Salem News Channel

BOSTON, May 26 (Reuters) - Ride-share drivers for app-based companies such as Uber and Lyft have unionized in Massachusetts, forming what state officials and labor leaders said was the first officially recognized organization in the U.S. to represent such gig workers. The newly formed App Drivers Union received certification from the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations on Friday to represent nearly 70,000 ride-share drivers operating as independent contractors in the state. "It changes the game for ride-share workers across this country," Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, a Democrat, said at a rally with drivers and labor activists in Boston on Tuesday. The certification occurred after voters in November 2024 approved a ballot measure that created a novel framework to allow drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft to organize and bargain collectively over pay and benefits. That vote followed a years-long, nationwide battle over whether ride-share drivers should be considered independent contractors or employees entitled to benefits and wage protections. Drivers for Uber and Lyft do not have the right to organize under the National Labor Relations Act, a federal law that covers only traditional employees. But under the state law, drivers could form a union after collecting signatures from at least 25% of active drivers in Massachusetts - a condition that was met by union supporters. The union is backed by 32BJ SEIU, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. "The workers who built these billion-dollar corporations deserve a union contract and a seat at the table," IAM President Brian Bryant said at Tuesday's rally. He and other union leaders held up Massachusetts as a key labor victory as unionization efforts mount in other states. In California, ride-share drivers gained the right to unionize under legislation signed into law in October by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. Similar legislation is pending in Illinois. Lyft and Uber did not campaign against the Massachusetts ballot measure. Lyft said on Tuesday it was committed to engaging in good faith as the Massachusetts process moves forward. "Lyft does well when drivers do well, and we'll stay focused on helping drivers succeed while keeping rideshare affordable and dependable for everyone who counts on it," Lyft said in a statement. Uber did not respond to a request for comment. In the months before the 2024 vote, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell secured a settlement with Uber and Lyft requiring them to adopt a $32.50 hourly minimum pay standard for Massachusetts drivers and pay $175 million to resolve claims they had improperly treated drivers as independent contractors, rather than employees, under state law.

Read More...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran on Tuesday denounced the most recent U.S. strikes as a sign of “bad faith and unreliability” as negotiations pressed on toward a possible deal to end the war, and the Islamic Republic began restoring internet access after one of the longest nationwide shutdowns ever. The U.S. military characterized Monday's strikes in southern Iran as defensive, saying targets included missile launch sites and minelaying boats, and said the U.S. acted with “restraint" in light of the weekslong ceasefire. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities eased a monthslong internet shutdown that they cast as a wartime necessity, but that has cost the country's economy an estimated $30 million to $40 million a day. Internet users reported that access was gradually being restored, at least in some places. State media reported that fixed broadband service was partially restored. Mobile internet wasn't yet working. Iran has long enforced filters and policed content on platforms such as YouTube and Instagram. But before the war, Iranians could bypass restrictions with cheap virtual private networks, known as VPNs, and other easy workarounds. Then authorities cut off internet access in January during massive anti-government demonstrations and maintained the restrictions after the U.S. and Israel attacked on Feb. 28. The internet outage made it difficult for Iranians outside the country to maintain contact with loved ones, and the lack of connectivity devastated the country’s relatively vibrant online businesses, putting further pressure on an already battered economy.

Read More...

Paxton vs. Cornyn: Who Will Prevail?

Read More...

WASHINGTON, May 26 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump, who turns 80 next month, said "everything checked out perfectly" after having his physical on Tuesday at Walter Reed National Military Medical ?Center, following a year of public attention on apparently minor health issues. Trump offered no details of the physical in a brief Truth Social post saying he had completed his six-monthly exam. Trump frequently casts himself as more energetic and fitter than Joe Biden, his Democratic predecessor who left office last year at age 82 after facing questions about his fitness for the job. Still, recent photographs showing a blotchy neck rash have added to questions about Trump's health, following images in July 2025 of swollen ankles and a bruised hand concealed with makeup. Trump, whose birthday is June 14, became the oldest person to assume the presidency when he began his second term in January 2025. The visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was Trump's third in 13 months. Trump maintains an active golf schedule, but joked about his relative lack of exercise at a recent Oval Office event where his health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, said the president walks nine miles (14.5 km) every time he goes golfing. "When I am not using the cart," Trump said. White House physician Sean Barbabella has said Trump is using ?a common cream as "a preventative skin treatment" to address the neck rash, but he has not given details of the condition being treated. After the photographs of the president's legs and hands were published last July, Barbabella said in a letter that the ailments were benign and that there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. Trump's leg swelling was from a "common" vein condition, and his hand was bruised from shaking so many hands, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters. Trump said last October that he had received a magnetic resonance imaging exam that month. The White House initially declined to share further details on the reason for the scan. Leavitt said only that it indicated "exceptional physical health" for Trump. The president later told reporters he got the MRI as part of a second physical exam. "Getting an MRI is very standard. What, you think I shouldn't have it? Other people get it. ... I had an MRI. The doctor said it was the best result he has ever seen as a doctor," Trump said. Medical experts noted that MRIs are not typically part of a routine physical and are usually prescribed to get detailed images of the body. In a memo after the second exam, Barbabella said the president's cardiac age - a validated measure of cardiovascular vitality via ECG - was found to be approximately 14 years younger than his chronological age. Trump has also faced questions after appearing to fall asleep during several meetings, including a session with his Cabinet. "Some people said, he closed his eyes. Look, it got pretty boring," Trump told laughing officials in February. "I didn't sleep. I just closed them because I wanted to get the hell outta here." Biden last year was diagnosed with an "aggressive form" of prostate cancer that spread to his bones, and underwent radiation therapy.

Read More...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has denounced the most recent U.S. strikes as a sign of bad faith as negotiations press on toward a possible deal to end the war. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic began restoring internet access after a national shutdown that began in January. The U.S. military characterized Monday’s strikes in southern Iran as defensive, saying targets included missile launch sites and minelaying boats. American military officials said the U.S. acted with restraint in light of the weekslong ceasefire. On Tuesday, Iran’s foreign ministry called the strikes a ceasefire violation and warned that Washington would bear responsibility for all consequences, without elaborating.

Read More...

A man is facing charges after five Chicago police officers were wounded after being struck by a car while trying to break up a teen takeover on Sunday. 18-year-old Rashad Johnson has been charged with five counts of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon, and criminal damage to property. President Trump says Chicago's mayor and the Governor of Illinois should call for help.

Read More...

PLANO, Texas (AP) — Texans are choosing a Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. The election brings to a close a bitter and expensive primary. President Donald Trump endorsed state Attorney General Ken Paxton last week over four-term Sen. John Cornyn. It's the president's latest effort to rid the GOP of leaders he views as less devoted to him. Cornyn is backed by Senate GOP leaders, and allies have spent roughly $90 million in advertising since last year. Most of it attacked Paxton. Cornyn risks becoming the first Republican senator in Texas history to seek the party’s nod and lose. The winner of Tuesday's runoff will face Democrat James Talarico in November.

Read More...

The clear message from the callers? National security and strength against a duplicitous enemy must come before cheap gas—because freedom isn’t free.

Read More...

The clear message from the callers? National security and strength against a duplicitous enemy must come before cheap gas—because freedom isn’t free.

Read More...

A federal court invalidated Alabama’s newly drawn 6R-1D congressional map for 2026, overturning the state’s effort to remove a Democrat seat that had been propped up by racial gerrymandering.

Read More...

Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah, May 31, 2026

Read More...

Harvest with Greg Laurie, May 31, 2026

Read More...

Real Life with Jack Hibbs, May 31, 2026

Read More...

US Strikes Iranian Targets Amid Peace Talks

Read More...

A bipartisan group of senators is urging the Defense Department to release roughly $600 million in security assistance for Ukraine and key U.S. allies in Eastern Europe. In a letter sent to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, lawmakers questioned delays involving funding that Congress approved last year. The package includes about $400 million designated for Ukraine, along with another $200 million for defense and security programs in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The push reflects growing frustration among members of Congress as lawmakers seek answers from the Trump administration about the status of military aid and broader regional security efforts.

Read More...

President Donald Trump is scheduled to undergo his annual medical exam Tuesday at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The White House says the 79-year-old president will receive preventative medical and dental checkups as part of the visit. The exam will mark Trump’s fourth publicly disclosed physical since returning to office. Presidential medical exams have long been used to provide the public with some insight into a commander in chief’s health, though the White House ultimately decides what information is released. Trump has recently spoken publicly about feeling healthy while also joking about his fast-food diet and limited exercise routine.

Read More...

The U.S. military says it carried out what it described as “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and boats allegedly involved in placing mines. American officials have not released additional details about the threats that prompted the operation or how the strikes could affect ongoing negotiations with Tehran. The military action comes as President Donald Trump says talks with Iran are “proceeding nicely.” Trump has also suggested that any future agreement should include additional countries joining the Abraham Accords, the U.S.-brokered agreements aimed at normalizing relations with Israel. The strikes mark another escalation in tensions in the region as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes.

Read More...

Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults on Kyiv since the start of the war, pounding the Ukrainian capital and nearby areas Sunday with hundreds of drones and missiles. Ukrainian officials say the barrage included the use of an Oreshnik hypersonic missile fired near Kyiv, marking another escalation in Russia’s long-range strike campaign. Explosions and air raid sirens were reported across the capital as air defense systems worked to intercept incoming attacks. The bombardment comes as fighting intensifies in the nearly four-year war and as Ukraine continues urging Western allies for additional air defense support. Damage assessments and casualty figures were still being compiled following the overnight assault. The Oreshnik missile is considered one of Russia’s more advanced weapons systems and its reported use near Kyiv underscores Moscow’s continued focus on targeting critical infrastructure and population centers.

Read More...

President Donald Trump says he is in no rush to finalize a deal with Iran, signaling negotiations over the three-month conflict remain ongoing despite earlier hopes of a breakthrough. In a post on Truth Social Sunday, Trump said the U.S. naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz would remain in place until a formal agreement is completed and signed. He added that both sides need to “take their time and get it right.” Iran has not officially responded to Trump’s latest comments, though state-linked media reports say major sticking points remain — including Tehran’s demand for access to frozen Iranian funds. A military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader warned Sunday against additional U.S. action in the strategic waterway, saying Iran would make “the American people miserable and the American economy miserable” if the war continues. He also defended Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, calling it Iran’s “legal right.” The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical shipping routes, normally carrying about one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies. Trump said Saturday the two sides had largely agreed on a framework that could eventually reopen the passage. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday negotiations are still “a work in progress,” but described discussions as moving toward a significant, time-limited agreement over Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the Strait. Trump administration officials say negotiators are working within a possible 60-day window to finalize terms. Markets reacted positively Monday morning, with oil prices falling more than 5% and Brent crude dropping below $100 a barrel. Asian stock markets also rallied amid optimism that tensions may ease. Despite the tentative progress, shipping traffic through the Strait remains sharply reduced. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said only 33 vessels passed through the waterway over a 24-hour period after receiving permission from Tehran — far below the roughly 140 ships typically seen before the conflict began.

Read More...

WASHINGTON, May 25 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he asked Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to join the Abraham Accords en masse to normalize relations with Israel as he tries to negotiate an agreement to end the war with Iran. Pakistan rejected the proposal. None of the other countries has so far publicly reacted to Trump's demand and a positive response was unlikely when the public mistrust of Israel in these Muslim nations remains high over the scale of its military offensive in Gaza. Trump said he spoke on Saturday to leaders of those countries, as well as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which have already signed the accords, a set of agreements to normalize relations with Israel. "I am mandatorily requesting that all Countries immediately sign the Abraham Accords, and that, if Iran signs its Agreement with me, as President of the United States of America, it would be an Honor to have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. He cited "all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together." A Pakistani security source said Trump’s statement reflected an attempt to use Iran ceasefire diplomacy for a wider push around the Abraham Accords, but said the two issues were “not interlinked and cannot be made so." "Pakistan is under no compulsion to adhere to any such demand,” the source said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump's post. DEEPLY SENSITIVE ISSUE Trump said one or two of the countries he spoke with may have a reason for not joining, but most should be "ready, willing, and able to make this Settlement with Iran a far more Historic Event than it would, otherwise, be." For Saudi Arabia — the birthplace of Islam and custodian of its two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina - recognizing Israel would be more than just a diplomatic milestone. It is a deeply sensitive national security issue tied to resolving one of the region’s oldest and most intractable conflicts. The kingdom's longstanding position has been that it would not sign the accords unless there is an agreement on a roadmap to Palestinian statehood. Egypt, Jordan and Turkey already have diplomatic relations with Israel, even as those ties have been strained since the start of the Gaza war. Trump also said negotiations with Iran were "proceeding nicely," but gave no indication a deal was imminent. Longtime Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham has embraced the idea of linking an Iran deal to expanding the Abraham Accords as "beyond transformative for the region and world." Others see the strategy as something to make an Iran deal more palatable to skeptics. "Trump is trying to sell an Iran deal as an Abraham Accords sequel: good for Israel, good for the region, tough enough for Washington," said Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group. "But he is trading one fantasy for another — from forcing Iran to surrender to pretending a fragile deal can anchor a new Middle East order." Trump has repeatedly said he wants to expand the accords that he brokered during his first term in the White House. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed during Trump's first term in 2020, breaking a longstanding taboo to become the first Arab states to recognise Israel in a quarter century. Morocco and Sudan followed suit.

Read More...