Harvests are at risk in California. Part of the reason: immigration raids that have left as many as 70% of field workers too scared to show up. Some farmers are looking to technology for help.

Shasta Lake

California's agricultural sector is facing significant labor shortages, with as many as 70% of field workers reportedly too afraid to work due to recent immigration raids. This has left over 85,000 farm jobs unfilled each year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In response, some farmers are adopting robotic technology to perform tasks such as planting, harvesting, and weed control.

Despite the availability of advanced machines, current California regulations restrict the use of fully autonomous robots on farms, often requiring a human to be present. Industry leaders are advocating for updated legislation to accommodate new technology, hoping that automation will not only address labor shortages but also attract a new generation of farmers.

Farmers turn to robots as immigration raids scare off workers

Tonight, harvests are at risk in California, part of the reason immigration raids that have left as many as 70% of field workers too scared to even show up. CBS's Etai Hod reports how some farmers are getting help from an unexpected source. In California's Central Valley, known as America's fruit basket, picking strawberries can break more than just a sweat. But for farmer Larry Jacobs, who spent four decades growing some of the most sought-after chives, basil, and tomatoes, the biggest struggle isn't growing crops. It's finding enough hands to work the fields, a challenge made even harder by recent immigration raids. We've had some people who resign because of the change and say, hey, we're just gonna go back to Mexico. Because they're too afraid? Yeah, they're just, yes. With more than 85,000 farm jobs left unfilled each year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, small growers like Jacobs are turning to high-tech. From punching holes for seedlings to shaking nuts from trees and even scorching weeds with flames, these robots are saving small farms from going under. But even though these machines are ready to work, the law isn't. In California, state regulations prohibit the use of autonomous machines on farms in most cases requiring a human to stay close by. At some point soon, you know, I think you'll be able to farm from your office. Tyler Niday, CEO of Bonsai Robotics, the company behind these machines, says these regulations were written back in the 1970s. There's a huge push right now to rewrite this legislation based around autonomy, because we now know things about it. With the average farmer now 58, Jacobs hopes automation might plant the seed for a new generation of growers. If you can take the grunge work out of it and make it interesting with the technology, that's just gonna create a lot of excitement. It's already happening. And maybe, just maybe, help cultivate a whole new crop of farmers. Itai Hott, CBS News, Watsonville, California.

Centrist Rodrigo Paz won Bolivia's presidential runoff, defeating conservative rival Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, as the country's worst economic crisis in a generation helped propel the end of nearly two decades of leftist rule.

La Paz

Centrist Rodrigo Paz wins Bolivian presidency

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Beirut

Lebanon orders Hannibal Gadhafi’s release after 10 years

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Kowloon

Two killed after cargo plane veers off runway in Hong Kong

Thieves wielding power tools have struck at the famed Louvre Museum in Paris, stealing priceless jewels in a brazen heist that took just four minutes, according to the government. The thieves struck after the museum had already opened its doors to the public, with a major investigation now underway.

Paris

‘Priceless’ jewels stolen from France’s Louvre Museum in four-minute heist

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Bogotá

Trump ending aid to Colombia after 'murder' accusation

The Israel-Hamas ceasefire is under pressure, as the Israeli military carries out strikes on southern Gaza and accuses Hamas of opening fire on its forces. Meanwhile, Israel alleges Hamas is stalling on returning the remains of deceased hostages.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

Israel, Hamas clash in major test of U.S.-backed ceasefire

The National Guard could soon be on Chicago’s streets after US President Donald Trump took his case to the country’s highest court - the conservative-leaning Supreme Court.  The President says the city is a war zone - and is in the midst of a rebellion, as residents protest his migrant deportation policy.

Chicago

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Beijing

China expels nine senior officials from Communist Party

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Washington

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Doha

Afghanistan, Pakistan agree to immediate ceasefire, Qatar says

France's world-famous Louvre museum in Paris was forced to close on Sunday after thieves broke into Apollo Gallery and stole valuable crown jewels.

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Anti-Trump "No Kings" protests held across U.S.

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Portland

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Trump says survivors of U.S. drug submersible will be sent home

The U.S. State Department issued a warning that Hamas appeared to be planning an attack 'against Palestinian civilians,' warning that such an attack would 'constitute a direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement'.

State Dept. flags ceasefire violation by Hamas

Britain's Prince Andrew said on Friday he would give up using his title of Duke of York following years of criticism about his behavior and connections to the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Windsor

Prince Andrew gives up title of Duke of York

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy came to the White House on Friday looking for weapons to keep fighting his country's war with Russia, but met an American president who appears more intent on brokering a peace deal than upgrading Kyiv’s arsenal.

Ukraine Invasion

Trump pauses on sending Tomahawks to Ukraine

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Caracas

Venezuela on high-alert amid U.S strikes

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Kipnuk

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President Trump announced that he has commuted former New York Rep. George Santos' sentence on Friday in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.

President Trump commutes George Santos' sentence

The head of the World Trade Organization said on Thursday (October 16) she is urging the U.S. and China to de-escalate trade tensions, warning that a decoupling between the world's two largest economies could reduce global economic output by 7% over the longer-term.

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John Bolton pleaded not guilty at a Maryland federal court on Friday (October 17). This comes after the former Trump administration national security adviser was indicted on 18 counts for his alleged mishandling of classified information.

Greenbelt

John Bolton pleads not guilty to criminal charges

Buckingham Palace announced Friday that Prince Andrew is giving up his royal titles. This comes after a posthumous memoir by Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre emerged.

London

Prince Andrew giving up his royal titles, Buckingham Palace says

U.S. President Donald Trump is meeting at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Friday as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues. On Thursday, Trump spent more than two hours on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump set to meet with Zelenskyy

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Trump questions sending Tomahawks to Ukraine after Putin call

At least one person was killed and dozens of police officers injured in widespread protests overnight in Peru against President Jose Jeri, who assumed power just days ago. The government will declare a state of emergency in Lima within hours and is preparing a package of measures to tackle rising insecurity.

Lima

Peru to impose state of emergency after violent clashes

The espionage case against Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash collapsed after government officials refused to testify under oath that China posed a threat to national security.

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NATO is increasing its capabilities on its eastern flank after recent Russian drone incursions. At the same time the EU has announced a major defence policy roadmap aimed at deterring threats from Russia.

Šiauliai

NATO, EU step up defences to deter Russia

The U.S. military flew three B-52 bombers on missions near the coast of Venezuela, according to a Global Strike Command spokesperson and a U.S. official, as the Trump administration continues to exert pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government.

Breakdown