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Investing in prodigy Jackson Koivun and four other golfers at the 2026 John Deere Classic

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:26:12 -0400

We are officially in the closing stretch of the PGA TOUR 2026 season, with last week's Travelers Championship being the final "signature event" of the year. This week, the TOUR heads to Silvis, Illinois, aka the Quad Cities, for the 2026 John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run.

This is a relatively soft field since most of the best players on TOUR are skipping this tournament to get ready for the next two weeks overseas for the Genesis Scottish Open and golf's final major, The 154th Open Championship in England.

Historically, the John Deere has been a showcase for up-and-coming stars, longshots and veterans. Jordan Spieth became the youngest PGA TOUR champion when he won the 2013 John Deere at 19-years-old and won it again in 2015. Bryson DeChambeau won his first PGA TOUR event here as well.

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That said, I'm leading my 2026 John Deere Classic card with one of the best amateur golfers ever making his first start as a full-time TOUR pro. Otherwise, I'm allocating 2.46 units (u) on my five outrights and 1.25u on their top-fives "including ties." Here's who I'm riding with at TPC Deere Run.

2026 John Deere Classic Betting Card

The following odds are based on my previous bets on the golfers listed below. Subject to change.

🇺🇸 Jackson Koivun +2700 (0.74u) and Top-5 with ties +530 (0.25u), both at DraftKings

🇺🇸 Jacob Bridgeman +3300 at BetMGM (0.61u) and Top-5 with ties +573 at Kalshi (0.25u)

🇰🇷 Tom Kim +3500 at DraftKings (0.57u) and Top-5 with ties +755 at Kalshi (0.25u)

🇺🇸 Denny McCarthy +6566 (0.30u) and Top-5 with ties +1073 (0.25u), both at Kalshi

🇦🇷 Emiliano Grillo +8400 (0.24u) at DraftKings and Top-5 with ties +1240 at Kalshi (0.25u)

Jackson Koivun

This is Koivun’s first start as a full-time PGA TOUR pro, earning his status through the PGA TOUR University’s accelerated program. He is the first golfer ever to win all four collegiate awards this year while playing for Auburn.

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Koivun has made the cut in eight of his 10 PGA TOUR events, including T23, and the low amateur score at the 2026 U.S. Open with Ryder Cowan his last time out, T4 at the 2025 Procore Championship, T5 at the 2026 Wyndham Championship, T6 at the ISCO Championship (an alternate event) and T11 at last year’s John Deere.

He has gained strokes with his driver in those five starts, and he has gained strokes with the putter in eight straight tournaments with ShotLink data. It would be insane for Koivun to win his first tournament as a full-time pro, but he is a generational talent, and that’s good enough to get my money in this god-awful field.

Jacob Bridgeman

If the John Deere were in April, Bridgeman’s odds would be shorter than +2000. He looked like the GOAT to start the season, finishing T18-or-better in the first eight events of 2026, featuring a win at The Genesis Invitational and a T5 at THE PLAYERS Championship.

After struggling since The Masters, Bridgeman finished T11 at the RBC Canadian Open and T39 at the U.S. Open in his past two starts. His putter cooled off, but he is still second in Strokes Gained (SG): Putting on TOUR this year.

Bridgeman picked up 4.58 strokes on the greens at Shinnecock for the U.S. Open, which has some of the toughest green complexes in the world. Last year, he tied for fifth at the John Deere while gaining strokes across the board: Driving, on approach, around-the-green and putting.

Finally, most of the approach shots at TPC Deere Run are from 100-150 yards, and Bridgeman has been dialed in with his wedges this season. He ranks ninth on TOUR this year in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 100-125 yards and 12th in the 125-150-yard range.

Tom Kim

These odds are disrespectful. There is no way Eric Cole, Pierceson Coody and Michael Thorbjornsen should have better odds to win the John Deere. None of those guys have won on the PGA TOUR, whereas Kim has three wins, and he is younger than all of them.

Coming off a T15 at the RBC Canadian Open and a third at the U.S. Open in his last two starts, Kim is starting to look like the player who burst onto the scene with two wins in his first six months on TOUR.

Over the last 20 rounds, Kim leads the field in SG: Approach, per Bet The Number. The 24-year-old has gained strokes on the greens in four of his last five starts, and he is one of the most accurate drivers on TOUR. Based on this weak field, his lead-in form and resume, Kim's odds should be lower than +3000.

Denny McCarthy

Even though it's been a down year for McCarthy, I'm taking a flier on him because of his strong course history. He finished T11 in last year's John Deere Classic, T7 in 2024, T6 in 2023 and T6 in 2022.

McCarthy was one of the top five betting favorites in the last four John Deere Classics. His shortest closing odds over that span were +1550 in 2023 when he was the betting favorite.

TPC Deere Run is an easy tee-to-green test and a "birdie fest," so you have to make putts. McCarthy is one of the best putters on TOUR and pounds fairways when he is playing well. He has gained strokes on the field in driving accuracy and putting in six of his seven John Deere Classics.

McCarthy showed some life last week, finishing T14 at the Travelers Championship and gaining strokes across the board vs. a star-studded field. If he builds off last week's performance, McCarthy's odds shouldn't be four times higher this year than the previous four, given how well he plays at TPC Deere Run.

Emiliano Grillo

The Argentinian’s juju is probably solid because his native country is the reigning World Cup champion and has a realistic chance of going back-to-back this summer. In his three career John Deere Classics, Grillo lost in a playoff to Brian Campbell last year, missed the cut in 2023, and tied for second in 2022.

Grillo missed the cut two years ago while carding a -2, so it wasn’t like he played that badly. TPC Deere Run strongly favors driving accuracy over distance, and Grillo has gained strokes on the field in driving accuracy in 11 consecutive starts, according to DataGolf.com.

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He finished T20 at the RBC Canadian Open and a respectable T23 at the U.S. Open in his last two outings. Again, this is a weak field; Grillo is a two-time PGA TOUR winner, and he is coming into the John Deere in decent form. Hence, Grillo has more win equity than his +8400 odds indicate.

2026 John Deere Classic 'One-and-Done' Pick: Jacob Bridgeman

Mayo Cup season standings: 4,391st with $4,853,780

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Follow me on X @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my "OutKick Bets Podcast" for more betting content and random rants.

Republican Party to host historic midterm convention in Dallas, Trump announces on Truth Social

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:23:26 -0400

President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Tuesday to announce the Republican Party will host its very first "Midterm Convention" this fall in Texas.

The two-day event, scheduled to take center stage on Sept. 9 and Sept. 10 in Dallas, aims to celebrate the "great American comeback" and highlight the ongoing achievements of the administration's America First Agenda, the president said.

"It will be in Dallas, Texas — One of my favorite places in the World," Trump wrote in the announcement. "It has never been done before, and will be a truly Historic Event."

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In his post, the president touted a list of policy victories and economic milestones that will serve as the focal point of the convention, including eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security, as well as securing stronger borders and safer communities.

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He also highlighted American energy dominance alongside dropping oil prices, progress on denuclearizing Iran, and driving affordability for Americans.

"We are delivering on the promises that politicians talked about for decades, but never got done," Trump wrote.

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The president said the "rally like none other," will feature "lots of great entertainment" and spotlight the nation's first responders, innovators, entrepreneurs, manufacturers and job creators.

Thousands of police deployed across South Africa as deadly anti-immigration protests spread to multiple cities

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:22:05 -0400

Thousands of police officers were deployed across South Africa after large-scale protests against illegal immigration erupted Tuesday, with destructive clashes spreading across multiple cities.

The unrest, involving thousands of protesters, broke out ahead of a June 30 deadline set by some organizers demanding the departure of all illegal migrants, according to Reuters.

The marches reportedly drew thousands of mostly poor or unemployed South Africans, who say foreign migrants have taken jobs by accepting lower wages while also fueling higher crime rates.

At least four people have been killed as violence and looting spread across the country, Reuters reported.

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The clashes mark the largest migration-related protests since anti-migrant violence erupted in South Africa in 2008.

While thousands of foreign nationals from other African countries had already fled ahead of Tuesday’s so-called deadline, tensions have remained high, Reuters said.

Multiple businesses and properties were vandalized in several areas, according to reports.

In anticipation of further attacks, many shops reportedly closed, with foreign workers staying home.

Landlords in Durban and Johannesburg also evicted foreign tenants illegally to avoid further trouble, witnesses alleged.

Reuters added that 100 Congolese nationals were reported sleeping on the streets of Durban.

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While many marches were considered peaceful, police reported that they arrested several looters and fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds.

National broadcaster SABC added that protesters looted shacks belonging to foreign nationals in the Soweto township.

In Thembisa, a suburb of Johannesburg, rioters reportedly threw stones at police and suspected migrants, with witnesses saying sporadic gunfire was heard.

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Police deployed tactical vehicles and fired shots in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, after being confronted by a group of roughly 500 protesters, Daily Maverick reported.

Thousands of police officers have been deployed nationwide, while the military was placed on standby, a defense spokesperson said in a statement.

"To those who intend to break the law tomorrow, our message is simple: do not test the resolve of the State," Lt. Gen. Tebello Mosikili said.

The "March and March" group, one of the more prominent organizations behind the unrest, addressed the violence, saying it cannot be held responsible for spontaneous incidents breaking out during the demonstrations.

"Unfortunately, we can't be in every single community telling them ... how to behave," Jacinta Ngobese, leader of the March and March group, told Reuters two weeks ago.

Ngobese said the group plans to hold weekly marches until its demands are met, despite the government rejecting the deadline and saying only authorities can enforce immigration laws.

"For the next six months, we are asking for our national resources to be used to take the illegal immigrants out of this country. From building to building -- they must go," Ngobese said, according to ZimLive.

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Despite South Africa’s high unemployment rate, the country remains Africa’s largest economy and continues to draw migrants.

The immigrant population stands at about 3 million, or roughly 4% of the total, according to StatsSA.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding of the year: Everything we know so far

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:04:43 -0400

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are gearing up to host the wedding of the year. In the days leading up, new reports, rumors and conspiracies have bubbled — so we're taking a look at everything we do know.

Swift and Kelce have not confirmed anything about their wedding, but fan theories began to run wild shortly after they announced their engagement in a joint Instagram post in August 2025.

Swift and Kelce first sparked dating rumors in 2023 after the Kansas City Chiefs tight end revealed that he had unsuccessfully tried to give the pop superstar a friendship bracelet during her Eras Tour stop in Kansas City. The pair later confirmed their romance when Swift began attending Chiefs games and cheering Kelce on from the stands.

On Tuesday, Page Six reported that Swift's private plane landed in the New York area – just days before she is set to tie the knot. The outlet reported that Swift landed in Morristown, New Jersey, not too far from Madison Square Garden.

Below is a look at everything we know about the upcoming wedding.

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The wedding date

Multiple outlets have reported that Swift and Kelce are set to tie the knot on July 3.

The venue

The New York Times published an article that stated a permit application was filed to close the streets outside Madison Square Garden from July 2 until July 4.

The outlet also reported that Kelce's Kansas City Chiefs teammates had made hotel accommodations at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square around July 3. Winick Productions also allegedly filed a permit with New York City's Street Activity Permit Office to set up a tent or canopy outside MSG. The prominent event planning company has produced large-scale red carpet events, according to The New York Times.

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A source told TMZ this week that wedding invitations began being mailed out in the spring, but a location for the event was not disclosed.

"It simply lists New York City as the location and July 3 as the date," a source told TMZ.

Who is attending?

There has not been a confirmed guest list for Swift and Kelce's wedding, however, there are many reports circling about who received a coveted invite.

A source told Fox News Digital that the wedding is expected to host 1,000 guests, and for the star players, many of them are described as "high profile" and "VIP" by the NYPD. About 100 people were invited to a rehearsal dinner that will also take place at the Garden an evening before the big day, the source said.

Ed Sheeran, San Francisco 49ers player George Kittle, Jason and Kylie Kelce, Suki Waterhouse, and Graham Norton have all spoken out about attending the festivities.

A source told People magazine on Tuesday that Kate Middleton and Prince William will not be attending the wedding, ending months of speculation.

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Page Six previously reported that Miles Teller and his wife, Keleigh Sperry, did not receive an invitation after having a falling out with Swift. The outlet also shared that Swift's former close friend, model Karlie Kloss, also did not get an invitation.

Possible bridesmaids

Swift's inner circle — Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid and Zoë Kravitz — have been rumored to make up her bridal party.

According to Harper's Bazaar, Hadid and Gomez are the only two women confirmed to be among Swift's bridal party.

"Queer Eye" star Antoni Porowski, one of Swift's close friends, gave a strange answer when asked if he is planning on attending the wedding.

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"They’re getting married?" Porowski responded to Andy Cohen's question on "Watch What Happens Live."

"I should really send some flowers or some kind of a congratulations," he added. Cohen then replied, "And because he didn’t answer your question, that means he is going."

Wedding details

Kittle shared an interesting tidbit about the upcoming wedding while attending the Tight Ends & Friends concert. Speaking to ExtraTV, the NFL player confirmed he was attending the wedding and was told not to bring a gift.

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"They said absolutely no gifts. But I was thinking, Travis, for some reason, really likes old coins, so I might get him an old coin," Kittle shared.

TMZ reported on Monday that Kelce and Swift took drastic measures to keep the details of their wedding from the public. The outlet shared that the couple's wedding invitations were all individually watermarked with the guests' initials, so if an image of the invite surfaced online, they would know who leaked it.

Taylor's ring

According to the New York Times, Swift's engagement ring was designed by Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry in New York.

Swift's diamond, which was seen being flashed on Instagram during the announcement, appears to be a bezel-set diamond on a gold band. A jeweler told the outlet that the diamond looks to be between seven and nine carats and could have cost Kelce anywhere from $250,000 to $500,000.

Zohran Mamdani's comments

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke about the upcoming wedding during a press conference about the heat wave that is occurring on the East Coast.

"My recommendation to all New Yorkers is to stay inside and stay cool. And if you happen to be getting married at Madison Square Garden, you will be staying inside and you will be staying cool," Mamdani joked.

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Authorities identify woman killed in alligator attack while swimming with friends in Central Florida

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:56:59 -0400

Authorities identified the woman who was tragically killed Sunday after an alligator, believed to be a "very large" 13-footer, bit her arms off while she was swimming with friends in the Econlockhatchee River in Central Florida.

Brittany Clark of Orlando was swimming near the Barr Street Trailhead in the Little Big Econ State Forest when the attack happened. She was taken to a hospital as a trauma alert but died from her injuries on the way, officials said at a Monday afternoon news conference.

Sunday's deadly attack, detailed in a 911 call, was the second alligator attack in 24 hours in Central Florida and the third reported in the region in a week, according to FWC officials.

"Bad, real bad please, hurry ... she's losing a lot of ... please hurry ... " a frantic 911 caller said, according to emergency calls obtained by local media Monday. "Someone got bit by a gator...."

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued urgent warnings on Monday that alligators who have come to "associate people" with food have to be reported immediately and "removed from the wild."

"The FWC extends its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of the victim during this difficult time," FWC press secretary Ashlee Brahier Sklute told Fox News Digital in a statement, sentiment that was echoed by FWC officials at the news conference.

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According to a medical examiner's report obtained by the Daily Mail, Clark had been hiking with her boyfriend, Chance Allison, and another friend before the group entered the river. The report said Allison and the other friend pulled Clark to shore after the alligator attacked her, and CPR was started before first responders arrived.

FWC officers, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and a trapper responded to the river.

"Multiple agencies and a contracted nuisance alligator trapper have responded to the scene," Sklute said, detailing the ongoing investigation.

Officials told reporters at the news conference that a "very large 13-foot alligator" was "harvested" from the area of the incident, warning the current "mating season" makes dangerous alligators "very territorial." Another 11-foot alligator was also "harvested" from very close by, according to officials.

The fatal attack came one day after a child was bitten in the hand by an alligator while fishing from shore at Nelson Fish Camp near Umatilla in Marion County, FWC said. The child was taken to a hospital for treatment, and an FWC officer later captured and killed an alligator that measured 8 feet, 7 inches, according to the FWC.

A week earlier, a snorkeler was bitten by an alligator in the Rainbow River in Marion County, prompting officials to temporarily close the waterway while FWC and deputies searched for the animal. Authorities later removed an 8-foot alligator, and the snorkeler was released from the hospital.

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FWC says serious injuries from alligators are rare, but the agency warns that alligators are active across Florida, especially during courtship and mating season in spring and early summer. Florida is home to about 1.3 million alligators, and the animals live in all 67 counties, according to FWC.

"The FWC places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to address complaints concerning specific alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property," the agency wrote in its statement to Fox News Digital.

"People with concerns about an alligator should call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286)," they said. "When someone concerned about an alligator calls the Nuisance Alligator Hotline, we will dispatch one of our contracted nuisance alligator trappers to resolve the situation."

A few safety recommendations for individuals coming into contact with an alligator, according to FWC: "Keep a safe distance" and "keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge."

"Pets often resemble alligators’ natural prey," FWC warns. "Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and without your pet. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn."

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Also, "never feed an alligator; it’s illegal and dangerous."

"When fed, alligators can lose their natural wariness and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food," the FWC added. "This can lead to an alligator becoming a nuisance and needing to be removed from the wild."

'George Washington was not the first president.' What?!

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:42:15 -0400

Who was the first president?

I know, you are going to say George Washington.

Nope.

Wrong.

It was President John Hanson.

Who?

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"There's no question about it. Chronologically, he certainly was," says Hanson descendant Peter Michael. "For a nation to be a nation, it has to have a government and a head of state. So the first thing the newly seated government did was elect a head of state. And it was John Hanson."

Really?

The hidden story of John Hanson is told in the second episode of "Crazy American History with Eric Shawn," now streaming on Fox Nation.

Michael is the author of "Remembering John Hanson, A Biography of the First President of the Original United States Government."

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And he says even George Washington would have agreed with him that Hanson was number one.

"He said so as president and later. He said so throughout the rest of his life, John Hanson was the first president," says Michael.

He points out that Hanson had a Cabinet, including a secretary of war, secretary of foreign affairs and postmaster general. It was Hanson who sent Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay and Henry Laurens to Paris in 1782 to negotiate the British surrender in the Revolutionary War.

In addition, the first national bank, census and U.S. coinage were created during Hanson's tenure. Hanson also established Thanksgiving, issuing the proclamation on March 19, 1782.

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Hanson was elected by the delegates of the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation as president of the United States, in Congress on Nov. 5, 1781.

"Every other president since Hanson inherited a functioning government, but he inherited a blank slate, and he had to be a government builder, which he was. So he started appointing his Cabinet, including some big names, and then some of the more minor offices, like postmaster general, and put together a government in his one-year term. That's all he had. At the end of his year, we had a functioning government. And a functioning nation."

So, why hasn't Hanson gotten any credit? Have we really been wrong all these centuries?

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Should Washington, D.C., be renamed, Hanson, D.C.? Should the $1 bill swap out the image of George... for John?

Find out more about the contention that our first, first president was John Hanson in the new Fox Nation series "Crazy American History with Eric Shawn," now streaming on Fox Nation.

EXCLUSIVE: New York woman who wished 'every day were Oct. 7' charged with funding Palestinian terror group

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:41:00 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: A New York woman accused of leading a radical extremist group and posing with hand grenades in front of a Hamas flag has been arrested after allegedly funneling tens of thousands of dollars to a Palestinian terrorist organization.

Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, of Irondequoit, a suburb of Rochester, is charged with attempting to provide material support to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

Washburn was the leader of the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), a radical organization formed in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, according to the Justice Department.

The federal complaint noted that DAMPL rejects peaceful protests, opting instead for "direct action," including property destruction and acts of sabotage against entities it associates with Israel.

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Communications recovered by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force revealed messages to a person claiming to be an active PIJ fighter in Gaza, where Washburn allegedly said she hated Jewish people "very much" and wished Israel "would disappear."

"I wish every day were October 7th," Washburn is accused of writing in one exchange. "If I lived in Gaza, I would fight alongside the resistance."

Later, she allegedly said she felt "excited every time I see news of the killing of an occupation soldier."

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U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said Washburn went to "great lengths" to finance violence, driven by "her self-described hate of Israel and Jewish people."

Financial records show she sent roughly 80 cryptocurrency transfers totaling more than $30,000 to an account used by the PIJ fighter.

In a November 2025 message, she allegedly joked about the illicit activities, writing, "Based on my passed [sic] fundraising and posting Im [sic] gonna get put away for a few life times," accompanied by a laughing emoji.

FBI Counterterrorism Division Acting Assistant Director Coult Markovsky said anyone who provides assistance to violent organizations will be held responsible.

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"This individual, as alleged in the criminal complaint, provided money to a foreign terrorist organization engaged in acts of violence," Markovsky said. "The FBI is committed to cutting off funding to terrorist groups and will continue to work side-by-side with our Justice Department partners to make sure anyone who engages in terrorism or provides assistance to such organizations is held fully accountable in our justice system."

Dave Portnoy claims 'Call Her Daddy' hosts planned false sexual harassment allegations to exit contracts

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:40:49 -0400

Barstool founder Dave Portnoy said former "Call Her Daddy" co-hosts Alex Cooper and Sofia Franlyn planned to falsely claim they were sexually harassed at the company in order to get out of their contracts.

"Call Her Daddy" quickly emerged as a wildly popular podcast when it was launched by Barstool in 2018. Cooper and Franklyn, who were also roommates, lured young female audiences with first-hand tales of their sexual experiences and dating lives until contract negotiations and a feud between the co-hosts caused a public breakup in 2020.

In Portnoy’s new book, "Cancel Me If You Can," he wrote that Cooper was happy with an offer that would allow the co-hosts to keep their intellectual property, but Franklyn wanted to leave Barstool altogether.

"’Okay,’ I said. ‘You guys realize I’ll sue you if you take the podcast to another network before your contract is out, right?’ Alex claimed to me that they had a plan to say they were both sexually harassed at Barstool," Portnoy wrote.

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"That was it," he continued. "That was their game plan to get out of their contractual obligation to Barstool Sports in the event that I did not relinquish their IP to them and wish them well on their merry way as they jumped ship to a rival podcast network."

Portnoy, who has been accused of misogyny throughout his career, added that he has "never been accused of inappropriate workplace conduct."

"But had they decided to go that route, even though it was patently untrue, it would have been a tough fight for us to win in the court of public opinion. Nobody would have believed my side of the story," Portnoy wrote. "I realize that this is a heavy accusation I just made: how Call Her Daddy was allegedly planning to break their contract with us by lying about sexual harassment at Barstool."

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Cooper and Franklyn did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Portnoy also sat down with the WSJ Magazine to promote his book and explained that retaining talent like Cooper and Franklyn is difficult if other companies are offering more money.

"In practice, it’s not always so smooth. Cooper, he claims, told him she and Franklyn had a plan to say they were sexually harassed at Barstool to get out of their contract," WSJ senior writer Joshua Chaffin wrote.

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"The dirty little secret nobody else knew about… the girls hated each other," Portnoy told Chaffin.

Chaffin then moved on, noting that "Cooper and Franklyn didn’t respond to requests for comment."

Cooper ended up staying at Barstool for long enough to keep her IP and then took "Call Her Daddy" to Spotify for a massive contract that reportedly paid her $20 million per year. Franklyn now hosts her own podcast, "Sofia with an F."

Fox News Digital's David Rutz contributed to this report.

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US women Olympians react to historic Supreme Court ruling on the protection of women's sports

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:27:24 -0400

The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a historic win to the "Save Women's Sports" movement on Tuesday, ruling 6-3 to uphold state laws that ban biological males from competing with girls and women.

The decision was met with celebration by women's sports activists, including several high-profile Olympians.

Leah O'Brien-Amico, three-time gold medalist in softball for the U.S.

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"Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a victory for every girl who has ever dreamed of competing at the highest level," O'Brien-Amico told Fox News Digital.

"As a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, I am deeply grateful that I had the opportunity to compete on a level playing field with other biological females. The integrity and safety of women’s sports must be protected in every way. We can continue to find ways to honor the dignity of every person while protecting the spaces that generations of women worked so hard to build."

MyKayla Skinner, U.S. silver medalist gymnast at Tokyo 2020

"People from the far left... hopefully they wake up and just realize just how many girls are affected by this. It's a real thing, and I think sometimes it just goes over their head and they don't see what's going on with the girls," Skinner told Fox News Digital.

Kaillie Humphries, three-time Olympic gold medalist bobsled athlete for U.S. and Canada

"Women’s sports has changed my life, providing opportunities and a career I couldn’t have got elsewhere. I get to do what I love because people fought to create and protect a space for biological women. The female category was established so biological women can compete on a level playing field," Humphries told Fox News Digital.

"Today is a win for the generations of girls that will step on to a field, court, track, or rink. We can now all Dream Big knowing we are safe and have a fair environment to compete in any sport at all levels. It’s a big win for women’s sports in this country."

Nancy Hogshead, three-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer for the U.S.

"Today’s decision is a step in the right direction for female fairness & safety in sport! Still, it doesn’t go as far as the UK Supreme Court — it doesn’t define the meaning of 'sex' in law. Allowing 27 states to establish boundaries around female sport categories should give sports governance a sigh of relief; they don’t need to worry about very expensive litigation sucking their resources," Hogshead told Fox News Digital.

"But Sport cannot have a state-by-state web of laws. Even age group and Little League athletes travel across state lines. Further, will sport governing bodies award national competitions to states like California, who do not protect females? In short, Democrats aren’t done with this issue impacting elections, power and everything else on their agenda."

MARTINA NAVRATILOVA SAYS SHE TRIED TO WARN KAMALA HARRIS' CAMPAIGN ABOUT TRANS ATHLETES: 'NOBODY WOULD LISTEN'

Donna de Varona, three-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer for the U.S.

"Today the Supreme Court decision upholds the significant role biology plays in the lives of all women. Safeguarding girls and women’s spaces is just, fair and humane," de Varona told Fox News Digital.

Martina Navratilova, women's tennis legend and U.S. Olympian at Athens 2004

"The Supreme Court made the proper decision today, allowing 27 states to continue formally protecting girls’ and women’s sports. Democratic politicians and blue states need to wake up to the biological reality of a female’s sex," Navratilova said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital by Hogshead.

Katie Uhlaender, U.S. skeleton athlete, five-time Olympian

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"Today’s Supreme Court ruling is inspiring because it recognizes that protecting women as a biological class is not discrimination. It affirms that fairness matters, that reality matters, and that women shouldn’t have to apologize for asking for fair and safe competition. Without Fairness, there is no sport," Uhlaender told Fox News Digital.

"Recently, a respected academic and clinician, told me that acknowledging biological sex is discriminatory. They directed me to respected institutions like the American Psychological Association, and I was shocked to find misleading information on it. The APA suggested that the role of testosterone isn’t proven to enhance athletic performance. The causal effects of testosterone on human physiology have been understood for decades. Suggesting otherwise gives the public an inaccurate picture of the science. Things like that have made it incredibly difficult for women to advocate for fairness."

Alex Murdaugh faces state pushback on Maggie DNA testing and prison laptop request

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:23:38 -0400

FIRST ON FOX – South Carolina prosecutors are trying to shut down Alex Murdaugh’s latest push for a new look at evidence in the murders of his wife and son, which includes DNA found under Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails.

In new court filings, the state opposed two defense motions from the disgraced former attorney: one seeking independent DNA testing tied to Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails and another asking for Murdaugh to be allowed to review case materials electronically while behind bars.

The filings come as Murdaugh’s defense team prepares for a retrial after the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned his murder convictions in May after finding that former Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca "Becky" Hill’s conduct had tainted the jury.

ALEX MURDAUGH RETURNS TO COURT AS DEFENSE ARGUES FOR RETRIAL MOVE AFTER CLERK SCANDAL POISONED JURY POOL

The DNA fight centers on SLED Item No. 70, identified in court filings as left fingernail clippings from Margaret "Maggie" Murdaugh.

Murdaugh’s attorneys have argued the sample contained DNA from an unknown, unrelated male and asked that it be sent to Othram Inc., a forensic genetic genealogy company, for additional testing at Murdaugh’s expense.

DNA FROM MYSTERY JUVENILE MALE RAISES QUESTIONS IN CARNIVAL CRUISE MURDER CASE AGAINST TEEN STEPBROTHER

Othram Inc. is a renowned Houston-based lab which gained notoriety by helping authorities identify Bryan Kohberger as the suspect in the 2022 quadruple homicide of four University of Idaho students.

Prosecutors pushed back hard, saying the evidence has already been tested by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and produced only a mixture of Maggie Murdaugh’s DNA and what the state described as a "very partial and incomplete" profile from another contributor.

The unknown profile, prosecutors said, did not contain enough identifying information to be submitted to CODIS, the national DNA database.

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The state also sought to undercut the defense theory that the DNA could point to an unknown suspect, arguing that trace DNA under fingernails does not automatically suggest a struggle with an assailant.

Prosecutors said so-called touch DNA can be transferred through casual contact, objects or the environment. They also noted that Maggie Murdaugh had her nails done the day she and her son, Paul, were killed.

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Prosecutors said Murdaugh’s attorneys have not shown whether the remaining sample is suitable for the testing they want, what an outside lab could do that SLED could not, or how further testing would likely produce useful evidence.

The state characterized the request as unsupported and aimed more at "public consumption" than viable forensic evidence.

During Murdaugh’s first status hearing on Monday, Judge Debra McCaslin did not rule on the DNA evidence, telling defense attorneys to clarify if the sample was viable.

Murdaugh’s team is also fighting for easier access to the massive trove of case materials as it prepares for another courtroom battle. His attorneys had proposed allowing him to use a secure laptop in prison with an encrypted, password-protected hard drive, no internet access and no cellular capabilities.

But prosecutors said Murdaugh should not be trusted with unsupervised electronic access in prison, citing prior South Carolina Department of Corrections disciplinary issues involving his misuse of a prison tablet and unauthorized use of another inmate’s PIN. They also pointed to a previous contraband issue during trial involving a book that was allegedly passed to Murdaugh through defense staff and later recovered from his cell.

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Judge McCaslin weighed in on the laptop issue during Monday's hearing, saying that the prison warden would not allow Murdaugh to keep a laptop in his cell due to safety concerns. She suggested that defense attorneys could bring a laptop and review materials within a conference room, but someone must be with him.

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She is expected to decide on the issue at the next pretrial hearing, set for August 14. Fox News Digital has reached out to Murdaugh's defense team for comment.

Sarah Spain is angry and bitter that Christine Brennan would dare defend Caitlin Clark

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:25:44 -0400

Former ESPN host Sarah Spain is upset over a USA Today column by Christine Brennan urging the WNBA to do more to protect Caitlin Clark.

"A fist to the throat. That's the picture that has immediately become part of WNBA lore," Brennan began, referring to Alyssa Thomas driving her fist into Clark's throat during a recent game. "In it, Caitlin Clark, the most famous, marketable and important women's professional team sport athlete in history, is being punched by Alyssa Thomas, whose earnings, fame and way of life have all been greatly enhanced over the past couple of years by the woman she is hitting."

She continued:

"For three seasons now, in ways big and small, the WNBA and its players have continued to show their unabashed jealousy, disdain and outright hatred for the greatest thing to happen to them.

"Clark is getting pummeled on a regular basis and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who was given the greatest gift, in Clark, any women's sports commissioner has ever received, has done precious little about it, until today, kind of, just a little."

CAITLIN CLARK HARD CONTACT TIMELINE: WNBA'S GROWING HISTORY OF BRUTAL HITS AGAINST THE FACE OF THE SPORT

Brennan's thesis should hardly be considered controversial. She argues that Clark has been the target of more hard fouls and dirty plays than any other player in the WNBA because of jealousy and resentment. Brennan believes the league should prevent the situation from escalating before Clark suffers a serious injury and the WNBA loses its biggest attraction.

According to Spain, Brennan making that argument is a "dereliction of duties as a journalist."

LET'S HAVE AN HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT CAITLIN CLARK, RACISM, AND MEDIA COWARDICE | BOBBY BURACK

"We would never say the 'NBA hates' fill-in-the-blank," Spain said in a video posted to LinkedIn on Monday. "That's describing every single player in the league as having that opinion and being a part of an agenda. She does that all the time with the WNBA, and it is frankly dereliction of duties as a journalist."

Before we proceed, we're also wondering why Spain posted the video on LinkedIn instead of a more traditional social media platform. Strange.

Still, Spain has become one of the more miserable personalities in all of sports media, assuming she is still part of the industry. Earlier this year, she made headlines for calling Vice President JD Vance a "demon" who "made her feel ill" after he was seated near her during a Team USA Olympic hockey game.

DAKICH: SPORTS MEDIA HAS CREATED AN ‘INDUSTRY’ OUT OF COMPLAINING ABOUT WHITE ATHLETES LIKE CAITLIN CLARK

So it's no surprise to see her side against Brennan and Clark.

Through no fault of her own, Clark has become part of the culture war. Because many Black players and media members dislike her, many on the left have cast Clark and her fans as villains.

This week, Jemele Hill claimed, "The right has found their White Grievance Batman in Caitlin Clark."

Naturally, Spain is going to oppose Brennan's defense of Clark. She also may be jealous of Brennan, who, unlike Spain, doesn't seem to feel the need to speak in code or conform to the prevailing opinion.

Spain has spent much of her career trying to fit in with the cool kids, limiting the depth and honesty of her commentary.

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Of course, Brennan is right. The WNBA shouldn't protect Clark because she is its biggest star or give her special treatment. The league should simply enforce the rules the same way it would for every other player. That means not allowing bitter opponents to drive their fists into another player's throat without meaningful consequences.

And most common-sensical Americans agree. As a rule, vultures like Spain are a part of the loud minority. Perhaps that's why she is relegated to expressing her rage on Bluesky and LinkedIn.

Nicole Scherzinger flaunts toned abs in blue bikini during birthday beach vacation

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:24:27 -0400

Nicole Scherzinger is celebrating her birthday in style.

In a recent Instagram post, the singer and actress shared a series of photos from her beach vacation, in celebration of her 48th birthday.

"Last day at this age and she was feeling cute at sunset, back home at her fav beach 🥰🩵🤙🏽" she captioned the post.

The slideshow featured multiple photos of Scherzinger flaunting her toned abs in a blue bikini, with the ocean waves visible behind her. Sher paired the look with minimal makeup, a pair of dangling earrings and a sunhat to shield her face from the sun.

ELIZABETH HURLEY WOWS IN DARING YELLOW STRING BIKINI AS SHE CELEBRATES HER 61ST BIRTHDAY

One of the photos show Scherzinger pursing her lips at the camera, while others show her flashing the camera a big smile.

"Looking GORGGGG AS ALWAYS 😍💖💋," one fan wrote in the comments section, while another added, "You continue to look young, beautiful to see🫶." A third chimed in with, "This face card and body tea woah ❤️‍🔥."

Others wished her a happy birthday, with one writing, "HAPPY BIRTHDAYYYY MOTHER SCHERZY🩷🩷," and another adding, "Happy birthday 🥳 your just not real , looooooking good 👍."

Never one to shy away from posting bikini photos, the "When I Grow Up" singer previously shared a few pictures of herself in a black-and-white zebra-print bikini in honor of Earth Day, calling the holiday "a reminder that this planet is not ours to own, but to protect."

Scherzinger got her break in the entertainment industry when she competed on the TV reality show, "Popstars," earning a place in the girl group, Eden's Crush in 1999. She later gained international recognition as the lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls.

Having been in the industry since the late 90s, Scherzinger has experience balancing her faith with her fame, telling Variety in November 2025, faith often "gets a bad rap."

"I think Christianity does get a bad rap, but I think that’s why, if you’re a true Christian, you have to lead by example and be the light," Scherzinger told the outlet.

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These comments came a year after she received backlash online for commenting in support of a video comedian Russell Brand posted on Instagram the day after the 2024 presidential election. In the video, the comedian is wearing a hat which read, "Make Jesus First Again."

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The singer commented on the hat, writing, "Where do I get this hat?!" prompting many to criticize her because Brand’s hat was inspired by President Donald Trump’s "Make America Great Again" slogan.

At the time, she wrote, "Many of the marginalized communities feeling hurt and concerned by the results of the presidential election are people I care about most. I stand with them, as I always have throughout my life and career. If you know me, you know that."

"For me, Christ embodies peace, compassion, hope, and — above all — unconditional love, especially for those who may feel it the least right now," she added.

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Conservatives hail Justice Thomas for 'truth bomb' about ruling protecting women's sports

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:12:47 -0400

Conservatives rallied around Justice Clarence Thomas on Tuesday as he wrote about the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld state laws barring biological men from women’s sports.

Thomas followed the high court's ruling to uphold state laws preventing transgender athletes from participating in women's sports with a concurring opinion, saying, "Men and boys with gender dysphoria are not women or girls, even if they believe that they are. Sex is an immutable ‘biological’ characteristic, see ante, at 10; it is binary; and ‘man’ and ‘woman,’ ‘boy’ and ‘girl,’ are the terms that correspond to adults and children of each sex."

He added, "To use language to obscure reality to show ‘indifference regarding the truth’— is to lie to the public and cease to treat our fellow citizens ‘as equal[s].’"

This concurrence was touted by numerous conservative public figures as they celebrated the ruling.

MARTINA NAVRATILOVA SAYS SHE TRIED TO WARN KAMALA HARRIS' CAMPAIGN ABOUT TRANS ATHLETES: 'NOBODY WOULD LISTEN'

Texas Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne wrote, "Truth, fact, and common sense from Justice Thomas in ruling that "men and boys with gender dysphoria ARE NOT WOMEN OR GIRLS". Amen, sir!!"

"Right into my veins!" Evolutionary biologist Colin Wright joked.

Conservative influencer Allie Beth Stuckey touted the ruling as "a win for reality."

LAWYERS FIGHTING SJSU OVER VOLLEYBALL SCANDAL RESPOND TO FEDERAL TITLE IX PROBE FINDINGS

"This is fire," Texas state Rep. Jeff Leach wrote with a flame emoji, going on to suggest, "Put it in the louvre."

Breitbart News reporter Elizabeth Weibel praised Thomas’ words as a "TRUTH BOMB."

The opponents of the ruling slammed the court's decision.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which represented trans athletes in West Virginia and Idaho, expressed "heartbreak" over the justices’ decision.

"This is a heartbreaking ruling for our clients and transgender girls like them who’ve asked for nothing more than the same opportunities afforded to their peers," ACLU senior counsel Joshua Block said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

"The reality is that the equality of transgender women and girls takes nothing away from, and in fact promotes, the equality of all women and girls. We will continue to advance the fundamental principle that all young people deserve equal opportunity to thrive and succeed."

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Fox News' Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

First lady cites memoir after Supreme Court upholds state laws reserving girls' sports for biological females

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:12:03 -0400

First lady Melania Trump pointed to a passage from her bestselling memoir Tuesday after the Supreme Court ruled that states may limit women's and girls' sports teams to biological females, saying the decision aligns with a position she has long supported.

In a post on X, Trump highlighted a passage from Melania that was published months before the court's landmark 6-3 decision, which held that states may determine eligibility for women's and girls' sports based on biological sex under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause.

"As many of you may know, I fully support the LGBTQIA+ community. But we must also ensure that our female athletes are protected and respected," the first lady wrote on X, pointing readers to page 156 of her memoir, "Melania."

U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE MAKES NEW TRANS ATHLETE FINDINGS AGAINST USA HOCKEY

"The U.S. Supreme Court has now legally confirmed this opinion: ‘Under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, may schools maintain women’s and girls’ sports for biological females? ... The answer is yes,’" Trump continued, citing the court’s decision.

"America, we can support the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and also protect opportunities for female athletes," she added. "Respect everyone and keep girls' sports fair. Both ideals are essential."

The first lady's comments came just hours after the Supreme Court established a new nationwide precedent allowing states to maintain women's and girls' sports teams for biological females.

U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE MAKES NEW TRANS ATHLETE FINDINGS AGAINST USA HOCKEY

In the consolidated cases West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, the justices ruled 6-3 in favor of West Virginia and Idaho, upholding state laws requiring student-athletes to compete on teams that correspond with their biological sex at birth rather than their gender identity.

Writing for the majority, the court held: "Consistent with Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause, we hold that the States may maintain women's and girls' sports for biological females. They may determine eligibility for women's and girls' sports based on biological sex."

The decision marks a major victory for supporters of so-called "Save Women's Sports" laws, validating similar legislation enacted in 27 states in recent years. The ruling also clears the way for those states to continue enforcing the laws without the legal uncertainty that surrounded them while the cases moved through the courts.

LAWYERS FIGHTING SJSU OVER VOLLEYBALL SCANDAL RESPOND TO FEDERAL TITLE IX PROBE FINDINGS

Justice Sonia Sotomayor filed an opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey praised the ruling, calling it "a monumental victory for every female athlete who has ever competed, or dreamed of competing, on a fair and safe playing field."

Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador likewise hailed the decision, saying it confirmed states' authority to "preserve fair competition and protect the opportunities that generations of women fought to secure."

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The cases centered on West Virginia's Save Women's Sports Act and Idaho's Fairness in Women's Sports Act, both of which had been blocked after legal challenges brought by transgender athletes.

Fox News Digital's Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

WWE's Sami Zayn shares praise for Johnny Gargano, opens up about his 'vegetative state' on SmackDown

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:08:46 -0400

WWE star Sami Zayn has used Johnny Gargano as a sounding board for his complaints over the last few weeks on "Friday Night SmackDown."

Gargano, known as "Johnny Wrestling," has been lying face down during most of his segments for months. He hasn’t spoken to anyone nor has he been in a wrestling ring since Stand & Deliver all the way back in April. The only signal to know that Gargano is actually alive is when Zayn has spoken to him.

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Zayn talked about Gargano and what it would take to get him moving again in an interview with Fox News Digital before he won the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions.

"I think he’s an immensely talented person. Anyone who’s followed his career, actually watched his work especially in NXT, knows what he’s capable of," Zayn said. "Some people when they come to the main roster never really got to showcase what they’re made of and I definitely think he falls into that category. …

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"He’s almost in this sort of vegetative state or whatever and he just needs like the Prince Charming or whatever is to come around and swoop him and get him out of it. … I think something just needs the right spark to get him to remember who he is and I do think if, and when, that happens we’re gonna get to see a side of him that’s very exciting, that hasn’t been seen in a very long time."

Gargano is one of the best pure wrestlers on the roster.

He put on some of the best matches in NXT history. He’s won the NXT Championship, NXT North American Championship and the NXT Tag Team Championship, which made him the first NXT Triple Crown champion.

On the main roster, he’s been a WWE tag team champion twice.

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But every fan is hoping that he gets another shot at wrestling again and snaps out of this slumber and gets back to what he does best.

Ecuador isn't thrilled after Mexican fans make a ruckus outside its hotel before Round of 32

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:05:10 -0400

When the Round of 32 picture started to take shape, there had to be some teams disappointed with their matchups, but I'm not sure anyone could've been bummed harder than Ecuador when it realized it had drawn Mexico in Mexico City.

You've got an always-dangerous team playing at home in the most soccer-crazed of the tournament's three host nations.

What could possibly go wrong?!

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Well, for starters, you could end up with the worst night's sleep of your life, and that's if you were able to sleep at all.

Mexican fans went to the Ecuadorians' hotel and made as much noise as humanly possible to make sure that when they hit the field on Tuesday evening they are anything but well-rested.

There are two ways to look at this.

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On one hand, it's not exactly an example of fine sportsmanship.

On the other hand, if someone told me I could help my team by standing outside the opponents' hotel banging pots and pans, I probably wouldn't do it because I like my sleep, but dammit, I would really consider it.

Also, I feel like Ecuador should've expected this. Someone should've hopped on Amazon and bought some Bluetooth eye masks, and the problem would've been solved.

But clearly, they didn't do this because, on Tuesday, just hours before the game, Ecuador's football federation put out a statement about the impromptu block party outside their hotel.

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"Regarding certain non-footballing actions that took place in the lead-up to the round of 32 match, the Ecuadorian Football Federation informs that it has sent a formal complaint to the organization, as this behavior is a far cry from the principles of fair play, equity, and unity that a football World Cup should represent," the statement reads.

I feel like the toothpaste is out of the tube on this one, but I do know one thing: things might get really interesting when these two teams — and their respective fans — meet up at Mexico City Stadium.

Fox News Poll: Maine Senate race is tight, with concerns about both candidates

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:00:01 -0400

The Maine Senate race is shaping up to be a close contest.

While majorities have concerns about both major party candidates, the worries about Democratic candidate Graham Platner are more intense. That’s according to a Fox News statewide poll that also suggests voter motivation is helping keep the race competitive.

The new poll finds Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins has a small three percentage-point advantage, receiving 50% to Platner’s 47% among Maine registered voters.

But among the two-thirds of voters who say they are extremely motivated to vote, Platner leads by 9 points, 53-44%.

FOX NEWS POLL: LOOKING AHEAD TO AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY

That’s driven by a 15-point enthusiasm gap, as more Democrats (76%) than Republicans (61%) describe themselves as highly motivated to cast a ballot this year.

FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS EMBRACE HEALTH AGENDA WHILE RATING RFK JR NEGATIVELY

Maine voters express concern about both Senate candidates. More than half say Platner lacks the judgment to serve as a U.S. senator, while a similar share believes Collins has been in office too long.

Yet concerns about Platner run a bit deeper. Nearly 4 in 10 are extremely worried about his judgment compared with 3 in 10 who say the same about Collins' lengthy tenure.

Roughly one-third of independents are extremely concerned about both Platner’s judgment (33%) and Collins’ tenure (30%). Only 10% of Democrats express concern about Platner, and only 10% of Republicans about Collins.

About 1 in 10 of those concerned about Platner’s judgment still support him, while 2 in 10 of those worried Collins has served too long continue to favor her.

In 2024, Harris beat Donald Trump statewide by nearly 7 points.

"Along with North Carolina, Maine is the Democrats’ most obvious Senate target — a blue state with a restless electorate and a 30-year establishment Republican incumbent," says Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducts the Fox News Poll with Democrat Chris Anderson. "How do you blow that? Maybe by nominating someone facing allegations of sexual abuse, racism, and dishonesty. This race could demonstrate whether partisan and populist loyalties trump all else."

In the horse race, Collins’ edge primarily comes from men (+10 points), voters without a college degree (+15), gunowner households (+21), and rural voters (+8). For the most part, she is matching her performance among these groups compared to her most recent re-election, according to the 2020 Maine Fox News Voter Analysis election survey.

Platner is preferred among women (+5 points), voters with a college degree (+15), and suburban voters and moderates (+10 each). He is underperforming former Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 support among those groups. The 2024 Maine FNVA finds she won women by 10 points, voters with a degree by 42, suburban voters by 27, and moderates by 24.

Despite Collins’ reputation as a moderate Republican, 97% of MAGA Republicans favor her. Among non-MAGA GOPers, 82% go for Collins and 15% for Platner.

Collins garners more within-party support than Platner, getting 93% of Republicans, while he gets 86% among Democrats. Independents favor Platner by 2 points, 47-45%.

While Platner is a veteran, he trails Collins by 18 points among military voters.

About 8 in 10 of both Collins (79%) and Platner backers (81%) are committed to their choice, while 2 in 10 voters say they could still change their mind.

Only 1 in 10 Maine voters say they are getting ahead financially. More than 4 in 10 say they’re falling behind, while about half are holding steady.

The most important issue to Maine voters in deciding their Senate vote is inflation (30%). That’s followed by political divisions within the country (19%), healthcare (17%), and immigration (14%). Far fewer prioritize unemployment, Iran, abortion, or crime as their top issue.

Inflation ranks first among independents and Democrats, while Republicans narrowly put immigration and border security ahead of inflation.

Collins, first elected to the Senate 30 years ago, won reelection by 9 points in 2020. Still, slightly more view her negatively than positively by 3 points (47% favorable, 50% unfavorable). Platner’s personal rating is weaker, with negative ratings by 10 points (43-53%). President Trump’s ratings are negative by 19 (40-59%).

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree has a 17-point positive rating (53 favorable vs. 36% unfavorable). Republican Bobby Charles is viewed about evenly (39-40%), although some 21% are unable to rate him.

In the gubernatorial race, Pingree leads Charles by 11 points, 53-42%. Her lead expands to 18 points among those who are extremely motivated to vote in November.

Seventeen percent of those favoring Collins in the Senate race cross party lines to support Pingree for governor, while 5% of Platner backers go for Charles, the Republican.

Sitting Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who is term limited, has served since 2019. She suspended her campaign in the U.S. Senate race in April but has yet to endorse Platner.

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Conducted June 23-27, 2026 under the joint direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News Poll includes interviews with a sample of 1,003 Maine registered voters randomly selected from a statewide voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (102) and cellphones (653) or completed the survey online after receiving a text message (248). Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of ± 3 percentage points. Sampling error for results among subgroups is higher. In addition to sampling error, question wording and order can influence results. Sources for developing weight targets include the most recent American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis, and voter file data. Weights are generally applied to age, race, education, and area variables to ensure the demographics of respondents are representative of the registered voter population. Results among subgroups are only shown when the sample size is at least N=100.

Fox News’ Victoria Balara contributed to this report.

Nick Saban wrote letter to court supporting 'exceptional character' of former Lions CB Terrion Arnold

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:53:49 -0400

One of the most shocking stories of the 2026 NFL offseason has been the saga of cornerback Terrion Arnold.

Arnold, a former 2024 first-round pick of the Detroit Lions, was arrested recently on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping. Arnold appeared in court in Hillsborough County, Florida this week, with Judge Christopher Sabella setting his bond at $1 million. He was also instructed not to contact the six co-defendants in the case, along with surrendering his passport and being subject to home confinement in Tallahassee.

The Lions announced Monday that they'd released Arnold, seemingly as a result of the charges and court appearance.

TERRION ARNOLD, LIONS' 2024 FIRST-ROUND PICK, CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING AND ARMED ROBBERY IN FLORIDA

But there's one piece of good news for the 23-year-old: he's received a letter of support from none other than legendary Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban.

Saban wrote a letter, dated June 26, telling the judge that he's long respected Arnold for his "exceptional character" and the "genuine care" he has for others off the field.

"My name is Nick Saban," the letter reads, "and I have spent decades as a football coach working with young men from diverse and often difficult backgrounds. In that time, I have had the privilege of watching hundreds of athletes grow not just as players, but as men. I write this letter because of the exceptional character I witnessed in Terrion Arnold over the more than six years I have known him."

Saban also wrote that Arnold treated his family and staff with "respect, humility, and kindness," and never gave him or others cause to doubt his behavior and personal conduct.

"I first met Terrion when he joined my program in 2021," he wrote. "From the beginning, he stood out not only because of his athletic ability, but because of who he was off the field. Based on my experiences with Terrion, I’ve always believed he leads with genuine care for the people around him.

"Over the years, I have welcomed Terrion into my home and around my family. He has consistently treated my family and my staff with respect, humility, and kindness. In all the time I have known him, he never once gave me cause to question his conduct, his integrity, or his respect for others. I don’t ever recall him being involved in any behavior that would be described as aggressive or irresponsible."

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Saban concludes by telling the court that he hopes they consider his personal "experience" with Arnold, despite not being "overly familiar" with the charges he faces.

"Based on my experiences with Terrion, I remain committed to supporting him," Saban wrote. "While I’m not overly familiar with or educated on the charges he is facing, and understand the seriousness of his situation before the Court, I would respectfully ask the Court to take into account my experience with Terrion, his character, history and the positive impact he had on our program."

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Given the conditions placed on Arnold and the large bail set by the judge, it doesn't appear Saban's letter had a tremendous impact in this case. This letter is yet another bizarre entry in this extremely odd case. Arnold's alleged behavior obviously doesn't align with Saban's character reference. But Saban surely wouldn't submit such a letter unless he felt it accurately reflected the player and person he knew. Arnold is, of course, innocent until proven guilty. And although he's been released by the Lions, he at least has one big supporter left: the best college football coach in the sport's history.

House backs Massie's push to release taxpayer-funded sexual harassment settlement records

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:52:33 -0400

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly backed a measure Tuesday that would force the disclosure of lawmakers who used taxpayer funds to settle sexual harassment claims.

The resolution, introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., would require the House Ethics Committee to "preserve and publicly release" records related to monetary settlements involving sexual misconduct.

Massie, a frequent thorn in House GOP leadership's side, forced a vote on the resolution, arguing that gaps in reporting requirements enacted in 2018 may still allow taxpayer-funded settlements to remain hidden.

The Kentucky lawmaker said he discovered there were no reported cases involving any members repaying sexual harassment settlements since then.

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His resolution would specifically direct the ethics panel and the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights to publicly report sexual misconduct cases involving lawmakers and their staff that resulted in taxpayer-funded settlements, along with the total amount of taxpayer money spent.

"We need to know what's been going on here in the House of Representatives in order to convince the people and assure the people that we are conducting the people's business with the utmost integrity and treating offices and employees of this institution with the respect they serve," Massie said.

The final vote was 420-0-1. No lawmaker spoke against the resolution during debate on the House floor.

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., was the lone lawmaker to vote "present," arguing Tuesday's vote was "nothing more than political theater" after she released information earlier this year showing the federal government paid out more than $330,000 to settle sexual harassment claims since the early 2000s.

"Now Congress wants to vote on doing what we already did," the South Carolina Republican wrote on social media.

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Mace, who helped orchestrate a transparency push targeting lawmakers’ behavior toward women amid several high-profile resignations, subpoenaed the Congressional Office of Workplace Rights through her position on the House Oversight Committee for a bevy of settlement documents involving at least six lawmakers or their offices.

Former Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, who resigned in disgrace in 2018 amid a House ethics probe into sexual misconduct allegations, was among the lawmakers named in the documents.

Former Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., who similarly resigned in 2018 amid reports he used taxpayer funds to settle a sexual harassment suit filed by a former staffer, was also listed.

Ten lawmakers did not vote, as the chamber was scheduled to begin the July 4 recess immediately following the vote amid a conservative blockade of the House floor in protest of the stalled SAVE America Act.

The resolution’s passage comes after Cynthia West, a former Massie girlfriend, accused the Kentucky lawmaker of emotional abuse in May. West also alleged that Massie attempted to pay her $5,000 to drop a wrongful termination lawsuit against the office of Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., who fired her shortly after taking a position in the office.

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The House in March rejected a resolution offered by Mace to require the House Ethics Committee to release all documents compiled by the panel involving probes into members of Congress related to sexual misconduct.

Tim Burchett, UFO whistleblower recount ominous government warnings after demanding UFO transparency

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:41:29 -0400

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., revealed the chilling warning he received from someone connected to the Trump administration after pushing for UFO disclosure during a new episode of "Hang Out with Sean Hannity."

"It was another Saturday. I was sitting at the house, and I got a call from, I’ll just say, a friend of the administration," the congressman said.

"He said I had kicked a hornet’s nest. They said, ‘You need to get bodies around you.’ And I’m in East Tennessee. I’ve got bodies around me. There are enough good ol’ boys out there… We have kicked a virtual hornet’s nest, and these people don’t want this stuff out."

UFO disclosure activist Luis Elizondo told "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" he received a similar threat, claiming there were discussions to "eliminate" him during a classified congressional briefing.

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Elizondo said he received two separate calls from staffers who had just gotten out of the briefing who were worried about him and whistleblower David Grusch.

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"He says, ‘I was in a meeting where government officials had told myself and other staff… that there was a plan at one point, a discussion, to eliminate you and Grusch,’" Elizondo told host Sean Hannity.

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"I received another call from a different staffer. The first thing he said was, ‘Lou, are you okay?" I said, ‘Yeah, I'm fine. Why?’ He’s like, ‘You really need to watch yourself because there were discussions involving you and Grusch. Some people were very upset with what you guys did,’" he added.

Burchett went on to claim the U.S. government limits Americans' access to government information by transferring classified UFO documents to private companies.

"We've come to find out they turn it over to a private entity, like one of our missile defense contractors. There’s probably five or six of them," the congressman said.

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"What they do is they give it to these corporations so that you and I can't get to it through FOIA, the Freedom of Information Act," he continued. "I can FOIA Ford Motor Company, but they don't have to answer me."

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows citizens to request access to federal agency records as a way to ensure government transparency.

By transferring UFO documents to private entities, Burchett argued the government can prevent the public from accessing the information.

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The congressman claimed there is sworn testimony indicating the U.S. government is in possession of alien bodies.

Elizondo said there are "a lot" of reasons why organizations may want to keep information about extraterrestrial life hidden from the American people.

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As for President Donald Trump, Burchett said he was told in a secure environment that the commander-in-chief was on a "need-to-know" basis when it came to alien life.

"Someone is making a unilateral decision in our government not to inform the president," Elizondo added.

Hannity’s full interview with Burchett and Elizondo, where they delve deeper into the U.S. government’s knowledge of alien life, is available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Shelter-in-place order lifted after freight train derailment sparks hazmat concerns in Pennsylvania

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:32:49 -0400

Officials said no hazardous material leaks were found after a freight train derailment Tuesday afternoon in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, and that earlier shelter-in-place and evacuation orders have been lifted.

"Hazmat personnel have deemed the area safe," the Bensalem Police Department said in a statement. "There is no threat to the public. All residents may return to their homes and businesses."

About 16 freight cars derailed around 2:15 p.m. between Street Road and the Neshaminy Falls train station, according to local outlets NBC10 and 6abc.

BYSTANDER VIDEO CAPTURES NORFOLK SOUTHERN TRAIN T-BONING SEPTIC TRUCK AT VIRGINIA RAILROAD CROSSING

Authorities initially worked to determine what the cars were carrying amid concerns that some may have contained hazardous materials.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., said no injuries had been reported and that his office was coordinating with local officials, first responders and the Department of Transportation.

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"This was a freight derailment and did not occur on commuter rail lines," Fitzpatrick wrote on X. "Local officials have reported several cars involved, which may contain hazardous materials."

A one-mile shelter-in-place order was initially issued, with residents urged to stay indoors, bring pets inside, close windows, doors and vents, and turn off heating and air conditioning systems.

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People outside the area were asked to avoid the scene and keep nearby roads clear for emergency crews.

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The incident comes more than three years after the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment raised national concerns over rail safety and the transport of hazardous materials.

Bucks County Emergency Management and the Bensalem Township Police Department could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment.

Jim Banks, GOP lawmakers rally behind DOJ probe into alleged CCP-linked funding network

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:18:40 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Top members of Congress are supporting a federal grand jury investigation into alleged financial crimes committed by Neville Roy Singham, tied to his funding of socialist, communist and Marxist organizations.

According to a Fox News Digital investigation, Singham has funneled $278 million into the broad network of nonprofits since 2017. As reported, Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche authorized a grand jury in Manhattan to issue subpoenas as part of a probe of Singham's financial network. The investigation was launched by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York, one of the country's most powerful districts for federal prosecutions. Singham hasn’t responded to repeated requests for comment that Fox News Digital has sent him over the past several months.

"Neville Singham is a traitor to our country. He has ties to the CCP," Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, told Fox News Digital. "He is an American citizen, but all of his loyalties lie with the Chinese Communist Party. And when you begin to untangle the web of his massive fortune and his philanthropic activities, the money that he sends to left-wing groups in America, and not just groups that espouse ideologies, but espouse violence."

DOJ LAUNCHES GRAND JURY PROBE INTO MARXIST MOGUL NEVILLE ROY SINGHAM'S FUNDING OF LEFTIST GROUPS

Last April, Banks sounded the alarm about the Singham network, calling on former Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate CodePink, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has received funds from Singham. Co-founded by Singham’s wife, Jodie Evans, CodePink hasn’t responded to repeated requests for comment. Neither has Evans.

Earlier this year, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent traveled to New York City for a meeting with Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO David Solomon, and sources told Fox News Digital that Bessent gave a blunt ultimatum to Solomon.

Bessent told Solomon that Goldman Sachs could face scrutiny for alleged conspiracy in the funneling of the Singham money and urged Solomon to cooperate with federal investigators.

PROBE INTO 'SUBVERSIVE' ANTI-AI SINGHAM NETWORK IS 'ENORMOUS,' FORMER TREASURY ADVISOR SAYS

A person familiar with the meeting told Fox News Digital that the discussion wasn't contentious and that Solomon readily agreed to pledge his cooperation with the Justice Department investigation. A spokesperson for the bank said "all distributions from Mr. Singham’s donor-advised fund were made to legal nonprofits, as determined by the IRS. There have been no distributions from the account since August 2023, and it was closed in early 2024."

Banks serves on the Senate Banking Committee, which is responsible for bank oversight and regulation. The Indiana senator explained that Goldman’s cooperation is welcome news, but that Wall Street should be more cautious about working with individuals tied to "our biggest enemy."

"It sounds like Goldman wants to put this to bed," Banks explained. "They want to do their part to help the investigation. But Wall Street should know that you can't get away with helping our biggest enemy. You can't get away with helping the Chinese Communist Party through money funneled through tech billionaires like Neville Singham. You will be held accountable for that."

FIRST ON FOX: POWERFUL HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIR THROWS HAMMER DOWN ON 'FOREIGN-ALIGNED INFLUENCE NETWORK'

In his letter to Bondi, Banks also raised concerns about CodePink potentially violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The law requires individuals or entities acting as agents of foreign principals to register as foreign agents and publicly disclose their finances and relationships.

"CodePink has clearly become an agent of CCP influence in the United States. Despite activities and funding so blatant that even the New York Times acknowledged the organization’s activities ‘usually require’ groups to register under FARA, Code Pink has not registered with the DOJ," the letter read.

A number of lawmakers weighed in on news of the DOJ’s recent grand jury probe of Singham’s finances, including Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas), who is running for chairman of the House Oversight Committee.

Fallon recently announced his run with Fox News Digital and said at the time that holding accountable nonprofits aligned with the CCP and tied to Singham would be one of his priorities if he secured the chairmanship.

"Far-left NGOs are the means by which U.S. adversaries like communist China work to undermine our country," Fallon told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. "Groups like CodePink, which Singham has funded, openly spew CCP propaganda. Their objective is to spark division, resentment and unrest."

"My colleagues and I on the House Oversight Committee have been committed to dismantling the dark network of communist NGOs, which is why we sent a letter to the DOJ earlier this year urging them to expose these groups for what they really are. We cannot stop until we put an end to the communist threat facing our Republic here at home."

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., who launched an investigation into the Singham nonprofit network last year, took to social media to say the grand jury investigation is overdue.

"It’s about time he is brought to justice and he is held accountable for his ties to the CCP," Smith said on X. For years, critics like Smith have alleged that Singham has used the generous tax status awarded to tax-exempt nonprofit organizations to fund left-wing chaos in streets across the country.

A Fox News Digital investigation uncovered a video that showed Singham calling for a "new world order' promoted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party during the "Global South Academic Forum," in Beijing last year.

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Singham has funneled millions into a network of nonprofits that regularly mobilize agitators for demonstrations across the country, including anti-ICE protests and anti-Israel protests.

His financial contributions, which were routed through Goldman Sachs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc., include an estimated $22.44 million to People's Forum Inc., a hub for far-left activity in Manhattan, and at least $223 million and other forms of support into a global network of organizations.

Serena Williams drops Wimbledon comeback match to 20-year-old Maya Joint after four-year absence

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:16:51 -0400

Serena Williams fought hard but ultimately lost in her first singles match since 2022 on Tuesday at Wimbledon, falling to 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3, in the first round on Centre Court.

There's a common axiom in sports that "Father Time is undefeated" and that rang true in London on Tuesday night.

Williams, 44, had not played a singles match since the 2022 U.S. Open, when she lost to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round in what many believed would be the final match of her legendary career.

Instead, nearly four years later, she walked back onto the grass at the All England Club.

And not just any court.

Centre Court.

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The same court where Williams won seven of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles, an Olympic gold medal and authored some of the most dominant moments of the modern women's tennis era.

This one, obviously, was different.

Williams entered Wimbledon as a wild card and with far more questions than expectations.

How much tennis did she still have in her legs?

Could her serve still carry her through pressure games?

Could one of the greatest competitors in sports history summon enough of the old Serena to make this more than a ceremonial comeback?

For a while, the answer looked complicated.

Joint, the 87th-ranked women's player in the world, came out sharp and took the opening set 6-3. After the set got to 3-3, with each player holding each of her first three serves, Joint won the next three games, breaking Serena once to take the first set.

It was a reminder that nostalgia does not win tennis matches, especially at Wimbledon, where the grass can punish even small dips in movement and timing.

But Williams’ fought back in the second set.

Despite being broken in the first game and falling down 3-1, Williams eventually forced a tiebreak. The 20-year-old Australian had match point with a 6-5 lead in the tiebreak, but Williams won the next three points to square the match.

Williams came out strong in the third set, getting the first break to take a 2-1 lead. But that's when it seemed that Williams' age started to become a bigger factor.

Her daughters, Olympia and Adira, were in attendance, along with her husband Alexis Ohanian and sister Venus Williams. Venus is also scheduled to team with Serena in doubles at Wimbledon, giving the tournament another Williams sisters moment after years of uncertainty over whether fans would ever see that again.

Williams has spent most of the past four years away from the tour after saying in 2022 that she was "evolving away" from tennis. She never fully closed the door, though.

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She won Wimbledon singles titles in 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016. She reached four other Wimbledon finals. She and Venus also built one of the great doubles partnerships in tennis history, including six Wimbledon women’s doubles titles together.

So when Williams accepted a wild card into the singles draw, it immediately became one of the biggest stories of the tournament.

That’s the power of Serena.

Even after nearly four years without a singles match, even at 44, even with no real evidence that she could contend at a Grand Slam again, her presence changed the feel of the draw.

Unfortunately for Williams, she did not get the storybook result Tuesday, but this was never going to be judged like an ordinary first-round loss.

Not really.

Yes, Williams is out of the singles draw after losing to a woman less than half her age. But the fact that she even took the court is a story in and of itself.

Now comes the obvious question.

Was this just a Wimbledon one-off, or was it the first step toward one more run in New York?

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The U.S. Open main draw begins Aug. 30, and if Williams wants another singles swing this summer, Flushing Meadows would be the obvious place to do it. That’s where she played her last singles match before this comeback. That’s where American tennis fans believed they said goodbye to her in 2022.

Maybe they did.

Maybe they didn’t.

Either way, Serena Williams taking the court at a Grand Slam tournament is good for tennis, particularly in the United States.

And if Tuesday was any indication, plenty of people would show up to watch her try it again.

California couple says moving company doubled their price and is now holding belongings 'for ransom': report

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:11:11 -0400

A couple looking to leave California said their moving company is holding their belongings hostage after allegedly doubling the agreed-upon price.

Roughly one month has passed since John Nelson and his wife, who were relocating from Oceanside to North Carolina, encountered what they described as a troubling experience at the end of May, according to CBS 8.

The couple initially signed a contract with a moving broker for just over $16,000 for a full-service move and paid a $7,000 deposit upfront, the outlet reported.

However, on moving day, the company allegedly increased the cost to $32,000, claiming the couple had more belongings than originally estimated.

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While Nelson ultimately agreed to move forward to avoid losing his deposit, he later alleged that the company attempted to charge another round of additional fees upon delivery.

According to the couple, the company attempted to deliver their belongings on June 3 — one week before the date Nelson said they would be available to receive them, CBS 8 reported.

The failed delivery attempt allegedly led the contractors to issue an additional redelivery fee, according to the report.

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"They’ve got $30,000 and they’ve got our stuff… and they’re basically holding it for ransom," Nelson said.

"When you move, it’s an exciting thing...you never expect for somebody to take your stuff and not deliver it," he added.

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Nelson also claimed the initial delivery attempt may have been staged to pressure the couple into paying additional charges, alleging that the moving truck captured on video did not appear to be the same vehicle used to load their belongings.

"I think they just pulled up an empty truck to stage a charade," he said.

"As far as I’m concerned, they’ve got stolen property that’s crossed state lines," Nelson added.

Nelson and his wife reportedly filed police reports in both Oceanside and their new city in North Carolina.

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Complaints were also filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a dispute-resolution service that helps consumers address issues with companies, the outlet said.

According to CBS 8, the broker has received 280 complaints with the BBB over the past three years.

The broker reportedly disputed the couple’s claims but said it was working to find a resolution.

Los Angeles Clippers finally give up on Kawhi Leonard, send former Finals MVP back to Toronto Raptors

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:08:00 -0400

The Kawhi Leonard era is over in Los Angeles.

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Clippers are finalizing a blockbuster trade that will send the two-time Finals MVP back to the Toronto Raptors, closing the book on an era defined by lofty expectations and limited postseason success.

The Raptors will part with forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, two future first-round picks, a first-round pick swap and two second-round picks.

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The deal represents a major swing for Toronto and a reset for Los Angeles. Leonard returns to the country where he led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship, while the Clippers move on from an era that never produced an NBA Finals appearance despite owner Steve Ballmer's massive investment in the franchise.

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When the Clippers acquired Leonard in 2019, they were expected to become title contenders. Instead, the next seven seasons were defined by injuries and postseason frustration.

The Clippers won just three playoff series during Leonard's tenure. Chronic knee injuries and repeated playoff absences prevented the franchise from reaching its potential, culminating in Tuesday's huge trade.

The gamble shows Toronto is looking to catch lightning in a bottle for a second time.

Leonard remains under contract through 2027 and is set to earn more than $50 million next season. According to reports, he also hopes to sign a two-year, $126.1 million extension that would allow him to finish his career in Canada.

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At the very least, pairing Leonard with the ascending Scottie Barnes makes the Raptors one of the Eastern Conference's most intriguing contenders.

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