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'Real Housewives' star Kim Zolciak denies sexual battery charge against 15-year-old son after his arrest

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 22:00:26 -0400

KJ Biermann, 15, was arrested and charged with two felony counts stemming from an alleged April incident, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital.

KJ (who's full name is Kroy Jagger) was charged with aggravated sexual battery and aggravated sodomy Aug. 17 following his arrest in Alpharetta, Georgia.

The teen is being charged as an adult under Georgia's SB440 law, which gives adult superior courts jurisdiction over teenagers aged 13 to 17 accused of specific violent felonies.

REALITY STAR'S DAUGHTER ARRESTED ON ASSAULT CHARGE IN NEW JERSEY STEMMING FROM ALLEGED DISPUTE

His mother, "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kim Zolciak, denied the allegations levied against her son in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

"The allegations being made against my son are nothing short of reckless and deeply troubling," the reality star said. "He categorically denies ever being involved with this woman or engaging in the conduct she has alleged.

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"My son voluntarily took a polygraph examination regarding these allegations and passed. Additionally, an examination was conducted, and no DNA belonging to my son was found. We are also aware that this individual has made similar allegations involving two other people, which raises serious concerns that deserve to be carefully examined."

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Zolciak added, "False accusations can have devastating consequences not only for the person being accused, but also for genuine survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Every legitimate allegation deserves to be taken seriously and investigated based on the facts and evidence. At the same time, no one should be publicly condemned based solely on an accusation."

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"We remain confident that the facts and evidence will establish the truth, and we ask that people allow the proper process to take its course rather than spreading unproven allegations," Zolciak said.

KJ is currently being held with no bond at the Metro Regional Youth Detention Center pending a preliminary hearing in September.

KJ is the oldest son of Kroy Biermann and Kim Zolciak. The former couple also has Kash, 14, and twins Kaia and Kane, 12. Biermann adopted Zolciak's daughters, Ariana and Brielle, from a previous relationship.

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Zolciak and Biermann each filed for divorce in 2023 after 11 years of marriage.

College grad reportedly dies in Six Flags roller coaster incident as family sues theme park

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 21:50:05 -0400

A California family reportedly filed a lawsuit accusing Six Flags Magic Mountain of a defective ride design after their 22-year-old son suffered fatal head trauma while riding the the X2 attraction.

The incident happened in summer 2022, when Christopher Hawley, a San Diego State University graduate, visited the Los Angeles County theme park with his family, according to Fox 11 Los Angeles. Hawley reportedly collapsed shortly after riding the X2 roller coaster and died the following day.

Separately, the X2 roller coaster was involved in another incident on July 5, 2026, when a rider was found unconscious, prompting the attraction to close for more than a month, KTLA reported.

Christopher’s death was ruled an accident caused by blunt-force head trauma sustained from the attraction, which his family described as exceptionally rough, Fox 11 said.

His younger brother, Alex, described the ride as intensely violent, saying it jerked passengers around before ending with a jolt that sent their heads slamming into the headrests.

"It was very rough. It just jerked us. It just jerked us all around," Alex told the local station.

"It just jolted us all the way forward and then our heads just swung all the way back into the headrest."

After Christopher stepped off the attraction, he reportedly appeared noticeably unwell, with his face turning very red before suddenly collapsing.

Emergency responders rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries the next day, Fox 11 reported.

STARTLING FOOTAGE FROM AMUSEMENT PARK SHOWS THRILL RIDE HALTED AS GUESTS WAIT IN MIDAIR

The family said a surgeon compared Hawley's injuries to shaken baby syndrome, a condition in which violent and sudden forces cause the brain to move rapidly within the skull, potentially resulting in swelling, bruising and bleeding.

"The surgeon had said, he likened it to shaken baby syndrome, that the ride hit his head so hard that it had basically ruptured his brain," Christopher's father, William, told the local station.

Six Flags declined to comment directly on the litigation to Fox News Digital.

However, the amusement park told Fox 11 that the ride remains closed following the separate July 2026 incident involving the unconscious rider.

"The ride remains closed at this time. It has been closed since the evening of July 12th," Six Flags said.

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A jury trial involving Six Flags, the manufacturer of the X2 roller coaster and park employees is scheduled to begin Sept. 8, according to reports.

The lawsuit also alleges that the defendants failed to adequately warn the public about the ride's risks, the local station said.

X2 has been advertised as one of the theme park's most intense attractions and features seats that rotate 360 degrees.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Enes Kanter Freedom ejected from Sky-Fever game after verbal altercation with Natasha Cloud

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 21:26:49 -0400

Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom, who is trying to make his way into women’s basketball, was escorted out of Wintrust Arena during the third quarter Sunday after a heated shouting match with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud.

With the Indiana Fever holding an 81-75 lead during a third-quarter timeout, Cloud began barking toward Freedom, who was seated courtside.

Freedom responded and stepped toward the floor, prompting security to intervene and usher the 11-year NBA veteran out as the Chicago crowd rained down boos.

WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT BLAMES THE WRONG PEOPLE FOR ‘SOWING DIVISIVENESS’ IN TRANSGENDER DEBATE

Immediately after security removed him, Freedom fired back on X: "I just got kicked out of a @WNBA game for supporting WOMEN! Let that sink in, AMERICA!"

He followed with another jab: "It’s always women hating on other women."

WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT SENDS TRANS INCLUSION MEMO AFTER ENES FREEDOM, ROYCE WHITE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cloud previously called America "trash," so Freedom offered to buy her a ticket to China, Russia or Turkey, where she could trade her woke complaints for a firsthand look at actual tyranny. He also arrived Sunday wearing a shirt with the definition of "woman" printed across it, a message Cloud apparently did not appreciate.

After the game, Sky players Azura Stevens and Aicha Coulibaly were asked about Freedom’s ejection.

Stevens quickly shut down the topic, telling reporters, "There was just a fan incident and the security handled it. We’re going to just focus on the game."

She did not take follow-up questions about Kanter Freedom.

Before getting tossed, Freedom spent the afternoon poking the bear.

FORMER NBA STAR ENES KANTER FREEDOM WRITES LETTER TO WNBA OFFICIALLY DECLARING FOR 2027 DRAFT

At halftime, he posted a photo outside an arena restroom with the caption: "It’s halftime and I need to use the restroom… Rules are rules @WNBA."

Enes was also part of a hostile pregame scene outside the arena. A mob of progressive fans confronted Freedom, forcing security to form a shield around the 6-foot-10 former NBA center. One spectator flipped him the bird, while another shouted, "You were sorry in the league!"

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SUPPORTERS RALLY IN CHICAGO, WHILE PROTESTERS SHOWCASE WHAT'S WRONG WITH AMERICA

He posted a video of the confrontation, writing: "We are getting attacked before the @WNBA game in Chicago."

Freedom has taken relentless fire for defending female athletes, including alongside Sophie Cunningham supporters before tipoff.

Security escorted him out of the building Sunday. Whether the WNBA lets him into another arena now remains to be seen. Either way, Freedom remains unbothered by the noise and willing to take on the league’s policies.

Caitlin Clark's Fever beat Chicago, 113-90.

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Requests for comment sent to the Chicago Sky and Wintrust Arena management were not immediately returned.

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California dad paralyzed from neck down after diving into ocean to rescue child

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 21:25:06 -0400

A California father of five was paralyzed from the neck down after entering the ocean in an effort to help a young child who his family said was caught in a rip current.

Josh Collette, 42, was spending time with his family at Riviera Beach in San Clemente, California, on Aug. 15, when a child believed to be 7- or 8-years-old became caught in a rip current, the man's sister, Hillary Collette, told KTLA.

The child’s mother first entered the water to go after her child, but Josh Collette ran past her and dove into the ocean in an effort to help the child, Hillary Collette told the outlet.

GEORGIA TEACHER, FATHER HAILED AS HERO AFTER DYING TO SAVE GIRL FROM MYRTLE BEACH RIP CURRENT

As he entered the water, Collette’s sister said he struck either a sandbar or rocks and was immediately injured.

Several people then rushed to his aid and helped pull him from the water. He told his wife right away that he believed he had broken his neck.

The child Josh Collette was attempting to help was safely pulled out of the water before Collette was brought from the water, his sister said.

Collette’s sister said doctors told the family that Josh Collette was paralyzed from the neck down.

His sister said he was unable to speak but communicated by moving his lips; she said the family expects him to regain his ability to speak.

His family created a GoFundMe as they prepare to help with medical bills, long-term therapy and support for the family as they navigate the long and difficult recovery ahead.

"Josh was hurt in an ocean accident on Sat Aug 15th he has a spinal cord injury," a family member wrote on the fundraiser. "The road ahead will be long, and the recovery will not be easy, we’re holding on to hope."

"We believe in miracles! We’ve already seen so many and thank everyone for the love, support, and prayers!" the fundraiser added. "Please keep praying for miracles! Its working!"

'HERO' FATHER DROWNS SAVING HIS 12-YEAR-OLD SON FROM RIP CURRENT AT POPULAR BEACH DESTINATION, FAMILY SAYS

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In an update shared on Friday, the family said it will take some time for him to no longer need medicine. The family also shared a picture of Josh Collette from his hospital bed.

"Yesterday was so positive and productive! So, it was hard to have a day with less progress. This guy hates medicine! He's trying hard to get off of everything... but, that's going to take some time. Thank you so much for all the prayers, love, and support. We love you all so much and feel so loved by all the help you’ve given us. We’re hanging in there and so grateful for all of you," the family wrote on the fundraiser.

The GoFundMe has raised nearly $110,000 as of Sunday night.

Louisiana girl, 8, dies after contracting suspected brain-eating amoeba linked to lake swim

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 20:50:29 -0400

Lillian Smart, an 8-year-old girl who health officials believe contracted a brain-eating amoeba while swimming in a northern Louisiana lake, died Saturday at a Ruston hospital from an infection linked to the pathogen.

Lillian died one day after celebrating her eighth birthday.

"The injuries to her brain were too severe for her little body to recover from," the Smart family said in a statement posted Sunday morning on Facebook. "Everyone did everything they could to keep her here. We are heartbroken and honestly do not know what to do next. How do we put one foot in front of the other without our girl?"

MICHIGAN REPORTS 2 DEATHS IN RARE PARASITE OUTBREAK THAT HAS SICKENED MORE THAN 11,000

The Louisiana Department of Health announced Wednesday that a state resident had been hospitalized after becoming infected with Naegleria fowleri, a microscopic amoeba that can cause a rare and often deadly brain infection.

State health officials have not publicly identified Lillian as the patient referenced in the announcement. Her family, however, said on social media that she had been admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit at a Ruston hospital and identified Naegleria fowleri as the cause of her illness.

The health department said the infection in the case it announced was most likely acquired while the patient was swimming in Lake Claiborne shortly before becoming ill.

BEACHGOERS WARNED AFTER DEADLY 'FLESH-EATING' BACTERIA KILLS 5 IN SOUTHERN STATE

A representative for the Louisiana Department of Health did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Louisiana Department of Health records identify three previous deaths associated with Naegleria fowleri in the state since 2011.

Two happened in 2011. A 20-year-old man in St. Bernard Parish died after using tap water to rinse his sinuses, while a 51-year-old woman in DeSoto Parish died after using tap water for a similar purpose.

In 2013, a 4-year-old boy contracted the amoeba while visiting a home in St. Bernard Parish, where he had played on a slip-and-slide. State officials later reported that CDC testing detected Naegleria fowleri in the parish water system.

DEADLY BACTERIA FOUND IN WATERS NEAR LUXURY VACATION DESTINATION AHEAD OF SUMMER

Naegleria fowleri causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM, an extremely rare brain infection that can develop when contaminated water enters the nose and the amoeba travels to the brain. People cannot become infected by swallowing contaminated water.

The amoeba is not found in saltwater or properly chlorinated swimming pools.

Symptoms typically begin with headache, fever, nausea and vomiting before progressing to a stiff neck, seizures and coma. Symptoms generally appear about five days after infection, and the disease can lead to death within about one to two weeks.

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About 97% of people who develop PAM die from the infection, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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The CDC reported two PAM cases nationwide last year. Of the 173 infections documented over roughly the past 90 years, nearly 91% occurred in July and August.

Trump shrugs off assassination attempts, remarking 'only consequential presidents get shot'

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 20:10:24 -0400

President Donald Trump laughed off the multiple assassination attempts against him, remarking that "only consequential presidents get shot" during an interview with his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen on Sunday.

Cohen released the second part of his two-part interview with Trump in which the two dived into additional topics, such as reports that Trump secretly boarded a separate military jet in response to a credible Iranian threat against his life. The former Trump critic pointed out that this was only the latest in a series of attempts on the president's life.

"I'm so nauseated by them," Cohen said. "There is a huge difference between vehemently disagreeing with a policy and then trying to literally assassinate the President of the United States."

TRUMP'S DECADE OF ASSASSINATION THREATS RUNS FROM BUTLER SHOOTING TO LATEST GOLF CLUB BREACH

"The one thing I would say to that. If you read, only consequential presidents get shot," Trump quipped.

"Then do me a favor, please don't be consequential. How's that?" Cohen said.

"I know. Maybe I'll have to become less consequential," Trump responded.

Trump acknowledged that he has a "dangerous" job but added that he has "great people" looking after him.

I SERVED AS TRUMP’S NSA. SCOTUS NEED TO STOP COURTS PUTTING THE PRESIDENT'S SECURITY AT RISK

"Obviously, it's gotten much, much tougher over the years. But it is true, consequential. You look at the people that were shot. You look at the people, even the attempts, but non-consequential presidents lead a much nicer life. You can see that with some of our recent presidents where nothing was ever even thought about," Trump said.

Cohen was originally a key witness in two New York cases against Trump and a frequent critic of the president prior to his interview on Thursday. In a Substack post he penned detailing the stunning reunion that was their first public conversation in nearly a decade, Cohen emphasized the importance of forgiveness despite the backlash he faced for the interview.

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"Colossians 3:13 says: ‘Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you,’" he wrote. "That verse isn’t merely some theological footnote to what is happening between Donald Trump and me. It is the foundation of it."

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Minnesota tree trimmer charged in coworker’s death after on-the-job horseplay turns deadly

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 20:06:18 -0400

A tree-trimming employee has been charged with manslaughter after allegedly crushing his coworker’s head with a hydraulic grapple while the pair were reportedly "f—ing around" on the job, according to Minnesota authorities.

The incident happened in Apple Valley on Thursday when Christopher Boone Crimmins, 34, was operating machinery on the back of a truck while his coworker, Tyler Anthony Lynch, 26, was on the ground cleaning up branches, according to a criminal complaint filed by Dakota County.

Responding to reports of an incident, police discovered Lynch lying on the ground with "a significant amount of blood around him and significant trauma to his head," the complaint said.

Lynch was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the county.

WORKERS WARNED OHIO TRENCH WAS TOO DEEP BUT WERE TOLD TO ENTER MINUTES BEFORE FATAL CAVE-IN: REPORT

Authorities said Crimmins was operating a boom, a movable mechanical arm attached to a truck, when he and Lynch began messing around with their shadows.

"He and the Victim were ‘f—ing around’ and saw that the sunlight was casting shadows of both the grapple and of the Victim on the street," the criminal complaint said.

While looking at the shadows, Crimmins allegedly maneuvered the grapple so that its shadow appeared to grab Lynch’s shadow.

However, he did not realize that the grapple itself was moving toward Lynch’s head.

TWO WORKERS KILLED, SEVERAL INJURED AFTER EXPLOSIONS TEAR THROUGH OHIO RECYCLING FACILITY

"Crimmins was not monitoring the actual grapple or Lynch. He then opened and closed the grapple, crushing Lynch’s head," the Dakota County Attorney's Office said.

A witness also saw the incident unfold and said the grapple appeared to "hit or pinch" Lynch’s head as it approached him.

WORKERS KILLED AND MANY TREATED AFTER REFINERY CHEMICAL RELEASE AS INVESTIGATORS PROBE CAUSE

Officers observed blood on the grapple, which was directly above Lynch, according to the complaint.

Authorities alleged Crimmins was responsible for the incident through negligence, saying he created an "unreasonable risk" and "consciously takes chances of causing death or great bodily harm to another."

Crimmins has been charged with one felony count of second-degree manslaughter. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

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Officials said Crimmins was being held at the Dakota County Jail. Bail was set at $40,000 without conditions or $20,000 with conditions.

Raiders star Ashton Jeanty suffers apparent leg injury during training camp practice, helped off field

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 19:59:53 -0400

The Las Vegas Raiders are holding their breath.

Star running back Ashton Jeanty suffered an apparent leg injury during practice on Sunday and had to be helped off the field. The 22-year-old was unable to put any pressure on his right leg.

Jeanty sustained the injury when he dove to catch a pass during a team period and stayed on the ground until he was helped off. As Jeanty remained on the ground, the indoor practice facility went silent.

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The entire team knelt and prayed for their teammate.

The Raiders have not yet provided a statement on Jeanty’s injury, and head coach Klint Kubiak is not scheduled to speak with reporters until Tuesday.

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Coming off a strong rookie season, Jeanty had not played much during the team’s two preseason games. He had just three carries for 16 yards against the Arizona Cardinals in the team’s first preseason game,and did not play in the team’s second preseason game against the Houston Texans.

Jeanty was drafted with the No. 6 overall pick out of Boise State last year and was productive despite playing behind a poor offensive line. In 17 games last year, Jeanty rushed for 975 yards and five touchdowns while catching 55 passes for 346 yards and five receiving touchdowns.

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If Jeanty were to miss any time, the team would turn to fourth-round rookie Mike Washington Jr., Dylan Laube, undrafted rookie Roman Hemby and Dare Ogunbowale in his stead. Washington took the first-team reps in Jeanty’s place following his injury.

Washington had already been taking some first-team reps prior to Jeanty’s injury, as he has had a strong training camp.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Harrison Butker's 69-yard field goal demonstrates the NFL's latest big scoring controversy

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 19:54:12 -0400

It wasn't long ago that most of sports media, and other legacy media, tried to ruin Harrison Butker's life and career because he's a religious Catholic.

Butker's crime was sharing those views, including that the most important thing in most people's lives should be having a family, at a commencement speech at a...Catholic university. He was swiftly condemned by many, while the NFL rushed to distance themselves from those views and reaffirm their commitment to wokeness.

Still, in a great credit to their organization, the Kansas City Chiefs stuck by him while others may have immediately cut him to avoid angering the sports media mob. And they're likely glad they did. The 31-year-old in 2025 made 33 of 38 field goal attempts with a long of 59.

COWBOYS MAKE BRANDON AUBREY THE HIGHEST-PAID KICKER IN NFL HISTORY: REPORTS

But based on his kick in Saturday's preseason game, that long might get bumped up in 2026. Just before halftime in the Chiefs game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Butker came on for a whopping 69-yard field goal try and booted it straight through the uprights.

May have been good from 72 yard, somehow.

KENTUCKY MAN CREDITS YOUNGHOE KOO'S EMBARRASSING BOTCHED FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT WITH SAVING HIS LIFE

Butker did go on to miss another kick later in the game, something he felt was more important than even the extraordinary length. "You've got to make your kicks. Miss an extra point, miss a game-winner. That's what I care about, not the 69-yarder or whatever it was," he said after the game.

"I feel like throughout my career when I've had big kicks, it's been a struggle to finish the game or the next game. I feel like mentally I was good on that 43-yarder. It felt good off my foot. Maybe I need some more caffeine for the second half or something."

The kick, impressive as it was, is indicative of a broader problem in the NFL: it's become far, far too easy for kickers to make field goals from extreme lengths. And it's cheapening the product in an effort to artificially boost scoring.

First, some background. Scoring in the NFL has dipped periodically, culminating in 2017, when teams averaged just 21.7 points per game. The league then, began instituting rules designed to make it easier for offenses, such as the renewed focus on calling illegal contact penalties starting in the 2018 season.

That seemed to work well enough, until defenses adjusted, and in 2022 and 2023, scoring once again dipped to just 21.8 and 21.9 points per game. Sure enough, the NFL once again pushed for more illegal contact penalties, adding more defenseless receiver rules, and adding the dynamic kickoff.

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That dynamic kickoff has dramatically shifted average starting field position. Teams now on average, start their drives at roughly the 31-yard-line. Touchbacks start at the 35. While the league said these changes were intended to better promote player safety, the other benefit was obvious: move the ball forward, increase scoring.

But there was yet another change that got less attention: the league allowed kickers to, shall we say, fix up, their own actual footballs. Prior to 2025, kickers and equipment staff were given the "K-balls," the specific footballs used for kicking, only a few minutes before the game. Now though? They have the opportunity to, uh, manipulate the "K-balls" at will, without scrambling to make them travel farther on game day.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio even brought it up after a game in 2025, saying in a news conference that current kicking stats are like the steroid era of baseball.

"You know what you guys have missed? Not just you but everybody is, we gave up a 65-yard field goal and a 58-yard field goal," he told reporters. "These kicking balls that changed this year, have drastically changed the kicking game, field goals in particular. It's almost like they need an asterisk era, like it was the live ball era, or the asterisk for those home runs that [Barry] Bonds or [Sammy] Sosa or [Mark] McGwire were hitting. The way they have changed the ball, the NFL has drastically changed the field goals."

One anonymous special teams coordinator gave an absurd quote to ESPN about the changes.

"There may be a little extra distance on the ball. I mean, could you argue that maybe there are a couple, 3, 4 yards extra on every ball? But the odds of making the kick haven't changed one bit, so I don't think it's going to change your game analytics that much."

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What? Adding three or four extra yards don't change your odds of making a kick? Of course it does! That's the difference between making a 60-yard field goal, or missing it. Or, potentially, extra power on the ball helping it stay on its trajectory just long enough to stay inside the uprights, when less yardage might have forced it left.

Enter Harrison Butker's kick.

When kickers have a realistic chance at making 70-yard field goals, i.e., Butker and Cam Little's 70-yarder in 2025, and the league average starting field position is the 31-yard line, NFL "scoring" drives are going to become even more pathetic.

It may not happen often, or be preferable, but it's conceivable that a team could gain all of 14 yards on a "normal" drive, starting after a touchback, and score points. What are we doing here?

The stats from 2025 also demonstrate the impact of the new procedure. While the league attempted fewer field goals from 50+ yards than it did in 2024, overall field goal accuracy did improve year-over-year, and most importantly, the number of 60+ yard field goal attempts and makes grew significantly.

In 2024, kickers made just four of 14 attempts from 60+. In 2025? They were 12 of 22. Overall, league average field goal attempt yardage grew to 40.5 yards, an all-time high. In 2026, it's a near-certainty we'll see those numbers grow.

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Cam Little made kicks of 67 and 68 yards. Butker clearly has 69-70 in the tank. And as coaches realize that the 45-50 yard-line is now field goal territory, we'll see those attempts increase. Maybe fans don't or won't care that teams can run six plays, gain 18 yards, and get points, but that's not good, compelling, or exciting football.

That's how desperate the NFL is to keep scoring up and avoid the era of defensive dominance. They're usually able to get away with anything, no matter how ridiculous, because fans refuse to turn even atrociously boring games off. Maybe this'll be enough to start. But probably not.

Enes Kanter Freedom met with hostile WNBA fans en route to Fever-Sky matchup

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 19:37:35 -0400

Ex-NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom was met by a hostile crowd outside Chicago's Wintrust Arena on Sunday, proving once again that standing up for basic common sense comes with a cost.

Freedom arrived at the sold-out Indiana Fever-Chicago Sky matchup and was quickly surrounded by a mob of progressive fans. Security tried to shield the 6-foot-10 veteran as spectators swarmed.

He also arrived wearing a shirt with the definition of "woman" printed across it, a pretty direct reminder of the question the WNBA still cannot seem to answer.

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SUPPORTERS RALLY IN CHICAGO, WHILE PROTESTERS SHOWCASE WHAT'S WRONG WITH AMERICA

Freedom posted video footage of the chaotic scene to social media, captioning the clip: "We are getting attacked before the @WNBA game in Chicago."

One fan walked directly up to Freedom and flipped him the bird, while another tried to mock his 11-year professional career by shouting, "You were sorry in the league!"

For a player with more than 700 games under his belt, Freedom has heard worse than a fan's lazy cheap shot. The irony, of course, is that it could get awfully awkward for those same fans if the Sky eventually draft Enes.

Taking heat for speaking the truth is nothing new for Freedom. He effectively lost his NBA career after daring to call out human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party and expose corporate hypocrisy in professional basketball.

Now, he is using his platform to defend female athletes, taking continuous fire for pointing out a simple reality: biological men do not belong in women's sports.

Freedom recently declared himself eligible for the 2027 WNBA Draft to expose how the league's muddled gender-eligibility rules could leave female roster spots open to any man willing to play along.

FORMER NBA STAR ENES KANTER FREEDOM WRITES LETTER TO WNBA OFFICIALLY DECLARING FOR 2027 DRAFT

Freedom formally entered the draft earlier this month, daring the WNBA to clarify who qualifies for its own women’s league. Article XIII of the CBA says only women are eligible to play, yet the league still cannot explain how it plans to enforce that rule.

Former NBA player Royce White has since declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft, while Freedom said he has spoken with other male basketball players about following suit.

FORMER NBA PLAYER ROYCE WHITE SAYS HE IS DECLARING FOR NEXT WNBA DRAFT AFTER ENES KANTER ANNOUNCEMENT

Freedom explained the move to former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl in his first interview after declaring for the draft.

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"By their rules," he said, if he steps on the court and identifies as a woman, he is allowed to play. "I'm not breaking any rules here. I know the rules really well."

He then painted the WNBA nightmare scenario: Caitlin Clark tossing lobs to the hulking ex-NBA center as the pair become "modern Kobe and Shaq." Freedom noted they could chest-bump afterward because "I am now a woman."

The WNBA has since held meetings to figure out who qualifies as a woman in a women's basketball league, yet it still has not provided a clear public answer.

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Freedom will take the heat for confronting the CCP abroad and standing up for female athletes at home, while much of the sports world stays safely silent.

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Tom Homan fires back at Florida Democrat over 'ridiculous' ICE racial profiling claim

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 19:00:30 -0400

Border czar Tom Homan rejected Florida Democratic Senate nominee Angie Nixon’s warning that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would racially profile Black Americans, calling the accusation "ridiculous" and insisting immigration agents do not target people based on skin color.

"We don't arrest people based on the color of their skin. I'm actually an equal opportunity deporter. I deported people to 180 countries last year," Homan said on "Saturday in America."

"I don't care if you're from Asia, you're from Europe or you’re from other countries. If you're in the country illegally, you will be deported, regardless of the color of your skin," he added.

WHO IS ANGIE NIXON? BULLHORN-WIELDING SOCIALIST UPSETS ESTABLISHMENT FAVORITE IN SUNSHINE STATE STUNNER

Nixon, who recently won Florida’s Democratic primary, lists ending detention centers and abolishing ICE among her key policy priorities, arguing that mass incarceration and mass deportation are "moral failures."

She also argues ICE "cannot be trusted with the power it has" and that the agency’s "terror tactics" should be dismantled, according to her campaign website.

"It's just lie, after lie, after lie, to try to vilify the men and women of ICE," Homan said.

Nixon made additional remarks on a recent episode of the "QNA: Questions Need Answers" podcast, where she said Republicans are "literally trying to kill us" and further criticized ICE.

HOMAN BLASTS DEM HYPOCRISY ON DEPORTATIONS, RECALLS PAST WHEN 'OBAMA GAVE ME AN AWARD' FOR ENFORCING BORDER

"Like, actually state-sanctioned violence. They’ve been doing it in the Black community. And they’re doing it even more so now with ICE. ICE is now a weaponized paramilitary force that is designed to terrorize us," she said.

Homan doubled down in defense of the federal immigration agency, maintaining that agents follow the law when conducting enforcement operations.

"That's a ridiculous statement," Homan said. "We don't racially profile. Everybody we talk to, we have reasonable suspicion of aliens to talk to them and to arrest them we need probable cause. That's what the law says. And that's what we do."

ICE MAKES NATIONWIDE ARRESTS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, MURDERERS, PEDOPHILES IN HOLIDAY BLITZ

The border czar blamed sanctuary policies for incidents of violence that have occurred during enforcement operations, like Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was fatally shot in July as agents tried to arrest him in Houston.

Homan argued that the policies increase risks associated with immigration enforcement, saying they prevent agents from taking custody of illegal immigrants while they are incarcerated, forcing officers to instead conduct arrests in communities.

"What sanctuary cities do is not only... give sanctuaries to criminals, it makes the community less safe because they're releasing public safety threats back into the public," he said.

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"It puts our officers at greater risk. It puts the alien at greater risk because anything can happen during a street arrest," Homan added.

The Department of Homeland Security similarly rejected Nixon’s racial profiling allegations, telling Fox News Digital on Friday that her comments are "disgusting, reckless and categorically FALSE."

DHS also said immigration status determines who is targeted for enforcement, not race or ethnicity.

Nationals outfielder does his best Spider-Man impression for one of baseball's best catches of the year

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 18:30:08 -0400

Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young pulled off a remarkable Spider-Man impression with one of the most incredible catches of the baseball season on Sunday.

During the third inning of the Nationals’ 6-2 loss to the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park, Young turned into Peter Parker.

The Marlins were up 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning with one out and a runner on first base. Marlins outfielder Heriberto Hernández ripped Nationals starting pitcher Jackson Kent’s 86-mph slider deep to left-center field.

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Young got an outstanding read on the deep fly ball and slowed down just before the tall left-center field wall to time his jump with the ball. He then jumped into the wall, planted his right leg on the mesh fence to vault himself higher, used his right hand to further propel himself upward and snared the ball at the top of the wall.

Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez was the runner on first base, and he was off to the races when the ball was hit, thinking there was no chance Young could possibly catch Hernández’s deep fly ball. Lopez stood on third base, dumbfounded, as Young fired the ball back to first base to complete the spectacular inning-ending double play.

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Young has been one of the best defensive center fielders in the sport since he entered the league toward the end of the 2023 season. This season has been the most productive for him offensively, as he has a .244 batting average with 10 home runs and 43 RBI.

While the numbers aren’t eye-popping, he had a combined five home runs over the first three years of his career, making this year’s offensive output a marked improvement.

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The 27-year-old is incredibly fast, making him a very valuable player for the Nationals.

While the Nationals may have lost the game, Young’s catch will be remembered for a long time.

'Office' star says James Talarico's religious beliefs 'achingly close' to Jesus Christ

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 18:26:56 -0400

"The Office" star Rainn Wilson insisted Thursday that Texas' Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico was "achingly close" to Jesus' "brand of Christianity" compared to his conservative opponents.

On his "Soul Boom" podcast, Wilson and New York Times journalist Ezra Klein called out what they believed was hypocrisy from Texas GOP Senate candidate Ken Paxton and his supporters repeatedly attacking Talarico despite their "aggressively professed Christianity."

"Whenever I watch these attacks, I think, ‘You all would have hated Jesus Christ,’" Klein said. "You would have found him to be the most annoying, weepy, worrying about the wrong people — the outsiders, the outcasts…"

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"'Grow a pair, Jesus,'" Wilson joked.

Klein, who is Jewish, and Wilson, who subscribes to the Bahá'í Faith, added that they were not against Christians as a whole, with Wilson describing many of them as the most "caring" and "compassionate" people he's met.

"Well, that's why I frame this around Talarico, because Talarico is Christian. That's the point, that it is his Christianity they hate," Klein said.

"His brand of Christianity, which is so, so achingly close to Jesus' brand of Christianity," Wilson responded.

TALARICO SAYS HE 'HATES CHRISTIANITY' IN UNEARTHED INTERVIEW WITH TRANSGENDER 'LATINX' THEOLOGIAN

"That's the point I'm at," Klein said.

Klein and Wilson also criticized "contemporary Christianity" for not focusing enough on "greed" in society while fixating on sexuality.

"It is harder for a rich man to get — harder for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. And then you're cutting taxes on the rich and obsessed with who's f---ing whom," Klein said.

"Yeah. Jesus didn't talk about who's f---ing whom. He really didn't. The hypocrisy of contemporary Christianity is astonishing," Wilson said.

JAMES TALARICO ADMITS PAST COMMENTS 'MISSED THE MARK' WHEN CONFRONTED ON CLAIMS LIKE GOD IS 'NON-BINARY'

Fox News Digital reached out to Talarico's campaign and Paxton's campaign for comment.

Talarico has frequently touted his religious background. He has been attacked for pushing progressive views that many see as being at odds with Christianity, such as support for abortion and transgender ideology.

Earlier this month, a 2025 clip of Talarico resurfaced in which he attacked a Texas bill that required schools to teach Bible stories as historical fact. He argued that this amounted to pushing "propaganda" on children and was not just bad for state schools, but for society overall.

"It was a new state curriculum that would teach Christian Bible stories as historical fact, as the only truth to our youngest students, and, I mean, kindergarten, first-graders," he said.

"These are kids who aren’t able to think for themselves yet. They haven’t formed their own worldviews," Talarico continued.

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He further warned that the alleged effort to "push propaganda, to push indoctrination on those youngest students is deeply immoral and should trouble all of us."

In a comment to Fox News Digital, Christian author Frank Turek pushed back on the claim, calling it a "war" on the reality of Jesus.

"Calling James Talarico's brand of Christianity ‘achingly close’ to Jesus's reveals a social-justice lens so thick that people no longer care to interpret Jesus on his own terms, but would rather reimagine him on theirs," Turek said. "Talarico defends the murder of the unborn, the sexualization of children at drag queen story hour events, and has described teaching Bible stories in public schools as immoral. To describe such a person's position as being ‘achingly close’ to Jesus is a war on the reality of who Jesus is, what He taught, and what it means to follow Him."

Disneyland fans beg for return of beloved '60s attraction shuttered decades ago

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 17:55:41 -0400

Disneyland's newly announced Tomorrowland overhaul has reignited calls from fans to bring back the PeopleMover, a classic attraction shuttered more than three decades ago.

Thomas Mazloum, chairman of Disney Experiences, unveiled the Tomorrowland plans during the D23 fan convention on Aug. 15.

Mazloum offered few specifics about what the reimagining would entail, instead framing the project around Disneyland's upcoming 75th anniversary in 2030 and its future.

ICONIC SECTIONS OF DISNEY WORLD CLOSING DOWN AND DISAPPEARING BEFORE VISITORS' EYES

"As we approach Disneyland’s 75th anniversary, with an eye toward the horizon and the park's centennial, I think it’s time to renew that promise once again in a way that deeply honors the original and imagines the future with optimism," said Mazloum, as SFGATE and other outlets reported.

"And that starts with Tomorrowland."

The announcement quickly renewed speculation among fans about whether the reimagining could include the return of the PeopleMover.

The PeopleMover was an elevated attraction that carried guests above Tomorrowland. It opened in 1967 and closed in 1995.

DISNEYLAND MAY SCRAP LONG-STANDING PARK RULE THAT FRUSTRATED VISITORS

The ride carried more than 50 million guests during its 28-year run at Disneyland, according to D23, Disney's official fan organization.

Fans posting comments on a Reddit forum dedicated to Disneyland were quick to call for the PeopleMover's return.

"Just add the PeopleMover and people will be happy," one Redditor wrote.

"PeopleMover, please!" another person pleaded.

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Not everyone was convinced the Tomorrowland overhaul would pave the way for the PeopleMover's return.

"It is so light on details it could mean anything," one person wrote. "I wouldn't get my hopes up about it — this could easily be 5-10 years out."

"They’d have to make a new track," a second commenter said. "The current one is unfit for use."

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Another claimed, "PeopleMover is not coming back."

Fox News Digital reached out to Disneyland for comment.

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Disneyland has made headlines for other developments in recent months.

In the spring, Disneyland drew attention for its enforcement of restrictions on loose items and handheld filming on certain high-motion rides.

In the first week of July, Disneyland welcomed its one billionth guest — "a remarkable milestone for Disneyland Resort and a testament to the generations of guests who have made this special place part of their lives," said Jill Estorino, Disneyland Resort's president, in a statement at the time, as Fox Business reported.

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In late July, a citywide water pressure outage in Anaheim temporarily disrupted operations at the park, forcing the closure of restrooms and restaurants.

WATCH: Young bear takes rough tumble from Denver tree after wildlife officers tranquilize it

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 17:07:24 -0400

A young black bear took a rough tumble from a tree in Denver on Sunday after wildlife officers tranquilized the animal before relocating it to a more suitable habitat.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) said in a thread on X Sunday that officers responded to the bear near Louisiana Avenue and Pennsylvania Street in Denver.

"This morning we responded to a bear in a tree ... in Denver," the post read. "Not a typo. In Denver."

BEAR CAUGHT ON CAMERA PERCHED ATOP NEW MEXICO UTILITY POLE BEFORE REPORTEDLY SUFFERING FATAL ELECTROCUTION

Wildlife officers tranquilized the bear and worked with Denver Police Department officers to catch it as it fell from the tree, according to CPW.

"It didn't have the smoothest landing, but the bear is ok!" authorities said.

Video posted as part of the X thread showed the bear dropping through branches before officers secured the animal on the ground.

GATLINBURG POLICE FREE BLACK BEAR THAT LOCKED ITSELF INSIDE HOTEL BATHROOM IN WILD VIRAL VIDEO

CPW identified the animal as an approximately 1.5-year-old male yearling weighing about 100 pounds. The agency said the bear would be transported to better habitat and released.

The unusual Denver encounter comes as Colorado wildlife officials report an increase in bear activity this year, which they have linked to drought conditions and dwindling natural food sources.

CPW received 6,129 reports of bear sightings and conflicts between Jan. 1 and Aug. 13, compared with 3,115 during the same period last year, according to the agency.

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CPW also said in the X thread that drought conditions are driving more bears into neighborhoods in search of food.

"You're not crazy, we are seeing more bear conflicts this year," CPW wrote. "The drought is forcing bears to seek food in our neighborhoods."

Wildlife officials are urging Coloradans to secure their trash until the morning of pickup, remove bird feeders and keep cars and windows locked to prevent bears from finding food around homes.

The Denver encounter also came just days after a mother bear and cub wandered into the city's Harvey Park neighborhood. CPW tranquilized and relocated those animals after they remained in the populated area for several days.

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Colorado Parks and Wildlife warns that bears can become increasingly active as they prepare for winter and search for enough calories to build their fat reserves.

Chargers lose $30 million center for season after suffering ACL injury during joint practice

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 16:53:26 -0400

The Los Angeles Chargers announced on Sunday that a major part of their offense will not suit up this season due to a season-ending injury.

The team placed starting center Tyler Biadasz on season-ending injured reserve after he sustained an ACL injury during the team’s joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers last week.

The 28-year-old was the Chargers' prized offseason addition, as he signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the team after being released by the Washington Commanders. Biadasz was set to be an upgrade over Bradley Bozeman, who had started at center in each of the last two seasons for Los Angeles.

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Biadasz sustained the injury when Chargers guard Kayode Awosika threw 49ers defensive lineman Sebastian Valdez to the ground during an 11-on-11 drill. Valdez fell into the back of Biadasz’s legs, and the center immediately went to the ground and was eventually carted off the field.

Biadasz was entering his seventh season in the NFL. He spent his first four with the Dallas Cowboys after they drafted him in the fourth round out of Wisconsin, and then spent the last two with the Commanders. He made the Pro Bowl during his third season with Dallas.

Second-round rookie Jake Slaughter will replace Biadasz at center. Slaughter had initially been competing for the starting left guard job, but will now slide back to center.

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Slaughter played center during his college career at Florida and had taken snaps at center in training camp and the preseason.

It is the second straight season the Chargers have come out of training camp with a major injury to one of their offensive linemen. Last season, franchise left tackle Rashawn Slater tore his patellar tendon about a week after signing a four-year, $114 million contract extension.

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In his absence, the team moved Joe Alt from right tackle to left tackle. However, Alt was limited to just six games after dealing with multiple ankle injuries, leaving the Chargers' offensive line in a weakened state.

Justin Herbert can only hope that Biadasz’s injury isn’t a precursor to more injuries on his offensive line this season.

Massive garbage heap collapses onto homes, killing at least 30 as rescuers search for survivors

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 16:53:10 -0400

At least 30 people were killed in a massive landslide in Guinea on Sunday when a mountainous open-air landfill collapsed and buried nearby shacks, trapping numerous victims beneath a mass of garbage.

The incident happened at Dar Es Salam, the largest waste dump in the West African country's capital, Conakry, according to a report from The Associated Press (AP).

Guinea News reported that the weight of the waste caused a three-story building beneath it to cave in.

Authorities said heavy rainfall also washed over the refuse overnight, creating hazardous conditions at the landfill, according to the AP.

EARTHQUAKE SHAKES PERU'S ANDES REGION, KILLING AT LEAST 5, DISPLACING HUNDREDS

Six people were seriously injured and several homes were destroyed in the incident, according to reports. Officials launched a search-and-rescue operation to find any survivors.

The AP reported that the landfill was originally scheduled to close Sunday after officials warned of hazardous conditions, citing Lt. Col. Baldé Mamadou Bailo, the sanitation officer for the military engineering battalion.

The decision followed reports of a similar incident at the landfill in recent years, raising concerns about its safety.

As a precautionary measure, residents who lived near the site had also been given eviction notices and were forced to vacate the area, the AP said.

However, many people remained nearby at the time of the disaster, according to reports.

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"We will ensure that the remaining families are relocated elsewhere," Dienabou Touré, the minister of territorial administration and decentralization, said at the scene, according to the AP.

Reuters reported that the landfill suffered a similar incident in 2017, when torrential rains caused a mudslide that killed at least eight people.

Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Hayden Panettiere's 'Guiding Light' co-star Beth Chamberlin says she believed actress would overcome troubles

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 16:52:15 -0400

Hayden Panettiere’s former "Guiding Light" co-star Beth Chamberlin believed the actress would overcome the "troubled times" she faced and emerge as an even stronger performer before her sudden death at 36.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Chamberlin — who starred as Panettiere’s on-screen mom on the 90s soap opera — opened up about her "special bond" with the late child star and the resilience she saw in her through difficult times.

"When I would hear about some of the troubled times that she was going through, I would think to myself, ‘She’s gonna get through this, and watch out world,’" Chamberlin told Fox News Digital. "Because when she gets through this, you are going to see some work on screen. You’re going to see things like you’ve never seen. I know Viola Davis made a comment that she is waiting to see what Hayden was going to fully become. And I think that puts it best because I think, that's how I was feeling too."

HAYDEN PANETTIERE DEAD AT 36

The "Heroes" and "Nashville" star was found dead inside a Greenville, South Carolina residence on Aug. 16.

Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach, called 911 after finding the actress unresponsive, according to a police report obtained by Fox News Digital. Hickerson later gave authorities a bag containing medication Panettiere had allegedly been taking.

POLICE SHOW UP AT HOME LINKED TO HAYDEN PANETTIERE’S ON-AND-OFF BOYFRIEND DAYS AFTER HER SUDDEN DEATH

Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, publicly raised questions about Brian’s role in her daughter’s life and death.

"Although my daughter and I were estranged, it was not for lack of care or love," she said in a statement to Entertainment Tonight. "It was due to the involvement of a toxic individual who I believe led to her death."

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"Hayden was a beautiful and talented young woman who unfortunately became involved with the wrong person, and although her family tried to extricate him from her life, we were unable to be successful."⁠

Preliminary autopsy results found no signs of trauma that contributed to Panettiere’s death, the Greenville County Coroner's Office confirmed to Fox News Digital. However, Panettiere's death remains under investigation.

HAYDEN PANETTIERE REMEMBERED BY VIOLA DAVIS, BETHANY JOY LENZ AND OTHER CELEBRITIES AFTER SUDDEN DEATH AT 36

Fox News has learned the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has also been contacted and is assisting with the investigation.

For Chamberlin, processing Panettiere’s death has been particularly difficult because she remembers her as the extraordinarily talented young girl she worked alongside on "Guiding Light."

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"She truly was just an amazing, amazing child actor," Chamberlin said. "You’ve never seen anything like it, actually."

"Acting requires a lot of work to create an emotional arc. Now in a soap opera, too, you have to remember everything's done in one take. It's a multi-camera shoot ... So you've got to get it right. And she was able to do that. With multiple pages, day after day."

DISNEY ALUM CHRISTY CARLSON ROMANO RIPS HOLLYWOOD FOR FAILING CHILD STARS AFTER HAYDEN PANETTIERE’S DEATH

Chamberlin says that while she has often discouraged children pursuing a career in acting, she strongly believed Panettiere was a special exception.

"I know there's so many people that will say, 'Oh, you shouldn't put children in the business' And I get that. And anybody that knows me, knows that when people in my life that have asked me, how about putting my kid in the businesses? I always say, 'Don't do it.' I didn't put my own kid in a business. But I've always maintained that Hayden was the exception to that. Because Hayden looked like she was in her element when she was there."

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Chamberlin said she hopes Panettiere will be remembered for her "extraordinary talent."

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"I really want people to remember her for the extraordinary talent she was. Because she truly was," she said. "As I've said before, I think she was the most talented child actor that ever walked on a set ... She was doing this astounding stuff on a soap opera in one take. And she was maybe doing 20 pages or 30 pages, 40 pages worth of scenes a day. That's a whole different animal. And so. That's what I would, I really want people to remember that, because that deserves to be set aside and held up."

Kyle Kirkwood hangs on to win Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 15:59:38 -0400

Kyle Kirkwood crossed the finish line in first place to win the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D.C., on Sunday afternoon.

Kirkwood, one of a few American drivers in the race, took the lead from Álex Palou early in the race and didn’t look back. He showed pace all weekend and was especially strong in the race, with only Palou able to keep up with him at times.

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However, some late cautions erased much of Kirkwood's work, and presented a golden opportunity to Arrow McLaren's Christian Lundgaard.

Lundgaard — who is currently without a drive for next season — was strong early in the final green flag run thanks to his red alternate tires, an advantage over Kirkwood's primary set, but it seemed like they started to fall off as the laps wound down.

Kirkwood was followed by Lundgaard in second, while Kirkwood's Andretti Global teammate Will Power took the last step of the podium.

The win was crucial for Kirkwood's championship hopes as it cut Palou's championship lead down to 91 points.

The Spaniard had a rough day at the office. He was dealt a drive-thru penalty on his first pit stop of the race and his team had an issue with his front left tire on another stop.

Then, on lap 122, Palou made a third uncharacteristic error and crashed, bringing out a late caution.

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It was Kirkwood’s second win of the season. His first came at the Grand Prix of Arlington earlier this season.

The 27-year-old now has seven career wins, six of which have come on street circuits.

It remains to be seen whether Kirkwood will get a chance to go back-to-back in the nation's capital. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is expected to be a one-off event to mark the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania rode in the Beast as part of an honorary lap ahead of the race. The president also waved the green flag to start it, while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy waved the checkered flag.

There are three races left in the IndyCar season, meaning the championship battle is still very much on.

Next weekend is a double-header at the Milwaukee Mile, while the season finale will take place at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on September 6.

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All NTT IndyCar Series races air on FOX.

Freedom 250 Grand Prix attendees talk about American pride in the midst of historic event

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 16:30:22 -0400

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix in America's capital is a historic spectacle. It is a feat of American patriotism that can only be rivaled by UFC 250 earlier this year.

It featured the most scenic and picturesque views, flyovers from every branch of the military, President Donald Trump driving the race course in The Beast for a ceremonial lap, American flags and music all over the streets of Washington, D.C. I spoke with fans about their experience and it told me one thing: This is how sports should be.

"I think it's really unique," an IndyCar fan told me on the National Mall. "Being at the [United States] Captiol for the 250[th birthday] and racing, it doesn't get too much better than that."

Many of the fans attending felt the same thing: An overwhelming sense of pride in America.

WORLD CUP ENERGY CARRIES INTO FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX AS GLOBAL FANS CELEBRATE AMERICA'S HISTORIC BIRTHDAY

"I feel like there's a lot of controversy on both [political] sides, but there's a lot of pride [in America]," that same fan told me.

If any of you readers have followed my work for OutKick or online, you know I cover a lot of political and cultural controversies. I've covered the WNBA heavily over the last month in the wake of Sophie Cunningham's comments on wanting women's sports to remain female, so it's refreshing to come to a sporting event that isn't pushing any sort of divisive politics. The fans I spoke to, echoed how refreshing that is.

A fan that traveled from out of town told me, "In motorsports, everyone comes together and they just enjoy the sport. You don't see that in other American sports."

OPINION: SPORTS IS ONE OF AMERICA'S GREATEST TRADITIONS AND A POWERFUL FORCE THAT UNITES US

Almost every fan I spoke with told me they felt a sense of gratitude and patriotism attending an event that was in the heart of the nation's capitol, which celebrated our short, but rich history, as well as our military, without injecting uneccessary political divisiveness.

"It just makes you feel so proud [to be an American] and happy. I love this city... It's beautiful," a father attending the race with his adult son from Florida told me.

When I asked him about how President Trump and the city were able to put this race together in such a short amount of time, he said, "Americans can do anything."

Amen, my brother in stars and stripes.

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When asked about how the Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser showed support for this race, essentially laying down her arms and instead, linking arms with those on the other side of the political aisle, a fan told me, "I don't like to over politicize things. We should just enjoy what is cool and leave politics out of it."

Another fan said, "They (Democrats and Republicans) should come together for such an event. It's celebrating America's 250th anniversary, everyone should celebrate that when you're an American."

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It's too bad other sports leagues, teams, media, and players use their games, broadcasts, and events to divide fans on political lines. Maybe they should take notes from the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, because it's refreshing to attend a sporting event that isn't politically preaching at you.

American Airlines flight lands safely after laptop battery catches fire on board; passenger injured

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 16:19:22 -0400

An American Airlines flight landed safely in Dallas after a laptop battery caught fire on board, prompting flight attendants to contain the fire and emergency personnel to meet the aircraft, officials confirmed to Fox News Digital.

American Airlines Flight 2398 was approaching Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on Friday after departing Atlanta when the crew reported a laptop battery fire, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Flight attendants contained the fire with a thermal containment bag, the FAA said.

The Airbus A321 landed safely at DFW at about 6:55 p.m. local time, according to the agency. The FAA is investigating the incident.

TWO PLANES BLOW TIRES WHILE LANDING AT MAJOR US AIRPORT HOURS APART, FAA INVESTIGATING

American Airlines separately confirmed to Fox News Digital that smoke was reported from a customer’s device during landing.

"American Airlines flight 2398 landed safely at DFW after reports of smoke from a customer’s device during landing. We thank our crew for their professionalism and swift response to quickly contain the device," a spokesperson said.

The aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power, where emergency personnel met the plane in accordance with procedure, the airline said.

One passenger received medical attention at the scene and was released, the spokesperson said. DFW separately confirmed to Fox News Digital that emergency crews met the flight and one patient was treated and released.

FORMER NFL QB ROBERT GRIFFIN III DESCRIBES HARROWING ENGINE FIRE ON UNITED FLIGHT

The flight was carrying 133 people when the incident occurred, according to air traffic control audio obtained by CBS News.

Jessica Irgens, a passenger aboard the flight, told CBS News the fire began roughly 30 minutes before landing when another passenger’s laptop began smoking and caught fire.

Irgens said she was sitting two rows away and moved toward the back of the aircraft because of the heavy smoke. She told the outlet the laptop’s owner placed the device in the aisle and other passengers attempted to help.

The pilot reported to air traffic controllers that about four to five passengers may have suffered burns from the laptop, according to audio obtained by CBS News.

MULTIPLE INJURED AFTER FLOATPLANE MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING, CATCHES FIRE OFF WASHINGTON COAST

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Lithium batteries used in laptops, cellphones and other electronic devices can overheat through a process known as thermal runaway, according to the FAA.

The FAA said thermal runaway can occur without warning and can result from several factors, including a battery being damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged or improperly packed.

Video shows young female pilot, 23, swimming off after surviving emergency water landing

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 15:58:06 -0400

A young Florida pilot was able to swim away from a dramatic water landing in the Atlantic Ocean off Boca Raton on Saturday in a video captured by a beachgoer.

Faith Tenkley, 23, who has been a pilot for four years, maneuvered her family's twin-engine Piper around buildings as she approached the coast and avoided paddleboarders before finding an open stretch of water next to the beach, she told Gulf Coast News. The plane made a smooth water landing at about 9:40 a.m. local time.

A lifeguard reached Tenkley within about a minute after the plane went down near 250 South Ocean Blvd., followed closely by a Boca Raton Ocean Rescue fire boat, according to local authorities.

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Video captured the dramatic moments of the water landing, the quick rescue and the aftermath of a shaken Tenkley sitting on the beach, looking out to the sinking plane fully intact.

Tenkley, who Fox News Digital has reached out to for comment, has declined media interviews outside of Gulf Coast News' Peter Busch. He reported she wanted to clear up misinformation that it was a male pilot rescued by a female surfer instead of vice versa.

"One of the reasons Faith wanted to talk to me was to clear up misinformation she saw online about the pilot being a guy and a 'surfer girl' rescuing him," Busch wrote on Facebook, detailing the conversation shortly after the water landing.

"Faith was wearing a long skirt over a bikini. She took off the skirt to swim to shore. People on the beach saw a woman in a bikini and assumed she was a surfer helping the male pilot."

ONE CREW MEMBER MISSING AFTER US NAVY HELICOPTER MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING IN ARABIAN SEA

Tenkley, who was the only person on board, had departed Page Field in Fort Myers and was headed to Bimini in the Bahamas to pick up her parents, she told Gulf Coast News.

She was taken to a hospital as a precaution and no injuries were reported, according to Boca Raton police.

About 15 miles west of Boca Raton, Tenkley began experiencing mechanical issues and initially planned to divert to Boca Raton Airport. But the landing gear then malfunctioned, and she feared a hard runway landing could ignite the recently refueled aircraft.

US NAVY IDENTIFIES SAILOR LOST IN ARABIAN SEA AFTER HELICOPTER'S EMERGENCY WATER LANDING

By that point, the plane’s right engine had also failed, leaving Tenkley to make a rapid decision to ditch the aircraft in the ocean rather than risk a landing on land.

Witnesses watched the low-flying plane descend over the busy beach before it landed in the water.

"One second I’m spraying sunscreen on my kid. The next I’m looking up and saying, ‘Is that supposed to be happening?’" beachgoer Maria Marks told WPBF.

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Another witness, Alexis Arizzi, told the New York Post the aircraft made a slow descent and "delicately landed" on the water. A pilot at the beach praised Tenkley’s handling of the emergency, noting the plane remained in one piece.

FlightAware lost track of the flight over land, but the safe water landing was chronicled in the onlooker's video.

Frustrated Bubba Watson confronts unruly fan at LIV Golf Indianapolis in intense scene

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 16:03:55 -0400

Bubba Watson had heard enough from a fan during the second round of LIV Golf Indianapolis and opted to confront them in what turned into quite the scene at The Club at Chatham Hills.

Watson, who was playing alongside Lee Westwood and Bryson DeChambeau on day two of the LIV season finale, was captured on video walking over to a fan who could be heard shouting something while Westwood was preparing to hit his approach shot.

The fan in question shouted, "Bryson, Bryson," before Westwood stepped off his golf ball and Watson made his way over to the fan. The two-time Masters champion challenged the rowdy fan to say something, and as expected, the spectator remained quiet.

"Oh, you don’t want to say anything now? Say something, I'm looking at ya, say it," Watson said towards the fan.

Watson carded a 2-under 68 on Friday to jump into contention, which hasn't exactly been familiar territory for the 47-year-old this season.

JORDAN SPIETH SAYS GAMBLING IS FUELING ROWDY GOLF CROWDS AND WANTS THE SPORT TO ADDRESS IT SOON

Entering the week, Watson had secured just one top 10 finish in his 11 starts on the breakaway circuit in 2026. The lefty also missed the cut in his lone major championship start this season back in April at The Masters.

While a fan shouting at an inopportune time certainly warrants criticism, it's also the least of LIV Golf's concerns at the moment.

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LIV Golf's future is a complete unknown

In April, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced that it would no longer fund LIV Golf beyond the 2026 season. In the weeks following, LIV cancelled the LIV Team Championship in Michigan, moved the season finale up to this week's event in Indianapolis, and slashed the individual purse for the finale from $20 million to $10.1 million.

LIV Golf is also facing a lawsuit from Fresh Tape Media, with the company reportedly suing the circuit for $1.2 million in alleged unpaid dues and interest from its work producing LIV's preseason media days.

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Earlier this month, LIV CEO Scott O'Neil shared news of an unnamed investor being secured to keep LIV Golf afloat into 2027. Specific details of the investor have not been shared.

The circuit has, however, announced that 'LIV 2.0' will include players holding a majority of equity and that the plan is to have 10 total tournaments, with five taking place in the United States and another five being held across the globe.

Uncontained brush fire in Nevada triggered by human activity; inferno grows to 13K acres

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 08:18:27 -0400

The fast-moving brush fire that has scorched more than 13,000 acres outside Reno, Nevada, since erupting Saturday was caused by human activity, authorities said.

Firefighters have yet to contain any part of the blaze, which is threatening roughly 1,000 homes and has prompted evacuations for roughly 42,000 residents.

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for Washoe County as the Hawk Fire grew quickly throughout the day. Strong, gusty winds, low humidity and dry vegetation helped fuel the flames, according to the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.

About 400 firefighters and other personnel from local, state and federal agencies were working the fire Saturday night, both on the ground and from the air. Three helicopters were set to fly overnight as crews worked to protect homes and other property.

AI FIREFIGHTING DRONES TAKE AIM AT WILDFIRES

"The Hawk Fire is a very dynamic incident for us as it's being driven by the winds," Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue Chief Richard Edwards said in a video posted to social media.

"The wind-driven fires move very rapidly into our residential areas, creating a lot of challenges for our firefighters to save homes and protect lives," Edwards added.

Officials ordered new evacuations for the Somersett community, including areas north of Somersett Parkway to Robb Drive, as well as neighborhoods north of West 7th Street to North McCarran Boulevard.

About 1,000 homes were also in a "Warning — GET SET" zone, with residents told to be ready to leave.

SPENCER PRATT REACTS TO SPOKANE DEVASTATION WITH BLUNT WILDFIRE WARNING AND MESSAGE OF FAITH

Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve urged anyone ordered to evacuate not to wait, saying the fire had already damaged structures.

"If you have been told to evacuate, please don't wait!" Schieve said in a statement. "Structures have already been burned in this fire and your life is more important than a building."

The mayor did not immediately specify what kind of structures were burned. She said leaving before the fire arrives also allows firefighters to focus on battling the flames rather than rescuing people who stayed behind.

Lombardo also said the fire was threatening homes and other structures.

"This is an active and rapidly evolving situation, and I urge everyone in the affected areas to remain vigilant and follow the direction of local officials," the governor said in a statement.

Officials were also keeping a close eye on the fire near a Washoe County correctional facility.

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said his office was working with fire and emergency crews and was prepared to act if conditions changed.

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"The safety and security of every incarcerated individual, as well as our staff, remains a top priority," Balaam said. "We will continue to evaluate conditions and respond accordingly."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Uncontained brush fire in Nevada triggered by human activity; inferno grows to 13K acres