that former FBI Director James Comey understands the meaning of "86" as a term from mob language that means "kill him." This statement came during discussions about a legal case where Comey faces charges related to a social media post he made last year.
Key Facts
President Trump claimed James Comey knows that "86" means "kill him" in mob slang.
James Comey is the former director of the FBI.
Comey is currently indicted by the Department of Justice.
The indictment is connected to a social media post Comey made last year.
The post included a photo, which is part of the legal issues he faces.
President Trump made these comments on a Wednesday.
The case is ongoing and involves legal investigations.
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US economic growth rose 2% in the first quarter of 2026 after slowing in late 2025. Consumer spending slowed down, partly because higher energy prices from the war with Iran have made people cautious about spending.
Key Facts
US GDP grew 2% from January to March 2026, up from 0.5% growth in the last quarter of 2025.
Government spending increased 10% in early 2026, reversing a previous decrease caused by federal worker layoffs.
The US federal workforce has shrunk by about 355,000 workers since October 2024.
Consumer spending growth slowed by 0.3% due to worries about inflation and the war with Iran.
Inflation expectations jumped from 3.8% to 4.7% in one month amid rising energy costs.
Oil prices reached $126 per barrel after stalled peace talks between the US and Iran.
The US defense department says the war in Iran has cost $25 billion and is seeking $1.5 trillion more in military funds.
The Federal Reserve is keeping interest rates steady to watch how the war and new tariffs affect the economy, despite pressure from President Trump’s administration.
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A new memo filed in federal court shows details about Cole Allen's actions before meeting U.S. Secret Service officers at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday. The memo includes photos and information about his movements before the event.
Key Facts
The memo was filed in federal court on Wednesday.
It provides details about Cole Allen's movements before the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Cole Allen had an encounter with U.S. Secret Service officers at the event.
The memo includes photos related to Allen's movements.
The White House Correspondents' Dinner took place on a Saturday.
CBS News reporter Anna Schecter reported this information.
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