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Democrats' bitter civil war hits Michigan, but biggest prize still up for grabs

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 03:28:00 -0400

DETROIT — The Democratic Party's progressive wing was aiming to notch its biggest victory yet Tuesday and deliver a high-profile blow to the center-left establishment in an intensifying ideological battle.

But the anticipated triumph in battleground Michigan's Democratic Senate primary will have to wait.

The race between progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health director, and Rep. Haley Stevens, a more moderate contender, remained too close to call early Wednesday.

THE MIDTERM SENATE RACES THAT COULD FLIP THE BALANCE OF POWER IN CONGRESS

While the night’s biggest prize remained undecided as five states held primary elections, Democratic establishment candidates scored several victories. Those included Rep. Wesley Bell of Missouri defeating Democratic Socialists of America-backed challenger and former Rep. Cori Bush, a onetime "Squad" member, in a rematch of their 2024 showdown.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump's powerful sway over the Republican Party was reaffirmed as two Trump-backed candidates won gubernatorial nominations in Michigan and Kansas.

Here are the top takeaways from a busy primary night across the country.

Verdict still out in high-stakes showdown

"We're going to have to wait a little longer to see the outcome of this race," El-Sayed told supporters at a primary night event in Detroit early Wednesday morning.

El-Sayed, who was backed by prominent progressive leaders including Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, held a razor-thin lead over Stevens as votes continued to be counted. Stevens was supported by establishment figures including Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the longtime Senate Democratic leader.

"I know it's been a long night because that's the Michigan way. But I want to give you all an update. We knew that this was going to be a close race, and that's exactly what we've got. A close race," Stevens said.

MIKE ROGERS ARGUES ABDUL EL-SAYED IS 'A SPECIAL SAUCE OF CRAZY'

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

Boosted by a string of victories this spring in predominantly Democratic congressional districts, the party’s progressive wing brought its ideological battle with the establishment to the Great Lakes battleground. The combustible and expensive contest became the biggest stage yet in the intraparty fight.

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

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

Schumer and other establishment Democrats view Stevens, who flipped a Republican-held district during her first election to Congress in 2018, as more electable than El-Sayed, whose past comments have drawn controversy.

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

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

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

Stevens also targeted Rogers during her primary night speech.

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

The progressive-versus-establishment battle also played out in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, a Republican-controlled swing seat that is among roughly two dozen races expected to help determine control of the House.

William Lawrence, a co-founder of the Sunrise Movement climate advocacy group, edged out two more moderate Democrats. Lawrence was backed by Sanders and El-Sayed, as well as several prominent progressive groups. He will face Republican Rep. Tom Barrett in the general election.

The party’s internal battle was also on display in Michigan’s heavily Democratic 13th Congressional District, where the Associated Press had not projected a winner early Wednesday.

Rep. Shri Thanedar, who is supported by top House Democratic leaders, was being challenged by state Rep. Donovan McKinney. McKinney was backed by Sanders, El-Sayed and "Squad" members Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Summer Lee of Pennsylvania.

Wins for centrists to cheer

The party’s ideological warfare was front and center in Missouri’s St. Louis-based, heavily Democratic 1st Congressional District.

Bell, who was backed by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and other establishment figures, defeated Bush, the former two-term representative whom Bell ousted in the 2024 primary.

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Bell was again boosted by a major infusion of outside money, allowing him to substantially outspend Bush and her allies. Much of the funding and advertising targeting Bush came from United Democracy Project, the super PAC aligned with AIPAC.

Bush was among the first House Democrats to accuse Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians during its war against Hamas in Gaza.

"Two years ago, St. Louis voted for better and more accountable representation. We have kept that promise, whether it's bringing federal resources home to our neighborhoods, standing with working folks when they needed someone in their corner, or helping families cut through red tape," Bell said following his victory. "That work does not stop tonight."

Bush, however, lashed out at Bell, criticizing him for skipping candidate forums and claiming he was controlled by billionaires.

"It pisses me off that for the next two years, this community will be represented by someone that didn't deem you valuable enough to show up to one candidate forum where there were audience comments, even though I showed up to every one," Bush emphasized.

MEET THE FAR LEFT INSURGENTS WAGING WAR ON THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN THE 2026 MIDTERMS

Back in Michigan, two candidates who are far from left-wingers captured Democratic nominations in statewide contests. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson won the Democratic gubernatorial primary in the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel was renominated.

"It’s not all that clear that the party has shifted that far to the left," Matt Bennett, one of the leaders at the Third Way, a leading center-left Democratic organization, told Fox News Digital.

Pointing to increasingly intense Democratic opposition to Trump, Bennett said the Michigan Senate result may reflect "a unique situation where candidates matter."

"And in this moment, Democratic voters everywhere are very very angry at Trump and they’re flipping over the tables and taking it out on the establishment and Haley, for better or worse, has run as the establishment."

Trump flexes political muscle

Trump’s clout within the GOP and the power of his endorsements in Republican primaries were tested again Tuesday, and the president’s preferred candidates prevailed in two gubernatorial contests.

Trump-backed Rep. John James of Michigan, a West Point graduate and two-time Republican Senate nominee, defeated multimillionaire businessman Perry Johnson, a former gubernatorial and presidential candidate, to capture the party’s gubernatorial nomination.

James will face Benson in the race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

In Kansas, Trump-endorsed state Senate President Ty Masterson prevailed in a crowded field of Republican gubernatorial contenders.

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Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is term-limited, making the race to succeed her a leading pickup opportunity for Republicans.

Fox News' Matthew Donnell and Luke Trevisan contributed to this report.

Trump warns Iran will be hit 'really hard' if nuclear negotiations collapse again

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 02:28:09 -0400

President Donald Trump renewed his warning to Iran on Tuesday, saying the U.S. could strike the country "really hard" if negotiations between Washington and Tehran collapse again.

"If they back out again, they're going to get hit really hard," Trump told Fox News' Trace Gallagher. "They know that. They understand that. I have no choice. They can't have a nuclear weapon. It's very simple."

Trump said military action remained an option if diplomacy fails.

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

"The hard hit is yet to come, and hopefully we won't have to use it," he said during the interview.

Trump’s comments came days after he held off on a planned military strike on Iran that he said would have been the largest since World War II after Tehran and several Middle Eastern countries requested more time to negotiate over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing Iran’s nuclear program.

"We were going to a tremendous attack, the biggest since World War II, and they called me and said very politely, 'Please, can we talk? Can we talk?' And I said, 'Yes, we can talk. Let's get it done,'" Trump said.

Earlier this week, Trump said a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and curb Iran's nuclear program was "imminent."

TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘LARGELY NEGOTIATED’ AS 84-DAY WAR NEARS POSSIBLE END

Iranian officials have denied holding direct talks with the United States, saying negotiations are taking place through mediators in Oman. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Iranian and Omani officials had made significant progress toward a potential agreement to reopen the strait, though negotiations remained ongoing.

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Trump described Tuesday’s negotiations as "very good," despite Iran’s repeated public denials that direct talks were underway.

"They don't like to admit that, but, well, you know, it's a little bit disconcerting," he said.

"It's just such a lie," Trump added.

"But it doesn't matter. That's talk. The only thing that matters is action. And they want to make a deal. We'll see what happens. If they don't make a deal, it's going to be too bad."

When asked at what point the U.S. might abandon talks with Iran after negotiations repeatedly collapsed, Trump said he was not in a rush to walk away from diplomacy.

"I have plenty of time," he said.

Trump argued that previous administrations failed to resolve the issue and again criticized the nuclear agreement negotiated under former President Barack Obama.

TRUMP RECALLS NETANYAHU'S FAILED PUSH TO KILL OBAMA IRAN DEAL, SAYS HE FINISHED THE JOB

"It should have been done by many presidents over many years, and it wasn't, and I'm doing it," Trump said. "Obama was taken to the cleaners."

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Trump has previously called the latest round of negotiations Iran’s "last chance" to avoid an escalation of US military action. He has said negotiators will initially focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz before addressing Tehran’s nuclear program.

Fox News Digital's Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.

Capybaras crash Brazilian lawmakers' voting session and steal the show

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 02:00:44 -0400

Brazilian lawmakers preparing to conduct official business found themselves sharing the halls of a state legislature with several uninvited — but unusually relaxed — guests.

A group of capybaras entered the Mato Grosso Legislative Assembly in Cuiabá on July 30, briefly drawing attention away from an upcoming vote as they explored the government building.

Video recorded by legislative staffer Nayara Bueno showed the animals moving calmly through the entrance while workers sought to steer them outside.

BLACK BEAR CAUGHT ON VIDEO WANDERING INTO CALIFORNIA WATER DISTRICT OFFICE AFTER PUSHING OPEN FRONT DOOR

"They show up here quite often, so we’ve gotten used to seeing them," Bueno told The Associated Press.

The rodents' guest appearance did not cause any damage to the Mato Grosso state legislature, according to officials.

The legislature borders a park that is home to wildlife, giving the animals easy access to the surrounding government complex.

Native to South America, capybaras are semiaquatic mammals commonly found around wetlands and other bodies of water. They are highly social, generally travel in groups and can reach weights of about 175 pounds.

ROGUE PARROT ATTACKS PLAYERS DURING BRAZILIAN U-15 SOCCER GAME-THEN COMES BACK AND DOES IT AGAIN

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The world's largest living rodents have also become internet favorites, with social media users frequently highlighting their laid-back behavior around other animals and people.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Socialist tenant organizer who blasted 'sell-out Democrats' loses Midwest primary

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:52:59 -0400

Jordan Herrera, an attorney, Air Force veteran and former Missouri assistant attorney general, won the Democratic nomination Tuesday in Missouri’s newly redrawn 4th Congressional District, defeating better-funded democratic socialist Hartzell Gray in a seven-way primary.

Herrera prevailed over Gray, the 33-year-old former Kansas City radio host and tenant organizer who drew national attention after appearing on Hasan Piker’s Twitch livestream and blasting "sell-out Democrats."

The result puts a more conventional Democrat on the November ballot against Republican Rep. Mark Alford in the GOP-leaning district, rather than Gray, who had framed his campaign as a left-wing challenge to the party establishment.

RNC AND NRCC FILE LAWSUIT DEFENDING MISSOURI'S NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP AGAINST DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGES

The new 4th District takes in part of Kansas City before extending south through a broad swath of suburban and rural Missouri. While the map made Alford’s district less Republican than it had been, it remains a solidly GOP seat.

Gray emerged as the clear financial leader in the Democratic field. FEC records showed his campaign had raised about $250,000 through mid-July — more than six times the roughly $40,000 raised by Herrera and far more than Cass, the 2024 Democratic nominee who again sought the seat.

The Kansas City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America said its backing of Gray marked its first endorsement in a federal race. The group praised Gray’s refusal to take money from corporations, developers and lobbying groups, while pointing to his support for universal health care, tenant protections and more progressive taxation.

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

Gray, who has also called for rent controls, Medicare for All and ending the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, has framed his campaign as a rebuke of a Democratic Party he argues has become too closely tied to wealthy donors and corporate interests. The 2010 ruling allowed corporations and unions to spend unlimited sums independently to influence elections.

His appearance on Piker’s show helped turn an otherwise low-profile Missouri primary into a small test case for the party’s socialist left, which has increasingly relied on social media personalities, small-dollar donors and activist networks to build support outside traditional party structures.

HASAN PIKER MAKES AOC HIS 2028 PICK FOR PRESIDENT, SAYS IT'S 'NOT EVEN A QUESTION’

Gray’s campaign said viewers gave more than $30,000 after the Piker appearance. He later appeared on The Majority Report , another left-leaning online program, as his campaign sought to translate national attention into turnout in Kansas City.

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The primary also included former Democratic nominee Jeanette Cass, attorney and Air Force veteran Herrera, radio host Randy Miller, Ashleigh Rogers, Wayne Russell and G. Rick.

Gray’s nomination is a win for a local Democratic Socialists of America chapter that had not previously backed a federal candidate. But the general election will test whether the kind of coalition that powered him through a fractured Democratic primary can compete in a district intentionally drawn to favor Republicans.

Dems rally behind Michigan prosecutor to champion party in crucial House race

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:20:15 -0400

Christina Hines, a prosecutor and Democratic candidate for Congress in Michigan's 10th Congressional District, secured her party's nomination in a primary election on Tuesday evening.

Democrats will count on Hines' messaging on affordability and her story as as a special victims prosecutor to flip the district and chip away the GOP’s slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"My work was a different kind of chaos. Protecting families from predators isn't just a job for me. It's a mission. Now families like ours are getting screwed by a system that only works for the rich," Hines said in a campaign video.

SOCIALIST-BACKED MICHIGAN SENATE HOPEFUL CALLS AMERICAN POLITICS A 'DISEASE' AFTER PROFESSING LOVE FOR US

In recent years, the district has leaned Republican but remains largely competitive.

Incumbent Rep. John James, R-Mich., last won re-election in 2024 in a 51.1% to 45.0% victory over Democratic challenger Carl Marlinga, a judge and former prosecutor.

The cycle before that, James beat out Marlinga by a narrow 48.8% to 48.3% win in 2022.

But now, James, who enjoyed the benefit of incumbency, announced he would vacate the seat and instead pursue a gubernatorial bid, calling it a way to secure Michigan’s prosperity to future generations.

"My family, like countless others, came to our great state for the better opportunities our manufacturing and automotive industries offered and to live the American dream," James said in a statement.

TWIN COURT RULINGS RESHAPE HOUSE BATTLEFIELD AS DEMOCRATS FIGHT UPHILL REDISTRICTING BATTLE

With an open seat in play, Hines has pitched her candidacy as a way to protect the country from what she characterized as an overzealous administration and institutional corruption.

"Congress has too many millionaires but not nearly enough moms who get things done," Hines said.

In her career as a prosecutor, Hines described her work as helping victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking, according to her website. She has also prosecuted cases involving homicide, torture and hate crimes.

On her website, Hines listed priorities like reducing the cost of living by pushing back against what she identified as "price gouging" and increasing the minimum wage, investing in technical educations and protecting federal programs against cuts from the Trump administration like Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare.

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Her platform has attracted endorsements from fellow local figures like Marlinga, the former Democratic nominee against James and a former Macomb County Prosecutor and Circuit Court Judge. She also received an endorsement from Michael Taylor, Sterling Heights Mayor.

With the party’s nomination secured, Hines will advance to the general election on Nov. 3.

2026 Midterms State of Play: Key races unfold as Stevens, El-Sayed battle in Michigan

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:13 -0400

The 2026 midterms kicked into high gear Tuesday as voters headed to the polls across five states, with Michigan's marquee Democratic Senate primary leading a slate of closely watched contests.

The contest between Rep. Haley Stevens and former public health official Abdul El-Sayed has become the marquee race of the night, drawing millions of dollars in outside spending and attention from top Democratic figures.

The winner will face Republican Mike Rogers in November in one of the country's most competitive Senate races and a contest that could help determine control of the chamber.

2026 MIDTERMS: PRIMARIES, KEY RACES AND ELECTION RESULTS

The primary has also become a proxy fight over the Democratic Party's direction.

Stevens has been backed by much of the party establishment, while El-Sayed has rallied support from progressives including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, fueling a broader debate over the message Democrats should carry into the general election.

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While Michigan has dominated national attention, voters in Kansas, Missouri, Virginia and Washington also headed to the polls Tuesday in races that will shape the November battlefield

Several contests remained outstanding late Tuesday, including Michigan's 13th Congressional District Democratic primary, where Rep. Shri Thanedar held the lead as votes continued to be counted. Many races in Washington also remained unresolved because the state conducts its elections primarily by mail.

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Many Washington races were not expected to be called Tuesday night because the state conducts elections almost entirely by mail and continues accepting ballots that are postmarked by Election Day.

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Washington uses a top-two primary system, in which candidates from all parties appear on the same ballot and the two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

As vote counting continues, particularly in Washington, where mail ballots can arrive after Election Day if postmarked on time, several contests remained outstanding Tuesday night.

The results will help define the November battlefield as both parties pivot from primary fights to the general election.

Lindsay Clancy strikes evidence deal as fingerprint gap opens trial debate, expert says

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:02 -0400

Lindsay Clancy spoke directly in court Tuesday, repeatedly answering, "Yes, Your Honor," as she agreed to let prosecutors treat certain forensic facts as established hours before a state police trooper testified that investigators recovered no usable fingerprints from a knife or three exercise bands.

The developments narrowed the Massachusetts mother’s murder trial toward its central dispute: whether Clancy was criminally responsible when her three children were killed inside the family’s Duxbury home.

Before jurors entered the courtroom, Judge William Sullivan questioned Clancy about a stipulation covering certain evidence.

HEATED LINDSAY CLANCY COURTROOM EXCHANGE OVER 911 CALL, CRIME SCENE PHOTOS SETS STAGE FOR MOM’S MURDER TRIAL

"You understand that by signing the stipulation, you’re agreeing that the Commonwealth does not have to prove these certain facts that are contained in the stipulation," Sullivan said. "Do you understand that?"

"Yes, Your Honor," Clancy replied.

Asked whether anyone had forced or threatened her to accept the agreement, Clancy said, "No, Your Honor."

Sullivan found that Clancy was competent and had entered the stipulation "knowingly, intelligently, voluntarily and willingly."

LINDSAY CLANCY’S EX-HUSBAND DETAILS PILL USE AS EXPERT SAYS EVIDENCE COULD SHAPE MURDER TRIAL

Defense attorney Kevin Reddington said the agreement would prevent prosecutors from calling dozens of witnesses solely to establish the chain of custody for blood, bodily fluids, exercise bands and DNA evidence.

"We have not been contesting the government’s case in chief, if you will," Reddington said.

The stipulation is not a guilty plea or an admission that Clancy was criminally responsible for the deaths of Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months.

WATCH: Former prosecutor explains strategy behind Lindsay Clancy evidence agreement

Margaret McLean, a former criminal prosecutor and trial attorney who teaches law at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management, said the agreement allows the defense to steer jurors away from repetitive forensic testimony and toward Clancy’s mental state.

LINDSAY CLANCY’S HUSBAND COULD TESTIFY FOR HER AT TRIAL OVER DEATHS OF THEIR THREE CHILDREN

"The legal strategy behind the move by the defense is to steer the jury’s focus away from the horrific nature of the acts and to that central issue of criminal intent, or what we would call mens rea," McLean told Fox News Digital.

McLean said Clancy’s measured responses Tuesday should not be taken as evidence of her mental condition on Jan. 24, 2023.

"She sounded rational. She understands what she’s doing," McLean said. "But remember, the Commonwealth’s burden of proof is to prove that she was sane beyond a reasonable doubt at the time the crimes were committed -- not today, not two weeks ago."

WATCH: Trooper details crime scene evidence collection at Lindsey Clancy's home

Later, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Jonathan O’Loughlin testified about examining a knife and three exercise bands collected from the home.

HEATED LINDSAY CLANCY COURTROOM EXCHANGE OVER 911 CALL, CRIME SCENE PHOTOS SETS STAGE FOR MOM’S MURDER TRIAL

O’Loughlin said the knife contained an area of friction-ridge impression, but investigators could not use it to identify anyone.

"There was not enough characteristics or minutia to do any comparison," O’Loughlin said, adding that the impression had "no value."

The yellow, black and blue exercise bands similarly produced no impressions suitable for comparison.

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"The bottom line is that you didn’t get any fingerprints," Reddington said.

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"Correct," O’Loughlin replied.

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O’Loughlin said fingerprints are "very, very, very fragile" and can be affected by an object’s texture, environmental conditions, movement, grip strength or whether a surface was wiped.

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McLean said the absence of identifiable prints could make jurors wonder whether gloves were used or the items were wiped, potentially viewing the missing prints as evidence of planning.

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The defense, she said, can counter that jurors must not "speculate on something that’s not in evidence."

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"They can use their common sense when they go to the table and they deliberate," McLean said, "but they can’t speculate [about] things that are not in the evidence."

Tarik Skubal's Dodgers debut ends in decisive 5-1 loss to Cubs as LA drops fifth straight game

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 23:40:21 -0400

The Los Angeles Dodgers ruined baseball this past weekend when they attempted to make their team better, an unforgivable crime in the world of modern online baseball fandom.

With Shohei Ohtani nursing a nagging knee injury, injuries to Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, and inconsistent performance from some of the team's other starting pitching options, the Dodgers used some of their impressive outfield prospect depth to acquire reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers.

This set off a firestorm of criticism from fans online, who announced they were quitting the sport, that the season should be canceled, that owners should lock players out indefinitely until players agree to allow billionaire owners to keep 99.9% of revenue, or that the outcome of the 2035 World Series was already determined or something.

SENDING ACE PITCHER TARIK SKUBAL TO THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS WOULD OFFICIALLY RUIN BASEBALL

Well, Skubal made his Dodgers debut Tuesday night in Chicago, facing the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Dodgers lost their fifth straight game, 5-1, falling to 3-7 in their last 10 games. Baseball is ruined.

Skubal, for his part, pitched well, allowing two runs on four hits over six innings while striking out six and walking two. His first run allowed came on a Dansby Swanson home run in the third inning, with the second coming on an unlucky break.

After striking out Pete Crow-Armstrong to start the sixth, he walked Seiya Suzuki, before Alex Bregman hit a ball to right field that Kyle Tucker wasn't able to make the play on. The Dodgers got Suzuki at home on a Michael Busch grounder, before Nico Hoerner hit a swinging bunt that bounced too high for anyone to make a play on, bringing in Bregman.

The Dodgers offense never got much going against Cubs starter Javier Assad, outside of a Kyle Tucker home run, then did even less against their bullpen. On the rare inning with a baserunner, a Dodger hitter would work tirelessly to hit into an immediate double play.

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The LA bullpen, however, was extremely accommodating. Chicago added two runs in the seventh inning when Pete Crow-Armstrong threw his bat at the ball to drive in Swanson, then Seiya Suzuki blooped another single in to bring in the fourth run of the game. Nico Hoerner homered off Edwin Diaz in the ninth to cement the win.

With baseball ruined, the Dodgers will look to avoid their second consecutive series loss via the sweep on Wednesday, sending superstar starter Eric Lauer to the mound against Shota Imanaga.

This game, and this series, is a microcosm of the absurdities of online baseball discussion. Skubal, arguably one of the best two pitchers in baseball, was outpitched by Javier Assad, a 29-year-old with such mediocre stuff that he's struck out just 51 hitters in 75.1 innings this year. The Cubs are so terrified of starting Assad in a postseason game that they traded for two starting pitchers at the deadline in hopes of avoiding it. Dansby Swanson entered the series on an 0-21 streak, only to go 5-8 with a home run in the first two games.

Meanwhile, Pete Crow-Armstrong's reality defying streak continues, with a .415 batting average on balls put in play since the start of June, an impossible number when league average is around .300. But therein lies the problem with ruining baseball and predicting the World Series in August. You just don't know who will be hot, cold, or underperforming when October rolls around.

A baseball season of 162 games gets compressed into a best-of-five or best-of-seven, the definition of a small sample size, that does quite literally nothing to determine the better team. Good teams often slump. Bad teams sweep good teams.

Since the start of June, the Dodgers have the seventh highest winning percentage in baseball, worse than the Cubs, Red Sox, Astros, Brewers, Tigers, and the... Miami Marlins. That's not in a postseason series, that's over a two month sample. You can't ruin baseball because the gaps between teams are so small. Even now.

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Edwin Diaz has now allowed nine runs in 8.2 innings, with a whopping 20 baserunners. Kyle Tucker's been a league average hitter. Mookie Betts, for all his prior accolades, is hitting .223 with a .280 on base percentage and .390 slugging percentage. His OPS has dropped nearly 200 points from 2024. LA's bullpen since the start of July has an ERA of around 5, and the 27th best FIP in MLB. Ruining baseball indeed.

Sunrise Movement co-founder defeats establishment-backed Dems in pivotal Michigan race

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 23:31:08 -0400

The far-left insurgency within the Democratic Party scored another victory on Tuesday night, with a co-founder of the progressive Sunrise Movement trouncing two establishment-backed Democrats in a contentious Michigan primary.

William Lawrence defeated former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink and former Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam to win the Democratic nomination for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, anchored in Lansing.

Lawrence will now go on to face Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., a military veteran who is seeking a second term in Congress this November.

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Barrett ran unopposed in the Republican primary after winning the seat in an open race in 2024. It was previously held by Democrat Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who vacated it when she successfully ran for Senate that year.

Lawrence's victory is a commanding win in the wider civil war for the soul of the Democratic Party, with battles being waged across the country.

Mike Marinella, spokesman for House Republicans’ campaign arm the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), told Fox News Digital after Lawrence’s victory, "The Democrats' path to the House majority is evaporating in real time. Every embarrassing defeat leaves them with a radical socialist nominee, an emptier bank account, and another must-win seat off the board."

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The establishment left's main opponent has been the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which has not endorsed a candidate in this race.

But Lawrence does have backing from Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., his fellow Michigan Democrat and a prominent DSA member who's stirred controversy for her comments about Israel.

He was also endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a self-described democratic socialist.

The Sunrise Movement, which Lawrence co-founded in 2017, began as a youth-focused climate activist group that pushed the Green New Deal alongside progressives in Congress.

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Since then, its non-climate policy platform has included calls to get Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) out of U.S. cities and abolishing police, according to its website.

Lawrence's victory is likely the best outcome for Republicans, who are fighting a nationwide uphill battle to keep control of the House of Representatives.

Trump-backed Republican advances to face vulnerable Democrat in key House battleground

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 23:23:26 -0400

Republicans just took a major step forward in their goal to keep the House majority this November.

A GOP hopeful backed by President Donald Trump advanced in a jungle primary for Washington's 3rd Congressional District alongside Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., and the two will now face each other in this fall's general election.

A jungle primary is a race that's not separated by political party, but rather has all candidates compete on one ballot. The top two vote-getters advance to the general election.

100 DAY SPRINT TO THE MIDTERMS KICKS OFF AS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS CLASH FOR CONTROL ACROSS THE COUNTRY

In this case, Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican state Sen. John Braun are the two winners who will now compete for the former's seat in the House of Representatives.

For Gluesenkamp Perez, that meant surviving challenges from her left flank. Among her opponents was Brent Hennrich, a progressive politician who ran on policies like taxing the rich and Medicare for All.

He accused the moderate Democrat of siding too often with Republicans at the expense of the left's agenda, including on his campaign website, where he highlighted all the times she voted with the GOP.

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But Gluesenkamp Perez, who is seeking a third term, is likely Democrats' best chance to keep hold of that swing district in Southwest Washington state.

And the race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive House elections in the country with Braun's victory as well.

Unlike former Trump administration official Joe Kent, whose association with far-right groups made him a controversial figure in a general election, Braun is a much more mainstream GOP figure.

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Kent ran and lost against Gluesenkamp Perez twice before serving as Trump's director of the National Counterterrorism Center from 2025 until earlier this year.

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Braun is a former Navy captain and businessman who is running on a pledge to stop reckless spending by the federal government. He's currently serving as minority leader of the Washington State Senate.

In an April 2026 Truth Social post, Trump said Braun "will work hard to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Support our Great Military/Veterans, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment."

El-Sayed's socialist allies reject GOP claims about Dems embracing the far left

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 23:01:36 -0400

As Republicans seek to portray Democratic primary victories by progressives as evidence the party is moving sharply left, allies of Abdul El-Sayed argued Tuesday that voters are instead demanding an economic message centered on working families, not ideology.

Asked what an El-Sayed victory would say about the progressive movement, Melat Kiros said the campaign is not about ideology but about challenging the political establishment.

"This isn't a movement about the left and the right. It's a movement of the people against the people in power, the ones that have left working people behind and making sure that we are electing folks that are not corrupted by the billionaires and the corporations that want to keep the status quo," Kiros told Fox News Digital.

100 DAY SPRINT TO THE MIDTERMS KICKS OFF AS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS CLASH FOR CONTROL ACROSS THE COUNTRY

"We're electing fighters that are actually going to get relief for working families," she added.

El-Sayed's potential has reignited debate over the Democratic Party's direction heading into the 2026 midterm elections, with progressives arguing recent primary results reflect voters' appetite for change while Republicans have sought to paint the victories as evidence the party is embracing the far left.

The debate unfolded at El-Sayed's election night watch party, where left-wing political streamer Hasan Piker — who campaigned with El-Sayed on the eve of the primary and has drawn criticism over past remarks — was also in attendance.

2026 MIDTERMS: PRIMARIES, KEY RACES AND ELECTION RESULTS

Pennsylvania state Rep. Chris Rabb rejected the premise that El-Sayed's success reflects a leftward shift within the Democratic Party, saying, "I don't really see left and right. I see forward."

Rabb described the movement as a "progressive populist message" that resonates beyond Democratic strongholds and argued voters across the political spectrum care about issues such as health care and higher wages.

"That's not a left issue, that is a humane issue that resonates with people in deep red districts as well," he said.

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Rabb also brushed aside concerns that progressive victories hand Republicans ammunition to portray Democrats as embracing far-left politics. Asked whether recent wins allow Republicans to label Democrats as "communists," Rabb said he was unconcerned with the GOP's messaging strategy.

"I believe the GOP has the ability to manufacture any critiques for their own political benefit," he said.

"As long as Democrats are winning, whether centrist or leftist, whomever, there's always going to be a playbook to be negative."

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Rather than responding to Republican attacks, Rabb said Democrats should focus on presenting their own agenda to voters. "I'm not really concerned about what the Republican playbook is," he said.

"I'm interested in what our playbook is to reach a populace that is yearning for transformative change."

Roddy White questions 49ers’ handling of Brandon Aiyuk as receiver's future in San Francisco remains unclear

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 23:00:50 -0400

Brandon Aiyuk’s unresolved status remained one of the lingering questions as the San Francisco 49ers opened training camp, with the team offering no update and the next move seemingly left to the wide receiver.

Aiyuk remains in limbo on the reserve/left squad list, where he has been since the end of 2025. After missing all of last season amid a lengthy standoff with the Niners, the All-Pro wide receiver would likely need to apply to the NFL for reinstatement to begin a potential return in 2026.

He could also move the process forward by reporting to training camp or informing the 49ers that he plans to report. Aiyuk’s situation with the 49ers has been strained for roughly a year.

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The dispute appeared to reach a boiling point last July, when San Francisco voided the remaining guaranteed money in his contract after he failed to participate in rehab work for the torn ACL, MCL and meniscus in his right knee.

Aiyuk has appeared to reference the uncertainty around his future with the 49ers in multiple social media posts, only adding to the chatter surrounding the matter. Former NFL wide receiver Roddy White is among the latest sports figures to weigh in.

White argued the 49ers mishandled Aiyuk’s path back from injury and may have complicated any potential effort to move him.

"I think this situation has been handled wrongly by the 49ers," White told Hard Rock Bet. "They should've been more patient with Aiyuk and his situation. They should have done all they could to get him back on the field to give him an opportunity to show he can still play football. When you have a guy who is angry and just wants to leave, it's hard to get any compensation for him."

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White finished his 11-year career with the Atlanta Falcons with 10,863 regular-season receiving yards.

The 49ers’ decision last week to bring back Deebo Samuel appeared to draw a cryptic response from Aiyuk, who wrote on Instagram, "San Fran wanna see a real reunion?"

His posts have not been limited to San Francisco, though, as the receiver has also taking aim at the NFL Players Association. And while Aiyuk has expressed interest in joining the Commanders, that possibility has reportedly cooled off after he called out Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Daniels downplayed any possible lingering tension last week, telling reporters that he and Aiyuk had "handled everything privately."

Aiyuk and Daniels were teammates in 2019 when they both played college football at Arizona State.

Late last month, general manager John Lynch made clear the 49ers were keeping their focus on the players already in camp. "I’m personally, and we as an organization, are going to focus on the players who are here," Lynch told reporters on July 25. "We wish him well, we wish his family well."

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Ricky Pearsall entered camp looking like a potential breakout piece for the 49ers’ offense after injuries limited him to 20 games over his first two seasons. Instead, San Francisco’s wide receiver corps absorbed an early setback when swelling returned in the PCL of Pearsall’s right knee. He was moved to injured reserve on Aug. 1.

Aiyuk appeared in seven games in 2024 before being sidelined by injury. One year earlier, he put together the best season of his career, recording 1,342 receiving yards and earning second-team All-Pro honors.

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Dems rally around best hope to defend governor's mansion from GOP takeover

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 22:47:07 -0400

Democrats are hoping their new candidate will be able to keep the governor's mansion Democrat in deep red Kansas as they put up Cindy Holscher to face the Republican nominee Ty Masterson in the Nov. 3 general election.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is term-limited, and the party is hoping to extend their hold on the governor's office despite Kansas' strong Republican lean. Meanwhile, the GOP views the open-seat race as a prime opportunity to reclaim the governorship after two terms under Kelly.

The Democratic field featured state Sens. Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher, along with Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog.

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On the Republican side, voters had a crowded field from which to select their candidates.

Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Senate President Ty Masterson, Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, former Johnson County Commissioner Charlotte O'Hara, businessman Nick Reinecker, businessman Philip Sarnecki and former Johnson County Sheriff Stacy Rogers duked it out for the nomination.

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The primary in the Sunflower State coincided with a closely watched constitutional amendment that would replace the current system of appointing Kansas Supreme Court justices by instead holding direct elections.

The proposal, backed by Republican lawmakers, comes after years of criticism from conservatives over the state's judicial selection process. If approved, it would amend the Kansas Constitution to require Supreme Court justices to be elected rather than selected through the state's nominating commission system.

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The winner of November's election will become Kansas' next governor after Kelly reaches her term limit in January.

The governorship has frequently changed hands in recent election cycles, with voters alternating between Democratic and Republican leadership in Kansas despite it's strong red tendencies, including voting 57 percent for President Donald Trump in 2024.

Yankees' George Lombard Jr, replacing embattled Anthony Volpe, mashes home run for first hit in MLB debut

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 22:35:05 -0400

The highly anticipated major league debut for New York Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr. couldn’t have gone any better on Tuesday night in the Bronx.

And while it’s just one game, it may be hard for Yankees fans not to think the shortstop torch has been passed from Anthony Volpe, who has struggled to find consistency over the past four seasons, to the 21-year-old No. 1 prospect in the team’s farm system.

Volpe was once that top prospect when he came up before the start of the 2023 season, where he was named the shortstop of the future. But in the middle of his fourth season, where he’s slashed just .240/.325/.322 across 56 games, he was optioned back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a slew of moves by the Yankees’ front office.

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Replacing him at shortstop is Lombard, the son of former big leaguer and current Detroit Tigers bench coach George Lombard, who Yankees fans have been waiting to see make his debut.

Well, Lombard shined under the bright Yankee Stadium lights, as his first career hit was a solo home run off St. Louis Cardinals starter Hunter Dobbins.

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After grounding out in his first career at-bat, Lombard quickly adjusted on an 0-2 hanging breaking ball from Dobbins, and didn’t miss a stitch as it flew over the left field fence. The Yankee Stadium crowd went into a frenzy, understanding just what that moment meant.

Yankees captain Aaron Judge and the rest of the dugout were just as excited, as Lombard gave a shout of excitement as he rounded the bases to make it a 2-0 ball game.

As the Yankees got the victory at home, 2-0, Lombard finished his night at the plate 1-for-2 with a walk. He also became the 14th Yankees player to ever mash a home run for his first career major league hit.

But the bat power wasn’t the only thing Lombard showcased on Tuesday night. If anything, it was just an added bonus to what he did at his position in the field.

Yankees fans have been used to inconsistent defensive play by Volpe over the last four seasons. While he made some incredible plays, it was the routine ones that turned into head-scratching errors.

Lombard, though, couldn’t have looked more comfortable. His first action was a nifty double play started after ranging to his right, backhanding a grounder and throwing it to second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. all in one motion for the turn.

From there, Lombard dealt with some hard-hit grounders without any qualms and even turned a double play himself when he grabbed a grounder up the middle, stepped on the bag, and threw to first base in one motion to end an inning.

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Again, this is just the first game for Lombard. But it’s the type of start fans hoped for when they heard he got the call.

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Trump-backed candidate lands GOP nod, setting up high-stakes governor showdown

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 22:27:18 -0400

President Donald Trump's kingmaker status in Republican primaries was on the line Tuesday in Michigan's GOP gubernatorial nomination showdown – and the president passed the test.

Republican Rep. John James, a two-time U.S. Senate nominee in the crucial Great Lakes battleground state who was endorsed by Trump in late June, topped multimillionaire businessman Perry Johnson to win the GOP primary, the Associated Press reported.

The West Point graduate and Army Ranger who served multiple combat tours as an Apache helicopter pilot in the Iraq war will face off in a high-stakes and expensive general election battle with two-term Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the Democrats' gubernatorial nominee, in the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

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James preached party unity in his victory speech.

"The primary is over now. We come together. One team, one fight, one mission to save Michigan. To those who supported me. Thank you. And for those who did not, I'm going to work every single day to earn your trust," he told supporters.

The GOP primary between James and Johnson, a former gubernatorial and presidential candidate, turned combative. Johnson, who is White, referred to James, one of the few Black Republicans in Congress, as a "DEI candidate" and in a recent debate accused James of playing the "race card." James, meanwhile, called Johnson "desperate."

Johnson, who shelled out millions of his own money into his campaign, dramatically outspent James in the primary showdown.

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But James told Fox News on the eve of the primary that "nobody outworks a ranger," and "money isn't the only thing. People want someone who resonates with them, someone who has the proven leadership capability to turn the state around."

James and Johnson were the final two Republican candidates in a nomination race that previously included former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and state Senate Republican leader Aric Nesbitt. They both suspended their GOP gubernatorial campaigns, but their names remained on the primary ballot.

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Trump gave James a boost last month as he campaigned with the congressman at a rally in Michigan.

The brute force of the president's endorsement power has been on display in GOP primaries this spring and summer, with his candidates ousting incumbents he targeted in showdowns in Indiana, Kentucky and Texas, as well as the Louisiana primary.

But Trump's endorsement streak in statewide and congressional Republican primaries was snapped in early June when his last-minute endorsement of Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra of Iowa in the race to succeed retiring GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds wasn't enough to propel the three-term congressman to victory.

Feenstra was narrowly edged by Zach Lahn, a businessman, farmer and former political strategist who was backed by the political wings of MAHA — the acronym for the Make America Healthy Again movement aligned with Trump's Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — and Turning Point USA, the powerful conservative organization co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk.

Trump-backed candidates won two of the three top races in key GOP primary runoff elections in Georgia and Alabama in June, with the one setback coming against billionaire businessman Rick Jackson, who shelled out over $100 million of his own money to boost his campaign.

A week later, Trump-backed first-time candidate Anthony Constantino, a businessman and former boxer, defeated Robert Smullen, a retired Marine Corps colonel and New York assemblyman who had the backing of the state party, in the upstate New York race to succeed retiring GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik.

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Meanwhile, in South Carolina's Republican gubernatorial runoff, Trump couldn't lose.

That's because, besides backing Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette a few weeks earlier, he also gave a last-minute endorsement to state Attorney General Alan Wilson, who ended up winning the late June showdown in a landslide.

The president also enjoyed victory in Louisiana, where Sen. Bill Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump in his 2021 impeachment trial, was ousted as he sought renomination. Trump-backed Rep. Julia Letlow ended up winning the nomination in the runoff election.

And last month, Trump-backed Rep. Andy Biggs, a former House Freedom Caucus chair, won Arizona's primary for governor in a landslide.

ESPN's Stephen A Smith says Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve hurt WNBA with trans shirt controversy

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 22:15:06 -0400

When Stephen A. Smith finally decides to say it, chances are the rest of the country already got there first.

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve found herself right in Smith's crosshairs after wearing a "Trans Kids Belong" T-shirt on the bench, and Stephen A. tore into her activist grandstanding.

Reeve chose to wear the shirt during her first matchup against Sophie Cunningham since the Fever guard publicly defended women-only competition.

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One side sparked outrage over the "erasure" of trans rights; the other contended that preserving parity and safety in competition matters more than inclusion.

Reeve made sure her message landed on one of the WNBA's biggest regular-season stages. But Smith wasn't buying the coincidence.

"And then you're going to come out with a T-shirt. No regard for the WNBA. No regard for the sponsors that may be put off by that. No regard for the bottom line that might be affected," Smith blasted.

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"It's just an accidental coincidence that that's the game you chose to wear that? Oh, THIS IS THE B.S.! IT'S THE SELFISHNESS! IT'S PUTTING YOURSELF BEFORE THE BETTERMENT OF THE WHOLE!"

Even Smith has reached the point where he's willing to say what everyday fans have been shouting for years: a women's basketball coach refusing to defend women's sports is flat-out absurd.

"You are Cheryl Reeve, the head coach of the Minnesota Lynx. That is an irresponsible thing to do," Smith said. "You are a coach for a female basketball team. Do you not think that females are being screwed over if they have to compete against an individual born as a male? What are you talking about?"

Sophie Cunningham's stance has already inspired support rallies in WNBA cities like Minnesota and Seattle, with another planned outside the Fever's upcoming game against the New York Liberty.

Smith argued that Cunningham and other women speaking out are taking the public heat while influential coaches like Reeve use the spotlight to push the opposite message, even if it risks alienating fans and sponsors that the WNBA needs to keep growing.

"That's what Sophie Cunningham was talking about. That's what Riley Gaines is talking about. How would you, coach Cheryl Reeve, condone that?" Smith asked. "If you're a male and transitioning to female, you shouldn't be playing against the women. Nobody said you can't transition... The issue here is competing against women."

Smith urged that compassion and common sense don't have to be at odds.

"To the trans athletes out there: people are not against you, like some people may lead you to believe," Smith explained. "There are a lot of people who are empathetic and sympathetic to the challenges that you face... and want you to live your best life.

"But it can't be at the expense of young ladies born as girls, raised as girls, evolving into women ... You don't have the right to impede upon women's sports."

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It might have taken ol' Stephen A. longer than most to get there, but the point remains dead-on.

If the WNBA wants to protect its booming business, it needs to stop letting activist coaches hijack the league and get back to protecting the women who built it — and the next generation they're supposed to inspire.

Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela

Big money propels Dem megachurch pastor to victory in longshot Kansas Senate bid

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 22:08:34 -0400

Kansas Democrats have made their choice in one of the most crowded primary battles in the nation and are backing a political newcomer with an eye-popping campaign war chest.

Adam Hamilton emerged victorious in an 11-way primary Tuesday night in the race to take on incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., who is running for a second term in the upper chamber.

And he has a line of attack against Hamilton already teed up.

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"Look, this guy is a woke, big megachurch pastor," Marshall told Fox News Digital. "He's too woke for Kansas. I think all we have to do is share his own sermons … with the Kansas people, and they're gonna realize that he's too woke for Kansas."

Hamilton's campaign countered in a statement to Fox News Digital that Marshall's voting record spoke for itself.

"Roger Marshall would rather attack a church whose community is one of the largest sources of food donations in his alleged home state than talk about why he constantly votes for higher prices, why he’s been hiding from Kansans for over 500 days, and why only 27 named Kansans donated to his campaign last quarter," Tyson Brody, a spokesperson for Hamilton's campaign, said.

History is on the side of Marshall, who previously served four years in the House before making the leap to the Senate in 2020. That’s because Kansas has not sent a Democrat to the Senate in nearly a century. The last time was in the 1930s, when Kansans elected former Sen. George McGill. He only served one term before being ousted by a Republican.

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Still, Marshall is not resting on his laurels as he stares down another likely funding disadvantage.

National Republicans aren’t dumping resources into Kansas like they are in other states, given that Marshall is a strong incumbent and valuable campaign cash is needed in tougher contests in Texas, Maine and Ohio.

While Kansas is not on Senate Republicans’ radar as a battleground state, there is big money flowing in that could make Marshall’s bid for another term complicated.

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Hamilton, who leads the nation’s largest United Methodist church and congregation, has raised just north of $4.1 million since launching his campaign in February, according to financial filings with the Federal Election Commission.

Marshall, on the other hand, has raised just over $6.2 million during this cycle.

"Well, this is probably why my staff tells me, no matter what the polls show, they tell me that we're down by three points, and we did get outspent about four to one last time around. Regardless, we're gonna keep working hard," Marshall said.

And as precious campaign resources flow to other marquee races during this cycle, where the GOP has more vulnerable incumbents up for reelection than Democrats, Marshall isn’t asking for a handout.

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He wants the resources from major GOP campaign arms, like the National Republican Senatorial Committee or the GOP leadership-aligned Senate Leadership Fund, to stay put.

"I guess we're trying to not need to do that," Marshall said. "That's what our hope is, is that they won't need to do that. Leader McConnell was super helpful last time. So, you know, they're keeping tabs on this. We got to, you know, we're all one, big happy family here, so we're hoping we don't need them."

Reality star says 'RHOC' cost her marriage as daughter shuns show after military husband's portrayal

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:53:12 -0400

Vicki Gunvalson became the "OG of the OC" after starring on the first ever "Real Housewives" cast 20 years ago.

While she recently returned to the Southern California franchise and stars in "The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th" to commemorate two decades of the Bravo cult-classic, Gunvalson admitted that her own family didn't receive the same kind of network treatment that she has over the years.

Gunvalson, 64, confessed to The Hollywood Reporter that daughter Briana Culberson wants "nothing to do" with the series, years after her military husband's portrayal on the reality show.

REALITY TV STARS CLASH OVER WHAT REALLY DESTROYED THEIR MARRIAGE AFTER SHOCKING BEDROOM CONFESSION

Briana, 39, appeared in a handful of episodes with her mother through the years, and was allegedly asked to return for season 20, but she had no interest in returning to the cameras.

She allegedly told Bravo patriarch Andy Cohen to "please lose my number," when asked about a special appearance.

REALITY STAR'S DAUGHTER ARRESTED ON ASSAULT CHARGE IN NEW JERSEY STEMMING FROM ALLEGED DISPUTE

"My children are now 39 and 40," Gunvalson said. "My son did a film this year. My daughter wants nothing to do with it."

"Her husband just got back from the Marine Corps — six tours overseas — and he’s got some PTSD, and they really showed a bad light of him. She just was like, 'Mom, I want nothing to do with it.' I’m like, 'Can you do a cameo? Can you come on for a little bit?'

She added, "Andy even called her for this season and she was like, 'Please lose my number.' What the show did to their family was not good."

Briana and husband Ryan Culberson have four children together and have been married for 15 years.

Gunvalson's son, Michael, 40, recently appeared on a "RHOC" episode, where he confessed that he hadn't seen his sister in eight years.

"I mean, I haven’t even met two of her kids," he said. "Not good."

She added in a confessional, "It absolutely sucks that my kids live far away. Mike’s in Spain, Briana lives in Oklahoma. They talk all the time, they FaceTime. But it’s definitely better to be in person."

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"I see other families have their kids over on Sunday dinner, and I don’t have that. It’s not what I’d ever planned, but it’s their life."

"Housewives" woes hit Gunvalson hard as she admitted her ex-husband once gave her an ultimatum between their marriage and the show – and made a decision she now regrets.

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"It killed mine," she said of the "RHOC" impact on her marriage. "When Scott [Dunlop] approached me and Donn [Gunvalson, Vicki’s then-husband] at the time about doing this pilot, Donn’s like, 'There’s no way we’re doing this in our family.'"

"He was like, 'Anybody that goes on TV is going to get divorced.' I’m like, 'We’re not going to get divorced. We’re fine.' And obviously, fast-forward, we got divorced."

She added, "My family was more important than the show, and it broke apart."

Fellow housewife Porsha Williams gave a few words of wisdom and said, "Two things can be true. The show can strain a marriage, but it can also reveal things about that marriage — or about yourself — that you needed to know."

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Gunvalson noted, "If the marriage is weak, it’s going to fall apart."

NFL executives, coaches put Shedeur Sanders last in QB rankings in survey: 'Shouldn't lose to him'

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:45:51 -0400

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders had flashes of great play when he finally got a chance to start during his rookie season in 2025.

But it doesn’t seem to be enough in the eyes of executives and coaches around the league after The Athletic released its 2026 NFL quarterback tier list.

Sanders was dead last among the 35 ranked signal-callers.

"I’d sleep like a baby if I got to play him every week," an unnamed defensive coordinator in the report said.

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An executive added, "He’s inaccurate at all three levels. I can’t tell if he is going to get better, but there’s a huge gap between him and competent QB play."

The tiers list went from the best quarterbacks (Tier 1) to the worst (Tier 5) followed by a regular ranking vote. After gathering the surveys from the 50 executives and coaches, Sanders received just one Tier 3 vote, while receiving 37 Tier 4 tallies and 12 Tier 5 votes.

"He’s not an on-time player, can’t really read through the coverages, is a little bit heavy-footed. He is thicker and harder to tackle than expected, but you shouldn’t lose to him," another coordinator added.

Sanders now finds himself in another quarterback battle at Browns training camp, this time with Deshaun Watson healthy and vying for the starting role in new head coach Todd Monken’s offense.

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Sanders, who was named the starter for the final six games of the Browns’ 2025 season after winning his starting debut against the Las Vegas Raiders, threw for an even 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns, while giving up 10 interceptions.

The Browns wanted to see a better completion rate after he connected on just 56.6% of his throws.

Could Monken’s influence as an offensive-minded head coach help Sanders’ development with the Browns? One voter believes so.

"Todd Monken is a great reset in the same way Ben Johnson was a great reset in Chicago. Shedeur gets a fresh start with a no-nonsense, offensive-oriented coach who did a really good job with Lamar Jackson," the voter told the outlet.

"If Shedeur has really invested in himself to be a professional quarterback, studying the playbook and knowing his assignments and being able to get the offense in and out of the huddle at an efficient clip, which he could not do last year, then there might be some upside."

Monken still must make his QB1 clear, and he has been steadfast all offseason in saying there will be a competition in his first Browns camp. Sanders, Watson and Dillon Gabriel are battling each other.

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Watson made it on the list, too, ranking 31st among the 35 quarterbacks. He did not play last season as he continued his recovery from an Achilles injury suffered in the 2024 campaign.

The Browns will get their first taste of competition Aug. 15 when they face the Bears in their first preseason game.

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Mom of 4 recovering after suspected spider bite leads to severe complications: reports

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:41:17 -0400

A Kansas mother of four is reportedly recovering after a suspected spider bite led to surgery, serious infections and a weeks-long hospital stay.

Britagne Miller of Goddard — about 14 miles west of Wichita — said she was sitting around a campfire with her husband and children at Cheney Lake May 28, when several spiders crawled on her and apparently bit her, according to local outlets KAKE and FOX Kansas.

Four days later, the area around one bite on her calf became swollen and painful, prompting her to seek medical care, FOX Kansas reported.

"This one kept swelling and swelling, and it was like, you know, a fire stir that's metal," Miller told KAKE. "It was like shooting down my leg into my foot, and it felt like it was being stabbed."

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Miller was admitted to Wesley Hospital in Wichita June 4 and underwent surgery, according to KAKE and a GoFundMe created by her husband, Jake Miller.

Her treatment was complicated by existing blood-clotting disorders, liver problems and allergies to certain medications, KAKE reported.

Miller later developed infections. Doctors also determined she was suffering from end-stage liver failure and warned her family that her condition could be fatal, according to KAKE.

Miller, who chose to continue treatment rather than enter hospice care, said she remembers little from her time in intensive care, according to the outlet.

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She was released from the hospital July 11 and is continuing her recovery at home.

Miller now requires home health care, physical therapy and regular visits with specialists. She also hopes to receive a liver transplant but is not yet eligible to be placed on the transplant list, according to KAKE and the GoFundMe.

Doctors have not confirmed what kind of spider bit her, KAKE reported.

Dr. Raymond Cloyd, a horticultural entomologist at Kansas State University, told KAKE the brown recluse and black widow are two venomous spiders commonly found in Kansas.

TEXAS TEEN BITTEN BY BARRACUDA IN POPULAR VACATION SPOT AFTER BRACELET GLINTS IN WATER

Cloyd advised sealing cracks and using caution with boxes, shoes and other undisturbed items, KAKE reported.

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"We know there is still a long road ahead, but we are holding on to hope that one day this season will be behind us, and she will be able to continue doing what she loves most — being a mom, and someday a grandmother," the GoFundMe states.

The Miller family could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for additional comment.

Federal appeals court clears way for DeSantis-backed law restricting children at some drag shows

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:33:53 -0400

A divided federal appeals court cleared the way for Florida to enforce a Gov. Ron DeSantis-backed law restricting children from certain sexually explicit live performances, including drag performances the state argues are obscene for minors.

The full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled Tuesday 8-5 that Orlando restaurant Hamburger Mary’s had not shown it was likely to succeed in its First and Fourteenth Amendment challenge to Florida’s Protection of Children Act.

The court vacated the preliminary injunction in full and sent the case back to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida for further proceedings. The ruling clears the way for enforcement, though Hamburger Mary’s could still seek additional review.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier celebrated the decision in a post on X.

DESANTIS SHUTS DOWN FLORIDA SCHOOL'S 'DRAG & DONUTS' EVENT FEATURING DRAG QUEEN 'MOMMA' ASHLEY ROSE: REPORT

"Huge victory for our team at the 11th Circuit! After 3 years of litigation, the full court affirmed the constitutionality of Florida’s ban on children attending sexualized drag shows," Uthmeier wrote.

The law makes it a misdemeanor to "knowingly admit a child to an adult live performance," according to the court’s opinion.

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

Writing for the court, Judge Andrew Brasher called the law "a straightforward regulation of obscenity."

"Preventing children from attending adult live performances obscene for them is rationally related to Florida’s interest in safeguarding the well-being of minors," Brasher wrote.

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The majority rejected Hamburger Mary’s arguments that the terms "lewd" and "the age of the child present" made the law unconstitutionally vague or overly broad.

Brasher wrote that Florida Supreme Court precedent limits the meaning of "lewd" to sexual conduct. He also wrote that all three parts of the law’s obscenity test must be met before a performance is prohibited.

The majority also ruled that using an age-variable standard did not make the law unconstitutional on its face.

Eight judges agreed that Hamburger Mary’s was unlikely to succeed on the merits of its constitutional claims. Six judges joined Brasher's opinion in full, while Judges Kevin Newsom and Britt Grant joined all but the section addressing universal injunctions.

Grant wrote separately that the court did not need to rule on the scope of the injunction after deciding that Hamburger Mary’s was unlikely to succeed on the merits.

Five judges dissented.

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Judge Robin Rosenbaum argued that the law forces venues to guess which performances are suitable for children of different ages while exposing operators to criminal penalties, fines and the possible loss of a business license.

"Today our Court embraces mess-around-and-find-out (‘MAFO’) First Amendment jurisprudence," Rosenbaum wrote.

She argued that the law could chill protected speech by forcing businesses to risk prosecution before learning how officials would apply it.

Rosenbaum also argued that the statute effectively imposes strict liability over a child’s age and could expose violators to jail, fines and the loss of a business license.

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She wrote that the law "wields a Titanic-sized iceberg of chilling power against protected speech."

Judge Nancy Abudu filed a separate dissent focused on the law’s legislative history.

Abudu argued that comments from the law’s supporters, along with warnings from legislative staff, supported Hamburger Mary’s claim that the measure would chill protected drag performances.

The majority rejected that argument, writing that courts generally do not strike down an otherwise constitutional law based on an alleged improper legislative motive.

INDIANA REPUBLICAN SENATOR MOVES TO BLOCK KIDS FROM ACCESSING PORN ONLINE

The majority also wrote that nothing in the law targets performances simply because they feature drag.

Hamburger Mary’s filed the lawsuit in 2023 after Florida enacted the measure.

The restaurant said it had previously hosted Sunday drag performances advertised as family-friendly but canceled those shows and barred minors from its other performances because it feared enforcement.

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A federal district judge initially issued a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the law. A divided three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit affirmed that decision before the full court agreed to rehear the case.

DeSantis' and Uthmeier's offices, as well as the ACLU of Florida, did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

'Squad' socialist scores re-election nod as radical wave continues to sweep party

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:26:35 -0400

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., one of Congress’ most outspoken progressives and a member of the "Squad," won the 12th Congressional District's Democratic primary Tuesday evening, teeing up her re-election for a fifth term.

Tlaib’s primary victory against Michigan state lawmaker Shanelle Jackson and Inkster Mayor Byron Nolen continues a string of victories for progressives as the Democratic Party’s far-left wing enjoys pronounced primary election success that has strengthened the hand of its coalition. It has also widened the range of positions held by their candidates.

When Tlaib and fellow Squad members joined the House of Representatives in 2019, their campaigns stood out for their far-left views. Tlaib and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., in particular, stood out because of their membership in the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

Eight years later, the DSA has backed Tlaib again.

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

"For years, Rashida has been a strong voice in the halls of the Capitol, unapologetically standing up for the working class everywhere. Fighting for affordable housing, for clean air and water, for an end to the genocide in Gaza, and so much more – Rashida is a beacon of hope and courage for those in her district and across the world," the group said in a statement.

The group has also vastly expanded its influence beyond established figures like Tlaib.

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

It’s a stark reversal of the party’s finger-pointing in the wake of disappointing 2020 congressional election results where Democrats were left with slimmer majorities in the House and Senate.

DYING FORMER CONGRESSMAN BARNEY FRANK TELLS DEMOCRATS THEIR FAR-LEFT MESSAGING IS COSTING THEM VOTERS

"Don’t say socialism ever again. We need to get back to the basics," then-Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., said at the time.

But Tlaib, along with other progressives in the party, pushed back, arguing that their platforms would set the future tone of the party. In a widely circulated memo on Nov. 10, 2020, they made the case that progressives would appeal to an expanded voter base.

"We need a new generation of leadership grounded in a multiracial, working-class experience and background," the memo urged.

"As we speak, congressional Democrats are debating why they underperformed and some have been quick to blame progressives. There is no denying Republicans levied salient rhetorical attacks against Democrats, but these will continue to happen as they do every cycle."

Tlaib, in comments to Politico at the time, argued the platform would appeal to a kind of populist streak in the Democratic Party, similar to the populism she saw present in Trump’s appeal among the GOP.

FAR-LEFT SURGE: MAMDANI-BACKED CANDIDATES OUST DEM ESTABLISHMENT INCUMBENTS

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"If we truly want to unify our country, we have to really respect every single voice. We say that so willingly when we talk about Trump supporters, but we don't say that willingly for my Black and Brown neighbors and for LGBTQ neighbors or marginalized people," Tlaib said.

Having once again secured the Democratic nomination in 2026, Tlaib will advance to the general election on Nov. 3, 2026, where she is heavily favored to win. She last won re-election against Republican challenger James Hooper in a 69.7% to 25.4% victory in 2024.

Trump-backed Bronze Star veteran secures party nod in must-win district

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:23:43 -0400

Bronze Star veteran and Republican congressional candidate Michael Bouchard won a GOP primary on Tuesday evening in a bid to represent Michigan’s 10th Congressional District after receiving an endorsement from President Donald Trump.

Republicans are hoping Bouchard’s storied credentials and message of righting the country’s direction are enough to carry the district as the GOP looks to hold onto its slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

But the district is far from a guarantee.

DEMOCRATS TARGET MORE GOP HOUSE SEATS AFTER SOCIALIST VICTORIES ROCK LEFT-WING PRIMARIES

Incumbent Rep. John James, R-Mich., last won reelection in 2024 in a 51.1% to 45.0% victory over Democratic challenger Carl Marlinga, a judge and former prosecutor.

The cycle before that, James beat out Marlinga by a narrow 48.8% to 48.3% win in 2022.

James, who enjoyed the benefit of incumbency, announced he would vacate the seat and instead pursue a gubernatorial bid, calling it a way to secure Michigan’s prosperity for future generations.

"My family, like countless others, came to our great state for the better opportunities our manufacturing and automotive industries offered and to live the American dream," James said in a statement.

Bouchard is highlighting his time in the military as a member of the 82nd and the 101st Airborne Divisions. He was deployed to Iraq as well as the U.S. southern border. Like James, who also has a military background, Bouchard was awarded a Bronze Star for his service with the joint task force against ISIS.

Bouchard, a political newcomer who hasn’t held office previously, is pitching himself as a continued part of the country's shift away from the direction of the previous administration.

ARMY VET, TRUCKING EXECUTIVE RAVES OVER TRUMP PLAN TO BOLSTER BLUE COLLAR INDUSTRY BY FAST-TRACKING VETERANS

"Under President Trump, I led missions on the southern border; back then we got the job done. But on day one, Joe Biden shut us all down; he opened the border," Bouchard said in a campaign video.

"Human trafficking, drug smuggling, known terrorists walked right in," he continued. "The Army taught me that weak leadership has consequences and I’m ready to lead America back."

On his website, Bouchard has highlighted fostering American manufacturing, finishing the southern border wall and increasing parental participation in education systems.

Trump issued an endorsement of Bouchard in a post to Truth Social earlier this year.

"A third-generation Michigander, brave U.S. Army veteran and Bronze Star recipient Mike has served his state and nation with distinction and will bring that same fighting spirit to the U.S. Congress," Trump wrote.

"Mike Bouchard has my complete and total endorsement to be the next representative from Michigan’s 10th congressional district," he added.

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

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Notably, Bouchard has also attracted endorsements from other key congressional figures, such as U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., and GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain, R-Mich.

Having cleared the Republican primary, Bouchard will head to the Nov. 3 general election.

Urban Meyer, Colin Cowherd say Big Ten venues and fans have caught up and 'bypassed the SEC'

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:20:46 -0400

It wouldn't be the college football offseason without some spirited debate over the quality of different conferences. Not only has this offseason not been any different, it might feature more debate than a typical year.

For most of the past decade, the SEC has been the unquestioned leader in the sport, thanks to Nick Saban's Alabama dynasty and the consistent excellence of Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs teams. But for three years running, the SEC has not been able to reach the National Championship game, let alone win one.

Instead, the Big Ten has staked its claim as the best in college football. Michigan won in 2023-2024, Ohio State in 2024-2025, and in a stunning 16-0 season, Indiana steamrolled its way to a title in 2025-2026. Three in a row, and arguably the top two teams heading into 2026-2027 are Ohio State and Oregon. Perhaps even worse, there's a case to be made that Notre Dame and Miami might be bigger threats to the Big Ten's dominance this year than Georgia or Texas.

PERCEPTION IS REALITY, AND THE SEC NEEDS TO START WINNING AGAIN BEFORE IT CONTINUES TO PUFF OUT ITS CHEST

For Big Ten fans or former coaches, this recent run of success has created an opportunity to, shall we say, gloat over the SEC's apparent decline. And former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and Colin Cowherd are no exception.

Cowherd asked Meyer when he started to believe that Big Ten rosters and talent had caught up to the SEC, which he explained happened towards the end of his career at Ohio State. But he went further, saying it's not just the athleticism and depth where the Big Ten's caught up. It's everything.

"But I'm gonna add this, Colin, also the Big Ten stadiums are very SEC like," Meyer said. "They were not. When I was hired in 2012, it wasn't even close, man. The teams weren't close. The venues weren't close. The passion of the fans wasn't close, it's caught up. And like you said, last year it bypassed the SEC."

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It's impossible to doubt the passion and support SEC fans bring to their teams, from intimidating night games at Death Valley in Baton Rouge to The Swamp, Neyland Stadium against a big opponent, Texas A&M's 12th Man in College Station, Alabama, Oklahoma, Williams-Brice Stadium, Auburn, Ole Miss, the cowbells at Mississippi State and Georgia's raucous student section.

But the Big Ten has developed plenty of impressive atmospheres too, with Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Nebraska leading the way. Others like Washington, Iowa and Illinois frequently fly under the radar as tough places to play, and home games in Bloomington are going to reach a whole new level now that the Hoosiers are defending champs. USC in its heyday was a very difficult place to play, and will have several opportunities for big home games this year with the Ducks and Buckeyes coming to town.

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At the end of the day, both conferences feature great fanbases, historic, iconic venues, outstanding crowd atmospheres and elite, blue blood programs. And that's what makes college football so great, what you prefer or think is superior is up to you. Thankfully, we're spoiled for choice.

GOP dukes it out in red state primary to reclaim governor's mansion

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:15:14 -0400

Republican voters in Kansas chose their nominee Tuesday in one of the year's highest-profile gubernatorial primaries.

Ty Masterson will face the Democratic nominee in the Nov. 3 general election to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

Republicans see the open-seat race as a prime opportunity to reclaim the governor's mansion after two terms under Kelly, while Democrats are hoping to defy the state's Republican lean and retain control of the office.

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The Republican field featured several well-known statewide and legislative leaders, including Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Senate President Ty Masterson and Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt.

On the Democratic side, voters are choosing among state senators Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher and Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog.

The winner of that primary will face the new Republican nominee in November.

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The campaign centered on familiar conservative priorities, including tax relief, education, immigration, public safety and cultural issues, as candidates sought to distinguish themselves through their leadership experience and competing visions for the state's future.

The primary also coincided with a closely watched constitutional amendment that would replace Kansas' current system of appointing Supreme Court justices with direct elections.

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The proposal, backed by Republican lawmakers, comes after years of conservative criticism of Kansas Supreme Court rulings on issues including abortion, school funding and election law.