Inside Ground Zero

Even twenty-five years later, many Americans can still remember exactly where they were when the first reports of the 9/11 attacks came in. Maybe you were at work, at school, at home, or somewhere completely unexpected when you heard the news. Tonight, Dan wants to know: Where were you on 9/11, and what memories have stayed with you all these years?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even twenty-five years later, many Americans can still remember exactly where they were when the first reports of the 9/11 attacks came in. Maybe you were at work, at school, at home, or somewhere completely unexpected when you heard the news. Tonight, Dan wants to know: Where were you on 9/11, and what memories have stayed with you all these years?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael McCormick was the FAA air traffic manager at New York’s Air Route Traffic Control Center on September 11, 2001, overseeing the airspace across the Northeast as the attacks unfolded. He watched the hijacked planes’ movements in real time, recognized that the country was under attack, and played a key role in the unprecedented decision to shut down the nation’s airspace. Tonight, McCormick joins Dan to reflect on the chaos of that morning and discuss how 9/11 changed aviation forever.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today marks 25 years since tragedy blindsided Americans on September 11, 2001. On that fateful day, Ron Gaudette, a founding member of the International Medical Surgical Response Team, was deployed to the World Trade Center, making it his first mission. His team arrived just hours after the second tower fell and spent several days on-site, providing medical care and support in the aftermath of the attacks. Ron shares his memories of 9/11, along with stories from other disaster zones where his specialized volunteer team has responded.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump is proposing a $5,000 “Trump Dividend” for every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans retain control of Congress in the November midterm elections. The plan could cost more than $1 trillion and would require congressional approval. Vice President J.D. Vance suggested the payments could be funded with tariff revenue and might exclude wealthier Americans. The proposal raises many questions, and Dan shared his thoughts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continued conversation about how the TSA is considering loosening some of the airport security rules that have shaped air travel for a generation. New technology could soon allow TSA PreCheck passengers to bring full water bottles through security at select airports, while a new program lets approved travelers without tickets access airport gates. Dan looked at what’s changing, what it means for travelers, and whether these rollbacks make flying more convenient without compromising safety.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twenty-five years after 9/11, the TSA is considering loosening some of the airport security rules that have shaped air travel for a generation. New technology could soon allow TSA PreCheck passengers to bring full water bottles through security at select airports, while a new program lets approved travelers without tickets access airport gates. Dan looked at what’s changing, what it means for travelers, and whether these rollbacks make flying more convenient without compromising safety.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In his latest book, Ash and Honor, investigative journalist Jeffrey Robinson provides a minute-by-minute account of the 368 minutes surrounding the September 11 attacks, focusing on the military, national security and aviation response. Drawing on more than 60 eyewitnesses, Robinson reveals little-known stories from inside Air Force One, NORAD, the FAA, the White House and the skies over North America as officials faced an unthinkable crisis. Robinson joined Dan to discuss the split-second decisions, confusion and extraordinary actions that reshaped America forever.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A simple school lunch has sparked a heated parenting debate after one mom asked other parents not to pack Oreos or other sweets because her daughter wasn’t allowed to eat them. The request quickly escalated, with the mom reportedly asking the school to ban Oreos, checking other children’s lunchboxes and even asking that her daughter sit away from kids eating the cookies. Can one parent really tell another parent what they can pack in their child’s lunch?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American students are falling behind in reading and math, with the latest international test results showing U.S. scores near historic lows. Could a new federal Education Freedom Tax Credit help turn things around by giving Massachusetts nonprofits more money to expand educational programs and reach more kids? If Massachusetts opts in, taxpayers could receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to approved organizations, potentially putting millions of dollars into programs that help students succeed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.