Salem News Channel

Here at Ground Zero, the noise of New York fades into something quieter... more reflective. At the heart of Lower Manhattan, where the skyline once broke, there is now a void--two reflecting pools tracing the footprints of what was lost. This is the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. A place not just of remembrance-- but of reckoning. 25 years later, the weight of September 11th still lingers. Not only in the names etched in bronze--but in the policies, the politics, and the psyche of a nation. It reshaped how America sees the world. And how the world sees America. In the aftermath, there was unity-- brief, powerful, undeniable. Strangers became neighbors. Grief became a shared language. But time has a way of testing memory. For many, this is no longer a lived memory--but a chapter in a history book. And that shift raises a difficult question... What have we learned from that day? What have we carried forward--and what have we left behind? Security tightened. Wars were fought. Freedoms debated. The ripple effects of that single morning continue to define a generation. The impact of 9/11 isn't just something we remember--it's something we still live with, in ways both visible... and invisible. And yet, here, there is stillness. Water falls endlessly into absence--an architectural reminder that some wounds do not close. They become part of the landscape. History does not sit still. It casts a shadow--long, evolving, and often uncomfortable. But within that shadow is responsibility. To remember with clarity. To question with honesty. To move forward with intention. Because the past is never just behind us. It shapes who we are... and who we choose to become.

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If We Were Attacked Again, Would We Unite?

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DALLAS (AP) — President Donald Trump and his Vice President JD Vance teamed up to close out the second and final night of the Republicans’ midterm convention in Dallas. They implored voters to stick together to save their party’s majorities in Congress in the November. Republicans are counting on Trump, and Vance, to rally voter enthusiasm. They’re also setting the stage for what comes next, in the post-Trump era. The party's House and Senate majorities are at stake this fall. Republicans are working to shrug off voter concerns about the economy, the war in Iran and the direction of the country, and they are warning of what’s coming if Democrats seize power.

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Hugh Hewitt and his guests discuss the “us versus them” message shaping the upcoming midterm elections. They examine how President Trump and Vice President Vance are using this framing to energize Republican voters, particularly in rural areas where Trump has strong support. The conversation also considers whether this strategy can drive turnout in key battleground states. Finally, they explore the challenges of applying a unified political message across different regions.

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Chants of "Charlie, Charlie" broke out on the second night of President Donald Trump's midterm convention as Republicans paid tribute Thursday to Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA leader who was assassinated one year ago. The normally festive and rowdy crowd inside the basketball arena in Dallas quickly hushed as a five-minute memorial video began playing. It was a somber interlude in the convention's parade of candidates. “One year later, there is something wonderfully defiant about the fact that his voice has not grown quieter,” said Lucas Miles, a pastor and Turning Point vice president. He said the organization's membership and social media following have "multiplied.” Vice President JD Vance, a friend of Kirk’s, spoke directly to Kirk's two children, now ages 4 and 2. “History will record that your father was a great man,” Vance said. He recalled being nervous while giving his speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention as a newly elected senator with little experience in politics, and finding comfort in looking down to see that Kirk "was smiling and cheering me and reminding me that I had a good friend right here in the convention hall.” Kirk was a singular figure on the right. He created a sprawling network of chapters on college campuses, hosted an influential podcast and built a loyal following among young Christian conservatives. He was also a powerbroker on the right with relationships across various factions that comprise Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement. Vance recalled Kirk's factional peacemaking as he implored his fellow Republicans not to let their differences divide the party and allow Democrats to take power. “Do what Charlie did,” he said. “Do not throw the baby out with the bathwater.” Kirk was shot and killed Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking on the campus of Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson, 23, could face the death penalty if convicted of aggravated murder in Kirk’s death. He has pleaded not guilty. He turned himself in a day after the shooting. No one has emerged to fully fill Kirk’s shoes since his death, and the movement he built has been rattled by infighting over the circumstances of his death. A vocal contingent, led by prominent podcaster Candice Owens, has questioned the official narrative of Utah prosecutors who say Robinson was the lone killer. Conspiracy theories have proliferated online. Miles seemed to address the tension from the stage. “Turning Point is not dead,” he said. “The organization Charlie founded is still growing. A new generation is stepping forward.” Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, was named CEO of Turning Point and has taken on some of his public speaking roles. Turning Point has also enlisted other commentators to speak at events and continue the public debates he enjoyed staging. Meanwhile, Turning Point held a Thursday evening memorial for Kirk in Orem, Utah, in a return to the Utah Valley University campus where he was killed. “We have felt the weight of his absence in ways that never seem to get easier,” Turning Point said in a news release marking the anniversary. Conservative speakers including Frank Turek and Michael Knowles addressed a packed auditorium that frequently broke out into chants of “U-S-A!” During the program, Turning Point unveiled onstage a larger-than-life bronze statue of Kirk sitting and holding a microphone. The group also installed a statue of Kirk outside its Phoenix headquarters earlier in the day.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has observed the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks by attending a ceremony at the Pentagon. In his remarks Friday, he recalled the sense of American unity following the attacks, saying “We were all New Yorkers that day." The attacks claimed nearly 3,000 lives, including 184 people who died at the Pentagon. In a downpour at daybreak, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and top military officials stood outside the Pentagon and watched as a giant American flag was unfurled on the building struck by one of the hijacked planes. Trump and Hegseth sought to connect the events of 9/11 to the war on Iran in their remarks.

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Body camera footage of immigration arrests at a snack-food factory in upstate New York offers a rare glimpse inside a workplace immigration raid. The Associated Press analyzed the video, which was part of a lawsuit filed Thursday that says authorities overstepped their search warrants. Officers made 57 immigration arrests in the September 2025 raid at the Nutrition Bar Confectioners plant in Cato, New York, a town of 2,500 people east of Syracuse. The officers ordered a manager to announce their presence over loudspeakers while they entered the building and caught employees on the production line, in the warehouse and a few in the bathroom.

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The Carl Jackson Show, September 12, 2026

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25 Years Later: The American Spirit Lives On

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Islam Cannot Be Allowed to Take Over the West

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Mike and Joey look back 25 years later: pager messages that kept New York and South Carolina talking after the towers fell, Mike’s live audio from the Empire State Building as the second plane hit, and their first stunned reactions as the attack unfolded.

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To commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Mike continues his annual tradition of playing this special message.

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In this interview, Andrew McCarthy, a former federal prosecutor who worked on the case against the blind sheikh involved in the first World Trade Center attacks, discusses the growth of Islamic terrorism in the years leading up to 9/11. McCarthy highlights the importance of understanding the ideological underpinnings and the networks that were forming even before the attacks. He emphasizes that associating with individuals or groups planning mass murder attacks is significant evidence and stresses the need for a clear-eyed approach to identifying and countering such threats. McCarthy also touches on the challenges of distinguishing between legitimate religious organizations and those that may be plotting against the nation, and he reflects on the changes in counterterrorism strategies over the years. This discussion provides crucial context for understanding not only the events of 9/11 but also the evolution of terrorism and counterterrorism efforts in the United States.

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In a spirited discussion, Chris Stigall, Republican nominee for Congress in Missouri's 6th district, reflects on the recent GOP midterm convention in Dallas. Contrary to conventional wisdom, Stigall found the event to be a source of energy and optimism among attendees. The convention aimed to provide a fresh narrative for the midterm elections, emphasizing unity and hope amidst a challenging political climate. Stigall highlights the economic achievements of the past 21 months under the current administration, such as unprecedented investments in manufacturing and historic lows in government employment. He also underscores the importance of faith in the political discourse, contrasting the convention's emphasis on the gospel with the increasing hostility towards Christianity in the opposing political sphere. Stigall's insights provide a hopeful outlook for the future, encouraging conservatives to remain positive and energized as they head into the midterm elections.

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In the final days of the GOP's midterm convention in Dallas, Vice President JD Vance delivered a speech followed by President Donald Trump, who rallied the crowd with an extended address. Trump's hour-and-45-minute speech demonstrated his vigor, while Vance aimed to accomplish his objectives with his own speech. The convention's unique format, featuring Trump's signature crowd-engaging tactics, aimed to boost Republican voter enthusiasm. The discussion also touched on Trump's job approval ratings and the potential impact of redistricting and candidate choices on the upcoming midterm elections. Political correspondent Byron York joined to analyze the convention's significance and the potential strategies for the 2028 presidential election.

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In an interview with New York City Councilwoman Vicki Paladino, she reflects on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, emphasizing the importance of moral clarity and condemning those who blur the lines of distinction. Paladino discusses the New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch's powerful speech at a memorial event, highlighting the heroism of first responders and the need to remember the terrorists' actions clearly. She criticizes the current mayor for his actions and stance, arguing that he represents a larger threat to the city. The discussion underscores the significance of remembering the events of 9/11 accurately and the importance of standing against those who would distort that history.

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Senior Washington correspondent for Townhall, Cameron Arcand, reports on the GOP midterm convention held in Dallas. The convention showcased a high level of energy and engagement from Republican supporters and key party figures. Arcand highlights the significant turnout and the impactful speeches, particularly those from non-politicians sharing personal stories. The convention emphasized Republican policies and achievements, with a strong focus on issues such as sanctuary policies, border security, and illegal immigration. One of the most moving moments came from the Gordon family, whose heartfelt speech resonated deeply with the audience. Additionally, the vice president's speech marked a pivotal moment, sparking speculation about his potential 2028 presidential bid. Arcand also notes the professionalism and camaraderie within the Town Hall team, contributing to a successful event coverage.

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As Americans mark 25 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks, a former New York City principal is reflecting on the difficult task educators faced helping children understand and cope with the tragedy. Dan Feigelson, former principal of P.S. 6 Lillie D. Blake School on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, recalled how teachers and administrators worked with students in the days, months and years following the attacks. For children across New York City, September 11 was not simply a national tragedy playing out on television. Some students had parents working in or near the World Trade Center, while others experienced the fear and uncertainty that spread across the city as families waited to learn whether their loved ones were safe. Feigelson recalled the experience of helping a student who lost a parent in the attacks and the responsibility educators faced as children returned to their classrooms carrying grief, questions and fear. The anniversary also highlights a growing challenge for schools: teaching September 11 to students who were not alive when the attacks occurred. An entire generation has now grown up without a personal memory of that day, learning about it instead through teachers, parents, historical footage and the changes to American life that followed. Nearly 3,000 people were killed when terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes on September 11, 2001, striking the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon outside Washington. A fourth plane crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew fought back against the hijackers. Twenty-five years later, schools continue to play an important role in preserving those memories and helping new generations understand not only what happened, but the lives that were lost and the lasting impact the attacks had on New York City and the nation.

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As America marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, we remember the men and women who put their own safety at risk to help others on one of the darkest days in American history. Among those heroes were the mariners who responded to Lower Manhattan as thousands of people desperately searched for a way out of the city following the attacks on the World Trade Center. More than 150 vessels and over 600 mariners answered the call, joining what became a massive evacuation by water. Ferries, tugboats, sightseeing boats and other vessels converged on Manhattan, transporting people away from the disaster zone and bringing first responders and critical supplies back into the city. The maritime response ultimately helped evacuate hundreds of thousands of people from Lower Manhattan, becoming one of the largest boat evacuations in American history. The effort was remarkable not only for its scale, but because many of the captains, crews and other mariners responded voluntarily, heading toward the smoke and destruction as others were trying to escape. Their actions are among the countless stories of courage, sacrifice and service that emerged from September 11, 2001. Twenty-five years later, our partners at Townhall are sharing those stories as part of their “American Heroes of 9/11” series. Head to Townhall.com as we remember and celebrate the American Heroes of 9/11. Never forget.

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Americans are gathering across the country Friday to mark 25 years since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, honoring the nearly 3,000 people killed and remembering a day that forever changed the nation. Commemorations are being held at all three sites attacked that morning — the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon outside Washington and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed after passengers and crew fought back against the hijackers. At the National September 11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan, family members are gathering to read aloud the names of those killed in the attacks and in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Moments of silence will mark the times when the hijacked planes struck the Twin Towers and when each tower fell. (911memorial.org) President Donald Trump is attending the anniversary observance at the Pentagon, where a massive American flag was unfurled at daybreak Friday on the side of the building struck by American Airlines Flight 77. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and senior military officials were present as the flag was displayed. (apnews.com) Vice President JD Vance is attending the commemoration at Ground Zero in New York, while other administration officials are joining the observance at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania. (apnews.com) On September 11, 2001, 19 al-Qaida terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes. Two were flown into the World Trade Center towers, one struck the Pentagon and the fourth crashed in Pennsylvania. The attacks killed 2,977 people and triggered sweeping changes to American national security, air travel and foreign policy. A quarter-century later, ceremonies across the country are once again centered on the promise made in the aftermath of the attacks: Never forget.

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