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Trump praises Team USA Winter Olympians and Paralympians at White House after record medal haul

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 23:05:12 -0400

President Donald Trump looked over his left and right shoulder, as well as in the crowd, as he hosted more than 120 Team USA Winter Olympians and Paralympians at the White House to celebrate their accomplishment at the Milano Cortina Games earlier this year.

There were 57 total medals brought back to the United States by the 300 athletes representing the Stars and Stripes, including 12 gold medals.

As Trump emphasized, it was a historic Winter Games for the Olympians, securing the most-ever U.S. gold medals in a single year. It was also the most medals won (33) by Team USA in a Winter Olympics outside North America.

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And 24 more medals came back to the States after 72 Paralympians competed across all five sports, securing 13 gold medals including a fifth straight sled hockey victory.

"Paralympians bring home their fifth straight gold medal in sled hockey, extending one of the greatest dynasties in all of international sports and it’s amazing what you’ve done. Nobody’s ever done anything like it," Trump said before acknowledging members from that team.

TRUMP URGES CONGRESS TO PASS PROTECT COLLEGE SPORTS ACT BEFORE RECESS: 'WE HAVE TO GET THAT DONE'

Speaking of hockey, Trump would be remiss not to mention the men’s and women’s Olympic hockey squads that both defeated Canada in overtime.

"The 2026 men’s Olympic hockey team. We celebrated together and it was really an incredible time. The women’s team and the men’s team — it was just incredible," Trump said.

"We can’t forget and never would — and nobody would have the courage to forget either because they are amazing. The history-making women’s hockey team. This team left everything on the ice."

Trump had previously invited members of the men’s Olympic hockey team to his State of the Union address just days after winning gold, where goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom earlier that day.

Trump received backlash for making a joking remark during a call with the men’s team following their overtime victory that he would be "impeached" if he didn’t invite the women to the White House for an event as well. USA Hockey released a statement later that, while athletes were grateful for the invitation, their active college and pro schedules made attendance impossible.

But forwards Joy Dunne and Abbey Murphy were both among the Olympians and Paralympians behind Trump on Thursday at the White House. He took time during his speech to recognize both of them.

After congratulating every member of Team USA in his speech, Trump was gifted a Team USA varsity jacket and a new pair of shoes as mementos for what was an incredible performance all around by those representing the country.

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Those who were unable to attend the event on Thursday were already back training for the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Games , which will be held in the French Alps .

In 2034, Salt Lake City will be the host site for the Winter Games, which Trump was excited to mention.

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Aces star targets heckling Fever fans in Indy before Chelsea Gray stuns Caitlin Clark in OT thriller

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 22:33:56 -0400

This is the most the WNBA has done to keep men out of its sport.

During Thursday night's WILD battle between the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, venue security confronted several men seated courtside who were making noise.

Las Vegas' Jackie Young took time out of a tight game to confront the fans and actively demanded that security handle them. The Amazon Prime Video commentators even celebrated as the men were shown being escorted off the floor. Young finished with 22 points, but her biggest effort was causing a floor-side scene over paying customers.

SOME WNBA PLAYERS ACT LIKE THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO RECEIVE MEAN SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES

Welcome to the modern WNBA, where ordinary courtside heckling can apparently become a five-alarm emergency. The optics are ridiculous for a league demanding more eyeballs. When authentic, rowdy sports-fan culture shows up, suddenly everyone acts like they need a safe space.

But the fan drama was only the beginning of the chaos on the hardwood.

The Aces, holding the second-best record in the WNBA, found themselves in an absolute dogfight with Indiana. A'ja Wilson paced Las Vegas with 26 points in a crazy contest featuring nine lead changes between the fourth quarter and overtime alone.

Indiana had victory in its grasp down the stretch, but Caitlin Clark had a sloppy night, finishing with 20 points, eight assists, and three rebounds alongside a whopping eight turnovers. Clark's worst regulation blunder came at the charity stripe, where she uncharacteristically missed two crucial free throws that surrendered Indiana's lead and left the door wide open for Las Vegas.

CAITLIN CLARK ERUPTS FOR 32 POINTS AS FEVER HOLD OFF STORM TO COMPLETE SEASON-SERIES SWEEP

Aces veteran Chelsea Gray made Indiana pay, draining a clutch buzzer-beater to tie the game at 75-75 and force overtime.

Then Clark choked again.

With Indiana clinging to an 84-83 lead in overtime, Clark coughed up a crushing turnover that gave Las Vegas final possession. Gray capitalized once more, knocking down a cold-blooded three-pointer as time expired to secure an 86-84 victory for the Aces.

After the game, an Indiana Fever spokesperson told OutKick-Fox News that security found no violation of the Fan Code of Conduct and that the fan was not ejected, but instead "elected to leave."

FORMER FEVER PLAYER RESPONDS TO SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM BY ALLEGING INDIANA HARASSMENT COVER-UP

In the end, running to venue security because front-row banter hurt your feelings sends a terrible message to the paying fans funding your chartered flights.

The WNBA wants the crowds, the attention and the money that come with big-time professional sports. Fine. But that means taking the heckling, too.

Stop playing arena fun police and let fans be fans.

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Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela

Trump-backed incumbent loses primary after super PAC bankrolled by Dems meddled in race

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 22:17:10 -0400

Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., was defeated in a primary challenge on Thursday evening by Republican challenger Charlie Hatcher, a farmer and the state's former commissioner of agriculture.

Although the primary was far from a top-watched contest coming into the 2026 primaries, it served as a microcosm of larger forces at play in the Republican Party. From a break in endorsements between President Donald Trump and Tennessee’s Republican Governor Bill Lee to millions being pumped into the district over environmental policy, the race attracted attention well beyond its borders.

The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition super PAC had spent roughly $2 million opposing Ogles and supporting Hatcher. The group has raised $6.7 million this year, making Ogles a sizable portion of their spending this cycle.

TOP TRUMP ALLY WARNS SUPER PAC BANKROLLED BY DEM BILLIONAIRE IS MEDDLING IN GOP PRIMARY

The way that Ogles sees it, it’s an attempt to show Republicans what happens when lawmakers attempt to claw back government funding for renewable energy sources.

Like many other Republicans, Ogles has called to scale back renewable energy investments made under the Biden Administration.

"When you have a group spending roughly $2 million in a Republican primary, that tells you how much money they're making off of government subsidies, and they're upset that the government welfare has been taken away from them," Ogles told Fox News Digital in an interview.

A Fox News Digital review of FEC filings discovered that the super PAC is bankrolled by Chris Larsen, the California-based billionaire chairman of Ripple, a financial technology company that, according to its website, offers crypto solutions for businesses.

Larsen is also a frequent Democratic donor, having contributed $5,444,975 to support Kamala Harris's failed presidential campaign.

More than just his opposition to government-backed renewable energy initiatives, Ogles thinks it’s his proximity to Trump that has made him a target.

"It's because I'm close to the president. It is because I am outspoken. And quite frankly, it is because I speak plainly on these issues," Ogles said.

GOP GOVERNOR ENDORSES CANDIDATE CHALLENGING TRUMP-BACKED CONGRESSMAN IN REPUBLICAN US HOUSE PRIMARY

For his own part, Hatcher, a fifth-generation Tennessee dairy farmer, has pitched himself as someone unencumbered by the political scene and ensnaring interests.

"I think there’s something missing in Washington. There’s a lack of farmer common sense. There’s a lack of work ethic. One of my strengths is problem-solving, looking for solutions, looking for collaborations and supporting the Trump Administration and Speaker Johnson on their agenda," Hatcher said in a campaign video.

Notably, Tennessee’s Republican governor put his weight behind Hatcher late on Tuesday evening, citing a personal relationship between them.

"He served as my commissioner of agriculture; I know Charlie. I know his conservative values and how much he loves our country. Charlie has stood with President Trump since day one," Lee said in a video.

Trump, who has endorsed Ogles, reaffirmed his support for the conservative firebrand ahead of the primary.

"Andy will be really enshrined as one of the best congressmen that you’ll ever see. He’s just fantastic," Trump said. "Andy has always been there when we needed him and when I needed him. He’s been a great help. He’s been a source of inspiration to a lot of people in Congress," Trump said in a post to Truth Social earlier this year.

TENNESSEE PASSES NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP LIKELY TO FLIP FINAL DEM SEAT AS PROTESTS ERUPT INSIDE CAPITOL

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Having captured the Republican nomination, Hatcher now advances to a general election he’s heavily favored to win on Nov. 3. He won re-election in 2024 in a 56.9% to 39.5% victory over Maryam Abolfazli.

Squad-backed ‘Tennessee Three’ lawmaker wins House primary in newly redrawn district

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:41:13 -0400

Squad-backed Tennessee state Rep. Justin Pearson, District 86, part of the trio of lawmakers in his state referred to as the "Tennessee Three," won the Democratic primary Thursday in Tennessee's newly redrawn 9th Congressional District.

Pearson defeated state Sen. London Lamar, District 33, community activist Marion LaTroy Alexandria-Williams and attorney Jim Torino. He will face Brent Taylor, the Republican nominee who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, in November with his campaign warchest of millions of dollars he has raised throughout his campaign, significantly outpacing his Democratic opponents.

The Memphis-area state lawmaker entered the primary with the backing of prominent Democrats who are part of the progressive group of lawmakers called "the Squad," including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., and Summer Lee, D-Pa., who all joined Pearson at a campaign rally in Memphis last month.

'SQUAD' MEMBER'S COMEBACK BID THWARTED AS ESTABLISHMENT DEMS NOTCH VICTORY AGAINST SOCIALISTS

Known for his fiery, preacher-style speeches, Pearson has also received support from national left-wing groups including Justice Democrats, the Working Families Party, MoveOn and Indivisible.

Pearson rose to national prominence in 2023 as one of the "Tennessee Three" lawmakers who participated in a gun-control protest on the state House floor following the Covenant School shooting in Nashville that killed three young kids and three adults.

Republican lawmakers subsequently expelled Pearson and fellow state Rep. Justin Jones over the protest, though they later regained their seats.

A third Democrat, Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, avoided expulsion by a single vote, according to local media reporting.

'JUMPING SHIP': HOUSE DEM FINDS EXIT STRATEGY AFTER SCOTUS RULING SHIFTS ADVANTAGE TO GOP

The open-seat primary won by Pearson on Thursday followed a redrawing of Tennessee’s congressional map that divided Memphis among three Republican-leaning districts and prompted longtime Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., to retire.

Before the new map, heavily Democratic Memphis was largely kept together in the 9th District, giving Tennessee Democrats one reliable congressional seat in an otherwise deeply Republican state.

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Cohen has been the lone Democrat in Tennessee’s nine-member House delegation alongside eight Republicans since 2023, but the new map favors the GOP in all nine districts.

Missouri neighbor accused of killing mother and teen daughter after confronting family over dispute

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:41:23 -0400

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

A mother and her teenage daughter were shot dead inside their Missouri home by a neighbor who stopped over to complain about a "dispute," police said.

Robert Winkelman, 73, walked down the street to his neighbor's House Springs, Missouri, home and confronted 38-year-old Jessica Lashly about what was going on at her house on July 25, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said.

When Lashly responded, Winkelman pulled out a gun and shot her in the head, according to officials.

MICHIGAN DAD SHOT WIFE, SIX KIDS THEN SET FAMILY HOME ABLAZE IN MURDER-SUICIDE, SHERIFF SAYS

When the victim's 17-year-old daughter, Jersey Greer, tried to help her mother, Winkelman shot her in the head as well, the sheriff's office said. A third person was chased by Winkelman as he was armed with a gun but wasn't shot. Lashly and Greer died days later at a hospital.

When deputies arrived at Winkelman's home and moved to confront him, he turned the gun on himself.

He died at a hospital Aug. 2, according to investigators, who said he would have been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action.

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According to reports, investigators said Winkelman initially went to Lashly's home to complain about noise. A spokesman for the sheriff's office characterized the incident to Fox News Digital as a "dispute between neighbors."

Investigators learned that Winkelman had "ongoing frustrations" with activities at Lashly's home.

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Justice Greer, the teenage victim's twin sister, told KSDK, "She was literally just the funniest person ever.

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"She could make anybody laugh. She was really supportive about anything and everything. She could always tell when someone was sad or needed uplifting, and she was always the one to do it.

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"Jersey's last moments, she was trying to save my mom. It just shows how brave she is, and I hope I can be half as brave as she is."

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Justice Greer said Lashly was a single mother who did everything she could to support her daughters.

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"It was always just us three," Justice said. "It's going to be really hard because that's all I'm used to."

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Abby Feldmann, who coached Justice and Jersey Greer in lacrosse, told KSDK Jersey was someone who could "change your whole perspective on life."

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"There's not one person who would refuse to follow her," Feldmann said. "Everyone's behind her. She's really an amazing girl."

Mamdani repeatedly sidesteps questions on reported plan to revive tax hikes on wealthy New Yorkers

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:53:07 -0400

New York City democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani repeatedly sidestepped questions Thursday about reported plans to launch a public pressure campaign this fall pushing tax hikes on wealthy New Yorkers and corporations.

Mamdani reportedly plans to build public support after Labor Day for similar proposals that Gov. Kathy Hochul previously rejected in early 2026. The reported push is expected ahead of the New York Legislature's return to Albany in January 2027 and Hochul's re-election campaign this fall, according to The New York Post.

During an interview with Fox 5 New York, Mamdani repeatedly declined to answer questions about the potential campaign before later saying such discussions would only come after the November election.

Asked whether he had spoken with Hochul about the reported campaign, Mamdani did not answer directly, instead using the opportunity to tout the opening of 2,000 free child care seats for New Yorkers through their policy efforts.

NYC MAYOR MAMDANI CALLS THREAT OF RICH PEOPLE LEAVING NYC OVER TAXES 'IMAGINED'

"The governor and I are in constant communication and, frankly, I appreciate her partnership because if it wasn't for the governor, then we wouldn't have been able to stand together to announce that we had more than 5,000 New Yorkers come forward to apply for these 2,000 free child care seats," he said. "And I'm so excited about that, and the fact that we're going to expand to 12,000, and the work that's still to come."

The reporter then pressed Mamdani on whether the Democratic Socialists of America would join the potential campaign this fall, but he again declined to answer directly, saying his focus remains on the present.

BERNIE SANDERS, DSA REVEAL DEMANDS FOR DEM PARTY AFTER SOCIALISTS SWEEP NEW YORK ELECTIONS

"My focus right now is where we are, which is August, and ensuring that everything that we're doing is keeping New Yorkers safe amidst a heat wave and preparing for the school year," Mamdani said. "A lot of the conversation about what comes after November, I think, is a conversation for what comes after November."

"So you don't plan to launch a campaign to tax the rich before the November election?" the reporter asked.

"The conversations I've been having with the governor and with my team are about the here and now and there will always be time for the conversations that come after that," Mamdani said.

MAMDANI EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR NYC HOMEOWNERS TO SEEK EXEMPTION FROM NEW PIED-À-TERRE TAX

The reported campaign would revive a previous push by Mamdani to close the city's multibillion-dollar budget gap through tax increases, a proposal Hochul previously rejected. Mamdani's earlier plan called for raising the city's personal income tax rate on filers earning $1 million or more, a move he projected could generate roughly $3 billion annually, while also increasing corporate tax rates.

As an alternative, Hochul and Mamdani jointly advanced the state's first pied-à-terre tax, an annual surcharge on certain high-value second homes, which passed in May 2026. State and city officials have projected the measure could raise about $500 million annually.

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Mamdani also said his May 2026 executive budget closed what his administration described as an inherited $12 billion budget gap, crediting aggressive savings, new investments, his partnership with Albany and new tax revenue, including the pied-à-terre tax.

Mamdani's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Trump urges Congress to pass Protect College Sports Act before recess: 'We have to get that done'

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:52:56 -0400

President Donald Trump has once again urged lawmakers to pass the Protect College Sports Act, saying "we have to get that done" as Congress recess looms.

Trump had more than 120 athletes, coaches, staff and representatives from Team USA for a special celebration at the White House on Thursday night to celebrate their achievements at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As Trump referenced "the collegiate athletic system is the engine of American Olympic dominance," producing 88% of the Team USA representatives in those Games alone, he urged the House and Senate to pass the bill, which he said he would sign immediately at his desk.

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"I’m urging the House and the Senate to come together, bipartisan if possible and it looks like they have done, to send the bill to my desk and I will sign it. I think we have no choice," Trump said. "We have to get that done. If we don’t, we’re very foolish. Nobody knows what will happen. We’re in Never-Never Land. We’re not going to let that be happening. We’re not going to let that happen to these great people and others."

Trump added that his administration is "doing everything we can to protect the cherished sporting traditions that have long been a part of our nation."

DONALD TRUMP SAYS COLLEGE SPORTS 'TURNING INTO PRO SPORTS' WITH NO RULES, URGES FOR BIPARTISAN BILL TO SIGN

"Already we’ve done a lot to save women’s sports, and we’re also saving college sports. We’re in the process of working very hard," he said.

The Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan bill that NCAA officials continue to lobby lawmakers to pass, would provide the collegiate governing body with greater antitrust legal protections while also establishing a uniform framework for college athletics in terms of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) compensation, the transfer portal and more.

The bill, though, has had its obstacles in the Senate, including Thursday when three Republican senators filed an amendment aimed at preventing the bill from overriding state laws that bar biological men from competing in women’s sports. Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri, Jim Banks of Indiana and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama are pushing to close what they view as a loophole to undo laws in their states designed to keep biological males out of women’s sports.

The bill’s current writing would override certain state laws dealing with college athlete eligibility, and these senators believe their laws, as well as similar ones in other states, would be impacted, leading to their amendment to make clear those state laws remain in effect if the bill passed.

"I’ve reviewed the current draft of the Senate NIL bill and I am very concerned it PREEMPTS Missouri’s law banning men in women’s sports," Hawley wrote on X. "This is what [Riley Gaines] has been saying. Big, big problem."

REPUBLICAN SENATORS FILE AMENDMENT TO STOP COLLEGE SPORTS BILL FROM OVERRIDING STATE WOMEN'S SPORTS LAWS

While word of the amendment has yet to come, and could play a significant role in Republican support, Trump hopes the bill itself heads to the Oval Office sooner than later with the framework needed to protect college sports now and in the future. Earlier on Thursday, the Trump administration issued a statement supporting the passage of the act, reaffirming the president’s wish to see a college sports bill passed.

"The future of college sports, especially the future of Olympic and non-revenue sports, is threatened by significant legal and financial uncertainty. Federal legislative action is imperative to fix the statutory ambiguities, ensure liability protection and uniform standards, and stop the endless litigation that is fueling this crisis, which will in turn provide the stability, fairness, and balance necessary to protect student-athletes and preserve collegiate athletic opportunities," the statement of administration policy read.

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But there is the Congress recess to think about. The Senate is set for its five-week recess when the day concludes on Friday, though it faces a big to-do list other than just attempting to pass this bill which could delay leaving Capitol Hill.

Whether the Senate checks the Protect College Sports Act off that list remains to be seen, but Trump gave a Thursday night nudge in hopes it reaches the House, and soon after, his desk.

Retired police chief helps subdue passenger after alleged midair outburst over alcohol cutoff

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:46:16 -0400

Retired Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara found himself back in crisis mode Thursday, not on the streets of Mill City, but 35,000 feet in the air, when what should have been a routine United Airlines flight suddenly turned chaotic.

O'Hara told Fox News Digital he watched flight attendants spend nearly 45 minutes trying to de-escalate an increasingly belligerent passenger, prompting him and two off-duty Bergen County, New Jersey, sheriff's deputies to intervene.

The retired police chief, who was traveling with his wife aboard United Flight 1364 from Newark to Fort Lauderdale, said the passenger repeatedly berated flight attendants, tried to get out of his seat and behaved erratically as crew members worked to keep the situation under control.

FRONTIER PASSENGERS TACKLE MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY CHOKED OFF-DUTY FLIGHT ATTENDANT, TRIED TO OPEN DOOR MID-FLIGHT

"About like for the last 45 minutes of the flight ... all the flight attendants came over, and they were incredible," O'Hara told Fox News Digital. "Incredibly professional, just trying to talk to this guy to de-escalate things."

According to O'Hara, the passenger became increasingly agitated after flight attendants refused to serve him more alcohol, a detail O'Hara said he later learned from the Broward Sheriff's Office after the arrest. The man reportedly continued shouting profanities and making threatening remarks before the encounter turned physical.

"It was infuriating to hear a man speak to these women who were just incredibly professional and trying to keep everybody safe that way for so long," O'Hara said. "And, finally, he just kind of got up and lunged towards them."

That's when two passengers seated near the back of the aircraft grabbed the man from behind as O'Hara rushed forward from his seat.

OFF-DUTY TROOPER AND ARMED CITIZEN HAILED AS HEROES AFTER RETURNING FIRE ON IN-N-OUT GUNMAN

The three men worked together to restrain the passenger using plastic flex cuffs before securing him back in his seat, so the flight attendants could take their seats and the plane could land safely.

O'Hara later learned the two passengers were Bergen County Sheriff's deputies from New Jersey.

United Airlines also confirmed the incident in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"Local law enforcement met United Flight 1364 upon its arrival in Fort Lauderdale to address an unruly passenger," the airline said. "We thank our crew and customers for assisting with the situation and helping ensure the safety of everyone onboard."

UNITED FLIGHT FROM CHICAGO MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING AFTER PASSENGER'S 'MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS' TO BREACH COCKPIT

The airline said the Boeing 737-900 was carrying 174 passengers and six crew members, including two pilots and four flight attendants.

While cellphone video of the confrontation has circulated widely on social media, O'Hara said it doesn't capture the nearly hour-long effort by the flight crew to peacefully resolve the situation before passengers stepped in.

"No one should take the kind of verbal abuse that they did," he said. "They were absolute professionals trying to keep everybody safe."

O'Hara, who spent 25 years in law enforcement before retiring after leading public safety operations in Newark, New Jersey, and later serving as Minneapolis police chief, said the incident underscored just how dangerous violent outbursts can become aboard an aircraft.

"I started to think, ‘Well, geez, what are we going to do if somebody really wants to fight the whole time?’" he said. "It's dangerous. We're in such a confined space like that, and someone's going to act out like that because you don't know potentially what the motivation might be."

His wife, who is a lieutenant with the Newark Police Department, was seated nearby throughout the ordeal.

"The only thing I was thinking about was if this goes bad, I know at least she has my back," O'Hara said with a laugh, adding he has seen her "handle herself on the street" and knew she would be ready if the situation worsened.

Afterward, O'Hara's wife praised her husband's actions in a social media post.

"Proud of my husband today," she wrote. "When a disruptive passenger created a dangerous situation on a flight, he stepped up to help federal agents safely arrest him. Leadership isn’t just about the job you hold, it’s about being willing to help when others need it. Grateful everyone on board arrived safely."

Looking back on the incident, O'Hara said he hopes Americans choose action over standing by when innocent people are in danger.

9/11 MUSEUM CEO REFLECTS ON LASTING IMPACT OF TERROR ATTACKS AS AMERICA MARKS 250TH BIRTHDAY

"We're coming up on the 25th anniversary of September 11," he said. "I would hope everybody in this country now knows that if things are escalating to the point where there's going to be some kind of violence, I think every citizen that is able to has a duty to try and help to stop it."

He also said airlines should ensure restraints are readily available and that crew members are trained to use them if passengers become violent.

"I think it would be good to make sure that they have restraints that are available, that at least some people are trained in some way to use them safely to get somebody restrained if they needed to," O'Hara said.

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As of Thursday afternoon, authorities had not publicly identified the passenger or announced any criminal charges.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Broward Sheriff's Office and the Federal Aviation Administration for additional information and comment.

Conservative firebrand who went viral with anti-CCP ad survives key primary

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:35:02 -0400

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., cruised to victory in a GOP primary on Thursday evening in a race to replace outgoing Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee.

With the nomination in tow, Blackburn is likely to become the next governor in the Volunteer State — a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat to its top executive role since 2006.

Lee, who has served in the role since 2019, is term-limited and cannot seek re-election. He last won reelection in a 64.9% to 32.9% victory over Democratic challenger Jason Martin, a businessman and doctor.

DEMS RALLY AROUND BEST HOPE TO DEFEND GOVERNOR'S MANSION FROM GOP TAKEOVER

Notably, Lee did not endorse anyone in the three-way Republican race for the 2026 nomination but noted that he had a close relationship with Blackburn when she announced her candidacy.

"I’ve been friends with Marsha for a long time, and she served as my congressman and representative in the General Assembly. I’m proud we have really good people running for governor in this state," Lee told local outlets.

Blackburn, for her own part, promised to continue focusing on issues that Republicans have made centerpieces to the GOP platform in Washington, D.C.

She highlighted immigration as one such issue.

"As governor, I’ll deport illegals, stop the flow of drugs and drug money. We will crack down on Cartels, restrict cash transfers to drug havens and hit criminals and illegals where it hurts — in their wallets," Blackburn said in a campaign video.

Blackburn also promised to prevent China from buying up Tennessee land, punctuating her commitment with a viral ad where she crushed a fortune cookie.

"It doesn’t take a fortune cookie to figure it out. Here in Tennessee we’re going to stop communist China and protect Tennessee land," she remarked.

President Donald Trump also did not issue an endorsement in the race, saying that he had ties to one of Blackburn’s challengers: Rep. John Rose, R-Tenn.

TRUMP MAY HAVE ENDORSED DARLINE GRAHAM, BUT GOP SENATE HOPEFULS AREN’T BACKING DOWN

Rose, an 8th-generation farmer and the millionaire founder of Transcender Corp., an IT certification company, has served in the Tennessee legislature since 2019. In his gubernatorial campaign, he pitched himself as a homegrown candidate focused on local solutions to local problems.

"I know that anything is achievable in Tennessee because I have lived it. Now, I’m asking for you to give me the chance to bring opportunity to all Tennesseans," Rose said in a campaign video.

On his website, Rose highlighted five key areas of focus, including education, infrastructure, healthcare, energy and economic and community development.

A third candidate, State Rep. Monty Fritts, had run on a more aggressive, small-government platform.

"My number one priority is leaving more money in your pockets, in your purses and in your country bankrolls rather than sending it to Nashville," Fritts said in a campaign video.

On his website, Fritts touted positions like shrinking the size of Tennessee’s budget, protecting citizen rights against encroaching government power and increasing parent input in education.

Fritts attracted controversy earlier this year when, as part of his campaign, he called for a ban on mosques and other "pagan religions."

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"Islam is a little different story than perhaps other religions are, in that it’s not necessarily a religion; it’s a political movement," Fritts said. "It’s that movement that, if you don’t submit, perhaps you are executed. I feel that Islam is incongruent with both our U.S. and Tennessee Constitution," Fritts told local outlets.

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Having cleared the primary, Blackburn will run in the state’s general election on Nov. 3 against her Democratic opponent, Memphis City Councilwoman and Chief Public Defender Jerri Green.

EXCLUSIVE: Oversight Project sues to block Maryland Democrats’ redistricting measure backed by Gov Moore

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:23:04 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: A new lawsuit set to be filed in Maryland seeks to block a redistricting amendment backed by Democrat Gov. Wes Moore from appearing on the November ballot, arguing state officials advanced the measure after the state's own legislative analysts concluded the statutory deadline for certifying ballot questions had already passed.

The complaint, filed Thursday night in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court by the conservative watchdog group Oversight Project and reviewed by Fox News Digital, argues HB 2100 could not lawfully reach voters because Maryland's July 1 deadline for certifying statewide ballot questions expired more than a month before lawmakers convened a special session to approve the proposal.

The Oversight Project, which filed the lawsuit with Republican lawmakers, argues approval of the amendment could pave the way for an 8-0 Democratic congressional delegation.

SUPREME COURT DEALS BLOW TO VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS IN FIGHT OVER STATE COURT ELECTION MAP RULING

HB 2100 would ask voters to amend the Maryland Constitution so state constitutional standards governing compactness and boundaries would no longer apply to congressional districts.

The Oversight Project describes itself as working "to expose and root out corruption in government, among elected officials, and in our most influential organizations to ensure power resides with the American People."

Its filing points to a Department of Legislative Services fiscal note stating that "the new statutory deadline of July 1 for certification of ballot questions" had already passed. The fiscal note also states that election officials were required to publicly post the full text of a proposed constitutional amendment at least 90 days before Election Day.

According to the complaint, lawmakers then added the phrase "notwithstanding any other provision of law" to HB 2100 less than an hour before the joint committee hearing began. The plaintiffs argue the language was intended to override Maryland's certification, notice and public comment requirements after those deadlines had already elapsed.

The complaint further alleges Democratic sponsors characterized the amendment as merely "technical" in the House, while Senate debate reflected that lawmakers understood the statutory timeline could no longer be met.

The filing cites remarks by Democratic state Sen. Cheryl Kagan during floor debate.

VIRGINIA DEMS ACCUSED OF ILLEGALLY ‘STEAMROLLING’ STATE LAW THAT COULD UPEND REDISTRICTING CRUSADE

"There is no time to comply with the plain language of the law with our new law because July 1st is in the rearview mirror," Kagan said, according to the complaint. "There's no time to have the Secretary of State draft language, to have it published, to have a comment period, to have it modified. It's just not an option."

Maryland GOP Delegate Matt Morgan, one of the plaintiffs, told Fox News Digital the disputed language was introduced at 11:08 a.m. for a noon committee hearing.

"They have the law. They're supposed to follow it. They didn't," Morgan said. "And now we're going to take it to court and see what the judges have to say about it."

DEMS CIRCLE THE WAGONS BY BLAMING GOP FOR THEIR GERRYMANDERING RESPONSE AHEAD OF MIDTERMS: 'VERY DESPERATE'

Morgan said Democratic leadership later described the amendment as "technical" on the House floor.

"The truth is that that was their way of trying to get around them missing all these statutory deadlines," he said.

Republican Delegate Kathy Szeliga, another plaintiff, said legislators had only hours to review the revised language while the public had no opportunity to comment.

"The public got absolutely no time to look and weigh in on the amended language," Szeliga told Fox News Digital. "So, it just reeks of a naked political, partisan power grab on the Democrats' behalf."

According to the complaint, the proposal is intended to overturn the practical effect of a 2022 state court ruling holding that those constitutional standards applied to congressional redistricting. Democrats hold seven of Maryland's eight U.S. House seats.

REDISTRICTING WAR INTENSIFIES AS GOP SUFFERS SETBACKS IN TWO STATES

Moore has publicly defended the amendment as a response to Republican-led redistricting efforts in other states, saying it would ensure "Marylanders — and no one else — have the final say over their representation."

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The lawsuit asks the court to bar state officials from certifying, printing, distributing, tabulating or canvassing votes on the amendment and requests expedited review because of the approaching election calendar.

Moore's office, the Maryland Attorney General's Office and the Maryland State Board of Elections did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

NYC church arson suspect allegedly plotted more attacks, had violent notes like 'murder them' and 'rape him'

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:18:06 -0400

A homeless man accused of an arson attack on a historic New York City church admitted to burning the religious site, and prosecutors said he kept disturbing lists of targets of violence with categories such as "kill them" and "rape him" as he mapped out more fire attacks.

John Jones, 24, was arrested Wednesday and admitted to law enforcement he set fire to the South Bushwick Reformed Church, sparking a three-alarm fire that torched the 173-year-old church June 19, according to a detention memo filed by federal prosecutors, the New York Post reported.

"The defendant admitted to committing the church arson for which he has been charged in this case," the memo states. "Furthermore, the defendant stated that he had recently attempted to burn down a second church in Brooklyn, New York."

Prosecutors also said in the memo that they discovered Jones' notebook that included a chart with several handwritten categories for violent targets, including "murder them," "kill them," "stab them," "make them pay" and "rape him."

HISTORIC NYC CHURCH ENGULFED IN 5-ALARM BLAZE; 6 FIREFIGHTERS INJURED BATTLING STUBBORN FLAMES

The categories, which are featured as part of a chart, include tally marks and repeated misspellings of the word "church," prosecutors said.

Jones was charged with arson in the South Bushwick Reformed Church fire. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors said they wish to hold Jones without bail. He is expected to be arraigned Friday.

"This defendant placed countless Brooklyn residents at risk when he recklessly set fire to the South Bushwick Reformed Church in broad daylight," NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a statement.

"New Yorkers deserve to practice their faith freely and without fear, and the destruction of this sacred New York City landmark will be met with swift justice."

Jones was linked to the fire after he was captured on surveillance video attempting to enter the church, according to the criminal complaint.

He was denied entry and then walked across the street to buy a lighter. He then appeared in video footage returning to the side of the church, and surveillance footage showed a large plume of smoke rising from the building shortly afterward, prosecutors said.

The three-alarm fire gutted much of the historic church and destroyed its historic spire, causing it to collapse. Thousands of historic artifacts were also lost to the fire, which torched the inside of the building.

WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY BEHEADING JESUS STATUE OUTSIDE CATHOLIC CHURCH

The church was constructed in the 1850s and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It was also designated as a New York City landmark in 1968.

"The intentional burning of a house of worship is an attack on a historic building and on the sense of safety and community it represents," FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said in a statement.

"This fire placed lives at risk, including the first responders who responded to protect the church and the surrounding neighborhood."

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Jones was taken into custody Wednesday after he was caught at a Midtown Manhattan CVS attempting to shoplift, according to the New York Post. He made an appearance Thursday in Manhattan Criminal Court to be arraigned on the shoplifting charge, and he was held without bail.

Old Trails Fire suspect allegedly confessed to setting 25 fires; judge doubles bail to $2M

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:59:10 -0400

The man accused of starting the devastating Old Trails Fire in Spokane County had his bail doubled to $2 million Thursday after prosecutors filed four additional arson charges and alleged he admitted to setting 25 fires in the area since 2025.

Court documents reviewed by Fox News Digital allege Aaron Forrest Farinacci, 37, also confessed to monitoring weather apps to identify ideal conditions and checking weather conditions while constructing a delayed ignition device to start the Old Trails Fire.

During a court appearance Thursday, Judge Jeremy Schmidt found probable cause to charge Farinacci with the four additional counts of first-degree arson stemming from fires allegedly set since last summer.

According to an arrest affidavit, Farinacci initially denied involvement in the Old Trails Fire during a 90-minute interrogation after his Aug. 3 arrest before later confessing to planning and setting the blaze alight.

WASHINGTON WILDFIRE ARSON SUSPECT PREVIOUSLY CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, RECORDS SHOW

Detectives also said they corroborated evidence linking Farinacci to other blazes — the Aubrey White, Copper River/Meenach, Fort George and Indian Bluff fires.

In court, Spokane County Prosecutor Preston McCollam asked for higher bond, stating, "I am asking the court to increase bail or bond in this amount to $2 million, given the gravity of these charges, given the addition of four separate arson counts."

SPOKANE FIRE SURVIVOR FINDS 'JOY' THROUGH JESUS AFTER ALLEGED ARSON DESTROYS HOME AND BELONGINGS

The judge agreed, noting, "The amount, as requested by prosecutor McCollam, is appropriate."

The arraignment was also delayed Thursday after Farinacci's defense requested a mental competency evaluation to determine whether he is fit to stand trial.

The expanded charges come amid widespread destruction caused by the Old Trails Fire, which started Aug. 1.

The blaze burned more than 3,200 acres, destroyed about 700 homes and other buildings and resulted the evacuation of more than 60,000 residents.

VIRGIN MARY STATUE BECOMES BEACON OF HOPE AFTER CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES, FOX NATION EXPLORES

Court documents also show Farinacci eventually admitted to planning the Old Trails Fire for two weeks.

The documents say he built a time-delay device from paper, matches, cigarettes and rubber bands modeled after one used by serial arsonist John Leonard Orr.

Documents also allege Farinacci deliberately ignited simultaneous fires at other times to distract and thin out emergency response crews.

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Background checks also showed a prior conviction for manslaughter after he fatally shot his father in Arizona in 2010. He served about a decade in prison after pleading guilty in 2012 to manslaughter and aggravated assault.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

How Eric Bieniemy stays engaged with Chiefs while tending to wife, who recovers from alleged shooting by son

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:45:52 -0400

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is dealing with a family tragedy after his son, Elijah, allegedly shot his wife, Mia, multiple times July 26, leaving her hospitalized.

But Chiefs GM Brett Veach said Bieniemy remains engaged with the team, though his family takes top priority.

Veach told reporters the team set up Bieniemy with a live feed of practices so he can watch and analyze remotely as players go through drills, according to The Athletic.

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Veach said Bieniemy called him during one of the practices, asking to speak with head coach Andy Reid, who brought his old offensive coordinator back to the organization this offseason.

"That’s the thing. … It’s so refreshing to have back — that attention to detail," Veach said of Bieniemy, who wanted Reid to relay a message to rookie running back Emmett Johnson. "He demands each player knows his assignment. There’s never a safe space with him."

ERIC BIENIEMY'S SON JAILED FOR SHOOTING HIS MOTHER WHILE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS COACH IS AWAY AT TRAINING CAMP

Veach added that Bieniemy was brought back to give the roster a "kick in the a--," and he means that in the best way possible.

The Chiefs went 6-11 last season, a far cry from the success they’re used to. This is a group that was on the precipice of a dynasty, and depending on who you talk to, they might have even been one.

Bieniemy knows this team well, winning two Super Bowls with the franchise. The Chiefs are hoping his direction can bring them back to that level of football.

"Him being out there and hearing that voice, whether it be ‘Finish’ or ‘Alignment’ or whatever … he demands that you are buttoned up on your details, and that is a mirror image of coach and how he wants things run," Veach said, via The Athletic.

There’s no telling when Bieniemy will be heard again in person, though, after his 57-year-old wife was shot by their 27-year-old son at home in Ashburn, Va. Mia was critically wounded but has since been transferred out of an ICU.

Elijah was charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling, per a press release by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

ERIC BIENIEMY’S SON BELIEVED TO HAVE CALLED COPS SAYING 'HIS PARENTS' CUT OFF HIS ACCESS TO WEAPONS: REPORT

A person believed to be Elijah reportedly called police two days before he allegedly shot his mother, saying he could not access his weapons from "his parents," according to the outlet. Elijah said his parents "are withholding his weapons and that he’s a certified UFC fighter, so now he feels like he cannot defend himself."

Elijah will not make a court appearance until he undergoes a mental health competency evaluation, court records showed. He "appears to suffer from significant mental health issues," and he "does not appear able to assist in his own defense at the present time."

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Before returning to the Chiefs, Bieniemy spent time with the Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears and UCLA’s program.

The 56-year-old continues to attend to family matters, but he is helping the Chiefs as training camp really picks up this week.

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Bodycam shows police K-9 leaping into action after suspected impaired driver refused to surrender

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:43:53 -0400

A suspected impaired driver who refused to surrender during a 40-minute standoff in Washington was finally taken into custody after police deployed a K-9 through the driver's side window, newly released body camera footage shows.

The Vancouver Police Department released body camera and dash camera footage Thursday from a July 26 incident involving a lengthy pursuit that ended with K-9 Midas leaping through the driver's side window to help officers arrest the suspect.

Police said they responded after receiving multiple reports of a driver who appeared to be impaired, had passed out behind the wheel and was allegedly inhaling from compressed air cans while driving.

VIDEO SHOWS ALLEGED CAR THIEF DANGLE UNDER BRIDGE AFTER WILD CHASE, SPARKING TENSE STANDOFF WITH POLICE

After officers located the vehicle and observed the driver continuing to inhale from a can, they attempted to conduct a traffic stop.

Police said the driver refused to stop. Video shows the vehicle striking a curb, accelerating and nearly driving into a yard as it attempted to evade officers.

According to police, the driver's actions posed an immediate danger to others on the road, prompting an officer to deploy a Grappler device that successfully brought the vehicle to a stop.

Even after the vehicle stopped, the driver refused repeated commands to get out, police said.

CALIFORNIA DEPUTIES USE MAGNET-EQUIPPED DRONE TO DISARM KNIFE-WIELDING SEX OFFENDER HIDDEN IN GARAGE

Officers spent more than 40 minutes communicating with the driver and evaluating multiple options to gain compliance, including a 40 mm less-lethal launcher and pepper balls.

Police said the driver continued inhaling from compressed air cans throughout the standoff and refused repeated commands to surrender.

After multiple warnings, officers deployed K-9 Midas through the driver's side window.

The video shows officers quickly surrounding the vehicle after the K-9 entered the car before safely taking the driver into custody.

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The suspect, Brandon Wells, was booked into the Clark County Jail on charges of attempting to elude police, driving under the influence, reckless driving and resisting arrest.

Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Why Denver's Jews are terrified

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:27:20 -0400

Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:
- Jewish community in Denver in fear over rise of democratic socialist Melat Kiros
- Fetterman unloads on reporter from 'trash' anti-Israel outlet
- Piers Morgan eviscerates Ivy League student who refused to work 'for a Jew'

TOP STORY: Denver’s Jewish community is living in absolute terror after 29-year-old Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros pulled off a shock primary upset. Local leaders warn the far-left firebrand's dangerous rhetoric—including blaming Israel for domestic antisemitism and refusing to call a deadly local firebombing an antisemitic hate crime—is fueling violent threats and leaving visibly Jewish residents terrified to walk the streets.

VIDEO:Just hours before President Trump announced that Hamas had agreed to a roadmap that includes disarmament, Israeli President Isaac Herzog discussed the U.S.-Israel alliance, Iran, Mamdani and much more. WATCH HERE:

GO BIG JOHN: Pro-Israel Sen. John Fetterman torched a reporter from anti-Israel outlet Drop Site News on Capitol Hill, openly mocking the site as a "trash outlet" that loves Hamas, Iran, and Hezbollah. The outspoken Pennsylvania Democrat told the journalist he loves watching Israel eliminate terrorist leaders and vowed he will always stand with the Jewish state.

BIGOT BUSTED: Piers Morgan exploded at unrepentant Cornell student Austin Franco after the arrogant 21-year-old brazenly stood by telling a startup "I’m not interested in working for a Jew." Morgan slammed the unbothered bigot as "thick" and antisemitic, while Franco’s horrified parents kicked him out of their home for refusing to apologize for his vile, hate-filled rant.

RAMPAGE RULING: A New Jersey man got a light slap on the wrist after repeatedly ramming his car into a famous Brooklyn synagogue. Dan Sohail smashed through protective barriers and slammed into the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters five times during an unhinged January rampage. A soft-hearted federal judge handed him just six months, letting him walk free in a week.

GUEST EDITORIAL: Sydney Altfield, CEO of Teach Coalition, writes that, with antisemitic hate crimes surging in schools and online, Jewish families face deep fears for their children’s safety this school year. Combating this crisis requires a whole-of-society response—including strict school policies, mandatory education, stronger platform enforcement, and increased federal security funding, according to Altfield.

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

- Looking for more on this topic? Find more antisemitism coverage from Fox News here.

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Apparent road rage driver appears to threaten mom on camera as 3-year-old cries in back seat

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:24:54 -0400

A mother recorded an apparent road rage encounter on a North Carolina interstate after another driver allegedly cut her off, brake-checked her and repeatedly threatened to kill her while her 3-year-old son cried in the back seat.

Myeka Dunn told FOX8 WGHP she was driving to drop her son off at her mother’s house at about 4:30 p.m. Friday when a dark blue sedan swerved into her lane.

After Dunn honked her horn, the situation escalated rapidly as the driver attempted to cut her off, repeatedly brake-checked her and shouted violent threats, she said.

"They almost hit me, so that's when I honked my horn at them," Dunn said.

WATCH: DRIVER SMIRKS IN MUGSHOT AFTER ALLEGEDLY HITTING GROUP OF CYCLISTS IN CAUGHT-ON-CAMERA ROAD RAGE

Dunn said she pulled out her phone and began recording as the man followed her down the highway.

Video shared online appears to show the man leaning out of his vehicle yelling, "You are going to die! You are going to die!" as Dunn's toddler cries in the background.

The driver then continues, "I could kill you! I could kill you!"

"You know my windows were cracked. He was able to see that my child was in the car," Dunn told the outlet. "He totally disregarded that. He didn't care."

Dunn also called both 911 and the Guilford Metro non-emergency line to report the incident and informed dispatchers she had captured video of the incident but said she was disappointed with the response.

WASHINGTON DRIVER CHASES BOY ON DIRT BIKE DOWN SIDEWALK, GETS HIT WITH MULTIPLE CHARGES

"To know that they're still out there and nothing has been done about it is absolutely frustrating and scary," Dunn said.

Deputy Director of Operations Christine Moore told FOX8 WGHP the dispatcher did not follow protocols.

"Typically, … we enter what we call a ‘be on the lookout’ or a BOLO. And we did. However, we did not enter all of the appropriate information that we should have. … She [the dispatcher] did enter the lookout. She didn’t enter all of the information that was pertinent, including that there was a video involved that the officer may want to see," Moore said.

The Greensboro Police Department said officers issued a be-on-the-lookout alert, or BOLO, after receiving reports of a dark blue sedan swerving through traffic and yelling at other motorists.

NEWLY RELEASED VIDEO SHOWS COPS CUFFING TEEN LINKED TO VIOLENT SEX ASSAULT SCANDAL THAT HAS FAMILIES FUMING

Investigators have since identified the driver involved, though no arrest has been made.

"The victim has been advised how to obtain a warrant on a misdemeanor charge from the Magistrate's Office due to the incident occurring outside the presence of officers," the department said in a statement shared on Facebook.

Dunn also told WRAL News she is in the process of obtaining a misdemeanor warrant against the driver.

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Fox News Digital has reached out to the Greensboro Police Department for further comment.

ICE asks North Carolina to hold illegal immigrant accused in toddler’s bathtub death

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 19:03:59 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer against a criminal illegal alien who allegedly left a 14-month-old toddler to drown in a bathtub, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The ICE detainer asks North Carolina officials not to release Angel Israel Deras-Rivas, a Salvadoran national who was arrested Sunday in Garner.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin criticized the Biden administration's immigration policies, arguing they contributed to the circumstances surrounding the case.

"This criminal illegal alien has been charged with murder and felony child abuse after letting a 14-month-old drown in a bathtub," Mullin said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

EXCLUSIVE: DHS SEEKS CUSTODY OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER TRUMP DEPORTATION, BIDEN RELEASE

Deras-Rivas, 19, was caring for his stepchild when he allegedly left the toddler unattended in a bathtub filled with water, resulting in the child's death, according to an arrest warrant cited by The Raleigh News & Observer. The incident happened just months after Deras-Rivas married the child's mother in April, the outlet reported.

Immigration officials said Deras-Rivas, identified by DHS as a criminal illegal alien, unlawfully entered the United States through Texas in October 2023 and was released into the country by the Biden administration.

ICE URGES NORTH CAROLINA TO KEEP ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHARGED IN TRIPLE-FATAL HIT-AND-RUN BEHIND BARS

"That child would still be alive today if it weren’t for the reckless open-border policies of the Biden administration that released this criminal into our country in the first place. ICE is calling on officials in North Carolina to commit to not releasing this killer from jail, and to turn him over to ICE custody so we can get him out of our country."

Immigration officials said ICE filed the detainer with the Wake County Sheriff's Department on the same day Deras-Rivas was arrested.

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An ICE detainer typically requests that local law enforcement notify the agency before an individual's release and hold the person for up to 48 additional hours beyond a scheduled release date, allowing ICE agents time to take the individual into federal custody for potential removal proceedings.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Garner Police Department for more information.

Wisconsin man flies helicopter to Cabela's because the drive was too long

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:17:21 -0400

Look, sometimes you just really need to go to Cabela's.

And when the store is 50 miles away, you have two options: get in the car and sit in traffic like a schmuck, or fire up the helicopter and be there in minutes.

Dennis Pipping chose the helicopter.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE FROM OUTKICK

The 69-year-old Wisconsin pilot flew from Rosendale to the Cabela’s in Richfield on Saturday evening, landing in a mostly empty section of the store’s parking lot so he could pick up some bowhunting supplies.

Naturally, some busybody saw a helicopter descend outside Cabela’s and called the police.

Washington County sheriff’s deputies arrived to investigate the unusual landing, only to discover there was no emergency, no dramatic getaway and no criminal activity.

Nothing to see here. Just a man who values his time and urgently needed a fresh pack of broadheads.

"So I asked my neighbor friend if he wanted to take a ride to Cabela’s to get some shopping done," Pipping said.

Pipping, who has decades of flying experience, said he called the store before making the approximately 20-minute flight. He also circled the parking lot beforehand to make sure he had enough room to land safely.

When asked why he decided to fly rather than make the roughly 45-minute drive, Pipping responded with a question of his own.

"Why would you drive if you can fly there in a helicopter?" he said.

The man has a point.

OREGON BALLOT MEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE CRIMINALIZED HUNTING AND FISHING FAILS TO QUALIFY FOR VOTE

Pipping said there were no vehicles near the far end of the massive parking lot, allowing him to land, head inside and complete his shopping without incident.

By the time he returned, however, a deputy was waiting to check out the aircraft.

Pipping was properly licensed, had landed safely and complied with applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations. He was not arrested or cited.

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The sheriff’s office ultimately described the incident as a "unique way to make a shopping trip."

And it's even faster than Amazon.

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Disneyland, actors' union clash over parental leave, benefits as union negotiates first contract

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:09:22 -0400

Magic United, an affiliate of Actors' Equity representing 1,700 parade, show and character cast members at Disneyland, and Disney are in the midst of negotiations on a first contract, and they're telling Fox News Digital it's not going smoothly.

While most Disneyland employees have been represented by unions for decades, the characters and parades department remained nonunion until workers voted to organize in 2024 during California’s cost-of-living crisis after the pandemic. This has led to negotiations between the newly formed union and Disney for a contract.

Because this is the workers' first union contract, both sides disagree over how to characterize Disney's proposals. Disney argues it is negotiating the initial terms of employment rather than eliminating existing union benefits. The union counters that workers receive benefits such as paid parental leave, so excluding them from the first contract would effectively mean employees lose those benefits.

The Los Angeles Times noted, "Although the union said it has been getting movement on a number of health and safety issues, there are other points in contention, including the amount the company matches for employee contributions to their 401(k) retirement savings plans and a proposal that limits the number of times a worker can give away a shift without managerial approval."

DISNEYLAND MAY SCRAP LONG-STANDING PARK RULE THAT FRUSTRATED VISITORS

Fox News Digital contacted both parties about the ongoing negotiations, recalling founder Walt Disney’s famous anecdote about having founded Disneyland as a place where parents and their children can have fun together, asking whether Disney is fulfilling that mission as negotiations continue.

"Disneyland is often presented as ‘the ultimate family-friendly destination,’ but that’s no longer the case for 1,700 cast members in the characters and parades departments who create Disney magic by bringing beloved characters to life in shows, meet and greets and character dining experiences," a representative for the union said.

"Disney has proposed eliminating paid parental leave for these workers, and, in the first year of a contract, the company presented a 0% wage increase despite a period of high inflation. Orange County, California, where Disneyland is located, is also rated as one of the costliest places to live in the United States."

The representative claimed further that Disneyland "wants to eliminate paid parental leave, cut the number of paid holidays and size of 401(k) contributions and make it unnecessarily harder for character and parade workers to swap shifts."

Al Vincent Jr., Actors’ Equity’s executive director, told the Los Angeles Times in a report about these negotiations, "When you propose to take away paid parental leave from those who work day in and day out to give other families great experiences, that’s not family friendly."

CHEAPEST DAYS TO VISIT DISNEY: HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BOOKING YOUR TRIP

Jessica Jakary, a Disneyland Resort spokesperson, has contested these claims, telling Fox News Digital, "Disneyland Resort values its cast members, offers competitive benefits and is proud of its long history of working collaboratively with the unions that represent them."

Disney as a company has said it is committed to ongoing negotiations with Magic United, noting to Fox News that there appears to be some confusion in the comparison to Walt Disney World in Florida, where there are no state disability payments for parental leave like those provided in California.

Disney also told Fox News Digital it has not proposed to limit the ability to trade shifts, but the proposal only limits the number of times a cast member can give away a shift without managerial approval.

Disney also said that Disneyland Resort has proposed wage increases over the term of the agreement, and while it is not offering an immediate wage increase, it has continued to provide annual increases to this bargaining unit as negotiations progress.

In one example provided, Disney claims that, as of December 2025, full-time and part-time cast members in this bargaining unit have received a 4% increase.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

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Sam Acho Q&A: Former NFL player and ESPN analyst speaks out on civility and accountability in sports and media

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:00:26 -0400

Former NFL player and current ESPN NFL analyst Sam Acho attended the Ronald Reagan Foundation Center on Civility & Democracy’s inaugural Reagan Civility & Democracy Forum last week.

There, he advocated for improving civility among Americans, especially in sports.

"We talked about civility in sports and how many of the same attributes athletes use can be applied to civil discourse: sportsmanship, winning and losing the right way and playing within a set of rules," Acho told Fox News Digital.

PATRIOTS LEGEND ROB GRONKOWSKI REVEALS THE IMPACT POLITICS HAS ON LOCKER ROOM DYNAMICS

As a former pro athlete and now a top sports media figure, Acho shared his vision for the role of athletes and sports media in promoting civility across the country and how Sophie Cunningham fits into it in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital.

Questions and answers have been shortened for brevity and focus.

Q: What does civil discourse look like to you?

Sam Acho: It can include disagreement. You don’t always have to be on the same page. In football, some people believe in a 3-4 defense; others prefer a 4-3. Some say you have to blitz to get to the quarterback. ... Others believe in playing coverage. … But the goal is the same: to win the game.

In society — especially among political leaders — the goal should be to serve the country and make it better. ... People may disagree about which law or approach is best, but at the end of the day, it’s about wanting the country to be better.

Q: Did conversations about politics and other issues happen in NFL locker rooms?

Sam Acho: Nowhere in the locker room was it not allowed to have certain conversations\.

We'd have debates about, um, is it harder to, to be a track athlete or a golfer.

We'd also have political debates. We'd talk about politics, talk about certain rules, certain laws. "Hey, what do we think about what the president said? What do we think about what this governor is trying to do?"

I remember we were, when Colin Kaepernick was taking a knee and protesting during the national anthem, we weren't shying away from that.

Q: Did those conversations ever become uncivil?

Sam Acho: In any family, in any team, in any conversation, you may cross the line, but usually when you cross the line, you either apologize or they apologize, or you try to find a way to make it right.

I'm not, I'm not gonna pretend that we lived in a utopia. ... But when you cross the line or when you go out of bounds or when you make a mistake, OK, you either apologize, or when you lose, right, you shake hands, you move on, right?

When the conversations did become uncivil, or maybe we had a big disagreement, I didn't drop my ball and walk away. No, I actually went and said, "Oh, we have practice in like 15 minutes." Then we had meetings in two hours. Then we were together at lunch the next day.

Q: How could the NFL and its players, coaches and executives help promote civility?

Sam Acho: I think one thing that athletes have that many other people don't is a platform. A lot of athletes have a platform. ... And I think one area that quarterbacks, that coaches, that players, that athletes can continue to use is their platform, not only to speak out on issues that matter to them, but also to educate themselves on issues that matter.

And, so, one area I think that athletes ... and coaches and executives can do is to continue to speak up and, and stay educated on topics.

Q: Do you believe using that platform to speak up on topics comes with the risk of promoting uncivil discourse?

Sam Acho: Everything comes with risk. Life comes with risk. ... But oftentimes it's not really about risk, it's more about ... how do you respond to defeat? How do you respond to adversity? How do you respond to, uh, something not going your way?

When I'm on TV ... there's a risk that people may disagree with my opinion, but that doesn't mean that I just absolve myself from the conversation. It's understanding the risk ... and still moving forward with an educated perspective.

Q: But, in general, you would encourage more athletes, especially those with platforms, to make their feelings on certain topics known?

Sam Acho: I would encourage athletes to continue to understand that they are more than just what you do on a field. That's probably my biggest encouragement. Oftentimes ... you, as an athlete, you think that, or people tell you, that you are what you put on tape.

That you're only that, and you're more than just that. There's our human capital. There's your physical capital. Yes, you train, you eat right, you go to sleep on time to be the best athlete you can be. But there's also your intellectual capital.

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Athletes should know they are more than one dimension of a human being. The same is true for people in politics: You are more than a governor or a senator. You should ask who you are becoming as you make decisions. Are you simply trying to gather as much power as possible, or do you recognize that there is something beyond one election or one vote?

Q: What do you think about Sophie Cunningham’s recent use of her platform?

Sam Acho: So, I'd have to get, I'd have to dial myself back more in to see what kind of what Sophie Cunningham has been saying and not saying, but I will say, I go back to this. Like, as an athlete, you have an opportunity to use your platform and to steward it well. You absolutely do.

And I don't think that athletes should shy away from speaking up for what they believe. I think so many people in society, they speak up for what they believe. And know that, yeah, there's a risk involved for sure. I think that athletes should continue to use and to steward their platform, knowing that you may not be liked. But I think athletes should continue to use their platform and steward it well.

Q: How can sports media figures do a better job of promoting civil discourse?

Sam Acho: It goes back to the idea of platform. A lot of sports media figures, not all, but many were former athletes. So, they put down that physical side, now they're using the intellectual side.

And I think it is remembering that even as a sports media, media figure, you do have a platform. Pat McAfee has a huge platform on ESPN. I think about, um, and what he's been able to do with his platform, and then using that to realize that people follow you. People listen to you. People may not agree with everything you say, but you do have a platform, and you want to steward it well.

Your voice, your opinion, those things are yours. So they're yours to steward. They're not yours to say, "OK, how can I gather as much power, as many followers as I can?" And just waste it. No, you're a steward.

Q: What does it look like to steward a sports media platform poorly?

Sam Acho: There was a game last year, last season, or maybe the season before, and Texas played Georgia. And third quarter of the game or so, late third quarter, there was a call that didn't go Texas' way. Texas was the home team. They were hosting Georgia. And a lot of the fans were upset the referees missed the call. Well, while the referees missed the call, all of a sudden the fans at Texas started to throw cans and bottles and things on the field in order to delay the game so that the referees could go and maybe look at the call and try and reverse the call.

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And the referees did end up going and changing the call. Texas still lost the game, No. 1. No. 2, it wasn't a good look for, uh, it wasn't a good look for Texas, and I think it's even being willing to say that, right? Not just saying, "Well, look, I went there, and I'm a broadcaster. And we won or we lost or they got the call right."

No, the call was wrong, but you don't go and say, "I'm gonna just throw bottles on the field," and say that that's OK. I think that no matter who you are in sports and sports media, and no matter what avenue you have, I think it's wise to say, "Hey, that was wrong. He was out of bounds.

"We were out of bounds." And realizing that it may cost you the game. And even if you try to, even if you do that thing that was wrong and, and, and, uh, you get the call that goes in your favor, what did you actually win?

Primary showdown: Polls close in Tennessee as conservative firebrand eyes governor's office

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:00:58 -0400

The polls have closed in Tennessee as conservative firebrand Sen. Marsha Blackburn aims to change her work address from Washington D.C., to Nashville.

The former longtime congresswoman and two-term senator with a robust national profile thanks to her regular cable news appearances is considered the front-runner in Thursday's Republican gubernatorial primary, in the race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Bill Lee.

The Republican face-off for governor of Tennessee, where Democrats haven't won a gubernatorial election in two decades, takes top billing as the red-leaning southeastern state holds nominating contests for state and federal offices.

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Blackburn is running in a race that also includes four-term Rep. John Rose, who like Blackburn is a staunch Capitol Hill supporter of President Donald Trump, and state Rep. Monty Fritts.

Even though the president handed out endorsements in other GOP gubernatorial primaries this cycle, Trump remained neutral in the Tennessee contest.

"Unfortunately, she’s running for governor. She’s running for governor of Tennessee. I’d love her not to, I begged her," Trump said in January. "‘I said, ‘Marsha, don’t. We don’t want to lose you in the Senate.’"

But the president has said Blackburn would be a good governor, and also noted that Rose has been a staunch loyalist.

Even though she didn't land Trump's endorsement, Blackburn has showcased her support for him.

"As President Trump sends power and authority back to the states, I'm ready to deliver for the people of the Volunteer State and make our state America's conservative leader," she wrote on the eve of the primary in a social media post that included a photo of her and Trump.

Five Democrats, including Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green, are bidding for their party's gubernatorial nomination.

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Tennessee's other U.S. senator, Republican Bill Hagerty, is unopposed in the GOP primary as he seeks a second six-year term in the Senate.

Five Democrats are vying to challenge Hagerty in the general election. Then-Sen. Al Gore's re-election 36 years ago was the last time a Democrat won a Senate contest in Tennessee.

In U.S. House battles, Memphis voters will cast ballots for their Democratic and Republican nominees using a new GOP-drawn congressional district map that created an extra right-leaning seat and forced longtime Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen to not seek re-election.

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Meanwhile, two-term Republican Rep. Andy Ogles, a major Trump ally in the House who is backed by the president, is facing a stiff primary challenge from Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, who was endorsed earlier this week by Lee. The race has seen a large infusion of money from outside groups.

EXCLUSIVE: Michigan House speaker calls for answers over $300M taxpayer-funded Rx Kids program

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 19:50:24 -0400

The Republican leader of Michigan’s House says a state-funded maternal health initiative has become something far different than lawmakers were promised, accusing Democrats of using more than $300 million in taxpayer funding to advance a broader guaranteed-income agenda.

Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall made the remarks in an interview with Fox News Digital as House Republicans continue scrutinizing Rx Kids, a taxpayer-funded program that provides unrestricted cash payments to pregnant women and new mothers.

Hall argued lawmakers believed they were funding a maternal and prenatal health initiative, not what he described as a broader experiment in guaranteed income.

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"I think the Democrats kind of slipped this in here under the idea that it was for prenatal care," Hall told Fox News Digital. "Lawmakers did not have the complete picture."

Rx Kids launched in Flint in 2024 and provides expectant mothers with a $1,500 lump-sum payment during pregnancy, followed by $500 monthly payments after the child is born.

According to materials provided to Fox News Digital by Hall’s office, the program has expanded to communities across Michigan with more than $300 million in taxpayer funding.

Rx Kids has promoted the initiative as a maternal and infant health program designed to reduce financial stress for new families. According to podcast interviews and program materials, its leaders have also discussed expanding the model to communities across Michigan and beyond.

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Hall argued the program lacks the eligibility requirements found in traditional public assistance programs.

"We have a lot of social safety net programs in our country that are working very well," Hall said. "They have eligibility checks. They look at citizenship. They look at income verification.

"Rx Kids, by design, is given to anyone that has a child," he continued. "They don’t look for citizenship. They just pay out anyone that has a child."

Hall’s office also provided Fox News Digital with video of legislative committee testimony in which program officials acknowledged payments had been made to individuals who were not legally present in the United States.

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Hall argued taxpayer-funded cash assistance should include income and legal status requirements similar to those used by existing public assistance programs.

"What we prefer are the traditional welfare programs like Medicaid, the food stamp program and the WIC program," Hall said. "They make sure you’re here legally, they make sure you’re not making a lot of money and then they give you the benefit. That’s not what Rx Kids is."

Hall also criticized the program’s unrestricted cash payments, noting recipients are not required to spend the money on diapers, formula, housing or other expenses related to pregnancy or caring for a newborn.

"They give you this free cash and there are no strings attached by definition," Hall said.

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Hall said caseworkers had told him they had seen recipients use the money for alcohol, drugs and gambling. Fox News Digital has not independently verified those claims.

The speaker also pointed to public comments from Rx Kids leaders that he said reinforced Republican concerns that the initiative is intended to become something larger than a maternal health program.

Hall's office also shared podcast interviews in which Rx Kids co-founder Luke Shaefer discussed the expanded Child Tax Credit and the role he believes Rx Kids can play following the expiration of those federal payments.

In a separate interview, Dr. Mona Hanna, the leader of Rx Kids, discussed her vision of expanding the initiative into a government-scale public program.

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Hall said those remarks aligned with his assessment of Rx Kids.

"This is a progressive left-wing experiment toward basically a universal income," Hall said. "They’re trying to move the welfare state down that lane."

Hall also questioned the program’s advisory network.

Hall's office also shared archived versions of the Rx Kids website that listed Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson's husband Ryan Friedrichs and Community Change official Dorian Warren as members of the program's advisory circle.

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The advisory circle page was removed from the organization’s website days after lawmakers questioned program leaders during a June 2 Michigan House Oversight Committee hearing.

The timing of the removal does not establish why the page was taken down.

"Our secretary of state’s husband is on the advisory board. Abdul El-Sayed is on the board," Hall said. "It’s like a who’s who of radical left Democrats."

Hall’s office also pointed to an Rx Kids white paper examining voter turnout among recipients and the program’s promotion of Vot-ER, a physician-backed voter registration organization powered by TurboVote.

Materials provided by Hall’s office also identified Hanna as an adviser to Vot-ER.

Hall said those connections and the program’s research into voting behavior deserved additional scrutiny.

"We’re trying to understand why are you so interested in the voting pattern of the people that are receiving your no-strings-attached welfare," Hall said. "We aren’t getting good answers."

Hall said House Republicans did not include additional funding for Rx Kids in Michigan’s newly signed budget, though the program still has access to previously appropriated funds.

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"The good news is that we cut off funding to this program in the new budget," Hall said. "In the future, we’re going to try to put guardrails around it so that it goes to the people that truly need it."

Rather than eliminating assistance for struggling families, Hall said he wants taxpayer dollars directed toward existing programs that assess financial need and place restrictions on how certain benefits can be spent.

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"I think people support those programs," Hall said. "They have eligibility requirements to ensure that you’re not taking advantage of the system."

Fox News Digital reached out to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office, Rx Kids and Michigan State University for comment.

Cruise line's tougher booking rules ignite backlash over higher deposits and payments

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 19:43:38 -0400

Princess Cruises is introducing stricter booking policies, including higher deposits and earlier final payment deadlines, fueling mixed reactions among travelers.

Among the biggest changes is an update to the timeline for final payments, the cruise line confirmed in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"Beginning with new bookings for sailings departing in 2027 and beyond, we are implementing a 120-day final payment and a modified cancellation fee schedule," the company said.

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"These changes bring greater consistency to the booking process and reflect broader industry practices, while also helping ensure that guests have fair access to the staterooms and sailings they want to experience."

The new rules take effect Sept. 2 for new bookings on sailings departing Jan. 1, 2027, or later. Guests were notified of the policy changes in an email from the cruise line, according to industry website Cruise Critic.

The cruise line is also increasing standard deposits. Guests booking seven-day cruises in inside, oceanview, balcony and mini-suite staterooms will now pay $300 per person, up from $250, while suite deposits will increase from $500 to $600 per person, according to the review website.

Princess Cruises also noted that reservations will automatically be canceled if final payment is not received by the deadline, though guests will continue receiving payment reminders before the due date, according to reports.

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The policy changes have prompted debate among cruise fans on social media. Some travelers said the earlier deadlines will not affect their vacation plans because they typically pay off cruises as soon as possible.

"I pay it all as soon as I book," one person wrote on TikTok. "I get my reservations in that day, and I'm always sail ready."

Another commenter said, "I don't mind these changes because I like to pay off my trips as fast as I can so that I'm able to begin saving for the next one."

Others, however, questioned why passengers would be required to put down more money earlier in the booking process.

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"Those deposits are crazy," one commenter wrote.

Another person argued that the earlier payment deadline could create problems for travelers using payment plans.

"120 days out for final payment is the worst of all of it!" the commenter wrote. "Especially people who are on payment plans."

The booking changes come as other cruise lines have also introduced policies that have frustrated some travelers.

Fox News Digital previously reported that Celebrity Cruises faced backlash after raising its automatic gratuity charges with little notice, prompting some passengers to say they would tip crew members directly in cash instead.

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The cruise line increased its daily automatic gratuities by $1.50 per person across all stateroom categories, raising the charges to between $19.50 and $24.50 per guest, per day.

Many passengers criticized the timing of the announcement, saying they were notified the same day the higher rates took effect.

"At this point, they just need to include gratuities in their fare like the luxury lines do," one Reddit user wrote.

Rams have assembled a roster to ruin football, just like the Dodgers have ruined baseball

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 19:33:16 -0400

The Los Angeles Dodgers are overwhelming favorites to win the 2026 World Series. Most sportsbooks list their championship odds at around +150, implying roughly a 40% chance of winning the title, which would mark their third straight.

Aside from Dodgers fans, no serious observer can argue that one team having odds that high before the playoffs even begin is healthy for the sport.

Even before the Dodgers added reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to what was already baseball's best pitching rotation, the only compelling case against them winning another title was something random occurring.

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Put simply, there is no logical baseball argument that another team is equipped to beat them in a postseason series.

No, the team's current six-game losing streak is not cause for concern. The Dodgers lost seven straight last July and still went 9-1 in the National League postseason.

The Dodgers have taken much of the suspense out of the baseball season by assembling a roster that is so far ahead of the competition. For most fans, that is discouraging.

A similar dynamic could emerge with another Los Angeles team, this one in the NFL.

On Wednesday, Fox Sports Radio host Colin Cowherd claimed that the Los Angeles Rams have assembled the best NFL roster in at least a decade. It's hard to disagree.

Last season, the Rams and the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks separated themselves from the rest of the league in most meaningful statistical categories. Since then, Seattle has lost several key contributors, including Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker. Meanwhile, the Rams added cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, along with defensive end Myles Garrett.

For context, Garrett is widely considered the best defensive player in football. Garrett set the single-season sack record with 23 just last year. McDuffie is routinely ranked among the NFL's five best cornerbacks, while Watson is arguably the league's top No. 2 corner.

And, like the Dodgers, the Rams are not finished adding.

Nearly every prominent NFL reporter expects Aaron Donald to come out of retirement and rejoin Los Angeles before the season begins.

In case anyone has forgotten, Donald is one of the most dominant defensive players of the past 30 years. He is perhaps the greatest defensive tackle in NFL history.

The only reason Garrett is not universally considered the greatest defensive player of his era is that Donald owns that distinction.

Now, they are expected to become teammates on a defensive line that already includes Byron Young, whom Pro Football Focus ranked as the NFL's ninth-best edge defender last season.

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But let us not focus solely on the defensive additions.

On offense, the Rams return reigning MVP Matt Stafford, a top-tier offensive line, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, running back Kyren Lacy and head coach Sean McVay, whom most preseason rankings consider the best in football.

Last season, the Rams led the NFL in both yards and points per game. Odds are they will do so again.

It is not unreasonable to argue the Rams enter the season with the NFL's best head coach, play-caller, quarterback, wide receiver, receiving duo, offensive line, defensive player, defensive line, cornerback and cornerback tandem.

Cowherd may have undersold this roster by calling it merely the best of the past decade. You may have to go back to the undefeated 2007 New England Patriots to find a roster this dominant across so many position groups.

The Rams do differ from the Dodgers in a few key ways. They have not won back-to-back championships. More importantly, they have sacrificed more of their future in terms of draft picks and inexpensive contracts because of the constraints of a salary-capped league. Perhaps the better comparison is the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors after signing Kevin Durant.

Those Warriors teams were not built for half a decade of dominance. But while they were together and healthy, no team truly had a chance to compete. I fear that is how the NFL could feel this season.

It is not ideal for the league when torn ACLs and pulled hamstrings become the biggest source of competitive balance. Yet that appears to be the most common argument for someone beating the Rams this season.

To be clear, I am not criticizing the Dodgers or the Rams for loading up. If anything, the criticism belongs elsewhere. Too many franchises have grown comfortable with mediocrity.

While the Rams spent the offseason assembling a super team, much of the NFL stood still, making only modest improvements. That imbalance is frustrating for fans because it sends a troubling message that not every franchise appears to care about winning with the same urgency.

There was a time, not too long ago, when nearly every NFL fan base could convince itself it had a chance to win the Super Bowl in August. Well, not every fan base. Sorry, Jets and Browns fans.

That is no longer the case. As the NFL preseason begins this week, the number of fan bases that can realistically convince themselves they can compete with a roster like the Rams is small.

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For a league that prides itself on parity, resembling Major League Baseball in this regard is a problem. The Rams emerging as the NFL's version of the Dodgers, even if only for one season, is not good for the sport.

Jahmyr Gibbs caps huge week for NFL running backs with most lucrative deal from the Detroit Lions

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 19:02:58 -0400

It's been a big week for NFL running backs stuffing their bank accounts with one big contract after another. And Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs saved the best for last.

Gibbs agreed Thursday evening to a three-year deal worth $67.5 million that includes $51.5 million in guaranteed money. The deal was announced by agent Todd France, who represents Gibbs, on his Instagram account.

Gibbs will be averaging an NFL-high $22.5 million per season on an annual average basis.

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That's understandable because he has turned the running back spot into a playmaking position at heights not really seen in Detroit since Barry Sanders did his thing in the 1990s.

Gibbs has scored 39 rushing touchdowns in his first three seasons. He also scored 10 more receiving touchdowns. He led the NFL with 20 total TDs from scrimmage in 2024.

The Gibbs deal came hours after Jonathan Taylor agreed to a two-year extension with the Indianapolis Colts that averages $22 million per season.

The Gibbs deal also comes days after Bijan Robinson signed a deal with the Atlanta Falcons that averages $22.25 million per season.

Yes, big week for NFL running backs. All of those players surpassed Saquon Barkley's contract that averages $20.6 million per season and stood as the benchmark for the position since the 2025 offseason.

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So, is there any downside to any of this?

For the Detroit Lions, it signals them doing something familiar in that they draft well and pay to keep their own players.

They have now extended Gibbs, Aidan Hutchinson, Jack Campbell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Jameson Williams, Alim McNeill and Kerby Joseph, all good players the team drafted.

The Lions have used that expensive talent to win the NFC North in 2023, ending a 32-year playoff victory drought, advancing to the NFC championship game that postseason, winning a franchise-record 15 games in 2024 and reaching the playoffs again last season.

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But you know what's missing?

A Super Bowl berth.

A Super Bowl win.

Dan Campbell's team has been outstanding in the draft, developing young talent and winning.

But that drafted and developed talent is playing at a much steeper price now. We're talking over $800 million in total contract commitments for those picks now with the Gibbs deal.

The Lions should be expected to get the Super Bowl championship they are most definitely paying for.

FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO