The Context for Trump’s ‘Take Out’ Los Angeles, San Diego Remarks

President Donald Trump’s remarks about the possibility that Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego have sparked a firestorm of criticism, with Democrats claiming the president was either calling for a foreign adversary to attack the U.S. or portraying the destruction of two major cities as acceptable collateral damage. 

But given the full context — as well as Trump’s numerous past comments on this issue and the White House’s later clarification — that’s not our reading of the president’s comments. While his wording is confusing, a more plausible interpretation is that he meant the war would prevent Iran from posing a threat to U.S. cities, and higher gas prices are a small sacrifice to make. He’s made versions of those points before, using similar language.

“Remember, with the war, it’s just artificial. It’s a little bit high,” he said, apparently referencing gas prices. “It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe. They could take out a city. Let them take — let it — let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego. 

President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in front of a crowd

Trump speaks at a rally in Nebraska on Oct. 5.

“That’s — this is a very small price to pay, and it’s going to be over with very soon,” he continued. “It’s essentially almost over with.”

The speech quickly drew outraged responses from Democrats in California and nationally. 

Trump Touts Medicaid Drug Savings, But Details Remain Murky

President Donald Trump and other federal officials are claiming that deals the administration has struck with pharmaceutical companies are “rescuing state budgets” or helping to “save Medicaid” by saving the program tens of billions of dollars on prescription drugs over a decade.

But experts say there are many unanswered questions about the scope of those deals that could limit the potential savings, including how many drugs they actually cover.

It’s also an exaggeration to suggest this program will single-handedly save state budgets, even under the rosiest of scenarios. According to the White House’s projections, the savings to states would initially come to less than 2% of what they spend on Medicaid annually, and diminish over time.

Trump has talked regularly about his efforts to lower prescription drug costs, arguing it’s unfair that the U.S. pays much higher prices for brand-name drugs than other wealthy countries. 

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey Declares State of Emergency in 40 Counties as Tropical Storm

Emergency declaration activates disaster preparations, anti-price-gouging protections and emergency transportation measures ahead of potentially dangerous weather Friday.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has declared a state of emergency in 40 counties as Tropical Storm Isaias threatens to bring damaging winds, flooding and potentially hurricane conditions to portions of the state beginning Friday evening.

The emergency declaration, signed Wednesday, Oct. 7, took effect at 4 p.m. Central and authorizes state agencies to mobilize resources, coordinate emergency response operations and prepare for potentially widespread disruptions to communities and essential services.

The proclamation remains in effect through 11:59 p.m. Oct. 14 unless extended or terminated earlier.

“At this moment, forecasts continue to show the real likelihood that the tropical system brewing in the Gulf could impact Alabama as a hurricane as early as Friday,” Ivey said in a statement.

The governor urged residents to monitor weather forecasts, reconsider travel plans when necessary and prepare for deteriorating conditions ahead of the weekend.

The National Weather Service forecasts cited in the proclamation indicate that coastal and central Alabama could experience strong winds, flooding and possible tornadoes beginning Friday evening, Oct. 9.

Officials warned that the storm could threaten public safety, damage private property and disrupt essential utilities.

LSU Rallies Past Missouri In Five-Set Thriller Behind Jurnee Robinson's 23 Kills

Robinson posts 23 kills, 16 digs and seven blocks as LSU closes the deciding set on an 8-4 run to snap a two-match skid

BATON ROUGE, La. | Jurnee Robinson delivered 23 kills, a season-high 16 digs and seven blocks as LSU survived another five-set test, rallying past Missouri 3-2 on Sunday at the Maravich Center.

LSU won 17-25, 25-22, 25-23, 20-25, 15-12 to improve to 7-6 overall and 2-2 in Southeastern Conference play. The Tigers are 4-2 in five-set matches this season after snapping a two-match losing streak.

Missouri fell to 8-7 and 1-2 in the SEC.

With the deciding set tied at 8, Robinson put LSU ahead with a kill before a Missouri attack error made it 10-8. Robinson then teamed with Sanaa Donaie for a block that pushed the advantage to 11-9 and energized the home crowd.

LSU protected the lead from there, closing the fifth set on an 8-4 run and hitting .273 while holding Missouri to .200. Robinson supplied four kills in the final frame, and Camryn Jeffery added three without an error.

Robinson's performance marked her sixth 20-kill double-double of the season and the 26th of her career. Her seven blocks matched a career high, and she finished with 26.5 points.

The performance also moved Robinson past former LSU All-American Monique Adams for ninth on the program's career scoring list with 1,825.5 points.

Missouri appeared ready to take control early, using a 10-2 run to build a 17-7 advantage in the opening set before finishing off a 25-17 victory.

LSU answered immediately.

The Tigers scored the first five points of the second set and never trailed, hitting .357 behind eight Robinson kills to win 25-22 and even the match.

Alabama Women's Golf Wins Second Straight Title To Open Season

Crimson Tide rolls to eight-stroke victory at Blessings Collegiate Invitational as Lydia Lasprilla becomes first Alabama coach to win first two tournaments

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. | Alabama women’s golf continued its unbeaten start to the 2026-27 season Monday, capturing the Blessings Collegiate Invitational by eight strokes for its second consecutive tournament championship.

The Crimson Tide finished the 54-hole event at 4-over-par 868 after rounds of 280, 294 and 294, comfortably ahead of host Arkansas, which placed second at 12 over.

The victory also gave first-year Alabama head coach Lydia Lasprilla a place in program history. Lasprilla became the first Crimson Tide coach to win the first two tournaments of a coaching tenure.

Alabama Overwhelms Mississippi State 56-23 Behind Russell, Defense

Keelon Russell accounts for four touchdowns as the Crimson Tide turns takeaways into points and pulls away after halftime

STARKVILLE, Miss. | Keelon Russell accounted for four touchdowns and No. 7 Alabama converted four Mississippi State turnovers into 21 points in a 56-23 victory Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium.

Russell threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another as Alabama (5-0, 3-0 SEC) won its first ranked matchup of the season. The Crimson Tide led 28-17 at halftime before putting the game away with four second-half touchdowns.

Alabama finished with 483 yards of offense and held No. 16 Mississippi State (4-1, 2-1) to 18 yards rushing.

Turnovers fuel Alabama's fast start

Alabama scored twice in the opening nine minutes after its defense created turnovers on Mississippi State's first two possessions.

London Simmons forced and recovered a fumble to set up Russell's 15-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Coleman-Williams. Dijon Lee Jr. followed with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown, quickly making it 14-0.

Mississippi State responded behind quarterback Kamario Taylor, whose touchdown passes to Anthony Evans III and Zion Ragins twice helped pull the Bulldogs within seven.

Russell countered with a 17-yard touchdown run, and Trae'shawn Brown scored from 7 yards out before Mississippi State closed the half with a field goal.

Alabama took a 28-17 advantage into the break.