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Astros player belts home run, rounds the bases and then gets devastating news after touching home

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:44:17 -0400

Houston Astros outfielder Taylor Trammell took a useless jog around the bases in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this week.

Talk about a brutal plot twist.

Trammell belted what he thought was his sixth home run of the season in the seventh inning of Monday's eventual loss to Toronto. The lefty uncorked on a fastball to the deepest part of Daikin Park (should still be Minute Maid Park, but that's neither here nor there), and thought he got all of it.

He touched first, rounded second, hit third and then finished his trot by touching home, thanking God, and making the short, triumphant walk back to his dugout for a well-earned congratulations from the rest of the team.

The only problem? When he finally looked up for the obligatory "atta boys!" from his teammates, they were nowhere to be found ...

... Because the ball was caught at the wall.

Take a look:

Taylor Trammell gets revenge

Oh no! Just a brutal look for Taylor Trammell. Humiliating. Devastating. I can't even imagine what's going through his head when he touches home and then realizes what he just did.

How do you look your teammates in the eyes after that jog? Goodness. Better yet, how do they look him in the eyes after?

Do they laugh? Do they try to pick him up? Do they just ignore it and act like it never happened? What a pickle.

To be fair, Trammell was clearly locked in. Good for him, by the way. We always rag on guys who show up the pitcher and make a huge spectacle out of hitting a home run.

Trammell put his head down and ran hard. That's what we want, right? No showboating. No bat-flipping. No admiring his blast. Just put your head down, touch all the bases, and get back to the dugout.

You're down 3-0. It's not the time for showing off.

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That being said, this one came back to bite poor Taylor Trammell. He thought he had himself a dinger. He's hit only 24 over a seven-year MLB career, so it doesn't happen often.

Unfortunately, it didn't happen Monday night, either.

REDS ANNOUNCERS FUME AT 'MIDDLE SCHOOL MISTAKE'

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But wait, there's more! There's one final twist to this sad story.

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Trammell put his head down after Monday's loss, went back to the drawing board, and ended up belting a three-run shot last night.

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This one cleared the wall. This one counted.

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All's well that ends well.

Perez Hilton under involuntary psych hold after apparent self-harm livestream: source

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:35:25 -0400

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Law enforcement was called to Perez Hilton's Miami residence after the celebrity blogger appeared to be harming himself during a TikTok livestream on Tuesday evening.

"The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls regarding an individual who was livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media," a spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Deputies quickly located the individual’s residence, where they spoke with family members on scene, and confirmed he was alone inside."

"In many incidents involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis or actively harming themselves, deputies prioritize de-escalation by creating time, distance, and opportunities for communication. Unless there is an immediate threat to others, slowing the situation and utilizing crisis intervention techniques can reduce the likelihood of a suicide-by-cop encounter and minimize the risk of injury to the individual, deputies, and the public."

CELEBRITY BLOGGER PEREZ HILTON SAYS HE FOUND GOD AMID MEDICAL SCARE IN EMOTIONAL CONFESSION

"At this time, deputies have tactically disengaged while continuing to monitor the situation and providing the needed support to his family," the statement concludes.

A source close to the situation tells Fox News Digital that Hilton was placed under a psychiatric hold under the Baker Act and "had wounds and cuts all over the place."

"He’s alive," the source added. "He has superficial cuts all over the body."

The Florida Baker Act is a state law that gives law enforcement officers, judges and certain mental health professionals the authority to place an individual into an involuntary mental health evaluation when specific legal criteria are met.

Under the Baker Act, an individual can be transported to a designated receiving facility for an emergency psychiatric evaluation that generally lasts up to 72 hours.

A representative for Hilton did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

The content creator recently moved to Miami with his mother, 73, and his three young children.

Hilton, born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., rose to fame in the mid-2000s after launching his celebrity gossip website in 2004. The Miami native quickly became one of the internet's most influential entertainment voices, known for breaking celebrity news and his unfiltered commentary.

The media personality has frequently shared how parenthood has reshaped his priorities, often offering followers a glimpse into family life on social media.

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Earlier this year, Hilton revealed he had been hospitalized for 21 days after a severe case of sepsis stemming from complications related to the flu. The celebrity blogger said he developed an ulcer and stomach perforation after taking medication on an empty stomach, ultimately requiring emergency surgery and weeks of treatment.

In a candid video he shared at the time, he said God had "presented himself to me" during the ordeal and changed him through the experience.

"God presented himself to me and then did something. Something I can only call miraculous... it was real, and this has been life-changing," he said.

In a follow-up video, the entertainment columnist tearfully apologized for past mistakes and said he had begun reading the Bible again.

"I’ve been crying, but happy tears. Happy tears. Because this is just, this is just so crazy. I’ve been reading the Bible, and so much of what is said here I had already been thinking of. It’s just overwhelming in the best, most beautiful way," he said while holding up a Bible to the camera.

"I made a lot of mistakes in my past. We all have. Nobody's perfect," he said. "But my mistakes are very public. The internet is forever. Receipts are forever. I carry with me deep shame and regret. I'm sorry. I will continue to apologize. I have also reached out to make amends. I've apologized publicly and privately to dozens of people."

"Because I was so selfish, because I didn't care who I hurt. I just cared about the views, the attention, the money — people hated me," he continued. "Some people enjoyed it, but it felt like most people hated me. And last week, since I've been home, I haven't been getting as much hate, and I've been getting love and prayers."

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Hilton added, "And I know that some people are fed up with me talking about God. You don’t have to watch these videos. You don’t have to watch. I love God. My experience was real. My testimony is important."

"What matters is today. How I behave today, how I behave tomorrow," he continued. "And not only did God save me in so many ways, but God gave me a new lease on life and a new opportunity to truly be better and do better."

Fox News Digital's Kristine Parks contributed to this post.

Why the Bears could take a step back despite Caleb Williams' breakout season and playoff run

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:33:52 -0400

Some teams seem to have a franchise identity. Maybe that’s because a coach has been there forever and he is a defensive- or offense-focused coach. If you think of the Steelers, you probably think of defense. If you think of the Colts, it probably is more about offense. With the Chicago Bears, they had relied on defense forever, but their offense was finally getting attention last year. Will it last this season?

Last Season

This was the Caleb Williams coming-out party. He still made some dumb mistakes, but he also had some moments where he was absolutely fantastic. He can make all the special plays in the world, but there are times that it seems like he can’t make the simple ones. You have to hope that can be taught because those magical ones can’t be taught. To start the season, the Bears suffered two straight losses and then ran off four wins. The rest of the season, they went 7-4, losing to the Ravens, Packers, 49ers, and Lions. Only the Ravens loss was by more than one score. In the postseason, they beat the Packers, which is basically winning the Super Bowl if you’re a Chicago fan. They had a miracle from Caleb Williams to keep the game alive against the Rams before they blew it in overtime to end the season.

BEARS $40M FREE AGENT SIGNING GETS EMOTIONAL AFTER KNEE INJURY, BUT DIAGNOSIS BRINGS SIGH OF RELIEF

Offseason additions and subtractions

The team dropped DJ Moore off to the Bills and took home a couple of solid draft picks. Moore never seemed to have a great rapport with Williams, so maybe it was the right thing to do. They tried to upgrade some of their secondary because their defense was actually really bad last year outside of creating turnovers. They also had to replace their center, Drew Dalman, because he retired at just 27 years old. They drafted one and signed a free agent to protect themselves a bit.

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Roster

I’m concerned about this team. Their defense relied basically on turnovers to keep them in games. Their offense was opportunistic and good, but I don’t really think Luther Burden or Kalif Raymond are going to scare too many guys. Ben Johnson can make the most out of this team and these players, but I’m not exactly thinking there were upgrades this offseason. Defensively, we need to see what happens. It is hard to be much worse than last year, but I don’t see a ton of guys on this roster that are going to keep opponents from moving the ball.

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Betting Outlook

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I don’t see much of a reason to take the Bears to win 10 games. I like the Lions better, I like the Packers better, and I even think the Vikings could be better. The Bears will have a tougher schedule after making it to the postseason last year. There aren’t too many easy wins on this schedule. Maybe the team takes a big step forward, but with their offseason and the roster, I’m thinking this might be a down year. I do like a shot at two wins after five games at +300.

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Fake party invitation scam can hijack your computer

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:33:21 -0400

You sit down at your computer to clear out your inbox. Then you spot a party invitation from someone you recognize. Maybe it appears to come from a friend. Perhaps the sender belongs to a group you know. Either way, the familiar name makes the message feel safe enough to open.

Inside, everything looks cheerful. There is an envelope graphic, a friendly note and what appears to be an invitation for a wedding or retirement party. However, you cannot see the event details yet. The message tells you to save the invitation or install something to join the guest list.

That request should stop you cold. A legitimate party invitation should not require you to install software before you can see when or where the event takes place. That small download could give a criminal remote access to your computer. Here’s how this fake invitation scam works and what you can do before one click puts your computer and contacts at risk.

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FAKE SHINYHUNTERS SEXTORTION EMAIL USES CARNIVAL BREACH DATA

How malicious party invitations reach your inbox

The scam begins with trust. An invitation appears to come from someone whose name you recognize, so you become less suspicious. Criminals may copy the look of a legitimate invitation platform. They can add a colorful envelope, an exclusive-sounding message and a button that promises to reveal the details.

The email has one main purpose: getting you to click. Once you press the invitation, the message sends you to a separate website. That page says a friend sent you something and asks you to download a file to view it.

The request may seem simple. Still, party invitations normally open inside a website or app. They do not need to install a program on your computer.

Why the fake invitation page looks convincing

The landing page may contain a large "Download invitation" button. It may also display a familiar company name inside the web address. However, seeing a trusted brand somewhere in a link proves very little. Criminals can place that name inside a much longer address or add extra letters that make the domain look authentic at a glance.

You need to identify the real domain instead of focusing on the first familiar word you see. The page may also create confusion. It could claim that your invitation is already downloading while another message asks you to click if the download fails. Some versions even include a testimonial from a supposed guest who says opening the invitation was easy.

A review on a private party invitation page should feel strange. Those details are designed to quiet your doubts and push you toward the download button. For more visual breakdowns of scams like this, check out The CyberGuy Report podcast at CyberGuy.com.

What happens after you download the fake invitation

In the example we describe, the website directs you to open the file on a Windows computer. That device-specific request is another major warning sign. Why would a party invitation care which device you use? The malicious file may contain a remote access tool. Businesses use legitimate versions of this software to troubleshoot computers from another location.

Criminals can abuse similar tools to control your system without permission. Once you install the file, an attacker may be able to search your computer or access saved information. The exact damage depends on the program and the permissions it receives. Your email account can become an especially valuable target. It contains personal conversations along with a contact list filled with people who trust you.

The criminals can then send the same fake invitation to your friends and relatives. Those people may open it because the message appears to come from your real account. As a result, one compromised computer can start a chain reaction.

Why these invitation scams keep working

People receive a steady stream of spam, fake alerts and impersonation attempts. Criminals can also use AI tools to create cleaner writing and more realistic designs. That makes the familiar sender name even more powerful.

You may be cautious around a message from a stranger. Yet you might act quickly when the invitation appears to come from someone you know. The scam succeeds when familiarity replaces verification. Email providers and technology companies continue to improve their filters. Even so, dangerous messages still reach real inboxes. That leaves you making the final decision about whether a link deserves your trust.

HOTEL WI-FI PHISHING ATTACK TARGETS MICROSOFT LOGINS

Tips to stay safe from fake party invitation scams

A few precautions can help you recognize a malicious invitation before it compromises your computer or accounts.

1) Keep trusted antivirus protection running

Use strong antivirus software and keep it actively running in the background on your devices. Real-time protection can warn you about a dangerous link or block a malicious download before it reaches your computer.

If you clicked the invitation or downloaded a suspicious file, delete the file without opening it and run a full security scan. A scan can help identify unwanted software that may have reached your computer. Keep your operating system, browser and security software updated as well. Updates often close weaknesses that criminals try to exploit. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com

2) Never install software to view an invitation

Stop immediately if an invitation tells you to download or install a program before you can see the event. Real invitation services normally show the details in your browser or inside their official app. You should not need a separate installer. Delete the message instead of trying to see what happens next.

3) Check links before clicking

On a computer, place your cursor over a link without pressing it. Your browser or email program should reveal the destination address. Read the entire address carefully. Watch for misspellings, unexpected words or extra letters added around a legitimate company name. A familiar logo does not confirm that the link belongs to the real company.

4) Open the invitation through the official website or app

Avoid using the link inside the email when you have doubts. Instead, type the invitation service's web address into your browser or open its official app. Sign in and look for the invitation there. If it does not appear in your account, the email may be fake.

5) Contact the sender another way

Reach out through a separate text message or phone call if an invitation feels unusual. Do not reply directly to the suspicious email. A criminal may control the sender's account or may have forged the address. Ask whether the person actually sent the invitation and whether it requires a download.

FAKE PASSWORD-MANAGER ALERTS COULD PUT YOUR VAULT AT RISK

6) Avoid opening a downloaded file

Your risk is generally lower if you visited the page but did not run anything. Close the browser tab without pressing the download button. If the file has already downloaded, leave it closed and delete it. Opening the file gives the malicious program a chance to run. Never open it simply to find out what it contains.

7) Report the message as phishing

Use your email provider's Report phishing option before deleting the invitation. Reporting the message can help the provider block similar emails and warn other recipients. You can also block the sender if you do not recognize the address.

8) Reduce the personal information available online

A data removal service can help remove your details from many public data broker databases. This may make it harder for scammers to find personal information they can use to make a message feel convincing. However, no service can remove every record. It also cannot prevent a criminal from reaching you through a compromised friend's contact list. Still, reducing your public exposure can give scammers less material to work with. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.

9) Protect your email account with two-factor authentication

Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for your email account. This adds another barrier if criminals steal or guess your password. Never approve an unexpected login request. Also, do not share a security code with anyone who contacts you.

10) Change your password if you entered any information

If you typed your email address, password or security code into the fake page, use a clean device to change that password immediately. Change it anywhere else you reused it. Then review the account for unfamiliar activity, new recovery information or settings you did not change. Use a password manager to create and store a strong, unique password for every account so one stolen login cannot unlock several services.

11) Act quickly if you opened the file

Disconnect the computer from the internet if you ran the installer or noticed unexpected remote activity. Next, run a full security scan. You may also need help from a trusted computer professional to confirm that the remote access software is gone. Use a different, clean device to change important passwords. Start with your email account because criminals may use it to reset passwords for other services. Also, review your email account for unfamiliar forwarding rules or active login sessions. Warn your contacts if suspicious messages may have gone out under your name.

Kurt's key takeaways

A party invitation should give you information, not demand access to your computer. Delete the message if it asks you to install anything before revealing the event. Check the full destination of every link. Then contact the supposed sender separately when something feels unusual. If you downloaded a file but did not open it, delete it and run a security scan. If you ran the file, disconnect the computer and secure your accounts from a clean device. Most importantly, pay attention to that moment when something feels off. A few seconds of doubt can stop a criminal from getting inside your computer. Want to see more? Check out The CyberGuy Report podcast.

Should email providers face tougher requirements to stop malicious invitations before they ever reach your inbox? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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McConnell's absence puts Trump agenda at risk as Kentucky succession questions grow

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:29:36 -0400

A deadline that could have determined Sen. Mitch McConnell’s future in the Senate has come and gone as the timeline for the Kentucky Republican’s return remains in the air.

Speculation swirled over Aug. 3 and its ramifications for McConnell’s winnowing tenure in the Senate, given that he’s been absent from the public eye since early June and is slated to retire at the end of this year.

Armchair election quarterbacks suggested that Monday was the day for Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, to have called a special election to replace McConnell.

MCCONNELL OUT OF HOSPITAL, STILL NOT 'MEDICALLY CLEARED' TO RETURN TO SENATE

But the longtime Republican has not vacated his seat, and Beshear contended that the obscure deadline had no real legal teeth.

"I know there are a lot of folks wondering about the significance of August 3 regarding a potential Senate vacancy," Beshear said on X. "I want everyone to know that this date has no legal impact on my options should there be a vacancy this year."

Still, Kentucky’s Senate succession law has undergone major changes in recent years. Should the Bluegrass State suddenly have a vacant seat in the upper chamber, Beshear wouldn’t be allowed to appoint a replacement as is the case in other states — this was most recently put to the test when Sen. Lindsey Graham suddenly died in South Carolina.

COLLINS DROPS THE HAMMER ON TRUMP'S PICK TO LEAD DOJ, JEOPARDIZING PATH TO CONFIRMATION

That means if McConnell’s seat were to become vacant, Beshear would be required to call a special election to fill his remaining time in the Senate.

When asked for comment on the matter, McConnell’s office directed Fox News Digital to the last statement from the senator, released on July 27, that detailed under doctors' orders that he was not "medically cleared" to return to the Senate quite yet.

"I’m still working hard to get back to my full schedule of work in the Senate and in Kentucky, keeping up with intense physical therapy per my doctors’ orders," McConnell said.

Despite the acknowledgment that Monday meant little legally when it came to replacing McConnell, Beshear noted that his absence is hindering current and future agenda items for the Trump administration.

"Worth a reminder: Right now, there’s one less vote for the SAVE Act, Trump’s war with Iran, or the potential replacement of a SCOTUS justice," he said.

TRUMP KEEPS CALLING THUNE DESPITE PUBLIC FIGHT OVER SAVE AMERICA ACT

And the Senate is chugging along without the longest-serving Republican leader in history. However, his missing dozens of votes hasn’t necessarily stopped legislation so far.

But during the dizzying sprint to wrap up work ahead of a scheduled break during August, his vote could count more than ever.

There are three Republicans who are on the fence about Blanche, too.

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Notably, President Donald Trump’s nomination of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is hanging by a thread, in part, because McConnell is not there. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced her intention to vote against him, leaving Republicans with only one vote to spare before his path to leading the Department of Justice closes.

"I don't know what those individuals are going to do, and I just… Mitch is still out," Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., told Fox News Digital. "But I think he’ll be confirmed. And we've got a lot of work to do this week."

Angels vs Orioles preview with player prop picks and under 8 runs analysis

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:23:54 -0400

It is a getaway day for most teams as we have every team in baseball playing, and most will end their series today. This has been a week of a lot of travel for many baseball players with the trade deadline finishing on Monday. Interestingly enough, that isn't the last chance for players to be moved.

Virtually all teams put their players on the market, and if someone claims or tries to trade for them from here, they just take the player off the market. Odd concept, but that's what happens. You can expect the two teams in this one to explore who wants what remains of the Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Orioles over the next couple of months.

The Angels did something right! At least that is what the majority of the analysts are saying about their trade deadline deals. They received some key pieces and didn't sacrifice a ton of their own young talent in the process. They picked up the second-best prospect from the Toronto Blue Jays in a deal sending over Jose Soriano. Moises Ballesteros came over to them from the Cubs for a reliever. They were able to keep Zach Neto and, if it is important to you, Mike Trout.

Another person they kept on the squad was today's starter Reid Detmers. There were a lot of rumors about people wanting to get Detmers from the Angels, but he ultimately stayed with the club, and they can trade him another year if they want. This season hasn't been amazing based on some numbers - he has a 3-7 record, with a 4.03 ERA, and a 1.10 WHIP. The WHIP is a good indicator of his performance, and he also ranks ninth in strikeouts. I also think they are likely to unleash him a bit more now that the deadline has passed. He was limited to fewer than 90 pitches in each of the past four starts. Detmers has been good against the Orioles, holding them to just seven hits in 40 at-bats.

The Orioles seem to have pressed the reset button. They aren't in the same situation as the Angels because they are roughly a .500 team, but that won't cut it in the American League East. It is also highly unlikely they can make a push for a wild card spot with their pitching staff.

The team still has a ton of talent on the roster, but they did trade away Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox. It is more surprising to me that they traded him to a divisional opponent than it was that they traded him.

In my opinion, they still needed to make more moves to help this pitching staff. Their second-best starter, Trevor Rogers takes today's start. In my opinion, Rogers is closer to a third starter at his best than he is the second in a playoff-caliber team. For the year, he is 6-7 with a 4.27 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He had a solid July aside from a rough outing against the Tigers in his last start. Over the last two months, he has allowed 15 earned runs in 60 innings, which is probably peak performance from him. The Angels are hitting just 8-for-22 against Rogers, but Travis d'Arnaud is 7-for-15 against him.

A prop on d'Arnaud is probably worth a look considering six of those seven hits have been for extra bases. His line is 2+ total bases at +179 for the day, so I'll lock that in as a player prop for sure, and the primary bet that I'll place on this game.

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Additionally, I think the Angels win this game. I think this is a bit of a fade of Rogers, and a little bit of a lean to Detmers getting more work in this game. The under 8 runs seems like a good look as well, considering neither of these teams is scoring a ton of runs, and both starters should put up innings with zeroes. I'll split another unit on the under and on the Angels.

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DSA-backed candidate topples millionaire Dem incumbent

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:07:38 -0400

Donavan McKinney, a congressional candidate backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, won his Democratic primary on Wednesday morning, unseating incumbent Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich.

From primary candidates in New York like socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier and her victory over incumbent Rep. Adriano Espillat, D-N.Y., the veteran chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, to Melat Kiros, another socialist in Colorado, unseating 30-year incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., DSA-backed candidates have expanded their influence over the party.

BERNIE SANDERS, DSA REVEAL DEMANDS FOR DEM PARTY AFTER SOCIALISTS SWEEP NEW YORK ELECTIONS

They’ve even enjoyed victories over other progressives — like Thanedar.

Thanedar, while still a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has broken with the DSA on a few critical areas.

Most notably, Thanedar broke off his own membership with the DSA in October 2023 over his support for Israel.

"I can no longer associate with an organization unwilling to call out terrorism in all its forms. Sunday’s hate-filled and antisemitic rally in New York City, promoted by the NYC-DSA, makes it impossible for me to continue my affiliation. I stand with Israel and its right to defend itself," Thanedar wrote in a statement after the Oct. 7 terror attacks that left 1,200 Israelis dead.

Right before the Fourth of July, Rep. Thanedar also said he agreed with U.S. exceptionalism when asked whether he was proud to be an American.

FORMER BERNIE SANDERS OFFICIAL ACCUSES SENATOR OF PUSHING MOST ANTISEMITIC CANDIDATES 'IN A GENERATION'

"This is a great country. You know, we are a country of immigrants. Immigrants have contributed so much to our country, and you know this is the greatest country on earth. I am so proud to call myself an American citizen, although there are some concerns with the new administration," Thanedar said.

McKinney, for his own part, has listed affordability, environmental and climate justice, and getting money out of politics as among his top priorities.

During his campaign, he targeted Thanedar’s personal wealth, arguing the businessman wasn’t representative of his district’s lived experience. Thanedar bought a small chemical analysis lab in 1991 for $75,000, grew it into a multimillion-dollar business with multiple acquisitions, later founding and then selling Avomeen Analytical Services, a chemical testing company.

"We deserve a Democratic Party that leads the fight against the billionaires that are robbing us blind. That stands up to corporate PACs. Our country and our children can afford nothing less," McKinney said in a campaign video.

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"People like our congressman, Shri Thanedar, are the problem. A multimillionaire who spent millions to buy a seat in Congress, who has more in common with Donald Trump and Elon Musk than people like us."

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Having captured the Democratic nomination, McKinney will go on to the general election on Nov. 3.

Vance to host Congress at White House to discuss legislative action on fraud

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:02:20 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Vice President JD Vance will host members of Congress at the White House on Wednesday morning for a fraud task force meeting where members will discuss potential legislative action to address the administration’s crackdown on fraud.

A source familiar with the meeting told Fox News Digital that roughly 20 members from both the House and Senate are expected at the meeting. Vance will also detail how members can target fraud in the various states and districts they represent.

Vance has previously hosted meetings at the White House to address fraud with a number of attorneys general alongside other members of the administration involved in the task force led by Vance.

PENNSYLVANIA AG EXPLAINS WHY STATE LEADS NATION IN MEDICAID FRAUD CONVICTIONS WHILE OTHERS BATTLE MASS SCHEMES

"Our task force is using every tool at its disposal to end fraud once and for all. Congress has an important role to play in cracking down on fraudsters and protecting federal programs from abuse," a White House official told Fox News Digital. "President Trump, Vice President Vance, and all of the task force’s interagency partners will not relent until every fraudster is brought to justice."

On Tuesday, the Justice Department announced that it is expanding its Northeast Health Care Fraud Strike Force to Philadelphia as federal and state authorities target alleged Medicare and Medicaid fraud involving home healthcare services, adding Pennsylvania to a number of states across the country where the administration is honed in on fraud.

Federal and state law enforcement charged 19 defendants accused of participating in schemes involving more than $4 million in claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid, according to a DOJ release obtained by Fox News.

On Sunday, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday also announced a plea agreement involving the final defendant in a previously charged 21-defendant case tied to more than $1.7 million in claims.

"The vice president’s task force continues to stop the flow of taxpayer funds before they fall into the hands of fraudsters and deliver savings to the American people," a spokesperson for Vance told Fox News Digital. "This is great momentum in the fight for the President’s War on Fraud."

WATCH: DR. OZ SAYS NEWSOM, OTHER BLUE STATES HAVE TURNED MEDICAID FRAUD INTO A 'FEATURE'

The task force has suspended payments to a number of healthcare providers who have been suspected of fraud across the country. As of May, Vance and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz withheld more than $1.4 billion in federal funding for home health and hospice providers nationwide.

In June, the Trump administration revealed new figures that show a drastic 7,100% spike in Medicare claims for skin substitutes in just six years, surging from $200 million to $14.4 billion from 2019 to 2025.

CMS identified 4,200 suspicious claims for skin substitutes, known as allografts, totaling $224 million in charges through May of this year.

"That's a lot of money," Oz said during a news conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Wednesday. "And that bankrupts not just hospital systems and physician groups, but it causes major problems across the entire landscape."

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S LANDLORD JOINS VANCE FRAUD CRACKDOWN AS WHITE HOUSE WIDENS HUNT: 'CRITICAL FORCE'

President Donald Trump established the task force through an executive order in May. He appointed Vance to the fraud crackdown team and various agencies and departments have been involved in rooting out widespread fraud.

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"Vice President JD Vance and Republicans are doing a great job hunting down Fraud in the various States," Trump posted on Truth Social in June. "Billions of Dollars is being found, and we've just started!"

Denise Richards says Sami 'stands up' to dad Charlie Sheen and that he needs it

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:00:41 -0400

Denise Richards agrees with Bunnie Xo's take that her oldest daughter, Sami Sheen, is Charlie Sheen's "karma."

During a recent appearance on Bunnie's "Dumb Blonde" podcast, Richards detailed her relationship with her ex-husband and how she has influenced her daughters to have their own conversations with Charlie now that they are getting older.

"I feel like, and we can cut this out if you want me to, but I feel like she's kind of Charlie's karma in a way," Jelly Roll's estranged wife said to Richards: "You don't have to cut it out," Richards replied with a laugh.

"I feel like she gives him a run for his money," Bunnie said before Richards added, "Oh, she does. She, out of all the kids, I feel stands up to him the most. And you know, and he does need it. We all do."

JELLY ROLL'S WIFE BUNNIE XO BREAKS SILENCE ON DIVORCE, GETS EMOTIONAL ABOUT FINAL FIGHT

Richards continued, "I wish I had her confidence when I was her age. However, I do wish sometimes she filtered herself a little bit. When she's saying stuff, sometimes. But, I'd rather her be the way she is. She's not afraid to be who she is and that's something that I really admire in her."

Richards and Sheen were married from 2002 until their divorce in 2006. They share two daughters, Sami Sheen, born in 2004, and Lola Sheen, born in 2005.

"And she and Lola could not be more opposite," Richards added. Sami, 22, is a successful model on OnlyFans and promotes her content online, while Lola, 21, is outspoken about Jesus and her faith on social media.

Denise acknowledged her daughter's differences on the podcast and shared that she's very different compared to her sister. "My dad reminded me. My sister and I are very opposite too. They don't even look alike. My girls," she said.

"Looks like I was with the milkman or something," Richards added with a laugh.

Speaking on Lola and Sami's childhood and what it was like growing up with famous parents, Richards shared that she had to hide a lot of things from her daughters and wants them to find out the truth from Charlie on their own.

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"I do think that there should come a time where they should really talk to their dad because so much happened when they were growing up," she began. "And ask him questions because there would be times where he wouldn't show up on Christmas and I would have to lie and make up stuff and I protected him."

Richards continued, "I wasn't gonna tell them the truth. How do you tell this to little girls? What's really going on? And some people would judge me. They're already so fragile... Even though I try to keep as much from them as possible, they're aware, they pick up on energy."

It was important for Richards that, despite what happened between her and the "Two and a Half Men" star, her daughters had their own relationship with their dad.

"During our divorce, which was so public, I wanted the girls to have their relationship with him without, you know, any negativity around it. I wanted them to know their dad as dad, not as Charlie Sheen, because there was many years where I didn't know if he was gonna be here," Richards said, referring to Charlie's very public alcohol and crack-cocaine addiction.

"And I didn't want the kids to only know about their father from what they were gonna read about him," she continued. "And so every, any time he was in a good space where they could spend time with him, I encouraged it. I never spoke badly about him in front of the kids."

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Twenty years after their divorce, Richards said she and Charlie are in a better place after their highly publicized split and years of ups and downs.

"Charlie's very... we have a great relationship. He lives close to us actually, and his boys live with him right now. I can give him s--- and joke around with him," Richards began. "He respects me and I respect him too. And I want only the best for him and want him to do well."

"And he knows if he needs anything, I'm here. And, and I think it's important for us always to maintain a relationship that we have for our daughters," she concluded.

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Republicans get the Democrat they wanted as socialist Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primary

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 09:58:17 -0400

After a grueling, messy campaign, a far-left progressive has taken on the Democratic establishment and won.

Abdul El-Sayed felled Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., to secure the Democratic nomination for Senate in what became one of the ugliest Democratic primary races in the country. El-Sayed will now face former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, who was uncontested in the GOP primary, in November.

Big money, the Democratic old guard and attacks on El-Sayed’s Democratic Socialist leanings dominated the primary, and leave the last man standing on the Left bruised and battered heading into the showdown with Rogers.

The face-off to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, who backed Stevens, is a must-win contest for Democrats and one of roughly a dozen general election Senate races expected to determine whether Republicans retain their narrow majority.

DEM PRIMARY ERUPTS AS ESTABLISHMENT FAVORITE DISMISSES RIVAL AS ‘CELEBRITY CANDIDATE’

"Michigan... We won. I am so proud to be your Democratic nominee for US Senate. Let's win in November," El Sayed wrote in a social media post Wednesday morning, as he declared victory.

A couple of hours later, after the race was called, Stevens conceded: "I love Michigan and am so proud to have put up my hand to serve. I spoke with Abdul a few moments ago to offer him my full support as we work to defeat Mike Rogers this November."

Before primary Election Day, El-Sayed was already looking ahead to his battle with Rogers, and hoping to curry favor with Stevens’ voters in the process.

"I think we all understand the risk of Donald Trump. We all understand the risk of Mike Rogers," El-Sayed told Fox News Digital. "This is a guy who is not going to stand up and take on the war machine. He's not going to stand up and take on Big Pharma. He's not going to stand up and take on big tech."

"He is going to do the bidding of large corporations," he continued. "I think everybody understands what the stakes are. So I'm looking forward to welcoming everybody who might have voted differently in the primary."

SWING-STATE POLL SPELLS TROUBLE FOR FAR LEFT AS SCHUMER-BACKED CANDIDATE DOMINATES WITH CRITICAL VOTING BLOCS

El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and a former Wayne County health director who unsuccessfully ran for governor as an insurgent candidate in 2018, would become the nation’s first Muslim senator if elected. He has made support for "Medicare for All" a major component of his campaign.

He has also called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and has been a vocal critic of Israel during its war against Hamas, characterizing Israel’s actions in Gaza as "genocide" against Palestinians.

More than $80 million was spent on the primary, making it the most expensive Democratic Senate nomination contest in history. Much of the money came from outside groups supporting Stevens or opposing El-Sayed. The largest spender was United Democracy Project, a political action committee aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which is best known by its acronym AIPAC.

"We all knew that they were going to spend their money. We didn't know they were going to spend $70 million of their money. We didn't know that they were going to outspend us $11 to $1. And yet we're still standing," El-Sayed highlighted in his speech.

El-Sayed urged party unity and took aim at former Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican Senate nominee.

Stevens also targeted Rogers during her primary night speech.

"Whoever wins is going to go and take on Mike Rogers. Republicans are going to do everything they can to throw all the dirt, all the mud, the kitchen sink at us because they want to keep the U.S. Senate red, so Mike Rogers can keep rubber-stamping Donald Trump's ridiculous agenda," she argued.

Of the two candidates, Republicans wanted El-Sayed, and old-guard Democrats feared his victory the most. The GOP is leaning into the bloody primary, too, hoping that the battle damage will have staying power in the weeks ahead until November.

"Not only is Rogers a battle-tested candidate who has coalesced the support of Michigan’s entire GOP ecosystem, but he will also be the beneficiary of Democrats’ dysfunction come November," a Republican operative told Fox News Digital. "Abdul El-Sayed has emerged from this cycle’s Democratic primary more damaged than ever and susceptible to more onslaughts of criticism from within their own party."

His surge in the polls sent Democrats scrambling to back Stevens, forcing Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Peters off the sidelines.

Peters told Fox News Digital that Stevens was a proven winner who had previously flipped a red district to blue, and that ultimately, the main goal was recapturing control of the Senate.

"But it doesn't happen if we lose Michigan," Peters said.

DEMS CLASH OVER AIPAC MONEY, ‘OGRE’ ATTACK AND ELECTABILITY DURING CRUCIAL SENATE DEBATE

Stevens acknowledged the former in an interview with Fox News Digital, where she said, "Rogers has made it very clear that, you know, this gets easier if I am not the nominee."

That’s because Republicans are leaning into El-Sayed being the more "extreme" of the two over his staunch opposition to U.S. aid for Israel, nixing corporate money in elections and pushing Medicare for all, which have all been underscored by his prior comments to defund police and recent "ogre on a pike" gaffe.

Still, his policy positions are hallmarks of the progressive movement that have earned him endorsements from the likes of Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

And his victory marks another loss for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who backed Stevens in her failed bid to claim the Democratic nomination.

"Abdul El-Sayed’s victory marks another devastating loss for Chuck Schumer in his civil war with Bernie Sanders as Democrats position Mike Rogers to defeat socialism’s newest standard-bearer in November," National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Bernadette Breslin told Fox News Digital.

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Rogers was game for either, but did toss a jab in at El-Sayed in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"We feel confident we're going to beat either one of those candidates that come out of that race," Rogers said. "They’ve both have gone off to the left."

"They are very radical, and they are way too extreme for Michigan," he continued. "I mean, Abdul, he has his own special sauce of crazy."

Pro wrestling legend Dory Funk Jr dead at 85

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 09:33:45 -0400

Dory Funk Jr., a pro wrestling legend who competed across the globe and helped train countless stars, has died, WWE announced on Tuesday. He was 85.

Funk began his pro wrestling pursuits in 1963 after he finished his college football career at West Texas A&M University. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.

COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL

"Saddened to announce the passing of Dory Funk, Jr.," WWE chief content officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque wrote in a post on X. "From the Double Cross Ranch to the @WWE Hall of Fame, Dory’s style inspired countless performers in our industry. Whether it was at WrestleMania 2, WCW, ECW, or the dozens of NWA-affiliated promotions, his travels across North America and Asia were a part of the early blueprint that helped build this business into a global phenomena.

"A hard-nosed and fierce competitor, his rugged in-ring style was only eclipsed by the decades he spent training athletes to perform in the squared circle he loved so much. My thoughts and those of the entire @WWE Universe are with his loved ones during this difficult time."

Funk started in his father Dory Funk Sr.’s promotion, Western States Sports, in 1963 and got real-world experience wrestling with the likes of Harley Race and others. It was in 1969 when he became the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) world champion and held the title for more than four years. He would be seen in the NWA until 1987.

"The National Wrestling Alliance is saddened to note the passing of Hall of Fame former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk Jr.," the NWA said in a post on X.

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"The National Wrestling Alliance sends its most heartfelt wishes to the family, friends and fans of Dory Funk Jr., a true legend whose contributions to professional wrestling are still felt and celebrated to this day."

Funk appeared in WWE (then the World Wrestling Federation) in 1986, teaming with his brother Terry to start. He had matches there against Junkyard Dog, Tito Santana and Pedro Morales but only remained there for one year.

He wrestled at All Japan Pro Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling and several other promotions before calling it a career in 2017.

WWE inducted Funk into its Hall of Fame as part of its 2009 class. He went in as a tag team with his brother, Terry. The Von Erichs, Bill Watts, Howard Finkel, Koko B. Ware, Ricky Steamboat and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin were also a part of the class.

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Funk’s wrestling legacy lives on through the people he trained at his school called The Funking Conservatory. Kurt Angle, Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, Mickie James, Lita and others were among his students.

Fetterman gives Dems a stinging reality check as Mao-praising communists seize the spotlight

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 09:17:35 -0400

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman railed against the growing influence of socialists and communists in the Democratic Party on Tuesday, warning that figures such as socialist streamer Hasan Piker are pulling the party toward a more radical future.

"I would never try to elevate … a communist just because [Piker] has followers on some, on Twitch, whatever that is. But overall, if you identify with a communist who praises Mao and Cuba and for these places, that should be foreign to any Democrat. Without a doubt, that's having an impact," Fetterman told Fox News Digital on the sidelines of the Israel on Campus Coalition conference Tuesday.

Piker has emerged as an influential voice on the Democratic left, backing socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and campaigning alongside Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed as left-wing candidates court his millions of online followers. Piker has openly praised Mao Zedong and carried water for Cuba’s communist regime, blaming America for the island’s suffering.

Speaking with Fox News Digital after addressing the Israel on Campus Coalition's National Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Fetterman said the direction of his party has become "troubling" and pointed to Tuesday’s primaries as the latest test of whether Democrats will continue embracing candidates aligned with the party’s progressive flank.

JOHN FETTERMAN MAKES IT 'VERY CLEAR' THAT HE'S 'NOT GOING TO BE A REPUBLICAN' DESPITE DEM BACKLASH

Democratic establishment candidates notched several victories in Tuesday night’s primaries, including Rep. Wesley Bell’s defeat of DSA-backed former Rep. Cori Bush’s comeback bid in Missouri. The high-stakes Democratic Senate primary in Michigan, however, remained too close to call early Wednesday, with Abdul El-Sayed, who has drawn support from prominent socialists, facing the more moderate Rep. Haley Stevens.

"I see the midterms right now that the more radical, the more anti-Israel, and the people have turned Israel as to the ultimate litmus … When you have Gov. Newsom describing Israel as an apartheid state. He knows better, that that's not true," said Fetterman.

The Pennsylvania Democrat continued that it should be "pretty obvious" that the party should not "pander to the fringe."

"Those are core values. … Like I said, you just can't pander to those kinds of people," he added.

President Donald Trump issued his own warning earlier this summer, arguing that the Democratic Party had moved far beyond socialism.

"These are not social Democrats," Trump said in June following socialists notching primary wins in New York. "These are hardcore, godless communists. They're godless communists. All communists are godless. They don't believe in God. This is the most serious threat to our country since its existence. In my opinion, 250 years ago. This is a major threat to our country."

FETTERMAN CALLS ZOHRAN MAMDANI A 'CLOWN' OVER PUSH TO ARREST NETANYAHU IN NEW YORK CITY

When asked by a reporter late Tuesday night what it would mean if more socialists prevailed in primary races, Trump said the Democratic Party is a "mess."

"I think they should form another party, the communist of America party. I think they should have a new party, the communists of America, and it will do well, it'll get about 10% of the vote," Trump said.

Fetterman spoke at the Israel on Campus Coalition’s flagship event, which brought more than 800 pro-Israel students to Washington for advocacy training, networking and discussions on supporting Israel, combating antisemitism and strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship on college campuses.

Fetterman said the shift in the Democratic Party is evident in how even pro-Israel Democrats now feel pressure to qualify their support for the Jewish state.

"The left is using the term of Zionist as like a slur or use Zio or Zio, or describing that as someone that in the negative terms," Fetterman said. "In other words, being proud, pro-Israel, that's become a slur, and people have to defend that."

TRUMP WARNS ‘GODLESS COMMUNISTS’ WILL TURN CITIES INTO SLUMS AS DEMS FAIL TO FIGHT SOCIALIST SURGE

Fetterman also pointed to Iran as another defining fault line within the Democratic Party, defending the Trump administration’s strikes on the country’s nuclear facilities and highlighting his break with most Senate Democrats over presidential war powers.

"I think I was the only Democrat to support the Trump administration to bomb the Iranian nuclear facilities," said Fetterman. "If you don't want them to acquire a nuclear bomb, it's pretty reasonable to bomb their nuclear facilities, they want to build one. And overall, the Iranian war, I've remained the only Democrat to vote against the War Power[s] Act."

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"I would say that for almost half a century, every American president had been trying to address the problem with Iran. The problem is Iran. That's the problem," he added.

Madison Beer pets Justin Herbert's face at training camp, Buc-ee's goes after illegal beaver & Ric Flair

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 09:13:40 -0400

The sun is shining, August is in full swing and I got back to my OutKick roots on Tuesday with the trans basketball report, but my true roots at this company lie with Screencaps.

It's time to crank out a fresh edition of Wednesday Screencaps where we dive into the possibility of Justin Herbert being too in love with pop singer Madison Beer that he loses focus on his NFL career. Did you guys see these two at training camp this week?

Do you want your QB to be a stone-cold killer the minute training camp starts or do you want his girlfriend petting his face while he's facing down a 17-game schedule where the Chargers will face teams that finished with a .522 record in 2025?

Now, keep in mind that these two got engaged seven days ago and that who fiancé thing is still fresh, so maybe the petting will subside. But, those of us who've observed this world long enough know that there are guys like Tom Brady who are willing to give up marriages for the game and then there are guys like Mahomes, who seems to enjoy being grounded and spending time at home around his wife.

She might be nuts, but it seems like Mahomes is pretty content to pump out kids and win titles.

Let's go to the comments to see how the Internet is reacting to the petting:

• "I have the same look when staring at a beautiful beer in the early afternoon sun, too"

JIM HARBAUGH, CONFIRMED LOVER OF LOVE, WAS HAPPY JUSTIN HERBERT TOOK TIME OFF IN EUROPE WITH MADISON BEER

• "Bo Nix’s (playoff winner) wife isn’t at training camp. They just had a baby. Herbert (never won a playoff game) is sitting there getting groomed on the field like he is at girl at a high school sleepover."

• "A very large man is going to lay him out and pet him this exact same way."

• "Life is not high school musical, Justin."

Guys, it's football season. Is it an overreaction to think Beer could derail this guy's career? Not at all. It's something to watch.

CYCLOSPORA OUTBREAK: IS IT STILL SAFE TO EAT AT RESTAURANTS? HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

I ate romaine lettuce TWICE this week

No diarrhea yet. Millennial Chris B. in Bowling Green says I have to give it between two days and two weeks for the spora to possibly hit.

Disclaimer:

Bought it from a mom & pop grocer
The heads of romaine appeared to have been hosed down by a fire hose
Each individual leaf was then washed at home under my elite supervision

BABY BOOMERS HATE 10 THINGS ABOUT TODAY'S GROCERY STORES

Should I be fine?

Come on, Rural King

What are we doing? Stop. Have some damn respect.

Decorating dorm rooms in 2026

– Brad S. writes: Granted, I went to college in the late 1900s, so designer stuff wasn't a thing - for the guys, at least. A couple of cinder blocks and a few boards built a bookshelf/TV/stereo stand. If one was lucky enough to 'find' a cable spool, then boom! You got a fancy coffee table.

I think if a freshman guy decked his new digs into 80s retro, he'd be the talk of the dorm!

Kinsey: I think Brad meant to say he went to college in the late 1980s.

I see these lists and wonder...

...how doesn't Omaha, Nebraska make these lists? I'm not a real estate expert on that city, but, from my experiences, it wouldn't be a bad place to buy a house and build a career, then raise a family. God help you if your Gen Z is planning on buying in the Cleveland proper. The last time I was in downtown Cleveland, it was rather pathetic.

There's even a story out this week where the new WNBA team named itself the Sirens and locals immediately started wondering if it was in reference to the constant crime. Seriously.

The big drama out of SW Ohio this week is over Buc-ee's suing a beer store over its beaver art

This is the best thing that ever happened to this beer store in Beavercreek, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. This is marketing gold. Do you know how much booze this place is going to sell as Americans rally behind the little guy? I cannot get on Facebook without a member of my family screaming about how Buc-ee's is screwing the little guy.

Business advice: Try your hardest to get Buc-ee's to sue you over beaver art.

My mom sent this over to me on Instagram

#####################

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

And that is it this morning. Here we are on the eve of Kenny Pickett starting in the Hall of Fame game. Let the energy run through your veins. Tie up loose ends before the football season really kicks into high gear tomorrow night.

Let's get after it.

Numbers from :

Stuff You Guys Sent In & Stuff I Like :

Grocer-turned-lawmaker says Mamdani’s government-run stores 'might not even last a year’

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 09:00:27 -0400

A former grocer is joining the chorus of criticism against New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's plan for government-run grocery stores, arguing it would harm hundreds of small businesses forced to compete with them.

"That supermarket will just bleed red the entire time it's open, from the first time you turn the key until it closes," Rep. Mike Rulli, R-Ohio, told Fox News Digital. "And I would bet the farm there's no way these grocery stores last more than five years — they might not even last a year."

Rulli grew up with his family's Ohio-based grocery store chain, Rulli Brothers, which is now run by his brothers.

EXPERTS SCORCH MAMDANI'S GROCERY PLAN AS AN 'ILLUSION' THAT WILL HAVE TAXPAYERS FOOTING THE BILL

Rulli said his family's small but thriving two-location business has given him an appreciation for the challenges facing small business owners in New York City, whom he argued would be harmed by competition from Mamdani's city-run stores.

"You will put hundreds of these small businesses out of business. And a lot of these businesses are owned by immigrants," Rulli said. "So I mean, I don't think the mayor could possibly have asked for a worse situation."

NY GOVERNOR HOPEFUL VOWS SHOWDOWN WITH MAMDANI OVER SOCIALIST AGENDA: ‘I WILL STOP HIM’

Mamdani, the Democratic socialist mayor of New York City, unveiled a plan for government-funded grocery stores while on the campaign trail. The city has since committed $70 million to constructing one store in each of the five boroughs, with an aim to open all five by 2030.

Mamdani discussed the agreement during a recent news conference, saying, "Once a month, our five city-run grocery stores will set prices for this core set of goods at 30% below typical retail prices."

MAMDANI’S CITY GROCERY PLAN COULD LEAVE TAXPAYERS PAYING FOR EVERY BANANA

While the plan has been cheered by progressives, it has been panned by business groups such as the Multicultural Business Coalition, which the New York Post reported was threatening to sue Mamdani.

Rulli, noting that grocery stores already operate on thin profit margins, said Mamdani's government shops will likely be "operating at a loss the entire time."

"When you think about the grocery industry, [it] runs on about 27% gross. That's before you pay your bills. Once you pay your bills, you're about one-and-a-quarter, one-and-half-percent net," he said.

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That, he argued, would make it a drain on taxpayers as long as they remained open.

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"This is the biggest mistake the mayor has made," Rulli said.

MIKE PENCE: Congress must finish Lindsey Graham’s fight against Putin

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 09:00:10 -0400

Freedom has lost one of its fiercest defenders, and I have lost a dear friend.

For more than three decades, South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham stood at the center of the great debates over our nation’s security and America’s role in the world. He understood that peace is preserved not by wishful thinking, but by American strength. He knew that dictators are not pacified by concessions, but deterred by unshakable resolve.

History will remember his many accomplishments. The Senate has already taken an important step toward securing one more by overwhelmingly advancing his legislation. Now it must complete its work, and the House must act without delay.

GRAHAM'S FINAL MISSION ADVANCES AS SENATE MOVES TO CRUSH PUTIN'S WAR MACHINE WITH RUSSIA, IRAN SANCTIONS

Congress has an opportunity to ensure that one of his greatest achievements is still to come.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 is more than just another sanctions bill. It is the culmination of Lindsey’s determined effort to deny Russian President Vladimir Putin the money, technology and international support fueling Russia’s brutal and unconscionable war against Ukraine. Passing it would not simply honor his memory. It would advance the cause to which he devoted the final chapter of his public life.

More than four years after Russia launched its unprovoked war of conquest, Putin continues to finance his war machine through energy exports, financial networks and an elaborate system of sanctions evasion. Existing sanctions have imposed real costs, but they have not been enough. Putin and his henchmen have adapted. Russia has built a shadow fleet of ships to move its oil around the world. It has relied on foreign companies to sustain its defense-industrial base. And too many nations continue to purchase Russian energy with their money while condemning Russian aggression with their words.

Lindsey understood that half-measures would never change Putin’s calculations.

REPORT WARNS RUSSIA USING SHADOW FLEET TO PROBE NATO DRONE DEFENSES

His legislation would impose mandatory sanctions on Russia’s political leadership, financial institutions, state-owned energy enterprises and the networks helping Moscow evade existing restrictions. It would target the shadow fleet transporting Russian oil, tighten financial and export controls, and use targeted tariffs to encourage the world’s largest purchasers of Russian energy to end their support for the Kremlin’s war machine. Just as importantly, it preserves presidential waiver authority when a waiver serves America’s national interest, ensuring that strength remains guided by sound judgment.

At its heart, this legislation is about restoring the deterrence that keeps dictators from mistaking American restraint for weakness.

History has taught us repeatedly that unchecked aggression only invites more aggression. Every barrel of oil sold through sanctions evasion, every financial transaction that slips through the cracks and every dollar flowing into the Kremlin’s coffers help finance missiles and drones that rain terror on Ukrainian cities and encourage other authoritarian regimes to test the resolve of the free world.

ZELENSKYY SAYS PUTIN 'LOST THE INITIATIVE' AS UKRAINE'S TECH INDUSTRY RESHAPES THE WAR

Lindsey Graham believed America should never shrink from that challenge. He knew that the United States must lead, our allies must stand together, and our adversaries must know that freedom has both the will and the means to defend itself.

One of Lindsey’s last acts in public life was to travel to Kyiv and meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to express America’s continued support for the long-suffering Ukrainian people. He believed this legislation could help bring Putin to the negotiating table and hasten the day when this terrible war finally ends. I believe he was right.

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Congress can pay tribute to Lindsey Graham with eloquent speeches and heartfelt memorials. Those are certainly fitting. But the tribute that would matter most to Lindsey would be finishing the work he began.

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It’s time for Congress to pass the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. Let’s complete his final mission.

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Rand Paul's calls for Fauci to face imprisonment continue after contentious hearing

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:53:14 -0400

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has frequently suggested that Dr. Anthony Fauci should face prison time, and he was still open to the idea Tuesday when pressed about his past calls on that front.

Paul spoke on MS NOW about his response to the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases invoking the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during a Senate hearing chaired by Paul last week.

The Republican senator admitted that he didn't know what to expect from Fauci's testimony, arguing that Fauci likely could have escaped legal culpability under former President Joe Biden's pardon. Geist remarked that Fauci, under the guidance of his lawyers, likely wanted to avoid speaking to Paul, who has advocated for him to be jailed. He followed up by asking if he still believes in that.

CAN FAUCI HIDE BEHIND THE FIFTH? GAME-CHANGING BIDEN PARDON MAY NOT PROVIDE COMPLETE COVER, EXPERTS SAY

"That's a good question," Paul said. "Did he lie to Congress? I think he did lie to Congress. And I think, to be fair, that people who lie to Congress should be charged with a felony and, if convicted, go to jail. That’s also a felony crime. So I think both destroying records and lying to Congress are serious crimes."

Paul explained that it was more important to him to learn the truth about the gain-of-function research allegedly connected to Fauci prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Geist then asked if anyone else should face a criminal investigation. Paul stopped short of suggesting legal ramifications but added that they "should all apologize" and were culpable in other ways.

Turning back to Fauci, Geist asked Paul if he believed the doctor had some "nefarious" purpose behind his actions.

WATCH: RAND PAUL SAYS THERE'S ONE THING AMERICANS HAVE NEVER HEARD FROM FAUCI

"I would say it's wrongheaded. I'm not sure I would use the word 'nefarious.' I would say that he is of the belief that the common man can't handle the truth, and that people like him who are the science, the elite, and the experts should make decisions," Paul said, pointing to Fauci's shifting comments regarding masks.

He added that Fauci was telling "lies, platonic lies, because he's one of the philosopher kings. So it really is about an attitude, but it is an arrogance, and it is an arrogance that shouldn't go unchallenged."

Fox News Digital reached out to Fauci and Paul's office for further comment.

RAND PAUL SEEKS CONTEMPT CHARGES AFTER FAUCI INVOKES FIFTH AMENDMENT MORE THAN 100 TIMES

In 2021, Paul told "Hannity" that lying about gain-of-function research is a felony "punishable by five years in jail." The controversial method refers to manipulating or altering an organism or virus for purposes of research, which could give it enhanced abilities.

"We’ve referred it to the Department of Justice," Paul said. "I don’t think Biden’s Department of Justice will do anything with it, but yes, it is very dangerous to have public officials who we need to have trust in coming and lying to us, but he has lied dozens of times."

Paul directly told Fox News' Laura Ingraham in 2024 that Fauci's consequence should be jail.

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"I think he lied to Congress, which is a felony. You know, several folks from the Trump administration were accused of lying to Congress and carted off to jail with FBI agents all over the property, host, you know, yanking them out of their house early in the morning," he said. "But Anthony Fauci did lie to Congress. We know that from his own words, not because I say lies, but his private email say he was lying. Virtually everything he said in private contradicted what he was saying in public."

GOP Rep Chuck Edwards drops re-election bid after House ethics report recommends censure

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:45:47 -0400

Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., announced early on Wednesday morning that he was dropping his re-election bid.

"After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided to withdraw from my re-election campaign. I will complete my current term. Serving Western North Carolina has been the honor of my life. Thank you for your trust, prayers, and support. God bless WNC and America," Edwards noted in a post on X that was published at 3:32 a.m. ET.

The announcement came two days after the House Ethics Committee released a report recommending Edwards' censure.

GOP LAWMAKER'S GIFTS, 'EFFUSIVE AFFECTION' TOWARD YOUNG STAFFERS DETAILED IN EXPLOSIVE ETHICS REPORT

Fox News Digital reached out to Edwards' congressional office and campaign on Wednesday morning.

Edwards has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since early 2023.

He decisively won the GOP primary in North Carolina's 11th Congressional District earlier this year.

'MCDONALD'S CHANGED THE COURSE OF MY LIFE': CONGRESSMAN SELLS BUSINESS HE BUILT SINCE HIS TEEN YEARS

But on Monday, the House Committee on Ethics issued a report finding Edwards "engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct towards two young female staffers."

While Edwards "denied that any of his conduct was intended as a sexual or romantic advance, his pattern of behavior would lead a reasonable observer to interpret it as such, including providing the young women with lavish and recurrent gifts, making comments regarding their appearance and dress, inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations, sending notes regarding his effusive affection, and inviting them to other activities as a way to spend time together," the report says.

The committee said it found "no evidence that Representative Edwards engaged in sexual activity with or explicitly propositioned any individual under his employ."

Edwards "was aware, however, that his excessive attention toward the young women had led to rumors and innuendo in the office," the report says. "Both women were uncomfortable with his behavior (which they attempted to communicate) but were put in an untenable position by virtue of his status as their boss and a Member of Congress. Representative Edwards was at minimum blind to that reality, and at worst, dismissive of the impact his inappropriate conduct had on the careers and wellbeing of two women on his staff."

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER WELCOMES HOUSE ETHICS PROBE INTO SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM

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"The Committee hereby adopts this Report in this matter and recommends Representative Edwards be censured for his conduct," the document noted.

Trump's remarks on recruiting LeBron James to women's basketball resurface amid WNBA trans athlete debate

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:38:36 -0400

The WNBA is in the midst of a firestorm as sports fans have rallied around Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham and her stance that women and girls shouldn’t have to compete against males.

WNBA coaches, columnists and media pundits have continued to miss the mark on Cunningham’s comments and have said everything from sports should be inclusive to labelling Cunningham "anti-Black" and against transgender people.

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In the midst of the heated conversations on social media, President Donald Trump’s comments about being a WNBA coach resurfaced on Tuesday night. Trump was making a speech at the America First Policy Institute in July 2022 and said he would be the greatest women’s basketball coach ever because he’d ask LeBron James if he had any "desire to be a woman."

"I’ll tell you what – I’d be the greatest women’s basketball coach in history. Because, I don’t like LeBron James. I like Michael Jordan much better. But I’d go up to LeBron James, it doesn’t matter, I’d say, ‘LeBron, did you ever have any desire to be a woman? Because what I’d love you to do is star on my team that I’m building up. I’ll have the greatest team in history. They’ll never lose. Nobody will come within 70 points of this team,’ Trump said at the time. "No, we have to change that. We have to make it OK to talk about it."

The clip took new life ahead of the Fever’s game on Wednesday night against the New York Liberty. It will be the Fever’s second home game since her remarks were published in an ESPN feature.

NCAA SOFTBALL PLAYER REVEALS ALLEGED ENCOUNTER WITH PRO-TRANS COUNTERPROTESTERS AT SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM RALLY

Since then, women’s sports activists have rallied around Cunningham and have held events in support of her outside of arenas.

The latest was in Minneapolis ahead of the Fever’s 108-100 loss to the Minnesota Lynx. Pro-trans activists seemingly got wind of the rally and attempted to shout down at those in support of Cunningham.

One man waved a sign with a derogatory message toward those in support of Cunningham.

Still, Cunningham has not backed down from her comments.

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"I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense," she said back on July 22. "I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. So, I stand on what I said and I’ll always believe that."

Angel Reese put up one of the worst basketball shots of all time, and then something amazing happened

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:32:43 -0400

Angel Reese saw all the attention Sophie Cunningham has been getting the past few weeks, and decided to let her play on the court do all the talking.

And buddy, that has proved to be just an awful strategy.

Reese, who earlier this week claimed no black Barbie dolls existed when she was a kid (they've been around since the Carter Administration), went viral Monday night after putting up one of the worst basketball shots in the history of the game.

That's right. I'm not talking about just the WNBA. I'm talking about all of basketball. WNBA. NBA. Pee-wee. Rec league. Neighborhood court.

You name it. You will be hard-pressed to find a worse shot attempt than this:

Angel Reese finishes the play with a bang

My God. I can't stop watching. What a sight. What a shot. What a league.

Man, is the WNBA the best, or what? I think they should just cancel football season and let us watch the WNBA for the next five months.

Just kidding. Please don't do that. The country would burn.

Reese, by the way, finished Monday's loss to the Aces with respectable numbers. Better than that, actually. She put up 23 points on 10-19 shooting, and added 16 rebounds.

One of those rebounds, and two of those points, came after this incredible shot, by the way.

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They don't call 'em "MeBounds" for nothing, you know:

I mean, it's just perfect. Everything about that clip is perfect.

The blind dart throw to the rim. The mebound. The put-back. The yelling and shouting and screaming, all while losing by 20.

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It's just perfect. Is Angel Reese a content machine, or what? I can't get enough of her. Between the play on the court, and the absolute nonsense off of it — including her comments before Monday's "Barbie Game Day," which celebrated Reese's signature Barbie doll — I'm all in.

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"Honestly, I didn’t have a lot of dolls because I didn’t have dolls that really looked like me much," Reese said before the loss. "That’s why I kind of really wanted to make sure this was super intentional, because now that they have a doll that looks like you, nails and hair, but also you can be a killer on the court as well."

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Again, Mattel introduced Christie, a Black character in Barbie’s world, in 1968. The first doll officially named Black Barbie arrived in 1980, more than two decades before Reese was born.

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What a wonderful time to be alive.

A real college football team is letting one fan call plays in an actual game this season

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:20:54 -0400

One brave college football team is letting all you armchair quarterbacks out there put your money where your mouth is this season.

The Akron Zips announced this week that they will let one fan call plays during the team's first offensive series in the Sept. 12 home-opener against Robert Morris.

Yes, you read it right. No, it's not a typo.

An actual Division I FBS college football team is letting an actual fan call actual plays against an actual opponent.

What a wonderful time to be alive:

Akron Zips are letting the common man in

"We're always looking for new ways to bring our fans closer to the program," Akron AD, Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich, said. "This is about giving one of our most loyal supporters a seat at the table, right alongside our coaching staff, on the biggest night of the season."

The promotion, aptly titled "Offensive Coordinator of the Game," is for season ticket holders only. Every current season ticket holder will be automatically entered into a random drawing for the promotion, with every season ticket counting as an entry.

Here's the real kicker: Season ticket holders will also receive additional entries for every new season ticket holder they successfully refer.

Now, I know what everyone's thinking ...

"Of course it's only for season ticket holders. Us common folk can't afford that. The rich get richer!"

Wrong.

A quick scan of Akron's website shows me that season tickets range from $75 to $181, depending on the seats. That's it! This ain't Alabama or Ohio State.

This is Akron. No offense to the Zips, who are a staple of Mid-Week MACtion every season, but you know what I mean.

You can essentially call an actual offensive series for the price of YouTube TV. What a deal!

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I'm all in, by the way. Some folks think this will end horribly. No shot. This is a win-win spot for the Zips, and, more importantly, for America.

All we do is complain all season about horrible play-calls. Now, we — the common men and women — have a chance to prove to these teams that we know what we're talking about.

I'm talking flea-flickers on the first snap of the game. I'm talking end-arounds and fake punts and triple reverse wide receiver passes on third and one.

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I'm talking NEVER punting the football. Never, ever. I don't care if it's 4th and 100.

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We've all played a college football video game at one point in our lives, right? I led dozens of programs to a national title back in the day as a lazy middle school coach. I was absolutely LETHAL with the option attack in NCAA 06 when Pat White and the West Virginia Mountaineers were an absolute MACHINE.

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And now, we have the chance to put all our years of hard work and dedication to the actual test next month against Robert Morris.

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What can go wrong?

Fun fact: The moon has traces of rust on its surface

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 14:25:51 -0400

Scroll through the slideshow and be amazed

WATCH: Smithsonian director admits she sees history as ‘tool’ of ‘social justice’ in resurfaced 2025 clip

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 05:00:26 -0400

After an explosive series of congressional hearings on alleged woke "ideological capture" at the Smithsonian, a resurfaced video of a presentation by National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig shows her calling "history as a practice" a "prime tool of social justice."

In a series of July hearings on Capitol Hill, Hartig defended the Smithsonian’s record of objectivity and nonpartisanship. However, in a resurfaced presentation to University of California, Los Angeles students in February 2025, Hartig described "a number of ways in which your National Museum of American History is taking an equity-based, justice forward, community driven and necessarily humble approach to public history and to service."

Later in her presentation, Hartig asserted that the "United States’ long and violent racial history continues to be present in our reckoning, if you will."

She said that "redress in the form of reparation, of course, goes beyond acknowledgement of wrongdoing; it should leverage responsibility, it should think about the act of correction, as we pursue restorative justice and, for us [on the call], restorative justice through history."

TRUMP V. SMITHSONIAN: A TIMELINE OF HOW THE WHITE HOUSE FIGHT OVER 'WOKE' HISTORY UNFOLDED

During her testimony on Capitol Hill last month, Hartig stated: "Our work is governed by the Smithsonian standards of scholarship, accuracy, independence and nonpartisanship." She said, "the museum does not take sides in America's political debates," but instead, "We preserve and document the evidence of American life in all of its breadth, so that the public can encounter the past and draw their own conclusions."

However, in her presentation to UCLA, she asserted that "history as a practice … is for me a prime tool of social justice."

Hartig began her talk with a land acknowledgement and a slide showing a picture of an American flag defaced with words that appeared to read "Defund the Police." Her caption said the photo was from a Black Lives Matter protest in Washington, D.C., in 2020. Another photo Hartig showed later in the presentation depicted a protester holding a sign that read, "America loving you is complicated."

She remarked that the museum opened in 1964 as "this kind of Cold War, you know, ‘We’re going to be the best and most technologically advanced country in the nation, and we’re going to show everyone how we did that’ … We clearly have moved away from that."

TRUMP ORDERS SIGNS OUTSIDE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM AMID ROW OVER ITS DEPICTION OF AMERICAN HISTORY

Instead, Hartig highlighted what she called the museum’s "bold new vision" to become the "most accessible, inclusive, relevant, and sustainable public history institution in the country." This, the vision states, will allow the museum to "serve an audience that reflects the full racial, class, gender, ethnic, and geographic demographics of the United States."

To this end, Hartig said the museum "joined a very collaborative Smithsonian-wide collecting effort around Black Lives Matter … to document and preserve and share objects focused on Black Lives Matter to show the history of the movement starting in 2012."

She shared a picture of protest signs outside the White House from the summer of 2020 and spoke highly of "these phenomenal, ephemeral statements, signs … expressing that kind of very heartfelt and incredibly poignant [message]."

Hartig also praised an anti-ICE organization called "Tsuru for Solidarity" as a "truly remarkable group," highlighting its collaboration with the Black Lives Matter movement.

According to its website, Tsuru for Solidarity is a "nonviolent, direct action project of Japanese American social justice advocates and allies working to end detention sites and support directly impacted immigrant and refugee communities that are being targeted by racist, inhumane immigration policies." Its website also states, "We stand on the moral authority of Japanese Americans who suffered the atrocities and legacy of U.S. concentration camps during WWII and we say, ‘Stop Repeating History!’"

FORMER DEMOCRATIC STAFFERS, DEI LEADERS SHAPE SMITHSONIAN LEADERSHIP AMID POLITICAL FIRESTORM

Besides the Black Lives Matter initiative, Hartig said the museum is pursuing a "proactive multilingual strategy to support language justice."

She explained that "the idea, of course, [is] that everyone has the right to communicate in the language in which they feel most comfortable to be understood and to understand."

To this end, she said that since the fall of 2019, "all exhibitions and signage and digital projects will be at least bilingual in English and Spanish and a number of them in more languages depending on the project and communities of origin."

Hartig asserted, "We’re under attack for speaking complicated truths" and urged students to "raise your voices and speak them together."

She said, "It continues to grow resolute in my mind, [history] is the key that unlocks the mysteries of humanity, of meaning, of place, of conquest, of love, power, authority and self."

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"We are tellers of stories and seekers of truths, hopefully embracers of nuance, ambassadors of empathy and defenders of inalienable rights," she said.

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Fox News Digital reached out to the National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian Institution, Black Lives Matter and Tsuru for Solidarity for comment.

Archaeologists uncover sprawling Roman estate buried for centuries beneath farmland

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:00:51 -0400

Archaeologists in the United Kingdom recently uncovered the remains of a sprawling ancient Roman villa dating back over 1,600 years.

The fourth-century villa was found on farmland between the villages of Halberton and Sampford Peverell in Devon.

The excavation was led by the Saving Halberton's Ancient Roman Environment (SHARE) project, a partnership between the University of Exeter and Cotswold Archaeology, as news agency SWNS noted.

RARE PAGAN MASTERPIECE EMERGES NEAR WHERE ST PAUL SPREAD TEACHINGS OF CHRISTIANITY

The star of the excavation was an ornate Roman mosaic made of thousands of tiny stone cubes arranged in a floral pattern.

"The polychrome mosaic is the most westerly example to have been found in a villa in Roman Britain," said Bill Horner, county archaeologist and historic environment manager at Devon County Council.

Horner added, "This, and the other trappings of Roman civilization and evidence of affluence that have been found, show how much even this far-flung part of the province had been integrated into the Roman Empire."

Photos released by officials show the mosaic, as well as ancient pottery and other artifacts unearthed after centuries underground.

SHAKESPEARE'S MISSING LONDON HOME PINPOINTED AFTER CENTURIES-LONG MYSTERY, RESEARCHER SAYS

The red, white and dark blue cubes were used to form a stylized flower with eight overlapping petals.

Alongside the villa, archaeologists excavated two additional stone buildings: one believed to have been a bathhouse and another that was likely used for agriculture.

Archaeologists also found a delicate copper-alloy bracelet, a fine silver-plated spoon and a beaker used for serving drinks, as well as a collection of pottery fragments and an engraved gemstone depicting the goddess Victory.

Britain was part of the Roman Empire from A.D. 43 until the early fifth century. Experts said the colorful mosaic is the westernmost example ever found at a Roman villa in Britain.

HIDDEN UNDERGROUND CHAMBER REVEALED BENEATH HOME OF LEGENDARY ROMAN EMPEROR

The discoveries indicate the villa was once home to a wealthy Roman family, archaeologists said.

Project leader Susan Greaney, an archaeology professor at the University of Exeter, said her team "did not expect to find such an elaborate bathhouse."

"At the outset, we knew this villa, and its surrounding working areas, was an important site for understanding the Romanization of Devon," she said in a release.

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"But from day one, it has offered us a wealth of interesting and sometimes surprising finds in addition to this striking polychrome mosaic. ... This villa was undoubtedly home to people of wealth and high standing."

The site first came to light in 2004, when local metal detectorist John Hill discovered Roman remains.

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Officials are now working to carefully transport the mosaic to the local Tiverton Museum of Mid-Devon Life.

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The latest find is one of many remarkable Roman discoveries made across England in recent years.

Last summer, archaeologists uncovered an extensive 2,000-year-old Roman settlement in the Cotswolds after an amateur metal detectorist's chance discovery.

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This summer, archaeologists working ahead of a British railway project unearthed a rare Roman coin and a trove of ancient artifacts.

Ariana Grande sets record straight after announcing break from spotlight

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:00:10 -0400

Ariana Grande is taking control of her own narrative.

While performing in Chicago on Monday, the Grammy Award winner addressed concertgoers directly after news broke that she plans to take a break from all public appearances and performances once her "Eternal Sunshine Tour" wraps up next month.

"Sometimes when a story comes out that's not directly from me, things can get a little blown out of proportion, so I just wanted to speak to my fans directly tonight because I love you so much," Grande told the crowd, according to multiple videos shared on social media.

"The announcement that was made yesterday was not a reactive or impulsive thing. It was something that I had decided, it's a plan that I had quietly made a long time ago. It was a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place. And I want you to know that many things can be true at the same time."

ARIANA GRANDE FIGHTS BACK AGAINST BODY-SHAMERS AS CRITICS COMMENT ON HER WEIGHT DURING 'WICKED' PRESS TOUR

Grande's comments came one day after her representative confirmed to People magazine that the singer will step away from the public eye for a while.

"Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the ‘Eternal Sunshine Tour’," Grande's representative told the outlet. "She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny."

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"This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much," the representative added.

The planned hiatus is already affecting Grande's schedule. According to People, the singer will no longer appear in the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park with George" next summer.

Addressing fans in Chicago, Grande acknowledged that many had worried the decision was fueled by negativity.

"I just have to say that could not be more the f--- opposite," she said. "This is not what that is."

She continued, "Multiple things can be true at the same time: boundaries need to be set, human beings can need a break sometimes… and also, this can be and will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life."

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Grande ended the emotional moment by calling the tour "the most healing, beautiful, corrective, magnificent, special experience of my life."

While the singer insisted the break had been planned long before it became public, PR expert Steve Honig believes the timing could ultimately strengthen her career.

"Stepping back from the spotlight can strengthen Ariana Grande's brand because she has reached a level of stardom where she can take a break without hurting her career," Honig, founder of The Honig Company, told Fox News Digital. "In today's nonstop media environment, Grande's scarcity will build anticipation and give audiences a chance to miss her. From a public relations standpoint, a strategic absence can create more value than constant visibility, making her eventual return feel like an event."

According to Honig, only a select group of entertainers can successfully disappear from public view without losing momentum.

"Whether stepping away from the spotlight helps a celebrity's career depends largely on how established they are and the strength of their personal brand," he explained. "Celebrities who have reached high levels of fame can afford to take a break because they have built loyal audiences and lasting relevance. In many cases, absence really does make the heart grow fonder."

Grande's announcement follows months of online discussion surrounding her appearance, something the "Wicked: For Good" star has addressed publicly on multiple occasions.

Last year, Grande reshared a previous message on her Instagram Story urging people to stop commenting on others' bodies.

SUPERMODEL SLAMS GLP-1 TREND, SAYS WEIGHT LOSS SHOTS ARE A 'SMACK IN THE FACE' TO BODY POSITIVITY MOVEMENT

"Resharing this from last year as a loving reminder to all," she wrote alongside a clip of a December 2024 interview with Cynthia Erivo.

In the video, Grande reflected on growing up in the spotlight.

"I've been doing this in front of the public and been a specimen in a Petri dish really since I was 16 or 17, so I have heard it all," she said. "I've heard every version of it, of what's wrong with me, and then you fix it, and then it's wrong for different reasons."

She added that criticism about a person's appearance can be damaging regardless of their level of fame.

"It's hard to protect yourself from that noise," Grande said. "It's something that is uncomfortable no matter what scale you're experiencing it on."

Honig said Grande's previous comments underscore one of the biggest branding challenges celebrities face when public attention shifts away from their work.

"When the conversation shifts from a celebrity's work to their appearance, regaining control of the narrative becomes much more difficult because appearance becomes the basis for discussion," he said. "The best way to change the conversation is not by responding to every criticism, but by addressing the issue with facts and giving people something else to focus on."

He added that prolonged speculation can ultimately reshape how audiences perceive a celebrity if left unanswered.

"The biggest branding challenge is maintaining a clear and consistent brand identity when public attention is focused on the wrong thing," Honig said. "Instead of being known for their talent, the celebrity risks becoming associated with superficial distractions that dilute their brand."

Still, Honig believes Grande's decision to address the speculation directly during Monday's concert was the right move.

"In the majority of cases, it is better for a celebrity to directly address any sort of negative speculation," he said. "By doing this, the celebrity will pretty much shut down the speculation, replacing it with facts. Left unanswered, speculation often takes on a life of its own and can become accepted as truth simply through repetition."

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For Grande, however, Honig believes the planned hiatus won't diminish her career in any way.

"Stepping back only works when a celebrity has reached the point where they have earned the luxury of being missed," he said. "Ariana Grande is one of those celebrities."

PGA Tour 2026: Wyndham Championship best bets, 'horses for the course' for the Sedgefield Country Club

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 07:23:08 -0400

As the PGA Tour regular season reaches its thrilling conclusion, players head to Greensboro, North Carolina, for the 2026 Wyndham Championship. First held in 1938, the Wyndham is the final chance for golfers to make the top 70 of the FedExCup standings and secure their spots in the upcoming playoffs.

Standing in the field's way is Sedgefield Country Club, a short par-70 Donald Ross venue under 7,100 yards that rewards strategy over strength. Drivers can be kept in check, but iron accuracy, smart placement, and clutch putting on fast Bermuda greens are non-negotiables for surviving Sedgefield.

'PAR TALK': MICHAEL THORBJORNSON 'FINALLY' ARRIVES, PATRICK CANTLAY'S GUTLESS DECISION, AND THE FEDEX CUP PLAYOFF BUBBLE

Even though this has been the golf betting year from hell, I'm officially on a heater after profiting for a second straight PGA TOUR event at last week's Rocket Classic. Unfortunately, I need to hit three straight outrights to get out of the hole: -49.79 units (u) this season.

For the Wyndham, I'm risking 2.06u on outrights and 3u on placements. Without further ado, here are my horses for the course at Sedgefield.

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Wyndham Championship 2026 Bet Slip

The following odds are based on my previous bets on the golfers listed below. Subject to change.

🇰🇷 Tom Kim +3600 at DraftKings (0.56u) and Top-20 with ties +152 at Kalshi (0.75u)

🇰🇷 Sungjae Im +5100 at DraftKings (0.39u) and Top-20 with ties +165 at Kalshi (0.75u)

🇺🇸 Davis Thompson +5800 at DraftKings (0.34u) and Top-10 with ties +398 at Kalshi (0.25u)

🇺🇸 Ben Kohles +5800 at DraftKings (0.34u) and Top-20 with ties +207 at Kalshi (0.5u)

🇺🇸 Blades Brown +7694 (0.26u) and Top-20 with ties +252 (0.5u), both at Kalshi

🇺🇸 Billy Horschel +11500 at DraftKings (0.17u) and Top-20 with ties +398 at Kalshi (0.25u)

Tom Kim

Simply put, Kim has longer odds than guys he is playing better than. In fact, the only reason Tom’s odds aren’t shorter is that he won too recently and the market doesn’t think he can win twice in a short span. But, winning begets more winning.

Furthermore, the South Korean is leading this field in total strokes gained (SG) over his last five starts, according to DataGolf.com. During that stretch, he has a third at the U.S. Open, a win at the Genesis Scottish Open and a T20 at the 3M Open in his last tournament.

Kim won the 2022 Wyndham on debut and withdrew last year in his only other visit to Sedgefield. Bermuda greens are his best putting surface over the last 12 months, per Betsperts Golf. He is leading this field in SG: Approach over the last 36 rounds and ranks third in Par 4 scoring. When you put all that together, anything above +3000 is a good bet for Kim.

Sungjae Im

It’s been a tough year for Im, especially with the irons, as he ranks 149th in SG: Approach on TOUR this season.

However, Sungjae has gained strokes on approach in five of his seven career Wyndhams. He’s made the cut in all seven; Im finished T14-or-better in four of his first five appearances at Sedgefield, with a T6 in 2019, T9 in 2020 and T2 in 2022.

And while Sungjae is having a down year by his standards, he does have several nice finishes, such as T4 at the Valspar Championship, T5 at the Truist Championship, T14 at the British Open and a T15 at the Rocket Classic his last time out.

Finally, Im’s odds at Bookmaker are +3919 at the time of writing, which is important because Bookmaker has a sharp golf betting market.

Davis Thompson

After cashing a top-20 ticket for me by tying for eighth at last week’s Rocket Classic, I’m investing in Thompson again at the Wyndham. He’s improved year over year in his four visits to Sedgefield: Missed cut in 2021, T22 in 2023, T12 in 2024 and T11 last year.

The Georgia Bulldog has gained strokes around-the-green in his four Wyndhams, and he has struggled chipping this year. Thompson has picked up strokes off-the-tee in his four appearances at Sedgefield and he’s gained strokes in driving accuracy in three straight.

Thompson ranks 123rd in putting on TOUR this season, but he has gained strokes on the greens in the last two Wyndhams. Again, the 27-year-old enters this week with good lead-in form: T7 at the 3M Open two weeks ago and T8 last week.

Ben Kohles

Kohles is first in my model at Betsperts Golf. He leads this field in driving accuracy over the last 36 rounds, ranks third in SG: Approach and eighth in Par 4 scoring. Over that span, Kohles has a T23 at the U.S. Open, T3 at the John Deere Classic, T15 at the ISCO Championship and ninth at the 3M Open.

While he has historically been a terrible putter, Kohles has gained strokes on the greens in five of his last six starts, including four straight. If he keeps that up, he’ll be in the mix at Sedgefield this weekend.

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Because, again, Kohles is one of the most accurate drivers in golf and dialed in with his irons and putting, approach play and driving are the three most important skills for Sedgefield.

Blades Brown

There has been a youth movement on TOUR in the last two weeks. Jackson Koivun, one of the best college golfers ever, and Michael Thorbjornsen, 2024 PGA TOUR University valedictorian, both broke through for their first wins on TOUR at the 3M Open and Rocket Classic in the past two tournaments.

Brown is another name golf fans should get used to. He is just 19 years old and received a special temporary membership June 2. Brown has been tearing it up on the Korn Ferry Tour and has finished T18-or-better in six of his eight starts on the PGA TOUR this year.

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He’s gained strokes across the board (driving, irons, chipping and putting) in his last two PGA TOUR starts: T12 at the John Deere Classic and T11 at the Corales Puntacana Championship. Brown narrowly missed a putt to shoot a 59 at The American Express in his first start this year.

Billy Horschel

This is another guy with fantastic course history at Sedgefield. Horschel has six T11-or-better finishes in his past seven Wyndham and has gained strokes putting in his last five. Billy Ho has missed the cut in four of his last five starts, including last week’s Rocket Classic.

But Horschel had an eight-tournament streak of gaining strokes on the field with his irons snapped last week, and he’s gained strokes with driving accuracy in six straight, so he was hitting the ball well. Plus, Billy Ho has 10 international wins with eight on the PGA TOUR and two on the DP World (European) Tour.

The bottom line is Horschel’s win equity is much better than his betting odds indicate. He’s a proven winner who has recently flashed the skills needed to win at Sedgefield, hence his strong finishes here.

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2026 Wyndham Championship 'One-and-Done' Pick: Tom Kim

Mayo Cup season standings: 4,442nd with $5,432,536

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