Crime Without Punishment | CBS Reports
In this CBS Reports documentary, Jim Axelrod peels back the curtain on a sobering reality of a justice system in crisis: For roughly half of the people murdered in America, no one is arrested for the crime.
Crime Without Punishment
A look at unsolved murders in America
A closer look at disparities in NYPD's homicide clearance rates
In a collaboration with CBS News, we examine a crime often going without punishment in our country. CBS2's Ali Bauman takes a closer look at racial disparities in homicide closure rates at the NYPD.
Oakland, San Francisco see disheartening difference in homicide clearance rates
Barely half of murder cases in the United States get solved. The national homicide clearance rate is at an all-time low, according to FBI data. Oakland and San Francisco are seeing a large difference on solved cases, as Wilson Walker reports.
She lost two sons to gun violence; five years later, still no arrests
Barely half of murder cases in the U.S. get solved. The national homicide clearance rate is at an all-time low, according to FBI data. In the mid-1960s, more than 90% of murders were solved, generally resulting in the arrests. By 1990, that percentage fell into the 60s. Then, by 2020, as homicides surged, the national clearance rate dropped to about 50% for the first time ever.
A "coin flip": Nearly half of U.S. murders go unsolved as cases rise
Murders are going unsolved at a historic pace, and police are far less likely to solve cases when the victim is Black or Hispanic, a CBS News investigation has found.
Behind the story: How CBS News analyzed homicide solve rates across U.S.
The investigative team at CBS News wanted to understand how police were addressing this nearly unprecedented spike in murders – and why many were going unsolved.
Baltimore task force trying to solve the crisis of unsolved murder
Officials from more than 20 agencies are working together in a nondescript warehouse, investigating Baltimore's most brazen drug syndicates.
Unsolved murders and the mothers of Jackson, Mississippi
Mothers being asked to investigate the murders of their sons has become a reality in Jackson.
Philly police say "crushing volume" of killings outruns their ability to close cases
CBS News analyzed decades of unsolved murders across the country, and found stark racial disparities in the clearance rates — the share of cases each year that are solved.
Former Dallas police chief hopes police and communities can bridge gaps
Renee Hall, former chief of the Dallas Police Department, is the daughter of a police officer killed in the line of duty.
A closer look at disparities in NYPD's homicide clearance rates
According to data analyzed by CBS News, the national homicide clearance rate has been improving for cases involving white victims, but falling for Black and Hispanic victims.
Detroit homicide clearance rates rise as national rates fall
According to the FBI and the Detroit Police Department, homicide clearance rates in the city have risen as the national average has fallen.
Unsolved murders on the rise, especially for Black, Hispanic victims
An analysis of FBI crime data by CBS 2 has found that LAPD's homicide clearance rate has ebbed over the years in a way that is concerning.
Five years after her brother's murder, one Chicago woman learns justice will never come
Chicago Police have low arrest rates, but higher rates for cleared or closed cases. We dig into what's behind those numbers.
Black and Hispanic murders are less likely to be solved. The reasons why are complicated.
New research by the CBS News Innovation Lab shows the likelihood of a murder being solved in the US is significantly lower when the victims are Black or Hispanic.
How Sacramento County is bucking the national trend of murder cases going unsolved
In a collaboration with CBS News, CBS Sacramento is examining why crime is often going without punishment in our country. The national homicide clearance rate is at an all-time low, according to FBI data. Barely half of the murder cases in the United States get solved.
Miami police working to increase murder clearance rate
In Miami-Dade, the clearance rate for homicides in 2020 was 43%
The problem behind Boston's unsolved murders
Unsolved murders are a growing concern nationwide.
Homicide clearance rates are dropping in Philadelphia as murder rates skyrocket
The murder rate in Philadelphia was 499 in 2020. That's a 40% increase from 2019.
Homicide clearance rates are declining across the U.S. Baltimore's is down to 42%.
A CBS News analysis of FBI homicide data shows Baltimore City's average clearance rate from 2015 to 2019 was just 38.7%, hitting a low of 29.7% in 2015, the tumultuous year when Freddie Gray was killed in police custody and arrests plummeted.
More murders going unsolved nationally, but Dallas-Fort Worth may be getting less credit than they deserve
Murder, according to the FBI, is the most likely crime to be solved in the US, but nationally the rate of success has been in decline for years.
Pittsburgh homicide clearance rates falling as national rate hits all-time low
In a collaboration with CBS News, KDKA Investigates examines crime often going without punishment in our country.
U.S. unsolved homicide rates soar, and Minneapolis is pacing worse than nat'l average
The day after Terrell Mayes, Jr. celebrated Christmas with his family, the 3-year-old and his siblings heard gunshots. A stray bullet struck Terrell as he ran up the stairs inside his north Minneapolis home. For more than a decade, WCCO has followed his grieving mother's push to find her son's killer.
Denver police's approach to solving homicides has caught national attention
Denver police has made many changes in the decades since the shocking murder of Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams, including building a $28 million state-of-the-art crime lab.
Oakland, SF see disheartening difference in homicide clearance rates
In a collaboration with CBS News, KPIX 5 is examining a crime often going without punishment in our country. Barely half of murder cases in the United States get solved.
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Senate defeats 7th attempt to limit Trump on Iran, despite new GOP defection
The Senate rejected another attempt by Democrats to limit President Trump's ability to use military force against Iran, but one new Republican senator voted in favor of advancing the measure.
Overdose deaths fall for 3rd straight year, CDC data shows
This marks the longest decline in overdose deaths in decades, according to preliminary government data.
Justice Department investigating oil market trading, sources say
The Justice Department is probing suspicious trading timed to market swings, two sources say.
Top U.S. CEOs worth nearly $1 trillion accompany Trump to China
The delegation of business leaders underscores the deep ties many major U.S. companies maintain with China despite years of trade tensions.
Court overturns Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions, orders new trial
Alex Murdaugh was convicted of his killing his wife and his son at the family's home in 2021.
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Top U.S. CEOs worth nearly $1 trillion accompany Trump to China
The delegation of business leaders underscores the deep ties many major U.S. companies maintain with China despite years of trade tensions.
Will Trump seek investment to join China in a "dark factory" future?
A Chinese manufacturing giant tells CBS News how its sprawling factory runs with a fraction of the human workforce previously required.
Businesses starting to receive their IEEPA tariff refunds
"I'd been checking the status feverishly to see if anything was in my bank account," one small business owner said.
Searing U.S. energy prices are driving the hottest inflation in years
CPI gas price index has surged 28% from a year ago, while overall energy costs are up nearly 18%, new inflation data shows.
Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment could reach nearly 4% in 2027
A larger COLA would boost monthly checks for retirees, but also strain Social Security's already depleted trust funds.
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Netanyahu made secret visit to UAE to meet with country's president
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates recently, where he met with Mohammed bin Zayed, the country's president.
Senate defeats 7th attempt to limit Trump on Iran, despite new GOP defection
The Senate rejected another attempt by Democrats to limit President Trump's ability to use military force against Iran, but one new Republican senator voted in favor of advancing the measure.
Justice Department investigating oil market trading, sources say
The Justice Department is probing suspicious trading timed to market swings, two sources say.
Amid fraud probe, Medicare pauses new enrollments for hospice providers
The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it would be put a six-month moratorium on new Medicare enrollments by hospice and home health agencies to target fraud.
Developer scraps Trump Tower Australia plans, citing Iran war
The Trump Organization says its former Australian construction partner is just distracting from "his own defaults and failures" as he bails on plans for a Trump Tower.
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Overdose deaths fall for 3rd straight year, CDC data shows
This marks the longest decline in overdose deaths in decades, according to preliminary government data.
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How diet and nutrition may help boost your brain health
Alzheimer's Association CEO and president Joanne Pike shares some recommendations on which foods to eat, and which foods to limit, for better brain health. (Sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association.)
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How can movement boost your brain health?
A recent survey by the Alzheimer's Association found most adults think maintaining brain health is very important, but they don't know what steps to take. (Sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association.)
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How exercise can improve brain health
Daily physical activity is one of the important steps to building healthy habits to lower the risk of dementia. As part of a three-part series, "Brain Health: From Awareness to Action," Alzheimer's Association President and CEO Joanne Pike joins "CBS Mornings" with tips on incorporating exercise into your routine as part of their "(re)think your brain" initiative. Learn more about their "6-Step Challenge" at rethinkyourbrain.org (Sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association)
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Parents sue OpenAI over teen's death after he used ChatGPT to get drug info
A Texas couple is filing a lawsuit accusing the AI company of guiding their teenage son in using drugs, resulting in a fatal overdose.
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Netanyahu made secret visit to UAE to meet with country's president
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates recently, where he met with Mohammed bin Zayed, the country's president.
Senate defeats 7th attempt to limit Trump on Iran, despite new GOP defection
The Senate rejected another attempt by Democrats to limit President Trump's ability to use military force against Iran, but one new Republican senator voted in favor of advancing the measure.
Bear kills worker at uranium mining facility in Canada
A black bear killed a man working for a Canadian uranium exploration and acquisition company in Saskatchewan.
Princess Kate visits Italy on first overseas trip after cancer treatment
Catherine, the Princess of Wales, is in Italy for her first foreign trip after undergoing cancer treatment.
Developer scraps Trump Tower Australia plans, citing Iran war
The Trump Organization says its former Australian construction partner is just distracting from "his own defaults and failures" as he bails on plans for a Trump Tower.
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Entertainment
Geena Davis talks new series "The Boroughs"
Actor Geena Davis talks about starring in the new series "The Boroughs," if there are parallels between herself and the character she plays, and why she's drawn to supernatural projects. She also addresses representation in the entertainment industry.
"Top Gun" celebrates 40 years
The action movie "Top Gun," starring Tom Cruise, was released 40 years ago. To celebrate its anniversary, the film and its sequel, "Top Gun: Maverick," are returning to AMC theaters nationwide for one week. Vladimir Duthiers reports.
Stars of "Dutton Ranch" on reprising roles
Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser, the stars and executive producers of "Dutton Ranch," sit down with "CBS Mornings" to talk about reprising their "Yellowstone" roles for the series spinoff. The series premieres May 15 on Paramount+.
Dua Lipa alleges Samsung uses copyrighted image of her to sell TVs
Pop singer accuses electronics manufacturer Samsung of using a copyrighted image of her face to sell TVs.
Annette Bening talks "Dutton Ranch"
Annette Bening talks about starring in the "Yellowstone" spinoff "Dutton Ranch," why she wanted to play her character and learning to ride a horse for the role.
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The good behind the rise of AI
Josh Tyrangiel, a producer, journalist and author, breaks down the potentially positive uses of artificial intelligence amid concerns. Tyrangiel explains how AI can help solve meaningful problems and breaks down its use in schools.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testifies at trial
In federal court on Tuesday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testified about his leadership and pushed back against claims made by co-founder Elon Musk. Musk, who has since launched his own AI company, is suing Altman and OpenAI, claiming it flipped its original structure as a neutral nonprofit in favor of a for-profit business.
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.
White House invites business titans on China trip
The White House invited 16 top U.S. executives to join President Trump on his trip to China. CBS News contributor Patrick McGee joins "The Takeout" to discuss what the move could signal to Beijing.
Latest details on Musk-OpenAI court battle
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took the stand on Tuesday to defend himself against a lawsuit brought by his former business partner, Elon Musk. Paresh Dave, senior writer for Wired, joins to unpack the case so far.
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Emperor penguins in focus as Antarctica talks start in Japan
Greater protections for endangered emperor penguins and how to manage growing tourism are topping the agenda at talks on Antarctica in Japan.
What's in the released UFO files?
The Pentagon released UFO documents on Friday, with President Trump telling the public to "have fun" deciding for itself what is going on. Carter Evans reports.
Trump: UFO files released for transparency
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said it's time for the American people see it for themselves, as the Pentagon started releasing previously classified documents related to UFOs and UAPs. CBS News Pentagon reporter Eleanor Watson has more.
"The Age of Disclosure" director on UFO files
The Pentagon on Friday released and declassified numerous files on UFOs, including eyewitness testimony, photos and reports. Government knowledge of non-human intelligent life was the subject of the documentary "The Age of Disclosure," released in February. Its director and producer, Dan Farah, joins CBS News to discuss.
Pentagon begins releasing UFO files: "It's time the American people see"
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement that the documents "have long fueled justified speculation — and it's time the American people see it for themselves."
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Crime
Court overturns Alex Murdaugh's conviction
The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned the murder convictions against Alex Murdaugh and ordered a new trial. Murdaugh was found guilty in 2023 of killing his wife and son in 2021. The court questioned "improper" conduct by the county clerk, Becky Hill, who later wrote a book about her time working on the trial. CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson has more.
Court overturns Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions, orders new trial
Alex Murdaugh was convicted of his killing his wife and his son at the family's home in 2021.
Judge shot dead while heading to gym without her bodyguards
Lady Pachar was shot that day while traveling by car to a gym in the southwestern city of Machala.
Convicted Utah author's son reveals new details about night his dad died
Prosecutors said Kouri Richins laced her husband's cocktail with five times the lethal dose of fentanyl in 2022.
New details about Boston-area highway gunman
The suspect who allegedly fired into a major road near Boston had prior criminal convictions. Jericka Duncan reports on new details about the shooting and the suspect.
Space
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UFO files reveal astronauts saw mysterious objects and lights in 1972
NASA's Apollo 17 crew reported seeing three mysterious dots and sparks that resembled fireworks, according to new files released by the Pentagon.
Pentagon begins releasing UFO files: "It's time the American people see"
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement that the documents "have long fueled justified speculation — and it's time the American people see it for themselves."
Mysterious world beyond Pluto may have atmosphere, study says
If confirmed, the rock would become just the second world past Neptune in our solar system to host an atmosphere.
Artemis crew surprises 5-year-old aspiring astronaut with special gift
The Artemis II team gained a new member, and the crew made sure their youngest teammate had the right stuff for space.
Artemis II crew reveals what snack they ate right after splashdown
The Artemis II astronauts said they actually really enjoyed the space food, but it was a familiar candy they enjoyed after splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.
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Court overturns Alex Murdaugh's conviction
The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned the murder convictions against Alex Murdaugh and ordered a new trial. Murdaugh was found guilty in 2023 of killing his wife and son in 2021. The court questioned "improper" conduct by the county clerk, Becky Hill, who later wrote a book about her time working on the trial. CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson has more.
Skin cancer cases rising in U.S., report says
New data on skin cancer in the U.S. makes a stronger case for monitoring and preventative measures. Joseph Sardano, the CEO of Sensus Healthcare, joins CBS News with more details.
Trump in China for high-stakes summit with Xi
President Trump is meeting in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a highly-anticipated summit. The two world leaders are expected to discuss Iran, Taiwan, trade and more. Weijia Jiang has the latest.
Philippines senate building shooting
Gunshots were reported from inside the Philippines' senate building after a senator wanted by the International Criminal Court resisted arrest, officials said. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio has more.
Trump arrives in China as Iran war looms
President Trump touched down in Beijing on Wednesday ahead of his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. CBS News' Courtney Kealy and Ramy Inocencio have the latest.