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Supreme Court allows Trump admin to use federal voter eligibility database during appeal

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:06:05 -0400

An order issued Friday by the Supreme Court temporarily allows the Trump administration to move forward with a mass voter verification system.

The emergency order allows states, for now, to use the Department of Homeland Security program, called Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, in their efforts to verify the eligibility of voters on their rolls.

Because existing law blocks most states from systematically purging voters from their rolls within 90 days of an election, the immediate impact of Friday's order on the upcoming midterms is likely limited, the Associated Press reported. States' use of the SAVE program is voluntary.

Norm Eisen, a senior fellow with Brookings, agreed that the Supreme Court's ruling was restrained.

"Don't overreact to the SCOTUS SAVE database decision," Eisen wrote on X. "Page 6 of the decision makes clear that we are in the 90-day statutory window when mass changes can't be made to voter lists!"

The court’s order puts on hold a federal judge’s June ruling that had deemed the Republican administration’s recently revamped version of SAVE illegal. U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan had blocked the use of the tool, saying it violated Americans’ privacy rights and could result in voters being wrongly removed from the rolls.

LIBERAL JUSTICE HAMMERS SUPREME COURT FOR FAST-TRACKING EMERGENCY DOCKET CASES

A federal appeals court declined to pause Sooknanan's ruling, prompting the administration's appeal to the Supreme Court.

The Trump administration moved to expand SAVE after the president signed an executive order directing the creation of a federal voter registration list and imposed new restrictions on eligibility for voting by mail as part of a broader effort to combat voter fraud.

TRUMP REVIVES SUPREME COURT IMMIGRATION SHOWDOWN AFTER HOCHUL PARDON TORPEDOED FIRST CASE

The SAVE program was created in 1986 under an immigration law mandating that DHS help federal, state and local agencies prevent government benefits from going to noncitizens. The Trump administration last year moved to significantly expand its search abilities. Since then, at least 67 million registrations have been scanned through the program, but critics, the AP says, worry it could end up purging valid voters from the rolls.

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor in dissenting.

"In my view… the harm caused by burdening or disenfranchising even a few lawful voters outweighs the nonexistent harm that the Government experiences when it is prevented from taking an action that it likely lacks the authority to take," Jackson wrote in a dissenting opinion. "This imbalance, along with the Government’s improbable merits arguments, should have compelled the Court to deny the stay."

But the majority pushed back on concerns that lawful voters could simply be removed from state voter rolls, noting that federal officials are required to contact individuals flagged by SAVE to seek additional information if their citizenship cannot be confirmed.

The majority also noted that SAVE has long allowed federal, state and local agencies to verify citizenship and immigration status using records maintained by the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security and Department of State.

"The Supreme Court’s order allows the federal government to share information in its possession concerning people’s apparent citizenship status to help election officials register eligible voters while preventing the improper addition of non-citizens to the registration rolls," Michael Morley, director of the Election Law Center at Florida State University, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "The Court recognized Congress expressly endorsed such information sharing in 1996 amendments to federal immigration law."

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The Supreme Court's stay is temporary, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit could still rule against the SAVE program, potentially sending the case back to the Supreme Court.

Jason Snead, executive director of the Honest Elections Project, said the Supreme Court already "got it right."

"The Trump Administration’s SAVE expansion just makes it easier for states to get federal citizenship data to help them clean up voter rolls. Once again, left-wing interests are doing everything they can to block states from verifying citizenship on the eve of a federal election, and for the second time in a week they have lost in court. This a major win for election integrity."

Fox News' Shannon Bream, Bill Mears, Ashley J. DiMella and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Mistress told ‘American Idol’ contestant she wanted ‘to kill’ wife but testified divorce, not murder, was plan

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 06:00:21 -0400

Jurors spent hours Thursday listening to droves of messages exchanged between former "American Idol" contestant Caleb Flynn and his former mistress, Alleigha Botner, before defense attorneys sought to recast the relationship as an emotionally volatile affair centered on divorce – not murder.

The day ended with an Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation digital forensics expert beginning testimony about data recovered from Flynn's cellphone.

Here are the biggest moments from Day 6 of testimony:

‘AMERICAN IDOL’ CONTESTANT’S 100K TEXTS WITH MISTRESS SHOW MOTIVE IN WIFE’S MURDER, PROSECUTORS SAY

1. Botner said 'I want to kill her'

Botner testified that she and Flynn exchanged messages about wanting his wife dead months before Ashley was killed.

"I just wish I didn't say this," she said as she became emotional on the stand.

Botner then read her message to Flynn: "I want to kill her, Caleb."

She said Flynn responded: "That makes two of us."

WATCH: Caleb Flynn had ominous response when mistress said ‘I want to kill her’

2. Jurors heard the final messages before Ashley Flynn was killed

Prosecutors focused heavily on the final hours before Ashley Flynn was shot, walking jurors through messages exchanged the night before her death.

Botner repeatedly questioned whether Flynn was prepared to leave his wife.

‘AMERICAN IDOL’ CONTESTANT’S 100K TEXTS WITH MISTRESS SHOW MOTIVE IN WIFE’S MURDER, PROSECUTORS SAY

"I said, 'Caleb, I've never felt anything as deep as I felt with you. I trusted you with my heart. I'm terrified. But thank you for saying all that. We will see if your actions finally match your words,'" Botner testified, reading from the messages.

She said Flynn responded: "I've never felt anything like it either. It's why I know it's actually real ... I'm terrified as well, but tomorrow it all starts."

WATCH: 'You have murdered my heart': Secret affair messages revealed in Caleb Flynn trial

‘AMERICAN IDOL’ CONTESTANT’S 100K TEXTS WITH MISTRESS SHOW MOTIVE IN WIFE’S MURDER, PROSECUTORS SAY

When Botner asked whether he was "more excited or scared," Flynn allegedly replied: "Well, I got a pretty massive day tomorrow so I'm gonna head to sleep. Please be praying for me and I'll update you the whole time."

Later in the conversation, Botner testified she wrote: "You're about to be free."

MISTRESS SAYS SHE GAVE ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ CONTESTANT ULTIMATUM BEFORE WIFE’S KILLING BLEW UP AFFAIR

She said Flynn replied: "I choose you ... You're more than enough. Good night."

3. Flynn allegedly made an ominous remark after Ashley's death

Botner testified she later went to Ashley's parents' home, where church staff had gathered after the shooting.

She said Flynn hugged her shortly after she arrived.

"The first thing he said to me was, 'It didn't happen the way we thought it would, did it?'"

She testified she immediately questioned him about what happened and became increasingly suspicious as he described hearing a gunshot, finding blood inside the home and discovering Ashley.

4. Defense argued the messages were about divorce – not murder

Defense attorney Emily Smith sought to reframe the prosecution's key evidence, arguing Botner understood Flynn's messages to be about leaving his wife – not killing her.

Smith asked whether Flynn's repeated references to becoming "free," taking action and leaving Ashley meant he intended to divorce her.

"Yes," Botner replied.

MISTRESS SAYS SHE GAVE ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ CONTESTANT ULTIMATUM BEFORE WIFE’S KILLING BLEW UP AFFAIR

Smith then asked whether she understood those same messages to mean Flynn was planning a murder.

"I did not," Botner answered.

Smith also zeroed in on Botner's ChatGPT research before Ashley's death.

Botner testified she looked up divorce proceedings, deleting messages and digital evidence because she feared Ashley could discover their affair if Flynn followed through with a divorce.

She also said she was trying to keep the affair from becoming public – not cover up a homicide.

5. Botner said she never believed Flynn meant violent messages literally

One of the defense's most significant exchanges came when Smith questioned Botner about Flynn's repeated statements that he wanted Ashley dead.

Botner acknowledged she did not believe he actually intended to carry out those statements.

"I did not believe that he meant it," she said.

Asked why, Botner replied, "I don't think he could ever be capable of doing something like that."

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6. Defense portrayed Botner as pushing Flynn to leave his wife

Smith then turned to Botner's own messages, arguing she repeatedly pressured Flynn to leave Ashley.

"I'm so done with you," Botner wrote in one of the texts she read in court. "You have murdered my heart."

"I hope you're glad you took my virginity and also my heart and stomped all over it," she later continued. "Enjoy your marriage. I'm done."

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Smith also walked Botner through months of messages in which she acknowledged giving Flynn four or five separate deadlines to leave Ashley after he failed to follow through on earlier promises.

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The defense also pointed to exchanges in which Botner demanded reassurance Flynn hated Ashley, questioned him whenever he spent time with his wife and threatened to end the relationship if he didn't leave Ashley.

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7. Prosecutors began building a digital timeline – and played AI-generated songs

After Botner stepped down, prosecutors called Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Joseph Wilhelm, a digital forensics examiner who spent the remainder of the day walking jurors through evidence recovered from Flynn's iPhone.

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Wilhelm testified investigators ultimately extracted a full copy of Flynn's phone after earlier attempts failed, then analyzed browser history, location data, health information, application activity and other digital records to reconstruct what the device was doing in the hours before Ashley Flynn's death.

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Jurors heard testimony that ChatGPT was uninstalled from Flynn's phone on Feb. 15, while GroupMe and Instagram were removed shortly after 1 a.m. on Feb. 16. Wilhelm also testified investigators found no text messages between Flynn and Ashley on the device.

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Wilhelm also outlined phone location data, Apple Watch activity, AirPods connections and a timeline leading up to Flynn's 911 call, which prosecutors are expected to revisit as the trial continues.

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Before court adjourned, prosecutors played two AI-generated songs recovered from Flynn's phone. Wilhelm testified the files were related to Flynn's relationship with Botner and matched lyrics investigators found saved in the phone's notes app.

Flynn's attorney, L. Patrick Mulligan, declined to comment while the case is ongoing.

Botner could not immediately be reached for comment.

Never smoked a cigarette? You could still be at higher risk for lung cancer

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 14:15:10 -0400

A rare genetic mutation could put people at a dramatically higher risk of developing lung cancer even if they’ve never smoked.

A rare mutation in the gene EGFR T790M was found to increase lung cancer risk by 25 times compared with people who did not have the mutation, according to a new study published in the journal Science.

Among people who had never smoked, carriers of the mutation had about 62 times the odds of lung cancer compared with never-smokers who did not have it.

PANCREATIC CANCER VACCINE SHOWS PROMISE IN FIRST HUMAN TRIAL, PREVENTING DISEASE IN HIGH-RISK PATIENTS

The study, led by investigators at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and 23andMe Research Institute, analyzed data from more than 3.3 million people.

The gene variant showed no increased risk across 17 other cancers studied.

"Today, lung cancer screening is driven almost entirely by smoking history," study co-author Jaclyn LoPiccolo, attending physician and lung cancer researcher at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said in a press release.

CANCER WARNING SIGNS MAY APPEAR IN DNA YEARS BEFORE BLOOD TESTS DETECT TROUBLE

"Our findings raise the possibility that, in the future, screening could also be dictated by inherited genetic risk. If further studies confirm the benefit, people with EGFR T790M could be identified through genetic testing and offered personalized CT screening to identify lung cancers when they are at their most curable stage."

Most U.S. carriers of the mutation were traced to a shared ancestry linked to British and Irish settlers in Southern Appalachia about 200–225 years ago, the researchers found.

The mutation remains rare nationwide, affecting roughly one in 15,000–16,000 people. It is more common in some parts of Southern Appalachia, where researchers estimate as many as one in 2,000 people may carry it.

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"We found that the vast majority of carriers inherited the mutation from the same ancestral lineage," said LoPiccolo. "We could trace that lineage to British and Irish settlers in the United States and show that the mutation became enriched after a founder event and genetic bottleneck in Southern Appalachia about 200 years ago.

"It's a fascinating example of how human migration and genealogy can shape disease risk, generations later."

One of the "remarkable" findings of the study was the fact that a single mutation could have such a strong effect, according to Alexander Gusev, a quantitative geneticist at Dana-Farber.

"To my knowledge, it's one of the strongest, if not the strongest, cancer risk-increasing mutations that has ever been found," he said in the release.

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"Smoking is bad for lung cancer. This mutation is bad for lung cancer. When you do both, your risk is the sum of those two risks," he added. "So, you definitely don't want to smoke."

The researchers suggest that people with a strong family history of lung cancer, multiple lung nodules or tumors or family roots in parts of the southeastern U.S. should consider speaking with a genetic counselor about whether genetic testing or lung cancer screening makes sense for them.

There were some limitations to the study.

Because the mutation is so rare, researchers identified relatively few carriers even among the millions of participants, meaning the exact size of the increased risk remains uncertain.

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The analysis also relied heavily on 23andMe research participants, who may not represent the broader population.

Because the mutation is much more common in certain parts of the U.S., the risk estimates may not apply equally to everyone, the researchers noted.

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While the study establishes a strong association with lung cancer risk, it does not demonstrate that genetic testing improves mortality or other health outcomes.

The study was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health and the American Cancer Society.

Reporter's Notebook: Democrats face an impeachment tractor beam that could derail their affordability message

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 14:14:18 -0400

In the original Star Wars, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca and Obi-Wan Kenobi find the Millennium Falcon under fire from Imperial TIE fighters in deep outer space. Luke speculates that the TIE fighters are "heading for that small moon."

But Obi-Wan’s visage grows grim.

"That’s no moon," intones Obi-Wan. "It’s a space station."

Han Solo disagrees.

"It’s too big to be a space station," says Han. To which, Obi-Wan instructs him, "Turn the ship around."

But as quickly as he dismissed Kenobi’s observation, Solo pivots. He grimaces, realizing that the wise Jedi Knight is on to something.

DEMOCRAT AL GREEN TO FORCE HOUSE-WIDE VOTE ON IMPEACHING TRUMP

"Yeah. I think you’re right," Han replies. The Millennium Falcon starts to shake.

"Chewie, lock in the auxiliary power," Han commands his shipmate. "Why are we still moving towards it?" squeaks Luke.

"We’re caught in a tractor beam and it’s pulling us in!" shouts Han.

And a few moments later, the Millenium Falcon, the fastest ship in the galaxy, is suctioned into Bay 327 of the Death Star, moored, and unable to escape. The band of ragtag heroes are now stuck. On the Death Star.

Grand Moff Tarkin describes it as "the ultimate power in the universe."

+++++++

Impeachment in Congress is kind of like the Death Star’s tractor beam. You can’t escape once you’re in its clenches. A decision to impeach sucks a political party in, eventually marooning everyone in the political equivalent of a hangar bay.

For Democrats, they can’t focus on the price of eggs and milk. There’s little debate about gas prices. It’s a challenge to even address oversight issues.

You can try to "lock in the auxiliary power." But it’s too late.

You might think impeachment is "a moon." But it’s really the political Death Star.

Not for your adversary. But often those orchestrating the impeachment.

Democrats might find themselves in an impeachment bind if they capture the majority next year. Progressives and the left will possess one of the loudest voices in Congress. And even though Democrats twice impeached President Trump in 2019 and 2021, some will insist on doing it again. That’s to say nothing of trying to impeach a host of Trump Administration cabinet officials – ranging from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Some Democrats are already falling prey to the impeachment tractor beam.

Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, led the initial effort to impeach President Trump during his first term in 2017 – long before the successful impeachment over Ukraine in 2019. Republican redistricting – engineered by President Trump forced Green out of his Houston-based district earlier this year. But Green engineered yet another effort to impeach the President last week as the Texas Democrat heads for the exit.

MIDTERM HISTORY MASSIVELY FAVORS DEMOCRATS. BUT THEY ARE MAKING A BIG MISTAKE

The House voted to sidestep Green’s impeachment resolution, 232-147. So this was not a straight, up or down vote on impeachment. It was one step removed. Forty-seven Democrats voted "present." That includes the party’s top three Democrats: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif.

In some respects, House Democratic leaders want to shun impeachment. Or at least avoid it for the time being.

In 2006, Democrats were on the precipice of flipping control of the House. Democrats largely won the midterms that year because of voter fatigue with President George W. Bush and the calcification of the war in Iraq.

Many Democrats wanted to impeach the President. But as she prepared to clasp the gavel, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., famously declared that impeachment was "off the table."

House Democrats focused on drawing down the war in Iraq and eventually pivoting to other policy issues like health care and climate change. But Democrats had to get through those midterms first. So once Pelosi said no impeachment, there was no impeachment of the President.

Impeachment with President Trump was kind of "off the table" for Pelosi when Democrats reclaimed the House in the 2018 midterms. But there was a shift among moderate Democrats after disclosures about the President and Ukraine in the summer of 2019. A master of the political pulse, the Speaker understood the direction this was going among her Members. That’s when Pelosi got in front of her caucus, pushing for potential impeachment of the President later that year.

House Democratic leaders are depositing any overt discussion of impeachment on the backburner for now. They don’t want to veer away from their message about affordability. In fact they’ve frequently steered the conversation back to the cost of living when pressed about impeachment.

Consider this response from Jeffries when questioned about impeachment on April 9.

"We'll have a conversation led by (Rep.) Jamie Raskin, D-Md., the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, and (Rep.) Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., a former Judiciary Committee Chairman and Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., and Judiciary Committee Democrats tomorrow about Trump administration accountability," replied Jeffries.

But, unlike completely mimicking Pelosi’s posture years ago, Jeffries signaled he was open to the impeachment question.

"I don't want to get out ahead of that discussion. But we've also been very clear. House Democrats are going to focus on making life more affordable for the American people," said Jeffries.

On June 14, Kristen Welker of NBC asked Jeffries if his party could "move to impeach President Trump" if Democrats reclaimed the House.

"We haven't ruled anything in or ruled anything out in terms of accountability. What we have said is that our focus is going to be to make life more affordable for the American people," answered Jeffries.

On August 25 on CNN, Jeffries deflected a similar impeachment inquiry.

"We haven't ruled anything in and we haven t ruled anything out," stated Jeffries.

Impeachment interrogatives continued for Jeffries during a September 13 interview on ABC.

"We haven't ruled anything in and we haven't ruled anything out in terms of impeachment," said Jeffries.

That’s smart politics for Jeffries. He’s trying to keep his hand on the helm before the midterms – and essentially deferring to the political climate of next year and where rank-and-file Democrats might fall next year should Democrats capture the majority. But there are indications that many Democrats are already ready for impeachment. The progressive base will demand action. And it extends well beyond Al Green.

Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., made her case after the President posted to social media in April

that "a whole civilization will die tonight" in reference to Iran.

"If that's not high crimes and misdemeanors - and if it's not madness - I don't know what is," said Dean.

Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., said that the President was "threatening genocide."

Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., said the party should "push for impeachment" and that the President "is unfit to be the Commander in Chief" and "should be removed."

So Jeffries has a decision to make. The hard left will demand impeachment – for someone. Be it the President or Hegseth. But if Democrats flip the House, their "majority makers" might represent battleground districts. Those prospective lawmakers will be moderates. Impeachment could be politically toxic for them.

TRUMP COULD FACE IMPEACHMENT IF DEMOCRATS SEIZE HOUSE MAJORITY, GOP LEADER WARNS

Pelosi’s circumstances evolved in the summer of 2019. Moderate Democrats with national security credentials from swing districts edged toward impeachment. So, she pulled the impeachment trigger. Pelosi knew the direction of her caucus.

In September 2026, it’s not as clear for Jeffries. And it’s not a done deal that Democrats will seize the majority.

That’s why the New York Democrat expressed caution during his conversation on ABC.

"We've got to follow the facts. Apply the law. Be guided by the Constitution and then let the chips fall where they may, in the best interest of the American people," said Jeffries.

+++

Han Solo was skeptical back on the Death Star.

"Even if I could take off, I’d never get past the tractor beam," said Solo.

"Leave that to me," promised Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The Jedi Master then eluded detection on the Death Star, manually shutting off the tractor beam. That disgorged the Millenium Falcon. But in the end, Kenobi sacrificed himself for the mission.

On Capitol Hill, impeachment is a tractor beam. Once you’re siphoned in, nothing can escape its grasp. Debates about policy. Spending. Health care. War. The tractor beam controls all.

Until it’s switched off.

Not every party which is incapacitated by impeachment has an Obi-Wan Kenobi who can find the off switch. When it comes to impeachment best advice might be to "turn the ship around" beforehand.

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But if lots of Members are clamoring for impeachment, it may already be too late.

Xi praises US state visit 'perfection' as Trump calls meetings 'very productive'

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 14:06:29 -0400

Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the level of "perfection" on display during his state visit to the White House, and President Donald Trump said Friday the two world leaders had a "very productive" time in Washington.

Trump, speaking to reporters as he and first lady Melania Trump hosted Xi and first lady of China Madame Peng Liyuan for tea at the White House, said, "We've had a tremendous visit from two spectacular people," and, "we've made great strides, very positive for both countries."

"I want to thank the honorable president and the first lady for everything they've done for myself and my wife during this visit. Everything is down to the highest order of perfection," Xi responded through a translator. "And there is thought in every little detail. And it's greatly appreciated.

XI CAPS TRUMP STATE VISIT WITH SYMBOLIC FINAL STOP BEFORE LEAVING WASHINGTON

"The president and I are like two people that's charting the course for the great ship of China-U.S. relations," he continued. "When the president visited China in May, we agreed on the vision of building a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability.

"This time, we've agreed to add new substance to it. That's the relationship, will be a constructive one of strategic stability on the basis of respect, fairness and reciprocity. So, from this, one can see that the prospects for this relationship will get more brighter."

Xi, the leader of China’s ruling Communist Party, said he had two more opportunities to meet Trump this year, first at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in China in November and then at the G20 Summit in December at Trump’s Doral resort in Miami, Florida.

"We will see you, and we'll be speaking a lot. I think our farmers are going to be very happy," Trump said Friday. "A lot of very positive things happened. But America is very happy about this visit, and I'm sure China is very happy also. Great things for both countries. And it's been just very, very productive."

TRUMP-XI REUNION COMES WITH UNFINISHED BUSINESS — AND A BIGGER BATTLE LOOMING

Xi arrived in Washington Wednesday evening for a summit with Trump, four months after the two leaders reached a sweeping agreement that included Chinese commitments on rare earths, agricultural purchases, trade and investment.

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Trump hailed that agreement as a breakthrough for American farmers, manufacturers and workers. But the latest talks unfolded during uneven progress on commitments involving rare-earth minerals, agricultural and commercial purchases, trade and investment, while key disputes over tariffs, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, intellectual property and Taiwan remain unresolved.

"President Xi and Madam Peng have just left D.C., heading for China. The meeting was one of Friendship, Strength, and Success, for both China and the U.S.A.," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Much has been, and will be, accomplished. I look forward to our next meeting!"

Fox News Digital’s Ashley J. DiMella and Peter D’Abrosca contributed to this report.

WNBA playoffs preview: why the Fever at +145 could be the best bet against defending champion Aces

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 13:42:37 -0400

We had one play in the WNBA last night, and it went the exact opposite of how I expected it to go. The Fever played like they had nothing to gain, and the Lynx played like they were fighting for playoff spots. Now we move into the postseason. Before we start the actual games, which tip off on Sunday, we should look at each series and see if there are any future bets that are worth putting into our accounts. All eight teams have a legitimate case for the championship, so this could get interesting fast.

Lynx vs. Liberty

When the season first started, the Liberty were the favorite to win the WNBA Title. I'm not sure if New York was just the popular pick or if it was due to Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones on the roster. Either way, the season didn't go quite as planned for the Liberty but they still ended up winning almost 60% of their games. The Lynx were also expected to have a different season. Without MVP Naphesa Collier for much of the year, it was expected that Minnesota would struggle this year. Olivia Miles, this year's Rookie of the Year and potential MVP, led the way, and they earned the best record in the WNBA. I think there is some good value on taking the Liberty to win at least one game in this series. I'm going to take this series to go three games at +100.

RISING WNBA STAR OLIVIA MILES ECLIPSES CAITLIN CLARK'S ROOKIE SCORING RECORD

Valkyries vs. Wings

One team is built on star power, and the other is built on being a complete team. The Wings have the star power with Paige Bueckers, and she will be getting her first taste of the postseason. The team lost the #1 overall pick, Azzi Fudd, earlier this year to injury, so they aren't quite as deep as they used to be. The Valkyries are the #2 seed overall and have the best defense in basketball. They have the personnel to deal with Bueckers and everyone else on the Wings. I don't see the Wings winning a game here; I like this one to go just two games at -130.

LYNX, VALKYRIES COACHES RIP 'SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS' MOVEMENT AS PRO-TRANS MOB ROCKS 1ST RALLY AT NON-FEVER GAME

Dream vs. Mystics

The Atlanta Dream are one of the better teams in the game right now. They went 30-14 and have a good balance between inside and outside offense. The Dream have had good health this season, and all five starters are averaging nine or more points per game. The Mystics are led by Sonia Citron, but there are still some other solid players. Shakira Austin led the team in scoring and could cause some problems for the Dream. Washington beat the Dream 2-1 in the regular season. They were blown out in the loss and then won two home games, both by five points. I don't love the game for the Dream, and I think it will be just a two-game series, but I won't put an official bet on this one.

CAITLIN CLARK SHINES, BUT FEVER SUFFER EMBARRASSING BLOWOUT LOSS TO MYSTICS AS PLAYOFF RACE HEATS UP

Aces vs. Fever

This is the marquee matchup of the first round. The Aces are the defending champions, and they've won three of the past four titles. A'ja Wilson is still the elite player who can be the difference-maker in any series. The Fever have been rather inconsistent this year, but they seemed to lock in for the postseason last year, and I think there is reason to believe they can do it again. I'm going to back Indiana to win this one at +145. Indiana gave Las Vegas the toughest battle last year in the playoffs; I think they make this go the full three games, even if the Fever don't win.

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Betting preview for multiple series openers in baseball's final weekend including Phillies vs. Rays

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 13:26:59 -0400

We have reached the final series of the season for teams. Yesterday we saw a lot of champagne pop as the Cubs, White Sox, Padres, and Guardians all clinched their playoff spots. That means we might have some rather tired teams today. There is still importance to a lot of games, but because of football this weekend, this will be my last piece for baseball's regular season. Instead of focusing on just one game, I'll share my thoughts on a few of them.

Cubs vs. Red Sox, Game 1, 1:05 ET

The Cubs finally clinched their playoff spot, but they still need to figure out which Wild Card spot they will take. They also spent a ton of time yesterday afternoon drinking beers and pouring booze on each other. You don't really stop the party right away and then travel to Boston in the evening. Now you have to play a game at 12 CT. I think the Cubs have no shot at winning this one and probably will be unlikely to win either of the games today. I'm taking Boston in Game 1 and likely will take them in Game 2 as well.

Rays vs. Phillies, 6:40 ET

Freddy Peralta vs. Christopher Sanchez is one of the better games on today's schedule. Peralta is looking like the guy the Mets tried to trade for. In his last 28.2 innings, he has allowed just three earned runs. That is a span of five starts, going back to his last start in August. Peralta has plenty of experience against the Phillies and has allowed just 28 hits in 124 at-bats. Sanchez has been an elite starter all year and is looking for his 19th win. For the season, he is 18-6 with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. The total on this game is just 6.5, but I think the under is still probably the correct play. The only real question is how long the starters last in this game. The Rays are certainly a live dog. I'll sprinkle on their moneyline.

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Braves vs. Marlins, 7:10 ET

The Braves have nothing left to play for, but neither do the Marlins. Atlanta sends out Ray Kerr to the mound, and you have to wonder if he is going to make the postseason roster. He has been solid since coming up to the team, with 15.1 innings pitched and just three earned runs allowed. Eury Perez is a decent starter for Miami. He is 7-11 with a 4.14 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP this year. Perez has been rocked in the past by the Braves, allowing them to hit .380 against him. I'll back the Braves at -125, even if this will be a bullpen game for them.

What is the biggest concern for the Atlanta Braves going to the postseason?

Rangers vs. Twins, 8:10 ET

Texas is still fighting for a playoff spot. They are currently tied with the Astros for first place in the American League West. The good news for them is they have Jacob deGrom going, a guy who they brought in specifically for these moments. The pitching matchup in this one is fantastic, with Joe Ryan pitching for the Twins. I like the Rangers in this one, as deGrom is a big-game pitcher.

Angels vs. Mariners, 10:10 ET

One last game that I like on today's slate is between two teams that have been eliminated. The Angels are sending out Reid Detmers to the hill. He's been great this season for them and probably the lone bright spot in the Los Angeles pitching staff. Bryce Miller is solid, but I do think Detmers is the better arm in this one. The Mariners lineup may be better, but this is a good chance to take the Angels in the first five innings.

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

Who is Sophie Cunningham? Fox Nation chronicles the WNBA star's rise from farm girl to women's sports advocate

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 13:24:14 -0400

Bold, beautiful and with a bullish resolve – Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has stormed onto the women's sports scene, commanding attention with her success on the court and unmistakable personality off it.

"Men are attracted to her, and women want to be her," former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines said in Fox Nation's, "Who Is Sophie Cunningham?"

Cunningham's appeal spans generations, with Gaines recalling the scores of young girls who lined up for a chance to meet the basketball star and get her autograph.

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM ADDRESSES PERCEPTION THAT SHE IS THE 'SEX SYMBOL' OF THE WNBA

From her humble beginnings as a Missouri farm girl to her rise in professional basketball and emergence as a voice in the "protect women's sports" movement, Cunningham's journey takes center stage in the new Fox Nation special.

But the athlete fans see battling on the hardwood is only part of the story.

"She's kind of like 100% tomboy and 100% feminine," Gaines said of Cunningham's nature. "Sophie is fun and kind and fierce and sassy and tough and cool because all those things make you cool."

Gaines is joined in the special by others, including activist and former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, who shed light on the personality, convictions and loyalty that have helped Cunningham build a following beyond basketball.

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM ADDRESSES THE FALLOUT OVER HER STANCE ON TRANS ATHLETES NOT BELONGING IN WOMEN'S SPORTS

In one instance, Kanter Freedom recalled hearing directly from Cunningham after he was ejected from an Aug. 23 WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever.

"After the game, Sophie messaged me and said, 'So what happened?'" he said.

Kanter Freedom said he explained the encounter to Cunningham but declined to reveal her response, teasing that the private exchange would "go viral" if made public.

He had attended the game wearing a shirt defining a woman as an "adult human female."

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SENDS MESSAGE TO HER HATERS AFTER SAYING MEN DON'T BELONG IN WOMEN'S SPORTS

"I was literally there just to support [Sophie]," he said.

Cunningham herself has attracted attention for speaking publicly about the debate surrounding transgender participation in women's sports.

She told ESPN earlier this year, "I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that.'

"I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think, with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room or young girls in sports who shouldn't have to go against biological men."

Since her comments surfaced, the star athlete amassed support from the likes of politicians, former athletes and other girls fighting for the same cause.

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To learn more about the WNBA star, subscribe to Fox Nation and stream "Who Is Sophie Cunningham?" today.

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Ole Miss toxicology reports expected soon and results may trigger anti-fentanyl law, official says

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 13:23:01 -0400

OXFORD, Miss. — Toxicology reports in the suspicious deaths of two University of Mississippi students are expected to be completed as early as next week, according to the state's commissioner of public safety, and Oxford police have separately announced arrests in connection with a raid on a tobacco shop accused of trafficking narcotics.

The victims have been identified as Robert Strang, a 20-year-old junior from Atlanta, and Aidan Hamilton, an 18-year-old freshman from Colorado. Both families have asked for privacy and compassion as they mourn the loss of their sons.

It remains unclear how the students died, but narcotics detectives are involved in investigations into both of their deaths. If the reports find fentanyl, there is a special Mississippi law that can be used to target whoever sold it, according to authorities.

"Under Parker’s Law, enacted in 2022, criminal charges may be pursued when an unlawful delivery of fentanyl results in a person’s death," Sean Tindell, the commissioner of Mississippi's Department of Public Safety, told Fox News Digital. "If the investigation establishes those circumstances, law enforcement will work with prosecutors to pursue the appropriate charges and hold those responsible accountable."

OLE MISS DEATHS, DRUGGINGS HAVE ‘PEOPLE SCARED TO LEAVE’ DORMS AS BARS, GREEK LIFE CLAMP DOWN: STUDENTS

Separately, Oxford police have announced the arrests of two men in a narcotics investigation connected to a local tobacco shop. It's not immediately clear whether the raid has any connection to the student deaths.

The suspects were linked to an Oxford retail business where police allegedly found stockpiles of drugs including THC products and kratom, which is legal in many parts of the country but not in Lafayette County.

"During the search, agents recovered more than 500 units of kratom, along with an assortment of THC cartridges, gummies, and other suspected narcotics," police said in a statement. "Kratom has been prohibited from possession, distribution, and sale within the City of Oxford since 2019."

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The store is called Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store, located in the 100 block of Heritage Drive in Oxford.

Oxford police arrested Yahya Mohamed Mosleh, 51, and Islam Mohamed, 18. Both are local residents.

In 2022, the business owner, Amer Alowdi, 40, was indicted on narcotics trafficking charges and fled the country before being prosecuted, police said in a statement. It was not immediately clear how the business remained open.

Tindell told Fox News Digital Thursday that while authorities haven't uncovered any indications of foul play, they haven't ruled it out either.

"Until the autopsy is reported, and the investigators have an opportunity to get statements and collect evidence, then that final determination will not be made until later," he said.

WHAT IS KRATOM? RISKS OF POPULAR SUBSTANCE REVEALED AFTER COLLEGE STUDENTS' DEATHS

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Without the toxicology reports, it's also too early to determine whether kratom or other drugs were involved in the deaths. Police previously said that they found packages of kratom, which is commercially available in many places but not in Lafayette County, at both scenes.

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Classmates have also circulated warnings about a powerful synthetic opioid called cychlorphine, which they say can take multiple doses of Narcan to counteract.

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Gov. Tate Reeves pledged to provide state resources this week to help expedite the toxicology reports. They can typically take weeks to complete, but it may boil down to a matter of days in the Ole Miss case.

Trump's quiet China wins are more important than Xi's empty state visit

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 13:18:55 -0400

China’s President Xi Jinping, ruler for life, is not ready to make sweeping deals with the USA on soybeans, AI or anything else. This was a State Visit, not a summit, but even so, deliverables were light. China’s state-owned People’s Daily was so strapped for material that they ran a story titled: "Bonded by Ping-Pong: China-U.S. friendship writes a new chapter."

But don’t lose heart. The Trump Administration has scored some quiet wins and much better field position for the long haul. "The old adage of deliverables in a relationship that we have with China is really not measurable in many ways," said U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue. It’s about "continuing the conversation."

What matters most to America in the long term is the trade deficit. Good news: it's falling. Already the gap between U.S. exports and imports from China is down from $297 billion in 2024 to $202 billion in 2025, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says the deficit is on track to drop to $140 billion for 2026. If achieved, this is a historic reversal of globalization. The gap hasn’t been this low in over 20 years.

TRUMP-XI REUNION COMES WITH UNFINISHED BUSINESS — AND A BIGGER BATTLE LOOMING

Credit what Team Trump calls "managed" trade: specific, non-sensitive goods, such as agricultural products and medical devices. "All those export controls that are national security issues, we take those off the table," Greer told CNBC. Greer promised more trade details next week. However, China has bought only half the amount of soybeans agreed, according to American Soybean Association President Scott Metzger, so there’s still a ways to go on the trade balance.

This is not glamorous work. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent held a 12-hour meeting on Sunday with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. In the end, all the two sides could do was extend the 2025 truce for two more months. You remember what happened last year: China stopped licensing rare earth material exports, and Trump slapped on massive tariffs. "I don’t know whether a bigger deal can be done. I don’t know whether we will just roll the current deal," Bessent said Wednesday.

The Bessent-He meeting was also supposed to tee up some kind of agreement on an artificial intelligence safety mechanism for Trump and Xi. Afterwards, Bessent kept to the optimistic line that China was eager to engage, and spoke about at least setting up a hot line to deal with incidents across borders. Don’t count on much more. China does not participate in nuclear arms control. Any AI accord will be all talk with no teeth, just like the U.S.-China fentanyl working group.

AMERICA AND CHINA ARE FIGHTING FOR THE FUTURE OF AI — CHIPS ARE THE BATTLEFIELD

What’s much more important is keeping the U.S. AI tech stack ahead of China. At the White House State Dinner on Thursday night, it was good to see Trump assemble the tech titans as he did on his visit to Beijing in May. These leaders from Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Dell, OpenAI, Citigroup, etc. have the cash and the smarts to keep the U.S. in the lead in AI. SpaceX and Amazon Leo are launching satellites that will keep U.S. dominance over China in the low earth orbit market sector. Google has Project Suncatcher to try running its tensor processing units with solar power on orbit. Innovation is America’s edge over China. Yes, they'd like to book deals with China in areas such as chips and financial services, but China has been lagging. For example, Nvidia is cleared to sell its H200 chips to China (not its most advanced products) but only small batches of chips have been purchased by Tencent and ByteDance. The reality is that China is cutting imports under Xi’s policy of semi-conductor self-reliance. That’s a sign that China is girding for long-term conflict.

Fortunately, President Trump has taken many actions to strengthen America’s position. The Greenland agreement, investing in Venezuela’s oil, getting Chinese operators out of the Panama Canal Zone, a hefty defense budget aimed at countering China, expanding the Space Force, and yes, the U.S. Navy blockade of the Strait of Hormuz: all this has protected American interests. Boundaries are good for geopolitics.

CHINA IS TAKING THE FIGHT TO THE STARS. AMERICA MUST RECLAIM SPACE SUPREMACY

And what did Xi contribute? Xi Jinping announced China’s welcome loan of two pandas to the Atlanta Zoo, and a preposterous initiative for 100,000 Americans to study in China over the next five years. This, from a China ramping up nuclear weapons production, hassling U.S. satellites on orbit, backing Russia with oil purchases and defense electronics, and giving what Perdue termed "intel and parts" to Iran.

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That offer was deeply cynical. Xi wants to show off Chinese culture, but in fact, there are fewer than 2,000 American students in China compared to 265,919 Chinese students in the USA. Last fall, Harvard enrolled 1,452 students from China, mostly graduate students. But if you want to go, Duke University has a joint venture in China which got a flattering and no doubt coincidental write-up in the state-owned China Daily on Friday.

Ed Sheeran's Gillette Stadium concerts called off as troubled tour faces fresh setback

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:59:52 -0400

Ed Sheeran's concerts at Gillette Stadium have been canceled.

Sheeran was set to perform at the Foxborough, Massachusetts, venue on Sept. 25 and 26, but according to a statement shared on social media, potentially dangerous weather conditions have forced the singer to step back.

"Due to the severe weather warnings in place in Boston and across New England throughout the weekend and following consultation with local officials, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Ed Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium," Sheeran's tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, said in a statement. "The decision was made with the safety of fans, staff and everyone involved in the shows as the top priority."

ED SHEERAN CONCERTGOERS WARN ARTISTS ABOUT SHARING POLITICAL VIEWS: 'YOU'RE GOING TO ALIENATE' FANS

The company noted that refunds are available at the point of purchase. Gillette Stadium reposted the statement.

While the weather prompted the cancellations, the owner of Gillette Stadium, Robert Kraft, has been in the headlines recently due to the controversy surrounding Sheeran and one of the former openers for his tour, Macklemore.

After Macklemore used his slot at Sheeran's MetLife Stadium shows to express his support for Palestinians, many people were upset, including owners of stadiums where Sheeran was slated to play. The "Thrift Shop" rapper was eventually dropped from the tour, and in a lengthy statement reacting to the news, he wrote in part, "Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues."

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Kraft then issued a statement of his own that read, "Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech."

"Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line."

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The statement continued, "This decision is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf. Their pain and loss are real. But that advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas, a United States and globally (including Canada, European Union, United Kingdom, and Japan) designated terrorist organization whose horrific actions have caused immeasurable suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike."

Kraft wrote that he agreed with Macklemore that "too many lives have been lost and there has been too much suffering," but argued that "only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas is not honest and only advances more divisiveness and hate."

He added, "Standing with the Palestinian people and standing against Hamas, antisemitism and hate should not be mutually exclusive."

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Kraft shared that he's spent a considerable amount of time in recent years "focused on the fight against antisemitism and hate of all kinds, and I feel a responsibility to stand up when I believe that line has been crossed."

He has a "tremendous respect" for Sheeran and his music, Kraft explained, and he said that he'd also be happy to speak personally with Macklemore, "because ultimately our goal is the same – peace for all people, an end to suffering, and an end to all hate."

WATCH: ED SHEERAN CALLED OUT FOR CAVING TO ANTI-ISRAEL MOB

While it's not clear if Macklemore has pursued that opportunity, he did announce this week that in October, he's headed to Europe for a set of shows he's calling the "Free Palestine Tour."

Despite the promoter saying severe weather forced the cancellation of Sheeran's Gillette Stadium shows, several people shared other theories on social media.

"Mother Nature really said ‘not in Kraft’s house,'" one person wrote.

Another joked, "The bad weather being refunds and public backlash."

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It's unclear if the shows will be rescheduled.

'Squad' Democrat slammed by Trump admin for most 'radical' plan targeting ICE yet

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:57:56 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin is firing back at a progressive House Democrat who is pushing one of the most radical Trump administration crackdowns yet.

Mullin and his DHS spokesperson both criticized legislation by Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., a member of the progressive "Squad," that would dismantle most of the department and abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

"Radical leftists are calling to defund the police and abolish DHS. It’s NEVER going to happen. Our 270,000 DHS patriots are keeping Americans SAFE— unlike this open-borders politician who refuses to prioritize Americans over illegal aliens," Mullin told Fox News Digital.

DHS CHIEF FIRES BACK AT JAYAPAL OVER CLAIM MAJORITY OF IMMIGRATION ARRESTS POSE 'NO THREAT'

His spokesperson went even further, telling Fox News Digital that Ramirez "should be thanking our law enforcement for removing these dangerous criminals from her district—NOT vilifying law enforcement."

"This type of rhetoric is contributing to a more than 1,300% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line," the DHS spokesperson said. "While sanctuary politicians smear ICE, law enforcement is arresting criminals and saving countless American lives."

DEMS SHAMED AS DHS BRINGS ICE SHOOTING RECEIPTS AFTER POLITICIAN CALLED ICE OFFICERS ‘LIARS WITH MASKS’

DHS also pointed Fox News Digital to a list of illegal immigrants arrested in Ramirez's home state of Illinois. It included Bulgarian national Rumen Georgriev, who was convicted of "rape with a weapon," Abdukadir Haji of Somalia, who DHS said was convicted of "sex assault and rape," and Cuban national Samuel Reyes-Silva, who was convicted of "robbery and homicide."

Ramirez's legislation, the Reimagining Safety Act, would create a "Department of Community Safety" while dismantling DHS as it is currently known.

Certain agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Coast Guard, and customs functions would be preserved.

The bill would abolish ICE and "begin the process of establishing a separate civil immigration system," according to a release. It would also abolish Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the agency charged with keeping the southern border free of illegal crossings.

TLAIB MOVES TO BLOCK ICE AIRPORT ARRESTS, SAYS TSA HELPING TARGET IMMIGRANTS

Democrat calls to abolish ICE have swelled in recent months amid bipartisan criticism of President Donald Trump's handling of immigration, reigniting most recently when agents shot a Venezuelan national in Austin, Texas. Backlash has also been targeted at federal immigration officials' killing of two U.S. citizens earlier this year.

But Ramirez's bill would go further in dismantling the current anti-illegal immigration enforcement system with its call to end CBP as well as ICE.

She fired back at the Trump administration's criticism in a statement to Fox News Digital, "Every day, Americans wake up with a new reason to dismantle DHS, reimagine safety, and build something that honors our shared humanity. The people have the power to reshape the government: instead of the weapon DHS has proven to be, we need a department built on the best parts of who we are and can be, and the best examples of how we can take care of each other in hard times."

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"Markwayne and DHS will keep spreading cheap lies and fearmongering in a desperate attempt to save face because dismantling DHS and building something new is part of how we hold them accountable, stop corruption, and end their lawlessness," Ramirez said.

Xi’s 100K invitation to America’s youth sets off alarm bells over what could follow them home

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:54:33 -0400

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s invitation for 100,000 young Americans to visit China over the next five years is raising concerns among critics who warn Beijing could use the exchange program to spread propaganda and influence a new generation of Americans.

Xi made the announcement Thursday during a White House arrival ceremony, as he visited Washington this week for talks with President Donald Trump on artificial intelligence, intellectual property, trade practices and rare-earth minerals.

Xi said China will invite 100,000 young Americans over the next five years for exchanges and study, building on existing programs that have included university visits, summer programs, youth forums and other educational and cultural exchanges.

CHINA EXPERT WARNS BEIJING WANTS AMERICANS — NOT THE CCP — TO SPREAD ITS MESSAGE

China created its Young Envoys Scholarship program, administered by the China Education Association for International Exchange, to carry out Xi’s earlier 2023 pledge to invite 50,000 young Americans for exchanges and study. Some trips are fully funded, while others require participants to cover expenses, with the stated goal of strengthening ties between Chinese and American youth.

While some supported the program, many critics slammed the idea over propaganda and safety concerns.

"This is clearly intended to indoctrinate young Americans in China," Manhattan Institute fellow Daniel Di Martino posted to X. "But if some people should go, let the DSA members and let them see the Uyghur concentration camps and poor rural villages. Let them speak to the political prisoners. And let them visit and meet Hong Kongers."

"100,000 more Timmy Walz's. What could go wrong," said one user, referencing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who taught English and U.S. history in Foshan in 1989 after graduating from Chadron State College.

"They’ll come back as Governor of Minnesota," another user added.

YOUNG AMERICANS BREAK SHARPLY FROM OLDER AMERICANS ON CHINA THREAT, NEW POLL FINDS

"No! They will brainwash them while over there," said one person.

"I welcome Xi Jinping’s invitation for 100,000 American students to visit and study in China. As Co-Chair of the Congressional International Exchanges Caucus, I believe educational and cultural exchanges are an important way to build mutual understanding and expertise," said Democratic California Rep. Ami Bera.

"But those exchanges depend on trust and the ability to study, speak, and engage without fear of harassment or arbitrary detention," Bera continued. "Right now, American scholar Min Zin remains wrongfully detained in China, and Beijing continues to target scholars, human rights advocates, and diaspora communities whose work or speech it finds unwelcome."

"I’m one of the Americans who spent years living and studying in China. I majored in Chinese literature in college. Sadly, I cannot recommend young Americans do the same thing today," said Atlantic Council visiting fellow Isaac Stone Fish.

US WARNS AMERICANS ABOUT EXIT BANS AND 'UNJUST' DETENTION IN POPULAR DESTINATION

Fish said that China has grown more repressive and less welcoming to foreigners.

"If tensions worsen between the United States and China, those students could effectively function as hostages," Fish added.

"Are they coming back as Communists," asked one user.

"To be honest, I'm not sure I WANT 100,000 impressionable American students sent off to some CCP-controlled propaganda tour," said conservative commentator Nick Sortor.

TRUMP TO ASK XI TO FREE WRONGFULLY DETAINED US CITIZEN AS WIFE SPEAKS OUT

The Department of Education referred Fox News Digital to the White House when asked for comment.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.

U.S. authorities have separately warned that American students abroad can become targets for foreign intelligence recruitment, citing past cases involving China.

Glenn Duffie Shriver, a Michigan student who studied abroad in Shanghai in 2002–2003, returned to China after graduating in 2004 and was recruited there by Chinese intelligence officers.

Shriver was paid to apply for positions with the State Department and CIA to access classified information for the Chinese.

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He was caught before obtaining a government position and pleaded guilty in 2010 to conspiring to provide national-defense information to Chinese intelligence officers. He was sentenced to four years in federal prison in 2011.

Iranian president blames US for Middle East conflict while denying nuclear ambitions, offers to dilute uranium

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 20:25:36 -0400

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian flatly denied Thursday that Tehran wants a nuclear bomb while claiming Iran is willing to submit its nuclear program for international inspection, blaming Washington for the nearly seven-month war in the Middle East and accusing it of blocking diplomacy.

Pezeshkian also provided fresh details about a roughly seven-hour meeting with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei that he said took place more than a month ago.

Asked point-blank during an exclusive interview on Fox News’ "Special Report," "Do you want a nuclear bomb or not?" the Iranian leader firmly rejected the premise.

"Not at all. Not at all. Our martyred, esteemed supreme leader had announced several times that, from a religious decree, it is unholy. It is illegal," he told Bret Baier, referencing religious edicts issued against weapons of mass destruction.

IRAN 'ALREADY AGREED' TO GIVING UP NUCLEAR WEAPON AMBITIONS, TRUMP REVEALS

Pezeshkian's public denial came amid long-term international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear program and its enrichment of uranium to levels well beyond those typically used for civilian nuclear power.

This became President Donald Trump's central rationale for launching Operation Epic Fury in February.

On Thursday, however, Pezeshkian indicated Tehran would be open to lowering its enrichment levels and allowing outside verification as part of an effort to ease nuclear tensions.

"So, that weapon's mass destruction. We said we’re willing to dilute them. It’s not a big deal. We are willing to submit ourselves to verification," he said.

Pezeshkian also pointed to the failed memorandum of understanding, or MOU, signed by him and President Donald Trump in June intended to halt hostilities and establish a framework for a broader U.S.-Iran agreement.

The process was intended by Washington to lead to an end to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and included a 60-day process toward that final deal.

"We have no problems. We did reach an agreement with your president," Pezeshkian said of Trump, who signed the document at the Palace of Versailles in France.

"That agreement was signed, and, based on that, we are willing and still wish to move forward.

IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL HINGES ON IAEA ACCESS TO LONG-BLOCKED ATOMIC WEAPON SITES, EXPERTS SAY

"And the framework was agreed upon. We had not closed the Strait of Hormuz; it was open without any legal justification or framework," he assured.

"They attacked us. They assassinated and martyred our esteemed supreme leader, our scientists, our military commanders and government."

Pezeshkian then criticized Washington for the subsequent breakdown in diplomacy but insisted Tehran remains prepared to reach an agreement.

"The problem is that America, instead of conducting dialog, they descend into the arena by bombing us first, by blocking every pathway. We are ready," he said.

"This is not the way to conduct yourself on the world stage. They can have free access to see whatever we have, but not to put us under such pressure, under blockades, deny us access."

Pezeshkian also broadened his criticism of Washington, blaming the U.S. for the conflict while portraying Iran’s actions as defensive.

"We do not seek to kill Americans, as shown by actions, demonstrable actions. America has sought to kill Iranians," he said. "What we know is that if we’re attacked, we must defend ourselves."

TRUMP BETS ECONOMIC PRESSURE CAN SQUEEZE IRAN AS REGIME’S OWN FAILURES DEEPEN THE PAIN

Addressing U.S. military strikes — including Operation Outcast — and increasing secondary sanctions, Pezeshkian said Iran would continue resisting Washington’s campaign.

"This is something that has been the doing of the United States," he said. "We will keep resisting. We will find ways, and the life of our country will continue. We will remain.

"Yes, we do have economic issues, certainly. But in order to remain, we will go through any hardship and endure.

"If America thinks that they can keep sanctioning us, we have nothing to do, nor do we consider any type of American elections. If the current American government, within international legal frameworks, wishes to reach an agreement, fine. If not, before the elections or after the elections, what difference does it make for us?"

Pezeshkian repeated that Iran does not want the war to continue, while blaming Israel for helping provoke the conflict and putting responsibility on Washington to bring it to an end.

TRUMP GIVES EVERY NATION AN EASY CHOICE: DO BUSINESS WITH AMERICA OR TERRORIST IRAN

"We will stand resolutely to defend ourselves. We never sought war. We do not seek war," he said.

"I deeply believe that humans should not cause the death of another human. But with the instigations conducted by Israel, they have imposed this war on us.

"But we do not wish to continue. It’s America that must choose whether it wants to end this or not."

During the interview, Pezeshkian also pointed to a roughly seven-hour, face-to-face meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei as evidence that the son of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remained in charge of Iran.

"We met for about seven hours," he said. "As I said earlier, we conducted talks face to face," he added.

Addressing Khamenei’s health and whether he remained firmly in charge, Pezeshkian said: "Very much so, completely."

"The implementation of the policies is in the hands of the administration and the government. But the consultations and the directions come from there," he confirmed.

TRUMP SAYS IRAN WILL PAY — WHAT IT TAKES TO END THE WAR REMAINS UNCLEAR

When Baier pressed Pezeshkian on whether Khamenei would address the Iranian people about the war or speak directly with Trump, he pointed to security concerns.

"Well, this is a process that was created in our society, which is the lack of security that was created by the action of foreigners, the action of aggressors," Pezeshkian said.

The Iranian president also addressed reports that Iranian forces used Chinese satellite imagery to carry out a deadly strike on a U.S. base in Jordan. The attack resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members.

When questioned about the reports, Pezeshkian denied direct knowledge.

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"I’m specifically unaware of these purported images that you talk about," Pezeshkian said.

"Now, what do militaries do with one another between two countries? It is their own business within their own guidelines."

Trump to usher in ‘golden age’ of American tech with DC bash showcasing powerful new tool

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:49:56 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: The Trump administration is officially entering the artificial intelligence (AI) space with a new tool is says will provide much-needed relief for Americans interacting with the federal government, Fox News Digital has learned.

At an all-day event beginning Tuesday morning and featuring President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, officials will launch and showcase on stage America.gov, a new website designed to enhance "the citizen experience."

Also attending are Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Dr. Mehmet Oz and Joe Gebbia, Airbnb co-founder who now heads the National Design Studio (NDS) and who is the first-ever U.S. Chief Design Officer.

The event will be held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., and will also feature appearances from industry titans like Elon Musk, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp. NASA administrator Jared Isaacson is also a confirmed attendee.

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: CONGRESS FACES A CRISIS THAT THE 'AI GODFATHER' WARNS IT MAY NOT BE READY TO ADDRESS

A White House official described the new AI tool as "a new front door for the federal government that will provide a one-stop shop for Americans looking for information and resources from the federal government that are currently spread over a maze of various agency websites."

"Next week is really about the golden age of America, and really getting to showcase how it's not just a statement, it's actually being built," Gebbia told Fox News Digital.

"What we're really excited about is that one of the things that we've been building is the golden age of the citizen experience."

Gebbia, who added that the day will mark a "new chapter of usability for the country," said the new AI tool is built to solve a simple problem faced by Americans who have for decades dealt with clunky, often inefficient and overly complex government systems: "How do you make it easy to just access government?"

AMERICA AND CHINA ARE FIGHTING FOR THE FUTURE OF AI — CHIPS ARE THE BATTLEFIELD

"You can imagine all the things that people try to get done or want to get done in the federal government, [and] just having a brand-new way to access and actually get to the things that people are trying to get to in the federal government," he said.

The day will include panel discussions with other senior administration officials and top industry leaders on artificial intelligence, energy dominance, health, space and agriculture.

"This is really an incredible collection of people that are working in service to the nation and really showcasing what the future of America is, where we're headed," said Gebbia.

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Gebbia says Americans shouldn't have to accept that their interactions with the federal government are going to be negative or difficult to navigate.

"What if people didn't say that? What if people have had a different sentiment? It's entirely possible they can. It takes a president who cares about this, it takes an administration who wants to invest in it, and it takes the right talent to build it."

"President Trump has those three things."

Unearthed: El-Sayed called for repealing law that made sex without disclosing HIV status a felony

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:27:08 -0400

Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed once called for repealing a Michigan law that made it a felony for people who knew they had HIV to have sex without first informing their partner — a position he is standing by eight years later as he campaigns in one of the nation's most competitive Senate races

As he unsuccessfully ran for Michigan governor in 2018, El-Sayed repeatedly took aim at the law. The law carried a prison sentence of up to four years for people who knew they were HIV-positive and engaged in sexual penetration without first informing their partner of their HIV status.

"You should not be criminalized for a disease. That is absolutely wrong. It’s hateful. It’s discriminatory, and we can, as a state, do better. You can count on me for that," El-Sayed said as he ran for governor.

MICHIGAN STUDENT CONFRONTS EL-SAYED OVER IRAN STANCE

Fast-forward eight years and El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and a former health director for Detroit-anchored Wayne County, is battling former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers in the midterm race to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. The showdown in Michigan is a must hold for the Democrats as they try to win back control of the Senate from the GOP.

As he ran for the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial nomination — a contest he lost to now-two-term Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — El-Sayed's campaign website stated, "Repeal HIV/AIDS criminalization laws and the exclusion of transgender Michiganders from state Medicaid."

When asked in 2018 if he supported the decriminalization of HIV through legislation that would create two levels of misdemeanors, El-Sayed said at the time, "One of the big things that we have to recognize about HIV is that no disease can be illegal. The continuing forward of these laws on the books stigmatize people with the disease."

SIX FORCES THAT COULD HELP REPUBLICANS DEFY HISTORY IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS

Whitmer also supported changing the law, which dated to 1988, saying as she ran for governor, "It’s wrong to criminalize sickness, which is what this law has effectively done. It absolutely should be revisited."

The law was reformed in early 2019, after passing a GOP-controlled legislature with broad bipartisan support. The revised statute limited the felony provisions to vaginal and anal intercourse involving an intent to transmit HIV or cases in which HIV was actually transmitted, reduced certain non-transmission offenses to misdemeanors and protected medically suppressed people from prosecution under the law's reckless-disregard provision.

"Abdul supports the bipartisan reform bill that passed in 2019 through a Republican legislature that eliminated the discriminatory laws on the books," campaign spokesperson Roxie Richner told Fox News Digital. "As a public health professional, Abdul has fought to support programs that stem the spread of diseases, including HIV."

Richner added that "the Trump administration has completely exacerbated this crisis by defunding the organizations and programs that do frontline care to prevent transmission and exposure in the first place. In the US Senate, Abdul will fight back against Donald Trump and RFK Jr’s attempts to dismantle our public health infrastructure and ensure all Americans have access to the care they need."

DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB

El-Sayed also stands by his past comments on fighting discrimination aimed at those with HIV.

Last week, as he landed an endorsement from the Human Rights Campaign, a leading LGBTQ advocacy group, El-Sayed highlighted that if elected to the Senate, "I’ll fight to ensure every Michigander can live without discrimination and never have to wonder whether their rights will still be there tomorrow."

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El-Sayed, who narrowly edged more moderate Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens in August in a contentious primary that further exposed the rift between the party's left-wing and establishment factions, would become the nation’s first Muslim senator if elected.

He has made support for "Medicare for all" a major component of his campaign. El-Sayed has also called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and has been a vocal critic of Israel during its war against Hamas, characterizing Israel’s actions in Gaza as "genocide" against Palestinians.

Fox News AI Newsletter: Tech company says scientific discovery could change medicine

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:25:42 -0400

Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:

- Anthropic CEO says AI could cure most major diseases within next decade

- Former MLB All-Star Albert Pujols backs AI revolution, says it's 'great for baseball'

- Melania Trump urges AI 'vigilance,' says Americans need to get educated

A MEDICAL MIRACLE?: Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei predicted Wednesday that AI could help cure most diseases within the next five to 10 years, making the case that advanced technology will change how scientists study biology and medicine.

STRIKE THAT: Albert Pujols is embracing baseball's technology-driven changes, arguing that a new way to challenge ball-and-strike calls could give players another chance when a game is on the line.

AI ADVICE: Fresh off ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, first lady Melania Trump discussed the growing role of artificial intelligence during a wide-ranging interview on "The Big Money Show," sharing advice for Americans and revealing how she has used the technology herself.

TECH SCRUTINY: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday that an OpenAI agent gained unauthorized access to an Australian government website earlier this year, though the company said its review found no evidence that patient records were accessed.

BRAIN TRUST: A House panel held a hearing on Wednesday to discuss the need for the U.S. and China to responsibly pace artificial intelligence (AI) development ahead of this week's meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

HIDDEN HAND: As President Donald Trump prepares to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping about the future of artificial intelligence, two top House Republicans are warning that the Chinese Communist Party is "throwing gasoline on the fire" by undermining America's effort to build out AI infrastructure.

HIGH STAKES: The CEOs of two of the world's leading AI companies warned the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday that rapidly advancing AI could threaten humanity if governments and industry fail to keep it under human control.

NEW HUMAN PURPOSE: Before AI threatened to reshape the kind of blue-collar work he once did, Rep. Riley Moore was a welder on an Appalachian mining operation. Now, as the technology races into the workplace, Moore argues it could make workers like him safer and more productive rather than replace them.

NIMBY NATION: As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly politicized ahead of the midterm elections, the latest Fox News national survey finds voters struggling to reconcile the technology’s promise with the economic and environmental costs of the data centers needed to power it.

NUMBER ONE: Meta's recently launched Muse personal artificial intelligence (AI) agent app rose to the top of the Apple App Store after it launched earlier this month.

AMERICA LEADS: President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. will reject what he called a "globalist scheme" to control artificial intelligence (AI) and emphasized the importance of the U.S. winning the race in emerging tech.

MOVING TARGET: Google's Threat Intelligence Group found experimental malware called PROMPTFLUX that could ask Gemini to rewrite its own code. One version was designed to do that every hour. Why would malware keep rewriting itself? To make it harder to recognize.

FUTURE PROOF: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said in an interview on Friday that he disagrees with doomsday warnings that artificial intelligence (AI) may contribute to the extinction of humanity within a decade.

SILICON STANDOFF: Former President Barack Obama criticized President Donald Trump's approach to artificial intelligence on Friday, calling for stronger federal regulation as the technology rapidly advances and concerns grow over safety, jobs and human control.

Subscribe now to get the Fox News Artificial Intelligence Newsletter in your inbox.

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Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here.

Packers tight end Tucker Kraft hears boos from Lambeau Field fans and offers tone deaf response

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:20:01 -0400

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft dropped a couple of passes during Thursday night's blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons, which was indicative of his team's stunningly inept performance that caused the Lambeau Field crowd to boo the home team.

And Kraft was stunned by that.

Hurt by that.

No, not the loss. The booing.

BROWNS PICK DESHAUN WATSON AS THEIR STARTING QB DESPITE HOME CROWD BOOING AND HIS '17 AWAY GAMES' COMMENT

"Yeah, it’s pretty tough," Kraft told reporters huddled around his locker stall. "You know, like everyone pictures Lambeau Field and not boos. I don't picture boos. I picture my home stadium. That's tough. It's pretty disappointing."

Friends, it is 2026 not 1966.

So, the Packers of Vince Lombardi, Ray Nitschke, Jim Taylor, Herb Adderly, Willie Wood, Jerry Kramer and the other men who made this franchise a beacon of excellence and toughness and turned Green Bay into Titletown are a long-ago memory.

Now, we've got these Packers, who lost their last five games last season, and collapsed in giving up a big lead to lose their season-opener this season, and then lost their home-opener against the Falcons on Thursday night.

And these guys are complaining about being booed.

FROM THE CHARGERS TO THE COLTS AND FALCONS, WHICH OF THE NFL'S EIGHT WINLESS TEAMS ARE ALREADY IN PANIC MODE

These Packers got run out of Lambeau Field by a previously winless team. So, darn right, the fans booed.

But Kraft, who heard the boos, is tone-deaf.

"It's pretty disappointing," Kraft continued. "It's not gonna help us win. Like, I don't know, I don't know what people think that's gonna rally us or something like that.

"But, you know, we're grown men. We're mentally strong enough, capable enough to get back on the field and play ball. Um, but, probably much easier with the 70,000 people behind us rather than opposing us."

This is not the way, Tucker Kraft.

You just signed a $75 million contract extension. You got $26.5 million of that in a signing bonus. So, just for signing your name on the document, you collected more money than most of your fans make in their lifetimes by a multiple of 10.

And you don't understand why they're unhappy when you and your teammates do not perform? You don't picture boos?

Fans didn't picture their team giving up 27 unanswered points to the Falcons.

Fans didn't picture their team rushing for a grand total of 17 yards. Or the defense giving up 242 rushing yards.

And nobody pictured Kraft suddenly talking about them, as if Deshaun Watson suddenly took over his body.

The stunning part is that Kraft is one of the most stand-up guys on the Packers. He is a tough player. He fights back from injuries. He is not a victim.

But this was full-on soft victim mentality.

To be fair: This is not all Kraft talked about after the game. He talked about rallying and even admitted to not playing "to my standard."

But that's the minimum-expected reaction after what fans have witnessed going back to December 2025.

What no one expects is a team leader in any way lecturing fans that showed their displeasure the only way they really can. Those people pay to be in the stadium and have the right to express their displeasure in this manner.

Some fans at other venues throw beer bottles.

Kraft, his teammates and coaches have been giving the fans plenty to be displeased about.

And the only proper response to the question about being booed on Thursday night was, "We deserved it and will try to do better."

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More Americans than ever now have a positive view of socialism, new poll says

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:14:02 -0400

More Americans than ever view socialism positively, according to a Gallup poll released Wednesday, as 43% view it positively for the first time since 2010.

Gallup asked respondents if they have a positive or negative image of socialism, capitalism, free enterprise, big business and small business in the poll conducted in August. Fifty-five percent of Americans view capitalism positively.

The poll's findings show a significant drop in how Americans view big business, which is down 14 points from 2010, free enterprise down 9 points and capitalism down 6 points. Small business is the only category that hasn't lost any support.

SOCIALISM SURGES AMONG DEMOCRATS AS PARTY LEADERS REJECT DSA AGENDA: ‘PACK OF FOOLS’

The increase in socialism’s positive rating through 2025 was largely due to the views of Democrats, rising from 50% in 2010 to 66% last year. However, this year's increase is due to political independents, according to Gallup, whose positive rating jumped from 37% in 2025 to 45%.

This year's findings show 65% of Democrats view socialism positively, compared with 14% of Republicans.

FOX NEWS POLL: SQUEEZED BY COSTS, FRUSTRATED VOTERS TURN TO THE DEMOCRATS

Lucas Holtz, a senior political advisor at Third Way, told Fox News Digital in a statement, "The Gallup poll isn't evidence of Americans embracing socialism—it's evidence that Americans are rejecting the economic status quo. When we look a single layer beneath to ask whether voters support socialist policies, support completely collapses."

"Working-class Americans are pissed about the costs of everyday life and the economy, but it's off base to think that a majority of Democrats and independents would back wholesale DSA socialism," Holtz continued.

JOE MANCHIN SAYS HE WOULD NEVER SUPPORT A SOCIALIST CANDIDATE, WARNS AGAINST 'CRAZY' POSITIONS

Holtz pointed to a Third Way poll that found Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents prefer "capitalism with guardrails" over socialism by 24 points.

"Echelon Insights also ran a poll and found that socialism is 33 points underwater with independents. And they found that a whole lot of DSA-aligned policies would make voters less likely to back a candidate. Abolishing police and prisons: 73% less likely (77% among independents). Ending all immigration detention and deportations: 43% less likely (42% among independents). Government ownership of major transportation and energy infrastructure: 39% less likely (44% less likely among independents)," Holtz said.

The Gallup poll found that views of the economic systems differed by age group.

Adults aged 18 to 34 view socialism more positively than capitalism, 57% vs. 43%, and those aged 55 and older view capitalism more positively than socialism, 65% vs. 34%.

VANCE WARNS THERE WILL BE A 'SOCIALIST PRESIDENT IN THIS COUNTRY' IF GOP DOESN'T FIX ECONOMY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Adults ages 35 to 54, however, rate socialism and capitalism about the same.

A professor of political science at Northeastern University, Costas Panagopoulos, told Fox News Digital, "For Independents, whose views are driven least by partisan attachments, perceptions about socialism are gaining in favorability in part because they feel betrayed, overlooked or neglected by modern American capitalism."

SOCIALISM’S RISE INSIDE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY NOW THREATENS THE AMERICAN DREAM

Gallup's summary of its poll read, "Capitalism, free enterprise and especially big business are viewed less positively than they once were, while socialism has gained ground. Those changes have been most pronounced among Democrats and younger adults, but this year's uptick in socialism's appeal reflects a novel shift among independents."

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The poll comes amid a rise in socialist political candidates across the country, some of whom have won primary elections.

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After being sworn into office this year, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist himself, also helped propel three congressional candidates, Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, to victory in New York's primary in June.

Dozens of pledges found covered in food in sweltering frat basement as police investigate alleged hazing

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:51:01 -0400

Police responding to an anonymous hazing tip at a fraternity in Madison, Wisconsin, found roughly 30 partially clothed young men packed inside a sweltering basement, covered in food, condiments and other liquids – with several showing signs of being physically assaulted, authorities said.

The Madison Police Department said officers were dispatched to the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) house along Langdon Street around 8:20 p.m. Wednesday, where a thermostat in the basement was set to 81 degrees, creating hot and humid conditions.

The vast majority of those inside were 18 years old, police said. Officers declared the gathering unlawful before escorting everyone outside and checking the pledges for injuries and incapacitation.

MIAMI SECRET SERVICE AGENT CHARGED IN NEAR-DEADLY FRATERNITY HAZING, OFFICIALS SAY

Police said the chapter is not recognized or accredited by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was terminated by the university more than a decade ago. Alpha Epsilon Pi's national organization, however, told Fox News Digital it still recognizes the Madison chapter.

Madison Police Capt. Kipp Hartman said Thursday that he observed what appeared to be fresh redness and marks potentially consistent with being struck, but did not see any open wounds.

FORMER MICHIGAN HOCKEY PLAYERS ALLEGE COACHES IGNORED YEARS OF ABUSIVE HAZING RITUALS

Hartman added that he was not aware of anyone being transported for medical treatment.

Police said fraternity president Brayden J. Klein and vice president Samuel N. Vane, both 20, were arrested on hazing and disorderly conduct allegations and taken to the Dane County Jail.

PENN STATE COCAINE BUST NETS 14 ARRESTS OVER ALLEGED PLEDGE COKE-CUTTING ‘INDOCTRINATION' RITUALS

Hartman said both alleged offenses are misdemeanors and the Dane County District Attorney's Office will review the case.

Investigators are still working to determine exactly what happened inside the house, and Hartman said officers encountered inconsistencies while interviewing those who were there.

"We had limited cooperation," Hartman said.

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Officers obtained statements from those at the scene, but Hartman said some "did not align with what everybody else's statements were," raising concerns for investigators.

The incident came during rush week at UW-Madison. Hartman said he believes everyone involved was a university student.

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Alpha Epsilon Pi describes itself as "the world’s Jewish college fraternity," with chapters on more than 150 college campuses in four countries.

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Jonathan Pierce, the fraternity's chief communications officer, confirmed to Fox News Digital that AEPi recognizes its Madison chapter and said members remain subject to the national organization's health and safety policies.

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"AEPi Headquarters takes the allegations involving our Pi Chapter in Madison, Wisconsin, extremely seriously," Pierce said in a statement. "We will cooperate fully with the authorities investigating this matter."

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Pierce said any member found responsible for criminal conduct would be expelled and that AEPi would support prosecution.

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"Hazing is a betrayal of everything our fraternity stands for. There is no place for it in AEPi," the statement read. "No exceptions. No excuses. We educate our members about their responsibility to ‘Be Your Brothers’ Keeper.’ This is not an optional value."

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The statement later read, "Anyone who engages in hazing forfeits the privilege of being an AEPi brother."

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Fox News Digital also reached out to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the fraternity's local chapter for comment.

Suspect in Pittsburgh doctor's murder had been released without bail on prior burglary charge: court docs

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:30:25 -0400

A Pittsburgh pediatrician is dead, and his wife is hospitalized after a home invasion stabbing attack in their Edgewood, Pennsylvania home, according to authorities.

Allegheny County police have arrested 32-year-old Elijah Hemingway, of Pittsburgh. He has a rap sheet in the county courthouse going back to 2016, with his most recent prior arrest coming in July in connection with a burglary that took place in February, according to court records.

He was released without bail on that charge.

PITTSBURGH DOCTOR STABBED TO DEATH AFTER INTRUDER ALLEGEDLY ATTACKS HIM, WIFE AS THEY SLEPT: POLICE

On Thursday, authorities brought seven new charges against him in connection with the attack — including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary and trespassing.

Hemingway is accused of breaking into the victim's home on Linden Avenue around 12:30 a.m., although he allegedly told police that he had been invited inside by Dr. Evans without being able to provide any information about how they'd met. Police found blood on a windowsill and exterior door in the family's kitchen.

Evans' wife, who was hospitalized with stab wounds, escaped the attack and fled to the home of a neighbor, who called 911 at around 12:31 a.m. Thursday, according to a police affidavit. Police arrived in about 3 minutes.

The victims were rushed to the hospital as police launched a manhunt for their attacker. Dr. Evans was pronounced dead in the hospital at 1:42 a.m.

A Monroeville Police K-9 named Channy found Hemingway, wearing nothing but underwear, two doors down from the crime scene.

According to the affidavit, he had cuts on his hands consistent with committing a stabbing attack. Hemingway allegedly told police that he had been invited into the home by Dr. Evans — and also claimed that the doctor stabbed him in the back first.

According to court documents, Hemingway "did not have a stab wound on his back" and had no injuries aside from cuts on his hands.

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Dr. Idris Evans, 46, was pronounced dead at the hospital. His wife was listed in stable condition.

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Evans was the medical director of the Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and an assistant professor of critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, according to his university profile.

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Evans' wife told investigators that they awoke to a man attacking them in bed with a kitchen knife, according to court documents obtained by KDKA. She said the attacker was wearing only underwear and uttered something about "being God," the outlet reported. She also told investigators that Evans called the attacker "Elijah," as though he knew him.

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The couple's two young children, 8 and 12, were home during the attack.

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Fox News' Brittany Miller contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Stick with Fox News Digital for updates.

The SEC might have more headliners, but the Big 12 has the most underrated matchup of week 4

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:35:55 -0400

We have one hell of a college football weekend on our hands, folks.

If you haven't done so already, open up another tab and take a quick look at the slate for this Saturday.

I'm sure your eyes will be drawn to plenty of action in the SEC, as the league has two of the more intriguing match-ups in terms of national relevance.

The number one team in the land, Texas, will travel to Knoxville to take on a dangerous looking Tennessee team, while the team with perhaps the best resume in the country, Ole Miss, takes a trip to The Swamp to play the Gators.

My point is that Saturday will feature wall-to-wall action and could end up being one of the best weekend slates of the season.

But one game that isn't getting the shine it deserves is taking place in the Big 12.

It doesn't feature a ranked-on-ranked match-up, and is occurring at the same time that LSU and Texas A&M are set to square off, but the showdown between Oklahoma State and West Virginia will be must see television.

NEW AP POLL TOP 25 PUNISHES OHIO STATE, OKLAHOMA, OREGON, TEXAS JUMPS TO NO 1 AFTER BIG COMEBACK

For starters, both teams have a ranked win on their resume, something many programs around the country can't say they have, as the Mountaineers took down a top-25 Virginia squad while the Cowboys toppled mighty Oregon in week two.

The match-up will feature a couple of great coaches on opposite ends of the spectrum, both stylistically and in terms of where they are in their career.

OKLAHOMA STATE MIGHT HAVE KNOWN WHICH PLAYS OREGON DUCKS WERE RUNNING DURING UPSET WIN

Oklahoma State has Eric Morris roaming their sidelines, and if you've been paying attention to me at all in the past year, you know how much I like this guy.

Morris, the young up and comer, is an air raid disciple, and it shows in his team's offensive splits.

The Cowboys rank top ten in total offense and have the best passing offense in the Big 12 thanks to Morris' system and quarterback extraordinaire Drew Mestemaker.

On the other side you have Rich Rodriguez, and if that name sounds familiar, it's because he's on his second tour in Morgantown.

His first go around as West Virginia's head coach was wildly successful, featuring plenty of explosive offenses and BCS Bowl victories, and it looks like he's picked up right where he left off.

The Mountaineers have one of the best rushing offenses in the country, ranking in the top three nationally in rush yards per game.

This game will be an explosive one when either offense is on the field, as the scoreboard operator better hope he's up for the challenge.

The stakes will be plenty high as well, because the winner of this game will have an early inside track on making it to the Big 12 title game and potentially upsetting Texas Tech en route to a College Football Playoff berth.

You will want to be tuned in when these two square off in the Mountain State.

If it's not the main game on your TV, I implore you to at least go picture-and-picture or just go buy a second monitor (they're cheap these days).

Don't let the fancy numbers next to teams like LSU and Texas A&M distract you from the fact that this could be the most entertaining game of the weekend.

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Miss it at your own peril, and don't say I didn't warn you.

Which LifeLock identity theft protection plan offers the most value? Here's how they compare

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 14:29:57 -0400

Identity theft can wreak havoc on your finances, but a monitoring service can help you keep a closer eye on your personal information and credit accounts. LifeLock offers three plans, starting at $10.42 per month when billed annually. Depending on the plan, members may also receive reimbursement for certain losses related to identity theft and fraud.

Why is identity theft protection important?

In 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 1.3 million reports of identity theft, highlighting how widespread the issue has become.

Identity theft protection services such as LifeLock monitor your personal information for suspicious activity and alert you to potential misuse. Depending on the service and plan, that can include someone using your Social Security number to open an account or apply for a loan, as well as your information appearing on the dark web.

These alerts can help you spot potential identity theft sooner and take steps to limit the damage. Some monitoring plans also track changes to your credit and financial accounts, giving you another way to catch suspicious activity early.

How LifeLock protects your information

LifeLock monitors your personal and financial information so you can spot potential identity theft sooner. All three available plans include identity and Social Security number monitoring, dark web monitoring and alerts for potentially suspicious activity. Select plans add credit monitoring from multiple bureaus. Higher-tier plans also monitor activity tied to payday loans, utility accounts and social media accounts. If your information is compromised, a scam assistant can provide guidance and answer cyber safety questions.

Depending on your plan, you can get up to $3 million in identity theft coverage. The two top-tier plans include up to $5,000 scam reimbursement for the Advanced plan and up to $10,000 for the Total plan for eligible losses due to fraud.

Which LifeLock plan is for you?

Regardless of which plan you choose, paying annually instead of monthly saves 16%. Here's how the plans compare:

Core: LifeLock's entry-level plan costs $10.42 per month when billed annually. It includes identity monitoring, bank and credit alerts for up to two accounts, monitoring from two credit bureaus and up to $1.05 million in identity theft coverage per adult.

Advanced: At $16.67 per month when billed annually, this mid-tier plan expands bank alerts to five accounts and monitors all three credit bureaus. It also includes up to $1.2 million in identity theft coverage per adult and $5,000 in scam reimbursement.

Total: LifeLock's most comprehensive plan costs $29.17 per month when billed annually. It adds home title and investment account monitoring, along with up to $3 million in identity theft coverage per adult and $10,000 in scam reimbursement.

Whether you're early in your career or have already spent decades building wealth, protecting your assets is always a smart idea. Each of LifeLock's plans is well worth the investment.

Fighter jet pilots eject moments before fiery crash in Wales

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:03:52 -0400

A video captured the moment two Royal Air Force pilots ejected from a training aircraft before a fiery crash in Wales.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) said the incident involving a Hawk T2 aircraft happened near Anglesey on Wednesday after the pilots departed the RAF Valley base in the northwestern part of the country.

"Both pilots are doing well, they are in extremely good spirits and expected to make a full recovery," the RAF said in a statement. "A formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is now underway and as a precautionary measure, the RAF has temporarily paused Hawk T1 and Hawk T2 flying operations."

BLOODIED, EJECTED MARINE CORPS PILOT SEEN CALM AND COLLECTED AFTER WASHINGTON CRASH DESTROYS AIRCRAFT

Footage taken by local resident Danni Jones and obtained by Storyful shows the pilots parachuting through the air after a fireball erupted in the Welsh countryside.

The RAF said on its website that the Hawk T2 "is a high-performance, 2-seat training jet equipped with advanced avionics and synthetic radar to simulate front-line combat aircraft like the Typhoon."

PILOT EJECTS AS F-35 CRASHES AT MCAS MIRAMAR, SPARKING FIRE

"Used primarily by the RAF for advanced jet training, it prepares pilots for complex tactical environments," it added.

The cause of Wednesday's crash was not immediately clear.

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"RAF Valley on Anglesey is home to No 4 Flying Training School, responsible for training the UK's next generation of world-class fighter pilots," according to the RAF. "Aircrew are also trained at RAF Valley for mountain and maritime operations throughout the world."

'80s star Tiffany steps into dream role after leaving Hollywood behind

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:00:38 -0400

'80s pop icon Tiffany is stepping back into the spotlight as she fulfills a dream she had prior to becoming a teen idol.

The 54-year-old singer, who rose to fame in 1987 after her song "I Think We're Alone Now" became a massive hit, made her Off-Broadway debut in "Spandex the Musical" last week.

During a July interview with People magazine, Tiffany reflected on why taking the stage felt like a "true full-circle moment for me."

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"Before music came into my life, I was a dancer and an actor, and those dreams were put on hold when ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’ took off and my recording career began," she said.

Tiffany, whose full name is Tiffany Darwish, launched her career with the now-legendary Shopping Mall Tour '87, performing free concerts at malls across the country beginning in June 1987. The grassroots campaign helped turn the then-15-year-old into a teen sensation before she became a chart-topping artist.

In September 1987, Tiffany's cover of Tommy James and the Shondells' 1967 hit "I Think We're Alone Now" climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 less than two months after its release and made her a household name.

"I Think We're Alone Now" was the second single released from her self-titled debut album. She followed up with "Could've Been," the third single released from "Tiffany," which also topped the Billboard Hot 100. In addition, the album produced her Beatles cover "I Saw Him Standing There," which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Feelings of Forever," which reached the No. 50 spot.

At 16, Tiffany became the youngest female artist to top the Billboard 200 with a debut album. She went on to headline her first major tour in 1988, with New Kids on the Block opening for her before the boy band's own meteoric rise.

However, Tiffany's chart dominance proved difficult to sustain. While her 1988 sophomore album, "Hold an Old Friend's Hand," was certified platinum by the RIAA and produced the Top 10 hit "All This Time," it fell short of matching the success of her debut. As the teen-pop landscape shifted in the early 1990s, her third album, "New Inside," failed to gain commercial traction.

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In 1993, Tiffany released her fourth album, "Dreams Never Die," which was issued only in Asian markets. Afterward, Tiffany largely stepped back from the mainstream music scene to focus on raising her son Elijah, whom she shares with her ex-husband, makeup artist Bulmaro Garcia. The two were married from 1992 to 2003.

In the early 2000s, Tiffany left Hollywood behind and moved to Nashville. During a 2023 interview with Fox News Digital, she explained why she decided to embrace a simpler life in Tennessee.

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"I came to Nashville for the first time when I was 10," the California native recalled. "I’ve been coming back ever since. I love being out in the country – I’m a country girl at heart. I’ve toured all over the world and this place has always been home for me. There’s just something about coming home to my little ranch… I’ve never looked back."

Since the days of her teenage stardom, Tiffany has continued to tour and release music as an independent artist. She has also made appearances in movies and television shows and starred in several reality TV series.

During a June interview with Fox News Digital, Tiffany detailed how she spent the past several years building a culinary brand that combines her love of cooking, entertaining and connecting with fans. Through her platform, "Let's Food With Tiffany," she offers recipes, virtual cooking experiences and food-focused events that showcase the same energy and creativity that made her a pop sensation.

Earlier this year, Tiffany released her second cookbook, "POP LIFE: The Ultimate ‘80s Kitchen Encore," which she created with Las Vegas celebrity chef Alicia Shevetone. "POP LIFE: The Ultimate ’80s Kitchen Encore" followed her first cookbook, "Breakfast with Tiffany," which she released independently.

In July, Tiffany announced that she would make her New York theatrical debut in "Spandex the Musical," in which she plays Linda Gustafson, a housewife who competes in the fictional 1988 Crystal Light National Aerobics Championship.

"I’ve always believed the right role would find me, and the moment I read the script, I knew Linda was that character," she told People magazine at the time.

"Just as Linda discovers a new passion through aerobics that changes her life, I’ve found exciting new passions beyond music through my ‘Pop Life’ cookbook, ‘Let’s Food With Tiffany’ events, and now returning to acting on stage," she continued. "It’s a reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself."

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"Spandex: The Musical" is a 10-day limited Off-Broadway engagement which runs through Sept. 27. After each performance, Tiffany performs "I Think We're Alone Now" during the curtain call.

"There are so many wonderful parallels between Linda’s journey and my own, and I’m thrilled the producers have even woven in some fun Tiffany Easter eggs that I know longtime fans are going to love," she told People.

Tiffany said the project is especially meaningful because a portion of the show's proceeds will benefit Children's Miracle Network, a nonprofit organization that raises money for 170 children's hospitals across the United States and Canada.

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"Making my Off-Broadway debut with such a funny, heartfelt and uplifting show is truly a dream come true," Tiffany said. "I’m also incredibly proud that ‘Spandex The Musical’ is partnering with Children’s Miracle Network, with a portion of the proceeds helping children and families in need."

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"Giving back has always been close to my heart, so being able to combine my love of performing with a cause that means so much to me makes this experience even more special," she added.

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"I can’t wait for audiences to experience the laughs, the music, the ‘80s nostalgia and, of course, plenty of spandex!"