Graham Platner, a candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maine, visited Capitol Hill to meet with Democratic lawmakers. This visit happened shortly after explicit text messages allegedly sent by Platner to women outside his marriage were leaked.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is running for the U.S. Senate in Maine.
He met with Democratic members of Congress on Capitol Hill.
The meetings were planned before the scandal became public.
Platner is accused of sending sexually explicit text messages to women not his wife.
These messages were leaked to the public recently.
CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion reported on this story.
The visit took place on a Tuesday.
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GPs in England are overwhelmed and cannot provide enough help to older people at risk of falling, a problem acknowledged by NHS leaders. The number of older patients assessed for frailty and fall risks is very low despite contracts requiring these checks.
Key Facts
GPs in England are overloaded and struggle to care for older people at risk of falling.
Falls are the most common cause of injury-related death in people over 65 and cost the UK about £4.4 billion annually.
Only 17% of patients over 65 with frailty were assessed in 2024/25.
Just 18% of those with severe frailty had their fall risk assessed, and 16% had their medication reviewed.
NHS England has focused on increasing digital access to GP services, making it harder to provide proactive care.
Some areas assess fewer than 10% of older patients for frailty, while others manage to assess over 90%.
NHS England is considering asking pharmacists to help review medications to reduce fall risks.
Older people with weak muscles, poor balance, and certain health conditions are more likely to fall.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department will not continue with the nearly $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund. However, he refused to confirm this decision in a written statement.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the Acting Attorney General.
The Justice Department planned a fund called the "anti-weaponization" fund.
The fund was nearly $1.8 billion in size.
The Justice Department decided not to move forward with this fund.
Acting Attorney General Blanche declined to put the decision not to proceed in writing.
The topic was discussed during a CBS News report.
Additional coverage included the Epstein investigation.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has not yet decided whether to support Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s reelection. This is unusual because Jeffries normally supports all Democratic incumbents, but some Democrats are upset that Wasserman Schultz chose to run in a district with a majority Black population.
Key Facts
Jeffries usually backs every Democratic incumbent but has not endorsed Wasserman Schultz yet.
Wasserman Schultz is running in Florida’s 20th District, which has a majority Black population.
Some Black Democrats are upset because they see her move as controversial and say it threatens Black political representation.
Jeffries acknowledged the importance of being sensitive to the current challenges facing Black political districts.
The Florida primary election is scheduled for August 18, and candidates have until 10 days before that to file.
Besides Wasserman Schultz, several other Democrats and former officials are running in the same district’s primary.
Wasserman Schultz said she is grateful for the support she has received and will continue to campaign.
Activist Elijah Manley criticized Wasserman Schultz’s claim that Jeffries and the Congressional Black Caucus fully support her.
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President Donald Trump named Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as the acting director of national intelligence. Pulte has no experience in intelligence work, and his appointment received criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans.
Key Facts
President Trump appointed Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.
Bill Pulte currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Pulte has no previous background or experience in intelligence.
He is known as a strong supporter of President Trump.
Pulte has often criticized President Trump’s political opponents.
Democrats quickly criticized the appointment.
The Senate’s top Republican also expressed concerns about Pulte’s selection.
Pulte replaces Tulsi Gabbard as acting director of national intelligence.
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President Donald Trump has named Bill Pulte as the acting director of national intelligence. Bill Pulte has no previous experience in defense or intelligence fields.
Key Facts
President Trump appointed Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.
Bill Pulte has not worked before in defense or intelligence.
The announcement was made on a Tuesday.
CBS News reporters Samantha Vinograd and Eleanor Watson discussed the appointment.
The role of director of national intelligence oversees intelligence agencies in the U.S. government.
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The Justice Department has canceled plans for a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" after facing opposition from Republican senators in Congress. This decision affects President Trump's efforts related to Homeland Security funding.
Key Facts
The Justice Department planned to create a $1.8 billion fund called the "anti-weaponization fund."
The fund was intended to address concerns about weapon use, although specific details were not given.
Acting Attorney General Blanche informed lawmakers on Tuesday that the fund is being canceled.
Republican senators opposed the fund and warned they would not support the Homeland Security funding bill unless the fund was reduced or removed.
This marks a setback for President Donald Trump’s administration and its Homeland Security plans.
The decision came after pressure from Congress, showing legislative influence on administration policies.
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Jim Messina, a Democratic strategist who worked with President Obama, said that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass should be worried about winning her reelection in the upcoming California primary. He expressed concern about her chances regardless of who her opponent might be in the runoff election.
Key Facts
Jim Messina is a Democratic strategist and former White House deputy chief of staff under President Obama.
He commented on Mayor Karen Bass's chances ahead of the California primary race.
Messina warned that Bass should be very worried about reelection.
His concern applies no matter who Bass faces in the runoff election.
The primary race is scheduled to take place on a Tuesday (exact date not specified).
Karen Bass is currently the Mayor of Los Angeles and a member of the Democratic Party.
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Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Maine, is facing challenges after revelations about his personal behavior. These include exchanged explicit messages during his marriage and offensive past online posts, raising concerns about his character and campaign.
Key Facts
Platner met with Democratic leaders in Washington, D.C., amid growing controversy.
He is a political newcomer, a Maine oyster fisher and marine veteran, with a progressive message.
Platner has been endorsed by prominent progressive senators like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
His campaign threatens the effort to defeat Republican Senator Susan Collins, who seeks a sixth term.
Reports revealed Platner sent sexually explicit texts with other women during his marriage.
Past Reddit posts showed him using offensive language about various groups and controversial political claims.
Platner said his past behavior was influenced by post-traumatic stress disorder from military service.
Maine Governor Janet Mills suspended her own Senate campaign but remains on the ballot.
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Several primary elections are taking place on Tuesday in states including California, Iowa, and New Jersey. In California, a reality TV personality is running for mayor of Los Angeles, while Democrats hope to improve their position in Iowa. Republicans face challenges in New Jersey due to a congressman’s unexplained absence that may threaten their slim majority.
Key Facts
California is holding a governor race with no major celebrity candidates.
Los Angeles has a mayoral candidate who is a reality TV star.
Los Angeles is preparing to host the Olympics in the near future.
Iowa is a rural state where Democrats want to regain political ground.
Republicans in New Jersey face difficulties because one congressman is absent without explanation.
This absence could affect the Republican party’s narrow control in the U.S. House of Representatives.
More primary elections are occurring on the same day across different states.
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The Pentagon has appointed Elias Irizarry, who was convicted for participating in the January 6 Capitol riot, to a sensitive counterterrorism role in the Department of Defense. This decision has caused concern among some Pentagon officials due to his past involvement in the attack on the US Capitol.
Key Facts
Elias Irizarry pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
He was sentenced to 14 days in jail and expressed remorse for his role in the event.
Irizarry was 19 years old during the riot and wore a pro-President Trump hat in a widely published photo from that day.
He graduated from the Citadel military academy in 2024 after being briefly discharged due to his involvement in the riot.
The Pentagon appointed Irizarry to a role in the special operations and low intensity conflict office, which handles highly classified military operations including counterterrorism and hostage rescue.
Some Pentagon insiders are concerned about his appointment because the role involves sensitive and dangerous missions.
Pentagon officials publicly defended the appointment and criticized the Washington Post for its reporting on the matter.
Irizarry ran unsuccessfully in a 2024 Republican primary for a state legislature seat in South Carolina.
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The Trump administration has warned about a spreading outbreak of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae eat living flesh, detected close to the U.S.-Mexico border. The screwworm was eradicated in the U.S. in the 1960s but has reappeared in Central America and Mexico in 2023. Officials are tracking it carefully to protect American agriculture, livestock, and wildlife.
Key Facts
New World screwworm larvae eat healthy flesh, causing severe harm to animals.
The pest was eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s, saving the livestock industry about $900 million annually.
The screwworm outbreak started in Panama and Costa Rica in 2023 and has spread through Central America into Mexico.
Recent detections have moved within a few hundred miles of Texas, with claims of cases near the Texas border.
U.S. officials, including Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, are monitoring the situation closely and providing public updates.
Containment measures include releasing sterile male flies to prevent reproduction and restricting livestock imports from affected areas.
Coordination with Mexican authorities and surveillance programs are in place to track and control the pest's spread.
The threat is mainly from infected animals moving across regions, which can carry larvae and help the pest spread.
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New Mexico is holding primary elections to choose Democratic and Republican candidates for governor amid challenges like violent crime and underperforming schools. The state is experiencing increased oil revenue due to rising prices, which funds social programs, and this primary is the first to allow independent voters to participate.
Key Facts
New Mexico voters are selecting nominees for governor from both major parties.
The state faces high violent crime rates and problems in public education.
Rising oil prices, influenced by the Iran war, have increased tax income for New Mexico.
Oil production makes New Mexico the second-largest oil producer in the U.S. after Texas.
Oil tax money supports social programs such as universal childcare in the state.
This primary is semi-open, allowing independent voters (about 23% of voters) to choose either party’s ballot.
Democratic candidates Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman are running to replace term-limited Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Deb Haaland, a Laguna Pueblo citizen, could become the first Native American woman governor in the U.S.
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Graham Platner, a Democratic Senate candidate from Maine, met with Senate Democrats in Washington to address recent controversies. He is trying to gain support to win a Senate seat that Democrats hope to take from Republicans.
Key Facts
Graham Platner is running for the U.S. Senate in Maine as a Democrat.
He met with Senate Democrats in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.
Platner is facing new questions after reports about inappropriate messages he sent.
Democrats see the Maine Senate seat as an important chance to gain power.
Platner is working to fix his image and secure party support amid these issues.
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President Trump’s administration plans to end the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), a $368 million deep-sea monitoring system that has gathered important data on ocean health and climate for over a decade. The National Science Foundation will remove the ocean instruments and stop the data collection over the next 15 months.
Key Facts
The Ocean Observatories Initiative includes over 900 instruments studying ocean currents, climate changes, and marine life.
The OOI was started in June 2016 and has provided continuous ocean data since then.
The National Science Foundation announced the plan to dismantle the system on May 21, shortly after Trump fired the NSF’s independent board.
All monitoring equipment will be removed from locations off the coasts of North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and from the Irminger Sea near Greenland and Iceland.
Scientists and Democratic lawmakers have criticized the decision, saying it will harm climate research and could increase costs in the long run.
The system’s leader said the infrastructure removal will happen in phases and will end real-time ocean data from those areas.
Some experts warn that rebuilding such a complex system in the future will be hard because the knowledgeable teams are also being disbanded.
This move fits into a broader trend of the Trump administration reducing support for environmental and climate science programs.
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President Donald Trump appointed Bill Pulte, current head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as the acting director of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. This appointment followed the resignation of Tulsi Gabbard and led to criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans, who questioned Pulte’s qualifications for the job.
Key Facts
President Trump named Bill Pulte to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence temporarily.
Bill Pulte is currently the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Tulsi Gabbard resigned from the intelligence chief position last month.
Some Democrats reacted strongly and negatively to Pulte’s appointment.
Some Republicans also raised concerns about Pulte’s experience and qualifications for this intelligence role.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence oversees the U.S. intelligence community.
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Iowa Democrats are choosing between two candidates, Josh Turek and Zach Wahls, to run for a U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Joni Ernst. The winner will face strong Republican opposition in a key race for control of the Senate, while both parties focus heavily on winning important Iowa races this fall.
Key Facts
Iowa Democrats are holding a competitive primary for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Senator Joni Ernst.
The candidates are two state lawmakers: Josh Turek and Zach Wahls.
Both Democratic candidates support policies like public health insurance, higher minimum wage, and stronger labor rights.
Republicans are also holding primaries, including for governor and the Senate nomination.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have campaigned in Iowa to support Republican candidates.
U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson seeks the Republican Senate nomination and has backing from Trump and Ernst.
Iowa is considered a key battleground state, attracting national attention and major campaign funding.
State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, is running for governor and currently holds the only statewide Democratic office in Iowa.
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President Trump’s large-scale deportation efforts have created new difficulties and worries for immigrant college students, including those who are legally in the United States. Researchers and advocates have long noted challenges immigrant families face in higher education, but these efforts have added extra pressure.
Key Facts
President Trump’s administration is carrying out a mass deportation campaign.
This campaign affects many immigrant college students, even those with legal status.
Immigrant students already face barriers to attending college.
The deportation efforts have increased fears among these students.
The report focuses on experiences in Minnesota.
The article is part of a series called Rethinking College.
Researchers and advocates have studied immigrant students’ education challenges for years.
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A hostage situation and bomb threat were reported at a Chase Bank in California. President Donald Trump appointed a new acting director for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, a choice some people consider controversial.
Key Facts
A hostage situation occurred at a Chase Bank location in California.
A bomb threat was also reported at the same bank.
The incident took place recently and was covered by CBS Evening News.
President Donald Trump named a new acting director of national intelligence.
The new director’s appointment has been called controversial by some.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence oversees U.S. intelligence agencies.
No further details on the hostage situation or bomb threat were provided in the article excerpt.
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