The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is starting a new $29 million program to help homeless veterans. The program will provide food, phones, rental help, hotel stays, and free transportation to eligible veterans starting in fiscal year 2027.
Key Facts
The VA will spend $11 million on goods and services and $18 million on transportation for homeless veterans.
The assistance is authorized under the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act.
Eligible veterans can get food, clothing, hygiene products, furniture, bedding, and short-term shelter like hotel stays.
Rental help can cover rent, utilities, deposits, moving costs, and storage, usually up to 10 months in two years.
Veterans may receive smartphones or tablets to help them stay in touch with service providers and family.
Transportation support includes public transit vouchers and rideshare trips for medical visits, housing searches, and other essential needs.
The program will not give cash directly to veterans; VA medical centers will buy goods and services instead.
Veterans must be homeless under the federal definition or be part of the HUD-VASH supportive housing program to qualify.
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A man in Louisiana, Tyronne Brazille, allegedly killed his wife, Lanessa Bradford, and then drove nearly 400 miles through several states with her body before he was arrested in Tennessee. He faces a second-degree murder charge in Louisiana and will attend an extradition hearing in Memphis.
Key Facts
The suspect, Tyronne Brazille, is 50 years old and from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
He allegedly shot his wife, Lanessa Bradford, also 50, during an argument in a Baton Rouge park.
Instead of calling the police, Brazille placed her body in the passenger seat and drove about five hours through Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee.
Memphis police stopped Brazille for a traffic violation and discovered Bradford dead with a gunshot wound.
Brazille was arrested as a fugitive and faces a second-degree murder charge in Louisiana.
Bradford worked at a school in Baton Rouge and had planned to leave Brazille due to difficulties in their marriage.
Brazille reportedly had mental health issues and had previously threatened harm to himself and his wife.
Intimate partner violence is a serious problem in Louisiana, with rates of women murdered by men higher than the national average.
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Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Department of Justice thinks Congress has already allowed President Trump to build the White House ballroom. Blanche stated that they do not need new approval from Congress because the existing authority is enough.
Key Facts
Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke about the White House ballroom project.
The Department of Justice believes Congress has already given permission for the ballroom construction.
They do not plan to seek additional approval from Congress.
The project is linked to President Donald Trump’s authority as president.
The statement was made publicly on a Sunday.
The ballroom construction is happening at the White House.
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The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, who admitted killing her three children in Massachusetts, has reached the defense phase after prosecutors finished their case. Clancy’s lawyer argues she was not responsible for the killings due to severe mental illness, including postpartum psychosis and bipolar disorder.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy has admitted to killing her three young children.
Prosecutors say she planned the killings by sending her husband out shortly before.
Clancy’s defense claims she suffered from postpartum psychosis, a mental illness linked to childbirth stress.
She also had bipolar disorder and medication effects that worsened her mental state.
Clancy had sought mental health treatment and was hospitalized but did not always take prescribed medications.
Doctors testified they saw no clear signs of psychosis or mania but noted suicidal thoughts.
Clancy’s husband testified about finding the children dead and shared a 911 call.
Clancy has not testified but showed strong emotions during the trial when evidence was presented.
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US gas prices in August reached their highest level ever for this month, with an average of $4.06 per gallon. This rise is linked to stalled peace talks between the US and Iran and increased tensions involving President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
The US national average gas price was $4.06 per gallon on Monday, $0.05 higher than last week and $1 higher than a year ago.
California and Hawaii saw average gas prices around $5.50 per gallon.
Energy prices rose after the US-Israel conflict with Iran began in February and the strategic Strait of Hormuz was blocked.
Brent crude oil peaked at $112 per barrel in March but has since fallen to about $85, still 30% higher than last year.
The US and Iran missed a 60-day deadline to resolve Iran’s nuclear issue, causing peace talks to stall.
President Trump threatened military action against Oman if it interferes in US-Iran relations; Oman is a key US partner and mediator.
The Joint Economic Committee reported Americans paid an extra $56.4 billion in gas costs over six months due to higher prices.
Major oil companies earned $90 billion in profits during the first full quarter of the conflict, roughly $700,000 per minute.
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A group of 15 U.S. senators requested information from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier's current mission. They raised concerns about low morale and mental health problems among the sailors on board.
Key Facts
15 U.S. senators sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on August 15.
The letter asks for explanations about the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group's deployment.
Reports indicate that morale on the ship is low.
There are concerns about a mental health crisis among the service members aboard the carrier.
The letter was signed by all 13 members of the Senate [committee or group not fully specified].
The senators want answers to ensure the well-being of the service members.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is an aircraft carrier strike group of the U.S. Navy.
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Fifteen senators have asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to explain the situation on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. They raised concerns about low morale and mental health problems among the ship’s crew during its current mission.
Key Facts
A group of 15 U.S. senators sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on August 15.
The letter requests answers about the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group.
Senators are concerned about low morale on the ship.
They also reported a mental health crisis among the service members aboard.
All thirteen members of an unnamed Senate group signed the letter.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is an aircraft carrier with a strike group, meaning it operates with several supporting ships.
The letter seeks information about the conditions affecting the crew during the ongoing mission.
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Alaska voters will choose candidates in a Senate primary that could affect control of the U.S. Senate. The main race is between Republican Senator Dan Sullivan and Democratic former Representative Mary Peltola, with Alaska’s unique voting system including a top-four primary and ranked-choice voting shaping the election.
Key Facts
Alaska’s Senate primary is on Tuesday and will decide which four candidates move to the November general election.
The race is closely watched because it may decide if Democrats or Republicans control the Senate.
Alaska uses a top-four primary system where all candidates appear on one ballot regardless of party.
In the general election, voters rank the candidates by preference and votes are transferred until someone wins a majority.
Senator Dan Sullivan, a Republican, has been in office since 2015.
Mary Peltola, a Democrat and former U.S. Representative, is considered a strong challenger and previously beat Kamala Harris’s 2024 vote share in Alaska.
Polls show a tight contest with Peltola slightly ahead in some surveys and Sullivan leading in others.
The voting system in Alaska was first used in 2022 and is different from most states with separate party primaries and simple majority voting.
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U.S. service members on the USS Abraham Lincoln are experiencing mental health challenges during a long deployment at sea. The deployment is noted as the longest one for this ship.
Key Facts
The USS Abraham Lincoln is a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.
Service members aboard are facing mental health difficulties.
The deployment is record-breaking in length for this ship.
Mental health issues among military personnel can include stress, anxiety, and depression.
The situation has raised questions about the wellbeing of sailors during extended sea missions.
CBS News national security analysts are reporting on this situation.
Extended deployments can put additional strain on service members and their families.
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Sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln are facing mental health challenges during a long deployment at sea. The ship is on a record-breaking mission, which may be contributing to these difficulties.
Key Facts
The USS Abraham Lincoln is a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier currently deployed at sea.
The deployment is the longest one the crew has experienced.
Many service members aboard are dealing with mental health problems.
Extended time away from home can affect the well-being of sailors.
Officials are paying attention to the situation to provide support.
The report comes from CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean.
Mental health on military ships is an important concern for the U.S. Navy.
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The Social Security Administration (SSA) will make monthly payments to tens of millions of recipients throughout September 2026. Payments start on September 1 for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients and continue on specific dates for other beneficiaries based on their birth date.
Key Facts
SSI payments begin on September 1, a day earlier than usual because August 1 was a weekend.
Social Security payments are spread out: on September 3 for early beneficiaries, September 9 for birthdays 1-10, September 16 for birthdays 11-20, and September 23 for birthdays 21-31.
If a payment is late, the SSA recommends waiting three working days before contacting them.
In July 2026, 71.3 million people received Social Security benefits with an average monthly amount of about $1,940.
Retired workers get the largest average payment of about $2,086 per month.
Approximately 7.3 million people received SSI in July 2026, with an average payment of $737 monthly.
The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to Social Security benefits will be announced in October 2026 and depends on inflation data from July to September.
Early estimates suggest the 2027 COLA may be around 3.5-3.6%, higher than the 2.8% increase for 2026.
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The US Supreme Court has refused again to review President Donald Trump’s appeal of a 2023 jury verdict that found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E Jean Carroll. This decision means the $5 million civil judgment against President Trump is final and cannot be challenged further in court.
Key Facts
In 2023, a jury found President Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming E Jean Carroll.
The Supreme Court denied his appeal without explanation in an unsigned order.
The $5 million jury award, plus interest, was deposited by President Trump and later paid to Carroll.
Earlier in 2024, a three-judge appeals court panel upheld the 2023 jury verdict.
Carroll filed a separate defamation suit against President Trump, resulting in an $83.3 million damages award in 2024.
President Trump’s legal team is appealing the $83.3 million defamation ruling to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has not yet decided on the appeal of the separate defamation case.
The White House did not comment on the recent Supreme Court decision.
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The US Supreme Court has for a second time refused President Donald Trump's request to overturn a federal jury verdict that found him responsible for sexually assaulting and defaming writer E Jean Carroll. Trump has denied the accusations and paid Carroll over $5 million in damages after the civil case.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court declined to reconsider Trump's attempt to overturn the civil case verdict.
A federal jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming E Jean Carroll.
Trump denies any wrongdoing and disagreed with how evidence was handled during the trial.
In July, Trump paid Carroll more than $5 million in damages for the sexual assault and defamation claims.
Carroll sued Trump over an alleged assault in a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s.
Trump called the claims a hoax on social media and continued to fight the case publicly.
Lawyers argued over allowing jurors to see 2005 Access Hollywood footage of Trump speaking crudely about women.
Trump is also challenging a separate defamation case involving an $83.3 million verdict, which the Supreme Court has not yet ruled on.
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Deadly storms have caused heavy rain, flooding, and deaths across the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions, especially in Indiana. Flood watches remain in several states, and officials warn of continued rain and possible flash flooding until a cold front moves weather off the East Coast.
Key Facts
Thunderstorms, heavy rain, and flash flooding have affected the Midwest to the mid-Atlantic.
At least seven people have died in Indiana due to the storms that began on August 11.
A 31-year-old cyclist died after falling into a hole caused by a washed-out road in Henry County, Indiana.
Flood watches are in effect in West Virginia, southeast Ohio, and northeast Kentucky through Monday evening.
Over 106,000 utility customers in Indiana were without power Monday morning, down from about 300,000 at the peak.
The National Weather Service expects more heavy rain and thunderstorms before a cold front clears the region on Tuesday.
Roads and bridges in Indiana have been seriously damaged or washed out due to flooding.
Severe storms have caused damage from Illinois to western Pennsylvania, with potential severe weather in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed nearly 14,000 cases of cyclospora infection in the United States this year. This is a significant increase compared to fewer than 2,000 cases reported last year.
Key Facts
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes intestinal illness.
The CDC tracks and confirms cases of cyclospora infections.
There have been almost 14,000 confirmed cases in the U.S. so far this year.
Last year, there were fewer than 2,000 cases in the entire year.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that many outbreaks have no confirmed source.
Cyclospora can cause symptoms like diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea.
The rise in cases indicates a growing public health concern related to food or water contamination.
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Some Democratic candidates in the 2026 midterm elections are openly sharing their faith to connect with voters, challenging the long-held belief that religious voters mainly support Republicans. These candidates say their faith shapes their values and politics as they compete in important races across states like Texas, Kansas, and Iowa.
Key Facts
Republicans have traditionally received strong support from voters motivated by religious beliefs since the 1980s.
Several Democrats this year are being open about their faith to appeal to religious voters.
James Talarico, a Democrat and seminarian in Texas, is running for Senate against Republican Ken Paxton.
Talarico emphasizes love and unity in politics rather than fear or division.
Rev. Adam Hamilton, a Methodist pastor, is running for U.S. Senate in Kansas.
Rob Sands, Iowa’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate, links his Lutheran faith to his political views.
Sarah Trone Garriott, a Democrat and ordained Lutheran minister, is running for Congress in Iowa.
Trone Garriott says her faith is an important part of her life, not just a campaign tool, and helps her connect with voters.
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Florida will hold primary elections on Tuesday, including a competitive Republican race to choose a new governor to replace Ron DeSantis. Several important elections in the state are drawing attention as candidates compete for various offices.
Key Facts
Florida’s primary elections take place on Tuesday.
A key race is the Republican primary for governor.
The election is to find a replacement for Governor Ron DeSantis.
Multiple important political races are happening in Florida.
These primaries will help decide who runs in the general elections later.
CBS News is covering the major races in Florida.
Jim DeFede from CBS News Miami provided analysis on these races.
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Attorney General Todd Blanche declined to promise that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would act independently from President Donald Trump and the White House. This breaks with a long tradition where the DOJ operates without political influence.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the Attorney General.
He refused to pledge that the DOJ would stay independent from President Trump and the White House.
The DOJ has usually worked independently of the president and political pressures for many years.
Maintaining independence means the DOJ can make decisions based on law, not politics.
Blanche’s refusal marks a change from past practice.
Media reported the refusal through CBS News.
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The U.S. Supreme Court refused to cancel a $5 million jury verdict against President Donald Trump. The verdict found that Trump sexually abused writer E. Jean Carroll and later made false statements about her.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court denied President Trump's request to overturn the $5 million jury verdict.
The jury found President Trump sexually abused E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s.
The case involves events that happened in a New York City department store.
The jury also determined that President Trump defamed Carroll by making false statements about her afterward.
This decision is part of ongoing legal proceedings involving President Trump and E. Jean Carroll.
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Retired Air Force Col. Cedric Leighton criticized President Trump’s decision to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. He warned this action might negatively affect the U.S. relationships with South Korea and Japan.
Key Facts
President Trump ordered the Pentagon to cut back joint military exercises with South Korea.
Retired Air Force Col. Cedric Leighton called this decision an “unforced error.”
Leighton said the reduction in exercises could harm the U.S. alliance with South Korea.
He also noted possible negative effects on the U.S.-Japan relationship.
South Korea is described as a key ally of the United States.
The joint military exercises are considered “critical” for defense cooperation.
The decision signals a change in current U.S. military policy in East Asia.
The discussion took place publicly on a Sunday.
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