Tennessee executes man for 1988 rape and murder of college student
"To the people I harmed, I'm sorry," Harold Wayne Nichols said in his final statement.
Capital Punishment
Florida serial killer set to die as state sets record pace for executions
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant this week for Frank Athen Walls, whose execution is now scheduled for Dec. 18.
Death row inmate granted clemency right before his scheduled execution
Tremane Wood was scheduled to be executed in Oklahoma on Thursday. Gov. Kevin Sitt commuted his death sentence to life imprisonment without parole.
What's driving the rise in U.S. death row executions in 2025?
This year is expected to see capital punishment carried out more often than any other year since 2009. Experts weigh in on the increase.
Tennessee death row inmate declines to choose execution method
Harold Wayne Nichols declined to choose between the electric chair and lethal injection for his Dec. 11 execution.
Oklahoma board recommends clemency for inmate set to be executed
Members of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board decided in a 3-2 vote on Wednesday to recommend that the governor grant clemency to death row inmate Tremane Wood.
Alabama death row inmate maintains innocence as execution date nears
A man on Alabama's death row has maintained his innocence for three decades and chaired an inmate-founded advocacy group to abolish the death penalty.
Tennessee set to execute only woman on state's death row. Here's what to know.
Christa Gail Pike, 49, will become the first woman put to death in Tennessee in more than 200 years if her execution proceeds next September.
Firing squad execution of prisoner with dementia blocked by Utah court
The Utah Supreme Court blocked a death row inmate's upcoming execution, after the inmate's attorneys argued his dementia has significantly worsened.
Trump says U.S. will seek the death penalty for murders committed in D.C.
"If somebody kills somebody in the capital, Washington, D.C., we're going to be seeking the death penalty," President Trump said.
Prosecutors seek death penalty in fatal shooting of Border Patrol agent
Teresa Youngblut is charged with murder in the fatal shooting of David Maland during a traffic stop in northern Vermont.
In a first, Tennessee executes man with implanted heart device
Byron Black's execution marked the first time a man has been put to death with a working defibrillator in his chest, experts say.
17 people executed in Saudi Arabia, mostly for drug crimes
It is the quickest pace of capital punishment since March 2022, when 81 people were executed in a single day for terrorism-related offenses.
Tennessee contests turning off inmate's heart device before execution
Byron Black, who has an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator, is scheduled to die by lethal injection on Aug. 5.
Inmate's heart device must be turned off at execution, judge rules
A judge has ruled that a death row inmate's heart device must be deactivated when he receives a lethal injection in Tennessee Aug. 5.
Utah man with dementia faces firing squad execution in September
Ralph Leroy Menzies, 67, is set to be executed Sept. 5 for abducting and killing Utah mother of three Maurine Hunsaker in 1986.
Examining Trump's push for death penalty
President Trump signed an executive order on the first day of his second term stating, "capital punishment is an essential tool for deterring and punishing those who would commit the most heinous crimes." Justin Mazzola, researcher for Amnesty International, joins "The Takeout" to discuss the future of capital punishment in the U.S.
Indiana man put to death for murder of police officer in 2000
An Indiana man convicted in the 2000 fatal shooting of a police officer is set to receive a lethal injection this week in the state's second execution in 15 years.
Alabama inmate wants his execution to go forward: "I am guilty"
James Osgood was condemned to die for the 2010 killing of Tracy Lynn Brown. He is one of only a small number of inmates on U.S. death rows to abandon their legal challenges.
Oklahoma executes man who killed woman in 2005 home invasion
Wendell Grissom received a lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary and was pronounced dead at 10:13 a.m.
Louisiana puts man to death in state's first nitrogen gas execution
Jessie Hoffman Jr., 46, was put to death Tuesday evening in Louisiana's first execution in 15 years.
Woman on Texas death row for 27 years has conviction tossed
A federal appeals court tossed Brittany Holberg's death sentence after it found that prosecutors failed to reveal that their primary trial witness was a paid informant.
How South Carolina's first firing squad execution will unfold
Not much is known about the people who will fire the rifles. Prison officials said they have "completed all required training."
Oklahoma executes man who killed girl during cannibalistic fantasy
Kevin Underwood, who killed 10-year-old Jamie Rose Rolin in 2006, died by lethal injection in Oklahoma. It was the 25th and final U.S. execution this year.
Indiana conducts first execution in 15 years, puts quadruple killer to death
An Indiana man, Joseph Corcoran, convicted of killing four people including his brother and his sister's fiancé decades ago was put to death, without any independent witness, marking the state's first execution in 15 years.
Video taken by ICE agent shows new angle of fatal shooting in Minneapolis
The White House shared video showing a different angle of Renee Good's shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis and the moments that led up to it.
Exclusive
DOJ Civil Rights Division prosecutors won't investigate Minneapolis ICE shooting
Prosecutors in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division were told they will not play a role in the investigation into a fatal shooting of a Minnesota woman by an ICE officer, two sources said.
U.S. sends delegation to Venezuela as Trump meets with oil executives
President Trump met with oil industry executives at the White House as a U.S. delegation visited Venezuela.
Iran warns protesters of maximum punishment as death toll mounts
As Iran's exiled crown prince predicts his imminent return, the Islamic Republic shirks Trump's warnings and threatens protesters with maximum punishment.
Trump urges credit card companies to slash interest rates to 10% for one year
President Trump called for a one-year cap on credit card interest rates late Friday, an idea that has drawn strong support from lawmakers in both parties but pushback from card issuers.
Veteran Danish diplomat slams Trump's Greenland bid as U.S. imperialism
Veteran diplomat tells CBS News Denmark "ready to cooperate" on Greenland, and he expects U.S. to abandon "anachronistic approach of colonialism" post-Trump.
NASA hopes to return Crew 11 to Earth next week over medical issue
NASA officials reported Thursday that an unidentified member of Crew 11 was dealing with "a medical situation" that would require the crew to return to Earth sooner than anticipated.
Protests continue in Minneapolis amid fallout over deadly ICE shooting
Minneapolis is reeling after an ICE agent fatally shot a woman on the city's south side Wednesday morning.
Judge blocks HHS from freezing $10 billion in social services funding to 5 states
A federal judge has temporarily blocked HHS from halting $10 billion in social services funding to five states, a move the agency argued was necessary to crack down on fraud — but the states called unconstitutional.
U.S.
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Over $120 million in USDA award payments to Minnesota suspended, White House says
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said on Friday that she is suspending payments on all active and future awards from the USDA to Minnesota amid the long-running fraud scandal in which the White House has alleged a misuse of federal funds.
NASA hopes to return Crew 11 to Earth next week over medical issue
NASA officials reported Thursday that an unidentified member of Crew 11 was dealing with "a medical situation" that would require the crew to return to Earth sooner than anticipated.
People mocked his mangled truck, until one resident stepped up
A badly damaged Chevy that turned heads across South Bend sparked an unexpected act of generosity.
San Francisco mayor says he convinced Trump in phone call not to surge federal agents
In October, President Trump announced that he had called off a plan to "surge" federal agents to San Francisco.
U.S. Treasury Secretary pushes for Minnesota fraud crackdown
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the creation of a new IRS task force and other measures to combat fraud, underscoring the Trump administration's focus on Minnesota amidst the immigration crackdown.
MoneyWatch
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Trump urges credit card companies to slash interest rates to 10% for one year
President Trump called for a one-year cap on credit card interest rates late Friday, an idea that has drawn strong support from lawmakers in both parties but pushback from card issuers.
Looking for a job? Here are the best U.S. cities to find openings.
Midsize cities like Pittsburgh and Columbia, South Carolina, offer some of the best employment prospects, analysis finds.
Trump posted some U.S. jobs data the before its official release
The White House said it will review its protocols for releasing economic data after President Trump's "inadvertent public disclosure."
Some Americans say they'll go without health insurance as ACA rates spike
After the ACA tax credit lapsed in December, enrollees are opting for less robust health plans or dropping coverage altogether.
Meta signs 3 deals for nuclear energy to power AI data centers
Facebook parent Meta has reached nuclear power deals with three companies as it continues to look for electricity sources for its artificial intelligence data centers.
Politics
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Over $120 million in USDA award payments to Minnesota suspended, White House says
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said on Friday that she is suspending payments on all active and future awards from the USDA to Minnesota amid the long-running fraud scandal in which the White House has alleged a misuse of federal funds.
Trump urges credit card companies to slash interest rates to 10% for one year
President Trump called for a one-year cap on credit card interest rates late Friday, an idea that has drawn strong support from lawmakers in both parties but pushback from card issuers.
San Francisco mayor says he convinced Trump in phone call not to surge federal agents
In October, President Trump announced that he had called off a plan to "surge" federal agents to San Francisco.
Exclusive
DOJ Civil Rights Division prosecutors won't investigate Minneapolis ICE shooting
Prosecutors in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division were told they will not play a role in the investigation into a fatal shooting of a Minnesota woman by an ICE officer, two sources said.
Judge blocks HHS from freezing $10 billion in social services funding to 5 states
A federal judge has temporarily blocked HHS from halting $10 billion in social services funding to five states, a move the agency argued was necessary to crack down on fraud — but the states called unconstitutional.
HealthWatch
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Some Americans say they'll go without health insurance as ACA rates spike
After the ACA tax credit lapsed in December, enrollees are opting for less robust health plans or dropping coverage altogether.
Book excerpt: "Enough" by Dr. Ania Jastreboff and Oprah Winfrey
The media superstar, who has struggled with weight for much of her life, and a Yale School of Medicine doctor team up for a book that examines the biology of obesity, offering a new way forward.
RFK Jr. says it may be "better" if fewer children receive the flu vaccine
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed there is "no scientific evidence" the flu vaccine prevents hospitalizations or death in children, despite previous CDC guidance.
RFK Jr. announces new dietary guidelines. Here's what to know.
The new dietary guidelines recommend limits on added sugars and mention gut health. Here's what to know.
Concerns with drinking water on some airlines
A new study found potential health concerns with the drinking water on some airlines where you might order coffee or tea. The review was of airplane drinking water stored in onboard tanks, not bottled products. Of the 10 major airlines, Delta scored best, while JetBlue and American were the bottom two carriers.
World
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Iran warns protesters of maximum punishment as death toll mounts
As Iran's exiled crown prince predicts his imminent return, the Islamic Republic shirks Trump's warnings and threatens protesters with maximum punishment.
Colombian president says Venezuela "will implode" if U.S. runs country for years
President Gustavo Petro responded to President Trump's comment that he expected U.S. oversight of Venezuela to last "much longer" than a year.
Veteran Danish diplomat slams Trump's Greenland bid as U.S. imperialism
Veteran diplomat tells CBS News Denmark "ready to cooperate" on Greenland, and he expects U.S. to abandon "anachronistic approach of colonialism" post-Trump.
Minnesota woman killed in shark attack in U.S. Virgin Islands
The woman was identified as 56-year-old Arlene Lillis of Minnesota.
U.K. could ban X if platform can't "get a grip" on AI sexualized images
Britain's leader says all options on the table if Musk's X platform doesn't stop Grok AI tool being used to generate non-consensual sexualized images.
Entertainment
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Rare Superman comic sells at auction for record $15 million
The comic sold for 10 cents when it came out in 1938, and introduced the world to Superman.
Meet the team behind "The Traitors"
The drama and deceit of the Emmy-winning reality show "The Traitors" returns in season four with a star-studded cast. Anthony Mason got a behind-the-scenes look at the show with host Alan Cumming.
Holly Hunter on "Star Trek" series
Academy Award winner Holly Hunter is starring in the new Paramount+ original series "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy" as the Star Trek franchise marks its 60th anniversary. She talks with CBS Mornings about the series and being part of the Star Trek legacy.
Nick Reiner's attorney withdraws, insists client is "not guilty of murder"
Alan Jackson, who famously won an acquittal in the murder trial of Karen Read and represented disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein, did not explain his decision to withdraw.
Brigitte Bardot's funeral draws hundreds to pay respects in Saint-Tropez
The funeral for Brigitte Bardot was private, but hundreds poured into the streets of Saint-Tropez to pay their respects to an icon of the 1960s silver screen.
Technology
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Technology
How to outsmart cybercriminals and protect your data
In his new book "Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime," former FBI Counterintelligence Operative Eric O'Neill describes the art of outsmarting cybercriminals and protecting your data and wallet. O'Neill spoke with CBS News' Major Garrett about steps people can take to stay safe online.
Meta signs 3 deals for nuclear energy to power AI data centers
Facebook parent Meta has reached nuclear power deals with three companies as it continues to look for electricity sources for its artificial intelligence data centers.
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.
U.K. could ban X if platform can't "get a grip" on AI sexualized images
Britain's leader says all options on the table if Musk's X platform doesn't stop Grok AI tool being used to generate non-consensual sexualized images.
Privacy impact of Gmail tools driven by AI
Millions of Americans who use Gmail are getting a new package of tools, driven by artificial intelligence. Google says it's trying to make Gmail more like a personal assistant as it brings more of its Gemini AI to your inbox with three updates. The changes come with some privacy concerns. Jo Ling Kent explains.
Science
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Fossils found in cave shed light on where our species emerged
Fossilized bones and teeth dating to 773,000 years ago are providing a deeper understanding of the emergence of Homo sapiens.
The history and mystery of kissing
If you rang in the new year with a kiss, you took part in a tradition millions of years in the making. Scientists now say the origins of kissing go back much farther than most think. CBS News' Tina Kraus has more.
2025 was so hot it pushed Earth past critical climate change mark
2025 was the third hottest year on record and pushed Earth past a critical climate change mark, scientists say.
Major climate research center on Trump administration chopping block
The Trump administration intends to dismantle one of the world's leading climate research institutions, in Boulder, Colorado, over what it said were concerns about "climate alarmism."
Researchers capture video of rare polar bear adoption
The footage of a bear caring for an adopted cub was captured during the annual polar bear migration along the Western Hudson Bay in Churchill, Manitoba.
Crime
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U.S. Treasury Secretary pushes for Minnesota fraud crackdown
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the creation of a new IRS task force and other measures to combat fraud, underscoring the Trump administration's focus on Minnesota amidst the immigration crackdown.
Mangione's lawyers request charge dismissals
Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson more than a year ago, was back in a New York courtroom on Friday. Mangione's lawyers asked a federal judge to drop two of his four federal charges. CBS News legal reporter Katrina Kaufman has more.
New video of Renee Good shooting
Vice President JD Vance posted a video on X that appears to show Renee Good's last words to immigration agents before an ICE officer shot and killed her in Minneapolis, Minnesota. CBS News' Ash-har Quraishi reports.
Vance calls Renee Good a "deranged leftist"
Vice President JD Vance addressed journalists at the White House press briefing on Thursday and commented on the deadly shooting involving an ICE officer in Minneapolis. CBS News' Olivia Rinaldi has more on Vance's comments.
Minneapolis mayor on Renee Good comments
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey held a press conference on Friday and called for transparency from federal agencies that have taken over the investigation into the Renee Good shooting. Frey also slammed comments from Trump administration officials about the incident. CBS News' Ash-har Quraishi reports.
Space
More Space
NASA hopes to return Crew 11 to Earth next week over medical issue
NASA officials reported Thursday that an unidentified member of Crew 11 was dealing with "a medical situation" that would require the crew to return to Earth sooner than anticipated.
NASA cutting ISS mission short
Four crew members aboard the International Space Station will be brought home more than a month early in the coming days as NASA cuts its mission short due to health concerns. NASA says the ailing astronaut is stable and while it is not an emergency, weeks more in space are not in the best interest of their health.
ISS crew returning early due to medical issue
The crew at the International Space Station will return home early because of what NASA is calling a medical concern with a crew member. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood has more details.
NASA postpones spacewalk for medical concerns
NASA on Thursday postponed a scheduled spacewalk on the International Space Station due to a "medical concern." CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood has more.
NASA will bring space station crew home early after medical issue
A planned spacewalk outside the International Space Station was scrapped because of what NASA called a "medical concern" with an unidentified crew member.
Latest Galleries
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Notable Deaths in 2025
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
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?
The life & near death of prizefighter Christy Salters-Martin
Christy Salters-Martin dominated in the boxing ring but faced her toughest challenger at home.
Timeline: The disappearance of George Smith
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Who is Alix Tichelman?
Meet the tattooed beauty charged in the death of Google executive Forrest Hayes.
Latest CBS News Videos
More Latest CBS News Videos
Latest CBS News Videos
People mocked his truck, until one man stepped up
A badly damaged Chevy that turned heads across South Bend, Indiana, sparked an unexpected act of generosity. Steve Hartman has the story "On the Road."
New DOJ division to tackle fraud
The Trump administration says it is creating a new division at the Department of Justice to crack down on what the White House calls "rampant and pervasive" fraud across the U.S. CBS News reporter Andres Gutierrez has more.
Swiss ski resort bar owner in custody after fire
Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the couple who owns the Swiss ski resort bar where a deadly inferno broke out on New Year's Eve, were grilled by prosecutors for about six hours Friday. Jacques was then detained after he was deemed a flight risk. Ramy Inocencio has the latest.
U.S. seizes tanker as Trump pushes oil investment
The U.S. military seized a fifth oil tanker linked to Venezuela. It comes as President Trump met with oil executives about investing in Venezuela's oil industry. Nancy Cordes and Charlie D'Agata have more.
Video shows ICE officer's POV before shooting
Newly obtained cellphone video taken by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent involved in the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis shows a different angle of the encounter and the moments leading up to the shooting. Matt Gutman reports.