Mysterious origin of the "tree of life" revealed
The trees have been called both "grotesque" and "one of the most charismatic species on our planet" – and now we know where they came from.
Tree of Life
Note to Self: Rabbi Jeffrey Myers
In a special edition of "Note to Self," "CBS Mornings" hears from Rabbi Jeffrey Myers five years after a gunman opened fire on Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue during Sabbath services, killing 11 people. It was the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. Myers was in the building that morning, where he helped congregants shelter and evacuate. Now, he's taking a look back at the tragic day, and he's looking ahead, to his community's future.
FBI monitoring potential hate crimes as 5-year commemoration of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting approaches
KDKA's John Shumway has the perspective of the people who work daily to prevent hate-related violence here in Pittsburgh.
Man pleads guilty to threatening jurors in synagogue shooting trial
According to an affidavit, Hardy Carroll Lloyd wrote threatening posts on social media and websites and also sent emails to the jury and witnesses during the trial.
Pittsburgh synagogue shooter gets death sentence
A jury recommended the death sentence for the man who killed 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018. Shanelle Kaul reports.
Death penalty for Tree of Life shooter
A jury has unanimously recommended the death sentence for the gunman who killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018. Robert Bowers was convicted in June of 63 counts related to the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue, believed to be the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history.
Jury deciding Tree of Life gunman's sentence
A federal jury in Pittsburgh is deciding whether the gunman who killed 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018 will be put to death. In June, Robert Bowers was convicted of 63 criminal counts related to the shooting, the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history. CBS News Pittsburgh investigative reporter Andy Sheehan has the latest.
Synagogue shooter eligible for death penalty
A federal jury in the trial of the Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooter has decided he is eligible for the death penalty. The panel reached a decision in less than two hours. Prosecutors say Robert Bowers acted "out of pure hate" when he killed 11 people in October of 2018. Reporter Andy Sheehan has more.
Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooter found eligible for death penalty
The jury agreed with prosecutors that Robert Bowers had formed the requisite legal intent to kill.
Pittsburgh shooter could face death penalty
A jury on Friday found 50-year-old truck driver Robert Bowers guilty on all counts in the 2018 shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue that killed 11 worshipers and left seven people wounded. Bowers had a history of spewing antisemitic hatred and his attorneys admitted during trial that he was responsible for the massacre. CBS News Pittsburgh reporter Meghan Schiller reports from outside the courthouse.
Pittsburgh synagogue gunman convicted
Robert Bowers was found guilty of all counts in the 2018 massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue that killed 11 people and injured seven others. The trial will take a one-week break before moving to the sentencing phase, where the jury will decide whether Bowers should get the death penalty.
Pittsburgh synagogue shooter found guilty in Tree of Life attack
Defense attorneys admitted during trial that he was responsible for the massacre that killed 11 people and wounded 7.
Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial underway
A second day of jury selection is underway in the federal hate crime case against the man charged in the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. Robert Bowers is accused of killing 11 and wounding two others at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018. CBS News legal contributor and Loyola Law School professor Jessica Levinson discusses the case.
Death penalty trial begins in 2018 killing of 11 at Pittsburgh synagogue
The families of those killed were divided over whether the government should pursue the death penalty, but most were in favor.
Antisemitism uptick 4 years after synagogue attack
The Jewish community in Pittsburgh came together to honor the memory of those who were murdered four years ago at the Tree of Life Synagogue. The ceremony comes as antisemitism is on the rise nationwide and as fallout from Kanye West's antisemitic comments continues. Elise Preston has the details.
4 years since Tree of Life synagogue attack
A commemoration ceremony is taking place in Pittsburgh to mark four years since the massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue where 11 people were killed. The anniversary comes as antisemitic incidents in the U.S. have hit an all-time high — including hateful remarks from superstar Kanye West. CBS News' Bradley Blackburn reports.
New book details life after synagogue shooting
Over the last three years, the Jewish community in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh has come to rely on hope. In October of 2018, 11 Jews were murdered while worshipping in a local synagogue. The horrific attack is the subject of a new book, “Squirrel Hill: The Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting and the Soul of a Neighborhood.” Author Mark Oppenheimer spoke to Dana Jacobson about how the entire community rallied, illuminating the idea of hope, to overcome the darkness of hate.
3 years since Tree of Life synagogue massacre
Three years ago today, a gunman armed with an assault rifle and multiple handguns opened fire inside the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. It is considered the deadliest antisemetic attack to take place on U.S. soil. Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers, who survived the massacre, joins CBSN to discuss that devastating day and how the community has come together.
Darwin's early notebooks on evolution feared "stolen" from Cambridge
The notebooks, missing since 2001 and worth millions, contain Darwin's "Tree of Life" sketch and notes on his then-revolutionary thoughts on the natural world.
Hate crime murders reached record high
Hate crime murders in the U.S. reached a 27-year high in 2018, according to data released Tuesday by the FBI. Twenty-four people were killed in incidents classified as hate crimes, which includes the 11 worshipers slain last year at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, the deadliest anti-Semitic crime in U.S. history.
Tree of Life Synagogue to reopen as "symbol against hatred"
Pittsburgh synagogue is the site of a 2018 mass shooting where 11 people were fatally shot.
Pittsburgh newspaper donates Pulitzer Prize money to synagogue
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has donated its $15,000 Pulitzer Prize winnings to the Tree of Life – Or L'Simcha Congregation, where 11 people were shot and killed last October
Pittsburgh approves gun restrictions months after synagogue shooting
Pro-gun advocates have already vowed to take legal action against the new gun control measures
Trump celebrates Hanukkah at the White House
In his first of two Hanukkah events, President Trump remembered the life of former President George H.W. Bush, calling him a wonderful man. He went on to condemn anti-Semitism, specifically mentioning the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Watch his remarks here.
Carolina Panthers bring flowers to Tree of Life before Steelers game
#StrongerThanHate: A message from the Carolina Panthers football team ahead of Thursday's game
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican says
Pope Francis made it his mission to change the perception of the Catholic Church around the world.
live updates
Pope Francis mourned worldwide as Catholic Church prepares for next chapter
Pope Francis died Monday at the age of 88. As tributes pour in from around the world, the Vatican faces a transition.
Looking back at Pope Francis' impact on the Catholic Church
A longtime Vatican correspondent shares his insights on the legacy of Pope Francis, a populist leader who sought to bring the Church closer to the people.
Hegseth shared details of Yemen strike in another Signal chat: sources
The messages were sent the same day Hegseth shared similar details in a separate Signal chat that inadvertently included The Atlantic's editor-in-chief.
Vance, Modi set to meet in India with Trump's tariffs taking center stage
Vice President JD Vance is in India on a four-day visit as New Delhi looks to avoid U.S. tariffs, negotiate a bilateral trade deal with Washington and strengthen ties with the Trump administration.
What scientists fear most about bird flu spread in the U.S.
Bird flu infections have been rare among people, but the pathogen is evolving, which has scientists worried about a possible pandemic.
Russia, Ukraine accuse each other of breaking Easter ceasefire
According to the Kremlin, the ceasefire will last from 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday to midnight following Easter Sunday.
Trump takes aim at Biden, "Radical Left Lunatics," courts in Easter message
Minutes after sharing a more traditional Easter message on Truth Social, President Trump posted a longer, grievance-filled message.
Officers who attended Jan. 6 rally ask SCOTUS to allow anonymity in records
Current and former Seattle Police officers who attended President Trump's Jan. 6 rally are seeking to keep their identities out of public records related to the insurrection.
U.S.
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Hegseth shared details of Yemen strike in another Signal chat: sources
The messages were sent the same day Hegseth shared similar details in a separate Signal chat that inadvertently included The Atlantic's editor-in-chief.
Salvadoran Catholic leader urges Bukele not to turn country into U.S. prison
El Salvador's top Catholic leader on Sunday urged President Nayib Bukele not to turn the country into a Guantanamo-style U.S. prison.
Full transcript of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," April 20, 2025
On this "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" broadcast, Sen. Chris Van Hollen and EPA administrator Lee Zeldin join Weijia Jiang.
Officers who attended Jan. 6 rally ask SCOTUS to allow anonymity in records
Current and former Seattle Police officers who attended President Trump's Jan. 6 rally are seeking to keep their identities out of public records related to the insurrection.
Trump takes aim at Biden, "Radical Left Lunatics," courts in Easter message
Minutes after sharing a more traditional Easter message on Truth Social, President Trump posted a longer, grievance-filled message.
MoneyWatch
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Vance, Modi set to meet in India with Trump's tariffs taking center stage
Vice President JD Vance is in India on a four-day visit as New Delhi looks to avoid U.S. tariffs, negotiate a bilateral trade deal with Washington and strengthen ties with the Trump administration.
What's open and closed on Easter 2025?
Check out the list of the supermarkets, retailers, and fast food chains that are open on Easter and which are closed.
Trump is studying how to remove Fed Chair Powell, adviser says
Trump administration economist Kevin Hassett said Powell's removal is being studied by the president and his team.
Here's the magic number Americans say they need for retirement
Americans have big financial goals for what they think they'll need for a comfortable retirement, a new survey finds.
Ford says it could raise prices this summer if tariffs remain in effect
Ford's vehicle prices could rise this summer if 25% auto tariffs remain in place, the company said in a memo to dealers.
Politics
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Vance, Modi set to meet in India with Trump's tariffs taking center stage
Vice President JD Vance is in India on a four-day visit as New Delhi looks to avoid U.S. tariffs, negotiate a bilateral trade deal with Washington and strengthen ties with the Trump administration.
Hegseth shared details of Yemen strike in another Signal chat: sources
The messages were sent the same day Hegseth shared similar details in a separate Signal chat that inadvertently included The Atlantic's editor-in-chief.
Full transcript of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," April 20, 2025
On this "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" broadcast, Sen. Chris Van Hollen and EPA administrator Lee Zeldin join Weijia Jiang.
Officers who attended Jan. 6 rally ask SCOTUS to allow anonymity in records
Current and former Seattle Police officers who attended President Trump's Jan. 6 rally are seeking to keep their identities out of public records related to the insurrection.
Trump takes aim at Biden, "Radical Left Lunatics," courts in Easter message
Minutes after sharing a more traditional Easter message on Truth Social, President Trump posted a longer, grievance-filled message.
HealthWatch
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Her sore throat turned into a month-long ICU stay. Doctors were stumped.
Vanessa Abraham thought her symptoms were a bad flu — until she collapsed to the floor struggling to breathe.
Trump administration replaces COVID websites
The Trump administration has moved to replace websites that previously offered health information and access to COVID tests and treatment.
About 429,200 wireless phone chargers recalled over fire hazard
Casely received 51 consumer reports of the charger's lithium-ion batteries catching fire while in use, resulting in burn injuries.
Obesity doctor touts new weight loss drug
There may soon be a new medication option for losing weight. Eli Lilly's experimental pill appears to work as well as the injected drug Ozempic to lower the weight of diabetes patients. Dr. Jon LaPook has more.
CDC scraps plan to help Texas schools curb measles over layoffs, employee says
Some employees working on the CDC's measles response were warned they could face layoffs.
World
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live updates
Pope Francis mourned worldwide as Catholic Church prepares for next chapter
Pope Francis died Monday at the age of 88. As tributes pour in from around the world, the Vatican faces a transition.
Looking back at Pope Francis' impact on the Catholic Church
A longtime Vatican correspondent shares his insights on the legacy of Pope Francis, a populist leader who sought to bring the Church closer to the people.
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican says
Pope Francis made it his mission to change the perception of the Catholic Church around the world.
Salvadoran Catholic leader urges Bukele not to turn country into U.S. prison
El Salvador's top Catholic leader on Sunday urged President Nayib Bukele not to turn the country into a Guantanamo-style U.S. prison.
German police hunt for a suspect who fatally shot 2 Turkish men
German police in a spa town north of Frankfurt were expanding a manhunt for one or more suspects still on the loose after two Turkish men were fatally shot a day earlier.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Extended interview: David Hyde Pierce
In this web exclusive, "Frasier" star David Hyde Pierce, now appearing on Broadway in "Pirates! The Penzance Musical," talks with correspondent Martha Teichner about playing physical comedy; tweaking Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance" for today's audience; his early television roles that led to the part of Dr. Niles Crane on "Frasier"; and his relationship with his husband, Brian.
David Hyde Pierce, the very model of a modern Major-General, in "Pirates! The Penzance Musical"
The "Frasier" star is back on the Broadway stage in a jazzy re-working of the Gilbert & Sullivan classic, transplanted to New Orleans.
David Hyde Pierce in "Pirates! The Penzance Musical"
"Frasier" star David Hyde Pierce is back on the Broadway stage in "Pirates! The Penzance Musical," a jazzy re-working of the Gilbert & Sullivan classic, transplanted to New Orleans. The former aspiring concert pianist talks with correspondent Martha Teichner about the thread that Gilbert & Sullivan has run throughout his life. He also talks about his comedy influences, and what it means to him to make people laugh.
Passage: In memoriam
"Sunday Morning" remembers some of the notable figures who left us this week, including veteran TV game show host Wink Martindale.
Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino: Curtain up on "Étoile"
The Emmy-winning couple behind "Gilmore Girls" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" are now debuting "Étoile," a new comic-drama about two struggling ballet companies.
Technology
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Fake job seekers are flooding the market, thanks to AI
Companies say fake job seekers are using artificial intelligence to get remote jobs, often in an attempt to steal insider secrets.
Scientist on reviving extinct dire wolves
Biotech company Colossal Bioscience has made headlines for saying it brought the dire wolf species back from extinction. CBS News' Lindsey Reiser spoke with the company's chief science officer, Beth Shapiro, who broke down the science and motivations behind the project.
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.
About 429,200 wireless phone chargers recalled over fire hazard
Casely received 51 consumer reports of the charger's lithium-ion batteries catching fire while in use, resulting in burn injuries.
Judge: Google is online advertising monopoly
A federal judge ruled Thursday that Google is a monopolist in markets for online advertising technology. CBS News' Kelly O'Grady has the details.
Science
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NASA spacecraft to zoom past asteroid this weekend at 30,000 mph
The flyby is a dress rehearsal for 2027 when Lucy reaches its first so-called Trojan asteroid near Jupiter.
Breaking down the return of dire wolves
Colossal Biosciences says it successfully gene-edited gray wolves to carry traits of the extinct dire wolf. Founder and CEO Ben Lamm and Chief Science Officer Beth Shapiro discuss the research and rising controversy.
Scientists find "strongest evidence yet" of life on distant planet
A British-U.S. team of researchers detected signs of two chemicals in the planet's atmosphere long considered to be "biosignatures" indicating extraterrestrial life.
Can climate change really create zombie fungi, like in "The Last of Us"?
As the HBO series "The Last of Us" returns, fans wonder: How much of the chilling storyline about a fungal zombie pandemic is rooted in reality?
NOAA could face 25% budget cut, slashing climate research, in draft proposal
An internal government document proposes significant changes for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, hitting its research functions hardest.
Crime
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Was an Oregon teen the mastermind behind her father's murder?
After Aaron Friar and his 15-year-old daughter Ellie vanished from their Medford, Oregon, home, investigators arrived to discover a horrific scene – and soon after, evidence of a murder plot is revealed.
FSU president reacts to the campus' mass shooting
Classes resume Monday at Florida State University, the scene of the nation's latest mass shooting. Two people were killed when a gunman opened fire near the student union on Thursday. Kati Weis spoke with the university's president on the tragedy.
Judge to allow "bushy eyebrows" testimony in Bryan Kohberger trial
Kohberger, 30, is charged with murder in the stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves at a rental home in Idaho near campus.
Gunmen disguised as soldiers kill 12 spectators at cockfight
Footage of the shooting, circulated on social media, showed spectators flinging themselves to the ground and taking cover under their seats.
FSU shooting victim speaks out from hospital
Tallahassee police said there was no connection between the Florida State University shooting suspect, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, and the victims. CBS News' Kati Weis and Anna Schecter have more details.
Space
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When and where to see the Lyrid meteor shower's peak
During the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower, 10 to 20 meteors could be seen per hour, NASA says.
NASA's most senior astronaut returns to Earth with 2 cosmonauts
Don Pettit, NASA's oldest active astronaut, marked his 70th birthday by landing on the steppe of Kazakhstan after 220 days in space.
NASA spacecraft to zoom past asteroid this weekend at 30,000 mph
The flyby is a dress rehearsal for 2027 when Lucy reaches its first so-called Trojan asteroid near Jupiter.
Astronomer on new evidence pointing to life
Astronomers say they have discovered "the strongest evidence yet" of life on a distant planet, although, they stress that more research is needed. Chief astronomer and planetarium director of the Franklin Institute Derrick Pitts joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.
Scientists find "strongest evidence yet" of life on distant planet
A British-U.S. team of researchers detected signs of two chemicals in the planet's atmosphere long considered to be "biosignatures" indicating extraterrestrial life.
Latest Galleries
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"No Kings": Protesters across country march against Trump, Musk
Protests against the Trump administration took place across the U.S. Saturday. The demonstrations were held to mark the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War.
Notable Deaths in 2025
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
"Hands Off!": Americans across country protest Trump, Musk
Hundreds of thousands took to the streets, in Washington, D.C. and other cities across the United States, in opposition to the policies of Donald Trump, in the largest protests since he returned to the presidency.
Husband pieces together wife's last movements to find out how she was killed
A look into a grieving husband Jan Cilliers' investigative work after his wife Christy Giles and her friend Hilda Marcela Cabrales died after a night out.
The Scott Peterson case: New evidence?
Peterson's death sentence for the murder of his pregnant wife Laci has been overturned. Now his supporters are pushing for a complete retrial.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Latest CBS News Videos
Pope Francis dies a day after Easter
Pope Francis, who worked to change the perception of the Catholic Church around the world, has died at age 88, the Vatican announced. His death comes a day after Easter and following a recent hospitalization for bronchitis that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. Jessi Mitchell anchored CBS News' special report.
Pope Francis dies at age 88
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced a day after Easter. Francis experienced a number of health issues in recent years. He was recently hospitalized for five weeks in February and March 2025 with bronchitis that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. He marked the 12th anniversary of his papacy from his hospital room in Rome. CBS News' Norah O'Donnell reports on Pope Francis' legacy.
Lawmakers face rising anger from constituents
With Congress on break, many lawmakers are seeing increased anger from their constituents, as townhalls have become contentious affairs. Mark Strassmann reports.
Tension over conservation efforts in California
The Channel Islands of California are teeming with life and rich biodiversity, but a loophole allowing the use of gill nets to trap ocean wildlife is rankling conservationists. Itay Hod reports.
Pastor on state of religion in America
Jericka Duncan reports on a new Pew Research study about how Americans view religion and spirituality and speaks with a New York City pastor about the young people he's seeing in his congregation.