April Fools' Day in the news
From "spaghetti trees" to robot anchors, April Fools pranks once lit up newsrooms. Historian Kenneth C. Davis joins "CBS Mornings Plus" to reflect on how the tradition changed with rising concerns over misinformation.
April Fools' Day
How did April Fools' Day start and what are some famous pranks?
The annual day of jokes, pranks and tricks falls on April 1 each year, but no one is quite sure how the tradition started.
Hidden Valley and Burt's Bees launch ranch-flavored lip balm
The limited edition collaboration between Burt's Bees and Hidden Valley Ranch started off as an April Fools' Day prank.
Plenty of companies are out have fun with their customers, so you may need to watch your back if you don't want to get pranked
Plenty of companies are out have fun with their customers, so you may need to watch your back if you don't want to get pranked. CBSN's DeMarco Morgan has more on the best jokes and biggest flops this April Fools' Day.
YouTubers defend puppy-related prank on 6-year-old daughter
YouTube stars Cole and Sav LaBrant are apologizing after what they say was an April Fools prank gone wrong, insisting they're "not bad parents"
NYPD officer steps in to help deliver baby on April Fool's Day
Parents said their baby girl Claire is healthy and Officer Stephen Koustoubardis said he "feels fantastic" after helping the family
Cop pranks driver with "drug-sniffing cat" in stop
An April Fool's Day traffic stop prank by a Utah officer and his "feline partner Officer Froo Froo" has gone viral
Tech companies play April Fool's Day pranks
This April Fool's Day, tech companies are getting in on the action with some funny viral pranks
Google's April Fools' Day prank backfires
Gmail's Mic Drop feature is dropped after complaints that silly animation lost email users their jobs; "It looks like we pranked ourselves this year"
No joking? China propagandists take aim at April Fool's Day
"So-called Western April Fool's Day does not conform to Chinese cultural traditions or socialist core values," state news agency warns
Jessica Lowndes admits Jon Lovitz dating rumor is a hoax
The Internet works pretty fast, especially when it comes to celebrity couple rumors
Sean Lowe explains wife's April Fools' Day joke
Sean Lowe and his wife, Catherine, are backtracking on a April Fools' Day joke gone wrong
Bill that would end shutdown moves to full House for final vote
The Senate-passed funding bill that would end the record-long government shutdown moved to the full House after a key House panel advanced it early Wednesday.
Exclusive
Google sues China-based hackers over massive text-phishing scams
Google said the fake messages are part of a massive criminal network called "Lighthouse" that has stolen information through phishing and smishing scams.
Jack Schlossberg, JFK's grandson, launches NY congressional bid
The only grandson of John F. Kennedy, Jack Schlossberg, is vying to become the latest Kennedy family scion to enter Congress.
House returns after nearly 2-month absence as shutdown nears end
The House returns Wednesday for the first time since the start of the government shutdown, bringing an end to the chamber's longest absence in recent memory.
Supreme Court extends brief stay on SNAP payments as shutdown deal nears
With Congress on the brink of a deal to end the government shutdown, the Supreme Court has agreed to keep in place a brief pause on SNAP benefit payments.
Airlines cancel thousands more flights in U.S. over government shutdown
The FAA told airlines to increase cancellations at 40 of the country's busiest airports to 6% by Tuesday and ultimately ramp up to 10% by Friday.
Texas woman who threatened judge in Trump criminal case set to be sentenced
Texas woman will be sentenced Wednesday, after she pleaded guilty to leaving a threatening voicemail for the judge overseeing President Trump's 2020 election criminal case.
County apologizes for raid on newspaper, agrees to pay $3 million
The Marion County Record editor's mother Joan, who co-owned the paper, died of a heart attack the day after the raid.
42 migrants presumed dead after boat sinks off Libya's coast, U.N. says
The United Nations says 42 migrants are missing, presumed dead after boat capsizes off Libya's coast, with only seven rescued after six days adrift.
U.S.
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County apologizes for raid on newspaper, agrees to pay $3 million
The Marion County Record editor's mother Joan, who co-owned the paper, died of a heart attack the day after the raid.
House returns after nearly 2-month absence as shutdown nears end
The House returns Wednesday for the first time since the start of the government shutdown, bringing an end to the chamber's longest absence in recent memory.
3 Bob Ross paintings fetch over $600,000 for public TV; 27 still on block
Three paintings from public television legend Bob Ross sold for more than $600,000 at auction. They were the first of 30 Ross works being sold to benefit public TV stations hurt by cuts in federal funding.
Cleto Escobedo III, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" bandleader, dies at 59
Cleto Escobedo III, longtime bandleader of the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show, has died, Jimmy Kimmel announced Tuesday. He was 59.
Severe geomagnetic storm could bring northern lights to much of U.S.
A severe geomagnetic storm could cause widespread disruption to infrastructure technology and make northern lights visible for much of the northern half of the U.S.
MoneyWatch
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A 107% U.S. import tax on Italian pasta could make your spaghetti pricier
The Trump administration is considering a new import duty on 13 of Italy's largest pasta exporters, including Barilla and La Molisana.
Sonder tells guests to leave immediately after Marriott partnership ends
After Sonder said it was shutting down, one guest told CBS News he returned to his short-term rental to find his luggage in the hallway.
Wendy's to close hundreds of U.S. stores as low-income consumers cut back
Wendy's plans to close hundreds U.S. restaurants over the next few months amid spending cutbacks from its customers.
Baby formula recall expands as at least 15 infants sickened by botulism
An outbreak of botulism tied to ByHeart baby formula has made at least 15 infants sick in 12 states, a California health official said Monday. Here's what to know.
See what's opened and closed on Veterans Day 2025
Most stores will remain open on Veterans Day, but services like the USPS and many banks will close.
Politics
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House returns after nearly 2-month absence as shutdown nears end
The House returns Wednesday for the first time since the start of the government shutdown, bringing an end to the chamber's longest absence in recent memory.
Jack Schlossberg, JFK's grandson, launches NY congressional bid
The only grandson of John F. Kennedy, Jack Schlossberg, is vying to become the latest Kennedy family scion to enter Congress.
Texas woman who threatened judge in Trump criminal case set to be sentenced
Texas woman will be sentenced Wednesday, after she pleaded guilty to leaving a threatening voicemail for the judge overseeing President Trump's 2020 election criminal case.
DOJ says it's investigating "violent riots" at UC Berkeley Turning Point USA event
The Justice Department is investigating protests outside of a Turning Point USA event on the University of California, Berkeley's campus, Attorney General Pam Bondi said, which she suggested was part of President Trump's crackdown on antifa.
The voters Mamdani added to the Democratic coalition in New York, a CBS News analysis
Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign turned out lots of voters who didn't back Kamala Harris last year — they are ethnically diverse, younger and less affluent.
HealthWatch
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ByHeart baby formula recalls all products amid growing botulism outbreak
Baby formula manufacturer ByHeart recalled all of its products sold nationwide Tuesday.
Air pollution in India's capital draws protests as schools are shuttered
India's capital Delhi is blanketed in toxic smog every autumn, but the pollution is already so bad that it's drawn protests as authorities tell students to stay home.
Baby formula recall expands as at least 15 infants sickened by botulism
An outbreak of botulism tied to ByHeart baby formula has made at least 15 infants sick in 12 states, a California health official said Monday. Here's what to know.
"They don't return home": U.S. cities fail to curb traffic deaths
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston reported more traffic fatalities than homicides last year.
Extended: FDA chief on menopause treatments
FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary tells CBS News' Norah O'Donnell in an exclusive interview why the agency decided to drop decades-old "black box" warnings on many hormone therapy drugs used for menopause and perimenopause symptoms.
World
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Turkish military cargo plane crash kills 20 soldiers
20 Turkish troops were killed when their C-130 military cargo plane hurtled to the ground in neighboring Georgia for reasons yet to be determined.
Lawmakers in Kazakhstan pass Russian-style anti-LGBTQ law
Kazakhstan is set to follow its neighbor Russia in banning the promotion of "non-traditional sexual orientation," raising concern from human rights groups.
13 tons of U.S.-bound cocaine seized from ferry, Panama says
It was one the biggest such hauls in Panamanian waters to date, authorities said.
Exclusive
Google sues China-based hackers over massive text-phishing scams
Google said the fake messages are part of a massive criminal network called "Lighthouse" that has stolen information through phishing and smishing scams.
42 migrants presumed dead after boat sinks off Libya's coast, U.N. says
The United Nations says 42 migrants are missing, presumed dead after boat capsizes off Libya's coast, with only seven rescued after six days adrift.
Entertainment
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People can't tell AI-generated music from real thing anymore, survey shows
It's become nearly impossible for people to tell the difference between music generated by artificial intelligence and that created by humans, according to a survey of 9,000 people.
Cleto Escobedo III, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" bandleader, dies at 59
Cleto Escobedo III, longtime bandleader of the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show, has died, Jimmy Kimmel announced Tuesday. He was 59.
Rob Riggle on journey from military to comedy
Actor Rob Riggle is known for his comedic roles on screen. He's also an author and a veteran. He speaks to "CBS Mornings" about his more than 20 years of military service, his journey to Hollywood and new memoir "Grit, Spit and Never Quit: A Marine's Guide to Comedy and Life."
Reel life: Highlights of DOC NYC documentary film festival
America's largest festival for non-fiction cinema opens Nov. 12, offering more than 115 feature-length documentaries plus short films, available in NYC theaters and streaming. Check out the remarkable lineup.
Eva LaRue opens up about stalker: "There was no place to hide"
Actress Eva LaRue opens up about her yearslong stalker and the two-part documentary detailing her experience.
Technology
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People can't tell AI-generated music from real thing anymore, survey shows
It's become nearly impossible for people to tell the difference between music generated by artificial intelligence and that created by humans, according to a survey of 9,000 people.
Exclusive
Google sues China-based hackers over massive text-phishing scams
Google said the fake messages are part of a massive criminal network called "Lighthouse" that has stolen information through phishing and smishing scams.
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.
Embryo testing that predicts height, IQ
Herasight is a genetic screening company that charges $50,000 to allow hopeful parents to analyze embryos for genetic information like lifespan, height and IQ in life.
Lawsuits accuse ChatGPT of enabling suicide
At least seven families are suing tech giant OpenAI, claiming that its ChatGPT program drove people to suicide and harmful delusions. CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson has more.
Science
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Scientists discover new "lucifer" bee with devil-like horns
Kit Prendergast discovered the bee while surveying a critically endangered wildflower and was drawn to the insect's unique appearance.
Promising clinical trials for Alzheimer's
Recent studies have shown new antibody drugs to slow cognitive decline among people with early-onset Alzheimer's – a critical finding, given that the disease as of now has no cure. CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook visits Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, which is conducting important research into treating the disease before symptoms arise. The clinical trials involve the 1 to 2 percent of people with Alzheimer's who are genetically predisposed to developing dementia. He also talks with philanthropist Bill Gates, who has already donated $300 million to support Alzheimer's research.
Embryo testing that predicts height, IQ
Herasight is a genetic screening company that charges $50,000 to allow hopeful parents to analyze embryos for genetic information like lifespan, height and IQ in life.
James Watson, co-discoverer of the shape of DNA, dies at 97
James D. Watson, who helped discover the structure of DNA, has died at 97 years old.
Hundreds of dolphins found dead in lake were in water hotter than jacuzzi
"You couldn't put your finger in the water," said the lead author of the study, which spotlights the impacts of planetary warming on aquatic ecosystems.
Crime
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13 tons of U.S.-bound cocaine seized from ferry, Panama says
It was one the biggest such hauls in Panamanian waters to date, authorities said.
Exclusive
Google sues China-based hackers over massive text-phishing scams
Google said the fake messages are part of a massive criminal network called "Lighthouse" that has stolen information through phishing and smishing scams.
Killer who wrote message in victim's blood to die by firing squad after appeal rejected
South Carolina is set to execute the third man by firing squad since executions restarted in September 2024.
Eva LaRue opens up about stalker: "There was no place to hide"
Actress Eva LaRue opens up about her yearslong stalker and the two-part documentary detailing her experience.
TikTok influencer publicly executed by armed men in Mali
Mariame Cissé was abducted by armed men who later "executed her in front of a crowd," the mayor of Timbuktu said.
Space
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Severe geomagnetic storm could bring northern lights to much of U.S.
A severe geomagnetic storm could cause widespread disruption to infrastructure technology and make northern lights visible for much of the northern half of the U.S.
Building the next space station
Astronauts opened the hatch to the International Space Station for the first time 25 years ago. The station will be retired at the end of the decade and there's a new type of space race on to replace it. CBS News' Mark Strassmann reports.
Trump re-nominates billionaire Jared Isaacman to run NASA
President Donald Trump is nominating Jared Isaacman to serve as his NASA administrator after all.
Scientists discover black hole flare with the light of 10 trillion suns
Researcher Matthew Graham said scientists didn't initially "believe the numbers about the energy" emitting from the cosmic display.
25 years of International Space Station
Over the past 25 years, the International Space Station has hosted 280 people from 23 countries. Jericka Duncan speaks with former astronauts about their time living 250 miles above Earth.
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The life & near death of prizefighter Christy Salters-Martin
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Timeline: The disappearance of George Smith
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Who is Alix Tichelman?
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Latest CBS News Videos
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Sergeant reflects on Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
At the age of 39, Tomb Guard Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Jay has taken his final steps at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - a solemn moment of passage he chose to share with his 8-year-old son. Charlie D'Agata reports.
How WWII battleship was saved from becoming scrap
After years of service to the nation, the Battleship North Carolina was about to fade quietly into history -- until school children came to the rescue. Mark Strassmann has the story.
Italian imports store owner on pasta tariff threat
Some popular pasta brands from Italy may have to say "arrivederci" to U.S. store shelves as President Trump is threatening heavy tariffs on the imports. Meg Oliver has more.
Baby formula recalled over botulism outbreak
Infant formula maker ByHeart has expanded its voluntary recall, removing all of its baby formula from shelves. At least 15 babies have been hospitalized across 12 states with infant botulism after consuming ByHeart formula, according to officials. Jo Ling Kent reports.
Families sue Camp Mystic over deadly floods
It's been more than four months since the deadly flooding at Camp Mystic in the Texas Hill Country. Now, families of some of the girls who were killed are suing the owners of the camp. Jason Allen reports.