CBS Mornings on the Go

Brittney Griner is finally back on U.S. soil this morning, after a nearly 10-month nightmare ordeal in Russia. She was freed in exchange for international arms dealer Viktor Boot -- nicknamed "the merchant of death" -- and there is controversy over the deal. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with chief foreign affairs correspondent and "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan after Griner's release. Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema says in multiple interviews that she is leaving the Democratic party. Prices at the gas pump continue to drop. The national average now sits at just over $3.32 a gallon -- less than it was at this time a year ago. The House passed a bipartisan bill to give same- sex and interracial marriages federal protection. The bill requires all states to recognize all legally-performed marriages – even if they were performed in another state. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

WNBA Superstar Brittney Griner is now free and headed back home, after almost 10 months in Russian custody. The U.S. negotiated her release in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Boot. A few minutes after the release, President Biden tweeted photos showing him and Griner's wife, Cherelle, speaking to her on the phone. Disturbing new trends in the health of Americans and the growing triple threat of illnesses putting millions at risk. Reported COVID-19 hospitalizations are up more than 20% in the past week. The flu is also spiking, with more than one-quarter of the nation's lab results coming back positive. And cases of RSV are also way up. Hospitalizations for that respiratory illness have more than quadrupled from last year. The beginning of a new documentary series about prince Harry and Meghan has just come out on Netflix. This is the couple as they would like the world to see them, nearly three years after they gave up royal duties and then moved to the U.S. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Filmmaker Antoine Fuqua discusses his latest movie, "Emancipation", with CBS News' Vladimir Duthiers. Inspired by a true story, "Emancipation" stars Will Smith as Peter, a slave in the 1860s who escaped from his plantation. A real photograph of Peter's bare back, scarred by whippings, helped spark the abolitionist movement. Fuqua shares what drew him to the project and the importance of telling this powerful story -- he calls it his "love letter to the country." Plus, Fuqua also comments on the infamous slap at the 2022 Oscar involving Will Smith and Chris Rock - and whether he's concerned it will taint viewers opinion of the film. "Emancipation" begins streaming on Apple TV+ December 9th. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CBS News projects Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock will keep his seat in Georgia after a hard-fought race against Republican Herschel Walker. Reverend Warnock invoked his faith during a victory speech in Atlanta last night. Police in Germany arrested at least 25 people tied to an alleged right-wing plot to overthrow the government. The targeted group's ideology is similar to that of far-right groups in the U.S. The company that former President Donald Trump has run for decades has been convicted of breaking the law. A jury found The Trump Organization guilty on 17 counts, including conspiracy and tax fraud, after a dramatic trial in New York. Trump himself wasn't charged and denies wrongdoing, but prosecutors alleged he signed off on years of criminal activity, including a variety of perks provided off the books. The Supreme Court hears arguments this morning in a high-stakes case on voting laws. Many analysts say the outcome could potentially quote, "damage American Democracy." tens of thousands of people still don't have power for a 4th straight day in Moore County, North Carolina , as officials investigate Saturday's gunfire attack on electrical substations. The local utility says everyone should have their lights on by tonight. China's government has made a radical shift this morning, officially moving away from its strict zero-COVID policies. The move appears to be in response to widespread protests in recent weeks, including some of the boldest demonstrations in that country in decades. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Campaigning in Georgia is over for Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker, now it's up to the voters. Around 2 million of them have already cast their ballots in this runoff, after neither candidate got 50% of the vote in November. Officials in North Carolina say it could be days before power is restored, after two substations were shot up over the weekend. Officials are trying to find a motive for what they call a deliberate attack on local infrastructure. In Ukraine, Russia has retaliated in brutal fashion after drone strikes on three of its airfields. The latest happened this morning at a Russian airport just outside Ukraine. At the same time, Russian forces were firing missiles at dozens of targets. Nearly two years after the January 6th riot, the law enforcement officers who defended the U.S. Capitol will today receive the "highest honor" issued by the U.S. Congress, the Congressional Gold Medal. Fans and co-stars are mourning Emmy-winning actor Kirstie Alley. She was 71-years-old when she died yesterday. Her children made the announcement, saying she'd only recently been diagnosed with cancer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Award-winning portrait and documentary photographer Lynn Goldsmith joins CBS News Vladimir Duthiers to discuss her new book, "Music in the '80s." Goldsmiith looks back at her career - switching gears from directing to managing bands before becoming an iconic photographer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In North Carolina, police say multiple power stations were shot up in an act of sabotage that knocked out power to thousands of homes, in near-freezing temperatures. The FBI is now involved. Election day in Georgia is tomorrow for a U.S. Senate runoff with major implications for the country. Polls show Republican Herschel Walker and Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock locked in a tight race. More than 1.8 million people have already cast their ballots. Former President Trump, is drawing controversy for suggesting parts of the constitution should be terminated. Some Republicans are under fire for failing to condemn the remark. This morning, the supreme court hears a case pitting free speech against gay rights. A Christian website designer is challenging a Colorado law that requires her to create wedding websites for same-sex couples, even though she opposes same-sex marriage. New developments in the investigation of the murders of four university of Idaho students. They were remembered at an emotional memorial service on Friday and their roommates paid their respects in a written message. An official in Iran says the country's so-called morality police is being disbanded. That's according to media reports there. This follows months of protests, especially by women. The 45th Annual Kennedy Center Honors brought politicians and entertainers together last night in Washington. It was a mostly musical group of honorees, featuring singer Gladys Knight and the band U2, plus, Oscar-winner, George Clooney. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Senate votes to block a national strike by rail workers, preventing what the president says would have been a "christmas catastrophe." Senator Raphael Warnock is getting some prominent help, in trying to fend off a challenge from Republican Herschel Walker. Former President Barack Obama hit the campaign trail in Atlanta, to make a forceful argument on Warnock's behalf. The South may also play a larger role in the 2024 presidential election, if President Biden gets his way. He's pushing for South Carolina to hold that year's first Democratic presidential primary -- instead of Iowa. At the White House last night, the president honored America's oldest ally at the first state dinner of his term. The guest of honor was French President Emmanuel Macron, and the guest list included lots of big names. The French president also sat down with Bill Whitaker of 60 minutes. In Ukraine, Russian troops continue to shell the city of Kherson -- recaptured by Ukrainian forces. Now to a major setback for former President Trump as he fights a federal investigation into documents marked as classified that were found at Mar-a-Lago. An appeals court struck down a judge's order for a special master to review those materials. At the World Cup, Team USA is getting ready for the knockout rounds. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brutal weather facing much of the country on this first day of December. A winter storm is blanketing large areas of the west as parts of the south clean up from a deadly swarm of tornadoes, stretching across three states. At least two people were killed in Montgomery County, Alabama. In Washington it could be up to the Senate to avert a national rail strike that may have devastating consequences for the economy. The House voted yesterday to push through a deal, which was rejected by some unions, leaving workers wondering if they will get the paid sick leave they say is essential. Democrats in the house have made history with their new leadership. Congressman Hakeem Jeffries of Brooklyn has become the first black leader of either party in congress. This morning, some of China's largest cities are easing COVID restrictions, while police watch for any new protests. Thousands of people blasted the government's COVID policies over the weekend, in China's largest public demonstrations in decades. Hawaii's erupting Mauna Loa volcano may now be threatening a main road. The world's largest active volcano continues to blast lava hundreds of feet into the air on the state's big island, and it's showing no signs of stopping. Members of Fleetwood Mac and other artists are mourning the loss of Christine McVie. The group's longtime keyboard player died yesterday after a short illness, according to her family. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Breaking overnight an outbreak of severe weather brings heavy snow, rain and high winds, including destructive tornadoes across multiple states in the South. For the first time in decades, two people are convicted of conspiring to overthrow the government in a plot ending with the January 6th attack. Rail worker unions slam the president as Congressional leaders signal they will support a bill to block a looming strike.President Biden is facing backlash from some progressive allies for his efforts to avoid a national rail strike. Another measure getting bipartisan support, a historic step to protect marriage equality. Twelve Republicans joined with every Democratic senator to approve legislation cementing federal protections for same-sex and interracial couples. Last month, prosecutors charged Richard Allen of killing 13-year-old Abigail Williams and 14-year-old Liberty German, five years ago in Delphi, Indiana. Now, a judge has ordered the release of some of the evidence against him. At the World Cup in Qatar, Team USA is still alive but it wasn't easy. Its star player, Christian Pulisic scored the only goal in a tense one-to-nothing win over Iran yesterday, sending the U.S. into the second round of the tournament. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices