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Supreme Court lambasted over 'destructive' and 'outrageous' birthright citizenship decision

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:44:26 -0400

The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision upholding birthright citizenship as the law of the land enraged critics, who warned it will open the floodgates for third-world and pro-Communist "birth tourism" at a time when immigration enforcement is cracking down on illegal entry.

Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett joined Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. and the court's three liberals in the 6-3 majority in Trump v. Barbara, while the court's three remaining conservatives dissented.

The case, brought by an immigrant in New Hampshire under the pseudonym Barbara for her own protection from retaliation, challenged President Donald Trump’s executive order that sought to exempt birthright citizenship from the Fourteenth Amendment, which was crafted to ensure formerly enslaved people obtained American citizenship.

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White House advisor Stephen Miller called the ruling "one of the most destructive and outrageous decisions in the long history of the Supreme Court."

"American citizenship is not the birthright of the world. It belongs only and solely to Americans. No provision of the Constitution can be read to require our national self-obliteration," he said.

"The constant diluting of our citizenship. Everyone can vote. Everyone’s a citizen. Everyone gets Medicaid. Everyone qualifies for food stamps," said Daniel Turner, president of the pro-domestic energy group Power the Future.

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"You’re American. So is the Mexican who arrived 11 minutes ago or the Chinese spy who paid for birth tourism: Because ‘equity’."

Turner’s take echoed a common refrain among those long concerned that such a ruling would result in an influx of illegal immigrants having babies on American soil before returning to their home countries, allowing their children to vote in U.S. elections once they turn 18.

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., wasted no time proposing legislation to address the ruling after Kavanaugh wrote in his concurring opinion that Trump’s order didn’t violate the Constitution but did violate a federal law crafted in the spirit of the Fourteenth Amendment.

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"The Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship decision is wrong, dangerous, and disastrous for American sovereignty and the American people," Schmitt said in a statement.

"If we can't fix it with ordinary legislation, then we must do what the Constitution commands in moments of national crisis: We must amend the Constitution and restore American citizenship."

"We must again put ‘We the People’ first. The Supreme Court’s decision constitutionalizing unlimited birthright citizenship for the children of illegal aliens and temporarily present aliens is wrong—and disastrous for our sovereignty and the future of our republic."

Schmitt said America is already reaping the fruits of birthright citizenship in light of "foreign communists essentially taking over New York City politics."

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, for one, was born in Uganda, moved to New York with his family as a child and later became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Schmitt said his constitutional amendment — which would be the first in nearly 40 years if ratified — would fix the loophole the court created.

"Today is a sad day in the history of our republic," he said.

Rep. Clay Fuller, R-Ga., who recently succeeded former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, said on X that the Supreme Court put the future of illegal immigrants over real American children.

"We cannot continue to support this invasion taking place. Congress must act before it's too late," he said, adding that he is introducing HR 172 – a Constitutional amendment likely to correspond with Schmitt’s Senate version.

Former law professor John Eastman, who previously advised Trump on election law matters, said Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch’s dissents were "strong, and in my view, correct."

Meanwhile, Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet tweeted that a willingness to overturn the case is the "new litmus test for every new Supreme Court justice."

"The Court has utterly and completely failed America. The dissent of Justice Thomas will prove prescient: 'I'm not sure that today's decision will stand the test of time.'"

In the run-up to the decision, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis correctly predicted on X that Thomas and Alito would be featured dissenting against a "bad ruling."

When informed of the ruling during a news conference on Capitol Hill, House Speaker Mike Johnson audibly grumbled before stating that the majority justices put forth what one "could say [is] a textualist originalist view."

"However, I do think that this has been grossly abused in recent years."

Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts agreed, adding in a statement that the ruling is a "tremendous betrayal of the Republic."

"The Justices in the majority have inflamed the all-out assault on our sovereignty and cheapened the sacred value of American citizenship. Universal birthright citizenship erases any uniquely American birthright—a distortion that was never the meaning or intention of the 14th Amendment. It is time for a constitutional amendment to correct this gross injustice."

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The ruling did have its celebrants, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, and Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif.

Padilla said in a statement that the Constitution "could not be clearer" that if someone is born in the U.S. they are a citizen — "period."

"While there is nothing surprising about Donald Trump’s efforts to erode birthright citizenship and disregard laws he doesn’t like, today’s decision reaffirms over a century of legal precedent protecting this fundamental constitutional right," Padilla said.

The senator added that the ruling is personal for him as the son of Mexican immigrants.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul concurred, saying in a statement that as the granddaughter of Irish immigrants, she was "heartened" by the court.

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"The Statue of Liberty stands proudly in our harbor, and New York will always stand with those seeking the promise of America," Hochul said.

Schmitt and Fuller’s amendment would require approval by two-thirds of both the House and Senate, or by a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of the states. The convention method has never been used to ratify any of the Constitution’s 27 amendments.

Phil Mickelson obtains defamation counsel to absolve 'false rumors' about golf club departure

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 09:33:14 -0400

Phil Mickelson is ready to fight the latest accusations against as he departed his own golf club.

The six-time major champion was accused of making inappropriate contact with a female employee before a round of golf this spring at The Farms Golf Club in the San Diego area.

Mickelson allegedly approached the female employee at the clubhouse and made nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact with her.

The employee reported the incident to the club's supervisors after rejecting the alleged advances after Mickelson returned to the golf course.

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However, Mickelson's attorney said video evidence will absolve Mickelson of any wrongdoing.

"There is a great deal of misinformation circulating and, while Phil’s full attention is devoted to a private family health matter, he has retained defamation counsel and is determined to hold accountable any publication or individual trafficking in speculation or false rumors," Mickelson's attorney, Tom Clare, told Golf Digest.

Club officials moved quickly and actually located Mickelson in the middle of his round, confronted him with the accusation on the golf course and told him to leave the premises. Mickelson reportedly left the course before completing his round.

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"Following a staff member report of member misconduct, the Club provided immediate and ongoing support to the staff member, conducted a thorough independent investigation of the incident and took decisive action. This individual is no longer a member of The Farms Golf Club," a statement from the club shared with Golf Digest explained in part.

"The Farms conducts thorough reviews of all reported matters according to California Law and takes appropriate action when warranted, consistent with our commitment to integrity, excellence and accountability. To protect the safety and privacy of our staff and members, we are unable to speak further on this matter. We appreciate your understanding."

Mickelson, a member of LIV Golf, has played in just one of the circuit's nine completed events this season due to an undisclosed "personal health matter" within his family. That lone appearance on LIV came in late March in South Africa, where he finished tied for 48th.

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The 55-year-old released a statement April 2, a week ahead of the Masters, explaining that he would not be teeing it up at Augusta National and would be out for "an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter."

He is not entered in next week's U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.

OutKick's Mark Harris contributed to this report.

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Phil Mickelson reportedly departed golf club after accusations of inappropriate contact with female

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:43:52 -0400

Phil Mickelson is no longer welcome at a course he's played at for decades, according to a new bombshell report containing serious accusations against the six-time major champion.

According to Golf Digest, a female employee at The Farms Golf Club in the San Diego area accused Mickelson of making inappropriate contact with her before a round of golf this spring. The Farms confirmed in a statement that Mickelson is no longer a member of the club.

The outlet explained that the employee at the club has been identified and verified, but declined to participate in the story. Multiple sources, however, shared more details of the alleged inappropriate conduct.

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Mickelson allegedly approached the female employee at the clubhouse and made nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact with her. The employee reported the incident to the supervisors of the club after rejecting the alleged advances after Mickelson returned to the golf course.

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The 55-year-old released a statement on April 2, a week ahead of the Masters, explaining that he would not be teeing it up at Augusta National and would be out for "an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter."

Trump suffers major Supreme Court defeat as justices uphold birthright citizenship

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:36:30 -0400

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected President Donald Trump's bid to restrict birthright citizenship, preserving the long-standing constitutional interpretation that most children born in the United States are automatically U.S. citizens, including children born to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily present in the country.

"Children born in the United States to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are 'subject to the jurisdiction' of the United States and are citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment's Citizenship Clause," the court said.

"The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to 'every free-born person in this land.' We keep that promise today."

The ruling is a major setback for Trump, who made curbing birthright citizenship a key part of his immigration agenda. The president called the decision "too bad for our Country" and said Congress "can easily make it up" with legislation prepared for this outcome.

"No long and unwieldy Constitutional Amendment is necessary! Congress should start TODAY to work on ending expensive and unfair to our Country, Birthright Citizenship," Trump posted on Truth Social. "They will have my Complete and Total Support!"

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The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to affirm a district court ruling blocking Trump's executive order, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joining the court's three liberal justices. Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh concurred in judgment.

The court found that a person's citizenship status is not dependent on their parents', citing the 14th Amendment. Roberts wrote that the Court's 1898 ruling in Wong Kim Ark had settled the issue.

The majority said the Citizenship Clause was adopted to reverse the Supreme Court's Dred Scott ruling, which denied citizenship to Black Americans, and to ensure that citizenship is determined by birth on U.S. soil.

While Kavanaugh agreed that Trump's executive order could not take effect, he reached that conclusion on different legal grounds than the majority in a concurring opinion.

Kavanaugh argued that Trump's executive order violated current federal law; however, he said the Constitution would allow Congress to pass legislation restricting birthright citizenship for children born to parents who are in the country unlawfully or temporarily.

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"Congress could—consistent with the Fourteenth Amendment — amend or otherwise enact new legislation establishing exceptions to birthright citizenship for children born to foreign citizens unlawfully or temporarily in the country. But Congress has not yet done so," Kavanaugh ruled.

Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, authored a 91-page dissent, arguing that the majority misinterpreted the 14th Amendment. He wrote that the 14th Amendment does not guarantee birthright citizenship to children born to parents who are in the country unlawfully or temporarily. Thomas argued that the Court's 1898 ruling in Wong Kim Ark expanded birthright citizenship beyond what the Reconstruction Congress had ever "contemplated."

"Wong Kim Ark addressed only the citizenship of a child born to parents who were lawfully and permanently domiciled in the United States," Thomas wrote.

Justice Samuel Alito wrote a separate dissent, calling the Court's ruling a "serious mistake." He suggested the Court failed to consider the rise of "birth tourism," in which foreigners come to the United States solely to give birth, and argued that it could have serious national security implications.

"Suppose that a person's only connection to this country is that he was born here to a mother who was present just long enough to give birth and then quickly return to her native country," Alito wrote. "Suppose that country is a strategic adversary or enemy of the United States. Suppose the child never visited the United States while grown and was inculcated with hatred of this country."

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Alito pointed out that this hypothetical person can now enter and leave the United States without any restrictions.

"Even if he plots to harm this country, he cannot be deprived of his status as a citizen, at least under current precedent," Alito continued.

The Supreme Court's ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of families challenging President Donald Trump's executive order, "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship." Trump said the order was intended to curb illegal immigration, arguing that granting automatic U.S. citizenship to anyone born in the country acts as a "magnet for illegal immigration."

The order sought to deny automatic U.S. citizenship to certain children born in the United States to parents who were in the country unlawfully or temporarily. The lawsuit, led by a Honduran woman identified only as "Barbara" to protect her identity, argued that the policy violated the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause and was therefore unconstitutional.

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The ACLU and other immigrant rights groups argued that the Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship to nearly all children born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents' immigration status, and that the president could not alter that constitutional guarantee through executive action. The Supreme Court ultimately agreed, striking down the order.

"The court’s decision reaffirms a fundamental American promise — if you are born here, you are a citizen," said ACLU National Legal Director Cecillia Wang, who argued the case before the Supreme Court. "A president cannot change the Constitution by executive fiat. Our brave clients and our legal team stand with millions of people around our country who spoke up for one of our most cherished rights. The Constitution’s guarantee of birthright citizenship stands strong."

Save up to 70% on camping gear, luggage and more on REI's 4th of July deals

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:12:35 -0400

REI's 4th of July Deals include discounts of up to 70% on camping, hiking and other outdoor gear. Shop everything from six-person tents and camp stoves to waterproof Keen sandals and Patagonia backpacks. This sale ends on July 6, so shop now while these deals last.

Clothing and footwear deals

Save on popular brands like Nike, Hoka and Patagonia.

Darn Tough women’s no-show running socks: $6.83 (57% off)
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Cook breakfast and dinner on the same stove with the Coleman Cascade, which pairs a cast iron grill on one side with a cast iron griddle on the other. Built-in wind guards help shield the burners from gusts for more consistent cooking outdoors.

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Carry your everyday essentials without the bulk of a backpack with this compact sling bag. The water-repellent exterior protects your belongings, while padded construction keeps it comfortable during hikes, walks and daily errands.

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Jackson accuses Thomas of echoing infamously racist court decision in birthright citizenship clash

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:31:14 -0400

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on Tuesday accused Justice Clarence Thomas of echoing "one of Dred Scott’s core tenets" by opposing the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold birthright citizenship.

In Jackson’s concurrence with the majority’s opinion in Trump v. Barbara, she argued that the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause was historically intended to apply to all people born in the United States, including children of illegal immigrants, contrary to Thomas’s position that the amendment was ratified specifically to provide slaves freed after the Civil War with citizenship.

"Freed Blacks fought for the shared humanity of all people. And the Great Emancipator eventually foresaw that the only path forward that could prevent a return — in any form — to slavery and race-based subordination was to link the fates of all," Jackson wrote. "Of course, the ultimate irony is that for all the talk about the detestable Dred Scott decision, the Government and [Thomas] propose a return to its core tenet. Their bottom line is that, for certain people, being born on American soil will not suffice to confer citizenship."

By invoking "Dred Scott," Jackson is referencing an 1857 Supreme Court decision in which the majority held that people of African descent "are not included, and were not intended to be included, under the word 'citizens' in the Constitution, and can therefore claim none of the rights and privileges which that instrument provides for and secures to citizens of the United States."

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According to Thomas, however, Jackson’s universalist characterization of the historical context surrounding the 14th Amendment was unfounded.

"After the Civil War, the Reconstruction Congress overruled Dred Scott, first with the Civil Rights Act of 1866, then with the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment," Thomas wrote. "Both the Civil Rights Act and the Citizenship Clause guaranteed citizenship to persons born and domiciled in the United States regardless of their race. Neither guaranteed citizenship to persons who were not domiciled in the United States."

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Thomas went on to describe the distinction he believes is drawn between Black Americans and foreigners residing in the country.

"Blacks were entitled to citizenship because they were Americans. They had no other homeland, owed no allegiance to any foreign power, and were subject to no other authority," the justice went on. "The same could not be said for the children of foreign temporary visitors. Foreign temporary visitors were attached to their home country, lacked similar bonds to this country, and would not be called upon in time of war."

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Thomas argued that citizenship under the 14th Amendment requires birth in the United States as well as "domicile," a legal concept he defines as both one’s physical home and one's permanent allegiance to the country. Children of foreign temporary visitors, per Thomas, do not qualify because, although subject to U.S. laws while here, they remain tied to another sovereign and are not fully "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States in the constitutional sense.

Jackson fired back at this line of reasoning, calling it "myopic."

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"Despite his longstanding endorsement of a ‘colorblind’ Constitution, Justice Thomas now surprisingly suggests that the Citizenship Clause was a race-conscious remedial measure, relating only to ‘freed slaves such as Dred Scott,’" she wrote. "It is for this reason, he says, that ‘children who were born in the United States but [to parents] not domiciled here’ are not entitled to claim birthright citizenship. But that narrow vision of the Fourteenth Amendment bears little relationship to the history of its ratification. Even worse, Justice Thomas’s telling elides the entire point of the Second Founding."

"The Reconstruction Amendments were an anticaste, antisubordination reset for the Nation, not a mere spot treatment for the dark stain of slavery," Jackson asserted.

Air Force reveals B-2's hidden ship killer capability as China threat grows

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:28:44 -0400

The Air Force revealed Monday that its flagship B-2 Spirit stealth bomber can now strike enemy warships with the long range anti-ship missile (LRASM), publicly unveiling the capability after a live-fire exercise in the Western Pacific.

The stealth bomber launched a long-range anti-ship missile during Exercise Valiant Shield 26, a U.S.-led multinational exercise involving American and allied forces across the Western Pacific, in a sinking exercise north of the Mariana Islands.

The announcement comes as the Pentagon increasingly focuses on preparing for a potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific, where China's rapidly expanding navy would present one of the U.S. military's biggest challenges. Publicly demonstrating the B-2's new maritime strike capability also serves as a signal that the stealth bomber could play a key role in holding high-value naval targets at risk.

"The B-2's impressive performance underscores the U.S. military’s commitment to adaptability and flexibility in the face of emerging security challenges," Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, commander of Pacific Air Forces, said in a statement.

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"By prioritizing counter-maritime strike operations, we can maintain a decisive edge over adversaries, protect our national interests and ensure the free and open Pacific that underpin our global security."

Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for details, but confirmed to The War Zone that the B-2 fired the anti-ship missile at a decommissioned amphibious warfare ship known as the USS Juneau during the exercise.

U.S. and partner-nation forces battered the decommissioned warship, which entered service in 1969, with coordinated air, surface and subsurface strikes June 27 and June 28, sending it to the bottom of the Philippine Sea more than 200 nautical miles off the coast of Guam, according to a Navy release. A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine delivered the final blow with a torpedo.

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China continues to expand the world's largest navy and fields an array of long-range anti-ship missiles aimed at keeping U.S. forces at bay in the Western Pacific. The People's Liberation Army Navy will grow from more than 370 battle force ships to roughly 435 by 2030, according to Pentagon projections. U.S. Navy currently operates about 291 battle force ships.

But Beijing has yet to field its long-awaited H-20 stealth bomber, leaving the U.S. with an operational capability China has not yet publicly demonstrated: pairing a stealth bomber with a long-range anti-ship cruise missile capable of striking high-value naval targets in heavily defended airspace.

While long range anti-ship missile already is carried by the Air Force's B-1B Lancer and the Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, integrating the missile onto the B-2 gives the Air Force a stealth platform capable of carrying the weapon.

The B-2 Spirit is the Air Force's only operational stealth bomber, designed to penetrate sophisticated enemy air defenses while carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons. Most recently, B-2s flew from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to strike Iranian nuclear facilities during Operation Midnight Hammer, dropping 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs in the weapon's first combat use.

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The demonstration could also foreshadow future missions for the B-21 Raider, the Air Force's next-generation stealth bomber, which eventually will replace the B-2. While the Air Force has not disclosed which anti-ship weapons the B-21 will carry, officials say it is being designed to employ a broad mix of stand-off and direct-attack conventional munitions.

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The B-21 is expected to begin entering operational service in 2027.

Texas Rangers get the nod over Cleveland Guardians in tonight's MLB betting pick despite road struggles

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:27:04 -0400

I finally got off the slide last night and now have won three of the past four MLB games that I've played. I did catch a little bit of luck yesterday as the Diamondbacks scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. In fairness, they were winning until the top of the fifth. It was nice to be on the right side of it either way. Tonight, we head to the American League and look for a win.

If you're familiar with Greek mythology at all, you've probably heard about Sisyphus. For those who don't know, he was a guy who was condemned by the Greek gods to push a huge boulder up the hill, only for it to roll back down every time it got to the top. That's how I feel about the Texas Rangers. Every time they get close to looking like a winning team, they have a setback and go back under .500. They are over for the moment at 42-41, and perhaps, this is the time they get the boulder over and keep moving forward. However, I think they are what they are - an average team that needs to find a way to get on a roll.

Starting pitching really hasn't been the problem for the Rangers. It has been more about a lack of consistent offense. Today, they send out Jacob deGrom to do his work. We know that deGrom's arm was blessed by the gods early in his career, but even now, he is still turning in solid outings. He is 6-5 for the season with a 3.55 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. He has struggled on the road this year with a 4.60 road ERA. What is crazy is that he has three games where he allowed six earned runs. He faced Cleveland earlier this month and allowed no runs in six innings of work.

I'm not sure I have a mythological comparison for the Cleveland Guardians. All I can say about this team is that every year, they seem to be one of the better teams in baseball and find a way to win despite not having top-tier talent. Perhaps that is a lesson in roster construction for the rest of the league. The Guardians are three games over .500, and they are one game back of the White Sox, so you can once again count on them having a say on who wins the division.

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What the Guardians have always done a very good job of is finding reliable starting pitching. Tonight, they have Tanner Bibee taking the hill. Bibee is 2-8 for the season with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. He is doing slightly better at home than on the road. However, he has allowed more homers at home than on the road. And, he has allowed identical earned runs on the road as at home this season; he just has one more start at home and roughly five more innings. Bibee also faced the Rangers earlier this month and turned in his best start of the year. He went eight scoreless innings and allowed three hits.

Bibee has good numbers against Rangers hitters in his career, with just 11 hits allowed in 56 at-bats. Jake Burger might be worth a look at for total bases or a homer, as he is 2-for-5 with two homers against him. I'm not sure I'll get involved in the player prop market for this game, though.

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The play here is to take the Rangers. Call it a bit of a hunch, but if I'm backing either of these pitchers to replicate the performance from earlier in the month, I'm taking deGrom. He has struggled a bit on the road, but part of that is from the really bad games. Otherwise, he is pitching fairly well. Give me the Rangers on the moneyline tonight.

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

Don't let the heat ruin your Fourth of July plans — 13 products to help you stay cool

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:18:03 -0400

The first major heat wave of the summer is expected to hit parts of the country this Fourth of July/America 250 weekend, but you don't have to let soaring temperatures ruin your celebration. Stay cool with essentials like a handheld misting fan that cools you off whenever you need relief, a beach tent that blocks the sun and an Arctic Cool T-shirt that cools as you sweat.

Yeti Rambler stainless steel tumbler: $35

Keep your drinks ice-cold with the Yeti Rambler tumbler. Its double-wall insulation and stainless steel build help prevent ice from melting and keep moisture from building up on the exterior, letting you maintain a solid grip. After your America 250 party, toss the tumbler in the dishwasher for a quick clean.

Stanley IceFlow water bottle: $35

A Stanley IceFlow lets you sip drinks without spilling, thanks to the built-in flip-up straw that snaps shut for easy, leak-free storage. It stores ice for up to three days, helping you refill less often. The thick handle and cupholder-compatible base make it more convenient to take this bottle on the go.

Igloo hard cooler: $110.02 (15% off)

Original price: $129.99

An Igloo cooler is a classic for a reason: It's extremely affordable at just over $100, and its 120-quart capacity gives you enough space to store drinks for your Fourth of July event. It also has built-in UV protection in the lid to help reduce ice melt.

Coleman classic cooler: $55.40

Coleman's American-made cooler holds up to 80 cans, with cupholders molded into the lid for extra storage. It also doubles as a seat, with a lid that supports up to 250 pounds. Use the swing-up handle for easy carrying to your campsite, beach or backyard.

RTIC Trailblazer cooler: $143.10 (10% off)

Original price: $159

Stock up to 30 pounds of ice or 48 cans at once with RTIC's Trailblazer cooler. The lightweight design and rope handles make it possible for one person to carry it. Ice stays frozen for up to five days, so you can party the whole Fourth of July weekend.

GCI Outdoor sunshade rocker: $100

GCI Outdoor's sunshade rocker gives you a much-needed refuge from the sun. The UPF 50+ shade folds out with a quick pull, providing plenty of coverage. Rock yourself into relaxation while you store your phone in the side pocket and keep your drink within reach using the cupholder.

Portable neck fan: $27.19 (20% off)

Original price: $33.99

This neck fan uses 78 air outlets to give you some relief on hot days. You can choose from five speeds depending on the temperature, and run the fan for up to 16 hours on lower modes. With more than 10,000 purchased last month, this fan has become a summer staple.

Beach sun tent: $37.99 (24% off)

Original price: $49.99

If you're spending the Fourth of July at a beach party, this sun tent is a necessity. It fits three to four people under the canopy and pops up in just minutes. The fold-out floor and window shades create a safe haven from the hot sand. Conveniently pack it away in the small carrying bag when you're done using it.

Coleman Oasis canopy tent: $145.79 (32% off)

Original price: $214.99

Whether you plan to beach it up or just need a shady backyard spot, Coleman's Oasis canopy tent offers relief — and it's currently $69 off. A single center button lets you set up the canopy in seconds, and the steel frame withstands winds up to 35 miles per hour. It also provides UPF 50+ sun protection.

Mission unisex cooling bucket hat: $29.99

Mission's American flag bucket hat displays the patriotic spirit, while its wide brim and wet-to-cool technology help keep the sun out of your face and sweat to a minimum. It absorbs water and cools in one minute, staying chilled for up to two hours. Wear it as you celebrate America's 250th birthday.

Handheld misting fan: $21.99

Enjoy hours of cooling comfort with this handheld misting fan. Four adjustable speeds, ranging from a gentle breeze to a powerful flow, and a refillable water tank take the edge off. It runs for up to 10 hours on a full charge, with the remaining battery level displayed on the LED screen.

Roadbox men's UPF 50+ shirt: $14.99

Looking to update your wardrobe for the Fourth of July? Start with this $15 UPF 50+ shirt that keeps you safe from harmful UV rays. The moisture-wicking fabric prevents sweat build-up, and the lightweight fabric feels cooling against the skin.

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

Arctic Cool instant cooling performance shirt: $39.99

If you run especially hot, an Arctic Cool performance tee has HydroFreeze fabric that activates when you sweat. A forgiving stretch and lightweight material add to your overall comfort, and the UPF 50+ protection stops sun exposure.

If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.

Wisconsin Badgers just added the perfect jersey sponsorship if there is such a thing

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:22:05 -0400

One of the most controversial things to happen in sports over the last five to seven years or so is the introduction of jersey ads.

Sure, they've been around in Europe and in the minor leagues forever, but now major league teams and even colleges are adding them.

But now and then, someone comes up with a perfect jersey ad, and that's what the Wisconsin Badgers have done.

It seems borderline sacrilegious to throw a corporate sponsorship on the Badgers' iconic cardinal red and white getups. Especially one that doesn't share those colors.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

But they may have found a solution: Butter burger-flippin', Concrete Mixer-slingin' fast-food chain, Culver's.

I feel like a significant portion of the Badgers fanbase was very angry when they heard they were slapping ads on their uniforms, but that subsided at least 20%, if not completely, when they saw it was Culver's.

They love Culver's there.

And I think this might be the answer to these jersey sponsorships. I don't totally hate the way they look, because I think they become part of the uniform. Think about motorsports, where the sponsor is the paint scheme or livery.

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But I think you can convince even more of the haters if you bring in a sponsor that has some ties to the region, and that's what Wisconsin has done.

More schools will be adding sponsors, so hopefully they will follow suit. Get a Texas school to partner with Buc-ee's or a Philly-area school to throw a Wawa patch on their uniforms (of course, it doesn't have to stay limited to regional convenience store chains, but there's a lot of pride in those).

Is it still fun to see corporate logos slapped on iconic uniforms? No.

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But you've got to bring in that money somehow if you want to throw a competitive roster on the field.

And if that means slapping a burger chain's logo on the shoulder, go for it.

Stephen Miller blasts Barrett, Roberts for caving to the 'radical left' in SCOTUS mail-in voting ruling

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:12:27 -0400

White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller called out Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and John Roberts Monday, accusing the two of "cav[ing] to the radical left" by ruling in favor of a Mississippi law allowing mail-in ballots to be counted even if they are received after Election Day.

"Justice Roberts and Justice Barrett decided to cave to the radical left. [Justice] Alito was so clear in his wording about what Election Day means. Nobody could read the statute, could read that opinion, could read what Alito wrote and come to any other conclusion," he told "The Ingraham Angle."

"It's Election Day, not election week, not election month, not election months. So this was really a travesty, and it underscores why we have to keep fighting to pass the SAVE America Act."

SUPREME COURT RULES ON MAIL-IN BALLOTS RECEIVED AFTER ELECTION DAY

Miller's remarks came after Roberts and Barrett sided with liberal justices in a 5-4 ruling Monday, holding that Election Day, in the context of federal law, set a deadline for when voters must make a choice regarding their preferred candidate but said that relevant laws have no standard for when ballots must be received to be considered valid.

Trump-appointed Barrett authored the majority opinion ruling in favor of the law. She was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts, as well as Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

TRUMP'S SAVE AMERICA ACT SHOWS SIGNS OF LIFE IN THE SENATE DESPITE REPUBLICAN REVOLT

Justice Samuel Alito penned the dissent, warning the decision could erode already-fragile trust among many in the nation's electoral systems.

Miller argued Monday that the American people elected Republican majorities in Congress hoping to see the SAVE Act passed, echoing other conservatives who have cited the Supreme Court's recent ruling as evidence that more ballot box protections are needed.

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"80 million Americans elected a Republican Senate majority, and they elected a Republican Congress to deliver on this fundamental priority," he said.

"It must get done."

Fox News' Robert Schmad and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.

Amazon Prime Video NFL analyst defends streaming services broadcasting but understands fan frustration

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:07:12 -0400

It is no secret that it's much harder to find a primetime NFL game thanks to streaming services taking over.

Amazon Prime Video, Peacock and Netflix each have scored exclusive rights to specific games, and that may just be the tip of the iceberg. The new way of watching sports, which is also more expensive than ever, was recently called into question during a hearing regarding the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Andrew Whitworth is one of the faces of Amazon Prime Video's NFL coverage, and while he believes in not "put[ting] the genie back in the bottle," he also understands fans' frustrations.

"I get it. I get that fans are trying to figure out the landscape of how they want to watch this or that or anything else," Whitworth told Fox News Digital about the new "road we've gone down."

However, Whitworth also believes that watching sports is hardly any different from finding one's favorite movies or television shows that are stretched across certain services.

"It's always the most complicated thing ever when I'm like, 'Oh, I heard I should watch this show.' And I'm like, 'Well, where is that on?' And so it's that journey you go on to figure out what service has this TV show that you want to watch that somebody told you about or whatever," Whitworth said. "I think that's just kind of where this stuff is at this time. I don't think I have a great answer for what a fan or somebody should do other than that's kind of the world we live in...

BROADCASTERS URGE CONGRESS TO REEXAMINE SPORTS BROADCASTING ACT AS GAMES SHIFT TO STREAMING PAYWALLS

"I think sports is right along with where entertainment is, and right now a lot of that is you go to these specific places to watch these specific things. I think it's just kind of the world we're in right now. I think it's all starting to figure itself out. And I'm sure, as with anything else in the world, we'll find ways to simplify it and make it easier. But right now it feels like everyone's establishing themselves and where they fit in the industry. Then I think, over time, we'll start to see the process get simpler."

If one were to strictly stream all NFL games throughout the 2025 season on Sunday Ticket, Netflix, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, ESPN Unlimited and NFL+, it would have cost a minimum of $575, and for others (prior Sunday Ticket watchers) nearly $800.

The sports leagues have cashed in on the pivot to streaming, with the NFL landing $1 billion a year to air "Thursday Night Football" on Amazon as an example. The Sports Broadcasting Act exemption passed in 1961 applies only to broadcast television.

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Courts have ruled in the past that it does not apply to other media, including cable, satellite and streaming. The Sports Broadcasting Act includes a rule allowing blackouts of local games, which still applies to out-of-market packages sold by the leagues.

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Obama blames splintered media for preventing superstar Democrat from rising up

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:06:58 -0400

Former President Barack Obama blamed a splintered media landscape for the lack of a second Obama-like political figure emerging on the national stage during an interview on Tuesday.

NBC "Today" co-host Craig Melvin talked to the former president about the new Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on his "Glass Half Full" podcast and told him, "You’ve always represented a lot of different communities, but there has always been this singularity to your story. Earlier this week, one of your former aides was talking on one of these cable shows and said Democrats should stop looking for Obama 2.0. Not gonna happen."

"Do you think in the current climate that someone like you with your background and your story, do you think that you could break through now the same way you did back in ’07, ’08?" Melvin asked Obama.

"I do think it’s harder because of the nature of your business, the media, it’s more splintered," Obama said.

OBAMA CHOOSES SUPPORTER STEPHEN COLBERT FOR DEBUT INTERVIEW AT CONTROVERSIAL PRESIDENTIAL CENTER

"I hadn’t even been elected yet to the U.S. Senate," he continued. "I had won the primary. I’d won the nomination — Democratic nomination to be the senator of Illinois, but nobody really knew who I was except outside of Illinois. And when I gave that speech at the convention, suddenly I’m a national figure because all the networks covered it. And if you’re on the cover of Time magazine or Newsweek back then, suddenly everybody knows who you are because we all shared one culture."

Obama said that people "who are just as gifted or in some cases more gifted" than him were not breaking through because of a splintered media.

He suggested the country was in a transition period.

"So I think we’re in a transition period where there are a lot of Barack and Michelle Obamas out there doing cool stuff, but politics hasn’t quite given them the platform yet. Media hasn’t shined a spotlight on them yet. If we can help focus on the great work they’re doing, then that’s one of our core missions," he said.

OBAMA REMAINS DEM HEADLINER WHILE PRESIDENT WITH MOST VOTES EVER FADES INTO BACKGROUND: 'IT WAS ALL A DREAM'

Obama said during the dedication of his presidential center in Chicago earlier this month that America’s Founders fell "terribly short" of the Declaration of Independence’s promise, while casting the nation’s story as one of generations coming together to make the union "more perfect."

"The success of this experiment was never a given," Obama said in his speech, referring to the nation's founding ahead of America celebrating its 250th anniversary on the 4th of July.

"In forming our union, the founders fell terribly short of the Declaration's promise, leaving slavery intact, allowing states to restrict the franchise to white men who owned property," he said. "But in drafting a Constitution and a Bill of Rights, they did have the foresight, the genius, to provide us with a framework that allows each generation to make our union more perfect."

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The 44th president devoted much of his speech to outlining the work he believes America still has ahead, echoing themes he has emphasized in past appearances on the campaign trail and during his time in the White House.

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

LeBron James tells Los Angeles Lakers he will leave in free agency after eight seasons: report

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:54:48 -0400

LeBron James will be in a new destination when his 24th NBA season commences.

The NBA's all-time leading scorer reportedly told the Los Angeles Lakers that he would leave the team in free agency after eight seasons with the organization, according to ESPN.

James joined the Lakers in 2018 after a second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers in which he finally brought a championship to the Ohio city.

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The Lakers confirmed James would be departing.

"LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history. We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers – including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold," Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said. "We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off. He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family."

With Los Angeles, James won the 2020 NBA title, his fourth, and passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most points scored in NBA history — he is at 43,440 and counting.

This past season, James, who will turn 42 in December, scored 20.9 points per game, the lowest mark of his career, but still managed 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per contest.

The Golden State Warriors are reportedly looking to pair James with Stephen Curry, which would turn one of the NBA's greatest rivalries into two of the game's greatest stars fighting for their fifth title together.

The Cavaliers could also be in the mix, but Draymond Green has already reportedly opted out of a deal to eventually take even less money with Golden State to make room for James.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles will now fully be Luka Doncic's team. The Lakers acquired him in a blockbuster deal with the Dallas Mavericks last year that is widely regarded as one of the most lopsided trades in the history of the league.

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The Lakers reportedly wanted James back, but the four-time MVP was all set — even with his son, Bronny, on the team. The James' became the first father-son duo to not only be teammates in the NBA, but also to be active at the same time.

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If it is Golden State, it would be the fourth team for James. He and Curry teamed up in the 2024 Olympics to bring gold back to the United States for the fifth time in a row.

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Brooke Slusser calls Supreme Court transgender ruling the ‘biggest win’ yet for female athletes

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:54:47 -0400

Former San Jose State volleyball player Brooke Slusser called Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of states protecting women’s sports the "biggest win" female athletes have had yet.

Slusser appeared on Fox News’ "The Faulkner Focus" after the high court ruled 6-3 in favor of West Virginia and Idaho in two landmark transgender athlete cases. The ruling upheld state laws requiring student-athletes to compete on sports teams that correspond with their biological sex at birth rather than their gender identity.

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For Slusser, who became one of the most prominent voices in the fight to protect women’s sports after speaking out about a transgender player on her volleyball team in 2024, the decision was deeply personal.

"I mean, it’s amazing," Slusser told Harris Faulkner. "It’s the biggest win we’ve had yet, so I couldn’t be happier. We couldn’t ask for more right now."

Slusser filed a lawsuit last year over her experience at SJSU, where she said she was not told that teammate Blaire Fleming was transgender despite sharing team spaces, including hotel rooms, locker rooms and living quarters.

"I found out from other student-athletes at the university, so it wasn’t even the institution itself that informed us, which makes it even worse," Slusser said. "My whole team had to find out on their own through other student-athletes."

Slusser said the issue was not limited to competition. She argued that female athletes were deprived of the ability to make informed decisions about their own privacy and comfort in intimate spaces.

"It’s taking away the student-athlete’s choice to choose which safe spaces they’re in," she said. "You’re going into locker rooms, or for my situation, my living space, and being told these are all women, thinking I’m comfortable doing whatever I need to be doing, changing and getting dressed where I want to. And then I found out the whole time that I’ve been sharing hotel rooms, locker rooms, my living space with a man."

Slusser continued, "They’re stripping me of my choice to basically choose where I want to get ready and who I am getting ready around. That’s the biggest issue. It’s not even just about safety in the sport as well, it’s about everything else that goes into it."

SUPREME COURT MAKES RULING ON TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS

The SJSU volleyball controversy became one of the most high-profile examples in the debate over trans-identifying athletes in women’s sports. Multiple Mountain West teams forfeited matches against San Jose State during that season amid concerns about Fleming’s participation.

Slusser told Faulkner that even as Fleming’s teammate, she still had concerns about the physical differences in practice.

"I just had to practice with him. I wasn’t even playing against him in a real game," Slusser said. "So the bare minimum, at least I got to know his tendencies so I could keep myself a little bit safer. But even then, I’m still getting slammed in my body. I had bruises on my legs from getting hit with a ball."

She added that opponents were put in an even worse position because they didn’t have the same familiarity before stepping on the court.

"These other teams don’t know what they’re walking into," Slusser said. "That’s even worse than what I had to go through going into practice every single day, trying to keep myself safe."

The Supreme Court’s ruling in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox gives states the authority to maintain separate women’s and girls’ sports categories based on biological sex. The decision is a major victory for advocates who have argued that Title IX was designed to protect female athletes, not force them to compete against biological males.

Slusser said San Jose State failed its female athletes by prioritizing Fleming over the rest of the roster.

"The fact that they allowed these student-athletes that were men pretending to be women be protected under those Title IX rules that were meant for women to be protected in is the biggest fault that happened," Slusser said. "My institution itself, SJSU, they decided to protect a man and not worry about the 18 other women that should have been protected as well."

Slusser also referenced former high school volleyball player Payton McNabb, who suffered serious injuries after being hit in the face by a spike from a transgender opponent in 2022.

"This could ruin people’s lives, not even just in athletics, but overall," Slusser said. "Payton McNabb will never be the same from what happened to her, and that’s what we’re trying to stop."

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For Slusser and other women who have fought this battle publicly, Tuesday’s ruling marks a legal victory that’s been a long time coming.

And for the states that passed laws protecting women’s sports, the Supreme Court has now made clear they have the constitutional authority to enforce them.

Trump admin backs Bolivia state of emergency as leftist ex-leader's loyalists fracture nation

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:45:14 -0400

The conservative, pro-U.S. government of President Rogrigo Paz is being challenged in the streets by radical elements led by a former socialist president recently forcing the new Bolivian government to introduce a state of emergency.

The landlocked mineral-rich nation is facing one of its deepest political crises in decades as economic turmoil, nationwide protests and a battle over the country’s future threaten to reshape the balance of power in South America.

The unrest comes after years of political divisions following the tenure of socialist President Evo Morales, whose Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) dominated Bolivian politics for nearly two decades. Internal fractures, economic decline and public frustration have weakened the movement and opened a new chapter of uncertainty.

US, SHIELD OF THE AMERICAS CONDEMN 'ONGOING EFFORTS' TO OVERTHROW BOLIVIA'S ELECTED PRESIDENT AMID UNREST

The Trump administration recently signaled strong backing for the Paz government while condemning efforts to destabilize the country.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States "Will not allow criminals and drug traffickers to overthrow democratically elected leaders in our hemisphere" and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Bolivia’s "stability, security, and a better future for all Bolivians."

Speaking on background, a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that, "The United States strongly supports President Rodrigo Paz's decision on June 20 to declare a State of Exception to restore order and ensure the free flow of food, medicine, and essential supplies to the Bolivian people. We are glad that the blockades in Bolivia have ended and the government has restored order."

Bolivia’s crisis has been driven by Morales and his supporters furious at the Paz reforms. Protests and road blockades have disrupted transportation, caused shortages and increased pressure on the Paz government.

José Luis Lupo, chief of staff and minister of the presidency of Bolivia told Fox News Digital: "After more than 50 days of blockades that severely disrupted the supply of food, fuel, and medicines, paralyzing much of the country's economic activity and straining its democratic stability, I am convinced that Bolivia now faces a unique opportunity to transform a deep crisis into the starting point for a new phase of national reconstruction."

He noted that "for weeks, we sought agreements with various sectors because we believe that, in a democracy, every avenue for mutual understanding must be exhausted before resorting to extraordinary measures."

He said the state of emergency [state of exception] "was the constitutional last resort to restore freedom of movement, protect critical infrastructure and ensure that Bolivians could once again access essential goods. It was not a measure intended to restrict rights, but rather to protect lives, preserve democracy and restore freedom of movement to millions of citizens."

PETE HEGSETH WARNS NARCO-TERRORISTS AS US BACKS BOLIVIA'S GOVERNMENT AMID COUP WARNINGS

The turmoil has also had consequences beyond Bolivia’s borders. The country holds some of the world’s largest lithium resources, a key mineral for electric vehicles, batteries and advanced technology supply chains. Competition for influence in resource-rich Latin America has become increasingly important for Washington as China and other global powers expand their presence in the region.

Bolivia’s political crisis reflects a broader trend across Latin America, where voters in the last few election cycles have elected conservatives who challenged the left’s business-as-usual politics and in doing so have taken the continent in a rightward direction.

The socialist Morales remains an influential figure and continues to command support among rural and indigenous groups, keeping Bolivia’s political divisions alive even as the country searches for a path out of the crisis.

Mauricio Ríos García, manager of Crusoe Research and editor of FRACTAL Index in Bolivia, told Fox News Digital, "The 50-day blockades have caused estimated losses of $2.5 billion and the closure of around 13,000 companies. Once the blockades end, a rebound in demand combined with excess liquidity is expected to drive inflation higher."

Ríos said, "The government is nearing an IMF agreement that would likely include a new devaluation (exchange rate unification) and other adjustments in exchange for financing of around $3.3–5 billion. This marks growing dependence on the IMF and the United States, while the gradualist approach has left the economy with very little room for maneuver and risks further instability.

"Expectations for Bolivia’s economy in the second half of the year have been revised downward. Blockades and deeper structural problems rooted in the government’s gradualist fiscal and monetary policies have worsened the difficult inheritance from the previous administration," he concluded.

COLOMBIA'S 'EL TIGRE' SECURES PRESIDENCY AS LEFTIST RIVAL FINALLY CONCEDES DEFEAT

For Washington, Bolivia’s future represents more than a domestic political dispute. The outcome could influence America’s strategic position in the Western Hemisphere, the future of critical minerals, and whether Latin America’s recent political shift continues moving away from the left-wing movements that dominated parts of the region during the last two decades.

"I am convinced that stability will only endure if it is accompanied by inclusion. There can be no peace where neglect and inequality persist. That is why we are driving a development agenda for historically marginalized regions, particularly the provinces of La Paz, focused on infrastructure, basic services, productive development and the participation of the communities themselves," Lupo said.

And as the barricades have lessened, Lupo, chief of staff and minister of the presidency of Bolivia, says, "A different phase is now beginning. I believe the country needs a broad political and social agreement involving the government, parliamentary forces, the regions, the productive sector, and civil society. Bolivia needs to pass reforms that provide legal certainty, promote investment, and modernize strategic sectors such as hydrocarbons, mining, lithium, renewable energy and the justice system. Such consensus is essential to restoring confidence, stabilizing the economy and generating sustainable growth.

"I hope to see Bolivia definitively replace confrontation with dialogue, strengthen its institutions, and build a more robust economy characterized by clear rules, democratic stability and greater opportunities for all," Lupo concluded.

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The Trump administration had increased emergency humanitarian assistance to help address food and medical shortages caused by weeks of unrest, underscoring U.S. concerns that prolonged instability could have broader implications for regional security and democracy.

Postal worker and mom of two killed while delivering mail, leaving kids orphaned after husband's death: cops

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:34:19 -0400

A mother of two and longtime postal worker was killed while delivering mail Tuesday in North Carolina, officials said, leaving her children orphaned just months after their father died in a December car accident.

Brandi Reynolds, who was a postal deliver driver for the United States Postal Service, was shot and killed on Friday just before 4:16 p.m. in Hayes, North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. William Craig Durham was arrested after allegedly killing Reynolds and is charged with kidnapping and murder.

Authorities found Reynolds dead when they arrived to the scene.

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Reynolds was employed as a rural mail carrier for the USPS, according to The Wilkes Record. She was delivering mail when Durham allegedly shot and killed her, according to the Charlotte Observer.

SUSPECT CHARGED IN FATAL STABBING OF POSTAL WORKER IN NYC DELI OVER SPOT IN LINE HAS HISTORY OF KNIFE VIOLENCE

Authorities alleged in an arrest report obtained by the Charlotte Observer that Durham restrained Reynolds and removed "the victim from one place to another without the consent of the victim."

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Reynolds' husband Brent Reynolds passed away after he was in a car accident in December. The couple have two kids, who will now be without parents.

In a Facebook post from February, Reynolds wrote in a caption of a picture with her two kids: "The reason I get up every morning. Love these babies. They are what makes life worth living."

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She frequently posted pictures with her kids and husband on social media. In one post about her child, Reynolds wrote: "I couldn’t deny this baby if I tried. Love her so much and man do i wish i could slow time down and keep her little forever."

Officials haven't revealed any relationship between Reynolds and Durham.

The trick to smoother streaming at home and on the road

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:30:09 -0400

Ever settle in for movie night, hit play, and thirty seconds later, the picture dissolves into a blurry mess of pixels? You restart the app. You restart the router. You're paying for a fast internet plan, so what gives?

Before you spend forty minutes on hold with your provider, there's something you should know: the problem might not be your connection speed at all. It m

ight be your internet provider putting the brakes on certain types of traffic.

The good news is that one tool may help, especially when your provider is slowing down streaming traffic that it can recognize.

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TRAVEL MISTAKE PUTS PHONE, LAPTOP AND STREAMING ACCOUNTS AT RISK

Why your streaming keeps buffering

Internet service providers handle enormous amounts of traffic. When their networks get congested, they look for ways to manage the load. One of the handiest tools in their bag is a technique called bandwidth throttling. It means deliberately slowing down certain types of traffic to ease the pressure on their infrastructure. Streaming video is one of the first things they may target because it eats up a lot of bandwidth fast.

Here's the part that most people don't realize: your ISP can often see what kind of traffic you're sending and receiving. When they detect a steady stream of traffic flowing from a streaming platform, they may put a speed limit on that traffic specifically, even while your overall connection seems fine. You won't always get a warning, but you will notice a dip in video quality.

That's why you can load a webpage in a blink but still have to sit through buffer wheels before your show even gets going. The issue may not be your speed. It may be what your ISP does with it once they know how you're using it.

Travelers can run into an additional wrinkle. Hotel networks and public connections are often shared across dozens or hundreds of people at once. When everyone is streaming, browsing and video calling at the same time, the network slows to a crawl and your video quality pays the price. What worked fine at home suddenly stutters and stalls on the road.

The fix most people don't know about

A VPN, or virtual private network, is usually thought of as a privacy and security tool, but it may also help with some throttling problems. It runs quietly in the background while you stream.

When you connect to the internet through a VPN, your traffic gets encrypted before it leaves your device. Your ISP can still see that you're using data, but it can no longer easily see what kind. Streaming traffic looks like encrypted data passing through, which means there's no obvious streaming target to throttle. The result can be a more consistent connection, fewer interruptions and less of that infuriating mid-episode quality drop.

And there's an extra benefit for travelers: Your traffic is encrypted on hotel, airport and café Wi-Fi. That can help protect what you're doing online, though it won't magically fix a network that's overloaded. A good VPN can help keep your connection more stable across the unpredictable variety of networks you encounter while traveling, not to mention help protect you from public Wi-Fi hackers.

Just keep in mind that some streaming services may limit or block VPN connections, so you may need to switch servers or check the service's rules.

NETFLIX CO-CEO CLARIFIES STREAMING GIANT’S LIVE SPORTS STRATEGY AMID NFL LINEUP EXPANSION, FEDERAL SCRUTINY

What to look for in a VPN for streaming

There's no shortage of VPN options out there, but for streaming, a few things matter more than others.

Speed is king when it comes to video. A VPN that encrypts your traffic but slows your connection defeats the whole purpose. Look for a provider with a large network of fast servers and a proven track record with high-definition and 4K content.

Device support matters too. Your streaming life doesn't live on just one screen. It's also on your phone, your smart TV, your tablet and your laptop. A good VPN covers all of them under one subscription and will let you run it on multiple devices simultaneously.

Our top VPN pick checks all these boxes and is more than fast enough for high-quality streaming.

For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

A few more tricks to keep in mind

Before blaming throttling, test your speed with the VPN on and off, restart your router, move closer to Wi-Fi, use a 5 GHz or 6 GHz network when available and try Ethernet for your main TV. If everything else is fast but streaming keeps dropping quality, throttling becomes a more likely suspect. Pair a VPN with these tips, and buffering becomes a rare event instead of a nightly battle.

1) Connect before you open the app

Turn on your VPN first, then launch your streaming service. It'll save you the hassle of reconnecting in the middle of the episode.

2) Choose a nearby server

In general, the closer the server, the lower the lag. A server in your home city usually delivers the best balance of speed and stability.

3) Check your home router

If streaming still struggles with a VPN running, an outdated router might be your weakest link. A dual-band or Wi-Fi 6 model makes a noticeable difference on busy home networks. Looking to upgrade your home setup? Check out our guide to the Top 5 routers for best security in 2026 at Cyberguy.com

4) Download before you go

Most major streaming apps let you save content for offline playback. Load up a few episodes on your home connection before a long trip, and you might not need to stream at all for the first leg of your journey.

INSTANTLY UPGRADE YOUR STREAMING: AT HOME AND WHEN TRAVELING

Kurt's key takeaways

Buffering isn't something you have to accept, and your internet plan may not be the issue. Your provider could be managing your traffic when it recognizes what you're watching. A reliable VPN can make it that much harder, whether you're on your couch or in a hotel room across the country. Remember: the trick to smoother streaming isn't always paying for faster speed. It's making sure the speed you're already paying for actually reaches your device.

Are you using a VPN for streaming, or have you found another workaround that does the job? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Internet tries to dunk on German super fan Freddy after discovering he's been to America before

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:21:10 -0400

With Germany's unceremonious exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the hands of Paraguay on Monday evening, it means the four-time world champions, as well as their rabid fans, are heading across the pond and back to Deutschland.

Though apparently, not all of their fans are heading back home for the rest of the summer.

German superfan Freddy, the viral sensation who has been documenting his romp through the United States, booked his stay in America through the end of the tournament (love the confidence), so he will be hanging out in the good old U-S-of-A for another month.

Not everyone is happy about this apparently, as large portions of cynics and haters on social media are apparently ready to say auf wiedersehen to Freddy.

INTERNET FALLS IN LOVE WITH GERMAN SOCCER FAN DISCOVERING AMERICAN SOUTH AHEAD OF 2026 WORLD CUP

It's true what Harvey Dent once said, "You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

What's even worse is some other fans on the internet have done some digging on Freddy's X account and have found instances of him in the United States before this year's World Cup trip and even disparaging the country he has come to love.

I'll address the "never been to America" claim first.

I went back and looked through Freddy's posts pretty extensively (in addition to having covered his initial trip to America back at the beginning of the month), and unless I missed something, he never once said that this was his first time in the country.

FREDDY, THE VIRAL WORLD CUP TOURIST, LINKS UP WITH COUNTRY SINGER ELLA LANGLEY AND THE INTERNET LOVES IT

People keep pointing to his posts back in 2023 about having been to a concert in the States, but going to a venue in a major city like New York or Los Angeles and staying there for a few days before flying home is a lot different than renting a car and driving through all the small towns throughout America.

Freddy experienced the real beauty of our country, not just the coastal elite cities, which is why the second post needs addressing too.

There have been a ton of people who have unearthed posts from Freddy speaking ill of the United States, and honestly, this just drives home what I and several others have been saying.

REPUBLICAN LEADERS EMBRACE VIRAL WORLD CUP FANS THEY SAY ARE DISCOVERING THE 'REAL AMERICA'

Freddy's preconceived notions of America were likely on full display in all of those "hate posts," but he clearly gave the country a second chance and even fell in love with it in the process.

He got to see the absolute best that small-town America had to offer during his trip here, and it looks like he's changed his tune.

That's the funny thing about these losers on the internet who have nothing better to do but try and scrub through every moment of someone's internet life in hopes of finding a "gotcha" moment.

TNA WRESTLING INVITES VIRAL WORLD CUP FAN TO SLAMMIVERSARY: 'THIS WILL BE FUN!'

They don't think people have the capacity to change their thoughts, opinions, and biases.

FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE

Maybe there was a time in his life when Freddy hated America, or at least what he thought was America, but that has obviously changed.

I hope Freddy had a blast while he experienced America at its finest, and I'm appreciative he let us all come along for the journey.

WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE

Unfortunately, the downside to that is having to deal with the droves of internet trolls, but I'm sure he didn't let that put a damper on an otherwise awesome World Cup trip.

Come back anytime, Freddy, and danke schön.

117 dead dogs found at animal rescue, many with gunshot wounds as investigators probe for answers

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:20:20 -0400

Deputies uncovered the remains of more than 100 dogs, many of them with gunshot wounds, during a search of an animal rescue under investigation for alleged abuse and fraud.

While executing a search warrant, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office made the gruesome discovery at Miranda's Rescue in Fortuna, California on Thursday.

In what Sheriff William Honsal dubbed as a "horrific scene," investigators uncovered 117 "canine remains," skulls, "hundreds of bones, and six loose microchips" at various dig sites on the property, according to a release.

'DEEPLY DISTURBING' ANIMAL CRUELTY OPERATION INVOLVING BABY MONKEYS BUSTED BY ICE INVESTIGATION

The search warrant authorized investigators to search the grounds and buildings associated with Miranda’s Rescue and Shannon Miranda for evidence related to alleged animal cruelty and fraud, including excavating open fields where investigators believed deceased dogs were buried in mass graves.

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Dozens of the unearthed dog bodies appeared to be in varying states of decomposition. X-ray results revealed several dogs showed evidence of bullet fragments, deputies say.

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Investigators also discovered an area inside a barn on the property where they believe the dogs were killed. More than 600 dog collars were recovered from that same location.

RIDGLAN FARMS RESCUE BEAGLES FIND NEW LIFE HELPING VETERANS OVERCOME WAR TRAUMA WITH PAWS OF WAR

Currently, no charges have been filed. However, the sheriff's office said, "If there is sufficient evidence to support violations of animal cruelty, fraud, or other applicable laws, the case will be submitted to the prosecution team for review and consideration of criminal charges."

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In a recent public statement posted to the rescue's website, founder Shannon Miranda said in part:

"Allegations made without a full understanding of the circumstances can harm not only my reputation but also the future of an organization that has served this community for decades. At Miranda’s Rescue, our mission is to save as many animals as we safely can—always balancing compassion for animals with our responsibility to protect families, children, other pets, and the public."

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Fox News Digital has reached out to Miranda for comment.

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The investigation is ongoing.

Supreme Court strikes down limit on party campaign spending in coordination with candidates

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:40:34 -0400

The Supreme Court struck down a longstanding federal campaign spending limit, ruling that political parties can now spend unlimited amounts in coordination with their federal candidates, as long as they otherwise comply with campaign finance laws.

The 6-3 vote in the case National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission saw all the conservative justices in the majority, ruling against the restriction in the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA).

"In short, constitutional text, history, and precedent establish that the political-party coordinated-expenditure limits violate the First Amendment," Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the majority opinion. "Importantly, by holding FECA’s political-party coordinated-expenditure restrictions unconstitutional, the Court’s decision today treats all political parties equally."

Then-Senator JD Vance, R-Ohio, was among those who brought the original lawsuit to remove the spending limits in 2022, along with the Republican senatorial and congressional committees.

TRUMP SUFFERS MAJOR SUPREME COURT DEFEAT AS JUSTICES UPHOLD BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP

Democrats had called on the Court to uphold the law, even though there is wide agreement that the spending limits have hurt political parties in an era of unlimited spending by other organizations.

Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented. Kagan wrote in her dissenting opinion that "today, the Court rewrites the rules, to allow circumvention of the contribution limits."

"The majority invalidates Congress’s restriction of coordinated expenditures, thus enabling a party to serve as an alternative checking account for a campaign," Kagan wrote.

SUPREME COURT MAKES RULING ON TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS

The limits on party spending stem from a desire to prevent large donors from skirting caps on individual contributions to a candidate by directing unlimited sums to the party, with the understanding that the money will be spent on behalf of the candidate.

The Supreme Court had previously upheld the limits in 2001.

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The ruling comes ahead of the November midterm elections, as President Donald Trump and Republicans work to maintain the the GOP's congressional majorities.

Fox News’ Shannon Bream and Bill Mears, along with The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Supreme Court makes ruling on trans athletes in women's sports

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:06:21 -0400

The Supreme Court has established a new nationwide precedent that allows states to protect women's sports.

The justices ruled in favor of West Virginia and Idaho on Tuesday against trans athletes who sued to gain access to girls' sports. The states were backed by the law firm Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), while the trans athletes were represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Cooley Legal.

In the highly-anticipated rulings in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, the high court upheld state laws requiring student-athletes to compete on sports teams that correspond with their biological sex at birth rather than their gender identity.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3.

Justice Sotomayor filed an opinion concurring with the judgment in part and dissenting in part, which Justices Kagan and Jackson joined. Jackson filed an opinion concurring in the judgment in part and dissenting in part.

Consistent with Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause, we hold that the States may maintain women’s and girls’ sports for biological females. They may determine eligibility for women’s and girls’ sports based on biological sex.

West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey praised the court's decision in a statement to Fox News Digital.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"This is a monumental victory for every female athlete who has ever competed, or dreamed of competing, on a fair and safe playing field. Today's Supreme Court decision affirms what common sense and the law have long made clear: states have the right to designate sports teams based on biological sex, not gender identity. Without that delineation, Title IX is turned on its head and decades of hard-fought progress to advance female athletes is erased," McCuskey said.

"I am immensely proud of my team for not only getting this issue before the Court but for delivering sound and successful arguments. This landmark victory will give all states, not just West Virginia, the clarity and confidence to ensure fairness and safety for female athletes today and for generations to come."

Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrado echoed McCuskey's statement.

"Today’s decision is a victory for common sense, fairness, and the countless girls and women who dedicate themselves to athletics. Idaho led the nation by becoming the first state to protect women’s sports, and I’ve never wavered in defending that law," Labrado said.

"The Supreme Court has now confirmed that states can preserve fair competition and protect the opportunities that generations of women fought to secure. Every parent can rest assured that our law protects their daughters competing in Idaho."

Education Secretary Linda McMahon released a statement later.

"Today’s ruling affirms the common sense right of states to prohibit men from competing in women’s sports, safeguard the integrity of female spaces, and ensure no woman faces discrimination on the basis of sex," she said. "For years, ideologues distorted Title IX to advance a radical transgender agenda, subjecting women to immeasurable harm.

"The Trump Administration has fought to restore Title IX’s protections for women and girls since Day One. Today’s ruling cements those reforms and builds on decades of work to secure equal educational opportunities for women and girls. This is a tremendous victory, and we look forward to ensuring that every educational institution in America abides by the law of the land."

West Virginia's "Save Women's Sports Act" and Idaho's "Fairness in Women's Sports Act" were at the center of the fierce legal battle.

Those state laws had been blocked in recent years after trans athletes in West Virginia and Idaho successfully sued to challenge them. After years of failing to get past the court of appeals, the Supreme Court agreed to hear both cases last July. Now, after oral arguments in January, the laws will be protected.

The decisions mark a massive victory for "Save Women's Sports" advocates and conservative lawmakers who have passed state legislation on the issue. The ruling validates and protects the 27 other state laws that have been passed in recent years to ban biological males from women's sports.

The transgender plaintiffs were Lindsay Hecox, a transgender athlete who sought to run women's track and cross-country at Boise State University, and Becky Pepper-Jackson, a transgender youth athlete in West Virginia, who sued the state while in middle school in 2021, before recently winning a girls' track and field state championship in shot put in May.

During oral arguments, attorneys for both trans athletes had questionable moments.

Pepper-Jackson's attorney, Joshua Block of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), suggested that "sex" should not be defined legally. Block then fled questioning when asked to elaborate why after the hearing.

"I really urge the court not to do it on the definition of sex argument," Block originally said during the hearing.

CONSERVATIVE JUSTICE SWIPES AT DOJ IN TRANS SPORTS CASE: 'I DON'T THINK YOU'RE A PHD IN THIS STUFF'

But after grilling from Chief Justice John Roberts, who insisted sex "must mean something," Block conceded that sex should be defined by biology for the sake of this case, but this case only.

"I think for this case, you can accept, for the sake of this case, that we're talking about what they've termed to be biological sex," he said.

Fox News Digital asked Block what his definition of "sex" is, and he declined to give a definition, then fled further questioning.

Meanwhile, Hecox's attorney, Kathleen Hartnett of Cooley Legal, admitted that Hecox athlete was "unlikely" to graduate in May after the firm previously argued that the athlete's May graduation would render a ruling about Hecox's athletic eligibility unnecessary.

"She's unlikely to graduate by May, as my friend said, but is hoping to make, through summer credits, to graduate in the fall," Hartnett said just months after the firm filed a suggestion of mootness, in which Hecox stated, "I am currently enrolled in classes that may allow me to graduate as early as May 2026."

Earlier in the hearing, Idaho Solicitor General Alan Hurst called out Hecox's claimed graduation date of May as "not possible" after the state's leadership did some back-door digging to discover Hecox's status.

AGS LEADING THE 'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS' LEGAL TEAM IN SCOTUS BATTLE REVEAL EXPECTATIONS FOR COURT'S DECISION

"[Boise State] is a client of Idaho, we asked, and the university confirmed that it's unlikely to happen in the spring," Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) legal counsel John Bursch, who has worked with the Idaho and West Virginia AGs on the Supreme Court case, told Fox News Digital. "It just shows that throughout the case, Hecox has flipped back and forth."

Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador said that exposing the discrepancy was "important" to their arguments Tuesday.

"I think it's important. I don't think it's the main issue in the case, but I think it's important," Labrador told Fox News Digital.

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Now, more than half of the states in the U.S. are empowered to enforce the protection of women's sports without fear of a legal challenge.

However, there are still 23 states, including California, New York and Massachusetts, that don't have any such laws, and some of those have laws to protect trans athletes in girls' sports.

America 250 gear on Amazon: Save up to 60% on hats, garden flags and more

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:44:24 -0400

Ahead of America's semiquincentennial this weekend, Amazon has rolled out deals on America 250 merchandise. We sifted through thousands of offers to find the best patriotic T-shirts, hats, flags, collectibles and other keepsakes to help commemorate the historic milestone.

Trending America 250 deals

Freedom America flag tee: $12.99 (28% off)
Wooden eagle decor: $11.99 (20% off)
Patriotic USA 250 earrings, 2-pack: $12.99 (19% off)
Patriotic embroidered baseball cap, 2-pack: $16.99 (15% off)
America 250 foil cup: $13.81 (14% off)
250th anniversary women's floral American flag shirt: $17.96 (10% off)

America 250 T-shirt: $19.99 (17% off)

Original price: $23.99

Celebrate America's 250th anniversary with this cotton T-shirt featuring a classic American flag graphic and the commemorative anniversary dates. The simple design can be worn long after the holiday.

American flag polo: $25.99 (35% off)

Original price: $39.99

Stay comfortable during Fourth of July celebrations in this moisture-wicking polo. A bald eagle and American flag graphic add a patriotic touch, while the wrinkle-resistant, stretchy fabric is designed for all-day wear and easy movement.

Embroidered America 250 hat: $13.99 (30% off)

Original price: $19.99

This patriotic cap is a No. 1 best-seller on Amazon and has a few more robust design elements that make it stand out. Embroidered on the front are symbols of American heritage like the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty and a bald eagle set against a red, white and blue flag. Choose from red, white or navy to add a classic Americana touch to any outfit. It's also available in a two-pack.

Adjustable America 250 hat: $9.99 (9% off)

Original price: $11.99

Prefer a more rugged option? This distressed baseball cap fits the bill perfectly. It comes embroidered with the years 1776 and 2026 with the American flag peeking through the distressing. An adjustable metal buckle provides a customized fit, while a moisture-wicking sweatband helps keep you comfortable in the heat.

America 250th table runner: $3.98 (60% off)

Original price: $9.98

Add a patriotic touch to your table with this America 250 anniversary table runner. Designed to fit most dining tables and kitchen islands, it's an inexpensive way to decorate the nation's milestone birthday at just $4.

Patriotic gift bundle: $19.99 (20% off)

Original price: $24.99

Shopping for a patriot or just want more bang for your buck? This America 250 gift set includes a 3-by-5-foot flag, an embroidered baseball cap and socks that fit men's sizes 6-12 and women's sizes 7-13. Just click the coupon box before you check out and get $5 off.

Commemorative coins: $15.98 (11% off)

Original price: $17.98

Honor America's 250th with this two-coin keepsake set featuring iconic symbols like the bald eagle and the Statue of Liberty. The coins come in a collectible presentation box for display or storage, and the set is currently available at its lowest price in the past 30 days.

Red, white and blue pin: $5.99 (25% off)

Original price: $7.99

Add this pin to your Fourth of July hats, tees or bags for an extra pop of red, white and blue. Get one or grab packs of 12, 24 or 36 to share with your friends and family.

Stick flags, pack of 6: $6.99 (46% off)

Original price: $12.99

Rain or shine, these wrinkle-resistant, waterproof flags are ready for your Fourth of July festivities. Display them in your yard, line a walkway or wave them proudly at a parade.

America 250 garden flag: $7.99 (20% off)

Original price: $9.99

Even your garden can look patriotic with this America 250 flag. It's double-sided, so you see the American eagle and celebratory design from all angles.

Commemorative Betsy Ross flag: $36.79 (20% off)

Original price: $45.99

Celebrate America 250 with this durable 3-by-5-foot flag, featuring embroidered stars inspired by early U.S. flag designs. Made from fade-resistant nylon with brass grommets for secure display, it's built to withstand the elements while showcasing your American pride. Make sure to clip the coupon before checking out to get the 20% discount.

Race to the White House board game: $26.59 (26% off)

Original price: $35.99

Put your skills to the test with the America 250 Anniversary edition of this board game that challenges players to navigate the twists and turns of a U.S. presidential election. Designed for families and history enthusiasts, the game combines political strategy, decision-making and a dose of civics education for an engaging game night experience.

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

America 250 commemorative flag: $15.98 (20% off)

Original price: $19.98

Show your patriotic spirit with this America 250 anniversary flag, designed to add a festive touch to your yard or garden. The design features a soldier graphic accented with red, white and blue for a bold outdoor display.

If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.

Appeals court revives lawsuit by Alaska Airlines flight attendants fired after opposing Pride message

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:00:08 -0400

A federal appeals court revived a lawsuit brought by two former Alaska Airlines flight attendants who say they were fired after expressing religious objections to the airline's support for the Equality Act, allowing their religious discrimination claims to proceed.

The Ninth Circuit ruled Wednesday there is sufficient evidence for a jury to determine whether Lacey Smith and Marli Brown were fired because of their religious beliefs, reviving the lawsuit they filed against the airline.

"We are grateful the court recognized the clear evidence of religious discrimination against Marli and Lacey by both Alaska Airlines and the flight attendants’ union," Stephanie Taub, senior counsel at First Liberty Institute, who argued before the Court back in August 2025, said in a statement.

JUDGE AWARDED $640K AFTER REFUSING TO OFFICIATE SAME-SEX WEDDINGS

"The Ninth Circuit’s decision today reinforces that federal civil rights laws protect people of faith from discrimination by their employer or their union," Taub added. "You cannot be fired because your employer does not like your religious beliefs."

In early 2021, Alaska Airlines said it would support the proposed Equality Act on an online internal employee network.

The Equality Act, which was introduced by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., sought to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes in employment, housing, and other capacities under federal civil rights law. It passed the House in February 2021.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FACES BACKLASH FOR ITS STANCE ON CHRISTIANS WRITING BIBLE VERSES ON PRIDE CAPS

The airline asked employees to comment in an online forum for employees, and Smith asked a question, writing, "As a company, do you think it’s possible to regulate morality?"

In the same forum, Brown shared a comment conveying her sincere religious beliefs that the Equality Act would adversely affect women, girls, and people of faith.

Following their comments on the online forum, Smith and Brown were investigated and fired from their jobs, with Alaska Airlines saying that the comments from Smith and Brown were "discriminatory," "hateful" and "offensive."

DOJ CRACKING DOWN ON MLB FOR POTENTIAL RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION AFTER PRIDE NIGHT CAPS CONTROVERSY

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Smith said, "Even though the lawsuit is between Alaska and myself, the win in the Ninth Circuit is for a nation of people who have also been facing religious discrimination in the workplace."

Brown told Fox News Digital, "When I read the decision from the Ninth Circuit, I was overwhelmed with gratefulness. I’m hopeful that with this favorable ruling, no one else will have to go through anything like what I’ve been through."

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Fox News Digital reached out to Alaska Airlines for comment.

Fox News’ Joshua Nelson contributed to this report.

Shock poll: Talarico ties Paxton in Texas Senate race, threatening GOP stronghold

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 11:49:46 -0400

It's been nearly four decades since a Democrat won a U.S. Senate election in reliably red Texas.

But a new poll suggests that Democrats have a good shot this year of breaking their long losing streak.

Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico and Republican nominee Ken Paxton, the longtime state attorney general, are tied at 47% support among likely voters in Texas, according to a New York Times/Siena survey released on Tuesday.

Paxton, who defeated longtime GOP incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in last month's Republican nomination runoff election just days after landing the backing of President Donald Trump, is facing off against Talarico, a state representative considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, in a midterm race that is among a handful that will likely determine if the Republicans hold their slim Senate majority.

MAGA TRIUMPH: PAXTON TOPS CORNYN IN BATTLE FOR GOP SENATE NOMINATION

The poll points to some troubling signs for Paxton, who has faced a slew of scandals and legal problems that have battered him over the past decade. In 2023, the Texas House of Representatives voted to impeach Paxton, but he was eventually acquitted of all charges by the state Senate. And Paxton is dealing with a messy divorce, with his wife Angela, a state senator, citing "biblical grounds" based on "recent discoveries" in filing last year to end their marriage.

According to the poll, fewer than four in 10 respondents said Paxton has good character or the right kind of moral values. And half said Paxton, a MAGA firebrand and one of the leaders of the legal effort to overturn Trump's 2020 presidential election loss, is too extreme.

Also problematic for Paxton is that his support, at 47%, is below the 50% of respondents who said they preferred Republicans to control the Senate next year.

The poll also shows Talarico winning the support of 61% of Hispanic — voters less than two years after Trump carried the Hispanic vote in Texas in the last presidential election — and leading the 63-year-old Paxton by 27 points among independents.

THE TEN RACES THAT WILL DETERMINE THE SENATE'S MAJORITY

And the survey spotlights a massive gender gap, with Talarico winning female votes by 18 points and Paxton ahead among male voters by the same margin.

Talarico, a 37-year-old former middle school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian who topped progressive firebrand and vocal Trump critic Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the March Democratic Senate primary, has emerged as the top Democratic fundraiser in Senate races, hauling in a massive $27 million in the first three months of this year.

But Republicans have repeatedly targeted Talarico, spotlighting his past controversial comments, including suggesting that "God is nonbinary" or that there are six biological sexes.

TRUMP ROASTS DEM CANDIDATE AS UNELECTABLE FOR CARDINAL SIN IN TEXAS

In his victory speech last month, Paxton mocked the Democratic nominee as "tofu Talarico," "six-gender Jimmy," "James Talafreako" and "low-T Talarico."

And he said in a Fox News Digital interview after winning the nomination: "James Talarico doesn't belong in Texas. We cannot let him be the center of the state of Texas. He fits in California. He does not fit here."

The poll suggests the Democratic Party brand may impede Talarico, with a majority of respondents seeing Democrats as too far to the left.

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And following a divisive primary with Crockett, who is Black, the poll indicates that 12% of Black voters have a negative opinion of Talarico, who is White.

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But likely helping Talarico is the economy.

Sixty percent of those questioned gave a thumbs down to how Trump was handling cost-of-living issues, which will do Paxton no favors.

It's no surprise: Talarico is highlighting economic concerns over soaring prices, saying in a new ad as he walks out of a grocery store that "too many Texans feel like they’re drowning."