Wealth inequality in America just hit its widest gap in 3 decades
Nearly one-third of U.S. household wealth was held by the top 1% in the third quarter of 2025.
Income Inequality
California could impose a billionaire tax. Here's how it would work.
Proposed California ballot initiative would impose a one-time 5% tax on billionaires, with the revenue funneled toward health care and education.
Nearly a quarter of households live paycheck to paycheck, report finds
The percentage of Americans just scraping by financially is rising as wage growth slows and inflation flares, Bank of America finds.
You're living in a "K-shaped" economy. Here's how that affects you.
The shape of economic growth this year highlights the widening gap between wealthy Americans and everyone else, economists say.
Pediatrician who helped expose Flint's water crisis now fighting poverty
Dr. Mona Hanna created Rx kids, a program that gives cash to pregnant moms with no strings attached.
Outgoing Ford Foundation president on new book
The new book "The Idea of America" hopes to narrow growing divisions among Americans. Author Darren Walker, outgoing president of the Ford Foundation, joins "The Takeout" to discuss how there is more that unites us than divides us.
Financial burden rises for transportation
America's affordability crisis is getting worse. Average Americans are struggling to afford rent, groceries and transportation. Elise Preston reports on the economic struggle many face to even leave their home.
These are the faces of the affordability crisis in the U.S.
A teacher, a police officer and a senior job seeker share the stress and frustration of trying to stay afloat amid surging costs.
Reporter's Notebook: Tax plan gamble
A new tax proposal backed by President Trump would give the biggest benefits to the top earners, while cutting support for the poor. If the promised growth doesn't come, the most vulnerable will pay the price. "CBS Evening News" co-anchor John Dickerson explains.
Police officer shares struggle to buy first home
Americans are sharing their struggles to make ends meet in CBS News' series, "The Cost of Living." A rookie cop in Connecticut talks about the challenges of buying his first home.
Teacher on $37,000 salary fights to stay afloat
In a recent CBS News poll, two out of three Americans said they're stressed about their own finances, while three out of four said their incomes are not keeping up with inflation. A single mom of three shows what it's like to make ends meet on a teacher's salary of $37,000.
Almost 98% of nation's wealth is owned by top half of Americans
Top households are grabbing a larger share of the nation's wealth, a trend experts say could accelerate due to tax cuts and tariffs, experts say.
Homelessness surged a record 18% in 2024
Homelessness in the U.S. jumped 18.1% this year, hitting a record level, with the dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing and devastating natural disasters, officials say. Lilia Luciano has the story.
The more wealth you have, the happier you get, research finds
Multimillionaires are much happier than the merely well off, suggesting life satisfaction continues to improve the wealthier you are.
Growing divide in Wyoming as billionaires send prices sky-high
Teton County's $108,000 median income is still not enough to afford the $7 million average cost for a home in Jackson Hole.
Here's how much income it takes to be considered rich in your state
The income needed to join your state's top earners can vary considerably, from a low of $329,620 annually in West Virginia to $719,253 in Washington D.C.
Here's how much money you need to be in the 1%
It takes substantially more money to be considered an ultra high net worth individual.
Single women in the U.S. own more homes than single men
American women have pulled ahead of men when it comes to building wealth through homeownership, according to LendingTree.
Young Americans and the economy
38% of Gen Z and millennials say they are having a harder time growing financial wealth compared to their parents at the same age, according to a new survey from Bankrate. Sarah Foster, an analyst at Bankrate, joined CBS News to discuss the findings.
Taraji P. Henson says "the math ain't mathing" on pay equity in entertainment
It's not the first time Henson has spoken out on this topic, revealing that she only made $150,000 for her Academy Award-nominated role in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."
How much are houses in big cities?
There is a disconnect in most U.S. markets of how much money people are earning, and how much it would cost to buy a home. CBS MoneyWatch associate managing editor Aimee Picchi joins CBS News with data on how much houses cost in major cities around the country.
Richest 20% now richer than before COVID: Fed
Americans were able to save more money during the pandemic because they were spending less due to lockdown restrictions, but new data from the Federal Reserve shows that excess money has now run out for most people. Alex Tanzi, a senior editor for the U.S. economy team at Bloomberg, joined CBS News to discuss how the rich have gotten richer and everyone else has, at best, what they had before the coronavirus pandemic.
The economy's long, hot, and uncertain summer — CBS News poll
High prices and interest rates are still weighing on personal budgets.
Geography of American poverty: "Internal colonies" where life is short
The most disadvantaged communities around the U.S. are rural and suffer from a history of injustice, a new book finds.
Ivy colleges favor rich kids, but middle-class students face obstacles
Students from middle-income families are the least likely to gain admission to elite universities in the U.S., Harvard researchers say.
Live
Adviser to Iran's supreme leader says "ball is in Trump's court"
It remains unclear how close the U.S. and Iran are to striking a deal to end the Iran war amid continued hostilities between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Becerra advances in California governor's race, CBS News projects
CBS News projects that Democratic former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has advanced in the primary for the 2026 California governor's race. A second candidate in the race has not yet been projected to advance.
Exclusive
After deadly bus crash, investigators probe company's links to other carriers
The company that operated a bus involved in a deadly crash in Virginia last week has ties to a broader network of travel firms, including one shut down by regulators a decade ago, a CBS News investigation has found.
FBI fires analysts who worked on memo about Catholic extremist ideology
The five fired FBI analysits were involved in the creation of a withdrawn internal 2023 intelligence memo on "Radical Traditionalist Catholic" ideology, sources said.
Heightened security for Trump attending NBA Finals includes ban on bags at MSG
As President Trump prepares to watch the New York Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden, officials are planning for a heightened security posture, sources said.
DOJ confirms in court papers the "anti-weaponization fund" isn't going forward
In a pair of legal filings Friday, the Justice Department stated in writing for what appears to be the first time that a controversial $1.7 billion "anti-weaponization fund" will not continue.
Graham Platner faces another controversy days ahead of Maine Senate primary
This week, the New York Times reported allegations of Platner's "unsettling" behavior toward women he dated, including one claim that he was physically abusive, which Platner denies.
Judge refers DOJ lawyers for possible discipline over handling of transgender care probe
U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy had lambasted Justice Department lawyers in a decision last month and accused them of misrepresenting and withholding information.
Trump says he wants Pulte to "start the process" of shrinking intel office
President Trump told the Wall Street Journal he may even want to terminate the Office of the Director of National Intelligence altogether.
U.S.
More U.S.
Park ranger dies after falling into crevasse on America's tallest peak
The National Park Service said a ranger in Alaska fell into a crevasse and died on North America's tallest mountain.
FBI fires analysts who worked on memo about Catholic extremist ideology
The five fired FBI analysits were involved in the creation of a withdrawn internal 2023 intelligence memo on "Radical Traditionalist Catholic" ideology, sources said.
Exclusive
After deadly bus crash, investigators probe company's links to other carriers
The company that operated a bus involved in a deadly crash in Virginia last week has ties to a broader network of travel firms, including one shut down by regulators a decade ago, a CBS News investigation has found.
The job market is much stronger than economists expected. Why?
Americans say it's tough to find a job, but employers just added a surprisingly strong 172,000 new hires in May.
Graham Platner faces another controversy days ahead of Maine Senate primary
This week, the New York Times reported allegations of Platner's "unsettling" behavior toward women he dated, including one claim that he was physically abusive, which Platner denies.
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
The job market is much stronger than economists expected. Why?
Americans say it's tough to find a job, but employers just added a surprisingly strong 172,000 new hires in May.
Second Facebook privacy settlement payment is coming soon
The additional payouts come from uncashed settlement funds and will be issued to eligible claimants beginning on June 9.
Employers added 172,000 jobs in May, surging past expectations
The labor market continues to show strength despite rising inflation and concerns about slowing economic growth.
Meta is selling $3.99 monthly subscriptions for Instagram Plus
The new paid tier adds features like longer stories and deeper metrics as Meta looks to diversify revenue beyond advertising.
The U.S. is minting more millionaires than ever. Here's why.
A stock market boom is elevating more Americans into the ranks of the nation's millionaires, a new study finds.
Politics
More Politics
Becerra advances in California governor's race, CBS News projects
CBS News projects that Democratic former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has advanced in the primary for the 2026 California governor's race. A second candidate in the race has not yet been projected to advance.
Colombia's Petro accuses Trump of intervening in his country's election
Colombian President Gustavo Petro argues the U.S. has chosen to align against his government and back forces he identifies as complicit in the drug trade.
No bags, no watch parties: What to expect when Trump attends NBA Finals
As President Trump prepares to watch the New York Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden, officials are planning for a heightened security posture, sources said.
FBI fires analysts who worked on memo about Catholic extremist ideology
The five fired FBI analysits were involved in the creation of a withdrawn internal 2023 intelligence memo on "Radical Traditionalist Catholic" ideology, sources said.
DOJ confirms in court papers the "anti-weaponization fund" isn't going forward
In a pair of legal filings Friday, the Justice Department stated in writing for what appears to be the first time that a controversial $1.7 billion "anti-weaponization fund" will not continue.
HealthWatch
More HealthWatch
In Congo, doctors face Ebola with little protection: "We live with fear"
Travel bans and conflict have disrupted supply chains in the Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving health workers without Ebola tests and protective gear needed to contain the outbreak.
FDA moves ahead with safety study of abortion pill mifepristone
The FDA is moving ahead with a safety study of the abortion pill mifepristone, a senior FDA official confirmed to CBS News, a step that could create a path for the Trump administration to restrict access to the medication.
Upcoming billing change could make pregnancy pricier
Come January, pregnancy care physician billing codes will change from a bundled system to an à la carte one.
Possible flesh-eating screwworm case in Texas, USDA says
A possible case of the flesh-eating New World screwworm is being investigated in Texas, the USDA reported Wednesday.
WHO massively scales back number of suspected Ebola cases in Congo
While 330 Ebola infections are confirmed in central Africa and huge challenges remain, hundreds more suspected cases "have been cleared out," the WHO says.
World
More World
Colombia's Petro accuses Trump of intervening in his country's election
Colombian President Gustavo Petro argues the U.S. has chosen to align against his government and back forces he identifies as complicit in the drug trade.
Putin sees "no point" in meeting with Zelenskyy to discuss ending war
President Zelenskyy chided Putin in his first public message to the Russian leader, who called it "boorish" on Friday.
Mom of American missing in Japan says they argued over ChatGPT
James "Weston" Higginbotham went missing one week ago while on a family vacation in Japan.
Rare Roman-era gold ring found by metal detectorist
The Ilminster Ring was originally found by an amateur metal detectorist in 2018 and bought this week for more than $100,000.
Thieves who stole 2,500-year-old gold relics from museum sentenced
A Netherlands court said the three men warranted a custodial sentence "because of the nature and gravity" of their crime.
Entertainment
More Entertainment
Anthony Head, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Ted Lasso" star, dies at 72
Anthony Head played librarian and mentor Rupert Giles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and recently appeared in "Ted Lasso."
What to expect ahead of the 2026 Tony Awards
The 2026 Tony Awards are taking place at New York City's Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 7, at 8 p.m. ET. Tony Award-winning actress Laura Benanti joins with her take on Broadway's biggest night.
Nick Jonas talks new movie "Power Ballad"
Nick Jonas speaks with "CBS Mornings" about starring in the new film "Power Ballad." He explains how he reflected on his own life for the movie, why it's relatable and what it was like working with Paul Rudd. Jonas also reveals what's next for him.
Pope Leo XIV is visiting Spain
Pope Leo XIV is visiting Spain during the same time that musician Bad Bunny is expected to be there. CBS News' Chris Livesay has more on a potential meeting.
Laverne Cox on career, trauma and healing
Laverne Cox made history as the first openly transgender actress nominated for a primetime Emmy for her role in "Orange is the New Black" - but before her award-winning career she almost quit Hollywood. She speaks to "CBS Mornings" about confronting her childhood trauma, her healing journey and more.
Technology
More Technology
Technology
Anthropic on global pause on AI development
Anthropic is urging a pause in AI development amid growing concerns about future risks, though some experts question the company's motives. Vicky Ge Huang, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, joins CBS News with more details.
Alarm over computer "worms" created with AI
Experts are warning about computer "worms" created with AI that can infect devices and harm users without restraint. University of Toronto professor Nicolas Papernot joins with more.
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.
New details on SpaceX IPO plans
SpaceX is going public this month, and it could be the largest-ever stock market debut. As it plans this move, SpaceX has amended the language in its IPO filing to address the company's growing need for water, particularly to expand its data centers. CBS News' Kelly O'Grady reports, and University of California, Riverside, associate professor Shaolei Ren joins to discuss.
Meta is selling $3.99 monthly subscriptions for Instagram Plus
The new paid tier adds features like longer stories and deeper metrics as Meta looks to diversify revenue beyond advertising.
Science
More Science
El Niño could bring more widespread coral bleaching, NOAA warns
The expected arrival of El Niño this summer could trigger another mass coral bleaching event, which would be the fifth on record, researchers said.
Scientists find yeast in frozen mummy's guts, use it to make bread
More than 5,300 years ago, Oetzi the Iceman was strolling through the Alps on the border of Austria and Italy when he was killed by an arrow in the back.
Meteor lights up southern Michigan
Days after a meteor exploded over New England, another fireball was spotted, visible in the Midwest to the Northeast. Rob Marciano has more.
Ancient coin, mysterious markings found under Notre Dame cathedral
A team of archaeologists at the iconic cathedral is digging straight down and back in time, to Roman Paris 2,000 years ago.
NASA taps 2 companies to develop buggies for its moon base program
The FLEX Rover will be equipped to carry two astronauts and traverse hundreds of miles of lunar terrain.
Crime
More Crime
Crime
Marine veteran fights off armed attackers
A Marine veteran was working on his truck in front of his home in Oxon Hill, Maryland, this week, when four teens tried to rob him at gunpoint. That is when his military training kicked in. Tom Hanson reports.
Judge orders detention of ex-CIA official found with $40 million in gold bars
Former CIA official David Rush was arrested in May after FBI agents found gold bars worth about $40 million at his home while probing whether he had lied about his educational and military background, according to court records.
Man attacks 21-year-old over lake access
Steven Dana, 70, is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, after a video emerged of him attacking a 21-year-old man who was riding a jet ski in Massachusetts' Lake Maspenock with friends. CBS News Boston's Anna Meiler reports.
Man gets life in prison for double murder scheme in affair with au pair
Brendan Banfield, a former IRS law enforcement officer, claimed he shot Joseph Ryan after he came across Ryan attacking his wife.
Thieves who stole 2,500-year-old gold relics from museum sentenced
A Netherlands court said the three men warranted a custodial sentence "because of the nature and gravity" of their crime.
Space
More Space
Space station crew briefly moves to "safe haven" amid concerns over leaks
Out of an abundance of caution, NASA briefly directed five of the seven crew members aboard the International Space Station to wait inside the docked SpaceX Crew Dragon "Freedom" spacecraft.
Sun erupts with 3 solar flares, raising chances of northern lights for U.S.
Three solar flares burst from the sun this week, raising the chances of seeing the northern lights for people across the United States.
NASA reluctantly gives up on lost orbiter: "Best Mars mission ever"
NASA officials said the $582 million MAVEN orbiter could not be recovered after a problem on the far side of Mars late last year, and that its extraordinarily successful mission was at an end.
Blue Origin vows to resume New Glenn launches despite explosion
Damage to Blue Origin's lone launch pad in the wake of last week's spectacular explosion was not as severe as initially feared, the company said.
NASA taps 2 companies to develop buggies for its moon base program
The FLEX Rover will be equipped to carry two astronauts and traverse hundreds of miles of lunar terrain.
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.
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.
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?
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
School requires freshmen to go on 55-mile hike
For more than five decades, St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey, has required its freshmen to go on a mandatory five-day, 55-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail. Steve Hartman explains why in "On the Road."
Marine veteran fights off armed attackers
A Marine veteran was working on his truck in front of his home in Oxon Hill, Maryland, this week, when four teens tried to rob him at gunpoint. That is when his military training kicked in. Tom Hanson reports.
Farmers struggling despite positive jobs report
U.S. employers added 172,000 jobs in May, according to the Labor Department, a better-than-expected jobs report. But in the heart of Wisconsin's farm country, many farmers are facing a different reality as they struggle with tariffs and rising fuel and fertilizer costs amid the Iran war. Nikole Killion has more.
Controversy swirls around Graham Platner
Just days to go before the Senate primary in Maine, Democratic candidate Graham Platner insists he won't drop out of the race despite a new report from The New York Times in which three women who dated Platner detailed behavior they found "unsettling." It's the latest issue facing the fledgling political hopeful. Caitlin Huey-Burns reports.
State Department on World Cup preparations
The World Cup starts next week, hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Millions from around the world will travel to watch them. State Department deputy spokesperson Mignon Houston joins "The Takeout" to discuss the plan.