Alex Murdaugh's retrial hearing revealed new issues that could change the state's case, including questions about forensic evidence, police conduct, jury selection, and other legal matters. The hearing came after the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Murdaugh's previous convictions due to problems with the jury.
Key Facts
Alex Murdaugh was convicted in 2023 for killing his wife and son, but the convictions were overturned in 2026.
The retrial will address concerns about ballistics evidence, including a possible link to another recent murder.
The judge will privately review files of two law enforcement agents involved in the case to check for any misconduct.
Increased oversight of jury selection will occur after previous jury interference issues.
Murdaugh has also pleaded guilty to stealing millions from clients and is serving prison time for those crimes.
The defense claims recent evidence may challenge key forensic findings used in the first trial.
The prosecution says they were unaware of the new ballistic claims and will investigate.
The judge personally reviewing law enforcement conduct shows the importance of credibility in the retrial.
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A South Carolina judge has ruled that Alex Murdaugh’s retrial for murdering his wife and son cannot happen in the county where his first trial was held due to concerns about fairness. The new trial date is set for April 2027, but the exact location has not yet been decided.
Key Facts
The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Murdaugh’s original murder convictions because of jury tampering by a court clerk.
Judge Debra McCaslin decided Murdaugh cannot have a fair retrial in Colleton County or anywhere in the 14th Circuit.
The retrial is scheduled to begin on April 5, 2027.
Murdaugh’s defense wants the trial held in Charleston, but prosecutors say that would be too expensive for the state.
The judge allowed prosecutors to use Murdaugh’s testimony from the first trial in the new trial.
The defense is not allowed to use Murdaugh’s polygraph test at trial.
If the defense wants to use data from Murdaugh’s phone, they must share it with prosecutors first.
Both sides will work together on jury selection, and the judge will supervise the process closely.
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A woman named Melissa Farris was arrested and charged with damaging the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. This comes after President Donald Trump criticized the Justice Department for dropping charges in a similar vandalism case at the nearby Reflecting Pool.
Key Facts
Melissa Farris, 41, faces two felony charges: damaging US property and destroying veterans’ memorials.
The vandalism involved soap bubbles in the fountain and graffiti saying “Clean hands dirty $.”
Charges carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, whose father and grandfather served in the military, made the arrest public.
The arrest happened shortly after the latest vandalism, which was under investigation by the US Park Police.
Weeks earlier, charges related to vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool were dropped, causing a public dispute between President Trump and Jeanine Pirro.
President Trump accused Pirro of failing to prosecute the Reflecting Pool case and linked her to recent vandalism incidents.
The Interior Department promised to find those responsible for the vandalism of federal landmarks in Washington, DC.
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Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in a federal court in New York to shooting and killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. Mangione admitted to the crime, explaining that his actions were connected to his frustrations with the healthcare insurance industry.
Key Facts
Luigi Mangione, 28, appeared in court wearing a prison uniform and pleaded guilty to killing Brian Thompson.
The shooting happened on a street in Manhattan in December 2024.
Mangione said he used a 3D printer to create the gun he used in the shooting.
He learned about a UnitedHealthcare conference through research and contacted the company pretending to be an investor.
Mangione told the court he had suffered from a broken back and difficulties with the healthcare insurance system.
The judge accepted Mangione’s guilty plea after confirming he understood the punishment could be life in prison.
Thompson’s family was present in court and called the plea an important step toward justice.
Mangione’s sentencing is scheduled for December 18, with prosecutors recommending 24-30 years in prison.
He still faces a separate state trial for charges related to the murder, set for September.
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A political group supporting House Democrats will spend an additional $6 million on ads in Cleveland because Republican Congressman Max Miller is continuing his reelection campaign despite abuse allegations. Miller denies the claims and plans to invest $1 million of his own money in his campaign.
Key Facts
House Majority PAC, a group connected to House Democrats, will add $6 million in ad spending in Cleveland.
This will bring their total ad spending in the area to about $7 million.
The increased spending is a response to Rep. Max Miller staying in the race despite abuse allegations from his ex-wife.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added Brian Poindexter, the Democratic challenger, to its priority list.
The House Ethics Committee has started an investigation into the abuse claims against Miller.
President Donald Trump spoke with Miller but did not advise him to quit the race.
Miller denies the abuse accusations and plans to contribute $1 million of his own money to his campaign.
The National Republican Congressional Committee supports Miller’s reelection campaign.
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Akron, Ohio, fired a police officer who shot and killed 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker and agreed to pay $4.75 million to the teen’s family in a lawsuit settlement. The officer was fired for breaking department rules, including not giving proper medical aid and misusing a body camera, while the police union disagrees with the firing.
Key Facts
Jazmir Tucker was a 15-year-old boy shot by an Akron police officer in November 2024.
Police said Tucker had a loaded gun and was chased after officers heard gunshots.
Officer Davon Fields was dismissed for violating multiple police policies, including medical aid and body camera use.
The city agreed to pay $4.75 million to Tucker’s family, pending a judge’s approval.
Akron’s mayor highlighted issues with the police response, including delayed camera use and slow medical help.
A grand jury decided not to indict Officer Fields nearly a year before the firing.
The local police union called the firing unfair and plans to contest it.
Body camera videos showed parts of the incident but had limited views due to the officer’s weapon blocking the camera.
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President Donald Trump said the nearly nine-month deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier supporting U.S. operations against Iran was "not nearly long enough." Some members of Congress and military officials have raised concerns about the long deployment affecting sailors' well-being, but the Pentagon disputed claims about poor conditions on the ship.
Key Facts
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been on deployment for over 260 days, a record length for a U.S. Navy carrier.
The carrier has been supporting U.S. military actions related to Iran and the blockade of Iranian ports.
President Trump said the deployment length was insufficient, contrary to concerns about its toll on sailors and families.
Some Democratic lawmakers have called for accountability over reported ship and crew conditions.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said reports about poor conditions were "completely misrepresented."
The USS George Washington is replacing the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East.
The Navy said it has seen no rise in suicide attempts aboard the ship despite mental health concerns.
A sailor did go overboard in early August but was rescued and received medical care.
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President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on imported drones to reduce the United States’ dependence on foreign suppliers. The tariffs include a 100 percent tax on larger drones with sensitive features like thermal imaging, as well as other important drone parts.
Key Facts
President Trump introduced tariffs on drone imports on Thursday.
The goal is to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign drone supply chains.
Larger drones with certain sensitive features, such as thermal imaging, will face a 100 percent tariff.
Other critical drone parts are also subject to new tariffs.
These measures are linked to concerns over national security.
The tariffs are signed into effect by President Trump’s official proclamation.
Smaller drones are also affected, though specific details were not fully explained.
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Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in federal court to killing Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. The shooting happened outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan in 2024.
Key Facts
Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to the murder charge.
The victim was Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
The incident took place outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan.
The event occurred in 2024.
The guilty plea was entered in a federal court.
Brian Thompson was a business leader in the healthcare industry.
CBS News reporters Katrina Kaufman and Jessica Levinson covered the story.
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The Supreme Court is reviewing a legal battle over President Donald Trump’s $400 million construction project at the White House, which the administration says is necessary for security. Chief Justice John Roberts has given preservationists a deadline to respond to the government’s request to keep work going while the case continues.
Key Facts
The project involves building a large ballroom and an integrated security complex at the White House’s East Wing.
The Trump administration argues the complex includes bomb shelters, medical facilities, and defenses against drones and missiles.
The government says stopping construction would threaten presidential security and cause safety risks because the project is already 65% complete.
The D.C. Circuit Court ruled that above-ground construction needs congressional approval and blocked progress temporarily.
The administration asked the Supreme Court to pause that ruling and allow construction to continue during the appeal.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is suing to stop the project, claiming it lacks proper authorization.
Chief Justice Roberts set a Tuesday deadline for the preservationists to respond to the emergency request.
The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether it will hear the full case or ruled in favor of either side.
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A former top Democratic lawmaker in New Mexico, Sheryl Williams Stapleton, was found guilty of federal charges involving a scheme that took money from public schools and funneled it to a friend's company in exchange for kickbacks. She and her co-defendant, Joseph Johnson, face charges such as bribery, fraud, and money laundering related to millions of dollars from federally funded school programs.
Key Facts
Sheryl Williams Stapleton, a former New Mexico state House majority leader, was convicted on dozens of federal charges.
The charges include bribery, mail fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to defraud the government.
The scheme involved diverting over $3 million from public school funds to Robotics Management Learning Systems LLC, a company owned by Joseph Johnson.
Most of the money came from federal funds intended for vocational education programs.
Williams Stapleton wrote about 230 checks totaling over $1.1 million from the company’s accounts for her own benefit.
Joseph Johnson was unaware of the withdrawals and testified that he lost focus on the business after a personal tragedy.
Both defendants failed to report thousands of dollars in income from Robotics on their tax returns.
Williams Stapleton resigned from the legislature and was fired from her school district job after search warrants were served in 2021.
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President Donald Trump said he is not worried about the conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, despite reports from lawmakers and families about supply shortages and mental health concerns. He mentioned that the ship has not been deployed for too long and noted that the USS George Washington will soon replace it.
Key Facts
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed for nine months.
Lawmakers have called for an investigation into mental health issues among the crew.
Families have reported concerns about a lack of food and basic supplies.
President Trump said he does not believe the ship has been deployed "nearly long enough."
He disputed claims that families are worried about the crew's well-being.
The USS George Washington will replace the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is based in San Diego.
This is a breaking news story and may be updated with new information.
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Luigi Mangione admitted in court that he killed Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, in Manhattan in 2024. Mangione could be sentenced to life in prison for this crime.
Key Facts
Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to killing Brian Thompson.
Brian Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
The killing happened in Manhattan in 2024.
Mangione told the court he shot Mr. Thompson.
He faces a possible life prison sentence.
UnitedHealthcare is a large health insurance company.
The case is part of the U.S. legal system.
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President Donald Trump spoke in Long Island, New York, highlighting his administration’s work to reduce violent crime. He emphasized actions taken in cities led by Democrats, including keeping the National Guard in Washington, D.C., to support law enforcement.
Key Facts
President Trump gave a speech in Long Island, New York.
He focused on fighting violent crime in American cities.
His administration is increasing efforts to reduce crime in Democratic-run cities.
The National Guard remains deployed in Washington, D.C., to help with security.
The president supports and defends these federal actions against crime.
The speech took place on a Friday.
The topic centers on law enforcement and public safety.
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Recent Democratic primary elections in Wisconsin and Michigan showed large differences between poll predictions and actual results, revealing challenges in predicting voter behavior. While new demographic categories can improve data accuracy, they do not guarantee better predictions about who will vote or the choices voters will make.
Key Facts
In Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor, David Crowley won by about half a percent despite polls showing Francesca Hong leading by 20 points.
In Michigan’s Senate primary, Abdul El-Sayed won by a much larger margin than polls predicted.
Pollsters use categories like age, race, education, and party affiliation to model elections but still find it hard to predict who will actually vote.
Open primaries, where any voter can choose any party’s primary, make it harder to predict voters.
California lawmakers are considering SB 1387, a bill to add a separate category for Jewish ancestry in state demographic data.
The new Jewish category would be optional and confidential, and it aims to better capture identity in government data.
Better demographic categories help measure things like discrimination or health differences but don’t make voter behavior more predictable.
Polling errors highlight limits in using demographic boxes to forecast election outcomes.
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President Donald Trump said that family members of the sailors and troops on the USS Abraham Lincoln are not worried about the conditions on the aircraft carrier. This statement came after news reports raised concerns about the situation aboard the ship.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke to reporters about the USS Abraham Lincoln on Friday.
He denied reports that family members of the crew were concerned about conditions on the ship.
Recent news stories have highlighted issues related to the conditions on the aircraft carrier.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier with sailors and troops aboard.
President Trump’s comments aimed to clarify the situation amid public and media attention.
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Andrés Manuel López Beltrán, son of former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, said the United States revoked his visa without giving a reason. He appealed directly to President Donald Trump, while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the visa revocation as politically motivated.
Key Facts
Andrés Manuel López Beltrán announced the U.S. revoked his visa.
He wrote a letter appealing directly to President Donald Trump.
U.S. officials named include Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Under Secretary Christopher Landau.
The U.S. government has not publicly explained why the visa was revoked.
A U.S. Embassy spokesperson declined to comment, citing privacy laws.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called the visa decision “essentially political.”
López Beltrán was previously a close aide to his father and is now Morena’s secretary of organization.
The visa revocation follows other U.S. legal actions against Mexican officials linked to alleged drug trafficking.
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President Donald Trump said families of sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln are not worried about conditions on the ship. He also stated that the ship's deployment, which has lasted over 265 days in the Middle East, has not been long enough and that the ship will be replaced soon.
Key Facts
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed in the Middle East for over 265 days.
Some reports from sailors’ families and crew mentioned concerns about food and hygiene on the ship.
President Trump said families are not concerned about these conditions.
He said the ship is moving and will be replaced.
When asked if the deployment was too long, he replied it was "not nearly long enough."
President Trump spoke about this at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
Newsweek contacted the White House for more information but had no additional comments at the time.
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Michigan schools still use physical restraint and seclusion on students, many with disabilities, even though a law aims to reduce these actions. State Senator Stephanie Chang plans to introduce a bill this fall to ban seclusion, limit restraint to emergencies, and require schools to train staff and report if restraint is overused.
Key Facts
Physical restraint and seclusion are used thousands of times a year in Michigan schools.
Most students affected by these practices have disabilities.
Michigan has had a law for nearly 10 years to reduce restraint and seclusion, but concerns remain about overuse.
Advocates want clearer rules on when restraint and seclusion are allowed and want seclusion banned for discipline.
State Senator Stephanie Chang proposes a bill to ban seclusion and restrict restraint to emergency cases only.
The bill would require schools to create plans to reduce restraint if it is used too much.
Schools would have to train staff on trauma’s impact on learning.
Some school officials agree restraint and seclusion should be reduced but may have concerns about the bill.
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