Salem News Channel

New details are emerging about the Montana shooting that left nine people dead, including the suspected gunman, as relatives identify the victims and describe the moments surrounding the attack. Family members identified the gunman as 44-year-old Alan Smith. They say Smith had lived with his parents for years before they asked him to move out several weeks ago. He unexpectedly returned to their Billings-area home Sunday evening as relatives gathered for a weekly family dinner. Authorities say eight relatives spanning four generations were killed, including four children. The victims included Smith’s parents, grandmother and younger sister, along with children ages 7, 12, 13 and 15. Family members are now calling 12-year-old Charlotte Ghekiere a hero. They say Charlotte called 911 during the attack and tried to save her family. Police arrived to reports of gunfire before the home became engulfed in flames. Investigators say Smith suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound and later died. The fire destroyed the home down to its foundation, complicating the investigation. Authorities have not publicly established a motive.

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Sen. Darline Graham has won South Carolina’s Republican Senate runoff, securing the GOP nomination to replace her late brother, longtime Sen. Lindsey Graham, on the November ballot. Graham, a political newcomer who was appointed to temporarily fill her brother’s seat following his death, defeated U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman in Tuesday’s runoff. Her victory came after President Donald Trump threw his support behind her campaign, traveling to South Carolina for a rally and urging Republicans to back her. The Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. super PAC also made a late push in the race, spending more than $800,000 to support Graham in the closing days of the campaign. Graham will now face Democrat Annie Andrews in November’s special election. Republicans enter the general election with a significant advantage in South Carolina, where a Democrat has not won statewide office in two decades.

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The next tropical storm to form in the Atlantic will be named Dolly, but forecasters say the timing is purely coincidental and has no connection to the death of country music legend Dolly Parton. Tropical storm names are determined years in advance by the World Meteorological Organization. Atlantic storm names are arranged alphabetically, alternate between male and female names and are generally reused every six years unless a particularly deadly or destructive storm causes a name to be retired. The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has produced three named storms so far — Arthur, Bertha and Cristobal — making Dolly the next name on this year’s list. The National Hurricane Center is currently monitoring a system south of the Cabo Verde Islands off the coast of Africa. Forecasters say conditions could allow it to strengthen into a tropical depression in the coming days. If sustained winds reach at least 39 mph, the system would become Tropical Storm Dolly. NOAA has forecast a below-average Atlantic hurricane season this year, with eight to 14 named storms expected.

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This week, the world mourns the loss of a music legend, but the conversation takes a sharp turn into politics and social issues. The speaker shares a personal story about the passing of a beloved family member, Dolly Parton, and how her legacy will live on. However, the discussion quickly shifts to a heated debate about socialism, immigration, and the future of America. The speaker delves into a recent interview with El Saeed, a politician running for office, and shares his thoughts on the candidate's views on socialism, healthcare, and immigration. The conversation also touches on the Green New Deal, reparations, and the importance of understanding the complexities of these issues. The speaker's opinions are clear, and he doesn't mince words when it comes to his stance on these topics. One of the key points of discussion is the idea of socialism and how it can be implemented in America. The speaker argues that socialism is not the answer and that it's a recipe for disaster. He also discusses the importance of understanding the differences between socialism and capitalism and how they can coexist. Additionally, the conversation highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to immigration and the importance of securing the borders. If you're interested in hearing more about this thought-provoking conversation and the speaker's opinions on these timely topics, tune in to this episode to hear the full discussion. 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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Dolly Parton, born in 1946 in a one-room cabin in Tennessee, is a legendary figure in music and entertainment. Raised in poverty, she wrote her first song at the age of five and began her career with a recording debut in 1959. Parton's illustrious career includes 25 number one country singles, induction into both the Country Music and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a career spanning over six decades. Known for hits like "Jolene" and "9 to 5," she also ventured into acting, earning an Oscar nomination for her role in the film of the same name. Parton's philanthropy and business acumen led to the creation of Dollywood, her renowned theme park. Despite personal life rumors, her integrity and talent garnered universal respect. Parton passed away at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy of music, film, and inspirational stories.

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In this segment, Larry Elder critically examines the affordability plans of Democrat Socialists, focusing on the lack of specific strategies to address rising costs and economic challenges. The discussion highlights the proposed policies, such as Medicare for all and rent stabilization, and questions their feasibility and fairness. Larry argues that these plans fail to consider the economic realities and the burden they place on taxpayers and businesses. The conversation also touches on the consequences of increasing taxes on the wealthy and the potential impact on employment and pricing. Through this analysis, Larry challenges the viability of these policies and calls for more practical and sustainable solutions to the issues of affordability and economic stability.

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Iran and Oman say their top diplomats have met to discuss a phased approach to managing ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. A joint statement released by the countries says their foreign ministers met in Tehran on Tuesday. The critical waterway for oil shipments remains largely shut down nearly six months after the U.S. and Israel went to war with Iran. An oil tanker was disabled late on Monday after being struck by an unknown projectile off Oman, underscoring risks to shipping in the strait. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization on Tuesday said the crew is safe and no environmental damage was immediately reported.

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Aug 25 (Reuters) - Two Pennsylvania residents died from measles, health officials said on Tuesday, the first such deaths this year in the United States, which is contending with the highest number of cases of the highly infectious disease in more than three decades as vaccination rates drop. Both people were unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which did not release additional details, citing privacy concerns. Pennsylvania has been one of the hardest hit states this year, with 393 measles cases across 28 counties so far. Lancaster County, in the southeastern part of the state, has had 185 cases, but these were the first measles deaths recorded in the state in 35 years. "Because measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don't fully understand the potential severity of the illness," said Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Debra Bogen. The United States has had 2,777 confirmed cases so far this year of a disease that had been largely eradicated in the country, a reflection of declining vaccination rates and policies under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has worked for decades to discourage the use of vaccines. Kennedy and President Donald Trump, who earlier this month issued an executive order calling for a reduction in recommended childhood vaccines, have promoted a long-debunked link between vaccines and autism contrary to established scientific evidence. Trump's executive order doesn't help restore trust in life-saving vaccines, said Dr. Angela Dunn, former Utah state epidemiologist and previously a CDC division director in infectious disease response. "We all thought the Texas outbreak and the deaths there last year would be a wake-up call. Then we had the outbreaks in South Carolina and Utah," Dunn said. In 2025, three people died in an outbreak that began in West Texas and spread to New Mexico. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment. FALLING VACCINATION RATES Vaccination rates of 95% or higher can prevent outbreaks by creating what is known as herd immunity that protects people unable to be vaccinated. Two doses of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella shot provide 97% protection against the virus. Children typically first receive the vaccine when they are 12 to 15 months old and again at age 4 to 6 years of age. According to Pennsylvania Department of Health data for the 2025-2026 school year, 93.2% of Pennsylvania kindergarten-age children had received the required two doses of MMR vaccine, down from 93.7% during the 2024-2025 school year. In Lancaster County, 87.6% of kindergarten students received the required two MMR doses during the 2025-2026 school year. The federal government and state health officials need to try to identify communities that have low measles vaccination coverage, said William Moss, an epidemiology professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. "Many people in this country and in certain communities have a mistrust of measles vaccine partly fed by misinformation and disinformation," Moss said. The number of U.S. measles cases in 2026 is the highest in ?a single year since the major resurgence between 1989 and 1991, when 55,000 infections and 123 ?deaths were recorded. South Carolina earlier this year experienced the nation's largest measles outbreak with nearly 1,000 infections over six months. It was declared over in April.

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MEXICO CITY (AP) — The U.S. government issued a travel alert for Americans planning to visit Mexicali in northern Mexico and temporarily suspended consular activities in the border city due to a “potential threat,” without providing details. The notice, released Monday night, said that because of information about “a threat,” consular activities and travel to the capital of Baja California state, across the border from the U.S. city of Calexico, were suspended. The U.S. did not provide details about the threat or whom it was directed at and only urged its citizens to avoid government buildings, seek shelter in the event of an incident and remain aware of their surroundings. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday that “there was an alert about the possibility of a criminal group” and added that the report was based on information from U.S. agencies. “There is no further information about what this alert could involve, but simply to remain alert and maintain surveillance in Mexicali,” Sheinbaum said at her regular morning news conference. The city remained calm throughout the day Tuesday. Later that afternoon, Sheinbaum's security cabinet said in a statement that authorities “have not identified any elements confirming a specific or imminent risk to the population” but that authorities had stepped up surveillance and patrols in Mexicali as a “preventative measure.” Around midnight, Baja California Gov. Marina del Pilar Ávila said in a message on her X account that Mexican authorities remained active and that security operations would be reinforced in the state capital. Mexicali, with more than 1 million residents, is one of the most populous cities along the Mexican border and is strategically important because of its close commercial and social ties with Calexico.

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The NC Senate Race is Tightening

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South Carolina Republicans are being asked to embrace something that sounds an awful lot like a dynasty. Darline Graham—the late Lindsey Graham's sister, who was appointed to fill his seat temporarily—is now running for a full term with Trump's endorsement, and some conservatives are calling it a "birthright senatorship". She has no serious political record and admitted "national security is not my thing" at a debate. Meanwhile, Congressman Ralph Norman is running as a proven conservative with a decade of proven legislative experience. Should Trump's endorsement trump actual qualifications? 

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Legendary country music icon Dolly Parton, who graced the Nashville music scene for decades, has passed away at the age of 80. Her nephew, Brian Seever, shared the news recently on social media. Parton's illustrious career was marked by numerous Grammy wins, memorable film roles, and a musical based on her life, titled "Dolly." She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Thomas Dean. Known for her timeless songs and beloved roles in films such as "Nine to Five" and "Steel Magnolias," Parton's influence extended far beyond her music. She was a cultural icon and a beloved figure who touched countless lives. This somber news was shared by Scott Jennings during his broadcast on Salem.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dolly Parton, the beloved music and film star known for her vibrant personality and poignant songwriting, has died. She was 80 years old. Her career spanned decades, with hits like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” Born in Tennessee, she rose from humble beginnings to become a country music icon. Her partnership with Porter Wagoner helped launch her career, and she later became a successful actor and businesswoman. Parton was also a philanthropist, founding her Imagination Library to promote children’s literacy. Her charm and humor made her a beloved figure across generations and political divides.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dolly Parton, the beloved music and film star known for her vibrant personality and poignant songwriting, has died. She was 80 years old. Her career spanned decades, with hits like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” Born in Tennessee, she rose from humble beginnings to become a country music icon. Her partnership with Porter Wagoner helped launch her career, and she later became a successful actor and businesswoman. Parton was also a philanthropist, founding her Imagination Library to promote children’s literacy. Her charm and humor made her a beloved figure across generations and political divides.

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Louisiana National Guard is ending its eight-month deployment patrolling the streets of New Orleans, and troops will be withdrawn from the city by the end of the month. The 120 remaining troops completed their final patrol Monday and are set to conclude their mission in the city on Aug. 31, said Lt. Col. Noel Collins, a guard spokesperson. In late December, 350 troops were deployed to the city to boost public safety in the French Quarter as part of a heavy security presence for New Year’s celebrations a year after an attack on revelers on Bourbon Street killed 14 people. While the troops were initially set to withdraw from the city following Mardi Gras festivities in February, a slimmed-down deployment was extended through August. The deployment, requested by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, was authorized by President Donald Trump following high-profile National Guard missions his administration launched in other Democrat-led cities last year, including in Washington and Memphis, Tennessee. But the sight of National Guard troops was not unusual in New Orleans, where troops had already been deployed briefly to bolster security for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras earlier that year. According to the Louisiana National Guard, troops conducted more than 4,000 patrols and assisted law enforcement with 171 arrests. They were mainly present in the city's historic French Quarter, a tourist hot spot. Mayor Helena Moreno, a Democrat who initially opposed the guard's deployment, said in a statement that she was “incredibly grateful to the men and women of the Louisiana National Guard.” Louisiana's governor, a staunch Trump ally, said the troops' presence had improved safety in the city. “This mission, though temporary, allowed our great soldiers readiness training that they otherwise would not have experienced,” Landry said in a statement provided by the guard. Violent crime in New Orleans has been declining for several years in parallel with national trends, according to data compiled by the city's police department.

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Country music mourns the loss of Dolly Parton, whose remarkable career spanned music, acting, comedy, and philanthropy. James Lylex reflects on her journey from humble beginnings to becoming an American icon and champion of children’s literacy. Parton’s talent, generosity, and lasting influence on country music cement her legacy as a national treasure.

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Hugh Hewitt examines the challenges facing Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, whose campaign polling has reportedly declined significantly against Mike Rogers. El-Sayed faced criticism after struggling to answer questions on immigration, the federal budget, transgender surgery for minors, and the Green New Deal during an appearance on Jesse Watters’ show. Hewitt argues that El-Sayed’s inconsistent responses could further hurt his campaign with Michigan voters.

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Trafalgar’s Robert Cahaly joins Mike live to unpack the shifting numbers, regional rivalries, and questions over who really owns the data that keep this race on a knife’s edge—with turnout the only remaining decider.

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The South Carolina Senate runoff is entering its final hours, with Ralph Norman and Darline Graham locked in a remarkably tight race. Trump’s endorsement, outside spending, debate performances and questions about experience have made this contest one to watch.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Secret Service has confirmed it is aware that Iranian state media has aired a video that appears to threaten the life of Barron Trump, President Donald Trump’s youngest son. Secret Service spokesman Nate Herring confirmed that the agency is aware of the video and investigates anything that can be perceived as a threat toward the people it protects. But Herring offered no further details and cited the Secret Service practice of not discussing intelligence affecting protectees. Since the U.S. assassination of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iranian media have on multiple occasions circulated content threatening the president and family members. The assassination came at the start of the war in Iran that Trump launched alongside Israel.

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