Salem News Channel

Oct 1 (Reuters) - Tennessee Governor Bill Lee called the failed execution of Christa Pike a tragedy on Thursday, hours after she survived two lethal injection attempts at a Nashville prison and was taken to a hospital. "There is no one that wanted what happened last night to happen," Lee, a Republican, told reporters. "It's a tragedy, and it's deeply disturbing to me that that has happened in this state. The people deserve better and we're going to make sure that happens." Pike, 50, was sentenced to death in the 1990s after a jury convicted her of a murder she carried out as a teenager. Her botched execution on Wednesday at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution, the second this year in Tennessee, highlights the difficulties US states face in carrying out lethal injections. Tennessee switched to a one-drug lethal injection protocol using pentobarbital, a powerful barbiturate, in 2024. Prison officials injected two syringes into Pike, her lawyers said in a late-night court filing, causing her "unnecessary agony" but not killing her. The Tennessee Department of Corrections said the execution was halted, and she was taken away in an ambulance, but her condition was unclear on Thursday. She would have been the first woman executed by Tennessee in more than two centuries. Lee told reporters that it was unclear what went wrong. He said he had no update on Pike's condition and had not spoken with her family. After the botched execution, he ordered a suspension of scheduled executions in Tennessee for the rest of the year and a third-party review of Wednesday's failed attempt. Most countries in the world have abolished the death penalty, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said Pike's case showed that the US should follow suit. "The prolonged suffering – physical and mental – arising from multiple failed execution attempts is abhorrent, and cruel," Turk said in a statement on X. Pike was 18 in January 1995 when she, her 17-year-old boyfriend Tadaryl Shipp and a third companion lured Colleen Slemmer, a 19-year-old classmate at their Knoxville Job Corps vocational center, into a wooded area where they tortured and killed her. Pike and Shipp confessed to the killing, and both were convicted of first-degree murder. Pike's lawyers and supporters tried unsuccessfully to halt Pike's execution by pointing to her young age at the time of the crime, her history of childhood sexual abuse and untreated mental illness. The US Supreme Court threw out an 11th-hour stay on Wednesday issued by a lower court. Tennessee halted the execution of convicted murderer Tony Carruthers in May after prison officials were unable to set up intravenous lines to administer the lethal drugs.

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Iran Does Not Have A Leg To Stand On

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From firing squads and electric chairs to Tennessee’s latest lethal-injection fiasco, Roger P. Schulman looks at the strange history of executions that didn’t exactly go according to plan. It’s a bizarre trip through the past and present—and proof that even the most carefully planned final moments don’t always go according to schedule.

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September began with headlines pointing toward a looming Republican setback, but the picture looks less one-sided as the month closes. Stronger economic data, more positive business signals and tightening—or potentially less decisive—polling are raising new questions about the midterm landscape.

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President Donald Trump confirmed to reporters on Wednesday that he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “at length” after a FlyDubai flight nearly crashed in what’s presumably being described as an act of terrorism by a rogue co-pilot.

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In this discussion, retired Lieutenant Colonel Tony Shaffer, a former United States Army officer, comments on recent remarks made by Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the state of the military under his leadership. Shaffer discusses the shift back to traditional military values and the removal of what he considers politically motivated policies that have diluted military focus and effectiveness. He shares his perspective on the decline in military standards since the 1990s, attributing it to the introduction of social justice initiatives and academic requirements that have undermined combat readiness and experience-based promotions. Shaffer also addresses the recent terror attack on an airliner, emphasizing the need for enhanced screening processes for those working on aircraft to prevent future incidents. He concludes by highlighting the importance of maintaining a strong, focused military ethos to protect national security.

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KT McFarland, former Deputy National Security Adviser to President Trump, joins us to discuss the recent hijacking of a FlyDubai flight en route to Israel and its implications on global terrorism. McFarland commends the bravery of the Israeli passengers and the pilot, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by terrorism, even in the face of improved security cooperation like the Abraham Accords. She discusses the potential for increased terrorist activities as Iran faces economic and political challenges, and speculates on the future of Iran's leadership in light of these pressures. McFarland also touches on the importance of vigilance in domestic security, drawing parallels to the situation at the U.S. border. The conversation shifts to the geopolitical chess game between the U.S., Iran, and its allies, emphasizing the need for strong leadership to navigate these complex issues. McFarland concludes with a light-hearted note about the upcoming Air Force versus Navy game, showing the importance of community and shared interests beyond politics.

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In this discussion, retired CIA senior clandestine services officer Daniel Hoffman joins to analyze a recent attempted hijacking of a FlyDubai flight. Hoffman explains how the incident unfolded, with a pilot bringing a knife on board and attempting to stab another pilot, which was thwarted by a civilian passenger. The conversation delves into the lapses in security vetting and the broader implications of such incidents, including the potential for coordinated terror attacks. Hoffman emphasizes the need for improved intelligence and security measures to prevent future incidents. Additionally, the discussion touches on a separate terror plot uncovered in England, raising concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement responses and ongoing threats from terrorist organizations.

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The latest episode of this podcast is a must-listen for anyone following the Jack Smith saga. The speaker breaks down the recent developments in the case, including the controversy surrounding Jack Smith's investigation into President Trump and the allegations of abuse of power. The conversation is a gripping exploration of the intersection of politics, law, and ethics. This episode delves into the details of Jack Smith's investigation, including the issuance of subpoenas to hundreds of individuals and entities, the collection of financial records from everyday Americans donating to Republicans, and the alleged misuse of power by Smith and the DOJ. The speaker also touches on the recent news of the White House accord on superintelligence, signed by tech leaders, including Mark Zuckerberg. The conversation is a thought-provoking analysis of the implications of this accord and its potential impact on the future of technology. The speaker raises important questions about the motivations behind Jack Smith's actions and the potential consequences of his investigation. They also discuss the recent revelations about Smith's office bending its own rules to acquire forensic video software, which has raised new questions about the fairness and transparency of the investigation. The conversation is a critical examination of the complex issues at play in this case. If you're interested in staying up-to-date on the latest developments in this story and hearing the speaker's insightful analysis, be sure to listen to the full episode. 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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A California couple has been charged with murder after authorities say they shot their transgender son-in-law to death over the weekend in a park. Jonathan McKinsey's death came as he and the couple's daughter were part of a bitter divorce and custody battle for their three young children. Shili Chen and Shouyong Zhang, both 77, have been charged.

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WASHINGTON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to announce a 20% cut in the number of positions for generals and admirals when he speaks with hundreds of junior service members at Quantico, Virginia, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Tuesday. Hegseth will give a speech on Wednesday in front of hundreds of junior officers and enlisted officials, updating them on his priorities for the military. The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Hegseth would say that he plans to cut the billets for general and flag officers by 20%. Those are one- to four-star generals and admirals. That is an increase from the minimum 10% cut Hegseth laid out last year. Rather than firing people, one of the officials said, the rank of some future jobs would change while billets for others would be canceled. Separately on Tuesday, the Pentagon released a memo signed by Hegseth which directed that the Department of Defense will no longer appoint civilians as tenured college faculty at the US Military Service Academies. The memo cast the directive as an effort to refocus military academies on "warfighting." Hegseth has moved quickly to reshape the department, firing senior officers across the military and dealing with niche personnel issues. Last year, he ordered a 20% reduction in the number of four-star officers. The event on Wednesday will come a year after Hegseth slammed "fat generals" and diversity initiatives in front of US military generals and admirals during a speech at Quantico. Last year, US President Donald Trump also delivered an address at Quantico and floated the idea of using deployments to US cities "as training grounds for our military." The remarks by Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, and Trump, a former reality television star, resembled a reality TV format, as top US military officials were summoned on short notice. Addressing an auditorium full of top brass who flew in from around the world at the time, Hegseth defended his firings of flag officers, including the top US general, who was Black, and the Navy's top admiral, who was a woman. He said the officers he relieved were part of a broken culture. "If the words I'm speaking today are making your hearts sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign," Hegseth said.

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The parents of a Detroit-area toddler who pulled a loaded pistol out of his backpack at a daycare will face charges in the case, according to police in Michigan.

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WASHINGTON, Sept 30 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump will announce on Wednesday plans for South Korea to invest $200 billion in US projects, including $54 billion to build the long-planned Alaska liquefied natural gas project, a White House official said. The announcement will detail the first major projects under a broader $350 billion strategic investment package South Korea made as part of a trade agreement with Washington last year. The $350 billion package includes $150 billion for shipbuilding and $200 billion for strategic investments. The White House official said the investments would include the Alaska LNG pipeline project, eight large-scale nuclear power plants and a 6-gigawatt power generation facility in Texas. The announcement would be part of a series of economic and investment deals Trump is highlighting ahead of November's midterm elections, as he seeks to reinforce his economic record amid voter concerns over the Iran war and high gasoline prices. The Alaska LNG project also comes as Republicans seek to retain incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan who faces Democrat Mary Peltola. "Today, President Trump will announce major energy infrastructure investments that deliver on his day one promises to unleash American energy, unlock Alaska's extraordinary resource potential, and accelerate America's nuclear energy renaissance," White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said. The Alaska LNG project would include an 807-mile pipeline carrying natural gas from the North Slope to a liquefaction facility on Alaska's southern coast, allowing the fuel to be shipped to Asian markets. The project is designed to transport about 3.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day and produce up to 20 million metric tons of LNG annually, according to the White House. Trump has repeatedly promoted the project as a way to expand U.S. energy exports and strengthen ties with allies including South Korea and Japan. The project has faced years of uncertainty over its cost, financing and commercial viability. South Korea's investment could provide a potential source of financing, although Seoul has previously said projects under its US investment package must meet commercial viability standards. South Korean opposition lawmakers have raised concerns about the commercial viability and fiscal risks of investments in US projects. "Before considering political needs or diplomatic demands, however, it was necessary to thoroughly verify the commercial rationale and viability of any investment that put a tremendous burden on the public," Kim Sung-won, a South Korean lawmaker who chairs parliament's trade committee, told Reuters on Wednesday. South Korea's industry ministry said last week that a more than 6-gigawatt gas-fired power plant in Encinal, Texas, was the first project selected under the $200 billion strategic investment program. The ministry was also considering the construction of eight large nuclear reactors and the Alaska LNG project. COMMITMENTS NEED TO BE BINDING Japan's two biggest LNG importers, JERA and Tokyo Gas, have signed preliminary agreements to buy a combined 2 million metric tons a year from Alaska LNG if it is built. Glenfarne, the project's developer, said in March it had lined up commitments for 13 million tons a year, but needed another 3 million tons to secure financing and make all commitments binding. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Wednesday's plan. The eight nuclear plants would form part of Trump's effort to expand U.S. nuclear generation as electricity demand rises, including from data centers and manufacturing. South Korea has been discussing a potential investment in U.S. nuclear projects as part of the broader package. The Texas gas-fired power project is expected to supply electricity to energy-intensive facilities, including semiconductor plants and data centers. South Korean officials have said the project was selected after reviews of its commercial viability.

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A shooting at a northern Virginia business leaves two workers dead. Police say the suspect later took his own life. Police say 37-year-old Marvin Grant opened fire at an equipment rental business this morning. Two workers died and a third who also was shot and injured. The motive behind the shooting is under investigation.

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Here's what's trending with our partners at Townhall: A federal jury struck down a Texas sheriff's AI surveillance-driven traffic stop program after finding that it violated people's Fourth Amendment rights. The operation involved license-plate camera readers across the state that scanned cars and stored details regarding when and where each plate was viewed. Read more on this story at Townhall.com

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(Sioux Falls, SD) -- Kristi Noem is filing for divorce from her husband, Bryon Noem. Court records show the former South Dakota governor filed on April 6th, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple has been married since 1992. The paperwork was filed shortly after a tabloid leaked a photo of Bryon Noem cross-dressing in March.

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(Jerusalem) -- The copilot of a Dubai to Israel flight is under arrest after allegedly attempting to stab the captain and crash the plane. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a member of the plane's crew and a passenger were able to break into the cockpit as the plane began to dive. A standby crew onboard then was able to safely make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia before continuing on to Tel Aviv. None of the passengers were injured in the incident and have reunited with their families. The Israeli defense minister has called the incident "an attempted jihadist terror attack."

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(Troy, OH) -- A former "American Idol" contestant has been convicted of murdering his wife in Ohio. A jury found Caleb Flynn guilty of killing his wife Ashley in their Tipp City home earlier this year. The prosecution said Flynn killed her because he wanted to be free to marry his mistress. Flynn had blamed the murder on an intruder.

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