Charlie Kirk closed his eyes to this earth for the last time… and opened them to eternity for the first. A powerful video where he shares his journey of faith. His life was short, but a life well-lived. Rest in peace, brother. Your wisdom will echo through the lives you’ve touched, and your influence will remain forever irreplaceable.

Former SC Govs. David Beasley (R) and Jim Hodges (D) back conservative Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews. Ralph Norman’s son leans her way, signaling GOP unease. This sleeper race could send shockwaves if she beats Darline Graham. Dems need 4 net seats for control. Worth watching. AW

As voters approach this midterm election, we’re hearing that it may be the most important one ever. Every election matters, but no single election carries the whole weight of our nation’s future. America has faced deep divisions, grave challenges, and uncertain times throughout its history and we have endured by continuing to show up, take part, and work toward a better future. Let’s meet this moment with perspective, listen carefully, respect one another, and cast our votes thoughtfully. Our country’s future is shaped not by fear or hype, but by the steady choices we make together. AW

The DOJ has filed a criminal information accusing ex-FBI Director James Comey of allegedly disclosing national defense information in 2016, as the investigation continues. The charge must be tested in court. Let evidence not politics or online outrage determine the truth. AW

A North Carolina Senate candidate was involved in an armed standoff near a private school after posting alarming messages online, police say. A person in crisis deserves compassion and help. Voters deserve to ask whether he showed the judgment required for public office. AW

A public official’s choice of whom to share a stage with carries weight. In Minneapolis, Rep. Ilhan Omar appeared with Hasan Piker, whose past remarks include saying “America deserved 9/11” a statement he later apologized for and describing Hamas as “1,000 times better” than Israel. Piker has a right to speak, and people have a right to hear him. Elected leaders also have a responsibility to explain the judgment behind the company they keep. When rhetoric trivializes mass murder or excuses extremism, calling it provocative is not enough. Omar celebrated Minnesota for sending a refugee to Congress. That is a powerful statement about belonging and representation. It also raises a difficult question: What standards should leaders uphold when they lend their platform and credibility to a commentator whose words have caused such deep concern? Free speech deserves protection. Public trust deserves candor. AW

Lula’s victory in Brazil is more than a change in leadership it is a powerful democratic rejection of Jair Bolsonaro, one of Donald Trump’s closest allies in the Western Hemisphere. Brazil’s voters have chosen a different path, reaffirming the importance of democratic institutions, social inclusion, and political independence. This result also weakens Trump’s influence across the region. Bolsonaro represented a model of right-wing populism closely aligned with Trump’s politics, rhetoric, and worldview. Lula’s return signals that this model does not have an uncontested hold over Latin America. Brazil is the largest democracy in the region, and its choice carries enormous weight. Lula’s win shows that voters can reject authoritarian tendencies, political intimidation, and efforts to undermine democratic norms. It loosens Trump’s grip on the Western Hemisphere by demonstrating that the region’s future will not be dictated by one political movement or one foreign alliance. This is not simply a victory for Lula. It is a victory for democratic resilience and a reminder that the people of the Americas still have the power to choose their own direction. AW

Newly released War Department files describe FBI agents seeing a silent, matte-black triangle hover over a ridge, then accelerate into a canyon. Thermal equipment reportedly found an even heat signature, with no visible engines or rotors. AARO corroborated the account. The object remains unexplained. AW

Some stories deserve more attention and this is one of them. Melania Trump helped broker a localized ceasefire in Oleshky, Ukraine, working alongside Pope Leo and officials from both countries. The pause is meant to let humanitarian aid reach residents and give civilians a safe way to leave. This does not end the war. But for people facing hunger, shortages of medicine and clean water, a safe passage can mean the difference between despair and hope. Credit is due when someone helps make that possible. AW

A new poll finds 48% of Americans ages 18–34 view socialism favorably, compared with 32% overall. But support depends on what people mean. A safety net is not the same as collective ownership and control of production. Define the term clearly so voters can judge the policies with their eyes open. AW

As we enter the final week of the midterms, Trump’s score-settling has turned safe GOP seats into expensive emergencies. Democrats have an opening, but Maine and Michigan offer Republicans a counter-message. History keeps teaching both parties: primary victories mean little without a coalition broad enough to win in November. AW

President Trump says dishonest allies should be prosecuted. That standard must apply to everyone. Reports involving Corey Lewandowski and Kimberly Guilfoyle deserve fair, impartial scrutiny not assumptions. Public trust demands answers. No party, title or personal loyalty puts anyone above the law. AW

Power running the National Mall at dawn, beneath monuments built to preserve our highest ideals, I feel change in the air. Washington’s incoming mayor proudly embraces Democratic Socialism. November may bring neither party a clear mandate; voters have shown again and again that no victory should be mistaken for permission to ignore them. If tensions with Iran escalate, America could become less safe. And at home, we must ask what happens when privilege hardens into contempt for our country and its ideals. America remains an unfinished promise. The monuments are quiet this morning. The choices before us are not. AW

As we count down to the November elections, we’re highlighting candidates who believe in law and order, support the men and women who serve in law enforcement, and remain unapologetic about the need for moral courage and higher standards in public life. This weekend, our national television show features Susan McGill in my home county of Marion and across the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. We’re introducing viewers to the local leaders working to serve their communities leaders whose influence may one day reach the national stage. The future of our country is shaped in communities like ours. Let’s get to know the people leading the way. AW

Iran is escalating and it may be counting on America’s election calendar to limit Washington’s response. Tehran appears to believe it can prolong negotiations, intensify pressure around the Strait of Hormuz and drive up energy costs until the November 3 midterms pass. That looks like a strategy to deny President Trump a political victory before Election Day. Iranian military leaders are now warning that U.S. forces will not be allowed in the Persian Gulf. That is not de-escalation. It is a test of American resolve. The danger is that Tehran mistakes political restraint for weakness and that every delay gives the regime more time to press its advantage. The administration must protect American personnel and allies, keep Congress and the public informed, and make clear that no election calendar gives Iran permission to threaten U.S. forces or destabilize the region. Diplomacy should remain open. But it cannot become a cover for endless escalation. AW

A visit to Monticello is a reminder that history is not just something to remember. It is something we must understand. Jane Kamensky, president and CEO of Jefferson’s Monticello, spoke with us about the responsibilities of citizenship and the importance of an educated public. Jefferson understood that self-government depends on people who are informed enough to judge the choices before them. That lesson is as urgent today as ever. Civics matters. History matters. And voters who understand both are better equipped to protect our democracy and hold those in power accountable. If you have the opportunity, Monticello is a must-see. AW

The Trump administration is asking a federal court to block Alaska from certifying a Mary Peltola victory if the race meets conditions tied to a second candidate named Dan Sullivan. President Trump says he personally ordered the lawsuit. Election experts have described this kind of federal intervention as unprecedented. Investigate credible claims. Enforce the law. But do not use federal power to put a state’s election under suspicion or block its lawful result because the outcome may be politically inconvenient. The voters decide. Their lawful result must stand. AW

Justice Elena Kagan says her own Court is damaging democracy days before the midterms. She can dissent in writing. But when a sitting justice turns legal losses into election-season commentary, she risks making the Court look like just another political player. AW

The national anthem is bigger than Donald Trump, LeBron James or any political feud. It belongs to all of us and it deserves respect. This controversy did not begin with Trump. Colin Kaepernick’s anthem protest began in 2016, before Trump took office. The WNBA walkouts are part of a longer debate, too. In the Finals, the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court before the anthem and returned after it ended. Whatever their intent, many fans see that absence as disrespectful. Trump can criticize LeBron, and LeBron can answer him. But their feud should not obscure the larger point: the flag and anthem represent our country, its people and those who have served and sacrificed for it. They do not belong to one president or one political party. People have every right to criticize a president or protest a policy. But we should still be able to honor the symbols that unite us. Respect for the anthem should not depend on who occupies the White House or who is standing on the court. AW

A political test is unfolding before the midterms: Does accountability apply even when the person under scrutiny is part of your own political circle? The Justice Department is reviewing allegations that Corey Lewandowski may have improperly benefited from his role at Homeland Security. Lewandowski denies wrongdoing, and an investigation is not a finding of guilt. But this is precisely how a White House can answer claims of selective justice: let investigators follow the evidence, protect their independence and hold everyone to the same standard. No political shield for allies. No weapon against opponents. One investigation doesn’t settle the debate. What matters is whether the process is fair, thorough and allowed to reach wherever the facts lead. Voters will be watching. AW

Let’s be clear: Vivek was reportedly warned by people in the Trump White House and the GOP not to air the ad exploiting Amy Acton’s childhood trauma. He ran it anyway. That was not courage. It was arrogance and a disqualifying failure of judgment and character. AW