School district bucks trend of falling test scores
Since the start of the pandemic, math scores have fallen at their steepest rate in 50 years. But one school district in Connecticut is bucking that trend. Meg Oliver takes a look at how.
Education
School counselors discuss youth mental health
Meredith Draughn, 2023 School Counselor of the Year, and Brian Coleman, 2019 School Counselor of the Year and Board Chair, Illinois School Counselors Association, join "CBS Mornings" School Matters series to discuss students' mental health as they transition into the 2023 academic year.
Schools look to improve air quality
The end of summer brings the new school year and it may also bring a new spike in COVID-19. One way school officials have been looking to keep students and teachers safe is by improving the air quality in the classroom. Joseph Allen, director of Harvard University's Healthy Buildings program, joins CBS News to discuss the benefits of improved air quality in schools.
Atlanta-based Morris Brown College says they are reinstating Covid mask mandates
Morris Brown College is reinstating its Covid mask mandate for the next two weeks as a result of positive cases at the Atlanta University Center.
Norristown school renamed Davenport Elementary in honor of first Black teacher
Community leaders say the school, which now officially bears her name, will help continue her legacy to generations of learners.
UN education envoy says Afghan girls face "crime against humanity"
The U.N.'s education envoy on Tuesday said the Taliban's denial of education and employment to Afghan girls and women "should count as a crime against humanity."
As U.S. swelters under extreme heat, how will temps affects students?
Some students returning to U.S. schools are struggling to learn in warm classrooms, contending with both hot summer temperatures and broken or nonexistent air conditioning systems.
More school districts are shifting to a 4-day week
Facing a national teacher shortage, hundreds of districts across 26 states have switched to a four-day school week to help recruit and retain staff.
College Board clashes with Florida over AP psychology course
Already at arms over the AP African American studies course, the College Board has accused Florida of having "effectively banned" the advanced placement psychology class.
How important are school test scores?
The Nation's Report Card shows average reading scores for 13-year-olds down 4 points from 2020 and math scores down 9 points. But months before releasing this data, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona warned against taking test scores at face value. Chase Nordengren, a K-12 education researcher, joined CBS News to discuss alternatives to test scores as a measure of school performance.
How did schools spend COVID-19 funds?
Congress provided nearly $200 billion in emergency funding for schools within the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. But despite the huge sums of money, the nation's report card found student test scores are still lower across the board compared with pre-pandemic levels. Professor Thomas Kane, economist and faculty director at Harvard University's Center for Education Policy Research, joined CBS News to discuss why schools have struggled to get a handle on COVID recovery.
Colleges reconsidering legacy admissions
Many colleges and universities are reconsidering their legacy policies after the Supreme Court gutted race-based affirmative action admissions with a recent ruling. Virginia Tech University has already announced it's ending legacy admissions. Sarah Enelow-Snyder, a freelance writer who has written about benefiting from having a family legacy, joined CBS News to discuss why she wants legacy admissions to end.
Transgender former student sues school over bathroom allegations
The ACLU is suing the Missouri school district on behalf of the unidentified student.
Read what Florida's Black history teaching standards say about slavery
Florida's social studies curriculum has been lambasted by critics for suggesting enslaved people "developed skills" for their "personal benefit."
Tim Scott rebukes DeSantis over Florida's Black history curriculum
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his allies have been defending the state's controversial new Black history teaching standard, which includes instruction on how "slaves developed skills" that "could be applied for their personal benefit."
Rep. Byron Donalds, DeSantis allies clash over Black history curriculum
The new standards for middle school includes a line on how "slaves developed skills" that could be used for "personal benefit."
Education Department opens probe into Harvard's legacy admissions
Top colleges' preferential treatment of children of alumni has been facing new scrutiny since the Supreme Court last month struck down the use of affirmative action as a tool to diversify college campuses.
Judge in Parkland school shooting trial reprimanded for showing bias
The Florida Supreme Court publicly reprimanded the judge who oversaw the penalty trial of Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz on Monday for showing bias toward the prosecution.
White House hits DeSantis over curriculum
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is facing criticism over new guidelines saying Florida's students should be taught some enslaved people benefited from slavery. The governor has tried to distance himself from the controversy. Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Florida and condemned the new history curriculum last week. CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe has more.
Florida schools' new Black history guidelines
Florida's Board of Education approved controversial guidelines for teaching Black history in schools this week, including lessons on how "slaves developed skills" that could be used for "personal benefit," according to a copy of the state's academic standards reviewed by CBS News. CBS News correspondent Manuel Bojorquez has more.
Florida's controversial history standards
Florida's 2023 Social Studies curriculum will include lessons on how "slaves developed skills" that could be used for "personal benefit," according to a copy of the state's academic standards reviewed by CBS News. Andrew Atterbury, education policy reporter for Politico, joined CBS News to talk about why Florida is doing this.
Florida's new Black history curriculum cites "personal benefit" of slavery
The lessons will be taught to sixth through eighth grade students this year.
Stanford University president to resign following research controversy
Stanford University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne says he will resign following concerns about the integrity of his research.
College students shun teaching as a career, a crisis for U.S. schools
Young people are turning away from teaching as a job, citing the low pay and uncertainty over education. "People feel demotivated," one student said.
SOLA: Educating Afghanistan’s girls
Since Afghanistan’s fall to the Taliban, girls have been prohibited from attending school beyond sixth grade. SOLA, the School of Leadership Afghanistan, is still teaching its students, though, after a daring evacuation to safety.
House conservatives revolt over GOP-backed spending bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a revolt from fellow Republicans over a last-minute measure to keep the government funded and avoid a shutdown.
Stock market plummets after Fed forecasts fewer rate cuts in 2025
The stock market is down sharply today after the Federal Reserve forecast fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 than expected.
Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by 0.25 percentage points
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday moved to lower its benchmark rate by 0.25 percentage points. Here's what to know.
Wisconsin shooter was in contact with California man plotting his own attack
A California judge issued a restraining order Tuesday against a 20-year-old man who told FBI agents that he had been messaging with the Wisconsin shooter.
House Ethics Committee quietly voted to release Matt Gaetz ethics report
The House Ethics Committee voted to release its report on the investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz on Dec. 5, according to multiple sources.
Supreme Court agrees to hear challenge to TikTok ban
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will take up a challenge to a new law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the U.S.
New details of Captagon drug trade exposed with Assad regime's collapse
A CBS News team gained access to a site outside Damascus which holds the precursor chemicals for Captagon, one of the most popular street drugs in the Middle East and beyond.
Teacher, student killed in Wisconsin school shooting identified
Erin West, 42, and Rubi Vergara, 14, were fatally shot Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
Failed bill included disaster relief and other key funding measures
The 1,500-page measure would have done much more than prevent a government shutdown.
U.S.
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Wisconsin shooter was in contact with California man plotting his own attack
A California judge issued a restraining order Tuesday against a 20-year-old man who told FBI agents that he had been messaging with the Wisconsin shooter.
Teacher, student killed in Wisconsin school shooting identified
Erin West, 42, and Rubi Vergara, 14, were fatally shot Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
Teen victim of deepfake porn urges Congress to pass "Take It Down Act"
Elliston Berry's life was turned upside down after a photo she posted on Instagram was digitally altered online to be pornographic.
Stock market plummets after Fed forecasts fewer rate cuts in 2025
The stock market is down sharply today after the Federal Reserve forecast fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 than expected.
Why are the Boeing Starliner astronauts stuck in space?
Here's why NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are stuck, but not stranded, at the International Space Station after launching into space in June.
MoneyWatch
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Stock market plummets after Fed forecasts fewer rate cuts in 2025
The stock market is down sharply today after the Federal Reserve forecast fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 than expected.
U.S. Mint announces 5 historical women on new quarters for 2025. Here's who.
It's the last year the American Women Quarters Program will put historical female figures on reverse side of coins.
U.S. mulls ban on Chinese-made TP-Link routers over national security concerns
TP-Link routers could be banned in the U.S. over national security concerns, according to a report.
Senate set to vote on bill that would expand Social Security to millions
Senators advance bill that would expand Social Security benefits to millions of Americans, including teachers, firefighters and others with public pensions.
Fed lowers rates by 0.25 percentage point, but expects fewer cuts
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday moved to lower its benchmark rate by 0.25 percentage points, but said it plans fewer cuts in 2025.
Politics
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Teen victim of deepfake porn urges Congress to pass "Take It Down Act"
Elliston Berry's life was turned upside down after a photo she posted on Instagram was digitally altered online to be pornographic.
Senate set to vote on bill that would expand Social Security to millions
Senators advance bill that would expand Social Security benefits to millions of Americans, including teachers, firefighters and others with public pensions.
House conservatives revolt over GOP-backed spending bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a revolt from fellow Republicans over a last-minute measure to keep the government funded and avoid a shutdown.
Paris Hilton's bill to protect minors at residential treatment facilities heads to president's desk
The 43-year-old heiress and actor has testified about her own experience as a teenager at treatment facilities.
U.S. begins to retaliate against China over hack of telecom networks
The Commerce Department's action is a direct response to China's infiltration of telecom networks earlier this year.
HealthWatch
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What are seed oils and do they pose health risks? Here's what to know
Seed oils are making headlines, prompting fears around whether they can have negative effects on your health. Here's what to know.
CDC confirms first severe bird flu case in the U.S.
A person in Louisiana has the first severe illness caused by bird flu in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday.
Congo says mysterious disease killing dozens of kids finally identified
"The mystery has finally been solved," Congo's health ministry says, after an unidentified disease outbreak started killing mainly women and children in a remote region.
2 sisters, 7 years apart in age, also receive heart transplants 7 years apart
The sisters share a special bond of getting a second chance at life, which they both received at the age of 38 years old.
Trump could target Affordable Care Act, Medicaid for cuts, experts say
Republicans wants to extend 2017 tax cuts that expire next year and could let ACA subsidies lapse to help pay the tab, according to analysts.
World
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New details of Captagon drug trade exposed with Assad regime's collapse
A CBS News team gained access to a site outside Damascus which holds the precursor chemicals for Captagon, one of the most popular street drugs in the Middle East and beyond.
Prominent pro-Putin ballet star Sergei Polunin says he's leaving Russia
Ukrainian-born ballet phenom Sergei Polunin was rewarded for backing Putin's attacks on his native country, but he appears to have fallen from Moscow's graces.
China continuing nuclear buildup, strengthening ties to Russia, Pentagon says
A new Pentagon report says China is continuing to expand its nuclear force and has strengthened its ties with Russia over the past year.
Ancient inscription may rewrite Christianity's history, researchers say
The "Frankfurt Silver Inscription" shows the earliest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps.
U.K. court clears seizure of millions in unpaid taxes from Andrew Tate
A British court has cleared police to seize $3.3 million from misogynist social media influencer Andrew Tate and his brother to cover unpaid taxes.
Entertainment
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The Grateful Dead, Kennedy Center honorees, reflect on the band's legacy
Surviving members of the Grateful Dead, Bobby Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart, revisit the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.
Ben Schwartz, James Marsden on new "Sonic"
Ben Schwartz and James Marsden join "CBS Mornings" to discuss their roles in the highly anticipated sequel "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," distributed by Paramount Pictures.
Kennedy Center honors Grateful Dead
Dave Matthews, Leon Bridges and Derek Trucks led a star-studded tribute to the Grateful Dead at this year's Kennedy Center Honors. Anthony Mason spoke with the band's three surviving core members about their journey to becoming one of the most influential bands in American history.
Megan Thee Stallion asks for restraining order against Tory Lanez
Tory Lanaz, who is serving a 10-year prison sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the feet, is harassing her from prison through surrogates, the petition alleges.
How Nikki Glaser is preparing for Golden Globes hosting gig
Comedian Nikki Glaser, known for her honest style, is gearing up to host the 82nd Annual Golden Globes.
Technology
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Technology
Supreme Court agrees to hear case about TikTok ban
The Supreme Court said Wednesday it will hear an appeal from TikTok over a federal law that would ban the social media giant if it is not sold by its Chinese parent company. Jan Crawford has more.
Teen victim of deepfake porn urges Congress to pass "Take It Down Act"
Elliston Berry's life was turned upside down after a photo she posted on Instagram was digitally altered online to be pornographic.
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.
Supreme Court to decide on future of TikTok
The Supreme Court plans to hear arguments in January on a challenge to a new law that could lead to the popular social media app TikTok being banned in the U.S. The Biden administration and lawmakers say the Chinese government's ability to collect data from TikTok poses a significant national security risk, while the app and its Chinese parent company ByteDance argue that the law is unconstitutional. CBS News Supreme Court producer Catherine Cole has more.
FAA: Lithium battery fires on flights now occur nearly twice a week
FAA data shows that lithium battery fires on U.S. flights have risen 388% since 2015, now occurring nearly twice a week.
Science
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"Murder hornets" eradicated in the U.S., agriculture officials say
Giant hornets, dubbed "murder hornets," have been eradicated in the U.S., five years after the invasive species was first detected in Washington state.
Coal use hitting record in 2024, which is likely hottest year yet, report says
World coal use is set to reach an all-time high in 2024, the International Energy Agency says, in a year all but certain to be the hottest in recorded history.
How climate change impacted 2024
From record-breaking temperatures to devastating disasters, 2024 brought the world closer to the reality of what climate change looks and feels like. CBS News national environmental correspondent David Schechter reports.
Bronze-Age Britons were cannibalized after massacre, research shows
Researchers determined that dozens of men, women and children were violently killed and cannibalized in Bronze Age-era England.
ClimateWatch: Looking back on 2024’s extreme weather
In this episode of “ClimateWatch,” CBS national environmental correspondent David Schechter looks back at the devastating hurricanes, landslides, flooding and more that impacted the U.S. this year.
Crime
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Teacher, student killed in Wisconsin school shooting identified
Erin West, 42, and Rubi Vergara, 14, were fatally shot Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
Mangione expected to waive extradition, lawyer says
Luigi Mangione, the man indicted on murder charges in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to waive extradition back to New York, his lawyer said Wednesday. Mangione is currently in custody in Pennsylvania.
New details emerge about teen shooting suspect
We are learning more about the background of a 15-year-old girl who authorities said opened fire Monday at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, killing two people and wounding six others. Ian Lee reports from Madison.
Mangione's lawyer on extradition
An attorney for accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter Luigi Mangione said he plans to waive extradition to New York City this week. CBS News New York reporter Ali Baumen has the latest.
Wisconsin school holds vigil after shooting
The community in Madison, Wisconsin, held a vigil Tuesday night to remember those killed in Monday's shooting at a private Christian school. CBS News' Anna Schecter has more about the suspected shooter.
Space
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Why are the Boeing Starliner astronauts stuck in space?
Here's why NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are stuck, but not stranded, at the International Space Station after launching into space in June.
NASA delayes return date for astronauts
NASA has delayed the return date for Boeing's Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. CBS News' Manuel Bojorquez reports on the decision to keep the two in space.
NASA leader weighs in on Elon Musk, SpaceX and plans for moon rocket
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson says he's optimistic the Trump administration will support the space agency's agenda.
Boeing Starliner crew's return delayed again
Two astronauts who have been stuck in space since June will have to wait until at least the end of March to come home after NASA on Wednesday again pushed back their return date. Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer for the Franklin Institute, joined CBS News to discuss what's causing the delays.
Starliner astronauts' return delayed again
Two astronauts who have been stuck aboard the International Space Station for months will have to wait even longer to come home. Their planned returned was delayed once again on Tuesday, pushing their earliest return trip back to late March. Manuel Bojorquez has more.
Latest Galleries
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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.
The Scott Peterson case: New evidence?
Peterson's death sentence for the murder of his pregnant wife Laci has been overturned. Now his supporters are pushing for a complete retrial.
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.
Texas couple investigates teen daughter's unusual death
Cayley Mandadi's mother and stepfather go to extreme lengths to prove her death was no accident.
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
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Latest CBS News Videos
Stopgap funding bill in limbo after GOP opposition
A bipartisan House deal on a short-term funding measure that would avoid a potential shutdown and keep the government operational through March appeared to have been scrapped Wednesday after President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance and some hardline Republican lawmakers came out against it. Nikole Killion has details from Capitol Hill.
"CBS Evening News" headlines for Dec. 18, 2024
Here's a look at the top stories making headlines on the "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell."
Supreme Court agrees to hear case about TikTok ban
The Supreme Court said Wednesday it will hear an appeal from TikTok over a federal law that would ban the social media giant if it is not sold by its Chinese parent company. Jan Crawford has more.
Mangione expected to waive extradition, lawyer says
Luigi Mangione, the man indicted on murder charges in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to waive extradition back to New York, his lawyer said Wednesday. Mangione is currently in custody in Pennsylvania.
New details emerge about teen shooting suspect
We are learning more about the background of a 15-year-old girl who authorities said opened fire Monday at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, killing two people and wounding six others. Ian Lee reports from Madison.