Salem News Channel

(Dalton, GA) -- President Trump is once again asking voters to "pretend" he's on the midterm ballot. While campaigning in Dalton, Georgia Friday, Trump warned against low GOP voter-turnout, and urged the crowd to go to the polls to make sure Democrats don't take control of Congress. He's campaigning for Republican Senate candidate Mike Collins in his challenge to incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff, whom Trump warned would open up the borders again. He's also stumping for Republican candidate for governor Rick Jackson, in his race against Democrat and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

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Larry Elder addresses the contentious issue of racism in American politics, focusing on former President Trump. They defend Trump against accusations of racism by examining his actions and policies, suggesting that his deeds speak louder than his words. The conversation highlights several historical examples of political figures who made disparaging remarks but enacted significant civil rights legislation. The speaker argues that it's more critical to assess the actions and achievements of political leaders rather than their potentially offensive statements. They point to Trump's efforts in education reform, border security, funding for historically black colleges, and the First Step Act as evidence of his commitment to supporting minority communities. The discussion raises questions about how we judge the morality and intentions of public figures based on both their words and actions.

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In this discussion, Alex Marlow raises critical questions about the credibility of Ilhan Omar, a prominent Democratic Congresswoman, in light of ongoing investigations into her past. Marlow highlights skepticism from even Jake Tapper of CNN, suggesting that Omar's claims to innocence are increasingly being questioned. The conversation delves into allegations that Omar may have misrepresented her age to expedite her path to citizenship, a potential violation of immigration laws. This segment invites viewers to consider the broader implications of these allegations on public trust and political integrity, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in public office.

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President Donald Trump on Friday denied reports that he is considering replacing White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, calling the reports false and reaffirming his support for his top aide. “The Susie Wiles story was a fake story,” Trump told CNN’s Kristen Holmes, referring to a Politico report that said he had discussed potential replacements with allies. “She’s been incredible,” Trump said of Wiles, describing her as smart and tough. He also referenced her recent battle with breast cancer, noting that she had undergone surgery. “Susie is here and she’s gonna be here for a long time,” Trump added. In a statement to Politico, Trump called Wiles his “loyal and longest serving Chief of Staff” and said she has his “COMPLETE confidence.” Trump also told reporters Friday that the decision rests solely with him. Wiles disclosed her early-stage breast cancer diagnosis in March. Trump encouraged her to begin treatment immediately and take time away from the White House as needed. However, Wiles continued serving as chief of staff while undergoing treatment. Last month, Wiles announced she was cancer-free and thanked Trump for his support, saying she would continue working to advance his agenda. Wiles played a key role in Trump's successful 2024 presidential campaign before becoming White House chief of staff. She is the first woman to hold the position.

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READING, Mass. — A 22-year-old Massachusetts man pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder and other charges in connection with the fatal shooting of his mother inside their Reading home. Ryan Hanafin was arraigned in Woburn District Court after being extradited from Vermont, where he was arrested on October 8. Prosecutors allege Hanafin shot his mother, 49-year-old Andria Hanafin, following an argument over the number of cats she was rescuing and keeping in the family home. Hanafin is charged with first-degree murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, 15 counts of improper storage of a large-capacity firearm near a minor, and one count of receiving an untraceable firearm. He was ordered held without bail and is scheduled to return to court November 10. According to prosecutors, Andria Hanafin died from a gunshot wound to the head. Her husband, Matthew Hanafin, called 911 at 12:38 a.m. on October 8 after returning home and finding her dead. The couple’s 13-year-old son was home that evening. Prosecutors said the teenager last saw his mother around 5 p.m. before leaving to spend time with friends. He returned around 9 p.m. and went directly to his room without seeing her. Investigators said Matthew Hanafin had spoken with his wife by phone around 6:50 p.m. During the conversation, they discussed a dispute involving their son Ryan and the cats Andria had been rescuing. She reportedly told her husband she wanted Ryan to move out. Police said Ryan Hanafin had left the home before officers arrived and fled in a black 2010 Dodge Charger. He was arrested in Vermont later that day. During the investigation, authorities found 19 firearms in the bedroom where Hanafin had been living, prosecutors said. Ten firearms were registered in his name. He had a Massachusetts license to carry firearms, which was suspended following the incident. Prosecutors also cited a Snapchat message Hanafin allegedly sent about the night of his mother’s death: “Told him I blew madre to pieces and he believed me.” The charges against Hanafin remain allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

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Laken Snelling, a former University of Kentucky cheerleader, was sentenced to 10 years in prison Friday after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the death of her infant son, according to local media reports. Snelling, who was a senior at the university at the time, was arrested in August 2025 after her roommates reported hearing loud noises coming from her closet. When officers arrived, they found the infant wrapped in a trash bag inside the closet, according to a statement from the city of Lexington. The Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office determined the baby was born alive and died from asphyxiation, the statement said. Snelling was indicted in March on manslaughter and three additional charges. She pleaded guilty in August to first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant. During her court appearance, Judge Diane Minnifield asked Snelling how she ended the infant’s life. Snelling responded, “I deprived him of oxygen.” “I was under a lot of emotional stress and my baby came unexpectedly,” Snelling said through tears. “And instead of helping him, I ended his life and afterward I cleaned up and didn’t tell anyone.” According to court documents, Snelling told investigators she was awake for about 30 minutes after giving birth before passing out on top of the baby. When she woke up, she saw the infant “turning blue and purple.”

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President Donald Trump has fired Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary after just five days on the job, according to advisers to the president. Trump told reporters Friday that he had encouraged Zacharia to reconsider the position, suggesting her brief tenure was coming to an end. “Honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider,” Trump said he told her, adding that he did not believe she needed the job. Trump praised Zacharia as a loyal supporter and said she had been treated unfairly by the media. However, he acknowledged that the role might not be the right fit. Zacharia faced intense scrutiny following her first White House press briefing Tuesday, when she appeared nervous and answered just three questions. Questions also emerged about her professional background after she struggled to explain her legal credentials. Although Trump initially viewed her debut more favorably than some of his advisers, subsequent media interviews and discussions with allies reportedly contributed to the decision to remove her from the role. Zacharia gained Trump's attention as a conservative television commentator before being selected as press secretary. A White House official said she was transitioning out of the position, while an adviser said she would leave the White House in the coming days. Despite her departure, sources close to the president said Trump continues to respect Zacharia personally. She and her family were also scheduled to have dinner Friday with Vice President JD Vance and his family. Her five-day tenure makes her one of the shortest-serving senior communications officials in the Trump administration, ending even sooner than Anthony Scaramucci's 11-day stint as White House communications director in 2017.

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Protesters are expected to march in all 50 states Saturday for the national No Kings Day. Organizers say three-thousand events will take place across the country, calling on Americans to get out and vote in November. The protests will also push back against what's been called efforts to sabotage the elections by the Trump administration, such as redistricting and attempts to restrict mail-in ballots. Organizations promoting Saturday's No Kings rallies can be found at the nokings.org website.

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(Washington, DC) -- New White House press secretary Katie Zacharia has been let go from her position. That's according to multiple reports. Before departing for a rally in Georgia today, President Trump told reporters maybe the job isn't for her. He went on to say he suggested to her "If I were you, I would reconsider" the job, adding that she's been "brutalized" by the press. It all comes after Zacharia created a press firestorm over whether or not she is an attorney, after she admitted she failed the bar exam.

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Charlie Kirk, a prominent figure in American conservatism, inspired millions with his message. A new documentary, "Can You Hear Me Now?" takes viewers behind the scenes of Kirk's life, faith, and mission to transform America. Directed by Matthew Thayer, the film includes a pivotal interview conducted just weeks before Kirk's tragic assassination. This interview forms the backbone of the documentary, exploring Kirk's beliefs, his prophetic role, and the impact of his message. Thayer discusses the challenges of discerning true prophecy and how Kirk's teachings emphasized critical thinking and unity over division. The documentary is now available to stream on SalemNow.com, offering an intimate look at Kirk's journey and the enduring influence of his work.

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President Trump addressed Abdul Elsaid, a Democratic Senate nominee, at the White House, labeling him as a member of the Muslim Brotherhood and a threat to the country. Trump expressed strong support for his opponent, Mike Rogers, praising him as a patriot who loves the country. The discussion also touched on James Telerico, a Texas candidate, whom Trump criticized for disparaging remarks. Trump highlighted Rogers’ achievements, particularly in combating voter fraud and addressing COVID-19. The president emphasized the importance of winning the Senate race and expressed confidence in Rogers’ chances. Trump concluded by looking forward to campaigning in Michigan, a traditionally challenging state for Republicans.

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Talarico discusses the contentious issue of abortion, highlighting the differing perspectives among Catholics, particularly those from Texas. He emphasizes that while the Bible does not explicitly address abortion, it underscores the sanctity of life from conception, a viewpoint shared by many Catholics. Talarico challenges his interlocutor to consider how policies can be crafted to protect the unborn while also reducing the number of unplanned pregnancies and abortions. He suggests that approaching abortion as a public health issue rather than a cultural or theological debate could lead to common ground and effective policy solutions. Talarico advocates for comprehensive sex education, accessible contraception, and healthcare to achieve these goals, aligning with the Catholic Church's stance on these matters. The conversation reveals the complexity of the abortion debate and the potential for finding mutual objectives despite differing ethical conclusions.

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President Trump Delivers Remarks on Katie Zacharia

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NORTH CAROLINA — Ten people have been charged with alleged voter fraud in North Carolina, with prosecutors accusing them of lying about their citizenship status to register to vote and, in most cases, illegally casting ballots in federal elections. The charges were announced Thursday as the state began early voting for the 2026 midterm elections. Officials said the cases stem from alleged conduct during previous election cycles, and the indictments were filed last week. According to prosecutors, nine of the defendants are legal permanent residents but are not U.S. citizens. The tenth is accused of being in the country illegally and voting illegally. U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle said the cases underscore the importance of protecting election integrity. “Even one criminal act of illegal voting undermines the entire system,” Boyle said during a news conference outside the federal courthouse in Raleigh. Eight defendants appeared before a federal judge Thursday and were released without having to post bond. Prosecutors said they were not considered flight risks. The defendants have not indicated whether they intend to plead guilty or not guilty. If convicted, they could face years in prison. The defendants reportedly include people originally from Germany, Canada, Jamaica, Haiti, Panama, El Salvador and the former nation of Yugoslavia. Prosecutors allege that some voted in multiple elections over several years. One defendant, 71-year-old Robert Corbett, told WRAL he was born in Canada but adopted at a young age by an American mother. He said he had lived in the United States for most of his life and believed he was a dual citizen. “I voted like five or six times,” Corbett told WRAL, adding that he voted for President Donald Trump in the most recent election. The cases bring the total number of pending voter fraud cases in North Carolina to 12. Two other people were charged with similar offenses earlier this year. The 12 cases represent less than 0.0002% of the state's approximately 7.9 million registered voters. State Elections Director Sam Hayes said officials used the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security to review voter registration records. The state ran its voter rolls through the database in April, Hayes said, and recently sent letters to about 1,400 additional people flagged as potentially noncitizens. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein raised concerns about relying on the database, saying it can incorrectly identify U.S. citizens as noncitizens. “A high percentage of people who are in the database flagged as noncitizens are in fact citizens,” Stein said Thursday, warning that the screening process could prevent eligible Americans from voting. Boyle said the timing of the announcement coinciding with the start of early voting was coincidental and not politically motivated. The cases remain pending, and the allegations against the defendants have not been proven in court.

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A citizen with a legal gun brought down a man who walked into a school and starting shooting in Bend, Oregon.

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With just 18 days to go until the mid-term elections, polls across the country have narrowed to within the margin of error.  This signals good news for the GOP, and panic for Democrats.

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In an interview with Gregg Pemberton, chairman of the DC police union, the discussion delves into the ineffectiveness of the District of Columbia's violence interruption programs. Research conducted by Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland found that one program had no statistical impact on crime, while another increased crime rates by one homicide per neighborhood annually. Pemberton criticizes the concept of funding ex-convicts to mediate crime, arguing that the money could be better spent on hiring more police officers and improving working conditions for current officers. The interview highlights the detrimental effects of the defund the police movement, which has led to a shortage of officers and increased corruption. With the upcoming mayoral election, there is hope that law enforcement will receive the support it needs to effectively combat crime.

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President Donald Trump is signaling he could return to Texas to campaign for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton as the state prepares to begin in-person early voting Monday. Speaking in the White House Rose Garden on Thursday, Trump expressed strong support for the Texas attorney general, praising his record while acknowledging that Paxton has faced controversy. Trump suggested he would travel to Texas if his presence was needed to help Paxton in the final weeks before the November 3 midterm elections. "Ken is a little bit controversial," Trump said, joking that he himself was not a controversial figure. Despite that characterization, the president praised Paxton's tenure as Texas attorney general, describing him as one of the strongest state attorneys general in the country. "He may have been the best attorney general in this country for many, many years," Trump said. "He was amazing as the attorney general." Trump specifically highlighted Paxton's work on election-related issues and his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. "He was probably the best in the history of Texas," Trump said, pointing to Paxton's record on voter fraud and COVID-19 policies. Paxton is facing Democrat James Talarico in the race for the U.S. Senate, a contest drawing national attention as Republicans and Democrats compete for control of Congress. The president's remarks come as Texas prepares to open in-person early voting Monday, October 19, giving voters an opportunity to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. While Trump has not announced a specific date for another Texas campaign appearance, his comments suggest he is prepared to take a more active role in supporting Paxton as the election approaches.

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Three Mexican nationals are facing federal charges in Georgia for allegedly participating in a $74 million tax refund fraud scheme involving thousands of government-issued checks. Federal prosecutors say the defendants carried out the alleged scheme between 2019 and 2026, using fraudulent tax returns to obtain millions of dollars in refunds from the Internal Revenue Service. According to authorities, the suspects filed hundreds of fraudulent tax returns and collected more than 16,000 refund checks during the seven-year period. Investigators allege the defendants used the tax filing system to obtain refunds they were not legally entitled to receive. The three men are charged with mail fraud and money laundering in connection with the alleged operation. The case highlights concerns about fraudulent tax refund claims and the potential for organized schemes to exploit the federal tax system. Federal authorities are pursuing the charges as part of their efforts to investigate financial crimes involving taxpayer funds. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The case was reported by Townhall, which detailed the federal charges and allegations surrounding the multimillion-dollar scheme.

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled the company's long-awaited next-generation Roadster, demonstrating a prototype capable of briefly flying through the air using technology developed with SpaceX. The electric sports car made its debut Thursday, October 15, at a SpaceX testing facility in McGregor, Texas, where spectators watched the vehicle perform a series of unusual driving and aerial maneuvers. During the demonstration, the Roadster traveled upside down along a curved ramp before launching into the air, rotating and landing back on its wheels. The prototype used a combination of powerful fans and compressed-air thrusters to perform the stunts. The technology was developed through a collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX, both led by Musk. Tesla also demonstrated the vehicle accelerating from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than one second, a performance figure that would make it one of the fastest-accelerating production cars if achieved in a commercially available model. Musk described the unveiling as a major engineering achievement, saying the Roadster could perform maneuvers unlike those of conventional sports cars. The company plans to offer three versions of the vehicle: Performance, Thrust and Rocket. The Rocket model is designed with additional thrusters that Tesla says will allow it to lift off the ground and maneuver in the air. Despite the demonstration, the Roadster is not yet available to consumers. Musk said Tesla is targeting 2028 for production, following years of delays. The second-generation Roadster was first announced in 2017, with an initial production target of 2020. The company has repeatedly pushed back its release while expanding its electric vehicle, autonomous driving and robotics operations. Tesla has not announced a final selling price for the new Roadster, although reservations are available for certain versions. Questions also remain about whether the vehicle's flying capabilities could receive the regulatory approvals needed for public use. For now, the demonstration offers a preview of Tesla's ambitions to combine electric vehicle performance with aerospace technology, although the Roadster's full capabilities and commercial availability remain to be seen.

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