Misinformation has surged following Hurricane Helene. Here's a fact check.
Officials have said baseless claims, amplified by former President Trump and others, are hindering recovery efforts.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Fact-checking Hurricane Helene misinformation
Misinformation and conspiracy theories have been swirling on social media in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. FEMA's deputy administrator told CBS Mornings this misinformation is seriously hindering rescue and recovery operations. Rhona Tarrant, executive editor for CBS News Confirmed, joins to fact-check some of the claims.
Biden sends more troops to North Carolina for Hurricane Helene response
Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage from Florida into the Appalachian mountains and killed more than 225 people across multiple states.
Biden urges Congress to fund disaster relief
With the Southeast still recovering from Hurricane Helene, President Biden has called on Congress to fund a small business disaster loan program. But lawmakers are on recess until after Election Day. CBS News congressional correspondent Scott MacFarlane reports.
Tampa mayor urges evacuations ahead of Milton
The mayor of Tampa, Florida, and top FEMA officials gave an update Monday on preparations for Hurricane Milton. The storm is predicted to make landfall in Tampa on Wednesday. The mayor urged people in evacuation zones to get out before the storm hits. FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell said emergency personnel are already on the ground providing support for the aftermath of Helene and will be moved as needed.
Debates amid Hurricane Helene aftermath
Hurricane Helene isn't just causing destruction — political debates and false claims are now clouding the recovery process. Erik Hooks, FEMA's deputy administrator, joins "CBS Mornings Plus" to offer more context of the damage left behind.
Debris from Helene becomes hazardous amid cleanup
The death toll from Hurricane Helene keeps rising, with at least 219 people reported dead across six states. The full scope of the destruction is just now coming into clearer focus. Manuel Bojorquez reports from the mountains of North Carolina, where entire towns have been buried under mud and debris.
Biden speaks after surveying Helene damage
President Biden spoke in Ray City, Georgia, Thursday afternoon after surveying damage from Hurricane Helene in both the Peach State and Florida. Mr. Biden stressed there are no Democrats and Republicans in situations like this and promised to be there until things are restored. The president also spoke of how he ordered resources to be put in place before Helene's landfall and vowed to help the Southeast get back on its feet.
Campaigns shift plans to respond to Helene
Helene's devastation is prompting the 2024 candidates to adjust their campaign schedules. Vice President Kamala Harris cut her visit to Nevada short to attend briefings on disaster recovery, and former President Donald Trump toured some of the storm's damage in Georgia. CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett has more.
Hurricane Helene devastates southeastern U.S.
The death toll from Hurricane Helene has surpassed 100 people across the Southeast. Hundreds are still unaccounted for, and roughly two million people have lost power. CBS News correspondent Skyler Henry reports from North Carolina.
Biden to tour Helene damage in North Carolina
The Biden administration is offering the federal government's full assistance to those impacted by Hurricane Helene. President Biden is set to visit storm-ravaged areas of North Carolina on Wednesday. Senior Biden adviser Tom Perez joins "America Decides" to discuss the administration's response to the natural disaster.
Trump tours damage; Harris gets FEMA briefing
Hurricane Helene's death toll has now surpassed 115 people. Vice President Kamala Harris cut her West Coast swing short Monday for a FEMA briefing in Washington, D.C., and former President Donald Trump visited an emergency command center in Georgia. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane and Ed O'Keefe have the latest.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen on Key Bridge collapse
Multiple people remain unaccounted for following the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge. Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen joins "America Decides" to discuss the latest on state and federal efforts.
Life-saving emergency alerts often come too late or not at all
A CBS News investigation found numerous examples across the U.S. where emergency officials failed to issue timely alerts to warn the public about safety threats — or never issued an alert at all.
What to know about today's Great ShakeOut, California's earthquake drill
The Great ShakeOut, which happens today, is an annual safety drill that began in earthquake-prone California and later expanded across the U.S. and overseas.
Why an emergency alert test sounded today on all U.S. cellphones
FEMA and the FCC launched a nationwide test of the emergency alert system on Wednesday.
Rep. for Maui says warning sirens "likely did not go off" before fires
How officials managed the wildfires on Maui has come under scrutiny as the natural disaster becomes the deadliest in Hawaii's history as a state.
Unique Texas facility prepares first responders for major catastrophes
Disaster City is a 52-acre complex with more than a dozen disaster scenarios designed to prepare elite rescue teams to learn to save lives.
Kentucky residents still waiting for help months after devastating flooding
Many are having issues securing aid from FEMA, a state lawmaker said.
Biden briefs on Hurricane Ian
President Biden on Thursday visited the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Washington as Hurricane Ian continued to batter Florida. The president said the storm could be the "deadliest hurricane in Florida's history." Watch his remarks.
World Central Kitchen helping storm victims
The nonprofit World Central Kitchen is helping in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian by providing fresh meals to impacted communities. CBS News anchors Lana Zak and Tanya Rivero spoke with the organization's Florida lead, Fiona Donovan, about their response.
FEMA administrator on Hurricane Ian response
Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida on Wednesday afternoon as a Category 4 storm. Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell joins "CBS Mornings" to give an update on the federal and state storm response.
FEMA ready to help as Hurricane Ian hits
As Hurricane Ian hits Florida, the federal government is preparing to help. FEMA has 3.7 million meals and 3.5 million liters of water staged in Alabama. CBS News' Homeland Security and Justice reporter Nicole Sganga joins us with the latest on the preparations.
FEMA administrator calls water crisis in Mississippi a "tragic situation"
"Our focus right now for FEMA is ... making sure that they have safe water to drink" in Jackson, the state capital, Deanne Criswell told CBS News.
State of emergency in Mississippi's capital due to water supply problems
Heavy rains caused problems at a water treatment plant, leading to low pressure and concerns about firefighting and people's ability to take showers and flush toilets.
Live
May who says he was person of interest in Nancy Guthrie's abduction released
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on Feb. 1 and ransom notes were being investigated.
FAA halts all flights into and out of El Paso for 10 days for "security reasons"
The Federal Aviation Administration has halted all flights into and out of El Paso until very late on Feb. 20 for what it calls "special security reasons."
Grand jury declines criminal charges against 6 Democrats, sources say
A federal grand jury refused to indict six Democrats who drew President Trump's ire by taping a video telling members of the military that they must reject "illegal orders," three sources told CBS News.
Exclusive
14-year-old girl allegedly zip-tied in raid, raising questions about ICE tactics
A 14-year-old girl said she was "crying" and "struggling to breathe" when law enforcement officers herded her onto a racetrack with other detainees and zip-tied her hands.
9 killed, dozens injured in shooting at British Columbia high school and home
The suspected shooter was found dead in the school from a "self-inflicted injury," Canadian police said.
Videos in the Epstein files reveal disturbing glimpses of his private life
The Epstein files released by the Justice Department include hours of video footage Jeffrey Epstein recorded, received or downloaded. The Free Press has compiled it all.
FBI releases photos, videos of subject in Nancy Guthrie disappearance
FBI Director Kash Patel posted videos of a person outside the home of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Savannah Guthrie, on the morning of her disappearance.
Don Lemon now represented by ex-prosecutor who resigned from DOJ
A high-profile former prosecutor who was part of a wave of resignations from the Justice Department's office in Minneapolis last month has a surprising new client: Former CNN anchor Don Lemon.
Khanna names 6 men he says were redacted from Epstein files for "no apparent reason"
Two lawmakers are accusing the government of improperly redacting some people's names from the Epstein files, including six men whose identities are now public.
U.S.
More U.S.
FAA halts all flights into and out of El Paso for 10 days for "security reasons"
The Federal Aviation Administration has halted all flights into and out of El Paso until very late on Feb. 20 for what it calls "special security reasons."
New Medicaid work rules likely to hit middle-aged adults hard
Republicans have said new Medicaid work rules are aimed at unemployed young people who should have jobs. Policy researchers say the rules are more likely to disrupt coverage for middle-aged adults.
Bought a new car last year? You could qualify for this tax break.
New deduction allows taxpayers to deduct up to $10,000 on interest they paid to buy a new American-made vehicle in 2025.
Bodycam video shows scene of Border Patrol agent's shooting of Marimar Martinez
The three videos show what happened before and after the shooting by a Border Patrol agent on Oct. 4, 2025, in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood.
Live
Man who says he was person of interest in Nancy Guthrie's abduction released
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on Feb. 1 and ransom notes were being investigated.
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
New Medicaid work rules likely to hit middle-aged adults hard
Republicans have said new Medicaid work rules are aimed at unemployed young people who should have jobs. Policy researchers say the rules are more likely to disrupt coverage for middle-aged adults.
Bought a new car last year? You could qualify for this tax break.
New deduction allows taxpayers to deduct up to $10,000 on interest they paid to buy a new American-made vehicle in 2025.
Estée Lauder accuses Walmart of selling counterfeits of its products
Estée Lauder lawsuit alleges Walmart sells fake versions of products from brands including Aveda, Clinique and Tom Ford.
The "K-shaped" economy will affect your 2026 tax refund
Tax refunds will be bigger this year because of the big, beautiful bill" act, with higher-income households set to reap the biggest checks.
Vatican Bank debuts two Catholic-themed equity indexes
The Vatican Bank said the new indexes are "designed to serve as a reference for Catholic investments worldwide."
Politics
More Politics
Exclusive
DNC tallied over $7 million in grassroots fundraising last month
Democrats are facing a stark cash gap with the Republican National Committee after the GOP closed 2025 with $95 million in cash on hand.
Moderna says FDA refuses its application for new mRNA flu vaccine
The Food and Drug Administration is refusing to consider Moderna's application for a new flu vaccine made with mRNA technology, the company said.
House Republicans break with Trump, blocking a bid to protect tariff authority
GOP leaders launched an unsuccessful bid to reinstate a ban on resolutions that challenged the president's sweeping tariffs.
Grand jury declines criminal charges against 6 Democrats, sources say
A federal grand jury refused to indict six Democrats who drew President Trump's ire by taping a video telling members of the military that they must reject "illegal orders," three sources told CBS News.
Don Lemon now represented by ex-prosecutor who resigned from DOJ
A high-profile former prosecutor who was part of a wave of resignations from the Justice Department's office in Minneapolis last month has a surprising new client: Former CNN anchor Don Lemon.
HealthWatch
More HealthWatch
Moderna says FDA refuses its application for new mRNA flu vaccine
The Food and Drug Administration is refusing to consider Moderna's application for a new flu vaccine made with mRNA technology, the company said.
What to know about a new study on coffee, tea and dementia risk
CBS News medical contributor Dr. Céline Gounder said the results of the study on coffee drinkers having lower risk of dementia should be taken "with a massive grain of salt."
Thousands of mothers were flagged to police over flawed drug tests at childbirth
The Marshall Project found more than 70,000 cases referred to law enforcement over allegations of substance use during pregnancy — and that's a significant undercount.
Obamacare sign-ups drop, but the extent won't be clear for months
Experts say Affordable Care Act sign-up data won't be clear until people who were enrolled have paid — or not — their new, often much higher, premiums.
Hospital flooded by Hurricane Helene to be rebuilt in another flood plain
Ballad Health, the nation's largest state-sanctioned hospital monopoly, plans to rebuild Unicoi County Hospital in Tennessee on land that two climate modeling companies say is at risk of flooding.
World
More World
9 killed, dozens injured in shooting at British Columbia high school and home
The suspected shooter was found dead in the school from a "self-inflicted injury," Canadian police said.
Spanish skater in Minions costume reflects on music rights dispute, performance
Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate donned his Minions costume at the 2026 Winter Olympics in the men's short program, days after he received approval for the music.
Maxim Naumov makes Olympic debut 1 year after parents killed in midair collision
Maxim Naumov's score Tuesday was enough to make it through the short program, giving him another opportunity to perform when the men's free skate takes place Friday night.
Irish man held by ICE says he had U.S. work permit, fears for his life
Seamus Culleton says he's been held for 5 months in a "filthy" ICE detention camp despite a U.S. work permit and green card application.
Airlines adjust as Trump's policies dry up Cuba's jet fuel supplies
A Canadian airline suspends flights to Cuba as U.S sanctions and Trump's tariff threats force Havana to warn carriers there's no way to refuel on the island.
Entertainment
More Entertainment
Chappell Roan leaves Wasserman talent agency after his mentions in Epstein files
Chappell Roan says she's left her talent agency after its CEO, Casey Wasserman, was named in files related to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Analyzing best and worst Super Bowl LX ads
Just 30 seconds of highly coveted commercial airtime during the Super Bowl costs as much as $10 million, according to CBS News MoneyWatch. Bill Pearce, marketing faculty member at The University of California, Berkeley, joins to discuss some of the ads from Super Bowl LX.
Could Trump's Bad Bunny attacks alienate Latinos?
Bad Bunny's historic Super Bowl halftime show included superstar surprise guests and a message of unity and cultural celebration. While many praised the performance, President Trump took to social media to criticize the show. CBS News political director Fin Gómez joins with analysis.
Bad Bunny and the politics of the Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is a football game, an entertainment spectacle, a global billboard and a crucible of American political discord. CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett explains.
Catherine O'Hara's cause of death was a pulmonary embolism
Catherine O'Hara, known for her roles in "Home Alone," "Schitt's Creek" and "Beetlejuice," died on Jan. 30 at the age of 71.
Technology
More Technology
Technology
AI tech boom causes shortages
The demands of the artificial intelligence boom may be causing shortages in other sectors that help boost the U.S. economy. Shira Ovide, a technology reporter for The Washington Post, joins CBS News with more.
Social media companies face massive trial
Opening statements began in a landmark trial against Google and Meta on the apparent harms of social media platforms. CBS News' Jo Ling Kent reports.
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.
Social media giants accused of "addicting the brains of children" as trial begins
Instagram's parent company Meta and Google's YouTube dispute claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children.
Trial over social media addiction in kids begins
Opening statements began Monday in Los Angeles in a landmark trial over alleged social media addiction in children. CBS News correspondent Carter Evans has the details.
Science
More Science
Scientists "quite surprised" to find one polar bear population thriving
After decades monitoring polar bears in Norway's far north, researchers say the animals have proven incredibly adaptable, but there are no guarantees for the future.
Mysterious dark matter seen in new map of distant galaxies
Dark matter doesn't absorb or give off light so scientists can't study it directly. But they can observe how its gravity warps and bends the star stuff around it.
Cow develops technique to scratch herself
"CBS Saturday Morning" learns more about Veronika, the clever cow who figured out multiple ways to scratch herself with a broom. It was the first time a cow was seen using a tool.
Almanac: January 18
"Sunday Morning" looks back at historical events on this date.
Fossils found at Dinosaur National Monument, first excavation in 100 years
The Dinosaur National Monument, which is located on the border between Colorado and Utah, was last excavated in 1924.
Crime
More Crime
Live
Man who says he was person of interest in Nancy Guthrie's abduction released
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on Feb. 1 and ransom notes were being investigated.
Retired FBI agents analyze new images in Nancy Guthrie disappearance
The FBI on Tuesday released images and videos showing a person outside Nancy Guthrie's front door in Tucson, Arizona, wearing a ski mask and gloves and carrying a backpack and what appears to be a weapon.
Ex-FBI special agent on new Guthrie footage
The FBI on Tuesday released new surveillance footage of a masked person on the front porch of Nancy Guthrie's home. Former FBI Special Agent Jeff Harp joins to analyze the video.
Officials believe person in Guthrie video was armed
The FBI on Tuesday released surveillance images of a masked person at Nancy Guthrie's front door. CBS News reporter Andres Gutierrez has the latest.
Epstein survivor on DOJ's handling of files
The Justice Department is facing bipartisan criticism over its handling of the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Danielle Bensky, an Epstein survivor, joins "The Takeout" to discuss.
Space
More Space
New space station crew eager for Wednesday launch
The new crew will replace four station fliers who returned to Earth ahead of schedule last month due to a medical issue.
What led NASA to delay Artemis II launch
NASA's first crewed moon mission in more than 50 years has been delayed until March at the earliest. During a routine dress rehearsal of the launch, persistent liquid hydrogen leaks were discovered in the Artemis II rocket. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood breaks it down.
NASA hopes to fix Artemis II moon rocket leak with on-pad repair
NASA plans to test the planned leak repair with a second dress rehearsal fueling test later this month.
NASA delays Artemis II launch
NASA delayed the Artemis II moon rocket launch after a hydrogen leak was found during a wet dress rehearsal, the agency announced Tuesday. CBS News senior space consultant Bill Harwood has the latest.
NASA begins mission to map the boundaries of our heliosphere
A NASA mission is underway to map the heliosphere, which is a huge protective bubble around the solar system that was created by the sun.
Latest Galleries
More Latest Galleries
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.
Evidence in the Barbara Kendhammer case
Does the evidence show a cover-up, or was Todd Kendhammer wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife?
The life & near death of prizefighter Christy Salters-Martin
Christy Salters-Martin dominated in the boxing ring but faced her toughest challenger at home.
Timeline: The disappearance of George Smith
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Who is Alix Tichelman?
Meet the tattooed beauty charged in the death of Google executive Forrest Hayes.
Latest CBS News Videos
More Latest CBS News Videos
Latest CBS News Videos
Person of interest detained in Guthrie case
With the search for Nancy Guthrie in its tenth day, law enforcement sources told CBS News that the Pima County Sheriff's Office detained a person for questioning. Tony Dokoupil anchors this special report.
Person of interest arrested in Guthrie case
The Pima County Sheriff's Department in Arizona has detained a person of interest connected with Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, according to two law enforcement sources. Jessi Mitchell anchors this Special Report.
Hero dog leads police to missing 3-year-old
A neighborhood dog helped authorities in Louisville, Kentucky, find a missing 3-year-old boy last month in a dramatic rescue seen in newly released body camera footage. "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil has the story.
Team USA picks up five more Olympic medals
Team USA added five more medals at the Olympics onTuesday, bringing the total so far to seven. Meanwhile, the frustration continues for American skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin. Kelly O'Grady has the latest.
Teen says she was zip-tied in Idaho ICE raid
A 14-year-old girl said she was "crying" and "struggling to breathe" when law enforcement officers herded her onto a racetrack with other detainees and zip-tied her hands during an immigration raid. Matt Gutman reports.