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Former college soccer player killed in boat crash after group allegedly took vessel without authorization

Sat, 16 May 2026 17:27:02 -0400

A 24-year-old former student-athlete was killed in a boat crash in Massachusetts after she and her friends allegedly took a vessel without authorization before it crashed into a pier.

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Dankert, a former soccer player at Union College, was killed after a recreational powerboat crashed into a pier near a runway at Logan International Airport around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to Massachusetts State Police.

The fatal crash drew attention after authorities said the group allegedly took the boat without authorization hours after the boating club had closed for the night.

Dankert and her friends were in Boston’s Seaport District that night when they allegedly boarded a Freedom Boat Club vessel after the club had closed, according to Lee Gordon, a spokesperson for Brunswick Corporation, which owns the club, told Fox News Digital.

Freedom Boat Club operates as a membership-based alternative to boat ownership with hundreds of locations worldwide.

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"The vessel involved in the incident was taken without authorization and operated outside the knowledge and control of the Club, well after the Club had closed for the day," Gordon said. "This activity did not occur within normal Club operations or established protocols governing access to and use of our vessels.

"We are cooperating fully with all relevant authorities as they work to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident," he added.

Boston EMS said in a Facebook post that crews responded to the crash overnight in difficult conditions, including darkness and slippery shoreline rocks near the pier.

EMTs worked with Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) fire crews to extricate four people from the rocks, including one critically injured patient.

CAL STATE FULLERTON SOCCER PLAYER, 19, DEAD FROM INJURIES SUSTAINED IN ELECTRIC SCOOTER CRASH

Following the crash, the boat’s driver, Lawrence Shieh, 40, and two of Dankert’s 23-year-old friends were taken to Massachusetts General Hospital.

The three suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to WCVB.

"Lizzie was an exceptional student-athlete who had a tremendous impact during her four years at Union College," school spokesperson Phillip Wajda told Boston 25 in a statement.

"Her passing is a profound loss for our campus community," he added.

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The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office is continuing to investigate the crash.

The attorney's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Wash Post editorial board accuses Maine progressive Graham Platner of offering voters 'fantastical solutions'

Sat, 16 May 2026 17:00:39 -0400

The Washington Post editorial board took aim at progressive Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner on Thursday, accusing the Democratic challenger to Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, of offering "fantastical solutions" to voters’ real-world concerns.

"These extreme policy proposals deserve as much scrutiny as his covered-up Nazi tattoo," the board wrote. The subheadline warned, "The Senate hopeful is long on anger and short on real solutions."

"Consider the novice candidate’s new plan to address rising energy prices," it added, arguing his key campaign themes involve "punish[ing] big business" while placing greater control of the economy in the hands of government bureaucrats.

The editorial focused heavily on Platner’s recently unveiled "Take Back American Power" plan, which calls for a four-year freeze on electricity rates, a windfall tax on big oil profits and ending collection of the federal gas tax in an effort to lower consumer costs.

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"To encourages [sic] states to go along with this, since they are responsible for regulating the price of power, he’d offer federal financing to build energy infrastructure," the outlet said of proposed rate freezes.

"Artificially putting a ceiling on what people pay will discourage the production of more energy without discouraging its use. In other words, it’s a recipe for shortages."

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To offset supply concerns, the editorial noted, Platner wants to invoke the Defense Production Act to push companies to build "clean" energy technologies while creating a federally backed loan program for energy projects — proposals the board argued would unnecessarily put taxpayers on the hook for ventures unable to attract sufficient private investment.

The board contrasted Platner’s proposals with Texas’ energy policies, pointing to the state’s rise as the nation’s leading producer of utility-scale solar power under an "all-of-the-above energy policy" or, in other words, an approach focusing on energy security through a diverse mix.

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"People living in Texas... pay less than half of what Californians do for energy per kilowatt hour," the editorial stated, arguing the real solution to rising energy costs is "making it easier to build" while criticizing Platner for overlooking deregulation.

At large, the editorial board argued Platner’s proposals relied too heavily on government intervention, price controls and federal financing while doing little to address underlying barriers to energy production.

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"Platner’s plan has little chance of becoming reality anytime soon, which is good news for residents already hurting from the anti-growth policies he wants to turbocharge," the board concluded.

Fox News Digital reached out to Platner's campaign for comment on this story but did not immediately hear back.

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Platner has received criticism from other Democrats recently, including Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, who expressed caution around his progressive ideas.

"He's an avowed communist. He described himself as a communist. Antifa, that's not a slur from me. That's not a GOP kind of hit. That's his own words, how he described that," Fetterman said.

Fox News' Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.

Canadian Police respond to BBQ food theft, culprit found to be fox with mouthful of hot dogs

Sat, 16 May 2026 16:55:03 -0400

There's really nothing better than firing up a grill and having a nice barbecue, but few things are as enraging as getting ready to cook and realizing something is missing.

For me, that usually means I totally forgot to check the propane gauge beforehand.

But in one Canadian outdoor cook's case, someone burgled all of his grub... and that someone turned out to have paws... four of them.

According to the Alberta RCMP, officers were alerted to a "theft involving BBQ goods."

Credit to the boys in blue (actually, I think it's red up there) for showing up, because it would've been pretty easy to say, "Just go to the grocery and pick up some new BBQ goods."

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Upon arrival, police realized that they needed to be on the lookout for a suspect described as "having red hair, being short in stature, and wearing a thick coat."

Eventually, they located the culprit in the act.

This is like the animal kingdom's version of the sketch from "I Think You Should Leave," where Tim Robinson is dressed like a hot dog after a wienermobile crashes through the wall of a clothing store.

It doesn't take a grizzled detective to solve this crime. Foxes don't just wind up with hot dogs out in the wild (although I've never been to Canada, so it might be different up there).

That li'l fella wasn't doing fox-kind's reputation any good. I feel like they might be in the running for nature's biggest kleptomaniacs. I think I'd put foxes in second, just ahead of seagulls but behind raccoons.

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You've got to give the edge to raccoon. They're wearing little burglar masks.

The Canadian authorities said that "the suspect was released without conditions — and a full belly," which is very cool of them, but now a fox is prowling the wilds of Alberta with a taste for Nathan's hot dogs.

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I wouldn't have let them keep the dogs.

I'm not proud of it, but part of me would want to just rinse off the wieners so I didn't have to make a Walmart run.

'Pawn Stars' icon Rick Harrison says Trump tax policies change everything for small businesses

Sat, 16 May 2026 16:25:36 -0400

"Pawn Stars" personality Rick Harrison told Fox News that workers at his Las Vegas businesses are seeing "astronomical" boosts to their tax returns thanks to President Donald Trump’s small business tax policies.

Appearing on "Saturday in America," Harrison told Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany that policies like tax-free overtime and equipment write-offs have injected a major boost into Nevada’s economy.

"I’ve had at least 10 employees tell me that their tax return was kind of, you know, they considered it astronomical. It was, like, twice what it normally is, and it just helps out," Harrison said on Fox News.

Harrison, famous for running the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop featured on the hit television series "Pawn Stars," also owns a restaurant and bar in Las Vegas, employing about 80 workers overall.

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He noted that things like full equipment depreciation, tax-free overtime and the up to $25,000 exemption on tips have increased employee take-home pay while incentivizing business owners to ramp up spending.

"The full depreciation on equipment is a godsend to so many businesses," Harrison noted.

He stressed the impact of Trump's "No Tax on Tips" policy, describing it as a game-changer for Sin City's service workers.

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"There's no tax on the first $25,000 in tips, which is really, really huge," Harrison said. "There is a lot of single moms and things like that that are service workers, and that just — it changes everything — the no tax on tips, especially in Nevada."

The reality star spoke on May 4 at a small business summit at the White House and noted the difference between the Trump and Biden administrations.

"The last guy in office, all we heard was that we were the evil people, we were the bad people, everything else like that, we don't pay our fair share," Harrison said.

It comes as Las Vegas undergoes a shift of its own amid declining tourism.

Despite hardships hitting the popular destination, Harrison previously told Fox News Digital his store experienced record-breaking months in January and February.

RICK HARRISON OF 'PAWN STARS' SAYS GAMBLING ISN'T DYING EVEN AS LAS VEGAS POKER ROOMS CLOSE ONE BY ONE

"You give customers what they want, and they return," he said in an April interview with Fox News Digital. "A lot of the hotels on the Strip... they're not hospitals where you have to go to them. There's choices out there, so they're changing their pricing around."

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"I don't have crazy prices, and that's what [some of the other] casinos need to do," he added. "Some casinos have always been doing that, and that is why they are doing well."

Fox News Digital's Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report.

NASCAR tire carrier saves reporter from runaway pit box before Craftsman Truck Series race

Sat, 16 May 2026 16:23:28 -0400

The NASCAR Cup Series All-Star race is on Sunday at Dover International Speedway, but there was a wild scene on Saturday when one pit crew member put his body on the line to save a reporter in the path of a runaway pit box.

Friday night was the Craftsman Truck Series race, and of course, before the race, teams have to set up their pit boxes.

However, as it was being moved into position, Spire Motorsports went rogue and started barreling toward the pit wall.

People could be seen scrambling to get out of the way, but Donovan Williams, tire carrier for Daniel Suarez's No. 7 team in the Cup Series, tried to stop it from hitting Fox pit reporter Amanda Busick.

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No one was seriously hurt, but Williams did sustain some minor injuries and was taken to the hospital and released overnight, according to Fox Sports.

Now that is just downright heroic.

Unfortunately, this has ruled Williams out of the pit stop challenge that is part of the All-Star weekend festivities, but hopefully, he's on the mend and will be back in action sooner rather than later.

On Saturday afternoon, Busick sent her thanks to Williams in a post on X.

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This just serves as a reminder of why you've always got to be paying attention and aware of your surroundings when you're in the pits.

I've been lucky enough to hang around the pits at a few different races, and it's one of the most electrifying things you can experience. That said, I'm always kind of in awe of how sideways it could go in an instant if you're not paying attention.

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I mean, in this incident at Dover, everyone was paying attention, and it still got dicey.

I'm just glad everyone is going to be okay, and maybe they can throw some brakes on those pit boxes if they don't have them already.

Molly Sims turns heads in orange bikini for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue

Sat, 16 May 2026 16:22:59 -0400

Molly Sims showcased her toned body in the pages of the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit sssue.

The 52-year-old actress and model posed for the iconic magazine for the eighth time in her career, wearing a number of two-piece sets in the photos, including an orange string bikini she wore while posing on a cliff along the ocean.

She also shared a slideshow of photos from inside the magazine on her Instagram, in which she can be seen in a number of different bikinis while posing on the beach.

"If only I could tell the 20-something version of me shooting her first @si_swimsuit issue that she’d still be here at 52… feeling more beautiful and confident in her skin than ever before 🥹Thank you @mj_day and my entire SI family!!! ❤️" she wrote in the caption.

MOLLY SIMS STUNS IN PURPLE FLORAL BIKINI DURING WEEKEND BEACH GETAWAY WITH FRIENDS

The carousel of photos featured Sims in various bikinis of different colors, including a pink one, which she paired with suspenders, and a red suit which featured silver shell embellishments.

One of the photos showed her mixing and matching the colors, wearing a green top with blue bottoms, accessorizing with a blue cropped jacket.

Fans could not get enough of the photos, with one writing, "You look amazing MOLLY!!!! Holy smokesssssss 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥."

"GORGEOUS THEN & NOW inside / out👏🥰," another added, while a third wrote, "More beautiful today then yesterday confident, smart, kind the modern day Wonder Woman."

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"This is such a brave thing to do and it just creates a really safe space for many other women to express themselves after 20❤️," another said.

Sims attended the launch of the 2026 edition at the Hard Rock Hotel New York on Thursday, May 14, where she stunned on the red carpet in a figure-hugging sheer black dress which showed off her toned stomach and legs. She paired the look with gold jewelry, a black clutch and natural makeup.

Also at the event was former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue cover girl Brooks Nader, who first applied for the magazine’s 2019 open casting call and won. She was featured in the 2020 issue as a rookie before going on to land the cover spot.

She is currently in the process of filming the first season of the "Baywatch" reboot, which she stars in alongside Shay Mitchell, Stephen Amell, Noah Beck and others.

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"I feel like I kinda manifested this role with my Sports Illustrated cover," she told Extra TV at the 2026 Fox Upfront. "I was wearing the red one piece and I was like ‘This is so 'Baywatch'’ and lo and behold, here we are."

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UK defense shortfalls highlighted as Britain avoids Iran offensive role amid Trump criticism

Sat, 16 May 2026 16:17:06 -0400

LONDON: The United Kingdom announced Tuesday it will be deploying military assets "as part of a future defensive mission to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."

While the move can be seen as a positive step in repairing relations with the U.S., Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s reluctance to join the U.S. in "Operation Epic Fury" against Iran has still ruffled feathers in Washington — most notably those of President Donald Trump.

Trump has dismissed Starmer as "no Churchill." In a recent interview with Sky News, the president further complained about the lack of British alignment: "When we asked them for help, they were not there. When we needed them, they were not there... And they still aren't there."

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Trump also took aim at the British Navy’s readiness in March, ridiculing the fleet during a White House meeting.

"We had the U.K. say that, 'We'll send'— this is three weeks ago — 'we'll send our aircraft carriers,' which aren't the best aircraft carriers, by the way," Trump said, according to Sky News. "They're toys compared to what we have."

Two recent reports by a leading military expert and a parliamentary committee may, in part, explain why the U.K. didn’t join the war in an offensive measure.

In a report titled, "Iran War Delivers a Tough Lesson in Hard Power to the U.K.," Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), wrote, "The outbreak of a new war in the Middle East has led to questions about the U.K.'s relevance in international affairs. Alongside debates about legality and politics, there are some hard truths about military power and the reality of the readiness of the U.K.'s armed forces."

While the report was written with the war still raging on, Savill stated, "Pressure is growing for the deployment of more U.K. forces to the region and direct involvement in strikes, but the government will need to answer difficult questions about prioritization and the effect that it might be trying to achieve. The consequence is that as much as intent and policy drive U.K. involvement, the practical realities will constrain what the U.K. can do."

Savill added, "On the defensive side, the U.K. has not been idle... [U.K. assets] which also appear to have included some counter-drone units – have been involved in downing Iranian drones while defending Jordan and Iraq."

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Savill wrote that "The challenge for the U.K. is that in the past few years, the commitments and visible presence of U.K. Armed Forces in the region have been shrinking, as a result of the pressure on the military, and a conscious decision to prioritize elsewhere, most recently in the ‘NATO First’ approach of the Strategic Defense Review of 2025."

While the Starmer government has committed to increasing defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, experts warn that this investment may be too late to restore the U.K.’s ability to project power globally in the near term.

John Hemmings, director of the National Security Center at Henry Jackson, told Fox News, "The U.K.’s military capabilities have been systematically underfunded over the past 15 years, with the Spending Review and cuts starting in 2009 and 2010 under Prime Minister David Cameron. The Strategic Defense and Security Review (SDSR) at the time stated that the world was headed in a much more dangerous state, but the fiscal devastation of the 2008 Financial Crisis pushed the Government into a series of cuts that were intended to be short-term. Instead, the Cameron Government sent the U.K.’s armed services into a spiral of terminal decline that has lasted until this day," he said.

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Hemmings added, "Consider the Royal Navy, the U.K.’s premier service and source of great power reach; only 25 out of 63 commissioned vessels are actual fighting ships. This force size is impossible to service Britain’s overseas responsibilities and has seen cuts of 50% in only 30 years. In 1996, there were 22 frigates, 17 submarines, 15 destroyers, and 3 aircraft carriers. Today’s First Sea Lord must attempt to carry out the same duties with seven frigates, 10 submarines, six destroyers, two aircraft carriers. In addition, the U.K. underfunded new capabilities like domestic air and missile defenses and advanced command and control systems."

A second report released last month, by the House of Lords International Relations and Defense Committee titled: ‘Adjusting to new realities: rebalancing the U.K.-U.S. partnership,' presents several key recommendations where it warned of the over-dependence on the U.S. "Although the U.K. has benefited from closely collaborating with the U.S. on defense, this has fostered a dependency culture leading to a decline in U.K. capabilities and loss of U.K. credibility in Washington. The Government should provide a clear and costed pathway to achieving the commitment to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP."

While the Ministry of Defense did not respond to several requests for comment over the state of forces, Fox News Digital recently reported that the U.K. government said it is reversing an attrition rate in the military, stating that total armed forces strength stood at 182,050 personnel as of Jan. 1, 2026, including 136,960 regular troops, an increase from the previous year.

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The government has also pledged what it calls the largest sustained rise in defense spending since the Cold War, with military spending set to reach 2.6% of GDP by 2027, backed by an additional £5 billion (approximately $6.6 billion) this financial year and £270 billion (nearly $360 billion) in defense investment over the course of the current parliament. Britain has also said it aims to raise defense spending to 3% of GDP by the end of the next parliament.

Analysts say while some in the Trump administration see the U.K.’s absence as a betrayal of the special relationship, others may say it is a tough lesson in the limitations of a mid-sized power that has tried to maintain a global footprint on a shrinking budget.

Tom Brady cracks jokes about 'cranky' Bill Belichick, Jets, Eli Manning in motivational commencement speech

Sat, 16 May 2026 16:09:11 -0400

Tom Brady was tapped as the commencement speaker for Georgetown University's business school graduation, and he gave his speech the only way Brady would know how.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion was praised highly by those who spoke before him, prompting Brady to quickly crack a joke seemingly about his former head coach Bill Belichick.

"I don’t do well with compliments. I had a coach for 20 years tell me how sh---y I was every day," Brady said.

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Brady said he was "grateful" to be with the graduates and their loved ones, "even the ones who are [New York] Jets fans."

"Sitting here looking out at this crowd of amazing business majors, I realized something - sports was a very strange way to make a living. People screamed at me all the time, they gambled on my performance, and they celebrated all my failures. One way that sports is a lot like business, though, is that when you do it long enough, your life gets defined by numbers. Twenty-three, that was the number of pro seasons I played. Seven, those were my Super Bowl wins. Three, those were the Super Bowl losses. Damn it, Eli Manning," Brady continued.

The thesis of Brady’s commencement, though, was battling through adversity and never quitting, and the best way for Brady to tell his motivational message was by telling the story of his Super Bowl LI comeback against the Atlanta Falcons.

Brady mentioned the number 99.7, saying if something happens 99.7% of the time, it is a "foregone conclusion." When Brady began to tell the story of the comeback, he warned the audience of potential adult language.

"I was an athlete, so you might feel like you’re in a locker room a little bit," Brady said.

Brady then mentioned how the Falcons had a 99.7% chance of winning the Super Bowl when they led 28-3 late in the third quarter.

"Not exactly how I thought the way things would go when I woke up that morning," he said.

"But you know what? It happens sometimes. You guys are going to see that. You’re going to think you’re better than your competition, you’re going to work really hard and it’s still not going to go the way you want. You’re going to find yourself on the short end of that 99.7% wondering just how the hell you got there."

"Overcoming fear and doubt in the face of those challenges is where you’re going to gain the confidence to make your best choices when things aren’t going the way you want," he continued. "When the odds are stacked against you, when you’re facing your own 28-3 moment, and believe me it’s coming, you have a choice to make: to quit or to fight your a— off.

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"The choice seems pretty obvious, and it’s easier said than done. I mean, why spend all that energy fighting when it’s virtually certain you’ll lose? Why not quit and live to fight another day? Well, sometimes, there isn’t another day. Super Bowl LI, there was no other day… You may only get one chance to impress your boss or land a promotion, or to close a deal or not. So what, then? You better have prepared yourself in advance – to deal with the adversity you’re going to deal with in order to give yourself the best chance to succeed. Down by 25 in the biggest game of my life, do you think I just stumbled randomly into my decision to keep on fighting? The previous 25 years of my life had prepared me for that moment."

"You don’t quit, and you don’t make excuses…" Brady went on. "When the opportunity to do something special presents itself, the people most prepared to meet the challenges will be the ones who have made the most hard choices, who have faced adversity and overcome it. They certainly wouldn’t have won all of their fights, but they never quit… If there was a 99.7% chance at anything, it’s that I would be behind the counter at Ben’s Chili Bowl before I was behind a center in an NFL game. But no one could imagine I’d end my career with seven world championships. Maybe, because none of those people knew that I would never, never quit."

Brady said he had a choice to make while facing his 25-point deficit.

"I said to myself, ‘Don’t be a little b---h. Go out there and fight your a— off. Whether you win or lose, fight to the end.’ At that moment, we had no idea what the outcome of the game would be, but the one thing I’ve learned through sports is the only time you’re sure to lose is when you quit."

Brady also told the graduates they may have to work with people they don’t like, "like guys from Duke," as that will force them to face their own fears and doubts "on the path to being successful in life."

"The odds are your 28-3 moment won’t end in a trophy or a parade. It may not even end in victory. It almost didn’t for us. But that’s not really the point," Brady said. "These are all just momentary tests where failure isn’t final, only quitting is. The choice to fight is an opportunity to succeed, yes, but it’s also your chance to grow and show everyone that while you may be beatable, you are unbreakable…

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"The only thing worse than losing the biggest game of your life is losing respect for yourself along the way."

To end his speech, Brady implored the graduates to surround themselves with people who push them to be their best, "even if one of those people is a cranky old coach who cuts the sleeves off their sweatshirt and screams at you all day."

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Social media reacts to controversial one-punch knockout in boxing match

Sat, 16 May 2026 15:59:46 -0400

A boxer was knocked out within the first five seconds of a bout on Friday, but many fans have red flags up.

Edwin Castillo, 23, lost his fight to Viktor Jurk, 26, in a heavyweight fight on the undercard of Karen Chukhadzhian vs. Paddy Donovan in Germany.

Jurk landed a devastating left hook just as the two met in the middle of the ring, and Castillo went right down to the canvas.

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Jurk was rather nonchalant following the punch as Castillo lay on the floor, prompting an announcer to say the medics should be in the ring.

Medical staff did tend to Castillo as the referee walked away, but fans were quick to notice some oddities in the brief fight.

Jurk was almost immediately called out for duping Castillo into touching the gloves, a sign of respect, at the beginning of the fight. They did touch gloves before the bell rang.

"He was trying to touch gloves and got sucker punchesd (sic)," one user on X wrote.

"He ignored the gentleman tap to put this hook That’s super unfair…" wrote another.

"Looks like guy in the blue trunks put one glove up to tap for like sportsmanship and then when dud in red went to tap blue trunks swung with his other hand," said one more.

However, others thought it was all part of a plan by both fighters.

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"Fake as f---, look at how he put his arm down to break his fall, he should be in the Olympic swimming team with a dive like that," a critic wrote.

One more said, "For the noobs. This is called, 'taking a dive.'"

Others noted that Jurk's punch did not connect solidly on Castillo's head or face. Nonetheless, Castillo stayed on the canvas for well over two minutes.

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In any case, it was the 12th knockout of Jurk's career as he moved to 14-0. Castillo is now 13-3, with all three losses coming in his last four fights.

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Ban on backyard barbecues on certain days in California floated as others push back hard

Sat, 16 May 2026 15:56:43 -0400

A mayoral candidate in California is taking heat this week for proposing that her city ban backyard barbecues on days that carry high wildfire risk.

Nithya Raman is a Democratic Los Angeles City Council member currently challenging Republican Spencer Pratt in the heated race for L.A. mayor.

The Democratic Socialists of America backed both of Raman's earlier city council campaigns, though they declined to endorse her mayoral run.

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Her proposal to ban backyard barbecuing would have also extended to fire pits and restaurants that cook with open flames had Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez not snuffed it out with her own motion to block the ban.

Raman's original public-safety motion included language about "a notice to all residents in Red Flag Warning areas to cease all activities that increase risk of fire, such as the use of outdoor barbecues or fire pits."

Rodriguez fired back at that.

"Having conversations that single out barbecuing in a residential area on a Red Flag day misses the mark, and frankly is tone-deaf, when we know that so many of the fires that are actually impacting neighborhoods have often been derived from other activities that are not being enforced on," she said while introducing an amendment to withdraw Raman’s recommendation.

Red Flag days declared by Los Angeles are when weather conditions carry the high potential for fast-moving brush fires, according to the city's fire department website. The conditions include wind speeds of 25 mph or more and humidity at 15% or less.

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Rodriguez said the proposed barbecue ban would "unfairly target neighborhood gatherings and long-standing community traditions."

She added, "The last thing Angelenos need is a ban on hosting a carne asada in their own backyards." That message was shared in a Facebook post accompanying a video of her amendment speech.

Pratt took advantage of the unpopular policy proposal to light a fire under his own campaign, which has been gaining momentum in recent weeks.

"Come and take it," Pratt wrote in a caption showing a video of himself grilling a huge piece of meat that he posted to social media. "Happy Smoke 4th," he wrote in overlay text on the video.

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Pratt lost his own home more than a year ago in the Pacific Palisades fires that ravaged The Golden State.

The Pratt family was still displaced as of February, according to reports.

"They’re trying to cancel summer in California," social and political commentator Debra Lea said on Fox News' "The Will Cain Show."

Lea pointed out the cause of California’s recent devastating wildfires was not backyard barbecuing but "poor leadership and bad decisions."

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Lightning strikes, faulty power lines and transformers, and poorly managed forests have led to the most devastating California fires in recent years, according to National Review.

The Trump administration has blamed California Gov. Gavin Newsom for the state’s devastation.

"Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way," President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social in January 2025.

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In January 2026, Trump signed an executive order "to cut through bureaucratic red tape and speed up reconstruction in the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon areas one year after devastating wildfires destroyed nearly 40,000 acres of homes and businesses."

It's estimated that some 70% of U.S. households own backyard grills or smokers, according to the most recent publicly available industry reports.

Country star Morgan Wallen walks out with Florida legend Tim Tebow, refuses to Gator chomp

Sat, 16 May 2026 15:55:24 -0400

Country music superstar Morgan Wallen is one of the hottest acts on the planet right now and is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.

His 2026 "Still The Problem" tour has been rolling through the United States and packing seats at every stop, and that wasn't any different when Wallen made it to the Sunshine State.

His first of two shows in Gainesville, Florida, saw the country sensation playing to a sold-out crowd at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium where the Gators play, and speaking of the Rowdy Reptiles, Wallen had to pick someone for his patented walkout to appeal to the droves of students decked out in orange and blue.

Enter Tim Tebow, the two-time national champion and Heisman Trophy winner. As far as picks go, Wallen knocked this one out of the park.

MORGAN WALLEN BOUNCES BACK WITH 'I'M THE PROBLEM' TOUR FOLLOWING CHAIR-THROWING LEGAL DRAMA

When in Rome -- or Gainesville, rather -- right?

Judging by the crowd pop, I'd say Tebow was about as popular a pick as anyone Wallen could have gone with.

The man has a statue outside the very stadium where the concert was held, for crying out loud, so it's safe to say Mr. Whiskey Glasses did his homework when choosing his walking buddy.

While he nailed it with the Tebow selection, Wallen wasn't ready to fully ingratiate himself with the Florida faithful.

During their walkout, Tebow performed multiple Gator Chomps to fire the crowd up even more, but when he implored Wallen to join him, the multi-platinum singer respectfully turned him down.

That shouldn't surprise anyone who is familiar with Wallen, who is an East Tennessee native and noted Volunteers supporter.

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Any guy who writes a song called "Tennessee Fan" probably won't be caught dead doing the Gator Chomp, so I can't say I blame him.

It will be interesting to see who Wallen taps as his walking mate on night two of his stay in Gainesville.

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Rumor has it that Steve Spurrier could be the favorite, which would be hilarious given Spurrier's history of tormenting the Vols.

Regardless, it's nice to see a Vol and a Gator being so chummy with each other. A rare sight indeed.

Shirtless Cardinals fans take over empty section in electric scene during walk-off win over the Royals

Sat, 16 May 2026 15:46:58 -0400

You never know what you are going to see at the ballpark.

During the ninth inning of the St. Louis Cardinals' 5-4 win over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night at Busch Stadium, fans started migrating to an empty section in right field and took their shirts off.

The game was tied 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning when the group of fans made their way to the empty section. About 100 fans first started the movement, and as the game went to extra innings, the entire section was packed with shirtless fans, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

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Caleb Cummings, a 20-year-old on the Stephen F. Austin club baseball team, came up with the idea.

"I looked at my buddy and said, ‘What if we go up there to right field bleachers and start waving our shirts?" Cummings told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "They're like, ‘You know what, that's a good idea.’ We had no intentions of it getting that big — we were just going out there to have fun. We got up there, and we're all standing there, and we're like, ‘Who's gonna do it first?’"

Bryce Bradford was the first to remove his shirt and wave it around, and it quickly drew a crowd.

"He started waving it and going crazy," Cummings said. "So then it just spread, and then there are a few kids in the section next to us who came to join. And soon, I see people from the ages of like 80 years old to kids doing it. Dads coming over with their kids, running over with their shirts off."

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When Yohel Pozo smacked a pinch-hit line drive on a 100 mph fastball to win the game in the bottom of the 11th inning, the shirtless crew in the right-field stands went ballistic. It was the Cardinals' fourth walk-off win of the season.

Cardinals manager Olli Marmol opened his postgame news conference with praise for the energy the shirtless fans brought.

"Whoever started that in right field, I'll do whatever I need to do to make sure they come to every game," Marmol said. "Because that was awesome. Not only them, but everybody that showed up today. That was a fun environment."

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The manager said the fans had a real impact on the game.

"It creates an environment where, it’s not only filling this place up, it’s making it a tough place for other teams to come in and play," Marmol said. "That was pretty damn cool. I’ll sign up for that, any day."

The Cardinals (26-18) will look to keep their momentum rolling when they play the Royals (19-26) again in the second game of a three-game series on Saturday.

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Watch out: The hole locations for PGA Championship round three are absolutely diabolical

Sat, 16 May 2026 15:37:20 -0400

There’s been a lot of talk about the pin locations at this year’s PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. The windy conditions have made the course difficult enough. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler called Friday's pin locations for round 2, "kind of absurd" and "the hardest set of pin locations that I've seen since I've been on Tour."

It seems the greenskeepers and superintendent pulled a Michael Jordan and took those comments personally. Today’s pin locations are some of the most difficult, diabolical, insane, and any synonym of the word crazy you can think of.

The PGA Championship’s official X account shared the pin location for Saturday’s round 3 and they are wild. Just take a look at holes 8 and 12. What a nightmare.

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ESPN, one of the broadcast partners of the PGA Championship and before Saturday’s round, and Ken Brown walked the audience through the difficulty of the 8th green. "It’s a huge green. It’s like Wrigley Field, but they missed most of it," Brown explained while walking the green and showcasing with small cones the minuscule circumference of the flat area around the hole. "I do not know how you can get close to [the hole]."

Brown went on to say that the surface area that players would be expected to hit without the ball rolling off is equivalent to a "postage stamp" comparing it to the 15th hole at Augusta National Golf Club where The Masters is held every year.

And in an unsurprising move, Rory McIlroy, who seems to love to complain any chance he can get, seemingly threw the groundskeepers under the bus after round 2 claiming, "I think a bunched leaderboard like this, I think it's a sign of a not-great setup."

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No matter what the players think of the pin locations and overall course setup, these guys will need a little bit of good luck the rest of the way, because I don’t think the constant complaining and shade thrown will make the setup crew want to make things easier on them.

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Best of luck, fellas. You’re gonna need it.

Firefighter killed in massive lumber mill explosion in Maine; at least 10 injured

Fri, 15 May 2026 14:22:02 -0400

One firefighter was killed and at least 10 others were injured in a fiery explosion Friday morning at a lumber mill in Maine.

The fallen firefighter was identified as Andrew Cross, 27, with the Morrill Fire Department, News Center Maine reported.

He was honorably transferred Saturday morning from the local medical examiner's office to a funeral home.

The fire broke out in Searsmont just after 10 a.m. Friday. The Thorndike Fire Department said multiple firefighters and civilians sustained injuries, and fire trucks were destroyed by the flames.

Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss told News Center Maine several other victims were taken to the hospital in critical condition.

One of those injured was identified as Northport Maine Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Katherine Paige.

MAINE STUDENT PASSES OUT, 11 TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AS CAUSE OF ILLNESSES REMAINS UNKNOWN

Maine State Fire Marshal Shawn Esler said during a news conference that it was mostly volunteer firefighters battling the blaze.

"I walked up to this very chaotic scene initially, and not because of the efforts of the first responders, but because of the magnitude of the fire involvement and the amount of sheer buildings that were on fire, faced with the limited resources the fire departments had," Esler said. "… I saw everybody working hand-in-hand to pull hose lines, to move apparatus, and to put water on the fire. I also saw members from state police, forest service and a bunch of various state agencies lending a hand wherever they could."

Camden Fire & Rescue confirmed it has a crew providing assistance.

"Our thoughts are with the injured, medical professionals providing care and first responders working to control the situation," the department wrote in a statement on Facebook. "We anticipate having personnel committed to helping for several days."

SMALL PLANE CRASHES INTO OHIO HOME KILLING TWO ON BOARD, IGNITING BLAZE IN RESIDENTIAL AREA

Ben Hamel, the mill's purchasing manager, told the Bangor Daily News that the fire started in an area where wood shavings are packaged. The fire then spread to a nearby dust silo, which exploded.

The cause of the fire has not yet been released.

A trooper at the scene told bystanders there was a "major fuel leak" and urged them to move away from the area, according to the outlet.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills posted on X noting she has been briefed on the unfolding situation.

"I urge folks to stay clear of the area, follow the instructions of law enforcement, and allow emergency personnel to respond," Mills wrote in a statement on X. "I ask Maine people to join me in keeping all those affected in their thoughts."

She arrived at the scene Friday night.

Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, added he is "praying for the safety and well-being of first responders and everyone else on-site."

"I’m aware of the fire and explosion in Searsmont," Golden wrote in a post on X. "I ask locals to follow law enforcement instructions, and to look to official channels and trusted sources for more information as it becomes available."

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Searsmont is a small rural town about 90 minutes northeast of Portland, and about four hours north of Boston.

Maine State Police and the Augusta Fire Department did not immediately respond to additional inquiries from Fox News Digital.

Former MMA fighter dead after saving four girls from strong current at one of world’s deepest lakes: report

Sat, 16 May 2026 15:11:25 -0400

A former mixed martial artist died after saving four girls from a strong current, according to reports.

Medet Zheenaliev, 30, spotted four girls swimming in Lake Issyk-Kul in his home country of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday, and one of them was reportedly pulled under the current.

Zheenaliev and a friend went into the water to save the girls, but the fighter never resurfaced, according to The Sun.

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Divers found his body the next day.

FATHER DIES TRYING TO SAVE 7-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AFTER GIANT WAVE SWEEPS HER OUT TO SEA AT CALIFORNIA BEACH

The lake is the ninth-deepest in the world, reaching a depth of 2,192 feet.

Zheenaliev had four professional fights, splitting them even with two wins and two losses. His debut was a victory over Vladimir Kravchuk on Sept. 23, 2017, in Fightpro's Battle for the Belt in Moscow. Zheenaliev earned the victory with an armbar submission 2:08 into the fight.

At the Battle on Volga 3 six months later, he defeated Shamil Temirkhanov in a first-round knockout.

He did not have the same success in his final two fights, tapping out to a rear-naked choke in the second round against Akhmadkhan Bokov at the Road to M-1 on April 7, 2018.

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He then took a nearly 17-month hiatus and fought Makkasharip Zaynukov at GFC 16, but doctors stopped the fight after round one and gave Zaynukov the victory.

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‘Bewitched’ actress Erin Murphy reunites with former child stars in nostalgic Hollywood photo

Sat, 16 May 2026 10:00:55 -0400

With a little TV magic, Erin Murphy is stirring up nostalgia.

The former child star, who played Tabitha on the TV sitcom "Bewitched," recently attended a luncheon in California, where she reunited with several fellow former child stars.

"Sitting at the 'kid's table,'" the 61-year-old captioned the photo on social media. "You might recognize a few familiar faces."

‘BEWITCHED’ STAR WAS ‘FINANCIALLY DESTITUTE,’ FORCED TO CLEAN TOILETS AFTER ON-SET INJURY: AUTHOR

The photo featured Murphy sitting alongside Sandy Schwartz ("The Partridge Family"), Mason Reese ('70s Underwood Deviled Ham commercials), Scott Schwartz ("A Christmas Story"), Johnny Whitaker ("Family Affair"), Steven Wishnoff ("Saturday Night Live") and Moosie Drier ("Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In").

Whitaker, 66, also shared the photo with the caption, "Thought some of you might be interested that I had a great luncheon today with some of my childhood besties."

"Hope it won’t take 6 years for another one," the actor added.

WATCH: 'BEWITCHED' ALUM ERIN MURPHY EXPLAINS REASONING BEHIND HER VIRAL MAKEUP-FREE SELFIE

Murphy previously told Fox News Digital that she and her former child star pals all had a "weird shared experience."

"I mean, there is such a small segment of the population who've had those experiences about, you know, going on auditions and working 12-hour days and kind of being famous, so everyone knew who we were," she said. "So when you meet someone who's a former kid actor, you immediately are bonded to them because it's a life experience that most people don't understand."

Murphy said she’s friends with everyone from the actors who played the children on "The Brady Bunch" to "The Waltons" and "Little House on the Prairie."

"We kind of have this secret group that we're all in, so I'm friends with all of them," she admitted. "And if you name a kid actor from, you know, the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, I would probably say that I know them."

Murphy added that she and friend Maureen McCormick, who played Marcia on "The Brady Bunch," also have another special connection.

"She has a brother who has special needs, and I have a son with special needs, so we are bonded over that as well," she explained.

Murphy started portraying Tabitha just before she turned two and stayed on until the show's final eighth season, leaving when she was eight.

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Whitaker also previously spoke to Fox News Digital about his struggles with addiction after fame. He described how, at age 16, he attended parties in Hollywood where he was exposed to drugs and alcohol. It quickly took over his life.

"I had a family intervention," he recalled. "It was extremely embarrassing, and I was very upset. I signed this contract that my brother gave me, but I didn’t stop. When you’re an addict, you don’t like to admit there’s a problem. You're not just going to suddenly stop. But I believe that every addict and alcoholic knows that they have a problem."

It wouldn’t be until 12 days later that Whitaker had "an a-ha moment, a God shot." The drugs no longer had the same effect he was yearning for. And on Sept. 25, 1997, he decided to finally get help. His faith in God also gave him a newfound purpose to get sober, he said.

"I had to make that decision on my own," he said. "To have a successful childhood, you need to choose the right peers. Most of my peers were 20, 25, 30 years older than me. My peers were chosen for me. And when you’re in an environment where drinking and using drugs are acceptable, it becomes acceptable to you."

"You don’t think there’s anything wrong with using and drinking," said Whitaker. "When I was drinking, I could drink almost anybody under the table without getting too crazy. And to some extent, I didn’t always fit in. Those were just some of the reasons that I became an addict, an alcoholic. I wanted to fit in."

Whitaker said he resorted to drinking after his marriage ended in 1988.

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Today, Whitaker said he's found peace through sobriety and faith. Looking back at his Hollywood years, Whitaker said that if he had to do it all over again, he would, "to a certain extent."

"I wouldn’t have learned the things that I’ve learned," he shared. "But I always laugh about one big difference. I was making four Walt Disney movies in 1971. A peer of mine told me, ‘Disney is giving away stock options.’ I had no idea what a stock option was, but I proceeded to tell my mom and dad."

"I said, ‘Why don’t we take half of the money that I get from the next Disney film and put it into Disney stock? Disney could then pay us back that same amount? At the time, Disney stock was 99 cents a share. I would’ve purchased 15,000 shares of Disney stock in 1971. Today, that Disney stock would be worth about $50 million."

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"That’s unfortunate," he laughed. "I don’t have $50 million, but I’m still very blessed."

Fox News Digital’s Brie Stimson contributed to this report.

Protesters demand New York Times retract controversial 'dog rape' article, fire Nicholas Kristof

Sat, 16 May 2026 15:00:33 -0400

NEW YORK – Protesters gathered Thursday outside The New York Times building in New York City expressing outrage over an opinion piece by liberal columnist Nicholas Kristof that contained allegations of serial sexual abuse by Israelis against Palestinian detainees.

The article featured the testimony of men and women who alleged "brutal sexual abuse at the hands of Israel’s prison guards, soldiers, settlers and interrogators." The article mentioned several claims, including that Palestinians "had their genitals yanked or were beaten on the testicles," "some men had to have their testicles amputated by doctors," and metal batons were used to rape men. Kristof also said a Gaza journalist claimed he was "mounted" by a dog before adding that "Other Palestinian prisoners and human rights monitors have also cited reports of police dogs being coached to rape prisoners."

The article drew backlash from readers and the Israeli government, which has threatened a lawsuit against The Times. Some commentators called the article into question, noting that several figures whom Kristof interviewed had ties to Hamas or anti-Israel activism.

The article quickly became a flashpoint and the controversy spilled into the streets on Thursday as protesters called for a retraction and even for Kristof's firing.

ISRAEL FOREIGN MINISTRY CONDEMNS NEW YORK TIMES PIECE AS 'ONE OF THE WORST BLOOD LIBELS' IN MODERN PRESS

Protesters stood inside NYPD barricades holding signs that read "Shame on The New York Times for publishing anti-Zionist libels" and "The New York Times: All the blood libel that's fit to print." They chanted and called for a retraction of the piece. Many were carrying Israeli and American flags and some had flags that were a combination of the two.

The protest took place just two days after the article was published. Ramon Maislen told Fox News Digital that the idea of holding a protest outside the newspaper's headquarters came together quickly. The planning came together over WhatsApp, according to Maislen.

NEW YORK TIMES DEFENDS CONTROVERSIAL ANTI-ISRAEL PIECE, 'NO TRUTH' TO RETRACTION CLAIMS

"The group came together and in 48 hours we are making this happen," he said. "I think it's really important because we've got to get the word out that when you create libel against people, it ends up having violence against them, and we're trying to avoid that."

The protesters were not only upset with the content of the article, but with its timing, saying that it was meant to upstage a report on the sexual abuse experienced by Oct. 7 victims. One of the protest organizers, Jayne Zirkle, who serves as the Director of Communications and Outreach for The Lawfare Project, echoed that sentiment to Fox News Digital.

"They published a slanderous article against Israel, and they did this just a day before the October 7th rape report came out," Zirkle said. "They want to take away from the horrible sexual abuse that the October 7th victims endured, and we are demanding retraction. We're demanding better journalism."

Adam Louis-Klein, founder of the Movement Against Anti-Zionism, argued that the article painted Israelis as uniquely barbaric and endangered Jews globally.

"It's a racist, defamatory libel. It's meant to make all Israelis look evil and bestial," Louis-Klein said.

Zach Sage Fox, a pro-Israel influencer who spoke at the protest, accused Kristof of relying on "Hamas sources and propaganda to the point of insanity."

"They actually have to make up blood libels from the medieval times to paint a picture of the Jews," Fox told Fox News Digital. He said that even if the piece were to be retracted, the claims had gone so viral that it almost wouldn't matter.

ISRAELI PM NETANYAHU INITIATING DEFAMATION LAWSUIT AGAINST NEW YORK TIMES OVER CONTROVERSIAL 'DOG RAPE' STORY

Fox also said The Times' minimized the Holocaust when it was actively occurring. In 2001, as The Times celebrated its 150th birthday, its former Executive Editor Max Frankel called the paper's handling of coverage on the Holocaust "the century's bitterest journalistic failure."

"History repeats itself, and now, it's reposting itself," Fox said. He added that the paper should "fire Kristof immediately" as well as "anyone else who was a part of this approval process."

The Times did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment, but the paper has put out multiple statements defending the piece. Charlie Stadtlander, a spokesperson for The Times, has defended Kristof's work and said it was "backed by independent studies," and also rejected the notion that the article would be retracted.

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In a subsequent statement, The Times said Kristof relied on "on-the-record accounts" and cited "several analyses documenting the practice of sexual violence and abuse conducted by various parts of Israel's security forces and settlers."

Kristof acknowledged in his article that there "is no evidence that Israeli leaders order rapes." He has repeatedly defended his work online, including the controversial portion about dogs committing sexual assaults.

Canine behavior expert Michael S. Gould told National Review that the idea of training dogs to rape prisoners was "absurd."

"I’ve trained dogs to do a lot of things in my life. But no, that’s absurd," Gould said. "It’s absurd for many reasons: the sexual instincts of dogs, their anatomy, the actual physical concept of it."

2026 Preakness Stakes post positions, morning-line odds, picks: Three horses to bet at Laurel Park

Sat, 16 May 2026 14:59:13 -0400

For a second straight year, the Kentucky Derby champion, Golden Tempo, has opted out of the 2026 Preakness Stakes, so there won’t be a Triple Crown winner.

Rather than run in the Preakness, Golden Tempo’s connections are pointing their thoroughbred toward the Belmont Stakes at the Saratoga Racetrack next month.

The second jewel of the Triple Crown is relocating in-state (Maryland) to Laurel Park while the Preakness’s traditional track, the Pimlico Race Course, goes through renovations.

GOLDEN TEMPO TO SKIP PREAKNESS STAKES, ENDING TRIPLE CROWN BID AS TRAINER CITES LONG-TERM HEALTH

Iron Honor, the 9-2 morning-line favorite, will race 13 rivals on Laurel Park’s one-and-three-sixteenth-mile dirt track Saturday, May 16, for a $2 million purse.

While Golden Tempo's absence shifts the Triple Crown outlook, the 14-horse field at Laurel Park offers excellent value. Here is the recommended wagering strategy for the 2026 Preakness Stakes.

2026 Preakness Stakes Bet Slip

$10 to Win on #1 Taj Mahal.
$10 to Win/Place on #2 Ocelli ($20 total bet).
$10 to Win/Place on #10 Napoleon Solo ($20 total bet).
$1 Trifecta Box 1,2,10 ($6 total bet).

#1 Taj Mahal (5-1)

Talk about a horse for the course; Taj Mahal is a perfect 3-for-3 in his career, with all three wins coming at Laurel Park. He’s run a faster Beyer speed figure and a longer distance all three times out. Taj Mahal is tied for the second-fastest "early speed" in this race and starts on the rail.

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#2 Ocelli (6-1)

This could be a great setup for Ocelli. He is one of the three "closing" horses in this field and has run a faster Beyer in four consecutive races. If there is a "pace melt" in the Preakness, he could chase down the leaders on the final stretch.

His 94 at the Kentucky Derby is the third-fastest speed figure in this race. The Whitworth Beckman trainee proved he is fit for the longer distance when he finished third in the Kentucky Derby a few weeks ago. Ocelli looks good in training with three straight blazing-fast workouts leading into the Preakness.

#10 Napoleon Solo (9-1)

A disappointing start to his 3-year-old season with two fifth-place finishes at the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth and Grade 2 Wood Memorial. But Napoleon was 2-for-2 as a 2-year-old in New York.

He broke his maiden at Saratoga with a 5.25-length win on debut, and he backed it up with a 6.5-length win at the Grade 1 Champagne at Aqueduct last year.

Napoleon’s Champagne win earned a 95 Beyer, tied for the fastest in this race. If he can regain the speed from his 2-year-old season, Napoleon can hit the board at the Preakness.

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_____________________________

Follow me on X @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my OutKick Bets Podcast for more betting content and random rants.

License plate cameras at Home Depot and Lowe’s spark privacy fears

Sat, 16 May 2026 14:52:32 -0400

You pull into a Home Depot or Lowe's parking lot to grab mulch, paint or a new patio chair. You probably expect security cameras near the entrance. What you may not expect is a camera that captures your license plate as you drive in or out.

That is now reportedly happening at some Home Depot and Lowe's stores in Connecticut. The cameras are automated license plate readers, also known as ALPRs. They photograph the back of a vehicle, record the plate number and log details such as time and location.

Retailers say the systems help prevent theft and protect customers and employees. Police say the cameras can help solve crimes. However, privacy advocates worry that shoppers may have little idea when their plate is being scanned or who can later search that data.

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WASHINGTON COURT SAYS FLOCK CAMERA IMAGES ARE PUBLIC RECORDS

What are license plate cameras?

Automated license plate readers use cameras and software to capture plate numbers from passing vehicles. Police departments often use them on roads to look for stolen cars, missing vehicles or suspects tied to active investigations.

Now, similar systems are showing up in retail parking lots. In Connecticut, Flock Safety cameras have been installed at some Home Depot and Lowe's locations. Flock Safety's license plate reader technology captures vehicle information, including license plates and vehicle characteristics such as make, model and color on the property. The company said its system does not use facial recognition.

That means a quick trip to Home Depot or Lowe's could create a searchable data point tied to your vehicle. Also, more than two dozen police departments in the state use automated plate readers.

Why are stores using license plate readers?

Home Depot and Lowe's say the cameras are used for security, theft prevention and public safety.

In a statement to CyberGuy, a Home Depot spokesperson said, "We've had parking area security cameras in place at our stores for many years, as many retailers do. These cameras are used solely as a security measure to prevent theft and protect the safety of our customers and associates in our stores. We do not grant access to our license plate readers to federal law enforcement." Home Depot also points customers to its usage policy posted on its website.

Home Depot's statement addresses federal law enforcement access, but questions remain about how local or out-of-state police requests are handled.

Lowe's privacy policy says personal information collected through ALPRs may be used to help ensure security, prevent theft and fraud, assist with parking enforcement and help keep people and property safe.

That may sound reasonable, especially with organized retail theft making headlines. Still, the bigger question is what happens after your plate gets scanned.

10 SIGNS YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS BEING SOLD ONLINE

Can police access store license plate data?

Yes, in some cases. Police officials say law enforcement can access data from Lowe's and Home Depot license plate cameras in Connecticut. Some local departments have also entered into written agreements with retailers to receive automatic or continuous access to cameras at certain stores.

When Flock Safety cameras are deployed by private businesses, the data is owned and controlled by the business or organization using the system. The company says data sharing is off by default, and any decision to share data requires an active choice by the data owner. Flock also says every search is permanently logged in an immutable audit trail. That means police access isn’t simply automatic through Flock. It depends on whether the business chooses to share access, how that access is granted and which agencies are approved.

That is where the privacy debate gets tricky. Connecticut recently passed new rules for police use of automated license plate readers. The law limits how police can share plate data with out-of-state agencies, adds data retention rules and prohibits use of the systems for immigration enforcement.

MICROSOFT CROSSES PRIVACY LINE FEW EXPECTED

However, the law focuses on public agencies. It does not directly address private companies that use similar cameras in their parking lots. That means a police-owned camera on a road may face one set of rules, while a retailer-owned camera in a store parking lot may fall into a murkier category. Private retailers also do not have the same public disclosure requirements as police departments.

So shoppers may not know which local or out-of-state agencies have access, how often police search the data or what happens when requests cross state lines. That's the bigger concern. The issue isn’t only that your plate may be scanned. It is that the rules may depend on who owns the camera.

How to protect your privacy around license plate cameras

You cannot fully stop a camera from seeing your license plate when you drive in public. However, you can take a few practical steps.

Look for posted notices

Check for signs near parking lot entrances or store exits. Some retailers may disclose the use of license plate readers on signs, store websites or privacy policies.

Read the store's privacy policy

Search the retailer's privacy policy for phrases such as "automated license plate reader," "ALPR," "vehicle information," or "license plate." That can help you understand what data the company says it collects and why.

Ask how your plate data is used

Contact customer service if you want clearer answers. Ask how long the company keeps license plate data, which agencies can access it and how requests from law enforcement are reviewed. Flock Safety data is automatically deleted after 30 days by default. Shoppers can still ask whether a retailer uses the default setting or a different retention policy.

Watch what lawmakers do next

Pay attention to local and state rules. More states are looking closely at license plate reader data, but private use may still fall behind police regulation.

Why this debate is only getting bigger

Retailers want tools that help stop theft. Police want information that can help with investigations. Those goals are not hard to understand.

The problem is transparency. People should know when their movements are being logged, how long that data lasts and who can search it later.

License plate readers are spreading because they are useful. However, useful technology still needs clear rules. Without them, a simple shopping trip can become another piece of location data sitting in a database most people never knew existed.

What this means for you

This does not mean you need to avoid Home Depot or Lowe's. It does mean some retail parking lots may collect more information than you realize. Your license plate is already visible in public. But automated scanning changes the equation. A person spotting your plate in a parking lot is one thing. A searchable database that logs when and where your vehicle appeared is very different. The concern comes down to control and transparency.

The rules can vary depending on who owns the camera, who manages the data and who gets access. A local police camera may face public reporting rules. A private retailer's system can still leave shoppers with questions about which agencies received access and how those decisions were made.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com

Kurt's key takeaways

License plate cameras at stores create a privacy tradeoff that none of us signed up for. On one hand, stores want to stop theft and keep parking lots safer. That makes sense. On the other hand, you may not expect your license plate to be logged just because you ran in for mulch, batteries or a new drill bit. That is why transparency is so important. If private companies are collecting this kind of data and police can access it, you deserve to know how long it is kept, who can search it and what rules are in place. Security can be useful, but it should not come with a guessing game about where your information goes next.

Would you still shop at a store if you knew your license plate was being scanned and potentially shared with police? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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What a scammer sees the moment they Google your name

Sat, 16 May 2026 14:48:07 -0400

Google your name right now. Not on a people-finder site. Not through a data broker. Just Google. Plain search bar, your full name, nothing else. What shows up in the first 10 results may make your stomach drop.

Your LinkedIn page. A Facebook profile. An address from a people-search site that Google indexed and ranked on page one. A photo from a community event you forgot you attended. A relative's obituary that mentions your name and theirs.

You didn't post most of it. You didn't agree to have it all pulled together. But there it is, sitting on the first page of search results and available to anyone with a Wi-Fi connection and a few minutes to spare. That's not just your Google search. It's a scammer's research session. And here's what they do with it.

INSIDE A SCAMMER’S DAY AND HOW THEY TARGET YOU

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First: See how much of your information is already out there

Before we walk through exactly what a scammer finds, take 30 seconds to run a free personal data exposure scan. It searches the sites scammers use most and shows you what's already public: your name, address, phone number, relatives and financial signals. Most people are genuinely shocked by what comes back.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com/FreeScan

Step 1: They type your name and Google hands them your life

A scammer doesn't need hacking skills or paid subscriptions to get started. They open Google, type your name, and start reading.

Within 60 seconds, the first page typically delivers:

Your LinkedIn profile: employer, job title, career history, and location
Your Facebook page: profile photos, cover photos, tagged posts, and sometimes publicly listed family members
Local news mentions: awards, charity events, school board minutes, and letters to the editor
Real estate and property records: your home address, purchase price and estimated current value
Court and public record listings: visible on sites like CourtListener, Justia or your county's own public database
People-search results: sites like Spokeo and Whitepages that Google indexes and may rank high.

None of this required a paid subscription. None of it required a hack. Google found it, indexed it, and ranked it, right at the top. That's the seed. From here, everything else grows.

SCAMS THAT AREN'T ILLEGAL (BUT SHOULD BE)

Step 2: They refine the search and the profile gets personal fast

Here's what most people don't realize about Google: it can be used as a precision targeting tool. Scammers know how to search your name combined with your city, your employer, your relatives' names, or specific document types, pulling up PDFs of HOA filings, church bulletins, nonprofit board minutes and medical conference attendee lists that most people have completely forgotten exist.

What they're assembling in real time looks something like this:

Patricia Anne Holloway | Age: 64 | Tampa, FL
Current address: [your street]
Previous addresses: 3 found
Relatives: Daughter, Jennifer - Austin, TX. Mother, Dorothy - lives alone, Phoenix, AZ
Employer: Hillsborough County School District (retired 2021)
Property: Owned, estimated value $340,000, mortgage paid off

That took them under five minutes. And they haven't left Google yet.

Step 3: They use Google Images to find your face — and your family

Most people think of Google Images as a way to search for photos. Scammers use it the other way around: they search for you. When they pull up your name in Google Images, they often find photos from public Facebook posts, event sites, school directories, church newsletters, or local news, including images Google cached before you ever thought to delete them.

Once they have your face, they can cross-reference it across platforms using reverse image search. And once they find photos that tag your family members, they know exactly who belongs to whom.

Your daughter's name, your elderly mother's city and your grandson's university may all show up in one search. From there, the impersonation call can come later, because the research starts here.

FTC data released in April 2026 shows how big this problem has become. In 2025, nearly 30% of people who reported losing money to a scam said it started on social media, with reported losses reaching $2.1 billion. The FTC also warns that scammers use what is in your profile to build a connection before they ask for money. That is what makes these scams feel so personal. The pitch may come later, but the research can start with a simple search of your name.

Step 4: They find your elderly relatives and shift their focus

Here's where it stops being about you and starts being about the people around you. Data broker profiles — the kind Google indexes and ranks on your first page — don't just list you. They list your household and family network. Your elderly parent's name and city. Your adult children's addresses. Their phone numbers.

When a scammer sees that your 76-year-old mother lives alone in Phoenix, the target shifts. They call her. They already know your name, your voice type, and enough family detail to sound exactly like you. "Mom, it's Patricia. I'm in trouble. I need you not to tell anyone, just help me."

That's not a random grandparent scam. That's a targeted operation built from your Google results. According to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) data analyzed Internet Crime Complaint Center data analyzed by Incogni's own research team, more than 72% of all crimes reported by Americans over 60 in 2024 were either directly facilitated or made significantly worse by the availability of personal data online. Let that sink in. More than 82,000 elder fraud complaints in a single year. Not from hacks. From Google searches and the data broker sites that Google indexes. Your mother didn't put her information online. But yours was there, and it led them straight to her.

NEW GOOGLE TOOL MAKES REMOVING PERSONAL INFORMATION EASIER

Step 5: They automate it and you become one of thousands

Manual research is just the first pass. Once scammers confirm you're a viable target, they can do the same thing over and over. Tools built for legitimate cybersecurity investigators, like Maltego, can pull together what Google, LinkedIn and public records reveal about a person and show it on a relationship map. Connections, addresses, family members and employers can be assembled fast.

Criminal operations can also use automated tools to search Google, scrape public pages and check data broker platforms in huge batches. What took a careful researcher 10 minutes can now take a machine seconds.

A February 2026 congressional report estimated that identity theft tied to just four major data broker breaches cost U.S. consumers more than $20 billion. In other words, your personal information isn’t just sitting online one piece at a time. It can be collected, packaged, breached, sold and reused against people over and over again. That is how one search can turn into thousands of targets.

But I'm careful online. I don't post much

This is the part that surprises almost everyone.

You don't have to post anything for this information to be online. Data brokers pull your details from:

voter registration records
property tax filings
court documents
loyalty program memberships
marketing surveys you filled out years ago
phone directories
other data brokers.

You never signed up for Spokeo. You've never heard of Intelius. But your profile is almost certainly there, and Google is ranking it.

Even people who have never had a social media account in their lives have been found on the first page of their own name search. Because the source isn't their behavior. It's public records that have existed for decades, now digitized, indexed, and searchable in seconds.

Step 6: They make contact and it feels nothing like a scam

By the time your phone rings, they know:

Your full name and age
Your home addresses, current and previous
The names, locations and rough ages of your closest relatives
Your home's value and whether your mortgage is paid off
Enough answers to pass your bank's security questions.

The call they make isn't cold. It's warm. It's specific. It uses your family's real names, your real city, details that feel like only someone who knows you could know. That's why it works. That's why the IC3 recorded more than $20 billion in fraud losses in 2025, a record. These aren't clumsy scams. They're personalized operations built on research that cost the scammer nothing. And the raw material for that research is sitting on the first page of a Google search of your name.

HOW SCAMMERS TARGET YOU EVEN WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA

Here's the real problem — and why Google settings alone won't fix it

Google has a tool called "Results About You" that lets you request the removal of certain personal information from search results. It's worth using. But it only hides the link. It doesn't touch the underlying data broker profile.

Anyone who knows how to go directly to Spokeo, Whitepages, or BeenVerified skips Google entirely and finds everything anyway. And data brokers refresh their databases constantly. Even if you remove your information today, it can quietly reappear within months, pulled fresh from the same public record sources.

There's no single settings menu to turn this off. And doing it manually — finding every broker, submitting every opt-out form, rechecking every few months — takes hours. Then hours again. Then hours again when it reappears.

Two things to do before removing your information

Before you start cleaning up data broker sites, take these two steps. They will show you what scammers can already find and help you lock down details they may try to use against you.

1) Search yourself the way a scammer would

Google your full name. Then search your name plus your city, your phone number and the names of close family members. Screenshot what you find. That gives you a baseline of what anyone can see about you today.

2) Change your security questions

If your bank still uses questions like "mother's maiden name," "city you were born in," or "father's middle name," those answers may already be sitting on a data broker site that Google has indexed. Switch to nonsense answers only you know, and store them in a password manager. Then deal with the source. Google may be showing the results, but data brokers are often where the information lives. That's where the next cleanup step comes in.

How to remove your personal information from data broker sites

That's exactly why a data removal service can help. These services send removal requests to data brokers and people-search sites on your behalf, including many of the sites Google may be ranking near the top of your name search. Some also continue monitoring those sites and resubmit requests when your information reappears. Because it often does.

You can also do this manually by going to each data broker site, finding its opt-out page and submitting a removal request yourself. The problem is that the process can take hours, and it usually has to be repeated. Data brokers refresh their databases often, which means your name, address, phone number and relatives may show up again months later.

If you use a data removal service, consider adding close family members too. The scam that starts with a Google search of your name may end with a call to your elderly parent or a text to your adult child. Protecting yourself without protecting the people around you leaves a lot of exposure.

You can also run a free exposure scan from a reputable data removal company to see where your personal information is appearing online. The key is to deal with the source. Google may be showing the results, but data brokers are often where the information lives. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Kurt's key takeaways

A scammer does not need to hack you to learn a lot about your life. A simple Google search can reveal enough personal details to make a fake call, text or email feel real. That is why it is worth searching your own name and seeing what comes up. Google may be showing the results, but data brokers are often where the information lives. The less scammers can find, the harder it is for them to target you or the people you love.

What surprised you most when you searched your own name online? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Second FDA executive departing organization in less than a week as top drug regulator claims she was fired

Sat, 16 May 2026 14:37:14 -0400

Dr. Tracy Beth Høeg, former acting director of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), became the second high-ranking official to depart the FDA this week after claiming she was fired Friday.

Høeg's departure came after that of former FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, who publicly resigned Tuesday after rumors that President Donald Trump was unhappy with him swirled for days.

Høeg, who worked closely with Makary on regulating drugs before being elevated to CDER head in December, claimed she was forced out.

TRUMP'S FDA BOSS RESIGNING AS ADMIN TAPS NEXT ACTING LEADER

"I said I didn’t want to resign," Høeg told MD Reports in an interview published Friday. "I said I’m not signing a letter of resignation if it’s not my choice."

"They made it clear that it wasn’t their decision," she told the outlet. "They said it was from someone above them, from someone way above their pay grade."

TRUMP FDA OVERHAULS COVID-19 VACCINE APPROVAL TO FOCUS ON OLDER POPULATIONS, HIGH-RISK INDIVIDUALS

Høeg will be replaced by her former deputy, Dr. Mike Davis, according to an FDA email to staff obtained by The Associated Press.

While the White House has yet to officially comment on her departure, Høeg's exodus may be part of a larger shakeup following Makary's resignation.

In addition to Høeg, former director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) Katherine Szarama is also leaving, along with FDA Chief of Staff Jim Traficant, according to reporting from STAT News.

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Fox News Digital contacted the White House, the FDA, HHS and Høeg for comment.

Several injured after car plows into crowd; passerby allegedly stabbed by driver

Sat, 16 May 2026 13:01:48 -0400

A car reportedly drove into a crowd in the northern Italian city of Modena on Saturday, injuring at least eight people.

The vehicle slammed into a store window, and its driver allegedly stabbed a passerby who attempted to intervene.

Mayor Massimo Mezzetti told Italian TV no one was killed, but eight people were injured, including four who were in critical condition.

He said a woman pinned against a shop window may require the amputation of both legs.

The driver was identified as a 31-year-old man born in Bergamo and raised in Modena with Maghreb origins, Mezzetti said.

The man was detained and was being questioned at police headquarters as authorities worked to determine whether he was under the influence of substances or acted deliberately, the mayor said.

Mezzetti said the vehicle entered one of the city’s main streets and "drove onto the sidewalk, sending several people flying," before crashing into the shop window.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the incident as "extremely serious" in a statement posted to X.

"I express my closeness to the injured people and their families," Meloni wrote in the post. "I also extend my thanks to the citizens who bravely intervened to stop the perpetrator and to the law enforcement agencies for their response."

Meloni said she has spoken with the mayor and remains in constant contact with the authorities to follow the developments of the situation.

"I trust that the perpetrator will be held fully accountable for his actions," she wrote.

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This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Largest children’s hospital in US to open ‘detransition clinic’ after $10M settlement with Trump DOJ, state

Sat, 16 May 2026 14:21:34 -0400

Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) in Houston agreed to stop administering puberty blockers to children, pay $10 million in penalties and open a "detransition clinic" after a sweeping probe from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the state of Texas.

The resolution brings to a close a years-long investigation by Texas' Healthcare Program Enforcement Division, which concluded that TCH fraudulently billed Texas Medicaid for "unallowable and illegal ‘gender-transition’ interventions," Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote in a Friday statement.

"Under the terms of this landmark agreement, Texas Children’s will establish the first-ever multidisciplinary clinic designed to provide medical care to patients who were subjected to 'gender-transition' procedures," Paxton wrote.

"This Detransition Clinic will help patients reverse the damage caused by ideologically-motivated physicians who harmed patients by performing dangerous medical interventions for the purpose of "transitioning" them," Paxton's statement continued.

DAVID MARCUS: DETRANSITIONING IS ACTUAL 'GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE,' SO WHY WON'T INSURANCE COVER IT?

All services provided through the detransition clinic will be funded by Texas Children’s and be free of charge to patients for the first five years of the clinic, according to Paxton.

He also revealed that the settlement mandated TCH to fire five "woke" doctors who performed gender transition surgeries on children.

"Today is a monumental day in the fight to stop the radical transgender movement. This historic settlement reflects an institutional and fundamental cultural shift away from radical ‘gender’ ideology. In addition to helping establish the first-ever Detransition Clinic and securing millions, this settlement will ensure that the deranged child mutilators who hurt our kids are fired and held accountable," Paxton added in his statement.

TEXAS TRANSGENDER CARE WHISTLEBLOWER'S LAWYERS BELIEVE UNSEALED COURT DOCS PROVE DOJ NEVER HAD A CASE

"I applaud Texas Children’s Hospital for changing course and committing to being a part of the solution by agreeing to form a first-of-its kind Detransition Clinic that will help provide free care to those who have been victimized by twisted, morally bankrupt transgender ideology. Under my watch, I will investigate and bring the full force of the law against any Texas hospital that abuses children with harmful medical interventions to ‘transition’ kids," he concluded.

In a statement, Texas Children's Hospital, meanwhile, characterized controversies surrounding its gender-affirming care program as an "unconscionable campaign of mistruths and mischaracterization."

"Today, we made the difficult decision to settle with the Texas Attorney General and the Department of Justice, closing a chapter that has been wrought with falsehoods and distractions. To be clear – we are settling to protect our resources from endless and costly litigation. This settlement will allow us to redirect those precious resources to focus on the life-saving care and groundbreaking discoveries of our exceptional clinicians and scientists," the hospital wrote in a Friday statement, which has since been deleted from its website.

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Prominent pro-trans activists criticized the move.

"Just complete chicken--- stuff by the general counsel and admin at Texas Children's," Alejandra Caraballo, a prominent transgender civil rights attorney, wrote in a post on social media network Bluesky.

Detransitioner Chloe Cole, however, praised the decision in her own social media post. "What an incredible moment for the movement to end child mutilation. Texas will be home to the first clinic that helps victims of these barbaric procedures to get back to normalcy," Cole wrote on X.

Fox News Digital contacted Texas Children's Hospital, the DOJ and the Texas Attorney's General office for additional comment.

Five-star Texas A&M offensive line commit gets torched on social media for awkward hat ritual

Sat, 16 May 2026 14:01:10 -0400

The excitement around college football recruiting is starting to reach a fever pitch as the temperatures continue to rise and we inch closer to summer.

Part of that is due to the fact that we are still a long way away from any meaningful college football being played, but it's also because a lot of big dominoes on the recruiting board are starting to fall.

Most casual fans may not think of late spring and early summer as big months for five-stars to make their verbal pledges, but if you look at the recent commitment activity from the class of 2027, you'll see a ton of blue-chip talents are already off the market.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

A perfect example of this would be Friday afternoon, when not one, but two five-star talents along the trenches announced where they would be playing college ball for the next three or four years (or until someone comes along with a better offer, but I digress).

Five-star defensive lineman David Folorunsho picked the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, while five-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews chose Texas A&M as his landing spot, and it's the latter who we will be discussing today.

Matthews conducted a hat ritual for the ages that has drawn the ire of many fans across college football.

Try and get through this one without cringing.

If you're familiar with me, you know my thoughts on the "hat games" that high school recruits play.

KENTUCKY BASKETBALL FANS ARE MELTING DOWN AFTER LOSING TOP RECRUIT TO KANSAS

Call me an old man yelling at a cloud, but would it kill these kids to just announce where they are going, put the hat on, and pose for pictures?

I'm obviously not the biggest Miami fan, given my Gators fandom, but I hate to see anyone get hat faked on principle alone.

Matthews at one point in time was considered a lock to go to Miami, given that he is just down the road from Coral Gables at Fort Lauderdale high school powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas.

MIAMI'S MARIO CRISTOBAL DELIVERS STERN MESSAGE TO PLAYERS THINKING OF NIL HOLDOUTS

But the Aggies started to pick up steam in recent months and surged to earn his commitment, which could explain the saltiness from Canes fans regarding his announcement antics.

In their defense, it looks like they aren't the only ones who think Matthews' commitment ceremony was a little much.

On one hand, it seems like coping from Canes fans.

There's no way to spin losing out on a five-star offensive lineman who lives less than an hour from campus. Homegrown talents like Mark Matthews don't grow on trees.

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But on the other hand, I think Miami fans can take solace in the fact that this guy might not be a "culture fit," either.

I don't make the rules when it comes to handling recruiting losses; I just abide by them.

JD Vance warns blue state officials could face prison over billion-dollar fraud epidemic

Sat, 16 May 2026 13:57:06 -0400

Vice President JD Vance predicted federal investigators will uncover criminal wrongdoing tied to alleged taxpayer-funded welfare fraud in states including California.

Vance told Fox News' Kayleigh McEnany the administration’s anti-fraud task force is looking into whether government officials enabled the alleged scams. He warned that anyone who covered up the abuse "ought to go to prison."

"I guarantee there's [going to] be some criminal wrongdoing that we're [going to] find, because there's so much wrongdoing, somebody had to know what they were doing," Vance said in an exclusive interview on "Saturday in America."

Vance was named chair of an anti-fraud task force focused on rooting out alleged fraud in states including California and Minnesota. On Wednesday, the vice president, alongside Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, announced the administration would defer $1.3 billion in federal Medicaid funding to California due to oversight concerns.

JD VANCE ANNOUNCES MULTI-STATE FRAUD TASK FORCE IN WAKE OF MINNESOTA SCANDAL

Vance said the federal government has shut down fraudulent hospice centers and issued 22 subpoenas tied to an alleged fraud ring in Minneapolis. The task force also announced a six-month freeze on new Medicare enrollments for hospice and home care providers.

Now, he says, state officials who knew about fraud and failed to act should face consequences.

"When I hear about a report that says to the governor, 'Here's all this fraud,' and he doesn't do anything about it, I ask myself, 'Was anybody engaged in criminal wrongdoing? Was anybody in his office engaged in criminal wrongdoing?'" Vance said.

MINNESOTA FRAUD COMMITTEE CHAIR CLAIMS WALZ 'TURNED A BLIND EYE' TO FRAUD WARNINGS FOR YEARS

"I am [going to] promise the American people we're going to look into that stuff, we're [going to] investigate it, and we're [going to] take it seriously," Vance added. "Because if there was criminal wrongdoing, then people ought to go to prison for it."

A spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office fired back at Vance’s comments, telling Fox News Digital that California has long been working to root out fraud.

"Tackling fraud is nothing new to California – which is why Governor Newsom implemented a moratorium on all new hospice provider licenses back in 2022, to root out fraud while preventing bad actors from entering the system. We’re glad to see the Trump administration follow California’s lead on this after weeks of us calling for them to do the same," a spokesperson for the governor said.

"California welcomes federal partnership in fraud prevention. If the Trump administration wants to focus on internal criminal wrongdoing, they don’t need to look very far – pardoning criminal cronies and letting bad actors skate has been a flagship of the president’s administration, so long as these individuals donate or vote for him," the spokesperson added.

LOUISIANA SENATE PRIMARY HEATS UP AS CASSIDY ACCUSES LETLOW OF PELOSI-STYLE STOCK TRADING, DEI SUPPORT

In posts on X, Newsom’s office also said the governor has acknowledged fraud concerns and previously expressed willingness to work with federal officials to combat them. In a separate response to Vance on X regarding an alleged fraud operation in the Los Angeles area, Newsom wrote:

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"The Trump Administration — home to the biggest fraudsters on Earth — is trying to blame California for issues with THEIR federal programs. Glad to see the Feds finally taking seriously the fraud in the programs they themselves manage...only 15 months after Trump took office."

On Wednesday, Vance said the task force is sending letters requiring states to show they are actively combating Medicaid fraud.

"If they do not aggressively prosecute Medicaid fraud, we are going to turn off the money that goes to these anti-fraud units," Vance warned.