Senator Susan Collins of Maine said she will oppose President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Todd Blanche, because of his promise to anti-abortion groups to stop abortion medication from being mailed across the country. Collins, who supports abortion rights, is concerned this would increase federal control over abortion, a role now mostly handled by states after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche promised anti-abortion groups he would try to ban mailing abortion medications nationwide if confirmed as attorney general.
Senator Susan Collins opposes Blanche’s nomination partly because of this promise.
Collins identifies as pro-choice and disagrees with expanding federal control over abortion laws.
The Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision gave states the power to regulate abortion, rather than the federal government.
Blanche also said he would try to make the Dobbs decision permanent if confirmed.
The Department of Justice said Blanche’s comments were misunderstood and only referred to mail-order abortion drugs, not broader federal control.
Reproductive rights groups warn that Blanche’s stance could lead to a national abortion ban enforced by the Justice Department.
Collins’ opposition highlights divisions within Republicans about abortion rights and may affect Blanche’s confirmation vote.
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U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro dropped charges about damage to the Reflecting Pool, deciding it was not vandalism. This case shows that statements by President Trump and his officials sometimes differ from what lawyers present in court.
Key Facts
Charges related to damage at the Reflecting Pool were dropped by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
Pirro concluded the damage was not vandalism.
This decision contrasts with earlier public claims she made weeks before.
The situation is part of a pattern where public statements by President Trump and administration officials differ from legal statements in court.
The case was discussed by Amna Nawaz with former prosecutor Ankush Khardori.
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The U.S. Senate has only a few days before it breaks for a month-long recess in August. Senators need to quickly address several important issues, including government funding to avoid a shutdown, policies on the Iran conflict, and rules for cryptocurrency.
Key Facts
The Senate is about to start a month-long recess in August.
Lawmakers have limited time to prevent a government shutdown this fall.
They must work on funding related to the Iran war.
Rules and regulations for cryptocurrency are also on the agenda.
Other important legislative items need to be addressed quickly.
The situation is creating urgency among members of Congress.
These actions are being reported from Capitol Hill by journalist Lisa Desjardins.
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Five states, including Michigan, held primary elections. In Michigan, Democrats voted in a Senate race between Representative Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed.
Key Facts
Primary elections took place in five states on the same day.
Michigan was one of the states holding primaries.
Democrats in Michigan voted for their preferred Senate candidate.
The main Democratic candidates in Michigan's Senate race were Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed.
CBS News reporters Aaron Navarro and Anthony Salvanto covered the race.
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President Donald Trump is offering early access to his social media posts through a subscription service on Truth Social. Some people are concerned that paying customers could use this early information to make money in the stock market before others see the posts.
Key Facts
President Trump is selling early access to his posts on Truth Social.
The subscription service allows customers to see posts before the general public.
The cost of this early access can be as high as $100,000 per month.
Some critics worry this could lead to insider trading, where people use private information to make financial gains.
The issue involves concerns about fairness and market rules since the president’s statements can affect stock prices.
NPR discussed these concerns in an interview with Geoff Bennett and Bobby Allyn.
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Police in Spokane have arrested a person suspected of starting recent fires. Meanwhile, Chipotle is linked to an outbreak of salmonella, a bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
Key Facts
Police arrested a suspect connected to fires in Spokane.
The fires are believed to be caused by arson, which means starting fires on purpose.
Chipotle, a restaurant chain, is suspected in a salmonella outbreak.
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause stomach illness.
Health officials are investigating the outbreak to find its source.
The CBS Evening News reported these stories on August 4th.
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Republican Representative Max Miller from Ohio said he will not resign despite being accused of domestic abuse, which he denies. He compared his situation to allegations that President Donald Trump faced in 2016 during his first run for office.
Key Facts
Rep. Max Miller faces domestic abuse allegations.
Miller denies the abuse claims.
He announced he will not resign from his position.
Miller compared his case to allegations against President Trump in 2016.
The news coverage included political analysts discussing the situation.
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The U.S. has almost used all of its long-range precision missiles, like ATACMS and Precision Strike Missiles, in the ongoing conflict with Iran. Despite this, Pentagon officials say the military still has the weapons it needs, while President Trump has paused strikes to allow diplomatic talks but warns attacks could resume.
Key Facts
The U.S. has nearly exhausted its stockpile of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles.
The rapid use of defensive interceptors like Patriot and THAAD missiles has reduced their numbers significantly.
Before the war, the U.S. had about 2,330 Patriot interceptors and 452 THAAD interceptors.
By late July, Patriots dropped to between 759 and 827, and THAADs to between 234 and 278.
It could take until mid-2029 to rebuild these missile stockpiles to pre-war levels.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the U.S. military is still powerful and has the capabilities needed to protect the country.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called concerns about missile shortages false and said stockpiles are improving.
President Trump has paused U.S. strikes on Iran to focus on diplomacy but warned attacks might resume if conditions are not met.
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Michigan health officials report two deaths linked to cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection caused by a parasite. Cases of this infection are still increasing in the state.
Key Facts
Cyclosporiasis is an infection from a parasite that affects the intestines.
Michigan has reported two deaths related to this infection.
The number of cyclosporiasis cases in Michigan is still going up.
Health officials are monitoring the outbreak closely.
Cyclosporiasis symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea.
The infection spreads mainly through contaminated food or water.
Treatment typically involves specific antibiotics prescribed by doctors.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott has paused the building of new data centers in Texas while a full review is done. Senator Ted Cruz spoke about this pause and other topics, including the Texas Senate race and the future of artificial intelligence (AI).
Key Facts
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a freeze on new data center construction in the state.
The freeze will remain until a detailed audit is finished.
Senator Ted Cruz discussed this decision on a news program called "The Takeout."
Cruz also talked about the upcoming Texas Senate race.
He addressed the future of artificial intelligence and its impact.
The news was shared by CBS News and available on their app and website.
The focus is on Texas state issues and national topics related to technology and politics.
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The U.S. military has almost used up its supply of important long-range missiles and missile defense interceptors after more than five months of airstrikes involving Iran. This situation raises concerns about the military’s readiness to handle new conflicts in other parts of the world.
Key Facts
The U.S. Army has used nearly all of its main long-range missiles.
The supply of interceptors for the THAAD missile defense system is also almost gone.
These weapons have been used extensively during airstrikes against Iran over the past five months.
The depletion of these weapons may affect U.S. military readiness for other possible conflicts.
THAAD stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, a system that shoots down incoming missiles.
The reports highlight concerns about maintaining strong defense capabilities worldwide.
Replenishing these missile supplies could take time and resources.
This issue involves the U.S. military’s ability to respond quickly to multiple global threats.
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Mike Lindell has stepped down as CEO of MyPillow to focus fully on his campaign for governor of Minnesota. He reduced his ownership in the company but will stay on the board as the Republican primary approaches.
Key Facts
Mike Lindell founded MyPillow in 2004 and has led it for 22 years.
He is a longtime ally of President Donald Trump and has been active in Republican politics.
Lindell stepped down as CEO to spend all his time and energy on the Minnesota governor race.
He reduced his ownership stake in MyPillow to a minority but remains on its board.
The Minnesota Republican primary is scheduled for August 11, with early voting ongoing.
Lindell’s campaign is boosted by President Trump’s endorsement but faces competition from Kendall Qualls and Lisa Demuth.
There have been questions about Lindell’s residency and allegations of election law violations in his campaign, which he denies.
If he wins the GOP nomination, Lindell is expected to face Democratic candidate Amy Klobuchar in November.
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Senator Susan Collins from Maine said she will vote against Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general. This makes it harder for Blanche to get approved because he now needs almost all Senate Republicans to support him.
Key Facts
Senator Susan Collins is from Maine and is a Republican.
She will vote "no" on Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general.
Maine voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024, which affects Collins’s election chances.
Todd Blanche needs nearly all Republican senators to approve his nomination.
If more than one Republican opposes Blanche, he may not be confirmed.
The announcement was made on a Tuesday (no exact date given).
Collins’s opposition narrows the path for Blanche’s confirmation in the Senate.
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The U.S. military has ended the operation called Joint Task Force-Southern Spear, which focused on stopping drug shipments from Central and South America. It has created a new command named Joint Task Force-Western to oversee drug-related missions across the entire Western Hemisphere.
Key Facts
Joint Task Force-Southern Spear focused on intercepting suspected drug vessels from Central and South America.
The task force was officially retired at midnight on Monday.
A new command, Joint Task Force-Western, replaces Southern Spear.
The new task force will cover drug-related operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.
The change aims to improve how the military fights drug trafficking in the region.
This is part of the U.S. military’s ongoing efforts to address drug flow from Latin America.
The reorganization reflects a broader approach to drug interdiction beyond just Central and South America.
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The Hill is hosting a live, 90-minute program to cover the 2026 primary elections in five states: Michigan, Virginia, Missouri, Kansas, and Washington. The coverage will focus on key races, including a contest in Michigan between progressive Abdul El-Sayed and moderate Rep. Haley Stevens.
Key Facts
The live event will cover primaries happening in Michigan, Virginia, Missouri, Kansas, and Washington.
The program will last about 90 minutes.
Michigan’s race features Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate.
Abdul El-Sayed is running against Rep. Haley Stevens, who is viewed as a moderate Democrat.
This race is seen as highlighting differences within the Democratic Party.
The coverage is provided by The Hill, a news organization.
The coverage is in real-time, meaning viewers get updates as events happen.
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The Hill is providing live coverage of the Republican Senate primary debate in South Carolina. The debate will take place Tuesday evening and feature candidates competing to fill a Senate seat that is open.
Key Facts
The event is a GOP (Republican) Senate primary debate in South Carolina.
It will be live from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Tuesday.
Nexstar Media Group is organizing the debate night.
Carolyn Murray from News 2 and Alicia Barnes from Queen City News are the moderators.
Candidates are competing to replace a Senate seat that has been left vacant.
The debate is exclusive to Nexstar’s coverage.
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The United States has used nearly all of its long-range missiles during the ongoing conflict involving Iran, according to sources. Experts are analyzing the situation and its implications.
Key Facts
The U.S. has almost fully used its supply of long-range missiles.
This usage is connected to the war involving Iran.
Sources confirmed this information to CBS News.
Matthew Kroenig, an expert from the Atlantic Council, provided analysis.
The news was reported by CBS News and is available on their app and website.
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Rep. Max Miller, a Republican from Ohio, said he will continue his run for reelection despite accusations of domestic abuse from his ex-wife and two other women. President Donald Trump has shown concern that these allegations could risk the Republican seat in the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
Max Miller faces allegations of domestic abuse from three women, including his ex-wife.
Miller has until Wednesday to decide whether to withdraw from the Ohio House race.
He announced he will not drop out and cited President Trump’s 2016 campaign as inspiration to stay resilient.
President Trump is worried that Miller’s situation may put a safe Republican seat in danger for the midterms.
Miller compared his situation to President Trump’s experience with repeated allegations during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Miller stated resilience is a quality valued by the American people.
The story is developing, and further updates are expected.
Miller has also called for an ethics investigation into himself after the abuse claims surfaced.
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Four professors and a national faculty group sued the Texas A&M University System to stop its rules limiting how race, gender, and sexuality are taught. They argue the rules violate free speech rights and led to canceled courses.
Key Facts
Texas A&M's rules stop professors from supporting ("advocating") certain ideas about race, gender, and sexuality in classes.
The rules require university president approval to discuss these topics in some courses and ban them in core classes.
The lawsuit says the policy is unclear, so professors don’t know what they can teach without punishment.
The professors and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) filed the lawsuit in federal court in Houston.
Texas A&M’s policy started after controversy over a gender identity lesson shared on social media last year.
The university removed a professor and changed leadership following the controversy.
Officials say the policy aims to stick to course syllabi without promoting activism.
Some courses, especially graduate or non-core classes, can still cover these subjects under certain conditions.
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Several U.S. senators have asked the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) about plans to stop online markets where people can bet on wildfires. These senators are concerned that such betting could encourage people to start fires and make light of community suffering.
Key Facts
A group of senators from Oregon, California, Nevada, Minnesota, and New Hampshire wrote a letter to the CFTC about wildfire betting markets.
Polymarket allowed bets in January 2025 on wildfires in Los Angeles, and another site takes simulated bets on California wildfires.
The senators worry betting on wildfires could lead to arson for profit and involve unsafe insider actions.
Wildfires are currently burning in parts of the Pacific Northwest, with a suspect arrested for arson in Spokane, Washington.
Kalshi, a major prediction market, does not allow wildfire betting because it creates wrong incentives.
Polymarket says it does not profit from wildfire outcomes and provides information, though it denies having current wildfire markets.
Fire experts and wildland firefighters oppose these betting markets, saying they encourage harmful behavior and exploit tragedy.
The CFTC has not responded yet to requests for comment on the issue.
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