Salem News Channel

The Trump administration is moving forward with a new higher-education accountability system that could eventually cut off federal student loans to college programs whose graduates consistently earn less than workers with lower levels of education. The Education Department’s new Student Tuition and Transparency System, or STATS, will measure the earnings of graduates and compare them with an earnings benchmark for working adults with a lower credential. The administration says the goal is to prevent students from taking on federal debt for programs that provide little financial return. The policy applies across higher education rather than only to a narrow group of career-oriented programs. Under the final regulations, a program that fails the earnings test in two out of three award years would be classified as a low-earning outcome program and could lose access to the federal Direct Loan Program for at least two years. Some programs could also lose access to other forms of federal student aid, including Pell Grants, depending on the circumstances. The first earnings test is expected to be calculated in early 2027, with July 1, 2027 marking the first year a program could officially fail the test. The earliest programs could lose access to federal student loans would generally be July 2028 after repeated failures. The Education Department says the policy is intended to increase accountability and give students more information about whether a degree is likely to provide enough financial benefit to justify its cost. “Federal student loans are not a welfare program for failing college programs,” an Education Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital, according to Townhall. The department said students deserve education and training that prepares them for the workforce, along with greater transparency about programs with poor financial outcomes. The administration is not banning colleges from offering degrees that perform poorly under the earnings test. Instead, repeatedly failing programs could become ineligible for federal student loans, potentially requiring students to find other ways to finance those degrees. The regulations include a wind-down option designed to protect students already enrolled in programs that fail the standard. Under an approved plan, current students could continue receiving federal loans while completing their degrees even as the school stops admitting new students to the affected program. The earnings rule is part of a broader overhaul of federal student aid under President Donald Trump. Other changes that took effect this year include new borrowing limits for graduate students, new repayment options and expanded Pell Grant eligibility for certain short-term workforce training programs. Supporters argue the earnings requirement could pressure colleges to lower costs and improve outcomes. Critics have raised concerns that tying federal aid to earnings could disproportionately affect programs in fields where graduates traditionally earn less despite providing services considered socially valuable. The Education Department plans to begin publishing draft earnings data in 2027, allowing institutions to review the information before final figures are released.

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President Donald Trump is disputing an account from U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue that Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping whether China wanted to purchase American weapons. Perdue made the claim Sunday during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” days after Xi concluded a state visit to Washington. While discussing U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan, Perdue said Trump had asked Xi “at one point” whether China would be interested in buying American military equipment. Perdue did not say when the alleged conversation occurred or describe Xi’s response. Asked about the ambassador’s remarks Monday, Trump appeared surprised and suggested Perdue may have confused China with Taiwan. “To China? You mean to Taiwan?” Trump responded before saying he had not discussed selling weapons to Beijing. Trump later suggested China might be interested in American military equipment and said “maybe it’s a good idea,” but reiterated that such a sale had not been discussed. The State Department also distanced the administration from Perdue’s remarks, saying U.S. law prohibits arms sales to China and that there is currently no offer or plan to sell American weapons to Beijing. The conflicting accounts come amid continued tensions over U.S. military support for Taiwan. Washington is Taiwan’s primary arms supplier, while Beijing has repeatedly demanded that the United States stop selling weapons to the self-governed island. The United States does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but is required under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide the island with defensive capabilities. Perdue said during his interview that the Trump administration’s policy toward Taiwan has not changed and defended the president’s record of approving weapons sales to the island. The issue comes just days after Trump hosted Xi for a three-day state visit in Washington. During their private discussions, Xi urged Trump to oppose Taiwanese independence, according to Chinese state media. China’s Foreign Ministry did not confirm Perdue’s account when asked about it Monday. A ministry spokesperson instead said Beijing continues to strengthen its defense capabilities based on its national needs. The U.S. has not sold weapons to Beijing since the 1980s, and resuming such sales would represent a significant departure from longstanding American policy toward China.

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The discussion focuses on the controversial stance of certain political figures, including AOC, who advocate for the abolition of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). The speaker critically examines the rationale behind abolishing ICE, questioning the logic of allowing millions of people into the country legally and then disbanding the agency responsible for their apprehension and deportation. The argument is made that for-profit detention centers have no incentive to release detainees, only to fill their facilities, which is seen as a conflict of interest. The speaker also touches on the broader issue of illegal immigration and the consequences it has on the operation of ICE, suggesting that the presence of private detention centers is a result of the administration's policies on immigration. Further into the conversation, the speaker refutes claims that ICE officers act without reason or due process, emphasizing the importance of a lawful criminal justice system. The legitimacy of ICE's actions is defended by highlighting their role in apprehending individuals who have been ordered removed by federal judges. The discussion underscores the tension between enforcing immigration laws and the humanitarian aspects of immigration policy, with the speaker advocating for a balanced approach that respects both legal processes and human rights.

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Larry Elder discusses a foiled terror attack in the United Kingdom. British police arrested five men suspected of preparing terrorist attacks. The suspects were allegedly targeting a U.S. Air Force base in the UK, which has been used for deploying large bombers and has been controversially involved in the American-Israeli conflict against Iran. This incident highlights the ongoing threats of hybrid attacks, where actions are designed to avoid culpability in Europe and are likely orchestrated by Russia or proxies connected to Iran. The conversation also touches on previous incidents, including arrests in Britain for planning arsenic attacks and accusations against Iran's IRGC for directing attacks on Jews in Britain and Europe. The president praised the UK's efforts in thwarting the plot, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism.

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In this thought-provoking discussion, the complexities surrounding Bill Gates' influence and opinions on artificial intelligence are explored. The conversation delves into the potential dangers AI poses, including its capability to cause significant harm. The discourse also touches upon the involvement of Bill Gates in controversial matters, such as the Epstein files, and questions why his perspectives are frequently sought after. The dialogue further highlights the necessity for global governance and regulation in the AI sector, emphasizing the role of law enforcement and politicians in ensuring these safeguards. This analysis offers a critical examination of the intersection between powerful tech figures and global policy-making.

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GOP naysayers are already saying the midterms look grim for republicans. Lame duck Senator John Cornyn doesn't think Ken Paxton has what it takes to beat James Talarico. Sound familiar? Remember 2016? Hillary was up in every poll, the pundits had already measured the drapes in the Oval Office—and Trump won. Pre-election polls are snapshots, not prophecies. The only poll that matters is on Election Day. ------ M and M Extra! If you love smart unscripted talk show chemistry, you’re in the right place. Two iconic talk radio hosts. One unfiltered daily conversation. No scripts. No spin. Just Mike Gallagher and Mark Davis breaking down the news the way it should be with zero apologies. Like and subscribe to youtube.com/@MandMExtra for more content. Watch full episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8EGNf1WbbwMRurHjD-q-sft3OQfbxop8 Check out highlight clips from all our shows: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8EGNf1WbbwPQn44WIEh9LfT3hP1lng9w

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In this insightful discussion, Scott Jennings analyzes the upcoming midterm elections, framing them as a battle between mainstream and extreme political ideologies. Jennings emphasizes the urgency for Republicans to mobilize and communicate their core values effectively to counteract what he describes as the Democrats' radical agenda. He outlines key Republican principles, such as preserving constitutional foundations, maintaining strong borders, and supporting local law enforcement. Jennings warns against the Democrats' proposals to fundamentally transform the U.S. government, including the potential abolition of the Senate and Supreme Court, and the expansion of federal power into traditionally state domains. He concludes by urging Republicans to clearly articulate their vision of a strong, sovereign America to sway undecided voters in the upcoming elections.

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Polls can miss the mark, predictions can change overnight, and political frustration can tempt people to sit out or make a protest choice. But none of that changes the basic reality of an election: the outcome is determined by the voters who actually show up. From disputed races and unexpected polling misses to primary battles and calls to stay home, the message is simple—don’t let the noise convince you that your vote doesn’t matter.

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Newt Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House, discusses the 2026 midterms, urging Republicans not to be discouraged by negative expectations and to focus on making a clear case to voters. He addresses affordability, taxes, government spending, Iran, health care and immigration. Gingrich emphasizes the importance of communicating a broader vision to voters, invoking Margaret Thatcher’s principle: “First you win the argument, then you win the vote.”

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Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah, October 4, 2026

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Real Life with Jack Hibbs, October 4, 2026

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The last few years have been interesting, with regard to things like crime. Despite the doomsaying from the anti-gunners, the post-Bruen homicide bump never actually happened. Quite the opposite, really. The violent crime rate has dropped, and there's evidence that it's dropping for 2026 as well.

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The Trump administration has made combating welfare fraud a major part of its agenda. Vice President J.D. Vance heads the White House Fraud Task Force, and on September 22, it announced plans to remove more than 750,000 fraudulent enrollees from Obamacare. That would come to $2.2 billion in savings once the ineligible or non-existent enrollees are purged.

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A Riverside County man pleaded guilty earlier this week – the third defendant to plead guilty this week – to fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 business-relief loans and then helping others fraudulently obtain COVID business loans in exchange for a cut of the illicit proceeds, causing a total loss to taxpayers of approximately $3.5 million.

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During a White House state dinner, a song with significant political undertones was performed, sparking discussions about the subtle messages conveyed. Steven Mosher, author of "The Devil in Communist China," joined to analyze the symbolism behind the song and the gifts exchanged between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Mosher explained that the song's lyrics, referencing a Chinese royal family's cruelty, served as a veiled warning. Additionally, the eagle statue gifted by Trump to Xi, crushing a snake, held deep personal and political significance, symbolizing a crushing defeat for China. Mosher also discussed the corridor where Trump led Xi past a portrait of Joe Biden, suggesting this was a deliberate move to mock Biden’s perceived incapacity, further underscoring the adversarial nature of their relationship. The conversation highlighted Trump’s strategy in dealing with China, emphasizing the importance of standing firm against China’s economic and political maneuvers.

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In this episode, Hans von Spakovsky, Senior Legal Fellow at Advancing American Freedom, discusses the recent Supreme Court ruling that allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to use its SAVE System database for verifying voter citizenship. The SAVE System, which includes Social Security records, was previously blocked by a Biden-appointed judge. The Supreme Court's decision overturned this injunction, emphasizing states' rights to use federal databases for election integrity. This decision is seen as a victory for election law and the Trump administration's efforts to ensure only citizens vote. The discussion also touches on the partisan divide in state policies regarding voter ID and the implications of clean voter rolls for election outcomes.

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There has to be a term for something worse than hypocrisy when it comes to Hillary Clinton. 

How about, "Hillarocrisy"?

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WASHINGTON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court revived on Friday an expanded immigration database that President Donald Trump's administration said aims to combat voting by noncitizens but critics contend could disenfranchise eligible voters.

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Adm Peter Browm, Dr Ray Salano, Michael Woolworth, Cong Ken Buck, Todd Nettleton, Allie Coghan, Sketch Comedy: Nick Peterson, The Babylon Bee, & The Puppet Regime. #NewMusicSpotlight: For King and Country.

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