Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré is widely credited with bringing calm to chaos as he led the Army's joint task force in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina 20 years ago.

New Orleans

Retired Army Lieutenant General Russell Honore, known for leading the military's response to Hurricane Katrina, has expressed concern over discussions about dismantling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Honore acknowledged that while improvements are needed within FEMA, he cautioned against eliminating the agency, emphasizing its critical role in disaster response and humanitarian assistance.

Honore also reflected on the challenges faced during Katrina and the ongoing need for preparedness in storm-prone communities. He advocated for reforms such as local pre-registration of residents to streamline recovery efforts and highlighted the vulnerability created by recent staff reductions at FEMA. Honore believes that while New Orleans is better prepared for future disasters, continued vigilance and readiness are essential.

Retired Lt. Gen. who led Katrina response on FEMA: "Don't destroy it"

On any given day, mother nature can break anything built by man. Retired Army Lieutenant General Russell Honore would know. So please, I apologize to you. This is the general 20 years ago, just two days after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. I want that on the ground so the trucks can go get another load. Yes, sir. Famous for his no-nonsense leadership style. Weapons down! Weapons down, dammit! Honore is widely credited with bringing calm to chaos as he led the Army's Joint Task Force Katrina. Yeah, this is red. We met General Honore at his family's ranch in Baton Rouge this summer. He told us he was concerned about the state of FEMA this hurricane season. It's just a matter of time before another big one hits. Are we ready? If you had asked me that question six months ago, I think we're more mentally prepared and our federal government was better postured. What about the idea that FEMA may not even exist? There are those in the White House talking about getting rid of it. There are things that can be improved at FEMA. Don't destroy it, fix it. It is mixed over here, the Department of Homeland Security that are fighting terrorists. FEMA is designed for health and humanity. FEMA and local officials were criticized for a slow and callous response in the days after Hurricane Katrina. Honore stepped in and orchestrated the military's rescue and recovery efforts. Describe the people that you saw. I saw people waiting to be evacuated. I saw elderly people on the sidewalk. I saw women with babies there. You saw a humanitarian situation. And that's what it was. These days, Honore says his mission is still to sound the alarm for people living in storm-prone communities. We've seen thousands of people getting cut from FEMA. Yes, sir. That's a big impact. That leaves people vulnerable. That leaves people vulnerable. It expands the living hell of recovery. When you've lost your home, recovery is a living hell. General Honore is now 77. He's written three books. Highly sought after speaker, even to this day. Does he think New Orleans is ready for the next big one? He feels largely, yes, is the answer to that. He feels that the wall has been built, right? He said even if you build a 22-foot wall, if it's 23 feet of surge, that's a problem. So to keep an eye on that. But he feels like they've done all the steps that they can. And what about communities? What can they do to be prepared? His idea is that you pre-register people locally, right? So that insurance companies have all the information, then when disaster strikes, there's all the information there, and they can go through the registry rather than scrambling. You have nothing when you've lost it all, right? Papers are gone. So big idea. You know it's coming. Be ready for it. It's not if, but when.

Strikes on the Nasser hospital in Gaza that left at least 20 people dead, including rescuers, journalists and health-care workers are being met with global outrage. The Israeli military is investigating what Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netnayahu called a ‘tragic mishap.’

Middle East Conflict

Israeli PM calls deadly strikes on Gaza hospital a ‘tragic mishap’

Kilmar Abrego Garcia is back in ICE custody and is facing deportation to Uganda, the Department of Homeland Security says, after he was released from criminal custody last week.

Baltimore

Abrego Garcia in ICE custody, court blocks immediate deportation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he will meet with the U.S. and other countries this week to discuss a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at reaching a ceasefire.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskiy say he will meet with U.S., others on potential Putin talks

U.S. President Donald Trump says Chicago could be the next city to see National Guard deployment, sparking strong opposition from Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, who argue crime is already falling and federal intervention is unnecessary.

Chicago

Trump threatens to send National Guard troops to Chicago

Four journalists working with Reuters, Al Jazeera and others were killed in explosions at a Gaza hospital. Gaza officials blame Israeli drone strikes, though CBS News has not independently verified the claims.

Jerusalem

Four journalists reported dead after Gaza hospital blasts

U.S. National Guard troops patrolling the streets of Washington D.C. as part of what President Donald Trump said was his crackdown on crime began carrying weapons on Sunday night, two officials said.

Washington

National Guard patrolling Washington DC begin carrying weapons

In a visit to Kyiv, Prime Minister Mark Carney affirmed Canada’s support for Ukraine and committed to sending soldiers if a ceasefire with Russia is reached.

Carney in Kyiv pledges support, possibly troops for Ukraine

The Pickett Fire is growing in California's Napa County, prompting new evacuations as it threatens homes and wineries. The flames, fueled by scorching temperatures and dry conditions, are being battled by hundreds of first responders.

Napa Valley

Evacuations ordered in California as heatwave fuels wildfire

Democrats are pushing back against President Trump's plan to send the National Guard to more cities, including Chicago, New York and Baltimore, as troops continue to patrol Washington, D.C. State and local leaders say they have crime under control.

Democrats slam Trump's plans to send National Guard to more cities

Beef prices are at record highs with the average price of a pound of ground beef topping $6. Lisa Rozner reports on what's causing prices to soar.

Why U.S beef prices are soaring

A defiant Ukraine marked its independence from the former Soviet Union Sunday amid more fighting with Russia. Chris Livesay reports on how world leaders joined in, voicing their support.

Ukraine marks its Independence Day as war with Russia continues

The boats are produced by unknown Turkish companies and are then sent disassembled in multiple shipments to avoid suspicion in what authorities say is for the sole purpose of trafficking migrants across the English Channel.

Sofia

Inflatable boats used for migrant trafficking seized

Less than 24 hours after he was released from jail, Kilmar Ábrego García was told that U.S. immigration officials plan to deport him to Uganda. The Salvadoran national, who has been living illegally in the U.S. since about 2011, was wrongly deported to his home country earlier this year.

Maryland

Kilmar Abrego Garcia told he may be sent to Uganda

Erik and Lyle Menendez remain behind bars, their hopes for release dashed by two separate parole boards more than three decades after murdering their parents. Elise Preston reports.

Los Angeles

Erik and Lyle Menendez denied parole

Tourism in Las Vegas is slumping this summer, costing the city billions. That could signal trouble ahead for the U.S. economy. Andres Gutierrez has new details.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas tourism slumps this summer, signaling trouble for U.S. economy

Texas Republicans took a victory lap after an early morning vote Saturday that sought to give their party an edge during the 2026 midterms. Democrats in Texas plan to challenge the legality of the new congressional map, saying it dilutes the power of minorities.

Austin

Texas Republicans take victory lap after redistricting vote

Israel has called the United Nations' declaration of famine in parts of Gaza an "outright lie," but multiple U.N. bodies, more than 100 humanitarian groups, and several of Israel's own allies have warned for months that the war is causing starvation among civilians.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel denies U.N.'s declaration of famine in parts of Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump says he will impose sanctions on Russia if it fails to reach a peace deal in Ukraine within two weeks. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia’s ongoing attacks on his country show that President Vladimir Putin is not interested in peace.

Putin’s not interested in peace talks, Zelenskyy says

Lyle Menendez was denied parole late Friday night following a day-long hearing in California, just one day after his brother Erik's parole appeal was also rejected. The brothers have been in prison since 1996 for killing their parents in what they say was an act of self-defense.

Both Menendez brothers denied parole

At least five people are dead and dozens are injured after a tour bus traveling from Niagara Falls flipped over on the New York State Thruway near Pembroke, New York.

Pembroke

Western New York bus crash kills at least five people

Federal agents searched former Trump adviser-turned-critic John Bolton's home on Friday morning. President Donald Trump denied knowing about the investigation, which is related to his handling of classified documents.

Bethesda

FBI raids former Trump adviser John Bolton's home, office

The FBI searched former national security adviser John Bolton's house in Bethesda, Maryland, early Friday morning, the bureau confirmed to CBS News.

FBI raids former Trump adviser John Bolton's home, D.C. office

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland construction worker deported to El Salvador and then returned to the U.S. on smuggling charges, has been released from prison in Tennessee, his attorneys say.

Nashville

Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from jail in Tennessee

A bus with more than 50 people on board rolled over in New York and several deaths are being reported, officials confirm. CBS News' Jericka Duncan reports.

Tour bus crash in New York causes 'several fatalities'

Attorneys general in 14 states and Washington, D.C., accuse TikTok of designing its app to keep users hooked. Court-released edited video shows some company staff discussing the toll it can take on children and teens.

TikTok faces lawsuits over mental health risks

A parole board rejected Erik Menendez's request for release, saying he has not shown proper remorse for killing his parents 36 years ago. His brother, Lyle Menendez, faces his own hearing today (August 22).

Erik Menendez denied parole after California hearing

Russia carried out one of its largest aerial attacks of the year on Ukraine. The strikes killed at least one person and injured 15, marking Russia’s third-largest drone attack and eighth-largest missile assault this year.

Breakdown