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William Shatner says doctor dismissed key warning sign before stage 4 cancer diagnosis

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 14:48:35 -0400

William Shatner is revealing the terrifying health scare that nearly went unnoticed.

The 95-year-old actor said a doctor initially dismissed a lump before a second opinion led to a shocking stage 4 malignant melanoma diagnosis.

"So I had a lump and the doctor, friendly doctor said, 'Oh, it's a salivary gland. Just massage it there,'" Shatner recalled on "CBS Mornings" this week.

WILLIAM SHATNER AND DAUGHTER MELANIE REVEAL THEY BATTLED STAGE 4 CANCER AT THE SAME TIME

A concerned Shatner turned to a doctor friend for another opinion.

"And he put his hands here," he said, touching his face, "and he said, 'You better get this out,’ like that."

That second opinion led to a life-saving diagnosis.

Shatner said an oncologist told him, "We got to take that out now."

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He continued to explain how the cancer had already grown inside his body.

"It had spread to my brain. There were little points of light in my brain and little points of light, I think, in my lung," he said. "Stage four."

DAVE COULIER REVEALS 45-POUND WEIGHT LOSS, GRUELING SIDE EFFECTS FROM CANCER FIGHTS

Shatner underwent surgery to remove the tumor and later completed two years of immunotherapy.

But while Shatner was battling his cancer, his daughter was fighting her own life-threatening diagnosis.

Melanie Shatner Gretsch discovered a lump in her breast nearly a year before her father's diagnosis. Although a mammogram months earlier had not detected anything concerning, she trusted her instincts and pushed for another check.

Gretsch was later diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer that had spread to the lymph nodes in her chest.

At first, she thought she was in the clear.

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"Something just said, ‘you need to check again,’" she said in the joint interview with her beloved father.

But the cancer was far more aggressive than she realized.

"And I [would have] died because it was a super aggressive kind of cancer, breast cancer, and it had already escaped the breast wall and had gone into my chest," Gretsch said.

Her treatment was intense — months of chemotherapy, 30 rounds of radiation, a double mastectomy and a year of immunotherapy.

During her health battle, Gretsch said there was one moment when she needed her father more than ever.

"I was just in one of those moments where you want your daddy, you know, like you're little. You're feeling very little, and you're feeling, ‘this is really scary.’ And I called him," she said.

By the end of 2024, both Shatner and Gretsch were declared cancer-free.

Gretsch said telling her father the news was an emotional milestone.

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"It was the third time in my life I had heard him cry," she admitted.

The actor, who became the oldest man to travel to space aboard a Blue Origin rocket, has continued working despite his health scare, with new books, a podcast and music projects on the way.

Sheriff Nanos posts video commenting on newly released ransom notes in Nancy Guthrie case, addresses family

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 14:20:17 -0400

Six months after Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her Tucson home, the sheriff leading the investigation explained on Saturday why authorities recently released two purported ransom notes, saying investigators hope someone recognizes the writer's distinctive language or phrasing.

"There are a number of pieces of information in these notes that just might jar someone to say, 'You know, I've heard that,' or the wording, the style of the writing," Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said in the interview-style video.

It remains unclear if the notes were penned by the same sender.

Nanos said investigators remain actively reviewing tens of thousands of tips, videos and forensic leads as they continue searching for the 84-year-old mother of "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie.

NANCY GUTHRIE SHERIFF SAYS INVESTIGATORS MAY HAVE MORE VIDEO EVIDENCE AS THEY REVIEW THOUSANDS OF CLIPS

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"It's very active," Nanos said. "We've got a lot of work ahead of us."

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff's Department tip line at 520-351-4900.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Soviet-born analyst exposes how pandemic-era neighbor snitching unlocked a 'nature of evil' in America

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 14:26:47 -0400

Soviet-born author and political analyst Michael Malice warned that America experienced what he described as a dangerous shift toward Soviet-style informant tactics during the pandemic, as citizens willingly turned in their neighbors for violating lockdown rules.

Speaking on the "Planet Tyrus" podcast, Malice argued that authoritarian regimes don't rely solely on military force, but on the participation of civilians as well.

"I think the first time Americans realized the nature of evil was during COVID. Because COVID was the first time we saw in this country, people were turning in their neighbors and were bragging about it," Malice said, adding, "They were happy: 'I got this cashier fired.' That was very Soviet."

FAUCI PRIVATELY TOOK CREDIT FOR COVID-19 LOCKDOWNS DESPITE PUBLIC DENIAL, NEWLY EXPOSED DIARY ENTRIES REVEAL

"So that was the first time I think Americans realized that these systems, which are dictatorial, it's not through force. It's the fact that small-minded people are tripping over themselves to implement these dictatorships and turn in their neighbors," he said.

Malice is the author of "The White Pill," a book about the rise and fall of the Soviet Union and the tactics used during that period. He compared the pandemic response to that of authoritarian regimes.

Criticism of the pandemic response has resurged in recent days after Dr. Anthony Fauci, who served as one of the nation's leading public health officials during the COVID-19 pandemic, appeared before Congress on Wednesday.

JONATHAN TURLEY: FAUCI TAKES THE FIFTH 111 TIMES – AND THE MEDIA STILL RUSH TO DEFEND HIM

Fauci repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and declined to answer questions.

Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators took to social media after the hearing to criticize the months-long shutdown, recounting arrests and threats against those who disobeyed lockdown orders.

"Dr. Fauci isn't the only guilty one," Rep. Lance Gooden wrote on X. "Democrats went as far as filling outdoor skate parks with sand to enforce their draconian COVID-19 lockdowns. Americans should never forget what they did."

In Fauci's opening statement, he defended his conduct during the pandemic, stating, "The only conclusion I can reach is that the sole reason he [Sen. Rand Paul] is calling me before this committee is to get me to say something, anything, that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, quote, ‘behind bars,’ unquote."

EX-CBS REPORTER CLAIMS QUESTIONING FAUCI GOT HER 'PULLED OFF AIR' DURING COVID PANDEMIC

Malice added that dictatorial control doesn't usually present itself as an obvious villain. Instead, he argued, it relies on petty bureaucrats and neighbor-against-neighbor enforcement.

"There's so many people who have that little bit of power, and they will hold onto it with every bit of fiber in their being," Malice told Tyrus, adding that he believes such enforcement by citizens is historically "alien to the American psyche."

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Fox News Digital’s Pete D’Abrosca contributed to this report.

AOC trashes Democrats for closing ranks around Biden, rejecting primary challengers

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 14:00:57 -0400

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., took aim at members of her own party on Thursday in a podcast interview for closing ranks around former President Joe Biden.

"The Majority Report" host Emma Vigeland asked Ocasio-Cortez about how the Democrats lost credibility on the issue of democracy. The host said the Democrats boxed out voters with "the genocide in Gaza" and Biden's run for re-election with no real Democratic primary.

"When Kamala Harris was going around and talking about democracy with a banner behind her, they didn't have the credibility that they needed to fight this fascist threat," the host said.

JAMES CARVILLE ARGUES ONE KEY MISTAKE FROM BIDEN HAS LEFT DEMOCRATS IN DISARRAY

"What I find very interesting about that moment and the people who talk about that time is that I think that some, not all, but some of the Democrats that are most aggressive about getting their narrative out about how they wanted to push Biden out were also the same Democrats that were most aggressive about closing the wagons on a primary process when we had a chance to have that in a presidential election," Ocasio-Cortez said.

The lawmaker said Democrats were compensating, and said calling on Biden to drop out became a litmus test within the party.

"I feel like a lot of them are compensating, because, and you hear sometimes, there's these like consultant class and some of these folks that want, you know, who backed Biden when it was time to step down, as like some sort of litmus test," the progressive congresswoman said. "But those folks were part of the establishment that were closing the ranks around Biden when before a primary process would have even started."

Ocasio-Cortez was loyal to Biden staying in the race right up until he dropped out in July 2024, even as Democratic calls intensified for him to give up the nomination after his disastrous debate against Donald Trump.

"If you 10,000% are super convinced that the candidate, or president, cannot beat Donald Trump, then do what you think is in your good conscience. But I have not seen an alternative scenario that, I feel, does not set us up for enormous peril," she said at the time.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS' CAMPAIGN ARM DRAWS PROGRESSIVE FURY FOR TRYING TO 'TIP THE SCALES' IN KEY HOUSE PRIMARY

Therapist Jonathan Alter said that Democratic voters may lose faith in their party when the perceive hypocrisy.

"People can forgive mistakes," he told Fox News Digital. "They're far less forgiving when they believe one set of rules applies to political opponents and another applies to those in power. Once that perception takes hold, trust erodes quickly."

AOC argued several Democrats, when asked if the former president should have a primary challenger, rallied their support around Biden.

"They saw at the end how unpopular their actions, you know, the conclusion that their actions had led to and how unpopular it was. So then it became a race to distance themselves from it," Ocasio-Cortez added.

Biden faced mounting calls to exit the 2024 race after the June debate. Former Democratic lawmaker Dean Phillips did launch a primary against the former president in 2024, but he was widely considered a long shot and didn't come close to winning any contests.

Phillips wrote in an op-ed in May 2025 that his bid was met with strong pushback from Democratic leadership.

He claimed that his efforts to primary Biden were met by stiff opposition from Democratic leadership, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' chief of staff informing him that he "would not be speaking to Biden or anyone else in the White House" after making a courtesy call to inform Jeffries that he planned on running against the sitting president.

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Florida kayaker’s grisly find identified as woman missing for decades – now cops hunt her killer

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 14:00:50 -0400

Human remains found by a kayaker in Florida have been identified as those of a 23-year-old woman who disappeared more than 40 years ago.

Rose Marie Gayhart was reported missing in March 1985 by her parents, who lived in Dansville, New York.

Before her disappearance, Gayhart was last known to be living and working in the Cape Coral and North Fort Myers area, according to the Cape Coral Police Department.

TEEN FOUND IN SHALLOW CALIFORNIA VINEYARD GRAVE IDENTIFIED NEARLY 50 YEARS LATER AS FAMILY WARNS KILLER

She’d been living with her boyfriend, Robert Paddock, and his mother, Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers reported in a 2013 video aimed at drawing new attention to the cold case. She’d moved to the area just three months before her disappearance, Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore told Fox News Digital.

When Gayhart’s frequent letters and phone calls to her family "quickly stopped," they "had a gut feeling something was wrong," Crime Stoppers reported. They knew, according to the video, that she and her boyfriend didn't have "the perfect relationship."

After interviewing witnesses, including Paddock and his mother, detectives said Gayhart was last seen "walking down the street with a suitcase" after being "kicked out of the trailer" where the three lived. A neighbor told investigators that Gayhart "came to her house to use her phone to call her family," according to Crime Stoppers.

KILLER ADMITS TO DECADES-OLD COLD CASE SLAYING AFTER INVESTIGATORS LEAN ON NEW FORENSIC EVIDENCE: OFFICIALS

"That's when she told her neighbor that she was pregnant and she wanted to keep the baby, but her boyfriend did not want her to keep the baby."

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A neighbor in the trailer park reported "a lot of arguing and a lot of crashing one night, as far as things being destroyed," according to the video report.

Gayhart had just started working at Howie’s Hot Dogs in Cape Coral.

TIPSTER CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER POLICE SAY ANONYMOUS CALL HELPED SOLVE 30-YEAR DISAPPEARANCE

"Her boyfriend at the time went to pick her up, and she wasn't at work," Sizemore said.

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Restaurant staff told authorities that she’d left with a man in a red pickup truck.

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Two independent witnesses reported seeing Gayhart before her disappearance with "a white male in a red pickup truck," Sizemore said.

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Identifying him is thought to be a critical piece of information that could help solve the case.

39 Years Later

In May 2024, a kayaker paddling in a northeast Cape Coral canal discovered a human skull and alerted police.

With the help of a New York law enforcement agency, Florida authorities obtained DNA from Gayhart’s family. It took two years, but testing on the skull revealed proof Gayhart had been found.

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"For more than 40 years, Rose Marie Gayhart’s family has carried the weight of not knowing what happened to her," Sizemore said in a news release. "While this identification brings long-awaited answers, it also strengthens our resolve.

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"No matter how much time passes, even after four decades, our investigations do not stop, and our pursuit of justice does not end," he said.

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The long-cold case now is considered an active homicide investigation.

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Now, Sizemore is asking for help.

"We ask anyone with information to come forward so we can help bring accountability and closure to this case and to the family."

Giants’ Harrison Bader sees scooter accident take a drastic turn as team suspends pay on $20.5M contract

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:51:12 -0400

San Francisco Giants outfielder Harrison Bader’s ill-fated late-night scooter ride has not only cost him the rest of the season, but his paychecks as well.

Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey announced Friday that the team is suspending Bader’s salary while it investigates the circumstances of his accident.

"Over the weekend, Harrison Bader was involved in an accident that has delayed Harrison's prior treatment timeline for plantar fasciitis and, unfortunately, his return to the field," Posey said in a statement that was released by the team, according to MLB.com.

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"We are still investigating the circumstances of the accident but will be suspending payment to Harrison until he is able to resume performing services for the Club."

Bader, who signed a two-year, $20.5 million contract with the team this past offseason, will miss the rest of the season due to injury. He had already been out since May 29 with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, and the crash ensured he will miss the rest of the 2026 campaign.

Bader’s crash occurred around 2 a.m. Sunday, when his scooter crashed into the back of a San Francisco Fire Department truck, the wheel of which rolled over his foot, according to SFist’s report.

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The incident Sunday is not Bader’s first involving a scooter. While playing for Florida in 2014, Bader drunkenly crashed a scooter into a parked truck and was suspended for 19 games.

Bader, known for his defensive prowess in center field, is in his 10th season in the big leagues. He spent nearly the first six seasons of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals before being traded to the New York Yankees.

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He has since bounced around, spending time with the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies and the Giants over the last three seasons.

The Gold Glove winner has a career .244 batting average with 93 home runs and 336 RBI. In 39 games with the Giants this season, he hit just .170 with five home runs.

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Trump immigration agenda faces setback as Obama-appointed judge issues fresh TPS stay

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:47:05 -0400

A Massachusetts federal judge has once again blocked the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia, issuing a new administrative stay after plaintiffs rewrote their lawsuit around constitutional claims just days after a federal appeals court threw out similar stays terminating TPS for Ethiopia and South Sudan.

U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs, appointed by former President Barack Obama, issued the administrative stay Friday after African Communities Together and other plaintiffs filed an amended complaint alleging the Trump administration violated the Fifth Amendment by terminating Somalia's TPS designation based on racial and national-origin discrimination.

The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint and emergency motion on Thursday in a renewed bid to keep Somalia's TPS protections alive after the Supreme Court's June ruling in Mullin v. Doe sharply limited lower courts' ability to block TPS terminations.

Burroughs' latest order has intensified growing criticism over whether district judges are using administrative stays to work around higher court rulings. It comes just days after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit reversed similar administrative stays issued by U.S. District Judges Brian Murphy and Patti Saris, who had temporarily delayed the Trump administration's TPS terminations for Ethiopia and South Sudan.

LIBERAL COURT STUNS WITH RULING THAT HANDS TRUMP MAJOR IMMIGRATION WIN

The First Circuit based its rulings on the Supreme Court's Mullin decision, which ruled lower courts generally cannot block TPS terminations based on non-constitutional claims.

The latest order drew an immediate rebuke from DHS General Counsel James Percival, who accused Burroughs of continuing a pattern of judicial obstruction.

"Judge Allison Burroughs just entered yet another order preventing the termination of Somalia TPS. There is no serious debate about what is going on in these cases — defiance, obstruction, and delay," Percival wrote on X.

Iowa Solicitor General Eric Wessan argued Burroughs' order improperly grants emergency relief despite what he described as legally deficient claims.

"I looked at the amended complaint in the Somalia TPS case," Wessan wrote on X. "The district judge has entered a novel 'administrative stay' to sort out the claims. She has declared the TPS termination 'void' for now, while deciding whether any of the claims can justify a more permanent pause."

DHS EVISCERATES MEDIA FOR ‘ABSOLUTE ABSURDITY’ OVER CONCERN ABOUT ‘WORST OF THE WORST’ ACTIVIST JUDGES LIST

Wessan argued that the order "turns the law upside down," writing that four of the lawsuit's five claims are foreclosed by the Supreme Court's decision in Mullin and describing the remaining claim as "frivolous."

"Even if this was a fresh lawsuit without the baggage, the claims cannot justify any relief-- much less meet the high bar for interim relief," Wessan wrote. "This is very bad. I hope that, with time to review, Judge Burroughs vacates her administrative stay to allow the correct status quo to continue."

The plaintiffs contend, however, that their amended complaint presents a fundamentally different case than those recently rejected by the First Circuit.

BIDEN JUDGE BLOCKING ETHIOPIAN DEPORTATIONS DESPITE SCOTUS RULING CLASHED WITH ICE BEFORE

The amended lawsuit argues the Department of Homeland Security's decision to revoke Somalia's TPS designation was predetermined, pointing to President Donald Trump's November 2025 Truth Social post announcing the end of TPS months before DHS had completed the review process. Plaintiffs argue that deprived Somali TPS holders of the fair process guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause because the decision had effectively already been made before the agency completed the review required by law.

The complaint also alleges the administration violated the Fifth Amendment's Equal Protection guarantee by targeting Somali nationals based on race and national origin. It cites Trump's past remarks describing Somali immigrants as "criminals," "gang members," and "low IQ," as well as his statements that he doesn't "want them in our country" and to "send them back."

"These statements evince the Administration's racist and xenophobic motivations to exclude Somali people from the country. At the same time, the Administration has expressed preferences for white immigrants as 'nice' and welcome in the U.S. and created protections for white Afrikaner refugees from South Africa," the plaintiffs wrote.

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Burroughs has presided over the Somalia TPS litigation since earlier this year. On March 13, she initially entered an administrative stay preventing the Somalia TPS termination from taking effect while the litigation proceeded.

Fox News Digital reached out to African Communities Together for comment.

'Heavily intoxicated' man arrested after allegedly beating children aboard Carnival cruise ship, police say

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:22:40 -0400

An allegedly intoxicated cruise passenger is accused of attacking two children playing tag aboard a Carnival cruise ship before being confined to his cabin for the remainder of the voyage.

David Lawrence Crosby II, 44, of Surrency, Georgia, was arrested July 27 on two counts of child abuse, according to Brevard County Sheriff's Office booking records.

On July 26, Crosby was allegedly running down a hallway in the Carnival Glory — a ship that typically sails out of Port Canaveral in Florida to the Bahamas — when he encountered a group of three children who were playing tag, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Crosby is accused of hitting one of the children in the face, causing a bloody lip and head pain, before striking a second child in the stomach, per the affidavit.

LOUISIANA WOMAN HOSPITALIZED AFTER ROPE SWING MISHAP ON CRUISE EXCURSION LEFT HER WITH GENITAL TRAUMA

Officials said the incident was caught on the ship's security camera system.

When Crosby was arrested Monday by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, he told officers that he was "heavily intoxicated" and did not remember hitting the kids, according to authorities.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Carnival Cruise Line said its security team "responded immediately" to the incident.

"Our security team responded immediately to an incident involving an intoxicated guest aboard Carnival Glory on July 26," a Carnival spokesperson said.

27 CRUISE SHIP WORKERS DEPORTED AFTER CBP DISCOVERED TROVE OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

"The guest was confined to his cabin for the remainder of the voyage, referred to local law enforcement upon arrival in Port Canaveral, assessed a code of conduct violation fee, and placed on our Do Not Sail list. We have zero tolerance for this type of behavior."

Crosby was released from jail on Tuesday after posting a $10,000 bond for each count, totaling $20,000, according to court records.

He appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty, court documents showed. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 25.

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Fox News Digital reached out to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, public defender's office and a Georgia business tied to Crosby for comment.

The business' answering machine message indicated it was closed as of Tuesday, the day Crosby was released from jail, due to a "family emergency."

New York Liberty vs Phoenix Mercury betting preview as both teams struggle despite talent

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:21:12 -0400

We are switching it up and going away from the diamond today and back to an area that has had plenty of attention in the news lately — the WNBA. I wouldn't say anything the league is in the news for is exactly good, but that's how it works with the W. Just can't seem to get out of its own way. The WNBA needs a marketing team, a new commissioner, and maybe some people with brains. I'm going to use my brain for betting this game between the Liberty and Mercury.

The New York Liberty came into the season as favorites to win the WNBA Championship, and despite their record being just 16-13, I'm not sure you can count them out. They did win the Commissioner's Cup, which is a similar concept to the NBA Play-In Tournament. The bad news for New York is that only one team in the four-year history has won the WNBA Championship while winning the Commissioner's Cup the same season. The issue isn't talent for the Liberty; there is plenty of that. So, what is causing them to be average?

One factor is that the league is better. I know most people will think that it is solely the result of Caitlin Clark coming to the league, but the reality is there have been a lot of talented players coming in the past few seasons. The other major factor is that the team hasn't had its full team for the full year. Sabrina Ionescu has been in only 17 games. Satou Sabally has played in only 13. And overall, the Liberty have had 11 players play in 10+ games and average at least 13 minutes. That's a lot of mixing and matching for a club.

The Phoenix Mercury made it to the Finals last season before losing to the Aces. Now, they are struggling to even make it to the postseason this year. The team got off to a horrible start, opening the year 2-8, then went to 4-12. The Mercury have had three losing streaks this season of at least four games. They are playing better basketball right now, but why are they falling apart this season? It is a bit hard to tell why they are struggling aside from the improved rosters around the league.

Kahleah Copper is still on the team, and she is still elite, averaging 20.7 points per game. I think part of the remaining issue for the Mercury is they don't have a ton of help around the rest of the roster. They have only three people averaging 10 or more points per game. Sure, they have another three that are averaging nine or more, but still this team just seems like they are missing more than one go-to scorer at the moment. It probably doesn't help that Sabally, their leading scorer from last season, is now on the Liberty.

Sabally is out once again, so the Mercury at least don't need to worry about her. However, there shouldn't be a major lack of scoring. These teams are allowing a lot of points each game. The Liberty are allowing 87.6 points per game, and the Mercury are allowing 86.6. Combined, that puts them at 174.2 points allowed.

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WNBA PLAYER WHO BATTERED CAITLIN CLARK ELBOWS ANOTHER FEVER STAR IN THE FACE, BUT THERE'S A CATCH

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They actually match up pretty well considering how many big names are out there. The Mercury are physical, and the Liberty are a bit of a mixture. They have plenty of people who can shoot, and they'd probably prefer to do that against Phoenix. Shooting, as you're probably aware, is very streaky. I'm going to back the under for the game.

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For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024

Houston Texans 2025 win total set at 9.5 as CJ Stroud faces questions about offensive line

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:02:54 -0400

Football is one of the more interesting sports to bet on for a variety of reasons. People tend to watch any game that is on, not just ones of their favorite team. It also seems like the most common sport for one team to turn around from season to season. Some teams with really good seasons the previous year can take a step back, and others take a step forward after a losing year. The Houston Texans had a good season last year, but will they keep it moving forward next year?

Last season

We probably should start with the positive for the Texans from last season. They ended the year with a 12-5 record and were able to get there even after dropping their first three games. They also were just 3-5 for the season in Week 9. Then the offense started to click and the defense maintained its excellence. They ran off nine straight wins to make it to the postseason. They even won a game, going on the road to beat the Steelers. CJ Stroud, their quarterback, was solid in that game. However, against the Patriots the next week, he was terrible. He threw four interceptions and completed less than half of his passes on his way to a 28-16 loss.

BETTING PREVIEW FOR PATRIOTS AFTER FALLING SHORT IN THE SUPER BOWL AND CONTROVERSIAL OFFSEASON

Offseason additions and subtractions

The team made a priority to extend Will Anderson, who had a really nice season. He is incredibly important to the team and will now be locked up for the foreseeable future. The problem has been their offensive line – so much of a problem that they have to be considered a top option for a Super Bowl if they cleaned it up. They really didn’t address it though. Instead, they added David Montgomery, who is a bit older for a running back, and was slightly falling out of the rotation in Detroit.

Roster

BAKER MAYFIELD'S SELF-IMPOSED CONTRACT DEADLINE ARRIVES AS BUCCANEERS AND QUARTERBACK FAIL TO AGREE ON DEAL

The team will still go as far as the defense can take it. The Texans have some very young and talented pieces. In the first half of the season it felt like they were one of the best in the league and I think it will remain that way this year. If the offensive line improves, magically, they will give Stroud plenty of time to throw the ball. However, I still am not expecting to see much out of the backfield. There are weapons on the team, but if you have no time to get them involved, it will be really tough to win games. I also am curious if the Texans believe in Stroud. They didn’t extend him, and Davis Mills won three games for them last year without that much of a drop in production.

Betting Outlook

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The books have the Texans' win total sitting at 9.5, and I think the over is the right call here. They do have a tough schedule. They open against Buffalo, then face Cincinnati, and could easily fall to 0-2 if they aren’t careful. I think by their bye week, they should have at least four wins, though. After that, you’re looking for six wins in the final 10 games. It might be tough, but I do like them to get double-digit wins with this defense.

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Paul Skenes caps awful month with another brutal start, and an alarming stat has MLB fans concerned

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:49:07 -0400

It's officially August, and MLB fans are officially worried about Paul Skenes.

Not great!

The ace of the Pittsburgh Pirates got rocked again Friday night, giving up five runs on seven hits in a loss to the Cincinnati Reds. It marked the second straight start in which Skenes gave up five runs, and capped a brutal month for the 24-year-old in which he gave up at least five runs in three of his five starts.

Skenes' ERA is now 3.90 — a full two runs higher than both his 2024 and 2025 totals.

To be fair, the ace did have three good starts last month, going 3-0 in the middle of the month with just a total of five earned runs in those three games. So, it's not all bad. It's not all doom and gloom.

Things could certainly be worse.

But ... something is off, and one troubling stat hit the internet last night that has baseball fans worried on this first day of August:

What's happened to Paul Skenes?

Lordy. I had to refresh the page just to make sure those stats were correct.

Paul Skenes hasn't topped 98 MPH in his last four starts, and he's topped it only 95 times this season. He did it nearly 900 times last year, and nearly 700 the year before.

It's a jarring number to see, regardless of what you think of Skenes' season. He routinely had one of the liveliest fastballs in the league for two years, and the velocity just isn't there this season.

Of course, some of it could be by design. Skenes admitted as much last month, when questions first started to pop up about his fastball.

"It's been by design," he told DK Pittsburgh Sports. "It's nothing I've been worried about."

Still, the numbers are the numbers — as they say — and they're alarming to see. He capped his worst month as a professional last night by giving up five runs in back-to-back games for the first time in his career, and lasted just four innings.

Here's another stat that the fellas in Pittsburgh's analytics department won't love: Skenes gave up just 41 earned runs all of last year. Through 23 starts in 2026, he's already given up 54.

A blip? A bad season? Or real cause for concern?

Pirates pre- and post-game host, Dan Zangrilli, didn't mince words after the loss:

"The ace didn't ace," he said. "Far more questions than answers. For any of this to work, he has to. He looks like an out of shape, lumbering yeti sucking wind on a hot day."

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Goodness gracious. What a takedown. Just a scathing review from someone who is around the team all the time.

Is it fair? I don't know. But things aren't going great right now in Pittsburgh on this first day of August.

What has happened to Paul Skenes?

Nicki Minaj torches Anthony Fauci in mock diary video after explosive Senate appearance

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:36:07 -0400

Nicki Minaj is once again taking aim at Dr. Anthony Fauci.

She escalated her criticism of the former White House COVID-19 advisor with a satirical video and a series of social media posts following his recent Senate testimony.

On Friday, the rapper shared a video filmed in near darkness in which she pretended to be Fauci writing in a diary.

INSIDE FAUCI'S PRIVATE DIARY: WHAT HE WROTE ABOUT TRUMP, TV PERSONALITIES AND CELEBRITIES

"Dear Diary, well the press is hot for me," Minaj started the clip while impersonating the longtime public health official.

Continuing the parody, she added, "They say I'm sexier than Tyra Banks. Julia Roberts gasped when she saw how handsome I was. Brad Pitt played me on 'SNL.'"

The jokes quickly turned into criticism of Fauci's pandemic leadership.

"Never mind that I sent millions of children back years on their education ... the elderly are alone and afraid, dying by themselves," Minaj said before delivering one final jab: "If anyone asks questions, me and my gang ruins their lives."

The video came days after Fauci appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where he invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during questioning about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hearing followed the release of Fauci's pandemic-era diary by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky. The entries detail his meetings and observations throughout the pandemic, including reflections on his public profile and discussions about COVID-19's origins.

NICKI MINAJ ACCUSES CALIFORNIA GOV. NEWSOM OF 'TRYING TO BE TRUMP' IN SCATHING INTERVIEW

Republicans have since intensified their criticism of Fauci, with Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., introducing legislation that would bar him from returning to government service and potentially expose him to criminal prosecution.

Minaj continued to pile on with a series of posts on X.

In one, she mocked the government's COVID-19 booster recommendations, writing, "They started telling yall to get a new booster shot every 5 to 10 business days like it was the new Jordans droppin?!?!!!!!!! That's when I knew. I went in my backyard & started building the Arc. Nicki's Arc. I know the Lord won't send another flood but still."

In another post, she blamed Fauci for lasting emotional and societal damage she believes he caused during the pandemic.

"Feeding tubes will be his portion. He will lose the ability to speak & then & only then will he feel the collective pain & long term ramifications he caused to new borns, young children who are still trying to become acclimated into society & schools, traumatized pregnant women who couldn’t even have family in the delivery rooms & visits, the elderly who died alone & afraid," she wrote.

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She continued, "...young ppl still struggling w/mental health, suicide, people turned away from hospitals at their most vulnerable moments, the trust that is now gone from innocent people toward their governments forever, billions of stolen money from hard working tax payers via con artists…I’ve been struggling to find the humor in any of this. God bless everyone who made it to the other side. You’re stronger than you thought. God is in control."

The post also featured an AI-generated image of Fauci in a '90s-inspired bedroom, writing in a diary — a clear nod to the recently released journals that have been the focus of political debate.

The posts quickly drew both praise and backlash.

One supporter wrote, "Nicki getting that shot is one of the biggest regrets of my life. I was under so much stress during that time & was threatened with unemployment that I buckled & took it. Only God knows the impact it's had on my body. We deserve justice."

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Minaj replied, "I don’t want you guys to beat up on yourselves. You did what you had to do to feed your family. You had no choice. Now take it to God in prayer & trust that by his stripes you are healed. In Jesus name, Amen. love you guys. And yes! Justice is imperative!!!!!!!!!"

Actor Rob Schneider also weighed in on her statements, writing on X, "Nicki is a rarity in show business, a real truth teller!!"

However, not everyone agreed with the rapper's remarks.

"We studied science. You sang songs. We aren’t the same. Stay in [your] lane," one critic wrote.

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Another user added, "You attacking Dr. Fauci is beyond laughable. You’ve… embarrassed yourself spreading baseless vaccine claims, and somehow convinced yourself that celebrity makes you an authority on public health. Fauci has 50+ years of science and public service behind him. You have scandals and a social media account."

Minaj has repeatedly challenged Fauci and COVID-19 policies since the pandemic, and her latest barrage makes clear the feud between the two is far from over.

Sophie Cunningham supporters rallied outside in Portland while liberal fans booed her inside

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:31:24 -0400

Sophie Cunningham is now the most polarizing athlete in sports. She’s loved and she’s hated. That was clear Friday evening in Portland as the Fever traveled to another liberal Mecca to play one of the WNBA’s newest expansion franchises, the Portland Fire.

Cunningham’s bold stance to support the effort to keep women’s sports and spaces female has attracted women’s sports advocates to rally outside of her games. The first rally, which took place in Seattle, received moderate pushback from trans supporters and made headlines due to what happened inside the arena. A now fined and suspended co-owner of the Seattle Storm, Celeste Keaton, berated two teenage girls sitting courtside with XX-XY Athletics T-shirts and a sign that said, "Thank You Sophie For Speaking Up For Girls." Meanwhile, a local store director of Nordstrom, Marco Esquivel, was caught berating and cussing at the girls, their mothers and fellow Cunningham supporters. Nordstrom has yet to make a public statement.

"The 'With Love Is Truth' series began July 28, 2026, when women’s rights group Women Are Real, women’s rights advocate Amy E. Sousa (AKA Known Heretic), and independent journalist Brandi Kruse organized a fan rally with local supporters, including Washington high school athletes, outside Climate Pledge Arena before the Indiana Fever’s game against the Seattle Storm," the group stated via a press release.

"We are here today [in Portland] in solidarity with those girls [who were berated in Seattle], in solidarity with Sophie Cunningham, and in solidarity with all female athletes," Sousa stated proudly as she addressed the crowd outside the arena.

Sousa was joined Friday by dozens of individuals directly associated with the group, including former Olympian Inga Thompson and attorney Kara Dansky - a board member of Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender and former president of Women’s Declaration International USA, outside the Moda Center. They had dozens more join in support of the group’s efforts and Cunningham’s stance about 90 minutes before tip-off.

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM RALLY ROCKS WNBA GAME AS 'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS' ACTIVISTS FACE COUNTERPROTEST

Sousa said that Cunningham has been, "a voice of reason, in what has become a very contentious topic." She was then rudely interrupted by a woman in a "Protect Trans Kids" shirt, which featured a rose and a knife. The shirt has been worn by Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and the apparel features a rose and a knife to show that advocates will use both support and active, militant resistance to keep trans children safe from harm. The protester was one of about a dozen trans supporters who joined in opposition to the Cunningham supporters.

The trans supporters I talked to were not interested in defending their stance that men should be allowed in women’s sports. Many of them cussed at me, as if having dialogue is not allowed. One protestor in a frog suit, holding a sign that said, "Trans People Just Want To Live" responded to my questioning by saying I’m promoting a "bulls*** issue."

Other trans-supporting protesters I spoke with tried deflecting my questioning about why they supported men in women’s sports, and one even said it was possible for a biological man to change his chromosomes to become a woman.

RILEY GAINES SAYS WNBA IS 'HELLBENT' ON BEING AN ACTIVIST ORGANIZATION OVER A BASKETBALL LEAGUE

One photographer, who works for the Associated Press, told me that a group of young boys and girls didn’t know what they were doing holding signs, which stated "Thank You Sophie" with hearts on it, insinuating that they were essentially indoctrinated into this position to support Cunningham and keeping sports female, by their parents and the organizing group.

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SENDS BLUNT MESSAGE TO BOOING, TRANS FLAG-WAVING WNBA CROWD AFTER DRILLING SHOT

So, I went up to the group, which included 6 young girls, 3 mothers, and one young boy, to ask them. Answering my question about why they were there and if they understood what they were supporting, one of the girls stated boldly, "No boys and girls in the same sports. Like no boys in girls sports." The Associated Press photographer stood by, off camera, defeated, though he tried to backtrack.

Cunningham stated pregame, "I'm here to play basketball, but I'm also here to be me, and I'm not going to like shadow that or hide or, you know, dim my light just because maybe people don't agree with that."

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Inside the arena for the game, Cunningham received relentless boos every time she checked in and touched the ball. The Fire promoted trans and gay pride flags held by fans whenever they could, clearly showcasing their anti-Cunningham agenda. The loudest cheer of the evening, up to that point, was during the ultra-inclusive "companion cam," featuring multiple gay couples kissing and a group of lesbian trans supporters waving trans flags prior to the start of the second quarter.

It was evident that many fans were there to protest Cunningham's "common sense" stance. The protests didn't stop outside. That was clear in the apparel, flags, and voices of the Fire fans in the building.

The next rally is slated for Sunday in Minnesota as the Fever play the red-hot Minnesota Lynx.

Humanoid robot skin senses people before contact

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:30:40 -0400

Working beside a metal humanoid robot would probably make you watch every step it takes. After all, a collision between a heavy robot and a human body will usually end worse for the person. Italian startup Generative Bionics believes its Gene.01 humanoid robot could help reduce that risk. The company covered the robot with sensor-filled skin that can detect a person approaching before physical contact occurs.

The system also senses touch, temperature and force. As a result, Gene.01 can gather information about what surrounds its body and what happens during an interaction. That sounds reassuring. However, the real question is whether the sensors and control software can react quickly enough when people start working beside the robot.

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How the Gene.01 humanoid robot senses workers

Gene.01 carries distributed sensors across its torso and limbs. The company says this smart skin detects touch, temperature, proximity and force at the same time. Proximity sensing gives the robot an early warning when someone enters the space around its body.

The basic idea feels familiar. You may feel heat near a stove and pull your hand away before touching the surface. In a similar way, Gene.01 can detect a nearby person before the person touches its sensor-covered body. That information gives the robot's control system a chance to respond before contact. It can also continue measuring force if contact happens. However, Generative Bionics has not released detailed workplace safety data showing how the system performs during full industrial shifts. For now, the safety benefits remain company claims tied to a newly introduced platform.

Why proximity sensing could reduce robot collisions

Traditional factory robots often operate behind barriers to keep workers outside their range of motion. Humanoid robots create a different challenge. Companies want these machines to use tools and move through spaces built for people. That could place them closer to human workers.

Cameras can help a robot see someone approaching. However, a camera may lose sight of a person who stands too close or moves behind part of the robot. Full-body proximity sensing adds another source of information. The robot can detect activity near its torso or limbs without depending entirely on its view of the room.

HUMANOID ROBOT VIDEOS SHOW MACHINES LASHING OUT

Workers can physically teach Gene.01 new tasks

Gene.01's sensors could also change how workers teach a humanoid robot. A person can guide the robot's arm through a movement while the system records the motion and force involved. This gives the robot information that a video demonstration may leave out.

For example, a video can show a robot where to place its hand. Yet the footage may not reveal how tightly the robot should grip an object. Too little pressure could cause the item to slip. Excessive force could damage it.

By moving Gene.01's arm directly, a worker can demonstrate the physical feel of the task. The company says this approach can help the robot learn how much force to apply. That could make robot training more accessible to experienced workers who understand the job but do not program robots.

What Physical AI means for Gene.01

Generative Bionics built Gene.01 around an approach it calls Physical AI. Under this approach, engineers develop the robot's body and movement controls as a connected system. They do not build the hardware first and treat the software as a separate layer added later.

The team uses models of the robot and its human partner. It can then adjust the design around measurable factors such as walking stability and physical strain on the person. The approach grew from research conducted by members of the company's founding team at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia.

Nature Machine Intelligence published that research on July 13, 2026. The paper focuses on a human-aware robot called ergoCub rather than Gene.01. Researchers jointly optimized ergoCub's physical design and movement controls. They used human-related measurements, including stress on a person's back, alongside the robot's walking requirements. Generative Bionics says Gene.01 is the first industrial platform to apply that peer-reviewed methodology to a fully functional humanoid covered in sensors.

Generative Bionics built Gene.01 in 6 months

The company says its team moved Gene.01 from a concept to a functional platform in six months. Generative Bionics CEO Daniele Pucci said the company designed the robot as a foundation for different industrial machines.

"Unlike other one-size fits all humanoids, Gene.01 is a scalable platform, customized at the edge of AI, design and end-effector level to maximize each customer's needs. It is also the first expression of our belief that Physical AI must be human-aware, physics-native and industrial from day one. In six months, our team moved from concept to a fully functional and sensorized humanoid platform by combining deep humanoid robotics expertise with AI, biomechanics and design." Pucci said the company wants robots to learn from the physical world while adapting to each customer's work.

Gene.01 can change for different industrial jobs

Generative Bionics designed Gene.01 as a base for a family of specialized humanoids. The company can adjust the AI for a particular task. It can also alter the robot's exterior to fit the working environment.

Meanwhile, engineers can replace its end effectors. That technical term covers the hands, grippers or feet attached to the ends of a robot's limbs. A robot built for warehouse work may need a different hand than one designed to operate welding equipment. This platform approach lets Generative Bionics adapt one core robot instead of designing every machine from the ground up.

The company sees potential uses in manufacturing and logistics. It has also identified inspection, public safety and health care as possible future markets. However, Gene.01 remains an early industrial platform. Generative Bionics still needs to show that its customization strategy can work reliably outside controlled demonstrations.

An open-source Gene.01 model gives developers a head start

Generative Bionics has also started releasing a digital model of Gene.01. The model lets developers simulate the robot before they gain access to the physical machine. They can test movement software and begin developing industry-specific applications in a virtual environment.

The company's website currently links to a preview of the robot's URDF model on GitHub. URDF stands for Unified Robot Description Format. Developers use it to describe a robot's physical structure for software and simulation tools. Generative Bionics says it wants to maintain the model across software distribution systems that Physical AI developers already use. An open model could attract researchers and robotics developers to the platform.

Fincantieri partnership targets shipyard welding

Gene.01's first planned industrial use involves shipbuilding. Generative Bionics is working with Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri to develop a humanoid for welding operations in shipyards. Shipyards can contain tight work areas and heavy equipment. Welding also exposes workers to heat and fumes. A humanoid could eventually handle selected tasks in areas that place extra physical demands on people. However, Generative Bionics and Fincantieri have not yet published detailed performance results from the welding project. The partnership will give Gene.01 an important test.

An $81M investment backs the robot company

Generative Bionics has raised an $81 million seed round led by CDP Venture Capital. AMD Ventures, Duferco and Eni Next participated in the round. RoboIT and Tether also invested. That funding gives the company more resources to develop Gene.01 and expand its production capacity. Generative Bionics says its team includes about 100 people. Nearly half hold doctoral degrees, according to the company. The team's experience includes earlier humanoid projects such as iCub and ergoCub.

Generative Bionics wants a European robot supply chain

The company also wants to build more of its humanoid technology in Europe. Generative Bionics formed a strategic partnership with German company Synapticon to develop an actuation system for Gene.01 and future robots. Actuators serve as the motorized joints that move a robot's body. They play an important role in how quickly and forcefully a humanoid can move. The partnership covers final assembly and calibration in Europe. The companies also plan to conduct safety testing there. Generative Bionics says this approach will give it more control over key components while supporting European compliance requirements.

What the Gene.01 humanoid robot means for you

You probably will not find Gene.01 working beside you tomorrow. Still, its sensing skin points to a larger change in humanoid robot design. Companies want these machines to move beyond fenced-off areas and enter workplaces built for people. To do that safely, robots need more awareness of the humans standing around them. Detecting a worker before contact gives the machine more time to react. Force sensing could also help the robot respond more carefully when physical interaction occurs.

Kurt's key takeaways

Gene.01 introduces a promising idea for factory safety. Its sensor-filled skin can detect a nearby person before physical contact and continue measuring force during an interaction. The system could also help workers teach the robot by physically guiding its movements. That gives Gene.01 information about force that video demonstrations may miss. However, most of the performance and safety details currently come from Generative Bionics. The company now needs to support those claims with workplace testing and clear data. Smart skin may give a humanoid more awareness of the person beside it. Yet awareness only helps when the robot reacts correctly every time.

Would you trust smart skin to protect you from a full-size humanoid at work, or would you still want a barrier between you and the machine? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Reporter's Notebook: Why Fauci's 111 Fifth Amendment pleas could end up before the courts

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:26:55 -0400

Silence is golden.

But actions speak louder than words.

That’s the solution which Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky., is engineering for the reticence of Dr. Anthony Fauci. The head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for 38 years, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment a staggering 111 times when appearing under subpoena before Paul’s panel this week.

RAND PAUL SEEKS CONTEMPT CHARGES AFTER FAUCI INVOKES FIFTH AMENDMENT MORE THAN 100 TIMES

The only words Fauci spoke were his invocation of the Fifth Amendment on the advice of his attorney. But the action promised by Paul is contempt of Congress.

"There will be repercussions to your refusal to testify today," warned Paul after Fauci invoked the Fifth. "The Committee will have to consider after this hearing what appropriate action should be taken against you for the failure to testify after being directed to do so. It's against the law to obstruct an investigation of Congress."

But it’s not as though Fauci was completely mum during the entire hearing. He offered an opening statement before leaning on the Fifth Amendment as a shield for the next three hours.

"The only conclusion I can reach is that the sole reason he is calling me before this committee is to get me to say something, anything, that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, quote, ‘behind bars,’ unquote," Fauci said. "Any reasonable person who has followed his unhinged obsession with me would readily come to the same conclusion."

And then Fauci fell mute. He ignored questions about his diary, inquiries about what ignited the pandemic, even interrogatives about the mundane.

TOP 5 MOMENTS FROM FAUCI'S HEARING: PAUL BOOTS LAWYER, MORENO ERUPTS AS CONTEMPT VOTE LOOMS

"What day of the week is it today?" asked Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo.

Hawley wasn’t done.

"What color tie are you're wearing?" Hawley continued. "What is the color of the carpeting?"

From a legal standpoint, there is logic behind Hawley’s banal inquiries. These are carefully designed questions which a good prosecutor might ask a witness to trip them up.

To wit: If Fauci had already invoked the Fifth Amendment, why is he suddenly answering questions about the calendar, his tie or carpeting? If Fauci replied "Wednesday," "blue" or "green" as answers to Hawley’s queries, Paul could have asserted that the Fifth Amendment shield no longer applied. Thus, the committee, or the courts, should compel Fauci to respond to any question.

By the same token, Republicans argued that Fauci should have been able to answer such trite questions from Hawley because they had nothing to do with the proceedings. It’s kind of a "we win, you lose" proposition for the GOP.

Yet Fauci never deviated from the script, invoking the Fifth Amendment 111 times.

CAN FAUCI HIDE BEHIND THE FIFTH? GAME-CHANGING BIDEN PARDON MAY NOT PROVIDE COMPLETE COVER, EXPERTS SAY

By the way, Fauci’s repetitive legal recitation of the Fifth is not a Senate record. In 1958, mob boss Vito Genovese appeared before a Senate panel investigating organized crime. Genovese established the mark, invoking the Fifth a stupefying 150 times.

Republicans don’t think that Fauci had any right to invoke the Fifth even once, considering his pardon from former President Joe Biden. On one hand, they asserted he should be free to testify. Democrats took issue with that.

"I’m not surprised that he pled the Fifth because the objective is to put him in jeopardy of criminal prosecution," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. "So the more prudent course was to claim the Fifth Amendment."

Hawley saw it differently, citing the 1896 Supreme Court case Brown v. Walker.

In the late 19th Century, the Supreme Court granted auditor Theodore Brown immunity to testify in a railway rate-fixing case. But Brown still refused to testify. However, the High Court ruled that Brown had to speak. Writing for the majority, Justice Henry Billings Brown (no relation), who also wrote the opinion in Plessy v. Ferguson, declared the following:

"If it be once conceded that the fact that his testimony may tend to bring the witness into disrepute, though not to incriminate him, does not entitle him to the privilege of silence, it necessarily follows that, if it also tends to incriminate, but at the same time operates as a pardon for the offense, the fact that the disgrace remains no more entitles him to immunity in this case than in the other."

Translation: What you have to say may be embarrassing. But if you enjoy the privilege of immunity, you still have to cough up the goods, despite the Fifth Amendment.

How Fauci conducted himself in the hearing runs parallel to former IRS official Lois Lerner's conduct in 2014. Republicans believed that Lerner blocked groups affiliated with the Tea Party from tax-exempt status or targeted them for scrutiny. At a 2014 House Oversight Committee hearing, Lerner delivered an opening statement. She then invoked the Fifth.

The full House later voted to hold Lerner in contempt of Congress for not answering questions and referred her to the Justice Department for prosecution. The DOJ, then operating under the administration of former President Barack Obama, did not take action against Lerner.

Whether or not DOJ prosecutes contempt of Congress often comes down to which party on Capitol Hill is doing the referring, and which party controls the Justice Department.

For instance, the Republican House referred former Attorney General Eric Holder to the DOJ for contempt of Congress in 2012. But it was Holder who ran the Justice Department. So that was a dead letter.

The Democratic House referred White House Counsel Harriet Miers to the DOJ in 2008. But the administration of former President George W. Bush was simply not going to prosecute its own lead attorney at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

The Democratic House held Trump administration figures Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro in contempt of Congress for failing to appear before the committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot. Naturally, the Biden Justice Department prosecuted that duo.

So could Fauci face prosecution from the Trump Justice Department after a referral from the Republican-led Senate?

The Lerner case bears further study. The Obama DOJ declined to prosecute Lerner because she asserted her Fifth Amendment rights — but after her opening statement. Fauci did the same. Would the Trump administration perceive Fauci’s protocol at the hearing through a similar lens?

Paul will ask his committee to prep a resolution holding Fauci in contempt of Congress in the coming days. But the full Senate must approve such a measure before sending it to the DOJ for possible prosecution.

It’s easier to adopt a contempt of Congress resolution in the House because it only requires a simple majority. The same is true in the Senate. But it must also clear a filibuster, which needs 60 votes. That’s why contempt of Congress citations are more prevalent in the House than the Senate.

But Paul believes he has a workaround.

"I plan on sending it directly with the legal brief supporting the argument to the Department of Justice," Paul told Fox News.

It’s then up to DOJ to prosecute Fauci or not.

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However, in his same appearance on Fox, Paul said he had "sent a criminal referral on Anthony Fauci twice under Biden and twice under Trump."

President Donald Trump’s DOJ hasn’t prosecuted Fauci before. But would prosecutors see it differently after Fauci’s performance at the hearing?

That brings us back to Lerner.

She invoked the Fifth Amendment and the DOJ did not prosecute. That establishes a precedent. Would the Trump DOJ follow that model? Or are we in for what could be a lengthy, perhaps seminal court battle about whether Fauci was in the right to invoke the Fifth Amendment? That may trigger a legal fight over his pardon from Biden — and perhaps what the High Court ruled in Brown v. Walker.

We’ll know when or if the DOJ takes action. In the case of Fauci, silence may be golden. But in this instance, it may be up to the courts to determine if it’s legal.

Three big college football recruiting 'winners' that helped their cases in the month of July

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:15:21 -0400

A quick glance at your calendar (if you still have one of those hanging around) will inform you that we have now entered the month of August, which means college football is exactly four weeks away.

It's an exciting time to be a fan, as fall camp starts to ramp up and practice reports will have every fanbase believing this is the year their team wins it all, but there's plenty of action off the field to be locked in on too, namely recruiting.

Nowadays, most of the top-end talent in the current recruiting class has already committed to their program of choice by mid summer, but that doesn't mean we still didn't see some July fireworks on the recruiting trail.

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Here are three college football programs that picked up big wins in the class of 2027 this past month.

After a blistering June on the recruiting trail, Mario Cristobal and company seemed like they might have taken the month of July off for a little vacation.

Who could blame them? After all, they were sitting comfortably within the top five of most recruiting industry rankings and their class was nearly full with 20 commits.

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Then, about a week or so ago, some of the more plugged-in sources in the recruiting world started making noise about five-star cornerback A'mir Sears reclassifying from 2028 to 2027.

Given his South Florida roots and the fact that the Canes were seen as the leader to land his commitment even a year out, alarm bells started ringing that Miami's elite 2027 class was about to reach another level.

Then, on the last day of July, Sears decided to make it official, giving the Hurricanes their fifth five-star and putting the rest of the country on notice that The U might really be back this time.

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I didn't think it was possible for anyone to catch the Texas A&M Aggies, but Miami has a serious shot.

Their class currently has the highest average player rating of any program in the 2027 cycle, sitting just above a 93.5, and they have only 21 commits as of August 1, which means there's plenty of room for expansion.

Cristobal and the Canes are crushing recruiting by every conceivable metric, which should terrify the rest of the country.

I know what you're thinking: "But Austin! A team with a recruiting ranking in the low 30s who landed just one commit in the entire month is a 'winner' from July?"

Yes. And I'll explain why.

The Indiana Hoosiers have been a recruiting doormat for the entire existence of industry rankings and recruiting services.

If you don't believe me, a quick search through their sordid history of talent acquisition will show you that Indiana has never landed a five-star recruit... until now.

That's right, Curt Cignetti just changed the entire dynamic of Hoosier recruiting with a commitment from one Monshun Sales, a five-star wideout hailing from nearby Indianapolis.

Sales had his choice of any program in the country, with the might Alabama Crimson Tide pushing hard for his pledge, but the 6'5" athlete with 10.8 second 100 meter dash times chose to stay close to home and play for coach Cig.

This is about more than just landing the next big weapon at receiver to feature in your offense next season.

The commitment of Sales to Indiana just nuked an entire lifetime of narratives and checked off the one thing that was surprisingly missing from Cignetti's resume.

Talk about being resurrected from the brink of extinction!

What Florida State pulled off in the month of July on the recruiting trail is the college football equivalent of that gif of The Undertaker sitting up in his casket.

On Memorial Day, the Seminoles were on death's front door with a recruiting class that was ranked in the 50s and not a single four-star to their name.

Then June happened, and the Noles were able to check off the four-star box, but many people felt like the flurry of commitments was similar to a last spasm from a dead body.

Translation: it was a fluke.

Well, July just proved that Florida State and head coach Mike Norvell weren't just one-hit wonders in the month of June, as they signed two more four-star prospects, including their highest rated pledge in safety Ta'Shawn Poole.

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Poole is a top-100 prospect from the Peach State and what makes his commitment to FSU even more impressive is the fact that the Noles pried him away from the home-state Georgia Bulldogs.

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Throw in four-star wide receiver Za'Kari Johnson and three-star edge Meshi Dobson, both of whom are Sunshine State prospects who were being courted by Alabama and Auburn, and this 2027 class for Florida State has gone from laughing stock to eye-opening quickly.

It's far from elite, to be sure, but the leg work that's been done in the past two months, especially given the uncertain circumstances surrounding coach Norvell's future, has laid the foundation for the Seminoles to potentially end the '27 cycle with one of their better classes since Norvell arrived in Tallahassee.

Trump blasts rogue GOP senators for blocking Blanche nomination, vows anti-weaponization bill fight

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:04:05 -0400

President Donald Trump blasted Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, on Saturday for opposing his nomination of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to the permanent position, suggesting he could keep Blanche in the temporary Justice Department leadership role and ensure the Anti-Weaponization Bill is passed.

While blasting the rogue GOP senators, Trump tied the Blanche nomination fight to the Anti-Weaponization Bill, proposed legislation that would establish a congressionally authorized compensation program for alleged victims of political "weaponization," replacing the controversial DOJ-created Anti-Weaponization Fund.

The fund was formed through a settlement Blanche reached with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Treasury Department to create a $1.8 billion fund to compensate alleged victims of political persecution. Amid criticism that the executive branch lacked authority to create such a program without congressional approval, the Justice Department later said it would not move forward with the fund, effectively shelving it.

"If Senators Cornyn and Tillis, both upset because I wouldn’t Endorse them (they lost, and quit, respectively!), aren’t going to approve Todd Blanche, one of the most respected professionals, according to everybody, in the Country, to be the United States Attorney General, then I will keep Todd as Acting A.G., and push hard to get the Anti-Weaponization Bill, which takes care of those who have been so badly treated by the Crooked Joe Biden (and Obuma!) Administration (I get nothing, although I was treated horribly!), PASSED. Todd Blanche was a voice of reason! It will immediately be back on the table, and I will get it done," Trump wrote in a Saturday morning post on Truth Social.

TRUMP THREATENS TO YANK HIS OWN AG NOMINEE AS GOP REVOLT GROWS

Cornyn and Tillis, both of whom faced electoral opposition from Trump in some form, each indicated that they would not vote to advance Blanche's nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"I think I am prepared to vote no, but I do think I owe it to my constituents and to Mr. Blanche to try to negotiate in good faith," Cornyn told Capitol Hill reporters on Wednesday. "And that’s what we’ve been doing. And so we’ll see where things are this morning and see where we go from here," he added.

Though both Blanche and Trump have previously said the Anti-Weaponization Fund is "dead," Cornyn and Tillis both indicated that they want the fund's demise to be formalized in writing before supporting Blanche's confirmation.

Cornyn questioned Blanche about the fund during his mid-July confirmation hearing.

"Has there been a written agreement of the parties to modify the settlement fund?" Cornyn asked Blanche.

"No, the settlement fund is just not moving forward," Blanche replied.

TRUMP UNLOADS ON CORNYN, TIES AG NOMINATION FIGHT TO BITTER TEXAS PRIMARY

Tillis, who announced in 2025 that he would not be seeking re-election just one day after Trump threatened to back a primary challenger, also criticized the Anti-Weaponization Fund, calling it a "payout pot for punks" in a Saturday morning response to Trump on X.

"Despite comments as late as yesterday that the fund is dead, President Trump clearly intends to resurrect the payout pot for punks either by inappropriately establishing another bogus fund or pushing Congress to vote for a bill that the majority of Republicans in the Senate would be against. It’s unfortunate that Todd Blanche, who I consider qualified for the job, will not be confirmed because of this reversal. Hopefully, we can resolve this by Tuesday," Tillis wrote

Cornyn, who has been a senator since 2002, lost his GOP primary to Trump-backed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton during the state's May 26 contest, losing by nearly 400,000 votes, according to the Texas Secretary of State's Office.

Trump, during his Friday Cabinet meeting at Camp David, theorized that his backing of Paxton was Cornyn's motivation for opposing Blanche.

"This is being done by a senator. And I don't really blame him, to be honest with you. I endorsed his opponent. And as soon as I endorsed his opponent, his opponent went through the roof and he won the primary election in Texas," Trump said.

"And the man that lost, the man that I didn't endorse has become very angry. And that's okay. I understand that. I probably would do the same thing," the president added.

Cornyn, for his part, downplayed that possibility.

"That’s a convenient excuse, and it happens to be untrue," Cornyn told reporters on Capitol Hill Wednesday, according to CBS News.

Trump also told reporters during the Cabinet meeting that though he considers the anti-weaponization fund "dead," he wishes it wasn't.

"Well, it is dead. But you know, I wish it weren't to be honest with you, I think people were horribly treated, horribly abused. This has nothing to do with this was me, horribly abused. And I'd like to see them compensated for the the pain," Trump said.

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Blanche is scheduled to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday for a vote on whether to advance his nomination out of the committee and to the full Senate for confirmation.

Fox News Digital contacted the White House, the Justice Department, Cornyn and Tillis for further comment.

Fox News Digital's Peter D'Abrosca contributed to this report.

Jillian Michaels exposes dangers of self-dosing illegal 'gray market' weight loss drugs

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:02:03 -0400

Fitness expert Jillian Michaels warned Americans against a dangerous trend of buying unregulated, "gray-market" weight-loss peptides online and self-dosing.

Speaking on the "Fox News Rundown," Michaels said foreign-sourced, unapproved chemical compounds pose severe health risks, including potential heart issues, vision loss and hormonal imbalances.

"These are very significant things that need to be further researched and discussed with your doctor before you decide, 'Hey, this sounds like a miracle drug! And I'm buying it on the web, and I am dosing myself in the bathroom off of a Reddit forum,'" Michaels told Fox News' Alex Hogan.

FDA TO REVIEW 7 POPULAR PEPTIDES TOUTED FOR WEIGHT LOSS, HEALING AND LONGEVITY

She noted that although it's "not difficult to get" peptide drugs online, consumers often don't know the true source of the products they’re buying. Michaels warned Americans not to take these drugs "into their own hands," but instead to use them under the supervision of a medical professional.

The federal government has cracked down on illegal sales and dangerous marketing tactics surrounding GLP-1 compounds. In March, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it had issued 30 warning letters to telehealth companies for making false or misleading claims about compounded GLP-1 products.

MILLIONS COULD GAIN EASIER ACCESS TO POPULAR PEPTIDES AFTER FDA PANEL VOTE

"Compounded drugs can be important for overcoming shortages or meeting unique patient needs — but compounders should not try to compound drugs in a way that circumvents FDA's approval process," FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in a statement.

In June, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about unapproved GLP-1 drugs, noting that it had logged hundreds of adverse event reports potentially tied to the products. The agency warned that unapproved versions "do not undergo FDA's review for safety, effectiveness and quality before they are marketed" and called out vendors falsely labeling chemicals as "for research purposes only."

Michaels argued that the surge in illegal sales is largely driven by people trying to lose "vanity pounds" quickly after taking inspiration from extreme body transformations in pop culture.

"You've got women in particular, but men as well, in all the major cities that want to go from a size eight to a size two for their summer vacation, and they are getting these things on the gray market. And we're starting to see the results of that in famous celebrities," Michaels said, adding that many people are taking these drugs when they don't need to.

WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS LINKED TO 'OZEMPIC EARS' AND OTHER COSMETIC COMPLAINTS, SURGEONS SAY

"Every week, there's another famous celebrity whose face is being splashed through the headlines and on the front page of different publications… and they look gaunt, they look aged, they're losing their hair. I mean, there are real serious ramifications for this," she added.

While Michaels noted that FDA-approved GLP-1s can be appropriate under medical supervision for individuals with severe obesity or chronic health conditions, she warned that using them or unapproved peptides for minor weight loss carries risks that users overlook.

She pointed to potentially severe side effects, including vision loss and suicidal ideation.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

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She added that when users stop taking unregulated weight-loss compounds, they often experience an aggressive rebound in hunger.

"You might think, 'Oh, I'm doing this for my summer vacation.' But then when you get off of them, all of a sudden you're hungrier because you've impacted your body's ability to make these hormones naturally," she said.

"And you'll get a cycle of yo-yo dieting that you no longer know how to stop because you messed up your own biochemistry. These things are not a joke, man. They are not something that you play around with for vanity purposes, for sure," Michaels added.

Bob Barker allegations in explosive docuseries were 'true and then some,' former game show host says

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:00:05 -0400

Bob Barker may have been America's beloved game show host, but Marc Summers says there was another side to him behind the scenes.

The former host of Nickelodeon's hit game show "Double Dare" recently appeared on "Nostalgia Tonight with Joe Sibilia" to celebrate the show's 40th anniversary.

During the interview, Summers was asked about the recent E! docuseries "Dirty Rotten Scandals," which examines allegations that "The Price Is Right" was plagued by a hostile work environment, sexual harassment and discrimination.

OPRAH WINFREY ADMITS SHE BEGGED TALK SHOW AUDIENCE TO BURY FOOTAGE OF WHITNEY HOUSTON ONSTAGE FALL

Summers previously worked with Barker, who died in 2023 at 99.

"Well, I think it’s too bad that the man’s not around to defend himself," the 74-year-old told Sibilia. "However, everything on there was true and then some. I could tell you stories off the air that make your hair curl that were true."

Summers said Barker's ego didn't disappear when the cameras stopped rolling.

WATCH: MARC SUMMERS SAYS BOB BARKER'S EGO ‘WOULDN'T FIT IN THE ROOM’

"When Dorothy Jo (Barker's wife) passed away, he kind of became a different guy, and his ego wouldn't fit in the room," Summers said. "It was all about Bob. On his dressing room door and on his dress shirts, it said, 'WGMC' — 'World's Greatest MC.' Give me a break."

Summers recalled that Studio 33, where "The Price Is Right" was taped, was occasionally used by other productions. During one such shoot, longtime "The Newlywed Game" host Bob Eubanks was filming a pilot when he hid the "WGMC" sign from Barker's dressing room door as a prank.

"So Barker comes in that Monday to do 'Price' and refuses to go on until they find the board that says 'WGMC,' and nobody could find it," Summers said. "They called up Eubanks at home and said, 'What the h--- did you do with this thing? We can't find it.' And Bob cracked up. He said, 'It's under the couch. Just lift up the couch. It is right under there.'"

Looking back, Summers described himself as a 22-year-old "idea man" who got along with Barker. But the price wasn't always right when it came to working for him.

"He had a deal at CBS when they wanted to give him a raise on 'Price,' but they didn't have enough money to pay him more as a host," Summers said.

"So they made him an executive producer and gave him an overall deal. He was producing game shows — or trying to — and needed questions written. He called me at home and said, 'Here's the show. I need 25 questions.' I said, 'Great, how much are you going to pay me?' He said, 'Marc, it's Bob. Don't worry. I'll take care of you.'"

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"So I wanted to impress him," Summers continued. "Instead of giving him 25 questions, I gave him 50. I thought, 'Oh my God, this is going to be great.' I called him and said, 'Bob, let me come by the house and drop them off.' He said, 'No, no, just put them in the mailbox, and there'll be an envelope in there for you.' I wrote him 50 questions when he'd only asked for 25, hoping for a check for $400 or $500. There was a check made out to Marc Summers for the grand total of 50 bucks. So that's the way it was."

WATCH: FAMOUS GAME SHOW HOST BOB BARKER PASSES AWAY AT 99

In March, Holly Hallstrom claimed on "Dirty Rotten Scandals" that she lost her job on "The Price Is Right" after refusing to publicly stand by Barker when fellow model Dian Parkinson accused him of sexual harassment in a 1994 lawsuit. Hallstrom, one of the show's longtime "Barker's Beauties," said producers blamed her 1995 firing on weight gain caused by medication.

Barker consistently denied wrongdoing and maintained that any relationships were consensual. Fox News Digital reached out to Parkinson for comment.

"When Dian filed her suit, oh boy, that was the beginning of when everything got really bad," Hallstrom told Fox News Digital. "I thought the whole situation, all the publicity, all the media attention, I thought it was horrible. I thought it was tacky. I was glad [co-creator] Mark Goodson had died [in 1992]. He would’ve been mortified to see that kind of tacky scandal on what was a family show."

"I didn't want to be involved in it at all," Hallstrom said. "Barker wanted us to go on all these talk shows and say he was the victim and that Dian was lying. I didn't participate because I thought it was tacky. I also couldn't honestly say, 'Oh yes, Dian is lying,' or 'Oh no, Dian is not lying.' I was not present for those conversations."

"I just avoided doing all of Bob’s PR tour," Hallstrom continued. "Finally, I was told I would be appearing on ‘The Suzanne Somers Show,’ period. And I did. Of course, all they wanted was for me to say that Dian was lying. When Suzanne asked me if I thought Dian was lying, I just babbled some answer, and that was that.

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"But then that week, I read in the tabloids, ‘Holly says, ‘Dian is lying.’ I never said that. I called the tabloid and demanded a retraction. They printed a retraction. But that was the beginning of the big rift between Bob and me. That’s when I got on his s--t list."

Parkinson dropped her lawsuit in 1995. At the time, her attorney said the legal battle had become too emotionally and financially draining and had begun affecting her physical health.

"Barker went all over television saying, ‘Her case was dismissed, and I’m totally vindicated,’" Hallstrom recalled. "I said, ‘That’s not true.’ I would not comment on that. I did not participate in those interviews. ... I would not change my testimony to suit Barker. That’s when I was told my weight was a problem. I was off the show."

"That was, well, probably the worst thing in my life at that point that had ever happened," Hallstrom admitted. "It only got worse from there."

Hallstrom and Barker spent nearly a decade locked in a legal battle after he sued her for defamation, according to Business Insider. She filed a countersuit alleging defamation, emotional distress and discrimination.

According to the outlet, Hallstrom said she was effectively blacklisted in the entertainment industry and pushed to the brink financially. She also declined settlement offers, saying she refused to be silenced by a nondisclosure agreement.

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Two days before Hallstrom's case was scheduled to go to trial, Barker and CBS agreed to settle, Business Insider reported. According to the outlet, CBS agreed to pay Hallstrom a settlement reportedly worth millions. The terms were not disclosed, and the settlement did not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.

"I was not going to sign a nondisclosure for that show or anything," she said. "I was not going to sign away my right to free speech. It also meant that Barker could not do to me what he did to Dian, go out and claim victory and vindication. ... He could not say anything about me as long as I could speak out for myself. And he never said another word."

Not everyone accepted the show's portrayal of Barker. His longtime publicist defended the late host as "beloved" and "the greatest MC in TV history," while longtime producer Roger Dobkowitz denounced the series as an "obvious hit piece," arguing "The Price Is Right" "was a happy place" for most employees.

Hunter Biden claims under oath that his family is broke amid fight over $17M legal bill

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 11:38:54 -0400

In a recently released deposition transcript, Hunter Biden claimed that his family is broke and that he’s being crushed by legal fees.

The deposition is related to an ongoing lawsuit between Biden and firm Winston Taylor for unpaid legal bills. Winston Taylor, which has a history of representing leading Democrats, claims that the Biden scion owes them $17 million from representing him in criminal prosecutions, congressional investigations and defamation suits against his critics.

"My family doesn't have any money, and it's not their debt anyway," he said, according to the transcript. "I don't own anything of any value other than — and I don't know the value of it — my paintings which I painted myself. So that's it. And I don't even have any other assets at all, stocks, bonds, anything like that, savings accounts."

HUNTER BIDEN RESURFACES IN LA, REACTS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT BIDEN TAPES, UFO FILES

Claims that the Biden family may be strapped for cash are reflected in other reporting.

The Wall Street Journal reported in September 2025 that former President Joe Biden is having far more trouble cashing in on his time in the White House than his predecessors.

Upon leaving office, the former president had accrued roughly $800,000 in personal debt and was burdened with increased property taxes on their $2.7 million Delaware home, according to a source familiar with his finances. Biden also has had trouble booking paid speaking engagements, a common source of funds for former presidents, owing to his unpopularity and fears of angering President Donald Trump.

CHARLAMAGNE RIPS JILL BIDEN’S CONFESSIONS ABOUT HER HUSBAND AS TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE

Former President Joe Biden, however, pulls in more than $400,000 a year in government pensions from his time in Congress and the White House, according to the National Taxpayers Union Foundation.

Hunter Biden’s claimed lack of assets follows years of partying and substance abuse.

The former president’s son reportedly spent large sums of cash on crack cocaine, alcohol, stays at luxury hotels, prostitutes and expensive jewelry for his brother’s widow, whom he was romantically involved with. His spending habits could help explain how he blew through the wealth he accumulated selling paintings and pulling in a seven-figure salary while employed by the Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

‘PRIVILEGED’ HUNTER BIDEN, SPARED BY DAD’S PARDON, BLASTS TRUMP’S CLEMENCY POWER

"I don't have any assets. I don't own a car. I don't own a phone," Biden said in the deposition, which took place in February but was released by Biden’s new lawyers in recent days.

Biden argues that Winston Taylor knew he would be unable to pay his legal fees when it agreed to take him on as a client and claims the parties agreed to "work something out." The law firm, meanwhile, says that it tried to connect Biden with donors in the Democratic ecosystem to help him cover his legal bills.

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The younger Biden won a comparatively small legal victory in July when a judge awarded him $1.7 million in a defamation suit. Winston Taylor, however, has sought to put a lien on the judgment, and the Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne, who was ruled against, is believed to be overseas, making collection complicated.

Representatives for Hunter Biden and former President Joe Biden did not respond to requests for comment when reached by Fox News Digital Friday.

DAVID MARCUS: Reflecting pool controversy is mirror for our broken politics

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 11:35:18 -0400

In the 104 years that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has stood on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the event it is most closely associated with is the 1963 "I Have a Dream," speech by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., but today, far from a symbol of national unity, this body of water has created a wave of anger and discontent.

On Friday, United States Attorney for the District of Washington, D.C. Jeanine Pirro did the right thing and dropped charges against David Hearn, a former Olympic athlete who had been facing 10 years in jail for allegedly defacing the monument.

Hearn was accused of pulling up pieces of the new sealant installed this year during President Donald Trump’s renovation of the pool. He claims he was just curious about the pre-existing damage he saw.

FORMER US OLYMPIAN DAVID HEARN INDICTED IN ALLEGED REFLECTING POOL VANDALISM

It may have been as annoying as chipping away at dried paint, but it wasn’t a felony.

According to the motion filed Friday, additional documents showed that the damage to the reflecting pool was the result of flawed installation by the contractor.

The first thing to say here is good for Pirro, who, unlike former President Biden’s Department of Justice in many January 6 and abortion protest cases, did not allow primal politics to influence her legal decision. That is how this is supposed to work.

WHITE HOUSE CONDEMNS 'TARGETED SABOTAGE' OF REFLECTING POOL AS REPAIRS PUSHED PAST JULY 4 CELEBRATION

What matters here is that the reason that Hearn’s curiosity, politically driven or otherwise, caused this kerfuffle, is that Trump’s repair of the reflecting pool, a public works project that should be as mundane as installing a stop sign, has become a synecdoche for America’s political divide.

To Trump’s critics, such as independent journalist Jim Acosta, who has all but camped out by the pool for months, this is a prime example of cronyism, Trump lining his friends’ pockets as they fail to properly line this national treasure.

It was with glee that leftists celebrated the peeling of sealant and the growth of algae in the pool, as if nature itself was confirming all of their anti-Trump convictions.

TOP TRUMP OFFICIAL TOUTS HOW DC MAKEOVER IS PROOF AMERICA IS REJECTING 'DECLINE BY CHOICE'

But one big flaw in this argument is exposed by a 2012 Washington Post headline, after work had been done on the pool, that blared, "Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Is Drained To Remove Algae." So, unless then-President Obama was also a corrupt cronyist, it might just be that the reflecting pool is not easy to maintain.

The fault in this situation, as Pirro rightly points out, is with the Department of the Interior, for telling President Trump what he wanted to hear instead of the truth. To the extent that it put Hearn’s freedom at risk, that was utterly unacceptable.

But at the same time, in this day and age, was it so crazy for Interior to think that a deranged leftist was intentionally trying to damage the monument? Such things are par for the course for the looney left, and why was Hearns pulling at the sealant, anyway?

By all accounts, the beautification, not to mention the increased safety, of the capital since Trump activated the National Guard last year has been little short of miraculous. You can tell because unlike ICE agents, Democrats aren’t calling the Guard fascists.

Fountains are flowing, businesses are growing, Capitol Hill staffers in their drab dress and loafers roam the streets without fear. But by all means, let’s obsess over a minor setback to repair on a pool unlike any in the world.

The reflecting pool is now a microcosm of everything broken in our politics, our focus on meaningless minutiae and blindness to anything that does not confirm our worst suspicions.

The conventional wisdom in Washington circles will suggest that Trump must be furious at Pirro for undermining his narrative that vandals are to blame for the renovation’s imperfections. But I doubt it. In fact, this is the exit ramp from the story that he needed.

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In the summer of 1963, King brought the country together around the reflecting pool and helped our nation to dream of unity and peace. In 2026, this shimmering oasis in the swamp represents little but Americans' contempt for one another.

In this case, thanks to Pirro, the proper result was arrived at after all the sturm und drang. But in the end, the only way to stop such madness is for all of us, every American, to stop assuming the worst about those with whom we disagree.

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Test your pop culture: From Hollywood to the Heartland

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 11:30:02 -0400

The Pop Culture Quiz is your weekly test of what’s making headlines and breaking the Internet, from the Heartland to Hollywood.

This week's quiz spotlights summer escapes and remarkable love stories.

Can you get all 5 questions right?

For more Entertainment articles, visit www.foxnews.com/entertainment

To try your hand at more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click here.

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Bill Maher warns that the Democratic Party is being 'colonized' by socialists, says his 'vote is in play'

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 11:17:56 -0400

Comedian and talk show host Bill Maher doubled down on his previous comments suggesting his "vote is in play" in coming elections, as he expressed his discontent over the Democratic Party being "colonized" by radical, socialist views.

During Friday night’s episode of HBO’s "Real Time," Maher blasted the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) agenda that appears to be taking hold within the mainstream Democratic Party.

"People gotta realize this is going on," Maher said. "Yes, my vote is in play. I'm not voting for anyone who thinks the wrong side won the Cold War or cheers for the intifada like it's the World Cup."

MAHER SHAMES CLINTONS, KAMALA, DEMS, SAYING THEY WON'T GO ON HIS SHOW OR ANYWHERE THEY AREN'T 'PRE-ADORED'

Maher went on to poke fun at the sheer irony of the apparent political takeover within a party that has platformed against such views.

"It's so ironic from the people who obsess about colonization," Maher said. "You know what's being colonized now? The Democratic Party."

He then pointed to two congressional Democrats — Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., and Rep. Adam Gray, D-Calif.— after the pair launched a pledge to moderate the party amid the internal rise in DSA views.

RAHM EMANUEL WARNS DSA AGENDA DOESN'T PLAY WELL OUTSIDE 'UPPER WEST SIDE OF MANHATTAN'

"Last month, two Democratic congressmen released an open pledge," Maher told the audience. "They wanted their fellow Democratic members to sign. It said, ‘We are capitalists, not socialists. We want safety, not lawlessness. We are proud, not ashamed of America.’ These should not be hard words for a congressional Democrat to sign onto."

"You know how many did?" Maher continued. "Eight [members]. Eight, out of 212."

He added that while the DSA platform may appear to be making waves throughout the party, most mainstream politicians do not align themselves with the radical-left views.

SEN MARK KELLY WARNS FAR-LEFT POLICIES THAT ‘DON’T MAKE SENSE’ COULD COST DEMOCRATS SEATS

"And, no, this nonsense is not where most Democratic politicians are right now," Maher said. "But it's also becoming a raging fire festival in the party that neither is anyone putting out."

"People are actually getting elected now who literally don't think we should have police or prisons or borders," he added.

Maher’s comments come after Fox News Digital previously reported he told ABC News "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl that his "vote is in play" due to his unhappiness with the direction the Democratic party is heading.

"My vote is in play because it can’t be Trump running, so I’m not living in communist America," Maher said last month.

"I mean, I know the talking point is that it’s not communism, it’s socialism. OK, I’ve read the quotes from the DSA platform from their own mouths. Don’t tell me I’m not seeing what I am seeing," he added at the time.

The sentiment was echoed by former state attorney Dave Aronberg, who told Fox News Digital the DSA's platform could be what brings an end to the Democrats' short-lived momentum in the polls.

"History and current polling trends point to a blue wave in November, and the DSA is the only thing that can stop it," Aronberg said. "Outside of concentrated blue enclaves in places like New York and Denver, general elections aren't won on the far-left fringes. If the Democratic Party lets the DSA drive the bus, they’re driving straight off an electoral cliff."

"Bill Maher is voicing what millions of voters are thinking: The Democratic Party must not surrender to extremists who despise classic American principles," he added.

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When reached for comment by Fox News Digital, Christian Toto, host of The Hollywood in Toto Podcast, said, Bill Maher is many things, and that includes being intellectually honest. His liberal comedy peers aren't. They do the bidding of the modern Democratic party, period. It's why Jimmy Kimmel literally raised money for President Joe Biden and, when the president glitched out for the world to see during that event, told us he did no such thing."

The film critic and author added, "The modern comedian must toe the party line. That gives them job security and immunity from media critics. Maher is no longer the media darling he once was. He's spoken repeatedly that by defying his own party it crushed any chances of him winning awards (Emmys, etc.). It took a Trumpian White House to honor him with the Mark Twain Prize a few weeks ago."

Maher concluded his show Friday by referencing former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, suggesting he would rather vote for the longstanding Republican over DSA candidates running within his own party.

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"Get your head out of your a–, I would vote for Sarah Palin before this s—," Maher said. "She's a bimbo, but if you asked her to come up with something she likes about America, she could do it. You betcha."

Fox News Digital reached out to the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Socialists of America for comment.

'American Idol' winner says husband 'put his badge up' to support her music career

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 11:00:55 -0400

Hannah Harper says her husband made the ultimate career sacrifice to help launch her country music dreams.

The "American Idol" Season 24 winner exclusively revealed to Fox News Digital that her husband walked away from a nearly decade long career in law enforcement, "put his badge up" and joined her full-time on the road as her tour manager.

"It has definitely strengthened our marriage in ways that I didn't even know those muscles worked, if that makes sense," Harper said.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD SURPRISES 'AMERICAN IDOL' CONTESTANT WITH TIFFANY JEWELRY AND HANDWRITTEN NOTE

"My husband was in law enforcement for eight years and put his badge up just so that I could pursue this. And he was doing insurance there for a little while. We were going to try to just do, like, a work-on-the-road kind of thing. And then music just got too busy. And he was like, 'You know what? I think I want to be tour manager.' And I was like, 'That's perfect. I think you should do that.'"

The career pivot came as Harper's schedule exploded following her "American Idol" victory, leaving the couple searching for a way to keep their family together while managing an increasingly busy tour calendar.

Harper is currently on her first national tour and recently landed her first major brand partnership with Sargento after her original song, "String Cheese," went viral during her "American Idol" run. The cheese company is sponsoring her tour with a custom-wrapped bus stocked with snacks for Harper, her band, crew and family.

However, working side by side with her husband has sometimes come with its own growing pains, Harper pointed out.

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"I think the biggest challenge now is because we're both working is, ‘OK, when are off hours?' You know, like when normal people go home, they're done working for the day, but our work is at home. And so, it's hard for us to be able to turn it off. But it's so much fun for both of us to be building this together."

WATCH: ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ WINNER SAYS HUSBAND TRADED POLICE BADGE FOR MUSIC TOUR LIFE

Before being crowned the winner of "American Idol" Season 24, Harper was already building a life with her husband, Devon Mendenhall. The couple, who married in April 2018, welcomed their first son the following year and have since grown their family to include three boys.

Harper said the family's all-in approach has become one of the most rewarding parts of her success.

"My entire family is on the road with me, both of my brothers, my parents, my kids. And I think it's so special that everyone has a role and a job, and everyone feels included."

The singer became emotional, reflecting on her husband's sacrifice.

"But more than anything, I feel honored that he was willing to step down from his position. A lot of men wouldn't do that. I think their pride would get in the way, and that man would bend over backwards for anything that I asked him to do."

WATCH: 'AMERICAN IDOL' WINNER CREDITS CARRIE UNDERWOOD FOR HELPING HER NAVIGATE FAME

As Harper adjusts to her rapid rise in country music, she said fellow "American Idol" winner, Carrie Underwood, offered advice that has helped her navigate the pressures of fame without losing herself.

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"Carrie, just saying like social media, the stage presence that one has to have, it's like a character basically, and you have to separate that character from reality, which is hard for me because I want them to be the same."

"I want everyone to feel connected to me and know that I'm real and authentic, but there definitely has to be a separation on my stage mask and mom, if that makes sense. And so, I'm learning that very quickly and how important it is to be able to take it off and still be Mom and still be the Hannah I was before 'American Idol.'"

Harper said one of the biggest surprises following her "American Idol" win was watching "String Cheese" take on a life of its own.

WATCH: 'AMERICAN IDOL' WINNER REVEALS HOW VIRAL SONG KEEPS REOPENING HER DEEPEST WOUNDS

The deeply personal song, inspired by her experience with motherhood and postpartum depression, has become an anthem for parents who see themselves in its message.

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"I am so emotionally connected to the people who are going through it," Harper said.

"In meet-and-greet lines... there are at least 50 of those are women who walked the exact same path as I did when it came to postpartum depression or just being in the trenches of motherhood. And getting to connect with them during their hardships... I relive all of those same emotions while talking to them and it still feels fresh."

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Harper believes the song's impact extends beyond music.

"And I think that it's a song that continues to give, and I didn't write it on my own. I think the Lord just kind of like laid it in my lap, and He's used it to minister to people as well as me."

Harper will remain on the road through November for her first national tour, with upcoming stops across the country and appearances alongside Brad Paisley and Lauren Alaina.

Exclusive: Israeli President Herzog blasts Mamdani, praises Trump, sounds alarm on Iran

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 10:57:13 -0400

JERUSALEM, Israel: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is spreading hateful and antisemitic rhetoric and endangering the lives of New Yorkers, Israeli President Isaac Herzog told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview at his Jerusalem residence.

"Mamdani does not respect my nation's right for self-determination… the Jewish people's inherent right to have a nation of their own. And he's basically spreading blasphemy, hate, antisemitic rhetoric. He should understand that he's risking his own citizens, he’s risking their safety, well-being and life," Herzog said.

In an incident that drew global attention, Mamdani posted a video on social media on July 21 in which he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "a war criminal" and "the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people."

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"This cannot be accepted in New York, which is a city which is dear to our heart, dear to the Israelis, and dear to me personally," Herzog said.

"I think New York will continue way after Mamdani. And I hope he won't create an irreversible damage," he added.

On Iran, Herzog said the regime has for decades posed a strategic threat to global stability, and not only to Israel and the Middle East.

"They take their people's food and money and spend it on terror all over the world. It's a given fact," he said. "You ask yourself why a nation of this nature wants to have so much terror activity around the world, and that is because of ideology… The ideology does not accommodate any other religion or moderate Islam, for that matter. That is why it is so dangerous," he added.

The United States and Israel launched a joint military campaign against the Islamic Republic on Feb. 28, dubbed Operation Epic Fury by the Trump administration and codenamed Operation Roaring Lion by Israel, before Trump announced a ceasefire on April 7.

Herzog said Tehran’s missile program, activities around the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear ambitions, domestic repression and support for regional terror proxies as evidence of the regime’s major threat to U.S. national security interests. He added that many Americans had been killed by the Islamic Republic.

As some leading political voices in the U.S. have questioned the relationship with the Jewish state, the president stressed the important ties that have made the relationship so important.

"We both drink from this set of values which was commanded to all of us by these historic spiritual books given to us by the Almighty," he said.

The Israeli president highlighted what he described as Trump’s deep support for the Jewish state, demonstrated through both words and actions.

He pointed to Trump’s 2018 decision, during his first term, to relocate the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, as well as his subsequent recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

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Herzog praised Trump’s "endless" backing of Israeli positions "in so many issues" and his "immense support and friendship with Israel," adding that the two countries still more often than not see "eye to eye."

Herzog credited Trump with helping secure the return of 255 hostages held by Hamas following the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre. While acknowledging the efforts of many officials involved, he said Trump "put his foot down" and "pushed and negotiated brilliantly" to bring them home, adding that he had "huge respect" for the American leader.

That admiration among Israelis has not been diminished by any perceived political disagreements, Herzog said, adding that he believes the U.S.-Israel relationship transcends shifting attitudes and growing criticism of the Jewish state.

"I believe that there is something biblical and prophetic in the way our nations work together. And I truly believe that Israel should be a bipartisan issue of friendship and support," he added.

Herzog linked the reported decline in American support for Israel, particularly among younger people, to campaigns of well-funded disinformation on social media.

"It's very easy to smear Israel on TikTok, but that doesn't say the real truth. And I invite every young American to set foot in this country," he told Fox News Digital.

Herzog described Israel as a place where innovators flourish and great ideas are shared with the world, contributing enormously across fields including health, energy, science, agriculture and food security.

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"There's a reason why Americans who visit our country, young Americans, fall in love with this country. And my aim in this interview is to … take off the terrible mask which was placed on our face by terrible forces, some of them, of course, forces which work on it all the time to tell a distorted story."

"We're a nation seeking peace, we're a nation seeking innovation, we are a nation bringing ideas which will save humanity, and we are [a] nation trying to do good," he continued. "And I hope and pray that we will have peace with our neighbors in the entire region, with our Palestinian neighbors as well. But that requires that Israel will be accepted and people will understand that we have security needs."

Herzog addressed the House's recent passage of a $1.15 trillion annual defense policy bill, which largely split along party lines, with the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act receiving only six Democratic votes.

He described the development as a "red light," but said it does not signal the end of relations between the American and Israeli public or of bipartisan dialogue and support.

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"Exactly three years ago, I spoke in the American Congress in front of a joint session of the House, marking 75 years of Israel's independence, and I had almost 30 standing ovations," he said.

"I'm aware … of the criticism, and aware of a huge campaign on campuses, and of huge money which was funneled to attack Israel, and also aware of our mistakes," he added.

Herzog said Israeli society is undergoing an evolution following Oct. 7, making it legitimate to ask difficult questions about the country’s future security after such a "horrendous, aggressive, cruel" attack.

At the same time, he said Americans are right to examine the bilateral relationship and Israel’s role in advancing U.S. national security interests.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Netanyahu traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Trump and attend the memorial service for the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

"Lindsey was ever active, always coming with new ideas, brilliant, understood world affairs like no one else, and understood Israel's role in protecting Western values and values of the free world," Herzog told Fox News Digital.

He said Graham also knew how to voice criticism, which is legitimate between friends, and enjoyed support across the Israeli political spectrum.

"[Graham] knew how to fight empires and nations of evil, and to stand up to them without fear. I will always remember him, Israel will always remember him. The Jewish people will always cherish his memory," Herzog added.

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Herzog also raised the importance of how Israel values Christian communities in the Holy Land and is committed to strengthening interfaith dialogue. He added that these communities are a top priority.

According to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics, as of December 2025, Israel’s Christian population stood at approximately 184,200, representing 1.9% of the country’s total population. The community grew by 0.7% over the previous year.

"I myself met the Pope and spoke to him several times and went to the Holy See. I speak to all the heads of churches. I recently had the Greek Orthodox Patriarch and this morning the Cardinal of Jerusalem," Herzog said.

He continued, "I believe in real dialogue with our brothers and sisters from the Evangelical world in the United States and elsewhere. So, the Christian communities are a top priority in Israel and we are doing our best that they will flourish and grow."

Herzog spoke of a zero tolerance of anti-Christian behavior. "I know of cases where there was tension and we're dealing with it aggressively and there's a major reduction in moments of friction. Now we have to work hard throughout the region. Christian communities will be strong and will flourish because there is a movement to shun out Christian communities, especially in some of the Muslim world, in Palestinian communities and elsewhere. And we are dealing with it as well. And I'm here for any Christian community that needs support of any kind. People know it. And I speak to their leaders all the time."

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Herzog weighed in on the controversy surrounding the dismissal of the International Criminal Court’s Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, who issued the arrest warrants against Netanyahu, after member states voted to remove him over sexual misconduct allegations.

Herzog said Khan "absolutely" pushed forward with the arrest warrants to try to distract attention from the sexual assault allegations against him. He added that Khan had wanted to come to Israel to meet with various experts and leaders, including the Israeli president himself.

"Everybody got ready to talk to him and present the real story and the real truth," Herzog told Fox News Digital. "His staff were on their way to the airport and all of a sudden he issued these orders and writs against Prime Minister Netanyahu, [then] Defense Minister [Yoav] Gallant and others. And only in hindsight now we know clearly that it was in order to divert attention from the sexual allegations.

"The case has to be dropped and the ICC should ... not fall into the trap of hate and lies that Karim Khan presented simply to cover for himself," said Herzog.

Lawyers for Karim Khan have said they "will challenge the lawfulness and fairness of the decision through all available legal mechanisms."

Just hours before President Trump’s announcement that Hamas had agreed to a roadmap that includes disarmament on Thursday, Herzog praised the "enormous efforts" by the U.S. administration to advance the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire.

"This is something that can be a major breakthrough if it happens. Let's remember, the 20-point plan of President Trump was approved by the [United Nations] Security Council, and the next phase is disarming of Hamas," Herzog told Fox News Digital.

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"The people of Gaza deserve a better life. And there is a real viable plan, including budget and efforts, how to change the course of the future," he added.

But one thing has to be made clear, he concluded: "Hamas cannot control Gaza and cannot turn it into a launching pad for terror and hate anymore."