00:01Political assassination. Utah's governor on the murder of Charlie Kirk, gunned down on a college campus.
00:07This morning, the hunt for his killer. Plus, just miles from Columbine, another school shooting.
00:13This time at Evergreen High. And a royal frost starts to thaw.
00:18Prince Harry sits down with his dad, King Charles, for the first time in more than a year.
00:23The stories that matter, clear and credible, from across the country to around the world.
00:31These are your unbiased updates from Straight Arrow News.
00:37Good morning, I'm Craig DeGrelli. This morning, a manhunt is underway in Utah after the shocking murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
00:45The 31-year-old Turning Point USA co-founder was speaking at Utah Valley University yesterday, part of his American comeback tour.
00:52He was set up outdoors, inviting students to challenge his views in what he called a prove-me-wrong debate.
00:59That's when a single gunshot cracked across campus, cutting through the event.
01:03The bullet struck Kirk in the neck. Frightened students scattered as security rushed to Kirk.
01:09Authorities believe the round came from the roof of a building, the Low C Center, roughly 200 yards away.
01:14State officials call it a targeted attack. The governor calling it a political assassination.
01:19CCTV shows the suspect dressed head to toe in all black tactical gear.
01:25Two people were briefly taken into custody, but released.
01:28Investigators now say they believe only one gunman was involved.
01:32President Trump, a close friend, announced Kirk's death on Truth Social, calling him, quote,
01:38loved and admired by all. President Trump later released this video message.
01:43This is a dark moment for America.
01:47It's a long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year, in the most hateful and despicable way possible.
02:05Vice President J.D. Vance, also a close friend, posted a moving tribute remembering Kirk, not just as a political force, but as the kind of friend, quote,
02:14you could say something to and know it would always stay with him.
02:17And it's not just Republicans. Democrats have been swift in condemning the political violence.
02:22Former President Bill Clinton saying on X he is saddened and angered by Charlie Kirk's murder, adding that he hopes we all go through some serious introspection and redouble our efforts to engage in debate passionately yet peacefully.
02:36Former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden also condemned the shooting. Obama saying this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy.
02:45A sentiment echoed by Biden saying there is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now.
02:51Officials are set to hold a press conference later this morning. The university will be closed until September 14th.
02:57President Trump has ordered U.S. flags on federal grounds be lowered to half staff until Sunday evening.
03:04This morning, a teenager is dead after opening fire on two classmates at a Colorado high school, then turning the gun on himself.
03:11It happened just before 1230 Wednesday afternoon at Evergreen High School, about 30 miles west of Denver.
03:18Authorities say three students, including the suspected shooter, were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The gunman later died.
03:25One victim remains critical, the other now stable. Deputies say they reached the shooter within five minutes. No officers fired their weapons.
03:33This is the same county where 13 people were killed in the 1999 Columbine massacre, a tragedy that rocked the nation and forever changed how schools and law enforcement prepare for mass shootings.
03:45A security slip up by the Secret Service. This one at President Trump's own golf club in Virginia.
03:52The agency confirms one of its screeners failed to detect a Glock handgun in the bag of a Trump National Club member while the president was on site last month.
04:02That member later self-reported, saying he forgot he had the gun.
04:05It comes just a year after two assassination attempts on Trump, one at a rally in Pennsylvania, another at his golf course in Florida.
04:13The man charged in that one is currently on trial.
04:16The Secret Service says video shows the member was never near Donald Trump that day, but the officer who missed the weapon has been pulled from duty and placed on leave.
04:25A full review is underway. The agency insists its protective layers worked, despite this failure at the first line of defense.
04:32This morning, a new lawsuit is pulling back the curtain on what former FBI leaders call a political purge at the agency.
04:41Three senior FBI officials fired last month are suing FBI Director Kash Patel and the Trump administration, saying their dismissals were not driven by performance, but by pressure from the White House and even social media bullying by MAGA loyalists.
04:55In their 68 page complaint, the officials say Patel, quote, not only acted unlawfully, but deliberately chose to prioritize politicizing the FBI over protecting the American people.
05:06They accused Patel of targeting anyone tied to past criminal probes of President Trump, despite testifying during his confirmation that no one would be punished for simply doing their jobs.
05:17The suit is now in federal court in Washington. The plaintiffs want their jobs back with pay. The FBI is not commenting.
05:26This morning, we are learning of a heated call between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
05:32Trump supposedly furious over Israel's surprise attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar.
05:37The Wall Street Journal reports Trump scolded Netanyahu Tuesday for blindsiding the U.S., saying he learned of the attack from the Pentagon, not from Israel.
05:46Donald Trump told him the strike was not wise, especially on the soil of a close U.S. ally mediating ceasefire talks.
05:53Netanyahu defended the move, saying he had only a brief window to act.
05:58But hours later, Hamas claimed its top targets survived, though six lower-level members were killed.
06:04The fallout has been swift.
06:06Qatar's Prime Minister called the strike an act of state terror, telling CNN it, quote, killed any hope for the return of the 48 Israeli hostages that Hamas still holds, only about 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
06:19Finally this morning, some positive news. In London, a royal reunion, and a rare one at that.
06:26Prince Harry sat down with his father, King Charles, for tea at Clarence House, their first face-to-face in more than a year. How about that?
06:35Harry slipped through the gates late Wednesday afternoon, joining the king at his London home.
06:40Less than one hour later, the convoy rolled back out, Harry off to his Invictus Games event across town.
06:46It comes after years of public rifts, tell-all interviews, even Harry's memoir.
06:51But Wednesday's tea is stirring new hope that maybe the chill between father and son is thawing.
06:57Asked how his dad is doing, Harry simply said, he's great, thank you.
07:01Not exactly Shakespeare, but sometimes the smallest words are the warmest. Isn't that the truth? Well written.
07:08Before we head out, here's what we're tracking today. 24 years since the September 11th attacks.
07:14Ceremonies get underway at Ground Zero in New York, the Pentagon, and the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
07:20Later today, Nadine Menendez, wife of former Senator Bob Menendez, will be sentenced for her role in a complex bribery scheme involving her husband.
07:29And tonight, President Trump is expected at Yankee Stadium, where the Yankees face the Tigers, marking the 9-11 anniversary at America's pastime.
07:38By the way, I just want to say this about 9-11.
07:41Back in 2001, on September 11th, I was a morning anchor in Albuquerque at KOAT-TV.
07:46There was a two-hour difference between Mountain Time and New York Time.
07:50So we were on the air as the first plane had hit the North Tower in New York.
07:56And we had a live picture up as smoke was billowing from the tower and the building was on fire.
08:01And about less than 20 minutes later, we were watching a live picture when the United plane came into the shot and slammed into the South Tower.
08:11On live TV, we were watching and broadcasting this event.
08:1624 years later, you just never forget something like that.
08:19And today, my thoughts are with all the victims and more so their families.
08:24It is a somber day every year, that's for sure.
08:27All right, here's your morning scroll made simple.
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08:37Those are your unbiased updates for this Thursday.
08:39We'll see you back here tomorrow.
08:40For all of us here at Straight Arrow News, I'm Craig DeGrowley.
08:43Have a good day.
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