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Dak Prescott emerges as NFL MVP dark horse as Cowboys rebuild both sides of the ball for 2026

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:46:40 -0400

When a franchise carries the immense expectations of "America’s Team," back-to-back years without playoff runs can ignite immediate urgency across the entire organization. Few teams in the NFL have operated under as intense a microscope over the last few seasons as the Dallas Cowboys. With head coach Brian Schottenheimer entering his second year steering the ship, new defensive coordinator Christian Parker taking over, and Dak Prescott under center, Dallas is aiming to prove that last season’s sub-.500 stumble was a fluke and that their explosive roster can climb back into the NFC elite.

Last Year

The Cowboys experienced a bizarre, roller-coaster 2025 season, ultimately finishing 7-9-1 and failing to qualify for the postseason. At their best, the offense was a sheer powerhouse—Dak Prescott threw for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns, ranking among the league's top passing leaders while feeding a dominant receiving corps. At their worst, the defense was somewhere between non-existent and awful. Dallas allowed a staggering 511 points (30.1 points per game), which finished dead last in the entire NFL. The disconnect between a top-10 scoring offense and the league’s worst defense led to a slew of shootout losses and cost defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus his job after just one season.

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Offseason additions and subtractions

Fixing the defensive disaster was the top priority from January through August. Dallas cleaned house on the defensive coaching staff, hiring 34-year-old defensive backs coach Christian Parker from Philadelphia as their new coordinator. To overhaul the roster, Jerry Jones and the front office prioritized bolstering the defense through both free agency and the draft. They selected top safety and pass-rush talent in the early rounds of the 2026 draft and signed veteran edge rusher Von Miller alongside defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia and linebackers Chop Robinson and Kenneth Murray. They also re-signed star kicker Brandon Aubrey to a long-term deal and placed the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens to preserve a dynamic receiver tandem. On the subtraction side, Dallas parted ways with several depth pieces, including linebacker Logan Wilson (retired), safety Juanyeh Thomas, and edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

Roster

There is legitimate reason for optimism when looking at Dallas’ high-ceiling roster makeup. Offensively, the unit features one of the most explosive wide receiver duos in football, pairing CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. With Javonte Williams leading the backfield and a solid offensive line giving Prescott time in the pocket, Dallas has all the firepower needed to rank near the top of the league in total yardage and points once again.

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The true wildcard is the defense. Under Christian Parker, the unit shifts toward a more aggressive, Vic Fangio-inspired scheme designed to eliminate big plays. With key draft additions filling secondary gaps alongside veteran pass rushers upfront, even a middle-of-the-pack defensive performance would drastically change Dallas' game-to-game outlook.

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Betting Outlook

The books seem to think the Cowboys will be better as well, putting them at 9.5 wins for the year. I like the idea of the over on them and think that they will win the NFC East this season. I also think that Dak Prescott gets a bit more love, and I’ll take a shot on him to win the MVP this year. Things don’t always seem to go the way you’d want if you’re a Cowboys fan, but it does seem like this team finally has some balance on both sides of the ball. Their offensive line seems like it will be strong enough to give Prescott time to throw, and the defensive line should be improved. Give me the over 9.5 wins, the Cowboys to win the East, and Prescott for MVP.

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Can your smartphone detect gunfire? Chicago startup puts new technology to the test

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:39:22 -0400

A Chicago-based startup is testing a new approach to gunshot detection technology that transforms smartphones into acoustic sensors, potentially saving lives. The testing comes almost two years after the city ended its contract with SoundThinking.

SplitSec, which was founded in Chicago in 2025, has developed an app that is capable of detecting gunshots using the microphones that are already built into Android phones. The technology has the potential to eliminate the need to install fixed sensors, such as the ones used by SoundThinking.

"As I observed events around us, one of the things that was striking is any time there is a gunfire incident, people are unaware, and they stand there for several minutes not knowing what happened. And so the idea was how can we make people aware sooner?" SplitSec founder and CEO Sri Deivasigamani told Fox News Digital.

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"We centered our thinking on how can we bring in personal safety for people, and how can you make them be aware and share that awareness. And we're using technology to help us achieve that, something that we all carry in our own back pockets every day: smartphones," Deivasigamani added.

The two no-cost trials are taking place in Chicago's 21st and 42nd wards, according to Block Club Chicago, which reported that there are discussions about expanding testing to the 5th, 29th and 38th wards.

Deivasigamani told Fox News Digital that app users participating in the trials have given SplitSec useful feedback. He said that on some phones the company noticed a high degree of false positives due to sensitive microphones. Another issue that users noted was battery drainage, something SplitSec's engineers are working on, according to the founder and CEO.

"For some users, on July 27 and 28, the app actually detected gunshots and the user confirmed that they heard gunshots. So, it was an important moment for us," he said.

Even though SplitSec was not able to verify the gunshots, according to Deivasigamani, users confirmed that what the app picked up was in fact gunfire.

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While the city previously used SoundThinking, which relied on fixed sensors across Chicago, SplitSec uses microphones and computing power already built into smartphones. Deivasigamani told Fox News Digital that advances in smartphone technology have made it possible for something like SplitSec to exist.

"We, you know, could not do this a few years ago, but these days, smartphones are AI-enabled. They have a lot of computing power. So, we designed and built an AI model that runs entirely on your phone," he said. "And just like your phone can wake up when you say, ‘Hey, Siri’, or ‘Hey, Google’, we have designed our app to wake up only on gunshot sounds."

Deivasigamani compared SplitSec to Waze, as it does not solely rely on what the phone detects, but also user confirmation, creating a community-powered network.

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Once the app detects the sound of a gunshot, it prompts the user to confirm whether there was in fact gunfire. If the user confirms the sound was a gunshot, SplitSec is then able to distribute the alert to people in a one-mile radius. Additionally, if two or more users confirm the same gunshots, the company is able to triangulate where the shooter is located, allowing them to help people run away from the danger.

"Many shootings have happened where people are actually running towards gunfire because they really quite honestly don't know where it's coming from," Deivasigamani told Fox News Digital.

Chicago is no stranger to gunshot detection technology. The city previously used SoundThinking, formerly known as ShotSpotter, which sparked political battles over its cost and effectiveness. In 2024, the city ended its contract with the company, which meant the Chicago Police Department (CPD) was no longer receiving gunshot alerts from the sensors across the city.

SplitSec is not currently working with CPD and its alerts are meant for users. However, Deivasigamani said that if the company were to work with CPD or Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), it could provide law enforcement the same map of anonymously reported gunfire that users see.

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The use of residents' smartphones to detect gunfire has raised some concerns about privacy, including questions about whether SplitSec continuously monitors its users. Deivasigamani clarified that the audio analysis takes place entirely on the users' smartphones and audio clips are only sent to the company if a user reports a false positive. In that case, users are asked about sending the clip to SplitSec, and it is then used to train the model on different sounds to help improve its accuracy.

"We really believe such an app needs to earn people's trust and needs to be built in such a way that it protects privacy," he said.

Army vet lawmaker marks Abbey Gate anniversary with blistering message for Biden-Harris: 'Abject failure'

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:33:26 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Former Army aviator Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn., said he "vividly" remembers the moment five years ago when he heard the U.S. was withdrawing from Afghanistan with scant shreds of a plan in place.

"I remember my boss at the time in Tennessee state government asked me, like, 'Hey Matt, are you OK?' And, you know, I think the frank answer is no, I'm very upset about this," he told Fox News Digital in an interview. "And as I talked to my colleagues, some who were serving with me in government, others that were still active-duty Army and in the military, I think the feeling was generally the same, that we spent so much time and effort and to see that unfold the way that it did was just beyond frustrating."

To this day, Van Epps believes neither the Biden administration nor former President Joe Biden himself have been "adequately held responsible in the aftermath of just an absolutely chaotic withdrawal that did not have to happen."

It's part of what motivated him to introduce a resolution marking Wednesday's fifth anniversary of the tragic bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, which took the lives of 13 U.S. service members in addition to over 100 Afghanis near the Abbey Gate.

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"We've introduced this resolution, first and foremost, to remember that, coming up on five years ago, those 13 brave service members made the ultimate sacrifice at Abbey Gate," Van Epps said. "And then second to that is that the Biden-Harris administration absolutely failed to withdraw in Afghanistan, and it didn't have to be that way. And it's important for the American people to remember what the Biden-Harris administration did in that abject failure, withdrawing from Afghanistan."

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Van Epps served 10 years of active duty that included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, spending part of that time as an air mission commander. He then served in the Tennessee Army National Guard.

And his ties to the withdrawal are personal, Van Epps said — two of his friends were on the ground in Kabul when the evacuation was taking place.

"I had two very close friends who were there as part of that evacuation. And they served honorably and heroically and did incredible work with the hand that they were dealt, they just should never have been put in that situation to begin with," he said.

The Biden administration faced bipartisan backlash for how it handled the withdrawal from Afghanistan amid the Taliban's lightning-fast takeover of the country.

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The majority of Democrats, however, have defended Biden. Many have said he was carrying out the work of President Donald Trump's agreement with the Taliban during his first administration in February 2020, which called for the U.S. to withdraw within 14 months.

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Van Epps defended Trump's peace deal, arguing it cleared the way for a "very deliberate withdrawal from Afghanistan that had conditions that the Taliban and the Afghan government had to meet for us to withdraw our soldiers."

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"And then the Biden team gets in, totally ignores the Doha agreement where they could have enforced those accountability measures on the Taliban, totally missed and ignored all of these warning signals as the Taliban was gaining ground across the country. They were more interested in optics than operations," he said.

SEE IT: LA Dem candidates torched by disgusted residents after ‘disgraceful’ debate: ‘Both bad’

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:30:26 -0400

Los Angeles’ Democratic mayoral candidates were torched by residents after a debate night in America’s second-most populous city that one voter described as "disgraceful."

Besides being home to Hollywood, Los Angeles is one of America’s most economically important cities. The city, however, has struggled with recent fires, rising living costs, homelessness and outmigration. Those problems have fueled a particularly contentious mayoral race this year, which included a surprisingly competitive but ultimately unsuccessful bid by Republican Spencer Pratt.

With Pratt out of the race, Democrats Karen Bass, the incumbent, and Nithya Raman, a democratic socialist city council member, are locked in a competitive and bitter runoff for Los Angeles mayor. During last week’s debate, Bass and Raman traded personal attacks and insults, leaving some voters frustrated over what solutions the candidates could offer.

After the debate, voter Stacey Segarra Bohlinger told Fox News Digital she believes Bass and Raman are "both bad" and said, "I wish they could both lose."

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Bohlinger, who until July served as a committee member on the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, said that although she was initially "a huge champion" for Raman, "I don't see substantive differences between the two of them."

Bohlinger said Raman "reneged on a lot of the initial campaign promises she made" and also criticized the councilwoman’s approach to homelessness, which she described as "a very capitalist approach to what she thinks solving the issue of homelessness is."

Regarding criticism of Bass, Bohlinger said, "I also agree with a lot of what said about the city not being in a good place right now."

"She responded really terribly to the Palisades fires. She did not respond well to the Lineage fires," she said, concluding, "I don't have much good to say about either of them."

Asked about her top issue, Bohlinger said the Los Angeles government "has a long sort of history of immense corruption."

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"If you look up, you know, recent Los Angeles officials who have conviction records for corruption, it's a really long list. So, I think along with the housing affordability issue [is] accessibility, transparency, more accountability, less corruption," she said, adding, "We have a lot of sort of political dynasties in the city, and I think that's a real fly in the ointment. I don't think much is going to change until the corruption is dealt with."

Meanwhile, Wayne Spindler, an Encino resident and regular City Hall critic, told Fox News Digital that "a lot of people… are upset."

"They don't like either one of them. And a lot of them are going to walk out of this [debate] and not vote," he said.

Based on the debate, Spindler predicted the election is "going to be close" because "there was not a lot of enthusiasm."

He said he will be voting for Raman, saying, "What I tell people is you got to go for one of the two."

"You can't write in Spencer [Pratt]. Spencer would have been the dream come true. That would have been amazing," he said.

Another debate attendee, Gregory Wright, a committee member on the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, told Fox News Digital, "For me, it's more important that Democrats win whatever part of the Democratic spectrum they're in."

"I am in favor of visionary ideas for the future," he said, adding, "I think socialism is the right direction for the entire world."

After the debate, Fox News Digital contacted the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, which co-hosted the event, for comment. Council President Howard Katchen clarified that "the comments by Stacey Segarra Bohlinger and Gregory Wright are their opinions as individuals and do not represent the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council."

Katchen reiterated that the two spoke as individuals and that their comments did not represent the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council. He called the debate a "success as determined by over 400 attendees, over 700 virtual viewers, NPR LAist live broadcast to what I was told over 500,000 listeners and covered by local, state, national and international media outlets." He also clarified that "Neighborhood Councils don’t endorse candidates for elected office."

Joey Tuccio, an animal rights advocate who previously supported Pratt publicly, told Fox News Digital he was outraged after the debate. Referring to his work helping animals and people on Skid Row, he said, "We are doing their job."

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"We've been catering Skid Row for years for free. We've got no support from the city. We have rescued over 150 animals. My rescue partner rescued a seven-year-old child that was being sex trafficked by his father. And Karen's office just said that they are avoiding us because we are ‘haters,’" he said. "I think that is one of the most disgusting things I've ever heard in my life, and it's disgraceful."

He said that, for now, "I'm going to be not supporting either of them."

Asked what he is looking for in a candidate, Tuccio said, "We want people that will enforce laws."

"Specifically on Skid Row, every day, every time we go, we see somebody overdosing, we see dogs that are abandoned, we see children without their parents, and we see good people living on the streets that are so scared," he said, adding, "It is lawless, and it's not getting better."

"People are being robbed there, people are being attacked, people are getting murdered," he continued. "There's people hanging themselves… people dying and rotting before anybody finds them. And from the animal side, there are animals that are left there for days and days starving to death. But then we get calls from caseworkers because they can't get the support of the city."

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"So, we need people to actually take the reins of this and stop pretending that everything is rainbows and unicorns because it's not, and we have to have people that don't ignore the problems."

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Fox News Digital contacted the Bass and Raman campaigns for comment.

Rutgers research dean accused of secretly recording 'upskirt' videos with cellphone, prosecutors say

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:09:42 -0400

A dean at Rutgers University in New Jersey is facing charges after investigators say he was illegally recording "up-skirt" videos while working at the school.

Joshua Kohut, 51, from Cranberry faces a charge of "fourth-degree invasion of privacy" after investigators say they discovered the incriminating videos on one of his electronic devices they seized with a warrant.

According to his online profiles for the university and LinkedIn, Kohut is a dean of research for the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

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He says he is "involved in many research and education programs," including storm intensity, offshore wind and studies of polar ecosystems in Antarctica, among others.

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Kohut has a Ph.D. in physical oceanography from Rutgers and has decades of experience, according to his CV. He a professor of marine and coastal sciences, earned his Ph.D. in 2002 and has been a faculty member there since 2008.

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"The defendant is alleged to have used his mobile phone to record ‘upskirt’ videos without his victim’s knowledge. An invasion of privacy like this is not just disturbing, it is also a criminal act. We will prosecute accordingly," Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said.

Read the full complaint below:

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If convicted, Kohut faces up to 18 months behind bars and a fine up to $10,000 for the alleged crimes.

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In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the university said, "The university placed Josh Kohut on administrative leave after being informed of the extremely disturbing charges. The research dean also is banned from campus pending the outcome of an investigation."

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Fox News Digital has reached out to Kohut for comment.

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Enes Kanter Freedom, deemed to have ‘the potential to be a threat,’ responds to Sky owner's comments

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 16:48:41 -0400

Chicago Sky team owner Michael Alter said Tuesday Enes Kanter Freedom is barred from Wintrust Arena after his altercation with Natasha Cloud on Sunday.

Alter made the comments in an address to beat writers.

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"He has demonstrated to us, unequivocally, that he has the potential to be a threat," Alter said, via ESPN.

Sky officials explained to OutKick later Tuesday that Wintrust Arena security, NBA security and the Chicago police determined Freedom to be a threat. The determination came when Freedom opened his arms, pointed toward Cloud and stepped toward the court, according to the officials.

OutKick reached out to Chicago police for further clarification.

The incident occurred in the third quarter of the Sky’s loss to the Indiana Fever. Cloud scored a bucket that led to the Fever calling a timeout. She directed her emotion toward Freedom, who was sitting near the basket at the Wintrust Arena. Freedom stood up and walked toward Cloud. Sky players and security had to get in between the two.

Alter said that Freedom began "chirping" at Cloud in the third quarter.

"He began to chirp with her in the third quarter," Alter said, via Chicago State of Mind Sports. I would characterize it as trash talking, nothing personal. Basketball-related, but enough to get her attention, engage her, and in my opinion, to try to provoke her."

Freedom was then escorted out of the arena and was unable to return for the rest of the game.

The former NBA center responded to Alter’s comments in a statement to OutKick on Wednesday morning.

"My letter to Commissioner Engelbert makes one point: rules are rules, and the WNBA must enforce them fairly," Freedom said. "I followed the league’s rules, yet I was ejected without the required warning while Natasha Cloud faced no consequences for berating a spectator — a clear violation of league policy. Being labeled a ‘threat’ will not intimidate me; I will continue standing up for women, fairness, and the principle that no player or organization is above its own rules."

Freedom initially explained the situation to OutKick after Sunday's game.

"Sophie Cunningham shot a three, and I put my hands up to celebrate," Freedom said. "Literally, a couple possessions later, Natasha came back and started screaming and yelling and said, ‘She’s not gonna sleep with you.’

"And I was like, ‘I am not trying to sleep with her. I’m just here to protect women and support her.’ And then, obviously, after that she started yapping, and she started to walk towards me, and literally I just got up, and then I was like, ‘I’m just here to protect women, and that’s all.’"

Freedom was wearing a shirt that explained the definition of a woman. He said he believed the shirt contributed to Cloud’s outburst.

"I was cheering for my friend Sophie because when she shot that three, I put my hands in the air," Freedom said. "A couple possessions later, she came back and said, ‘She’s not gonna sleep with you.’ And I was shocked. I was like, ‘Listen, I’m not trying to sleep with her. I think she’s awesome. She’s a good friend.’ But I think it has a lot to do with my shirt.

"I was obviously wearing a shirt explaining what a woman is, and I think that had a lot to do with what she thinks about women. I think it triggered her a lot."

Cloud didn’t speak at the Sky’s postgame media availability. She fired off a message on Threads in support of the transgender community.

"To every trans kid/person, You are apart of MY community & tribe. You belong. You’re loved. You’re seen. You’re perfect as you are. & you will always be protected by me," Cloud wrote.

Cloud’s message appeared to be a swipe at Freedom, who announced his intentions to compete in the WNBA as players and coaches have spoken out about trans athletes in women and girls’ sports. Freedom was wearing a T-shirt with the definition of a woman on it.

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Freedom attended his first WNBA game after saying he wanted to join the WNBA. As he entered the arena Sunday afternoon, he was berated by a mob of angry WNBA fans.

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He has since maintained he will pursue entering the WNBA Draft.

Fox News' Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

Fun fact: Dolly Parton wrote most of 'Coat of Many Colors' on a dry-cleaning receipt

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

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EXCLUSIVE: State Dept reveals Portland Antifa connection to Hamas, Iran’s IRGC in sweeping terror action

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:00:10 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: A State Department memo reveals that an international technology collective, now under a U.S. global terrorism designation, provided services to overseas terrorist groups and violent far-left agitators causing chaos in American cities, according to a copy obtained by Fox News Digital.

"Far-left terrorism poses a profound threat to the United States and the broader West," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Today, the United States sanctioned Autistici/Inventati – a major far-left tech collective whose services are used by the most active and violent Antifa cells in the United States and across the world."

Autistici/Inventati, called the A/I Collective by the State Department, is an Italy-based group that builds highly sophisticated digital infrastructure used by violent left-wing organizations in the United States and Europe, along with Islamic terrorists, according to the State Department. The collective's services include encrypted chats and email, web hosting, secure video conferencing and streaming and anonymity shields, according to the memo.

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"These tools are specifically designed to support the operations of far-left terrorist networks, built to enable them to organize, recruit, communicate, disseminate propaganda, share target information and tactics, and carry out violent attacks – all while remaining anonymous, untraceable, and beyond the reach of the law," says the State Department's memo.

A/I Collective has officially been deemed a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The designation bars Americans and U.S. financial institutions from doing business with the group and freezes any assets it has under U.S. jurisdiction. Violators can face civil or criminal penalties.

The memo identifies Portland-based Rose City Antifa, known for its violent rioting and destruction, as one of the U.S. groups that relied on A/I Collective tools and services.

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Rose City Antifa is listed in the memo alongside a media organization that the State Department says uses A/I Collective tools to disseminate information to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which is proliferating inside the United States, Hamas, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hezbollah and others.

The memo also accuses the militant abortion-rights group "Jane’s Revenge" — which declared "open season" on pro-life organizations and threatened escalating attacks after the leaked Supreme Court draft signaling Roe v. Wade would be overturned — of using the collective’s services.

The State Department memo says the collective provides its services exclusively to left-wing extremists, screening users for ideological alignment before allowing them access to its tools.

The collective claims to host roughly 16,000 mailboxes, 1,500 websites, 5,500 mailing lists and 10,000 "blogs" on a custom-built platform. The State Department says militants frequently use those services to disseminate target information, tactical manuals and techniques and communiqués about recent attacks.

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The memo stressed that while the infrastructure is overseas, it supports domestic far-left groups that for years have wreaked havoc in the United States, mostly under the label of Antifa, or antifascism.

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"There will be no refuge for violent extremists who wage war on our civilization and plot to undermine law and order, destroy critical infrastructure, assault political opponents, or conspire to conceal their crimes from authorities," Rubio said. "We will use all the tools and authorities at our disposal to fight terrorism and protect our way of life from terrorist coercion."

The memo cites several examples of violent or terrorist activity that the State Department says was facilitated through A/I Collective technology.

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The memo identifies a far-left extremist media group that describes itself as a "tool" for militants worldwide to share "essential information" to be "acted upon." According to State, the group relies on A/I Collective services to publish official communiqués and calls to action for U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations.

The memo says Rose City Antifa relied on A/I Collective tools and services to organize and incite violent and criminal acts, including disseminating an online flyer urging supporters to use laser pointers against U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopters.

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"All you need is a laser. Leave home – they can see where the laser is coming from," the flyer said. "Go to a park, a field, or some other public place, and once the clock strikes 9 unleash your beam at the cop copter. Mask up. Coordinate with friends to throw a laser party!"

"Let’s take back the night together!" it continued. "It won’t take many of us to ground the helicopters!"

The memo says at least one man answered the call to action. Federal records show he later pleaded guilty to aiming a laser at a CBP helicopter, forcing the aircraft to abort its planned landing.

The memo says Rose City Antifa also used A/I Collective tools to disseminate personal information about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel and calls for targeted attacks against ICE agents "in their homes" and in public.

"Jane's Revenge" used A/I Collective tools to "publish official communiqués and claims of responsibility for violent and criminal acts and to incite copycat attacks," according to the State Department.

Notably, Jane’s Revenge claimed responsibility for the May 2022 firebombing of a crisis pregnancy center in Madison, Wisconsin. The following day, a cryptic message appeared on a blog affiliated with the group.

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"This was only a warning. We demand the disbanding of all anti-choice establishments, fake clinics, and violent anti-choice groups within the next thirty days," the message said. "This is not a mere 'difference of opinion' as some have framed it. We are literally fighting for our lives. We will not sit still while we are killed and forced into servitude. We have run thin on patience and mercy for those who seek to strip us of what little autonomy we have left."

In the following months, several more posts appeared claiming responsibility for vandalism of pregnancy centers across the country, including smashed glass windows and doors and graffiti. The State Department memo says that four members of the group were later federally charged for "'conspiracy against rights' through threats of force and intimidation."

The memo also refers to far-left extremists in Atlanta using A/I Collective tools and services in a violent attempt to "prevent the construction of a law enforcement training center."

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also weighed in.

"Far-left extremists, their fronts, and their enablers should be on notice: We will bring the full weight of our economic tools to bear," he said. "Political terrorism has no place in our society, and we will continue to cut the financial lifelines of these groups until they are eliminated."

Abroad, the memo says far-left extremists in France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands used A/I Collective tools to claim responsibility for attacks on rail systems this year and to disseminate instructions for making improvised incendiary devices intended to disrupt railways.

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Anarchists who claimed responsibility for sabotaging infrastructure supporting the Transalpine Pipeline, a major crude-oil artery into Central Europe, also used A/I Collective tools, according to the memo. The State Department says the same was true of the far-left Vulkangruppe, which has targeted German infrastructure since 2011 and claimed responsibility for a January attack that knocked out power to roughly 45,000 Berlin households.

In 2025, President Donald Trump declared Antifa to be a terrorist organization.

Fox News Digital reached out to A/I Collective, Rose City Antifa and Jane's Revenge.

SEEING DOUBLE: Second Dan Sullivan advances, setting up bizarre Alaska Senate ballot

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:55:01 -0400

Dan J. Sullivan Jr., a Senate candidate in Alaska who has made headlines for sharing a name with incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, R-Alaska, has officially advanced to the general election, The Associated Press announced on Wednesday.

He joins Sen. Sullivan and former Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, as the third of the final four candidates.

Alaska has yet to announce the fourth.

Sullivan Jr.’s advance, which seemed likely after the polls closed last Tuesday, complicates the picture for Republicans as they work against the clock to explain why two candidates have the same name — as well as which one to vote for. Unlike the primary, the general election picture is further clouded by ranked-choice voting (RCV), which raises more questions about how voters will react to the name overlap.

MORNING GLORY: ALASKA’S 'REAL' SENATOR DAN SULLIVAN STOOD UP OVER CHALLENGER

Under this system, voters rank their preferred candidates. If their top choice is eliminated, their support passes on to their next-ranked option. While supporters of the process argue it expands voters' power and greatly increases the influence of candidates that may not otherwise be a top choice, critics — like Sen. Sullivan — believe it also introduces confusion.

"Like many others who did not support ranked choice voting in 2020, I still believe that this new election system has created unnecessary confusion among voters," Sullivan told local Alaskan media in 2024.

Fears of that confusion were amplified by the emergence of the second Sullivan.

Sullivan Jr., a logger, appeared among the 16 candidates on the ballot as an independent in last week's primary, snapping up 2.5% of the vote. Sullivan Jr.’s campaign announcement did not list a party affiliation. His website does not state his position on any political issues.

Instead, it leaned into the name overlap. "Dan Sullivan challenges Dan Sullivan for U.S. Senate Seat, urges Alaskans to defeat incumbent, elect a Sullivan who stands up for Alaska," it read.

ALASKA REPUBLICANS SCRAMBLE TO EDUCATE VOTERS ON SUSPECTED DEM PLANT AS 'BALLOT FATIGUE' THREATENS RACE

According to his biography, Sullivan Jr. spent his early career working blue-collar jobs like logging, construction, bartending and forestry but decided to enter his bid for Senate after growing frustrated with government mismanagement.

A Fox News Digital review of the campaign earlier this year uncovered that Amber Lee, a progressive consultant, had helped author some of Sullivan Jr.’s campaign materials. Lee previously supported Peltola, the former congresswoman.

The campaign has drawn criticism from Republicans who believe it’s an effort to put two "Dan Sullivans" on the ballot in November and, through ranked choice voting, intentionally draw away votes from the senator.

Alaska state Sen. James Kaufman, a Republican, said he personally remains worried about conflation between the two.

He believes there are still some voters in Alaska, especially Republicans, who refuse to use the RCV system, citing disagreements with its implementation.

"Some people have a pretty strong traditionalist perspective: one person, one man, one vote," Kaufman said.

JUDGE RULES REPUBLICAN WITH SAME NAME AS SEN DAN SULLIVAN CAN STAY ON ALASKA PRIMARY BALLOT

"And so, the ballot fatigue where people just don’t rank because maybe they disagree with it; there’s a pretty strong segment of the population here that just patently disagrees with the ranked-choice voting system we ended up with. And they don’t necessarily believe in utilizing it."

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Having cleared the primary, Sen. Sullivan, Sullivan Jr. and Peltola will face off in the general election on Nov. 3.

El-Sayed's tribute to Dolly Parton after her death sparks internet fury as critics cry foul: 'Gimme a break'

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:48:02 -0400

As millions of Americans across the country issued heartfelt tributes following the death of country music superstar Dolly Parton, Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed is facing heat online over what critics call a politicization of Parton’s passing.

"Dolly Parton used her gift for music to highlight the challenges of poverty, inequality, and struggle in ways that uplifted and inspired working people," El-Sayed posted on X on Tuesday shortly after Parton died at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer.

"And I told 'em all the story / Momma told me while she sewed / And how my coat of many colors / Was worth more than all their clothes," El-Sayed added, quoting Parton song lyrics.

El-Sayed’s post was "ratioed" on social media, yielding far more negative comments and quote tweets that positive ones from users accusing the far-left candidate of injecting his political message into his Parton tribute.

DOLLY PARTON REFUSED TO PICK POLITICAL SIDES FOR DECADES: ‘I’M NOT IN POLITICS, I’M AN ENTERTAINER’

"Leave it to you to exploit her death for political gain," Twitchy Managing Editor Sam Janney posted on X. "D-ck."

"I didn’t think anyone would actually politicize Dolly Parton’s death, but here we are," Washington Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross posted on X.

"Quiet," Townhall Media’s Storm Paglia posted on X. ‘You hate America ."

"Stay away from her," Senate Leadership Fund rapid response director Chloe Smith posted on X in meme form.

EL-SAYED'S DEFENSE OF SHARIA LAW STANCE SPARKS ONLINE ERUPTION FROM CHRISTIANS, CONSERVATIVES: 'HE'S DONE'

"Gimme a break, Abdul is no fan of Dolly and I doubt she of him," another user posted. "Dolly is a hard working kind person, NOT a socialist."

Conservative writer Debbie Schlussel slammed El-Sayed for messaging she views as contrived.

"Hilarious watching this privileged spoiled rich kid from wealthy Bloomfield Hills... pretend he's down with the struggle of America's working poor because he googles a Dolly Parton song. Total fraud. How many believe this phony knew the lyrics to any Dolly song?" she said.

One X user sporting more than 150,000 followers responded to El-Sayed with only two words.

"Pandering buffoon," she said.

"Your religious laws would have had her covered from head to toe and restricted her from playing music or expressing herself publicly," said another account with more than 83,000 followers. El-Sayed has previously said he follows Sharia in his personal religious life.

Fox News Digital reached out to El-Sayed's campaign.

Parton died peacefully in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, according to a press release obtained by Fox News Digital. Her representatives confirmed she faced a "brief battle with cancer."

Parton’s catalog included enduring hits such as "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," "Here You Come Again," "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You." The latter song became a global phenomenon again when Whitney Houston recorded it for 1992’s "The Bodyguard."

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Beyond her impressive career, Parton built a business empire centered in her home state of Tennessee. Dollywood became one of Tennessee’s most popular attractions, while her charitable work through the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library left an equally lasting mark.

"Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched," her team said in a statement.

Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.

First preview drops for 'Brothers' as 'True Detective' stars reunite on Apple TV this September

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:42:18 -0400

The first preview is out for Apple TV's new series "Brothers" with Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey.

Basic info:

Plot: "Brothers" follows McConaughey and Harrelson, who play fictionalized versions of themselves, and whose lifelong friendship is thrown into chaos when they uncover a decades-old secret: they might actually be brothers. After Woody’s daughter’s wedding falls apart, he loads up the family and heads to Austin for an extended stay at Matthew’s ranch. But what begins as a healing getaway quickly spirals when Matthew’s mother, Ma Mac (played by Holland Taylor), accidentally lets slip a long-buried secret that the two friends might actually be brothers. As Woody turns the ranch upside down in pursuit of the truth, Matthew finds himself juggling an entirely different identity crisis: a potential run for Governor of Texas. The result is a heartfelt, chaotic and wildly funny story about friendship, family, fame and the messy line between myth and reality.
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Natalie Martinez and Brittany Ishibashi.
Premiere date: September 23, 2026

Preview released for "Brothers" with Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey.

For those of you who might not know, there's long been a running joke online that the two former "True Detective" stars might secretly be brothers.

Now, it looks like Apple is leaning into the fun people online are having with the (obviously fake) theory.

The preview for "Brothers" with the duo was released by Apple on Tuesday, and the limited series looks like it's going to be a ton of fun.

Don't expect any "True Detective" vibes. Expect a heartwarming story full of jokes and fun storylines. A fun change of pace for Harrelson and McConaughey when they team up.

Check out the preview below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

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People in the comments were also quick to make the connection to HBO's legendary crime thriller, which is arguably the greatest single season of TV ever made.

One viewer wrote, "True detective season 2 is looking very different in tone than season 1."

Another added, "Missed opportunity to call it "True Brothers!"

A third commented, "A new version of Step Brothers with the cast of True Detective."

The comments simply write themselves in this situation, and that's a good thing. People are already enjoying the concept, and all we have so far is a preview.

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You can catch "Brothers" starting Sept. 23 on Apple TV. It's definitely going on my watch list. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

Wyndham Clark addresses cheating allegations after being accused of improving lie during BMW Championship win

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:40:32 -0400

Wyndham Clark came under a bit of scrutiny during the final round of the BMW Championship on Sunday before stepping into the winner's circle. It's not the first time he's been caught in the crosshairs of golf fans, and he has learned from past experience that people will simply think what they want.

After hitting his tee shot in the rough on the Par 4 14th hole at Bellerive Country Club, the CBS broadcast showed the two-time U.S. Open champion going through his pre-shot routine, which included him taking an iron out of his bag, placing it behind the ball, and taking a few practice swings next to it.

Clark then went back to his golf bag, grabbed another iron, and placed it behind the ball. His caddie, David Pelekoudas, stepped between Clark and the camera while he made another practice swing before he went back to his bag for another iron. After the club changes and several times he sat his club behind the ball, CBS analysts Trevor Immelman and Frank Nobilo had a notable back-and-forth.

"He’s taking a long look at this. This is like the third club that he’s placed down behind the ball there," Immelman said before Nobilo stated, "So the lie might be better."

With the comments heard on the broadcast, coupled with golf fans on social media tossing around accusations, the moment became a major talking point on Sunday before Clark ultimately secured a three-shot victory.

WHY WYNDHAM CLARK DESERVES PGA TOUR PLAYER OF THE YEAR, LIV GOLF'S FINAL HOORAH, AND SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER'S MONEY

Clark was asked about the viral moment during Tuesday's news conference ahead of this week's Tour Championship, and explained that in no way did he approve his lie by placing multiple irons behind his golf ball.

"I think any player, when they're trying to judge a lie, takes out different clubs to see what it feels like," Clark explained. I never fully put the club down behind it. I don't think anything of it.

"When the cameras are on you, they're going to find anything. And I think you saw that in Bryson's case. It happened to me at the U.S. Open, it happened to me at Bay Hill. It's happened to a lot of guys where they can see stuff that maybe looks like something that maybe it's not. That lie was never bad. It was more just judging what it was. By no means did I take a bad lie and make it really good.

"People can think what they want. I know I didn't do anything that was costing the integrity of the field. That's all I've got to say about that."

Players are allowed to "ground the club lightly right in front of or right behind the ball," according to USGA Rule 8.1b(4).

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Clark, as he alluded to in his remarks, came under fire at Shinnecock Hills earlier this year during his U.S. Open victory when he was accused of improving his lie before hitting a short approach shot.

The 32-year-old has picked up three wins in 2026 and enters the Tour Championship third in the FedEx Cup standings behind Matt Fitzpatrick and leader Scottie Scheffler.

15 dog essentials that make late-summer walks and road trips easier

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 08:57:28 -0400

National Dog Day is Aug. 26, and it's the perfect time to splurge on your furry friend. With summer coming to an end, refresh their gear with hands-free leashes for hiking or running, collapsible bowls that give your pup easy access to water and reliable car seat covers that protect your seat from scratches and dirt.

Latest deals on must-have dog gear

Travel-tainer complete dog feeding system: $10.54 (58% off)
Travel dog car booster seat: $59.49 (37% off)
Portable dog water bottle: $9.98 (23% off)
Small dog sling carrier: $13.99 (22% off)
Pet glove wipes for dogs: $26.97 (22% off)
Absorbent washable underpads bed pads: $29.99 (14% off)

Dog shoes: $28.99

These dog shoes protect your pup’s feet on all terrains, from unpaved trails to hot concrete. They’re also waterproof, which makes them ideal for the beach and rainy weather.

OneTigris dog backpack: $37.99

If you'd prefer to have your dog carry their own treats, dog bags and water dishes, outfit them with their own dog backpack. The backpack has a breathable mesh and bungee cord straps you can easily attach items to.

Collapsible dog bowls: $9.99

Whether you're camping, hiking or just walking long distances, you want to make sure you have water on hand, both for yourself and your pup. These silicone collapsible dog bowls easily pop up, and dry fast.

Fresh food subscriptions

Feeding your dog quality food helps them stay healthy longer, and saves you from dealing with picky eaters on the road. The Farmer's Dog has a frozen meals subscription you can pack into your cooler if you're going out for the day or camping. According to the brand, all recipes use fresh foods formulated with help from vets.

The Pets Table is another option that offers vet-approved foods with no artificial colors, flavors or fillers. Every plan supports gut and immune health and promotes an active lifestyle.

Absorbent dog towel: $19.97 (15% off)

Original price: $23.49

Dry your dog off quickly on the go with this dog towel. Two side hand pockets help you keep your grip while the shammy side absorbs much more water than your average towel. Throw it in the washing machine after a few uses, and it's as good as new.

Roll-up dog mat: $28.99

If you have an older dog, or a dog that just likes to lounge about, this roll-up dog mat gives them a place to rest when you're out and about. One side has a soft sherpa fabric, and the other side has a polyester shell that won't hold dirt.

Flea, tick and mosquito treatment: $57.49

With ticks on the rise, you need to make sure your dog is protected from Lyme disease. K9 Advantix offers tick, flea and mosquito protection all in one monthly treatment. It’s one of the most highly recommended products by vets.

Dog car seat cover: $29.99 (14% off)

Original price: $34.99

To protect your car from dog hair, mud and scratches, utilize this Urpower dog seat cover. I've had mine for two years now, and it's still going strong. It easily attaches between the front and backseat, and since it's waterproof, it doesn't absorb spills or drool when my dog gets his daily pup cup.

Trunk organizer: $12.99 (24% off)

Original price: $16.99

Packing for your pup can take up a lot of space, but you can keep your car well-organized with this trunk organizer. It pops open when you need it, offering multiple pockets that can easily hold all the supplies your dog needs. When you don't need it, just collapse it back down, and it lies flat.

Original Doggy Bag dog travel bag: $48.95 (11% off)

Original price: $54.95

Store your dog's food and water in one convenient place with the Original Doggy Bag. It comes with two collapsible bowls and zip-up storage for toys, treats and food. The water-resistant fabric makes it ideal for camping and hiking.

Earth Rated dog wipes: $34.99 (17% off)

Original price: $41.99

Gently clean dirt, mud and bugs off your dog's coat when you use these wipes. Ingredients like aloe, shea butter, chamomile and cucumber leave your dog smelling delicious.

Portable dog paw cleaner: $15

After muddy walks, easily clean your dog’s paws with the Dexas MudBuster. Just add a little bit of water, insert your dog’s paw and twist a few times. It quickly rinses off the mud and dirt caked on their paws.

Dog ball launcher: $13.95

If you have a sprawling backyard or a dog park near you, a dog ball launcher makes playing fetch a lot easier for you and a lot more fun for your dog. Just put a tennis ball in the launcher and with a flick of the wrist, the ball will go flying.

Zesty Paws allergy and immune supplement for dogs: $32.97

Fall brings ragweed and other allergens that can cause your dog to feel less peppy. Zesty Paws allergy and immune supplements help keep allergies at bay and work to improve your dog’s gut health.

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

Hands-free dog leash: $21.99

A hands-free dog leash improves the experience for runners or hikers who like to bring their dogs with them. You can choose from 30 different colors, plus it includes a zippered pouch for your phone, keys and other items.

To get all your gear ASAP, consider signing up for an Amazon Prime membership. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your pet shopping today.

Towering 6-foot-4 11-year-old football player stuns the Internet, Paige Spiranac cooks up content & Slim Luka

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:16:25 -0400

Let's get this Wednesday Screencaps started with an observation: The world right now is unified as it honors our beloved Dolly Parton and what she meant to all of us. Now, I fully expect political sides to be ready to kill each other by lunch, but we all should sit back and enjoy this moment of peace. That's the true power of Dolly. A peacemaker. A genius businesswoman. A true American legend.

More on Dolly in a minute, but I have to address this viral video that was all the rage last night on Instagram. I'm talking about the reportedly 6'4 11-year-old football player who looks like a dad playing against a bunch of 5th graders. At first, I thought this was some sort of YouTube bit where an influencer created this for pageviews.

Nope. The kid has his own Instagram page where I learned that the boy plays in a 12U league for the Naples Bears. Is the boy really 6'4? That might be stretching it, but who's counting. The video evidence is stunning.

DOLLY PARTON DIES AT THE AGE OF 80: A LOOK AT HER LIFE THROUGH PHOTOS

Even Lamar Jackson took time out of his 2026 prep to get in on the action. "11???? Bra 18U out there," Lamar wrote on Instagram Tuesday night.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

📩 Email: joe.kinsey@outkick.com Send photos, stories, tips, rants—whatever you've got.

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Speaking of Naples, would you trade your year-round weather for my weather in Ohio?

– Kevin in Naples, FL says: That 53 degree weather in the AM sounds refreshing for a day or two, but I love my Florida heat. Other than keeping an eye on the tropics, summer is the most wonderful time of the year (cue up Andy Williams) down here in SWFL.

SUMMER TRAVEL PSA: IF YOU COME TO FLORIDA LOOKING FOR GREAT BEACHES, STAY AWAY FROM THE KEYS

Sure it's hot out and you get sweaty quick. However, the golf courses are empty after 10:30 AM. You can play 18 in sub 3 hours. You don't have to fight for parking at the beach. You can always get a barstool pretty much anywhere, anytime. There are some excellent summer Happy Hour deals going on.

The heat is really no big deal. For pool, beach or golf, slather on some SPF 30 and mix in a few waters along with some Mich Ultras or whatever watery light beer you prefer and it's all good.

STEVE DOOCY: THE DOLLY PARTON I SAW WHEN THE CAMERAS STOPPED ROLLING

I spent 48 years residing in the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts and I hated everything about living there, particularly the weather. There's nowhere else in America I'd rather live than Southwest Florida.

The power of Dolly Parton: She brought Trump & the Dem Socialists together

– Chris in California sent in a tribute to Dolly: I’m sure you’re going to get a ton of emails like this but I couldn’t help chime in anyway. Obviously, we just lost the late great Dolly Parton. I think most celebrities are more flash than substance and most of the time I would roll my eyes at a celebrity death causing the President to order the flags at half mast but in this case I think Dolly Parton is more than worth of such an honor.Dolly Parton was everything we wish a celebrity could be.

She was a person that made good and then actually used her celebrity to help others and best of all wasn’t political about it.I read that her Imagination Library foundation has donated over 330 million books.

Think about that for a second, that is over a quarter of a BILLION books donated! She helped with fire relief, scholarships, you name it she literally put her money where her mouth was and truly touched the lives of countless people. She was even a huge proponent of the LGBTQ community BUT… and here’s the biggest thing… did she ever once talk crap about President Trump or another politician? NO! She was basically, you be you, everyone be happy and… THE END!

No political motivations, no going on every talk show screaming about how this side is wrong of that side is wrong. Like everyone in this country I’m sure she held various political opinions but she never let it get in the way of helping others, reaching out to anyone and everyone and most of all having a good time, while also producing some long-lasting art.

Admittedly, due to my age her glory days were probably a little before my time but I know my mom loved her music and a ton of her movies (As did my dad… maybe for other reasons) and as someone that grew up in Southern California I’ll always remember driving past the two big nuclear reactors in San Onofre with my Dad and him explaining to me that the site was nicknamed the "Dolly Partons" and then getting home and showing me why. (If you Google it you’ll get the joke). Either way, RIP to someone who was what we should want all of our celebrities to be.

A Tennessee sunrise for Dolly

– Mark W. shares (sorry if it doesn't load. It's a Facebook photo because I don't want to go nuts posting a bunch of sunrise photos to the Fox server):

The beauty of CFB coming back...the WNBA will quiet down

– Travers in Knoxville says: Joe, really looking forward to Sat and the kickoff to College football seaon...why? Cause its footbal...and maybe that will mean the WNBA and its ludicrousness will move to page 3. I get it for you it might be click bait...but for most of us at this point I'll just be glad when their season is done and hopefully we don't have to hear about them anymore.

Secondly....its good to see all the players who iddnt make NFL rosters come back to college. I'm sure they are coming for the love of the game and to finish their degrees.

Speaking of the WNBA, do we have a new Screencaps cartoonist?

– Mike F. sent this (again, it's a Facebook embed; I fully understand if you don't want to have social media apps and can't see this. No need to email me to say you can't see it. I get it.):

Is Dick's toast?

– Wyn in Colorado wants to know if Dick's is about to get Wendy's'd:

Kinsey: Here's my thing with Dick's — buying shoes is absolutely painful. They don't have any help. And the help the do have is completely overwhelmed, especially during baseball cleats season, that I can't think of many more stores that I hate like I hate Dick's. We're fortunate to have a Dunham's down the road where they put all the shoes on racks. Find your own cleats. It's heaven.

Plus, it's cheaper. We haven't spent a dime in Dick's in the last 14-16 months and life has gone on. Our family can't be an anomaly.

The ultimate compliment

Tuesday, I joined our OutKick morning Zoom call from the patio with Mrs. Screencaps' garden in the background because I'm still respecting summer and it was incredibly nice out. "Is that an AI background," my boss asked.

Talk about the ultimate compliment.

Nope, it's our patio. That led to a request to show the rest of the garden/patio. More compliments. I had one coworker asking to stop by from New Jersey just to chill for a couple of days and decompress.

As I told that coworker, the next four weeks are special. Football starts this week. It's going to be warm during the day. Cool nights. Swimming. Grilling. Fire pit nights. High school football in the air. The flowers still going strong.

It's not lost on me how fortunate we are. I hope all of you remember that this week as we begin to crank down August. Soak it all in. Respect Summer®. Enjoy that hard work you've put in to create spaces you actually want to enjoy.

Go have a great day.

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Numbers from :

(Disclaimer: Jed is ALLEGED to have attempted to pay $140, according to cops; Jed pled guilty to disorderly conduct, but you get the tweet and the humor because you're a sane person.)

Stuff You Guys Sent In & Stuff I Like :

$50 trillion in debt is not a distant threat. America is speeding towards it

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:00:11 -0400

In the 1999 movie "The Matrix," Agent Smith hears a train approaching and delivers one of the iconic movie lines:

"That is the sound of inevitability."

America, listen closely.

‘THE ODYSSEY’ REMINDS US OF THE NIGHTMARE WE ARE LEAVING FOR AMERICAN CHILDREN

Our national debt just blew through $40 trillion, and unless Washington dramatically changes course, that train has another destination coming into view very quickly.

$50 trillion. Yes, $50 trillion.

But wait! There’s more!

It could happen by 2030. Yes, by 2030.

This isn't a Republican problem. It isn't a Democratic problem.

It's now an American math problem.

JOHN ADAMS MADE A TERRIFYING PREDICTION. AMERICA IS CLOSE TO PROVING HIM CORRECT

The Congressional Budget Office projects a federal deficit of approximately $1.9 trillion in 2026. But that's hardly the end of it. CBO projects deficits totaling more than $23 trillion from 2026 through 2035.

Think about that.

We're already $40 trillion in debt, yet Washington isn't debating how to pay it down. In fact, we may decide to print even more money. We're debating now how many additional trillions we'll borrow.

If annual deficits average roughly $2 trillion to $2.5 trillion over the next several years, simple math puts $50 trillion frighteningly close.

And there's another problem hiding inside those numbers.

Interest. Lots and lots of interest.

America now has the world's largest credit-card bill, and the minimum payment keeps getting bigger. My prediction is that eventually it will be bigger than either Medicare or Social Security as a line item in our fiscal budget if we don’t act soon.

CBO projects net interest costs rising from 3.3% of GDP in 2026 to 4.6% by 2036.

TRUMP ADMIN UNCOVERS 7,100% SURGE IN MEDICARE SKIN SUBSTITUTE CLAIMS, SAYS FRAUD CRACKDOWN BLOCKED MILLIONS

Every dollar Washington spends servicing yesterday's debt is a dollar unavailable for tomorrow's priorities without taxing, cutting or borrowing even more.

That's how the debt snowball gets bigger.

Borrow money.

Pay interest.

Borrow more money partly because the interest bill grew.

Repeat. Wash. Rinse. Repeat again.

Meanwhile, America's two biggest promises to its citizens are approaching their own financial reckoning.

Social Security's Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund is projected to exhaust its reserves in 2032. Without congressional action, incoming revenue would then cover only about 78% of scheduled retirement and survivor benefits. Get ready Americans for the Social Security tax of 6.2% to be levied on every dollar of earned income, just like Medicare is today. It’s in the movie trailers before the actual disaster movie called $50 trillion.

Medicare's Hospital Insurance Trust Fund is projected to exhaust its reserves in 2033, at which point dedicated revenue would initially cover approximately 89% of costs.

So what's Washington's plan?

That's the scary part.

There isn't a politically acceptable one because nobody can get along anymore.

Balancing the federal budget ultimately requires some combination of spending cuts, entitlement reforms, higher taxes or dramatically faster economic growth.

Every option creates political pain.

Cut Social Security? Seniors revolt.

Cut Medicare? Good luck.

Raise taxes? Taxpayers revolt.

Cut defense? Republicans scream.

Cut domestic programs? Democrats scream.

So Congress keeps choosing the easiest option.

Borrow more money. I wish I had a printing press in my basement that could print unlimited $100 bills. I’ll bet we all do.

For Americans, $50 trillion isn't just some number on a government website.

Higher federal borrowing can put upward pressure on interest rates and compete with private investment. Rising interest costs consume federal resources that could otherwise go toward infrastructure, defense, health care or tax relief. And just imagine if American debt gets downgraded around the world even further. A selloff in the U.S. Treasury market would have cataclysmic implications.

Eventually, taxpayers must confront this problem and so do our politicians.

Maybe that's higher taxes. Do I want them? No. But it may be a necessary evil.

Maybe it's reduced government benefits or a reduced government as a whole.

Maybe it's later retirement ages for Social Security.

Maybe it's slower economic growth.

Most likely, it's some combination of all of them.

Here's what really bothers me.

If a family made $100,000, spent $130,000 every year, already owed hundreds of thousands of dollars and responded by applying for another credit card, nobody would call that a financial plan.

We'd call it a personal crisis.

Yet when Washington does essentially the same thing, we call it the federal budget.

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America didn't reach $40 trillion because of one president or one political party.

Both parties have fingerprints all over this bill.

And unless somebody in Washington finally decides that arithmetic matters more than the next election, $50 trillion isn't difficult to imagine.

It's getting easier to calculate. So listen closely.

That sound you're hearing isn't a freight train coming.

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It's another trillion dollars being added to the national debt. And that’s more like a one-way bullet train.

And at the rate we're going, $50 trillion may be arriving a lot sooner than America thinks. 2030 is right around the corner.

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Alarming photo of Caitlin Clark's arm shows the beating she takes during WNBA cat fights

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:28:28 -0400

Lost in all the other nonsense in Indiana's win over Chicago earlier this week was Caitlin Clark, once again, showing the WNBA she is easily — easily — the best player in the league.

Clark finished with 37 points and 10 assists in the win, going 8 of 12 from beyond the arc and adding three rebounds. She was incredible. She was, frankly, an MVP, even though the WNBA would never, ever allow that to actually happen.

I wrote about it Monday and I'll say it again here — the Sophie Cunningham drama, and ensuing nonsense, has overtaken Clark in a way. She's been playing second fiddle to Sophie and the mean WNBA girls for a few months now, which I'm sure she's fine with.

CAITLIN CLARK NAMED EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE MONTH DESPITE ONLY PLAYING 10 GAMES

But when the bright lights come on and the games begin, Caitlin Clark is still the best player by a mile.

And she also takes an absolute beating on the court, which we've seen this season. She gets scratched, clawed, mugged and, sometimes, choked whenever she touches the court. Usually, it's all without a whistle.

Now, we have photo evidence. Take a look:

Fans quick to spot Caitlin Clark's arm

Lordy. What a picture! Look at those claw marks. Ted Lasso would be appalled.

Look, it's basketball. I get it. I'm not here trying to sound soft or whiny. Sports are violent. They're physical. I'd imagine the '80s and '90s Bulls and Pistons looked a lot like this after games. I assume a lot of players who went up against the Pistons back then did. I get it.

But, add in some fingernails, and the context of the entire season — specifically when it comes to Caitlin Clark — and it does make you raise an eyebrow.

She was mugged earlier this summer by Alyssa Thomas. Her and Paige Bueckers got into it last week.

Before she was known for protecting women's sports, Sophie Cunningham was known as Clark's "enforcer" after sticking up for her last summer when things got out of hand against the Sun.

So, yes, this has been a narrative following Caitlin Clark for years now.

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"These girls just do not like Caitlin Clark or Sophie Cunningham," Charles Barkley told 'The Michael Smerconish Program' earlier this week.

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It was hard to argue that before. It's really hard now.

Montana man who killed 4 children, 4 other family members at Sunday dinner was asked to move out: relative

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:27:26 -0400

A Montana man who killed eight of his relatives, including four children, during a Sunday dinner at a home in Montana had been asked by his parents weeks earlier to move out of the property, according to a family member.

Brad Ireland told The Associated Press that his former wife and two children were among those killed by Alan Smith, 44, in a homicide that the Billings Police Department called an "unimaginable tragedy." Investigators said Smith died after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The victims were identified by the AP as Ireland’s ex-wife, Megan Ghekiere, and their two children, Owen Ireland, 13, and Chloe Ireland, 7. Also killed were Ghekiere’s two stepchildren with her current husband: Landon Ghekiere, 15, and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12, as well as Smith’s parents, Dana and Barb, and his grandmother Evelyn.

"The one thing we do know is that Charlotte was the hero," Jennifer Mercer, a neighbor and family friend who set up an online fundraiser to help cover funeral costs and other expenses, said to the news agency. "Charlotte called 911 and she tried to save her family. And that’s something the family does want out there."

MICHIGAN DAD SHOT WIFE, SIX KIDS THEN SET FAMILY HOME ABLAZE IN MURDER-SUICIDE, SHERIFF SAYS

The Billings Police Department said it responded to a 911 call of an active shooting at 6:01 p.m. Sunday and heard shots fired from the back of the house. Minutes later, the property was fully engulfed in flames.

Firefighters ultimately fought the blaze until around 1 a.m. Monday, according to Billings Fire Department Chief Matt Hoppel. The home is in a subdivision outside of city limits that’s not required to have fire hydrants.

"Due to the condition and structural integrity of the residence, recovery and investigative efforts must be conducted carefully and methodically," the Billings Police Department said Tuesday, adding that, "we extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this unimaginable tragedy."

Mercer described the family as "very loving and close," and said the children all got along and that their parents remained amicable even after divorcing.

The Smith family was originally from the Seattle area. Ireland said that after he and Megan Ghekiere divorced six years ago, she moved to Montana with their children and met the man who would become her second husband, Adam Ghekiere, who was working and not at the home when the shooting occurred.

She and Alan’s parents, Dana and Barb Smith, soon followed, buying a house in Billings near their daughter’s home. Evelyn Smith, their grandmother, lived in a nearby retirement community, Ireland said.

Alan Smith, who also moved in with his parents in Montana, was described by Ireland as a "hermit" who spent most of his days in his room on his computer.

"No one knew what he did in there 24/7," he said.

DISPATCH AUDIO RELEASED IN MICHIGAN FAMILY MURDER-SUICIDE AS TROUBLED FAMILY'S SECRETS EMERGE

Smith’s parents had asked Alan to move out weeks ago after he stayed with them for years, Ireland told the AP.

Alan Smith had attended Eastern Washington University but had been unable to find or hold a job, the AP reported. Ireland told the news agency that to his knowledge, Alan Smith had never been violent, though he could be verbally abusive.

Adam Ghekiere, who works at the airport in Billings, told the AP that he heard over a dispatch radio about an active shooting. After calling each member of his family, he raced across town to the Smith home.

When he got there, the house was ablaze, and two hours later, he learned his wife and children had been killed. His children weren't supposed to be there because family dinner was usually on Friday, he said.

"I don’t think he expected my kids to be there," Ghekiere said, referring to his brother-in-law. "Monster isn’t even enough to describe what he did."

A GoFundMe page said Adam Ghekiere’s 15-year-old son Landon, who was set to enter his sophomore year of high school, was "looking forward to getting his driver’s license this week and was a patient, protective, and loving big brother."

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"Charlotte was 12 and preparing to begin seventh grade. Funny, precocious, and adorable -- with just the right amount of stubborn -- Charlotte had an angelic smile and loved posing for pictures," it added.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

At least 14 newborns killed in Pakistan nursery hospital fire

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:26:40 -0400

At least 14 babies at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences died in a nursery fire Wednesday, while one infant was rescued, according to hospital officials.

The blaze at the major government hospital in the capital Islamabad broke out at about 6:45 a.m. after an air conditioning unit compressor exploded, hospital and rescue officials said. The fire was contained to the nursery in the hospital's gynecology ward and did not affect any other hospital wards.

"One baby was rescued by a doctor," hospital spokesperson Dr. Aneeza Jalil said, adding that six of the deceased infants' bodies had been given over to families, while the remaining bodies would be given over soon.

NYC 5-ALARM FIRE INJURES AT LEAST 17 FIREFIGHTERS, OTHERS AS BLAZE DAMAGES MULTIPLE APARTMENT BUILDINGS

Video showed grieving families distraught with sorrow as investigators examined blasted out windows and authorities worked to secure the scene.

"I don’t know what to say or whom to blame," a woman The Associated Press (AP) identified as Mrs. Mohammad Sami said.

"I have lost my child," she told the outlet, just three days after she reportedly gave birth.

TRUMP’S FAVORITE FIELD MARSHAL: WHO IS PAKISTAN’S POWERFUL ARMY CHIEF ASIM MUNIR WITH DEEP INTEL TIES

The incident prompted Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to remove Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri, the country's highest civil servant, from office.

Sharif ordered an immediate investigation.

"A tragedy involving children is an irreparable loss," he said.

Shortly after the incident, Sharif convened a high-level meeting in which he expressed anger at officials for the incident and removed Ghauri.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari also weighed in, offering condolences to the families and saying the deaths amounted to a "heartbreaking and an irreparable loss."

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

3 Secret Service officials under internal investigation for potential misconduct

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:26:39 -0400

Three U.S. Secret Service officials were placed on administrative leave on Tuesday pending an internal investigation into potential misconduct.

The agency's Office of Professional Responsibility was just beginning its review on Tuesday and did not offer details about what the three officials were being investigated for.

The Secret Service public information office noted that the three officials were not working in law enforcement roles at the agency.

SECRET SERVICE AGENT ON JD VANCE'S DETAIL INVESTIGATED FOR ALLEGEDLY LEAKING OPERATIONAL SECURITY INFO

The Secret Service has faced increased scrutiny under President Donald Trump's administration in the wake of three separate assassination attempts against him.

The first attempt, in Butler, Pennsylvania, launched a series of congressional hearings with leaders at the Secret Service.

TWO YEARS AFTER BUTLER, THREATS AGAINST TRUMP KEEP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT IN SHARP FOCUS

More recently, the Secret Service said on Tuesday that it was aware of a threat from Iran against the president's youngest son, Barron Trump.

"The U.S. Secret Service is aware of the video and investigates anything that can be perceived as a threat toward our protectees," Nate Herring, a Secret Service spokesperson, told Fox News Digital.

TRUMP HAS BECOME AMERICA'S MOST TARGETED LEADER, FACING THREATS EVERY FEW MONTHS

"Out of concern for operational security, we do not discuss matters of protective intelligence," Herring added.

The video depicts locations associated with the younger Trump's whereabouts. It ends with a suggested $10 million reward for his location.

TRUMP WARNS US WOULD 'DECIMATE AND DESTROY' IRAN OVER ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT

Iranian state media has aired content on multiple occasions threatening Trump and his family following the assassination of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which came at the start of the war between the United States and Iran, as well as the U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020.

"I don't think it's any secret, it's been in the media, that Iran has publicly said they want to kill President Trump," Deputy Director of the U.S. Secret Service Matt Quinn told reporters at an event last month.

TRUMP SAYS HE LEFT INSTRUCTIONS TO 'BOMB' IRAN 'AT LEVELS' NEVER SEEN IF HE IS ASSASSINATED

The video came amid threats from the Trump administration to nations that fail to sever their economic ties with Tehran and an ongoing naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

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In July, Trump secretly switched planes from Air Force One to another aircraft in Turkey via a catering truck due to a credible Iranian surface-to-air missile threat.

Fox News' Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

Florida Dem backed by DSA claims billionaires want to defund schools to exploit future prison labor

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:22:10 -0400

Florida Democratic Senate nominee Angie Nixon said during an interview Monday that billionaires want to defund public schools to fuel the "school-to-prison pipeline" and exploit prison labor.

While speaking with "Democracy Now!," Nixon discussed her affordability platform, which led to her remarking on the importance of affordable childcare.

"I support universal childcare," Nixon said. "I know that for every dollar we put into childcare, we get $3 back in the economy, because that allows parents to be able to work. That also allows our children to be diverted from the school-to-prison pipeline, which, you know, these for-profit prisons, these elected officials, these billionaires, they want our children to have an ill education, a ridiculous, a horrible education, right?"

TOM HOMAN FIRES BACK AT FLORIDA DEMOCRAT OVER 'RIDICULOUS' ICE RACIAL PROFILING CLAIM

She continued, "Which is why they’re defunding public schools, because they want to usher them into the school-to-prison pipeline. Why? Why make sure that our children have a good-quality education, when they know they’ll make more money off of them going to prison, and exploiting their labor?"

During the interview, she also rejected suggestions that she supports defunding the police while reiterating her opposition to private prisons.

"I know there’s a rumor going around saying that I want to abolish prisons. I don’t. I want to abolish for-profit prisons. There’s also a rumor going around saying that I want to defund the police. I don’t want to defund the police. I want to defund Flock cameras, so that bad cops don’t have the ability to stalk their ex-girlfriends or their ex-boyfriends. I want to make sure that we have a justice system that works for everyone, not just for the billionaires and co-conspirators of Jeffrey Epstein, who actually are treated more fairly than a single mom who got caught stealing formula to make sure that her child had food," Nixon said.

FLORIDA SOCIALIST ANGIE NIXON SAYS SHE DOESN’T ‘REALLY KNOW’ HASAN PIKER

Fox News Digital reached out to Nixon's campaign for comment.

Nixon has denied being a socialist despite her membership in the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). In a "Meet the Press NOW" interview on Thursday, Nixon said she joined the organization because it supported public housing, healthcare, helping homeless veterans and removing big money from politics. However, she has denied supporting the DSA's other goals of abolishing the Senate or defunding the military.

FLORIDA SENATE CANDIDATE ANGIE NIXON DEFENDS DRAG SHOWS AS 'WHOLESOME' FOR CHILDREN, BROUGHT HER KIDS TO ONE

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., who fled Fidel Castro's Cuba, told Fox News Digital Tuesday that her denial should be viewed as suspicious.

"She's either a bona fide socialist, or she's not very smart, because she ended up being a member of the Democratic Socialists of America," Gimenez said.

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He added, "I don't know what the heck she thought she was joining… Socialists [and] communists, deny what they are until they get into power."

Philadelphia man in 'Chucky' mask accused of terrorizing citizens nabbed in Las Vegas after manhunt

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:19:53 -0400

The man accused of terrorizing pedestrians in downtown Philadelphia while wearing a "Chucky"-style mask was arrested in Las Vegas after a multi-state search, the U.S. Marshals Service said.

Zymire Hughes, 22, was taken into custody by The U.S. Marshals Service’s Philadelphia office and the Nevada Violent Offender Task Force, according to the agency. He is currently at the Clark County Detention Center pending extradition to Pennsylvania.

Hughes allegedly fled the Philadelphia area on Aug. 19, flying from Trenton-Mercer Airport in New Jersey to Orlando, Fla., before continuing to Las Vegas, according to FOX5 Vegas, which cited federal authorities.

POLICE IDENTIFY SUSPECT ACCUSED OF TERRORIZING PHILADELPHIA WOMEN WHILE WEARING CREEPY CHUCKY-STYLE MASK

Marshals said Hughes had been living in Las Vegas since February and maintained work ties in Nevada and California, FOX5 reported. Investigators said he moved between locations to avoid arrest and spent five days hiding at a southeast Las Vegas apartment complex.

Task force officers ultimately located Hughes through surveillance footage from the complex, according to the report. Hughes allegedly questioned the arrest and resisted officers before deputies subdued him.

"Nothing was recovered upon arrest, and he did not make any statements about his motive," the U.S. Marshals office told Fox News.

Philadelphia police had been searching for Hughes in connection with a series of confrontations near City Hall in the early morning hours of Aug. 12. Authorities allege he approached, chased and threatened multiple people while wearing a cracked doll-style mask and recording the encounters on a cellphone.

PHILADELPHIA WOMAN SAYS SHE USED STAGE COMBAT TRAINING TO FIGHT OFF MASKED MAN CHASING RESIDENTS

In one incident, police said Hughes allegedly asked a 40-year-old female jogger, "Are you ready to die?" while keeping his arm behind his back as though he had a weapon. The woman fled and suffered a leg injury requiring extensive treatment, authorities said.

Hughes was wanted on an active aggravated assault warrant, FOX5 reported. Philadelphia officials had previously said he faced felony and misdemeanor assault charges and was already on probation in an unrelated Montgomery County case.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner had warned Hughes last week that authorities were closing in.

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"If Zymire Hughes was trying to scare people, make them run — who’s scared now? Who’s running now?" Krasner said at a news conference.

FBI wraps up cybercrime operation targeting global networks preying on Americans

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:00:59 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: A 60-day FBI operation targeting cybercriminals, online fraud and illicit digital infrastructure resulted in numerous arrests and disrupted vast global criminal networks that preyed on Americans and laundered millions in proceeds, Fox News Digital has learned.

Operation Riptide was launched in June to combat cybercrime, which defrauded Americans out of more than $20 billion last year, according to the FBI.

With assistance from international law enforcement, the bureau seized millions in illegal cryptocurrency and other funds while dismantling cyber networks across the globe.

GLOBAL PARTNERS ARE JOINING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND THIS FBI TO TAKE DOWN SCAM EMPIRES FOR GOOD

"Operation Riptide was the FBI’s historic 60-day campaign targeting cybercriminals preying on Americans here at home and around the world," FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital. "We went after this criminal enterprise more aggressively than we ever have."

Patel credited several factors for the initiative's success, including the bureau's artificial intelligence technology, increased intelligence sharing and aggressive coordination with authorities abroad.

"FBI Cyber is now built to crush these criminal networks no matter where they operate," Patel said.

Among the cases stemming from the operation was the arrest of a member of the pro-Russia hacktivist group Cyber Army of Russia Reborn, as well as the seizure of a cloud computing account used by subsidiaries of the Huione Group, a Cambodia-based corporate conglomerate.

DOJ CHARGES 3 RUSSIANS IN ALLEGED $63M CYBERCRIME SCHEME TARGETING AMERICANS

The subsidiaries allegedly assisted individuals and organizations in transferring illicit proceeds from cryptocurrency investment frauds, cyber scams and other crimes across blockchains, facilitating undetected conversions into the legitimate banking sector.

In another major operation, law enforcement coordinated with Google and Black Lotus Labs to execute a technical takedown of Outsider, a Chinese phishing-as-a-service platform. Outsider provided cybercriminals with hosting infrastructure and "phishing kits" used to target U.S. citizens, businesses and victims in at least 54 other countries, the FBI said.

[EMBARGO] META LEADS LARGEST-EVER ANTI-SCAM OPERATION WITH FBI AND DOJ, RESULTING IN 63 ARRESTS

In addition to the new arrests, several other cybercrime cases reached major legal milestones. Eight people were convicted for participating in an international cargo theft conspiracy impacting U.S. supply chain security, while five Ghanaian citizens were indicted for allegedly operating romance fraud schemes targeting Americans online.

Furthermore, two individuals were recently sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for their involvement in a nationwide ATM jackpotting scheme that used Ploutus malware to steal millions from cash machines across the U.S.

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In another case, Barry Augustinsky was convicted for running a multiyear VoIP-based fraud scheme targeting mostly elderly Americans, laundering the proceeds and providing false credit-report access to facilitate the scheme.

"We executed coordinated law enforcement actions across the country and leveraged our reach around the world to disrupt these criminal networks, impose consequences and protect the American people from predatory cyber actors," said Heith Janke, assistant director of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division.

NEW BANK SCAM LAWS COULD STOP SUSPICIOUS PAYMENTS

Scott Augenbaum, a retired FBI agent who specialized in cybercrime, noted that modern tools have lowered the bar for bad actors.

"Artificial intelligence is enhancing the cybercriminals' ability to trick people," Augenbaum told Fox News Digital. "Today, you're going to see an email that does not contain grammatical errors. We used to tell people if the email has really bad grammar, it's a scam. That red flag doesn't work anymore. Cybercriminals can build fake websites, use voice cloning and leverage so many new tools."

Brett Leatherman, assistant director of the FBI's Cyber Division, emphasized that the bureau will maintain its momentum against international networks.

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"Cybercriminals depend on borders, anonymity and rented infrastructure to stay beyond reach, and over 60 days, the FBI and our partners took those advantages away," Leatherman said. "Arrests, extraditions, infrastructure takedowns and seizures each imposed cost at a different point in the criminal ecosystem. Our partners made that possible, and the pressure we built does not stop here."

Ancient Christian amulet unearthed after 1,500 years may hold biblical secret

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:00:52 -0400

Archaeologists in Turkey have unearthed a 1,500-year-old Christian amulet containing a paper-thin sheet of gold — and experts believe it may contain a biblical passage.

The discovery, made at the Türkmen Karahöyük archaeological site in Konya, central Turkey, was reported by Turkish state media outlet Anadolu Agency (AA) earlier this summer.

An international team of roughly 60 researchers from 13 countries was excavating the site when the amulet was discovered.

ANCIENT CLUE CRACKS OPEN A 2,000-YEAR-OLD MYSTERY NEAR FAMED COLOSSEUM

The amulet dates back to the fourth or fifth centuries A.D. — a formative time in Christian history.

Inside its copper case is a thin, 0.1-millimeter gold sheet on which a passage from the Bible was "most likely" written, AA reported. It is still unclear which biblical passage it contains.

Pictures show the amulet as a small, dark and heavily corroded artifact — with researchers carefully examining and cleaning it.

Excavation co-director Michele Rüzgar Massa told AA that these types of amulets "are not very common."

LOST PAGES WITH 'GHOST' TEXT RECOVERED FROM ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST IMPORTANT NEW TESTAMENT MANUSCRIPTS

"As far as we know, one similar example was found in Germany," said Massa, who added that the amulet likely belonged to a small child.

"In other words, you can think of it like an evil-eye charm," he said.

Archaeologists also found older artifacts, including a stone seal with a hieroglyphic Luwian inscription.

The Luwians were an ancient people who inhabited parts of Anatolia during the Bronze and Iron Ages, and the seal dates back to roughly 1500-1400 B.C.

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS CLEARING OLD BOMBS UNEXPECTEDLY FIND 'IMPORTANT' ANCIENT SANCTUARY

Archaeologists also found two copper seals and a clay seal impression.

Massa told AA the stone seal bears the name "Kurunti-ziti," which is linked to Kurunta, an important god in the Hittite world.

"This person did not hold a very high-ranking position, but we can nevertheless see a hierarchy belonging to the bureaucracy and the state," Massa said of the person named on the stone seal.

"We can say that this was a major administrative center around 1500-1400 B.C.," he added.

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Deputy excavation director Hüseyin Erpehlivan told AA that the archaeological site "occupies an important place in terms of Anatolian archaeology."

"Konya is located right in the center of Anatolia, in a region where cultures intersect," he said. "Türkmen Karahöyük is not an excavation focused on a single period."

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Erpehlivan added, "We are investigating a multilayered settlement extending from the Late Hellenistic period through the Iron Age and Bronze Age and into even earlier periods."

The amulet is one of several remarkable finds with biblical ties to emerge from Turkey in recent months.

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Earlier this summer, archaeologists unearthed a rare, 2,500-year-old marble statue from the ruins of Sardis, an ancient city immortalized in the Book of Revelation.

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At around the same time, an ancient mosaic was uncovered in Smyrna, an archaeological site in modern-day İzmir, Turkey.

Anna Kepner’s stepbrother blames ‘very unfortunate’ family dynamic to push murder trial as plea deadline looms

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:00:07 -0400

Content warning: This article includes descriptions of sexual assault that some readers may find distressing.

Defense lawyers for Timothy Hudson, the teen charged in the killing of his stepsister, Anna Kepner, cited a "unique – and very unfortunate – family dynamic" as they sought more time before his federal murder trial.

U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom granted Hudson’s unopposed request to continue the trial, moving it from September to the two-week period beginning Nov. 2, 2026.

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

Hudson, who was 16 at the time of Kepner's death in November 2025, is charged as an adult with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the killing of his stepsister, an 18-year-old Titusville High School senior and cheerleader who was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. He has pleaded not guilty.

In an Aug. 24 motion, Hudson’s attorneys said they need additional time to complete their investigation of issues they said could affect the resolution of the case.

PROSECUTORS WARN ANNA KEPNER’S STEPBROTHER SHOULDN’T ROAM FREE AFTER ALLEGED CRUISE SHIP MURDER

The defense cited the seriousness of the allegations, Hudson’s status as a juvenile and family circumstances that have limited the lawyers’ access to certain relatives. His attorneys said they were "purposefully being vague" because of intense media scrutiny surrounding the case.

"Although substantial progress has been made, more still needs to be done," the filing states. The lawyers said the additional time would allow them to complete their investigation and properly advise Hudson about "the options available to him to resolve the pending charges."

ANNA KEPNER’S STEPBROTHER CHARGED AS ADULT WITH MURDER, SEXUAL ABUSE IN FLORIDA TEEN’S CRUISE SHIP DEATH

The prosecution did not oppose the request.

Bloom wrote that the interests of justice served by the continuance outweighed speedy-trial concerns.

FATHER OF TEEN ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY STEPBROTHER ON CRUISE SAYS HE CAN'T 'RELIVE' TRAUMA AT MURDER TRIAL

The court’s deadlines report lists Oct. 23 as the deadline for any plea agreement.

When asked about a potential plea deal, Hudson's attorney told Fox News Digital that they were "still not in a position to make a statement." The U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of Florida declined to comment.

A calendar call is scheduled for Oct. 27 at 1:30 p.m., and the jury trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Nov. 2, at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse in Miami.

ANNA KEPNER'S DAD WANTS ACCUSED STEPBROTHER IN 'ORANGE JUMPSUIT AND HANDCUFFS' AFTER ALLEGED CRUISE MURDER

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Timeline from night of alleged murder:

Nov. 6, 2025, dinner: Prosecutors say Kepner left dinner because she wasn’t feeling well, saying that she had mouth pain from her braces and an upset stomach, and returned alone to cabin 8343.

7:35 p.m.: CCTV allegedly shows Hudson entering the cabin.

7:38 p.m.: CCTV allegedly shows Kepner entering the same cabin. Prosecutors say she was never seen leaving again.

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7:51 p.m.: Kepner's 13-year-old brother briefly entered the cabin and later told investigators he saw her alive.

7:51 p.m. to 10:13 p.m.: Prosecutors say Kepner and Hudson were alone in the cabin for roughly three hours.

10:13 p.m.: Prosecutors say Hudson exits the cabin and looks left and right down the hallway.

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10:53 p.m.: Prosecutors say Hudson places the privacy sign on the cabin door and goes back inside.

11:21 p.m.: Kepner's younger brother returns briefly to the cabin. He later tells investigators he did not see her inside.

SEND US A TIP

Nov. 7, 12:09 a.m.: The brother returned again. Prosecutors say Hudson blocked him from entering, told him he was changing and made him wait outside for a couple of minutes.

GOT A TIP?

12:09 a.m.: The brother said the bathroom and closet doors were open, and the cabin lights were on.

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Morning of Nov. 7: Prosecutors say Kepner's phone, which was missing from the cabin, was tracked by ship Wi-Fi/router data moving along the same path as Hudson.

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9:26-9:55 a.m.: Prosecutors say CCTV and router data placed Hudson, and allegedly Kepner's phone, near the jogging track, smoking area and later near the trash-bin area where the phone was found.

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11:24 a.m.: Cabin attendants discovered Kepner's body, prosecutors say, wrapped in bedding and partially hidden under a bed, with a box of life vests positioned to obscure it.

Pro wrestling star Austin Aries shares thoughts on celebrities entering the sport

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:59:33 -0400

Celebrities and professional athletes from outside the ring have been a part of the pro wrestling world for quite some time.

The first WrestleMania featured Mr. T, Cyndi Lauper, Muhammad Ali, Billy Martin and Liberace and the tradition of using actors, actresses, musical artists and traditional professional athletes has continued for the last four decades. WWE, for instance, has used Jelly Roll, Lil Yachty and others recently for roles even outside the WrestleMania spectacle.

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Major League Wrestling (MLW) openweight champion Austin Aries admitted he’s more of a "traditionalist" when it comes to professional wrestling. He told OutKick in a recent interview he understands the entertainment aspect of his sport, but shudders at the possibility of those outside the ring taking away opportunities from those putting in the work.

"I think balance is key, right? I'm probably more of a traditionalist in a lot of sense, but I also understand at the end of the day this is entertainment," Aries said. "And so, even going back to, the first WrestleMania, I mean, it was about bringing in celebrities. I grew up more of a rasslin’ fan as opposed to a sports entertainment fan. So, I'll always kind of skew towards being more traditional.

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"And also, I think the important part is, for a lot of us who have, like, this has been our career, we've had to work very hard for a very long time to perfect what we do. And to take someone because they're a celebrity and roll out a red carpet and let them take shortcuts and let them do things in a way that kind of skirts all that hard work that a lot of us men and women have put in, frankly, it can be insulting. It can be disrespectful at points. I understand about wanting to sell more tickets and get more eyes on the product, but you can't do that at the expense of the people that are in there week in and week out putting the work in."

Aries spoke to OutKick before his three-way match against Místico and Averno aired on MLW’s "Fusion" last weekend.

He put the MLW Openweight Championship on the line against both men and walked out the winner. He also took Místico’s mask as a souvenir.

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MLW "Fusion" airs Saturday nights on YouTube, beIN Sports and Veeps.