The national debt topped $40 trillion, according to Treasury Department data released on Wednesday, representing a fiscal milestone that underscores the federal government’s mounting borrowing and interest costs. The Treasury Department’s daily financial report shows that the nation’s debt reached $40.05 trillion on August 18, more than double its level in 2017. The federal debt has…
Apparent human skeletal remains, including a jaw with the teeth still attached, were found at Lake Mead on Sunday, officials said, as water levels sink to new lows amid a drought and scorching heat in the West. “On Aug. 16, the Lake Mead Interagency Communications Center received a report of potential human remains at Boulder…
Washington — The Justice Department is scrapping its longtime practice of hiring outside experts to help review and rank competitive grant applications submitted by law enforcement offices, victim services groups and research institutions, a move that some fear could harm the integrity of the selection process and hinder efforts to ensure the money is well-spent,…
U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates inched down again last year and the share of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to federal data posted Monday. The fraction of kids exempted from vaccine requirements rose to 4.2%, up from 3.6% the year before. That’s an estimated 155,000 children nationally during the 2025-26 school year….
Rome — A 30-year-old American tourist died Sunday after being struck by lightning on Italy’s Mount Etna, according to Italy’s national news agency ANSA and other major news outlets. The man, whose name has not been confirmed by authorities, was hiking on the volcano when a powerful thunderstorm moved across the area. According to initial reports…
President Trump has ordered a reduction in childhood vaccines — publicly faulting the shots for an increase in autism cases — even as the nation’s top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has failed to produce evidence linking vaccinations to the disorder. While the executive order released Aug. 10 does not directly mention autism, Mr….
On this “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” broadcast, moderated by Ed O’Keefe: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat Rep. Don Bacon, Republican of Nebraska Anthony Salvanto, CBS News executive director of elections and surveys Pennsylvania state Rep. Chris Rabb Wall Street Journal reporter Sabrina Rodriguez, NOTUS reporter Paul Kane, The Atlantic staff writer Toluse…
The following is the transcript of an interview with Rep. Don Bacon, Republican of Nebraska, that aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Aug. 16, 2026. ED O’KEEFE: We turn now to Republican Congressman Don Bacon. He joins us from Omaha, Nebraska. Good morning, Congressman, and we understand it is your birthday. So…
The following is the transcript of an interview with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, that aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Aug. 16, 2026. ED O’KEEFE: So we begin with Kentucky Democratic Governor Andy Beshear, who joins us from the capital city of Frankfort. Good morning, Governor. Thank you for being…
D——etectives Stephanie Winter and Devin Rigo of the Hillsboro, Oregon, Police Department had never encountered a crime scene like the one they encountered in January 2023. Natalie Morales: How would you two characterize this case when you first got it? What did you think? Det. Stephanie Winter: You know, I just thought that it’s a…
