Salem News Channel

Gas prices are slightly lower across the nation as Americans head to the polls. Triple-A puts the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded at four dollars and 14 cents. That's down a couple cents from yesterday and 12 cents cheaper than a week ago. Zoom out to one year ago, however, and average prices at the pump were hovering just north of three bucks a gallon. Four states in the nation are seeing prices above five dollars: California, where it's more expensive than anywhere else in the nation, Washington state, Nevada and Hawaii. Drivers in North Carolina are paying the least at three-38 a gallon.

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(Washington, DC) -- President Trump says the U.S. will stop giving four-billion-dollars in aid a year to Israel. Trump made the announcement in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday. Sending aid to Israel and the war in Gaza has been a top issue for some voters in the build to the midterm elections. Trump said Israel is fine with it because they are a very successful country and added it was a wasted thing. A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they weren't aware of what Trump was talking about but that they would be checking for details.

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(New York, NY) -- A 24-year-old woman is dead after collapsing during the New York City marathon on Sunday. The NYPD says the young woman, identified by the New York Times as Pennsylvania native Rachel Apa, collapsed near mile 24 after experiencing a medical emergency in Central Park. Just two miles away from crossing the finish line, Apa was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital around 2 p.m. where she later died, with her father disclosing she died from a rare condition that causes the muscles to break down. Apa was raising money for Parkinson's in memory of her late grandfather.

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(Kansas City, MO) -- An escaped killer from Tennessee has been captured near Kansas City. Jacob Morley escaped from a prison in Tiptonville last month. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced his re-capture on Tuesday. He was serving a life sentence for murder before his escape.

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Smart Democrats are scrutinizing El-Sayed's radical affiliations, particularly his association with the controversial figure, Piker. Behind the scenes, concerns are rising among Democrats about El-Sayed's ties to individuals who openly criticize America and advocate for extreme political views. Despite El-Sayed's attempts to distance himself from some positions, his connection to Piker remains a contentious issue. This segment highlights the growing unease within the Democratic party regarding El-Sayed's campaign, focusing on the broader implications of his associations. For the full discussion, tune into Salem News Channel.

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Can The Republicans Keep The Majority?

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Well, that’s not good news: voting machines in this congressional district can't accept ballots because the paper is too thick.

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Final polls and markets are locking in a Democratic sweep, yet even the forecasters worry they are still missing a key slice of the electorate—while one undercover exchange reveals what “accountability” would look like in January and Republicans close with a direct appeal on stakes already paid.

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Three powerful voices deliver one urgent message: America is worth fighting for, and the time to act is now. As voters head to the polls, their words remind us what’s at stake—and why sitting this one out is not an option.

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Republicans are surging in Florida this morning, and other early signs are pointing to a surge in Republican voting, which means every Republican voter needs to get to the polls and help the GOP retain control of Congress and win races across the country.

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The U.S. military carried out limited strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday after Iranian forces reportedly fired surface-to-air missiles at an American aircraft. U.S. officials described the operation as a defensive response intended to protect American military personnel and assets in the region. The strikes targeted Iranian positions on Qeshm Island, a strategically important location near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical waterways for international oil shipments. According to U.S. officials, members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired at an American aircraft, prompting the military response. Officials emphasized that the strikes were limited in scope and did not represent a return to major combat operations against Iran. The operation was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. U.S. officials have since confirmed that American forces have conducted several smaller-scale strikes in recent weeks, some of which were not publicly announced. Iranian state media reported multiple explosions on Qeshm Island late Monday. Additional explosions were reportedly heard in nearby areas along Iran's southern coast. U.S. Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, has not publicly released detailed information about the latest strikes. The military action comes amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran following months of conflict and disruptions to commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces have repeatedly targeted vessels operating in the region, raising concerns about the security of international shipping routes and global energy supplies. Despite the latest military action, President Donald Trump's administration continues pursuing a diplomatic agreement with Iran. In a social media post Monday, Trump suggested that a settlement with Tehran remained possible, saying Iran wanted to reach an agreement. Vice President JD Vance also indicated that negotiations had made progress, although significant differences between the two countries remain. Iranian officials have warned against additional American military action while maintaining that negotiations could continue under certain conditions. The strikes occurred just one day before the U.S. midterm elections, as the Trump administration weighs whether to pursue further military operations or continue diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. For now, American officials maintain that the latest strikes were defensive measures rather than the beginning of a broader military campaign.

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Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, has reached a settlement in a lawsuit accusing the social media platform of being intentionally designed to addict young users and contribute to mental health problems. The agreement, announced Monday, resolves claims brought by two young women who alleged that Snapchat's features encouraged compulsive use and contributed to depression, anxiety and eating disorders. The plaintiffs, a 16-year-old from Illinois and an 18-year-old from Mississippi, claimed they began using social media at young ages and developed unhealthy habits because of features designed to keep users engaged. The lawsuit focused on platform features such as autoplay, infinite scrolling and other tools that plaintiffs argued encouraged children and teenagers to spend excessive amounts of time online. Snap was the last remaining defendant in the case after Meta, TikTok and Google's YouTube reached separate settlements with the plaintiffs. The case was scheduled to go before a jury in Los Angeles this week, with opening statements expected Wednesday. Jury selection had already begun when the settlement was announced. The agreement also means Snap CEO Evan Spiegel will no longer be required to testify in the high-profile trial. Financial terms of the settlement have not been disclosed. In a statement, Snap said the parties were pleased to have reached an amicable resolution. The company also emphasized its efforts to improve safety features, provide educational resources and protect younger users. Snap and other major social media companies have denied allegations that their platforms were intentionally designed to addict children. The case is part of a broader wave of litigation targeting social media companies over claims that their platforms contribute to mental health problems among young people. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed across the country by families, individuals, school districts and government entities alleging that social media companies failed to adequately protect children from harmful features. Earlier this year, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube negligent in a separate social media addiction case and awarded a young woman $6 million in damages. While the latest settlements bring an end to this particular trial, the broader legal battle over social media addiction is continuing, with additional cases expected to go to trial next year.

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In this discussion, Byron York, Chief Political Correspondent for The Washington Examiner, delves into the intricacies of recent election polls, particularly focusing on the Michigan Senate race and the potential for a Democratic wave in the upcoming midterm elections. York highlights discrepancies in polling data, suggesting that partisan non-response bias may be skewing results. He discusses how Republican supporters have been less likely to respond to polls, potentially underrepresenting their actual support. York also contemplates the historical rarity of a significant Democratic gain in traditionally red states. Despite predictions of a Democratic House majority, he believes the margin will be narrower than anticipated, citing historical trends and recent redistricting efforts. The conversation provides a thoughtful analysis of current political dynamics and the challenges pollsters face in accurately predicting election outcomes.

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Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, discusses the issues surrounding California's voter rolls and the potential for voter fraud. Despite Judicial Watch forcing a settlement with California that removed 1.2 million ineligible voters, nearly 900,000 more still need to be cleaned up. The conversation highlights the presence of 20,000 non-citizens on the voter rolls, a violation of the law that states must prevent. California's lack of cooperation with the federal government to verify citizenship has led to untraceable ballots, making it impossible to audit illegal votes. Fitton also addresses the fraudulent Senate scam in Alaska involving a decoy candidate and questions whether this could affect election outcomes. Judicial Watch is actively pursuing lawsuits in multiple states to clean up voter rolls, preventing potential voter fraud and ensuring elections remain fair and lawful.

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In the state of Minnesota, Dustin Grage shares his bullish outlook on the Republican chances in the upcoming midterm elections. Grage points out that the endorsed Republican candidates in the state have historically never lost the primary, but this year, three out of five endorsed candidates have been defeated. He emphasizes the importance of having moderate candidates who can appeal to independent voters. Grage also highlights the significant increase in funding and voter contacts for Republicans, noting that they have out-raised Democrats for the first time since 1990. Additionally, he discusses the role of fraud in previous elections and how it continues to be a dominant issue in Minnesota. Grage concludes by discussing the importance of early results from Hennepin County to gauge the overall performance of Republican candidates.

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Steve Robinson, editor-in-chief of the Maine Wire, discusses the intricacies of Maine politics, focusing on irregularities in the voting process. Robinson highlights issues with in-person voting, specifically noting buses funded by George Soros bringing illiterate Somali refugees to polling places. These individuals, accompanied by interpreters, appear to have their ballots filled out by the interpreters rather than themselves. Robinson discusses the lack of investigation into these practices at the state level, while the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine has announced a federal investigation. The conversation also touches on the political landscape, including the potential for a Republican victory in the Second Congressional District with Paul LePage and an interesting Senate race between Susan Collins and Troy Jackson. Robinson emphasizes the importance of monitoring and ensuring the integrity of the voting process in Maine.

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Americans are heading to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in the 2026 midterm elections, with control of Congress and key state and local offices at stake. Ahead of Election Day, Salem News Channel's White House correspondent spoke with voters about the issues that matter most to them and what is influencing their decisions at the ballot box. The elections come as Americans weigh a range of concerns, including the economy, immigration, public safety and the direction of the country. Voters across the nation will decide who represents them in Congress, while several states will also choose governors and other elected officials. With the balance of power in Washington on the line, both parties have spent the final days of the campaign encouraging supporters to turn out. Salem News Channel spoke with voters ahead of Election Day to hear their perspectives on the issues shaping this year's elections. Watch the video above to hear what voters had to say.

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New York health officials have confirmed the state's first measles-related death in more than three decades, as authorities continue responding to an outbreak of the highly contagious disease. The New York State Department of Health announced that a child in Lewis County, north of Syracuse, died after contracting measles. Officials have not released the child's age or vaccination status, and additional details surrounding the death have not been made public. The death comes amid a rise in measles infections across the state. As of October 24, New York had recorded 178 confirmed cases this year. Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency in October in response to the outbreak, allowing state agencies to coordinate resources and strengthen efforts to contain the spread of the virus. Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that can spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms typically include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash. Although many patients recover, measles can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling and, in rare cases, death. Young children and people with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of severe illness. Health officials are urging New Yorkers to review their vaccination records and make sure they are protected against the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for children, with the first dose generally administered between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between ages 4 and 6. State health officials are also encouraging residents who believe they may have been exposed to measles to contact a healthcare provider before visiting a medical facility to help prevent further transmission.

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Former U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has joined OpenAI in a newly created position focused on strengthening national security and cybersecurity through artificial intelligence. OpenAI announced Monday that Driscoll will serve as senior counselor for national security modernization, advising company leadership and working with government officials, industry executives and international partners on the responsible use of advanced AI technology. The position will focus on helping the United States and its allies incorporate artificial intelligence into national security operations, including improving cyber defenses and modernizing military capabilities. Driscoll will also work with academic institutions and private-sector organizations to identify ways AI can help national security agencies operate more efficiently and respond to emerging threats. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman welcomed the appointment, saying the United States has an opportunity to work with other countries to expand the adoption of AI systems that support democratic principles. Driscoll previously served as the 26th secretary of the Army under President Donald Trump, overseeing military operations, modernization efforts and resources for nearly one million active-duty, National Guard and Reserve soldiers. During his tenure, Driscoll pushed to accelerate the military's adoption of new technology, including drones and other advanced defense systems. He also participated in diplomatic efforts involving the war between Russia and Ukraine. Driscoll resigned from the Trump administration in September following reported tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over Army leadership and modernization priorities. Driscoll did not publicly cite those disagreements as the reason for his departure. His appointment comes as OpenAI expands its involvement in national security and defense-related technology, including partnerships aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and helping government agencies use AI responsibly. The company says Driscoll's experience in military leadership and technology modernization will help bridge the gap between emerging AI capabilities and the needs of national security institutions.

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The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an emergency appeal from the Trump administration seeking to prevent California from counting thousands of mail-in ballots tied to voters federal officials suspect may not be U.S. citizens. The decision, issued Monday evening just hours before Election Day, allows California election officials to continue processing ballots under the state's existing election procedures. The Justice Department had asked the high court to intervene in a dispute involving more than 20,000 people identified by federal officials as potentially ineligible to vote because of questions surrounding their citizenship status. The administration wanted California to separate ballots associated with those voters until their eligibility could be verified. Federal officials argued that counting the disputed ballots alongside other votes could make it impossible to identify and remove any ballots later determined to have been cast illegally. Solicitor General D. John Sauer described the request as a limited measure intended to protect the integrity of the election while the legal dispute continued. California officials opposed the request, arguing that the federal government's list contained significant inaccuracies and could include eligible American citizens. State officials warned that separating the ballots so close to Election Day could prevent lawful voters from having their votes counted. The Supreme Court rejected the administration's request without providing an explanation, a common practice in emergency appeals. No justices publicly dissented. The decision followed earlier rulings against the administration in federal district court and the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. A federal judge previously expressed concerns that the Justice Department's request could interfere with California's authority to administer elections and potentially disenfranchise eligible voters. California Gov. Gavin Newsom welcomed the Supreme Court's decision, while the Trump administration maintained that additional citizenship verification was necessary to prevent unlawful voting. Federal law prohibits non-U.S. citizens from voting in federal elections. However, California officials have disputed the reliability of the administration's evidence and questioned whether the individuals identified had actually cast ballots. The ruling comes as voters across the country head to the polls Tuesday for the 2026 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term. While the Supreme Court's decision allows California to continue counting ballots, the broader legal dispute over voter eligibility and federal oversight of state elections remains unresolved.

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