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College student's fatal canoe trip takes turn after lone survivor is arrested months later

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 19:09:41 -0400

The lone survivor of a late-night canoe trip that left a 20-year-old college student dead is facing criminal charges after investigators alleged he had been drinking before the outing turned tragic.

Connecticut environmental police arrested Michael Collins, 20, of Mineola, New York, on a charge of operating a boat under the influence in the March drowning of Dominick Tocci, a 20-year-old from Woodstock, Connecticut.

Investigators say Collins and Tocci had been drinking with a group of friends before the two climbed into a canoe and pushed off onto Lake Hayward in East Haddam the night of March 21.

The trip quickly turned disastrous after the canoe capsized, sending both men into the water.

KENTUCKY MAN CHARGED WITH BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AFTER FEMALE PASSENGER, 19, GOES MISSING

FOX61 previously reported that a nearby resident heard calls for help before good Samaritans rescued Collins from the lake.

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Tocci disappeared beneath the surface, sparking a massive search involving the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police, Connecticut State Police drone and dive teams, local fire departments and other emergency responders.

After a multi-day search, crews recovered Tocci's body from Lake Hayward the afternoon of March 23. Months later, EnCon Police sought an arrest warrant, alleging Collins had been operating the canoe while under the influence.

Collins turned himself in to EnCon Police on July 10, and he was arrested and charged with operating a boat under the influence. He was released on a promise to appear and is scheduled to appear in court July 23.

Authorities have not announced any additional criminal charges in Tocci's death.

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News of Tocci's death devastated his hometown of Woodstock, where friends, coaches and former teammates remembered the 20-year-old as a talented athlete whose larger-than-life personality left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

"We are so heartbroken at the loss of my stepson, Dominick, please keep us in your prayers," a woman identifying herself on social media as Tocci's stepmother wrote at the time of his death. "Such an amazing kid and will be missed forever."

BODYCAM SHOWS NANTUCKET OFFICIAL SLURRING, SWAYING DURING DUI STOP AFTER CRASHING INTO SIGN: POLICE

Woodstock Little League, which Tocci played before graduating from the program in 2018, remembered him as "a bright and gregarious spirit" who "brought energy, laughter and kindness to everyone he met."

"Dom was a beloved teammate and the type of kid that every coach would want in their dugout," the league wrote. "Dom's personality, warmth and enthusiasm touched everyone that he knew. Our hearts go out to his mom Lisa, his brother Vincent, his sister Antoinette and the rest of Dom's family. Rest in peace, Dominick. You will be missed, but never forgotten."

According to Tocci's obituary, memorial donations were directed to youth baseball programs across Woodstock in his honor.

The arrest comes just weeks after DEEP launched Operation Dry Water, a nationwide enforcement campaign targeting boating under the influence over the Fourth of July holiday.

The agency noted that alcohol remains the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating deaths and reminded boaters that, under a Connecticut law that took effect in October 2025, a boating under the influence conviction can also result in the suspension of a person's driver's license.

"Every boater has a responsibility to help keep Connecticut's waterways safe," DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said in a statement announcing the campaign. "If you're operating a boat this holiday weekend, stay sober, wear a life jacket, and make smart decisions that protect your passengers and everyone else on the water."

Fox News Digital reached out to DEEP's Environmental Conservation Police for additional information. It was not immediately clear whether Collins has retained an attorney.

JD Vance says attending an event in Los Angeles reminded him of visiting US embassy in 'Third World country'

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:58:00 -0400

Vice President JD Vance spoke to podcaster Joe Rogan Wednesday about how California has declined under Gov. Gavin Newsom to the point it gave him flashbacks to visiting a "Third World country."

Vance recalled driving through a rough neighborhood in Los Angeles on his way to an elite Christmas party and was struck by the contrast between the two settings.

"And I realized when I was there, you know what this reminds me of? This reminds me of going to the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti," he said, as Rogan chuckled. "Like super security, crazy wealth and privilege and status on the inside and squalor and misery on the outside.

"It's the first time I'd ever thought America, like this part of America, is actually more like a Third World country than anything that I thought we'd ever become."

JOE ROGAN MOCKS GAVIN NEWSOM FOR DISMISSING GROWING STATE PROBLEMS AS LA FILM PRODUCTION CRATERS

Vance noted that his wife, Usha, is from southern California, and they have spent a great deal of time in the state to the point he felt "heartbreak" over the condition of Los Angeles.

"Because every time I'm in LA, you can see why this was like the quintessentially American city," he said. "The architecture is beautiful. It's got its own vibe going. Like you said, the weather is amazing. And then you drive through skid row, and you're like, ‘How could any state or any city let this happen?’"

Rogan, a former Californian, has spoken about his reasons for leaving the state and told Vance he knows people who want to leave but are struggling to sell their houses.

NEWSOM BLASTS DEMOCRATS FOR THEIR 'VICTIM MINDSET' THAT ENABLED HOMELESS CRISIS

"Like, it's nuts there, man. … First of all, you get gaslit by Gavin Newsom. He's just gaslighting everybody about how well — ‘Oh, the GDP of like the fifth-largest country in the world. That's what California is,'" Rogan said. "Hey bro, it was like that before you were the governor."

Vance quipped that a good rule of thumb to determine how well a state is doing is by checking the cost of a U-Haul truck rental going there versus leaving.

Rogan recalled that he had spent many happy years in California with all of its fun activities and warm weather until "politics ruined it."

Rogan noted that the skid row area of the city — known for homeless encampments and crime — has actually been growing, claiming it expanded by five blocks.

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Fox News Digital contacted Newsom’s office for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

More than a quarter-million noncitizens may be registered to vote in 4 key states, DHS alleges

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:50:50 -0400

FIRST ON FOX – The Department of Homeland Security told election officials in California, New Jersey, Nevada and Pennsylvania that a preliminary review found what could be more than 256,000 noncitizens registered to vote across the four states, according to letters obtained by Fox News Digital.

In the four letters dated Friday, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the department compared publicly available voter registration records with federal immigration data and uncovered thousands of potential matches. He asked state election officials to work with DHS to verify the identities before taking any action.

According to the letters, DHS estimates there may be as many as 190,832 non-citizens registered to vote in California, 35,152 in New Jersey, 15,903 in Nevada and 14,576 in Pennsylvania. The department said it found 81,336 California registrants, 19,497 New Jersey registrants, 8,576 Nevada registrants and 8,594 Pennsylvania registrants whose names, dates of birth, addresses and Social Security numbers match noncitizens in DHS records.

DHS PLANS COSTLY CRACKDOWN ON STATES THAT DON’T COOPERATE ON ELECTION SECURITY

Many non-citizens are legally issued Social Security numbers, including lawful permanent residents, people authorized to work in the United States and certain visa holders. DHS said it used Social Security numbers as one of several identifiers in matching voter registration records with federal immigration records.

The letters describe the findings as a preliminary review.

"The most efficient way to ensure the accuracy of our findings is to work collaboratively on identity verification," Mullin wrote. DHS said it is prepared to provide immigration records under federal law to help states determine whether those individuals are eligible to remain on the voter rolls.

DHS DIRECTS ICE TO DEPORT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO VOTE IN AMERICAN ELECTIONS UNDER NEW DIRECTIVE

Mullin said ensuring that only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections is essential to protecting election integrity, writing that "allowing just one non-citizen to vote cancels the vote of one U.S. citizen." He added that states maintain voter registration rolls while the federal government maintains the immigration records needed to verify citizenship.

The letters ask the secretaries of state to contact DHS by July 24, so the department can begin sharing records and assisting with the verification process ahead of future federal elections.

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California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt, New Jersey Secretary of State Dale Caldwell and Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital requests for comment.

The letters come as the Trump administration continues pushing states to work more closely with federal agencies on election security and voter eligibility, arguing that access to federal immigration records can help states maintain accurate voter rolls.

White House addresses growing parasite outbreak after more than 400 Americans sickened

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:51:13 -0400

The White House said Thursday it was closely monitoring a growing multistate parasite outbreak that has sickened more than 400 people as federal health officials race to identify the contaminated food behind the illnesses.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to trace the outbreak to its source, insisting the agencies have the resources they need despite questions about recent staffing changes.

"We're committed to providing the CDC and the FDA with the resources that they need," Leavitt told reporters. "Most importantly, [we're working to] trace the outbreak back to its original source, which we are currently in the process of doing."

NYC HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN CENTRAL PARK VISITORS AFTER LEGIONNAIRES’ OUTBREAK GROWS ON UPPER EAST SIDE

The outbreak has heightened concern because investigators still have not identified the contaminated food, leaving consumers without a specific product to avoid as federal and state officials work to trace the illnesses through patient interviews and food supply records.

The White House comments came a day after the CDC warned it is investigating a large cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened more than 400 people in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. The agency said the actual number of illnesses is likely much higher because many infected people never seek testing or medical care.

The CDC said the outbreak appears to have accelerated since May, and it is simultaneously investigating several additional clusters of cyclospora infections across the country. Public health officials are interviewing patients about everything they ate in the two weeks before becoming sick as they work to pinpoint the source.

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Although investigators have not linked the outbreak to a specific food, cyclospora infections have historically been associated with fresh produce, including leafy greens, herbs and berries. Officials say identifying the contaminated item remains the investigation's top priority.

Cyclospora is not typically life-threatening, but the CDC warns some people can become seriously ill and require hospitalization.

Symptoms generally begin about a week after exposure and can include prolonged watery diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach cramps and weight loss. Without treatment, the illness can last for weeks or even longer.

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The CDC is urging consumers to wash fresh produce thoroughly under running water, cook food when possible and to stay hydrated if symptoms develop. It also said to contact a healthcare provider if diarrhea persists.

Because routine stool tests do not always screen for cyclospora, officials say patients may need to specifically request testing for the parasite.

Bryson DeChambeau claps back at Nick Faldo, other critics, after -3 round at The Open: 'incredibly strategic'

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:38:55 -0400

Bryson DeChambeau has once again found himself at the center of the golf world.

The 2024 US Open Champion has, without question, had a terrible 2026 season when it comes to performances in major tournaments. Three missed cuts at the first three events of the year at The Masters, PGA Championship at Aronimink, and US Open at Shinnecock Hills.

For a player with a ceiling as high as DeChambeau's, that's unacceptable. It's also opened himself up to criticism from analysts and commentators who have taken issue with his YouTube channel and, in their view, inability to adjust to different styles of play.

GOLF LEGEND NICK FALDO UNLOADS SCATHING CRITICISM ON BRYSON DECHAMBEAU AMID MAJOR TOURNAMENT STRUGGLES

Nick Faldo, six-time major winner and three-time Champion Golfer of the Year, was very specific in his assessment of DeChambeau's game, saying he doesn't focus enough on strategy when playing links courses.

"That’s a whole part of the story, how they’re superstars at LIV then come over and can’t do it. So that’s all another story. Then they go back to be superstars. He has — I’d say it to his face — he has zero clue of strategy," Faldo told Sky Sports earlier this week. "He said it last year I think on TV: ‘I’m going to go out and attack the links.’ Well, I’ve never attacked a links. You thread it, don’t you? You feed it down the fairway.

"You look at humps and bumps and what have you and think, ‘If I send it over and feed it, it nudges back into play.’ You don’t think, ‘I’ll just bomb it down there, can’t see where I’m going, it’s 20 yards wide.’ Oh yeah, good luck."

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU POSTS 3-UNDER 67 AT ROYAL BIRKDALE TO SILENCE CRITICS AFTER THREE STRAIGHT MISSED MAJOR CUTS

Brandel Chamblee added that he believed DeChambeau's struggles are a result of focusing too much on chasing "Grant Horvat" and other YouTube golf priorities.

"Probably one of the biggest surprises of the year is Bryson DeChambeau," Chamblee explained this week. "It's almost like he went from chasing Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy to chasing Grant Horvat. It's like he wants to outdo every YouTuber in the game of golf instead of outplay everybody in the game of golf."

Well, the 32-year-old clearly heard those remarks, because he gave a not-so-subtle response to them in a post-round interview on Thursday. After putting up a very impressive three-under 67, DeChambeau did not speak to the media, giving just one brief interview to an R&A reporter. First, he addressed his play with some very standard, middle of the road analysis.

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"It was a hard-fought battle out there. The wind was switching quite a bit. It was fun seeing a lot of the fans going at us, and they were rooting for all of us. It was fun just seeing the ups and downs of the group, but we all played pretty well. It was a lot of fun," he said. "There’s just some driving holes out there I’ve got to work on. Other than that, I played really well. Made some good putts. I three-putted once, but that’s life."

But he switched gears immediately afterward, making sure to highlight how happy he was with his "strategy" in the first round.

"I think you’ve got to be a lot more strategic out on the golf course. I feel like I did a really good job today of being incredibly strategic and focused super hard on placing it in the right places," he said in a clear reference to Faldo's comments. "Besides 18, I placed the ball in some good areas. But I just need to hit more fairways. Other than that, I feel like my strategy was nice today."

Not exactly hiding it, is he? And who can blame him?

Yes, he's struggled, badly, at the majors this season, and as a result, his decision-making and performance is going to be scrutinized and criticized. But he remains one of the best players in the world, with a ceiling as high as anyone. And ironically, in a direct repudiation of Faldo's complaints, the data shows that DeChambeau's actually been at this best off the tee in recent Open Championships.

In 2025, when he finished T10 at Royal Portrush, he ranked second in strokes gained off the tee in the entire field. In 2024, he gained 1.38 strokes off the tee, missing the cut because his approach play was so poor. Same in 2023, his best category was off the tee. And when he finished T8 in 2022, sure enough, gained strokes off the tee.

So in the last four Open Championships, DeChambeau has gained strokes with his driving against the field in every single event. Doesn't exactly jump out as someone who needs to overhaul his strategy off the tee. In fact, through the first round at Royal Birkdale, he once again ranked third in strokes gained off the tee.

Where he has struggled at times? Approach play, though that's always been a weakness of his. And when he's gained strokes in approach play, he's excelled at The Open. In 2022, he was +1.15 and finished T8. In 2023, he was -0.57 and finished T60. He was awful, -2.37 shots in 2024, and missed the cut, then +0.65 in 2025 and finished T10.

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Sure enough, in the first round, DeChambeau gained over two shots in approach play, and he had a three under 67 and put himself in position to challenge over the weekend.

Does any of this mean he doesn't deserve criticism? Of course not, when you play poorly in majors, you're going to hear about it. But it's might be a bit overblown because DeChambeau does things differently; he has 3-D printed, single-length irons, for example.

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And if you think this very "strategic" response is funny now, just wait to see what he does if he wins the whole tournament.

MLB effectively outlaws use of AI on dugout iPads during games

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:55:04 -0400

AI has just been ejected from baseball.

Major League Baseball effectively outlawed the practice of using iPads during games to access artificial intelligence tools and use of AI to shape in-game strategy.

Teams were installing custom apps that pushed the boundaries of the technology guidelines, and the iPads were being used "beyond their originally intended purpose to include recommendations regarding substitutions, pitch calling and other in-game decisions traditionally made by players and coaches," according to a commissioner’s office memo obtained by Fox News Digital.

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The league memo about AI and the iPads was issued June 11, with the ban fully going into effect on Wednesday before teams resumed play after the All-Star break. As many as one-third teams were using the iPads for reasons beyond its intended use, according to The Athletic’s report.

The league’s review of the use of technology found that no teams broke the MLB’s rules governing sign stealing and electronic-device usage.

"Gotta stop the cheating before there’s cheating now," one front office executive told The Athletic.

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On MLB-issued iPads, there are three tabs. The first contains MLB-provided Statcast data and multiple video angles, the second contains data related to the automated ball-strike system and the third was a custom tab where teams installed apps. That third tab is now prohibited by the league.

Rules have been enacted to try and reduce the amount of live information going into iPads. In-game video is only available on a delay, and rules are posted in all clubhouses that prevent non-field personnel from entering the dugout.

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It is not known exactly how many teams used the iPads with live, in-game information, but the league's decision to suspend the use of artificial intelligence now ensures it will be humans calling all of the shots.

The Athletic was the first to report about the restrictions of AI on the iPads.

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Nine Venezuelans plead guilty in Nashville sex trafficking scheme that lured migrant women with fake jobs: DOJ

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:49:39 -0400

Nine Venezuelan nationals have pleaded guilty for their roles in what federal prosecutors described as a family-run sex trafficking ring that lured vulnerable women to the U.S. with promises of jobs before forcing them into prostitution in the Nashville area.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday that members of the organization recruited women in Venezuela, arranged for them to be smuggled into the U.S. and then transported them to Nashville. Once there, prosecutors said the victims were told they owed inflated smuggling debts that could only be repaid through commercial sex acts.

According to court documents, women who refused were threatened with violence against themselves and relatives still living in Venezuela.

Prosecutors said the traffickers also took a share of the women's earnings while collecting on the debts.

EXCLUSIVE: GUATEMALAN NATIONALS PLEAD GUILTY TO HORRIFIC HUMAN SMUGGLING CRASH THAT KILLED 56, INJURED 100+

Authorities identified Yilibeth Carmen Rivero-de Caldera and her son, Kleiver Daniel Mota Rivero, as the leaders of the operation, claiming they enlisted relatives and associates to help run the scheme.

Investigators said Rivero, Mota and co-defendant Ramon De Jesus Velasquez Martinez used firearms and threats of violence to intimidate victims. Prosecutors also alleged Mota claimed ties to a Venezuelan prison gang and spoke openly about a prior homicide prison sentence in Venezuela to keep victims from resisting or leaving.

"Human smuggling and trafficking operations represent a dangerous convergence of exploitation and lawlessness," Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva wrote in a statement. "These perpetrators profited off human suffering while chipping away at the integrity of our border. These convictions show that protecting vulnerable individuals and securing our border are not competing goals."

MEXICAN NATIONAL SENTENCED IN BORDER CHILD SMUGGLING CASE INVOLVING THC-LACED CANDY

Eight defendants pleaded guilty to charges carrying maximum penalties of life in prison, while a ninth defendant faces up to 20 years behind bars.

Sentencing is scheduled for the week of Nov. 16.

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The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations alongside the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and other federal, state and local agencies.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Homeland Security Investigations and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for additional information.

World Cup final matches: Here's how to stream without cable

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:36:13 -0400

The FIFA Club World Cup final matches are airing on FOX and FS1: the third-place match between France and England on July 18, and the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain on July 19. And this year, for the first time in World Cup history, there will also be a halftime show featuring Shakira and Burna Boy, Justin Bieber, BTS and Madonna.

Fans can stream the matches through services such as FOX One, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DISH and Sling TV. Each provider offers a different mix of channels and pricing, giving viewers several ways to watch every match live without the commitment of cable. Take a look at our rundown of each below to see which is best for you before the final matches this weekend.

FOX One: $19.99 per month

FOX One gives fans access to every FIFA Club World Cup match airing on FOX and FS1, and it is currently offering a Buy One, Get One offerto get two months for the price of one if you sign up before July 19. That means you can pay just $19.99 and catch the World Cup final and the start of the NFL season. The service includes multiview functionality that lets you watch up to four live games at once and DVR capabilities for catching matches on your own schedule.

Fubo: Starting at $9.99 per month

Fubo offers access to hundreds of channels, including FOX and FS1 for FIFA Club World Cup coverage. You can purchase the Latino plan to watch the World Cup in Spanish for just $9.99 the first month, and $19.99 per month after that. Beyond the tournament, subscribers can watch a wide range of soccer competitions, including Premier League, UEFA Champions League, MLS and Ligue 1 matches. English plans start at $45.99 per month after a five-day free trial, with higher-tier options available for viewers who want additional channels and features.

Sling: $19.99 per month

Sling remains a popular option for sports fans looking to stream live events without a traditional cable package. To watch the World Cup matches on FOX and FS1, viewers can choose Sling Select, which starts at $20 per month, or Sling Blue, which starts at $46 per month. Sling Select focuses on core channels, while Sling Blue expands the lineup with more than 40 channels, including a broader selection of sports programming.

Hulu: $89.99 per month

Hulu + Live TV offers access to FOX, FS1 and a wide range of other sports and entertainment channels for $90 per month. The subscription also includes Hulu's on-demand library, along with Disney+ and ESPN, making it a strong option for households that want a mix of live sports, movies and family-friendly programming. While it costs more than some competing services, the breadth of content helps justify the higher price.

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

DISH: Starting at $89.99 per month

Viewers who prefer a traditional pay-TV experience can turn to DISH, a satellite TV provider that offers some of the largest channel lineups available. The America's Top 120 package includes FOX and more than 190 channels for $90 per month. For even more programming, DISH also offers America's Top 200 with more than 240 channels and America's Top 250 with more than 290 channels. Right now you can get an extra $250 off DISH with promo code DISH250.

IndyCar announces start time for highly anticipated Freedom 250 Grand Prix on the streets of Washington, DC

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:28:19 -0400

The NTT IndyCar Series is gearing up to hit the streets of Washington, D.C., for the first time Aug. 23, and now we know when the green flag will wave.

There is no question about it: The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is going to be a full-on spectacle as cars race past some of the most iconic monuments our nation has to offer.

It's getting the level of coverage it deserves.

TRUMP TOUTS INDYCAR DRIVERS' 'SPECIAL' ABILITY AT FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX SHOWCASE, SEEMINGLY ENDING HOT DEBATE

Practice sessions 1 and 2 will air Saturday, Aug. 22, on FS1 and FS2, respectively. Qualifying will take place that evening from 5-6:30 p.m. ET on FS2.

Then, Sunday morning, the IndyCar broadcast booth regulars — lap-by-lap commentator Will Buxton and former drivers-turned-broadcasters Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe — will call the warmup from 9-10 a.m. ET on FS1.

After that, expanded pre-race coverage will get underway on FOX at 11:30 a.m. ET, with the race getting started shortly after 1 p.m. ET.

SCOTT DIXON LEAVING CHIP GANASSI RACING THROWS A HUGE WRENCH INTO INDYCAR'S SILLY SEASON

On top of the IndyCar action, the International Race of Champions, or IROC, will make its return as a support series for the weekend.

That race is scheduled for Saturday with IndyCar greats Helio Castroneves, Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan taking part alongside NASCAR legends Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, Rusty Wallace and Bill Elliott using the same Pontiac Firebirds the original IROC series used from 1996 to 2006.

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There's a lot of excitement around this one-of-a-kind addition to the 2026 IndyCar calendar, and, this week, reigning series champ Alex Palou, Indy 500 champ Felix Rosenqvist and Team Penske's David Malukas were all at the White House to meet with President Donald Trump and to knock out some pit stop practice.

IndyCar has another big weekend ahead. The series heads to Nashville Superspeedway for the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix on Sunday, which will air on FOX immediately after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.

Ramaswamy torches Dem rival over 'outrageous' COVID-19 claim: 'Spewing lies'

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:12:44 -0400

Amy Acton, the Democratic nominee for governor of Ohio, is facing backlash from Republican rival Vivek Ramaswamy after claiming COVID-19 mortality rates had been as high as 50% in the early days of the 2020 pandemic.

Acton highlighted the figure as evidence of her effective leadership as director of the Ohio Department of Health on a podcast appearance in September.

"In those early days, the mortality rate was 50%. I started with that in March. By June, when we reopened, it was because we took swift, decisive action. The mortality rate had gone down to 5%. We learned how to save lives," Acton said.

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Acton’s retelling of the pandemic’s lethality comes as she defends her record as health director and amid an uphill bid to become the next governor of the Buckeye State.

COVID-19’s mortality rate was well below the 50% Acton described, resulting in 275,000 deaths nationwide in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Of patients who contracted the virus, the death rate was just 15.9% when adjusted for age. And when filtered further for when COVID was the cause of death, that figure fell further to 11.3%.

When asked about the figure, Acton’s office said she had been referring to death rates in hospitals.

She also bashed Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, the founder of Roivant Sciences, a biotech pharmaceutical company that helped produce COVID treatments.

"While Dr. Acton was working hand in hand with Governor DeWine to keep Ohioans safe, Vivek Ramaswamy was calling for mandatory COVID-19 testing, making more than $2 billion off of the COVID vaccine and recommending segregating Ohioans based on biomarker status," Addie Bullock, a spokesperson for Acton’s campaign, said.

ANTHONY FAUCI BLAMES AMERICANS FOR NOT HITTING HIS COVID VACCINE TARGET WHILE IGNORING OTHER COUNTRIES

In the past, Acton has received Republican criticism for pushing Ohio’s COVID response too far. Acton has countered by arguing that her leadership, alongside Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, had been effective.

"I had quarantine power. … We were the very first to take action," Acton said on the podcast.

A Ramaswamy spokesperson fired back at Acton, telling Fox News Digital she was "spewing lies" on COVID-19.

"Liberal Amy Acton is desperately trying to rewrite history, spewing lies in a futile attempt to justify her disastrous decision-making during COVID," Connie Luck said.

"But her outrageous claims only confirm what we already know: She’s an incompetent, failed government bureaucrat who ran our state into the ground and is wholly unqualified to lead Ohio."

With Acton’s advice, Ohio was one of the first states to impose broad emergency restrictions, becoming the first state to shut down schools in March, issuing stay-at-home orders, closing polling places and limiting public gatherings of 50 and then 100 people.

In those early days, Acton once overestimated the number of people in Ohio with COVID, asserting in March 2020 that the figure was 100,000, only to walk back the claim a few days later and state that she had been "guesstimating." Also in March, Acton claimed Ohio could see as many as 10,000 new cases a day at a press conference with DeWine.

DeWine has defended Acton from criticism, saying it was ultimately his decision on which closures to enact and called Acton's counsel "superb" in comments to local media.

Later, Acton split with the governor’s office. In particular, Acton disagreed with allowing county fairs, citing fears that the events would risk renewed spread of the virus. She also didn’t see eye to eye with which groups entered into partnerships with the state.

RAMASWAMY PUMPS $25M OF OWN CASH INTO OHIO GOVERNOR BID, SMASHES FUNDRAISING RECORDS WITH $50 MILLION HAUL

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"I stepped down because I would not sign orders that were being forced on me. I stepped down in June because they began to make COVID, like everything else in the state house, political, giving special interests and certain businesses advantage over other businesses," Acton said.

Having cleared the Ohio primaries and secured the Democratic nomination, Acton will face Ramaswamy in the Nov. 3 general election.

Woman found in shallow grave ID’d after 44 years as millionaire tied to estate murder plot

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:22:56 -0400

A woman whose remains were found in a shallow grave in Riverside County, California, more than four decades ago has been identified as a multimillionaire real estate investor who vanished in 1981.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau said advances in investigative genetic genealogy, along with dental records, confirmed the victim was Thelma Gaston, 80, whose disappearance sparked a high-profile Los Angeles murder investigation.

The case began Nov. 28, 1981, when people searching for firewood near Sugar Loaf Mountain discovered skeletal remains protruding from a shallow grave.

Riverside County sheriff's investigators recovered the remains the following day near Highway 74, but the body had decomposed so extensively that authorities were unable to determine who the victim was despite extensive investigative efforts.

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For decades, the woman remained known only as an unidentified homicide victim.

According to UPI archives, Gaston, an 80-year-old wealthy real estate investor whose estate was estimated to be worth roughly $20 million, disappeared on June 28, 1981. A note was found on the door of her home stating she had gone out to look for a missing cat, but she never returned.

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Prosecutors later accused Lawrence Remsen, then 39, of killing Gaston to gain control of her multimillion-dollar estate. Police described Remsen as Gaston’s "sometime companion."

He pleaded not guilty to charges, including murder, forgery, grand theft and attempted grand theft after authorities alleged business associates received forged letters naming him as the person who would control Gaston's fortune.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau, the Los Angeles Police Department ultimately identified Remsen as the suspect after determining he had falsely represented Gaston's disappearance.

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The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office later successfully prosecuted the case, and Remsen was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

While the homicide investigation had long been resolved, what happened to Gaston's body remained a mystery.

That changed after the Riverside County Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau received funding through the Missing and Unidentified Human Remains Grant, giving investigators the opportunity to revisit long-unsolved unidentified remains cases with modern forensic technology.

Investigators revisited the case in November 2024 by exhuming the remains for additional forensic testing. DNA samples were later sent to Othram, a forensic laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas, where scientists developed a comprehensive DNA profile using the company's Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing technology, allowing investigators to use forensic genetic genealogy and dental records to positively identify Gaston in May 2026.

The identification was made through a collaborative effort involving the Riverside Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau, the Riverside Cold Case Homicide Team and Othram.

"This identification ensures that Ms. Gaston has her name — and her story — returned to her," the Riverside County Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau said in announcing the breakthrough.

California prison records show Remsen, now 83, is serving a life sentence at the California Institution for Men in Chino. He was denied parole in July 2025, and his next parole suitability hearing is scheduled for July 2028.

Othram said the case marks the 85th publicly announced California case in which its forensic DNA technology has helped identify an unknown individual.

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The case underscores how advances in investigative genetic genealogy continue to solve decades-old mysteries once thought unsolvable, helping investigators identify victims who for years had no name.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Riverside County Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau, Othram, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and the Los Angeles Police Department for additional information.

Details of Todd Blanche's behind-the-scenes meeting with Angel Mom revealed after Capitol Hill testimony

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:20:04 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: An Illinois Angel Mom whose daughter died after a tragic encounter with an illegal alien last year revealed to Fox News Digital details of a conversation she had with President Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general that convinced her he's the man for the job.

"I immediately felt so pulled towards him," Jennifer Bos said, speaking about acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. "You get a certain energy from people, and he is just the kindest. ... He listened to my story very intently, and you could just see his mind ticking like, 'what are we going to do about this?'"

Bos' daughter, Megan Bos, was just 37 when she was found dead in April 2026, stuffed in a garbage can and soaked in bleach, 51 days after she disappeared. An illegal alien from Mexico, Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, was charged with several felonies in Megan's death after her body was found on his property.

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Mendoza-Gonzalez is accused of abuse of a corpse, two counts of concealing the death of a person and obstructing justice. He claims Megan overdosed and insists he had nothing to do with her death.

Due to Illinois' sanctuary policies, Mendoza-Gonzalez walked free after an initial hearing, infuriating Jennifer. He was tracked down and arrested again by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Indiana in July 2026, just days after Jennifer shared her tragic story with Trump when they crossed paths at an anti-fentanyl bill signing.

Jennifer and her husband are now raising Megan's daughter, who was 5 years old when her mother died.

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Though, as Jennifer noted, there is nothing Blanche can do to help her family specifically since her daughter has already died, she is confident the attorney general nominee understands the plight of Angel Families everywhere.

"We're trying to make a difference for people who haven't been touched by this kind of tragedy, who haven't been touched by the violence that can be from an illegal immigrant," Jennifer said.

She said she thinks Blanche, appointed acting attorney general after Pam Bondi's ouster, is "being true to the job he's supposed to do."

"I trust that he's doing the right thing for the right reasons," she continued.

Jennifer, who was in Washington with border security group American Border Story Action, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee just 24 hours after Democrats on the committee attempted to shred Blanche's credibility and paint him as a personal yes-man for Trump.

She told Fox News Digital those same Democrats have ignored families whose lives have been forever altered by the death of a relative at the hands of an illegal alien, including hers. She didn't speak to any Democrats on the panel before her testimony Thursday.

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"You know, before President Trump came into office, Angel Families were inconvenient truths," she said. "They didn't want to acknowledge the damage that was being done by having open borders and by having people here illegally, that they couldn't track, they couldn't identify."

She described Republicans and independents as "welcoming," and said they're always open to meetings and helping Angel Families tell their stories.

Jennifer came face to face with her own senator, Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who is the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, during Thursday's hearing.

"I was very frustrated listening to my own senator when he addressed me directly, giving his apologies, because all I could think of was, you know, I've been out in the public, I'm everywhere, I have been for the last year and a half, yet never once has he said anything to me, reached out to me or anything of the like," said Jennifer.

She said the issue of illegal alien crime is "very nonpartisan," noting that it can happen to anyone regardless of political ideology and expressing disappointment that both sides of the political aisle can't come together to solve the problem.

Jennifer did say that Durbin approached her to chat after the hearing, and she is hopeful the pair can collaborate on solutions in the future.

During the hearing, Jennifer said Blanche is listening to Angel Families and that they're "being taken seriously."

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"I'm asking the committee not to wait until another mother is sitting where I am. Confirm Todd Blanche," she said. "He is a leader who will uphold the law, honor victims, confront dangerous criminal organizations and fight to give other American families the safety and lasting protection that came too late for mine.

"I couldn't save my daughter. But Todd Blanche, as attorney general, he might save yours because next time, it could be your child. It could be your family. It could be you."

Liv Morgan brought her WWE title belt with her to the ESPYs & somehow everyone is talking about is her outfit

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:18:58 -0400

I'll admit it, I didn’t watch the ESPYs Wednesday night on TV. I wasn't taking a stand against it or anything like that. I just wasn't going to get off work, go straight to the living room and announce that I had something I needed to watch.

Not for the ESPYs. I'll save those announcements for football season.

Plus like many award shows these days you can catch up pretty quickly on social media if you really want to find out what's going on. Even things that aren't part of the show itself.

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It was through social media and the power of algorithms that Liv Morgan at the ESPYs with her WWE Women's World Championship belt magically showed up in my feed. She had and her belt managed to go viral.

The online chatter however was focused on her outfit. I guess it's worthy of some level of attention. Others seem to think so.

If you search "Liv Morgan ESPYs," which I've done, you'll see a few headlines. Some of the headlines use words like stuns and frenzy and backless dress and even sideboob, if you know where to look.

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They all paint a picture that to me suggests I may have missed out on something. But I didn’t miss it. Look at me. No correction, look at us. Here we are all caught up on the WWE Women's World Champion's viral night at the ESPYs.

Not since she left the Stranger Things Season 5 red carpet in a pile of ashes has Liv caused such a commotion on the internet at an event that wasn’t for the WWE.

There's a reason Liv Morgan was the one at the ESPYs on Wednesday night at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City with a belt in her hands.

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'TODAY' show intruder identified after allegedly breaching security near Craig Melvin

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:44:00 -0400

A man was detained on Thursday after allegedly slipping past security at NBC’s "Today" show studios in New York.

TODAY.com reports that the person who was detained "has been identified as Andrew Truelove, who has several pending cases and a criminal history.

TMZ reported the man was looking for "Today" anchor Al Roker but when he couldn't find him reportedly lunged at co-host Craig Melvin and shouted a racial slur before security detained him.

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No one was injured, and the hosts returned to the air shortly afterward.

In a post to his story on Instagram, Melvin wrote, "I've heard from so many of you over the last few hours. I'm doing just fine. Thanks for reaching out. I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning on [TODAY Show]."

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NYPD confirmed to Fox News Digital:

"On Thursday, July 16, 2026, at approximately 0919 hours, it was reported to officers that there was a disorderly person inside 30 Rockefeller Center, within the confines of the Midtown North Precinct. Officers responded and placed an unidentified individual into custody. There were no injuries reported. The investigation remains ongoing."

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Additionally, Savannah Guthrie shared on the "Today" show she will be off the show for a few weeks while she is filming a new Wordle game show.

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"I’m headed over to shoot ‘Wordle’ over the next few weeks," Savannah said on "Today" July 16. "We’re going to shoot the whole season, and we’re super excited. Cannot wait for everyone to see it."

In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, NBC News' TODAY said:

"There was a security incident this morning at the TODAY show studio. An individual entered an unauthorized area in a vestibule near Studio 1A. The person approached anchor Craig Melvin, who alerted security. The individual was detained and taken into custody by law enforcement without further incident. There was no altercation, and no one was injured. TODAY is cooperating fully with law enforcement as they investigate the matter. NBC and TODAY take the safety and security of our employees, talent, staff and guests extremely seriously. We are reviewing the incident and our security protocols and remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who works at and visits our studios."

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FBI investigating after ICE headquarters in Phoenix riddled with gunfire

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:14:06 -0400

The FBI is investigating after gunfire riddled the windows of an Arizona U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) center earlier this week. Video from FOX 10 Phoenix showed the damage after one or more unidentified people fired multiple rounds at the building.

The FBI's Phoenix Field Office said it is investigating the shooting, which occurred Tuesday afternoon at the Enforcement and Removal Operations building on North Central Avenue in Phoenix.

According to the bureau, one or more unidentified people fired rounds that hit the exterior of the structure.

No injuries were reported.

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ICE sources told Fox News there were several bullet holes in the building's windows. FOX 10 Phoenix crews also captured video showing the apparent damage.

"The FBI Phoenix field office is investigating a shooting incident that occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the Enforcement and Removal Operations building located on North Central Ave. in Phoenix, AZ," the FBI said in a statement.

"According to the FBI, one or more unidentified people discharged rounds that struck the exterior in various parts of the structure. No injuries were reported in connection with this incident."

The shooting comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced ICE will require every arrest team to have an officer wearing a body camera, citing what it says has been a sharp rise in attacks against ICE personnel.

DHS said assaults against ICE officers have increased by more than 1,300%, while vehicle attacks have risen by more than 3,300%.

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"ICE will ensure each arrest team has an individual wearing a body camera," a DHS spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News.

"Ensuring all of our ICE law enforcement officers have body cameras nationwide is a top priority for DHS — especially given the increase in attacks against our law enforcement, including a more than 1,300% increase in assaults against them and a 3,300% increase in vehicle attacks.

"This is especially needed because the media and sanctuary politicians consistently spread smears about our law enforcement."

The FBI is asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

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The motive for the Phoenix shooting has not been announced, and no suspect information has been released.

Fox News' Alexis McAdams and Bill Melugin contributed to this report.

Smith unloads on democratic socialists, declares ‘this ain’t Denmark’ in fiery defense of the American dream

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:02:18 -0400

Stephen A. Smith delivered a forceful defense of capitalism and the American dream Thursday on his SiriusXM program, "Straight Shooter with Stephen A.," accusing the socialist wing of the Democratic Party of portraying the United States as the source of Americans' economic struggles.

"This ain’t Denmark. This ain’t Finland. This ain’t Sweden. This is the United States of America," Smith said.

The ESPN commentator argued that the United States remained a destination for people who believe hard work and individual ambition can provide opportunities unavailable elsewhere.

"You roll over to these borders with the vision and the fantasy and the passion that, ‘Yo, here I can achieve anything,’" Smith said.

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Smith said belief in economic mobility remained central to the country's identity despite concerns about inequality and the difficulties working-class Americans face.

"That’s what this is about in America," Smith said.

The "First Take" host accused socialist activists of blaming the country and its economic structure instead of holding specific politicians, corporations and lobbyists responsible for policies that hurt Americans.

"We don’t talk about that enough when it comes to the socialists, because they’re convincing folks that rather than individuals being a problem, rather than lobbyists being a problem, they’re trying to convince you America’s a problem," he said.

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Smith also accused prominent advocates of socialism of condemning capitalism while personally benefiting from the wealth, audiences and opportunities available under the American economic system.

Smith’s criticism came one day after Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, released a joint 2025 federal tax return reporting $686,069 in total income and $675,246 in adjusted gross income. El-Sayed has been endorsed by democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.

Smith warned at the time that socialist policies that resonated with younger voters in New York might not appeal to suburban and general election voters elsewhere in the country.

"If it resonates within the Democratic Party, but it doesn’t have a snowball’s chance of resonating in a general election, then you’re basically handing the presidency to the GOP as well," Smith said.

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He acknowledged the economic concerns that have helped New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other democratic socialists attract support, including the widening divide between wealthy Americans and people struggling with housing, food and other basic expenses.

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"That wealth gap is real, y’all. It’s very, very real," Smith said. "There are two Americas in this country, no matter what way we slice it. The haves and the have-nots."

EXCLUSIVE: Hawley expands USPS probe with blistering letter accusing chief of dodging Congress

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:59:50 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is expanding his investigation into the U.S. Postal Service, accusing Postmaster General David Steiner of ignoring congressional oversight while demanding records on the agency's use of outside restructuring consultants as USPS projects billions more in financial losses.

In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital, the Missouri Republican said his office has received no documents in response to a June 30 oversight request and informed Steiner that the investigation will now examine USPS' hiring of consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal.

"To date, my office has received no documents in compliance with my June 30 letter," Hawley wrote. "Is it your intention simply to ignore statutory oversight? I expect full compliance with my oversight requests immediately."

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Hawley said Congress must review USPS' relationship with Alvarez & Marsal, a restructuring firm Steiner disclosed earlier this year had been hired to help the postal service plan for its financial future.

The senator questioned why USPS is paying outside consultants while projecting another multibillion-dollar loss and continuing to award executive bonuses.

"It is surprising to me that as you complain about this monetary crisis, you and other USPS executives continue to rake in annual bonus packages and have found plenty of cash to hire these outside consultants like A&M — all while service declines and far too many Americans are not receiving their mail," Hawley wrote.

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Hawley is requesting records detailing who hired Alvarez & Marsal, how much the firm has been paid and whether it was asked to recommend closing rural post offices, limiting rural delivery or reviewing executive compensation. He also inquired about whether USPS plans to release the firm's recommendations to Congress or the public.

The expanded investigation comes weeks after Fox News Digital first reported Hawley launched an oversight probe into USPS over dumped mail in St. Louis, demanding records on delayed deliveries, possible criminal misconduct and executive bonuses.

That inquiry followed a contentious Senate hearing in June, where Hawley pressed Steiner over thousands of pieces of dumped mail discovered in St. Louis.

Hawley later criticized the postmaster general for saying he was unaware of the incident and publicly called for his resignation if he refused to return his performance bonus.

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In his latest letter, Hawley said the USPS has yet to comply with his original document requests.

Hawley noted USPS has lost an estimated $25 billion over the past three fiscal years and is projecting at least an $8.1 billion loss in fiscal year 2026 despite reforms Congress approved in 2022 to improve the agency's finances.

"If the Postal Service plans to address its losses through hiring A&M, then Congress must be apprised of the nature of the engagement and A&M's recommendations to ensure that USPS service standards — such as universal service and rural delivery — do not continue to decline in any agency restructuring plan," Hawley wrote.

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The senator requested USPS respond to his expanded oversight questions by July 24.

USPS did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.

Air quality concerns from Canadian wildfires force rescheduling of two professional sports games

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:57:33 -0400

A slow time in sports got even slower Thursday when some games on the schedule were altered due to the air quality in the Northeast and Midwest.

Wildfires in Canada have affected the air quality in those areas to the point residents were urged to stay inside and wear masks if they had to go out.

At least two sporting events were rescheduled because of the air, one MLB game and an MLS match.

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Polish soccer star Robert Lewandowski was set to make his MLS debut Thursday, but the air quality forced the postponement of his Chicago Fire’s contest against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Philadelphia Phillies also announced roughly three hours before the scheduled first pitch that their game against the New York Mets, originally slated for 7:10 p.m. ET, was moved up an hour.

The National Women’s Soccer League played a game at Citi Field that turned into the most-attended women’s sports contest in New York history, with 42,175 people attending Gotham FC’s match against the Washington Spirit at Citi Field. But Washington’s Trinity Rodman wasn’t happy with the game, which included two hydration breaks per half, being played.

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"If we have to have a hydration break every 15 minutes, then we shouldn’t be playing the game, and that’s my opinion," Rodman said. "But, at the end of the day, there’s 40,000 people. It’s a whole event, so it’s really tough. It’s just a really hard situation for everyone to work around."

Three MLB games were postponed in 2023 due to air quality concerns in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

The air quality in the tristate area has been deemed "unhealthy," perhaps putting a wrinkle in Sunday's World Cup final at nearby MetLife Stadium. But it is expected to be better in time.

Due to the air quality, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said she "directed" NJ Transit and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority "to make select quantities of masks available to commuters and at rest areas along the Turnpike and Parkway."

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to "stay somewhere cool" and "drink plenty of water."

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White House confirms Trump will attend World Cup final in New Jersey: 'A fitting conclusion'

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:49:18 -0400

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday that President Donald Trump will attend Sunday's FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino first said last month on "Fox & Friends" that Trump would attend the contest, but it is now official.

Leavitt said Trump's attendance will be "a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America's ability to host the world on the grandest stage."

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Infantino said he and Trump will deliver the FIFA World Cup trophy to the winning team's captain on the field.

"We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together," Infantino said.

Trump and Infantino did the same last year for the FIFA Club World Cup final, also at the New Jersey stadium, when Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain, 3-0. The appearance came one year after an assassination attempt on President Trump in Pennsylvania.

The president participated in the trophy presentation and handed out awards to the players and referees after Chelsea won the match. Trump remained on stage for the celebration, causing some confusion.

"I knew he was going to be here, but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy, so I was a bit confused," Chelsea’s Cole Palmer said after the match.

Trump got involved in one of the World Cup's biggest controversies, calling Infantino and requesting a review of Folarin Balogun's red card. Balogun was suspended for Team USA's Round of 16 match, but he was later ruled eligible for the game.

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"All I did was I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul," Trump said. "And, again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled. That was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything, that would be different.

"I think it’s a terrible … if they wouldn’t allow a top player, maybe the best, maybe among the best on the team, to play, I think it would have had a big stain. I relayed it. I didn’t tell him what to do. I don’t believe he made the decision. I think it was a committee that made the decision, and they made the right decision because, No. 1, it wasn’t a foul, and you want to see a game with your best players."

Balogun admitted to CBS he "could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves" as the controversy brewed further.

Trump has yet to attend a World Cup match, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio was spotted at the U.S. Men's National Team's opener against Paraguay, a 4-1 win June 12.

The president was awarded the first FIFA Peace Prize at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., during the World Cup final draw in December.

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Trump recently attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, while the White House played host to UFC Freedom 250 last month. An IndyCar race will take place in Washington, D.C. next month.

Fox News' Ryan Gaydos, Paulina Dedaj and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Key Trump agency puts top universities in crosshairs over alleged race-based dorm programs

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:30:11 -0400

The Trump administration is opening civil rights investigations into the University of Connecticut and the University of Minnesota after receiving complaints alleging the schools are operating dorm programs that may be steering students into campus housing services based on race.

The complaints, filed by the Equal Protection Project and obtained by Fox News Digital, accuse UConn of operating three allegedly discriminatory housing programs — ScHOLA²RS House, BSOUL House and La Comunidad Intelectual — promoting Black male, Black female and Hispanic students.

A separate complaint against the University of Minnesota Twin Cities names four programs — Huntley House, Charlotte’s Home, CASA SOL and Tsev Hmoob — that allegedly are promoting Black male, Black female, Hispanic and Hmong American students.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the programs potentially violate the Fair Housing Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and constitutional equal-protection guarantees by steering students toward or away from dormitory housing programs – which also include student support services – based on race, color or national origin, even when the universities say the programs are "open to all."

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"Unlawful discrimination cannot be allowed to poison American communities or separate members of our next generation — especially in college and university housing," Secretary Scott Turner said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"Every student has the right to learn and live in an educational environment free from illegal and divisive DEI. Unlike the Biden administration, the Trump administration does not play favorites. Every American deserves the law’s protection, and any institution of higher education that engages in unlawful housing discrimination will be held accountable."

Both universities denied engaging in discriminatory housing practices.

A University of Minnesota spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the school received official notice of the probe from HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Thursday but argued the school's programs are compliant with "federal regulations, guidelines and anti-discrimination laws."

HUD confirmed to Fox News Digital it sent notice of the investigation to the university ahead of publication.

"The University’s Living Learning Communities are open to all students, regardless of race or ethnicity, which is clearly stated on our website," the spokesperson said. "The university is diligent in its compliance with federal regulations, guidelines and anti-discrimination laws.

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"We will fully cooperate with any investigation into this matter."

The Equal Protection Project's complaint cited by HUD appeared to anticipate UMN’s defense, arguing that the school’s "open to all" disclaimer does not resolve the alleged problem because the university still "expressly defines and markets" the residential communities around race or ethnicity.

"Such perfunctory non-discrimination language does not cure the racial steering violation," the complaint says.

The complaint points to UMN materials describing Huntley House as a community "designed for Black men," Charlotte’s House as "designed for Black women," CASA SOL as "designed for Latinx students" and Tsev Hmoob as "designed for Hmong American students," all of which provide housing and programmatic benefits, including peer mentoring, academic support, community events and shared residential space for selected students.

The complaint also alleges UMN added its "open to all" language to at least three of the programs sometime after March 17, 2026, based on internet archive history, and argues that the late-added disclaimer does not cure the alleged violation.

Instead, the complaint says, the added language suggests the university was aware its race-based descriptions and opens them to legal liability.

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UConn also denied discriminating in campus housing.

"UConn does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or any other aspect of identity, including in our on-campus housing," a university spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

"UConn is home to nearly 20 different interdisciplinary living and learning communities within on-campus housing, all of which are organized around students who may have similar interests, backgrounds or academic pursuits, including the three that were specifically named," the spokesperson continued.

"However, these communities are open to all students, and no student is denied access to these communities based on their identity."

But the Equal Protection Project complaint cited by HUD in conjunction with its new probe argues that UConn’s housing programs, which also offer student support services, may still amount to unlawful racial steering even if students outside the named groups are not formally barred.

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UConn’s housing descriptions for ScHOLA²RS House, BSOUL House and La Comunidad Intelectual, the complaint alleged, have been promoted in a manner that could signal to other students that the housing programs are not intended for them.

The complaint points specifically to the schools’ promotional materials and social media posts, arguing the housing programs’ titles, descriptions and imagery are likely to steer non-Black or non-Hispanic students away from applying, regardless of whether UConn intended to discriminate.

"This information steers individuals (‘ordinary readers’) towards and away from dormitory housing based on these preferences in violation of the FHA," the complaint against UConn states, adding that the allegation holds "even if UConn in fact has no discriminatory intent."

The complaint highlights how UConn’s learning communities allow students to live together while participating in shared academic courses, mentoring and co-curricular programming, and says the named programs also promote support including academic and social or emotional support, research opportunities, professional development, seminar courses, events and shared community space.

"When parents entrust their children to universities, they expect these institutions to cultivate independent thinkers who will engage with life’s permanent questions, pursue truth, beauty, and goodness, and carry forward the great intellectual, moral, and cultural inheritance of Western civilization," Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Craig Trainor told Fox News Digital.

"Too often, however, these young Americans arrive on campus only to be steered toward racially segregated housing arrangements that divide students, create unequal experiences, and betray the core principles of a classical liberal education," he continued.

"We will fully investigate the allegations against the University of Connecticut and the University of Minnesota to determine if they are, in fact, violating the Fair Housing Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964."

Rory McIlroy forgetting how to make putts leads the 2026 Open Championship storylines after round one

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:33:39 -0400

Thanks to his Masters wins in 2025 and 2026, most people have forgotten about Rory McIlroy's struggles in major championships over the past decade. Of course they have, since he's won two of them.

But it's worth remembering that, outside of the Masters, McIlroy hasn't won one of golf's other three majors since 2014. He famously let the 2024 U.S. Open slip away by making three bogeys in the final four holes to lose by one shot to Bryson DeChambeau.

The biggest factor in those bogeys was McIlroy's inability to convert short putts, including a missed 2 1/2-footer on No. 16 and a miss from inside 4 feet on No. 18.

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Well, those woes came back on Thursday during the first round of the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. He missed putts from inside 4 feet on both No. 7 and No. 8 before adding a miss from just over 4 feet at No. 10.

After missing six putts from inside 12 feet on his first 12 holes, McIlroy drained a 23-footer for birdie on No. 13.

He gave the shot right back with a sloppy bogey on the par-5 14th hole but then drilled a 12-footer on No. 15 for birdie.

Unfortunately, he gave that one back with another sloppy bogey on No. 17, the other par 5 at Royal Birkdale. It's not often McIlroy plays the par-5s in two-over, but that's what happened on Thursday. He missed another putt from inside 12 feet on the 17th, bringing the total to eight for the round, before making a closing birdie on No. 18 to finish his roller-coaster round.

Ultimately, McIlroy carded a 2-over 72 and sits seven shots back of the lead after 18 holes. He has his work cut out for him if he plans to make the cut and play the weekend.

Open debutant Jackson Suber dazzles with opening-round 65

Many people might not be familiar with the 26-year-old American, but they should get familiar. Suber, who qualified for The Open by finishing tied for fourth at the RBC Canadian Open, put together the low round of the day at Royal Birkdale and gained over six strokes on the field, according to Data Golf.

He holds a one-shot lead over Daniel Brown and Sungjae Im, who shot matching 66s.

Suber has only competed in two prior majors, missing the cut at this year's U.S. Open and finishing 73rd in the 2024 U.S. Open. He finds himself in very unfamiliar territory, sleeping on the lead at a major championship.

But he has quietly put together a very strong year on the PGA Tour. Since the start of May, Suber has four top-20 finishes, including a solo fourth at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson, the aforementioned T-4 at the RBC Canadian Open and a T-6 at the John Deere Classic.

Of course, holding the lead in a major is a different kind of pressure. It'll be interesting to see how Suber handles it.

Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and other big names in the mix at Royal Birkdale

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler said after his first-round 68 that he thought he played better than his score indicated. That's bad news for everyone else in Southport this weekend, but it serves as a reminder that Scheffler is still the best golfer on the planet.

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Despite shooting two-under par and sitting inside the top 20, Scheffler knows he can score better. He had the hottest start of any player on Thursday, making birdie on four of his first six holes. But he stalled after the torrid start, making two bogeys and no birdies the rest of the way.

Like McIlroy, Scheffler missed some short putts, including a 5-footer on No. 11 and a 4 1/2-footer on No. 17. If the putts start falling again, like they did early in the round, look out for Scheffler.

Bryson DeChambeau finally got some momentum going with his first-round performance. DeChambeau shared the lead until he made a bogey on his final hole. He also played in a group with Scheffler and posted a 3-under 67 to best the world No. 1 by one shot.

DeChambeau hadn't shot under par in any of his six major rounds in 2026, so it was far and away his best major round of the year. After missing the cut in each of the first three majors this year, DeChambeau finally looks like he'll have a weekend tee time.

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In the afternoon wave, world No. 4 Cameron Young shot a 67 to join a logjam of nine players currently tied for fourth place.

It's a fascinating leaderboard at the Open Championship with a mix of some of the world's best, like Scheffler, DeChambeau, and Young, and some lesser-known players, like Suber, Daniel Brown, Pierceson Coody and Alex Smalley.

That should set golf fans up for an exciting weekend with plenty of storylines and intrigue.

GOP lawmakers urge Supreme Court to strengthen First Amendment protections for street preachers

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:28:49 -0400

EXCLUSIVE — Two House Republicans are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a case they say could strengthen First Amendment protections for religious speech, arguing police officers should not receive qualified immunity for "obvious" constitutional violations against Christian evangelist Richard Hershey.

"Mr. Hershey’s constitutional rights were treated as optional the moment officers decided to ignore them," Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital in a statement.

"The 5th Circuit's ruling lets that stand, creating a circuit split that leaves citizens with a weaker right to free speech and right to religious free exercise, which is contrary to the Founders’ intent. The violation of these First Amendment rights should alarm everyone, regardless of politics or faith."

Moran and Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis., are leading an amicus brief supporting Hershey's petition to the Supreme Court, arguing the justices should resolve a split among federal appeals courts over whether government officials can claim qualified immunity for obvious First Amendment violations.

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Moran and Grothman’s brief argues the Constitution protects Hershey's sidewalk evangelism under both the free speech and free exercise clauses and maintains that qualified immunity should not shield officers from clear constitutional violations.

It also says Congress intended Section 1983 to hold government officials accountable for infringing constitutional rights and maintains that differing rulings between federal appeals courts make Supreme Court review necessary.

Last month, First Liberty Institute and the law firm Clement & Murphy PLLC asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a 5th Circuit decision that shielded Louisiana government officials from liability after they stopped Hershey from handing out Christian vegetarian literature on a public sidewalk outside a public park.

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According to court filings, in February 2020, Hershey was handing out Christian pamphlets near the Bossier City Arena in Louisiana when police officers and security personnel told him to stop and leave the area. First Liberty says there was no written policy governing leafleting on the public sidewalks surrounding the arena.

The legal group alleges Hershey was "harassed and threatened with arrest and jail" and tried to explain that he believed his activities were protected by the First Amendment. Hershey left the area and did not return, according to the petition, due to concerns that he would be taken into custody.

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Hershey later sued five police and security officers, alleging they violated his constitutional free speech rights. A federal district court ruled the officers were entitled to qualified immunity, and the 5th Circuit upheld that decision on appeal.

"There is simply no excuse for the government actions alleged in petitioner’s complaint. In any other circuit — and in the Fifth Circuit if he were a prisoner asserting mistreatment — his case could proceed," the petition states. "This Court should intervene and reaffirm that there is no novelty exception to the promise of §1983 when it comes to clearly established constitutional rights."

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Hiram Sasser, executive general counsel at First Liberty Institute, told Fox News Digital in a statement, "A right without a remedy is effectively unenforceable. Americans deserve the right to hold government officials accountable when their First Amendment rights are violated. We are grateful for Rep. Moran and his colleagues who support this important case submitted to the Supreme Court."

Florida write-in congressional candidate William Upham arrested after saying Trump ‘must be killed’

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 18:53:48 -0400

Florida congressional write-in candidate and former U.S. Marine William Upham was arrested Wednesday after posting a video calling President Donald Trump "the Antichrist" and saying the president "must be killed."

Federal prosecutors on Thursday charged William L. Upham, 35, with threatening the President of the United States after authorities say he posted multiple videos urging violence against Trump.

Upham appeared in federal court in Jacksonville and was ordered detained pending further proceedings, according to the Justice Department. If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison.

Upham, a Republican write-in candidate for Florida's 5th Congressional District who describes himself on X as a prosecutor "running to fix a broken political system," opens the nearly seven-minute video by saying he entered the race to restore bipartisanship, return power to the working class and "fix our broken political system."

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The tone quickly shifts, however, as Upham says he has come to believe the country is "broken" and that America is engaged in a spiritual battle.

"We are led by a president who is the enemy of God," Upham says before citing Bible passages and discussing the oath he took as a Marine officer to defend the Constitution "against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

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He then claims there is "no doubt" Trump is "the Antichrist."

"He is a false messiah. And he is your enemy. And he must be killed," Upham said.

According to the criminal complaint, investigators reviewed another video in which Upham allegedly described his message as "a call to arms" and urged viewers to overthrow the Trump administration.

Prosecutors say Upham recommended using a semi-automatic rifle, such as an AR-15, and instructed followers that the "enemy" should be killed with "two shots to the chest" and "one shot to the head."

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Federal investigators also allege Upham later emailed a reporter that he made the videos "to declare war against President Trump on behalf of God" and that he would "kill President Trump at the time that God chooses."

The complaint further alleges Upham wrote that the country "must overthrow President Trump by the violent use of force and kill him."

The U.S. Marine Corps quickly condemned Upham, saying he was medically discharged May 30, 2025.

"The Marine Corps is aware of the disturbing statements made by William Upham," the service wrote on X. "The comments made by Upham are a direct violation of the oath he swore to uphold and are not in keeping with the service's values."

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The U.S. Secret Service also acknowledged the comments in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"The U.S. Secret Service is aware of the comments made by a congressional candidate in Florida, and we investigate anything that can be perceived as a threat toward one of our protectees," a spokesperson said. "Out of concern for operational security, we do not discuss matters of protective intelligence."

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Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao also condemned the remarks, writing on X, "Unacceptable. William Upham is no longer a Marine and does not represent our values or ethos."

Fox News Digital reached out to the FBI, the White House and Upham's campaign for comment.

Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin's claims of 'winning the offseason' fall on deaf ears for fans

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

After more than a decade as the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, James Franklin was sent packing in the midst of a brutally disappointing season.

What was supposed to be a championship window of a season for Penn State in 2025 ended with a record just a touch above .500 and a new head coach.

For Franklin, it meant new beginnings, and after a short time away from the headset, the 54-year-old native Pennsylvanian landed a few hundred miles down the road in Blacksburg to coach the Virginia Tech Hokies.

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While it's a new locale for the one-time Big Ten championship-winning coach, his quotes at ACC Media Days on Thursday morning sound all too familiar for those who have heard Franklin speak during past offseasons in State College.

One could argue that you'd rather hear a coach boast about "winning the offseason" than losing it. Franklin's last several years in Happy Valley will cause all but the most optimistic fans of his to roll their eyes upon hearing this quote.

It's a similar refrain for anyone familiar with the Penn State program under Franklin, with his boasts of having all the pieces in place being followed by good-yet-disappointing campaigns year after year causing Nittany Lions fans to wince.

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Franklin was famously 4-21 against top-ten opponents while at Penn State, and the fact that he only won one Big Ten title in his 11 and a half seasons with the program doesn't help his cause.

It even earned him the name "Big Game James," a moniker that was mostly tongue-in-cheek and more of a pejorative than anything else.

If you don't believe me, take the word of the fans in the comments section beneath On3 reporter Brett McMurphy's post.

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The reviews are scathing, but until Franklin can prove the doubters wrong, he will have to endure.

I'm sure he doesn't care what folks on the internet have to say, but they aren't wrong in their assessments either.

Here's the catch: the expectations aren't quite the same at Virginia Tech as they were at Penn State (yet).

While the Hokies were an established winner under longtime head coach Frank Beamer, the truth is that they've fallen on some hard times since the turn of the decade, bottoming out to a 3-9 record in 2025 under Brent Pry.

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Despite my reservations with Franklin being elite, I think he's a very good coach and I believe he will have Virginia Tech back to a position of national relevance in no time.

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What he does after that remains to be seen, and whether Franklin becomes a victim of his own success in Blacksburg with regard to increased expectations will be interesting to watch.

For now, he will have to prove this "offseason championship" can translate to wins on the field, otherwise this quote could come back to haunt him come December.

OnlyFans models, witches haunt Dem’s campaign in toss-up House race: report

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:18:49 -0400

The official campaign Instagram account for a Democrat running in one of the most competitive House races of 2026 followed multiple accounts belonging to OnlyFans models and individuals claiming to be witches, according to a recent report.

JoAnna Mendoza, a Marine Corps veteran challenging Juan Ciscomani in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, at one point followed 12 accounts that regularly posted sexually explicit content, including images of sex toys, the New York Post first reported.

The Instagram account was also found to reportedly follow accounts run by self-described witches who promised to instruct their followers on witchcraft.

The social media activity injects an unusual culture war controversy into one of the nation’s most competitive House races, where Republicans are defending a seat that could help determine control of Congress in 2026.

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Mendoza's Instagram unfollowed some of these accounts after being reached by the New York Post for comment, the outlet reported. The Mendoza campaign did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Thursday.

One of the accounts followed by Mendoza's campaign belonged to a transgender socialist activist who often posts pictures in BDSM gear, the New York Post reported. In one such image, the activist wears what appears to be leather and chains over a bare chest.

The campaign account also followed at least two OnlyFans users, the New York Post reported.

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Accounts followed by the campaign account also promised to provide prospective witches with "beginner tips" to engage in practices such as "Eden Energy Medicine" and "Crystal Spirit Readings," according to the outlet.

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Mendoza has previously drawn scrutiny amid the campaign, including after a video of her advocating for legal prostitution resurfaced.

When running for state office in 2020, Mendoza told an Arizona LGBT group she would fight to "decriminalize sex work" to help "trans folks, especially trans women of color," because "discrimination is so pervasive in the formal employment sector."

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Cook Political Report rates the election in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District as a toss-up, meaning that neither political party has a distinct advantage as Election Day approaches.

Mendoza's race is of just 18 that falls into that category for the 2026 midterm elections.