Deanne Criswell and the disasters she's managing as FEMA administrator
In her first interview as administrator, Criswell discussed a few of the disasters the agency is addressing. Fifty-four of them grew out of the pandemic.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
COVID-19 funeral program overwhelmed at launch
FEMA's funeral reimbursement program kicked off with 1 million people calling the hotline to apply. Since then, over 5 million people called the hotline. CBS News Homeland Security and Justice reporter Nicole Sganga joined CBSN to explain how to programs works and what applicants need to submit their case.
Scammers targeting people seeking federal funeral assistance
Fraudsters are looking to victimize applicants to U.S. program that offers up to $9,000 to help bury COVID-19 victims.
FEMA funeral program inundated by 1 million calls at launch
Americans may apply for government money to help cover the funeral costs of loved ones who died of COVID-19.
FEMA to help people pay for COVID-19 funeral costs
In April, the agency will begin providing families with up to $9,000 per burial and as much as $35,000 per applicant.
Biden administration deploys FEMA to border
The Biden administration is deploying FEMA to the southern border to help handle a surge in unaccompanied migrant children. Washington Post reporter Nick Miroff joins CBSN's "Red & Blue" anchor Elaine Quijano with more on how the administration is responding, and the conditions teenagers are fleeing in other countries.
Surge at U.S.-Mexico border taxes authorities
The Biden administration is deploying the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the U.S.-Mexico border as authorities deal with an increasing number of unaccompanied migrant children. Weijia Jiang joins "CBSN AM" with the latest.
Over 4,200 children in border patrol custody
CBS News has learned that more than 4,200 unaccompanied migrant children are being held in government custody. Because of the lack of space, due in part to COVID-19 restrictions, the children are being held in short-term facilities, some of which are designed to detain adults. The Department of Homeland Security is deploying FEMA to help address the surge of minors who have crossed the border. They will help provide food, water and basic medical care. Weijia Jiang reports.
FEMA deployed to help process migrant children
Migrant children have reported sleeping in overcrowded conditions and having limited access to showers while in Border Patrol custody.
FEMA opens community vaccination sites
New Federal Emergency Management Agency vaccination sites are opening across the country to help vaccinate people in marginalized communities disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic. CBS News reporter Nicole Sganga joined CBSN's Tanya Rivero from a newly opened community vaccination center in Philadelphia.
"A Shot of Hope": Getting the vaccine
Millions of Americans have received doses of the coronavirus vaccines so far. On Thursday, President Biden marked 50 million shots given since he took office. This is a significant milestone, but access remains an issue. Acting FEMA director Bob Fenton explains how his agency is trying to ramp up the rollout of the vaccine. Plus, Dr. Anthony Fauci explains if the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be effective against a new variant found in New York City.
Texas governor on skyrocketing energy bills
Texas Governor Greg Abbott gave an update Sunday to address how the state is dealing with the ongoing crises of skyrocketing energy bills, food shortages and lack of access to water after deadly winter weather crippled the state's infrastructure. Watch Abbott's press conference.
Texas mayor on recovery efforts in his city
President Biden has declared a major disaster in Texas, clearing the way for state and local governments to receive additional federal aid. Subfreezing temperatures and power outages caused pipes to burst, flooding homes across the state. Josh Schroeder, the mayor of Georgetown, Texas, joins CBSN to discuss recovery efforts in his city.
How the Red Cross is helping Texans in need
Power has been restored to most of Texas, but now a water crisis is underway. Roughly a quarter of the state's population is under a "boil-water advisory." The rolling power outages caused pipes to burst in homes and shut down water treatment plants. Dan Halyburton, a spokesperson for the American Red Cross, joins CBSN to discuss how his organization is providing aid to those affected by this deadly winter weather.
FEMA leader on Texas weather crisis
Acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the weather, power and water crises in Texas.
Pentagon authorizes more troops to assist with vaccine effort
This will put the total number of active-duty troops supporting or ready to support at more than 4,700.
Experts urge staying home during the Super Bowl
With just two days until the big game, there are concerns that the Super Bowl could become a super-spreader event -- at home and in the stadium. Jamie Yuccas reports.
Former FEMA leader on COVID vaccine rollout
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is asking the Pentagon to ready as many as 10,000 troops to support nationwide vaccine efforts. Former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate joins CBSN's Tanya Rivero to discuss what needs to be done to speed up vaccinations around the country.
FEMA asks Pentagon to ready thousands of troops to support vaccine push
The government envisions 50 "mega" vaccination sites capable of administering 6,000 shots per day, in addition to 50 "large" vaccination sites providing 3,000 shots per day, according to defense officials.
Defense Department sends help to N.D. hospitals
At the request of FEMA, the Department of Defense is sending 60 nurses to help with the surge of COVID-19 in North Dakota. Air Force Captain and registered nurse Ron Golemboski, one of those nurses stationed in North Dakota, joins CBSN to discuss what it's like in the hot zone.
Trump administration rejects California fires disaster declaration
The governor's office says it will appeal the decision and that the request meets all requirements for the declaration.
Tropical Storm Beta threatens Gulf Coast
The Gulf Coast is on watch yet again for another tropical storm. There have been so many storms this season that forecasters are now using the Greek alphabet to name them.
Trump's $300 in extra jobless aid has run out in 7 states
Florida says it will only provide four weeks of payments, rather than the six weeks other states are providing.
FEMA administrator on Hurricane Sally
FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the agency's efforts ahead of Hurricane Sally's landfall along the Gulf.
Trump's $300 in weekly jobless benefits extended to 6 weeks
FEMA, which is overseeing the supplementary payments, had previously promised only three weeks of jobless benefits.
Breaking
UnitedHealthcare CEO killed in targeted shooting, NYPD says
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan, police say.
Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for kids
The Supreme Court weighed whether Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors experiencing gender dysphoria violates the Constitution.
Gunman in CEO's shooting death is on the loose. What we know.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in New York City on Wednesday in what officials are calling a targeted attack.
Trump taps Peter Navarro, convicted of contempt of Congress, as trade counselor
Peter Navarro served as a trade adviser in the first Trump administration, and was recently released from a four-month prison sentence for defying a congressional subpoena.
9 states poised to end coverage for millions if Trump cuts Medicaid funding
About 3.7 million people are at immediate risk of losing health coverage should the federal government cut funding for Medicaid expansions, as some allies of President-elect Donald Trump have proposed.
Trump considering replacing Hegseth with DeSantis for defense secretary
This comes after President-elect Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis attended a memorial for fallen law enforcement officers Tuesday in Florida.
Mitt Romney criticizes those who "tear at our unity" in Senate farewell speech
Sen. Mitt Romney warned in his farewell address of those who "tear at our unity," urging America to uphold the nation's values as he capped more than two decades in public service.
South Korean leader faces likely impeachment over martial law order
South Korea is reeling over a shock martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose short-lived gamble will have major implications.
2 babies dumped from stolen car on freezing day were rescued by stranger
Two infant girls were reported missing after the car they were in was stolen. The babies were later found left out in the cold.
U.S.
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Mitt Romney criticizes those who "tear at our unity" in Senate farewell speech
Sen. Mitt Romney warned in his farewell address of those who "tear at our unity," urging America to uphold the nation's values as he capped more than two decades in public service.
Trump taps billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as next NASA chief
Jared Isaacman, 41, the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, has emerged as a leading figure in commercial spaceflight.
After shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO, here's what we know
Details are emerging in the hours after a gunman shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside of a Manhattan hotel. Here's what we know.
What we know about the suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting death
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in New York City on Wednesday in what officials are calling a targeted attack.
Pete Hegseth's mother defends son, saying she wrote email "out of love"
Penelope Hegseth said she wrote the 2018 email "in haste" and with "deep emotions."
MoneyWatch
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Trump taps billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as next NASA chief
Jared Isaacman, 41, the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, has emerged as a leading figure in commercial spaceflight.
Breaking
Who is Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO shot dead in Manhattan?
Here's what we know about UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was shot to death in Manhattan on Wednesday.
9 states poised to end coverage for millions if Trump cuts Medicaid funding
About 3.7 million people are at immediate risk of losing health coverage should the federal government cut funding for Medicaid expansions, as some allies of President-elect Donald Trump have proposed.
China bans export of key minerals to U.S. as trade row deepens
As China responds to the latest U.S. measures by banning the export of several key minerals, one analyst warns of "a trade war that has no winners."
Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific apologizes for showing "Family Guy" episode
The episode, from the first season of the American cartoon, shows Peter Griffin, the father character in the show, standing next to the "Tank Man" in a recreation of the infamous photograph.
Politics
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Trump taps Peter Navarro, convicted of contempt of Congress, as trade counselor
Peter Navarro served as a trade adviser in the first Trump administration, and was recently released from a four-month prison sentence for defying a congressional subpoena.
Mitt Romney criticizes those who "tear at our unity" in Senate farewell speech
Sen. Mitt Romney warned in his farewell address of those who "tear at our unity," urging America to uphold the nation's values as he capped more than two decades in public service.
Trump taps billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as next NASA chief
Jared Isaacman, 41, the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, has emerged as a leading figure in commercial spaceflight.
Pete Hegseth's mother defends son, saying she wrote email "out of love"
Penelope Hegseth said she wrote the 2018 email "in haste" and with "deep emotions."
9 states poised to end coverage for millions if Trump cuts Medicaid funding
About 3.7 million people are at immediate risk of losing health coverage should the federal government cut funding for Medicaid expansions, as some allies of President-elect Donald Trump have proposed.
HealthWatch
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How to sleep, breathe and drink water better, according to an expert
Michael Breus, a clinical psychologist and author of "Sleep Drink Breathe: Simple Daily Habits for Profound Long-Term Health," shares tips on how to better hydrate and more.
CU Anschutz Medical Campus' grant to help restore vision to blind patients
Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus received up to $46 million in a grant to help develop an innovative treatment to cure blindness.
9 states poised to end coverage for millions if Trump cuts Medicaid funding
About 3.7 million people are at immediate risk of losing health coverage should the federal government cut funding for Medicaid expansions, as some allies of President-elect Donald Trump have proposed.
Are flu and COVID high now? Here's how the season has started
Levels of both the flu and COVID viruses are still low across much of the country, the CDC says.
Here's how holiday drinking can affect your health, according to a doctor
Estimates show Americans drink twice as much during the holiday season as they normally do. Here's how the extra alcohol can impact your health.
World
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Pope Francis receives first all-electric popemobile from Mercedes
Pope Francis uses the popemobile to greet pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during general audiences and other papal ceremonies.
Man severely injured protecting wife from polar bear attack
The man had serious injuries to his arm and legs, said police in Fort Severn First Nation, Ontario, Canada.
China bans export of key minerals to U.S. as trade row deepens
As China responds to the latest U.S. measures by banning the export of several key minerals, one analyst warns of "a trade war that has no winners."
Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific apologizes for showing "Family Guy" episode
The episode, from the first season of the American cartoon, shows Peter Griffin, the father character in the show, standing next to the "Tank Man" in a recreation of the infamous photograph.
U.S. slams China for hitting Philippine vessels with water cannons
China put "lives at risk" with the "unlawful use of water cannons" against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, the U.S. ambassador in Manila says.
Entertainment
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Dolly Parton's new children's book stars her French bulldog Billy
Dolly Parton appeared on "CBS Mornings" Wednesday from Nashville to unveil her latest children's book, "Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas."
Lisa Lisa on rediscovering her voice
Lisa Lisa talks about her unforgettable 80s hits, her journey in music and how her perspective has changed over the years.
Inside the world of freediving
Michael John Warren joins "CBS Mornings Plus" to talk about the art and challenges of freediving.
Dolly Parton on new children's book
Dolly Parton joins "CBS Mornings" to unveil her latest children's book, "Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas," which features her real-life French bulldog, Billy.
British indie-rock band Sports Team robbed at gunpoint in Vallejo, California
A touring British indie-rock band said they lost personal gear when armed robbery targeted their van while they were getting coffee at a Vallejo Starbucks Tuesday morning on the first day of their U.S. tour.
Technology
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Technology
Most common passwords of 2024 revealed
Hackers' favorites top this year's list of most common passwords, with "123456," "password" and "qwerty123" leading the pack. Experts warn these choices make your accounts an easy target.
Bluesky says X's "partisan microphone" are driving users to it
Bluesky has added millions of new subscribers in the last month as some users leave X. Here's what to know.
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.
Company pilots drone food delivery service
In California, a company is running a pilot program for drone food delivery. Itay Hod takes a look at how the service works.
Canada's antitrust watchdog files lawsuit against Google over its ad business
Canada's Competition Bureau says that an investigation found the company "unlawfully" tied together its ad tech tools to maintain its dominant market position.
Science
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Science
Starbucks plastic cup investigation
CBS News tracked plastic cups meant to be recycled by Starbucks and found that most of those did not end up at recycling facilities. CBS News' David Schechter breaks down the investigation's findings.
NASA shows off image of U.S. military's abandoned "city under the ice"
Scientists now have a clearer picture of Camp Century, an abandoned U.S. military base long hidden under the ice in Greenland, thanks to a NASA research team's good luck.
Divided U.N. negotiations for plastic treaty
Negotiators are far apart as the United Nations tries to work out the world's first treaty to curb plastic pollution. Issues creating roadblocks include limiting new manufacturing of plastic and the potential phasing out of some chemicals. For more on the talks, CBS News was joined by Erin Simon, vice president and head of plastic waste and business for the World Wildlife Fund in the U.S.
Honolulu hopes to identify long-unclaimed bodies with advanced DNA testing
Forensic pathologists hope advanced DNA testing technology will enable them to attach names to all the unidentified people at the Honolulu Medical Examiner's Office.
Dishing up space food
At the Johnson Space Food Systems Laboratory in Houston, NASA scientists develop dishes – freeze-dried, heat-stabilized, or irradiated – to serve on the International Space Station. Correspondent David Pogue checks out what's on the menu in Earth orbit.
Crime
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Crime
UnitedHealthcare CEO shot deadllll
There's a manhunt underway for the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was shot outside a New York City hotel, officials say. Felipe Rodriguez, a former detective with the New York City Police Department, joins CBS News with his take on the crime, and CBS News' Anna Schecter breaks down what's known so far.
After shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO, here's what we know
Details are emerging in the hours after a gunman shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside of a Manhattan hotel. Here's what we know.
What we know about the suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting death
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in New York City on Wednesday in what officials are calling a targeted attack.
UnitedHealthcare CEO killed in NYC shooting
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot Wednesday morning outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel, according to the NYPD. A United Healthcare spokesperson told CBS News the incident occurred during the company's investors conference.
Babies dumped from stolen car on freezing day rescued by stranger
Two infant girls were reported missing after the car they were in was stolen. The babies were later found left out in the cold.
Space
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Trump taps billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as next NASA chief
Jared Isaacman, 41, the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, has emerged as a leading figure in commercial spaceflight.
Webb telescope captures stunning new image of the "Sombrero galaxy"
The Sombrero galaxy, named for its resemblance to the Mexican hat, is about 30 million light-years from Earth.
Blue Origin launches 6 tourists to the edge of space
Marc and Sharon Hagle, both making their second space flight, were among the passengers for the NS-28 mission.
Blue Origin launches 9th space tourism flight
The ninth Blue Origin space tourism flight launched from West Texas Friday morning. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood and space expert Scott Heidler offered analysis of the flight.
Trump, Musk attend SpaceX launch
President-elect Donald Trump attended SpaceX's sixth flight test of its Super Heavy-Starship on Tuesday with CEO Elon Musk. The burgeoning friendship between the two men played a key role in Trump's reelection, with Musk now set to run a government efficiency agency in the coming months. CBS News political reporter Jake Rosen and Politico aviation reporter Oriana Pawlyk join "America Decides" with 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 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.
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.
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
Hawley says Hegseth cancelled meeting
Sen. Joshua Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, says Pete Hegseth's team canceled a meeting before the Senate confirmation process begins. Axios' Juliegrace Brufke joins CBS News with more on President-elect Donald Trump's pick for secretary of defense.
Search for grandmother near sinkhole
A 64-year-old grandmother who was searching for her cat may have fallen in a sinkhole in Pennsylvania. Officials provided an update on rescue operations.
Will DeSantis replace Hegseth pick?
President-elect Donald Trump's pick for secretary of defense, news host Pete Hegseth, continues to face mounting backlash over allegations of impropriety in his past. CBS News campaign reporters Olivia Rinaldi and Taurean Small have more on what may happen next.
UnitedHealthcare CEO shot deadllll
There's a manhunt underway for the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was shot outside a New York City hotel, officials say. Felipe Rodriguez, a former detective with the New York City Police Department, joins CBS News with his take on the crime, and CBS News' Anna Schecter breaks down what's known so far.
NYPD update on UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting
The NYPD spoke with reporters Wednesday about their ongoing efforts to find the gunman who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson earlier in the day outside a New York City hotel.