NightSide News Update 9/12/25

Dan wants to help cool down the temperature of the country and enourages listeners to take a pledge to reach out to people whom they've broken or lost contact with over political disagrements and come together. 

After a 33-hour manhunt, authorities have identified and arrested a suspect in Charlie Kirk’s murder. The suspect has been identified as a 22-year-old man from Utah. Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while conducting an outdoor speaking event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice charges, according to a court affidavit. The suspect is being held without bail.

After a 33-hour manhunt, authorities have identified and arrested a suspect in Charlie Kirk’s murder. The suspect has been identified as a 22-year-old man from Utah. Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while conducting an outdoor speaking event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice charges, according to a court affidavit. The suspect is being held without bail. Former FBI counterterrorism and counterintelligence operative Eric O'Neill joined us to discuss the investigation and arrest.

We kick off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!TSO’s 2025 tour, “Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO & More” will be an ALL NEW SHOW and promises to be the biggest & best TSO tour to date! Coming 11/29/25 to Worcester, MA - DCU Ctr. Guest: Jeff Plate – Member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra - drums / original member InBoston Magazine’s Latest Edition, Featuring Dan Rea! Guest: AnnMarie LaFauci – Editor of InBoston Magazine New results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reveal a 4-point drop for 8th graders in science, reinforcing the urgent need to expand high-quality, engaging science education for all K–12 students. Guest: Christine Cunningham - Senior Vice President, STEM Learning, Museum of Science and National Assessment Governing Board MemberThe electricity is back at Fenway. And so is the late Luis Tiant. Guest: Rich Tenorio – Boston Globe journalist

Governor Healey called for all public schools to teach students about 9/11, as many of them today weren't around then. Dan is all on board. What do you think? Should it be mandatory?

Governor Healey called for all public schools to teach students about 9/11, as many of them today weren't around then. Dan is all on board. What do you think? Should it be mandatory?

In 2001, Salem-native Ron Gaudette was working as a pharmacist at Mass General Hospital and had recently joined a group called the International Medical Surgical Response Team, which provides critical care to areas impacted by disasters. This specialized volunteer team was soon deployed to the World Trade Center, making it Gaudette’s inaugural mission. He spent 11 days at Ground Zero and shared his experiences 24 years later.

Who killed Ruth Bayla Pearson? A cold case from 1975. Guest: Emily Sweeney – Boston Globe Cold Case Files Reporter What kids can get out of humanities education with many parents looking for a return on investment. An English professor writes a book sharing his account of how he helps skeptical first-year students discover the transformative, real-world value of a humanities education.Guest: Carlo Rotella - Professor of English at Boston College. A regular contributor to the New York Times Magazine, he has written books about cities, boxing, music, and literature. Here comes the bridal panhandler! How Bachelorette parties are flooding small businesses with shameless requests for free merchandise! Guest: Jeff Jacoby – Boston Globe Columnist Red Bull Cliff Diving Returns to the ICA in Boston's Seaport- 9/19 and 9/20 as Only US Stop and Final Stop! World’s best cliff divers to dive up to 90 feet off of Institute of Contemporary Art!Guest: James Lichtenstein – Red Bull Pro Cliff Diver

Continued conversation about the fatal shooting of Turning Point USA’s CEO and co-founder, Charlie Kirk, during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. Kirk was about 20 minutes into his presentation when a single shot rang out and hit him in the neck. This was the first stop on Turning Point USA’s planned 14-city American Comeback Tour. Dan shared updates throughout the night and invited callers to express their thoughts.

Continued conversation about the fatal shooting of Turning Point USA’s CEO and co-founder, Charlie Kirk, during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. Kirk was about 20 minutes into his presentation when a single shot rang out and hit him in the neck. This was the first stop on Turning Point USA’s planned 14-city American Comeback Tour. Dan shared updates throughout the night and invited callers to express their thoughts.