Salem News Channel

Races to Watch in Today’s Primaries: Voters in several states are heading to the polls Tuesday for primary elections that could offer an early look at the political battles shaping the 2026 midterms. The biggest contests are in Florida, Alaska and Wyoming, with congressional control and several high-profile political careers on the line. FLORIDA GOVERNOR One of the biggest races to watch is the Republican primary for Florida governor. Congressman Byron Donalds, backed by President Donald Trump, is the frontrunner in the race to replace term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis. Donalds is seeking to become Florida’s first Black governor. On the Democratic side, former Republican Congressman David Jolly is leading the field. Jolly switched parties in 2018 and is now trying to give Democrats a path to win the governor’s mansion after decades of Republican control. FLORIDA SENATE The Republican primary for U.S. Senate is another race to watch. Senator Ashley Moody, who was appointed to the seat after Marco Rubio became secretary of state, is favored to win the GOP nomination. On the Democratic side, former Army officer Alex Vindman is the frontrunner. Vindman became nationally known after testifying during President Trump’s first impeachment. The eventual Republican and Democratic nominees will face off in November for a seat Democrats would need to flip to make major gains in the Senate. ALASKA SENATE Alaska's Senate primary may be the most unusual race on today's ballot. Republican Senator Dan Sullivan is running for another term — but so is another candidate named Dan Sullivan. The incumbent is facing former Democratic Congresswoman Mary Peltola, who is trying to return to Congress and potentially become the first Alaska Native senator. Alaska uses a nonpartisan top-four primary, meaning the four candidates who receive the most votes advance to November. The race could be especially important for Democrats, who are looking for opportunities to flip Republican-held Senate seats. FLORIDA HOUSE RACES Florida's congressional primaries are also drawing national attention because of a newly redrawn congressional map. The Republican-controlled legislature approved a map designed to strengthen the GOP's position in the state, potentially giving Republicans several additional House seats. One closely watched Democratic contest pits Congressman Jared Moskowitz against progressive challenger Oliver Larkin. Another high-profile race features longtime Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz running in a dramatically redrawn district against several challengers. The results could determine which party has the advantage in Florida's congressional delegation heading into November. WYOMING Wyoming also has several important Republican primaries. With Senator Cynthia Lummis retiring, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman is the frontrunner for the Republican Senate nomination. The state's open governor's race is also drawing attention, as Governor Mark Gordon is term-limited. Because Wyoming is overwhelmingly Republican, winning today's GOP primaries could effectively amount to winning the November election. CALIFORNIA SPECIAL ELECTION And in California, voters are choosing a replacement for former Congressman Eric Swalwell's seat. The race in the East Bay features Democratic State Senator Aisha Wahab and other candidates competing for the remaining term. The contest has attracted national attention and significant outside spending, making it another race to watch as the 2026 midterms take shape.

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A transgender woman who admitted traveling to Washington with a knife and Molotov cocktails in a plot targeting Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison. Riley Jane English, also identified in court records as Ryan Michael English, was sentenced Tuesday to 73 months behind bars. Prosecutors had requested a sentence of at least 10 years. English pleaded guilty in March to federal weapons and explosives charges after traveling from Massachusetts to the Washington area on January 27, 2025. According to prosecutors, English was inspired by the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and initially considered targeting a government official or burning down a Washington think tank. English ultimately focused on Bessent, who was being confirmed as Treasury secretary that day. The Justice Department said English had been planning the attack for some time before traveling to Washington.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Canada are negotiating in an effort to reach a truce on tariffs before a 12:01 a.m. Wednesday deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. If no deal is reached, Trump has threatened to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian products, ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters Monday that negotiations were ongoing. Carney's office said Carney and Trump spoke by phone Monday, underscoring the last-minute push to reach a deal before Wednesday’s deadline.

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A bogus political poll was exposed as a social experiment, while lawmakers pursue measures intended to ensure state law remains the sole legal authority.

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A generational divide over work ethic, self-reliance, and expectations—and whether resilience has given way to entitlement.

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In an in-depth interview, Hung Cao, the acting Secretary of the Navy, discusses the complexities of the USS Abraham Lincoln's record-long deployment near Iran. He addresses the challenges faced by the crew, emphasizing the importance of maintaining morale and operational readiness. Despite the demanding conditions, Hung Cao highlights the crew's commitment and the strategic significance of the deployment in ensuring regional peace. He also touches on the political dynamics surrounding military funding and resource allocation, and reflects on his personal journey from a Vietnamese refugee to a key figure in U.S. naval leadership. The conversation provides a nuanced look at the balance between military duty and political pressures, as well as the broader geopolitical strategies in the region.

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The Justice Department’s internal watchdog is launching a review of a controversial DEA investigative tactic that allegedly allowed fentanyl shipments to reach communities while federal agents worked to build larger cases against drug traffickers. The review will examine Justice Department policies and wiretap investigations in which Drug Enforcement Administration agents may have learned about fentanyl deliveries in advance but chose not to intervene to avoid jeopardizing broader investigations. The scrutiny follows an Associated Press investigation that found DEA agents repeatedly monitored but did not seize major fentanyl shipments in New Mexico between 2023 and 2025. An internal DEA report reviewed by AP detailed one case in which agents watched a delivery of 74,000 fentanyl pills at an Albuquerque mobile home park without intercepting the drugs. The investigative strategy, sometimes referred to as allowing drugs to “walk,” has drawn criticism from current and former agents who argue it put the public at risk. DEA whistleblower David Howell has alleged federal authorities knowingly allowed dangerous drugs into New Mexico communities while pursuing higher-level traffickers. Justice Department Inspector General Don Berthiaume says the review will examine the department’s actions over the past two years and could determine whether similar tactics were used in other cities. The review comes as New Mexico authorities conduct a separate criminal investigation into whether DEA agents violated state law by allowing fentanyl shipments to reach the streets. DEA Administrator Terry Cole previously requested an outside review following the allegations, saying the inquiry should not be interpreted as a lack of confidence in DEA personnel but could identify areas where the agency’s practices need improvement.

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Civil rights advocates are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a Texas law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments, setting up a potential major test over religious expression in public classrooms. More than two dozen Texas families, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups, filed the petition Monday. They argue the requirement violates the First Amendment by singling out religious scripture for display in public schools. The law, signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, applies to a public school system serving roughly 5.5 million students. Ten Commandments posters began appearing in Texas classrooms nearly a year ago. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Texas law in April in a narrow 9-8 decision, clearing the way for the mandate to remain in effect. The appeals court also allowed a similar Louisiana law to move forward. Similar Ten Commandments requirements have also been approved in Arkansas and Alabama, giving the Supreme Court an opportunity to establish a broader national standard governing religious displays in public schools. Supporters have argued the Ten Commandments carry historical significance beyond religion, while opponents contend government-mandated displays improperly promote religious beliefs in public classrooms. The Supreme Court has not yet announced whether it will hear the Texas challenge.

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A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s plan to relocate FBI headquarters to the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, ruling that the administration improperly abandoned an earlier plan to build a new facility in Greenbelt, Maryland. U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, ruled Monday that the administration’s decision was “not in accordance with law.” The order prevents the administration from moving the FBI into the Reagan Building, renovating the building for the bureau or redirecting funds toward the project. The Greenbelt location was selected during the Biden administration following years of debate over replacing the aging J. Edgar Hoover Building on Pennsylvania Avenue. Trump administration officials later sought to reverse that decision and instead repurpose the Reagan Building, located just blocks from the FBI’s current headquarters. The lawsuit challenging the change was brought by the state of Maryland and Prince George’s County, which argued that significant time and resources had already been committed to bringing the headquarters to Greenbelt. The FBI criticized the ruling, accusing the court of improperly interfering with the administration’s effort to make the federal government more cost-effective. The bureau said it remains focused on determining the best course of action to meet the needs of federal law enforcement. The ruling marks the latest turn in a yearslong battle over replacing the FBI’s current headquarters, which opened in 1975 and has fallen into significant disrepair.

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Thirteen current or former Penn State University students are among 14 people charged in connection with an alleged cocaine-trafficking operation involving two fraternities. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said two of the defendants served as the main suppliers, routinely traveling to New York and Philadelphia to obtain large quantities of cocaine. Authorities say the drugs were then brought back to State College, packaged and distributed primarily to Penn State students. Prosecutors say cocaine was packaged mainly at the off-campus Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternity houses. Investigators also allege some fraternity pledges were brought into the operation by being tasked with cutting and bagging cocaine. Four defendants face felony charges including corrupt organizations and conspiracy, while others face charges ranging from felony conspiracy to misdemeanor drug possession. The 14th defendant, the father of a student, is accused of tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation. Penn State has placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension while the university investigates. Sigma Chi is not currently recognized by the university and operates outside Penn State oversight.

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Anthony D'esposito, the Inspector General of the Department of Labor, discusses his proactive approach to uncovering and addressing labor fraud. D'esposito emphasizes the significance of bringing attention to the work of inspectors general and the importance of rooting out fraud that steals from the federal government. He highlights the Department of Labor's focus on unemployment insurance fraud and foreign labor fraud, particularly concerning the H1B visa program. D'esposito explains how fraudulent activities, such as overpayments and exploitation of the visa system, impact both federal funds and American workers, threatening the integrity of the job market. His investigative efforts extend to collaborating with other federal agencies to combat gun, human, and narcotics trafficking. D'esposito stresses the urgency of these issues and their potential impact on small businesses, especially in states like California, where unpaid debts to the federal government could lead to increased unemployment taxes for local businesses.

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The FBI's latest crime statistics reveal a significant nationwide decline in violent crime rates. Murder and non-negligent manslaughter dropped by 18.1 percent, rape by 7.6 percent, and aggravated assault by 7 percent. These reductions are part of a broader trend that includes a 18.5 percent decrease in robberies. Jonathan Fahey, former federal prosecutor and acting ICE director under President Trump, attributes this decrease to several factors. The Trump administration focused on street crimes and violent offenses, contrasting with previous administrations that prioritized political crimes and protesters. Enhanced immigration enforcement, including the removal of serious criminals who entered the country illegally, also contributed to this decline. The deterrence effect of stricter immigration policies has led to fewer crimes, with the murder rate reaching its lowest point since 1956. The conversation also touches on the impact of focusing on drug trafficking, gang crimes, and immigration crimes, which have direct implications for local crime rates in cities like Dallas and Atlanta. The discussion further highlights the positive outcomes of combating drug cartels and making borders more secure, which has led to a substantial decrease in overdose deaths. Despite these achievements, there is concern that incoming policies may reverse these gains by dismantling ICE and defunding the police.

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Several Centers for Disease Control and Prevention programs funded by Congress are operating with little or no staff following workforce cuts made as part of the Trump administration’s effort to restructure the federal government. Among the affected programs is the CDC’s Alzheimer’s disease initiative, which received $41 million from Congress this year but currently has no staff assigned to it. The agency’s Office on Smoking and Health received $246 million, but its staff was also cut. Programs focused on epilepsy, sickle cell disease data collection, overdose prevention and drowning prevention have also been affected. The staffing shortages stem largely from layoffs that began in April 2025 as the administration moved to reduce and reorganize the federal health workforce. Some of those cuts were later reversed, while other employees remain on paid administrative leave as legal challenges continue. Democratic lawmakers argue the administration is legally required to maintain enough staff to carry out programs specifically funded by Congress. During her confirmation hearing, new CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz told lawmakers she would follow the law when questioned about restoring work at the agency’s smoking prevention office. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said the administration plans to hire additional federal health workers, particularly for programs addressing chronic disease. However, union officials say significant rehiring at the CDC has yet to occur.

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Voters are heading to the polls Tuesday for primary elections in Alaska, Florida and Wyoming, with one of the day’s more unusual contests unfolding in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race. Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, who is seeking a third term, is sharing the ballot with another Republican named Dan Sullivan — retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan. The same-name matchup has prompted concerns about voter confusion and drawn the attention of President Donald Trump. Trump urged Alaskans on Truth Social to vote for the incumbent, calling him the “real Dan Sullivan” and accusing Democrats of putting an “imposter” with the same name on the ballot. Dan J. Sullivan has denied being recruited by Democrats and says he entered the race on his own. The incumbent senator’s campaign previously challenged Dan J. Sullivan’s candidacy in court, arguing the shared name could confuse voters. That effort failed, although Alaska election officials have taken steps to distinguish the candidates on the ballot. Former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola is also running for the Senate seat and is viewed as a major challenger to the Republican incumbent heading into November. The race is receiving national attention as both parties battle for control of the Senate in this year’s midterm elections.

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New details are emerging about the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, who was found unresponsive Sunday at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. Police and emergency crews responded shortly before 2 p.m. to a report of an unresponsive woman in cardiac arrest. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate Panettiere, but she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. She was 36. Dispatch audio from the emergency response referenced a possible overdose while medics were being sent to the scene. However, authorities have not determined that an overdose caused Panettiere’s death, and her official cause and manner of death remain pending. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office completed an autopsy Monday and said no signs of trauma were found that would have contributed to her death. Police also say the preliminary investigation has found no evidence of foul play or suspicious circumstances. Panettiere was best known for her roles in the television series “Heroes” and “Nashville,” as well as films including “Remember the Titans” and the “Scream” franchise.

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Opening arguments are set to begin Tuesday in a landmark federal trial accusing Meta of harming children through Facebook and Instagram. The case in Oakland, California, could result in significant financial penalties and major changes to how the social media platforms operate. Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are leading the case. They are part of a broader coalition of 29 states that sued Meta in 2023 over child safety and privacy concerns. The remaining 25 states are expected to have their claims heard later. The states accuse Meta of deliberately designing addictive features that encourage children and teenagers to spend more time on Facebook and Instagram. They also allege the company collected personal data from children under 13 without parental consent in violation of federal law. The states are seeking extensive financial damages as well as changes to Meta’s business practices and platform designs. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks and could include testimony from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other company executives. Meta denies the allegations and says it has made significant efforts to protect children and teenagers using its platforms. The company says it believes it has a strong case and plans to defend its safety practices in court.

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President Donald Trump says he does not believe Iran is willing to agree to the deal he considers necessary to end the ongoing war with the United States. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump reiterated that any agreement must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He also rejected extending the interim agreement reached in June, which had provided a 60-day window for the two sides to negotiate a broader peace deal. That agreement unraveled in July as Washington and Tehran remained divided over several key issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and control of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says the critical waterway will remain largely closed until the United States fulfills conditions Tehran says were included in the interim agreement. Those demands include easing oil sanctions, releasing frozen Iranian assets and ending U.S. military threats and operations. Trump has maintained that Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and has signaled the United States could increase both military and economic pressure if Tehran refuses to accept Washington’s terms. The president’s latest remarks come as diplomatic efforts remain stalled and concerns grow that fighting between the two countries could intensify again.

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Larry Elder discusses a story about Dr. Anthony Fauci and the COVID-19 lab leak theory. He recounts how a story was set to air on ABC News, exploring the possibility that COVID-19 originated from a lab leak. Elder shares insights from interviews with molecular virologists and sources within the Trump administration, suggesting that the lab had ties to the Chinese military. However, the story was heavily edited and censored before airing, leading to Elder's frustration. The discussion also touches on the organized campaign to silence any claims of a lab leak, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue on the subject. This conversation highlights the challenges faced by journalists in reporting on sensitive and controversial topics.

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A recent poll highlights a significant decline in trust among Americans, particularly over the past decade. Americans born before 1960 exhibit the highest levels of trust, while those born in the 2000s report the highest levels of distrust. A 25-country survey by Pew Research reveals that Americans increasingly view their fellow citizens as morally bankrupt. This growing distrust has escalated into mutual contempt, deepening the divide between political parties. Larry Elder reflects on this trend, noting that the current generation has never experienced a society where cooperation was the default. He emphasizes that political polarization has led to a cycle of distrust and contempt, further alienating future generations. Elder also shares personal anecdotes illustrating the profound ideological divides within the country.

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NEW YORK, Aug 17 (Reuters) - A New York state judge on Monday effectively postponed Luigi Mangione's trial on murder and weapons charges over the 2024 killing of a health insurance CEO, after Mangione pleaded guilty last week to separate federal charges. The trial had previously been scheduled to begin on September 8. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the state charges. Mangione's lawyers on Friday asked New York state Justice Gregory Carro, who is overseeing the state case, to dismiss the charges, arguing that Mangione should not have to be punished for the same conduct twice under New York's law prohibiting double jeopardy. In a brief written order on Monday, Carro gave prosecutors until October 9 to respond to Mangione's motion. The judge set Mangione's next appearance in state court for December 10, meaning the trial will not go forward next month.

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