Senator Maggie Hassan is asking the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for information about an investigation into Corey Lewandowski, a former DHS official accused of corruption and poor management. She sent a letter to the new DHS official in charge of management, requesting updates and documents related to the investigation.
Key Facts
Senator Maggie Hassan represents New Hampshire and is a Democrat.
DHS is investigating Corey Lewandowski, a former official at the department.
Lewandowski faces accusations of corruption and mismanagement.
Hassan wrote a letter on Tuesday to Brian Cavanaugh, the new DHS Under Secretary for Management.
The senator wants interim results and other records from the DHS review.
Brian Cavanaugh was recently confirmed for his position at DHS.
The investigation details and findings have not yet been fully shared publicly.
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A new poll shows Republican Bruce Blakeman is gaining ground on Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul in the New York governor race. Hochul leads Blakeman by 10 points, but this is a smaller lead compared to earlier polls this year.
Key Facts
The poll was conducted by Siena University with 811 likely voters from August 3-6, 2026.
Hochul currently has 49% support; Blakeman has 39%.
Earlier polls showed Hochul with larger leads: 20 points in June, 16 points in April, and 13 points in March.
New York has traditionally been a Democratic state, but recent elections show smaller Democratic margins.
Other Democrats in state races hold larger leads than Hochul according to the poll.
Political experts say Hochul’s lead is still comfortable and her chances of winning in November remain strong.
Blakeman claims the race is close and criticizes Hochul’s record on taxes, electricity bills, and crime.
Another poll from late June to early July showed Hochul leading by 6 points with 12% undecided voters.
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Several longtime Democratic lawmakers lost their primary elections this year, showing that voters want younger and more progressive leaders in the party. These changes come as the Democrats debate who should lead the party’s future after President Joe Biden decided not to run again.
Key Facts
John Larson, a 78-year-old Democrat from Connecticut, lost his primary to 47-year-old Luke Bronin.
Larson was one of seven House Democrats to lose primary races in 2024, tying a record from 2012.
Many incumbents defeated are older, with several challengers younger and from the party’s progressive wing.
Some losses follow redrawing of congressional districts in Texas, which favored Republicans.
Concerns about Larson’s age and health increased after a seizure he had during a speech.
Challenger Luke Bronin campaigned on the need for a "generational change" in the Democratic Party.
Progressive candidates also ousted incumbents in New York, including Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old democratic socialist.
Some older Democrats, like Ed Case and Brad Sherman, won their primary challenges and stayed in office.
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Tennessee plans to execute Darrell Hines despite problems during a recent lethal injection that lasted over an hour and was stopped. Lawyers for Hines say he could face a painful execution like another inmate who suffered a failed attempt in May. The case raises questions about the secrecy and methods used in Tennessee’s death penalty procedures.
Key Facts
Darrell Hines is set to be executed on Thursday for a 1985 murder conviction.
A previous execution attempt of Tony Carruthers in May was botched and stopped after more than an hour.
Carruthers’ execution failed because medical staff could not properly place the IV lines to give the lethal drugs.
Hines has health problems, including muscle loss and paralysis, making IV placement difficult.
Tennessee keeps the names of execution officials secret, but one doctor involved in past executions was publicly identified.
The doctor, Mark Fowler, has not recently performed the necessary medical procedure for executions.
Tennessee’s supreme court recently refused to force the state to confirm if Fowler will participate in Hines’s execution.
There is criticism over the management of the state’s corrections department, which runs executions.
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Senate Democrats urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to increase efforts to free American citizens held in Russia. This call came after Russia released Robert Gilman, a U.S. citizen, who had been detained for over four years.
Key Facts
Senate Democrats are worried about Americans still detained in Russia.
Robert Gilman, a U.S. citizen, was released by Russia after four and a half years in detention.
Democrats sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio asking for stronger action.
The letter suggests current efforts by the Trump administration may not be enough.
The issue concerns U.S. government efforts to rescue detained citizens abroad.
Marco Rubio is the U.S. Secretary of State responsible for foreign affairs.
Detentions in Russia affect multiple American citizens, not just Gilman.
The Democrats want the administration to work harder on this diplomatic matter.
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Democratic voters in recent primary elections are showing a strong desire for change rather than a clear choice between left-wing and centrist ideas. Several long-time or established politicians lost their primaries to newer candidates promising different approaches, but no single party direction has emerged.
Key Facts
Progressive candidates won important Senate primaries in Michigan and Minnesota, defeating incumbents supported by party leaders.
Wisconsin voters narrowly rejected a democratic socialist candidate but chose a younger, moderate candidate for governor.
In Connecticut, a long-serving Democratic representative was defeated by a challenger focused on generational change.
The election results show voters want turnover and new leadership across different parts of the Democratic Party.
David Crowley, who won Wisconsin’s gubernatorial primary, had dropped out then re-entered the race and was supported by outgoing Governor Tony Evers.
Francesca Hong, the progressive candidate for Wisconsin governor, lost partly due to controversial past statements and lack of endorsement from major progressive figures.
The Democrats face the challenge of channeling voter frustration into unity against Republicans in the November general elections.
This year’s primaries highlight ongoing debates about the future direction of the Democratic Party ahead of the 2028 presidential race.
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The Patriot Games took place in Ohio as a sports competition for young Americans to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary. The events included simple games like catching tennis balls and tug-of-war, and 120 teenagers competed for college scholarships, while President Trump attended the finale with a large show.
Key Facts
The Patriot Games were held in Ohio to honor America's 250th anniversary.
The competition involved 120 participants aged 14 to 17, two from each state and some territories.
Events included catching tennis balls, hitting balls off sticks, serving volleyballs, tug-of-war, and a basketball shooting game called "victory hoops."
The total prize for college scholarships was $250,000, split evenly between the top male and female competitors.
The games were hosted by ESPN and intended to celebrate American values and athletic skill.
President Donald Trump attended the final event, which featured a large entrance with music and fireworks.
The White House described the games as part of a series of 250th anniversary celebrations under Trump's leadership.
The cost of organizing the games was not disclosed by officials.
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Mike Lindell, a supporter of President Donald Trump, lost the Republican race for governor in Minnesota by a large margin but refuses to accept the result. Lisa Demuth won the primary and will compete against Democrat Amy Klobuchar in the November election.
Key Facts
Lisa Demuth won the Republican primary for Minnesota governor with about 43.4% of the vote.
Mike Lindell, backed by President Trump, got around 32.5% and has not conceded defeat.
The Associated Press called the race for Demuth after almost all votes were counted.
Lindell claims many votes remain uncounted and questions the AP’s authority to declare a winner.
Lindell has a history of spreading false claims that the 2020 election was rigged.
He recently settled a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit linked to those claims.
Lindell faced questions about his eligibility because he wasn’t registered to vote in Minnesota for weeks.
Demuth is the first woman to win the Minnesota Republican nomination for governor and will face Amy Klobuchar in November.
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Top officials from President Donald Trump’s administration are going to Iowa to support Republican candidates in upcoming elections. They will be present during the Iowa State Fair, a key event for campaigning ahead of hotly contested races.
Key Facts
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and other senior officials will help GOP candidates in Iowa.
The Iowa State Fair runs from August 17 to August 23 and is an important time for political campaigning.
Republicans facing tough races include Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Rep. Zach Nunn, and Rep. Ashley Hinson.
It is unclear what specific campaign activities these officials will do, as rules limit political actions by government employees.
Other GOP leaders like House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and the Republican National Committee head are also visiting Iowa.
These efforts come ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The visits aim to boost the campaigns of Republican candidates in critical Iowa districts and the U.S. Senate race.
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The trial of Lindsay Clancy focuses on the medications she was given before she killed her three children in 2023. Clancy had told a mental health worker she was having new disturbing thoughts and felt hopeless while also worrying about becoming addicted to her medicines.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy killed her three young children in 2023.
Before the incident, she sent messages to a caregiver describing "intrusive thoughts" and hopeless feelings.
She also expressed concern about becoming addicted to some prescribed medications.
A psychiatric nurse practitioner, Rebecca Jollotta, testified about their message exchanges.
These messages were sent through a patient portal in late November and December 2022.
Clancy reported trouble sleeping and symptoms of depression during this time.
She was trying to find the right combination of medications to help her mental health.
The condition called postpartum psychosis is part of the trial’s discussion.
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Darline Graham and Ralph Norman will compete in a runoff election for Senator Lindsey Graham's seat. In Wisconsin, moderate candidate David Crowley won the governor's primary against progressive Francesca Hong.
Key Facts
Darline Graham and Ralph Norman are moving to a runoff election for Senator Lindsey Graham’s seat.
Senator Lindsey Graham’s seat is currently contested in the primary race.
David Crowley, described as a moderate, won the Wisconsin governor’s primary.
Francesca Hong, known as a progressive candidate, lost the Wisconsin governor’s primary to Crowley.
These results were reported and projected by CBS News.
The races took place in the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The coverage was provided by CBS News correspondent Jonah Kaplan.
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An apprenticeship is a paid job combined with training that leads to a recognized qualification. Apprenticeships are available in many industries and pay varies by age and experience, with government efforts to increase access and opportunities for young people.
Key Facts
Apprenticeships mix working with study to earn qualifications.
Employers pay apprentices for work hours, with different minimum wage rates based on age and apprenticeship year.
Pay rates include £8 per hour for under 19 or first-year apprentices, £10.85 for ages 19-20, and £12.71 for those 21 and older.
Apprenticeships cover many fields like business, engineering, healthcare, and digital sectors.
There are multiple levels of apprenticeships, from intermediate (GCSE level) to degree level (bachelor’s or master’s).
Hundreds of thousands participate yearly in England, including school leavers and adults changing careers.
The government has introduced policies to increase apprenticeship numbers amid concerns about falling participation.
Apprentices can find openings via employer websites or official government apprenticeship portals.
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New estimates suggest that Social Security benefits will increase by about 3.5% to 3.6% in 2027, which is a smaller rise than previously expected. This adjustment is meant to help benefits keep up with inflation, but it is based on past price changes and the exact amount will be confirmed in October.
Key Facts
The 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is now projected between 3.5% and 3.6%.
Previous forecasts predicted a higher increase of around 3.8%.
The projections are based on July Consumer Price Index (CPI) data showing inflation easing to 3.4%.
An average retired worker currently receives $2,071 per month in Social Security benefits.
A 3.6% increase would raise this average benefit by about $75 monthly, to roughly $2,146 in 2027.
The official COLA for 2027 will be announced on October 14, after the release of August and September inflation data.
COLA adjustments are designed to help benefits keep pace with inflation but may lag behind actual rising costs.
In 2026, the COLA was 2.8%, but inflation has been higher than that since March, causing concerns among seniors.
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An Alaskan surrogate mother, McKenna West, is in a legal battle with a Californian couple who want her to abort their unborn baby after doctors found the baby has hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a serious heart defect. West has traveled to Texas seeking legal protection because doctors in Alaska refused to perform a high-risk, late-term abortion.
Key Facts
McKenna West, an Alaskan nurse and surrogate mother, became pregnant with a baby for a Californian couple through a surrogacy agency.
At 20 weeks pregnant, an anatomy scan showed the baby had hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a severe congenital heart defect.
HLHS is a condition where the left side of the heart doesn’t form properly, causing major blood flow problems.
Babies with HLHS need several complicated surgeries soon after birth to survive but the condition is not curable and may cause lifelong health issues.
The Californian couple asked West to have an abortion based on their surrogacy agreement, which includes an “abortion-upon-demand clause.”
Doctors in Alaska refused to perform the late-term abortion because it is high risk.
West went to Texas to seek legal protection as the case involves laws from multiple states.
About 925 babies in the U.S. are born with HLHS each year, but the causes are not fully understood.
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Sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln have faced very difficult conditions during an extended deployment related to the war with Iran. Reports say some crew members tried to jump overboard due to stress and poor living conditions, while families and government officials have raised concerns about their mental health and basic needs.
Key Facts
The USS Abraham Lincoln's crew has been deployed at sea for nine months, with 250 days in a row without going ashore.
There are more than 5,000 sailors and marines aboard this aircraft carrier.
Multiple sailors have attempted to jump overboard because of mental stress and burnout.
Families held a town hall meeting in San Diego to express concern over the sailors’ mental health and living conditions.
Reported poor living conditions include moldy showers, broken toilets, no hot water, and limited food options.
The deployment was extended due to the US-Israel conflict involving Iran, originally planned to last until May but continuing into the summer.
Some lawmakers criticized the defense secretary for dismissing these serious concerns.
Studies show deployed sailors often face loud noises, little rest, and poor mental and physical healthcare.
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New York City is investigating four companies that run prediction markets because of concerns about misleading advertising. These companies let people bet on events like sports and elections, and the city is reviewing whether their marketing is honest, especially toward young people.
Key Facts
New York City Council is investigating Gemini Titan, Kalshi, Polymarket, and Coinbase for deceptive advertising.
These companies offer prediction markets where users can bet on various events including sports and politics.
The investigation focuses on whether these companies use misleading marketing tactics, especially targeting young adults.
This comes after a report showed Polymarket paid online creators to make videos that exaggerated earnings from trades.
New York Attorney General Letitia James has sued Coinbase, Gemini Titan, and Kalshi for running illegal gambling operations.
The federal agency CFTC, which regulates futures and derivatives, is suing to prevent states from imposing stricter rules on prediction markets.
There is legal uncertainty about whether the CFTC’s rules apply to sports betting, which is a major part of these markets.
Polymarket has said it will audit its promotional materials and cooperate with the investigation.
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The Social Security Administration (SSA) has added 14 new serious medical conditions to its Compassionate Allowances list. This program helps people with severe illnesses get faster decisions on their disability benefit claims.
Key Facts
The update was announced by SSA on August 11.
The Compassionate Allowances program speeds up disability claims for people with severe conditions.
There are now 314 conditions on the Compassionate Allowances list.
More than 1.2 million people have benefited from this fast-track process so far.
The 14 new conditions include rare genetic disorders, aggressive cancers, and severe epilepsy.
Many of the new conditions start in infancy or childhood and cause major health problems.
Examples include Adenylosuccinate Lyase Deficiency, Aicardi Syndrome, and Primary Cardiac Sarcoma.
The SSA aims to reduce delays and improve support for people with life-changing illnesses.
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Four original copies of important American founding documents are kept in the United Kingdom. Three of these copies were taken from the United States without permission.
Key Facts
The UK holds four original copies of key American founding documents.
Three of these copies were removed from the U.S. without agreement.
These documents are part of America’s historical heritage.
The article calls for these documents to be returned to the U.S.
The documents are important symbols of American history and government.
Their presence in the UK is not widely known.
Recovering them would reunite important parts of American history in the U.S.
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Voters in six Midwestern states in the U.S. took part in primary and special elections to choose candidates for the November midterm elections. In Wisconsin, David Crowley won the Democratic race for governor narrowly, and Darline Graham reached a runoff in the Republican Senate primary.
Key Facts
Elections were held in six states in the U.S. Midwest.
These were primary and special elections to pick candidates for the November midterms.
David Crowley, a moderate Democrat, narrowly defeated Francesca Hong, a Democratic socialist, in Wisconsin’s governor race.
Darline Graham, sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, advanced to a runoff in the Republican Senate primary.
The news was reported by Yuka Royer.
The primaries are important for shaping key races in the upcoming November midterm elections.
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The FDA says people can safely eat fresh fruits and vegetables again after an outbreak of cyclospora, a parasite, linked to iceberg lettuce. The agency confirmed that the contaminated lettuce has been removed from stores in over a dozen states.
Key Facts
Cyclospora is a parasite that can cause foodborne illness.
An outbreak was linked to iceberg lettuce sold in more than twelve U.S. states.
The FDA acted to remove the affected lettuce from the market.
The FDA encourages people to continue eating fresh produce, saying it is safe.
FDA Acting Commissioner Kyle cited the U.S. food supply as the safest worldwide.
The agency’s actions aim to prevent further cyclospora infections.
The FDA is monitoring the situation to protect public health.
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