Latest & Breaking News | Fox News

Tony Butala, voice behind 'The Way You Look Tonight' and The Lettermen co-founder, dead at 87

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 20:01:35 -0500

The Lettermen co-founder, Tony Butala, died on Sunday, November 1 at the age of 87.

Tracy Clark, the band's media coordinator, confirmed his death to The Associated Press with a statement, saying, "We have lost an integral member of The Lettermen family."

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the recent passing of Tony Butala, founding member of the international recording artists ‘The Lettermen,’ and recipient of a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame," the statement read.

It continued: "Our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with his children, grandchildren, siblings, the love of his life, the entire Lettermen organization and all who knew and loved him."

JOHN ANDERSON, COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAMER, DEAD AT 71

A cause of death was not disclosed, and there will be no public viewing. Details about celebrations of life in both Wisconsin and California will be announced at a later date.

He co-founded The Lettermen in the late 1950s with Jim Pike and Bob Engemann, and the group released its first hit, a rendition of Fred Astaire's "The Way You Look Tonight," in 1961, which earned the trio a Grammy nomination.

The band went on to have 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned four Grammy Award nominations.

GET ENTERTAINMENT SCOOP DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL BY CLICKING HERE

Butala remained a member of the group for over 60 years, releasing hits such as "Goin' Out of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes off You," "Everything Is Good About You," "Come Back Silly Girl," "Theme from a Summer Place" and "Hurt So Bad."

He retired from performing with the band in 2019, the same year Pike died at the age 82 from complications associated with Parkinson's Disease. Engemann died in 2013.

A year after retiring, Butala attended the ceremony honoring the band with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Following his retirement, the band continued on with new faces, and the current lineup includes Donovan Tea, Bobby Poynton and Rob Gulack.

LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

"Tony never met a stranger," the official band statement continued. "His life was a living example of talent, perseverance, and refinement. But above all, his true joy was entertaining and sharing his music with audiences worldwide."

PUT YOUR ENTERTAINMENT KNOWLEDGE TO THE TEST AND SEE HOW YOU SCORE

Butala began his professional singing career as a child, performing on KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh at the age of eight and moving to Los Angeles with his mother at 10 to further his career.

Once in Los Angeles, Butala joined the Mitchell Boys Choir, and they appeared in classic films like "White Christmas," "Peter Pan," "War of the Worlds" and "On Moonlight Bay."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Four dead, including Washington deputy, following domestic call shooting; another deputy on life support

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 19:41:09 -0500

A Washington state sheriff's deputy has died and another remains on life support after they were ambushed while responding to a domestic violence call that turned deadly, authorities said Wednesday.

Spokane County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a home Tuesday after a woman ran to a neighbor's house reporting that her brother had shot her, FOX 13 Seattle reported.

Responding officers learned the suspect had an active felony arrest warrant and had access to multiple guns and additional victims could be inside the home.

NYPD OFFICER SHOT, GUNMAN KILLED AFTER ARMED BARRICADED STANDOFF IN BROOKLYN: POLICE

The Spokane County Sheriff's Office deployed a SWAT team to assist at the home. As SWAT officers approached the house, a gunman opened fire from inside.

"SWAT team members and deputies approached the house, attempted to breach the door and were met with gunfire," Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said during a news conference.

PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICER KILLED, PARTNER SHOT 12 TIMES IN AMBUSH; SUSPECT FOUND HIDING IN TREE

Deputies returned fire and pulled the two wounded deputies to safety. Both deputies were rushed to a hospital along with the initial female victim who was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening.

Inside the home, investigators found one person dead, while another body was found in the yard. The suspect was also found dead on the property. Authorities have not released the identities of those who died.

PHILLY OFFICER MURDERED IN LINE OF DUTY PROMOTED TO SERGEANT AS POLICE FROM AROUND US ATTEND HIS FUNERAL

On Wednesday, the sheriff's office confirmed that one of the wounded deputies succumbed to his injuries. He is survived by his wife and two children.

"Although we know our deputies knew the risks, they bravely moved toward danger to protect others they did not know," the sheriff's office said in a statement.

"They did this with honor and with an unwavering sense of duty to their oath to serve and protect the citizens of Spokane County; they heroically placed themselves in mortal danger."

The second deputy remains on life support but is not expected to survive, according to officials.

INDIANA SHERIFF'S DEPUTY SHOT THREE TIMES IN HOSPITAL ER AFTER STOPPING TO HELP STRANDED MOTORIST

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"As an organ donor, arrangements are being made, and he will continue to serve others with the gift of life," the agency added.

DSA accused of ‘elevating’ antisemitic, pro-terror rhetoric after Hasan Piker hosts election stream

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 19:40:17 -0500

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) chose controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker to host its official election night livestream, drawing a blunt response from Anti-Defamation League (ADL) CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, who accused the group of elevating rhetoric supportive of terrorism and antisemitism.

"Of all the people the DSA could have chosen to host its official election night livestream, it chose Hasan Piker, someone who proudly expresses support for terrorist organizations and traffics in antisemitism," Greenblatt wrote in a post on X.

"Let that sink in. The DSA isn't distancing itself from this kind of rhetoric. It's elevating it."

The DSA saw several of its endorsed or supported candidates win on Tuesday night, including Chris Rabb in Pennsylvania, Melat Kiros in Colorado, Donavan McKinney in Michigan, Claire Valdez in New York and Darializa Avila Chevalier in New York.

HASAN PIKER DECLARES 'WOKE IS BACK,' FANTASIZES ABOUT PUTTING DONALD TRUMP IN PRISON

In his post, Greenblatt included a link to an ADL article with statements by Piker that the organization criticized, including comments the ADL said have "alluded to classic antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories."

The article contains some of Piker's more infamous remarks, such as when he referred to Orthodox Jews as "inbred" and his classification of Zionism as "an exterminationist ideology built around ethnoreligious supremacist values."

Piker did not hold back in his response to Greenblatt, writing, "Suck it Jonathan, your best friend Elon burned 450 million to lose races all over the country tonight you bald piece of s---!!!"

The ADL did not immediately respond to Piker’s remarks about Greenblatt.

On Tuesday, Piker described the election as a "blue-clear apocalypse" after Democrats won major gains in the House and Senate. Pike livestreamed for more than 13 hours, offering his signature political commentary as votes were tallied.

"Trumpism is dying, and I could not feel any better," Piker told his audience. "Just imagine a world where Donald Trump is in f---ing prison."

He also gloated over Republicans' defeat, saying, "This is perhaps the worst possible scenario for the Republican Party. I think their odious agenda, their corruption, the destabilizing impact that they’ve had, the endless warfare and its consequences on the American economy, are finally coming back to bite them."

RADICAL SOCIALIST WING'S HUGE NIGHT REVEALS ASCENDING CLOUT WITHIN DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Ahead of the midterm elections, Piker drew attention in political circles as he interviewed and even campaigned with DSA-backed and DSA-aligned candidates. Piker came to national prominence after he campaigned with Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan.

While his race was not explicitly DSA-backed, the organization said El-Sayed "supports DSA priorities like Medicare-for-all."

El-Sayed's decision to appear with Piker drew criticism. The candidate appeared to distance himself from the streamer, holding no additional campaign events with him toward the end of the election cycle. This came after critics accused Piker of suggesting that Jewish Americans' support for Israel could lead to antisemitic violence against them.

DEMOCRATS CONDEMNING HASAN PIKER AS BACKLASH SPREADS THROUGH PARTY

"People don't f--- with Israel any longer. And if Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they're singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone will come around and take action not against Israel, mind you, but against American Jews," Piker said during a Twitch stream in August.

While El-Sayed did not outright condemn the comments, he responded to Piker, saying, "I believe all Americans deserve the right to advocate for what they believe without fear of violence. This is particularly true for communities that have been intimidated for their beliefs in the past.

"My commitment to Jewish safety is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own daughters. Antisemitism is a scourge, and we need to address it in all its forms. And I stand against any rhetoric that puts the community at risk."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital reached out to the DSA for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Lions star Amon-Ra St Brown says Jack Campbell's harrowing neck injury puts things into perspective

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 19:01:40 -0500

Detroit Lions star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown said teammate Jack Campbell's neck injury "makes you put things into perspective."

St. Brown said his thoughts turned to Campbell's young family as he watched his teammate lying on the ground following the harrowing injury.

"I remember being out there on the field, watching him, seeing him on the ground from a distance, and now all I keep thinking about (is), you know, his wife and his newborn baby that he just had, what, a few months ago?" St. Brown said on a recent episode of his "St. Brown Podcast."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

"I just want him to be OK, to be able to play with his kid honestly and be normal."

Campbell released an extensive statement about his injury on Wednesday, saying he has full movement in his lower body and is continuing to make progress with movement in his upper body.

"My family and I want to sincerely thank everyone for the overwhelming amount of love, prayers, and support we’ve received over the past few days. It means more to us than words can express," Campbell said.

"I’m incredibly encouraged by the progress I’ve made in such a short period of time. I have full movement in my lower body, and I’m continuing to make progress with movement in my upper body. I know there’s still work ahead, but I remain very optimistic. I’m taking things one day at a time, staying positive, and focusing on getting better."

Campbell went limp while attempting to tackle Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson and fell face down on the field before medical staff attended to him. St. Brown said it was difficult to return to the game after watching Campbell's gut-wrenching injury.

THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!

"When things like that happen throughout the game or throughout the season, it’s like — it does make it hard, I feel like, for us to go back and play," St. Brown said. "It’s like, damn, we just — we took care of him, put him on a stretcher, sent him out back to the hospital, and now we gotta go play again. So, that kinda sucks, I feel like."

Although St. Brown said returning to the game was difficult, the 27-year-old acknowledged that injuries are part of playing such a violent sport.

"But, you know, it’s what I signed up for; it’s what we signed up for. We get paid a lot of money to play this sport that we love. And so, we’ve gotta finish the game and things like that. But I think injuries like that make it — it makes you put things into perspective, and I think he has done that for a lot of us on our team."

"I’m thinking about Jack; we’re all thinking about Jack. We hope he continues to get better, and yeah, all we can do is pray for him."

OUTKICK IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE FOX NEWS APP: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Campbell expressed his love for his teammates and the Detroit community after receiving an outpouring of support following his injury.

"To my teammates, coaches, and everyone in the Lions organization, I want you to know how much I love and appreciate you. This team is a family to me, and the way everyone has been there for me means everything. I’m proud to be a Detroit Lion and couldn’t ask to be surrounded by a better group of people. One thing I’ve learned about Detroit is that this city is built on toughness, resilience, and grit. That’s exactly how I’m going to approach this challenge," Campbell said in the statement.

"Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers. We feel the love, and I can’t thank everyone enough. God is good. My faith is strong."

Erika Kirk channels Charlie with blunt message to conservatives after GOP midterm losses

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 19:00:14 -0500

Erika Kirk had a message for conservatives reeling from Republican election setbacks, and she turned to her late husband Charlie’s words to deliver it.

"I miss Charlie so much every single day, but especially on a day like today," she wrote.

"He always said that when things are going well, we need to stay humble. And when things aren’t going the way we want, we need to stay positive, keep our faith, and get back to work."

ERIKA KIRK URGES CONSERVATIVE STUDENTS NOT TO BACK DOWN IN FIRST SCHOOL YEAR SINCE CHARLIE'S ASSASSINATION

The widow of Turning Point USA CEO and founder Charlie Kirk said her husband had built a political operation meant to endure both victories and defeats.

"Charlie’s vision for Turning Point Action was always bigger than one election," she wrote. "He wanted a permanent, year-round operation with the people, relationships, and resources to compete in every cycle.

INSIDE CHARLIE KIRK’S EFFORT TO DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATIVE VOICES

"He knew there would be victories and setbacks because he had experienced both and that’s why he built for both."

Kirk also thanked the staff, students, volunteers and ballot chasers who worked during the election cycle.

ERIKA KIRK SAYS PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY-STYLE TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE KIRK IS 'IN THE WORKS' AS TPUSA EXPANDS

"I know Charlie would be unbelievably proud of each and every one of you, and I am, too," she wrote.

In a lengthy post on X, Erika Kirk said Republicans saw once comfortable races tighten or flip as candidates she described as democratic socialists campaigned on the cost of gas, groceries and housing.

FLORIDA CONGRESSMAN DIAGNOSES GOP'S BLUE TSUNAMI LOSSES: 'WE FAILED TO MAKE THEM THINK WE CARED ABOUT THEM'

"A rising stock market doesn’t mean much when nearly half of Americans don’t have a 401K and just want to put gas in their trucks, put food on the table, and provide a good life for their families," she wrote.

Erika Kirk paired her warning with a defense of free enterprise, arguing conservatives must understand why voters looked elsewhere without embracing the policies their opponents offered.

CALLING DEMOCRATS ‘COMMUNISTS’ WON’T WIN GEN Z — REPUBLICANS NEED A BETTER OFFER

"We can disagree with the solutions voters were offered while still recognizing why they were looking elsewhere for answers," she wrote.

Erika Kirk warned conservatives against turning on one another as she urged them to take voters’ frustrations seriously.

JASON CHAFFETZ: FIVE TIMELESS POLITICAL LESSONS THAT GOT LOST IN 2026

"The biggest mistake conservatives can make right now would be to allow this moment to become another exercise in finger-pointing, in-fighting, or trying to secure their own political preservation," she wrote.

"That does not solve the problems the American people are demanding be solved."

Erika Kirk said exit polls showed voters were concerned about the economy and the war in Iran.

FOX NEWS VOTER POLL: 2026 MIDTERM ELECTIONS USHER IN A BLUE WAVE AS DEMOCRATS WIN CONTROL OF CONGRESS

She said those concerns echoed what Turning Point had been hearing from students around the country for months.

"This isn’t a surprise to us because we’ve heard the same concerns from our students around the country for months and we’ve been concerned about it too," she wrote.

JONATHAN TURLEY: SOCIALISM IS BACK IN STYLE, AND DEMOCRATS ARE BUYING THE PITCH

Erika Kirk rejected socialism as an answer, arguing it places economic power in government hands rather than allowing individuals and families to build prosperity.

She said that approach conflicts with the free enterprise, individual liberty and opportunity at the heart of the country.

But she also warned that Americans will not simply stick with a party out of habit.

"Americans are not looking for labels and don’t subscribe to unquestioned party loyalty anymore either," she wrote. "They will support the candidates who can both speak to their concerns and deliver on what THEY need and dream about for their families."

She identified affordable homes, safe communities and greater opportunity for the next generation as the promises voters want fulfilled.

Erika Kirk said the organization would study the results, listen to voters and spend the next two years making the case that conservative policies and free markets can address the problems Americans face.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

She pledged to continue building relationships in communities across the country and preparing for "2028 and beyond."

"Our principles haven’t changed and neither has our mission," she wrote.

"Onward."

DSA leader dismisses $49T cost estimate for socialist policies as a 'made-up number'

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:50:51 -0500

Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) national co-chair Megan Romer was pressed on Fox News about how much socialist policies will cost American taxpayers after DSA-backed candidates made significant gains in midterm elections.

The White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) estimated that DSA policy proposals, including Medicare for All and student debt cancellation, would cost taxpayers $49 trillion. Romer, who said the group's incoming lawmakers will prioritize affordability, dismissed the staggering price tag as "outrageous," calling it a "made-up number."

"The White House, who does not like us very much, managed to come up with some math that made us look bad," Romer said on "The Story." "But we don't agree with these numbers."

RADICAL SOCIALIST WING'S HUGE NIGHT REVEALS ASCENDING CLOUT WITHIN DEMOCRATIC PARTY

The CEA’s report estimated the DSA’s policy wish list will cost about $355,000 per American household over the next decade.

After rejecting the administration's figures, Romer declined to offer an independent estimate of her own when pressed by Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum, saying the cost "depends."

DSA-BACKED CANDIDATES ARE WINNING PRIMARIES AND THEIR VISION FOR AMERICA IS VERY DIFFERENT

"There's no, like, one, solid number because it depends on what pieces we can build in the meantime," the DSA leader said. "So it's about building up programs and then sunsetting old, bad programs, and that number is going to shift as we pass various things."

"I'm not going to give you a solid number. That's not what I'm here to do," she continued. "What I'm here to do is talk about how we collectively can democratically decide how we want our money to be spent."

SOCIALIST PRIMARY SWEEP SPARKS LAUNCH OF NEW RESOURCE LAYING OUT WHAT’S AT STAKE IN 2026

Romer criticized the scale of U.S. military spending, arguing that federal resources devoted to overseas military operations would be better redirected toward the DSA's policy priorities, including amnesty for illegal immigrants and abolishing the Senate.

"We don't believe in having 800 U.S. military bases around the world," Romer said. "That is an insane amount of money to spend… Our military spending is outrageous, and most of that money is going to defense contractors. It is making a handful of billionaires richer."

SEN DEB FISCHER: THE LEFT'S WAR ON THE SENATE AND SUPREME COURT PUTS OUR REPUBLIC AT RISK

MacCallum countered her claims about excessive military spending, saying the U.S. defense budget is only $961 billion compared to an estimated $47 trillion for DSA policies to be funded.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

In a July interview with Fox News, Romer stood by her positions to abolish the Senate, replace the presidency and Supreme Court, and to eradicate Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She also defended wanting to abolish borders and grant amnesty to illegal immigrants in the United States.

"We do agree that it will cost money to provide healthcare to everyone, but it will cost less money than we spend on the military and on these illegal wars right now," Romer said Wednesday.

Idaho voters focused on the real issues during midterms, like choosing the Winchester 1873 as their state gun

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:37:06 -0500

Tuesday's midterm elections were a bit of a bloodbath for the Republican Party.

If you're a conservative, chances are you are looking for any silver lining to cope with the fact that Democrats took the GOP behind the woodshed last night.

I'm here to tell you it wasn't all bad, though, as states like Tennessee and Florida are still looking pretty red, so there's no need to get too down in the dumps.

AMERICA SAW THE BLUE WAVE COMING — BUT DRASTICALLY UNDERESTIMATED THE EXTENT OF THE DEM TSUNAMI

One state that certainly has voters with their priorities straight is Idaho, and I'm not just saying that because their state GOP incumbents completed a clean sweep at the polls.

It seems the voters all throughout The Gem State were focused on the real issues that have been at the top of everyone's mind.

Not healthcare or grocery prices, but rather which firearm would become the official state gun of Idaho.

No, I'm not kidding.

Six different firearms were presented on the ballot, presenting quite a grab bag of options, from a Colt .45 to an M1 Garand.

And the winner is...

And what a winner we have!

The Winchester Model 1873, aka "The Gun that Won the West," is now the official state gun of Idaho.

Man, what a crushing blow for the "Peacemaker," I was sure he was going to pull away late.

In all seriousness, that's a pretty cool thing to say.

Some states have an official marine mammal or dessert, but Idaho has a state gun.

CONSERVATIVES STUNNED BY 'CATASTROPHIC' MIDTERM BLUE TSUNAMI, BLAME TRUMP'S IRAN WAR, HIGH GAS PRICES

It’s actually not uncommon, either, as 11 U.S. states now have an official firearm.

Most of the states on the list are pretty predictable, including Texas and West Virginia. I was surprised to see Pennsylvania included, though, while my beloved Sunshine State is nowhere to be found.

Regardless, whenever your conservative buddies get a little down in the dumps this week, just remind them that Idaho now has a state gun.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

That'll go a long way in "owning the libs!"

CBB With Danny Z: Kansas, Tennessee and USC lead another human polls vs. analytics argument

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:34:46 -0500

College basketball is back, and so is "CBB With Danny Z." Try to contain your excitement (I'm genuinely psyched that college hoops is back, but I understand that many people don't even realize college basketball exists until February or March).

Last season, we kicked off a series comparing the preseason AP Top 25 with KenPom's rankings, then checked back in December, January and March to see how those disagreements developed.

UCONN BASKETBALL COACH FLOATS POTENTIAL GAME AT WHITE HOUSE AFTER UFC EVENT

KenPom deserves some credit for Vanderbilt last season. It ranked the Commodores 19th in the preseason, while the AP voters had them effectively 36th. Vanderbilt finished 27-9, earned a No. 5 seed and won an NCAA Tournament game. But KenPom also had Baylor 17th in the preseason. The Bears finished 17-17 and missed the tournament.

St. John’s was a reminder to be careful about declaring a winner in December. The AP’s preseason No. 5 team started 4-3, which initially made KenPom’s more cautious ranking of 16th look pretty smart. Then the Red Storm finished 30-7, reached the Sweet 16 as a No. 5 seed and pushed Duke in an 80-75 loss. The voters’ optimism looked considerably more reasonable by the end of the season.

The AP voters had their own problems with Creighton. They put the Bluejays 23rd in the preseason, while KenPom had them all the way down at 41st. Creighton finished 16–18 and missed the NCAA Tournament, settling for a trip to the College Basketball Crown. I’m guessing that wasn’t the postseason tournament those voters had in mind.

So, there’s a reason to keep track of these disagreements. This year, we’re giving ourselves a few more to follow. Alongside KenPom, I’m adding TeamRankings’ predictive ratings to the comparison, plus the Coaches Poll. Before we get too carried away arguing about humans versus computers, we should probably find out whether the humans agree with each other. Or the computers, for that matter.

The comparisons below use the preseason AP and Coaches polls and both analytics models' ratings from the morning of November 1, before the season began.

Kansas and Iowa State get more respect from the computers

The top of the board offers relatively little controversy. Both human polls put Florida first and Duke second. Both analytics models reverse that order. Illinois is third in both polls and fourth in both models. Everybody likes those three teams.

After that, things get more interesting. The blue-blood Kansas Jayhawks represent one of the biggest disagreements entering this season, and the surprising part is who likes them more.

It’s the computers.

Kansas is No. 17 in the AP Poll and tied for 18th in the Coaches Poll. KenPom has the Jayhawks fifth and TeamRankings puts them sixth.

I would have expected the voters to be higher on a historically great program like Kansas. Seeing both computers put the Jayhawks in the top six while neither human poll has them in the top 15 definitely caught me by surprise.

Iowa State is another team where we see major disagreement. The Cyclones were a No. 2 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament but enter this season ranked 18th by the AP and tied for 14th with the coaches. KenPom has them sixth.

TeamRankings puts Iowa State 11th, higher than either human poll but below KenPom. The Cyclones’ defense helps explain KenPom’s optimism: he projects it to be the second-best unit in the country.

Alabama is another program getting more love from the models. The Crimson Tide are 20th in the AP Poll and tied for 18th in the Coaches Poll, compared with ninth in KenPom and 16th at TeamRankings. KenPom projects Alabama to have the nation’s fourth-best offense.

Houston rounds out that group. The Cougars are third in KenPom and seventh at TeamRankings, ahead of their placements in the AP Poll (10th) and Coaches Poll (eighth). KenPom gives Houston the top defensive projection in the country.

Tennessee and USC get more love from the human polls

USC might be the best example of why this exercise is worth doing. Both groups of voters awarded the Trojans a preseason Top 25 ranking (21st by the AP and 22nd by the coaches), while neither model placed the Trojans inside the top 35. KenPom has them 37th, and TeamRankings puts them 40th.

Tennessee presents an even more interesting argument near the top of the polls. The Volunteers are eighth in the AP and ninth in the Coaches Poll. The analytics are considerably less impressed: 22nd in KenPom and 18th at TeamRankings.

If you followed last year's series, that might sound a little backward. Tennessee was a KenPom favorite last preseason, sitting ninth in the model compared with 18th in the AP Poll. This time, the voters are the optimistic ones. For what it’s worth, the Volunteers reached the Elite Eight as a No. 6 seed before losing to top-seeded Michigan.

Arkansas belongs on the watch list, too. The Razorbacks are 12th in the AP Poll and 13th with the coaches, but KenPom places them 19th and TeamRankings has them 25th. The Razorbacks reached the Sweet 16 in 2026.

JOHN CALIPARI JOKES THAT HE WAS 'ON CRACK' WHEN PUTTING TOGETHER ARKANSAS' WILDLY DIFFICULT SCHEDULE

BYU lands 25th in both human polls, while both models leave the Cougars outside the Top 25: 34th in KenPom and 30th at TeamRankings.

St. John’s offers another familiar disagreement: AP No. 13 and tied for 14th with the coaches, compared with 21st in KenPom and 17th at TeamRankings. Last preseason, the AP had the Red Storm fifth while KenPom ranked them 16th. The gap is smaller this time, but the voters are higher on St. John’s again.

Nebraska gets more attention from the analytics this time

Nebraska was one of the best stories in last year's series because neither side saw the Huskers coming. They began outside KenPom's top 50 without receiving a single preseason AP vote, then climbed into the top 15 of both rankings by our March update.

This year's starting positions are very different. KenPom has Nebraska 15th and TeamRankings puts the Huskers 22nd. The human voters at least noticed Nebraska this year. The Cornhuskers are just outside both Top 25s, effectively 27th in the AP Poll and 26th in the Coaches Poll. Nebraska is coming off a 28-7 season that included the first Sweet 16 appearance in program history.

Ohio State is another unranked team KenPom likes, placing the Buckeyes 18th. TeamRankings has them 31st, though, which brings us to the complication with treating "the analytics" as a single opinion.

Vanderbilt and UConn divide the computers

Vanderbilt should be familiar to anyone who read these columns last season. KenPom consistently liked the Commodores more than the AP voters did, and the same disagreement is back. Vanderbilt is 12th in KenPom, compared with 24th in the AP Poll and 21st with the coaches.

After following these rankings last season, I think the humans put more weight on how teams finished the previous year. Vanderbilt didn’t make it out of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, and I suspect that’s part of why the voters aren’t as high on the Commodores as KenPom is.

TeamRankings has Vanderbilt 24th, exactly where the AP puts the Commodores, so KenPom is sort of on an island here with its optimism for the Commodores in 2026-27.

UConn gives us a different split. The Huskies are fourth in the AP Poll and fifth in the Coaches Poll. That's not surprising considering UConn is coming off a national championship game appearance and won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.

KenPom isn't as high on Dan Hurley's squad, though, and ranks them 11th. This seems like a slam-dunk case of the humans being on board with a perennial powerhouse while the analytics see a team set to take a step back.

Except TeamRankings has UConn third, making the model more optimistic than either human poll.

Louisville offers a smaller version of the same argument. Both human polls have the Cardinals 11th, between KenPom at 16th and TeamRankings at ninth.

OUTKICK IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE FOX NEWS APP: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

We'll revisit these starting points as the season develops and see whether the humans or the computers are better at projecting how the season will play out. We'll also see whether one model outperforms the other and whether the coaches do a better job than the media.

Want something included in the next "CBB With Danny Z"? Email me at dan.zaksheske@outkick.com or find me on X: @RealDanZak.

JACKSON THOMPSON: Democrat-appointed judges hand Letitia James win over county trying to protect girls sports

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:21:30 -0500

A New York appeals court Wednesday struck down Nassau County’s law barring transgender girls and women from women’s sports teams using county facilities, handing Attorney General Letitia James a victory in her legal battle with Bruce Blakeman.

The unanimous ruling by a four-judge panel of the Appellate Division, Second Department, reversed a lower-court decision upholding the restrictions. The judges found that the county law conflicted with New York’s statewide antidiscrimination protections.

Nassau County Attorney Thomas Adams indicated the county would continue fighting.

"We are reviewing the decision with the intention to continue the appeals process," Adams said in a statement.

The decision came one day after Blakeman lost his gubernatorial challenge to Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. James also won reelection Tuesday.

All four judges who joined the ruling were elevated to the appellate court by Democratic governors. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo appointed Justice Betsy Barros in April 2014 and Justice Deborah Dowling in June 2021. Hochul appointed Justice Barry Warhit in May 2022 and announced Justice Lisa Ottley’s selection earlier this year.

State election records list Barros, Dowling and Warhit as Democratic candidates in their judicial election histories. Ottley ran for state Supreme Court in 2018 on the Democratic, Republican and Conservative ballot lines, according to New York City’s official voter guide.

'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS' LEGAL DEFENSE AND TRANS ATHLETE'S ATTORNEYS SPEAK OUT AFTER LANDMARK SCOTUS RULING

The appeals court held that Nassau’s permit restrictions were preempted by the state Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Law, which prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression. It directed the lower court to enter a judgment declaring the measure invalid under the state Constitution and Municipal Home Rule Law.

"Nobody should have to fight to play the game they love. Transgender athletes have the right to play on the court, field, or roller rink like everyone else, and today the Second Department made clear that Nassau County cannot ban them," James said in a statement.

"No one asked for this illegal and exclusionary policy. Bruce Blakeman was just trying to stop athletes from playing with their teammates. I am pleased the court saw right through it."

The county law required organizations seeking permits for sporting events at county facilities to designate themselves as male, female or coed based on biological sex at birth. It prohibited permits for female events that allowed male competitors, while permitting female athletes in male and coed categories.

The restrictions did not prohibit transgender athletes from all sports participation. They prevented teams designated for women or girls from obtaining county permits if they included transgender female competitors.

The measure affected more than 100 county facilities, including athletic fields, basketball and tennis courts, swimming pools and ice rinks, according to James’ office.

INSIDE THE SUPREME COURT BATTLE TO 'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS'

Blakeman first imposed the policy through a February 2024 executive order. After a judge struck down that order on the grounds that he lacked authority to issue it, the county Legislature passed legislation reinstating the restrictions. Blakeman signed the law July 15, 2024, prompting separate lawsuits from James and the New York Civil Liberties Union.

The NYCLU represented the Long Island Roller Rebels, an adult women’s roller derby league that welcomes transgender participants.

State Supreme Court Justice R. Bruce Cozzens upheld the law in October 2025, accepting the county’s safety and fairness arguments and reasoning that transgender athletes could participate in coed leagues. The county also argued that Title IX supported its use of biological sex to separate athletic categories.

However, the Second Department separately granted the Roller Rebels a preliminary injunction in October 2025, reversing Cozzens’ earlier refusal to temporarily block enforcement.

NEWSOM FACES CRITICISM FOR STATE'S STANCE ON TRANS ATHLETES IN GIRLS' SPORTS AFTER SCOTUS RULING

In that decision, the appeals court found that limited access to private facilities had reduced the league’s practice opportunities and hurt its ranking. It also found that requiring the league to identify as mixed-sex could jeopardize its governing-body status and ability to find opponents.

The litigation unfolded alongside a broader national fight over transgender eligibility in female sports.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the challenged restrictions in West Virginia and Idaho, concluding that schools could determine eligibility for female teams by biological sex under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause.

That ruling permitted the challenged state policies; it did not require every state to adopt such restrictions. Nassau’s case instead turned on whether the county could impose a permit policy that conflicted with New York state law.

THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!

"As long as I am attorney general, no New Yorker will be shut out of public life because of who they are," James said.

San Francisco 49ers coach shuts down reunion talks as Brandon Aiyuk seeks NFL reinstatement

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:15:28 -0500

Brandon Aiyuk won't be getting a warm welcome back in San Francisco after walking away from the team and embarking on an erratic, self-destructive stretch that has effectively alienated him from the NFL.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan officially slammed the door on a reunion Wednesday. Despite San Francisco’s depleted receiver room, the organization has no intention of bringing Aiyuk back, even after the former All-Pro claimed he is cleaning up his act.

When asked Wednesday about Aiyuk's apparent turnaround, Shanahan was blunt.

THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!

"None. I have no expectation," Shanahan said. "I’ve kind of moved on with that mentally and doing kind of how I talked to you guys two months ago. Nothing’s really changed for me."

Aiyuk filed for NFL reinstatement this week alongside new agent Drew Rosenhaus and is scheduled to report Friday, though the 49ers do not plan to retain him. While general manager John Lynch previously struck a softer tone regarding a potential return for the expensive wideout, Shanahan’s position has remained firm.

Aiyuk spent months burning bridges across the organization. He severed ties with the franchise through an acrimonious contract standoff, an off-field reckless speeding citation and completely ghosting team medical staff during injury rehabilitation.

GEORGE KITTLE WISHES 'LUCK' TO WHOEVER TRADES FOR BRANDON AIYUK AS 49ERS LOOK TO MOVE ON FROM RECEIVER

After San Francisco voided his future contract guarantees and sidelined him, Aiyuk went scorched-earth on social media. He blasted the organization as "stupid," accused Lynch of showing up uninvited at his home and hurled insults at front-office personnel and assistant coaches.

Beyond mocking Shanahan’s demeanor and leadership, Aiyuk drew severe backlash for taking thinly veiled jabs at Shanahan’s car accident in July, posting Instagram stories telling him to "stay in yo own lane" and declaring that "you can't win the race if you crash out."

Before the fallout, Aiyuk stood as one of San Francisco’s most dynamic offensive playmakers. Selected 25th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, he developed into the team’s primary perimeter target, posting consecutive 1,000-yard receiving campaigns in 2022 and 2023. His peak came in 2023, when he earned Second-Team All-Pro honors after amassing 1,342 receiving yards and playing a pivotal role in San Francisco’s run to Super Bowl LVIII. Across five seasons in the Bay Area, Aiyuk totaled 294 receptions for 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Under contract through 2028 with $27 million in guarantees already voided, releasing Aiyuk leaves San Francisco with a $12.35 million dead-cap hit, finally clearing the path for him to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela

Bryce Harper implies there won't be a 2027 MLB season, admits he enjoys offseason more than playing

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:10:06 -0500

Major League Baseball has started its free agency period, and unlike most similar times in years past, there's a sense of urgency.

The long-awaited lockout is rapidly approaching, with the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement on December 1. Given the two competing statements released this week, one from the league office purposefully rejecting the reality of baseball, and the Players Association reaffirming their united front against a potential salary cap, that lockout is essentially a guarantee. With the only question still up for debate how long that lockout lasts.

Some on the optimistic side believe that the two sides will find a way to come to an agreement before games are canceled. MLB finally has some momentum on its side, as ratings and attendance have continued to grow. Although the World Series pitting two small market teams against each other predictably did not do as well as 2024-2025 with the Dodgers, Yankees, and Blue Jays involved.

YANKEES PRESIDENT RANDY LEVINE SAYS HE IS 'CONFIDENT' MLB WILL AVOID A LOCKOUT DESPITE CAP FIGHT

But the general trend for baseball is positive. Both sides need that to continue, monetarily, making the incentives seemingly more aligned for compromise. Then there's the pessimistic side.

The negative case is that owners have realized that many fans are totally unaware of how baseball works and have come down on the side of salary caps. Apparently convinced that the reward for owners who refuse to spend money should be enshrined rules to ensure that they never have to spend too much. While locking in a sizable increase in franchise valuations that does nothing to "fix" the nonexistent competitive balance "issues," but does make the league's owners significantly richer.

ONE OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL'S OWNERS JUST DESTROYED THE LEAGUE'S ENTIRE ARGUMENT FOR A LOCKOUT

That would, in theory, mean owners dig their heels in to make themselves richer, always a good bet, while players refuse to budge on a system that protects their ability to enter a free market.

One of the pessimists, apparently? Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

Harper took to the TikTok comment section this week and responded to a few posts in a way that, uh, raised some eyebrows about both his interest in playing and the future of the 2027 regular season.

In response to one post saying, "It seems like March through October is the off-season," Harper said, "It will be this year," in a clear reference to canceling 2027.

Then another commentator added, "He likes the offseason more than the season atp (at this point)." Harper posted in response, "This is true."

Nobody has ever questioned Bryce Harper's commitment to playing hard and giving every available ounce of effort when he's on the field. He's played in nearly 2,000 games since his debut in 2012, played in all 162 games for the first time in his career in 2026 in his age-33 season, and is well on his way to being a first ballot Hall of Famer.

SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY OUTKICK NEWSLETTER

But admitting you like the offseason more than the regular season isn't a great look. It just isn't. And it's going to give off an Anthony Rendon-ish impression, that baseball is an annoyance rather than a passion.

And to be fair to Harper, the regular season in MLB is grueling. It's 162 games in around 185 days, involving constant travel, little rest, and long nights. There's also an extremely, maybe unnecessarily, long spring training. He's also added another 60 career postseason games. That said, he's paid extremely well to deal with those challenges, like, $330 million over 13-years well. It doesn't seem like too much to ask to have some enthusiasm for it. Even if feigned.

Here's hoping Harper is wrong about the 2027 season though. Regardless of what the ultimate system turns out to be, all baseball fans, for or against a cap, should be united in wanting the sport to have a regular season. Jeopardizing the future wouldn't help anyone. Unless you really enjoy being at home.

Vance courting disgruntled Trump voters to form ‘new right’ alliance after Republican bloodbath, sources say

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 16:48:50 -0500

EXCLUSIVE: Vice President JD Vance is seeking to forge a new alliance with disaffected Trump voters ahead of the 2028 election cycle, Fox News Digital has learned.

Vance took control of his own messaging Wednesday morning in the wake of a brutal Republican midterm beatdown, breaking with President Donald Trump on foreign policy and America's relationship with Israel.

A source familiar with post-election happenings told Fox News Digital that there was a White House meeting Wednesday morning aimed at aligning the entire administration officials on post-midterm messaging. A second source familiar described the meeting as a regular senior staff meeting.

VANCE'S SCATHING IRAN WAR POSTMORTEM PUTS POTENTIAL 2028 GOP SHOWDOWN IN FOCUS: 'EVERYONE KNOWS WHY'

"The reason we lost is the war," Vance's post said. "The president himself said so last night."

"If you'd like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so. Argue it was a worthwhile cost to pay. Agree or disagree, that's at least honest," he went on.

"But everyone knows why we lost. And any honest conversation about where we go from here must start there."

In the post, Vance said a pollster and "one of the smartest people I know in politics" laid out four tasks that would bring voters back to the GOP — end the war in Iran, focus on the cost of living and inflation, put America first, and "change our relationship with Israel."

JD VANCE DECLINES TO ENDORSE NETANYAHU DESPITE TRUMP'S STRONG BACKING

A Trump administration official who spoke with Fox News Digital said that the four tasks are Vance's rallying cry to the "new right," broadly defined as a coalition of Republicans that aligns with the president's original "America First" movement — staying out of foreign conflicts, making America an affordable place for Americans to raise families, and closing the borders.

But those voters, they said, also believe that Trump is too aligned with Israel on foreign policy matters.

Among some on the political right, the war in Iran is intrinsically tied to Israel's influence in the Middle East, and Trump's relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

TRUMP TOLD DONORS 'WE NEED TO ELECT JD,' SOURCE CONFIRMS, AS HE WEIGHS VANCE OR RUBIO IN 2028

The official made it clear that Vance’s message is not a separation from Trump, à la former Vice President Mike Pence who denounced Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the capitol. Rather, they said, he is aiming to send a clear message to Republicans who support Trump and disagree with or feel betrayed by his foreign policy.

And that message is: "Vance is our guy."

The White House did not return Fox News Digital's request for comment at time of publication on the meeting or Vance's post-election messaging.

The vice president has not strayed much from Trump and the White House's preferred messaging for the past two years — though he has been one of the few voicing concern over the ongoing war in Iran.

Despite his friendship with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, reports and comments from the vice president himself have expressed how his stance on the Iran conflict differs.

Trump acknowledged earlier this year that Vance was "maybe less enthusiastic" about attacking Iran from the jump.

TRUMP 'COULDN'T TRANSFER THE LOVE' OF HIS SUPPORTERS TO OTHER REPUBLICANS AMID HISTORIC MIDTERM LOSS

Vance is widely considered a top GOP presidential candidate in 2028 — along with Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

So far, Democrats stand at 54 Senate seats to Republicans' 44, after sweeping wins in typically red Texas, ruby-red Kansas and other Republican strongholds like South Carolina.

DEMS SEIZE THE SENATE AS BLUE TIDAL WAVE CRASHES DEEP INTO TRUMP COUNTRY, TOPPLES GOP STRONGHOLDS

Votes are still being counted into Wednesday in a tight race in Alaska, that could see Democrats winning yet another seat in the Senate and widening their majority over the GOP.

The outcome of the midterms could have massive implications for the 2028 election, and Republicans are grappling now with how to face one of their biggest-ever challenges in trying to flip back the upper chamber despite a widened gap throwing them deep into a minority in January.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Needing only 218 to control the House, Democrats on Wednesday afternoon had won 237 seats, with more projected to filter in as ballots are counted and races are called.

MS NOW host suggests Byron Donalds’ not true 'kinfolk' after historic Florida gubernatorial victory

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:04:58 -0500

MS NOW host Symone Sanders Townsend suggested Tuesday that Florida Republican Byron Donalds wasn't true "kinfolk" with other Black Americans after acknowledging his historic victory in the state's race for governor.

Sanders Townsend questioned the political significance of Donalds' victory, saying he would continue Gov. Ron DeSantis' agenda.

"I will say, though, you know, as they say in my community, all kinfolk ain’t skinfolk," Sanders Townsend said, although she appeared to mean it the other way around.

"And what I say and what I mean by that is Byron Donalds is making history, but he is going to continue the political direction that Ron DeSantis is going to continue in Florida."

FLORIDA GOV-ELECT DONALDS BELIEVES 'FRUSTRATIONS BOILED OVER' AGAINST REPUBLICANS ON ELECTION DAY

Tim Graham, Media Research Center director of media analysis and executive editor of NewsBusters, criticized the remarks in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying Sanders Townsend was suggesting Black conservatives’ political beliefs conflicted with their racial identity.

"Symone Sanders is trying to argue that Blackness and conservatism are polar opposites or that being a Black conservative is being a traitor to your race," Graham said. "She suggests that Gov. Ron DeSantis has been anti-Black in his policies, and so Donalds is going to continue this allegedly anti-Black agenda."

Graham compared the criticism to Democrats' treatment of Clarence Thomas during his difficult 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearings, when Thomas described the proceedings as a "high-tech lynching."

Graham said the underlying message demanded political conformity from Black Americans.

CLARENCE THOMAS SCORCHES RACIAL LITMUS TESTS POLICING THOUGHT: ‘STAY BLACK AND DIE’

Sanders Townsend's comments followed Donalds' narrow victory over Democrat David Jolly in the state. Donalds will succeed term-limited DeSantis in a rare bright spot for Republicans Tuesday, after Democrats swept into power across the rest of the country.

Sanders Townsend explicitly acknowledged the significance of Donalds’ election before turning to his policies and comparing his agenda to the outgoing governor’s.

"It is a historic win. It is the first time Florida has elected a Black governor," Sanders Townsend said.

"And, so, he was on ‘The Breakfast Club’ this morning, was being asked about all kinds of policies and whatnot. And he, you know, sounded similar to Ron DeSantis."

FIRST MUSLIM SENATOR, FIRST BLACK FEMALE GOVERNOR: 2026 MIDTERM ELECTION RESULTS MAKE HISTORY

Donalds previously pushed back against Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, after she criticized his marriage to a White woman in remarks that resurfaced in 2025. Speaking on "The Joe Pags Show," Donalds said his wife should be left out of their political dispute.

"Here’s what I’m going to say, first and foremost: Don’t talk about my wife. Keep my wife out of this. It ain’t got nothing to do with her," Donalds said.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital reached out to Donalds for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

LIV Golf's new funding partner pulls out over lack of player commitment in huge blow to league: report

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:01:19 -0500

LIV Golf could soon be no more.

London-based private equity firm BC Partners has reportedly backed out of its plan to fund "LIV 2.0" due to a lack of player interest and commitment.

The PIF halted funding in April to redirect money toward domestic projects and manage financial pressures from the regional war with Iran. Following the decision, PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan resigned from LIV’s board.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New Jersey in September. Between 2021 and 2026, LIV spent an estimated $5 billion to $8 billion. Bankruptcy filings show the league owes millions of dollars in unpaid compensation to top players, including Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson and Cam Smith.

The league’s future depends on a proposed restructuring plan called "LIV 2.0," but Rahm said the terms of "2.0" are "unacceptable" and he won't be participating in it. Numerous others, including Tyrrell Hatton, Louis Oosthuizen and Sergio Garcia, have since followed suit.

According to The Athletic, LIV Golf is now pivoting to a wind-down, as BC Partners no longer believes LIV could form a viable league.

RORY MCILROY MAKES SERIOUS ACCUSATION ABOUT LIV GOLF WANTING TO 'DESTROY' THE EUROPEAN TOUR

The outlet said a scheduled hearing on Thursday in New Jersey bankruptcy court is expected to start the liquidation process.

LIV has laid off most of its operational staff, left event contractors waiting for payment and faces a lawsuit from the Premier Golf League alleging breach of confidence and conspiracy.

Shortly after the PIF pulled its funding, LIV CEO Scott O'Neil said the LIV calendar would not be altered, but that did not occur. The league's originally-scheduled championship weekend was cancelled, forcing it to be played a week earlier.

Numerous Europe-based golfers have been leaving LIV for the DP World Tour, formerly the European Tour, as it said it would not allow LIV players to compete on its tour. Europeans also have to be members of the DP World Tour in order to play in the Ryder Cup.

SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY OUTKICK NEWSLETTER

Brooks Koepka was the first big name to jump ship last year, and he rejoined the PGA Tour. Patrick Reed soon followed, but this mass exodus, which now includes two funders, is the biggest yet.

Dianna Russini is planning a return to unknown sports media position 'next week' after scandal

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:52:36 -0500

It sounds like Dianna Russini is nearing a return to sports media, for real this time.

After months of dubious reports and rumors, OutKick can confirm a report from ProFootballTalk that Russini has sent texts to people around the NFL saying she will announce a new job "next week."

It is unclear exactly where she will work, although people around the industry say they have heard it will likely be with a gambling or prediction provider.

DIANNA RUSSINI COULD HAVE A HARD TIME RETURNING TO MEDIA FOLLOWING MIKE VRABEL SCANDAL

No, no, no. That does not mean she is joining Sydney Sweeney at Novig. There are other gambling providers.

For a recap, Russini resigned from The Athletic in April, a week after the New York Post published photos of Russini and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel at a resort in Arizona. The initial report prompted other outlets to release additional photos of Russini and Vrabel together dating back seven years.

In perhaps the most damning development, TMZ reportedly obtained documents showing that the two rented a private boat in Putnam County, Tennessee, in June 2021, while Russini was seven months pregnant.

The Athletic conducted a review of Russini’s work and released the following statement in September:

"Russini’s relationship with Vrabel was in clear violation of The Athletic’s standards," Mike Semel of The Athletic said. "Regardless of whether the relationship was romantic, it was a breach and should have been disclosed."

Russini could struggle to overcome the negative perception surrounding her relationship with Vrabel, regardless of what type of relationship it was.

THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!

She also worsened matters by initially saying she was on a "girls trip in Arizona" before meeting Vrabel, but failed to provide photos of the trip.

So either she lied about it or participated in the first girls’ trip of the social media era in which no photos were taken. We do not see an option C on the table.

In any event, there are more unethical, bad-faith actors in sports media than Russini. Specifically, Jemele Hill and Mark Jones still have jobs. Her career should not be over.

Russini may have to transition to a more personality-driven role, relying less on breaking transactional NFL stories.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

That said, she should absolutely do a tell-all podcast with "Call Her Daddy" following her announcement.

Molly Miller is back for her second year at Arizona State, turns heads during home opener

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:43:27 -0500

Molly Miller became an internet star the moment she led Grand Canyon's women's basketball team to the NCAA tournament with a WAC Tournament title. It wasn't long after the Lopes first round loss that Arizona State came calling.

She wasn't meant to stay at Grand Canyon forever. She had bigger and better things to do with the Sun Devils. She led them to a 24-11 record last season and a First Four loss in the NCAA Tournament.

THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!

That was just the beginning too. The 41-year-old got her second year at Arizona State off to a hot start on Tuesday during their home opener against Jackson State. The Lady Tigers never stood a chance.

Miller and the Sun Devils were prepared to get the season started with a win and they did that plus some. The final score was a lopsided 84-41 and the cherry on top was the head coach turning heads on the court and going viral.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

That is what you call, and what the social media manager for the women's basketball team calls, "Stepping into Year 2 in style." The classic "look good, feel good, play good" to start the season.

Miller couldn't have scripted a better start to the season. Not only did the Sun Devils win, they did so in dominant fashion in all aspects of the game. That goes for coaching and getting attention on social media too.

OUTKICK IS NOW ON THE FOX APP: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

It's not hard to see why that's part of what the ball coach brings to the table. She's hot, she has a motor and she can obviously coach.

What's not to love? Arizona State was a ten-win team before she took over.

Molly Miller and the Arizona State Sun Devils should put together another solid season of winning and going viral.

911 call captures hero dad’s bravery before he took down Oregon elementary school gunman

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:36:38 -0500

An Oregon father who rushed into his daughters' elementary school and shot a gunman made a desperate vow in newly released 911 audio, telling a dispatcher, "I have a gun, and I will shoot them right now."

Kaylub Giamanco’s call captures the urgency outside Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend on Oct. 15, before the armed father intervened to stop an attack that killed three children and a teacher.

"Oh my god. Hello 911. Someone’s at the school. My daughter’s school with a gun," Giamanco says in the recording released by the Deschutes 911 Service District.

DEMOCRATS CALL FOR GUN CONTROL AFTER OREGON SCHOOL SHOOTER REPORTEDLY USES SHOTGUN PURCHASED BY HIS MOTHER

The dispatcher urges him to wait for police.

"OK, tell me exactly what happened. Don’t do anything. Let me get an officer there, OK?" the dispatcher responds. "OK, I understand. Stay on the line with me."

OREGON TEACHER WHO WRESTLED SHOTGUN FROM SCHOOL GUNMAN SHARES EMOTIONAL MESSAGE AFTER ATTACK

As the call continues, voices can be heard discussing where the attacker is and whether he is firing.

"They’re on the south side, entering the building, right now," Giamanco says, before warning that people are being shot.

DEMOCRATS' LATEST GUN-CONTROL PUSH RUNS INTO INCONVENIENT FACT ABOUT HOW SCHOOL KILLER WAS STOPPED

"Sir, I need you to tell me what’s going on. We have help en route," the dispatcher says.

Giamanco, a 36-year-old carpenter whose two daughters attended the school, later told Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) he feared he would not survive going inside.

THE ONE LESSON EVERY PARENT SHOULD TEACH THEIR CHILD AFTER THE BEND SCHOOL SHOOTING

"That’s when I started hearing children pleading for their lives, and then I started hearing gunfire. And I just started army crawling faster and faster, and I told myself this is probably the last thing that I’m ever going to do," he told the outlet.

Giamanco entered the school with a .40-caliber pistol he legally kept in his vehicle and found a teacher struggling with the 16-year-old attacker, Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said during an Oct. 16 news conference.

The teacher had thrown her cellphone at the gunman and tackled him before Giamanco shot him multiple times, according to the chief.

OREGON TEACHER WHO WRESTLED SHOTGUN FROM SCHOOL GUNMAN SHARES EMOTIONAL MESSAGE AFTER ATTACK

Three children, ages 5, 8 and 11, and 25-year-old teacher Megan Lambert were killed. A child and another teacher were wounded, police said.

For Giamanco, praise for stopping the gunman has come alongside anguish over those he could not save.

BEND SCHOOL DISTRICT HONORS SLAIN TEACHER, PRAISES STAFF MEMBER'S COURAGE DURING ATTACK: ‘FOREVER GRATEFUL’

"I want to apologize for not saving their babies," he told OPB. "The gratitude for saving people’s children is awesome, but there were ones that I didn’t save."

Lambert’s family praised the father’s intervention in a statement read during the October news conference.

"We want the bystander who intervened to know we know he is going through a rough time, but we are grateful, and we think he is a hero," the family said.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"You selflessly put yourself at risk for others."

Ex-NFL star Dez Bryant hires high-powered law firm after misdemeanor charge from parking lot incident: report

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:29:58 -0500

Former NFL star Dez Bryant has hired a high-powered law firm after being charged with a misdemeanor in connection with a wild parking lot altercation in October.

The former Dallas Cowboys star was cited on a charge of assault by contact, which is a Class C misdemeanor in Texas. Bryant retained Levi McCathern’s law firm to represent him, a Southlake Municipal Court official told the California Post.

Bryant acknowledged knocking a phone out of a man's hand during an argument in a parking lot that stemmed from an encounter with two men he accused of driving recklessly. The former wide receiver alleged that one of the men threatened to shoot him.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

OutKick reached out to McCathern for a statement on Bryant’s charge, but he did not immediately respond. McCathern is currently representing Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua in a civil case involving an allegation that Nacua bit someone.

"He go to threatening me and basically saying, um, he’ll insinuate that he’ll, you know, he’ll shoot me or whatever," Bryant recently told OutKick.

Bryant said the man didn't have a gun but instead began recording him on his phone.

THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!

"I told him, you know, get the phone off me," Bryant said. "So, what I ended up doing is I knocked the phone out of his hand."

The Southlake Police Department responded to the scene and provided a statement to OutKick about the incident.

"On Sunday, October 25, at approximately 12:59 p.m., Southlake officers responded to a reported fight in progress in a retail parking lot in the 2200 block of FM 1709. Several callers reported that multiple individuals were involved in the altercation as well as a possible weapon. Based on that information, officers drew their firearms upon arrival as a precaution to address any potential threats and ensure the safety of everyone at the scene. Several individuals were temporarily detained as part of the investigation. No firearms were recovered at the scene," the statement read.

OUTKICK IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE FOX NEWS APP: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

"The altercation reportedly began as a traffic incident near Kimball Avenue, where one of the involved individuals, identified as 37-year-old Desmond Bryant, reported he was cut off by another motorist. Both parties subsequently entered the parking lot, where an argument ensued and the alleged assault occurred. Following the investigation, Bryant, was issued a citation for Assault by Contact, a Class C misdemeanor, and was released at the scene."

OutKick's Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

Philadelphia 'boycott ride' targeting Jewish businesses draws condemnation from city, state leadership

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:20:52 -0500

Jewish organizations called on Philadelphia and Pennsylvania leaders to condemn an upcoming "boycott ride" targeting pro-Israel and "Zionist establishments" in a statement Monday.

The organizations Philly Bike On Your Left, Philly Writers Against the War on Gaza, Boycott CookNSolo and Philly Solidarity Calendar shared a flier promoting the bicycle boycott event at Rittenhouse Square on Nov. 8.

"Ride around Rittenhouse with us as we show these zio business owners that we see them for the disgusting humans they are," Philly Bike On Your Left wrote on Instagram.

ISRAEL, JEWS TARGETED WORLDWIDE AS WELL-FUNDED LEFTIST, ISLAMIST GROUPS JOIN FOR ‘NAKBA 78’ PROTESTS

The flier included the names of Philadelphia businesses, including Dizengoff, Huda, Schlesinger’s and Mac Mart, all of which are owned by either Israeli or Jewish Americans.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Philadelphia, American Jewish Committee Philadelphia/Southern NJ, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and StandWithUs released a joint statement condemning the event as "Jew-Hatred, plain and simple" and called on city and state leadership to do the same.

"Free speech protects political expression and criticism of Israeli government policies. It does not provide a license for threats, harassment, intimidation, or discrimination. There is a profound difference between criticizing a government and targeting businesses because their owners are Jewish or perceived to be connected to Israel," the statement read.

The organizations also remarked that the boycott's scheduled date would occur on the eve of the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, a Nazi-organized attack on Jewish homes, synagogues and businesses in Germany and Austria.

WEAPONIZING THE CHARGE OF GENOCIDE FUELS AN INCREASINGLY DANGEROUS ANTISEMITISM

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker's office pointed to remarks shared Tuesday by Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) Executive Director Renee Chenault-Fattah.

"The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations reaffirms its 75-year commitment to fighting racism, antisemitism and, in recent years, Islamophobia. Acts of bigotry, violence and hate cannot be tolerated, and we will never stand by and allow businesses, individuals or jobs to be run out of our city, full stop," the statement read.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro also issued a statement to Fox News Digital condemning the event and assuring Jewish communities that his administration was working with authorities ahead of Sunday.

"The Shapiro Administration is aware of this planned protest and the Pennsylvania State Police is engaged with our local partners to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our neighbors in Philadelphia. This bike ride, masquerading as a protest to advance the cause of justice, is nothing more than blatant antisemitism designed to intimidate and drive Jewish businesses out of our communities, and there is no place for that in our Commonwealth," Shapiro spokesperson Rosie Lapowsky said.

Ahead of the planned boycott, some of the targeted businesses reported receiving broad support from the public.

Mac Mart owner Marti Lieberman told Fox News Digital that while it is "heartbreaking" to have to defend her business, she hoped the attention would shed light on what other small-business owners were facing.

OAKLAND COFFEE SHOP ACCUSED OF KICKING OUT JEWISH DAD, 5-YEAR-OLD SON AND SHUTTERS AMID ANTISEMITISM LAWSUITS

"We are absolutely feeling the love from this community, and we don’t take a single order, kind message, or person showing up for us for granted," Lieberman said. "Our hope is that this attention also sheds some light on what small business owners are dealing with, often quietly, and brings accountability to those choosing to target and tear down businesses without considering the real people behind them."

"At the end of the day, we want to keep doing what we built Mac Mart to do: feed people, make them feel welcome, and send them off a little happier than when they arrived. Everyone is still welcome at our window," she added.

Huda owner Yehuda Sichel defended his Jewish heritage and pledged to stand against the boycott.

"I’m proud to be Jewish and supportive of Israel. Neither should make my business a target," Sichel told Fox News Digital. "As the grandchild of Holocaust survivors, seeing Jewish businesses targeted on the eve of the Kristallnacht anniversary is deeply personal."

"Since this was announced, we've received nothing but positive support, with people coming in to patronize our business in response to this boycott," he added. "Our doors are open to everyone, and we’re not going anywhere."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital reached out to Philly Writers Against the War on Gaza and Boycott CookNSolo, two of the groups promoting the event, for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz called 'cheaters' as gambling case opening statements begin in court

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:20:12 -0500

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were in a Brooklyn court on Wednesday during opening statements in their gambling case.

The relievers are accused of rigging their own pitches during games to benefit bettors. Both have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges and are on non-disciplinary leave from the club without pay while facing prosecution. They were arrested in November 2025 and have been free on bail since.

The pitchers were described by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Urquiola Wednesday as "cheaters" during opening statements , and she said they "sold their pitches."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

Urquiola said Clase befriended a sports betting gambler in the Dominican Republic in early 2023 who shared his interest in dominoes and cockfighting, which is legal in his home country.

She said Clase saw gamblers profiting from his pitches and "decided it wasn't enough to help his friends make money," so he asked for kickbacks.

Clase eventually agreed to tell "his new friend" what kinds of pitches he would throw in certain games, enabling gamblers to reap at least $460,000 on platforms that allow customers to bet on whether a pitch would be a ball or a strike, she said.

Defense lawyers, however, said their clients were innocent and that a gambler who befriended Clase falsely claimed to other gamblers that the pitcher was providing inside information on his pitches and tried to sell them the information.

He said Clase was 25 in the spring of 2023 when he met a 41-year-old gambler, Enoc Pena, who made over 7,000 bets from 2023 to 2025 and had a history of lying to get what he wanted.

Pena "didn't see a peer, a friend. He saw a mark," Bronson said.

WORLD SERIES CHAMPION MARK TEIXEIRA WINS US HOUSE SEAT IN TEXAS: 'I'M EXCITED'

Soon Pena was bringing Clase food and picking him up at the airport in the Dominican Republic, the lawyer said. The pitcher, in turn, gave him tickets to Guardians games and loaned him money.

As Pena bragged to fellow gamblers that he was close to Clase and tried to sell them information, he was actually guessing which pitches Clase would throw in games and managed with fellow gamblers to lose over 200 bets on Clase's pitches, the lawyer said. Pena was "selling lies," Bronson said, urging jurors to ask themselves if his client would risk "a fortune and his lifelong dream over a few thousand dollars."

Bettors allegedly won $400,000 from betting platforms on pitches thrown by Clase between 2023 and 2025. Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme in June 2025.

In one instance, the indictment alleges, Clase used his phone in the middle of a game to coordinate with a bettor on a pitch he would throw.

Clase turned himself into arguably the game's best closer, pitching to a 1.21 ERA in his last full season in 2024, which was good for a third-place finish in the American League Cy Young Award vote. His 2025 ERA was 3.80 by the time he was investigated. Ortiz boasts a lifetime 4.36 ERA, with his best season also coming in 2024 with a 3.32 ERA.

Clase inked a five-year, $20 million deal just before opening day in 2022, a few months after finishing fifth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. Ortiz was making the veteran minimum of $782,600 last season because he was not yet arbitration eligible.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

OutKick’s Ryan Gaydos, Jackson Thompson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Canadian mother and daughter dead after suspected grizzly bear attack on hiking trail

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:14:59 -0500

A Canadian woman and her daughter were killed in a suspected grizzly bear attack over the weekend while hiking on a trail near their home, according to authorities.

Jennifer Balcarras, 48, an art therapist, and her daughter, Selah Reed, 20, went missing Saturday after going for a walk on the Snooka West Trail, just minutes from their home in Bella Coola, British Columbia.

Loved ones grew concerned when Balcarras failed to show up for a scheduled online meet-up on Saturday, her brother, Matt Balcarras, told The Vancouver Sun.

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO NOT GETTING MAULED BY A BEAR WHILE HIKING OR CAMPING THIS SUMMER

After failing to reach the pair, relatives asked the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for a welfare check on Sunday morning.

Authorities discovered Balcarras' vehicle parked at the trailhead. Her body was recovered Monday, and search teams found Reed's body on Tuesday.

GRIZZLY BEAR MAULS HIKER, DRAGS HIM DOZENS OF FEET ON GLACIER NATIONAL PARK TRAIL

"There was evidence to suggest a bear may have been involved," Jeff Tyre, an inspector with the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service, said in a video update posted to social media.

Tyre noted that officers were actively working to "locate and capture any bears involved" and said it was not immediately clear if more than one animal was responsible.

HIDDEN DANGER AT POPULAR US NATIONAL PARK FORCES TRAIL CLOSURES AS BEAR SIGHTINGS CLIMB

"Any captured bear will be assessed," conservation officials added in a statement. "If it is determined to have been involved in the attack, it will be dispatched in accordance with provincial human-wildlife conflict response guidelines to protect public safety."

Matt Balcarras expressed shock over the location of the attack, emphasizing that his sister and niece were experienced in the region.

"They were not naive city folks," he said. "They were strong women living the life."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The tragic encounter came less than a year after a grizzly bear injured 11 people, including fourth- and fifth-grade students, during a school field trip near Bella Coola.

Florida congressman diagnoses GOP's blue tsunami losses: 'We failed to make them think we cared about them'

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:06:57 -0500

As Republicans sift through the wreckage of a devastating election night that handed Democrats control of both chambers of Congress by large margins, one Florida Republican who bucked the national trend says the GOP fundamentally misread the electorate.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Congressman Randy Fine — who expanded his own winning margin by five points despite the national backlash — offered a candid assessment of his party's shortcomings and warned that Republicans must now prepare for an "ugly two years" battling Democrats over immigration and other contentious issues.

While Republicans held their ground in Florida, winning the governor's mansion, the Senate race, and maintaining their 20-8 edge in the US House, nationally the GOP got crushed under the weight of a blue tsunami.

ILHAN OMAR HIT WITH EXPULSION THREAT AS GOP LAWMAKER VOWS TO BOOT HER FROM CONGRESS OVER DOJ PROBE

Congressman Fine presents no easy answer to the GOP's divergence in fortunes between Florida and the rest of the country:

"You know, I think that's a hard question to answer. What I would say, I can speak to my race, and I'm actually one of the few Republicans in the country whose margin increased from my last election. I won my special election after having $14 million spent against me. I won it by 14 points. I won last night by 19 points. And so what I can tell you is what worked for me.

"My constituents want a fighter, someone who says what they believe. They know it's not driven by polls or anything else and fights for them, whether it's fighting for their constituent service issue or fighting on illegal immigration or fighting to bring money to the district. And that's why I went up so much. I took my race seriously because I knew the winds were against us.

"And so, Florida, I think just people know how good we have it and they don't want to screw up the state. I think that's why we won all 20 of these races."

Fine refuses to single out anyone in GOP leadership for the electoral outcome, and believes the Republicans must approach each election cycle as a unified team:

"Well, look, I'm not a finger pointer, but what I would say is this. We're a team and the team lost. And so then the whole team bears responsibility and that includes me. I mean, while I did well, my team lost, and I'm not going to be here pointing the fingers at anybody.

FROM CAMPUS RADICALS TO BEIJING'S AI SABOTAGE: REP RANDY FINE SAYS 'US FIGHTING TO SAVE WESTERN CIVILIZATION'

"I think that what we did is we failed to understand what the American people wanted. I think we failed to make them think we cared about them. Now, I didn't fail in my district, but I think nationally people came to believe that we weren't interested in them and that's wrong.

"We were, but we failed to communicate it, and maybe that's part of my special sauce is I know how to communicate better than many of these people."

With Democrats firmly in control of both chambers of Congress, Fine anticipates two years of playing defense, and a continuous fight to explain why Democrats' policies will be harmful to the country:

"I don't know that we're going to push the agenda. I think what we're going to be is we're going to be on defense. We're going to have to fight back. And you know, as my father told me this morning, he goes, 'Randy, you've been a fighter your whole life. You were built for the fight.'

"So we're going to be having to fight against stupid policies that they will be pushing. And it's going to be an ugly two years, but we're gonna have to explain why all of the things that they said they would do during the campaign are so bad. We obviously didn't succeed in doing that. But as they put those policies forward, we're going to have to make the argument for why they would damage America."

Immigration is the single issue that Fine identifies as having the greatest potential to harm the country:

"I think they will seek to reopen the border and allow illegals to flood in. I think they will seek mass amnesty, rewarding all of the illegals that are here. And I think they will stop any requirement for people who come to this country to assimilate. They believe in the ‘third worldification’ of America. And that's going to be the number one thing we have to fight back against."

Florida and Texas painted a particularly stark contrast in electoral outcomes. Fine suggests the Sunshine state GOP was better prepared to face headwinds:

"Well, I think maybe our candidates at the top of the ticket were better. You know, Byron Donalds is an incredible spokesman for the conservative movement. Ashley Moody is a multiple-time winner statewide. And I think Texas allowed itself to slide on a lot of these things.

"They had a big influx of illegal immigrants. And they also really didn't fight back against the Islamification of their state in a way that we have in Florida. Demographics are destiny. And I think, to some degree, Texas was overtaken by that yesterday."

Fine has long been an outspoken critic of Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed, and believes he represents a danger to the country:

"Of all the races last night, that one breaks my heart the most. I mean, someone who literally supports Muslim terror, someone whose family is embedded in so many aspects of Muslim terror. Someone who's really a danger to this country being elected to the United States Senate. It's an unspeakably horrible thing, a historically bad thing. Someone who doesn't support the United States. Someone who supports the Muslim Brotherhood.

"It breaks my heart. I'm not from Michigan, I don't know what they were thinking, but it's a terrible, terrible, terrible day. Look today for me has been a hard day. You know I won my election last night, I was super excited. My margin went up. It's unheard of in this cycle and so I'm super excited, then I watched the bottom fall out of the election results and realized so many good people lost today.

"So it's a challenging day for me, the high of winning so decisively with the low of realizing the battle that we have ahead of us, but God puts us where he wants us to be and I'm a fighter and I am ready for the fight."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Finally, as it appears that either Jim Jordan or Steve Scalise is likely to be the next House Minority Leader, Fine declined to weigh in:

"No, I mean, these are discussions. I've not spoken with either Scalise or Jordan at this point. They've got a lot of phone calls to make, and we'll get to that when we get to that. But it won't be Mike Johnson. He's taken himself out of consideration."

MICHAEL RUIZ: Video shows polling place attack on Turning Point member; poet arrested

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:05:00 -0500

New Hampshire police have arrested a 70-year-old poet after he allegedly slapped a Turning Point Action member in the face outside a Laconia elementary school where voters were casting ballots Tuesday.

The Laconia Police Department said officers arrested the suspect, identified as Stephen Redic, around 8 a.m. Wednesday on charges of simple assault, a misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, a violation.

"We're not familiar with him, meaning we've had no prior contacts," Laconia Police Chief Matthew Canfield told Fox News Digital Wednesday.

DEMOCRATIC STUDENT GROUP TO PROTEST CHARLIE KIRK MEMORIAL AT CAMPUS WHERE HE WAS KILLED

In a press release, Laconia police said Redic approached the Turning Point tent as he was leaving and wanted "to read a poem about rich people." The poem isn't included in viral video of the incident, which shows the victim attempting to debate as Redic raises his voice and grows increasingly angry.

Video of the incident shows the increasingly agitated older man shouting at the victim before giving him the middle finger, slapping him across the face and walking away.

UTAH STUDENT CITED AFTER PHYSICAL ALTERCATION WITH COLLEGE REPUBLICAN CAUGHT ON CAMERA

"You sit there and dare to look me in the face and say I don't know anything?" the man identified as Redic says, his voice growing hoarse before he shoves his finger in the victim's face.

"That's what I know," he says, before backhanding him.

CHARLIE KIRK'S FAMILY ALLEGES UVU KNEW OF ROOFTOP SECURITY RISK BEFORE HIS ASSASSINATION: LEGAL FILING

A few moments later, he adds, "f--- that s---," as he storms away. People off-camera discussed calling the police.

Onlookers were audibly surprised.

SEND US A TIP

Turning Point described the victim as an 18-year-old.

Redic published a book of poems in 2023, "Tying My Shoes." In it, he boasted of meeting every U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower.

LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST

He's due in court on Dec. 10 for an arraignment.

It was not immediately clear whether he'd retained a lawyer as of Wednesday afternoon. He did not immediately respond to an attempt to reach him.

GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL

The slap comes 14 months after Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University under a similar tent. He founded both Turning Point USA and its affiliate, Turning Point Action.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

His accused killer, Tyler Robinson, is due in court Monday for a hearing that could see a trial date set. He has pleaded not guilty.

Craig Carton says Alabama is 'screwing everybody else' after Crimson Tide land at No. 5 in rankings

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:04:55 -0500

The first College Football Playoff rankings dropped Tuesday night, and right on cue, the committee gave college football fans plenty to be mad about. Alabama somehow checked in at No. 5 while Tennessee got parked down at No. 13. Keep in mind this is just two weeks after the Vols handled the Tide head-to-head.

THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!

Craig Carton wasn't having any of the committee's nonsense Wednesday's The Craig Carton Show.

"Question, question, question. Question on the floor. How is Alabama ranked fifth when Tennessee is ranked 13th? Inquiring minds want to know," Carton said. "They played each other two weeks ago. Tennessee beat them by 16 points."

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RANKINGS: MIAMI TAKES TOP SPOT, INDIANA CRACKS TOP FIVE IN FIRST OFFICIAL RELEASE

It is a fair question that has very little to do with hyping up Knoxville.

Carton pointed out that Tennessee has its own flaws and probably does not belong anywhere near the top five right now. But when both programs sit at two losses, common sense suggests the team that won on the field should have the advantage.

TENNESSEE DOMINATES AS ALABAMA SUFFERS FIRST BACK-TO-BACK REGULAR-SEASON LOSSES IN NEARLY TWO DECADES

"Now, I'm not saying Tennessee should be a top-five program right now. They shouldn't be," he noted. "But how does Alabama, with two losses, get ranked eight spots ahead of Tennessee when they just lost to Tennessee head-to-head? "

That gets to the heart of what actually frustrates people about this process. Head-to-head is not just another metric on a piece of paper, it is the only piece of evidence that was decided by the players on the field.

YES, ALABAMA'S COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RANKING IS ABSURD, BUT ONE TEAM GOT ROYALLY SCREWED BY THE COMMITTEE

"Isn't head-to-head, shouldn't head-to-head, unless you're a porn star, of course, shouldn't head-to-head be the number one deciding factor when figuring out which team should be over another team? " he asked. "Then you can, of course, get into strength of schedule, the opponents, and all the other nonsense. They played against each other. I watched the game. Tennessee dominated Alabama."

Yet whenever Alabama drops a couple of games, the committee seems to look for every possible reason to keep the Crimson Tide near the top. "And yet, here we are, like we always are, currying favor with the Crimson Tide," Carton pointed out.

"You know, the only good thing about Alabama, not the, uh, is that a state in Alabama? It is. I'm pretty sure it's a state," he said. "The only good thing about Alabama, not the state, because I think it's a wonderful state, but the college, are those hot sorority videos that come out every September and October. You know the ones, 150 girls standing on the front porch of an old plantation house ... I love it. I love it, man. But Tennessee's got the same thing there, too."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Viral videos aside, the bottom line comes down to football, and Carton finished by giving Alabama fans a dose of reality.

CFP RANKINGS: NOTRE DAME FACES SUDDEN DEATH, SEC FEELING GOOD, AND BIG TEN CLOSE TO HITTING THE PANIC BUTTON

"And I've got to tell you this, I'm not saying that Tennessee got screwed, but I'm saying that Alabama's screwing everybody else," he concluded. "And Alabama is not winning a national title this year, and they should not. Sorry, Crimson Tide fans. Roll Tide. You should not be No. 5 in these first official rankings when it comes to football."

Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela

Man allegedly held teen captive in basement, forced her to remove braces with pliers after Snapchat meeting

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 16:58:52 -0500

The missing Utah teenager found alive in Oregon nearly 18 months after her disappearance was allegedly beaten repeatedly and forced to remove her braces with pliers to hide her identity, according to disturbing new details in the case.

Kylie Arellano, now 17, vanished from Garden City, Utah, on May 29, 2025, when she was 15. Federal authorities have now charged a 39-year-old man in her alleged captivity.

In court documents reviewed by Fox News Digital, Adam Hunter Harmel allegedly became "very violent and aggressive, often hitting" the teen and further forced her to remove her braces with pliers so that she could not be identified.

MISSING UTAH TEEN KYLIE ARELLANO FOUND SAFE IN OREGON AFTER 500-DAY SEARCH

The federal complaint also paints a chilling picture of captivity inside Harmel's home, where Harmel allegedly confined the teenager to the basement, where the two shared a bed.

To prevent her from escaping, the complaint says, Harmel also "kept a knife under his pillow and made MV [minor victim] sleep against the wall."

Investigators said Harmel had expressed a desire to start a family with the teenager, stated that he was interested in minors and repeatedly sexually assaulted her in 2025 and 2026, according to the complaint.

Harmel allegedly transported Arellano across state lines with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

12-YEAR-OLD NORTH CAROLINA GIRL ESCAPES ALLEGED KIDNAPPER AFTER BEING FORCED INTO TRUCK

The criminal complaint, filed Nov. 2 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, also outlines a timeline of alleged grooming, isolation and abuse.

For more than 500 days, Arellano's mother held out hope after finding her daughter's jacket discarded in the driveway and her phone turned off.

That wait ended Nov. 1, when law enforcement rescued the teenager from a home in Oregon following a tip from the parent of another player of the online game "Among Us."

According to an affidavit written by FBI Special Agent Andrea Elder, Arellano's family first reported in 2025 that she had been groomed online, with communications beginning on gaming platforms before moving to other social media apps.

According to a law enforcement source, the suspect allegedly met the teenager on Snapchat before her disappearance.

During the investigation, the FBI also learned that Arellano was allegedly groomed on platforms that are often used by Nihilistic Violent Extremist (NVE) Groups members to solicit sexually explicit photos and maiming photos, according to a release issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

JILLIAN MICHAELS URGES PARENTS TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST BIG TECH'S 'ADDICTIVE' GRIP ON KIDS

Authorities allege that, in May 2025, Harmel met the teenager online, claimed he had a disability involving his "messed up" hips and offered her money to travel to Oregon.

Harmel drove from Oregon to Perry, Utah, to pick her up on or about May 29, 2025. Immediately after she entered the vehicle, according to the complaint, Harmel threw her phone into a river in Logan Canyon, drove her to his home in Huntington, Oregon, and told her she was not allowed to leave.

A housemate living at the home told the FBI that Harmel claimed he had brought home a "new girlfriend" from Utah. The housemate did not see the teenager until about two months after her arrival, when she ran back into the basement.

According to the complaint, Harmel provided Arellano with a phone that lacked cellular data capabilities, limiting her internet access to Wi-Fi.

Her path to freedom began in mid-October 2026, when she connected with another minor while playing "Among Us."

After moving their conversation to another social media app, Arellano revealed her real identity and told the minor she was being held against her will at a man's home in Oregon. She also said she thought police were no longer looking for her.

FRANCE BECOMES FIRST EU NATION TO BAN SOCIAL MEDIA FOR CHILDREN UNDER 15

Her mother contacted the FBI, which monitored a Nov. 1 video call with Arellano during which she showed investigators the knife Harmel kept and other evidence corroborating her claims.

That same day, Oregon State Police and federal agents rescued the teenager and took her for medical treatment.

A search of Harmel's residence uncovered knives, BB guns and sexual lubricant, according to the complaint. Harmel was arrested during a traffic stop in Ontario, Oregon.

Harmel was scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court Wednesday.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah Melissa Holyoak said the priority in the case was the "safe return of the minor victim."

"Those who allegedly exploit and prey upon the most vulnerable members of our communities will be relentlessly investigated and held accountable."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

FBI Director Kash Patel issued a similar warning to those who target and exploit children.

"The FBI and our partners are coming for you. We are using every tool at our disposal to combat nihilistic violent extremism, bring offenders to justice, and protect America’s most vulnerable," he said.