Salem News Channel

COMSTOCK, Texas (AP) — The Trump administration has started building the border wall in the Big Bend region of west Texas. This marks the first major construction in an area where the plans have faced heavy opposition. Customs and Border Protection has doubled the pace of construction along the U.S.-Mexico border. In the Big Bend region, landowners, environmental groups, and ranchers oppose the construction, arguing the area isn't a high-traffic zone for illegal immigration. The agency is building an average of 12 miles of barriers a week. Activists say they'll continue to fight against the wall-building plans.

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In-person voting for this year’s midterm elections is underway in Virginia, ushering in the final six weeks for Americans to decide which party they trust to lead Congress at a time of a cost-of-living crisis, a prolonged war in Iran and other pressing issues. Voters in Idaho, Minnesota and South Dakota, can cast absentee ballots in person.

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In-person voting for this year’s midterm elections is underway in Virginia, ushering in the final six weeks for Americans to decide which party they trust to lead Congress at a time of a cost-of-living crisis, a prolonged war in Iran and other pressing issues. Voters in Idaho, Minnesota and South Dakota, can cast absentee ballots in person. Meanwhile, the top official at the U.S. Postal Service has said the agency has stopped work on developing a controversial computer system that was central to President Donald Trump’s effort to limit mail voting after the Supreme Court rejected his executive order this week.

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Iran says it struck an oil tanker trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz, while hundreds of thousands of people rallied in Tehran in the largest show of support for the government since the United States and Israel launched attacks in February. Meanwhile, South Korea says it is considering expanding a naval operation in the Gulf of Aden to protect its ships and oil-shipping routes, but it will not send troops to intervene in the Iran war.

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(Council Bluffs, IA) -- Vice President JD Vance is in Iowa to campaign for Republicans in the state. Speaking from Council Bluffs, Vance said Iowa candidate for governor Zach Lahn is fighting to keep Iowa's soil and water clean. Vance said the current Democratic party isn't the one of the past and added they are working to destroy the American way of life. The Vice President said the midterms are a referndum on common sense.

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Craig W. Stanfill joins Mike to discuss his new novel, Carbon Zero: An AI Dystopia Novel, and the ideas behind a story where artificial intelligence pushes society into uncharted territory. Craig explains what inspired the book, how today’s AI developments shaped the story, and why the question of whether AI can understand right from wrong may be more important than we think. TODAY ONLY! Get Carbon Zero for just $2.99 on Kindle! Tomorrow, the price jumps to $9.99. ?? Don’t miss the savings! Go to Amazon and search Carbon Zero by Craig W. Stanfill and get your Kindle edition today!

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Financial struggle has always been part of American life, but that reality can become powerful political fuel. The conversation looks at how frustration over prices and the cost of living can be turned into a broader narrative—and why simply having the facts on your side may not be enough to win the larger argument.

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Warren Buffett is stepping down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, ending more than five decades in the role as the investment conglomerate completes a long-planned leadership transition. Berkshire announced Friday that the 96-year-old Buffett will immediately become chairman emeritus. His son, Howard Buffett, will take over as chairman, while Warren Buffett will remain a member of the company’s board of directors. Buffett had served as Berkshire Hathaway’s chairman since 1970 and has been closely associated with the company for more than 60 years. Under his leadership, Berkshire grew from a struggling New England textile company into a conglomerate valued at more than $1 trillion, with businesses spanning insurance, railroads, energy, manufacturing and retail. The change follows Buffett’s earlier departure from the CEO position. Greg Abel took over as Berkshire’s chief executive at the beginning of this year and will continue running the company’s day-to-day operations. Buffett said in a letter to shareholders that he remains confident in both Abel and his son. He said Abel will run the company while Howard will be responsible for helping protect Berkshire’s culture and values. Howard Buffett has served on Berkshire Hathaway’s board since 1993. His elevation to chairman is part of a succession plan that has been discussed for years as the company prepared for an eventual transition away from its longtime leader. Warren Buffett, widely known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” became one of the world’s most influential investors through his long-term, value-oriented approach to investing. Berkshire’s investment decisions and annual shareholder meetings have been closely followed by investors around the world. During Buffett’s tenure as CEO, Berkshire recorded a compounded annual growth rate of 19.9%, compared with 10.4% for the S&P 500 over the same period. Buffett has also become one of the world’s most prominent philanthropists. Since 2006, he has donated roughly $66 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock. The leadership change leaves Abel in control of Berkshire’s business operations and Howard Buffett overseeing the board, while Warren Buffett remains involved as chairman emeritus and a director.

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Hundreds of thousands of Iranians filled the streets of Tehran Friday in the largest government-organized show of defiance since the United States and Israel began attacks on Iran in February. The demonstration, organized as part of the “Janfaday-e Iran,” or “Sacrifice for Iran,” campaign, brought large crowds into central Tehran, with participants waving Iranian flags and pledging their willingness to defend the country as the conflict continues. Iranian officials say more than 600,000 people have registered for limited military training through the campaign. Gen. Hassan Hassanzadeh, a Revolutionary Guard commander in Tehran, said officials expect that number to eventually exceed one million. Some participants appeared in military-style clothing and carried rifles during the march. Iranian authorities also displayed military hardware, including drones and anti-aircraft systems, as part of the event. The rally comes more than six months into the conflict and as Iran faces increasing economic pressure from U.S. sanctions and restrictions on its energy exports. Iranian state media had encouraged people to participate in the campaign, presenting the demonstration as evidence of national unity and readiness to defend the country. The size of a government-organized rally, however, does not necessarily indicate broader public opinion across Iran. The demonstration also comes as tensions remain high around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said Friday that its forces struck the Togo-flagged oil tanker Trend, claiming the vessel attempted to pass through the strategic waterway without authorization. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy shipments, and disruptions there have added pressure to international oil and fuel markets during the conflict. Friday's rally was the largest government-organized mobilization in Iran since the fighting began in February, as Tehran seeks to project military readiness and domestic support while facing continued U.S. and Israeli pressure.

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President Donald Trump is withdrawing his nomination of former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, leaving the agency without a Senate-confirmed director as it carries out the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda. The White House announced the withdrawal Thursday but did not provide a reason for the decision. Schroyer, who currently serves as a senior adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, was nominated by Trump in June. Schroyer had not yet received a confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who chairs the committee, said he had declined to schedule the hearing until the Department of Homeland Security provided information he requested concerning internal investigations into civilian deaths during ICE enforcement operations. Paul told The Associated Press that his decision was not based on concerns about Schroyer himself. He said he had intended to eventually hold a confirmation hearing and learned about the withdrawal when the White House made it public. Schroyer had little direct experience with immigration enforcement before his nomination. He previously served as an Oklahoma state trooper and is close to Mullin. When Trump nominated Schroyer in June, the president described him as a “proven leader” with decades of law enforcement experience and urged the Senate to confirm him. The withdrawal comes as ICE faces continued scrutiny over its enforcement operations and the rapid expansion of its workforce. ICE arrests reached nearly 51,000 in August, the highest monthly total during Trump’s second administration. ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since 2017. David Venturella is currently serving as acting director after Todd Lyons resigned earlier this year. The Trump administration has not announced when it will nominate another candidate to permanently lead the agency.

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Amy McInerny, the Director of Respect Life at the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, discusses the significance of two ballot initiatives in Virginia. These initiatives, if passed, would remove common-sense health and safety regulations from the Virginia Constitution regarding abortion. McInerny emphasizes the potential dangers of unregulated abortion, including the possibility of unsafe medical practices and the removal of parental consent requirements for minors. She highlights the importance of voting against these amendments to protect women's health and safety, as well as the moral responsibility of Catholics to uphold the common good through their votes. McInerny also commends Bishop Urbidge for his bold stance on these issues and encourages all Catholics to engage in the electoral process to advocate for life and justice.

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Bruce Blakeman, the Republican nominee for Governor in New York, discusses his vision for the state during an interview. Blakeman highlights his plans to make New York more affordable by cutting taxes and utility rates, creating better jobs, and fostering safer communities. He criticizes current Governor Kathy Hochul's policies, citing high taxes, elevated electric bills, and pro-criminal stances, and argues that her unfavorable ratings make a Republican win possible. Blakeman also emphasizes his background in law enforcement and homeland security, positioning himself as a capable candidate to address both economic and security challenges. The conversation touches on the importance of re-engaging disaffected New Yorkers and attracting businesses back to the state.

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Katie Gorka, Chairwoman of the Republican Party in Fairfax County, joins Larry to discuss the upcoming election, emphasizing the significance of early voting which begins today. They delve into the Virginia Senate race, highlighting concerns over Democratic candidates who fail to disavow the more extreme positions within their party. The conversation also addresses a proposed constitutional amendment concerning abortion rights, which Gorka criticizes for its radical stance. Gorka underscores the importance of voter education and outreach, particularly in diverse communities, to ensure broad participation in this crucial election. The discussion also touches on issues of election integrity, with Gorka discussing the lack of prosecution for non-citizens who have voted in Virginia and advising voters on how to report irregularities. The conversation concludes with Gorka stressing the importance of this election and urging Republicans to participate early to effect change.

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Grady Williamson, a finalist in the Million Dollar Pitch Competition, discusses his company Red River, based in Wyoming. The competition, featuring celebrity judges including Nicki Minaj, Grant Cardone, and Joe Gebbia, aims to spotlight innovative American manufacturing ideas. Williamson explains Red River's focus on producing pressure vessels for critical infrastructure sectors such as water treatment, energy, and aerospace. The event, hosted in Washington DC, is part of an initiative to celebrate and fund American job creators. Williamson shares his excitement about the competition and the opportunity to present their success story, emphasizing the alignment with the current administration's goals to bring back American manufacturing. The live event will be streamed and produced as a reality show, providing significant exposure for participating companies.

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In a world where objective truth is hard to come by, one podcast is shining a light on the issues that matter. This episode of The Carl Jackson Show delves into the pressing topics of the day, from the AI hysteria that's got everyone talking to the RNC midterms convention and its potential impact on the upcoming elections. The conversation is a lively one, with Carl Jackson and his guest, Jim Faff, discussing the latest developments in the world of AI and its potential dangers. They also touch on the RNC midterms convention, where President Trump's message is being amplified, and the challenges that Republicans face in the lead-up to the elections. From the Iran conflict to the economy, no stone is left unturned in this in-depth discussion. One of the key takeaways from this episode is the importance of messaging in politics. Carl and Jim agree that Republicans need to shift their focus away from the negative and towards the positive, highlighting the wins that they've achieved and the benefits that they can bring to the American people. They also discuss the role of AI in shaping public opinion and the need for clear and honest communication about its potential risks and benefits. If you're looking for a dose of reality in a world of confusion, this episode of The Carl Jackson Show is a must-listen. Join Carl and Jim as they break down the issues and offer their insights on what's really going on. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation and tune in to hear more about the topics that matter most. Follow Carl Jackson: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carljacksonradio X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/carljacksonshow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecarljacksonshow Website: http://www.TheCarlJacksonShow.com Store: https://CarlJacksonStore.com

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In this discussion, Larry Elder delves into the concept of aggressive diplomacy as a solution to international conflicts, focusing on the Iran nuclear deal. Elder highlights Hakeem Jeffries' viewpoint, who credits President Obama's approach of aggressive diplomacy for having already laid out a path to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions. Elder contrasts this with skepticism from David Boies, who distrusts the Iranian regime and believes preventing them from obtaining nuclear weapons is paramount. The conversation also touches on the New York Times' review of an Israeli documentary, which led to criticism and the removal of a sensitive line regarding Israel's perception of itself as victims of October 7. Elder questions the rationale behind not leveraging Obama's negotiation tactics and explores the implications of Iran's progress towards nuclear capability.

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David Boies, a prominent Democrat lawyer, penned an article in the Wall Street Journal arguing that partisanship should not overshadow the necessity of confronting Iran's nuclear ambitions. He contends that Trump's actions, though controversial, aim to thwart a significant threat posed by Iran's potential to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles and support terror groups like the Houthis and Hamas. Boies urges fellow Democrats to evaluate the situation based on its merits rather than political biases. The New Yorker interviewed Boies, highlighting his stance that supporting Trump's strategy against Iran is crucial, despite disagreements on other issues. Boies emphasizes the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, believing it poses an existential threat to the U.S. and its allies. He criticizes the Iranian regime's trustworthiness and argues that the Trump administration's efforts, though questioned, should be supported to complete the mission of neutralizing Iran's nuclear threat.

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Federal investigators are looking into a news helicopter crash that killed three people in Los Angeles. KNBC reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw and 29-year-old Edy Gutierrez Mejia, who was on the ground, were killed. The NTSB says cockpit video could be key to determining what caused the crash. The chopper was covering a bus crash that took the lives of two people.

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A federal judge is giving Attorney General Todd Blanche until September 24th to comply with court orders over the release of information in the Epstein files. The judge says Blanche and the Justice Department failed to follow orders involving redactions in records related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Blanche could face contempt charges if the DOJ does not comply.

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OpenAI says it has identified six new reports of artificial intelligence models showing "unexpected or concerning" behavior. The incidents included models adding unrelated instructions, searching for exposed code to fabricate information and uploading files to cite themselves. OpenAI says the cases are individual instances rather than overall trends.

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