Today's News with Larry Schweikart
TODAY'S NEWS, September 13-14, 2026
Episode Summary
The roundup focuses on a tightening Arizona governor’s race, continued Republican concerns about election integrity and Democratic extremism, growing scrutiny of AI safety and regulation, increased immigration enforcement, strong household wealth and employment figures alongside persistent cost pressures, escalating international tensions involving China, Iran, Russia and Israel, and several notable developments in medicine and culture. Larry’s broader theme is that political, technological and geopolitical shifts are accelerating, while several stories challenge prevailing narratives on immigration, climate policy, AI regulation and public health.
Episode Notes
IN POLITICAL NEWS
- Arizona governor’s race: Seth Keshel argues the race is competitive, with Andy Biggs needing to ramp up advertising. Republicans retain a significant voter-registration advantage, making turnout critical.
- Larry highlights controversial remarks by a North Carolina legislative candidate about Trump supporters and Roy Cooper’s comments about Democrats needing to remain united.
- A California judge has been accused of assaulting courthouse staff.
- Another disruptive airline incident involved a passenger allegedly disrobing and engaging in indecent acts, with Larry arguing that such incidents can have consequences across the broader flight network.
- Larry cites a claim that armed citizens stopped nearly 53% of gun attacks in the previous year.
- Former Kansas Senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker died at 94. She was the first woman elected to the Senate without succeeding a deceased husband.
- A new analysis argues that 54% of Americans get news from nontraditional sources, suggesting political advertisers need to reach audiences through entertainment, sports and other seemingly nonpolitical channels.
- The 51 former intelligence officials who signed the controversial 2020 letter regarding Hunter Biden material are reportedly now barred from federal buildings.
- James Wehr, founder of a major U.S. car show, was killed in a McLaren crash.
- Missouri redistricting: The Supreme Court ruling means the new 6-2 congressional map will be used, leading Larry to lower his House projection from 222 to 220 Republican seats.
IN AI NEWS
- A lawyer submitted an AI-generated ChatGPT brief riddled with fabricated material. Larry also highlights a Mississippi judge whose AI-assisted ruling contained multiple errors, including nonexistent cases and people unrelated to the litigation.
- A broader battle is developing over AI regulation, with Trump favoring faster development and critics calling for stronger controls. Larry frames the dispute as a tension between preventing regulatory capture and maintaining the U.S. lead over China.
- Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is calling for slower AI development and stronger safety and security measures.
IN ILLEGAL CRIMINAL ALIEN NEWS
- ICE reportedly arrested more than 50,000 people in July, highlighting the administration's intensified immigration enforcement.
IN ECONOMIC NEWS
- U.S. household net worth increased by more than $12 trillion in Q2, although Larry notes that high food, housing and gasoline costs continue to affect consumers.
- New malware reportedly targets Google's passkey security system.
- Trump said he would permit Chinese automakers to build U.S. factories provided they employ American workers.
- The EPA is expected to loosen pollution restrictions on power plants.
- U.S. LNG is projected to reach roughly 30% of the global market by 2030.
IN INTERNATIONAL NEWS
- Peru is joining the Shield of the Americas coalition targeting drug trafficking.
- A Saudi pipeline was reportedly attacked by drones launched from Iraq, while the Houthis continue expanding their capabilities in Yemen.
- Sweden has reported falling violent crime after deporting migrant gang members.
- Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are reportedly considering independence referenda, while Larry connects the development to broader tensions within the United Kingdom.
- German corporate insolvencies have reached their highest level in 13 years.
- Larry highlights reports suggesting China provided satellite intelligence connected to an Iranian strike that killed three U.S. troops, followed by the breakup of a Chinese satellite.
- He also interprets a Russian drone strike near a gathering of Western officials in Ukraine as a possible warning to the participants.
- Norway has reportedly moved to criminalize certain trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which Larry frames as part of growing international pressure on Israel.
IN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
- Actress Hayden Panettiere reportedly died after taking a single oxycodone pill that was contaminated with fentanyl.
IN MEDICAL NEWS
- Steve Kirsch has compiled studies that he argues are consistent with a possible vaccine-autism connection, though this remains contrary to the established scientific consensus.
- Larry argues that changes to federal vaccine guidance and advisory structures are creating uncertainty around vaccine coverage and availability.
- Trachoma has been eliminated from Timor-Leste, meaning Southeast Asia is now free of the disease.
AND FINALLY . . .
- A woman struggling with debt reportedly decluttered more than 400 possessions and paid off $25,000 in debt in five months, prompting Larry to emphasize the financial impact of cutting unnecessary spending.