Salem News Channel

Veteran media analyst and TALKERS founder Michael Harrison joined the program to discuss the enduring strength of talk radio, the industry's evolving landscape, and the release of the highly anticipated 2026 Heavy Hundred ranking of America's most influential talk show hosts.

Read More...

A hostage standoff that paralyzed part of downtown Bakersfield, California, ended Wednesday when an FBI agent shot and killed the suspect, bringing a tense, daylong ordeal to a close. The incident began Tuesday afternoon after police responded to a bomb threat at a building that houses a Chase Bank branch and offices for a local school district. Authorities said the suspect barricaded himself inside the building and held several people hostage. During negotiations, two hostages were released, while law enforcement worked to secure the safe release of those who remained inside. The standoff prompted evacuations of nearby buildings, including City Hall and police headquarters, and led to road closures throughout the area. The Bakersfield Police Department said the suspect was killed during an officer-involved shooting involving FBI personnel. Officials have not released details about what led to the shooting. Authorities confirmed that all remaining hostages were safely freed and that none suffered injuries during the incident. The FBI assisted local law enforcement throughout the response, which involved a large police presence in downtown Bakersfield. Officials have not yet identified the suspect or released information about a possible motive. The investigation into the hostage situation, bomb threat, and shooting remains ongoing.

Read More...

It's going to be a bit until the races are settled in California, because that's California. 

But you'd have to say there's some exciting and encouraging news in what we've seen, and how the numbers are shaping up right now. 

Read More...

With Steven G. Bradbury, Transportation Deputy Secretary.

Read More...

With Doug Burgum, Head of the United States Secretary of the Interior.

Read More...

With Doug Burgum, Head of the United States Secretary of the Interior.

Read More...

With Congressman Jim Jordan, representative for Ohio's 4th congressional district & Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee on pressing officials who push sanctuary policies.

Read More...

With Andrew Klavan, Host of The Andrew Klavan Show.

Read More...

With Charlie Spiering, Washington Political Reporter for The Daily Mail.

Read More...

Hostilities between the United States and Iran intensified this week as U.S. forces carried out what military officials described as self-defense strikes near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to U.S. Central Command, American forces intercepted Iranian drones and missiles and launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian military assets after Tehran targeted locations in the Gulf region, including Kuwait and Bahrain. U.S. officials said the strikes were aimed at neutralizing threats to regional security and commercial shipping. The latest exchange came after Iran launched drone and missile attacks that damaged Kuwait International Airport and injured dozens of people, prompting Kuwait to suspend commercial flights. Iran's Revolutionary Guard also claimed responsibility for attacks targeting U.S. military assets in the region, including facilities in Bahrain. U.S. military operations focused on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important shipping lanes for oil and natural gas. Officials said the actions were taken in response to ongoing threats against regional waters, commercial vessels, and U.S. personnel. The renewed violence has raised concerns that already-stalled peace talks between Washington and Tehran could collapse entirely. Despite public statements from both sides expressing interest in a broader agreement, negotiations remain at an impasse while military exchanges continue. The escalating conflict has also rattled global energy markets, with oil prices rising as investors worry about disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for international energy supplies.

Read More...

Two scientists working at a U.S. government laboratory have been charged with allegedly smuggling vials containing deactivated mpox virus into the United States from Africa and then lying to federal investigators about it. Federal prosecutors say Vincent Munster, chief of the virus ecology section at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana, and colleague Claude Kwe were stopped by customs officials at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in January after returning from the Republic of Congo. According to court documents, the scientists allegedly failed to declare biological materials they were carrying and did not obtain the required authorization to transport the samples into the country. Investigators later determined the vials contained deactivated mpox virus. Authorities say Munster initially denied carrying any biological samples into the United States. The FBI alleges both men made false statements during questioning and concealed the materials from customs officials. Federal officials emphasized that the virus samples were deactivated and posed no known public health threat. However, investigators said the alleged failure to follow required procedures and disclose the materials raised significant concerns about biosafety and public trust. The National Institutes of Health, which oversees the laboratory, said it is cooperating with law enforcement while the investigation continues. Munster and Kwe are expected to appear in federal court in Montana. Neither scientist had publicly responded to the allegations as of Tuesday. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that can cause fever, rash, and other symptoms. While most people recover, severe cases can occur. Recent outbreaks have largely been concentrated in parts of Africa, including the Republic of Congo.

Read More...

A tense hostage situation at a downtown Bakersfield office building continues after hours of negotiations between law enforcement and a barricaded suspect. Police responded Tuesday afternoon to reports of a bomb threat at a building that houses both a Chase bank branch and a local school district office. Upon arrival, officers discovered a man had barricaded himself inside with several hostages. Authorities quickly secured the area and launched negotiations with the suspect. During the standoff, two hostages were released, and police later reported that the remaining individuals inside appeared to be in good health. The Bakersfield Police Department worked alongside federal authorities, including the FBI, throughout the incident. Officials have not released details about the suspect, a possible motive, or whether any explosives were found inside the building. Authorities also have not reported any injuries connected to the standoff. The incident prompted a significant law enforcement presence in downtown Bakersfield as officers worked to bring the situation to a safe conclusion. Investigators continue to review the circumstances surrounding the bomb threat and hostage situation.

Read More...

A tense hostage situation at a downtown Bakersfield office building ended after hours of negotiations between law enforcement and a barricaded suspect. Police responded Tuesday afternoon to reports of a bomb threat at a building that houses both a Chase bank branch and a local school district office. Upon arrival, officers discovered a man had barricaded himself inside with several hostages. Authorities quickly secured the area and launched negotiations with the suspect. During the standoff, two hostages were released, and police later reported that the remaining individuals inside appeared to be in good health. The Bakersfield Police Department worked alongside federal authorities, including the FBI, throughout the incident. Officials have not released details about the suspect, a possible motive, or whether any explosives were found inside the building. Authorities also have not reported any injuries connected to the standoff. The incident prompted a significant law enforcement presence in downtown Bakersfield as officers worked to bring the situation to a safe conclusion. Investigators continue to review the circumstances surrounding the bomb threat and hostage situation.

Read More...

A tense hostage situation at a downtown Bakersfield office building ended after hours of negotiations between law enforcement and a barricaded suspect. Police responded Tuesday afternoon to reports of a bomb threat at a building that houses both a Chase bank branch and a local school district office. Upon arrival, officers discovered a man had barricaded himself inside with several hostages. Authorities quickly secured the area and launched negotiations with the suspect. During the standoff, two hostages were released, and police later reported that the remaining individuals inside appeared to be in good health. The Bakersfield Police Department worked alongside federal authorities, including the FBI, throughout the incident. Officials have not released details about the suspect, a possible motive, or whether any explosives were found inside the building. Authorities also have not reported any injuries connected to the standoff. The incident prompted a significant law enforcement presence in downtown Bakersfield as officers worked to bring the situation to a safe conclusion. Investigators continue to review the circumstances surrounding the bomb threat and hostage situation.

Read More...

The Trump administration is proposing a new round of tariffs on dozens of major U.S. trading partners following a federal investigation into alleged failures to prevent goods linked to forced labor from entering global supply chains. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced the proposal Wednesday after completing an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The report concluded that several countries have not adequately enforced bans on imports connected to forced labor practices. Under the proposal, Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and the United Kingdom would face new tariffs of 10 percent on certain exports to the United States. Meanwhile, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Brazil and Switzerland would be subject to an additional 12.5 percent tariff. The administration says the tariffs are intended to pressure foreign governments to strengthen enforcement efforts and prevent products made with forced labor from entering international markets. The proposed duties are not expected to take effect immediately. Federal officials will first open a public comment period and conduct additional reviews before making a final decision. The move could have significant implications for global trade and supply chains, particularly because it targets some of America's largest trading partners and key sources of imported goods. The investigation was conducted under Section 301 authority, a trade law previously used by President Donald Trump to impose tariffs during disputes with China. The provision could also provide a pathway for the administration to pursue new trade actions despite ongoing legal challenges to some existing tariff policies. Business groups, foreign governments and trade organizations are expected to weigh in during the review process as the administration considers whether to move forward with the new tariffs.

Read More...

Kuwait has suspended commercial air traffic after an Iranian drone attack struck the country's main international airport, damaging a passenger terminal and injuring several people. Kuwaiti officials said the attack targeted Kuwait International Airport on Wednesday. Defense Ministry spokesperson Brig. Gen. Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi said the drone strike caused significant damage to the passenger building and left a number of individuals injured. Authorities have not released details on the severity of the injuries. The attack marks a major escalation in regional tensions following a new round of military exchanges between Iran and the United States. Earlier, the U.S. military announced it had carried out strikes against an Iranian military facility in response to Iranian missile attacks targeting locations in Kuwait and Bahrain. The latest violence comes amid growing concerns that efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict are faltering. Kuwait has temporarily halted commercial flights while officials assess the damage and investigate the incident. The airport serves as a major transportation hub for the Gulf region, and disruptions could affect regional travel schedules. The strike is the latest sign of the widening impact of the conflict, which has increasingly drawn neighboring countries into the confrontation between Washington and Tehran. Officials have not announced when normal flight operations will resume.

Read More...

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — A man barricaded himself inside a bank building in the Southern California city of Bakersfield with an unknown number of people, police said Tuesday. Police responding to a call of a bomb threat arrived at the scene around 1 p.m. at a bank building in downtown Bakersfield, Sgt. Eric Celedon of the Bakersfield Police Department told the ABC affiliate, 23ABC. City Hall and other buildings were placed on lockdown, including the police headquarters. “We are on scene at the Chase Bank Building on Chester Avenue and 17th Street for a confirmed bomb threat,” the police department posted on X. “Please stay out of the downtown area. Road closures are in effect and will remain in effect until further notice.” About a dozen police cars were on scene along with one tactical vehicle and multiple emergency responders, according to media reports. Jacob Davidson, a livestreamer known as Dad’s Gone Live, was a block from the bank at his family’s tattoo shop when he started getting calls from his subscribers alerting him to the bomb threat. “I went into the bank’s parking garage and watched the cops enter the back of the bank. This is the biggest police presence I’ve ever seen in this town,” Davidson said. “Now I’m watching them set up the trauma tents with the green, red and yellow tags, and black tags too, along with a command center about a block away.” Law enforcement agencies often protectively set up trauma tents — which are color-coded to help sort people based on the severity of injuries — just in case they become needed during an emergency situation.

Read More...

Rules Don't Apply to Democrats...

Read More...

Graham Platner Scandal is Bad for the Democrats

Read More...