On the anniversary of 9/11, and in light of events that occurred on September 10, 2025, Duke and Dahl asked radio listeners what has changed in the United States of America. Many still talk about the nationwide unity that was felt in the days, weeks and months after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  Then compare that to September 10, 2025 that saw the murder of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk while speaking on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah and a shooting at a Denver, Colorado high school. Both events occurring the day before the nation remembered the 24th anniversary of 9/11.

For the Text-In Topic during the Weekday Wake-Up, listeners were asked to share their opinions in regards to what has changed in America over the last 24 years, to take us from the unity felt in 2001 to deep divide that appears to be here now. Below are their responses.

The Weekday Wake-Up can be heard Monday through Friday from 7-9 a.m. on both Swift 98 (98.7 FM in Star Valley) and The Spur (106.7/107.5 FM in Star Valley and 105.3 FM in Kemmerer/Diamondville).

Responses

“Social media and the ability to say and act however you want without the fear of being punched in the mouth.”

“Our education failed to teach college students the basics and choose to radicalize them instead.”

“God has been removed from our schools & lives. Children aren’t disciplined or taught manners or respect for teachers, the law, or others.”

“As a nation, we publicly acknowledged we needed God. Now we think He doesn’t exist or He doesn’t matter and are reaping the consequences.”

“You can only give and sacrifice so much before you run out of gas. Realizing you’re in trouble as well and nobody’s there helping you.”

“It’s hard to put a finger on it, but I believe it’s the lack of respect for one another and just thinking that you could do whatever you want without any repercussions.”

“The echo chambers of social media.”

“The love of God and fellowmen has disappeared.”

“Every person for themselves; absolutely zero respect for others. It is here in our community…drama, chaos, & disruption is accepted as normal. Jobs: no team work. Roads: people pull out right in front of you, unnecessarily & no one else is behind you + more disrespectful driving-roll overs in Star Valley…really? Respect starts in our own community, how can a country be fixed if local communities are broken. This unsafe practice needs to stop! Law, order & accountability starts at home.”

“I can’t say for sure because I’ve never seen what it was like before and during Sep 12. My thoughts are the system has been trying to silence the men that stand for what’s right to allow chaos to ensue.”

“Three things come my mind when considering what’s changed in the last 24 years. 1) news has become entertainment rather than news at the national level. The moment that happened we lost serious ground as far as being the land of the free and home of the brave. 2) having a different opinion about anything became a criminal act rather than the foundation of the American ideal. 3) people have left churches in favor of discovering their own “truth.” Once people lose their moral compass…..well, you can see the result.”

“Lack of God.”

“Airport security.”

“Social Media and cell phones.”