A mother in South Carolina arranged a surprise reunion between her adopted daughter, Abby, and Abby’s childhood friend Emma from Taiwan after nearly three years apart. The girls had formed a close bond in Taiwan before Abby was adopted, and the two families maintained contact through video calls and finally met in person during a visit to Tennessee.
Key Facts
Sarah Plazak adopted siblings Abby (8) and Sam (9) from Taiwan in December 2023.
Abby grew up in a foster home in Taiwan and spoke Mandarin and Amis but little English.
Abby and Emma, who has Taiwanese and American heritage, were close childhood friends in Taiwan.
Before Abby left Taiwan, Emma’s family gave her a photo album as a keepsake and to help future contact.
The two families stayed in touch through video calls after Abby’s adoption.
The families arranged a surprise in-person reunion in Tennessee in August 2024.
Abby and Emma spent three days together visiting a children’s museum, zoo, and playing outdoors.
The reunion was emotional and joyful for both girls and their families.
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A pediatrician named Dr. Amanda Kravitz gives advice to parents on how to help their children stay healthy as they go back to school. She talks about checking sleep routines, managing stress, making sure vaccinations are up to date, and supporting mental health.
Key Facts
Dr. Amanda Kravitz is a pediatrician who advises parents on child health.
She recommends setting a good sleep schedule for kids before school starts.
Managing stress is important for children’s overall wellbeing.
Parents should ensure their children have the necessary vaccinations.
Paying attention to children's mental health is a key part of preparing for school.
The advice aims to help kids have a healthy and successful school year.
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Disney has sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), led by Chairman Brendan Carr, saying the FCC is violating Disney’s First Amendment rights. The lawsuit follows the FCC’s early review of ABC’s local broadcast licenses, which started after President Donald Trump criticized ABC’s late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
Key Facts
Disney filed a lawsuit against the FCC on Tuesday.
The lawsuit claims the FCC’s actions violate Disney’s free speech rights under the First Amendment.
The FCC began an early review of eight ABC local broadcast licenses before they were set to expire.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the agency is trying to make broadcasters act in the public interest.
President Donald Trump has publicly called for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired over a joke Kimmel made.
The FCC cited ABC’s diversity, equity, and inclusion practices as part of the review.
ABC said the FCC’s review is an attempt to silence their free speech and the free speech of other media.
The dispute involves the Trump administration’s FCC and Disney-owned ABC network.
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An explosion and fire happened early on August 18 at an industrial recycling plant in southern Toledo, Ohio. Firefighters are working to control the fire, and at least two workers are still missing.
Key Facts
The incident occurred at a recycling facility in southern Toledo, Ohio.
The explosion and fire started early in the morning on August 18.
Firefighters are actively trying to put out the fire.
At least two employees have not yet been found or accounted for.
The report comes from BBC’s US news partner CBS.
Emergency crews are continuing their efforts at the scene.
The cause of the explosion has not been mentioned.
The event is part of U.S. domestic news.
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Lindsay Clancy’s mother testified in court that her daughter told her she had thoughts of harming her children. This testimony came after the prosecution finished presenting its case in the trial involving Lindsay Clancy.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy’s mother spoke in court during Lindsay Clancy’s trial.
She said Lindsay told her she had harmful thoughts about her children.
This testimony was part of the prosecution’s case.
The prosecution rested its case on a Monday.
The trial involves serious issues related to Lindsay Clancy and her children.
CBS News provided coverage and legal analysis of the trial.
Family members have been giving testimony in this case.
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Senator Joe Manchin said that most U.S. elections are uncompetitive. He pointed out that many congressional districts are already decided before voting and called for changes to increase election competition.
Key Facts
Senator Joe Manchin spoke about American elections on NewsNation.
He said only about seven states matter in the 2024 presidential race.
Manchin stated that 43 states are basically predetermined in their election results.
There are 435 congressional districts in the U.S.
He noted that 395 out of those 435 districts have predetermined outcomes.
Manchin believes the lack of competition in elections needs to change.
His comments focus on increasing fairness and competitiveness in U.S. elections.
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The Labour party has asked the UK Gambling Commission to investigate two companies linked to donors and allies of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party for potentially operating without a gambling licence. The companies named are Tether.bet, based in Montenegro, and Fispay, a UK company owned by Reform’s data officer. The investigation follows reports that these companies may have broken UK gambling laws.
Key Facts
Labour’s Bridget Phillipson wrote to the Gambling Commission requesting an investigation.
Tether.bet reportedly operated without a UK gambling licence and is linked to Nigel Farage allies.
Fispay is owned by Mowbray Jackson, Reform UK’s data protection officer.
George Cottrell, a convicted fraudster and Farage ally, is connected to Tether.bet.
It is illegal to offer gambling services in the UK without a licence under the Gambling Act 2005.
Both companies deny illegal activities; Fispay said it only arranges private jet travel.
A £5 million donation to Farage from billionaire Christopher Harborne is under parliamentary scrutiny.
Nigel Farage faces questions over donations and gifts leading to a reopened investigation by the parliamentary commissioner for standards.
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Both Democratic and Republican administrations have increased federal spending, leading to rising deficits. This shows a shift from past Republican focus on controlling government spending.
Key Facts
Republicans used to focus on managing government spending carefully.
Federal deficits have grown under recent administrations from both parties.
New economic challenges are contributing to higher government spending.
The increase in spending happened despite different political leadership.
This shift marks a change in how some Republicans approach finances.
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A former Justice Department lawyer accused a Trump administration task force of using political pressure to push universities into settlements in antisemitism cases without proper evidence. The whistleblower said investigations were rushed, biased, and meant to force schools to pay money while ignoring the law.
Key Facts
The task force was created under President Trump's Justice Department in February 2025 to fight antisemitism.
Haley Van Erem, a former Justice Department lawyer, filed a whistleblower complaint about the task force’s work.
The complaint says investigations were rushed, lacked evidence, and had outcomes decided beforehand.
The task force pressured Ivy League schools to settle lawsuits and threatened funding cuts.
Van Erem left the Justice Department in May 2025 due to concerns about politically motivated investigations.
The complaint also claims Muslim professors were unfairly targeted.
Rep. Jamie Raskin criticized the investigations, calling them politically motivated and not real efforts to address antisemitism.
Officials from the Justice and Health and Human Services Departments did not comment on the allegations.
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President Donald Trump posted a map on his Truth Social account showing the Strait of Hormuz labeled as U.S. territory. This post appears to support his idea to take control of the waterway.
Key Facts
President Trump shared a map labeling the Strait of Hormuz as a “new U.S. territory.”
The post was made on his Truth Social platform.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic waterway important for global oil transport.
The labeling suggests President Trump wants the U.S. to claim control over this waterway.
This action continues his calls to annex or take over the Strait of Hormuz.
The post was made early on a Tuesday.
No official government action to annex the waterway has been taken.
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The Trump administration has asked a federal appeals court to reinstate criminal charges against Kilmar Ábrego García, which were dismissed by a judge who said the case was motivated by revenge. The Justice Department argues the human smuggling charges are based on real evidence, while Ábrego’s lawyers and supporters claim the prosecution is retaliation for his successful legal fight against wrongful deportation.
Key Facts
Kilmar Ábrego García faced human smuggling charges linked to a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee.
A federal judge dismissed the charges in May, calling the prosecution “vindictive.”
Ábrego was deported to El Salvador in March 2025 and later returned to the U.S. by a Supreme Court order.
The Justice Department filed an appeal asking the Sixth Circuit Court to reinstate the charges.
The DoJ states the charges are based on evidence and not retaliation for Ábrego’s legal challenge to his deportation.
Ábrego’s lawyers claim the case is politically motivated and was launched after his Supreme Court win.
An immigration group representing Ábrego says the prosecution is an attempt to punish him for exposing unlawful government actions.
Ábrego came to the U.S. at age 16 to escape gang violence, lived with his family including U.S. citizen wife and children, and followed immigration rules before his detention.
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Voters in Florida and Alaska are casting ballots in primary elections to choose candidates for upcoming November races. In Florida, important positions like governor, U.S. Senate, and House seats are being contested, with Rep. Byron Donalds expected to win the Republican nomination for governor.
Key Facts
Florida and Alaska are holding primary elections.
Florida voters are selecting candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, and House seats.
The governor's mansion in Florida is one of the key positions up for election.
Rep. Byron Donalds is favored to win the Republican nomination for Florida governor.
Donalds faces competition from Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and James, who founded an investment firm.
These primaries determine which candidates appear on the ballot in the November general election.
The article also mentions a federal trial related to a lawsuit against Meta involving addiction, but details are not provided.
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The vaccination rate for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine among U.S. kindergarteners dropped to 92.4% in the 2025-26 school year. At the same time, measles cases in 2026 have already exceeded the total number from all of 2025, mostly affecting unvaccinated children. The Trump administration announced plans to change the federal childhood vaccine schedule by reducing the number of shots and separating combined vaccines.
Key Facts
MMR vaccination coverage among kindergarteners fell to 92.4%, below the 95% level needed to prevent measles outbreaks.
Vaccine exemptions increased nationally to 4.2%, up from 3.6% the previous year.
41 states and Washington, D.C. saw increases in vaccine exemptions; 24 states had exemption rates above 5%.
About 155,000 kindergarteners were exempt from one or more vaccines in 2025-26.
Roughly 280,000 kindergarteners attended school without proof of MMR vaccination.
Measles cases reported in 2026 already total 2,566, surpassing 2,289 cases in 2025.
The Trump administration announced plans to review and revise childhood vaccination schedules, including splitting combined vaccines like MMR into separate visits.
Some public health experts warn that these changes may reduce vaccine effectiveness, while vaccine skeptics like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have unexpectedly urged MMR vaccination.
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Senator Mark Kelly criticized President Trump’s decision to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. Kelly said the president should understand the history behind these exercises to prioritize security properly.
Key Facts
President Trump ordered the Pentagon to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea.
Senator Mark Kelly responded by suggesting the president should learn more about the history of these exercises.
Kelly highlighted that he personally took part in the joint military exercises.
The exercises are part of the U.S. and South Korea’s efforts to maintain regional security.
Kelly’s comments were made on social media.
The discussion centers on the importance of military readiness against threats in the region.
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A woman from Kentucky, Melissa L. Farris, was accused of damaging the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. She was released from custody but must stay away from the memorial according to a court order.
Key Facts
Melissa L. Farris is 41 years old and from Kentucky.
She was accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial on the National Mall.
Charges against her include damage to U.S. government property and destruction of veterans' memorials.
A judge ordered her release from custody on Monday.
The court required her to stay away from the World War II Memorial after her release.
The incident involved harming a site that honors U.S. veterans from World War II.
The National Mall is a public park in Washington, D.C. where many monuments are located.
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An explosion happened at an industrial building in Toledo, Ohio, on Tuesday morning. Officials say two people are missing, but it is not yet known if anyone died.
Key Facts
The explosion took place at a facility on the south side of Toledo, Ohio.
The Toledo Fire and Rescue Department responded to the fire.
At least two people remain unaccounted for after the blast.
Authorities have not confirmed any deaths so far.
The situation is still developing and updates are expected.
Firefighters worked to control the fire following the explosion.
The exact cause of the explosion has not been released.
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When a person dies owing money, their estate is usually responsible for paying those debts before giving anything to heirs. Creditors may sometimes require the sale of a house in the estate to pay debts, but this depends on factors like the estate’s cash, the type of debt, how the property is owned, and state laws.
Key Facts
Debts do not automatically disappear after someone dies; the estate must pay them first.
The estate’s executor gathers assets, verifies debts, and pays creditors before heirs receive anything.
Family members usually do not have to use their own money to pay the deceased’s debts unless they co-signed.
If the estate has enough cash or liquid assets, selling the house may not be necessary.
Secured debts like a mortgage can force payment to keep the house.
How the house is owned (joint ownership or solely by the deceased) affects whether it must be sold.
State laws vary on creditor rights, probate rules, and home protections.
Special rules apply for Medicaid recovery on estates of older beneficiaries, with some protections for certain heirs.
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Voters in Florida and three other states took part in primary elections, where several candidates who identify as democratic socialists ran for office. These candidates aim to use recent national success to gain support in their races.
Key Facts
Primary elections were held in Florida and three other states.
Several democratic socialist candidates were on the ballot in Florida.
These candidates hope to build on recent nationwide gains.
Primary elections determine which candidates will represent their parties in the general election.
The races are seen as tests for democratic socialists to increase their political presence.
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Several important primary elections are happening today across the United States. CBS News reporter Fin Gómez highlights key races to watch as candidates compete to represent their parties in upcoming general elections.
Key Facts
Multiple primary elections are taking place in different states.
Primaries decide which candidates will run in the general election.
Voters choose candidates from their preferred political party.
These races could impact the balance of power in legislatures.
CBS News is providing coverage and analysis of these primaries.
The results will influence political strategies heading into the general election.
Primary elections often draw attention to local and national issues.
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ABC has sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) after the agency required the network to apply early to renew licenses for its eight local TV stations. ABC says the FCC is targeting it unfairly because of the network’s news coverage, which some conservative groups called politically biased.
Key Facts
ABC owns eight local television stations and had to apply early to renew their broadcast licenses.
The FCC, led by Brendan Carr, is reviewing ABC’s renewal requests and may hold a hearing.
ABC filed a lawsuit claiming the early renewal demand is retaliation for its news coverage.
Conservative groups like the Center for American Rights and the Media Research Center asked the FCC to deny ABC’s license renewals, citing political bias.
Former FCC officials from both parties warned that the FCC’s actions could send a “chilling message” to broadcasters.
ABC says the current administration has repeatedly attacked its news and viewpoints and now wants to remove its licenses because of that.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
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