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A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart put Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty on brink of series sweeps

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:01:00 -0400

The WNBA Playoffs are upon us, and all eight teams played on Sunday. Instead of sending all of them back tonight, we have two games and four teams taking the court. I am going to share a play in both games. I know that the WNBA has a lot wrong with it, but I feel like the opening round being just a best-of-three is a bit rough (I feel the same about the MLB). Playoffs should be at least five games, and with these matchups, I want as many as I can get.

Aces vs. Fever

The Las Vegas Aces are defending champions and still turned in one of the better regular seasons this year. They have the best player on the planet, A'ja Wilson. They hosted the Fever in Game 1 and beat them by 17 points. It was an ugly game for Indiana, but it was a very impressive performance from Las Vegas. The Fever had no answer for Wilson, who poured in 38 points and hauled in 16 rebounds. She did it on an incredibly efficient 15-for-19 shooting as well.

WNBA PLAYOFFS PREVIEW: WHY THE FEVER AT +145 COULD BE THE BEST BET AGAINST DEFENDING CHAMPION ACES

The starting lineup for the Fever just couldn't get much going. Caitlin Clark had 15 points, but wasn't overly efficient from the field, and she didn't even get to the free-throw line. She chipped in 10 assists, but also had six turnovers. Single-season scoring leader Kelsey Mitchell had 12 points, but she was just 4-for-16 from the field. If the Fever want to stay alive, they need to double Wilson and make someone else beat them, and they need to be much more efficient on offense. I think the right play here is to take the Aces at -102 on the moneyline. I just don't think the Fever have enough answers for the Aces, even though I picked them to win the series.

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Lynx vs. Liberty

Stealing a road game is almost always a requirement for teams looking to win a series. Getting a road victory is definitely a requirement for anyone who is an underdog in a series. The New York Liberty are the 8th seed, but as I mentioned in my preview of the series, the Liberty were picked preseason as the favorite to win the WNBA Championship. Now they are one game away from ending the season of the best team in the league (at least via regular-season record).

Game 1 went to the Liberty, even though they won the game on the road. It wasn't just a win; it was kind of a blowout, with the Lynx losing by 16. Breanna Stewart showed why she is one of the best in basketball and poured in 34 points. The Lynx didn't get much from their two best players, Napheesa Collier and Olivia Miles. They combined for just 23 points and 9-for-26 shooting. With their backs against the wall, I think the Lynx will get the win, but I do think it could be a very close game. The Lynx are 18-4 on the road this season so winning on the road shouldn't be new to them. I expect defense to be key for Minnesota tonight. Give me the under 173.5.

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Cam Schlittler and Payton Tolle set up a potential pitching masterclass as MLB playoffs open at Yankee Stadium

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:54:30 -0400

As a fan, I'm bummed that football is over until Thursday, but as a sports bettor, I'm happy to see it go after a brutal NFL week. Rather than focus on the bad, let's look toward the good things happening today.

We have the MLB playoffs starting today, the NHL has its regular season beginning, and the WNBA has more playoff games. It will be a great day, and it starts early with the Phillies and Braves playing at 2 p.m. ET. However, I have my eyes set on the game between the Red Sox and Yankees, starting at 8 p.m. ET.

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The Boston Red Sox found a way to make it to the postseason after a disastrous start to the season. They were just 9-17 on Friday, April 24, and that was their fourth straight loss, all to AL East opponents. They ended up firing their manager, but things really didn't improve all that much. They were 29-43 around the middle of June. Then, almost like a light switch, they found a way to start winning.

From June 25 until the end of the season, the team went 55-29. Over the course of a full 162-game season, that would give them almost 110 wins. It was one of the best runs in their history.

Now they have the tough task of making it worthwhile against the Yankees. In order to try to get the first game of the series, they are sending out Payton Tolle. For the season, Tolle went 9-6 with a 3.03 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He isn't one of the more well-known arms in the rotation, but he did turn in a solid performance. He was better on the road than he was at home with a 2.50 road ERA and a .202 opposing batting average. He was also spectacular against the Yankees this season, going 13.0 innings in two starts and allowing just four hits and one earned run while striking out 18 hitters.

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The Yankees didn't have any super hot streaks. Instead, they used a consistently successful approach this year, and even weathered the storm when there were injuries. The Yankees ended the year with a 93-68 record, and they were 12 games above average at home. This season saw the Yankees have success without Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton for a large portion of the year. They got great performances from guys like Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger instead. Rice led the team in homers and RBIs, turning in the best performance of his career.

Speaking of guys who turned in the best performance of their career, Cam Schlittler is likely to be the American League Cy Young winner. Schlittler went 14-6 with a 1.95 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP for the year. He was dominant in every facet of the pitching game. However, if you were going to get to Schlittler, it was probably at Yankee Stadium instead of on the road.

He had 16 starts, one fewer than on the road, and had a 2.98 ERA at home, allowing 28 earned runs over 84.2 innings. For reference, he allowed 14 earned runs over 109 innings on the road.

Schlittler was also great against the Red Sox this season, holding them to just two solo homers in 24.1 innings against him this season. That's good for a 0.74 ERA in four starts. With both of these pitchers, we can see how good they've been all season, but especially against their opponent. We will see what happens and if they can keep this going in the postseason. I personally believe we can and see this game going under 6.5 runs.

I think this is likely to be a low-scoring game, but I don't have much confidence in either side. Give me the under 6.5.

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Men who claim they experienced hell reveal terrifying encounters with demons and the afterlife

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:39:52 -0400

Three men who say they visited hell are sharing chilling accounts of what they believe they encountered, sitting down with Fox News host Sean Hannity to describe their terrifying experiences with the afterlife.

"I had no idea how I got there, why. Nothing was explained until the way back," said Bill Wiese, author of "23 Minutes in Hell," on Tuesday's episode of the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast.

"But I was in this actual dungeon, and there were demons in this cell, reptilish in appearance, bumps and scales all over the one's body, huge jaw, sunken in eyes, claws about a foot long. And these particular two are about 12 or 13 feet tall," he recalled.

COLTON BURPO DESCRIBES MEETING JESUS AND HEARING ANGELS SING DURING NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE

Wiese joined pilot Jim Woodford, author of "Heaven, an Unexpected Journey," and former Buddhist monk Steve Kang, now a pastor and author of "Eight Hours in Hell," for an exclusive conversation with Hannity about their accounts of the afterlife.

Wiese said he experienced a vision.

"I got up at three o'clock in the morning to get a glass of water and, suddenly, I was pulled out of my body... and I found myself falling through the air down this long tunnel, and I was getting hotter and hotter, and I landed on an actual stone floor in a prison cell in hell... a dungeon..." he said.

"I never asked for this. I've never gone to dark movies. I have never drank. I've never taken drugs, and I had never had a vision before."

After the experience, Wiese said he consulted Scripture, eager to learn whether it described what he said he had seen.

FATHER CARLOS MARTINS RECOUNTS CHILLING EXORCISM, CLAIMS WOMAN MOVED OBJECTS WITHOUT TOUCHING THEM

"It doesn't matter if people believe my experience. I'm just a signpost to point them to the scriptures and by those be persuaded," he said.

"There's 132 verses in the Bible about hell. Jesus mentioned hell [in] 46 different verses, and because it's a message of warning. He's letting people know there really is a hell, and it's far worse than our minds can even conceive."

Woodford said his experience began after he took more than the prescribed amount of pain medication he was using to manage severe pain from Guillain-Barré syndrome. He said his previous ambivalence toward faith changed dramatically.

Woodford said he believed he was dying inside his truck one evening and called out for God's forgiveness, which he later credited with helping lead to his survival.

Woodford recalled being above his truck and traveling through what he described as a tunnel of light before arriving at a place of extraordinary beauty.

He said he then approached a chasm where he encountered a towering creature that appeared to emerge from what he believed was hell.

"It knew me," Woodford said of an alleged demon. "It said my name. ‘Jim, Jim, this is your time with us. Come to us, Jim. We have been waiting.’"

Terrified, Woodford said he cried out three words: "God help me."

SITE WHERE JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED AND BURIED REVEALS NEW EVIDENCE THAT BACKS BIBLICAL ACCOUNT

Woodford said Jesus spoke to him and told him to "go back" before he eventually regained consciousness in a hospital.

Kang's story was different still.

The former Buddhist monk was 19 when, after using marijuana that he said was laced with heroin, cocaine and PCP, he attempted suicide and underwent an eight-hour operation. Kang said he experienced what felt like an eternity in hell.

"Anything is better on earth," Kang said. "Any suffering on earth is better than the pain I felt in hell."

Kang said he awoke after the ordeal surrounded by Christian prayer warriors who had come to pray for him. He later converted to Christianity, became a pastor and said he has devoted his life to sharing his faith.

Though Wiese, Woodford and Kang described different circumstances surrounding their experiences, all three said they came away believing they had been given another chance at life for a reason and felt a responsibility to tell others about what they believe lies beyond.

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"Hannity" fans can watch or listen to the Fox News host's full conversation with Wiese, Woodford and Kang on iHeartRadio, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever they get their podcasts.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Underdog Promo Code FOXNEWS: Get a $1k Deposit Match in Time for the MLB Wild Card Series

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:25:27 -0400

The Wild Card round of the MLB Playoffs is here, and we have some excellent matchups for us to enjoy! Underdog has an offer for new users to enjoy as well, with up to a $1,000 deposit match using promo code FOXNEWS.

Each team has at least one key to winning their series. One player doesn’t normally carry a team, but we’ve picked out at least one player (and a manager) to watch in each series and see what happens in the Wild Card round.

Philadelphia Phillies: Kyle Schwarber is the engine that makes the Phillies offense run. He has been spectacular for them, batting .232 with 45 homers and 97 RBIs this season. If he can connect for a homer against the Braves, it could be the difference-maker.

Atlanta Braves: Chris Sale is the primary option in the rotation, a Cy Young-caliber pitcher, and if he throws the way he needs to, it could give them the start they need in the series.

Chicago White Sox: Munetaka Murakami has been the power behind the White Sox lineup this season. If he can have a great series against the Astros, the White Sox could pull this out.

Houston Astros: Yordan Alvarez is going to be a finalist or the winner of the MVP award in the American League. He is the heartbeat of this offense; the question is if he will even see any pitches to hit in this series.

Boston Red Sox: Sonny Gray has been the best pitcher in the rotation this season, and he will need to be elite in his start for them if the Red Sox want a chance to win the series.

New York Yankees: Ben Rice has carried the Yankees offense all season. With the pitching getting more difficult moving forward, can he still do it?

Chicago Cubs: Craig Counsell was paid a lot of money to manage this team and situations like this. His pitching staff is full of guys who are hard to trust right now. How he navigates a tough Padres lineup will make the difference.

San Diego Padres: Manny Machado’s turnaround helped spark the Padres' success in the second half. If he can keep it going, the Padres could find themselves in the Division Series.

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Odds for Phillies vs Braves

*Odds are subject to change*

Odds for White Sox vs Astros

*Odds are subject to change*

Odds for Red Sox vs Yankees

*Odds are subject to change*

Odds for Cubs vs Padres

*Odds are subject to change*

Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code FOXNEWSDYW: Get 10x 100% Profit Boosts for the MLB Wild Card Series

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:21:59 -0400

With four games on the board, it can be hard to pick just one to wager on for the opening day of the MLB Playoffs. Thanks to Caesars Sportsbook, they are offering you a chance to get ten Double Your Winnings profit boost wagers for the games if you use promo code FOXNEWSDYW.

We will soon have the answer to the future trivia question of "Who won the 2026 MLB World Series?", but before we get there, each of these teams has questions to answer. Below is a question that faces each of these first eight teams as they fight to hoist the trophy.

Philadelphia Phillies: Can they be the team that was dominating in the middle of the season, or are they going to be the one that has struggled the past few weeks?

Atlanta Braves: Do they have enough pitching to navigate the playoffs outside of Chris Sale?

White Sox: They are young, naive, and playing with house money; do they have calm enough nerves to make a great season last a bit longer?

Houston Astros: Will anyone outside of Yordan Alvarez be able to make a difference for the Astros, specifically on the mound?

Boston Red Sox: Will baseball’s hottest team be able to knock out their arch rival in one of the most intriguing matchups of the postseason?

New York Yankees: Can they survive the series without Aaron Judge, and is their pitching enough to carry them to the next round?

Chicago Cubs: Do they have enough pitching to support their offense, and if they do, can their pitchers keep the ball in the yard?

San Diego Padres: Can one of the hottest teams in baseball keep it going for yet another series and slow down the Chicago offense?

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How to Watch Phillies vs Braves

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at 2:00 ET
Where: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
TV/Streaming: NBC

How to Watch White Sox vs Astros

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at 5:00 ET
Where: Daikin Park, Houston, Texas
TV/Streaming: NBC Sports/Peacock

How to Watch Red Sox vs Yankees

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at 8:00 ET
Where: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
TV/Streaming: NBC

How to Watch Cubs vs Padres

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at 10:00 ET
Where: Petco Park, San Diego, California
TV/Streaming: Peacock/NBC Sports Network

Fanatics Sportsbook Promo Code FOXNEWS350 Unlocks Bet $20, Get $350 on Your Favorite MLB Game

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:19:48 -0400

Today marks the start of 12 teams searching for postseason glory. Four of them have byes but the other 12 are in action. You can join the action with a bet on any of the games at Fanatics Sportsbook, and they are offering $350 in bonus cash when using promo code FOXNEWS350 and a $20 wager.

With four different options, it is worth exploring every game that is on today. The action starts with the Phillies headed to Atlanta to take on the Braves. These two faced each other 13 times during the regular season, and the Braves were the clear victor, beating the Phillies nine times. They positioned themselves well with Chris Sale taking the hill to open the series.

The White Sox and Astros are up next in Houston. It wasn’t an easy path for either of these teams. Chicago came into this season with low expectations and a couple of years of struggle. They were almost able to win the division before a late-season stumble. The Astros won the division over the Rangers to get into the playoffs.

Next up is perhaps the marquee game: Red Sox vs. Yankees. Boston comes in winning 55 of their past 80 games and dominating the second half of the season. The Yankees were dealt some tough luck with Aaron Judge coming back and getting hurt, but they are used to playing without him. This might be the best series of the opening round.

The final spot is saved for the West Coast game where the Padres host the Cubs. The Padres grabbed the top Wild Card spot. For much of the first half of the year. At the All-Star Break, the team was 48-48. They went 43-23 over their final 66 games to take the top spot in the Wild Card race.

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How to Watch Phillies vs Braves

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at 2:00 ET
Where: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
TV/Streaming: NBC

How to Watch White Sox vs Astros

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at 5:00 ET
Where: Daikin Park, Houston, Texas
TV/Streaming: NBC Sports/Peacock

How to Watch Red Sox vs Yankees

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at 8:00 ET
Where: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
TV/Streaming: NBC

How to Watch Cubs vs Padres

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at 10:00 ET
Where: Petco Park, San Diego, California
TV/Streaming: Peacock/NBC Sports Network

Aaron Judge, the Yankees rotation and four playoff series worth watching and wagering on this week

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:19:04 -0400

There are as many as 22 games remaining if a team goes to the World Series, and the distance in every series, to end the 2026 season.

If you don't tune into playoff baseball, you're missing out. A lot of people, myself included, praise the NHL for having a great postseason, but baseball might be just as good. There are more pitching decisions and matchups, and the importance of every pitch is magnified. We have four series starting today and I think we can put some wagers on the full games.

White Sox vs. Astros

This might be the poster year for why baseball should change the postseason format. We have the Astros barely making the playoffs with a .500 record, and they get to host a series, while the White Sox, who finished three games ahead of the Astros, have to travel to Houston to play them. The Astros have the experience and a potential MVP in Yordan Alvarez. Their offense is almost certainly better than the White Sox. In terms of pitching matchups, I think it is fairly close. This will come down to whichever team is less likely to make a mistake. The Astros are 5-2 against the White Sox this year. I think the White Sox, even with their inexperience, are in a better spot to win the series. The Astros have shown they are an average team all year long. I like the White Sox to win, and I like this series to go 3 games.

PHILLIES AVOID COLLAPSE, ASTROS SNEAK IN AS MLB POSTSEASON IS SET

Yankees vs. Red Sox

Another chapter in the storied histories of these two clubs. The Red Sox have been one of the hottest teams in baseball for the past few months. The Yankees have been consistent all season. Offensively, the series may hinge on how well Ben Rice will do. Aaron Judge is unlikely to play in the series, but New York has played well without him. The Red Sox seem to have a bit more of a balanced offense. I think the pitching edge comes on the Yankees side. They have the likely Cy Young winner going in Game 1, then they can send out Max Fried, and finally Gerrit Cole for their three starters. The Red Sox have a team ERA about the same as the Yankees, but Sonny Gray is really the only guy I consistently trust. I like the Yankees, but I won't personally play the -170 on them.

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Braves vs. Phillies

The Atlanta Braves host the Philadelphia Phillies, and this is a very similar series to the Yankees and Red Sox. The Braves were consistent all year, and the Phillies showed stretches of being great and others where they were a little less impressive. Philadelphia has the rotation, but because of how this season went for them, I would guess they have to start Jesus Luzardo first, but he pitched in relief yesterday. Ideally, they send Christopher Sanchez, then Zack Wheeler, and then Luzardo if needed.

Because they needed to fight for their spot until the last day of the season, it likely won't line up that way. The Braves only really have Chris Sale and should win the first game. I just don't know if they will close out the series. I'd lean to them since they have home-field advantage and likely will take the opener. I really need to see how the Philadelphia rotation aligns before wagering on it.

Padres vs. Cubs

I'm taking the Padres, and I'm taking over 2.5 games in this one. Simply put, the Cubs don't have the pitching staff to advance. Their starters have been rocked all year and continue to give up long ball after long ball. The offense has carried them, but as pitching gets tougher, it will be harder for them to score and be successful. Their defense could make a difference, but I just don't see it happening. The Padres have the better rotation, a lockdown closer, and have been playing great baseball over the past few months. I'm a Cubs fan, but I don't see it happening for them. Give me the Padres and a three-game series.

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Trans NYT Games executive killed after accusing in-laws of years of abuse amid bitter custody battle

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:16:09 -0400

A transgender New York Times Games executive allegedly shot and killed by his wife's parents in Dublin, California, had accused them of years of abuse during a bitter custody and divorce battle, according to reports.

Jonathan McKinsey, 40, was fatally shot Saturday outside the Dublin Sports Grounds before police quickly arrested his parents-in-law, Shouyong Zhang, 77, and Shili Chen, 77, on suspicion of murder. Investigators have not said what led to the shooting.

The Mercury News, citing McKinsey's December 2025 petition for a domestic violence restraining order, reported that he alleged years of abuse by his estranged wife, Candice Jang, and her parents. The New York Times separately reported McKinsey, a transgender man, claimed the abuse stemmed from his gender identity.

IN-LAWS ARRESTED AFTER NEW YORK TIMES GAMES ENGINEERING DIRECTOR FOUND FATALLY SHOT

The newspapers reported McKinsey alleged Chen directed anti-LGBTQ slurs at him and one of the couple's children. He also claimed Jang mistreated him during medical procedures related to his gender transition and alleged his father-in-law hit him in the chest while he was recovering from double mastectomy surgery.

Fox News Digital reviewed court dockets showing McKinsey and Jang were involved in multiple legal proceedings at the time of his death, including competing domestic violence restraining order cases, an ongoing child custody dispute and a pending divorce.

WOMAN LINKED TO TRANSGENDER ZIZIAN CULT CHARGED WITH ARRANGING HER PARENTS' MURDERS ON HER 30TH BIRTHDAY

The dockets show Jang sought a domestic violence restraining order against McKinsey in October 2025, and McKinsey filed his own request two months later. The domestic violence matters were ultimately scheduled for a three-day hearing in December.

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Separate court dockets show McKinsey faced a pending misdemeanor child abuse case filed in October 2025 charging him with child endangerment and corporal injury to a child. A pretrial hearing had been scheduled earlier this month.

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The Mercury News also reported Jang made competing allegations against McKinsey during the family court proceedings, accusing him of domestic violence and child abuse. McKinsey disputed those claims in his own petition, the newspaper reported.

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Police have released few details about what led to Saturday's shooting, saying only that McKinsey was deliberately targeted.

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A Dublin Police Services sergeant driving near the sports complex spotted McKinsey lying in the parking lot shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday, prompting an immediate response from officers and paramedics.

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With help from witnesses, officers detained Zhang and Chen within minutes. Police said the married couple remained near the scene after the shooting.

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Both were booked into Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of murder. Jail records show prosecutors also recommended charges of conspiracy, willful discharge of a firearm and child abuse.

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The investigation remains ongoing. Zhang and Chen are scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday morning in Alameda County.

It was not immediately clear if the defendants had attorneys representing them. Jang could not immediately be reached for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Sophia Compton contributed to this report.

Fanatics Sportsbook Promo Code FOXNEWS350: Bet $20, Get $350 on Game 1 of Braves vs Phillies

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:15:24 -0400

We’ve reached the MLB Playoffs, the time when every pitch matters, every at-bat gets tighter, and every game is more exciting. Speaking of exciting, take advantage of the Fanatics Sportsbook offer of FOXNEWS350 for $350 in bonus bets when placing a $20 wager on the Braves vs. Phillies game.

The Atlanta Braves went 94-68 during the season and were an impressive 52-29 in their home games. After a down season last year, the team rebounded well and took the National League East. This was almost a coast-to-coast win of the division for the season, with the Braves leading for the majority of the year.

The Braves are sending out Chris Sale to the mound. He won’t win the Cy Young award this year, but he turned in another Cy Young-level performance with a 2.16 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP with 200 strikeouts. His numbers are all top-11 or better in the Majors.

The Philadelphia Phillies went 88-74 to sneak into the postseason, but they needed to win on their final day to get in. It was a rough end to what was a very up-and-down season. The Phillies started the year struggling, then fired their manager and finally woke up, becoming one of the hottest teams in baseball.

A few weeks ago, they were atop the Wild Card race, but after losing six of eight before their final game of the season, they were in jeopardy of missing the postseason altogether. Luckily for them, they won the last game and got into the postseason.

Do you choose the team that got the desperation win when needed, or the team that has been consistent all year? There is a case to be made for both, but either way, Fanatics is offering you a chance to get $350 when you wager $20 on Game 1 using promo code FOXNEWS350.

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Create a new account and complete account registration, KYC and exchange account verification.
Once your account is verified, deposit at least $20 into your account.
Use promo code FOXNEWS350
Place a $20 wager on tonight’s game
Receive $350 in FanCash after your wager is graded.

How to Watch Phillies vs Braves

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at 2:00 ET
Where: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
TV/Streaming: NBC

Odds for Phillies vs Braves

*Odds are subject to change*

Reporters caught on hot mic gossiping about how annoying but attractive Ben Simmons and Zach LaVine are

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:13:05 -0400

The Sacramento Kings hosted an official media day on Monday and the big takeaways for at least a few reporters in attendance were that Ben Simmons and Zach LaVine are both "cringe" individuals, but also "hella fine."

A number of local affiliates livestreamed the Kings' media availability on Monday, but it was NBC's KCRA that captured a hot-mic moment that has taken over social media.

Instead of the live stream being cut, or at the very least muted between players talking to reporters, KCRA's rolled on, and two female reporters in attendance were caught making quite the admissions about LaVine and Simmons.

SOCIAL MEDIA ERUPTS OVER NEW BROADCASTING GUIDELINES THAT DISCOURAGE 'SEXUALIZED' SHOTS OF FEMALE ATHLETES

As one of the reporters explained that she was working on transcribing Simmons' earlier interview, she was heard saying he was "cringe cringe," before another woman responded, "you lucky you so fine."

"He’s a good-looking dude," the first reporter said before the second agreed by stating, "hella fine."

"I didn’t notice, his skin is like so smooth," the first reporter continued. "I was like, ‘damn, no tattoos?"

The attention later turned from Simmons to LaVine when a male reporter asked, "What about Zach LaVine?" to which one of the females responded, saying he was "hella fine" as well.

The other female reporter made it clear that she wasn't a fan of LaVine's persona.

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"I think his personality annoys the sh-t out of me," she said. "Zach’s cute but his personality f–king annoys me. It just seems he’s like he’s hella like a prick."

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LaVine is entering what will be his third season in Sacramento after leading the Kings in scoring a year ago, averaging 19.2 points per game, but he managed to appear in only 39 games after suffering a hand injury that required season-ending surgery in February.

As for Simmons, he signed a one-year deal with the Kings in early September after going unsigned for the entirety of the 2025-26 NBA season. He last played in an NBA game in April 2025 with the Los Angeles Clippers.

FBI strikes back at hacking group with overseas arrest of alleged leader

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:23:22 -0400

An alleged leader of the notorious global hacking syndicate ShinyHunters has been arrested in the Netherlands following a joint operation between the FBI and Dutch authorities, targeting a cybercrime network linked to high-profile attacks across the U.S. and worldwide.

Dutch police announced the arrest of a 24-year-old Amsterdam man Sept. 15 for his alleged role in the ShinyHunters hacking group and for attempting to incite two murders, with authorities noting that further arrests remain possible as they investigate seized electronic devices.

"This morning @FBI and our partners the Dutch National Police are announcing the arrest of one of the alleged leaders of ShinyHunters – a global cybercrime and threat actor group linked to cyberattacks in the United States, the Netherlands, and around the world," FBI Director Kash Patel wrote Tuesday morning on X.

FBI WRAPS UP CYBERCRIME OPERATION TARGETING GLOBAL NETWORKS PREYING ON AMERICANS

"In coordination with FBI investigators the Dutch High-Tech Crime Unit arrested the suspect under Dutch law. As we speak FBI teams are actively working with partners to obtain and execute more leads in the ongoing investigation based on this arrest.

"Thank you to our Dutch National Police partners for their continued work with us in this case and the industry partners who shared information with us. The investigation continues."

"The man is also suspected of attempted incitement to commit two murders," according to a Dutch police release. "Various data carriers have been seized and are being investigated further. Further arrests are not ruled out."

Brett Leatherman, assistant director of the FBI's ⁠Cyber Division, made an unusually public address to the hacking group ShinyHunters, telling the cybercriminals that "we know how to find you."

FBI WRAPS UP CYBERCRIME OPERATION TARGETING GLOBAL NETWORKS PREYING ON AMERICANS

"To the remaining members of ShinyHunters: You've heard about the arrest of your colleague," Leatherman's video statement warned. "We're confident you've seen or heard things in recent days that the public has not.

"Other groups believed anonymity or their friends would protect them, and they were wrong. Arrests have a way of changing who is willing to talk. And seized infrastructure has a way of showing us who's left.

"The longer you stay in this, the more we learn about you. You know how to find us and we know how find you. I suggest you reach out first while the choice is still yours."

Benjamin Korper of Amsterdam-based cybersecurity company Neo Security named the arrested man as Pepijn van der Stap, the company's offensive security lead.

FBI EXTRADITES CHINESE HACKER ACCUSED OF STEALING COVID-19 RESEARCH

"Since last year, this cyber criminal and his co-conspirators have allegedly breached more than 140 organizations and taken at least $70 million in extortion payments," Leatherman said in his video statement, which did not name the suspect. "They often target third-party vendors and cloud-based platforms, stealing sensitive data in extorting victims with threats to publish it."

In a telephone interview with Reuters, Korper said Dutch forensic investigators visited his office Sept. 15, the night Van der Stap was arrested in a dramatic police raid that involved flash bang grenades.

ShinyHunters is a hacking group known for large-scale data breaches and extortion and had announced its recent theft of what it said was terabytes of sensitive personnel data from U.S. FBI servers, including intelligence assignments and medical records of employees, according to Reuters.

An internal memo circulated to staffers said the FBI was operating under the presumption that hackers stole data pertaining to all bureau employees, a source told Reuters.

FBI SAYS SOURCE OF ITS JOBS PORTAL BREACH STILL UNKNOWN AS HACKERS ALLEGE EMPLOYEE DATA COMPROMISED

In a statement, ShinyHunters said Van der Stap had "no association" with the group and that Dutch police were incompetent.

News of Van der Stap's arrest caused a stir in the cybersecurity community.

Van der Stap's 2023 convictions of data theft and extortion had already received widespread publicity, as did his subsequent public disavowal of cybercrime. On his personal website, Van der Stap acknowledged his journey "hasn't been a straight line" but said his experience had taught him that "knowledge is for building and protecting, not breaking."

Korper said he had carefully vetted Van der Stap before hiring him, monitored him during his employment, and was shocked by the arrest.

"I truly believe that people deserve a second chance, but in this case I was not thanked for it," Korper said. "Absolutely everybody I talked to is flabbergasted."

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The executive said he had hired an outside firm to investigate whether Van der Stap had hacked Neo Security or its customers, but so far investigators have found no evidence that he acted against his employer or its clients.

Korper and Van der Stap have not been in touch since the arrest, Korper said.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Jack Smith's Trump probe swept up Fox News, other media communications as investigation went beyond lawmakers

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:18:26 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Former special counsel Jack Smith's investigators obtained records containing communications between nearly 50 journalists and Trump administration officials — including Fox News personnel — after subpoenaing text-message records associated with dozens of White House phones during the federal election investigation of President Donald Trump, Fox News Digital has learned ahead of Tuesday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

Previous congressional disclosures showed investigators obtained records involving members of Congress. The latest records reveal the production also included communications between government officials and journalists working for some of the country's largest news organizations.

The communications appeared in records produced by the National Archives in response to a subpoena seeking material associated with 87 White House phones from Trump's first administration, according to a spokesperson for Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, citing whistleblower disclosures made to the chairman.

"What will the partisan media say about this disgraceful government overreach? This wasn’t a normal prosecution by any means," Grassley challenged in comments to Fox News Digital on Tuesday, as critics have highlighted the lack of concern or coverage given to Smith’s probe by legacy media.

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One organization identified Tuesday as having been swept up in the probe was the Media Research Center. Its president, David Bozell, announced in 2025 that "not one single broadcast network aired one solitary second" about Smith’s alleged spying on conservative organizations and senators following a tranche of public disclosures.

Fox News is among the organizations whose journalists appear in the records, along with CNN, CBS News — including its newsmagazine "60 Minutes" — NBC News and CNBC.

The records also include communications involving journalists from the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Bloomberg, Los Angeles Times, New York Magazine, Reuters, the Associated Press and NPR, as well as The Federalist and Washington Times.

READ THE LIST: 44 LAWMAKERS SWEPT INTO JACK SMITH TEXT SWEEP AS HIS LEGAL RECKONING GROWS

The nationally syndicated "The Mark Levin Show," hosted by Fox News host and former Reagan Justice Department chief of staff Mark Levin, also appears in the records.

The records stem from a June 2, 2023, subpoena issued by Smith’s office to the National Archives seeking text messages from phones associated with numerous officials who served in the first Trump White House.

JACK SMITH HIT WITH CRIMINAL REFERRAL AS GOP MOVES TESTIMONY FIGHT TOWARD PROSECUTION

The Archives produced responsive records on Aug. 21, 2023, according to documents previously disclosed through congressional oversight by Grassley and Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., of Arctic Frost.

Grassley and Johnson pressed the Justice Department and FBI in May for information about how potentially privileged material in that production was screened before investigators could review it.

An Aug. 21, 2023 email from assistant special counsel Thomas Windom instructed members of Smith’s team, including prosecutors and FBI personnel, to download documents associated with text messages from the White House phones.

"We are writing to determine what procedures and protocols, if any, Smith and his team used to filter privileged or potentially privileged materials from being impermissibly accessed, reviewed and/or used," Grassley and Johnson wrote.

The senators requested DOJ’s filtering protocols and the names of officials assigned to review material for privilege before it reached investigators.

The committee has identified the individual journalists whose communications appear in the records but does not plan to release their names because of privacy concerns, a Grassley spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

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The disclosure broadens questions surrounding Smith’s handling of the White House records ahead of Tuesday’s Senate hearing, including what safeguards governed investigators’ access to communications involving lawmakers, journalists and other third parties. The Judiciary Committee is expected to examine Smith’s investigative practices and the broader scope of Arctic Frost.

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Fox News Digital has reached out to counsel for Smith as well as the Justice Department for comment.

Hollywood actress upset her son isn't gay fumes in bizarre spectacle at Human Rights Campaign gala

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:08:16 -0400

A Hollywood actress used her platform on stage at a far-left Human Rights Campaign (HRC) event to complain that despite her best efforts, her son turned out to be heterosexual.

Camryn Manheim, best known for her role as Ellenor Frutt in the late 1990s and early 2000s drama series "The Practice," introduced and presented her friend and fellow actress Marcia Gay Harden with the Ally for Equality Award at the HRC's National Dinner on Sunday.

"For Marcia, of course, this is deeply personal to her," said Manheim of this year's recipient of the prestigious award. "She has three remarkable children who all align with the LGBTQ+ community, which is another thing that deeply irritates me about her, because I always wanted a gay son."

GLAAD RELEASES 'PARTICULARLY CONCERNING' REPORT SHOWING SHRINKING LGBTQ REPRESENTATION THIRD YEAR IN A ROW

She then launched into a tirade about how her son is heterosexual.

"I love that relationship between gay sons and their mothers," she said from the stage. "I wanted to be the picket sign-holding mom who would beat the s--- out of somebody for her kid. I mean, let's just admit it, gay sons are the best, right? Right!"

"I have photographs of my son in high heels, in full drag, he knows every word to every musical ever written, his fairy godfather, Aaron Walton, is here with us tonight. I mean, truly, I thought I had this f---ing thing locked up, but no, no, he's the only straight guy in his entire musical theater company," Manheim complained.

Manheim's only child, Milo Manheim, 25, is an actor best known for his starring role as Zed in the Disney Channel film franchise "Zombies." He played Joseph in the 2023 Christmas musical, "Journey to Bethlehem," and in 2018 came in second place on season 27 of "Dancing with the Stars."

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Manheim, during her recorded remarks, relayed a story about Harden, a 2021 Oscar winner for best supporting actress in the 2000 film "Pollock," calling her a decade ago to tell her that her son was gay.

"All I said was, 'Oh my God, you are so f---ing lucky!" Manheim said, yelling into the microphone and drawing a round of applause from the crowd.

And about a week later, I was at Marcia's house for dinner when an Amazon package was delivered, and inside, I'm not kidding you, was a pair of thigh-high patent leather boots, like kinky boots," Manheim continued. "And I thought, 'oh come on, now she is just showing off!"

DEMOCRATS TURN ON CONGRESSIONAL HOPEFUL AFTER 'HIDING' LGBTQ+ VIEWS FROM MUSLIM VOTERS

HRC is America's largest civil rights group dedicated to "engaging and mobilizing millions of pro-equality voters and supporters to elect pro-equality leaders and to demand equity-based policies and legislation." The organization was founded in 1980 by gay rights lobbyist Steve Endean and today boasts 4 million members.

Sunday night's dinner was part of the Human Rights Campaign's events program, which it says reaches more than 20,000 people each year through 30 fundraising dinner events. It allows the group to "elevate LGBTQ+ candidates around the country, keep volunteers engaged, amplify our work in the local community, and solicit corporate sponsorships and donations through our auctions."

Online, reactions ranged from dismayed to disgusted.

"How do any straight males survive mothers like this? It's a miracle some of them come out normal," said a right-wing commentator who goes by Peachy Keenan.

"These people are mentally ill. They need to be institutionalized or thrown in prison for trying to groom children," said Andy Froemel.

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"It’s the entertainment industry mothers who are the psychos," online personality @shipwreckedcrew, who boasts more than 180,000 followers, said.

"These people are sick," radio show host Joe Pagliarulo said.

"Liberalism is a performative sickness," said Jon Nanjarian.

Fox News Digital reached out to HRC and representatives for Manheim but did not hear back at time of publication.

Hero cop stopped synagogue massacre in Canada as Jewish group calls for armed guards

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:44:42 -0400

When a gunman approached a police cruiser outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, during Yom Kippur, approximately two dozen people were praying inside.

The armed officer sitting outside was not part of a permanent security system available to every synagogue in Canada. Police had dispatched him after receiving a report about a suspicious vehicle. That decision may have prevented a massacre.

"The only thing that stood in the way of every congregant of that shul being murdered was the presence of an armed police officer," Simon Wolle, CEO of B’nai Brith Canada, told Fox News Digital.

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Police said last week's shooting was a deliberate, hate-motivated attack targeting the Jewish community. According to authorities, 29-year-old Sean Ward approached Belleville Police Constable Jeff Smith and allegedly shouted, "You are going to die for the Jews," before firing a shotgun at him.

Smith was struck multiple times while still inside his vehicle. Despite his injuries, he emerged from the cruiser and returned fire. A second officer arrived within minutes and joined the confrontation. Ward later died at a hospital.

Smith remains hospitalized after suffering multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body and serious head trauma. Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd said Smith faces multiple surgeries and a "lengthy and challenging" recovery, but said the officer is "making progress every day."

Smith’s wife, Ashley, has also spoken publicly about her husband’s recovery, describing the shooting as "the scariest and darkest day of our lives."

"My words aren’t strong or steady yet, but I knew I needed to find them," she wrote. "I needed to use my voice for my dear Jeff, until he is able to use his."

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Ashley Smith also addressed the Jewish community directly, thanking those who have supported her husband and their family. "Please know that your love, your prayers and your support have reached us," she wrote. "We are deeply grateful. We love you, we see you, we pray for you."

She said her husband still faces "a very long, difficult road ahead," but added that he is surrounded by what she called "an army of love."

The worshipers inside the synagogue were not physically injured.

Investigators later disclosed that the gunman possessed what Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd described as the "means, motive and mechanisms to cause a mass casualty and the destruction of the Jewish synagogue." Police also reported discovering combustible materials inside the suspect’s vehicle.

"This individual had the means, the intention, the deliberate plans and the capacity to conduct a murderous massacre," Wolle said.

For Wolle, the attack exposed more than a violent act of antisemitism. It revealed a legal and security system that he believes leaves Canadian Jewish institutions dangerously vulnerable.

B’nai Brith Canada is calling for changes to federal and provincial laws that would allow synagogues, Jewish schools and other vulnerable institutions to hire qualified armed security guards.

"There is currently no legislation in place that allows for Jewish institutions to hire the kind of armed protection that may be necessary," Wolle said.

Canada’s firearms regulations are controlled at the federal level, while private security is also governed through separate provincial rules. Wolle said those frameworks must be aligned so institutions confronting credible threats have a lawful way to employ trained, licensed armed guards.

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At present, he said, Jewish institutions can ask police departments to increase patrols, although departments cannot always guarantee that an officer will be stationed outside. Communities can also try to hire paid-duty police officers, but availability remains limited.

"So the only option right now for the Jewish community to protect itself from the unprecedented amount of violent attacks taking place all across this country is to plead with local police services to come by if they can," Wolle said. "They will not guarantee that they will do so in most circumstances."

That leaves Jewish communities spending their own money to reinforce buildings, install surveillance systems and hire officers when available.

"Right now, the Jewish community is using its own money primarily to build walls, put up stronger fences, add cameras and then pay for the privilege of having an armed police officer," Wolle said. "Our lives are being threatened across the country, and the government hasn’t taken the steps to offer the necessary protection."

B’nai Brith has made two requests. It wants laws amended to permit qualified armed private security at vulnerable Jewish institutions, and it wants the government to fund an increased police presence at those locations.

Wolle said the burden of protecting Jewish Canadians from targeted violence should not rest solely on the people being threatened.

"The government needs to meet its most basic obligation and responsibility, which is to protect its citizens," he said.

The numbers provide a stark context for his concerns. Statistics Canada recorded 788 police-reported hate crimes targeting Jewish people in 2025, representing more than 70% of all reported religiously motivated hate crimes that year.

Wolle said Jewish Canadians constitute approximately 1% to 2% of the country’s population, yet remain overwhelmingly affected by religiously motivated hate crimes. Preliminary data from B’nai Brith’s 2026 annual audit indicate that violent antisemitic incidents have already more than tripled compared with the total recorded throughout 2025.

"There is a national crisis of Jew hatred in Canada," Wolle said.

B’nai Brith has been warning for months that antisemitic violence is accelerating. Wolle said the organization submitted recommendations and concrete plans to different levels of government before the Belleville attack.

"We’ve been calling for many things from all levels of government," he said. "We provided concrete action plans to each."

The shooting has intensified the organization’s demand that lawmakers treat the security of Jewish institutions as an emergency rather than another subject for future discussion.

"The most urgent thing that is needed is a mechanism for there to be armed protection of Jewish institutions that are under attack right now in Canada," Wolle said.

He emphasized that B’nai Brith is not calling for firearms to be placed indiscriminately inside synagogues and schools. Its proposal concerns trained, vetted and qualified security professionals operating under a clearly defined legal framework.

"If we don’t have enough armed officers, then we need legislative frameworks changed to allow for alternative armed guards to protect Jewish institutions," Wolle said.

Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the Belleville attack and called on anyone with information to contact law enforcement.

RECORD ANTISEMITIC INCIDENTS IN CANADA FUEL CRITICISM OF CARNEY GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

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"On the holiest night of the Jewish calendar, a shooting took place outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville," Carney said. "Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live free, open, proud Jewish lives."

Wolle welcomes expressions of support and said Canadian Jews now need their government to move beyond statements.

"The government gives us words and no action," he added.

Belleville offered a disturbing picture of what could have happened without an armed officer outside. The congregants did not know that a man police say was driven by hatred had allegedly arrived with weapons and the capacity to cause mass casualties.

One report of a suspicious vehicle led to one officer being placed outside. That officer, Wolle stressed, became the barrier between the gunman and the people praying inside.

"In the wake of these harrowing events, Canada’s Jewish community cannot wait any longer for the government to act," he said.

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The people inside the synagogue, Sons of Jacob, survived. Wolle’s warning is that Canada cannot depend on chance, a suspicious-vehicle report or the availability of a single officer the next time a Jewish institution is targeted.

"This is not a Jewish community problem," he said. "This is a Canadian problem."

Apple's $250M Siri settlement: How to claim up to $95

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:57:38 -0400

If you bought one of Apple's AI-ready iPhones because you expected the smarter Siri Apple had been talking about, check when you purchased it. You could have some money coming your way. A proposed $250 million Apple Siri settlement now has an open claims process for qualifying iPhone owners.

The case centers on allegations that consumers bought certain iPhones expecting Siri features powered by Apple Intelligence that they did not receive during the period covered by the lawsuit. Apple denies the allegations and says it did nothing improper or unlawful.

The amount may sound small next to the price of a new iPhone, but filing a claim could put as much as $95 per eligible device back in your pocket. There are a few important catches, though, including exactly which iPhone you bought and when you bought it.

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8 BIGGEST THINGS WE LEARNED FROM APPLE'S 2026 EVENT

Why Apple agreed to a $250 million Siri settlement

The lawsuit is called Landsheft, et al. v. Apple Inc. and is pending in federal court in Northern California. The plaintiffs alleged that Apple promoted certain Siri features powered by Apple Intelligence, leading buyers to expect capabilities that were not delivered during the class period. Apple denies those allegations. The company agreed to put $250 million into a settlement fund rather than continue litigating the case. The agreement received preliminary court approval on July 17, 2026. The court has scheduled a final approval hearing for Feb. 24, 2027. That timing is especially interesting because Apple finally began rolling out its long-awaited Siri AI beta with iOS 27 in September 2026.

The updated Siri can use personal context from information on your device, handle follow-up questions and take more actions inside supported apps. We recently took a closer look at iOS 27 and the new Siri AI features.

Which iPhones qualify for the Apple Siri settlement?

The settlement covers seven models: iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The regular iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are excluded. Owning one of those eligible models alone does not qualify you. You must be the original purchaser and live in the United States. You also must have purchased the phone in the United States between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. The purchase had to be for personal or business use rather than resale. There is another important requirement. When you submit the claim, you must confirm that you expected to receive certain Siri Apple Intelligence features when you bought the device and did not receive those features as expected. Businesses can qualify, too. The official settlement site has separate filing options for individuals and organizations that purchased eligible devices for business use.

How much could you receive from the Apple settlement?

The settlement sets the payment at $25 per eligible device, but the final amount can change. If fewer valid claims come in, the payment may increase to as much as $95 per eligible device. If more claims come in, the payment can fall below $25. Administrative costs, approved attorneys' fees and other court-approved expenses also come out of the $250 million fund. You can submit a claim for each eligible device you purchased. That could make the payout more meaningful for someone who bought multiple qualifying iPhones during the class period. However, nobody knows the final payment yet. The settlement administrator has to count and validate the claims before that figure can be determined.

12 BIGGEST APPLE WWDC 2026 TAKEAWAYS YOU NEED TO KNOW

How to file your Apple Siri settlement claim

The claims period officially opened on Sept. 21, 2026. You can file through the official Smartphone AI Settlement website at smartphoneaisettlement.com. The deadline is Dec. 21, 2026. The claim form asks for your contact information and information that can confirm your eligible purchase or ownership. You also need to certify that you expected the covered Siri Apple Intelligence features when you purchased your iPhone and did not receive them as expected. I would have your iPhone's serial number handy before you start. On your iPhone, open Settings, tap General, then tap About. Your serial number appears near the top of that screen. You can press and hold it to copy it. The settlement site also says you may find the serial number on the phone's original packaging or purchase documentation.

Do you need to have received a settlement notice?

The official site says people who received an email or postcard can file a claim. It also says people who believe they belong to the settlement class can submit a valid claim even if they did not receive a notice. So, I would not automatically write this off because nothing showed up in your mailbox or inbox. Instead, compare your purchase with the eligibility requirements and use the official settlement site. Be careful with links arriving through unexpected texts or emails. Large settlements often attract phishing attempts because scammers know people are looking for claim information. I recommend going directly to the official settlement website rather than clicking a claim link in an unsolicited message.

When will iPhone owners actually get paid?

Do not expect a payment right after submitting your claim. The court has scheduled its final approval hearing for Feb. 24, 2027. The judge will decide whether to give the settlement final approval. Appeals could delay the process further. The official settlement administrator says payments will be processed after the settlement becomes effective, assuming the court approves it and any appeals are resolved. In other words, filing now secures your claim before the deadline. The check or digital payment could come much later.

YOU COULD GET PAID FROM GOOGLE’S ANDROID DATA LAWSUIT

What if you do nothing?

If you qualify but do nothing, you will not receive a settlement payment. You will also remain bound by the settlement if the court gives it final approval, which affects your ability to pursue your own case against Apple over the claims covered by this lawsuit. The deadline to request exclusion from the settlement or formally object is also Dec. 21, 2026. Anyone considering those options should read the official settlement notice carefully because the legal consequences differ from simply submitting a claim. CyberGuy reached out to Apple for additional comment but did not hear back before our deadline.

Kurt's key takeaways

Apple spent a lot of time building excitement around what Apple Intelligence would bring to Siri. If you bought one of these iPhones expecting those promised features, you may have been left waiting much longer than expected. Apple has now agreed to put $250 million into a settlement fund while continuing to deny the allegations. If your iPhone and purchase date qualify, I would take a few minutes to check your eligibility and file a claim. You could receive as much as $95 per device, depending on how many valid claims come in. This is also a good reminder to pay close attention when a company promotes upcoming software features as part of the reason to buy new hardware. What you are promised at launch and what you can actually use on day one may be very different.

Did you buy an iPhone expecting Apple's new AI-powered Siri, and do you think a payment of up to $95 per device fairly reflects how long buyers had to wait? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Fun fact: A burst storage tank sent 2.3M gallons of molasses through Boston in 1919

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 14:25:51 -0400

Scroll through the slideshow and be amazed

Skydivers watch plane vanish from sight, make split-second decision to jump

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:44:49 -0400

A group of professional skydivers who witnessed a plane crash took an extraordinary route to the scene — jumping from their own aircraft to reach the victims.

The men, all experienced skydivers with Skydive Milwaukee, were preparing for a jump when they spotted a small plane near East Troy Municipal Airport on Sunday, according to the Town of East Troy Police Department.

John Bechtel, one of the skydivers, told local outlet WSMV the plane appeared to be flying unusually before disappearing behind a line of trees.

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"He kind of banked up a little bit, and then, he disappeared behind the trees," Bechtel recalled.

"We were all sitting there waiting for him to show back up somewhere, and [he] never did," he added. "We all just kind of looked at each other like, ‘Did we just see a plane crash?’"

The single-engine plane had crashed in a cornfield near the airport.

The group quickly asked their pilot to identify a safe place for them to jump so that they could help.

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Air traffic control told the pilot it was his call whether to drop the skydivers over the area.

"It is your discretion if you want to drop jumpers over the area," air traffic control told the pilot, according to WSMV.

"Yes, I am going to drop a couple of them. Yeah, we are going to drop ‘em right now," the pilot reportedly replied.

The skydivers were the first to reach the crash site.

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They alerted emergency crews.

One of the jumpers, a former paramedic, treated a person with a serious head injury until emergency service workers arrived.

All four people aboard the plane survived, with Bechtel saying that the timing "couldn’t have been any better."

"Had we left five minutes earlier, we wouldn’t have seen it," Bechtel told WSMV.

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"Had we left 15 minutes later, we wouldn’t have been able to get there first and assist."

Bechtel said it was the first time he had ever jumped out of a plane to respond to an emergency situation.

"I’m just glad that we were able to do what we were able to do and get in and help," Bechtel said, per WSMV.

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He added, "To be able to do this and to be able to help others in need — I would absolutely do that in a heartbeat."

Fox News Digital reached out to Skydive Milwaukee for comment.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the crash.

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Fox News Digital also reached out to the organization for details on the cause of the crash.

Forgotten coffee brands Americans grew up with — and what happened to them

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:44:35 -0400

Long before Starbucks became shorthand for coffee culture, Americans were opening cans of coffee from brands like Gold Shield, Savarin and Schilling. This National Coffee Day, many of those once-familiar names exist mostly in memory.

But that may be exactly why they still resonate.

"I think there's a lot of nostalgia and romance around coffee because I do think it's such an important part of daily life," said Wendy Pojmann, a professor of history at Siena University who has studied coffee culture and wrote "Espresso: The Art and Soul of Italy."

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For people who grew up with those brands, Pojmann said the connection often goes beyond what was in the cup.

"So, I do think that, especially if you grew up and you smelled the coffee in the kitchen and maybe your mom and dad or your grandparents were preparing a certain kind of coffee, those memories are important, and we associate memory with smell," she told Fox News Digital.

Coffee culture looked different then, too. Convenience helped define the American coffee routine, from instant coffee to the automatic drip machines that became fixtures in American kitchens.

"Americans, again, were interested in ease, efficiency, things being relatively quick," Pojmann said, describing a routine that might include grabbing a big can of Folgers from the grocery store and brewing it at home.

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Folgers and Maxwell House endured, but plenty of other familiar names did not. Smaller regional and local coffee brands were often acquired by larger companies, Pojmann said, part of a cycle of consolidation that has played out repeatedly in the coffee business.

Gold Shield, a once-popular West Coast brand, and Savarin, a longtime East Coast favorite, were among the coffee labels that eventually disappeared after changing hands.

Their fate reflected a broader consolidation in the coffee business, as larger companies acquired smaller regional and local brands, Pojmann said.

Then came another shift. Chains such as Starbucks and Dunkin' helped reshape American coffee culture, followed by the rise of specialty coffee and a new generation of small roasters and boutique brands.

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More recently, specialty coffee has created another generation of small roasters and boutique brands.

Pojmann said today's coffee market includes everything from huge national brands to tiny small-batch roasters.

Still, a coffee brand doesn't necessarily disappear when its cans leave supermarket shelves.

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Pojmann said she sometimes spots tins from bygone brands in vintage and antique stores, where an old label can unexpectedly reconnect someone with the past.

"Maybe you hadn't thought of it in years and then you see that label on the can and you think, 'Oh yeah, I remembered my grandfather used to make that coffee for us,'" Pojmann said.

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For some coffee drinkers, a favorite old brand may be long gone from the supermarket aisle. But the smell of a pot brewing can still bring back memories of the people who once poured it.

Fall yard prep: An $80 leaf blower drops to $60, plus $20 garden blankets and more

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 00:01:12 -0500

Before winter sets in, give your yard another good cleanup so there's less to do in the spring. Trim the grass with an electric lawn mower, pick up leaves with a leaf blower, get rid of them with a mulcher, and keep your yard looking neat and tidy.

Adjustable metal leaf rake: $21.99

Every homeowner with a yard should own a rake for fall cleanup. This adjustable rake digs into small, hard-to-reach areas but expands to 17 inches wide for open spaces. For a heavy-duty rake, this option from Fiskars comes with a wide head and an extra-long handle to keep you comfortable.

Craftsman cordless leaf blower: $119 (20% off)

Original price: $149

Clear fallen leaves and yard debris with a blower that fits your space. Craftsman's battery-powered option runs for up to 24 minutes on a single charge. For unlimited runtime, consider Worx's corded leaf blower — just be sure you have a long extension cord on hand.

Leaf and brush scoop: $29.95

After raking, make cleanup hassle-free with these scoops designed to pick up grass clippings and leaves. They fit over your hands like gloves and act like giant claws that lift huge piles all at once.

3-in-1 electric leaf blower, vacuum and mulcher: $59.99 (25% off)

Original price: $79.99

Instead of packing your raked-up leaves into bags, mulch them down with this three-in-one tool. It switches between blowing, vacuuming and mulching in seconds to turn your leaves into a more manageable pile you can use in your gardens. If you just need a mulcher, this one from Worx automatically deposits mulched leaves into a trash bag.

READ MORE: Get your yard Halloween-ready with inflatables, skeletons and more, starting at $15

Tree and brush trimmers: $19.97

Break down fallen branches and prune bushes fast and precisely with a pair of tree trimmers. The thick steel blades cut through pieces of wood up to 1.5 inches in diameter. Longer handles give you enough power to slice through limbs without much force.

Extendable pole saw: $51.99

With leaves off the trees, fall is the ideal time to trim dead or low-hanging branches. The Fiskars telescoping pole reaches up to 8 feet high. For bigger trimming jobs, this electric pole saw extends up to 12 feet, plus there's a removable chainsaw on the end when you need to chop branches into smaller pieces.

Dual wheelbarrow and garden cart: $99.99 (17% off)

Original price: $119.99

Whether you're dumping soil or moving leaves, a wheelbarrow gets the job done faster. This durable wheelbarrow doubles as a garden cart with an easy-grip handle, and the 14-inch rubber wheels roll smoothly on tough terrain.

Hedge trimmers: $79

Give your shrubs and bushes one final trim for the fall. Black+Decker's electric trimmer cuts branches up to ¾-inch thick with a long-lasting battery. A full charge lets you trim up to 3,000 square feet in one go. DeWalt's cordless trimmer also powers through overgrowth, with a battery runtime of up to 78 minutes.

Cordless electric lawn mower: $749

The EGO Power+ mower delivers up to 50 minutes of runtime, making it a strong battery-powered option. It's quieter than gas-powered mowers, runs cord-free and requires less maintenance. For smaller yards, the Greenworks battery-powered mower maneuvers easily and is lightweight.

Plant covers: $23.99 (8% off)

Original price: $25.99

Protect perennial plants from harsh wind, rain and snow with these plant covers. Both bags fit over shrubs, trees or bushes without suffocating, all the while shedding water and snow.

Garden blanket: $19.99

Help prevent damage to your garden when you use a garden blanket. The large sheet can be cut to fit different-sized gardens, and it stops frost from destroying perennial plants or freshly turned soil.

Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food: $42.38 (39% off)

Original price: $69.99

Lawns take a beating in the winter, but Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard helps your lawn grow deeper roots so it's stronger in the spring. Just apply the food to a wet or dry lawn in the fall — a single bag covers up to 12,000 square feet.

Electric pressure washer: $169

Remove built-up grime from your driveway, siding or deck with a pressure washer. The budget-friendly Sun Joe model has rolling wheels and five nozzles for everything from a concentrated jet stream to a wider spray. For tougher jobs, DeWalt's compact gas-powered washer gives you even more power and reach.

Gas-powered string trimmers: $134.99 (16% off)

Original price: $159.99

A reliable trimmer chops down what's left of weeds from the summer. For serious overgrowth, Wild Badger's gas trimmer doubles as a brush cutter, slicing through thick stalks while the harness helps ease back strain. If you want a battery-powered pick, this Craftsman option runs for up to 25 minutes per charge with two speed settings.

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

Weeder: $39.97 (11% off)

Original price: $44.99

Tear out lawn invaders ahead of next spring with a Grampa's Weeder tool. Designed for gardeners of all skill levels, the head fits over the weed. Just push down with your foot and lean the tool back to pull it out.

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.

Iowa wide receiver 'blacked out' after hauling in last-second game winner against Michigan

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:37:35 -0400

Iowa wide receiver Reece Vander Zee hauled in the catch of a lifetime as time expired in The Big House, but don't ask him to recount what exactly went down on the field.

Vander Zee, who led the Hawkeyes in receptions against Michigan in Week 4, caught a 16-yard pass from quarterback Hank Brown to hand the Hawkeyes a stunning 20-19 win on the road against the Wolverines.

It was one of those magical moments, at least if you're an Iowa fan, that portrays the magic of college football, and while Vander Zee explained that the Hawkeyes routinely run that exact play during practice, he doesn't remember any of the exact details about the game-winner.

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"We run that play every week, just you know, end of game situations, we do that every week," the junior pass catcher explained on Sirius XM. "It was crazy, I kind of blacked out. Don’t really remember. I just remember all my teammates in my face. But yeah, it was just a great great team win. It’s just great to see everybody having a good time. You know, coach Ferentz is just as happy as anyone, and just great to be great to play for him and great to have this opportunity, so it’s awesome."

While the throw and catch between Brown and Vander Zee as time expired will go down in Iowa history, so too will the final drive the Hawkeyes put together to pull off the stunner.

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Trailing by five, Iowa received the ball with 1:37 remaining in the game before using its final timeout with 34 seconds on the clock on its own 42-yard line. A 15-yard penalty on Michigan with 26 seconds left moved the ball into Michigan territory, but the Hawkeyes didn't move the football again until a 29-yard completion with two ticks on the clock.

Michigan defender John Henry Daley went down with an injury, which stopped the clock in a situation where Iowa may not have gotten another play off, but when gifted a stoppage in play, the Hawkeyes delivered the goods with a perfect ball from Brown into the hands of Vander Zee.

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Iowa moved to 4-0 on the year, setting up a massive showdown this Saturday against 3-1 Ohio State, while the Wolverines dropped to 3-1 and lost a huge margin for error if they want to make the College Football Playoff.

Republicans fear they ‘haven’t done a damn thing’ to lower prices ahead of midterm reckoning

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:30:35 -0400

The key focus of this election, like many before it, is the economy, but the Senate has spent its waning weeks in Washington focusing on something else: college sports.

And that has proven a sticking point for some Republicans who are eager to maintain power in the upper chamber and worried that they aren’t meeting the moment to address voters’ concerns over the cost-of-living.

"I'm just hoping that this will be the best bill ever passed by the United States Senate considering the ungodly amount of time we've spent on it," Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital.

"So maybe this will be the most perfect and pristine piece of legislation ever," he quipped.

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"There's a lot of things we could be doing and should be doing," the senator added. "So I hope we'll do those before we leave. We'll see."

Hawley rattled off those issues that he hoped lawmakers would tackle that all ended in one word, costs — be it for fuel, prescription drugs, health care or the financial burden of the artificial intelligence boom.

The Senate is expected to leave the nation’s capital on Wednesday to hit the campaign trail for the homestretch of the fast-approaching midterm elections. But from the summer of 2025 to now, with several shutdowns and partisan fights in between, the sting on voters’ wallets, to some concerned Republicans, has become an afterthought.

Still, Republicans are quick to tout their accomplishments from last year, notably the "big, beautiful bill," as their signature achievement to tackle the growing issue of affordability in the country — it was a predominant pitch during the midterm convention in Dallas earlier this month, and can be heard increasingly in the halls of the Senate as Nov. 3 nears.

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The concern over inaction in the recent weeks and months has intensified as the main business in the Senate has been devoted to passing the Protect College Sports Act from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, which cruised through the upper chamber late Monday night.

"We've been spending all week on trying to make the football coaches happy," Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said. "I'm voting for the bill, but I can assure that moms and dads out there across America, when they lie down to sleep at night … they're not worried about the football coaches."

Kennedy said that he and others have been pressuring Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to take another shot at reconciliation tailored exclusively toward affordability issues, or at the very least to put a bill that would shield consumers from increasing electricity costs as part of the AI boom.

"Because we haven't done a damn thing," Kennedy said. "And it's biting us in the ass right now."

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Thune did tee up what will likely be the Senate’s last attempt at dealing with affordability for a vote this week on a bill that would require AI companies to bear the brunt of rising utility costs from data centers.

That bill, from Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, is expected to be blocked by Democrats, however, who aren’t eager to give Republicans or Trump a victory — especially so close to the midterm elections.

But for some Republicans, it’s too little too late when it comes to actually trying to address voters’ worries.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., recalled a story when he won the North Carolina House and became speaker. He ran to fix the economy, and once he won the power to do so, he and Republicans in the state would have to own the issue, regardless of the previous administration’s actions.

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"That's how you actually show some leadership and get it done. You can't rationalize that we're here because of a problem caused by the prior administration," Tillis told Fox News Digital. "That's how we got elected. But you gotta fix it if you promise to. And that's what we have to work on. I just think rationalizing away, that's just not good politics."

Still, Republicans are asking for a second chance this fall, specifically Vice President JD Vance, who earlier this month asked voters to "give us another chance."

When asked about Vance’s plea, Tillis said, "You know what? If it works, it'll be a first."

Inside Operation Blackout: Patel reveals global scam ‘cities’ targeting your parents’ life savings

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:13:44 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: FBI Director Kash Patel says the bureau is expanding its global hunt for sprawling scam compounds that prey heavily on Americans, telling Fox News Digital that Operation Blackout has seized roughly $17 billion tied to the schemes.

"At 71 years old, I'm old enough to know that people my age are certainly often targeted because of our unfamiliarity with certain new technologies. Thanks so much for looking out for us," one victim told the FBI.

"I watched my grandmother lose her life savings to scammers and I would love to see them all be put away," said another victim.

Operation Blackout is the FBI’s global campaign to identify, disrupt and dismantle foreign scam compounds targeting Americans, combining overseas raids and asset seizures with efforts to cut off the networks’ communications, rescue trafficked workers and return stolen money to victims.

FBI WRAPS UP CYBERCRIME OPERATION TARGETING GLOBAL NETWORKS PREYING ON AMERICANS

Patel said the FBI-led initiative is targeting criminal syndicates operating massive scam compounds across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, where trafficked workers are forced to carry out fraud schemes against victims thousands of miles away.

"Unfortunately, the majority of the targets are senior citizens in America," Patel told Fox News Digital, pointing to schemes carried out through social media, phone calls, text messages and Telegram.

"Our initiative, Operation Blackout, is to prevent, disrupt, and dismantle," Patel added.

FBI SEIZES RECORD-SETTING $8 BILLION IN CRYPTOCURRENCY AMID INTERCONTINENTAL 'SCAM COMPOUND' CRACKDOWN

In one common version of the scheme, criminals cultivate an online friendship or relationship with a victim before steering them toward a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platform.

Victims may initially believe their investments are generating significant returns, only to discover they cannot withdraw their money.

"These are towns, these are cities," Patel said of the scam compounds targeted by the operation. "These are actual villages with structures where they force people into forced labor."

An August operation at Cambodia’s roughly 200-acre O’Smach Resort scam compound involved searches of 28 buildings over three days and resulted in the seizure of 113 hard drives, 15 computers and 35 boxes of evidence, according to the FBI.

The bureau is also trying to stop Americans from becoming victims before their money ever reaches the scammers.

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Under Operation Level Up, its domestic prevention component working with U.S. Secret Service, the FBI proactively identifies and contacts potential victims of cryptocurrency investment scams. The bureau says it has notified 10,406 victims and prevented an estimated $660 million in losses, while seizing or freezing another $122 million in cryptocurrency.

The FBI said 77% of the people it contacted did not know they were being scammed. The bureau has also referred 99 victims for suicide intervention, seized 584 scam websites and sent 7,670 scam accounts to private-sector companies for action.

THE SECRET LIST THAT TELLS SCAMMERS YOU'RE AN EASY TARGET

In September, a DOJ Scam Center Strike Force team that included FBI Honolulu personnel helped authorities in Madagascar take down 13 scam centers operated by Chinese organized crime syndicates and process more than 3,200 electronic devices.

Patel said the geographic shift is part of a broader migration by the criminal networks.

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"That’s why you’re seeing the migration of these scam compounds to central and sub-Saharan Africa, which is where we are already pre-positioned to take them off," Patel said.

I've battled gangs for decades. Now I'm fighting a threat that's even harder

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:00:18 -0400

In my time on the South Side of Chicago, I’ve asked people to look at what we’re losing. I have pointed out the root causes of gun violence, set up programs to counter it, confronted gangsters and brought them to truces, and helped many enter mainstream society as productive citizens. I’ve created after-school programs to counter our failing public schools so that kids won’t give up on themselves. But lately, I’ve been looking at another problem that may just be equally dangerous: the smartphone.

When you look at a smartphone, it doesn’t look like a threat. It looks like a tool for connection and even for opportunity. And for a lot of young people in my neighborhood, it has been exactly that — a way to make music, create an online following and learn about worlds outside of this block. I don’t want to discount what they have done because some have built real careers with nothing but a phone and its many tools. That’s a genuine way out of poverty, and I have no desire to shut that door.

But I can’t ignore the dark side of the phone.

AMERICA MOCKED THE AMISH AND OTHER GROUPS OVER TECHNOLOGY. MAYBE THEY WERE RIGHT

What I feel is that far too few of us acknowledge the full power of the phone. I once watched a documentary that said the power of all the computers needed to put the first man on the moon now existed in our tiny little phones. I don’t know if that’s true, but there is no doubt about the phone’s power. It puts the entire world at a kid’s fingertips.

Where I’ve seen the most devastating impact of the smartphone is in the world of drill rap, which began on O-Block, where my church and community center sit. Drill rap means "kill rap." Some of it is honest storytelling about a life that most of the country has never seen. But some of it has become a weapon.

Fights that we used to see on corners have now moved onto livestreams. What happens is that a location tag is then dropped. Sometimes it’s dropped when a drill rap crew chooses to film in the wrong neighborhood as a dare. This dropping of a location is not an accident but a challenge: Come and get us.

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So we have kids watching these livestreams, half listening to the rap and half waiting for that burst of gunfire to come. When the latter happens, it is me or one of the nearby pastors who has to host the funeral. We then have to send our violence impact teams to the hospitals and homes of families to prevent retaliatory shootings. All from a livestream playing out on the phones of 10-, 12-, 14- and 17-year-olds.

So the same phone that can build a young artist up — and, man, some of these kids are so talented — that same phone can bring them down. When there is a shooting, the police and prosecutors comb through all these livestreams, and any comments may be treated as confessions. Whatever you think of this legal strategy, some of these kids get locked up.

But the phone isn’t only a problem on the streets. Parents here struggle with the problem of the phone in their homes. I see this in good families that are far removed from the life of gangs or drill rap. Their kids simply cannot put the phone down. Kids can access pornography even before they’ve had a chance to form healthy relationships. Our communities don’t teach courtship much anymore, and for the last several decades, we’ve lived in this hookup culture. So what does a child wired by pornography think when he or she encounters the other sex?

Parents often tell me the same thing, and I’m struck by how similar the wording is. It goes something like this: "I don’t know how to take the phone away from my child. It’s like I’m ending their world. I don’t know if I even have the authority to do it. They tell me that if I do, I’m cutting them off. It just becomes an endless battle."

WHAT META'S NEW TEEN RESTRICTIONS MEAN FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

The reality is that the phone often turns into a weapon that the child uses against the authority of the parent. I’ve heard kids tell their parents that they are smarter than them. That’s nothing but an illusion. When a child Googles or uses AI while arguing against a parent, that’s not the same thing as learning or processing the actual argument. That’s using a machine to speak for oneself. And what this ultimately does is stop the child from respecting the authority and knowledge of the parent.

Parents are not always right, but the phone deprives the child and parent of the process of working through that misunderstanding and, in turn, weakens the fabric of their relationship.

That’s the real crisis. Not the technology itself — the erosion of the adult’s ability to set a limit on it.

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The solution is not a ban. What I’m calling for is a shift in the culture. We need to return to the basic authority that parents used to take for granted. Yes, take that phone away at night. Yes, put limits on the phone. Yes, tell your child to sit at the table and do homework. Go to church. Look people in the eye when talking. Make them look at reality instead of a screen.

And one thing that we need to do is support these parents. We adults who make up this community must echo this pushback against the phone, so the kids understand that it is not just their parents but the entire community pushing back.

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We have fought many problems in my community, from drugs to gangs. The phone may be even harder. But I’ll leave you with this thought: A phone cannot love a child. It can only hold their eyes through the trickery of the algorithm. But somebody has to be there to hold that child and to love that child, and that must be us.

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Video shows Florida food truck workers fleeing from ICE during Tallahassee immigration raid

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:57:23 -0400

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid in Tallahassee, Florida, prompted mass chaos as security footage showed food truck workers scrambling to flee from federal agents on Friday.

Workers at Chile & Chili’s Taqueria Tallahassee scurried in and out of the food truck’s trailers when federal authorities rolled onto the scene, according to video obtained by Fox News Digital.

Video shows one of the workers, a woman, being apprehended by authorities.

Three of the individuals seen running in the video were Guatemalan nationals who had not yet finalized immigration paperwork, the food truck’s owner reportedly told WCTV.

EXCLUSIVE: LA ICE DIRECTOR REVEALS OFFICERS FOLLOWED HOME, HARASSED AS POLICE FAIL TO HELP IN SANCTUARY CITY

The owner has also reportedly closed the food truck, WCTV reported, citing safety concerns and the remaining employees quitting in the wake of the raid.

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Despite the apparent closure, the incident prompted community organizers to plan an anti-ICE rally at the food truck’s Tennessee Street location on Wednesday.

"ICE has been attacking our neighbors and destroying our community for too long!" an Instagram post shared by the restaurant and the Tallahassee Immigrant Rights Alliance read.

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"We need to show up and demand ICE Out! We’ll be holding a rally at Chile & Chili’s, one of many local businesses and families under attack by ICE. Join us in showing support as we build towards a place where everyone can be free to live!" the post concluded.

Chile & Chili’s also started a GoFundMe that has raised nearly $13,000 in the days following the raid.

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Fox News Digital contacted ICE and Chile & Chili’s for confirmation and further comment.

Mamdani deflects Kimmel's anti-Trump bait when pressed repeatedly on relationship with the president

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:56:57 -0400

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani seemed to deflect late-night host Jimmy Kimmel's questions about his relationship with President Donald Trump, as the mayor avoided bashing him and rejected the late-night host's request to send him a selfie.

"Did you guys hit it off immediately or is it something that you really went into thinking, like, ‘OK, I need to have a relationship with the president of the United States and I think the best way to do it is to charm him?' How did you do that and can you help me?" Kimmel asked Mamdani, calling his relationship with Trump "unexpected."

Mamdani responded, "Sorry, brother."

The mayor told Kimmel he and the president had many disagreements, but agreed on how much they both love New York City.

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"And so, from that first meeting in November of last year, I was just thinking of, ‘How can we make this meeting not about us, but about New Yorkers? How can we spend that time talking about the things that could make life in the city that little bit easier?’ And that's what it's been whether we've met at the White House or at Gracie Mansion," he said.

Mamdani and the president met earlier this month at the mayor's residence, Gracie Mansion, despite the major policy differences the two have.

"The number one thing that we've been speaking about recently has been Sunnyside Yard, which is this idea for decades of building a platform over a rail yard and then building 12,000 homes. And so, in that moment, you know, that you zoomed in on, I'm just thinking about 12,000 homes, 30,000 jobs, largest housing development since the early 1970s," Mamdani told Kimmel.

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Kimmel asked, "When you text him about Sunnyside, are you sure he doesn't think you're texting him about eggs?"

Mamdani said he was "pretty sure" and noted that the texts were pretty normal and didn't resemble the president's Truth Social posts.

"Wow. You really have broken through with him," Kimmel said. "I mean listen, you seem to be doing a great job in New York.We might need you to move to Washington just hang out at the Oval Office all day. Like if you texted him a selfie of us right now."

Mamdani laughed and shut it down.

"I love you, but I love housing more," Mamdani responded.

Kimmel went on to ask if Mamdani would come be the mayor of Los Angeles at the end of the discussion.

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The White House did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Trump first met with the socialist mayor last November and said Mamdani could "surprise some conservative people" and declared, "The better he does, the happier I am."

Their last meeting, on Feb. 26 at the Oval Office, was notably cordial, with Mamdani seeking Trump’s support for an ambitious New York housing proposal despite their political differences.

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"The new communist mayor of New York City, I think he’s a nice guy, actually," Trump said in his State of the Union address in February. "I speak to him a lot. Bad policy, but nice guy."