Exit poll: Close race in Pennsylvania, Florida
Independents split between candidates in both battleground states; most voters in Florida over 50 years old
The 2012 Election
Ohio exit poll: In tight race, indies back Romney
President leads by ten points among women in early exit poll, while Romney leads by six among men in battleground state
Romney dominates among whites in Virginia
Race for key battleground state is close; Romney leads by 29 points among whites, Obama dominates among blacks
Early exit poll: 60% say economy top issue
Romney has been seen as better to handle economy; Four in ten say Obama's response to hurricane affected their vote
Romney family awaits election returns
After voting this morning in Mass., Mitt departs for final rallies while Ann stays in the Bay State with most of the family
What to watch for as House, Senate results come in
A look at the top House and Senate races to watch as polls close across the country
Voting in Sandy-affected communities
The storm, which devastated East Coast communities with power outages, flooding, presents challenges for Election Day voters
At campaign's end, Obama congratulates Romney
As voters make their decision, the president congratulated his challenger on a hard-fought race
Americans head to the polls to vote
As Americans go to vote, President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney are in a virtual tie in the national polls
High stakes for Calif. Prop 30 decision
Ballot question would raise taxes to prevent ed cuts; Gov. reacts to critics who say he has workaround if measure doesn't pass
The other races to watch: Governors, pot and more
Key ballot initiatives on issues like same-sex marriage and marijuana could influence national policy, while the GOP should gain more power in gubernatorial races
Clinton hits Romney for "not true" Jeep ad
Bill Clinton blasts Mitt Romney for an ad that he said misleadingly implies Chrysler was shifting Jeep production to China
Close race expected in Colorado
The latest poll shows Obama with a two-point advantage in Colorado, but within the margin of error
Obama congratulates Romney on campaign
President Obama took a moment to congratulate Mitt Romney on his campaign
Ohio secretary of state optimistic election will be timely
Over 750,000 Ohio voters have cast early ballots and state officials are optimistic that the election will be decided out of the courtroom, by later Tuesday or early Wednesday. CBS News' Dean Reynolds reports.
Madden: PA is a "tremendous opportunity" for Romney
Romney campaign senior adviser Kevin Madden talks Romney's last minute campaign stop in Pennsylvania
Obama's grandmother "confident" he will win
Sarah Obama, President Barack Obama's grandmother, wished her grandson victory in the presidential election
Axelrod: "The data is very encouraging"
David Axelrod, senior adviser to President Obama's re-election campaign, talks about Obama's chances of winning
Dickerson on Election Day: "Turnout is crucial"
CBS News political director John Dickerson talks to Charlie Rose and Norah O'Donnell about Election Day 2012
Obama in Chicago after final rallies
After his final rally in Des Moines, Iowa, President Obama spent the night in his hometown of Chicago
Romney in final two-state push
Gov. Mitt Romney will be making two last minute stops before officially ending his campaign for the presidency
Will superstorm Sandy impact the election?
Frank Luntz speaks about how superstorm Sandy will impact the election
Election Day: What Obama, Romney need to do
Newt Gingrich and Dee Dee Myers speak about the state of the race on Election Day
Chinese watch U.S. election with interest
Find out what some people in China say about the candidates and their stance on China
Four years later, Virginia still a toss-up state
Four years ago, the Obama campaign surprised many people by winning Virginia
Politics
What unified government means for Trump's Cabinet and agenda
Even with unified GOP control of government, Trump's agenda and some of his more controversial nominees may run into some opposition.
Trump's defense secretary pick was probed for alleged sexual assault in 2017
President-elect Donald Trump's choice for defense secretary in his second term, Pete Hegseth, was investigated for alleged sexual assault in 2017, officials in Monterey, Calif. confirm.
U.S. military suicides rose in 2023, persisting despite prevention efforts
The Pentagon expects to spend about $250 million on suicide prevention in 2025, the largest amount of funds the Defense Department has ever invested.
FDA vaccines chief hopes for common ground with RFK Jr.
The FDA's Dr. Peter Marks says he hopes to keep his job under a second Trump term, and urges Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to "keep an open mind."
What to know about recess appointments as Gaetz faces Senate headwinds
A recess appointment would allow Trump to install some officials and sidestep lengthy hearings and a floor vote.
Trump will nominate RFK Jr. for HHS secretary
Kennedy has a long record of criticizing vaccines, including spreading misleading claims about their safety.
Elon Musk's DOGE is hiring. Here's the kind of person he's looking for.
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency said it is already recruiting people to work on the new initiative to cut federal spending.
Annual UFO report finds 21 cases of more than 700 received need more analysis
Among the 757 reports received, 4% had unusual descriptions, like "green fireball" or "a jelly fish with [multicolored] flashing lights."
DOJ report says Georgia jail left inmates vulnerable to dangerous conditions
The DOJ launched a civil rights investigation into conditions at the Fulton County Jail after several inmates had died in a matter of weeks. One inmate, according to his family, was "eaten alive" by bed bugs.
London mayor says Trump's attacks on him are due to his ethnicity and religion
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has accused Donald Trump of repeatedly criticizing him because of his "ethnicity" and Muslim faith, comments likely to renew his long-running feud with Trump.
Can Trump impose tariffs without Congress? It's complicated, experts say.
President-elect Donald Trump claims he can unilaterally impose sweeping tariffs on U.S. imports. The reality is more complicated, according to trade experts.
What to know about Trump's DOGE, led by Musk and Ramaswamy
Billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will head an effort, dubbed DOGE, to reduce wasteful federal spending. Here's what it's about.
House Ethics panel planned to vote Friday on whether to release report on Gaetz
President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he would nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz to be attorney general.
House GOP reaches deal to make it harder to oust speaker
The agreement would increase the threshold that allowed a single member to trigger a no-confidence vote to remove the speaker.
Ohio lawmakers pass bill restricting transgender student access to bathrooms
The Republican-backed bill applies to Ohio public K-12 schools and institutions of higher education.
Recount triggered in Pa. Senate race as McCormick heads to D.C.
Sen. Bob Casey is locked in a tight race with Dave McCormick in Pennsylvania. There will be an automatic recount of the votes, state officials say.
Biden meets with families of American hostages held by Hamas
President Biden met Wednesday with the families of American hostages held in Gaza.
Trump to nominate Matt Gaetz for attorney general
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Matt Gaetz, whose selection as attorney general prompted backlash, resigned from Congress.
Trump taps former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence
Tulsi Gabbard represented Hawaii as a Democrat in the U.S. House from 2013 to 2021.
The Guardian to stop posting on X, calling it "a toxic media platform"
The Guardian says benefits of being on Elon Musk's social media platform X are outweighed by its "often disturbing content."
U.S.
More U.S.
What unified government means for Trump's Cabinet and agenda
Even with unified GOP control of government, Trump's agenda and some of his more controversial nominees may run into some opposition.
Some U.S. women are being asked to prepay for their baby
Pregnant women say health care providers are billing them to deliver their babies earlier than expected. Patient advocates say that's unethical.
Aldermen: Police overtime at Chicago street festivals is going unpaid
City law requires festival producers to reimburse the city for police overtime worked at their events, but records requests show the city is not retroactively charging for it.
Conan O'Brien will host the 2025 Academy Awards
"America demanded it and now it's happening: Taco Bell's new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I'm hosting the Oscars," Conan O'Brien said.
Judge says death row inmate Melissa Lucio is "actually innocent"
Melissa Lucio has been on death row in Texas since she was convicted in the death of her 2-year-old daughter in 2008.
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
Some U.S. women are being asked to prepay for their baby
Pregnant women say health care providers are billing them to deliver their babies earlier than expected. Patient advocates say that's unethical.
After two stamp hikes, the USPS lost nearly $10 billion in 2024
The U.S. Postal Service's loss widened in fiscal 2024, although revenue rose slightly after two stamp hikes this year.
Elon Musk's DOGE is hiring. Here's the kind of person he's looking for.
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency said it is already recruiting people to work on the new initiative to cut federal spending.
Feds warn against bed rails, citing 18 deaths since 2021
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issues urgent safety alert after ninth recall of adult bed rails in three years.
It's Starbucks Red Cup Day. Here's what to know about the event.
Here's how to get a free holiday-themed reusable red cup and what else there is to know about the event.
Politics
More Politics
What unified government means for Trump's Cabinet and agenda
Even with unified GOP control of government, Trump's agenda and some of his more controversial nominees may run into some opposition.
Trump's defense secretary pick was probed for alleged sexual assault in 2017
President-elect Donald Trump's choice for defense secretary in his second term, Pete Hegseth, was investigated for alleged sexual assault in 2017, officials in Monterey, Calif. confirm.
U.S. military suicides rose in 2023, persisting despite prevention efforts
The Pentagon expects to spend about $250 million on suicide prevention in 2025, the largest amount of funds the Defense Department has ever invested.
FDA vaccines chief hopes for common ground with RFK Jr.
The FDA's Dr. Peter Marks says he hopes to keep his job under a second Trump term, and urges Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to "keep an open mind."
What to know about recess appointments as Gaetz faces Senate headwinds
A recess appointment would allow Trump to install some officials and sidestep lengthy hearings and a floor vote.
HealthWatch
More HealthWatch
Now's the perfect time for your flu and COVID shots. Here's why.
If you still haven't gotten your COVID or flu shot, now is the time so you'll stay protected throughout the season, according to doctors.
Some U.S. women are being asked to prepay for their baby
Pregnant women say health care providers are billing them to deliver their babies earlier than expected. Patient advocates say that's unethical.
What to know about Trump's HHS pick, RFK Jr.
Public health expert and CBS News medical contributor Dr. Celine Gounder joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss President-elect Donald Trump's choice for HHS secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a long record of criticizing vaccines and has spread false and misleading claims about their safety.
FDA vaccines chief hopes for common ground with RFK Jr.
The FDA's Dr. Peter Marks says he hopes to keep his job under a second Trump term, and urges Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to "keep an open mind."
Exercising like this could give those over 40 extra years of life, research says
Exercising like the most active 25% of Americans can help those over 40 add an extra 5 years to their life on average, according to new research.
World
More World
Rights group says weapons from U.S. allies fueling Sudan's forgotten war
Amnesty International says there are weapons from the U.S.-allied UAE and even France in Sudan's civil war, helping fuel the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
Tropical Storm Sara pounds Central America with heavy rains
Mexican authorities warned the storm could cause "intense rains" over the resort-studded Yucatan Peninsula.
Oldest member of Japan's royal family, Princess Yuriko, dies at 101
Princess Yuriko became the sister-in-law of Japan's World War II-era Emperor Hirohito when she married his brother Prince Mikasa.
Jets scrambled after Russia spy plane spotted near U.K. airspace
The Royal Navy also shadowed Russian military vessels passing through the English Channel this week, officials said.
Far side of the moon once had erupting volcanoes, lunar soil shows
Researchers analyzed lunar soil brought back by China's Chang'e-6, the first spacecraft to return with a haul of rocks and dirt from the little-explored far side.
Entertainment
More Entertainment
Entertainment
Ali Larter talks "Landman"
Ali Larter stars as Angela in the Paramount+ series ""Landman,"" created by Taylor Sheridan. Set in the intense world of West Texas oil rigs, Larter navigates the life as the ex-wife of Billy Bob Thornton's character in West Texas.
Mike Tyson to take on Jake Paul
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is returning to the boxing ring Friday against social media star Jake Paul. Tyson, who retired in 2005, last fought in 2020 during an exhibition with former four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr.
The Offspring on 30 years of punk rock
Jamie Yuccas catches up with The Offspring to discuss their groundbreaking album "Smash," their influence on punk rock and their latest album, "Supercharged."
Conan O'Brien will host the 2025 Academy Awards
"America demanded it and now it's happening: Taco Bell's new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I'm hosting the Oscars," Conan O'Brien said.
The Onion buys Infowars at a bankruptcy auction
Satirical publication The Onion bought the conspiracy theorist outlet Infowars, but now its former owner Alex Jones is going to court to stop the sale. Infowars was auctioned off after a judge ordered Jones to pay a $1 billion penalty to victims' families from the Sandy Hook school massacre for his false and defamatory claims.
Technology
More Technology
"Human … Please die": Chatbot responds with threatening message
In an online conversation about aging adults, Google's Gemini AI chatbot responded with a threatening message, telling the user to "please die."
Meta facing courtroom battle
On Wednesday, a judge allowed a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit to move forward that accuses Meta of creating an illegal monopoly with Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. CBS News MoneyWatch correspondent Kelly O'Grady explains.
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.
The Guardian to stop posting on X, calling it "a toxic media platform"
The Guardian says benefits of being on Elon Musk's social media platform X are outweighed by its "often disturbing content."
Amazon debuts Amazon Haul with "crazy low prices." Here's what to know.
Amazon rolls out a new shopping service, dubbed Amazon Haul, that sells items for $20 or less.
Science
More Science
Scientists say biggest coral in the world discovered in the Pacific
Scientists say they've discovered a "mega coral" three times bigger than the previous record holder - so huge they initially thought it was a shipwreck.
Surfboards with lights could deter shark attacks: "Invisibility cloak"
Seal-shaped boards decked with bright horizontal lights were less likely to be attacked by great white sharks, researchers found.
Trump officials likely to reverse drilling waste "methane fee" EPA is imposing
Oil and natural gas companies will have to pay a federal fee if they emit methane above certain levels under a rule being finalized by the Biden administration that incoming Trump officials are likely to reverse.
Site of ancient, key battle in Iraq found using spy satellite images
1970s-era U.S. spy satellite imagery has led archeologists to what they believe is the site of a seventh-century battle that was decisive in the spread of Islam in the region.
Who is Lee Zeldin, Trump's pick for EPA head?
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Monday that he would nominate former Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. CBS News national environmental correspondent David Schechter joins to discuss the move.
Crime
More Crime
Aldermen: Police overtime at Chicago street festivals is going unpaid
City law requires festival producers to reimburse the city for police overtime worked at their events, but records requests show the city is not retroactively charging for it.
Untangling a twisted plot to kill Texas mom
Texas mother Alyssa Burkett was killed in front of her co-workers in broad daylight on the morning of Oct. 2, 2020. "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant reports on the brutal murder of Burkett amid a bitter custody battle with her ex-boyfriend.
After woman's murder, detectives learn killer was "only half the story"
After Alyssa Burkett was murdered in broad daylight in Carrollton, Texas, Andrew Beard, the father of her child, became a suspect. Investigators would eventually discover a twisted murder plot they say was orchestrated by his fiancée, Holly Elkins.
Skulls linked to missing woman, other possible victims found in New Mexico
Authorities suspect they've found the remains of 10 to 20 human skulls on a property in southeastern New Mexico.
Kelce's and Mahomes' homes burglarized
The FBI is reportedly investigating burglaries at the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. The string of burglaries happened early last month while neither of them were home. At least $20,000 in cash was taken from Kelce's home. Neither one has addressed the burglaries publicly.
Space
More Space
Far side of the moon once had erupting volcanoes, lunar soil shows
Researchers analyzed lunar soil brought back by China's Chang'e-6, the first spacecraft to return with a haul of rocks and dirt from the little-explored far side.
When you can see the Beaver Moon, 2024's final supermoon
November's full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, is the last supermoon of 2024. Here's when it peaks and why it's called the Beaver Moon.
Astronauts decline to answer questions about post-flight medical issue
Medical issues aside, the astronauts described a water leak in June that triggered a blizzard in the International Space Station's airlock.
Cargo ship brings science gear, holiday treats to space station crew
With an Election Day docking, the cargo ship delivered 3 tons of supplies and equipment, including an unusual wooden satellite.
The Taurid meteor showers will peak a week apart in November
Two sister meteor showers are already flashing across night skies — and will peak a week apart.
Latest Galleries
More Latest Galleries
Notable Deaths in 2024
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Serial killer Rodney Alcala's secret photos
See some of convicted serial killer Rodney Alcala's photographs that were discovered by detectives in a Seattle storage locker.
The troubled marriage of Ashley and Doug Benefield
The seesaw marriage between the former ballerina and her much older husband only lasted four years, until she shot him on Sept. 27, 2020.
Evidence in "The Dexter Killer" case
A look at the evidence in "The Dexter Killer" case; plus, newly revealed letters from the man police say wanted to be like fictional serial killer Dexter Morgan.
Summer music heats up 2024
Live performances are in full swing this summer. Scroll through our concert gallery, featuring pictures by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
Latest CBS News Videos
More Latest CBS News Videos
Latest CBS News Videos
Ali Larter talks "Landman"
Ali Larter stars as Angela in the Paramount+ series ""Landman,"" created by Taylor Sheridan. Set in the intense world of West Texas oil rigs, Larter navigates the life as the ex-wife of Billy Bob Thornton's character in West Texas.
Report shows how grind culture affects teens
A new report from Common Sense Media reveals more than a quarter of American teens feel burnout due to grind culture, with 81% experiencing pressure in at least one area of their lives. Dr. Sue Varma explains the impact.
Breaking down America's two-party system
Political scientist Lee Drutman joins "CBS Mornings Plus" to discuss America's winner-take-all system, its flaws, and whether a third party could reshape the nation's politics.
Preserving family stories through art
A South Bay artist found purpose and connection by painting with his grandmother, capturing her stories and turning them into a heartfelt book.
"Morning Memory" on the college lifestyle
In today's "Morning Memory," we travel back to 1994 for a CBS News report that explores how the fun and freedom of college life never have to end.