Latest & Breaking News | Fox News

Scottie Scheffler shares a perfectly imperfect assessment of work-life balance, the challenges of fatherhood

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:51:18 -0400

Scottie Scheffler is the No. 1-ranked golfer on Earth. He is also a husband and father to two children under the age of three. While that first fact about Scheffler is as unrelatable as they come, the second, the one that carries immense responsibilities and its own set of pressures, completely different from those he faces on the golf course, well, that's something millions can relate to.

Being a professional athlete, and in Scheffler's case, being the literal best in your respective sport, while also being a family man and raising kids, is one of those things we regular folk can't comprehend simply due to the fact that so few people on Earth experience such a thing.

SAM BURNS IS ONE OF AMERICA'S BEST GOLFERS, BUT FAITH, FAMILY AND THE USA MATTER MORE TO HIM THAN GOLF

Every now and again, we're given minor glimpses into the personal lives of these all-world athletes that remind us that we're all just humans who actually do have shared experiences, and nothing humbles anyone on a more consistent basis than raising kids.

For Scheffler last week, that humbling and relatable moment came in the form of hand, foot, and mouth disease. Following Sunday's final round in St. Louis, Scheffler revealed he had been battling the common childhood illness and the painful blisters that come with it throughout the BMW Championship.

Speaking to the media ahead of this week's PGA Tour finale, the Tour Championship, Scheffler was asked if it was at all humbling that his life away from the course sometimes impacts his life inside the ropes.

He took his time and delivered an imperfect answer, which, when it comes to talking about raising kids and a work-life balance, a perfect answer does not exist.

"Humbling is probably not -- not exactly how I felt. I feel like I've talked a lot about like I don't -- like I have -- it's almost like a double life essentially," Scheffler began.

"I have a life out here where I play and compete. When we're inside the ropes, it's definitely different than my home life. There's a lot of eyes on you. There's cameras like pretty much, let's say, six hours a day when I'm out here traveling...So when it comes to going home, I just go home, and I don't feel any different. I have my life out here where I play and compete, and I have my life at home where I don't really do a whole lot to be honest with you. It's not that exciting.

"We have a great group of friends at home that I love to see. I've got great family. When I think about the fall and our off-season, we don't really do a whole lot. Like you said, striking the balance between competing out here while also traveling with my family is something that I'm always trying to strike the balance because I work really hard at my sport and I'm trying to be the best husband, father that I can be.

"I think it's always a balancing act. I'm at a point in my life where, yeah, it's really hard having two young kids and taking care of them. I think anyone with young kids can relate, you're just tired literally all the time.

"I think you want to enjoy the season because eventually my kids aren't going to be able to be out here. It's something that I talked about with -- (Brian) Harman is somebody I talk a lot about this with. He's like, 'man, I'm jealous of you guys who get to travel every week with your kids.' You take the good with the bad. Part of it is hard, but part of it is you've got to also enjoy it because it doesn't last."

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

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Here you have the best golfer walking the planet, who has earned over $20 million in less than nine months, dealing with the same everyday personal challenges every parent faces.

The balancing act of doing enough at work to provide, which Scheffler has accomplished given the commas in his bank account, but also giving it your all at home as a father is an unavoidable grind, both mentally and physically.

We're all just trying to get by the best we can, even the guy with a couple of green jackets in his closet.

Philadelphia DA says he'll keep piece of Trump's White House ballroom 'after we all blow it up'

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:46:03 -0400

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said Tuesday he was going to keep a piece of President Donald Trump's White House ballroom as a paperweight "after we all blow it up."

"In about 10 to 15 years, we are all going to be sitting here with smiles on our faces," Krasner said, according to video footage obtained by WCAU. "And I'm going to have a paperweight sitting on my desk. And do you know what that paper weight's going to be? It's going to be a piece of the ballroom after we blow it up."

Krasner, who has previously called Trump a fascist and said he would hunt down Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, made the comments while speaking at George Washington's historic home in Philadelphia during the city's annual slavery commiseration, according to WCAU.

DEM JUSTICES SLAP SOROS-BACKED PHILLY DA WITH POWER STRIP IN STUNNING DECISION: 'NOT RELIABLE'

Krasner first called Trump "a pain in the a–," to which an audience member responded, "No, he's the devil!"

Krasner then responded, "He's the devil, alright, well there is some evidence to that effect."

"The man himself is the embodiment of hate. He is the embodiment of ignorance. He is the embodiment of depriving people of their vote and their education. That's who he is," Krasner continued.

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

Krasner was specifically bashing Trump for deciding to replace a slavery exhibit at the Washington home under a March executive order titled, "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History."

Under the order, the National Park Service replaced the panels dedicated to showcasing the history of George Washington's slaves with more broad displays of U.S. history. A protracted legal battle between the city and the Trump administration most recently saw a federal appeals court side with the federal government and rule that Philadelphia had no legal right to dictate the content of the displays at the federally owned site.

JUDGE BLOCKS PHILADELPHIA LAW TARGETING MASKED FEDERAL OFFICERS

Despite the city's loss to the federal government in the legal fight, Krasner remained defiant.

"This memorial will be here, the educational content will be here," Krasner railed Tuesday. "People will be coming to see it, not for a year or two, or not even 20 years. They will be coming to see it as long as this federal park is here."

EXCLUSIVE: KENNEDY CENTER BOARD MOVES TO NAME GROUNDS ‘PRESIDENT DONALD J TRUMP PLAZA'

"But let me tell you what will not be here," he continued.

"There will not be a ballroom. There will not be a Kennedy Center renamed for a fool," Krasner said.

Krasner did specify that the envisioned demolition would be "in an official ceremony, just to be clear, in an official ceremony we're gonna blow it up and we're gonna give the taxpayers their money back by selling old pieces as paperweights, and I'm gonna have one on my desk."

WHITE HOUSE SEIZES ON DELAYED OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER OPENING TO CROWN TRUMP ‘BUILDER-IN-CHIEF’

The White House fired back at Krasner's comments about the ballroom project.

"President Trump continues to implement long-overdue and necessary renovations to beautify the People’s House as we approach our great Nation’s 250th anniversary of independence. Thanks to the Builder-in-Chief, the White House will be properly glorified and remain in excellent condition for generations to come. Only people who suffer from a severe and incurable disease known as Trump Derangement Syndrome would find a problem with that," White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

When reached by Fox News Digital, U.S. Secret Service's Lead Public Affairs Specialist Nate Herring said, "The U.S. Secret Service investigates anything that can be perceived as a threat toward our protectees. Out of concern for operational security, we do not discuss matters of protective intelligence."

Fox News Digital contacted Philadelphia's Justice Department for further comment.

Maverick Democrat surges with Republicans as his own party turns on him, stoking talk of GOP switch

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:35:59 -0400

Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a centrist Democrat known for bashing his party's left flank, is more popular among Keystone State Republicans than their own GOP senator, Sen. Dave McCormick, according to a new poll.

The release of the poll this week by the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer and Siena University is further evidence that Fetterman, who at times breaks with his party and aligns with President Donald Trump, and who is a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel, has become increasingly popular among Republicans.

The survey may boost speculation that the first-term senator could potentially bolt the Democrats and become a Republican. But Fetterman has denied that he plans to leave the Democratic Party.

Nearly 3 in 4 Republican registered voters in Pennsylvania (73%) held a favorable opinion of Fetterman, according to the poll. That's 10 points higher than the 63% of Republicans in the state who viewed McCormick favorably.

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

The 73% of Republicans who view Fetterman favorably is a major increase from the 25% who said the same thing in 2024, two years after the senator was elected.

But Fetterman's standing among Democrats continued to sink, according to the poll.

Just 22% of registered Democrats in Pennsylvania said they had a favorable view of Fetterman, while 63% viewed him unfavorably. That's a dramatic reversal from two years ago, when 74% of Democrats viewed Fetterman favorably.

The survey also indicated that by a 49%-35% margin, independents held a favorable view of Fetterman.

Matt Beynon, a veteran Pennsylvania-based Republican consultant, told Fox News Digital, "I think a lot of Republicans appreciate the fact that Sen. Fetterman is willing to stick his thumb in the radical wing of his party’s eye on issues like antisemitism."

WHAT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS IN THE MIDTERM RACES SHOW

Fetterman's growing popularity among Republicans has fueled speculation that he leave the Democratic Party before potentially facing a primary challenge when he's up for re-election in 2028.

The senator, who is a strong supporter of Israel, has increasingly railed against fellow Democrats who have criticized Israeli leaders over their ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza. Fetterman has said he has "no plans" to leave the Democratic Party. But he added if Democrats officially became the "anti-Israel party," count him out.

"My long-term concern has been with the Democratic Party, as I am a member of that, is that our party is going to back away and turn their back to Israel," he said last month at a Hill Nation Summit in Washington, D.C.

"If our party ever becomes, and just makes it official, the anti-Israel party, that’s when I would leave because that’s been a moral clarity for me."

SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and other Senate Republicans have reached out to Fetterman regarding a party switch.

"I have had conversations with him in the past, as have many of my colleagues about the challenges he faces in his caucus. And there are many of us who, I think, would welcome the opportunity to have him join the Republican conference, but ultimately that’s a decision that’s up to him," Thune told reporters in July.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

But Beynon said that regardless of Fetterman's growing popularity among Republicans, "when it comes time for the senator’s re-election campaign in 2028, those same voters will be reminded that John Fetterman votes with Democrats more than 90% of the time."

Fox News Digital reached out to the senator's office for comment regarding the new poll, but did not receive a response at the time this story was published.

Vanity Fair drops journalist Brittany Romano after viral wink during Lindsay Clancy murder trial

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:35:46 -0400

The woman at the center of a viral video who was seen winking and smiling at a camera during the Lindsay Clancy trial this week has been dropped by the magazine she was credentialed to cover the trial for.

Journalist Brittany Romano was smiling and winking at a pool camera for the trial's live feed on Monday, and the clip itself has generated millions of views across social media platforms and various news articles.

Why was Romano at the trial to begin with? Vanity Fair confirmed she was credentialed to cover the trial and her personal connection to Clancy.

JOURNALIST GOES VIRAL FOR GRINNING, WINKING ON CAMERA DURING LINDSAY CLANCY COURTROOM PROCEEDINGS

In a statement sent to Fox News, Vanity Fair said, "We were interested in the prospect of a personal essay by Brittany Romano about her experience growing up with Lindsay Clancy. Yesterday, after clear conflicts with our editorial standards and processes, we informed Romano that we were not moving forward with her essay and informed the court that she is no longer credentialed by Vanity Fair."

📩 Send me a story idea: kelsie.cairns@fox.com

📸 Instagram: kelsiecairns_tv

🎥 Facebook: Kelsie Cairns

FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X

SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS

In a lengthy statement posted to Instagram on Tuesday, Romano wrote in part:

"A smile is not a crime. Telling a woman to slit her wrists is.

SEND US A TIP

"For two years I have fought to cover the Lindsay Clancy case honestly, because at its center is a mother accused of killing her three children during postpartum psychosis, and because the conversation around her has spent that whole time swinging between calling her a monster and asking what actually broke inside her. Women’s mental health was never a side note in that coverage, it was the whole point."

LINDSAY CLANCY'S FAMILY WAS 'VERY CONCERNED' ABOUT HER MENTAL HEALTH IN THE MONTHS BEFORE SHE KILLED HER KIDS

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

She went on to say, "I smile through anxiety. I smile when I’m uncomfortable. That is not indifference, it is a nervous system managing strain the only way it knows how."

GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL

At the end of the post, Romano wrote, "I have been told, repeatedly, to take accountability and apologize, when I have nothing to apologize for. What I have actually received are messages telling me to slit my wrists, threats to kill me in my sleep, and a resource of ways to kill myself, sent by people who claim they are defending Lindsay’s mental health.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"If you actually believed a woman’s mental health mattered, you would not hand another woman a method, you would not treat suicide as a punishment, and you would not claim to protect one woman’s humanity while stripping another woman of hers."

LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Tim Curry, 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' actor, dead at 80

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:31:57 -0400

Tim Curry, the British actor who became a pop-culture icon as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," has died. He was 80.

Curry's death was confirmed by his publisher, Jimmy Franco, senior director of publicity at Grand Central Publishing. "Yes, it is true and very sad indeed." Franco added that he did not have a statement to share at this time.

Curry’s decades-long career included memorable roles in "It," "Clue" and "Annie." He suffered a major stroke in 2012 and spent years recovering. His death marks the loss of one of film and theater’s most distinctive performers.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for more developments.

11 visitors trapped as dangerous flash flooding tears through iconic national park

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:27:45 -0400

Eleven visitors became stranded during flash flooding at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah after heavy rain swept through the area.

The hikers, all adults traveling in four separate groups, became trapped around 2:30 p.m. Monday as floodwaters affected several popular trails, according to FOX 13 in Salt Lake City.

While none of the hikers was swept away, conditions left the groups unable to continue safely, the outlet reported.

MAN PLUNGES 120 FEET INTO CREEK WHILE TAKING PHOTO AT FAMOUS NATIONAL PARK

About 15 to 20 members of the county's search and rescue team, emergency medical services and the National Park Service responded to help the stranded visitors.

The rescuers had to wait for conditions to improve in order to move people out safely.

The rescuers then helped the groups make their way out of the affected areas, according to FOX 13.

Following medical evaluations, two hikers showed signs of hypothermia and were taken to a hospital.

The other nine were released, the outlet reported.

The flooding affected several of Bryce Canyon's well-known trails, including Fairyland Loop, Navajo Loop, Queen's Garden and Peek-a-Boo Loop, according to reports.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

The incident came during the Southwest's monsoon season, a period Bryce Canyon officials had warned visitors about earlier this month.

In a recent news release, the National Park Service said August and September can bring rapidly changing weather to the region, with seemingly clear conditions giving way to intense afternoon thunderstorms.

Those storms can create hazards including flash floods, trail washouts, debris-filled waterfalls and rockfalls, according to the park service.

"Weather in the park can shift quickly," the National Park Service warned in the news release, urging visitors to remain aware of conditions both where they are and upstream.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

Park officials also cautioned that flash floods can pose a serious threat inside the canyon and advised visitors to check weather forecasts and flash-flood potential before heading onto trails.

"We want to help visitors enjoy their experience and take home memories that last a lifetime," Bryce Canyon National Park Superintendent Allana Olbrich said in the news release.

"We also want to help them do so safely, and having good information and awareness of the conditions they may encounter in these natural environments can make all the difference in creating those lasting memories," Olbrich added.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The National Park Service recommends checking current park alerts and National Weather Service forecasts before entering the canyon and adjusting plans when conditions change.

Fox News Digital reached out to Bryce Canyon National Park and the Garfield’s County Sheriff’s Office for further comment and details.

Pumpkin spice invades summer as Americans kickstart fall traditions earlier than ever

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:16:12 -0400

If it seems like fall décor and seasonal food and drinks are arriving earlier each year, it's not just in your head.

Data show consumers are increasingly embracing "season creep" — shopping for seasonal products earlier than they did in years past.

Younger consumers' enthusiasm for fall, a desire to plan ahead and retailers' efforts to extend seasonal spending may all be helping drive the shift.

STARBUCKS TO PROMPT MORE TIPPING ON CARD PAYMENTS, FUELING 'TIP CREEP' BACKLASH

Last year, the popular pumpkin spice latte (PSL) returned to Dunkin' on Aug. 20 and to Starbucks on Aug. 26. Both coffeehouse chains brought their fall offerings back a day earlier this year, with Dunkin' launching its fall menu on Aug. 19 and Starbucks bringing back its PSL on Aug. 25, Florida Today reported.

Data from online grocery delivery and pickup service Instacart showed that in 2024, "the seasonal peak for orders containing pumpkin spice items occurred on September 17, a full 10 days earlier than in 2023."

Demand also cooled sooner, according to Instacart, though orders for pumpkin spice items, such as flavored coffee creamers and yogurts, spiked again in November as Thanksgiving drew near.

Food delivery service DoorDash reported in 2025 that "pumpkin spice is brewing sooner than ever."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

PSL demand spiked on Aug. 19, nearly two weeks earlier than in 2021, the company reported.

DoorDash also found that grocery orders for ingredients used to make fall-inspired drinks at home began spiking in late July.

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 49% of consumers said in 2025 that they would begin shopping for Halloween before October, compared with 34% a decade earlier.

"More 18- to 24-year-old early shoppers say they look forward to fall or that Halloween is one of their favorite holidays, and they plan accordingly," the NRF reported. "Their early Halloween shopping isn't about 'impulse purchases,' but rather intentional planning ahead."

Younger shoppers were much more likely to say they wanted to avoid the stress of last-minute shopping for décor and costumes, according to the NRF survey.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS

Seasons affect people's minds and behavior for several reasons, Michael Varnum, professor and social psychology area head at Arizona State University, told Fox News Digital.

Some of these effects are physiological, such as the ways our bodies and hormones respond to changes in light, temperature and other climatic conditions throughout the year, he said.

The way seasons cause changes in illness, travel or population may also cue changes in how we think and act, Varnum noted.

"How we respond to seasons isn't purely driven by actual changes in the environment but is also shaped by other associations, traditions, rituals and schedules – spring break, back to school in fall, Halloween, Christmas, etc. – that are built into our society and what we learn from an early age," he said.

Climate and the environment also likely play a part, he said, reasoning that hotter summers could make people more eager for the cooler weather of fall.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Varnum said it's interesting that our culture's comfort in and enjoyment of seasonal traditions are heavily shaped by a model of four seasons "that doesn't necessarily fit well with what actually changes in the weather and environment in all parts of the world."

He also acknowledged that a big part of season creep may be driven by marketing.

"My guess is that retailers and others hope to capture boosts in spending associated with holidays or seasonal shifts earlier with the idea that it might extend the period for which they'll see it in their sales," he said.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

He added that it would be "interesting to know whether such marketing might be more or perhaps less effective when there is more of a mismatch between the season being invoked and the actual weather or time of year."

Dodgers and Braves offenses should have a field day with two questionable pitchers on the mound

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:15:27 -0400

It was not a very fun day on the diamond for me. The bullpens got me in both games last night, and I went 0-2. It was a very frustrating thing to watch. Basically, picture yourself building a tower of cards or popsicle sticks only for someone to come and take away the foundation right as you're about to finish the job. The Cubs bullpen gave up five runs over the final two innings, losing the game. And Mason Miller, one of the best closers in baseball, allowed a run in a scoreless game to give the Pirates a win. Sometimes you can't dodge bad luck. Hopefully, I get some positive play in my favor now.

The Los Angeles Dodgers come into this one as just the second team in baseball to win 80 games. Although they will almost certainly win the National League West, they are still in a battle with the Brewers for the #1 overall seed in both the National League and the Majors. What is wild about the Dodgers is they aren't even playing with their best possible team. The pitching staff is finally looking a bit healthier than normal, but Will Smith is out, Kyle Tucker is playing poorly, Shohei Ohtani isn't pitching, and Dalton Rushing is also on the injured list. There is still another level the Dodgers can go to.

The roster might as well be an All-Star team, and this pitching staff is absurd. Tyler Glasnow is their fifth starter on the depth chart — he would be the first for probably about 25 other teams. Due to the injuries and conservation of the staff, the team throws a sixth starter, Roki Sasaki. He is one of the younger guys in the rotation, and someone who it seems like the Dodgers are still trying to figure out how to use. He was outstanding in the postseason for them last year. This season, in 22 starts, he is 5-5 with a 4.42 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He has pitched fairly well in August, but Braves hitters have been decent against him with three hits in just 11 at-bats.

The Atlanta Braves aren't too far behind the Dodgers, but they now must once again fend off the Phillies, who are hot on their tail. Two weeks ago, it felt like the Braves would coast to the postseason as the leaders in the National League East. Now they only have a 4.5-game lead, and most of that is due to the Phillies being hot, and less about the Braves struggling. However, over their last 10 games, the Phillies are 8-2, while the Braves are just 4-6. Still, the chances of either team missing the postseason are pretty low.

Looking to complete the series win over the Dodgers is AJ Smith-Shawver. For the season, Smith-Shawver has made only two starts, allowing six earned runs in 8.2 innings. He has walked five batters while giving up nine hits in that span as well, so there has been plenty of traffic on the base paths. This will be his first home start, and that could be a benefit to him as young guys might need that home crowd behind them. This is actually his fourth year in Major League time, so he has faced two Dodgers hitters and they are 2-for-7 against him. Alex Call is 2-for-5 with a double and triple.

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

The Braves have won the first game of the series, so if they can steal this one, they complete the series win of two teams that might end up in the National League Championship Series. It really doesn't mean much, but it would give Atlanta a little more confidence. I think this game likely sees some runs as both teams are gifted on offense and both pitchers look like they are more than willing to allow baserunners. I like the over 8.5 here. I also like the Dodgers to win the game. I'm playing the over, but I'll sprinkle the Dodgers money line as well.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

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

Jelly Roll unleashes crude jokes about Trump's weight on 'Kimmel', 'from one fat pig to another'

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:11:12 -0400

Country music star Jelly Roll, who previously said he was not political, mocked President Donald Trump's weight, physical fitness and approval ratings Monday night in Los Angeles while guest-hosting "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", while using the president's appearance at Washington's Freedom 250 Grand Prix and recent physical as material for his opening monologue.

"Well, Mr. President, from one fat pig to another, take it from me that physical fitness is very important. And trust me, you’ll be happy to see your penis again," Jelly Roll said. "It’s crazy. Think about this, y’all. In the last few years, I’ve lost 300 pounds. That means I’ve lost an entire Donald Trump."

"And let’s be honest, based on his approval ratings, it seems like most of the country wants to do the same thing," he added.

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

TRUMP TAKES HONORARY LAP AROUND INDYCAR TRACK IN WASHINGTON AHEAD OF FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX

A Reuters/Ipsos survey released last week placed Trump at 33% approval and 64% disapproval, tying the lowest approval rating across both of his terms, Fox News Digital reported.

"President Trump has signed the largest middle-class tax cuts in history, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, sealed the border, driven violent crime to the lowest level in nearly a century, unleashed an energy revolution and sent Americans’ 401(k)s climbing to record highs," White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told Fox News Digital in response to questions about the polling.

"President Trump is cleaning up Joe Biden’s mess, and there is more work to do, but the United States of America has never been stronger," she continued.

Jelly Roll began the political portion of the monologue by discussing Sunday's Freedom 250 Grand Prix. Trump and first lady Melania Trump completed an honorary lap in the presidential limousine before the president waved the green flag to start the race, which Kyle Kirkwood won, according to OutKick.

TRUMP CALLS ON ALL FUTURE CANDIDATES TO TAKE COGNITIVE EXAM, NOTING PERFECT SCORE DURING LATEST PHYSICAL

"The president seemed to enjoy the IndyCar race, which was a real switch up for him, because normally he only likes his own race," Jelly Roll said.

He joked about the reaction to his previous Trump quips on Tuesday night's "Kimmel" show, saying he couldn't believe he would have "stunned" anyone with Trump jokes.

"Some folks online were upset that I didn't treat the president with reverence and dignity," he said. "But I want to remind y'all that I go by the name Jelly Roll. I don't even treat myself with reverence and dignity."

He added the president should be able to "handle a few jokes."

"I get it that some people are mad at me for goofing on Trump, but if you wanted me to make jokes about Kamala Harris, you should have voted for her," he said.

TRUMP MARKS 80TH BIRTHDAY, NOW SECOND OCTOGENARIAN SITTING PRESIDENT: 'SEEMED TO UTTERLY DEFY AGE'

The monologue marked a rare political turn for Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord. After the Grammy Awards in February, he declined to offer an immediate opinion about the country’s political climate and questioned why people would seek his views, Fox News Digital reported.

"You know, I’m a dumb redneck. Like, I haven’t watched enough. I didn’t have a phone for 18 months," Jelly Roll said.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

His Monday remarks also differed from his response after meeting Trump at UFC 309 in 2024, when the then-president-elect told Jelly Roll that he liked his song "Save Me." Jelly Roll defended the encounter and said his family taught him to honor the office regardless of its occupant.

Jelly Roll first guest-hosted "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in July 2025 and returned this week while Kimmel was on his summer break.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital's Peter D'Abrosca contributed to this story.

Green New Dodge: El-Sayed runs from policy as newly surfaced deleted posts show years of support

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:05:02 -0400

Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed told Fox News host Jesse Watters on Monday that he would not defend the Green New Deal when confronted with his past support for the progressive climate proposal, a notable shift from years of publicly embracing it by name.

"Look, I’m not going to defend the Green New Deal," El-Sayed told Watters after the host confronted him over his past support for the proposal. When Watters reiterated that El-Sayed was on record supporting it, El-Sayed redirected the discussion toward lowering energy costs and creating Michigan jobs by prioritizing renewables.

Michigan, which Trump won in 2024 but lost in 2020, is shaping up to have one of the most competitive Senate races in the country, with the likely narrow results in the state potentially determining control of Congress. Critics charge that El-Sayed is downplaying some of his past beliefs and scrubbing his online footprint to appear more moderate, and therefore more palatable, to Michigan voters.

UNEARTHED CLIP EXPOSES MORE ANTI-POLICE RHETORIC AS EL-SAYED GETS GRILLED FOR DELETING SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

Though El-Sayed declined to defend the Green New Deal in front of a national audience, he previously hasn’t been so shy.

A Fox News Digital review of El-Sayed's deleted social media posts, preserved via the Internet Archive, uncovered dozens of examples of the Michigan Senate hopeful defending the Green New Deal by name.

"Rather than announcing the next iteration of this or that car at [the North American International Auto Show 2019], I’d love to see automakers announce that they support the #GreenNewDeal," El-Sayed wrote in January of that year.

On the primary campaign trail, Rep. Haley Stevens criticized El-Sayed over his past support for the Green New Deal on the grounds that it could lead to job losses in the automobile manufacturing industry.

FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS: AS DEMOCRATS TURN LEFT, BLACK VOTERS TAP THE BRAKES

"The struggle for the Green New Deal uplifts the struggle for racial justice," El-Sayed wrote in April 2019.

The Green New Deal is a 2019 progressive policy framework floated by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., that seeks to gradually transition the United States’ electrical grid away from fossil fuels. Their plan has become synonymous with the left-wing faction of the Democratic Party, leading many Democrats running in competitive races to distance themselves from it.

In another post, from September 2019, El-Sayed wrote, "I believe in a Green New Deal" five times in all caps. He also suggested that the Green New Deal is essential to preserve freedom of speech because there can be no First Amendment "without the freedom to breathe the breath you have to take to speak in the first place."

"The #GreenNewDeal doesn’t center polar bears or glaciers, it centers those children forced to breath (sic.) in corporate pollution in their communities," El-Sayed wrote. "I stand with the Green New Deal because it stands for those kids."

WATCH: SURFACED VIDEOS OF DEM SENATE CANDIDATE BACKING 'DEFUND THE POLICE' CONTRADICT RECENT DENIALS

CNN previously reported that El-Sayed scrubbed large swathes of his commentary from the internet prior to announcing his run for Senate. The deletions appear to have been selective, as he still has some posts up from before he launched his campaign.

In his since-deleted social media posts, El-Sayed endorsed the "defund the police" movement, argued cities spent too much policing poverty and described police departments as "standing armies we deploy against our own people." In a separate YouTube video that was later hidden, he floated replacing the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms with a constitutional right to healthcare and called Border Patrol agents "white supremacists" while blaming American policies for migration from struggling nations.

Though El-Sayed regularly mentioned the Green New Deal on X prior to running for Senate, he has not posted the phrase even once since announcing his candidacy, a review found.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The El-Sayed campaign did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Tuesday.

Liam Neeson and Zachary Levi lead ex-CIA heist in Tehran in new trailer for 'The Fix'

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:03:43 -0400

A new trailer is out for Liam Neeson's upcoming CIA film "The Fix."

Basic info:

Plot: Disillusioned by the end of the war in Afghanistan, a group of disgraced, war-torn ex-CIA operators set out to Tehran to take down a life-changing score.
Cast: Liam Neeson, Zachary Levi, Annet Mahendru and Grant Harvey
Director: Guy Moshe
Release date: Sept. 11, 2026

New preview released for "The Fix."

A preview for "The Fix" was released back in late July, and it immediately generated a lot of buzz online. It's not hard to understand why.

A film about hardened operators going into Tehran for a top-secret heist mission is about as good as it gets when it comes to the perfect movie for your standard dude.

Well, a new preview dropped on Wednesday, and it's going to send expectations soaring even higher for the upcoming movie.

Give it a watch below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

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

This movie looks like it's going to be the perfect popcorn flick. It might not win any awards, but that's okay. Often, the most fun films are the ones that have no interest in chasing awards.

It's all about the action, suspense and fun. That's exactly what "The Fix" appears to be.

Plus, the cast is outstanding. Liam Neeson is a legit A-list superstar, and this genre is perfect for the former "Taken" star.

Zachary Levi is a great second leading man. I have no doubt the two will team up for an epic ride.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

You can catch "The Fix" starting Sept. 11. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

Federal judge strikes down Texas restriction on drag shows, offers people a 'simple' solution

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:49:50 -0400

A federal judge in Texas struck down a state-level ban on drag shows Tuesday, saying the law violated the First Amendment.

The ruling from U.S. District Judge David Hittner, a Reagan appointee, prevents Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from enforcing the ban and also rejects Paxton's request for a new trial on the case.

The Texas law, Texas Senate Bill 12, imposed up to a $10,000 fine on business owners for hosting drag show events. Performers at the events could have also been charged with a class A misdemeanor.

IOWA TEACHERS SUSPENDED OVER VIRAL STUDENT-RUN DRAG SHOW REACH SETTLEMENT BEFORE TRIAL

Hittner offered advice to supporters of the law and "those who find such activities as described in this case offensive."

"The solution is relatively simple ... just don’t go," he wrote.

GOP LAWMAKERS URGE SUPREME COURT TO STRENGTHEN FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS FOR STREET PREACHERS

This is the second time Hittner has struck down the Texas law in a ruling. He did the same thing in 2023, but the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals handed the case back down with further instructions on how to decide the case.

The Texas law sought to justify its ban on the claim that drag shows appeal to "the prurient interest," but Hittner brushed that claim aside.

SEATTLE PRIDE PARADE PANDEMONIUM AS NUDE MARCHERS PRANCE THROUGH STREETS IN FRONT OF CHILDREN

"There are ‘erotic’ elements in countless popular performances that could be subject to both civil and criminal penalties under S.B. 12," he wrote, going on to list "cheerleading, dancing, live theater, and other common public occurrences," as activities that could be banned under the law.

Hittner also referenced Dolly Parton, saying her performances could easily have met the definition due to her being "a voluptuous sex symbol because of her big hair, flamboyant clothes and breast exposure."

GEORGIA PRIDE GROUP RECRUITING KIDS AS YOUNG AS 13 INTO DRAG SHOWS SPARKS BACKLASH

The ruling comes weeks after a federal appeals court approved a Florida law restricting children from sexually explicit performances, including many drag shows.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The Florida law defines an "adult live performance" as a live show that "depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or specific sexual activities ... lewd conduct, or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts" and that also predominantly appeals to a "prurient, shameful, or morbid interest," is "patently offensive" for the age of the child present and, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value for that child's age.

The ultimate dog-friendly road trip on Minnesota's North Shore from Duluth to Grand Marais

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:42:22 -0400

A few weeks ago, I set out with the intention of writing an itinerary for the ultimate dog-friendly vacation on the Minnesota North Shore. Turns out, that's not as easy as I thought.

Not for a lack of writing material, either.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE FROM OUTKICK OUTDOORS

No, the challenge I ran into was that I couldn't fit all the outdoor adventures the area had to offer into the measly three days I planned to visit.

Not a bad problem to have.

Every summer, my husband and I visit my mother-in-law at her snowbird summer home in Minocqua, Wisc. During that trip, we like to take a few days to drive up to Lake Superior and see what kind of hiking we can find. In 2024, we explored the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Last year, it was the Apostle Islands at the tippy top of Wisconsin.

YOU DON'T NEED A KAYAK TO APPRECIATE NORTHERN WISCONSIN'S APOSTLE ISLANDS

This year, we figured we'd try Minnesota.

So I booked us a little Airbnb right on the lakeshore in Tofte, we threw our packs, our boots and our German Shepherd in the truck, and away we went.

Day 1: Iona's Beach & Split Rock Lighthouse

Admittedly, before this trip, I knew nothing about the stretch of land between Duluth and the Canadian border — aside from the fact that it's very cold in the wintertime, and I imagined every guy up there probably looked something like the Brawny Man. So I relied on my old friend Google (and my very helpful Nightcaps readers) to build our itinerary.

Did you know there are eight state parks in that 150 miles of shoreline? EIGHT. So I knew we, sadly, weren't going to hit them all on this trip. We'd have to pick a few and save the rest for next year.

At least a couple dozen people told me I had to go to Betty's Pies in Two Harbors — an iconic little café that's been around for 70 years. They have, I'm told, the best pies in all of Minnesota. Maybe all the Midwest. And like an idiot, I didn't listen.

Instead, our first stop was at Iona's Beach. Which was delightful, too.

Iona's Beach is a cute little crescent-shaped shore in Two Harbors that, instead of sand, is covered by salmon-colored pink rocks. In other words, this is not the sort of beach where you stroll barefoot. The stones are pink because they're made of rhyolite, a rock formed from ancient volcanic activity.

The area is named after a sweet little old lady named Iona Lind, whose family originally owned the land and ran the resort that used to stand where the parking lot is now.

Supposedly, the pebbles make a "singing" sound as Lake Superior's waves shift them back and forth against each other. But if I'm being honest, they just sounded like regular rocks to me.

Still, Iona's Beach is worth your time for a quick stroll and some photos along the shore.

Next up, we hit Split Rock Lighthouse.

A couple of things to note about Split Rock Lighthouse:

Dogs are allowed on the grounds but not inside the lighthouse itself. Because of this, we stayed outside.
To get the majestic, postcard view of the lighthouse from the bottom of the cliff, you have to pay for the $7 one-day vehicle permit to enter Split Rock State Park. There is a "View of the Lighthouse" scenic spot that you can pull into on US 61, but I promise you cannot see squat from there. Skip it and just pony up the $7.

After hitting the Tofte General Store beer-bait-barbecue-and-tackle shop (not what it's called, but it should be) for some food to cook, we headed to our Airbnb.

Friends, when I tell you it was like stepping back in time, I mean it. This particular property was built in the early 1970s and almost certainly has not been updated since. Our particular condo, though, had a 90s vibe — complete with an impressive collection of VHS tapes. We're talking "Liar Liar," "A Few Good Men," "Forrest Gump," "Titanic"! All the hits.

But we didn't choose this rental for the decor. We chose it because it's located smack on the top of a cliff overlooking Lake Superior. The kind of view that makes you want to pop open a bottle of wine, sit down in an Adirondack chair and just stare into the horizon.

And you best believe that's what I did.

Day 2: Palisade Head & Tettegouche State Park

We planned Wednesday to be our big hiking day. But first, a quick stop to check out the giant rock formation they call Palisade Head. It's a 300-foot granite cliff created in the Ice Age, and it's a seriously cool challenge for rock climbers.

Or you can take the easier route like we did. Park your car in the designated viewing area and admire Palisade Head from afar. While we were there, we made conversation with a couple of dudes who proceeded to list all the cool hiking spots we needed to check out during our trip to the North Shore. It was at this moment I realized I should have scheduled out more than three days.

HERE’S HOW TO DO THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS WITHOUT TRAFFIC AND CROWDS

From there we headed to Tettegouche State Park. I kept pronouncing it "Tet-uh-GOOCH-ee" (à la "way down yonder on the Chattahoochee.") However, a sign in the visitor center informed me the correct pronunciation is "TET-uh-goosh."

Bummer.

There are roughly 23 miles of hiking trails in Tettegouche, so we hopped on AllTrails and created our own adventure: Shovel Point to High Falls to Two Step Falls. I think we made the right choice.

Our route took us out to the lake shore, down along the river, to an incredible swimming hole at the base of High Falls, through some woody terrain and into a peaceful little lunch spot on the stream at Two Step. It worked out to about 6.2 moderate miles with multiple spots for Rocky to hop in the water and cool off.

High Falls was the star of the show.

On our way back to the condo, we decided to drive up Oberg Mountain. The loop gave us stunning vistas and a really cool overlook of Oberg Lake. I was pretty tired after Tettegouche, but this was well worth the extra 2.5 miles.

That night we headed up to Moguls Grill & Taproom for post-hike burgers and beers. It's inside the Caribou Highlands Lodge, which serves as a ski resort in the wintertime. Dogs aren't allowed inside the restaurant, but we snagged some food to go and sat out on the patio.

There, we met a nice elderly lady named Patrice who said she comes to the North Shore a few times a year "to escape the far-left hell scape of Minneapolis."

Day 3: Pincushion Mountain, Grand Marais & Cascade River State Park

Those fellas up on Palisade Head told us we have to check out the Gunflint Trail.

So much great hiking on the Gunflint Trail! Beautiful country! Such cool wildlife! I see moose all the time!

I do not love the idea of running into a grumpy moose out on the trail. But their sales pitch got me.

Upon further research, though, I discovered the Gunflint Trail is actually a 57-mile byway that stretches all the way from the lakeshore into the Boundary Waters and damn near to Canada. Since we didn't budget enough time to cover all that ground, we chose the very first trail off the Gunflint: Pincushion Mountain.

On the way up US 61, though, we stopped at a local coffee shop called Fika that came highly recommended by our Airbnb host.

Holy cow, you guys, are you familiar with maple syrup lattes? Because they are, I learned, very much a thing in northern Minnesota.

Now listen, I drink my coffee like my grandpa does: strong, black and by the bucket. One step short of jet fuel. But what's the point of driving 16 hours from home if you don't try the local fare?

My goodness. That maple syrup latte was worth every bit of the (probably) 500 calories it cost me. What a concept. Consider it fuel for the 5.75-mile Pincushion Mountain Loop.

Half of this trail was on an old logging road, which the curmudgeonly reviewers on AllTrails didn't love. I swear people on AllTrails will complain about everything.

The grass was too tall in some places. I had to step over a log. A bug landed on my shoulder!

You're in the woods, Sharon.

That said, the logging road portion of this trail was a little boring, but that's fine. Because the payoff was an epic view of Lake Superior and Grand Marais from the top of a massive bald monolith.

Pro tip: Make sure you veer off this loop to check out Barrier Falls. We went down to the bridge at West Devil Track before turning around and heading back to the loop.

The climb out of there was a bit of a b----, but suck it up, buttercup. You've got a maple syrup latte to burn off.

After this hike, we walked around Grand Marais — a charming little harbor town. We stopped by the Gunflint Tavern for lunch. But heads up, it is not dog friendly except for the upstairs bar, which does not serve food. It does, however, serve the Fulton 300 IPA, which is 10/10 if you're into that sort of thing.

If you find yourself in Grand Marais, do yourself a favor and make the windy walk out to the lighthouse. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it was so cold out there that I cursed myself for not bringing a beanie. In July!

Grand Marais is just about 35 miles to the Canadian border. However, my husband and I did not go to Canada. Because we are PATRIOTS.

Just kidding. It's because both of our passports are expired. But we plan to remedy that soon.

On our way out of town, we noticed Voyageur Brewing Company. It looked like a fun spot, and I wish we would have known about it ahead of time. They have a blonde ale that's very popular around these parts.

One cool thing about the North Shore is that everything is right off US 61. You really can't get lost. So on our way back to Tofte, we stopped for a quick 1-miler at Cascade River State Park.

This is an easy little trek — even after you enjoyed a beer or three in Grand Marais. Ask me how I know.

The Minnesota North Shore surpassed our expectations

The next morning, I set my alarm for 5 a.m. so that I could catch the sunrise. With a perfectly east-facing condo right on Lake Superior, it'd be criminal if I didn't drag my butt up for one sunrise.

And, friends, it was so, so worth it.

On our way back to Minocqua, we popped in Coho Cafe & Bakery. No exaggeration — the best pancakes I'd ever tasted in my life. Absolute perfection.

As we enjoyed our breakfast, we plotted next year's adventure. Grand Portage, Thunder Bay, Devil's Kettle, the Summit Express gondola up Lutsen Mountain, the Boundary Waters. All the things we just didn't have time for this year. And all dog friendly.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Truthfully, we fell in love with Grand Marais. That seems like an obvious base camp for the 2027 Great White North adventure.

And I promise — this time — we're hitting Betty's Pies.

Love all things adventure and outdoors? Follow OutKick OutDoors on Instagram and TikTok!

Seven-year-old boy forced to hike Mt. Fuji alone after dad, older brother abandon him

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:29:49 -0400

Hiking is often viewed as a strenuous activity that only the most seasoned athletes can partake in, but the truth of the matter is that it's actually for everyone.

Even families can enjoy hiking as long as they come prepared and stay together.

The latter part of that equation was apparently too much to ask for a father and his two sons last Thursday while hiking the famous Mt. Fuji in Japan.

According to an ABC news affiliate in North Carolina, at around 7:40 am local time, a mountain hut worker reportedly saw a 7-year-old boy sitting on a bench and looking exhausted.

The worker then contacted the police, who subsequently contacted the boy's father to try and reunite the two parties.

As it turns out, the younger boy was hiking the mountain with his father and older brother when he complained of feeling tired.

Instead of turning around and heading home or taking a break with his son, the father told him to "wait here" and then continued on ahead with his older son in tow.

The father left his son at a station around 8,000 feet above sea level as fog and rain reportedly started to roll in, making it dangerous for anyone to be alone, much less a 7-year-old boy.

When local police reunited the boy with his other family members, they admonished the father for endangering the child.

The inclement weather conditions and fatigue combined with the altitude sickness that could set in at that height are a bad combination for even the most experienced hikers.

The father reportedly told the police officers, "I made a rash decision, and I deeply regret it."

Luckily, the boy was returned to his father unharmed.

As a father, I get a little nervous leaving my son in front of the TV for 20 seconds to go grab the laundry out of the dryer, so I couldn't imagine telling my young child to chill on the side of a mountain while I finish my hike.

I'm not trying to pile on the dad, as he sounds contrite, but maybe table the hike so your son doesn't get frostbite while you cosplay as Alex Honnold.

STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW!

Let this be a lesson to all of you amateur hikers: always use the buddy system.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Especially if one of your buddies isn't even old enough to see a PG-13 movie without you.

'He's so thirsty': Newsom's 'enthusiastic' praise for Trump policy turns heads

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:28:35 -0400

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's unusual public praise for President Donald Trump is raising political eyebrows, with observers suggesting the break from his usual posture could foreshadow how the Democrat positions himself ahead of 2028.

Newsom heaped praise on Trump accounts, or 530a accounts, which the president created with the help of Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Cory Booker, D-N.J., to provide a market-indexed nest egg beginning at $1,000 for children born during his second term.

"Gavin Newsom, who fancies himself a 2028 nominee, has come out and said that he completely supports this and that he thinks it's the best thing President Trump has ever done," conservative writer Charles Hurt said in response.

"He is so thirsty," Hurt went on, adding on "Fox & Friends Weekend" that the remark reminded him of how some Democrats broke ranks to praise Trump’s "No Tax on Tips" plans that reduced federal levies on restaurant and service gratuities.

DEMOCRATIC MARYLAND GOV WES MOORE PRAISES TRUMP ACCOUNTS AS ‘SMART POLICY’

Former George W. Bush White House press secretary Dana Perino said on Fox News’ "The Five" that she believes Newsom's comments are indeed a "2028 play."

"I think this is going to pit some of the 20 candidates [against each other at debates if they are collectively asked] ‘Will you keep Trump accounts?’" she said. Perino suggested Newsom would have the upper hand and could point to his early support to counter allegations of political expediency.

California Assembly Minority Leader Alexandra Macedo told Fox News Digital that the rare collaboration on Trump accounts is encouraging but should be the rule, not the exception.

"It is good to see Gavin Newsom working with the Trump administration and recognizing a good idea when he sees one," said Macedo, R-Tulare.

"Hopefully this is not Halley’s Comet. Californians should not have to wait another 75 years for Newsom to do it again," she said.

During a news conference Friday, Newsom said Californians should consider opening a Trump account for their newborns, comparing the program to a Sacramento-based one championed by his wife.

"I’m enthusiastic about encouraging people to get a Trump account. I think it's incredibly important," Newsom said at an event alongside first lady Jennifer Siebel Newsom. "It's one of the best things he's done, and so we're here to encourage people to take advantage of this."

SEN DAVE MCCORMICK: TRUMP ACCOUNTS GIVE ALL AMERICANS A STAKE IN PROSPERITY

Newsom warned Californians not to "fall prey" to politics or cynicism, or "even the fear that if I download a Trump account somehow that means something."

"It doesn't, it just means something for your kid. It's not Trump's money. It's your child's money."

Siebel-Newsom spoke about a similar California program aimed at education expenses called "CalKIDS," which the Sacramento Bee reported has not had the same successful launch as Trump accounts.

Newsom recently called 2028 presidential conjecture "wildly premature," but acknowledged toying with the idea while taking steps that signal potential interest, including a nationally televised debate with potential Republican contender Gov. Ron DeSantis on Fox News Channel in 2023. He also told the Los Angeles Times more recently that "I’d be lying" if he said he hasn’t thought about running.

Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom for comment.

Some social media users also expressed surprise at Newsom’s tack.

JENNIFER SIEBEL NEWSOM DODGES QUESTION ON HUSBAND GAVIN'S PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATIONS

"Uh oh... Newsom might have a decent campaign manager telling him to sound moderate, rational and team-building," one X user said.

"The outgoing Golden State governor and 2028 White House hopeful said that he is ‘enthusiastic’ about Trump accounts, the Republican leader’s initiative that created investment accounts for children under 18, with the federal government depositing $1,000 into accounts for babies born during the president’s second term," read a tweet from conservative podcaster Chad Law.

"Did something happen to Newsom?" added Defiant L’s, an account known for posting examples of liberals’ self-owns and perceived hypocrisies.

Fox News host Jesse Watters compared the effort to Bush’s much-maligned plan to privatize Social Security, calculating that returns for seniors would have doubled and the program would be solvent instead of facing potential insolvency in the 2030s.

SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER

Newsom also reiterated in a post on X that California was the "first state in the country" to make 5.5 million students eligible for the CalKIDS program for college and career expenses.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Newsom is one of several potential Democratic candidates representing different segments of the party, including socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Hurricane Katrina taught me how to prepare for any storm

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:17:48 -0400

Aug. 29 marks 21 years since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005. I had gone to New Orleans expecting a fun weekend with my parents. Instead, I ended up trapped inside a hotel during one of the most devastating hurricanes in U.S. history.

At the time, I had no idea the experience would change the way I prepare for emergencies for the rest of my life. Katrina remains the costliest hurricane in U.S. history and one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history.

For me, though, the story began before the flooding. As Katrina grew stronger in the Gulf, I realized we needed to get out of New Orleans. I got my parents onto what I remember as the last flight out. My dad even offered me his ticket because I still had no way out. I told him to get on the plane. Then I headed to a rental car company. That plan fell apart fast.

There were about a hundred people there trying to do exactly what I was trying to do. So I eventually returned to the Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans after being told it was extremely well-prepared for a hurricane. I was told it had upgraded windows, generator power and plenty of food. I should not have gone back.

NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY BRACES FOR HURRICANE SEASON TWO YEARS AFTER HELENE'S BRUTAL IMPACT

Want to hear what it was really like? Listen to The CyberGuy Report podcast at Cyberguy.com/ as I revisit Hurricane Katrina with Carlos Amezcua, who was anchoring at KTLA in Los Angeles while I was trapped in New Orleans.

New! Free live CyberGuy class: Protect Your Money From Today’s Biggest Threats

Join us Saturday, Aug. 29, at 10 a.m. ET for a free CyberGuy LIVE class covering five simple steps to help defend yourself against AI scams, fraud, identity theft and financial hacks. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson will explain how to set up bank alerts, strengthen your account logins, protect your phone number, freeze your credit and help secure your retirement savings against unauthorized transfers. No technical experience is needed. You’ll also receive our financial protection checklist, and every registrant will get a link to the class recording afterward.

Reserve your free spot today at CyberGuyLive.com.

When the hotel's hurricane plan began to unravel

The hotel looked prepared on paper. It had upgraded windows, a generator and food supplies meant to keep people sheltered through the storm. Then the situation changed fast. As Hurricane Katrina approached, hotel employees were allowed to bring their families inside so they could stay together while staff continued working. That decision brought hundreds more people into the property than the original emergency plan had anticipated. Suddenly, the food, beds and other supplies had to stretch much further. Then the flooding came.

Water surrounded the hotel and made leaving impossible. Food was rationed. At one point, the hotel was so desperate to keep refrigeration running that staff asked guests with diesel vehicles in the elevated garage if they could siphon fuel for the generator. Outside, I heard gunfire and watched looting unfold on Canal Street. Hotel officials repeatedly warned us not to leave because the streets were unsafe. Communication was breaking down too. Cell service was unreliable, and text messages could take hours to reach the other end. Somehow, I managed to MacGyver the hotel's phone system enough to get a dial tone and report back to KTLA in Los Angeles, where I was working at the time.

What kept running through my mind was this: If conditions were becoming this desperate inside one of New Orleans' luxury hotels, what were families trapped in their homes going through? That question became personal as I got to know Jesse and Emma Ruiz, a couple from the Los Angeles area who had saved for an anniversary trip to New Orleans. Their celebration had suddenly turned into a disaster. I became close to them while we were trapped and even tried to make sure they knew where I had stashed some food and water. Years later, seeing them safe again brought all of those emotions right back.

Hurricane Katrina taught me to control the information I could

One of my biggest lessons from Katrina had nothing to do with buying expensive survival equipment. It was about information. Rumors spread constantly. People were scared, and nobody seemed to know what would happen next. As a journalist, I kept trying to verify what I was hearing. I described the situation on the podcast as "information chaos."

That mindset helped me focus. Instead of getting overwhelmed by everything happening around me, I tried to figure out what I could confirm and what problem needed solving next.

I also formed an alliance with Richard Rhodes, a man from Washington who became what I later called my survival partner. We started thinking ahead together about what we would need and how we might get ourselves out. At one point, Richard and I decided we would pack what we could and try to walk out along the levee system toward Baton Rouge. We headed down the hotel stairwell, but a security guard told us we were not going anywhere. I kept going until I could see floodwater around the second-floor level. There was simply no way out on foot.

Then I ran into an information problem I never expected. A helicopter might be able to get me out, but the pilot needed my exact latitude and longitude. I did not know it. Without electricity and the smartphone tools we take for granted today, it took nearly two days to determine my GPS coordinates. Once the helicopter crew had those coordinates, the pilot finally knew exactly where to find us. As I said on the podcast, "Now I don't go anywhere without knowing how to get my GPS coordinates." Today, your smartphone makes that much easier.

Hurricane Katrina changed what I keep ready

Katrina also changed the physical gear I keep nearby. You do not have to turn your garage into an emergency warehouse. Instead, I focus on equipment that helps me communicate, see what is happening and keep essential devices working.

During Katrina, I found an uninterruptible power supply that normally backed up a computer in the hotel. We used it to charge phones when regular power was unavailable. That experience made backup power a permanent part of my emergency planning. I also learned something much simpler. A zip-top plastic bag can become one of the most useful things you own when water is getting everywhere.

ARMY BLACK HAWKS AIRLIFT 200-PLUS STRANDED CAMPERS AS MISSOURI FLOODS TRIGGER MORE 350 RESCUES

7 storm season tips I learned the hard way

You cannot control what a major storm does. However, you can make it easier to communicate and function when normal services disappear.

1) Save your GPS coordinates now

Do not wait until you need rescuing to figure out where to find your latitude and longitude. Open Google Maps and zoom in on the location you want to save. Then press and hold an unlabeled spot to drop a pin. Google says this will display the location's coordinates on both Android and iPhone. Take a screenshot or save the coordinates somewhere easy to access.

I would do this for your home and any other place where you expect to ride out a major storm. You can also save the coordinates in a note along with your address and other emergency information. If familiar landmarks disappear or rescuers cannot easily identify where you are, those coordinates can give them your exact location. As I said during the podcast, "Timing with information is everything."

2) Practice Emergency SOS via satellite before an emergency

This is one feature I desperately wish I had during Katrina. Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite is available on iPhone 14 and later models. It can help you text emergency services when you are somewhere without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. However, do not assume you will instinctively know what to do in an emergency. Apple provides a demo so you can practice ahead of time.

iPhone: Practice Emergency SOS via satellite

On a current iPhone, you can:

Open Settings
Tap Emergency SOS
Scroll to the Emergency SOS via satellite section
Tap the option to try the demo
Follow the onscreen instructions

You can also open the Control Center, tap the Cellular control, tap Satellite and choose Try Demo. Most importantly, Apple says you need to be outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon. Dense foliage, tall structures and some terrain can interfere with the connection. During a real emergency, Apple says you should first try calling your local emergency number. If the call cannot connect and you are off the grid, your iPhone can offer the satellite option. For more details, see my guide to getting your phone ready for an emergency.

Samsung Galaxy: Practice Satellite SOS if your phone supports it

Some newer Samsung Galaxy phones can also connect to emergency services by satellite when cellular and Wi-Fi service are unavailable. However, unlike Apple's system, availability depends on your Galaxy model and wireless carrier. Samsung says satellite communication is expanding across supported Galaxy phones in the U.S. through carriers including Verizon and T-Mobile. On a supported Samsung Galaxy phone with Verizon, you can practice using Satellite SOS before you need it. Verizon specifically provides a Satellite SOS demo for compatible Android phones.

On a supported Galaxy phone, check:

Open Settings
Tap Safety and emergency
Tap Satellite SOS
Select the option to try the demo
Follow the onscreen instructions

During a real emergency, first try calling 911. If you have no cellular or Wi-Fi connection and your phone and carrier support Satellite SOS, your Galaxy can prompt you to connect by satellite. You will need to be outside with a clear view of the sky and follow the onscreen directions to establish the connection. Verizon says Google Messages must be the default messaging app for its Satellite SOS service.

One caveat: If you do not see Satellite SOS under Settings > Safety and emergency, that does not necessarily mean your Galaxy is out of date. Your particular model or carrier may use a different satellite service or may not support the feature.

FATAL AIR AMBULANCE CRASH EXPOSES GROWING GPS DANGER FACING US FLIGHTS

3) Keep a NOAA Weather Radio available

Your smartphone is an incredible emergency tool. Still, I would not make it your only source of warnings. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts official National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day. When shopping for a weather radio, look for one with Specific Area Message Encoding, known as SAME.

SAME-capable receivers can be programmed for specific geographic areas. Some can also activate from a silent mode when an alert for that area is transmitted. That is the type of feature I want available when the power goes out in the middle of the night. You can find more options in my storm survival essentials guide at CyberGuy.com.

4) Have backup power ready

Charge your phone and portable batteries before severe weather reaches you. Ready.gov recommends planning for batteries and alternative power sources during outages, including portable chargers or power banks.

I also keep spare charging cables available. That became a habit after Katrina because sometimes you may find a source of electricity but not have the cable you need. A larger portable power station may also be useful depending on your equipment and household needs.

5) Keep critical gear dry and easy to grab

This is where the humble zip-top bag earns a permanent place in my emergency kit. I keep small electronics and other essentials protected from water whenever severe weather is approaching. During the podcast, I pulled out one of these bags because the idea is so simple. "A Ziploc bag is your best friend in any weather."

I also keep a serious flashlight nearby. A lantern-style light can be useful during an outage, while a whistle can give you another way to signal for help. The important part is knowing exactly where those items are before the lights disappear.

6) Store enough drinking water

Water can become a problem surprisingly fast after a disaster. Ready.gov recommends storing one gallon of water per person per day for several days for drinking and sanitation. If you have pets or service animals, include their needs in your emergency planning as well. Personally, I try to keep about a week's worth of water available when possible. That is the approach I described on the podcast.

7) Keep emergency basics in your car too

One thing Katrina taught me is that trouble may begin when you are nowhere near your emergency supplies. That is why I duplicate some of my basics. I keep emergency gear at home and useful supplies in the car. Ready.gov also recommends keeping an emergency supply kit in your vehicle.

I also keep some emergency cash available. During Katrina, Richard had the foresight to get cash before access to normal payment systems became a problem. Ready.gov recommends including cash in an emergency kit because ATMs and credit card systems may not work during a prolonged outage.

For me, the idea is flexibility. If I have to leave quickly, I do not want every flashlight, charging cable and useful piece of emergency gear sitting inside the house. You can also read my guide to getting survival-ready in any storm at CyberGuy.com for more ways to prepare before severe weather arrives.

Staying calm became part of my emergency plan too

Carlos reminded me during the podcast that I somehow seemed calm while all of this was unfolding. I did not feel calm. There was fear. There was uncertainty. At times, I genuinely did not know how I was going to get out. However, focusing on the next solvable problem helped. Eventually, we arranged for a helicopter to land on the hotel roof. Looking back, I remember exactly how desperate I felt. "I was willing to grab the skid of the helicopter in any way I could just to get out."

Then the helicopter lifted off. For a few seconds, I felt enormous relief. That feeling disappeared when I looked down. Across the flooded area, I could see people stranded on rooftops. They were waving whatever they could find, desperately trying to signal for help. That image has stayed with me ever since.

Kurt's key takeaways

Hurricane Katrina taught me that preparedness is really about giving yourself options. You cannot know exactly what a major emergency will take away. That is why I want more than one way to receive information. I want backup power available. I also want the information rescuers could need saved before I am under pressure. Most of these preparations are remarkably simple. Know how to find your coordinates. Practice the emergency features already built into your phone. Keep the equipment you rely on charged and accessible. Then think about what happens when your original plan stops working. That may be the biggest lesson Katrina taught me. A hotel that appeared prepared became overwhelmed. Cell service became unreliable. Roads became useless as an escape route. Eventually, getting out required a helicopter landing on a rooftop. I could never have planned that exact sequence. What I could do, and what I do now, is give myself more ways to solve the next problem. You can hear the full story, including Carlos Amezcua's memories of watching everything unfold from the KTLA anchor desk in Los Angeles, on The CyberGuy Report podcast at CyberGuy.com. The conversation brought back moments I had not thought about in years.

If a storm knocked out your power and cell service tonight, how long could you actually manage with what you have on hand right now? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

ESPN reporter takes unprompted shot at Enes Kanter Freedom during NBA analysis

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:11:34 -0400

ESPN reporter Tim MacMahon took a random shot at Enes Kanter Freedom while breaking down Klay Thompson’s move to the Miami Heat.

MacMahon was breaking down how Thompson fit with the Heat before taking an unprompted jab at Freedom.

"You got to protect (Thompson) defensively now, and instead of being a guy who you can put on the other team’s best perimeter scorer, but the Heat are as desperate for shooting as Enes Kanter is for attention," MacMahon said on a recent episode of ESPN’s "Brain Windhorst & The Hoop Collective."

Upon hearing MacMahon’s comment, Windhorst immediately said, "Oh no."

However, MacMahon continued his analysis without dwelling on his Freedom comment.

"And so like Klay, on a low-cost, relatively low-cost deal does make sense," MacMahon said.

Freedom has been in the news after he was kicked out of Wintrust Arena on Sunday night after an altercation with Sky player Natasha Cloud during the Indiana Fever-Chicago Sky game.

During the third quarter of the Indiana Fever's 113-90 win over the Sky at Wintrust Arena, Cloud began barking at Freedom, who was sitting courtside. Freedom then stepped toward the floor and yelled back at Cloud with his arms spread, with security quickly intervening and ushering Freedom out.

Kanter later spoke to OutKick about the incident.

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

"Sophie Cunningham shot a three, and I put my hands up to celebrate," Freedom said. "Literally, a couple possessions later, Natasha came back and started screaming and yelling and said, ‘She’s not gonna sleep with you.’

"And I was like, ‘I am not trying to sleep with her. I’m just here to protect women and support her.’ And then, obviously, after that she started yapping, and she started to walk towards me, and literally I just got up, and then I was like, ‘I’m just here to protect women, and that’s all.’"

Kanter, who recently declared himself eligible for the 2027 WNBA Draft, attended the game wearing a shirt that defined what a woman is, something the league itself has not yet seemed to answer.

Following the incident with Cloud, Sky owner Michael Alter barred Kanter from the arena.

"He has demonstrated to us, unequivocally, that he has the potential to be a threat," Alter said, via ESPN.

Sky officials explained to OutKick later Tuesday that Wintrust Arena security, NBA security and Chicago police determined Freedom to be a threat. The determination came when Freedom opened his arms, pointed toward Cloud and stepped toward the court, according to the officials.

WNBA COACH LEAVES IT TO THE LEAGUE TO HANDLE TRANSGENDER ELIGIBILITY ISSUE AMID MOUNTING CRITICISM

Kanter responded to Alter’s comments in a statement to OutKick on Wednesday morning.

"My letter to Commissioner Engelbert makes one point: rules are rules, and the WNBA must enforce them fairly," Freedom said. "I followed the league’s rules, yet I was ejected without the required warning while Natasha Cloud faced no consequences for berating a spectator — a clear violation of league policy. Being labeled a ‘threat’ will not intimidate me; I will continue standing up for women, fairness, and the principle that no player or organization is above its own rules."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Freedom has been relentless in taking on the WNBA and its policies, and it doesn’t appear that will stop anytime soon.

His 11-year NBA career ended after he began leveling criticism at the Chinese government. Kanter Freedom was one of the only NBA players to speak out against Chinese President Xi Jinping and the detention camps holding Uyghur Muslims. He also criticized the NBA for having a partnership with China while the atrocities were occurring.

His criticism of the country has continued since the conclusion of his NBA career in 2022.

Fox News' Ryan Gaydos and Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

Baltimore mayor backs ballot measure creating taxpayer-funded 'Baby Fund' for newborn families

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:05:12 -0400

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is backing a ballot measure to establish a municipal fund that could provide direct cash payments, subsidies, or supplies to parents of newborns.

Recently, Scott and the campaign behind the Baltimore Baby Fund (BBF) issued a joint statement outlining their collaboration to build public support for the measure ahead of the election.

"Mayor Scott and the Baltimore Baby Fund campaign look forward to working together in the months ahead to earn voters’ support and, if the initiative passes, outline a program that gives Baltimore’s babies and families the strongest possible start," the BBF campaign posted on Instagram.

ALBUQUERQUE USES WEED TAX TO FUND 'NO-STRINGS-ATTACHED' GUARANTEED INCOME, SPARKING POLICY DEBATE

The announcement comes after organizers submitted more than the 10,000 signatures required to qualify for the ballot. The initiative officially secured a spot on the November ballot following structural revisions. Voters will decide whether to amend the city charter to establish a dedicated, permanent line item in the municipal budget for the fund.

If approved, the measure would require the city to allocate 3 cents per $100 of assessed property value into the fund. The City Council would retain authority over the specific disbursement rules and eligibility criteria through future enabling legislation.

CHICAGO SUBURB EXPANDS CASH HANDOUTS AS RACE-BASED REPARATIONS PROGRAM FACES MAJOR LEGAL BATTLE

"Mayor Scott has always been supportive of the policy ideas driving the Baltimore Baby Fund campaign, and, now with the necessary adjustments made in the 2026 version, is eager to move it forward," the BBF statement read.

The proposed fund is modeled after Rx Kids, a high-profile cash assistance program for prenatal and infant care launched in Flint, Michigan. Co-founded by pediatrician Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and University of Michigan professor Luke Shaefer following the Flint water crisis, Rx Kids has expanded to dozens of communities across Michigan, providing eligible expectant mothers with $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 per month for six to 12 months after a child's birth, depending on location.

MICHIGAN LAWMAKER MOVES TO SHUT DOWN 'GUARDRAIL-FREE' CASH HANDOUT PROGRAM FOR NEW MOTHERS

The initiative aligns with broader efforts by Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, a coalition of over 150 U.S. mayors advocating for direct cash distributions to address cost-of-living concerns. The coalition has supported more than 100 pilot programs across the country since 2018, including a program in Cook County, Illinois, which subsequently approved local funding to make its guaranteed income initiative permanent.

Scott, National Co-Chair of Mayors for Guaranteed Income, previously oversaw a localized direct-cash pilot in Baltimore. Operating from August 2022 to July 2024, the Baltimore Young Families Success Fund provided unconditional payments to low-income parents and guardians aged 18 to 24 earning at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.

"During the meeting, Mayor Scott, National Co-Chair of Mayors for Guaranteed Income, shared that he views the fund as a natural evolution of his Administration’s guaranteed income pilot, which provided cash assistance to young parents. Participants in the pilot missed less work, were less likely to be food insecure, and had less stress," the BBF statement noted.

It continued, "They used the money to continue their educations, pay down debt, save for emergencies, and invest in their children. Mayor Scott has always been supportive of the policy ideas driving the Baltimore Baby Fund campaign, and, now with the necessary adjustments made in the 2026 version, is eager to move it forward."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Neither the Scott administration nor representatives for the BBF campaign responded to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.

Dak Prescott emerges as NFL MVP dark horse as Cowboys rebuild both sides of the ball for 2026

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:46:40 -0400

When a franchise carries the immense expectations of "America’s Team," back-to-back years without playoff runs can ignite immediate urgency across the entire organization. Few teams in the NFL have operated under as intense a microscope over the last few seasons as the Dallas Cowboys. With head coach Brian Schottenheimer entering his second year steering the ship, new defensive coordinator Christian Parker taking over, and Dak Prescott under center, Dallas is aiming to prove that last season’s sub-.500 stumble was a fluke and that their explosive roster can climb back into the NFC elite.

Last Year

The Cowboys experienced a bizarre, roller-coaster 2025 season, ultimately finishing 7-9-1 and failing to qualify for the postseason. At their best, the offense was a sheer powerhouse—Dak Prescott threw for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns, ranking among the league's top passing leaders while feeding a dominant receiving corps. At their worst, the defense was somewhere between non-existent and awful. Dallas allowed a staggering 511 points (30.1 points per game), which finished dead last in the entire NFL. The disconnect between a top-10 scoring offense and the league’s worst defense led to a slew of shootout losses and cost defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus his job after just one season.

QUINNEN WILLIAMS AGREES TO $105.9M CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH COWBOYS, LOCKING HIM IN THROUGH 2030 SEASON

Offseason additions and subtractions

Fixing the defensive disaster was the top priority from January through August. Dallas cleaned house on the defensive coaching staff, hiring 34-year-old defensive backs coach Christian Parker from Philadelphia as their new coordinator. To overhaul the roster, Jerry Jones and the front office prioritized bolstering the defense through both free agency and the draft. They selected top safety and pass-rush talent in the early rounds of the 2026 draft and signed veteran edge rusher Von Miller alongside defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia and linebackers Chop Robinson and Kenneth Murray. They also re-signed star kicker Brandon Aubrey to a long-term deal and placed the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens to preserve a dynamic receiver tandem. On the subtraction side, Dallas parted ways with several depth pieces, including linebacker Logan Wilson (retired), safety Juanyeh Thomas, and edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

Roster

There is legitimate reason for optimism when looking at Dallas’ high-ceiling roster makeup. Offensively, the unit features one of the most explosive wide receiver duos in football, pairing CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. With Javonte Williams leading the backfield and a solid offensive line giving Prescott time in the pocket, Dallas has all the firepower needed to rank near the top of the league in total yardage and points once again.

PRIVATE MAN WITH A PUBLIC LIFE DAK PRESCOTT ADDRESSES BROKEN ENGAGEMENT PUBLICLY FOR THE FIRST TIME

The true wildcard is the defense. Under Christian Parker, the unit shifts toward a more aggressive, Vic Fangio-inspired scheme designed to eliminate big plays. With key draft additions filling secondary gaps alongside veteran pass rushers upfront, even a middle-of-the-pack defensive performance would drastically change Dallas' game-to-game outlook.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 2026 OUTLOOK: WHY BETTING ON THEM TO MISS THE PLAYOFFS HAS REAL VALUE

Betting Outlook

The books seem to think the Cowboys will be better as well, putting them at 9.5 wins for the year. I like the idea of the over on them and think that they will win the NFC East this season. I also think that Dak Prescott gets a bit more love, and I’ll take a shot on him to win the MVP this year. Things don’t always seem to go the way you’d want if you’re a Cowboys fan, but it does seem like this team finally has some balance on both sides of the ball. Their offensive line seems like it will be strong enough to give Prescott time to throw, and the defensive line should be improved. Give me the over 9.5 wins, the Cowboys to win the East, and Prescott for MVP.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

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

Can your smartphone detect gunfire? Chicago startup puts new technology to the test

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:39:22 -0400

A Chicago-based startup is testing a new approach to gunshot detection technology that transforms smartphones into acoustic sensors, potentially saving lives. The testing comes almost two years after the city ended its contract with SoundThinking.

SplitSec, which was founded in Chicago in 2025, has developed an app that is capable of detecting gunshots using the microphones that are already built into Android phones. The technology has the potential to eliminate the need to install fixed sensors, such as the ones used by SoundThinking.

"As I observed events around us, one of the things that was striking is any time there is a gunfire incident, people are unaware, and they stand there for several minutes not knowing what happened. And so the idea was how can we make people aware sooner?" SplitSec founder and CEO Sri Deivasigamani told Fox News Digital.

RACISM FEARS SPARK CITY TO NIX GUNSHOT DETECTION TECH DAYS AFTER CRAZED GUNMAN OPENED FIRE IN STREETS

"We centered our thinking on how can we bring in personal safety for people, and how can you make them be aware and share that awareness. And we're using technology to help us achieve that, something that we all carry in our own back pockets every day: smartphones," Deivasigamani added.

The two no-cost trials are taking place in Chicago's 21st and 42nd wards, according to Block Club Chicago, which reported that there are discussions about expanding testing to the 5th, 29th and 38th wards.

Deivasigamani told Fox News Digital that app users participating in the trials have given SplitSec useful feedback. He said that on some phones the company noticed a high degree of false positives due to sensitive microphones. Another issue that users noted was battery drainage, something SplitSec's engineers are working on, according to the founder and CEO.

"For some users, on July 27 and 28, the app actually detected gunshots and the user confirmed that they heard gunshots. So, it was an important moment for us," he said.

Even though SplitSec was not able to verify the gunshots, according to Deivasigamani, users confirmed that what the app picked up was in fact gunfire.

CHICAGO BLOODSHED LEAVES 3 DEAD, 15 SHOT DAYS AFTER MAYOR JOHNSON LAUNCHES NEW GUN VIOLENCE OFFICE

While the city previously used SoundThinking, which relied on fixed sensors across Chicago, SplitSec uses microphones and computing power already built into smartphones. Deivasigamani told Fox News Digital that advances in smartphone technology have made it possible for something like SplitSec to exist.

"We, you know, could not do this a few years ago, but these days, smartphones are AI-enabled. They have a lot of computing power. So, we designed and built an AI model that runs entirely on your phone," he said. "And just like your phone can wake up when you say, ‘Hey, Siri’, or ‘Hey, Google’, we have designed our app to wake up only on gunshot sounds."

Deivasigamani compared SplitSec to Waze, as it does not solely rely on what the phone detects, but also user confirmation, creating a community-powered network.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

Once the app detects the sound of a gunshot, it prompts the user to confirm whether there was in fact gunfire. If the user confirms the sound was a gunshot, SplitSec is then able to distribute the alert to people in a one-mile radius. Additionally, if two or more users confirm the same gunshots, the company is able to triangulate where the shooter is located, allowing them to help people run away from the danger.

"Many shootings have happened where people are actually running towards gunfire because they really quite honestly don't know where it's coming from," Deivasigamani told Fox News Digital.

Chicago is no stranger to gunshot detection technology. The city previously used SoundThinking, formerly known as ShotSpotter, which sparked political battles over its cost and effectiveness. In 2024, the city ended its contract with the company, which meant the Chicago Police Department (CPD) was no longer receiving gunshot alerts from the sensors across the city.

SplitSec is not currently working with CPD and its alerts are meant for users. However, Deivasigamani said that if the company were to work with CPD or Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), it could provide law enforcement the same map of anonymously reported gunfire that users see.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The use of residents' smartphones to detect gunfire has raised some concerns about privacy, including questions about whether SplitSec continuously monitors its users. Deivasigamani clarified that the audio analysis takes place entirely on the users' smartphones and audio clips are only sent to the company if a user reports a false positive. In that case, users are asked about sending the clip to SplitSec, and it is then used to train the model on different sounds to help improve its accuracy.

"We really believe such an app needs to earn people's trust and needs to be built in such a way that it protects privacy," he said.

Army vet lawmaker marks Abbey Gate anniversary with blistering message for Biden-Harris: 'Abject failure'

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:33:26 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Former Army aviator Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn., said he "vividly" remembers the moment five years ago when he heard the U.S. was withdrawing from Afghanistan with scant shreds of a plan in place.

"I remember my boss at the time in Tennessee state government asked me, like, 'Hey Matt, are you OK?' And, you know, I think the frank answer is no, I'm very upset about this," he told Fox News Digital in an interview. "And as I talked to my colleagues, some who were serving with me in government, others that were still active-duty Army and in the military, I think the feeling was generally the same, that we spent so much time and effort and to see that unfold the way that it did was just beyond frustrating."

To this day, Van Epps believes neither the Biden administration nor former President Joe Biden himself have been "adequately held responsible in the aftermath of just an absolutely chaotic withdrawal that did not have to happen."

It's part of what motivated him to introduce a resolution marking Wednesday's fifth anniversary of the tragic bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, which took the lives of 13 U.S. service members in addition to over 100 Afghanis near the Abbey Gate.

GOLD STAR FATHER SAYS PRIOR AFGHANISTAN REVIEW SMELLED 'LIKE A COVER-UP' AS NEW LOOK EXAMINES MILLIONS OF DOCS

"We've introduced this resolution, first and foremost, to remember that, coming up on five years ago, those 13 brave service members made the ultimate sacrifice at Abbey Gate," Van Epps said. "And then second to that is that the Biden-Harris administration absolutely failed to withdraw in Afghanistan, and it didn't have to be that way. And it's important for the American people to remember what the Biden-Harris administration did in that abject failure, withdrawing from Afghanistan."

AMERICA’S PROMISE TO OUR AFGHAN ALLIES IS STILL UNFINISHED FIVE YEARS LATER

Van Epps served 10 years of active duty that included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, spending part of that time as an air mission commander. He then served in the Tennessee Army National Guard.

And his ties to the withdrawal are personal, Van Epps said — two of his friends were on the ground in Kabul when the evacuation was taking place.

"I had two very close friends who were there as part of that evacuation. And they served honorably and heroically and did incredible work with the hand that they were dealt, they just should never have been put in that situation to begin with," he said.

The Biden administration faced bipartisan backlash for how it handled the withdrawal from Afghanistan amid the Taliban's lightning-fast takeover of the country.

TALIBAN WIPES OUT DECADES OF PROGRESS AS 2.4M AFGHAN GIRLS REMAIN LOCKED OUT OF SCHOOL, UN AGENCY SAYS

The majority of Democrats, however, have defended Biden. Many have said he was carrying out the work of President Donald Trump's agreement with the Taliban during his first administration in February 2020, which called for the U.S. to withdraw within 14 months.

DEMOCRATS CONDEMN DNC FOR POLITICIZING FALLEN SOLDIERS IN DELETED MEMORIAL DAY POST

Van Epps defended Trump's peace deal, arguing it cleared the way for a "very deliberate withdrawal from Afghanistan that had conditions that the Taliban and the Afghan government had to meet for us to withdraw our soldiers."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"And then the Biden team gets in, totally ignores the Doha agreement where they could have enforced those accountability measures on the Taliban, totally missed and ignored all of these warning signals as the Taliban was gaining ground across the country. They were more interested in optics than operations," he said.

SEE IT: LA Dem candidates torched by disgusted residents after ‘disgraceful’ debate: ‘Both bad’

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:30:26 -0400

Los Angeles’ Democratic mayoral candidates were torched by residents after a debate night in America’s second-most populous city that one voter described as "disgraceful."

Besides being home to Hollywood, Los Angeles is one of America’s most economically important cities. The city, however, has struggled with recent fires, rising living costs, homelessness and outmigration. Those problems have fueled a particularly contentious mayoral race this year, which included a surprisingly competitive but ultimately unsuccessful bid by Republican Spencer Pratt.

With Pratt out of the race, Democrats Karen Bass, the incumbent, and Nithya Raman, a democratic socialist city council member, are locked in a competitive and bitter runoff for Los Angeles mayor. During last week’s debate, Bass and Raman traded personal attacks and insults, leaving some voters frustrated over what solutions the candidates could offer.

After the debate, voter Stacey Segarra Bohlinger told Fox News Digital she believes Bass and Raman are "both bad" and said, "I wish they could both lose."

‘SEND HELP’: LA GOP LEADER ISSUES DESPERATE APPEAL AFTER DEM MAYOR’S CAMPAIGN VID SHOCKS VIEWERS

Bohlinger, who until July served as a committee member on the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, said that although she was initially "a huge champion" for Raman, "I don't see substantive differences between the two of them."

Bohlinger said Raman "reneged on a lot of the initial campaign promises she made" and also criticized the councilwoman’s approach to homelessness, which she described as "a very capitalist approach to what she thinks solving the issue of homelessness is."

Regarding criticism of Bass, Bohlinger said, "I also agree with a lot of what said about the city not being in a good place right now."

"She responded really terribly to the Palisades fires. She did not respond well to the Lineage fires," she said, concluding, "I don't have much good to say about either of them."

Asked about her top issue, Bohlinger said the Los Angeles government "has a long sort of history of immense corruption."

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION YANKS FUNDING FROM LA HOMELESS AGENCY AMID EXPLOSIVE FRAUD PROBE: 'NECESSARY STEP'

"If you look up, you know, recent Los Angeles officials who have conviction records for corruption, it's a really long list. So, I think along with the housing affordability issue [is] accessibility, transparency, more accountability, less corruption," she said, adding, "We have a lot of sort of political dynasties in the city, and I think that's a real fly in the ointment. I don't think much is going to change until the corruption is dealt with."

Meanwhile, Wayne Spindler, an Encino resident and regular City Hall critic, told Fox News Digital that "a lot of people… are upset."

"They don't like either one of them. And a lot of them are going to walk out of this [debate] and not vote," he said.

Based on the debate, Spindler predicted the election is "going to be close" because "there was not a lot of enthusiasm."

He said he will be voting for Raman, saying, "What I tell people is you got to go for one of the two."

"You can't write in Spencer [Pratt]. Spencer would have been the dream come true. That would have been amazing," he said.

Another debate attendee, Gregory Wright, a committee member on the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, told Fox News Digital, "For me, it's more important that Democrats win whatever part of the Democratic spectrum they're in."

"I am in favor of visionary ideas for the future," he said, adding, "I think socialism is the right direction for the entire world."

After the debate, Fox News Digital contacted the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, which co-hosted the event, for comment. Council President Howard Katchen clarified that "the comments by Stacey Segarra Bohlinger and Gregory Wright are their opinions as individuals and do not represent the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council."

Katchen reiterated that the two spoke as individuals and that their comments did not represent the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council. He called the debate a "success as determined by over 400 attendees, over 700 virtual viewers, NPR LAist live broadcast to what I was told over 500,000 listeners and covered by local, state, national and international media outlets." He also clarified that "Neighborhood Councils don’t endorse candidates for elected office."

Joey Tuccio, an animal rights advocate who previously supported Pratt publicly, told Fox News Digital he was outraged after the debate. Referring to his work helping animals and people on Skid Row, he said, "We are doing their job."

EXCLUSIVE: LA ICE DIRECTOR REVEALS OFFICERS FOLLOWED HOME, HARASSED AS POLICE FAIL TO HELP IN SANCTUARY CITY

"We've been catering Skid Row for years for free. We've got no support from the city. We have rescued over 150 animals. My rescue partner rescued a seven-year-old child that was being sex trafficked by his father. And Karen's office just said that they are avoiding us because we are ‘haters,’" he said. "I think that is one of the most disgusting things I've ever heard in my life, and it's disgraceful."

He said that, for now, "I'm going to be not supporting either of them."

Asked what he is looking for in a candidate, Tuccio said, "We want people that will enforce laws."

"Specifically on Skid Row, every day, every time we go, we see somebody overdosing, we see dogs that are abandoned, we see children without their parents, and we see good people living on the streets that are so scared," he said, adding, "It is lawless, and it's not getting better."

"People are being robbed there, people are being attacked, people are getting murdered," he continued. "There's people hanging themselves… people dying and rotting before anybody finds them. And from the animal side, there are animals that are left there for days and days starving to death. But then we get calls from caseworkers because they can't get the support of the city."

SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER

"So, we need people to actually take the reins of this and stop pretending that everything is rainbows and unicorns because it's not, and we have to have people that don't ignore the problems."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital contacted the Bass and Raman campaigns for comment.

Rutgers research dean accused of secretly recording 'upskirt' videos with cellphone, prosecutors say

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:09:42 -0400

A dean at Rutgers University in New Jersey is facing charges after investigators say he was illegally recording "up-skirt" videos while working at the school.

Joshua Kohut, 51, from Cranberry faces a charge of "fourth-degree invasion of privacy" after investigators say they discovered the incriminating videos on one of his electronic devices they seized with a warrant.

According to his online profiles for the university and LinkedIn, Kohut is a dean of research for the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

RUTGERS PULLS GRADUATION SPEAKER AFTER HIS ANTI-ISRAEL SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS ALLEGEDLY DREW STUDENT BACKLASH

He says he is "involved in many research and education programs," including storm intensity, offshore wind and studies of polar ecosystems in Antarctica, among others.

SCHOOL EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF SECRETLY FILMING 12 GIRLS IN CHANGING ROOM FACES NEW CHARGES

FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X

Kohut has a Ph.D. in physical oceanography from Rutgers and has decades of experience, according to his CV. He a professor of marine and coastal sciences, earned his Ph.D. in 2002 and has been a faculty member there since 2008.

SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS

"The defendant is alleged to have used his mobile phone to record ‘upskirt’ videos without his victim’s knowledge. An invasion of privacy like this is not just disturbing, it is also a criminal act. We will prosecute accordingly," Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said.

Read the full complaint below:

LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE

SEND US A TIP

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

If convicted, Kohut faces up to 18 months behind bars and a fine up to $10,000 for the alleged crimes.

TRUMP ADMIN TARGETS NATION'S SECOND-LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN INVESTIGATION OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT POLICIES

In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the university said, "The university placed Josh Kohut on administrative leave after being informed of the extremely disturbing charges. The research dean also is banned from campus pending the outcome of an investigation."

GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL

Fox News Digital has reached out to Kohut for comment.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Enes Kanter Freedom, deemed to have ‘the potential to be a threat,’ responds to Sky owner's comments

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 16:48:41 -0400

Chicago Sky team owner Michael Alter said Tuesday Enes Kanter Freedom is barred from Wintrust Arena after his altercation with Natasha Cloud on Sunday.

Alter made the comments in an address to beat writers.

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

"He has demonstrated to us, unequivocally, that he has the potential to be a threat," Alter said, via ESPN.

Sky officials explained to OutKick later Tuesday that Wintrust Arena security, NBA security and the Chicago police determined Freedom to be a threat. The determination came when Freedom opened his arms, pointed toward Cloud and stepped toward the court, according to the officials.

OutKick reached out to Chicago police for further clarification.

The incident occurred in the third quarter of the Sky’s loss to the Indiana Fever. Cloud scored a bucket that led to the Fever calling a timeout. She directed her emotion toward Freedom, who was sitting near the basket at the Wintrust Arena. Freedom stood up and walked toward Cloud. Sky players and security had to get in between the two.

Alter said that Freedom began "chirping" at Cloud in the third quarter.

"He began to chirp with her in the third quarter," Alter said, via Chicago State of Mind Sports. I would characterize it as trash talking, nothing personal. Basketball-related, but enough to get her attention, engage her, and in my opinion, to try to provoke her."

Freedom was then escorted out of the arena and was unable to return for the rest of the game.

The former NBA center responded to Alter’s comments in a statement to OutKick on Wednesday morning.

Freedom initially explained the situation to OutKick after Sunday's game.

Freedom was wearing a shirt that explained the definition of a woman. He said he believed the shirt contributed to Cloud’s outburst.

"I was cheering for my friend Sophie because when she shot that three, I put my hands in the air," Freedom said. "A couple possessions later, she came back and said, ‘She’s not gonna sleep with you.’ And I was shocked. I was like, ‘Listen, I’m not trying to sleep with her. I think she’s awesome. She’s a good friend.’ But I think it has a lot to do with my shirt.

"I was obviously wearing a shirt explaining what a woman is, and I think that had a lot to do with what she thinks about women. I think it triggered her a lot."

Cloud didn’t speak at the Sky’s postgame media availability. She fired off a message on Threads in support of the transgender community.

"To every trans kid/person, You are apart of MY community & tribe. You belong. You’re loved. You’re seen. You’re perfect as you are. & you will always be protected by me," Cloud wrote.

Cloud’s message appeared to be a swipe at Freedom, who announced his intentions to compete in the WNBA as players and coaches have spoken out about trans athletes in women and girls’ sports. Freedom was wearing a T-shirt with the definition of a woman on it.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

Freedom attended his first WNBA game after saying he wanted to join the WNBA. As he entered the arena Sunday afternoon, he was berated by a mob of angry WNBA fans.

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

He has since maintained he will pursue entering the WNBA Draft.

Fox News' Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

Fun fact: Dolly Parton wrote most of 'Coat of Many Colors' on a dry-cleaning receipt

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

Scroll through the slideshow and be amazed