90.5 Live: News Summary from 9/24

The U.S. and China have principally agreed on a framework deal that would reshape TikTok’s operations in the U.S. and avoid a nationwide ban by diminishing national security concerns. Under this agreement, Oracle Corporation, an American company known for its database software, will inspect, retrain, and secure TikTok’s algorithm to allow for U.S. supervision. This shift will cause U.S. data to be handled and stored in the U.S. American investors will hold an 80% stake in TikTok, but the U.S. government will not hold any shares in the company as a result of this agreement. Last week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to delay the national ban on TikTok until December 16 as this proposal moves forward.

ChatGPT University Deal

The University of South Carolina (USC) has entered into a $1.5 million agreement with OpenAI to provide faculty and students with campus-wide access to AI beginning this fall, along with training in its responsible and ethical use. The Columbia campus will be the first in the state to implement this program, with the option for other USC campuses to follow.  The one-year contract is expected to support a wide range of academic and administrative tasks, including creating study guides, helping with syllabus development, grading, and analyzing research data. USC emphasizes, however, that these uses must align with existing codes of student conduct and academic integrity. The licensing agreement for enterprise software also includes enhanced cybersecurity protections, safeguarding university data and securing institutional operations.

Open Fire Suspect at Redpoint Columbia

20-year-old Jonathan Bethea has been arrested and charged with two counts of attempted muder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention center and denied bond. Bethea and another individual were fighting before Bethea pulled out his gun and fired at the two victims. Redpoint sent an email to their residents about their concerns and have added security features such as having a security patrol on duty and adding halo cameras to observe around the clock.

Sonic Newberry Donates 

The Sonic in Newberry has donated $10,000 to several schools throughout Newberry County, including Newberry High School, Middle-Carolina High School, Newberry Middle School, and five Newberry-area elementary schools for teacher-planned projects aimed at improving rural education. Additionally, a Spanish teacher at Chapin High School received a portion of this money, which was funded because the Newberry Sonic was one of the top twelve in the nation participating in the Dr. Pepper Games. 

Palestine Recognition

Trump at UN

At the United Nations in New York for the 80th General Assembly, President Donald Trump accused the U.N. of failing to live up to its mission, saying too often it issues “empty words” instead of real action. He argued the global body has not supported U.S.-led peace efforts and again repeated his claim that he “ended seven wars” during his presidency. Speaking directly to European leaders, he warned that mass migration is eroding their cultures and straining their economies. He also urged nations to stick with traditional fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, arguing that clean energy policies would weaken economies and leave countries vulnerable. However, he praised some of the U.N. 's peacekeeping efforts and humanitarian work while  insisting the organization has to be tougher, leaner, and more focused on sovereignty. While many world leaders have called for greater cooperation on climate, migration, and conflict, Trump’s speech leaned heavily on nationalism and skepticism toward global institutions.

Duterte at the Hague

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is now facing formal charges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague relating to crimes against humanity, including allegations of murder, extermination, enforced disappearance, and other human rights abuses tied to his so-called “war on drugs.” Prosecutors say these abuses took place beginning when Duterte was mayor of Davao City, and continued for several years during Duterte’s administration, and they include accusations that his government targeted people without due process. Duterte has previously denied wrongdoing, and many of these policies have been fiercely defended by his supporters, who argue they were part of a serious effort to crack down on narcotics. However, the ICC’s ruling marks one of the strongest international legal pushes against him.

Trump Autism Announcement

In our nation's capitol on Monday, President Donald Trump, joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, made controversial claims linking the use of Tylenol, or its active ingredient acetaminophen, during pregnancy to autism. The administration announced that the FDA will notify doctors about this risk and is planning label changes, while promoting leucovorin—a drug sometimes used in folate deficiency—as a potential treatment for some autism symptoms. Medical experts, advocacy groups, and Tylenol’s manufacturer responded swiftly, pointing out that while some studies show associations between prenatal acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental conditions, no causation has been established.

H1-B

Last Friday President Donald Trump announced a new policy that will dramatically increase the cost of hiring foreign workers in the United States to a one-time $100,000 fee for all new H-1B visa applications. The change took effect on Sunday. The H-1B is a specialty visa that allows U.S. companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers for jobs in fields like technology, medicine, and engineering, which are areas where employers often say they struggle to find enough qualified American workers. The new fee does not apply to current visa holders or renewals, but it has already created confusion and alarm in the tech sector. Some companies reportedly rushed to bring employees back into the country before Sunday, fearing problems with re-entry. The policy is expected to face significant legal challenges in the coming weeks.

Jimmy Kimmel

Jimmy Kimmel has returned to ABC after a week-long suspension over remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. On September 16, Kimmel said in his monologue that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk,” and added that “the MAGA gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.” ABC suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” the following day and  said the move was intended to calm tensions and allow space for mourning. Kimmel returned to the air Tuesday night, stating that parts of his remarks “felt either ill-timed or unclear — or maybe both,” without issuing a full apology. ABC said that after “thoughtful conversations,” it reinstated Kimmel without new restrictions, but the controversy lingers: Sinclair and Nexstar, two major broadcasting companies, announced they will not carry his program on theirABC affiliates, cutting off the show from roughly a quarter of U.S. Households. His return has reignited debate over the boundaries of satire, political speech, and broadcast standards.