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WWE legend highlights 'freaking deep' talent across pro wrestling

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 08:04:15 -0400

The pro wrestling landscape is so vast, nobody can really watch all of it.

The main companies like WWE and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) run shows up to four times per week. Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) runs a show on Thursday nights and Major League Wrestling (MLW) runs its flagship show Saturdays on YouTube. That’s without mentioning the international programs and independent shows being streamed during the week as well.

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WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield named a handful of wrestlers that fans should really watch over the course of their viewing experience in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.

"I saw ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey in AEW who is just an incredible talent. Josh Alexander’s the same," he said. "There’s a guy, Will Allday, down in Texas who works on the independents. I watched him down there. Every time he walks out, he ignites the local crowd – to my knowledge, no TV experience. I think there’s a lot of young talent."

Bradshaw, who spoke to Fox News Digital on behalf of his partnership with BZZR, touted the amount of talent that is performing all over pro wrestling and contrasted it with his own era.

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"I’ve never seen more talent in all over wrestling. Back when we had the Attitude Era, we had a really loaded roster. WCW had a really loaded roster. The independents didn’t have a loaded roster," he said. "They just kinda picked and choose.

"Now, you go to these independent shows and these guys are fantastic. I guess it’s the training. It’s the amount of schools they have. The amount of learning that they can get. You look at now for wrestling, there’s so much freaking talent and it’s so freaking deep. It’s unbelievable the place the business is in right now."

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Pro wrestling is more popular than it ever was with men and women being able to garner interest despite not being at one of the top promotions.

WATCH: South Carolina block party thugs with machine gun, spear charged in mob attack on officers, police say

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 08:00:59 -0400

A chaotic Fourth of July block party in North Charleston, South Carolina, that erupted into gunfire, involved a machine gun and spear, and erupted with an assault on police officers has now resulted in charges against six people, including four juveniles, authorities announced.

The North Charleston Police Department (NCPD) announced charges against six people and identified two adults who have been charged in connection with the July 4 incident in the Chicora-Cherokee community.

The juveniles face charges ranging from third-degree assault by mob, assault on a police officer while resisting arrest, resisting arrest, possession of a machine gun and breach of peace.

NORTH CHARLESTON OFFICER ATTACKED BY CROWD IN VIRAL VIDEO AFTER GUNFIRE ERUPTS AT BLOCK PARTY

Because they are juveniles, police did not release their identities.

Authorities also arrested 19-year-old Giovanni Mekhi Sincere Campbell, of North Charleston, who is charged with possession of a machine gun, and 18-year-old Sa'Mya Adriana Collette Weaver, who is charged with breach of peace and assault on a police officer while resisting arrest.

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Police said the investigation remains active, and additional arrests and charges are possible.

The confrontation unfolded after officers responded to a city-permitted neighborhood block party in the Chicora-Cherokee community at about 8:30 p.m. on July 4.

RALEIGH MAYOR CONSIDERS YOUTH CURFEW FOLLOWING TEEN TAKEOVER, VIOLENT JULY 4TH WEEKEND

Earlier that day, police leadership met with event organizers to discuss traffic and parking plans to ensure emergency vehicles could safely access the area if needed.

Officers initially received reports of people firing fireworks toward passing vehicles before learning that several attendees had begun discharging firearms, according to police.

BOSTON COP PELTED BY MOB AS DIRT BIKE SUSPECT ESCAPES IN WILD VIRAL VIDEO: ‘HE WAS ALL ALONE’

Authorities said officers repeatedly announced that the event had ended and instructed attendees to leave in an effort to de-escalate the situation.

Despite those efforts, multiple fights broke out and additional gunshots were fired, prompting officers to exit their patrol vehicles to separate those involved and restore order.

During the response, officers recovered multiple firearms, including what investigators described as a machine gun, as well as a makeshift spear.

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Police said multiple officers were assaulted during the incident, with two female officers suffering minor injuries. Following the incident, the department said, "Attacks on law enforcement are unacceptable and those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Viral video from the scene shows a female officer attempting to detain a woman when several people rush in, pull the officer to the ground and begin striking her.

Another officer intervenes, deploying what appears to be a stun gun before helping restrain individuals involved in the attack.

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Police have not said whether any of the recovered firearms were discharged during the incident or whether the makeshift spear was used in the assaults.

Authorities said no civilians reported injuries.

The North Charleston Police Department thanked members of the community who assisted officers during the violence, as well as responding agencies including the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, Charleston Police Department, Berkeley County Sheriff's Office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

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Investigators continue to examine the shootings and other criminal activity connected to the incident.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the North Charleston Police Department through its CRIMEWATCH app.

Fox News Digital's Greg Wehner contributed to this report.

Christopher Nolan faces growing backlash over 'Odyssey' casting, historical accuracy as screenings canceled

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 08:00:37 -0400

Christopher Nolan is in hot water for choices he made regarding his upcoming movie.

The Academy Award-winning director is receiving backlash for many of his decisions in the making of the film, including casting choices, historical inaccuracies throughout and use of modern dialogue.

"Christopher Nolan has cancelled all screenings of The Odyssey with movie influencers," one X user wrote. "He is only allowing approved critics to see it in advance. He is waving the surrender flag. They know they have a financial disaster on their hands."

Much of the criticism comes from his choice to cast Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy, as Homer describes the character as having "white arms" in the book. Social media users have pointed out that Nyong'o's African roots and darker complexion contradict this description of the character.

CHRISTOPHER NOLAN'S 'THE ODYSSEY' GETS OVERWHELMINGLY NEGATIVE REACTIONS AFTER CONTROVERSIAL CASTING CHOICES

Also causing controversy, is his decision to cast transgender actor Elliot Page as Sinus, a great warrior who fought alongside Odysseus during the Trojan War, as well as rapper Travis Scott as an unknown male character in the epic tale.

"All Christopher Nolan had to do was deliver a visually stunning take on a classic — and he’d have had a huge hit," one X user wrote. "Instead, he decided to ruin it with questionable modifications. Some say he bowed to the woke crowd. Others say he is the woke crowd and was trying to make a statement. Regardless… go woke, go broke."

"I was ready to pay for Chris Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ the second I heard about it. Then the casting dropped," another user wrote. "And just like that, I knew he’s no longer a serious filmmaker. Because if he were, he wouldn’t let diversity mandates destroy his work… he blackified crucial Greek characters on purpose… I won’t be paying to see it."

Elon Musk even got in on the action, commenting, "how pathetic," of the original post.

Others have taken issue with the fact that no actors of Greek or Mediterranean decent were cast in the film.

"I’m very supportive of Chris’s intention with it and with the version of this story that he is telling. Our cast is representative of the world. I’m not spending my time thinking of a defense. The criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not," Nyong'o told Elle in May in defense of the film. "It’s quite something to be a part of 'The Odyssey,' because it is so grand. It spans worlds. So that’s why the cast is what it is. We’re occupying the epic narrative of our time."

Nolan responded to the criticism surrounding his decision to cast Scott, telling Time Magazine in May he cast him because he wanted to pay tribute to "the idea that this story has been handed down as oral poetry, which is analogous to rap."

He later spoke about his process when taking on a story that audiences are already very familiar with on Amy Poehler's podcast, "Good Hang," saying he realized while making "Batman" trilogy that "what people want from you is your most sincere attempt to do justice to the material," but that it also "has to be your own interpretation."

"Certainly, I as a filmmaker respond to that in other people," he said. "If I go see a movie and I realize that people have loved this and have really tried to to give you an experience and tried to put something across in the way that they really believe is great, uh, I think I think people cut you a lot of slack for that cuz yes, you cannot compete with people's own imaginings when they read a text."

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Others were able to look past the casting, but took issue with the many historical inaccuracies in the film, with one X user pointing out the style of Damon's helmet and armor were incorrect for the time period, with another saying the "Period armor is more Roman than Greece."

"Nolan makes utterly bizarre, anachronistic, ahistorical, aesthetic choices for his 'Odyssey,' comic book armor, viking ships, diverse cast," one X users wrote. "If he's playing this fast and loose with history, material culture, ethnography, etc... what're the odds he isn't monkeying with the myth?"

"I agree about bad casting, but the choice to use modern language in the dialogue is the most egregious problem," one X user wrote. "Why on earth did Nolan think that was a good idea?"

One particular example of the use of modern dialogue, is when Tom Holland, who plays Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, refers to his father as dad.

While many were upset by multiple aspects of the film, others were not as bothered by the inaccuracies in casting, dialogue or costumes.

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"Despite all the controversy, I’m going to watch The Odyssey," one X user wrote. "I love Homer’s works. I’m curious to see what Christopher Nolan does with them."

Another added, "Nolan wanted to do Odyssey, so he did it. Oppenheimer was great art? Why does it require ‘value’ to be made, all art is the artist’s interpretation in itself."

The movie, also starring Zendaya as Athena, Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Charlize Theron as Calypso and many other big stars, is set to premiere in theaters on Friday, July 17.

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Las Vegas prices squeeze everyday travelers as popular city embraces expensive makeover

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Las Vegas was once a playground for everyday travelers.

Now, many visitors are finding the price of admission harder to justify as the city leans harder into luxury hotels, celebrity-chef restaurants, stadium weekends and costly events, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

For budget-minded travelers, the new Vegas can feel like a city of upcharges.

GHOST-TOWN CASINOS NEAR LAS VEGAS GET STUNNING RESCUE AFTER FAMILY FINDS LAST-MINUTE BUYER

A $26 minibar bottle of water at Aria, for example, sparked social media outrage in 2025. It became shorthand for the frustration that visitors are being "nickel and dimed" at every turn, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the blog "View from the Wing."

In 2025, Las Vegas visitation fell to 38.5 million, down 7.5% from 2024, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). In 2024, visitors generated a record $55.1 billion in direct spending.

"Las Vegas has been an evolving tourism epicenter since its hotel and casino inception in the early 1900s," luxury travel expert Whytney Rawls told Fox News Digital.

RICK HARRISON OF 'PAWN STARS' SAYS GAMBLING ISN'T DYING EVEN AS LAS VEGAS POKER ROOMS CLOSE ONE BY ONE

"What was once a railroad stop in the middle of the desert has turned into one of the world's most talked-about destinations," said Rawls, who is based in Florida.

There is a new demographic. In 2024, 64% of visitors earned $100,000 or more, according to the LVCVA.

By 2025, the market was even higher: Data showed 44% of visitors earned $150,000 or more, News 3 Las Vegas reported.

"Gaming was once the dominant revenue driver," said Rawls. "Today, a much larger share comes from premium room rates, luxury dining, nightlife, entertainment, retail, and large-scale events."

LAS VEGAS TOURISM PLUMMETS AS OFFICIALS CONSIDER $6M PLAN TO WIN BACK CANADIAN VISITORS

The sticker shock is especially visible at the table.

Joël Robuchon inside MGM Grand lists a degustation menu starting at $525, as detailed in Stubborn Seed's Las Vegas Price Breakdown.

Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace features a 9-to-10-course Krug Chef's Table experience for $1,000 per person, according to Open Table.

At Papi Steak at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, the $1,000 Beef Case features a 55-ounce Australian wagyu tomahawk, Business Insider reported.

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"Vegas has evolved and is [today] more a premium lifestyle and entertainment market," Rawls said.

The newer resorts reflect this change. Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened in December 2023 with 3,644 rooms, 36 bars and restaurants, Eater Vegas reported.

On the Strip, gaming accounted for 26.1% of total casino revenue in 2025, while hotel rooms made up 33.5%, data from the Nevada Gaming Control Board indicated.

So why focus on volume when another type of clientele will spend more? Rawls asked.

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"Luxury travel is booming, and Vegas is right at the forefront, currently experiencing what many describe as a multi-billion-dollar luxury renaissance," Rawls said.

Rawls noted a marked difference between muted designs compared with neon colors once associated with the Strip.

"With this shift, they are refining their target audience as rates continue to climb," she said of Vegas venues.

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The city is "catering to a more luxurious market rather than the budget-friendly party stop it was even 20 years ago," she added.

Sphere posted $420.5 million in 2024 concert gross, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Official Las Vegas Grand Prix hospitality products list packages starting at $10,902, with other options starting at $25,997, inclusive of taxes and fees.

There are cheaper versions of Vegas. But it is a tiered city now, according to The Wall Street Journal.

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Everyone can get in — but the best rooms and tables are less attainable, the same source noted.

Andrea Margolis of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

Major airline roasts passengers who jump up right after landing, igniting fierce backlash

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:45:23 -0400

Southwest Airlines has reignited one of air travel's biggest etiquette debates after joking in a social media post that passengers who stand up immediately after landing "won't get off the plane faster."

"You 👏 won't 👏 get 👏 off 👏 the 👏 plane 👏 faster 👏 by 👏 standing 👏 up 👏 .001 👏 seconds 👏 after 👏 the 👏 seatbelt 👏 sign 👏 turns 👏 off 👏," the airline recently wrote on Threads, using the emojis exactly as shown.

The post quickly revived a familiar debate among travelers.

STANDING UP RIGHT AFTER PLANE LANDS FUELS VIRAL DEBATE ABOUT AIR TRAVEL ETIQUETTE

Some say they view the habit as inconsiderate — while others say standing helps them stretch, retrieve their carry-on bags and prepare to deplane.

The comments section quickly filled up as travelers revealed why they stand as soon as the seatbelt sign turns off. Many insisted it's less about rushing off the plane and more about comfort and being ready to leave the aircraft as soon as they can.

"Maybe👏🏻I👏🏻need👏🏻to👏🏻stretch👏🏻my👏🏻legs👏🏻after👏🏻sitting👏🏻in👏🏻your👏🏻cramped👏🏻plane👏🏻," one user said.

"It’s 👏not 👏 about 👏 getting 👏 off 👏 the 👏 plane 👏 fast," another user wrote.

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Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert based in Texas, previously told Fox News Digital that passengers who stand immediately after landing have become a source of frustration for many other travelers.

"With long flights, people are anxious to stand up and stretch their legs," Gottsman said.

"They also want to get their suitcases out of the bins and be prepared to efficiently walk out of their aisle."

Problems arise, she said, when passengers step into the aisle too early, block others or encroach on the limited personal space inside the cabin.

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"Moving into the aisle and trying to push is a definite etiquette faux pas," Gottsman said.

"For safety reasons, it's best to remain seated unless there is room to comfortably move about."

Flight attendants should handle the situation to help keep the deplaning process orderly, Gottsman added.

Fox News Digital reached out to Southwest Airlines for comment.

Many commenters said standing after landing is not the issue. They argued that passengers should wait their turn and avoid pushing ahead of others.

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"I stand up immediately and politely grab my stuff and get ready to deplane," one commenter wrote.

"I don't push in front of people and try not to be in others' way. I wait for rows in front of me to get off. People who take the time gathering their belongings hold up others and the flight," the commenter continued.

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"I find it a form of respect for other passengers and flight attendants," the commenter added.

John Fetterman defends Trump supporters, condemns fellow Democrats' 'f--- Trump' strategy

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:36:50 -0400

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who has broken with far-left Democrats numerous times, spoke out on Tuesday’s episode of the "Impaulsive" podcast about how his party needs to change its strategy.

Fetterman lamented the modern state of politics as a polarized mess between two parties engaged in a "race to the bottom." He, however, made the case that he is working to serve Americans as a Democratic Party senator in a state that ultimately voted for President Donald Trump’s reelection in 2024.

"Some Democrats now are actually running on the ‘f--- Trump' - I mean literally, that's in some of their commercials, you know, honestly," he said.

He went on to criticize the idea of tarring one’s political opposition as "fascists," warning, "And this idea — and if you call someone on their side as, like, ‘they're fascists,’ then that means that people that I know, and I love that voted for him, you know, that must be — they are fascists. And they are not. These are good people. They love our country no less than they do. It's just having different views and, you know, trying to find a way forward in a deeply divided country."

JOHN FETTERMAN’S FALL FROM HERO TO HERETIC EXPOSES DEMOCRATS’ HARD LEFT TURN

"I refuse to do that," he said of political tribalism and name-calling. "People forgot that we're all Americans, and we actually need each other."

He went on to recall how he "took so much s---" for being invited to dinner with Trump in 2025.

"I was excited. I was like, 'Hey, great. We have an invitation. Sure. I can't wait. This will be great.' You know, I love to have conversations," Fetterman said.

This bipartisan outreach from Trump, he said, has no equivalent in the Democratic Party.

WHY TRUMP, GOP ARE COURTING JOHN FETTERMAN, WHO INSISTS HE’LL REMAIN A DEMOCRAT

"There's no Democrats reaching across the aisle right now," he said, summarizing the Democrats’ messaging as: "You want to pay your bills, F--- Trump, and burn it down."

The reality, he said, is more complicated, in that "I don't just represent, you know, Democrats. I represent all 13 million Pennsylvanians."

Toward the end of the episode, he concluded by calling for a better level of political discourse.

"The Democrats are angry at me because, more and more, the Democratic Party, the base, really wants more 'F--- Trump' kind of a thing," he said. "So, my votes are — my values are reflected in the votes. But overall, I'll be an example that can people say, 'Well, at least they'll do it in a respectful way' and be a reasonable or a common-sense thing in the middle of the insanity here."

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WWE star Sami Zayn cuts emotional promo following title loss to CM Punk: 'That motherf---er'

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:25:06 -0400

WWE star Sami Zayn was irate after CM Punk made a dramatic return to "Monday Night Raw" in Chicago and defeated him for the undisputed championship.

Zayn was supposed to have a match with Cody Rhodes before Gunther took out the "American Nightmare" when the show began. Zayn thought he was going to have an off night before he was told there was a replacement for Rhodes. Punk made his entrance to a raucous crowd and defeated Zayn in the main event.

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As Zayn walked to the backstage area, he cut an emotional promo.

"I have a question," Zayn began. "How is it that after 24 years after crawling and inching for every little inch to get the WWE championship, after I finally get it, nine days after I get it, that piece of s--- can walk back in here after not being here for months, for months, and waltz right in and get it? Get a chance? That motherf---er. He has no business. No business."

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Zayn broke down in tears as he came to the realization that his short title run was finished.

Rhodes booked himself a triple-threat match at Night of Champions to prove that he was better than both Zayn and Gunther. He miscalculated Zayn’s wrestling aptitude and was pinned clean at the premium live event.

Rhodes climbed back to the No. 1 contender spot last week on "Friday Night SmackDown" when he defeated Jey Uso. But he didn’t get a chance to re-enter the match due to Gunther’s beatdown.

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With less than a month before SummerSlam, Punk appears to be the one to walk into U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis with the Undisputed WWE Championship around his waist.

'That was the last I heard from him': Slain NJ therapist’s neighbor recalls last contact with husband

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:00:50 -0400

After 35-year-old Brooke Hanlon was found stabbed inside her home in Chester, New Jersey, her husband has not been seen nor heard from in weeks.

In fact, one of the few people to speak publicly about the case is her sister, Paige Haggerty.

While she first spoke at length exclusively with Fox News Digital about the loss of her sister, Haggerty remained tight-lipped about her brother-in-law.

SLAIN NEW JERSEY THERAPIST'S SISTER SAYS FAMILY IS LIVING A 'NIGHTMARE' ONE MONTH LATER

Records indicate 36-year-old James "Conor" Hanlon, who goes by Conor, grew up in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.

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Investigators responded to the couple's home on June 6 after receiving a 911 call. The Morris County prosecutor's office said, "An examination by the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of Brooke's death to be multiple sharp force injuries and the manner of death as homicide."

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A neighbor of the Hanlons spoke with Fox News Digital and said, "There was a lot of activity out there on the 6th. I'd talked to Conor a few times before. We mostly texted. We've lived here about a year, and he'd text me whenever bears were around."

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He said the pair were texting back and forth about bears in the area days before Brooke's killing.

"We were actually doing that just the other day — I think around [June] 2nd — when he reached out because a bear had gotten into his trash. That was the last I heard from him."

There are signs of possible movement at the Hanlon's home following the initial response from agencies on June 6.

A white SUV with New Jersey plates matching one that was seen at the Hanlon residence before and after the homicide was spotted by Fox News in Boston on Tuesday.

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The neighbor said he texted Conor concerned about all the police activity and said, "I saw a lot of cops out there that Saturday. I texted him, saying, 'Hey man, I saw all the police at your house. If you guys need anything, let me know.' He never responded after that."

The prosecutor's office has yet to reveal who called 911 on that day in June, who was inside the home at the time of the discovery, and whether Conor and the couple's baby were present at the time of the murder.

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Haggerty said the couple's baby is staying with family, but no other details were immediately available.

Court records indicate Conor has no prior arrests or criminal history. He has not been accused of any crime or wrongdoing.

Authorities have yet to reveal any information about a suspect or person of interest.

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

"Everything we do now is about preserving her legacy. That's all we really can do. You never think something like this will happen to your family until it does. I never imagined Brooke's life ending in such a violent, tragic way," Haggerty said about her slain sister.

There is a reward of up to $1,000 for anyone who can provide information about the case.

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Fox News Digital made calls to Conor Hanlon that were not immediately returned. It is unclear if he has retained a lawyer.

Fox News' Bryan Llenas contributed to this report.

Trump says tentative Iran ceasefire is 'over' and more top headlines

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:14:22 -0400

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

TOP 3

1. US retaliates with 80 targets hit as Strait of Hormuz tensions erupt again — follow our LIVE COVERAGE

2. Tyler Robinson, Lance Twiggs' DNA found on key evidence in Charlie Kirk assassination

3. Graham Platner slammed with new allegation day after bombshell rape accusation

MAJOR HEADLINES

DEMS' DILEMMA — Far-left hopeful who wants ICE abolished could hand Trump a crucial Senate seat. Continue reading …

TOP HEAVY — Developer reveals what may have caused Manhattan tower structural failure: report. Continue reading …

WINGS OF HONOR — Missing Navy commander identified after helicopter emergency water landing at sea. Continue reading …

BODY OF EVIDENCE — Boaters’ grisly find leads cops to alleged body-dumping plot by family. Continue reading …

ROAD SAFETY LAW — College soccer goalkeeper dead after immigrant driver rear-ended his car, troopers say. Continue reading …

POLITICS

BALLOT BLITZ — Australian resident charged after allegedly voting in US federal elections. Continue reading …

CITIZENSHIP FOR SALE — 'American citizenship is not for sale,' governor warns after maternity ad surfaces. Continue reading …

FINAL BOARDING — Trump admin to open migrant holding facility near nation's biggest deportation hub. Continue reading …

AMPLE WARNING — Dem senator faces heat after dropping second candidate accused of misconduct. Continue reading …

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MEDIA

AMERICAN HISTORY — Nikole Hannah-Jones says reparations admit the 'entire existence' of the US is a crime. Continue reading …

CAMPAIGN CRISIS — Far-left podcaster slams media for 'politically assassinating' Graham Platner. Continue reading …

LEFT WING SHIFT — Gavin Newsom joins growing list of Democrats embracing socialist candidates. Continue reading …

BROADCAST BATTLE — ABC pushes back on FCC amid 'The View' probe, citing First Amendment rights. Continue reading …

OPINION

PASTOR COREY BROOKS — Stephen A. Smith saw three white Lakers and exposed a glaring liberal double standard. Continue reading …

JONATHAN TURLEY — Kennedy Center ruling gets Trump's name right but repairs badly wrong. Continue reading …

IN OTHER NEWS

PAWS OFF — Company warns popular pet food may have sharp metal and plastic pieces. Continue reading …

FOOD SCIENCE — Researchers claim they've created healthier burgers that taste as good as a Big Mac. Continue reading …

FAME GAME — '10' actress Bo Derek reveals why she decided to walk away from Hollywood career. Continue reading …

AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on Founding Fathers and vaccine victories. Take the quiz here …

LISTEN

Tune in to the FOX NEWS RUNDOWN PODCAST for today's in-depth reporting on the news that impacts you. Check it out ...

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

Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We’ll see you in your inbox first thing Thursday.

Stephen King deletes post hoping Graham Platner doesn't drop out, clarifies 'not defending' him

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:13:09 -0400

Stephen King deleted a post that appeared to support Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner following sexual assault allegations on Monday. The author added that if Platner "committed rape, he should bow out."

Maine resident Jenny Racicot, 41, told Politico over the course of three interviews that Platner entered her home uninvited and forced her to have sex despite her telling him to stop several times in 2021, a claim that Platner denied in the story. Racicot also described Platner as "almost blackout drunk" during the incident.

Since the story's release, numerous prominent Democratic figures have called on Platner to suspend his campaign, including allies like Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. However, "The Shining" author initially wrote that he hoped that Platner "doesn't" drop out of the race.

GRAHAM PLATNER'S MOST PROMINENT PRESS ALLIES ABANDON HIM AS RAPE ALLEGATION ROCKS MAINE SENATE RACE

"Graham Platner may drop out. (I hope he doesn’t, but.) Meanwhile, the Abuser in Chief just keeps on keepin’ on," King wrote.

Though King deleted the post, he continued to write about Platner.

"Tell you what--if you knew the whole truth about everyone in the Senate and House of Reps, those chambers would be dead empty. Jesus said, 'Let him without sin cast the first stone,'" King wrote.

That post drew outrage from social media users disturbed at King appearing to dismiss a rape allegation.

PLATNER'S LATEST ACCUSER CLAIMS THE DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE 'ABSOLUTELY' RAPED HER

After drawing criticism, King later clarified, "Not defending Grah [sic] Platner. If he committed rape, he should bow out. Just making a comparison."

King's follow-up post continued to receive backlash as people considered the post an attempt to walk back the controversial post.

"After severe backlash from clearly defending Graham Platner, Stephen King now thinks rape is bad and Platner should drop out," political commentator Kevin Dalton said.

Journalist Paul D. Thacker wrote, "This is me comparing what you're saying now to what you said defending Graham Platner."

"Remember, King is ok with The Nazi Totenkopf tattoo Graham having Rape fantasies His Sexting & predator platform activity," podcast host Alec Lace wrote, referencing Platner's past political scandals.

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Fox News Digital reached out to King for comment.

Platner's scandal emerged as Democrats seek to defeat incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins. If Platner suspends his campaign before 5 p.m. next Monday, July 13, the Maine Democratic Party will be able to replace him on the general election ballot with another candidate from the party, whom they would need to select by July 27.

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So far, Platner has said that his campaign will take "time to reflect on the best path forward" but has not indicated that he will step down.

Judge orders Nancy Guthrie ransom imposter into inpatient treatment before sentencing

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:00:55 -0400

A federal judge has ordered the California man who pleaded guilty to sending phony ransom messages to the family of missing Arizona woman Nancy Guthrie to enter inpatient substance abuse treatment while awaiting sentencing, according to federal court records.

Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing from her Catalina Foothills home outside Tucson on Feb. 1. The following day, local media outlets received ransom demands that investigators continue to examine as potentially legitimate.

Derrick Anthony Callella, 42, was arrested days after Guthrie's disappearance after the FBI determined he had sent fraudulent ransom messages to members of her family.

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Callella later pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment using a telecommunications device and is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 10 by U.S. District Judge John C. Hinderaker.

Federal investigators have said Callella was not responsible for an earlier ransom demand sent to local media. The FBI has said that demand remains under investigation as authorities continue investigating Guthrie's disappearance as a kidnapping-for-ransom case.

The amended release conditions require Callella to reside at an inpatient substance-use treatment facility or halfway house, comply with all program requirements and contribute toward the cost of treatment as directed by the U.S. Pretrial Services Division.

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The order also authorizes the U.S. Marshals Service to remove Callella from the program and place him in temporary custody if he fails to comply with treatment requirements. Upon completing the program, he may reside at a home approved by the U.S. Pretrial Services Division.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona seeking additional information about why the court modified Callella's release conditions.

According to the plea agreement, Callella admitted sending spoofed ransom messages to Guthrie's daughter, Annie Guthrie, and son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, from a spoofed phone number asking, "Did you get the bitcoin? We're waiting on our end for the transaction[.]"

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Prosecutors said Callella later placed a brief phone call to a member of Guthrie's family seeking information about the investigation.

Court records state investigators traced the spoofed Voice over Internet Protocol account used to send the messages to an email address registered to Callella.

After waiving his Miranda rights, Callella admitted using the account to send the texts and told investigators he had obtained the family's contact information from a website while following television coverage of Guthrie's disappearance. Prosecutors said he wanted to see whether the family would respond.

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Callella is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 10. He faces up to two years in prison on each count, fines of up to $250,000 per count and up to one year of supervised release.

Fox News Digital’s Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.

EXCLUSIVE: FBI adds alleged COVID fraudster accused of taking $5M from kids' meal program to Most Wanted list

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:53 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: The FBI is adding Fahad Mohamed Nur to its Most Wanted Fraudsters List, accusing the Minnesota businessman of allegedly stealing more than $5 million that was intended to feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nur has been on the run since 2022 and is wanted for his alleged role in a fraud scheme that exploited Minnesota's Federal Child Nutrition Program during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the FBI. The bureau alleges he owned a vendor and purported food supplier that received more than $5 million in fraudulent program funds by submitting fake invoices before laundering the proceeds.

The bureau believes Nur has ties to Somalia and may currently be living there.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to Nur's arrest and conviction.

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Nur is the latest addition to the FBI's Most Wanted Fraudsters List, which officials say has already resulted in the arrests of two fugitives within weeks of its launch.

"Under President Trump's and Vice President Vance's leadership with the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, the FBI's historic 'Most Wanted Fraudsters list' has already seen tremendous success – with two subjects brought to justice in a matter of weeks, apprehended out of Somalia and the Philippines," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Patel said the early arrests demonstrate that the FBI is aggressively pursuing fugitives accused of stealing from American taxpayers.

FBI ADDS 2 FUGITIVES TO 'MOST WANTED FRAUDSTERS' LIST AMID HISTORIC $6.5B HEALTHCARE TAKEDOWN: PATEL

"Our newest subject – Fahad Mohamed Nur – has been on the run since 2022 for allegedly stealing over $5 million from a child nutrition program in Minnesota."

Patel added: "Collectively, the Task Force has already uncovered more than $13 billion in fraud, and the rapid success of the Most Wanted Fraudsters List should show all Americans that this FBI will [be] at the forefront pursuing the worst of the worst who stole from hardworking American taxpayers."

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Federal officials say the investigation is part of a broader government effort targeting pandemic-era fraud.

"The Department’s robust partnership with the FBI and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud has already delivered historic results. That partnership grows even stronger today with the addition of this latest subject to the Most Wanted Fraudsters list," said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. "President Trump has made it clear: Fraudsters no longer have a safe haven in America. Law enforcement will continue to use every tool at its disposal to bring those who steal from American taxpayers to justice."

The White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, led by Vice President JD Vance, has already uncovered more than $13 billion in fraud, according to the FBI.

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Anyone with information about Nur's whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, their local FBI office, the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

More than 400K New York City children enrolled in failing public schools: report

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:00:40 -0400

More than 900 New York City public schools do not have a majority of students passing state reading and math tests, according to a scathing new report.

That means more than 400,000 of New York City’s public school children are enrolled in institutions where fewer than half of the students passed math, reading, or both on state exams.

"Despite New York City’s international reputation as an economic power and cultural influencer, the city’s public school system, funded at twice the average rate of other American school districts, has struggled for decades to deliver results that at best are mediocre," researchers at Success Academy, a New York City-based charter school network, wrote in the report.

According to the findings, 906 schools — representing nearly half of all public schools across the five boroughs — saw fewer than half of their students pass state math or reading exams last year.

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"Those 906 schools enroll 409,379 students: 43 percent of all NYC public school children. In 503 of those schools, the majority of students failed both math and reading," the researchers added.

The Success Academy report comes after the New York State Education Department (NYSED) released 2024-2025 test score data for grades 3–8, claiming that the assessment results showed "meaningful signs of improvement." The state’s official report card indicated that 57% of 3rd through 8th graders were deemed proficient in math, while 53% met proficiency standards in English Language Arts (ELA).

Critics point to the city's massive educational budget relative to its performance. New York City spent approximately $40 billion on public education for the 2024 fiscal year, which translates to a nation-leading $36,293 per pupil in the district — roughly double the national average.

The report sharply criticized city officials' allocation of those resources.

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"The city is now committed to billions more to fund a class-size mandate that the evidence does not support, while propping up hundreds of vacant schools that drain resources at a premium rate with no return," the report states. "Meanwhile, the students most harmed by this failure attend the same schools that have been failing since before many of them were born."

Success Academy claims that these specific findings have never been assembled before. Representatives for the charter network told Fox News Digital that their staff spent months analyzing primary public records, including NYSED accountability data dating back to 2012, alongside NYC school quality reports, expenditure files, and standardized test results.

Compounding the city's academic hurdles is a persistent truancy crisis. Approximately 35% of all New York City public school students — roughly 300,000 children — were flagged as "chronically absent" during the school year, meaning they missed at least 10% of required school days, according to the report.

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The NYSED sent Fox News Digital the following statement responding to Success Academy's findings.

"It is the New York State Education Department’s responsibility to meet schools where they are so that every student — regardless of zip code — has an opportunity to succeed. Success Academy’s report is a vehicle to detract from its attempts to circumvent the New York City charter cap and promote its academic achievements by comparing one limited data sample to another," a spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

The department’s assessment and accountability data has always been available to the public, the spokesperson added.

"NYSED has continually modified its reporting tools and data presentations to improve accessibility and usability for families, educators, and community stakeholders through the school report card which is publicly available on the NYSED website," the official continued.

"These enhancements were designed to make complex information more understandable and meaningful. Additionally, the report fails to acknowledge that there was no assessment data in 2020 and significantly limited data in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic."

An NYC Public Schools official also responded to Success Academy's report, arguing that the report "is riddled with misdirections, misinformation and allegations not based in fact."

"At New York City Public Schools, we have the privilege and responsibility of educating every child who comes through our doors — students new to our city, learning English for the first time, students with disabilities who haven’t received the care they need elsewhere, and students struggling in their classes, who need a teacher who refuses to give up on them," a spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

The official went on to say, "We are proud of the gains that have been made in reading and math across schools and demographics this past year, the strides that have been made in preparing students for success after graduation and the head start we are delivering for thousands of children across the city through universal child care. This is the true honest work that school leaders and educators in every borough are doing every day, and we are proud to stand by them."

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Earlier in the year, Success Academy CEO Eva Moskowitz touted her network's own academic metrics. Success Academy ranked first in New York State for math proficiency in grades 3–8 in recent state exams, with a 96% pass rate. The K-12 charter network also placed second statewide in ELA with a 92% pass rate, trailing the affluent Scarsdale Union Free School District by just a single percentage point.

Moskowitz told Fox News Digital that researchers intentionally reviewed the performance metrics of every school in the city to provide a comprehensive baseline comparison against other districts.

SEN TODD YOUNG: The hidden danger China’s ships could bring to our shores

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:00:34 -0400

Chinese vessels carry appliances, clothing, and household goods to our ports. But what if they also brought, without notice, missile launchers concealed in shipping containers? This is not merely a hypothetical question, but a possibility America’s leaders must prepare for.

As technology evolves, enterprising nations are getting creative about how to project power far away from their borders and shores. Just last year, Ukraine destroyed a third of Russia’s strategic-bomber force even though those aircraft were kept on protected bases deep in the heart of Russian territory.

How? They hid swarms of drones inside shipping containers carried on trucks and infiltrated Russia’s domestic transportation networks. Russia was clearly unprepared for a clever adversary to exploit its highways.

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The impact to Russia’s military power was striking, but the attack also exposed to the world the vulnerabilities inherent in everyday commerce.

That development should prompt American officials to consider what risks we face here in the United States. As a maritime nation protected by two oceans and friendly countries to our north and south, we’ve grown accustomed to a high level of safety. But we are also a major destination of global shipping, bringing most of the goods that we purchase every day to our shores.

A large percentage of those ships coming in and out of our ports are owned and operated by Chinese firms with direct ties to the Chinese Communist Party. This creates acute risk.

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Naval analysts confirm China is retrofitting cargo ships with deadly weapons – long range strike and surface-to-air missiles, drone launching systems, as well as radar and tracking systems.

What if one of these ships arrived in Houston, home to America’s largest port in terms of tonnage and one of the country’s economic hubs?

The "best" case scenario: our Intelligence Community would detect the weapons, enabling the Coast Guard to intercept and seize the Chinese ship. However, this could potentially require shutting down the port and halting trade and LNG exports worth billions.

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The far more alarming possibility: the armed Chinese cargo carriers slip into the Port of Houston undetected and launch devastating attacks on the port, destroying vital infrastructure and killing hundreds, and possibly many more.

The Port of Houston is home to the world’s largest petrochemical complexes and a quarter of America’s refining capacity. The explosions caused by a Chinese attack on the port would send clouds of carcinogens into the air and over nearby communities. Meanwhile, America’s energy supply would be devastated, causing painful shortages and draining the economy of millions of dollars a day.

This disaster could play out at any of our other major ports – Los Angeles, our hub for trans-Pacific trade, or Norfolk, Virginia, the East Coast’s deepest harbor and home to America’s largest naval base.

Neither of these situations are inevitable, but we must act now to rebuild America’s rusted Maritime Industrial Base and end our reliance on Chinese-flagged vessels. That is why I am working with congressional colleagues and the Trump administration to make American ships again.

The U.S. was once home to the world’s largest commercial fleet, numbering nearly 4,000 ships. But in the years following World War II, priorities shifted and international competition increased. Today, the United States manufactures a handful of commercial vessels per year while China builds over a thousand.

In total, the U.S. has fewer than 100 oceangoing commercial vessels. China has nearly 6,000, the largest fleet in the world. This imbalance is a tremendous risk, giving China control over global supply chains, economic levers to constrain American policy options, and, at worst, countless opportunities every day to sneak weapons into our cities.

What commercial shipping fleet we have is in disrepair. Our sealift capacity is diminished. America is in danger.

I am leading a bipartisan coalition in Congress that clearly sees the grave risks to our people and economy. We are working to achieve a revival of American shipbuilding. To accomplish this, we have written the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure and Security Act, or SHIPS Act. The bill, which I introduced in the Senate last year, will launch a new fleet of American-made ships.

The SHIPS Act will encourage the construction of new ships and shipyards through tax incentives. It will deliver deregulation and permitting reform to reduce costs and speed the delivery of new vessels. It also will modernize training programs at our maritime academies and recruit a new generation of mariners.

And the bill will establish a Maritime Security Trust Fund to finance these programs, plus an expansion of the U.S.-flagged international fleet to 250 ships by 2035.

We have a strong champion in President Trump, whose Maritime Action Plan is consistent with our bill, mobilizing the whole of government to restore America’s maritime dominance.

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China is retrofitting its commercial ships into covert warships. The evidence is clear. So too is the risk of allowing these vessels to dominate global trade and fill our ports because we have no ships of our own.

But we have a plan to protect our ports and people, to build and launch a new fleet, manned by Americans mariners, flying the Stars and Stripes. Congress should pass the SHIPS Act without delay.

One walking habit could signal a healthier brain after 80, scientists say

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:00:15 -0400

Older adults identified as "super movers" are about half as likely to develop cognitive impairment than their peers.

That’s according to a recent study led by Stony Brook Medicine in New York, which evaluated the cognitive function of 4,000 adults 80 and over who participated in multiple aging and longevity studies over several years.

Among this group, 6% to 10% were classified as super movers, which means they walk at a much faster pace than others of the same age and gender — at speeds comparable to people three decades younger.

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The super movers were found to have about half the risk of cognitive decline compared to seniors with typical gait speed.

The findings were published in the journal Neurology on June 16.

"The study reinforces that mobility and brain health are closely connected," lead study author Dr. Joe Verghese, MD, neurologist at Stony Brook Medicine, told Fox News Digital. "This suggests that preserving mobility may be an important marker of healthy brain aging and resilience."

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The most intriguing finding, according to Verghese, was that super movers maintained cognitive function despite having similar dementia-related brain changes as their peers.

In postmortem brain analysis, there was no difference in dementia-related pathologies between the super movers and the slower walkers, the study stated.

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"This suggests they may possess resilience mechanisms that help preserve brain function even in the presence of age-related changes," he said. "Understanding these resilience factors could lead to new strategies for promoting healthy brain aging."

As the study was observational, there were some limitations, and it does not prove that walking faster prevents dementia, the researchers noted.

"Other factors, such as cardiovascular health, physical fitness or genetics, may also contribute to both faster walking and better cognitive outcomes," Verghese said.

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This study adds to growing evidence that what's good for the heart and muscles also benefits the brain, he noted, adding that "staying physically active remains one of the most effective, evidence-based ways to support healthy aging."

"The broader message is that physical activity is important at any age," Verghese said. "Walking is an easy step-up point because you don't need any special equipment. You can do it inside or outdoors, and you can do it on a regular basis. You can walk with a dog, you can walk with a friend."

Any activity is beneficial if it's done regularly and with the right intensity, he added.

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Rather than just trying to walk faster, the neurologist recommends that seniors focus on maintaining mobility through regular physical activity, strength training, balance exercises and good cardiovascular health.

"Walking speed is best viewed as a marker of overall health, not a treatment," Verghese noted.

Major public health guidelines from the CDC and U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking.

This can be achieved by walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week, or about 20 to 25 minutes most days. Another option is to engage in shorter sessions that add up over the day.

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"You have to do it within your health limitations and medical conditions," Verghese advised. "So if there are any medical concerns, I would get your physician to clear you before starting exercise." The good thing about walking, he added, is that you can start at a slow pace and then gradually build up to a brisker pace.

"And then adding on strength and balance training, whatever age you are, I think is also important."

New Jersey pro wrestling promotion bringing the fight to the beach

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:58:23 -0400

Pro wrestling is often known for its storyline-driven entertainment coupled with hard-hitting and high-flying action in the ring that leads to a crescendo that makes fans feel some kind of emotion. The major companies each try to drive to that moment.

Sometimes, a unique venue adds to the excitement of a show, especially for smaller independent pro wrestling companies who are trying to engage an audience for a few hours at a time. On July 14, Fight Factory Wrestling is going back to the beach for The War on the Shore 3.

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The event will take place near Martell’s Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, bringing professional wrestling to the beach. Joey Janela, Ben Bishop, Jack Vaughn, Richard Holliday, Steve Maclin, Jay Lethal, Sent 2 Slauter, Lady Frost, Allie Katch, Steph De Lander and others are among those billed to be in matches for the event.

Dave Sturchio, one of the minds behind Fight Factory Wrestling with Chris Payne, talked to Fox News Digital about getting started in the sport. He said he and Payne initially got started wrestling in 2012, but as time went on, the two went their own way. The two came back together in 2024 to do the "Fight Factory Podcast." He said Payne had aspirations to do a wrestling show on the beach – akin to World Championship Wrestling’s Bash at the Beach.

Sturchio said he called Payne to follow through on doing a beach show despite some apprehension about getting involved in the creative side of the sport. Sturchio said when he first approached the venue about the event, there was a little hesitation, but when he came back with a plan, the venue agreed.

"As the buzz started to develop and build over prepping for the show, I said to Payne, ‘I don’t know if this is a one-off. I think that we have something here,’" Sturchio said. "And Payne and I, we’ve been in the industry since 2012, we’re life-long fans. I’m already an entrepreneur at heart, so how can I take my entrepreneurial stuff for the last three-four years of being my own boss, how do I spin this into becoming a pro wrestling promoter?"

Sturchio said that teaming with Payne allowed for the stars to align and to give each other a shot at building something great. He said the response from the first War on the Shore in 2024 was "overwhelming."

"We were like, this is actually kind of crazy. People are actually jones-ing for some wrestling in the summer. Typically, when you go to a VFW or your gymnasiums, independent wrestling kind of takes off, and they don’t run as much in the summer because it’s hot. So, I said, if anything, nobody is going to run against us and, unfortunately for us, we were put on a Tuesday night, and we were like, ‘Jesus Christ, there’s no way anybody is going to show up on a Tuesday.’

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"Turns out, nobody is really doing anything on a Tuesday. It was very easy to book the wrestlers in that regard because nobody else had anything going on. … First year was great. I think the best testament that we got was we booked Matt Cardona to be one of our featured guests on the first one and that’s when he tore his pec. So, he was out of action for a little while, but he promised us that he would still show up."

Sturchio said Cardona was blown away and thought he and Payne had been running shows for a while.

"If you’re going to blow away Matt Cardona, I think we got something. It was off to the races, man," he added.

Now, Sturchio and Payne are set to put on their third War on the Shore in New Jersey and the card couldn’t be more interesting.

"This year, we really stacked the deck," he told Fox News Digital. "Some professional wrestling shows you go to on the independents, there are those lulls. Matches where you’re like, ‘Oh, they’re giving this guy a chance over here and they’re gonna give this guy a chance over there.’

"This year, I told Payne, look, based off of everybody that we’ve booked so far, for me, and some independent wrestlers don’t want to hear this, we’re trying to build a roster, build a core roster. Meaning, if we used you before and you’ve done good work, we’re gonna use you again. Instead of saying, hey, random guy over here, who I don’t know who you are, but let’s give you a shot. So we’re trying to build stories and there are a lot of stories that are culminating."

Sturchio pointed to a number of matches that fans should be eager to see. One specifically is the reformation of The Heavenly Bodies tag team with Justin and Mark Corino.

"Those guys are reuniting for the first time in seven years," he said. "They’re friends of mine, I came up with them. They were my first tag team opponents, and I’ve known these guys forever, and they’re near and dear to my heart."

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Lady Frost will be in action against De Lander and Katch. Bishop defends the Fight Factory Premier Championship against Holliday and Vaughn. Janela will take on Jay Lethal for the first time ever and the event will feature a rumble and a tiki totem on a pole, which will act as Fight Factory Wrestling’s "Money in the Bank" type of gimmick.

"The card is stacked. I’m very excited about all of it. There’s not one lull," Sturchio said. "We’re just going to roll right through, and I think it’s going to be one of those nights that we remember for a very, very long time."

Former acting DHS secretary warns Chinese criminal organizations are infiltrating America's hemp industry

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:52:43 -0400

Former acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf sent a letter to House lawmakers Tuesday urging them to investigate the "growing role that Chinese-linked actors and foreign criminal organizations are playing in the proliferation of hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products and illegal marijuana operations" in the U.S., which he says are "putting our youth and adults at risk."

The message addressed to Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. — the chairman and ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, respectively — states that "Beyond the serious public health implications, there is mounting evidence that this issue also presents a significant national security concern."

"What began as a narrowly tailored effort to legalize industrial hemp and non-intoxicating cannabidiol (CBD) products has evolved into a dangerous and unregulated market for high-potency THC hemp products that are being sold across the country with little to no oversight," Wolf wrote. "These products are frequently marketed as gummies, candies, beverages and vapes, often packaged and promoted in ways that appeal to children. They lack acceptable age restrictions, labeling requirements and safety standards."

Wolf cited a warning from the White House’s 2026 National Drug Control Strategy, which described how "the marijuana trade in the United States is no longer a scattered, low-level problem; it has been co-opted and industrialized by sophisticated, transnational criminal organizations, particularly those with ties to China."

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"These groups systematically exploit states where marijuana has been legalized under state law, leveraging these markets and lax regulations to establish massive, unlicensed cultivation operations. A stark illustration of this is Oklahoma, where law enforcement estimates that Chinese criminal groups run more than 80% of the state's thousands of marijuana and hemp farms," the National Drug Control Strategy document says.

"These operations are not just agricultural; they are hubs of poly-crime involving human trafficking of exploited laborers, sophisticated money laundering, and the use of dangerous, unregistered pesticides that threaten public health and the environment," it adds.

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Wolf referenced how China "has been linked to the export of fentanyl, synthetic narcotics and illicit supply chain materials that have devastated American communities" and that "the intoxicating THC hemp market now risks becoming another avenue through which Chinese-linked actors exploit regulatory loopholes and weak enforcement mechanisms to profit at the expense of the health and safety of the American people."

"Congress acted last year, with bipartisan support and President Trump’s signature, to close loopholes involving intoxicating THC hemp products and restore the original intent of federal hemp legislation," he said in the letter. "However, efforts are now underway to weaken, delay or roll back those protections before they fully take effect. This would not only undermine public health and law enforcement objectives, but could further embolden foreign criminal actors seeking to exploit the American marketplace and harm American families."

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He concluded the letter by asking the committee to "investigate China’s involvement in the intoxicating THC hemp supply chain, including financing, chemical manufacturing, illegal cultivation operations, money laundering activity and ties to the array of criminal organizations operating within the United States."

From tipping to etiquette, here's why buffets aren't as great as lot of people seem to think

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:45:10 -0400

It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time to air some of our biggest grievances in a brand new edition of The Gripe Report.

This week, we’re talking buffets.

My wife and I recently hit up a buffet, and while it was good, it just reminded me of why I’m not big on buffets.

They're still better than potlucks, though. I hate those.

This was a German buffet, which meant there was an abundance of various wursts and schnitzels, and if you felt so inclined, you could sit there and shovel spätzle into your dumb face until you auf den boden kotzen.

It was a good time, and I liked the German band that was playing (no Rammstein or Kraftwerk covers, though; bummer), but it reminded me of the many problems I have with buffets in general.

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So, seeing as I do a column dedicated to complaints, I figured this was the perfect place to get it all out.

A good deal?

Anytime I end up at a buffet, I always sit there wondering whether or not it’s a good deal. You usually end up paying a premium for the right to go on a culinary excursion using spoons and tongs that every other sicko in the restaurant touched, but you can only eat as much as you can eat.

Personally, I wouldn’t want to pay to feel like complete and utter s---, so half the time I feel like I leave buffets thinking, "I probably could’ve just gotten a sandwich for like half the price and been fine."

Now, part of what I do enjoy about buffets is that it gives you carte blanche to test drive some grub you would never order under any circumstances.

Sometimes you find a diamond in the proverbial buffet rough, but more often than not, you’re paying for the privilege of trying something and being like, "yeah, that’s alright," and then never eating it again for the rest of your life.

Food quality

I think my biggest beef with buffets is that they do not present most foods under ideal conditions, because very few items, if any, are at their pinnacle of deliciousness when sitting out under a lightbulb for an extended period of time.

Sure, some things can handle this. Macaroni and cheese can usually survive under these circumstances, but a lot of meats end up getting dried out because they sit there for half the day drinking in heat and oxygen.

There’s a reason food tastes best straight off the grill or straight out of the oven.

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In fact, I normally steer clear of fish at buffets, and went in for salmon (which was actually great) because I saw the fraulein behind the bar put out a brand new filet with my own two eyes.

It’s sometimes worth hovering like a creep waiting for one tray to get kicked and then swoop in for the fresh stuff.

I know in a sit-down restaurant the food is still usually going to hang out in the back under a heat lamp for a little bit too, but not nearly for as long, and without other lunatics digging it apart with spoons and tongs and spatulas.

This is why if ever there’s a meal during which I’m most likely to hit a buffet for, it’s breakfast.

I think that it’s without question the meal best suited to hanging out in chafing dishes while digging through it.

Lots of breakfast fare is easy to scoop or can be snagged with a quick, accurate set of tongs, and it has a more robust shelf life than its lunch and dinner counterparts.

Etiquette

One thing that, for some reason, we can’t all get on the same page on is buffet etiquette.

Obviously, there has to be some level of decorum, lest the buffet break out into a Three Stooges-esque food fight.

I think the tricky thing is that, in my opinion, buffets are all about reading the room, which is very tough for some people.

Generally speaking, in my maiden trip to the buffet, I always start at the end as the buffet gods intended. That way I can do a reconnaissance lap to adjust my salad and roll intake accordingly.

However, I do not believe you have to start at the end. I think you can — and should — just jump into the buffet… within reason.

Here’s an example: say you want some biscuits and gravy, which are located in the middle of the buffet. There’s nothing but free real estate around the biscuits and gravy (which is how you know this is a hypothetical), but there’s a line at the beginning of the buffet.

It’s ridiculous to think that you should go stand in line and wade past French toast sticks, eggs, and Cap’N Crunch you have no interest in to get your biscuits and gravy, so just look both ways like you’re crossing the street and grab them, and get out of the way.

But, if there’s a group going through the line and approaching the biscuits and gravy, approach with caution.

My rule of thumb is jump in, so long as you do not disrupt the flow of someone who is traveling the length of the buffet as intended.

Tipping

Tipping is always a touchy subject, but I think we need to talk about how this works with buffets.

It was my understanding that you tipped the server for, y’know, serving you.

But at most buffets, the server brings you drinks (I’ve been to some where they don’t even do that) and clears your spent plates.

That’s not nothing… but is that 20% worthy if that’s what you throw down for a full-service waiter or waitress?

I don’t mean to be that guy, but I did way more legwork when it came to getting food to the table than they did. I balanced a cup of coffee, a bowl of fruit, a plate with an omelette and home fries, and then a little sidecar plate of bacon and sausage while navigating a bustling dining room.

How about tipping me?

Plus, the bill is often considerably more per person compared to exercising some restraint and just getting an entree.

I feel the same way about restaurants where you cook your own food. I’ve never gotten those. I get that it’s supposed to be about the "experience," but you can do that at home for considerably less.

…

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That’s it for this week!

Be sure to send in your gripes for a future edition of The Gripe Report.

Rams' Alaric Jackson catches surprising break despite damning allegations involving pregnant girlfriend

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:37:46 -0400

Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Alaric Jackson has dodged criminal charges, but his NFL career remains in serious jeopardy.

Just weeks after his late-night domestic violence arrest, the 27-year-old left tackle is walking away without facing a single charge.

According to the New York Post, prosecutors have declined to pursue the case stemming from Jackson's June 9 arrest in Los Angeles.

ATTORNEY FOR DENVER BRONCOS DEFENDER JONATHON COOPER PLAYS RACE CARD IN DOMESTIC ABUSE CASE

While the District Attorney's Office previously declined to file felony charges, the city attorney has now passed on misdemeanor charges as well.

The Post also reported that Jackson's pregnant girlfriend voluntarily dismissed her temporary restraining order.

According to police, the dispute began after Jackson believed she was secretly recording him on her cell phone. During an alleged struggle over the device, Jackson allegedly left scratch marks on her arm. He was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and later released on $50,000 bond.

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Jackson, who signed a three-year, $57 million contract extension last year, allegedly became enraged over being recorded without his consent.

The allegation drew comparisons to Jackson's previous NFL suspension for secretly recording a woman during a sexual encounter without her consent.

That incident led to a federal lawsuit that was settled and dismissed in April.

JETS' GENO SMITH UNDER ACTIVE INVESTIGATION IN FLORIDA FOR ALLEGED ASSAULT AT HIS HOME: POLICE

Even though prosecutors declined to pursue charges, the NFL operates under its own Personal Conduct Policy and is conducting an independent investigation.

Because the league does not need a criminal conviction to impose discipline, Jackson could still face a suspension before the season kicks off.

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

Are airline miles still worth it?

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:34:28 -0400

Airline miles used to feel like a secret travel weapon. You saved them, watched the award chart and then pounced when the right seat opened up.

Now? You may search for a flight and see a price so ridiculous that it makes you want to close the laptop.

That is exactly why I sat down with David Fleming, a travel rewards consultant known online as The Miles Guy. His job is helping travelers squeeze more value out of airline miles, hotel points and credit card rewards without getting fooled into bad redemptions.

FAKE BOOKING.COM TRAVEL CREDIT SCAM TARGETS TRAVELERS

And here is the big takeaway: airline miles can still be valuable, but the old tricks no longer work the same way.

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Why airline miles feel harder to use now

Years ago, many airlines used fixed award charts. That made it easier to know what a flight should cost in points. Now, that predictability is mostly gone. "The airlines and their frequent flier programs went to something called dynamic pricing, which basically ties the cost of the ticket to the number of points you use," Fleming told me during our conversation on the "CyberGuy Report" podcast.

He gave one eye-popping example. Air France Flying Blue business class from Los Angeles to Paris used to show up for around 67,500 points one way. Now, on some days, that same type of redemption can balloon to an outrageous level. "Some days you're now seeing them for 700,000 points one way," Fleming said. "Which is bananas."

That is the kind of number that should make you pause before clicking "book." If you want a broader refresher on how travel rewards work, CyberGuy's guide on how to rack up points and miles for travel is a helpful read at CyberGuy.com.

Flexibility is still your best travel hack

If you have any wiggle room in your schedule, use it before you spend your miles. "The key really is to book your trip around your flights," Fleming said. "Find the dates that have the best mileage redemptions available, and book those and let that be your guide."

That may sound annoying if you already picked your vacation dates. However, shifting by a day or two, or flying from a different airport, can save you a huge number of points.

This approach works best when you are traveling alone or with one other person. It gets harder with kids, school schedules, work calendars and family obligations. Still, even a little flexibility can help. The goal is to stop treating every mileage price as a good deal just because it uses points instead of cash.

Book a refundable ticket as a backup

One of my best strategies is to book a refundable cash ticket as insurance while watching for mileage seats. Here is how it works. You book a refundable fare, so you know you can get where you need to go. Then you keep checking for award seats. If a better mileage redemption becomes available, you can cancel the refundable ticket and book with points.

Fleming said that strategy still has value, even though it worked better before dynamic pricing became so common. "If you book a refundable ticket, you know if something does open up, you always can cancel that refundable ticket, get your money back, and book the mileage ticket," Fleming said.

There is another version of the same idea. If a good mileage ticket doesn't appear, you can look for a cheaper, nonrefundable cash fare closer to the trip. Then you cancel the refundable ticket and buy the cheaper fare instead. It takes effort, but it gives you options.

Ask about paid upgrades before you board

Paid upgrades can be hit-or-miss. Still, Fleming says asking at the counter or gate can sometimes pay off. "You might have to be a little proactive and ask the gate agent or the person at the ticket counter, 'Hey, do you have any upgrades available? And if yes, how much are they?'" Fleming said.

He shared the story of a friend who was flying economy on a transatlantic flight. At the counter, the airline offered him a business class upgrade for $140. If he had bought that upgrade online earlier, it would have cost more than $1,200. That will not happen every time. Airlines may have no seats, no deal or no interest in discounting the upgrade. Even so, the question costs nothing. Ask politely at check-in, at the ticket counter or at the gate: "Are there any paid upgrades available, and what would the cost be?" You can always say no.

Know when points are a bad deal

This may be the hardest part for many travelers. Sometimes the smartest move is to keep your miles. Fleming uses a rough benchmark of about 2 cents per point. So, if 100,000 points would cover a ticket that costs about $2,000, that can be a fair deal.

"On average, you might say that a point is worth $0.02," Fleming said. "I just kind of set the goal at $0.02 a point." However, if an airline wants 100,000 points for a $500 ticket, you may want to pay cash and keep the points for something better. That is where people get burned. They see "free flight" and forget that points have value. Those points took spending, flying or credit card bonuses to earn. Burning them on a weak redemption can cost you later.

Compare points before you book

Airline miles and hotel points can both be easy to waste. Before you redeem either one, compare the points or miles price with the cash rate. That helps you see whether you are getting strong value.

One tool CyberGuy has covered before is Awayz. It can help you compare cash prices with award pricing so you can decide when to use points, miles or cash. Its hotel search can be especially helpful if you have rewards spread across programs like Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, Accor, Choice or Wyndham. Awayz can also help you look for award availability and spot better dates. That can save time when you are planning a trip with flexible travel dates.

Still, treat any travel search tool as a starting point. Prices and award availability can change fast. Before you transfer points or book, confirm the final price, taxes, fees, cancellation rules and availability directly with the airline, hotel or loyalty program.

BOOKING A SUMMER TRIP? HERE'S WHAT YOU'RE GIVING SCAMMERS

Track every loyalty account in one place

You cannot use your rewards well if you do not know what you have. Fleming says that starts with keeping your travel accounts organized.

"I created a spreadsheet which basically lists my program, American Airlines, my account number, my password, when the points expire and how many points I have," Fleming said. "Then you know what you have to work with."

I use a phone contact called "Travel Profile." In that contact card, I store airline, hotel and rental car loyalty numbers in alphabetical order. So, when I am checking into a hotel or renting a car, I can quickly find the right number.

Here is how to set one up:

iPhone: Open the Contacts app > tap the + button > enter Travel Profile as the name > scroll to Notes > type your airline, hotel and rental car loyalty numbers in alphabetical order > tap Done.
Samsung Galaxy: Open the Contacts app > tap the + button > choose where to save the contact, such as Phone or Google > enter Travel Profile as the name > tap View more if needed > add your loyalty numbers in Notes > tap Save.

One important warning: do not store passwords in this contact card. Use it for loyalty numbers only. Keep account passwords in a secure password manager instead.

The trade-off is that a phone contact will not show your current point balances or expiration dates. That is where a spreadsheet or password manager can help, especially if you have dozens of travel accounts.

Watch expiration dates before points disappear

Some airline miles no longer expire. Fleming noted that United MileagePlus miles and Delta SkyMiles do not expire. However, other programs still have expiration rules. Flying Blue, the loyalty program for Air France and KLM, now uses a single 24-month validity period for miles, with qualifying activity able to extend that date. That means you should check each program before assuming your miles are safe forever.

Also, do not ignore small balances. A few thousand points may not buy a long-haul ticket, but they may help with a hotel night, upgrade or short flight later.

Airline status may not go as far as it used to

I asked Fleming whether airline status still means anything. His answer was blunt. "Unless you have the top tier status, I don't think so," Fleming said.

I get it. There was a time when top-level status could feel special, especially when flights were delayed or canceled. You could call a dedicated number, find the right person at the airport and sometimes get real help getting where you needed to go.

That still happens, but it feels less dependable than it used to. Planes are packed, upgrades are harder to clear and airlines often sell premium seats instead of handing them to loyal flyers.

Status can still help with free bags, preferred seats and priority support. However, I would not chase it blindly unless the perks still match how often you fly and what you are spending to get them.

Use travel tech to get ahead of delays

One of my favorite travel apps right now is Flighty. It tracks your aircraft before it becomes your flight, which can give you an early warning when trouble is starting to build.

For example, your plane may still be in another city with several flights to complete before it ever gets to you. If one of those earlier flights gets delayed, Flighty can often show the ripple effect before the airline sends an official alert. Flighty can send real-time alerts for delays, gate changes and cancellations.

You can also track a flight right inside the Messages app on your iPhone. Send yourself, or someone else, the airline name and flight number , such as Delta 1234 or American 456. You can also try the airline code and number, such as DL1234 or AA456. Once the flight number appears underlined, tap it and select Preview Flight. You should see details such as flight status, departure time, arrival time, terminal, gate and baggage claim when available.

One low-tech trick I still swear by is carrying a UK plug adapter. Some airplane outlets get loose from heavy use, especially with standard U.S. plugs. A UK adapter may fit more securely in certain universal airplane outlets, but it will not work on every aircraft or every seat. Also, treat it as an adapter, not a voltage converter, and use it only with chargers that support the power range printed on the charger.

Protect your miles like money

Airline miles and hotel points have real value. That makes them attractive to hackers. A thief who breaks into a loyalty account can drain your miles, book travel or sell access before you notice. Since many people rarely check old airline and hotel accounts, fraud can sit there longer than it should.

CyberGuy has covered how hackers can hijack travel rewards programs and drain miles. To protect yourself, use strong, unique passwords for every travel account and store them in a secure password manager. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) when available and review your balances often.

You should also keep strong antivirus software on your devices to help block malicious links, phishing pages and other threats that can lead to account theft. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

Also, consider using a data removal service to reduce how much personal information is floating around online, since scammers can use exposed details to make travel-related phishing messages look more believable. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.

Finally, be careful with any email claiming your miles are expiring or offering a too-good-to-be-true travel deal. Go directly to the airline or hotel site instead of clicking links in surprise messages.

Pick travel credit cards carefully

Travel credit cards can still unlock value, but only if the perks match how you actually travel. If you fly one airline often, a co-branded card may help with bags, boarding or award discounts. If you want flexibility, a transferable points card may give you more options across different airlines and hotel partners.

Before you chase a welcome bonus, read the annual fee, spending requirement and redemption rules. A giant bonus can lose its appeal if you have to overspend to earn it. CyberGuy's best airline credit cards guide at cyberguy.com/ can help you compare travel cards, perks and earning structures before you apply.

Watch the CyberGuy Live replay: Lock Down Your Phone in 30 Minutes

Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free CyberGuy Live replay, Kurt the CyberGuy walks you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do at your own pace. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Watch the replay and get our checklist here: CyberGuyLive.com

Kurt's key takeaways

Airline miles are still worth collecting, but you have to be more careful than ever about how you spend them. Dynamic pricing means the same seat can cost a reasonable number of points one day and an outrageous number another day. That is why flexibility, research and patience can make such a big difference. Before you redeem, compare the cash price against the point price. If the value looks weak, save your miles and buy the ticket instead. Also, organize your loyalty accounts now, not when you are standing at a rental car counter or rushing through an airport. A spreadsheet, secure password manager or travel profile in your phone can keep your rewards from becoming a pile of forgotten numbers. And next time you fly, ask about paid upgrades. You may get nothing. Or you may hear a price that makes the whole trip feel like you beat the system. For more of my conversation with David "The Miles Guy" Fleming, you can watch the full podcast episode at CyberGuy.com.

Do you still think airline miles are worth chasing, or have airlines made the rewards game too confusing to trust? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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America 250 attendees fire back at critics of Trump's July 4 speech: 'What we needed to hear'

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:25 -0400

Two days after President Donald Trump's Fourth of July address, attendees at the Great American State Fair told Fox News Digital they saw the speech as patriotic, not partisan.

"He's talking about taking down communism," David from New Jersey said.

"That's the definition of our whole country. Built on capitalism, that's our whole country. If that's what he was talking about, I don't think that's political at all. It's just about the freedom that we have here. If it wasn't for that, we wouldn't be here."

Thousands of Americans packed the National Mall on Saturday to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary, touring exhibits from all 50 states despite sweltering heat and severe thunderstorms that temporarily paused celebrations.

TRUMP SET TO DELIVER 'HISTORIC' SPEECH CELEBRATING AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY

Hours later, President Donald Trump delivered his 37-minute address, honoring veterans and the nation's founding while declaring that "no dream in history is bigger" than the American experiment and adding, "We don't want communists in our country," before a record-setting fireworks display.

Despite hitting on major historical themes and railing against communism, critics quickly accused Trump of being divisive and delivering a partisan July 4 speech over the weekend.

Matt from Florida said that while others may have disliked Trump's speech, he saw it as a tribute to veterans and Medal of Honor recipients.

"It's really nice to see him share the stage instead of just giving a speech and going away like most presidents do," he said. "It was just nice to actually see him treat the whole thing as a giant event as opposed to just a limelight on himself."

MEDIA ATTACKS DONALD TRUMP'S FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION, CLAIMING IT 'SULLIED' AMERICA 250

Ed and Linda from Ohio said they missed Trump's speech while waiting for the fireworks, but Ed said he supports the president "100 percent," while Linda added, "You should be able to rise above your political opinion and still enjoy the country's Fourth of July."

Doug and Karen from Texas said they approved of President Trump's message.

"It wasn't too political, it was what we needed to hear," Doug said.

"It was good," Karen added. "People need to hear it."

LEE GREENWOOD SAYS HE'S 'VERY PROUD' TO STAND NEXT TO TRUMP DURING AMERICA'S 250TH CELEBRATION

Kim from Michigan called July 4 "a political holiday," saying people will always find something to criticize.

"Throughout our history, it's been about our politics and what we stand for as a people, and what we believe in and what we're willing to fight for," she said.

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Priya from California said politics naturally belongs in a Fourth of July speech, adding that America must change course "from a very negative direction that the country has gone."

"I think there's an intricate part that politics play obviously in the 250 years that we have been a nation," she said. "For it to last another 250 and hopefully beyond, we have to pay attention to that. We have to understand the political climate and what it's going to take for this nation to last and be prosperous."

Team USA issues statement in English and Spanish after disastrous World Cup exit

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:30:57 -0400

It's not an exaggeration to say that the U.S. men's national team's 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was shocking.

Not just because of the result, which was a deserving win for the Belgian team, but because of how poorly the USMNT played. Former players, coaches and analysts have all, correctly, blasted the team's poor effort, lack of fundamentals and inexcusable mistakes.

The loss not only ended their run and put an abrupt halt to the momentum the team had built up, but it once again threw into question the entire US Soccer development program and the player pool. Starting 38-year-old Tim Ream at center back against Belgium's world-class strikers always looked like a mismatch. And boy, it didn't take long for those concerns to be validated.

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For fans who saw visions of the quarterfinals, or perhaps an even deeper run, it was a stark reminder of how far US soccer has to go to be truly elite. And the team addressed those obvious concerns in their post-cup statement. Which, confusingly, was also posted in Spanish.

"Dear America, We believed," the statement says. "So did you. When we asked, 'Why not us?' you answered. You filled stadiums. You brought the game into your homes, bars, parks and communities across the country. Every time our players stepped onto the field, they carried your support with them. Wearing the crest is a privilege, and hearing your voices throughout this tournament is something we will never forget.

"We'll learn from this. We'll get better to compete with the world's best. And we'll keep doing the work because that's what this team and this country expects of us. To every kid who watched this team and dreams of wearing this crest one day: keep playing or start playing today. We'll be cheering for you. Keep believing. Keep showing up."

TOP FIVE MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM TEAM USA'S MAGICAL 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP RUN

The statement continues by explaining that the team and program intend to "make sure" that everyone who wants to play soccer, can.

"Support your local soccer teams, they need their community. We'll keep doing the work to make sure every child who wants to play can do so. That means more places to play, more great coaches, referees and mentors, and a game that's welcoming, affordable and fun for everyone. There's a home for everyone in soccer. Thank you for standing with us and for believing in this team. Thank you for believing in the future of soccer in this country.

"Country roads, take us home. We'll see you there."

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It's interesting that the statement goes so far as to address the U.S.' problem with pay-to-play youth soccer. While many, including former USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, have spoken about the difference in the development of young players in the U.S. and Europe, for example, it's a tacit acknowledgment that the players coming out of the U.S. are not good enough or prepared well enough.

Most of the stars on the current roster, such as Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun, were trained in Europe. Tillman joined Bayern Munich's youth system in 2015 and Balogun was trained in Arsenal's youth program. But that's a much broader, structural issue that will take years and concerted effort to reform, which is why mentioning it in a post-World Cup statement is so odd and so telling.

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Many fans were upset that the U.S. Men's National Team posted this statement in Spanish too. But even more upsetting? That they went out in humiliating fashion against a team that should have been a reasonable matchup. And that there are years of growth and talent building required, by their own admission, to compete with the Belgiums of the world, let alone Spain or France.

2026 Genesis Scottish Open betting preview at The Renaissance Club, featuring outright picks and top-5/10 bets

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:27:45 -0400

The 2026 Genesis Scottish Open returns to The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland, this week, serving as the ultimate links golf tune-up. Co-sanctioned by the PGA TOUR, and DP World Tour, this elite event brings together a powerhouse international field right before the year's final major championship.

Tom Doak's modern coastal design relies heavily on unpredictable winds, deep pot bunkers and massive, undulating greens to protect par. Reigning champion Chris Gotterup looks to defend his title after holding off a heavyweight leaderboard to win at 15-under here last year.

To get reps for next week's 154th Open Championship, LIV Tour players Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton join the three major champions this season, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and No. 2 Rory McIlroy, in a stacked field.

PGA STAR SAHITH THEEGALA'S FIANCÉE FEUDS WITH SPORTSCENTER HOST OVER 'UNCOMFORTABLE' INTERACTION

For the record, I'm risking 2.17 units (u) on outrights and 2u on top-5 and top-10 bets for the Scottish Open. Here are my horses for the course at The Renaissance Club and my "one-and-done" pick for this week.

2026 Genesis Scottish Open bet slip

The following odds are based on my previous bets on the golfers listed below. Subject to change.

🇸🇪 Ludvig Åberg +2464 at Polymarket (0.81u) and Top-10 with ties +228 at Kalshi (0.75u)

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Tyrrell Hatton +3633 at Polymarket (0.55u) and Top-10 with ties +312 at Kalshi (0.5u)

🇩🇰 Nicolai Højgaard +5163 at Polymarket (0.39u) and Top-5 with ties +770 at DraftKings (0.25u)

🇺🇸 Jake Knapp +9245 (0.22u) and Top-10 with ties +624 (0.25u), both at Kalshi

🇪🇸 Eugenio Chacarra +10000 at DraftKings (0.2u) and Top-10 with ties +656 at Kalshi (0.25u)

Ludvig Åberg

The golf betting world clowns on Ludvig because of all his Sunday collapses this year. Yet, if you don’t harp on that, he is having an objectively good season, has great course history, and is due for a win. Åberg has six T8-or-better finishes this year, including T5 at THE PLAYERS Championship and T4 at the PGA Championship.

He tied for eighth at last year’s Scottish Open and tied for fourth two years ago, gaining strokes across the board (driving, approach, around-the-green, and putting) in both.

The Renaissance Club is a "bomber’s paradise," and Ludvig is a top-five driver of the golf ball in the world. Plus, he ranks second on the PGA TOUR this season in approach shots from 200+ yards.

Lastly, his odds at Bookmaker are +1755, which is significant because that’s a sharp sportsbook for golf betting. So, since Åberg’s odds at Bookmaker are lower than the legalized U.S. sportsbooks', he must be taking sharp action.

Tyrrell Hatton

One of the best links golfers in the world, Hatton has 14 professional wins, including one on the PGA TOUR, two on the LIV Tour and eight on the DP World Tour, and has won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland three times.

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He is playing well entering the Scottish Open, winning his last start on the LIV Tour in Andalucia, Spain, and cashing a top-20 bet for me by finishing T7 at the 2026 U.S. Open last month.

Hatton did miss the cut at the 2026 PGA Championship, but he finished T3 at The Masters, T16 at the 153rd Open Championship and T4 at last year’s U.S. Open in his four previous majors.

Tyrrell has gained strokes tee-to-green (driving, approach and around-the-green) in seven consecutive majors and finished T6 in his last Scottish Open in 2023 while gaining strokes across the board.

Nicolai Højgaard

The Dane gave me a "weekend sweat" at last year’s Scottish Open by finishing T4. Højgaard tied for sixth in the 2023 Scottish Open and has gained strokes on the field with his irons in three straight visits to The Renaissance Club, per DataGolf.com.

After a strong start to his season, Nicolai fell off with three straight missed cuts at the Memorial, RBC Canadian Open and U.S. Open before tying for 14th in his last start at the Travelers.

Højgaard’s best finishes this year were T2 in the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow and second at the Texas Children’s Houston Open at Memorial Park.

Those are good comp courses to The Renaissance Club: Quail Hollow is another driver-heavy course and Doak, who designed this place, also renovated Memorial Park.

That said, the top of last year’s Scottish Open leaderboard was bombers, and Nicolai pummels the ball off-the-tee, ranking fourth on the PGA TOUR this year in driving distance. Like Åberg, Højgaard’s Bookmaker odds (+3511) are much shorter than his odds at the U.S. sportsbooks.

Jake Knapp

Before his last three starts — T74 (RBC Heritage), missed cut (U.S. Open) and T55 (Travelers Championship) — Knapp was having one of the best seasons on the PGA TOUR. He had seven T11-or-better finishes in his first eight events of the year, featuring a sixth at The Genesis Invitational and an 11th at The Masters.

Knapp finished T22 in his first Scottish Open last year despite gaining the fifth-fewest strokes on approach that week, thanks to picking up nearly 11 strokes putting and 3.35 strokes with his driver.

With that in mind, Knapp is a good fit for this course. Putting and driving are the two most important skills for The Renaissance Club, and he ranks second in putting on the PGA this season and seventh in Club Head Speed.

Maybe his season has been ruined by injury, or maybe Knapp will bounce back and finish the year strong. At these odds, with how well his game fits The Renaissance Club, I’m willing to find it.

Eugenio Chacarra

He was Ludvig’s rival in college and the second-ranked amateur in the world, but their careers went in separate directions when Åberg joined the PGA TOUR out of college and Chacarra took the money and signed with the LIV Tour.

Chacarra won once on the LIV Tour in three years, then joined the DP World Tour full-time in 2025, where he has won three times, including twice in his last three starts entering the Scottish Open. The Spaniard is another dominant driver and ranks 10th on the DP World Tour this season in driving distance.

Most casual golf fans don’t know much about Chacarra because he plays in Europe, but he’s got the talent to win any tournament in the world and has the chance to prove that in this co-sanctioned event between the two biggest tours in golf.

2026 Genesis Scottish Open 'One-and-Done' Pick: Tyrrell Hatton

Mayo Cup season standings: 4,444th with $4,919,969

It would make sense to pick either the winner of last week's John Deere Classic, Chris Gotterup, or Wyndham Clark, who is on a heater with two recent wins, including his second U.S. Open.

Plus, Gotterup and Clark have shorter betting odds than Hatton; hence the market gives them more win equity. But I'm not betting those guys, and I don't want to use some for one-and-done if I don't have an outright bet on them.

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I already used Åberg for the RBC Heritage, where he tied for fourth and added $823,333 to my Mayo Cup earnings. Finally, I'm saving Jon Rahm, the third-betting favorite, for The 154th Open Championship next week.

_____________________________

Follow me on X @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my "OutKick Bets Podcast" for more betting content and random rants.

Golf legend Annika Sorenstam credits Caitlin Clark with bringing a new demographic to women's golf

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:20:07 -0400

While some in the WNBA may not recognize it, LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam certainly does: Caitlin Clark is great for women’s sports.

In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Sorenstam talked about how Clark has helped bring a new demographic into golf.

"She's obviously very popular. She brings a new demographic to the game, and when she's there playing the pro-am, I mean we have a lot of people attending and wanting her autograph. Following her and every shot, and she's just great for women's sports, and we love to have her a part of it," Sorenstam told Fox News Digital.

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Sorenstam is playing in the American Century Championship on Friday and is one of the contenders to win the tournament. Clark cannot play in the celebrity golf tournament because of the WNBA schedule but believes Clark would do well.

Clark has played in the ANNIKA Pro-Am, and Sorenstam has been impressed with her game.

LPGA LEGEND ANNIKA SORENSTAM SAYS LIV GOLF INTERRUPTED THE GAME OF GOLF, FORCED PGA TOUR TO MAKE CHANGES

"I think she would do quite well (at the American Century Championship.) I mean, she's quite an athlete, as you know. That's kind of stating the obvious. But she loves golf. She's played golf for many years, and I know every time she gets a chance, she goes to the course," Sorenstam told Fox News Digital.

Sorenstam is one of the favorites to win the tournament. Sorenstam, who won 72 LPGA Tour tournaments, including 10 majors, during her illustrious career, will raise awareness for the Annika Foundation.

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"We try to empower and advance young women through the game of golf, but also in life, different life skills, and it's been really rewarding and satisfying to see how far women's golf has come and how many of these young women are pursuing their dreams. It's been a lot of fun, and just watching the difference we're making in these young women's life," Sorenstam said.

With the Stableford scoring format, Sorenstam talked about needing to be more aggressive, and pursue more birdies and eagles. The tournament will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

Will Cain challenges Stephen A Smith on 'racist' claim about 'White dudes' in the NBA

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:15:33 -0400

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith tried to defend his claim that the Los Angeles Lakers could not win a championship built around "three White dudes" during an appearance on Fox News' The Will Cain Show on Tuesday.

Cain confronted Smith, calling his remarks about the trio of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler "racist."

"If I came out and said anywhere, anyplace, anytime that a Black quarterback couldn't win the Super Bowl, I'd be wrong, and you would also say, 'Will, that is racist,'" Cain told Smith. "You wouldn't accuse me of being a racist, but you would say that statement is racist. And I can say the same to you now when it comes to basketball."

ESPN MUST HOLD STEPHEN A ACCOUNTABLE AFTER DOUBLING DOWN ON RACIST REMARKS ABOUT WHITE BASKETBALL PLAYERS

Smith called Cain's characterization "fair" and said he wasn't "offended" by the criticism. Still, he doubled down on his underlying argument.

"I'm going to repeat it again: a trio of White players in the NBA has never led a team to a championship," Smith said. "The top three players on a basketball team being White in the NBA has never led an NBA franchise to a championship since the Minneapolis Lakers did it between 1949 and 1955."

Cain countered that a trio of Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Cooper Flagg would be more than capable of winning an NBA championship.

He also pointed out that Smith's standard is conveniently narrow. Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, two White stars, led the Boston Celtics to three championships in the 1980s. Smith's argument survives only because Hall of Famer Robert Parish, who is Black, happened to be the team's third-best player.

At this point, Smith's defense amounts to little more than a technicality. Whenever he's challenged, he argues that he needs to see three White stars lead a team to a championship before he'll believe it's possible.

But that's not the claim he originally made. There's a meaningful difference between saying something hasn't happened and saying it cannot happen, as Smith initially did.

As OutKick has argued, Smith's reasoning simply doesn't hold up. If a White player can be the best player on a championship team, as Jokic was in 2023, and two White players can anchor a dynasty, as Bird and McHale did, there's no logical basis for claiming three White stars can't win a ring together. The far more reasonable conclusion is that the right trio of White dudes simply hasn't existed yet.

SKIP BAYLESS PUSHES BACK ON STEPHEN A.'S CLAIM THAT 'THREE WHITE DUDES' CAN'T WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP TOGETHER

For one, it's a numbers game. The NBA is roughly 75 to 80% Black, meaning there are naturally fewer elite White players available to build around.

The same logic applies elsewhere.

Just because an NFL team has never won a Super Bowl with a Black quarterback, Black head coach, and Black general manager doesn't mean it can't happen. It just means that, because of the racial makeup of those positions, it hasn't.

Of course, there is the racial double standard that Cain referenced. If a White commentator argued that a team couldn't win a Super Bowl because its leaders were Black, Smith would be among the first to denounce the comment as racist and call for that person's job.

Yet Smith is unlikely to face any repercussions from ESPN despite making what is, by the same standard, a racist argument.

Credit to two of Smith's former debate partners, Will Cain and Skip Bayless, for pushing back on his comments about the Lakers' potential trio.

Max Kellerman next? (Just joking.)

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Still, Smith's argument has only grown weaker with each attempt to defend it. Tuesday's interview did nothing to strengthen his case.

His comments about the Lakers' new trio remain illogical and, quite frankly, racist.

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Ludvig Åberg

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Nicolai Højgaard

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2026 Genesis Scottish Open 'One-and-Done' Pick: Tyrrell Hatton

Golf legend Annika Sorenstam credits Caitlin Clark with bringing a new demographic to women's golf

Will Cain challenges Stephen A Smith on 'racist' claim about 'White dudes' in the NBA