September 11, 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, brought down New York’s World Trade Center and damaged the Pentagon, with victims honored at memorials at Pentagon, NYC and Shanksville. Every state ordered flags to half-staff from sunrise to sunset for Patriot Day, while the day’s other top stories reflect a nation in transition: Hurricane Lowell causing hundreds of millions in damage in Hawaii, federal fights over voter data and noncitizen rolls in Nebraska and Nevada, Supreme Court interventions blocking redistricting maps in Missouri and Mississippi, a Senate name-confusion FEC complaint in Alaska, a Colorado River water-sharing deal impacting Arizona, and pivotal Senate primaries in New Hampshire and Rhode Island that could decide control of Congress in the 2026 midterms.
TOP NEWS BY STATE – SEPTEMBER 11, 2026:
- Alabama: Governor Kay Ivey released a video message commemorating the 25th anniversary and directed flags to be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day, Friday, September 11, 2026.
- Alaska: Republican-aligned group filed an FEC complaint against Senate candidate Dan J. Sullivan alleging illegal coordination with the 907 Initiative, in a race against incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan with the same name.
- Arizona: U.S. and Mexico signed Minute 334 amendment to Colorado River treaty, with Mexico sharing in reductions imposed on Arizona, California and Nevada, with 1.25 million acre-feet withheld from the three states.
- Arkansas: Dry weather driving soybean and rice harvest at record pace, with soybean harvest 27 percent complete – the fastest on record for this week, while corn nears 80 percent complete.
- California: Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed September 11, 2026 as Patriot Day and ordered flags on state buildings to half-staff, noting 3,000 lives lost including 36 Californians.
- Colorado: Governor Polis ordered flags to half-staff statewide, while United Airlines canceled planned Boeing 777 with F-16 escort memorial flyover over Denver due to community concerns.
- Connecticut: Flags lowered to half-staff to honor 161 victims with ties to Connecticut, with National Day of Service meal-packing events in Hartford and Bridgeport.
- Delaware: Governor Meyer ordered flags lowered for Patriot Day, while Office of Highway Safety announced DUI checkpoint on September 11 in Sussex County as part of Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
- Florida: Governor Ron DeSantis directed U.S. and Florida flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset to honor and remember those lost on 9/11.
- Georgia: Metro Atlanta surpassed Northern Virginia as top market for data center construction in first half of 2026, with under-construction capacity up 52.3 percent to 2,882 megawatts.
- Hawaii: Hurricane Lowell aftermath dominates, with Gov. Josh Green reporting incredible shore damage likely costing hundreds of millions, at least 1 dead, widespread outages, and Kauai Community College closed through September 11.
- Idaho: Idaho Department of Education launched “September 11 at 25: Remember. Learn. Serve.” campaign with State Historical Society and America250 Task Force for K-12 students.
- Illinois: State Rep. Dave Syverson proposed legislation requiring schools to teach events leading to 9/11, while Illinois Athletics hosted 9/11 Memorial Climb at Gies Memorial Stadium.
- Indiana: Indiana Supreme Court declared incumbent Sen. Spencer Deery winner of razor-thin District 23 Republican primary over Trump-backed Paula Copenhaver after months-long recount.
- Iowa: Governor Kim Reynolds ordered flags at half-staff for Patriots Day and 25th anniversary, remembering nearly 3,000 lives including eight victims with Iowa connections.
- Kansas: Governor Laura Kelly directed flags lowered to half-staff from sunup to sundown to honor nearly 3,000 Americans lost 25 years ago.
- Kentucky: Governor Andy Beshear ordered flags at state office buildings to half-staff to commemorate Patriot Day and 25th anniversary of World Trade Center attacks.
- Louisiana: 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans appeared skeptical of Louisiana’s bid to block 2023 FDA rule allowing mifepristone via telemedicine and mail, as state cites 1,000 abortions monthly from mailed pills.
- Maine: Intersection of Webber Hill, Whitten and Mill Street in Kennebunk to become 4-way stop Sept 14 after 14 crashes 2023-2025, while Maine DOE launched Dirigo Schools of Distinction Framework.
- Maryland: Communities gathered for 25th anniversary ceremonies including remembrance at Courthouse Square Park in Rockville honoring 11 Montgomery County residents killed, plus women’s lacrosse 2,071-step stair climb.
- Massachusetts: State held moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. and reading of 206 Massachusetts victims at State House, while health officials reported 7th human West Nile virus case this year in Worcester County.
- Michigan: Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered U.S. and Michigan flags to half-staff, with remembrances planned in Grosse Pointe Farms, Canton, Warren, Ann Arbor and Hillsdale College.
- Minnesota: State marked Patriot Day with statewide 25th anniversary tributes, including thousands expected at annual 9/11 Tribute Concert at Lake Harriet Bandshell in Minneapolis.
- Mississippi: U.S. Supreme Court vacated judgment in Section 2 Voting Rights Act challenge to state legislative districts, with coalition warning officials not to use order as green light for racial gerrymandering before 2027 elections.
- Missouri: U.S. Supreme Court blocked Missouri from using redrawn GOP-friendly congressional map in November midterms, siding with opponents and suspending order that would have required Trump-requested map.
- Montana: Defending FCS champion Montana State brings program-best 16-game win streak and No. 1 ranking to Mackay Stadium as road favorite against FBS Nevada on Saturday.
- Nebraska: Secretary of State Bob Evnen will turn over sensitive voter data including names, addresses, birth dates, driver license numbers and last 4 SSNs to Justice Department after state Supreme Court rejected effort to block.
- Nevada: Secretary of State reported receiving seven voter-related DOJ subpoenas from FBI in last three months amid federal push ahead of midterms, following DHS claim of 16,000 noncitizens on Nevada rolls.
- New Hampshire: Open U.S. Senate race will pit former Republican Sen. John Sununu against Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas in November, after both swamped primary opponents Tuesday, in race that could determine control of chamber.
- New Jersey: Governor Mikie Sherrill ordered flags to half-staff mourning approximately 750 New Jerseyans killed, with Clifton lining roads with flags and Bergen County rededicating 9/11 memorial with Twin Towers steel.
- New Mexico: Former 122-pound king Angelo Leo scored 10th-round KO to dethrone IBF featherweight champion Luis Alberto Lopez at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque on September 11 card, amid debate over Trump’s suggestion to rename state “New America”.
- New York: State marks 25 years since September 11 with memorial flag at State Capitol and Ground Zero ceremony with Vice President JD Vance, former presidents and Mayor Zohran Mamdani, as Gov. Hochul notes weight of tragedy continues.
- North Carolina: Governor Josh Stein ordered U.S. and North Carolina flags at half-staff from sunrise to sunset for Patriot Day 25th anniversary honoring victims, families and first responders.
- North Dakota: Governor Kelly Armstrong directed all agencies to fly flags at half-staff Friday, September 11, 2026, encouraging residents to do same for 25th anniversary remembrance.
- Ohio: Governor Mike DeWine ordered flags at half-staff and moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., while Ohio State’s 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Ohio Stadium drew record 3,100+ participants before sunrise.
- Oklahoma: Governor Kevin Stitt ordered flags lowered to honor volunteer firefighter Joe Flake who died stopping wildfire, coinciding with 9/11 anniversary, while AG Gentner Drummond won appeal upholding HB 1775 ban on teaching discriminatory concepts as facts.
- Oregon: Southbound I-5 lanes in Portland’s Rose Quarter closed starting September 11 for five-week I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, expected to create most challenging traffic conditions with 2-3x normal travel times.
- Pennsylvania: Americans gathered at Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville honoring 40 passengers and crew of Flight 93, one of three sites with memorials in NYC and Pentagon marking nearly 3,000 perished.
- Rhode Island: Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes defeated Governor Dan McKee 62% to 38% in Democratic primary, making McKee first sitting governor to lose primary in nearly decade, focused on Washington Bridge closure.
- South Carolina: Clemson University hosted fourth annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Littlejohn Coliseum climbing equivalent of 110 floors, while State Senate rejected Republican plan to cancel congressional primaries and redraw districts.
- South Dakota: University of South Dakota held 25th anniversary observance on Patriots Plaza in Vermillion with Taps, while Governor Larry Rhoden ordered flags at half-staff for Patriot Day.
- Tennessee: Tennessee Athletics honored 25th anniversary with special lighting tribute at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville featuring beams of light from 6 p.m. to midnight.
- Texas: New poll shows Texas Senate race deadlocked hours before Republicans’ first-ever midterm convention, with Democrat James Talarico leading Republican AG Ken Paxton 48% to 43% with 7% undecided.
- Utah: Governor Spencer Cox ordered flags at half-staff for Patriot Day stating remembrance of lives lost 25 years ago, and declared September 10 as Charlie Kirk Day one year after assassination at Utah Valley University in Orem.
- Vermont: Flags at half-staff per presidential order for Patriot Day, with Sen. Peter Welch joining Vermont National Guard at remembrance ceremony at Vermont National Guard Base saying America will never forget.
- Virginia: Ceremonies held at Pentagon where American Airlines Flight 77 struck and at Virginia War Memorial, including first-responder wreath-laying at Arlington Fire Station 5 with Governor Abigail Spanberger.
- Washington: Americans gathered nationwide honoring nearly 3,000 perished 25 years since four airliners hijacked, with solemn memorials at Pentagon and Washington D.C. area.
- West Virginia: Governor Patrick Morrisey joined federal officials at FBI CJIS Division in Clarksburg marking 25 years, honoring West Virginians Mary Lou Hague and Dr. Paul Ambrose.
- Wisconsin: Governor Tony Evers ordered Wisconsin flags to half-staff from sunrise to sunset for 25th anniversary and declared statewide Day of Service encouraging volunteer events.
- Wyoming: Wolf hunters targeting famous 12-year-old Yellowstone matriarch Wolf 1090F of Mollie’s Pack as season opens September 15, but Yellowstone Wolf Project notes pack mostly back in park including pups, putting them off-limits.
