Taurean Small

Capitol Hill reporter for @CBSNews | Conversation starter | Cat daddy

[CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil @CBSEveningNews]

The Trump administration has again asked the Supreme Court to intervene in its push to restrict mail ballots ahead of the midterm elections. CBS News’ @taureansmall has more.

[CBS Mornings @CBSMornings]

The U.S. added nearly three times more jobs than expected last month, while unemployment held steady at 4.1%. But the market turned sour as investors believed a robust jobs report could raise the prospect of an interest rate hike.

It’s the opposite of what President Trump wants as he once again called on Fed chair Kevin Warsh to slash rates. @taureansmall has more.

[CBS News @CBSNews]

Ahead of Tuesday’s Democratic primary in Wisconsin, Democratic socialist Francesca Hong tells CBS News’ @taureansmall she’s “not going to cancel Thanksgiving.”

The comment comes after Hong faced criticism for a 2020 social media post, since deleted, in which she called for scrapping the holiday, saying it celebrated colonialism and the deaths of Indigenous people. Hong says she now wants to shift the focus of her campaign to her policy agenda.

Hong says that includes fully funding public schools, taxing the ultra-rich, placing a moratorium on data centers, expanding universal child care and guaranteeing paid leave.

Hong and more moderate David Crowley are vying for the Democratic nomination for governor after two other candidates dropped out. President Trump’s ally, Rep. Tom Tiffany, is all but certain to win the Republican nomination.

[CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil @CBSEveningNews]

After a federal appeals court Friday halted construction of the White House ballroom, President Trump said he would appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court. CBS News’ @taureansmall has more.

[CBS Mornings @CBSMornings]

Todd Blanche received the narrowest senate confirmation margin for an attorney general in modern history — but it was not without a fight.

Two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, ultimately broke with their party. @taureansmall has more.

[CBS News @CBSNews]

Rep. Max Miller (R-OH), who has been accused of abusing his ex-wife and 2-year-old daughter, has days to drop out from his reelection campaign. Miller also faces calls to resign and an investigation from the House Ethics Committee amid the allegations.

Miller has denied the allegations. @taureansmall reports.

[CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil @CBSEveningNews]

A U.S. service member was killed in Iraq on Saturday, CENTCOM announced. Separately, unidentified remains were found in Jordan at the location where a U.S. service member went missing and two others were killed following an Iranian strike. CBS News’ @taureansmall reports.

[CBS Mornings @CBSMornings]

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced an election security crackdown on Friday as the White House doubled down on President Trump's disputed claims of security gaps in U.S. election systems.

@taureansmall has more.

[CBS Mornings @CBSMornings]

President Trump kicked off America's 250th birthday at Mount Rushmore Friday with a mix of Political messaging with patriotic pageantry as he once again called on Congress to kill the filibuster in order to pass his national voter ID legislation.

@taureansmall has more.

[CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil @CBSEveningNews]

President Trump’s push to renovate landmarks in Washington, D.C. ahead of America's 250th birthday is drawing criticism from critics who say the process is being conducted without the usual approvals. CBS News’ @taureansmall explains.

[CBS Mornings @CBSMornings]

President Trump rolled out his new Air Force One Friday: a Boeing 747 outfitted in red, gold and black. It was a gift to the president from Qatar worth $400 million dollars.

Overshadowing the reveal? The turbulence surrounding his Iran deal. @taureansmall has more.

[Natalie Brand @NatalieABrand]

Thank God everyone is safe. And thank you to my wonderful colleague @taureansmall for acting quickly and shoving us under tables

[CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil @CBSEveningNews]

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Americans would soon be "nostalgic for $4-$5 gas" after President Trump announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. @taureansmall reports on the pain at the pump currently being felt across the U.S.

[CBS Mornings @CBSMornings]

The Labor Department announced inflation increased 3.3 percent last month over March 2025 — another sign the war in Iran is impacting the economy.

Prices remain above $4 a gallon. It was just under $3 a gallon before the war began on February 28. @taureansmall has more.

[Taylor Popielarz @TaylorPopielarz]

I’ve waited a long time to get and post these photos, so please embrace this short novel.

When I moved to Indiana in 2015, it was my first time in the state and I didn’t know a soul. I rented an apartment sight unseen and drove out from New Jersey on my own to start my first reporting job. It was exciting and terrifying.

So many journalists have stories like this from their first market. You’re paid peanuts, usually far from family, and work around the clock.

All that was true in South Bend. It’s what you sign up for. What I didn’t expect, though, was finding a group of lifelong friends while there.

These pictures are not from 11 years ago, but from 11 weeks ago at the wedding of my best friends, Taurean and Jess.

I met them in South Bend. And they met each other in South Bend. Just like everyone pictured.

There must have been some type of beautiful spell cast over our tiny TV station, because over a decade later, the *seven* of us in the top photo now live in Washington, DC and remain dear friends.

The bottom photo is a friend group currently spread across eight states that still manages to get together more frequently than you’d expect. It’s grown through marriages, moves, and even a few kids.

I was the first of our group to move to DC in 2018. Never in my wildest dreams did I think six other close South Bend friends would end up here. It has helped make DC home, and a great place to gather.

I look at these photos a lot and just smile. There’s nothing like great friends.

[CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil @CBSEveningNews]

President Trump threatened to hit Iranian power plants and bridges on Tuesday as he posted another ultimatum on social media Sunday morning. CBS News’ @taureansmall reports.

[CBS Mornings @CBSMornings]

The Trump administration is asking for more money, sending next year's budget requests to Congress asking for $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon.

That is a more than 40 percent increase, and is seeking to cut non-defense spending by 10 percent. @taureansmall has more.

[Taurean Small @taureansmall]

@HunterMw Godspeed, brother! You are an incredible talent and I am privileged to have worked with you!

[CBS News @CBSNews]

Former Gov. Roy Cooper and former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley won their respective primaries Tuesday night, CBS News projects, setting up a November showdown. CBS News’ @TaureanSmall reports from Raleigh as Cooper addresses supporters. https://t.co/VKg2rnVmlk

[Taurean Small @taureansmall]

“You want change in Washington? This campaign is for you.”

Former NC Governor Roy Cooper takes the stage after @CBSNews projects he will win the North Carolina U.S. Senate Democratic primary.

Former RNC Chair @WhatleyNC is set to take him on in November for the open seat.

[Roy Cooper @RoyCooperNC]

North Carolina, we're officially on the road to November 3rd.

There’s no doubt — we’ve got our work cut out for us. But North Carolinians have always given me hope and that’s what’s going to get us across the finish line.