Craig Fugate, who led the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under President Obama, talked about how climate change is making disaster response more difficult. He also discussed recent criticism that FEMA has become political in its work.
Key Facts
Craig Fugate was the head of FEMA during the Obama administration.
He managed FEMA through years with many major disasters.
Climate change is causing more intense and frequent disasters.
These changes make it harder for emergency teams to respond effectively.
There has been criticism that FEMA’s work has become influenced by politics.
The discussion took place on the PBS News podcast called “Settle In.”
Amna Nawaz was the host who interviewed Fugate.
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Three employees of the military newspaper Stars and Stripes have sued the Pentagon in federal court. They want to stop the recent firings made by the Department of Defense at the newspaper.
Key Facts
Three staff members from Stars and Stripes filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Those suing include the publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, and reporter Lara Korte.
The lawsuit challenges firings that happened last week at the military news outlet.
Stars and Stripes is a newspaper focused on military news.
The firings were carried out by the Department of Defense, part of the U.S. government.
The staff want the court to prevent these recent dismissals from happening.
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A Democratic senator has asked for a criminal investigation into Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after reports said he lied during Senate confirmation hearings about a 2019 trip to Samoa related to vaccines. Newly released letters show Kennedy discussed studying vaccines on the trip, contradicting his earlier Senate testimony.
Key Facts
Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon called for a criminal referral to the Department of Justice to investigate RFK Jr. for lying to Congress.
The Guardian and Associated Press obtained letters through a Freedom of Information lawsuit showing Kennedy’s statements contradicted his Senate testimony.
Kennedy told senators his 2019 Samoa trip was unrelated to vaccines, but letters reveal he mentioned vaccines multiple times during that trip.
The trip happened while Kennedy led an anti-vaccine group, and months later a measles outbreak in Samoa caused many illnesses and deaths, mostly among young children.
Legal experts say lying to Congress is a crime but prosecution depends on the Department of Justice, currently controlled by President Trump’s administration, which may not act.
Democrats plan to hold Kennedy accountable if they regain Senate control, possibly through hearings or impeachment inquiries.
Several Democratic officials, including Senators Ed Markey and Angela Alsobrooks, have called for Kennedy to resign or be removed from office.
Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green, who helped during Samoa’s measles outbreak, also urged Kennedy to step down for public health reasons.
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Top officials in President Trump's administration are questioning the details behind two deaths in Pennsylvania that local authorities linked to measles. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a health official, said on TV that they do not yet know exactly what caused the deaths or if the children actually died from measles.
Key Facts
Two deaths in Pennsylvania were reported by state officials as caused by measles.
Health officials in President Trump's administration are now questioning those claims.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, spoke about this uncertainty on Fox Business.
Oz said officials do not yet know for sure what happened in Pennsylvania.
It is not confirmed if the children actually died from measles.
The issue points to some disagreement between federal and state health authorities.
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A court dispute is ongoing over efforts to associate President Donald Trump's name with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. A judge ruled that the center’s official name cannot be changed without Congress, but the board approved a plan to add Trump’s name in a way they say does not formally rename the building.
Key Facts
The Kennedy Center is a national memorial originally named to honor President John F. Kennedy.
President Donald Trump’s administration replaced board members to gain control over the center’s operations.
The board voted to add Trump’s name to the center, leading to a lawsuit from Representative Joyce Beatty.
A federal judge ruled that only Congress may rename the Kennedy Center and ordered Trump’s name removed from the building facade.
The board later approved a plan to describe the center as “Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump” while keeping Kennedy’s name.
The surrounding grounds were renamed “President Donald J. Trump Plaza.”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the changes are to recognize Trump as a major fundraiser and builder.
There are ongoing debates about the center’s renovation plans and if the board is following the court’s orders.
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A group of mostly Democratic senators wrote a letter to Acting ICE Director David Venturella, asking ICE to stop using gloves that can deliver electric shocks. They expressed serious concerns about the use of these gloves in immigration enforcement.
Key Facts
The letter was sent to David Venturella, the Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The letter was signed mainly by Democratic senators.
The senators want ICE to halt the use of gloves that can give electric shocks.
These gloves are planned or currently used in immigration enforcement.
The senators voiced strong concern about the safety and ethics of using such gloves.
The letter was sent on a Thursday.
ICE is part of the U.S. government that handles immigration enforcement.
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A Utah software engineer named Jennica Pounds runs a large social media account that supports President Donald Trump. She claimed that people inside the government were trying to make her appear guilty of a crime. This claim drew attention from notable figures like Elon Musk.
Key Facts
Jennica Pounds is a software engineer from Utah.
She manages a big pro-President Trump social media account.
On August 21, she said the "Deep State" was trying to set her up to commit a crime.
The term "Deep State" often refers to hidden government officials working against certain political interests.
Elon Musk noticed and paid attention to her posts.
Pounds expressed strong anger about the situation.
The article suggests links between Pentagon officials and Pound’s social media activities but does not provide detailed proof.
The context involves discussions around political tensions and social media influence.
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Lawyers for Andrew and Tristan Tate told a court that their flashy lifestyle online, including expensive cars and yachts, was mostly fake and staged. Prosecutors say the brothers’ claimed wealth shows they might run away while waiting for extradition to the UK, but their lawyers say the online persona was a performance, not real.
Key Facts
Andrew and Tristan Tate displayed a wealthy lifestyle online with luxury cars and yachts.
Their lawyers say this lifestyle was exaggerated, rented, or staged as part of an online act.
The lawyers compared their style to the fictional character Ali G, known for satire and exaggeration.
The brothers’ luxury cars, including an Aston Martin and Bugattis worth millions, were rented, not owned.
The yacht featured in videos did not belong to them; they were paid to promote it.
Watches they wore online were claimed to be worth millions but ownership was unproven.
Prosecutors use the brothers’ claimed wealth to argue they could flee the country.
The judge will consider if the Tate brothers are a flight risk while deciding on their custody before extradition.
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A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s plan to change a long-standing housing grant program aimed at fighting housing discrimination. The judge agreed with fair housing groups who said the new plan made it harder for them to do their work.
Key Facts
A federal judge stopped the Trump administration’s plan to change a housing grant program.
The grant program has been in place for many years and focuses on fighting housing discrimination.
Fair housing groups argued that the planned changes would reduce their ability to help people.
The judge’s decision supports these fair housing groups.
The judge in this case is U.S. District Judge Myong Joun.
Judge Joun was appointed by President Biden.
The department involved is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
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The government of England and Wales plans to have specialist investigators for rape and sexual offences in every police force by the end of 2027. They are speeding up the plan and providing extra funding to improve protection orders that monitor offenders and help keep victims safe.
Key Facts
Every police force in England and Wales will have specialist teams for rape and sexual offences by 2027.
This rollout is 18 months faster than originally planned.
The plan aims to reduce violence against women and girls.
Some police forces will share £13.3 million to strengthen teams managing protection orders.
Protection orders may include electronic monitoring and exclusion zones for offenders.
The Home Office started this plan last year, initially targeting 2029 for full implementation.
Charity Refuge says these steps are small but hopes they will lead to more help for survivors.
Officials want to improve trust in police so more victims feel safe reporting abuse.
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Andy Burnham announced new rules to stop unfair and aggressive actions by bailiffs who collect debts in England and Wales. The government will also introduce a scheme to help people find trustworthy builders and protect consumers from scams.
Key Facts
The government is tightening rules for bailiffs to protect people in debt in England and Wales.
Private bailiffs will need to be approved by the Enforcement Conduct Board or work for companies that are approved.
The new bailiff rules aim to stop aggressive behaviour, overcharging, and unfair treatment.
The changes are expected to take full effect next year.
A scheme called the “Approved Code” will help people find reliable builders and traders starting by the end of September.
A new app called Trusted Payments will help customers safely manage payments during building projects.
More than 7 million bailiff cases happen each year, mainly for unpaid fines and council taxes.
Some bailiff companies have not agreed to be regulated yet, despite ongoing government efforts.
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Three journalists who worked for Stars and Stripes, a military news outlet, sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other Pentagon officials after they were fired. The journalists say their dismissals were illegal and linked to their reporting on poor conditions aboard a Navy aircraft carrier and their support for press freedom.
Key Facts
The three plaintiffs are publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, and reporter Lara Korte.
They were given separation notices last week, with insubordination cited as the reason.
The journalists claim they were fired because they spoke out as private citizens supporting press freedom and reported on mental health, food, and water shortages on the USS Abraham Lincoln.
The lawsuit names Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, and aide Andrew Brey as defendants.
Slavin and Korte’s firings related to interviews they gave to CBS News, where they said Stars and Stripes operates independently from the Pentagon.
Lederer planned to retire due to disagreements with the Defense Department but was fired first.
Stars and Stripes has a long history of editorial independence and reaches about 1.4 million readers daily, including service members overseas.
Pentagon officials said they want to modernize the newspaper and change its focus to better serve current military members.
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A jury started deciding the case of Lindsay Clancy, who is charged with killing her three children in January 2023. A doctor explained postpartum depression, a mental health condition that can happen after having a baby, during the news report.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is on trial for the deaths of her three children.
The alleged incident happened in January 2023.
A jury began deliberations to decide her case on Thursday.
CBS News correspondent Bradley Blackburn reported on the case.
Dr. Jennifer Payne, a reproductive psychiatry expert, talked about postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression is a mental health issue that some mothers face after childbirth.
The doctor’s explanation aimed to provide context about mental health in the case.
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A federal judge is reviewing a lawsuit over efforts to put President Trump's name back on the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts building. The Kennedy Center board, chaired by President Trump, approved adding his name to the building and surrounding plaza, but a previous court order required removing it.
Key Facts
Ohio Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty sued over President Trump's name being on the Kennedy Center.
The Kennedy Center board voted to add inscriptions with President Trump's name on the building and plaza.
The board is chaired by President Trump and includes his Cabinet members and allies.
A judge ordered the removal of President Trump's name from the building earlier this year.
The name was removed in June, but the board is trying to put it back.
Lawyers for Beatty say the board is ignoring the court's order.
The Justice Department says the Kennedy Center is in poor condition and needs fundraising for renovations.
The board claims adding President Trump's name is part of fundraising efforts to save the center.
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul said New York will keep calling Lake Ontario by its original name. This statement came after President Donald Trump issued an order to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America" during trade tensions with Canada.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump signed an order renaming Lake Ontario as "Lake America."
The renaming happened during a trade conflict between the U.S. and Canada.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York would not use the new name.
Lake Ontario is one of the Great Lakes shared by the U.S. and Canada.
The renaming is part of President Trump's response to trade disagreements with Canada.
The name change is symbolic and does not alter official maps immediately.
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President Donald Trump visited Texas to support Republican efforts in the upcoming midterm elections, especially Attorney General Ken Paxton’s campaign for the U.S. Senate. Texas is a key state for Republicans trying to keep their majority in the Senate.
Key Facts
President Trump traveled to Texas to help Republican campaigns.
He is focusing on boosting Ken Paxton’s bid for the Senate seat.
Texas is important in the midterms because it could influence which party controls the Senate.
Democrats are trying to win in Texas, a state that usually votes Republican.
Republicans want to hold on to their Senate majority by winning in states like Texas.
The midterm elections will affect control of the U.S. Senate.
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House Democrats plan to propose a bill to reverse President Donald Trump’s order renaming Lake Ontario as "Lake America." The order comes amid rising trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada after talks failed and tariffs were imposed by both sides.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an executive order changing the name of Lake Ontario to "Lake America."
The order directs the Interior Department to update official records within 30 days.
House Democrats, including Rep. Tim Kennedy, are preparing a bill to counter this order.
The renaming is part of a broader conflict caused by failed trade talks and tariff increases between the U.S. and Canada.
Canadian officials have stated they will not recognize the new name.
Some Democrats criticize the order as unproductive and insulting.
President Trump previously ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be called the "Gulf of America."
With Republicans controlling Congress, Democrats may struggle to advance their bill.
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A judge questioned the Kennedy Center's plan to quickly restore President Donald Trump's name to a building after a court blocked an earlier attempt. The judge asked why the center needed to start putting up the name by September 8.
Key Facts
The Kennedy Center wants to put President Trump’s name back on a building.
A court had previously blocked and reversed an attempt to do this.
Judge Christopher Cooper expressed doubts about rushing the name restoration.
The judge specifically questioned the need to start by September 8.
The hearing lasted nearly two hours.
President Trump’s lawyer, Bradley Mayers, was making the case for the name return.
The judge joked that sometimes courts are closed for holidays like Labor Day.
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A man was arrested near the U.S. Capitol while carrying a guillotine. He told police that the guillotine was genuine, meaning it could actually function as a real weapon.
Key Facts
The arrest happened on a Tuesday near the U.S. Capitol.
Police officers Sergei Vittone, Ryerson Hill, and Joseph Diaz observed the man with the guillotine.
The man said the guillotine was “the real deal,” indicating it was a functioning device.
The arrest report was filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Carrying a guillotine near the Capitol is unusual and raised safety concerns for law enforcement.
The incident is under investigation by U.S. Capitol Police.
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Two air traffic controllers at LaGuardia Airport left work early before a deadly runway collision in March. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is trying to fire them for leaving early, which the agency calls timecard fraud. The collision killed two pilots and injured many people.
Key Facts
The incident happened just before midnight on March 22 at LaGuardia Airport in New York.
An Air Canada Express plane collided with a fire truck on the runway.
Both the plane’s pilot and copilot died in the crash.
Two air traffic controllers left their shifts early that night.
The FAA considers leaving early without approval as timecard fraud and seeks to fire the two controllers.
Usually, two controllers work the midnight shift in the control tower, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The NTSB is investigating the staffing and considers controller fatigue a concern.
The FAA is hiring more controllers to address staffing shortages and is working to hold employees accountable.
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