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Inside underground El Paso storm drain system Border Patrol says cartels exploit to smuggle illegal migrants

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:09:38 -0400

Hidden beneath the streets of El Paso lies what U.S. Border Patrol agents describe as "a city underneath our city," a sprawling network of storm drains built for flood control that authorities say Mexican cartels continue exploiting to smuggle illegal migrants from Mexico into the United States.

Fox News was granted rare, exclusive access underground with the El Paso Sector’s elite Confined Space Entry Team (CSET), joining agents as they navigated the dangerous maze of tunnels where Border Patrol says smugglers continue searching for vulnerabilities, despite illegal crossings and apprehensions at historically low levels.

Border Patrol told Fox News it takes smugglers and illegal migrants 45 minutes to an hour to make it through the storm drains, which are hot and tight, with oxygen levels that can change or drop unexpectedly.

The underground system stretches for miles beneath El Paso. According to Border Patrol, there are 32 known entry points from the Rio Grande into the United States and hundreds of exit points scattered throughout neighborhoods, parks and commercial areas across the city.

WATCH: INSIDE LOOK AT THE DANGEROUS CARTEL HUMAN SMUGGLING TUNNELS STILL BEING USED AT BORDER

Jason Hartman, who leads the El Paso Sector’s Confined Space Entry Team, said one of the biggest challenges is where smugglers can emerge once they make it through the underground network.

"There are exit points into schools, into elementary schools, where we sleep, where we play," Hartman told Fox News. "At any point, you can have smugglers or bad guys coming up in your backyard, in your playgrounds, in your kids’ schools."

Just outside one of the storm drain entrances, evidence of previous crossings remained behind. Fox News observed tools, a wallet and even a Mexican driver’s license left near the entrance, items agents say migrants and smugglers often abandon during the journey.

MEXICAN NATIONAL SENTENCED IN BORDER CHILD SMUGGLING CASE INVOLVING THC-LACED CANDY

Border Patrol guards entry points near the Rio Grande, and Hartman says agents rely on technology to detect movement inside the underground network.

"We do have technology that lets us know when they’re in there, where they’re going, when they come out," Hartman said. "Technology grows at a rapid pace."

Still, some manage to slip through. So far this fiscal year, Border Patrol says agents have apprehended 161 illegal migrants that used El Paso’s storm drain system. At the height of the border crisis, Hartman said agents sometimes encountered groups of up to 70 migrants moving through the underground maze. Today, he said, it’s more common to encounter groups of just two or three.

SIX ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, INCLUDING 14-YEAR-OLD, FOUND DEAD IN SHIPPING CONTAINER ALONG SOUTHERN BORDER

Agents assigned to the specialized team undergo extensive training in a full-scale replica storm drain, learning how to operate in confined spaces while constantly monitoring oxygen levels that can change without warning.

Hartman said the physical conditions alone can be exhausting before agents ever encounter a smuggler.

"For me, it’s the heat and the time and the air," Hartman said.

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Border Patrol says because it is more difficult and risky to illegally cross the border, smugglers have dramatically increased what they charge migrants, between $20,000 and $30,000 per person, to guide them through the storm drains.

"Cartels are desperate to try to get people in," said Hamid Nikseresht, a U.S. Border Patrol Special Operations supervisor. "They’re desperate to try to fund the networks globally that they fund because this isn’t just a localized issue. This is a global issue."

Hailey Ostrom is back defending summer at the lake armed with her golf club and bikini

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:12:02 -0400

Believe it or not, the fight against the creep of fall into summer has already begun. The disrespect is at an all-time high. It really hit home for me last July when a Halloween display was out at a grocery store at the beach.

The beach? They're making their money off of summer vacations in July. What are they doing? Our very own Senior Editor of Content Development has already started receiving reports of Halloween decorations in the wild.

My own wife has fallen victim to it. This weekend, while her parents were in town and the temperature was well into the 90s, she came home with a Halloween-themed bag. But all hope is not lost.

That's where golf influencer Hailey Ostrom comes in. I know she was in Sunday Screencaps taking on Lake Powell, but she stepped up again for summer on Monday, still out at the lake.

Her message over the weekend on Twitter was slightly different from the one she delivered on Instagram. This message was straight to the point, "Just here to remind you it’s summertime."

How do you do that? You do that out on a boat in a bikini enjoying the water. You also do that by dusting off a trusty play from the content playbook. That's what Hailey did on Monday.

JENA SIMS ATTEMPS TO SPLIT THE 'G' BEFORE LEAVING ENGLAND, RAY LEWIS TRAINS IN MMA & MY WAR WITH VERIZON

She pulled out her driver, as she's done before, and she crushed golf balls off the moonscape all in the name of respecting summer.

That is how you fight the creep of fall. Listen, fall is great, mostly because it brings with it football, but let's keep the Halloween decorations in the warehouse until fall arrives.

We do that by not purchasing the early arriving fall items and shaming those around us who do. We also fight the creep by smashing golf balls off of moonscape in a bikini.

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

Let's take a moment as we wrap this up to recognize and thank Hailey Ostrom for her continued support of and respect for summer. We're only gifted a limited number of them in our lifetimes.

'Today' suspect caught on camera before hate crime arrest, rap sheet reveals attempted kidnapping conviction

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:08:03 -0400

The man accused of a hate crime when he approached "Today" co-host Craig Melvin at NBC's Manhattan studio has a criminal record spanning at least two decades, with charges including attempted kidnapping and trespassing, according to court records.

New York City police arrested Andrew Truelove, 41, last week after NBC says he snuck into a vestibule near Studio 1A in Rockefeller Center and approached Melvin.

A review of footage from the show reveals a man resembling Truelove and wearing similar clothing was pictured in the background as early as 8:03 a.m. the day of the incident. At 8:05 a.m., the man in the background took off a backpack and appeared to place it in or behind a bush outside the building. He could be seen multiple times until 8:34 a.m., when actress Anne Hathaway was on set to discuss her role in the latest adaption of "The Odyssey."

'TODAY' SHOW INTRUDER IDENTIFIED AFTER ALLEGEDLY BREACHING SECURITY NEAR CRAIG MELVIN

According to the NYPD, Truelove was arrested at 8:57 a.m. after he allegedly confronted Melvin with a racial slur in a private area of the building not open to the public.

He was allegedly looking for Al Roker when he found Melvin instead.

In October 2007, Truelove was accused of trying to abduct an 8-year-old from a school in Norfolk, Virginia. He was convicted at trial and sentenced to 10 years in prison, of which six were suspended, followed by 10 years on probation, court records show.

GO HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE FROM THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM

A psychiatrist testified he had symptoms of bipolar disorder and had stopped taking medications after gaining more than 100 pounds prior to the incident, according to The Virginian-Pilot.

Truelove has an extensive rap sheet in the state of Virginia, where court records show he was also accused of trespassing, destruction of property, making bomb threats and multiple probation violations.

In 2023, he served 90 days in jail for the property destruction case. In 2014, he was arrested on charges of stealing signs from memorials dedicated to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims.

PIMA COUNTY SHERIFF ISSUES ALERT FOR KIDNAPPING SUSPECT LESS THAN 10 MILES FROM NANCY GUTHRIE'S HOME

He faces hate crime charges of burglary, a felony, and menacing, a misdemeanor, in connection with the Melvin incident.

FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X

"An individual entered an unauthorized area in a vestibule near Studio 1A," a "Today" spokesperson said in a statement. "The person approached anchor Craig Melvin, who alerted security. The individual was detained and taken into custody by law enforcement without further incident. There was no altercation, and no one was injured. TODAY is cooperating fully with law enforcement as they investigate the matter. NBC and TODAY take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests extremely seriously. We are reviewing the incident and our security protocols and remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who works at and visits our studios."

Court records in New York show man with the same name and age as Truelove has additional pending cases in connection with an alleged assault in the NYPD's 5th Precinct in January, trespassing and reckless endangerment charges on the city's transit system from May — and a 12-count criminal mischief indictment from last year.

He's now being held on $10,000 bail in a New York City jail.

Melvin's colleague, Savannah Guthrie, is the daughter of missing Nancy Guthrie, whose Feb. 1 disappearance remains unsolved. She is believed to have been abducted from her home after Nest video shows a masked intruder on her front steps in the Catalina Foothills of northern Tucson, Arizona.

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Anyone with information on that case is asked to call 1-800-FBI or 520-88-CRIME.

With no arrests or publicly identified suspects in the Guthrie case, some web sleuths have pondered a potential connection. However, Truelove has not been linked to the abduction by any law enforcement agency, and he does not match the physical description of a masked man seen on Guthrie's front porch around the time she was taken.

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

New York jail records list Truelove as about 6 feet tall and 250 pounds. The masked intruder has been described by the FBI as 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall with an average build.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department and FBI did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Truelove has reportedly traveled through the Sonoran Desert region, according to a 2023 profile in the Los Angeles Times that focused on his bout with homelessness on the West Coast after getting off of probation in Virginia.

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It was not immediately clear when he arrived in New York City.

Truelove is due back in court Wednesday.

FBI alleges suspect 'deployed an incendiary device outside' federal building

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:14:14 -0400

A suspect is in custody after deploying an incendiary device outside a federal building in New York City on Monday morning, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.

"This morning an individual deployed an incendiary device outside of 26 Federal Plaza in New York. The individual is in custody and two minor injuries reported thus far. FBI JTTF is investigating the incident," Patel noted in a post on X.

FBI New York field office Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle Jr. said two individuals were injured, including a federal employee and a civilian, though he described the injuries as "minor" and said both were "treated and released."

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital, "At approximately 8:20 am, an anti-ICE rioter launched fireworks outside of 26 Federal Plaza, grazing a bystander and poured what is believed to be gasoline on the stairs of the entrance of the building and set it on fire.

"An FPS Protective Security Officer swiftly tackled and detained the agitator, sustaining minor injuries during the incident. Officers quickly recovered the individual’s bag, which contained what appeared to be two pellet guns and a manifesto. EMS, FBI, and the NYPD are on the scene. This is a developing situation, and we will update the public when more information is available," the statement added.

SUSPECT NAMED IN NEW YORK CITY ALLEGED INCENDIARY DEVICE ATTACK, HAD ‘ANTI-ICE STUFF' ON HIM

The suspect accused of deploying an incendiary device outside 26 Federal Plaza in New York Monday morning is named Andrew Arrabaca, two law enforcement sources have confirmed to Fox News Digital.

The sources both confirmed that Arrabaca had "anti-ICE stuff on him" at the time of the alleged attack.

Video footage shows that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were on the scene.

FBI BOSS KASH PATEL DETAILS HOW AGENCY AND PARTNERS SECURED RECORD-SHATTERING FIFA WORLD CUP

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. both issued statements about the episode.

"What occurred outside 26 Federal Plaza this morning was deeply disturbing. I’m relieved no one was seriously injured and that a suspect is in custody. My team is in touch with the NYPD and we will support the federal investigation. Our administration will continue to ensure that every New Yorker is safe in their city — and hold accountable any who threaten that," Mamdani said in a post on X.

FBI INVESTIGATING AFTER ICE HEADQUARTERS IN PHOENIX RIDDLED WITH GUNFIRE

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"I am grateful to law enforcement for their swift actions to stop an attack at 26 Federal Plaza this morning, for successfully apprehending the suspect and for keeping the people of New York City safe. Acts of terror and violence have no place in our City and will never be tolerated. The individual responsible for this must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Jeffries said in his statement.

Fox News' Brendan McDonald contributed to this report

Sen. Darline Graham reveals whether she will run for a full-term during ‘Hannity’ exclusive

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:04:55 -0400

Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., the sister of late Sen. Lindsey Graham, told Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity on Monday that she plans for a full Senate term.

Darline Graham was sworn into office last week following the sudden death of her brother, becoming the first female senator from the Palmetto State and the first sister of a lawmaker ever appointed to the upper chamber. She sat down with "Hannity" for her first interview since her brother's tragic passing and her appointment to the U.S. Senate.

Hannity noted that South Carolina law dictates that she will need to decide if she plans to run for a full term before her brother’s funeral has even taken place, as the filing period for a special primary runs from July 21 to July 28.

"It is a tremendous amount of pressure," Graham told Hannity.

TUNE IN TO WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON 'HANNITY' TONIGHT AT 9 PM ET ON FOX NEWS CHANNEL!

"I have been praying a lot, talking to my family. But with the love of my family, with the support of his staff, I know I’m a hard worker. I learned that from Lindsey," she continued. "He cared about the people of this state. I have worked for almost 30 years for the people of this state."

Graham then said, "I feel like I can do it. I feel an inner peace about it."

Hannity then pressed Graham on whether she has decided.

"I’m in," she said.

The late Lindsey Graham’s communications director said Friday that the senator's "life and legacy" will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 28, in Washington, D.C., and on Wednesday, July 29, in Columbia and Pickens County, South Carolina.

LINDSEY GRAHAM'S FINAL ACT REVERBERATES IN SENATE AS SISTER IS URGED TO 'KEEP PEDALING'

Lindsey Graham died July 11 at age 71.

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A statement released by Graham's office on Sunday cited preliminary findings from the District of Columbia's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, identifying the cause of death as an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The full interview with Sen. Darline Graham airs tonight on "Hannity" at 9 p.m. ET.

Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman contributed to this report.

Border czar Tom Homan fires back at Margaret Brennan over ICE pursuit

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:01:23 -0400

White House border czar Tom Homan defended U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) use of unmarked vehicles Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation," clashing with moderator Margaret Brennan over whether officers displayed emergency lights while pursuing a Houston man who was fatally shot.

Homan argued that unmarked vehicles helped officers locate suspects and maintained that the recent deaths could have been avoided through compliance.

"But bottom line is, we’ll see when the investigation plays out, but they’d be alive today if they simply complied with a vehicle stop by federal law enforcement officer. Just comply," Homan said.

ICE SAYS OFFICER SHOT AND KILLED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO TRIED TO RAM HIM WITH CAR IN HOUSTON

Brennan raised concerns about the unmarked vehicle used before an ICE officer fatally shot 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. Salgado’s family said he believed he was being pursued by robbers rather than federal agents.

"Well, the family of the man in Houston said that he thought he was being robbed because it was an unmarked vehicle," Brennan said. "Not that it was law enforcement at all."

Homan maintained that ICE vehicles contain equipment allowing officers to identify themselves during stops.

"They had emergency lights. They activate emergency lights. Blue lights," Homan said. "You know, in my vehicle I drive, where I’m with my security detail, we have emergency lights."

ICE AGENTS IN FATAL HOUSTON SHOOTING WERE NOT WEARING BODY CAMERAS, SOURCES SAY

Brennan challenged Homan to substantiate that claim, noting that publicly available videos did not appear to show emergency lights and the officers involved were not wearing body cameras.

"That there were lights, because the videos that we’ve seen there aren’t, and because there weren’t body cameras," Brennan said. "It is hard to substantiate some of what you are saying."

Homan acknowledged that he had not reviewed the videos of the Houston incident.

"OK, well, I have not seen the videos," Homan said.

The border czar qualified his earlier claim, saying the vehicles should have contained lights and sirens but acknowledging that he could not confirm whether officers used them.

"Now, if they didn’t activate the lights, again, I haven’t seen that video," Homan said. "If they didn’t activate the lights, then there’s an issue there, right?"

"A lot of police departments, I’m in New York City right now, a lot of NYPD officers are driving unmarked vehicles, and that helps them find people that don’t want to be found, right?"

ICE RESUMES NATIONWIDE TRAFFIC STOPS UNDER NEW POLICY REQUIRING BODY CAMERAS

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

He backed the nationwide deployment of body cameras, arguing that the footage would allow the public to see encounters from an officer's perspective.

"I think body cameras are the way to go," Homan said. "I think body cameras let the American people know what that officer sees when he takes that action."

Homan said ICE had purchased cameras and was training personnel to deploy nationwide. The agency will require officers to record vehicle stops with at least one body camera.

Salgado was not the intended target of the Houston operation, federal officials acknowledged. ICE initially said he rammed a federal vehicle and attempted to run over an officer, prompting the officer to fire in self-defense. Witnesses in Salgado’s van disputed the agency’s account.

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Six days later, an ICE officer fatally shot a Colombian driver in Biddeford, Maine, who also was not the operation’s intended target. DHS said the officer opened fire while "fearing for public safety" as the driver attempted to flee. Investigations into both shootings remained underway.

A third man, a 28-year-old Mexican national, was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer after fleeing federal immigration agents in St. Augustine, Florida.

The best birdwatching gear for beginners, from binoculars to bird feeders

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 02:00:42 -0500

Birdwatching is one of the easiest hobbies to pick up. You can get outside, explore nature and discover the birds around you without spending a fortune on gear. From binoculars and free birding apps to comfortable hiking gear, these essentials will help you spot more birds, identify new species and make the most of every outing.

Field guide: $21.97 (45% off)

Original price: $39.97

Bird-watching apps can help, but every enthusiast should own a field guide. Clear photos help you identify species by appearance, and the compact size makes the guide easy to slip into a bag or jacket pocket. You'll also learn how birds hide and how to locate them in the wild.

Binoculars: $35.99

Looking for a reliable pair of binoculars to see birds up close? You'll discover a wide range of options, from these budget-friendly, travel-sized pairs to premium Nikon models that offer a wider field of view and more powerful magnification. Bushnell, another highly sought-after brand, also offers waterproof binoculars.

Binocular harness: $19.89

During hikes, use a harness to keep your hands free while carrying your binoculars. It wraps around your shoulders and chest for an easier fit than a standard neck strap. You can also choose backpack harnesses with a pocket for storing your binoculars.

Smart bird feeder: $129.99 (32% off)

Original price: $189.99

This smart bird feeder has a built-in camera that connects to the Netvue app on your phone. When a bird lands, you can view it up close in real time. For one of the most high-tech options, go with a Birdfy feeder. Using AI, it identifies each visitor automatically, and its night mode lets you keep watching after dark.

Classic bird feeder: $18.98 (24% off)

Original price: $24.99

A classic bird feeder brings more visitors to your yard so you can watch them right from your window. Its thin design blends well with your outdoor decor, and six perches provide plenty of feeding space.

Birdhouse: $37.92

Give your winged backyard visitors a dedicated place to nest with this birdhouse. Grooves below the entrance help birds climb out more easily, while the elevated mesh floor improves air circulation. Shop now for less than $40.

Spotting scope: $149.99

To get a closer look at birds, choose a spotting scope. It works like a compact telescope and includes a mount for your smartphone, letting you capture high-definition photos.

Birdfy smart bird bath: $169.99 (43% off)

The Birdfy Bath Pro has an integrated smart camera that lets you catch a glimpse of neighborhood birds in crystal-clear detail. Its wide-angle lens and automated tracking capture videos and photos, then send them straight to your phone.

Merlin bird ID app: free

The Merlin app identifies birds by their songs, so you can tell which ones are nearby while walking, hiking or hanging out in your backyard. Download it for free from the Apple Store.

Field notebook: $10.95

There's more to birdwatching than simply observing. A field notebook lets you record every sighting. The Rite in the Rain field journal is waterproof and features space for drawings, along with sections to note the date, time and weather.

Audubon bird call: $19.99

When you're out hiking, a bird call can attract more species to your area, so you can identify them more easily. The Audubon Store has official versions that are American-made and hand-tuned to mimic actual species. They also fit comfortably in your pocket.

Bird bath copper disk: $12.99

Copper disks like this one have natural antimicrobial properties that reduce buildup in bird baths. The disk slowly releases ions into the water, helping prevent algae so your bird bath stays cleaner longer. It's also compatible with solar fountains and bubblers.

UPF sun protection shirt: $9.49 (53% off)

Original price: $19.99

During birding walks, block out harmful UV rays with this shirt that offers UPF 50+ protection. The quick-drying fabric won't hold onto sweat, so you stay cooler longer. A tag-free collar and hidden seams help prevent irritation and chafing.

Bucket hat: $9.49

Prevent sunburns with the help of a protective hat. It can be something as simple as a funny ball cap showing off your love of birds, or you can pick up a simple bucket hat for less than $10 on Amazon. The bucket hat comes in multiple camo patterns and a few neutral colors.

Small hiking backpack: $14.39 (10% off)

Original price: $15.99

Birdwatching often involves hiking into the woods, so grab a small backpack to carry water, snacks and other essentials. This lightweight pack offers plenty of space and folds into a compact storage pouch when not in use.

For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals

Skechers hiking boots: $84.99

Snag a pair of Skechers boots for long walks and wooded trails to keep your feet comfortable. They have a waterproof suede upper and a memory foam-filled insole that cushions every step. Find a similar pair in women's sizes and styles.

Future birders can get most of the items on the list in just 24 hours if you're an Amazon Prime member. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.

Lindsey Graham succession fight upended as Trump's chosen successor jumps in

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:57:17 -0400

Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., wants to make her role as caretaker for her brother’s seat in the Senate permanent.

Graham, who was appointed to finish off the remainder of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham's term, is officially entering the special election to claim the Republican nomination in South Carolina after a push from President Donald Trump.

Graham, during an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, acknowledged the "tremendous amount of pressure" to take over the position and run.

FOX NEWS CHANNEL’S 'HANNITY' TO AIR EXCLUSIVE FIRST INTERVIEW WITH SEN DARLINE GRAHAM ON MONDAY

"I feel like I can do it, I feel an inner peace about it," Graham said. "Will it be difficult? Yes."

When asked if she had made a decision on what she would do, she told Hannity she had.

"I'm in," Graham said.

Her addition to the growing roster of hopefuls to replace the late lawmaker will likely shake up the race less than one day before candidates can begin officially filing to run for the nomination.

So far, Reps. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., Russell Fry, R-S.C., and businessman Mark Lynch have all publicly committed to running. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., has strongly suggested that she’ll throw her hat into the arena, too.

Meanwhile, Mace and Norman are turning their steel against their colleague, Fry, in what’s shaping up to be a messy, Palmetto State brawl to capture the Republican nomination for Graham’s seat.

Mace argued that should Fry win the nomination, and subsequently the general election, he would vacate his "Republican House seat until next May."

REPUBLICANS DEFY TRUMP, JUMP INTO SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE RACE DESPITE HIS HANDPICKED SUCCESSOR

"That narrows an already razor-thin majority and puts the Speaker's gavel in play," Mace said. "I will never hand Hakeem Jeffries that gift."

"If you're running for two offices at once, you've already told us who you are," she continued. "That's not about politics anymore — that's about power. You're either with the people you serve or you're not."

Fry announced Monday morning that he would enter the race, hours after Norman tossed in his hat, too. Mace has been making public overtures that she wants to jump in, but has so far not made anything official.

A source in Fry’s political orbit told Fox News Digital that the lawmaker has "accomplished more than all the potential candidates combined," having passed three bills in his first four years in Congress.

"This is really about giving voters a choice and not a coronation," they said.

TRUMP REVEALS WHO HE'S EYEING TO REPLACE LINDSEY GRAHAM

Still, the conservative duo are going for blood against Fry, arguing that his bid for the seat is purely politically motivated and jeopardizes the House’s already slim majority heading into the midterm elections later this year.

Under South Carolina law, Fry can appear for multiple offices on the ballot. He was unopposed for his primary election for South Carolina’s 7th congressional district, and if he wins the nomination, he’ll be on the ballot twice for both.

Ultimately he’ll have to choose if he wins both, which would trigger another special election to fill his place.

The top two Republicans in the South Carolina Statehouse, South Carolina Senate President Thomas Alexander and South Carolina House Speaker Murrell Smith, said in a statement that the upcoming special election has "highlighted issues in South Carolina law," and noted that, "In the coming weeks, we intend to address these important issues so that we can provide the process available for our citizens."

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That is not a problem for either Mace nor Norman, who both ran and failed to clinch the Republican gubernatorial nomination last month.

"SC Republicans voters soundly rejected Nancy and Ralph as recently as last month because conservatives are tired of career politicians who care more about their own social media than getting actual results for families," a spokesperson for Fry’s campaign told Fox News Digital.

Norman was less venomous in his take on the situation, and noted on X that he respected Fry and had enjoyed his time serving with him in the House. Still, his candidacy, he argued, "could leave his seat vacant until May 18th."

"This would leave his constituents unrepresented, jeopardize President Trump’s agenda, and put the House at risk of being led by a Speaker Hakeem Jeffries," Norman said. "We can’t let that happen!!"

The American dream now comes with a ZIP code: Here's where starter homes are still within reach

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:32:51 -0400

For many would-be homeowners, the financial hurdle to buying a starter home has grown dramatically over the past seven years. The income needed to afford a typical starter home has jumped more than 80% since 2019, according to a new Realtor.com report.

Americans now need an annual household income of about $78,000 to afford a typical starter home, up from roughly $43,000 in 2019—an increase that has far outpaced wage growth and left many first-time buyers struggling to break into the housing market.

"First-time buyers aren't sitting on the sidelines because they don't want to own a home—it's because, for many of them, it's just not possible right now," Hannah Jones, senior economist at Realtor.com, told Fox News Digital.

THINK YOUR STATE IS EXPENSIVE? NEW DATA REVEALS WHERE AMERICANS FACE THE HIGHEST COST-OF-LIVING

The analysis paints a mixed picture for first-time buyers. While the supply of starter homes has slowly improved since bottoming out during the pandemic housing crunch, elevated mortgage rates, higher home prices and a lingering shortage of affordable listings continue to keep many aspiring homeowners on the sidelines.

The recovery has also been uneven, creating sharply different conditions depending on where Americans are looking to buy.

A wave of new construction has helped fuel the strongest recovery in starter-home inventory across the South and West, according to Jones, while buyers in much of the Northeast continue to face rising prices and limited supply. Builders in those regions have increasingly focused on smaller homes and lots, she said, helping expand the supply of entry-level housing and better match what first-time buyers are looking for.

The South has experienced the strongest turnaround of any region, adding nearly 170,000 affordable listings since the market bottomed out in 2022. Starter-home prices there have also declined 3.5% from their pandemic peak.

"Buyers in parts of the South and West are seeing more homes in their price range, while much of the Midwest remains relatively affordable compared with the rest of the country," Jones said.

TRUMP'S HOUSING CHIEF PAINTS A GRIM PICTURE FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP IN ONE MAJOR AMERICAN CITY

The West has seen the biggest improvement in affordability since the pandemic housing boom. Starter-home prices have fallen 7.3% from their 2022 peak, led by markets such as Denver, Phoenix and Colorado Springs, according to the report.

The Northeast has moved in the opposite direction.

Realtor.com found the typical starter home now costs about $444,000 in the Northeast, with prices climbing 12.6% since 2022 alone.

Meanwhile, the Midwest remains the country's most affordable region in absolute dollar terms, although affordability there has also begun to erode as prices continue climbing. More than half of homes listed in the Midwest still fall below the $350,000 threshold, giving buyers more options than elsewhere in the country.

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Even as inventory has improved, many first-time buyers remain priced out. Realtor.com found purchases of homes priced below $350,000 fell about 10% in April compared with a year earlier, suggesting higher borrowing costs—not just limited supply—remain one of the biggest obstacles facing would-be homeowners.

Jones said many prospective buyers are waiting for mortgage rates to ease or for more inventory to come onto the market before taking the plunge into homeownership.

NFL players may collectively bargain for grass fields in future negotiations but it would come at a cost

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:13:56 -0400

Days after the FIFA World Cup Tournament left some of its American NFL venues with the pristine grass fields it installed, the change back to synthetic turf normalcy has already begun. And that's unwelcome news for NFL players.

That is why the NFL Players Association will consider whether to make a requirement for grass fields across the NFL a top-tier demand in future collective bargaining negotiations with the league, according to a union source.

A final decision on that approach is not imminent, the source said.

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The reason this is an issue now is that NFL players watched World Cup matches on grass fields played in six NFL stadiums that normally house artificial turf. The last of those happened Sunday at MetLife Stadium, where the Final between Argentina and Spain was decided on a field sodded with North Carolina Bermuda grass.

And that made the NFL players long for the grass fields they believe are easier on their bodies and perhaps mitigate some injuries.

But MetLife will be converted back to turf in the coming weeks in preparation for the New York Giants and New York Jets to play preseason and regular-season games and the five other venues that hosted World Cup games have already torn out the million-dollar grass fields and replaced them with man-made turf.

The NFL players who longingly watched the same stadiums they play in go from artificial turf to grass started a social media campaign to keep the grass. Aligned with the NFLPA, players such as San Francisco Giants tight end George Kittle and Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams advocated for playing on grass fields across the entire league.

But that campaign hasn't and probably won't change anything. It's a losing battle because it relies on NFL owners making a conscious decision to lose money – either by having to more often replace grass fields after events such as concerts, or hosting fewer events.

The social media campaign was an appeal that will have no effect in the coming season.

That leaves the NFLPA considering whether to advocate for the overwhelming desire of its membership in both casual and then formal talks with the NFL in hopes of including the issue in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement after the current one expires in March 2031.

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There is no certainty this will happen because, as one NFLPA source told Fox News Digital, asking for something always means having to give up something and that often means money in negotiations with owners – as in players would get less.

To get grass mandated in a CBA, the players would have to give up something else. At a bare minimum, the league would want to split the total cost of installing and maintaining grass in stadiums where more durable turf is the norm.

Owners might also try to make the installation of grass fields part of an exchange for the addition of an 18th regular-season game and more international games.

Without a collectively bargained agreement on the topic, players will be left at the whim of owners who may or may not decide to replace their turf with grass to please their players.

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"That's a hope and hope is not often a good strategy for getting what you need," a player union source said.

The Buffalo Bills will meet that hope because they have installed grass in their new Highmark Stadium that will debut in the coming season. But that means that 14 other NFL stadiums, housing 16 home teams, will continue use synthetic turf.

That includes the stadiums that hosted World Cup matches played on grass.

Follow Armando Salguero on X: @ArmandoSalguero

Trump intervenes as House GOP revolt puts SAVE America Act at center of spending showdown

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:13:35 -0400

President Donald Trump is throwing his weight behind House GOP leaders’ latest gambit to pass the SAVE America Act as some fiscal hawks are skeptical of the bill’s increase to federal spending while the national debt balloons to $39.5 trillion.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is spearheading an effort to pass elements of the election integrity bill through the budget reconciliation process, which would sidestep the need for Democratic support in the Senate in order to get the bill to Trump’s desk.

The legislation would also add some $73 billion in national security spending as the war between the U.S. and Iran continues after multiple stalled attempts at peace talks.

GOP'S $95B DEFENSE PACKAGE SURVIVES CRITICAL HURDLE AMID FISCAL HAWK REVOLT

"The fact that there is no payfor and no language defunding Planned Parenthood is enough for me to vote no," Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital on Monday. "I am open to a dialogue with the administration on how we can ensure that the SAVE language is solid and what we might be able to do with stopping abortions by mail."

Trump took to Truth Social to personally thank Johnson and House Budget Committee members for their work cobbling together the new reconciliation bill, which would include $95 billion in new government spending through 2036.

"I am asking all House Republicans to VOTE YES this week on the Budget Resolution, which is an important first step towards getting a Budget Bill. House Republicans must UNIFY, and fight for THE SAVE AMERICA ACT!" Trump posted.

GOP CIVIL WAR ERUPTS OVER TRUMP'S LATEST AGENDA PUSH AS KEY REPUBLICANS THREATEN TO SINK MEGABILL

He argued the legislation would "get AS MUCH of THE SAVE AMERICA ACT as possible in a Budget Bill, along with aid to our incredible Farmers, and funding for our Military."

The bill, which was rolled out last week, is known as a budget "framework" setting rules for how much money the relevant congressional committees must spend. The details of exactly where the money will go will be determined in the coming weeks by lawmakers on those committees, before those details are patched back together into a massive piece of legislation.

But the framework does not currently have any spending cuts written into it, which immediately raised alarms for conservatives who are wary of additional government spending without cuts to offset it, also called payfors.

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Reps. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., and Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., told Fox News Digital they were both concerned about the lack of payfors before Trump’s post but left the door open on whether they would ultimately support the bill.

Burchett predicted the legislation would be sent to the Senate, where SAVE America Act elements would be stripped from the bill before it is returned to the House.

"Then I’ll probably vote no," he added afterward. He did not immediately answer a follow-up question about whether he supports the original iteration of the bill.

A source familiar with thinking by the conservative House Freedom Caucus left the door open to the group backing the budget framework, but with the caveat that the full SAVE America Act is included in the final legislation.

"The SAVE America Act is our top priority — the president wants it done. Mandatory voter ID and proof of citizenship through reconciliation would be a game-changer for this country. But any watered-down version that makes SAVE policies optional? There will be issues," the source told Fox News Digital.

A senior House GOP aide said, "We can't spend years warning about our fiscal crisis and then abandon payfors the moment they're politically inconvenient. Americans are tired of the all-hat, no-cattle approach to fiscal responsibility."

But some House Freedom Caucus members are supportive of the chosen path, like Budget Committee member Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., who told Fox News Digital, "As a fiscal hawk I understand the apprehension of not having a clear payfor in sight, but as an American, I know it is even more irresponsible to have business as usual elections without the security the SAVE America Act will create."

The SAVE America Act — which would create a federal voter ID standard and mandate proof of citizenship in the voter registration process, among other elements — passed the House but has stalled in the Senate, where at least some Democrats would be needed to advance the bill to final passage.

Democrats have argued the bill is tantamount to voter suppression.

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House GOP leaders are now pushing to pass elements of the SAVE America Act in the wider reconciliation bill to sidestep that opposition. Budget reconciliation only requires a simple majority to pass in the Senate, lining it up with the House’s own threshold.

But that comes with strict rules on what is permissible to include in a budget reconciliation bill, which has traditionally been left up to the discretion of the Senate parliamentarian — a nonpartisan congressional staffer tasked with making those decisions based on the chamber’s existing rules.

Europe's 'green ideology' climate agenda risks crushing its industry, environment minister warns

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:12:29 -0400

UNITED NATIONS — Europe risks destroying its industrial base unless its leaders retreat from aggressive climate policies and respond to voters demanding economic results, Czech Environment Minister Igor Červený warned in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"If we don’t change the course, we will probably crush the industry," Červený said during his first visit to the United Nations, where he addressed the U.N. High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

Červený pointed to the pressure facing European manufacturers, particularly the automotive sector, and warned that companies were increasingly moving production abroad.

The debate comes as Europe faces mounting pressure to revive its economy while maintaining ambitious climate targets. The discussion is increasingly relevant for the United States, Europe's largest trading partner, as Washington and Brussels navigate disagreements over energy policy, industrial competitiveness and the pace of the global transition away from fossil fuels.

TRUMP’S REINDUSTRIALIZATION AGENDA FACES ITS BIGGEST HURDLE — AMERICANS

"If you look at the market at this moment, mostly in European countries, there is a very bad situation," he said. "We see many companies leave our territory and leave for China or another place in the world."

Without those companies, he said, European governments would lose both tax revenue and jobs.

Červený argued that European governments must find a "win-win" approach that protects the environment without undermining industry and employment.

TRUMP'S EPA CHIEF PUSHES BACK ON CLIMATE SKEPTICS BEING LABELED 'SCIENCE DENIERS'

"We have to be very careful about this and be very reasonable and try to find some solution for both sides," he said. "If you look from a higher perspective at European countries, most of them provided only the green ideology. And I think this is a bad way."

Červený said resistance to the current approach was spreading beyond the Czech Republic, citing Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany and some Scandinavian countries.

The Czech Republic has been among several European governments pressing Brussels to ease parts of the Green Deal, including by delaying the bloc’s new carbon market for buildings and road transport and seeking changes to emissions-trading rules that Prague argues are raising energy costs and weakening industrial competitiveness.

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Červený’s warning stood in contrast to the position presented by European Commissioner for Environment Jessika Roswall during the ministerial segment of the U.N. High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York on July 13. The annual forum, convened under the U.N. Economic and Social Council, brings governments together to review progress toward the organization’s global development goals.

Roswall, speaking on behalf of the European Union and its member states, said the bloc remained committed to the 2030 Agenda, a U.N. framework adopted in 2015 that sets 17 goals covering issues including poverty, health, clean energy, infrastructure and environmental protection to be pursued by 2030. She warned that progress was being undermined by conflict, inequality and the "triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss."

She called for accelerated climate action, greater investment in renewable energy and low-carbon technologies, and support for a broader green transition.

"The challenge is not the lack of ideas, but the lack of speed," she said. "So let’s speed up together."

In his exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Červený also praised President Donald Trump for strengthening European politicians who favor a less regulatory approach.

"I’m glad that Mr. Donald Trump is president again, because this changed many things also in European countries," he said, adding that the United States gives smaller countries such as the Czech Republic a stronger partner in debates in Brussels.

Červený said Europe does not need to abandon sustainability, but should pursue it gradually and in cooperation with industry.

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"We have to change the course," he said, "because we don’t want to lose our industry, our economy, our benefits for society and the environment as well."

Tate brothers due in Miami court as UK seeks extradition on rape, trafficking charges

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:10:36 -0400

Social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate are due in federal court in Miami as British authorities seek to extradite the controversial pair to face dozens of charges, including rape and human trafficking.

Attorney Joseph McBride told reporters that the brothers are innocent and said he does not expect them to be released after being scheduled to appear at 2 p.m. ET on Monday.

"There will be a series of hearings," McBride said of the extradition process.

The brothers were arrested in Miami over the weekend after British authorities announced 38 additional charges involving four additional alleged victims.

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Andrew Tate, 39, faces seven additional rape counts, as well as charges related to sex trafficking and indecent images of a child. Tristan Tate, 38, faces charges including two rape counts and three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation.

British police said the new allegations bring the total number of charges against the brothers to 59. The alleged offenses are said to have occurred between July 2010 and August 2017.

"We have decided to prosecute Andrew and Tristan Tate for further offenses including rape, arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation and offences relating to indecent images of a child," Malcolm McHaffie, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime Division, said.

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The Tate brothers, who hold dual U.S. and British citizenship, have denied wrongdoing.

They also face separate criminal proceedings in Romania, where authorities have been investigating them since December 2022.

"I want to make it clear there is no place for male violence against women and girls in our society and we will continue to work tirelessly to support victims and investigate all reports made to us," said assistant chief constable Karena Thomas, lead for Britain's Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit.

FORMER PRINCE ANDREW UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ALLEGED INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT WITH WOMAN AT ROYAL ASCOT

The brothers have built a large online following promoting their views on masculinity and wealth, while Andrew Tate has previously described himself as a misogynist.

Andrew Tate is additionally due to face a civil trial in Britain brought by four women who accuse him of physical and sexual abuse.

The four claimants, who have been granted anonymity, allege Tate subjected them to physical or sexual violence between 2013 and 2015. Two say they were in an intimate relationship with Tate, while two worked for his online webcam business.

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Andrew Tate denies those allegations. In his written defense, his lawyers said the claims are false and that all sexual activity was consensual.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Leftist streamer sparks online firestorm over speech to College Dems in Mao-style suit: 'They're communists'

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:00:24 -0400

Far-left political influencer Hasan Piker sparked heated backlash over the weekend after addressing a group of college students wearing an outfit resembling the wardrobe of former communist dictator Mao Zedong.

"No more to Trumpism, but no more to the Democrats who compromise, who conciliate, and who betray us," Piker said to applause at the 2026 College Democrats of America summer convention in a clip that was widely shared on social media, including by the account DSA Watch, which called the appearance a "Hitler style speech" and was viewed over a million times.

Piker continued, "No more to the fascist reactionaries, but no more to the Democrats who will collaborate and cooperate with the fascists, who will fund ICE, who will fund Israel, who will help poison the planet, who will stiff workers and help bosses."

The appearance, and specifically the Mao-style suit, generated instant outrage on social media.

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"Hasan Piker dressed as Mao, brainwashing your kids at college," former Los Angeles mayoral candidate and reality TV star Spencer Pratt posted on X. "They’re communists. This was always communism. "

Pratt added, "Mao killed more people than Hitler. If Hasan Piker had dressed like a Nazi, we'd have an appropriate outrage. But because commies have infiltrated all our institutions & lied about how evil they are, we don't get the National Socialists were no worse than all other socialists. "

"We can all agree that dressing up as Mao while preaching this faculty lounge cosplay communism is a little on the nose, right? " GOP strategist Matt Whitlock posted on X.

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Atlantic Council senior fellow Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib responded on X saying, "The transformation of Hasan Piker is nearing completion: dressed up as Chairman Mao whom he called ‘one of the great leaders of this world who changed the entire universe,’ he & his followers are attempting a cultural takeover of the Democratic Party, which is letting them in."

"Serious issues aside, it remains funny to me the amount of costumery required to be a Leftist in good standing," CNN political commentator Scott Jennings posted on X.

A spokesperson for pro-Israel watchdog group Canary Mission told Fox News Digital that Piker is a "malicious figure who has repeatedly faced criticism for rhetoric supporting terrorism" and that the decision to host him "reflects the growing influence of socialist and extremist voices within the Democratic Party."

Piker, who has previously expressed admiration for Mao Zedong, the Chinese Communist revolutionary whose policies historians estimate contributed to the deaths of tens of millions of people, responded to the DSA Watch post on X saying, "no more to fascist trumpism and no more to the democrats who collaborate w fascists by funding ice and israel is a hitler style speech to you? "

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Fox News Digital reached out to Piker’s team for comment.

Piker, backed by roughly 10 million followers across various internet platforms, has endorsed several far-left candidates across the country, including campaigning with Democrat Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, as the Democratic Party grapples with a socialist wave of candidates that have won elections across the country.

Various campaigns and candidates have faced criticism for associating with Piker, a streamer who has made a variety of inflammatory comments including that the United States "deserved" 9/11.

"I never would and never will criticize Mao Zedong," Piker said earlier this year in a clip that is currently recirculating on social media. "One of the great leaders of this world."

A College Democrats of America Executive Board member at a college in New York told Fox News Digital that the group "platforming someone like Hasan Piker is antithetical to the party that common sense democrats are trying to present to the American people before November’s midterms."

The board member added, "We have a golden opportunity to stand up to Trump’s corrupt and authoritarian brand of politics, fight against the MAGA affordability crisis, and restore congressional checks on an executive branch that has far overreached its role in our government. Platforming malignant outside actors, such as Piker, who actively work to cloud our policy platform will only harm our broad electability amongst average voters."

Fox News Digital reached out to College Democrats of America for comment.

More than 100 Haitian immigrants with violent offense and sex crime convictions deported: DHS

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:31:24 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: More than 100 illegal immigrants from Haiti with convictions for violent offenses and child sex crimes in the United States were deported to their native country last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Monday.

A July 16 deportation flight that landed in Haiti included passengers with a range of criminal histories, including convictions for child molestation, domestic violence, and armed carjacking, DHS said.

"Last week, ICE deported pedophiles, carjackers, drug traffickers, and perpetrators of fraud to Haiti," said DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. "Criminal illegal aliens have NO place in American communities. Our message to illegal aliens is clear: LEAVE NOW. If you don’t, we will find you and deport you."

ICE ARRESTS 15 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WITH CONVICTIONS INCLUDING HOMICIDE, RAPE AND CHILD SEX CRIMES OVER WEEKEND

Among those deported was Styv Charles, who had a conviction for the molestation of a minor. Timothe Matel was previously convicted of committing lewd or lascivious acts with a minor.

Marc James Guerrier Pinard had an armed carjacking conviction, and Markendy Henry has convictions for selling narcotics, carrying a concealed weapon, selling marijuana, selling heroin, and drug trafficking.

Another passenger on the flight, Fito Almanor, has convictions for domestic violence and false imprisonment.

SUPREME COURT'S LATEST IMMIGRATION RULING WILL CAUSE AMERICANS TO 'DIE AND SUFFER' ATTORNEY WARNS

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Haitians with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) cannot turn to federal courts to postpone the revocation of their legal status while challenging the Trump administration's policies.

In June 2025, the Trump administration ended TPS for roughly 520,000 Haitians residing in the U.S.

At the time, the administration said the move restores "integrity in our immigration system and ensures that Temporary Protected Status is actually temporary."

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Congress created TPS in 1990 with the intention of allowing residents of countries that faced natural disasters, war, or other unsafe, extraordinary conditions to find refuge in the U.S.

The program can be extended in increments of 18 months.

Fox News Digital's Preston Mizell contributed to this report.

'World's Oldest Pole Dancer' is an 82-year-old who turned a fitness challenge into a passion to work the pole

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:29:04 -0400

I'm not sure how I got on the old lady pole dancing beat, but I'm here. Is it a fascination with the crazy in the world? Is it for the love of the game? The answer is anyone's guess.

Enough about me. Let's focus on why we're all here. An 82-year-old Italian woman who isn't plopping herself in a chair and knitting sweaters all day long. She's too busy for that.

Idanna Abignente is out climbing on poles performing moves designed for much younger women and earning herself the title of "World's Oldest Pole Dancer," which is in the bio of her Instagram account.

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Why wouldn’t she have an Instagram account? And why wouldn't she have tens of thousands of followers? She's an 82-year-old who still rocks a two piece and hangs upside down on a pole.

The soon-to-be 83-year-old got her start about 12 years ago when a friend of her son's opened a studio in Turin, reports the NY Post. A fitness challenge followed and turned into a passion.

Abignente has been on a pole ever since. She competes and trains at least two or three times a week when she's not preparing for competitions, although she doesn't have much competition in her age group.

"I always win because there aren’t any other competitors over 80," she said. "I still haven’t met anyone over 80. I’d really like to."

POLE DANCING GRANDMA SAYS SHE'S IN THE BEST SHAPE OF HER LIFE SINCE ADDING THE POLE TO HER EXERCISE ROUTINE

The oldest competitor she's faced was a 74-year-old American and that took place last year. This is more than an activity for strippers. It's a sport, according to Abignente, and not one for the weak.

"It's a complete sport, but also a very demanding one. You have to learn to trust your body and endure physical exertion. Like many sports, it leaves its marks," she explained.

While anyone can do it, you need "tenacity, determination, consistency and a high tolerance for pain" to reach her level.

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As if you haven't already been inspired enough by an 82-year-old pole dancer, she's not planning to quit doing what she loves. She's going to keep going.

"I’ll be 83 in September, I’m not pretending to be 40. But I don’t want the number to decide for me."

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Angels betting pick favors the home team through five innings

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:25:55 -0400

I had another rough outing the other day with a loss on the Rays. It wasn't quite as heartbreaking or frustrating as the Royals game on Friday night, but it was still a tough loss. The Rays were up big, and then in the seventh inning, they allowed four runs to the Red Sox. Boston won again and moved on to their 12th straight win (they got No. 13 yesterday). After taking the day off yesterday, I'm back on the diamond today and have a play on this one between the Cardinals and Angels.

The St. Louis Cardinals are having a solid season, despite them supposedly looking to quasi-tank this season. For the year, they are 51-47, which puts them in the Wild Card hunt. They just had their breakout star, Jordan Walker, win the Home Run Derby, and their team could find a way to the postseason if they can keep up their winning ways in the second half. I am a little intrigued to see what they do around the deadline. They could add pitching, or they could ignore any trades and roll the dice on how the rest goes.

If they are looking for some sort of addition, the starting rotation is probably where they need to upgrade. They have some decent arms, but I'm not sure they are ones you want to go into a playoff series or even a playoff chase with. Kyle Leahy is a solid arm for them, for example, but this is his first full year as a starter; will he last? He has been great with a 7-4 record, a 3.73 ERA, and a 1.41 WHIP. He has been substantially worse on the road, with a 4.69 road ERA compared to 2.94 in St. Louis. The good news for Cardinals fans is that the team is 0-for-9 against him.

The Los Angeles Angels are likely going to be the worst team in all of baseball when the season is over. There will be talk about trading some players, including their superstar Mike Trout, but I'm guessing very little will happen. They are in one of the worst positions as most analysts will tell you this team needs a complete rebuild and their farm system is empty. Although they hung in there for a few months, they've dropped down to 22 games under .500 and are no longer even sniffing contention. At just 11.5 games back, crazier things have happened, but the team just doesn't seem to have the ability to get where they need to go.

One of the arms that might bring them back a bit of a return - and they should be looking at prospects more than anything - is today's starter, Jose Soriano. He has been surprisingly reliable for the Angels with an 8-6 record and a 3.49 ERA for the year. In addition, he has a 1.29 WHIP. While these numbers won't blow anyone away, he seems like an arm you'd at least be tolerant of in the middle of your rotation if you're chasing a playoff spot. A typical Soriano start will be two or three runs allowed in five or six innings of work. He hasn't faced the Cardinals often, and they are just 1-for-5 against him.

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I am not a guy who likes to back bad teams, and the Angels are a bad team. However, there is often value in taking these teams that are often overlooked. They are still winning about 40% of their games. If you pick the right spot to back them, that can be a profitable endeavor. I think in this situation it does make sense to back the Angels. They are playing at home after the Cardinals have to travel. Leahy is bad on the road, and Soriano has been reliable. Give me the Angels through five innings.

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For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024

Suspect named in New York City alleged incendiary device attack, had 'anti-ICE stuff' on him

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:38:52 -0400

The suspect accused of deploying an incendiary device outside 26 Federal Plaza in New York Monday morning is named Andrew Arrabaca, two law enforcement sources have confirmed to Fox News Digital.

The sources both confirmed that Arrabaca had "anti-ICE stuff on him" at the time of the alleged attack.

The FBI announced that Arrabaca was taken into custody shortly after the incident.

"This morning an individual deployed an incendiary device outside of 26 Federal Plaza in New York. The individual is in custody and two minor injuries reported thus far. FBI [Joint Terrorism Task Force] is investigating the incident," FBI Director Kash Patel noted in a post on X.

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FBI New York field office Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle Jr. said that Arrabaca had an unidentified liquid on him, and that he "put the liquid down, set some fireworks on top of it," causing a "little fire." Initial reports said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were involved in the arrest.

According to Barnacle, the suspect was armed with a pellet gun, and that two people, a federal employee and a civilian, were injured. Both were treated and released.

The building in Lower Manhattan is home to a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a statement on X.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released further information on alleged attack Monday afternoon.

"At approximately 8:20 am, an anti-ICE rioter launched fireworks outside of 26 Federal Plaza, grazing a bystander and poured what is believed to be gasoline on the stairs of the entrance of the building and set it on fire," the agency said in a statement. "An FPS Protective Security Officer swiftly tackled and detained the agitator, sustaining minor injuries during the incident. Officers quickly recovered the individual’s bag, which contained what appeared to be two pellet guns and a manifesto."

"EMS, FBI, and the NYPD are on the scene. This is a developing situation, and we will update the public when more information is available."

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Fox News' Alex Nitzberg and Peter Pinedo contributed to this report.

This is a developing story.

Army IDs 2 victims killed in Jordan air base attack; Trump: Iran will pay 'many times over'

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:39:02 -0400

The War Department has identified two active-duty Army soldiers killed during an enemy attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan last week as 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas.

They were the first U.S. service members killed since the restart of hostilities amid Iran's violations of President Donald Trump's peace agreement.

A third U.S. service member's remains are being identified, while another was killed Saturday "during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance" in northern Iraq, U.S. Central Command said.

"Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!" Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social. "This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and every Leader in the Military."

TWO US SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED IN IRANIAN STRIKES ON JORDAN, CENTCOM SAYS

The announcement brought the number of U.S. service members killed since the war began to 17, while more than 420 have been wounded.

Feehan and Gonzales were victims of the Iran attack Friday on Jordan, which remains under investigation. The release of their identities noted they were in Jordan supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the international campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

The mission has ended operations in Iraq, while the U.S. has been consolidating and transitioning its presence in Syria.

Feehan was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

"U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command mourns the loss of 1st Lt. Tyler Feehan, whose service and sacrifice will never be forgotten," Lt. Gen. John L. Rafferty said in a statement. "Losing him to enemy fire will inspire our soldiers and strengthen their resolve to continue the mission."

ISIS POISED TO EXPLOIT HISTORIC US IRAQ EXIT, TERROR GROUP 'ACTIVELY WAITING IN THE GAPS,' EXPERT WARNS

Feehan will receive the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge, and be posthumously promoted to captain. He had already received the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Combat Action Badge.

"1st Lt. Feehan’s unwavering dedication to our mission, our values, and the air defenders he led will leave an enduring legacy," Brig. Gen. John Dawber said. "We stand fully committed to supporting his family and loved ones through this incredibly difficult time, and we will never forget his ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation."

Gonzales was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, in Ansbach, Germany.

The U.S. and Iran have intensified attacks since an interim ceasefire deal signed a month ago fell apart last week, leading to the return to all-out war.

TRUMP'S 60-DAY IRAN DEAL REACHES HALFWAY MARK AS CEASEFIRE COLLAPSES INTO ESCALATING WAR

"Godspeed, heroes," War Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X. "Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve."

Trump has authorized nine consecutive days of pounding strikes on Iran's coastal military sites and Islamic Revolution Guard Corps forces defying the terms of the now-defunct memorandum of understanding (MOU), designed to bring a ceasefire and open up the Strait of Hormuz to freedom of navigation.

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"We hit them very hard again tonight, and we did that in honor of the probably three – it's probably three as opposed to two great patriots," Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Sunday night. "We feel very badly, but you know, those great people, those great patriots were out there fighting that Iran could not have a nuclear weapon."

Greg Sankey addresses SEC breakaway talk as Michigan tries to steal spotlight with AD Warde Manuel decision

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:57:02 -0400

TAMPA - Just as SEC commissioner Greg Sankey took to the podium inside the Marriott hotel to kick off the 2026 media days, he was already battling for headlines from the Big Ten, as Michigan announced the findings of their internal investigation that is leading to AD Warde Manuel stepping down.

Did you expect the competition between conferences to stop on a random Monday morning in July?

While this was already going to be a week of pure chaos, wrapped up between the ongoing 'Protect College Sports Act', CFP expansion and the battle to stay out of courtrooms, it almost felt as though the third Monday of July was going to be a doozy.

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Come on, what did you expect?

We are currently in the midst of one of the most important times in college athletics, as conferences like the SEC and Big Ten negotiate with senators over issues pertaining to the future of the industry. The latest negotiations center around a potential agreement that conferences would not be allowed to expand to over 20 teams, which is just the latest installment of this ongoing saga.

But, what about the ongoing discussion regarding the SEC breaking away from others, and governing themselves if there is not legislation passed on the Senate floor?

"They're real. People have talked about that," Greg Sankey said to open SEC Media Days. "They've opined about the frustrations that have brought them to the point of looking for something different. I do not believe that it's a leverage point.

"We have regulated ourselves more aggressively by choice than other colleagues around the landscape. ... What you hear comes out of a culture that we can regulate ourselves."

No, the conference is not using this as a ploy. But, this would also become the latest example of college athletics trying to figure out their way outside the NCAA structure.

Lost in the fray of nearly 1,000 media members in Tampa are the different conversations taking place among radio stations, podcasts, television hits and stand-ups.

For many, they want to move onto the forthcoming action on the field. But, in the meantime, there will be discussions on what college athletics will actually look like in five years.

Though, if you think the competition between conferences was taking a break before the season fully got underway, you are oblivious to the ongoing battles outside the fight to pass legislation.

It just so happens that Michigan decided that Monday morning was the perfect time to release its findings of a $12 million investigation into the athletics department, largely based on the firing of former coach Sherrone Moore.

Warde Manuel stepping down, Michigan releases outline of findings

Oh, just perfect timing that the Wolverines athletic department decided to release certain talking points of its investigation into the firing of Sherrone Moore and past infractions during the opening remarks of SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.

After nearly seven months of inquires by outside law firm Jenner & Block, who were hired by Michigan to also investigate the culture of the Wolverines athletic department, an outline of findings were finally released on Monday morning.

Michigan's investigation into Sherrone Moore and its athletic department has cost over $11.5 million so far

Multiple NCAA investigations, firings, scandals and even an FBI investigation into a member of the football staff led to the school hiring an outside firm, which came in the aftermath of Sherrone Moore being fired for having a relationship with staffer Paige Shiver.

So, what did the investigation uncover about the actions of athletic director Warde Manuel over the past five years? Enough to send him on his way, in around six months, but not without praising him for the leadership provided to Michigan.

"The culture review found that Warde Manuel demonstrated important leadership strengths, particularly his commitment to student-athletes," Michigan noted. "At the same time, it identified failures to quickly and effectively act on allegations of wrongdoing by Athletic Department employees."

In its announcement, the school also noted that AD Warde Manuel would step down at the end of this calendar year.

"The review also identified interference, poor oversight and failures of accountability of the highest levels of university leadership. This must change," President Domenico Grasso said in a video statement.

This was a far cry from the answers given in what was essentially a Q&A on the school's website about what was found from a multi-million dollar investigation. So, was widespread misconduct found during the internal audit?

"No. Neither the investigation nor the culture review found that misconduct was widespread throughout the department.

"The culture review found that weaknesses in accountability, organizational structure, oversight, and reporting created conditions in which misconduct was not always addressed consistently, promptly, or in accordance with University expectations."

A week of talking football, along with Lane Kiffin taking the podium

If you are grasping for actual conversations around what will happen on the field this season, don't worry it's coming.

The 2026 circus between LSU and Ole Miss, thanks to Lane Kiffin, will arrive later this week to Tampa.

Obviously, the talking-points from Kiffin will be interesting to monitor, though the Tigers head coach seems to be more subdued in person compared to his social media presence.

Lane Kiffin takes shot at Ole Miss, cites racism in recruiting gap with LSU in awkward interview

There will also be plenty of eyes on the Texas Longhorns, with Arch Manning making his return to SEC Media Days. Is this the year that Steve Sarkisian leads his team to a national championship game?

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No matter what, the headlines will come over the next four days, along with plenty of conversations around self-governance, breaking away and changing the rules.

But I promise you, actual football will be one of the main takeaways from Tampa.

Bill Maher rips California taxes, says state takes bigger cut than a 'skeezy' drug dealer

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:48:15 -0400

Comedian Bill Maher blasted California's high tax burden on businesses on Monday during his "Club Random" podcast, quipping that the deep blue state takes a bigger cut than the drug dealers he bought from in the past.

"It's almost impossible to make a business work in California like that," Maher said on Monday's episode.

"I mean, just the state takes like 40% taxes. F---, you know, when I bought drugs from a skeezy dealer, he didn't skim 40%."

NEWSOM UNDER FIRE AS CALIFORNIA GAS TAX HIKE SENDS PUMP PRICES EVEN HIGHER

Maher then joked that even when he used to sell marijuana, he never took as big a cut as California does through taxes.

"Like I would buy a pound, which is 16 ounces, and make 17 ounces out of it. That's not 40%, but the government is worse than the dealer," he said.

Maher appeared to be speaking casually with his 40-percent remark. California has one of the nation's highest corporate tax rates for most of its businesses at 8.84 percent, although that's not taking into account the federal rate, which is 21 percent for class C corporations, as well as payroll taxes and other fees for businesses.

Maher's guest, actor and comedian Jack Whitehall, responded by joking that California's steep taxes leave business owners "forced to diversify" into ventures like gardening businesses and tea rooms just to stay afloat.

BLUE-STATE TAX BURDEN FUELS AMERICANS FLEEING TO REPUBLICAN-LED SOUTHERN STATES

Maher has remarked on lofty taxation in the past, calling out Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and other democratic socialists earlier this year while saying he's tired of hearing the rich don't pay their fair share.

"Last week was tax day… I paid to the government, if you add in state tax, local, sales, property, fees [and] Obamacare, probably almost 60% of what I earn. That's a lot, and I still wouldn't mind if Bernie Sanders would stop saying the rich don't pay taxes," Maher said, kicking off a "New Rule" segment back in April.

"And while I'm sure the super-rich, with their army of accountants and corporate loopholes, get away with murder, us regular rich people pay a s--- ton of taxes" Maher said.

BILL MAHER CALLS OUT BERNIE SANDERS, SAYS HE'S TIRED OF HEARING THE RICH DON'T PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF TAXES

Maher also called out Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., in a separate instance from 2021, criticizing her over the politically charged "Tax the Rich" dress she wore at the Met Gala.

"It's not like we don't tax the rich at all," Maher said. "I'm all for ending income inequality, but let's not lie. The rich pay a lot of the taxes."

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"Yes, there are lots of things we need to amend about the capitalist system. We have crony capitalism in this country, no doubt about it. I'm just saying, you're wearing ‘Tax the Rich’ on your ass and people are always saying the rich don't pay taxes. The rich pay some taxes! They pay a big part of the freight already. I'm not saying it shouldn't be more perhaps, but let's not lie," Maher added.

Memphis woman charged with first-degree murder after shooting man found hiding under her child's bed: docs

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:45:32 -0400

A Memphis mother faces a murder charge after she allegedly shot and killed a man who was hiding under her daughter's bed.

According to an affidavit, Kendra Scott told police she "saw a dude under my kids' bed, and I did what I had to do."

The man, identified as Rodderius Morton, was discovered by officers in Scott's front yard with a gunshot wound to the back of his head, on Thursday.

ARMY VET DAD RUNNING FOR SHERIFF GETS MURDER CHARGE DISMISSED IN SHOOTING OF DAUGHTER'S ALLEGED PREDATOR

A juvenile witness in the area told police that Scott was yelling "Who's at my house?" and knocking on the front door when she eventually made her way into the home and discovered Morton under the child's bed.

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Police say Morton and Scott got into an argument as he left the home, without a weapon, with Scott yelling "Get out of my house, ----- !"

A witness told police that Morton came in through the back door of the home after he was invited in. The same witness said they heard a single gunshot as Scott and Morton were on the front porch.

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Scott allegedly told this witness in the past if she "sees a boy in my house, I will put a hole in his ---," documents say.

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Scott is charged with first-degree murder and with employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.

She is being held without bond. Fox News Digital has reached out to Scott's attorney.

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5 things to know about Graham Platner ally poised to take on Susan Collins

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:19:23 -0400

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson is on a glide path to replace now ex-candidate Graham Platner as the Democratic Senate nominee in the high-stakes showdown to face off with longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Delegates aligned with Jackson won the vast majority of the 500 slots that were up for grabs on Saturday and Sunday as Maine's 16 counties held two days of delegate selection for next weekend's state Democratic Party nominating convention. And Jackson's top rivals for the nomination backed him after dropping out of the race on Sunday.

While the delegates on Jackson's slate are not required to support him at next weekend's convention in Bangor, Maine, he is now considered all but certain to secure the nomination and face off in the midterm elections against Collins in what's expected to be a combative and expensive ballot box battle. It will be among a dozen races nationwide that will determine if the Democrats can win back the Senate majority. The GOP currently holds the chamber 53-47.

FORMER PLATNER ALLY TROY JACKSON CRUISES TOWARDS REPLACING EX-CANDIDATE AS DEMOCRATS' SENATE NOMINEE

Here are five things to know about the 58-year-old Jackson, a fifth-generation logger from Allagash, a sparsely populated town at the northern tip of Maine along the Canadian border.

1. He used to be a Republican

Jackson first started in politics nearly three decades ago, protesting the entry of Canadian loggers who were entering the U.S. and being hired over Maine loggers. Jackson took part in blocking Canadian loggers from physically crossing the border into the U.S.

He ran for office in 2000 as a Republican, but was first elected to the Maine House of Representatives two years later as an independent.

Jackson joined the Democratic Party in 2004.

He was elected to the state Senate in 2008, and a decade later, when the Democrats won the majority, he became the chamber's president.

Jackson now strongly supports abortion rights and same-sex marriage. But as late as 2010, he received a perfect score from Maine Right to Life, a pro-life group. And in 2009, he voted against legalizing same-sex marriage in Maine.

Jackson attributed his conservative stances on the key social issues to his Catholic upbringing in rural Maine.

DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB

"I voted for those things over 15 years ago," Jackson said in an MS NOW interview last week. "I've always been someone who believed that healthcare is a human right and it became clear to me after some time that abortion, reproductive rights access is a human right. It's healthcare. People deserve to have that. And when it dawned upon me, I became a real advocate for that."

Balancing out his past votes against same-sex marriage and abortion rights, Jackson pointed to the Democratic Socialists of America and said, "People in the DSA think that I'm very progressive."

2. He ran for governor this year

Jackson last year launched a campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in the race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Janet Mills in the blue-leaning but competitive state.

Running on a platform of expanded healthcare and childcare, Jackson's gubernatorial run was endorsed last autumn by progressive champion Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

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Jackson ended up finishing third in the ranked-choice Democratic primary for governor.

3. He teamed up with Platner in the primaries

Jackson and Platner appeared together on stage with Sanders at rallies last year and this spring.

And late in the gubernatorial campaign, Jackson was endorsed by Platner, who at the time was cruising toward the Senate nomination. And Jackson backed Platner.

Platner dropped out earlier this month, amid calls from top Democrats in Maine and across the country to immediately exit the race following an explosive report containing an allegation of rape from a woman he previously dated. Platner denied the report but stepped aside.

4. He is close to Platner on policy

While Jackson was among those who quickly called on Platner to end his bid in the wake of the rape allegation, he made the case that he was the best candidate to continue the fight for a progressive and populist agenda.

Jackson, similar to Platner, is running on a progressive and populist platform aimed at working-class voters. He backs raising taxes on billionaires, the universal healthcare system known as "Medicare-for-all," abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and he opposes military aid to Israel at a time that Democrats are increasingly divided on support for America's longtime Middle East ally.

"This movement has always been bigger than one person. It's about taking on a system rigged against working people, fighting for ‘Medicare-for-all,’ strong unions, higher wages, reproductive freedom, and an economy where billionaires and corporations finally pay their fair share," Jackson said last week during a virtual town hall, as he pointed to Platner supporters.

At last week's debate among the Senate replacement candidates, Jackson pointed to Platner and said, "That's the thing that I think Graham did the best: talked about fighting against the healthcare industry and the prescription drug industry to make sure that people in this state and this country have affordable, quality healthcare."

5. He is backed by leading progressives

Rep. Ro Khanna of California, a leading progressive in the House and a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, was a top Platner backer.

Khanna quickly moved his support to Jackson in this month's sprint to succeed Platner.

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Also backing Jackson is Our Revolution, the group born in 2016 out of Sanders' first presidential campaign.

And Jackson enjoyed strong support from labor unions in Maine.

Support from Platner’s former allies helped Jackson capture the overwhelming majority of county-selected delegates over the weekend.

Travel ball insanity: Rival 15U parents brawl at Mississippi 'World Series' over youth sports drama

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:17:34 -0400

The emotional toll of a long travel softball season spilled over into an ugly fight among parents at a Mississippi tournament over the weekend.

Multiple eyewitnesses say a fight between dueling 15U parents from Texas and Louisiana boiled over into an all-out fistfight at a so-called World Series event in Laurel, MS. Children could be heard screaming. Some cried. One even took what is believed to be a cleat and threw it at a parent.

Both sides claim the other side started it. There are accusations that the tournament director went soft on Team Texas. There are other parents who say Team Louisiana parents are to blame. In other words, it's just another in a long line of reports of travel ball parents gone wild as the race to a D3 scholarship continues to make moms and dads go insane.

MISSISSIPPI SHERIFF'S DEPUTY FIRED OVER VIRAL ON-FIELD FIGHT WITH BASEBALL UMPIRE DURING 14U GAME

Did you witness travel ball parents gone wild this weekend? Give me your report (video if you have it!): joe.kinsey@outkick.com

Someone on Facebook going by the name SoftballInsider claims to have been at the game and says this is what happened. Again, take it with a grain of salt.

"(Louisiana) lost the game 9-4. They talked at and berated the TX pitcher and other TX players a majority of the game. After the LA fans continued making remarks, including calling the TX players and fans 'white trash,' the TX coaches tried to have the umpires handle the situation," SoftballInsider alleges. "The umpires didn’t do anything. Texas won, and the LA parents/coaches/team were waiting near the parking lot where the Texas team were parked. One mom from LA (purple shirt lady who is still yelling and cursing at the end), started screaming at the Texas players (teenagers mind-you) as they walked past.

KENDRICK PERKINS INVOLVED IN ALTERCATION AT SON'S AAU BASKETBALL GAME AFTER PLAYER WAS ALLEGEDLY BODY SLAMMED

"As the players attempted to leave, the mom followed them towards the parking lot, where the player who was being screamed at had her mom approaching. The TX mom verbally confronted the other mom, and then one of the LA MALE coaches proceeded to push the TX mom.

"Let me repeat— LA STARTED THE AGGRESSION."

From there, other parents jumped into the mix. "From what I understand, LA was berating the Tennessee Team also. They were just bad sportsmen from the get go," a woman named Ginger responded.

TRAVEL BASKETBALL PARENTS CRY FOUL AS OHIO TOURNAMENT ADMISSION PRICE HITS A SHOCKING NEW HIGH

However, a Louisiana mom quickly fired back at both of these alleged eyewitnesses with her own version of how this all transpired.

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!! I was there too! The Texas players kicked our bats, yelled at our girls, stuck their tongues out, threw the ball in the air after every inning and on and on. THEN the players talked shit to one of our moms and she told her to keep walking," Louisiana softball mom April countered. "Then her mom and dad came over and the dad decided to throw a punch. He got his ass handed to him! No one berated their pitcher! She was cocky and arrogant FOR NO REASON! Our girls have never ever ever ever had an issue with a team ever. Not to mention EVERY SINGLE TEAM THERE COMMENTED ON HOW AWFUL TEXAS WAS AND THEIR FANS!!

"Also we had no altercation at state at all! And none at the hotel either. But Texas definitely had conflict with every team! NO ONE BERATED Texas during their game with Alabama either. We have video evidence of everything Texas did! Please go watch their GameChanger it’s ALL there!"

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As you can see, the parents are in so deep that there's no common ground. They're two years out from the D3 scholarship offers that will serve as a reminder that all this was worth it. The rugby scrums with other parents were worth it. The 5-day trips in oppressive heat were worth it. The Facebook fights with opposing parents were worth it.

It was just another weekend of travel sports.

Ukraine unleashes more than 400 drones near Moscow in one of war's biggest attacks

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:15:03 -0400

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks of the war against Moscow and the surrounding region overnight, striking an oil depot and logistics facilities more than 250 miles from the Ukrainian border, according to Ukrainian and Russian officials.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said more than 400 Ukrainian drones were launched toward the Moscow region between Sunday evening and early Monday, including 85 that were destroyed while approaching the Russian capital. Russia’s Defense Ministry separately claimed that its forces intercepted 381 drones across Russian regions, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

The Russian claims could not be independently verified by Fox News Digital.

At least 10 people were wounded in the Moscow region, including three Chinese nationals, according to regional authorities cited by Reuters. Seven of the injuries were reported in Domodedovo, Russia, where officials said a residential building was struck and a fire broke out at an industrial park near one of Moscow’s main airports.

The scale and reach of the operation suggest Ukraine is moving beyond occasional symbolic attacks on Moscow and building a sustained campaign against the infrastructure that supports Russia’s war.

UKRAINE LAUNCHES WHAT APPEARS TO BE ONE OF ITS LARGEST DRONE ATTACKS AGAINST RUSSIA: REPORT

By simultaneously targeting oil facilities, transportation networks and logistics hubs hundreds of miles from the front, Kyiv is seeking to disrupt the flow of fuel and supplies to Russian forces, reduce revenue available to the Kremlin and force Moscow to divert air-defense systems away from the battlefield.

Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries had doubled since the beginning of 2026, Reuters reported, contributing to refinery shutdowns and reduced production of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian forces targeted logistics facilities and an oil depot in the Moscow region.

"Our long-range sanctions have produced results against logistics facilities and an oil depot," Zelenskyy wrote on X, adding that the targets were more than 400 kilometers (roughly 250 miles) from Ukraine’s border. "We are responding, justly, to every Russian strike against our cities and communities."

Wildberries, a company known as "Russia’s Amazon," said its logistics center in the Podolsk district of Russia was temporarily evacuated as a precaution before resuming normal operations, East2West News reported. Ukraine has accused the company of selling supplies used by the Russian military.

RUSSIA UNLEASHES NEARLY 600 MISSILES AND DRONES ON KYIV IN DEADLIEST STRIKE SINCE MAY

Ksenia Svetlova, associate fellow at Chatham House policy institute based in London, argued that the disruption caused by strikes on fuel infrastructure and companies such as Wildberries is unlikely, by itself, to change President Vladimir Putin’s approach to the war.

"The hardship of the Russian citizen who suffers because of fuel shortages, the strike on a Wildberries warehouse, or forced recruitment does not interest him," Svetlova said. "The war machine is operating at full force, and he has neither the desire nor the ability to stop it."

Svetlova said Putin remains reluctant to announce another mass mobilization after large numbers of young Russians fled the country during the Kremlin’s previous call-up. At the same time, she said, Russia’s military still needs additional troops after recruiting heavily from its prison population and is increasingly pressuring ordinary civilians accused of relatively minor offenses to sign military contracts.

The sweeping Ukrainian operation followed one of Russia’s largest ballistic missile attacks of the war against Kyiv. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 41 missiles of various types in the overnight barrage, which killed at least one person and wounded 16, Reuters reported Sunday.

The Russian attack also spread into the Black Sea, where a Russian missile attack on the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship Golden Leo killed 10 people near Odesa, Reuters reported Monday.

'A NEW KIND OF WAR': INSIDE UKRAINE'S HIDDEN FACTORIES MASS-PRODUCING COMBAT DRONES

Ukrainian officials said the vessel, which was carrying corn, was struck by three cruise missiles and caught fire. Nine crew members and a Ukrainian maritime pilot were killed, while eight other crew members were rescued. The ship’s crew included Indian and Syrian nationals, according to Reuters.

The escalation comes as Zelenskyy faces growing domestic pressure over his removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a 35-year-old reformer credited with expanding Ukraine’s drone capabilities and seeking to modernize military procurement and management. Fedorov’s supporters viewed him as a rare official willing to challenge entrenched practices, improve oversight of defense spending and push a technology-centered approach to the war.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered following Fedorov’s dismissal, demanding his reinstatement and the removal of commander-in-chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi. Protesters have accused Syrskyi of resisting modernization and retaining a rigid command structure that they say contributes to high troop losses. Syrskyi has defended his wartime record and called for unity.

Fedorov publicly accused Syrskyi of blocking his initiatives and sabotaging his work. Zelenskyy said their relationship had deteriorated so badly that the two could no longer work together, but provided little additional explanation for removing Fedorov.

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Zelenskyy indicated Monday that consultations over Ukraine’s military leadership were continuing, saying he had spoken with Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi about ensuring that the experience of every branch of Ukraine’s defense forces was applied in a coordinated manner. He did not announce any decision on Syrskyi’s future.

Reuters contributed to this report.