Evening Wire: Deadly Shooting At San Diego Mosque & Mangione’s Backpack Tossed? | 5.18.26

Summary

Podcast Summary: Morning Wire (Evening Wire)

Episode: “Deadly Shooting At San Diego Mosque & Railroad Strike Strands Thousands”

Date: May 18, 2026
Hosts: John Bickley, Georgia Howe, The Daily Wire Team

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Overview

This episode delivers concise, fact-driven updates on the day’s most significant news stories, focusing on a deadly shooting at a San Diego mosque, the ongoing railroad strike in New York, developments in U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, and other key political, legal, and cultural headlines. The show maintains its signature brisk, no-nonsense tone, featuring correspondents with direct on-the-ground information and analysis.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. San Diego Mosque Shooting

• [00:20–00:49]
• A tragic shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego left a security guard and two adults dead.
• Police found two teenage suspects dead in their vehicle; investigation pending if this is a targeted hate crime.
• Quote:
  • "We're considering this a hate crime until it's not."
    — San Diego Police Chief Scott Wall [00:35]
• The campus school and students are confirmed safe.

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2. Iran Nuclear Negotiations

• [00:49–01:51]
• Ongoing, tense nuclear talks between Iran and the Trump administration after Iran submitted a revised 14-point proposal via Pakistan.
• Conflicting reports about U.S. flexibility and sanction relief; U.S. officials refute claims of agreed sanction easing.
• President Trump signals impatience with slow progress.
• Quote:
  • "Iran appears to be making another push to keep the nuclear negotiations... alive."
    — Cassia Akiva, Foreign Affairs Reporter [00:59]

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3. Mangione Case: Evidence Thrown Out

• [01:51–02:36]
• Luigi Mangione, charged with the murder of Brian Thompson (UnitedHealthcare CEO), wins a pretrial motion.
• Evidence from his backpack seized without a warrant is inadmissible, including a magazine, cell phone, passport, and wallet.
• Gun and notebook still allowed; trial set for September 8.
• Quote:
  • "Caro said police needed a warrant to search Mangione's backpack."
    — Lyndon Blake, Reporter [02:14]

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4. Trump vs. Massie in Kentucky Primaries

• [02:36–03:43]
• President Trump campaigns aggressively to unseat Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky, branding him a "weak and pathetic rhino."
• Top Cabinet officials back challenger Ed Galran.
• Massie responds he supports Trump but stands up to presidents when needed.
• Quote:
  • "I'm here in my personal capacity as a private citizen... to support Navy SEAL Ed Galran."
    — War Secretary Pete Hegseth [03:02]
  • "I'm one of the few Republicans in Washington who stands up to every president, including President Trump."
    — Thomas Massie [03:29]

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5. Medina, Italy Attack

• [03:50–04:28]
• 31-year-old Salim El Koudri, Moroccan-born Italian, arrested after car attack and stabbing injuring nine.
• Authorities haven’t ruled out terrorism; suspect has psychiatric history.
• Quote:
  • "Police have not yet identified a motive."
    — Zach Jewel, Reporter [04:14]

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6. Austin, Texas Shooting Spree

• [04:28–05:08]
• Three juveniles (aged 15, 16, 17) arrested after a string of random shootings over the weekend.
• Four people injured; none killed; city issued a stay-at-home order.
• Quote:
  • "We have two suspects in custody..."
    — Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis [04:56]

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7. Betting on U.S. Military Operations

• [05:14–06:23]
• Over $1 billion bet this year on U.S. military actions, with alarming links to insider information.
• Army soldier Gannon Ken Van Dyke charged after profiting $400,000 from inside knowledge.
• Data analyst Nicholas Vayman exposes networks with 98% success rates betting on military events.
• Quote:
  • "We spotted nine polymarket accounts all connected, who made collectively $2.4 million betting almost exclusively on US military operations... 98% win rate."
    — Nicholas Vayman [05:59]

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8. Maldives Cave Diving Disaster

• [06:23–07:24]
• Elite divers racing against time (and sharks) to recover bodies of Italian researchers lost in an underwater cave.
• Previous Maldivian rescue diver died attempting recovery.
• University did not authorize entry into the cave; cause of death still unclear.
• Quote:
  • "The dive is extremely dangerous in itself, but the risks are doubled by the presence of sharks in the warm Maldivian water."
    — Megan Basham, Culture Reporter [06:59]

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9. Long Island Railroad Strike

• [07:24–08:12]
• Strikes strand thousands as five unions walk out after rejecting raises, costing the NY region $61M/day.
• Commuters left scrambling; MTA warns union demands will bankrupt agency.
• Quote:
  • "Monday marked the first full weekday of the strike, as hundreds of thousands... were left to find other ways to travel."
    — Drew Berkmeyer, Reporter [07:38]

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10. Commutation of Election Official’s Sentence

• [08:12–08:49]
• Colorado Governor Jared Polis commutes nine-year prison sentence of pro-Trump election official Tina Peters.
• Trump’s prior federal pardon overturned for state charges; Peters vows to learn from her mistakes.
• Quote:
  • "She had grown from her stint in prison and promised to, quote, avoid the mistakes of the past."
    — Nathan Gay, Assistant Editor [08:46]

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11. Idaho Air Show Jet Collision

• [08:49–09:34]
• Two navy jets collide midair at an air show; all crew members eject and survive.
• No injuries; previous 2018 show had fatality.
• Quote:
  • "All four crew members managed to eject by parachute and were safely located a mile away from the crash site."
    — Lauren Baer, Lifestyle Reporter [09:06]

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12. Apple’s Use of “Defective” Chips in Laptops

• [09:34–10:24]
• Apple’s new $599 MacBook Neo uses five-core chips originally meant to have six, leveraging previously discarded components due to chip shortages.
• Quote:
  • "Apple has opted to reuse the chips with one faulty core... As chip manufacturers struggle to keep up with demand, Apple isn't letting anything go to waste."
    — Brecke Stoll, Reporter [10:05]

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13. Pizza Hut Classic’s Retro Revival

• [10:24–10:55]
• Franchisee Tim Sparks is converting 80 locations to the vintage Pizza Hut style (red cups, Tiffany lamps, salad bars).
• The pizza recipe remains changed since 2019, so nostalgia is mostly decor.
• Quote:
  • "The old pan pizza lives on only in our memories."
    — John Bickley [10:55]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We're considering this a hate crime until it's not.” — Chief Scott Wall [00:35]
• “We spotted nine polymarket accounts all connected... 98% win rate.” — Nicholas Vayman [05:59]
• “The dive is extremely dangerous in itself, but the risks are doubled by the presence of sharks...” — Megan Basham [06:59]
• “The old pan pizza lives on only in our memories.” — John Bickley [10:55]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• San Diego Mosque Shooting: [00:20–00:49]
• Iran Nuclear Talks Update: [00:49–01:51]
• Mangione Case Legal Update: [01:51–02:36]
• Trump v. Massie Kentucky Campaign: [02:36–03:43]
• Medina, Italy Attack: [03:50–04:28]
• Austin Juvenile Shooting Spree: [04:28–05:08]
• Insider Betting on Military: [05:14–06:23]
• Maldives Cave Diving Recovery: [06:23–07:24]
• Long Island Railroad Strike: [07:24–08:12]
• Tina Peters’ Sentence Commuted: [08:12–08:49]
• Idaho Air Show Collision: [08:49–09:34]
• Apple’s Defective Chips in Laptops: [09:34–10:24]
• Pizza Hut Classic Revival: [10:24–10:55]

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This episode of Evening Wire provided essential, headline-driven news in a fast-paced and factual style, highlighting both urgent developing stories and memorable cultural updates for listeners seeking reliable information.

Transcript

[John Bickley]

Nuclear talks between the US And Iran continue. A judge throws out key evidence in the Mangione case. And some of the world's best divers race against sharks to recover the bodies of researchers. I'm Daily Wire executive editor John Bickley.

[Evening Wire Host]

It's Monday, May 18th. This is Evening Wire.

[John Bickley]

Police say they have neutralized the threat after a deadly shooting at the Islamic center of San Diego, where mosque leaders report a security guard was killed along with two adult victims. The two suspects, both teenagers, were found deceased in their car in the middle of the road. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the attack specifically targeted the mosque, but San Diego Police Chief Scott Wall said, quote, we're considering this a hate crime until it's not. Officials say the school on campus and

[Evening Wire Host]

its students are safe.

[John Bickley]

Iran nuclear talks with the Trump administration are still alive with a revised proposal,

[Evening Wire Host]

but the negotiations remain fragile.

[John Bickley]

Daily Wire foreign affairs reporter Cassia Akiva has more.

[Cassia Akiva]

Iran appears to be making another push to keep the nuclear negotiations with the Trump administration alive. Iran regime linked media reported today that Tehran submitted a revised 14 point proposal to the United States through Pakistani intermediaries after Washington responded to Iran's previous offer. Over the weekend, Pakistan's interior minister traveled to Tehran for meetings with Iranian leaders as diplomatic efforts intensified. At the same time, conflicting reports continue surfacing about the details of the proposal. An Iranian source told Reuters that the US has shown flexibility on Iran's nuclear program, while Iranian state media claimed Washington agreed to ease oil sanctions during negotiations. But a U.S. official told CNBC those sanctions reports are false. President Trump also signaled growing frustration with the talks on Sunday, urging Tehran to move fast.

[Evening Wire Host]

Luigi Mangione got a win in court as the judge has tossed out some key evidence. Daily Wire reporter and host of that's so Criminal, Lyndon Blake has more.

[Lyndon Blake]

Mangione is in pretrial hearings for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Judge Gregory Caro ruled today that evidence taken from Mangione's backpack when police arrested him back at that Pennsylvania McDonald's can't be introduced in court. Caro said police needed a warrant to search Mangioni's backpack. So what they took, which was a magazine, cell phone, passport, computer chip and wallet, won't be allowed in trial. A gun and notebook that prosecutors say connect Mangione to the shooting will still be allowed. The trial is expected to start September 8th.

[Evening Wire Host]

Top Trump officials are on the campaign trail in Kentucky as the president hopes to purge one of his top Republican critics, Thomas Massie. Daily Wire contributor Tim Pierce has the

[Tim Pierce]

story fresh off his victory over Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, the president now wants to bring the full force of his political power down on Massie. Top Cabinet officials have even joined the president's crusade. War Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared today at a campaign event with Massie's chief GOP opponent, Ed Gowrain.

[Ed Galran]

I have to say up front for the lawyers that I'm here in my personal capacity as a private citizen, a fellow American and a fellow combat veteran here to support Navy SEAL Ed Galran.

[Tim Pierce]

Trump has also barrage Massey over true social the president posted earlier today that Massie is a weak and pathetic rhino while he said Gal Ryan is a true America first patriot. For his part, Massey has released ads to downplay the feud.

[Ed Galran]

Look, the truth I agree with President Trump nearly all of the time. It's why in the past I've endorsed him and he's endorsed me. But the other truth is I'm one of the few Republicans in Washington who stands up to every president, including President Trump.

[Tim Pierce]

Kentucky Republicans will head to the polls tomorrow to say whether they want to stay with Massie or take the Trump backed G? Rhin.

[Evening Wire Host]

Italian authorities have not ruled out terrorism after a man in a car drove over eight people and stabbed one more. Daily Wire reporter Zach Jewel has the details.

[Zach Jewel]

Authorities have arrested 31 year old Salim El Koudri in connection with the attack. Al Kudry is a Moroccan native with Italian citizenship. Police say that Al Kudri accelerated through the streets of Medina, Italy, before he swerved his car into pedestrians. He left eight people injured, including four seriously. He then allegedly stabbed another man who attempted to stop him as he ran away. Police have not yet identified a motive. According to the Jerusalem Post, the suspect has been treated for psychiatric disorders.

[Evening Wire Host]

Texas law enforcement arrested three juveniles over the weekend in connection with a shooting spree that shut down part of Austin Daily Wire assistant editor Andy Valdez reports.

[Andy Valdez]

Authorities said a dozen separate random shootings rocked the city from late Saturday into Sunday, forcing police to issue a stay at home order for South Austin. Fortunately, no one was killed in the violence, though four people were injured. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis announced a couple of arrests on Sunday.

[Lisa Davis]

At this point we have two suspects in custody. We have a 15 year old and a 17 year old. The 17 year old has a warrant for a theft of a gun from the same store that the 15 year old stole a gun from yesterday.

[Andy Valdez]

Police in nearby Manor, Texas also announced the arrest of a 16 year old later on Sunday.

[Evening Wire Host]

Betters have waged more than a billion dollars this year on US Military decisions and outcomes, with some raking in hefty sums. Daily Wire Homepage managing editor Jordan Schroeder has the details.

[Lyndon Blake]

The potential payouts have created a dangerous incentive for US Service members with access to classified information. Earlier this year, prosecutors charged U.S. army soldier Gannon Ken Van Dyke after He allegedly made $400,000 on a single bet about the operation to extradite Nicolas Maduro from Venezue Online sleuths say they have identified a handful of other accounts with suspiciously good records. Nicholas Vayman, co founder of the small data analytics firm bubble maps, told 60 Minutes what his team uncovered.

[Nicholas Vayman]

We spotted nine polymarket accounts all connected, who made collectively $2.4 million betting almost exclusively on US military operations. Van Dijk made 400,000 here, 2.4 million. And now here's the crazy part. 98% win rate.

[John Bickley]

The world's top divers are working to recover the bodies of Italian researchers in the Maldives. Here's Daily Wire Culture reporter Megan Basham.

[Megan Basham]

The elite divers, some of whom were also involved in the 2018 Cave Diving Rescue of a Thai youth soccer team, were able to locate the bodies of the lost divers earlier today. Further dives will be needed, however, to bring them to the surface. The lost divers were found in an underwater cave more than 150ft below the surface. The dive is extremely dangerous in itself, but the risks are doubled by the presence of sharks in the warm Maldivian water. The highly experienced dive team was called in after a Maldivian rescue diver himself died in an earlier attempt at recovery. A definitive cause of death has not yet been identified for the divers, a majority of whom were ocean researchers at the University of Genoa. While the university did approve the expedition, the divers were reportedly not given permission to enter the undersea cave.

[Evening Wire Host]

Thousands of would be passengers are stranded as a union strike has shut down the nation's busiest railroad, Daily Wire reporter Drew Berkmeyer reports.

[Drew Berkmeyer]

Thousands of workers with the Long Island Railroad refused to work on Monday after union leadership rejected a 9.5% raise and more for productivity increases. Monday marked the first full weekday of the strike, as hundreds of thousands of public transit commuters were left to find other ways to travel. The strike has been coordinated by the leadership of five separate unions that together represent Long Island's rail workers. After three years of talks, the unions say that New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority forced their hands. MTA authorities have said they want to negotiate, but the union's demands will implode the agency's budget. Meanwhile, the strike is expected to cost the region an estimated $61 million a day.

[Evening Wire Host]

A blue state governor has commuted the prison sentence of a pro Trump election official. Daily Wire assistant editor Nathan Gay has more.

[Nathan Gay]

Colorado Democrat governor Jared Polis on Friday commuted the nine year prison sentence of Tina Peters, the former Mesa county clerk and Trump ally convicted last year of tampering with voting equipment and an attempt to prove the 2020 election was stolen. Trump pardoned Peters in December, arguing that her nine year sentence was wildly excessive given that she was a 70 year old and a first time offender. A Colorado court later ruled the pardon invalid because she had been convicted of state charges. Peters thanked Polis on X, saying that she had grown from her stint in prison and promised to, quote, avoid the

[Evening Wire Host]

mistakes of the past Two military jets collided in midair at an Idaho air show Here with the story is Daily Wire lifestyle reporter Lauren Baer.

[Lauren Baer]

Two U.S. navy jets collided midair Sunday during an air show at a base in southwestern Idaho. The incident occurred during a botched aerial demonstration, with dramatic video capturing the moment where the two jets slammed into each other and plummeted to the ground. All four crew members managed to eject by parachute and were safely located a mile away from the crash site by fire and rescue, with no injuries reported. This was the first air show held at the base since 2018, when an accident led to the death of a hang glider pilot. The recent collision is now under investigation by military officials.

[Evening Wire Host]

Apple is pulling in high profits from new products that reportedly contain imperfect chips. Daily Wire reporter Brecke Stoll has the story.

[Brecke Stoll]

There's an interesting caveat to Apple's new consumer friendly laptop. The MacBook Neo hit shelves a few weeks ago, enticing customers with the relatively low price tag, that of $599. What buyers might not know, however, is that the Neo is powered by defective chips. The A18 Pro chip was originally manufactured for iPhones in 2024. The chips have six cores, but manufacturing errors sometimes result in one or more being faulty. Normally, those would be thrown out, but Apple has opted to reuse the chips with one faulty core. In their new entry level laptops, the chips can still run on five cores, just not at their originally intended power. As chip manufacturers struggle to keep up with demand, Apple isn't letting anything go to waste.

[John Bickley]

And if you're in the market for a heavy dose of nostalgia, this is the story for you. A devoted franchisee is converting 80 restaurants to bring Pizza Hut Classic back. Tim Sparks owns nearly 100 Pizza Hut locations around the country, and he's now decided to restore 80 of them back to their 20th century glory. Checkered tablecloths, red plastic cups, Tiffany style lamps, and yes, that salad bar. But fair warning, the pizza won't be the same.

[Evening Wire Host]

Pizza Hut changed the recipe back in 2019.

[John Bickley]

So while the restaurants may get a retro refresh, the old pan pizza lives on only in our memories. All right. Those are your drive home updates. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, earlier today we covered some major stories, including the US Taking out a terrorist targeting Christians in Nigeria, President Trump flexing his influence in a series of elections, and the massive Unite the Kingdom rally. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of MORNING Wire.