Kimmel’s Ratings Collapse: 64% of Audience Gone in Two Nights

September 30, 2025

ABC News — ABC (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night television sparked a short-lived ratings boost, but the momentum collapsed almost immediately. After drawing more than 6.2 million viewers for his comeback show following suspension, his numbers plunged to just 2.3 million by Thursday—a 64% drop in only two days.

The slide was steepest in advertiser-coveted demographics. Among adults 25–54, ratings fell by 73%, dropping from 1.7 million to only 465,000 viewers. In the 18–49 bracket, his audience dropped by 72%, with just 334,000 tuning in by week’s end. These figures reveal a rapid loss of interest, suggesting the initial surge reflected curiosity about his suspension rather than renewed loyalty.

The decline also reflects a broader trend. Over the last decade, Jimmy Kimmel Live! has shed about 72% of its viewership among adults 25–54, once considered the late-night gold standard. Competing shows have struggled as well, but Kimmel’s sharp losses highlight the shrinking influence of politically charged late-night programming.

Kimmel’s troubles come as networks weigh the future of traditional late-night television in an era dominated by streaming and on-demand platforms. Disney, which owns ABC, promoted Kimmel’s return heavily, touting the initial rebound as a success. But by the end of the week, the collapse made clear that a viral moment could not reverse years of steady audience erosion.

This latest decline adds to mounting challenges for broadcast networks. Once a cultural staple, late-night shows increasingly rely on controversy for temporary spikes, but long-term viewership continues to dwindle. For Kimmel, the sharp downturn underscores how little staying power remains in a fractured media landscape.

Grove City College Hit by False “Swatting” Call — Campus Locked Down

September 30, 2025

Grove City College in Pennsylvania was targeted by a false “swatting” threat, triggering a large-scale law enforcement response and precautionary lockdown. Authorities say the threat claimed there were shots fired in the Buhl Library; no evidence of an active shooter, victims, or witnesses emerged.

State police described the incident as a computer-generated hoax. The campus was placed on lockdown around 5:30 p.m., then released by about 7 p.m. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded, including Pennsylvania State Police and SWAT units, but the building was found safe and no injuries were reported.

Officials reaffirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public. The hoax adds to a troubling trend: since August, several campuses nationwide have faced similar fake emergency calls meant to terrorize or disrupt.

These incidents highlight the growing use of false reports to create fear and chaos. While no one was harmed at Grove City, repeated swatting attempts continue to raise concerns for campus safety and the strain they place on first responders.

California’s SB 771 Threatens Free Speech: First Amendment Showdown Unfolds

September 30, 2025

gavin newsom (4) — (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

California lawmakers have advanced Senate Bill 771, a measure that would impose steep fines on social media platforms accused of failing to curtail “online harassment targeting marginalized groups.” The bill passed both chambers and now sits on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk as fierce opposition mounts from both left and right.

If signed, SB 771 would subject platforms operating in California to fines up to $1 million per intentional violation and $500,000 for “reckless” violations. The bill would allow lawsuits against platforms whose algorithms or recommendation engines are alleged to amplify “unlawful content” aimed at protected classes.

Supporters argue the law is necessary to protect vulnerable communities from targeted harassment and violence. It cites rising trends in hate crimes, online disinformation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, and increased incidents against religious groups as justification. But critics warn the broad and vague language of SB 771 will chill lawful speech, push platforms toward over‑censorship, and undermine Section 230 protections.

The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has voiced strong constitutional concerns, arguing that the law violates First Amendment protections and conflicts with federal communications law. The bill’s critics include unexpected allies on the political left—numerous progressive organizations and civil liberties groups oppose SB 771, warning it gives the state sweeping power to regulate online discourse.

Newsom’s decision will signal California’s direction on speech policy. A veto could restore some balance and energize moderates; a signature would certify a state-controlled model for online speech enforcement. Either path could provoke costly litigation at the national level

‘Choke on It’: Scott Jennings Fires Back at Liberal Outrage Over Comey Indictment

September 30, 2025

Scott Jennings delivered a blunt rebuke to liberal critics reacting to the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. During a recent Salem Network–broadcasted commentary, Jennings told those lamenting the charges to “Choke on it,” arguing their outrage is hypocritical.

Jennings challenged liberals who once cheered politically charged prosecutions of Donald Trump but now claim to value the rule of law. He recalled their eagerness for criminal cases based on “novel” theories during Trump’s presidency, then accused them of crying foul when the same standards apply to their favored figures.

He also mocked the repeated use of “unprecedented” by outlets and commentators, suggesting the word has lost all meaning in today’s legal and political environment. Jennings demanded clarity on what “revenge” would even mean in this context, pressing liberal critics to explain why they decried the Comey case now.

Jennings’ comments underscore a broader conservative argument: that selective outrage and double standards have eroded credibility on law and justice debates.

Conservative ‘Fearless Debates’ Group Escorted Off TSU Campus After Chaos

September 30, 2025

MAGA hat — Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images

A conservative activist group called Fearless Debates was removed from Tennessee State University in Nashville after attempting a surprise campus visit and tabling event. The episode escalated into shouting and students hurling objections at the group, prompting university officials to intervene.

The group’s mission was to spark discourse on topics like immigration and DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion). Their signs read “DEI should be illegal” and “Deport all illegals now.” According to reports, the group had no prior permission to be on campus under TSU’s demonstration policy, which requires advance approval.

Campus footage and witness accounts show students surrounding the group, shouting at them, and throwing items such as a drink and a BLM poster at the vehicle belonging to group members Cam Higby and David Khait. University police and staff escorted the group off campus without reported violent confrontation.

TSU issued a statement asserting that it prioritizes the safety and well‑being of its campus community. The university noted the visitors lacked authorization, saying they “appeared on campus without prior notice” and that its response conformed with its policies. The NAACP Nashville chapter criticized the visit as a provocative act aimed at undermining historically Black university spaces.

Critics argue the incident demonstrates an uneven playing field for conservative voices in higher education. Supporters of the group claim this was a direct suppression of free speech, especially given that past stops on their tour reportedly proceeded without incident.

Texas Tech Declares War on Gender Ideology: Only Two Sexes Allowed in Classrooms

September 30, 2025

Texas-Flag-InCommunicadoGetty-via-Canva-Pro — InCommunicado/Getty via Canva Pro

Texas Tech University System has implemented a bold new policy requiring professors to teach that only two sexes exist—male and female. The systemwide directive, issued September 25 by Chancellor Tedd Mitchell, mandates that faculty instruction must align with biological realities and comply with state and federal law.

Mitchell’s memo states that faculty, acting as state employees, must “recognize only two sexes (male and female) in their official duties, including teaching.” This includes all institutions under the Texas Tech umbrella—Texas Tech University, Angelo State University, Midwestern State University, and affiliated health sciences centers. While private speech remains protected under the First Amendment, faculty are expected to comply with the policy in professional settings.

The directive cites “various state and federal laws, executive orders, and legal guidance” as justification. Though not naming them specifically, the policy aligns with the broader legal framework set by Governor Greg Abbott in Texas and reinforced under President Trump’s administration, which emphasized biological sex over self-identified gender in education and public policy.

Critics immediately attacked the policy. Equality Texas claimed it would erase transgender and intersex students and create a hostile academic environment. Others called it an assault on academic freedom. However, supporters argue the measure restores factual, science-based instruction and protects students from radical gender ideology infiltrating the classroom.

This move follows the recent firing of a Texas Tech English lecturer after she included lessons on gender fluidity. A student complaint prompted an internal review, ultimately resulting in her dismissal. That case underscored growing tensions between gender activism and institutional accountability.

Texas Tech’s policy now stands as one of the clearest rejections of gender theory by a major university system.

China Opposes Repeal of Biden Power Plant Rules, Republicans Fire Back

September 29, 2025

china flag — Photo by Arthur Wang, Unsplash

Republican leaders in Congress are blasting Chinese officials for opposing the repeal of Biden-era power plant regulations, saying Beijing’s comments prove China wants the U.S. to stay shackled by red tape that weakens domestic energy supply.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has moved to repeal emissions standards under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act and the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS). These Biden-era rules forced the closure of coal, oil, and gas plants while raising energy costs for families and straining the electric grid. Zeldin argued the repeal will restore reliability and affordability, estimating $19 billion in regulatory savings over two decades.

But Jiao Yang, a deputy director general representing China at the WTO, submitted formal comments to the EPA calling the repeal “self-defeating” and urging the U.S. to maintain “technological neutrality” by prioritizing clean energy over coal and oil. Yang warned that scrapping the rules creates “trade uncertainty” and raises “operational risks.”

Republicans see Beijing’s intervention as blatant hypocrisy. While China urges America to abandon fossil fuels, it is racing ahead with coal development at home. A 2023 report revealed that China has built six times more coal plants than the rest of the world combined over the past seven years, hitting a 10-year high in construction.

House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) told Breitbart News that China’s comments were “questionable at best” given the CCP’s weak environmental record. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, called the move “concerning and hypocritical,” praising Zeldin for rolling back “burdensome and illegal rules.”

Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) said China’s objections are a sign America is “back” under President Trump’s energy agenda, while Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) warned: “We cannot allow a foreign adversary to shape U.S. laws, raise costs on American families, or undermine our energy security.”

Zohran Mamdani Leads NYC Mayoral Race After Adams Exit

September 29, 2025

New York City’s mayoral race has entered a new phase following Mayor Eric Adams’ announcement that he would not seek reelection. His exit clears the path for Democratic Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani, who released a video message Sunday framing the election as a historic turning point for city politics.

“Trump and his billionaire donors might be able to determine Adams and Cuomo’s actions. But they won’t decide this election,” Mamdani wrote on X. “In just over five weeks, we’ll turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas — and deliver a government every New Yorker can be proud of.”

In his recorded message, Mamdani criticized Adams’ record, claiming the mayor raised rents, slowed transit, and cut school and library funding. “A city that was already hard has become nearly impossible for those who call it home. But a new day is coming,” he said, highlighting his campaign’s grassroots organizing as the largest in city history.

Mamdani also targeted former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who re-entered city politics after Adams’ struggles. “You wanted me as your opponent in the primary, too, and we beat you by 13 points,” Mamdani said, vowing to defeat Cuomo again in November.

Adams, in his withdrawal video, defended his record of reducing crime, expanding housing, and improving education but acknowledged fundraising shortfalls left him unable to compete.

Polling shows Mamdani in a commanding lead. A Suffolk University CityView survey conducted September 16–18 placed him at 45 percent, ahead of Cuomo at 25 percent, Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa at nine percent, and Adams at eight percent. Affordability, crime, and jobs topped voter concerns.

Mamdani has drawn support from progressive Democrats including Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Jamie Raskin, and Gov. Kathy Hochul. Yet his policies have raised alarm among moderates. Sen. John Fetterman warned he does not “really agree with virtually any” of Mamdani’s positions, while Rep. Tom Suozzi and Rep. Laura Gillen voiced concerns about his socialist platform.

Ireland to Pay Asylum Seekers €10,000 to Leave Country

September 29, 2025

In a dramatic shift from its open-borders approach, the Republic of Ireland will now pay migrant families up to €10,000 ($11,700) to voluntarily withdraw their asylum claims and return to their home countries. The policy, announced by Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, nearly doubles the previous payouts for voluntary returns.

Under the new order, individual asylum seekers will be offered €2,500 ($2,900), while families can receive up to €10,000 if they agree to drop their claims and depart. The program is limited to applicants still awaiting a decision on their asylum cases who have not committed crimes while in Ireland.

The government argues that the scheme will save taxpayers significant money. The Department of Justice estimates that each asylum seeker costs around €122,000 ($143,000) to support during the process, including housing, food, and social benefits. Deportations are also costly; a single flight to Nigeria removing 35 migrants cost the government €325,000 ($381,000).

Voluntary return schemes are increasingly common in Europe. Sweden currently pays €5,000 ($5,900) to asylum seekers who leave and is considering offering up to €30,000 ($35,000) to long-term unemployed or welfare-dependent migrants. Germany’s program has also shown results, with over 8,000 failed asylum seekers voluntarily leaving in 10 months last year.

Ireland’s decision comes amid growing frustration with mass migration. The country’s migrant population has doubled since 2006, now accounting for one in five residents. The surge has coincided with rising social unrest, increased crime tied to migrants, and stagnant wages as the labor market absorbs cheaper foreign labor.

By increasing payouts for voluntary returns, Dublin appears to be acknowledging that its asylum system has become financially unsustainable and socially destabilizing. Whether the plan will significantly reduce Ireland’s migrant population remains to be seen, but officials point to European precedents as evidence of its potential effectiveness.

Alabama Ranked Among Top States for Business in 2025

September 29, 2025

Alabama continues to earn national recognition as a leading destination for business investment, with Area Development magazine ranking the state among the top performers in its 2025 Top States for Business report. The annual ranking highlights states that excel in attracting and supporting economic growth.

Georgia secured the top spot for the 12th consecutive year, while Alabama joined South Carolina, Texas, North Carolina, and Ohio in the top five. The recognition underscores Alabama’s steady position as a pro-growth state, despite being ranked No. 19 earlier this year in CNBC’s Best States for Business.

“Speed, workforce alignment, and energy infrastructure now define the best states for doing business – not just incentives or tax breaks,” the report explained. New methodology this year split energy infrastructure into two categories—availability and cost—reflecting the challenges of a modernized grid.

The report also emphasized the growing importance of water access, permitting speed, and site readiness, which are increasingly decisive factors in large-scale investment decisions. States that ranked highest were not just “pro-business,” the study noted, but “aligned” with the evolving needs of industries.

Alabama performed especially well across 15 categories measured. The state earned top 10 rankings in eight areas, including favorable regulatory framework (third), overall cost of doing business (third), business incentives programs (fourth), site readiness programs (sixth), cooperative state and local government (sixth), availability of sites (seventh), workforce training programs (seventh), and energy cost (ninth).

This recognition reinforces Alabama’s efforts to attract new employers, expand its industrial base, and strengthen infrastructure. State leaders have prioritized workforce development and regulatory efficiency as key drivers of future investment, aligning Alabama with industries seeking both skilled labor and cost-effective operations.