Nature: Spring in the Great Smoky Mountains
This Sunday morning we visit Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. Videographer: Scot Miller
Tennessee
Biden says "stay tuned" on reelection bid
President Biden called the Tennessee Republican legislature's move to expel three fellow lawmakers for joining in a protest for gun control "shocking" and "undemocratic" while meeting with the "Tennessee Three," Democratic Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, in the Oval Office on Monday. As members of the press were ushered out of the room, the president said "stay tuned" when asked about running for reelection in 2024.
"Tennessee Three" to meet with Biden on guns
The lawmakers dubbed the "Tennessee Three" will meet with President Biden at the White House Monday. The conversation will focus on how to move forward with common sense gun reform. Earlier this month, Democratic Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson all faced expulsion votes by the state legislature after joining a group of protesters at the state capitol following the mass shooting at a school in Nashville. Jones and Pearson were ousted from their roles and later reinstated by local councils. Johnson survived by a single vote and joined CBS News to talk about their upcoming meeting with the president.
Lizzo protests Tennessee law by bringing drag queens on stage at her Knoxville show
The singer protested a law restricting drag shows in Tennessee by bringing 20 drag queens out on stage during her Knoxville show Friday.
Tennessee state GOP lawmaker resigns over ethics complaint
State Rep. Scotty Campbell voted to expel the "Tennessee Three" about a week after an ethics committee found that he had violated workplace discrimination policy.
Tennessee gun-control push at crossroads as proposal stalls
Chances are shrinking fast for a key gun-control proposal to make it out of the Tennessee Legislature.
Biden to meet with "Tennessee Three" on Monday, White House says
Democratic Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson faced expulsion votes for joining protests that called for gun control on the House floor.
Air National Guardsman arrested after applying to work as hitman, FBI says
Josiah Ernesto Garcia nicknamed "Reaper," filled out the job application on the "Rent-a-Hitman" site, according to court documents.
Capitol rioter who crushed officer with shield sentenced
A man who used a stolen riot shield to crush a police officer in a doorframe during Capitol riot has been sentenced for his role in one of the most violent episodes of the Jan. 6 attack.
Second ousted Tennessee lawmaker reappointed
The second Tennessee lawmaker ousted after a gun control protest has been reappointed to his seat. Justin Pearson will join state Rep. Justin Jones in the state legislature. Mark Strassmann joins "CBS News Mornings" to share what the response to their return has been.
Second ousted Tennessee lawmaker reinstated
In Tennessee, two Black Democratic lawmakers were reinstated to the state legislature after they were kicked out by Republicans last week for leading a protest over gun reform. Mark Strassmann reports on how the second lawmaker was vindicated.
Second lawmaker reinstated in Tennessee
A second Black Democratic lawmaker has been reinstated after being expelled from the Tennessee state House. The Shelby County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to reappoint Justin Pearson to serve as his own interim replacement until the state's upcoming special election. He and Democrat Justin Jones were booted last week after they joined gun reform protests on the house floor. Mark Strassmann has more.
Second expelled Tennessee lawmaker reinstated
Justin Pearson, one of two Tennessee lawmakers who were expelled last week from the state House for taking part in a protest demanding gun reform in the wake of the Nashville shooting, was unanimously reinstated Wednesday by county officials in Memphis. The other, Justin Jones, was reinstated Monday by the Nashville Metro Council. Mark Strassmann has more.
Tennessee state Rep. Justin Pearson reinstated
Tennessee's Shelby County Board of Commissioners has unanimously voted to reinstate Democrat Justin Pearson to the state's House of Representatives. Pearson was one of two Democrats expelled by the Republican supermajority last week for participating in anti-gun protests on the chamber floor. The Associated Press's Kimberlee Kruesi joins CBS News with the latest.
Tenn. State Rep. Justin Pearson reinstated
County officials in Memphis voted unanimously on Wednesday to reappoint Justin Pearson to the Tennessee House of Representatives, less than a week after the legislature voted to expel him and another Black Democratic lawmaker for participating in a protest against gun violence. See the live reaction to the reinstatement.
Memphis commissioners reappoint ousted representative to Tennessee House
"Nashville thought that they could silence democracy," Pearson said following the vote.
Vote to be held to reinstate lawmaker
Tennessee's Shelby County Board of Commissioners is set to vote on reappointing Justin Perason back to his seat in the state's House today. Pearson is one of two Black Democrats who was kicked out by the Republican supermajority in the chamber last week. CBS News senior national correspondent Mark Strassman joins us from Memphis with more.
How drag queens got dragged into politics
Tennessee Republican lawmakers are leading efforts to ban drag performances, claiming they want to protect children. Critics say such laws are discriminatory, specifically targeting the LGBTQIA+ community.
Who is Justin Jones? Tennessee lawmaker expelled from House
"A state in which the Ku Klux Klan was founded is now attempting another power grab by silencing the two youngest Black representatives," Jones said on the House floor.
Ousted lawmaker faces reappointment vote
Former Tennessee state Rep. Justin Pearson could be reinstated Wednesday, days after another member of the state legislature, Justin Jones, was given his seat back by Nashville's city council. CBS News senior national correspondent Mark Strassmann joins "CBS News Mornings" to with more on the recently expelled lawmakers.
Tennessee lawmaker reinstated after expulsion
Tennessee state Rep. Justin Jones is returning to the chamber following a unanimous vote by the Nashville City Council to reinstate him. Jones is one of two Tennessee state representatives expelled by a Republican-controlled legislature last week for joining a protest against gun violence. The remaining representative, former Rep. Justin J. Pearson, may be reinstated as early as Wednesday. Mark Strassmann reports.
Tennessee move to cut Nashville council in half blocked by judges
A panel of judges has temporarily blocked a new requirement state GOP lawmakers passed that would cut the Democratic-leaning city of Nashville's Metropolitan Council from 40 members to 20.
Tennessee lawmaker reinstated after expulsion
The Nashville City Council has voted unanimously to reinstate one of the Tennessee state representatives expelled last week for joining a protest against gun violence. Justin Jones will serve as interim representative, and will have to run in a special election to keep the seat for the rest of the term. Mark Strassmann has the latest from Nashville.
Expelled Tennessee lawmakers seek reappointments
Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, both of whom are Black, were ousted from the Republican-led Tennessee House for joining a protest over gun control on the House floor.
Support grows for the "Tennessee Three"
After two lawmakers were expelled from the Tennessee legislature and a third representative barely kept her seat on Thursday, protests against the the decision have only increased. Vice President Kamala Harris is traveling to Nashville this weekend. Scott McFarlane has more.
Trump selects Pam Bondi for attorney general after Gaetz withdraws
President-elect Donald Trump made the announcement Thursday evening after Matt Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration.
Guns, ammunition flowing from U.S. to Latin America and Caribbean
U.S. guns are fueling conflict in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Pete Hegseth meets with GOP senators seeking support for expected nomination
Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth was with Vice President-elect JD Vance on Capitol Hill on Thursday.
Education secretary pick Linda McMahon named in WWE child sex abuse lawsuit
The suit claims McMahon and others at the WWE were aware of misconduct decades ago and negligent in failing to prevent it.
Bob Casey concedes Pennsylvania Senate race to Dave McCormick
Incumbent Sen. Bob Casey on Thursday conceded in the U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania to Dave McCormick.
Israel stands by as aid convoys come under attack in Gaza
A truck driver claims Israeli tanks and an Israeli drone watched as the aid convoy he was with was attacked in Gaza. But Israel's military says it is not responsible for protecting the aid.
McBride: GOP trying to "manufacture a crisis" with bathroom ban
Sarah McBride, set to be the first transgender member of Congress, talked with CBS News' Scott MacFarlane and commented on the GOP's effort to restrict bathroom use.
Alabama carries out nation's third nitrogen gas execution
An Alabama prisoner convicted of the 1994 murder of a female hitchhiker became the third person executed by nitrogen gas in both the U.S. and Alabama.
Drug "several times" stronger than fentanyl linked to California overdose death
The U.S. Department of Justice filed charges in what could be the nation's first death-resulting criminal case involving a synthetic opioid that is possibly more dangerous than fentanyl.
U.S.
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Guns, ammunition flowing from U.S. to Latin America and Caribbean
U.S. guns are fueling conflict in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Pete Hegseth meets with GOP senators to secure support for expected nomination
Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth was with Vice President-elect JD Vance on Capitol Hill on Thursday.
Shohei Ohtani named NL MVP after record-setting Dodgers season
Shohei Ohtani becomes the second player named MVP in both the American and National leagues.
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge easily wins second AL MVP Award
Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge was a unanimous pick to win his second American League Most Valuable Player Award in three seasons on Thursday.
Trump selects Pam Bondi for attorney general after Gaetz withdraws
President-elect Donald Trump made the announcement Thursday evening after Matt Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration.
MoneyWatch
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Bitcoin hovers around $100,000 as post-election rally rolls on
While some are bullish, other experts warn of investment risks as what comes next is impossible to know.
Trump's proposed tariffs could raise U.S. grocery prices, analysis finds
Donald Trump's proposed tariffs could raise costs for U.S. consumers, economists say. Here's how much grocery bills could rise.
BJ's Wholesale Club hikes membership fees for first time since 2018
Warehouse chain follows rival Costco in raising amount its 7.5 million members must pay to shop at BJ's stores.
Bezos denies Musk claim that the Amazon founder predicted Trump loss
Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos — the two richest people on the planet — are squabbling over social media. No, really.
Here's where Elon Musk says his DOGE will aim to cut federal spending
Billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy say the Department of Government Efficiency has targets in mind for cost cutting.
Politics
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Israel stands by as aid convoys come under attack in Gaza
A truck driver claims Israeli tanks and an Israeli drone watched as the aid convoy he was with was attacked in Gaza. But Israel's military says it is not responsible for protecting the aid.
Pete Hegseth meets with GOP senators to secure support for expected nomination
Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth was with Vice President-elect JD Vance on Capitol Hill on Thursday.
Trump selects Pam Bondi for attorney general after Gaetz withdraws
President-elect Donald Trump made the announcement Thursday evening after Matt Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration.
Nikki Haley criticizes Trump Cabinet picks Tulsi Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Haley said of Kennedy, Trump's pick to be HHS secretary, that he has no background in health care and accused Gabbard, tapped for DNI, of repeating "Russian talking points."
Bob Casey concedes Pennsylvania Senate race to Dave McCormick
Incumbent Sen. Bob Casey on Thursday conceded in the U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania to Dave McCormick.
HealthWatch
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Anti-fraud efforts meet real-world test during ACA enrollment period
The federal government put guardrails in place to limit unauthorized plan sign-ups and switches. But the changes could prove to be a burden to consumers.
Life expectancy gap in the U.S. widens to 20 years: "Truly alarming"
Life expectancy in the United States varies by more than 20 years depending on race and ethnicity and where you live, according to new research.
RFK Jr. weighing FDA crackdown on food additives under Trump
Kennedy's team is weighing a significant rewrite of the FDA's rules.
Why the latest bird flu case has experts worried about pandemic potential
A new potential case of bird flu in a California child without known contact with infected animals is raising concerns about a potential pandemic. Dr. Céline Gounder explains what to know.
New cases of bird flu in U.S.
CBS News medical contributor Dr. Celine Gounder joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss the latest on bird flu as new cases raise alarms among health officials. There have been 53 confirmed human cases across seven states this year. Health officials in California are reporting a possible case in a child who had no known contact with an infected animal.
World
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Guns, ammunition flowing from U.S. to Latin America and Caribbean
U.S. guns are fueling conflict in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Suspicious package causes security scare near U.S. Embassy in London
London police said a "loud bang" heard near the U.S. Embassy was a controlled explosion carried out after a suspicious package was discovered.
More tourists die after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos as several people held
The death toll has inched up after tourists drank tainted alcohol in the tourist town of Vang Vieng, Laos. Authorities say several people are in custody.
Israel stands by as aid convoys come under attack in Gaza
A truck driver claims Israeli tanks and an Israeli drone watched as the aid convoy he was with was attacked in Gaza. But Israel's military says it is not responsible for protecting the aid.
Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro indicted over alleged coup attempt
Former president Jair Bolsonaro and 36 other people were indicted for allegedly attempting a coup to keep him in office after his defeat in the 2022 elections.
Entertainment
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Connie Nielsen on returning to "Gladiator" after 24 years
Connie Nielsen opens up about returning as Lucilla in "Gladiator II," reuniting with director Ridley Scott and exploring her character's emotional journey.
Shelby Lynne on how personal struggles and friendships impacted her music
Singer-songwriter Shelby Lynne opens up about her new album and how her friendships helped save her when she thought her recording career could be over.
Malcolm Washington on "The Piano Lesson"
Making his feature directorial debut, Malcolm Washington brings August Wilson's Pulitzer-winning play to the screen with help from his father, Denzel Washington and siblings John David and Katia
Connie Nielsen on returning to "Gladiator"
Ahead of the sequel's release, Connie Nielsen joins "CBS Mornings" to talk about stepping back into the world of Ridley Scott's epic saga and her character's emotional journey.
Shelby Lynne on her journey and new album
After overcoming years of personal struggles, Grammy winner Shelby Lynne is back with her first album in years. She tells Anthony Mason why her return to recording came as a surprise, even to her.
Technology
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Technology
Australia could ban social media for kids
Australian legislators introduced a landmark bill Thursday to ban social media for children under 16. CBS News London's Leigh Kiniry reports on what this could mean for social media companies.
DOJ targets Google's search engine monopoly
The Department of Justice on Wednesday filed a motion calling for Google to sell its Chrome search engine, arguing in court documents that "the playing field is not level." The Justice Department is also recommending dissolving any contracts in which Google is the default search engine on devices such as iPhones. 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.
Bitcoin hovers around $100,000 as post-election rally rolls on
While some are bullish, other experts warn of investment risks as what comes next is impossible to know.
Bezos denies Musk claim that the Amazon founder predicted Trump loss
Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos — the two richest people on the planet — are squabbling over social media. No, really.
Science
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Iceland volcano flares in region's 7th eruption in one year
A volcano erupted in southern Iceland, near the town of Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon spa, marking the region's seventh eruption in a year.
How collecting pine cones helps renew Oregon forests after wildfires
Conservationists are teaming up with the U.S. Forest Service and logging companies to clear scorched land and make room for new reforestation projects.
Restoring forests decimated by wildfires
Large wildfires fueled by climate change have destroyed tens of millions of acres of forests in the Pacific Northwest in recent years. Jonathan Vigliotti explores a major effort underway to restore those forests.
Giraffes need endangered species protection, U.S. officials say
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed new protections for giraffes, saying their populations are threatened by poaching, habitat loss and climate change.
Carcass of massive endangered whale washes ashore in Alaska
The carcass was comparable to the width of a college basketball court and female, according to biologists.
Crime
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Georgia woman convicted of killing her toddler gets life in prison
Leilani Simon was spared the maximum punishment of life without a chance of parole.
Guns, ammunition flowing from U.S. to Latin America and Caribbean
U.S. guns are fueling conflict in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Alleged LA County drug distributor charged with dealing opioid more powerful than fentanyl
The U.S. Department of Justice filed charges in what could be the nation's first death-resulting criminal case involving a synthetic opioid that is possibly more dangerous than fentanyl.
Mexican cartel leader who faked own death arrested in California
Cristian Fernando Gutierrez-Ochoa — the son-in-law of Jalisco New Generation cartel leader "El Mencho" — was arrested in Riverside, California, officials said.
Alleged New York Stock Exchange terror plot
The FBI has arrested a Florida man who's accused of plotting to bomb the New York Stock Exchange. CBS News New York reporter Allen Devlin has more.
Space
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Space
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.
SpaceX launches Super Heavy-Starship, with Trump there to watch
President-elect Donald Trump was on hand with Elon Musk for the sixth test flight of SpaceX's huge Super Heavy-Starship rocket.
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.
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.
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
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Latest CBS News Videos
Addressing the U.S. shortage of Black doctors
There's a major effort underway to bring more Black doctors into hospitals and examination rooms nationwide, and that effort is focused on easing the burden of medical school for students at historically Black colleges and universities. Jericka Duncan has more.
Australia could ban social media for kids
Australian legislators introduced a landmark bill Thursday to ban social media for children under 16. CBS News London's Leigh Kiniry reports on what this could mean for social media companies.
2024 Thanksgiving food costs
The American Farm Bureau Federation's annual survey found a difference between 2024 and 2023 Thanksgiving dinner prices. Business Insider senior personal finance reporter Jennifer Streaks discusses the cost changes and how to find meal deals.
Alex Jones sues The Onion
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones filed a lawsuit this week to try to block the sale of his right-wing company Infowars to satirical publisher The Onion. CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson breaks it down.
Russia, Ukraine war update
The Pentagon said Russia fired an experimental intermediate range ballistic missile at central Ukraine on Thursday. CBS News foreign correspondent Holly Williams reports.