Latest & Breaking News | Fox News

Rabid bat found near zoo restaurant sparks urgent public health warning: 'Extremely serious'

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:35:27 -0400

Visitors to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park are being urged to come forward if they had contact with a wild bat after the animal tested positive for rabies.

A deceased wild bat was recovered outside the Oasis on the Rocks restaurant July 11. It later tested positive for rabies, according to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

"Safari Park visitors who had no physical contact with the bat are not at risk for rabies," the park told Fox News Digital.

'UNSUPERVISED' CHILD AT HERSHEYPARK ZOO INJURED BY WOLF AFTER CRAWLING UNDER SAFETY BARRIER

County health officials are asking anyone who may have had direct contact with the bat to come forward for evaluation.

The bat was not part of the Safari Park's animal collection, and officials said no human contact has been reported.

The bat was tested by the County Public Health Laboratory, which confirmed it was positive for rabies, San Diego County noted.

This marks the 19th bat to test positive for rabies in San Diego County this year. Twenty-one bats tested positive during all of 2025, according to county officials.

"Rabies is an extremely serious viral disease, one of the deadliest, with [a] nearly 100% fatality [rate] if not caught early enough," Dr. Ankita Kadakia, the county's deputy public health officer, said in a statement.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

"We are investigating to ensure anyone who came into contact with the bat receives care quickly. Once symptoms start, there is no treatment for rabies."

Wildlife experts say the incident serves as a reminder that people should never handle bats, even though they play an important role in the environment.

"There are over 20 different species of bats living in San Diego County, and these animals are a huge benefit to our region's gardens and farms, eating up to 1,000 mosquito-sized bugs per hour," Dr. Alexis Wohl, wildlife veterinary manager at the San Diego Humane Society, told Fox News Digital.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

"Although it's rare for bats to carry rabies, it is important to exercise caution and not handle them with bare hands," Wohl said.

Dr. Brian Collins, a veterinarian with the Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, based in New York, said bats are one of the primary carriers of rabies in the United States and account for most human rabies cases.

"If a bat is encountered in public, it is very important not to touch it," Collins told Fox News Digital.

Instead, he recommended keeping people and pets away from the animal and notifying property management, animal control or local law enforcement.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"If you know or suspect that you have had physical contact with the bat, you should wash the affected area with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes," Collins said.

Maher mocks liberals for still panicking about Trump's antics, personality after 10 years

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:30:32 -0400

Talk show host Bill Maher mocked liberals on Monday, saying many of them are constantly panicking about President Donald Trump’s surface-level antics and behavior that do not really impact their lives.

During a discussion on his "Club Random" podcast with British comedian Jack Whitehall, Maher jokingly pointed to a framed list of all of Trump’s insults toward him as a "great artifact of history." Maher had brought this list of nearly 60 insults to the White House and had Trump sign it when they met for dinner in March 2025.

Maher offered backhanded praise for Trump for having allegedly tried to prevent him from receiving the Mark Twain Prize at the Kennedy Center last month, suggesting he was flattered to be taken so seriously. Maher doubled down on Monday.

"I didn't think it was ever going to happen," Maher said of receiving the award. "Because first he tried to stop it, but then it was going through, and then they took his name off the building. He didn't like it. When they took his name off the building, he covered the building in drapery so you couldn't see anything on the building. I'm not kidding."

BILL MAHER RECOUNTS LARRY DAVID FALLING OUT, CELEBRITY BACKLASH AFTER TRUMP WHITE HOUSE DINNER

"I don't care," Maher said of Trump’s antics. "If, at this point, ten years into the Trump situation, you are still obsessing about his personality, my view is that's on you."

"Should we always be criticizing, as I do, what he actually does while he's in office? Absolutely," Maher continued. "But to keep just focusing on these personality things that we've talked about for ten years — they're not going to change. That's who he is. I don't care when he calls me names now. It's the way he does it. It's the way he talks. It's who he is."

"When he does it, I just got to go, ‘OK, yeah. This is what you do.’ And as long as it's something that doesn't really affect me or other people for real," he said.

TUNING OUT: WHY MANY AMERICANS ARE SICK OF THE NEWS – ESPECIALLY TRUMP NEWS

Maher went on to list a litany of other surface-level Trump controversies that ultimately do not impact the everyday lives of Americans like himself, arguing they are absurd topics for people to get worked up over.

"I don't care about your reflecting pool," he said. "I don't care about your ballroom. I don't care what you do on the lawn. You can have UFC fights. You can have sheep grazing there like one president did. You can do anything. Pickleball. I don't give a s--- what you do on the lawn."

"And if you're a person who does, you're just way too into Donald Trump as the person who controls how you think in life," Maher continued. "Everything is about him. I'm not going there with you."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"I'm winning," Maher said of his mindset. "And I'm somebody he attacks personally, and I care less than you do. Your life is all about Donald Trump. Mine isn't."

Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett tried to call Argentina racist during the World Cup and embarrassed herself

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:30:05 -0400

Leave it to Representative Jasmine Crockett to be so obsessed with race-baiting that she accidentally spent an afternoon carrying water for the Spanish Empire.

In her rush to lecture the world about racism, Crockett somehow landed on the side of the country that spent centuries colonizing much of Latin America.

During a House hearing on oversight of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, the Texas Democrat tried to turn World Cup fandom into a debate about racism.

SPAIN BEATS ARGENTINA TO WIN 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP BEHIND FERRAN TORRES' EXTRA-TIME GOAL

Instead, Yale historian Dr. David Blight offered the explanation most sports fans would.

WATCH:

Rep. Jasmine Crockett: "The World Cup that captured the imaginations of the entire world when they saw all of these people of color that was playing for all these teams. And ultimately, if you recall, the last two teams, it was Argentina and Spain. And it seemed like the vast majority of the world was rooting for Argentina or actually against Argentina, right? And why was that? Just give me an explanation if you could guess..."

Dr. David Blight: "Spain had the best team, maybe that's why they were rooting for them."

Rep. Jasmine Crockett: "There's also a racist history that exists as it relates to Argentina."

Crockett saw racism. Dr. Blight saw soccer.

Crockett was so determined to paint Argentina as uniquely racist that she ended up siding with Spain, the historical seat of Western European colonialism. It is the kind of historically illiterate self-own that would deeply upset the Democratic base, if they actually knew their history.

On one side was a world-renowned Ivy League historian stating the obvious: fans usually root for the better team.

FIFA LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO BRAWL AFTER SPAIN DEFEATED ARGENTINA IN WORLD CUP FINAL

On the other was a sitting member of Congress suggesting the world's reaction to the World Cup final was driven, at least in part, by Argentina's racial history.

By Crockett's logic, even watching the World Cup is an act of political expression.

Every penalty kick has to double as a political statement, even if it means pretending Spain was somehow the good guy.

It's the kind of performative political theater she's built her brand on. Watching her in Congress is like scrolling through the Facebook feed of the auntie who fires off unhinged political rants. The only difference is she has a congressional badge, a taxpayer-funded microphone, and far more influence than your aunt.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

When a Yale historian has to remind a member of Congress that people usually root for the better team, you've probably overthought the World Cup.

It takes real ideological commitment to walk into a discussion about soccer and walk out carrying water for the Spanish Empire without noticing the irony.

Dems gonna Dem.

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

LeAnn Rimes shares naked hot tub photo with Eddie Cibrian on road trip from California to Nashville

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:13:13 -0400

LeAnn Rimes is spending her road trip from California back home to Nashville naked in a hot tub with her husband, Eddie Cibrian.

On Tuesday, Rimes took to Instagram to document their journey. In the carousel of images, the singer and actress shared a photo at the end of her post, taken from behind. Cibrian had his arm around her while she sat naked in the hot tub, taking in the scenic view.

"The last picture is what its ALL about. @leannrimes ❤️," one user commented, referencing the hot tub photo. Another added, "The last photo with you and @eddiecibrian just warms my heart!"

"turns out, a cross country road trip with a horse trailer, a mystery tractor-ish thing, far too many bags and enough snacks to cross several countries was always going to produce some good footage," Rimes captioned her post. "there were questionable roadside sightings, car karaoke, a LOT of gas station potty breaks, incredible food and a few moments that probably should’ve stayed off camera… but didn’t."

LEANN RIMES POSES IN RED BIKINI IN CABO, SHARES EMOTIONAL MESSAGE ABOUT 'HEART-WRENCHING' FAMILY ISSUES

The "Blue" singer included a link to her substack, which had a more in-depth write-up of their road trip.

Rimes and Cibrian have been married since April 2011, but their relationship began under intense public scrutiny.

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

The pair met in 2008 while filming the Lifetime movie "Northern Lights," when Rimes was married to former backup dancer Dean Sheremet and Cibrian was married to "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alum Brandi Glanville.

News of their affair became public in 2009, leading to the end of both marriages and making the couple one of Hollywood's most talked-about scandals.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Despite years of tabloid attention and backlash over how their romance began, Rimes and Cibrian remained together, becoming engaged in December 2010 before tying the knot in a private California ceremony attended by about 40 guests, including Cibrian's two sons, Mason and Jake, from his marriage to Glanville.

This spring, the couple celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

California toddler bitten by rattlesnake hiding beneath Amazon package amid active snake season

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:13:10 -0400

A Southern California family is urging people to stay alert after their 3-year-old daughter was bitten by a rattlesnake hiding beneath an Amazon package outside their home, the latest in a string of snakebite incidents during an unusually active season across the state.

The frightening encounter comes weeks after a hiker was airlifted from a remote Ventura County trail following a rattlesnake bite.

Earlier this year, Ventura County firefighters told Fox News Digital they had responded to seven rattlesnake bites in roughly a month, and officials attributed the increase to warmer weather that has driven snakes out earlier than usual.

Manuel Barajas said his daughter, Addy, ran outside after her mother told her an Amazon package had been delivered and tossed over the family's front gate. As the 3-year-old reached for the padded envelope, a Southern Pacific rattlesnake concealed beneath it bit her on the left hand.

TOURIST DIES AT LUXURY RESORT AFTER COBRA FROM SNAKE SHOW CLIMBS UP PANTS, BITES HIM: POLICE

Her mother rushed Addy to a nearby grocery store parking lot, where paramedics met the family before transporting her to a hospital. She was later transferred to a pediatric intensive care unit, where she spent two days receiving additional doses of antivenom.

Wildlife experts say an unusually warm spring has fueled increased rattlesnake activity across California this year, contributing to a rise in snakebite incidents and three reported snakebite deaths statewide.

The latest incident follows several other serious encounters this year. In May, a woman hiking in Ventura County was airlifted to a hospital after being bitten by a rattlesnake on a remote trail. A Thousand Oaks woman also died in March after being bitten while hiking at Wildwood Regional Park.

TICK BITE ER VISITS HIT HIGHEST SEASONAL LEVEL IN YEARS AS DOCTORS WARN OF DISEASE SURGE

Health officials say anyone bitten by a rattlesnake should seek emergency medical care immediately, remain as still as possible and avoid attempting home remedies that can worsen the injury.

Barajas told Nexstar's KTLA he hopes sharing his family's experience will encourage others to stay vigilant around their homes and know which hospitals are equipped to treat pediatric snakebite emergencies.

"She’s doing great now. She’s, I want to say, about 70% recovered," Barajas said. "She’s still bruised on her left hand where she was bitten. Her spirits are high, her demeanor is great, but she keeps asking why she was bitten by a snake."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the family cover Addy's medical expenses and lost income while she continues to recover.

Elite universities face federal cash squeeze over millions tied to China-linked entities

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:00:01 -0400

Elite American universities have accepted millions of dollars from foreign sources on federal watchlists, including some with ties to the Chinese military, according to government data.

State and Education Department officials said dozens of universities reported receiving $27.6 million from foreign entities on at least one federal watchlist during the second half of 2025, according to CBS News. The universities include Northwestern University; the University of California, Irvine; the University of Connecticut; Bryant University and the University of California, Berkeley.

"American universities have received nearly $405 million from counterparties of concern — entities that pose a very real risk to our national security and that of our allies," an Education Department spokeswoman told Fox News Digital.

"While previous administrations often looked the other way or kept this data hidden, that policy changes now. Through our updated Section 117 Dashboard, the Trump Administration is bringing this cash out of the shadows so every student, family and taxpayer knows exactly who is signing the checks, while equipping the State Department to use that data to protect our nation."

TRUMP JOLTS IMMIGRATION HAWKS WITH SURPRISING DEFENSE OF CHINESE STUDENTS IN USA

If these institutions, among them some of America’s top research universities, continue their relationships with these entities, they could see their access to federal grant funding restricted, according to a letter Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah B. Rogers sent them last week.

"In light of the above, I urge you, as board members, to ensure heightened diligence on this matter which has important national security implications for our country," the letter, obtained by CBS News, reads.

CBS News was the first to report on the payments to universities from watchlisted foreign entities.

The Aero Engine Corporation of China, which is on the Treasury Department’s Foreign Assets Control List due to its relationship with the Chinese military, paid $7.8 million spread across Northwestern University, UC Irvine and the University of Connecticut over the past several years.

INSIDE CHINA’S AI ‘WOLF PACK’ DRONES BUILT WITH TAIWAN CONFLICT IN MIND

Documents filed with the Department of Education do not disclose how the funding was used.

Previously, the records did not even show the specific origin of the funds, simply their country of origin. President Donald Trump issued an executive order in April 2025 directing the Department of Education to collect more information from universities about the sources of their foreign funding.

In addition to appearing on the Treasury Department’s Foreign Assets Control List, the Aero Engine Corporation of China is also considered a "military end-user entity" by the Department of Commerce. The company develops engines for fighter jets and attack helicopters used by China’s People’s Liberation Army.

UC BERKELEY SUED FOR ALLEGEDLY STONEWALLING PROBE INTO VIOLENT AMBUSH AT TPUSA ROB SCHNEIDER EVENT

"This has been a conversation going on for years now in research security circles," LJ Eads, the founder of Data Abyss and director of research intelligence at Parallax Advanced Research, told CBS News. "It's been a huge policy fail in terms of implementing restrictions without follow-through over the years. I relate it to having kids and not parenting well. Or giving your teenager a cellphone and having no restrictions on cellphone use."

UC Berkeley, a leading research institution in several technology-related areas where the United States and China are direct competitors, has also received funds from Chinese entities that appear on federal watchlists. Included among these was a $7.6 million grant from Sun Yat-sen University, which hosts China's National Supercomputing Center.

Sun Yat-sen University is on the Pentagon’s "1286 List," which enumerates research institutions it believes to be engaged in "problematic activities."

"We wish to state, unequivocally, that UC Berkeley complies with all of the statues and regulations that apply to contracts and gifts from foreign sources," a spokesman for the university told Fox News Digital on Tuesday.

"Second, we are still in the process of analyzing and fact-checking the characterization of the government’s data and the referenced CBS reporting."

The spokesman said that CBS' report erroneously claimed that UC Berkeley manages the Department of Energy's primary high-performance computing facility at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

"In this instance, ‘Berkeley’ refers to its geographical location, and not to any form of institutional management or oversight on the part of UC Berkeley," the spokesman added.

Bryant University had a $22.6 million contract with the Beijing Institute of Technology to maintain "a jointly operated academic program in China." The Beijing Institute of Technology appears on two federal watchlists.

"The reporting reflects payments associated for a now-terminated accounting program whose contract was originally established in 2014 with the independent Beijing Institute of Technology, Zhuhai and terminated ten years later in 2024," a university spokesman told Fox News Digital. "The program was educational instruction only and never included research activities, federally funded research, defense-related work, technology transfer or intellectual property development.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"After learning that Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) had fully acquired the Zhuhai institution and following BIT's addition to the Department of Defense's 1286 list, Bryant initiated termination of the relationship, stopped enrolling new students and is completing a teach-out period for existing students in accordance with accreditation requirements, with completion on June 30, 2027."

Northwestern University, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine and the University of Connecticut did not respond to requests for comment when reached by Fox News Digital Tuesday. Fox News Digital additionally reached out to the Department of Education on Tuesday.

John Harbaugh reacts to Cam Skattebo's scary backflip slip ahead of Giants training camp next week

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:59:50 -0400

New York Giants fans held their collective breath when second-year running back Cam Skattebo, whose rookie season ended with a dislocated ankle, slipped while attempting a backflip at Fanatics Fest over the weekend.

Skattebo is known for his backflips, especially after scoring touchdowns in 2026 while becoming a fan favorite in New York. However, seeing the Arizona State product slip when trying one had some worrying ahead of training camp next week.

Giants new head coach John Harbaugh was asked by Bob Papa and Carl Banks during their "Bleav in Giants" podcast how he felt seeing Skattebo perform such a stunt.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"My reaction when I saw it on my phone? My reaction was — I haven’t talked to him yet, I’m going to talk to him, I’m sure – my reaction was: Dude, at least stick," Harbaugh said.

"Land the thing if you’re going to do it."

TRUMP BACKS GIANTS QB JAXSON DART AFTER RALLY APPEARANCE BACKLASH, SAYS 'HE'S ALSO LOVED MORE'

Fair enough, coach.

Skattebo was having quite a start to his rookie campaign, scoring seven total touchdowns and racking up 617 scrimmage yards.

But during a road game against the Philadelphia Eagles, linebacker Zack Baun performed a hip-drop tackle, which the NFL deems illegal, and Skattebo's ankle got caught underneath it. The image was gruesome on video replay, and it was clear something was seriously wrong with the fourth-round draft choice’s ankle.

Skattebo’s season was done after that, while the Giants finished a lowly 4-13, leading to the firing of head coach Brian Daboll midway through the season.

But Skattebo’s rehab clearly worked because he was confident enough to attempt the backflip. That’s if you’re a glass-half-full type of person.

"Skat’s going to be ready to go," Harbaugh added. "He’s been working super hard. He’s really been training like crazy. His mind is on camp. He’s healthy. He’s ready to roll, and I can’t wait to see him at practice."

Giants fans can’t wait to see Skattebo and a new team under Harbaugh this season. Not only is Skattebo returning, but the run game gets a huge lift with Patrick Ricard, the ex-Baltimore Ravens fullback, joining his former head coach in New York.

The Giants also made sure to bolster the trenches, drafting Miami’s Francis Mauigoa 10th overall and re-signing Jermaine Eluemunor to be their right tackle opposite Andrew Thomas after a successful first year in New York for the ex-Las Vegas Raiders lineman.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

From tight end Isaiah Likely to a plethora of free agent wide receivers, including the return of Odell Beckham Jr. in Giants blue, this is a team that will be in the national spotlight as observers watch to see if Harbaugh can get the team back into playoff contention.

Since 2016, the Giants have only reached the playoffs twice, their most recent in 2022 in Daboll’s first season as head coach.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Army veteran faces arson charge after fire attack outside NYC federal building

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:46:20 -0400

The U.S. Army veteran accused of setting a fire outside a New York City federal building that houses an immigration court and other government agencies, including the FBI, and firing a pellet gun, will face an arson charge related to the Monday attack, which he had been planning for months, federal prosecutors said.

Andrew Arrabaca, 43, appeared in a Manhattan federal court Tuesday for his alleged actions outside 26 Federal Plaza that injured three people before he was subdued. He did not enter a plea.

Despite only a few injuries, U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky, noted that the attack could have ended tragically.

"The crime you’re charged with is troubling," said Tarnofsky, who immediately conducted a bail hearing and ordered Arrabaca to be released to a mental health facility.

Arrabaca, who served as a mechanic on Patriot missile systems in the Army, harbored anti-ICE and anti-government views, James Barnacle, assistant director in charge of the FBI's New York Field Office, said Monday.

FBI ARRESTS PROTESTER WHO THREATENED TO KILL ICE OFFICER'S FAMILY AT NJ DETENTION CENTER PROTEST, BLANCHE SAYS

"He is an anti-American, anti-government extremist," Barnacle told reporters at the scene.

Voter records show he has registered as a Democrat and was a member of the left-wing Working Families party.

Arrabaca "came armed with bad intentions" and was found with a range of weapons, including a pellet gun, knives, a hammer, and a machete. Authorities said the upstate New York resident arrived at the federal building sometime around 8:30 a.m. and lit a large firework before pouring a liquid that ignited a fire.

Videos and images from the scene showed a fire with a plume of smoke and bright orange flames near a building entrance, as well as law enforcement officers restraining the suspect.

VIDEO SHOWS MOMENT CHICAGO MAN ALLEGEDLY USED SUV AS WEAPON AGAINST ICE AGENT, PROSECUTORS SAY

In addition to allegedly setting the fire, Arrabaca also fired five to seven pellets from an airsoft rifle toward the building, Barnacle said. He was arrested by federal officials a short time later and has been in custody since.

He made several anti-government and anti-ICE statements during the incident and said "he was okay if he hurt or killed people going in and out of the building, whether they were federal employees or civilians," the FBI said.

Upon his arrest, authorities said they found Arrabaca with two axes, a hammer, a machete and three knives.

Federal prosecutors said he had been planning the attack since January, when he began buying supplies and visiting sites around New York.

Arrabaca allegedly told law enforcement that he went to several other sites around the city bringing materials and considered attacking them. After months, he decided to attack the federal building near the courthouse.

On Sunday, he made his way to Lower Manhattan with the weapons and other items used during the attack, prosecutors allege. He spent the night in a park and arrived at the building on Monday morning.

He told law enforcement he targeted a specific entrance because it was busy and employees were heading to work and members of the public were heading inside.

Arrabaca admitted that he was aware people could be hurt and was willing to accept the risk, said prosecutors, who described his actions as "calculated." He was also aware he could die.

Defense lawyer Jennifer Brown said Arrabaca has mental health issues, and asked that he be placed in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health hospital for evaluation and treatment. Prosecutors noted that Arrabaca does not have a stable residence or employment and was living out of a car before the attack.

"The mental health issues that are quite likely the cause of the behavior, I seriously considered the alternatives proposed by Ms. Brown, but I had to reject them because I don’t think it’s sufficiently clear you would comply with treatment," Tarnofsky told Arrabaca.

The federal building in Lower Manhattan has been the scene of protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency charged with enforcing the nation's immigration laws amid the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

One of two people hurt during Monday's incident was an immigrant who appeared at the building for a hearing, the FBI said.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 4. He faces a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison.

Fox News Digital's Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.

Caitlin Clark declines WNBA 3-Point Contest invitation, dealing major blow to All-Star Weekend and ESPN

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:46:18 -0400

The WNBA announced its 3-Point Contest field Tuesday, and it didn’t take long to notice a glaring omission.

Caitlin Clark isn't in it.

According to ESPN, the league invited Clark to its shooting contest, but she declined. Sabrina Ionescu and Kayla McBride also declined invitations to participate.

It's impossible to overstate how big of a blow this deals to the WNBA and its broadcast partner, ESPN.

CAITLIN CLARK KEEPS DELIVERING RECORD WNBA VIEWERSHIP AS FEVER TOP 1 MILLION VIEWERS YET AGAIN

The league built its All-Star Weekend shooting event around Clark by adding "From the Logo" shots to the contest. Not only is Clark the most notable WNBA player (really the only notable player) to shoot logo threes, but State Farm built an entire marketing campaign around her long-distance triples.

So, yeah, it's hard to view the league's "From the Logo" shot as anything but a nod to its most popular superstar.

And as bad as it is for the WNBA, it's probably worse for ESPN. With Clark competing, ESPN could almost guarantee that it would draw at least a million viewers.

But it gets a little worse.

The league also didn't include Clark’s Indiana Fever teammates Kelsey Mitchell or Sophie Cunningham. It's unclear whether either were offered and declined or simply wasn't asked, but it doesn't matter at this point.

Mitchell finished third among guards in the fan portion of WNBA All-Star voting and ninth overall with 665,377 votes. She’s also shooting 42% from three this season.

WNBA ALL-STAR CHARITY INITIATIVE SUPPORTS SPORTS GROUP THAT SAYS IT IS ‘MOVING BEYOND THE BINARY OF GIRL’

Cunningham finished 15th overall in fan voting with 386,451 votes, and she’s shooting 44% from deep. Cunningham has over 3.2 million followers on TikTok and 2.6 million followers on Instagram. In other words, she is one of the most popular players in the WNBA and she can shoot the rock.

Another notably absent player is Paige Bueckers. Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, is averaging 20 points per game and led the entire league with 1,045,051 fan votes for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game.

So, yes, the WNBA has a 3-point contest.

It just doesn’t have a lot of the names people would’ve expected to see, or wanted to see, in a 3-point contest.

Rhyne Howard, Marina Mabrey, Azzi Fudd, Bridget Carleton, Natisha Hiedeman and Janelle Salaün will compete Friday night at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

That’s a perfectly respectable field, though most of the players are likely unknown to casual sports fans. Mabrey leads the WNBA with 82 made threes entering play Tuesday. Howard is second with 79. Salaün is fifth, Carleton is sixth and Hiedeman is tied for seventh. Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, is tied for 10th.

Sure, those six players are good shooters.

But come on.

Clark is the biggest draw in the sport. Ionescu is one of the most famous shooters in women’s basketball. Bueckers led all players in All-Star fan voting. Clark's teammates, Mitchell and Cunningham, are two other very popular players who can shoot.

ANGEL REESE’S LATEST WNBA CONTROVERSY SHOWS HOW VICTIMHOOD BECAME CENTRAL TO HER BRAND

Still, no one matters more than Clark, who has yet to compete in the WNBA's three-point contest in her three-year career.

She declined the 2024 WNBA 3-Point Contest, was expected to compete in the 2025 version before pulling out because of injury, and now reportedly declined this year’s contest.

That’s a big problem for the WNBA. Clark changes the temperature of everything around her. Regular-season games feel bigger when she’s involved. Road arenas fill up. Ratings jump. Social media explodes. People who don’t normally watch the WNBA suddenly care.

The WNBA has a nationally televised 3-point contest with logo shots during All-Star Weekend, and Caitlin Clark won’t be in it.

For a league trying to turn momentum into something bigger, that’s a massive miss.

Portland area movie theater at center of antisemitism controversy over marquee advertising 'The Odyssey'

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:37:23 -0400

A movie theater outside Portland, Oregon, is facing backlash after it displayed a marquee advertising Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" with a provocative message critics are calling antisemitic.

The Lake Theater and Cafe's marquee read, "Before there were the Jews, there was... The Odyssey."

The marquee sparked outrage in the Jewish community, and critics claimed the message was historically inaccurate, noting that scholars generally place the composition of Homer's epic in the 8th century B.C., while Jewish history and the Israelites predate that period by several centuries. Critics also said it was an unnecessary jab amid rising antisemitism across the country.

The message was reportedly removed from one side of the marquee on July 16 but remained on the other side, OregonLive reported, citing residents who saw the message on July 17. The theater is located Lake Oswego, a city just south of Portland.

ISRAEL, JEWS TARGETED WORLDWIDE AS WELL-FUNDED LEFTIST, ISLAMIST GROUPS JOIN FOR ‘NAKBA 78’ PROTESTS

"The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and the Jewish community were deeply offended by the inappropriate wording on the marquee," Jewish Federation of Greater Portland President and CEO Marc Blattner told Fox News Digital. "And despite calls and emails, the theater only responded to the press. His comments literally minimizing antisemitism in our country was shameful."

Rabbi Eve Posen of Congregation Neveh Shalom in Portland wrote on Facebook about the marquee and its reflection of a broader issue. She noted that a car belonging to a member of the Jewish community had recently been vandalized with swastikas, writing that this was "not in Germany. Not eighty years ago. Here. Today."

"Over the last twenty-four hours, I have found myself carrying a weight that is difficult to name," Posen wrote. "None of the individual moments, taken on their own, would necessarily warrant a public reflection. We live in a world where people disagree. We debate policy. We challenge history. We confront acts of hatred. But when these moments come one after another, layering upon one another in the span of a single day, they tell a story that is impossible to ignore."

She then went on to criticize the Lake Theater and Cafe's marquee. Like many critics, she said that the message was both historically inaccurate and offensive.

JEWISH UCLA STUDENTS BEATEN WITH STICKS, PEPPER-SPRAYED AND KNOCKED OUT BY ANTI-ISRAEL CAMPUS MOB: LAWSUIT

"The statement is historically false. More importantly, it raises a painful question: why invoke Jews at all? A clever movie promotion could have celebrated one of the oldest stories ever told without unnecessarily positioning Judaism as an afterthought or a comparison," Posen wrote.

"In a moment when antisemitism is already at historic levels, casually inserting Jews into a narrative where we do not belong doesn't feel harmless. It feels like another reminder that our story is somehow expendable, that our history can be rewritten or diminished for the sake of a punchline."

Israeli influencer Hen Mazzig also slammed the theater, calling the marquee "objectively untrue" in a post on X.

"Why is something existing before Jews a selling point? Do they think the story is somehow 'untainted' by Jews?" Mazzig wrote. "What disgustingly blatant antisemitism."

NEW YORK TIMES RAISES EYEBROWS BY REFERRING TO AIPAC AS 'HARD-RIGHT' PRO-ISRAEL GROUP

In a text message, Lake Theater and Cafe manager Jordan Perry told The Lake Oswego Review he was trying to challenge what society considers to be antisemitic.

"My intention is never to influence opinion or fan flames, but to say: it’s okay to raise eyebrows, though I hope my messages reflect a depth of understanding others find in themselves but not always in the world around them," Perry told LOR via text message.

"Through the media I consume, I believe modern-day antisemitism is exaggerated, mostly as a defense for Israel’s actions in the Middle East and its involvement in our politics, and my intention in referencing Jewish people on the marquee was to prod at everything being seemingly antisemitic with a statement that couldn’t possibly be construed as antisemitic."

He said he did not intend to "offend anyone," and he was trying to "push back culturally on what constitutes antisemitism, to signal, in solidarity, that it’s not about ‘the Jews,’ that it’s about Israel, and Palestine, and Lebanon, and Iran, and AIPAC. This is my ‘humor,’ this was the point, intentionally subtle, of what I put on the marquee."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

Local outlets noted that Lake Theater and Cafe had posted edgy messages on its marquee in the past, some of which got it in hot water.

When the documentary "Melania" came out about first lady Melania Trump, the theater posted marquees that included, "Does Melania wear Prada? Find out Friday!" a reference to the film "The Devil Wears Prada." The other marquee read, "To defeat your enemy. You must know them. Melania."

The theater claimed in an Instagram post that Amazon was upset by the marquees and, as a result, would no longer show the film.

"Got a call that the higher ups (i.e., at Amazon) were upset with how our marquee marketed their movie (i.e., Melania), that, per them, Sunday would be its last day here. Also got, before then, countless emails and voicemails and Google / Yelp reviews (Google / Yelp took them down) wondering why the hell we had Melania here, or disdaining our disparaging of her. Now that it's prematurely over, the plug pulled on us not from public outcry (always listening, thank you) but by some corporate executive (fair enough, sorry AMZN, please don't cancel my Prime), Jordan figured he'd ...say something? Link in bio. TLDR: welp," the theater's caption read.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The post included a photo of the theater's marquee, which read, "Amazon called. Our marquee made them mad. All Melania shows canceled. Show your support at Whole Foods instead."

Fox News Digital reached out to Lake Theater and Café for comment.

Wilt Chamberlain warm-up jacket bought for $3 at thrift store sells for tens of thousands

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:35:21 -0400

A memorabilia hunter may have made the find of the century when he picked up what turned out to be a genuine Wilt Chamberlain warm-up jacket at a Goodwill store in Portland for just $3.07.

Now, that jacket has sold at auction for $89,000.

That's a profit of $88,996.93, which means most of us will be heading to our local Goodwill stores later today and tearing the place apart in search of sports memorabilia paydirt.

TAYLOR SWIFT'S COURTSIDE CHAIR FROM CAVS-KNICKS PLAYOFF GAME IS UP FOR AUCTION FOR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS

Of course, anything tied to the late Wilt Chamberlain is going to command top dollar, but this wasn't any old warm-up jacket. Sotheby's photo matched it to the 1972 NBA Finals and to some other photos shot during the following 1972-73 season.

Those dates are significant because he was named Finals MVP in the 1972 NBA Finals, while the 1972-73 season was his last in the NBA.

According to KATU, the lucky jacket finder was Quinn Brown, a teenager who has been thrifting and selling the stuff he finds for years.

Finding a jacket for $3 and flipping it for a shade under $90,000 is about as good as it gets. The only downside was that Sotheby's actually thought it was going to sell for something in the neighborhood of $150,000 to $250,000.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

Man, just once I'd love to be on the receiving end of this kind of thrift store or antique shop luck.

Every time I buy something thinking it will be valuable — like a Spike Jones album or an old "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace" Taco Bell cup — it turns out to be worth barely as much as I paid for it.

Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places... the places I've gone to mostly just have crap.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Congrats to Quinn Brown on one heck of a find.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have Goodwill bins to rummage through...

Singer D4vd shows no emotion as detective recounts gruesome discovery of teen's dismembered remains: report

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:23:04 -0400

The California singer accused of grooming a 14-year-old girl only to murder her when she threatened to expose him and then dismembering her remains with a chainsaw appeared in front of a Los Angeles judge Tuesday for the first day of a preliminary hearing expected to clear the way for the case to go to trial.

David Burke, who performs under the name "D4vd," is accused of killing a teen girl named Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose unrecognizable remains prosecutors say were found chopped up and decomposing in the trunk of his Tesla, abandoned 400 feet up the street from his home in Hollywood Hills.

Two of her fingers, which contained identifying tattoos, were never recovered.

Burke faces charges of murder, child sex abuse and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

RISING SINGER DISMEMBERED TEEN WHO THREATENED TO EXPOSE HIM IN KIDDIE POOL WITH CHAINSAW: DA

Prior to the hearing, which is expected to take about three to five days, Celeste's parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, were spotted entering the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

There were no cameras allowed in the courtroom Tuesday as prosecutors displayed gruesome images and shared brutal details with the court.

A Los Angeles homicide detective took the stand to discuss the grisly scene, with Celeste's parents opting to remain in the gallery when given a chance to leave before his testimony, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.

SEND US A TIP HERE

"There were maggots," LAPD Det. Joshua Byers testified, according to the California Post. "There were flies. I don't know how to describe the other liquid matter."

Martinez looked like she might faint as a supporter leaned over to help her, according to the FOX LA report. Burke, shackled to a chair, reportedly showed no visible reaction.

SINGER D4VD ARRESTED AND HELD WITHOUT BAIL IN CASE TIED TO TEEN FOUND DEAD IN TESLA

Prosecutors allege that Burke first met Celeste when she was 11 and began molesting her in November 2023, when she was 13 and he was 18.

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters outside the courthouse that a decision on whether to seek the death penalty has not yet been made.

FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X

The charges against Burke are death penalty eligible. If prosecutors don't seek capital punishment, which is under a moratorium in California, Burke would face a maximum sentence of life without parole if convicted.

Hochman added that while prosecutors will present some evidence throughout the preliminary hearing, they would have more to show at trial.

SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS

Prosecutors expect to call 10 witnesses, including members of the police department and coroner's office.

Burke and Celeste spent "a significant amount of time" together in 2024, when Burke allegedly flew the child to Las Vegas, London and Texas and introduced her to his family, prosecutors have alleged in court filings. In November of that year, however, they "broke up."

"[Text] messages reveal the victim's jealousy over defendant's relationships with other women, as defendant led her to believe they had a future together," prosecutors wrote. "She became extremely upset and threatened to disclose damaging information about her relationship with defendant to end his career and destroy his life."

SINGER D4VD PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO MURDER OF YOUNG GIRL ALLEGEDLY FOUND DISMEMBERED, DECOMPOSING IN HIS CAR

That was two days before his debut album dropped. Burke allegedly ordered Celeste an Uber and is accused of concocting a "plan to cover up the murder" that involved sending text messages to her phone asking where she was — allegedly after he'd already stabbed her to death.

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

The morning after the murder, Burke sat for a radio interview about his forthcoming album, prosecutors have said previously.

During the interview on "The Zach Sang Show," he discussed "losing relationships" and how he could turn the losses into songs, including one named "Romantic Homicide."

LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB

"But you saying expecting it to end in a devastating, tragic, sad way so it can inspire art? But are you manifesting that in a certain way?" the interviewer asked.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"I really hope I’m not because it feels that way," Burke replied.

He also explained how to pronounce "D4vd" in the episode, which is still on YouTube.

SEC wants more playoff favoritism as Greg Sankey complains about 'unsatisfactory' talks with CFB Playoff

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:21:54 -0400

There may be nothing more predictable than the SEC complaining about something.

Last season was a microcosm of the shifting landscape in college football, which has undermined the SEC's arguments and proclamations of superiority. For the third straight season, the SEC was shut out of the National Championship game. They went 1-8 in bowl games against other Power 4 conference teams and 0-3 in the College Football Playoff.

That wasn't an outlier, given recent history, it was more of the same. Over the last three tournaments, including games against non-Power 4 teams and in-conference opponents, the SEC is just 5-9. Their closest competitor, the Big Ten, is 13-5.

JOEL KLATT ROASTS SEC: NICK SABAN ISN'T THERE 'WITH HIS BIG OLD COATTAILS FOR YOU TO RIDE AS A CONFERENCE'

For years, the conference has enjoyed preferential treatment based on the assumption that they were heads and shoulders above the rest of the field. Once the SEC's signature program, the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2025 exemplified those advantages. After a season in which they lost to an atrocious Florida State team and despite getting obliterated by the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game, they were still voted in to the playoff by the selection committee. The first time in the history of the selection committee poll that a team lost in a conference championship and did not drop in the rankings. All because voters assumed that simply reaching the SEC Championship Game and beating Georgia was an unimaginable accomplishment.

For most outsider observers, this was a sign that the SEC might be getting too much credit from the committee. For commissioner Greg Sankey? It was an opportunity to complain to the selection committee that they aren't given enough special advantages.

Per On3's Brett McMurphy, Sankey said he had "unsatisfactory" talks with staff about their lack of appreciation for the SEC.

"I’m actually one who believes competitors want a great challenge. We have heard about strength of schedule, strength of record," he said. "We had what I would call an unsatisfactory conversation with College Football Playoff staff (at spring meetings). We have questions about them understanding the strength (of the SEC)."

Sure. Five of the 12 teams in last year's field were from the SEC. Sankey, of course, at the time, complained that it should have been more. As did Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who said excluding the 9-3 and undeserving Longhorns would be a "disservice to the sport."

If you look up "entitlement" in the dictionary, you'll see an image of the SEC logo.

LANE KIFFIN MAKES RIDICULOUS EXCUSES FOR SEC'S POOR RECENT PERFORMANCE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

This is what drives fans of teams from other conferences crazy about the SEC's endless complaining: they simply refuse to engage rationally with reality. Everything is the infamous hypothetical. "Ohio State would lose 10 games in the SEC." "Florida would go undefeated in the Big Ten." "Nothing compares with playing on the road in Mississippi State."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Or the classics, "our non-conference schedules are harder, even when we play four bad teams at home." "Never leaving our time zone is actually harder than traveling across the country like other teams do, because of the names of the teams we play in conference." "Playing FCS games in November just shows how deep our schedules are."

Every single negative data point is dismissed. Name value is prioritized over results. Recruiting rankings and NFL players from 2021 is a substitute for current measurements of team strength. As Bud Elliot pointed out on X, "Tennessee and Missouri didn't beat a team with a winning record. LSU was literally 7-6."

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

The good news? That the College Football Playoff staff apparently didn't listen to Sankey's complaining. They shouldn't. His job is to advocate for his teams, reality be damned. A near-perfect representation of the conference's fanbase, as a matter of fact. But the selection committee isn't supposed to make the SEC happy, it's supposed to pick the 12 teams to play in the tournament. And given the SEC's recent performance, it's easy to make the case that they should get fewer spots, not more.

UK's Burnham names Trump critic Ed Miliband foreign secretary; ex-Thatcher aide brands pick 'disastrous'

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:11:27 -0400

President Donald Trump’s allies are warning that British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s appointment of Ed Miliband as foreign secretary could strain the U.S.-U.K. relationship, citing Miliband’s history of attacking Trump and his support for net-zero energy policies.

Burnham appointed Miliband Monday, replacing Yvette Cooper and completing a remarkable political comeback for the former Labour Party leader. Miliband led Labour from 2010 until the party’s defeat in the 2015 general election and most recently served as energy security and net-zero secretary under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The appointment makes Miliband Britain’s top diplomat and a principal counterpart to Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a time when Burnham is seeking to preserve close ties with Washington. Burnham spoke with Trump shortly after becoming prime minister and reaffirmed the importance of the bilateral relationship, according to Reuters.

ANDY BURNHAM TAKES OVER AS UK PRIME MINISTER, CALLS FOR 'NEW POLITICAL MODEL'

The Daily Telegraph reported that Trump administration officials had warned Burnham’s team against giving Miliband a senior role. Steve Bannon, Trump’s former White House chief strategist and a political ally of the president, told the newspaper that the administration viewed Miliband’s appointment as "very injurious" to the special relationship. Bannon does not hold an administration position, and the White House has not publicly confirmed that such a warning was delivered.

The London Times separately reported before the appointment that the administration had signaled opposition to Miliband and was even more concerned about the prospect of him becoming foreign secretary. That reporting was not attributed to a named administration official.

Miliband has previously condemned Trump in unusually personal terms.

CAN KING CHARLES SAVE THE EVER-FRACTURING ‘SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP’ AFTER TRUMP ANGER AT STARMER OVER IRAN WAR?

During Trump’s first presidential campaign, Miliband described him as a "racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper." The comment resurfaced after Trump won the 2024 election, when BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay questioned Miliband about how he would work with the incoming president.

"How are you going to build a relationship with someone you described in the past as a racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper?" Kay asked during the Nov. 12, 2024, interview.

"I’ve said some things in the past," Miliband responded. "My job now as a government minister is to work with people."

The differences extend beyond Miliband’s rhetoric about Trump. As energy secretary, Miliband became the public face of the Labour government’s net-zero agenda and its opposition to issuing new licenses for North Sea oil and gas exploration. Trump and members of his administration have pushed Britain to increase domestic fossil-fuel production.

Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation and a former foreign policy aide to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, told Fox News Digital Miliband’s appointment was a "disastrous" decision.

"I think the appointment of Ed Miliband as U.K. foreign secretary is disastrous for Britain," Gardiner said in an interview Tuesday. "It’s a demonstration of a real lack of strategic thinking on the part of Andy Burnham.

"Ed Miliband is no friend of the United States," Gardiner continued. "He has been an outspoken critic of President Trump. Miliband is also widely viewed by U.S. conservatives as the architect of the whole net-zero agenda, which is viewed as completely poisonous by the U.S. administration."

EUROPE'S 'GREEN IDEOLOGY' CLIMATE AGENDA RISKS CRUSHING ITS INDUSTRY, ENVIRONMENT MINISTER WARNS

Gardiner called the appointment a "very high-risk move" that "makes no sense."

"Burnham is already off to a very bad start with this appointment," he said. "I’m in no doubt there will be very significant tensions between President Trump and Prime Minister Burnham, and Miliband’s appointment is quite possibly the worst appointment that Burnham could make as foreign secretary."

As he delivered his first remarks following the appointment, Miliband mentioned his family’s experience as Holocaust survivors.

"It’s the honor of my life, being asked by the prime minister to be the foreign secretary of our country," Miliband said in a statement Tuesday. "My parents came here, Jewish refugees fleeing from the Nazis and, for them, Britain provided sanctuary and a beacon of hope in the fight against fascism.

"At a time when the values of democracy, the rule of law and freedom are under threat as never before, I will carry that spirit, their spirit, into my work as foreign secretary," he said. "And now I’m going to go and get on with the task."

Miliband also pledged to nurture Britain’s "strong, enduring and essential alliance" with the United States while deepening its strategic relationship with the European Union, according to the Financial Times.

His appointment has also raised concerns among some British Jewish and pro-Israel commentators.

Stephen Pollard, a former editor and current columnist for The Jewish Chronicle, argued in an opinion piece published Tuesday that Miliband’s record as Labour leader, including changes to party leadership rules that preceded Jeremy Corbyn’s rise, should concern British Jews and supporters of Israel. Pollard predicted that the Burnham government would pursue additional sanctions against Israel with the support of a Jewish foreign secretary.

The Burnham government had not announced additional sanctions against Israel as of Tuesday.

Conservative Member of Parliament Priti Patel separately criticized Burnham and Miliband over plans to proceed with the Chagos Islands agreement.

"Burnham and Miliband are wrong to press ahead with Labour’s appalling Chagos Surrender," Patel wrote on X, arguing that the agreement would transfer British territory and cost taxpayers £35 billion (approximately $47 billion.)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"Once again, the same old Labour Party is undermining our national security and making Britain weaker on the international stage," she added.

On Monday, President Donald Trump said he spoke with Burnham shortly after he took office, calling the conversation "very good." Trump added that he and Burnham plan to meet in the "not too distant future" to discuss issues of mutual interest.

The White House, State Department, Miliband’s office and Burnham’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.

Fox News' Bonny Chu contributed to this article.

Park visitors face flood danger out West while severe storms rip through NY, NJ

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:05:52 -0400

Life-threatening flash flooding threatened both the East and West coasts Tuesday, as severe storms inundated parts of the Northeast while monsoon rains continued to drench the Southwest — prompting warnings across Utah and Colorado and disrupting travel.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flood watches for parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut on Tuesday, along with tornado watches covering portions of the region through the evening as strong thunderstorms moved through the area.

The NWS also issued a flood watch for much of southern and central Utah, warning of possible flash flooding in Zion National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and parts of Canyonlands.

ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST BEAUTIFUL NATIONAL PARKS NOW FACING DISNEYLAND-LEVEL CROWDS

The weather service warned of "life-threatening flash flooding" and said excessive rainfall over the burn scar could trigger debris flows carrying "rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials."

"Excessive rainfall may result in flooding of slot canyons, normally dry washes, slick rock areas, recent burn scars including Forsyth, France Canyon, Cottonwood, Silver King and Monroe Canyon, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations," the notice said. "Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas."

The National Park Service told Fox News Digital that flash floods can be "unpredictable and deadly, particularly in the West because of the arid environment that cannot rapidly absorb water."

It added, "The National Park Service wants visitors to have a memorable national park experience and get home safely and without injury. Visitor safety is our top priority, and we urge the public to stay aware of changing weather conditions."

As monsoon storms continued Monday, the NWS also issued multiple flash flood warnings across western Colorado, including one that urged residents and visitors to move away from the Turner Gulch burn scar.

Photos released by Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park on Friday show the aftermath of mudslides after heavy monsoon rains triggered flash flooding in the western Colorado park.

More than 20 day-trippers, campers and anglers were temporarily stranded at Gunnison National Park after mudslides blocked East Portal Road, officials added. No injuries were reported.

YELLOWSTONE BISON ATTACK WITNESS BELIEVES MAN SAVED HIS GRANDSON BY TAKING BRUNT OF ATTACK

Campers and hikers on forums dedicated to national parks have also been discussing the dangers of monsoon season in the Southwest.

On a forum dedicated to Zion National Park, one visitor who shared video of heavy rain at the park called it "one of the most beautiful and shocking displays of nature's power" they had ever seen.

Others stressed the dangers of hiking during monsoon season.

"Those flash flood alerts are no joke. We got caught in a slot canyon once and the water rose so freaking fast," one person wrote.

"Yeah, be careful with flash flooding out there when the rain comes," another added.

GRAND CANYON MYSTERY ILLNESS REPORTEDLY TRIGGERS NPS INVESTIGATION AFTER RAFTERS REPORT ALARMING SYMPTOMS

The ongoing flood threat comes after a Utah family's hiking trip turned deadly when flash floodwaters swept through the area.

According to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, the family arrived at the Sunglow Campground area, part of Fishlake National Forest near Bicknell, Utah, on Friday morning before setting out to hike and canyoneer.

Search crews later found the family's bodies after floodwaters swept through the area.

"It is believed the family fell victim to flooding caused by heavy rains," the sheriff’s office said.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

The victims were later identified as Provo Fire Capt. Spencer Long, his wife, Katrina, and their three sons, Reid, Thayne and Gage.

The couple's daughter, who was not on the trip, survived.

The U.S. Forest Service told Fox News Digital that it was "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life resulting from the apparent flash flood near the Sunglow Campground area on the Fishlake National Forest."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS

The safety of visitors and employees remains our highest priority," the agency said.

"We encourage everyone recreating on public lands to monitor current weather forecasts, heed flash flood warnings, and avoid entering narrow canyons, washes, or other flood-prone areas when storms are possible."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The campground sits in a red rock canyon near Capitol Reef National Park and is popular with hikers and canyoneers.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

Trump orders US airlines to resume direct flights to Lebanon after White House meeting with president

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:04:03 -0400

President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced he is directing his administration to allow all U.S. airlines to fly to Lebanon after a White House meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, saying the move will make it easier for Americans to visit the country.

In a Truth Social post after the meeting, Trump praised Aoun for "working to transform his Country" and said he was directing his administration to allow all U.S. airline carriers to "fly directly to Lebanon so that Americans can easily visit this beautiful land."

"After meeting with the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, who has done a remarkable job working to transform his Country, I am hereby directing my Administration to allow all U.S. airline carriers to fly directly to Lebanon so that Americans can easily visit this beautiful land," Trump wrote. "Hopefully, other Countries will do the same. Enjoy!"

IRAN-BACKED PROXIES SABOTAGING LEBANON PEACE AS JD VANCE LEADS US DELEGATION TO SWITZERLAND, HERZOG SAYS

Speaking alongside Aoun in the Oval Office earlier Tuesday, Trump called Lebanon "a country of great intellect" and vowed the U.S. would "help it a lot," while hinting at additional moves beyond his announcement on direct flights.

"We've already solved some of them for Lebanon," Trump said. "As you know, there's a Hezbollah problem. But we've done some things that I think the world will take notice."

The announcement marks another step in the Trump administration's efforts to strengthen ties with Lebanon after months of U.S.-backed diplomacy aimed at reducing Hezbollah's influence and increasing regional stability.

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy took to social media after the president's announcement, writing on X, "You got it, Mr. President."

The announcement comes after months of U.S.-backed diplomacy between Lebanon and Israel as the Trump administration has sought to reduce Hezbollah's influence and bolster regional stability.

ISRAEL–HEZBOLLAH CEASEFIRE BECOMES FIRST TEST OF TRUMP IRAN FRAMEWORK AFTER TALKS DELAY

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the agreement "a severe blow to Iran," while U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described it as a "historic opportunity," adding that disarming Hezbollah remained essential to any lasting peace.

Aoun thanked the Trump administration for helping facilitate negotiations and supporting Lebanon during the talks.

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for additional comment, including on the timeline for implementing the policy.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital's Benjamin Weinthal contributed to this reporting.

Ella Langley joins music royalty with 'insane' milestone for 'Choosin' Texas'

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:00:17 -0400

Ella Langley likely has a smile written on her face.

Her "Choosin' Texas" anthem placed at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, its 14th week at the top, tying a record with two iconic hits.

Langley, 27, called the career milestone "insane" in a post shared on Instagram stories shortly after earning the spot.

ELLA LANGLEY SUFFERS WARDROBE MALFUNCTION WHILE OPENING FOR MORGAN WALLEN IN BALTIMORE

The country ballad first topped the Hot 100 in February and now matches Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" and Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" for most weeks at No. 1 among non-holiday titles by women with no male-billed acts.

In addition, "Choosing Texas" ties Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" for second-longest ranking hit.

Langley broke onto the country music scene nearly a decade ago and released her debut studio album, "Hungover," in 2024.

MORGAN WALLEN AND ELLA LANGLEY HOLD THE TOP TWO ALBUM SPOTS IN AMERICA FOR FIRST HALF OF 2026

The catalog brought her immediate accolades with hits, including "You Look Like You Love Me" and "Weren't for the Wind" both reaching No. 1 on country charts.

Her sophomore release, "Dandelion," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 upon its release in April.

"Choosin' Texas" not only capped the Billboard Hot 100, but recently earned Langley the title of first female artist to simultaneously top the Hot 100, Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts.

MIRANDA LAMBERT DELIVERS STRAIGHT-SHOOTING ADVICE TO RISING COUNTRY STAR IN SURPRISE BATHROOM ENCOUNTER

The "Dandelion" title was inspired by the sturdy plant which is known to withstand challenging environments.

"I learned that dandelion tea is actually a natural detox for the liver," Ella told Billboard ahead of the release. "So, a record called ‘Dandelion’ after a record called hungover made all the sense in the world to me.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

"I’ve never poured more of myself into a project, into a song, into an idea, and it’s fallen out so beautifully. It’s about learning yourself, making mistakes and realizing that it’s all just part of life.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"I want this record to be something that fans can relate to but also something they want to get up and dance to at the same time. To me, this record feels like fireflies in the summertime. It feels like windows down on a red dirt road. It feels like the best kind of Sunday afternoon. It feels like those days I remember as a kid where it felt like there weren’t enough hours in the day. This record is really a love letter to that."

Langley served as executive producer on the album and co-wrote "Choosin' Texas" alongside Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick and JoyBeth Taylor.

Woman attacked by brown bear while hiking with friend and 3 dogs near Alaska state park

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:58:05 -0400

A woman was attacked by a brown bear Saturday while hiking with a friend and three dogs near a state park in Alaska, authorities said.

The woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover, the Anchorage Police Department (APD) said Sunday.

The attack happened late afternoon near the Bear Valley residential neighborhood, adjacent to Chugach State Park in south Anchorage, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) said in a separate statement on Monday.

TERRIFIED HIKERS FACE NIGHTMARE SURVIVAL SCENARIO AFTER HEART-POUNDING GRIZZLY BEAR ENCOUNTER

Officials said the hikers were on an unofficial, user-made trail that climbs a steep hillside in a zigzag pattern. The area was heavily overgrown with dense vegetation, which created poor visibility and increased the risk of surprising wildlife, ADF&G said.

"The bear came out of the dense alders, made brief contact with one of the hikers, and left the scene," ADF&G said.

One of the victim's dogs was also off leash during the encounter and became separated from the group, according to the authorities. Another group of hikers later found the "uninjured dog and brought it back to safety, ultimately returning it to its home," ADF&G said.

HIDDEN DANGER AT POPULAR US NATIONAL PARK FORCES TRAIL CLOSURES AS BEAR SIGHTINGS CLIMB

According to wildlife officials, bears are known to cache and defend food sources this time of year and noted reports that at least one moose had recently been killed nearby.

"High winds and inclement weather conditions at the time of the encounter may have increased the chance that the bear was surprised by the hikers and their dogs, even if they were making noise," ADF&G said.

BEAR ATTACK IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK LEAVES 2 HIKERS INJURED

"There are many private and public trails throughout Anchorage and the surrounding area that are overgrown at this time of year with tall grass and leafed out shrubs, which can greatly increase the chances of surprise encounters with wildlife."

First responders from multiple agencies, including the Anchorage Fire Department, Alaska Wildlife Troopers and Alaska State Troopers, responded.

Upon arrival, police officers reportedly hiked up the trail to locate the injured adult.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Firefighters then carried the injured woman down the trail before transporting her to a hospital.

During the rescue, APD officers deployed a drone and located a brown bear nearby. Officers continued monitoring the bear throughout the rescue, allowing first responders to safely treat and evacuate the injured hiker.

Democratic senator defends party's embrace of far-left candidates in clash with CNBC host

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:57:38 -0400

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., was pressed on the Democratic Party's embrace of socialist candidates during an interview on Tuesday as he clashed with CNBC host Joe Kernen over some left-wing policies being proposed on the campaign trail.

Warner argued that Democrats have failed to adequately deliver on certain issues and argued that socialism has become more popular because of the party's shortcomings.

He said that at least there was an ideological debate happening in the Democratic Party, unlike on the Republican side, and dodged a question about whether he supported far-left Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.

"I have stayed out of all of these races, I'm just not, I'm running myself this year, I'm trying to get re-elected myself in Virginia and that's where my focus is," Warner said.

SOCIALISM’S RISE INSIDE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY NOW THREATENS THE AMERICAN DREAM

"You’re kind of dodging and dancing, weaving. I understand that’s how things work, Senator," Kernen said, before pressing further on the state of the Democratic Party.

"You still haven’t just addressed defunding police, defunding ICE, socialism, capitalism not being the type of system that the economy is based on," he said.

Warner said he believed in a free enterprise system and said that "our modern capitalism ought to be more focused on, you know, long-term investment."

"I think there are ways, and some — you might call it radical, to actually make our capitalism work for more people," he continued. "And I think we got to acknowledge that people like you and I, Joe, get a certain advantage. White guys with right education get a better advantage in our system and to deny that, I just think that shows — I’m not saying you do — but I think that shows a disconnection from reality as well."

El-Sayed called America's political system a "disease" during a speech on Sunday.

MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE ABDUL EL-SAYED DODGES QUESTION ON WHETHER HE STILL SUPPORTS DEFUNDING THE POLICE

Kernen said it was still a huge leap for Democrats to embrace the tenets of socialism.

Warner asked Kernen whether he had ever heard him say that he supported defunding the police, and Kernen said he hadn't but that he also hadn't heard him dismiss candidates who do support it.

"I do not support defunding the police. I do support meaningful reforms on ICE," Warner said.

Warner argued earlier in the discussion that he disagreed with a lot of what the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) had put forward, but that there was a wealth inequality issue that needed to be addressed.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

Warner was also asked about New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani saying his administration was exploring whether the city's authorities could arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Warner criticized Netanyahu but said he was a staunch supporter of Israel.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

"There’s been a lot of leaders that we all have disagreed with that have come to the U.N. that haven’t been subject to, you know, American legal jurisdiction. You know, I candidly have not been following the ins and outs of it," Warner said.

Louisiana woman hospitalized after rope swing mishap on cruise excursion left her with genital trauma

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:55:06 -0400

The older I get, the more I'm out on cruise excursions involving sails or climbing or ropes or slides. Let's stick to the ones where you grab a drink and kick your feet up at the beach or grab something to eat at a restaurant.

A Louisiana woman's story of a Carnival Cruise excursion involving a rope swing in Honduras and the genital trauma it left her with is all the confirmation I need to stick to the least adventurous excursions.

Call me boring if you want, but I'm walking away with zero trauma to my genitals. I get some people feel the need to risk it. I'm not one of them and this drives it home for me.

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

Kirsten Lindsey was on the third day of her first cruise when she suffered what has been described as a catastrophic saddle injury during a rope swing excursion.

According to her boyfriend Blake, reports WFLA, the retrieval line appeared to be improperly connected to the rope and caught her between the legs as she was swinging out over the water.

"The line suddenly tightened between Kirsten’s legs just before she dropped," Blake said.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK CULTURE COVERAGE

What was initially believed to be just a scratch started swelling over the next several hours, causing severe pain and an injury the size of a baseball.

Kirsten ended up in the ship's medical center for more than 12 hours receiving treatment, reports the outlet. The couple had to shell out approximately $4,000 before they were allowed to leave the ship.

That was only the start of their total cost to get the injured woman back to the United States for further treatment. Instead of riding out the rest of the cruise in the ship's medical facility or traveling to a hospital in Mexico, they chose an emergency air evacuation.

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

The cost of that, Blake said, was about $20,000 to leave Costa Maya and another $30,000 to make it back to the U.S. He said of the decision, "We chose the air evacuation because we believed it was the best way to get Kirsten the care she needed."

She made it through hours of delays and finally ended up at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital. There Kirsten had her first of at least two surgeries.

All that from a rope swing excursion. That's not how you want to make memories on your first cruise, but there is a tiny bit of hope that this helps others avoid devastating genital trauma.

The travel essentials you need to pack for every summer trip

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:54:51 -0500

Every trip looks a little different, but a handful of essentials can make almost any vacation easier. Whether you're flying, cruising, hitting the road or heading to the beach, we've rounded up the products worth packing, from AirTags and luggage scales to packing cubes. You'll also find picks tailored to each type of getaway to help you travel smarter this summer.

Editor's Picks: Travel essentials for every trip

Foldable travel tote: $21.78 (34% off)
Mini first-aid kit: $10.98 (25% off)
Packing cubes, set of 6: $18.99 (24% off)
Memory foam travel neck pillow: $23.99 (20% off)
Universal travel adapter: $18.99 (17% off)
Quick-dry towels, pack of 4: $37.99 (16% off)
Hanging toiletry bag: $16.99 (15% off)
Portable digital luggage scale: $8.99 (10% off)
Portable charger: $21.99 (8% off)
Apple AirTag: $27 (7% off)

Summer beach vacation essentials

Gear up for beach days with sand-proof blankets, quick-dry towels and portable fans.

Banana Boat SPF 30 spray: $13.25 (26% off)
Dry bag: $11.39 (24% off)
Waterproof phone pouch: $32.73 (6% off)

Sand-resistant beach blanket: $9.99 (55% off)

Original price: $21.99

Stretch out on this oversized, sand-resistant beach blanket designed to shake clean before you pack up for the day. Fill the corner pockets with sand to help keep it in place on windy days, then fold it into the included water bottle-sized carrying pouch for easy transport.

Handheld mini fan: $12.98 (5% off)

Original price: $13.67

This handheld mini fan is a convenient choice when you're on the go. Recharge it between uses, then use it as a power bank or flashlight. Shop it now for just $13 and stay cool this summer.

Owala FreeSip stainless steel water bottle: $27.99 (20% off)

Original price: $34.99

This Owala water bottle is easy to carry and has a versatile lid that lets you drink from the spout or sip through the straw without tilting your head back. It keeps water cold all day, and the locking lid prevents spills.

Make long flights more comfortable

Wake up at your destination feeling refreshed with neck pillows, compression socks and more.

Tablet stand: $9.98 (23% off)
Neck pillow: $23.99 (20% off)
Eye mask: $13.99 (18% off)

Apple AirPods Pro 3 earbuds: $199.99 (20% off)

Original price: $249.99

These AirPods Pro 3 offer plenty of features, including Active Noise Cancellation and Spatial Audio for an immersive listening experience. They also deliver up to 8 hours of battery life — perfect for international flights.

Compression socks, 3-pack: $9.64 (54% off)

Original price: $20.99

These knee-high socks help you stay comfortable while traveling. They apply gentle pressure to your lower legs, which can help improve circulation and reduce fatigue.

Kindle Paperwhite: $159.99

The Kindle Paperwhite's glare-free display reads like real paper, even in bright sunlight. A single charge lasts for weeks, making it easy to take wherever you go.

Cruise cabin essentials

Bring everything you need for your cruise, from power strips to motion sickness wristbands.

Packing cubes, set of 8: $16.99 (15% off)
Magnetic hooks: $8.99 (10% off)
Cruise lanyards: $13.99

Cruise-approved travel power strip: $16.99 (19% off)

Original price: $20.99

Charge all your devices from a single outlet with this cruise-approved travel power strip. Its non-surge-protected design meets most cruise line requirements, while three AC outlets, two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports let you power up to seven devices at once.

Magnetic door organizer: $18.77 (5% off)

Original price: $19.76

Make the most of your cruise cabin with this magnetic door organizer. The strong magnets keep it securely attached to your cabin's metal walls, while the 15-pocket organizer keeps smaller items within easy reach.

Rechargeable anti-nausea wristband: $119.99

Help manage motion sickness with this drug-free wristband. It's comfortable enough to wear throughout the cruise, so you can spend more time enjoying the ship and less time feeling queasy. The band has five adjustable intensity levels. A single charge lasts for up to 40 hours and its auto shut-off function comes in handy for added safety.

Road trip essentials

Be prepared for anything on the road with jump starters, emergency kits and portable coolers.

Car organizer: $39.99 (24% off)
Portable cooler: $26.76 (24% off)

Car jump starter: $91.21 (9% off)

Original price: $99.95

Pack this portable jump starter for extra peace of mind on road trips. It can jump-start your car without another vehicle. It also doubles as a power bank for charging your phone.

Car trash can: $9.99 (23% off)

Original price: $12.99

Prevent wrappers, receipts and empty bottles from piling up with this budget-friendly car trash can. It hangs neatly behind a seat or in the center console area to keep your car organized throughout your trip.

Power inverter: $24.64 (30% off)

Original price: $34.99

Turn your car into a mobile charging station with this 300-watt power inverter. It plugs into your vehicle's 12V outlet and lets you charge everything from phones and tablets to laptops and other small electronics.

Don't forget these travel essentials

These frequently-forgotten items can make a difference during your trip.

Waterproof drawstring storage bags: $6.39 (20% off)
Laundry bags, 2-pack: $9.99 (17% off)
Charging cables: $7.99 (11% off)

Medication organizer: $5.97 (40% off)

Original price: $9.99

Keep medications and supplements organized on the go with this compact pill case. Quick-access openings on both sides let you grab your medication without digging through the bottom of your bag.

Portable lock box: $17.97 (25% off)

Original price: $23.99

Secure valuables like your phone, wallet, passport and headphones with this portable lock box. The compact safe provides a customizable four-digit combination and fits easily into a suitcase or backpack. A built-in cable port lets you charge devices or listen to music while they're locked inside.

Document bag: $18.99 (37% off)

Original price: $29.99

Protect your passport, travel documents and other valuables with this fireproof and waterproof document bag. It keeps everything organized in one place and adds an extra layer of protection from spills, rain and unexpected accidents while you're on the go.

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

FAQs

What should every traveler pack?

Every traveler should pack a portable charger, AirTag or another luggage tracker, travel-size toiletries and any necessary medications to avoid common travel headaches.

What's worth buying before a vacation?

Packing cubes help maximize suitcase space, a luggage scale can help you avoid overweight baggage fees and an AirTag makes it easier to track checked luggage. Depending on your trip, you might want a travel pillow, portable fan, waterproof phone pouch or beach blanket.

Carry-on vs. checked bag essentials

Pack valuables and anything you'll need during your trip in your carry-on, including medications, electronics, chargers, travel documents, a change of clothes and toiletries that meet TSA's liquid limits. Checked bags are ideal for bulkier items like shoes, full-size toiletries and extra clothing that you won't need until you arrive.

How to pack more in a carry-on

Start by using packing cubes to compress and organize clothing. Roll clothing instead of folding it, wear your bulkiest shoes and jacket while traveling and choose versatile clothing that you can mix and match. Limiting yourself to travel-size toiletries also frees up valuable space.

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

Sharpton offers $50K for Nolan Wells case arrest with lawyer to release autopsy at NAACP

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:49:29 -0400

Rev. Al Sharpton is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the death of Mississippi teenager Nolan Wells as attorney Ben Crump prepares to reveal preliminary findings Wednesday from an independent autopsy that could provide the first public medical insight into the 18-year-old's mysterious death.

Crump is expected to announce the findings during a news conference at the 117th NAACP National Convention in Chicago, where he will appear alongside Wells' parents, Christine and Elmore Wonsley. The family's legal team plans to release the first public findings from the independent examination.

The announcement comes days after the NAACP adopted a resolution urging local, state and federal authorities, including the U.S. Department of Justice, to conduct what it described as an in-depth and transparent investigation into Wells' death.

SEARCH CALLED OFF AFTER BODY MATCHING MISSING TEEN NOLAN WELLS FOUND OFF MISSISSIPPI COAST

The renewed attention comes as TMZ released previously unseen video it said was recorded during the July 4 gathering on Horn Island. The footage pans across dozens of boats and people in the water before briefly focusing on an individual TMZ identified as Wells, though Fox News Digital has not independently verified the video's authenticity, when it was recorded or the identity of the person shown.

Wells disappeared July 4 after traveling by boat with friends to Horn Island, a barrier island off Mississippi's Gulf Coast, to celebrate Independence Day. Search crews spent two days looking for the teenager before a National Park Service ranger found his body near the island's northwestern tip on July 6. Authorities have not announced a cause or manner of death, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The official autopsy has not yet been released, making Wednesday's announcement the first independent medical findings expected to be shared publicly.

SEARCH CALLED OFF AFTER BODY MATCHING MISSING TEEN NOLAN WELLS FOUND OFF MISSISSIPPI COAST

The case has drawn growing national attention, with prominent civil rights leaders and public figures rallying behind Wells' family, including Crump, Sharpton, former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and filmmaker Tyler Perry.

FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X

Along with Crump, Sharpton has repeatedly called for a thorough investigation, though he has cautioned against drawing premature conclusions.

SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS

"We cannot say it was racist, but we cannot say it was not racist," Sharpton said during Wells' funeral. "So let's not judge either way until all the evidence is in."

LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Sharpton also questioned why Wells' cellphone and keys were found with his friends, why they did not immediately contact law enforcement after realizing he was missing and why local officials appeared quick to dismiss the possibility of foul play.

GOT A TIP?

During Wells' funeral Monday, Sharpton announced a $50,000 reward through the National Action Network for information leading to an arrest and conviction, saying someone at the July 4 gathering knows what happened.

"He was not on that island by himself," Sharpton said. "Somebody saw something and knows something. So I didn't come to make money. I came to give money. Stand up and tell the truth."

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

The Associated Press reported that Perry later pledged to help fund the reward in addition to paying for Wells' funeral. Crump has also said the local prosecutor agreed to present the completed investigation to a grand jury once it is finished and that the family was still awaiting the results of the independent autopsy following Monday's funeral.

GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL

As the family continues pressing for answers, Fox News Digital has filed public records requests with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources' Marine Patrol seeking 911 calls, dispatch records, body-camera footage, incident reports, radio communications, vessel logs and other records related to the response to Wells' disappearance and death.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital has also reached out to Crump's office and the National Action Network for additional information regarding Wednesday's announcement and the reward.

RFK Jr says source of cyclospora outbreak identified, declares parasite outbreak 'under control'

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:39:49 -0400

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Tuesday that federal officials have brought the multistate cyclospora outbreak "under control," saying investigators have identified the source of the illnesses and implemented recalls, even as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues investigating the precise source of the contamination.

"We do have the outbreak under control," Kennedy said during a healthcare fraud briefing Tuesday. "We have done extensive forensics, epidemiological forensics and we have identified the source of the outbreak. We, and the companies that are involved, have implemented a recall."

Kennedy's comments came two days after the FDA said an earlier laboratory result indicating a Taylor Farms lettuce sample tested positive for cyclospora should be considered a false positive following an additional laboratory review.

The FDA said it continues investigating the outbreak and collecting product samples. While traceback investigators identified Taylor Farms de Mexico as the supplier of shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants linked to the outbreak, the agency said no product samples connected to the investigation have produced a confirmed positive result for the parasite.

WHITE HOUSE ADDRESSES GROWING PARASITE OUTBREAK AFTER MORE THAN 400 AMERICANS SICKENED

Taylor Fresh Foods said the FDA informed the company the initial laboratory finding was incorrect and that it voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on July 17, after investigators linked the product to Taco Bell locations where many sick people reported eating before becoming ill.

The company said the recall was limited to iceberg lettuce grown and processed in central Mexico and did not include Taylor Farms-branded salad products sold at retail.

The outbreak has sickened 1,644 people and hospitalized 94 across Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Federal investigators continue working to determine the contaminated food responsible for the illnesses.

Cyclospora infections have historically been linked to fresh produce, including leafy greens, herbs and berries, though officials have not confirmed a contaminated product through laboratory testing in this investigation.

DOCTORS WARN YOUR 'STOMACH BUG' MAY ACTUALLY BE A PARASITE THAT'S HARDER TO DETECT

Cyclospora is a parasite that can cause prolonged diarrhea, stomach cramps, fatigue and nausea. Some patients require hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kennedy also rejected criticism of the administration's response after a reporter asked whether cuts to the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, known as FoodNet, affected the government's ability to investigate the outbreak.

"We did cuts in the FoodNet program, but they were for redundant surveillance, and all the states will tell you that we're still doing forensics," Kennedy said.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

He added that surveillance efforts continue nationwide and called criticism of the administration's response "invalid."

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is turning to AI to help deliver new messaging: report

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:31:41 -0400

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is the latest to get in on AI.

Sirianni, 45, is heading into his sixth season as coach of the Eagles and is looking for ways to keep his message fresh. So, the Super Bowl-winning coach turned to ChatGPT, even if he doesn’t know what all the letters stand for.

"We’ve created stories, things that people are looking up on ChatGP — fill me in on the letters," Sirianni said in June during a roundtable interview, according to The Athletic.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGEON FOXNEWS.COM

"What keeps it more fresh than what we’ve done?"

Sirianni and the Eagles’ mantra is "tough, detailed, together," but the head coach wants to find new ways to deliver messages that drum up inspiration.

So, his prompt?

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

"Give me a great relentless effort true sports story," Sirianni wrote into the AI chatbot, according to The Athletic.

Sirianni then learned about an Arizona State wrestler born with one leg, Anthony Robles, who won a national championship in 2011. He planned to tell Robles’ story to the team as a way to reinforce the same message through a different story.

Whatever the message Sirianni decides on, it needs to be the right one. Despite winning the Super Bowl in 2024, the Eagles disappointed the following year, losing in the wild-card round while making many headlines throughout the season for their disconnect.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

While a Super Bowl win may give most coaches more cushion in other cities, Philadelphia operates differently. Doug Pederson was fired three years after leading the Eagles to their first Super Bowl title in the 2017-18 season.

A slow start for Sirianni could lead to him being on the hot seat in the fall.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

WATCH: Smithsonian history museum director stumbles over basic questions on sex: ‘I’m not sure’

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:22:16 -0400

Smithsonian National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig appeared stumped by a basic question on sex and gender from Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.

During a House hearing on alleged "extreme political activism" on display at the Smithsonian, Mace asked Hartig, "Do you believe that men can become women?"

Hartig hesitated before answering, "Ma'am, as the director of the museum, that's not relevant in this case."

"It's very relevant," Mace shot back. Motioning to images of Smithsonian displays featuring drag queens, Mace continued, "You've got men dressed up as women, and you have them on displays in front of kids. Do you think men can become women? Yes or no?"

DISCRIMINATORY 'SHADOW' REVIEW PROCESS LOCKS WHITE, ASIAN STUDENTS OUT OF CALIFORNIA MED SCHOOL, DOJ ALLEGES

Hartig did not answer the question but instead began to discuss one of the drag queen displays pictured on the board behind Mace. The congresswoman interrupted her.

"What is a woman, Dr. Hartig?" Mace demanded.

Hartig began to answer that "as a director and as a historian, it's not my-" before Mace cut her off again, saying, "You sexualized the American History Museum. So, this is a fair question. What is a woman?"

Looking down for a moment, Hartig responded, "We strive to represent and not categorize all Americans."

"OK, I have another question for you," Mace continued. "There's a glossary at the museum that informs visitors that while American culture traditionally recognizes two genders, other countries recognize three or more."

"So, enlighten me this morning: how many genders are there?" Mace asked.

Hartig hesitated again before asking, "Ma’am, which glossary?"

"This is a display, and it has a glossary that says other countries recognize three or more genders. So, I would like you to enlighten me today; you're the director of the American History Museum, who's sexualized things in front of kids. I want to know, I want to ask you, how many genders are there?"

Finally, Hartig responded, "I'm not sure which glossary you're speaking," before adding, "I’m happy to get back to you about that glossary."

ANTI-ICE WALKOUT EXPOSES HOW SCHOOL DISTRICT 'FAILED' PARENTS, RISKED STUDENT SAFETY: 'BROKEN MY TRUST'

Mace pressed further, saying, "One of your exhibits at the American History Museum says sometimes gender isn't revealed at birth. So, when is gender revealed?"

"When was your gender revealed to you, Dr. Hartig?" she added.

Smiling, Hartig simply answered, "I don't really think that's relevant to the conversation."

"It is relevant. You have a display at the American History Museum talking about, ‘Gender isn't always revealed at birth.’ So, when was your gender revealed?" insisted Mace.

Hartig began to answer by saying, "So, since I am a Ph.D.-" before Mace yielded the floor back to the committee chair.

Earlier this month, a sweeping new White House report concluded that the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History has become a taxpayer-backed institution of "ideological capture" and "extreme political activism."

According to the 162-page "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" report, delivered on July 4, 2026, the museum treats the American story as a political tool rather than a shared national inheritance.

"The report concludes that the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Museum of American History in particular, under its current leadership and current interpretive ideology, cannot be trusted to tell America's story honestly and in a way that is inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic," the White House Domestic Policy Council wrote in its July 4 report following up on President Donald Trump’s March 27 executive order. "By the intention and at the direction of current Museum and Smithsonian leadership, NMAH has become subject to institutional capture by a radical, activist ideology that is fundamentally opposed to telling the noble, honest story of the great country we know and love."

FAR-LEFT ACTIVIST CONFERENCE AT TEACHERS UNION HQ RAISES CLASSROOM CONCERNS

"At the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, visitors young and old should encounter the story of the United States told with honesty, seriousness, and pride," the report's executive summary began. "In particular, it should help the American people understand where America came from, what makes it distinctive, and why it is worth preserving."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Hartig said in her opening statement that "the Smithsonian takes the concerns raised in the White House Domestic Policy Council's report seriously, and as we continue to fact-check the report, we unwaveringly attest that it does not fairly or accurately characterize the full body of work at the museum."

SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER

She asserted that "the museum does not take sides in America's political debates," but instead, "We preserve and document the evidence of American life in all of its breadth, so that the public can encounter the past and draw their own conclusions."

"There is always room for improvement, but I also know the beauty and the inspiration and the expertise that lies in our collections, our exhibits, and our programming," said Hartig.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Smithsonian Institution for additional comment.

Fox News Digital’s Eric Mack contributed to this report.