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Royce White became a fan-favorite guest at Fever game amid Simone Biles' appearance

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 18:15:07 -0400

On a night when Simone Biles was in the building, Indiana Fever fans flocked to Royce White.

White, a former NBA player who became a viral sensation after declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft, showed up at Friday night’s Fever game in what he says was an unannounced appearance.

White told OutKick that he didn't give the Fever any notice that he would be coming, and the ticket wasn't even purchased under his name. The Fever have not responded to requests for comment.

FORMER NBA PLAYER ROYCE WHITE OFFICIALLY DECLARES FOR 2027 WNBA DRAFT AS LEAGUE'S CULTURE WAR CONTINUES

White quickly became the story of the night, as fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse stopped to talk with him, shake his hand and take photos.

The friendly reception of White was in stark contrast to how Enes Kanter Freedom was received at the Chicago Sky's home game vs. the Fever game last Sunday. Fans heckled Freedom on his way into the arena before he was ejected from the game in the third quarter.

The Sky were informed that Freedom would be coming hours before the game, and team owner Michael Alter told OutKick that security was alerted of Freedom's presence at that game.

White, who says the Fever had no such notice he would be showing up Friday, avoided any similar issues to Freedom. The Indiana home crowd truly embraced White.

"They don't have hate for Black trans lesbians here in Indiana, it's a beautiful thing," White told OutKick after the game. "The reception was great. That's really the cool thing, juxtaposed to what Enes went through... there in Chicago. I just had a completely different experience tonight, and the people of Indiana are great."

White admitted he did not expect the crowd to embrace him like that.

"It's just so crazy the difference of response here in Indiana versus Chicago. But one city is run by people who have common sense and the other one isn't," he said.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and Riley Gaines were also at the game, and were among the other spectators who flocked to White.

Gaines has her own history with Biles after they engaged in a social media spat in June 2025 over the topic of trans athletes in women's sports.

But despite Gaines and Biles being in the same room together on Friday, White's presence appeared to overshadow both of them, especially in social media discussion.

ENES KANTER FREEDOM EJECTED FROM SKY-FEVER GAME AFTER VERBAL ALTERCATION WITH NATASHA CLOUD

Gaines, who was at her second WNBA game, also spoke about the difference in reception by fans in Indiana compared to her last outing. Gaines last attended the Fever vs Minnesota Lynx game in Minneapolis earlier this month.

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"My main takeaway is that when Minneapolis is booing you, it’s generally a good sign," Gaines told OutKick "Especially for those of us with common sense and an ounce of integrity and a shred of honesty."

Dems face uphill battle in challenge to Georgia Congressional map under new SCOTUS rules

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 18:09:20 -0400

Then-President Joe Biden put Georgia at the center of the national voting-rights fight in 2021 when he branded the state’s Republican-backed election overhaul "Jim Crow in the 21st century."

Now, five years later, a separate Georgia voting-rights battle involving allegations of racial discrimination is garnering national attention as it plays out in federal court. This time, the dispute centers on the state’s redrawn Congressional and state maps redrawn in 2021, with challengers facing a significantly tougher burden of proof following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais.

The latest development came when the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a lower court judgment striking down Georgia’s 2021 maps and returned the case to U.S. District Judge Steve Jones.

The appeals court instructed Jones to reconsider the challenge under the new framework established in Callais, which raised the bar for plaintiffs alleging racial discrimination in redistricting.

Under that standard, evidence that a map weakened Black voters’ electoral influence is not enough by itself. Plaintiffs must present evidence supporting a "strong inference" of intentional racial discrimination and distinguish the effects of race from those of partisan politics.

SUPREME COURT RULES ON KEY VOTING RIGHTS ACT RULE AS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WAGE REDISTRICTING WAR

That distinction is especially important in Georgia, where Black voters overwhelmingly support Democratic candidates, creating significant overlap between race and partisan affiliation. That overlap could make it more difficult for the challengers to prove that race, rather than political advantage, drove the district lines.

Black voters and voting-rights organizations filed three lawsuits challenging the maps between December 2021 and January 2022, arguing that the districts diluted Black voting power in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

Jones ruled for the challengers in 2023 and ordered Georgia to create additional majority-Black districts, including one Congressional district, two state Senate districts and five state House districts.

Georgia subsequently enacted replacement maps that satisfied Jones’ order while preserving the Republican Party’s political advantage elsewhere. Those maps were used in the 2024 elections and remain in place for the 2026 election cycle, while the legality of the original maps remained at the center of Georgia’s appeal.

MEDIA OUTRAGE OVER SUPREME COURT’S VOTING RIGHTS ACT DECISION COLLIDES WITH REALITY

Before Callais, plaintiffs suing based on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act could win their case without proving that lawmakers intentionally discriminated on the basis of race. Courts focused heavily on whether a map had the effect of diminishing minority voters’ ability to elect their preferred candidates. But under Callais, courts must more closely examine whether present-day racial discrimination was behind the redrawing of the maps rather than political advantages.

Hans von Spakovsky, a senior fellow at Advancing American Freedom, said he does not believe the Georgia challenge will survive the new test.

"I don’t think a challenge will succeed because there is no evidence of current racial discrimination going on in the state legislature," von Spakovsky said. "Prior rulings against the state were based on judges misconstruing and misinterpreting Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by claiming there was racial dilution resulting from partisan gerrymandering."

"That is not the correct legal standard under Section 2," he continued. "Partisan gerrymandering is constitutional and is not a violation of Section 2."

GEORGIA REDISTRICTING BATTLE REVIVED AFTER APPEALS COURT OVERTURNS FEDERAL COURT DECISION

Georgia can argue that lawmakers were pursuing partisan objectives rather than targeting Black voters because of their race. Because the state’s Black and Democratic voting blocs substantially overlap, separating those possible motivations could prove difficult for the challengers.

"The Supreme Court in the Callais decision specifically said that a viable claim under Section 2 can only be shown if there is evidence of current racial discrimination, and judges must distinguish between racial and political bases for the way people vote," von Spakovsky said.

"In other words, there’s no racial dilution going on when individuals are voting a particular way because of their politics," he added.

Jones must now decide how to handle the remanded case. The plaintiffs could ask to supplement the record with revised maps, updated statistical analyses or additional evidence addressing the Supreme Court’s new requirements. The 11th Circuit, however, did not automatically grant them a new trial or authorize them to rebuild their case from the beginning.

Georgia could argue that the plaintiffs already received a full trial and that Jones should apply the new standard solely to the existing record.

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Whatever Jones decides is unlikely to alter Georgia’s districts before the November 2026 midterm elections. The appeals court did not order the state to reinstate the original 2021 maps, and Georgia has already conducted its primaries using the replacement districts created from the 2023 map.

Bill Maher ridicules liberals’ 'Lake America' outrage with jab at left-wing language police

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 18:00:02 -0400

Comedian Bill Maher mocked liberals for crying foul over President Donald Trump’s decision to rename Lake Ontario, suggesting they know a thing or two about changing things to fit a political agenda.

In Friday’s opening monologue of HBO’s "Real Time," host Maher poked fun at Trump’s renaming of one of the Great Lakes to "Lake America" during an ongoing trade war with Canada.

"Trump is so mad at Canada he renamed Lake Ontario Lake America," Maher said. "Now I gotta buy a new globe again."

TRUMP TAUNTS CANADA ON RENAMING LAKE ONTARIO THE 'LAKE AMERICA' AMID RISING BORDER TRADE RIFT

"It’s like the fifth time it’s happened," Maher added, referring to Trump’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America."

Trade talks between the two countries crumbled late Friday as the United States moved forward with 50% tariffs on Canada.

VANCE SAYS CANADA FRIENDLIER TO CHINA ON TRADE THAN TO US: 'INSANITY'

Maher then took aim at liberal outrage over the president’s decision, suggesting critics of Trump’s move had embraced politically driven changes in terminology themselves.

"The liberals are very pissed at this," Maher quipped, adding, "They say you can’t just go around changing things to fit your political agenda. Just ask any Latinx birthing person."

MAHER MOCKS LIBERALS FOR STILL PANICKING ABOUT TRUMP'S ANTICS, PERSONALITY AFTER 10 YEARS

Trump signed the executive order renaming the lake from the Oval Office on Thursday, telling reporters, "This is official, effective immediately."

Maher’s criticism was echoed by NewsBusters Managing Editor Curtis Houck, who told Fox News Digital that liberals’ willingness to embrace new terminology undermines their criticism of Trump’s latest decision.

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"The fact that 'Latinx' and 'birthing person' are increasingly accepted as a punchline rather than a serious demographic statement should give all of us hope that ‘Woke One’ is dead and we're never going back to that farcical time," Houck told Fox News Digital.

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"If only the liberal, elitist media could more consistently get the picture," he continued. "The left needs to take a seat before they can say anything about anything being renamed."

The sentiment was echoed by NewsBusters Executive Editor Tim Graham.

"Liberals want to rename all kinds of things to satisfy their urge for wokeness," Graham told Fox News Digital. "Just in this decade, they've pulled down all kinds of statues and renamed scads of military bases. What they hate is anything Trump does to add a patriotic pro-America tinge to something which they associate more with his ego than with patriotism. They see red – as in a red MAGA cap."

"The media routinely genuflect ethnic and LGBTQ pressure groups and their demands to remake the language we're all supposed to use," he continued. "So they can't seriously object to renaming things. They just want to be the only people who get to rename things."

Police fatally shoot sword-wielding man after woman found trapped in car, officials say

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:49:49 -0400

A sword-wielding man was fatally shot by police outside a Nashville sedan where a woman was reportedly being held against her will Saturday, authorities said.

The fatal officer-involved shooting unfolded on Cheshire Drive, where officers encountered a 54-year-old man outside his Hyundai sedan while he was armed with a sword, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.

Police said a woman was inside the vehicle and was reportedly being held against her will. Authorities have not released her condition.

RIDESHARE PASSENGER HELD HOSTAGE FOR EIGHT HOURS DURING ARMED STANDOFF WITH POLICE IN SWANKY NEIGHBORHOOD

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation into the shooting, police said.

Officials have not released any further details about the confrontation, including what prompted the officer to open fire.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Metro Nashville Police Department for comment.

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

Abdul El-Sayed peppered with questions on Hasan Piker link, fracture with Jewish Dems at Michigan convention

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:35:48 -0400

LANSING, Mich. — Socialist-adjacent Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed addressed the media during Saturday's state Democratic Party Nominating Convention, where he was dogged by many of the same questions that have plagued his campaign for months.

Surrounded by media in a hallway at the Lansing Center, where the convention took place, El-Sayed was peppered with questions from the press about his relationship with far-left online personality Hasan Piker, along with his stance on Israel and Gaza, which has driven a wedge between his campaign and some Democrats, especially Jewish ones.

"We’re in the state of Michigan. If you want to make this race about a streamer in California, I just think you’re missing the boat," El-Sayed told reporters. "This is about affordability in Michigan. This is about seeing a doctor in Michigan. This is about Donald Trump’s disastrous policies in Michigan. That’s what I’m focused on right now."

ABDUL EL-SAYED PLAYS DOWN HASAN PIKER TIES AFTER STREAMER’S VIRAL ANTISEMITISM FIRESTORM

Four different reporters asked El-Sayed about Piker, with whom he campaigned and partied during his primary race. He dodged all of them, falling back on describing the polarizing streamer as "a streamer from California" who is irrelevant to his race in Michigan.

"I am not interested in a conversation about a social media person in California. And to folks who want to make this about a social media person in California, let’s not forget what actually matters in our politics, what our politics are really about," he said. "I don’t ever want my comments to hurt anybody’s feelings. It’s important to me that people understand that I take serious the pain of all communities in this state. But I don’t want to have a conversation about a Twitch streamer in California. This is not a serious conversation."

EL-SAYED DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM HASAN PIKER AFTER DISTURBING REMARKS ABOUT JEWISH AMERICANS

Piker is known for saying "America deserved 9/11," praising Mao Zedong and Communist China, arguing that capitalists should be murdered in the streets and making a litany of antisemitic comments.

Fox News Digital asked El-Sayed about a recent controversy stemming from comments he made in March in response to an attack on a Michigan synagogue, when federal investigators say a gunman inspired and radicalized by Hezbollah crashed into the place of worship seeking to kill as many Jewish people as he could.

"Hurt people, hurt people," he said in response to the attack. He has been criticized by members of his own Party, including Secretary of State Dana Nessel, who discussed the comments in a recent interview with The Atlantic, and declined to attend Saturday's convention partly over concerns of anti-Semitism in the Democratic Party.

JEWISH DEM DEFECTIONS THREATEN EL-SAYED IN MICHIGAN SENATE RACE DECIDED BY RAZOR-THIN MARGINS

El-Sayed told Fox News Digital his comments "might have been misconstrued to be justifying something I did not intend to justify," but then offered an apology.

"To anybody who feels like my comments may have been hurtful, I’m really sorry. That was not my intention. We condemned that terrorist attack. We condemned it outright," El-Sayed told Fox News Digital. "What I was trying to do was offer context for why it happened, but it wasn’t the time for context and you don’t ever want to trample somebody’s pain."

JEWISH AG’S CONVENTION BOYCOTT EXPOSES DEEPENING ISRAEL FAULT LINE AMONG MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS

He also said it was the responsibility of the Democratic Party to come together.

Michigan Democrats swarmed the convention center Saturday afternoon, where the theme was "unity" amid the controversies faced by the state's highest-profile candidate for elected office.

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Other statewide candidates took the stage to rally attendees, and presented a united front, often invoking their opposition to President Donald Trump as a point of common interest.

James Carville predicts a 2028 'reckoning' as socialist candidates eye the Democratic ticket

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:30:14 -0400

Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville said the Democratic Party faces an ideological "reckoning" in 2028 but rejected the idea that primary voters will choose a Democratic socialist presidential nominee.

Speaking on "Saturday in America," Carville offered his prediction for how Democratic voters will approach the party's 2028 presidential primary.

"The reckoning will be in a nominating process for the nominee of the Democratic Party in 2028. This has to be taken to Democratic voters," Carville said while discussing recent victories by candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

JAMES CARVILLE PREDICTS 2028 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY WILL TEST TRUE STRENGTH OF PARTY'S SOCIALIST WING

As DSA-backed candidates have won races across the country, some centrist Democrats have raised concerns about the group's growing influence. Carville argued that Democratic voters won't nominate a DSA-aligned presidential candidate in 2028.

"Let me assure you that Democratic voters are not going to nominate the DSA or anybody close to the DSA. The Democrats have never nominated the most liberal candidate, and they're not [going to] do it in 2028," he said.

CARVILLE SAYS ONE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST'S 'LUNACY OF THE HIGHEST LEVEL' POLICY COULD HAUNT SWING-STATE DEMS

Despite Carville's prediction about 2028, several DSA-backed candidates have secured primary victories this year, with notable wins in New York and Colorado. High-profile elected officials, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, are also affiliated with the group.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., recently renewed her DSA membership following a seven-year lapse and has been discussed as a potential 2028 presidential contender.

2028 BATTLEGROUND POLL SCRAMBLES DEMOCRATS' FUTURE AS INSURGENT SOCIALIST SEIZES LEAD

"First of all, she has more talent than most of the people on the left put together. And I put her in an entirely different category," Carville said of Ocasio-Cortez.

"She's a very talented, very articulate person," he said, adding that the DSA is going to "run somebody for president in 2028, and they're not going to get out of the first two primaries."

Carville said the party will "move forward" but concluded that the DSA is a "minor part of the Democratic coalition."

AOC BLASTED AS TOO MODERATE BY MAOIST DSA FACTION AS 2028 BUZZ GROWS

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The DSA confirmed Ocasio-Cortez's renewed membership in a statement shared with City & State New York.

"Democratic Socialists of America confirms Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a member in good standing of our organization, having recently rejoined in August 2026," the DSA wrote.

Fox News Digital reached out to the DSA for comment but did not immediately hear back.

NYC parolee accused of killing 2 in 48-hour robbery spree hauled in after manhunt, cops say

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:15:14 -0400

A parolee accused of leaving two New Yorkers dead in a 48-hour robbery spree was taken into custody Friday after an FBI-backed manhunt, police said.

Jesus Acosta, 31, was arrested Friday morning after the FBI offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to his location and apprehension.

"Thank you to our cops, detectives, and New Yorkers for their work on locating him," the NYPD wrote in a social media post announcing the arrest.

VENEZUELAN GANG MEMBERS WHO ENTERED US ILLEGALLY PLEAD GUILTY TO GUNNING DOWN TWO UNARMED AMERICANS

Acosta was sought in connection with two deadly shootings days apart, including a Bronx deli robbery early Tuesday, police previously told Fox News Digital.

The gunman approached a 33-year-old man at about 12:16 a.m. inside 149 Grill & Deli at 143 E. 149th St. and opened fire, striking him multiple times in the chest, according to police. The suspect then allegedly grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash from behind the register and fled.

PARENTS IN BRONX NEIGHBORHOOD PLEAD FOR NYPD GUARD AS MAMDANI CUTS COPS, HALTS HIRES: 'HORRIBLE SITUATION'

The 33-year-old victim was taken to Lincoln Hospital in stable condition but later died of his injuries, police said. A fundraiser created by the victim’s sister identified him as Tayvon Shuler, known to loved ones as "Plucky."

The other shooting unfolded shortly after midnight Sunday at American Best Wings & Pizza at 842 Rockaway Ave. in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Police responding to a 911 call found a 44-year-old man shot in the head and a 39-year-old man shot in the leg.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO KILLED NASHVILLE RESTAURANT OWNER TO FACE ICE DEPORTATION AFTER PRISON

The 44-year-old was pronounced dead at a hospital, while the surviving victim was listed in stable condition, police said.

A GoFundMe identified the slain restaurant worker as MD Yousuf, a husband, father of two and the sole income earner for his family. The fundraiser said Yousuf’s family is trying to raise money to send his body back to Bangladesh for burial, cover funeral expenses and support his wife, mother and daughters, ages 12 and 3.

"MD Yousuf was a hardworking, kind man who supported his family and showed up for his coworkers every day," the fundraiser stated.

Shuler’s sister, Tanasha Neal, said in a public Facebook post that her "little brother was murdered" on Aug. 25.

"I am still mentally trying to grapple with it," Neal wrote, saying she set up a fundraiser for his memorial service so he could have "a nice send off into the after life."

Before Friday’s arrest, the NYPD issued surveillance images and said Acosta had "Bronx" tattooed on his hand and "Bobby" tattooed on his left forearm. He was described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall and about 175 pounds, with short brown hair and brown eyes.

NEW YORK BILLS COULD ABOLISH LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR SERIAL KILLERS AND COP KILLERS, CRITICS WARN

Acosta had been on parole since April after serving 10 years in state prison for assault and criminal weapon possession, according to state prison records reported by the New York Post.

In a statement to Fox 5 New York on Saturday, United Bodegas of America thanked the NYPD for taking Acosta into custody but blasted the justice system over his prior record.

SENATOR TIM SHEEHY: SOFT-ON-CRIME JUDGES NEED CONSEQUENCES. THE JAIL ACT DELIVERS

"We are relieved that this dangerous man is off our streets, but we are outraged that someone with 13 prior arrests was released on parole after serving approximately 10 years for assault and illegal gun possession," the group said. "The justice system failed these victims, their families and our communities."

United Bodegas of America spokesman Fernando Mateo said the case underscored the need for changes intended to curb gun violence and improve bodega safety.

FEDS DISMANTLE ALLEGED GUN TRAFFICKING RING THAT FUNNELED DOZENS OF FIREARMS FROM GEORGIA TO CHICAGO GANGS

"Governor Hochul must support three to five years in prison for carrying an illegal gun, Mayor Mamdani must bring back bodega panic buttons, and Commissioner Tisch must expedite gun permits for trained, law-abiding bodega owners," Mateo said.

The NYPD did not immediately release additional details about Acosta’s arrest, including where he was taken into custody or the charges he faces.

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Fox News Digital reached out to the NYPD and United Bodegas of America for additional comment.

Fox News Digital's Sophia Compton contributed to this report.

Packers' Jordan Love calls offensive plays in the second half of preseason game, sparks late comeback

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:10:31 -0400

Green Bay Packers play-caller Jordan Love? That was the star quarterback’s role in the team's final preseason game, and he excelled at it.

Love called the offensive plays in the second half of the Packers’ 42-38 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Friday night. Head coach Matt LaFleur said he approached Love about it on the field before the game.

"I just went up to him. It’s not like he had time to prep. I was just like, ‘Hey, you want to call the second half?’" LaFleur said. "He said, ‘Sure. Yeah, I’ll do it.’ And he did it and he did an outstanding job."

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Love apparently had some sort of magic touch, as the Packers erased an 11-point deficit in the final 3 1/2 minutes to come back and get the win. Love’s poise impressed his head coach.

"(Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich) called the first half, did an outstanding job, and then we had J-Love call the second half," LaFleur said. "That was pretty cool, to hear his demeanor on the headset and how calm, cool and collected he was throughout the entire game, especially during those critical moments. That’s not a surprise to me because that’s what we see on the field, too."

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Packers third-string quarterback Kyle McCord played the entire game as Love and backup Tyrod Taylor rested, and he took advantage of the opportunity. McCord completed 22 of his 35 passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns.

McCord, who was a 2025 sixth-round pick and spent all of last season on the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad, hoped his performance was enough to help him make the final 53-man roster.

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"It's out of my control at this point," McCord said. "I did everything that I could've to make a case for myself. And so now we just wait and see."

With Love calling the plays, McCord certainly looked like someone who should earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

How guaranteed income advocates strive to turn cash assistance into policy after COVID-relief funds dried up

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Guaranteed income advocates hope to transform pandemic-era cash assistance programs into permanent government policy now that federal COVID-19 relief funds are expiring.

In a report published Aug. 12 titled "Right on Time: How Cash Helps Families Move Through Life’s Transitions," Economic Security Project (ESP) researchers Shafeka Hashash, Maya Tellman, and Rayan Semery-Palumbo made the case for institutionalizing "no-strings-attached" cash assistance.

The push comes as city leaders across the nation face a financial cliff. Dozens of municipal mayors are scrambling to maintain local cash-handout experiments as the federal pandemic aid that funded them nears its final spending deadline.

ALBUQUERQUE USES WEED TAX TO FUND 'NO-STRINGS-ATTACHED' GUARANTEED INCOME, SPARKING POLICY DEBATE

Under federal law, local governments had until Dec. 31, 2024, to legally obligate their American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and most obligated funds must be fully spent by Dec. 31, 2026. In the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, municipal officials recently announced an expansion of the city's guaranteed income program using the remainder of previously allocated ARPA funds before the spending clock runs out.

Evanston is one of more than 100 U.S. municipalities that have launched universal basic income-style pilots since 2018. While many early experiments relied on a blend of private philanthropic dollars and emergency federal stimulus, those coffers are rapidly hitting zero. The looming shortfalls are driving local officials to find alternative avenues to make cash handouts permanent — mirroring recent tax-funded budget maneuvers in neighboring Cook County, Illinois.

The report's authors build their case by citing "a wealth of data collected from over 250 cash and guaranteed-income pilots across 40 states and the District of Columbia," claiming the findings prove that direct cash transfers are a "legitimate policy tool."

They pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a prime model, calling direct government checks an example of "large-scale transfers" that reached "households at speed and scale."

GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAM TARGETS LOW-INCOME HOMES LED BY BLACK MOMS AS CASH HANDOUTS SURGE NATIONWIDE

However, rather than pushing immediate, universal cash handouts nationwide, the authors suggest a tactical shift: tying direct payments to specific life events. Cash assistance works best during periods of personal or financial hardship, they argued, writing that "cash does its strongest work in moments of transition."

The report highlights life events such as having a child, housing relocation, or post-incarceration reentry. "In work disruption, job loss, or transition, cash is most effective when it bridges short gaps, giving people time to make strategic decisions rather than hurried ones," the authors wrote.

MICHIGAN LAWMAKER MOVES TO SHUT DOWN 'GUARDRAIL-FREE' CASH HANDOUT PROGRAM FOR NEW MOTHERS

They also argued that tying cash to major life changes makes the programs easier to sell to skeptical voters: "Cash delivered at a moment of transition borrows a political logic that the public already accepts," the report states. "Social Security proves that Americans will accept large-scale benefits when they are legible as earned — a worker paid in, a worker is owed. Unemployment insurance and paid family and medical leave extend that same contributory logic, but add a second condition: the benefit is only triggered by a verified, bounded disruption — a layoff, a birth — not simply by status or tenure."

The broader campaign for direct payments includes Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, led by former Stockton, California, Mayor Michael Tubbs. Tubbs, who launched one of the nation's early municipal cash experiments in Stockton, has long argued that federal tax dollars should fund income supplements to help lower-income Americans keep up with rising inflation, rent, and groceries, claiming it's a viable policy to tackle affordability.

Advocates now face the challenge of turning these pilot initiatives into permanent taxpayer-backed line items. ESP authors contend that it is more practical for lawmakers to integrate cash checks into existing social safety net programs during "transitions" rather than trying to launch an "open-ended, widespread cash program all at once."

"Each of these moments, from the less visible cases, such as aging out of foster care or leaving an abusive relationship, to the more commonplace, such as attending college and seeking new employment, already commands public funds and public understanding," the authors wrote.

They further urged lawmakers to repurpose existing taxpayer budgets: "A natural place to start in seeking public funding is with dollars already committed."

"Many transitions sit within existing public streams, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), child welfare or workforce budgets, restrictive higher-education access funding, or disaster relief, to name a few, that may be redirected toward direct cash rather than requiring new appropriations," the report continues.

State affiliates are already moving forward. Economic Security California, an ESP arm, is laying groundwork for state-funded guaranteed income programs. California currently leads the country in pilot programs, hosting more than 60 cash initiatives to date.

BALTIMORE MAYOR BACKS BALLOT MEASURE CREATING TAXPAYER-FUNDED 'BABY FUND' FOR NEWBORN FAMILIES

To sustain these efforts, ESP recommends that local and state governments look beyond donor funding and establish dedicated revenue streams from local taxes.

Founded in 2016, ESP originally launched with more than "100 entrepreneurs, activists, researchers, and philanthropists" advocating for direct cash payments.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Economic Security Project for comment but did not receive a response by press time.

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Report claims MLB suspended prospect over fake identity plot that even included a phony death

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 16:50:02 -0400

A wild new report claims that Major League Baseball has slapped a prospect out of the Dominican Republic with a suspension.

And why would that be?

Because of an alleged plot involving faking his identity and age, along with a death certificate complete with a faux tombstone.

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According to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez, the Cleveland Guardians agreed to a pre-deal with David Severino, a player they believed was just 13 or 14 years old.

The deal was worth $2.9 million and set to kick in when the switch-hitting infielder turned 17 years old.

However, the report claims that Severino is actually about two years older than previously believed, and his identity had been falsified by his former trainer.

The player's real name is Daury David Severino Damaso. It's alleged that his former trainer, Francisco Nieves, created the identity of a player named David Severino Damaso under the pretense that it was the actual Daury David Severino Damaso's younger brother.

MLB UMPIRE BILL MILLER MISSES EVERY ABS CHALLENGE IN REDS COMEBACK WIN OVER CUBS

This was reportedly done with approval from his parents, and then a fake birth certificate and fake medical records were cooked up.

Then, two years after the phony birth certificate came into play, Gonzalez reports that a fake death certificate was made alleging that Daury had died of respiratory illness back in 2012.

To sell it even further, a fake tombstone was allegedly placed to keep the ruse going.

This meant Damaso was playing with 12- and 13-year-olds when, in reality, he should've been competing with older players.

Of course, an older kid will certainly stand out from a bunch of middle schoolers.

The suspension reportedly means that Damaso will have to wait an extra year before he is eligible to sign with a team as an international amateur.

The Guardians have told OutKick that they have no additional comments on the matter. Meanwhile, we have also reached out to Major League Baseball, but have yet to hear back.

What. A. Story.

This is one of those stories that will almost certainly be the basis for a movie or documentary in the next two to four years.

People have seen disputes about players’ ages in youth sports before, but allegations of tombstone shopping to further the ruse?

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Yeah, you don't see that every day.

Seneca Nation leader calls Trump's Lake America renaming 'unpresidential,' demands reversal

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 16:44:37 -0400

A day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario "Lake America" amid a trade war with Canada, the leader of Seneca Nation of Indians asked him to reverse it.

Calling his order "unpresidential," president J. Conrad Seneca on Friday wrote: "The President cannot assert ownership over our culture or erase it through irresponsible political action. His order should be rescinded, and the name Lake Ontario should be left as it is, reflective of the Seneca people, other Haudenosaunee nations and all Indigenous people surrounding the lake."

Seneca explained that the lake derived its name from Indigenous roots.

TRUMP TAUNTS CANADA ON RENAMING LAKE ONTARIO THE 'LAKE AMERICA' AMID RISING BORDER TRADE RIFT

"In our traditional Seneca language, its name is sga:nyodai:yoh, meaning ‘beautiful lake,’" he wrote in a message shared in the nation’s newsletter. "Long before the United States existed, and before settlers brought the English language to our lands, our Seneca and Haudenosaunee ancestors traveled Lake Ontario and surrounding waterways for many reasons, including diplomacy among our nations. Now, we are seeing the exact opposite of diplomacy."

He added that to the people of Seneca Nation, Lake America is not a "political pawn" but rather land that Indigenous people have lived on for thousands of years.

HILLARY CLINTON'S DIG AT TRUMP OVER LAKE ONTARIO NAME CHANGE SPARKS VIRAL BACKLASH: 'SHOOTING BLANKS'

"The action that President Trump is taking is starkly un-presidential and demeaning to his office and his standing as the leader of the free world," Seneca argued. "His blatant disrespect toward the Seneca people, other Haudenosaunee nations, and all Indigenous people is unacceptable."

He noted that first President George Washington signed a treaty with several nations, including the Seneca, in 1794 "promising to live in peace and friendship with one another."

"The United States also promised our people the free use and enjoyment of our lands forever," Seneca said. "President Trump’s aggression toward our culture with his Executive Order violates that peace, friendship and commitments of the Canandaigua treaty."

"This is the latest in a long history of willful attempts to disregard the United States’ commitments to the Seneca and other Haudenosaunee nations," he continued. "President Trump needs to be reminded of those commitments."

He added that Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution "clearly states that treaties are the ‘supreme Law of the Land,’ and need to always be honored as such."

HOUSE DEM'S 'LAKE NATALIE' JAB AT TRUMP AIDE SETS SOCIAL MEDIA ABLAZE: 'STAY CLASSY'

Seneca called on all Native groups and federal, state and local representatives — "regardless of political party" — to stand against the name change.

"We will always call Lake Ontario by the name derived from the language of our ancestors — the name that, like the strength and influence of the Seneca people, will live on forever, long after the intrusive political tirades of individual men," he said.

‘CAPTAIN CANADA’ FIREBRAND UNLOADS ON TRUMP WITH PROFANE ONE-LINER AS TRADE WAR ESCALATES

Trump announced the name change on Thursday.

"The Lake of America was something I've been thinking about for a long time, actually," he told reporters while signing the Executive Order in the Oval Office. "As you know, we took something called the Gulf of Mexico — we changed it — and now it's very routinely the Gulf of America," Trump said in the Oval Office."

TRUMP TRADE CHIEF WARNS CANADA WALKED AWAY FROM 'THE BEST DEAL' TO TRIGGER 50% U.S. TARIFFS

The president said he had directed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the department to update the Geographic Names Information System to reflect the name change.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the name change on X, writing, "The name is more than 400 years old, predating both the Confederation of Canada and the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. We know that America is changing. Their trading relationships, their foreign policies, their national monuments, their hydronyms. Canadians also know that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario — then, now and always."

VANCE SAYS CANADA FRIENDLIER TO CHINA ON TRADE THAN TO US: 'INSANITY'

The move to rename the lake, which sits on the U.S.-Canada border, came amid a breakdown in trade between both nations, with Trump accusing Ottawa of unfair trade practices.

Trump floated renaming the lake hours before Carney's announcement of reciprocal tariffs on U.S. imports.

TRUMP JUST EXPANDED HIS TARIFF PLAYBOOK WITH A POWERFUL TRADE WEAPON NO PRESIDENT HAS EVER USED

The U.S. imposed new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods such as wine, furniture and dairy products, while Carney said U.S. trade demands proved Washington wanted to "destroy our major industries," including autos, steel and aluminum, FOX Business previously reported.

"Canada has been ripping us off for a long time on trade," Trump said Thursday. "Very sadly, even the military, you know, we defend Canada for nothing. We don't get anything. They don't pay us to defend Canada."

Trump also jokingly floated renaming the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

"So, if you think about it, we have a gulf and we have a lake," he said. "Now, all we need is an ocean. So maybe we'll have to change the name of the Atlantic and or the Pacific. Maybe we'll change them both."

Trump previously used geographic names to make political statements, ordering the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

Trump’s executive order has been criticized by several governors, including Democrats New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Republican Vermont Gov. Phil Scott.

"New York won’t be calling it that," Hochul wrote on X.

Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, announced that she plans to introduce House legislation that would nullify the change.

"Donald Trump can sign all the executive orders he wants, but it will always be Lake Ontario," she wrote in a press release. "Canada is not our enemy. It is our neighbor, our ally, and one of Michigan’s most important economic partners. It is a friendship that no stroke of a pen can erase."

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

Fox News Digital's Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

Comedian Leanne Morgan calls out Hollywood for living in a 'bubble' and misjudging what audiences want to see

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 16:26:31 -0400

Comedian Leanne Morgan is calling out Hollywood for living in a "bubble."

During a recent appearance on "The Women of Joy Show" podcast, the 60-year-old actress discussed the idea that Christian women don't consume media, with host, Maegan Waldrep Schwindling, saying they want "quality" content, but without "women in their panties shooting bows and arrows and all the things like it."

"Honest to goodness, I think in the secular world, I think people, no, I think a lot of people don't want to see all that," she said. "I think a lot of people don't want to see all that, and I think they're in a bubble out there, and they think people want to see that, but they're not in the middle of the United States."

She went on to give an example from when she was filming a movie with Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell, in which she played a Southern mother of four, who in the script was meant to curse in front of her children.

FORMER DISNEY STAR DAVID HENRIE REJECTED 'SECULAR' HOLLYWOOD LIFESTYLE AFTER LIFE-CHANGING MONASTERY VISIT

Morgan recalled telling the director that a Southern mother of four "wouldn't talk like that in front of these children." In that case, the director, Nick Stoller, told her, "You know better than I do, Leanne, and you do what you think is best."

"So I think they think in their minds, 'Oh, everybody's talking like this, everybody wants this,' but I don't think the majority of people do," she said. "Or not in the south, especially when you're portraying southern characters. Or anywhere really."

She also explained that growing up, no one in her family used swear words and while "it's okay if somebody else wants to use it," she doesn't care to use them herself.

The comedian is now starring in the Netflix show, "Leanne," in which she portrays a Southern mother in her 50s who is rebuilding her life after her husband left her for a younger woman.

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She admitted that she felt a "darkness" when she moved to Los Angeles to film her show, and that her "boys sent me a Bible study" she could do on her own, and her friend found her a church to attend.

In addition to making sure Southern Christians were not stereotyped on her show, she also felt the pressure to make sure the show was a success, saying she was reminded all the time how much it cost to make the show and how many people were relying on it, saying, "I've prayed more than I've ever prayed in my life."

"I really relied on my faith and would pray, 'God get me through this,'" she said. "I just had to rely on the Lord and know that he had me there. There's a reason for me to be there. But I could feel that every day. Every day."

Morgan began her career as a stand-up comedian, touring throughout the 2000s and the 2010s, before making her mainstream breakthrough in 2023 with her Netflix special, "I'm Every Woman."

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This led to her major national arena tour, titled, the "Just Getting Started Tour," and her feature film debut in 2025 in "You're Cordially Invited," alongside Ferrell and Witherspoon.

"Everybody on that thing wanted to see me do well," she told People in September 2023. "They were precious. They answered my questions. They were so sweet and uplifting. I fell in love with everybody on that set, from the craftsmen that were cooking, to the little PAs. I could've squeezed every one of them. It’s all so exciting. I hope I get to do more!"

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Sydney Sweeney turns up the heat ahead of 29th birthday in new lingerie campaign

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 16:22:15 -0400

Sydney Sweeney is starting her birthday celebration early.

The "Euphoria" star posed in a new retro-inspired campaign for her lingerie brand, SYRN, weeks before she turns 29 on Sept. 12.

In the newly released photos, Sweeney models a powder-blue floral lingerie set inside a vintage-style kitchen. One image shows the actress posing beside a refrigerator, while another captures her crouched in front of the open appliance holding a glass bottle of milk.

SYDNEY SWEENEY SHARES BIKINI AND UNDERWEAR PHOTOS IN INSTAGRAM DUMP FROM AUSTRALIA TRIP

Sweeney completed the throwback look with voluminous blonde waves, dramatic eye makeup and coordinating blue stockings.

The campaign promotes SYRN's upcoming "Birthday Boobs" collection, set to launch Sept. 1.

"Birthday suits look a little different around here 🎂 Save the date, Birthday Boobs drops September 1st," the company wrote on Instagram.

Fans quickly reacted to the stylized campaign, with one user comparing Sweeney's appearance to artificial intelligence.

"You’d think it was an AI-generated photo, but it’s simply her in real life," the person wrote.

Another praised the collection, writing, "They make the prettiest and most comfortable bralettes. I need this set."

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The birthday-themed campaign marks the latest release from Sweeney's growing lingerie business, which the actress launched earlier this year.

"The secret is finally out… say hello to @syrn 🤍 this is lingerie you wear for YOU, no explanation, no apology," Sweeney wrote when announcing SYRN in January. "There's soo much more I can't wait to show you."

The company's debut immediately generated attention.

Ahead of the official launch, Sweeney filmed a promotional stunt at the Hollywood Sign that showed her and a crew carrying duffel bags filled with bras toward the Los Angeles landmark.

The production later became the subject of controversy over whether it had received permission to use the sign for commercial purposes.

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In a statement to Fox News Digital at the time, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Steve Nissen said the production was "not authorized" and that the organization had no prior knowledge of it.

"The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce did not grant a license or permission of any kind to the production involving Sydney Sweeney as reported by TMZ, nor did anyone seek a license or permission from the Chamber for that production," Nissen said.

While TMZ reported that Sweeney's team had received a permit from FilmLA to shoot near the landmark, the outlet reported that the production did not have permission to climb or touch the sign. The LAPD told Fox News Digital at the time that there was no investigation, adding, "No crime was committed."

The attention surrounding SYRN adds another dimension to a public image Sweeney has spent years navigating.

Since breaking out as Cassie Howard on HBO's "Euphoria," the actress has frequently found herself at the center of conversations surrounding her appearance and the sexualized roles she has played.

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Sweeney has also increasingly expanded beyond acting, taking on producing roles and launching business ventures while continuing to work in film and television.

SYDNEY SWEENEY WALKS ‘DELICATE LINE’ AS ‘EUPHORIA’ SEX SCENES OVERSHADOW HER TALENT: EXPERT

Earlier this year, reputation and branding experts told Fox News Digital that Sweeney's ability to command attention carries significant commercial power.

"Visibility is currency, and Sweeney has become one of the rare young actresses who can reliably generate conversation around almost anything she does," crisis and reputation management expert Dave Quast previously told Fox News Digital. "That has real commercial value."

That visibility, however, can also create challenges.

"The price comes if the attention starts to feel one-dimensional," crisis PR and reputation management expert Kelcey Kintner previously told Fox News Digital.

"If every headline is about her body, the showy scenes, or how provocative the role is, that can make it harder for the public to actually focus on and see her talent," she continued. "I do think she is trying to make that effort to find balance in her career and grow as an actress."

Quast similarly warned that the conversation surrounding Sweeney can sometimes become bigger than the work itself.

"'Euphoria' clearly helped establish Sydney Sweeney as a fearless performer, physically and emotionally, and that's part of why she broke through," he previously told Fox News Digital.

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"The risk is that when the public conversation focuses more on the sexualized aspects of the role than on the performance, the same work that made her seem daring can start to narrow the brand."

Dinner party has guests bringing tables, dressing in white and learning location last-minute

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 16:18:04 -0400

Revelers in Detroit will gather tonight for Dîner en Blanc, an international dining phenomenon in which guests dress entirely in white and gather for an elaborate picnic at a location that remains secret until shortly before the event.

Detroit’s first official Dîner en Blanc, held outside Michigan Central Station on July 26, 2025, drew close to 1,000 guests.

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The city’s inaugural event "quickly became one of the city’s most talked-about social gatherings," Michigan.org reported, with local celebrities and members of the media among those who gathered "for a night of elegance beneath the summer sky."

Tickets for this year’s Detroit dinner range from $52 to $77 per person and are sold in pairs. A $52 ticket requires guests to bring their own table and chairs, while a $67 option includes a table and chairs. A $77 option includes bus transportation but requires guests to bring their own table and chairs. A $14 membership fee also applies to each ticket.

Detroit is one of more than 80 cities around the world that have hosted Dîner en Blanc, with U.S. editions taking place in cities including New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Miami and New Orleans.

Dîner en Blanc traces its origins to Paris in 1988, when François Pasquier organized a picnic for friends after his family returned to the city following several years in Tahiti.

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"Our garden was too small, so we decided to host a picnic in the Bois de Boulogne," Pasquier recalled in a 2018 interview published on the official Dîner en Blanc Paris website. "To make it easier to find each other, we agreed to dress all in white."

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Pasquier said the dinner proved so successful that the group repeated it the following year, and attendance eventually grew to more than 1,000 people.

The 30th anniversary edition of Le Dîner en Blanc de Paris, held on the Esplanade des Invalides in June 2018, included a record-breaking 17,000 guests.

Part of the tradition is holding the dinner in a public space not normally intended to accommodate such a large gathering.

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"It must be carefully controlled for everyone’s safety and so that the city will allow us to hold future editions," the organization said.

The destination is kept under wraps as guests make their way to designated meeting spots throughout the city. From there, volunteer table leaders guide groups to the final location, according to the event’s website.

The secretiveness of the location adds "an air of mystery and excitement to this festive, community-focused picnic," according to Michigan.org.

The suggested dress code is "crisp linen, dreamy lace [and] bold accessories." Gold, silver or nude accents are allowed, but partygoers are encouraged to keep their outfits "mostly en blanc," with specific instructions for "no ivory, no off-white and no beige."

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Depending on their ticket package, guests traditionally arrive with folding tables and chairs, along with white tablecloths and napkins, tableware, food and a garbage bag for cleaning up afterward.

On-site rentals and catered meals are also available in some cities, and guests are encouraged to be creative and "go all-out" with décor — white, of course.

Bill Belichick finally provides UNC with a pulse, but now he has to earn that $10 million paycheck

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 16:10:07 -0400

The return of Bill Belichick to the North Carolina sidelines in 2026 has clearly not drummed up the type of national attention that folks in Chapel Hill were anticipating when he was hired almost two years ago.

When the Tar Heels took to the field in Ireland on Saturday afternoon against TCU to kick off the college football season, the focus was more on the offseason turmoil than on Belichick roaming the sidelines.

That turmoil remains a problem and is not going away anytime soon.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS BACK WITH ALL EYES ON BILL BELICHICK AS COURTROOM DRAMA HEATS UP

But, that doesn’t mean the 15-10 win over TCU will go unnoticed. For the first time in his tenure at North Carolina, this Belichick-led team looked as though it had a pulse.

The offseason has been filled with questions about general manager Michael Lombardi, who was placed on administrative leave amid the school’s ongoing investigation into an HR complaint, as well as Belichick’s son remaining on medical leave, forcing his father to take on a larger role calling the defense.

But, compared to what we all witnessed after the first quarter during their 2025 matchup with TCU, it does look as though North Carolina is a tougher team in 2026.

So, I guess not all is lost in Chapel Hill.

It obviously doesn’t help gauge how much they've actually improved when you’re facing a TCU team that had to replace starting quarterback Josh Hoover after he transferred to Indiana.

UNC WANTED THE DEION SANDERS EFFECT WITH BILL BELICHICK, ALONG WITH WINS. IT GOT SOMETHING MUCH DIFFERENT

Thankfully for North Carolina fans who are trying their hardest to buy into this team in 2026, Belichick went out and hired Bobby Petrino to lead his offense.

Yes, in case you were wondering, that's the same Petrino who crashed out at Arkansas. But, Bobby could end up being the most pivotal hire that the UNC coach has made during his short stint in college football.

Will it matter that the Tar Heels looked like a different team compared to what we witnessed last year? I have no idea, given who is on their schedule this season.

But, there's at least hope after one game.

TCU is obviously not the same team, as Belichick heads back home with a win

Sure, it's week one and we are always going to overanalyze teams.

Are North Carolina and TCU going to compete for conference titles this season?

I'd have a better shot at convincing a local state judge to grant me an injunction that would allow us to fast-forward past the upcoming debate on congressional legislation to "save" college sports.

For the first time since arriving in Chapel Hill, this North Carolina football program looked as if it had a pulse. If you are a fan of the Tar Heels, I wouldn’t pay much attention to predictions for the season.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS FINALLY BACK AFTER MONTHS OF NCAA LAWSUITS, NIL DRAMA AND CONGRESSIONAL FIGHTS

If things start trending in a downward direction, there will be numerous donors and athletic department officials crunching the numbers on a buyout that would cost the school more than $10 million if they were to make the decision to let Belichick go before season's end.

On the other hand, this has the makings of a rough season for Sonny Dykes and the TCU football program if this type of play is what we should expect in 2026. It's clear that not having Josh Hoover is going to be a problem on offense, while the defense is going to struggle against a tougher line of scrimmage.

The worst part of the broadcast for North Carolina fans came when ESPN announcers suggested that making a bowl game should be viewed as a successful season.

In what world is that acceptable for a coach making $10 million per season?

Heck, the Tar Heels had that under Mack Brown. It doesn’t matter what type of rebuild the UNC program has undergone over the past eighteen months, making the "Fenway Bowl" is not the definition of success.

Sure, UNC plays both Notre Dame and Clemson over the next month, but let's not act as if Dabo Swinney has turned the Tigers back into national title contenders.

But the win over TCU provided fans of the UNC program hope.

Simply put: North Carolina fans deserved this moment on Saturday.

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Congrats on the win against TCU, especially those that traveled to Ireland to witness it.

Beer bandits swipe PBR truck hauling 50,000 cans in California, leaving brand pleading for help

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:58:13 -0400

A truck packed with 40,000 pounds of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer vanished in California and police claim the missing haul could be part of a brazen cargo-theft operation that made off with roughly $70,000 in booze in a single morning.

Pabst Blue Ribbon said its truck and beer shipment were stolen, telling the person behind the disappearance that it understood the temptation to brag about having that much PBR, but wished they had gotten it "the honorable way."

The company put the alleged thief on the clock, offering exactly 18 days and 44 minutes to return the truck with no questions asked.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN STOLEN GOODS RECOVERED AT A USED CAR LOT AFTER ADULT TOY COMPANY PURCHASE

Pabst also said it would offer a reward to anyone who helps crack the case, though it did not say how much it would pay, or why it chose the unusually precise deadline.

The brand later issued a second post to squash doubts that the bizarre disappearance was a marketing stunt.

"To clear up the confusion, this story is real," Pabst wrote, urging anyone with information that could help solve the case to send a direct message.

As the deadline ticked down, the company warned that the "beer is getting warmer" while the trail gets colder.

It asked anyone who thinks they spotted the truck to snap a photo, tag Pabst or send a direct message with information about its whereabouts.

Montclair police are investigating two cargo thefts reported Aug. 17 at an Anheuser-Busch distribution center that investigators believe could be linked.

In the first incident, a shipment worth about $45,000 and bound for Tucson, Arizona, was picked up for delivery around 10 a.m. local time but never arrived, police said.

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About an hour later, police said a company claiming to be a subcontractor used fraudulent paperwork to arrange the pickup of roughly $25,000 in Anheuser-Busch and Pabst Blue Ribbon products.

Investigators said the trucking-company information, driver and vehicles connected to the pickups contained discrepancies.

The cases may be part of the same fraudulent cargo-theft operation, police said.

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No one has been publicly identified in connection with the case, and police have released few details about how the truck and its beer disappeared or where the load may have gone.

Investigators also have not announced any public leads, leaving open the question of whether the shipment remains intact or has already been broken up and distributed.

The beer brand’s comments section quickly became a keg-sized comedy club. One commenter cracked that the haul "would’ve only been 20,000lbs if it was Pabst Light," while another asked whether the reward was all the beer in the truck.

Kit Kat’s verified account joined in, writing, "I know a thing or two about these kinds of things," seemingly referencing a March 26 incident where a truck carrying 12 tons of limited-edition Formula 1 car-shaped KitKat chocolate bars was stolen in Italy.

Another commenter offered the most likely destination for 40,000 pounds of missing beer — "Somebody’s about to have a huge house party."

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Anyone with information about the thefts, vehicles, driver, delivery company or missing cargo is asked to contact the Montclair Police Department at 909-621-4771.

Fox News Digital reached out to Pabst Blue Ribbon and the Montclair Police Department for comment.

Yahoo! runs embarrassing error in headline, proving even media outlets need time to round into midseason form

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:40:18 -0400

College football may indeed be back in our lives, but after more than eight months of inactivity, it's normal to experience some rust.

The first game of the FBS season between TCU and North Carolina certainly featured its fair share of penalties and sloppy play, which is to be expected in a season opener, especially one that's being played an entire ocean away.

But that sloppiness and rust doesn't just apply to the players, either.

ESPN PERSONALITY BUSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR INACCURATELY TRYING TO PROMOTE THE SEC'S STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE

We've all heard the phrase "it’s preseason for the refs too," and even fans can fall victim to some early-season cobwebs, including slow channel-changing reaction times and an intolerance to junk food.

Media outlets aren't immune to this phenomenon either, as one famous outlet showed us on Friday.

After Louisiana Christian took down Northwestern State, the internet was abuzz, and not just because it was one of the first college football games of the 2026 season.

LCU is a lowly NAIA team, and on Thursday evening, they became the first team of that classification to take down a Division I opponent.

Northwestern State resides in the FCS, which is a rung below the FBS level that teams like Ohio State and Alabama play in, but the accomplishment is still historic and noteworthy.

Someone forgot to tell one of the writers at Yahoo! Sports, however, as they ran a headline labeling Northwestern State as a "Big Ten team."

The site took the article down, as clicking the link will take you to an error page, but fortunately for all of us, the internet is forever, and one eagle-eyed fan on X spotted the error before Yahoo! could react.

That's embarrassing.

On one hand, I get it. You're working on a tight deadline and you need to get your story out right away, so sometimes you'll make a mistake or two (Lord knows I've been there before).

But getting Northwestern confused with Northwestern State is a pretty egregious blunder, especially if you fancy yourself a "sports outlet."

THE ATHLETIC PROBES DIANNA RUSSINI AND MIKE VRABEL RELATIONSHIP WHILE CONSIDERING GETTING IN BED WITH THE NFL

And this doesn't just fall on the writer, either — whose name I won't include because I don't want to make them feel worse than I'm sure they already do — because this presumably made it past a couple editors too.

How did no one catch the headline for a full 24 hours?

I checked, and in the time I started writing this story, the article went from being live to disappearing.

It took a guy with 13,000 followers on X to catch a mistake that should have been squashed in the editing process.

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It's not a good look for Yahoo! Sports, but i guess even media outlets need time to round into midseason form.

Milo Yiannopoulos deported after ICE arrest and detention at major Louisiana removal hub

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:39:46 -0400

Controversial former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos was deported to the United Kingdom one day after ICE agents arrested him at a Louisiana airport, with DHS saying he overstayed his welcome in the United States and skipped an immigration hearing.

In a new statement, the Department of Homeland Security said Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported Yiannopoulos on Friday, one day after agents arrested the British national at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Kenner, Louisiana.

Yiannopoulos was then held in ICE custody in Alexandria, Louisiana, a major hub for the agency’s deportation operations, before his removal from the country.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PLANS NEW ICE HOLDING FACILITY NEAR LOUISIANA DEPORTATION FLIGHT HUB

DHS said Yiannopoulos legally entered the United States through New York City on May 14, 2019, but remained after his authorized stay expired.

An immigration judge issued him a final order of removal on July 22 after he failed to appear for his immigration hearing, according to the agency.

"Yiannopoulos legally entered the country on May 14, 2019, through New York City, New York. He chose to overstay his welcome in violation of our nation’s laws," DHS said.

BIDEN JUDGE OVERRULED ON KEY TRUMP IMMIGRATION POLICY

The agency used Yiannopoulos’ removal to issue a broader warning to illegal immigrants and tout the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies.

DHS said it reversed a Biden administration policy that it claimed allowed illegal immigrants to fly around the country, adding that the department will no longer permit such travel unless it is tied to a departure from the United States.

DHS ISSUES $84B IN FINES TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS UNDER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

"Under President Trump, DHS will no longer tolerate this," the agency said. "This administration is working diligently to ensure that aliens in our country illegally can no longer fly unless it is out of our country to self deport."

DHS urged illegal immigrants to use the CBP Home app to arrange their own departures, saying the federal government is offering $3,000 and a free flight to those who leave voluntarily.

DHS HITS BACK AT JAMES TALARICO AFTER DEMOCRAT CLAIMS ICE 'KIDNAPPED' 5-YEAR-OLD BOY DEPORTED WITH FATHER

"Being in detention is a choice," DHS said, adding that people who use the app may preserve a chance to return to the United States legally in the future.

Those who do not leave voluntarily, the agency warned, will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.

ICE ARRESTS SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FLIGHT ATTENDANT IN NASHVILLE FOR ALLEGEDLY OVERSTAYING VISA SINCE 2021

Yiannopoulos rose to national prominence as a provocative political commentator and former editor at Breitbart News. He drew national attention for his provocative speeches and online commentary, including appearances that sparked protests at UC Berkeley.

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Fox News' Bill Melugin and Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.

JONATHAN TURLEY: Dem socialist rips ‘institutionalists’ as far left turns up heat on defenders of Constitution

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:29:28 -0400

Pennsylvania state representative and democratic socialist Chris Rabb is the latest Democrat to reaffirm his alliance with virulent antisemite Hasan Piker. What is most notable, however, is his attack on establishment Democrats as "institutionalists," a new label reflecting the radical agenda for changing our constitutional system. It is a term that is now in vogue on the far left by those who want to tear down our institutions and scrap our Constitution.

Across the country, attacks are growing on Democrats and independents who are viewed as insufficiently radical. Those of us who continue to celebrate the Madisonian democracy as creating the most successful and stable republic in history are now "cultists" and "institutionalists" who are trapped in "nostalgia."

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have drawn support from many who want a literal revolution. DSA Steering Committee member Cliff Connolly declared on one podcast that they are famous for their "hatred of the United States Constitution."

SOCIALISTS LAUNCH RADICAL PLATFORM TO ABOLISH THE US SENATE IN BID TO FUNDAMENTALLY TRANSFORM AMERICA

Even those who are not joining the DSA are denouncing the system and lashing out at those who want to preserve it.

At The Atlantic, Sarada Peri, the former senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama, referred to institutionalists as "peculiar creatures" inhabiting Washington.

MEET THE FAR-LEFT INSURGENTS WAGING WAR ON THE DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT IN 2026 MIDTERMS

On the web, radicals denounce institutionalists who "want us to defend and support the institutions we already have."

She added that: "Many institutionalists simply have a reflexive distaste for change, preferring the enduring, if ossified, conventions that offer them inherited credibility. But perhaps in part because they are mostly old, white men, institutionalists are afforded significant deference by the media and the general public."

Rabb joined his chorus of radicals opposing institutionalists in their party. He is the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District and is now virtually assured of being a member of Congress. He is also emerging as a dominant voice on the far left.

He has established his bona fides with a growing radical movement within the Democratic Party, denouncing the Declaration of Independence, calling our constitutional system "the beast" to be slayed, and bizarrely claiming that the Framers had no notion of what "policing" means.

On Friday, Rabb tweeted "This is what the institutionalists are focusing their efforts on now: Disavowing Hasan Piker."

He added: "Not White Christian nationalists? Not the broligarchs? Not the AI overlords? Nope, the guy encouraging young people to use their collective political power for good. F--- that noise."

MARK HALPERIN CALLS HASAN PIKER A 'HORRIBLE PERSON' AS DEMOCRATS FACE PRESSURE TO DISTANCE FROM STREAMER

Of course, Piker rose to national prominence after other Democratic Socialists and radicals brought him to their states to campaign against establishment figures.

Much like the left's focus on figures who associate with Nicholas Fuentes, Piker has outraged many with claims that America deserved 9/11, American Jews are asking to be attacked by supporting Israel, and mocking the murder of figures like Charlie Kirk.

Putting aside the fact that Rabb still supports this notorious hatemonger as someone organizing "young people to use their collective political power for good," he notably denounces those opposing Piker as "institutionalists."

JON OSSOFF CONDEMNS HASAN PIKER'S RHETORIC AS STREAMER DECLARES MAINSTREAM MEDIA 'CRISIS OF CREDIBILITY'

It is an important reveal, highlighting the radical agenda to trash the Constitution and tear down our core institutions, including the Supreme Court. Rabb has been one of those voices in calling the system "the beast" and denouncing our own revolution.

In my book Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution, I discuss the French Revolution and its decline into what the Framers called a mobocracy.

In France, "The Terror" began not with the working class, but with educated lawyers, journalists, and even aristocrats as part of the Jacobin movement. Eventually, after the mob had finished off the aristocrats, clergy, and merchants, they turned on their fellow Jacobins in a bloodletting that claimed the lives of thousands.

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Even law professors and deans joined this movement in calling for the rejection of our Constitution on the 25th anniversary of our revolution.

Mainstream figures such as Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Berkeley Law School, have published books such as "No Democracy Lasts Forever: How the Constitution Threatens the United States."

SEN DEB FISCHER: THE LEFT'S WAR ON THE SENATE AND SUPREME COURT PUTS OUR REPUBLIC AT RISK

The media eagerly publishes these radical views, such as the New York Times column, "The Constitution Is Broken and Should Not Be Reclaimed," in which Ryan D. Doerfler of Harvard and Samuel Moyn of Yale call for the nation to "reclaim America from constitutionalism."

Brown University’s Corey Brettschneider called the Constitution a "dangerous document" that is driving this "threat to democracy."

KAMALA HARRIS BACKS MAJOR CHANGES TO THE SUPREME COURT, ELECTORAL COLLEGE AHEAD OF POSSIBLE 2028 CAMPAIGN

George Washington law professor Mary Anne Franks condemned the "cult of the Constitution" that has been defended to advance "White male supremacy."

Now, to support our constitutional system is to be an "institutionalist," a pejorative term that is as bad as being an "oligarch" in the new revolutionary lexicon.

Even establishment candidates like former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom are trying to pander to the mob by calling fealty to our traditions and institutions mere "nostalgia."

It is a familiar strategy. After Yuri Bezmenov, a KGB agent who defected in 1970, revealed the four stages by which the Soviets hoped to bring about revolutionary change in the U.S. It began with undermining our institutions and values, with the help of journalists and academics.

The success of this counter-constitutional movement is reflected in the growing list of establishment figures like Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg throwing the Supreme Court to the mob. The problem with leading the mob is that you have to stay in front of it or be devoured by it. Packing the court is unlikely to be enough. After they come for the institutionalists, they will come for the incrementalists.

It appears that, if you are not campaigning with Piker, you could be next for the pike. El-Sayed declared in his campaign that moderates like Democratic Sen. John Fetterman should have their heads cut off and put on pikes like ogres.

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So much for the "Big Tent party." For institutionalists, the message is clear. Lose your constitutional "nostalgia" or your political heads.

Zac Taylor faces make-or-break season as Bengals rebuild defense around Joe Burrow's Super Bowl window

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:05:18 -0400

Few teams in the NFL are operating under as much pressure heading into the upcoming season as the Cincinnati Bengals. With head coach Zac Taylor facing intense scrutiny in his eighth season at the helm and defensive coordinator Al Golden entering year two of his unit's retool, Cincinnati is aiming to prove that its recent stagnation is over and that franchise quarterback Joe Burrow can lead them back to deep January football.

Last year

The Bengals suffered through a deeply disappointing 2025 season, stumbling to a 6–11 record and finishing dead last in a hyper-competitive AFC North. Burrow, again, got injured, and the team called on veteran Joe Flacco. They were good at times, but it always felt like this team had no real chance to earn the postseason spot. This was especially true when Burrow was out. A leaky, depleted defense completely unraveled at times, allowing opposing offenses to dictate games and squandering late leads. Defensive lapses and an inability to generate consistent pass-rush pressure made stringing together victories almost impossible, costing Cincinnati any realistic chance at a wild-card spot well before late December.

ZAC TAYLOR ADMITS BREAKING NFL CHALLENGE FLAG RULE FOR 8 YEARS AS LEAGUE MAKES CHANGE

Offseason additions and subtractions

Recognizing that an elite offense was being wasted by defensive liabilities, the front office spent the offseason completely reshaping the front seven and secondary. The biggest marquee splash came via trade when Cincinnati acquired star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the Giants, immediately pairing him with veteran pass rusher Jonathan Allen and edge Boye Mafe to fortify the interior line. In the secondary, the Bengals added physical safety help by signing Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger, while re-signing reliable backup quarterback Joe Flacco alongside offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and guard Dalton Risner.

The aggressive retooling came with significant departures. On defense, the Bengals parted ways with longtime pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, edge Joseph Ossai, and defensive backs Cam Taylor-Britt, Geno Stone, and Marco Wilson. Hendrickson felt like the hardest to swallow, considering he went to the rival Ravens.

Roster

There is a valid reason for high-ceiling optimism when evaluating Cincinnati’s overall roster makeup. Offensively, as long as Joe Burrow stays healthy behind a re-signed offensive line, the Bengals boast one of the premier perimeter trios in the NFL with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins leading an explosive receiving group. Chase did hurt his knee in a non-contact play, but it appears he is okay. Still something worth being very concerned about if you're a fan or bettor.

The primary difference-maker this season will be the defense. Under Al Golden's direction, the front seven transforms from a structural weakness into a potential strength. The combination of Lawrence and Allen stopping the run and pushing the pocket should create far easier third-down scenarios for a retooled secondary to capitalize on turnover opportunities.

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Betting Outlook

We’ve already seen what Burrow can do when healthy and equipped with even a decent defense. This is one of the few teams that stopped the Chiefs and made it to the Super Bowl. They fell short, but it gives an indication of just how good the team can be. There really shouldn’t be questions about the offense, but PFF has their offensive line ranked 20th in the league. If they can’t keep Burrow upright, how do they expect to win games?

The good news for them is that they are ranked eighth in defensive line. Perhaps those changes in the offseason will give the Bengals a chance to win without Burrow being excellent, or even available for every game. Give me the Bengals to win the division at +184.

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

Bodycam footage shows 49ers owner Jed York stunned as police arrest him in prostitution sting

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 14:50:35 -0400

San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York was baffled when police arrived at his vehicle in East Palestine, Ohio, where he was arrested and arraigned on suspicion of "engaging in prostitution" and "possessing criminal tools," which were later amended to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools.

Police bodycam footage was obtained by OutKick, showing York being stunned when East Palestine Police Department authorities pulled him over and quickly took him into custody on charges related to trying to meet up with a prostitute in an Ohio trailer park.

York was wearing a New York Yankees t-shirt, shorts and sneakers, but he was also still sporting his wedding ring on his left hand, the video showed.

49ERS OWNER JED YORK ARRESTED FOR 'ENGAGING IN PROSTITUTION' IN OHIO, PLEADS NO CONTEST TO LESSER CHARGES

"Can I ask what you’re doing?" York said multiple times to the officers who had placed him in handcuffs without an issue and started to pat him down.

The officers asked the 49ers owner if he’s looking to meet up with anyone, which York replied, "Just driving."

Also in the bodycam footage was an officer mentioning that York had a "s--- ton of cash" in his rental vehicle, finding hundreds of dollars in $20 bills.

"It’s crazy the people that do this," an officer was heard saying. "They could do whatever they want. They could do other things. They could go other ways. It’s wild."

An incident report from the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force noted that York had agreed to give $160 to a woman for sex after he reached out to her through an undercover ad on a website known for prostitution three times. York went by "Joe" in the communication with the woman, and he planned to be with her for one hour at the Ohio trailer park meeting location.

After York pleaded no contest to the lesser charge of disorderly conduct as well as possessing criminal tools, he was sentenced to one day in jail, though he was given credit for time served. He also was ordered to pay $1,150 in fines.

York is from Youngstown, Ohio and recently relocated to the state, as his voter registration records showed he moved to his parents’ residence before filing for divorce from his wife, Danielle Belluomini.

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While York has not yet addressed his arrest, the 49ers said in a statement on Monday that the organization would not comment as the legal matter was closed. Head coach Kyle Shanahan did, however, answer questions about York from the media.

"My view is, as the coach, does it have effect on us as a team?" Shanahan said. "And that's what I continue to answer on from a football standpoint. It has no effect on us. I mean, as far as what we do day to day, what we talk about, it hasn't been mentioned in a meeting today. It doesn't have to do with what happens on the field."

Shanahan added that he still has "respect" for the 49ers owner.

"I know it's extremely fresh. I think it's a very, very personal situation," he added. "I got a lot of respect for Jed. I got a lot of respect for Danielle. Their family does mean a lot to me. So, I'm like, you know, with it being a personal [matter], I'm trying as hard as I can to keep it that way."

The NFL is also reviewing York’s arrest to see if it violates their personal conduct policy.

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York, who previously served as the 49ers’ CEO, has been the team’s majority owner since 2024.

OutKick’s Armando Salguero contributed to this report.

Abdul El-Sayed plays down Hasan Piker ties after streamer’s viral antisemitism firestorm

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 14:50:15 -0400

Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed tried to turn the page on his ties to controversial streamer Hasan Piker Friday — but MS NOW host Katy Tur pushed back.

The candidate’s comments come just days after Piker suggested Jewish Americans are "making antisemitism worse" by voicing their support of Israel — a statement that drew harsh criticism from El-Sayed, who has appeared alongside Piker on the campaign trail.

"I believe all Americans deserve the right to advocate for what they believe without fear of violence. This is particularly true for communities that have been intimidated for their beliefs in the past," El-Sayed said in a statement following Piker’s remarks.

EL-SAYED DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM HASAN PIKER AFTER DISTURBING REMARKS ABOUT JEWISH AMERICANS

He added that "Antisemitism is a scourge, and we need to address it in all its forms," while promising to "stand against any rhetoric that puts the community at risk."

"And while politicians and pundits try to make this race about a Twitch streamer, we’re going to be talking about gas, groceries, good schools and healthcare," El-Sayed continued.

MICHIGAN DEMOCRAT DEMANDS REPORTERS STOP ASKING 'ABOUT HASAN PIKER' AHEAD OF SENATE RACE

On Friday’s "The Moment with Katy Tur," El-Sayed appeared to continue his effort to distance himself from Piker in light of his controversial remarks.

"So, if you have Jewish voters in Michigan — I’ll say [Attorney General] Dana Nessel is one of them — who are worried about your association with Hasan Piker. Why? Why keep him so close? Or why not fully disassociate yourself with him, especially when Michigan is so tight? Elissa Slotkin only won by 22,000 votes," Tur asked.

According to Ballotpedia, Slotkin won by 19,000 votes.

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"This campaign is not about a streamer in California. This campaign is about affordability in Michigan. This campaign is about the ability to have healthcare," El-Sayed said.

Tur pushed back, arguing the "streamer in California does campaign with a lot of Democrats. So he’s not just a streamer."

HASAN PIKER IS BECOMING THE 'FACE OF THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT,' FORMER DEMOCRATIC OPERATIVE WARNS

El-Sayed appeared to continue distancing himself from Piker, despite Tur’s pushback.

"This campaign is about the challenges Michiganders face," El-Sayed continued. "And I get that, in the media, it’s a lot easier to pick up one person and be like, ‘This is what this is about.’ But this is why a lot of people get so frustrated about politics and political media, because it doesn’t actually speak to the challenges they face."

WISCONSIN DEMOCRAT DOWNPLAYS APPEARING ON HASAN PIKER'S SHOW, DOESN'T 'ENDORSE' EVERYTHING HE SAYS

The exchange continued, with Tur rejecting El-Sayed’s characterization of his public ties to Piker. "It’s not just the media, and I reject that framing," Tur said. "It’s — six in 10 Americans don’t know who he is, and I’m not saying he’s the most important person in the world. But when you have a state like Michigan, where, again, Elissa Slotkin only won by 22,000 votes, is it worth potentially losing the few votes you need to win?"

"Ten in 10 Americans agree that they can’t afford the things that they need in their lives," El-Sayed replied. "So, if folks want to make this about a streamer in California, they’re welcome to do that. But I’m focused on Donald Trump. I’m focused on addressing the affordability crisis. I’m focused on getting you healthcare. And that’s what I’m going to stay focused on."

FETTERMAN 'DARES' EL-SAYED TO STICK WITH PIKER, CLAIMS MICHIGAN NOMINEE HAS 'LITTLE MAN SYNDROME ENERGY'

El-Sayed’s apparent distance himself from Piker drew criticism from Jason Mudd, CEO of Axia Public Relations, who told Fox News Digital his attempts to distance himself from Piker could do more harm than good to his campaign.

"Distancing yourself from someone’s comments rarely works," Mudd said. "Owning your own position does. The moment a candidate argues about how close a relationship is, the audience stops listening to the substance and starts watching the deflection."

ABDUL EL-SAYED SAYS RALLYING WITH HASAN PIKER DOESN'T MEAN HE ENDORSES 'AMERICA DESERVED 9/11' REMARK

"If this were my client, I would advise them to skip the minimizing and go straight to a clear, standalone statement: here’s what I believe, separate from what anyone else said," Mudd continued. "Ambiguity is what keeps a story alive, not the original comment."

Mudd added that El-Sayed’s strategy should be to double-down on his own campaign promises and personal beliefs, instead of just claiming he disagrees with Piker’s statements.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

"The test isn’t whether a candidate can prove distance from a controversial figure," Mudd told Fox News Digital. "It’s whether their own answer sounds confident, consistent, and complete the first time. Reporters don’t stop asking follow-up questions. Vague answers do."

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When reached for comment by Fox News Digital, a representative for El-Sayed pointed to a story in The Hill reporting that the candidate has "no plans" to campaign with Piker.

Fox News Digital reached out to Piker for comment.

What happens if the Waymo computer fails?

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 14:46:03 -0400

You buckle into the back seat of a Waymo, the doors close and there is nobody behind the wheel. For some riders, that empty driver's seat still takes a little getting used to. Then another thought creeps in. What happens if the Waymo computer doing all the driving suddenly fails?

Waymo has now given us its first detailed look at the powerful computing system hidden inside its driverless vehicles. The company describes a machine built to make decisions in milliseconds without waiting for the cloud or a remote human driver.

More importantly, Waymo says it built backups into the system because there is no person sitting up front who can grab the wheel. So, what actually happens when the electronic driver has a problem?

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TERRIFIED PASSENGERS FILM WAYMO AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE DRIVING INTO LIVE FIREWORKS IN SAN FRANCISCO

What happens if the Waymo computer fails?

Waymo says its newest compute system works somewhat like two independent engines. During normal driving, both computing systems can run full workloads in parallel. If one develops a fault, Waymo says the other can take over.

That gives the vehicle another electronic driver already onboard rather than forcing it to wait for someone miles away to intervene. Waymo's broader safety documentation goes further. The company says a secondary onboard computer can bring a vehicle to a safe stop if it detects a failure in the primary system. The vehicle also has backup braking and redundant steering hardware. Separate power sources support critical driving systems.

The priority in a serious failure is to keep the vehicle under control and reach a safe state. That could mean stopping rather than finishing your trip. For a rider, that is probably the most important part of Waymo's new disclosure.

Your Waymo makes driving decisions inside the vehicle

A Waymo takes in a huge amount of information as it moves. Its cameras feed images into the onboard system. Lidar uses laser pulses to create a detailed picture of the vehicle's surroundings. Radar helps measure how far away objects are and how quickly they are moving. Waymo's latest sixth-generation sensor system uses 13 cameras along with lidar and radar sensors.

The computer then has to make sense of all that information fast enough to steer, brake or react to something entering the road. Waymo says those driving decisions happen entirely onboard. That point is important for anyone who has wondered whether a robotaxi needs to send everything to a giant data center before making a turn. It does not. The onboard computer handles the immediate driving workload itself. According to Waymo, it has increased its raw computing power about 20 times over the past eight years. That extra muscle helps shrink the time between seeing something and reacting to it.

Waymo built a custom chip to process what the car sees

Waymo also revealed a new custom 5-nanometer ASIC. ASIC stands for application-specific integrated circuit. Forget the jargon for a moment. Think of it as a chip Waymo designed for a very specific job inside its vehicles rather than buying a general-purpose processor and asking it to do everything.

The chip handles raw information flowing in from the vehicle's sensors. It helps process camera, lidar and radar data before that information reaches other parts of the driving system. Waymo says the ASIC delivers more than 1,000 TOPS of machine-learning performance. TOPS means trillions of operations per second.

That sounds like something printed on the side of a computer box. The practical idea is much easier to understand. Waymo wants the car to recognize what it sees and respond with as little delay as possible. For example, the system can process footage from 13 high-resolution cameras at the same time. Waymo says its technology also improves what the cameras can detect in low light.

A Waymo computer has more than one layer of backup

Computing redundancy only covers part of the problem. Imagine the backup computer works perfectly, but the vehicle suddenly loses its normal braking hardware. Waymo says it has a secondary braking system that can bring the vehicle to a safe stop.

Steering also has redundant hardware. Waymo says separate controllers and power supplies support its secondary steering system. Then there is electricity. Critical driving systems have independent power sources so a single power problem does not automatically knock out everything the vehicle needs to operate.

Waymo has been building these layers into its autonomous vehicles for years. The company has previously described testing scenarios involving hardware faults, power problems and software failures. Its vehicles continually check their own systems while driving. That approach makes sense when the human backup has been removed from the equation.

THIEF USES WAYMO AS A GETAWAY CAR

Can someone at Waymo remotely take over the car?

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about driverless robotaxis. There is no employee sitting in an office with a steering wheel and pedals waiting to take control of your Waymo.

Waymo does use what it calls Remote Assistance. However, the company says those employees provide information rather than remotely driving the vehicle. If the Waymo Driver encounters an unusual situation, it can request additional context from a remote agent. The car can then decide whether to use that information.

Waymo says remote agents do not continuously watch every vehicle. The automated driving system remains responsible for controlling the car. So, if the onboard computer develops a hardware fault, a remote employee does not suddenly become your driver. The backup has to exist inside the vehicle.

Could a Waymo still get stuck or make a mistake?

Absolutely. Backup computers help protect against hardware failures. They cannot prevent every problem a driverless vehicle may encounter. A computer can be functioning exactly as designed while the software struggles to interpret an unusual road situation.

We have already seen why that deserves attention. CyberGuy recently reported on a Waymo software recall involving 3,871 vehicles after robotaxis entered closed freeway construction zones in Phoenix and the San Francisco Bay Area. That problem involved how the automated driving system handled changing road conditions rather than a dead onboard computer.

It is a useful reminder that redundancy addresses one category of risk. Autonomous driving also depends on perception, decision-making and the software correctly understanding what is happening outside the car. Waymo continues to refine those systems as its fleet grows.

The company's latest published safety analysis covered more than 220 million fully autonomous miles through March 2026. Waymo says its vehicles experienced fewer serious or fatal injury crashes than human drivers operating in comparable areas during that analysis. Those figures come from Waymo's own safety research.

Why Waymo needs so much computing power

A driverless vehicle has a very different job from the driver-assistance technology you may already have in your own car. Your vehicle may warn you about another car in your blind spot. It might help keep you centered in a lane. You remain responsible for driving.

A fully autonomous Waymo has to handle the complete driving task within the areas where the service operates. There may be nobody in the vehicle capable of taking over. That changes the engineering challenge.

The computer needs enough performance to understand what is happening around the vehicle almost immediately. It also has to survive years of vibration and temperature changes inside a working car.

Waymo says its computing hardware connects to the vehicle's liquid-cooling system to help maintain performance in very hot or cold conditions. This computer effectively lives in one of the roughest offices imaginable. It gets shaken around all day while making decisions that can affect everyone around it.

How to stay prepared during a Waymo ride

You may already have taken a Waymo, or you could be considering your first ride. Either way, knowing what to do if you need help or the vehicle stops unexpectedly can make the experience less confusing.

Know how to reach Rider Support: You can contact Support through the passenger screen or the Waymo app at any time during your ride.
Know how to pull over: If you want to end the ride early, tap Pull over in the app or on the passenger screen. Waymo will look for a safe place to stop.
Stay buckled if the vehicle stops unexpectedly: Waymo advises riders to remain inside with their seat belts fastened while Support determines what happens next, unless there is an urgent reason to exit.
Leave the driving controls alone: If the car stops or has a problem, do not touch the steering wheel, accelerator or brake pedal. Waymo says Support will contact you and can send Roadside Assistance if needed.
Call 911 if your personal safety is threatened: You can call from your phone or use the emergency option in the Waymo app. Waymo says the passenger screen can also provide immediate help and lock the doors.

What this means to you

If you are thinking about taking your first Waymo ride, the empty driver's seat may look like there is no backup. Waymo's new disclosure shows that the company has tried to move that backup into the hardware itself. If one computing system develops a fault, another system is designed to take over. Other backup systems can help with critical functions such as stopping the vehicle or maintaining steering. That may make some people more comfortable climbing into the back seat.

Still, redundancy should never be confused with perfection. A second computer lowers the danger from certain hardware failures. It cannot guarantee that every unusual road situation will go exactly as planned. If a Waymo encounters trouble during your ride, you can also reach Rider Support from inside the vehicle or through the Waymo app. Waymo says Rider Support can assist passengers during a trip and in an emergency. For me, knowing how the backup works makes that empty driver's seat a little easier to understand.

Kurt's key takeaways

The giant processing numbers and custom chips are impressive, but the part I care about most happens when something goes wrong. If I am sitting in the back seat of a car with no driver, I want to know there is another system ready before the first one fails. Waymo's approach of running redundant compute, combined with backup vehicle controls, gives us a much clearer picture of how the company thinks about that problem. I also would not treat any of this as a reason to stop asking tough questions about autonomous vehicles. Hardware redundancy can protect against a failed component. Real streets introduce another challenge because software still has to understand construction crews, unpredictable drivers and situations engineers may never have anticipated. The more robotaxis spread into our everyday life, the more transparency I want about what happens during those moments. Waymo opening up the trunk and showing us some of the technology inside is useful. Now we need to keep watching how that technology performs on the road.

Would knowing there is a second computer and backup braking make you more willing to climb into a driverless Waymo, or would you still want a human in the front seat when something goes wrong? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Dem House hopeful’s delayed disclosure reveals mystery payments from Soros-linked groups

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 14:42:28 -0400

A waitress running for Congress in Wisconsin's third district was on the payroll of two left-leaning organizations with ties to billionaire investor George Soros' Open Society Foundation.

Rebecca Cooke has portrayed herself as a working-class outsider, touting her experience as a waitress, small-business owner and nonprofit leader raised on a dairy farm. But a personal financial disclosure released two days after Wisconsin’s Aug. 13 primary shows she received more than $5,000 apiece for work with Third Way and the Pipeline Fund, two left-leaning organizations with financial ties to George Soros’ Open Society network.

The Open Society network awarded $1 million to Third Way’s nonprofit research arm between 2023 and 2024, while the Pipeline Fund received $1.4 million directly from the Open Society Action Fund in 2024.

Through the Open Society Foundation, which serves as the umbrella organization for Soros' philanthropy network, Soros has distributed tens of millions of dollars to nonprofits and groups championing left-leaning causes like policing reform, LGBTQ rights and drug decriminalization.

Soros has donated more than $32 billion of his personal fortune to the Open Society's Foundation, which has been overseen by his son Alex Soros since 2022.

DEMOCRATIC GROUP LAUNCHES $15M WAR ON DSA AFTER SOCIALIST PRIMARY WINS: 'MORTAL DANGER'

The financial disclosure forms only report that the amount of money Cooke received from each organization was above $5,000, but they do not specify the exact amount. The personal financial disclosure form covered Jan. 1, 2025, through July 14, 2026.

A spokesperson for Third Way confirmed with Fox News Digital reporting by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Cooke received $30,000 in payment "for a project focused on elevating the voices and concerns of working-class Americans that have too often been missing from the rooms where decisions are made."

The Foundation to Promote Open Society, a grant making arm of George Soros’ Open Society Foundations network, donated a $500,000 grant to the Third Way Institute in 2023 and another one in 2024, according to IRS-derived grant records.

Third Way Institute serves as the 501(c) research arm of the Third Way. In 2024, Third Way Institute transferred $21.9 million to Third Way, accounting for roughly 98% of the institute’s total spending that year. The institute said the money was used to support charitable and educational work on economic, national security, energy and social policy issues.

SOROS NETWORK REBUILDS PROGRESSIVE PROSECUTOR PUSH AFTER STRING OF ELECTION LOSSES

Fox News Digital reached out to Third Way for comment.

Pipeline Fund is a organization that works to train, recruit and support progressive candidates running in state and local election races. It began operating independently in 2024 after spinning off from the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a liberal nonprofit network that has received tens of millions of dollars from the Soros-founded Open Society network.

Tax records also show that the Pipeline Fund received $1.4 million directly from the Open Society Action Fund and approximately $2.26 million from the Sixteen Thirty Fund in 2024.

Scattered across the country, Pipeline Fund has a network of campaign consulting groups, including one in Wisconsin known as Wisconsin Progress.

"We can confirm Rebecca Cooke worked as a contractor for The Pipeline Fund in 2025 to help advance our mission of building a reflective democracy where working-class people, women, people of color, and other underrepresented communities are fully supported to run for office and advance the needs of their communities," Pipeline Fund said in an emailed statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

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Prior to making a bid for Congress herself, Cooke opened up her own Democratic campaign consulting firm in 2015, in which she worked with eight state and federal campaigns from 2015 to 2021.

"Radical Rebecca Cooke is a paid political operative for far-left liberals and wants to push their socialist agenda. Commie Cooke may fit in at [a] Soros-funded consulting firm, but she is far too extreme to represent western Wisconsin," National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Zach Bannon said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Cooke’s personal financial disclosure was not released until two days after the Aug. 13 primary, following an extension she requested from the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives in April.

All candidates who spend or raise more than $5,000 for a House of Representatives race must submit a personal financial disclosure form 30 days before the election.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., blasted Cooke's delay in releasing her financial records, saying it tells voters all they need to know about her.

"For months, Democrats and Republicans across the Third District called on Cooke to release her financial disclosures. She had every opportunity to be transparent with voters. Instead, she chose to keep them hidden until after the primary," Van Orden said in a news release.

DEMOCRAT ESTABLISHMENT STRIKES BACK AS SOCIALIST CANDIDATE DOWNED IN BATTLEGROUND PRIMARY

"That tells Wisconsin voters everything they need to know about Rebecca Cooke’s character. She was willing to deceive her own party to protect the political persona she built and gain political power," Van Orden said.

But Cooke said her financial forms reveal that she truly is a working-class American.

"I’ve always worn multiple hats to make ends meet and in addition to waitressing I worked on two projects related to getting more working class people to run for office and conducted research for an organization about how to better connect with working class voters," Cooke said in an email to the Sentinel.

"There are unique challenges to running for office as a working class person with an hourly wage job and a full-time campaign schedule. For example, I’m one of the thousands of people in this district who can’t afford health insurance. I’ve been proud to help make it easier for the next generation of working class leaders to step up and take our fight to Washington D.C."

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Fox News Digital reached to Open Society Foundation, Cooke's campaign and Pipeline Fund for comment.

Identity theft protection is changing: What to look for

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 14:36:08 -0400

For years, many people thought of identity theft as a specific event. Someone opens a credit card in your name, runs up a balance and leaves you to clean up the damage. That still happens, but identity theft has become more complicated. Criminals may take over an existing bank account instead of opening a new one. They may transfer your phone number to another device or expose your payment-card information. They may also use your personal details in a convincing scam or combine information from several breaches to impersonate you. Your identity may be connected to your bank, credit cards, retirement accounts and phone service. It can also connect to medical providers, social media profiles, shopping accounts and information collected by data brokers.

That broader risk changes what you should look for in identity theft protection. A useful service should do more than alert you that something may be wrong. It should help you understand what happened, decide what to do next and find support when the situation becomes difficult to resolve. Here's what you can do now to protect yourself, what to look for in an identity theft protection service and where extra monitoring and recovery support may help.

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Identity theft now includes account takeover

New-account fraud remains a concern, but account takeover can be just as disruptive. In an account takeover, a criminal gains access to an account you already own. They may change the password, replace the recovery email address, add a new phone number or make unauthorized purchases and transfers. The warning signs can be easy to miss. You might receive a password-reset alert you did not request, notice that your phone suddenly loses service or see a small unfamiliar charge on a credit card. Other warning signs include unexpected changes to your account profile, a new device connected to your email account or a notification about a transaction you do not recognize.

Scams have also become more personalized. A criminal may know your name, location, family details or the name of your bank before contacting you. As a result, a fake text, phone call or email can seem much more convincing. Identity protection has expanded beyond traditional credit monitoring. Today, you may also want help watching financial accounts, payment activity, phone changes, exposed personal information and suspicious transactions.

What to look for in an identity theft protection service

The best service depends on your financial life and comfort level. However, several questions are worth asking before you sign up.

1) What does it actually monitor?

Start with coverage. Does the service monitor only your credit file? Does it also watch bank accounts, credit cards, investments, retirement accounts and phone takeovers? What about data breaches, home titles or personal information appearing in risky locations? No service can monitor everything. Extra coverage offers little value if you do not use the accounts or features involved. The important question is whether the service watches the areas where you are most likely to face risk.

2) How useful are the alerts?

An alert only helps when you understand what it means and what to do next. Look for alerts that explain the activity clearly. A notification about a new credit inquiry, suspicious charge or account change should help you decide whether the activity is legitimate or requires action. You should also be able to receive alerts through channels you regularly check, such as email, text message, phone or a mobile app. Remember, an alert is a prompt to investigate rather than proof that fraud occurred. A legitimate purchase may look unusual because of a merchant's billing name, travel, a family member's activity or a recurring subscription.

3) Does the service offer recovery support?

Monitoring can tell you that something may be wrong. Recovery is the work that follows. If identity theft occurs, you may need to contact banks, credit bureaus, government agencies, phone providers and other companies. You may also have to dispute fraudulent accounts, replace compromised credentials, document phone calls and keep track of multiple case numbers. That process can become overwhelming, particularly when several accounts are involved. Look for a service that provides access to people who can help explain the recovery process and organize the next steps. A restoration specialist may not be able to make every decision for you. You may still need to provide documents or speak directly with your bank. However, knowledgeable support can make the process less confusing.

4) Are reimbursement benefits clearly explained?

Some identity protection services include reimbursement or expense coverage for certain eligible losses. Review what the coverage applies to and how much is available. Then check what documentation you need. Also see whether separate terms apply to identity theft, stolen funds, scams, legal expenses or professional assistance. Pay close attention to eligibility requirements, exclusions, geographic limitations and the difference between "up to" amounts and guaranteed payments.

5) Does the plan fit your situation?

A person with one checking account and a single credit card may need a different level of monitoring than someone managing multiple bank accounts, investments, retirement savings and property. Families and caregivers may also value phone support and recovery assistance, especially when helping an older relative navigate a complicated identity issue. Before enrolling, compare the plan's features with protections you already receive through your bank, credit-card company, employer or another service.

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Monitoring and recovery serve different purposes

Monitoring and recovery address two different parts of an identity theft problem. Monitoring looks for warning signs such as a new credit inquiry, suspicious financial activity, a possible breach, an unusual charge or personal information appearing in a monitored location. Recovery begins after something has gone wrong.

It may involve contacting banks, disputing accounts, replacing identification, filing reports, documenting calls and following up with multiple organizations. That is why recovery support deserves as much attention as the list of things a service monitors. An alert may tell you there is a problem. The harder part can be figuring out how to fix it.

What you should do yourself to protect your identity

Before paying for additional protection, there are several steps you can take yourself to make fraud harder and catch suspicious activity sooner.

Check your credit reports

Review all three credit reports for unfamiliar accounts, inquiries and addresses. If something looks wrong, investigate it quickly instead of waiting for another warning sign. You can access your reports and look for accounts you do not recognize, credit inquiries you did not authorize or personal information that appears incorrect.

Turn on account alerts

Enable transaction, password-change and login alerts through your banks, credit-card companies and other important accounts. These notifications can help you spot suspicious activity sooner. Pay particular attention to alerts about password resets, new devices, changes to contact information and money transfers.

Strengthen your passwords and account security

Use strong, unique passwords for important accounts and turn on multifactor authentication whenever it is available. Secure your primary email account first. If a criminal gains access to your email, they may be able to reset passwords for banking, shopping and other accounts connected to it.

Freeze your credit when appropriate

A credit freeze can make it harder for someone to open a new account using your identity. You can freeze and unfreeze your credit directly with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Remember that a credit freeze focuses on new-account fraud. It does not stop a criminal from taking over an account you already have.

Slow down when a message or call feels urgent

Be cautious with unexpected calls, texts, emails and payment requests. Scammers often create urgency because they want you to act before you have time to question what they are telling you. Instead of responding through the message you received, contact the company through its official website, app or phone number.

Keep records if something goes wrong

Save screenshots, case numbers, reports and notes from conversations involving suspicious activity. Good records can make it easier to work with banks, credit bureaus, phone providers and other organizations during the recovery process.

These steps can reduce your risk and help you catch problems sooner. However, some people may want additional monitoring and hands-on recovery assistance. That raises another question: What should you actually look for in an identity theft protection service?

What broader identity theft protection can offer

Even with good security habits, identity theft can still happen. Your Social Security number, financial information or other personal data may already be exposed without you knowing it.

That is where an identity theft protection service may add another layer of help. Depending on the service and plan, protection can include credit monitoring, financial account monitoring, alerts about suspicious activity and assistance if your identity is compromised.

When comparing services, look beyond how many things they claim to monitor. Pay attention to how quickly alerts arrive, what help you receive after a problem occurs and whether reimbursement benefits come with limits or exclusions.

Identity theft protection features worth looking for

Newer identity theft protection services increasingly focus on risks that go beyond someone opening a new credit account in your name.

Payment card exposure monitoring

Some services can alert you when payment-card information may have appeared in a breach or other risky location. That can give you a reason to review the card, update payment information or contact the issuer. It does not replace checking your statements or reporting unauthorized charges, but it can provide another warning that your information may be exposed.

Unexpected and suspicious charge alerts

Some identity protection services can flag transactions that appear unusual or deserve a closer look. That can be useful when criminals test an account with a small purchase or when activity falls outside your typical spending pattern. An alert does not automatically mean fraud occurred, so always verify suspicious transactions through your bank or card issuer's official app, website or phone number.

Scam support and reimbursement benefits

Scams can move quickly, especially when criminals create urgency or impersonate someone you trust. Some identity protection plans provide guidance when you are unsure whether something is a scam and may include reimbursement for certain eligible scam-related or identity theft losses. Before choosing a plan, review what qualifies for reimbursement, how much coverage is available, what documentation you need and which exclusions apply.

Around-the-clock identity assistance

Some services offer access to advisors or support teams when you receive a suspicious message, notice an unfamiliar transaction or have another identity concern. Having someone available to explain your options can be especially useful when you are unsure what to do first.

Identity restoration support

Recovery assistance can become one of the most valuable parts of an identity protection service after fraud occurs. A restoration specialist may help you understand which organizations to contact, what documentation to gather and how to work through problems involving banks, credit bureaus, phone providers and other companies. When comparing identity theft protection services, look at both how well the service can warn you about potential trouble and how much help it provides once something has already gone wrong.

See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com

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Kurt's key takeaways

Identity theft has grown far beyond someone opening a new credit card in your name. Criminals can target accounts you already have, your phone number, payment cards, retirement savings and personal information. That means identity theft protection should match the financial and digital accounts you actually use. Start with the protections you can control yourself. Review your credit reports, turn on account alerts, strengthen your passwords, use multifactor authentication and consider freezing your credit. Then, if you want additional monitoring and recovery assistance, compare services based on what they actually watch and what happens when something goes wrong. Look for broader monitoring, scam support and identity restoration assistance that fit your needs. Still, no identity protection service can replace careful account security and regular financial reviews.

What worries you most about identity theft today: someone opening a new account in your name, taking over an account you already have or using your personal information to scam you? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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