Major story — airport disruptions and travel chaos
A partial federal government shutdown has left tens of thousands of Transportation Security Administration officers unpaid, triggering a surge in sick calls and walkouts that produced hours‑long security lines and forced some checkpoints to close. About 10% of TSA officers nationwide called out on one recent day — roughly five times a normal rate — and some airports have reduced lanes or closed checkpoints entirely. Atlanta experienced nearly 40% of its TSA staff absent, creating multihour waits; Houston’s Bush airport logged waits above 100 minutes, San Juan about 86 minutes, and Chicago O’Hare around an hour. Philadelphia announced that half its security checkpoints would close the next day. Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl warned that further callouts could force airport shutdowns. Travelers were urged to check current wait times on airport websites and allow extra time for security screening.
Storms and extremes — widespread cleanup and contrasting weather
A powerful cross‑country storm left mixed impacts. In the Northeast and Midwest, heavy snow and hazardous travel snarled roads and closed interstates — Watertown, New York reported crashes that closed a highway, and parts of Minnesota received more than two feet of snow. Further south, severe thunderstorms and hurricane‑force wind gusts caused structural damage and downed trees, including one Atlanta home where a fallen tree injured a 95‑year‑old resident. In the West, unseasonable heat pushed some Los Angeles neighborhoods near 100°F and prompted preparations for heat‑related illness, while parts of the Southeast faced freeze warnings and a sharp drop in temperatures after the system moved through.
Supreme Court chief justice comments
In uncommon public remarks, Chief Justice John Roberts defended judicial independence, calling it absurd to suggest judges simply execute the views of officials who appointed them and urging an end to personalized criticism of federal judges.
U.S. politics and national security
– A top Trump administration counterterror official, identified as National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent, resigned and publicly criticized a decision to attack Iran, saying Iran posed no imminent threat and alleging outside influence on the decision. President Trump dismissed Kent’s claims and said Kent was “out” for questioning the threat assessment. The resignation revealed divisions among administration allies and conservative media.
– The Republican‑led House Oversight Committee subpoenaed former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify about Jeffrey Epstein files and the Justice Department’s handling of records that must be released under law; Bondi and a deputy were scheduled to meet with the committee.
– In the Middle East, a new wave of strikes and counterstrikes raised questions about Iran’s leadership. Israeli strikes were reported to have killed senior Iranian figures, including Ali Larijani (identified in reporting as a security chief), and U.S. and Israeli actions reportedly decimated elements of Iran’s senior leadership. The hostilities prompted missile and drone barrages across the region and widespread use of advanced interceptors such as Israel’s Arrow 3. U.S. officials said more than 200 service members were wounded across seven countries, most of whom have returned to duty, while defense officials closely monitored interceptor inventories and war‑fighting capabilities.
Search for missing woman in Tucson
Investigators probing the disappearance of Nancy (sometimes reported as Nancy Guthrie) recovered additional surveillance footage from cameras at the Tucson property showing the backyard, pool, driveway and garage. The images included family members and workers in prior weeks but nothing investigators deemed suspicious; the only known suspect image remains the previously released doorbell camera video. Law enforcement continues forensic DNA analysis and genetic genealogy work, which officials say can take time and yield multiple leads that must be checked. The FBI reported receiving more than 1,500 tips after the family announced a reward; after 45 days investigators renewed the call for public assistance.
Cuba unrest and U.S. remarks
Havana and other cities experienced rolling blackouts and shortages after U.S. actions reduced Cuba’s access to Venezuelan oil. Hundreds protested, and some demonstrations turned violent. President Trump said he would “do something with Cuba very soon” and suggested it would be an honor to take the island, remarks that heightened tensions as Cubans described prolonged outages and worsening daily hardships.
Fireball over the central U.S.
A bright fireball streaked from Maryland to Michigan, producing a loud sonic boom. NASA trackers said the object was roughly a six‑foot meteoroid, about seven tons, entering the atmosphere at roughly 45,000 miles per hour and exploding over Medina County, Ohio; some small fragments reached the ground. NASA experts noted such fireballs appear over North America about once a month and most space rocks vaporize before impact.
New York City high‑rise fire
A rooftop fire during renovations on a Manhattan high‑rise near Times Square sent thick black smoke across the area and briefly disrupted parts of the city. Fire officials said the blaze began in rooftop HVAC equipment; three people were reported injured and firefighters brought the fire under control.
‘Grandparents’ Happy Hour’ licensing debate
In Minnesota, a senior living community was told it needed a liquor license to serve alcohol at group gatherings, prompting residents — including people in their mid‑90s — and lawmakers to push for a state exemption. A local bill was introduced to allow assisted living social events to serve alcohol without the current licensing requirements.
From the CBS Evening News desk
Reporters tracked the aviation staffing and security crisis as the partial shutdown continued and lawmakers negotiated DHS funding, documented cleanup and heat alerts tied to the storm system, and filed international reports on the rapidly evolving Middle East strikes and their political fallout in Washington.
What to watch and do
If you’re flying, check airport and airline updates, expect longer lines, and build in extra time for security. Follow local weather alerts for heat, freeze and severe‑storm advisories. Anyone with information about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is asked to contact law enforcement; investigators continue to seek tips.
The CBS Evening News broadcast combined field reporting, weather coverage and national security analysis to track these fast‑moving stories and their local and international consequences.