The Uplift: America 250
Celebrate the Fourth of July and America's 250th anniversary with inspiring stories about America's rarest artifacts, most resilient small towns and loyal patriots.
The Uplift
Stories that uplift and inspire
New episodes monthly on the CBS News app.
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The Uplift: A nun, a Navy mom, a new grad
Meet the nun who became a trailblazer for girls' sports; the Navy mom and her son who got the the car they dreamed of – and much more; and the 84-year-old graduate who fulfilled a bucket list item to get her college degree. All of that, plus our most heartwarming viral videos of the week, on "The Uplift."
The Uplift: "CODA" stars and concert kid
A pediatric nurse uses the power of music to help his young patients. The stars of "CODA" talk about the inspiring impact of the Academy Award-winning film. A teen gets a chance to play on stage with Pearl Jam. All that, plus our most heartwarming videos of the week.
The Uplift: A mysterious dog and a mother's love
A Tennessee couple wakes up to a mysterious dog in their bed and solve the mystery of how she got there. Dozens of strangers attend the funeral of a WWII veteran. An 85-year-old woman, who says she's cared for 700 foster kids over the years, is honored. Plus, our most heartwarming videos of the week.
The Uplift: A "happy flower lady" and a second chance at life
A Philadelphia grandmother collects unused flowers – and puts them to good use. A dog stolen 11 years ago makes a "miracle" return to its family. An actress gives her vocal coach good news they've been dreaming of since she was a kid. A woman gets a second chance at life and uses it to help others.
The Uplift: A surprise trip and successful teen
A 14-year-old with his own company is surprised with a well-deserved trip. A high school senior receives 104 college acceptance letters – and there's a powerful reason he received so many. A dog with three legs rescues another animal. A Deaf Amazon employee breaks barriers and rises through the ranks.
The Uplift: A celebrity's surprise and an athlete's donation
Jennifer Garner gets a nostalgic surprise from another star for her 50th birthday. NBA player Bismack Biyombo gives up his entire salary – for a good reason. A beloved therapy dog receives a huge Boston Marathon honor. And an 8-year-old who battled cancer gets to become a National Geographic explorer — all on this week's episode of "The Uplift."
The Uplift: Sunflowers, superheroes & more
A man is inspired by his late mother to spread joy by becoming a superhero. A school custodian is overcome with emotion when she walks into work. Two Harvard freshmen help Ukrainians find safe places to stay. Plus, the meaning behind the sunflower billboards popping up across the U.S., on this week's episode of "The Uplift."
The Uplift: A podcasting priest and a little Prince
A priest who brought peace to hundreds of millions of people – with a podcast. A local news station goes on a hunt to solve a mystery – who is this little Prince? The unique, empowering guests on the Grammys red carpet. And our most viral, heartwarming videos of the week.
The Uplift: Cycling without age and singing for joy
A program that helps seniors feel the wind on their faces and joy in their hearts. John Travolta's Oscar night decision that helps honor Betty White. A 91-year-old mom with Alzheimer's uses singing to spread joy. Plus, more inspiring stories.
The Uplift: A sanctuary and a serendipitous connection
A former executive finds peace – with donkeys. A mom helps thousands of strangers find joy through art. Two boys reconnect with their parents after leaving Ukraine, thanks to a kind stranger. Plus, our most heartwarming videos of the week.
The Uplift: A bounty of books and a birthday surprise
A boy wishes for friends, and his dad helps get him more than 50,000 for his birthday. Inside the "most Instagrammed bookstore." And inspiring stories of courage and support out of Ukraine. This is The Uplift.
The Uplift: A show of support and a show reborn
A dad climbing the tallest mountain in the world for his son. A mini boat launched by New Hampshire kids and found by a fellow middle schooler – all the way in Norway. And a reboot of the iconic "Reading Rainbow." Plus, our most viral videos of the week. This is the Uplift.
The Uplift: A special dress, a surfer and a shout
A New Jersey boy goes surfing every day – no matter the weather – for a good reason. A bride wore a special tactile wedding dress for her groom, who is blind. And the unique way moms are letting out their pent-up frustrations. Plus, in honor of Women's History Month, we shine a light on a woman bonding with her community.
The Uplift: Grandpa grad and a date for the dance
A grandfather in his 80s receives his college diploma – alongside his granddaughter. An engagement ring lost in the snow, but miraculously returned. An 11-year-old finds a special stand-in date for the father-daughter dance. This is the Uplift.
The Uplift: A prized mullet and a proposal
Two widowed volunteers find unexpected love in their 70s. A weather anchor gets an on-air proposal. A boy's prize-winning mullet helps foster kids. An 86-year-old grandfather's dream comes true thanks to strangers. This is "The Uplift."
U.S.
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Doctors question plan to screen military members for low testosterone
Doctors raised a range of concerns about a testosterone screening policy announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which is likely to be costly to implement.
Airlines say permanent daylight saving time won't be simple
Adjusting to permanent daylight saving time would cause significant disruptions to schedules and operations, an airline trade group said.
Deadly helicopter crash in Hudson River likely caused by bird strike, NTSB says
A family of five from Spain, including three children, and the pilot died in the April 2025 crash.
Teleprompter operator made nearly $100K betting on Trump speeches
After detecting suspicious activity on the teleprompter operator's account, Kalshi investigated and then referred the case to federal regulators.
Tillis says he won't support Blanche unless he meets with Epstein survivors
Sen. Thom Tillis said that Todd Blanche must meet with survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's crimes before he'll vote to advance his nomination for attorney general out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
MoneyWatch
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Trump Media to sell faster access to president's Truth Social posts
"Markets already move on Truth Social posts," the company's chief executive said in the Truth API announcement.
Airlines say permanent daylight saving time won't be simple
Adjusting to permanent daylight saving time would cause significant disruptions to schedules and operations, an airline trade group said.
Teleprompter operator made nearly $100K betting on Trump speeches
After detecting suspicious activity on the teleprompter operator's account, Kalshi investigated and then referred the case to federal regulators.
Nearly 736,000 Pillsbury rolls recalled over possible glass contamination
The recall includes cases of Pillsbury "Hard Roll Dough" and "Kaiser Roll Dough" bread rolls, which are marketed to businesses.
Foreclosures surged 21% in the first half of 2026, new data shows
The state with the biggest jump in foreclosure activity was Idaho, where filings increased 59% compared to the same time last year.
Politics
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Trump Media to sell faster access to president's Truth Social posts
"Markets already move on Truth Social posts," the company's chief executive said in the Truth API announcement.
Tillis says he won't support Blanche unless he meets with Epstein survivors
Sen. Thom Tillis said that Todd Blanche must meet with survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's crimes before he'll vote to advance his nomination for attorney general out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Husband of Code Pink founder being probed under federal foreign agent and tax laws
Neville Roy Singham, who lives in Shanghai, China, is a major financial backer of a New York City-based nonprofit called the People's Forum, a left-leaning organization advocating for causes affecting the working class.
Trump fires U.S. attorney in Washington on heels of court appointment
Judges on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington had appointed Roger Rogoff as U.S. attorney in Seattle. But he was fired shortly after.
George Santos to try hand as contestant in grueling TV reality show
George Santos has worn many hats: swindler, congressman, prison inmate, podcast host. The obvious next gig? Reality TV show contestant.
HealthWatch
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Doctors question plan to screen military members for low testosterone
Doctors raised a range of concerns about a testosterone screening policy announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which is likely to be costly to implement.
Introducing Norah O'Donnell's new health podcast
"Healthful with Norah O'Donnell" launches July 22.
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.
World
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U.S. designates cartel on Texas border as foreign terrorist organization
The Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras joined six other Mexican criminal organizations that the U.S. considers terrorist groups.
Climate extremes fuel explosive wildfires in Canada and western U.S.
One climatologist said "a perfect storm" of climate extremes primed the western U.S. for one of its worst fire seasons in a decade. Meanwhile, Canadian wildfire smoke fills the air.
Councilwoman shot, husband killed in Mexico near U.S. border
Maria de Jesus Quijada was shot at while traveling in a vehicle with her family. Her husband did not survive.
From Balogun's red card to an upset run, some of the World Cup's biggest stories
Spain is looking to secure a World Cup victory for the first time in 16 years, and Argentina enters Sunday hoping to become back-to-back champions.
Zelenskyy's move to oust popular defense chief draws major backlash
Ukrainians are demonstrating in Kyiv and senior figures announcing their resignations over President Volodymyr Zelenksyy's move to oust his popular defense chief.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
From the archives: Pat Oliphant and the art of political cartoons
Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Pat Oliphant, whose acidic drawings skewering political figures were syndicated in as many as 500 publications around the world, died on July 13, 2026 at age 90. In this April 16, 2000 "Sunday Morning" story, Oliphant talked with Morley Safer about caricature, censorship, and the influence of the first great political cartoonist, 19th century French master Honoré Daumier, whose grotesque drawings of King Louis Philippe led to a curtailment of press freedom in France in 1835.
George Santos to try hand as contestant in grueling TV reality show
George Santos has worn many hats: swindler, congressman, prison inmate, podcast host. The obvious next gig? Reality TV show contestant.
"Jurassic Park" star Sam Neill's cause of death revealed
The actor's agent said he was providing more information following news reports "which contain inaccuracies and outright falsehoods."
Behind the "Better in Person" talk show
Author and journalist Stephen Dubner, who rose to fame when he co-wrote The New York Times bestseller "Freakonomics," talks with "CBS Mornings" about launching his own weekly talk show on YouTube, "Better in Person." Dubner discusses how the show got its start, his wide range of guests and why he decided to self-finance it.
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.
Technology
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Mayor to homeowner losing sleep over data center plant: "Consider selling"
Noise from a Mississippi plant powering Elon Musk's xAI data centers in the area is causing migraines, ringing ears and sleepless nights, residents say.
Mississippi residents decry data center plant
Residents of Southaven, Mississippi, are sounding off about a data center plant powering Elon Musk's xAI data centers in the area, likening the constant noise to being tortured.
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.
Meta announces new safety features
Meta announced it is introducing new features to help protect teens using Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, including alerting a parent if their child discusses self-harm with one of its AI chatbots. Kelly O'Grady explains.
Samsung set to unveil new foldable phones
Tech giant Samsung is set to debut a new line of foldable phones at its Galaxy Unpacked event next week. CNET senior technology reporter Abrar Al-Heeti joins CBS News to discuss.
Science
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Science
How AI data centers impact the environment
New York has become the first state to impose a temporary moratorium on data center development while state lawmakers lay the groundwork to assess environmental and social impacts. Dr. Mike Weinstein, the director of sustainability at Southern New Hampshire University, explains what we know about the wider environmental impact data centers.
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.
Crime
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U.S. designates cartel on Texas border as foreign terrorist organization
The Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras joined six other Mexican criminal organizations that the U.S. considers terrorist groups.
Woman speaks in support of Blanche at hearing
Antioch, Illinois, mother Jennifer Bos voiced her support for Todd Blanche at his confirmation hearing to become attorney general. Bos advocates for stricter immigration policy after her daughter was allegedly murdered by an illegal immigrant.
Sons of man killed by ICE agent speak out
Ronaldo Salgado and Lorenzo Salgado Jr., the sons of the Mexican man who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Houston, spoke to CBS News' Camilo Montoya-Galvez about their father's death.
New details emerge in Nolan Wells case
Newly obtained GPS data from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources tracks the movements of the boat that Mississippi teen Nolan Wells was on before he went missing. Wells was found dead after a Fourth of July boat trip to Horn Island with friends. CBS News' Anna Schecter has the latest on the investigation.
Councilwoman shot, husband killed in Mexico near U.S. border
Maria de Jesus Quijada was shot at while traveling in a vehicle with her family. Her husband did not survive.
Space
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Meteorite that hit home contains "alien world chemistry," experts say
When scientists examined the preserved fragments of a meteorite that crashed in 2024, they found brine-like fluids and key molecules.
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.
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
Takeaways from day 2 of Blanche confirmation
CBS News senior justice department reporter Sarah Lynch breaks down the highlights from day two of Todd Blanche's Senate confirmation hearings for attorney general.
Watch: Leavitt takes questions on Trump's speech
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke to reporters Thursday about President Trump's upcoming primetime speech, the latest strikes against Iran and more.
Schiff presses Ashcroft on political prosecutions
Sen. Adam Schiff questioned former Attorney General John Ashcroft Thursday about President Trump's calls to prosecute his perceived political enemies. Ashcroft was appearing before the Senate in support of Todd Blanche's confirmation as attorney general.
U.S. launches 5th straight day of Iran strikes
U.S. forces launched a fifth consecutive day of strikes against Iran on Thursday. CBS News Pentagon reporter Eleanor Watson has more.
How AI data centers impact the environment
New York has become the first state to impose a temporary moratorium on data center development while state lawmakers lay the groundwork to assess environmental and social impacts. Dr. Mike Weinstein, the director of sustainability at Southern New Hampshire University, explains what we know about the wider environmental impact data centers.