A guide to the election's top ballot initiatives
Voters in 32 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will weigh in on more than 100 ballot initiatives this election.
America's Right To Vote
Judge rejects attempt to block nearly 127,000 drive-thru votes in Texas
The lawsuit filed by four Texas Republicans asked a judge to order that votes cast at Harris County drive-thru sites be rejected.
U.S. braces for possible Election Day violence and unrest
Officials will be monitoring events across the country from a command center at FBI headquarters.
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Why can't I vote on my phone?
Millions of Americans use mobile phones to bank, read sensitive work documents, and share personal photos with family and friends. So why can't we use them to cast ballots?
How do I vote in my state in the 2020 election?
COVID-19 is changing the way we'll cast our ballots this year, with many searching for absentee options. Here's CBS News' look at voting across the U.S. — America decides: States and dates.
Noose displayed near Missouri voting booths draws complaints
The acting chair of the Missouri Democratic Party said the "symbol's purpose is to stoke the fires of racial prejudice and strike fear in the hearts of people of color."
Texas early voting surpasses total turnout from 2016 election
As of Friday, the last day of early voting in Texas, over 9 million people have already voted in the state.
The Deciders: Two young voters pushing for change in this election
Lauren Ethredge and Ramon Contreras convey a sense of hope: a young generation leading others to create the change they want to see.
"We remain on high alert": Acting DHS secretary on election security
With just a week left until Election Day, Chad Wolf, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, sat down with CBS News for an exclusive interview to discuss what Americans can expect and prepare for during and after November 3.
Texas Supreme Court limits ballot drop off sites to one per county
The order would drastically limit the number of drop off sites in the state's largest counties.
Former felons in Florida cast their first ballots in early voting
"It was amazing. When I put that pen to the paper, I finally got a voice."
Dozens of ballots destroyed after fire set at Boston dropbox
Officials called the alleged arson "a disgrace to democracy, a disrespect to the voters fulfilling their civic duty, and a crime."
Pa. court: Ballots with mismatched signatures to be accepted
The Trump campaign previously asked a federal district court judge to deem signature mismatches unconstitutional.
"Seinfeld" cast reuniting to raise money for Texas Democrats
The cast of the "show about nothing" is reuniting for "A Fundraiser About Something" — to turn Texas blue.
Miami officer facing discipline for wearing Trump mask at voting site
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez called the officer's behavior "unacceptable," and said disciplinary measures will be taken.
Threatening emails sent to Florida voters linked to overseas servers
The emails warned Florida residents to "vote for Trump on Election Day or we will come after you."
Opposing candidates for Utah governor release joint ad
"We can disagree without hating each other," Republican candidate Spencer Cox said.
Poll worker fired for turning away voters with "Black Lives Matter" shirts
"That was pretty bad," a county election commission spokeswoman said. "They were not supposed to be turned away."
Ballot drop box fire prompts investigation for suspected arson
More than 200 ballots were in the damaged ballot box, the mayor of Baldwin Park said.
SCOTUS nixes motion against Pennsylvania mail ballot extension
The court split 4-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts taking liberals' side.
"Vote like Trump": Campaign embraces mail-in voting in ad blitz
Despite the president's crusade against absentee voting, his campaign posted a flurry of ads encouraging supporters to do just that
California: GOP can no longer deploy "unauthorized" drop boxes
But the state GOP said Padilla and Becerra "didn't know the facts and didn't bother to learn them before accusing us" of wrongdoing.
Giuliani's daughter endorses Biden to end Trump's "reign of terror"
"I may not be able to change my father's mind, but together, we can vote this toxic administration out of office," Giuliani said.
Hundreds of election-linked lawsuits add to mail-in voting uncertainty
More than 300 lawsuits have been filed in 46 states contesting election rules, leading to questions over how early votes will be counted.
A behind-the-scenes look at how mail-in ballots are processed
After co-election commissioners Giblin and Stavisky receive a person's ballot comes the most consequential moment in its journey — signature verification.
Politics
Exclusive
Trump shares more details on $5,000 dividends in exclusive interview
CBS News Texas political reporter Jack Fink sat down with President Trump for an exclusive interview during the president's visit to North Texas.
Trump's $5,000 payment would reignite inflation, economists say
Mr. Trump's pledge to give $5,000 to Americans would stoke inflation and worsen the nation's fiscal outlook, according to economists.
White House framework for testing new AI models remains hidden as concerns mount
The White House has not publicly released the voluntary framework for testing frontier AI models that it finalized in August.
Appeals court declines to lift block on Postal Service rule for mail ballots
A federal appeals court denied the Trump administration's request to lift a lower court's order that blocked new rules for mail ballots before the midterms.
Why you shouldn't bank on Trump's $5,000 dividends happening
President Trump pledged $5,000 to all American adults if Republicans retain control of Congress. You may not be able to take that to the bank.
George W. Bush says Americans "don't pay attention to the lesson of 9/11"
Former President George W. Bush gave rare remarks on Wednesday as Americans mark 25 years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Supreme Court blocks Missouri from using new map favoring GOP in fall elections
The Supreme Court said Missouri must use a 2022 congressional map — not a new congressional map that favors Republicans — in the 2026 midterm elections.
Prosecutor who withdrew from dismissed Adani bribery case fired, sources say
Andrew Tyler, who worked in the fraud section of the Criminal Division of DOJ, was removed Tuesday over allegations of ethical violations, sources said.
Exclusive
Gold Star family calls on Army to release probe of deadly attack on Kuwait base
Six Americans were killed in the March 1 strike on a tactical operations center in Kuwait.
Lawsuit seeks to block deployment of ICE, federal agents to polling sites
A coalition of advocacy groups and a Democratic-led city filed a preemptive lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration from deploying armed ICE agents to polling sites ahead of the midterm elections.
U.S. destroys another alleged drug boat as Rubio defends deadly strikes
Since Trump returned to power, the U.S. has conducted airstrikes against boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing more than 200 people.
Trump jokes about trying to "redo" huge Luka Dončić trade in Dallas speech
President Trump's speech at the Republican National Committee convention touched on the polarizing NBA trade that sent superstar guard Luka Dončić from the Mavericks to the Lakers.
Trump pitches $5,000 payments, but only if GOP wins House and Senate
President Trump vowed Wednesday to send a $5,000 "dividend" to every American citizen after the midterms, but only if Republicans hold onto control of Congress. He didn't offer details on how the payments would work.
Rhode Island governor projected to lose Democratic primary to former CVS executive
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee is the first sitting governor nationwide to lose a primary in eight years.
Fetterman appears at RNC midterm convention in surprise video
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman appeared in a surprise video at the Republican Party's midterm convention on Wednesday, as he becomes increasingly isolated from his own party.
CBS News poll finds that 25 years after 9/11 most see changed country
A big majority say it's very important that Americans remember the 9/11 attacks.
Trump says he had "great conversation" with Putin amid renewed peace push
"He is wanting to make a deal. And if Zelenskyy is wanting to make a deal, that would be very nice," President Trump said.
Talarico says Ken Paxton is "lying to the people of Texas" with AI ad that puts "words in my mouth"
Democrat James Talarico told CBS News' Ed O'Keefe he won't use AI in political advertising in the race for the Texas U.S. Senate seat, adding, "every ad that we put out is made by human beings."
Trump's trip delayed after emergency slide deploys on new Air Force One
President Trump's departure to Texas was delayed after an emergency slide on the new Air Force One deployed on the tarmac before he boarded.
National Guardsman in D.C. charged after pointing gun at colleague
Zion Mitchell, 21, was arrested earlier this month and faces firearms and assault charges after he admitted he pointed his gun at a fellow National Guard member.
U.S.
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Ross Fire still burning, with over 90,000 acres scorched
The wildfire, which has torn through Palo Pinto and Jack counties, forced evacuations, closed roads and disrupted schools.
Trump's $5,000 payment would reignite inflation, economists say
Mr. Trump's pledge to give $5,000 to Americans would stoke inflation and worsen the nation's fiscal outlook, according to economists.
August CPI report could spark the Fed's first rate hike in over 3 years
Friday's August CPI report could set the stage for the Federal Reserve's first interest rate hike in more than three years.
Anthropic says scientists used AI for possible biological weapons development
Anthropic said it blocked scientists who used its Claude AI models "in ways that could support biological weapons development."
White House framework for testing new AI models remains hidden as concerns mount
The White House has not publicly released the voluntary framework for testing frontier AI models that it finalized in August.
MoneyWatch
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Trump's $5,000 payment would reignite inflation, economists say
Mr. Trump's pledge to give $5,000 to Americans would stoke inflation and worsen the nation's fiscal outlook, according to economists.
August CPI report could spark the Fed's first rate hike in over 3 years
Friday's August CPI report could set the stage for the Federal Reserve's first interest rate hike in more than three years.
Why you shouldn't bank on Trump's $5,000 dividends happening
President Trump pledged $5,000 to all American adults if Republicans retain control of Congress. You may not be able to take that to the bank.
Humans "close to being outsmarted" by superintelligence, AI expert says
Rapid developments in AI are prompting concerns about "superintelligence." Here's why some experts are worried.
Feds to buy up to $6 billion in Treasury bonds. Here's why.
Wall Street analysts are skeptical that the Treasury Department's bond purchases can curb yields and lower U.S. borrowing costs.
Politics
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Exclusive
Trump shares more details on $5,000 dividends in exclusive interview
CBS News Texas political reporter Jack Fink sat down with President Trump for an exclusive interview during the president's visit to North Texas.
Trump's $5,000 payment would reignite inflation, economists say
Mr. Trump's pledge to give $5,000 to Americans would stoke inflation and worsen the nation's fiscal outlook, according to economists.
White House framework for testing new AI models remains hidden as concerns mount
The White House has not publicly released the voluntary framework for testing frontier AI models that it finalized in August.
Appeals court declines to lift block on Postal Service rule for mail ballots
A federal appeals court denied the Trump administration's request to lift a lower court's order that blocked new rules for mail ballots before the midterms.
Why you shouldn't bank on Trump's $5,000 dividends happening
President Trump pledged $5,000 to all American adults if Republicans retain control of Congress. You may not be able to take that to the bank.
HealthWatch
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Coroner releases details on 2 infant deaths in Pennsylvania measles outbreak
Neither infant was old enough to be vaccinated. The first dose of the measles vaccine is typically given at around 1 year of age.
How donating blood could reveal clues about your own health
Amid a national blood supply crisis, Dr. Courtney Lawrence sat down with Norah O'Donnell to talk about donating blood, health myths and more.
A generation of kids suffers as Trump destabilizes immigrant families
Children in immigrant families are facing multiple health threats from President Trump's policies.
NYC officials release unseen post-9/11 air quality documents
New York City officials released thousands of previously unseen documents questioning the air quality at Ground Zero following the 9/11 attacks.
What is postpartum psychosis?
Experts discuss the symptoms, diagnosis and stigma surrounding postpartum psychosis (not to be confused with postpartum depression), a psychiatric emergency with symptoms that can be extreme and dangerous, as testified in the trial of Lindsay Clancy.
World
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Spain's spy agency warned of Ceuta border breach plans before crisis, declassified files show
Spain's national intelligence agency issued multiple warnings about a potential mass crossing of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, declassified documents show.
25 people killed in fire on cargo ship docked in China, state media reports
The deadly fire broke out when the cargo ship was docked for repairs at a major shipping hub on China's northeastern coast.
Multiple U.S. military aircraft damaged in Iranian strikes on base in Jordan, sources say
One A-10 Thunderbolt, an attack aircraft known as the Warthog, was struck and lost a wing, according to sources.
Deadly fire on ferry off Philippines leaves dozens of people missing
A fire on a passenger ferry off the western Philippines left dozens of people missing and killed at least five. An intense and widespread search was on for the unaccounted for.
Barry Melrose, prominent NHL player, coach and broadcaster, dies at 70
Barry Melrose, a hockey player-turned-coach who led the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final before going on to a long career in broadcasting the sport, has died at 70.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Sandra Bullock, Lee Pace on "Practical Magic 2"
Sandra Bullock and Lee Pace sat down with Adriana Diaz to discuss "Practical Magic 2," which premieres Friday.
Exclusive
Stella Parton says her sister Dolly was prepared and at peace when she died
Stella Parton gives insight into her sister Dolly Parton's marriage, makeup habits and views on death in an exclusive CBS News interview.
Dolly Parton's sister on star's life, death
Dolly Parton's sister, Stella, sits down with Gayle King for her first interview since Dolly's death to discuss her sister's legendary life. Stella Parton says the country star was "definitely prepared" and at peace when she died last month.
Fashion designer Romeo Hunte shares new pieces
Fashion designer Romeo Hunte joins "The Daily Report" to discuss pieces in his new collection as New York Fashion Week kicks off.
Dolly Parton's sister on the private funeral
Two weeks after her death at 80, a new song from Dolly Parton was released called "Bound to Ride," as part of an upcoming tribute album to the Stanley Brothers. Gayle King spoke exclusively with Dolly Parton's younger sister in an interview that will air on "CBS Mornings" on Thursday.
Technology
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Anthropic says scientists used AI for possible biological weapons development
Anthropic said it blocked scientists who used its Claude AI models "in ways that could support biological weapons development."
Anthropic reveals another AI hacking incident
Anthropic disclosed another AI hacking incident involving one of its earlier models. Forum AI's Robbie Goldfarb joins CBS News with more context.
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.
The OpenAI-Hugging Face hack was just the beginning, experts say
"What happens inside frontier AI companies now clearly affects everyone outside of them," an expert said following the hack on Hugging Face by AI agents being tested by OpenAI.
Breaking down Anthropic insiders' AI warnings
Former and current Anthropic employees issued public warnings this week about the risks of AI development, saying it has the potential to kill all humans. The Atlantic CEO Nick Thompson joins with more.
Science
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First-ever adult T. rex trackway found in North Dakota
Paleontologists have identified the first known trackway made by a full-grown Tyrannosaurus rex, and the discovery was made in the North Dakota badlands.
Ig Nobel prizes go to scientists studying cockroach milk, nose-blowing, more
Ten research teams were honored at a satirical science awards ceremony that was hosted outside the U.S. for the first time due to travel concerns. A study of cockroach milk was among the winners.
Vote on the fattest marmot now
Marmots, not bears, are the largest "true" hibernating mammal, UCLA marmot researchers Katie Adler and Emily Renkey say. The two share more fun facts about these cute creatures and explain how to vote for the fattest marmot.
NASA plans to launch new space telescope
NASA's new telescope could change the way we see space. With a wide-field camera that will reveal an area up to 200 times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope, and an orbit a million miles from Earth, the Nancy Grace Roman telescope is expected to find tens of thousands of unknown exoplanets.
Invasive Joro spiders are "slowly spreading." Here's what to do if you see one.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park told visitors Tuesday that invasive Joro spiders "may be hanging in a web near you."
Crime
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Crime
Lindsay Clancy lawyer files to toss mistrial
Lindsay Clancy's defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, filed a motion Thursday to throw out last week's mistrial and acquit Clancy. Clancy admitted to killing her three children, but pled not guilty to murder charges, arguing she was suffering from postpartum psychosis.
One year since Charlie Kirk's killing
It has been one year since conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during an event in Utah. Benji Backer, the founder and CEO of Nature Is Nonpartisan, joins CBS News with more on his friendship with Kirk.
Video shows attempted murder in Ohio
A potential killing was caught on camera in Ohio and was revealed at the trial of a man found guilty of attempting to shoot his wife in a crowded restaurant. Mark Strassmann reports.
Lindsay Clancy Mistrial: Reddington Weighs In
In the wake of the mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy murder case, CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul and WBZ-TV reporter and anchor Kristina Rex share new reporting from inside the courtroom, exclusive juror insights, and behind-the-scenes details of the dramatic final courtroom moments. Plus, we learn what's next as the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office weighs its options.
Breaking down Lindsay Clancy attorney's plans
Kevin Reddington, Lindsay Clancy's defense attorney, sat down with "CBS Mornings" on Wednesday, where he said he plans to ask for the case to be thrown out. Caroline Polisi breaks down his statements.
Space
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NASA launches its Roman Space Telescope to explore the hidden universe
NASA's Roman Space Telescope launched shortly after daybreak from Kennedy Space Center and blazed toward an observation point 1 million miles away.
Roman Space Telescope promises 300-megapixel views of the cosmos
The $4.3 billion telescope is expected to discover tens of thousands of exoplanets while probing the nature of mysterious dark matter and energy.
First on CBS
Trump to honor Artemis II crew with nation's top space medal
President Trump plans to award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the crew of NASA's Artemis II mission in a ceremony Aug. 28.
NASA's Swift telescope will plunge toward Earth after rescue mission called off
The mission to save NASA's sinking space telescope has been called off, dooming the telescope to a fiery reentry later this year.
NASA images show 60-foot-wide crater on moon after SpaceX rocket booster crash
A NASA spacecraft circling the moon is providing the sharpest views yet of the crater carved by a crashing SpaceX rocket.
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Notable Deaths in 2026
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Dolly Parton: An extraordinary life in pictures
Dolly Parton, the country music legend who became a feminist icon, has died at the age of 80. Here is a look back at her life in pictures.
Investigating the death of designer Sylvie Cachay
Sylvie Cachay was found dead in an overflowing bathtub at the exclusive Soho House in New York City on Dec. 9, 2010. A water leak at the hotel gave away a timeline that may have revealed her killer.
Summer music highlights of 2026
Summer is the time to enjoy live music, indoors and out. Scroll through our gallery of some of 2026's leading musical acts, featuring images by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
Photos show celebrations at Obama Presidential Center
The Obama Presidential Center, museum and library opens in Chicago with a star-studded grand opening ceremony and public watch party on Midway Plaisance.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Latest CBS News Videos
Doctor debunks blood donation myths
Dr. Courtney Lawrence answers Norah O'Donnell's true or false questions about blood donation.
Doctor: 3 things to know when donating blood
Dr. Courtney Lawrence from the Red Cross shared with Norah O'Donnell on "Healthful" the three things people should know when they donate blood.
Lindsay Clancy lawyer files to toss mistrial
Lindsay Clancy's defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, filed a motion Thursday to throw out last week's mistrial and acquit Clancy. Clancy admitted to killing her three children, but pled not guilty to murder charges, arguing she was suffering from postpartum psychosis.
Political violence since Kirk's killing
Instances of political violence continued after Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during a Utah college event. CBS News' Anna Schecter reports.
One year since Charlie Kirk's killing
It has been one year since conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during an event in Utah. Benji Backer, the founder and CEO of Nature Is Nonpartisan, joins CBS News with more on his friendship with Kirk.