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Sophie Cunningham addresses the fallout over her stance on trans athletes not belonging in women's sports

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 08:45:15 -0400

Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham does not believe that female athletes should have to share a locker room or compete against biological males.

For simply protecting women's sports and young girls, the eight-year WNBA veteran has received tremendous pushback from many in the media and recently addressed the fallout that feels like it may never fully end.

Cunningham joined USA Network's WNBA broadcast on Wednesday evening, certainly knowing she would be asked about her opposition to transgender athletes competing in women's sports and the pushback that has come along with that.

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM DOUBLES DOWN AHEAD OF SUN GAME AFTER ESPN PROFILE STIRS CONTROVERSY: 'I SAID WHAT I SAID'

Elle Duncan, formerly of ESPN, didn't want to revisit "the actual issue that brought us to this point" during her conversation with Cunningham, but instead asked her specifically about the WNBA's suspension of Seattle Storm minority owner Celeste Keaton.

Keaton allegedly called a pair of teenage Sophie Cunningham fans "f---ing insane" during Indiana's win in Seattle on July 28. Duncan asked Cunningham to share her thoughts over the owner-fan interaction, which is when she addressed the overall fallout over her opinion that women's sports should be exclusive to biological women.

"I think I have a very clear and strong perspective on this," referring to the topic of trans athletes in women's sports. "I know that people are not always going to align and agree, I totally understand that, but I think the most important thing is having that respect, having that love, and pursuing peace in these conversations, in these debates, because I think that it's healthy.

"With that being said, I just hate how The W, the basketball of it all, is just getting overshadowed...It just makes me sad that all this sort of drama, on things that truly don't matter, that the basektball is getting overshadowed. My biggest thing is that love and respect, there is room for absolutely everybody, and we don't always have to agree, but that respect and love definitely has to be there."

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Cunningham's comments on USA Network were similar to those she shared earlier on Wednesday, claiming that all the WNBA media does is "cover everything except basketball."

While Cunningham has long been among the most popular players in the WNBA, her rise to the center of the women's basketball universe came after ESPN published a story on July 21 in which she addressed trans athletes in women's sports.

"I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that,'" Cunningham told the outlet. "I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."

"I'm very much in the middle. I agree with things on both sides, disagree with things on both sides," Cunningham continued." And that's all I've ever said about my political beliefs. But people love to assume."

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Cunningham said that her interview with ESPN took place back in February of this year.

A New York Times poll conducted in March 2025 found that 79% of Americans believe that men should be barred from competing in women's sports.

One-wheeled AI security robot could patrol your property

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 08:27:35 -0400

What if the next security guard rolling past your office had one wheel and never needed a coffee break? That is the pitch behind 1Rollo, a one-wheeled AI security robot from Estonian startup Rollo Robotics. The company believes its narrow design could patrol large properties at a lower operating cost than traditional security vehicles.

The machine follows mapped routes while watching the area around it. When its artificial intelligence detects unusual activity, 1Rollo can alert a human operator. That person can review the situation and decide whether to send a security guard.

For now, 1Rollo remains a functional prototype. Rollo Robotics says it plans to make the robot commercially available in 2027. Therefore, its design and specifications could change before customers begin using it.

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How the 1Rollo AI security robot patrols property

1Rollo uses a 360-degree computer vision system to monitor its surroundings. It also relies on Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System positioning, known as RTK GNSS. RTK uses correction data to provide more precise positioning than standard satellite navigation. That precision could help the robot stay close to its assigned route around a business or industrial property. As the robot moves, its cameras and sensors look for obstacles. The system can then adjust its path to avoid a collision. Meanwhile, the AI analyzes the area for anomalies. If the system spots something unusual, it can send an alert over Wi-Fi or a 4G or 5G connection.

How the one-wheeled security robot stays balanced

Keeping a 100-pound robot upright on one wheel takes more than a clever-looking design. Rollo Robotics uses a vertically positioned spinning flywheel inside the machine. The flywheel sits in line with the main wheel and helps the robot maintain its balance. To turn, the system tilts the internal flywheel toward either side. Rollo Robotics describes the hardware and software behind this method as patent-pending. The single-wheel design gives the robot a narrow footprint. As a result, it may travel through spaces where a wider patrol vehicle would struggle. However, Rollo Robotics has not published detailed performance results for stairs, steep slopes or deeply uneven ground. Those real-world tests will show where the monowheel design works best.

1Rollo security robot speed and battery life

The company's current specifications list 1Rollo at about 43 inches tall. Its wheel measures 24 inches across, while the complete robot weighs approximately 100 pounds. Rollo Robotics lists a top speed of 19 mph. That is much faster than the walking pace of many existing security robots. Battery life reaches up to eight hours per charge, according to the company. The product information also lists autonomous wireless charging.

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How cameras and sensors expand 1Rollo patrols

The standard robot includes a 360-degree vision system. However, Rollo Robotics designed the platform to support additional equipment. Customers could add thermal cameras for low-light environments. The platform can also support pan-tilt-zoom cameras for viewing activity farther away. Other compatible equipment includes night vision, RFID systems and custom payloads. These options could help companies adapt the robot for a specific property.

How operators could manage a 1Rollo robot fleet

A cloud-based management platform would allow operators to monitor multiple robots from one location. Security teams could define patrol routes and review performance through the platform. An operator could also watch a live feed after receiving an alert. The robot includes a microphone and speaker. Therefore, the operator could speak with someone near the machine without immediately sending a guard. We have seen a similar approach with the Ascento Guard autonomous security robot. That machine also patrols property while human operators handle serious incidents.

However, robots still need to prove they provide meaningful results. Dublin, Ohio, recently retired an AI robot cop that recorded no arrests during its parking garage pilot. That case does not predict how 1Rollo will perform. Still, it shows why customers should establish clear goals before deploying autonomous security technology.

How the 1Rollo subscription model could work

Rollo Robotics plans to offer 1Rollo through a Robotics-as-a-Service model. Customers would subscribe to the service instead of buying the robot outright. According to CEO and co-founder Sander Sebastian Agur, the subscription would include access to current hardware, software updates and support. The model could remove a large upfront equipment expense. It may also make repairs and future upgrades easier for customers. Rollo Robotics says its goal is to reduce operating costs compared with relying on human guards or patrol vehicles. However, the company has not announced subscription pricing.

AI security robot privacy and cybersecurity questions

A connected robot may improve physical security while creating new digital concerns. 1Rollo uses wireless connections and a cloud platform. Therefore, customers should ask how the company encrypts camera feeds and protects operator accounts. They should also ask where recordings are stored. Clear deletion policies will become important for employees and visitors who appear on camera. Meanwhile, the robot needs a safe way to handle a lost internet connection. It should keep avoiding people and obstacles even when a remote operator cannot reach it. Buyers should also learn how Rollo Robotics delivers security updates. A compromised patrol robot could expose video or provide unauthorized access to its controls. Lawmakers have already raised similar concerns about autonomous machines. A proposed federal bill would restrict government use of some foreign robots over national security fears. Rollo Robotics operates in Estonia, but every connected robot deserves the same cybersecurity review.

What this means to you

You probably will not find a one-wheeled robot guarding people's driveway anytime soon. However, businesses could begin seeing machines like 1Rollo around warehouses or office campuses. Large private properties may also use them to cover areas that guards cannot watch continuously. The robot could handle repetitive patrols while people make decisions during an incident. That may also keep guards away from hazardous areas until they understand what is happening. Still, a moving camera can feel more intrusive than one mounted on a wall. Employees and visitors deserve to know when the robot records them. They should also know who can watch the footage and how long the company keeps it. Those answers should arrive before the robot begins its first patrol.

Kurt's key takeaways

1Rollo looks unusual, but the idea behind it makes sense. A narrow autonomous machine could cover large properties without the bulk of a security vehicle. The human operator also remains part of the process. The robot detects activity and sends an alert, while a person decides what should happen next. However, the polished demonstration is only the beginning. Rollo Robotics still needs to show that 1Rollo can handle changing weather, crowded spaces and long shifts without constant assistance. Pricing will play a major role too. Businesses need to know whether the subscription saves money and delivers better security than existing systems.

Would a one-wheeled AI guard make you feel safer, or would you wonder who was watching every time it rolled past? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Mets reliever sets baseball world on fire with the cockiest strikeout celebration in MLB history

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 08:26:03 -0400

You play, and then cover baseball long enough, you think you've seen it all. I've been in this game a long time.

Hand up, I thought I'd pretty much seen it all ...

... Until New York Mets reliever Jefry Yan made his MLB debut Wednesday night. I can promise you, nothing will prepare you for this.

Whatever you're envisioning in your mind, it won't come close to what actually transpired on the field.

Yan, 29, came on in the sixth inning for the first time since being called up earlier this week. The Dominican then proceeded to strike out the first batter he faced, and celebrated with his signature "jump in the air and then smack the ground" celebration that instantly set the baseball world on fire.

Take a look:

Jefry Yan will be a problem, for multiple reasons

Whoaaaaaaaaa Nellie! I've never seen anything like it. Neither have you. Nobody has.

Because, frankly, nobody in their right mind would ever do that in public, much less in an actual Major League Baseball game.

But credit to Yan for not backing down. Some thought he would ditch the celebration when he finally got the call to the bigs, but he stuck with it.

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Dance with the partner you came with, right? Be you, no matter how insufferably obnoxious you are.

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Now, this will obviously backfire pretty soon. I don't know when, exactly, but it will happen, and it will be spectacular.

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Two scenarios:

Yan strikes someone out and he immediately charges the mound because he's fed up.
Yan gives up a bomb and gets mocked to violently, he drops the celebration out of shame.

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That second one sort of started to happen last night, when Jose Ramirez mocked Yan after the Guardians took the lead:

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I'd expect that to happen a lot more going forward. Again, at some point, this kid will strike out the wrong person (Willson Contreras), and there will be hell to pay. Trust me, it's coming.

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Until then? The Electric Factory that is Jefry Yan will roll on. And baseball fans will be enamored with every pitch.

The 8 healthiest beans you should be eating more often, according to nutrition expert

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 08:00:54 -0400

Beans and legumes are affordable, protein-packed and health-promoting foods that deserve a more prominent place on your plate, health experts say.

"Fewer than 14% of American adults eat beans on a given day, and that's a problem, because they're some of the most nutrient-dense foods you can buy," New York City-based nutrition and wellness expert Samantha Cassetty, founder of Sam's Plate and co-author of "Sugar Shock," told Fox News Digital. "They deliver protein, fiber and slow-burning carbs for steady energy, plus folate, magnesium, iron and other essential nutrients."

Beans are also naturally cholesterol-free and contain no saturated fats, registered dietitian nutritionist Deborah Murphy told Food & Wine.

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Studies have linked regular bean consumption with a lower risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity, which may contribute to a longer life expectancy.

"In a moment when everyone's chasing protein and grocery bills are climbing, canned beans are one of the cheapest proteins on the shelf," Cassetty said. "The best part is that you can open a can, rinse, drain and call it dinner prep."

Some beans and legumes stand out for their health benefits.

No. 1: Black beans

Black beans are prized for their protein, fiber and antioxidants, Cassetty told Fox News Digital. They contain about 8 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber per 1/2-cup serving.

One of Cassetty's go-to salads incorporates black beans, corn (frozen and canned work as well as fresh, she said), diced bell pepper, avocado, cherry tomatoes and a spoonful of salsa. She said it can be enjoyed as "a light meal, hearty side or wrap filling."

No. 2: Chickpeas

Technically a legume – the broader plant family beans belong to – chickpeas are versatile because they work in sweet and savory dishes alike, Cassetty said.

"Air-fry them for a crunchy snack or salad topper," she advised.

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"They're also great scattered over roasted veggies and grain bowls. Research shows people who eat chickpeas and hummus regularly have higher intakes of fiber, folate, potassium and iron than people who don't, and better overall diet quality scores."

No. 3: Lentils

Lentils are also legumes and offer a "ground-meat texture and a solid dose of plant-based iron," Cassetty said.

She recommended mixing them with chopped walnuts (Cassetty is a partner with the California Walnut Board) for extra fiber, protein and plant-based omega-3s.

"That combo of beans and walnuts is powerful, supporting heart, brain and gut health in each bite. Use the crumble in spaghetti sauce, tacos or wraps."

No. 4: Edamame

Edamame are immature soybeans that people typically boil or steam and eat as a snack or appetizer with coarse salt. They're also used in many dishes.

"Frozen edamame is a freezer staple in my house," Cassetty said. "A 1/2 cup delivers about 9 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. Toss it with cucumber, brown rice, rice vinegar, tamari and sesame oil for a five-minute meal."

No. 5: White beans

White beans also pack a powerful protein punch, with about 9 grams of the essential nutrient per 1/2 cup.

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"I stir them into tuna and egg salad, but my favorite trick is blending leftovers into a smoothie," Cassetty said. "You won't notice next to the sweetness of the fruit, but they add the creamiest texture, plus protein and fiber."

No. 6: Pinto beans

Pinto beans may have "a special edge on cholesterol," Cassetty said.

While the soluble fiber in all beans helps clear cholesterol from the bloodstream, animal research suggests they may lower cholesterol synthesis in the liver and cholesterol absorption in the small intestine, Cassetty said.

"In one trial, a half cup of pinto beans a day dropped total and LDL cholesterol by more than 8%, outperforming oatmeal," she said.

No. 7: Kidney beans

If you're planning to eat a high-fat meal – think a bacon cheeseburger with onion rings – you may want to find a way to incorporate kidney beans in the mix.

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Animal research suggests kidney beans can favorably shift gut bacteria and reduce inflammatory markers associated with a high-fat diet, Cassetty noted. She advised using them in chili or over nachos, or trying them in a three-bean salad with some roughly chopped toasted walnuts for crunch and added nutritional value.

No. 8: Black-eyed peas

The protein, fiber and iron in black-eyed peas mean they deserve "a permanent spot in your bean rotation," Cassetty said.

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They're also "the unsung hero of cowboy caviar," a cold bean salad that also uses fresh vegetables, herbs and vinaigrette dressing and is typically served with tortilla chips, she said.

Thomas Rhett reveals why he and wife Lauren reject celebrity perks for country life

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 08:00:49 -0400

Thomas Rhett admitted this week that his wife didn’t think he was going to become a famous country singer.

"We've definitely had our fair share of ups and downs, ‘cause I think that Lauren really… she craves simplicity, at all costs, simplicity," the country singer said on the "Girls In Low Places" podcast on Sunday, clarifying that she believed he was talented, but knew that stardom was rare.

"She grew up, you know, real country, and her and her daddy would lay in the street at night and look at the stars," noting that "he would just call out different constellations and stuff like, ‘That's a satellite and that's this.’"

He explained that was how she saw her life, calling it "a real suburban neighborhood thing."

Rhett said he and Lauren Akins have known each other since they were in first grade, and they briefly dated in high school before reconnecting after she graduated from college.

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"So, we got married at 22."

Admitting "there’s nothing normal" about fame, they noted that it affects everyone.

"There's just so many crazy things that come with being famous," he said, giving the example of getting to cut lines, which he said he refuses to do.

"I think that's why so many people try to just live their life in search of such normalcy and I think my wife obviously has wanted that her whole life, and we do live very simply," the "Die a Happy Man" singer said. "But it took me a minute."

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He said his career "really started to pop" around 2017 to 2019.

"I don't think I let it get to my head, but I do think I got really used to it," the 36-year-old admitted. "In probably not the best way."

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Rhett admitted he has to actively focus on not letting fame get him, because "when you walk on stage in front of, you know, 10,000 people, that's like a rush that you can't like go replicate. You know what I'm saying? Like you can't just go like play flag football with your friends and think that's going to entice the same feeling."

For that reason, he has a difficult time "being content in simple situations because I think there's no super high going on."

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That’s forced him to "get really good" at being quiet, which he says doesn't come naturally to him.

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Hearing people singing his songs while he’s performing on stage has always seemed surreal, but the one that "gets" him is witnessing people cry when they meet him "because I don't see myself that way. Period."

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"And I have, you know, definitely five kids that definitely don't see me that way," he joked.

The couple share Willa, 10, Ada, who turns 9 on Aug. 12, Lennon, 6, Lillie, 4, and Brave, who was born in February.

He admitted trying to be "super dad" and taking his kids to school while he’s in the middle of doing late-night concerts can also be exhausting.

Later, in the podcast, when asked what marriage advice he would give, Rhett said, "Don’t forget to continue to date your wife."

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"It gets so much harder when you have children to make time for each other because there's so many other bodies that need your full-time assistance," he explained.

The singer said he and his wife recently spent two days just the two of them in London before joining friends in the Cotswolds, noting that "you feel sad, and your kids are like ‘Why are you leaving?' And you're like, ‘Because we want to stay married!’" he joked.

Earlier this year, he admitted during his years of early fame he felt like he was "living a double life," adding that it almost ruined his marriage.

"I look through my life and I think about all the things that have kind of twisted me or made me like not the best person to be around, and it has always been either around affirmation or lack of affirmation," the country star told Sadie Robertson Huff on her "WHOA That’s Good" podcast.

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Appearing on the podcast with his wife, Rhett said that at the height of his fame, he experienced "the most affirmation I think I'd ever received in my life. And I really liked it."

But he admitted that he didn’t feel he handled his marriage very well at the time.

"I look back at our life during that time, and I'm not — I don't think I stewarded it very well, to be honest with you," he said.

Rhett, who is Christian, said publicly he kept up a façade of spirituality, "but internally I was dying. Like I genuinely, I just liked what was happening so much that I think so much of me was being sucked into the world so hard that it just kept pushing me and her like this," he said, moving his hands away from each other.

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Rhett noted that he and his wife said from "day one, divorce is not an option," but, "the more you actually think about it, anything is actually an option if you let it become that."

It wasn’t until 2020 that he "actually discovered bits and pieces of who I actually was at my core, without a microphone, without a stage with and without affirmation, because it was the first time it had ever been taken away from me, if that makes any sense," Rhett explained, referring to the pandemic.

"I’m not perfect," he continued. "I'll never be perfect, but I would say, like today, us looking at each other and being a married couple, I would say this is… I'm living my most true self now."

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He pointed to his wife and added, "She always sort of has been."

Eyewitness describes suspicious encounter that helped launch Washington wildfire arson probe

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 08:00:23 -0400

A Washington grandfather said a stranger lingering near a dead-end road where almost nobody goes immediately caught his attention – moments before smoke began rising from the same stretch of railroad tracks and a devastating wildfire erupted.

Paul Child was driving his grandson to pick up a friend Saturday when he noticed a bald man standing near the railroad tracks along West Euclid Road and staring into the tree line.

"I really didn’t think anything of it at that point," Child told Fox News Digital.

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About 10 minutes later, Child drove back along the same road and noticed the man was still there.

"This time he was kind of bent over and looked like he was doing something in the brush or the bushes and the grass and the trees," Child said. "When he saw us, then he kind of stood up and was acting kind of nervous."

Even Child’s grandson sensed something was off.

"My grandson said, ‘What’s he doing?’" Child said.

The family returned to their home and minutes later, Child’s daughter, Ana Dillon, glanced toward the same stretch of railroad tracks.

"I just happened to look up and saw a huge cloud of white smoke, then black smoke," Dillon told Fox News Digital.

Child immediately connected the smoke to the stranger he had seen lingering near the tree line.

"The first thing I thought was, ‘That SOB started the fire,’" Child alleged.

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Child called 911 and tried to reach the only other homeowner on the dead-end stretch of road. The neighbor was not home, but Child reached him by phone and warned that a wildfire was moving toward the property, where workers were inside a shop behind the house.

"We drove down there and notified that person and told him maybe he should leave," Child said.

By then, firefighters had begun to arrive as flames spread across the dry grasslands and the family hurried to evacuate.

"The fire was coming toward us, so we packed up everything, everyone and animals," Dillon said.

PALISADES FIRE SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY DRIVEN BY 'SOCIETAL REVENGE,' BEHAVIORAL ANALYST TESTIFIES IN COURT

Child said the family fled their nearly 17-acre property with five dogs and two cats, later flagging down an Airway Heights police officer and describing the man he had seen as a bald white male wearing a green T-shirt and backpack, court records show.

He also told officers where the man had been standing before smoke began rising from the area. Spokane County sheriff’s deputies soon detained a man matching the description.

Child, his grandson and the grandson’s friend then traveled with an Airway Heights police officer to where deputies were holding the suspect. Sitting inside Child’s pickup about 50 yards away, the three watched as deputies removed the man from a patrol vehicle and had him face them.

"The only thing I could really identify on him was his build and what he was wearing," Child said. "There was no question in any of our minds that was the individual we saw."

PALISADES FIRE SUSPECT DISPLAYED 'INCEL ENERGY,' MADE WOMAN UNCOMFORTABLE DURING UBER RIDE: PASSENGER

Authorities later arrested Aaron F. Farinacci on suspicion of first-degree arson, accusing him of intentionally setting the Old Trails Fire, the largest of three wildfires that destroyed hundreds of buildings and forced about 67,000 people to evacuate.

Child said the family did not learn until the following day that deputies had initially released Farinacci before arresting him after investigators developed additional evidence.

Court records reviewed by Fox News Digital show Farinacci was previously charged with first-degree murder after fatally shooting his father during an argument in Arizona in 2010. He later pleaded guilty to reduced charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault, served about eight years in prison and was released in 2020.

Learning about Farinacci’s criminal history turned the family’s initial relief into concern, Child said.

"He knew where I lived," Child said. "Then to come to find out what his history was, it’s kind of like ... this dude could have come back down here."

Child said the man initially caught his attention because strangers rarely venture onto the family’s road. The county permanently closed the dead-end stretch several years ago, leaving only two homes beyond the barricade.

"There hasn’t been a lot of trespassing now," Child said. "If we see somebody down there, a lot of times we take it upon ourselves to pull up and say, ‘Are you OK?’ ... Nine times out of 10, they’re gone after that."

Dillon said anyone lingering near the tracks would immediately stand out to the family.

"There’s only two houses on this street," she said. "If anyone is on this street, we most always call Crime Check. No one should be on this road. It’s a closed road. Anyone standing and kneeling down by the train tracks that’s not a city worker is a red flag."

While Child’s observations helped point investigators toward a suspect, retired Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executive Scott Sweetow said eyewitness accounts are only the beginning of a wildfire arson investigation.

Fire investigators must first determine where a blaze started before they can establish how it ignited, Sweetow told Fox News Digital. That requires them to work backward from the aftermath, examine how the terrain and vegetation burned and eliminate plausible accidental causes.

"Arson fire in general is very hard to investigate," Sweetow said. "It requires a very meticulous focused effort that is not present in a lot of other investigations. And what complicates it is the fact that the evidence that you have to examine is often badly damaged by fire."

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Investigators can reconstruct a fire’s earliest moments using witness accounts, video, cellphone data, first-responder observations and physical evidence. They also examine potential causes such as lightning, power infrastructure, trains, discarded smoking materials or other ignition sources.

That process can allow investigators to determine that a person started a fire even when no single item definitively establishes how it began, Sweetow said.

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"It’s not magic. The grass doesn’t just burst into flame for no reason," Sweetow said. "So by eliminating all the causes that weren’t you figure out the cause that was, if that makes sense."

Sweetow cautioned against placing too much weight on any single piece of evidence, including investigators’ claim that Farinacci was carrying waterproof matches and a butane lighter when deputies first contacted him.

He said windproof and waterproof matches are more specialized than ordinary paper or wooden matches and are designed to remain lit in conditions that could extinguish a conventional match. Investigators would likely look for remnants of the same type of match near the fire’s point of origin, he said.

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"They’re very expensive. And they’re designed really almost like a little portable flare," Sweetow said.

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The matches and lighter would still need to be considered alongside witness statements, physical evidence, electronic records and forensic findings. Sweetow said wildfire arson cases often depend on the combined weight of numerous facts rather than one decisive piece of evidence.

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He also said the decision to release Farinacci before arresting him after further investigation was not inherently unusual, particularly in a fast-moving emergency in which deputies were focused on evacuations and investigators had not yet completed their work.

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"I wouldn’t say it’s particularly unusual, it just seems like good police and investigator work to put the case together," Sweetow said.

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Court records show fire investigators later concluded the blaze originated where Child reported seeing the man. They ruled out trains and nearby electrical infrastructure before determining the fire was consistent with dry grass being ignited by an open flame from a match or lighter.

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For Child, the investigation has been about the people whose homes and property were destroyed.

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"My heart goes out to everybody," he said. "Hopefully the individual that caused all their pain and suffering is going to be held accountable for those actions."

Eric Adams battles tense crowd as Wisconsin audience erupts over AI data center proposal

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:56:39 -0400

Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams struggled to get a word in as a Wisconsin audience bombarded him with boos and insults while he pitched the crowd on a proposed AI data center.

Adams was told he belongs "in prison" amid a barrage of fierce heckles during a wild eight-minute exchange that showed residents repeatedly interrupting the former mayor over his support for the proposed data center.

"You belong in prison!" one crowd member shouted, seemingly referencing Adams’ dismissed federal corruption case.

TEXAS GOV GREG ABBOTT EFFECTIVELY PAUSES NEW DATA CENTER PROJECTS PENDING STATEWIDE GRID AUDIT

Since leaving office, Adams has worked as a "pitchman" for several real estate-related technology companies, according to The Real Deal. He said he closes about 80% of the deals he pursues.

Adams appeared at the Wisconsin meeting on behalf of PNK Group, which is looking to develop a 209-acre data center at a former paper mill along the Wisconsin River.

"Whether we like it or not, folks, data centers are going to be here," Adams told the audience.

Many Wisconsin residents in the crowd opposed the proposal and let Adams know it throughout his presentation.

TOP ENERGY GROUP WARNS WEALTHY FOREIGNERS ARE POTENTIALLY BANKROLLING ANTI-DATA CENTER CAMPAIGNS ACROSS US

"You’re here to steal our water!" one resident shouted.

"Get out of here!" another resident shrieked.

"Put it in your backyard!" yet another said.

"Anyone can heckle, but not everybody can communicate," Adams said in response.

Adams offered to answer questions about the data center and engage in what he called a "dialogue."

The former NYC mayor urged the crowd to stop the "hate on technology," defending his stance with a personal anecdote, in which he said AI helped his doctor in his Type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

The audience, again, erupted in a loud chant of boos.

Adams attempted to regain the stage and tame the angry crowd. And although one audience member came to his defense, saying, "Let him talk!," he struggled to speak over the crowd of critics.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Adams’ chief communications officer Todd Shapiro said Hell Gate, which first reported the story, got the facts "wrong."

"A short video clip cannot accurately portray an event that lasted much longer," Shapiro wrote in part. "It omits the many attendees who approached Mayor Adams afterward to thank him, ask questions, and express appreciation for his willingness to engage directly with the community."

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Shapiro also said Adams' support in proposing the Wisconsin data center is "helping communities better understand the economic opportunities that responsible AI and data center development can bring."

"Eric Adams has consistently supported policies that encourage responsible investment, create good-paying jobs, strengthen local tax bases, and position American communities to compete in the industries of the future," Shapiro told Fox News Digital.

Rand Paul's yearslong crusade against Fauci reaches its defining moment and more top headlines

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:56:35 -0400

Good morning and welcome to Fox News' morning newsletter, Fox News First. And here's what you need to know to start your day ...

TOP 3

1. Paul says he has the numbers to nail Fauci with contempt

2. Trump reveals what stopped 'biggest attack since World War II' on Iran — follow our LIVE COVERAGE

3. Vance unmasks progressive 'redistribution' threat to workers

MAJOR HEADLINES

CATCH OF THE DAY — Trump's quick save for wandering toddler sets up a Biden joke that steals the show. Continue reading …

HAWAIIAN PUNCH — Beach brawl with Dem candidate caught on video ends in brutal knockout. Continue reading …

HER LAST STAND — Madison Brooks’ mom slams attempt to ban pink at trial for slain LSU student. Continue reading …

FAMILY BETRAYAL — Florida woman survives brother's brutal machete attack as toddler escapes unharmed. Continue reading …

ONGOING PROBE — North Carolina shooting leaves multiple dead, at least one hospitalized. Continue reading …

POLITICS

MOVING ON — Conservative firebrand Marsha Blackburn eyes governor's office in Nashville. Continue reading …

POWER RECLAIMED — Congress moves to unshackle states from California's ‘climate zealots’. Continue reading …

WORD PROBLEMS — El-Sayed's threat against GOP rival backfires as conservatives bring receipts. Continue reading …

STATE OF PLAY — Fauci gets hit with subpoena as AG says 'nothing is off the table' in COVID probe. Continue reading …

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MEDIA

POUR DECISIONS — Wisconsin brewery behind Trump death beer now unveils ‘Antifa Octoberfist.’ Continue reading …

EYES FORWARD — Buttigieg bashes Biden's 'Build Back Better' slogan amid 2028 presidential talks. Continue reading …

PARTY FALLOUT — Hasan Piker erupts at Democrats on election night, calls them ‘Islamophobic pieces of s–t.’ Continue reading …

MONEY PIT — Taxpayer-funded food access push unravels as city's costly miscalculation comes due. Continue reading …

OPINION

HUGH HEWITT — Morning Glory: Mike Rogers versus Abdul El-Sayed is a referendum on the future of America. Continue reading …

STEVE MOORE — The IRS became judge, jury and executioner in a tax-code witch hunt against Americans. Continue reading …

IN OTHER NEWS

MONEY MOVES — Powerball jackpot reaches $786M, 9th-largest prize in game history. Continue reading …

SHOW STEALER — Blue Angels roar over Seahawks camp and coach absolutely loses it. Continue reading …

PALACE POWER — Prince William blasted as 'work-shy,' but expert says critics miss a bigger strategy. Continue reading …

AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on popular personalities and retro revivals. Take the quiz here …

LISTEN

Tune in for a closer look at what the rise of Democratic Socialist-backed candidates could mean for government-run grocery stores. Check it out ...

PODCASTS

'Ruthless' dives into how the DSA is reshaping Democrats ahead of midterms. Check it out…

Best-selling author and former Navy SEAL Jack Carr joins Planet Tyrus. The new episode goes live at 11am ET ...

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Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Friday.

FDA widens cyclospora outbreak investigation to six more states as confirmed cases top 6,000

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:38:51 -0400

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded its investigation of the cyclospora outbreak on Wednesday, announcing that there are thousands of confirmed cases across more than a dozen states.

The intestinal illness was first reported in July among people who developed severe diarrhea after eating shredded lettuce at Taco Bell. Health authorities later traced the outbreak to contaminated lettuce supplied to the fast-food restaurant by Taylor Farms de Mexico.

"Due to the additional interview data, the outbreak now includes people who reported exposure to Taco Bell or recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce," the FDA said in a news release.

According to the FDA, 6,358 cases have now been reported across 15 states. Six states — Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina — were added since the administration’s previous update on July 24.

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

The FDA said the outbreak began on June 22, nearly a month before Taylor Farms de Mexico voluntarily recalled all lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17.

Since then, cyclosporiasis has been linked to 278 hospitalizations and two deaths in Michigan, according to the FDA.

"We also expect to continue to see the number of confirmed cases rise, despite the recall, due to the fact that it can take as long as six weeks for CDC and state officials to determine if a sick person is part of this outbreak," the FDA said.

SENATE CONFIRMS NEW CDC DIRECTOR AS DIARRHEA-CAUSING PARASITE OUTBREAK SWEEPS US

Cyclospora is a single-celled parasite that can cause stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, weight loss and other health problems, though some infected people remain asymptomatic, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Symptoms usually begin about one week after being infected and can last for a few days to a month, according to the CDC. Symptoms can also appear to go away before returning one or more times.

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The FDA again urged consumers and retailers to throw away contaminated lettuce, including Marketside-branded products sold in grocery stores across 27 states in early July.

Health officials also recommend sanitizing any surfaces that came into contact with the lettuce and contacting a doctor if symptoms develop after eating it.

Trump's decade of assassination threats runs from Butler shooting to latest golf club breach

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:30:41 -0400

President Donald Trump’s decade in national politics has been continuously haunted by gunshots, armed stalkers and thwarted plots.

Two years after surviving a sniper's bullet in Butler, Pennsylvania, the president continues to navigate an unprecedented series of assassination attempts.

From his early campaign trail to the most recent security breach at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, the president has been threatened by a steady stream of danger throughout his second term.

TWO YEARS AFTER BUTLER, THREATS AGAINST TRUMP KEEP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT IN SHARP FOCUS

Las Vegas, Nevada — June 18, 2016

Michael Steven Sandford, a British national, tried to pull a Las Vegas police officer’s handgun from its holster while then-candidate Trump spoke at a campaign rally.

According to court documents, Sandford told investigators he had traveled to Las Vegas intending to kill Trump and had practiced firing a rented handgun at a shooting range the previous day. Officers immediately subdued him, and no one was injured.

Sandford pleaded guilty to federal firearm and disruption charges and was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison.

Mandan, North Dakota — Sept. 6, 2017

Gregory Lee Leingang stole a forklift and drove it into a restricted area near the route planned for Trump’s motorcade before the president’s appearance at a refinery.

Prosecutors said Leingang intended to use the forklift to overturn the presidential limousine and kill Trump.

The forklift became stuck inside a gated area before the motorcade arrived, and Leingang abandoned it and fled on foot. He was arrested and later pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from the security breach.

Washington, D.C. — September 2020

Pascale Ferrier mailed a threatening letter containing homemade ricin to Trump at the White House during the 2020 presidential campaign. The envelope was intercepted at a mail-sorting facility before it reached the White House, and Trump was not exposed to the deadly toxin.

Ferrier also sent ricin letters to eight law enforcement officials in Texas and was arrested at the U.S.-Canada border with a loaded gun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

She pleaded guilty to violating federal biological weapons laws and was sentenced to 262 months in prison.

Butler, Pennsylvania — July 13, 2024

Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a rooftop outside the rally’s security perimeter as Trump addressed supporters near Butler.

The gunfire wounded Trump in his right ear, killed rally attendee Corey Comperatore and seriously injured David Dutch and James Copenhaver.

A Secret Service counter-sniper killed Crooks seconds after the shooting began.

TWO MEN SHOT AT TRUMP'S BUTLER RALLY SUE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER SECRET SERVICE 'PREVENTABLE FAILURES'

West Palm Beach, Florida — Sept. 15, 2024

Ryan Wesley Routh concealed himself in brush along the fence of Trump’s golf course while the then-presidential candidate played nearby. A Secret Service agent scouting ahead of Trump spotted Routh’s rifle and opened fire, causing Routh to flee without firing a shot.

Authorities arrested him on Interstate 95 and recovered a loaded, scoped rifle, armor plates, a camera and other evidence from the fence line.

A federal jury convicted Routh of attempted assassination and related charges in September 2025, and a judge sentenced him in February 2026 to life plus seven years in prison.

TRUMP FACES UNPRECEDENTED THIRD ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT

Washington, D.C. — April 25, 2026

Federal prosecutors allege Cole Tomas Allen entered the Washington Hilton armed with a shotgun, a pistol and knives during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

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Authorities say Allen rushed a security checkpoint and fired, striking a Secret Service officer in the chest; the officer’s ballistic vest prevented serious injury.

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Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other senior officials were evacuated. One Secret Service agent was struck in the chest by a round but survived due to wearing an armored vest.

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Allen has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempting to assassinate the president, assaulting a federal officer and firearms offenses, and the case remains pending.

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Rancho Palos Verdes, California — Aug. 2, 2026

A California man was arrested Sunday at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes after allegedly monitoring security planning activities days before the president’s visit and was later found with a cache of weapons and body armor, authorities said.

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Investigators said they recovered an illegally modified AR-platform rifle; a 1911 .45-caliber pistol; an AR-platform upper receiver; body armor; high-capacity magazines; bulk pistol and rifle ammunition; two radio signal devices; and multiple notebooks containing what authorities described as "concerning statements."

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Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, pleaded not guilty to four criminal charges stemming from his arrest outside the golf course days before the president's scheduled visit.

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A Los Angeles County judge set Taele's bail at $250,000, ordered him not to possess any weapons, barred him from Trump National Golf Club and prohibited him from leaving California while the case is pending.

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In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson with the U.S. Secret Service said: "With respect to this defendant, we do not comment on the specifics of protective intelligence matters. However, the U.S. Secret Service thoroughly investigates any information or activity that may reasonably be perceived as a protective intelligence concern or indicate a potential threat or directed interest toward any individual under Secret Service protection.

"We are grateful to our partners at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Joint Terrorism Task Force for their continued support and strong partnership in advancing our shared investigative and protective missions."

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Fox News Digital's Stepheny Price and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

US pauses government operations in cartel-ridden Mexican state

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:20:06 -0400

The U.S. State Department said a "threat against American interests" forced the United States to suspend all of its government activities in a Mexican state where visitors face a risk of violence "from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs and criminal organizations."

The warning from the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico about the state of Michoacan, which is located west of Mexico City, includes a halt to the inspections of avocados required for their export, according to The Associated Press.

"Due to a threat against American interests, U.S. government activities in Michoacan State have been suspended as of August 5," the message read. "Reminder that the U.S. travel advisory designates Michoacan as a Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ area."

While the U.S. Embassy did not specify the nature of the threat in its security alert, Michoacan Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla said on social media that a temporary halt to avocado inspections was intended to safeguard workers following recent arrests linked to alleged extortion, the AP reported.

5 MEXICAN CARTEL BOSSES CHARGED IN WEAPONS, DRUG TRAFFICKING, TIMESHARE FRAUD SCHEMES, DOJ SAYS

The western state of Michoacan is the leading exporter of avocados to the U.S. and has a high level of organized crime activity with at least four cartels — designated as terrorist organizations by the Trump administration — operating in the region. Besides trafficking drugs, cartels also make money through extortion, including in the avocado industry.

The State Department warns Americans to "exercise increased caution" throughout Mexico due to "terrorism, crime, and kidnapping."

For Michoacan state, it said, "There is a risk of violence in the state from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs and criminal organizations."

Michoacan State Security Secretary Antonio Cruz told the AP that one of the arrests mentioned by the governor was of "El Poncho," the alias of Alfonso Fernández Magallón, leader of a local cartel operating in the avocado-growing region around Los Reyes.

SINALOA CARTEL BOSS 'EL MAYO' SENTENCED TO LIFE, ORDERED TO PAY $15B IN DRUG TRAFFICKING PROFITS

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson welcomed the arrest, which came over the weekend. The U.S. government had offered a $5 million reward.

Cruz said his department was unaware of any direct incidents involving the avocado inspectors. However, 300 security personnel were deployed to the Los Reyes area as a preventive measure.

The governor said the priority was to "ensure the security conditions necessary for these operations to resume normally," as has happened in the past.

In 2025, Mexico sold $3.65 billion worth of avocados to the United States, and in the first four months of this year, those exports rose by 35% compared to the same period in the previous year.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture sends inspectors into Mexico to monitor plantations and packing houses to ensure that exported produce is free of pests. Threats and violence against the inspectors have caused the U.S. to suspend inspections in the past.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Coco Gauff appears to support WTA efforts to protect sport's fairness, laments 'attack' on trans community

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:19:11 -0400

American tennis star Coco Gauff addressed the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) SRY gene-testing policy to protect fair competition in the sport.

Gauff appeared to back the new policy meant to keep males out of the women’s game, but also made clear she was in support of the transgender community.

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"I understand the reasoning behind it," she said of the WTA’s policy. "I do think that this kind of conversation has created a lot of animosity toward the trans community, which I'm not really a big fan of, but I also understand the biological difference and the need to protect that and preserve that. So, I think it's a conversation that is very nuanced and I need to have a nuanced answer.

"Yes, I guess I kind of agree with trying to protect the fairness in women's sports. But I also do not like the attack that it is creating (for) people who don't really care, but just want to use this as a reason to attack the trans community. So, I'm not really a big fan of that either. I don't really know how to answer this question in a way that people aren't going to spin it. But as far as where I stand, I definitely support the trans community, but I also support the need of creating fairness in sport too."

Gauff spoke after she defeated Kayla Day in the first round of the National Open in Toronto.

Gauff’s comments follow similar support given by No. 1 women’s tennis player Aryna Sabalenka.

"I think it's really important to keep the fairness in our tour," Sabalenka said. "Biologically, men are way stronger than women, so I feel like it would not really be fair for women to compete against biological men."

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The WTA’s updated women’s eligibility policy requires players to undergo a one-time screening for the SRY gene, which is found on the Y chromosome and is involved in male-typical sex development. Testing can be completed through a simple cheek swab, blood test or saliva sample.

Players who test negative for the SRY gene will be immediately eligible to compete on the WTA Tour. A positive result will prompt further medical assessment before a player can be cleared.

Players must also sign documentation acknowledging that refusing to undergo testing could result in disciplinary action.

"The WTA’s women’s eligibility policy is designed to promote equal athletic opportunities in women’s professional tennis and maintain fair competition for all players participating in WTA tournaments," the official policy states.

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The WTA said the policy was approved following consultation with its members and a review of evolving eligibility standards throughout international women’s sports.

Fox News’ Amber Harding contributed to this report.

Iran’s deepest weakness is getting exposed through America’s maximum pressure campaign

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:00:57 -0400

The United States finds itself in a protracted standoff with the Islamic Republic of Iran – which, in many respects, it has been in for decades. The difference this time is the opportunity to do lasting damage to the regime’s pursuit of regional domination and end its 47-year-old assault on core U.S. national interests.

In the past few weeks, President Donald Trump has rightly opted for a policy of exerting economic pain on the regime and its sources of funding. The Treasury Department has unveiled a slew of strident measures to further squeeze Iran’s access to revenues from oil sales.

These measures include sanctions targeting Chinese, Indian and other third-country oil brokers and tanker operators. Treasury has also gone after operators behind Iran’s "shadow fleet" and illicit Iranian financial networks.

TRUMP'S 60-DAY IRAN DEAL REACHES HALFWAY MARK AS CEASEFIRE COLLAPSES INTO ESCALATING WAR

America’s economic pressure on the regime is backed up by the U.S. Navy’s blockade of Iranian ports, involving over 20 warships and hundreds of military aircraft, and costing Iran tens of millions of dollars every day.

Crucially, this "maximum pressure" strategy is underpinned by the use of tactical yet large-scale air strikes and other military measures designed to do additional damage to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other military targets across Iran. Its goal is to keep the regime in Tehran on its back heels while intermediaries (such as the Pakistani and Qatari governments) pursue efforts to reach a deal on a sustainable cessation of hostilities.

This diplomacy is a necessary part of the standoff that has pulled in Iran’s neighbors, many of whom are still reeling from the shock of being attacked by Iranian ballistic missiles and drones.

However, based on the regime’s defiance and unwillingness to open the Strait of Hormuz in June and July – even after Trump agreed to a ceasefire under a "memorandum of understanding" that was widely considered to be quite advantageous to Iran – it is unlikely that diplomacy will succeed in achieving a lasting end to the conflict.

TRUMP WARNS IRAN FIGHTING ISN'T OVER AS HE VOWS US WILL 'WIN' AS TALKS FADE

The IRGC generals now running Iran will almost certainly violate both the terms and the spirit of any agreement or understanding – as Iran did in a variety of ways in the years following the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

The most important element of the U.S. "maximum pressure" campaign, therefore, is what it means for the Iranian regime itself. Iran’s economy was in tatters, even before the joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign initiated on February 28 inflicted close to $150 billion of damage.

Years of egregious economic mismanagement and rampant corruption – notably by IRGC generals and their thugs – contributed to no less than four mass protest movements in Iran since 2018. It is easy to forget that the largest of these crescendoed in January of this year, when Iran’s then-rulers ordered security forces to open fire on men, women and children marching in numerous cities and towns across Iran.

Thousands of people – possibly tens of thousands – were slaughtered by their own government. The regime continues to hang young Iranians on a daily basis for their participation in those protests, and, equally importantly, to try to scare Iranians from taking to the streets again – a sign of innate weakness on the part of regime leaders, if not fear.

IRAN HANGS 2 PROTESTERS IN PUBLIC, CROWD CRIES 'DISHONORABLE' AS SECURITY FIRES TEAR GAS

Meanwhile, the regime’s upper echelons are in disarray. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed along with 40 of Iran’s most senior military commanders during the opening salvos of Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion. Iran is ostensibly led by a supreme leader who hasn’t been seen in public since he was seriously wounded on February 28. But it’s increasingly clear that IRGC generals are calling the shots – and are at odds with civilians in the government tasked with reaching an agreement with the United States.

Many of these men are literally running scared. They know that the Mossad has penetrated Iran’s national security apparatus and likely has the ability to target senior IRGC and other officials – as it did with devastating effectiveness last summer and six months ago. None of this bodes well for regime coherence and coordination.

Nobody knows when the Iranian people will rise up again. But the economic crisis is deepening, and, under Trump’s "maximum pressure" campaign, the situation could come to a boil. Will Iranian policemen keep getting their paychecks? Will they open fire on their neighbors’ kids when they take to the streets again?

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Regime collapse could lead to a period of upheaval; the United States and its regional partners need to be prepared for that. But it’s a reckoning that is all but inevitable: Few governments in the world are as deeply despised by their own people; and the corrupt IRGC’s hold on power makes a mockery of the Islamic Republic’s religious foundations.

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The Trump administration can hasten the regime’s demise by maintaining the economic squeeze on oil reserves, keeping up tactical military and covert pressure on IRGC centers of power and funding, and expanding support for activists inside Iran. President Trump could then rightly take credit for helping usher in a new Middle East.

Trump's endorsement collides with $1.3M effort to oust House ally

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:00:55 -0400

A key congressional primary race will serve as a test of President Donald Trump's political weight on Thursday night.

Voters in Tennessee's 5th Congressional District are headed to the polls to decide between Trump-backed Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., and Republican Charlie Hatcher, the former state agriculture commissioner, who scored an 11th-hour endorsement from Gov. Bill Lee on Tuesday evening.

Ogles, one of Trump's most vocal allies in Congress, is seeking a third term representing the Middle Tennessee district, which includes part of the Nashville suburbs. Hatcher is the state's former Agriculture commissioner under Lee, and served as Tennessee State Veterinarian before that under both Democrat and Republican administrations.

"I'm not really surprised at all. You know, they're friends," Ogles said of Lee endorsing his rival.

GOP GOVERNOR ENDORSES CANDIDATE CHALLENGING TRUMP-BACKED CONGRESSMAN IN REPUBLICAN US HOUSE PRIMARY

He argued that his endorsements, including Trump and House GOP leaders, prove that he's the more conservative choice in the race.

"The golden endorsement that anyone wants is that of President Trump's, which I have. And I think Trump has really done a good job of making sure that he's choosing conservatives in races, which is also why I have the endorsement of [House Speaker] Mike Johnson, you know, conservative stalwart. [House Judiciary Committee Chair] Jim Jordan has endorsed me," Ogles said.

"And so you just go down the list of my endorsements, it's that of the conservatives, whereas my opponent has less conservative folks, shall we say, endorsing him."

TOP TRUMP ALLY WARNS SUPER PAC BANKROLLED BY DEM BILLIONAIRE IS MEDDLING IN GOP PRIMARY

And having Trump's backing is not a small edge in deep red Tennessee, which Trump won by double digits in 2024. He bested Vice President Kamala Harris by roughly 18 points in Tennessee's 5th Congressional District that year.

But despite that and his incumbency advantage, Ogles has still faced a tough race this year with a clean energy super PAC spending more than $1 million to unseat him.

The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition super PAC spent roughly $1.3 million against Ogles and in favor of Hatcher. The group boasts billionaire Chris Larsen as a top donor, who also previously donated to Harris' presidential campaign.

Ogles is a member of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, whose members have built a reputation as being thorns in the side of House GOP leaders.

TRUMP-BACKED REPUBLICAN ADVANCES TO FACE VULNERABLE DEMOCRAT IN KEY HOUSE BATTLEGROUND

But Ogles, for the most part, has avoided that label. He instead acted as a key liaison between Johnson and his right flank on several pieces of legislation, which has apparently earned the Louisiana Republican's loyalty in response.

Johnson spoke in support of Ogles at a tele-rally on Tuesday night, warning that he was the best choice against Democrats who would take the country down a "dark, dangerous, deadly road to communism" should they win in November.

"I think everybody who's listening to our voices tonight understands we have a fateful midterm election coming up," Johnson said. "We have to keep and maintain and grow the republican majority in the House, and Andy Ogles is a key part of this majority."

The House speaker also lauded Ogles as one of his top negotiators on extending Trump's tax cuts in the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act earlier this year, as well as other measures.

"We're working with a one or two vote margin, and at the end of the day, when things are tight, Andy Ogles is one of the members who's a small handful of guys who helps deliver the vote," Johnson said. "He helps me, he's my agent on the floor, you know, he's making sure that we corral the votes and get these things done. So he has an outsized influence in Congress, and he's a critical member of this team."

Lee said in a video released Tuesday night that he and Hatcher have been friends for 25 years and that he's "stood with President Trump since day one," touting him as a conservative with strong right-wing values.

Hatcher thanked Lee for his endorsement on Facebook and added, "In Congress, I will work hard, serve people, and get the job done by pursuing sensible, problem-solving solutions. I will defend our conservative values, support President Trump’s agenda, and fight to lower the cost of living for Tennessee families."

But despite Lee invoking Trump in his endorsement, the pair have notably split on a Republican primary race once before. Trump endorsed Republican Bobby Harshbarger for a state Senate seat over a Lee-backed incumbent in 2024. Harshbarger ultimately won, and Trump denounced Lee as a "RINO" in a Truth Social post afterward.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Hatcher's campaign for comment.

Nancy Guthrie's Tucson neighborhood searched again after monsoon shifts landscape, neighbor says

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:00:54 -0400

TUCSON, Ariz. — A neighbor of Nancy Guthrie's in the Catalina Foothills tells Fox News Digital she saw the FBI return to search the brush behind the missing 84-year-old's home days before her unsolved disappearance reached the six-month mark.

While a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff's Department said that no task force investigators had returned to the area recently, the neighbor said she recognized faces from earlier law enforcement activity in the neighborhood connected to the case. The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The neighbor, who lives just a few doors down, reported seeing them combing through the desert brush.

Guthrie, the mother of "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie, is believed to have been taken by force from her home in the early hours of Feb. 1, according to authorities.

NANCY GUTHRIE CASE POINTS TO CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD 'WRENCH ATTACK' THEORY, RETIRED DETECTIVE SAYS

Bob Krygier, a retired Pima County Sheriff's Department lieutenant and former SWAT commander, said there are a few reasons why investigators would return to the area, ranging from new leads to the chance that evidence has been shifted around by recent weather.

"There's a couple of different reasons that go through my mind first is going to be they got some leads, they got some new tips that are viable, and they're out there looking for something specific or in an area specific to that, because I'm certain that they've searched those areas already," he told Fox News Digital.

It could also be that, six months into the investigation, authorities are putting a fresh set of eyes on the case, he said.

And heavy rains may also have altered the landscape, potentially exposing or moving evidence investigators hadn't previously seen, he said.

NANCY GUTHRIE CASE: FORMER COP SHOWS HOW MISSING MOM COULD VANISH JUST YARDS FROM HOMES

"About a month ago, monsoon season started here in Tucson and a lot of water has come down — a lot of water at once, and it pushes things," he said. "So it's moved the environment. Rocks have been pushed away."

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Depending on the area, floodwaters can rise from just a few inches to as much as 12 feet, Krygier said, with enough force to sweep away vehicles, trees, rocks and even people.

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"I'm not sure if they found him yet, but there was a report of a man in the wash floating down, being pushed downstream by the water — and the Santa Cruz is what that feeds into, which is, you're looking at 20, 30 feet deep when it's at its peak and 50, 60 feet across," he said. "All that water, it's rushing fast, and it's taken not only the people, but it's taken cars, it's taken trees, branches, rocks, all of this stuff, and basically turned into a big blender."

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Authorities did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

NANCY GUTHRIE RANSOM NOTES RELEASE FOLLOWS UNABOMBER ‘PRECEDENT' THAT CRACKED CASE, EXPERT SAYS

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told Fox News Digital last week that investigators are still following up on active leads, reviewing "tens of thousands" of videos and do not consider the case cold.

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On Friday, his office also released a pair of purported ransom notes in the case, in the hope that someone in the public can help identify the sender's "unique linguistic style."

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling 520-88-CRIME.

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The combined sum of rewards in the case is over $1.2 million and remains unclaimed.

Inside America's laser revolution as the military nears big battlefield breakthrough

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:00:46 -0400

For decades, laser weapons have represented one of the Pentagon's most ambitious technological goals — promising to shoot down enemy drones and missiles at the speed of light without expending costly interceptors.

Now, after years of testing and false starts, the Army appears poised to take its biggest step yet toward making that vision a battlefield reality.

The Army is nearing a contract award for the Enduring High Energy Laser (E-HEL), a system that, if fielded as expected, would represent the service's first laser weapon to transition into a permanent operational capability.

The development comes as the Pentagon races to adapt to a new era of warfare in which inexpensive drones can overwhelm traditional air defenses and force militaries to expend missile interceptors costing hundreds of thousands — or even millions — of dollars. If fielded, the E-HEL would mark a significant step toward giving U.S. forces a new way to counter those threats without relying solely on costly kinetic weapons.

PENTAGON CONSOLIDATES DRONE OVERSIGHT AS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PUSHES RAPID UNMANNED WARFARE EXPANSION

In July, Army acquisition chief Lt. Gen. Frank Lozano said the service was negotiating a contract with AeroVironment for the E-HEL, describing it as the Army's first program of record for a family of high-energy laser systems. He said the technology had shown "a lot of recent promise and capability" during testing at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

A source with knowledge of the program told Fox News Digital the Army is nearing a contract award, though negotiations are continuing and nothing has been finalized.

The Army's move is not happening in isolation.

In July, the Air Force disclosed it is using the compact laser weapon system at multiple locations overseas to defend against drones. The Navy, meanwhile, has spent years testing its high-energy laser with integrated optical-dazzler and surveillance (HELIOS) aboard destroyers, gradually integrating directed-energy weapons into fleet operations.

Together, the developments suggest the Pentagon may be entering a new phase for directed-energy weapons after decades of research and billions of dollars in investment.

The U.S. is not alone in pursuing the technology. Israel has begun deploying its Iron Beam laser air defense system — developed with significant U.S. support — to counter rockets, mortars and drones, while China has publicly showcased a growing range of military laser systems and counter-drone weapons as it expands its own directed-energy capabilities.

Even so, the War Department has spent decades pursuing laser weapons, with many early U.S. programs struggling with technical hurdles ranging from power generation and beam control to thermal management and reliability in operational environments.

"It's not about the laser anymore," Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Fox News Digital. "It's all these other things that make it workable as a weapon system" — from ensuring it can withstand dust, heat and bad weather to developing doctrine, training operators and maintaining the systems in the field.

And because laser beams can continue traveling well beyond their intended target, the military also must ensure they do not inadvertently illuminate satellites or other aircraft, one reason integrating the technology into everyday operations has proven more complicated than simply building a powerful laser.

The shift has been driven in large part by the rapid proliferation of inexpensive drones across battlefields in Ukraine, the Middle East and the Red Sea, forcing militaries to rethink how they defend against increasingly cheap aerial threats.

Even as lasers move closer to operational use, they are unlikely to replace traditional missile defenses.

Unlike missiles, which can travel over the horizon to engage distant threats, lasers are largely line-of-sight weapons, meaning they can only strike targets they can directly "see."

US DRAINS CRITICAL MISSILE STOCKPILES IN IRAN WAR AS YEARSLONG REBUILD LOOMS

"It's great for when that drone is coming in on top of you," Karako said. "But it's more difficult to be able to get past the horizon."

That means lasers are expected to become another layer of the Pentagon's air defense architecture rather than a replacement for kinetic interceptors. Missiles will still be needed to engage threats at long distances and in adverse conditions, while lasers are likely to be most effective against drones and other aerial threats that have already entered a defended area.

The Army is also pursuing a next-generation counter-drone missile expected to cost less than $150,000 per interceptor, part of a broader effort to expand lower-cost options for defeating unmanned aircraft.

Lasers are only one piece of the Pentagon's broader directed-energy push. The military also is testing high-powered microwave systems such as Epirus' Leonidas, which are designed to defend against one of the battlefield's fastest-growing threats: swarms of inexpensive drones.

Rather than relying on a kinetic interceptor, high-powered microwaves use bursts of electromagnetic energy to disrupt the electronics of multiple nearby unmanned aircraft simultaneously.

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The Pentagon also is investing in radio-frequency technologies capable of jamming communications between drones and their operators or interfering with satellite navigation signals, potentially causing unmanned aircraft to lose control.

Holy Land discovery reveals ancient charred relics from one of Jerusalem's darkest chapters

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:00:34 -0400

Archaeologists recently uncovered charred wooden beams in Jerusalem dating back roughly 2,600 years — likely remnants of the destruction of Solomon's Temple.

The discovery, which was found beneath a parking lot in the City of David, was announced by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) in July.

IAA officials said the wood was found "within a building that collapsed by the intense fire at the time of the First Temple's destruction."

'SIGNIFICANT' EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH EMERGES BENEATH FORMER FISH MARKET IN ANCIENT CITY

Their statement added, "What likely preserved the beams for approximately 2,600 years was plaster that melted from the building's walls, sealing the burnt wood beneath it."

Solomon's Temple, also called the First Temple, was destroyed by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 B.C., after his army captured Jerusalem following a lengthy siege.

It was originally built by King Solomon in the 10th century B.C. as the permanent house for the Ark of the Covenant, according to Scripture.

The destruction of Solomon's Temple ushered in the Second Temple period, the era of Judaism in which Jesus lived and practiced.

ANCIENT BOOK OF REVELATION CITY GIVES UP STUNNING SECRET BURIED FOR 1,500 YEARS

Efrat Bocher, an excavation director, said that the beams "appear to have served as the roof of an inner courtyard."

"During the destruction, they collapsed onto the floor," Bocher said in a statement.

"We believe that the plaster cladding of the building's walls, melted by the fire, covered the charred wooden beams, and ultimately enabled their exceptional preservation."

The beams contain an unusually high number of growth rings, giving researchers the potential to narrow their dating to within about a decade.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTH ANCIENT TREASURE CACHE AT BIBLICAL CITY CONNECTED TO GENESIS

"It is very rare in Israel to find wood with such a large number of growth rings," said Johanna Regev, a radiocarbon dating expert at IAA.

"Here, in the City of David, we found thick beams with many rings, offering significant research potential — with more growth rings enabling higher dating resolution," she noted, according to the IAA.

Regev added, "Until now, we could date finds within a range of hundreds of years. Now we can attain much greater precision, narrowing the dating range down to as little as 10 years."

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Interestingly, experts believe Jerusalem's residents likely chose to preserve the memory of the destruction by leaving the ruins in place.

"Preserving memory is a human need, seeking to preserve what once existed," excavation director Yiftah Shalev said in a statement.

"Here we see it in its clearest form: a deliberate choice to leave ruins in place as a testament to the destruction and build the new layer over them."

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In a statement, Bocher called the discovery "deeply moving."

It "makes you feel that you are witnessing the very moment of destruction, the moment when it all happened," she said.

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Jerusalem, known as the Eternal City, is the setting of countless notable archaeological discoveries per year.

Last year, archaeologists in Jerusalem uncovered the longest and best-preserved section of the city's Hasmonean-era wall.

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Earlier this year, excavators uncovered a "mysterious and impressive" ancient tunnel near Jerusalem's biblical-era Kingdom of Judah.

Socialist frontrunner’s tradition-trashing holiday rants come back to bite her: ‘Worst of humanity comes out’

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:00:01 -0400

Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong may be leading the Democratic gubernatorial primary, but resurfaced social media posts suggest she has a problem with some of America’s biggest holidays.

Hong, a dues-paying member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has recently drawn considerable flak for stating in a November 2020 post that the country should "cancel Thanksgiving" in order to "stop celebrating colonialism and the original superspreader event that killed Indegenous [sic.] folx and women." A comment she has since walked back amid backlash, claiming that it's her "favorite holiday."

Less discussed, however, are her complaints about other popular American holidays.

"I miss working in a restaurant every day...except on VDay," she posted on Valentine's Day 2022. "As if we weren't invisible enough to those who don't recognize the emotional & physical labor of service work, the worst of humanity comes out from folks 'celebrating' on another day capitalism tells you how to show love."

SOCIALIST FRONTRUNNER IN THE HOT SEAT AFTER 'CANCEL THANKSGIVING' POST EMERGES ONLINE

Figures on the left have long challenged traditional holidays such as Thanksgiving, Independence Day and Columbus Day over their historical associations. But Hong’s yearslong trail of posts criticizing or dismissing several major celebrations is drawing fresh scrutiny as she campaigns to lead a swing-state battleground.

"I don't allow myself to work Halloween weekend or the day of," Hong wrote in 2019. "I would actually ask every single person in costume to leave."

Six years later, she made another post telling her followers that they could ask her anything but noting that the "only subject off limits is Halloween."

"Not my thing," she added.

Conservative and liberal commentators alike have posted pictures of the Grinch in response to Hong’s old posts, suggesting that she has a hatred of holidays. One anonymous user accused her of "grinchmaxxing."

DEMS PUT ON BLAST OVER POLL THAT SHOWS RECORD-LOW PATRIOTISM IN US: 'TEAR OUR SOCIETY APART'

Hong also doesn’t seem to be a fan of one of America’s most iconic holiday celebrations.

"Why isn't there a curfew on fireworks?" she wrote in the early morning hours of July 5, 2020.

"I do not enjoy fireworks," she said on June 29, 2019.

"If Francesca Hong had the explicit goal to attack storied institutions in order to turn off as many normal people as possible, she wouldn’t be doing anything different," Republican commentator Steve Guest wrote on social media.

BIDEN’S POSH VACATION ENCLAVE ROILED AS CHURCH AXES JULY 4 TRADITION OVER ‘WHITENESS’ DEBATE: ‘SPEWING LIES’

Though some have claimed Hong has a distaste for Christmas, pointing to a post where she felt "slightly attacked" when someone changed her computer background to a Christmas tree, she has also made multiple posts celebrating the holiday.

Conservatives have long accused Democrats of waging a "war on Christmas," a charge liberals deny.

While many are poking fun at Hong for her distaste toward holidays, others find it relatable.

"Tbh this doesn’t make me dislike her at all, she has character," Las Vegas DSA member Val Thomason wrote on X. "Like ‘oh you know Fran, she hates holidays.’"

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The Hong campaign did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Wednesday.

Popular smoothie ingredient may reduce one key health benefit, study suggests

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 06:00:29 -0400

Bananas are a smoothie staple, but a viral social media video has raised questions about whether they could reduce the nutritional benefits of other ingredients, such as blueberries.

In a July appearance on the "Mel Robbins Podcast," Dr. Rhonda Patrick, a biomedical scientist and founder of FoundMyFitness, demonstrated how she likes to make her smoothies, which do not include bananas.

Bananas contain polyphenol oxidase (PPO), an enzyme that can break down polyphenols, which are beneficial for gut, heart and brain health, according to Patrick, who is based in San Diego. PPO is also responsible for turning cut fruit brown.

DOCTORS SAY 8 FORGOTTEN HABITS COULD HELP FIGHT STRESS, OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASE

Recent studies suggest that when a banana is added to a blueberry smoothie, fewer beneficial polyphenols are absorbed from the berries.

Instead, Patrick uses avocado to give the smoothie the same creamy texture with 95% less sugar, she said. Avocado also adds more vitamins and monounsaturated fat, which can increase absorption of carotenoids, like lutein and zeaxanthin, from kale in the smoothie.

This opinion sparked debate in the online nutrition community, with some dietitians and nutritionists arguing that bananas should not be villainized based on a small body of research.

STUDY FINDS SPECIAL TOMATO DRINK MAY REDUCE INFLAMMATION IN ADULTS WITH OBESITY

The study Patrick referenced, which was published in the journal Food & Function in 2023, analyzed food absorption in eight healthy men.

On separate days, participants drank either a banana smoothie (high in an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase), drank a mixed berry smoothie (low in the enzyme) or took flavan-3-ol capsules (dietary supplements that contain concentrated plant compounds) with milk.

Blood tests showed that people absorbed about 84% fewer beneficial plant compounds after drinking the banana smoothie than after taking the flavan-3-ol capsules.

While researchers didn't test a banana-blueberry smoothie, the results suggest that bananas could reduce the benefits of foods high in flavan-3-ols.

LIVING LONGER COULD HINGE ON SURPRISING DIETARY CHANGE, STUDY REVIEW SUGGESTS

Los Angeles-based registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein, author of the upcoming book "Beyond the Shot," said the findings are "interesting," but don't tell the whole story.

"It doesn't mean the smoothie loses all of its health benefits," she said. "You're still getting fiber from the banana, and many other beneficial nutrients from polyphenol-rich fruits."

Muhlstein pointed out that the study included only eight participants and has not yet been replicated. She also noted that researchers used a standardized cocoa-derived flavanol supplement instead of whole fruits, such as berries, which may be absorbed differently by the body.

In a follow-up post on Instagram, responding to the backlash from the original post, Patrick said, "You can add bananas to your blueberry smoothies. However, you should know that you are going to degrade some of the polyphenols in those blueberries."

"Bananas are nutritious, I eat them, and this is not a reason to stop," she added in the caption. "But if your goal is to preserve as many of the berry polyphenols as possible, the chemistry matters."

Not every beneficial compound in blueberries will be eliminated by bananas, Patrick wrote, as the fruit contains many other polyphenols, including anthocyanins.

"This was a small study that should be replicated," she said. "But the magnitude of the effect was meaningful enough for me to consider when optimizing my smoothie."

New York-based certified holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco agreed that the findings don't mean everyone should avoid bananas.

Unlike well-established advice to limit processed meats and added sugar, the guidance on bananas is more nuanced and doesn't apply to everyone, she told Fox News Digital.

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As nutrition advice spreads on social media, DeCicco said it's important to remember that everyone's health needs are different and to consult a doctor before following online recommendations.

The broader issue, she noted, is that Americans aren’t eating enough nutrient-rich foods, like bananas and berries, and are instead consuming more processed foods that have been linked to chronic disease.

"That’s why Americans are fatter and sicker than they've ever been, so I think focus on that more," DeCicco advised. "It doesn't need to be so complicated all the time … If you're eating a banana instead of french fries, that's good."

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Nutrition should be individualized, DeCicco said. Someone who eats mostly fast-food should focus on replacing processed foods with fruits and vegetables, while someone with a more advanced nutrition plan may benefit from limiting high-carb, high-sugar fruits like bananas.

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For those trying to lose weight and balance blood sugar, choosing fruits that are lower in sugar and higher in fiber may help with these outcomes.

"It really [depends] on where you're coming from and what your health journey is," DeCicco said.

Those looking to maximize polyphenol intake can swap bananas for frozen zucchini, avocado or Greek yogurt in smoothies for the same creamy texture, Muhlstein added.

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DeCicco shared the following simple, high-protein smoothie recipes that can be made at home.

Low-sugar high-protein smoothie (without banana)

Unsweetened organic almond or soy milk
1/2-1 cup organic frozen berries
1 serving vanilla unsweetened plant protein powder
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1–2 tablespoons of all-natural organic nut/seed butter
A few handfuls of organic mixed baby greens/mixed greens or chopped zucchini
Cinnamon, vanilla/almond/coconut/hazelnut extract (to taste)

Low-sugar high-protein smoothie (with banana)

Unsweetened organic almond or soy milk
1 ripe banana
1 serving of unsweetened, plain, full-fat or reduced-fat Greek or Icelandic yogurt
1/2 ripe pear or apple with skin
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed or ground chia seed
A few handfuls of organic baby mixed leafy greens
1 serving of collagen for more protein (if desired)
Organic cinnamon, vanilla extract (to taste)

GOP dropout candidate puts 'communist' opponent on notice after stunning comeback win

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 06:30:06 -0400

A Michigan Republican who suspended his campaign, endorsed one of his opponents and then won the primary anyway is back on the trail — and promising to take the fight to Democratic Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet.

Tom Smith surfaced at a GOP unity brunch in Macomb County on Wednesday, when he declared that he was "running" for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District and told Republican activists he would need their help to unseat Rivet. Smith did not return Fox News Digital's inquiries about whether he would be resuming his campaign.

"My name is Tom Smith, and I’m running for the 8th Congressional District to unseat communist comrade Rivet," Smith said at a Republican unity brunch in Macomb County. "And I’ll need your help to do it."

REPUBLICAN WHO REPORTEDLY DROPPED OUT DEFEATS TRUMP'S PICK IN KEY SWING-DISTRICT PRIMARY

Meanwhile, in a statement to CNN, Smith reportedly said he was "humbled and honored" to be chosen to take the fight to Democrats in the November general election for Michigan's 8th Congressional District.

"I look forward to working with Speaker Johnson and the entire Republican team to expand our House majority and advance President Trump’s America First agenda to lower costs for working families and make America affordable again," Smith said.

TRUMP-BACKED REPUBLICAN ADVANCES TO FACE VULNERABLE DEMOCRAT IN KEY HOUSE BATTLEGROUND

After dropping out of the race last month, Smith put his support behind his contender in the race, Al Lemmo, who finished third in Tuesday's GOP primary behind Thomas and Trump-backed candidate Amir Hassan.

Hassan came in second to Thomas by a substantial margin, putting out a video posted to social media on Wednesday after his defeat declaring there were "no excuses."

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"I fell short last night. I make no excuse. It was a tough race," Hassan said in the video, which appeared to be recorded from his car. "I know what God has in store for me – something greater, even if I can't see it right now and don't understand."

He subsequently congratulated his opponents, told his supporters he "looked forward to seeing [them] again," and said that despite his loss, "it's still time to flip the eighth."

New York Times-owned Athletic podcast trashes female athletes who defend women’s sports

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 06:45:51 -0400

The New York Times-owned Athletic distributed a podcast this week in which one host dismissed a 12-time All-American swimmer as "not even a very good one," while another smirked and laughed at an eight-year WNBA veteran because she isn’t the best player in the league.

Quite the celebration of female athletes.

Charlotte Wilder and Madeline Hill made those comments on the latest episode of "The Sports Gossip Show," which is distributed through The Athletic Podcast Network.

Wilder went after Riley Gaines and Hill said Sophie Cunningham’s basketball career would only last so long because "she’s not the best player."

LEFT-WING SPORTS HOST SARAH SPAIN LAUNCHES DISGUSTING PERSONAL SMEAR OF SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM

Then Hill smirked, gave a condescending laugh and repeated herself.

"She’s not."

Well, no. Cunningham isn’t the best player in the WNBA. Nobody said she was. She has merely spent eight seasons playing in the best women’s basketball league in the world, which apparently isn’t enough to earn respect from two people hosting a "sports" podcast.

Then the hosts accused Cunningham of launching a "right-wing grift," plotting a post-basketball conservative career and becoming a Republican "mouthpiece." They also described signs and shirts supporting women's sports as "anti-trans" and suggested that some young girls involved in the movement might lack "critical thinking skills."

Did we mention these two women, particularly Wilder, fancy themselves as champions of other women?

In 2019, Wilder told the Washington Post, "For my whole career I’ve tried [to] be helpful and supportive of other women in the industry."

She sure has a funny way of showing it, huh?

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The Athletic, owned by The New York Times Company, distributes "The Sports Gossip Show" through its podcast network. The show joined the network under a licensing agreement in 2025.

This particular episode even labeled the segment attacking Cunningham, "Sophie Cunningham’s right-wing grift."

Subtle, right?

The problem is that the facts don’t cooperate with it.

Female excellence only counts when the politics align

Wilder’s swipe at Gaines is the easiest place to begin because whether Gaines was a good swimmer isn’t a matter of political opinion.

She earned 12 All-America honors at Kentucky, won three individual conference championships, set two SEC records and qualified for the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials. Gaines tied for fifth in the 200-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Championships, and one of her conference-title swims was, at the time, the 16th-fastest in American history. Kentucky called her one of the most decorated swimmers in program history.

Not very good, huh?

Perhaps Wilder only considers Olympic gold medalists to be good swimmers. That would be a strange standard for someone whose own website describes her as "the sports expert," but at least it would be a standard.

More likely, the line served a simpler purpose. Diminish Gaines’ athletic accomplishments, and listeners don’t have to wrestle seriously with what happened to her or why she speaks about women’s sports.

Hill used a similar move against Cunningham with her condescending characterization of Cunningham as "not the best player."

Cunningham was drafted in 2019 and has remained in the world’s top women’s basketball league since. She appeared in the 2021 WNBA Finals and ranks among the top 10 in league history in true shooting percentage, making her one of the most efficient shooters the WNBA has ever seen. Plus, Cunningham is in her eighth WNBA season, roughly twice the length of the average player’s career, and Hill still found her accomplishments worthy of derision.

Almost every girl who has ever picked up a basketball would consider reaching the WNBA an extraordinary achievement.

Hill treated it as a joke because Cunningham thinks women's sports should be for women only.

That’s quite a message from two women being paid to discuss women’s sports: female athletic accomplishments count right up until the athlete disagrees with them.

The left's new favorite insult: "grifter"

Calling Cunningham a "grifter" is different from saying she’s wrong, opportunistic or enjoying the attention.

A grift involves deception. The accusation only makes sense if Cunningham is pretending to hold a belief she doesn’t actually hold because she thinks the act will make her money or extend her celebrity.

That’s what Wilder and Hill were alleging, whether they wanted to say it that plainly or not.

Hill said Cunningham "knows what she’s doing." The hosts speculated that defending female sports was her post-retirement strategy, suggested Republicans were using her to deliver talking points and predicted she would speak at the next Republican National Convention.

Their evidence?

Cunningham spoke publicly, posed with Gaines and former Levi’s executive Jennifer Sey and her player-exclusive Adidas shoe sold out in hours after doubling down on her position.

Those facts show that Cunningham’s stance has increased her popularity with a segment of the public. They might even show that she recognizes the commercial benefit.

They don’t establish that she’s lying.

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SEES SUPPORT SURGE AFTER STAR PUTS CAREER ON LINE FOR GIRLS SPORTS

Cunningham said Wednesday that the ESPN interview took place in February and that the writer directly asked her about transgender athletes in women’s sports. She answered the question, then spent the next several months saying virtually nothing about it until ESPN published the story.

That’s an odd way to launch a carefully planned grift. Answer one question, keep quiet and wait for someone else to make it public?

A person can sincerely believe something and make money from saying it. Wilder and Hill should understand that better than most. They are, after all, paid to deliver progressive political opinions into microphones. Presumably, they don’t view their own salaries as proof they’re lying.

Plus, Cunningham’s position didn’t suddenly appear when Adidas released a shoe.

In 2022, Cunningham shared a message criticizing the participation of Lia Thomas in women’s college swimming and said athletes should have the opportunity to compete fairly. That was four years before this supposed "hard pivot right."

That doesn’t prove Cunningham has never considered the career benefits of speaking out. It does create a rather significant problem for the claim that she invented this belief as a convenient retirement plan.

The hosts provided no evidence of political coordination, compensation from conservative groups or private statements contradicting Cunningham’s public position.

OutKick/Fox News Digital reached out to Wilder and Hill and asked if they could provide that evidence and explain whether calling Cunningham a grifter meant they believed she was lying. Neither responded by the publication deadline.

They just announced that her sincerity was fake, kept talking and didn't respond to a request to provide proof.

Then they turned their contempt toward teenage girls.

It’s one thing to take cheap shots at Gaines and Cunningham, two highly successful adult women who can answer for themselves.

It’s quite another to aim that same condescension at teenage girls, particularly girls who have already lost to biological males in girls’ sports.

But that’s where Wilder and Hill went next.

Wilder praised Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve for questioning whether young girls holding signs at WNBA games understood the "real" threats facing women’s sports. She also described the XX-XY Athletics shirts worn by the girls as "anti-trans," though she never explained what language or imagery on the shirts attacked transgender people.

She then suggested that some people involved might lack "critical thinking skills" or hadn’t been "taught how to think about these things."

One of the girls they were discussing was Ahnaleigh Wilson.

Wilson didn’t arrive at her position because Republicans tricked her into it. She became involved after losing a girls’ 1,600-meter race to a biological male athlete when she was 14-years-old.

I interviewed Wilson in 2024. Her position wasn’t hateful, and it certainly wasn’t thoughtless.

"It isn’t fair, and it isn’t working for biological girls," Wilson said. "And it isn’t fair, and it isn’t working for transgender athletes."

Wilson had considered how the policy affected everyone involved. She simply didn’t reach the conclusion Wilder and Hill demanded.

WNBA SILENT ON WHETHER FRENCH TRANSGENDER STAR DOMINATING WOMEN'S LEAGUE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO PLAY

That makes the lecture about "critical thinking skills" particularly rich. A basic search would have revealed that one of the girls they were dismissing had personally experienced the exact competitive problem they claimed wasn’t a threat to women’s sports.

And Wilson wasn’t alone.

NCAA softball player Kendall Kotzmacher attended a rally supporting Cunningham in Minnesota after her final high-school game ended in a state-championship tournament loss to a team featuring a biological male pitcher. The pitcher held Kotzmacher’s team to two runs and hit a double that helped set up the winning run.

Kotzmacher said a counterprotester at the rally told her she "should’ve been aborted." She also said she had received death threats and hateful messages after speaking publicly about her experience.

These weren’t teenage girls parroting political talking points they didn’t understand. They were female athletes who had competed against biological males, lost races and potential championships, and then faced abuse for talking about it.

None of that made it into the discussion before Wilder lectured the girls about how to think.

That’s quite a display of intellectual curiosity from someone hosting a podcast for a New York Times-owned outlet.

The Athletic is distributing more than sports gossip

By the end of the segment, the conversation had drifted well beyond Cunningham.

Hill accused Republicans of distracting from "snatching people off the street and murdering people on the street." Wilder claimed there is more money in conservative commentary because rich people support Republicans who "don’t tax billionaires."

Neither provided specific evidence for those claims during the episode.

That’s their right. Podcasts contain opinions, jokes and exaggerations. "The Sports Gossip Show" doesn't pretend to be a nightly newscast and no one would mistake these two for serious or seasoned political journalists.

But "gossip" isn’t a magic word that makes factual claims immune from scrutiny.

Wilder said Gaines wasn’t a good swimmer. Her record says otherwise.

The hosts said Cunningham’s position was a grift. They didn’t show that she was being dishonest.

They treated supportive signs as anti-trans without identifying any anti-trans language.

And they questioned whether young girls knew how to think about the issue while leaving out that at least one of those girls had experienced it firsthand.

OutKick/Fox News Digital sent detailed questions to Wilder and Hill asking them to explain those claims. OutKick/Fox News Digital also contacted The Athletic and The New York Times Company to ask what standards apply to content distributed through The Athletic Podcast Network and whether either company stood by the episode.

None responded by the publication deadline.

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The issue is not that Wilder and Hill hold strong opinions. It's that they made factual and motive-based claims about athletes without showing the evidence needed to support them. They also launched multiple personal attacks.

Riley Gaines held the wrong political opinion, so her 12 All-America honors no longer made her a good swimmer. Sophie Cunningham held the wrong political opinion, so Hill smirked at an eight-year WNBA career and dismissed her as "not the best player." Teenage girls held the wrong political opinion, so their firsthand experiences became evidence that they hadn’t learned how to think.

The hosts didn’t rebut these women and girls. They diminished their accomplishments, questioned their sincerity and treated their experiences as irrelevant.

Apparently, female athletes deserve support only until they defend female sports.

Sports cartoons of the day

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:08:52 -0400

Canadian accused of attacking teen over 'Trump' and 'ICE' pants ordered deported: DHS

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 06:30:24 -0400

A Canadian woman accused of attacking a teenager over his "Trump" and "ICE" pants has been ordered to be deported back to the Great White North.

An immigration judge in Texas ordered Kaitlyn Tracey deported to Canada on Tuesday, after she allegedly approached a group of teens on New Jersey's Point Pleasant boardwalk over Fourth of July weekend and struck one of the girls, the Department of Homeland Security said.

A spokesperson for DHS previously told Fox News Digital that Tracey entered the U.S. on an April 2024 visa and stayed past the Sept. 6, 2024 expiry date.

POLICE SAY CANADIAN WOMAN SLAPPED TEEN OVER TRUMP AND ICE CLOTHING BEFORE ICE DETAINED HER

"She overstayed her visa and failed to depart," the spokesperson said.

"She received full due process and was ordered removed on Aug. 4 by an immigration judge to her home country of Canada. ICE will return her home as soon as possible," a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

A probable cause affidavit by law enforcement states that Tracey allegedly slapped the victim across her face and body.

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Tracey started yelling at the teen because she was wearing "patriotic colored sweatpants with political wording," police added, stating that the young woman was wearing sweatpants that read "Trump" and "ICE."

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Tracey reportedly took issue with the group's "patriotic colored sweatpants with political wording," police said.

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Surveillance footage showed Tracey hitting the teen twice with an open hand, once in the face and once in the body, before fleeing the scene, investigators said.

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The Point Pleasant Beach Police Department previously said officers responded to an assault report after a woman allegedly hit a juvenile.

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Tracey was arrested days after the incident and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, simple assault, harassment and obstruction.

"Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, ICE is targeting the worst of the worst," a DHS spokesperson said. "Nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. Our message is clear: if you come into our country illegally and break our laws, we will find you, we will arrest you, and we will deport you."

Michigan Gov Whitmer congratulates El-Sayed, expressing support after backing his opponent in Dem primary

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 06:06:05 -0400

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday expressed her support for state Democratic U.S. Senate primary winner Abdul El-Sayed after backing his opponent, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, in the contest.

"Congratulations to Jocelyn Benson, Abdul El-Sayed, and every Democrat who won up and down the ballot in this primary. They’ve got my support as we fight like hell together to win in November," Whitmer wrote in a post on X.

"Together, let’s stop MAGA Republicans so we can get to work and deliver results for the people of Michigan," she added.

EL-SAYED'S THREAT AGAINST GOP RIVAL BACKFIRES AS CONSERVATIVES BRING RECEIPTS: 'IS DUBAI IN FLORIDA?'

El-Sayed edged out Stevens by about 1% in the close contest.

The congresswoman congratulated her opponent and extended her support.

EL-SAYED CAMPAIGN BACKED BY OVER $100,000 FROM DOZENS OF MEMBERS OF GROUP WITH ALLEGED TERROR TIES

"I love Michigan and am so proud to have put up my hand to serve. I spoke with Abdul a few moments ago to offer him my full support as we work to defeat Mike Rogers this November. Thank you, Michigan," Stevens wrote in a post on X.

El-Sayed shared her post and wrote, "Putting your hand up to participate in democracy is no easy thing. Thank you for running, Congresswoman. Looking forward to uniting this fall to beat Mike Rogers. Because what unites us is so much bigger than what divides us."

DEMS' LEFTWARD LURCH GETS LEGS AS EL-SAYED'S MICHIGAN SENATE VICTORY SPARKS PARTY DEBATE

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Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican who lost the 2024 Michigan U.S. Senate race to Democrat Elissa Slotkin, is running for U.S. Senate in the state again this year.

Prince William faces 'work-shy' criticism but is secretly running monarchy like a CEO, expert says

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 06:00:59 -0400

Prince William has been branded "work-shy" for years, but one royal expert says the heir to the British throne is quietly executing a CEO-style strategy designed to secure the monarchy's future.

Dan Wakeford, founder of Celebrity Intelligence, told Fox News Digital that the father of three isn't fazed by critics as he continues to prioritize his family while placing less emphasis on tradition and more on key engagements aimed at strengthening the institution.

"William is extremely good at setting boundaries and not working during the holidays, protecting his kids’ privacy and his wife’s mental health," said Wakeford. "There’s some criticism of that. Some critics snipe at that and think that he’s ‘work-shy’ or a little bit lazy. But I think William is working more like a CEO and being very strategic with his time."

KATE MIDDLETON IS 'INDISPENSABLE' TO ROYAL FAMILY AS SLIMMED-DOWN MONARCHY FACES MOUNTING PRESSURE: EXPERT

"He studies the monarchy in a way to help make it survive and keeps a boundary around his real life and his relationships so that he doesn’t get burned out, and he can do the best job possible," Wakeford shared. "And the poll numbers show that he’s extremely popular, and he’s doing a good job."

The royal family’s working ranks have grown increasingly slimmed down in recent years. In 2019, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor stepped back from public duties following a disastrous televised interview in which he attempted to explain his friendship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He lost his title of prince and other honors in 2025.

In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, made their exit as working royals and moved to California. While King Charles has maintained a full schedule, he continues to undergo cancer treatment.

Catherine Mayer, author of "Divide & Rule," previously told People magazine that the senior royals "are all stretched thin — and none of them are young," adding that "William and Catherine carry the whole thing."

"William is the very antithesis of 'work-shy,'" Christopher Andersen, author of "Kate!" told Fox News Digital.

"The Prince and Princess of Wales want to make a real impact by raising awareness of mental health, cancer research and other causes they're prioritizing," Andersen said.

"Does William want to be the first king to run the monarchy like a CEO? Well, it's been called 'The Firm' for decades, hasn't it? The royal family is worth billions, including extensive prime real estate holdings. To say it should be taken seriously as a business enterprise is a colossal understatement."

William has long-faced criticism for taking on fewer engagements than other senior royals, earning the "work-shy" label. Last year, The Sunday Times reported that Princess Anne wanted her nephew to take on more "bread-and-butter" engagements as he prepares for the throne, citing unnamed sources close to the princess. Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment at the time.

Journalist Emily Andrews previously reported that William once confronted her about an article she wrote titled "Work Shy Wills." According to Andrews, William told her there were "a lot of things we hadn't seen behind the scenes."

"Princess Anne will always do more engagements," British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. "That’s her job. But William has the monarch’s permission to prioritize his young family. And in 2026, that stability is part of the job.

"Preparing to run the monarchy like a CEO doesn’t mean less work. It means different work. Forget 400 meet-and-greets. We’re getting 10-year projects. We’re talking about big goals, big partnerships and measurable, real outcomes."

"King Charles is like the custodian," Chard continued. "His mission is to preserve and consider a slimmed-down monarchy. Prince William, the strategist, is making the monarchy indispensable for the next 50 years. The traditional charity work is not going anywhere. Charities still need royal visits to raise money and profile. However, there will be more efficient, targeted visits."

Wakeford noted that William's workload cannot be judged solely by the number of public appearances he makes.

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The royal family's website says the Prince of Wales carries out official duties in support of the king while overseeing charitable projects in Britain and abroad. He leads long-term initiatives, including Homewards and the Earthshot Prize. He's also responsible for leading the Duchy of Cornwall.

The Times also reported that William plans to sell about 20% of the Duchy of Cornwall's estate over the next decade to help fund housing, environmental and renewable energy projects.

"A major part of his duty is to raise a future king," British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. "His focus on being a good father to Prince George is critically important. Prince William and his family present a strong visual image, which is a significant asset in the age of social media."

"Princess Catherine is by his side, emphasizing family stability. Their appeal lies not so much in the volume of events but in making the monarchy more modern and stable."

Some royal experts have cautioned that if the monarchy becomes too focused on metrics, branding and management, it could risk losing the mystique and tradition that make it unique.

"The question needs to be asked: Does Britain want a royal family run like a business?" royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital.

"Why should William wish to change the principles of royalty devised over 800 years? The view I come back to constantly is that the royal family should never forget. It is the blood, sweat and tears of the British taxpayers who finance the royal family. Although King Charles understands this, the jury is out on William. The lazy label attached to William in the past may have spurred him into action. But his alleged new style for the future could change many things."

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William's reported plans to modernize the monarchy won't spell the end of royal pomp and pageantry, Andersen argued.

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"William and Kate are both keenly aware of how important it is to keep up appearances and centuries-old traditions," he said. "No matter how business-savvy William is as king, or how smoothly the monarchy runs, the public probably won’t see it. What they’ll see, what the royal family wants them to see, is the familiar, magical fairy tale."

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