Several major labor unions have sued President Donald Trump’s administration over changes to the federal student loan rules. They argue the new definition of “professional degree” limits access to borrowing for important public-service fields like education, social work, and public health, making graduate education less affordable.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed by a group of unions including AFSCME, AFT, National Nurses United, and AFL-CIO.
The dispute focuses on the administration’s narrower definition of “professional degree” for a higher $200,000 federal borrowing cap.
The new rules took effect on July 1 and set a $100,000 lifetime federal loan limit for most graduate students.
Only 11 programs qualify for the $200,000 cap, excluding many public-service fields’ master’s programs.
Critics say the rule could worsen staff shortages in education, social work, and public health by making loans less accessible.
A federal court has blocked the narrowed definition while the lawsuit moves forward.
The changes force some students to rely more on private loans, which cannot be forgiven under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
The unions argue the Education Department did not follow proper procedures and unfairly excluded key public-service degree programs.
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Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sideline reporter, won the Minnesota Republican Senate primary without the state party's endorsement. She will face Democrat Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan in the general election.
Key Facts
Michele Tafoya won the Minnesota GOP Senate primary on Tuesday.
The state Republican Party had endorsed Adam Schwarze, but Tafoya defeated him and Royce White.
Tafoya will face Democrat Peggy Flanagan in the general election.
Minnesota has not elected a Republican to statewide office since 2006.
Tafoya worked as an NFL sideline reporter for many years and retired in 2022.
She has won multiple Sports Emmy Awards and covered four Super Bowls.
Tafoya began her Senate campaign in January, criticizing Minnesota leadership and focusing on social services fraud.
Michele Tafoya is married to Mark Vandersall, a finance professional and former college baseball player.
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US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will soon use special gloves that can deliver electric shocks to assist in their law enforcement work. These gloves can deliver up to 380 volts, which is stronger than a normal US wall outlet.
Key Facts
ICE is planning to buy gloves called the Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter (GLOVE).
The gloves can deliver electric shocks of up to 380 volts.
This voltage is about three times higher than a standard US electrical outlet.
The purchase could cost up to $20 million.
Critics are concerned the gloves may increase harm to people and reduce accountability for ICE agents.
The gloves are part of ICE’s efforts during heightened tensions around immigration enforcement.
The issue has drawn public attention and debate about law enforcement tools and their impact.
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order to change the way childhood vaccines are given, aiming to space out shots into separate visits instead of the current schedule. This move goes against medical experts’ advice and has drawn political attention.
Key Facts
President Trump issued an order to reduce the number of vaccines given at one time to children.
The order calls for spacing out vaccinations rather than giving multiple shots together.
Medical groups do not support this change and say the current schedule is safe.
Trump has supported this idea for many years, despite expert disagreement.
The new policy has raised political questions about why the president is focusing on vaccines now.
The order affects vaccines like the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shot, suggesting it be split into three separate doses.
The administration had recently avoided changes to vaccine policy before this order.
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A federal lawsuit was filed against President Donald Trump for selling early access to his posts on the Truth Social platform, claiming this violates the First Amendment. The lawsuit says selling advance access to official presidential information for profit is unfair and unconstitutional.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of New York by Free Press groups including the Freedom of the Press Foundation and The Intercept.
It argues that President Trump is profiting by giving early access to his Truth Social posts, which contain government information.
The First Amendment guarantees equal access to the president’s public announcements, and charging for early access violates this right.
Truth Social's parent company offers a service called Truth API, selling early access to posts for up to $100,000 per month to customers.
President Trump owns a 41% stake in Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, held in a trust managed by one of his sons.
The White House has confirmed Truth Social posts are official statements from President Trump.
The Department of Justice rules say government employees cannot use their official information for personal gain.
Democrats and public watchdog groups have criticized the practice and called for investigations, including by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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An Army Apache helicopter crashed in a field near Fort Hood, Texas, killing both people on board. The crash caused a wildfire that led to the evacuation of several homes, and officials are investigating the cause.
Key Facts
The crash happened near Fort Hood, a large military base in Texas.
The helicopter involved was an AH-64 Apache, a type used by the Army.
Both people inside the helicopter died in the crash.
The crash started a wildfire that forced some local residents to leave their homes.
No homes or buildings were directly hit by the helicopter.
The cause of the crash is not yet known.
Fort Hood’s criminal investigation division is leading the crash investigation.
Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven said efforts are focused on securing the crash site and response support.
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Two people died in a military helicopter crash in central Texas near Salado. The helicopter was an AH-64 Apache from Fort Hood, and authorities are investigating the cause while managing the emergency response.
Key Facts
The crash happened around 1:33 PM local time in fields south of Salado, Texas.
Two people died at the scene of the crash.
The helicopter was a US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.
The helicopter was based at Fort Hood, a large US Army base nearby.
Police found a large fire at the crash site that was spreading quickly.
The US Army is conducting an investigation and focusing on securing the crash area.
Brigadier General Ethan Diven, acting commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, expressed support for the crew’s families.
Emergency teams continue to respond to the incident.
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Carlos Palazuelos was held by police for about eight hours in February during the investigation of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance but was not charged. His lawyer wants to see the secret evidence used for the search warrant that led to Palazuelos’ detention, while the sheriff says they had enough proof to get the warrant but won't reveal details.
Key Facts
Nancy Guthrie, 84, mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing.
Carlos Palazuelos, 36, was detained by Pima County Sheriff’s deputies in connection to the case.
Palazuelos was released after about eight hours and no charges were filed.
The search warrant and evidence used to detain Palazuelos remain sealed and have not been made public.
Palazuelos’ lawyer, Jesse Showalter, wants to see the warrant affidavit to understand why police targeted Palazuelos.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says investigators showed evidence to a judge to get the warrant but did not disclose what it was.
Palazuelos and family members filed a $3.25 million claim against Pima County for wrongful arrest and search.
The lawyer suspects the arrest may have been based on faulty technology like AI software or license plate cameras, but this is not confirmed.
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A student was injured in a shooting at Warner Robins High School in Georgia. The suspect was captured, and the school was secured while police investigated the incident.
Key Facts
The shooting happened on Wednesday afternoon at Warner Robins High School in Warner Robins, Georgia.
One student was hurt and taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Initial reports said two people were injured, but officials later confirmed only one.
The suspect was arrested and taken into custody by the Houston County Sheriff's Office.
The school was declared safe after deputies secured the campus.
Surrounding roads were closed, and residents were asked to avoid the area.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp thanked emergency responders for quickly handling the situation.
Warner Robins is located about 100 miles south of Atlanta in Central Georgia.
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Two people died when an Army Apache helicopter from Fort Hood crashed in a field in Salado, Texas. The crash happened around 2:30 p.m. and caused a wildfire nearby.
Key Facts
The helicopter was an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter based at Fort Hood.
Both people on board died at the crash site.
The helicopter crashed into a field, not hitting any homes or buildings.
The crash caused a wildfire that was still burning an hour later.
Fort Hood is near Killeen, Texas, about 70 miles north of Austin.
The Army is securing the crash site and supporting the response efforts.
No information has been released yet about the cause of the crash or the identities of the victims.
Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven confirmed the helicopter was based at Fort Hood and expressed concern for the crew and their families.
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A farm in Mexico connected to an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an illness caused by a parasite, has not been inspected by U.S. regulators since 2019. Experts warn that the lack of recent inspections raises concerns about food safety.
Key Facts
The farm grows lettuce linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak in the United States.
Cyclosporiasis is an illness caused by a parasite that can contaminate food.
U.S. regulators have not inspected this farm for about seven years.
The most recent inspection was in 2019.
Lack of inspections may increase the risk of unsafe food reaching consumers.
Dr. Kali Kniel from the University of Delaware discussed the issue on CBS News.
Regular farm inspections help prevent foodborne illnesses by ensuring hygiene and safety practices.
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The article covers key results from primary elections held on Tuesday in six states. It also reports that Karoline Leavitt is leaving her job as White House press secretary.
Key Facts
Primary elections took place in six states on Tuesday.
The article highlights important outcomes from these elections.
Karoline Leavitt is stepping down from her position as White House press secretary.
The news is part of the coverage by CBS News.
The information is presented in a segment called "The Takeout with Major Garrett."
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Rep. Ro Khanna defended his support for Francesca Hong, a Democratic candidate for governor in Wisconsin, after she lost in the primary election. He said some people unfairly judged her based on a few statements and acknowledged that Democrats can have different views on key issues.
Key Facts
Ro Khanna is a U.S. Representative from California.
He endorsed Francesca Hong in the Wisconsin Democratic governor race.
Francesca Hong lost in the Wisconsin primary election.
Khanna responded to criticism of his endorsement by saying some people misrepresented Hong.
He noted that Democrats have different opinions on topics like single-payer healthcare, free childcare, and pausing data center projects.
Khanna expressed appreciation for Democratic debates and differences on these issues.
The article focuses on political endorsements and internal discussions within the Democratic Party.
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Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed a new law allowing abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy, removing previous limits. This change makes Massachusetts’ abortion laws among the most permissive in the United States.
Key Facts
The law removes the restriction on abortions at or after 24 weeks of pregnancy in Massachusetts.
Governor Maura Healey, a Democrat, signed the bill into law on Monday.
The change broadens abortion access compared to many other states.
The decision reflects increased rights for abortion in Massachusetts.
Late-term abortion refers to abortions performed later in pregnancy, typically after 24 weeks.
The law aims to address situations involving serious health risks or fetal conditions.
Massachusetts now has one of the most expansive abortion policies in the country.
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Nick Reiner has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents. The charges now include a special detail called "lying in wait," which means the authorities believe he may have waited to attack them.
Key Facts
Nick Reiner is the son of Rob Reiner, a well-known Hollywood figure.
He has been indicted on two counts of first-degree murder.
The charges include a "lying in wait" special circumstance.
"Lying in wait" means waiting for a person to attack them unexpectedly.
The Los Angeles District Attorney made the indictment public on Wednesday.
This special circumstance can lead to harsher penalties if convicted.
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Texas paused all payments from a federal broadband funding program after accusations that the state gave special treatment to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service. Lawmakers called for an audit to check if the grant process was fair and transparent.
Key Facts
Texas Broadband Development Office stopped all payments from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
The pause began Monday and will continue until further notice.
Accusations claim favoritism toward Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet company.
The grant rules were changed days before awards, allowing satellite providers to get more upfront money than other companies.
The change came from Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office.
Lawmakers, including Senator Charles Schwertner and others, are demanding transparency and an audit of the broadband office.
Starlink is the largest low-Earth orbit satellite internet provider in Texas with over 12 million customers worldwide.
Some politicians suggested the grant process might involve corruption linked to state and federal officials and private companies.
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Republicans in Minnesota see a recent fraud scandal involving state government as an opportunity to improve their chances in upcoming elections. They have nominated candidates Michele Tafoya for U.S. Senate and Lisa Demuth for governor, both of whom beat more extreme rivals in the primaries. The GOP hopes to use the scandal to criticize Democrats and gain support in a state that has not elected a Republican governor or senator in 20 years.
Key Facts
It has been 20 years since a Republican won a statewide race in Minnesota.
A large fraud scandal involving stealing hundreds of millions of dollars intended for social programs has emerged in Minnesota’s government.
Michele Tafoya won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, and Lisa Demuth won the Republican primary for governor.
Both GOP candidates defeated rivals who were considered too extreme for Minnesota voters.
Republicans are mostly trying to defend narrow majorities in the state legislature but see this scandal as a chance to go on offense.
President Donald Trump is unpopular in Minnesota, which makes Republican gains challenging.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate and faces criticism related to the fraud scandal.
Minnesota’s legislature is closely divided between Democrats and Republicans, showing the state is competitive despite a Democratic winning streak.
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ICE plans to buy special gloves that give electric shocks to help officers control people who resist arrest. Several officials and civil rights groups criticized the plan, saying the gloves are cruel and could be misused. A lawsuit claims these gloves caused a man’s death in a jail after multiple shocks.
Key Facts
ICE wants to spend $10 million to $20 million on gloves that can deliver electric shocks.
The gloves look like regular patrol gloves but can shock a person when a button is pressed.
The shock must be applied directly to the skin and is meant to make people obey officers.
These gloves do not leave burns or marks like Tasers do.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said she is outraged and warned ICE officers about possible legal consequences if misused.
The gloves have mostly been used in jails, not frequently on the streets.
A 2024 lawsuit says a man died after being shocked many times with these gloves and a Taser in a Kentucky jail.
ICE’s parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, said it reviews all equipment to make sure it follows law enforcement rules.
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A military AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed near Salado, Texas, killing both people on board. The crash caused a grass fire, which led to evacuations nearby. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Key Facts
The helicopter crashed shortly after 1:30 p.m. near Salado, Texas.
Both crew members aboard the AH-64 Apache died at the crash site.
The crash started a large grass fire, prompting nearby residents to evacuate.
No homes or buildings were hit by the helicopter itself.
The helicopter was assigned to Fort Hood, a U.S. military base.
Officials are working to secure the crash site and investigate the cause.
Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven from Fort Hood expressed condolences and noted the investigation is ongoing.
The news was reported by local authorities and Fort Hood officials.
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A Texas court has ordered that a surrogate mother from Alaska must get medical treatment for a baby she is carrying. This decision came after the baby’s intended parents wanted an abortion because of health problems.
Key Facts
The case involves a surrogate named McKenna West from Alaska.
The baby she is carrying has health defects.
The intended parents requested an abortion due to these health issues.
A Texas court issued a temporary restraining order requiring medical care for the surrogate.
The order says McKenna West cannot refuse medical care or take the baby away from Dallas.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton got involved in the situation.
The legal action prevents the abortion and ensures treatment continues.
The case raises questions about surrogacy and medical decisions in Texas.
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