Melissa Fleur Afshar began using heroin at age 12 and struggled with addiction for 26 years. After getting clean in 2017, she started peer support groups and a soap-making business to help others in recovery.
Key Facts
The author started heroin use at age 12 while in school.
She experienced homelessness, jail, and hospital stays during 16 years of addiction.
In 2017, at age 36, she joined a 12-step recovery program led by former addicts.
She began working as a volunteer, helping the community and other addicts in Leeds, England.
She founded "Getting Clean," a Community Interest Company focused on recovery support and community projects.
The soap brand "Getting Clean" employs nine people who are in addiction recovery.
Over 300,000 people in England are addicted to heroin and crack cocaine, linked to many thefts and robberies.
In the U.S., nearly 48 million Americans aged 12 and older used illegal drugs in 2023.
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Senator Bill Cassidy criticized President Donald Trump’s statement that the combined MMR vaccine could be harmful and his plan to replace it with three separate vaccines. Cassidy said these claims are wrong and could cause more problems for parents and health insurers.
Key Facts
Senator Bill Cassidy, a medical doctor, called Trump’s claims about the MMR vaccine “crazy” and “stupid.”
President Trump wants to replace the two doses of the combined MMR vaccine with six separate vaccine shots.
Cassidy explained this change would mean more doctor visits and higher insurance costs for families.
Cassidy lost his re-election after opposing some of President Trump’s actions, including voting to convict Trump in 2021.
Cassidy voted to confirm Robert F. Kennedy as federal health secretary, despite Kennedy’s anti-vaccine views.
The CDC website was changed under Kennedy’s leadership to cast doubt on the statement that vaccines do not cause autism.
New CDC text suggests there is no clear evidence either proving or ruling out a vaccine-autism link, which contradicts decades of scientific research.
Cassidy said Trump’s comments will not help address false claims about vaccines causing autism.
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Attorney General Todd Blanche said he does not promise the Justice Department will always act separately from President Donald Trump. He added that President Trump has not asked him to target specific people for prosecution.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the Attorney General.
Blanche did not pledge that the Justice Department will always act independently from the White House.
He said President Trump has not requested prosecutions against specific individuals.
The discussion took place during an interview on Sunday.
Blanche distinguished between doing their job and guaranteeing total independence from the White House.
Blanche’s comments address concerns about the separation between the Justice Department and presidential influence.
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Attorney General Todd Blanche said he would consider President Donald Trump's views when deciding on prosecutions and did not promise the Justice Department (DOJ) would always act independently from the White House. Blanche explained that as head of the executive branch, President Trump has a role in DOJ decisions.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche, the new U.S. Attorney General, said he would consider President Trump's opinions on individual criminal cases.
Blanche refused to promise that the DOJ would always act without influence from the White House.
He said the president, as the elected leader, naturally has input on DOJ decisions.
President Trump has publicly named people he wants prosecuted, such as James Comey and Letitia James.
The DOJ has filed charges against some of these targets, though some cases were dismissed by judges.
Blanche noted that Trump expects disagreement and that he (Blanche) is willing to oppose Trump on legal issues.
Blanche was confirmed by the Senate just before these interviews and previously warmed up a Trump event supporting Republican candidates.
Blanche has previously said the DOJ is part of the executive branch, which is headed by the president, meaning Trump controls DOJ policy direction.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he does not support the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) agenda. This comes as democratic socialists and left-leaning candidates have been winning primaries recently.
Key Facts
Hakeem Jeffries is the House Minority Leader and a Democrat from New York.
He publicly stated on Sunday that he does not back the DSA's agenda.
The DSA stands for Democratic Socialists of America, a political group with progressive ideas.
Democratic socialists and other left-leaning candidates have won several primary elections in recent months.
Jeffries’s position contrasts with the growing influence of the DSA within the Democratic Party.
The statement reflects ongoing debates about the direction of the Democratic Party.
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Heavy storms and flooding in Indiana since August 11 have caused at least six deaths and widespread damage. Floodwaters peaked in Indianapolis, leading to evacuations, rescues, and ongoing recovery efforts as rains begin to ease in parts of the state.
Key Facts
At least six people died due to storms and flooding in Indiana, including a 4-year-old boy, two men, and three women.
The boy was killed when a tree fell through his bedroom during strong winds in Jennings County.
A 19-year-old man died after jumping into a swollen river, and a 58-year-old woman was found after her car was swept away on a flooded road.
Floodwaters peaked early Sunday in Indianapolis along the White River, causing many home evacuations and rescue operations.
Hundreds of homes were evacuated, and boats were used to rescue those trapped by rising water.
Nearly 130,000 utility customers were without power as of midday Sunday, down from about 300,000 at the peak.
The White River reached its highest levels since 1913 in some communities.
Emergency officials warned about ongoing risks of flash flooding and urged residents to avoid fast-moving water.
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Doug Jones, a Democratic candidate for governor in Alabama, said on Sunday that Republicans are incorrectly calling many Democratic nominees "socialists" or "communists." He explained that these labels are used to scare people but do not reflect the actual views of most Democrats.
Key Facts
Doug Jones is running for governor in Alabama as a Democrat.
He spoke during an interview on the show “The Hill Sunday.”
Republicans have been calling many left-wing Democrats “socialists” or “communists.”
Jones said these terms are meant to scare voters but are not accurate descriptions.
He described these claims as a tactic Republicans use to raise fear among their supporters.
Jones emphasized that many Democratic candidates are not far-left but hold more moderate views.
This discussion relates to recent Democratic primary elections where left-wing candidates won.
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A shooting at Virginia State University early Saturday left five people injured. Police have arrested a 19-year-old suspect but are still looking for others who fired guns during the incident.
Key Facts
The shooting happened around 1:30 a.m. near campus dormitories at Virginia State University.
Five people were wounded; their ages range from 17 to 23 years old.
Only one victim was a student; the others were not university students.
A 19-year-old named Camron Harris was arrested in a dorm closet more than 14 hours after the shooting.
Harris faces charges including malicious wounding and using a firearm during a felony.
Police are investigating whether others who fired guns acted in self-defense or as attackers.
The university briefly locked down campus but lifted it once they deemed no immediate threat remained.
Virginia State University is a historically Black public university with about 5,700 students near Richmond, Virginia.
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CBS News aired a segment on the program Face the Nation featuring Anthony Salvanto, who directs elections and surveys at CBS News, Pennsylvania state Representative Chris Rabb, and a political discussion panel. They joined the host Ed O'Keefe to talk about political topics and election-related issues.
Key Facts
The show Face the Nation is a CBS News program.
Anthony Salvanto is the executive director of elections and surveys at CBS News.
Pennsylvania state Representative Chris Rabb participated in the discussion.
A political panel also joined the conversation.
Ed O'Keefe hosted the segment.
The discussion covered political topics and elections.
Viewers could watch a replay on the CBS News app.
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A study of over 35,000 Americans over age 50 found that long-term exposure to extreme heat and cold affects chronic pain levels differently depending on location and income. Rural and low-income older adults are more likely to experience severe pain from heat because they may have less access to cooling and healthcare.
Key Facts
The study followed adults over 50 across two decades, comparing their pain reports with neighborhood temperature histories.
High-impact chronic pain means pain lasting at least three months that limits daily activities like work or self-care.
Cold can increase pain by stiffening joints and making people more sensitive to pain.
Heat causes dehydration, poor sleep, and less physical activity, which can worsen pain.
Hot nights that do not cool down are especially harmful because the body cannot recover.
Rural residents showed a stronger link between sustained heat and new chronic pain, likely due to more outdoor work and older, less cool homes.
Poorer older adults also faced higher risks of pain from heat, while wealthier individuals had less risk due to better access to air conditioning and healthcare.
Current heat safety programs mostly focus on cities and may not address rural needs where energy costs are higher and hospitals are closing.
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The CBS News program "Face the Nation" discussed divisions within the Democratic Party over socialism and how President Trump addresses voters' concerns about the economy. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear spoke about Americans' struggles with high costs and the need for results, while comments from President Trump warned against socialism and communism in the U.S.
Key Facts
"Face the Nation" featured guests including Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon, and Pennsylvania Democrat Chris Rabb.
A CBS News poll found 58% of Democrats view socialism positively, while only 32% view capitalism positively.
Many Americans say the economy feels unfair, with 60% agreeing the system is unfair and 73% saying the wealth gap is growing.
Governor Beshear said people face high prices for groceries, gas, and healthcare and want better economic opportunities.
Beshear stated socialism is a failed idea but emphasized the need for the Democratic Party to deliver concrete results for voters.
President Trump stated that opponents want to turn America into a communist country and criticized socialism as harmful.
The discussion reflects debates over the future direction of the Democratic Party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Economic worries remain a top issue for many voters as parties prepare for national elections.
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Senator Bill Cassidy said that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. broke his promise not to change the childhood vaccine schedule. Cassidy spoke about President Trump’s recent order that aims to modify this vaccine schedule.
Key Facts
Senator Bill Cassidy represents Louisiana and is a member of the Republican Party.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the current Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy had promised not to try to change the vaccine schedule for children.
Cassidy claims that Kennedy did not keep this promise.
President Trump signed an executive order to change the childhood vaccine schedule.
Cassidy discussed these issues during an interview on ABC News’s show “This Week.”
The vaccine schedule refers to the recommended timing and doses for children's vaccinations.
The disagreement highlights tensions within the current U.S. government about vaccine policies.
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Rep. Haley Stevens said it makes sense for Abdul El-Sayed to stop his connection with Twitch streamer Hasan Piker. The comment came during a Fox News interview about El-Sayed’s political affiliations and views.
Key Facts
Haley Stevens is a Democratic U.S. Representative from Michigan.
Abdul El-Sayed ran against Stevens in a Michigan Senate race.
El-Sayed is known as a progressive politician.
Hasan Piker is a popular left-wing streamer on the Twitch platform.
Stevens suggested El-Sayed should end his affiliation with Piker.
The interview took place on Fox News’s program “The Sunday Briefing.”
The topic included whether El-Sayed should change his political views or approaches.
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Heavy storms and flooding in Indiana have caused at least seven deaths and widespread damage. Floodwaters have started to go down in Indianapolis and other parts of the state, and rescue efforts continue.
Key Facts
At least seven people died due to storms and flooding that began on August 11, 2026.
Victims include a 4-year-old boy, three men, and three women.
One man died after falling into a collapsed road in Henry County.
A child was killed when a tree fell through his bedroom in Jennings County.
Another victim drowned after jumping into a swollen river in Delaware County.
A woman and her dog were found dead after their car was swept away by floodwaters.
Flooding peaked early Sunday in Indianapolis but has since receded.
Emergency shelters are open and rescue boats have been used to help stranded people.
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A 19-year-old man was arrested after a shooting at Virginia State University. He was found hiding in a closet following the incident where five people were shot.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at Virginia State University.
Five people were injured in the shooting.
The suspect is 19 years old.
Authorities found the suspect hiding in a closet.
The suspect was arrested after being located.
The event took place on a university campus.
Police responded quickly to the incident.
The investigation is ongoing.
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Senator Bill Cassidy expressed concerns about President Donald Trump’s new executive order that changes the childhood vaccine plan. Cassidy warned that the order could cause insurance costs to rise because it increases the number of vaccine shots children need.
Key Facts
President Trump issued an executive order to change the childhood vaccine schedule.
The new vaccine plan requires more shots for children, increasing from two to six in one example.
Senator Bill Cassidy voiced concerns about this change on ABC’s “This Week.”
Cassidy said the increased number of vaccine shots could lead to higher insurance costs.
The discussion focused on how the vaccine order might affect families and healthcare expenses.
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California Democrats changed the boundaries of Rep. Kevin Kiley’s congressional district, splitting it into parts that favor Democrats. This means some voters, like Anne Smull, who supported Kiley before, now live in districts represented by Democrats.
Key Facts
Rep. Kevin Kiley is a conservative congressman representing part of California.
California Democrats redrew Kiley’s district into six smaller areas.
The redistricting is seen as a response to Republicans redrawing districts in Texas and other states.
Anne Smull, a conservative voter, was affected because her area is now in a mostly Democratic district.
This change makes it harder for Kiley to win votes in his area.
Redistricting is the process of redrawing voting district boundaries, usually after the census.
The new district with Anne Smull is centered in California’s wine country and leans Democratic.
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Representative Mike Flood from Nebraska said on a TV show that prices are too high. He mentioned that many people in his area are worried about rising costs. Flood linked these price problems to the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and Iran.
Key Facts
Rep. Mike Flood is a Republican from Nebraska.
He spoke about high prices on “The Hill Sunday” TV program.
Flood said high prices are an issue many of his constituents talk about.
He described high prices as “the hand you’re dealt” because of conflict with Iran.
The Trump administration is involved in a conflict with Iran.
Flood appeared with host Chris Stirewalt during the interview.
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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear asked Senator Mitch McConnell to give a public update on his health. McConnell has not shared details about his condition since his fall and hospitalization two months ago, despite questions from the public and political leaders.
Key Facts
Mitch McConnell, 84, has been absent from the Senate after a fall at his home and a long hospital stay.
McConnell announced in February 2025 that he planned to retire.
His health has been a concern due to multiple past medical issues, including falls.
Republican leaders John Thune and John Barrasso said they had recent phone calls with McConnell and that he is engaged in Senate work.
On August 6, McConnell’s office said he was discharged from rehab to continue recovery at home with physical therapy.
Governor Beshear said McConnell should communicate directly with Kentuckians about his condition but has not done so.
Beshear also urged Senate leadership to confirm that all senators are fit to perform their duties.
McConnell’s health and absence are significant because the Senate has a slim GOP majority, affecting legislative decisions.
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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the U.S. government is broken and needs serious changes. He mentioned that one change should be to get rid of the Electoral College, the system used to elect the president and vice president.
Key Facts
Andy Beshear is the governor of Kentucky.
He is also the head of the Democratic Governors Association.
Beshear said many Americans believe the government is not working well.
He called for fixing the government, including changes in how presidents and vice presidents are elected.
He suggested abolishing the Electoral College system.
The Electoral College is the current method used to choose the president and vice president in the U.S.
Beshear made these comments during an interview on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."
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