This Morning from CBS News, Feb. 25, 2015
VA investigation
Last summer's scandal at a Phoenix VA hospital rocked the Department of Veterans Affairs. CBS News investigations revealed widespread manipulation of appointment wait times. The scandal prompted the naming of a new VA Secretary, who yesterday apologized for false statements made on the "CBS Evening News" about his service record. Now, CBS News correspondent Wyatt Andrews has uncovered similar mismanagement within the Veterans Benefits Administration, which is part of the VA.
Recall refused
A CBS News investigation into expensive creams and gels billed to insurance companies without approval from patients led us to the manufacturer of the products -- a compounding pharmacy in Dallas called Downing Labs. The pharmacy's owners, Ashley and Chris Downing, sat down for an interview with CBS News correspondent Jim Axelrod to answer questions about their business. A Food and Drug Administration inspection of Downing Labs in July found "sterility failures in 19 lots of drug products." The FDA asked the company to recall the products but Ashley Downing refused.
Convicted
Former Marine Eddie Ray Routh was found guilty last night in the murders of "American Sniper" author Chris Kyle and Kyle's friend, Chad Littlefield. After deliberating less than three hours, a jury in Stephenville, Texas, convicted Routh, 27, of capital murder. CBS News correspondent Manuel Bojorquez reports Kyle's widow was not in the room when the verdict was read. She was overcome with emotion during closing arguments and she could be heard abruptly leaving the courtroom.
Grounded
Southwest Airlines says it has grounded 128 planes after failing to inspect backup hydraulic systems used to control the rudder if the main system fails. A Southwest spokesperson said it canceled about 80 flights yesterday and expected to cancel up to 19 more today while more inspections are done. She said the airline expected to finish "a good portion" of the inspections this morning. The grounding covers about one-fifth its fleet. The move surprised passengers who reported that their flights were unexpectedly delayed at airports like Baltimore/Washington International, reports CBS News correspondent Jeff Pegues.
Soliciting sex
A senior State Department official who oversees counter-terrorism programs was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of soliciting sex from a minor, reports CBS News correspondent Margaret Brennan. The department's director of counter-terrorism was charged with one count of attempting to solicit sex from a juvenile, and spent the night in a Washington, D.C. jail.
Campaigning for women
The contours of Hillary Clinton's possible White House bid are coming into focus after her first domestic speech of the year. The former secretary of state came out swinging on issues relating to women at a conference of female tech workers. CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes reports on how Clinton is sharpening her image and turning to a topic she largely avoided in her last campaign.
Possible contender
Texas Sen. Rand Paul is contemplating a presidential bid of his own. He and his father, former presidential hopeful Ron Paul, both come from the libertarian wing of the party, though Doug Wead, who has worked for both Pauls, calls the elder Paul a "classic libertarian" and the younger one a "practical libertarian." While Ron Paul was generally viewed as someone who ran for president to prove a point, Rand Paul could be a serious contender for the nomination.
Home prices
The housing market has dropped off the radar in recent months as sales and price gains slowed. Instead, the focus was on things like the holiday shopping season, the Super Bowl and Ebola. But, reports CBS News MoneyWatch, that's set to change, with the data suggesting that home price increases are about to accelerate.
Emojis
Apple is the first phone maker to add diversity to emojis amid criticism over a lack of races represented, and soon, you'll be able to say more without words. Some see it as language coming full circle -- a digital return to pictures forming the way we communicate. CBS News correspondent Vladimir Duthiers reports on how the pictures have changed the face of communication.
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