Salem News Channel

Karoline Leavitt is wrapping up her job as White House Press Secretary on Thursday, August 27, 2026. "I'll miss you guys I know that's probably not something anyone would expect me to say but obviously it's been great working with all of you," said Leavitt while speaking to reporters. Leavitt thanked President Donald Trump for "this amazing opportunity" but said for now, she's heading home to care for her baby daughter and 2-year-old son. "90 percent of it is taking all of your calls at 5 in the morning and 11 at night... and I won't really miss that... but I will miss working with you guys every day," she concluded.

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Dolly Parton famously stayed out of politics—she focused on music, philanthropy, and bringing people together . Today's celebrities? They can't wait to grab a megaphone and tell you what to think about everything from immigration to foreign policy . It alienates their fans and divides the audience they're supposed to entertain. So here's the question: Should entertainers weigh in on the culture wars, or should they just shut up and sing? --- M and M Extra! If you love smart unscripted talk show chemistry, you’re in the right place. Two iconic talk radio hosts. One unfiltered daily conversation. No scripts. No spin. Just Mike Gallagher and Mark Davis breaking down the news the way it should be with zero apologies. Like and subscribe to @MandMExtra for more content. Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8EGNf1WbbwMRurHjD-q-sft3OQfbxop8 Check out highlight clips from all our shows: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8EGNf1WbbwPQn44WIEh9LfT3hP1lng9w

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WASHINGTON, Aug 27 (Reuters) - The crew of a military helicopter carrying President Donald Trump that came too close to a passenger jet on August 4 failed to reach air traffic controllers before departing, the National Transportation Safety Board said on Thursday. The incident involving a plane departing Reagan Washington National Airport raised questions about why the passenger airplane was allowed to depart while ?Marine One was nearby, a time when commercial traffic is typically halted. The NTSB said the Marine One crew at least twice attempted to give controllers a required three-minute notice of departure but were hampered by communications issues. The NTSB said the crew also sought to contact controllers through the helicopter facility at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, which was also unsuccessful. On Tuesday, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Bryan Bedford, said the agency relocated an antenna and changed a procedure after the incident. The NTSB said checks made after the relocation have shown no communications issues. The NTSB also disclosed there had been other communication issues. On July 30, Marine One and air traffic control staff met and controllers sought "to discuss concern with recent reports of their not receiving the required 3 minute to liftoff call," the NTSB said. The Marine One crew said communications “had been spotty,” the NTSB said. FAA rules require aircraft to remain separated by at least 1.5 miles (2.4 km) horizontally and 500 feet (152 m) ?vertically around airports. The NTSB said Marine One and the plane were at one point separated by 0.82 nautical mile laterally and 700 feet vertically. Envoy Air 3742, an Embraer E170 regional jet, was bound for Pensacola, Florida. Another regional flight, Republic 4700, was 3 ?miles from Reagan during the incident and was rerouted out of caution. The FAA imposed permanent restrictions on helicopter operations around Washington's Reagan Airport after the January 2025 midair collision between an ?American Airlines ?regional jet and an Army helicopter.

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WASHINGTON, Aug 27 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States is not talking with Iran as Washington focuses on punishing Tehran economically, vowing to penalize countries that do business with the Islamic Republic. "We don't want to speak to them. We're not looking to meet or anything," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. Earlier in the day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. economic campaign would continue until Iran decides to negotiate meaningfully. "Now we have Operation Economic Outcast to destroy their economy," Leavitt told the "Fox & Friends" program. "No negotiations are happening right now, and this will continue until the president feels that maybe they come to the table in a meaningful way ... He of course continues to retain all options on the table." U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned countries on Monday to cut their financial ties with Iran or face secondary sanctions as part of what had been billed as "Economic D-Day," but the Treasury Department stopped short of actually imposing penalties. When asked on Thursday if he would punish Russia for continuing to do business with Iran, Trump responded: "It depends. So far, I think Russia's behaved quite well, having to do with the Strait of Hormuz, and you have to understand: for everything they do, we do also. You know, somebody was saying about China. What about China? We hear they're spying. We spy on them too." Then when asked if he would sanction Chinese banks for doing business with Iran, Trump said: "Who said I'm not? You don't know if I'm doing it ... I don't have to announce everything, do I?" Qatar's prime minister visited Tehran on Thursday in a bid to relaunch diplomacy after the U.S. and Iran traded recriminations over Washington's promise to increase economic pressure, a move one Iranian official described as "all-out economic war."

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Aug 26 (Reuters) - A U.S. Air Force judge on Wednesday ordered Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the accused mastermind of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, and three co-defendants to go on trial before a military tribunal in June 2028. The trial-scheduling order entered by Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michael Schrama marked the latest milestone in a military prosecution beset by two decades of legal deadlock surrounding the four detainees held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Last year, a U.S. appeals court refused to allow Mohammed and two of his co-defendants to plead guilty under agreements that would have spared them the death penalty. The appellate decision reversed decisions of a military judge and the U.S. Court of Military Commission Review in support of the plea deal. The agreement had been offered in 2024 and accepted by the official who oversees the Pentagon's Guantanamo war court, only to be revoked last August by then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin amid criticism of the deal from Republican lawmakers. Under Schrama's 11-page order, Mohammed and three co-defendants — Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak bin 'Atash, Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi, and Ali Abdul Aziz Ali — will stand trial starting on June 5, 2028. The proceedings open with selection of a panel consisting entirely of service members who will act as the jury to hear the case according to rules of military justice. Opening statements will commence 30 calendar days after the panel is seated, followed by presentation of the prosecution's evidence, after which the defendants may file motions for findings of not guilty. The order gives both sides opportunities to argue those motions and rebut one another, and for prosecutors to reopen their case. The defense presents its principal evidence starting 60 calendar days after the prosecution concludes its case. The trial ends with a sentencing phase. Schrama rejected the prosecutors' proposal to open the trial in January 2027, saying that would leave too little time for the "resolution of pretrial evidentiary and compliance motions." Mohammed remains the most well-known inmate at the Guantanamo detention facility, which was set up in 2002 by then-U.S. President George W. Bush to house foreign militant suspects following the September 11, 2001, attacks. He is accused of orchestrating the plot to fly hijacked passenger jetliners into the World Trade Center in New York City and into the Pentagon. The 9/11 attacks killed nearly 3,000 people.

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In this discussion, Will Chamberlain joins to delve into several pressing issues including the recent settlement involving Meta, the implications of AI data centers, and the controversial trial of Lindsay Clancy. Chamberlain highlights the significance of the Meta settlement, which he views as a pivotal moment in addressing the negative impacts of big tech on young users, particularly concerning mental health. He advocates for stricter regulations on tech companies, emphasizing that economic growth should not come at the cost of human well-being. Turning to AI data centers, Chamberlain discusses the need for balanced regulation, recognizing both the economic benefits and the ethical concerns surrounding their operation. He criticizes certain tech CEOs for their lack of credibility and for prioritizing profits over ethical considerations, but he also cautions against the extreme stance of dismantling data centers entirely. Chamberlain calls for a pragmatic approach that leverages technology for national security and economic growth while addressing valid concerns. Lastly, Chamberlain comments on the Lindsay Clancy trial, expressing strong views on the need for retributive justice in cases of heinous crimes. He argues against the notion of allowing murderers to evade severe punishment through mental health defenses, especially in cases of extreme violence like Clancy's. Chamberlain's insights provide a thoughtful examination of these complex issues, balancing legal, ethical, and societal considerations.

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Hugh Hewitt discusses the landmark case Ream v. Department of the Treasury with John Reem, which challenges the constitutionality of the federal ban on home distilling. Reem argues that the ban exceeds federal authority, infringing on individual liberty and states’ rights. The case revisits the controversial Wickard v. Filburn precedent and the constitutional limits of the Commerce Clause. With broad support from conservative and free-market groups, the case could give the Supreme Court an opportunity to clarify the scope of federal power.

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In this episode of the Scott Jennings Show, Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate for governor in New York, shares an update on his campaign. Blakeman reports high energy levels and momentum, with increased support from independents and Democrats dissatisfied with their party. He discusses the current polling situation, emphasizing his narrowing gap with Kathy Hochul, the incumbent governor. Blakeman criticizes Hochul's policies, pointing out the high taxes and crime rates in New York, and her decision to ban local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE. He also mentions receiving support from unexpected quarters, including a fundraiser hosted by Bonnie Lautenberg, the widow of a former Democratic senator, who disagrees with the current direction of the Democratic Party. Blakeman frames the election as a battle to reclaim the state from what he describes as an anti-American and dangerous political faction.

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Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the September 11, 2001 attacks, is set to finally face trial in 2028. Despite being captured years ago and held at Guantanamo Bay, the lengthy delay in bringing him to justice has sparked widespread outrage and calls for reform in the U.S. judicial system. While due process and the right to appeal are fundamental principles, the case of KSM highlights the absurdity of such prolonged delays.

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The discussion around Hassan Piker Day highlights concerns about the growing influence of radical left-wing figures within the Democratic Party. Senator John Assoff, along with Democrats like Cory Booker and Debbie Dingell, has distanced himself from Piker amid controversy over his rhetoric and its impact on Democratic campaigns. Critics argue that Piker’s influence reflects broader concerns about antisemitism, violent language, and ideological shifts within the party.

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Harvest with Greg Laurie, August 30, 2026

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In a recent executive move, President signed an order to change the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America, effective immediately. This decision is rooted in the belief that the lake, which holds most of its volume within the United States, should reflect its geographical alignment. The order directs the Secretary of the Interior to update the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) to reflect this name change. While the President aims to standardize the name for federal use, it remains to be seen how this change will be received internationally. The President's move comes amidst ongoing trade negotiations with Canada, which have recently escalated with reciprocal tariffs. Although the President stated that no specific message is being sent to Canada, his comments highlighted long-standing trade grievances with the country. This executive order marks a significant, albeit symbolic, shift in how the U.S. government identifies and represents one of its natural landmarks.

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The Greg Laurie Show, August 30, 2026

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Here's what's trending today with our partners at Townhall.... More cities are cutting ties with "flock safety" and removing its surveillance cameras amid growing privacy concerns. Tempe and Cave Creek, Arizona, are the latest to end their contracts. Officials cite reports of misuse of automated license plate data, despite saying the technology has helped police solve crimes. Read more on Townhall at: https://townhall.com/news/jeff-charles/2026/08/27/more-cities-cancel-flock-safety-contracts-n2682011

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Pakistan and Qatar are continuing diplomatic efforts to end the war between the United States and Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. But President Donald Trump told Al Jazeera he's got “no time schedule” to resolve the conflict reaching the six-month mark on Friday. Trump said he thinks the U.S. is “winning very big.”

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he's renaming Lake Ontario to be known as “Lake America” in the United States as he exacerbates his trade war with Canada. The Republican president signed an executive order in the Oval Office on Thursday that updated the lake’s name for the U.S. geographic naming service.

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PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — Jurors in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial in Plymouth, Massachusetts, are deliberating whether the former labor and delivery nurse is criminally responsible for killing her three children in 2023. While both sides agree she killed her children, Clancy’s defense team argued she suffered from postpartum psychosis, with defense attorney Kevin Reddington stating that “lousy medical care” exacerbated her condition. Prosecutors at the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office argued she intentionally planned the killings and that the nation’s healthcare system is “not on trial here.” Deliberations began early Thursday afternoon.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Peter 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 cartoon franchise, has died. He was 85. His agent, Kevin Motley, said Cullen died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. “His family asks that you honor his remarkable legacy by serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity, and loyalty and always remember 'be strong enough to be gentle,'" said a family statement. Cullen's career spanned from being an announcer at the groundbreaking late-1960s comedy and variety series “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” to “The Smurfs” and multiple G.I. Joe iterations, but he struck a nerve as Optimus Prime. While the original cartoon ran just a few years, it left an indelible mark on pop culture, with a toy line, spinoff cartoon series and comics produced over the next two decades. That culminated in the launch of a multibillion-dollar, live-action film franchise in 2007 by Michael Bay. Before his audition, Cullen only knew that he would be reading for the part of a truck, though giving voice to a vehicle didn’t seem that crazy. “You’re always auditioning for something in animation that’s a little off of the norm,” Cullen told the AP in 2019. When Cullen read about the heroic Autobot leader that turned into a red cabover semitrailer, he thought about his older brother, who had served as a U.S. Marine in the Vietnam War. “He was my hero, and he certainly was the mainstay behind the character,” Cullen said. “I just did an impression of Larry, and he’s still alive in my mind today because every time I do Prime, there’s my brother Larry.” Cullen’s authoritative baritone as Optimus Prime also appeared in 2009's “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” through “Dark of the Moon,” “Age of Extinction,” “The Last Knight,” “Bumblebee” and "Rise of the Beasts” in 2023. His thoughtful, almost operatic lines would be quoted for decades by kids and adults alike: “I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to any surviving Autobots taking refuge among the stars: We are here. We are waiting,” he said in the first movie. In another, he intoned: “Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing.” Other highlights from Cullen's prolific career include voicing Eeyore across various “Winnie-the-Pooh” projects, including Disney’s “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” TV series that aired from 1988-91, as well as voicing the villainous KARR opposite KITT in the 1980s NBC series “Knight Rider,” and lending his pipes to King Kong in the Jeff Bridges-led “King Kong” remake in 1976. Cullen would attend conventions around the country to meet with fans from multiple generations, often getting teary. He said parents sometimes got more excited than their children meeting him. “I expect that I will run into a father with his son, and the father will more than likely get choked up,” Cullen said before MegaCon Orlando in 2019. “And then I get choked up, and then the kid is saying ‘What are these two grown men getting choked up about?’” Cullen is survived by his four children, Angus, Claire, Pilar and Clay.

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department has charged more than 80 people in the takedown of a violent Puerto Rican gang, Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Thursday during a visit to the island as part of the Trump administration's efforts to highlight its push to tackle violent crime. Federal prosecutors say the gang known as “Los Baja Deo” for years trafficked fentanyl, cocaine and other illegal drugs from the west coast city of Mayagüez, generating nearly $50 million in proceeds. The group is also responsible for shootings, killings, kidnappings and assaults and the distribution of at least 340 kilograms of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced narcotics, Blanche said. "Our Homeland Security Task Forces around the country are unified and they’re unified to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs and transnational criminal organizations around the United States,” the newly confirmed attorney general told reporters from the U.S. attorney's office in San Juan. Blanche's presence in the U.S. Caribbean territory for the announcement underscores the Trump administration's efforts to put a spotlight on its work tackling cartels and gangs that fuel drug trafficking and violence in communities across the U.S. The Trump administration has dramatically reshaped the Justice Department to make tackling illegal immigration and violent crime a top priority. “These 81 violent gang members will now face justice and so will any other that try to take their place,” said Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, the acting U.S. attorney for Puerto Rico. “Today, the families of Mayagüez can peacefully enjoy what their communities have to offer without fear of harm.”

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Plenty of Americans now treat data centers as an unwelcome blight. One small town just opened a $15 million aquatic center with slides and a lazy river—and a huge indoor sports complex is next. The money came from the same facilities many people want to stop. The contrast between the national mood and what actually showed up on the ground is hard to miss.

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