12/17: CBS Evening News
Largest wildfire in California history rages on; new warning for voice-activated digital assistants.
Google Home
Popular tech buys
Digital voice assistants like the Amazon Echo or Google Home were some of this holiday's top-sellers. The Nintendo Switch video game console sold more than 10 million units after this year's launch. CNET's Dan Ackerman joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss popular tech buys and what to expect in 2018.
Are digital assistants spying?
An organization called Consumer Watchdog says in the future, you may want to watch what you say around voice-activated assistants sold by Google and Amazon. The group says patent applications reveal the smart devices may one day record your conversations, to sell you things. Jamie Yuccas reports.
Smart home assistants listening
Digital assistants by Amazon and Google are listening – possibly even when you think they aren't. A consumer watchdog organization studied patent filings for both companies and found Alexa and her high-tech counterpart Google Home could start recording more information than you realize. Jamie Yuccas reports.
Smart home gifts
Smart home devices have become some of the most popular tech products on the market this year. Lindsey Turrentine, editor-in-chief of CNET.com, joins CBSN to discuss the top products that can change your living experience.
Smart home devices
People have fallen in love with smart home speakers like Amazon's Echo and Google Home, but this technology can also raise privacy and security concerns that could expose personal data. CNET reporter Alfred Ng joins CBSN to discuss what people should consider before purchasing one of these devices.
Privacy concerns smart toys
Some of the hottest buys these days are internet-connected devices, like the Amazon Echo and Google Home. They use voice recognition technology to answer users' questions. But how much of what you ask is stored or shared by tech companies? A consumer protection group is also asking major toy stores to discontinue sales of My Friend Cayla, an internet-connected doll, alleging the doll poses a threat to children. CNET senior editor Scott Stein joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the privacy concerns.
Google Home virtual assistant
"CBS This Morning" has a first look at the new voice-activated speaker, Google Home. The worldwide market for smart home speakers is expected to top $2 billion by 2020, which is nearly a 500 percent increase from 2015. Google is jumping into that market with its product. CNET News editor-in-chief Connie Guglielmo joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss how it compares to the Amazon's Echo.
From Amazon Echo to Google Home, the biggest technology companies are betting big on virtual assistants powered by artificial intelligence
From Amazon Echo to Google Home, the biggest technology companies are betting big on virtual assistants powered by artificial intelligence. Google CEO Sundar Pichai predicts "we will move from mobile-first to an AI-first world." NewYorker.com editor and CBS News contributor Nicholas Thompson joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the emerging technology.
Google Assistant's human workers listen to customer recordings
Contractors at Google regularly listen and review some recordings of what people say to their Google Assistant
Macaulay Culkin is "Home Alone" again in new ad
"You have the house to yourself," Google Assistant tells a grown-up Kevin McCallister, 28 years after he was first left home alone
Amazon, Google patent applications hint at devices listening more
Information obtained could be used to identify a person's desires or interests
Roku to launch voice-controlled digital assistant
Streaming video company faces tough competition in segment dominated by Amazon, Apple and Google
Are smart home assistants listening more than you realize?
A consumer watchdog organization reveals what patent filings for both companies show
Possibly lifesaving 911 call sparks mystery for police
Authorities can't explain how call credited with alerting police to domestic violence situation went through
How secure are your "smart home" speakers?
Here’s what the Apple HomePod, Amazon Echo and Google Home offer in terms of privacy
Burger King makes a whopper of a mess with Google Home ad
The ad urged people to ask Google for the Whopper's Wikipedia entry, but wags added unflattering entries
Siri and Alexa's future: Health and emotional support?
Ahead of CES 2017, experts weigh the potential of giving voice assistants more health awareness
How "smart devices" could compromise your privacy
CNET senior editor Scott Stein explains how internet-connected devices like Amazon's Echo, Google Home – and even a child's doll – could be spying on you
Supreme Court blocks new Postal Service rules for mail ballots in blow to Trump
The Supreme Court left intact a ruling that blocked the U.S. Postal Service from enforcing new regulations for mail voting, rejecting the Trump administration's effort to move forward with the rules in the midterms.
First on CBS
Air Force officer prayed while "free-falling" after being shot down in Iran
Badly wounded and alone in Iran's desert, downed U.S. Air Force officer Dude 44 Bravo evaded capture for days as the Iranian forces and the U.S. military searched for him.
Mitch McConnell returns to Capitol Hill after monthslong absence
GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky returned to Capitol Hill on Monday for the first time in three months, ending a prolonged absence that sparked widespread speculation about his health.
Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour following pro-Palestinian remarks
Performer Macklemore is being dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop tour after making on-stage statements that some found controversial.
Who won Emmys for 2026? See the full winners list here.
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards celebrated the best in television and streaming from the past year on Monday. See the full list of winners and nominees.
Live
Oil prices stay above $100 as Iran and Oman delay Strait of Hormuz talks
Iran and Oman delayed a meeting to discuss control of the Strait of Hormuz as fighting between Iran's Houthi allies and Saudi Arabia raises the stakes for global energy markets.
Exclusive
Blanche defends mail ballot changes, says election practices are being probed
Attorney General Todd Blanche fiercely defended the Trump administration's push to impose tighter mail voting rules, telling CBS News the DOJ is examining election practices in multiple states.
Democrats vow to investigate Trump pardon brokers if party controls Congress
Senior Democratic lawmakers vowed to investigate the new market that has sprung up around President Trump's pardons, citing CBS News video that aired in a 60 Minutes report.
Investigation
Loopholes and shady practices taint U.S. surrogacy industry
Lured by promises of payment and a desire to help other families, surrogates discover they have few protections from practices that cast a "dark shadow" over the industry.
U.S.
More U.S.
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.
Pentagon inspector general says Iran war has caused weapons shortages
The first-of-its-kind report acknowledges the military's munition shortfall and details some of the losses of American assets so far as part of Operation Epic Fury.
Who won Emmys for 2026? See the full winners list here.
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards celebrated the best in television and streaming from the past year on Monday. See the full list of winners and nominees.
AI companies must ensure their tech is safe, says top Trump adviser on AI
In an interview with CBS News, Sacks suggested that fears AI could harm people are overblown. "I think this is becoming a panic," he said.
Exclusive
Blanche vows to release more 9/11 docs: "We're not protecting people"
Attorney General Todd Blanche says the government is not withholding documents to protect another country, days after 9/11 families publicly appealed to the Trump administration for more information to be released.
MoneyWatch
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AI companies must ensure their tech is safe, says top Trump adviser on AI
In an interview with CBS News, Sacks suggested that fears AI could harm people are overblown. "I think this is becoming a panic," he said.
The AI bubble is leaking air, some economists say. Should investors worry?
AI has fueled a stock boom in recent years. Now, some Wall Street analysts think that epic run is coming to an end.
The U.S. economy faces mounting headwinds. Here are the top risks.
Rising energy costs, persistently high inflation and mounting federal debt are clouding the outlook for the U.S. economy — and Americans' finances.
Tech stocks slump after AI execs call for industry slowdown
The tech-heavy Nasdaq slumped 147 points on Monday after AI company executives called for a slowdown in developing the technology.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei: "For too long the industry lied" about AI risks
The head of the artificial intelligence company calls the exponential rate of AI developments a "warning sign," with risks for humanity, and says, "We need to slow down." He talks with "Sunday Morning" about possible steps forward.
Politics
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Exclusive
Blanche defends mail ballot changes, says election practices are being probed
Attorney General Todd Blanche fiercely defended the Trump administration's push to impose tighter mail voting rules, telling CBS News the DOJ is examining election practices in multiple states.
Trump nominates Lee Greenwood's wife to serve as ambassador to Barbados
President Trump on Monday nominated Kimberly Greenwood, the wife of "God Bless the USA" singer Lee Greenwood, to serve as ambassador to Barbados and several other Caribbean countries.
Democrats vow to investigate Trump pardon brokers if party controls Congress
Senior Democratic lawmakers vowed to investigate the new market that has sprung up around President Trump's pardons, citing CBS News video that aired in a 60 Minutes report.
Supreme Court blocks new Postal Service rules for mail ballots in blow to Trump
The Supreme Court left intact a ruling that blocked the U.S. Postal Service from enforcing new regulations for mail voting, rejecting the Trump administration's effort to move forward with the rules in the midterms.
Exclusive
Blanche vows to release more 9/11 docs: "We're not protecting people"
Attorney General Todd Blanche says the government is not withholding documents to protect another country, days after 9/11 families publicly appealed to the Trump administration for more information to be released.
HealthWatch
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Pennsylvania woman dies of measles complications, coroner reports
A 40-year-old woman died on Saturday from complications associated with measles, the coroner reported.
Strange symptom and a "weird" referral led to surprise Stage 4 cancer diagnosis
Kate Ping thought she was just stressed out. A nurse practitioner's surprising recommendation led to a shocking diagnosis.
Trump admin. to send $500 checks to nearly 1 million ACA enrollees
Affordable Care Act recipients in 30 states are set to receive the $500 checks starting in October. Here's why.
Record-setting cyclospora outbreak is over, U.S. health officials say
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there is no longer a risk of people getting sick with cyclosporiasis from this outbreak and is confident that all related iceberg lettuce is off the market.
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.
World
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Trump nominates Lee Greenwood's wife to serve as ambassador to Barbados
President Trump on Monday nominated Kimberly Greenwood, the wife of "God Bless the USA" singer Lee Greenwood, to serve as ambassador to Barbados and several other Caribbean countries.
After losing son, couple welcomes daughter born from embryo frozen for 22 years
The couple named their daughter Georgia in honor of their late son, Giorgos.
Iran's proxies using Yemen to compound war's impact on oil prices
An attack on a Saudi Arabian pipeline and a simmering war between the Saudis and Iran's Houthi allies in Yemen are pushing oil prices up.
Shark attacks, injures surfer at popular beach in Australia
Scientists believe increasingly crowded waters and rising ocean temperatures are shifting sharks' migratory patterns, which may be contributing to a rise in attacks.
Sweden faces political uncertainty as election deals far-right a blow
Sweden's left-wing opposition are holding a slim lead after an election that saw the far-right's share of the vote
Entertainment
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Who won Emmys for 2026? See the full winners list here.
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards celebrated the best in television and streaming from the past year on Monday. See the full list of winners and nominees.
Looking back at Bob Mackie's looks and life
Bob Mackie, a fashion icon known for elevating Hollywood's leading ladies and pop stars for decades, died on Monday at 87. Meg Oliver looks back on his signature looks and his life.
CBS News interviews an AI "actor"
The first so-called AI actor, Tilly Norwood, is on a promotional tour for an upcoming movie produced by a British company. CBS News correspondent Leigh Kiniry interviewed the AI on the film "Misaligned."
Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour following pro-Palestinian remarks
Performer Macklemore is being dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop tour after making on-stage statements that some found controversial.
Iconic designer Bob Mackie dies at 87. See photos of legendary stars he dressed.
Dubbed the "Designer to the Stars," Bob Mackie won nine Emmy Awards, a Tony Award and was nominated for three Oscars.
Technology
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Technology
Rep. Sam Liccardo on AI regulation
While artificial intelligence leaders are uniting to slow development, lawmakers are split over the government's role in regulating the industry and how to balance safety concerns with efforts to stay ahead of China in the AI race. Democratic Rep. Sam Liccardo of California joins CBS News with his take.
Jeffries calls for immediate action on AI
On Capitol Hill, lawmakers returning from the summer recess are weighing in with differing views on how much government regulation on artificial intelligence is necessary. New York Times congressional correspondent Robert Jimison joins to discuss.
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.
Extended interview: David Sacks
David Sacks, a key adviser to President Trump on technology, believes fears that AI could threaten humanity are overblown. In an exclusive interview with CBS News' Jo Ling Kent, Sacks delivers a message to tech leaders including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, argues that a "pause" on AI development could cause the U.S. to fall behind China in the AI race, and discusses more about the importance of tech.
What could a global pause on AI look like?
Several top tech CEOs are calling for a slowdown in artificial intelligence development amid industry concerns that the technology is spiraling out of control. In a recent New York Times opinion piece, investigative journalist Stephen Witt argues that slowing down may not be enough. Witt joins CBS News to explain.
Science
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Anthropic CEO says "exponential" growth of AI is a "warning sign"
Artificial intelligence technology is developing at an "exponential" rate, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei told CBS News, calling the situation a "warning sign" for the industry that requires serious safeguards.
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.
Crime
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Crime
New details on Clancy holdout juror
The holdout juror in Lindsay Clancy's murder trial faced a domestic violence charge in 2021, but it was later dismissed, police records show. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.
Lindsay Clancy juror speaks out
Paula Devlin, a juror in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, sat down with Shanelle Kaul to share her experience with the high-profile case and tense deliberations that ultimately ended in a mistrial.
Man arrested in death of Tasia Fortune, woman found hanging from tree
Mississippi police have arrested a man in the death of Tasia Fortune, a Black woman found hanging from a tree last month.
State of al‑Qaeda 25 years after 9/11 attacks
25 years after 9/11, we rarely hear about the state of the organization responsible for the attacks. The Atlantic recently put out a piece on al-Qaeda that says in part, "analysts can't decide if the terrorist organization is all but defunct or more threatening than ever." The article's author, Graeme Wood, joins "The Takeout" to discuss.
New terror threats against U.S. post 9/11
The FBI is warning of potential attacks on 9/11 remembrance ceremonies as terrorist groups call for new strikes on U.S. soil. Anna Schecter has more.
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.
Latest Galleries
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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
Tech stock selloff amid AI concerns
Calls for a slowdown in AI development sparked a global selloff in tech stocks on Monday. Jessica Inskip, the director of investor research at StockBrokers.com, joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.
Rep. Sam Liccardo on AI regulation
While artificial intelligence leaders are uniting to slow development, lawmakers are split over the government's role in regulating the industry and how to balance safety concerns with efforts to stay ahead of China in the AI race. Democratic Rep. Sam Liccardo of California joins CBS News with his take.
John Calipari on Protect College Sports Act
President Trump is urging Congress to pass the Protect College Sports Act. It would establish new guidelines and protections for name, image and likeness payments, and regulate issues like the transfer portal and how much teams can spend on their rosters. University of Arkansas head coach John Calipari joins to discuss his support for the bill.
Vance makes announcement on loans
Vice President JD Vance announced on Monday that people suspected of defrauding COVID-era programs will be barred from future federal loans.
Jeffries calls for immediate action on AI
On Capitol Hill, lawmakers returning from the summer recess are weighing in with differing views on how much government regulation on artificial intelligence is necessary. New York Times congressional correspondent Robert Jimison joins to discuss.