"CBS Evening News" headlines for December 17, 2020
Here's a look at the top stories making headlines on the "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell."
Stephen Colbert
Joe Biden downplays recent gaffes
Former Vice President Joe Biden addressed a series of recent gaffes during a Wednesday appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." CBS News 2020 campaign reporter Bo Erickson discusses how voters are responding to Biden's recent slip-ups.
Biden defends gaffes on Colbert, jokingly calls him Jimmy Kimmel
"Any gaffe that I have made — and I've made gaffes like every politician I know has — have been not about the substance of issue," Biden said
Jon Stewart fires back at Mitch McConnell over 9/11 victims fund
"I beg of you, meet with [first responders] tomorrow," Stewart said to McConnell "But you know what? If you're busy, I get it"
Howard Stern talks about "wild" Trump on Colbert
Stern said things would be different if Hillary Clinton had come on his show – and he explained why Bernie Sanders is his "hero"
Swalwell says he's running for president
Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California announced he is joining the 2020 presidential race. In an appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Monday, Swalwell said he intends to make gun violence a key focus of his campaign.
Gayle King reveals new video from R. Kelly interview
"I know older women ... I love women," Kelly says in the clip, deflecting a question about why he continues seeing young women
Meghan McCain: I won't forget Trump's comments about my father
"I really want it made very clear that the Trumps had beef with me then and in the words of Cardi B, they're going to have beef with me forever," Meghan McCain told Stephen Colbert
Gillibrand announces 2020 bid
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has joined a growing list of Democrats who said they intend to run for president. The announcement came during a taping of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."
Kirsten Gillibrand formally enters 2020 race with Colbert appearance
The New York senator said her first priority as president would be to "restore what's been lost" in America
Stephen Colbert and Hugh Jackman remember Stan Lee on "The Late Show"
"Today, the world lost a legend," Colbert said
Julia Louis-Dreyfus honored for career achievement in comedy
"Veep" actress and "Seinfeld" alum is 21st person to be honored with the award by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Behind the songs of Jon Batiste's new album
Jon Batiste, bandleader of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," is out with a new album called "Hollywood Africans." In an interview with "CBS This Morning" co-host John Dickerson, Batiste plays and talks through the songs, "Kenner Boogie," "St. James Infirmary," "What a Wonderful World," and "Don’t Stop."
Colbert claims he has Kavanaugh’s 1982 day planner
The "Late Show" host joked one entry supposedly reads, "Remember to save calendar as future evidence"
Tiffany Haddish tells Colbert she doesn’t need a man
Haddish got naughty on the "Late Show" set
N.C. law could increase damage from hurricanes like Florence
State lawmakers banned using recent climate science to plan for the consequences of rising sea levels
Colbert challenges bearded Alex Trebek to trivia face-off
Colbert says there cannot be two "Colbeards"
Stephen Colbert "not surprised" by Leslie Moonves’ exit
Colbert said, "It's never a good sign when you're the subject of a Ronan Farrow double-dip"
Issa Rae shares advice from Shonda Rhimes on "The Late Show”
Rae told Stephen Colbert that one of her biggest issues is trying not to upset people
Colbert calls for "accountability" from CBS CEO Les Moonves
"Late Show" host Stephen Colbert spoke up about the sexual misconduct allegations against his boss, CBS CEO Les Moonves
Ocasio-Cortez explains democratic socialism on the "Late Show"
The 28-year-old activist who defeated powerful Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley in Tuesday's primary appeared on the "Late Show"
How late-night's joint cold open came about
Both Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon's late-night shows ran the same cold open Tuesday night, a first time for both. The idea was Colbert's. He called Fallon Tuesday and the "Tonight Show" host quickly agreed. Jimmy Kimmel was on vacation and totally off the grid, but Conan O'Brien also agreed right away to join in.
Bill Clinton: "Today" interview "wasn't my finest hour"
Former president has been criticized about his comments, especially when he said his critics are "omitting facts" to lump him in with other men accused of sexual assault and harassment
Bill Clinton's interview with Colbert
Former President Clinton was offered a second chance to discuss the #MeToo movement and the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Despite the friendly overture, Mr. Clinton took the same tone as in earlier interviews. CBSN's primary night panel - CBS News correspondent Ed O'Keefe, CBSN contributor Caitlin Huey-Burns of RealClearPolitics, Republican strategist Leslie Sanchez, and Democratic strategist Hari Sevugan -- discusses Mr. Clinton's recent comments.
Deadpool crashes "Late Show," trash-talks Trump
Stephen Colbert had a surprise guest on the "Late Show" when foul-mouthed superhero Deadpool crashed his monologue
Watch Live: Biden delivers public remarks today, first since leaving office
Former President Joe Biden is delivering his first public address since leaving office, speaking at a Chicago conference focused on protecting Social Security.
Judge in Abrego Garcia case tells DOJ she has "no tolerance for gamesmanship"
U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis said at a hearing on Tuesday that everyday Kilmar Abrego Garcia is "detained in CECOT is another date of irreparable harm."
Read first statement of Conn. man allegedly held captive for 20 years
The man who said his stepmother held him captive for two decades has released his first public statement.
Meta CEO Zuckerberg pushes back against FTC claims on Day 2 of trial
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is in federal court for a second day in the historic antitrust trial in which the Federal Trade Commission alleges Meta illegally monopolized the social media market.
IRS could cut up to 40% of workforce, memo indicates
The IRS's Reduction in Force plan states the agency could go from 102,000 employees to a target of 60,000 to 70,000, according to an internal memo.
Senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put on leave amid leak investigation
Dan Caldwell, a senior advisor to Pete Hegseth, has been put on leave amid a Pentagon investigation into an unauthorized disclosure, a defense official confirmed to CBS News.
Ukraine unveils its own Russian drone killer as U.S. backing wanes
Russia has peppered Ukraine with exploding drones for years. Now, worried about continued U.S. support, Kyiv is putting hope in a new, domestically made drone-killer.
Autism rate rises to 3% of children in CDC study
CDC experts were not made available to discuss the findings showing a rise in autism prevalence.
Trump questions Harvard's tax-exempt status after funding freeze
The federal government has frozen $2.2 billion in funding for the Ivy League school.
U.S.
More U.S.
Betsy Arakawa researched hantavirus symptoms before death, records show
Bodycam footage released Tuesday from inside Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's Sante Fe home showed their German shepherd "guarding her" body, a sheriff's deputy said.
Judge blocks WH from enforcing parts of executive order targeting law firm
President Trump has signed executive orders that seek to punish four major law firms for their legal work and lawyers who worked for them.
CDC weighing end to universal COVID shot recommendations
A majority of the agency's COVID-19 vaccine work group now backs narrower "risk-based" recommendations.
Tariffs will slam car sales and production, analysts say
President Trump's steep new tariffs on foreign cars could lead to a sharp decline in U.S. vehicle sales, according to S&P Global Mobility.
Deadline to claim $1,400 stimulus check is today. Here's what to know.
The IRS says that April 15 is the last day to file for a missed stimulus check, as well as to claim refunds from the 2021 tax year.
MoneyWatch
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Meta CEO Zuckerberg pushes back against FTC claims on Day 2 of trial
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is in federal court for a second day in a landmark federal antitrust trial accusing Meta of being a monopoly.
Tariffs will slam car sales and production, analysts say
President Trump's steep new tariffs on foreign cars could lead to a sharp decline in U.S. vehicle sales, according to S&P Global Mobility.
Deadline to claim $1,400 stimulus check is today. Here's what to know.
The IRS says that April 15 is the last day to file for a missed stimulus check, as well as to claim refunds from the 2021 tax year.
American Airlines to provide free Wi-Fi to some passengers
American Airlines said free Wi-Fi will be available to AAdvantage loyalty members through a partnership with AT&T.
To Peep or not Peep? The Easter holiday treat evokes strong reactions.
Love them or hate them, marshmallow Peeps are inescapable around the Easter holiday.
Politics
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Senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put on leave amid leak investigation
Dan Caldwell, a senior advisor to Pete Hegseth, has been put on leave amid a Pentagon investigation into an unauthorized disclosure, a defense official confirmed to CBS News.
IRS could cut up to 40% of workforce, memo indicates
The IRS's Reduction in Force plan states the agency could go from 102,000 employees to a target of 60,000 to 70,000, according to an internal memo.
Judge blocks WH from enforcing parts of executive order targeting law firm
President Trump has signed executive orders that seek to punish four major law firms for their legal work and lawyers who worked for them.
Meta CEO Zuckerberg pushes back against FTC claims on Day 2 of trial
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is in federal court for a second day in a landmark federal antitrust trial accusing Meta of being a monopoly.
AP says its reporters were blocked from Oval Office despite court order
A federal judge found that the White House likely violated the First Amendment when it restricted the AP's access to press events based on its refusal to use the name Gulf of America.
HealthWatch
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CDC weighing end to universal COVID shot recommendations
A majority of the agency's COVID-19 vaccine work group now backs narrower "risk-based" recommendations.
Autism rate rises to 3% of children in CDC study
CDC experts were not made available to discuss the findings showing a rise in autism prevalence.
Analysis: 1 in 5 organ donations being tossed
More than 100,000 Americans need an organ transplant to stay alive, and each day, 17 die waiting. But a CBS News analysis finds one out of five donated organs is being tossed out. Tom Hanson has the story behind that troubling statistic in tonight's "Eye on America."
Why donated organs are left unused
One of every three donated kidneys never gets transplanted. CBS News explores why a growing number are being discarded.
Study projects how much cancer is caused by CT scans
A new study is projecting how radiation from computed tomography imaging, or CT scans, could lead to future cancers.
World
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Russia convicts 4 journalists accused of working for Alexei Navalny
A Russian court convicted four journalists of extremism for working for an anti-corruption group founded by late opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Woman dead, client critical after cryotherapy session goes wrong
One woman died and another was hospitalized in critical condition due to a nitrogen leak from a cold chamber, French investigators said.
Ukraine unveils its own Russian drone killer as U.S. backing wanes
Russia has peppered Ukraine with exploding drones for years. Now, worried about continued U.S. support, Kyiv is putting hope in a new, domestically made drone-killer.
Ancient buried treasure unearthed by metal detectorists in Transylvania
A trove of buried treasure that metal detectorists recently discovered in Transylvania once belonged to an ancient people that inhabited the region in modern-day Romania.
U.N. condemns Israel as 2nd Gaza hospital hit in space of just 3 days
Gaza health officials say an Israeli strike on a field hospital killed a medic two days after another attack disabled the enclave's last functioning critical care facility.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
New documentary looks at the Carter family
In the new Paramount+ documentary "The Carters: Hurts to Love You," Aaron Carter's twin sister, Angel Carter Conrad, and director Soleil Moon Frye reflect on how addiction, mental health struggles and the pressures of fame affected Aaron and Nick Carter and their siblings.
Kim Kardashian to testify in 2016 Paris jewelry theft trial, lawyer says
The trial stems from a jewelry heist in October 2016 during which Kim Kardashian was held at gunpoint in her luxury Paris apartment by masked men.
Katy Perry sings "What a Wonderful World" during historic spaceflight
Pop star Katy Perry, one of the six women aboard Blue Origin's spaceflight, explained why she chose not to sing one of her own songs during the historic journey.
David Oyelowo on "Government Cheese"
Award-winning actor David Oyelowo joins "CBS Mornings" to talk about his latest role in "Government Cheese," where he plays a formerly incarcerated man trying to rebuild his life and reconnect with his family. The show marks his first major comedy role.
Aaron Carter faced "tremendous pressure" as a child star, sister says
Angel Carter, the twin sister of the late Aaron Carter, opened up about her brother's struggles growing up as a child star in a new Paramount+ documentary.
Technology
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Technology
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies at trial
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will take the stand Tuesday in a D.C. courtroom for a second round of testimony in an antitrust trial over his social media company. The federal government alleges the Facebook parent company bought up competing apps to create a monopoly.
Zuckerberg back on stand for antitrust trial
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is testifying for a second day in the Federal Trade Commission's antitrust trial against the tech giant. CBS News' Jo Ling Kent has the latest.
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.
Gayle King on experiencing zero gravity
"CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King shares what it felt like to float in space during her Blue Origin flight.
Why FTC alleges Meta is an illegal monopoly
Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand Monday in the Federal Trade Commission's landmark antitrust trial against the tech company. Kenneth Dintzer, a partner at Crowell & Moring and the former senior trial counsel at the Justice Department's antitrust division, joins "CBS Morning News" to discuss.
Science
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Can climate change really create zombie fungi, like in "The Last of Us"?
As the HBO series "The Last of Us" returns, fans wonder: How much of the chilling storyline about a fungal zombie pandemic is rooted in reality?
NOAA could face 25% budget cut, slashing climate research, in draft proposal
An internal government document proposes significant changes for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, hitting its research functions hardest.
Ancient jawbone found in sea linked to mysterious human ancestors
Relatively little is known about Denisovans, an extinct group of human cousins that interacted with Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.
Scientists map part of a mouse's brain that's so complex it looks like a galaxy
Thanks to a mouse watching clips from "The Matrix," scientists have created the largest functional map of a brain to date.
Ancient altar found in jungle apparently used for child sacrifices
The discovery shows the cultural interaction between the Maya of Tikal and Teotihuacan's elite between 300 and 500 A.D., archaeologists said.
Crime
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Read first statement of Conn. man allegedly held captive for 20 years
The man who said his stepmother held him captive for two decades has released his first public statement.
National Guard to Albuquerque to fight crime
The city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, says it needs the National Guard to help local police control crime. The New Mexico governor has declared a state of emergency in Albuquerque, clearing the way for several dozen troops to be deployed there. CBS News correspondent Jason Allen has more.
Weinstein's retrial begins in New York
Jury selection began Tuesday in Harvey Weinstein's retrial in New York after the state's highest court overturned his 2020 rape conviction. CBS News New York reporter Christina Fan has the details.
Man detained in Caribbean for famed crime reporter's 2021 murder
Authorities detained a man "who played a leading role" in the high-profile murder of crime reporter Peter R. de Vries, prosecutors said.
Pennsylvania arson suspect's alleged plans
The suspect tied to a fire at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's official residence could be in court as soon as Wednesday. State authorities say 38-year-old Cody Balmer is currently hospitalized for a medical event "not connected to Sunday's incident." Police say Balmer planned to beat Governor Shapiro with a hammer if he found him. CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul has more.
Space
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Aisha Bowe and Amanda Nguyen reflect on life-changing Blue Origin spaceflight
Aisha Bowe and Amanda Nguyen talk to "CBS Mornings" about how the Blue Origin spaceflight changed them for the better.
Gayle King says she can "take on anything" after space journey
"CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King, who before her spaceflight admitted that she's a nervous flyer, said she has a new confidence following her journey and revealed if she would do it again.
Dying star's "previously unseen layers" visible in new NASA image
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has given astronomers a detailed, never-before-seen look at a dying star.
Gayle King on spaceflight after launch
"CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King and an all-women crew blasted off from West Texas on a Blue Origin rocket for a roughly 10-minute journey to the edge of space on Monday. King later spoke about what surprised her during the flight. CBS News senior national correspondent Mark Strassmann has more.
Blue Origin's latest space tourism step
"CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King was among the historic six-women crew for Monday's Blue Origin flight to the edge of space. Mark Strassmann reports on the launch and what it means for space tourism.
Latest Galleries
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"Hands Off!": Americans across country protest Trump, Musk
Hundreds of thousands took to the streets, in Washington, D.C. and other cities across the United States, in opposition to the policies of Donald Trump, in the largest protests since he returned to the presidency.
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.
Husband pieces together wife's last movements to find out how she was killed
A look into a grieving husband Jan Cilliers' investigative work after his wife Christy Giles and her friend Hilda Marcela Cabrales died after a night out.
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.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Latest CBS News Videos
Farmer says Trump's tariffs are destructive
President Trump has vowed that his tariffs will ultimately benefit America's farmers, but at least one farmer feels otherwise. John Boyd, President of the National Black Farmers Association, joins "America Decides" to discuss the tariffs' impact and how the government could help farmers.
Law expert on Trump's court order challenges
Georgetown University law professor Andrew Schoenholtz joins "America Decides" to discuss the Trump administration's treatment of the courts and targeting of higher education.
Hearing on mistakenly deported man
The case of a Maryland father mistakenly deported to El Salvador headed back to court on Tuesday, 24 hours after El Salvador's president backed the Trump administration in refusing to bring the man home. CBS News' Fin Gomez and Weijia Jiang have the latest.
Gayle King on her feelings ahead of launch
"CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King's expression ahead of Blue Origin's spaceflight on Monday launched memes. She tells CBS News' Vladimir Duthiers what she was thinking at the time, and shares admiration for the crew on CBS News 24/7.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia's wife speaks out
A federal court hearing is taking place Tuesday between the Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and Justice Department lawyers. Prior to the hearing, Garcia's wife spoke out. CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson breaks down the case.