Jim LaPorta

21h

Personal note: I don’t care about the award—truly that is a fact. I care about those sent to war. I care about their families and their experiences and their sacrifices. I’ve been covering service members and their families since I left the service in 2014. It’s an honor. bsky.app/profile/jiml...

Jim LaPorta@jimlaporta.bsky.social

I won a Military Reporters & Editors Award for two stories I wrote about the Iranian drone that killed six Americans in Kuwait at the start of the U.S.-Iran war. The Pentagon said it was a “secure facility,” the soldiers disagreed. Award announcement: www.militaryreporters.org/2026/10/mili...

22h

This week on the That Was Us podcast - I got a shoutout on crafting episode 608 of This is Us - it’s really about my struggle during the Afghan withdrawal. My night time drives. And this idea that Vietnam vets could help Afghan vets navigate it all. I wrote about it here apnews.com/article/afgh...

starnewsonline.comRetired Marine recalls Beirut bombingRetired Marine Gunnery Sgt. Dan Joy's military career sits in a battered plastic storage container filled with newspaper clippings and photographs of infantry platoons posing with their weapons.

The Beirut Bombing. 43 years ago. I wrote this back in 2015: Fighting back what he calls the “rolodex of emotion,”Joy said the Navy corpsman “were real miracle workers…when the screams and gunfire start to sound, they are the first to come running.” www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/m...

cbsnews.comHegseth bans DoD personnel from using nonpublic info to bet on U.S. military operationsDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the ban applies to classified and unclassified information and includes prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi.

Hegseth bans DoD personnel from using nonpublic info to bet on U.S. military operations www.cbsnews.com/news/hegseth...

I’ve had quite the week, it started with watching “A Few Good Men” in New York - Bradley Whitford signed my poster - and tonight, I went to my first OSS William J. Donovan Award Dinner - the history sitting in this room is extraordinary.

Until later. Goodnight -30-

cbsnews.comOusted general warned of years-long missile defense shortage before Iran warArmy Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, ousted by Defense Secretary Hegseth, said the shortage of missile defense munitions would extend into 2030.

New: In Dec. 2025, two months before the U.S. war with Iran began, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George wrote an assessment that they would be critically short on missile defense munitions until 2030. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ousted George in April. www.cbsnews.com/news/randy-g...

cbsnews.comTrump calls off plan to livestream Fort Hood shooter's execution, says people "would rather not watch him die""He will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed," President Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump calls off plan to livestream Fort Hood shooter's execution, says people "would rather not watch him die" www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-f...

Jim LaPorta reposted

cbsn.wsRussian strikes kill at least 11 in Ukraine after Trump gets diesel deal with MoscowThe strikes came a day after President Trump announced a deal to buy Russian diesel that Kyiv warned would help bankroll Moscow's war in Ukraine.

President Trump blamed Ukraine's recent strikes on Russian oil refineries for contributing to high diesel prices before the midterm election, despite the ongoing war in Iran.

cbsn.wsKimberly Guilfoyle associate says when she asked him for $100K, it was "quid pro quo"White House officials were told that text messages between Kimberly Guilfoyle and Eric Deters were real, sources told CBS News.

Anytime I hear “quid pro quo” I think of this: bsky.app/profile/cbsn...

CBS News@cbsnews.com

Kimberly Guilfoyle associate says when she asked him for $100K, it was "quid pro quo."

Jim LaPorta reposted

cbsn.wsMaduro expected to face new charges alleging torture of Americans in Venezuelan prisons, sources sayAn attorney for Maduro told CBS News that he has not been given notice that additional charges could be coming.

Federal prosecutors are expected to bring new charges against former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, for allegedly torturing Americans who were held in Venezuelan prisons, according to multiple sources familiar with the case.

cbsnews.com"They hit us bad." Newly obtained footage, witness accounts detail Iran attack — and U.S. retreat — at major post in KuwaitCBS News obtained new video from a person on the ground showing an Iranian attack on a U.S. base at the beginning of the war.

From CBS News - Newly obtained video shows Iranian drones hitting Camp Buehring in Kuwait and the damage to the base as the war kicked off. Among other new details: when soldiers moved into the Udari Desert, two soldiers were injured when the were struck by lightning. www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-at...

Jim LaPorta reposted

cbsn.wsEx-CIA official found with gold bars admits to sprawling scheme, agrees to forfeit $194 millionA former CIA official admitted to inventing fake classified programs to divert nearly $200 million in government money that was used to buy Florida mansions and gold bars.

A former CIA official who was found with $40 million in gold bars in his home in May pleaded guilty on Tuesday, admitting he invented fake classified programs to divert nearly $200 million in government money that he used to buy Florida mansions and gold.

I was sick over the weekend and a few of my other colleagues are as well. Hope everyone is taking care of themselves. Sincerely wishing the best for you and your families.

Jim LaPorta reposted

cbsn.wsLive Updates: Trump vows Iran war will end "right after the election" or sooner, as 9,000 troops head to MideastSome 9,000 more U.S. forces head for the Middle East as Trump vows the war will end "right after the election," if not sooner.

The U.K. navy's Maritime Trade Operations center said a tanker reported being struck by an unknown projectile Friday afternoon as it transited through the Strait of Hormuz to leave the Persian Gulf.

This was waiting for me when I got to work today. Thanks again to MVJ for the recognition.

Def. Sec. Hegseth signed a memo today that CBS News obtained two months ago eliminating civilian tenure at military service academies. The Daily Wire was first to report on Tuesday that Hegseth signed the memo CBS News first reported on. Story: www.cbsnews.com/news/dod-pen...

Jim LaPorta reposted

cbsn.wsSylvester Stallone on the fight to make "Rocky"Sylvester Stallone was a struggling actor who wrote the perfect script for himself – and refused to sell it unless he played the title role. He talks about his new memoir, "The Steps," that recounts his rocky road to fame before and after "Rocky."

Sylvester Stallone was a struggling actor who wrote the perfect script for himself – and refused to sell it unless he played the title role. He talks about his new memoir, "The Steps," that recounts his rocky road to fame before and after "Rocky."

cbsnews.comU.S. military lays groundwork for potential action around CubaSome units would "possibly [be] needed in 90-120 days," according to an internal Army message reviewed by CBS News.

Washington — The U.S. Army Reserve is examining whether it can provide the military's Southern Command with police forces, medical personnel and other support units within the next four months, according to an internal Army message reviewed by CBS News. www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-gro...

Jim LaPorta reposted

@GottaLaff

@gottalaff.bsky.social

“U.S. Army Reserve is examining whether it can provide the military's Southern Command with police forces, medical personnel and other support units within the next four months, according to an internal Army message reviewed by CBS News. Though the message makes no reference to Cuba”

cbsnews.comU.S. military lays groundwork for potential action around CubaSome units would "possibly [be] needed in 90-120 days," according to an internal Army message reviewed by CBS News.

Jim LaPorta reposted

cbsn.wsUkraine ready to sign landmark drone defense deal with U.S., sources say, amid new details on Kyiv's role in Iran warSources tell CBS News that Ukraine is ready to sign a landmark drone defense deal with the U.S., as new details of Ukrainian technology helping defend U.S. bases in the Middle East come to light.

Ukraine ready to sign landmark drone defense deal with U.S., sources say, amid new details on Kyiv's role in Iran war

Jim LaPorta reposted

cbsn.wsTrump says he's banning CNN, Politico and MS NOW from the White HousePresident Trump said Friday that he is banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, the latest move to target media outlets over their reporting.

18 Sept

President Trump says he's banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.

Jim LaPorta reposted

cbsn.wsNew photos show widespread damage at U.S. positions caused by Iranian missile, drone attacksThe images were sent to CBS News by active service members under condition of anonymity.

15 Sept

CBS News Exclusive: New photos reveal widespread damage at multiple U.S. positions across the Middle East caused by Iranian attacks.

cbsnews.comIran war could cost $2 billion per month, Congressional Budget Office estimatesThe Congressional Budget Office estimated the war between Feb. 28 and Aug. 1 has directly cost the U.S. about $38 billion.

15 Sept

The war with Iran could cost approximately $2 billion to $3 billion per month for as long as it continues, according to a report released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office on Tuesday www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-wa...

www.cbsnews.com/news/saudi-a...

11 Sept

cbsnews.comSaudi Arabia's MBS pressed Trump to strike Houthis in Yemen, sources saySaudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has personally pressed President Trump to take military action against the Iran-backed Houthis, sources tell CBS News.

cbsnews.comNavy sailor who was jailed in Venezuela took stage at GOP convention, in unusual military presence at political eventA Navy sailor who was still on active duty as of this week appeared at the Republican midterm convention on Thursday.

11 Sept

New from CBS News — An active-duty Navy sailor appeared on stage at the RNC midterm convention on Thursday, raising questions about the military's consistency in enforcing restrictions intended to keep active-duty troops out of politics. www.cbsnews.com/news/navy-sa...

11 Sept

A photo of mine from many years ago.

Jim LaPorta reposted

9 Sept

We visited a secret Afghan girls school. They surprised us with handwritten "letters to the world." cbsn.ws/3SFGldf

cbsnews.comGold Star family calls on Army to release internal probe into deadly attack on Kuwait base: "My son died unnecessarily"Six Americans were killed in the March 1 strike on a tactical operations center in Kuwait.

10 Sept

Gold Star family calls on Army to release internal probe into deadly attack on Kuwait base: "My son died unnecessarily" www.cbsnews.com/news/cody-kh...

cbsnews.comTop military officials faced polygraphs over leaks of sensitive information on weapons stockpiles, sources saySome of the highest-ranking officials in the U.S. military were subjected to polygraph tests as part of a sweeping leak probe, U.S. officials briefed on the matter told CBS News.

5 Sept

New from CBS News -Top military officials faced polygraphs over leaks of sensitive information on weapons stockpiles, sources say www.cbsnews.com/news/top-mil...

3 Sept

On Wed, the Pentagon confirmed for the first time that Operation Epic Fury ended on May 5 after previously declining to say. @CBSNews obtained an email from August instructing personnel to not use Epic Fury to describe ongoing operations in Iran months after it ended www.cbsnews.com/news/militar...

cbsnews.comMilitary personnel told last month to stop calling Iran conflict "Operation Epic Fury"The Pentagon says "Operation Epic Fury" ended on May 5, after an Air Force email last month told service members to stop using the name for ongoing Iran operations.

3 Sept

New: An Air Force email from August shows the Pentagon instructing personnel to stop referring to ongoing U.S. military operations in Iran as "Operation Epic Fury" — 3 months declaring it had ended. For the first time, the Pentagon confirms Epic Fury ended on May 5. www.cbsnews.com/news/militar...

2 Sept

I haven’t listened to this since I gave the interview in Aug 2021. This line that I said just hit me: I had been in so many different firefights and shot at so many different times, bullets mere inches from my head and I wasn’t getting hit…and I was tired of surviving. revealnews.org/podcast/for-...

www.cbsnews.com/live-updates...

1 Sept

cbsnews.comU.S.-Iran War Latest: U.S. launches new strikes against Iran after tankers hit in Strait of HormuzTwo oil tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. and Iran returned to hostilities in a six-month war that appears to be locked in a stalemate.

Jim LaPorta reposted

cbsn.wsArmy Secretary Dan Driscoll resigns after friction with HegsethArmy Secretary Dan Driscoll is resigning, the White House confirmed.

31 Aug

BREAKING: U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigns from his post after months of friction with Defense Secretary Hegseth.

apnews.comA U.S. Marine, a curious Afghan boy, an unfathomable momentIt’s a song by the Lumineers, an American folk-rock band.

30 Aug

When the war in Afghanistan ended, my story found one too. It was incredibly painful to write so I wrote it in tranches over the years. I brought those scraps together in Feb. 2020 but I didn’t know how to end it until Afghanistan had ended. It publish in Sept. 2021. apnews.com/article/sept...

cbsnews.comPeter Cullen, prolific voice actor who gave Optimus Prime his authoritative baritone, has diedPeter Cullen, a prolific voice actor who enlivened scores of TV series, specials and movies, including Optimus Prime in the syndicated 1984 series "Transformers" and Eeyore in the Winnie the Pooh cart...

28 Aug

Peter Cullen, prolific voice actor who gave Optimus Prime his authoritative baritone, has died www.cbsnews.com/colorado/new...

www.cbsnews.com/news/marine-...

27 Aug

cbsnews.comMarine One's warning calls before mishap went unheard by Reagan air traffic controllers, NTSB saysThe NTSB said tower recordings show controllers never heard Marine One's Aug. 4 calls warning it was preparing to take off, though separate recordings confirm the calls were made.

Jim LaPorta reposted

cbsn.wsFired Stars and Stripes journalists sue Hegseth and Pentagon spokespersonThe plaintiffs say the Trump administration is trying to fire them as a part of its "extraordinary censorship efforts."

27 Aug

BREAKING: Former staff members of the military news outlet Stars and Stripes are suing the Pentagon over their firings.

cbsnews.comCIA Director John Ratcliffe warned Russia not to attack NATO during secretive tripThe purpose of the CIA chief's visit to Moscow this week was to warn Russia not to attack NATO member states, people familiar with the matter said, amid U.S. assessments that Russia could try to test ...

27 Aug

CIA Director John Ratcliffe warned Russia not to attack NATO during secretive trip - CBS News www.cbsnews.com/news/cia-joh...

Jim LaPorta reposted

cbsn.wsPentagon upgrades awards of 3 Marines for "combat heroism" after Abbey Gate attack in KabulFive years after the attack in Afghanistan that killed 13 service members, the Pentagon upgraded the awards of three Marines who provided care in the wake of the blast.

26 Aug

Pentagon upgrades awards of 3 Marines for "combat heroism" after Abbey Gate attack in Kabul.

26 Aug

LCpl Rylee McCollum LCpl Jared Schmitz LCpl David Espinoza LCpl Kareem Nikoui LCpl Dylan Merola HM3 Maxton Soviak Cpl Hunter Lopez Cpl Daegan Page Cpl Humberto Sanchez Sgt Nicole Gee Sgt Johanny RosarioPichardo SSgt Taylor Hoover SSG Ryan Knauss 170 Afghans

Update bsky.app/profile/jiml...

Jim LaPorta@jimlaporta.bsky.social

Just in: U.S. Army spokesperson confirms a helicopter belonging to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment was involved in a aviation mishap today. Location: Gilpin County, CO. There's no word on injuries and an investigation is ongoing.

cbsnews.comDolly Parton, country music legend, dies at age 80Dolly Parton became an icon over her six-decade career as a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, movie and TV star and theme park owner who donated millions to help others.

Astronomy teaches us that when a star dies, its light doesn’t disappear. It keeps traveling through the universe long after the star itself is gone. Dolly Parton feels like that kind of star. www.cbsnews.com/news/dolly-p...

My relationship with my managing editor

Scoop at @cbsnews.com : CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Russia aboard a C-17 for meetings in Moscow today, per multiple people familiar with the matter.

24 Aug

Some personal news and heres the story I wrote: www.cbsnews.com/news/zelensk...

Jim LaPorta reposted