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Beer, BBQ and America: Lawmakers share their favorite traditions for the nation's birthday

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:00:26 -0400

America’s 250th birthday is a milestone in the nation’s history that, in Washington, D.C., was marked by thunderous fireworks, flyovers and a fair on the National Mall.

But at the granular level, families across the country have celebrated July 4 in their own way for generations, crafting traditions that they revisit year after year. Trips to the lake, sizzling hot dogs, bottle rockets, picnics in the park and burgers — all hallmarks of America’s celebration of independence.

Lawmakers, when the partisan barbs end, the floor speeches quiet and Congress ditches Washington for the weekend every year, have their own traditions like the everyday working American.

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Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., said his favorite tradition was "loving America."

"So, all of our children, we raise them to love this country because we tell them the truth about this country, and they understand that America is the most awesome place that has ever existed in the history of the planet," Van Orden said. "So, we get together, we barbecue some hot dogs and then we watch some fireworks. It's great."

And of course, there’s beer.

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"I'm from Wisconsin," he said. "Of course. Miller Lites and Hebrew National hot dogs are great. They're all beef and wonderful. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind a mix of, you know, pork and beef for a hot dog, but I like the Hebrew Nationals myself."

Geography does play a factor in some lawmakers' traditions, like Rep. Troy Downing, R-Mont., whose family heads to the tiny town of Harlowton, Mont., to a friend’s ranch, where a lake and ranch hand routine take center stage.

"We all camp there. The kids play in the water. And, you know, usually that's right around branding [season]," Downing said. "So branding is usually when you castrate. And, so, I'm usually in charge of doing all the calf fries after the castrations."

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Then there’s the barbecue, which is a staple in Rep. Ralph Norman’s home state of South Carolina.

"Eatin' barbecue and relaxin," Norman said.

When pressed if there was any beer in between, Norman quipped, "I'm not old enough to drink beer."

"I have to get a — I've got a fake ID I've gotta show," he said. "No, drinking beer, barbecue and having a good time with family."

Others take the opportunity to celebrate President Donald Trump alongside their annual traditions.

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"My neighbor, nice guy, great guy, my twin brother Trevor, are going to come over. We've got flags flying in our backyard. We're going to have some lobster tail, maybe some nice, fat ribeyes, a lot of fat on the ribeyes," Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas said.

"We like the marbling on the ribeyes and just celebrate the Fourth and just look at the birds and the flowers and just be thankful that we were born in the greatest country on earth, right," he continued.

"And celebrate the greatest president in the lifetime of this great country, Donald J. Trump. That's what I'm thankful for, and that's what I'll be celebrating."

Sports cartoons of the day

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:08:52 -0400

REP MARIO DIAZ-BALART: We are stopping Cuba from trafficking doctors for profit

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 07:00:54 -0400

A new law authored by me and passed by Congress in February 2026 punishes countries that are complicit in the human trafficking of Cuban doctors by way of the Castro regime’s medical missions abroad. The same law for the fiscal year 2027 is expected to be voted on in the House soon.

For decades, the Cuban dictatorship has made billions by coercing its medical professionals to work in places no one wants to go, under the worst labor conditions.

But the doctors themselves see very little of that money. The regime on the island earns an estimated $4-8 billion per year from the program, and regime operatives keep 75-95% of what the doctors are paid.

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The U.S. State Department says the regime confiscates the doctors’ passports, forces their families to stay in Cuba as leverage, assigns handlers to watch them and punishes families if a doctor defects.

Since 2010, State Department reports have called the program exploitative. Appropriately, State labeled the practice "human trafficking" or "forced labor" run by the Cuban regime in 2020.

A new provision in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 targets countries that pay the authoritarian dictatorship for these exploited medical workers. The State Department must now list every country or group that pays for these personnel and notify them they’re on the list.

If a country stays on the list for two years in a row, it loses all U.S. foreign aid. Foreign officials involved can be banned from entering the United States, and their finances and property here may also be frozen.

The law is already obtaining results. Guatemala, Jamaica, Guyana, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Paraguay and Honduras are reducing or outright ending their use of Cuban doctors.

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Some, like the Bahamas, are changing terms by trying to pay doctors directly instead of paying the regime – something the dictatorship has rejected before. Consequently, the Trump administration has enforced this law by imposing visa restrictions on officials from Brazil, Grenada and some African countries tied to the program.

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This legislation ensures accountability, something that past Democratic administrations were willing to overlook. It exposes those who benefit from the program and hits them with real punitive consequences: the loss of U.S. aid, travel bans and financial sanctions. The law also strongly supports the oppressed Cuban people by protecting Cuban doctors from exploitation and abuse, while cutting off a critical financial lifeline to the regime.

Prince William’s surprising American roots trace back to patriots who battled the British: book

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 07:00:39 -0400

The future king of Britain descends from American patriots who fought against the crown he is destined to inherit, according to a new book tracing Prince William's family tree.

In "American Crown," Stephanie Green traces the Prince of Wales' extraordinary American lineage to Revolutionary War patriot Nathan Hale and other colonial ancestors.

"The more I read about the family, the more interesting it was," Green told Fox News Digital. "All the characters in the family tree are so fascinating, and it's an American success story. The fact that he has this American bloodline — I don't even know if he's aware of it."

PRINCESS DIANA, HOT DOGS AND A PRESIDENTIAL MATCHMAKING ATTEMPT: ICONIC ROYAL VISITS TO AMERICA

Fox News Digital reached out to Kensington Palace for comment. A spokesperson for the palace previously told Fox News Digital it does not comment on books.

Green said that through William's mother, the late Princess Diana, his lineage traces back to Benajah Strong.

"The Strongs have been in this country for a very long time, since the 1600s," Green said. "Benajah was from Coventry, Connecticut, which places him not only in the heart of the American Revolution but at its very beginning. Coventry was a hotbed of anti-monarchist sentiment, and Benajah's role during the American Revolution was to spread the word that the British were on the march. He was part of what we call 'The Lexington Alarm.'"

WATCH: PRINCE WILLIAMS SURPRISING TIES TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION REVEALED

"Benajah's grave is still in Coventry," Green added.

The first Strong ancestor emigrated from England to New England in 1635, according to The Washington Post. William's sixth-great-grandfather was born in Coventry in 1740 and enlisted as a private in the Connecticut militia.

Strong's nephew was Nathan Hale, whom Green described as "our most famous American martyr and one of our most famous American patriots."

"He was the son of Benajah's sister," Green said. "He was captured and hanged by the British in 1776, shortly after the American Revolution began. Unfortunately, his remains have never been found. People in Coventry have memorials in his honor and still hope his remains will one day be found and returned to his hometown."

Hale, who studied at Yale, was a teacher in Connecticut when the Revolutionary War began, according to The Washington Post. Like his uncle, Hale joined the Connecticut militia. The outlet reported that Hale later joined Knowlton's Rangers, widely considered the first organized U.S. military intelligence unit.

In 1776, Hale traveled to British-occupied Long Island on a spying mission, posing as an unemployed Dutch schoolteacher. Some historians have argued that Hale's fatal mistake was carrying his Yale diploma with him. He was captured by British forces in Queens.

After being interrogated, Hale was hanged at age 21, about two months after the Declaration of Independence.

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Hale's reported last words were, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

During her research, Green said she discovered a surprising connection to America's first president.

"Everyone who follows the royal family knows about the Spencer family, a very aristocratic family from England," Green said. "Diana, of course, was Lady Diana Spencer when she married the Prince of Wales in 1981, but people probably don't know that the Spencer family and George Washington's family go way back."

"I have a whole chapter on Sulgrave Manor, which is George Washington's ancestral home in England," Green said. "It's right down the road from Althorp, the Spencer family estate. In fact, the Spencers and the Washingtons were quite friendly. The Spencer girls worked at the Washington home, and the Washington children were friends with the Spencer children. The families were very close."

"The Washington family moved to America, as many families did," Green continued. "But Sulgrave Manor is still there. You can visit it and learn more about George Washington's family."

One ancestor, Green said, instantly reminded her of Diana.

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"The most shocking and fascinating character is Fannie Work, later known as Fannie Roche, or Frances Burke Roche," Green said. "She's the great-great-great-grandmother of the future king."

"She was a fascinating woman," Green said. "She was an American heiress born around 1857. She came of age during the Gilded Age and was associated with many of the era's luminaries. She knew Alice Roosevelt."

"What fascinated me most was that she lived life on her own terms. She had two scandalous divorces during a time when people rarely even said the word 'divorce' in polite society. She was determined to live life her own way. The more I read about her, the more I realized how many similarities she shared with Diana."

"They were both beautiful," Green said. "They were both glamorous. They both courted scandal. They seemed to have everything going for them. People were fascinated by them, yet they were rebels at heart."

Depending on the account, Work either never regained her social standing or lived lavishly between New York, Newport, Rhode Island, and Paris while avoiding another marriage, according to American Aristocracy. She later bought an apartment on New York City's Fifth Avenue, where she died in 1947 at age 90.

Green believes that, had Diana lived, she would have embarked on a new life across the Atlantic.

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"She was spending a lot of time in America during the last years of her life," Green said. "She had many American friends. She was also planning to move here. I interviewed her priest and, according to him and other sources, she loved America and planned to settle here. She was looking into buying a home in Beverly Hills or the Malibu area. How ironic and wonderful that she might have returned to the land of her ancestors."

What would William's ancestors say today, knowing their descendant will become king? It depends on whom you ask, Green said.

"I think some of them would be delighted that one of their own will be king," Green said. "I think William's ancestors would be delighted not only that he will be king, but that he is a good man. He's a devoted family man. He has a wonderful wife and wonderful children. I think they would admire the fact that he has many American qualities."

"He's very independent," Green said. "He has a rebellious streak. He can be stubborn, and he loves his family. He loves his country, and he's a patriot in his own way. I think that even though they might be amused that their descendant is part of the monarchy they once fought against, they would be very proud that one of their own has become such a good and beloved man."

Murdaugh wants Idaho murders DNA dream team behind Kohberger case to help rewrite second murder trial

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 07:00:31 -0400

Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys want a Texas forensic DNA lab known for helping crack some of the nation’s most notorious murder cases to test unknown male DNA found beneath Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails as the disgraced South Carolina attorney heads toward a new double-murder trial.

Murdaugh, once a powerful personal injury attorney in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, was convicted in 2023 of killing his wife, Maggie, 52, and their younger son, Paul, 22, at the family’s hunting estate in June 2021. His convictions were later overturned, and a new trial has been tentatively set for April 2027.

His attorneys have pointed to DNA found beneath Maggie's fingernails that they say belonged to an unknown, unrelated male. They have asked for independent testing by Othram Inc., a Houston-area forensic genetic genealogy company whose technology has been used in high-profile murder investigations and decades-old cold cases.

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Prosecutors disputed the significance of additional DNA testing, arguing that the evidence has already been tested by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and produced only a mixture of Maggie’s DNA and what the state described as a "very partial and incomplete" profile from another contributor. The unknown profile, prosecutors said, did not contain enough identifying information to be submitted to CODIS, the national DNA database.

Othram, based in The Woodlands, Texas, specializes in advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy, a method that can help investigators identify suspects or unknown victims when traditional law enforcement databases do not produce a match.

Here are some of the high-profile cases Othram has helped crack.

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1. The University of Idaho murders

Othram’s work came under national scrutiny in the investigation into the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students: Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

Investigators recovered DNA from a knife sheath found near one of the victims inside the off-campus Moscow, Idaho, home where the students were killed. Othram has said Idaho State Police Forensic Services, Moscow police and the FBI teamed with the company to help identify Bryan Kohberger as the suspect.

Kohberger later pleaded guilty to four counts of murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

COLD CASE CRACKED AS ILLINOIS SUSPECT CHARGED IN BRUTAL 1993 KILLING OF MOTHER FOUND SLAIN IN FIELD

2. Rachel Morin murder

Othram also played a role in the investigation into the killing of Rachel Morin, a Maryland mother of five whose body was found near the Ma & Pa Trail in Bel Air in August 2023. Harford County authorities and the FBI worked with Othram after DNA evidence did not immediately identify the unknown male suspect through traditional methods.

Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was later arrested and charged in Morin’s rape and murder. He was convicted in 2025.

3. Carla Walker cold case

The 1974 murder of 17-year-old Carla Walker in Fort Worth, Texas, went unsolved for more than four decades before advanced DNA testing helped investigators identify her killer. Walker was abducted, raped, tortured and murdered after attending a Valentine’s Day dance with her boyfriend.

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A break came in 2020 after crime scene DNA was uploaded to a public genealogy website, leading to the identification of then 77-year-old Glen Samuel McCurley. Authorities confirmed the match after obtaining his DNA from trash.

Othram worked with Fort Worth police to identify McCurley as the man responsible. McCurley later pleaded guilty to murder, giving Walker’s family answers after 46 years.

4. The Lady of the Dunes

One of New England’s most infamous unidentified victim cases was solved with help from Othram nearly 50 years after a woman’s body was found in the dunes of Provincetown, a summer vacation hot spot at the tip of Massachusetts in 1974. The 49-year-old cold case was eventually solved in August 2023.

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The woman, long known only as the "Lady of the Dunes," was found dead in 1974. For decades, authorities could not determine her name. The FBI, Massachusetts State Police, Provincetown police and prosecutors partnered with Othram to identify her as Ruth Marie Terry. Her husband at the time, Guy Rockwell Muldavin, was identified as her killer, Cape and Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois said.

Terry was a 37-year-old Tennessee native newlywed when her nearly decapitated body was found in the sand dunes. Muldavin and Terry were married only a few months before she vanished. For decades, she was only known as "Lady of the Dunes" until her jaw was tested using genetic genealogy at Othram.

5. A Gilgo Beach victim

Othram’s technology was also used to help identify Karen Vergata, previously known as "Fire Island Jane Doe," in a case tied to the broader Gilgo Beach investigation on Long Island.

Vergata’s remains were found in 1996, but she was not publicly identified until decades later. In 2022, the Suffolk County Police Department in collaboration with the FBI teamed with Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing could help to identify "Fire Island Jane Doe."

Vergata was 34 years old at the time of her death and she went missing on Valentine's Day in 1996.

In April 2026, Rex Heuermann admitted that he intentionally killed Vergata, along with seven other women, as part of a plea agreement.

What Othram testing could mean in Murdaugh’s case

The request for Othram testing does not mean the unknown DNA will change the outcome of Murdaugh’s case. Still, Murdaugh’s attorneys are expected to argue the testing could support an alternate-suspect theory as they prepare for a second trial.

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"They decided that night he was the guy and everything they did after that excluded any other thought," Murdaugh's lead defense attorney, Dick Harpootlian, previously told Fox News Digital. "And that's why they have no evidence connecting him with the murder scene."

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

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During Murdaugh’s first status hearing on Monday, June 29, Judge Debra McCaslin did not rule on the DNA evidence, telling defense attorneys to clarify if the sample was viable.

Fox News Digital reached out to Othram.

China’s robot-run hotel opens to public in 2027

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 06:58:01 -0400

Pudu Robotics has announced what it calls the first "full-scenario robot-serviced hotel." The project will use robots across the entire guest experience, from reception and room service to cleaning, food preparation and guest support.

The hotel is set to open in 2027, with trial rooms and robot-powered services expected to begin in late 2026. Early guests will be able to try robot check-in and autonomous in-room delivery before the full launch.

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COULD THE NEXT CHINESE THREAT WALK INTO YOUR KITCHEN ON TWO BATTERY-POWERED LEGS?

Where the robot-run hotel will be located

The hotel will sit on West Artificial Island, a man-made island tied to the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link in Guangdong Province. That cross-sea bridge and tunnel project is one of the Pearl River Delta's biggest transportation projects.

The location feels fitting. Shenzhen already has a reputation as one of China's major technology hubs. Room-service delivery robots are already common in hotels across many large Chinese cities.

However, this project goes much further. Instead of adding a few robots to assist hotel staff, Pudu wants to create a connected robot service system that can handle the entire guest experience.

What robots will do inside the hotel

The planned hotel will include 44 high-end rooms, a restaurant, a gym and other guest spaces. Robots will take on roles across the property, including reception, room service, cleaning, food preparation and guest support.

That means you could check in with a robot, have luggage delivered by a robot and order drinks from your phone without calling the front desk. Then, cleaning robots would handle waste detection and room upkeep using AI.

Pudu says its robots will work from one shared intelligence framework. In other words, different machines will handle different jobs while staying connected through the same software system.

The robot staff behind the scenes

Pudu's FlashBot will run an intelligent vending system, allowing guests to order drink deliveries by smartphone. The PUDU T300 will move luggage from the lobby to rooms.

Meanwhile, the PUDU CC1 Pro and PUDU MT1 cleaning robots will handle cleaning tasks using AI waste-detection technology.

At the Shenzhen launch event, BellaBot Pro served coffee while KettyBot Pro delivered refreshments and snacks. That kind of robotic service may still surprise many travelers. In Shenzhen, though, it already fits into a broader tech culture where robot baristas and drone food delivery are becoming more visible.

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How AI will run the hotel experience

The hotel will rely on PuduFM 1.0, the company's embodied intelligence foundation model. It will also use PuduAgent to manage intelligent operations across the hotel.

"This partnership represents an important step toward large-scale deployment of embodied intelligence in premium hospitality environments," said Cong Guo, co-founder and CTO of Pudu Robotics.

He also said the project gives the company a chance to explore new service models where AI and robotics work together to deliver connected service experiences.

That may sound ambitious, yet the rollout will be gradual. The first public trial is expected in late 2026. A broader hotel opening is planned for 2027.

Why China is moving fast with robot hospitality

China has already embraced service robots in hotels, restaurants, airports and public spaces. The robot-run hotel takes that trend into a more advanced phase.

Shenzhen Culture & Tourism Industry Development will work with Pudu Robotics to turn West Artificial Island into a robotics and technology destination. The hotel is only one part of that larger plan.

Over the next four years, the island is expected to add more robotics across tourism and hospitality. That could turn the area into a testing ground for how travelers react when robots handle nearly every service touchpoint.

What this means for you

If this hotel works well, it could change what you expect from travel in the future. Faster check-in, automated deliveries and round-the-clock service may sound convenient, especially when you arrive late or need something quickly.

However, there is another side to this. A robot-run hotel also raises questions about jobs, privacy, safety and what kind of hospitality guests actually want.

Some travelers may love the speed and efficiency. Others may miss the warmth of a person who can read the room, handle a strange request or help when something goes wrong.

That is where this project becomes important. It may show whether people are ready for hotels where AI handles the stay from start to finish.

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Kurt's key takeaways

China's first robot-run hotel feels like a major test of how far hospitality automation can go. We have already seen delivery robots roll through hotel hallways. Yet this project puts robots at the center of the entire stay. The convenience could be impressive. You could check in, order drinks, receive luggage and get room support without waiting on a busy front desk. For travelers who value speed, that may feel like a win. Still, hospitality has always been about more than efficiency. A great hotel stay often comes from small human moments. A kind greeting, a helpful suggestion or a quick fix when something goes sideways can make a trip feel easier.

If a robot-run hotel can give you faster service, would you miss the human touch or happily skip the front desk altogether? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Grand Canyon rafting guide becomes first American woman to row solo across Pacific in record-breaking fashion

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 06:30:12 -0400

Grand Canyon rafting guide Kelsey Pfendler completed a record-breaking solo row across the Pacific Ocean on Friday, arriving in Hawaii after a more than 2,400-mile journey from California.

Pfendler arrived at Honolulu Harbor aboard her 21-foot boat, Lily, after rowing alone for just under 44 days.

Hundreds of supporters gathered to cheer her arrival after nearly a month and a half at sea.

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She launched from Monterey, California, in May with the goal of becoming the first American woman, the youngest woman and the fastest woman to row solo across the mid-Pacific, according to her website.

She appears to have achieved all three milestones.

Records maintained by Ocean Rowing Society International, which adjudicates ocean-rowing achievements for Guinness World Records, indicate that Pfendler's time of just under 44 days broke both the previous women's record of 86 days and the men's record of 52 days for the same route.

Throughout the journey, Pfendler documented life alone at sea for hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, sharing the physical and mental challenges of crossing one of the world's largest oceans.

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Her videos showed blistered hands, sleepless nights battling wind and currents, and the daily routines that kept her alive, including making fresh water, cooking meals, washing clothes and protecting herself from the relentless sun.

Some updates captured emotional moments as she reflected on the isolation of the voyage, while others highlighted lighter moments, including joking about her pronounced hat tan line and reliance on caffeine pills.

"I just love boats in the middle of nowhere," Pfendler said in one video.

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As she neared Oahu, Pfendler said she hoped the journey would inspire others to take on challenges they might think are beyond their reach.

"If any part of this made at least one person feel a little bit more powerful in their own skin, I couldn't ask for anything else, and I'm happy," she said.

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Pfendler has worked as a professional river guide since she was 18 and has spent the past eight years leading rafting trips through the Grand Canyon along the Colorado River, according to her website.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

American Culture Quiz: Test yourself on Founding Fathers and vaccine victories

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 06:00:47 -0400

The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people — including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.

This week's quiz highlights America's Founding Fathers, vaccine victories — and much more.

Can you get all 8 questions right?

Give it a try and see how you do!

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

Also, to take a recent News Quiz — published every Friday — click here.

Expert who fled Cuba warns of ‘vicious cycle’ that will lead to ‘communists in double digits’ in Congress

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 06:00:36 -0400

A national security expert who fled to the U.S. from Cuba is warning that one "vicious cycle" currently dominating American politics could lead to "communists in double digits" serving in Congress.

Mike Gonzalez, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation who fled communist Cuba in the 1970s, said in an interview with Fox News Digital that the socialist "threat is real now."

Gonzalez likened this trend to a "takeover of a host body, the Democratic Party," saying, "It's being taken over by body snatchers and they're not able to mount any defense of it whatsoever even if they wanted to."

Under the current political environment, Gonzalez predicted, "We're going to get communists in double digits in the House of Representatives at least, there's no doubt of that."

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Over the course of a year, New York City elected a socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, while three of his endorsed socialist congressional candidates — Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier — defeated establishment Democrats, including two incumbents. On the other side of the country, Seattle elected a socialist mayor, Katie Wilson. Just this week, Colorado congressional candidate Melat Kiros defeated 15-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette, further illustrating socialists’ ability to topple entrenched party figures.

While these politicians identify as socialist, Gonzalez pointed out that to the authors of the communist manifesto, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, "there was no difference between socialism and communism, they were interchangeable."

"These people are communists, and when you catch them unawares, they actually say, ‘Oh, yeah, I know we want communism,’" he said.

According to Gonzalez, the widespread success of socialist candidates in races across the U.S. is due to several factors, including the breakdown of immigrants assimilating to American culture, increased hatred of the U.S. and even White guilt combined with a real affordability crisis in cities like New York.

"A very important component of this and one that conservatives sometimes forget is that a lot of these votes are White votes, White young kids who have come in from the suburbs, who feel guilty about a number of things," he explained.

SOCIALISM GOES WEST AS DSA-BACKED CHALLENGER OUSTS LONGTIME DEMOCRAT

"They have gone to very expensive Ivy League schools and they're trying to make a living in New York City without being a banker. And you can't make a living in New York City if you're not a banker, sorry, you're going to have an affordability crisis."

This, Gonzalez said, makes socialist promises of handouts, such as free tuition, free bus fares and public-run grocery stores, an easy sell.

"So, they end up voting for this. This is a very bad vicious cycle that is taking place and that is going to produce communism in this country if we're not careful."

Meanwhile, Neetu Arnold, a young immigrant to the U.S. who now works as a policy analyst for the Manhattan Institute, emphasized that the socialist trend is not just isolated to cities like New York but becoming increasingly prevalent in cities across the U.S.

"The rise in the socialism in America, it's going to shape our politics. I think it's going to make things more extreme," Arnold said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

DSA CO-CHAIR PUSHES BACK ON SOVIET UNION COMPARISONS, WANTS PRISONS TO BE 'LESS NECESSARY'

"What the socialist candidates have tapped into are real frustrations and grievances, but the solutions that they're offering is essentially more government involvement rather than trying to address the underlying problems," she explained. "What a lot of younger people are finding out is that it's not that easy to get housing. They're in student debt, they are struggling to find stable jobs, and so the things that they were promised are not necessarily coming true."

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As a naturalized U.S. citizen, Arnold said she hopes both sides of the political aisle recognize that "socialist policies are a threat to the American way of life."

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"In this country we value merit, we value wealth, and the ability to move upward in this society," she said. "I've seen my life change before my eyes by being here in this county, by having the opportunities that I did, and that I saw for my family, and I think that was only possible because of free markets and the opportunities that we had in this country."

"Socialist policies essentially restrict what we are able to do," Arnold continued. "So, I do take it seriously and I hope that Democrats, Republicans, they all take the rise of socialism seriously."

Homeowners terrorized by pro squatters turning dreams into nightmares in palm-lined paradise, experts say

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 06:00:09 -0400

Professional squatters are exploiting fake leases, forged documents and legal loopholes to take over homes in Los Angeles, experts say, leaving some homeowners locked in costly legal battles while investigators and former law enforcement officials warn that unlawful occupancy has become a growing public safety concern.

Former Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Moses Castillo and veteran private investigator Michael Youssef told Fox News Digital that some squatter cases extend far beyond traditional landlord-tenant disputes, involving allegations of fraud, identity theft, forged property documents and, in some instances, gang activity, narcotics activity and extortion-style demands for money.

Both men argue Los Angeles should consider creating a dedicated anti-squatter task force to help law enforcement distinguish legitimate tenant disputes from cases involving criminal conduct.

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Castillo said the creation of such a task force is "way overdue," arguing that California's laws have too often favored unlawful occupants over property owners.

"These professional squatters know how to work the system," Castillo said. "They know how to cause the worst nightmare for a property owner."

Castillo said many homeowners are forced to endure months of financial losses, legal expenses and emotional stress while attempting to regain possession of their own properties.

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"It impacts their health, their stress levels, and their finances," he said. "They're literally losing money while somebody else is taking over their property."

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According to Castillo, one of the most significant failures has been the tendency to treat many squatter complaints as civil disputes rather than criminal investigations.

"When somebody breaks locks, breaks windows, gains access to a vacant property and then claims residency, that's not a housing dispute," Castillo said. "That's a burglary. You're breaking and entering to commit a crime. It should be investigated as a crime from the very beginning."

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Castillo said responding officers are often left trying to determine whether they are dealing with a legitimate tenancy dispute or criminal conduct, but argued that obvious cases of unlawful entry should not automatically be pushed into the civil court system.

"But they're not doing that," Castillo said. "They're saying it's a civil matter, go to the courts and get an eviction. They wash their hands of it and leave the victims, the clients and the landlords hung out to dry."

Youssef, chief investigator for Blue Systems International and a licensed private investigator with more than three decades of experience investigating property fraud, unlawful occupancy and real estate-related crimes, said many squatter cases involve far more than a disagreement between a property owner and a tenant.

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"They basically hijack the property and they hold it hostage until you pay them off," Youssef said. "Most landowners describe it as hijacking. Their houses get hijacked."

"They're basically holding the house hostage," he added. "It's almost like the property is being held for ransom."

Youssef said many squatters have become increasingly sophisticated, using online forums, social media groups and what he described as "criminal consultants" who provide step-by-step instructions on exploiting tenant-protection laws.

"They have forums and I call them criminal consultants that actually teach these people how to squat and what to do and how to deal with law enforcement," Youssef said. "They give you step-by-step what to do and what laws to invoke."

According to Youssef, many occupants learn how to exploit procedural delays, create documentation designed to support false residency claims and remain in properties for extended periods of time.

WATCH: 'Squatters' host Flash Shelton uses handyman ruse to confront alleged squatter in home

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"They'll make fake leases. They'll try to get mail to them so they can prove their residency to law enforcement," Youssef said. "It's crazy."

Castillo said professional squatters are often unconcerned by the prospect of police involvement because they understand how the system works.

"They're not afraid of the police. They're not afraid of attorneys," Castillo said. "What they do fear is when a private investigator gets involved because they know somebody is going to start digging into their background and exposing what they've been doing."

One investigation in particular, Youssef said, illustrates how quickly an unlawful occupancy complaint can evolve into a serious public safety threat.

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According to Youssef, individuals associated with documented gang activity allegedly occupied a Long Beach residence, attempted to transfer ownership through a fraudulent quitclaim deed and demanded approximately $500,000 in exchange for vacating the property.

The situation escalated far beyond a property dispute, he said.

"They were asking for half a million bucks," Youssef said. "They fraudulently transferred title to the house."

WATCH: LA home inspectors send squatters packing before changing locks

Youssef said the homeowner's wife had died and the homeowner was hospitalized when the alleged scheme unfolded, allowing the occupants to establish themselves at the property.

Youssef alleged the property later became associated with gang activity, narcotics activity, prostitution and violence.

"We had a very aggressive case in Long Beach where a gang was squatting in a house and there was prostitution, selling drugs," Youssef said. "This nice neighborhood in Long Beach was completely ruined. It went as far as a shooting."

Youssef said investigators assisted in exposing the allegedly fraudulent ownership claims and helped the owners regain possession of the property without paying the $500,000 demand.

The case, he said, demonstrates why squatting can create risks not only for homeowners but also for entire communities.

"It's very dangerous, not just for the homeowners and landlords, but also dangerous for the communities," Youssef said. "All of a sudden, your neighbors are criminals."

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Both men argue that cases like the Long Beach incident demonstrate why squatting should not automatically be viewed as a landlord-tenant issue.

"These are simply criminals," Youssef said. "They go from one property to another property and continue doing it because they know nobody is going to stop them."

Castillo said the impact on homeowners can be deeply personal.

"I've heard this described when a victim of a sexual assault gets violated — it's a huge violation," Castillo said. "These squatters, it's like a house rape. It's horrible to even say that, but that's what it's like for these homeowners. Their castle has been taken over."

Castillo said many owners are left feeling as though they can no longer enjoy their own homes after unlawful occupants have damaged the property, engaged in criminal activity or left behind significant destruction.

The financial burden can also be staggering.

Castillo said some homeowners are forced to hire attorneys, private investigators and eventually pay so-called "cash for keys" settlements simply to persuade unlawful occupants to leave.

"You want me out? Then pay me $20,000. Pay me $40,000," Castillo said. "That's what's happening."

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Youssef said he has seen even larger demands.

"In the Long Beach case, they were asking for half a million dollars," he said.

Youssef added that one of the biggest shortcomings in many squatter investigations is the lack of follow-up fact gathering.

"A simple investigation could reveal who these people are and how they got into the property," Youssef said.

He argued that investigators who identify occupants, verify documents, interview neighbors and conduct background checks can often uncover evidence that fundamentally changes how a case should be viewed.

Youssef said investigators conducting background checks during the Long Beach investigation discovered that one occupant allegedly had an outstanding warrant for battery and assault.

"If they had simply identified him and ran his name, they would have found the warrant," Youssef said.

Youssef said responding officers are often required to make immediate decisions based on limited information and frequently classify complaints as civil matters before additional facts can be developed through investigation.

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"A lot of times law enforcement is going to ask a couple of questions and tell the property owner to evict the person," Youssef said. "A thorough investigation can reveal what's really going on."

Castillo said he hopes Los Angeles officials will consider creating a dedicated anti-squatter task force that would provide property owners and investigators with direct access to officials who can quickly assess complaints and intervene when criminal activity is suspected.

WATCH: Multimillion dollar Hollywood Hills mansion turned into eyesore by squatters, taggers

"I want to know how people can connect with these detectives or police officers or officials if a task force is created," Castillo said. "How can we have access to them so they can get some justice and hopefully minimize the harm they've already suffered?"

He also argued Los Angeles should serve as a model for other jurisdictions facing similar problems.

"I think Los Angeles should create a task force, and other cities throughout this country should follow that lead," Castillo said. "Property owners are being held hostage in their own homes, and that's not acceptable."

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Fox News Digital reached out to the LAPD, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' office, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and the Long Beach Police Department for comment. The LAPD and Long Beach police said they could not confirm the alleged Long Beach case based on the limited information provided. The mayor's office and the district attorney's office did not immediately respond.

For Youssef, the issue has grown beyond a housing dispute and into a broader public safety concern.

"This is a growing crime," he said. "A task force is really needed right now more than ever."

As America marks 250 years, our greatest chapters are still ahead of us

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 06:00:03 -0400

Our Founding Fathers are still with us. The story of America that they started in 1776 is only just beginning—and they will be with us all the way.

That’s because their legacy lives on not just in our laws, our Constitution and their fundamental proposition that all men are created equal with the same unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—rights that are God-given, not government-given.

Their legacy also lives on in the spirit with which they wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago. That spirit animated our Founders’ bold vision of the future; their drive to take decisive action to make that vision happen; and their willingness to risk it all, including "their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor," to accomplish their goal. It didn’t die with the revolutionary generation.

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It lives on in what we can call founders’ fire. That same combination of bold vision, relentless drive and the willingness to see risk as opportunity is baked into our American culture. It’s the core of what is called American exceptionalism.

Because no other country or society has embraced that founders’ fire to the same extent or made it part of the original creation of a nation and a people.

In fact, it predates our founding. It grew up with the very first settlers on this continent, with their "errand into the wilderness" to create a new church under God, a new society and a new life for themselves, by taking on the risks and challenges of an unknown land in order to build what John Winthrop and then Ronald Reagan called a shining city upon a hill.

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That founders’ spirit grew and thrived along the American frontier, turning a vast continent into a land of opportunity for all, an "empire of liberty" in Thomas Jefferson’s phrase.

It was fundamental to how the Founding Fathers in 1776 were able to seize the moment to create a new nation. It also lives on with the two great gifts the original Founders left for the nation they created—and for the founders of American businesses, enterprises and institutions that followed.

The first is embedded in the Constitution itself, in Article 1, Section 8: the right to own intellectual property and to acquire government-licensed patents to protect that right. Since George Washington signed the Patent Act in 1790, and for more than 200 years, that right has unleashed what Abraham Lincoln — who was himself a patent holder — called the "fire of genius" to grow and sustain the freest and richest economy on earth, from Samuel Morse’s telegraph and Edison’s light bulb to Henry Ford’s automobile and Steve Jobs’ personal computer, right down to today’s AI companies and the builders of tomorrow’s quantum computers.

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The second gift is contained in the Declaration’s commitment to upholding "the pursuit of happiness" as every person’s unalienable right. Unlike property or life, or even liberty, it’s a right that’s entirely subjective: It’s left to the individual to decide what path is best for him or her, not government or some megacorporation, not even our family or neighbors.

We — and no one else — decide as individuals what path to take and where it leads in order to achieve a happy life in the United States.

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That’s why tens of millions of immigrants, both legal and illegal, have come to these shores for more than two centuries. The best of them understand that, while happiness is not guaranteed, they are freer to pursue the path that’s best for them than in any other society on earth.

And when that pursuit is suffused with the founders’ fire—including with immigrant founders like Andrew Carnegie, Elon Musk and NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang—the result is the fountainhead of creative possibilities and invention that characterizes American life. A fountainhead that empowers and expands the pursuit of happiness for other Americans, and ultimately for the entire world.

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That’s why the American story has just begun. Because it still carries within it that founders’ spirit, which will always inspire someone to commit, regardless of the risks, their body and soul to the enterprise of making our country stronger, safer and more prosperous, both to our benefit today and to future generations.

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9/11 Museum CEO reflects on lasting impact of terror attacks as America marks 250th birthday

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 05:00:56 -0400

As America marks its 250th anniversary, 9/11 Memorial and Museum President and CEO Elizabeth L. Hillman said this year's milestone coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, highlighting the nation's past and its resilience.

"This year, America's 250th birthday coincides with the 25th anniversary of 9/11, which means that what's happening at our site is very much connected to the history of the country and to the recognition of this important milestone," Hillman told Fox News Digital.

"9/11 is an important part of our nation's history, but especially now as the nation turns 250."

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the terrorist attacks when hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

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Hillman said it is more important than ever for future generations to learn about the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to understand how they helped shape the nation and "where we are today."

"Now, 25 years have passed since that date, so if we don't elevate 9/11 in the eyes of the 100 million Americans who were born since or were too young to remember 9/11 when it happened, we'll lose the opportunity for them to understand what happened on that day and how the world came to heal, how the nation came together, and how this city and the other sites, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, worked to recover afterward," she said.

Hillman said the nation's recovery after 9/11 shows that even after a devastating tragedy, people can come together, heal and rebuild.

"I think everyone's hungry for evidence that we can survive things that are difficult," she said. "There's nothing like 9/11 to help people realize, given how the nation has recovered since, that it is possible to persevere, to heal, to recover, even in the face of really unfathomable loss, and that's what 9/11 has the chance to teach us."

Reflecting on the museum's role, Hillman said the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks affected not only New York City but the entire country, calling the museum "a testament to the resilience of the city" and to "the perseverance that enabled us to actually rebuild."

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"At the center of the rebuilt World Trade Center is a monument to the people who were killed that day and a testimony, really, to what we can do when we come together after that kind of catastrophe," she said.

This year, the museum opened "Our Flag Was Still There," an exhibition featuring flags, artifacts and photographs that tell stories of resilience from first responders, veterans and Americans who lived through 9/11. The exhibit includes the Ground Zero flag raised by FDNY firefighters, the flag draped over the Pentagon by soldiers and firefighters, a flag raised over the last column of the South Tower, and one carried during the mission that killed Usama bin Laden.

"It reveals how important the flag was in the healing and the coming together that happened after 9/11," Hillman said.

Hillman said commemorating 9/11 is especially important at a time when "many things seem to be splitting us apart."

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"The opportunity to bring people together around a symbol like the flag and around a symbol like the rebuilding of the World Trade Center after 9/11, it's a great opportunity, especially right now," she said.

On July 4, Hillman said the museum will place an American flag at each victim's name on the memorial, "to recognize how important the flag was as a symbol of the country on its birthday, but also of the recovery from 9/11 that happened and continues to happen now as we remember that day at this site."

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Looking ahead to fall, Hillman said the museum will also start offering free admission to veterans whose "willingness to serve after 9/11" helped rebuild the World Trade Center and unite the nation.

"If there's one message that we feel we can elevate now that we couldn't do 25 years ago because we didn't know enough about what would happen afterward, it's that so many people were inspired to serve their country, serving in the military," she said.

Before the Boston Tea Party, there were New Hampshire's Pine Tree Riots

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 05:00:51 -0400

NASHUA, N.H. - As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its independence, the actions of Massachusetts colonists in contributing to the outbreak of the American Revolution will once again be in the national spotlight.

But Gov. Kelly Ayotte in neighboring New Hampshire, which was another of the 13 colonies that broke away from the British Empire, told Fox News Digital that the Pine Tree Riot in her state also deserves attention, as an event that may have inspired the Boston Tea Party a year and a half later.

"Before the Boston Tea Party, we had the Pine Tree Riots here in New Hampshire. That's because the British tried to come in and tax our pine trees and take them for their own, and we said no way," Ayotte explained.

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The riot was in opposition to a longstanding British policy preventing colonists from cutting down White pine trees larger than 12 inches in diameter in order to reserve them for Royal Navy use as masts on their ships. And it was significant because it demonstrated that colonists could defy British policies.

"We were early joiners of the revolution, very, very proud of this nation," the governor emphasized. "New Hampshire has a very special role in the history of this country."

Ayotte also noted that New Hampshire was "the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, so we were the deciding state to make sure that we had the Constitution," and added that "we were the first state in the nation to draft our own Constitution."

The Pine Tree Riot and New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation state Constitution are highlighted in the state's exhibition at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington D.C.

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"New Hampshire is so proud to be part of the fair on the National Mall. In fact, in that fair, we are displaying the history of New Hampshire. We have a video that's running where we have prominent figures throughout our state, on both sides of the aisle, reading from the Declaration of Independence. We also talk about our history. We'll be giving out some great New Hampshire maple syrup," the governor said.

Back home in the Granite State, Ayotte noted that "at our own Statehouse, we are going to have our visitors center open. We're going to have some very special documents there."

They include one of the Dunlap Broadsides, which were the first printings of the Declaration of Independence, and one of the original 1823 William J. Stone engravings of the historic document.

Cities and towns in New Hampshire have long taken a lead in celebrating the Fourth of July, with parades, fairs and fireworks, and other festivities, and this year is no different.

Ayotte, a former U.S. senator and former state attorney general who is running for re-election this year, noted in her Fox News Digital interview ahead of the holiday that she would be marching in four Independence Day parades on July 3 and 4.

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"It's going to be fantastic."

Fox News' Kiera McDonald contributed to this report

America's 250th celebration in nation's capital boosted by iconic automaker's 2-week tribute to innovation

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 05:00:24 -0400

WASHINGTON, DC - As dozens of travelers arrived at Union Station Wednesday morning, many stopped to photograph historic Ford Motor Co. cars, trucks, tractors and artifacts celebrating America's 250th anniversary and the automaker's role in shaping the nation.

For two weeks, Ford is hosting "Driving America Forward: A Ford Experience at Union Station," a free public exhibit showcasing vehicles and artifacts from the Ford Heritage Vault in Dearborn that trace the company's legacy, from the Model T, the iconic mass-produced car, to a 1934 Ford pickup on loan from legendary late-night host Jay Leno.

The exhibit, part of Ford's marquee America 250 celebrations, features 10 vehicles displayed behind museum-quality glass, including a 1941 Ford GP prototype that helped lead to the military Jeep, a 1951 Ford 8N tractor, a 1954 F-100 from Virginia's Red Truck Bakery and a 2026 Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula One car. Visitors can also create a free postcard at an interactive photo station and shop for Ford merchandise.

"America's celebrating its 250th anniversary," Ted Ryan, Ford's archives and heritage brand manager, told Fox News Digital. "We've been here for almost half of that journey, and we've had such a material impact on America."

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"Whether it's industrializing, building the moving assembly line, mass transportation with the Model T, the best-selling car in the world for a number of years, or even the tractor that transformed farming. Ford has been there."

Ryan said the exhibit was designed to turn heads and reveal surprising stories about the company's influence on American industry, transportation and pop culture over the past 123 years.

"I was challenged to create an exhibit that would stop people in their tracks to take pictures or learn new facts about the Ford Motor Company," he said. "So we have 10 amazing vehicles that go throughout our entire 124-year history... These are cars that are stopping people in their tracks, and then the exhibit cases are full of material that will tell people stories they don't expect to hear."

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In a news release, Ryan said Union Station was a fitting location because it has "a particular kind of magic."

"For more than a century, it has served as the front door to the nation's capital, a place where presidents have arrived to be inaugurated, where soldiers have shipped off to war, and where ordinary Americans, by the millions, have stepped off a train and into the heart of their democracy," he wrote.

But Ryan said Ford's contributions to America go far beyond building cars.

"Ford built Mission Control at Johnson Space Center," he said. "We developed tracking beams for airplanes. Ford invented the mail sorter. Hopefully we're teaching people about the critical role that Ford has played in America during half of its 250 years."

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Ryan said the vehicles are meant to spark memories for visitors, whether they remind someone of their first car, a family road trip or a vehicle passed down through generations.

"I hope people take wonderful photos of cars that remind them of vehicles Ford has produced that they fell in love with, and that they'll leave with information they didn't know ahead of time," he said.

Through wars, natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, Ryan said Ford has consistently stepped up to support the country through its "Answering the Call" initiative, which highlights the company's long history of helping the nation during times of need.

"Ford is always there and always will be there to answer the call whenever America or our local communities need us," he said.

As visitors walk through the exhibit, Ryan hopes they leave with a deeper appreciation for Ford.

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"America's turning 250, and it's a great time to celebrate," he said. "Ford has been here for half of it, and we're doing our best to tell our story and the role we've played in America."

The exhibit is open daily through July 14, with no tickets or registration required.

Revolutionary War cannons debut at Savannah History Museum for America 250

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 03:28:29 -0400

A piece of Revolutionary War history that spent more than two centuries hidden underwater is now on display in Georgia's oldest city, just in time for America's 250th anniversary.

Nineteen cannons discovered at the bottom of the Savannah River were unveiled Thursday as a part of a new exhibit at the Savannah History Museum. The cannons spent nearly 240 years underwater.

"This is the largest discovery of 18th century artillery from a single Revolutionary War naval event," said Nora Fleming Lee, CEO of Coastal Heritage Society. "So the discovery is really significant nationwide, not just for Savannah."

A crew with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stumbled upon the cannons in 2021 while dredging the river to accommodate larger cargo ships.

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"In total, they brought up 19 cannon and a dozen or so are small artifacts.… They had quite a bit of concretion on them, oyster shells, all kinds of marine life that had attached itself to the cannon," explained Fleming Lee.

Some of the cannons were found still packed with cannonballs and gunpowder charges, along with other small artifacts.

After being pulled from the river, most of the cannons left Georgia for several years for cleaning and preservation work at a Texas A&M University lab.

"Running electrical currents essentially through a water bath that they were in, and it desalinates the iron works, so it stabilizes iron to be on land," said Fleming Lee. "And then in the final treatments, they're painted with acid and given a spa treatment and waxed and that they can have a very long life here on land."

Seventeen cannons were restored. The other two were left unrestored to allow visitors a side-by-side comparison.

All 19 are permanently on display as a part of the new "Loyalists & Liberty: Savannah in the American Revolution" exhibit.

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Historians believe the cannons sank shortly before the siege of Savannah in 1779. At the time, Savannah was under British occupation.

"We believe these cannons are the last of several ships that were scuttled, at the narrowest part of the Savannah River to act as a blockade for the French fleet to prevent them from sailing up river and reclaiming Savannah for the American side," said Fleming Lee.

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The cannons would've sunk just weeks before the Battle of Savannah, known as one of the bloodiest battles of the Revolutionary War, with over 800 casualties in under an hour. It was fought on the very ground where the Savannah History Museum now stands.

"The cannons are really the tangible artifacts that are telling the story of revolution," said Fleming Lee. "And through that lens, we're expanding Georgia's revolutionary story. More about the naval events, but more importantly, we're telling the story through the lens of those who aren't often focused on."

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The new exhibit tells the story of Savannah's role in the birth of America from the lens of five unique historical figures, including indigenous, free and enslaved people, women and children.

The story behind Betsy Ross and the first American flag as America celebrates 250th birthday

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 02:56:26 -0400

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, historic sites in Philadelphia are spotlighting the people and places tied to the nation’s earliest days — including one of its most enduring symbols: the American flag.

While the Founding Fathers are often at the center of Revolutionary War history, one of the country’s most recognizable symbols is traditionally associated with an ordinary woman working from her home in Philadelphia.

Betsy Ross, a 24-year-old upholsterer, is traditionally credited with sewing what many believe was the first American flag in the summer of 1776 after reportedly being approached by members of a flag committee that included George Washington.

According to Lisa Acker Moulter, director of the Betsy Ross House, the historic site is helping visitors understand how that moment may have unfolded.

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"She said she'd never made one before, but she would certainly try," said Lisa Acker Moulter, director of the Betsy Ross House. "She did suggest one change though, the flag that they showed her that was drawn on a piece of paper had six-pointed stars and she recommended five-pointed stars because they were easier to make. She had a method that she had learned as a child to fold a piece of cloth or paper and she cut a perfect five-pointed star with just one snip of her scissors."

Ross is believed by tradition to have worked in secrecy, sewing the flag by hand at night — likely in her home rather than in her upholstery shop — and completing it in about a week.

At the time, the colonies were still under British rule, making the creation of a national flag a potentially dangerous act.

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"You have to remember that we were a British colony at the time, so making the flag would have been considered an act of treason. If she had been caught by the British or loyalists, she could have been at the very least imprisoned or possibly even executed," said Lisa Acker Moulter, director of the Betsy Ross House.

The original design featured 13 stripes representing the colonies and 13 stars arranged in a circle to symbolize equality among them. It was later adopted as the nation’s first official flag after the Continental Congress passed a resolution on June 14, 1777.

Lisa Acker Moulter, director of the Betsy Ross House, says the story of Betsy Ross reflects a broader truth about who contributed to America’s founding.

"It shows that ordinary people can contribute important things to this country as well. You know, this country wasn’t just founded by wealthy, powerful white men, the Founding Fathers. It was women, it was free and enslaved people, it was new immigrants, all of them contributed to the founding of this nation. And that’s represented through that first flag," said Lisa Acker Moulter, director of the Betsy Ross House.

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In its early years, the flag was primarily used on battlefields, military forts, and ships as a form of identification. It did not become a widespread symbol of national identity until later in U.S. history.

"They weren’t a symbol of our national identity as they are today. That didn’t happen until the Civil War. So from the Civil War until today, that’s when you started seeing flags flown over schools, flown on government buildings, flown on houses. So the flag has changed over time. It’s become much more powerful and meaningful to people," said Lisa Acker Moulter, director of the Betsy Ross House.

Over time, the flag evolved as new states joined the Union. The first major update came in 1795 with the addition of two stars for Vermont and Kentucky, and the most recent change came in 1960 after Hawaii became the 50th state.

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From its disputed origins to its modern meaning, the American flag remains one of the country’s most powerful symbols — now taking center stage again as Philadelphia marks America’s 250th anniversary.

New Jersey coastal city clashes over proposal to transform amusement park into luxury hotel

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 21:05:35 -0400

Officials in New Jersey sparked mixed reactions after voting to pave the way for the redevelopment of a former iconic amusement park.

Gillian's Wonderland Pier in Ocean City was a Jersey Shore landmark that entertained families for decades. David Gillian founded Gillian's Fun Deck around 1930. Roy Gillian began operating the business as Gillian’s Wonderland Pier in 1965.

The park became known for its carousel, monorail and 144-foot Giant Wheel. It closed in October 2024 after years of mounting financial pressures, including rising inflation, insurance premiums and operating costs. Disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and Superstorm Sandy also reportedly contributed to the business’ financial woes.

"I tried my best to sustain Wonderland for as long as possible, through increasingly difficult challenges each year," Ocean City mayor and one-time Wonderland Pier owner Jay Gillian wrote in a letter posted to Facebook. "It’s been my life, my legacy and my family. But it’s no longer a viable business."

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"It’s not going to be like it was every year we come down, something is taken away," 72-year-old Pennsylvania resident KR Watkin told FOX 29 at the time.

"It’s surreal actually," said employee Andrew Boyland. "I can’t believe this is happening. I’m upset about it but at the same time the amount of people that have come here ever since we announced we are closing is amazing."

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Icona Resorts owner Eustace Mita acquired the property in 2021. After the park closed, he proposed building a 252-room hotel on the site.

In a 5-2 vote recently, Ocean City councilmembers approved rezoning the site as "in need of rehabilitation," thereby allowing the city to begin the redevelopment process.

The vote does not approve construction of the hotel itself, however. The next step in the process involves the city drafting a redevelopment plan outlining development standards before holding public hearings and seeking additional approvals.

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Some residents said they are in favor of the hotel, arguing it will bring more visitors to the city that is home to roughly 11,000 year-round residents and regularly attracts more than 100,000 tourists per day during the summer.

Others expressed concern that the development would alter the boardwalk’s character.

Community advocacy group Ocean City 2050 criticized the vote in a statement, calling the council’s decision a "strategic blunder" that results in "a stronger hand for the developer, and a worse outcome for residents."

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The group announced it plans to join other groups in filing suit against the city challenging the rehabilitation designation.

"The council’s failure to meet the statutory requirements for rehabilitation, its arbitrary decision-making, its willful disregard of known financial conflicts and its breach of fiduciary duty to the citizens it serves" are reasons the group cited for the lawsuit.

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Ocean City 2050 said it supports a recent subcommittee report that called for "using traditional planning tools, not rehabilitation designation, to address this site."

The group said it would support a redevelopment plan that "enhances entertainment, respects the neighborhoods and protects our boardwalk’s iconic look and feel."

Trump set to deliver 'historic' speech celebrating America's 250th anniversary

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:31:47 -0400

President Donald Trump vowed Saturday to deliver what the White House is calling a "historic" speech celebrating America's 250th anniversary despite severe thunderstorms sweeping through Washington.

Trump was originally expected to take the stage at 10 p.m. at the conclusion of the Salute to America celebration on the National Mall, though timing of events may fluctuate due to adverse weather, per a senior White House official.

Following the delay, a spokesperson for Freedom 250, the event organizer, said Trump was expected to take the stage around 11 p.m., followed by a fireworks display.

"I'm going through bad weather. No matter what happens, I am delivering this speech," Trump said during a phone call with Fox News' Bret Baier.

Trump's comments came after Baier interviewed World War II veterans who had taken shelter after the event was temporarily postponed because of severe weather.

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"It's America 250. If they can storm the beaches on D-Day, I can deliver a speech and we can keep this program going," Trump told Baier.

Trump added in a post on Truth Social, "It’s Saturday night, LETS HAVE SOME FUN, even if we are out late tonight."

The president's address is expected to look back on America's history since its founding 250 years ago, a senior White House official told Fox News.

Trump will deliver a "unique" speech featuring the stories of American heroes.

"It will be a unique speech unlike any other he’s given before," the official added.

Earlier Saturday, Trump celebrated what he described as a "stronger than ever" America in a Truth Social post, praising the "incredible" crowds gathered in Washington despite the heat and storms.

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The president also highlighted the air shows over the nation's capital, saying the pilots and aircraft were "at a level never seen before."

Trump also addressed recent vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, calling those responsible "Vandal Thugs" and promising the pool would be drained and repaired after the holiday weekend.

The president's remarks come one day after he delivered a patriotic speech at Mount Rushmore, where he called the United States the "most exceptional nation ever to exist" and warned that communism posed the nation's greatest threat.

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"Communism is the exact opposite of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — it is death, tyranny and the pursuit of evil.

A severe thunderstorm swept through Washington on Saturday evening, prompting emergency officials to urge people on the National Mall to seek shelter.

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Freedom 250 said it would provide updates on the evening's schedule as weather conditions developed.

Kylian Mbappé's seventh goal of the World Cup lifts France past Paraguay in physical Round of 16 match

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 19:50:14 -0400

The United States may not have been in action on Independence Day, but France — who fittingly played an important role in the Revolutionary War — was on the pitch in Philadelphia against Paraguay in a massive Round of 16 clash for a trip to the quarterfinals.

It was a hot day in the birthplace of our nation, and that made things difficult for both teams in more ways than one.

While Paraguay is a great squad, they were significant underdogs against a heavily favored French team led by superstar Kylian Mbappé, who has been lighting it up this tournament.

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Obviously, the heat itself is a factor, but it also made for a slower pitch, something that was believed to play into the hands of Paraguay.

However, most of the action in the first half was played on their end as France put the pressure on through the first half hour of the match.

It was intense, and that intensity boiled over in the 35th minute with some pushing and shoving after Mbappé and Paraguay's Andrés Cubas started a wild shoving match.

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But while the intensity ramped up — and stayed high for pretty much the entire game — Paraguay weathered the storm and had every reason to feel good about reaching halftime with the game scoreless.

France got some more scoring opportunities in the early part of the second half, including a near-breakaway for Mbappé.

In the 67th minute, France was awarded a penalty kick for a foul against Desire Doue that had to go to VAR for review, and it was Mbappé who took it.

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Mbappé has tended to do most of his damage in the second half, and that trend continued here with him drilling the penalty past Paraguay goaltender Orlando Gill.

That was his 19th career World Cup goal, and his seventh of this tournament alone, tying him with Argentina's Lionel Messi for the tournament lead.

Paraguay seemed to fade after the Mbappé goal, but turned it on again late, forcing Mike Maignan to make his first save of the day about 89 and a half minutes into the match.

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It seemed like Paraguay's plan was to try and get a rise out of the French, and they succeeded in drawing three yellow cards. In fact, they even tried to keep that going after the match with players meeting near midfield for some more pushing and shoving.

But France is moving on, and they will take on Morocco in a quarterfinal match on Thursday in Boston.

This 'America the Beautiful' rendition before the France vs Paraguay match will give you goosebumps

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 19:00:37 -0400

The Fourth of July pregame festivities before the France vs. Paraguay World Cup Round of 16 match will go down as one of the greatest in history. Yes, it may seem a little odd to celebrate an awe-inspiring American cultural moment when no American team was involved, but hear me out.

On Saturday at Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field), the field was transformed to resemble the American flag, complete with additional performers and pyrotechnics. The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale then delivered a performance for the ages with a stirring rendition of "America the Beautiful" in honor of America's 250th birthday.

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While the choir sang, two young individuals (one White young man and one Black young lady) delivered what I would describe as spoken word — oral poetry emphasizing the beauty of our nation's founding, especially as it relates to the City of Brotherly Love.

"250 years ago, in this city, an idea found its voice," the young man said.

"Not perfect. Not finished. But bold enough to believe in people," the young woman followed up as the choir hummed.

As the choir sang, they spoke about how America’s principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness have led to unthinkable freedom, and eventually to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which "unites the world."

Other ceremonial elements included an appearance by Miss Pennsylvania, Stephanie Skinner, dressed as Lady Liberty, and a Navy flyover. It will give you chills.

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Happy Birthday, America!

Toronto Maple Leafs top pick Gavin McKenna reveals that he's changing his jersey number

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 17:30:23 -0400

Toronto Maple Leafs No. 1 draft pick Gavin McKenna has already been on the ice with the team as it held its development camp this week, but the highly-touted rookie is going to have to make a big change for this fall.

His number.

When he was playing for the Western Hockey League's Medicine Hat Tigers and then again at Penn State this past season, McKenna wore the No. 72.

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The expectation was that McKenna would wear No. 72 with the Maple Leafs, and he did so this week at development camp. Plenty of fans have also already ordered No. 72 jerseys with his name on the back.

On most rosters, No. 72 is unique enough that he wouldn't run into any issues wearing it. However, on July 1, the Leafs signed two-time Stanley Cup champion goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who has worn No. 72 for most of his career, except during his first two seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, when he wore No. 35.

So, some were wondering how this would work out. Would the Leafs want their new franchise player to get his pick of the number litter, or would they defer to a two-time Vezina winner?

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Well, it turns out that McKenna will be the one swapping numbers, and he'll be switching to No. 92 this season.

McKenna had to get creative here because the obvious number changes were a no-go in Toronto. Adding 7 and 2 would be 9, but that was retired in honor of Charlie Conacher and Ted Kennedy.

Another option would've been to flip the digits and go with No. 27, but that was retired in honor of Frank Mahovlich and Darryl Sittler.

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So, 92 it is.

However, McKenna reached out to one of the three previous players to wear the number, Jeff O'Neill, to ask whether he was comfortable with him using it.

It's fair to say he was down with the idea.

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McKenna will be a key piece of a Maple Leafs team that is looking to bounce back after a nightmare 2025-26 campaign that saw them finish last in the Atlantic Division.

The Revolutionary landmarks where Washington, Adams and Jefferson changed America

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 17:20:13 -0400

From New England to Virginia, history buffs and patriotic travelers can walk where American history unfolded in honor of the celebration of our nation's 250th anniversary this weekend.

Many of these destinations offer an array of events, including immersive exhibits that shed light on the colonial and Federal eras.

Whether through guided walking tours, ranger-led programs or living-history demonstrations, these destinations help bring America's founding to life.

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Here are five standout places to visit to soak up the nation's history.

These experiences and venues can be enjoyed at a variety of time periods. Check the relevant websites for more details.

1. Freedom Trail (Boston, Massachusetts)

This must-do tour in downtown Boston spans roughly 2.5 miles and connects 16 historically important sites.

The trail includes the Old South Meeting House, the Old North Church and the Paul Revere House, among others.

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It features Faneuil Hall, known as the "Cradle of Liberty" for the patriot meetings and speeches held there, as well as the Old State House, the site of the Boston Massacre.

"Preserved and dedicated by the citizens of Boston in 1951, the Freedom Trail is a unique collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution and beyond," the Freedom Trail's website says.

2. Independence National Historical Park (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Independence National Historical Park features several significant buildings and structures important to the American Revolution.

Most famously, it features Independence Hall, where the Second Continental Congress was held and the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

Carpenters' Hall, located two blocks east of Independence Hall, is where the First Continental Congress was held. The historic district includes the Museum of the American Revolution, the Benjamin Franklin Museum and the National Constitution Center.

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"The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell," the National Park Service's (NPS) website says.

"The Declaration of Independence and US Constitution were both debated and signed inside Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site."

3. Colonial Williamsburg & the Historic Triangle (Virginia)

Virginia's Historic Triangle offers historic sites spanning back centuries, including Jamestown, the first successful English settlement in North America, founded in 1607.

Colonial Williamsburg, the restored 18th-century capital of Virginia, is the world's largest living history museum, featuring costumed interpreters, restored buildings and sites frequented by many southern Founding Fathers.

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Also included in the triangle is Yorktown Battlefield, which marks the site of the decisive 1781 victory that effectively ended the Revolutionary War. Williamsburg and Yorktown are about 13 miles apart.

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation offers the America's Historic Triangle Ticket, which starts at $126 for adults and includes five consecutive days of admission to Jamestown Settlement, Historic Jamestowne, Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown Battlefield and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

4. George Washington's Mount Vernon (Virginia)

Located about 15 miles south of Washington, D.C., Mount Vernon was the home of George Washington.

Visitors can tour the mansion, gardens, Washington's tomb, working farm and museum exhibits detailing his life, military leadership and presidency.

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The estate offers expert-led tours, including behind-the-scenes access to areas typically closed to the public, as well as immersive Revolutionary War exhibits and a recreated Continental Army encampment.

5. Minute Man National Historical Park (Massachusetts)

Minute Man National Historical Park is located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

Visitors can walk the Battle Road Trail, explore restored colonial landmarks like Hartwell Tavern and take part in ranger-led programs and Patriots' Day events celebrating "the shot heard 'round the world."

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A highlight of the park is North Bridge, where colonial militia confronted British troops on April 19, 1775, during one of the opening engagements of the American Revolution.

"This beautifully restored 19th-century commemorative landscape, featuring the famous Minute Man statue by Daniel Chester French, is a perfect place to reflect upon this hallowed ground," NPS's website says.

Paul Pelosi, 86, faces a hit-and-run charge after striking a parked car in Napa County: sheriff's office

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 17:05:20 -0400

Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is facing a misdemeanor hit-and-run charge after authorities say he struck a parked vehicle in Napa County, California, on Friday, and drove away before his own car became disabled.

The Napa County Sheriff's Office said the crash happened Friday afternoon in Yountville, just over an hour north of San Francisco.

A witness reported seeing a brown convertible hit an unoccupied parked vehicle before continuing north. Deputies later found the damaged convertible partially blocking a nearby roadway and identified the driver as Paul Pelosi, 86.

During the investigation, Pelosi allegedly told deputies he knew he had hit something but did not know what it was, according to the sheriff's office. He continued driving until his vehicle became disabled, investigators said.

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Authorities said alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

"The investigation also determined that no alcohol (.00 on Preliminary Alcohol Screening Device) was detected upon testing, therefore Driving Under the Influence was ruled out," the sheriff's office said.

Investigators said Pelosi was responsible for the collision. He was not arrested at the scene, and the sheriff's office said that is common for this type of misdemeanor offense. Instead, deputies will refer the case to the Napa County District Attorney's Office for review and possible prosecution.

The sheriff's office also said it will submit a driver re-evaluation referral to the California DMV, a common practice for elderly drivers.

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"Mr. Paul Pelosi has personally apologized to the owner of the vehicle and assured them that he would take responsibility for the damage to their vehicle," a spokesperson for the Pelosi family said in a statement to The California Post. "Speaker Pelosi will not be commenting further on this private matter."

Fox News Digital also reached out to the Pelosi family for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

The incident comes more than two years after Pelosi pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drunken driving causing injury stemming from a May 2022 crash in Napa County.

He was sentenced to three years of probation, five days in jail — most of which was satisfied through custody credits and a work program — a three-month DUI education program, installation of an ignition interlock device for one year, and fines and restitution to the injured driver.

Unlike the 2022 case, investigators said DUI was ruled out in Friday's crash.

Pelosi has remained in the public eye since the October 2022 hammer attack inside the San Francisco home he shares with the former House speaker.

David DePape, who broke into the Pelosi residence seeking Nancy Pelosi before attacking Paul Pelosi with a hammer, was sentenced in October 2024 to life in prison on state charges after previously receiving a 30-year federal prison sentence.

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The attack left Paul Pelosi with a skull fracture and other serious injuries.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi has represented the state's 11th congressional district in San Francisco for decades.

City of Philadelphia may have leaked some MLB All-Stars hours before the big announcement

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 16:45:17 -0400

Philadelphia is, for obvious reasons, often at the center of Fourth of July celebrations, given that it's quite literally the birthplace of the nation. But this year, the city is catching a little guff over an apparent oversight.

The MLB All-Star Game is set for the city's Citizens Bank Park on July 14th, with rosters set to be announced on Saturday evening.

However, there certainly appear to have been some leaks, and it's all thanks to a series of light pole banners.

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Whether they're getting greased after a Super Bowl or spoiling All-Star rosters, does any city's poles get as much attention as Philadelphia's? Maybe Vegas', but those are a different kind of pole.

Some photos of banners around the city have made their way to social media, because they make it pretty clear that certain players are definitely headed to the Mid-Summer Classic.

Whoops.

You know, I don't think you'd ever see a banner of Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson anywhere within Philadelphia city limits... unless, of course, he was going to be playing in the All-Star Game hosted in the city.

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Of course, some of those banners are not going to shock anyone. Throwing Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes on a banner was probably a safe bet, and could've been hanging there for months, and everyone would just be like, "Yeah, that sounds about right."

I'm just always amazed how things like this can happen. The directions seem pretty foolproof: Do not hang the banners until July 5.

It's almost like whoever delivered those details did so to someone half-listening while scrolling TikTok.

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"Hang the All-Star banners all around the city before July 5. Got it. Can do, boss..."

The official reveal of the All-Star rosters comes on Saturday night, 7:30 p.m. ET, on FOX.

16 patriotic movies to watch this Fourth of July, from 'Top Gun' to 'Saving Private Ryan'

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 16:30:44 -0400

When you’ve had your fill of fireworks, parades and potato salad, there’s nothing like curling up with a good movie on a warm summer evening.

Here’s 16 of the best movies about America that will put you in a patriotic mood.

"1776"

A toe-tapping rendition of the founding of our country, 1972’s "1776" brought the Broadway musical of the same name from stage to screen just in time for the bicentennial with much of the celebrated cast reprising their roles.

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Standout songs include "Sit Down, John" and "Molasses to Rum."

"Born on the Fourth of July"

A somber portrayal of a veteran’s experience in Vietnam, "Born on the Fourth of July," is based on Ron Kovic’s real-life story of serving in the war, becoming paralyzed and eventually turning to anti-war activism.

The movie stars Tom Cruise and Willem Dafoe and was directed by Oliver Stone.

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"Forrest Gump"

The Academy Award-winning portrayal of a simple man’s optimistic view of the world follows the titular Forrest Gump from fighting in Vietnam to going on an inspiring run around the country.

The 1994 film stars Tom Hanks and Gary Sinise.

"Independence Day"

If action — and aliens — is more in your wheelhouse this Fourth of July, 1996’s "Independence Day" says it all in the title.

Defending the country (and the world) from extraterrestrial invaders, a group of patriots band together in a reminder that freedom isn't free.

Starring Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman, the impressive blockbuster even won an Academy Award for visual effects.

"Air Force One"

What could be more fun than watching president-turned-action-hero Harrison Ford save the country, his family and the occupants of his plane from terrorist hijackers?

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Gary Oldman, Glenn Close, Wendy Crewson and William H. Macy also star in the 1997 thriller.

"Saving Private Ryan"

An emotional story depicting the horrors of war, "Saving Private Ryan" follows a group of men during World War II who set out to bring a soldier home to his mother after she's lost her other three sons.

It stars Tom Hanks and Matt Damon and was directed by Steven Spielberg.

The film took home five Academy Awards, including best director for Spielberg.

"National Treasure"

"National Treasure" is a non-stop thrill ride through our nation's history that imagines a secret treasure map on the back of the Declaration of Independence.

The movie takes its stars — Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger and Justin Bartha — from the National Archives in Washington, D.C. to the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and Trinity Church in New York City.

Its sequel, "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," includes memorable scenes at Mount Vernon, the Library of Congress and Mount Rushmore.

"The Patriot"

Mel Gibson plays a reluctant Revolutionary War hero in this historical epic where he attempts to save his son who is captured by the British.

The movie also stars Heath Ledger and Joely Richardson and was nominated for three Oscars, including legendary composer John Williams for best score.

"Pearl Harbor"

A love story, "Pearl Harbor" recounts the events of Dec. 7, 1941 through the eyes of two fictional Army Air Corps pilots and the nurse they both loved.

The 2001 Michael Bay film stars Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Kate Beckinsale. Jon Voight and Alec Baldwin also play Franklin D. Roosevelt and Jimmy Doolittle.

"Flags of Our Fathers"

The movie, based on a book of the same name, depicts the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima, the famous raising of the flag there, and the aftermath for the men shown in the picture.

Directed by Clint Eastwood, "Flags of Our Fathers" is a companion movie to "Letters from Iwo Jima," which shows the Japanese view of the battle.

The two movies were nominated for a combined six Oscars, with "Letters from Iwo Jima" taking home one for best sound editing.

"Lincoln"

Another Steven Spielberg-directed film, "Lincoln" stars Daniel Day-Lewis as the 16th president struggling the Civil War and abolishing slavery.

The film also stars Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones.

It was nominated for 12 Oscars in 2013, and took home two, including best actor for Day-Lewis.

"A League of Their Own"

"There's no crying in baseball!"

While much of the country's young men were overseas fighting World War II, someone had to keep America's favorite pastime alive.

Enter female athletes played by the likes of Geena Davis, Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna coached by Tom Hanks, a washed-up former MLB star.

The movie, directed by Penny Marshall was selected by the Library of Congress in 2012 to be preserved in the National Film Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

"Patriot Games"

Harrison Ford is back to save the country, this time as CIA agent Jack Ryan, hunting down the IRA terrorist who left his wife and daughter badly injured.

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The film, based on the Tom Clancy novel, also stars Samuel L. Jackson, Sean Bean and James Earl Jones.

"Top Gun"

This 1986 action flick is a high-flying, patriotic ode to the best of our military pilots.

It follows Maverick, played by Tom Cruise, as he trains at the elite Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School, his cocky attitude rubbing others there the wrong way.

The movie also stars Val Kilmer and Kelly McGillis.

The 2022 sequel "Top Gun: Maverick" reunites Cruise and Kilmer, catching up with the titular character who is now a test pilot and flight instructor to a new generation of trainees.

"Hamilton"

Born out of Lin-Manuel Miranda's brilliant mind and writing, "Hamilton" takes viewers on a hip-hop version of the founding of our country.

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An expensive ticket on Broadway, the filmed stage version starring Miranda is available to stream.

Top songs include "My Shot," "Satisfied" and "Wait for It."

"Field of Dreams"

Finishing off with a bit of nostalgia, this 1989 Kevin Costner movie will satisfy both baseball fans and those who are looking for a dose of classic Americana — or frankly, anyone who wants to feel inspired.

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The movie follows Costner's character as he decides to build a baseball diamond in his Iowa cornfield after hearing a voice tell him: "If you build it, he will come."

It also stars James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, Burt Lancaster and Amy Madigan.