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Good evening. Tonight, we find ourselves in a nation gripped by chaos—divided, unsettled, and standing on the edge of something even darker. Today has been one of the most difficult days to report: bomb threats rattled communities across the country, a possible shooting shut down a major university, and the manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s assassin intensifies with no end yet in sight. Members of Congress are frightened. Journalists are frightened. And I will be honest with you—I, too, feel the weight of that fear. But I made you a promise from the very beginning: I will not stop. My duty is to report the truth—no matter how dangerous, no matter how painful. To give you the facts as they are, stripped of influence, stripped of spin. My work is to deliver independence, and I will continue to do exactly that. With that, here’s the news: Nationwide threats: Multiple HBCUs across the South, including Hampton University, Virginia State, Bethune-Cookman, Alabama State, Spelman, Clark Atlanta, and Southern University, went into lockdown or canceled classes after receiving potential threats; while the FBI said the threats appear to be hoaxes with no evidence of credibility, officials are investigating closely given a history of similar attacks, and leaders such as Rep. Hakeem Jeffries condemned the incidents as “despicable” acts of extremism targeting Black college students. Capitol Police responded to a potential bomb threat at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C.; officers searched the building and surrounding areas but found nothing, while DNC staff were told to avoid the area as the investigation continues. Boston Police urged the public to avoid UMass Boston after reports of shots fired near Campus Center, Residence Hall East, and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, though no shots have been confirmed and no firearms have been found; multiple units are investigating the scene. Rhode Island State Police are investigating hoax emails containing bomb threats sent to local officials, including Senate President Valarie Lawson and Majority Leader Frank Ciccone, stressing that all threats are being taken seriously.
Charlie Kirk: A large-scale manhunt is underway after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University. The FBI has released photos of a person of interest and is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, urging the public to assist in identifying the suspect. The State Department announced it will review the legal status of immigrants who are found to be “praising, rationalizing, or making light” of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, with Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau warning that foreigners who glorify violence are “not welcome visitors” and directing consular officials to take action. FBI Director Kash Patel is personally heading to Utah to oversee the investigation, reflecting the gravity of the case. Officials had planned a press conference to provide updates, but it was postponed due to what they described as “rapid developments” in the investigation. Authorities tracked the shooter’s movements after he fired from a rooftop location, then fled the scene. A high-powered rifle and ammunition, which had cultural phrases scrawled on them, were recovered nearby. While these details provide some insight, investigators have not yet determined a clear motive. President Donald Trump, who credited Kirk with helping mobilize young voters to secure his second term, announced he will posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in recognition of his influence and legacy. Air Force Two landed in Salt Lake City with Vice President JD Vance, who is set to meet Charlie Kirk’s family and accompany them, along with Kirk’s body, back to their home in Phoenix, Arizona.
More news: Charlie Kirk’s assassination has left members of Congress across parties fearful for their safety, leading to postponed or canceled public events, increased police patrols, and some lawmakers carrying firearms; while Capitol Police report record levels of threats and leadership is reviewing security measures, many lawmakers say protections remain inadequate, with Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jim Clyburn scaling back events, Republicans like Nancy Mace adding armed security, and leaders warning that rising political violence is creating a dangerous environment for elected officials. Brazil’s Supreme Court convicted former president Jair Bolsonaro of plotting a military coup to stay in power after losing the 2022 election, with judges declaring him the leader of a “criminal organization” that sought to undermine democracy; Bolsonaro, under house arrest, could face up to 43 years in prison, though his supporters are expected to fight for his release through legal challenges, political maneuvers, and possible calls for amnesty. After a fact-finding trip, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley accused Israel of carrying out a systematic campaign to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza through mass destruction of homes, severe restrictions on humanitarian aid, and forced displacement, warning that the U.S. is complicit by funding these actions; their report documents famine deaths, blocked aid convoys, and targeted strikes near distribution sites, and calls for immediate ceasefire efforts and international penalties against those responsible. U.S. inflation rose to 2.9% in August, the highest since January, as companies passed Trump-era tariffs onto consumers; while core inflation held steady at 3.1%, weakening job data and rising unemployment have fueled expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by a quarter point at its September 17 meeting, despite concerns over economic instability linked to trade and immigration policies. Nadine Menendez, wife of former U.S. senator Bob Menendez, was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison for her role in bribery schemes involving cash, gold bars, and a luxury car in exchange for her husband’s political influence; she admitted being manipulated by him but acknowledged responsibility, while prosecutors stressed her central role as an intermediary in the corruption that also involved aiding Egypt, with the couple’s home raid uncovering nearly half a million dollars in cash, $150,000 in gold, and a luxury convertible. Immigration agents attempting to detain roofers in Rochester, New York, were met by more than 100 protesters, faith leaders, and local officials after a rapid response alert; one worker was arrested while two others stayed on the roof, with advocates disputing DHS claims of “violent rioters” and tire vandalism, insisting the gathering was peaceful; officials noted the arrested man reportedly had a valid work permit and long U.S. residency, fueling outrage over what community leaders described as unjust deportation practices amid Rochester’s strengthened sanctuary city protections. Paramount Skydance, recently formed after David Ellison’s Skydance acquired Paramount with Trump administration approval, is preparing a majority-cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery; if successful, the Ellison-backed takeover would unite Paramount’s assets (CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, The CW) with Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio, HBO Max, and cable networks like CNN, TBS, and TNT, in what could become one of Hollywood’s largest mergers.
See you soon. — Aaron
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