Texas governor blames power grid operator for storm disaster
Millions of Texans were under boil water notices Friday, and in many homes, taps were dry.
Power Outage
Texas was "seconds and minutes" away from having blackouts for months
Some 4 million customers were without power in Texas this week. The top official at the state's power grid said it could have been worse.
Why does Texas have its own power grid?
Questions are being raised about Texas' independently owned power grid after millions of people were left in the dark amid a winter storm. Erin Douglas, an environment reporter for the Texas Tribune, joins CBSN to discuss how the state was able to avoid federal regulations, plus why Republicans were wrong in blaming the outages on renewable energy.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez raises $1 million for Texans
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is from New York, but the congresswoman is focusing on Texas this week after a storm left millions without power.
Texas weather woes foreshadow climate change disasters
Hot-weather infrastructure and an isolated power grid have left the state unprepared for extreme weather.
Over 13 million Texans facing water crisis after brutal winter storm
In many homes, the tap is dry. Finding bottled water is nearly impossible. Some have resorted to boiling snow.
Ted Cruz says he went to Cancun amid Texas crisis to be "good dad"
The Republican senator returned home Thursday afternoon.
Winter storm devastates Texas as millions face water crisis
Nearly half of Texas residents don't have access to clean, running water.
Texas hospitals suffer from water issues amid widespread power outages
An Austin hospital had to transport the most in-need patients to other facilities.
How you can help Texas during the winter weather emergency
The cold weather and lack of power have led to a rise in 911 calls and hospitalizations. Here's how to help.
"Mattress Mack" opens stores as shelter
The Houston furniture store owner known as "Mattress Mack" has opened up his stores to hundreds of people who are without power and heat after the deadly snowstorm. "Tough times never last, tough Texans do," he told CBS Houston affiliate KHOU-TV.
"Mattress Mack" opens Texas furniture store as shelter
"Tough times never last, tough Texans do, and we'll get through this also," the local hero said.
Multiple animals die at sanctuary after winter blast cuts power
Among the deceased animals was 58-year-old Violet, who was the sanctuary's oldest chimp.
Blame game ongoing over Texas power outages
As millions of Texas residents suffer in the miserable conditions, questions remain about who is responsible for leaving the state so vulnerable. Omar Villafranca offers a reality check on why this is happening.
Texas governor details plan to restore power to millions
Millions are without power as a large swath of the state is under yet another winter storm warning.
Texas mayor resigns after telling residents "only the strong will survive"
"No one owes you [or] your family anything; nor is it the local government's responsibility to support you during trying times like this!" said the former mayor.
Frigid temperatures cripple Texas power grid as death toll climbs
More than 2.5 million Texas homes and businesses are still without power and at least 24 people have been killed so far as a second winter storm targets the East Coast.
Northerners share winter tips with Texans amid frigid storms
Power outages can be dangerous for those unprepared for intense cold in a variety of ways. Twitter users shared some basic safety tips with Southerners who are not accustomed to these temperatures.
Texas power outages stretch into third day amid record cold
Anger in Texas over power outages during record winter freeze continued to mount as millions in the energy capital of the U.S. remained shivering.
Austin mayor: Vulnerable residents need power "now" after storm leaves millions in the dark
Texas is the only state in the continental U.S. that has its own power grid. Unlike the Eastern and Western power grid networks, which serve the rest of the country, Texas' power grid is not subject to federal regulation.
Winter storm kills at least 11, leaves millions without power
Frigid temperatures kept their grip on Texas, where some four million homes and businesses had outages.
Winter storm moves east after hitting Midwest
A major winter storm is moving east after slamming parts of the Midwest. CBS News meteorologist and climate specialist Jeff Berardelli joins CBSN to discuss the storm's path and which areas could expect a white Christmas.
Thousands in SoCal without power on Thanksgiving due to fire risk
Southern California Edison considering blackouts for more than 88,000 customers to avoid sparking a blaze as Santa Ana winds expected to pick up.
Hurricane Delta makes landfall in Louisiana
Heavy rain and strong winds are again pounding coastal Louisiana and portions of Texas and Mississippi after Hurricane Delta made landfall Friday evening. It has since been downgraded to a tropical storm, though the system has left more than 600,000 people without power. David Begnaud reports from Lafayette, Louisiana.
Hundreds of thousands still without power in Louisiana
The coastline devastated by Hurricane Laura has started a long and gloomy recovery as residents confront the possibility that basic services may not return for weeks – or longer.
Live
U.S. announces new strikes on Iran as war intensifies
The U.S. announces new strikes on Iran just hours after a 4th consecutive nighttime barrage, as the war ramps back up over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Live
Watch Live: Blanche testifies at confirmation hearing for attorney general
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing to lead the Justice Department in a permanent capacity.
Exclusive
Flights grounded at D.C.-area airport due to security concerns for Iraqi leader
The Iraqi leader was in Washington to meet with President Trump.
Watch Live: Jay Clayton, Trump's DNI nominee, testifies at confirmation hearing
Clayton, currently the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, is expected to succeed Bill Pulte, Trump's controversial acting director of national intelligence.
England-Argentina World Cup semifinal reignites painful historic rivalry
The World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina is a grudge match that will reopen decades-old wounds for both countries.
Houston prosecutor could bring charges against ICE agents in fatal shooting
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, who is investigating the fatal ICE shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, told CBS News ICE's tactics "in no way resemble" the behavior of police agencies he's worked with.
Every ICE arrest team will now have an agent with a body camera, DHS says
Every ICE arrest team will have at least one law enforcement officer equipped with a body-worn camera going forward, DHS said Tuesday, after two fatal shootings by agents who didn't have cameras.
House passes bill to make daylight saving time permanent
The measure also allows states to opt out if they take action before the federal law is enacted.
Cyclospora outbreak leaves consumers guessing which foods are safe
Officials are still searching for the source of the outbreak, prompting consumers to seek advice on social media about which foods to avoid.
U.S.
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Louisiana man charged with murder in shooting of U.S. marshal
A Louisiana man has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a deputy U.S. marshal who joined other officers in trying to arrest him.
Alzheimer's blood test may show who's likely to develop it in 5 to 10 years
A blood test may predict if apparently healthy older adults are likely to develop Alzheimer's symptoms in the next five or 10 years, researchers say.
Wildfires expose millions in Midwest, Northeast to dangerous smoke
Heavy smoke from several large wildfires blazing in Canada and Minnesota is expected to engulf large swaths of the Midwest and Northeast U.S. this week.
Live
Watch Live: Blanche testifies at confirmation hearing for attorney general
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing to lead the Justice Department in a permanent capacity.
Watch Live: Jay Clayton, Trump's DNI nominee, testifies at confirmation hearing
Clayton, currently the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, is expected to succeed Bill Pulte, Trump's controversial acting director of national intelligence.
MoneyWatch
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26 Meta workers sue over alleged AI-aided layoffs of employees on leave
A group of 26 Meta employees has sued the company, claiming it used AI to choose people for layoffs, disproportionately targeting those on medical, parental or family leave.
Scammers are using FaceTime to steal bank account passwords
The scheme begins with fake fraud alerts before shifting to a FaceTime call, where victims are tricked into exposing sensitive banking information.
Senators introduce bipartisan plan to tackle Social Security insolvency
The Promise Act would establish a legislative procedure with the goal of preserving Social Security's trust funds for the next 50 years.
Cyclospora outbreak leaves consumers guessing which foods are safe
Officials are still searching for the source of the outbreak, prompting consumers to seek advice on social media about which foods to avoid.
Social Security's 2027 COLA could be the biggest in years
New estimates call for a 3.6% to 3.8% benefit increase next year, although the final adjustment will depend on inflation readings released this summer.
Politics
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Live
Watch Live: Blanche testifies at confirmation hearing for attorney general
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing to lead the Justice Department in a permanent capacity.
Watch Live: Jay Clayton, Trump's DNI nominee, testifies at confirmation hearing
Clayton, currently the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, is expected to succeed Bill Pulte, Trump's controversial acting director of national intelligence.
Every ICE arrest team will now have an agent with a body camera, DHS says
Every ICE arrest team will have at least one law enforcement officer equipped with a body-worn camera going forward, DHS said Tuesday, after two fatal shootings by agents who didn't have cameras.
Exclusive
Flights grounded at D.C.-area airport due to security concerns for Iraqi leader
The Iraqi leader was in Washington to meet with President Trump.
Houston prosecutor could bring charges against ICE agents in fatal shooting
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, who is investigating the fatal ICE shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, told CBS News ICE's tactics "in no way resemble" the behavior of police agencies he's worked with.
HealthWatch
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Alzheimer's blood test may show who's likely to develop it in 5 to 10 years
A blood test may predict if apparently healthy older adults are likely to develop Alzheimer's symptoms in the next five or 10 years, researchers say.
Taco Bell removes some items amid outbreak
As of Tuesday, nearly 7,000 people in 34 states reported symptoms tied to a parasitic illness that, so far, has no official source. Carter Evans reports on what's suspected of being behind the cyclosporiasis outbreak.
Cyclospora outbreak leaves consumers guessing which foods are safe
Officials are still searching for the source of the outbreak, prompting consumers to seek advice on social media about which foods to avoid.
"Miracle on the Hudson" pilot, Capt. "Sully," shares Alzheimer's diagnosis
Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who famously landed a passenger jet on the Hudson River in 2009, said he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
States call out big businesses with employees on Medicaid
With the federal Medicaid work requirement looming in January, Democrats are considering state legislation to call out big companies that employ workers enrolled in the safety net health program.
World
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England-Argentina World Cup semifinal reignites painful historic rivalry
The World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina is a grudge match that will reopen decades-old wounds for both countries.
Live
U.S. announces new strikes on Iran as war intensifies
The U.S. announces new strikes on Iran just hours after a 4th consecutive nighttime barrage, as the war ramps back up over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iraq seizes mounds of gold and millions in cash in corruption crackdown
An anti-corruption probe in Iraq leads to seizure of 825 pounds of gold and tens of millions in cash from lawmakers and government officials.
Spain reaches World Cup final with dominant 2-0 win over France
In a match Tuesday featuring two of soccer's biggest heavyweights, Spain put in a masterful performance, frustrating France to the tune of a 2-0 win to advance to Sunday's World Cup final.
Bipartisan senators introduce Russia sanctions and tariff bill Graham championed
The text of the bill had been finalized before Graham met with Zelenskyy last week in Kyiv.
Entertainment
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Insider at "The Wolf of Wall Street" firm opens up: "My lifestyle was insane"
The Paramount+ documentary "The Real Wolf of Wall Street" gives an inside look at Jordan Belfort's scandal-ridden firm, Stratton Oakmont.
Gelfand on "The Real Wolf of Wall Street"
"The Real Wolf of Wall Street," a new documentary from See It Now Studios on Paramount+, focuses on the real-life story of infamous stockbroker Jordan Belfort and his brokerage firm Stratton Oakmont. Howie Gelfand, a former partner at Stratton Oakmont, explains why he decided to be part of the documentary and how the 2013 film, "The Wolf of Wall Street," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, got the real story wrong.
Alan Ritchson on thriller "Motor City"
Alan Ritchson talks about starring in "Motor City," which has nearly no dialogue, how his process was different and why he thinks it will resonate with audiences.
States sue to block Paramount-WBD merger
A coalition of a dozen states on Monday sued to block Paramount Skydance's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, posing a new challenge to the $110 billion deal that would unite two of the nation's largest media companies. Paramount Skydance is the parent company of CBS News. CBS News' Jo Ling Kent reports.
Mick Jagger on music and politics
Mick Jagger spoke with The New York Times recently about the role of politics in his music. Political strategists Erin Maguire and Dan Kanninen join "The Takeout" to discuss.
Technology
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Technology
Backlash grows nationwide over data centers
There's growing backlash nationwide against AI data centers and now New York is hitting pause. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order to delay the building boom. Kelly O'Grady has more.
26 Meta workers sue over alleged AI-aided layoffs of employees on leave
A group of 26 Meta employees has sued the company, claiming it used AI to choose people for layoffs, disproportionately targeting those on medical, parental or family leave.
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.
Major utility bill increases requested
Utility companies requested $9.2 billion worth of rate increases in the second quarter of 2026, potentially impacting over 56 million Americans, according to a new report from PowerLines. Former Michigan utility commissioner Tremaine Phillips joins CBS News to discuss.
Scammers are using FaceTime to steal bank account passwords
The scheme begins with fake fraud alerts before shifting to a FaceTime call, where victims are tricked into exposing sensitive banking information.
Science
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Russian Soyuz rocket launches fresh crew to space station
The new crew will replace three other Soyuz fliers wrapping up a 240-day stay aboard the International Space Station.
Astronomer's name deciphered from ancient Mayan ruins for first time
The name "White-chested Fox" was found in drawings dating from 400 BC to 900 AD at the San Bartolo-Xultun archaeological site.
Disclosure Foundation head on new UFO files
The Pentagon on Friday released a new batch of UFO files, spanning 19 videos and more. Jordan Flowers, executive director of the Disclosure Foundation, joins CBS News to discuss.
Watch: Pentagon releases 19 new UFO videos
The Defense Department released a fourth batch of UFO files on Friday, nearly one month after its third drop. These are all of the videos in the latest tranche, plus analysis from astrophysicist Avi Loeb.
2,000-year-old gold rings and human bones found by archaeologists
Archaeologists have discovered eight human skeletons, bronze and gold jewelry and other artifacts indicating a ceremonial burial of wealthy people.
Crime
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Louisiana man charged with murder in shooting of U.S. marshal
A Louisiana man has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a deputy U.S. marshal who joined other officers in trying to arrest him.
U.S. marine biologist shot dead in the Philippines, companion injured
Kent Carpenter and his Filipina companion were at his house in the coastal town of Sibulan when masked men forced their way in.
Kagan opening statements on security funding
Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett are on Capitol Hill to testify before House lawmakers in response to a request for increased security funding amid growing threats against members of the highest court.
Second fatal ICE shooting in a week
Joan Sebastian Guerrero's death in Maine marks the second time in a week that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have shot and killed a civilian. The Department of Homeland Security alleged that a man "attempted to flee the scene" when stopped by ICE. Guerrero's killing has prompted calls for an investigation. CBS News' Lilia Luciano reports.
Apple files lawsuit against OpenAI
Apple is suing OpenAI over apparently stolen trade secrets that may be linked to hardware ambitions. CBS News contributor Patrick McGee joins with more.
Space
More Space
Russian Soyuz rocket launches fresh crew to space station
The new crew will replace three other Soyuz fliers wrapping up a 240-day stay aboard the International Space Station.
Astronomers discover sugar in space that's also found in raspberries
The sugar, called erythrulose, lurks in what's called the interstellar medium: thin clouds of gas and dust littered between stars.
Telescope spots most distant quasars ever discovered
Quasars — the brightest objects in the universe — are powered by supermassive black holes at the heart of early galaxies.
Mission launched to rescue a falling space telescope
Katalyst Space's LINK spacecraft is designed to capture and boost NASA's Swift observatory back to a safe altitude.
NASA astronauts operate on space station's broken robot arm
The orbital surgery on the International Space Station returned the Canadian-built robot arm to full health after its "wrist" joint failed last month.
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.
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.
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.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Latest CBS News Videos
Who will face Spain in the World Cup final?
Spain is on its way to the World Cup final after upsetting France, the favorite to win the title. On Wednesday, defending champion Argentina will take on England, with the winner advancing to Sunday's final. Nicole Valdes reports.
Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals
On this edition of CBS Mornings Deals, we show you items that will help improve your everyday lifestyle. Visit cbsdeals.com to take advantage of these exclusive deals today. CBS earns commissions on purchases made through cbsdeals.com.
Lawmaker calls for ICE to be dismantled
Illinois Democratic Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García joined CBS News with his reaction to two recent fatal shootings involving ICE agents in Texas and Maine.
Behind England and Argentina rivalry
England and Argentina are set to face off, with the winner taking on Spain in the World Cup final. The two countries have a long history in both politics and in the sport. Leigh Kiniry reports.
What to expect in England vs. Argentina match
Poppy Miller, lead host for CBS Sports Golazo, previews the World Cup match between England and Argentina and breaks down Spain's win over France.