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Pistol-packing man knocks over fairgoers forcing his way toward Ohio governor candidate Amy Acton, police say

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 18:19:29 -0400

An armed man forced his way through a crowd toward Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton, knocking over multiple fairgoers before troopers stopped him at the Canfield Fair, authorities said.

Troopers assigned to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s executive protection unit intercepted Patrick M. Havas, 38, during the Sept. 6 incident, according to a statement provided by the Ohio Department of Public Safety to Fox News Digital.

"Havas knocked multiple fairgoers over while trying to get towards Dr. Acton, and was found to be in possession of a taser and two pistols," the highway patrol said. "Dr. Acton was unharmed during the incident."

Havas was turned over first to Canfield Fair Police and then to the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office before being taken to the county jail, according to the statement.

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He was booked on two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct. A jail record listed Havas as being held in pretrial custody.

The highway patrol and sheriff’s office are investigating what led to the confrontation. No additional details were immediately available.

Acton’s campaign initially said an armed individual had lunged at the candidate and injured multiple people.

"While attending the Canfield Fair, an armed individual lunged at Dr. Acton, injuring multiple people," Acton campaign communications director Addie Bullock said in a statement.

"Dr. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured," Bullock added. "This kind of violence has no place in Ohio. Dr. Acton will always stand up to the chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another."

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine later confirmed that Acton was not hurt and said he and first lady Fran DeWine spoke with her following the incident.

"Fran and I are thankful Dr. Amy Acton was not hurt, and we send our thoughts to those who were injured," DeWine said. "We spoke to Dr. Acton this afternoon and she said to share with Ohioans that she is ok."

DeWine said a man "tried to forcefully push himself toward Dr. Acton" as she was speaking and injured other attendees at the Mahoning County Democratic booth.

"We are grateful for the quick work of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and other law enforcement on the scene at the Canfield Fair today," the governor said.

"Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable," DeWine added. "This case is now in the hands of law enforcement and will be investigated thoroughly."

The incident came as Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned that candidates and other public figures continue to face threats as campaign season kicks into high gear.

"You’re never safe in the public eye," Mullin told Fox News’ Peter Doocy during an interview on "The Sunday Briefing."

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Doocy asked Mullin whether candidates were safe heading into the traditional Labor Day weekend kickoff to campaign season, citing the political assassinations and assassination attempts that have rocked the country in recent years.

"If you read any of the social media posts, which I choose not to, but you see the type of rhetoric and the hatefulness that’s out there," Mullin said.

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"The threats to our elected officials, they don’t go away," he continued. "We’ve got to bring down the temperature, but the temperature is not going to go down on itself."

Mullin said Americans must accept that political disagreements are part of the country’s system of government while drawing a firm line at violence.

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"The American people have to realize that we do have a republic, and the republic has different opinions, and it’s OK to have different opinions," he said.

"When you cross a line and say that that different opinion needs to be silenced — it needs to be silenced through violence — that’s where Homeland comes into place," Mullin added. "Free speech is something we all protect, but there’s a line that you can cross that goes from free speech to inciting dangerous behavior."

Mullin was speaking broadly about political threats and was not responding directly to the reported confrontation involving Acton.

Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy and his running mate, Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, condemned the Canfield Fair incident.

"Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence," Ramaswamy campaign communications director Connie Luck said in a statement.

"What happened today is completely unacceptable and has no place in politics, and we hope that no one was hurt," she added.

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Acton and Ramaswamy are facing off in November’s closely watched race to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.

Acton, a physician, became a household name in Ohio while serving as director of the Ohio Department of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to The Associated Press. She appeared alongside DeWine during televised briefings as the state imposed shutdowns and other public-health restrictions.

Her handling of the pandemic has since become a central campaign issue, The AP reported. Ramaswamy and other Republicans have criticized Acton over the restrictions, while her campaign has defended her work with DeWine as necessary to protect Ohioans.

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Fox News Digital reached out to the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office for additional information.

Fox News' Peter Doocy contributed to this report.

Rome ramps up security around Colosseum with new ‘red zone’ targeting criminals

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 20:19:33 -0400

Rome has declared a "red zone" around the Colosseum after predatory crime, drug dealing and a violent confrontation involving roughly 50 people turned one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations into a security flashpoint.

The "enhanced-control zone" covers the Colosseum, Imperial Forums and Colle Oppio and allows authorities to remove certain people whose violent, threatening or persistently disruptive behavior creates a public safety risk, according to a six-page order issued by Rome Prefect Lamberto Giannini.

The measure took effect Aug. 24 and will remain in place for four months, through Christmas Eve.

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Officials said the area has experienced a "resurgence of disorder" that was "predominantly attributable to groups of young people of non-EU origin," according to the order.

The document cited predatory crimes, fights and fireworks near the ancient amphitheater, warning that the explosives may have been used to distract potential crime victims.

Officials said the trouble reached a breaking point July 1, when Rome Capital police officers responded after fireworks were set off near the Colosseum. A group of approximately 50 non-EU nationals allegedly resisted responding officers and damaged police property, according to the order.

The group surrounded local police officers and left two with minor injuries during what news agency ANSA described as an unauthorized gathering in Piazza del Colosseo.

Authorities also singled out Largo Gaetana Agnesi, a terrace overlooking the Colosseum and situated above the Colosseo subway station, as a regular gathering place for the groups at the center of the security concerns.

The nearby Colle Oppio park was also described as a problem area because of people officials said may be engaged in conduct harmful to public safety and public order.

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The newly designated zone stretches through some of the most recognizable areas of central Rome, including Piazza Venezia, Via dei Fori Imperiali, Piazza del Colosseo, the Arch of Constantine and Piazza del Campidoglio.

Giannini issued the order following a proposal from Rome’s police chief and discussions by the Provincial Committee for Public Order and Security.

The order says the opening of the Metro C station serving the Colosseum has also contributed to the security challenges by creating a direct connection between the historic center and neighborhoods in eastern Rome.

The station and another subway stop inside the designated area draw large numbers of commuters and tourists who could be exposed to criminal activity, officials said.

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Under the order, authorities may remove people who engage in violent, threatening or persistently disruptive behavior and who were reported during the previous five years for specified offenses. Those include intentional crimes against people or property, certain drug offenses, weapons violations and crimes carrying a particular hate-crime aggravating circumstance.

The order is part of a broader push to protect residents and a flood of tourists visiting the Italian capital. Officials described Rome as facing an unusually complex security situation because of major international and historic events, the heightened geopolitical threat environment and the continuing influx of visitors.

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Authorities said ordinary patrols, surveillance systems, fixed security posts and joint "High Impact" operations had produced results but had not stopped repeated criminal conduct or fully restored public spaces to residents and visitors.

Officials also extended a separate security zone in Esquilino, covering streets around Rome’s main Termini train station and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

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Officials said demonstrations around Termini continue to require close attention. They also cited the increased number of visitors and pilgrims traveling to Santa Maria Maggiore, where Pope Francis is buried, warning that large crowds can become targets for predatory crimes.

An earlier enhanced-control designation covering the Valle Aurelia area, including the Battistini and Cornelia subway stations, was discontinued after authorities determined that continuing the special measures there was no longer useful.

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Anyone who violates the order could face criminal charges under Italian law.

Fox News Digital reached out to Rome police for additional information.

MLB tells umpire Doug Eddings he made a mistake in demanding Cardinals pitcher straighten his hat

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 20:15:51 -0400

It's not often you see Major League Baseball criticize umpires or an individual umpire, as the league office prefers to downplay any mistakes or poor calls. But what veteran umpire Doug Eddings did on Friday during the Colorado Rockies-St. Louis Cardinals game apparently warranted such unusual treatment.

Eddings inserted himself into the game, apparently believing that fans buy tickets to see umpires, when Cardinals rookie reliever Hancel Rincon entered the game to make his major league debut. Rincon had his had tilted to the side, obviously not the traditional way to wear a baseball hat, but hardly anything exception or unusual in the modern game. Bizarrely, though, Eddings felt it necessary to instruct him to fix it.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol was unsurprisingly furious, rushing out to defend the 24-year-old pitcher. Marmol could be seen telling Edings to "grow the f*** up" before getting tossed from the game, then went off about Eddings behavior afterward.

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"I had an issue with Doug," he said to the media after the game. "Just Doug. He took it upon himself to tell our rookie pitcher the kid’s ‘not going to wear his hat on my field that way.’ You got Dontrelle Willis, CC Sabathia, Pedro Strop -- plenty of guys that have worn it way more tilted. I have an issue with that. That’s just a power-hungry move, in my opinion."

Eddings then defended himself by telling reporters that he'd made the decision to step in after a hitter from the Rockies complained about the hat.

"The batter said, ‘Hey, can he wear his hat like that?’" he explained after the game. "I really didn't know, but it was really, really crooked. I asked the catcher to tell him to straighten his hat out, and the pitcher did. Nobody said anything until he gave up a couple runs."

Except only one Colorado player had been up to the plate when the warning was issued, Hunter Goodman, who promptly denied he'd said anything.

"I never once mentioned the hat," Goodman told reporters. "It doesn’t matter who’s pitching. I don’t care how they wear the hat. I’m trying to find out where the ball is coming out, and I’m trying to worry about what I’m doing in the box. I’m not worried about how his hat looks.

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"It was one of those situations — it’s kind of a wild, wild thing that happens in the game. But I didn’t like seeing that my name was a part of it today when I didn’t say anything like that. You watch baseball growing up. There are a lot of guys who have had their hat crooked or however. Honestly, before today, when I went back and looked, I didn’t even notice the hat was messed up or looked like that when I was hitting. Anyway, I don’t pay attention to that stuff."

From Rincon's perspective, he addressed it by saying that Eddings had "apologized" to him and that he'd put the incident behind him.

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"I understood a couple words and it looked like he apologized to me for what happened last night, and he also told me good luck the rest of my career as a big leaguer," Rincon said. "I told him don't worry, it's nothing personal, and everything stays here."

Still, in a very obvious gesture, many Cardinals players wore their hats purposefully tilted in the dugout before Saturday's game, and seemingly added a celebratory helmet tilt when reaching base.

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On Sunday, the Athletic reported that MLB had formally spoken to Eddings and told the veteran umpire he'd gone too far by telling Rincon to fix his hat.

Ken Rosenthal spoke to sources within the league about the incident, writing, "Umpires operate with broad discretion if they believe a player's actions are distracting, but according to two people briefed on the matter who were granted anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly, the league viewed Eddings' admonishment of Rincon as going too far."

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Frankly, it did go too far. Wearing a hat tilted a bit one way or another isn't an offense, and as Marmol brought up, it's hardly unprecedented. Is it every baseball fan's preferred way for a professional to wear a hat? No, of course not. But it isn't the type of infraction that warranted Edding's reaction.

Maybe Eddings thought he heard someone from the Rockies complain about the hat and took it upon himself to say something? Or maybe he thought it was some sort of violation then had to backtrack afterward?

Regardless, Rincon pitched again Saturday, with his hat tilted to his liking. Eddings, still part of the umpiring crew over the weekend, let it go.

Socialism 2026 speaker slams diet industry for policing 'Black fat flesh,' calls it 'body fascism'

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 20:00:15 -0400

An activist at the Socialism 2026 conference in Chicago slammed the "diet industry" for policing "Black fat flesh," characterizing modern health standards and weight management as forms of "body fascism".

During a session on "Health Fascism" on Saturday, author Da’Shaun L. Harrison said that the policing of "Black fat flesh" is foundational to broader "entire systems of governance."

"Black fatness is made meaningful through suffering, through surveillance, and through control and the policing of Black fat flesh anchors entire systems of governance. Without a population to discipline, there would be no BMI, no obesity epidemic, and no medical or scientific institutions organized around managing fatness," Harrison said.

"The diet industry reflects this logic. It operates through what I once defined as formal and informal relationships among major food corporations, the medical-industrial complex, and individual wealthy benefactors to sustain a social order in which fat people are monitored, restricted, guilted, stolen from, and punished. Diet culture has always linked food to morality, framing restraint as virtue and pleasure as danger through language like 'guilty pleasure,'" Harrison said.

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The four-day Socialism 2026 conference, held at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place and organized by Haymarket Books, brought together activists, organizers, and communities from across the country and around the world, featuring over a hundred participatory discussions, lectures, and workshops, according to the event's website.

Harrison was one of three panelists — alongside podcast co-hosts Beatrice Adler-Bolton and Artie Vierkant—who spoke during a session titled "Health Fascism, Body Politics, and the Anti-State State". Over 200 people attended the discussion, which formed part of the conference's broader "Health Fascism" series. Clips of the conference were shared on X by Manhattan Institute investigative analyst Stu Smith.

"As governments retreat from care, and health increasingly becomes a signifier of discipline—rather than provision—fitness, disability, fatness, illness, Blackness, impairment, and bodily capacity are mobilized into measures of moral worth and political belonging. This panel examines how health, disability, body size, and race are instrumentalized by the state and being reorganized under health fascism," according to an event description.

In the session, Harrison argued that diet culture conditions "obedience," "self-denial," and "discipline" before framing those concepts as central components of "body fascism."

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"Abstaining from pleasure becomes a way to train obedience, to train self-denial, and to train discipline in service of a broader political order. Body fascism is not some relic of the past. It's an active feature of modern imperial regimes," Harrison explained.

Harrison also criticized GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, contending that efforts to treat fatness as a public-health issue are intrinsically connected to racial control.

"Every time a government decides whose body must be protected and whose bodies must be erased for the sake of national imagery, this is body fascism. Every time there is a call for sovereignty by state powers with the intent to maintain borders, this is body fascism. Every time Black flesh is wrangled, dismembered, abused, this is body fascism. Understanding this clarifies exactly how fascist ideologies operate through the body, not only by glorifying a narrow ideal, but also by violently repressing the Black fat," Harrison added.

Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist and author of "Therapy Nation," told Fox News Digital that Harrison's comments are a byproduct of ideology infiltrating everything.

"There are fair criticisms of BMI and how it’s used. But calling it ‘body fascism’ is what happens when ideology gets inserted into almost every part of life," Alpert said.

"We’re seeing more and more ordinary issues viewed through the same lens: Who has power? Who’s oppressed? How does race factor into it? Now even a conversation with your doctor about weight or diet can be framed as a form of oppression," he added.

"That fits neatly into the worldview being promoted at a conference like this. Instead of seeing people primarily as individuals who make choices and have some responsibility for their lives, everything gets explained through systems, identity and power," Alpert said.

"Socialism may be an economic philosophy, but the culture surrounding this version of it goes much further. Personal problems become political problems, and individual responsibility gets pushed aside in favor of identifying the system or group supposedly responsible," he explained further.

"As a psychotherapist, I think there’s a psychological cost to that. If you teach people to interpret uncomfortable information as an attack, they become less willing to hear things they may need to hear. Sometimes a doctor telling you that you need to lose weight or change your diet isn’t racism, oppression or an attempt to control your body. It’s medical advice," Alpert added.

Harrison and representatives for the Socialism 2026 panel did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.

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Trump appears to debut darker hair, sparking online buzz

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 19:39:48 -0400

President Donald Trump appeared to debut a darker hair color Friday, sparking widespread speculation online after stepping off Air Force One in New Jersey ahead of a weekend at his Bedminster golf club.

Known for his signature blond hairstyle, Trump was photographed arriving at Morristown Municipal Airport with what appeared to be a noticeably darker, more brunette look —prompting a flood of reactions across social media.

"Trump becoming a brunette was definitely not on my 2026 bingo card," one user wrote on X.

"This was Donald Trump yesterday while departing to New Jersey for the weekend! Look at the appearance of his hair! Is he getting a new hair color?" another user wrote.

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"Seems brown is the new blonde ...," a third user added.

"Trump is now a brunette!" another post read.

Photos shared on Instagram by internet personality Michael Solakiewicz showed Trump golfing Saturday in a red hat that covered most of his hair, making it difficult to tell whether the darker look remained.

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The online speculation comes just days after Trump pushed back on allegations that he wears a wig, pointing to a windy 2024 campaign rally in Ohio, according to The Hill.

"I don’t wear a wig. But that night, they found out I did not wear a wig because if you did, it was not going to be on your head very long," Trump said Wednesday.

Trump has rarely made noticeable changes to his appearance while in office.

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In 2019, he sparked similar speculation after appearing with what looked like a slicked-back hairstyle during a surprise visit to a Virginia church.

That hairstyle was short-lived. Trump spoke to reporters later in the day wearing his usual hairdo.

The White House could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment.

Fox News Digital's Bradford Betz contributed to this report.

Kansas State Wildcats' mascot forced to complete absurd amount of push-ups during 71-3 victory

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 19:32:27 -0400

If you were one of the lucky ones to see your college football team score more than 70 points this weekend - and judging by the offenses we saw on Saturday, that likely isn't many of you - then you're probably feeling pretty good right now.

Everyone loves watching the scoreboard light up and the ball get marched up and down the field (as long as it's your team doing the scoreboard lighting and ball marching).

One guy - or anthropomorphic cat - who isn't feeling too great about all that scoring is Willie the Wildcat.

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You see, he's the mascot for the Kansas State Wildcats, and his boys had themselves a night on offense.

71 points to be exact, all at the expense of poor little Nicholls State.

The Colonels got absolutely smoked, but the only person more upset than their defense about that offensive performance is probably dear old Willie.

That's because Willie had to do some work, busting out a set of push-ups to match the scoreboard after every scoring drive.

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And by the end of the night, our calisthenically inclined mascot could barely go through his range of motion.

71 points is a lot on its own, but 394 push-ups (someone else did the math for me) in one night is downright mental unless you're prime Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Willie might be the only mascot in America that will be joining the players in the cold tub Sunday morning.

I know some people are clowning him for his form, but I'd like to see you keyboard warriors bang out 400 push-ups and still be able to even raise your arms above your head, let alone drop and give me seven more.

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If the Wildcats ever need a backup middle linebacker, Willie might be able to fill in admirably.

I'm sure Willie will be thrilled to see his team play a defense with a pulse, but K-State plays in the Big 12, so he might want to ice up and hit the protein shakes a little harder this season.

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Good luck, buddy! We are rooting for you!

Group of fans kicked out of Portland Thorns NWSL match over pro-women apparel labeled 'transphobic'

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 19:30:54 -0400

A group of eight people was confronted at their seats and ejected from a Portland Thorns match at Providence Park after stadium security flagged their pro-women apparel.

Footage obtained by OutKick shows Amy E. Sousa attempting to speak with a venue staff member for about a minute as the group sat in their assigned seats for the NWSL match against the Washington Spirit.

Attendees were wearing gear from XX-XY Athletics alongside shirts bearing slogans such as "Save Women's Sports," "Girls just wanna have fundamental rights," "Woman," and "It's common sense."

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In the video, venue staff hand the group a card notifying them of an infraction of the Providence Park and NWSL Code of Conduct before escorting them out of the building.

The notice gave venue staff 72 hours to contact the group about additional penalties. It also warned that refusing to provide personal information on the spot could lead to a ban from all future events at the stadium.

Sousa later told OutKick that she was accused of being transphobic.

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Following the ejection, Sousa took to social media to push back against any claim that the group caused a disturbance inside the venue before security stepped in.

"We did nothing. We had not even shown our shirts. We were dressed like this when ejected," Sousa posted on X in response to the incident.

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The episode at Providence Park, which is owned by the City of Portland but operated by a private company, raises questions about how speech rules are enforced at a publicly owned stadium.

Fans face a core question: Who polices game-day gear, and when does safety cross into overreach? The incident also highlights a contrast in how Portland’s sports teams handle fan attire.

Sousa previously attended a WNBA game at the Moda Center between the Portland Fire and Indiana Fever wearing her XX-XY Athletics shirt. She was even featured on the arena’s massive jumbotron during the live broadcast, while the Thorns later booted Sousa and the other fans from Providence Park for wearing similar pro-women apparel.

"I didn't take it seriously," Sousa said regarding online warnings she received before Sunday's match. "I was like, what are they going to do? Arrest us for watching soccer?"

SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SHARES TOUCHING MOMENT WITH YOUNG FEVER FAN AFTER GAME AGAINST PORTLAND

The security response at Providence Park followed public social media posts from a local LGBT group organizer, Hannah Perry, who lobbied municipal and state officials to intervene at the city-owned stadium.

Ahead of game time, Perry fired off a Facebook message to Sousa letting him know she’d already put the Portland PD, the mayor and Gov. Tina Kotek on notice.

Perry added that she was contacting Providence Park directly, alongside local organizations, to demand the group be removed. She called Sousa a "pathetic excuse of a human being" and wrote, "I hope that you're not allowed into the stadium."

Under the NWSL Fan Code of Conduct, spectators are prohibited from displaying signs, symbols, words or imagery used for political campaigning or advocacy. However, neither the league nor venue rules provide an objective standard for what turns basic slogan apparel into banned political expression, leaving enforcement largely to staff discretion.

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Requests for comment sent to Providence Park venue management, Portland Thorns and NWSL league headquarters were not immediately returned.

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

Why Tasers sometimes fail to stop suspects — and what weight has to do with it

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 19:00:51 -0400

Multiple Taser deployments failed to stop Pamela Cisneros, 49, during a roughly four-minute standoff in Times Square last Monday, after she allegedly stabbed two people. The attack left a 32-year-old woman dead and a 68-year-old man wounded.

"As multiple officers discharged Tasers, which proved to be ineffective, the subject continued to advance toward our officers with the knives," Jessica Tisch, New York City police commissioner, said in a news conference that evening.

When the Tasers failed to subdue Cisneros — who stated, "I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you" — two officers opened fire, striking her. Cisneros was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

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The incident sparked broader questions about why Tasers sometimes fail and whether obesity or body composition can impede their effectiveness.

A standard Taser is designed to fire two small, barbed probes connected to the device by insulated, conductive wires, according to Axon, the manufacturer.

"Electrical pulses travel along those wires and into the body, triggering involuntary muscle contractions," Axon’s website states. "For NMI to occur, it is best that two probes make contact 12 inches (30 cm) or more apart."

Steve Keller, a retired police sergeant in Blue Ash, Ohio, said the most common causes of Taser failure include clothing, probe placement, substance abuse by the perpetrator and connectivity between probes.

However, obesity can affect the Taser, he said, as a large layer of body fat could interfere with the connectivity.

"The purpose of the Taser is neuromuscular in capacity," Keller told Fox News Digital.

"Your large muscle masses are your back and thighs. Officers are trained to aim for those areas," he said, just as they are also trained to adjust their aiming for clothing and the distance between them and the subject.

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If one of the probes hits the abdomen and the person is obese, it can affect the connectivity of the two probes, according to Keller.

"If one probe hits the person and the other probe misses, the Taser will not work," he said.

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For example, if one probe hits a subject in the thigh and the other probe hits a thick bubble jacket, there’s a good chance the officer won’t have good connectivity, Keller said.

"The same could be considered if there is a large layer of body fat — they could still feel it, but it might not be as effective."

Referring to Cisneros’ case, Keller emphasized that mental health may also play a significant role in how a person responds to a Taser.

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Tisch confirmed at the press conference that the suspect had a documented mental health history with the NYPD, with one incident in 2018 and another in 2019.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, agreed that body composition can affect the Taser’s effectiveness.

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"Tasers are much more effective for muscle than fat because muscle conducts electricity much better, and the Taser delivers a high voltage," he said. "In an obese person, it is more difficult to find an area that conducts electricity."

Fox News Digital reached out to Axon, the NYPD and obesity organizations requesting comment.

Amazon cargo plane overruns Miami airport runway and strikes 'multiple' vehicles; 5 dead, 5 injured

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 15:26:13 -0400

At least five people were killed, and five others were injured at Miami International Airport on Sunday after an Amazon cargo plane overran the runway, struck multiple vehicles and caught fire while landing.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO) and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) confirmed that there were at least 10 victims involved in the crash, which happened when Prime Air flight 7598 overran Miami International Airport’s diagonal runway at about 2 p.m. local time.

An Amazon spokesperson expressed condolences to those impacted.

"We're heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss," the company said.

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

Fire Chief Raied Jadallah said three people were taken to a trauma center in critical condition and two others were transported to a local hospital.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said the rescue team "was there within seconds of the crash."

Fire officials are still working to contain a fuel leak caused by the crash, according to Jadallah.

"We do still have an active fuel leak that's occurring off of the aircraft that is being mitigated," Jadallah said.

Fire officials told Fox News Digital that the fire erupted from the aircraft’s engine, but HazMat units were able to safely shut down the engine while addressing the plane’s fuel leak.

"Firefighters encountered a complex engine compartment fire and used foam from specialized airport firefighting units to extinguish the flames," officials said.

MDFR said several victims were trapped in the vehicles struck by the airplane, with one requiring "extrication" by specialized technical rescue personnel.

Crews also conducted search-and-rescue operations for the pilots and co-pilots, who officials said were trapped inside the cockpit. They also worked to locate and assess patients throughout the scene.

More than 60 fire units and about 200 personnel responded to the scene after the airplane crashed and came to a stop beyond the airport operations boundary, according to fire officials.

"Units arrived to find an airplane that had caught on fire as a result of this crash, with heavy flames and smoke showing. Firefighters are working on extinguishing the fire and assessing patients," the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said in a post on X.

MDFR is now operating in a supportive role, with units remaining on scene to assist partner agencies.

An Amazon spokesperson said the plane experienced an "incident" while attempting to land, but did not elaborate on the circumstances.

"We can confirm that an Amazon Air plane operated by 21 Air experienced an incident while attempting to land at Miami International Airport today," Amazon said.

"This is a fast-moving situation and we're still gathering details. We're working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened. Right now, our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved. We're doing everything we can to support those affected."

Boeing told Fox News that the aircraft was first delivered as a passenger plane in 1994 before later being converted to a freighter.

"Boeing extends our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the accident in Miami. Our hearts go out to those injured and affected by this tragedy. Boeing is supporting the investigation led by the U.S National Transportation Safety Board," the aerospace manufacturer said.

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said 21 Air Flight 7598, a Boeing 767-300, departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

County CAD records indicate the emergency call was received at about 1:55 p.m.

Cava said the city is closely monitoring the situation.

"Right now, our focus is on everyone involved and making sure our first responders have what they need. We will provide updates as we learn more," she said in a post on X.

Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said first responders were assessing the scene.

"We’ve issued a full ground stop at Miami International while first responders assess the scene after an Amazon cargo plane overran the runway. If you’re traveling through the area, please expect significant delays and potential cancellations," he said in a post on X.

Airport officials later said one runway reopened, but they are "still experiencing impacts from this incident."

Passengers with flights scheduled for Sunday were advised to check directly with their airline for flight status updates before heading to the airport.

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The FAA will investigate the incident.

MLB legend Alex Rodriguez reveals the foods he keeps in his kitchen fridge

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 18:22:29 -0400

Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Alex Rodriguez, better known as A-Rod, hasn’t swung a bat professionally in a decade, and he revealed he eats a lot less than he did when he was a full-time athlete.

"During my 25-year career, I ate a lot more," the legendary MLB slugger, three-time MVP and World Series champion told Men’s Health in a video showing what he keeps in the refrigerator and pantry of his Los Angeles, Calif., home.

"I used to eat six times a day — a lot of steak, a lot of potatoes, a lot of rice, beans," A-Rod said. "You’re burning so much calories when you’re playing 162 games."

TENNIS GREAT RAPHAEL NADAL SWEARS BY BREAKFAST WITH NUTRIENT-PACKED TINY FISH

These days, the 51-year-old businessman, sports-team owner and broadcaster eats a wide variety of foods, with healthy options always on hand along with a stash of indulgent snack items.

The staples A-Rod told Men’s Health are always in his fridge include plenty of water — "some sparkling, but not too much" — eggs, spring lettuce mix and fruit, including bananas, apples and oranges, which the athlete called "very important."

He said he usually eats three or four meals a day and mixes in a protein shake.

His refrigerator still contains a few "pop sodas" (his term) for friends who visit, because A-Rod gave up drinking soft drinks five years ago.

Other items A-Rod said he must have in his fridge are blueberries — "always fresh, organic" — strawberries, greens — including salad and some broccoli — and hummus for a late-night snack.

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A-Rod said he is a "chips expert."

In his pantry, he unveiled an assortment of salty, greasy goodness in the form of barbecue chips, Doritos, Cheetos, Tostitos, Corn Nuts and cashews.

"This is where I do my best work — at 2 a.m.," he joked. He also acknowledged eating in bed.

One item A-Rod said you’ll never see in his kitchen is liver.

His standard breakfast includes eggs, some oatmeal, bacon, a little glass of orange juice and lots of water.

For lunch, he usually has some salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing and chicken or fish.

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For dinner, he likes steak or salmon with sweet potato fries — or "any type of fries, actually" — and said he doesn’t cook any of it, joking that he would probably start a fire.

A-Rod said he’s never tried a diet.

"I love to eat," he said. "I have a great relationship with food."

He added that while he was playing in the MLB, he used to "overeat" because he needed the energy.

"Today I probably under-eat," he said, "which is not good. I need to eat more, especially some healthy proteins, more fruit, more water, more fuel."

A-Rod said his favorite pregame meal was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with barbecue chips and two bottles of water.

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To celebrate big wins, he said he enjoyed eating a big steak with a sweet potato "or some good sushi."

His go-to comfort foods reflect his Dominican heritage and include rice and beans, plátanos maduros — sweet, ripe plantains that are fried until caramelized — and tostones — twice-fried, crispy green plantains.

Revealing his go-to burger meal, A-Rod said it’s a double Whopper with cheese. He noted that he likes Burger King’s burgers but prefers McDonald’s French fries.

The sports star is a big coffee drinker, estimating he consumes between seven and eight cups a day. He also likes a Celsius energy drink before hitting the gym.

A-Rod said he incorporates protein shakes with protein powder, fruit and a little bit of peanut butter into his day.

He also takes vitamin C supplements, a multivitamin and, to help him sleep, some magnesium.

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His preferred ballpark food is a hot dog, specifically a Dodger Dog (served at Los Angeles Dodgers baseball games at Dodger Stadium).

"I also like a great pretzel," he said. "Nice and warm and big."

The "A-Rod special" is an unusual item you likely won’t find on a restaurant menu.

The baseball star’s "weird" favorite food combination is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with deli turkey on it.

Andrew Garfield faces backlash after telling billionaires to be 'scared' of his new movie

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 18:00:02 -0400

Andrew Garfield took heat on X after calling out "billionaires" while discussing his new movie, "The Uprising," Thursday at a Los Angeles film screening.

In a video uploaded by film review website, The Movie Report, Garfield and director Paul Greengrass answered questions about the historical action drama that depicts England's 1381 Peasants' Revolt. The story takes place in the aftermath of the Black Death, when heavy taxes imposed by King Richard II's court to fund the Hundred Years' War push impoverished commoners to a breaking point.

"What's your dream takeaway for people in the audience when they go home?" an audience member asked Garfield, adding, "What are you hoping for?"

LEWIS HAMILTON, WORTH $500M AND DATING BILLIONAIRE KIM KARDASHIAN, WANTS TO PUT 'A LIMIT' ON WEALTH

"Well, first I hope they come and see it, first thing," Garfield responded. "Secondly, I hope it's galvanizing. I hope there's some awakening that people feel … that we all feel like our own struggles are being reflected in the struggles of these characters from a distant time and place and that it could be directive."

"And I hope that if any billionaires watch it, they're scared sh--less," Garfield added.

Garfield’s remarks sparked swift backlash, with critics highlighting the substantial wealth the movie star has accumulated throughout his career.

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"When I first heard they were making a period film about Wat Tyler, I was pretty excited. But the more Andrew Garfield talks, the more it sounds like it's just going to be socialist garbage," said Rick Davis, an associate pastor at Providence Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. (Garfield plays a fictional lead character named Ploughman in the film, while actor Cosmo Jarvis portrays historical rebel leader Wat Tyler).

Spencer Pratt, a former candidate for mayor in Los Angeles, pointed out what he viewed as irony in Garfield’s statement.

"You mean…like the billionaires who greenlight your movies and stroke all your multi-million dollar paychecks? Or they good?" Pratt wrote. He added, "Ironically, Garfield just got paid like $5M for playing billionaire Sam Altman in Artificial."

SPENCER PRATT DUBS HIMSELF THE 'FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR' IN SPOOF CAMPAIGN VIDEO FOR LA MAYOR RACE

"Hilarious that world-famous, multi, multi millionaire Andrew Garfield is cosplaying as a put upon member of the working class," Substack columnist John William Sherrod posted.

"More billionaires were involved in making this than will probably ever watch it," Noam Blum, chief technology officer at Tablet Magazine also posted.

Garfield has starred in major blockbuster films including "Spider-Man: No Way Home," "Hacksaw Ridge," and "The Amazing Spider-Man."

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Neither Garfield nor Greengrass responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Team USA basketball survives scare against Italy in FIBA Women's World Cup, secures quarterfinal berth

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 17:40:54 -0400

Team USA got all it could handle from Italy in Sunday's FIBA Women's World Cup game.

The Stars and Stripes jumped out to a 19-8 lead by the end of the first quarter and held on to win by a score of 55-52, though the contest wasn't without its fair share of lead changes and controversies.

Italy led by three midway through the fourth quarter and even had a chance to tie the game on the final shot where an Italian player looked like she may have been fouled.

CAITLIN CLARK NOT IN TEAM USA'S STARTING 5 FOR FIBA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WORLD CUP OPENER VS CHINA

But the game-tying attempt sailed to the left of the rim and landed harmlessly into the arms of Breanna Stewart, ending the threat.

Team USA shot a putrid 1-12 from beyond the arc (8%) and only made 29% of their field goals overall, highlighting just how much work still needs to be done if this team wants to make a run at the title.

ANGEL REESE VS. 7'3" DOUGHY CHINESE TOWER ZHANG ZIYU WAS A BATTLE FOR THE AGES AT THE FIBA WORLD CUP

Italy's Cecilia Zandalasini led all scorers with 14 points to go along with seven rebounds and was the unquestioned star in a game full of them.

For the Americans, Jackie Young led with a team-high 10 points and was the only player to shoot above 40% from the field.

CAITLIN CLARK AND ANGEL REESE MUST NOW WORK TOGETHER AT WOMEN'S WORLD CUP AS WNBA TAKES A HIGH-STAKES BREAK

Had the Italians hung on to win, it would have been one of the most monumental upsets in FIBA Women's World Cup history.

With the win, the U.S. women improved to 2-0 in group play and have now qualified for the quarterfinals of the tournament.

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Time will tell if this group of women has what it takes to bring some hardware home from Germany, but if they don't want to leave empty-handed, they will need their heavy hitters to step up, namely Caitlin Clark, who finished with just one point and was held without a field goal for the entire game.

Has National Championship picture in college football already changed after a stunning first week?

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 17:26:23 -0400

Week one of the 2026 college football season isn't fully in the books, and already the playoff and National Championship picture has already been turned upside down. And the balance of power within the two top conferences might have shifted, unexpectedly, after some shocking performances, both good and bad.

While the Indiana Hoosiers are defending national champions, finished off a 16-0 season, and brought in another impressive transfer portal class under Curt Cignetti, most have expected that the Big Ten Championship will run through two other programs: the Ohio State Buckeyes and Oregon Ducks.

Ohio State lived up to the billing, with an overwhelmingly dominant win over Ball State. Far from a top opponent, sure, but the Buckeyes did exactly what they needed to as the country's number one team in their opening game. Oregon though? Not exactly.

OREGON RALLIES FROM SLOW START, THWARTS BOISE STATE'S UPSET BID IN SEASON OPENER

The Ducks struggled for most of the first half against Boise State, then found themselves tied with just over eight minutes to go in the game after a Broncos field goal. But after a quick touchdown drive to take a 34-27 lead, the Oregon defense stiffened, and closed out the win with back-to-back stops. That said, the Ducks dominated more than the scoreline indicated. They averaged nearly eight yards per play, allowing just 4.2 to Boise State. They had 10 yards per attempt passing, with 28 completions on 38 attempts for 378 yards, while adding three sacks and four tackles for loss on defense. The scoreline was close, but Ducks fans can be encouraged that they "deserved" a more decisive outcome.

Then there's the "second tier" of the Big Ten, teams that have hoped coaching staff changes and another year of development for start quarterbacks will make the difference: Michigan and USC. SC brought in defensive coordinator Gary Patterson to finally make the Trojans defensive unit championship quality. Michigan, after a year of turmoil after the firing of Sherrone Moore, hired Kyle Whittingham away from Utah, a head coach known for his consistency and steadiness.

Their outcomes on Saturday couldn't have been more different.

Nobody who watched Michigan, outside fans of the program, thinks they escaped Western Michigan with a last-second win. They were outplayed, couldn't get the Broncos offense off the field, frequently benefited from questionable officiating, then required a miraculous Hail Mary, that should never have happened, to escape with the win. Even including that 47-yard pass, the Wolverines had just 276 yards of offense. At home. Against Western Michigan as a 28-point favorite.

CLOCK CONTROVERSY ALLOWS MICHIGAN WOLVERINES TO AVOID MASSIVE UPSET AGAINST WESTERN MICHIGAN

They averaged 5.8 yards per play, again, with that 47-yard pass included. Bryce Underwood, making an enormous amount of money after a high-profile recruiting war, looked awful. Excluding the Hail Mary, Underwood had 11 completions on 21 pass attempts for 123 yards. Against Western Michigan, at home. The Michigan running game, long a point of pride in Ann Arbor, had 16 attempts from its running backs, for 59 yards. At home. Against Western Michigan. Broncos running back Jalen Buckley had 19 carries for 62 yards. By himself.

A sloppy early season performance isn't enough to fully end a team's season, just ask Notre Dame in 2024, who lost 16-14 to Northern Illinois, then played in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. But with most observers treating Michigan's performance as a loss, and a tough schedule with Oklahoma next weekend, games against Iowa, Penn State, Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State, it's hard to see the Wolverines as a realistic contender for a playoff spot.

USC though? Their defense finally put in the type of performance fans have been waiting for.

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Fresno State isn't Oregon, of course, but the Bulldogs were expected to be one of the better Group of Six teams. They finished 2025 at 9-4, beat Boise State 30-7 and Oregon State 36-27. Many believed they could compete near the top of the newly reconfigured Pac-12 Conference, with analyst Greg McIlroy picking them as the G6 playoff representative.

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But the Trojans ran them off the field. SC were 21-point favorites, then outgained the Bulldogs 552-116. They averaged 8.1 yards per play, while allowing just 2.6. Most of Fresno's offensive stats came from the last drive of the game against the SC backups. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Trojans defense had allowed just over 50 total yards on offense and 1.7 yards per play. Fresno State isn't an FCS team. They were No. 73 in preseason SP+, one of the best analytics-driven ranking systems available. That's ahead of teams like Stanford and USF, and not far off from Colorado and Iowa State.

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USC has a tough road ahead too, with games against Oregon, Washington, Ohio State, Indiana, and Penn State ahead, but if the Trojans defense is for real, they might suddenly be, finally, "back."

LSU HAD A REVIVAL, CLEMSON WAS AT A FUNERAL: LANE KIFFIN’S DEBUT SENDS A LOUD MESSAGE TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL

No question though, the most impressive of the weekend had to be the LSU Tigers. Despite the controversy surrounding the program, Lane Kiffin's debut couldn't have been better. LSU obliterated Clemson, who were hopeless offensively, and barely able to provide opposition defensively. The Tigers treated the other Tigers like an FCS team, and immediately cemented themselves as top contenders in the SEC, along with Texas and Georgia.

Nothing's decided in week one, but we did, already, see the playoff picture get a shakeup. LSU and USC might be better than expected, with both providing more competition for Ohio State and Georgia than many believed heading into the season.

Oregon, while they clearly "deserved" the win, seem a bit further away from championship quality than many projected based on the talent Dan Lanning's accumulated. And Michigan, well, if poll voters were honest about what everyone saw, they deserve to fall out of the top-25 entirely.

Hasan Piker brushes off Dems who see him as a liability, names his '28 choice

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 17:07:21 -0400

Hasan Piker hears the growing chorus of Democrats condemning him for incendiary statements, and he has a message for the party: "My job is not to make the Democratic Party look good."

The far-left Twitch streamer has boosted socialist candidates even as he created headaches for the broader Democratic Party in a midterm election cycle where it hopes to make major gains. The 35-year-old Piker — whose polarizing stances range from defending communist Chinese dictator Mao Zedong to comparing Zionism to "Nazism" — is a darling of the Democratic Socialists of America, but a potential liability for mainstream Democrats as November approaches.

Piker said Democratic Party officials have not reached out to coordinate a strategy.

"I have not had a conversation with anyone from the DNC," Piker said. "That would be very funny."

JAMES CARVILLE DECRIES 'IDIOT' HASAN PIKER, ORDERS DSA TO CHANGE ITS NAME

In an exclusive interview at the 2026 Socialism Conference in Chicago, Piker told Fox News that, while he tries "to be as careful as possible" when it comes to choosing his words, his hours-long streams present his opponents with the "perfect opportunity to create viral media moments."

Some of those moments include intense backlash over Piker’s 2019 statement that America "deserved 9/11," a comment which has been widely condemned by politicians on both sides of the aisle.

HASAN PIKER CALLS REPUBLICAN PARTY THE 'BIGGEST DOMESTIC TERRORIST' IN THE COUNTRY

Piker acknowledged that he should not have used the word "deserved," but said his point was that "[America’s] meddling in the affairs in the Middle East actually transpired these horrifying events."

"It's not a controversial thing [to argue]," Piker said. "It was the language that I used that was controversial."

HASAN PIKER CALLS HAMAS 'FAR MORE MODERATE,' DISMISSES TERROR GROUP’S BRUTAL RULE IN GAZA

Piker's brash commentary gives him credence with the far-left DSA, which pulled off a host of primary victories against more moderate Democrats, but party elders have disavowed him.

"There’s two things that I know about Hasan Piker," longtime Democratic Party consultant James Carville told Fox News Channel last week. "One, he’s an idiot, and two, he’s not a Democrat. So, I don’t answer for idiots, and I don’t answer for people who are not Democrats."

VAN JONES WARNS FAR-LEFT SOCIALIST AGENDA IS 'REGRESSIVE' THREAT TO DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Key Democrat lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Hakeen Jeffries, senators Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., and several House members have condemned Piker's past rhetoric.

As he crosses the country, joining campaign rallies and canvass launches for liberal challengers to establishment-backed candidates, Piker acknowledged that even his allies have urged him to moderate his rhetoric for the sake of their electoral chances.

DEMOCRATS' CIVIL WAR HEADS TO MICHIGAN WHERE PROGRESSIVES FACE BIGGEST TEST YET IN HIGH-STAKES SENATE SHOWDOWN

But Piker told Fox News the press is overstating his association with the progressive political candidates and wondered why the media had not "demanded condemnations from establishment Republicans for collaborating with Charlie Kirk or using him as a campaign surrogate."

Piker campaigned hard for Abdul El-Sayed, the progressive Michigan Democratic Senate nominee who pulled off a major upset victory against the establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens, D- Mich., in August. While his active support for El-Sayed may have generated buzz among Piker's base, it's also led El-Sayed to face a barrage of questions and criticism about his association with Piker.

GRETCHEN WHITMER ENDORSES MODERATE HALEY STEVENS IN TIGHT UPCOMING SENATE PRIMARY

Piker said that while he is confident El-Sayed – who distanced himself from Piker in recent weeks – will win this fall, "if people want to blame me" in the event El-Sayed loses, "they can blame me," adding, "I think that's the goal."

Piker's role in the midterms may prove to be a warmup for the 2028 presidential election, and he said he has no plans to moderate his stances or stay on the sidelines. He said he will back socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. if she launches a bid for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.

WATCH: AOC WON'T RULE OUT WHITE HOUSE BID AFTER POLL NAMES HER DEMOCRATS' TOP 2028 PICK

"I think she's great," Piker said. "She would have some difficulties, of course, but hurdles can be climbed over, and I think she can do it."

Piker believes his influence will continue to grow, and predicted even Democrats now condemning him will "try to utilize the platform that I have" if they seek higher office in 2028.

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

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"And I'm not talking about my ideological allies or people who are associated with me right now," he added.

Stray bullet from nearby lounge fight kills Frito-Lay worker inside Sam's Club

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 16:55:11 -0400

A deadly argument outside a Nashville lounge sent a bullet tearing through the metal wall of a nearby Sam’s Club, killing an innocent Frito-Lay worker as he counted products in the chip aisle, police said.

The victim, identified as 55-year-old Paris Carlock of Murfreesboro, was conducting an early-morning product inventory near the middle of the store shortly after 4 a.m. when the bullet struck him in the head.

Sam’s Club staff rushed to Carlock’s aid before he was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

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Investigators believe the gunfire was connected to an argument that began inside Lavo Lounge on Antioch Pike, just down the street from the Sam’s Club.

Police said security removed the people involved from the lounge, but the dispute reportedly spilled outside and continued. Gunshots were heard as multiple vehicles left the area.

MISSOURI MOM OF 5 FATALLY SHOT WHILE BUYING SLUSHIES WITH CHILDREN; POLICE SEARCH FOR GUNMAN

One of those bullets pierced the Sam’s Club’s exterior wall and struck Carlock as he worked inside, police said.

The department described Carlock as an "innocent" victim.

POLICE SWARM MICHIGAN SHOPPING CENTER AFTER 'SIGNIFICANT' SHOOTING INCIDENT; AT LEAST 2 DEAD

Homicide Unit detectives are pursuing leads, but police have not announced any arrests or released descriptions of the people or vehicles involved.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our colleagues," a PepsiCo spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Our sincere condolences are with their family members and loved ones. We have been working closely with law enforcement and local officials regarding the matter."

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Anyone with information about the gunfire or the vehicles seen leaving the area is asked to call Nashville Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

Cody Rhodes says 'that addiction and sickness' to win WWE title again is more on Randy Orton's end

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 16:52:42 -0400

Cody Rhodes’ relationship with Randy Orton has been fraught with tension since the "Legend Killer" returned to "Friday Night SmackDown" to reignite his feud with the "American Nightmare."

The two had come to blows numerous times before SmackDown GM Nick Aldis said the two couldn’t lay a finger on each other before their match at Sunday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta and if they did, they would have been barred from competing for a WWE championship.

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In their last face-to-face meeting, Orton tried to coax Rhodes into hitting him with strong words about how Rhodes was an "addict" and "sick" for his desire to be the champion. But when it comes to pro wrestling, why was that a bad thing?

Rhodes responded to Orton’s words in an interview with OutKick Dropkick.

"He had said, ‘addicted to winning the championship’ and ‘sick’ and putting it in front of everything. What's the term kids use today? The rage bait, you know, or baiting me into ... because if I had hit him, then I don't get an opportunity for the WWE championship ever, and the same vice versa if he had hit me," Rhodes said. "I hate to put it in such terms, but at King of the Ring, I beat Randy Orton. At WrestleMania, I beat Randy Orton. I feel the desperation and the addiction. Every pro wrestler, to your point, you're in this to win. You're not trying to get second on the podium. I've never trusted a wrestler ever — hell, I've never liked a wrestler ever — who said he didn't want to be champion.

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"But I think that addiction and sickness is actually more on Randy's end because Randy's close to the record. He's close to 17. He's close to John. I think Randy also feels that he's not been given the credit as one of the, you know, the GOATs of modern WWE, someone who's going to go down in history as one of the greatest to ever do it. He should know he is going to go down in history as one of the greatest to ever do it, but he's also going to go down in history as the guy who lost for a third time at Sunday Night's Main Event to his protege, which is me."

Rhodes, who spoke to OutKick Dropkick as part of his partnership with Clash of Clans and its new "Search for Cena" event, is among those vying to get back into the Undisputed WWE Championship picture.

This match between Rhodes and Orton will certainly clear the picture up a little bit as Money in the Bank inches closer.

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Sunday Night’s Main Event will also feature a six-woman tag team match between the team of Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley and the team of Jade Cargill, Michin and B-Fab, a match between Baron Corbin and Lil Yachty and a bout between Oba Femi and Bron Breakker.

How a booming coastal escape learned to coexist with the ocean’s top predator

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 16:36:28 -0400

As great white sharks increasingly frequent the waters off one popular seaside destination, tourists are flocking there, too — but they’re experiencing the hot spot in a different way.

Cape Cod is a renowned seaside destination in southeastern Massachusetts that has long drawn summer vacationers with its picturesque beaches, historic coastal towns and lighthouses. In recent years, though, it has also become increasingly known for its seasonal population of great white sharks.

Far from deterring visitors, the presence of sharks is helping fuel a whole new type of tourism.

SHARK WEEK ADVISORY AS WARMING SEAS PUSH BLACKTIPS FARTHER NORTH ALONG EAST COAST

The New York Times reported that Cape Cod’s tourism economy has grown from nearly $2 billion in 2019 to almost $2.8 billion, according to the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

At the same time, the National Park Service has recorded fewer recreational visits to Cape Cod National Seashore, the 40-mile stretch of coastline where white sharks are regularly detected.

Shark warning signs and "Stop the Bleed" rescue kits are now fixtures on the beaches.

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy created and runs Sharktivity, a shark-sighting and resource app designed to keep beachgoers apprised of the sharks’ presence. It features alerts for confirmed white shark sightings close to public beaches, along with other shark-safety information.

The increased presence of great white sharks in Cape Cod’s waters has been linked to the recovery of the Cape’s gray seal population following the passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. The seal population grew from around 2,000 in 1994 to between 30,000 and 50,000 in 2017, the Times reported.

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A 2023 study published in the peer-reviewed journal Marine Ecology Progress Series estimated that roughly 800 individual white sharks visited the waters off Cape Cod between 2015 and 2018, making the area one of the world’s larger white shark hot spots.

Despite their growing presence, there is no evidence Cape Cod’s white sharks have become more aggressive or changed their behavior by hunting closer to shore, according to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. The sharks have hunted seals in shallow coastal waters since they began predictably returning to the area during the summer and fall.

"Sharks have changed behaviors and conversations more than they’ve changed demand," Paul Bordé, a local real estate agent, told the Times.

When life gives your town sharks, make shark-spotting profitable.

Cape Cod is a rising "white shark ecotourism destination," according to the Times. Shark seekers can hire a private charter through the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy for $2,500 or join an open-boat charter for $500 per person.

The 2½-hour trips use spotter pilots to locate sharks, and private charters can book up weeks or even a month in advance, according to the conservancy.

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The excursions aren’t purely sightseeing trips. Guests can participate in citizen science by logging shark sightings, using a hydrophone to detect tagged sharks and recording observations that contribute to ongoing research.

Because the trips directly support white shark research, a portion of the trip fee is tax-deductible, the conservancy writes on its website.

"The fact that we can go out and see them in a two-and-a-half-hour charter is incredibly unique," Hannah Leary, ecotourism coordinator for the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, told the Times. "We can just come out of the inlet and they’re all right there."

The shark presence may also be benefiting some swimming pool companies. Demand for pools has "spiked," the Times reported, and "one Cape Cod pool builder even advertises ‘shark free swimming’ on its trucks."

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The great white sharks’ presence has not been all adventurous sightseeing and tourism dollars, however.

A bodysurfer was bitten by a white shark in the area in 2012, and a swimmer was bitten in 2018. Both survived, but later in 2018, Massachusetts recorded its first fatal shark attack since 1936 when a white shark killed a 26-year-old boogie boarder.

"I understand the fear," Philadelphia resident Lisa DonDiego told the Times. "And at the end of the day, I recognize that the ocean belongs to them. But I still want to come to Cape Cod."

The National Park Service urges beachgoers to stay away from seals and schools of fish, swim in groups and avoid murky or low-visibility water. Purple shark flags at National Seashore beaches indicate that there has been a shark sighting, and swimmers are urged to follow all posted warnings and lifeguard instructions.

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White shark activity also extends beyond Cape Cod’s peak summer season. The National Park Service warns that the predators remain active in the fall, even after seasonal lifeguard coverage ends at National Seashore beaches.

DAVID MARCUS: Congress set to protect AM radio and American discourse

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 16:15:58 -0400

In 2026, the WFMD radio station in Frederick, Maryland, is celebrating its 90th year on the AM airwaves, and thanks to a bipartisan bill set for a vote in Congress this week, every new car sold in America will have an AM antenna to pick up its signal.

The AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act already has more than 300 co-sponsors in the House, 60 in the Senate, and has been pitched mainly as a measure to ensure that emergency messages — the ones that start with the shrill whistle — can be sent out to cars through the AM stations.

The commonsense measure is a good plan B to have in place in cases of cyberattacks or cyber outages, because sometimes the old ways can be the best ways.

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That is a laudable goal, and by itself enough to warrant the legislation. But in fact, this measure can do more than protect lives, it can protect civil American discourse. AM radio is one of the last vestiges of it we have left in this digital age.

All across the country, there are little stations like WFMD, with a predictable schedule that starts with a light-hearted but local-news-heavy morning show, then late-morning to mid-afternoon nationally syndicated news shows, followed by an afternoon drive-time call-in show that covers local, state and federal politics.

In Frederick, the local afternoon show, "Mid-Maryland Live," belongs to Tim May and Frank Mitchell: the former, a cantankerous conservative wordsmith with a Maryland twang, and the latter, the patient and pleasant liberal New York City transplant with the dulcet radio voice.

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The discourse that Tim and Frank engage in for three hours a day, along with the callers — many of whom are longtime regulars — is arguably the most balanced view of what is happening in the world that one could ask for, and almost always free from yelling and vitriol.

Local AM radio is also the most reliable way to know what matters to people in communities outside major cities. For example, while data centers are a relatively new issue in the macro news ecosystem, I have been hearing about it for well over a year on local AM stations all over the country.

It was almost never inchoate rage or unvarnished praise over data centers, but rather a very nuanced conversation from listeners who understand the laws and regulations of their communities with almost encyclopedic knowledge.

We live at a time when, perhaps rightfully, we bemoan the demise of so many local small town newspapers along with the coverage and accountability they used to provide. But in many ways, that slack has been picked up by AM radio, where appearances by local officials are extremely common.

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These same stations are usually also the repository for high school sports, giving kids the chance to feel that their effort matters when their exploits are broadcast live to the community.

Some small government types might object to the government handing local AM radio stations this boon of enforcing access to their product, but it is a much more sensible way to help the radio industry than the National Public Radio model of direct funding.

We have all seen that, for a myriad of reasons, publicly funded radio — absent the constraints of the free market — always winds up extremely far left. But local AM radio keeps the lights on by selling ads, usually to local businesses, and has a financial incentive to create a broad, cross-aisle appeal.

For those who think radio is a dying form, think again. Estimates suggest that 80-90% of Americans listen to AM or FM radio weekly, with more than 80% of car owners flipping it on when they fire up the engine.

No, AM radio is not heading to the dustbin of history. Not now, and not anytime soon. Just as our parents and grandparents did, we tune in to get the weather or the traffic, or just to find out what is going on. Not in New York, not in D.C., but where we live.

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The fact that our Congress, which would struggle to pass "Go" in Monopoly, is set to pass the AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act is a testament to the enduring power of our local radio stations, and a good sign that listeners in Frederick will have Tim and Frank to listen to for a long, long time.

WWE star Cody Rhodes, others hunt for John Cena in Clash of Clans, recalls why legend was booted from group

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 15:46:46 -0400

John Cena’s in-ring career may have come to a close, but WWE star Cody Rhodes is still dealing with him virtually.

Rhodes, Cena and several other WWE stars are a part of a second innovative crossover with Clash of Clans, the beloved mobile game that the "American Nightmare" has been playing for a decade. In this iteration, Rhodes and the rest of the Clash of Clans community are tasked with finding Cena’s base in the game.

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The "Search for Cena" is officially on and lasts through Sept. 30.

"We've got millions of players on Clash of Clans globally, global chat being back to millions of players," Rhodes told OutKick Dropkick hours before Sunday Night’s Main Event. "And when I was in a clan, that was how I got in Clash of Clans in the first place — John Cena on the road, all of us finding a game that we wanted to play and could bond over, and it was Clash. He had the O’Leary Klan (OLK) and he was a pretty good clan leader. He was until he wasn't -- real, real, real tyrant behavior, I would say, from the record-breaking John Cena.

"And now we have the opportunity to get our receipt back, all of us, the entire Clash community, because we can get out there, find his base, raid it, get a three-star 100 on it. But probably the most pinch-yourself thing for me, and so much fun stuff happens working at WWE, so many fun moments and crossovers and things that we do, partnerships and things of this nature, to be able to open the game and see the Clash app logo with me against a barbarian, and then to get in there and see a new barbarian skin like the ‘Barbarian King’ skin, this is the second one, and now he's got the shades on and the music has been added. That's a trip."

Rhodes previously told OutKick Dropkick that it was Cena who first got him into Clash of Clans. He was a part of the OLK before the group booted Cena. Rhodes and others then started the Nicky Clan, which still runs to this day.

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"The American Nightmare" explained that what Cena was doing was akin to going to an NFL game and everyone is only kicking field goals.

"I want to give him his due because he brings us all into the game. He certainly brings us all in. I think he was gemming a great amount — maybe too much gemming going on that not everyone wanted to do that.

"I think he also was notorious for what we'd call the 99% one-star, which is, man, that is not good. That's like going to an NFL football game and them just doing field goals the whole game and nobody actually scoring a touchdown. You got to get the town hall. The fact that you're getting 99% one-stars is bringing the clan down. Very notorious for it, and I'd say pretty hard on the clan in general, but also a good clan leader because he was giving the good troops. He really was. Wasn't as easy back then, but he was giving the good troops."

Cena said in a press release that his rivalry with Rhodes really began in Clash of Clans.

"People think this started in the ring with Cody. It didn’t. It started when I out-raided him in the game and he threw me off his team," Cena said. "Ten years later he still needs help. This time he’s asking millions of you to take on my base. That’s fine. As I have always said - if you want some, come get some."

Rhodes said it’s still a bit surreal to be featured in a game he had been playing for so long.

It’s a little bit different than being in a pro wrestling video game, which most fans expect Rhodes to be in because he’s at the pinnacle of the sport.

Rhodes has his own character as the "Barbarian King," which debuted last year.

"I got a couple of great memories from the fact that I get to do this and the ‘Search for Cena,’ and he's the one who brought us into the game and finding his base. But also, to do the commercial for all this with one of the greatest of all time, that being Shawn Michaels as the wise Clash player, Clash brings us as a group together, and for the guys, some of the OG's, some of the luminaries, some of the legends who don't know Clash," he said.

"Undertaker, for example. I remember texting him right away, ‘Hey, Clash of Clans, Supercell, this amazing company,’ and he's all in on it now, and he's on board, and this is his second time as the ‘Grand Warden.’ So, it's been a really good synergy that I don't think you would have ever expected, right? It doesn't seem like something that would happen. And maybe that's why it's so kind of at a loss for words almost over how cool this collaboration is."

Rhodes is not the only WWE star featured in the game.

Hero characters include Alexa Bliss as "Archer Queen," The Undertaker as "Grand Warden," Iyo Sky as "Royal Champion," Jey Uso as "Minion Prince" and Kane as "Dragon Duke."

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Clash of Clans has been downloaded more than 2 billion times and is considered one of the best mobile games of all time.

After 'Lake America,' Trump suggests a new name for the state of New Mexico

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 15:44:41 -0400

The White House on Sunday amplified President Donald Trump's call to rebrand New Mexico as "New America," reposting an image from the president's Truth Social account showing the state's name crossed out and replaced with "America."

Trump's original post featured a map of the Southwestern state with the word "Mexico" crossed out in bright red and replaced with "America," effectively depicting it as "New America."

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The White House later shared the image on its verified X account. Neither post included an explanation or indicated whether it reflected an actual policy proposal.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham told Fox News Digital that New Mexico's name "isn't up for debate — it's been ours since before the United States existed."

"What is up for debate? Who's showing up for working families," she said, arguing that while the president "tries to distract Americans," families are facing higher gas and grocery prices, losing access to health care and struggling to afford a home.

"Under Democratic leadership here in New Mexico, we’re providing families with free childcare and college, protecting access to health care and investing in housing. While the White House wastes time coloring on maps, Nuevo México is busy doing the work."

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The post comes just days after Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario "Lake America" for U.S. federal use. The executive order followed a series of tariff disputes between Washington and Ottawa.

Trump said he directed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the department to update the Geographic Names Information System to reflect the name change. Google and Apple later updated their maps for U.S. users to reflect the change.

Trump also signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America" early in his second term.

Unlike lakes and other geographic features that can be renamed for federal use through executive action, a president cannot unilaterally rename a U.S. state. Trump and the White House have not announced any formal effort to change New Mexico's name.

The name "New Mexico" predates the state by centuries. Spanish explorers began using "Nuevo México" in the late 1500s. The territory kept the name after becoming part of the United States in 1848 and later achieved statehood on Jan. 6, 1912.

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The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.

Fisherman captures a crazy video of an alligator chasing a bear across a Florida river

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 15:19:51 -0400

Let's head down to Florida where anything can and does take place. If you can dream it up, there's a good chance it will go down in the Sunshine State. That goes for both people and animals.

The latest example to prove that point comes from a fisherman out on the Kissimmee river near Lake Okeechobee. Captain Justin Morgan, who runs a fishing guide service, captured the crazy video.

The clip shows a scene that you don't see every day, a bear swimming across the river with an alligator hot on its trail chasing it towards the shore.

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"Alligator tracking down a bear across the Kissimmee river near Lake Okeechobee," the captain captioned the action.

"We were out bluegill fishing when what from a distance looked like a wild hog was a black bear swimming across the Kissimmee with a gator not far behind! Not something we get to see everyday but really cool to watch!"

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This was close to giving us a straight out of a nature documentary look at what would happen if an alligator and a black bear ever went at it in the wild.

That begs the question. What would happen? Did the alligator give chase after mistaking the bear for something else it could easily take down?

Does the advantage lean towards the alligator in the water and the bear on land? That's what I would assume.

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A bear did successfully fend off a couple of alligators trying to attack it in the water before, but is that how they always play out or do alligators put some in the win column?

In this case, the alligator appears to lose interest once the bear makes it to the shore. The bear takes a look back before wandering into the woods and doesn’t seem interested in the alligator either.

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Who would have won a showdown between these two?

Raskin calls Piker’s rhetoric 'irrelevant distraction' after the streamer said he'd vote for Hamas over Israel

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 14:45:25 -0400

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., dismissed scrutiny of far-left streamer Hasan Piker's rhetoric about Hamas as an "irrelevant distraction" Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," as host Kristen Welker pressed him over Democratic divisions surrounding Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed's relationship with the controversial online personality.

Welker played Raskin a clip of Piker saying he would vote Hamas over Israel "every single time" and asked whether the Democratic Party’s tent was large enough to include the streamer.

"I don’t even know if Hasan Piker considers himself a Democrat. I know he attacked me for campaigning with Callie Barr and Sean McCann and other Democrats in Michigan. I think all of that is an irrelevant distraction," Raskin said. "Obviously, nobody supports Hamas, a terrorist organization which brutally attacked Israel on Oct. 7."

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Natalie Baldassarre, national press secretary for the RNC, pointed to Piker’s growing role in Democratic politics and his support for socialist candidates as she warned that his influence could become a broader liability for the party heading into November.

"The Democrat Party is being driven off [a] cliff by socialists who are driving blindfolded while arguing about the view," Baldassarre said in a recent statement to Fox News Digital. "Unless Democrats hit the brakes, every candidate on the ballot will have to answer for socialists’ outrageous beliefs that will bankrupt our country and strip every American of safety, sanity, and freedom."

Raskin's comments came after he campaigned alongside El-Sayed in Michigan in late August. El-Sayed has continued to face questions over his ties to Piker as some Democrats have publicly distanced themselves from the streamer.

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Piker, who endorsed El-Sayed and appeared at multiple campaign events during the Democratic primary, reiterated his comparison between Hamas and Israel during an April appearance on "Pod Save America."

"I’ve also said I’m a harm reduction voter. I’m a lesser evil voter, and therefore I would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time," Piker said in the clip played for Raskin on Sunday.

Piker has also faced renewed criticism for comments involving American Jews. Fox News Digital reported that he warned on a livestream that if American Jews continued presenting themselves as "singularly invested in Israel," someone could eventually "take action" against them.

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El-Sayed responded to that controversy by stressing that the streamer was not a spokesman for his campaign.

"I want to be crystal clear, nobody speaks for this campaign besides me and my campaign spokespeople," El-Sayed said.

El-Sayed has nevertheless resisted calls to fully disavow Piker. During a recent interview with Stephen A. Smith, he said his goal was to bring the streamer's millions of listeners into the electoral process rather than abandon them over disagreements.

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"What I’m saying is there are 3 million people who listen to Hasan," El-Sayed said. "I want to offer them a pathway into an electoral movement."

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., called the attention devoted to Piker "absolutely ludicrous," while Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash, said Democrats should engage his audience even if they disagree with some of his views. Other Democrats have urged the party to distance itself from him.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Piker for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

Army combat veteran challenging Mike Lawler calls Hegseth national security 'hazard,' backs impeachment

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 14:34:28 -0400

Democratic congressional candidate Cait Conley, a 16-year Army combat veteran challenging Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in New York's 17th Congressional District, said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" that she would support impeaching War Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of endangering U.S. national security.

Anchor Dana Bash asked Conley whether, if elected to Congress, she would support removing Hegseth from office amid recent scrutiny of his leadership at the Pentagon.

"I believe he has been a hazard to American national security and a disgrace to the office," Conley said. "I would absolutely support removing him from office because his actions and decisions are failing service members who have sworn an oath to this country and deserve respect."

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Bash pressed Conley to clarify whether "removing" Hegseth meant she would actually vote for articles of impeachment against the Pentagon chief.

"Against Pete Hegseth for his failure to protect America? Yes," Conley replied.

Lawler campaign manager Ciro Riccardi seized on the impeachment declaration in a statement to Fox News Digital on Sunday, linking it to his campaign’s broader criticism of Conley following her appearance on CNN.

"Cait Conley’s refusal to disavow Zohran Mamdani and the DSA is disqualifying. She is just as extreme as the rest and that was exposed today for all to see, including embracing impeachment," Riccardi said.

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Conley's declaration came months after House Democrats formally introduced six articles of impeachment against Hegseth, accusing him of high crimes and misdemeanors over his handling of the Iran war, military strikes on alleged drug vessels, his use of Signal to discuss military operations, congressional oversight and other matters.

Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson dismissed that effort in an April statement to Fox News Digital and said Hegseth would remain focused on the department’s mission.

"This is just another Democrat trying to make headlines as the Department of War decisively and overwhelmingly achieved the president's objectives in Iran," Wilson said. "Secretary Hegseth will continue to protect the homeland and project peace through strength. This is just another charade in an attempt to distract the American people from the major successes we have had here at the Department of War."

Hegseth has also rejected previous waves of criticism surrounding his leadership. Amid calls for his removal following scrutiny of his use of Signal in 2025, Hegseth accused critics and the media of relying on disgruntled former employees to damage his reputation.

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"This is what the media does. They take anonymous sources from disgruntled former employees, and then they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations," Hegseth said at the time. "It’s not going to work with me."

Pressure on Hegseth has more recently crossed party lines. Outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., called on President Donald Trump last week to replace Hegseth following Army Secretary Dan Driscoll's resignation.

"I urge the President to find a new leader at the Pentagon who will retain and empower our military talent rather than diminish it," Tillis said.

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The White House pushed back on Tillis’ criticism in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying Trump remained firmly behind Hegseth.

"The President has complete trust in Secretary Hegseth, who is doing an incredible job leading the Pentagon," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said.

Driscoll’s departure followed reported tensions with Hegseth over Army leadership and modernization. A source familiar with the situation told Fox News Digital that Driscoll had raised concerns about Hegseth blocking Army transformation efforts by removing generals involved in them. Driscoll, however, publicly praised Hegseth upon leaving office, saying the Army’s progress would not have been possible without his support.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Hegseth's office, the White House and Conley for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

James Franklin questions 'un-American' Virginia Tech penalty for high-fiving military cadets after touchdown

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 14:33:33 -0400

The James Franklin era at Virginia Tech got off to an emphatic start on Saturday with the Hokies trouncing VMI by a count of 73-3. It was very much a celebration in Blacksburg, and as stress-free a day as the Hokies will have all season, but Franklin did have a small bone to pick with the officiating crew after the final whistle.

A coach on the winning side of a 70-point blowout shouldn't have any complaints, but Franklin's issue appears to be well warranted.

"We got a penalty for high-fiving one of our members of the corps," Franklin said. "Not a huge fan. I don’t know why we can’t high-five somebody in the military; it seems somewhat un-American to me."

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Unlike in the NFL, where there are essentially no limitations on what players can do in terms of celebrating, there is a set of rules for excessive celebrations in college football. Apparently, those rules are strictly applied, even when the player in question is celebrating with cadets seated in the front row.

Virginia Tech running back Marcellous Hawkins Jr. was the player flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after scoring what was his third touchdown of the evening.

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After punching it into the end zone with 6:59 left in the third quarter, Hawkins immediately ran over to the large group of cadets and high-fived a number of them, which is what drew the penalty from an official in the end zone.

According to NCAA Rule 9-2, players are prohibited from any "delayed, excessive, prolonged or choreographed act by which a player (or players) attempts to focus attention upon himself (or themselves)."

Players are also mandated to immediately return the football to an official after scoring. Hawkins held onto the football while celebrating with the cadets, which very well could have led to the penalty flag being thrown.

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Despite the "un-American" penalty that Franklin very much did not appreciate, it was a big-time Saturday for the Hokies as they picked up 619 yards and held VMI to just 83 of its own.

Virginia Tech's Corps of Cadets dates back to 1872, and the school remains one of a select few public universities with both an active cadet corps and a civilian campus lifestyle today.

NFL signs Roger Goodell through 2030 season as serious issues over antitrust exemption and ongoing growth loom

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 14:32:32 -0400

Roger Goodell will remain the commissioner of America's strongest and most popular professional sports league at least through March of 2031, following an NFL announcement that he has signed a contract extension.

The league's Compensation Committee on Sunday notified the league's owners that it reached a four-season extension with Goodell.

The deal will carry Goodell through the end of the 2030 season and expire just prior to the 2031 NFL Draft when he will be 71 years old.

Terms of the new extension are not known and won't be announced as they are between an individual and a privately held company.

But one industry compensation consultant source told OutKick that Goodell was expected to reach $300 million over the four-year term if he meets the top tier of his deal's incentive thresholds.

Compensation Committee Chairman Robert Kraft, the New England Patriots owner and ally of Goodell, sent a memo to the rest of the league's 31 owners announcing the deal:

"As members of the Compensation Committee, we’re pleased to announce that we have reached agreement with Roger to remain as Commissioner through the 2030 League Season, ending on March 31, 2031.

"Throughout the negotiation process, the Committee worked closely with an independent third-party compensation consultant and outside counsel to structure a deal that aligns Roger’s compensation with the League’s long-term interests and success.

"To that end, the agreement is heavily performance based, with more than 95% of the total compensation tied to Roger’s and the NFL’s performance measured against various metrics and at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.

"We believe we are very fortunate to have Roger at the helm for the next four years. If any of you has any questions, please reach out to any of us."

The memo is from Kraft, New York Giants owner John Mara, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, and Denver Broncos owner Greg Penner – all of whom make up the committee.

This is Goodell's fifth contract extension since he became commissioner in September 2006.

At the end of this extension, Goodell will have served 24 years in his role. That would make him the second-longest serving commissioner in league history behind only Pete Rozelle who served 29 years and 10 months from 1960 to 1989.

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The NFL's current collective bargaining agreement, which Goodell helped finalize in 2020, expires in March 2031, when Goodell's new extension will expire.

Goodell's tenure has been defined by aggressive commercial growth, enormous media-rights agreements, games expanding to international markets, increased emphasis on player safety and labor peace after the 2011 lockout.

The valuation of franchises under Goodell has skyrocketed with the Seattle Seahawks being the latest example in a sale worth $9.612 billion.

Those past victories and the possibility of new television contract coming online around 2029 and perhaps expansion of the business model to include flag football, more international revenue and games, and perhaps even expansion, obviously gave Goodell confidence to tie his compensation to performance incentives.

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Simply: If he continues to author significant growth, he'll benefit.

And if he doesn't, which would be highly improbable given the NFL's history, then he won't.

Goodell, by the way, has not been without controversy during his tenure.

He has guided the league through controversies such as Spygate, Deflategate, an apparent rise in domestic-violence cases, concussion concerns, protests by players during the national anthem, lawsuits, and criticism that league discipline can be inconsistent.

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Kraft recently outlined how the commissioner and, indeed, the entire league is facing enormous pressure from Congress and other government entities tied to its 65-year-old antitrust exemption.

There are serious questions whether the league is abusing it to gouge fans and force games behind paywalled streaming services and Goodell was even recently invited to testify on the subject before Congress.

He declined. But with his new term now secured, the question remains when, rather than if, he'll have to answer for the league's polices before fans and lawmakers.

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