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Dozens of House Democrats reject bill fusing congressional stock ban with federal voter ID

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:53:25 -0400

A vote on legislation to curb lawmakers' ability to profit from the stock market as well as implementing federal voter ID measures divided House Democrats on Wednesday afternoon.

The two measures were combined in a single legislative package after months of debate in the House of Representatives on both issues. While unrelated, both voter ID and banning congressional stock trading have received overwhelming support in multiple public polls.

Despite bipartisan negotiations, particularly on banning members of Congress from trading stocks, a significant number of Democrats still opposed the final package — though it passed.

EX-HOUSE DEM WHO RIPPED CONGRESSIONAL STOCK TRADING BAN AS 'BULLS---' CHANGES HER TUNE IN COMEBACK BID

Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, one of the key supporters of banning lawmakers from the stock market, argued the two issues "go hand in hand."

"One, the overwhelming majority of Americans want this. Two, it's something that we can get passed this week that gets it into the president's hands before the August return-to-district [period]," Nunn told Fox News Digital.

He said of Democrats' criticism, "Only in Washington can you have two wins for 90% of Americans, and Democrats will say that's one win too many."

TRUMP INTERVENES AS HOUSE GOP REVOLT PUTS SAVE AMERICA ACT AT CENTER OF SPENDING SHOWDOWN

Meanwhile, Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla., told Fox News Digital of the stock trading ban specifically, "The American people deserve to know their elected officials are serving the public, not their own financial interests. Members of Congress should be held to the highest standards of transparency and accountability, and this legislation is an important step toward restoring trust in Congress."

Not all Republicans are on board, however. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., accused his fellow GOP lawmakers of trying to dissuade Democrats from supporting the bill by attaching the voter ID requirement.

"We are voting on a stock trading ban for members of Congress… BUT Republicans added voter-ID in the legislation. Not to get Dems to vote for voter-ID, but to get them to vote against the stock trading ban, so they can use it in the Nov. election," Massie wrote on X. "If we really wanted to ban stock trading for members of Congress, we would offer stand alone legislation and could get a large bipartisan majority, and the bill would have a chance of passing on the Senate."

SEN MARK WARNER CALLED OUT IN ABC INTERVIEW FOR INACCURATE VOTER ID CLAIMS

An August 2025 poll from the Pew Research Center showed that 83% of U.S. respondents favored "requiring all voters to show government-issued photo identification to vote."

But Democrats have argued this week that the voter ID portion goes too far, and the stock trading ban portion does not go far enough.

"I've said repeatedly, House Democrats strongly support a stock trading ban for members of Congress. We also support a ban on the president, the vice president and federal judicial officers from trading individual stock as well. But none of that is before us today," Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y., the top Democrat on the committee charged with elections oversight, said during debate on the bill Monday.

"Rather, this bill is a crude combination of two completely unrelated bills, the so-called Stop Insider Trading Act and the Voter ID Act, the latter of which is already a crude reformulation of at least three other failed Republican voter suppression proposals."

Democrats are criticizing the voter ID portion for its requirement of identification extending to mail-in voting, which they have argued is a route to suppress Americans' ability to cast ballots that way.

Left-wing lawmakers have attacked the stock trading bill because it does not require members of Congress to sell their existing stocks but rather bans them from buying more stock in the future.

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Lawmakers must also go through a public disclosure process before selling that existing stock.

While it extends the ban on buying new stocks to lawmakers and their families, it effectively allows them to retain a blind trust. Democrats have also complained that it does not extend to the executive branch, namely, President Donald Trump and his family.

Chaos erupts as House passes $1.15T defense bill with Israel provision: 'Stop stoking Jew hatred'

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:48:31 -0400

The House passed its $1.15 trillion annual defense policy bill Wednesday after a bipartisan revolt over a provision expanding U.S.-Israel defense technology cooperation.

The fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act passed 216-212, with Republicans largely supporting and Democrats mostly opposing the measure.

The annual bill, which sets Pentagon policy and typically draws broad bipartisan support, received only six Democratic votes as much of the caucus objected to Section 219 and Republican-backed amendments restricting transgender care and easing access to personal firearms on military bases.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS FRACTURE BADLY OVER MASSIE AMENDMENT TO CUT $3.3B IN U.S. AID TO ISRAEL

Opposition came from a coalition of progressive Democrats and Republican skeptics of U.S. support for Israel, who accused congressional leaders of shielding the provision from scrutiny after lawmakers were denied a separate vote to remove it.

The fight erupted as support for Israel has weakened among House Democrats and some "America First" Republicans amid the war in Gaza and the widening conflict with Iran. Just one week earlier, 103 Democrats joined Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., in voting to block $3.3 billion in U.S. aid to Israel.

For opponents, Section 219 would move the relationship in the opposite direction by embedding U.S.-Israel cooperation more deeply inside the Pentagon’s weapons-development and acquisition system. The provision would direct the defense secretary to designate a Pentagon "executive agent" to coordinate and accelerate bilateral defense research, testing and industrial cooperation.

Critics argued that structure would make the relationship harder for future administrations or Congresses to unwind and could shift parts of the partnership away from highly visible aid votes into less visible technology, procurement and production arrangements. Supporters said it would coordinate longstanding programs and give the United States faster access to Israeli defense technology.

THE US-ISRAEL STRATEGIC ALLIANCE – PARTNERSHIP, NOT CHARITY

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., urged lawmakers to reject the entire defense bill, arguing that the provision would "merge parts of our military with the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces.

"This amendment is an existential threat to American sovereignty and democracy," Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X prior to the vote, referring to Section 219. "Every member of Congress must vote NO."

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., shot back on X: "Good grief, you are either obtuse or intentionally lying. We are not merging our military with the IDF. As we do with many of our allies, we enter into cooperative agreements, share intelligence, develop technology and ammunitions, and conduct military exercises together. Stop stoking Jew hatred and do better."

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., similarly opposed both the rule governing debate and the final bill after Republican leaders denied a floor vote on his bipartisan amendment to strike the provision.

"We should not merge our military tech and supply chain with Israel’s," Massie said on X.

Beyond creating the executive agent, Section 219 would direct the Pentagon to identify jointly developed or Israeli-origin technologies that could be used in U.S. weapons programs and promote joint ventures, licensing agreements and U.S.-based production partnerships with Israeli companies.

Before final passage, the House adopted two amendments from Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla. One removed four uses of the word "integration," while the other extended annual reports to Congress for as long as the executive agent remains in place. The original reporting requirement would have ended in 2030.

The amendments left the initiative’s central structure and cooperative programs intact, falling short of opponents’ demand that Section 219 be removed entirely.

SEN JOHN FETTERMAN PLEDGES TO BE 'LAST MAN STANDING' IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL

Massie’s amendment was backed by Democratic Reps. Ro Khanna of California, Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, Jesús "Chuy" García of Illinois and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.

Section 219 would not combine the countries’ command structures, place U.S. troops under Israeli authority or give Israel control over U.S. military operations. The United States and Israel also already cooperate extensively on defense technology, including the Iron Dome, Arrow and David’s Sling missile-defense systems, counter-drone technology and anti-tunnel capabilities.

The provision’s principal change would be to place a designated Pentagon executive agent in charge of coordinating and expanding those efforts across the Defense Department.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said the provision would improve oversight and efficiency by assigning responsibility for existing initiatives to a single official.

"In no way does it give away command and control of our military operations, personnel or equipment," Rogers said last month.

Critics argued that the executive-agent structure would give U.S.-Israel projects a privileged path through the Pentagon and further entrench Israeli technology and companies in the American defense supply chain.

The fight threatened the broad coalition traditionally needed to pass the NDAA, one of the few major bills Congress has routinely approved with bipartisan support. Democratic opposition was also fueled by Republican amendments restricting gender-affirming medical care for troops and military dependents and transgender participation in sports at Defense Department schools.

The House voted 219-208 Tuesday to prohibit Tricare from covering certain gender-transition procedures and treatments, with five Democrats supporting the amendment and one Republican opposing it.

Lawmakers separately voted 221-203 to prohibit transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports at Defense Department schools.

The House rejected a separate attempt by Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., to codify President Donald Trump’s executive order barring transgender troops from serving in the military. That amendment failed 212-217 after four Republicans joined every Democrat in opposition.

Lawmakers also narrowly approved an amendment making it easier for qualified service members and civilian Defense Department employees to receive permission to carry personal firearms on military installations. The measure passed 215-214.

An amendment that would have largely prohibited Ukraine security assistance failed, though 76 Republicans supported it. The proposal would have preserved funding only for security at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv.

The underlying NDAA would authorize roughly $1.15 trillion for national defense, including pay raises ranging from 5% to 7% for service members, expanded weapons and munitions production and new investments in missile defense, autonomous systems, hypersonics and other emerging technologies.

The bill would also formally change the Department of Defense’s name to the Department of War, deeming references to the defense secretary and department in federal law to mean the secretary and Department of War.

The NDAA sets defense policy and authorizes spending levels but does not provide the money itself. Congress must separately pass defense appropriations legislation to fund the programs and priorities included in the measure.

Consideration of the legislation had been delayed for three weeks by a separate Republican fight over the SAVE America Act, Trump-backed election legislation requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote and identification to cast a ballot in federal elections.

The House approved the election measure in February, but it stalled in the Senate, where Republicans lacked the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.

Republican leaders revived the legislation through a procedure directing the House clerk to combine it with the NDAA after passage but before sending the package to the Senate. That approach allowed the House to vote on the defense and election measures separately before transmitting them as one bill.

The plan initially collapsed June 30 when 13 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the procedural rule. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., and other holdouts later relented after Speaker Mike Johnson promised to attach the election legislation to appropriations bills and other must-pass measures.

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The combined defense and election package faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where Democrats blocked consideration of their chamber’s NDAA last week in protest of the Trump administration’s war with Iran.

The debate also comes as the Pentagon seeks additional money to cover the conflict and replenish U.S. weapons stockpiles. The White House has requested an $87.6 billion supplemental package, including $67.1 billion for defense needs, while House Republicans are considering additional military and intelligence funding through a party-line reconciliation package.

AOC surges past Buttigieg, leaves Harris in the dust in key 2028 battleground poll

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:47:05 -0400

Progressive firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has surged to the front of the prospective 2028 Democratic presidential field in New Hampshire, edging Pete Buttigieg and leaving Kamala Harris far behind in a new poll.

Ocasio-Cortez drew 22% support among likely Democratic primary voters in the University of New Hampshire Granite State Poll released Wednesday, one point ahead of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and 17 points ahead of former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Ocasio-Cortez gained seven points since the February survey, while Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom lost ground — another sign of the New York lawmaker’s growing strength among Democratic voters in the early presidential battleground.

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Ocasio-Cortez has been coy about her 2028 plans and careful not to rule out either a White House run in the race to succeed term-limited President Donald Trump, or a bid for the Senate against longtime Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, who is up for re-election in two years. When asked about a run for higher office, Ocasio-Cortez recently said her goal is to "change the country."

Buttigieg, a moderate who as the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, came in second in the 2020 New Hampshire presidential primary, has crisscrossed the country in support of fellow Democrats the past year as speculation builds around a possible 2028 run.

"Nearly half of socialists and one-third of progressives support Ocasio-Cortez, while pluralities of liberals and moderates support Buttigieg," Andrew Smith, the director of the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, said.

KAMALA HARRIS' TRAVELS AND COMMENTS CLEARLY POINT TO A 2028 RUN

Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, a retired astronaut, stood in third place in the poll, at 9%, with term-limited Newsom a point back. Newsom's support dropped seven points since the February survey.

Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the 2016 and 2020 runner-up in the Democratic presidential primaries, stood at 6%. The 84-year-old Sanders, asked about another White House run, said last month, "I suspect that's not going to happen." He jokingly added, "I know I look like I'm 30. I am not."

Meanwhile, Harris, the party's 2024 nominee after she replaced then-President Joe Biden, who dropped out less than four months before the election following a disastrous debate against Trump, grabbed only 5% support in the new poll, down from 10% in February.

While the former vice president's numbers in the new New Hampshire survey are nothing to brag about, she tops an average of the latest national polls in the hypothetical race for the 2028 Democratic nomination. Surveys in the early stages of a presidential cycle are often heavily influenced by the name recognition of the potential candidates.

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Everyone else in the large field of potential contenders tested in the new New Hampshire poll registered at 2% or less.

New Hampshire held the first-in-the-nation presidential primary for a century, before Democrats upended their nominating calendar in the 2024 cycle, moving South Carolina to the lead-off position. The Democratic National Committee's (DNC) Rules and Bylaws panel is likely on Friday to unveil a new calendar for the 2028 cycle, which would be voted on at the DNC's summer meeting in Austin, Texas, next month.

Republicans have not altered their calendar, keeping the Iowa caucuses as their lead-off state, followed by New Hampshire.

In the race for the GOP presidential nomination, 36% of likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire said they would support Vice President JD Vance, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 26%.

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Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who ran for the nomination in 2016 and is mulling another bid, stood at 8% in the survey, along with former ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who was the runner-up to Trump in 2024.

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who also bid for the nomination in 2024, grabbed 6% support, with everyone else tested at 4% or less.

France records more than 5,700 excess deaths during historic early summer heat wave

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:30:45 -0400

France has recorded more than 5,700 excess deaths during its historic summer heat wave, marking the country's deadliest heat-related toll in more than two decades, Public Health France announced Wednesday.

Between June 17 and July 2, the agency expected 15,910 deaths but instead recorded 21,674. The difference — 5,764 excess deaths — was 36% higher than what would have been expected.

During the heat wave, temperatures climbed well above 104 degrees Fahrenheit in many parts of the country, Public Health France said.

"This unprecedented event, characterized by its early onset, intensity and duration, exposed almost the entire population to extreme heat during a period that was still largely dedicated to school and work activities," the agency said.

EUROPE'S FIRES REVEAL DEADLY MIX OF RECORD HEAT, HUMAN ERROR, ARSON AND LAND MISMANAGEMENT

Deaths from all causes increased across hospitals, private homes and nursing homes during the heat wave.

The agency's analysis included people ages 15 and older, with mortality increasing beginning at age 45. Adults 75 and older accounted for roughly two-thirds of the provisional death toll, representing at least 3,719 excess deaths.

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The Paris region was hit hardest, recording 1,999 excess deaths, more than 80% above what would have been expected without the heat wave, according to the agency.

Public Health France said 2026 recorded the country's highest excess mortality linked to a heat wave since 2003. The National Institute of Health and Medical Research estimated that roughly 15,000 more people died compared to the usual mortality for that time of year.

PARIS DEPUTY MAYOR BLAMES UNITED STATES' CARBON EMISSIONS FOR DEADLY HEAT WAVE

This year, the hottest days occurred on June 24 and June 25, when the national average temperature reached 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Peak temperatures also climbed above 104 degrees in many areas.

More than half of the excess deaths — about 56% — occurred during or immediately after the most intense stretch of the heat wave between June 25 and June 27.

Officials also said more than 10,000 excess deaths were reported across Europe during the peak of the heat wave, though the preliminary figures are expected to be updated in the coming weeks.

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According to The Associated Press, funeral directors in Paris said they were inundated by the surge in bodies awaiting burial or cremation, with some mortuaries reaching capacity and turning down new arrivals.

Health officials noted that the excess mortality estimate includes deaths from all causes that occurred during the heat wave. The figures remain provisional and will continue to be refined in the coming weeks.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Pete Golding drops unfiltered truth on 'Ex' Lane Kiffin, and NCAA tampering: 'What have we created?'

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:35:45 -0400

TAMPA, FL - Pete Golding took the stage on Wednesday at SEC Media Days and was clearly prepared to give his opinion about the current state of college football, along with the obvious questions about Lane Kiffin.

If you know the Ole Miss head coach, none of this should come as a surprise, given his lack of filter regarding life, or just about anything else.

Florida coach brings laughs, no filter and Lane Kiffin comparison rebuttal to first SEC media days

Obviously, one of the main questions some in the room were prepared to quiz Golding on was his relationship with former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. But unless you've been sleeping under a rock for the past few months, his feelings toward his former boss are pretty well known.

Yes, they are still friends, but that doesn’t mean they agree on everything, which would include Kiffin's exit for LSU. And yes, they still communicate on what is seemingly a daily basis, though Golding does go a few days without responding to Kiffin if he's in the mood to mess with him just a bit.

But, the story regarding the Ole Miss versus LSU showdown in Oxford this coming season is more geared towards the players and fans of each school. For the coaches, sure they'd thoroughly enjoy beating each other on the field, but it's not as if either of them came out in a rough spot following the chaos last December.

LANE KIFFIN CAN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT OLE MISS, EVEN WHILE EXPLAINING WHY HE CHOSE LSU OVER FLORIDA

"I get this everywhere we go...Lane and I are good," Golding mentioned. "I did not know coach Kiffin prior to taking the Ole Miss job. I think everybody just assumes Alabama, Alabama (assistant roles) when coach Kiffin was (there). I didn’t come to Ole Miss because of Kiffin, I came to Ole Miss to raise three kids. Our relationship grew over those three years.

"I'm very appreciative of how he treated me and my family, and learned a lot from him. I have no ill-will towards Coach Kiffin. He texts me on a regular basis, and there are certain things we'll talk about, and certain things we don't talk about. He's very competitive like I'm very competitive.."

Things worked out for everyone, including real estate deal for Golding

While there is still a lot of obvious frustration between the Ole Miss athletic department and Lane Kiffin, things seemed to work out just fine for Pete Golding.

Sure, I'd imagine he did not want to be thrust into the spotlight that late in the 2025 season, right before the playoff was set to begin. But, Pete Golding was also hellbent on staying in Oxford, no matter if it was him being given the keys to Ole Miss, or staying on as an assistant coach.

Heck, Golding actually ended up buying one of Lane Kiffin's houses in the Oxford area over the past six months.

"There's always going to be history, it's the ex, right?," Golding joked about Kiffin.

On Wednesday, as the questions continued to be asked about the relationship between Kiffin and Golding, the Rebels coach had a different mindset on how some of the issues played out to end the 2025 regular season.

"I tell a lot of people this. I probably shouldn’t, but I don't care: In 2021, if you said you can look in 2025 and you're about to be 11-1 and go to the playoff. Would you take it if you're coach was leaving? Hell yea, you would. Everybody won from it, it's ok. Every place is not for everybody.

"I'd be the first one to tell you I told him it would be dumb if he were to leave, I wanted him to stay. That was a selfish decision because I love being the DC where I was at. He decided it was better for him and his family. We play him like every other SEC team. We're gonna spot the ball and play."

Pete Golding is sick of discussing tampering issue with Clemson

When Dabo Swinney decided to go scorched-earth on Ole Miss for alleged tampering with LB Luke Fornelli, this opened up a can of worms that the Rebels head coach has now taken an interesting approach with.

Pete Golding makes it known he has tampering receipts, while also admitting Kiffin texts him way too much

Officials in Oxford have made it known to the NCAA that they are prepared to turn in other programs for tampering if the organization decides to impose penalties on Ole Miss for talking with Luke Fornelli while he was technically a part of the Clemson football team (for a week).

In terms of how Pete Golding feels, the Rebels coach had a pretty sensical answer when asked for his thoughts on tampering.

"You're a reporter right? Would you quit your job before interviewing for another job or being offered another job?," Golding asked rhetorically. "Right, nobody would. We have a portal you can go in with a 'Do Not Contact' tag. I'm gonna quit my job, where I'm getting paid and I'm gonna go in saying I need a new job, which nobody can call me to interview.

"Like, what have we created? So, we've created it along with representation for these players that it's their responsibility to get them paid well. By design, it's put a lot of people in bad positions."

While I don't think many people will argue with Pete Golding about the illogical things that the NCAA has created, I find it hard to imagine Dabo Swinney is going to agree.

But, in terms of acting as though colleges are acting above-board when it comes to recruiting, the Ole Miss head coach saved the most reasonable context of his rant for the end of his answer.

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"Let's not act like recruiting in college football for the past 100 years is the most moral thing. What are we talking about?"

He's not wrong. Let's see how much the NCAA agrees.

Hasan Piker draws fresh scrutiny after framing newspaper covering 9/11 attacks in stream background

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:30:42 -0400

Controversial streamer Hasan Piker is facing renewed scrutiny over a recent addition to his visual background during his streams. Viewers noticed what appeared to be a framed copy of the front page of a newspaper with an image of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the Twin Towers in New York City.

The earliest livestream reviewed by Fox News Digital showing the newspaper in the background was broadcast on July 13. The front page appears to be The New York Times' Sept. 12, 2001, edition, which was headlined, "U.S. Attacked: Hijacked Jets Destroy Twin Towers and Hit Pentagon in Day of Terror." The X account DSA Watch on Tuesday posted a clip of Piker's stream, where he discussed the newspaper front page framed on the wall behind him.

"You might have noticed something, some changes behind me. I finally framed the cutie Cinderella newspaper from 9/11, the morning of 9/12… the newspaper that covered 9/11. It's now officially sitting behind me," he told viewers earlier this month.

Piker was widely criticized after saying that "America deserved 9/11" during a stream in 2019. After facing immense backlash, Piker said in an interview that he "obviously" did not mean that America deserved the attacks and accused critics of disregarding "the actual truth of what I was talking about," explaining the viral quote as a critique of U.S. foreign policy.

ABDUL EL-SAYED SAYS RALLYING WITH HASAN PIKER DOESN'T MEAN HE ENDORSES 'AMERICA DESERVED 9/11' REMARK

"I should have used more precise and better use of language there," Piker said in the interview. "It's messed up that I would give the opportunity to the right to try to morally grandstand on an issue like this when they are 100% responsible for all the bloodshed that has been caused."

He later admitted in the interview that his comments on 9/11 were "inappropriate."

The renewed attention comes as Piker's influence spreads beyond his hours-long streams.

Piker was featured as a speaker at the College Democrats of America's (CDA) convention, held in Washington, D.C., from July 17 through July 19. Other speakers included Leaders We Deserve founder David Hogg, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, as well as Democratic lawmakers and political influencers, according to CDA's Instagram posts. However, none drew as much scrutiny as Piker.

The streamer was mocked for wearing what many described as a Mao Zedong-esque jacket while going off on "Democrats who compromise, who conciliate, and who betray us."

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

WISCONSIN DEMOCRAT DOWNPLAYS APPEARING ON HASAN PIKER'S SHOW, DOESN'T 'ENDORSE' EVERYTHING HE SAYS

One of the co-sponsors for the event, J Street U, the campus arm of left-leaning J Street, which aims to be the "political home and voice for pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans," faced backlash for its affiliation. Jeremy Ben Ami, the organization's founder, pushed back on the criticism in a post on X.

"J Street U was proud to sponsor and participate in the College Democrats Convention. We had no role in the selection of speakers, including the decision to have Hasan Piker as a surprise guest, with whom we have many disagreements," Ben Ami told Fox News Digital.

"Being in venues like this is even more important when there are participants with whom we disagree. Failing to show up would have been an abdication of our responsibility to make the case for our pro-Israel views," he added.

Ben Ami did not clarify where J Street's views diverge from Piker's nor where they align.

DSA Watch was one of the groups that criticized Piker's CDA convention speech, and the Twitch streamer hit back.

While addressing the criticisms of his speech in a stream, Piker made several claims about DSA Watch, including saying that it was "a right-wing operation" and "most likely a hasbara operation as well," meaning an Israeli operation. DSA Watch denied the claims and said Piker's "source" was related to "a failed dox attempt."

The CDA Jewish Caucus also objected to Piker's inclusion in the convention, calling him "antisemitic and misogynistic."

"The normalization of Piker and his rhetoric in CDA-sanctioned programming is a direct threat to Jewish safety and inclusion within the College Democrats community. Applying a double standard to the safety and representation of Jewish students is a manifestation of antisemitism and is inconsistent with our shared Democratic values of inclusion, respect for diverse communities, and concern for the safety and belonging of all members," a statement from the caucus read.

FAR-LEFT STREAMER HASAN PIKER DEFENDS HIMSELF FROM ANTISEMITISM ACCUSATIONS IN INTERVIEW WITH JEWISH OUTLET

Following the release of the CDA Jewish Caucus' statement, the Anti-Defamation League weighed in, expressing its disappointment that CDA chose to have Piker at its convention.

"It's deeply concerning to see the next generation of political leaders help normalize antisemitism rather than reject it," the ADL wrote on X.

The CDA convention speech and the framed Sept. 12, 2001, newspaper have added new layers to the ongoing debate over Piker's inclusion in Democratic political circles.

Some Democrats, including Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, State Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, D-N.Y., and activist Darializa Avila Chevalier, have campaigned with Piker. The campaign appearances sparked debates among Democrats over whether embracing Piker would help them reach younger voters or if he was worth the heat given his rhetoric.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Piker and CDA for comment.

Trump-appointed judge torpedoes DOJ lawsuit against Minnesota's sanctuary immigration rules

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:25:48 -0400

A Trump-appointed judge dealt the Trump administration a major setback Monday, tossing out its lawsuit against Minnesota's sanctuary immigration policies and ruling the state cannot be compelled to assist federal immigration enforcement.

The battle centered on whether the Trump administration can use the Supremacy Clause to knock down Minnesota's sanctuary laws, which include policies that bar local officials from holding immigrants solely on ICE detainers, restrict participation in federal immigration enforcement and limit the sharing of driver's license and immigration-related data with ICE.

The Justice Department argued Minnesota's restrictions illegally hinder ICE, but Chief U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud rejected that argument, ruling states have the constitutional authority to decide how their own officials participate in immigration enforcement.

In a 56-page opinion, Tostrud dismissed every claim brought by the Justice Department against Minnesota, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Hennepin County, concluding the challenged laws regulate only state and local officials, not the federal government.

DOJ ESCALATES BLUE-STATE ICE STANDOFF AFTER STATES REFUSE KEY FEDERAL REQUEST

"They do not command the federal government or its contractors to act. They do not forbid the federal government or its contractors from acting. They do not control how the federal government or its contractors undertake their work," Tostrud wrote. "Rather, they regulate how state and local officials perform their duties."

The ruling marks a significant setback for the administration's broader effort to block sanctuary policies across the country by arguing they unlawfully interfere with federal immigration enforcement.

But Eric Wessan, an attorney in the Iowa Solicitor General's Office, said he believed Tostrud's ruling conflicts with an earlier Eighth Circuit decision that he says gives the federal government stronger grounds to challenge state laws that interfere with federal immigration enforcement.

"States across the country have passed laws making state immigration crimes. The Eighth Circuit (which includes Minnesota) found one of those laws obstructed federal immigration enforcement, and so it was preempted," Wessan told Fox News Digital. "Judge Tostrud cited that opinion to explain that preemption is narrow. I think that his opinion is hard to square with the binding precedent."

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The Justice Department argued Minnesota's laws and local ordinances conflict with federal immigration statutes by restricting local officers from honoring ICE detainers, limiting information sharing with federal authorities and preventing local officials from participating in immigration enforcement.

But Tostrud concluded that accepting the administration's claim would create a constitutional problem under the Tenth Amendment's anti-commandeering doctrine.

The judge emphasized that while Congress possesses broad authority over immigration, it cannot compel states to use their own personnel and resources to carry out federal regulatory programs.

"The framers explicitly chose a Constitution that confers upon Congress the power to regulate individuals, not States," the opinion states, adding that the federal government "may not command the States' officers...to administer or enforce a federal regulatory program."

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Wessan agreed that states generally cannot be required to assist the federal government but argued the harder legal question is whether states can prohibit voluntary cooperation.

"States are not required to help the federal government enforce federal immigration law," he said. "Whether States can ban cooperation when certain actors (states or municipalities want to) is a harder question, and probably depends on the specific state and state laws."

Tostrud also rejected one of the administration's central arguments — that Minnesota's refusal to cooperate with ICE amounts to obstruction of federal immigration enforcement.

"Trefusing to help is not the same as impeding," Tostrud wrote.

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Wessan argued the debate over that distinction distracts from the larger immigration crisis.

"The country is facing an immigration crisis," he said. "Rather than figuring out the fine line between impeding and refusing to help, Minnesota should appreciate the federal government's willingness to help with the illegal immigration crisis—and the waste, fraud, and abuse that accompanies it."

Minnesota leaders have defended the state's sanctuary-style policies, arguing they encourage immigrants in the country illegally to cooperate with local law enforcement by assuring them that reporting crimes or serving as witnesses will not automatically expose them to immigration enforcement.

The legal dispute also follows months of heightened immigration enforcement in Minnesota, where the Trump administration launched Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale ICE initiative that drew national attention, sparked protests and significantly increased the federal law enforcement presence across the state.

The operation intensified after two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were shot and killed by federal agents just weeks apart in January. Their deaths heightened scrutiny of Minnesota's immigration policies and prompted President Donald Trump to remove then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from overseeing the operation, with border czar Tom Homan taking over the effort.

After taking over, Homan repeatedly argued that large-scale ICE operations would become less necessary if state and local officials cooperated with federal immigration authorities. Homan said that his "main focus now is drawdown," but stressed that reducing the federal presence would require greater cooperation from Minnesota officials.

"Cooperation with local authorities, especially jails and prisons, will give federal agents better access to people in the United States illegally. This would then lead to fewer federal law enforcement [agents] on Minnesota streets," Homan said.

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Monday's ruling comes as the Trump administration continues to pursue similar lawsuits challenging sanctuary policies in several other states.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and the Justice Department for comment.

Christian Pulisic recovers from his World Cup injury by hanging out with Megan Moroney in Nashville

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:25:26 -0400

Christian Pulisic and the USMNT were bounced from the World Cup in the Round of 16 by Belgium back on July 6. He left what ended up being a 4-1 loss early with an apparent ankle injury.

What can be gathered from his recent sightings is that he's enjoying the time off he was looking forward to when asked about the injury after the loss. The soccer world didn’t appreciate him taking himself out early.

Pulisic doesn't seem to be too concerned about that. He's moving on from the World Cup. He's got country music concerts to attend and at least one country music star to hang out with in Nashville.

LANDON DONOVAN JOINS CHRISTIAN PULISIC CRITICISM FOLLOWING USA'S WORLD CUP EXIT WITH HARSH OBSERVATION

In other words, the injury is doing much better now. Thanks for asking.

Last week, Christian took his cousin to a Megan Moroney concert in Florida. On Monday night, he was spotted hanging out in Nashville with the singer at Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row on Broadway.

Naturally, a wounded soccer star catching up on his rest and a big-name country music star being spotted out together has people talking and speculating about the nature of their relationship.

LA GALAXY COACH GREG VANNEY SAYS TEAM USA WAS 'TOO NAIVE,' EXPLAINS CHRISTIAN PULISIC'S STRUGGLES

Are these two friends? Or is there something more going on here? Is she helping to nurse him back to full strength through the power of song and companionship?

The answers to those questions are currently unknown. Here's what is known. Pulisic and Moroney follow each other on Instagram, which is always a fun game to play.

They've also been seen together a couple of times now on social media and Pulisic is having a better summer than a lot of people are.

Good for him.

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This relationship, if that's what it is, will do much more for the sport of soccer in the U.S. than him playing injured in a loss that at that point was going to happen whether he was on the field or not.

The overlooked way the Iran war is making groceries, Amazon packages and new homes more expensive

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:22:59 -0400

The fuel most Americans never think about could become the Iran conflict's biggest economic consequence, driving up the cost of transporting nearly everything Americans buy. Diesel powers the nation's trucks, farms and freight network, making it one of the economy's most important, yet overlooked, drivers of inflation.

Unlike gasoline, which primarily affects motorists filling up their tanks, diesel is the workhorse fuel behind the nation's supply chain. From the tractors harvesting crops and the trucks hauling groceries to supermarket shelves to the heavy equipment building new homes and the Amazon package landing on your doorstep, chances are diesel helped move it there.

As diesel prices climb, businesses face higher transportation costs that economists say often ripple through the economy, raising the price of everyday essentials from groceries and consumer goods to construction materials and adding new pressure to already strained household budgets.

'KEEP A LOW PROFILE': STATE DEPARTMENT WARNS AMERICANS OVERSEAS THEY COULD BE TARGETED

Those economic ripple effects could extend into the political arena.

With both parties expected to make affordability a centerpiece of their 2026 midterm campaigns, a prolonged rise in diesel prices could make it harder to persuade voters that the cost of living is moving in the right direction.

The latest surge in diesel prices underscores how geopolitical conflicts can reach American households in unexpected ways.

While drivers may notice higher gasoline prices first as driving budgets are affected, economists say diesel often has a broader and longer-lasting impact because it influences the cost of moving goods and affects nearly every product that arrives at a store. Economists say the fuel deserves closer attention during oil shocks because it serves as the backbone of the nation's freight network, making diesel a key barometer of whether geopolitical turmoil will remain confined to energy markets or spread throughout the broader economy.

Diesel prices, which averaged $3.56 a gallon in January 2025, have climbed to $5.13 after a sharp run-up following the Iran conflict, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

A fully loaded semitruck typically gets just 6 to 7 miles per gallon of diesel, according Department of Energy data. Filling its roughly 250-gallon tanks can cost more than $1,280 at today's prices. For fleets logging more than 100,000 miles a year, even modest increases in diesel prices can add thousands of dollars in annual operating costs.

"We all focus on gasoline because, ultimately, we're consumers and pump prices are very visible. But what we don't think about is the price of diesel, which is the workhorse fuel for the U.S. economy and especially for key sectors," Bernard Yaros, lead U.S. economist for Oxford Economics, told Fox News Digital.

Yaros said the recent rise in diesel prices is especially concerning because of its potential impact on food inflation. Diesel fuels nearly every stage of the agricultural supply chain, from farm equipment to the trucks that deliver groceries, meaning higher fuel costs can eventually work their way onto supermarket shelves.

"From an inflationary perspective, I'm very concerned about the recent rise in diesel prices as it pertains to the cost of food or grocery store prices," Yaros said.

"Take the food industry, for instance. Diesel powers the irrigation pumps, the tractors in the field and the trucks that bring food from the farm to your local grocery store. It's part of every layer of food production in the U.S."

BBQ LOVERS BEWARE: MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT MIGHT DISRUPT YOUR SUMMER PLANS THIS YEAR

An energy industry source, who requested anonymity due to not being authorized to speak publicly, said diesel has become one of the clearest examples of how geopolitical shocks can ripple through global energy markets.

"The great majority of the price movement that you've seen in diesel markets over the last five months has been the direct result of the conflict in Iran and specifically the closure of the Strait of Hormuz," the source told Fox News Digital.

Few places matter more to global energy markets than the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Roughly 20 million barrels of oil pass through the strait each day, along with about one-fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas. The waterway is also a critical export route for refined fuels such as diesel, gasoline and jet fuel, meaning even limited disruptions can tighten global supplies, jolt energy markets and push fuel costs higher around the world.

WHY THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ MATTERS AS TRUMP ISSUES FRESH ULTIMATUM TO IRAN

Even if tensions in the Middle East ease, analysts say diesel prices may not quickly return to pre-conflict levels.

"Refineries don't process crude instantaneously," the industry source said. "A lot of times what you're filling up your car with today was refined a week and a half ago and was produced two months before that."

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Because crude must be transported, refined and distributed before it reaches consumers, higher diesel costs can continue rippling through the economy even after oil markets begin to stabilize. The result is that today's diesel spike could linger long after the headlines about the Middle East fade, quietly making its way through supply chains and, eventually, onto grocery store shelves.

Gold medal-winning Team USA hockey players will be making an appearance on 'Celebrity Family Feud'

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:13:56 -0400

The year 2026 is just about halfway over, but it is already one of the greatest on record for USA Hockey.

This year, the Americans swept the gold medals at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, with the men's team, the women's team, and the Paralympic team all taking the top step of the podium in their respective tournaments.

And that's good enough for one of the highest honors our nation has to offer: an appearance on "Celebrity Family Feud."

Oh, man. The hallowed hall that Richard Dawson, Louie Anderson, Richard Karn, John O'Hurley, and Steve Harvey built.

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The episode will air on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, and will feature Team USA men — comprised of NHLers Dylan Larkin and Connor Hellebuyck, along with Paralympians Griffin LaMarre, Jack Wallace, and Declan Farmer — against Team USA women, with captain Hilary Knight, Hannah Bilka, Cayla Barnes, Laila Edwards, and Caroline Harvey representing the team.

I'm all in on this. I admittedly haven't watched "Family Feud" — celebrity or civilian edition — in quite some time, but it's an institution. I'd go so far as to say it's one of our nation's great game shows. Up there with "The Price Is Right," "Hollywood Squares," and that one Steph Curry came up with that was basically just people playing minigolf on the same obstacle course from the show "Wipeout."

STANLEY CUP FINAL RATINGS SHOW OLYMPIC HOCKEY FEVER IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THE UNITED STATES

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Hell, I might tune in just to watch Steve Harvey wrestle with the name "Connor Hellebuyck." That alone sounds like gold, Jerry.

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It's also a great opportunity to get some Team USA faces back on TV as the entire USA Hockey program from top to bottom has never been stronger.

The next World Cup of Hockey isn't until 2028, and the next Olympics aren't until 2030. So whatever can keep American puck — and hockey in general — in the bloodstream as it continues this heater it's been on since the 4 Nations Face-Off is always going to be a great idea.

Dem gov lashes out as Trump HUD scrutinizes nearly $2B in disaster funds over fraud concerns

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:11:58 -0400

Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. slammed the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) after the agency suspended procurements involving the territory's housing finance authority over concerns about fraud and abuse tied to nearly $2 billion in disaster-recovery aid.

Bryan, a Democrat, said HUD’s suspension came as a "shock" and called HUD's letter "unprofessional." He claimed the U.S. Virgin Islands' disaster-recovery issues have been "sensationalized" and that the suspension is an "overreach."

"When I go to Washington, I don't go and visit [HUD or FEMA] anymore because we don't have any problems," Bryan claimed when pressed by local media at a public briefing in Charlotte Amalie.

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At one point, Bryan suggested HUD’s announcement could be a "political stunt" timed with Tuesday's start of early voting in the territory’s contested gubernatorial election. Bryan is term-limited.

"[W]hy does the press have it and why does Fox News in particular have it and why are we only hearing about this now?" Bryan fumed – as Fox News Digital exclusively broke the news Tuesday.

"We'll be appealing [HUD’s suspension] and then get into the bottom of what exactly is generating this kind of harsh motives in the Virgin Islands."

TRUMP ADMIN PAUSING OVER $1B IN MEDICAID PAYMENTS TO MINNESOTA, CALIFORNIA OVER FRAUD, COMPLIANCE CONCERNS

Fox News Digital reached out to HUD for comment.

When Bryan said an audit cited in HUD's suspension notice had ended some time ago, a reporter noted a separate HUD report found the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority's risk management practices remained "below the lowest desired level" as recently as March 2025.

The reporter asked Bryan whether it was fair to say the territorial government had been "blindsided" by HUD's letter and subsequent news reports.

VANCE TURNS UP HEAT ON STATES WITH FEDERAL CASH THREAT OVER MEDICAID FRAUD CRACKDOWN

"Absolutely," Bryan replied. "[E]ven if it was up to 2025 it covers a period where they have already addressed it in fact the $6.2 million in-question cost was addressed years ago."

Bryan said he "perused" the letter from Andrew Hughes, a deputy to HUD Secretary Scott Turner, and argued the territory has made significant progress on several recovery projects, including one at Magen's Bay, a world-famous calm-water beach on St. Thomas.

He suggested some of the issues with recovery projects in the U.S. Virgin Islands have to do with costs, saying one public housing unit can expend $1 million – "which is crazy."

"We’ve had to send out bids multiple times because the costs are not aligning with what the national standards are," he said.

In a separate statement, Bryan said many of the matters described in HUD’s letter "reflect issues that have been known for some time."

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"According to the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority, significant corrective actions have already been undertaken in the years since many of those findings were first identified."

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"It is important that this process be handled in a manner that protects the people of the Virgin Islands and does not unnecessarily disrupt critical housing and disaster-recovery programs," he said.

Bryan said at his press conference that his administration previously addressed "weaknesses" at VIHFA earlier in his administration.

"We have done a lot of work in order to make sure that the HFA had the capacity – if you can remember the first three years of the administration, we talked about capacity planning... which has slowed the recovery considerably from their view."

HUD's suspension comes as Turner plays a leading role on the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, as the Trump administration continues its wide-scale effort across agencies to curb abuse of taxpayer funds.

Fox News Digital reached out to Bryan’s office for additional comment.

First lady Melania Trump files motion for sanctions against Michael Wolff over tossed lawsuit

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:00:34 -0400

First lady Melania Trump filed a motion for sanctions on Tuesday against journalist Michael Wolff.

Wolff unsuccessfully sued Melania Trump to keep her from suing him for $1 billion for alleged defamatory statements he made about her involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. Earlier this year, a federal judge tossed Wolff’s lawsuit against the first lady, calling it a "contorted" effort and "not how the federal courts work."

Melania Trump is now seeking costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in these proceedings, along with other appropriate relief, saying Wolff’s lawsuit was "a fundraising drive and a political spectacle."

Trump’s lawyer, Alejandro Brito, feels sanctions are warranted for at least three independent reasons. Brito accused Wolff of manufacturing a jurisdictional dispute in an attempt to keep the case in New York state court, using litigation for improper purposes and making a "frivolous" claim.

"Plaintiff and his counsel asserted a legally frivolous claim, propped it up with factual contentions that lacked any evidentiary support, and used them to run a political and commercial campaign. They should pay for Mrs. Trump’s fees and expenses incurred for the process they abused," the first lady’s legal team claims.

The first lady’s legal team said Wolff wrongly claimed she was heavily involved in the Epstein scandal. Her team sent a pre-action notice under Florida’s anti-defamation law identifying defamatory statements and demanding a retraction and apology. According to the court filing, Wolff never answered the demand letter, instead filing the unsuccessful lawsuit against Melania Trump.

JUDGE TOSSES MICHAEL WOLFF'S LAWSUIT AGAINST MELANIA TRUMP, CALLS IT 'CONTORTED' AND NOT HOW 'COURTS WORK'

"Plaintiff filed a patently meritless lawsuit and used it to harass Mrs. Trump in public. The requested sanctions do not depend on a ruling that Plaintiff’s statements were defamatory. They rest on the unsupported and mischaracterized federal submissions, the use of those papers for improper purposes, counsel’s multiplication of the federal proceedings, and the Court’s findings that the action itself was abusively presented as textbook bad-faith forum-shopping. Those independent grounds support sanctions against Plaintiff and his counsel," the first lady’s legal team argued.

Wolff, a controversial author known in media circles for his divisive reporting ethics, has written four bestsellers about the president: "Fire and Fury," "Siege," "Landslide" and "All or Nothing."

The first lady has denied any association with Epstein, who died behind bars in 2019 while awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges. His death was reported as a suicide.

DAILY BEAST APOLOGIZES TO MELANIA TRUMP OVER RETRACTED EPSTEIN ALLEGATIONS ARTICLE

The Daily Beast retracted an article last summer called "Melania Trump ‘Very Involved’ in Epstein Scandal: Author," that was based on an interview with Wolff, after the outlet received a letter from Brito.

Wolff did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Fox News Digital’s Brie Stimson contributed to this report.

Vulnerable Democrats flip on women's sports vote after opposing similar bills as midterms loom

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:53:21 -0400

Several vulnerable House Democrats are breaking with their party on men competing in women’s sports as Republicans continue to hammer the issue ahead of November's midterm elections.

Reps. Shomari Figures and Terri Sewell, D-Ala., joined Republicans in voting for an amendment to the annual defense policy bill Tuesday that would bar biological males from participating in women’s sports in Department of War-run schools.

The vote marked a notable shift for both Alabama Democrats, who opposed similar legislation as recently as last year, and comes as Republicans’ redistricting efforts have scrambled their re-election prospects.

Figures now represents one of the GOP's top pickup opportunities after Alabama's newly drawn congressional map added more GOP voters to his district, dramatically increasing the difficulty of his re-election bid. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), House Republicans' campaign arm, added the freshman lawmaker to its target list last week.

BLOCKBUSTER SUPREME COURT VOTING RIGHTS RULING IGNITES REDISTRICTING WAR ACROSS SOUTHERN STATES

Sewell’s Black-majority seat anchored around Birmingham remained largely unchanged, though she also bucked Democratic leadership on the amendment.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and 202 other Democrats voted against the measure. All Republicans present voted in support.

Both lawmakers voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act in 2025, which barred federally funded schools from allowing biological males to participate in girls' and women’s sports.

The reversal comes as transgender issues continue to divide Democrats, with public polling showing broad opposition to transgender athletes competing in women's sports.

A New York Times/Ipsos poll conducted in 2025 found that nearly 80% of Americans opposed biological males competing in women's sports. Roughly seven in 10 Democrats or Democrat-leaning respondents agreed, according to the survey.

DEMOCRATS STAY QUIET ON NEXT STEPS AFTER SUPREME COURT TRANSGENDER SPORTS RULING

Republicans sharply criticized the Alabama Democrats' votes, arguing the move reflected political necessity rather than a genuine change in position.

"Out of touch Democrats Shomari Figures and Terri Sewell are desperately trying to hide their far-left views now that it's politically expedient, but it's too little too late," NRCC spokesman Reilly Richardson told Fox News Digital.

"Alabamians know Figures and Sewell support Democrats' radical agenda of allowing men to compete in women's sports and will hold them accountable at the ballot box in November," he continued.

Figures, however, argued his views on transgender participation in women's sports have been consistent and pointed to a 2025 amendment vote restricting transgender athletes that he supported in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"As I have said before, I do not believe that men should be allowed to participate in women’s sports," Figures said. "I voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act because that bill would have created an open season for pedophiles to conduct sex checks of young girls, with no safeguards."

Proponents of the measure disputed during floor debate that the legislation would put girls at risk.

Fox News Digital reached out to Sewell for comment.

Reps. Don Davis, D-N.C., and Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, also voted with Republicans in favor of the Mace amendment.

The three Democrats, who are all vulnerable to GOP challengers, frequently cross party lines to support Republican-authored bills, though Davis voted "present" on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who sponsored the amendment, argued the measure was intended to protect women’s sports.

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"Men are not women. Men will never become women. Yet male athletes are stealing medals, invading locker rooms, and putting girls in the hospital, all in the name of gender ideology," Mace said Tuesday. "Our NDAA amendment would end this nonsense."

'The View' co-host whines Smithsonian hearings are about Trump administration not wanting to pay reparations

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:49:55 -0400

"The View" co-host Sunny Hostin claimed Wednesday that the congressional hearings on the Smithsonian institution were about the Trump administration not wanting to award reparations to the descendants of slaves.

Smithsonian National Museum of American History Director Dr. Anthea Hartig faced questions on Capitol Hill Tuesday after a White House report published earlier this month found that the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History has become a taxpayer-backed institution of "ideological capture" and "extreme political activism."

"The real reason behind this is about financial repair to the descendents of the enslaved Africans," Hostin said as co-host Whoopi Goldberg pushed her to clarify what she meant.

"Reparations," Hostin said. "I think this reflects a broad effort by the Trump administration to reshape the way the nation’s history is told, so this country does not have to pay Black people for the forced labor and the unpaid labor that built this country. I really think that this is what this is about.

NEW YORK FAR-LEFT GROUP CLAIMS REPARATIONS 'OWED' AS BLACKS' MEDIAN WEALTH 'NEARLY 15 TIMES LESS' THAN WHITES

"Even after 250 years, there’s so much repair that needs to be done when it comes to aggrieved groups in this country, but especially African Americans," Hostin said.

"Let’s face it, when you have truth and reconciliation commissions, and you've had them when it comes to interned Japanese Americans. You've had them when it comes to the Holocaust. You’ve had them when it comes to Native Americans," she continued. "It has not happened — truth and reconciliation commissions — when it comes to slavery. And that is because they’re trying to bury the truth part. You cannot have true reconciliation, and then you cannot have true financial repair unless you have the truth. And they’re trying to erase that truth."

Hostin noted that the United Nations General Assembly voted to declare the transatlantic slave trade to be "the gravest crime against humanity" in March 2026. The U.S., Argentina and Israel voted against the resolution, and 123 countries voted in favor. Fifty-two countries abstained from the vote.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TOUTS MORE THAN $1B IN UN BUDGET CUTS AS REFORM PUSH GAINS MOMENTUM

The co-host of "The View" quoted Ambassador Dan Negrea, U.S. representative to the U.N. Economic and Social Council, as saying the U.S. "does not recognize a legal right to reparations for historical wrongs that were not illegal under international law at the time they occurred" prior to the vote.

"And, so, what this is about is money," Hostin said. "This is not about anything else. It’s about this country trying to avoid paying African Americans our due."

Hostin appeared on the PBS documentary show "Finding Your Roots" in 2024 and was stunned at the time to find out her ancestor was a slaveholder. Henry Louis Gates Jr., the host of the show, revealed one of Hostin's ancestors on her maternal side was likely involved in the slave trade in colonial Spain.

Her third great-grandfather also "owned at least one human being," he said.

Hostin, whose mother is Puerto Rican and father is Black, confessed the revelation left her "in shock."

'THE VIEW' CO-HOST SUNNY HOSTIN DOUBLES DOWN ON AMERICAN FLAGS MAKING HER FEEL 'UNSAFE'

"Wow, I’m a little bit in shock. I just always thought of myself as half Puerto Rican. I didn’t think my family was originally from Spain and slaveholders," she said.

Hostin shared that her husband Manny's family is also from Spain, so they have that in common.

"I think it’s actually pretty interesting that my husband and I have shared roots, so I do appreciate that. And I think it’s great for our children to know this information. I guess it’s a fact of life that this is how some people made their living, on the backs of others," she continued.

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Hostin also recently faced backlash over saying she felt unsafe in neighborhoods with American flags.

Illegal immigrant top Dem fought to free turns up on voter rolls: 'mockery of our immigration laws'

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:40:27 -0400

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal is facing scrutiny after new records showed an illegal immigrant whose release from ICE custody he championed was registered to vote in Connecticut.

"Cecunjanin has made a mockery of our immigration laws on several occasions for more than two decades," a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Fox News Digital of the illegal immigrant on Wednesday.

Records obtained through a public-records request by the West Hartford Republican Town Committee show Seyo Cecunjanin was registered to vote through the Connecticut DMV in 2018. The committee posted the records on X.

A DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital the Biden administration released the Montenegrin national back into the United States after he returned from Serbia in 2024—even though he had been under a final deportation order since 1997.

EXCLUSIVE: DHS SEEKS CUSTODY OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER TRUMP DEPORTATION, BIDEN RELEASE

Cecunjanin first entered the U.S. illegally in 1997 using a fraudulent Dutch passport and was issued a final order of removal later that year. Despite that order remaining in effect for more than 25 years, he departed for Serbia in July 2024, returned about two weeks later, and was released back into the U.S. under the Biden administration before his June 20 arrest.

Blumenthal and other Connecticut Democratic officials pushed for Cecunjanin's release last month, holding a press conference and later touting his release, crediting their letters and public advocacy.

"His courage and faith are a lesson to all of us on this 250th national birthday. I look forward to welcoming him home. ICE seizing and detaining him was cruel and unconscionable. He was never a flight risk, or a danger to anyone," Blumenthal said in a July 3 statement celebrating the restaurant owner's release.

"I’ll support his efforts to gain permanent legal status and more. Welcome home, Seyo," he added.

Cindy Wolfe Boynton, communications director for the Connecticut secretary of the state’s office, told Fox News Digital that Cecunjanin never voted.

"Our records show that he registered to vote through the DMV in 2018. He was marked as an inactive voter in January 2023 after failing to respond to a routine National Change-of-Address canvass asking him to confirm his name and address," said Boynton. "An inactive voter remains on the voter rolls but cannot vote until they confirm or update their registration information, as required by state and federal law."

NEW JERSEY REMOVES 6,600 PEOPLE FROM VOTER ROLLS WHO WERE ELIGIBLE TO CAST A BALLOT FOR 2024 ELECTION

Critics quickly took to X to highlight the revelation, renewing scrutiny over Democrats' handling of election security.

"It happened again," Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn. wrote on X.

"HOLY CRAP The illegal alien who Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal and other Democrat officials rallied to support after he was detained by ICE… IS REGISTERED TO VOTE IN CT despite not being a citizen!" popular conservative X account Libs of TikTok posted.

"WHOA: Illegal Alien That Democrats Defended from Deportation Is Registered Voter. Senator Blumenthal and Connecticut Democrats tried to protect him," posted conservative commentator Benny Johnson.

SEN MARK WARNER CALLED OUT IN ABC INTERVIEW FOR INACCURATE VOTER ID CLAIMS

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Fox News Digital reached out to the West Hartford Republican Town Committee and Blumenthal's office for comment.

Miami Heat post, then unlist YouTube livestream for "LeBron Introductory Press Conference"

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:37:32 -0400

Welcome back to "As The LeBron Turns."

That's right, folks! Though he may try to deny that he doesn't want the attention to be about him and his latest decision in free agency, LeBron James sure has been the focal point of several stories regarding his future.

In fairness to King James, a lot of that press has been a result of how teams and media members have handled his pending move, but I digress.

Speaking of which, the Miami Heat may have accidentally tipped their hand regarding LeBron's landing spot, and it happened on YouTube of all places.

It appears someone on Miami's social media team dropped the ball, posting then immediately unlisting a scheduled livestream on the team's official YouTube account for July 27.

The title of that livestream? "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference."

GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO ERA TO END IN MILWAUKEE AS BUCKS WILL SEND TWO-TIME MVP TO MIAMI HEAT FOR YOUNG CORE

Well, well, well. I don't think it takes a genius to crack that code.

To their credit, a Heat spokesperson told ESPN's Shams Charania that the link was only posted to prepare for a "possible" LeBron James signing.

Sure, Jan. Sure.

BOBBY PORTIS JR REVEALS THE SURPRISING REASON BEHIND HIS NEW MIAMI HEAT JERSEY NUMBER

So, now the whole world likely knows where LeBron will be taking his talents this fall, and they might even know the exact date he's set to make his decision.

While we wait and see if the prophecy becomes a reality, let's check in on Miami's director of YouTube strategy.

Brutal.

Look, I know whoever the previous YouTube strategist was may have just spoiled the biggest free agent signing of the offseason, but getting fired (allegedly) feels a little harsh.

In actuality, clicking the link provided shows that the job was listed on July 1, long before the livestream snafu, so the conspiracy theories will have to be put on the backburner for the time being.

However, if the livestream link was created just as a precaution for a "possible" LeBron signing, then why did the Heat pull it down so quickly?

I think we all know what that means.

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If that's the case, then South Florida will be home to both Lionel Messi and LeBron James, which is an insane amount of star power for one city.

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Sorry, Dolphins fans, but you'll have to make due with Malik Willis and TuTu Atwell.

Tough luck, but you'll always have 1972.

Olivia Dunne fires back at MLB team over obnoxious comment, NFL WAG Gia Duddy sizzles & ESPN's bloodbath

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:37:29 -0400

Penultimate Hump Day of July AND we have NFL teams reporting for training camp today? How lucky are we?

It's all coming together, folks. I can smell it. We're grinding right now, but it's close to paying off. August begins next week. This Saturday marks the five-week countdown to our first college football game of the year.

Five weeks. I've got cartons of milk in the fridge older than that. Who has it better than us, boys and girls? Nobody.

Let's roll.

Welcome to a Hump Day Nightcaps — the one where Olivia Dunne tells the Cleveland Indians (yep) to kick rocks while Paul Skenes stuffs them in a locker.

What else? I've got plenty of fallout from ESPN's ... rough ... week, Gia Duddy checks in, and Charlie Woods is sounding more and more like his daddy on the course.

That's a good thing, by the way. Always a good thing to be like Tiger on the course. Not so much off of it.

Grab you a brick wall to run through after you hear this speech from John Harbaugh, and settle in for a Hump Day 'Cap!

Olivia Dunne stands by her man

Lordy, John. What was that? To be fair, Harbaugh hasn't really had to do an introductory speech in two decades, so he's understandably rusty.

But goodness ... give me something. Anything. Let's get these fellas fired up, coach! Football is back. That's the worst thing I had to sit through today, and I had an hour Zoom call on "content creation."

Oh well. Harbaugh and the Giants will be a story all year. Can't wait to see that team on the field.

But first, let's head out to the diamond with Olivia Dunne and the Pittsburgh Pirates, and get this call started.

For those who weren't locked in on this week's thrilling Pirates-Guardians game, Paul Skenes dominated over 7 innings, giving up one run and striking out 8 in a 7-1 win.

Some poor intern who runs Cleveland's account jumped the gun when the game was tied 1-1, calling out Livvy with a slick little caption.

Our girl made sure to fire back:

This Pat McAfee narrative is silly

"Game was Dunne at 7-1 Pirates."

Don't come at MLB's First Lady and miss, Indians! Paul Skenes, by the way, appears to have his swagger back. After a rocky start to the summer, he's given up just five runs over his last three starts (3-0) and stuck out 19.

The "Paul Skenes has lost his stuff" narrative appears to have been greatly exaggerated. Weird how those things happen, right?

Speaking of narratives ... let's talk about this Pat McAfee nonsense that's starting to percolate in the wake of ESPN's summer housecleaning.

For those who missed it (don't know how that's possible if you read OutKick/Fox News), the World Wide (Woke) Leader laid off (fired) dozens of employees yesterday.

Ryan Clark was let go during NFL Live. Cam Newton was canned. Tom Pelissero was cut. It was a gutting.

Pat McAfee, meanwhile, is reportedly earning close to $30 million and in talks to double that salary pretty soon.

JJ Watt joined the "progrum" yesterday and ... addressed the elephant in the room:

Charlie, Karl & Gia, oh my!

"Slow, slow news day over there on the ESPN airwaves, huh?" Watt said to begin the interview. "I mean, besides the fact that you’re getting $100 million… Did they keep anybody? Or is everybody fired to pay you? I’m trying to figure that out."

This narrative that ESPN fired all these guys to pay McAfee is so stupid. The narrative that Pat McAfee's salary is ultimately what got Ryan Clark fired is even dumber.

Here's the bottom line: ESPN views Pat McAfee as an asset. The network has put him everywhere since the two partnered up a few years back. Everywhere. Not just football, either.

He was just at the Home Run Derby last week! An event, by the way, that wasn't on ESPN for the first time in three decades.

Pat McAfee didn't cost Ryan Clark his job. Ryan Clark lost his job because he brought nothing to the table for ESPN, beyond an (increasingly) occasional headache because he said something stupid.

ESPN chose to cut ties with a liability, and put more money into an asset. That's not a new or novel concept.

It's how businesses have been run for years.

OK, let's rapid-fire this Hump Day class into a big Hump Day night. First up? You know who ESPN absolutely should NOT have fired?

Karl Ravech.

Remember the old days at ESPN? The glory days of baseball when they had Ravech, Peter Gammons and Harold Reynolds on set? Mix in some John Kruk and Steve Phillips, and boy, was it an absolute party.

Now? ESPN doesn't care about baseball. They've decided to put all their eggs in the NBA basket, and continue to distance themselves from baseball. The firing of Karl Ravech — who'd been there for 33 (!!!) years — was disgusting.

But not surprising.

Next? You know what else is disgusting? This little moment from Charlie Woods' round earlier this week:

Taking a picture during someone's backswing — a kid's backswing — during a golf tournament is just the worst. God, these people are insufferable.

Personally, I think every golf course in America should adopt Augusta's no cellphone policy. I'm serious. It's, easily, the best rule in sports.

PS: How about the absolute disgust out from Charlie after that iron off the tee? Reminds me of this great Tiger moment from back in the day:

Man, I miss the Big Cat on the course. We had it so good.

OK, that's it for today. Good work, everyone. In honor of NFL camps officially opening today, here's infamous NFL Draft WAG Gia Duddy begging summer to stick around just a few weeks longer.

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See you tomorrow.

Is McAfee to blame for Ryan Clark's firing? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com.

Expert-recommended shoes to help with plantar fasciitis, starting at $75

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:22:37 -0400

Plantar fasciitis is a pain to deal with — quite literally. It develops when the band of tissue that supports your foot's arch becomes irritated or overstressed, often causing persistent heel pain, according to Dr. Timothy Oldani, DPM, FACFAS, a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. To help you stay comfortable, we've rounded up expert-recommended shoes at a range of price points from brands like HOKA, New Balance and Brooks, so you can find the right fit for your feet.

HOKA Bondi 9: $165.34

Ideal for daily use, the HOKA Bondi 9 sneakers provide extra cushioning for long periods on your feet. "The HOKA Bondi is the perfect shoe for everyday wear and longer periods of standing, as they do offer increased cushioning compared to the running models, with the tradeoff of less heel drop," says Dr. Andrew Brown, a podiatrist with Foot and Ankle Specialists of West Michigan. The Bondi 9 comes in both men's and women's sizes.

New Balance 990v6: $199.99

New Balance makes its 990v6 sneakers right here in the U.S., with pigskin leather and synthetic materials that stand up to daily use. "This shoe is constructed with a lightweight foam and midsole cushioning which aids in shock absorption. [It] is supportive and has more of a traditional running shoe look than the ultra-cushioned Hoka," says Dr. Anne Sharkey, a board-certified podiatrist based in Austin, Texas, and owner of Solely Podiatry.

Orthofeet Kita Hands-Free: $119.99 (7% off)

Original price: $129

Slip into these Orthofeet shoe without bending down. "This shoe comes with an orthotic insole that has anatomical arch support which helps to evenly distribute weight and support proper foot alignment," Sharkey notes. Their versatile design makes them suitable for work, the gym or running errands.

ASICS Gel-Excite 11: $74.95

If you're on a budget, the ASICS Gel-Excite 11 sneakers come in at less than $100. With options for both men's and women's sizes, these expert-recommended shoes use mesh and a thick insole to keep you comfortable. "They're a great neutral shoe with cushioning…for shock absorption," Sharkey says.

On Cloudnova 2: $170

On Cloudnova 2 shoes have a unique design that blends comfort with a modern silhouette. As Sharkey explains, "this is a great lifestyle shoe. [It] can be a great choice for anyone that suffers from tight Achilles tendon/calf muscles and plantar fasciitis, as the 14mm heel-to-toe drop helps to accommodate for limited ankle joint range of motion."

Stoke slip-on sneakers: $79.96

If you need another affordable option, Stoke sneakers come in a huge range of colors and wide sizes, all for just $80. Dr. Graham Reid, DPM, AACFAS, and Foot & Ankle Specialists of Ohio fellow, specifically recommends these shoes for plantar fasciitis. "Stoke Shoes are designed around many of the features I recommend for patients with heel pain. Their supportive arch geometry, stable platform, cushioned midsole and overall focus on proper foot alignment help reduce the mechanical stress placed on the plantar fascia during walking."

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

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24: $109.95 (21% off)

Original price: $139.95

Foot specialists frequently recommend the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 — currently at a 30-day low on Amazon. "This is a great choice for those who need a bit more stability. It offers good cushioning, and the GuideRails support system helps limit excess motion that can put stress on the plantar fascia, making it a solid option for walking, running or all-day wear," says Dr. Gregory Alvarez, DPM, FACFAS, at Ankle & Foot Centers of America.

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

EXCLUSIVE: Hawley to introduce bill blocking lavish USPS executive bonuses over mail delays, losses

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:24:55 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is proposing legislation that would withhold bonuses for U.S. Postal Service executives, citing years of staggering financial losses for the agency and its overall on-time delivery record.

Hawley, who has launched an investigation into the Postal Service over its service record, will name the legislation the No Bonuses for Bad Service Act, Fox News Digital has learned.

The bill would prohibit the USPS Board of Governors from approving any additional compensation for the postmaster general and deputy postmaster general for a fiscal year in which the agency doesn't meet or exceed an on-time delivery rate of 95% for all mail products.

"While Missourians don’t receive their mail on time, the Postmaster General receives a hefty bonus each year," Hawley wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital. "I am introducing the No Bonuses for Bad Service Act to ensure postal service leadership isn’t receiving bonuses while Americans’ mail goes undelivered. It’s time for the Postmaster General to do his job and put Americans first."

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Over the past ten years, postmasters general have received more than $2 million in additional compensation, even as delivery performance declined and budget numbers got worse, according to Hawley's office.

Among the reasons cited by Hawley for the proposed bill are the agency's $25 billion in financial losses over the past three fiscal years, which have coincided with an increase in postage rates and a dip in on-time delivery.

During the last three years of Louis DeJoy's tenure as postmaster general, the Board of Governors approved more than $567,000 in bonuses, Hawley said. Current Postmaster General David Steiner, who assumed office in July 2025, has already received $170,000 in bonuses, Hawley said.

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When Hawley confronted Steiner about the additional compensation during a June 24 hearing, Steiner said he doesn't control the doling out of bonuses.

"I am absolutely astounded at this today, general … and, frankly, if things don’t get better, you ought to resign, because you’re not doing the job. You’re leaving your good postal workers out there. You’re hanging them out to dry. They don’t make near what you do. They’re working their butts off, they’re getting blamed and you’re getting the bonus. We have a big problem. Based on what I’ve seen today, you’re part of it," Hawley said at the time.

Residents in rural parts of Missouri sometimes wait weeks for their mail, Hawley said. In addition, a large pile of undelivered mail was found in April in a vacant lot in north St. Louis.

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"The pattern is clear: As service has gotten worse, the postmaster general’s pay has not," Hawley said.

Hawley was already investigating the Postal Service, accusing Steiner of ignoring congressional oversight while demanding records on the agency's use of outside restructuring consultants.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the postmaster general's office for comment.

GOP blocks Schumer's effort to ground taxpayer funding for Trump's Qatari Air Force One

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:23:51 -0400

President Donald Trump’s new Air Force One will remain in service, for now, after Senate Republicans blocked an attempt to prevent taxpayer dollars from upgrading the aircraft.

Democrats have spent the last year sounding the alarm over the Boeing 747-8 luxury jet gifted to Trump by Qatar over the hefty price tag to retrofit the aircraft and the security risks that it could pose in serving as the main plane for the president.

After Trump’s surprising admission over the weekend about the jet, which was unveiled as the latest addition to the Air Force One fleet by the White House last month, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., tried to halt any taxpayer funds from flowing to the project.

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The administration estimated that upgrading the aircraft, which already has a base value of $400 million, could cost up to $1 billion.

"The luxury jet may have come wrapped in a bow for Donald Trump, but it came with a massive price tag for the American people," Schumer said on the Senate floor. "Trump is asking taxpayers to fork over an estimated $1 billion to retrofit, and max out his flying palace, so it can meet the security standards of the existing Air Force One fleet."

"That, of course, we already paid for," he continued. "Americans can't afford gas, can't afford groceries, can't afford their electric bill. But Trump thinks they can afford to fly him in style."

Schumer tried to forcefully pass his bill, Presidential Airlift Security Act, Wednesday afternoon, which would require that no Department of War funding may go to the purchase, modification, restoration or maintenance of an aircraft previously owned by a foreign government.

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And it comes after Trump, after pressure from the Secret Service, opted to fly back to the U.S. from Turkey in a different plane than the new Air Force One because of a lack of proper security enhancements, like countermeasures for heat-seeking missiles.

Trump told reporters on Sunday, when asked why the deterrence systems weren’t visible on the new plane, said that the plane, "has a lot of capability, but as I understand it, in about a month or so, they’re going to send it to have it be maxed out."

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump, and told reporters on Monday that while the new Air Force One is "perfectly safe for the president’s travels," it was slated to receive additional upgrades and enhancements in the fall that would keep the plane on the ground for a month.

"During that time, the president will fly on the old Air Force One," she said.

Schumer’s gamble was promptly blocked by Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., who argued that the legislation was more far reaching than just halting taxpayer dollars from upgrading the Qatari jet, and hamper the country’s capabilities in the face of a nuclear threat.

"Unfortunately, this legislation would also apply to a different aircraft, the Survivable Air Operations Center aircraft, or SAOC," Fischer said. "Those aircraft were actually purchased from Korean Air. So this legislation would hamper a crucial program that ensures presidential safety in the event of a nuclear war."

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She argued that the SAOC played a crucial role in the nation’s planning in response to a nuclear threat — Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications, known as NC3 — and that Schumer’s move would "significantly harm" the country’s key nuclear deterrent.

"This is the plane that will command and control our nuclear weapons on America's worst day. We cannot play these political games with the NC three," Fischer said.

17 emergency items to buy before you actually need them — starting at $7

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:34:26 -0400

Emergency preparation puts you in a better position when things don't go as planned, and with markdowns of up to 43%, it's a smart time to stock up. From staples like power stations to basic first aid kits and car battery jump starters, these picks keep you ready when it matters most.

Emergency and safety essentials

During emergencies, you don’t want to be without the necessary tools. Stock up on these essentials and stay prepared.

Fire extinguisher, 2-pack: $21.90

Every home needs a fire extinguisher in case of emergencies, and this two-pack is just $22, making it an affordable yet priceless choice. It tackles all types of flames, from grease to gas fires. What really stands out is how easy these fire extinguishers are to store and keep within reach.

Emergency blankets, 4-pack: $6.99

Keep a four-pack of emergency blankets in your car and at home for roadside situations or outages. They help you stay warm in cold weather and store easily thanks to their compact foil packaging. The tear-resistant Mylar also lets you reuse them again and again.

Weather radio: $32.20 (12% off)

Original price: $36.78

During unexpected power outages, a weather radio keeps you up to date on forecasts. It charges three different ways — USB, hand-crank or solar — so you always have a backup when needed. It also acts as a power bank that gets your phone up and running.

Survival kit: $35.99

For $36, this survival kit comes with everything you need for minor emergencies, from a hatchet and hammer tool to a first aid kit and paracord gear. Carry it anywhere in a compact backpack that fits easily with your camping or hiking gear.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, 3-pack: $156.75

Stock up on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with this three-pack, complete with all the screws and batteries you need for installation. Protect your home from CO leaks and fires with one simple upgrade.

First aid basics

Be prepared for minor medical emergencies with these essential supplies.

First-aid kit: $9.99

This first aid kit has bandages, gloves and antiseptic wipes to help you treat burns, scrapes and cuts. Store the compact case in your glovebox or carry-on so you always have essential medical supplies within reach.

Digital thermometer: $16.98 (32% off)

Original price: $24.99

Quickly check your temperature when you're under the weather with this digital thermometer. It gives you a clear reading in seconds and its no-touch sensor lets you hold it near your forehead for easy readings, especially when checking for an entire family.

Ice packs, 4-pack: $12.99

Ice packs are versatile items to have on hand, helping you deal with bumps, bruises and spiking temperatures. They also double as a space saver in coolers and lunchboxes, making them a practical staple for any home.

Wrist brace: $13.99 (7% off)

Original price: $15.09

Whether you're managing carpal tunnel or have active kids at home, a wrist brace provides support when accidents happen. It tightens with adjustable Velcro straps, stabilizing your wrist so you can get back to your day.

Car emergency gear

Don’t rely on AAA — stay ready for roadside emergencies with a jump starter, tire inflator and seat belt cutter.

Seat belt cutter, 2-pack: $8.99

If you're trapped in your car after an accident, these seat belt cutter help you escape fast. Use the sharp blade to cut through a belt and the metal tip to shatter window glass in seconds.

Gooloo jump starter: $69.97 (36% off)

Original price: $109.99

A dead car battery can ruin your day, so stay ready with a jump starter. This Gooloo model starts your car without another vehicle or cables and includes a built-in air compressor for tire issues. For more power, the Noco Boost jump starter works on trucks, boats and sedans in a compact design.

Tire inflator: $48.79 (23% off)

Original price: $62.99

Need a quick way to pump up your tire after a flat? Keep this inflator in your car for roadside emergencies. It's simple enough to use one-handed, and the LED screen shows you the remaining battery and your tire's PSI.

Tire patch kit: $19.99 (20% off)

Original price: $24.99

Don't wait hours for AAA. Fix a flat fast on your own with a tire patch kit. Use this included pliers to remove debris, clear the hole with the other tools and seal it with durable rubber strips.

Emergency roadside kit: $69.95

Packed into a small bag, this 108-piece roadside kit offers all the necessities you'll need in one place — from jumper cables to reflective gear and a first aid kit. With it, you can stay safer when you're stuck on the side of the road.

Power outage essentials

Don’t get stuck in the dark — these tools keep your home lit during blackouts.

Energizer AAA batteries: $15.99 (20% off)

Original price: $19.99

Batteries fuel much of your backup equipment, so stock up on extras with this AAA 32-count. Energizer also has AA batteries in bulk packs and D batteries, too. With a long shelf life, you can store more without worrying about them going bad.

Mini flashlights, 2-pack: $9.96 (23% off)

Original price: $12.99

Stash these mini flashlights around the house for backup lighting during outages. They may be small, but they're powerful, with multiple zoom modes and both strobe and SOS options for emergencies.

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Jackery Explorer 1000 portable power station: $459 (43% off)

Original price: $799

Save $340 on the Jackery Explorer 1000, which powers up to seven devices at once. This portable model weighs just 24 pounds, making it easy to move from room to room or take on the go, and it recharges in as little as an hour through the app.

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

Likely Platner replacement's resurfaced posts on 'democracy' come back to bite him: 'Hypocritical socialist'

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:22:19 -0400

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, the presumed replacement to Graham Platner on the Democratic ticket for U.S. Senate, has a long history of emphasizing the importance of democracy despite being set to accept a nomination without a single vote being cast for him.

"I've always believed that our democracy is at its best when everyone has a chance to participate – whether I agree with you on an issue or not," Jackson posted on X in 2020 leading up to a Maine Democratic primary.

Jackson, a fifth-generation logger who ran in the Democratic primary for governor and finished third, has echoed that sentiment on many occasions, stressing the importance of voters being heard.

"The work of our democracy is one of constant engagement," Jackson posted on X in 2024. The same year he wrote, "Our democracy hinges on our ability to participate in free and fair elections, and our ability to accept the results – even when it doesn’t go our way."

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"I believe in my heart that our state is at its best when everyone has a chance to make their voice heard and fully participate in our democracy," Jackson posted on X last November.

Jackson, who has also promoted the "No Kings" protests and railed against oligarchs, has faced criticism in recent weeks from his Republican opponents for jumping in the race to replace Platner, and presumably winning, via a process where delegates and party officials control the outcome rather than voters.

"Troy Jackson has no problem casting his principles aside when the process is rigged in his favor," Natalie Baldassarre, RNC national press secretary, told Fox News Digital. "He's just another hypocritical socialist who talks like a logger but will cut deals with D.C. elites to game the system and get his way."

"There are no kings in America, right @TroyJackson207?" Kristen Cianci, Republican National Committee Northeast regional comms director, posted on X this week. "Doesn’t seem to bother you when you’re the one being crowned."

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"Troy Jackson has a clear path to be the nominee for Senate, almost a week BEFORE the nominating convention," Maine Republican state Rep. Laurel Libby posted on X. "So much for no kings… "

Additionally, some Democrats in Maine have expressed frustration about the lack of democracy in the process to replace Platner, Politico reported this week.

"We were not under the impression that people were going to be already coming into this process predetermined," Platner supporting Maine Democratic voter Lindsey Harwath told the outlet about the process. "That seems very undemocratic. That seems like rigging a process before you’ve done it."

Fox News Digital reached out to the Jackson campaign for comment.

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Jackson won the vast majority of the 500 slots that were up for grabs on Saturday and Sunday as Maine's 16 counties held two days of delegate selection for next weekend's state Democratic Party nominating convention to replace Platner.

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

Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

Minnesota city sued for demanding Christian preacher pay vendor fee to hold pro-life sign

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:20:58 -0400

FIRST ON FOX — A Minnesota municipality faces a federal civil rights lawsuit after police charged an open-air Christian preacher with criminal trespassing for standing in a public parking lot.

The federal lawsuit, filed Tuesday by the Center for American Liberty on behalf of Bryan Conwell, accused officials of placing an unconstitutional "price tag" on free speech by forcing a peaceful speaker to buy a commercial license.

"The First Amendment doesn't come with a price tag," Mark Trammell, CEO of the Center for American Liberty, said in a statement.

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"Government officials cannot force Americans to buy a license before they peacefully express their beliefs on public property. If they can silence Bryan today, they can silence anyone tomorrow."

The lawsuit, filed against the City of Benson, Minnesota, claims city police and officials violated the constitutional rights of Conwell, an open-air street preacher and vocal advocate against abortion.

Fox News Digital reached out to the City of Benson for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Lawsuit documents obtained by Fox News Digital explain that Conwell regularly holds signs in a public place and waits silently, speaking only to those who approach him and engage in conversation. The lawsuit stipulates he "blocks no one, threatens no one, and sells nothing. He asks only to be left alone to speak."

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It continues to explain that when Conwell chose to stand in a city parking lot during a farmers market event, one that is free and open to the public, city officials and police asked that he leave or pay a $20 fee to speak. The lawsuit claims they asserted "exclusive use" of the public property.

When Conwell refused to pay a vendor fee for non-commercial speech, police cited him for criminal trespass July 9 and issued a second citation when he returned on July 16. Conwell now faces up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for each citation.

Officer interactions captured on video and referenced in the lawsuit show police warned Conwell that his legal woes would worsen if he continued.

"The more you come back, the more citations you're going to get," an officer told him.

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Video provided to Fox News Digital by the Center for American Liberty shows Conwell speaking to police while holding a sign reading "Abolish Abortion to the Glory of God." In the clip, he can be heard questioning why his activism is a problem, noting he did the same thing the week prior.

"Well, legally I can be here, and that's the whole thing. And so, I can't be cited. So, unless there's a crime being committed, why am I being cited?" Conwell asks in the video.

The lawsuit also cites a conversation between Conwell and an officer, one who wrote him the ticket, in which the officer expresses confusion over enforcing the town's policy against protected speech.

"To be honest, man, I want clarification too," the officer told Conwell, according to court filings. "There are crimes of trespassing and crimes of disorderly conduct, but also you have your First Amendment right, so we've got to try to figure that out. ... I know what you're doing, I get it. I'm glad someone is out here doing it."

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The lawsuit alleges these actions constitute severe First Amendment violations, including infringement on freedom of speech, the free exercise of religion, viewpoint discrimination and unconstitutional fees on speech.

Conwell’s lawsuit comes amid a broader push by lawmakers and legal groups to protect street preachers from police overreach. Earlier this month, congressional Republicans urged the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a similar case involving Richard Hershey, a Christian evangelist who was threatened with arrest in 2020 for handing out pamphlets on a public sidewalk in Louisiana.

Guaranteed income program targets low-income homes led by Black moms as cash handouts surge nationwide

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 11:00:18 -0400

Guaranteed income initiatives have gained significant momentum across the country in recent years, but one of the earliest programs specifically targets low-income homes led by Black mothers.

The Magnolia Mother’s Trust (MMT), launched in 2018, provides selected mothers with $1,000 per month in unconditional, no-strings-attached cash payments for a full year. The initiative was created by Springboard to Opportunities, a Jackson, Mississippi-based nonprofit founded in 2013 to support families living in federally subsidized housing.

According to the organization’s website, MMT is "the longest-running guaranteed income program in the United States and the first to target extremely low-income families led by Black mothers."

Springboard to Opportunities initially focused on traditional social services, such as after-school reading groups and workforce development programs. However, co-founder and CEO Aisha Nyandoro realized those efforts were not doing enough to lift families out of poverty.

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The shift toward direct cash payments came after a conversation with a local mother involved in Springboard’s programs who revealed she couldn't afford to take her children to the movies.

"In that moment, it clicked. I was unsettled all weekend," Nyandoro told The Guardian earlier this month. "I came back to my team, and I was like: ‘We’re missing something.’ This is a mom that we are intimately involved with... and she is telling us that she can’t afford something as inconsequential as a pizza".

Nyandoro began consulting other residents for feedback.

"That question just opened up all these stories," Nyandoro said. "When we sat down and listened, I said: ‘Oh my God, all of this can be stopped with money.’ That’s really where we started thinking about what it would look like if we just gave families that we work with the financial support that they need to actualize the goals that they have for themselves and their families."

The program launched with a pilot group of 20 mothers in late 2018. Nyandoro has been explicit about the decision to limit eligibility to Black mothers, pointing to data that highlights demographic disparities in financial hardship.

"The unfortunate reality is that the data is the data," Nyandoro explained. "It’s not as if we are saying that we are working with Black women because we are trying to exclude anyone else. We are saying that we are honoring the tenets of what guaranteed income is. Guaranteed income is a specific amount of money given to a specific population for a set amount of time. And that funding is typically given to the financially most harmed within a community."

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She argued that systemic economic factors in the region hit this specific group hardest.

"Here in Jackson, Mississippi, the financially most harmed are Black women, specifically Black mothers," Nyandoro added. "And that is because of the policies and the systems that we have put in place that make it virtually impossible for them to earn at the same level as their counterparts."

Recipients say the extra cash provides a vital lifeline. One participant noted that the cash infusion allowed her to spend quality time with her children without constantly worrying about finances.

"I was actually able to take my kids out of town, stuff I wouldn’t be able to do," the recipient said. "It’s more time with my children. It’s still helping me today because I’m not struggling, and I can prepare myself for the future."

To date, the Magnolia Mother’s Trust has completed multiple cohorts and served over 550 mothers. It stands as a flagship example within the broader "cash without restrictions" movement.

More than 100 U.S. cities and organizations have launched similar universal basic income (UBI) or guaranteed cash pilots since 2018 to combat poverty. While many municipal experiments rely on federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds alongside private donations, MMT is entirely philanthropically funded. It relies heavily on private donors and organizations like the Economic Security Project (ESP), an advocacy group formed in 2016 that promotes direct cash transfers.

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ESP frames guaranteed income as a crucial response to rising costs.

"A large and growing body of evidence demonstrates convincing impacts on economic insecurity, income, assets, physical and mental health, food insecurity, poverty, economic and gender inequalities, housing mobility, crime, early child development, and children’s school achievement, employment, and earnings in adulthood," ESP has stated on its website.

That position aligns closely with arguments made by Michael D. Tubbs, founder of Mayors for Guaranteed Income and former mayor of Stockton, California. Tubbs popularized municipal cash-handout programs after launching a pilot in Stockton, arguing that regular cash infusions are essential to help low-income households keep up with rising costs for housing, food and fuel.

Race-based cash initiatives like MMT operate in an increasingly complex legal environment following the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision ending affirmative action in higher education. Conservative legal groups have increasingly challenged race-conscious programs and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates, questioning whether explicitly excluding non-Black residents from grant funding violates federal civil rights laws.

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Nyandoro acknowledged to The Guardian that participants face heightened anxieties amid economic inflation and debates surrounding federal safety-net spending.

"This year, the moms are probably a little more stressed than in previous years, because of the affordability crisis and because of the impact on the social safety net," Nyandoro said. "They’re very aware of what’s happening... So you see some clear exhalation like: ‘I’m going to be OK. I got this. This is right on time.’"

While MMT focuses strictly on low-income Black mothers, other demographic-focused cash initiatives take a broader approach. Michigan-based RxKids provides direct cash aid to expectant and new mothers regardless of race or income level, aiming to alleviate early childhood poverty. Originally launched in Flint, RxKids has since expanded to several cities across Michigan, including Detroit.

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Neither Nyandoro nor representatives for the Economic Security Project responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

3M Open 2026 best bets: Five golfers who can upset Scottie Scheffler at TPC Twin Cities this week

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:15:10 -0400

For most sports and golf fans, the PGA TOUR season effectively ended last week after The 154th Open Championship, golf's final major of the year. However, there are no weeks off for us golf-betting degenerates, and the money won at this week's 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, is still green.

TPC Twin Cities is a classic Midwest birdie-fest designed by Arnold Palmer, where low scores are mandatory. With water hazards lurking on 15 holes, driving accuracy and precise iron play are crucial. While the bentgrass greens are gentle, spraying off the tee guarantees a fast ticket home.

Somehow, 3M convinced World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler to fly from England to Minnesota, where he will make his tournament debut. Maybe Scottie wants to break out of his slump; after all, he hasn't won since the first event of the season: The American Express. Or perhaps 3M just made Scheffler an offer he couldn't refuse.

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Like Scottie, I've only hit one outright this season, and I'm hoping for better luck in Minnesota this week. Despite Scheffler cashing a top-five bet for me at last week's British Open, I still lost 2.52 units (u), bringing my 2026 PGA TOUR balance to -53.52u. All this means is that I'm due. Without further ado, here are my horses for the course for TPC Twin Cities.

3M Open 2026 bet slip

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

🇯🇵 Hideki Matsuyama +3604 at Polymarket (0.55u) and Top-10 with ties +295 at Kalshi (0.5u)

🇺🇸 Ben Kohles +7400 (0.27u) and Top-20 with ties +225 (0.5u), both at DraftKings

🇩🇰 Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen +7884 at Polymarket (0.25u) and Top-20 with ties +252 at Kalshi (0.5u)

🇿🇦 Casey Jarvis +8233 (0.24u) at Polymarket and Top-20 with ties +239 at DraftKings (0.5u)

🇦🇷 Emiliano Grillo +10000 at DraftKings (0.2u) and Top-20 with ties +310 at Kalshi (0.5u)

Hideki Matsuyama

The bottom line is Hideki is by far the second-best player in this field and his odds should be below +2000. He has been all over the place with his driver this season. Still, he has gained strokes on the field in driving accuracy in three straight starts: U.S. Open (major), the Travelers Championship ("signature event") and The Open Championship (major).

Matsuyama’s TPC Twin Cities record is nothing to brag about — T7 in 2019, withdrew in 2022 and T30 in 2023 — but at least he has experience here. There are plenty of birdie opportunities at TPC Twin Cities, as long as you don’t hit into one of the many bodies of water, and these greens are easy. Hideki has gained strokes putting in five of his last six starts, per DataGolf.com, and three of the four majors this year (The Masters, PGA Championship, British Open).

Ben Kohles

Believe it or not, this winless jabroni is first in my model at Bet The Number. Granted, driving accuracy and iron play are my two most important skills for my 3M Open model, and Kohles leads the field in driving accuracy over the last 40 rounds and ranks second in Strokes Gained (SG): Approach. Yet, it’s still ridiculous to see him ahead of Scottie.

Nevertheless, Kohles ranks 19th in this field for SG: Putting over the last 12 rounds, per Bet The Number, which is his biggest weakness. He could’ve, should’ve won the 2026 John Deere Classic a few weeks ago but choked it away with a double bogey on the final hole to finish T3.

That said, I'm choosing to look at that as a good thing because he got into contention, and you need to be in it to win it. Lastly, a lot of longshots have won the 3M Open and Kohles’ game fits TPC Twin Cities, making anything above +6000 a "good number."

Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen

A prodigious driver, Rasmus has gained strokes off-the-tee in 12 consecutive starts, per DataGolf.com, including The Masters, PGA Championship and British Open. He’s made six straight cuts, with his best finish in a single-person event being a T9 at last week’s Open Championship.

Neergaard-Petersen has gotten in the mix at other high-profile events, such as a T3 at the 2025 DP World Tour Championship in November, followed by a win at the 2025 Crown Australian Open a month later.

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According to Bet The Number, which only factors in PGA TOUR shot-link data, the Dane ranks 12th in this field in SG: Putting over the last 12 rounds. Bombers who have a hot putting week have won five of the seven 3M Opens, and Neergaard-Petersen fits that mold.

Casey Jarvis

This is one of the most random golf bets I’ve ever made, which is saying a lot. I’ve never seen Jarvis play before, and he’s not even a full-time PGA TOUR pro. But I saw he had +5652 odds at Bookmaker at the time of writing, which is way off-market from the legal U.S. sportsbooks and prediction markets. That’s significant because Bookmaker is considered a "sharp sportsbook" for golf betting.

After seeing that Jarvis was steamed at Bookmaker, I wanted to figure out why. Surprisingly, the South African ranks second on the DP World Tour this year in stroke average and has two wins. Before you poo-poo his DP World Tour standing, know that those rankings include Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, Patrick Reed and Tommy Fleetwood, among other full-time PGA TOUR pros.

Furthermore, Jarvis finished T21 at the Genesis Scottish Open two weeks ago, a co-sanctioned event between the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour, and T6 last week at The Open Championship. Jarvis is only 22-years-old, so maybe he can actually play. At this price, in this weak field, I’m willing to take a shot on him.

Emiliano Grillo

TPC Twin Cities is Grillo’s Happy Place. Here is his record in the 3M Open: T20 last year, T24 in 2024, T10 in 2023, T2 in 2022, missed cut in 2021 and T3 in 2020. The Argentinian is 12th on TOUR this season in driving accuracy and has gained strokes on the field in driving accuracy in his six appearances at TPC Twin Cities.

Grillo is a notoriously weak-to-inconsistent putter, but he’s gained strokes on the greens in five of his six 3M Opens and three straight starts heading into TPC Twin Cities, including at Shinnecock for the U.S. Open, which has one of the most difficult green complexes in the world.

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As you can tell by my season-long record, it’s tough to win a golf tournament. However, Emiliano loves this course, and he should perform better than his odds suggest and at least finish in the top 20.

3M Open 2026 'One-and-Done' Pick: Emiliano Grillo

Mayo Cup season standings: 4,482nd with $5,146,536

Who cares? I'm dead in this contest, and I'd need the first place for this tournament to be worth four times as much to make any notable improvement in the standings. But, rather than be a coward and omit this section, I'll own up to my garbage season in golf betting and play all the holes.

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Follow me on X @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my "OutKick Bets Podcast" for more betting content and random rants.