CBS Evening News, August 25th, 2020
Hurricane Laura could make landfall on Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm; Hospital guard turned medical student strives to help others achieve their dreams
Jerry Falwell Jr.
Liberty University announces probe of Jerry Falwell Jr. amid scandal
The evangelical university has hired a forensic firm to investigate Liberty's operations during Falwell Jr.'s tenure as president, including financial and real estate dealings.
Liberty University accepts Jerry Falwell Jr. resignation
The evangelical leader is facing allegations of sexual impropriety involving a business associate.
Liberty University president forced out of job over sex scandal
Jerry Falwell, Jr. told CBS News he is stepping down as president of Liberty University in the wake of salacious allegations. Jericka Duncan reports.
Confusion over Jerry Falwell Jr. resignation
Taking over for his father thirteen years ago, Jerry Falwell Jr.'s reign as president of Liberty University may be ending. The news comes amid reports of his wife's alleged affair with a business partner that the couple met in 2012. Jericka Duncan reports.
Liberty University says Falwell Jr. "withdrew" his resignation
There were contradictory reports about Falwell's future at the evangelical school after a business associate alleged an inappropriate relationship.
2020 Republican National Convention kicks off
The Republican National Convention is beginning on Monday and President Trump appears in full control of the message. CBS News' Major Garrett and CBSN political reporter Caitlin Huey-Burns join CBSN's "Red & Blue" with a look at what to expect this week.
Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. placed on leave
Falwell has politicized the university, a conservative Christian school in southwest Virginia.
Liberty University wants reporters charged over coronavirus stories
School led by big Trump backer Jerry Falwell Jr. seeking trespassing counts against them for doing stories on Liberty staying partly open during pandemic.
Liberty's Falwell says he's target of "attempted coup"
Falwell says he believes he's partly being targeted for his loyalty to President Trump
Falwell says he has been asked to lead higher ed task force
The Liberty University predient was an early supporter of President Trump, and he said in Nov. that he had been offered the job of education secretary
Jerry Falwell Jr.: I turned down Cabinet position
The Liberty University President said the president-elect offered him the job of Secretary of Education, but he turned it down for personal reasons
Exclusive
U.S. moving to indict Cuba's Raúl Castro, sources say
The potential indictment — which must be approved by a grand jury — is expected to focus on Cuba's 1996 downing of two planes operated by a humanitarian group.
Live
Seized ship taken toward Iran as Trump and Xi agree on Strait of Hormuz
A ship was taken by unknown parties toward Iranian waters after an Indian-flagged vessel was attacked off Oman.
Exclusive
Will Trump ask Putin to bring these Americans home?
Anastasia Antonov believes that her father, Aleksandr, was arrested by the Russian government last year because he is an American citizen. Now, she is appealing to President Trump to push Vladimir Putin's government to free her father.
Supreme Court upholds mail access to abortion pill mifepristone for now
The Supreme Court has maintained mail access to the abortion pill mifepristone, setting aside for now a lower court order that blocked abortion providers from prescribing the widely used drug through telehealth and shipping it to patients.
Netanyahu says Israel will sue The New York Times
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government plans to file a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times.
House vote on Iran war powers resolution fails for 3rd time
The vote on a Democratic resolution to rein in Mr. Trump's authority to strike Iran was 212-212, falling just short of a majority.
Trucking broker can face lawsuit over fatal crash, Supreme Court rules
A CBS News investigation showed the broker had worked with dangerous "chameleon carriers," thousands of which evade federal safety enforcement by reincarnating under new names.
Bipartisan bill aims to help civilians exposed to toxic burn pits
A bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled a bill to help civilians, including law enforcement agents, receive workers' compensation for illnesses like cancer that are often associated with toxic exposure to burn pits.
China's Xi warns Trump about "conflicts" if Taiwan isn't "handled properly"
President Trump is in Beijing meeting with China's President Xi Jinping, with the two leaders aiming to stabilize their trading relationship after last year's trade war.
U.S.
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American passenger from hantavirus-hit cruise ship on life in quarantine
The number of people being monitored for hantavirus in the United States has grown to 41, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.
A Chinese community in New York City reacts to the Trump-Xi Beijing summit
There has been palpable excitement about President Trump's state visit to China in the Queens neighborhood of Flushing, home to one of the largest Asian populations in the U.S.
Supreme Court upholds mail access to abortion pill mifepristone for now
The Supreme Court has maintained mail access to the abortion pill mifepristone, setting aside for now a lower court order that blocked abortion providers from prescribing the widely used drug through telehealth and shipping it to patients.
Trucking broker can face lawsuit over fatal crash, Supreme Court rules
A CBS News investigation showed the broker had worked with dangerous "chameleon carriers," thousands of which evade federal safety enforcement by reincarnating under new names.
Trump Mobile says its T1 mobile phone to ship this week
Trump Mobile's $499 gold-toned phone has faced delays since it was unveiled in June 2025.
MoneyWatch
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Trump Mobile says its T1 mobile phone to ship this week
Trump Mobile's $499 gold-toned phone has faced delays since it was unveiled in June 2025.
Why are so many U.S. CEOs in China with Trump, and what do they want?
More than a dozen American CEOs are accompanying President Trump on his trip to China. That's not unusual.
Jury awards $49.5 million to Boeing 737 MAX crash victim's family
A jury in Chicago awarded $49.5 million in damages Wednesday to the family of a 24-year-old American who perished in a 2019 Boeing 737 MAX crash.
Rare blue-green diamond sells for record price at auction
The 5.5-carat "Ocean Dream" diamond was found in Central Africa in the 1990s.
Workers are getting paid to teach AI how to do their jobs
AI companies are recruiting a wide range of temp workers, from writers to wine enthusiasts, for hourly-paid gigs to help train their language models.
Politics
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CIA Director John Ratcliffe makes rare trip to Cuba as island faces energy crisis
The meeting came as Cuba is contending with a massive power failure to its national energy grid amid U.S. sanctions that have caused an oil and gas shortage crisis.
Exclusive
U.S. moving to indict Cuba's Raúl Castro, sources say
The potential indictment — which must be approved by a grand jury — is expected to focus on Cuba's 1996 downing of two planes operated by a humanitarian group.
Bipartisan bill aims to help civilians exposed to toxic burn pits
A bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled a bill to help civilians, including law enforcement agents, receive workers' compensation for illnesses like cancer that are often associated with toxic exposure to burn pits.
A Chinese community in New York City reacts to the Trump-Xi Beijing summit
There has been palpable excitement about President Trump's state visit to China in the Queens neighborhood of Flushing, home to one of the largest Asian populations in the U.S.
Supreme Court upholds mail access to abortion pill mifepristone for now
The Supreme Court has maintained mail access to the abortion pill mifepristone, setting aside for now a lower court order that blocked abortion providers from prescribing the widely used drug through telehealth and shipping it to patients.
HealthWatch
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HealthWatch
Cruise ship passenger on quarantine experience
Jake Rosmarin, a travel influencer who was on the M/V Hondius as it suffered a hantavirus outbreak, is one of 16 Americans quarantining at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Rosmarin spoke with CBS News about how a five-week trip is now stretching into 12 weeks away from home.
Sponsored
Activities that challenge your mind may help maintain brain health
Challenging your mind, through games and learning new skills, may help reduce your risk of dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Association. (Sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association.)
Trump demands Medicaid data for deportation. Some states go further.
Several states have required their health agencies to take on another job: verifying immigration status among Medicaid recipients and reporting them to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
No Americans showing hantavirus symptoms
Jake Rosmarin is one of the 16 Americans at the University of Nebraska Medical Center being monitored for signs of hantavirus. Ian Lee spoke with him and has more details.
AI is fabricating citations in biomedical studies, researchers find
"Your doctor could be making decisions around treatment based on studies that never existed," one expert said.
World
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CIA Director John Ratcliffe makes rare trip to Cuba as island faces energy crisis
The meeting came as Cuba is contending with a massive power failure to its national energy grid amid U.S. sanctions that have caused an oil and gas shortage crisis.
Exclusive
U.S. moving to indict Cuba's Raúl Castro, sources say
The potential indictment — which must be approved by a grand jury — is expected to focus on Cuba's 1996 downing of two planes operated by a humanitarian group.
Bipartisan bill aims to help civilians exposed to toxic burn pits
A bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled a bill to help civilians, including law enforcement agents, receive workers' compensation for illnesses like cancer that are often associated with toxic exposure to burn pits.
A Chinese community in New York City reacts to the Trump-Xi Beijing summit
There has been palpable excitement about President Trump's state visit to China in the Queens neighborhood of Flushing, home to one of the largest Asian populations in the U.S.
FBI offers $200K for info on Air Force officer accused of spying for Iran
The FBI said Thursday that it's still trying to locate Monica Witt, who is accused of defecting to Iran in 2013 and revealing highly classified U.S. intelligence.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
From the archives: Outspoken film critic Rex Reed
Film critic Rex Reed, whose clever and barbed opinions about movies – and movie stars – made him a fixture for decades in print and on television, died on May 12, 2026 at age 87. In this Feb. 4, 2018 "Sunday Morning" profile, Reed talked with Mo Rocca about how he came to live the life of an A-Lister himself. He also dispensed his unvarnished opinions about that year's best picture Oscar-nominees.
"Survivor" contestants on double elimination
(Spoilers ahead) "CBS Mornings" reveals the castaways voted off during Wednesday's episode of "Survivor 50" in another double elimination. They discuss being part of the franchise and their legacies in the game.
National Recording Registry adds Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Ray Charles, more
The Library of Congress revealed this year's list of 25 recordings to be preserved for future generations on the National Recording Registry.
Troubling trend for touring musicians
Major musicians from Post Malone to Meghan Trainor have recently struggled to sell out stadiums and arenas for their tours. It's a troubling trend being called "blue dot fever" and has led to entertainers canceling some or all of their shows. Ash-har Quraishi reports.
Geena Davis talks new series "The Boroughs"
Actor Geena Davis talks about starring in the new series "The Boroughs," if there are parallels between herself and the character she plays, and why she's drawn to supernatural projects. She also addresses representation in the entertainment industry.
Technology
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Technology
How the Trump-Xi summit could impact AI race
President Trump's visit to Beijing comes as the U.S. and China compete for artificial intelligence supremacy. Matt Sheehan, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, joins with analysis.
Closing arguments held in OpenAI case
Lawyers presented closing arguments Thursday in the OpenAI trial pitting Elon Musk against its CEO, Sam Altman. CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson has 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.
Trump Mobile says its T1 mobile phone to ship this week
Trump Mobile's $499 gold-toned phone has faced delays since it was unveiled in June 2025.
Workers are getting paid to teach AI how to do their jobs
AI companies are recruiting a wide range of temp workers, from writers to wine enthusiasts, for hourly-paid gigs to help train their language models.
Science
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NASA spacecraft to fly past Mars on voyage to rare metal asteroid
NASA's Psyche spacecraft will slingshot past Mars on Friday, on its way toward a rare metal-rich asteroid.
Emperor penguins in focus as Antarctica talks start in Japan
Greater protections for endangered emperor penguins and how to manage growing tourism are topping the agenda at talks on Antarctica in Japan.
What's in the released UFO files?
The Pentagon released UFO documents on Friday, with President Trump telling the public to "have fun" deciding for itself what is going on. Carter Evans reports.
Trump: UFO files released for transparency
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said it's time for the American people see it for themselves, as the Pentagon started releasing previously classified documents related to UFOs and UAPs. CBS News Pentagon reporter Eleanor Watson has more.
"The Age of Disclosure" director on UFO files
The Pentagon on Friday released and declassified numerous files on UFOs, including eyewitness testimony, photos and reports. Government knowledge of non-human intelligent life was the subject of the documentary "The Age of Disclosure," released in February. Its director and producer, Dan Farah, joins CBS News to discuss.
Crime
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Former death row inmate granted bond after nearly being executed 3 times
An Oklahoma judge granted bond to former death row inmate Richard Glossip on Thursday, laying the groundwork for his first release from prison since 1997.
Software CEO convicted for running $1 billion Medicare fraud scheme
Brett Blackman was convicted on charges including healthcare and Medicare fraud, and faces decades in prison.
Huge twist in Alex Murdaugh case
Alex Murdaugh, the former South Carolina lawyer who was convicted of murder, will get a new trial and have his convictions overturned, the state's Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. CBS News' Eva Pilgrim reports.
Feds arrest tourist accused of hurling rock at endangered seal's head
The tourist sparked outrage after a witness recorded him chucking a coconut-sized rock at "Lani," a beloved Hawaiian monk seal off a Maui beach.
Videos show shots fired in Philippine Senate
Warning: Distressing video. Authorities in the Philippines tried to arrest a senator on Wednesday, resulting in a burst of gunfire in the Philippine Senate, according to an Associated Press journalist and other witnesses.
Space
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NASA spacecraft to fly past Mars on voyage to rare metal asteroid
NASA's Psyche spacecraft will slingshot past Mars on Friday, on its way toward a rare metal-rich asteroid.
UFO files reveal astronauts saw mysterious objects and lights in 1972
NASA's Apollo 17 crew reported seeing three mysterious dots and sparks that resembled fireworks, according to new files released by the Pentagon.
Pentagon begins releasing UFO files: "It's time the American people see"
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement that the documents "have long fueled justified speculation — and it's time the American people see it for themselves."
Mysterious world beyond Pluto may have atmosphere, study says
If confirmed, the rock would become just the second world past Neptune in our solar system to host an atmosphere.
Artemis crew surprises 5-year-old aspiring astronaut with special gift
The Artemis II team gained a new member, and the crew made sure their youngest teammate had the right stuff for space.
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.
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
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Latest CBS News Videos
5/16: The Uplift
David Begnaud meets a man who has attended the Kentucky Derby for 79 years in a row – and his dying wish to make it there one last time.
Douglas Edwards' last CBS News Radio broadcast
When Douglas Edwards began presenting the CBS Television News in 1947, he made history as the first anchor of an American TV news show. Although he left the role in 1962, Edwards remained at CBS, doing considerable TV and radio work, until 1988. Major Garrett introduces Edwards' final radio broadcast.
How redistricting efforts could affect midterms
South Carolina's Republican Gov. Henry McMaster has called for a special legislative session centered on redrawing the state's congressional map ahead of the November midterm elections. The legislature is expected to pass a map that could impact the state's only Democratic district. CBS News' Fin Gómez has more on how redistricting efforts across the country could impact future elections.
Supreme Court rules on trucking safety case
The Supreme Court handed down a unanimous ruling on Thursday that will allow logistics companies or freight brokers to be sued for liability in some truck crashes. CBS News senior national correspondent Jim Axelrod breaks down the case.
Chinese Americans on hopes for Trump-Xi summit
CBS News' Anna Schecter went to Flushing, Queens, to ask Chinese Americans for their thoughts on the Trump-Xi summit. Schecter joins "The Takeout" to relay what she heard.