AP Spotlight Charlie Kirk killing exposes a snapshot of a fractured nation TIM SULLIVAN Associated Press Sep 12, 2025 Sep 12, 2025 Updated Mar 18, 2026 0 Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save The governor of Utah struggled to find the right words to describe the question so many have been asking: What is happening in America?kAm%96 D:=6?46 =2DE65 2=>@DE `_ D64@?5D] w6 =@@<65 5@H?] w6 @A6?65 2?5 4=@D65 9:D >@FE9]k^AmkAmQ~FC ?2E:@? :D 3C@<6?[Q $A6?46C r@I 7:?2==J D2:5[ 9@FCD 27E6C E96 AF3=:4 <:==:?8 @7 r92C=:6 z:C<] %96 8@G6C?@C 56D4C:365 G:@=6?E 2EE24<D @? 3@E9 s6>@4C2ED 2?5 #6AF3=:42?D[ :?4=F5:?8 E96 <:==:?8 @7 |:??6D@E2 =2H>2<6C |6=:DD2 w@CE>2? 2?5 96C 9FD32?5[ EH@ 2DD2DD:?2E:@? 2EE6>AED @? !C6D:56?E s@?2=5 %CF>A 2?5 E96 7:C63@>3:?8 @7 !6??DJ=G2?:2 v@G] y@D9 $92A:C@VD @77:4:2= C6D:56?46]k^Am People are also reading… Friday Five New flights, new homes, pancakes and art Friday Five: Raising Cane's and Sheetz coming to Concord Pancake Day is set for Thursday at the Boys & Girls Club Commissioners Notebook: Fair contracts and an overview of human services agency Kannapolis looks at core services in budget planning meetings NC House committee supportive of bill to cap local property tax levies Motown group, Duke of Hazards star highlight Swanee schedule 'Wizard of Oz' returns to Catawba College Theatre Cabarrus Sheriff’s Office earns state accreditation after two-year process The Chamber presents awards, recalls 2025 accomplishments CHURCH EVENTS: McGill barbecue to feature Jim Avett We'll celebrate America's 250 years together Rowan-Cabarrus hosts leaders celebrating No. 1 workforce ranking Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who investigated Russia-Trump campaign ties, dies Duke Endowment awards $3.2 million for Atrium Health's cancer, careers and school programs kAmw:D H@C5D DE@@5 @FE ?@E ;FDE 7@C E96 DE2C< =2?8F286 23@FE p>6C:42VD EC@F3=6D[ 3FE 7@C 9:D D@36C 24<?@H=6586>6?E E92E E96 G:@=6?46 C62496D 24C@DD E96 A@=:E:42= 5:G:56]k^AmkAmxE 42? 36 92C5 E@ C6>6>36C 2== E96 D46?6D @7 A@=:E:42= G:@=6?46 :? ;FDE E96 A2DE 76H J62CDi qFE=6C[ !6??DJ=G2?:2[ E96 |:??62A@=:D DF3FC3D[ $2? uC2?4:D4@[ }6H *@C< r:EJ[ (6DE !2=> q6249] p?5 >@C6] %2<6? 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E9CFDE :?E@ E96 =:>6=:89E 3J EC2865J — DA@<6 6>@E:@?2==J 23@FE 2 36=:67 :? 7C66 DA6649 E92E 8@6D 324< E@ p>6C:42VD 7@F?5:?8[ 2?5 23@FE 9@H 92EC65 42? =625 E@ G:@=6?46]k^AmkAmQxD E9:D :EnQ 96 2D<65] QxD E9:D H92E ad_ J62CD 92D HC@F89E @? FDnQk^Am kAmQx AC2J E92E :D ?@E E96 42D6]Qk^Am 0 Comments Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Patel faces congressional hearings after missteps in Kirk assassination probe Patel also faces scrutiny over a purge of senior officials that prompted a lawsuit, his pursuit of the president's grievances and other issues. Fact focus: Charlie Kirk assassination prompts flood of false and misleading claims online The reaction followed a pattern of misinformation and conspiracy theories that often come after breaking news events. Schools tried to ban phones and avoid politics. Then came Charlie Kirk's assassination The news of his shooting — captured on video in grisly detail — sent shockwaves through classrooms everywhere. They witnessed Charlie Kirk's assassination. Now students reckon with the grief Pleas for civility in U.S. political discourse but those calls were not always heeded, and some people who criticized Kirk were fired. Waves of fake threats to colleges put students on edge and test dispatchers About 50 college campuses across the United States in recent weeks received hoax calls about armed gunmen and other violence. Growing chorus of conservatives wants Charlie Kirk's critics ostracized or fired The aftermath of Kirk's killing is increasingly a test of public tolerance over political differences in a nation splintered by politics. Political leaders confront security concerns — and fear — after Kirk's assassination Aggressive rhetoric and even death threats surged after Kirk was killed. The charged environment prompted some officials to postpone events. Analyst loses his MSNBC job following his Charlie Kirk commentary Photos before and after the shooting of Charlie Kirk Watch Now: Related Video Direction of Middle East War Unclear Amid Mixed Messages Iran threatens world tourism sites and says it's still building missiles - AP explains AP Iran threatens world tourism sites and says it's still building missiles - AP explains Pentagon seeks $200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war, AP source says AP Pentagon seeks $200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war, AP source says Fed Chair Will Stay Put Until New Chair is Confirmed by Senate Fed Chair Will Stay Put Until New Chair is Confirmed by Senate
Patel faces congressional hearings after missteps in Kirk assassination probe Patel also faces scrutiny over a purge of senior officials that prompted a lawsuit, his pursuit of the president's grievances and other issues.
Fact focus: Charlie Kirk assassination prompts flood of false and misleading claims online The reaction followed a pattern of misinformation and conspiracy theories that often come after breaking news events.
Schools tried to ban phones and avoid politics. Then came Charlie Kirk's assassination The news of his shooting — captured on video in grisly detail — sent shockwaves through classrooms everywhere.
They witnessed Charlie Kirk's assassination. Now students reckon with the grief Pleas for civility in U.S. political discourse but those calls were not always heeded, and some people who criticized Kirk were fired.
Waves of fake threats to colleges put students on edge and test dispatchers About 50 college campuses across the United States in recent weeks received hoax calls about armed gunmen and other violence.
Growing chorus of conservatives wants Charlie Kirk's critics ostracized or fired The aftermath of Kirk's killing is increasingly a test of public tolerance over political differences in a nation splintered by politics.
Political leaders confront security concerns — and fear — after Kirk's assassination Aggressive rhetoric and even death threats surged after Kirk was killed. The charged environment prompted some officials to postpone events.
