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President Trump pushes lawmakers on legislation as 'Protect College Sports Act' hangs on by a thread

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:33:47 -0400

It was always going to be an uphill battle to pass the Protect College Sports Act, and now the process is at a crossroads that has gotten the attention of President Donald Trump.

Following negotiations that took place between multiple conferences around college athletics and senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and others, we have officially reached a fork in the road.

There had been numerous phone calls between Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey over the last 24 hours related to their stance on the Protect College Sports Act, and whether or not each conference was prepared to put their support behind the legislation.

TICK TOCK: SEC AND BIG TEN RECEIVE REVISED PROTECT COLLEGE SPORTS ACT AS SENATE VOTE TIMELINE LOOMS

Now, as of Thursday evening, the mood has shifted in the nations capital as to whether this bill will ever make it to the Senate floor.

Earlier in the day, after OutKick-Fox News reached out for comment regarding their stance on the ongoing negotiations, a White House official had this to say about the legislation.

"The White House has been following these negotiations closely, and the President has been actively engaged. President Trump wants to save college sports, and he wants the bill done"

Clearly, Donald Trump wanted this legislation to make its way to his desk to be signed. But now, even with the potential for Senate Majority Leader John Thune to still bring cloture to a vote on Monday, which would allow the bill to be argued, there is dwindling optimism that anything of note will actually happen at this moment.

Essentially, all parties involved could not come to an agreement on certain language in the bill in time for vote.

"This is the legislation we need now. It will grant student-athletes unprecedented academic, health, and wellness benefits, rein in out-of-control agents, and stabilize transfer, eligibility, and revenue-sharing rules," NCAA President Charlie Baker said in a statement.

"While no bill is perfect, I implore college sports leaders and Senators to support this bill now. It is our best chance to deliver the benefits and level playing field student-athletes deserve while providing the protections institutions need to sustain college athletics long-term."

Obviously, things can change. But, the likelihood of that shrinks every day.

CONGRESS MAY FINALLY HAVE A BIPARTISAN PATH FORWARD ON COLLEGE ATHLETICS WITH CRUZ-CANTWELL LEGISLATION

The bipartisan bill was created to help navigate college athletics in this messy time, and out of courtrooms, with numerous eligibility lawsuits filed within the past week alone.

What were some of the potential revisions discussed?

The back and forth between conference members, along with senators, centered around a number of different issues.

In their concessions to those within the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, Notre Dame and Group of Six members, these were topics discussed over the past few days.

The Multimedia Rights deals with athletes will be included in the cap. Schools will have to sign agreements noting that the money isn’t coming from the university.
The bill would take a harder stance on tampering, outline a procedure along with penalties.
A retention pool, separate from House settlement increased from $20 million to $22.5 million. This allows athletic departments to use funds to retain players already on rosters.
A cap that is put into place which contains stricter guidelines currently in place. This would include NIL deals that involve 'associated parties' who are connected to the school itself through contract, advertising or media rights.
Setting the amount of members each conference can have at 19. This would allow the Big Ten to add just one team, while the SEC could add three. Along with other conferences adding new schools.
If a school were to move from one power-four conference to another, that school would have to then operate as an independent for a five-year period. This was a major sticking point, and not in the most logical way. But, it creates some protection for the Big 12 or ACC if either the SEC or Big Ten decided it wanted to raid their conference. Think of a school having to operate on its own for a five-year period, without the support of a conference, or revenue.
If a school that is currently independent or in a Group of Six conference wants to move to a power conference like the SEC, ACC, Big Ten or Big 12, they can do this without pushback.

Obviously, with the clock ticking to get this legislation to the Senate floor, those in Washington were waiting on conferences to either put their support behind this or move on.

What we learned on Thursday was that it takes a lot longer than four weeks to come to an agreement on potential federal help.

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Maybe, universities should just handle this on their own and stop asking Congress for help.

I guess we'll find out for certain over the next week, but the Protect College Sports Act is barely hanging on.

Trump Education Department probes school after teacher allegedly required same-sex students to kiss

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:32:03 -0400

The Trump administration has opened a federal investigation into Denver Public Schools after allegations that a high school teacher required students of the same sex to kiss as part of a classroom assignment, the Department of Education announced Tuesday.

"Schools have an obligation to prevent and address sexual assault," Kimberly Richey, assistant secretary for civil rights, said in a statement. "Yet in Colorado, school personnel are alleged to have compelled the sexual assault of minor students by forcing them to engage in blatantly sexualized conduct in class. It is abhorrent and the Trump Administration will fully investigate this perverse incident to protect students’ safety and vigorously uphold students’ rights across America."

The Education Department said it is investigating whether Denver Public Schools violated the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), a federal law that gives parents the right to opt their children out of certain surveys, evaluations and instructional activities involving sensitive topics, including sexual behavior and attitudes.

COLORADO TEACHER FIRED AFTER STUDENTS ALLEGEDLY PRESSURED TO KISS CLASSMATES IN SKITS

The Department said that it is "investigating incidents that took place at a Denver Public Schools high school involving a teacher who allegedly required students of the same sex to kiss each other in front of the classroom as part of a class assignment."

The Denver Public Schools board voted 7-0 on May 20, CBS News reported, to consider the firing of French language and culture teacher Jennifer Honka at Northeast Early College for "incompetence and neglect of duty," finding she had at times allegedly suggested that students kiss during in-class skits.

An April 30 independent review, a copy of which was obtained by CBS Colorado, found that the students who were allegedly encouraged to kiss were always the same sex.

"One student told an NEC chemistry teacher about the skits in April 2024," CBS News reported. "The student was very uncomfortable and did not know what to do," the report said. "She went ahead and kissed another student at (Honka)'s direction. The student then shared a digital meme with (the chemistry teacher) that included a picture of (Honka) and the caption 'she makes girls kiss.' The meme had circulated among the students."

CBS News also reported that "one student interviewed directly in the independent review also testified that Honka always selected girls to act in the skits. Despite a nearly 50-50 split between boys and girls in the class, the student ‘could not recall Honka choosing a boy actor.’ This student refused to participate and testified that she received a zero score for a grade on this assignment."

TRUMP ADMIN TARGETS WOKE SCHOOLS ACCUSED OF HIDING STUDENTS' GENDER TRANSITIONS FROM PARENTS

"Parents are entitled by law to be notified if their children will be surveyed or evaluated on sensitive information about sex behaviors or attitudes," the announcement from the Department of Education said. "SPPO will investigate whether parents were notified about this student evaluation and whether parent or student opt-outs or complaints were ignored. Additionally, OCR will investigate whether the District appropriately responded to the incident, consistent with the requirements of Title IX."

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for Denver Public Schools said, "Denver Public Schools is reviewing the notice of directed investigation from OCR. It would be too early to comment on their assertions."

"The safety, emotional well-being, and dignity of our students are the absolute highest priorities of DPS," the spokesperson continued. "Our actions to date have been wholly consistent with those priorities. Immediately after learning of student concerns with this teacher in March 2025, the District placed the teacher on administrative leave and completed a thorough investigation. Based on the results of that investigation and an independent review by a state administrative law judge, the DPS Board of Education voted unanimously to terminate the employment of the teacher in May 2026."

"We deeply appreciate the bravery of the students who came forward and the staff who acted immediately as mandatory reporters," the spokesperson added. "We remain fully committed to holding personnel to the highest standards of conduct and ensuring a safe, supportive learning environment for all students."

WASHINGTON MOTHER PULLS CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL AFTER PRIDE LESSON SHOWN IN MUSIC CLASS WITHOUT NOTICE

The department announced a separate investigation into Washington state's Bethel School District over an LGBTQ Pride Month display that included vials labeled as testosterone.

In June, the school district said administrators discovered testosterone vials "that still contained a small amount of unknown liquid" included in a Pride Month display at Graham-Kapowsin High School and removed them after concluding the items had not been approved by school leadership.

They were subsequently removed.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the Bethel School District said, "We are aware of the U.S. Department of Education investigation and will be cooperating in any way we can. In early June, district officials were made aware of a display at Graham-Kapowsin High School that included empty vials of testosterone as one of its visuals. The display also contained some vials that still contained a small amount of unknown liquid."

"The inclusion of the vials was entirely unauthorized and did not receive approval from school leadership or administration," the spokesperson continued. "Administrators immediately removed the vials and identified the individuals responsible for adding them without leadership approval. The vials were then turned over to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office."

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"We are also actively reviewing our display oversight protocols to ensure all school materials strictly align with our educational standards and community expectations," the spokesperson added. "Our primary focus remains on maintaining a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment for all of our students."

ABC accuses FCC of 'retaliation' as federal agency threatens to revoke Disney's broadcasting licenses

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:30:00 -0400

ABC submitted a scathing filing to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Wednesday in opposition to petitions to deny its stations' license renewals.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr called the licenses of eight ABC-owned stations for early renewal in April. The Disney-owned ABC station's licenses were originally scheduled to be renewed between 2028 and 2031, but the FCC expedited the process amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.

The eight stations must demonstrate they have been operating in the public interest as part of an ongoing look at Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices. While the FCC filing did not specifically mention Kimmel, ABC argues the action is retaliatory.

CONSERVATIVE GROUPS URGE FCC TO BACK OFF ABC LICENSE REVIEW, WARNING IT COULD HURT RIGHT-LEANING MEDIA

"There is no question why the Commission is singling out these eight stations: Each is owned by ABC, and the Administration has openly and repeatedly called for the revocation of ABC’s licenses, because it dislikes the content and viewpoints expressed on ABC network programs," ABC’s legal team wrote.

KFSN-TV in Fresno, KABC-TV in Los Angeles, KGO-TV in San Francisco, WLS-TV in Chicago, WABC-TV in New York, WTVD in Durham, N.C., WPVI-TV in Philadelphia and KTRK-TV in Houston are the Disney-owned stations in question.

"The outpouring of support for the Stations has been unprecedented for a license renewal proceeding," ABC wrote.

CONSERVATIVE WATCHDOG TELLS FCC THAT 'THE VIEW' IS A DEMOCRATIC PARTY OPERATION, NOT A NEWS PROGRAM

"Over 140,000 comments have been received from the Stations’ local communities—from individual viewers to local police and firefighters, charities, businesses, and schools—and over 95% support the Stations," the filing continued. "These supporters span the ideological spectrum but share a fundamental commitment to free speech and press freedom. This record demonstrates that the Stations serve the public interest with distinction."

ABC insists the FCC "has spent the last 18 months searching for some pretext for revoking the Stations’ licenses," but "has found none, because the Stations easily meet the standard for license renewal—which under the law means that the Commission cannot revoke their licenses or order a hearing on their renewal applications."

The Trump administration has beef with Kimmel, who lampoons the president on a regular basis and whose controversial "expectant widow" joke earlier this year resulted in first lady Melania Trump calling for him to be fired. The FCC has also launched a probe into ABC daytime show "The View," and Carr recently took exception to the Disney-owned network declining to air Trump’s primetime address on linear television.

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"The retaliation against ABC is a signal to every media company in the country: accommodate the Administration’s view of what news coverage should look like or pay the price. Across the government, regulatory and contracting carrots and sticks have been trained on other disfavored speakers. The tools vary; the objective does not: a media industry too fearful of official reprisal to report the news freely," ABC wrote.

"Calling up the license of a single Station—let alone all eight at once—while the Commission’s DEI investigation has found no violation is unnecessary, premature, and punitive," ABC continued in the filing. "Even if any violation were ever substantiated, the Commission has a graduated set of well-established remedies far short of the corporate death penalty of license non-renewal."

An FCC spokesperson issued the following statement: "For decades, Americans of all stripes have been subsidizing broadcast media to the tune of many billions of dollars by giving TV stations free use of a valuable, public resource—the airwaves. In exchange, broadcasters are required by law to operate in the public interest—not in the narrow or partisan interests of a political party. Broadcasters know that they are prohibited from engaging in invidious forms of DEI discrimination, that they must comply with political equal opportunity regulations, and that they are barred from running broadcast hoaxes or distorting the news. The FCC is going to hold broadcasters accountable to the full extent of the law, regardless of any disinformation campaign that some of them may choose to run."

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The Media Research Center (MRC), the conservative watchdog group that previously filed a petition in support of the early review of ABC's broadcasting licenses, doubled down on its stance.

"ABC's defense boils down to this: 'Trust us.' Americans do not, which is why confidence in the media is at historic lows," MRC president David Bozell told Fox News Digital. "Our filing is not based on hurt feelings or political disagreement. It is based on documented conduct. We look forward to the FCC reviewing the facts rather than the distractions."

Gilgo Beach killer's family says harassment never stops after masked duo pounds on their door: attorney

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:23:31 -0400

Just over a month after Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann was sentenced to the max sentence for murdering eight women between 1993 and 2010, two masked individuals were seen banging on his Massapequa Park home, according to a report.

Two individuals wearing black masks, T-shirts and shorts were seen running from the porch of Heuermann's home in New York on Tuesday, police and the family's attorney told Newsday.

Robert Macedonio, the family's attorney, told the outlet that Heuermann's ex-wife Asa Ellerup, as well as her two children, Victoria and Christopher, were home when the two people banged on their house.

GILGO BEACH KILLER REX HEUERMANN'S EX-WIFE SAYS SHE NOW LIVES IN BASEMENT WHERE HE MURDERED SEVEN VICTIMS

The video shows two masked men on Heuermann's porch running off as the family dog barked.

Macedonio said a police report was filed and Ellerup believes it was an attempted break-in.

While a Nassau police spokesman confirmed the incident took place at around 8 p.m. Tuesday, he said it didn't meet the criteria for an attempted break-in since no one tried to enter the home.

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Macedonio said the family is harassed constantly.

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"This is the constant harassment that she faces on a daily basis, with people driving by, saying stuff as they walk by," Macedonio said of Ellerup. "They leave stuff on the door or throw stuff. They make comments when they drive by; pointing, taking pictures on a regular basis."

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Heuermann was sentenced in June to three consecutive life sentences without parole, followed by four consecutive sentences of 25 years to life, after admitting to murdering eight women.

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At the hearing, Heuermann spoke before he was sentenced.

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"I’m responsible," he said. "The words I would say have no meaning."

If you believe Alabama wasn't recruiting Jeremiah Smith, you don't understand recruiting

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:18:49 -0400

College football recruiting has gone from a niche subset of the sport to something that has taken on a life of its own.

Just a few short decades ago, if you wanted to follow recruiting you almost had to seek it out, ordering magazine subscriptions and hanging out on message boards to stay on top of the latest rumors.

Now, fans can be inundated with recruiting news and factoids just by hanging out on social media, to the point where you're almost beaten over the head with it on a near daily basis.

FORMER OHIO STATE, FLORIDA COACH URBAN MEYER REVEALS THE ONE PLACE HE REFUSED TO RECRUIT PLAYERS FROM

Since recruiting has become more accessible to the layman, more and more fans have been able to fire off takes about the once-underground aspect of college football, and with that, we also see that plenty of fans still have a lot to learn about the inner workings of it all.

Take this latest revelation, for example.

Ohio State wide receiver and former five-star prospect Jeremiah Smith recently revealed to folks at Big Ten Media Days that Alabama was his dream school growing up, but he didn't end up going there because, for whatever reason, they failed to recruit him.

NICK SABAN URGES SENATE TO PASS LEGISLATION TO FIX COLLEGE SPORTS, BUT COACHING CONTRACTS GLOSSED OVER

I couldn't have rolled my eyes any harder upon hearing this, but after perusing the comments section and scrolling through various social media platforms, I was shocked to see the majority of people actually believed what Smith was feeding them.

I'm going to say this up front, as clearly as I can: if you actually think the Alabama Crimson Tide weren't recruiting Jeremiah Smith, then you have a fundamental misunderstanding of recruiting.

Allow me to break it down for you.

ED ORGERON-LANE KIFFIN PAIRING ALREADY PAYING DIVIDENDS FOR LSU TIGERS DURING PIVOTAL RECRUITING WEEKEND

Jeremiah Smith wasn't just an elite, five-star player. He was the number one player in his entire recruiting class of 2024.

The kid started receiving offers from Power 4 schools in February 2021, when he was going into his freshman year of high school.

I say all that to paint the picture that this isn't some three-star safety from Iowa who grew up dreaming of playing for USC and got looked over for whatever reason.

Smith was elite from day one, forged in the crucible of South Florida high school football.

Speaking of offers from Power 4 schools, it looks like Smith got one from none other than Nick Saban and Alabama all the way back in February 2022, less than one month after he took an unofficial visit to Bama.

That doesn't sound like a guy who "wasn't being recruited by a school" to me.

I've seen some people float the theory that Saban knew he was leaving after the end of the 2023 season and so he might have checked out on recruiting, but that doesn't match up at all with what Bama's 2024 class shows us.

The Crimson Tide signed the 2nd ranked recruiting class in the country in 2024, and even landed a couple of four-star prospects from the Sunshine State, so it's not like they completely neglected Smith's home state of Florida that cycle either.

Either Smith is trolling Alabama fans - and he has been known to rile up opposing fanbases in the past (see: Miami) - or he's not telling the whole truth, and I'm inclined to think it's more of the latter than the former.

Alabama and Nick Saban ABSOLUTELY recruited Jeremiah Smith to come to Tuscaloosa.

Who wouldn't want the best player in the country to wear their uniform in college?

But I also don't think Saban recruited him quite as hard as some of the other programs that were in his final list of schools.

To recruit a five-star is to practically get down on your knees and beg them to come to your school, and I just don't believe Saban was willing to go to the lengths others were willing to.

That's not to suggest Ohio State or any of Smith's other finalists did anything nefarious. Hell, it's practically impossible to do something illegal in today's day and age of recruiting.

It's likely the Buckeyes just "wanted him more."

Besides, the Tide had a five-star wide receiver of their own in Ryan Williams, so I doubt they were willing to "break the bank" for two of the top five wideout prospects in the same class.

That just doesn't sound like something out of Saban's playbook, but I could be wrong.

All of that is to say, Alabama almost certainly "recruited" Jeremiah Smith, as did every other program and coach with a pulse in America back in 2023.

It seems like they just didn't recruit him to a level of his liking.

Which is fine, that's his prerogative, but I disagree with Smith saying that Bama flat out wasn't pursuing him.

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That's simply not true, but recruiting involves the whims of 17-year-old super athletes, so perception is often reality in their minds.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: big boy recruiting is not for the faint of heart, and the Jeremiah Smith saga is just the latest example of this.

Packers great running back Ahman Green reveals early-onset Parkinson's diagnosis

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:15:10 -0400

Former Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green, who made four Pro Bowls with the franchise during his eight-year tenure, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Green made the announcement on the "Go Long" podcast with Tyler Dunne, where he said he found out about his diagnosis last year.

"I got diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s," Green said. "I had a little bit of the feet twitching when I’m in my sleep and stuff like that.

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"I knew something was going on long before that. I just got a hold of some doctors that I was about to get in contact with. Get the diagnostics, get the testing. And finally got it tested last — it was January of 2025."

Green has kept his diagnosis close to the vest, with only his closest friends and family knowing for more than a year and a half. He said he didn’t want to share it for a long time, only telling his kids and close family. Now, he’s ready to share how he’s attacking it.

CARLY SIMON REVEALS THE COMMON CONDITION THAT MASKED HER PARKINSON'S DIAGNOSIS

"It needs to be up front. It needs to be a topic that’s always hit. And it’s not the end all," Green added.

"To me, I have a jump ahead of it. Just like anybody discovering that they have some type of cancer in their body, I’m ahead of it right now."

Green has been focused on eating healthy, making sure to exercise and taking his medication religiously.

The twitching while sleeping is something Green revealed his wife told him about after he retired in 2009 from the league. He’s now dealing with short-term memory loss as well as sleep walking and talking.

Green, though, remains optimistic and wants to be an advocate now for those going through a similar situation as him.

The Nebraska product began his NFL career as a third-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks, but his stardom came to fruition in the confines of Lambeau Field after being traded to the Packers before the 2000 season.

Green immediately broke out with the Packers, tallying 1,175 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns on 263 carries in his first season. He cemented himself as the bellcow back, and he earned four straight Pro Bowls from 2001-04.

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His best season came in 2003, when he rushed for 1,883 yards and caught 50 passes for 367 yards with 20 total touchdowns on the year. Green finished his Packers career with 8,322 rushing yards and 54 rushing scores across 104 games.

Green also played two seasons for the Houston Texans before returning to the Packers in 2009, where he played in a reserve role across eight games.

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Virginia university report finds officials did not disclose student’s terror conviction

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:01:55 -0400

An independent investigation into the deadly March terror attack at Old Dominion University (ODU) found that federal officials never warned the school that the returning student behind the shooting had previously been convicted of trying to support ISIS.

On March 12, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh reportedly yelled "Allahu Akbar" before opening fire inside an ROTC classroom a ODU, killing an Army veteran instructor and injuring two students before ROTC members fatally subdued him.

Jalloh was convicted in 2016 of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State terror group in a plot to target U.S. military personnel.

Neither his federal probation officer, the FBI, nor any state or federal agency notified ODU of his conviction, the university-commissioned report concluded.

VIRGINIA MAN CHARGED WITH SELLING WEAPON USED BY OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY GUNMAN

"Had ODU known about Jalloh’s criminal history, it is highly likely that ODU would have sought his removal from campus due to the risk he posed, particularly to military-affiliated individuals," the independent report said.

The FBI told Fox News Digital Thursday it is not the agency responsible for notifying colleges.

"The FBI does not serve as a notification authority for colleges or universities regarding an individual’s criminal historyhat is a shared responsibility across state, local, federal and community partners," the FBI said.

Additionally, the bureau noted that Jalloh's terrorism-related convictions were widely publicized by the Department of Justice in 2016 and 2017, with at least three press releases detailing his case still available on the agency's website.

"Furthermore, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia issued several press releases and publicly available information, including a press release when Jalloh was sentenced in 2017 for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization," the agency said.

"The release remains on the Department of Justice website and can be found through an internet search with multiple links available."

OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY SHOOTER IDENTIFIED AS MOHAMED JALLOH, FORMER NATIONAL GUARD MEMBER, ISIS SUPPORTER

ODU said that, under Virginia law enacted in 2022, public universities are prohibited from asking applicants about their criminal history during the admissions process.

In compliance with the law, ODU said it removed criminal history questions from its applications, leaving the university dependent on voluntary student disclosures or outside law enforcement notifications.

Under Jalloh’s federal supervised release, his probation officer reportedly had the authority to require him to disclose his criminal record to third parties.

However, no such notification was provided to any university office or campus police, according to the report.

"Given that Virginia law requires universities to rely on student self-disclosure, it is even more important that other law enforcement agencies ensure that information that universities need to know to safeguard their students is shared with universities. This critical failure led to tragic consequences here," the ODU report said.

Jalloh also never voluntarily disclosed his 2016 federal terrorism conviction to ODU, according to the report.

While Virginia law allows public universities to inquire about criminal history after an applicant is admitted, ODU's policy at the time only sent post-admission background questionnaires to first-time students, excluding readmitted returning students such as Jalloh.

According to the campus report, Jalloh first enrolled at ODU as an undergraduate student in 2007. After being academically suspended in 2010, he was readmitted in 2011 after serving in the Army National Guard.

He briefly took classes through spring 2012 before stopping for unknown reasons and was later convicted on federal terrorism charges in 2016.

He then served eight years in prison before being released in December 2024. Afterward, Jalloh applied for readmission as a returning student and was re-enrolled at ODU in 2025.

After Jalloh’s case exposed a gap in the university's post-admission screening policies, ODU said it officially expanded its post-admission criminal history questionnaire to include readmitted students alongside first-time students.

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Additionally, the report said nothing else on Jalloh’s readmission application raised any concerns.

Jalloh’s application reportedly listed a private residential address in Sterling, Virginia, rather than a federal prison address. Two professors who taught him in the months before the attack also reported no behavioral concerns.

The United States Probation and Pretrial Services Eastern District of Virginia did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

James Talarico doesn't drive his own truck in viral Texas campaign ad featuring Dodge Ram

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:00:10 -0400

Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico’s campaign confirmed Thursday that the truck he drove in a viral advertisement doesn’t belong to him.

Talarico has previously revealed that he owns a midsize Chevy Colorado, but in a new campaign ad he is driving a full-sized Dodge Ram 1500. As a result of the vehicle swap, Talarico has been mocked by conservatives for appearing in the larger truck for the slick campaign commercial.

Critics have accused Talarico of trying to "look like a real Texan," but his campaign said the switch was simply for production purposes.

"James’ truck has tinted windows. We tried to shoot in his Chevy first, but it was too dark to film," Talarico campaign spokesperson JT Ennis told Fox News Digital.

CONSERVATIVES MOCK TALARICO FOR GUSHING OVER FAUCI DOLL IN RESURFACED CHRISTMAS POST

The ad, "Waking Up," essentially stars the Dodge Ram as Talarico drives through the Lone Star State while a voiceover features the Senate candidate discussing plans to "make this economy work for working people again." Throughout the video, shots of Talarico driving the dark Dodge Ram are intertwined with images of hardworking Texans.

Semafor political reporter David Weigel noticed the "odd detail" in the ad.

"He drives a Chevy Colorado, which has appeared in other ads and in profiles. But here he's driving a Dodge Ram 1500. And it's not hard to spot; you can see the plate, which is linked to an Enterprise rental," Weigel wrote.

TEXAS DEM NOMINEE JAMES TALARICO INVOKES FAITH TO DEFEND ABORTION RIGHTS, ‘THE BIBLE IS SILENT ON ABORTION'

The Talarico campaign did not immediately respond when asked if the Dodge Ram was rented.

Some truck enthusiasts have insisted that Talarico's Chevy Colorado is inferior.

"You can look at the RAM and see it looks tougher than the Colorado. Size matters. That RAM is taller, longer, wider. More like a truck," conservative writer Caleb Howe wrote.

Plenty took to X to mock Talarico:

Talarico is no stranger to criticism and was also lampooned on Thursday when it was revealed he celebrated receiving a Dr. Anthony Fauci doll in 2021.

Republicans have sought to portray Talarico as effeminate in an effort to damage his image among Texas voters. Democrats haven't won a U.S. Senate race in the state since 1988.

Talarico's opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, branded Talarico as "too low-T for Texas." An AI ad produced by a conservative group portrayed the Democratic hopeful prancing around in a dress.

TALARICO SAYS HE 'HATES CHRISTIANITY' IN UNEARTHED INTERVIEW WITH TRANSGENDER 'LATINX' THEOLOGIAN

Talarico's campaign took a shot at Paxton over his past legal troubles in its response to Fox News Digital, adding, "We look forward to seeing Ken Paxton's favorite ride — we hear it's the back of a police car."

Fox News Digital reached out to Paxton's campaign for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

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Fox News Digital's Robert Schmad contributed to this report.

US Olympian Lolo Jones accuses USOPC, USA Bobsled for 'nearly paralyzing' her over mistreated injuries

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:53:22 -0400

U.S. Olympian and world champion track star and bobsledder Lolo Jones says the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and USA Bobsled "risk[ed] permanent paralysis" after mistreating her serious back injuries, which she competed with.

Jones broke a year-plus hiatus on X to share a story from Zielhaus that she "couldn't talk about," which explained her injuries, lack of treatment and eventual suspension from the Olympic Training Center.

The piece said Jones broke her back during a "race-off for the USA 1 brakewoman seat" in Lake Placid, New York, "days before the 2025 World Championships."

Jones suffered "brutal lower-back pain, numbness, leg instability, foot drop, loss of bladder control."

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Jones then had a massage scheduled with the Olympic Training Center's trainer, but the appointment was "canceled" by John Faltus, a "top official at the USOPC medical clinic," because Jones was "only entitled to one massage per week and had already received one that week," the piece said.

"I was never even given an X-ray or an MRI. I wasn’t even allowed to use the ice bath to numb the pain. I did not even know my spine was seriously injured. I just knew I was in pain," Jones said in an X post.

Jones later raced in the world championships with what was later diagnosed as a herniated disc with a disc bulge and tears in her L3, L4 and L5 vertebrae. She also had spinal fluid leaking out.

But she says she avoided a life-altering mishap, saying the organizations "nearly paralyzed me."

GIANTS OUTFIELDER SUFFERS LATE-NIGHT SCOOTER ACCIDENT WHILE ALREADY DEALING WITH FOOT INJURY, TEAM SAYS

"Had my pilot hit a wall, I would be paralyzed today. USOPC and USA bobsled put me at major risk and then penalized me for the injury that they gave me testing bobsled for team USA," Jones said.

Jones was later banned from the training center and has since spent $100,000 on medical and training expenses, according to the Zielhaus piece.

According to the outlet, the USOPC "acknowledged that ... Jones was wrongly denied medical treatment at the Olympic Training Center." Neither the USOPC nor USA Bobsled immediately responded to an email from Fox News Digital.

"They stripped my rights, completely destroyed me, and no one was held accountable. Finally, the truth is getting out," Jones said in another X post.

"I remember limping by the sports med room every day, unable to go inside. Millions in equipment and funds are donated specifically to help Olympic athletes rehabilitate, but John Faltus canceled my appointment and locked me out The worst part? USA Bobsled and the USOPC put me back in a bobsled without ever ordering an MRI or properly evaluating my injury, risking permanent paralysis," she said in another.

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Jones never medaled in the Olympics but won two World Indoor Championships in the 60-meter hurdles and two world championships in bobsleigh events.

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Angry cruise passengers blast major line over surprise daily gratuity hike

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:50:43 -0400

Passengers of Celebrity Cruises are pushing back after the cruise line raised its automatic gratuity charges with little notice, with some guests threatening to remove their payment of the fees altogether and tip crew members in cash instead.

As of July 29, guests who do not prepay the gratuities will automatically pay between $19.50 and $24.50 per person, per day, depending on their stateroom category, according to the Celebrity Cruises gratuity policy on the company's website.

The increase raises the daily gratuity by $1.50 per person across every stateroom category, according to reports.

AMERICA’S TIPPING CULTURE HAS GONE FROM REWARDING SERVICE TO FEE INSANITY

Under the new rates, guests staying in Inside, Ocean View and Veranda staterooms will pay $19.50 per person, per day.

Concierge Class and AquaClass guests will pay $20.50, while those staying in The Retreat will pay $24.50, the policy states.

The gratuity program is part of crew compensation and reflects industry standards, while guests frequently credit crew members with making their vacations memorable, a spokesperson from Miami-based Royal Caribbean Group — of which Celebrity Cruises is part — told Fox News Digital.

The cruise line also automatically adds a 20% gratuity to purchases including beverages, beverage packages, specialty dining, room service, minibar items and spa and salon services, according to the policy.

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While many passengers said they support the idea of tipping crew members, they criticized the timing of the announcement, saying they were notified on the same day the higher rates took effect.

"Today is July 29. Nice bit of lead time," one Reddit user wrote about what happened. "I might have paid in advance for the savings... but this sucks."

"Not 'We're raising gratuities in a week, you can pay the current rate until then.' It's RIGHT NOW," another user wrote.

Several passengers said the cruise line should simply build gratuities into the advertised fare, rather than charging them separately.

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"At this point, they just need to include gratuities in their fare like the luxury lines do," one Reddit user wrote.

Several guests said they planned to opt out of the automatic gratuities and instead hand cash directly to crew members, saying they wanted to ensure the money reached the employees who served them.

"I've started removing them and spending the exact same amount or more in direct tips," one passenger wrote.

"At least then I know what I'm paying is going directly to the workers."

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Not all reactions were negative, however.

"My stateroom attendants have always been great. I don't mind the gratuity going up," one Reddit user wrote.

"Celebrity could have rolled this out more thoughtfully, though."

World Series champion Joe Giradi reveals the two major things impacting the trade deadline

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:50:14 -0400

One of the busiest and most exciting times of Major League Baseball’s season is rapidly approaching: the trade deadline.

This year’s trade deadline is set for Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. ET with plenty of contenders looking to bolster their rosters. However, looming over the trade deadline is the expiration of the CBA and the lack of sellers.

In 2022, Major League Baseball added the third wild-card spot to the postseason, allowing more teams to remain in contention. At the time of this writing, all but seven teams are within 5½ games of the final wild-card spot, making more teams reluctant to part ways with key pieces while chasing a playoff berth.

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World Series champion Joe Girardi said the sellers will control the market.

"Well, I think it changes it completely because so many teams are still in it," Girardi told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. "I would say there's only probably seven teams that would consider themselves eliminated out of the 30 so far.

"So, that means there's probably not going to be a lot of people traded from the other 23 teams. So, everyone's going to be in the hunt for those guys on those seven teams. And there's only so many that you can acquire."

The Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, the Athletics and Kansas City Royals are expected to be among the sellers.

"I think it's going to make it really interesting. I think for the seven teams that are probably planning on moving players at this time, I think they're in a great position to rebuild because their assets are going to become, teams are going to come at him hard, and you're going to get some pretty good deals."

Girardi, who won three World Series as a player during his 15-year career and one as a manager of the New York Yankees, said the expiration of the CBA will change how teams operate.

JOE GIRARDI, SHANE VICTORINO TO MANAGE TOP HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TALENT AT PERFECT GAME ALL-AMERICAN CLASSIC

While Girardi remains confident Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association will strike a deal, he expects teams to be more aggressive.

"I think they will. I think teams will go for it more in a sense, not knowing what's going to happen next year. And I'm still a strong believer that a deal will get done. Because it always does. There's nothing in the history of the game that tells me that either side is willing to shut it down for a whole year," Girardi told Fox News Digital on behalf of Perfect Game.

"But there's always that risk, and sometimes teams get older, they figure that their window is closing. Let's go for it now because we don't know what's going to happen next year, and we'll just adjust when we have to."

The Los Angeles Dodgers are going for their third straight World Series championship this season, and two-time reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal could be on the move as the Detroit Tigers continue to scuffle, according to ESPN.

The Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays are all expected to be in on Skubal, according to the report.

San Diego Padres All-Star closer Mason Miller could be on the move, but the team is just 1½ games behind the race for a wild-card spot in the National League.

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If some of the teams within striking distance of the final wild-card spot — like the Baltimore Orioles (2½ games back), Tigers (4½ games back), Miami Marlins (2 games back), Washington Nationals (2 games back) and St. Louis Cardinals (2½ games back) — decide to blow it up, they could change the landscape of the sport.

Girardi was a catcher in the big leagues for 15 years. He spent the first four seasons of his career with the Chicago Cubs, the next three with the Rockies, the next four with the Yankees and returned to the Cubs for three years before spending his final season with the Cardinals. He made the All-Star Game in 2000 with the Cubs.

He had a career .267 batting average with 36 home runs and 424 RBI. After his playing career, he became a manager. He spent one season with the Marlins in 2006 and then managed the Yankees for 10 seasons, beginning in 2008. Girardi most recently managed the Phillies for 2½ years from 2020 to 2022.

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'Disrespected' Baker Mayfield warns Buccaneers 'it's only going to get worse' after failed contract talks

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:49:19 -0400

Baker Mayfield used the word "disrespected" and phrases such as "very disappointed to say the least" and "undervalued after thinking you've earned it," so it's pretty obvious the team's starting quarterback is not thrilled about how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers handled his recent contract negotiations.

Those negotiations have ended now. Mayfield imposed a start-of-training-camp deadline to bring them to a close and he's sticking to it.

But the weeks of negotiations and offers the Bucs made before the deadline have left him in an unhappy place. And that's not a good place for any player, much less the team's starting quarterback, to be to start training camp.

BAKER MAYFIELD'S SELF-IMPOSED CONTRACT DEADLINE ARRIVES AS BUCCANEERS AND QUARTERBACK FAIL TO AGREE ON DEAL

"It's disappointing in the regard to have, you know, to feel disrespected a little bit," Mayfield told reporters. "And, um, that's really the disappointing part to feel undervalued after, you know, thinking you've earned it.

"This is not a poor-me thing. There's a lot other people that have it way worse off, but I can sit here and look at other quarterbacks and peers and evaluate myself based on that and put myself in certain categories that I deserve to be compensated for that.

"And I think I'm a franchise quarterback. I've been told I'm a franchise quarterback. It's been said publicly from ownership down here. And so to not have a deal done is very disappointing."

Mayfield told ESPN the Bucs didn't offer anything beyond a two-year deal. He actually wanted a longer-term deal that would have kept him in Tampa into his mid-30s.

There are currently 10 NFL quarterbacks who make between $51 million and $55 million per season on an annual average basis. Mayfield wants to be part of that group.

Mayfield instead will collect up to $28 million in the final year of his three-year deal that averaged $33.3 million per season.

The quarterback and the team have agreed not to discuss the contract situation again this season, in part, because of Mayfield's deadline. But anyone who knows Mayfield knows him not talking about it and not thinking about it are two different things.

He's going to think about how he feels he's been treated.

"It's disappointing when you think you're the cornerstone of the franchise to be treated like that," he admitted.

He's going to feel free to take shots at the club if he feels the need. He did exactly that on Thursday, criticizing how the Bucs have historically handled negotiations with other players including Mike Evans and Tristan Wirfs, and are currently dealing with Vita Vea, who has requested a trade.

And Mayfield is going to use all that as fuel and motivation to have an outstanding year. If he has that kind of season, he's obviously going to command more than what he was expecting in the just concluded negotiations.

"If you waited this long to take care of your franchise quarterback, that's too bad because it's only going to get worse from here," he said, as if announcing to the team what would happen in future talks.

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Mayfield addressed his teammates about his contract talks. Yeah, this is a locker room issue now even as Mayfield promised he's done talking about money.

"I addressed the team to let them know ... It's all ball with these guys," he vowed. "I think all the guys that have been here know exactly who I am. The guys that haven't been here I wanted to address that because they might have had a notion prior to coming here about who I am as a person.

"But it's all team. It's all about winning here now and what we're going to do."

Mayfield loves Tampa. He has said numerous times he'd love to raise his family there.

It doesn't escape scrutiny in the context of his current feelings and contract situation that on Thursday he called it, "home for now."

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Reality TV stars clash over what really destroyed their marriage after shocking bedroom confession

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:48:06 -0400

Amanda Batula shed new light on the intimacy issues that plagued the reality TV star's marriage to Kyle Cooke, revealing the estranged couple's sex life all but disappeared years before they split.

Months after announcing their separation, Batula and Cooke opened up about their lack of intimacy at the "Summer House" reunion in June. The estranged couple later revealed more about the challenges they faced behind closed doors during the "In the City" reunion Tuesday.

Batula hinted there were issues with emotional intimacy long before the two tied the knot in 2021, revealing sex was a topic of discussion during couples' therapy ahead of their wedding. The swimsuit brand founder also attributed the lack of physical touch to her depression.

JESSIE JAMES DECKER ON WHY HER MARRIAGE TO ERIC DECKER HASN'T LOST ITS SPARK AFTER FOUR KIDS

"I wasn’t getting courted," Batula admitted, according to People. "There were no dates."

"He would work all day, work all night, then come to bed, tell me an email and then try to have sex with me," she explained. "It felt like there was no foreplay. There was no emotional intimacy. There was no conversation. There was nothing else happening in the relationship."

"I felt like I was just an object at that point," Batula added. "Then the depression hit also, and then it was just an unfortunate storm. Then he would still go out. He would still do these things. We get into big fights —"

TIM ALLEN REVEALS THE ONE THING THAT HAS SAVED HIS NEARLY 20-YEAR MARRIAGE TO JANE HAJDUK

The former couple has been open about the struggles in their marriage, and it's no surprise to fans that Batula struggled with the amount of time Cooke spent pouring into his business, Loverboy, and later becoming a DJ to help move his company out of debt.

"Can you imagine? Like this is not like a guy-girl thing, but like we get married, and there’s just like we never have sex," Cooke interjected during the reunion.

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Cooke admitted his focus on building their future came at the expense of their relationship.

"One of my issues, like every single thing we ever did, was only because I arranged it. So, like every date we ever went on, trip, getaway, I’m putting in the hours now or then, so we can provide for a family later," he explained to host Andy Cohen.

Batula said Cooke's explanation only reinforced her argument that she had been "put on the back burner."

"It takes a toll on our romantic and intimate relationship," she claimed.

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"Your solution was for me to read a book on how to date an entrepreneur, and I wanted you to take me on a date," Batula said. "So like you’re literally saying exactly what I’m saying is that you worked really hard for our future, but it did have an effect on our marriage and our relationship."

Batula and Cooke announced their separation in January after roughly four years of marriage. The two first met while filming "Summer House" in 2015.

By March, Batula announced she was freshly dating "Summer House" co-star West Wilson after weeks of speculation.

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'The irony': Ketanji Brown Jackson roasted after stressing impartiality on Michelle Obama's podcast

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:42:52 -0400

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is being mocked online over the "irony" of saying she is "very, very mindful and scrupulous" about being impartial during a guest appearance on former first lady Michelle Obama’s podcast, "IMO."

During an appearance of more than an hour on the podcast, Jackson, a Biden appointee to the Supreme Court, stressed the importance of being unbiased, saying, "You really have to be focused on that."

"There are lots of limits on what judges can do, and I try to be very, very mindful and scrupulous with respect to that because, as you say, our obligation is to be unbiased in our approach," said Jackson.

MICHELLE OBAMA ACCUSES MEDIA OF WEAPONIZING FASHION TO 'DIMINISH' HER AS A CAMPAIGN THREAT

"And, so, you have to then navigate all the sources that could make for an appearance of partiality, which you want to avoid."

She added that "there are lots of things that I end up not accepting for that reason."

The former first lady asked Jackson about the practices she follows to remain unbiased.

"You also have to watch your exposure to things, so that there isn’t a bias," said Obama. "What does that mean for you in terms of reading the paper and listening to the news? And how do get your information and what do you have to be careful about? And how are you dealing with the potential conflicts so that you do stay above board?"

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Jackson said there are employees in the court whose job is to be "assisting us in that way."

"When I get invitations to do things, I always have them screened by the legal office, the public information office, just to make sure that there are no ethical conflicts, that this is not a fundraiser, you know," she told Obama.

ALITO RIPS JACKSON’S ‘UTTERLY IRRESPONSIBLE’ SOLO DISSENT AS SUPREME COURT FIGHT SHAKES UP 2026 MAP

Reactions poured in quickly.

"Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown discusses the importance of being neutral while she is sitting on Michelle Obama’s podcast set!" Turning Point USA contributor John Amanchukwu wrote.

"She doesn’t really expect anyone to believe that, does she?" conservative influencer Patricia Foster wrote.

"Make it make sense," commentator DeVory Darkins wrote.

"Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson can't be real. She says it is important to be neutral as a Supreme Court justice........while she is literally on MAJOR leftist Michelle Obama's podcast," Darkins wrote. "We ALL know how impartial she is."

'WOKE' SMITHSONIAN EXHIBIT LIONIZES EMBATTLED FAUCI AMID CONSERVATIVE SCRUTINY OF MUSEUM'S MESSAGING

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Harris Rigby, a columnist for the Babylon Bee's non-satirical site "Not the Bee," wrote, "There isn't a strong enough word for the irony in this video clip."

He ripped Jackson as "the most public, loud-mouthed, self-assured judge in the history of the United States," adding that she now "wants to lecture us about the dignity of the courts."

Fox News Digital reached out to Obama and the Supreme Court for comment.

NBA will not travel to the Middle East this preseason due to war: report

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:41:59 -0400

The NBA has played preseason games in the Middle East for four consecutive years, but the league will not be traveling there this year.

According to ESPN, the ongoing war overseas will halt the league from traveling there for a fifth year in a row.

Games have been played at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi since 2022, with the first game featuring the Washington Wizards against the Golden State Warriors. Two games have been played each year since.

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The NBA has not made plans to head there during the regular season.

Two preseason games are slated to be held in China this October, marking the league's first time there since 2019. The league was yet to announce any games in the Middle East.

ESPN said the league had conversations with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets and Wizards about going to Saudi Arabia to play.

ALABAMA BASKETBALL COACH NATE OATS MARRIES FORMER HOOPS STAFFER 20 YEARS HIS JUNIOR FOLLOWING DIVORCE

The NBA has recently expanded its relationship with the Middle East, even exploring the possibility of playing games in Qatar, according to ESPN.

The NBA and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism extended their partnership in January, which includes preseason NBA Global Games, expanded marketing efforts and the launch of an NBA Global Academy in the city.

Regular-season games will be played in France, England, Mexico and Germany this season.

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The New York Knicks began their championship run with a preseason game in Abu Dhabi last October.

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Trump administration probes Minnesota over 'transgender dolls' in schools, but state disputes story

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:32:20 -0400

The Trump administration is threatening to strip federal funding from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) as part of a federal investigation into reports that "transgender dolls" are being introduced in classrooms, although the state claims it has no involvement and no such program is happening.

A Department of Education (ED) official told Fox News Digital that the probe was opened by the agency's Student Privacy Policy Office following a privacy complaint filed by the advocacy group Defending Education. The complaint alleged that Minnesota parents were not notified — nor given the opportunity to opt their children out — of classroom activities involving "MyGender Dolls."

If the federal probe finds that state officials violated the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) or infringed upon parental rights, the state risks losing key federal education dollars.

TRUMP ADMIN TARGETS WOKE SCHOOLS ACCUSED OF HIDING STUDENTS' GENDER TRANSITIONS FROM PARENTS

The Minnesota Department of Education said, however, it "has no involvement" with the program and pointed to the University of Minnesota housing a study on the dolls.

"This is a University of Minnesota study/program. The Minnesota Department of Education has no involvement with this," a spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

Developed through a program housed at the University of Minnesota, "MyGender Dolls" feature paper characters with removable and interchangeable internal and external genitalia, clothing, and accessories designed for children as young as 4 years old.

"If we are able to determine that the Minnesota Department of Education has violated federal parental rights laws, this could include referral to the Department of Justice, and violation of those laws could result in the termination of the Minnesota Department of Education's federal funding," ED spokesperson Amelia Joy told Fox News Digital.

In response to the backlash, researchers behind the project stated that the dolls are intended as "a therapeutic tool for use by licensed professionals" and said the dolls will not be distributed in public school classrooms this fall.

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

Joy said that the dolls were "shocking."

"I'd like to take a moment to point out the fact that these dolls, in this case in Minnesota, the MyGender Dolls, were advertised for use in classrooms with students as young as four years old," Joy said. "They were actually developed through a taxpayer-funded program at the University of Minnesota. So, Governor Walz is using taxpayer dollars to create these dolls for 4-year-olds so that they can play with representations of genitalia that are removable and interchangeable."

However, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's office disputes Joy's claims that the dolls were facilitated through a "taxpayer-funded" effort, saying the program was created through private donors and is supported entirely by a privately funded grant.

"The Governor has no connection to this program. It was not developed or funded by the Minnesota Department of Education and is not being implemented in Minnesota schools under the Walz Administration. This entire story has been manufactured by right-wing media to distract from President Trump's flailing economy and never-ending war," the governor's office told Fox News Digital.

University of Minnesota officials doubled down on rejecting such sentiments.

"The University of Minnesota is firmly committed to supporting the innovative research of our faculty and students," a spokesperson from the university told Fox News Digital.

The statement added: "The team that developed MyGender Dolls participated in privately funded review competitions and received no state or federal dollars to support the development of the dolls or commercialization efforts. MyGender Dolls is a private, independent LLC, not affiliated with the University of Minnesota."

In a press release, ED officials described the dolls as "sexually explicit" and argued that using them with young children undermines parental authority over sensitive subjects. Under the PPRA, parents hold the explicit statutory right to review instructional materials and opt their children out of surveys or activities involving sensitive personal topics.

"While Governor Walz and the radical left continue to funnel taxpayer dollars to perverted ideologies that can harm children, the Trump Administration is fighting to protect children’s innocence and defend parents’ role as the first and primary decision-makers in their child’s education," U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement. "No four-year-old should be exposed to such material – especially without a parent’s knowledge or consent. ED will enforce the law to its fullest extent, putting parents and families firmly in the driver’s seat of their child’s education."

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OPENS FOUR TITLE IX INVESTIGATIONS INTO MICHIGAN AND NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL DISTRICTS

The action against Minnesota comes as the Trump administration expands a broader campaign against gender-identity policies in public schools. On Monday — National Parents Day — the Department of Education partnered with the DOJ to take enforcement action against two other school districts accused of violating the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

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Federal officials warned Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland and Ann Arbor Public Schools in Michigan that they could lose federal funds for allegedly concealing information from parents regarding their children's gender transitions at school.

Cheating wife exposed by underpaid babysitter, 43-year age gap couple busted at the pool & dating your crush

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:31:27 -0400

It's been a long week, but not long enough too keep me from filing another True Romance. I always have the energy, even if some weeks require more coffee than others, for our weekly strolls through the sometimes complicated world of romance.

If a 67-year-old on Tinder has enough energy to look for a sugar baby and to get arrested on charges related to allegedly getting upset when his date called her friends to pick her up, I should be able to sit down and handle my responsibilities.

What a time to be alive. You don't have to give up on romance in your 60s. You don't have to give up on romance in your 70s and beyond either.

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

We have a 75-year-old getting busted for allegedly getting on with a 32-year-old woman at an apartment complex pool over the weekend to thank for that knowledge. That's not the only lesson these two have for us this week.

It turns out this week is full of lessons. From poolside hookups to the magic of shooting your shot with your crush, there's a lot to learn. We're going to get started with the confession of a babysitter.

The lesson here is to always pay the babysitter, especially when your husband is always on business trips, and you're fooling around behind his back. Paying what you owe is the least you can do.

I can't get started without mentioning the biggest offseason love story in the NFL. No, not the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce story. I still say if they don't have any children that it was all a show.

I'm talking about the engagement of Justin Herbert and Madison Beer, of course. Congratulations to the two of them. That's a real love story.

Go follow True Romance on Twitter and Facebook. Send your emails here: sean.joseph@outkick.com (anonymously if you prefer).

I ruined a marriage over unpaid babysitting

I suppose the easiest solution to not getting caught cheating would be to not cheat in the first place. Since that's out of the question for some, another approach might be to make sure that you stay on the good side of any witnesses to your infidelities.

Let's say you have a babysitter, for instance, who watches the kids while you're out running around behind your husband's back. The very least you could do is pay her more when you run late. I'd toss a healthy tip on top of that, but you play with as much fire as you want.

Because that's exactly what you're doing by coming home late and not paying them what you owe. The babysitter can ruin your "having cake and eating it too" situation at any time.

This confession from a babysitter who did just that should serve as a lesson to those of you who think the babysitter isn't going to say anything and that you can keep ignoring the fact that you're shorting them.

"I used to babysit for a couple whose husband was always away on business trips. The wife was cheating and constantly came home late, completely ignoring my extra hours and refusing to pay me," the babysitter wrote on Reddit.

"The final straw was when she was three hours late and stiffed me on the spot again. The very next time her side guy came over, I snapped a clear picture of them together."

See. This is exactly why you don't play around with witnesses. You either have none or take care of the ones who you do have. The babysitter took that picture and fired off a marriage ending text to her husband.

The text message read, "Since I'm not getting paid, thought you should see what she's busy doing."

All that had to be done was to pay for the extra time the babysitter spent at your house watching your kids while your husband was out of town. That's it. Since that's the approach that was taken, other methods were used.

"Their marriage ended shortly after, and I consider my debt fully settled," added the babysitter.

Let me say this before I get emails falsely claiming this babysitter is anti-romance. I'd say that was the case if she was fully compensated for her time and started making demands for her silence.

I don’t see any indication of that whatsoever.

It appears to me, she was more than willing to mind her own business and leave romance in the hands of those pursuing it.

The wife got too caught up in the pursuit and didn’t take time to make sure everything was handled properly. It cost her marriage, but let’s hope it didn’t cost her a shot at love.

This Week In True Romance

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43-year age gap romance at the pool

Now to Waco, Texas, where police arrested a 75-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman on charges of public lewdness, reports KWTX.

These two, like the cheating wife stiffing her babysitter, got too caught up in the pursuit of romance, allegedly. It took place at an apartment complex pool around 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Officers were called to investigate reports of indecent exposure. Multiple witnesses had called alleging that the 43-year, age gap couple were having sex and there were children present.

The witnesses interviewed told officers that they were in the back corner of the pool and that the woman was allegedly on top of the man "grinding and thrusting" while moaning loudly.

The 75-year-old man admitted that the much younger woman was on top of him, but claimed they weren't having sex because he has a "penile implant." He did, however, admit that there was sexual contact.

They were both arrested on charges of public lewdness and later released on bond. Obviously, the lesson here is to keep whatever they were doing in the pool inside.

Kids don't need to see that, and I'm going to take a wild guess and say there aren't many adults who want to see either, let alone in the pool.

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For those of you who finally hooked up with a serious crush you were pining for, how did it go?

I know what you're thinking. This has been one bad ending after another, minus the Herbert and Beer engagement. We usually try not to get too high or too low around here. Well, you're partially correct.

It is true, we do try to end somewhere in the middle, every week. Not too high and not too low. Where you're getting it incorrect is that we're in a nosedive up to this point. We've learned a few lessons along the way.

That's always worth a few extra bonus points. Not to mention there are aspects of the pool story, especially when it comes to the pursuit of romance not ending at 75, that helps keep us from getting too low.

The NFL love story is a parachute on the nosedive too. By the time we make it through this portion of the day's activities, I think we'll be right where we need to be.

Here are a few stories from Reddit of the overwhelming good, bad, and ugly of shooting your shot with your crush. Grab a tissue, these are what it's all about:

Been together 16 years, married 10. But she could just be being friendly.
Asked him out, got married, 10/10 honeymoon, 5 years in still 10/10
Had a huge crush on this girl I met in college. I thought about her all the time. Way out of my league. I wasn’t her type. I didn’t even really try. Turns out, she was into me. Told one of my college baseball teammates who asked her out "no, I’m going home with him." We dated for three years and broke up amicably. I was still unbelievably in love with her, but I understood why we had to end things at the time. We stayed friends on Instagram and ran into each other randomly 11 years later. Two years later, we got married and she’s currently snoring on my recliner right now.
I was with her for a little over two years. She was with me about a year and a half.
Had a huge crush on a girl in college for years. She had a long distance boyfriend but they were always on the rocks. Her friend group mixed a lot with mine so would see eachother occasionally at events or bars. One day she told me that she broke up with him and told me that she also had a crush on me for years. That was probably one of the highest highs I’ve ever had. What followed was a year of an amazing relationship, one year of a bit of a rocky one, and then she ghosted me over the summer before our last year of college. She ended up never coming back to school and apparently finished her degree online. This was maybe 7ish years ago and I never saw her again.
When we were early teens I met her, she didn’t want anything to do with me. I remember thinking "one day we will marry"4 years later we met again, married her, divorced after 5 years, still processing. Not all ends are happy ends unfortunately
She always has a boyfriend, so it just wasn't happening. Then we hooked up when she was upset about one of the breakups. A friend gave me bad advice... so I never pursued it. Then some years later we started dating. Then we got married. Then we had a kid. Then we had another kid. I'd say it went pretty good.
We’d been good friends in College, nothing physical, but always a spark. Went to each other’s weddings, ironically separated from our spouses about a month apart, we had both been married for about 15 years. She called to tell me, I laughed and told her the same, and told her I had an open long weekend coming up and invited her to fly up and meet me for a weekend in Napa. We drank alot of wine, only left the room for food and some hiking in the mountains between Napa and Sonoma. Been married 17 years now. Good times. Never give up.
Got the biggest crush ever on the sales girl at my first job out of college. I was a software engineer, she was sales but I always made excuses to be around her as much as possible. We hung out and talked at work. Sometimes outside of work but the timing was never quite right. I was dating someone, or she was dating someone but we always talked and we're good firends. This went on for five years until finally the stars aligned and we got real honest with each other. What followed has been the best 16 years of my life being married to the love of my life. We have three kids and still flirt just like we did back in the day. Shes also more beautiful than ever. I'm a very lucky man.
10 years overall. The first 3 were a rollercoaster of kids discovering emotions. The next 6 were wonderful and amazing. The last one was long and rough and full of new things that I don't regret now but I wish I didn't have to go through. I hope they're happy wherever they are now.
Dated for 2 years. Broke each other's hearts when we broke up. Hope she's doing well now.
High school crush, a decade later. It was the best 6 months of my life. We wanted different things out of life and figured that out right away. Still kept it up while we were both single, knowing we had an expiration date.

True Romance Theme Songs

- Kevin writes:

For any tale involving an STD: Burning Love by Elvis Presley

A Little Too Late (to Do the Right Thing Now) - Tanya Tucker

- Deep in the Heart of Texas writes:

Sean,

I was going to give your readers a break from me this week, but I realized that you are working overtime filling in for Joe on Screencaps this week. We really appreciate that, so here is a little help for True Romance this week . . .

A Little Too Late (to Do the Right Thing Now) by Tanya Tucker is another song that fits True Romance perfectly. There isn’t a good original video to go with this song, but you can pick from two grainy live performances:

Interestingly, I’ve used this phrase "a little to late to do the right thing now" as a mantra to coach work teams to avoiding poor decisions that lead to bigger problems.

When it comes to avoid saying the wrong things that lead to bad things, I use an old friend’s mantra "You can’t un-ring a bell."

Have a great week and get back to prioritizing summer as soon as things slow down for you.

SeanJo

Thanks for reaching out. It has been a busy week and these song-of-the-week suggestions are appreciated. "A Little Too Late (to Do the Right Thing Now)" fits the theme this week perfectly.

Kevin, I'll keep the Elvis song in mind should romance take us there.

-------------

That is all for this week. You can reach me, anonymously if you prefer, at sean.joseph@outkick.com. Send me whatever you want and keep the song suggestions coming.

Social media reacts to Red Wings awkwardly wishing Dylan Larkin a happy birthday after he requested a trade

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:27:05 -0400

It's a weird time for the Detroit Red Wings. They haven't been to the postseason in a decade, they're between GMs, and their home-grown captain Dylan Larkin has asked for a trade.

And if that wasn't bad enough, Thursday is Larkin's birthday, and since he's still the captain of the team, they had to say something.

Well, I'd contend that they didn't, but they did, and boy, did people not let them forget how awkward things are right now.

NHL'S TOP AMERICAN-BORN SCORER PATRICK KANE SIGNS DEAL TO RETURN TO CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

That's a plain Jane graphic if ever I've seen one — although the Chick-fil-A sponsorship is cool; I wish they'd sponsor my birthday — but if you didn't know what was going on with Larkin, you wouldn't think anything of it.

At least until you consider the team's birthday message from 365 days ago when things were just swell up in Hockeytown.

A little more excitement behind that one, huh?

And once again, Chick-fil-A got in on it. The official happy birthday-wisher of the Detroit Red Wings. Who knew?

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While it was nice of the team to give Larkin a shoutout in light of recent events, they probably could've flown under the radar.

I think the odds of someone being like, "Your silence on your captain's birthday is deafening," are low. But then again, it's the internet, so who knows?

What I do know is that fans were not sending well-wishes of their own.

There's a chance that this will not be the final awkward happy birthday for Larkin in Detroit.

He requested a trade going into what is only the fourth year of an eight-year contract that runs through the 2030-31 season.

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If the Red Wings can't cut a deal with another team that is to their liking — and Larkin's, given he has a full no-trade clause in his contract for the next two years — he'll be sticking with the team.

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So, yeah, maybe keep an eye on what's going on in Detroit this season.

It could certainly be interesting.

Trump promotes Freedom Haulers Initiative to fast-track military veterans into trucking jobs

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:09:48 -0400

President Donald Trump on Thursday formally kicked off an administration initiative designed to fast-track military veterans into trucking jobs while removing illegal immigrant commercial drivers from America's roadways, arguing the effort will improve highway safety and create new employment opportunities for former service members.

Speaking at the White House alongside Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and trucking industry leaders, Trump promoted the "Freedom Haulers Initiative," which streamlines the commercial driver's license (CDL) process for veterans with heavy vehicle experience gained during military service.

"Today, we're taking action to get illegal alien truck drivers off the American roadways and replace them with proud American veterans," Trump said. "It's about time."

TRUMP TAPS VETERANS TO FIX ILLEGAL ALIEN TRUCKING PROBLEM PLAGUING US ROADWAYS

Under the initiative, qualified veterans with heavy-vehicle experience gained during military service can apply to waive the CDL road-skills test, allowing them to avoid duplicating training they received in the military. Certain veterans in participating states may also qualify for a waiver of the written knowledge test. Veterans without military truck-driving experience will be eligible for expedited training that administration officials said could be completed in several weeks.

Trump said 34 states have joined or are working to implement the Even Exchange Program, including Indiana, Wyoming, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida and Maryland, and called on the remaining states to participate.

The president paired the promotion with his administration's ongoing crackdown on commercial drivers who do not meet federal English-language requirements or who were issued licenses while in the country illegally.

OUT OF CONTROL, UNQUALIFIED ILLEGAL ALIEN TRUCKERS ENDANGERING KIDS ON US ROADS, INSIDER WARNS: ‘JUST MADNESS’

Trump said the administration has removed more than 24,000 non-English-speaking commercial drivers from behind the wheel and worked with states to cancel more than 28,000 commercial driver's licenses he said were unlawfully issued to illegal immigrants. He also pointed to several fatal crashes allegedly involving illegal immigrants while arguing for the policy change.

Duffy said the initiative eliminates unnecessary barriers for veterans transitioning into civilian careers while prioritizing highway safety.

"These are great-paying jobs. They're anywhere from $80,000 to $100,000-plus a year," Duffy said. "…illegals are out. American patriots are in."

ILLEGAL TRUCKER CASES FUEL GOP PUSH TO CRACK DOWN ON CDL MILLS AS DEMS LARGELY SILENT

Collins said the Department of Veterans Affairs will also expand access to CDL training by allowing eligible veterans to use GI Bill benefits and by accelerating enrollment in existing training programs.

"Let's put veterans in the seats, making jobs safer and better for all Americans," Collins said, noting that roughly one in 10 truck drivers nationwide already are veterans.

Werner Enterprises President Nathan Meisgeier announced his company will hire 1,400 veterans over the next year as part of the Freedom Haulers Initiative, calling military veterans a natural fit for the trucking industry.

"This administration's Freedom Haulers campaign will have a direct and powerful impact on our ability to bring even more veterans into our workforce," Meisgeier said.

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Army veteran Ricky Washington, who transitioned into commercial trucking after serving for three decades in the Army and Army National Guard, said the profession offers former service members another opportunity to serve the country.

"The trucking industry is more than just a sector of our economy — it's the backbone of our commerce," Washington said. "It is a place where service members, veterans [and] military spouses can find a purpose, a community and a way to continue keeping our great nation moving forward."

Danica Patrick stuns America with her double-bikini in Europe, NFL Live tackles black coaches & a sad MLB stat

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:54:25 -0400

'Nightcaps' is a daily column that catches you up on the biggest sports, news and culture stories you may have missed while pretending to do work at your desk. It runs Monday–Friday on OutKick.com.

Final two days of July, folks. This is it. Let's end the month strong, and get the busy part of the sports calendar started.

That's right. The BUSY part! Thank goodness. I'm so tired of the WNBA being the only talking point right now in sports. Yes, I know baseball is also going on — and we've got a trade deadline coming up — but you know what I mean.

It's exhausting. I'm as guilty as anyone, but I'll admit, I've sort of been worn down by that insufferable league this week. We've got a football game in one week. Let's focus on that. Please?

Lordy, do we need football right now.

Welcome to a Thursday Nightcaps — the one where Danica Patrick gives everyone an update on her summer trip in Europe. Thanks goodness. I was wondering!

What else? I've got NFL personality Kay Adams sending up the bat signal that FOOTBALL is officially back, maybe the most depressing baseball stat of all time, Vic Fangio making the Big Js in Philadelphia SWEAT, and let's check in with the new and improved NFL Live in the post Ryan Clark era!

Wait till you see how they covered Day 1 of NFL training camps.

OK, grab you a slice of cheesecake for National Cheesecake Day, and settle in for a Thursday 'Cap!

Danica Patrick had a big summer in Europe

I think I'd put cheesecake right up there with any and all desserts. It's so versatile. You can drizzle it with just about anything, and get away with it.

Anyone here been to a Cheesecake Factory lately? I think I've been only once or twice in my life. You just don't see them down here in Florida, at least where I am.

That being said, it does remind me of the famous Vince Young story from his rookie year where he allegedly spend $15,000 at Cheesecake Factory ... in ONE sitting:

No clue if that actually happened or not, but Lordy, what a night that would be! Not sure how exactly you'd rack up a tab that big at a Cheesecake Factory, but with those menu sizes, I reckon it's conceivable.

Whew.

What a weird, winding road we've taken to get this class off and running. This is what you get during one of these summer school sessions, though.

Speaking of summer ... let's get this class officially started with Danica Patrick sending up a heater from across the pond:

Vic Fangio pleads the Fauci!

Danica! Welcome back to the states. You've missed a lot. Wait till you hear about the nonsense going on in the WNBA right now.

Patrick, by the way, takes these summer trips to Europe all the time. I believe this is the third year we've covered this here at OutKick. In fact, two summers ago, I believe we got a Part I and II.

Not 100% sure what's going on with the double-bikini look, but who am I to judge? In fact, according to sources (Google), this "layered" look is all the rage right now.

Singer Dua Lipa apparently made the trend popular last year, and it's now the "unexpected" look taking over the summer.

"Following fashion girls’ penchant for tying bikini tops upside down, it’s a new 'wrong way to wear' that feels oh-so right — and very fun," wrote the fashion website, PureWow.com.

The more you know, I reckon!

Good to see Danica's mystery boyfriend made the trip, too. Big step for those two lovebirds. Still have no idea who he is, but he was included in the annual Europe trip, which is a good sign.

Can't wait to see where these two go next.

Now, let's head back to the US of A and check in with Eagles DC Vic Fangio, who opened training camp today by pleading the fifth:

Nobody can hit, NFL Live tackles the big training camp questions & Kay Adams says NFL is BACK!

"What's the plan at safety?"

"I'm gonna be like Fauci and just take the Fifth Amendment on questions. Did you guys see that? Oh my god. What was the question?"

Amazing. Good stuff here from Vic Fangio. How embarrassing was that Fauci grilling yesterday? Never, ever let 2020 happen again, folks. Goodness, what a miserable time.

Not down here in Florida, of course. But everywhere else. Our Governor called out Fauci's BS about two months into that nonsense, and we never looked back.

Man, I'm going to miss him. DeSantis, not Fauci.

OK, let's rapid-fire this Thursday class into a big Thursday night. First up? Might as well stick with the NFL theme today and check in on how NFL Live covered Day 1 of training camps yesterday.

Incredible.

So, I was sitting at the Applebee's down the street yesterday evening just trying to kill some time and enjoy the coldest Miller Lite in town, when guess what popped onto the main screen.

NFL Live decided to discuss the "state of Black coaching" on Day 1 of training camps. What are we doing here? They just refuse to learn. Honestly, at some point, you have to respect the refusal to pivot. It's impressive.

They had ALL OFFSEASON to fill with this nonsense, and they chose to break it down on the first actual day of practice? They're nothing if not predictable.

Hope Ryan Clark was watching!

Next? Let's quickly leave the gridiron and head to the diamond, where one stat came across my timeline last night and rocked me to my core:

A couple things ...

That's not technically correct anymore. As of today, there are currently seven players in Major League Baseball hitting over .300. Seven.
Regardless, it's a jarring stat to see. Seven!

How is that possible? Do you know how many players in the league qualify for this category (3.1 plate appearances per game)? 157.

So seven players out of 157 qualified players are currently hitting above .300 right now. That's a tick over 4% of the league.

One X user responded to that post with a whopper of his own:

Look at that lineup. Look at those numbers! Seven players on the '95 Indians hit over .300! And we can't even get that in the entire league right now.

Stunning. What in the world is going on?

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OK, that's it for today. Solid class. July is almost over, folks. Football is back, and so is Kay Adams.

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See you tomorrow.

What's going on in Major League Baseball? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com.

'Knots Landing' icon Donna Mills joins OnlyFans at 85 to connect with fans 'on her own terms’

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:52:47 -0400

Donna Mills is proving age is just a number.

The 85-year-old "Knots Landing" icon is taking fans by surprise with her latest career move — joining OnlyFans.

The actress, who became a television sensation playing the glamorous and ruthless Abby Cunningham on the hit show, said the platform will give her a chance to connect with fans in a more personal way.

'KNOTS LANDING' STAR DONNA MILLS SAYS SHE WON'T 'BE QUIET' AFTER CRITIC TARGETED HER MAKEUP AT AGE 85

"I've always appreciated the incredible support and encouragement I've received from my fans over the years. Social media has been a wonderful way to stay connected, but I'm excited to join OnlyFans because it offers the opportunity for a more personal and direct connection," Mills told Variety.

Mills said fans can expect an authentic look at her life off-screen.

"I'll be sharing moments from my daily life, behind-the-scenes glimpses and engaging with fans in a more meaningful way," she said. "It's simply another platform to spend quality time with the people who've supported me throughout my career while staying true to who I am."

JANE SEYMOUR, 75, SHARES HOW SHE APPROACHES AGING WITH VITALITY: 'BEST I CAN BE'

OnlyFans executives noted the Hollywood veteran isn't switching up her image.

"This is not about changing who she is. It is about giving her longtime fans more access to the personality, style and behind-the-scenes moments they already love," Andy Bachman, CEO of the talent agency Creators Inc., said.

"Donna has always been fearless and ahead of her time. She told me, 'YOLO — let's do it,' and that perfectly captures her attitude. She is approaching OnlyFans on her own terms and creating a space that feels authentic, personal and completely true to her."

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The announcement comes just weeks after Mills shared the habits she credits for looking and feeling her best at 85.

"I think the people out there have to realize it takes work. You can't just decide, 'Oh, I'm going to look good,' you know?" Mills said on Kara Mayer Robinson's "Really Famous" podcast. "I didn't wake up looking like this."

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The actress said she works out almost every day and regularly plays tennis, adding that a lifetime of exercise has helped her avoid many of the physical ailments that often come with aging.

"I started out as a dancer, so I know how essential that is, and I know what it means for your body," she said. "And I know that I don't have, at my age, any of the things that happen to the body, you know? I mean I've not had any knees replaced or hips replaced or anything, you know, because I never stopped working out."

Mills also urged people not to give up on fitness as they get older.

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"And, so, for years they don't work out," she said. "You can't get that back. You really can't. You can start to work out again ... but you've lost something in that time."

Mills rose to fame on "Knots Landing," starring in the long-running series from 1980 to 1989. With her signature blonde hair, bold fashion and stellar performances, her character became one of television's most memorable soap opera villains.

Trump pushes F-35 sale to Turkey, but his own State Department says Erdoğan hasn't met legal requirements

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:08:41 -0400

President Donald Trump has opened the door to selling Turkey the U.S.' prized F-35 fighter jet, praising Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and promising to remove sanctions imposed over Ankara’s purchase of a Russian missile defense system.

But a State Department letter to Congress makes clear that Turkey has not taken the steps legally required to receive the advanced fighter.

"Turkey has not yet met these conditions," the department said in the July 22 letter, first obtained by the Greek newspaper Kathimerini.

TRUMP COULD HAND PRIZED STEALTH JETS TO NATO ALLY ONCE SEEN AS ALLIANCE HEADACHE

The letter said U.S. law prohibits the transfer of F-35 aircraft to Turkey until Ankara no longer possesses the Russian-made S-400 system or associated equipment, promises not to acquire it again and satisfies the remaining certification requirements established by Congress.

The finding came weeks after Trump stood alongside Erdoğan at the NATO summit in Ankara and said his administration would lift sanctions on Turkey and consider selling it the aircraft.

Asked about Turkey’s continued possession of the S-400, Trump said, "I have no concerns about anything having to do with Turkey."

Trump described relations with Ankara as "better probably than it’s ever been," said Turkey had been "much more loyal" than some other countries and called a potential F-35 sale "certainly something we will consider."

Erdoğan said Turkey previously has been promised five aircraft and expressed confidence in Trump.

"I know that Mr. Trump always keeps his promises," Erdoğan said, according to Reuters.

The dispute matters far beyond a single weapons sale.

Turkey is a pivotal NATO ally controlling access between Europe and the Middle East, but its ties to Russia and Hamas have fueled doubts in Washington about whether Ankara can be trusted with America’s most sensitive military technology. The outcome will test whether Trump’s personal relationship with Erdoğan can bring Turkey back into the Western defense fold — or whether Congress and national security concerns will block the deal.

WHO IS TURKEY'S RECEP TAYYIP ERDOĞAN? HOW NATO'S MOST UNPREDICTABLE LEADER KEEPS REINVENTING HIMSELF

A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital on background that Trump "recognizes the strategic importance of Türkiye" and that his administration is encouraging Ankara "to resolve pending issues."

"Türkiye is a valued NATO ally, and we continue to engage on all aspects of our important and multi-faceted relationship," the spokesperson said.

James Jeffrey, a former U.S. ambassador to Turkey and former special representative for Syria engagement, said Trump’s position reflects both his trust in Erdoğan and their cooperation on regional security issues.

"Trump is very much for this as he works well with Erdoğan and trusts him and has succeeded together on a host of security issues from Libya to Syria to Caucasus to Ukraine and PKK ceasefire with Ankara," Jeffrey, now a distinguished fellow at The Washington Institute, told Fox News Digital.

"He knows how important this is to Erdoğan and all Turks and doesn’t want Ankara to turn to Russia or China for weapons," he said.

Turkey was removed from the F-35 development program in 2019 after purchasing the S-400 from Russia. The United States imposed sanctions the following year under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.

U.S. officials have argued that operating the Russian system alongside the F-35 could allow Moscow to collect sensitive information about the stealth aircraft.

Jeffrey said Turkey would have to genuinely relinquish the S-400 but noted that the law does not specify exactly how.

"Certainly transferring to another country would meet the legal and technical requirement," he said.

Sinan Ciddi, director of the Turkey Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, agreed that a third-country transfer could begin the process of restoring Turkey to the program. But he said Ankara would also have to provide guarantees that it would not again seek major Russian military equipment or maintain ties that could compromise the aircraft.

TRUMP BETS ON FORMER NATO TROUBLEMAKER AS TURKEY'S STRATEGIC VALUE SURGES

Reports have suggested the United Arab Emirates as a possible destination for the S-400. Ciddi said, however, that there is no confirmation Abu Dhabi would accept it.

The UAE would have to consider whether acquiring the Russian system could trigger U.S. penalties or jeopardize access to other American weapons, he said. Russia could also object to Turkey transferring the system without Moscow’s approval.

Jeffrey said Erdoğan is likely prepared to resist Russian pressure because the F-35 is both a prestige issue and an important military need for Turkey, whose air force relies heavily on F-16 aircraft.

Ciddi argued that resolving the S-400 dispute should not automatically clear the way for a sale.

"The S-400 issue that led to Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program is the floor, not the ceiling," Ciddi said, pointing to Ankara’s relationship with Hamas, continued ties with Russia, use of Chinese telecommunications technology and tensions with U.S. partners including Greece, Cyprus and Israel as additional obstacles.

The State Department letter reflected the administration’s competing views of Ankara.

While reiterating that Turkey remains legally ineligible for the F-35, the department credited it with supporting US diplomatic efforts involving Russia and Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Armenia, Gaza and counter-ISIS operations.

The letter said Turkey used its relationship with Hamas’ political leadership to help secure acceptance of Trump’s Gaza peace plan and advance the first phase of a ceasefire.

At the same time, it warned that Hamas continues to use financial channels operating from Turkish territory.

"Hamas’ use of informal financial networks and unlicensed exchange houses in Turkey to access funds remains a concern, and we are committed to disrupting these illicit financing streams," the State Department said.

Jeffrey said those Hamas ties could generate opposition in Congress but may carry less weight with Trump because his administration has relied on Ankara in Gaza diplomacy.

Ciddi interpreted the letter not as a rejection of Turkey’s return, but as a signal that the administration is prepared to move forward if Ankara meets the legal requirements.

"I think the letter is trying to convey to Congress, ‘Look, once Turkey makes good on the legal requirements of the NDAA, we can proceed with the sale,’" he said.

Congress could still be the most significant obstacle. Lawmakers have prohibited the transfer while Turkey possesses the S-400, and a bipartisan group of 18 House members recently urged congressional leaders to block any sale under current conditions, according to Axios.

The issue also has regional implications. Israel reportedly has pressed Trump not to provide Turkey with the aircraft, amid fears that a sale could weaken Israel’s qualitative military edge as tensions between Erdoğan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deepen.

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For now, the State Department’s message is clear: Trump may favor the sale, but Erdoğan must first surrender the Russian system that caused Turkey’s expulsion from the program.

The State Department and Turkish Embassy in Washington did not respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.

House panel demands classified briefings on noncitizen voting, alleged Chinese election interference

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:36:53 -0400

The House committee charged with overseeing American elections is demanding more information on allegations of noncitizens voting in federal races.

The Committee on House Administration is requesting classified briefings on foreign interference in U.S. elections after President Donald Trump raised such concerns during a speech earlier this month.

"Reports of noncitizens casting illegal ballots continue to emerge, undermining election integrity and public confidence in American elections," wrote Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, R-Wis.

"To inform potential legislative reforms, the Committee therefore requests a Member-level, classified briefing from DHS on the number of non-citizens registered to vote across the country and cyber vulnerabilities present in current voting systems. Please contact the Committee by August 13, 2026, to set up a briefing to be held in the month of September. The Committee also requests that any relevant documents be provided alongside the briefing."

HOUSE REPUBLICANS CONFRONT NJ GOVERNOR OVER 6,600 NON-CITIZENS REGISTERED TO VOTE IN ALLEGED SOFTWARE FAILURE

The classified briefing requests were sent to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, FBI Director Kash Patel and acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Bill Pulte.

In the letters, Steil cited Trump's claim that DHS discovered roughly 278,000 noncitizens registered to vote as well as recent revelations that New Jersey mistakenly added 6,600 noncitizens to its voter rolls in 2023 and 2024.

TRUMP ACCUSED CHINA OF AN 'ELECTION SECURITY NIGHTMARE' BUT THEN UNDERCUT HIS OWN WARNING

Steil also pointed to Trump's comments in his speech on Chinese-led "cyberattacks on election infrastructure."

The committee's release said there were "serious concerns about the security of American elections."

The briefing requests come less than 100 days before the November midterm elections, which will decide which party controls both houses of Congress for the latter half of Trump's final term in the Oval Office.

Republicans have long raised concerns about the security of American elections, which Democrats have argued are attempts to undermine people's faith in those elections.

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It is already a federal crime to vote in elections as a noncitizen, but the GOP is pushing for further guardrails such as proof of citizenship in the voter registration process and a federal voter ID standard at the polls.

To date, no evidence has been found that noncitizens have swayed the outcome of any federal election.

JONATHAN TURLEY: Fauci takes the Fifth 111 times – and the media still rush to defend him

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:36:35 -0400

As I wrote this week, Dr. Anthony Fauci was not the only one taking the Fifth on Wednesday over his record during the pandemic. The media largely invoked the same privilege to avoid self-incrimination for its years of deifying the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Across the cable networks, hosts and guests were having the vapors as Republican senators pummeled Fauci over his COVID-19 policies and the glaring contradictions found in his diary entries. Some, like Dr. Scott Ratzan, echoed Fauci's previous claim that any questioning of his judgment was an attack on science.

Once again, Fauci had every right to invoke his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. That does not mean it was the right thing to do. Fauci already had a pardon that notably extended back to 2014, when his agency approved gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab in China.

FAUCI PRIVATELY TOOK CREDIT FOR COVID-19 LOCKDOWNS DESPITE PUBLIC DENIAL, NEWLY EXPOSED DIARY ENTRIES REVEAL

Any prosecution would be difficult in light of the pardon. It would not be impossible, since he could be charged with perjury for any false statements. Yet that was the same threat that existed during countless prior hearings involving Fauci.

So, what was the difference now? The answer is found in diary entries and other evidence that contradict Fauci's public statements on subjects ranging from the lab theory to school closures. It is not that Fauci would have been tripped up by false answers, but that he did not have any obvious answers to some of these criticisms.

Instead, Fauci invoked the privilege 111 times. That fell short of the record of Vito Genovese, who invoked the privilege 150 times.

Rather than address the long list of criticisms and contradictions involving Fauci, the media rallied around the scientist. Fauci was portrayed as something akin to the St. Sebastian of Science, taking barbs and arrows for his faith.

It did not matter that more than 1.2 million Americans died, the economy shut down and millions of children were prevented from going to school based on these alleged errors. Fauci would remain silent rather than risk being charged with false testimony.

'WOKE' SMITHSONIAN EXHIBIT LIONIZES EMBATTLED FAUCI AMID CONSERVATIVE SCRUTINY OF MUSEUM'S MESSAGING

On CNN, Dr. Scott Ratzan, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Health Communication, repeated Fauci's much-maligned claim from June 2021 that "attacks on me, quite frankly, are attacks on science."

On Wednesday, Ratzan declared, "This is an assault on science and scientists, and, unfortunately, Dr. Fauci is in that seat. Thirty-eight years of service to the country, one of the best-known scientists in infectious disease, unfortunately, has taken a lot of heat..."

It was a maddening statement, repeated by many, that treated Fauci as inviolate, if not infallible. Fauci was wrong about issues that imposed tragic costs on this country. When confronted with policies such as school closures, he insisted he had never recommended them while privately admitting he had.

Fauci owes the public explanations, including the millions who lost loved ones. Instead, he refused to take the risk of being accused of perjury.

ANTHONY FAUCI'S PRIVATE DIARY AND EMAILS SHOW HE KNEW LOCKDOWNS FAILED AND PUSHED MASKS WITHOUT EVIDENCE

Fauci is no St. Sebastian. Notably, Sebastian remained silent in public to conceal his faith, but when discovered by Diocletian, he remained faithful. The price was to be shot through with arrows, but he somehow survived.

After being nursed back to health by Irene of Rome, he immediately confronted Diocletian in public and denounced his abuses. For that act, he was beaten to death with clubs and tossed into a sewer.

Fauci spoke endlessly in public and remained silent only when asked to address the contradictions in his diaries and the costs of his alleged errors.

What is also frustrating to many is the reappearance of figures who toed the line on prior narratives about masks, the virus's origin and other issues.

They are now claiming to be victims for being asked to account for evidence that they were wrong. As Dr. Scott Atlas, a neuroradiologist and health policy fellow at Stanford's Hoover Institution, has laid out, many of those who abused dissenting scientists faced no repercussions after those scientists were largely vindicated by later research.

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During this period, dissenting scientists were barred from social media, removed from positions and vilified for expressing views, despite later being vindicated on subjects ranging from the lab origin of the virus and the efficacy of masks to the six-foot rule, natural immunity and school closures.

Many previously echoed Fauci's view that questioning these conclusions was an attack on science. One leading columnist wrote a piece titled "The COVID lab leak claim isn’t just an attack on science, but a threat to public health."

When courageous scientists put their careers at risk — and some lost their positions — to voice their opposition to Fauci's policies, neither he nor these acolytes said a thing in their defense. Fauci did not defend them as fighting for science and the need to challenge orthodoxy. When their views were later embraced, they received no apologies, let alone reinstatement.

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For my part, I am not interested in hearing from scientists who remained silent as their counterparts were vilified, shadow-banned and fired. Their deep faith in science did not prompt them to defend those with opposing views, even though orthodoxy is the very antithesis of scientific thought.

Again, Fauci has every right to remain silent, but that does not make it right.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JONATHAN TURLEY

Add to cart: 9 things the FOX News Deals team bought this week

Fri, 08 May 2026 14:46:44 -0400

We spend our days sorting through products and deals to find the ones worth recommending, and along the way, a few inevitably end up in our own carts. Right now, we're reaching for products that make everyday life a little easier. From a Shark hair dryer and Mary Jane flats to a dog life jacket, these are the purchases our team actually made.

The opinions expressed below are those of the individual FOX News Deals team members, and your experience may vary.

Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex hair dryer: $149.99 (32% off)

Original price: $219.99

"My Dyson Airwrap recently died, so I've been on the hunt for a replacement. After borrowing a friend's Shark SpeedStyle, I decided to buy my own. The attachments are similar and the $150 price tag is hard to beat." — Caitlyn Martyn, Commerce Editor

Madewell Mary Jane flats: $168

"I'd been searching for a pair of flats that felt both summery and polished. These Madewell flats are comfortable enough to wear all day at work, and I can easily walk to and from the office in them. They pair just as well with jeans as they do with dresses, and they've quickly become a staple in my closet." — Jaclyn Kaufman, Associate Production Editor

Bur Bur Mermaid mini brush: $54

"I purchased this brush during the Nordstrom sale as a recommendation from a friend. It's great for thick hair. I love the shape of the handle — it's comfortable to hold. The brush does a great job of distributing oil from root to tip." — Brianna DiCamillo, Commerce Analytics Manager

Women's lightweight knit cardigan: $32.99 (11% off)

Original price: $36.99

"I normally work remotely from California, but I'm visiting the New York office this week. The team told me how cold the office was, so I picked up this cardigan to have at my desk. I was surprised by the nice fit and the color is beautiful." — Jenny Op't Holt, VP of Commerce Partnerships

Croft & Barrow men's cargo shorts: $17.99 (40% off)

Original price: $29.99

"The 40% discount is really what won me over, but I also needed to stock up on new shorts. I appreciate the deep side pockets and additional cargo pockets. They fit everything from tools to a full-sized book! Plus, I've worn them on 90-degree days and they don't trap heat like other shorts." — Christopher Murray, Commerce Writer

G.H. Bass men's Charleswood sandals: $89.99 (40% off)

Original price: $150

"I've been on the hunt for a pair of classic men's leather slides for vacation and this one is comfortable, stylish and on sale." — Moriba Cummings, Director of Commerce Content

Dog life jacket: $31.99

"My family is taking a trip to Palm Springs and my dog enjoys going down the water slide with the kids. However, he isn't the best swimmer. This life jacket allows us to relax and enjoy the trip, instead of always being on guard and possibly having to jump in the pool to save him at any given moment." — Kevin Shaifer, Director of Commerce Partnerships

Kitsch mini hair clips: $7.99

"I wanted to try more half-up, half-down hairstyles, but with my fine, wavy hair, larger clips never gave me the precision I was looking for. These mini clips make it easy to pin back small sections for more intricate twists. They go with everything and add an elegant finishing touch." — Nusrat Sultana, Commerce Editor

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

No-pull dog harness: $45

"I get home late from work, so I needed a bright new collar for nightly walks with my 110-pound chocolate lab." — Erik Weigel, Commerce General Manager

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.