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Court hears alleged confession from accused Charlie Kirk assassin in texts with lover and more top headlines

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 07:26:05 -0400

Good morning and welcome to Fox News' morning newsletter, Fox News First. And here's what you need to know to start your day ...

TOP 3

1. Court hears alleged confession from accused Charlie Kirk assassin in texts with lover

2. Trump warns 'they want to take out the US leader' as assassination plot surfaces

3. Socialists launch radical platform to abolish the US Senate in bid to fundamentally transform America

MAJOR HEADLINES

IN THE HOT SEAT — Sanders under fire for propping up Platner as Dems torch his toxic endorsement ‘pattern'. Continue reading …

‘FULL-OUT WAR’ — New 911 audio captures neighbors warning of 'full-out war' before police were attacked in block party chaos. Continue reading …

‘H1-B SCAM’ — Online fury erupts as American brand guts workforce while hiring foreign visa workers. Continue reading ...

POST-MATCH RIOTS — London rocked by unrest after Morocco's World Cup quarterfinal loss to France. Continue reading …

‘DECLASSIFIED’ — Space chief admits 'we don't know what it is' after capturing mystery imagery. Continue reading …

POLITICS

TRUTH COMES OUT — Scope of SPLC's deeply embedded influence training teachers nationwide uncovered in sweeping report. Continue reading …

UNDER PRESSURE — Iran's grip on the world's most critical waterway may be slipping away. Continue reading …

PROUD TO BE HERE — Trace Adkins premieres patriotic song as ‘Chicago’ says FIFA guests prove American greatness. Continue reading …

SUPPLY CHAIN SHAKEUP — New FDA rule targets loophole allowing foreign drug factories to mask ingredient origins. Continue reading …

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MEDIA

'CUT-AND-DRY' — Donald Trump Jr argues Charlie Kirk murder evidence puts conspiracy theories 'at rest'. Continue reading …

CAMPUS GOVERNANCE — Zero Republicans sit on the Yale Corporation, new 'Echo Chamber' report reveals. Continue reading …

‘KNIFE TWIST’ — Platner accuser feels pre-campaign text was an attempt to gauge her silence. Continue reading …

HANDS OFF — Viral video captures alleged assault on a journalist at anti-Trump protest. Continue reading …

OPINION

ERFAN FARD — America may be abandoning containment for something far more aggressive toward Tehran. Continue reading …

CHUCK DEVORE — Ukraine’s drone revolution shows Russia is dangerously unprepared. But, so is America. Continue reading …

IN OTHER NEWS

STILL NO PEACE — King Charles 'fed up' with Prince Harry drama as reunion with grandchildren hangs in balance. Continue reading …

PATTY POWER — Regional burger chains are beating fast-food giants in one key measure. Continue reading …

UNINVITED GUEST — Black bear raiding garage garbage can sparks dramatic Lake Tahoe wildlife encounter. Continue reading …

DIGITAL'S NEWS QUIZ — What were Graham Platner’s parting words? What’s the new dining no-no? Take the quiz here …

LISTEN

Tune in as we examine the shake-up in the Maine Senate race and what’s at stake for the battle over Senate control. Check it out ...

FOX WEATHER

What's it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading…

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Pro wrestling star Shotzi Blackheart calls being MLW women's champion 'the greatest thing ever'

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 07:20:56 -0400

Shotzi Blackheart began her first Major League Wrestling (MLW) Women’s World Championship reign earlier this year when she defeated Shoko Nakajima on "Fusion."

It’s her first title of any kind of MLW and she relished the fact that she sits on top of the MLW women’s division after only joining the company officially in March.

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"Oh my god, it feels so good. Like, look at this beauty. I love it," she said, showing off her championship belt in an interview with Fox News Digital. "I love MLW. I am such a proud champion. Like, I love this company so much. I've never had a company understand Shotzi Blackheart more than MLW. So, to be the champion there is just like the greatest thing ever. Yes, so proud."

Now, Shotzi has a target on her back. The challengers are lining up. She will make her latest title defense against Kira, who is a rising star with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL).

Kira joined CMLL in 2023 and became an immediate player, participating in the tournament to crown the CMLL Universal Amazonas champion. She didn’t win that match but has a good opportunity to win the MLW women’s world title against Shotzi on Saturday.

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Shotzi suggested she was excited for what Kira can bring in the ring.

"I mean, she's amazing. I watched her a lot when I went to CMLL a few months ago, and she is like the up and coming thing," Shotzi said. "Like, I think she could be CMLL women's champion at any point soon. Like, I really think that she could run the company at some point, and to have her come into MLW is awesome.

"I want to go up against girls like her – that that you can tell they like have spent a lot of time in the ring and they really love this sport and they take it really seriously and she's going to challenge me for sure. She's a really awesome high-flyer. She does all the tricks and flips and it's really awesome to see. Like I was very impressed when I was doing my research on her. I'm so excited for it. I think it's going to be an awesome match."

Kira is far from the only one looking to step up to Shotzi.

Scarlett Bordeaux, a good friend of the champion, told Fox News Digital previously that she’ll always support Shotzi but when the time comes to fight, she’s going to give it her all.

In response, Shotzi believed Bordeaux could be a great champion and would love a feud with her.

"I am all for it. I think that Scarlett would be an awesome champion everywhere," she told Fox News Digital. "But yeah, I would definitely make her work for it. But maybe she's the one to take it from me. I don't know. We'll see. But I would love a feud against Scarlett. I would love it. And I would just say like, ‘Hey girl, don't hold back, you know, because I'm not going to either.’ I mean, we love each other, but in a way we're like we're ready to beat the s--- out of each other, too."

Regardless, Shotzi said she loves having the target on her back.

"I mean, it feels good. It feels good to be wanted, you know? I love a target on my back," she said. "I'm for it. I love the drama – physical and whatnot. But yeah, with MLW teaming up with CMLL and Stardom, really awesome girls are coming through and they want my neck and I'm all for it."

The MLW women’s roster is so deep, no one can really expect who is going to come for the champ next. Lady Frost, Zamaya, Priscilla Kelly and others from companies like CMLL and Stardom lurk in the shadows waiting to get their chance at Shotzi and her championship.

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For now, Shotzi will take on Kira for the title on "Fusion" on Saturday. "Fusion" can be seen on YouTube, beIN Sports and Veeps.

California education leaders sound alarm over Newsom’s ‘brazen power grab’ stripping superintendent position

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 07:00:51 -0400

Californians working in the state's education sector are warning against what they describe as an "undemocratic power play" by Gov. Gavin Newsom to strip authority from the state's superintendent of Public Instruction.

Assembly Bill 181, passed as a budget trailer bill for the 2026–27 fiscal year, shifts day-to-day managerial power from the state superintendent to a newly created position: the education commissioner. Unlike the independently elected superintendent, the new commissioner will be appointed by and report directly to the governor. The structural overhaul was finalized as part of budget negotiations between legislative leaders and Newsom.

"As a teacher and voter, I am completely against this undemocratic power play," Steve Campos, who taught for more than 30 years in California, told Fox News Digital.

Newsom on Thursday delivered remarks on the day of the bill signing for their budget for public education, noting that organizations have been advocating for "change" for decades.

"As it relates to governance reform, change has its enemies. I'm for change. I'm not arguing for the status quo," Newsom said. "I couldn't be more proud that the legislature and the people of the state demanded a new approach, and I was proud to attach my signature to a new approach."

Newsom touted the changes earlier this year, saying in a statement, "California can no longer postpone reforms that have been recommended regularly for a century. So we are going to modernize the governance system by unifying the policy-making State Board with the Department of Education that implements those policies. And we’re empowering the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to help align our education policies from early childhood through college. These critical reforms will bring greater accountability, clarity, and coherence to how we serve our students and schools."

TEXAS’ LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT SEES TEST SCORES SOAR AFTER STATE TAKEOVER DESPITE RACISM CLAIMS

Campos, who currently serves as a member of the Perris Union High School District board of trustees and teaches physical education, voiced deep concern over the timing of the legislation.

"As a school board member, I am extremely disappointed in the fact that he is trying to take away the will of millions of voters who are parental rights supporters," Campos said. "Californians deserve the opportunity to elect someone who supports their values statewide, since the passage of AB 1955 took away some of their local control. The governor was also in support of taking away their local voice through AB 1955. My hope is that the governor’s plan will be legally challenged and overturned."

Sonja Shaw, the school board president for the Chino Valley Unified School District, echoed those frustrations. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Shaw accused Newsom of orchestrating "the most brazen power grab in California history, bypassing the voters and using a backdoor budget bill to strip authority from the independently elected State Superintendent and hand it to a political appointee."

Shaw is currently running to become the state's next superintendent. She advanced from the state's top-two primary election in June and is set to face off against Richard Barrera in the November general election. The conservative firebrand has gained national attention for championing local parental notification policies, which require schools to disclose a student’s transgender identity to their parents.

Shaw vowed to challenge AB 181 in court, arguing that it violates the state’s constitution.

"Californians have rejected this idea at the ballot box four separate times because they believe the person overseeing our schools should be accountable to voters, not to political special interests," Shaw said. "The timing isn’t accidental. They know that when I’m elected, I will expose years of failure and mismanagement — so they’re trying to change the rules before the election."

LINDA MCMAHON: PARENTS TOLD ME SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS LESS RED TAPE, STRONGER RESULTS

Campos believes Newsom’s tactical pivot is targeted entirely at weakening Shaw's potential impact if she wins the office.

"This has been tried before and is a desperate move by the governor to not allow the people of California to elect Sonja Shaw as the next superintendent of Public Instruction," Campos told Fox News Digital. "The governor fears that she will bring out millions to the polls in the midterm election this November and lose the stronghold on this elected position, as well as the governorship. This desperate move is also being opposed by the California Teachers Association and current SPI, Tony Thurmond."

Though conservative advocates worry about a progressive hold on the state executive office, Thurmond himself will not be on the November ballot for governor; the current schools chief ran a progressive gubernatorial campaign but failed to advance past the crowded June primary. The race to replace the term-limited Newsom will instead be decided between Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton.

Laura Markin, a Southern California high school English teacher with 20 years of classroom experience, called the policy alignment "wrong" and agreed that the legislative maneuver seems designed to muzzle conservative momentum.

"There's a lot of unpopular positions that Tony [Thurmond] was supporting over the years, which led to the rise of Sonja [Shaw], and now Gavin Newsom is reacting to that. And I think it's appalling," Markin told Fox News Digital, while also criticizing the lack of public transparency surrounding AB [181].

"This was done by Gavin Newsom without the input from his constituents," Markin added, noting the bill bypassed standard public comment layout. "He did this to strip it of power. The position still exists from what I understand, and is mostly going to be a committee position — which is a waste of taxpayer dollars to have somebody elected to a position that is just going to be sitting on committees."

GOV SANDERS REVEALS 'MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH' ON EDUCATION AS RED STATE POSITIONS ITSELF AS 'BLUEPRINT' FOR NATION

Lance Christensen, a former candidate for state superintendent who now serves as the VP of Government Affairs & Education Policy at the California Policy Center, describes himself as an "extreme localist" who favors empowering local school boards over expanding Sacramento's reach.

"Let's be honest about what's really driving this: they're afraid of losing the superintendent's office to a sincere parents' rights advocate in Sonja Shaw," Christensen told Fox News Digital. "If legislators actually want to neutralize the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the ethical path is a constitutional amendment to eliminate the office and put it before voters. But that won't happen, because it's been tried before, and it always fails."

The California Department of Education didn't immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

However, in an interview with ABC10, current superintendent Thurmond admitted he heavily disagreed with how the changes were forced through the legislature.

"I don't think it's a bad thing, in and of itself; whenever you want a governor to be directly involved with education, that's a good thing, and most states operate in the same way," he told the station.

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"Here's what is a concern: the manner in which it's being done," Thurmond continued. "The state superintendent position is approved by the voters, and I think that's the method in which the position should have been changed. And short of doing that, what's happened is they've created an extra layer of government, so now you have an elected state superintendent who will have very little to do as a result of these changes. And now you'll have this new position that will also be in place."

Coffee may have powerful effect on liver health, major study suggests

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 07:00:40 -0400

The health benefits of morning coffee may go beyond a wake-up call, according to a massive new study linking the beverage to a significantly lower risk of severe liver disease, liver cancer and liver-related death.

Published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the research used data from 354,957 participants enrolled in the UK Biobank.

Researchers tracked individuals who had no history of cirrhosis or liver cancer at the start of the study for an average of 13 years, according to a press release.

ZERO SUGAR, MORE PROBLEMS? STUDY REVEALS SURPRISING GUT HEALTH EFFECTS

Participants who drank one to two cups of coffee daily showed a 20% lower risk of developing cirrhosis and a 31% lower risk of liver-related mortality compared to non-coffee drinkers.

The protective effects became even more noticeable at higher levels of consumption.

Individuals who drank five or more cups of coffee per day experienced a 32% reduction in cirrhosis risk, a 42% lower risk of liver-related death and a 47% lower risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of primary liver cancer.

While previous studies have hinted at coffee's positive relationship with liver health, this study provides biological evidence to support the statistical trends, the researchers said.

CAN ALKALINE WATER ACTUALLY IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH? EXPERTS SEPARATE FACT FROM FICTION

To better understand why coffee may protect the liver, the researchers conducted additional analyses using imaging data from a subgroup of nearly 29,000 participants and blood samples from approximately 50,000 individuals.

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That data showed that heavy coffee drinkers had significantly lower levels of liver fat and liver iron, as well as lower odds of developing fibroinflammation, which is the scarring and inflammation that often precedes permanent liver damage.

The blood analysis linked coffee consumption with lower levels of some proteins known to trigger inflammation and tissue scarring, along with higher levels of proteins essential for healthy liver function.

Notably, the study found that the liver-protective benefits were similar for both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, suggesting that these benefits are driven by naturally occurring compounds not related to caffeine.

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While the benefits persisted regardless of whether the coffee was consumed black or with sweeteners, the researchers observed that adding sugar or artificial sweeteners slightly weakened the beneficial effects, particularly concerning markers of liver inflammation.

While these findings suggest that coffee consumption is an accessible dietary habit for supporting liver health, the authors noted that it should serve as a complement rather than a replacement for standard preventative health practices.

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Because the research relied on self-reported dietary questionnaires from the UK Biobank, the findings could be susceptible to changes in participants' coffee-drinking habits over the 13-year follow-up period.

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Additionally, as an observational study, it can only establish a strong correlation and cannot prove cause and effect, as other factors may influence the outcomes.

WATCH: California parents sue luxury daycare after toddler allegedly tossed into air, dropped on head

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 07:00:36 -0400

A California couple is suing a luxury country club daycare center after they say their 23-month-old son suffered a traumatic brain injury when an employee swung him through her legs, tossed him several feet into the air and failed to catch him, according to a lawsuit.

Matthew Kittle, Elena Kittle and their minor son, identified in the complaint only as C.K., filed the lawsuit against The Bay Clubs Company, LLC in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of what the Kittle family says happened March 17, inside The Clubhouse at Bay Club El Segundo, a 14,000-square-foot childcare center advertised as a place for children to participate in supervised play and organized activities.

FAMILY OF TODDLER FOUND ALIVE IN MORGUE AFTER BEING DECLARED DEAD PLANS LEGAL ACTION

Surveillance video, provided to Fox News Digital by Rosen Saba, LLP, captured the heart-stopping moment a toddler was thrown into the air by a worker, crashing to the ground just before the adult fell on top of the child.

According to the complaint, Matthew Kittle dropped off C.K. at the El Segundo Clubhouse at about 8:35 a.m. and told staff he planned to pick him up at 11:30 a.m. The suit says Kittle also told the club he would be at Manhattan Country Club, about a mile away, while his son was in the Bay Club’s care.

Less than an hour later, at about 9:20 a.m., the lawsuit alleges, a female Bay Club employee was holding C.K. by his hands when she intentionally swung him between her legs, hoisted him over her head and released his hands while he was about six feet above the ground.

TERRIFYING SCENE UNFOLDS AT SIX FLAGS AS STORM-TOPPLED TREE SENDS 4 GUESTS TO HOSPITAL

The employee failed to catch him, the lawsuit says. C.K. allegedly fell to the hardwood floor, smashed his head and then the employee fell backward and landed on top of him.

The complaint includes still images it says are from Bay Club’s camera system. The filing alleges other adults in the room appeared "aghast" at the severity of the incident.

Ryan Saba, an attorney for the Kittle family, accused the club of failing the child and his parents.

SAN FRANCISCO ARCHDIOCESE AGREES TO $395M SETTLEMENT WITH 530 CLERGY ABUSE SURVIVORS

"When a parent entrusts their child to a daycare, they expect the employees to be properly trained and responsible. The Bay Club failed on both accounts," Saba, of Rosen Saba, LLP, told Fox News Digital.

The lawsuit alleges Bay Club staff then downplayed what happened.

At 9:28 a.m., Elena Kittle received a missed call from the Bay Club, according to the complaint. Two minutes later, Matthew Kittle received a call saying C.K. had "fallen" and had since "calmed down," the suit alleges. A staff member allegedly said she did not think the parents needed to pick him up but wanted them to know an incident had occurred.

Matthew Kittle called back at 9:34 a.m. and, after being told he could not speak directly to Clubhouse staff, relayed that because he had been told C.K. was calm and not injured, they would pick him up at the end of his scheduled session, the lawsuit says.

At about 9:45 a.m., Bay Club called again and said C.K. needed to be picked up because staff had not been able to settle him down, according to the complaint.

When Matthew Kittle arrived around 10:10 a.m., the suit says, he saw injuries far worse than what had been described.

The child’s right eye was swollen shut, the right side of his face was badly bruised, and his mouth was swollen, according to the filing.

After returning home, the toddler was "extremely drowsy, lethargic, and irritable," the lawsuit says.

The complaint alleges Elena Kittle later spoke with a Bay Club employee who identified herself as the aquatics director and said C.K. had been held by an employee who fell while squatting, with the child only about 1.5 feet above the ground.

The lawsuit says that account was false.

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C.K. was taken to a local hospital later that morning "for evaluation of blunt head trauma," according to the complaint. Doctors diagnosed him with blunt head trauma, a concussion, also described in the filing as a traumatic brain injury, and a facial abrasion, the lawsuit says.

The suit alleges medical staff questioned whether the child’s injuries matched the club’s description of a short fall.

The next day, C.K. was taken to his pediatrician, where the lawsuit says the doctor also questioned whether the injuries were consistent with a fall of roughly 1.5 feet.

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The Kittles repeatedly pressed Bay Club for video, according to the complaint.

On March 21, the company provided the video to the parents, who were "shocked" by the fall and by what they say was an effort to conceal the truth, the lawsuit says.

The complaint also alleges Bay Club’s incident report was false and misleading. According to the lawsuit, the report said the employee lost her footing while picking up C.K. and "caught" him, helping avoid him hitting the ground.

The lawsuit alleges the video proved otherwise.

The family says C.K. continued suffering symptoms in the days and weeks after the incident, including sensitivity to light and sound, irritability, irregular sleep, lethargy and attachment issues.

On April 9, C.K. was evaluated at the UCLA Concussion Clinic, where a neurology specialist noted he was still experiencing concussion symptoms, the complaint says. The lawsuit alleges he continues to suffer symptoms from the traumatic brain injury, including hearing loss.

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The suit alleges negligence, negligence per se, negligent hiring, supervision and retention, negligent infliction of emotional distress, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress and battery. The family is seeking damages, punitive damages, civil and statutory penalties, attorneys’ fees and a jury trial.

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The Bay Club said in a statement to Fox News Digital that it could not discuss pending litigation.

"We are unable to comment on ongoing litigation. At the Bay Club, the safety of our members, team members, and the families we serve is our highest priority," the company said.

Corporate America's China addiction has become a national security threat

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 07:00:28 -0400

The American economy is dangerously reliant on Communist China. Many in government and business know this, but hardly anyone has done anything about it.

One important step toward addressing this vulnerability is greater transparency. A petition recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission urges the agency to require publicly traded companies to disclose to shareholders the material risks created by deep supply chain dependence on China. Investors deserve a clear accounting of just how exposed corporate America has become.

This is no hypothetical exercise or war game. U.S. corporations have outsourced vital consumer production to a geopolitical rival that is openly committed to displacing America as the world’s leading power. China’s appetite for Taiwan may very well become a near-term flashpoint.

SEN TODD YOUNG: THE HIDDEN DANGER CHINA’S SHIPS COULD BRING TO OUR SHORES

Corporate reliance on China has resulted in a supply chain so brittle that an abrupt break in relations — whether from war, embargo or economic coercion — could cripple our defense, healthcare, technology and consumer economy overnight.

Communist China already controls decisive shares of vital materials and components. It mines roughly 70% of global rare earth elements and processes more than 90% of them. The U.S. relies on China for many critical minerals essential to F-35 jets, submarines, missiles, semiconductors, electric vehicles and medical devices. Export controls imposed by Beijing in recent years are not abstract warnings; they are dress rehearsals for leverage.

The pharmaceutical sector is equally exposed. China supplies 60% to 70% or more of key active pharmaceutical ingredients and precursor materials for antibiotics and other essential drugs. Much of the rest flows through India, which itself depends heavily on Chinese precursors. In a crisis, American hospitals, pharmacies and military field hospitals would face immediate shortages.

STEVE MOORE: POLITICIANS ARE BLAMING THE WRONG VILLAIN FOR AMERICA’S RISING FOOD PRICES

This would not be merely an economic inconvenience — it would be a national health emergency.

U.S. companies chased low prices and handed Beijing practical know-how, machinery, processes and market share. The result, as The New York Times has noted, is a rival that now dominates production across rare-earth magnets, solar wafers, steel, pharmaceuticals and electric vehicles. Profit was never Beijing’s sole objective; strategic dominance was.

Recent history proves the point. China embargoed rare earth exports to Japan in 2010 over a territorial dispute, forcing concessions without firing a shot. It has restricted gallium, germanium and other materials in response to U.S. actions. Beijing is mapping foreign supply chains through licensing requirements precisely to identify pressure points for future coercion.

Current corporate disclosures on these risks are vague, inconsistent and inadequate. If companies know the dangers, they are hesitant to alarm investors or invite regulatory scrutiny. That reluctance does not satisfy fiduciary duties or legal requirements for disclosure of material information. Investors cannot accurately price portfolio risk when required SEC filings gloss over the possibility of sudden loss of access to 70% to 90% of critical inputs. Policymakers similarly fly blind when assessing sanctions, tariffs, or defense strategies.

The commission has existing authority to demand clearer, more specific disclosures about geographic concentration risks, single-source dependencies and scenario analyses for major supply disruptions. Companies should quantify potential revenue, cost and operational impacts from China-specific shocks. Vague boilerplate about "geopolitical tensions" is no longer acceptable.

Critics will claim such guidance burdens business or politicizes markets. The opposite is true. Markets function best with accurate information. Concealing existential supply chain vulnerabilities distorts capital allocation and leaves shareholders exposed.

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Free enterprise does not require pretending that doing business with a totalitarian rival bent on supremacy carries no unique downside. National security and economic resilience are not optional externalities; they are material facts.

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As war is costly and risky, China has implemented a strategy of "fighting without fighting" — weaponizing trade dependencies intentionally developed over decades. Recent commentary from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent underscores the linkage: Trade policy, industrial capacity and national security are inseparable. Allowing foreign dependencies to degrade any one domain risks defining America’s future on Beijing’s terms, which is China’s goal.

The SEC should act promptly. Investors deserve transparency. Companies owe their shareholders honest assessment of risks, not happy-talk optimism. America’s economy and security cannot afford willful blindness about the most consequential supply chain vulnerability of our time. The time to disclose or, preferably, end the reliance is now.

AOC-backed candidate ripped for 'bizarre response' to transparency question: 'Pretty basic'

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 07:00:16 -0400

Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, is facing backlash after claiming he’s waiting on outstanding paperwork needed to accurately fill out his tax disclosure forms.

El-Sayed's statement appears to be trying to defuse allegations from his opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Michigan, that he is trying to mask his net worth, hiding the true nature of his wealth until after the Michigan Aug. 4 Democratic primary.

"You’ve sought an extension through August 13, I believe, which is after the primary," El-Sayed, who is endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and other far-left lawmakers, was asked on Wednesday. "Was this to avoid transparency with your voters? Why not release them before the election?"

DEM CIVIL WAR HITS PRIMARY DEBATE STAGE IN FIERY BATTLEGROUND SHOWDOWN: 'WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?'

"No," El-Sayed replied. "Taxes get complicated."

"My wife and her family own property abroad and getting all those tax forms is a thing," he added.

As a part of his candidate disclosure report filed in June 2025, El-Sayed has reported a number of holdings. Among them: a salary from Wayne County worth $278,900 and an assortment of other assets bringing his net worth to somewhere between $580,000 and $1.7 million.

As a part of that disclosure, his wife reported a rental property in Bangalore, India worth between $100,001 and $250,000. The disclosure went on to say that his wife brought in between $5,001 and $15,000 in "income." Another rental property in Ann Arbor, Michigan that was worth between $250,001 $500,000 brought in between $5,001 and $15,000.

To some viewers, El-Sayed’s responses this past week are confusing, given the existence of his 2025 filings.

"A bizarre response," Chuck Ross, a Washington Free Beacon investigative reporter, wrote in a post to X. "He filed a Senate financial disclosure in June 2025 that listed his wife’s rental property in India."

"When it comes to actual transparency and investment, the fact that he is saying ‘my wife has foreign assets. My wife has investments abroad.’ Look we need to know you have allegiance to the United States of America," Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., told Fox News. "You need to come before the people that are working to elect you, and you've got to show them what you're about."

"Perhaps now would be a good time to ensure that any Dem running for a Senate seat be 1000% transparent well ahead of the primary elections," Center for American Progress President Neera Tanden posted on X. "Releasing your taxes is pretty basic."

"If you have nothing to hide, then just release the tax returns. These Trump tactics are an extremely bad look," another observer wrote.

WATCH: SURFACED VIDEOS OF DEM SENATE CANDIDATE BACKING 'DEFUND THE POLICE' CONTRADICT RECENT DENIALS

Hen Mazzig, a pro-Israel political commentator, also bashed El-Sayed’s response.

"Didn’t realize being unaware of the extent of your own wealth was a characteristic of the working class," Mazzig said, referring to El-Sayed’s promises to represent everyday Michigan voters against corporate interests.

El-Sayed’s responses on Wednesday come after the Michigan primary debate on Tuesday evening, where Stevens accused El-Sayed of a lack of candor.

"Well, look, transparency is oh so important. This is why I have released my tax returns. My opponent, Abdul, he said that transparency is key, but yet he hasn’t released his tax returns," Stevens said.

"Look, I am the only one running for United States Senate in Michigan who is not a millionaire," Stevens said.

When asked if Stevens' assertions were true, El-Sayed hinted that the figure was a little ambiguous.

"If you take my assets and my wife’s assets together, then I guess they add up to something like that," El-Sayed said in his Wednesday interview.

In another sit-down with MS Now, El-Sayed pledged to release his tax documents ahead of the primary.

OMAR'S DISCLOSURES ERASED MILLIONS, LEAVING HER WITH POTENTIAL NEGATIVE NET WORTH. SHE WON'T EXPLAIN WHY

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"We absolutely will. Sometimes finances are complicated. I can only control what I can control, and unfortunately, when it comes to tax documents, sometimes they are really complicated to get," El-Sayed said.

"We are absolutely going to release it before the primary."

America's top destination for new taxpayers is quietly getting poorer, IRS data reveals

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 07:00:09 -0400

Wealthy Americans are continuing to flee high-tax states — and New York City is paying the price.

Nowhere is that more apparent than in Manhattan. The borough led the nation in new tax filers between 2022 and 2023, but it still lost roughly $922 million in adjusted gross income as high-income taxpayers departed and were replaced by lower-earning newcomers.

With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, the migration of high-income taxpayers is becoming more than a demographic trend — it's a political and fiscal test for governors and state lawmakers. Wealthy households contribute a disproportionate share of income tax revenue in states with progressive tax systems, making the size and composition of a state's tax base critical to funding schools, infrastructure and other public services.

As states compete to attract and retain affluent residents, the latest data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers one of the clearest measures of which tax policies are winning, and which states are watching valuable tax dollars leave.

AN OVERLOOKED RED STATE QUIETLY BUILT ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST COMPETITIVE TAX SYSTEMS

Other parts of New York City and its surrounding suburbs also experienced significant outflows.

According to the IRS data, Queens County lost 17,109 tax filers to interstate migration between 2022 and 2023, the second-largest net loss in the nation, while the Bronx lost 16,319. Suffolk County and Nassau County also ranked among the 10 counties with the biggest outflows.

In fact, all 10 counties with the largest net losses in tax filers were located in either New York or California, underscoring the continued exodus from some of the nation’s highest-taxed and most expensive Democrat-run states.

Many of the taxpayers leaving New York have relocated to lower-tax states such as Florida and Texas, which have been among the biggest beneficiaries of interstate migration in recent years and are conversely run by Republicans.

"It's very, very clear that people ultimately vote with their feet, and when they feel like they're getting taxed too much, they go somewhere else where they will be taxed less," E.J. Antoni, chief economist at the Heritage Foundation, told Fox News Digital.

"New York has been learning that lesson over and over again, but apparently hasn't learned it well enough yet because they have been hemorrhaging their most valuable resource — people," he added.

FLORIDA AND TEXAS ARE BATTLING FOR NEW RESIDENTS — DESANTIS THINKS HE FOUND AN ADVANTAGE

The migration carries significant implications for state finances.

High-income earners account for a disproportionate share of state income tax collections, meaning the loss of relatively few wealthy households can have an outsized effect on government revenues.

Manhattan's experience underscores why economists increasingly focus on income migration rather than population migration alone. Although the most densely populated borough attracted more tax filers than any county in the nation, the loss of higher-income households produced one of the country's largest declines in adjusted gross income.

For states that rely heavily on top earners for tax revenue, retaining wealthy residents can matter more than adding larger numbers of middle-income taxpayers.

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Antoni said the migration patterns show taxpayers are consistently choosing lower-tax states over higher-tax alternatives.

"They're not going to Massachusetts or Illinois or California," he said. "They're going to Texas. They're going to Tennessee. They're going to Florida — places with low or no income taxes and low overall levels of taxation."

Black bear raiding a garbage can at Lake Tahoe garage triggers dramatic wildlife encounter

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:08:55 -0400

A California man says a black bear charged at him outside his Lake Tahoe vacation home over the Fourth of July holiday, prompting him to deploy bear spray in a dramatic encounter captured on video.

Cortlandt Koerwitz of Sacramento told KCRA 3 that the encounter began after his daughter spotted the bear rummaging through a garbage can inside the home's garage.

Koerwitz said he grabbed bear spray and went outside to investigate, but the encounter escalated within seconds when the animal rushed toward him.

WOMAN STALKED BY CHARGING BEAR ON MORNING DOG WALK CAPTURES TERRIFYING ENCOUNTER ON CAMERA

"I just kind of caught something out of my left eye, and it was the bear rushing in. We were both startled, and I just shot the spray. And the overspray from that, you know, the shot hit me and hit my eyes," Koerwitz said.

Video obtained by KCRA 3 shows Koerwitz approaching the garage before the bear suddenly charges toward him. Moments later, he deploys the bear spray, and the bear turns away and runs off.

Koerwitz told the station that bears frequently wander through the Lake Tahoe area in search of food and often get into trash cans or unlocked vehicles, but he described the aggressive behavior in this encounter as unusual.

HIDDEN DANGER AT POPULAR US NATIONAL PARK FORCES TRAIL CLOSURES AS BEAR SIGHTINGS CLIMB

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, black bears are common throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin and are often drawn into neighborhoods by unsecured garbage and other easily accessible food sources. Wildlife officials encourage residents and visitors to secure trash, keep food out of vehicles and remove other attractants to reduce conflicts between bears and people.

The Lake Tahoe Basin is home to a healthy black bear population, and wildlife officials routinely remind residents and tourists that bears are naturally curious and possess an exceptional sense of smell, making improperly stored food and garbage a frequent source of human-bear encounters.

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Koerwitz said he hopes sharing his experience serves as a reminder for residents and visitors to secure their garbage, remove food from vehicles and remain alert when spending time in bear country.

Fox News Digital reached out to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for comment. A department spokesperson said the inquiry had been forwarded to the Tahoe wildlife conflict team.

Fox News Digital's News Quiz: July 10, 2026

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:23 -0400

Test your news knowledge with this week's Fox News Digital News Quiz, featuring Graham Platner and restaurant etiquette.

Looking for another challenge?

A primary upset occurred in Colorado, and police identified the Empire State Building climbers as foreign daredevils in last week's News Quiz.

Test your knowledge of the Founding Fathers, vaccine victories and more in this week's American Culture Quiz.

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If you're looking to play even more, you can find all of our quizzes by clicking here.

Check back next week for the latest News Quiz from Fox News Digital. Thanks for playing!

ICE agents in fatal Houston shooting were not wearing body cameras, sources say

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:02:50 -0400

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents involved in this week's fatal shooting of an illegal immigrant in Houston were not wearing body cameras, multiple sources familiar with the investigation told Fox News.

The development comes as the shooting continues to draw national attention. The incident is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General, while prosecutors in Houston are conducting a separate investigation into the shooting.

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican citizen who authorities said was in the country illegally, was shot and killed Tuesday after he allegedly tried to ram an ICE officer with his vehicle, the agency said.

ICE SAYS OFFICER SHOT AND KILLED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO TRIED TO RAM HIM WITH CAR IN HOUSTON

Multiple Democrats have called for an independent investigation into the incident.

"Every single ICE agent involved in the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo must be investigated to the full extent of the law," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote on X. "Video footage of the killing must be released immediately. The American people deserve the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth."

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also called for "real accountability" following the shooting and reiterated his support for abolishing ICE.

ANTI-ICE DEMONSTRATORS DETAINED AFTER PROTESTING ARREST OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FACING ASSAULT, DRUG CHARGES

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum vowed to pursue "legal measures" following the shooting.

Asked whether the officers involved were wearing body cameras, the Department of Homeland Security directed Fox News to ICE's previous statement regarding the shooting, in which the agency accused Araujo of attempting to evade arrest.

ICE previously told Fox News Digital that Araujo "rammed an ICE law enforcement vehicle, refused to follow multiple verbal commands and weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run over an ICE law enforcement officer, resulting in our officer firing his weapon in self-defense."

ICE RENEWS HUNT FOR EL CHAPO'S LAST TWO FUGITIVE SONS WITH MASSIVE REWARD

Araujo was struck and taken to a hospital, where he later died.

"This is a developing situation, and we will update the public when more information is available," the agency added.

Little video of the encounter has emerged publicly in the days since the shooting.

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Araujo's family has disputed ICE's account of the shooting and called on the agency to release any available video evidence.

Fox News Digital's Louis Casiano and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Regional burger chains are beating fast-food giants in one key measure

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:59 -0400

Regional burger chains are dramatically outpacing America's largest fast-food brands in sales growth.

New data from Chicago-based food service research firm Technomic shows Culver's, In-N-Out Burger and Whataburger have grown far faster than McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King since 2019.

Technomic data measured U.S. sales growth between 2019 and 2025 and found regional burger chains significantly outpaced their national rivals.

CHEFS NAME AMERICA'S BEST FAST-FOOD FRIED CHICKEN AND BISCUITS — AND ONE CHAIN STANDS ABOVE THE REST

The regional chains include Culver's in the Midwest, In-N-Out Burger in the West and Whataburger across the South and Southwest.

McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King posted U.S. sales growth of 36.2%, 16.5% and 8.5%, respectively, according to Technomic data.

Meanwhile, Culver's sales surged 143% to $4.36 billion over the same period, while In-N-Out's climbed 91.7% to $2.58 billion and Whataburger's grew 68.6% to $4.31 billion.

Fox News Digital reached out to McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King for comment.

AUTOMATIC TIP OR SERVICE CHARGE? NEW STATE LAW REQUIRES RESTAURANTS TO TELL DINERS BEFORE THEY ORDER

The findings highlight how several regional chains are expanding their footprints and attracting loyal customers even as the nation's largest burger brands continue to dominate overall sales.

The growth gap between national burger chains and regional operators has widened considerably over the past six years, said David Henkes, senior principal and head of strategic partnerships at Technomic.

Henkes told Fox News Digital that there are "some really strong and fast-growing brands in the 'regional' bucket."

"Across sales growth, unit expansion and average unit volume (AVU), regional burger chains have substantially outpaced the three largest national brands over the 2019–2025 period," he said.

"Going forward, our 2026 forecast data supports continued regional outperformance, with the strongest regional operators all growing faster than the national big three on a percentage basis."

GEN Z EATS NEARLY TWICE AS MANY SNACKS AS BOOMERS, WITH EXPERTS WARNING THEY'RE REPLACING REAL MEALS

The trend isn't universal, however, Henkes said.

"Not all regionals are winning," he said. "Steak 'n Shake (down 32.8% in sales since 2019), Checkers (down 21.8%) and Smashburger (down 30.8%) show that geography alone does not guarantee outperformance."

"The winning regional formula is concentrated around strong AVU, disciplined unit growth and a differentiated brand experience — best exemplified by In-N-Out, Culver's and Shake Shack," Henkes added.

Fox News Digital reached out to the National Restaurant Association for comment.

Industry experts say the appeal extends beyond the food itself.

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Regional burger chains often become "part of a community's identity," said Ravi Sawhney, a California-based design expert and founder of RKS Design.

Sawhney told Fox News Digital that, while food quality matters, it's rarely the main driver behind emotional loyalty.

"If it were, consumers would consistently choose the objectively 'best' product," he said. "We know that's not how people behave."

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

"Scarcity," Sawhney added, "plays a powerful role."

Part of it is a consumer desire for brands "that feel human rather than corporate," Sawhney said.

"For years, scale was viewed as a sign of success and trust," he said. "Now we're seeing a growing appreciation for authenticity, local culture, craftsmanship and distinctiveness."

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The lesson for national fast-food brands isn't to mimic regional chains' menus but to build the same kind of customer connection, Sawhney said.

"They create a clear sense of meaning and belonging while remaining true to who they are," he said.

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"Regional chains succeed because they feel personal. National brands succeed when they find ways to make scale feel personal as well."

Technomic's 2026 forecast projects the strongest regional burger chains will continue to grow faster than McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King on a percentage basis.

DR MARC SIEGEL: A Senate candidate's medical title sparks a debate voters shouldn't ignore

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:56 -0400

There is a long-storied history of physicians as U.S. senators. Sen. John Barrasso is an orthopedic surgeon who previously served as chief of surgery at Wyoming Medical Center. Sen. Bill Cassidy is a gastroenterologist and liver specialist who co-founded a clinic for the poor. Sen. Rand Paul is an ophthalmologist who practiced for almost 20 years. Sen. Roger Marshall is an OB-GYN who delivered more than 5,000 babies. Perhaps most impressive of all was heart surgeon Sen. Bill Frist, who performed more than 150 heart and lung transplants and started the Vanderbilt Multi-Organ Transplant Center before going on to serve as a U.S. senator from 1995 to 2007 and Senate majority leader from 2003 to 2007.

Every great physician requires compassion, balanced judgment, calmness and resolve under pressure, as well as a deep understanding of the human condition. These are also crucial qualities for a U.S. senator.

That is why the current focus on whether Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a candidate in the current Democratic Senate primary in Michigan, is actually a physician, as he claims, is much more than political theater.

LEFT-WING HOST PRESSES EL-SAYED OVER 'PHYSICIAN' CLAIM, QUESTIONS HONESTY OF MICHIGAN DEM SENATE HOPEFUL

As reported here on Fox News Digital, left-wing host Mehdi Hasan challenged El-Sayed on Wednesday during an interview on Zeteo for trying to represent himself as a physician despite not having a valid state medical license.

"Do you wish you’d just stuck to calling yourself a doctor, which you are, to avoid all of this controversy and attacks on your physician status?" Hasan asked.

As a longtime physician myself, I take my role and qualifications very seriously. I agree completely with Hasan’s line of questioning and believe El-Sayed’s use of the term "physician" deserves scrutiny.

Should anyone with a Doctor of Medicine degree also be called a physician? Most state licensing boards, including New York state’s, don’t think so and reserve the title "physician" for someone who is licensed to practice medicine or surgery.

I agree with this distinction, which I don’t think is minor. I consider being a physician an active role that involves healing or treating patients or studying potential tests or cures as a physician-scientist.

Don’t get me wrong: El-Sayed has strong medical credentials. He earned a medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He also obtained a doctorate in public health from Oxford University, and he has served as executive director of the Detroit Health Department as well as director of Wayne County’s Health, Human and Veterans Services Department. He has held multiple academic appointments in Michigan and at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

DEM SENATE HOPEFUL’S ‘PHYSICIAN’ CAMPAIGN PITCH UNDER FIRE AFTER LICENSE RECORDS REVEAL KEY GAPS

But those qualifications make him a doctor and an epidemiologist; they do not make him a physician. Simply put, El-Sayed has not practiced medicine.

A physician is someone who assumes the care of patients or searches for treatments and cures as a physician-scientist.

From the American Medical Association Journal of Ethics: "The term ‘physician’ has been around since the days of Aristotle, and derives from ‘physik,’ an ancient Greek word for ‘nature.’ Physicians were those engaged in the study of the natural world. Hippocratic physicians understood illness as part of the natural order, as contrasted with those healers who believed that illness was part of the supernatural order, and sought explanations for illness in the physical world."

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El-Sayed strongly supports Medicare for All and even penned a book, "Medicare for All: A Citizen’s Guide."

But his point that he has never received money from an insurance company and therefore doesn’t answer to them rings hollow. In fact, it is the process of wrangling with private and public insurers to obtain expensive and groundbreaking care for my patients that makes me most aware of how Medicare functions and what its limitations are.

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The physicians in the U.S. Senate, now and in the past, are a tough act to follow. The first step in that direction is not to claim you are a physician when, in fact, you aren’t.

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Sanders under fire for propping up Platner as Dems torch his toxic endorsement 'pattern'

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:55 -0400

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who has endorsed over 70 candidates this election cycle, is facing heat for propping up disgraced ex-Senate candidate Graham Platner — among a string of other radical, dark-horse candidates.

The self-proclaimed Democratic socialist, who has called his far-left movement a "revolution," had been one of Platner's most vocal supporters, asserting that he would "do everything I can to make sure that Graham Platner is the next senator from the state of Maine." Sanders, true to his word, attended campaign events and advocated fiercely for Platner on social media despite a series of scandals about Platner's past.

But that was before Tuesday.

Less than 24 hours after Politico published a bombshell report on Monday detailing how Platner allegedly raped his then-girlfriend in 2021, Sanders joined many of his Democratic colleagues and called for Platner to step aside.

FETTERMAN UNLEASHES ON 'DIRTBAG' WING OF DEMS AFTER FAR-LEFT VICTORIES: 'ORGY OF SOCIALISM'

To Rachel Bade, a political commentator and longtime political reporter, it's a moment that is stress-testing Sanders' continued influence in the party.

"The Graham Platner fiasco was bad, yes. But now, some Dems are tallying up everywhere else Sanders and his orbit bet wrong this cycle, raising questions about their judgment in elevating untested, unvetted candidates with skeletons nobody bothered to check for," Bade wrote in a post to X.

In addition to Platner, Sanders has also endorsed several other candidates who have sparked political controversy over troubling details in their past.

Adam Hamawy, who has past ties to a convicted terrorist who was convicted of seditious conspiracy linked to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, won a Democratic primary with Sanders' endorsement, calling him one of the party's "bold leaders." Sheikh Abdel-Rahman, who died in prison at the federal detention center in Butner, North Carolina, in 2017, was nicknamed the "Blind Sheikh."

Similarly, Melat Kiros, a socialist and political newcomer in Colorado, defeated a 30-year incumbent in a primary challenge with Sanders' backing despite her assertions that American foreign policy had made the 9/11 terror attacks "inevitable." Sanders endorsed her with a prediction that she would be a "great ally in Congress fighting for a progressive agenda."

And Randy Villegas, another congressional candidate supported by Sanders in California, is also facing scrutiny as news broke that he had voted to approve confidential settlements related to decades-old child sex-abuse cases as a teacher.

"We must do everything we can to elect new, bold leaders like Randy who will be a champion for working Americans in Congress," Sanders said.

He is also backing Cori Bush, who came under fire for previously paying her husband with campaign cash and previously being one of the most vocal defund the police supporters in Congress, as she pursues a comeback House bid.

To some Democrats, the list is frustrating and, amid Platner's fallout, seems risky.

"So, I don't know why you want to keep pushing these kinds of people," Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said of Sanders in an interview with Fox News. "Maybe he should consider sitting a few out and stop pushing these kinds of communists."

SANDERS BREAKS SILENCE ON PLATNER, CALLS ON SCANDAL-PLAGUED PROGRESSIVE TO 'STEP ASIDE'

Sanders' list doesn't just extend to this cycle.

In a 2018 endorsement, Sanders endorsed Andrew Gillum, a former candidate for Florida governor, saying he would "work to provide healthcare for all through a Medicaid-for-All program, raise the minimum wage, invest in sustainable energy." While he narrowly lost to Gov. Ron DeSantis, he went on to have at least a couple scandals, including a recent arrest on drug-related charges in Alabama and a highly publicized incident in a Miami Beach hotel room involving a medical emergency and illicit substances.

Similarly, Cenk Uygur, the founder of the Young Turks and the uncle of controversial streamer Hasan Piker, faced backlash in 2019 when an online footprint laced with racist material surfaced, prompting Sanders to rescind his endorsement that he would "serve ordinary people, not powerful special interests" and that "he is a voice that we desperately need in Congress."

He has also backed multiple "Squad" members, including Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., who have both been accused of antisemitism and have an anti-Israel and defund the police track record. Tlaib recently came under fire for being outraged over the prison sentences of accused Antifa cell members sentenced to decades in prison for a violent attack on a Texas immigration facility that federal prosecutors called an act of terrorism. Tlaib called the sentences a "travesty and totally unjustified."

To some onlookers like Shannon Watts, a gun-control advocate and political commentator, Sanders’ apparent willingness to pursue candidates who champion his preferred policies has led him to overlook character flaws that threaten their viability.

"A reminder that Bernie Sanders also endorsed another candidate who mocked sexual assault, failed Utah House Dem candidate Nate Blouin," Watts said in a post to X this week, referring to yet another one of Sanders' endorsements in 2026, who lost his primary earlier this year.

"It’s almost like there’s a pattern," she added.

Natalie Baldassarre, national press secretary at the Republican National Committee, echoed Watts' thinking.

"Whether it’s alleged rapist Graham Platner, anti-cop Abdul El-Sayed, or ‘trans kid lover’ James Talarico, Bernie Sanders' clown car of unvetted and untested candidates is showing the American people just how unfit they are for public office," Baldassarre said.

In the 2026 midterm cycle, Sanders has endorsed 19 candidates at the federal level. Of those, nine have not held office.

He has also endorsed another 54 candidates in state and local races — far more endorsements than fellow progressives Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.

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Baldassarre believes more of Sanders’ candidates require scrutiny.

"We will continue to expose these candidates for who they are — radical socialists who will push their extreme ideology and strip every American of their safety, sanity and freedom," Baldassarre said.

To Bade, the next test of Sanders' influence will come in early August as Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive doctor, takes on Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., in a primary to become the Democratic nominee to the U.S. Senate. In the past, El-Sayed has called for defunding the police, abolishing ICE and called for universal healthcare — positions in line with Sanders' thinking.

"All eyes now turn to the August 4 Michigan Senate primary, where Sanders has endorsed progressive Abdul El-Sayed over centrist Rep. Haley Stevens who has Chuck Schumer behind her," Bade said in a recent Substack article.

Sanders did not respond to requests for comment on his endorsement track record.

WATCH: Dr. Oz says Newsom, other blue states have turned Medicaid fraud into a 'feature'

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:54 -0400

CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz says Medicaid fraud has become a "feature" blue states use to exploit the system.

President Donald Trump's chief at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), in an interview with Fox News Digital, urged California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democrat governors to join the administration's anti-fraud push.

"Why would you steal money from Medicaid?" Oz questioned, before explaining how he believes some states are using Medicaid-funded care programs as an economic engine for their state and will distribute federal reimbursements to pay unemployed people.

"I began to realize that stealing money from Medicaid is not a flaw for a lot of states, it's a feature of the program," he continued. "They call it 'Medicaid-ing it.'"

I'M OHIO'S STATE AUDITOR — MEDICAID FRAUD IS NOT JUST A WASHINGTON PROBLEM

He continued, "You're taking money from the federal government creating a Medicaid benefit, paying a lot of money for it. Now all these people who would have been unemployed, costing the state money, are instead of getting money from the federal government. You're taxing that, which makes the state richer."

Oz also argued the arrangement creates political incentives because those workers can unionize, which he claims benefits Democrats by allowing the unions to help fund the party’s political action committees (PACs).

"The service industry's unionizing these workers," Oz said. "That gets union dues into their coffers, those union dues can now pay for political action committees, funding. Of course, one party — always."

"That party now has a lot of money coming in for local and state elections, and we are paying for it!," he lamented.

Newsom was the main blue-state leader that Oz accused of failing to adequately address fraud in his state despite internal warnings.

"I think Governor Newsom's embarrassed," the one-time television doctor told Fox News Digital. "He's embarrassed that four years ago, he was told by his own auditors that there was such widespread fraud in California that they had to take action and they sort of dabbled."

"They did some performative things, but they didn't actually do the important steps required to stop fraud in the state."

FTC CHIEF ACCUSES DEMOCRATS OF 'TRYING TO PROTECT THE FRAUDSTERS' BY WITHHOLDING DATA FROM TRUMP ADMIN

In response to California’s failure to follow the federal government’s lead in combatting widespread fraud, the Trump administration cut over $1.3 billion in the state’s Medicaid reimbursements.

"We can't understand where the money's going," Oz said.

"We have the responsibility to the federal taxpayer to make sure this is true. Until we are comfortable with the money spent wisely, we're not paying for illegal immigrants, we're not paying for people who really don't have these coverage Medicaid, we're paying for services to people that don't exist or to folks doing these services that have not actually been authenticated as eligible to do that."

Oz encouraged all governors to follow suit in the Trump administration's efforts to put an end to fraud nationwide — state by state.

DR. OZ WARNS MEDICARE SCAMMERS ARE STEALING BILLIONS — AND YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION COULD BE NEXT

Vice President JD Vance even recently began spearheading the administration’s new anti-fraud task force, which was formed to enact federal oversight against exploitation of federal benefit programs.

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"The greatest obstacle is when the governors don't realize that if they're not aligned with the president, if they’re not on the same page, then they're pulling the oars in the opposite direction, and we're going in a circle down the drain," Oz said.

"Fraud happens because the people who have the power to stop it don't work together."

Iran's biggest weapon against the US may be slipping away, experts say

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:45 -0400

Iran's latest attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz sent oil prices sharply higher in recent days — a reminder that Tehran can still rattle global energy markets.

But the latest spike also highlights a bigger question facing the Trump administration: Has Iran begun losing its ability to use the strategic waterway as economic leverage over Washington?

Growing oil production, alternative export routes and new shipping patterns suggest Iran's ability to weaponize the Strait of Hormuz may be steadily weakening — even if it can still trigger short-term price shocks.

VANCE REJECTS CLAIMS TRUMP-IRAN DEAL ECHOES OBAMA-ERA LOGIC AS HAWKS RAISE ALARM

Vice President JD Vance in late June linked global oil supplies directly to negotiations with Iran.

"I think what the president has told us to do is use this MoU (memorandum of understanding) to sort of refill the world's oil economy, to refill some stocks, and then to see where the hand is," Vance said during an interview with "The Michael Knowles Show" podcast June 30.

That outlook faced its first major test in recent days after Iran renewed attacks on commercial shipping. President Donald Trump declared the U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding and ceasefire "over" and warned his administration could again impose a naval blockade on Iran if attacks on commercial shipping continue.

US CLAWS BACK KEY CONCESSION TO IRAN AFTER FRESH ATTACKS ON COMMERCIAL SHIPS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ

The U.S. Energy Information Administration in recent days forecast worldwide crude production and trade flows will rebound to near pre-conflict levels by the end of the year, with most previously shut-in production returning during the first quarter of 2027. The agency expects increased global production to lower crude oil and gasoline prices in the months ahead despite continued instability in the Gulf.

The forecast comes as OPEC+ continues increasing production, Gulf producers restore output and exporters rely more heavily on infrastructure that allows crude to bypass the Strait of Hormuz altogether.

Those developments don't eliminate Iran's ability to move markets. But they could make it harder for Iran to use oil prices as a way to pressure the United States into negotiating on its terms.

The oil market isn't the only thing that has changed.

The conflict has accelerated a shift that already was underway.

Gulf producers increasingly rely on infrastructure built over the past decade to move crude without depending entirely on the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia can divert exports through its East-West Pipeline to the Red Sea, while the United Arab Emirates has expanded export capacity through Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman, allowing millions of barrels of crude to bypass the narrow waterway altogether.

Commercial shipping has adapted as well. More vessels have shifted toward a southern corridor hugging Oman's coastline, putting additional distance between commercial traffic and Iran's coastline while allowing exports to continue despite repeated attacks.

Retired Navy Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery said those changes strike at the heart of Iran's strategy.

"The southern route creates a route they can't toll or control."

Iran's objective, however, has never necessarily been to shut down the strait altogether.

"The IRGC has been trying to make it commercially unworkable," former Fifth Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan told Fox News Digital, referring to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. "These attacks on shipping to me aren't random. They're strategy."

Donegan said Iran's goal is to raise the cost and risk of commercial shipping, making insurers and shipping companies think twice before returning to normal operations.

Even Iran appears unwilling to completely disrupt the flow of oil. Maritime tracking firm TankerTrackers.com reported Wednesday that three Iranian crude tankers were loaded at Kharg Island. The move underscored Iran's own dependence on selling oil, even as it continues trying to disrupt commercial shipping elsewhere in the Gulf.

Markets reflected both realities. Oil prices climbed after Iran's latest attacks renewed fears of broader conflict, but the EIA's outlook suggests traders also expect additional supply to continue reaching global markets unless the fighting escalates into a sustained disruption.

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Iran has proved it can still rattle global oil markets.

The bigger question now is whether rising production, alternative shipping routes and sustained U.S. military pressure have shortened the life of those price spikes — denying Iran one of its most effective tools for influencing negotiations with Washington.

King Charles 'fed up' with Prince Harry drama as reunion with grandchildren hangs in balance: expert

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:30 -0400

King Charles III is said to be "fed up" with the drama that continues to follow his estranged son.

The claim comes from British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard following The Mirror's report that the Duke of Sussex is "frantically" trying to secure private security for his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two young children so they can travel to the U.K.

Fox News Digital reached out to Archewell, which handles the offices of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for comment.

PALACE AIDES 'DON'T TRUST' PRINCE HARRY ALONE WITH KING CHARLES, EXPERTS SAY

"Of course, grandfather Charles wants to see his Montecito grandchildren," said Chard. "He just does not want the Sussex drama. King Charles is fed up — fed up with the rolling media briefings, the last-minute changes of plan, the security fight being litigated in public and in court.

"Then there was the accommodation offer made, declined and then re-requested. The visit with the children is confirmed, then canceled and then maybe back on. It pulls the monarchy into a circus it cannot control."

"The reputational damage is already done," Chard said. "To bring the Sussexes back into the fold publicly now would look like the institution surrendering to pressure. If Harry and Meghan want the king to meet his grandchildren, it will have to be strictly private, properly planned and without the press in tow. The Sussexes will have to agree to the king's terms to avoid the royal family becoming the laughingstock of the world."

WATCH: KING CHARLES WENT 'ABOVE AND BEYOND' FOR PRINCE HARRY: EXPERT

Harry's return to his home country has been troubled from the start.

After reports that the prince would visit the U.K. with his family, the U.K. government declined his request for police protection outside royal residences, prompting him to travel alone on July 6. He is expected to remain there through July 11 for events highlighting the Invictus Games.

It is unclear whether he will meet with his father or if his family will join him before the end of his trip. The Telegraph reported that Meghan is expected to travel to Britain this week with the children. Fox News Digital reached out to a Sussex spokesperson for comment.

Harry's troubles have only deepened. On July 7, the Duke of Sussex lost his yearslong privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited, publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday. The case involved Harry and six other claimants, including Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley. The High Court dismissed their claims after finding they failed to prove unlawful information gathering.

Associated Newspapers Limited called the ruling an "overwhelming victory" and a "magnificent vindication." Harry said the court denied him the justice and accountability he sought. The publisher has long denied the allegations, calling them "preposterous" and maintaining the articles were based on lawful sources, including friends, royal aides and publicists.

Meanwhile, the royals have kept their distance, carrying on their duties without meeting with Harry. At one point, Harry and his older brother, Prince William, were just 12 miles apart. Royal experts previously told Fox News Digital that Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla were choosing to keep their heads down, keep calm and carry on.

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British royal expert Hilary Fordwich previously told Fox News Digital that Harry's "debacle" over security and his "self-inflicted court case" have been "stressful" for the king. Harry has said the litigation became one of the primary causes of his falling out with his father and brother. In pursuing the case, he broke with royal family tradition by taking the dispute to court.

The Sussexes lost their taxpayer-funded security after they stepped back as senior working royals. Harry was denied the restoration of that security by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC).

Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.

"Every time it looks as if there might be a last-minute chance for some sort of tender reunion, it all falls apart," Christopher Andersen, author of "The King," told Fox News Digital. "Every planned kumbaya moment turns into a dumpster fire. The latest court ruling against Harry at the very moment when he might have been able to at last have a few moments with his father is a perfect example."

"The idea that the king would love to have a relationship with his grandchildren is no secret," said Andersen.

"That has been the case from the beginning. Don't forget that Charles stepped up to walk Meghan halfway down the aisle when she married Harry because her own father didn't show. King Charles was always very fond of Meghan, so, to a large degree, he also feels betrayed by her. It's a very complex situation, and maybe even more complicated by the behind-the-scenes intrigues of palace operatives."

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People magazine previously reported that ahead of Harry's trip, his team spent several days exploring ways to make the visit safe through enhanced private security arrangements. Palace sources said Harry initially declined an invitation to stay at a royal residence before accepting it on Saturday.

Harry's spokesperson told People that an offer for the Duke of Sussex to stay at Buckingham Palace during his London visit was withdrawn after he had formally accepted it. Palace sources, however, disputed that account, saying Harry failed to respond by the deadline and that his later acceptance came only after arrangements could no longer be made.

"From King Charles' perspective, the issue isn't whether he loves Harry or his grandchildren — it's whether private family business can remain private," Kinsey Schofield, host of YouTube's "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered," told Fox News Digital. "Right now, there is very little evidence to reassure him."

"I've never doubted that King Charles would love to know Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet," she said.

"The tragedy is that affection isn't what's missing — trust is. I think King Charles can long for a relationship with his grandchildren while recognizing that any meeting carries institutional and reputational risks. The king's heart may say yes. His experience tells him to proceed very carefully. The reunion begins with rebuilding confidence that family moments won't become public commodities."

Harry has been estranged from his family since he and his wife stepped back as senior royals in 2020, citing what they described as unbearable intrusions by the British press and a lack of support from the palace.

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After moving to California, they aired their grievances in interviews and documentaries. Harry's 2023 memoir, "Spare," further strained relations. The palace has never publicly commented on the book.

Following the couple's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Queen Elizabeth II issued a statement, remarking, "Some recollections may vary."

While Archie, 7, was born in the U.K., Lilibet, 5, was born in California. Charles met his granddaughter only once, during the family's 2022 visit to Britain.

"The relationship between King Charles and the Sussexes is undoubtedly distant, and he is wary of them," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said. "As the world knows, there is a rift in the royal family, and [it’s believed] that William wants nothing to do with them. The king's biggest priority right now is the future of the monarchy. He also knows William, Catherine and their family are its future."

"Even if there were a meeting, any true relationship takes time," Fordwich said. "The rest of the royal family, particularly Prince William, is extremely wary."

In 2025, Harry told the BBC he would "love" reconciliation with his family, noting "there's no point in continuing to fight anymore." He also acknowledged that his memoir and the couple's interviews raised concerns within the royal family.

"Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book," he said. "Of course, they will never forgive me for a lot of things."

Trace Adkins premieres patriotic song as ‘Chicago’ says FIFA guests prove American greatness

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:21 -0400

Grammy-winning country star Trace Adkins and rock mainstay Chicago spoke to Fox News Digital about Adkins' new single, "American Made," and why celebrating America's 250th birthday means so much to them.

Adkins premiered his new single "American Made" on PBS's "A Capitol Fourth," an annual live concert on Capitol Hill, while Chicago also performed during the event.

Adkins said he and some friends came together to write "American Made" and submit it to a record label.

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"[We] thought this year was the best timing that we could ever have to celebrate the 250th. So we put this song out. I like it. I do," he said.

When asked what message he hopes the public will take from the song, he spoke about how his wife just recently became a naturalized American citizen.

"She is so proud to be an American," he said. "My family's been here for over eight generations on both sides. I'm proud to be an American too, and you know, I think we're equally as proud so there you go."

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In separate interviews, Adkins and Chicago’s founding member Lee Loughnane pointed to the reactions of global tourists in the U.S. for the FIFA World Cup.

"World Cup folks are coming over and finding out that it's really easy to walk around. They get surprised when someone comes to refill a drink for them. They don't have to pay another $12," Loughnane said. "The freedoms that we have and that we take for granted, they're just seen now."

Many videos and accounts from foreigners visiting the U.S. for the FIFA Club World Cup have gone viral, including Japanese fans visiting Texas and praising American barbecue.

WORLD CUP SOCCER FANS ARE DISCOVERING AMERICA’S GREATNESS. IT’S TIME AMERICANS DID, TOO

One Australian comic in the U.S. with his son posted a video about a bus driver in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., giving them a gesture of good faith after they were unable to make change for a fare, and separately extolled the taste and value of Popeye's chicken meals.

German and Scottish fans also posted emotional tributes to their time in the U.S., including after the latter purportedly enjoyed their environs so much they drank Boston dry.

Both Adkins and the Chicago members said they’ve seen the contrast in their decades of traveling the world for concerts.

"I've been to those other places. This is the best place, man. And when I'm away from here, I feel uneasy until I get back home," Adkins said.

"A lot of those people, when they say [they aren’t proud to be Americans] they've never been anywhere."

Chicago’s Rudy Cardenas, who is originally from Venezuela, said he is "blessed" to be living in the U.S.

"You have to remember that when we travel around we get to see so many different cultures and the way that other people live and to come back to this country and to just be like, we got it pretty good," he said.

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"So it's an honor, and we're so blessed and to be able to celebrate 250 with this band in this venue is just crazy amazing, so it's going to be one of a kind."

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Asked about polling showing a decline in patriotism, Loughnane said many people take America for granted and that there are "misunderstandings" and times when people are told things about current events or history that are not particularly true.

"So, I enjoy being an American, and I'm very proud of it and I won't stop," he said.

New 911 audio captures neighbors warning of 'full-out war' before police were attacked in block party chaos

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:14 -0400

Newly released 911 calls capture North Charleston, South Carolina, residents expressing fear as they reported armed teens, gunfire and what one caller described as a "full-out war" before police were assaulted during a Fourth of July block party.

Fox News Digital obtained recordings of the calls from Charleston County Dispatch, which reveal multiple residents calling dispatchers shortly before 8:30 p.m. as a city-permitted Fourth of July block party in North Charleston's Chicora-Cherokee neighborhood began spiraling out of control.

Callers reported people openly carrying guns, hearing repeated gunfire and fearing for their safety as officers struggled to disperse hundreds of attendees before multiple officers were assaulted, and six people were later charged.

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One of the earliest callers warned dispatchers that armed people had gathered near Calvert Street and North Carolina Avenue, telling a 911 operator, "Everybody got guns," before pleading, "We need the police out here bad. They need to come out here."

The caller also reported hearing gunfire and described seeing a blue Dodge Charger parked near a bus stop with armed people gathered around it.

As officers responded, another resident described the situation rapidly deteriorating after having already contacted authorities.

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"I called 45 minutes ago and asked to have officers come out here to break up a group of kids with firearms, and now there's like a full-out war going on outside my f---ing front door," the caller told a dispatcher.

Dispatch logs show officers soon reported more than 500 people at the gathering while requesting every available unit to help disperse the crowd.

The same caller later reported seeing what appeared to be muzzle flashes.

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"I just watched about six of them that have f---ing muzzle flash," the caller said. "It looked like they were f---ing shooting at each other and running in opposite directions."

Another resident in the area told dispatchers that one person in the crowd shouted, "Get the strap," before the caller heard gunfire moments later.

"I came inside and about 10 seconds later I heard three gunshots," the caller said. "I need officers over here please."

Another homeowner reported watching teenagers fire a handgun into the ground from across the street.

"I got a group of like teenage kids across my street... shooting a gun into the... ground," the caller said, adding the individual tucked the weapon back into his waistband.

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The recordings also capture the growing fear among residents as gunfire continued.

One caller told dispatchers they had armed themselves while waiting for officers to arrive.

"I have my gun in my hand. If they come on my property, I will kill somebody," the caller said, noting that he heard 20 to 30 shots. "I have on camera several individuals. We've been calling all night about this. We need people posted out here."

As the response intensified, officers were instructed not to respond alone and to pair up while working the crowd.

Police previously said officers responded around 8:30 p.m. after receiving reports of people firing fireworks toward passing vehicles before learning attendees had begun discharging firearms.

Officers repeatedly ordered the crowd to disperse, but multiple fights broke out, and additional gunfire was reported, prompting officers to leave their patrol vehicles to restore order.

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Authorities said multiple officers were assaulted during the response, including two female officers who suffered minor injuries. Viral video from the scene shows one officer being pulled to the ground while attempting to detain a woman before several people began striking her.

Investigators recovered multiple firearms, including what police described as a machine gun, along with a makeshift spear. Six people — including four juveniles — have since been charged in connection with the incident, though police said the investigation remains active and additional arrests are possible.

Scope of SPLC's deeply embedded influence training teachers nationwide uncovered in sweeping report

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:11 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: A new report is shining a spotlight on the Southern Poverty Law Center's influence in American colleges, revealing its educational materials are being used to train future K-12 teachers in 38 states as Congress and federal investigators intensify their focus on the organization.

According to a report from Defending Education, an education watchdog group that the SPLC once labeled an "extremist" group, researchers examined 100 colleges of education and uncovered SPLC's Learning for Justice, formerly Teaching Tolerance, and the group's Social Justice Standards embedded into teacher preparation programs nationwide.

The report said the organization's Social Justice Standards are incorporated into teacher preparation programs that include "Equity, Access, and Anti-bias Education," "Teaching for Social Justice," "Critical Consciousness" and "Socially Just Teachers."

Researchers found the materials in required education courses, teacher candidate handbooks, student teacher evaluations, lesson planning assignments, departmental frameworks and professional development for educators.

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"It is quite clear that the SPLC’s programming has more than a trivial impact on education," Defending Education Director of Research Rhyen Staley said.

"Pre-service teachers should not be forced to adhere to or promote politically charged ideologies to obtain a degree. Furthermore, students and their families deserve an educational experience that is free of political bias and promotes balanced viewpoints."

The report argues colleges help shape what future teachers bring into classrooms and that many universities keep their use of Learning for Justice materials out of public view, saying "few COEs outwardly acknowledge their use of SPLC materials; instead, many COEs hide their usage and promotion behind faculty login pages."

"Because COEs are the primary institutions responsible for preparing future K-12 classroom teachers, as well as the continuing education of present teachers and administrators, they play a major role in what content, materials, 'best practices,' and perspectives shape educators," the report said.

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Pointing to multiple universities, the report highlights how the standards have worked "their way into courses, pre-service programming, and K-12 classrooms indirectly."

California State University, Sacramento's College of Education, and William & Mary's School of Education require pre-service teachers to incorporate Social Justice Standards into coursework, lesson planning, classroom instruction and professional evaluations, according to the report.

William & Mary's handbook states that the standards "reflect the School of Education's philosophical approach to teaching and learning," the report said.

The report also said Western Washington University evaluates student teachers on integrating the standards into lesson planning, requiring "clear links to identity and diversity anchor standards found in Learning for Justice/Teaching Tolerance Standards," while Brandeis University says the standards guide its "Teaching for Social Justice" teacher education program.

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The standards have also reached graduate programs, grant-funded initiatives and state policy, according to the report.

The University of Maryland College of Education incorporates them into one of its teacher leadership master's degree programs, and the Maryland State Department of Education includes them in new teacher induction regulations, the report said.

"MSDE does not generally develop curriculum; we establish statewide standards," a Maryland State Department of Education spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "We're not aware of any local school systems incorporating SPLC materials into training for teachers or board members, so questions about local implementation would need to be directed to individual LEAs."

Researchers reviewed taxpayer-funded initiatives, including a $275,000 National Science Foundation grant supporting Northern Arizona University's project and a $3.3 million U.S. Department of Education grant awarded to Claremont Graduate University, whose grant proposal said it would "introduce Fellows to the following core social justice teaching ideas and practices," including the "Social Justice Standards from Teaching Tolerance," according to the report.

The NSF declined to comment.

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The report comes after the Justice Department filed an 11-count indictment against the organization in April, alleging it defrauded donors by concealing millions of dollars in payments to confidential informants operating within extremist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, United Klans of America and Aryan Nations.

SPLC Interim President and CEO Bryan Fair denied any wrongdoing during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in June, calling the charges politically motivated as Republicans continue investigating the nonprofit's ties to the Biden administration.

Fox News Digital reached out to the SPLC, William & Mary's School of Education, California State University, Sacramento, Western Washington University, Brandeis University, and the Department of Education for comment.

The Department of Education told Fox News Digital it does not mandate curriculum and said reports like this are the reason the Trump administration has made an effort to empower parents, families, and communities to be more involved in childhood education.

Socialists launch radical platform to abolish the US Senate in bid to fundamentally transform America

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:01 -0400

As many of its candidates notch electoral wins nationwide, the pre-eminent socialist political group in the U.S., the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), plans to roll out an updated platform that includes eliminating the Senate and replacing the president and the Supreme Court with an executive and judiciary chosen by Congress.

According to a source familiar with the DSA’s planning, the organization plans to roll out an update next week to its long-term vision for a U.S. policy platform. The update includes eliminating the U.S. Senate and replacing the president and the Supreme Court with an executive branch and judiciary chosen by and subordinate to Congress.

Additionally, the updated platform would include amnesty for all immigrants and defunding the Department of War.

This would be in addition to the DSA’s current policy platform, which calls for an "immediate end to all deportations," free migration between countries without restrictive immigration controls, and "extending full voting rights to people with criminal convictions and noncitizens."

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Once considered a fringe movement on the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, the DSA has been gaining relevance, with several of its members toppling longtime establishment party figures. This has prompted many to speculate that the DSA represents the Democratic Party’s future.

While the DSA has endorsed the likes of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., perhaps the most prominent member of the group is New York City socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani, an immigrant from Uganda, burst onto the national consciousness this year after he defeated former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2025.

Since Mamdani’s victory, the DSA has continued to gain momentum, with four of its endorsed candidates — Melat Kiros of Colorado, Darializa Avila-Chevalier of New York, Adam Hamawy of New York and Donavan McKinney of Michigan — each defeating sitting Democratic members of Congress in recent months.

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These and other victories have emboldened the DSA, which touts itself as a "working-class alternative to the Democratic Party." After a recent round of primary victories, the DSA proclaimed that "only socialism can solve decades of capitalist mismanagement in the U.S."

The group added that "our newly elected leaders will fight for the working class — not for crumbs."

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In addition to radically altering the country’s three-branch form of government, the DSA’s existing platform also advocates establishing a 32-hour work week "with no reduction in pay or benefits," the passage of Medicare for All, canceling all student loan debt, the elimination of cash bail and universal rent control.

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In its program for 2025–2026, the DSA calls for a "new democratic constitution" that it says would establish civil, political, and democratic rights for all based on proportional representation in a "single federal legislature."

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Fox News Digital reached out to the DSA for comment.

Fox News' Matthew Donnell contributed to this report.

California seizes 63,000 pounds of illegal cannabis worth $104 million in major crackdown

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:36:08 -0400

California authorities seized more than 63,000 pounds of illegal cannabis worth over $104 million, along with firearms and cash, during a three-month crackdown targeting organized criminal networks across the state.

Between April and June, authorities carried out enforcement operations across 10 counties, eradicating more than 89,000 cannabis plants, confiscating 17 firearms, seizing more than $220,000 in cash and making 24 arrests, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom's office.

Since Newsom established the state's Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force in 2022, California has seized and destroyed more than 841,000 pounds of illicit cannabis valued at more than $1.3 billion.

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"Disrupting the illegal cannabis market is about more than seizing unlicensed products – it’s about taking on criminal networks, removing illegal firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals, and stopping activity that threatens public safety," Newsom said in a statement.

"Through strong multiagency collaboration, California is making clear: if you threaten our communities, we will act," he added.

The largest enforcement operation took place between May 14 and June 3 across the southern Central Valley and northern Antelope Valley, where the California Department of Fish and Wildlife led a multiagency effort serving 26 search warrants at illegal cannabis sites in Tulare, Kern and Los Angeles counties.

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Authorities eradicated nearly 24,000 cannabis plants, destroyed roughly 3,700 pounds of processed cannabis, seized cash, and arrested or cited multiple individuals.

Investigators also uncovered numerous environmental violations, including 13 cultivation sites where banned, unregistered or foreign-labeled pesticides were found or suspected.

Kern County accounted for the largest seizure during the three-month operation, with authorities confiscating more than 25,000 pounds of illegal cannabis valued at $41.5 million and destroying 26,442 plants.

Authorities also seized more than 14,500 pounds of illegal cannabis in Alameda County, valued at more than $24 million.

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California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Meghan Hertel said investigators routinely find restricted pesticides at illegal grow sites tied to organized criminal enterprises.

She warned the toxic chemicals threaten wildlife and can also pose a risk to consumers because illegally grown cannabis isn't tested for safety.

America is fighting yesterday’s AI war. Tomorrow’s war is on the way

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:00:49 -0400

For more than two decades on the Army Staff, part of my job was recommending which nations received American weapons, training and doctrine, and which did not. The choice rarely came down to which weapon system performed best on a range. It came down to alliance.

A country that trained on American equipment, spoke our tactical language and built its systems around our supply chains stayed tied to Washington for a generation. One that turned to Moscow or Beijing drifted into someone else’s orbit.

That lesson has stayed with me. Great powers rarely prevail because they possess the single best weapon; they prevail because other nations choose to build their militaries, economies, and, ultimately, their futures around their systems. Washington risks forgetting that lesson in today’s race to build the world’s dominant computing platform.

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Not just a software race

While Washington argues over which chatbot drafts the sharper essay, Beijing is building something far more ambitious than a single flagship model. That distinction separates today’s technology race from tomorrow’s world order. Consider that China’s Huawei is preparing to double production of its Ascend processors in 2026, pushing toward 1.6 million chips, and Chinese developers at DeepSeek have already tuned their newest models to run specifically on that Huawei silicon.

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Meanwhile, congressional hearings and cable news segments keep asking which model scores highest on the latest benchmark, an interesting question but not the decisive one.

History’s great wars were won not by the single best weapon, but by nations able to generate energy, build factories and produce the industrial output needed to prevail.

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This technology is no different.

America is treating this contest as a technology race. China is treating it as a civilization-building project.

The mistake Washington keeps making is assuming there is a single technology race. There isn’t. There are multiple competitions unfolding simultaneously, each reinforcing the others.

The AI Power Stack

National competitiveness in this contest rests on what I call the AI Power Stack: interdependent layers that together determine technological power. Everything begins with abundant, reliable electricity. The newest data centers can draw more than a gigawatt each, roughly the output of a nuclear reactor, and China now generates more than twice as much electric power as the United States, power its centralized system can direct toward computing clusters far more easily than our fragmented grid allows.

Above energy sits semiconductors, the steel mills of the digital age. America’s effort to rebuild domestic chip manufacturing is genuine progress.

Above the chips sits computing infrastructure: the data centers, networking and cooling that turn processors into usable capability. Only once those foundations exist do the models built atop them become decisive, and models are almost all what Washington debates.

Above the models sit applications: the factories, hospitals, farms and command posts where this technology gets used. And above every layer sits the one Washington discusses least: the ecosystem of developers, companies, universities, investors and allied nations that decide which technology becomes the world’s standard.

Beijing understands the ecosystem

China is not merely trying to invent tomorrow’s technology. It is trying to become the platform upon which tomorrow’s technology operates.

Beijing grasps that top layer better than Washington credits it. Rather than chasing a single breakthrough model, Chinese firms are pricing their models aggressively, betting that adoption compounds over time.

By February 2026, Chinese open-source models were drawing more weekly token traffic on the world’s largest model marketplace than American models, with four of the five most-used systems globally built in China. One venture capital partner has estimated that most American startups now build on Chinese base models simply because they are cheaper to run.

Banks in Singapore, telecom carriers in Indonesia, and government platforms in Malaysia are already operating on Chinese models and Huawei hardware. History suggests the technologies that reshape civilization are rarely the ones engineers admire most. They are the ones businesses, governments and consumers adopt, and continue building upon, for decades.

Why adoption beats elegance

This pattern is not new. The internet did not prevail because it was the most secure network ever engineered. It prevailed because millions of people built on it. Cloud computing reshaped global commerce for the same reason. This technology will follow the identical path.

That reality explains why today’s debate over open and closed models is far more than a technical disagreement. Closed models emphasize security, control and carefully managed deployment. Open models let universities, startups and allied nations build new applications and accelerate adoption.

The debate is not simply about protecting intellectual property. It is about determining whose technology ecosystem the next billion users, and the nations they inhabit, will trust. That larger strategic competition is one I explored in greater detail in my book, "The New AI Cold War: Liberty vs. Tyranny in the Age of Machine Empires."

America still has the better hand

Washington is not standing still. President Donald Trump’s AI Action Plan, released in July 2025, directs the Commerce and State Departments to assemble full-stack American export packages: hardware, models, software and standards bundled together for allies and partners abroad. That is precisely the right instinct.

That strategy recognizes the central truth of this race: America cannot export chips alone; it must export an entire technology ecosystem.

It treats this technology the way effective security cooperation treats weapons systems: as a decades-long relationship, not a single sale.

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But the plan will only succeed if Washington backs it with the same urgency it gives defense budgets and semiconductor legislation: faster permitting for energy generation and transmission, sustained investment in domestic chip manufacturing and a willingness to compete on price, not just capability, in the developing markets China is actively courting.

Bottom line

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The nation that wins the AI Cold War will not necessarily build the smartest chatbot. It will build the ecosystem the rest of the world chooses to trust, adopt and expand. History suggests that once those ecosystems take root, they shape alliances, commerce, military power and political influence for generations.

Right now, Beijing appears to understand that reality better than Washington. America still holds the strategic advantage, but only if it recognizes the true battlefield before the decisive campaigns have already begun.

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Trump calls terrorist Iranian a ‘cancer.’ Is he finally the one to remove it?

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:00:11 -0400

President Donald Trump’s remarks on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, may represent one of the most consequential shifts in America’s strategic language toward the Islamic Republic of Iran since the 1979 revolution.

By warning that any new Iranian attack would trigger a far more devastating response — and by describing the regime as a "cancer" that must be removed — Trump signaled something that goes beyond conventional political rhetoric. In the language of national security, such terminology often reflects a fundamental change in how a threat is defined.

For more than four decades, U.S. policy toward the Islamic Republic has centered on containment and deterrence. The underlying assumption was that Tehran’s behavior could be influenced, constrained or made more costly. Trump’s remarks suggest a different premise: the issue is no longer merely the regime’s behavior, but the system itself. The objective is no longer to manage the crisis, but to eliminate its source — raising once again the prospect of regime change as a strategic outcome.

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This shift is rooted Iran’s own record. Hostility toward the United States, the declared objective of Israel’s destruction, the expansion of proxy networks and the systematic export of instability have defined its regional posture. Vast national resources that belonged to the Iranian people were redirected toward missiles, proxy militias and ideological warfare, while economic decline, corruption and declining living standards spread at home. The result has been a cycle in which regional conflict and domestic deterioration reinforce one another.

Following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and amid Washington’s changing posture, a central question emerges: Is the United States moving beyond containment toward what could be described as a doctrine of strategic surgery? If so, this would represent more than a military adjustment; it would signal the emergence of a doctrine aimed at dismantling one of the most entrenched sources of instability in the modern Middle East.

Khamenei’s doctrine: Islamic terrorism and perpetual conflict

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To understand the weight of Trump’s remarks, one must examine the strategic trajectory of the Islamic Republic. After the Iran-Iraq War, and especially following Khamenei’s consolidation of power in 1989, the regime shifted away from reconstruction toward a long-term ideological and geopolitical project. Its aim was to position itself as the central force within a transnational network spanning the Shiite Crescent and beyond.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force developed an extensive infrastructure across Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Gaza. Through these networks, Tehran extended its influence while simultaneously undermining regional stability and challenging U.S. interests. Over time, proxy warfare became not just a tactic, but a defining feature of the regime’s strategic identity.

The domestic cost has been severe. Enormous financial resources were diverted toward military expansion, nuclear ambitions and external operations, while Iran’s economy weakened under inflation, capital flight and systemic corruption. The pursuit of "strategic depth" ultimately ensured that the consequences of exported conflict would return inward.

ROUND ONE OF IRAN FIGHT WENT TO THE US MILITARY. BUT ENDING THINGS IS MUCH HARDER

For this reason, describing the Islamic Republic as a "cancer" should not be interpreted as a reference to a single leader. It reflects a judgment about an entire system — one that has institutionalized instability. Any meaningful "surgery" would therefore have to address the full structure that sustains this doctrine, rather than just its most visible figure.

The Greatest Surgery: beyond military action

What distinguishes Trump’s language is not only its intensity, but its strategic implication. Within national security discourse, defining a threat as a "cancer" implies that it cannot be indefinitely managed. It must be removed at its source. If this framing evolves into policy, the objective shifts from containment to dismantlement.

Such an approach does not necessarily imply full-scale war or occupation. In strategic terms, it would involve a coordinated application of political, intelligence, economic, cyber and military tools designed to degrade and ultimately dismantle the regime’s capacity to generate instability. The goal would not simply be to punish, but to prevent regeneration.

Over decades, the Islamic Republic has constructed a multilayered system of resilience: the IRGC, the Quds Force, proxy networks, missile and nuclear programs, intelligence services, propaganda institutions and financial structures. Targeting individual components has repeatedly proven insufficient. Limited actions may delay threats, but they have not eliminated them.

If Trump’s remarks translate into doctrine, the United States may be entering a new strategic phase — one focused on dismantling the system itself rather than managing its behavior. In that context, the concept of "The Greatest Surgery of the Century" moves from metaphor toward operational principle.

Surgery without a political horizon

History offers a cautionary lesson: removing a regime without a viable plan for what follows can produce instability, fragmentation and new forms of extremism. Iraq after Saddam Hussein and Libya after Muammar Qaddafi illustrate how power vacuums can generate prolonged disorder.

The Islamic Republic is not merely a governing authority; it is an integrated system of military, ideological, economic and security institutions. The IRGC, Basij, financial networks, and regional proxies function as an interconnected ecosystem. Partial disruption would likely allow the system to reconstitute itself.

For that reason, any successful strategy must combine dismantling the regime’s coercive and expansionist structures with a credible political transition grounded in national sovereignty and the rule of law. The objective is not retribution, but to break a cycle that has linked Iran’s internal stagnation with regional instability.

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It is equally important to distinguish between Iran and the Islamic Republic. The primary victims of this system have been the Iranian people themselves, whose resources and future were sacrificed to ideological ambitions and external conflicts.

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If Trump’s remarks indeed signal a new doctrine, its success will not be measured solely by immediate outcomes, but by whether it permanently removes the regime’s capacity to regenerate instability while enabling the emergence of a stable and responsible Iranian state. The Iranian people have repeatedly indicated their desire for an alternative rooted in accountability and normalcy.

If this moment represents the beginning of a strategic transformation, the Middle East may be approaching its most significant geopolitical shift since the end of the Cold War. In that case, "The Greatest Surgery of the Century" will not simply describe a policy — it will define an era.

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Ukraine’s drone revolution shows Russia is dangerously unprepared. But, so is America

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:00:01 -0400

Russian missiles and Iranian-supplied drones continue to slam into Ukrainian hospitals and apartment blocks with regularity. These are not precision strikes aimed at military targets; they are clumsy, often wildly inaccurate terror attacks designed to break the will of the Ukrainian people.

In this, they echo the Nazi V-1 and V-2 "vengeance weapons" of 1944-45. Those terror weapons killed thousands of civilians in London and Antwerp, but achieved little militarily. They also mirror the Luftwaffe’s Blitz on British cities in 1940. The bombs fell — but British resolve only hardened.

The same dynamic is playing out now in Ukraine. Every Russian strike on civilians strengthens Ukrainian determination to fight on.

JEB BUSH PRAISES TRUMP FOR CRIPPLING IRAN’S MILITARY, BUT WARNS OF ‘THREAT’ TO US FROM REPORTED DRONES IN CUBA

Meanwhile, Ukraine has seized the initiative with a weapon the Russians has yet to counter: massed, AI-enabled drones and long-range cruise missiles produced at scale and employed with laser-like focus for operational and strategic effect.

Operationally, Ukrainian strikes have methodically dismantled Russian logistics across the southern theater from the Donbas approaches all the way to Crimea. Drone strikes on fuel convoys, ammunition trucks, rail hubs and bridges have created chronic shortages of fuel, water, ammunition and food for Russian troops.

Reports from occupied Crimea and the southern land corridor document rationing, long lines at gas stations and mounting chaos. Ukrainian strikes have effectively placed large portions of the Russian southern front under a logistics lockdown.

DRONE OFFENSIVE HITS RUSSIAN OIL TANKERS AND REFINERIES AT 'INDUSTRIAL SCALE' AS MOSCOW BANS DIESEL EXPORTS

With supply lines under constant interdiction, half or more of Russia’s southern grouping now operates under severe strain — a situation that risks localized collapse if the pressure continues. This, while Russian territorial gains have slowed to a crawl — and even reversed.

Strategically, Ukraine has accomplished something extraordinary. Its sustained campaign of long-range drone and missile strikes against Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure intensified dramatically in the last month. Kyiv has inflicted damage on Russia’s fuel production capacity that took the U.S. Army Air Forces two full years of strategic bombing to achieve against Nazi Germany in World War II.

Major refineries from Moscow to the south have been hit repeatedly. Processing capacity has been slashed by more than a third. Russia now faces a genuine fuel crisis: lines at pumps, regional shortages and emergency measures. Putin himself has acknowledged the "difficult period."

The cruel arithmetic is now unavoidable. Who gets the remaining fuel? Front-line troops? The Russian military’s broader needs? Civilian motorists? Trucks and trains hauling food and goods? Farmers trying to bring in the harvest? A food crisis looms as transport and agriculture feel the squeeze.

Ukraine has gone further. Long-range strikes have also targeted Russian military electronics plants and missile production facilities. In June, Ukrainian forces hit a key electronics plant in Voronezh that produces components for Iskander missiles and other systems. When new Russian missiles emerge from damaged factories, they will fly with inferior avionics. Accuracy will suffer. The terror weapons aimed at Ukrainian apartments and hospitals may soon struggle to even hit a city center.

Ukrainian drones have not stopped at Russia’s borders. Naval and aerial drones have ranged far into the Black Sea and beyond, striking Russia’s shadow fleet of tankers used to evade sanctions and fund the war. Attacks have occurred off Turkey’s coast and even in the Mediterranean — vessels hit hundreds or thousands of miles from Ukrainian territory. This campaign degrades Moscow’s ability to export oil and generate war revenue.

All of this flows from Ukraine’s rapid mastery of drone technology and its decentralized, innovative military culture. Ukrainian industry has scaled production of AI-enhanced drones and cruise missiles at a pace that Russia’s legacy, Soviet-style, rigid, top-down systems cannot match.

There is a painful lesson here for the United States.

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Much of our Navy — aircraft carriers and submarines alike — remains vulnerable to massed drone attacks, both by air and sea, when at port. Air bases, power grids and other critical infrastructure also sit exposed. Adversaries could launch similar drone swarms from Cuba or Mexico, or from Chinese merchant vessels loitering off our coasts. We have seen what cheap, massed drones, some with warheads larger than a ton, can do when employed with imagination and industrial scale.

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America must absorb these lessons quickly. President Donald Trump’s Department of War has called for urgent investment in layered counter-drone and missile defenses — the Golden Dome initiative — as well as hardened infrastructure and our own rapid innovation in unmanned systems. It’s up to Congress to fund it. We must reward decentralized initiative and speed rather than bureaucratic caution. The alternative is to learn these truths the hard way.

Russia’s terror campaign has failed to break Ukraine, while Ukraine’s precision campaign is systematically degrading Russia’s ability to wage war. Fortunately, war’s harsh lessons are plainly displayed for America to see — as we strive to deter adversaries.

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Trump calls terrorist Iranian a ‘cancer.’ Is he finally the one to remove it?

Khamenei’s doctrine: Islamic terrorism and perpetual conflict

The Greatest Surgery: beyond military action

Surgery without a political horizon

Ukraine’s drone revolution shows Russia is dangerously unprepared. But, so is America