Crime Without Punishment | CBS Reports
In this CBS Reports documentary, Jim Axelrod peels back the curtain on a sobering reality of a justice system in crisis: For roughly half of the people murdered in America, no one is arrested for the crime.
Crime Without Punishment
A look at unsolved murders in America
A closer look at disparities in NYPD's homicide clearance rates
In a collaboration with CBS News, we examine a crime often going without punishment in our country. CBS2's Ali Bauman takes a closer look at racial disparities in homicide closure rates at the NYPD.
Oakland, San Francisco see disheartening difference in homicide clearance rates
Barely half of murder cases in the United States get solved. The national homicide clearance rate is at an all-time low, according to FBI data. Oakland and San Francisco are seeing a large difference on solved cases, as Wilson Walker reports.
She lost two sons to gun violence; five years later, still no arrests
Barely half of murder cases in the U.S. get solved. The national homicide clearance rate is at an all-time low, according to FBI data. In the mid-1960s, more than 90% of murders were solved, generally resulting in the arrests. By 1990, that percentage fell into the 60s. Then, by 2020, as homicides surged, the national clearance rate dropped to about 50% for the first time ever.
A "coin flip": Nearly half of U.S. murders go unsolved as cases rise
Murders are going unsolved at a historic pace, and police are far less likely to solve cases when the victim is Black or Hispanic, a CBS News investigation has found.
Behind the story: How CBS News analyzed homicide solve rates across U.S.
The investigative team at CBS News wanted to understand how police were addressing this nearly unprecedented spike in murders – and why many were going unsolved.
Baltimore task force trying to solve the crisis of unsolved murder
Officials from more than 20 agencies are working together in a nondescript warehouse, investigating Baltimore's most brazen drug syndicates.
Unsolved murders and the mothers of Jackson, Mississippi
Mothers being asked to investigate the murders of their sons has become a reality in Jackson.
Philly police say "crushing volume" of killings outruns their ability to close cases
CBS News analyzed decades of unsolved murders across the country, and found stark racial disparities in the clearance rates — the share of cases each year that are solved.
Former Dallas police chief hopes police and communities can bridge gaps
Renee Hall, former chief of the Dallas Police Department, is the daughter of a police officer killed in the line of duty.
A closer look at disparities in NYPD's homicide clearance rates
According to data analyzed by CBS News, the national homicide clearance rate has been improving for cases involving white victims, but falling for Black and Hispanic victims.
Detroit homicide clearance rates rise as national rates fall
According to the FBI and the Detroit Police Department, homicide clearance rates in the city have risen as the national average has fallen.
Unsolved murders on the rise, especially for Black, Hispanic victims
An analysis of FBI crime data by CBS 2 has found that LAPD's homicide clearance rate has ebbed over the years in a way that is concerning.
Five years after her brother's murder, one Chicago woman learns justice will never come
Chicago Police have low arrest rates, but higher rates for cleared or closed cases. We dig into what's behind those numbers.
Black and Hispanic murders are less likely to be solved. The reasons why are complicated.
New research by the CBS News Innovation Lab shows the likelihood of a murder being solved in the US is significantly lower when the victims are Black or Hispanic.
How Sacramento County is bucking the national trend of murder cases going unsolved
In a collaboration with CBS News, CBS Sacramento is examining why crime is often going without punishment in our country. The national homicide clearance rate is at an all-time low, according to FBI data. Barely half of the murder cases in the United States get solved.
Miami police working to increase murder clearance rate
In Miami-Dade, the clearance rate for homicides in 2020 was 43%
The problem behind Boston's unsolved murders
Unsolved murders are a growing concern nationwide.
Homicide clearance rates are dropping in Philadelphia as murder rates skyrocket
The murder rate in Philadelphia was 499 in 2020. That's a 40% increase from 2019.
Homicide clearance rates are declining across the U.S. Baltimore's is down to 42%.
A CBS News analysis of FBI homicide data shows Baltimore City's average clearance rate from 2015 to 2019 was just 38.7%, hitting a low of 29.7% in 2015, the tumultuous year when Freddie Gray was killed in police custody and arrests plummeted.
More murders going unsolved nationally, but Dallas-Fort Worth may be getting less credit than they deserve
Murder, according to the FBI, is the most likely crime to be solved in the US, but nationally the rate of success has been in decline for years.
Pittsburgh homicide clearance rates falling as national rate hits all-time low
In a collaboration with CBS News, KDKA Investigates examines crime often going without punishment in our country.
U.S. unsolved homicide rates soar, and Minneapolis is pacing worse than nat'l average
The day after Terrell Mayes, Jr. celebrated Christmas with his family, the 3-year-old and his siblings heard gunshots. A stray bullet struck Terrell as he ran up the stairs inside his north Minneapolis home. For more than a decade, WCCO has followed his grieving mother's push to find her son's killer.
Denver police's approach to solving homicides has caught national attention
Denver police has made many changes in the decades since the shocking murder of Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams, including building a $28 million state-of-the-art crime lab.
Oakland, SF see disheartening difference in homicide clearance rates
In a collaboration with CBS News, KPIX 5 is examining a crime often going without punishment in our country. Barely half of murder cases in the United States get solved.
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Artemis II crew begins "crazy first day" in space after exhilarating launch
NASA's Artemis II astronauts will spend about 24 hours orbiting the Earth and running checks on their spacecraft and life support systems before heading to the moon.
Americans say this is their "magic number" to retire comfortably
Most people fall far short of the savings they say they will need to maintain their standard of living in retirement, data shows.
Ted Bundy's DNA linked to death of Utah teen in 1974, sheriff's office says
Bundy's full DNA profiled was entered into the FBI's national database, giving investigators a shot at solving potential cases linked to Bundy.
How high could oil and gas prices go if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed?
"The scary scenarios are, unfortunately, extremely plausible" if the critical Persian Gulf waterway stays effectively sealed, economist Paul Krugman said.
Trump says Iran war will wrap up "very shortly," but warns of more strikes in coming weeks
President Trump predicted in a prime-time address that the U.S. will complete its military mission in Iran "very shortly," and said U.S. forces have achieved "overwhelming victories," but he did not offer a definitive timeline.
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Americans say this is their "magic number" to retire comfortably
Most people fall far short of the savings they say they will need to maintain their standard of living in retirement, data shows.
How high could oil and gas prices go if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed?
"The scary scenarios are, unfortunately, extremely plausible" if the critical Persian Gulf waterway stays effectively sealed, economist Paul Krugman said.
Elon Musk's SpaceX files confidential initial public offering
The Texas-based company could go public with a valuation of more than $1.75 trillion, making it the largest IPO in history.
Will the Iran war slow U.S. hiring? Economists say risks are rising.
With oil prices rising and hiring already slowing, economists warn the Iran war could further weigh on U.S. job growth.
Hershey says it will shift back to classic Reese's recipe after backlash
Hershey said Wednesday it will use classic recipes for all Reese's products starting next year, after getting criticism for changing the popular treats.
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Oil prices rise after Trump insists the Iran war is going to plan
One market analyst says Trump warning the Iran war will take 2-3 more weeks, without a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, "was far less than" investors had hoped for.
DNC and top Democratic leaders sue Trump over mail-in voting executive order
A coalition of major Democratic groups sued the Trump administration, seeking to strike down an executive order that would exert more federal influence over mail-in voting — including by creating lists of citizens who are eligible to vote.
Trump admin. lifts sanctions on Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela's acting president
The Trump administration has lifted sanctions on Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez, according to the Treasury Department, as the U.S. seeks to rebuild ties with the Venezuelan government.
Federal government appealing order releasing 5-year-old from immigration custody
The federal government may try to send 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos back to detention.
State Department overhauls Foreign Service Officer Test
The State Department announced Wednesday that it is modifying the Foreign Service Officer Test to reflect the foreign policy goals of the Trump administration.
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FDA approves Eli Lilly weight loss pill
The FDA approved a new GLP-1 drug from Eli Lilly. Dr. Jon LaPook breaks it down.
A COVID variant called "Cicada" is spreading. Here's what to know.
The COVID-19 variant BA.3.2, nicknamed "Cicada," has been detected in at least 23 countries and half the states in the U.S.
State health plan for foster kids threatened 8-year-old's cancer care
North Carolina and other states have insurance plans for kids in foster care, but many doctors did not accept patients on the plans, leaving kids' guardians scrambling to find health care providers.
States pay contractors millions to comply with Trump law to cut Medicaid rolls
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will add red tape and restrictions for those seeking Medicaid and SNAP benefits. And the costs to update computer systems that determine eligibility for those programs will be steep.
Hockey player diagnosed with Stage IV cancer at 26: "It was surreal"
David Lyon is one of the rising number of young adults to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
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Oil prices rise after Trump insists the Iran war is going to plan
One market analyst says Trump warning the Iran war will take 2-3 more weeks, without a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, "was far less than" investors had hoped for.
Magnitude 7.4 earthquake strikes off Indonesia's coast, killing 1 person
Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 280 million people, sits on major seismic faults and is frequently hit by earthquakes.
Trump admin. lifts sanctions on Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela's acting president
The Trump administration has lifted sanctions on Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez, according to the Treasury Department, as the U.S. seeks to rebuild ties with the Venezuelan government.
Trump says Iran war will wrap up "very shortly," but warns of more strikes in coming weeks
President Trump predicted in a prime-time address that the U.S. will complete its military mission in Iran "very shortly," and said U.S. forces have achieved "overwhelming victories," but he did not offer a definitive timeline.
Trump says he may withdraw U.S. from NATO. The law says he can't without Congress.
President Trump says he's considering withdrawing the U.S. from NATO, following years of complaining about the alliance.
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Entertainment
Kenan Thompson on new children's book
Actor and comedian Kenan Thompson joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss his new children's book, "Unfunny Bunny."
Crew that flew Apache helicopters near Kid Rock's house suspended
Kid Rock posted videos of the helicopters hovering by his Nashville home on social media over the weekend. The Army later confirmed the helicopters were on a training mission.
Taylor Swift sued for trademark infringement
Taylor Swift is being sued by Las Vegas performer Maren Wade who has accused the superstar of trademark infringement over her latest album, "The Life of a Showgirl." Wade is the creator of the "Confessions of a Showgirl" podcast, which started as a column in 2014.
Sharon Stone talks new season of "Euphoria"
Sharon Stone reflected on her legendary career as she discussed joining the cast of "Euphoria," working with the show's creator, Sam Levinson, and how she has advocated for women in the entertainment industry.
Taylor Swift sued for trademark infringement over "The Life of a Showgirl"
A Las Vegas performer has sued Taylor Swift over the title of her hit album "The Life of a Showgirl," alleging it violates the performer's trademark.
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Technology
New film on risks and rewards of AI
"CBS Mornings" sits down with Tristan Harris, co-founder and president of the Center for Humane Technology, who is featured in the 2026 documentary, "The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist."
Inside Apple's relationship with China
CBS News contributor Patrick McGee joins "The Daily Report" to discuss the codependent relationship between Apple and China, a country that manufactures hundreds of millions of iPhones every year.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
Jamie Dimon: JPMorgan could offer prediction market services to investors
The JPMorgan Chase CEO said the bank may one day introduce prediction market features, but said "there's a bunch of stuff we won't do" in that space.
Company tries to make flying car of the future
Many have dreamed of a future with flying cars, eliminating traffic on the morning commute. One company is trying to make that dream a reality. Itay Hod reports.
Science
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Artemis II crew begins "crazy first day" in space after exhilarating launch
NASA's Artemis II astronauts will spend about 24 hours orbiting the Earth and running checks on their spacecraft and life support systems before heading to the moon.
CBS News studio shakes as Artemis II launches
Four astronauts are traveling around the moon on Artemis II, going further from Earth than anyone before. CBS News' Mark Strassmann and Peter King have more.
What Artemis II astronauts will do in space
Former NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson joins CBS News to discuss what the Artemis II astronauts will do as they orbit the Earth after takeoff.
How Artemis II crew will sleep in space
Members of the Artemis II crew will be the first people to sleep inside the Orion spacecraft. CBS News' Kris Van Cleave has more on how they'll do that.
How do astronauts use the bathroom?
The science and technology behind using the restroom in space continues to evolve. CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave looks at the out-of-this-world facilities available to the Artemis II crew.
Crime
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Ted Bundy's DNA linked to death of Utah teen in 1974, sheriff's office says
Bundy's full DNA profiled was entered into the FBI's national database, giving investigators a shot at solving potential cases linked to Bundy.
Baby in stroller killed in apparent stray-bullet shooting in Brooklyn
A child was being pushed in a stroller at Moore and Humboldt streets in East Williamsburg on Wednesday when she suffered a gunshot wound to the head, police said.
Kentucky Powerball winner arrested again
James Farthing, who won the $167.3 million Powerball jackpot last April, was arrested for a third time since collecting his grand prize. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.
Son of Hawaii doctor testifies at trial
The son of a Maui doctor testified that his father confessed to him over FaceTime to trying to kill his stepmother, Arielle Konig, on a hike last year. Prosecutors allege Gerhardt Konig tried to push his wife off a cliff, attempted to inject her with a syringe and hit her in the head with a rock.
Luigi Mangione lawyers seek to postpone trial
Lawyers for Luigi Mangione, the man charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, are seeking to postpone his federal murder trial. CBS News' Lilia Luciano reports.
Space
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Artemis II crew begins "crazy first day" in space after exhilarating launch
NASA's Artemis II astronauts will spend about 24 hours orbiting the Earth and running checks on their spacecraft and life support systems before heading to the moon.
Artemis II launches into orbit as NASA begins historic moon mission
NASA's Artemis II astronauts launched on a nine-and-a-half-day mission around the moon and back.
Smooth countdown continues for Artemis II moon mission
Forecasters continue to predict an 80% chance of favorable weather on Wednesday for the launch of four astronauts on a flight to the moon.
Countdown begins for long-awaited Artemis II moon mission
Countdown clocks began ticking Monday, setting the stage for launch of the Artemis II moon mission early Wednesday evening.
These 4 astronauts are making history on flight around the moon
NASA's Artemis II astronauts — three space station veterans and a Canadian rookie — stand out even in an astronaut corps full of super achievers.
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FDA approves Eli Lilly weight loss pill
The FDA approved a new GLP-1 drug from Eli Lilly. Dr. Jon LaPook breaks it down.
Special Report: Trump addresses nation on Iran
President Trump addressed the nation Wednesday night about the Iran war. Tony Dokoupil anchored CBS News' special report.
Trump addresses U.S. on Iran war
President Trump sought to assure Americans that the conflict with Iran would be brief compared to other wars in U.S. history and insisted that gas prices would go down quickly. Nancy Cordes reports.