Your boss could be watching: Why California lawmakers killed a workplace surveillance bill
Do you ever feel like someone's watching you? Well, you might be right, and it might be your boss.
Julie Watts Investigates
How California quietly adds hundreds in hidden fees to drive up traffic tickets
CBS News California investigates why lawmakers are ignoring a state audit that urged them to reduce fees and revise the entire program - nearly a decade ago.
Skincare industry profits from marketing products tweens shouldn't use
A CBS News Confirmed analysis of a dozen skincare influencers' accounts found that many featured ingredients not suitable for kids and were undisclosed brand partnerships or sponsored posts.
California bill targeting anti-aging skincare sales to minors dies without vote | "Sephora kids" investigation
CBS News California's Julie Watts and her daughter's fifth-grade class go undercover shopping and head to the State Capitol to investigate what lawmakers are doing about the skincare industry making billions by marketing potentially harmful products to tweens.
Investigation
Beauty Exposed: "Sephora kids," cosmetic companies, and California law | CBS News California Investigates
Get-ready-with-me videos saturate social media feeds, targeting young girls with multi-step skincare routines where popular brands partner with kid-fluencers to create viral skincare products. The skincare industry is cashing in on so-called "Sephora kids," fueled by Gen Alpha (kids under 12). But dermatologists warn that many viral products contain anti-aging ingredients that can harm young skin, and it's hard to tell the products apart. A California lawmaker wants to restrict the sale of some anti-aging products for kids under 18. Critics say that's misguided. So, CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts teamed up with her daughter's fifth-grade class and the CBS News Confirmed team to examine the risks and the proposed solutions. WATCH PART 1 - Investigating "Sephora Kid" Concerns: How skincare brands make billions selling products to tweens. WATCH PART 2 - Investigating "Sephora Kids" Solutions: Fifth-graders help investigate California bill targeting anti-aging skincare sales to minors. READ MORE HERE: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/skincare-industry-products-tweens-harm-young-skin/
What one California candidate for governor says about how he'd try to repeal controversial laws
Just how much power will the next governor have to repeal controversial California laws?
The candidates for California governor on transgender athletes in school sports | Side-by-side comparison
The leading candidates for California governor weigh in on the state's transgender student sports law: whether to keep it, overturn it, or let voters decide
The candidates for California governor on immigration | Side-by-side comparison
The leading candidates for governor share their views on complex and often misunderstood aspects of California's sanctuary state law and healthcare for undocumented immigrants.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signs law banning new Glock sales in California
Glocks are among the most popular handguns sold in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that bans Californians from buying new Glock guns in the state.
California bill targeting loud streaming ads signed into law by Gov. Newsom
Believe it or not, an 8-month-old's sleep schedule is what led to a face-off between California lawmakers and the entertainment industry over loud commercials on streaming services.
2026 California Governor Candidates | Accountability Interview Series
In this ongoing series, CBS News California Investigates correspondent Julie Watts presses candidates in the 2026 California governor's race on top issues including redistricting, immigration and homelessness.
The candidates for California governor on congressional redistricting | Side-by-side comparison
The leading candidates for governor share their views on California's controversial redistricting measure, respond to critics and address the ethical dilemma behind the partisan measure.
Why didn't laws to protect kids online prevent alleged Roblox kidnapping?
CBS News California examined why and how a recent alleged kidnapping might have been avoided if the laws were working the way they were supposed to.
Denise Huskins, Aaron Quinn honored as "Witnesses of the Year" for role in Matthew Muller confessions
Never-before-released interrogations of Matthew Muller, the serial predator who kidnapped Denise Huskins in 2015, show his confessions to decades of other home invasions and sexual assaults.
California FAIR Plan secrets: Why the state's insurer of last resort is so secretive
Once thought of as a small, rarely-used backstop, the FAIR Plan is now one of the largest insurers in the state, and people without FAIR Plan insurance are the ones on the hook for the FAIR Plan's debt. Yet the FAIR Plan is still cloaked in secrecy.
Investigation
Fifth-graders investigate California bill targeting anti-aging skincare sales to minors | Investigating "Sephora kids" Solutions
Skincare brands are making billions of dollars a year selling products to tweens: kids under 12. Dermatologists warn that some of those products can be harmful to young skin. So, a California lawmaker wants to require an ID to buy some of those products. CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts teamed up with her daughter's fifth-grade class and the CBS News Confirmed team to examine the risks of the "Sephora Kids" trend and the proposed solution to help protect children. BEHIND THE INVESTIGATION: CBS News California investigates troubling trend in skincare industry WATCH PART 1 - Investigating "Sephora Kid" Concerns: How skincare brands make billions selling products to tweens. WATCH PART 2 - Investigating "Sephora Kids" Solutions: Fifth-graders investigate California bill targeting anti-aging skincare sales to minors. READ MORE HERE: How the skincare industry makes billions marketing products to tweens, including some that could harm young skin
Investigation
CBS News California investigates troubling skincare industry trend | "Sephora kid" Investigation
If you have a tween in your life, get-ready-with-me videos may be familiar to you. These videos saturate social media feeds, targeting young girls with multi-step skincare and routines. Popular brands partner with kid-fluencers to create viral skincare products and social media content, and the skincare industry is cashing in, turning many in Generation Alpha into so-called "Sephora kids." The problem is that many viral products contain anti-aging ingredients like retinol and alpha hydroxy acid, which, unbeknownst to many of these kids, can harm their young skin, and it's hard to tell the products apart. So CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts teamed up with her daughter's fifth-grade class and CBS News Confirmed to examine the risks and what is being done to protect children. WATCH PART 1 - Investigating "Sephora Kid" Concerns: How skincare brands make billions selling products to tweens. WATCH PART 2 - Investigating "Sephora Kids" Solutions: Fifth-graders investigate California bill targeting anti-aging skincare sales to minors. READ MORE HERE: How the skincare industry makes billions marketing products to tweens, including some that could harm young skin
Investigation
Skincare brands make billions selling products, including some harmful to young skin, to tweens | Investigating "Sephora kid" Concerns
Skincare brands make billions of dollars annually selling stuff to children 12 and under, even though dermatologists caution against minors using some of these products that are meant for adults. The CBS News Confirmed team analyzed top kidfluencers with more than 42 million followers combined and found that 94% of their recent skincare posts did not let kids know they were getting free products or commissions from the brands they promote. That social media marketing is turning many in this generation into so-called "Sephora kids," but they often don't realize that some viral products can harm young skin. Check out what happened when CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts sent her 11-year-old daughter undercover shopping with her friends. BEHIND THE INVESTIGATION: CBS News California investigates troubling trend in skincare industry WATCH PART 1 - Investigating "Sephora Kid" Concerns: How skincare brands make billions selling products to tweens. WATCH PART 2 - Investigating "Sephora Kids" Solutions: Fifth-graders investigate California bill targeting anti-aging skincare sales to minors. READ MORE HERE: How the skincare industry makes billions marketing products to tweens, including some that could harm young skin
FAIR Plan Fix: What are lawmakers doing to fix California's insurance and why is it taking so long?
FAIR plan problems are nothing new, but suddenly, everyone is paying attention to California's insurance crisis. Are we any closer to a fix? CBS News California investigates the flood of insurance-related bills in the aftermath of the L.A. fires and why it's taken so long for lawmakers to take action. WATCH OUR CONTINUING COVERAGE: CBS NEWS CALIFORNIA INVESTIGATES California's Insurance Crisis
California wants fewer homeowners insured on the FAIR plan. Data show the state's strategy may not be enough.
As more people in California lose private insurance, the state's FAIR plan is filling up with homes in places the industry itself has classified as low-risk for wildfire.
CA Insurance Commissioner to require more FAIR Plan transparency following CBS News California Investigation
The public is on the hook for the FAIR Plan's debt, but we don't have access to the FAIR Plan's financials. Should that be legal? California's Insurance Commissioner says, "No." Now he's committing to fix it following a CBS News California Investigation. WATCH THE FULL INVESTIGATION HERE: California FAIR Plan secrets: Why the state's insurer of last resort is so secretive FOLLOW OUR CONTINUING COVERAGE: CBS NEWS CALIFORNIA INVESTIGATES California's Insurance Crisis
"American Nightmare" survivors Denise Huskins, Aaron Quinn use their trauma to help retrain law enforcement
In an exclusive interview, Huskins and Quinn take us through his interrogation, showing us step-by-step how old-school interrogation training led to their "American Nightmare."
Do Newsom's wildfire "fact checks" align with the facts? A breakdown.
CBS News Confirmed checked Gov. Newsom's "fact checks" on the L.A.-area fires and found that although many were correct, a few omitted crucial context. Here's what we know.
California Senate Insurance Committee finally has a leader amid corruption probe
Two days after CBS News California Investigates initially aired this story, Senate President pro-Tempore Mike McGuire re-appointed Democratic Sen. Susan Rubio, who served in the role for the last six years, to lead the committee.
Leaked emails reveal Newsom's office will not negotiate crime bills, unless DAs pull 2024 ballot measure to amend Prop. 47
Emails obtained by CBS News California Investigates reveal the Governor's Chief of Staff did not want to negotiate with the initiative coalition unless they agreed to postpone their ballot measure until 2026.
Live
Tankers attacked as Trump mulls new strikes in "little war" with Iran
Two oil tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz as President Trump threatened further strikes on Iran, while downplaying the "relatively little" 6-month war.
2 dead, at least 1 missing after Grand Canyon hit by flash floods
Violent flash floods hit the Grand Canyon's Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch area, causing "extensive damage" to the park's water infrastructure.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigning after friction with Hegseth
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is resigning, the White House confirmed.
Guilty verdict in 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur
Duane "Keffe D" Davis, 63, was charged with murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang in Shakur's death.
Supreme Court continues to allow construction of Trump's White House ballroom
The Supreme Court divided 5-4 in allowing construction of the new White House ballroom to continue.
The market forces quietly adding thousands to patient bills
The true cost of "vertical integration": Patients directed to a higher-priced location for procedures. Or forced to buy from their insurer's wholly owned pharmacy, which may not stock the drug prescribed or provide it at the lowest price.
Trump inks deal with 9 pharmaceutical companies to lower drug costs
The White House said the agreements will reduce costs to treat Parkinson's disease, macular degeneration, glaucoma, liver disease and other illnesses.
Tropical Storm Edouard threatens Louisiana, Texas coasts
The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning for parts of the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana ahead of Tropical Storm Edouard.
Will Trump's Venezuela oil deal ease U.S. gas prices?
The deal involves developing 17 strategic oil fields in Venezuela, an undertaking that experts said could take years.
U.S.
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St. Louis becomes the latest battleground in fight over data centers
"We have to be very careful about where and how we install these large data centers," said Kasey Fowler-Finn, a biologist at St. Louis University, who is among a group suing to halt a data center development.
Guilty verdict in 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur
Duane "Keffe D" Davis, 63, was charged with murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang in Shakur's death.
3 friends went hiking in the Grand Canyon. 1 died, 2 were reported missing.
At least two people were killed after flash floods swept through parts of Grand Canyon National Park over the weekend.
Woman says she saw through alleged 49ers fraudster's claims: "Too good to be true"
Federal authorities allege that Daejon Love posed as an NFL player and real estate investor to defraud more than two dozen women of $1.3 million.
E&Y to award $100 million in bonuses for workers who show people skills
Management consulting firm EY said it will reward employees who demonstrate human skills, such as business acumen and judgment.
MoneyWatch
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E&Y to award $100 million in bonuses for workers who show people skills
Management consulting firm EY said it will reward employees who demonstrate human skills, such as business acumen and judgment.
Trump inks deal with 9 pharmaceutical companies to lower drug costs
The White House said the agreements will reduce costs to treat Parkinson's disease, macular degeneration, glaucoma, liver disease and other illnesses.
FTC and 22 states sue Amazon over alleged secret ad surcharge scheme
Regulators allege that sellers and brands were overcharged by tens of billions of dollars through secretly inflated ad prices.
Will Trump's Venezuela oil deal ease U.S. gas prices?
The deal involves developing 17 strategic oil fields in Venezuela, an undertaking that experts said could take years.
Kalshi bans ex-congressman George Santos for life after suspicious trades
George Santos faces a lifetime ban from Kalshi after failing to cooperate with the prediction market's investigation into his alleged unlawful trades.
Politics
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The market forces quietly adding thousands to patient bills
The true cost of "vertical integration": Patients directed to a higher-priced location for procedures. Or forced to buy from their insurer's wholly owned pharmacy, which may not stock the drug prescribed or provide it at the lowest price.
U.S.-Venezuela oil deal will rely on North American Blue Energy Partners
The Trump administration's plan to take a stake in tens of billions of barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves will hinge on a private company called North American Blue Energy Partners, the White House announced Monday.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigning after friction with Hegseth
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is resigning, the White House confirmed.
Supreme Court continues to allow construction of Trump's White House ballroom
The Supreme Court divided 5-4 in allowing construction of the new White House ballroom to continue.
Judge orders National Guard shooting suspect to be force-fed
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, accused last year of fatally shooting a National Guard member and severely injuring another, has been refusing to eat for months while in government custody.
HealthWatch
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The market forces quietly adding thousands to patient bills
The true cost of "vertical integration": Patients directed to a higher-priced location for procedures. Or forced to buy from their insurer's wholly owned pharmacy, which may not stock the drug prescribed or provide it at the lowest price.
Trump inks deal with 9 pharmaceutical companies to lower drug costs
The White House said the agreements will reduce costs to treat Parkinson's disease, macular degeneration, glaucoma, liver disease and other illnesses.
Man with sinus infection symptoms diagnosed with heart condition
Marc Gaudisosi thought his symptoms were caused by a sinus infection. Then an urgent care told him to go to the hospital.
Juul can sell updated e-cigarette with age-verification system, FDA says
Juul plans to market the new device under the brand name Juul2, along with updated versions of its tobacco- and menthol-flavored cartridges.
2 airport workers die of malaria from mosquito on plane in Germany
Caused by parasites spread via Anopheles mosquitoes, malaria can cause symptoms including nausea, headache and intense waves of fever and chills.
World
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U.S.-Venezuela oil deal will rely on North American Blue Energy Partners
The Trump administration's plan to take a stake in tens of billions of barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves will hinge on a private company called North American Blue Energy Partners, the White House announced Monday.
Lionel Messi says he is retiring from the Argentina national soccer team
Lionel Messi played in six World Cups and led Argentina to win the tournament in 2022 in Qatar.
Spectator calls low stadium flyover a top life moment: "Amazing"
An extremely low flyover above a rugby stadium in South Africa has left many people asking: How low is too low?
Families of those missing after Nepal floods struggle to cling to hope as death toll passes 1,000
As the death toll from the Nepal floods passes 1000, Americans with loved ones among the nearly 4,000 people missing are still hoping for miracles.
Live
Tankers attacked as Trump mulls new strikes in "little war" with Iran
Two oil tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz as President Trump threatened further strikes on Iran, while downplaying the "relatively little" 6-month war.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
John Galliano's Met Gala exhibit canceled
John Galliano's exhibit for the 2027 Met Gala has been canceled after weeks of backlash over his past antisemitic and racist comments. CBS News fashion contributor Lauren Sherman reports.
Jury finds Davis guilty in 1996 murder of Tupac
A Las Vegas jury on Monday found Duane "Keffe D" Davis guilty in the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur. CBS News legal reporter Katrina Kaufman has more.
Closing arguments in Tupac Shakur murder trial
The jury heard closing arguments Monday in the trial of Duane "Keffe D" Davis, the man accused of orchestrating the shooting that killed rapper Tupac Shakur. Celebrity attorney Chris Melcher joins to discuss the case.
John Galliano's Met Gala exhibit canceled
John Galliano's 2027 Met Gala exhibit has been canceled, both he and the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced Monday, following weeks of scrutiny for his past antisemitic and racist remarks.
Tommy Davidson on "The Varnell Hill Show"
Tommy Davidson, who starred in "Martin," sits down with "CBS Mornings" and gets emotional about his spinoff, "The Varnell Hill Show," and the hard work behind it. Plus, he sings out the show as Varnell in "Martin."
Technology
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St. Louis becomes the latest battleground in fight over data centers
"We have to be very careful about where and how we install these large data centers," said Kasey Fowler-Finn, a biologist at St. Louis University, who is among a group suing to halt a data center development.
Data center controversy grips St. Louis
Tech companies pour trillions of dollars into new data centers, the backbone of the AI boom. But many communities across the U.S. are rejecting them. A recent Gallup poll found that more than 70% of Americans don't want data centers in their area. St. Louis is in the middle of the national fight, and Tony Dokoupil takes a visit.
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.
A look at data centers' public image
Residents in Southaven, Mississippi, told CBS News reporter Lauren Fitchen that their local AI data center is causing noise and air pollution, and they are working to fight back. Greg Matusky, the owner and founder of public relations agency Gregory, which works with AI companies to try to improve their public image, joins CBS News to discuss.
FTC and 22 states sue Amazon over alleged secret ad surcharge scheme
Regulators allege that sellers and brands were overcharged by tens of billions of dollars through secretly inflated ad prices.
Science
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Science
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.
Invasive Joro spiders are "slowly spreading." Here's what to do if you see one.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park told visitors Tuesday that invasive Joro spiders "may be hanging in a web near you."
A summer of extremes: Weathering a hotter world
July was the hottest month ever in the Lower 48 States – another escalation of our world into a hotter, more dangerous planet, where extreme weather events – such as heat waves, wildfires and hurricanes – will become more common and more extreme.
A summer of extremes: Weathering a hotter world
July was the hottest month ever in the Lower 48 States, breaking a record last set during the Dust Bowl – just another step in the escalation of our world into a hotter, more dangerous planet. Correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti talks with climate journalist Jeff Goodell and atmospheric scientist Maria Molina about how changes in Earth's climate are increasing the likelihood that extreme weather events – such as heat waves, wildfires and hurricanes – will become more common and more extreme.
Crime
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Crime
Jury finds Davis guilty in 1996 murder of Tupac
A Las Vegas jury on Monday found Duane "Keffe D" Davis guilty in the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur. CBS News legal reporter Katrina Kaufman has more.
Times Square stabbing victim and suspect dead
One of the two people stabbed in Times Square on Monday has died, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says. The suspect is also dead after being shot by police.
Guilty verdict in 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur
Duane "Keffe D" Davis, 63, was charged with murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang in Shakur's death.
Police shooting in Times Square
Warning: Disturbing footage. NYPD officers opened fire on a woman allegedly wielding at least one knife in Times Square on Monday. Tom Hanson reports from New York City.
NYPD investigating Times Square police shooting
The New York City Police Department is investigating after officers shot a woman in Times Square, who they say stabbed two people. CBS News' Tom Hanson reports.
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.
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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.
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Footage of Nepal search and rescue efforts
On Monday, search, rescue and recovery efforts continued in Nepal after the devastating floods last week. Around 4,200 people are still missing and at least 903 people have been killed, according to Nepal's national disaster agency. Videos show some of the efforts.
Could an American man win this year's U.S. Open
The Athletic's Lukas Weese joins CBS News to discuss who has the best chances with the U.S. Open tennis tournament underway in New York City.
John Galliano's Met Gala exhibit canceled
John Galliano's exhibit for the 2027 Met Gala has been canceled after weeks of backlash over his past antisemitic and racist comments. CBS News fashion contributor Lauren Sherman reports.
Jury finds Davis guilty in 1996 murder of Tupac
A Las Vegas jury on Monday found Duane "Keffe D" Davis guilty in the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur. CBS News legal reporter Katrina Kaufman has more.
Times Square stabbing victim and suspect dead
One of the two people stabbed in Times Square on Monday has died, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says. The suspect is also dead after being shot by police.