Today's News with Larry Schweikart
TODAY'S NEWS, September 19-21, 2026
Episode Summary
Today’s news brings major Trump administration moves on Greenland, China, immigration, H1B visas, energy, and federal spending, alongside continued debate over polling and media access. AI concerns center on claims that AI safety fears could be used to justify government-backed industry control. Cultural and gender-policy stories remain contentious, while economic news highlights energy costs, fraud investigations, and the limits of electric vehicles. Internationally, the focus is on Western energy policy, China, Canada, Germany, and new U.S. trade agreements. Entertainment brings a major media merger, celebrity and NFL injuries, while medical news focuses on criticism of Canada’s COVID response and changes to NIH grant oversight. And finally, a rescued kit fox named Chance is recovering through swimming therapy.
Episode Notes
IN POLITICAL NEWS
- 1. Greenland: Trump, Denmark, and Greenland reportedly reached a deal giving the U.S. control over Greenland’s security, which the source frames as another step toward securing major global maritime chokepoints.
- 2. China: The administration is being urged to prepare for a potential sudden collapse of China’s communist regime.
- 3. Polling: Claims of Democratic polling advantages are challenged by concerns about Republican nonresponse and polling accuracy. A Michigan poll also found 45% would not consider voting for a Muslim.
- 4. Campaign funding: The NRCC is reportedly outraising and outspending Democratic counterparts, while some Democratic groups report funding difficulties.
- 5. Media: The White House barred CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from press briefings, while major networks reportedly reduced on-camera Trump coverage.
- 6. Kennedy Center: Biden-era inspections reportedly documented disrepair and safety hazards before Trump moved to address the building.
- 7. Washington: The state Supreme Court struck down a voter-approved initiative protecting access to natural gas and gas appliances.
- 8. USAID: USAID has officially closed.
- 9. Nursing-degree fraud: Federal authorities dismantled a reported $250 million fraudulent nursing-degree scheme.
- 10. SpaceX: A SpaceX launch deployed 27 Starlink satellites and successfully landed the booster.
- 11. Arlington: Trump approved converting the Triumphal Arch project into a dual-purpose facility with military functions.
- 12. Dearborn: DOJ filed a discrimination lawsuit alleging Christians and whites were discriminated against by the city.
- 13. Massachusetts: Gov. Maura Healey’s administration proposed additional home-based support for families with newborns, drawing criticism over government involvement.
IN AI NEWS
- 14. AI regulation: A report argues that some AI safety fears are being amplified by industry leaders as a way to encourage costly government regulation that could reinforce major AI companies’ market positions.
IN ILLEGAL CRIMINAL ALIEN NEWS
- 15. H1B visas: The $100,000 H1B fee reportedly reduced foreign applications by 87%. New social-media screening is coming, while the administration is also directing investigations into whether American workers were displaced by H1B employees.
- 16. Border wall: Construction has reached the Big Bend region of Texas for another 47-mile section of border wall.
- 17. Anti-ICE fund: A Minnesota-based anti-ICE relief fund reportedly shut down amid fraud allegations.
IN CULTURAL NEWS
- 18. New York euthanasia: A report says up to 20 people have been euthanized since New York legalized assisted dying.
- 19. School choice: 1619 Project writer Nikole Hannah-Jones reportedly sent her daughter to a troubled school as a political “sacrifice,” prompting backlash from the daughter.
- 20. Religion: Research cited in the source finds more educated people are more likely to attend church regularly.
IN TRANSOID NEWS
- 21. Youth gender clinics: Two additional hospitals reached DOJ agreements to keep youth gender clinics closed.
- 22. Abuse arrest: A former Pride organization president and school district employee was arrested on allegations involving child abuse and misconduct.
- 23. Pronoun policy: A federal judge blocked the University of California from enforcing its pronoun-related harassment policy.
IN ECONOMIC NEWS
- 24. Seattle: Businesses are demanding stronger enforcement and protection from crime.
- 25. Washington energy: The gas-appliance ruling could leave some homeowners facing conversion costs reportedly reaching $40,000.
- 26. NYC buses: New York City is reportedly returning some buses to gas power after maintenance problems with electric buses.
- 27. Fraud: A Medicare equipment company agreed to repay more than $800,000 over false-billing allegations, while a separate investigation uncovered more than $75 million in alleged homeless-program fraud.
IN INTERNATIONAL NEWS
- 28. Energy: The source argues Western net-zero policies are restricting energy production while China continues expanding its energy infrastructure.
- 29. Mao: A chart illustrates the enormous death toll attributed to Mao Zedong’s rule and its impact on global life expectancy.
- 30. Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he will remain in office despite further local-election setbacks for his party.
- 31. Canada: A report alleges an 83-year-old woman was euthanized against her will.
- 32. Mexico: Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to a bilateral trade deal.
- 33. Global chokepoints: The source presents Trump’s strategy of securing major Western-aligned maritime chokepoints as a means of constraining China.
IN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
- 34. Ed Sheeran: Sheeran faced backlash after trying to navigate the Israel-Palestine dispute following controversy involving Macklemore.
- 35. Paramount/Warner Bros.: Paramount is reportedly set to proceed with its merger with Warner Bros.
- 36. Carrot Top: The comedian was hospitalized following a reported suicide attempt.
- 37. NFL injuries: Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams suffered injuries, following other recent injuries to mobile quarterbacks, while multiple teams also lost additional players to injuries.
IN MEDICAL NEWS
- 38. COVID response: The Toronto Sun reportedly called Canada’s COVID response a major health-policy failure and argued that resignations are warranted, amid separate criminal investigations.
- 39. NIH: The White House is moving toward placing NIH grant decisions under an outside review panel.
AND FINALLY . . .
- A fox named Chance survived being struck by a vehicle and is recovering with the help of swimming therapy.