She bought a $100 tail and used it for a "magical" mermaid career
Professional mermaids can teach classes, participate in competitions, perform at parties or events or swim in aquariums.
Swimming
Eye on America: Achievements in sports
In New York, famed endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh completes a 315-mile journey down the Hudson River to promote river preservation. Then in California, we meet the first master sommelier in professional sports. Watch these stories and more on "Eye on America" with host Michelle Miller.
Ledecky breaks Phelps' record for most individual world titles
Ledecky won by nearly 4.5 seconds in her favorite distance, the 800-meter freestyle.
Swimmer Katie Ledecky ties Michael Phelps' record
Ledecky tied a record with legend Phelps for the most individual world swimming titles.
What’s behind the Long Island shark attacks?
Lifeguards on New York's Long Island beaches are on high alert after at least five people were bitten by sharks in the area since Monday. Meg Oliver has more.
Keeping yourself safe from rip currents
Rip currents kill about 100 people every year in the United States. It happens when currents moving perpendicular to the shore pull beachgoers into the water quickly and unexpectedly. CBS News climate reporter Cara Korte has more on what to look out for and how to keep yourself and your family safe.
Lifeguard shortage continues in summer 2023
As summer heats up, states and cities face a lifeguard shortage that could cause hundreds of thousands of pools to close or reduce their hours. Elise Preston reports.
Factors driving the lifeguard shortage
The ongoing nationwide lifeguard shortage is causing concerns about staffing at beaches and pools. Tom Gill, vice president of the U.S. Lifesaving Association, joins CBS News to discuss what's causing the shortage, how people can become lifeguards and more.
22-year-old missing after "polar plunge" in California
College wrestler got hit by a large wave on Thursday and pulled further from shore, police said.
AP names its 2022 athletes of the year
It's Judge's first time being picked for the honor, while it was Ledecky's second time being chosen.
Olympics will allow men to compete in artistic swimming in 2024
Once thought to be "the impossible dream," men who compete in artistic swimming will now have a chance to go for the gold.
Teen takes plunge in fight against cancer
A teenager is marathon swimming to raise money for cancer research. Carter Evans shares more.
Brain-eating amoeba suspected in child's death
Health officials in Nebraska say a child likely died from a brain-eating amoeba. The child may have been infected while swimming in the Elkhorn River near Omaha.
12 whales surround paddleboarders
Two Argentine paddleboarders made the sighting of their lives when 12 whales swam next to them for around an hour. One of them even got to pet one of the animals while his friend was pushed off his board.
Grieving father erupts at Parkland school shooter's trial
A grieving father erupted in anger as he told jurors about the daughter school shooter Nikolas Cruz murdered along with 16 others four years ago.
Para swimmer Alice Tai wins gold just months after leg amputation
"I didn't think I would be able to race this season," Tai told BBC Sport.
Oil drillers reap unprecedented profits as Americans struggle
Soaring energy prices baked into delivery costs are driving up the cost of everything from apples to toilet paper.
17-year-old injured in shark attack off Florida
A teenager in Florida and a man in California are recovering from recent shark attacks. Meg Oliver has more on what you need to know before you head to the beach.
U.S. swimmer saved by coach after fainting in pool at world championships
Underwater cameras caught the dramatic rescue as Anita Alvarez hung motionless in the water and her Olympic medalist coach Andrea Fuentes dove in to pull her to the surface.
Advocate says queer, trans rights threatened
Supreme Court could overturn landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade, sparking concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates and allies that queer and trans people's rights are next. Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice with the American Civil Liberties Union's LGBTQ and HIV Project spoke with CBS News' Anne-Marie Green and Vladimir Duthiers about the legal reasons behind those concerns as well as the attention on trans athletes and efforts to bar them from competing.
World swimming bans transgender athletes from women's events
World swimming's governing body has effectively banned transgender women from competing in women's events.
Teen drowns
Authorities in Massachusetts say a young woman drowned while swimming in the Whitin Reservoir in Douglas, CBS Boston reports.
Supreme Court lets Louisiana use congressional map with new majority-Black district
The state of Louisiana and a group of Black voters and civil rights groups asked the Supreme Court to intervene in a long-running dispute over the state's congressional map.
Assassination try leaves Slovak leader in stable but "very serious" condition
Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot as he came out of a meeting. He was in "stable but still very serious" condition, the hospital said.
U.S. military finishes installing offshore pier to provide aid to Gaza
The U.S. military says it's installed the temporary pier that will be used to bring humanitarian aid into Gaza, and trucks carrying the aid should begin "moving ashore in the coming days."
Menendez "put his power up for sale," prosecutor argues in bribery trial
A lawyer for New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez sought to pin the blame on his wife, Nadine Menendez.
Barge hits bridge in Texas, damaging structure and causing oil spill
The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to the oil spill, and will determine its extent and initiate "containment and cleanup processes."
Biden and Trump agree to presidential debates on June 27 and Sept. 10
President Biden and former President Donald Trump will go head-to-head in presidential debates on June 27 and Sept. 10, their campaigns said Wednesday.
Harris reports Beyoncé tickets as White House releases financial disclosures
The president and vice president are required to file public financial reports.
Angie Harmon sues Instacart, delivery driver for fatally shooting dog
Angie Harmon said she heard a gunshot and rushed outside, where she found her dog had been shot, and saw the delivery person putting a gun into the front of his pants, according to the lawsuit.
Driver said he smoked marijuana oil night before deadly crash, report says
Bryan Maclean Howard was charged with eight counts of driving under the influence manslaughter in a deadly Florida bus crash.
U.S.
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Trump appeals gag order in New York "hush money" trial
Judge Juan Merchan has held Trump in contempt of court for violating the gag order 10 times, with a $1,000 fine for each violation.
Angie Harmon sues Instacart, delivery driver for fatally shooting dog
Angie Harmon said she heard a gunshot and rushed outside, where she found her dog had been shot, and saw the delivery person putting a gun into the front of his pants, according to the lawsuit.
Minneapolis police face officer shortage amid effort to rebuild public trust
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara says his department is short more than 200 officers, and has lost 40% of its police force in the last four years.
3 killed in Tennessee small plane crash that left half-mile debris field
Officials are "unsure where the crash started or where it ended," Williamson County Sheriff Mark Elrod told reporters.
Surgery patients at lower risk with women doctors, more research shows
A new study finds hospitals with a higher share of women surgeons and and anesthetists shave better patient outcomes.
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
Half of Amazon warehouse workers struggle to pay for food, housing, report says
The report also highlights the financial destruction that can occur when workers take unpaid time off after being hurt or tired from the job.
Nissan data breach exposes Social Security numbers of nearly 53,000
Ransomware attack targeted a Nissan virtual private network, the automaker's U.S. subsidiary said.
More employees are cheating on workplace drug tests. Here's how.
Experts call for better drug testing procedures as more states legalize marijuana and societal norms change.
McDonald's to offer $5 meal promo in effort to reinvigorate sales
McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said recently the company must be laser-focused on keeping prices affordable.
Here's what Americans think is the best long-term investment
What's the best place to park your money? Americans put their faith in this long-term investment, a new Gallup poll shows.
Politics
More Politics
Trump appeals gag order in New York "hush money" trial
Judge Juan Merchan has held Trump in contempt of court for violating the gag order 10 times, with a $1,000 fine for each violation.
Harris reports Beyoncé tickets as White House releases financial disclosures
The president and vice president are required to file public financial reports.
Supreme Court lets Louisiana use congressional map with new majority-Black district
The state of Louisiana and a group of Black voters and civil rights groups asked the Supreme Court to intervene in a long-running dispute over the state's congressional map.
Motion to expel Minnesota Sen. Nicole Mitchell over felony burglary charge fails
Minnesota Senate Republicans on Wednesday attempted to expel embattled DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell from the chamber Wednesday, in the wake of accusations she broke into her stepmother's home last month, but that effort failed.
Sen. Bob Menendez's wife is at center of corruption allegations
New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez may argue his wife kept him in the dark about her dealings with three businessmen.
HealthWatch
More HealthWatch
Surgery patients at lower risk with women doctors, more research shows
A new study finds hospitals with a higher share of women surgeons and and anesthetists shave better patient outcomes.
More employees are cheating on workplace drug tests. Here's how.
Experts call for better drug testing procedures as more states legalize marijuana and societal norms change.
Drug overdose deaths decreased in 2023
Opioid overdose deaths decreased, but there was an increase in overdose deaths from psychostimulants like meth and cocaine.
The lure of specialty medicine pulls nurse practitioners from primary care
Nurse practitioners have been viewed as a key to addressing the shortage of primary care physicians. But data suggests that, just like doctors, they are increasingly drawn to better-paying specialties.
Drowning deaths surged during the pandemic — and it was worse among Black people, CDC reports
Nearly 4,000 people die from accidental drowning ever year, according to the CDC.
World
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Georgia's parliament passes controversial "foreign agent" law
Tens of thousands of people gathered in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi to protest the law's passage.
U.S. military finishes installing offshore pier to provide aid to Gaza
The U.S. military says it's installed the temporary pier that will be used to bring humanitarian aid into Gaza, and trucks carrying the aid should begin "moving ashore in the coming days."
Asia's deadly heat wave was made 45 times more likely for this reason
Extreme heat is known as a "silent killer," and in some areas across Asia, its intensity would have been impossible without one critical factor, a new study found.
Manhunt for escaped inmate after officers killed in prison van attack
Assailants killed 2 prison convoy officers, springing the inmate they were escorting. France's prime minister vowed the suspects "will pay."
Blinken promises Ukraine help is "on the way" amid "brutal Russian onslaught"
In Kyiv, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $2 billion in new financing for Ukraine to aid weapons delivery and fuel Ukraine's defense industrial base.
Entertainment
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Angie Harmon sues Instacart, delivery driver for fatally shooting dog
Angie Harmon said she heard a gunshot and rushed outside, where she found her dog had been shot, and saw the delivery person putting a gun into the front of his pants, according to the lawsuit.
Whoopi Goldberg reflects on family, career in new memoir "Bits and Pieces"
Whoopi Goldberg described the book as a way to dispel speculations about her upbringing and to share her story on her own terms.
Brittney and Cherelle Griner reveal baby's name
Brittney and Cherelle Griner shared videos from their baby shower exclusively with "CBS Mornings."
Iain Armitage on emotional "Young Sheldon" finale and what's next
"Young Sheldon" will end its seven-year run with a two-episode series finale on Thursday, May 16, beginning at 8/7c on CBS.
Iain Armitage on "Young Sheldon" finale
Actor Iain Armitage joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss the series finale of the hit CBS show, "Young Sheldon."
Technology
More Technology
Nissan data breach exposes Social Security numbers of nearly 53,000
Ransomware attack targeted a Nissan virtual private network, the automaker's U.S. subsidiary said.
'Innovation & Disruption Leaders'
The Innovation & Disruption Leaders documentary series transforms corporate buzzwords like 'tech' and 'AI' into accessible concepts. Through the power of visual storytelling, we delve into the minds of industry leaders, executives and entrepreneurs alike. Who will decide the destiny of tomorrow's business landscape? By putting business in front of the camera, these incredible films get us one step closer to the answer.
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.
TikTok creators sue U.S. government
A group of TikTok creators is suing to stop a new law that could ban the social media app in the U.S. The legal challenge follows another lawsuit filed by TikTok and its China-based owner.
Google goes all in on AI at developer event
Google's highly-anticipated, annual developer conference began Tuesday. The event focused mainly on the company's artificial intelligence advancements. Lisa Eadicicco, senior mobile editor for CNET, joins CBS News with highlights.
Science
More Science
New study may solve mystery about warm-blooded dinosaurs
A new study suggests that the first warm-blooded dinosaurs may have roamed Earth about 180 million years ago.
Asia's deadly heat wave was made 45 times more likely for this reason
Extreme heat is known as a "silent killer," and in some areas across Asia, its intensity would have been impossible without one critical factor, a new study found.
Satellite images show what the historic geomagnetic storm looked like from space
Millions of Americans looked to the night sky and snapped magical photos and videos of the northern lights this past weekend during the momentous geomagnetic storm.
Cicadas pee from trees. And they can urinate a lot, a new study finds.
Scientists who study such things have found that cicadas urinate in a jet stream because they consume an incredible volume of fluid during their brief time above ground.
Solar storms can affect electronics and the power grid – an expert explains
Solar storms can dazzle, bringing displays of the northern lights to large parts of the globe. But geomagnetic storms can also affect electronic systems.
Crime
More Crime
Minneapolis police face officer shortage amid effort to rebuild public trust
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara says his department is short more than 200 officers, and has lost 40% of its police force in the last four years.
Manhunt for escaped inmate after officers killed in prison van attack
Assailants killed 2 prison convoy officers, springing the inmate they were escorting. France's prime minister vowed the suspects "will pay."
Driver said he smoked marijuana oil night before deadly crash, report says
Bryan Maclean Howard was charged with eight counts of driving under the influence manslaughter in a deadly Florida bus crash.
11 killed in cartel-plagued part of Mexico as mass shootings continue
The bloodshed in Chiapas marks at least the fourth mass killing in Mexico in about a week.
Vessel of interest ID'd in deadly boat hit and run
Florida officials say a "vessel of interest" has been identified in connection with a deadly hit and run that killed a 15-year-old ballerina who was waterskiing over the weekend. Cristian Benevides has the details.
Space
More Space
Sun emits its largest X-class flare of the solar cycle
The large explosion of energy and light from the sun comes just days after Earth was slammed with the biggest geomagnetic storm in more than 20 years.
Researchers discover "super fluffy" planet with cotton candy-like density
WASP-193b is 50% larger than Jupiter — the largest planet in our solar system — but seven times less massive because of it's extraordinarily low density.
Satellite images show what the historic geomagnetic storm looked like from space
Millions of Americans looked to the night sky and snapped magical photos and videos of the northern lights this past weekend during the momentous geomagnetic storm.
Boeing Starliner launch retargeted for May 21
The oxygen valve that derailed a launch try last week has been replaced, but engineers want more time to verify an unrelated helium leak has been fixed.
More geomagnetic storms likely to continue today
The forecasted conditions come after a weekend of jaw-dropping northern lights seen as far south as Florida and as "magnetically complex" sunspots bigger than Earth continue to emit solar flares.
Latest Galleries
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Notable Deaths in 2024
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Roger Corman, "King of the B Movies" 1926-2024
A look back at the hallowed career of the indie "B-movie" filmmaker, known for exploitation films, monster flicks, and some bizarre movie posters.
N.J. woman survives a home invasion, brutal stabbing by a young stranger
Despite losing three quarters of the blood in her body, Donna Ongsiako was able to help police find the person who almost took her life.
PHOTOS: Baltimore bridge collapses after cargo ship rams into overpass
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed early Tuesday, March 26 after a column was struck by a container ship that reportedly lost power, sending vehicles and people into the Patapsco River.
Could an Alabama woman have shot herself twice?
When Tiffiney Crawford was found dead inside her van, authorities believed she might have taken her own life. But could she shoot herself twice in the head with her non-dominant hand?
Latest CBS News Videos
More Latest CBS News Videos
Latest CBS News Videos
Unpacking high court's Louisiana map decision
The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Louisiana can use a newly-drawn House map that includes a second district with a majority of Black voters. The decision comes after a lower court recently called the map unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion has more.
What makes for a good presidential debate?
Presidential debates have become a standard part of the four-year contest, but this contest is anything but standard. With two debates finally on the calendar, the two qualifications for a good debate are also two issues totally up for grabs in U.S. democracy. CBS News chief political analyst John Dickerson explains.
Why cocoa prices are soaring to record levels
Higher cocoa prices are hitting chocolate lovers' wallets. CBS News reporter Taurean Small explains what's driving the increase, and what chocolate brands are doing to adapt.
Inside the "no graduation" generation
Many high school seniors in 2020 never got to participate in a big graduation ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, four years later, caution about protests over the war in Gaza means some won't get a college ceremony either. CBS News' Meg Oliver reports on the "no graduation" generation.
Homeland security threats facing 2024 winner
Between dual overseas wars, rising competition with China and a struggle to find consensus on southern border policy, the next president will be tasked with handling many homeland security issues. CBS News national security contributor Sam Vinograd joins to discuss some of the major challenges the winner of the November election will face.