3 days ago

Top news headlines of 2024, month-by-month

Here's a look back at the year that was…

January

A Boeing jet made an emergency landing after a panel known as a "door plug" blew out mid-flight. The incident triggered a temporary grounding of Boeing's 737-9 MAX fleet … and an ongoing search for accountability.

Door plug that blew off Alaska Airlines plane in-flight found in backyardHere's what to know about the Boeing 737 Max 9, the jet that suffered an inflight blowout3 passengers on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 where door plug blew out sue the airline and Boeing for $1 billionIs Boeing recovering the public's trust? ("Sunday Morning")Boeing failing to keep track of non-conforming parts, whistleblower says: "It's like Russian roulette" ("60 Minutes")February

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs and Taylor Swift embrace after the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in overtime during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas. / Credit: Getty Images

The Kansas City Chiefs were victorious in overtime at Super Bowl LVIII, making that team the first back-to-back NFL champs in 20 years.

Mecole Hardman Jr. says Travis Kelce's halftime pep talk sparked Chiefs' Super Bowl comeback ("CBS Mornings")Taylor Swift makes it to 2024 Super Bowl to cheer on Travis Kelce with guests Blake Lively, Ice SpiceMarch

In an aerial view, cargo ship Dali is seen after running into and collapsing the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.  / Credit: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

A container ship struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing a partial collapse, six deaths, and the temporary re-routing of trade ships.

A timeline of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapseFederal law enforcement investigating Baltimore bridge collapse, sources sayKey Bridge victims' families taking legal action to hold shipowner liableReconstruction of Baltimore's Key Bridge to begin in JanuaryApril

The moon covers the sun during a total solar eclipse, as seen from Fort Worth, Texas, April 8, 2024. / Credit: AP Photo/LM Otero

A rare total solar eclipse was witnessed across North America, including in 15 U.S. states. Terrestrial business ground to a halt as dazzled earthlings gazed upward.

What happens during a solar eclipse? ("Sunday Morning")How often total solar eclipses happenSpace station crew captures image of moon's shadow during solar eclipseMissed the 2024 total solar eclipse? Watch video of moments from the eventPhotos from total solar eclipse show awe as moon covers sunMay

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber (right) attends the emergency meeting, held by government council, following the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other senior government officials in a helicopter crash in Tehran, Iran, May 20, 2024. / Credit: Iranian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu/Getty

Iran's hardline president Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash. His more moderate successor, Masoud Pezeshkian, has advocated reforms … and has spoken out against the country's mandatory hijab law.

Helicopter crash that killed Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi caused by weather, report findsHow Ebrahim Raisi's death will affect IranWho replaces Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and what happens next?What does Masoud Pezeshkian's win mean for the future of Iran?June

Claudia Sheinbaum, the presidential candidate of the ruling MORENA party, reacts as she addresses her supporters after winning the election, in Mexico City, on June 3, 2024. / Credit: Raquel Cunha / REUTERS

Climate scientist Claudia Sheinbaum won Mexico's presidential election in a landslide, becoming the first female president in that nation's 200-year history.

Who is Claudia Sheinbaum, elected as Mexico's first woman president?Claudia Sheinbaum takes office as Mexico's first female presidentSheinbaum suggests Mexico could retaliate with tariffs after Trump threat: "There is no subordination here"July

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is swarmed by Secret Service agents after shots were fired during a rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania.  / Credit: Getty Images

An assassination attempt on Donald Trump left the former president bloodied but alive. One week later, President Joe Biden announced he was abandoning his bid for re-election … and Vice President Kamala Harris soon replaced him at the top of the ticket.

Pennsylvania State Police identify 3 victims shot at Trump rallyTrump rally shooter killed by Secret Service sniper, officials sayTrump says "I don't mind" if someone had to shoot through mediaHouse panel finds Trump assassination event "preventable" in interim reportSen. Coons on Biden's withdrawal from race ("Sunday Morning")President Biden speaks on the stakes of the 2024 election, and on his place in history ("Sunday Morning")Will this be Kamala Harris' moment to make history? ("Sunday Morning")Kamala Harris says her first priority as president is to "stop this pain" resulting from abortion bans ("Sunday Morning")August

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris welcome Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, all prisoners freed by Russia, as they arrive on Aug. 1, 2024, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Their release, negotiated as part of a 24-person prisoner exchange with Russia that involved at least six countries, is the largest prisoner exchange in post-Soviet history. / Credit: Getty Images

The largest and most complex prisoner swap since the Cold War saw three Americans (including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich) return home after being wrongfully detained in Russia.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich sentenced by Russian court to 16 years in prisonHusband of U.S. journalist detained in Russia: "I'm not going to give up" ("Sunday Morning") What the historic prisoner swap might mean for the future ("Sunday Morning")Why Vadim Krasikov, a Russian assassin, was critical for the U.S.-Russia prisoner swap ("60 Minutes")Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza was warned "be careful about what you eat" during prisoner swap ("60 Minutes")September

An aerial view of people standing near destroyed and damaged buildings in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene flooding on Oct. 8, 2024, in Bat Cave, North Carolina.  / Credit: Getty Images

Hurricane Helene battered the southeastern U.S., killing more than 230 people and causing tens of billions of dollars in property damage.

Here's how Hurricane Helene brought "biblical devastation" to western North Carolina in a near "worst-case scenario"Hurricane Helene satellite images show major devastation in North Carolina as death toll continues to riseFamilies in western North Carolina rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Helene: "This is home" ("60 Minutes")Hurricane Helene's damage, related expenses in North Carolina shattering records, estimated at $53 billionOctober

Former President Jimmy Carter. / Credit: CBS News

Former President Jimmy Carter marked a major milestone, becoming the first U.S. president to reach his 100th birthday.

Jason Carter on Jimmy Carter's strength of spirit ("Sunday Morning")Jimmy Carter and a lifetime's response to race ("Sunday Morning")From 2006: Jimmy Carter on life after the White House ("Sunday Morning")November

Supporters arrive at an election night watch party for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. / Credit: Evan Vucci/AP

Former President Donald Trump won re-election, decisively defeating opponent Kamala Harris, and becoming only the second president ever elected to serve non-consecutive terms.

What is Project 2025? What to know about the conservative blueprint for a second Trump administrationSteve Bannon promises retribution if Trump returns to White HouseTrump's decision to tap Kash Patel for FBI director sends shockwaves through WashingtonLooking ahead after a Trump victory ("Sunday Morning")Trump's "border czar" details plans to reintroduce migrant family detention centersHow RFK Jr. could impact vaccines as Trump's HHS secretaryHow Trump could undo portions of Biden's climate legacyBill Clinton on moving forward, urging citizens to "stand up for what we think is right" ("Sunday Morning")What could Trump's second term bring? Deportations, tariffs, Jan. 6 pardons and moreWho would pay for Trump's promised tariffs? You will! ("Sunday Morning")December

Residents gather on a street in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana on Dec. 8, 2024, after Syrian rebels said that President Bashar Assad had fled the country.  / Credit: LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images

Rebels overtook the Syrian capital of Damascus, forming a new government and ousting strongman Bashar al-Assad. After decades of repressive rule by the Assad family, Syrians face an uncertain future with trepidation … and hope.

Biden calls Assad's fall "moment of historic opportunity"What to know as Syrian rebels take charge after forcing Bashar al-Assad from powerAnalysis of the Bashar Assad regime collapse in Syria ("Face the Nation")What's next for Syria after fall of Assad regime?Syrians celebrate end of the Assad family's half-century rule after president flees to MoscowSyrians search for loved ones who vanished under Assad regime ("60 Minutes")Syrian Americans in Michigan celebrate fall of Assad regime

Story produced by Robert Marston. Editor: George Pozderec. Digital producer: David Morgan.