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The crazy flag designs… that could have been our new flag

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:28:47 -0400

The American flag is so familiar, but do you know that the design could have been something you would not recognize?

Back in 1958, as talk of the admission of two new states to the union swept the country, the Eisenhower administration was deluged with varying designs for a new 50-star flag.

"People begin sending in ideas for how the new flag should look," said Dr. Jim Ginther, the Supervisory Archivist for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas, which has kept all the submissions from back then.

"Suddenly there's a massive public interest again in the design of the flag. Beginning in July 1958, the White House begins receiving designs from the public, as does the Quartermaster Corps of the Army, from all over the country and from all over the world."

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The story of the 50-star flag is told in episode one of the new series, "Crazy American History with Eric Shawn," that is now streaming on Fox Nation.

One star was added to the flag in January 1959 when Alaska joined the union as the 49th state.

The 50th star was added with the admission of Hawaii as a state, and that new flag was officially raised for the first time on July 4, 1960, at Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, site of the War of 1812 bombardment that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."

But in the two years before President Eisenhower settled on the new design for the Stars and Stripes, flag fever gripped the nation.

The White House eventually received more than 1,900 designs, many from school children as part of their lessons from the classroom publication "My Weekly Reader."

Adults from across the country, and even overseas, submitted their proposals.

"Some of them are coming in as simple as pencil drawings, some of them are as fancy as Draftsman's drawing. Some of them are sewn flags made out of cloth. Some of them are crayon drawings," Ginther noted.

The Eisenhower administration used the opportunity to educate Americans about the flag and responded to every submission with a letter from a top White House official.

"Several publications are produced by the government about the history of the flag, about flag etiquette, about various other aspects of use of the flag that they begin to send back out to the public, along with these letters thanking them for their submissions to educate the public about the flag."

The Continental Congress enacted the flag on June 14, 1777, which is now observed as flag day.

Betsy Ross is credited with designing the first flag, with the 13 stars in a circle for the original 13 colonies.

The guidelines call for a design of alternating red and white stripes with a blue field for the stars.

But Ginther noted that the way the stars were to be laid out was never specified, which means some of the designs can appear to be curious and compelling.

But a massive change, was not to be.

"The flag is symbolic," said Ginther.

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"Radical change in it, is going to be difficult. People are used to that symbol. It comes out in the deliberations over the flags, in the documentation," he said. "Radically changing the flag is going to be expensive, so we have to take that into consideration as well. And then you have to consider that particularly, our military, has a vested sentimental interest, in that they have fought and bled under that flag."

"There is reason, perhaps, why you might not want a radical change, even though many people in the country were interested in submitting designs. There is also an argument to be made for not being very radical in a redesign of the flag as a symbol of the nation."

In the end, President Eisenhower selected a similar design to the historical tradition, adding the two stars in alternating rows of six and five stars, on the blue field where it has been so familiar ever since.

It is the flag that represents our freedoms and the American ideals on our nation's 250th birthday.

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Watch "The Fifty-Star Flag," the first episode of the new Fox Nation series "Crazy American History" for more on President Eisenhower and the flag.

The website of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home tells more about the flag and the president: https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/

Ex-Texas middle school teacher sentenced to 33 years for sexually abusing 13-year-old student

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:24:43 -0400

A former Texas middle school teacher was sentenced to more than three decades in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing a 13-year-old student.

A Webb County jury sentenced Adriana Rullan, 30, to 33 years in prison after finding her guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14. Jurors also sentenced her to 10 years for indecency with a child by sexual contact and 13 years for an improper relationship between an educator and a student. The sentences will run concurrently, and Rullan was also ordered to pay $20,000 in fines.

The verdict followed a two-day trial in the 341st District Court, during which prosecutors presented testimony from six witnesses and dozens of exhibits, including text messages, photographs and video recordings.

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During the sentencing phase, the victim, who was 13 at the time of the abuse, told jurors the abuse cost him his friendships, his sense of self and nearly his life, according to KGNS.

The victim's mother also addressed the jury, blaming Rullan for her son's depression and anxiety and describing the emotional toll the abuse had taken on their family. She told jurors Rullan was manipulative and should never be allowed to harm another child, according to KGNS.

The jury returned guilty verdicts after deliberating for less than two hours, according to the Webb County District Attorney's Office.

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According to the district attorney's office, the investigation began Nov. 27, 2023, after the victim's parents contacted the United Independent School District Police Department with allegations of an inappropriate relationship between a student and a teacher at Gonzalez Middle School in Laredo.

A forensic examination of the victim's cellphone recovered electronic communications documenting the relationship and provided significant evidence supporting the charges, a spokesperson for the Webb County District Attorney's Office told PEOPLE.

Rullan was arrested the following month and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

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It was not immediately clear whether Rullan intends to appeal.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Webb County District Attorney's Office for additional comment and court records, as well as the United Independent School District for comment, but did not immediately receive responses.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell addresses NFL streaming service affordability controversy

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:20:59 -0400

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell addressed concerns over the affordability of watching NFL games as the league auctions off broadcasts to more and more streaming services. The issue has prompted the attention of Congress and the FCC.

"I think it's important that we continue to make it something that, you know, all fans can have a pathway to watching our games," O'Connell told Fox News Digital at a Thursday news conference for the American Century Championship golf tournament.

"Hopefully a lot of them make it out to whether to US Bank Stadium or SoFi Stadium or any of the, you know, great venues we have in our league. And there's nothing like being there, but I can tell you that it's very important for the NFL to have our games be available to as many of our fans as we possibly can."

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Still, O'Connell defended the league's media rights contracts, and believes utilizing different streaming services can also help grow the fan base.

"I think it's an alignment with where a lot of, you know, not just sports media, but media in general, has kind of gone, where the consumer is choosing different ways to find their entertainment and I think a lot of the different aspects of where games are available," he said.

"I know our game is very, very popular and I know it's a very important thing for the league to continue to make our game available to every possible fan out there, we're always trying to find different pathways. To new fans... not only in the United States, but it's clear globally as well."

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The issue has become a larger part of the NFL media conversation. The league’s 2026 schedule includes games across traditional broadcast networks, cable and multiple streaming platforms. According to the NFL, Prime Video will carry "Thursday Night Football," Netflix will stream games in Week 1, on Thanksgiving Eve and on Christmas Day, and Peacock will exclusively stream a regular-season game in January.

The NFL has noted that its games remain available free over the air in local markets. In its 2026 schedule announcement, the league said it is the only sports league that presents all regular-season and postseason games on free over-the-air television in local markets.

But the broader access question has still drawn scrutiny in Washington. In June, the House Judiciary Committee released an interim staff report on the Sports Broadcasting Act and the NFL’s media model, saying fans increasingly need a combination of over-the-air, cable and streaming services to watch their favorite teams. The committee also said some fans must pay more than $600 per season to watch all of one team’s games.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, also asked the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to examine whether the NFL’s current distribution practices still fit within the Sports Broadcasting Act’s limited antitrust protection. In that request, Lee said fans spent nearly $1,000 last season when cable, streaming and internet costs were combined.

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O'Connell's comments came as he is set to compete in the American Century Championship for the first time, at Edgewood Tahoe this weekend.

The event is set to feature a star-studded lineup of competitors, including Davante Adams, Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence and Kyle Juszczyk, while Hall of Famers Drew Brees, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Charles Woodson, Brian Urlacher, Tim Brown, Dwight Freeney and DeMarcus Ware are also expected to play.

Teacher accused of sex with students was allegedly blackmailed for better grades: warrants

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:09:00 -0400

A Georgia high school teacher accused of having sexual trysts with multiple students in a classroom and a closet was blackmailed for better grades after students discovered she owned and operated an OnlyFans account, according to police.

Maris Nichols, 25, was arrested twice over alleged relations with six students at Alexander High School in Douglas County, Georgia, according to Fox Atlanta.

She was indicted on 27 counts related to the allegations. Two of the teenagers were younger than 16, authorities said.

Search warrants obtained by the news outlet said Nichols, a former biology teacher and football program administrator, operated an account on OnlyFans, a subscription-based platform used by content creators, many for adult content.

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER WHO ALLEGEDLY HAD SEX WITH STUDENT IN CLOSET NOW FACES CHARGES INVOLVING MORE TEENS

Some students discovered the account and blackmailed Nichols into giving them better grades, the warrant states.

In its investigation, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office served warrants on OnlyFans, Snapchat, AT&T, and Nichols, as well as multiple students and their families, the news outlet reported.

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Investigators also had a warrant to collect genetic evidence and fingerprints from two teenagers, as well as surveillance footage from St. Andrews Golf Course related to a rendezvous between Nichols and a student, WSB-TV reported.

The warrant also requested a "Jesus Loves You" necklace Nichols was seen wearing in a video showing her having sex with a student, the news outlet said.

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Nichols turned herself in to authorities last week after prosecutors said she repeatedly violated the conditions of her bond, including leaving her home without permission while on house arrest with electronic monitoring.

She has been in custody at the Douglas County Jail since last week.

Rams legend LeRoy Irvin, 2-time All-Pro cornerback, dead at 68

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:05:37 -0400

LeRoy Irvin, a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams, has died. He was 68 years old.

Irvin’s former Rams teammate, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson, wrote on his Instagram Thursday that Irvin had died recently, saying he was "devastated" by the news.

Los Angeles-based journalist Eric Geller, who noted working with Irvin after his retirement, wrote in an X post that Irvin had been battling throat cancer. No additional details were disclosed about Irvin’s death.

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"LeRoy wasn’t just a lockdown corner and a fierce competitor on the field; he was a true friend and a great man who always brought incredible energy," Dickerson said. "Rest in peace, my brother. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the Irvin family and all of Rams Nation."

Dickerson shared a photo of him and Irvin together during an event for the former’s foundation.

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Irvin became a part of the Rams in 1980 when they took him in the third round of the NFL Draft out of Kansas.

Irvin spent 10 of his 11 years with the Rams, though his career ended after one season with the Detroit Lions.

Irvin was a lockdown corner named first-team All-Pro in 1981 after tallying three interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries across 16 games. He also notched his first career sack that year.

Irvin had a knack for the big play, especially when it came to interceptions. He had 35 in his career. During the 1984 campaign, he had five interceptions, two of which he returned to the house for a pick-six. Those two interception returns for touchdowns led the league.

Irvin was cemented as a star corner for the Rams at this point in his career, earning Pro Bowl nods in 1985 and 1986, the latter of which he was named first-team All-Pro yet again. In 1985, he was named second-team All-Pro.

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"We mourn the loss of Rams Legend LeRoy Irvin," the Rams wrote in a statement on social media. "We extend our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time."

During his Rams career, Irvin amassed 34 interceptions, five of which he returned for touchdowns; nine forced fumbles; and 13 fumble recoveries.

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Josh Shapiro reads 'a little more Jewish' than other Democratic candidates, CNN anchor remarks

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:00:55 -0400

CNN's "The Story" host Elex Michaelson remarked how Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff "may not read as Jewish" as potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro during Tuesday night's show.

During a panel with Los Angeles County Republican Party Chair Roxanne Beckford Hoge and political commentator Eric Messersmith, the three discussed Ossoff's chances of becoming a presidential candidate after recent betting odds websites placed him second behind California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Hoge expressed doubts that Ossoff could overcome the Democratic Party "playing footsie with antisemites" to become a candidate, but Messersmith defended Ossoff as disciplined and very "on message" despite being untested on the national stage.

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"But on the Jewish thing, because he is Jewish, he might be the Democrat that can thread the needle. Because even though he’s Jewish, he’s very critical of the Israeli government, very critical of Benjamin Netanyahu," Messersmith said.

"He has credibility on that issue. So, it’s possible — I think he could fill that lane in between the two extremes of the Democratic Party."

Michaelson responded, "Yeah, as a Jew, some people read a little more Jewish than other people, and Jon Ossoff may not read as Jewish as Josh Shapiro does, for whatever that’s worth."

Fox News Digital reached out to Shapiro and Ossoff's offices for comment.

Michaelson and Messersmith's comments received some backlash for appearing to rank Democratic candidates on how "Jewish" they appear.

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"What exactly are we doing here?" conservative commentator Meghan McCain asked.

Targeted Victory Vice President Logan Dobson wrote, "what a deeply weird place the democratic party is in on this issue."

"CNN anchors, chatting casually: 'There’s the acceptable Jew, you know the one who denounces Netanyahu and Israel.' 'What about Scott Wiener?' 'Oh… hahaha. Guess there’s no acceptable Jew,'" Boundless Israel CEO Aviva Klompas commented.

Former U.S. ambassador David Friedman wrote, "Most dangerous and offensive words in the modern vernacular: 'As a Jew…'"

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After the clip was shared across social media, Michaelson apologized for his comments on X.

"I apologize. I made a comment that was offensive. Going forward, I’ll do better," Michaelson wrote.

Though running for re-election as governor, Shapiro has emerged as a potential 2028 presidential candidate in a crowded field. However, his Jewish background and support for Israel have drawn backlash from far-left critics.

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Ossoff also faces re-election in November amid suggestions he could run for president in 2028. However, he has repeatedly denied he has any plans to run in the near future.

Ex-Obama advisor mocked after questioning Chicago's response to unconscious man: 'Own a mirror?'

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:51:56 -0400

David Axelrod, a Democratic political consultant and strategist, received backlash online for noting that emergency services in Chicago had declined to assist a seemingly homeless man outside the Art Institute of Chicago.

"An elderly man, probably homeless, was sprawled unconscious on the museum's front stone steps in the midst of a heat emergency. I called 911, and the operator said, ‘Well, is he ASKING for help?’ When I said no, she said, ‘Well, I'm not going to send anyone.’ So the man remained, passed out in the blazing noon sun. I guess that's how the City of Chicago deals with such situations," Axelrod wrote.

"I hope we're not all complicit in assisting an unintended suicide," Axelrod, the chief strategist for Obama's 2008 and 2012 presidential victories, said.

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His comments sparked mockery online when observers highlighted similar encounters in a number of other Dem-run cities in the U.S.

"David Axelrod comes face to face with Democratic policies in action… turns out he doesn’t like them very much," Abigail Jackson, a White House deputy press secretary, observed on X.

GOP Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's deputy chief counsel, Erielle Azerrad, said, "Anyone who lived in the Mission district of SF has like 20 stories like this."

"It’s awful to hear. It’s also why most of us who have witnessed it are so vehemently opposed to socialist nonsense ruining our once awesome cities. Welcome to the party, dude," she continued.

"Democrat policy which you dedicated your career to impose," New York Post columnist Miranda Devine posted on X.

"Does David Axelrod own a mirror?" conservative strategist Steve Guest wondered.

Earlier this year, the city, led by Mayor Brandon Johnson, launched a five-year homelessness initiative with the goal of making homelessness "rare, brief and nonrecurring." The plan centers on seven core strategies, including emergency services, housing, health, education, employment, community cohesion and systems alignment.

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The plan does not come with a stated budget expectation but partners with several other city programs, such as a $1.2 billion housing initiative.

At least one other Democratic voice bashed Axelrod’s description and the city’s response.

"This is awful and unacceptable. In a case like this or a freezing/blizzard spell, the city must mobilize to render necessary aid, even if its refused," Susana Mendoza, a candidate for Chicago mayor, said in her own post.

"Despite all the talk from this mayor and his administration about helping people like this in urgent need, they have abandoned them."

Notably, Axelrod described how the man had spoken with security at the Art Institute but declined to move or accept assistance.

"I asked a museum security guard about it and she said she had woken him 3 times and suggested he move into the shade and he refused each time," Axelrod wrote.

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When asked about the situation, the Art Institute of Chicago confirmed to Fox News Digital that a man had been outside the building and added that he had departed.

"We are aware that a museum security officer checked on an individual on the front steps and that person left on their own accord shortly after," the institute said in a statement.

Secret Service missed 'multiple opportunities' to prevent Trump assassination attempt: watchdog

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:43:43 -0400

The U.S. Secret Service "missed multiple opportunities" to prevent or disrupt the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump as he spoke to supporters during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General said in a report released Thursday.

The 64-page document detailed several lapses in security that allowed Thomas Matthew Crooks to get a line of sight of Trump as he stood on stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, during the July 13, 2024, event.

"The Secret Service’s overall lack of policy and processes coupled with limited intelligence sharing and poor collaboration and communication with protectee staff and state and local law enforcement set the conditions that led to missing opportunities to prevent and detect the attempted assassination," the report states.

Among the OIG's findings was a failure to warn Trump's protective detail that Crooks had a range finder and a long gun and had climbed onto the roof of a nearby building due to a lack of communication between the Secret Service and local law enforcement.

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Instead, they operated out of separate locations 257 yards apart with intermittent and highly limited radio connectivity between them.

As a result, the Secret Service missed 102 radio transmissions regarding an increasingly intense search for a suspicious individual, including alerts that the suspect was on the roof with a long gun.

Because the Secret Service communications room only received a handful of phone calls and texts, agents failed to recognize the urgency of the threat and never warned Trump's protective detail to delay the speech or remove him from the stage, the OIG said.

"Communications was a problem because of inoperability. There were too many command posts," Paul Eckloff, a former Secret Service agent, told Fox News Digital. "The biggest failure that is probably not addressed in the OIG report is that they never should have accepted the risk of doing it at this site. It never should have been done. That roof had an egregious line of site."

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Crooks was able to fire eight shots. Trump was grazed in the ear, and Corey Comperatore, 50, who was attending the rally, was killed. Two other spectators were critically injured but survived.

Moments after Trump was shot, Secret Service agents rushed the stage and moved him to safety.

In addition to a lack of communication, the Secret Service failed to detect Crooks' drone flight that he used to view the campaign event stage less than three hours before the rally due to an under-trained operator and an equipment malfunction, the report states.

Crooks flew the drone undetected for almost nine minutes and flew 471 yards from the event stage at an altitude of 102 feet. During the rally, the Secret Service had a counter-drone system on site, but it malfunctioned.

The counter-drone system was not operational when Crooks flew his drone hours before he tried to kill Trump.

The agency also failed to share intelligence about a long-distance threat to Trump with the Pittsburgh field office and agents on site, the report said.

Agents also failed to secure the area outside the security perimeter and did not use available resources to block Crooks' line of sight from the roof of the American Glass Research International building to Trump despite the line of sight being identified as a concern, the OIG said.

Despite identifying the AGR complex as a line-of-sight vulnerability during advanced walkthroughs, the Secret Service failed to ensure the view to the stage was obstructed.

"There should have been a better advance, more officers, more agents, but there's simply a limit to that," Eckloff said.

Officials originally proposed using trucks already onsite to block the view from the AGR complex, but Trump's campaign staff rejected the idea because it would interfere with press photographs.

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An agent proposed a secondary location for the trucks but never verified that the campaign staff actually moved the equipment. As a result, Crooks had an unobstructed view of Trump's podium from a distance of just 155 yards, the report said.

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Fox News Digital has reached out to the Secret Service and the White House.

The report offered several recommendations to improve the Secret Service’s processes for securing events, such as mandatory threat communication, enhanced counter-drone training and a process to formally document the identification and blocking of line-of-sight vulnerabilities.

Riley Gaines and women's sports activists share honest reactions, emotions to SCOTUS Title IX ruling

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:40:09 -0400

The U.S. Supreme Court's 6-3 decision to uphold state laws that protect women's sports was a swell moment for Riley Gaines. But she admits the fight has taken a toll.

"Everything that, that I have found myself fighting for over the past few years. I don't want to speak for anyone else. Um, but there is a level of me that's exhausted as well." Gaines told Fox News Digital.

"It's exhausting that in the year 2026, we are still having this conversation, that the highest court in the land is having to rule on, on such insanity, when, I mean, I think even just 10 years ago, we wouldn't have necessarily celebrated this ruling. We would've kind of been like, 'yeah, duh. This is, like, the default.' It's the standard position for anyone to take. Of course we don't want boys in girls' sports. But now we find ourselves celebrating, which is a, a telltale sign of the times, of where we're at culturally and socially. Um, and so there's still more work to do."

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She is already thinking about next steps. And it will take more than six votes to get that task done.

"Number one, Congress to act," Gaines said.

"We need, we, we need Congress to codify President Trump's executive orders... I think we need real enforcement mechanisms as well for those who continue to suffer from the very real diagnosable crippling disease that is TDS...

"What we're going to see make the biggest change, is when people, your everyday person, so think of parents, coaches, etc., when they're bold enough to defend their daughters or defend their athletes or defend themselves, um, that's when you see real change."

Gaines led a rally on the steps of the Supreme Court during oral arguments for the two cases the justices ruled on this week. Right next to her crowd of women's sports advocates was a mosh of pro-transgender activists wearing costumes and shouting obscenities.

"They're so angry," Gaines said of the opposing crowd.

"You look across the bike racks that were there separating us, and you saw anger, and you saw negativity, and you saw screaming, and you saw vitriol, and you saw colored hair, and you saw piercings, and you saw what I would describe, honestly, just visually looking at it, was island of the misfit toys. Not to be like, mean, but just speaking pretty objectively here."

Gaines was a new mother at the time and famously wrapped her infant daughter Margot in a bulletproof blanket when she spoke that day.

Now, as she looks toward the next steps after an "exhausting" first few years in the fight, she will have a growing army of women athletes alongside her.

Many of the other current and former female activists involved in the fight shared their reactions to the ruling after it was announced.

Jen Sey, founder of XX-XY Athletics, told Fox News Digital that the fact that 23 other states don't have laws protecting women's sports is "unacceptable." "We won, but we are not done," Sey said.

"What changes today is athletes who are competing under the auspices of Title IX in middle school, in high school, and in college — in the 27 states that have laws on the books protecting women’s sports — they can continue to protect women’s sports. Girls in every ZIP code deserve fair sports. The court did not say that the other 23 states must enact laws. One could argue we have a law — it’s called Title IX," Sey told Fox News Digital.

Sey's vision of a successful endgame for the "Save Women's Sports" movement is a widespread culture change.

"There’s still a lot of work to do. It’s why I keep saying we have to focus on changing the culture, because I think once we do that, all of the governing bodies will fall in line and protect the women’s category," Sey added.

Sey and her company have been central to growing the movement and bringing on new women as activists, as she has aggressively recruited star Olympians and prominent women impacted by the issue as brand ambassadors.

Former UPenn women's swimmer Paula Scanlan, who had to share a pool and locker room with trans swimmer Lia Thomas in 2021-22, praised the court's decision in an interview with Fox News' "America's Newsroom" on Tuesday.

"More work needs to be done. We need to see protections in all 50 states in this country. Why should a girl in Texas have different rights than a girl in Connecticut, or New York?" Scanlan said.

"It's disappointing also to learn that it's not 9-0. That's something I'm upset about. But I take this win."

Former San Jose State volleyball player Brooke Slusser called Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of states protecting women’s sports the "biggest win" female athletes have had yet.

Slusser appeared on Fox News’ "The Faulkner Focus" after the high court ruled 6-3 in favor of West Virginia and Idaho in two landmark transgender athlete cases. The ruling upheld state laws requiring student-athletes to compete on sports teams that correspond with their biological sex at birth rather than their gender identity.

For Slusser, who became one of the most prominent voices in the fight to protect women’s sports after speaking out about a transgender player on her volleyball team in 2024, the decision was deeply personal.

"I mean, it’s amazing," Slusser told Harris Faulkner. "It’s the biggest win we’ve had yet, so I couldn’t be happier. We couldn’t ask for more right now."

Former high school volleyball player Payton McNabb, whose career ended when she was struck in the face by a spike from a trans player, shared her thoughts in an op-ed on Fox News Digital.

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"Today, I feel something that I haven’t felt in a long time when it comes to the protection of women’s sports and spaces: relief," McNabb wrote.

"Today’s decision is a reminder that truth does not disappear simply because someone believes a delusion. Reality does not change because people are uncomfortable discussing hard topics."

Other prominent activists shared their reactions on social media.

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MIKE DAVIS: Dissecting the Supreme Court's 'birthright' betrayal

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:06:42 -0400

The Supreme Court just delivered its most disastrous ruling in generations in Trump v. Barbara. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the three liberal justices to block President Donald Trump's executive order and hand over birthright citizenship to the children of tens of millions of illegal aliens and birth tourists from China and other enemy nations.

The majority ruled that the 14th Amendment, which was passed after the Civil War to give former slaves equal rights, mandates citizenship to nearly anyone born on U.S. soil, even if they entered illegally, even if they’re a foreigner who hates America, even if they’re only here on a temporary visa and even if they are gaming our system as a Chinese birth tourist.

Under this logic, American citizenship means nothing but birthplace. Forget heritage, patriotism or common values. All that matters is location.

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This decision destroys what it means to be an American. It ranks among the court's very worst, alongside Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) and Roe v. Wade (1973).

Justice Samuel Alito warned in dissent, "This is one of the most important decisions in the history of the Court, and in my judgment, the Court has made a serious mistake."

Justice Alito is a gentleman. This was more than a serious mistake. John Roberts’ disastrous decision, joined by the court’s four women, could be fatal for our country.

The damage cannot be overstated. At the core of sovereignty is the power to decide who enters the country and who becomes one of its citizens. Otherwise, we live at the mercy of billions of foreigners. Citizenship defines who shares in America's blessings and burdens, who upholds its values, who honors its history and who joins its social contract. It will ultimately determine whether the United States is a nation or just a place.

The American people built the New York skyline, tamed a vast frontier, defeated fascism and communism, landed on the Moon and created the freest and most prosperous and powerful country in human history. Deciding who we invite to join us is the most consequential choice our nation can make. Once citizenship is granted, it is rarely undone. Citizenship confers full and equal rights, including the right to vote and claim every economic and social benefit.

Yet this ruling puts the newborn child of an MS-13 gangster who crossed the border illegally days earlier on equal footing with the descendants of generations of Americans who fought world wars, built this country from nothing and died for its future.

The national security implications are terrifying.

As Justice Alito noted, a child born here to an enemy visitor from China or another hostile power, then raised abroad to hate the United States, would have lifelong citizenship and the right to vote in every election. That child could even run for president of the United States.

TRUMP SUFFERS MAJOR SUPREME COURT DEFEAT AS JUSTICES UPHOLD BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP

The votes of professors Roberts and Barrett, who call themselves originalists, are especially despicable. Anyone with a reasonable historical understanding of the 14th Amendment could never conclude it was intended to endow citizenship to children of illegal aliens or foreigners with no allegiance to this country. Ratified in 1868 to secure citizenship for freed slaves after the Civil War, the amendment's pivotal qualifier — "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" — deliberately excludes children of diplomats and children of invading soldiers.

The Supreme Court recognized this principle in Elk v. Wilkins (1884), ruling that Native Americans born on reservations were not entitled to birthright citizenship under the amendment because they were subject to the jurisdiction of — and owed their allegiance to — their tribes instead of the United States. Congress later extended birthright citizenship to them by statute in 1924.

If Native Americans born here and who have lived here for thousands of years are not constitutionally entitled to birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment, the children of illegal immigrants, foreign criminals and fraudster tourists certainly cannot be. Until now. The amendment's ratifiers could never have imagined, let alone intended, citizenship for the children of millions of unvetted illegals or for a birth-tourism industry that’s funneled hundreds of thousands of foreigners, especially from China, into the country for this purpose.

But Roberts, Barrett and three liberals put their vanity over our sovereignty, national security and country. This ultimate betrayal is unforgivable.

By deciding the case on sweeping constitutional grounds rather than a narrower statutory basis, the majority, including Roberts and Barrett, made fixing this catastrophe extraordinarily difficult. Reversing it now requires the passage of a constitutional amendment by two-thirds of both chambers of Congress and three-fourths of the states or a constitutional convention. They ignored the canon of constitutional avoidance, locked in a maximalist, ahistorical rule, and tied the hands of future majorities.

Had they taken the narrower path, as Justice Kavanaugh argued, Congress could have legislated a fix. Justice Kavanaugh’s rationale was still wrong, but it wasn’t catastrophic, like Roberts’ ruling.

With this decision, Roberts again prioritized his personal perception over constitutional duty. His legacy is one of preserving his own reputation at the expense of our nation when political pressure mounted. Time and again he has flinched — on Obamacare, on election cases, on immigration — choosing the path of least resistance and maximum elite approval.

ICE SURGES ENFORCEMENT, MAKES 10,000 ARRESTS IN FIVE DAYS AMID SUPREME COURT BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP DECISION

Justice Barrett's vote is particularly galling. Barrett auditioned as the next Justice Scalia, for whom she clerked. Her advocates sold her as the same. Yet Barrett helped deliver a ruling that ignores the amendment's text, history and limiting principles. This was a failure of character and of judgment that elevates abstract academic hypotheticals over real stakes: anchor babies for gang members, incentives for further surges of illegal immigration and the erosion of citizenship as a meaningful inheritance rather than a geographic accident. Originalism without regard for the sovereign interests it is supposed to protect is performative.

Professor Barrett thinks she’s grading law-school exams instead of exercising sound judgment, proving why she’s the junior varsity justice who is not up to the job.

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The Trump administration must pursue mass deportations of all illegal immigrants, starting with women of childbearing age. Even if these illegals have "citizen" children, they must still be deported to prevent them from creating more fake citizens. Cutting federal funds for programs that benefit illegal immigrants, as well, will force the hands of those who exploit our generosity.

Federal funds to states, cities and any other entities that provide benefits to illegal immigrants must also end. And the Trump Justice Department, under the all-star leadership of Todd Blanche, must continue to use all criminal and civil tools to sue, imprison, denaturalize and expel illegal aliens who have entered our country, attacked our citizens, plundered our treasure and debased our culture.

The American people deserved better from Roberts and Barrett. Lifetime tenure exists precisely so justices can resist political fads and elite pressure. This abomination of a ruling destroys our sovereign power and duty — as We The People, the sovereign citizens of America — to define and control our own future. It amounts to national suicide by judicial decree. It is the ultimate betrayal by five unelected narcissists in robes. With no mercy, we must quadruple the mass deportations. And immediately.

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Accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson dealt courtroom blow, days before pivotal hearing

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:08:57 -0400

Days before prosecutors are expected to publicly lay out their evidence in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the defense lost another courtroom fight Thursday, failing to block cameras from next week's closely watched preliminary hearing.

In a brief order, the Utah Supreme Court declined to hear accused assassin Tyler Robinson's appeal of Fourth District Judge Tony Graf Jr.'s decision allowing cameras inside the courtroom.

The justices also deemed Robinson's request to delay the proceedings moot, clearing the way for next week's preliminary hearing to move forward as scheduled.

"The petition for permission to appeal from an interlocutory order is denied. The motion to stay is deemed moot," the order states.

CHARLIE KIRK'S PARENTS, WIDOW TO ATTEND TYLER ROBINSON'S PRELIMINARY HEARING NEXT WEEK

The ruling marks another setback for Robinson's defense team, which has aggressively challenged several of Graf's pretrial rulings in the months leading up to the hearing.

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Robinson, 23, is accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk during a public speaking event at Utah Valley University Sept. 10, 2025.

CHARLIE KIRK JUDGE DENIES TYLER ROBINSON'S ATTEMPT TO HAVE POTENTIAL DEATH PENALTY REMOVED

Prosecutors allege Robinson fatally shot Kirk before fleeing. He was charged with aggravated murder, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Robinson has not entered a plea.

ALLEGED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN TYLER ROBINSON'S ROOMMATE AND LOVER RECEIVED LIMITED IMMUNITY: PROSECUTORS

The latest ruling comes less than a week after Judge Graf denied Robinson's request to strike the death penalty as a possible punishment.

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Although Graf found a Utah County prosecutor in civil contempt over comments he made to the media, the judge ruled removing the death penalty would be "grossly disproportionate" and instead expanded jury selection safeguards to protect Robinson's right to a fair trial.

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Next week's preliminary hearing will be the public's first detailed look at the evidence prosecutors say ties Robinson to Kirk's assassination.

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Prosecutors must establish probable cause that Robinson committed the crimes charged before the case can move to trial.

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The Utah Supreme Court has not yet ruled on two additional defense petitions challenging Graf's pretrial orders.

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One seeks to block prosecutors from relying on certain hearsay evidence during the preliminary hearing, while the other challenges Graf's decision not to require key witness Lance Twiggs to testify in person. Those appeals remain pending.

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

Senators are definitely not still bitter about Brady Tkachuk trade, launch lame jersey exchange program

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:09:48 -0400

Brady Tkachuk is a Florida Panther, and in Ottawa, the city he played in for eight seasons, fans are itching to swap out their Tkachuk jerseys for someone who wants to play for the Senators.

The team is more than happy to oblige... if you're willing to pony up 60% for your new jersey.

And that's just a bad look.

The Senators announced their cutely named "Chuk Out The Old Jersey" event at the team store inside Canadian Tire Centre. All fans have to do is bring their officially licensed Fanatics-branded Brady Tkachuk sweaters and — voila! — you can get 40% off on new merch.

Terms and conditions apply...

Now, I love when teams do this. I think it's a great PR move and kind of endearing to fans.

WISCONSIN BADGERS JUST ADDED THE PERFECT JERSEY SPONSORSHIP IF THERE IS SUCH A THING

But that's when teams do a full 1-for-1 swap.

This just comes off as weak sauce.

For starters, it has to be a Fanatics jersey. Those only got rolled out beginning with the 2024-25 season. If you bought an Adidas Tkachuk jersey from the previous six seasons, too bad. No 40% off regular-priced merch for you.

ALEX OVECHKIN SIGNS A ONE-YEAR DEAL TO RETURN FOR ANOTHER NHL SEASON WITH THE CAPITALS

Hell, unless you have a ferocious BO problem, a two-year-old jersey is still going to have that new sweater smell.

Come on, Senators! I get why fans are upset about Tkachuk leaving (as much as I get why he may have wanted to leave in the first place), so throw them a bone and print 'em up a brand-new Tim Stützle sweater as a thank you for sticking with the franchise through thick and thin.

And there has been both thick and thin over the years.

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Personally, I just can't wait for when the Cats roll into the Canadian capital. That will be must-see TV.

Meanwhile, despite being involved in one of the biggest transactions of the offseason, the Senators were somewhat quiet on the first day of free agency. They signed Nick Cousins to a two-year extension and also signed former Flyers goalie Sam Ersson to a two-year deal.

Baseball writer says 'bigoted' free agents shouldn't sign with Giants after pride hat controversy

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:00:31 -0400

A few weeks ago, the San Francisco Giants made themselves the center of the baseball world with their annual "Pride night" uniform tradition.

Several players objected to wearing specific rainbow-colored hats, with a few writing Bible verses next to the logo, and one pitcher wearing the traditional Giants hat instead. Major League Baseball then issued a warning, setting off a firestorm of controversy, criticism and a referral for an investigation from the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

In response to a letter from Sen. Josh Hawley, the league also acknowledged that the Giants did not properly communicate with its players that they cannot be forced to wear "pride" hats. An unsurprising revelation, considering the Giants organization likely does not want to receive criticism from the far-left sportswriters who cover the sport and the team, as well as ideologically motivated fans, if not enough players wear the hats.

JOSH HAWLEY CALLS IT 'GREAT OUTCOME' MLB COMMISSIONER ADMITTED WRONGDOING IN GIANTS PRIDE NIGHT CAP SITUATION

For most fans, there's an obvious disconnect. The Giants organization wants to virtue signal to the political left, and many professional baseball players are religious Christians who don't feel comfortable wearing pride-themed hats. There's nothing wrong with that, of course — it's a free country. Unless you're a left-wing sportswriter, then everyone must comply with your views or be labeled a "bigot."

One of those left-wing sportswriters is Susan Slusser, a Giants beat reporter who is not shy about sharing her political ideology. She did so again in a recent interview with Larry Krueger, a guest host on local KNBR radio show Murph & Markus.

"Susan, you've been doing this for a while. You've covered teams beyond the Giants, and you have a good sense for baseball and the players because you talk to them routinely," Krueger brought up. "We were getting into the details of the Giants' decisions, Pride Night, the communication, and all of that. But if we back away a little bit, has the Giants organization done real damage in the eyes of players?

"Are they going to have a hard time attracting players because other players are looking at these guys being called bigots and attacked in the media for either not wearing the hat or writing biblical verses? Do you think, long term, the Giants are going to have a hard time attracting free agents because of what happened this year?"

A reasonable question. Krueger is correct in identifying that many MLB players are religious and may not want to be forced into compelled speech by their employer when they have other options. Jacob deGrom infamously was reportedly happy to leave New York for Texas, in part because of New York's political extremism and COVID-19 restrictions, as just one example. But Slusser was furious.

"I mean, bigoted free agents, maybe, I guess," Slusser answered.

"Look, Sam Hentges was the guy whose comments after that game, he chose to wear the regular Giants hat and not write a Bible verse, which is probably the right way to go about it, I think," she added. "Afterwards, he kind of held forth about morals and things like that, and it was pretty distasteful, some of those comments, to the LGBTQ community. He was a free agent who chose to sign in San Francisco. Probably not uppermost in your mind is thinking, 'The Giants wear a Pride hat every year,' but it is part and parcel, and he signed here."

What a surprise, a liberal sportswriter's view is that it's "bigoted" to have religious views that contradict what one community thinks. She wasn't done.

"Certainly, it's not a secret that San Francisco has a huge gay community, many gay fans," she said. "To me, this is a little bit on the players. If you don't want to be a part of that, A, maybe don't openly insult your paying customers after a game, but B, don't sign here.

"Maybe that will happen. I don't know. But that just seems honestly kinda crazy to me. You know where you're coming. This is San Francisco. It's not a secret."

There's several issues with her framing that are, unsurprisingly, hypocritical. There is zero doubt, absolutely zero doubt, that if a devoutly Muslim player refused to wear the pride hat, Slusser would never even consider criticizing them for it. She would never say, "don't sign here" to a Muslim athlete for say, the 49ers, who didn't want to celebrate San Francisco's LGBTQ community.

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Not that Slusser cares or is interested because her moral high horse is far too tall to allow for much research, but Hentges was non-tendered by the Cleveland Guardians after the 2025 season. That means he was under team control, for a limited salary, and they chose to release him anyway. His options in free agency, then, were certainly limited. Players on the fringes of a roster are the epitome of beggars can't be choosers. Should Hentges have chosen unemployment instead of a contract because the Giants play in San Francisco and their organization is terrified of people like Slusser?

The other issue? Slusser would never apply the "don't openly insult your paying customers" line in the other direction. The Los Angeles Dodgers insulted their Catholic paying customers by honoring a drag group that parades around as nuns and mocks their religion. Not only did Slusser not care about that, she wrote a column celebrating the Dodgers for their decision and called offended protesters "Anti-LGBT" for daring to hold religious views. Of course she did, because she is a political ideologue first and foremost.

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Slusser exemplifies the mindset on the left, those who pretend not to understand things, thus making discourse impossible. To her, the pride hats are simply to welcome the LGBTQ community to the stadium. To Christian ballplayers, it's more than that, it's a celebration of certain views and behavior that they accept and tolerate, but don't want to celebrate. She won't understand their views because she doesn't want to. Ironically, the most bigoted person here is Slusser herself. And if she's offended by Christians, she simply shouldn't go to baseball games. After all, that's her advice to free agents, right?

Democratic senator claims GOP 'stole' two SCOTUS seats in 2016, 2020, calls for expansion

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:00:25 -0400

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., claimed Wednesday that Republicans "stole" two Supreme Court seats in 2016 and 2020 and called for an expansion of the court.

Markey was asked during an appearance on MS NOW about court expansion and whether Democrats were considering it.

"Yes, I am the author of the court expansion bill. The Republicans stole two Supreme Court seats in 2016 and 2020. That's what's giving them their supermajority. The only way to solve this problem in a very short period of time is expand the Supreme Court by four seats up to 13. That would then restore the seven-to-six majority, which should be in place right now," he said.

TRUMP SUFFERS MAJOR SUPREME COURT DEFEAT AS JUSTICES UPHOLD BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP

The Supreme Court ruled on several major cases Tuesday.

"And we have to fight for that, and we can do that statutorily. It does not require a constitutional amendment. That has to be at the top of the agenda. And that's what I'm talking to my colleagues about right now," he continued.

The most watched case on the Supreme Court's docket was President Donald Trump's effort to end birthright citizenship, which the court struck down in a 6-3 vote.

REPUBLICAN ACCUSES SCOTUS OF BETRAYING US, PUSHES BILL RESTRICTING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP, PREGNANT VISITORS

The court also ruled in favor of Idaho and West Virginia's bans on transgender athletes competing in women's and girls sports.

In addition, the justices struck down federal regulations limiting how much a political party can contribute to a candidate for federal office.

Liberals have consistently thrown around court packing and reform in response to rulings they disagree with.

SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN LIMIT ON PARTY CAMPAIGN SPENDING IN COORDINATION WITH CANDIDATES

Democratic strategist James Carville said in April that the party should take an aggressive approach if it gains power in Congress in November.

"If the Democrats win the presidency and both houses of Congress, I think on day one, they should make Puerto Rico [and] D.C. a state, and they should expand the Supreme Court to 13. F--- it. Eat our dust," he said.

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said everything was on the table with the court in April.

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"We're going to have to do something about this Supreme Court. And let me be very clear: Everything is on the table," Jeffries told MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas.

"Everything to deal with this corrupt MAGA majority that is issuing political opinions that are designed to bolster the prospects of the Republican Party, and we will not allow them to succeed."

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., has also called for court reform on social media.

Sanctuary county refused 615 ICE transfer requests, turned over just 11 illegal immigrants, records show

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:54:10 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: Records obtained by a conservative legal group show Fairfax County, Virginia, declined to transfer 615 illegal immigrants to ICE over the past 16 months, while turning over just 11.

Fairfax County, whose board includes one Republican supervisor for what is the most populous jurisdiction in the Old Dominion, formally designated itself a sanctuary jurisdiction in 2021 after passing the Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy or "Trust Policy."

America First Legal filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the county seeking records from the office of Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Ann Kincaid, who testified at a contentious House hearing earlier this spring on Fairfax's reluctance to cooperate with federal law enforcement.

The data, obtained directly from a Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office document, showed that for the entirety of 2025, Kincaid’s office refused to transfer 448 illegal immigrants to the Department of Homeland Security for processing and instead only turned over a total of nine to ICE. During the first four months of 2026, Fairfax declined to transfer another 167 illegal immigrants, while turning over only two.

WATCH: ANGEL MOM TURNS TABLES ON SANCTUARY POLITICIANS WITH BASIC QUESTION ABOUT THEIR PRIORITIES

Since then, county policy has barred law enforcement from honoring ICE civil detainers or otherwise assisting with federal immigration enforcement.

America First Legal (AFL), which first obtained the data, placed much of the blame on Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Stephen Descano, who sat beside Kincaid at the recent hearing and faced sharp questioning from Republicans over his prosecutorial discretion in cases involving illegal immigrants arrested in the county.

SOROS-BACKED DA'S LAX ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION POLICIES LED TO 'PREVENTABLE' BUS STOP STABBING MURDER: COMPLAINT

AFL said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital that Fairfax's overall framework encourages recidivism by illegal immigrant offenders and has directly led to several gruesome cases, including the murder of Fredericksburg, Virginia, woman Stephanie Minter, whose alleged killer is an illegal immigrant from West Africa with a lengthy criminal record in Fairfax County.

AFL noted that Descano is under investigation by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division over claims U.S. citizens are effectively discriminated against because of the prosecutor's stated preferential policies, which appeared on his campaign pages and elsewhere and were highlighted by Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock, R-Calif., and others during the hearing.

The group pointed to fatal stabbings; the alleged assault of a woman on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, a popular rail trail spanning from Washington, D.C., to Purcellville that has long been considered safe; and other crimes allegedly committed by illegal immigrants who, it said, received light sentences or had charges dropped.

FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS BLUE STATE'S LAW PROHIBITING ICE AGENTS FROM WEARING MASKS ON THE JOB

Descano has long defended his prosecutorial discretion as evidence-based and handled on a case-by-case basis.

A Descano spokesperson told Fox News Digital in a statement Thursday that the DOJ's probe is politically motivated and has "distort[ed] the office’s policy." The spokesperson also said the notice appeared to arrive intentionally just before Descano testified before McClintock.

"Our office’s policies are fair, legal and reflect the values of Fairfax County, and we will not be distracted from our mission of keeping this community safe and holding individuals accountable when they commit crimes," the spokesperson said.

Fox News Digital also reached out to Kincaid’s office for comment.

AFL counsel Will Scolinos rejected the county's defense, telling Fox News Digital that tragic cases such as Minter's murder are the product of the Trust Policy and the shielding of "hundreds of illegal aliens … from federal law enforcement."

"This deliberate obstruction by county officials protects illegal alien lawbreakers and endangers every family in Northern Virginia," Scolinos said. "For too many families, it is already too late. But to protect other Virginians from future crimes at the hands of illegal aliens with prior arrests, Fairfax County must reverse this reckless, anti-American governance immediately."

In the most recent month recorded, April 2026, 32 illegal immigrants were listed as being in the sheriff's office's custody, with none released to ICE. All 32 were subject to an "informed detainer," and three were listed as convicted.

AFL also noted that Santa Clara County, California — home to the San Francisco 49ers' new stadium — informed the group that it received 529 ICE detainer requests in 2025 and honored none.

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"If each detainer represents a unique illegal alien, an average of 1.34 arrested illegal aliens were released into Santa Clara every day," AFL said in April.

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The numbers reflect a pattern that is expected to continue drawing scrutiny from the Trump administration and groups such as AFL, which has also sought data from sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide.

Fox News Digital reached out to DHS for comment.

Florida board votes to ban illegal immigrants from public college admissions

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:00:24 -0400

Florida's State Board of Education voted Tuesday to move forward with a policy barring illegal immigrants from being admitted to the state's public colleges, marking the latest effort by state leaders to tighten immigration rules in higher education.

The board voted 6-1 to make the Sunshine State’s 28 state colleges and the state’s adult education programs inaccessible to illegal immigrants.

The Orlando Sentinel reported that the only vote against the measure was from member Daniel Foganholi, who the outlet said was a first-generation American born to immigrants from Brazil.

LIBERAL FACULTY STILL HUGELY OUTNUMBER CONSERVATIVES IN HIGHER EDUCATION: REPORT

But the state board said it did have the authority to implement the rule, citing Florida statutes that pave the way to allow it to create admission criteria, the Sentinel noted.

Higher Ed Drive reported Thursday that, in 2023, the state was home to approximately 50,000 illegal immigrant students, according to the American Immigration Council.

Last year, Florida ended a program that let illegal immigrant students under DACA pay in-state tuition.

The Orlando Sentinel identified Alex Liberman, one of over 50 people who shared an opinion during public comment, who said that, "Education is not meant to be a policing system for immigrants."

Virginia Bolton, a student at Florida International University, called in to voice her disapproval.

"I’m calling to express my utmost disgust and concern," Bolton said. "These items are not only cruel, vague and hypocritical of what the Department of Education stands for, but what the United States Constitution does as well."

Florida state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, claimed the proposed policy is against Florida law, saying, "Florida law requires you to maintain an open-door admission policy in our state college system which these rules violate.

"Our constitution also requires you to provide for the education of all children within our borders, which makes what you are doing unconstitutional."

MISSISSIPPI LAW COULD CREATE STATEWIDE REGISTRY OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis praised the vote, saying in a clip shared Tuesday by Spectrum News, "You know, if you're here illegally, you know, you go to a state university, it doesn't make sense. I would rather have that spot go to a Florida resident. But then they're getting less than what a U.S. citizen in Georgia is getting, someone who lives in South Georgia. It just doesn't make any sense at all."

Alex Lanfranconi, communications director for DeSantis, told Fox News Digital in a statement, "Illegal immigrants have no right to attend taxpayer-funded colleges. Under Governor DeSantis, Florida will put a stop to this."

Fox News Digital reached out to Florida's State Board of Education for comment.

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Dead fitness trainer’s taxi ride becomes key piece of puzzle in mysterious disappearance, death: docs

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:00:59 -0400

A newly obtained incident report traces a South Carolina fitness trainer's final movements before she disappeared.

Elena Katherine Moore, 39, was found dead almost a week after she disappeared on June 11 after she went to a Planet Fitness gym in Lexington, South Carolina. The Lexington County Coroner's Office said on June 22 that investigators found no signs of bruising, lacerations, gunshot wounds, stab wounds, blunt force trauma, strangulation or other external injuries during a forensic autopsy.

While the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division continues to investigate what led to Moore's death, an incident report obtained by Fox News Digital has shed light on Moore's final movements before disappearing.

SOUTH CAROLINA FITNESS TRAINER TOLD FRIENDS SHE WANTED TO LEAVE HER NOW-HUSBAND YEARS BEFORE BODY WAS FOUND

Moore's husband, Brannon Slice, went to the Lexington Police Department on June 12 to report his wife missing. He told officers she had been released from an undisclosed facility on June 11, before 2 p.m., according to the incident report. The facility's name was redacted in the incident report, but Sondra Campbell, one of Moore's close friends, told Fox News Digital that Moore had been released from a mental health facility at the time.

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According to the incident report, someone arranged a taxi for Moore after her release, and she asked the driver to stop at a local CVS in Lexington. That stop was the last time the cab driver saw her. When Moore did not return outside, the driver went into the store but was unable to locate her.

Slice told the officer he went to the Planet Fitness, which she frequently visited, where an employee told him that Moore singed in at 6:38 p.m. on the 11th. After that, Moore wasn't seen again and was found dead on June 19.

SOUTH CAROLINA FITNESS TRAINER TOLD FRIENDS SHE WANTED TO LEAVE HER NOW-HUSBAND YEARS BEFORE BODY WAS FOUND

No one, including her husband, has been accused of any wrongdoing or charged with a crime. Lexington Police Department Inspector Missy Silcox told Newsweek late Tuesday that Slice "is not a person of interest at the current moment."

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Sondra Campbell, who was close friends with Moore, previously told Fox News Digital that Moore tried to leave the relationship in the past.

Campbell said that something felt "very different" the last time she saw her on May 31.

SOUTH CAROLINA FITNESS TRAINER TOLD FRIENDS SHE WANTED TO LEAVE HER NOW-HUSBAND YEARS BEFORE BODY WAS FOUND

"She was scared for her life. She actually said those words to me," Campbell said. "Elena is one of my best friends. I've known her over probably 10 years now. We're really close like tell each other everything. She's been that person for me for a long time."

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According to LPD Chief Terrence Green, authorities found the body after getting a tip that led investigators to a new search location.

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Moore was last seen walking through the Publix parking lot at 100 Old Cherokee Road in Lexington on the night of June 11.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Slice for comment.

Six Kurdish fighters killed in IRGC ambush as clashes spread across western Iran

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:53:50 -0400

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Thursday it killed five members of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, while the Kurdish opposition group told Fox News Digital that six of its Peshmerga — a term commonly used for Kurdish fighters — were killed in what it described as an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ambush in northwest Iran.

The clash marks another escalation in Iran’s Kurdish-majority west after days of reported attacks and clashes involving Iranian security forces, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Kurdish armed factions.

It also underscores the current position of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups that recently were viewed by U.S. and Israeli officials as a possible pressure point against Tehran during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran but ultimately stayed out of the conflict amid mixed signals from Washington and pressure from both Iran and Turkey.

WAVE OF ATTACKS ON IRAN'S IRGC RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT RENEWED KURDISH INSURGENCY

Majeed Gly, president of the American Kurdish Committee, told Fox News Digital the latest clashes should not be read as a full-scale uprising, but also should not be dismissed as routine border violence.

"What I’m hearing is, this is not business as usual," Gly said. "This is not like periodic clashes on the border. This is operations, and it seems to be deep inside."

Gly said Kurdish frustration has grown sharply after months of Iranian attacks on Kurdish areas and opposition-linked sites, including in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. He said the region has been hit by more than 850 attacks since February, leaving at least six civilians dead and dozens more wounded.

Hejar Berenji, the U.S. representative of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, or PDKI, confirmed to Fox News Digital that six PDKI Peshmerga were killed in a clash with IRGC forces in the Piranshahr area of Iranian Kurdistan.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it had killed five members of the banned PDKI in northwest Iran, Reuters reported Thursday, citing state media. The IRGC said the group was ambushed after entering Iranian territory in mountainous border areas near Piranshahr in West Azerbaijan Province.

WAVE OF ATTACKS ON IRAN'S IRGC RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT RENEWED KURDISH INSURGENCY

Berenji identified the six Peshmerga as Karo Hormuziari, Fardin Changizi, Mohammad Khaki, Abdullah Mohammadpour, Twana Osmani and Mohammad Amin Bayezidi. He said the incident took place Wednesday night in the village of Qizqapan, near Piranshahr, and said the PDKI unit was on a "political and organizational mission" when it was "ambushed by a large and heavily equipped IRGC force."

"This should be understood in the broader context of the Islamic Republic’s continued repression in Iranian Kurdistan and its repeated attacks on Iranian Kurdish civilian camps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, even during ceasefire and negotiation periods," Berenji said. "The regime has increased pressure on Kurdish communities because it understands that Iranian Kurds remain among the most organized and determined democratic forces inside Iran."

The PDKI is one of Iran’s oldest Kurdish opposition movements. The group has been involved in decades of intermittent conflict with the Islamic Republic, while Tehran has long viewed Kurdish armed groups as separatist threats, while others describe it as a historic, centrist and nationalist Iranian Kurdish opposition group that Iran has targeted for years, including through assassinations of its leaders decades ago.

The Kurds are one of the largest stateless ethnic groups in the Middle East with communities spread across Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey. In Iran, many Kurds live in the country’s mountainous west and northwest, where Kurdish opposition groups have long accused Tehran of repression, executions, forced assimilation and military crackdowns. Iranian authorities view armed Kurdish factions as separatist or "terrorist threats."

The latest clash followed several days of violence in western Iran. A similar incident near Piranshahr was reported by Iranian state media Tuesday, with the IRGC saying it had killed six members of what it called an "opposition and separatist group."

Two IRGC members were killed and two wounded in a shooting in Kermanshah Province Monday evening, an attack claimed by a newly formed Kurdish armed group seeking retaliation for the IRGC’s role in suppressing the 2022–2023 protest movement, according to the Kurdish rights group Hengaw.

Iran also appeared to be expanding pressure on Kurdish opposition groups beyond PJAK, the Kurdistan Free Life Party, after days of clashes between PJAK and the IRGC, The Jerusalem Post reported Thursday.

Berenji said the latest clash was not a response to ongoing U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding negotiations, which remain unresolved as talks continue without a finalized agreement.

WAVE OF ATTACKS ON IRAN'S IRGC RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT RENEWED KURDISH INSURGENCY

"The Kurdish struggle for freedom, democracy and national rights predates the current negotiations and is not dependent on them," Berenji said. "At the same time, any agreement that ignores the Kurdish question, the regime’s attacks on Kurdish civilians and the repression inside Iran will not bring real stability."

Gly said Kurdish anger has been compounded by language in the U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding that critics interpret as Washington agreeing not to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs.

KHAMENEI BODY IN COLD STORAGE AS FEARED BASIJ MOBILIZES AHEAD OF HISTORIC IRAN FUNERAL

"This sentence has taken every Iranian opposition group the wrong way, especially the Kurds," Gly said.

He argued that even during negotiations with hostile powers, the United States should not abandon its public support for freedom movements, invoking former President Ronald Reagan’s approach to the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Gly said he does not see clear evidence that Kurdish groups have gained major new military capabilities but said the perception of Iran’s strength has changed.

"What has changed is the perception of weakness of Iran," Gly told Fox News Digital. "They are less afraid of the regime."

The new violence carries broader significance for Washington because Iranian Kurdish opposition groups were recently discussed as a possible ground pressure point against Tehran.

U.S. officials and Kurdish groups had discussed a potential military operation against Iranian security forces in western Iran, Reuters reported in March, while a separate report said Israel was backing Iranian Kurdish plans to seize Iranian border areas, though such an operation would likely require U.S. and Israeli support.

But those expectations quickly faltered. In April, Kurdish fighters ultimately stayed out of the war because of mixed signals from Washington and Israel and Iranian threats and strikes against Kurdish positions in Iraq. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged President Donald Trump during the conflict to prevent Kurdish forces from launching a ground operation inside Iran, reflecting Ankara’s longstanding opposition to Kurdish armed movements gaining ground in the region, Reuters also reported.

During the conflict, Trump told Reuters he would be "all for it" if the Kurds wanted to move against Iran and said their objective should be "to win," but Kurdish commanders were frustrated by the lack of a clear U.S. or Israeli strategy.

Berenji said the PDKI does not seek chaos, but insisted Kurdish forces have the right to defend themselves.

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"We seek a democratic, pluralistic, secular and federal Iran where all nations and communities can live with dignity and rights," he said. "But the Kurdish people also have the right to defend themselves against repression, intimidation, and attacks by the IRGC."

Fox News Digital has reached out to Iran’s mission to the United Nations for comment.

Video shows moments before Army veteran was fatally shot in Walmart parking lot dispute

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:34:12 -0400

Shocking cellphone video captured the deadly moment a Florida Army veteran was shot during a confrontation over a Walmart parking space, authorities said.

Bart Diguglielmo, 62, died after he was shot around 12:28 p.m. Tuesday in the parking lot of the Walmart on West McNab Road in North Lauderdale, according to the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators said Diguglielmo and an adult woman became involved in an argument over a parking space before the shooting.

VIRGINIA OFFICER PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AFTER MALICIOUS WOUNDING CHARGE TIED TO OFF DUTY INCIDENT

The woman remained at the scene, cooperated with detectives and told investigators she fired in self-defense, according to BSO.

Her identity has not been released, and homicide detectives said the case will be presented to the Broward County State Attorney's Office to determine whether criminal charges will be filed.

Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the confrontation or said whether investigators believe the woman's claim of self-defense. Prosecutors will review the completed investigation before deciding whether charges are warranted.

VIRAL BODYCAM CAPTURES FLORIDA DEPUTY'S TRAFFIC STOP UNRAVEL AS HE ACCUSES ONE-HANDED DRIVER OF HOLDING PHONE

Video obtained by Fox News Digital shows the confrontation leading up to the shooting.

Additional cellphone footage obtained by Local 10 News appears to show Diguglielmo walking toward the woman, who appears to be holding a cellphone in one hand. As he approaches, she raises her other arm, appearing to point a handgun at him. After a brief standoff, a single gunshot rings out.

Footage from another angle, recorded without sound, appears to show Diguglielmo doubling over at the waist before lowering himself to the ground as what appears to be blood becomes visible through the front of his shirt.

MANHUNT UNDERWAY AFTER COLLEGE STUDENT FATALLY SHOT CHASING ROBBERS WHO ALLEGEDLY STOLE HIS PHONE

A third angle shows the pair engaged in what appears to be an argument after a vehicle pulled out of a nearby parking space. The footage appears to show the woman backing away with the handgun pointed at Diguglielmo as he raises his hands.

The video ends with the woman remaining at the scene until Broward Sheriff's Office deputies arrived and detained her for questioning.

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Diguglielmo was transported to Broward Health Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries, authorities said.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Scott Dixon leaving Chip Ganassi Racing throws a huge wrench into IndyCar's silly season

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:33:55 -0400

"Silly season" is always an apt name for the driver market in any racing series, but this year's silly season in IndyCar has gone well past silly and is heading toward a certifiably insane season with the news that Scott Dixon — after 25 seasons — is leaving Chip Ganassi Racing.

Which means the No. 9 at CGR is up for grabs. Buckle up, kids.

There were reports that Dixon would leave the team, and Chip Ganassi Racing confirmed this on Thursday.

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The 42-year-old six-time champ's destination for 2027 has not been announced, but RACER's Marshall Pruett reports that it sets up a move to Arrow McLaren.

This is now a huge piece of the driver market puzzle, and comes after it was revealed that Indianapolis 500 champion Felix Rosenqvist will not return to Meyer Shank Racing next season, with rumors that he'll return to Arrow McLaren as well, giving them a lineup of Dixon, Rosenqvist and Pato O'Ward.

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Which is obviously very strong.

MSR has a technical relationship with CGR and has performed really well all season, making Rosenqvist's No. 60 a sought-after seat.

But now that a seat at Ganassi has opened up alongside the dominant four-time champ Alex Palou, that will be the one everyone has their eyes on.

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One potential option is Christian Lundgaard, who has really impressed at Arrow McLaren this year, especially on road and street circuits. If the Dixon-Rosenqvist-O'Ward pans out, he would need a new ride and would be a good option for CGR and could compete with the likes of Alex Palou, especially in the same machinery.

We're going to need some more dominoes to fall in place — with the big one being that No. 9 — but, man, is this going to be one of the wilder silly seasons in recent memory.

Judge approves Tiger Woods' hospital records release to prosecutors after Florida car crash

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:29:33 -0400

Prosecutors have been allowed to review Tiger Woods’ medical records related to his March car crash in Florida, which led to his arrest on charges of driving under the influence.

Judge Darren Steele approved an agreement between Woods’ defense and the State Attorney’s Office, allowing prosecutors to request records from the Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital. Woods was taken there after a crash March 27.

A similar agreement was struck in May, which gave prosecutors access to all prescription medication records for Woods at a Palm Beach, Florida, pharmacy. The records were from the start of 2026 through the end of March.

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Doug Duncan, who is representing Woods in this case, reached an agreement with prosecutors to only allow the release of records from both the hospital and pharmacy to them, law enforcement officers, state experts and the defense team.

Woods, who recently made his first public appearance since his vehicle crash made national headlines, pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence. He was found with two prescription painkillers in his pocket during his arrest while also showing signs of impairment.

TIGER WOODS MAKES FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE SINCE DUI, REHAB STINT AS PGA TOUR ANNOUNCES SWEEPING CHANGES

Woods’ vehicle struck a truck’s trailer and flipped onto its side on Jupiter Island. Woods had been traveling at a high speed on a 30-mph road, according to the incident report, which also stated it did $5,000 in damage to the truck he hit.

Woods had agreed to take a Breathalyzer test, which showed no signs of alcohol in his system at the time. But he refused a urine test, according to law enforcement.

Woods was granted permission April 1 to travel out of the country to enter an inpatient treatment center, which was reportedly in Zurich, Switzerland.

Since then, Woods introduced PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp at a monumental press conference for the golf organization late last month, his first appearance since returning from treatment.

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Woods has served as a leader on the Tour's Future Competition Committee, which he called a "privilege" during his brief introduction of Rolapp.

OutKick’s Mark Harris and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Famed jockey hospitalized with broken ribs and broken thumb after traffic accident in Newmarket

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:27:30 -0400

A famed jockey is suffering from serious injuries after being involved in a car wreck.

Frankie Dettori was involved in a "road traffic accident" in Newmarket, England, on Wednesday night, his team announced on social media.

The crash resulted in Dettori sustaining "several broken ribs and a broken thumb."

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"Another vehicle struck the rear passenger side of the car Frankie was driving, causing it to spin and flip...," the social media post said, adding that he was then taken to a hospital. "His injuries are still being assessed, and he remains in hospital for further observation.

"Frankie would like to thank the emergency services who attended the scene, together with the doctors, nurses and wider medical team caring for him. His focus is now on resting and recovering. No further comment will be made until there is a meaningful update."

The Sun said Dettori's vehicle wound up upside down, although no arrests were made.

FIREWORKS REPORTEDLY TRIGGER MASS HORSE STAMPEDE THROUGH ROME STREETS, INJURING SEVERAL SOLDIERS

The Italian jockey, who famously went through the card with seven winners in seven races at Ascot in September 1996, has amassed more than 3,350 victories in his career, mostly in England.

Dettori retired as a jockey after taking some rides in Brazil following a spell racing in the United States, Britain's PA news agency reported. Before that, he was based in England for more than three decades.

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He has signed up for this year’s Leger Legends race at Doncaster in September. It would be his first ride in Britain since 2023.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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WWII pilot missing after secret spy mission finally accounted for more than 80 years later

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:24:46 -0400

A pilot who disappeared during a World War II spy mission has been accounted for, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced Wednesday.

Officials said U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Franklin H. McKinney, 21, of Rhode Island, was accounted for on May 15, 2026. He served as an airman with the 35th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron (PRS), 14th Air Force.

McKinney reportedly failed to return after departing from Yunnanyi, China, on a reconnaissance mission to photograph targets in Thailand and Burma.

SIX AMERICAN HEROES EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW THIS MEMORIAL DAY, FROM DELTA FORCE TO A WWII BOMBER CREW

The U.S. Air Force indicated that the squadron carried out aerial espionage missions, flying deep into Japanese-controlled territory across China, Burma and Thailand to gather critical intelligence.

On Nov. 5, 1944, McKinney reportedly departed Yunnanyi, China, while piloting an F-5 Lightning.

The U.S. Air Force said his squadron, known as the "Redhawks," played a crucial role in helping "turn the tide of the war in China" by providing vital aerial mapping and intelligence on Japanese troop movements.

‘NOBODY SHOULD GO ALONE’: 1,500 STRANGERS HONOR WWII VETERAN WITH NO KNOWN FAMILY

However, the airbase lost contact with McKinney shortly after his departure.

Despite searches along his flight path to the China-Thailand border by personnel with the American Graves Registration Service, no evidence of a crash was found.

His remains were not accounted for after the war.

Around the same time, local officials in Thailand discovered what appeared to be the wreckage of an aircraft that had been struck by lightning in a wooded area, according to DPAA.

Citing a wartime report from the Royal Thai Air Force Museum, the agency said the aircraft exploded before crashing near Ban Mae Kua in the Sop Prap district of Lampang province.

In 2018, third-party researchers located a crash site in a rice paddy of Lampang province and linked it to McKinney's aircraft.

DPAA investigators then examined the site in 2019 and again in 2021 before a recovery team excavated the area in 2022, recovering possible human remains.

The remains were sent to a DPAA laboratory, where scientists used modern forensic techniques to identify McKinney.

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Officials said McKinney's family will be briefed on the findings.

His name will also be memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.

Letitia James hammered after NY Medicaid fraud unit funding frozen over ineffective enforcement

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:21:03 -0400

New York Attorney General Letitia James is facing renewed criticism from Republicans after the Trump administration suspended federal funding for the state's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), citing years of poor criminal enforcement performance and leadership decisions that federal officials say left fraud investigations lagging.

The federal action gives Republicans a new line of attack against James as she campaigns for re-election. Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy has made the state's struggling Medicaid Fraud Control Unit a key issue in the race, arguing James failed to aggressively prosecute fraud. Federal watchdogs' findings now lend new weight to those claims.

"Letitia James ran New York's Medicaid Fraud Unit into the ground, and now we know why: a deliberate leadership choice to open fewer cases and let them drag on for years," Komatireddy said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"This means New York taxpayers are losing their hard-earned money to fraudsters, and patients and seniors are being hurt or neglected, and no one is holding them accountable."

DR. OZ NAMES 5 STATES IN FRAUD CRACKDOWN AS TRUMP ADMIN TARGETS MEDICAID ABUSE

The Republican Attorneys General Association also chimed in on the funding freeze, arguing it reflected broader differences between Republican and Democratic attorneys general in combating fraud.

"While Republican attorneys general are aggressively fighting fraud, waste, and abuse, Democrat AGs like Keith Ellison in Minnesota and Letitia James in New York knowingly aid and abet scams and fraud in their states," RAGA Executive Director Adam Piper said in a statement.

"Republican AGs are thrilled to roll up our sleeves and work with JD Vance, Republican AG staff alum Andrew Ferguson, Scott Brady, and the White House Task Force to save taxpayers billions of dollars and deliver maximum accountability."

In a June 30 letter denying the unit's annual recertification, Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) officials concluded that New York's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit had become the lowest-performing large state unit in the nation for criminal Medicaid fraud enforcement despite receiving roughly $60 million annually in federal funding and employing more than 270 staff members.

"The New York MFCU is not effectively prosecuting criminal Medicaid fraud," the letter stated. "The Unit reported only 53 fraud convictions from 2023 to 2025. This is by far the lowest among similar-sized Units; the next lowest number of reported fraud convictions for this period was 129.

"Enough is enough."

The report also found New York ranked last in criminal indictments, securing fewer than 10 fraud indictments in four of the past five years.

Federal officials further found that 34% of the unit's open cases were more than three years old, while 69% of referrals from the state's Medicaid Program Integrity Unit had remained pending for at least two years, contributing to a growing investigative backlog.

The HHS letter concluded that the unit's poor performance stemmed in large part from "a deliberate leadership choice" to prioritize high-impact civil fraud cases over criminal prosecutions, finding that strategy had left the office ineffective at pursuing criminal Medicaid fraud despite its size and resources.

PENNSYLVANIA AG EXPLAINS WHY STATE LEADS NATION IN MEDICAID FRAUD CONVICTIONS WHILE OTHERS BATTLE MASS SCHEMES

While federal officials acknowledged the state's fraud unit remained competitive in civil recoveries, they said those results did not outweigh the decline in criminal enforcement.

"The Unit has sacrificed its ability to effectively fight criminal fraud to obtain civil recoveries that are largely in line with its peers," the report stated.

James blasted the funding freeze, accusing the Trump administration of targeting New York for political reasons.

"This administration's unprecedented attack on New York is another political distraction," James said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "During my time as attorney general, my office has recovered more than $627 million for Medicaid and was recognized by this very administration for leading the nation in anti-fraud efforts."

James' office noted that HHS highlighted New York as one of four states responsible for half of all civil recoveries nationwide in fiscal year 2025. The attorney general also pointed to several recent Medicaid fraud prosecutions, including multimillion-dollar fraud cases announced in recent weeks.

"The only people this decision benefits are the criminals we investigate every day," James said. "We are considering all legal options to stop this outrageous action."

TRUMP SAYS ANTI-FRAUD EFFORTS ARE UNCOVERING BILLIONS IN WASTE, CLAIMS SAVINGS COULD BALANCE BUDGET

Meanwhile, federal prosecutors in New York said they are expanding efforts to investigate Medicaid fraud and patient abuse.

"Attorney General James' apparent inability to explain the New York MFCU's indefensible criminal enforcement performance is not a political distraction as she puts it," First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III, who is spearheading the revival of the NDNY Health Care Fraud Task Force, said in a statement.

Sarcone noted that the New York MFCU averaged just nine criminal indictments a year between 2021 and 2025, compared with more than 100 annually during the three years preceding James' tenure.

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"Public benefits fraud and Medicaid fraud did not abruptly stop in 2019," Sarcone added. "Instead, under the failed leadership of AG James, criminal Medicaid fraud in New York State has been ignored."

The suspension took effect July 1 and remains in effect through Sept. 30 unless New York completes a series of corrective actions ordered by HHS, including reducing case backlogs, increasing criminal indictments and improving coordination with federal investigators. If those deficiencies are not corrected, the Office of Inspector General warned New York it could lose its federal Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant for fiscal year 2027.

Hollywood stars who died in 2026: PHOTOS

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 08:23:00 -0500

A photo gallery of the stars lost in 2026