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Falcons' Michael Penix cleared to face Bears following rib injury as Caleb Williams' status remains unclear

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 21:10:08 -0400

Michael Penix Jr. made his highly anticipated 2026 debut in Week 3, helping the Atlanta Falcons earn their first win of the season.

Atlanta followed with another victory, as Penix threw for 223 yards and Bijan Robinson rushed for 145 in a dominant win over the New Orleans Saints.

Then came another scare. A sack late in Atlanta’s Week 6 game against the Baltimore Ravens briefly knocked Penix out of the game. He returned one play later but did not play in overtime because of rib discomfort, leaving many wondering whether he had suffered another setback.

BACKUP QUARTERBACK TYLER HUNTLEY LEADS BALTIMORE RAVENS TO IMPROBABLE OT WIN OVER ATLANTA FALCONS

Following an MRI earlier this week, Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Penix was on track to start Sunday, barring a setback. On Friday, Penix had no injury designation and was fully cleared to take the field as QB1 this weekend.

Penix has participated in practice all week, and Stefanski added that he does not anticipate the signal caller needing any sort of extra protection for his ribs on Sunday. The first-year Falcons head coach also does not believe the game plan will need to be adjusted heading into the matchup with the Bears.

MICHAEL PENIX JR LIKELY STARTING FOR FALCONS AGAINST BEARS DESPITE RIB INJURY, KEVIN STEFANSKI SAYS

Penix played a key role as the Falcons scored a league-high 80 points combined in Weeks 3 and 4.

Penix’s injury history, dating back to his college days, is well documented. He suffered his latest ACL injury last November and underwent surgery. Penix has thrown for 719 yards and three touchdowns so far this season.

Bears star Caleb Williams' status for Sunday's game in Atlanta is much less clear than Penix's. He has missed the past three games with a hamstring injury. Bears head coach Ben Johnson said Wednesday that Williams would be listed was a full participant on the latest injury report.

On Thursday, Williams was listed as a full participant on the team’s injury report for a second consecutive day. He stressed, however, that a decision on his availability for Chicago’s Week 6 matchup with Atlanta had not yet been made.

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"Before you start asking, do not know if I’m playing yet," Williams told reporters. "Have to go through a bunch of medical protocols, obviously have to get out there and practice, do the stress testing that you do when you’re trying to come back from injury or serious injury."

Williams also took issue with the way reports characterized his injury. He said "every single" report was inaccurate and clarified that he suffered a "pretty serious" hamstring tear.

"There’s nothing that has come out that has been right about what it is and what it has been," Williams said.

Kid Rock details sit-down with Trump, Stephen A Smith and Bill Maher

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 21:00:57 -0400

Kid Rock joined "Fox & Friends" on Friday and said he recently had dinner with President Donald Trump, comedian Bill Maher, and ESPN host Stephen A. Smith.

After talking about the Michigan Senate race and Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed, Kid Rock told the hosts of "Fox & Friends" that there was one thing he, Maher, Smith and Trump all agreed on.

"Last night, I'm having dinner at the White House with the president, Bill Maher and Stephen A. Smith. We all agreed socialism and communism has no place to have a foothold in our government," he said, before referring to El-Sayed. "This guy is screaming socialism."

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Asked how the dinner went, Kid Rock said the group had a great conversation.

"It was epic," he said. "And the thing that was the greatest, there's so many points, I could do an hour on it, is that, you know, two Democrats, two Republicans sit down, break bread, have laughs, talk about, have tough conversations on a lot of the issues."

The musician described some of the issues Maher and Smith raised with Trump.

"Everything from socialism and communism to the war in Iran to Bill Maher was talking getting our interpreters and things from Afghanistan that helped us out," he said. "Stephen A. Smith was very much engaged in talking about unemployment with Black women and the funding of HBCUs, which we reminded him that President Trump did fund $174 million to historically Black universities and colleges in 2016 [sic], which was great."

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Kid Rock said Smith made the point that, "With Trump putting a dagger through the heart of DEI, it seems like it's scared off a lot of corporate money coming to HBCUs."

"I want to make the point, I'll go out on a limb, and say I’m speaking for President Trump and the administration saying, no, no, not only do we support, we want to encourage corporations to continue funding HBCUs and donating to them. We know how important education is, especially in the Black community, to strengthen Black families," he added.

Maher and Kid Rock previously had dinner with Trump at the White House in 2025. Maher recently revealed that he planned to meet with the president again.

"I'm having dinner with him again next week," Maher told famed Hollywood agent and executive Ari Emanuel during a conversation on Maher's "Club Random" podcast.

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"After the first dinner, I went back to doing what I do ... But then, like, he just, out of the blue, let's have dinner again. And I was like, great. And he was really nice," Maher said. "Like, 'I promise I won't say bad things about you like I did the last time.' And I texted back, and I said, 'You know what, you're the president of the United States. Say whatever the f--- you want. I'm just glad we're talking.' It's like being called a 'hockey puck' by Don Rickles. It's just what he does. It's how he talks."

Kid Rock also spoke to "Outnumbered" on Friday about his new album, "Halfway 2 Jesus," which includes collaborations with Eminem and Lil Wayne, among others.

"Not just me and my old friend of nearly 40 years, Eminem, Lil Wayne came on last minute," Kid Rock said, "Because me and Eminem decided a different song we did was more powerful than the other one we did, so it left a void there. And Lil Wayne, just being the ace he is. I mean, just, as solid as human beings come."

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The singer said that he had voices of all kinds of different backgrounds and political beliefs on the album.

"I told him, I go, Wayne, whatever you need me for, I will always be there," Kid Rock said. "If you need to come change your tires, I'll be there to rotate them, whatever. But not only them, and the other guests on the record, Gary LaVox and Jimmy Allen, but all the musicians, the songwriters, engineers, we are all from different backgrounds, different religions, different political beliefs."

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"And yet we came together to make this powerful, very beautiful piece of work that — I haven't promoted many records in the last 10, 15 years — but very important to promote this one because I'm promoting the message of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And that's bigger than me," he added.

College Football Playoff expanding again, but the money behind it is not what some would call a 'win'

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 20:46:53 -0400

Expansion of the College Football Playoff only needs a few approval signatures and final votes before we can officially start discussing what the sport will look like moving forward now that monetary figures are being finalized.

Over the past month, college football commissioners have been dissecting what the financial terms would look like once ESPN presented its final offer for the next iteration of the postseason tournament to crown a national champion.

According to sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations, ESPN and the CFP have informally agreed to a contract that would see the network pay an additional $345 million annually for the rights to eleven more football games that would take place with the 24-team playoff.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF EXPANSION IS NOTHING MORE THAN A DESPERATE FINANCIAL BAILOUT DISGUISED AS PROGRESS

ESPN was first to report the financial details of its offer to the CFP, which would eliminate conference championship games after this season.

Over the next five years, with the loss of conference championship games, the network would pay for those leagues to get out of marketing agreements, along with the revenue generated from those same conference title weekends.

ESPN will have to pay FOX upwards of $60 million annually for the Big Ten to exit its agreement with the network, sources added.

THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF IS SACRIFICING ITS SOUL TO BE AN ATM FOR CONFERENCES WITH EXPANSION TO 24 TEAMS

A lot can change in just three years for college football

Just three years ago, CFP committee members agreed to increase the amount of teams from four to twelve, in what many around the sport thought was a pretty decent tradeoff if the postseason was going to expand.

At that time, the thought of a 24-team playoff would have been laughed at, and was behind closed doors across college campuses.

But, thanks to the increased spending across college sports related to revenue-sharing and NIL budgets, along with a plethora of power-four schools operating at a deficit, there was chatter that sometime in the near future that number would only rise again.

Look no further than the NCAA Tournament, which recently expanded from 68 to 76 teams, as an example of college athletics looking to add more schools to an already crowded field.

Now, after over a year of back-and-forth negotiating by conferences on what the right amount of teams should be if the CFP were to have expanded, that number increases by twelve. If you remember back to last year's conversation, the thought was that if college football was going to add more teams, that number could have just reached sixteen, thanks to a hard push by the SEC.

GREG SANKEY MAKES IT CLEAR THAT SEC DIDN’T START THE 16-TEAM CFP FORMAT DISCUSSION, THAT'S ON THE BIG TEN

At the same time, it was the Big Ten conference that held steady in its convictions that having a 24-team field would be the right move, giving more schools an opportunity to fight for the championship.

More teams will make the college football postseason better, right?

In reality, the additional twelve teams added a a justification mechanism to the postseason, given how many schools are spending over $30 million per year just to piece together a roster good enough to contend for a playoff spot.

So, with a push from Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti, other conferences, including the ACC and Big 12, embraced the idea that a 24-team postseason would give their teams more opportunities to play meaningful football in December while creating a simpler path to the playoff.

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On Friday, that thought process took another gigantic step, as those in charge of putting a product on television have all but signed the official paperwork to once again expand the college football playoff.

Pennsylvania socialist Democrat says he opposes imprisonment except for 'lawless MAGA thugs'

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 20:29:01 -0400

Pennsylvania congressional candidate and state Rep. Chris Rabb said this week that while he's against incarceration, he's in favor of locking up "lawless MAGA thugs."

"I’m a decarceration person," Rabb said on left-wing podcaster Wajahat Ali's show. "I believe the country that represents 5% of the world population but 25% of the people put in cages is morally wrong.

"It’s also bad policy, but I will make an exception for all of those f---ers who are lawless MAGA thugs, who have destroyed lives and communities. Lock all of those f---ers up. I know that seems a little hypocritical of me being on the left and being anti-incarceration, but lock those f---ers up."

Rabb, who was among several members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) who won Democratic primaries this year, urged members of Congress to impeach and subpoena the people "who are destroying what’s left of our fragile democracy."

SOCIALISTS SET SIGHTS ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF GOVERNMENT AS GOP WARNS OF BIGGER PLAN UNFOLDING

He also acknowledged the irony of a socialist supporting incarceration but doubled down on the idea.

"I hope you all will forgive me in my, perhaps, weakness. It’s not vengefulness, but right is right," Rabb said. "We should have a level playing field. If there are moms who are going to jail because they changed what school district they are so that their kids could get a better education, and they get locked up, you better believe a Jared Kushner should be experiencing some jail time. So, if that makes me a conservative, gosh, but we need to send a message."

Fox News Digital reached out to Rabb's campaign for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

"Trump-deranged Democrats have no agenda except to lob unhinged attacks against the president and obstruct the agenda he was elected to implement. This person is clearly disturbed and should seek help," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told Fox News Digital.

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Rabb's comments resembled those made by Florida Democratic Senate candidate Angie Nixon, who, despite being a DSA member, has insisted that she is not a socialist.

In an interview with CNN, Nixon told host Kasie Hunt she would like to see her opponent, Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., locked up.

"They are spreading, like, a lot of disinformation and lies on commercials about me, of saying things like I want to abolish prisons and I want to defund the police," Nixon said.

"Why would I want to do that when I want her locked up and punished in jail for what she has done?"

FAR-LEFT FLORIDA DEMOCRAT ANGIE NIXON CLAIMS GOP IS ‘LITERALLY TRYING TO KILL’ BLACK AMERICANS

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When asked by Hunt to clarify whether she wanted to see Moody locked up, Nixon replied, "Basically, yes. Because of what she did, yes. I absolutely would want that to happen. Yes."

Bedbugs found in plane's economy seats force major airline to cancel flight

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 20:15:12 -0400

An international flight scheduled to travel from Italy to Australia was abruptly canceled last week when a bedbug infestation was discovered in the cabin during an earlier flight, and the airline issued an apology for the incident.

The grounding came after passengers on the nearly 17-hour Qantas journey from Perth to Rome reported being bitten by the insects Oct. 9, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

"We sincerely apologize to customers for the cancellation of Saturday’s Rome-to-Perth service, which allowed our engineers and maintenance teams to carry out a deep clean of the aircraft after an issue [was] identified on a small number of economy seats," Qantas Airways Limited told Fox News Digital.

MAJOR AIRLINE ABANDONS 3 KEY CITIES AS PASSENGERS FACE SHRINKING FLIGHT CHOICES

Passenger Hailey Bagnall told the TV news program "9News Sydney" that bedbugs were "crawling over our belongings, our clothing, our Qantas blankets, and they were even crawling along the window."

The aircraft involved in the incident was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Other travelers also recounted their experiences to "9News," with one passenger claiming to be "woken by screaming," while another noted that "the bugs just kept coming."

As they collected their bags, the passengers discovered the pests were inside their shoes and crawling on their clothing.

Travelers first alerted the flight crew about the bedbugs during the initial Sydney-to-Perth leg of the journey, according to "9News."

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The airline said that, before departing on the subsequent long-haul leg to Rome, staff took several preventative measures, including deep cleaning the cabin, removing seat coverings and soft furnishings, and cordoning off the impacted seats.

Qantas also noted that its aircraft are regularly cleaned to a high standard and undergo a precautionary disinfectant treatment every 50 days.

To alleviate the itchy bites, travelers on the flight were provided with antihistamines, though the crew eventually ran out of the medication, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

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After the return flight, which had been due to depart from Rome to Perth Oct. 10, was canceled to complete the deep cleaning, affected passengers were provided with hotel accommodations and rebooked on alternative flights within 48 hours.

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Benjamin Hottel, a Georgia-based entomologist with Orkin, previously told Fox News Digital that bedbugs are skilled at "hitchhiking" on personal belongings.

Measuring between 1 and 5 millimeters, the insects feed on human blood.

Health officials note, however, that while their bites cause itching and swelling, bedbugs are not known to spread disease and are not considered a public health hazard.

Hottel noted that travelers can unknowingly carry bedbugs onto planes, into hotels and eventually back home.

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Hottel recommended inspecting luggage and clothing after trips and placing travel clothes in a dryer on high heat for about 30 to 45 minutes if exposure is suspected.

He said that can help eliminate the insects before they spread inside the home.

Kelly McGreal of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

Eagles appear set to add QB from Cowboys' practice squad as Jalen Hurts deals with blood clot

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 20:10:39 -0400

In the NFL, availability is often described as a player’s best ability. Since taking over as the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback, Jalen Hurts has largely embodied that idea.

The Super Bowl LIX MVP started all 17 games in 2023, missed two games with a concussion in 2024 and sat out Philadelphia’s regular-season finale that year as the Eagles rested most of their starters ahead of the playoffs.

Backup quarterback Tanner McKee filled in for Hurts in Week 18 to close the 2025 season and will be called upon again this Sunday. Hurts has been ruled out by what the team has described as a superficial blood clot in his calf.

FORMER NFL TEAM DOCTOR ADDRESSES JALEN HURTS' BLOOD CLOT AS QB'S SEASON HINGES ON ONE KEY WORD

Hurts was considered a full participant in Friday’s practice leading into this past Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, despite dealing with a calf injury. He was not on the injury report for last week's game in London.

While McKee will be QB1 this weekend, the Eagles appear to be turning to a division rival to bolster their quarterback room and potentially push rookie Cole Payton out of the backup role in Week 6.

According to multiple reports, Philadelphia is set to sign Joe Milton off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad. Under NFL rules, any player signed from another team’s practice squad must be placed on the new team’s 53-man roster. Milton will therefore be on the active roster when the Eagles host the Carolina Panthers and look to snap their three-game losing streak.

The timeline for Hurts’ return remains unclear. The Eagles did, however, release a statement detailing how the blood clot was discovered.

"On Thursday, October 8th, Jalen visited the training room after practice requesting treatment for his calf," the team said. "He informed the medical staff he had been cleated during the Rams game on October 4th. This was his first treatment session for the calf injury following the game, after having practiced in full both Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, Jalen received treatment, practiced in full, and was added to the practice report."

LEGENDARY AGENT WARNS NFL TEAMS ABOUT MAKING KEY QUARTERBACK MISTAKE THAT COULD DERAIL SEASON

The statement also said team doctors recommended a follow-up scan after the game.

"Out of an abundance of caution, an ultrasound was performed on Saturday following the team's flight to London and walkthrough. The ultrasound revealed a superficial blood clot. Our medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play. Doctors recommended a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and the return flight to Philadelphia."

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Payton, a fifth-round pick in April’s draft, has appeared in just one game this season. He has yet to attempt a pass in a regular-season game. Milton has slightly more NFL experience, though he has never started a game. In limited action, he has flashed both mobility and the arm strength that made him an intriguing prospect.

Sam Howell won the Cowboys' backup job during the offseason, prompting Milton’s departure from Dallas. Milton said he was surprised by the decision at the time. "It was shocking. But it's life. You got to be able to live with it and deliver blows back when it's time," he said.

Milton was later added to Dallas’ practice squad, where he spent the past five weeks before the Eagles came calling Friday.

It remains unclear what the Eagles’ decision to add a quarterback signals about Hurts’ status or whether they expect him to miss an extended period.

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Hurts has thrown for 933 yards and eight touchdowns in five games this season.

Arizona Cardinals fans have reached the 'buying billboard space' point of frustration

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 19:50:13 -0400

Fans of any struggling franchise go through different stages of voicing their frustration, and supporters of the 1-4 Arizona Cardinals have reached a big one.

They've officially hit the "going out and buying billboard space" point of frustration with team ownership.

According to AZFamily, a couple of electronic billboards have popped up in the Phoenix area with a very straightforward, no-nonsense message to owner and team president Michael Bidwill.

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That message? "SELL THE TEAM. Funded by Cardinals Fans. #BIDWILLOUT."

You know things are getting dire when fans start dropping billboard money.

This billboard campaign was reportedly the work of a fellow by the name of Nathan Kropp, better known as Mr. AZ Sports on social media.

It's been another tough stretch for the team, which has dropped four in a row after winning their season opener. However, Kropp says that what really got him pricing billboard space was this past weekend's game at State Farm Stadium, where he says more fans were rooting for the Lions than the Cardinals.

Maybe Lions fans just travel well, but it didn't sit well with Kropp or many other Cardinals fans.

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"And then I went on X, and people were just completely outraged," Kropp explained. "Like, I’ve never seen the fan base; I’ve seen the fan base upset."

So, he started making some calls, and before you know it — voila! — there were enough disgruntled fans to get not one, but two electronic billboards in the Phoenix area.

Kropp said that the toughest thing about being a Cardinals fan is how the team, which hasn't won a postseason game in over a decade, is spinning its wheels.

"They want something (to change)," he said of the team's fanbase. "Like, it’s hard to be a Cardinals fan right now."

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So will these billboards bring about that change?

Probably not, but it's definitely going to put the organization — which, perhaps obviously, didn't offer any comments on the billboards — on notice.

Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito has unusual tie to Milwaukee Brewers' last World Series run

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 19:35:11 -0400

In case you missed it, the Milwaukee Brewers are heading to the World Series.

The Brew Crew swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, erasing an early four-run deficit to capture their first pennant in 44 years.

Milwaukee is now just four wins away from their first World Series title in franchise history, but their championship pedigree might run a little deeper than it might seem on the surface.

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You see, the last time the Brewers made it to the Fall Classic, Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito was the team's bat boy.

Zito famously manufactured the blueprint that led to the Panthers winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025, but on this day 44 years ago, he was just a high schooler happy to play a small part in another team's run to a title.

According to the New York Post, Zito revealed in an interview with NHL writer Matt Larkin just how much of an influence then-Brewers manager Harry Dalton had on his career in the league.

"He took me under his wing," Zito said. "It was the 1982 Brewers, who went to Game 7 of the World Series. He was so kind to me and afforded me the opportunity. I could go up to his office whenever I wanted, I could learn scouting. He took the time to explain everything to me and always encouraged me to get into the management side."

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It seems like everything this guy touches in his life turns to gold, so if the Brewers were smart, they'd bring Zito back as an honorary bat boy or at the very least have him throw out a ceremonial first pitch for one of their home games this series.

If that happens and Milwaukee ends up winning The Commissioner's Trophy as a result, you can go ahead and add that to Zito's extensive resume as a winner.

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Now if the NHL would just award him that much-deserved GM of the Year award that has eluded him these past few seasons, he'd really be cooking.

White House reporters react to Katie Zacharia's 'brutal' exit as Trump's press secretary

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 19:32:49 -0400

White House reporters were stunned by the brief tenure of President Donald Trump's press secretary Katie Zacharia after just five days on the job.

"Brutal," one White House correspondent reacted to Fox News Digital.

Zacharia, who first took to the podium Tuesday after the August departure of her predecessor Karoline Leavitt, did not receive the warmest reception among critics who pointed to her nervous demeanor and how she only called on three reporters during her debut.

"I knew she was out two minutes into her prepared remarks on Tuesday," a second White House reporter told Fox News Digital. "It was just too drastically different from Karoline. We were all shocked after.

TRUMP'S NEW PRESS SECRETARY OUT OF THE JOB JUST DAYS AFTER ROCKY DEBUT

"Karoline was beautiful and hardcore MAGA ... and dignified and professional and substantive. She set a new standard for press secretaries. You can't just be hot and good on TV."

A third White House correspondent expressed surprise Trump offered her the job in the first place, saying, "Usually, he’s spot on about who has 'it' and who doesn’t.

"There is no excuse for Katie’s first briefing performance," the reporter said. "In that role, you have to be the best communicator because your job is speaking to the American people on the president’s behalf. No one expected her to have all the answers or even most of them. But I expected basic communication skills that were simply not there."

"She probably could have been better than Karine Jean-Pierre if she had more time to prepare. But it was a brutal start," a fourth White House reporter told Fox News Digital.

KATIE ZACHARIA ADDRESSES BREVITY OF FIRST PRESS BRIEFING, DEFENDS LEGAL CREDENTIALS AFTER CRITICISM

While Zacharia's shaky performance in the briefing room drew a lot of attention, it was her repeated claims of having been a lawyer that may have been more lethal to her future in the Trump administration.

The fourth White House reporter suggested that was a "bigger threat" than her first and only day at the podium.

A fifth White House correspondent who spoke with Fox News Digital was of two minds. On one hand, the reporter said Zacharia deserves no sympathy since she accepted the job she was "manifestly unqualified for," noting her embellished resumé she knew would eventually be exposed.

"On the other hand, shame on the president," the correspondent said. "He was clearly getting antsy and impulsive. He wanted his new press secretary now, and he wasn't going to let mean old Susie Wiles tell him to wait while she convinced someone more competent and more prepared for one of the hardest jobs in government to actually take that job."

The correspondent pointed to current staffers in the White House communications shop like Anna Kelly and Lauren Bis as individuals who can handle the job but aren't "central casting" in Trump's eyes.

"He took someone who seemed like a nice young woman who was defending him on TV, doing an OK job of that, and subjected her to a massive amount of humiliation and made her a national laughingstock because he didn't want to be told no," the reporter said of Zacharia.

"I don't want to say he ruined her life, but she's gonna be a punchline for a very long time. And that's not fair."

JEN PSAKI MOCKS TRUMP’S NEW PRESS SECRETARY, QUESTIONS IF SHE’S A 'POTENTIALLY FAKE LAWYER'

As the search continues for Zacharia's replacement, a sixth White House correspondent insisted it "doesn't matter" who serves as press secretary during the current administration.

"Trump lies every day about everything and frequently changes his mind completely, leaving his staff looking foolish," the reporter told Fox News Digital.

NBC News White House correspondent Garrett Haake said the drama surrounding Zacharia reflects a "bigger problem" for Trump and his staff.

"The ouster of now-former Press Sec Katie Zacharia highlights a bigger problem for the Trump White House two weeks til the midterms: They're struggling to drive any message. Meandering rallies, staff stories taking up oxygen, long hard-to-hear gaggles, no briefings," Haake wrote on X.

"There is nothing more cringe than a bunch of reporters cackling amongst themselves because they’ll never have the talent to take on a job as important as press secretary," White House communications director Steven Cheung told Fox News Digital.

"It’s easy to sling arrows at others, but when they are on the receiving end, they’ll complain like it’s the end of the world. Reporters have the thinnest skin."

Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy reported Friday that Zacharia will be "transitioning out" of the job after Trump appeared unsure about her as his press secretary when speaking with reporters.

"I just spoke to her about it. I said, 'Katie, is this really for you?'" Trump said. "I said to her, 'Honestly, if I were you, I'd reconsider. You think about it.

"Maybe it's not for her," he later added.

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Trump's search for a new White House press secretary continues after the departure of Karoline Leavitt in August. Leavitt has since joined Fox News as a contributor.

Cookies, liquor and mocking Nazis fuel final stretch in fiery Texas House race

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 19:25:31 -0400

A Texas Democratic congressional candidate's campaign reported more than $4,300 in spending on cookies, Mexican restaurant purchases and beer and wine earlier this year, according to federal election records, drawing renewed attention after a heated debate in which she apologized for a remark about her Republican opponent "making fun of Nazis."

Katy Padilla Stout, the Democrat nominee for Texas' 23rd Congressional District, reported expenditures totaling $4,338.14 in five transactions in March and April, according to spending details cited in an August report by RedState and records attributed to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

The reported purchases included $675 for cookies for a campaign event, $1,289.22 at Total Wine and $2,373.92 at Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana.

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The expenditures have also become a line of attack for Republican Brandon Herrera, whose campaign website showcases the cookie purchase and accuses Stout of using donor funds to pay for the treats.

According to the spending details, the campaign reported a $675 payment dated March 30 with the stated purpose "COOKIES FOR EVENT." Herrera's website identifies the payee as Denise Gamboa Zelle and categorizes the expense as a campaign event expenditure.

Additional transactions included $1,089.08 at Total Wine on April 21 and $200.14 the following day, both described as "BEER AND WINE."

The campaign also reported payments of $2,027.52 and $346.40 to Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana on April 27 and April 28, respectively, according to the transaction details.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Stout said the disbursements "were for campaign and fundraising events which were attended by our supporters."

"Sugar cookies, particularly Texas-shaped ones, hold a special place in Texan culture," she said. "We bought ours at a local bakery because we believe in supporting small businesses."

SENATE HOPEFUL'S 'TREADING WATER' NARRATIVE CRUMBLES UNDER $500K CAMPAIGN PAYOUTS TO FAMILY

The filings establish that the campaign reported the expenditures but do not establish whether the purchases were improper, whether any were for personal use or how many people attended the associated events.

The spending has attracted criticism from Herrera's campaign, which maintains an opposition website, The Real Katy Stout.

Under a section labeled "Cookie gate," the site highlights the $675 expenditure and displays the reported purpose, "COOKIES FOR EVENT."

The website also criticizes Stout's positions on immigration, taxes and other issues.

DEM SENATE NOMINEE APOLOGIZES TO JEWISH VOTERS AFTER 'GENOCIDE' REMARK SPARKED BACKLASH

The spending questions come as the two candidates compete for a congressional seat representing one of the country's largest districts along the southern border. During Tuesday's televised debate in San Antonio, Stout also drew attention for an unusual exchange involving Herrera's online videos.

"He made millions of dollars after making jokes online, making fun of Nazis, making fun of all of these things that we know he does not need to be doing," Stout said in a heated moment during the debate.

Herrera responded, "And here I thought making fun of Nazis was a good thing."

Stout later apologized and clarified her criticism after closing remarks.

"I apologize, I did misspeak," she said. "He chooses to goose-step on YouTube for clickbait and money so that he can promote that type of ideology. He chooses to shame women."

The exchange was part of a debate hosted by WOAI/KABB, during which the congressional candidates also sparred over gun rights, immigration and the cost of living.

Stout told Fox News Digital "mocking Nazis is fine, and that is not what I objected to, nor is that what my opponent does."

"I object to content that trivializes veteran suicide, rape, child murder, women’s bodies and the Holocaust, the type of content he churns out," she added. "You can hear his disgusting commentary straight from his own mouth at HeReallySaidThat.com.

"Do I think he promotes Nazi imagery? Yes. In a video posted 5/24/22, he goose-steps to 'Erika,' and touts an MP-40 machine gun. In another video posted 6/23/20, he said 'for the fatherland' before firing a Nazi-made STG 44, calling it 'like a religious experience.'

"Calling it a joke doesn’t change what it is: giving a platform to Nazi symbols and weaponry for clicks and money. In my view, the 'I’m only joking' defense is a familiar tactic among neo-Nazi and antisemitic content creators. His content has attracted bipartisan condemnation, including the Republican Jewish Coalition, which called my opponent 'a goose-stepping extremist who pals around with online Nazis.'"

Stout, a former teacher and child welfare attorney, has emphasized affordability and corruption as central themes of her campaign.

Herrera, a firearms manufacturer and online personality who has adopted "Let's Go Brandon" as his campaign slogan, has campaigned on border law enforcement, tax reductions and Second Amendment protections.

The two are vying to replace former Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, who resigned earlier this year after acknowledging an affair with a staffer.

Texas' 23rd Congressional District stretches from the San Antonio area toward El Paso and includes hundreds of miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. Early voting begins Oct. 19, with Election Day scheduled for Nov. 3.

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The campaign for Brandon Herrera did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

WA schools chief dismisses girls' sports fairness concerns, says athletes' brains aren't fully developed

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 19:16:38 -0400

With every word, these leaders shed another shred of dignity. The latest to shrink was Washington state Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.

Appearing on the Seattle-based radio show "Jake and Spike," the head of Washington's public school system made some remarks about the boys-in-girls-sports debate that seemed outlandish by even a politician's standards.

The issue at hand was Initiative 638, a Nov. 3 ballot measure in Washington that, if passed, would keep biological males out of K-12 sports. Host Jake Skorheim brought up the situation in southern Washington, where members of the Camas High girls cross country team walked off the start line Tuesday in protest of having to run in the same event as a boy.

A CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER SWITCHED TO THE GIRLS TEAM MIDSEASON, PARENTS VOICE THEIR DISAPPROVAL AT MEET

Answered Reykdal: "Let's face it, this is happening across the country, where we've empowered young people to make important decisions. And 99% of the time, they're good friends and colleagues, and they respect their transgender colleagues. But some don't agree with it, and that's their right to express that."

This doesn't sound too objectionable on its face, but there did seem to be a subtle dig at the protesters. Reykdal said that 99% of young athletes are "good friends and colleagues" and that they "respect their transgender colleagues." It's almost as though he's implying the 1% are disrespectful. No. Surely there are some girls out there who are OK with competing against biological boys. The fact that protesters have received backlash from various teammates proves as much. But just because other athletes aren't going public with their disapproval doesn't mean they like it. They just don't want the smoke that comes with being outspoken.

WASHINGTON HS GIRLS BLAST MALE ATHLETE PARTICIPATING IN TRACK MEET: 'DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S RIGHT OR FAIR'

Second — choosing not to compete against a trans athlete does not make one disrespectful toward the trans community. It is simply acknowledging an unmistakable biological advantage and highlighting the unfairness.

Reykdal continued: "The much larger issue here is: Can we accommodate 10, 12, 15 kids a year and make them feel included? Or do we have to go through an initiative process where every single girl has to prove, through one of three methods, that she's a girl in order to participate?"

The term "inclusivity" has been co-opted to vilify anyone who opposes males in female sports. The truth is that sports at most levels are designed to be exclusive. Only a certain number of athletes make the team, or get to start, or reach the final heat, or get a scholarship. And those "10, 12 or 15 kids" often have great success. Last year, high school trans athletes won girls' state track-and-field championships in Washington, Oregon and California. And at Camas, a biological male went from 76th in a boys JV race to first in a varsity girls meet.

Hence Skorheim's next question.

"I hear what you're saying, but specifically, I want to ask about this case in Camas. They're racing against somebody who, earlier in the year, was 76th running for the boys cross-country team, who placed second here. Now, those girls had to forfeit because they had no chance of winning."

Answered Reykdal: "Well, I raised two kids, and one of them was a daughter in sports. And my take is, you have a choice to make. You're going to compete and do the best you can and embrace your colleagues, or you're going to walk off and make a statement. And that's okay, too."

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I don't want to put words in Reykdal's mouth, but it almost sounds like he's telling these girls to simply compete, do their best and accept the circumstances — regardless of whether those circumstances are fair. But would he say something similar about athletes competing against people on steroids? That they should just embrace their "colleagues." Probably not. Again, this isn't about discrimination or hate — it's about fairness.

But Reykdal's answer to the following question is much more egregious.

"If your daughter was running against a boy—an athlete who raced as a boy and was 76th, and then had to race against that same athlete on your team—does that seem like a fair situation to you?" asked Skorheim.

Answered Reykdal: "I don't see it that way, Jake. I just don't. These are young, developing people whose brains aren't going to fully develop until they're 25."

Excuse me?

Sorry, kids, we don't owe you fairness because your brains aren't fully developed. And while we're at it, we can shortchange college athletes because, unless they're at BYU, they're all under 25 as well.

I've seen people try to dismiss this issue with an arsenal of arguments — that I-638 proponents are bigoted, that trans athletes are rare or that proving one's gender will require "invasive genital inspections" (untrue). But their brains aren't fully developed is a new one.

Again, you won't see politicians bluntly say that it's OK to have boys compete against girls. That's a losing argument. So instead, you get mental gymnastics worthy of the all-around gold.

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Sorry, but with answers like these — you have to wonder whose brains are truly undeveloped.

Recovering from lung surgery, Pope Leo urges Putin to agree to ceasefire in Russian-held Ukraine city

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 19:10:21 -0400

Pope Leo XIV called Russian President Vladimir Putin while recovering from surgery in the hospital to urge him to call a ceasefire in the city of Oleshky in Ukraine.

"During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region, and called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population," the Vatican said in a statement.

"Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace."

TRUMP ANNOUNCES IMMEDIATE ENERGY CEASEFIRE BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE

The situation in Oleshky is dire with no humanitarian food deliveries allowed in the Russian-controlled city since May. It also has no electricity, gas or running water, and the hospital is barely functional.

The pope was diagnosed with lung cancer Tuesday and underwent a procedure to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.

The 71-year-old remained in the hospital recovering on Friday but seemed to be doing well.

Along with the call, he held Mass in a makeshift hospital chapel, and the Vatican released the first images of him since his surgery, which showed him standing at an altar.

POPE LEO XIV SEEN FOR FIRST TIME SINCE LUNG CANCER SURGERY AMID MAJOR RECOVERY MILESTONE

His doctors said he showed "continued improvement."

"His post-operative recovery allows him to carry out his normal daily activities completely on his own," a medical update signed by his personal physician, Luigi Carbone, and the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, said.

The pope is expected to deliver his traditional Angelus prayer service on Sunday either from the hospital or the Vatican.

TRUMP WISHES POPE LEO SPEEDY RECOVERY AFTER LUNG CANCER DIAGNOSIS, SPEAKS HIGHLY OF PONTIFF'S BROTHER

He is also still expected to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru starting Nov. 6 as planned.

The Kremlin blames Ukraine for the situation in Oleshky with Putin giving the pope a "detailed explanation regarding the Kyiv regime’s responsibility for the difficult humanitarian situation there," the Kremlin said.

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Putin also supports "the Vatican’s intention to help create conditions for ensuring the safety of the local population and facilitating the delivery of essential supplies," the Kremin added.

Fox News Entertainment newsletter: Prince Edward wanted 'two wives'; Harry, Meghan accused of 'royal theatre'

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 18:42:22 -0400

CROWN AND DESIRE - Prince Edward told girlfriend he wanted 'two wives' before marrying royal family's 'secret weapon': memoir

THRONE FOR A LOOP - Prince Harry, Meghan Markle accused of staging 'royal theatre' as King Charles faces new dilemma: expert

PUT YOUR ENTERTAINMENT KNOWLEDGE TO THE TEST AND SEE HOW YOU SCORE

SELLING SORROW - Prince Harry's reported $100K deal for Princess Diana MasterClass sparks 'cash grab' claims from royal experts

CLOSING THE CHAPTER - Sarah Ferguson rejects tell-all speculation as expert says discretion is ‘only hope’ for future with family

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Seth Meyers admits shock over second Trump victory prompted sit-down with late-night team to adjust tone

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 18:42:07 -0400

Late-night host Seth Meyers admitted to shifting his tone after President Donald Trump was elected a second time during an interview on Tuesday and held a meeting about it with his team.

Nayeema Raza, host of the "Smart Girl Dumb Questions" podcast, asked Meyers if political comedy makes people feel too comfortable. Meyers said it was a concern but that he didn't know how else to approach it. He also said he didn't want to sound the alarm about the Trump administration every night on his show.

"We did have this like tonal conversation at our show, because again, we did not, I mean, twice now, we have been shocked that he has been elected, right? First time more than second, but the second time we sat down with everybody," he said.

"I'm like, 'Look, I don't think we can tonally be the same that we were for the first four years, right? I think it's going to be different, and it's going to feel different, and it will also — it will feel like, I don't know, just a little like neutered if we're like going through the motions again,'" Meyers continued.

TRUMP IS 'UNFETTERED' AND MORE COMFORTABLE WITH POWER IN HIS SECOND TERM, JOURNALISTS SAY

"And so what we do and like what I go out and tell the audience before the show every night is like, 'Look, this show is joyful to do. This is joyful to have you here. And like there's a real strength and joy.' Like, so what we're talking about isn't joyous, but like we — I don't want to perform with like the weight of it all on top of me," he said.

"I want to be like honest about it," Meyers added. "We want to get our facts right. But we think there's a strength in, like, sort of being joyful about the fact that we're all together agreeing how f---ing crazy this is."

The late-night host also addressed Jimmy Kimmel's suspension during the interview. Kimmel, host of ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" was suspended in 2025 after comments he made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

"With that said, like if, like, they turn the lights off fast, when they turn it off, right? Like when Kimmel went off the air, like I don't think he knew that morning that he would be off the air that night. And that was certainly the scariest time of all of this," he said.

"The scariest thing about the second term is, like, I feel like there's a lot more going back to the drawing board when you don't get it your first try," Meyers said.

Meyers credited NBC News for never telling him what he should "say," and called it a "special thing."

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"These elitist hosts have spent a lifetime scaring audiences with every move from this administration, so they can insist they're going to lean into joy, but they cannot and will not help themselves," Curtis Houck, managing editor of Newsbusters, told Fox News Digital.

"They have this belief that they're like Thomas Paine writing about how 'These are the times that try men's souls,' and any sort of happiness must be seen as a triumph. Cry me a river. Late-night hosts like Meyers have gained increased prominence on the left because of their rabid emphasis on everything Trump and a hyperbolic outlook," he added.

Meyers, along with fellow late-night comedian John Oliver, recently joined Kimmel on his show, where the pair described Kimmel as a "bulletproof vest" when it came to Trump.

DISNEY CHIEF DANA WALDEN DODGES WHEN ASKED ABOUT JIMMY KIMMEL'S FUTURE AS ABC'S LATE-NIGHT HOST

Oliver said that Kimmel comes up a lot during the question-and-answer sessions at stand-up shows he performs with Meyers.

"Because they’ll normally say, like, how does it feel being, you know, disliked by the current president? And we always say as long as you’re on the air, we’re fine," Oliver said.

"You draw all the ire," Meyers said.

"We are fully supportive," Oliver told Kimmel. "We are fully behind you the way that we’re fully behind a bulletproof vest."

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The group went on to speculate about why Kimmel drew the most attention from the president, and Meyers said, "Other than the fact that you don't like him, we think he would want to hang out with you."

Dodgers' elimination ends remarkable streak of players named Will Smith winning the World Series

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 18:40:04 -0400

With the Los Angeles Dodgers eliminated from the postseason, the World Series is going to look a little different this year: There won't be any Will Smiths.

With the Dodgers’ elimination on Thursday, this year will mark the first time since 2019 that the World Series champion will not have a player named Will Smith on its roster.

From 2020 through 2025, two different players named Will Smith were members of World Series-winning teams.

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In 2020, catcher Will Smith won with the Dodgers. Then reliever Will Smith made sure the trend continued.

Reliever Smith won the World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 2021. At the trade deadline the following season, the Houston Astros acquired Smith from the Braves to fortify their bullpen. The Astros went on to win the World Series in 2022, marking three straight seasons in which a Will Smith had won it all.

After the 2022 season, the Astros declined Smith’s club option, and he became a free agent. Smith signed with the Texas Rangers ahead of the 2023 season and achieved the improbable: winning a World Series with three different teams after the Rangers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2023 Fall Classic.

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After the 2023 World Series, Smith signed with the Kansas City Royals. The Royals, however, were eliminated in the ALDS by the New York Yankees.

Dodgers catcher Will Smith then picked up the slack, as the Dodgers not only won the World Series in 2024, but in 2025 as well.

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Relief pitcher Will Smith has not pitched in the major leagues since 2024, so when the Milwaukee Brewers swept the Dodgers, it put an end to the remarkable Will Smith streak.

That is, unless Oscar-winning actor Will Smith gets signed by the eventual World Series champion and joins the active roster ahead of the Fall Classic. But even that seems a little too farfetched for Hollywood.

International Olympic Committee scraps gender equality, diversity and inclusion panel in major reshuffle

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 18:21:27 -0400

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is eliminating its Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission, as the organization undergoes cultural changes under its new president Kirsty Coventry. Under Coventry, the most notable change came earlier this year, when the IOC explicitly banned biological males from women's sports.

This week's cuts come as part of a restructuring that will replace 12 permanent advisory bodies with smaller working groups assembled to address specific issues.

Friday’s announcement comes months after the IOC adopted new eligibility rules reserving women’s Olympic events for biological females beginning with the 2028 Los Angeles Games, a policy addressing a central issue in the debate over fairness and safety in women’s sports.

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The IOC’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights is also being discontinued, alongside commissions covering sustainability, technology, education and commercial partnerships. The organization said the changes followed more than a year of consultation and review.

According to The Associated Press, the overhaul is a streamlining and cost-cutting measure that leaves 19 committees in place. The outgoing groups typically included between 10 and 30 members who gathered annually in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The IOC said in an official announcement that the new arrangement would enable "more targeted engagement on key strategic priorities and policy development." Its Athletes’ Commission, Ethics Commission, Audit Committee and other institutional bodies will continue operating.

Under President Kirsty Coventry, the IOC has already used a smaller expert group to examine eligibility for women’s competition. According to AP, the panel’s membership was kept confidential, and the review proceeded outside the gender equality and inclusion commission now being eliminated.

The resulting policy, announced March 26, requires a one-time screening for the SRY gene, which is typically associated with male sex development. It excludes transgender women from female Olympic events and also affects some athletes with differences in sex development, with limited exceptions. The rules do not apply retroactively or to recreational sports.

Coventry defended the policy as necessary to protect competition.

"It would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category," she said when the rules were announced. She also emphasized athletes’ dignity, access to counseling and medical guidance.

SUPREME COURT MAKES RULING ON TRANS ATHLETES IN WOMEN'S SPORTS

The policy aligns with President Donald Trump’s push for sex-based eligibility in women’s sports. His February 2025 executive order directed the secretary of state to press the IOC to adopt standards based on sex rather than gender identity or testosterone reduction.

The IOC’s approach has drawn sharply different responses. Reem Alsalem, the United Nations special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, welcomed the eligibility policy as protecting female athletes’ fairness and safety. Human Rights Watch opposed mandatory genetic screening, arguing it threatens privacy and can expose women with variations in sex characteristics to discrimination.

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Friday’s restructuring follows a pause in the affected commissions’ work that began in February. The IOC said it will now bring together experts through working groups with clearly defined assignments to guide future decisions.

Brain-infecting fungus that can kill 7 in 10 patients is on the rise across America

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 18:18:35 -0400

A rare fungal infection that can strike healthy people is rising across the U.S., prompting calls from public health officials for heightened awareness and national tracking.

Cladophialophora bantiana (C. bantiana) is a black yeast-like mold that can infect the brain and contains a dark pigment called melanin, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Data from a microbiology laboratory at the University of Washington shows that detection of the fungus nearly quadrupled between 2023 and 2025.

LOUISIANA GIRL, 8, DIES AFTER CONTRACTING SUSPECTED BRAIN-EATING AMOEBA LINKED TO LAKE SWIM

Between January 2009 and July 2026, researchers identified 48 confirmed cases and one probable case of C. bantiana in tissue samples from 21 states and the District of Columbia. The median patient age was 68 years old.

Unlike many fungal infections that mainly affect people with weakened immune systems, about half of C. bantiana infections occur in otherwise healthy people.

Researchers believe the mold enters the body when it is inhaled or through a skin wound, then travels through the bloodstream to the brain.

The CDC report states that 88% of cases were detected in brain tissue samples and 12% were identified in lung tissue, supporting the theory that respiratory inhalation is one of the main transmission mechanisms.

DEADLY ‘FOX TAPEWORM’ LINKED TO LETHAL DISEASE DETECTED IN WEST COAST WILDLIFE

The fungus causes a severe infection associated with a 60% to 70% fatality rate, even with aggressive medical intervention, according to a systematic review published in Medical Mycology.

The pathogen has historically been rare, with the University of Washington laboratory identifying only one to five cases per year between 2009 and 2023. However, the CDC says annual cases surged to eight in 2024 and reached 14 in 2025.

To make sure the increase wasn’t simply due to more testing, researchers compared the number of infections with the total number of brain tissue samples tested for fungi.

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They found that detections rose from 8.4 cases per 1,000 specimens during 2017–2023 to 26 cases per 1,000 specimens in 2025.

"Reasons for the apparent increase are unknown," the CDC report stated, calling for systematic national reporting mechanisms to better track the pathogen.

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Cases were reported across a wide geographic range, with the highest counts originating in California (six), Florida (five), Texas (five) and Pennsylvania (four).

Because C. bantiana typically manifests as a brain abscess without clear external signs of infection, experts say early diagnosis is challenging.

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In one documented fatal case at the University of Washington Medical Center, spinal fluid PCR tests returned negative results both one month prior to and at the time of a brain biopsy, highlighting the difficulty of detecting the mold.

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Public health experts advise clinicians to consider C. bantiana when evaluating patients who have signs of a brain abscess.

Treatment typically involves surgery to remove the infected tissue, along with multiple antifungal medications.

Hero dad who took down Oregon school shooter identified along with teacher killed in attack

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 18:02:51 -0400

The man who police in Bend, Oregon, said "neutralized" the 16-year-old shooter who killed three children and a teacher Thursday at Silver Rail Elementary School has been identified as 36-year-old Kaylub Giamanco, a law enforcement source confirmed to Fox News Digital.

During a news conference Friday, police identified the teacher who was killed in the shooting as 25-year-old Meghan Lambert, and also announced that among the youngest of the victims was 5-year-old Rhoam Summer.

"Meghan was compassionate and had a huge heart. She always fought for the underdog and those with special needs. She was an incredible sister, daughter, niece and granddaughter. Her friends became her family," Lambert's family said in a statement read at the news conference.

ARMED BYSTANDER FATALLY SHOOTS SUSPECTED TEEN GUNMAN AFTER 3 CHILDREN, 1 ADULT KILLED AT OREGON SCHOOL: FEDS

"Yesterday was a terrible day for our community," Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said during the news conference. "Five people succumbed to their injuries at the scene, including the suspect.

"The deceased at the school scene included three children, ages 5, 8 and 11, and one 25-year-old teacher. One 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were transported by Bend Fire to Saint Charles Bend with critical injuries."

The 7-year-old is in serious but stable condition, and the 54-year-old teacher suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Krantz said that at 12:58 p.m. a witness who was driving by the school saw the suspect throw his gun over a fence and then climb the fence onto school property. He said the witness confronted the suspect who then fired at his truck, hitting it at least three times. The driver, who was not injured by the gunfire, went down the street and made the initial 911 call at 12:59 p.m., he said.

Giamanco, who Krantz only identified as a "36-year-old man" during the briefing, drove into the school parking lot after seeing the suspect shoot at the truck, Krantz said, and saw the suspect shoot the glass panes on two double doors to get inside.

POLICE DISPTACH AUDIO RELEASED AFTER OREGON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING

Once he was inside, the shooter went straight into the classroom that was to the left and fired as many as 15 rounds.

Krantz said the shooter used three types of ammunition and that all the victims were shot in the classroom.

Giamanco grabbed a .40-caliber pistol he legally kept in his car and went into the school through the same doors. After hearing the sounds of a shooting, he went into the classroom where he saw the suspect struggling with a teacher, who had tackled the shooter.

Giamanco shot him multiple times.

"In addition to the 36-year-old man who bravely stepped in to stop the suspect, I want to highlight another person whose heroic action we need to recognize," Krantz said. "A teacher in the classroom threw her cellphone at the suspect, and then tackled him and fought to take the firearm from him.

"She was not injured in that incident, but she almost certainly helped prevent more bloodshed."

DEMOCRATS' LATEST GUN-CONTROL PUSH RUNS INTO INCONVENIENT FACT ABOUT HOW SCHOOL KILLER WAS STOPPED

Police arrived at the school within minutes of the 911 call at 1:02 p.m. having been told that the "suspect had been shot by a community member who had seen the suspect enter the school and pursued him into the school and engaged him, shooting him several times," Krantz said.

Earlier Friday, Kenda Freeman said in a statement that her son, Giamanco, intervened in the attack and shot the gunman who killed three students and a teacher, The Associated Press reported.

Giamanco, a local carpenter and dad, has two daughters who attend Silver Rail, his brother Kyle Gianmaco told NBC News.

Kyle shared that Kaylub is shaken by the event and doesn't want to speak to the public.

"We want the bystander who intervened to know we know he is going through a rough time, but we are grateful, and we think he is a hero," Lambert's family added in the statement. "You selflessly put yourself at risk for others. We would like the other families to know they are in our thoughts and prayers. Megan loved those children, and so we will show you love for her."

The shooter forced his way into the school by firing a shotgun at locked doors, Krantz said Thursday, citing the initial investigation.

He said the shooter fired as many as 15 times and had about 44 rounds remaining when he was killed.

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On Thursday, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek praised school staff, parents and first responders, along with the community member "who heroically intervened to stop further loss of life."

Silver Rail Elementary School is a public school in the Bend La-Pine Schools District with roughly 400 students, kindergarten through fifth grade, and approximately 40 staff members.

Fox News Digital's Stepheny Price, and Fox News' David Spunt and Bill Melugin contributed to this story.

ESPN allowing Troy Aikman to walk away from Joe Buck booth would make no sense | Bobby Burack

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 18:00:04 -0400

When Joe Buck signed a $100 million extension with ESPN, the natural assumption around the industry was that Troy Aikman would soon follow. Buck and Aikman have worked together for 25 years, first at Fox and at ESPN since 2022. They are often regarded as the best broadcast booth in sports.

Yet, within hours of the report about Buck's deal, industry chatter suggested that ESPN and Aikman were not close to an agreement.

This week, Aikman addressed the situation — along with a reported confrontation between him and Buck during Monday Night Football — and said ESPN has not engaged in any contract negotiations with him. His deal expires in May 2027, after the Super Bowl in February that he will call.

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Aikman suggested that leaving ESPN now appears to be the most likely outcome.

"It just seems to be where they’re going," he said on KTCK The Ticket in Dallas.

As of publication, there is still plenty of mystery surrounding why ESPN wouldn't want to keep Aikman. Yes, he's expensive. His current deal pays him around $18 million per year. ESPN, however, is paying others more, including Buck, Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee.

As the lead NFL analyst for Monday Night Football and ESPN's first Super Bowl this February, there is an argument that Aikman is the most valuable member of that group.

One industry-wide theory is that Buck wants a new partner. At the very least, Buck signing an extension before Aikman proves he is willing to work with someone else. He also apparently wasn't interested in using his leverage to ensure that he and Aikman remained together.

Sources close to Buck have denied this.

Another theory is that ESPN wants Peyton and Eli Manning in the booth and views this as its opportunity. However, unless the Mannings have privately agreed to such a move, which seems unlikely, pairing them with Buck sounds more like wishful thinking than an actual plan.

Then there are the Kelce brothers.

ESPN moved Jason Kelce into the color analyst role alongside Dave Pasch and Kurt Warner for its international games on NFL Network this season. Kelce has been polarizing, but impressive in the role. ESPN could envision eventually pairing him with his brother Travis, who is expected to retire from the NFL after this season, alongside Buck.

On paper, that sounds intriguing. The problem is that there is no indication Travis is interested in becoming a full-time game analyst, much less that the Kelce brothers would be ready to anchor ESPN's most important NFL property.

WITH TONY ROMO OUT AT CBS, TROY AIKMAN AND GREG OLSEN SUDDENLY BECOME LOGICAL REPLACEMENTS

Greg Olsen is another possibility. He is an impending media free agent and is viewed as a potential No. 1 game analyst, a role he previously held at Fox before Tom Brady arrived.

Olsen is good. Still, it's difficult to see why ESPN would prefer him to Aikman, who brings more gravitas, popularity and, most importantly, 25 years of chemistry with Buck.

Sure, Olsen is 18 years younger than Aikman and would presumably cost less. If ESPN's goal were to get younger and cheaper, though, re-signing Buck — who is only two years younger than Aikman — to a nine-figure extension doesn't exactly fit that philosophy.

From the outside, each alternative looks like a gamble, and probably one that wouldn't leave ESPN with a better booth than the one it already has.

That's what makes the situation so puzzling.

ESPN spent five years trying to find a suitable Monday Night Football booth. After Mike Tirico left in 2016 and Jon Gruden returned to coaching after the 2017 season, the network cycled through various combinations involving Steve Levy, Sean McDonough, Joe Tessitore, Booger McFarland, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick.

For one reason or another, none of them clicked. And most of them are good to great broadcasters.

There was even industry chatter at the time that the instability and poor reception surrounding ESPN's broadcasts affected the quality of games the NFL scheduled for Monday Night Football.

For what it's worth, ESPN has enjoyed a noticeably stronger slate of games since Buck and Aikman arrived in 2022. Other factors — including ESPN's improved relationship with the NFL — undoubtedly played a role as well.

Either way, ESPN finally found a booth worthy of the NFL's premier games, if not the standard for NFL broadcasting altogether, and now appears prepared to break it up.

Unless there is more to the story than anyone outside the company knows, it's difficult to understand the logic.

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Of course, skeptics have dismissed the entire saga as a negotiating tactic by ESPN. That doesn't appear to be the case. Usually, such tactics begin with, well, actual negotiations. According to Aikman, there haven't been any.

The fact that ESPN locked up his partner before having a substantive conversation with Aikman suggests one of two things: The company has decided it doesn't want to keep him, or it hasn't decided that it does.

Maybe ESPN is taking the old Bill Belichick approach with the New England Patriots: better to move on from a talent a year too early than a year too late. Maybe executives see a decline coming that viewers don't.

We are skeptical.

Forgotten American 'cure-all' from 1903 makes comeback with one key ingredient missing

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:53:59 -0400

A forgotten American elixir once marketed as a "cure-all" more than a century ago has gotten a second life — all due to a chance discovery in Florida.

Munyon's Paw-Paw, an alcoholic beverage dating to the early 1900s, has been resurrected by two longtime spirits industry veterans who stumbled upon its unusual history during a family outing.

Jupiter, Florida, resident Joe Colucci was visiting John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in Palm Beach County when he spotted an antique bottle from 1903 in a display about Dr. James Munyon, a businessman who once owned a nearby island.

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Intrigued, Colucci called his longtime colleague, Paul Massey, and the two began digging into the forgotten drink's past.

What they discovered was a colorful chapter of American history.

Munyon, an entrepreneur who built a fortune selling homeopathic remedies around the turn of the 20th century, marketed his Paw-Paw elixir as a medicinal cure-all.

The original concoction contained fermented papaya and alcohol — along with a surprising ingredient, according to the founders.

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"There was actually THC in the original formulation as well," Massey told Fox News Digital.

The pair traveled to Pennsylvania to meet with a historian researching Munyon's life and eventually obtained an original bottle containing some of the century-old liquid.

They even sampled it.

"Wasn't exactly still fresh, to say the least," Colucci recalled.

Determined to revive the historic brand, the entrepreneurs worked with a Miami craft distiller to develop a modern version inspired by the original, minus the THC.

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Launched in 2023, today's Munyon's Paw-Paw is a 20% alcohol-by-volume apéritif featuring 14 natural ingredients, including papaya, orange, grapefruit and hibiscus — botanicals the founders say were once grown on Munyon's island.

Even the bottle pays tribute to the past.

"When we saw the original bottle, we thought, 'Man, we could just run with that,'" Colucci said.

"So, ours is a replica. That package almost tells the story."

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For the founders, resurrecting Munyon's Paw-Paw is about more than bringing another alcoholic beverage to market.

It's about preserving a forgotten piece of American ingenuity at a time when nostalgia and old-fashioned brands continue to capture consumers' attention, they say.

"Americans just want to hear a great piece of U.S. history, and we're bringing that back with our product," Massey said.

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Although the original was sold as medicine, the modern version has a decidedly more recreational purpose.

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The founders suggest enjoying it in a Palm Beach Spritz, made with equal parts Munyon's Paw-Paw, prosecco and grapefruit soda.

Former NFL All-Pro running back joins President Trump for Georgia midterms rally

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:30:30 -0400

President Donald Trump is bringing some serious SEC star power to Georgia. Former Georgia Bulldogs superstar and NFL All-Pro running back Todd Gurley hopped aboard Air Force One with Trump on Friday as the president headed to Dalton for a campaign rally ahead of November's midterm elections.

Not a bad upgrade from his days of flying private in the NFL.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Gurley joined Trump for the trip to his home state. The former NFL star photographed alongside the president as they stepped off Air Force One at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta.

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Gurley, in case you forgot, was an absolute monster at Georgia. He rushed for 3,285 yards and 36 touchdowns in three seasons before becoming the 10th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He went on to become a three-time Pro Bowler and the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2017 with the Los Angeles Rams.

And he's hardly the first Bulldog to find himself in Trump's orbit.

Current Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton appeared alongside Trump at a February rally in Rome, Georgia, where the president gave him a shout-out onstage.

Then there's Georgia legend Herschel Walker, whom Trump backed in his unsuccessful 2022 Senate campaign against Democrat Raphael Warnock. Walker eventually landed a different gig courtesy of Trump: U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas.

Apparently, being a Georgia football star doesn't hurt your chances of getting some face time with the president.

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Friday's rally is Trump's third Georgia visit this year, with Republican Senate candidate Mike Collins and gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson joining the president as Republicans look to energize voters ahead of the Nov. 3 Election Day.

I will say that it's refreshing to see so many former and current professional athletes unafraid to show support for President Trump and the Republican party. As Clay Travis said on X responding to this news, "So many pro athletes are over the anti-Trump bulls***. Good for Todd Gurley." It's true. Many athletes have been scared into silence for years. But not anymore.

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Gurley energized crowds with his electric play while at Georgia, so it'll be interesting to see what he can do behind the podium.

Tish James confronted on camera over Trump's accusation of bias in Cornell rape case

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:20:35 -0400

New York Attorney General Letitia James on Friday vowed to conduct a "fair" investigation into the seven defendants accused of sexually assaulting an unnamed woman at a fraternity party at Cornell University.

James’ investigation into the alleged college gang rape was launched after the filing of a recent lawsuit against Cornell University, the Chi Phi fraternity and several other defendants that has thrust the Ivy League university’s handling of campus sexual assault into the national spotlight.

The remarks to a reporter come as James has repeatedly pushed back on questions about her impartiality, insisting the investigation will be guided by the facts and evidence, not politics.

President Donald Trump, a longtime foe of the attorney general, has also questioned James' ability to lead an impartial investigation. Trump made the remarks after Fox News' Peter Doocy asked for his view on Hochul appointing James as special prosecutor in the case.

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"Letitia James is a corrupt person," Trump said. "She’s totally corrupt, and I can’t imagine it. And I feel badly for whoever she’s looking at because they won’t get a fair shake. Letitia James is a corrupt person."

Attorneys for two of the defendants have also sought James’ removal, including Andrew Miltenberg, who represents Gillio Lopes, and Teny Geragos, who represents Winston Lee. The defense attorneys point to a social media post by James that Geragos separately argued in a court filing shows she is "unquestionably biased."

Just days before Hochul's appointment, James posted on X in support of the alleged victim, identified in court filings as Jane Doe.

"What this young woman has been forced to endure is horrific and unacceptable. I’m holding her in my heart and in my prayers," James posted on X Sept. 28. "To her, and to all survivors: you’re not alone. We stand with you."

Hochul has stood by her appointment of James amid the criticism, saying she has "every confidence" the attorney general will "look at the facts, examine the record and draw the proper conclusions."

James has rejected accusations that she prejudged the case, saying during an attorney general campaign debate that her comments supporting the alleged victim were intended to demonstrate "empathy" and insisting that "politics stops at the door" of her office.

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The case centers on allegations from a Cornell student that she was gang raped at a Chi Phi fraternity house party in 2024. Her allegations were investigated by Cornell University Police, which submitted her six-page sworn statement to the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors declined to pursue charges at the time, concluding that the conduct described in the statement did not provide sufficient evidence to sustain criminal charges under New York law.

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Cornell separately conducted a Title IX investigation that resulted in disciplinary action against several of the seven defendants, including the expulsion of two students and suspension of two others.

NFL lifts abuse suspensions on Green Bay's Josh Jacobs and Denver's Jonathon Cooper as investigations continue

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:10:44 -0400

Friday was a sort of "get out of jail" day at the NFL, as Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs and Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper learned they are coming off suspensions on the Commissioner's Exempt List.

Both players have missed the start of their teams' seasons — with Cooper missing six games and Jacobs about to miss his sixth game on Sunday — because both were on the Commissioner's list in connection to domestic abuse allegations and litigation.

But Cooper is coming off the list immediately and will be eligible to play in Denver's Week 7 game at the Arizona Cardinals because the Broncos already played their Week 6 game.

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Jacobs will come off the list on Monday after the Packers play their Sunday night game against the Dallas Cowboys. Jacobs will be eligible to play in the Packers' Week 7 game at the Detroit Lions.

So, we good?

Well, not completely.

Both players, arrested in the offseason on charges tied to domestic abuse involving their girlfriends, remain the subjects of ongoing league investigations.

So, if or when new information comes to light about either player relating to their incidents this offseason, they are subject to further discipline.

That stipulation is more likely to affect Cooper than Jacobs.

Why?

Because Jacobs struck a plea deal on Sept. 10 that ostensibly resolved the criminal case he was facing. He pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property in the case involving his ex.

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Jacobs was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, attend counseling, pay restitution for property he destroyed and have no further contact with the victim.

If the running back meets those conditions for one year, the property damage charge will be dismissed.

Cooper faces a more dicey situation because he has not yet gone to trial and the charges against him allege a greater degree of violence.

Cooper was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List after two domestic-violence-related arrests in June 2026.

The first arrest followed an argument with his then-girlfriend over suspected cheating. Both were arrested, and Cooper initially faced a criminal-mischief charge.

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But authorities said Cooper violated a protective order against him and he was arrested again and charged with second-degree assault by strangulation, third-degree assault, repeated-call harassment and violating the protective order.

Cooper pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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A pretrial hearing and a motions hearing are each scheduled for February and the trial is tentatively slated for March.

The outcome of that trial could result in Cooper facing another suspension at the start of the 2027 NFL regular season under the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy.

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Democrats' latest gun-control push runs into inconvenient fact about how school killer was stopped

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:00:16 -0400

Democrats renewed calls for tougher gun laws after three children and a teacher were killed in an Oregon school shooting, but gun-rights advocates say the circumstances of the attack bolster their case against new restrictions.

The teenage shooter reportedly opened fire with a shotgun purchased by his mother before an armed father-of-two-students, Kaylub Giamanco, pursued him into Silver Rail Elementary School and fatally shot him. Second Amendment advocates argue additional gun restrictions would not have stopped the killer and could make it harder for armed civilians like Giamanco to intervene.

"Democrats are shamefully weaponizing this tragedy in Oregon to advance their political agenda on gun control," Aidan Johnston, director of federal affairs for Gun Owners of America, told Fox News Digital.

"But more gun control isn’t the solution. The school was a gun-free zone, and the killer didn’t use a so-called ‘assault weapon.’ What did stop the mass murderer and save lives was an armed bystander with good aim."

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Gun-rights researcher John Lott, president of the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), separately argued that restrictions on carrying guns can leave potential victims defenseless.

"These gun-free zones actually serve as a magnet for these attacks rather than stopping them from occurring," Lott told Fox News Digital.

Lott pointed to CPRC research examining active shootings from 2014 through 2024, which he said found that legally armed civilians stopped more attacks than police did.

The National Rifle Association similarly questioned whether new restrictions would have changed the outcome.

"Oregon already has nearly every gun-control measure on the anti-gun wish list — including an A- rating from groups that push them — yet that did not prevent this attack," the NRA said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"The armed bystander who pursued the shooter inside and ended the threat is the clearest reminder that, when seconds count, a prepared law-abiding citizen can stop a killer."

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., was among the lawmakers calling for action after the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, where Bend-LaPine school policy bans firearms, including concealed guns.

"The best way to honor these victims is to at long last pass commonsense gun laws that reduce the risks of more children, parents, teachers and staff forced to live in fear of similar nightmares for their schools," Wyden said in a statement.

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Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., whose district includes Bend, also called for action while acknowledging the armed bystander's intervention.

"When are we going to practice that same bravery that that bystander had?" Bynum asked during a vigil, after urging action to keep guns away from people who should not have them.

Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed, D-R.I., also cited the shooting in calling for additional gun laws and urging the Supreme Court to change course.

"It is far past time for the Roberts Court to make it clear their decision on guns does not endorse unfettered and unregulated access to weapons," Reed said.

"In the absence of the Supreme Court ceasing its pro-gun rulings, Republicans need to join Democrats in enacting commonsense policies that could prevent these kinds of tragedies."

The Roberts court has issued consequential gun-rights rulings, including District of Columbia v. Heller, which struck down the District of Columbia's handgun ban in 2008, and New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn. v. Bruen, which struck down New York's requirement that applicants show a special need to obtain a license to carry a handgun in public.

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The political fighting is unfolding as investigators examine how the teenage gunman gained access to his mother's shotgun, a key question in determining whether existing or proposed gun laws could have made a difference.

Asked specifically about universal background checks and red-flag laws, the NRA argued that neither would likely have prevented the shooting, citing initial reports that the teenager obtained a family member's firearm.

The organization noted that background checks generally apply to firearm transfers, not unauthorized access to a firearm already owned by someone else. It also argued that a red-flag order would likely have been ineffective, although the circumstances surrounding the teenager's access to the shotgun remain unclear.

Lott also pointed to a 2021 change in Oregon law that allowed individual school districts to prohibit concealed carry permit holders from bringing guns onto school property, arguing that such restrictions can leave schools more vulnerable.

Before that change, Lott said, Oregon teachers with concealed carry permits generally could carry guns at schools, although some districts imposed employment-related restrictions. He estimated that roughly 25 of the state's 197 school districts have adopted prohibitions since then.

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"All the school shootings where anybody has been wounded or killed have occurred in places where people, teachers and staff are banned from having guns," Lott said, citing CPRC research.

Lott said his organization is updating the research through 2025. He also argued that uniformed school resource officers face tactical disadvantages because attackers can identify them, avoid them or target them first.

"Having somebody in uniform is like having a neon sign above them that says, shoot me first," Lott said.

Lott also questioned whether penalties for violating gun-free zone restrictions would deter someone already facing multiple life sentences for murder.

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"They may be facing six or seven life sentences [on murder counts and the like]. Does taking five years away from their seventh or eighth life [sentence] going to matter? Is that a penalty for them? And the answer is no," he said.

The NRA also cited research finding that 94% of mass shootings since 1950 occurred in gun-free zones, echoing Lott's argument.

"Law-abiding Americans have the right to defend themselves and their communities rather than rely solely on a sign or sticker. The tragedy in Bend is a clear example of how an armed citizen who is prepared and willing to act can stop an attacker and save lives. Policies that keep responsible people disarmed near schools leave those locations more vulnerable, not safer," an NRA spokesperson said.

Lott maintained that gun-free zone restrictions can therefore disadvantage lawful gun owners without meaningfully deterring someone planning a mass shooting.

Fox News Digital’s James Cirrone and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Democrats' latest gun-control push runs into inconvenient fact about how school killer was stopped