https://meenews.co/post/6a3136631972385678321dba Vance describes his 'childless cat ladies' comment as as 'One of the dumbest things I ever said' te 2026-06-16T11:41:23.792Z Vance describes his 'childless cat ladies' comment as as 'One of the dumbest things I ever said' In his new book "Communion," Vice President JD Vance reflected on the "childless cat ladies" jab he made while running for U.S. Senate in 2021, characterizing it as "one of the dumbest" remarks he has ever made, according to NBC News. During a 2021 appearance on "Tucker Carlson Tonight," Vance said, "We're effectively run in this country, via the Democrats ... via our corporate oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they've made," and who desire to make the rest of the nation "miserable too." He then pointed to then-Vice President Kamala Harris, then-Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., declaring, "The entire future of the Democrats is controlled by people without children. And how does it make any sense that we've turned our country over to people who don't really have a direct stake in it?" Harris has two adult stepchildren. VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE REVEALS HE HAS 'SACRED TIME' WITH HIS FAMILY FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS EVERY DAY Buttigieg announced in an August 2021 post on X, "For some time, Chasten and I have wanted to grow our family. We’re overjoyed to share that we’ve become parents! The process isn’t done yet and we’re thankful for the love, support, and respect for our privacy that has been offered to us. We can’t wait to share more soon." They adopted two children. "Chasten and I are beyond thankful for all the kind wishes since first sharing the news that we’re becoming parents. We are delighted to welcome Penelope Rose and Joseph August Buttigieg to our family," Buttigieg wrote in a September 2021 post on X. JD VANCE REVEALS DETAILS OF US-IRAN DEAL, ADDRESSES WHETHER TAXPAYER MONEY WILL GO TO TEHRAN Vance addressed his controversial comment in his new book, according to NBC News. "One of the dumbest things I ever said came when I argued that ‘childless cat ladies’ across the Democrat Party were running our country into the ground," Vance wrote, according to the outlet. "The comment caused two firestorms: the first when I made it, the second years later during a political campaign," he noted. "It was a boneheaded comment, intentionally (and successfully) provocative rather than illuminating." Vance won election to the U.S. Senate in 2022 and took office in early 2023. In 2024, then-former President Donald Trump tapped Vance as his running mate. Vance became vice president in early 2025. According to NBC News, the vice president recognized that the remark was "enraging" and noted that it "had the added effect of distracting from the actual point I wanted to make, which was that our society is becoming pathologically hostile to having kids." He indicated that he "could have made that point much more effectively, and with the benefit of showing a little charity to the many Americans who — some for reasons beyond their control —­ don’t have children." JD VANCE'S WIFE USHA DETAILS HOW CHARLIE KIRK'S DEATH INFLUENCED DECISION TO HAVE FOURTH CHILD "When I consider the Church’s admonition to respect the dignity of every life, this was a clear moment where I failed," Vance, who is Catholic, noted. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3136501972385678321db1 Tunisia fires coach mid-World Cup after being decimated by Sweden te 2026-06-16T11:41:04.334Z Tunisia fires coach mid-World Cup after being decimated by Sweden The Tunisian men’s soccer team dropped their first match against Sweden in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday and it appeared to have a reverberating effect across the squad. Tunisia fired coach Sabri Lamouchi on Monday after the 5-1 loss. Hervé Renard was appointed the coach for the remainder of the World Cup. The Tunisian soccer federation said Renard’s deal will only cover the next matches in the tournament and a longer-term deal will be discussed later. WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE Tunisia has Japan and the Netherlands remaining on the schedule. However, the loss put Tunisia in a pretty tough spot as Japan and the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw gave each team a point. Japan would qualify for the knockout stage if the World Cup ended today. Renard has experience as a World Cup coach. He was in charge of Morocco in 2018 and Saudi Arabia in 2022. Saudi Arabia shocked the world in Qatar when the team beat Argentina in a group stage match. He also coached the French women’s team in the 2023 World Cup. FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE Lamouchi had only been coaching Tunisia since January. It’s not the first time Tunisia made a coaching change during the tournament. In 1998, Tunisia fired Henryk Kasperczak after losses to England and Colombia in the group stage. The team was out of contention by the time it played Romania. Spain had success in a stunning coaching turnaround mid-World Cup. In 2018, Spain fired Julen Lopetegui two days before its first match against Portugal. Spain advanced to the knockout stage but lost to Russia on penalties. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3136251972385678321d7d India orders temporary ban on Telegram over exam fraud concerns te 2026-06-16T11:40:21.333Z India orders temporary ban on Telegram over exam fraud concerns The restrictions include a nationwide ban on Telegram until June 22 and a requirement to disable the app's message editing feature. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3133e11972385678321d14 SpaceX to acquire Cursor for $60B in stock, days after blockbuster IPO te 2026-06-16T11:30:41.178Z SpaceX to acquire Cursor for $60B in stock, days after blockbuster IPO The deal is supposed to help SpaceX's struggling AI division. The company told IPO investors it sees a $26 trillion addressable market in AI. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3133cd1972385678321d0b This startup’s super metals could soon be in military drones, luxury watches, and chef’s knives te 2026-06-16T11:30:21.218Z This startup’s super metals could soon be in military drones, luxury watches, and chef’s knives Instead of heating metals, Foundation Alloy beats them into submission. The startup has raised $22 million to scale up production of its alloys. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a31318b1972385678321cbe FBI reveals alleged plot to attack White House UFC event and more top headlines te 2026-06-16T11:20:43.939Z FBI reveals alleged plot to attack White House UFC event and more top headlines 1. FBI reveals alleged plot to attack White House UFC event 2. Trump endorsements on the line again in high-stakes elections 3. Trump holds meetings at G7 summit after securing Iran deal DOCKED — Judge drops hammer on teen accused of cruise ship murder after legal shift. Continue reading … PARADISE LOST — Six men lured victims to resort then tortured them at gunpoint, FBI says. Continue reading … SUMMER SHATTERED — Multiple children shot near public pool in small town. Continue reading … FINAL LEAP — Record-breaking daredevil who performed with Madonna at Super Bowl dies in accident. Continue reading … WORST OF THE WORST — Alleged terror boss fleeing to Mexico meets his match after wild car chase with ICE. Continue reading … -- EYES ON THE SKY — Pentagon files reveal agents' reports of 'orbs launching orbs' near sensitive US security site. Continue reading … DOUBLE TROUBLE — GOP candidate disqualified from Senate race over alleged Dem scheme to confuse voters. Continue reading … SAME OLD CROWD — Cringe leftist counter to Trump's UFC event draws ridicule as celebrities whine on stage. Continue reading … OUT OF TOUCH — Texas Democrat's old grocery-store remarks clash with affordability campaign. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   REALITY CHECK — Jeffries blasts 'skyrocketing' fuel costs and gets an awkward on-air reminder. Continue reading … PUBLIC MEDIA MESS — Rocky Mountain PBS distances itself after board chair's vile birthday wish for Trump. Continue reading … FREE SPEECH WIN — Student's family settles for $95K after district treated patriotic mural as a criminal act. Continue reading … POINTED ATTACK — Robert De Niro claims he can't love America while its led by Donald Trump. Continue reading … HUGH HEWITT — Morning Glory: Trump and the radical theocrats of Iran. Continue reading …  LIZ PEEK — Elon Musk’s well-deserved win causes the zero-sum left to freak out. Continue reading … -- KNOCKOUT VERDICT — ESPN analyst declares UFC White House show a 'better event' than the NBA Finals. Continue reading … LONG ROAD AHEAD — 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' icon emerges from induced coma. Continue reading … CLOSE TO THE VEST — Simone Biles remains mum on mysterious near-death experience in Belize. Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on revolutionary recipes and celebrity challenges. Take the quiz here … VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE — President Trump is a person of faith. See video … VANILLA ICE — Freedom 250 is for everybody. See video … Tune in to learn why frontier AI models were abruptly taken offline and how policymakers are weighing innovation against national security risks. Check it out ... What's it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading…   Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn      Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Entertainment (FOX411) Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi Fox News Go Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We'll see you in your inbox first thing Wednesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a312f951972385678321c51 The USA is a FIFA World Cup hit as visitors from around the globe are in love with Americana te 2026-06-16T11:12:21.560Z The USA is a FIFA World Cup hit as visitors from around the globe are in love with Americana We take a break from the ongoing tiebreakers that have punctuated the early matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to salute, well, us. We're a hit! No, this isn't a statement about the promising and hopefully ascending United States team. This is about us as in the United States of America. We're one of three countries — along with Canada and Mexico — that are hosting the month-long tournament. And we're capturing the imagination of much of the world. WORLD CUP TEAMS FINALIZE US BASE CAMPS AS HOST CITIES PREPARE FOR GLOBAL CROWDS We know this because the fans visiting from all over the planet are telling us we're doing good. We're putting on a good show. We've rolled out the welcome mat and treated them to a good time. Consider: Scotland's so-called Tartan Army has come to Boston and loved it. And just to make sure we're aware, the fans staying at a local Airbnb woke up their temporary neighbors at 6:30 one morning with their bagpipes blaring. And the neighbors apparently loved it. Another Scot has been traveling the entire country. "I've been on freeways, highways, every single American road I can think of," the kilt-wearing lad told Sky News. He went on to say nice things about us but we cannot quote him because we speak English over here and didn't quite understand his thick brogue. One thing that didn't need a translation app was the reaction of another Scottish fan getting his first view of the New England Patriots cheerleaders on the big screen in Foxborough. His jaw dropped. And, of course, there's the Europeans who've never traveled here before stunned and suddenly in love with ... KANSAS CITY BARBECUE RESTAURANT PREPARES FOR WORLD CUP TOURISM RUSH Barbeque. Wal-Mart — one guy called it "literally like a museum." Ice cube dispensers at fast food places. Buc-ee's. In-N-Out. Chicken and waffles. Air conditioning. One German soccer fan who goes by the handle of @FreddyLA7 on X has gone viral during his six-week tour of America en route to various matches. He's marveled at Americana in all its glory while visiting Waffle House (at 1 a.m., of course), Taco Bell, and hotels, including the one provided to him in Houston courtesy of former NFL star J.J. Watt. The dude has gone so viral on his trip that when he crossed the state line into Louisiana, there was a homemade welcome sign affixed to the official state welcome sign. And you know what? Our new German friend apparently loves it in America based on his commentary. All of this might be sort of surprising to some. We've been bombarded by the self-loathing, America-hating cult that lives among us and incessantly shrieks about us being on stolen land. These haters fly some other country's flag while diminishing ours. We've been told by them and the polls that they're not proud to be American because we're the world's bully, and we're evil, and we deserve to fade into memory without so much as one last grasp at relevance. The America haters have told us we're awful so often that some of us have started to question whether that is how the rest of the world sees us. 'GET THE HELL OUT': GOP LAWMAKERS BLAST SUGGESTION THAT OLYMPIC PATRIOTISM CAUSES 'SHAME' And now, lo and behold, we're hearing from a bunch of visiting foreigners that America is actually pretty awesome. Their message has been that America is generally a cool place to hold the championship for the world's most popular sport. That's the message from our visitors who seem to love our country more than a troubling portion of our own population. This, of course, is problematic for the homegrown haters because the opposing opinion from neutral outsiders weakens their argument and should strengthen our resolve. So let me preview the next chapter of the haters' playbook: They're going to shift the narrative to America being a place you might like to visit, but would never want to live in. That will be their response made utterly weak by the fact these haters live here and don't show any signs of wanting to leave. (No one ever said they made any sense.) Anyway, when people like this get in your ear, remind them how the rest of the world is reacting. The Japanese are in awe of how big Texas is. The Brazilians had a party in Times Square. The Ecuadorean showed up in Philadelphia to rally in front of the Rocky statue. They all showed us what they think of Americana. They showed us America is doing good in their eyes. FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a312f821972385678321c48 Common vitamin may influence brain aging in ways scientists didn't expect te 2026-06-16T11:12:02.099Z Common vitamin may influence brain aging in ways scientists didn't expect Higher levels of vitamin C levels were linked to healthier brain structure in older adults, suggesting a potential role for nutrition in brain aging. That’s according to new research from Japan, published in the journal PLOS ONE. The observational study included 2,044 participants living in Hirosaki City, Japan, who were originally included in a study exploring dementia and heart disease risk. The average age was 69, and 61% of them were female. SKIP THE MULTIVITAMIN: 5 NUTRIENT-RICH FOODS RECOMMENDED BY DOCTORS INSTEAD The researchers measured the participants’ vitamin C levels using blood samples and performed MRI scans to calculate the volume of gray matter and white matter in their brains. Even after accounting for external factors like age, smoking habits, diabetes and other lifestyle behaviors, they found that those with lower vitamin C levels appeared to have lower brain tissue volumes and weaker structural network patterns. "Our study demonstrates that older adults with higher blood levels of vitamin C tend to have better-preserved brain structure (gray matter) and stronger connections within the default mode network (DMN), a crucial brain network involved in memory and cognitive function," Tomohiro Shintaku, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Radiology Graduate School of Medicine at Hirosaki University, told Fox News Digital. BRAIN AGING MAY SLOW WITH GREEN TEA, WALNUTS AND TINY SWAMP PLANT, STUDY FINDS "While diets rich in vitamin C are known to lower the risk of cognitive decline, our study is the very first to demonstrate a direct association between actual blood plasma vitamin C levels and the structural connectivity of the DMN," he added. This network is often affected by conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and depression, according to the researchers. The vitamin C measurement was more accurate than studies that relied on dietary estimates, the researchers noted. "What I found most fascinating is that we could detect such clear associations between a single nutritional factor (vitamin C) and large-scale brain networks in a robust cohort of over 2,000 older adults," Shintaku said. "It highlights how significantly our everyday dietary habits might impact brain structure." BRAIN HEALTH WARNING SIGN COULD BE HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT, SAY RESEARCHERS The study underscores the importance of obtaining vitamin C from the daily diet, as humans cannot synthesize it on their own, the researchers noted. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "Our findings suggest that maintaining optimal vitamin C levels through a healthy diet — rich in citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables — could be a simple yet powerful way to support brain health as we age," Shintaku said. The study did have some limitations, the researchers noted.  "Because our study is observational and cross-sectional, we can only show an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship," Shintaku told Fox News Digital. "Other limitations include relying on a single blood measurement per participant." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Other external factors, such as dietary intake, body mass index and socioeconomic variables, could have played a role in the outcomes. Also, the link was relatively modest compared to established risk factors like high blood pressure and blood sugar, the researchers noted. Findings from other, larger studies, including UK Biobank research with more than 9,000 people, suggest that vitamin C is just one of several factors that may influence brain health. Because the participants were almost all older Japanese adults, the findings may not be generalized to other populations. "This study found an association between higher plasma vitamin C levels and MRI markers of brain health, including gray matter volume and connectivity in the default mode network, which is involved in several cognitive functions," Dung Trinh, MD, an internal medicine physician and founder of the Healthy Brain Clinic, commented to Medical News Today. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "That said, the study does not prove that vitamin C prevents cognitive decline or that taking supplements will improve brain health. It is best viewed as a signal that vitamin C status may be one piece of a much larger brain-health picture." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a312f6e1972385678321c3f James Carville suggests the specific holiday by which President Trump will resign te 2026-06-16T11:11:42.643Z James Carville suggests the specific holiday by which President Trump will resign Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville made the case on Sunday’s episode of "Politics War Room" for why he thinks President Donald Trump will resign by Easter of 2027. During their podcast, Carville and his co-host Al Hunt were asked if they think Trump, on some level, actually wants to lose the midterms so that he can play off grievances from Democrats. "No way in the world, Danny," Hunt responded. "If he wanted to lose the midterms, why has he orchestrated all this gerrymandering, trying to fix results in those places? Why does he have his hitmen out there all over the country trying to discredit Democrats? He is petrified of losing these midterms. Not because of any legislative agenda, not because they'll stop this – because they're going to investigate him. And when they investigate him and they have the power of subpoena, you know what? He's done an awful lot of bad things." TOP LIBERALS ANTICIPATE PROSECUTION, HUMILIATION OF TRUMP AND HIS MAGA ALLIES WHEN DEMS REGAIN POWER "I don't think he's ever going to go to jail," Hunt added. "But I'll tell you, some of this stuff is really going to  what we know is awful. What they're hiding is even worse. So, you better believe he wants to win the midterms." Carville, however, offered a more severe response, declaring, "Trump has no earthly idea of what's coming. They're not telling him. The vote against him in November is going to be, like, breathtaking." "He's already bored," Carville added. "He can't stay awake. He says he's bored with the Iran war. He's — and I'm telling you, this guy by Easter of 2027 is just going to walk away from this job. Just gonna f---ing walk away because he doesn't have any idea of what it's going to be like when he comes to grips with the massive — I mean it's going to be massive rejection of him, anybody that has anything to do with him, anything that he has anything to do with." TRUMP SAYS JD VANCE WOULD BE 'PROBABLY FAVORED' FOR 2028 REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION While Carville has made this prediction before, saying Trump will resign and get Vice President JD Vance to take his place and pardon him, he hammered multiple times on this podcast that it will specifically happen before next Easter. "And he's a soft man, and he gets distracted. He's obviously not well. He sleeps all the time, slobbers all over himself or whatever," Carville claimed. "I’m sticking by my thing, he won't last past Easter 2027. He — because he has no idea, and they just lie to him, and they try to keep s--- from him, and it's all going to come out, and it is going to be very ugly." When reached for reply, White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital, "James Carville is a stone-cold loser who suffers from a severe and incurable disease known as Trump Derangement Syndrome, and it has rotted his peanut-sized brain."  CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a312f5b1972385678321c36 Conservatives rip Platner for 'disturbing' online trail as new Reddit post mocking teen suicide surfaces te 2026-06-16T11:11:23.186Z Conservatives rip Platner for 'disturbing' online trail as new Reddit post mocking teen suicide surfaces Scandal-plagued Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner is facing even more scrutiny over posts he made on the online blogging platform Reddit, after a report surfaced fresh posts attributed to his old username, including one appearing to mock a teenage girl’s suicide attempt. The New York Post reported Saturday that an account using Platner’s former Reddit handle, "P-Hustle," responded to a 2012 post about a young girl's failed suicide attempt. "A girl at my old high school tried jumping from a window because her cousin died the day before," the post’s caption read. "These students saved her. I have hope." The post showed the teenage girl hanging out a window, being held on by just her classmates from falling. "Someone clearly isn’t trying hard enough," the P-Hustle account responded. TOP OFF-THE-WALL REDDIT POSTS HAUNTING GRAHAM PLATNER’S MAINE SENATE BID The newly uncovered Reddit posts follow other inflammatory remarks Platner has made on the online blogging platform Reddit, including comments calling rural White Americans "racist and stupid," posts pushing racial stereotypes about Black people, comments promoting political violence, and remarks blaming victims of rape, among others. The freshly uncovered Reddit post mocking a young girl's suicide quickly drew criticism from Republicans and conservatives, including Maine State House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, Maine Republican Party Executive Director Jason Savage, and former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer. "Graham Platner is clearly a person with deep and disturbing psychological issues that predate his military service and continue to this day," Faulkingham told The New York Post. "Yet another example of abject cruelty from Graham Platner," Savage told Fox News Digital.  "When someone tells you who they are, believe them," he continued. "Platner has told us repeatedly. Sadly, this time he was mocking the pain of a young woman facing a terrible loss. If this doesn't show you who Graham Platner is, what will?" SEE IT: MAINE VOTERS SOUND OFF ON PLATNER'S DIVISIVE CAMPAIGN AS CRUCIAL PRIMARY NEARS: 'HE'S A DISGRACE' "Of all the rotten, troubling, and warped things Platner has done and said, his mocking encouragement of a young girl to commit suicide is the worst," Fleischer reacted, questioning how "anyone" could support the Maine Senate candidate amid all the controversies he has been embroiled in. "There is something seriously perverted and wrong with Graham Platner," he added. Platner's activity on Reddit has been a focus of his campaign as far back as last year, amid his attempt to unseat GOP incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. His controversial posts have included comments disparaging police officers and rural White Americans, remarks about rape victims needing to take more responsibility, promotions of political violence, and praise for Hamas. In one post, Platner slammed a Purple Heart recipient who Platner argued "didn’t deserve to live," blaming his return home on "poor marksmanship on the Taliban's part." In one post from Sept. 1, 2020, Platner responded in a politics subreddit declaring that "White People Aren’t as Racist or Stupid as Trump Thinks." "Living in white rural America, I’m afraid to tell you they actually are," Platner wrote of the people he is now seeking to represent in the U.S. Congress. Platner had a history of promoting armed political action on Reddit as well, including writing that "an armed working class is a requirement for economic justice." In a separate post, he argued that if people "expect to fight fascism without a good semi-automatic rifle, they ought to do some reading of history."  PLATNER’S BRUTAL ATTACKS ON ARMY SOLDIERS AS ‘FAT, LAZY’ REVEALED IN RESURFACED POSTS "There are times in this world when, for the good of tolerance and humanity, you need to kill a motherf---er," Platner also wrote on his now-deleted Reddit account in September 2013. "Sadly most people who are true believers in tolerance and humanity find that activity repulsive. Which I suppose is morally good, but pragmatically a shortfall." Meanwhile, in a 2021 Reddit post, Platner wrote that all cops are "bastards" and called himself a "communist," though Platner later disavowed the remark about law enforcement and later said he has "an immense amount of friends" who are police officers and that they are "not all" bastards. "I was [expletive] around on the internet at a time when I felt lost and very disillusioned with our government who sent me overseas to watch my friends die," Platner said in a statement to CNN at the time. "I made dumb jokes and picked fights. But of course I’m not a socialist. I’m a small business owner, a Marine Corps veteran, and a retired s***poster," the 41-year-old Platner added. In another set of resurfaced Reddit posts, The Washington Post reported that Platner downplayed sexual assault concerns, including writing in a thread about rape-prevention underwear that "rape is a real thing," but that people worried about assault should "take some responsibility for themselves" and not get so intoxicated that they wind up "having sex with someone they don’t mean to." The New York Post also reported this week that Platner praised a video recording Hamas terrorists shooting at Israeli soldiers and trying to kidnap one of them who was screaming for his life. Platner reportedly wrote in response to the 2014 combat footage on Reddit: "Looks like an all around well executed and successful small unit raid to me." Fox News Digital reached out to Platner and his campaign for comment but did not hear back in time for publication. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a312f471972385678321c2d Obama’s legacy project offers little hope for Chicago’s South Side residents te 2026-06-16T11:11:03.731Z Obama’s legacy project offers little hope for Chicago’s South Side residents The Obama Presidential Center will open soon to the public in Jackson Park, Illinois, an $850-million gleaming monument to one man’s legacy. Yet for the families of Woodlawn, South Shore and the rest of Chicago’s South Side, there are many unhappy faces and concerns. Some of us wonder how this will better our neighborhood. Ever since the monument was announced, the local residents have dealt with unfulfilled promises, rising rents, displacement fears and continued violence. We have a right to be skeptical. After all, it’s common sense. For many of us, the varnish that Barack Obama once had as the first Black president of the United States has worn off. Many of us remember how Obama first came to these streets as a community organizer. What lasting impact did he leave? Very little. He served as an Illinois state senator. What lasting transformation did he deliver for the South Side? Not much. He became president of the United States. What measurable turnaround did his policies bring to the communities he once organized? Not much at all.  Crime stayed high, poverty persisted, families continued to crumble and too many young lives were still lost. So, after all that, why should anyone expect his grand presidential center to finally deliver the transformation his own career never did? This isn’t personal. It’s a pattern and an observable one for anyone who wishes to see. Obama was born in Hawaii and shaped far from these blocks. Yet, he, of anyone, has learned how to use Chicago for his ambitions. "Obama from the South Side" sounded better than "Obama from Hawaii." CHICAGO RESIDENTS UNIONIZE TO FIGHT POSSIBLE DISPLACEMENT, RENT HIKES OVER OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER He built a compelling story here, then moved on to higher office while the neighborhoods he claimed to champion were largely left behind. That’s carpetbagging dressed up in hope and change rhetoric. The South Side wasn’t his home, it was his launching pad. I recently came across a social media video making the rounds that featured me. At first, it says that the Obama Library has already brought "immense harm before its doors even open — displacement, deceit and land theft are its heritage." Then it claims that "Pastor Corey Brooks is the hero Chicago needs. He is healing, restoring and revitalizing communities. Give us more Pastor Corey. Less Obama." That video hit hard because I never made that contrast before. My Project H.O.O.D. never seized land or priced people out. We took a crime-ridden building full of prostitution, drugs, murder, and ungodliness and turned it into the Robert R. McCormick Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center. It’s homegrown and being built by the community for the community. MY WALK ACROSS AMERICA IS OVER, BUT MY MISSION FOR SOUTH SIDE KIDS IS NOT The Sun-Times is reporting what we’re already seeing: rents climbing, property values doubling near the site, Airbnbs exploding, longtime residents fearing they’ll be pushed out of the very place the center claims to uplift. This is what top-down, celebrity-driven projects deliver — symbols for the powerful, disruption for the powerless. The Obama Presidential Center promises jobs and visitors. But we’ve watched too many grand unveilings that changed very little on the blocks where it matters most. Our community doesn’t need more monuments or political nostalgia. It suffers from a culture that too often excuses personal responsibility, rewards dependency and trades faith for false political hope. I’ve buried too many young men. I’ve counseled too many fathers locked out by bad choices and broken systems. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Our children don’t need a distant tower to admire. They need mentors teaching trades, discipline, fatherhood, education and the God-given dignity of work. They need safe streets, strong families and leaders who reject excuses and demand excellence. Project H.O.O.D. is living proof it works. In what was once O-Block territory, the most dangerous block in America, we’re training people for real jobs, interrupting violence and building economic opportunity from the ground up. No federal mandates. No foundation photo-ops. Just hard work, conservative principles of self-reliance and faith, the same principles that sustained strong families and neighborhoods long before the welfare state expanded and hope became a slogan. Obama organized here. He represented here. He led the free world. Yet the South Side’s deepest problems — generational poverty, family breakdown, unchecked crime — remain. The center may bring tourists and temporary buzz. But real revelation doesn’t come from granite and quotes high on a tower. It comes from transformed lives, rebuilt blocks and men and women who refuse to wait on politicians. To my neighbors in Woodlawn, South Shore and across the South Side: Don’t pin your hopes on another outsider’s monument. Bend history yourself with faith, sweat, courage, and accountability. We at Project H.O.O.D. are doing it daily. Real hope isn’t imported. It’s forged right here. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM PASTOR COREY BROOKS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a312f1c1972385678321bfc Threads adds new personalization and community features as it reaches 500M monthly users te 2026-06-16T11:10:20.730Z Threads adds new personalization and community features as it reaches 500M monthly users The Meta-owned social platform announced a series of new features launching today, including a "Your Algo" tool that lets users control what they see in their feeds Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a312cdf1972385678321b90 White Sox, baseball's biggest surprise, take on Yankees in a battle of strong arms te 2026-06-16T11:00:47.907Z White Sox, baseball's biggest surprise, take on Yankees in a battle of strong arms There are some games that I think about more than others when I lose. I took a big L on the Spain vs. Cape Verde game yesterday. They didn't technically lose, but bettors like myself certainly did. They tied despite being -1200 favorites and they didn't even score. I'm going to play a game that will actually have a winner today and no ties.  The Chicago White Sox are the biggest surprise of the season. We are almost 50% of the way into the season, and the team is over .500. This was a club that most expected to be among the worst in the league. They made only one major free agent signing in the offseason, and while he has been a masher, the rest of the team has also stepped up. Their numbers on offense actually line up very closely with the New York Yankees, who have significantly more well-known and established players.  They also have gotten great starts from today's hurler, Davis Martin. For the year, Martin is 9-2 with a 2.41 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He is doing a great job and likely will be considered for a Cy Young Award if he can keep this up. Martin is also probably going to be the guy most teams call the White Sox about if there is any chance to steal him away at the trade deadline. Yankees' hitters have done well against Martin in the past, going 12-for-32.  The Yankees are one of the better teams in baseball, but you have to be watching with extra caution at the moment. Aaron Judge, the annual MVP candidate, is injured and typically that has spelled doom for the Yankees. For the season, they are 43-27 with a 19-12 home record. The Yankees have gone 7-4 since Judge went down with injury, so they've at least maintained to this point.  It helps to have guys like Gerrit Cole available to take the ball for them every five games. Cole came back to the team after injury around the time Judge went down, and he has delivered his typical great performances. In his first two games, he went 12.2 innings, allowed six hits and no earned runs. In his past two games, he has gone just 9.1 innings and allowed six earned runs. If he is anything like normal, he will be closer to his first two games than the past two. The White Sox only have two guys who have faced Cole, but they have a lot of experience, going 7-for-42 against him.  This should be a good game overall. You have two strong arms battling each other. Cole hasn't looked great in his past two starts, but that's not a major concern, because he has been so good throughout his career. Martin does have a couple of blips on the game log recently as well. I'm not into the total for this game. I think we could see it go over the 7.5 if either one of these starters struggles. I also think we could see a ton of zeroes given how good both of them can be. In a game like this, I'll take the White Sox through five. This is mostly about me believing there is good value on Chicago considering who they have on the mound and Cole's current form. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a312ac61972385678321b4e The Cost of Cutting Funding to US Scientific Research te 2026-06-16T10:51:50.705Z The Cost of Cutting Funding to US Scientific Research (NAPSI)—There’s good news, bad news and better news about the federal government and scientific research. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a312a981972385678321b11 Texas Dem's past grocery store remarks clash with affordability campaign: 'I don't have the time' te 2026-06-16T10:51:04.015Z Texas Dem's past grocery store remarks clash with affordability campaign: 'I don't have the time' In a 2010 interview with a Mexican newspaper, Latin Grammy winner Bobby Pulido once said he hasn’t gone shopping since becoming a music star. "While he was in college, Bobby Pulido set foot in a supermarket on occasion — but since his career began 15 years ago, he hasn't stopped in one since," a 2010 profile of El Norte Magazine reads. "'El Golden Boy' notes that he doesn't have time to deal with the running of his household. 'I don't have the time; I've never gone to the supermarket to shop... well, very rarely. When I was in college, I did go, but ever since I started singing, not anymore,’" Pulido told interviewers. Now, as the Democratic candidate in one of the country’s most competitive congressional districts, Pulido’s depiction of himself clashes with broader efforts from Democrats to zero in on affordability, a messaging platform for the 2026 midterms that looks to capitalize on inflation and the persistently high gas prices that have drawn criticism of President Donald Trump. TOP REPUBLICAN PUSHES FOR RECONCILIATION 3.0 TO ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY Pulido is best known for Tejano, or Mexican-Spanish folk-style songs like "Desvelado" and "Se Murió de Amor," and has received five Latin Grammy Award nominations, winning Best Tejano Album in 2022 and 2025. Despite a series of scandals over past behavior, Pulido has framed his campaign as a Texan referendum on expenses the administration has overlooked. "The economy we care about is not a bunch of numbers and letters flashing on a board on Wall Street," Pulido’s campaign page reads. "It’s in our pockets, at the pump, in the grocery store when we buy fajitas, milk and eggs — and for some it’s when they have to choose between paying the rent or for their health insurance." TEXAS DEMOCRAT – A LATIN GRAMMY WINNER AND PARTY RECRUIT – CAUGHT DEFACING TRUMP’S HOLLYWOOD STAR Inflation has climbed in recent months, reaching 4.2% in May — up from 3.8% in April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pulido argues the climb in prices takes a disproportionate toll on his district, which he believes has the lowest per-capita income in the Lone Star State. "Here in the Rio Grande Valley, when inflation hits, oh gosh. We don’t make a lot of money to begin with. So, inflation really hurts us harder than — it gives people in San Antonio a cold; it gives us the flu. We feel it that much harder," Pulido said on a recent podcast posted to his YouTube channel. Pulido hopes to unseat Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas. His race, which is expected to be one of the more competitive opportunities for Democrats in Texas after a redistricting effort in the state looks to squeeze five Democrats out of office, will turn on whether he can attract support from across the aisle. TEXAS DEMOCRAT BLASTED FOR ‘BLOODY TRUMP’ COSTUME, VIOLENT RHETORIC AFTER DEADLY ICE SHOOTING A two-term incumbent, De La Cruz last won election to the district in 2024 in a 57.1%–42.9% victory over Democratic nominee Michelle Vallejo. Having cleared the Democratic primary last month, Pulido will face off with De La Cruz on Nov. 3. Fox News Digital reached out to the Pulido campaign. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a312a841972385678321b08 Simone Biles remains mum on mysterious near-death experience in Belize te 2026-06-16T10:50:44.564Z Simone Biles remains mum on mysterious near-death experience in Belize American Olympic legend Simone Biles was asked on social media about her mysterious health crisis that landed her in the hospital during a trip to Belize. Biles wrote on Instagram earlier this month she almost died but the details were very vague. She posted a photo of her hand with what appeared to be a hospital wristband around it. She shared a video her trip to the Central American nation, but when asked about the near-death experience, she kept the situation close to the vest. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Not ready to talk about it just yet," she wrote in a reply in the comments section. The initial post on her Instagram Stories raised eyebrows. "I'm not one to normally share things like this because I value privacy in today's age. But almost dying wasn't on my bingo card this week," Biles wrote. "This was one of, if not the scariest experience of my life, especially since Jonathan was in Indy for practices. I've been in bed resting this week. I'll explain sooner or later, but [shoutout] to my close circle who reached out, checked in, visited & or sent flowers." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Biles is married to Jonathan Owens, who is a safety for the Indianapolis Colts. The couple has been married since 2023, though Owens' NFL career has occasionally forced them to spend time apart. Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018, he has played for five different teams. The two met while Owens was with the Houston Texans in 2019. Biles lives in Texas, where the couple has built a massive home together. Since his time in Houston, Owens has also played for the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and now the Colts. Back in November, Biles revealed that she had recently undergone three plastic surgeries. "I've had three plastic surgeries and two of them you would never be able to tell," she said in a TikTok video that month. Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3128151972385678321a79 ChatGPT’s market share slips below 50% for first time te 2026-06-16T10:40:21.051Z ChatGPT’s market share slips below 50% for first time The chatbot still remains the most popular AI assistant worldwide with over 1.1 billion monthly users, followed by Gemini with 662 million and Claude with 245 million. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3125e81972385678321a36 Crowded airport lounges force airlines to rethink future of travel perks for fliers te 2026-06-16T10:31:04.102Z Crowded airport lounges force airlines to rethink future of travel perks for fliers Airport lounges may have finally hit their breaking point. After years of offering credit card perks, day passes and premium travel upgrades, airlines are now leaning into a new solution: grab-and-go lounge concepts. The idea is simple. Travelers can still pick up complimentary food and drinks — but without camping out in a lounge or having to hunt for a seat. 20,000 BAGS STRANDED AFTER TECHNICAL ISSUE AT MAJOR AIRPORT LEAVES TRAVELERS SCRAMBLING The shift makes sense for passengers and airlines alike, travel expert and influencer Jordi Lippe-McGraw of New York City told Fox News Digital.  "If I'm traveling with a kid and get to the airport early, the sit-down lounge is absolutely worth it," she said. "But if I'm running late or have a tight connection, the grab-and-go is a no-brainer," said Lippe-McGraw.  "You still get the perk of free food and drinks without needing to find a seat or stay a while." Airlines appear to be betting on that. MYSTERIOUS AIRPORT TUNNELS TO OPEN BENEATH HUB LONG TIED TO CONSPIRACY THEORIES On its website, United Airlines said its Houston location includes fresh-squeezed orange juice, warmed pastries, wraps, salads, sandwiches, barista-made coffee drinks and a self-service beverage counter. American Airlines is also getting in on the trend. The airline opened Provisions by Admirals Club at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2025, calling it "a first-of-its-kind" lounge concept for the company, according to a press release. The space was designed for "speed, simplicity and convenience," according to the company. It offers grab-and-go food and beverage options, plus personalized customer support, with a "streamlined" layout built for quick visits and high-volume traffic, the airline said.  Access follows the same policies as traditional Admirals Club locations.  Customers can also purchase a one-day pass for $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles. As part of a broader pilot aimed at giving rushed travelers a faster option, Delta Air Lines opened quick serve areas at Sky Clubs in Atlanta and New York, The Points Guy reported.   Delta’s current Sky Club rules reference a Grab and Go feature, saying existing Sky Club access policies and eligibility rules apply to all Grab and Go entries. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER But Delta’s setup is inside Sky Club lobbies, rather than in a separately branded mini-lounge. Lippe-McGraw, who travels about once a month, said lounges are useful but not essential. When time is tight, she said, the grab-and-go model offers the best part of the lounge perk — complimentary food and drinks. Grab-and-go lounges are also far less expensive to maintain. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "The overcrowding got bad enough that lounges stopped feeling premium — which forced airlines to act," Lippe-McGraw said. "But the grab-and-go model is also cheaper to operate. [There is] less staffing, no hot kitchens, smaller footprint. … So airlines get to frame it as a customer service improvement while quietly cutting costs. Smart move." The move could also help airlines protect their most exclusive spaces. "Offloading everyday crowds to grab-and-go spots frees flagship lounges to be genuinely special again," she added. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Reddit users online recently debated the grab-and-go concept.  "So long as they're not trying to largely replace the traditional lounges with this, I think it's ultimately a welcome addition for those shorter connections when you maybe just want to grab a coffee and a bite to eat for the next leg," one user said.  "I used this when I had a very tight connection. I grabbed some food to go for the next flight. It worked well," another said. A third Reddit user wasn't so sure, joking that the concept was "sponsored by 7-11." Fox News Digital reached out to United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3125d41972385678321a2b San Francisco lawmaker criticizes players 'cherry-picking' Bible quotes amid Giants controversy te 2026-06-16T10:30:44.131Z San Francisco lawmaker criticizes players 'cherry-picking' Bible quotes amid Giants controversy A San Francisco lawmaker criticized Giants players for writing Bible verses on their cap during the organization’s Pride Night as MLB warned the team about the messages on Monday. Matt Dorsey, a Democrat who represents District 6 and sits on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, wrote on social media the event was "disappointing in several respects." He authored a lengthy thread on X about the ordeal. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "First, as a sports fan, it struck me as problematically undisciplined," he began. "When you’re a highly paid professional athlete, your uniform isn’t a canvas for individual self-expression — especially about politics — and it has been my observation over the years that championship-caliber teams never tolerate distractions like this. "Second, as a person of faith, I’ll be the first to defend Bible verses and prayer as sources of inspiration and strength for many athletes — I have no problem with that. But I am bothered to see Biblical cherry-picking used to score political points, on a single occasion, and it’s hard to argue this was anything other than that." Dorsey added that, as a gay man, he was "disappointed" that a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community was still seen as "controversial." "Major cities with major-league sports teams are inherently diverse, and if you’re uncomfortable celebrating the wide array of heritage and pride nights for communities that make up the city on your uniform, maybe the major leagues aren’t for you." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Still, Dorsey didn’t think the players who wrote the Bible verses on their Pride Night cap were "bigoted." "All that being said, I refuse to call what these athletes did bigoted or hateful — and I would urge all those offended or hurt by this episode to show them grace. The LGBTQ+ equality movement succeeds when we commit to winning hearts and minds, rather than shaming them," he added. MLB warned Giants players about the Bible verses. "The writing on the cap violates our rules, and consistent with normal practice, we have warned the players about future violations," MLB’s chief communications officer Pat Courtney said in a statement, via The Athletic. San Francisco pitcher Landen Roupp wrote "Gen 9:12-16" on his cap over the weekend and was asked about the decision. "It's just about God's covenant and a promise that he makes to us that, you know, his faithfulness and his mercy," Roupp said to reporters. "That's just kind of something I believe in, and I stand firm in that, and I'm thankful we live in a country where, you know, we have the freedom to believe what we want ... and express what we want. "There's no hate at all. It’s just what I stand for, and what I stand in. I believe in God." Giants manager Tony Vitello also seemed to brush off the issue. "Not really. I mean, just kind of a general knowledge of the individuals have the freedom to do what they think is best," Vitello said. "But I do think it’s been apparent from day one, actually, even some of the exhibition games, it’s pretty impressive how the Giants, as an organization, try and embrace the entire community." Fox News’ Ian Miller contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a312171197238567832196b Dakota Meyer talks service, blasts controversial design for Global War on Terror Memorial te 2026-06-16T10:12:01.717Z Dakota Meyer talks service, blasts controversial design for Global War on Terror Memorial In an exclusive interview with the Ruthless Podcast, Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer discussed the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the White House, his personal story of heroism, and blasted the controversial design of a proposed memorial for the Global War on Terrorism. "If I could sum up the entire night, it was about service," Meyer told the Fellas in an interview released Tuesday morning. "And it was every foundation of this country and what it was founded on. Every fighter in there gave thanks to all the men and women who served. You just saw uniforms everywhere, everybody with American flags," Meyer said of the event. As a part of the UFC Freedom 250 Heavyweight on Sunday evening, Meyer walked out with fighter Justin Gaethje. The emotional moment of patriotism preceded a technical knockout win for Gaethje over Ilia Topuria for an undisputed lightweight title. The fight, an underdog win for the American Gaethje against a European Topuria, was the main event on the patriotic night. UFC RING ANNOUNCER BRUCE BUFFER EXPECTS WHITE HOUSE FIGHTS TO BE 'A SPECTACLE' AS EVENT APPROACHES Sargent Meyer served in the Marines from 2006 to 2010. He received the Medal of Honor for entering an area under enemy fire to rescue wounded soldiers and the bodies of fallen service members. His efforts saved 36 lives, including 13 Americans. "Here's the reason why I think that story is so important," podcast co-host John Ashbrook said of Meyer’s story. "Because people listen to the show, some of them served, but a lot of them read about it on the news, or they hear a politician say, 'Oh, freedom isn't free,’ or some other like speech that sounds good, and it is good. But, until you hear those words, you don't really understand the sacrifice, and even hearing those words, you don't understand the sacrifices unless you were actually there and doing it." AS AN ARMY WIDOW, I WILL NEVER FORGET HOW ORDINARY AMERICANS HONORED MY HUSBAND In the interview, Meyer criticized the design of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial. The circular structure with grass on top is planned to appear on the National Mall in Washington, DC, close to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the proposed spot of the Desert Storm and Desert Shield. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "All service is the same, but not all sacrifice is the same," Meyer said. "And that looks like some shit that Bernie Sanders would have come up with." Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) criticized the memorial. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) has said he’s formed a bipartisan and bicameral coalition to prevent the design. "That was not designed by a veteran," Meyer said. "And if it was designed by a veteran, it was not designed by a veteran, whoever had to sacrifice in the way of being shot at. And I'm not trying to degrade anybody who wasn't shot at, but what I am saying is that. If you set on a fob. And we appreciate everybody's job, but this should represent a sacrifice." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a31215e1972385678321962 FBI disrupts alleged explosive-drone plot targeting White House UFC event, officials say te 2026-06-16T10:11:42.261Z FBI disrupts alleged explosive-drone plot targeting White House UFC event, officials say FIRST ON FOX: The FBI and its law enforcement partners disrupted an alleged plot targeting this weekend’s UFC Freedom 250 event in Washington, D.C., officials told Fox News Digital. Five people were in custody as of Monday, and investigators identified 23 people as part of a potential network of plotters. The alleged plan involved using explosive-laden drones to hit buildings near the event, force a mass evacuation and steer crowds toward a pre-staged sniper team, officials said. A "second wave" was then allegedly planned to storm the White House gate, according to officials. The FBI first learned of the threat on June 10 and worked with partners to secure probable cause for an arrest in Cincinnati, where one suspect was taken into custody. FROM RALLY GUNFIRE TO WHITE HOUSE SHOOTING, THREATS AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTINUE TO MOUNT Investigators later uncovered Signal chats in which multiple people allegedly discussed attacking the UFC event. An initial review of one suspect’s iPhone identified at least 23 Signal users discussing pre-operational activity, officials said. Some of those involved allegedly planned to travel to Fredericksburg, Virginia, on June 12 or 13 to prepare for the attack. One suspect allegedly told investigators the goal was to target "capitalist elites," "billionaires" or politicians who received donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The investigation stretched across at least 12 FBI field offices. PBS AFFILIATE BOARD CHAIRMAN UNDER FIRE AFTER SAYING HE HOPES TRUMP SUFFERS STROKE FROM RALLY GUNFIRE TO WHITE HOUSE SHOOTING, THREATS AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTINUE TO MOUNT FBI Director Kash Patel credited the FBI, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and law enforcement partners with acting quickly across multiple states to prevent the alleged attack. "Thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold," Patel said in a statement to Fox News Digital. Patel said the operation showed the FBI’s ability to respond quickly when threats emerge. "While the result represented the best of investigative work, it was also nothing out of the ordinary for this law enforcement team," Patel said. "We are built to detect, respond to, and bring to justice those who threaten the lives of American citizens — particularly during large gatherings like the historic UFC 250 fight. That’s exactly what we did here." "I want to thank our great agents and partners, this work remains ongoing, and we will continue to update the public as permitted," Patel added. The alleged plot targeted UFC Freedom 250, a high-profile White House event held on the South Lawn as part of President Donald Trump's 80th birthday weekend. The event drew an estimated 4,300 attendees, including about 1,200 active-duty service members, as 14 fighters from around the world competed inside a wire-mesh cage Sunday night. The alleged plot comes amid a growing series of threats and security incidents involving Trump and senior administration officials, fueling heightened concerns about political violence. Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a31214a1972385678321959 Pentagon files reveal agents' reports of 'orbs launching orbs' near sensitive US security site te 2026-06-16T10:11:22.804Z Pentagon files reveal agents' reports of 'orbs launching orbs' near sensitive US security site Newly released Pentagon and FBI records describe a series of orb sightings reported from the same area of the northeastern United States between at least October 2024 and June 2025, including one incident in which two witnesses reported seeing a glowing red sphere containing what appeared to be a basketball-sized "white plasma sun." The sightings are among dozens of records published through the Trump administration's Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) Encounters, or PURSUE, a government-wide effort to declassify files related to UAPs.  According to records released Thursday, an eyewitness in October 2024 reported observing a "plasma-like sphere" hovering above a pond at an estimated distance of roughly 2,700 feet. Investigators said the luminous object intermittently changed shape and brightness, at times appearing to separate into smaller points of light. A second luminous point hovered above the water and did not appear consistent with a surface reflection. The object remained generally stationary for approximately 45 minutes before disappearing. The video was captured on an iPhone and later analyzed and authenticated by the U.S. government, according to the records. The FBI assessed the eyewitness as highly credible. The release is the latest installment of the Trump administration's Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters, or PURSUE, a transparency initiative launched after President Donald Trump directed federal agencies in February to review and declassify records related to unidentified anomalous phenomena. The program has produced a steady stream of files ranging from cases investigators believe may have conventional explanations to incidents that remain unresolved years later. Fox News Digital attended a briefing with senior administration officials ahead of the release. PENTAGON UFO FILES DESCRIBE 'MOTHER ORB' RELEASING SMALLER OBJECTS IN 2023 INCIDENT THAT REMAINS UNEXPLAINED A second incident from the same general area occurred in July 2025, when a witness arrived home and noticed an intense bright light hovering below the tree line behind a residence. According to FBI interviews, the witness described the object as a red sphere roughly one meter in diameter containing a bright white center resembling a basketball-sized "plasma sun." A second witness separately came outside and reported seeing the same object. FBI records indicate the objects were estimated to be about 30 yards away and 20 feet to 30 feet above the ground. Both witnesses said a second identical orb later appeared nearby. The objects moved together above the trees, changed altitude and direction, traveled in tandem and eventually appeared to merge into a single object before disappearing from view. The witnesses captured video footage of the sighting, and FBI agents later obtained photographs associated with the investigation. According to the FBI, multiple reports and videos released through the latest tranche originated from the same general area in the northeastern United States. Law enforcement officials. Among the most significant cases included in the latest tranche was an unresolved 2023 incident near a sensitive national security site in the western United States involving six federal law enforcement agents who reported observing what they described as glowing orange "mother orbs" releasing smaller red objects into the night sky. In a newly released assessment, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office said roughly 40% of the reported activity remains unexplained after analysts compared witness accounts against commercial and military flight logs, radar data, spatial estimates and ADS-B records while examining a range of possible explanations, including military aircraft, drones, U.S. government programs, foreign intelligence activity and environmental phenomena. Analysts concluded military flare activity could plausibly account for a significant portion of the reported observations and assessed foreign adversary technology as highly unlikely, but determined that no single explanation fully accounted for all the reported activity. Investigators said "unrecognized technology" remained a provisional hypothesis for the unexplained portion of the case, while cautioning that the assessment was based primarily on witness testimony rather than technical or physical evidence. The newly released files include five witness narratives, sketches and a notional map depicting four related incidents investigators grouped under the "Western U.S. Event," including what they labeled "Orbs Launching Orbs," a "Fiery Orb," a "Dark Kite" and a "Translucent Kite." The case is among the most extensively documented unresolved incidents included in the latest tranche. Among the most unusual incidents in the latest PURSUE tranche was a February 2022 sighting near Colorado Springs, Colorado, in which five U.S. Army personnel reported seeing a shimmering object hovering above Cheyenne Mountain for up to three minutes. According to witness accounts, the object appeared roughly the size of a large jet and resembled an angular, nonsymmetrical "potato" composed of irregular panels that slowly shifted and changed shape while remaining stationary above the mountain. PENTAGON’S NEW UFO FILE RELEASE LOGS NEAR-MISS AS ‘SUPER-HEATED’ ORBS APPROACH US HELICOPTER In a separate FBI interview conducted in 2024, a former Army intelligence officer who witnessed the event described the object as a creamy white, opalescent shape made up of what appeared to be articulating fish-scale-like panels. The witness told investigators the object remained perfectly still while the individual panels appeared to move in slow waves before the object suddenly vanished. Witnesses estimated the object hovered 300 feet to 500 feet above Cheyenne Mountain before disappearing while they were actively observing it. Pentagon investigators ultimately concluded the sighting may have been caused by sunlight reflecting off snow-covered terrain and illuminating clouds near the mountain, though AARO described that assessment as low confidence because of uncertainty surrounding witness viewing angles, cloud cover and environmental conditions. Taken together, the Colorado, western and northeastern incidents offer a snapshot of the diverse reports now being published through the Pentagon's PURSUE program, ranging from cases investigators believe may have conventional explanations to incidents that remain unresolved after years of analysis. The effort has drawn mixed reactions. Transparency advocates have welcomed the publication of records that were previously difficult for the public to access, while some researchers and former officials argue that many of the releases rely heavily on witness testimony and contain limited technical data that would allow independent analysts to verify government conclusions. Former AARO director Sean Kirkpatrick has argued that unresolved cases often remain unresolved because investigators lack sufficient information to reach high-confidence conclusions. At the same time, neither the Department of War nor AARO has concluded that any of the incidents released through PURSUE constitute evidence of extraterrestrial life, nonhuman intelligence or alien technology.  Government officials have repeatedly emphasized that an unresolved case simply means investigators lack sufficient information to determine a definitive cause. The records released to date document observations, investigations and assessments, but do not establish evidence of extraterrestrial origins. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3121371972385678321950 UFO investigator says Spielberg's 'Disclosure Day' captures truth behind whistleblower testimony te 2026-06-16T10:11:03.346Z UFO investigator says Spielberg's 'Disclosure Day' captures truth behind whistleblower testimony As Steven Spielberg's new sci-fi thriller "Disclosure Day" dominates the box office, one longtime UFO investigator says the film mirrors reality more than fiction. Joshua Golembeske, a documentary filmmaker and former MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) field investigator, told Fox News Digital that the film’s deep-state cover-up premise directly echoes actual Capitol Hill whistleblower testimony on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs). For Golembeske, the host of "Cosmic Disclosure" on Gaia.com, the long-standing stigma surrounding UFOs is finally lifting. He was pleasantly surprised to see Spielberg's film reflect real whistleblower accounts and praised the filmmaker for portraying extraterrestrials as benevolent rather than threatening. "[He] did the right thing, because what he did was based it off the real events, the real information, not that fear that's propagated by the media," he said. STEVEN SPIELBERG ADMITS HE'S BEEN CONVERTED ON UFOS, SAYS HE BELIEVES THE BELIEVERS He noted scenes in the film that show childhood encounters as they are documented in UFO literature, where extraterrestrials use "screen memories" to disguise themselves as ordinary animals like owls or deer. "So if a kid remembers a really weird experience, they're going to remember, 'Why was there owls in my room and deer?' And then, 'I was brought out to the woods and into a house that seemed like a fairy tale with lights everywhere,'" Golembeske said. "Well, what's actually going on is it was ETs in your room escorting you out to a UFO or spacecraft somewhere in the forest. This sounds so unbelievable, but it's been reported for decades and decades, and this film is trying to shine a light on it." Spielberg revealed in a recent interview that he has been "converted" on the topic of UFOs and now believes "the believers." His inspiration for "Disclosure Day" reportedly stems from a deep dive into documentaries and recent congressional testimonies, where high-ranking military and intelligence officials have come forward. The film's release comes at a time when UAPs and allegations of a government cover-up are making real-world headlines. Last week, Golembeske traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend a high-profile press conference on Capitol Hill regarding the phenomenon. SECRETLY FILMED UFO DOC REVEALS INSIDER VIDEO AS OFFICIALS RELEASE NEW ALIEN RECORDS: 'SOMETHING IS IMMINENT' At that event, UAP whistleblower and former Air Force intelligence officer David Grusch accused intelligence agencies of hiding billions of dollars in secret government spending from Congress to conceal their knowledge of UAPs and diverse alien species. Golembeske said the main takeaway from Grusch's testimony is that UAPs are "real," "the government has been covering them up for a long time," whistleblowers are being "threatened," and multiple types of alien species exist. "I thought that was unbelievably shocking that David Grusch in front of the world, with Congress behind him, admitted that the U.S. government knows that non-human intelligence is real, and there's a range of them, and we're dealing with what has been a long-standing cover-up," Golembeske said. The hearing drew a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, including Reps. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., and Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., who called for greater transparency, accountability, and legal immunity for whistleblowers. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Burlison said lawmakers have continued pressing agencies and defense contractors for records they believe remain classified despite recent disclosure efforts. Last September, Burlison made headlines after releasing video of MQ-9 drone footage from an alleged October 2024 UAP incident off the coast of Yemen, which he said was delivered to his office through a "Tom Clancy-style dead drop." The June briefing comes weeks after the Trump administration released a major tranche of previously classified UAP records, including military reports, sensor data, and witness accounts that had long remained hidden from public view. Lawmakers and disclosure advocates have pointed to those releases as evidence the government is becoming more transparent about UAP investigations, while arguing that significant amounts of information remain highly classified. For Golembeske, a real "disclosure day" — where the government admits to the public that humanity is not alone in the universe — would be earth-shattering. According to Golembeske, whistleblowers allege the government has hidden reverse-engineered extraterrestrial technology that could change the world forever, including free energy devices with limitless energy and breakthrough medical systems. He argued this knowledge remains classified because it would disrupt socio-economics across the globe. "Obviously, the oil industries and energy industries aren't going to like a free energy device coming out, plus it could be weaponized," he claimed. However, he believes true disclosure would expand human consciousness, an idea he says is hinted at in Spielberg's film. "They seem to [be] pulling us along with sightings and contact experiences to expand our awareness," Golembeske said, pointing to literature by the late Harvard psychiatrist Dr. John Mack, who argues that regular contact with ETs is the quickest way to "enlightenment." Golembeske said that ultimately, this knowledge would force people to question human origins and the nature of the universe. "A simple UFO sighting will change someone's life forever," he said. Fox News' Morgan Phillips contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3121231972385678321947 Karmelo Anthony supporter reportedly fired as other backers face backlash over verdict remarks te 2026-06-16T10:10:43.896Z Karmelo Anthony supporter reportedly fired as other backers face backlash over verdict remarks Karmelo Anthony supporters continue to voice their concerns and frustrations following his conviction and sentencing for murder. Anthony was found guilty and sentenced to 35 years behind bars on Tuesday, June 9, after he stabbed and killed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco, Texas, high school track meet last year. His supporters maintain the convicted killer was acting in self-defense when he stabbed Metcalf. One of them is Donna Robinson, a parole supervisor within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The Dallas Morning News reported she made a comment on Facebook that cost her her job. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL Addressing comments about the sentencing, she wrote "that Anthony would be protected in prison, adding she didn't care about the victim's family's loss," according to the outlet. Fox News Digital also reported Howard University professor Stacey Patton wrote an opinion article on her Substack "Dear Jeff Metcalf: Your Son Is Dead Because You Failed to Teach Him That Black Boys Have Boundaries," which essentially blames the victim for the killing. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS Another supporter, W. Burlette Carter, who is a professor emerita of law at George Washington University, made her concerns with the trial public following the verdict. She made a post on X that said, "Karmelo Anthony was entitled to a jury of his peers. He did not get that. On that ground alone, he is entitled to a new trial. Minorities are not interchangeable. The prosecutor’s reported proffered reasons for striking all black jurors —that they were teachers—appears to be pretext. Anthony needs a new lawyer on appeal and in a new trial." Anthony's trial was made up of jurors who are fellow U.S. citizens — also known as a "jury of one's peers." In all criminal prosecutions, the U.S. Constitution says the accused has "the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed." Fox News Digital has reached out to Howard University, TDCJ, and Burlette Carter for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a311c74197238567832187d Trump's endorsement power faces crucial tests in closely watched Georgia and Alabama GOP runoff elections te 2026-06-16T09:50:44.132Z Trump's endorsement power faces crucial tests in closely watched Georgia and Alabama GOP runoff elections While he isn't on the ballot, President Donald Trump's immense clout over the GOP faces more key tests on Tuesday in high-stakes Republican runoffs in Georgia and Alabama. Trump-endorsed candidates are fighting in competitive showdowns against Republican rivals for the GOP gubernatorial and Senate nominations in battleground Georgia and for the Senate in solidly red Alabama. Tuesday's contests in Georgia and Alabama come as Oklahoma and the District of Columbia hold primary elections, and voters in California's 14th Congressional District will vote in a special election to narrow the field of nearly a dozen candidates hoping to fill the seat left vacant when scandal-plagued Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell resigned. But the biggest spotlight is on Georgia, where Trump made an 11th-hour endorsement this past weekend in the Senate race in Georgia, which is one of a handful of midterm election contests across the country that will decide if the GOP holds its slim majority in the chamber. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB Trump endorsed Republican Rep. Mike Collins, a MAGA champion and strong supporter of the president, who is facing off against former college football coach Derek Dooley, who has the support of popular conservative Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. "It's an honor to have that endorsement. It just shows that he has confidence that we know how to win this race, we know we're in the lead in this thing," Collins told Fox News Digital on Sunday, hours after landing Trump's endorsement. Asked if Trump's endorsement in Georgia came too late to make a difference, Collins said, "I don't think President Trump ever is too late. He has this impeccable ability of putting his thumb right on the scale at the right time with whatever he wants to do." Dooley, who's running as an outsider, said in a Fox News Digital interview on the eve of the runoff that the president's backing of his rival "doesn't change how I feel." THESE MIDTERM RACES WILL DETERMINE WHETHER REPUBLICANS HOLD THEIR SENATE MAJORITY "I'm honored to have Governor Kemp's endorsement. I certainly would have been honored to have the President's endorsement. But the most important endorsement that I'm fighting for is the people of Georgia," he emphasized. Collins, who represents Georgia's 10th Congressional District, which is located between Atlanta and Augusta, is the son of the late Rep. Mac Collins, and is the founder and co-owner, along with his wife, of a trucking company. Dooley, a lawyer, a former University of Tennessee football coach and the son of legendary University of Georgia head football coach Vince Dooley, is strongly backed by Kemp, who is a lifelong friend. The governor and his wife, Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp, have regularly appeared with Dooley on the campaign trail, and the governor's top political advisor is a senior consultant for Dooley's Senate bid. Collins and Dooley were the top two finishers in a crowded field of candidates in last month's primary that also included Rep. Buddy Carter. Since no one topped 50%, Collins and Dooley advanced to Tuesday's runoff election. The winner of the GOP Senate nomination in Georgia will face off in the midterms against Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Republicans view Ossoff as the most vulnerable Senate Democrat seeking re-election and are heavily targeting the first-term senator. But while Republicans have been battling for their party's nomination over the past year, Ossoff's built a powerful war chest that will give him a major fundraising advantage as the general election gets underway. The power of a Trump endorsement is also facing a key test in Georgia's gubernatorial nomination runoff, where Trump last year backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in the race to succeed the term-limited Kemp. Jones is battling billionaire businessman Rick Jackson, who has dished out over $100 million of his own money on his campaign, in the runoff. The winner will take on former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who served in the Biden administration, in this autumn's general election. Bottoms avoided a runoff by winning a majority of the vote as she topped six other candidates in last month's Democratic gubernatorial primary. Jones and Jackson were the top two finishers in last month's crowded and competitive GOP gubernatorial primary, which also included state Attorney General Chris Carr and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Because no candidate topped 50%, Jones and Jackson advanced to the runoff. Pointing to a tele-rally Trump headlined for him last week, Jones told Fox News Digital: "The president's endorsement carries a lot of weight here in Georgia." Kemp made a last-minute endorsement on Sunday, backing Jones. And at an event Monday morning, Kemp explained that his mission is "to make sure that we have the best folks at the top of the ticket that can win in November and you know that's why I'm supporting Burt Jones for governor." "When you think about the direction of the state the great things that we've been able to do, I think he's best suited to move the state forward," Kemp said. And he warned of the "consequences of not winning, like we'll be going the way of Virginia, New York, California, we just cannot afford to do that." Jones, a former captain of the University of Georgia football team, an oil executive and heir to the Jones Petroleum Company, served as a state senator before winning election in 2022 as lieutenant governor. Jackson was unknown to Georgia voters before launching his gubernatorial campaign in February, but thanks to an avalanche of ads, his story of building a business empire despite growing up in foster care and not being able to afford college became well known in the Peach State. And he's repeatedly highlighted that, like Trump, he's an outsider and businessman. "I'm going to be Trump's favorite governor because we're just alike on the way that we handle business and handle problems, and I want to do exactly in Georgia what he's doing at the federal government," he reiterated in a Fox News Digital interview Sunday. And on the eve of the runoff, he predicted, "I think people are ready for an outsider. That's what they want, and that's what they're going to vote for. And that's why we're going to win tomorrow." Jackson also landed a last-minute endorsement, as conservative firebrand Sen. Ted Cruz backed Jackson on Friday and joined him on the campaign trail for a runoff eve rally. "Rick has an extraordinary record, an extraordinary life story. And I also think he's positioned to win. And the stakes are too high. This election is a battleground all across the country. We can't afford to lose Georgia," Cruz told Fox News. When Cruz endorsed Jackson on Friday, he also supported South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who is facing off in a week against Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. Asked if he's trying to put some daylight between himself and the president on the campaign trail, Cruz quickly responded, "No. Not remotely....The president and I agree on the vast majority of races. What I try to do in every race is endorse the strongest conservative who can win. And typically I get in races late in the race at a time where where my support might be able to make a difference and be helpful." Jones, on the eve of the Cruz visit, took aim at Jackson. "He keeps on bringing in these out-of-state senators, and I would much rather have the president's endorsement," he said. "He's having to go out of state to get his support. We're keeping all our stuff in state." In neighboring Alabama, Trump is supporting Rep. Barry Moore, who is facing off with former Navy SEAL sniper Jared Hudson in the GOP Senate runoff, in the race to succeed Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor this year rather than seeking re-election. Moore, who founded a waste hauling company and later served as a state lawmaker before first winning election to the U.S. House in 2020, and was one of the first politicians to endorse Trump in 2015 when the president first ran for the White House, is also endorsed by Vice President JD Vance and Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Thune. Moore, who represents Alabama's 1st Congressional District, in the southern portion of the state, is a member of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus. Hudson, running as an outsider, edged out state Attorney General Steve Marshall to advance to the runoff with Moore. Besides being a combat veteran, Hudson has served as a sheriff’s deputy, firefighter, small business owner and current head of a nonprofit that trains law enforcement in taking out human traffickers. Hudson was endorsed by then-Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who is now Trump's Department of Homeland Security secretary, as well as Sen. Tim Sheehy, the National Association for Gun Rights PAC, and conservative activist and media star Riley Gaines. Moore or Hudson will be considered the clear front-runner in November against the winner of the Democratic runoff between small business owner Dakarai Larriett and attorney and former judge Everett Wess. In Oklahoma, Trump is backing Mike Mazzei, a former state senator and Oklahoma budget secretary, in the GOP gubernatorial primary in the race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Kevin Stitt. The president is also supporting minister Jackson Lahmeyer, who founded the group Pastors for Trump, in the Republican primary in the state's 1st Congressional District, in the race to succeed Rep. Kevin Hern, who is running for the Senate. And in deep blue Washington D.C., the Democratic primary between seven candidates trying to succeed outgoing Mayor Muriel Bowser will effectively decide her successor in the District of Columbia. The brute force of the president's endorsement power has been on display in GOP primaries over the past month, and a half, with his candidates ousting incumbents he targeted in showdowns in Indiana, Louisiana, Kentucky and Texas that grabbed plenty of national attention. But Trump's endorsement streak in statewide and congressional Republican primaries was snapped two weeks ago when his 11th-hour endorsement of Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra of Iowa in the race to succeed retiring GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds wasn't enough to propel the three-term congressman to victory. Feenstra was narrowly edged by Zach Lahn, a businessman, farmer and former political strategist who was backed by the political wings of MAHA — the acronym for the Make America Healthy Again movement aligned with Trump Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — and Turning Point USA, the powerful conservative organization co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk. Trump rebounded last week, as the candidate he endorsed in the South Carolina GOP gubernatorial primary, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, finished first in a crowded field and clinched one of the two tickets in the race for the nomination. Meanwhile, longtime Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham did win a majority of the vote in the Republican Senate primary, and avoided a runoff. Graham, who was endorsed by Trump, was facing primary challenges from five candidates, including conservative businessman Mark Lynch, who took aim at the senator over his support for the war in Iran. Lynch was backed by some MAGA leaders who have been critical of the president. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3113691972385678321636 MORNING GLORY: Trump and the radical theocrats of Iran te 2026-06-16T09:12:09.627Z MORNING GLORY: Trump and the radical theocrats of Iran "They were there for Norway…" "They" are nine Norwegian commandos cross-country skiing through deeply wooded, mountainous terrain in 1943, then trudging through deep snow to reach the Vemork hydroelectric power plant in the town of Rjukan, high above a waterfall and as formidable an edifice as one can imagine from that era. Vemork was also site of the world’s only plant for mass production of "heavy water," on which the Nazis had placed their primary bet to produce atomic weapons during World War II. After the invasion and occupation of Norway in April 1940, the Reich’s munitions research team soon figured out that Vemork was critical to their plans. Physicist Werner Heisenberg was one of the key leaders of the Nazi nuclear program, and in 1942 he had promised all of the Nazi and Wehrmacht leadership a bomb "the size of a pineapple" that could destroy cities. THE RACE AGAINST TIME TO DESTROY IRAN’S ILLICIT NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM HEATS UP AMID FRESH STRIKES The key to that bomb was the heavy water produced at Vemork, so the Nazis hardened the defenses around the plant and kept increasing them as the Allies’ interest in destroying the plant became obvious. The tale of the race between the Nazis and the Allies for nuclear weapons and the specific drama surrounding Vemork is recounted in the bestseller of a decade ago: "The Winter Fortress: The Epic Mission to Sabotage Hitler's Atomic Bomb" by Neal Bascomb. Director and producer Michael Bay optioned the rights to make the movie based on the riveting account by Bascomb, but it has not yet been made. It is a shame that Bay hasn’t made the movie yet, as such a film would be a short-cut for those who don’t understand why President Donald Trump is singularly focused on ensuring the Islamic Republic of Iran cannot make or buy a nuclear weapon. MORNING GLORY: PRESIDENT TRUMP IS ON THE CUSP OF A HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT Trump is motivated by the same conviction that drove British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and American President Franklin Roosevelt to throw everything into the Manhattan Project while also doing everything to disrupt Hitler’s bid for nukes. The leaders of the United Kingdom and United States knew that German dictator Adolf Hitler would use any weapon he could obtain, even as Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu know the fanatics atop the rump regime in Iran would use any weapon they could build or buy. The conviction that your enemy cannot be deterred by any ordinary means but is in fact a theocracy run by fanatics who believe they can usher in the end of times and the return of the "Twelfth Imam" focuses the mind. Or ought to. "Twelver" beliefs — the anchor religious convictions of the regime established by the Ayatollah Khomeini when he led the Iranian Revolution of 1979 — astonish the secular West, especially its progressive activists. The left in the West dismiss the Iranian theocratic convictions as absurd fantasies that surely no government could embrace. TRUMP RIPS OBAMA'S 'STUPID' IRAN DEAL, CLAIMS FORMER PRESIDENT THOUGHT 'HE COULD BRIBE THEM' They ought to watch 16 minutes of the recent episode of "Life, Liberty and Levin" in which Mark quickly traces the core ideology of the remaining "leadership" in Iran with the help of the writings of late scholar of Islam Bernard Lewis and of the deceased Khomeini himself.  Trump and Netanyahu have directed the destruction of the physical plant of Iran’s nuclear program though not the new facility under construction in the deep caverns being dug at Pickaxe Mountain in Iran. Fanatics don’t stop even when they are set back. The religious extremists of Iran are certain to try again to build — or buy — the nuclear weapons they will use. The German National Socialists — the Nazis — were of course led by Hitler who had no scruples about burning everything down even as his Reich collapsed in on every front. The same is true of Iran’s religious fascists who have been led by Ayatollahs Khomeini and Khamenei from 1979 to February 28 of this year. These Islamist fascists murdered tens of thousands of their own people over two days in January. They have no limits when it comes to violence. IRAN’S HIDDEN MOUNTAIN NUCLEAR SITE RAISES URGENT THREAT, MUST BE ‘NEUTRALIZED': REPORTS It may be Khamenei’s son now calling the shots in the wounded and reeling Iran, or it may be the latest commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ahmad Vahidi, profiled on June 13 in The Wall Street Journal. Whoever is the new "Supreme Leader" may approve of a deal with the United States but the nature of the regime cannot change. The acquisition of nuclear weapons as a means to destroy Israel first and then the United States is a matter of deep theological conviction to the regime. (There are no "moderates" in the regime’s leadership, only extremists with camouflage and unapologetic Twelvers who are always the ones with guns.) Base camp for understanding the current and future battles with Iran should be reading or listening to "The Winter Fortress." The Allies eventual and thrilling success at Vemork did not end the Nazi push for nukes. The third and successful operation against the plant — followed by intense bombing — only damaged and delayed Hitler’s plans and programs. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The courage and heroic success of the commandos did not end the war but did allow for time for victory in the European Theater. Another massive bombing mission was required the next year to force the Nazis to abandon their plans for Vemork. Whether President Trump has achieved as much as is possible to end the Iranian regime’s nuclear program and destabilize the regime’s grip on the vast majority of Iranians who loathe their tyrants without the deployment of ground forces remains to be seen. The necessity of a president finally willing to take action to devastate the program has existed for two decades. Bravo to Trump for his orders. But there is no destroying the knowledge about how to get to their bombs, knowledge the Iranians have steadily gained since 1979. There is no altering Twelver theology or Khomeinist ideology. The new radicals atop the ruins will try to start again, just as the Nazis did in 1943. Shattered and broke with a suffering population, the quarter million radicals ruling Iran with iron fists and terrorist tactics are not a group of Gorbachevs about to launch a "glasnost" and "perestroika." That’s the reality. How America deals with it ought to be led by the example of FDR and Churchill when the threat was as real as it remains today. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM HUGH HEWITT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a311356197238567832162d LIZ PEEK: Elon Musk’s well-deserved win causes the zero-sum left to freak out te 2026-06-16T09:11:50.172Z LIZ PEEK: Elon Musk’s well-deserved win causes the zero-sum left to freak out Americans are cheering the extraordinary achievements of Elon Musk, who through sheer grit and brilliance has powered the United States to the forefront of the space race. Musk’s revolutionary vision of reusable rockets has created a company that dominates global satellite communications and leads space exploration, putting within reach the ability to put data centers into orbit and create a human colony on the moon or perhaps eventually on Mars. In the process, Musk has become the world’s first trillionaire. As Musk said the day he sold a stake in SpaceX to the public: "That’s what SpaceX is all about – it’s to take the fiction out of science fiction and create an exciting, inspiring future for everyone." Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are not excited or inspired. The multi-millionaire senators and their leftist collaborators are seething, offended beyond comprehension that a single individual has become so rich. They view Musk’s record-setting sale of equity in SpaceX and accumulation of wealth as an indictment of our capitalist society, though they have yet to explain how anyone has been injured by the entrepreneur’s success. BERNIE SANDERS COMPARES TRUMP, MUSK AND OTHER 'OLIGARCHS' TO 'HEROIN ADDICTS,' SAYS DRUG OF CHOICE IS 'GREED' Indeed, they ignore the fabulous wealth that Musk has created for SpaceX employees: with the company’s initial public offering last week, some 4,400 workers at the company reportedly became millionaires overnight, and some 400 are now each worth more than $100 million. Those institutions that invested early on, including the University of North Carolina system, the University of Virginia and Washington University in St. Louis, have also benefited from early investments in SpaceX. While the investment committees at universities like Harvard and Columbia were focused on divesting companies producing fossil fuels or businesses with ties to Israel, some schools made a ton of money betting on Musk. The Warren-Sanders crowd also ignores the gigantic benefit of providing cheap internet access to hundreds of millions of people around the world, which Musk’s Starlink has done. As Bill Ackman posted on X: "Access to low-cost, high speed communications everywhere will allow children around the world to be educated, families to build businesses, and life-saving medical knowledge and care to be available everywhere." Ackman’s post was in response to Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, the perpetually angry scold of U.S. exceptionalism, who claimed on X (ironically, another Musk-owned firm) that Musk’s wealth is a "call to action to take on the unprecedented income and wealth inequality that now exists and the greed and power of a ruling class that is destroying the social fabric of America." That’s the same Bernie Sanders who has accumulated millions of dollars while in public service and travels around the country via private jet spouting socialism. If anyone is rending our social fabric, it is those destroying accountability through dumbing down law enforcement and border protections, encouraging antisemitism with bogus campaigns against Israel and undermining our public schools, denying (especially) minority kids of sharing in the American Dream. The Left has much to account for. Democrats live in a zero-sum world. If someone becomes wealthy, they imagine it comes at the expense of someone else. California Governor Gavin Newsom posted on X: "Americans are struggling to pay for groceries and gas while Elon Musk becomes a TRILLIONAIRE." Did Musk drive up the cost of bread? Was he behind the massive welfare fraud and out-of-control spending that threatens California’s economy and helps make it one of the most expensive places on earth to live? The fact that Elon Musk has created tens of thousands of jobs, put electric cars on the map, and developed Neuralink, which uses advanced technology to allow people to control computers and robotic arms with their thoughts, allowing hope for those with spinal injuries, for instance, is irrelevant. Socialists don’t celebrate success and innovation, they celebrate mediocrity. Their policies do not aim to build wealth, but to redistribute it from producers to non-producers. Giving the government more control over the economy breeds inefficiency and corruption, and removed the incentives for individuals to innovate and create. FROM SOVIET REFUGEE TO AMERICAN PATRIOT: WHY WE MUST GUARD AGAINST SOCIALISM'S DANGEROUS CREEP INTO OUR CITIES In all of world history, there is not a single socialist country that has succeeded. Venezuela and Mexico are excellent examples of once-prosperous countries that have been plundered by leftists taking over the economy, countries where poverty is rampant and innovation nowhere to be seen. European countries that adopted socialist taxation and embraced big government solutions to healthcare and climate change have changed direction as voters tired of their stagnant economies and limited opportunities. Sweden, long championed by the Bernie Sanders crowd for its collectivist approach, ditched socialism in 1976 when Astrid Lindgren, beloved author of the Pippi Longstocking books, discovered that her country's tax code was forcing her to pay a marginal tax of more than 100 percent on her income. For every extra hundred dollars she earned, she had to pay the state $102. In response, Lindgren wrote a scorching satirical fairytale, "Pomperipossa in Monismania," about an author forced to pay exorbitant taxes. It ignited a furious debate over Sweden's tax policies and resulted in the ouster of the Social Democratic party for the first time in more than 40 years. Last year, in Bolivia, the ruling leftwing party Movimiento al Socialismo was voted out of office for the first time in 20 years, with voters rebelling against inflation at 40-year-highs of 25%, depleted foreign currency reserves and shortages of fuel and medicine. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Note to Bernie: socialism doesn’t work. Capitalism does. It’s that simple. As reported in the New York Sun, "At a 2019 CBS town hall, Mr. Sanders was pressed about joining the "millionaire class" that he long railed against. "I wrote a best-selling book," he said of his newfound wealth. "If you write a best-selling book, you can be a millionaire, too." Wasn’t this "the definition of capitalism" and "the American Dream," he was asked in a subsequent town hall on Fox News. "What we want," Mr. Sanders said, "is a country where everybody has opportunity." That "everybody" includes Elon Musk. Thank God he chose America for that very reason. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM LIZ PEEK Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3113421972385678321624 America didn’t give Elon Musk a trillion dollars. He earned every penny te 2026-06-16T09:11:30.738Z America didn’t give Elon Musk a trillion dollars. He earned every penny When SpaceX went public June 12 and Elon Musk became the world's first trillionaire on paper, the predictable reactions arrived almost immediately. Some viewed the milestone as a symbol of everything wrong with modern capitalism. Others celebrated it as the ultimate entrepreneurial success story. Both sides are missing the bigger picture. The most important aspect of Elon Musk becoming the first trillionaire is not the size of his fortune. It is the fact that his journey could only have happened in a country that continues to reward innovation, risk-taking and the freedom to pursue ideas that most people initially dismiss as impossible. In 1992, Musk arrived in the United States as a young immigrant pursuing educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. Few could have imagined that three decades later he would build a collection of companies that would transform industries ranging from payments and transportation to aerospace, communications and artificial intelligence. LAURA INGRAHAM HAILS ELON MUSK'S SPACEX IPO AS AMERICAN INGENUITY CHANGING THE WORLD That achievement deserves closer examination because history is filled with wealthy individuals. What makes Musk different is not simply the amount of money he has accumulated. It is the breadth of what he has built. Many entrepreneurs spend their entire careers attempting to create a single successful company. Musk helped build PayPal, which fundamentally changed digital payments. He then used much of his fortune to pursue ventures that many investors considered reckless. Tesla challenged a century-old automotive industry and accelerated the adoption of electric vehicles worldwide. SpaceX dramatically lowered the cost of launching payloads into space while accomplishing feats that many believed only governments could achieve. Starlink is bringing internet connectivity to remote regions around the globe. Neuralink and his artificial intelligence initiatives continue to push the boundaries of what many thought possible. WARREN, SANDERS CRITICIZE ELON MUSK'S TRILLIONAIRE STATUS Whether one agrees with Musk politically is beside the point. The remarkable aspect of his story is that he repeatedly identified opportunities where others saw obstacles. He consistently pursued industries that incumbents considered untouchable and entered arenas where failure seemed far more likely than success. That is where America enters the story. The United States remains one of the few places in the world where an entrepreneur with a compelling vision can access capital, recruit talent, challenge established competitors and attempt to build something revolutionary. Our system is far from perfect, but it continues to provide a level of economic freedom that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. TO THE MARKET MOON: SPACEX MAKES HISTORY Musk's success is not evidence that capitalism is broken. It is evidence that capitalism continues to reward individuals who create extraordinary value. Critics often focus exclusively on the outcome. They see a trillion-dollar net worth and immediately ask whether anyone should possess that much wealth. A more productive question is how that wealth was created in the first place. Musk did not become a trillionaire by inheriting a dominant corporation or benefiting from a protected monopoly. His fortune is largely tied to companies that investors voluntarily assigned value because they believe those businesses have changed the world and will continue doing so in the future. How many people has Musk employed along the way? How much payroll tax has he paid into our system?  And how many millionaires has Musk made just by their being employed by his companies. SPACEX EMPLOYEES REACT TO COMPANY'S IPO The reality is that wealth on this scale is generally the byproduct of solving significant problems. Tesla forced legacy automakers to accelerate innovation. SpaceX transformed commercial spaceflight and strengthened America's leadership in space exploration. Starlink has provided communications infrastructure in places where traditional networks could not reach. None of those achievements were guaranteed. In fact, several came perilously close to failure. Musk has spoken openly about periods when both Tesla and SpaceX were on the brink of collapse. Most entrepreneurs would have retreated. He doubled down. That willingness to endure failure, criticism and uncertainty may be the most important lesson in his story. THE AMERICAN DREAM ISN’T DEAD, BUT EACH ONE OF US NEEDS TO HELP IT TO THRIVE At a time when many Americans question whether the American Dream still exists, Musk's rise offers a compelling reminder of what the dream was always meant to represent. It was never a promise of wealth. It was never a guarantee of success. It was the freedom to pursue ambitious goals, the opportunity to take risks and the ability to build something meaningful regardless of where you started. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Elon Musk's trillion-dollar milestone will generate headlines around the world. Yet the more enduring story is not about a net worth figure. It is about a country that still allows exceptional individuals to pursue exceptional ideas. For all of America's imperfections, it remains one of the few places on earth where a young immigrant can arrive in this country with talent, ambition, and an unconventional vision and eventually build companies that reshape the future. That is not merely Elon Musk's story. It is America's story as well. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM TED JENKIN Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a31131a1972385678321611 What We Learned About Jeffrey Epstein’s Death te 2026-06-16T09:10:50.779Z What We Learned About Jeffrey Epstein’s Death The New York Times has obtained writings by Jeffrey Epstein from his time in jail that have never been made public and has spoken with his fellow inmates to understand his state of mind in the weeks before his death. Steve Eder, an investigative reporter, explains. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3113061972385678321608 What to Watch in Primary and Runoff Elections in Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma te 2026-06-16T09:10:30.819Z What to Watch in Primary and Runoff Elections in Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma The top race of the day is in Georgia, where Republican voters will pick a nominee to challenge Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3102df1972385678321351 Arizona Legislature Sends Photo Radar Reform Bill To Governor te 2026-06-16T08:01:35.641Z Arizona Legislature Sends Photo Radar Reform Bill To Governor By Ethan Faverino | Legislation sponsored by Sen. David Gowan (R-LD19) that would significantly change how photo radar violations are enforced in Arizona has cleared the Legislature and now awaits the governor’s decision. Senate Bill 1624, which was transmitted to the Governor last week, seeks to limit financial penalties associated with most photo radar violations while preventing those citations from affecting a driver’s insurance rates or driving privileges. Under the legislation, individuals found responsible for a civil traffic violation resulting from a photo enforcement system would face a maximum civil penalty of $75. The cap would apply to most photo radar violations but would not affect existing penalties for red-light violations or school-crossing violations. Of the penalty collected, $15 would be directed to Arizona’s Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund. “Arizonans are tired of being treated like an ATM by photo radar systems,” stated Senator Gowan. “For years, these cameras have generated frustration because they often feel more focused on collecting revenue than improving public safety. A photo radar ticket should not carry the same consequences as an interaction with a law enforcement officer who can evaluate the circumstances, exercise judgment, and make a real determination about what occurred.” The bill also contains several provisions designed to limit the long-term consequences of automated traffic enforcement citations. State agencies would be prohibited from considering qualifying photo radar violations when determining whether a driver’s license should be suspended or revoked. Courts would be barred from transmitting records of those violations to the Arizona Department of Transportation, and insurance companies would be prohibited from using the violations to establish rates, determine insurability, cancel coverage, or refuse policy renewals. “SB 1624 restores some common sense to the system by limiting excessive penalties and preventing these automated citations from being used to raise insurance rates or jeopardize a person’s driving privileges,” added Gowan. “This bill protects drivers from unfair consequences while maintaining accountability for legitimate traffic violations. Arizona families deserve a system that is fair, reasonable, and focused on safety—not one that treats every camera flash as an opportunity to extract more money from hardworking taxpayers.” If signed into law, SB 1624 would establish a statewide framework limiting the use of photo radar citations in insurance and licensing decisions while maintaining existing enforcement standards for red-light and school-zone violations. Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link. The post Arizona Legislature Sends Photo Radar Reform Bill To Governor first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3102ca1972385678321348 Lawmakers Pass Bill Giving Taxpayers Early Warning On Tax Liability Increases te 2026-06-16T08:01:14.649Z Lawmakers Pass Bill Giving Taxpayers Early Warning On Tax Liability Increases By Matthew Holloway | Legislation sent to Gov. Katie Hobbs last week would add an additional layer of legislative oversight before the Arizona Department of Revenue could adopt certain new legal interpretations that increase tax liability. SB 1221, sponsored by Sen. J.D. Mesnard (R-LD13), would require the Arizona Department of Revenue to notify the chairmen of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee before adopting a proposed new interpretation or application of state tax law that would adversely affect taxpayers prospectively. An affected taxpayer would also be permitted to notify the committee chairmen of the proposed change. 🚨FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Senator Mesnard Bill Protecting Taxpayers from Surprise Tax Hikes Heads to Governor Full Press Release: https://t.co/fSwNwDwExw@JDMesnard pic.twitter.com/U3WwXhSukX — AZSenateRepublicans (@AZSenateGOP) June 12, 2026 If the committee chairmen hold a hearing on the proposed interpretation or application, the Department of Revenue would be required to provide testimony explaining why the change is necessary. The Arizona Senate Republican Caucus announced that the measure had passed the Legislature and was being transmitted to Hobbs for consideration. The caucus said the bill is intended to protect taxpayers from unexpected tax burdens and provide public scrutiny before agency interpretations take effect. “Taxpayers should not wake up one day and discover a state agency has quietly changed the rules in a way that costs them money,” Mesnard said in a statement. “If the Department of Revenue wants to adopt a new interpretation of tax law that negatively impacts Arizona families, job creators, or small businesses, there ought to be transparency, public scrutiny, and accountability first.” The measure would amend A.R.S. § 42-2078, which governs the Department of Revenue’s new interpretations or applications of tax law. Current law generally bars the department from applying newly enacted law retroactively or penalizing a taxpayer for complying with prior law unless expressly authorized by law. Current law also provides that when the department adopts a new interpretation or determines that a tax law applies to a new or additional category of taxpayer, the change applies prospectively unless it is favorable to taxpayers. The department may not assess tax, penalties, or interest retroactively based on that change, and the change may be used as an affirmative defense in an administrative or judicial action involving retroactive assessments. SB 1221 would add a step before that kind of adverse interpretation is adopted. The notice requirement would apply to proposed interpretations or applications of provisions under Title 42 or Title 43 of Arizona law, which govern taxation and income tax. The bill specifies that a “new interpretation or application” includes policies and procedures adopted by administrative rule, tax ruling, tax procedure, or instructions to a tax return. The proposal moved through the Legislature largely along party lines. Mesnard, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, said the legislation is aimed at giving taxpayers more certainty before state tax administration changes affect families, businesses, and employers. “SB 1221 helps ensure taxpayers have a voice before government expands its reach, while providing the certainty and predictability people deserve when planning their finances and investments,” Mesnard concluded. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com. The post Lawmakers Pass Bill Giving Taxpayers Early Warning On Tax Liability Increases first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3102b6197238567832133f GOP Lawmakers Pass Parental Rights Package Addressing Gender Ideology te 2026-06-16T08:00:54.182Z GOP Lawmakers Pass Parental Rights Package Addressing Gender Ideology By Staff Reporter | The Republican-led Arizona legislature has submitted a legislative package to Gov. Katie Hobbs that they say will further strengthen parental rights and protections for children.  Among these bills are HB 2249, which would expand on Arizona’s current parental bill of rights by requiring schools to notify and obtain written consent from parents prior to facilitating a child’s social transition of their biological gender.  Social transitioning includes the usage of preferred pronouns and provision of accommodations that align with the child’s gender identity to include access to nonbiological restrooms and locker rooms. Additionally, SB 1095 would outlaw gender transition procedure referrals or procedures for minors, and SB 1094 would allow individuals to take a civil cause of action against physicians who perform gender reassignment surgeries on minors. Arizona banned gender reassignment surgeries on minors in 2022, and excludes gender reassignment procedures from Medicaid coverage. SB 1095 extends that ban to medications, as in puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones. Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh (LD-3), who sponsored SB 1094, said in a press release last week that these latest bills were created in response to requests from parents. “Arizona families have made clear that they want commonsense protections for children and stronger parental rights,” said Kavanagh. “This legislation ensures that parents remain involved in critical decisions impacting their children while protecting minors from irreversible procedures with lifelong consequences.” State Sen. Janae Shamp (LD-29), sponsor of SB 1015, said regulation was necessary to ensure accountability for irreversible procedures, and that a lack of regulation would essentially subject children to political experimentation. “Arizona children are not political experiments, and parents should never be cut out of life-altering decisions involving their own kids,” said Shamp. “For too long, activists have pushed radical gender ideology into medicine, education, and government while silencing common sense and ignoring the concerns of families. These bills draw a clear line.” GOP lawmakers have had trouble codifying bills addressing the gender transition of minors under Hobbs. In accordance with the stance of the Democratic Party, Hobbs supports gender transitions for minors and typically spurns enacting statutory pressures on this modern social practice.  The governor has consistently vetoed bills which would impose restrictions on individuals who identify as transgender. Last year, Hobbs vetoed bills that would have prohibited amending birth certificates and driver’s licenses to reflect gender identity rather than biological gender.  Hobbs also issued an executive order her first year in office requiring state employee healthcare plans to cover gender transition surgeries. Every summer since taking office, Hobbs has flown the Pride flag above the American flag in honor of Pride month.  We dropped the Pride banner from the Executive Tower to kick off Pride Month. To our LGBTQ+ community: I will always stand up for your freedom to be who you are, love who you love and your right to live with dignity and respect. pic.twitter.com/ffO9InrjX0 — Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) June 2, 2026 Hobbs’ husband, Patrick Goodman, was formerly a counselor specializing in youth gender transitions at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.  There’s also been resistance to Arizona regulation on transgenderism from the courts. In 2023, a federal court blocked Republican lawmakers’ attempt at enacting a ban on biological males who identify as females from participating in women’s and girls’ sports, the Save Women’s Sports Act. Petersen v. Doe (formerly Doe v. Horne) is pending petition with the Supreme Court. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post GOP Lawmakers Pass Parental Rights Package Addressing Gender Ideology first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30f6f4197238567832113a Why the Knicks, disrespected but clawing back, touched a raw nerve in New York City and ultimately the country te 2026-06-16T07:10:44.282Z Why the Knicks, disrespected but clawing back, touched a raw nerve in New York City and ultimately the country This is about a game, about overcoming adversity, about beating the odds, and about a city that is at once great and glamorous, yet oppressively hard to live in. But the Knicks, in winning their first championship in 53 years, are not just a New York story. Their teamwork, discipline and dedication became a national story, a Cinderella story. They touched hearts in a very cynical culture.  Imagine if politicians acted like this. If they put aside their hyper-partisanship and ideological agendas for the good of the country. If their default setting was cooperation and compromise rather than grabbing credit and demonizing opponents. Okay, you’re right. It’s too hard to imagine.  It’s not about how many points Jalen Brunson scored (45 in Game 5, when he single-handedly carried the Knicks to victory). It’s about how he was long dismissed as weak and undersized (by NBA standards). The 6-foot-2 Brunson, who wasn’t drafted until the second round, had something to prove. Think of all the folks who feel underrated or misunderstood at their job, and how deeply they want to be recognized for their value. TAYLOR SWIFT DANCES, SHIMMIES AND STEALS HEADLINES AS KNICKS ERASE 29-POINT HOLE IN NBA FINALS STUNNER It’s about the greatest city on earth, which is also the most frustrating city on earth. I once wrote that New Yorkers live under conditions that would cause riots in any other city, and I haven’t changed that view. Everybody is squeezed together. It’s absurdly overcrowded.  As a guy from Brooklyn, who played in a league and in the asphalt jungle, where if you lost you had to sit on the sidelines for a good long time, I don’t pretend to be unbiased. We played touch football in the street and had to stop every time a car came. That was before we got on the grass field because someone cut a hole in the chain-link fence. Very Noo Yawk.  Every day more than 4 million people pack themselves into subways, mostly at the bottom of deep tunnels, and at rush hours must stand through stop and go service. Homelessness is a problem both in the subways and on the streets. CHAOS UNFOLDS IN NEW YORK CITY AFTER KNICKS WIN FIRST NBA CHAMPIONSHIP IN DECADES Many folks live in tiny apartments, with small dens having to double as bedrooms, and pay mightily for the privilege. And yet, as street crowds gathered across the five boroughs, they broke into a rendition of the Frank Sinatra song: "I want to be a part of it, New York, New York…" Other cities, of course, have similar problems, so New York is just urban America writ large: Taller buildings, dirtier streets, piled-up garbage, more panhandlers, struggling schools, odious smells. KNICKS FANS SEND NYC INTO CHAOS AFTER FRANCHISE REACHES FIRST NBA FINALS SINCE 1999 And the traffic is horrendous. Only Los Angeles is worse. Don’t show me any surveys, I know. Try getting into the Lincoln Tunnel. That’s why authorities slapped a $9 entrance fee on anyone driving into Manhattan below 60th Street. And parking: Fugeddaboudit!  Unfortunately, some thugs turned violent after the Knicks’ victory. There were 63 arrests, 10 cops injured, four people stabbed and a 17-year-old boy shot in the foot. That’s the dark side of New York, which coexists with places like Broadway and Fifth Avenue. TEEN PUNCHED AND KICKED INTO A COMA AFTER KNICKS-SPURS ALTERCATION NEAR MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: POLICE When I was based in New York, the biggest stories involved crime. Race riots. Murders. The Central Park Five. The Zodiac Killer. Al Sharpton got stabbed.  Things are nowhere near as bad these days in the Apple and other cities, but there are still plenty of neighborhoods where you cross the street to avoid trouble.  When I was leaving in 1990 to return to Washington, I wrote a magazine piece with Donald Trump on the cover. The hotel-builder’s tabloid exploits, breathlessly chronicled by the New York Post — this was even before "The Apprentice" – symbolized a culture in which readers thrive on celebrity gossip to distract them from the daily dreariness of their lives. He always called me back. I figured, well, I’ll never have to deal with this guy again. STEPHEN A SMITH ELECTS NOT TO DUNK ON TRUMP FOLLOWING KNICKS NBA FINALS VICTORY I was at Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals when Willis Reed limped onto the court for their first championship. I watched on TV in 1973 when the team, now with Earl the Pearl, won again. Little did I know there would be a half-century wait till the next one, so many years of so many awful teams.   There’s also a heartwarming father-son tale, with Jalen’s dad, a journeyman player with the 1999 Knicks who lost the Finals to the San Antonio Spurs, being avenged — and the normally stoic younger Brunson dissolving into tears as they hugged.  If you look at the history of movies and television shows, everyone loves a good comeback. And the Knickerbockers provided just that in this series. WNBA COACH DOUBLES DOWN ON JALEN BRUNSON DOUBTS DESPITE KNICKS REACHING NBA FINALS In every win, the team fell behind by double digits and clawed their way back — especially in Game 4, when the New Yorkers, despite a record-breaking 29-point deficit, won it in the final second with that now-famous tip-in by OG Anunoby. Saturday night’s clincher was also won in the final seconds. Doesn’t that stir every youngster or former youngster who dreamed of hitting the last-inning homer or catching the winning touchdown pass? It was also nice to see the immature, 7-foot-5 Victor Wembanyama, who acted like a creepy villain, miss the last shot in each of the last two contests. KNICKS SURVIVE TO TAKE 2-0 NBA FINALS LEAD AFTER JALEN BRUNSON'S CLUTCH SHOT SINKS SPURS I know, it’s only a game. There will be other games, other sports, other heroes.  But this one touched a raw nerve because the Knicks, who won 13 straight, were always coming from behind, fueled by a beautiful passing offense, and were written off as lucky overachievers who would wilt like fading flowers when facing a "real" tough team. Haven’t all of us, at some time or another, felt disrespected and disregarded by clueless bosses?  Start spreading the news… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30f48519723856783210af Malaysia’s AI agent-powered messaging app Respond.io raises $62.5M, eyes acquisitions te 2026-06-16T07:00:21.695Z Malaysia’s AI agent-powered messaging app Respond.io raises $62.5M, eyes acquisitions Respond.io, one of Malaysia startups to watch, uses AI agents to handle high volumes of customer inquiries and charges per convo, not per seat. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30dd561972385678320ab3 Current WWE main roster te 2026-06-16T05:21:26.878Z Current WWE main roster The WWE roster features some of the best professional wrestlers in the world. Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan are just some of the superstars the WWE has to offer. Read below for the full list of the roster as of June 2026. == Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30dd431972385678320aaa Current AEW roster te 2026-06-16T05:21:07.165Z Current AEW roster The All Elite Wrestling (AEW) roster features some of the best professional wrestlers from around the world with an influx of talent from Europe, Mexico, Japan and elsewhere all in one place. MJF, Konosuke Takeshita, Kevin Knight, Jon Moxley, Thekla, Megan Bayne and Lena Kross are some of the top champions on the roster. Read below for the full list of the roster as of June 2026. == Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30dd2f1972385678320aa1 Current WWE NXT roster te 2026-06-16T05:20:47.199Z Current WWE NXT roster The WWE NXT roster features up-and-coming professional wrestlers who are getting ready to make an impact on the main roster one day. Tony D’Angelo, Myles Borne, Lola Vice and Zaria are some of the top champions on the roster right now. Read below for the full list of the roster as of June 2026. == Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30dad41972385678320a2a Current TNA roster te 2026-06-16T05:10:44.434Z Current TNA roster The Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) roster features some of the top-tier professional wrestlers in the industry with company putting on innovative matches since its inception. Mike Santana, Cedric Alexander, Lei Ying Lee, Bear Bronson and Brian Myers are some of the top champions on the roster. Read below for the full list of the roster as of June 2026. == Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30d173197238567832089a Jelly Roll files for divorce from wife Bunnie Xo after almost a decade of marriage te 2026-06-16T04:30:43.893Z Jelly Roll files for divorce from wife Bunnie Xo after almost a decade of marriage Jelly Roll has filed for divorce from his wife Bunnie Xo. The country star filed the paperwork on May 18 in Williamson County, Tennessee, according to court records viewed by Fox News Digital. Jelly Roll listed the date of separation as May 9, and cited irreconcilable differences. Bunnie, whose real name is Alisa DeFord, and Jelly Roll tied the knot in August 2016 during a whirlwind Las Vegas ceremony, after meeting the year prior. Fox News Digital has reached out to representatives for Jelly Roll for comment. JELLY ROLL'S WIFE SLAMS TROLLS WHO CRITICIZED HER FOR TRASHING COUNTRY MUSIC SCENE She became a stepmom to the country singer’s daughter, Bailee, and son, Noah. Just months prior, during the 2026 Grammys — which took place in February — Jelly Roll, 41, and Bunnie Xo, 46, showed PDA. The couple were affectionate while walking the red carpet together as well as while inside the venue. JELLY ROLL ADMITS 'DUMB REDNECK' STATUS WHEN PUSHED ON POLITICS AFTER BRINGING GOD TO GRAMMYS STAGE Jelly Roll also gave her a shoutout on stage after he won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Country Album. Bunnie has previously opened up about their up-and-down relationship, in her memoir "Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic." The "Dumb Blonde" podcast host laid bare her chaotic upbringing and the emotional highs and lows that defined the early years of her relationship with the singer-songwriter. JELLY ROLL'S WIFE BLASTS TROLLS WHO QUESTION HER FAITH AFTER RECEIVING BACKLASH FOR SKIMPY HALLOWEEN COSTUME Long before they became one of country music’s closely watched couples, the pair weathered difficult truths — including the night Bunnie learned Jelly Roll's ex-fling was waiting for him "in a hotel room down the street." "When I found out about it, I was devastated," she told Fox News Digital in February. "I was hurt because I didn’t think he would be the one person to do that. I thought he was different. And at that moment, my heart was broken. But instead of getting mad at him, I asked myself, ‘Why do I keep attracting these kinds of men?’" Bunnie admitted she hadn’t envisioned a conventional marriage. JELLY ROLL’S EX-FLING WAITED IN ‘HOTEL DOWN THE STREET’ DURING MARRIAGE CRISIS, BUNNIE XO SAYS "I think a lot of people need to realize that coming into this marriage, we weren’t a traditional bride and groom," she explained. "I was a working girl, and he was an ex-drug dealer — a gangster-turned-struggling artist. There’s a different set of rules on the street than there are in what I’d call traditional marriages. If you’ve never lived that lifestyle, you’re not going to understand. But of course, cheating is wrong across the board — it doesn’t matter." In the memoir, Bunnie also recalled learning about the alleged ex-fling. "Are you f---ing kidding me?" she wrote. "We had an agreement.... Folks started DM'ing me on social media, telling me that J was with his ex-fling. The pieces started to fit together, and it became easier to disconnect from him.... I went completely silent and didn't reach out to J or answer any calls." Shortly after, Bunnie wrote, Jelly Roll released his 2018 album, "Waylon & Willie II." "Have you ever listened to those songs?" she wrote. "Go give it a listen, and you'll clearly hear a man smack-dab in the middle of an affair, pouring his guilt into lyrics.... To this day, I still hate most of the songs on that album, and I can't listen to it all the way through." Looking back, Bunnie told Fox News Digital there were many reasons her initial "fairy tale" had become a nightmare. "It’s not so much what was going on in our marriage," she said. "It was more of my husband had a hard time letting go of the past. I had a hard time letting go of the past. We also didn’t really think the relationship was going to work. "I think a lot of it boiled down to self-worth on both parts. My husband didn't think he'd ever meet a woman who really loved him for him and just wanted to see him succeed without some of them wanting to change him.... And I had brought so much baggage into the relationship." "I had come out of a really abusive relationship," she reflected. "The first man I ever saw cheat was my father. So I just didn’t really believe in traditional marriage at the same time either. There were just so many factors of why things happened the way they did." Still, Bunnie said she was "ready for a change." So was Jelly Roll.  The two sought couples’ therapy to save their marriage. A "screaming match" broke out instead. RACHAEL RAY SAYS MARITAL BLISS COMES FROM 'SCREAMING MATCHES,' NO-APOLOGY RULE WITH HUSBAND "If I could just paint the scene for you, it’s a husband-and-wife marriage counseling couple," Bunnie told Fox News Digital.  "We’re like, ‘OK, we’re going to come in here, we’re going to learn so much, we’re going to get the tools to have a real relationship.’ We were never taught on either side of our families how to love properly. And we’re like, ‘We’re going to go in here and do this.’ That’s why we got a guy and a girl, because nobody’s going to be able to side with the other person. It’s going to be an equal opportunity employment moment." "We went in there, and this poor couple had no idea what they had stepped into," she continued. "It was stepping on a grenade. We were just screaming at each other. There was just so much anger, so much hurt, so much pain from both ends. We left that therapy session that day, and I was like, 'This is it. We’re never going to be together again.’ And I think he felt the same way too." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "We ended up coming back together," said Bunnie. "We were like, ‘I want to grow. I don’t want to be this person. I choose you. I’m going to become everything that you’ve ever wanted me to be.’" "I’m going to be a wife, and he’s going to become everything I ever wanted him to be; a husband and a father to the kids," she shared. "We just made that decision from then on to just be better humans and to break every generational curse that we had ever inherited. I was ready for a change. So was he. So we set out together to heal and grow together." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "We learned that marriage is not one-size-fits-all," Bunnie reflected. "Each person and each relationship is completely different than the next person’s. But you do have to wake up and choose that person even on days that you don’t like them." In 2023, the couple renewed their vows at the same Las Vegas chapel where they were married. Bunnie said she and her husband make the choice every day to stay dedicated to each other. At the time, she described their devotion to each other as strong. "I’ve seen 10 different versions of my husband in 10 years, and he’s seen probably four different versions of me," said Bunnie. "I’ve improved on things that I have wanted to improve personally, but I also think we just love each other for who we are — the good, the bad, the ugly." "We don’t judge each other," she said. "There’s no judgment in this house. I know everything about my husband, and he knows everything about me. No matter how hard it gets, we face things head-on. We call it ‘getting into the foxhole.’ When it’s time, we hunker down and get through life — together." Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez and Larry Fink contributed to this post. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30c12919723856783200ad Workshops offer retirement planning tips te 2026-06-16T03:21:13.969Z Workshops offer retirement planning tips Jack Burns, public affairs specialist for Social Security Administration in Arizona, will provide two free workshops to answer questions about Social Security and Medicare benefits. The July 7 presentation of “Medicare 101: Navigating the Complexities,” held from 4-5:30 p.m., will include topics like out-of-pocket costs associated with Medicare, health or prescription drug plan options, Medicare eligibility criteria and coverage, rights under Medicare and more. During the July 21 presentation of “Social Security 101: Everything You Wanted to Know,” presented from 4-5 p.m., Burns will answer these questions and more: When are you eligible to receive retirement benefits? How does early retirement affect your benefits? Do you qualify for disability, survivors, and spouse benefits? How do you get the most from your benefit? What is the future of Social Security? When should you file for Medicare? The retirement planning educational series is provided for free in partnership with The Area Agency on Aging Phoenix. Both live sessions will be presented online via Webex and include Q & A. Registration is required. Once registered, participants will receive an email with instructions on how to join the session. If you don’t see the email, check your spam folder. Call the library at 602-262-4636 for a phone-in option. Find the workshop schedule at www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org under the “Calendar” tab.  Using search term “Medicare” or “social security” will list all workshops for 2026. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30c11619723856783200a4 School offers dance camp te 2026-06-16T03:20:54.007Z School offers dance camp Children ages 4-7 can learn about the world of ballet through movement, creativity and play during the School of Ballet Arizona’s Build a Ballet Dance Camp, offered in July in downtown Phoenix (photo courtesy of Ballet Arizona). The School of Ballet Arizona will offer Build A Ballet Dance Camp this summer, with two sessions available. The Phoenix session, held at 2835 E. Washington St., will run July 13-16, from 9-11:30 a.m. Designed for ages 4–7, this camp introduces young dancers to the world of ballet through movement, creativity and play. Each day features a ballet-based class building coordination, musicality and expressive movement, along with themed storytelling and discussion. Campers learn age-appropriate choreography, enjoy a snack break with friends and create simple props to use in their end of week performance. The camp concludes with a special event for family and friends, showcasing the dancers’ choreography and handmade props. Build A Ballet is a joyful fit for any young mover who loves to imagine and create, the school says. For more information and to register, visit https://balletaz.org/school/dance-camp. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30bc9d197238567831ff12 FlagShakes to present summer festival on north quad of Northern Arizona University te 2026-06-16T03:01:49.114Z FlagShakes to present summer festival on north quad of Northern Arizona University For tickets and more information, visit flagshakes.org. Pay-What-You-Wish tickets are available for performances from July 10 to 19. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30bc89197238567831ff09 NAZ Elite wins two national championships in loaded week of racing te 2026-06-16T03:01:29.148Z NAZ Elite wins two national championships in loaded week of racing Two NAZ Elite runners took home national championships last week during a busy time for the Flagstaff-based racing team. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30bc74197238567831fefd Rock Canyon Fire reaches 500 acres east of Fredonia; Dellenbaugh Fire up to 400 acres northeast of Kingman te 2026-06-16T03:01:08.674Z Rock Canyon Fire reaches 500 acres east of Fredonia; Dellenbaugh Fire up to 400 acres northeast of Kingman The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for Arizona's social media accounts increased the total to 500 acres at 7 p.m. on Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30bc5d197238567831fed4 JD Vance reveals details of US-Iran deal, addresses whether taxpayer money will go to Tehran te 2026-06-16T03:00:45.119Z JD Vance reveals details of US-Iran deal, addresses whether taxpayer money will go to Tehran Vice President JD Vance said that the proposed U.S.-Iran deal will usher in a "new day" for the Middle East, while addressing whether U.S. taxpayer funds would be used to finance Iran’s potential $300 billion reconstruction fund in an interview Monday on "Hannity" Vance told Fox News host Sean Hannity that Iran could have access to the multibillion-dollar fund if the nation fulfills the obligations outlined in its deal with the United States. "The agreement says they are not getting a single dime of American money," he said. TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘LARGELY NEGOTIATED’ AS 84-DAY WAR NEARS POSSIBLE END "What the agreement does say, Sean, is if the Iranians behave and if there are sanctions relief and if the Iranians are integrated into the world economy, we would invite other countries, not us, but other countries to invest in their country." U.S. and Iranian officials reached an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, cease hostilities and address Tehran’s nuclear weapons program. The deal, known as a memorandum of understanding, is set to be signed on Friday in Switzerland. A proposed $300 billion fund under consideration by the Trump administration for Iran would be financed by private companies looking to invest in the country, not American taxpayers. LISA DAFTARI: HORMUZ WHIPLASH PROVES TEHRAN CAN'T HONOR ANY DEAL IT SIGNS While the full terms of the U.S.-Iran peace agreement have not been released, Vance emphasized that the deal is performance-based and said Iran will have access to the reconstruction fund only if it complies with the deal’s conditions. "The Iranians don't get a dime unless they behave and change their behavior," he said on "Hannity." "If they show verifiable commitment, and that means a real inspections regime, then they can get the benefits of the bargain." Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said, according to Tasnim News Agency, "This memorandum does not mean trusting the enemy; it has been written with active distrust." TRUMP-BACKED BOARD OF PEACE, ISRAEL 'WILL TAKE ACTION' IF HAMAS REMAINS OUT OF COMPLIANCE: NETANYAHU ADVISOR The vice president insisted that Iran has a "real opportunity" to transform the regime’s strained relationship with the United States, saying that action will be rewarded instead of words. "I think that they see there's a real opportunity here to turn over a new leaf so long as they do the right thing," Vance declared. "If the Iranians are willing to change their ways. If they're willing to behave like a normal country, stop trying to build a nuclear weapon, stop trying fund terrorism all over the Middle East, then we are willing to actually fundamentally transform our relationship with them." The vice president, who said the deal "absolutely" includes a nuclear-disarmed Iran, addressed how the administration plans to eliminate the nation’s enriched uranium stockpile. "What we're going to do, Sean, is destroy the highly enriched material, the nuclear dust, and we're gonna do it with the Iranians," he told "Hannity." "[Trump] wants us to work with the Iranians, with the international organizations to destroy that stockpile of enriched material." Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei played a direct role in shaping Iran's memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S., according to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Vance, who has taken a leading role in peace talks, revealed that some Iranian hardliners have begun questioning decades of hostility toward the United States. "You talk about hardliners and moderates. What's fascinating to me about their system is that we're seeing even people that I would have assumed are hardliners who are kind of saying, ‘Maybe it was a mistake for us to do the things that we've done over the last 40 years. Maybe we should turn over a new leaf in the relationship with the United States of America,’" he said. "We've never had this level of direct communication with the Iranian leadership." Vance said that if Iran fails to uphold its commitments, relations between the two countries will revert to their previous state. "The reason why our Arab allies, our Gulf allies, are so excited about this is because they think this is a new day in the Middle East," he told Fox News. "But again, if it's not, then it's not. If the Iranians don't comply, then we're gonna go back to the same relationship that we had before, where we have all the cards." "We have the cards, and if they don't honor the commitment, we'll figure out what to do when we get there." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30b377197238567831fcb6 Arizona could get water from San Diego within 6 months te 2026-06-16T02:22:47.459Z Arizona could get water from San Diego within 6 months Under a landmark agreement, Arizona is negotiating to buy Colorado River water now owned by a San Diego-area agency, and experts say the first of that water could be headed to the state in four to six months. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30b363197238567831fcad Bullhead City man accused of running over woman's leg at London Bridge Beach te 2026-06-16T02:22:27.484Z Bullhead City man accused of running over woman's leg at London Bridge Beach A woman suffered leg injuries after investigators say a man backed over her with a vehicle at London Bridge Beach. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30b34f197238567831fca4 Lake Havasu City woman cited after meth residue found during traffic stop te 2026-06-16T02:22:07.516Z Lake Havasu City woman cited after meth residue found during traffic stop A traffic stop near London Bridge Beach led to a drug paraphernalia citation after police found meth residue in a vehicle. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30b33b197238567831fc9b Las Vegas man arrested after punching sign at Queens Bay te 2026-06-16T02:21:47.548Z Las Vegas man arrested after punching sign at Queens Bay A heated argument at Queens Bay ended with a damaged sign and an arrest, police said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30b327197238567831fc92 Arizona Senate advances pilot program for treatment of seriously mentally ill residents te 2026-06-16T02:21:27.580Z Arizona Senate advances pilot program for treatment of seriously mentally ill residents PHOENIX — A bill aimed at expanding treatment options for Arizonans with severe mental illness is headed to the governor’s desk after winning approval in the Legislature, according to Senate Republicans. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30b313197238567831fc80 Monsoon season arrives as Havasu braces for heat, awaits summer storms te 2026-06-16T02:21:07.612Z Monsoon season arrives as Havasu braces for heat, awaits summer storms Monsoon season officially began Monday in Arizona, ushering in the state's stormiest time of year as Lake Havasu City enters the hottest stretch of summer with forecasts calling for above-average rainfall in the months ahead. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30b2fc197238567831fc57 Warriors vet Draymond Green offers NBA Finals sore loser Victor Wembanyama a lesson in ethics te 2026-06-16T02:20:44.579Z Warriors vet Draymond Green offers NBA Finals sore loser Victor Wembanyama a lesson in ethics After the 2026 NBA Finals wrapped up a Knicks-led gentleman's sweep of the San Antonio Spurs, much of the conversation has shifted to evaluating Victor Wembanyama after a self-destructive postseason debut. When the final buzzer sounded in Game 5, the 7-foot-4 French phenom skipped the traditional handshake line and headed straight for the locker room. It capped off a rough Finals from a PR standpoint. Earlier in the series, Wembanyama drew criticism for a dangerously hard foul on Brunson and was later caught on camera laughing in Mitchell Robinson's direction during a heated moment. When the reality of the loss finally set in, Wembanyama chose not to face the Knicks on the court. His postgame comments did little to clear things up, as he largely sidestepped questions about the walk-off. CHARLES BARKLEY 'ANNOYED' WITH VICTOR WEMBANYAMA BEING GIVEN 'FACE OF THE LEAGUE' TITLE The decision opened the door for one of the NBA's most ironic critics: notorious enforcer Draymond Green. The same Draymond Green who has spent much of his career blurring the line between basketball and mixed martial arts is now handing out lessons on sportsmanship. It's not so much Green's lack of self-awareness that is astonishing; it's that he actually has something to offer the young Wemby when it comes to proper conduct. On the latest episode of "The Draymond Green Show,", the Warriors veteran didn't hold back when discussing Wembanyama's decision to skip the handshake line. DRAYMOND GREEN UPSET WITH 'AGENDA' THAT HE IS AN 'ANGRY BLACK MAN' "Look your killer in the face," Green advised Wembanyama. "You gotta look them in the face. By the way, if you leave the court and you don't look me in my face and I just beat you, I actually know that I own you forever because you couldn't look me in the face." As strange as it sounds coming from Green, he's got a point. Win or lose, part of being a professional is facing the outcome. By leaving the floor immediately, Wembanyama gave critics an easy target and allowed the story to become about his temperament rather than the Knicks' championship celebration. Wembanyama remains one of the league's brightest young stars. For him, handling defeat is part of the job. As the presumed next face of the NBA, Wemby's lack of maturity after a crushing loss turned off many fans who were starting to buy into his hype. His appeal is now fair game for discussion. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela   ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30b0a4197238567831fbe1 A practical guide to not getting mauled by a bear while hiking or camping this summer te 2026-06-16T02:10:44.239Z A practical guide to not getting mauled by a bear while hiking or camping this summer If it feels like you've seen a lot of bear attack headlines lately, you're not imagining it. Over the past several weeks, a string of high-profile incidents has put bears back in the national conversation. A hiker was killed in Glacier National Park — the park's first fatal bear attack in nearly three decades. Another hiker survived a grizzly mauling on the popular Grinnell Glacier Trail just weeks later. Yellowstone visitors also found themselves on the wrong end of an encounter with a protective mother bear and her cubs near Old Faithful. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE FROM OUTKICK Frightening, yes. But before you swear off hiking forever, let's add some perspective. Millions of people recreate in bear country every year without incident. Most bears want nothing to do with humans, and most negative interactions are the result of surprise encounters, improperly stored food or people who are wildly unprepared for the environment they're entering. But a little knowledge goes a long way. So before you lace up your boots and head into bear country, here are a few things every hiker and camper should know. Most bear encounters happen because neither party knew the other was there until it was too late. That's why the No. 1 rule of hiking in bear country is simple: make noise. You don't need a bear bell. In fact, many wildlife experts will tell you they're largely ineffective because they aren't loud enough to alert a bear until it's already nearby. Instead, use your voice. Your outside voice, as they taught us in kindergarten. GRIZZLY BEAR MAULS HIKER, DRAGS HIM DOZENS OF FEET ON GLACIER NATIONAL PARK TRAIL Call out "Hey bear!" from time to time. Chat with your hiking partner about where you’ll get beers afterward. Complain loudly about the incline. Whatever. The goal is to let the bear know you're coming so it has plenty of time to leave the area before you arrive. This is especially important near rushing water, around blind corners and in dense vegetation where sound and visibility are limited. In fact, one of the common threads in several recent bear encounters — including Daniel Crago's grizzly attack in Glacier National Park — was that environmental conditions made it difficult for either the bear or the hiker to hear the other approaching. Bears generally prefer easy problems and low-risk situations. A group of hikers is bigger, louder and more intimidating than a lone person walking through the woods. While there's no magic number, hiking with three or more people is often recommended in bear country. If you're heading deep into the backcountry, this is one of the simplest ways to reduce your chances of a negative encounter. I don't know how many videos of bears breaking into cars have to go viral before people accept that these animals have phenomenal sniffers. Bears aren't just smelling your hot dogs and hamburgers. They're smelling the toothpaste, deodorant, lip balm, sunscreen, beef jerky wrapper you forgot about and the shirt you wore while cooking bacon. In camp, keep your sleeping area, cooking area and food storage area separate. Use bear-resistant canisters or bear boxes whenever they're available. If you can hang the grub, do it. And for the love of all things holy, do not store food in your tent. A clean camp is a safe camp. Wash dishes promptly. Dispose of trash properly. Don't leave food scraps sitting around. And if you're in serious grizzly country, some experts even recommend changing clothes after cooking before climbing into your sleeping bag. I promise being too careful beats a hungry middle-of-the-night visitor every single time. Notice I said "carry" it. Not "own" it. Not "pack" it. Carry it. If your bear spray is buried beneath a rain jacket, two bags of trail mix, a first-aid kit and three layers of backpack zippers, it might as well not exist. Keep it in a chest holster or on your hip where you can access it at a moment's notice. Practice removing the safety clip before your trip so you're not trying to read the instructions during a high-stress encounter. Bear spray isn't something you deploy every time you see a bear in the distance. If a bear is calmly minding its own business 100 yards away, leave it alone and continue creating distance. Bear spray is intended for situations where a bear is approaching aggressively or charging. If that happens, remove the safety clip, hold the can with both hands, and prepare to spray when the bear is roughly 30 to 40 feet away. Aim slightly downward to create a cloud between you and the animal. Think of it less like aiming a water gun and more like building a wall the bear has to run through. I know. This is antithetical to every survival instinct in your body. And it’s easy for me to say from behind a laptop — while not being stared down by a grizzly. But do not run from a bear. Bears can sprint up to 35 miles per hour. Usain Bolt’s human sprint speed record is 27.78 mph. You’re not Usain Bolt, and you don’t need me to do that math for you. If the bear hasn't noticed you, quietly back away and give it space. If it sees you, remain calm. Stand your ground. Speak in a calm, firm voice and slowly make yourself appear larger by raising your arms. Most bears will leave if given the opportunity. Your dog may be friendly. The bear does not care. One of the more common ways bear encounters escalate is when an off-leash dog runs toward a bear, annoys it, and then comes sprinting back to its owner with an angry predator in pursuit. Keep dogs leashed in bear country, and maintain control of them at all times. If you spot a bear cub, congratulations. You are almost certainly much closer to its mother than you'd ever like to be. Never approach cubs. Never position yourself between a mother and her cubs. And never stop for a photo — no matter how awestruck you are by the adorable danger puppies. An otherwise peaceful mother bear will f--- you up if she thinks you pose a threat to her babies. The good news is that most bear encounters never escalate to an attack. But if things do go sideways, the type of bear you're dealing with can influence how wildlife experts recommend responding. Black bears are often more timid and more likely to retreat if you stand your ground, make yourself look large and fight back if attacked. In the rare event of a predatory black bear attack, experts generally advise fighting with everything you've got. Grizzlies, on the other hand, are more likely to attack defensively — particularly when surprised or protecting cubs. In those situations, playing dead may be the recommended response if physical contact occurs and bear spray fails to stop the attack. The National Park Service guidance is to lie flat on your stomach, hands clasped behind your neck, legs spread to make it harder for the bear to flip you. God, that sounds terrifying. But it’s very good information to have. Of course, the goal is to never find yourself in this position in the first place. That's why making noise, storing food properly and carrying accessible bear spray remain your best defenses. The recent string of bear encounters is a good reminder that when we head into the wilderness, we're guests. Bears don't know we come in peace. They don't understand we're just there to get our steps in, snap a few photos and then head home for burgers and a shower. They're simply being bears. Most of the time, that's not a problem. But a little preparation and a healthy respect for wildlife can make all the difference between a great story to tell and a story that ends up on the evening news. Love all things adventure and outdoors? Follow OutKick Outdoors on Instagram and TikTok! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30ac1d197238567831fb29 Mayes marks DACA anniversary by vowing legal fight as Trump targets Dreamers te 2026-06-16T01:51:25.227Z Mayes marks DACA anniversary by vowing legal fight as Trump targets Dreamers Attorney General listsens to recent college graduate Noemi Lucero, who is a member of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program after her parents brought her to the United States as a 12-year-old, during a June 15, 2026, roundtable on the 14th anniversary of DACA. (Photo by Gloria Rebecca Gomez/Arizona Mirror) On the 14th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes vowed to keep defending the Dreamers who were brought to the country as children and remain undocumented. “I want every Dreamer in Arizona to know this: You have an attorney general in me who will fight for your rights, fight for your families and fight to ensure the Constitution protects everyone that it was designed to protect,” she said at a roundtable discussion in downtown Phoenix about the current and future challenges facing the Obama-era program.  More than 18,000 DACA recipients call the Grand Canyon State home, according to data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The program grants recipients a two-year legal reprieve from deportation and allows them to apply for a work permit. But due to ongoing litigation aimed at terminating it, no new applications have been approved since 2021, leaving tens of thousands of people who have spent most of their lives in the U.S. without protection from being deported. The second Trump administration has introduced new hurdles. Renewal processing timelines have increased dramatically, with some recipients waiting months for a response and others losing their jobs when their membership lapsed. And while the program promises a shield against deportation, as many as 270 recipients were detained in the first nine months since Trump took office. In the end, 174 of them were deported.   In Arizona, Mayes has mobilized her office to oppose attacks on the program in court. In February 2024, the Democrat joined 22 other attorneys general in filing an amicus brief with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals urging it to preserve the program, pushing back on nine Republican states who argued that the president doesn’t have the power to shield immigrants who arrived in the country as minors from deportation. The court ultimately kept the program in place but upheld a lower ruling that blocks the processing of new applications.  And in January 2025, Mayes and 13 other attorneys general sought to intervene in a case that aimed to bar DACA recipients from purchasing health care insurance through the Affordable Care Marketplace. Later that same year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services made DACA recipients ineligible for coverage through the marketplace. To commemorate the anniversary of the program’s inception in 2012, Mayes spoke with Dreamer students and immigrant advocates in the Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center in downtown Phoenix, a small, Latino-focused art gallery and event space. Flanked by brightly colored portraits of Frida Kahlo, the Democrat reaffirmed her commitment to the state’s DACA population and highlighted her office’s pushback against the federal government’s aggressive immigration crackdown.  In particular, Mayes touted her lawsuit against a detention center in Surprise and legal guidance issued in the first few months of Trump’s second presidency advising schools on how to respond to visits from immigration agents.  Reyna Montoya, the CEO of Aliento, an organization that works with and advocates on behalf of Dreamers, told Mayes that wishlist policies include congressional action providing DACA recipients with a pathway to citizenship and state-level changes opening up professional licenses to Dreamers.  Montoya, who is a DACA recipient herself, noted that the program was never intended to be a permanent fix and said that the rolling two-year expiration date makes the future uncertain for people trying to earn degrees, advance their careers and build their families. She added that the lack of state-level protections for DACA recipients seeking professional licenses only worsens that uncertainty, especially because the work authorization granted under the program is increasingly at risk due to legal threats and even processing delays.  Arizona doesn’t require proof of citizenship to be a lawyer or doctor, but some professional fields, like nursing, do require applicants to provide proof of citizenship or lawful alien status. Currently, that means DACA recipients can become nurses, too, but Montoya said that state-level protections would still be valuable because the program’s future isn’t guaranteed. “Right now, we’re seeing DACA delays,” she reminded Mayes. “Or if the DACA program were to be taken away, what’s going to happen to those folks that already are nurses? Then is their licensure going to be taken away?”  Mayes promised to have her office look into the issue.  Young Dreamers shared the fear their families have felt amid the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign and urged Mayes to keep supporting the program and immigrant rights in court.  Luis Duque, who came to America with his family from Chiapas, Mexico, when he was an infant, said that his dream is to become a civil rights lawyer. The only difference between him and his classmates, he said, is where they were born.  “All I know is the American culture, American school system, the customs and the holidays,” he said. “My peers, the only difference is that they’re born here. They just beat me by, like, a week.”  Noemi Lucero is a 21-year-old recent graduate from Phoenix College who hopes to someday help manage and improve Phoenix’s public transportation system. She moved to the U.S. from Sonora, Mexico, when she was 12 years old; she said her family told her it was a temporary trip.  “I was told it was a vacation. This is the longest vacation I’ve ever had!” she said, chuckling.  While Mayes said she expects that Arizona will continue to face anti-immigrant attacks from the Trump administration in the next two years, her ability to act against them remains uncertain. The Democrat is seeking reelection in November and her Republican opponents are vocal supporters of President Donald Trump and his mass deportation agenda.  Montoya said she worries that a regime change could lead to an Attorney General’s Office that isn’t as willing to oppose injustices against DACA recipients or Dreamers, including the rise in detainments.  “There is a concern about the attitudes of elected officials towards Dreamers and DACA recipients,” she said. “We have that protection from deportation, and currently (the U.S. Department of Homeland Security) is not supposed to be detaining us, so I think that I am concerned if we have someone else in office that might not want to follow the same procedure.”  Senate President Warren Petersen, one of the Republican candidates for AG, has supported legislation that would force schools to open their doors to ICE agents to enter schools and was among the main architects of Secure the Border Act, which sought to make it a state crime to cross the border without authorization anywhere but at an official port of entry.  Petersen didn’t respond to a request for comment on whether he would join litigation to preserve the DACA program if elected. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30ac07197238567831fb09 Russia linked to arson attacks on properties connected to UK PM Keir Starmer, police say te 2026-06-16T01:51:03.208Z Russia linked to arson attacks on properties connected to UK PM Keir Starmer, police say Officials on Monday revealed new details about a series of arson attacks targeting properties connected to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alleging the suspects were recruited and directed by a Russian-speaking handler. According to police and court reporting, the suspects were promised payment to carry out a coordinated campaign in London in May 2025, including attacks involving a vehicle and two properties linked to Starmer. A new investigation reported that the handler is believed to be a diplomat trained in information warfare and part of a broader Russian sabotage and disinformation operation directed from Moscow, according to the Kyiv Post. Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 22, and Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, were convicted in connection with the arson plot after Lavrynovych was recruited by a Russian-speaking Telegram handler known as "El Money," according to police and court reporting. Kyiv Post reported that Carpiuc was also born in Ukraine. A third defendant, Petro Pochynok, 35, was acquitted. BRITISH POLICE INVESTIGATE FIRE AT PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER'S LONDON HOME According to police, Lavrynovych was recruited through Telegram by a Russian-speaking handler saved in his phone contacts as "El Money," who allegedly directed him through a series of increasingly serious tasks while promising payment in return. "Look, you attacked the home of a very high-ranking person in Britain. I’ll send you the money you need to leave the city," the handler allegedly wrote in one message cited by investigators, according to Kyiv Post. BRITAIN INTRODUCES SWEEPING NEW POWERS TO TARGET FOREIGN STATE-LINKED GROUPS INCLUDING IRAN'S IRGC The handler reportedly offered Lavrynovych Russian citizenship in exchange for carrying out the attacks and frequently voiced support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the outlet. Evidence also suggested that "El Money" was trained in information warfare by propagandists and intelligence operatives, the outlet said. Investigators added that Russian operatives allegedly coordinated the campaign remotely through social media platforms and Telegram, using fake far-right and Muslim online communities to sow division and fear in the U.K., Kyiv Post said. The Russian Embassy has reportedly denied any involvement, rejecting "any attempt to associate Russia or its foreign ministry with unlawful activities," according to the report. SYNAGOGUE IN LONDON TARGETED IN ATTEMPTED 'ANTISEMITIC HATE CRIME,' UK POLICE SAY According to officials, the three arson attacks occurred over a five-day period in May 2025. The first attack took place on May 8, when a Toyota vehicle formerly owned by Starmer was set ablaze. A second fire was set on May 11 at the entrance of a residential property that was managed by a company in which Starmer had previously served as a director and shareholder. The third attack occurred on May 12 at a house that is owned by the prime minister. "The actions of the two men involved in these arson attacks were incredibly reckless, and it was sheer luck that nobody was killed or injured," Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said in a statement. Police said Lavrynovych was arrested on May 13 last year after detectives linked the suspect to the attacks through CCTV footage and phone records indicating he had conducted reconnaissance ahead of the fires. Authorities said Carpiuc was arrested on May 17 in the departure lounge at Luton Airport moments before boarding a flight to Romania. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30abf3197238567831fb00 After Threats, lawsuits and chaos, Brendan Sorsby and Texas Tech going their separate ways te 2026-06-16T01:50:43.761Z After Threats, lawsuits and chaos, Brendan Sorsby and Texas Tech going their separate ways After a seven-day battle that spanned multiple courtrooms, Brendan Sorsby has decided that he will not play college football this season at Texas Tech. The decision comes on the same day that the Big 12 filed a lawsuit in a Texas federal court that was aimed at being provided the power to sanction Texas Tech for playing the quarterback this season, even with the NCAA ruling him ineligible to play. Over the past three months, Sorsby had been embroiled in an NCAA investigation tied to thousands of bets placed during his college career, with a number of them coming while he was on the roster at Indiana. These bets were flagged by law enforcement officials, who then turned them over to the NCAA. Big 12 files lawsuit against Texas Tech seeking court approval to sanction school over Brendan Sorsby During these last few weeks, Sorsby filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in Lubbock district court, where an injunction was granted that would have allowed him to suit up this season for the Red Raiders. Then came the backlash from across college athletics, with the Big 12 conference searching for ways in which it could possibly punish Texas Tech. That lawsuit from Sorsby is expected to be dropped on Tuesday morning, sources tell OutKick. The school will also continue to support the quarterback in his battle off the field with an addiction to gambling. Also, Texas Tech officials are not going to be seeking a return of money already paid to Sorsby, with sources noting that the quarterback had already taken home a significant amount of earnings. Board of Regents chair, Cody Campbell, released a statement on Monday night, confirming these details. "Texas Tech will not seek return of any amounts already paid to Brendan through his NIL agreements with the University," Campbell noted. The unfortunate part for all involved was how far Texas Tech was going in its route to potentially get him on the field this season. Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to Big 12 officials, warning them that if the conference were to punish the school for playing Sorsby, the state would take them to court in return. Then came a scathing letter from Sorsby's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, who also threatened to sue the Big 12 conference, on behalf of Texas Tech, if there were any punishments handed down by the conference. To make the situation even messier, Texas Tech officials released a 21-minute video last week, where they went over certain guardrails that were put into place for Sorsby once he was granted an injunction. The video was obviously not received well, and officials at Texas Tech were enduring a tremendous amount of backlash from opposing conference leaders from across the Big 12. Over the last 24 hours, the conversation shifted within Lubbock, as the school knew that Big 12 officials were preparing to file a federal lawsuit regarding Sorsby. Those within Sorsby's inner circle were starting to feel the pressure to go ahead and enter his name into the NFL Supplemental draft, and not have to deal with the immense pressure that was not going away any time soon. "I have no idea why they would try to justify this over the past week, it just made zero sense. The amount of heat that young man was getting, along with what was still to come, was not worth the hassle," one Power Four athletic director told OutKIck. "Texas Tech should’ve made this decision on their own when he was first confronted by the NCAA. This is the reason why we have language in rev-share and NIL contracts that also correlate with NCAA rules. "Once the school knew rules had been broken, this should have been the end of the conversation." BRENDAN SORSBY ADMITS WAGERING NEARLY $90,000 DURING COLLEGE CAREER AS NCAA FIGHT HEATS UP In reality, Texas Tech overplayed its hand in this one, and the past few days that included Cody Campbell making an appearance on the Dan Dakich show and trying to compare the situation to the fallout at Penn State with Jerry Sandusky only made this worse. Now, for all of the damage this has done over the past few weeks, Sorsby will move on to a professional career. In the meantime, Texas Tech will do whatever is needed to repair any type of fractured relationships within the Big 12 this has caused. For Brendan Sorsby, the focus will be on his continued battle with a gambling addiction, while he also prepares himself for life outside of college football. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30a99b197238567831fa8f Major League Baseball warns San Francisco Giants players for writing Bible verses on Pride Night hats te 2026-06-16T01:40:43.785Z Major League Baseball warns San Francisco Giants players for writing Bible verses on Pride Night hats Late last week, the San Francisco Giants hosted their "Pride Night," with the team wearing hats with a rainbow-colored Giants logo. Several Giants pitchers, in a statement of their faith, wrote Bible verse designations on their hats. One, starting pitcher Landen Roupp, addressed his reasoning after the game, saying that the verse is about representing "God's covenant." "It's just about God's covenant and a promise that he makes to us that, you know, his faithfulness and his mercy," Roupp said to reporters. "That's just kind of something I believe in, and I stand firm in that, and I'm thankful we live in a country where, you know, we have the freedom to believe what we want ... and express what we want. "There's no hate at all. It’s just what I stand for, and what I stand in. I believe in God," he added. DODGERS PITCHER CLAYTON KERSHAW DISPLAYS BIBLE PASSAGE ON HAT DURING PRIDE NIGHT Naturally, that public expression of Christian faith did not go over well with left-wing sportswriters who criticized Roupp and his teammates. Well, those critics will be overjoyed to hear that Major League Baseball has now officially stepped in. Per The Athletic, an MLB official has now "warned" those players against violating the rules and writing on their cap. "The writing on the cap violates our rules, and consistent with normal practice, we have warned the players about future violations," said Pat Courtney, MLB’s chief communications officer, in a statement. DODGERS RELIEF PITCHER BLAKE TREINEN PAYS TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE KIRK ON MOUND WITH PERSONALIZED HAT It's interesting that the league chose to issue this warning, considering writing on caps has long been a part of the sport. As just one example, during the 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, players from both sides wrote "#51" on their hats as a gesture of support for Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia. Vesia and his wife tragically lost their newborn baby daughter as the series started. Did the league warn those players against writing on their caps then? Another Dodgers reliever, Blake Treinen, drew two crosses with Charlie Kirk's name on his hat after Kirk was assassinated in 2025. Clayton Kershaw also wrote a Bible verse on his "Pride Night" hat. Were both those players warned against further writing? Aroldis Chapman and Adolis Garcia in 2021 wrote "SOS CUBA" on their hats during the All-Star Game that year. Were they warned? ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! On the other hand, would MLB have warned a player for writing a message of say, support for left-wing politics, or for the LGBTQ+ community, for example? This is, after all, the same leadership team that pulled the All-Star Game out of Georgia because of misinformation from Joe Biden, Stacey Abrams and left-wing sportswriters about the state's new voting rights bill. Would they be issuing this warning if not for more criticism from the political left? As for the team itself, nobody seemed to care. Manager Tony Vitello spoke about it after the Friday night game against the Cubs, telling reporters that nothing was discussed with the protesting players. "Not really. I mean, just kind of a general knowledge of the individuals have the freedom to do what they think is best," Vitello said. "But I do think it’s been apparent from day one, actually, even some of the exhibition games, it’s pretty impressive how the Giants, as an organization, try and embrace the entire community..." Perhaps this policy is universally applied and warnings were issued for each and every instance. But it wouldn't be remotely surprising if the league, once again, caved to pressure from left-wing groups to enforce conformity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30a51c197238567831f972 Colin Sahlman wins NCAA outdoor championship in 800-meter te 2026-06-16T01:21:32.456Z Colin Sahlman wins NCAA outdoor championship in 800-meter Sahlman closes his college career with a national championship for Northern Arizona. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30a508197238567831f969 HCH Pet of the Week: Nonna te 2026-06-16T01:21:12.488Z HCH Pet of the Week: Nonna Meet Nonna, a 5-year-old, 90-lb. Pyrenees with a heart every bit as big as she is. This gentle giant is the total package: sweet, smart, and ready to become someone's loyal best friend. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30a4f4197238567831f960 HCH Pet of the Week: Zo te 2026-06-16T01:20:52.524Z HCH Pet of the Week: Zo Zo is looking for a loving home! Things the team knows about me: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30a2c3197238567831f90a America 250 Time Capsule te 2026-06-16T01:11:31.512Z America 250 Time Capsule People move past Independence Hall at the Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30a280197238567831f8b8 How the Kratom Industry Won Friends in the Trump Administration te 2026-06-16T01:10:24.570Z How the Kratom Industry Won Friends in the Trump Administration A sprawling influence campaign to promote a risky drug called kratom has gained allies among top Trump administration officials. Our investigative reporter Kenneth P. Vogel explains. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30a03c197238567831f844 Variety blasts Donald Trump for hosting UFC 250 Freedom event at the White House: 'Idiocracy' te 2026-06-16T01:00:44.066Z Variety blasts Donald Trump for hosting UFC 250 Freedom event at the White House: 'Idiocracy' There are few things that the left hates more than celebrations of America. Particularly when those celebrations involve more grandiose demonstrations of patriotism, or are organized by someone who doesn't share their political ideology or belief system. Which made the UFC event held outside the White House on Sunday evening a perfect storm for left-wing media members desperate for something to hate. And boy oh boy, did they hate seeing an event programmed to celebrate the United States. Variety, ostensibly a publication dedicated to covering the entertainment industry, published an extraordinarily angry column from Marlow Stern, who argued that the UFC event was reminiscent of a scene from the movie "Idiocracy." "At no point has the Trump presidency more closely resembled a scene out of "Idiocracy," Mike Judge’s 2006 satire about a Philistine society that abhors intellectualism, than on Sunday night, as the White House played host to UFC Freedom 250 — a series of MMA brawls on the South Lawn ostensibly meant to commemorate the 250th birthday of America, but really to honor the 80th birthday of President Donald J. Trump, a man whose thirst for adulation and public spectacle will never be quenched," she writes. CAPEHART, BROOKS SNEER AT WHITE HOUSE UFC FIGHT NIGHT AS 'DEGRADING,' SAY US IS 'IN CULTURAL DECLINE' What now? You don't have to be a fan of UFC, or MMA, to have appreciated the views and pageantry of the event. The flyover, the atmosphere, the crowd and the impressive feat of constructing the platform, stage and stands on the White House lawn. All paid for by UFC, not American taxpayers. Stern was also furious that the "garish ceremony" was broadcast on Paramount+. Why? Because it's owned by CBS. "The garish ceremony was broadcast live on Paramount+, a streaming platform owned by David Ellison, a Trump loyalist who’s been reshaping CBS News to be more MAGA-friendly." Somehow, it seems doubtful Stern would have the same complaints if say, MSNBC broadcast a "garish" Biden administration event celebrating Pride Month or something similar. Because it's not about UFC, David Ellison, or any sane, rational complaint. It's just blind hatred of Donald Trump and anything that can even be tangentially related to Trump. Not to mention that "reshaping" CBS to be "MAGA-friendly" simply means trying to inject some objectivity into their reporting and broadcasts. But Stern is so used to every media broadcast and outlet she consumes being tilted in her political direction that equality feels like imbalance. Was Stern done there? No, of course not. When Joe Rogan described the event as a "surreal" experience, Stern somehow related it to...Jan. 6? ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "I’m not sure if it was more surreal than seeing a violent mob of thousands of Trump supporters lay siege to the Capitol, with some smearing their own feces on its walls, on Jan. 6," she writes. That's the real reason for the column. Stern is an angry liberal, someone whose entire perspective on the country, on sports, on entertainment, is based on the ideology of the president. When it's a Republican, every event, every comment, every movie, must be judged through that lens. When a Democrat is in charge, it's the opposite. When the Biden administration had any number of bizarre performances, celebrations and statements, Stern and those like her angrily denounced anyone who criticized them. But now that there's a celebration of America's anniversary with a special sporting event? Break out the outrage. It's lazy, it's repetitive and it's predictable. It's politically motivated left-wing criticism in a nutshell. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a309b76197238567831f757 U.S.‑Iran ceasefire deal is a costly return to prewar conditions te 2026-06-16T00:40:22.181Z U.S.‑Iran ceasefire deal is a costly return to prewar conditions Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a309976197238567831f72a Trump’s White House UFC spectacle: Blood, profanity and military pomp te 2026-06-16T00:31:50.734Z Trump’s White House UFC spectacle: Blood, profanity and military pomp WASHINGTON – Heavyweight Josh Hokit had just won a heavyweight UFC match by technical knockout in a cage on the White House lawn, in a controversial spectacle hosted by President Donald Trump as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations. “Shout out to Trump for having the balls to put some s— like this on,” Hokit shouted as the crowd roared. Then he took aim at a former first lady: “Michelle Obama is a man! Am I right, America?” UFC Freedom 250, the biggest stage in the history of mixed martial arts, lived up to the hype. For over four hours, fighters put their combat skills on display in a loud, lavish and bloody way never before seen on Pennsylvania Avenue. President Donald J. Trump attends UFC Freedom 250, the mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Sunday, June 14, 2026, on the South Lawn of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok) Arizona’s own Justin Gaethje gave the undefeated lightweight Ilia Topuria a beating severe enough that a doctor nearly put a stop to it, capping Trump’s gladiator-esque 80th birthday party with a storybook ending for fans of the sport.  A flyover by the Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds, delayed by rain, signaling the start of the event flew over the towering “claw,” installed on the South Lawn to light the octagonal ring. An Air Force B-1 bomber shook downtown D.C. around 11:30 p.m. with a low altitude pass over the White House. Fireworks were still going off two hours later.  The military presence was heavy.  Thousands of tickets went to uniformed personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines who had to pay their own way to the capital and were only allowed in if they met stringent fitness standards. Fighters were escorted to the ring from the Oval Office by “American heroes.” SWAT team members and other first responders flanked them on one side. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform a flyover at the White House during UFC Freedom 250, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok) On the other were service members such as Army Staff Sgt. Ty Carter, who was awarded a Medal of Honor for valor in Afghanistan in 2009 and acknowledged that the UFC event was out of the ordinary. “I don’t understand what normal is supposed to be anymore,” Carter said Monday via email. “Receiving the Medal Of Honor has made experiences like this a normal thing. How many times do you have to experience a ‘once in a lifetime event’ to make things normal?” As for whether he thought twice about participating in the White House event, Carter said, “No, I was not hesitant. The USO has provided morale and entertainment for our service members since it was established. It is nice that the White House is finally stepping up again.” UFC CEO Dana White condemned Hokit’s attack on Michelle Obama. Trump and the White House did not. White described the event as historic for the sport.  The only way to watch was on Paramount+. Viewership figures may not be available for at least a month.  For fans who tuned in, there was plenty of excitement. Gaethje did the unthinkable. At 37 years old, after a long career in which he came close but never touched undisputed gold, “The Highlight” overcame 6:1 odds to defeat Topuria, considered by many UFC fans to be the scariest man in the lightweight division. Gaethje didn’t just beat the most dominant fighter in the division; he completely broke him.  At one point, a doctor’s stoppage seemed imminent as the event medical staff checked out Topuria’s disfigured face. A rain of boos came from the crowd and Topuria begged the doctor not to stop it. The doctor gave in to the pleas and allowed the fight to continue. Although the District of Columbia Combat Sports Commission would ordinarily have jurisdiction, the UFC bypassed the commission, asserting that was an option because the fight was on federal land. Instead, the Association of Boxing Commissions sanctioned the bouts. Ultimately, Topuria’s corner threw in the towel after the fourth round. He walked away from the cage and onto the White House lawn badly bloodied and unrecognizable.  He tried to cover his face with a shirt as he was escorted away.  Sean “Suga” O’Malley was another familiar face for Arizona fight fans who shone on the world stage. Fighting out of the Valley of the Sun, O’Malley did what he does best and produced yet another knockout highlight to add to his extensive portfolio. The 31-year-old former bantamweight champion splits his training time between gyms in Glendale and Peoria. He coaches from the corner of Alex “The Most Educated” Preissing, an Arizona State University law school graduate who practices law and is training to be a professional MMA fighter. O’Malley, in his typical fighting fashion, looked as calm as one can be in a cage match. He picked his shots carefully, striking with deadly precision and finishing Canadian Aiemann Zahabi late in the second round via technical knockout. The post Trump’s White House UFC spectacle: Blood, profanity and military pomp appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30994a197238567831f6fa Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau steal kisses during Santa Barbara picnic ahead of one-year anniversary te 2026-06-16T00:31:06.147Z Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau steal kisses during Santa Barbara picnic ahead of one-year anniversary Katy Perry was living a teenage dream with Justin Trudeau over the weekend. Perry, 41, and Trudeau, 54, looked to be lucky in love while enjoying a picnic at the park in Santa Barbara, Calif. The "Firework" singer stole a few kisses from her boyfriend during the playful date before she embarks on a festival circuit over the summer. TAYLOR SWIFT, NICOLE SCHERZINGER AND KATY PERRY STUN ON THE RED CARPET Perry looked casually cute for her day in the park and wore a white T-shirt with khaki slacks. She kept her eyes shielded from the bright summer sun with a pair of sunglasses and an oversized hat. KATY PERRY AND JUSTIN TRUDEAU PACK ON THE PDA IN AFFECTIONATE RED CARPET DEBUT AT TRIBECA FESTIVAL Trudeau embraced the Southern California vibes and wore a green T-shirt with black shorts and a pair of dark sunglasses. The couple giggled between kisses and lounged on a red-and-white picnic blanket while overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Perry was also spotted behind the wheel of an electric vehicle and tooled around town with Trudeau riding in the passenger seat. KATY PERRY AND JUSTIN TRUDEAU PDA SESSION CONFIRMS ROMANCE RUMORS The "Dark Horse" musician was likely catching a few more quiet moments with her boyfriend after revealing last week that she'll spend the summer abroad with an entirely new show for summer festival season. Ahead of their one year anniversary, the couple only recently made their red carpet debut while attending the Tribeca Festival in New York. Days later, they were spotted together in Los Angeles as she performed during the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup. The former Canadian prime minister showed his love for the pop star while attending the premiere of "Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour - Live from Paris." KATY PERRY KISSES JUSTIN TRUDEAU IN INTIMATE HOLIDAY PHOTOS FEATURING EX ORLANDO BLOOM "This is very different than 'Part of Me,'" Perry told People, alluding to her 2012 documentary. "That was more of a documentary about my life, and this is really a concert experience at the highest level for the fans." "I mean, I'm doing all of this for my fans because they are the ones that have helped me along for all these years, over 18 years, and it's just such a fun thing to encapsulate." The power couple began dating nearly one year ago after first being spotted dining together at Le Violon in Montréal in July. At the time, a source told The Sun that the politician "has been single for a while and has enjoyed getting to know her." "He likes her personality, and they are two people who really enjoy chatting about different topics, and they click very well so far, as they are going to see each other again very soon." KATY PERRY AND JUSTIN TRUDEAU’S BUDDING RELATIONSHIP HAS DEPTH DESPITE DUO'S BUSY SCHEDULES: REPORT "He is feeling that talking to her and getting to know her is very refreshing, like a breath of fresh air in his life," the source continued. "He was happy to connect with her so well, and that she appreciates him being a normal, respectful person who was very understanding of her recent separation from Orlando Bloom." Perry and Bloom confirmed their breakup last summer after more than a decade together, while Trudeau separated from his wife of 18 years, Sophie Grégoire, in 2023. "They are interested in each other, but it will take a while to see where this goes," the source said. "She is traveling around the world, and he is figuring out his life now that he is no longer prime minister of Canada, but there is an attraction. They have a lot in common." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS After Perry officially launched her relationship with Trudeau on social media in December, a source told People that the former prime minister's persistence paid off. "The only reason this turned into something real is because Justin has been so persistent," the source said at the time. "She wasn't looking to date when they first hung out and she certainly wasn't looking for a boyfriend." "He's shown her over and over again that he genuinely wants to see her," the source said at the time. "He's flown all over the world to spend time with her while she toured. She likes spending time with him." The source concluded, "She's flattered that he's made such a big effort and she's excited to be dating him." Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a309921197238567831f6dc Az's 911 emergency lines restored after statewide outage te 2026-06-16T00:30:25.191Z Az's 911 emergency lines restored after statewide outage Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3096c6197238567831f689 Attempted BASE Jump in Utah Kills 2, Including Acclaimed Extreme Athlete te 2026-06-16T00:20:22.589Z Attempted BASE Jump in Utah Kills 2, Including Acclaimed Extreme Athlete Andrew Lewis, 39, best known for performing in the halftime show of a Super Bowl, was killed in the accident. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3094af197238567831f667 New Arizona budget deal includes no tax on tips te 2026-06-16T00:11:27.003Z New Arizona budget deal includes no tax on tips PHOENIX— The 2026 state budget deal has something for everyone – including people who make tips. The provision is a state effort to incorporate President Donald Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful, Bill” in Arizona.  This deal incorporates full federal tax conformity provisions, meaning that Arizona taxpayers will not have to refile their tax returns. Arizona is the first state to incorporate Trump’s tax cuts at the state level. Arizona lawmakers passed the budget deal Wednesday. It will, according to Gov. Katie Hobbs’ statement, “put Arizona first and deliver opportunity, security and freedom throughout the state.” The total budget is estimated to deliver $1.45 billion in tax relief over four years and keep spending growth to 3.05%.  But for small businesses with tip-based employees, the bill’s effects might be less dramatic.  Dennis Hoffman, the director of the Center for Competitiveness and Prosperity Research at the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, explained that the budget wouldn’t have as big of an impact on employees as some small businesses might expect. “It may be important relief to people that are earning tip money, but I don’t think it’s a significant amount of money that’s going to be lost in the state coffers,” Hoffman said. Jenny Brown, an associate professor of accountancy at the W.P Carey School of Business, agrees that the impact will be minimal. “This no tax on tips provision is really kind of more of a political play, it’s more of a political slogan,” Brown said. “Economically, it’s more accurate to describe it as a very targeted income tax deduction.”  For some working class individuals, the bill can offer a glimmer of hope. Carlos Palomera, a server at JINYA Ramen Bar and senior at Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at ASU, said he believed in the budget’s potential. “I am a college student full time, (so) I rely on tips to pay my rent, pay my car, gas, groceries, like any other person,” Palomera said. “So I do agree with it.” Palomera’s former coworker, Alyssa Hicks, worked in tip-based jobs for 10 years. She thought that the law was promising, but wouldn’t solve an economy that is already tip-based. “It’s kind of putting a Band-aid on a bigger problem, and I think that problem is that American workers just aren’t paid a livable wage,” Hicks said. “I just feel like them doing no tax on tips is kind of giving them a reason to not increase the wages to a livable state.” Still, both Democrats and Republicans have agreed that the budget deal will help working class Arizonans.  “By adopting President Trump’s tax cuts at the state level, expanding tax relief for families and protecting educational freedom, we’re helping Arizonans keep more of their hard-earned money while ensuring our state remains economically competitive,” Senate President Warren Petersen said in a statement. The post New Arizona budget deal includes no tax on tips appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a309482197238567831f637 $104,200 salary in Orange County, California considered 'low-income' by state officials te 2026-06-16T00:10:42.466Z $104,200 salary in Orange County, California considered 'low-income' by state officials A six-figure salary is officially considered "low-income" in Orange County, California, according to state housing officials. The California Department of Housing and Community Development released its 2026 state income limits, revealing that a single-person household in Orange County earning $104,200 or less per year now qualifies for low-income housing assistance. The updated threshold represents a significant jump from last year’s cutoff of $94,750. State officials use the annual report to determine eligibility for income-restricted apartments and local housing assistance programs. Because state metrics weigh income against local housing costs, skyrocketing real estate prices have pushed Orange County's low-income threshold higher than its actual median individual income. CALIFORNIA GUARANTEED INCOME ADVOCACY GROUP RECOMMENDS PERMANENT POLICY FUNDED BY 'DEDICATED LOCAL TAXES' The figures underscore an ongoing affordability crisis that has residents questioning their future in the region. A 2024 survey conducted by the University of California, Irvine found that 51% of Orange County residents have considered relocating, with more than three-quarters of those potential "leavers" citing the crushing cost of housing as their primary motivator. For many renters in the area, homeownership seems out of reach. Data from the California Association of Realtors shows that just 18% of Orange County households earn the minimum annual income required to afford a median-priced home in the county, where the median price tags hover around $1.44 million. Statewide, homeownership remains a steep hurdle, with just over half of Californians—55.3%—owning their homes. LA HOTELS HIT BY LARGEST JOB LOSSES IN A DECADE AS 'OLYMPIC WAGE' MANDATES BITE, DATA SHOWS As housing costs and tax burdens remain high, California's major metropolitan areas continue to see steady population declines. Neighboring Los Angeles County led the nation in population loss last year. U.S. Census Bureau data released in March 2026 shows that between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, LA County lost 53,421 residents—the largest numeric decline of any county in the United States. Since 2020, Los Angeles County’s total population has shrunk from roughly 10 million to 9.7 million. CALIFORNIA ‘BASIC INCOME’ EXPERIMENT FAILS TO PROVIDE ‘FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE,’ STUDY FINDS Further north, San Francisco's population has similarly failed to recover from its pandemic-era low. Despite a localized economic boom driven by the artificial intelligence sector, newly released Census estimates show the city’s total population remains well below 2020 levels.  Similar to Los Angeles, the Bay Area hub has spent the last several years plagued by skyrocketing costs of living, rampant homelessness, and concerns over retail crime. Fox News Digital reached out to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for comment. Fox News Digital's Kristen Altus contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a309216197238567831f5cf Sundar Pichai faces boos, walkout at Stanford graduation ceremony over Google’s Israel, ICE ties te 2026-06-16T00:00:22.044Z Sundar Pichai faces boos, walkout at Stanford graduation ceremony over Google’s Israel, ICE ties AI is once again at the heart of a college graduation protest — this time for the technology's use in Google's defense contracts. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308fe5197238567831f57f Teen accused of killing stepsister on Carnival cruise ship ordered detained before murder trial te 2026-06-15T23:51:01.534Z Teen accused of killing stepsister on Carnival cruise ship ordered detained before murder trial The teen stepbrother accused of killing 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival cruise ship has been ordered detained pending trial after a federal judge reversed course and found that no release conditions could reasonably protect the community. Timothy Hudson, identified in federal filings as T.H. because he is a minor, had previously been allowed to remain out of jail in the custody of a family member under strict conditions. He was 16 when he allegedly killed Kepner. But in a June 10 order, U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres granted the government’s motion to revoke that release after Hudson’s case was transferred from juvenile proceedings to adult prosecution. The judge said the legal landscape changed once Hudson was moved into adult court. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER Hudson is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of Kepner, who was found dead Nov. 7, 2025, inside the cabin she shared with Hudson aboard a Carnival cruise ship on the high seas bound for Miami. The court said the medical examiner concluded Kepner had been sexually assaulted and then asphyxiated. SEND US A TIP HERE The judge wrote that the ruling was based on danger, not flight risk, writing that the original release conditions were sufficient to assure Hudson’s appearance in court but not enough to assure public safety. ANNA KEPNER’S SUSPECTED CRUISE SHIP KILLER CARRIED OUT ‘BARBARIC, INTENTIONAL, THOUGHTFUL ACT’: PROSECUTORS "The danger posed by the conduct charged here (the alleged first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse of a young woman and step-sister of the Defendant while they were in confined quarters of a ship at sea) is sufficient by itself to require detention," Torres wrote. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST Hudson had no prior record, voluntarily surrendered and complied with his release conditions for months, the judge noted. But Torres said those facts did not outweigh the seriousness of the allegations. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB The court found that the alleged killing of a household member in a private living space was the kind of danger that home detention, curfews, location monitoring and third-party custody are "least able to address." The judge also pointed to the approaching September trial date, saying there was concern Hudson could "make another very wrong decision the closer the trial gets." Torres ordered that Hudson receive mental health evaluation and treatment while in custody. A sealed supplemental order, reviewed by Fox News Digital, directed that Hudson be delivered to the U.S. Marshals at 8 a.m. Monday in Tampa. Torres ordered that Hudson be housed only with juveniles, have access to counsel and family communication, and receive continued visits from mental health professionals. Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Attorney's Office and Hudson's attorneys for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308fd2197238567831f576 Trump admin puts alleged 'birth tourism' scheme on notice as expert delivers warning to hospitals te 2026-06-15T23:50:42.083Z Trump admin puts alleged 'birth tourism' scheme on notice as expert delivers warning to hospitals The Trump administration is using visa enforcement to target "birth tourism," an alleged scheme utilized by foreign nationals to obtain visitor visas for the primary purpose of giving birth in the U.S. and securing American citizenship for their children. The Trump administration recently announced that it disrupted "a sophisticated birth tourism network" in West Africa involving more than 100 foreign nationals utilizing false documents and, what the State Department described as "fixers," to get themselves visas to go to the United States to give birth so their children would be born on U.S. soil and treated as American citizens. But that was just one of the networks the State Department indicated it had uncovered. The agency's announcement said U.S. officials identified more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases emanating from Europe since 2024, and tied to at least six companies that helped coach applicants on what to say during their visa interview, arranged housing and set-up delivery plans. "We shut it down, revoked these foreign nationals’ visas, and are coordinating with local authorities to systematically identify and cut off any similar operations," the State Department said in its announcement. "A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right. The State Department is taking action around the world to stop this abuse, dismantle birth tourism networks, and hold accountable those who try to scam our system." SEN. BLACKBURN TARGETS BIRTH TOURISM, 'BUYING AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP' IN SUPPORT OF TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION AGENDA The effort comes as Trump has renewed his long-running criticism of birthright citizenship, including through a 2025 executive order seeking to narrow who is automatically treated as a U.S. citizen at birth. It also builds on a first-term Trump administration rule from 2020 that instructed consular officers to deny visitor visas to foreign nationals believed to be traveling to the U.S. primarily to give birth and obtain American citizenship for their children. "President Trump will always put the American people first. Uninhibited birth tourism poses a tremendous cost to taxpayers and threatens our national security," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Fox News Digital. "The Trump administration is effectively ending this practice, which brings the United States in line with the policy of most countries around the world." TRUMP LOCKS IN ICE FUNDING THROUGH END OF PRESIDENCY AFTER HOUSE PASSES $70B PACKAGE Federation for American Immigration Reform's Ira Mehlman noted to Fox News Digital that visa fraud is "a significant issue," pointing out it is a problem even outside the framework of birth tourism.  "The prospect of birthright citizenship is undeniably an inducement for people to commit visa fraud," Mehlman said. "Birth tourism would not exist otherwise." "Obviously, any woman who does not disclose her intention to have her baby in the U.S. when she applies for a visa is committing fraud. Remove the incentive of automatic birthright citizenship for people who are not citizens and legal permanent residents, and the reason for committing this sort of fraud goes away," he continued. Birth tourism has surfaced repeatedly in the U.S. in recent years, particularly through operations accused of coaching foreign nationals to obscure the purpose of their travel. In California, federal prosecutors secured convictions against the operators of USA Happy Baby, a company accused of helping Chinese women travel to the U.S. to give birth to American-citizen children, while a separate operator from a business called You Win USA pleaded guilty in another case stemming from a broader federal crackdown. More recently, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued a Houston-area postpartum center accused of facilitating more than 1,000 births for primarily Chinese clients, while House Oversight Republicans launched an inquiry into several U.S.-based companies allegedly advertising birth-tourism services. Mehlman urged Congress to do more to enhance vetting of visa applicants, prosecute those who commit fraud and put an end to birth tourism. He said there were avenues for legal action against the entities allegedly facilitating the scheme. "To the extent that we can take legal action against companies that are outside the United States, we should, much like we prosecute other types of transnational crime and fraud operations," Mehlman told Fox News Digital. "But each one of these companies works with service providers here in the U.S., including hospitals." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308da7197238567831f54e Sen. Kelly amendment in defense bill would ensure ‘ultimate human responsibility’ in AI-powered kill chain te 2026-06-15T23:41:27.042Z Sen. Kelly amendment in defense bill would ensure ‘ultimate human responsibility’ in AI-powered kill chain WASHINGTON – A Senate committee that oversees the Pentagon has adopted a measure from Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly intended to require “ultimate human responsibility” in the use of force. The U.S. and other nations are increasingly deploying autonomous weapons systems, and the use of artificial intelligence has escalated rapidly in the U.S. war with Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war.  “Congress is responding to a public and allied concern that the United States could find itself legally and ethically exposed if autonomous systems cause civilian casualties without any clear human decision-maker in the chain,” Zaza Tsotniashvili, a professor at Caucasus International University in Tbilisi, Georgia, said by email. Kelly, a Democrat who served as a Navy combat pilot, added his provision to the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act. It codifies a 2023 Defense Department policy called Directive 3000.09, which requires human oversight in the use of autonomous weapons – military systems that operate without human intervention.  On June 5, President Donald Trump issued an update to that directive ordering the Pentagon to “eliminate unnecessary barriers to rapid deployment” of AI within 90 days. Kelly’s amendment would override that, if it survives the legislative process, by blocking the elimination of human involvement in the “kill chain.” The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the amendment Thursday and sent the bill to the full Senate on an 18-9 vote. Kelly ultimately voted against the NDAA despite the inclusion of the AI provision and other amendments he supported. He cited the $1.15 trillion price tag and lack of transparency, as shown by Trump’s defiance of Congress in going to war with Iran. “We cannot write them another blank check,” Kelly said last week in a statement explaining his opposition to the bill. AI use by the U.S. armed forces has been in the spotlight in recent months. In February, Anthropic’s AI tool, Claude, was used in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.  Claude was also used on the first day of Operation Epic Fury in Iran, with speculation that it was involved in a missile attack on a school near a military base that killed 175 people, mostly young girls.  Following that strike, technology scholar Kevin Baker argued that the AI program used to identify targets – known as Maven Smart System – and the officials behind it bore much more responsibility than Claude. Baker said old information led Maven to target the school, which was part of an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps compound until 2016 at the latest. “People failed to update a database, and other people built a system fast enough to make that failure lethal,” Baker wrote in The Guardian. Maven, engineered by Palantir Technologies in 2017, was built to analyze intelligence data and evaluate what targets to strike. The New Yorker reported that it took a person four clicks to go from target identification to target destruction, making Maven a multi-year project in using AI to compress the kill chain. Kelly’s amendment also comes while Trump works to speed up the military’s adoption of AI. The effort to put legal guardrails on AI when it comes to lethal use of force earned praise from some experts. Paul Lushenko, a non-resident expert at the nonprofit organization RegulatingAI and lecturer at George Washington University, called it a “legal, moral, ethical imperative.” “There’s a perception shared among the military and the public that there ought to be human oversight of these capabilities,” he said. Tools like Maven have been strong assets for ensuring national defense, Lushenko said, but guidelines are imperative for how they are used and who is held accountable for misuse. Such guidelines will have to come from civilian overseers, internal military culture and technological guardrails. Tsotniashvili said the Defense Department’s policies aren’t stable enough for Congress to remain silent. “DoD directives can be reinterpreted, waived or quietly revised by the executive branch without congressional approval,” he said. Trump’s memorandum said the deployment of AI technologies must come while “maintaining rigorous oversight.” It does not specify who would conduct such oversight or what that would look like. “Ambiguity serves the interest of those deploying these systems,” Tsotniashvili said.  Sen. Ruben Gallego sent a letter Monday to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding clarification on how the updated directive would ensure the U.S. and its servicemembers are not harmed by autonomous weapons.  The Arizona Democrat asserted that Trump’s update to Directive 3000.09 will increase the risk of harm to civilians. Defining “human oversight” is a challenge, Lushenko said. The concepts of meaningful human control and appropriate human judgment are open to interpretation, and that’s complicated by an argument that checks can be incorporated into the design of autonomous weapons.  But Jovana Davidovic, a professor at the University of Iowa who studies military ethics, said developers have a responsibility for the actions of any AI system they create.  “The more autonomous the system is, the more the decisions that developers make ultimately drive outcomes,” she said by email. Tsotniashvili said codifying Directive 3000.09 is necessary but insufficient, and more specifics are needed to ensure human oversight is “meaningful rather than ceremonial.” “The 2027 NDAA provision is a step forward,” he said. “But without accompanying accountability mechanisms, it may succeed in preserving the appearance of human control while the substance of it continues to erode.” The post Sen. Kelly amendment in defense bill would ensure ‘ultimate human responsibility’ in AI-powered kill chain appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308d79197238567831f51e Seattle police set up pathetic Designated Protest Zone outside Lumen Field for World Cup te 2026-06-15T23:40:41.992Z Seattle police set up pathetic Designated Protest Zone outside Lumen Field for World Cup Monday's World Cup debut in Seattle was a smash hit inside Lumen Field (or "Seattle Stadium"), with 66,775 fans packing the building to watch a historic 1-1 draw between Belgium and Egypt. Outside the gates, though, Seattle managed to steal some attention for all the wrong reasons. The Seattle Police Department appeared to set up designated "protest zones" around the venue, essentially trying to box demonstrators into tiny fenced-off areas that looked more like dog parks than spaces for public expression. Located along Occidental Avenue and South King Street, the zones consisted of plastic cones and orange construction netting. They were shockingly small, barely big enough to fit a handful of people standing shoulder to shoulder. SEATTLE MAYOR BLAMES CHRISTIAN RALLY FOR INSPIRING VIOLENT 'ANARCHISTS' WHO 'INFILTRATED' COUNTER-PROTEST And the best part? Almost nobody used them. Demonstrators largely ignored the designated areas and moved freely throughout the surrounding streets, making the entire setup look completely pointless from the start. Fans quickly turned the empty enclosures into a punchline. SEATTLE JOURNALISTS ATTACKED BY AGITATORS CALL OUT FAR-LEFT MEDIA FOR COVERING UP VIOLENCE AT PROTESTS Some Belgium supporters stopped to pose for photos next to the fenced-off sections like they were Seattle landmarks. Others posted videos online questioning what exactly the city thought was going to happen inside spaces the size of a suburban backyard trampoline. Social media wasted no time piling on. One X user perfectly summed up the reaction: FOX NATION'S 'SUMMER OF CHAOS' SPECIAL REVISITS SEATTLE'S FAILED CHOP ZONE EXPERIMENT "'Protest zones' as if free speech is only designated to certain areas." Not exactly the message Seattle was hoping to send as the city prepares for more World Cup-related events and the arrival of international visitors. For months, local officials have been working overtime to polish Seattle's image ahead of FIFA's global spotlight. SEATTLE, VANCOUVER COORDINATE CROSS-BORDER PLANNING FOR 2026 WORLD CUP TOURISM That has included efforts to clear homeless encampments near major event corridors and showcase the city as a world-class destination capable of hosting one of the biggest sporting events on the planet. Instead, one of the biggest talking points from outside the stadium became a handful of tiny orange-netted boxes that looked ridiculous and accomplished next to nothing. Their existence left plenty of fans asking the same question: If people are free to protest, why create a designated corner that looks like a penalty box for speech? Seattle's gonna Seattle. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela   ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308aac197238567831f492 Monsoon season arrives as Bullhead City braces for heat, awaits summer storms te 2026-06-15T23:28:44.594Z Monsoon season arrives as Bullhead City braces for heat, awaits summer storms Monsoon season officially began Monday in Arizona, ushering in the state's stormiest time of year as Lake Havasu City enters the hottest stretch of summer with forecasts calling for above-average rainfall in the months ahead. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308aac197238567831f48b Monsoon season arrives as Bullhead City braces for heat, awaits summer storms te 2026-06-15T23:28:44.563Z Monsoon season arrives as Bullhead City braces for heat, awaits summer storms Monsoon season officially began Monday in Arizona, ushering in the state's stormiest time of year as Lake Havasu City enters the hottest stretch of summer with forecasts calling for above-average rainfall in the months ahead. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308aa5197238567831f483 Monsoon season arrives as Bullhead City braces for heat, awaits summer storms te 2026-06-15T23:28:37.278Z Monsoon season arrives as Bullhead City braces for heat, awaits summer storms Monsoon season officially began Monday in Arizona, ushering in the state's stormiest time of year as Lake Havasu City enters the hottest stretch of summer with forecasts calling for above-average rainfall in the months ahead. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a98197238567831f478 NCAA, Big 12 go to court against Texas Tech, seeking to ensure ability to handle Sorsby eligibility te 2026-06-15T23:28:24.625Z NCAA, Big 12 go to court against Texas Tech, seeking to ensure ability to handle Sorsby eligibility The NCAA asked a Texas appeals court Monday to stay a temporary injunction that cleared the way for Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby to play this fall despite being declared ineligible for gambling while the Big 12 Conference filed a… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a98197238567831f471 NCAA, Big 12 go to court against Texas Tech, seeking to ensure ability to handle Sorsby eligibility te 2026-06-15T23:28:24.598Z NCAA, Big 12 go to court against Texas Tech, seeking to ensure ability to handle Sorsby eligibility The NCAA asked a Texas appeals court Monday to stay a temporary injunction that cleared the way for Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby to play this fall despite being declared ineligible for gambling while the Big 12 Conference filed a… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a91197238567831f468 NCAA, Big 12 go to court against Texas Tech, seeking to ensure ability to handle Sorsby eligibility te 2026-06-15T23:28:17.310Z NCAA, Big 12 go to court against Texas Tech, seeking to ensure ability to handle Sorsby eligibility The NCAA asked a Texas appeals court Monday to stay a temporary injunction that cleared the way for Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby to play this fall despite being declared ineligible for gambling while the Big 12 Conference filed a… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a84197238567831f45d PJ te 2026-06-15T23:28:04.659Z PJ PJ is an adult male boxer mix. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a84197238567831f456 PJ te 2026-06-15T23:28:04.630Z PJ PJ is an adult male boxer mix. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a7d197238567831f44d PJ te 2026-06-15T23:27:57.344Z PJ PJ is an adult male boxer mix. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a70197238567831f442 Amanda Rollins te 2026-06-15T23:27:44.691Z Amanda Rollins Amanda Rollins is an adult female domestic shorthair mix. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a70197238567831f43b Amanda Rollins te 2026-06-15T23:27:44.660Z Amanda Rollins Amanda Rollins is an adult female domestic shorthair mix. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a69197238567831f432 Amanda Rollins te 2026-06-15T23:27:37.376Z Amanda Rollins Amanda Rollins is an adult female domestic shorthair mix. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a5c197238567831f427 Petey te 2026-06-15T23:27:24.722Z Petey Petey is an adult female pit bull terrier mix. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a5c197238567831f420 Petey te 2026-06-15T23:27:24.692Z Petey Petey is an adult female pit bull terrier mix. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a55197238567831f417 Petey te 2026-06-15T23:27:17.408Z Petey Petey is an adult female pit bull terrier mix. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a49197238567831f40e Who voted in Nevada's 2026 primary? Turnout up slightly, still about 20% te 2026-06-15T23:27:05.267Z Who voted in Nevada's 2026 primary? Turnout up slightly, still about 20% Turnout in Nevada's primaries increased slightly this year compared with the 2024 election, as competitive races especially in Northern Nevada helped boost participation. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a48197238567831f405 Who voted in Nevada's 2026 primary? Turnout up slightly, still about 20% te 2026-06-15T23:27:04.724Z Who voted in Nevada's 2026 primary? Turnout up slightly, still about 20% Turnout in Nevada's primaries increased slightly this year compared with the 2024 election, as competitive races especially in Northern Nevada helped boost participation. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a41197238567831f3fc Who voted in Nevada's 2026 primary? Turnout up slightly, still about 20% te 2026-06-15T23:26:57.440Z Who voted in Nevada's 2026 primary? Turnout up slightly, still about 20% Turnout in Nevada's primaries increased slightly this year compared with the 2024 election, as competitive races especially in Northern Nevada helped boost participation. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a35197238567831f3f3 Nevada election day te 2026-06-15T23:26:45.299Z Nevada election day Voters at the Galleria at Sunset Mall polling site in Henderson on Election Day. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a34197238567831f3ea Nevada election day te 2026-06-15T23:26:44.762Z Nevada election day Voters at the Galleria at Sunset Mall polling site in Henderson on Election Day. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a2d197238567831f3e1 Nevada election day te 2026-06-15T23:26:37.471Z Nevada election day Voters at the Galleria at Sunset Mall polling site in Henderson on Election Day. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a21197238567831f3d8 Scene pkg June 15 te 2026-06-15T23:26:25.332Z Scene pkg June 15 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a20197238567831f3cf Scene pkg June 15 te 2026-06-15T23:26:24.790Z Scene pkg June 15 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a19197238567831f3c6 Scene pkg June 15 te 2026-06-15T23:26:17.502Z Scene pkg June 15 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a0d197238567831f3bd US players see their electric win over Paraguay as the start of a push to win over fans te 2026-06-15T23:26:05.363Z US players see their electric win over Paraguay as the start of a push to win over fans LOS ANGELES — The U.S. men's soccer team isn't only trying to win games in this World Cup. It is trying to win hearts and minds as well. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a0c197238567831f3b4 US players see their electric win over Paraguay as the start of a push to win over fans te 2026-06-15T23:26:04.820Z US players see their electric win over Paraguay as the start of a push to win over fans LOS ANGELES — The U.S. men's soccer team isn't only trying to win games in this World Cup. It is trying to win hearts and minds as well. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308a05197238567831f3ab US players see their electric win over Paraguay as the start of a push to win over fans te 2026-06-15T23:25:57.536Z US players see their electric win over Paraguay as the start of a push to win over fans LOS ANGELES — The U.S. men's soccer team isn't only trying to win games in this World Cup. It is trying to win hearts and minds as well. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3089f9197238567831f3a2 SPORTS-SOC-WORLDCUP-US-FANS-FILEPIC-LA te 2026-06-15T23:25:45.394Z SPORTS-SOC-WORLDCUP-US-FANS-FILEPIC-LA U.S. forward Christian Pulisic (10) during the first half of a World Cup group stage match against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on Friday, June 12, in Inglewood, Calif. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3089f8197238567831f399 SPORTS-SOC-WORLDCUP-US-FANS-FILEPIC-LA te 2026-06-15T23:25:44.855Z SPORTS-SOC-WORLDCUP-US-FANS-FILEPIC-LA U.S. forward Christian Pulisic (10) during the first half of a World Cup group stage match against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on Friday, June 12, in Inglewood, Calif. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3089f1197238567831f390 SPORTS-SOC-WORLDCUP-US-FANS-FILEPIC-LA te 2026-06-15T23:25:37.580Z SPORTS-SOC-WORLDCUP-US-FANS-FILEPIC-LA U.S. forward Christian Pulisic (10) during the first half of a World Cup group stage match against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on Friday, June 12, in Inglewood, Calif. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3089e5197238567831f387 Prediction markets under scrutiny over insider bets on Venezuela and other military action te 2026-06-15T23:25:25.427Z Prediction markets under scrutiny over insider bets on Venezuela and other military action WASHINGTON – Pressure is mounting in Congress to crack down on prediction markets, which have been at the center of national security scandals in recent months, with insiders accused of profiting from classified or sensitive information. In June 2025, over a dozen accounts collected more than $600,000 by wagering on a surprise attack on Iran hours before it happened. In April, federal prosecutors accused a soldier of using classified information to collect $400,000 on a bet the U.S. military would capture Venezuela’s leader. That same month, seven accounts made $1.4 million on bets that a U.S. ceasefire with Iran was hours away. As concerns mount, some federal lawmakers are pushing to stiffen regulation of betting markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi. Proposals range from outright bans on bets related to military action to more aggressive insider trading prohibitions and expanded enforcement powers for regulators. “Our classified military strikes should not provide an opportunity for bettors to play or profit,” Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, said on the House floor in March when he introduced a bill that would ban betting contracts related to election results, general government activities, war, assassination, terrorism, recreation events or illegal activity “contrary to the public interest.” Attempts to pass new regulations this year face an uphill battle, though. House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill, R-Ark., said during a May 20 forum hosted by Semafor that lawmakers lack a “basic understanding” of the current legal landscape. And he argued that existing regulations and regulators are sufficient. Because Hill’s committee oversees agencies that regulate markets, his resistance carries outsized weight. But Republicans only control the House by a single vote. The calculus could change quickly after the midterms. And lawmakers more interested than Hill in putting guardrails on national security-related bets are pushing ahead. On June 10, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which regulates such markets, proposed new rules that would define – and likely ban – contracts that involve such events as war, assassination and terrorism. The rules would sidestep the need for congressional action. “The Commission believes that event contracts that involve terrorism, assassination, or war present national‑security harms, extraordinary information leakage risks, and perverse incentive effects that overwhelm any potential informational utility,” the proposal states. Prediction markets – online exchange platforms that allow participants to place wagers on whether a future event will occur – have boomed in the past year. Pew Research Center data show global monthly trading volume on the two leading platforms, Kalshi and Polymarket, ballooned to $23.8 billion in April from just $1.8 billion a year earlier. Kalshi, Polymarket and the CFTC did not respond to requests for comment. On March 24, the White House Management Office issued a memo warning staff not to place bets on prediction markets using nonpublic information, according to The Wall Street Journal, though administration officials asserted publicly that this was preemptive and they have no evidence of such betting. An industry in the spotlight Modern prediction markets have been around since 1988, according to the CFTC. Primitive versions have existed since the early 16th century, and fears of manipulation and insider trading have dogged these markets from the outset. Wagering on papal elections was so widespread that in 1591, Pope Gregory XIV banned that pastime on threat of excommunication. Such markets can have enormous value in harnessing the collective wisdom of the market to smoke out probabilities, as the CFTC announcement alluded to. In 2003, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency proposed a prediction market that would take bets on intelligence questions such as the prospect of upheaval in the Middle East, to obtain more accurate information. The plan was scrapped over concerns that encouraging such wagers would financially incentivize terrorists, who could bet on attacks they then commit. Flash forward to June 2025. According to The New York Times, 13 Polymarket accounts, many opened days prior or with a perfect win-loss record, made over $600,000 from wagers placed on the timing of Israel attacking Iran. When the bets were made, odds showed the attack was seen as unlikely. On April 23, a federal grand jury in New York indicted Army Master Sgt. Gannon Ken Van Dyke on charges that included theft of confidential government information, of using such information for personal gain, and commodities fraud. He pleaded not guilty. According to prosecutors, Van Dyke used Polymarket to bet on the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Van Dyke worked with U.S. Army Special Forces at the time and was involved in the planning and execution of the mission. Maduro was captured on Jan. 3 in Caracas, in what federal officials called a law enforcement operation. The deposed president is now in jail in New York awaiting trial on drug trafficking charges. In an unrelated case, seven Polymarket accounts made over $1.4 million by betting on when the U.S. would reach a cease-fire agreement with Iran in April. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire on April 7 – just hours after the wagers were made. Federal authorities are reportedly investigating whether former Rep. George Santos engaged in insider trading. With bettors on Kalshi predicting that he would skip Trump’s February State of the Union address, Santos posted that he would be there – but ended up not attending and, possibly, profiting by driving up the odds and betting on an outcome he alone controlled. Growing scrutiny On May 22, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued letters to Kalshi and Polymarket demanding documents and communications about their Know Your Customer verification policies, procedures for detecting suspicious trading activity and bets pertaining to military action in Iran and Venezuela. “This growing pattern of insider trading activity on prediction market platforms indicates that Congressional action may be necessary,” Comer wrote. Concern over prediction markets has risen alongside worries that the CFTC has been overly friendly to the companies it oversees. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., was skeptical of the agency’s current ability to regulate the industry. “It does not seem like a core competence,” he said in a recent interview. At hearing with CFTC chair @ChairmanSelig, House Ag chair @CongressmanGT (R-PA) cracks open the door to legislation on prediction markets, but says it's too early. “Where the commission's authority is found to be insufficient to meet its mandate to support responsible… — Marshall Cohen (@MarshallCohen) April 16, 2026 A partnership between Kalshi and CNN, announced in December 2025, drew the ire of Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Scottsdale. Hamadeh argued the partnership could allow CNN to profit by manipulating geopolitical events with its coverage, and demanded the CFTC answer questions about its review of the arrangement. Federal law already bans insider trading with information that must remain private, like classified mission plans – hence the indictment of Van Dyke. And while the CFTC has statutory authority to ban wagers related to war, assassination and terrorism, the agency’s practice has been permissive so far. Members of Congress are trying to close loopholes and fill in enforcement gaps they say compromise national security. That includes the fact that Polymarket is easily accessed through its popular international platform, which would allow bettors to ignore U.S. regulations on war-related events. The proposed CFTC rules would restrict event contracts that could be fulfilled through war, terrorism or assassination. Such bets are readily available currently. On Kalshi, users had $126,746 pending bets as of June 8 on whether the U.S. will take control of any part of Canada by the next presidential inauguration in 2029. The platform’s probability calculation puts the chances of that at 12%, so a $1,000 wager would net a $7,693 payout. Polymarket users, meanwhile, have bet $3.7 million on whether the U.S. will attack Cuba by the end of 2026. That probability is calculated at 39%, so a $1,000 wager would pay $2,500. New rules Members of Congress have introduced multiple bills this year to give the CFTC more instruction or sidestep it entirely. They’ve also worked to prevent insider betting within their own ranks and by all federal employees. “Underregulated prediction markets have exposed America to needless public safety and national security risks by allowing traders to invest in outcomes related to sensitive matters like terrorism, assassination, war or elections,” Moore said when he introduced his Event Contract Enforcement Act. That’s one of several pending bills that would ban contracts in categories like war and terrorism, regardless of whether the CFTC exercises its discretion to do so. A bill from Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, called the BETS OFF Act, would prohibit wagers on events with an outcome controlled by a government official or entity, including war, assassination and terrorism. Sen. David McCormick, R-Pa., has sponsored the Prediction Market Act, which would ban any bet that “materially encourages violence or similar unlawful activity.” Restrictions targeting wagers by government officials and members of the Armed Forces have also been proposed. Some bills seek to eliminate avenues for using nonpublic knowledge of forthcoming military action. Others would impose fines on anyone found to have placed bets on such matters. One draft of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act released by the House Armed Services Committee would direct Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to ban the use of prediction markets by civilian and uniformed personnel with access to nonpublic information. Betting from the inside The platforms have been quick to denounce insider trading. Kalshi has sought to distance itself from offshore competitors – that is, Polymarket. Its website boasts full Know Your Customer procedures, regulatory oversight, cooperation with law enforcement and constant trade surveillance and draws a contrast with “unregulated platforms.” The Wall Street Journal reported on June 9 that Kalshi plans to require bettors on sensitive markets, including those related to national security, to disclose their employers. Shayne Coplan, the founder and CEO of Polymarket, has touted the company’s cooperation with authorities to investigate insider trading cases. Neal Kumar, Polymarket’s chief legal officer, told ABC News in May that the platform had referred nearly 100 cases to U.S. law enforcement, including Van Dyke’s. But in October 2025, months before Van Dyke was indicted, Coplan seemed to defend the use of insider information regarding the spike in bets over Maduro’s future. “If you are into geopolitics, this creates an incentive for you to dig in to what’s going on in Venezuela and try and get an edge,” he told CBS’ “60 Minutes.” “People going and having an edge to the market is a good thing,” he said. “Obviously, you need to curate them and you need to be really clear and stringent on where the line is drawn and ethics, and we spend a lot of time on that. But it’s sort of an inevitability that this will happen, and there’s a lot of benefits from it.” Robin Hanson, an economics professor at George Mason University who helped come up with the idea for DARPA’s 2003 prediction market proposal – dubbed a “terror casino” by detractors – opposes restrictions on national security related bets. Such contracts could reveal impending threats and provide lifesaving insights, he said. “We should have markets on important topics, just like we should allow journalists to write articles on important topics,” he said. The Department of Defense did not respond to requests for comment about existing safeguards or its stance on proposals to tighten rules. Murphy, among other Democrats, expressed worry about people in the Trump administration trying to profit from defense decisions. “We don’t want people inside the Situation Room who have money to gain off of a particular national security call,” he said. “The only thing that should matter is the security of the nation.” The post Prediction markets under scrutiny over insider bets on Venezuela and other military action appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3089e4197238567831f37e Prediction markets under scrutiny over insider bets on Venezuela and other military action te 2026-06-15T23:25:24.887Z Prediction markets under scrutiny over insider bets on Venezuela and other military action WASHINGTON – Pressure is mounting in Congress to crack down on prediction markets, which have been at the center of national security scandals in recent months, with insiders accused of profiting from classified or sensitive information. In June 2025, over a dozen accounts collected more than $600,000 by wagering on a surprise attack on Iran hours before it happened. In April, federal prosecutors accused a soldier of using classified information to collect $400,000 on a bet the U.S. military would capture Venezuela’s leader. That same month, seven accounts made $1.4 million on bets that a U.S. ceasefire with Iran was hours away. As concerns mount, some federal lawmakers are pushing to stiffen regulation of betting markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi. Proposals range from outright bans on bets related to military action to more aggressive insider trading prohibitions and expanded enforcement powers for regulators. “Our classified military strikes should not provide an opportunity for bettors to play or profit,” Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, said on the House floor in March when he introduced a bill that would ban betting contracts related to election results, general government activities, war, assassination, terrorism, recreation events or illegal activity “contrary to the public interest.” Attempts to pass new regulations this year face an uphill battle, though. House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill, R-Ark., said during a May 20 forum hosted by Semafor that lawmakers lack a “basic understanding” of the current legal landscape. And he argued that existing regulations and regulators are sufficient. Because Hill’s committee oversees agencies that regulate markets, his resistance carries outsized weight. But Republicans only control the House by a single vote. The calculus could change quickly after the midterms. And lawmakers more interested than Hill in putting guardrails on national security-related bets are pushing ahead. On June 10, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which regulates such markets, proposed new rules that would define – and likely ban – contracts that involve such events as war, assassination and terrorism. The rules would sidestep the need for congressional action. “The Commission believes that event contracts that involve terrorism, assassination, or war present national‑security harms, extraordinary information leakage risks, and perverse incentive effects that overwhelm any potential informational utility,” the proposal states. Prediction markets – online exchange platforms that allow participants to place wagers on whether a future event will occur – have boomed in the past year. Pew Research Center data show global monthly trading volume on the two leading platforms, Kalshi and Polymarket, ballooned to $23.8 billion in April from just $1.8 billion a year earlier. Kalshi, Polymarket and the CFTC did not respond to requests for comment. On March 24, the White House Management Office issued a memo warning staff not to place bets on prediction markets using nonpublic information, according to The Wall Street Journal, though administration officials asserted publicly that this was preemptive and they have no evidence of such betting. An industry in the spotlight Modern prediction markets have been around since 1988, according to the CFTC. Primitive versions have existed since the early 16th century, and fears of manipulation and insider trading have dogged these markets from the outset. Wagering on papal elections was so widespread that in 1591, Pope Gregory XIV banned that pastime on threat of excommunication. Such markets can have enormous value in harnessing the collective wisdom of the market to smoke out probabilities, as the CFTC announcement alluded to. In 2003, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency proposed a prediction market that would take bets on intelligence questions such as the prospect of upheaval in the Middle East, to obtain more accurate information. The plan was scrapped over concerns that encouraging such wagers would financially incentivize terrorists, who could bet on attacks they then commit. Flash forward to June 2025. According to The New York Times, 13 Polymarket accounts, many opened days prior or with a perfect win-loss record, made over $600,000 from wagers placed on the timing of Israel attacking Iran. When the bets were made, odds showed the attack was seen as unlikely. On April 23, a federal grand jury in New York indicted Army Master Sgt. Gannon Ken Van Dyke on charges that included theft of confidential government information, of using such information for personal gain, and commodities fraud. He pleaded not guilty. According to prosecutors, Van Dyke used Polymarket to bet on the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Van Dyke worked with U.S. Army Special Forces at the time and was involved in the planning and execution of the mission. Maduro was captured on Jan. 3 in Caracas, in what federal officials called a law enforcement operation. The deposed president is now in jail in New York awaiting trial on drug trafficking charges. In an unrelated case, seven Polymarket accounts made over $1.4 million by betting on when the U.S. would reach a cease-fire agreement with Iran in April. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire on April 7 – just hours after the wagers were made. Federal authorities are reportedly investigating whether former Rep. George Santos engaged in insider trading. With bettors on Kalshi predicting that he would skip Trump’s February State of the Union address, Santos posted that he would be there – but ended up not attending and, possibly, profiting by driving up the odds and betting on an outcome he alone controlled. Growing scrutiny On May 22, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued letters to Kalshi and Polymarket demanding documents and communications about their Know Your Customer verification policies, procedures for detecting suspicious trading activity and bets pertaining to military action in Iran and Venezuela. “This growing pattern of insider trading activity on prediction market platforms indicates that Congressional action may be necessary,” Comer wrote. Concern over prediction markets has risen alongside worries that the CFTC has been overly friendly to the companies it oversees. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., was skeptical of the agency’s current ability to regulate the industry. “It does not seem like a core competence,” he said in a recent interview. At hearing with CFTC chair @ChairmanSelig, House Ag chair @CongressmanGT (R-PA) cracks open the door to legislation on prediction markets, but says it's too early. “Where the commission's authority is found to be insufficient to meet its mandate to support responsible… — Marshall Cohen (@MarshallCohen) April 16, 2026 A partnership between Kalshi and CNN, announced in December 2025, drew the ire of Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Scottsdale. Hamadeh argued the partnership could allow CNN to profit by manipulating geopolitical events with its coverage, and demanded the CFTC answer questions about its review of the arrangement. Federal law already bans insider trading with information that must remain private, like classified mission plans – hence the indictment of Van Dyke. And while the CFTC has statutory authority to ban wagers related to war, assassination and terrorism, the agency’s practice has been permissive so far. Members of Congress are trying to close loopholes and fill in enforcement gaps they say compromise national security. That includes the fact that Polymarket is easily accessed through its popular international platform, which would allow bettors to ignore U.S. regulations on war-related events. The proposed CFTC rules would restrict event contracts that could be fulfilled through war, terrorism or assassination. Such bets are readily available currently. On Kalshi, users had $126,746 pending bets as of June 8 on whether the U.S. will take control of any part of Canada by the next presidential inauguration in 2029. The platform’s probability calculation puts the chances of that at 12%, so a $1,000 wager would net a $7,693 payout. Polymarket users, meanwhile, have bet $3.7 million on whether the U.S. will attack Cuba by the end of 2026. That probability is calculated at 39%, so a $1,000 wager would pay $2,500. New rules Members of Congress have introduced multiple bills this year to give the CFTC more instruction or sidestep it entirely. They’ve also worked to prevent insider betting within their own ranks and by all federal employees. “Underregulated prediction markets have exposed America to needless public safety and national security risks by allowing traders to invest in outcomes related to sensitive matters like terrorism, assassination, war or elections,” Moore said when he introduced his Event Contract Enforcement Act. That’s one of several pending bills that would ban contracts in categories like war and terrorism, regardless of whether the CFTC exercises its discretion to do so. A bill from Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, called the BETS OFF Act, would prohibit wagers on events with an outcome controlled by a government official or entity, including war, assassination and terrorism. Sen. David McCormick, R-Pa., has sponsored the Prediction Market Act, which would ban any bet that “materially encourages violence or similar unlawful activity.” Restrictions targeting wagers by government officials and members of the Armed Forces have also been proposed. Some bills seek to eliminate avenues for using nonpublic knowledge of forthcoming military action. Others would impose fines on anyone found to have placed bets on such matters. One draft of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act released by the House Armed Services Committee would direct Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to ban the use of prediction markets by civilian and uniformed personnel with access to nonpublic information. Betting from the inside The platforms have been quick to denounce insider trading. Kalshi has sought to distance itself from offshore competitors – that is, Polymarket. Its website boasts full Know Your Customer procedures, regulatory oversight, cooperation with law enforcement and constant trade surveillance and draws a contrast with “unregulated platforms.” The Wall Street Journal reported on June 9 that Kalshi plans to require bettors on sensitive markets, including those related to national security, to disclose their employers. Shayne Coplan, the founder and CEO of Polymarket, has touted the company’s cooperation with authorities to investigate insider trading cases. Neal Kumar, Polymarket’s chief legal officer, told ABC News in May that the platform had referred nearly 100 cases to U.S. law enforcement, including Van Dyke’s. But in October 2025, months before Van Dyke was indicted, Coplan seemed to defend the use of insider information regarding the spike in bets over Maduro’s future. “If you are into geopolitics, this creates an incentive for you to dig in to what’s going on in Venezuela and try and get an edge,” he told CBS’ “60 Minutes.” “People going and having an edge to the market is a good thing,” he said. “Obviously, you need to curate them and you need to be really clear and stringent on where the line is drawn and ethics, and we spend a lot of time on that. But it’s sort of an inevitability that this will happen, and there’s a lot of benefits from it.” Robin Hanson, an economics professor at George Mason University who helped come up with the idea for DARPA’s 2003 prediction market proposal – dubbed a “terror casino” by detractors – opposes restrictions on national security related bets. Such contracts could reveal impending threats and provide lifesaving insights, he said. “We should have markets on important topics, just like we should allow journalists to write articles on important topics,” he said. The Department of Defense did not respond to requests for comment about existing safeguards or its stance on proposals to tighten rules. Murphy, among other Democrats, expressed worry about people in the Trump administration trying to profit from defense decisions. “We don’t want people inside the Situation Room who have money to gain off of a particular national security call,” he said. “The only thing that should matter is the security of the nation.” The post Prediction markets under scrutiny over insider bets on Venezuela and other military action appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3089dd197238567831f375 Prediction markets under scrutiny over insider bets on Venezuela and other military action te 2026-06-15T23:25:17.602Z Prediction markets under scrutiny over insider bets on Venezuela and other military action WASHINGTON – Pressure is mounting in Congress to crack down on prediction markets, which have been at the center of national security scandals in recent months, with insiders accused of profiting from classified or sensitive information. In June 2025, over a dozen accounts collected more than $600,000 by wagering on a surprise attack on Iran hours before it happened. In April, federal prosecutors accused a soldier of using classified information to collect $400,000 on a bet the U.S. military would capture Venezuela’s leader. That same month, seven accounts made $1.4 million on bets that a U.S. ceasefire with Iran was hours away. As concerns mount, some federal lawmakers are pushing to stiffen regulation of betting markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi. Proposals range from outright bans on bets related to military action to more aggressive insider trading prohibitions and expanded enforcement powers for regulators. “Our classified military strikes should not provide an opportunity for bettors to play or profit,” Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, said on the House floor in March when he introduced a bill that would ban betting contracts related to election results, general government activities, war, assassination, terrorism, recreation events or illegal activity “contrary to the public interest.” Attempts to pass new regulations this year face an uphill battle, though. House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill, R-Ark., said during a May 20 forum hosted by Semafor that lawmakers lack a “basic understanding” of the current legal landscape. And he argued that existing regulations and regulators are sufficient. Because Hill’s committee oversees agencies that regulate markets, his resistance carries outsized weight. But Republicans only control the House by a single vote. The calculus could change quickly after the midterms. And lawmakers more interested than Hill in putting guardrails on national security-related bets are pushing ahead. On June 10, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which regulates such markets, proposed new rules that would define – and likely ban – contracts that involve such events as war, assassination and terrorism. The rules would sidestep the need for congressional action. “The Commission believes that event contracts that involve terrorism, assassination, or war present national‑security harms, extraordinary information leakage risks, and perverse incentive effects that overwhelm any potential informational utility,” the proposal states. Prediction markets – online exchange platforms that allow participants to place wagers on whether a future event will occur – have boomed in the past year. Pew Research Center data show global monthly trading volume on the two leading platforms, Kalshi and Polymarket, ballooned to $23.8 billion in April from just $1.8 billion a year earlier. Kalshi, Polymarket and the CFTC did not respond to requests for comment. On March 24, the White House Management Office issued a memo warning staff not to place bets on prediction markets using nonpublic information, according to The Wall Street Journal, though administration officials asserted publicly that this was preemptive and they have no evidence of such betting. An industry in the spotlight Modern prediction markets have been around since 1988, according to the CFTC. Primitive versions have existed since the early 16th century, and fears of manipulation and insider trading have dogged these markets from the outset. Wagering on papal elections was so widespread that in 1591, Pope Gregory XIV banned that pastime on threat of excommunication. Such markets can have enormous value in harnessing the collective wisdom of the market to smoke out probabilities, as the CFTC announcement alluded to. In 2003, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency proposed a prediction market that would take bets on intelligence questions such as the prospect of upheaval in the Middle East, to obtain more accurate information. The plan was scrapped over concerns that encouraging such wagers would financially incentivize terrorists, who could bet on attacks they then commit. Flash forward to June 2025. According to The New York Times, 13 Polymarket accounts, many opened days prior or with a perfect win-loss record, made over $600,000 from wagers placed on the timing of Israel attacking Iran. When the bets were made, odds showed the attack was seen as unlikely. On April 23, a federal grand jury in New York indicted Army Master Sgt. Gannon Ken Van Dyke on charges that included theft of confidential government information, of using such information for personal gain, and commodities fraud. He pleaded not guilty. According to prosecutors, Van Dyke used Polymarket to bet on the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Van Dyke worked with U.S. Army Special Forces at the time and was involved in the planning and execution of the mission. Maduro was captured on Jan. 3 in Caracas, in what federal officials called a law enforcement operation. The deposed president is now in jail in New York awaiting trial on drug trafficking charges. In an unrelated case, seven Polymarket accounts made over $1.4 million by betting on when the U.S. would reach a cease-fire agreement with Iran in April. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire on April 7 – just hours after the wagers were made. Federal authorities are reportedly investigating whether former Rep. George Santos engaged in insider trading. With bettors on Kalshi predicting that he would skip Trump’s February State of the Union address, Santos posted that he would be there – but ended up not attending and, possibly, profiting by driving up the odds and betting on an outcome he alone controlled. Growing scrutiny On May 22, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued letters to Kalshi and Polymarket demanding documents and communications about their Know Your Customer verification policies, procedures for detecting suspicious trading activity and bets pertaining to military action in Iran and Venezuela. “This growing pattern of insider trading activity on prediction market platforms indicates that Congressional action may be necessary,” Comer wrote. Concern over prediction markets has risen alongside worries that the CFTC has been overly friendly to the companies it oversees. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., was skeptical of the agency’s current ability to regulate the industry. “It does not seem like a core competence,” he said in a recent interview. At hearing with CFTC chair @ChairmanSelig, House Ag chair @CongressmanGT (R-PA) cracks open the door to legislation on prediction markets, but says it's too early. “Where the commission's authority is found to be insufficient to meet its mandate to support responsible… — Marshall Cohen (@MarshallCohen) April 16, 2026 A partnership between Kalshi and CNN, announced in December 2025, drew the ire of Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Scottsdale. Hamadeh argued the partnership could allow CNN to profit by manipulating geopolitical events with its coverage, and demanded the CFTC answer questions about its review of the arrangement. Federal law already bans insider trading with information that must remain private, like classified mission plans – hence the indictment of Van Dyke. And while the CFTC has statutory authority to ban wagers related to war, assassination and terrorism, the agency’s practice has been permissive so far. Members of Congress are trying to close loopholes and fill in enforcement gaps they say compromise national security. That includes the fact that Polymarket is easily accessed through its popular international platform, which would allow bettors to ignore U.S. regulations on war-related events. The proposed CFTC rules would restrict event contracts that could be fulfilled through war, terrorism or assassination. Such bets are readily available currently. On Kalshi, users had $126,746 pending bets as of June 8 on whether the U.S. will take control of any part of Canada by the next presidential inauguration in 2029. The platform’s probability calculation puts the chances of that at 12%, so a $1,000 wager would net a $7,693 payout. Polymarket users, meanwhile, have bet $3.7 million on whether the U.S. will attack Cuba by the end of 2026. That probability is calculated at 39%, so a $1,000 wager would pay $2,500. New rules Members of Congress have introduced multiple bills this year to give the CFTC more instruction or sidestep it entirely. They’ve also worked to prevent insider betting within their own ranks and by all federal employees. “Underregulated prediction markets have exposed America to needless public safety and national security risks by allowing traders to invest in outcomes related to sensitive matters like terrorism, assassination, war or elections,” Moore said when he introduced his Event Contract Enforcement Act. That’s one of several pending bills that would ban contracts in categories like war and terrorism, regardless of whether the CFTC exercises its discretion to do so. A bill from Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, called the BETS OFF Act, would prohibit wagers on events with an outcome controlled by a government official or entity, including war, assassination and terrorism. Sen. David McCormick, R-Pa., has sponsored the Prediction Market Act, which would ban any bet that “materially encourages violence or similar unlawful activity.” Restrictions targeting wagers by government officials and members of the Armed Forces have also been proposed. Some bills seek to eliminate avenues for using nonpublic knowledge of forthcoming military action. Others would impose fines on anyone found to have placed bets on such matters. One draft of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act released by the House Armed Services Committee would direct Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to ban the use of prediction markets by civilian and uniformed personnel with access to nonpublic information. Betting from the inside The platforms have been quick to denounce insider trading. Kalshi has sought to distance itself from offshore competitors – that is, Polymarket. Its website boasts full Know Your Customer procedures, regulatory oversight, cooperation with law enforcement and constant trade surveillance and draws a contrast with “unregulated platforms.” The Wall Street Journal reported on June 9 that Kalshi plans to require bettors on sensitive markets, including those related to national security, to disclose their employers. Shayne Coplan, the founder and CEO of Polymarket, has touted the company’s cooperation with authorities to investigate insider trading cases. Neal Kumar, Polymarket’s chief legal officer, told ABC News in May that the platform had referred nearly 100 cases to U.S. law enforcement, including Van Dyke’s. But in October 2025, months before Van Dyke was indicted, Coplan seemed to defend the use of insider information regarding the spike in bets over Maduro’s future. “If you are into geopolitics, this creates an incentive for you to dig in to what’s going on in Venezuela and try and get an edge,” he told CBS’ “60 Minutes.” “People going and having an edge to the market is a good thing,” he said. “Obviously, you need to curate them and you need to be really clear and stringent on where the line is drawn and ethics, and we spend a lot of time on that. But it’s sort of an inevitability that this will happen, and there’s a lot of benefits from it.” Robin Hanson, an economics professor at George Mason University who helped come up with the idea for DARPA’s 2003 prediction market proposal – dubbed a “terror casino” by detractors – opposes restrictions on national security related bets. Such contracts could reveal impending threats and provide lifesaving insights, he said. “We should have markets on important topics, just like we should allow journalists to write articles on important topics,” he said. The Department of Defense did not respond to requests for comment about existing safeguards or its stance on proposals to tighten rules. Murphy, among other Democrats, expressed worry about people in the Trump administration trying to profit from defense decisions. “We don’t want people inside the Situation Room who have money to gain off of a particular national security call,” he said. “The only thing that should matter is the security of the nation.” The post Prediction markets under scrutiny over insider bets on Venezuela and other military action appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3089d1197238567831f36c Little Tokyo serves as cultural hub for Japanese soccer fans during World Cup te 2026-06-15T23:25:05.972Z Little Tokyo serves as cultural hub for Japanese soccer fans during World Cup LOS ANGELES – The chants were heard throughout the district. The scents of traditional dishes filled the air and pride was felt by many throughout the day.  On Sunday afternoon, Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles was transformed from a historic cultural district to a fanatic frenzy. What was on the surface a watch party became a celebration of community and culture as Japan faced off against the Netherlands in what turned out to be one of the best matches so far in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. From San Fernando Valley to Ohio to Japan itself, fans packed the district’s restaurants and pop-up stores in an all-out appreciation for Japanese culture. Although like many urban communities, gentrification concerns abound, on this day Little Tokyo was downtown Los Angeles’ heartbeat. The World Cup just turned up the intensity. “Just seeing the community come together and all come for one purpose and watch the game – it’s pretty great,” fan Bryce Townsend said. Although the community did unite for this one soccer match, another fan, Rick Shimada, noticed the merging of a variety of cultures. “We’re not all Japanese,” Shimada said. “We have a lot of half-Japanese friends, people from Japan, people like me who have parents that came here — and we’re all coming together in Little Tokyo for just the love of this culture and community.” Another fan, Ai Kusayanagi, believed Little Tokyo was a breath of fresh air. “I was studying at university in Japan for the last four years,” Kusayanagi said. “It’s nice to see how much this place has grown over the years, especially with all of the people here today.” AI Kusayanagi and a friend pose in front of the watch party to cheer on Japan’s men’s national soccer team on Sunday. (Photo by Tony Carter/Cronkite News) Little Tokyo was founded in 1885 when a Japanese seaman opened a restaurant on First Street. By 1900, several more businesses opened up, and the Japanese community boomed.  Today, over 170,000 Japanese Americans live in Los Angeles, according to the Pew Research Center,  which is the second largest population of Japanese-Americans after Honolulu. At least 40,000 of those 170,000 Japanese Americans live in Little Tokyo. When asked about the evolution of Little Tokyo, Townsend credited the variety of cultures that visit. “Little Tokyo used to be really, really dead and really quiet,” Townsend said. “Since I’ve gotten older, it’s become a lot more popular. People from different cultures all over come here, and it’s great to see everybody enjoy it.” The World Cup effect on tourism is significant, especially in Los Angeles. Fans gather to watch Japan take on the Netherlands in the FIFA World Cup at a watch party in the Little Tokyo area of Los Angeles Sunday. (Photo by Tony Carter/Cronkite News) “More people are coming in,” Townsend said. “They’re trying to find places to watch the game, and it’s fun as well.” Kusayanagi found it “cool to see different businesses always filled with people.”  Shimada works in Little Akihabara, a pop culture hub in the heart of Little Tokyo which features many pop-up shops, and has seen a difference. “We count the number of people that come into our store, and we had a lot more people yesterday than the usual amount,” Shimada said. “It’s definitely bringing in more people.” The Japanese community in Los Angeles has always embraced baseball, especially with superstar Shohei Ohtani playing on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Townsend and Shimada find it compelling that fans are focused on soccer and the World Cup. “Everybody is so passionate, whether they live in Japan or over here when it comes to our national teams,” Townsend said.  “Even though it’s smaller, I think we’re more focused, just more passionate.”  Shimada believes that “ecause of the Dodgers, Little Tokyo is like a cultural hot spot for everyone, and now soccer and the World Cup are building upon that. They’re giving each other a positive effect.” After a scoreless half between the two teams, a scoring barrage occurred in the second half. Trailing 2-1 in the 88th minute, Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada tied the match. A deafening roar came from the Japan faithful in what was the end of a great soccer match. “It was such an amazing game,” Shimada said. “Everyone was going crazy.” While Little Tokyo is a hub for Los Angeles’s Japanese culture, it formed a bridge Sunday between people of all cultures. “People see how passionate we are and then they love the culture as well,” Townsend said. “Even if they’re not Japanese, they’re here supporting and enjoying. “That’s what it’s all about.” The post Little Tokyo serves as cultural hub for Japanese soccer fans during World Cup appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3089d1197238567831f363 Little Tokyo serves as cultural hub for Japanese soccer fans during World Cup te 2026-06-15T23:25:05.435Z Little Tokyo serves as cultural hub for Japanese soccer fans during World Cup LOS ANGELES – The chants were heard throughout the district. The scents of traditional dishes filled the air and pride was felt by many throughout the day.  On Sunday afternoon, Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles was transformed from a historic cultural district to a fanatic frenzy. What was on the surface a watch party became a celebration of community and culture as Japan faced off against the Netherlands in what turned out to be one of the best matches so far in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. From San Fernando Valley to Ohio to Japan itself, fans packed the district’s restaurants and pop-up stores in an all-out appreciation for Japanese culture. Although like many urban communities, gentrification concerns abound, on this day Little Tokyo was downtown Los Angeles’ heartbeat. The World Cup just turned up the intensity. “Just seeing the community come together and all come for one purpose and watch the game – it’s pretty great,” fan Bryce Townsend said. Although the community did unite for this one soccer match, another fan, Rick Shimada, noticed the merging of a variety of cultures. “We’re not all Japanese,” Shimada said. “We have a lot of half-Japanese friends, people from Japan, people like me who have parents that came here — and we’re all coming together in Little Tokyo for just the love of this culture and community.” Another fan, Ai Kusayanagi, believed Little Tokyo was a breath of fresh air. “I was studying at university in Japan for the last four years,” Kusayanagi said. “It’s nice to see how much this place has grown over the years, especially with all of the people here today.” AI Kusayanagi and a friend pose in front of the watch party to cheer on Japan’s men’s national soccer team on Sunday. (Photo by Tony Carter/Cronkite News) Little Tokyo was founded in 1885 when a Japanese seaman opened a restaurant on First Street. By 1900, several more businesses opened up, and the Japanese community boomed.  Today, over 170,000 Japanese Americans live in Los Angeles, according to the Pew Research Center,  which is the second largest population of Japanese-Americans after Honolulu. At least 40,000 of those 170,000 Japanese Americans live in Little Tokyo. When asked about the evolution of Little Tokyo, Townsend credited the variety of cultures that visit. “Little Tokyo used to be really, really dead and really quiet,” Townsend said. “Since I’ve gotten older, it’s become a lot more popular. People from different cultures all over come here, and it’s great to see everybody enjoy it.” The World Cup effect on tourism is significant, especially in Los Angeles. Fans gather to watch Japan take on the Netherlands in the FIFA World Cup at a watch party in the Little Tokyo area of Los Angeles Sunday. (Photo by Tony Carter/Cronkite News) “More people are coming in,” Townsend said. “They’re trying to find places to watch the game, and it’s fun as well.” Kusayanagi found it “cool to see different businesses always filled with people.”  Shimada works in Little Akihabara, a pop culture hub in the heart of Little Tokyo which features many pop-up shops, and has seen a difference. “We count the number of people that come into our store, and we had a lot more people yesterday than the usual amount,” Shimada said. “It’s definitely bringing in more people.” The Japanese community in Los Angeles has always embraced baseball, especially with superstar Shohei Ohtani playing on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Townsend and Shimada find it compelling that fans are focused on soccer and the World Cup. “Everybody is so passionate, whether they live in Japan or over here when it comes to our national teams,” Townsend said.  “Even though it’s smaller, I think we’re more focused, just more passionate.”  Shimada believes that “ecause of the Dodgers, Little Tokyo is like a cultural hot spot for everyone, and now soccer and the World Cup are building upon that. They’re giving each other a positive effect.” After a scoreless half between the two teams, a scoring barrage occurred in the second half. Trailing 2-1 in the 88th minute, Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada tied the match. A deafening roar came from the Japan faithful in what was the end of a great soccer match. “It was such an amazing game,” Shimada said. “Everyone was going crazy.” While Little Tokyo is a hub for Los Angeles’s Japanese culture, it formed a bridge Sunday between people of all cultures. “People see how passionate we are and then they love the culture as well,” Townsend said. “Even if they’re not Japanese, they’re here supporting and enjoying. “That’s what it’s all about.” The post Little Tokyo serves as cultural hub for Japanese soccer fans during World Cup appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3089ca197238567831f35a Little Tokyo serves as cultural hub for Japanese soccer fans during World Cup te 2026-06-15T23:24:58.147Z Little Tokyo serves as cultural hub for Japanese soccer fans during World Cup LOS ANGELES – The chants were heard throughout the district. The scents of traditional dishes filled the air and pride was felt by many throughout the day.  On Sunday afternoon, Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles was transformed from a historic cultural district to a fanatic frenzy. What was on the surface a watch party became a celebration of community and culture as Japan faced off against the Netherlands in what turned out to be one of the best matches so far in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. From San Fernando Valley to Ohio to Japan itself, fans packed the district’s restaurants and pop-up stores in an all-out appreciation for Japanese culture. Although like many urban communities, gentrification concerns abound, on this day Little Tokyo was downtown Los Angeles’ heartbeat. The World Cup just turned up the intensity. “Just seeing the community come together and all come for one purpose and watch the game – it’s pretty great,” fan Bryce Townsend said. Although the community did unite for this one soccer match, another fan, Rick Shimada, noticed the merging of a variety of cultures. “We’re not all Japanese,” Shimada said. “We have a lot of half-Japanese friends, people from Japan, people like me who have parents that came here — and we’re all coming together in Little Tokyo for just the love of this culture and community.” Another fan, Ai Kusayanagi, believed Little Tokyo was a breath of fresh air. “I was studying at university in Japan for the last four years,” Kusayanagi said. “It’s nice to see how much this place has grown over the years, especially with all of the people here today.” AI Kusayanagi and a friend pose in front of the watch party to cheer on Japan’s men’s national soccer team on Sunday. (Photo by Tony Carter/Cronkite News) Little Tokyo was founded in 1885 when a Japanese seaman opened a restaurant on First Street. By 1900, several more businesses opened up, and the Japanese community boomed.  Today, over 170,000 Japanese Americans live in Los Angeles, according to the Pew Research Center,  which is the second largest population of Japanese-Americans after Honolulu. At least 40,000 of those 170,000 Japanese Americans live in Little Tokyo. When asked about the evolution of Little Tokyo, Townsend credited the variety of cultures that visit. “Little Tokyo used to be really, really dead and really quiet,” Townsend said. “Since I’ve gotten older, it’s become a lot more popular. People from different cultures all over come here, and it’s great to see everybody enjoy it.” The World Cup effect on tourism is significant, especially in Los Angeles. Fans gather to watch Japan take on the Netherlands in the FIFA World Cup at a watch party in the Little Tokyo area of Los Angeles Sunday. (Photo by Tony Carter/Cronkite News) “More people are coming in,” Townsend said. “They’re trying to find places to watch the game, and it’s fun as well.” Kusayanagi found it “cool to see different businesses always filled with people.”  Shimada works in Little Akihabara, a pop culture hub in the heart of Little Tokyo which features many pop-up shops, and has seen a difference. “We count the number of people that come into our store, and we had a lot more people yesterday than the usual amount,” Shimada said. “It’s definitely bringing in more people.” The Japanese community in Los Angeles has always embraced baseball, especially with superstar Shohei Ohtani playing on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Townsend and Shimada find it compelling that fans are focused on soccer and the World Cup. “Everybody is so passionate, whether they live in Japan or over here when it comes to our national teams,” Townsend said.  “Even though it’s smaller, I think we’re more focused, just more passionate.”  Shimada believes that “ecause of the Dodgers, Little Tokyo is like a cultural hot spot for everyone, and now soccer and the World Cup are building upon that. They’re giving each other a positive effect.” After a scoreless half between the two teams, a scoring barrage occurred in the second half. Trailing 2-1 in the 88th minute, Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada tied the match. A deafening roar came from the Japan faithful in what was the end of a great soccer match. “It was such an amazing game,” Shimada said. “Everyone was going crazy.” While Little Tokyo is a hub for Los Angeles’s Japanese culture, it formed a bridge Sunday between people of all cultures. “People see how passionate we are and then they love the culture as well,” Townsend said. “Even if they’re not Japanese, they’re here supporting and enjoying. “That’s what it’s all about.” The post Little Tokyo serves as cultural hub for Japanese soccer fans during World Cup appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3089be197238567831f351 Kahleah Copper rediscovers her rhythm, but the Phoenix Mercury is still searching for wins te 2026-06-15T23:24:46.516Z Kahleah Copper rediscovers her rhythm, but the Phoenix Mercury is still searching for wins PHOENIX – For the first time in weeks, Kahleah Copper found her rhythm, putting together a performance that felt like a long awaited breakthrough.  Despite a historic night from the guard, the Phoenix Mercury were left with another frustrating loss Saturday. Copper erupted for a career-high 41 points and delivered one of the most complete performances in WNBA history, but the Mercury fell 111-102 to the Los Angeles Sparks in overtime, leaving the team still searching for answers in close games.  It was the Mercury’s ninth loss in 11 games.  Copper became just the third player in WNBA history to finish with at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and five made 3-pointers in a game. Yet even with Copper breaking out of her recent shooting slump, the Mercury could not turn her performance into a win. Phoenix again struggled to get key stops late, an issue coach Nate Tibbetts said continues to separate competitive performances from victories. “Defensively, we had some slips,” Tibbetts said. “We can’t allow them to walk into some shots. … We need to do a better job of just building a wall and showing bodies.” The loss underscored a familiar issue for Phoenix: encouraging individual performances that have yet to translate into consistent wins. While Copper appears to be breaking out of her recent shooting slump, the Mercury continue to search for the execution needed to finish games against high-powered offenses. Her breakout night was less about forcing production and more about trusting the flow of the offense, Copper said. “I was really just put in a position,” Copper said. “Some of the things Nate drew up, and then just seeing the floor and our spacing. We were all in our spots, so I just tried to make good plays.” After struggling through recent games, Copper said the mental shift was just as important as the stat line. Before Saturday, she shot 30% or worst in four of her last five games. “I’ve been overthinking in the past however many games,” she said. “I’m past that. I just want to win, whatever it takes – making the right play, hitting shots.” Her performance drew praise from teammate Natasha Mack, who said Copper’s work ethic made the breakout inevitable. “I’m very proud of her,” Mack said. “I see the work she puts in daily, so this was bound to come. When she’s going, it’s great for us.” Mack also highlighted the team’s effort despite another close loss, pointing to the collective mindset Phoenix is trying to build late in the season. “We had that tonight,” Mack said of the team’s fight. “One game at a time and make the playoffs.” Still, the Mercury’s inability to consistently get stops late proved costly, with Tibbetts stressing that defensive execution remains the difference in games that slip away. “A lot of these games we’ve been in, and then they’ve kind of gotten away from us,” Copper said. “But just keeping our fight. I think we had that tonight.” For Phoenix, Copper’s historic night offered a positive step forward offensively and a sign she may be fully breaking out of her slump. If the Mercury can pair that level of production with sharper late-game defense, those close losses could start turning into wins down the stretch. The post Kahleah Copper rediscovers her rhythm, but the Phoenix Mercury is still searching for wins appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3089bd197238567831f348 Kahleah Copper rediscovers her rhythm, but the Phoenix Mercury is still searching for wins te 2026-06-15T23:24:45.972Z Kahleah Copper rediscovers her rhythm, but the Phoenix Mercury is still searching for wins PHOENIX – For the first time in weeks, Kahleah Copper found her rhythm, putting together a performance that felt like a long awaited breakthrough.  Despite a historic night from the guard, the Phoenix Mercury were left with another frustrating loss Saturday. Copper erupted for a career-high 41 points and delivered one of the most complete performances in WNBA history, but the Mercury fell 111-102 to the Los Angeles Sparks in overtime, leaving the team still searching for answers in close games.  It was the Mercury’s ninth loss in 11 games.  Copper became just the third player in WNBA history to finish with at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and five made 3-pointers in a game. Yet even with Copper breaking out of her recent shooting slump, the Mercury could not turn her performance into a win. Phoenix again struggled to get key stops late, an issue coach Nate Tibbetts said continues to separate competitive performances from victories. “Defensively, we had some slips,” Tibbetts said. “We can’t allow them to walk into some shots. … We need to do a better job of just building a wall and showing bodies.” The loss underscored a familiar issue for Phoenix: encouraging individual performances that have yet to translate into consistent wins. While Copper appears to be breaking out of her recent shooting slump, the Mercury continue to search for the execution needed to finish games against high-powered offenses. Her breakout night was less about forcing production and more about trusting the flow of the offense, Copper said. “I was really just put in a position,” Copper said. “Some of the things Nate drew up, and then just seeing the floor and our spacing. We were all in our spots, so I just tried to make good plays.” After struggling through recent games, Copper said the mental shift was just as important as the stat line. Before Saturday, she shot 30% or worst in four of her last five games. “I’ve been overthinking in the past however many games,” she said. “I’m past that. I just want to win, whatever it takes – making the right play, hitting shots.” Her performance drew praise from teammate Natasha Mack, who said Copper’s work ethic made the breakout inevitable. “I’m very proud of her,” Mack said. “I see the work she puts in daily, so this was bound to come. When she’s going, it’s great for us.” Mack also highlighted the team’s effort despite another close loss, pointing to the collective mindset Phoenix is trying to build late in the season. “We had that tonight,” Mack said of the team’s fight. “One game at a time and make the playoffs.” Still, the Mercury’s inability to consistently get stops late proved costly, with Tibbetts stressing that defensive execution remains the difference in games that slip away. “A lot of these games we’ve been in, and then they’ve kind of gotten away from us,” Copper said. “But just keeping our fight. I think we had that tonight.” For Phoenix, Copper’s historic night offered a positive step forward offensively and a sign she may be fully breaking out of her slump. If the Mercury can pair that level of production with sharper late-game defense, those close losses could start turning into wins down the stretch. The post Kahleah Copper rediscovers her rhythm, but the Phoenix Mercury is still searching for wins appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3089b6197238567831f33f Kahleah Copper rediscovers her rhythm, but the Phoenix Mercury is still searching for wins te 2026-06-15T23:24:38.693Z Kahleah Copper rediscovers her rhythm, but the Phoenix Mercury is still searching for wins PHOENIX – For the first time in weeks, Kahleah Copper found her rhythm, putting together a performance that felt like a long awaited breakthrough.  Despite a historic night from the guard, the Phoenix Mercury were left with another frustrating loss Saturday. Copper erupted for a career-high 41 points and delivered one of the most complete performances in WNBA history, but the Mercury fell 111-102 to the Los Angeles Sparks in overtime, leaving the team still searching for answers in close games.  It was the Mercury’s ninth loss in 11 games.  Copper became just the third player in WNBA history to finish with at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and five made 3-pointers in a game. Yet even with Copper breaking out of her recent shooting slump, the Mercury could not turn her performance into a win. Phoenix again struggled to get key stops late, an issue coach Nate Tibbetts said continues to separate competitive performances from victories. “Defensively, we had some slips,” Tibbetts said. “We can’t allow them to walk into some shots. … We need to do a better job of just building a wall and showing bodies.” The loss underscored a familiar issue for Phoenix: encouraging individual performances that have yet to translate into consistent wins. While Copper appears to be breaking out of her recent shooting slump, the Mercury continue to search for the execution needed to finish games against high-powered offenses. Her breakout night was less about forcing production and more about trusting the flow of the offense, Copper said. “I was really just put in a position,” Copper said. “Some of the things Nate drew up, and then just seeing the floor and our spacing. We were all in our spots, so I just tried to make good plays.” After struggling through recent games, Copper said the mental shift was just as important as the stat line. Before Saturday, she shot 30% or worst in four of her last five games. “I’ve been overthinking in the past however many games,” she said. “I’m past that. I just want to win, whatever it takes – making the right play, hitting shots.” Her performance drew praise from teammate Natasha Mack, who said Copper’s work ethic made the breakout inevitable. “I’m very proud of her,” Mack said. “I see the work she puts in daily, so this was bound to come. When she’s going, it’s great for us.” Mack also highlighted the team’s effort despite another close loss, pointing to the collective mindset Phoenix is trying to build late in the season. “We had that tonight,” Mack said of the team’s fight. “One game at a time and make the playoffs.” Still, the Mercury’s inability to consistently get stops late proved costly, with Tibbetts stressing that defensive execution remains the difference in games that slip away. “A lot of these games we’ve been in, and then they’ve kind of gotten away from us,” Copper said. “But just keeping our fight. I think we had that tonight.” For Phoenix, Copper’s historic night offered a positive step forward offensively and a sign she may be fully breaking out of her slump. If the Mercury can pair that level of production with sharper late-game defense, those close losses could start turning into wins down the stretch. The post Kahleah Copper rediscovers her rhythm, but the Phoenix Mercury is still searching for wins appeared first on Cronkite News. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308997197238567831f330 Arizona Legislature Passes Bill Targeting Health Care Red Tape te 2026-06-15T23:24:07.092Z Arizona Legislature Passes Bill Targeting Health Care Red Tape By Matthew Holloway | A bipartisan bill aimed at reducing overlapping health care regulations and establishing statewide standards for behavioral health technicians is headed to Gov. Katie Hobbs after clearing the Arizona Legislature with broad support. SB 1162, sponsored by Sen. Hildy Angius (R-LD30), would require the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to review duplicative licensing, compliance, inspection, auditing, and reporting requirements affecting health care institutions. SB 1162 passed the Senate on final reading Tuesday in a 28-1 vote after previously passing the House in April by a 49-8 vote. The bill was transmitted to the governor on Wednesday. 🚨FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Senator Angius Advances Bipartisan Health Care Reform Legislation to the Governor Full press release: https://t.co/7PExACFS00@SenatorAngius pic.twitter.com/tofZdQKkF0 — AZSenateRepublicans (@AZSenateGOP) June 9, 2026 Angius said the measure is intended to reduce duplicative regulation while maintaining oversight and patient safety. “Government works best when it focuses on protecting people, not creating layers of unnecessary bureaucracy,” Angius said in a statement. “SB 1162 takes a commonsense approach by identifying regulatory overlap between state agencies and reducing administrative burdens that pull health care providers away from patient care.” Under the bill, ADHS and AHCCCS would be required to review areas of overlap involving licensing, certification, enrollment requirements, on-site surveys, inspections, audits, compliance activities, data collection, reporting requirements, corrective action processes, and enforcement procedures applicable to health care institutions. The legislation directs the two agencies to identify opportunities to eliminate or reduce duplicative, redundant, or inconsistent requirements while maintaining patient safety and regulatory oversight. It also requires the agencies to coordinate or align policies, procedures, and operational practices to minimize administrative burdens on health care institutions. The bill states that nothing in the measure requires action inconsistent with federal Medicaid conditions of participation, conditions of payment, or other applicable federal requirements. SB 1162 would also require ADHS to submit a written report to the House and Senate Health and Human Services committees by Dec. 31, 2026, and every four years thereafter. The report must summarize the review’s findings, identify any duplication or overlap, and include recommendations for statutory, regulatory, or administrative changes. The measure also adds a new article to state law governing behavioral health technicians. Under the bill, a behavioral health technician must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and successfully complete required background checks before serving in the role. Before providing supervised direct services, behavioral health technicians would be required to complete training covering behavioral health system orientation, confidentiality and compliance, professional boundaries and ethics, crisis response and de-escalation, and trauma-informed and recovery-oriented care. The bill defines a behavioral health technician as a person employed by a behavioral health facility or a hospital authorized to provide psychiatric services who provides behavioral health services under the supervision or clinical oversight of a licensed behavioral health professional or a registered nurse working within the nurse’s scope of practice. The legislation also limits behavioral health technicians to delegated clinical and support functions consistent with their demonstrated training and competence, as well as the policies and procedures of the employing behavioral health facility or hospital. The House summary of the bill states that a behavioral health technician would not be authorized to diagnose medical or behavioral health conditions, prescribe medications, or provide services beyond those delegated and supervised by a licensed behavioral health professional or licensed registered nurse. “At the same time, this legislation strengthens standards for behavioral health technicians who play a critical role in serving some of Arizona’s most vulnerable individuals,” Angius said. “Patients deserve qualified professionals, clear accountability, and a behavioral health system that puts care first.” SB 1162 was first introduced in January and received unanimous support in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. It passed the Senate in March on a 29-0 vote before being amended in the House. After the House approved the amended bill, the Senate concurred with the changes on Tuesday. Sen. Angius’ bill now awaits action from Gov. Hobbs. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com. The post Arizona Legislature Passes Bill Targeting Health Care Red Tape first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308996197238567831f327 Arizona Legislature Passes Bill Targeting Health Care Red Tape te 2026-06-15T23:24:06.549Z Arizona Legislature Passes Bill Targeting Health Care Red Tape By Matthew Holloway | A bipartisan bill aimed at reducing overlapping health care regulations and establishing statewide standards for behavioral health technicians is headed to Gov. Katie Hobbs after clearing the Arizona Legislature with broad support. SB 1162, sponsored by Sen. Hildy Angius (R-LD30), would require the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to review duplicative licensing, compliance, inspection, auditing, and reporting requirements affecting health care institutions. SB 1162 passed the Senate on final reading Tuesday in a 28-1 vote after previously passing the House in April by a 49-8 vote. The bill was transmitted to the governor on Wednesday. 🚨FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Senator Angius Advances Bipartisan Health Care Reform Legislation to the Governor Full press release: https://t.co/7PExACFS00@SenatorAngius pic.twitter.com/tofZdQKkF0 — AZSenateRepublicans (@AZSenateGOP) June 9, 2026 Angius said the measure is intended to reduce duplicative regulation while maintaining oversight and patient safety. “Government works best when it focuses on protecting people, not creating layers of unnecessary bureaucracy,” Angius said in a statement. “SB 1162 takes a commonsense approach by identifying regulatory overlap between state agencies and reducing administrative burdens that pull health care providers away from patient care.” Under the bill, ADHS and AHCCCS would be required to review areas of overlap involving licensing, certification, enrollment requirements, on-site surveys, inspections, audits, compliance activities, data collection, reporting requirements, corrective action processes, and enforcement procedures applicable to health care institutions. The legislation directs the two agencies to identify opportunities to eliminate or reduce duplicative, redundant, or inconsistent requirements while maintaining patient safety and regulatory oversight. It also requires the agencies to coordinate or align policies, procedures, and operational practices to minimize administrative burdens on health care institutions. The bill states that nothing in the measure requires action inconsistent with federal Medicaid conditions of participation, conditions of payment, or other applicable federal requirements. SB 1162 would also require ADHS to submit a written report to the House and Senate Health and Human Services committees by Dec. 31, 2026, and every four years thereafter. The report must summarize the review’s findings, identify any duplication or overlap, and include recommendations for statutory, regulatory, or administrative changes. The measure also adds a new article to state law governing behavioral health technicians. Under the bill, a behavioral health technician must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and successfully complete required background checks before serving in the role. Before providing supervised direct services, behavioral health technicians would be required to complete training covering behavioral health system orientation, confidentiality and compliance, professional boundaries and ethics, crisis response and de-escalation, and trauma-informed and recovery-oriented care. The bill defines a behavioral health technician as a person employed by a behavioral health facility or a hospital authorized to provide psychiatric services who provides behavioral health services under the supervision or clinical oversight of a licensed behavioral health professional or a registered nurse working within the nurse’s scope of practice. The legislation also limits behavioral health technicians to delegated clinical and support functions consistent with their demonstrated training and competence, as well as the policies and procedures of the employing behavioral health facility or hospital. The House summary of the bill states that a behavioral health technician would not be authorized to diagnose medical or behavioral health conditions, prescribe medications, or provide services beyond those delegated and supervised by a licensed behavioral health professional or licensed registered nurse. “At the same time, this legislation strengthens standards for behavioral health technicians who play a critical role in serving some of Arizona’s most vulnerable individuals,” Angius said. “Patients deserve qualified professionals, clear accountability, and a behavioral health system that puts care first.” SB 1162 was first introduced in January and received unanimous support in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. It passed the Senate in March on a 29-0 vote before being amended in the House. After the House approved the amended bill, the Senate concurred with the changes on Tuesday. Sen. Angius’ bill now awaits action from Gov. Hobbs. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com. The post Arizona Legislature Passes Bill Targeting Health Care Red Tape first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30898e197238567831f31e Arizona Legislature Passes Bill Targeting Health Care Red Tape te 2026-06-15T23:23:58.753Z Arizona Legislature Passes Bill Targeting Health Care Red Tape By Matthew Holloway | A bipartisan bill aimed at reducing overlapping health care regulations and establishing statewide standards for behavioral health technicians is headed to Gov. Katie Hobbs after clearing the Arizona Legislature with broad support. SB 1162, sponsored by Sen. Hildy Angius (R-LD30), would require the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to review duplicative licensing, compliance, inspection, auditing, and reporting requirements affecting health care institutions. SB 1162 passed the Senate on final reading Tuesday in a 28-1 vote after previously passing the House in April by a 49-8 vote. The bill was transmitted to the governor on Wednesday. 🚨FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Senator Angius Advances Bipartisan Health Care Reform Legislation to the Governor Full press release: https://t.co/7PExACFS00@SenatorAngius pic.twitter.com/tofZdQKkF0 — AZSenateRepublicans (@AZSenateGOP) June 9, 2026 Angius said the measure is intended to reduce duplicative regulation while maintaining oversight and patient safety. “Government works best when it focuses on protecting people, not creating layers of unnecessary bureaucracy,” Angius said in a statement. “SB 1162 takes a commonsense approach by identifying regulatory overlap between state agencies and reducing administrative burdens that pull health care providers away from patient care.” Under the bill, ADHS and AHCCCS would be required to review areas of overlap involving licensing, certification, enrollment requirements, on-site surveys, inspections, audits, compliance activities, data collection, reporting requirements, corrective action processes, and enforcement procedures applicable to health care institutions. The legislation directs the two agencies to identify opportunities to eliminate or reduce duplicative, redundant, or inconsistent requirements while maintaining patient safety and regulatory oversight. It also requires the agencies to coordinate or align policies, procedures, and operational practices to minimize administrative burdens on health care institutions. The bill states that nothing in the measure requires action inconsistent with federal Medicaid conditions of participation, conditions of payment, or other applicable federal requirements. SB 1162 would also require ADHS to submit a written report to the House and Senate Health and Human Services committees by Dec. 31, 2026, and every four years thereafter. The report must summarize the review’s findings, identify any duplication or overlap, and include recommendations for statutory, regulatory, or administrative changes. The measure also adds a new article to state law governing behavioral health technicians. Under the bill, a behavioral health technician must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and successfully complete required background checks before serving in the role. Before providing supervised direct services, behavioral health technicians would be required to complete training covering behavioral health system orientation, confidentiality and compliance, professional boundaries and ethics, crisis response and de-escalation, and trauma-informed and recovery-oriented care. The bill defines a behavioral health technician as a person employed by a behavioral health facility or a hospital authorized to provide psychiatric services who provides behavioral health services under the supervision or clinical oversight of a licensed behavioral health professional or a registered nurse working within the nurse’s scope of practice. The legislation also limits behavioral health technicians to delegated clinical and support functions consistent with their demonstrated training and competence, as well as the policies and procedures of the employing behavioral health facility or hospital. The House summary of the bill states that a behavioral health technician would not be authorized to diagnose medical or behavioral health conditions, prescribe medications, or provide services beyond those delegated and supervised by a licensed behavioral health professional or licensed registered nurse. “At the same time, this legislation strengthens standards for behavioral health technicians who play a critical role in serving some of Arizona’s most vulnerable individuals,” Angius said. “Patients deserve qualified professionals, clear accountability, and a behavioral health system that puts care first.” SB 1162 was first introduced in January and received unanimous support in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. It passed the Senate in March on a 29-0 vote before being amended in the House. After the House approved the amended bill, the Senate concurred with the changes on Tuesday. Sen. Angius’ bill now awaits action from Gov. Hobbs. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com. The post Arizona Legislature Passes Bill Targeting Health Care Red Tape first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308982197238567831f315 Kolodin Leverages Election Integrity Record In Bid For Arizona Secretary of State te 2026-06-15T23:23:46.581Z Kolodin Leverages Election Integrity Record In Bid For Arizona Secretary of State By Staff Reporter | Republican State Rep. Alex Kolodin (LD3) is one of two contenders vying to unseat incumbent Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. Kolodin, a longtime election lawyer, has been in the Arizona legislature since 2023.  Kolodin has previously defeated Fontes under different circumstances.  In 2020, Kolodin won an Arizona Supreme Court case against Fontes which determined the latter, while Maricopa County Recorder, had wrongly told mail voters that crossing out votes wouldn’t spoil their ballots. That ruling allowed Arizonans to further challenge election officials on unlawful actions. In 2024, Kolodin again defeated Fontes in court, securing a requirement for the latter to comply with duties under the National Voter Registration Act.  Earlier this year, Kolodin successfully passed an election integrity bill (HB 2022) to ensure Arizona’s election timeline aligned with federal requirements and protected military members overseas from disenfranchisement. Kolodin also led on HCR 2001, the Arizona Secure Elections Act, which promises to strengthen voter ID requirements through an amendment to the Arizona Constitution. The measure passed the Arizona Legislature and is now headed to the statewide ballot. If approved by voters, the amendment would mandate voter ID, declare citizenship as a mandatory qualification for registering and voting in elections, ban foreign funding in elections, and limit ballot acceptance times to Election Day. Facing off against Kolodin in the primary is former Arizona Republican Party Chair Gina Swoboda.  Kolodin and Swoboda debated last month, with PBS moderating. Both said voters desire more reasons to trust their elections: competence, transparency, reliability, and experience. Swoboda acknowledged that many voters believe elections have been rigged in recent years, but that the state has addressed issues with the administration, Elections Procedures Manual (EPM), and equipment through legislation and court challenges. “The way I say it is, when people say, ‘Was it stolen?’, they were stolen fair and square,” said Swoboda. Swoboda said issues with the EPM would always exist, but that the only issues that matter are those that affect the outcome of the election.  “We just won everything that was winnable in [20]24,” said Swoboda. Kolodin disagreed with Swoboda’s view that the issues with the elections system, namely the EPM, have been resolved. He pointed to the Pima County GOP lawsuit against Fontes which alleges that Fontes’ EPM threatens voters’ free speech. “The voters of Arizona are ready to move forward and have an elections system that we can be proud of,” said Kolodin.  Kolodin also questioned why Swoboda continues to defend the exclusion of political party observers in the EPM. Swoboda said she was merely backing what the law was at the time. Swoboda criticized Kolodin for his 2023 admonishment by the State Bar of Arizona. Kolodin was punished for participating in lawsuits challenging the 2020 election. Kolodin defended mail-in voting as the right of Arizona voters, and said that his efforts in the legislature have been to make that voting method more secure. “Arizonans love our mail-in voting. Most Arizonans use mail-in voting, and nobody is coming to take that away,” said Kolodin. Similarly, Swoboda said that Arizona has used mail-in voting for a while and does it well, and indicated that Arizona has further to go to secure the voting method against potential fraud. The two contended whether the ballot referral under HCR2001 would “crush” mail-in voting. Kolodin claimed Swoboda was “misleading” voters on the referral, which he said was measures to improve the security of mail-in voting. Swoboda claimed the county recorders stand opposed to the referral.  “The voters of Arizona are the only stakeholders that I care about,” replied Kolodin. Kolodin said it was “extremely important” to boost voter participation, especially in rural areas. However, Swoboda said it wouldn’t be her job as the secretary of state to ensure voter turnout was high. In closing statements, Kolodin said his focus was on restoring public perception of integrity in Arizona’s elections. “What the voters have been waiting for is elections that we can be proud of again,” said Kolodin. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Kolodin Leverages Election Integrity Record In Bid For Arizona Secretary of State first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308982197238567831f30c Kolodin Leverages Election Integrity Record In Bid For Arizona Secretary of State te 2026-06-15T23:23:46.100Z Kolodin Leverages Election Integrity Record In Bid For Arizona Secretary of State By Staff Reporter | Republican State Rep. Alex Kolodin (LD3) is one of two contenders vying to unseat incumbent Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. Kolodin, a longtime election lawyer, has been in the Arizona legislature since 2023.  Kolodin has previously defeated Fontes under different circumstances.  In 2020, Kolodin won an Arizona Supreme Court case against Fontes which determined the latter, while Maricopa County Recorder, had wrongly told mail voters that crossing out votes wouldn’t spoil their ballots. That ruling allowed Arizonans to further challenge election officials on unlawful actions. In 2024, Kolodin again defeated Fontes in court, securing a requirement for the latter to comply with duties under the National Voter Registration Act.  Earlier this year, Kolodin successfully passed an election integrity bill (HB 2022) to ensure Arizona’s election timeline aligned with federal requirements and protected military members overseas from disenfranchisement. Kolodin also led on HCR 2001, the Arizona Secure Elections Act, which promises to strengthen voter ID requirements through an amendment to the Arizona Constitution. The measure passed the Arizona Legislature and is now headed to the statewide ballot. If approved by voters, the amendment would mandate voter ID, declare citizenship as a mandatory qualification for registering and voting in elections, ban foreign funding in elections, and limit ballot acceptance times to Election Day. Facing off against Kolodin in the primary is former Arizona Republican Party Chair Gina Swoboda.  Kolodin and Swoboda debated last month, with PBS moderating. Both said voters desire more reasons to trust their elections: competence, transparency, reliability, and experience. Swoboda acknowledged that many voters believe elections have been rigged in recent years, but that the state has addressed issues with the administration, Elections Procedures Manual (EPM), and equipment through legislation and court challenges. “The way I say it is, when people say, ‘Was it stolen?’, they were stolen fair and square,” said Swoboda. Swoboda said issues with the EPM would always exist, but that the only issues that matter are those that affect the outcome of the election.  “We just won everything that was winnable in [20]24,” said Swoboda. Kolodin disagreed with Swoboda’s view that the issues with the elections system, namely the EPM, have been resolved. He pointed to the Pima County GOP lawsuit against Fontes which alleges that Fontes’ EPM threatens voters’ free speech. “The voters of Arizona are ready to move forward and have an elections system that we can be proud of,” said Kolodin.  Kolodin also questioned why Swoboda continues to defend the exclusion of political party observers in the EPM. Swoboda said she was merely backing what the law was at the time. Swoboda criticized Kolodin for his 2023 admonishment by the State Bar of Arizona. Kolodin was punished for participating in lawsuits challenging the 2020 election. Kolodin defended mail-in voting as the right of Arizona voters, and said that his efforts in the legislature have been to make that voting method more secure. “Arizonans love our mail-in voting. Most Arizonans use mail-in voting, and nobody is coming to take that away,” said Kolodin. Similarly, Swoboda said that Arizona has used mail-in voting for a while and does it well, and indicated that Arizona has further to go to secure the voting method against potential fraud. The two contended whether the ballot referral under HCR2001 would “crush” mail-in voting. Kolodin claimed Swoboda was “misleading” voters on the referral, which he said was measures to improve the security of mail-in voting. Swoboda claimed the county recorders stand opposed to the referral.  “The voters of Arizona are the only stakeholders that I care about,” replied Kolodin. Kolodin said it was “extremely important” to boost voter participation, especially in rural areas. However, Swoboda said it wouldn’t be her job as the secretary of state to ensure voter turnout was high. In closing statements, Kolodin said his focus was on restoring public perception of integrity in Arizona’s elections. “What the voters have been waiting for is elections that we can be proud of again,” said Kolodin. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Kolodin Leverages Election Integrity Record In Bid For Arizona Secretary of State first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30897a197238567831f303 Kolodin Leverages Election Integrity Record In Bid For Arizona Secretary of State te 2026-06-15T23:23:38.274Z Kolodin Leverages Election Integrity Record In Bid For Arizona Secretary of State By Staff Reporter | Republican State Rep. Alex Kolodin (LD3) is one of two contenders vying to unseat incumbent Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. Kolodin, a longtime election lawyer, has been in the Arizona legislature since 2023.  Kolodin has previously defeated Fontes under different circumstances.  In 2020, Kolodin won an Arizona Supreme Court case against Fontes which determined the latter, while Maricopa County Recorder, had wrongly told mail voters that crossing out votes wouldn’t spoil their ballots. That ruling allowed Arizonans to further challenge election officials on unlawful actions. In 2024, Kolodin again defeated Fontes in court, securing a requirement for the latter to comply with duties under the National Voter Registration Act.  Earlier this year, Kolodin successfully passed an election integrity bill (HB 2022) to ensure Arizona’s election timeline aligned with federal requirements and protected military members overseas from disenfranchisement. Kolodin also led on HCR 2001, the Arizona Secure Elections Act, which promises to strengthen voter ID requirements through an amendment to the Arizona Constitution. The measure passed the Arizona Legislature and is now headed to the statewide ballot. If approved by voters, the amendment would mandate voter ID, declare citizenship as a mandatory qualification for registering and voting in elections, ban foreign funding in elections, and limit ballot acceptance times to Election Day. Facing off against Kolodin in the primary is former Arizona Republican Party Chair Gina Swoboda.  Kolodin and Swoboda debated last month, with PBS moderating. Both said voters desire more reasons to trust their elections: competence, transparency, reliability, and experience. Swoboda acknowledged that many voters believe elections have been rigged in recent years, but that the state has addressed issues with the administration, Elections Procedures Manual (EPM), and equipment through legislation and court challenges. “The way I say it is, when people say, ‘Was it stolen?’, they were stolen fair and square,” said Swoboda. Swoboda said issues with the EPM would always exist, but that the only issues that matter are those that affect the outcome of the election.  “We just won everything that was winnable in [20]24,” said Swoboda. Kolodin disagreed with Swoboda’s view that the issues with the elections system, namely the EPM, have been resolved. He pointed to the Pima County GOP lawsuit against Fontes which alleges that Fontes’ EPM threatens voters’ free speech. “The voters of Arizona are ready to move forward and have an elections system that we can be proud of,” said Kolodin.  Kolodin also questioned why Swoboda continues to defend the exclusion of political party observers in the EPM. Swoboda said she was merely backing what the law was at the time. Swoboda criticized Kolodin for his 2023 admonishment by the State Bar of Arizona. Kolodin was punished for participating in lawsuits challenging the 2020 election. Kolodin defended mail-in voting as the right of Arizona voters, and said that his efforts in the legislature have been to make that voting method more secure. “Arizonans love our mail-in voting. Most Arizonans use mail-in voting, and nobody is coming to take that away,” said Kolodin. Similarly, Swoboda said that Arizona has used mail-in voting for a while and does it well, and indicated that Arizona has further to go to secure the voting method against potential fraud. The two contended whether the ballot referral under HCR2001 would “crush” mail-in voting. Kolodin claimed Swoboda was “misleading” voters on the referral, which he said was measures to improve the security of mail-in voting. Swoboda claimed the county recorders stand opposed to the referral.  “The voters of Arizona are the only stakeholders that I care about,” replied Kolodin. Kolodin said it was “extremely important” to boost voter participation, especially in rural areas. However, Swoboda said it wouldn’t be her job as the secretary of state to ensure voter turnout was high. In closing statements, Kolodin said his focus was on restoring public perception of integrity in Arizona’s elections. “What the voters have been waiting for is elections that we can be proud of again,” said Kolodin. AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link. The post Kolodin Leverages Election Integrity Record In Bid For Arizona Secretary of State first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30896e197238567831f2fa Biggs Introduces Right To Try Expansion For Individualized Therapies te 2026-06-15T23:23:26.133Z Biggs Introduces Right To Try Expansion For Individualized Therapies By Matthew Holloway | Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ5) has introduced legislation that would establish a federal pathway for patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating diseases to access individualized investigational treatments when no approved treatment options remain. According to a press release from Biggs’ office, the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act was introduced this week by Biggs and Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), with companion legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI). The legislation builds on the original federal Right to Try Act, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump and provides terminally ill patients access to certain investigational treatments that had not yet received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “One of my first efforts upon taking office in January 2017 was to partner with Senator Ron Johnson to champion Right to Try, which we passed through both the U.S. House and Senate,” Biggs said. “Many of us know people who are terminally ill and desperately seeking to extend their lives. Right to Try gives these individuals hope, freedom, and power to try potentially life-saving drug therapies.” Biggs said supporters of the original legislation sought to provide patients with additional treatment options when facing terminal illnesses and that the new proposal would build upon that framework. “Our coalition was unwilling to let one more American die without this chance, and we are motivated to build on this original bill with the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act,” Biggs said. “I am honored to again help lead this bill in the U.S. House, and I pray we can quickly send it to President Trump’s desk to be enacted into law.” According to the bill sponsors, the legislation is intended to address advances in precision medicine and genomics that have enabled treatments tailored to individual patients. The lawmakers argue that existing regulatory pathways were designed for therapies intended for broader patient populations and do not adequately accommodate patient-specific treatments. “We are entering a new era of medicine where breakthroughs in genomics and precision therapies can create treatments designed specifically for an individual patient, but our regulatory system was built for a different time and simply hasn’t kept up,” Harshbarger said. “This legislation makes sure patients have a clear, durable path to pursue individualized treatments when all other options have failed.” Under the proposal, patients diagnosed with life-threatening or severely debilitating diseases could access investigational individualized therapies under physician supervision when no approved treatment options remain. Patients would need a physician’s recommendation before receiving treatment, which would be administered in qualified healthcare facilities that meet federal safety and quality standards and are subject to Institutional Review Board oversight and informed consent requirements. Johnson said the measure would expand upon the original Right to Try framework by addressing therapies developed for individual patients and rare diseases. “Right to Try 2.0 builds on that success and would provide access to individualized, rare disease and one-patient therapies that the current regulatory environment has yet to accommodate,” Johnson said. “This is about medical freedom and putting doctors and patients at the top of the treatment pyramid.” The legislation would also establish a statutory framework for individualized treatments rather than relying solely on administrative guidance. According to Biggs’ office, the FDA released draft guidance in February outlining a framework to support the development of individualized therapies, but the sponsors argue congressional action is needed to create durable patient protections and access pathways. The Goldwater Institute, which helped pioneer the original Right to Try movement that was enacted into federal law in 2018, also advocated for the introduction of the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act. In a statement, Goldwater Institute President and CEO Victor Riches said, “No American should be forced to beg the government for permission to try to save their own life, and no bureaucrat should prevent a patient from accessing cutting-edge therapies. The Right to Try for Individualized Treatments opens the door to the latest advances in medical treatment and brings the federal government into the 21st century.” While medical technology has evolved at a breathtaking pace, regulatory systems remain stuck in an era of mass-produced drugs. The Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act will ensure that our laws keep pace with modern innovation, removing the bureaucratic barriers that… — Goldwater Institute (@GoldwaterInst) June 9, 2026 The proposal also has roots in Arizona. According to the release, Right to Try legislation received nearly 80 percent support in the Arizona Legislature in 2014 during Biggs’ tenure as a state lawmaker. The release states that Right to Try policies have since been adopted in 41 states, while “Right to Try 2.0” laws addressing individualized treatments have been enacted in 17 states, including Arizona. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com. The post Biggs Introduces Right To Try Expansion For Individualized Therapies first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30896d197238567831f2f1 Biggs Introduces Right To Try Expansion For Individualized Therapies te 2026-06-15T23:23:25.589Z Biggs Introduces Right To Try Expansion For Individualized Therapies By Matthew Holloway | Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ5) has introduced legislation that would establish a federal pathway for patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating diseases to access individualized investigational treatments when no approved treatment options remain. According to a press release from Biggs’ office, the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act was introduced this week by Biggs and Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), with companion legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI). The legislation builds on the original federal Right to Try Act, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump and provides terminally ill patients access to certain investigational treatments that had not yet received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “One of my first efforts upon taking office in January 2017 was to partner with Senator Ron Johnson to champion Right to Try, which we passed through both the U.S. House and Senate,” Biggs said. “Many of us know people who are terminally ill and desperately seeking to extend their lives. Right to Try gives these individuals hope, freedom, and power to try potentially life-saving drug therapies.” Biggs said supporters of the original legislation sought to provide patients with additional treatment options when facing terminal illnesses and that the new proposal would build upon that framework. “Our coalition was unwilling to let one more American die without this chance, and we are motivated to build on this original bill with the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act,” Biggs said. “I am honored to again help lead this bill in the U.S. House, and I pray we can quickly send it to President Trump’s desk to be enacted into law.” According to the bill sponsors, the legislation is intended to address advances in precision medicine and genomics that have enabled treatments tailored to individual patients. The lawmakers argue that existing regulatory pathways were designed for therapies intended for broader patient populations and do not adequately accommodate patient-specific treatments. “We are entering a new era of medicine where breakthroughs in genomics and precision therapies can create treatments designed specifically for an individual patient, but our regulatory system was built for a different time and simply hasn’t kept up,” Harshbarger said. “This legislation makes sure patients have a clear, durable path to pursue individualized treatments when all other options have failed.” Under the proposal, patients diagnosed with life-threatening or severely debilitating diseases could access investigational individualized therapies under physician supervision when no approved treatment options remain. Patients would need a physician’s recommendation before receiving treatment, which would be administered in qualified healthcare facilities that meet federal safety and quality standards and are subject to Institutional Review Board oversight and informed consent requirements. Johnson said the measure would expand upon the original Right to Try framework by addressing therapies developed for individual patients and rare diseases. “Right to Try 2.0 builds on that success and would provide access to individualized, rare disease and one-patient therapies that the current regulatory environment has yet to accommodate,” Johnson said. “This is about medical freedom and putting doctors and patients at the top of the treatment pyramid.” The legislation would also establish a statutory framework for individualized treatments rather than relying solely on administrative guidance. According to Biggs’ office, the FDA released draft guidance in February outlining a framework to support the development of individualized therapies, but the sponsors argue congressional action is needed to create durable patient protections and access pathways. The Goldwater Institute, which helped pioneer the original Right to Try movement that was enacted into federal law in 2018, also advocated for the introduction of the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act. In a statement, Goldwater Institute President and CEO Victor Riches said, “No American should be forced to beg the government for permission to try to save their own life, and no bureaucrat should prevent a patient from accessing cutting-edge therapies. The Right to Try for Individualized Treatments opens the door to the latest advances in medical treatment and brings the federal government into the 21st century.” While medical technology has evolved at a breathtaking pace, regulatory systems remain stuck in an era of mass-produced drugs. The Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act will ensure that our laws keep pace with modern innovation, removing the bureaucratic barriers that… — Goldwater Institute (@GoldwaterInst) June 9, 2026 The proposal also has roots in Arizona. According to the release, Right to Try legislation received nearly 80 percent support in the Arizona Legislature in 2014 during Biggs’ tenure as a state lawmaker. The release states that Right to Try policies have since been adopted in 41 states, while “Right to Try 2.0” laws addressing individualized treatments have been enacted in 17 states, including Arizona. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com. The post Biggs Introduces Right To Try Expansion For Individualized Therapies first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308965197238567831f2e8 Biggs Introduces Right To Try Expansion For Individualized Therapies te 2026-06-15T23:23:17.280Z Biggs Introduces Right To Try Expansion For Individualized Therapies By Matthew Holloway | Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ5) has introduced legislation that would establish a federal pathway for patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating diseases to access individualized investigational treatments when no approved treatment options remain. According to a press release from Biggs’ office, the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act was introduced this week by Biggs and Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), with companion legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI). The legislation builds on the original federal Right to Try Act, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump and provides terminally ill patients access to certain investigational treatments that had not yet received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “One of my first efforts upon taking office in January 2017 was to partner with Senator Ron Johnson to champion Right to Try, which we passed through both the U.S. House and Senate,” Biggs said. “Many of us know people who are terminally ill and desperately seeking to extend their lives. Right to Try gives these individuals hope, freedom, and power to try potentially life-saving drug therapies.” Biggs said supporters of the original legislation sought to provide patients with additional treatment options when facing terminal illnesses and that the new proposal would build upon that framework. “Our coalition was unwilling to let one more American die without this chance, and we are motivated to build on this original bill with the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act,” Biggs said. “I am honored to again help lead this bill in the U.S. House, and I pray we can quickly send it to President Trump’s desk to be enacted into law.” According to the bill sponsors, the legislation is intended to address advances in precision medicine and genomics that have enabled treatments tailored to individual patients. The lawmakers argue that existing regulatory pathways were designed for therapies intended for broader patient populations and do not adequately accommodate patient-specific treatments. “We are entering a new era of medicine where breakthroughs in genomics and precision therapies can create treatments designed specifically for an individual patient, but our regulatory system was built for a different time and simply hasn’t kept up,” Harshbarger said. “This legislation makes sure patients have a clear, durable path to pursue individualized treatments when all other options have failed.” Under the proposal, patients diagnosed with life-threatening or severely debilitating diseases could access investigational individualized therapies under physician supervision when no approved treatment options remain. Patients would need a physician’s recommendation before receiving treatment, which would be administered in qualified healthcare facilities that meet federal safety and quality standards and are subject to Institutional Review Board oversight and informed consent requirements. Johnson said the measure would expand upon the original Right to Try framework by addressing therapies developed for individual patients and rare diseases. “Right to Try 2.0 builds on that success and would provide access to individualized, rare disease and one-patient therapies that the current regulatory environment has yet to accommodate,” Johnson said. “This is about medical freedom and putting doctors and patients at the top of the treatment pyramid.” The legislation would also establish a statutory framework for individualized treatments rather than relying solely on administrative guidance. According to Biggs’ office, the FDA released draft guidance in February outlining a framework to support the development of individualized therapies, but the sponsors argue congressional action is needed to create durable patient protections and access pathways. The Goldwater Institute, which helped pioneer the original Right to Try movement that was enacted into federal law in 2018, also advocated for the introduction of the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act. In a statement, Goldwater Institute President and CEO Victor Riches said, “No American should be forced to beg the government for permission to try to save their own life, and no bureaucrat should prevent a patient from accessing cutting-edge therapies. The Right to Try for Individualized Treatments opens the door to the latest advances in medical treatment and brings the federal government into the 21st century.” While medical technology has evolved at a breathtaking pace, regulatory systems remain stuck in an era of mass-produced drugs. The Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act will ensure that our laws keep pace with modern innovation, removing the bureaucratic barriers that… — Goldwater Institute (@GoldwaterInst) June 9, 2026 The proposal also has roots in Arizona. According to the release, Right to Try legislation received nearly 80 percent support in the Arizona Legislature in 2014 during Biggs’ tenure as a state lawmaker. The release states that Right to Try policies have since been adopted in 41 states, while “Right to Try 2.0” laws addressing individualized treatments have been enacted in 17 states, including Arizona. Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com. The post Biggs Introduces Right To Try Expansion For Individualized Therapies first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308959197238567831f2df BEDRICK & LADNER: Capitol Coordination: When A Reporter Becomes An Activist te 2026-06-15T23:23:05.621Z BEDRICK & LADNER: Capitol Coordination: When A Reporter Becomes An Activist By Jason Bedrick & Matthew Ladner  | For months, we have documented the pattern of errors, distortions, and outright fabrications that characterize the coverage of Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program by Channel 12’s political reporter Craig Harris. Each new episode—the fabricated 20% fraud claim, the defiance in the face of correction by the Arizona Department of Education itself, the constant shifting of goalposts as each of his claims is debunked—seemed like it might result in Channel 12 taking appropriate corrective action. But they never did. Last week, at the Arizona Legislature’s final stretch of its 2026 session, the mask came off entirely. While lawmakers debated a series of consequential ESA-related bills and resolutions on Thursday and Friday—including a constitutional amendment to protect military family scholarships—Harris was captured on camera doing something that no journalist who takes the job title seriously can explain away: coordinating, via text message, with members of Save Our Schools Arizona, the anti-school-choice advocacy group that is a principal sponsor of the Protect Education Now ballot initiative, about where they should position themselves inside the Capitol building for maximum political impact. Text message conversation between Channel 12’s Craig Harris and anti-school choice activists. Let that sink in. A reporter on the education beat, covering legislation in real time, was not observing the advocacy groups in the building. He was directing them. The text exchange was visible on the screen of a Save Our Schools activist—readable thanks to a conspicuously large font and no privacy screen—and was flagged by our Heritage Foundation colleague Corey DeAngelis, who shared images of the messages on social media after receiving them from a local activist. Harris subsequently confirmed on X that the images of the group chat, named “ESA DDD Confidential 12News,” were real. After Harris told the activist that he was in the state senate chamber as that is “where [the] bill will first get introduced,” Save Our Schools board member Kathy Boltz asked Harris for advice regarding where their team of activists should place themselves in the capitol building. “Should we be in the senate? Hmm,” she asked. Within a minute, Harris answered in the affirmative. This is not ambiguous. This is not a misunderstanding. This is a journalist using his knowledge of the Arizona Legislature’s political process to provide tactical advice to an advocacy group that has a direct political stake in the legislation he is supposed to be covering neutrally. Harris was no longer covering the news. He was helping to manufacture it. But that wasn’t the worst of it. The same captured text conversation revealed Harris mocking a local school choice supporter, asking whether the individual “stars in porn.” This derision was not just a lapse in professionalism. This was contempt—contempt for the families, advocates, and ordinary citizens who show up at the Capitol to make the case for educational freedom, expressed in a private conversation with advocates on the other side of the issue. Text message conversation between Channel 12’s Craig Harris and anti-school choice activists. Multiple Arizona politicos were quick to call out the behavior publicly. State Senator Jake Hoffman called for Channel 12 to fire Harris and called on the station to “open an investigation into every story he was involved in and retract any instance of undisclosed coordination.” Hoffman observed that this coordination with activists is “precisely the kind of unethical behavior that has caused the majority of Americans to deeply distrust the media.” Arizona Republic columnist and former State Senator Paul Boyer called it “a really bad look” for Channel 12 to have their reporter, “who is also reporting on these same groups” to be discovered “coordinating with them at the legislature to defeat the same type of legislation he’s myopically focused on.” Similarly, J.P. Twist, executive director of Citizens for Free Enterprise, called out Harris for “literally strategizing with a partisan union to undermine parents’ rights.” The parent company of Channel 12 publishes a “Principles of Ethical Journalism” statement committing its journalists to the values of truth, independence, public interest, fair play, and integrity. It’s hard to see how coordinating with one group of political activists and crudely mocking the other side comports with those standards. Sadly, Harris’s breach of journalistic ethics does not end there. Later that night, in a hearing on legislation to protect military family scholarships, Harris took to social media to characterize two of the three supporting witnesses who testified as people “making money off ESAs,” implying their support was financially motivated rather than principled. One of those witnesses was Kevin Biesty, spokesperson for the Arizona Christian Education Coalition. As Biesty detailed on X, he reached out to Harris privately and asked him to correct or remove the post. Harris declined. As Biesty observed, the logic Harris applied to him — that representing clients who are affected by ESA policy makes one a financially conflicted advocate — is never applied to the other side. The staff and lobbyists of Save Our Schools Arizona and the teachers unions, who are paid to oppose the ESA program, are never characterized by Harris as people “making money off” the issue. Harris also claimed that no military family spoke at the hearing. That too was false. Biesty had personally presented a written statement from a military mother who could not remain for the late-night session, and referenced letters from other military families — all of this while Harris was in the room. At no point did Harris ask Biesty for that mother’s contact information or seek to include her perspective in his coverage. He was, however, apparently attentive enough to the gallery to communicate with his Save Our Schools contact — the same ESA mother and SOS board member who, Biesty observed, is never identified as such in Harris’s stories — while sitting at the press desk on the floor. Indeed, when ESA students and their families share their stories, Harris is quick to dismiss them. Recently, a young ESA student with disabilities named Jordan Visser shared on video about the ways the Protect Education Now initiative would harm students like himself. Harris went on social media to dispute his account, claiming that the initiative would not affect students with special needs—effectively accusing a student with disabilities of lying about the impact of a ballot measure on his own situation. He was wrong. As the student’s mother, Kathy Visser, and others documented, the text of the initiative itself bore out what the student had said—the ESA funds that the family had saved to continue providing him with services would be seized by the state if the Save Our Schools ballot initiative were adopted. The irony of Harris’s posture—aggressively checking the credibility of a disabled student while coordinating inside the Capitol with the very advocacy group sponsoring the initiative in question—encapsulates the problem. It is not that Harris is a journalist who occasionally makes mistakes. It is that the mistakes run in one direction, consistently, and that when corrected, he doubles down rather than acknowledging any error. And it is now documented, on camera, that he was coordinating tactics with one side of the debate he was purportedly covering. Arizona families with children in the ESA program deserve better than a reporter who coordinates with the opposition at the very hearings he is assigned to cover. Arizona viewers deserve better than a news organization that has allowed this pattern to continue unchecked. And the thousands of children—including those with disabilities—who rely on these scholarships deserve a press corps willing to represent their stories honestly. Channel 12 has not issued a correction or a retraction of the false fraud statistics. It has not yet acknowledged Harris’s coordination with activists or the mockery of a school choice supporter. Channel 12’s parent company should answer a simple question: Is the behavior documented at the Capitol last week consistent with its Principles of Ethical Journalism? If not, what will it do about it? Jason Bedrick is a Senior Research Fellow and Matthew Ladner is a Senior Advisor for education policy implementation at The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy. The post BEDRICK & LADNER: Capitol Coordination: When A Reporter Becomes An Activist first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308958197238567831f2d6 BEDRICK & LADNER: Capitol Coordination: When A Reporter Becomes An Activist te 2026-06-15T23:23:04.629Z BEDRICK & LADNER: Capitol Coordination: When A Reporter Becomes An Activist By Jason Bedrick & Matthew Ladner  | For months, we have documented the pattern of errors, distortions, and outright fabrications that characterize the coverage of Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program by Channel 12’s political reporter Craig Harris. Each new episode—the fabricated 20% fraud claim, the defiance in the face of correction by the Arizona Department of Education itself, the constant shifting of goalposts as each of his claims is debunked—seemed like it might result in Channel 12 taking appropriate corrective action. But they never did. Last week, at the Arizona Legislature’s final stretch of its 2026 session, the mask came off entirely. While lawmakers debated a series of consequential ESA-related bills and resolutions on Thursday and Friday—including a constitutional amendment to protect military family scholarships—Harris was captured on camera doing something that no journalist who takes the job title seriously can explain away: coordinating, via text message, with members of Save Our Schools Arizona, the anti-school-choice advocacy group that is a principal sponsor of the Protect Education Now ballot initiative, about where they should position themselves inside the Capitol building for maximum political impact. Text message conversation between Channel 12’s Craig Harris and anti-school choice activists. Let that sink in. A reporter on the education beat, covering legislation in real time, was not observing the advocacy groups in the building. He was directing them. The text exchange was visible on the screen of a Save Our Schools activist—readable thanks to a conspicuously large font and no privacy screen—and was flagged by our Heritage Foundation colleague Corey DeAngelis, who shared images of the messages on social media after receiving them from a local activist. Harris subsequently confirmed on X that the images of the group chat, named “ESA DDD Confidential 12News,” were real. After Harris told the activist that he was in the state senate chamber as that is “where [the] bill will first get introduced,” Save Our Schools board member Kathy Boltz asked Harris for advice regarding where their team of activists should place themselves in the capitol building. “Should we be in the senate? Hmm,” she asked. Within a minute, Harris answered in the affirmative. This is not ambiguous. This is not a misunderstanding. This is a journalist using his knowledge of the Arizona Legislature’s political process to provide tactical advice to an advocacy group that has a direct political stake in the legislation he is supposed to be covering neutrally. Harris was no longer covering the news. He was helping to manufacture it. But that wasn’t the worst of it. The same captured text conversation revealed Harris mocking a local school choice supporter, asking whether the individual “stars in porn.” This derision was not just a lapse in professionalism. This was contempt—contempt for the families, advocates, and ordinary citizens who show up at the Capitol to make the case for educational freedom, expressed in a private conversation with advocates on the other side of the issue. Text message conversation between Channel 12’s Craig Harris and anti-school choice activists. Multiple Arizona politicos were quick to call out the behavior publicly. State Senator Jake Hoffman called for Channel 12 to fire Harris and called on the station to “open an investigation into every story he was involved in and retract any instance of undisclosed coordination.” Hoffman observed that this coordination with activists is “precisely the kind of unethical behavior that has caused the majority of Americans to deeply distrust the media.” Arizona Republic columnist and former State Senator Paul Boyer called it “a really bad look” for Channel 12 to have their reporter, “who is also reporting on these same groups” to be discovered “coordinating with them at the legislature to defeat the same type of legislation he’s myopically focused on.” Similarly, J.P. Twist, executive director of Citizens for Free Enterprise, called out Harris for “literally strategizing with a partisan union to undermine parents’ rights.” The parent company of Channel 12 publishes a “Principles of Ethical Journalism” statement committing its journalists to the values of truth, independence, public interest, fair play, and integrity. It’s hard to see how coordinating with one group of political activists and crudely mocking the other side comports with those standards. Sadly, Harris’s breach of journalistic ethics does not end there. Later that night, in a hearing on legislation to protect military family scholarships, Harris took to social media to characterize two of the three supporting witnesses who testified as people “making money off ESAs,” implying their support was financially motivated rather than principled. One of those witnesses was Kevin Biesty, spokesperson for the Arizona Christian Education Coalition. As Biesty detailed on X, he reached out to Harris privately and asked him to correct or remove the post. Harris declined. As Biesty observed, the logic Harris applied to him — that representing clients who are affected by ESA policy makes one a financially conflicted advocate — is never applied to the other side. The staff and lobbyists of Save Our Schools Arizona and the teachers unions, who are paid to oppose the ESA program, are never characterized by Harris as people “making money off” the issue. Harris also claimed that no military family spoke at the hearing. That too was false. Biesty had personally presented a written statement from a military mother who could not remain for the late-night session, and referenced letters from other military families — all of this while Harris was in the room. At no point did Harris ask Biesty for that mother’s contact information or seek to include her perspective in his coverage. He was, however, apparently attentive enough to the gallery to communicate with his Save Our Schools contact — the same ESA mother and SOS board member who, Biesty observed, is never identified as such in Harris’s stories — while sitting at the press desk on the floor. Indeed, when ESA students and their families share their stories, Harris is quick to dismiss them. Recently, a young ESA student with disabilities named Jordan Visser shared on video about the ways the Protect Education Now initiative would harm students like himself. Harris went on social media to dispute his account, claiming that the initiative would not affect students with special needs—effectively accusing a student with disabilities of lying about the impact of a ballot measure on his own situation. He was wrong. As the student’s mother, Kathy Visser, and others documented, the text of the initiative itself bore out what the student had said—the ESA funds that the family had saved to continue providing him with services would be seized by the state if the Save Our Schools ballot initiative were adopted. The irony of Harris’s posture—aggressively checking the credibility of a disabled student while coordinating inside the Capitol with the very advocacy group sponsoring the initiative in question—encapsulates the problem. It is not that Harris is a journalist who occasionally makes mistakes. It is that the mistakes run in one direction, consistently, and that when corrected, he doubles down rather than acknowledging any error. And it is now documented, on camera, that he was coordinating tactics with one side of the debate he was purportedly covering. Arizona families with children in the ESA program deserve better than a reporter who coordinates with the opposition at the very hearings he is assigned to cover. Arizona viewers deserve better than a news organization that has allowed this pattern to continue unchecked. And the thousands of children—including those with disabilities—who rely on these scholarships deserve a press corps willing to represent their stories honestly. Channel 12 has not issued a correction or a retraction of the false fraud statistics. It has not yet acknowledged Harris’s coordination with activists or the mockery of a school choice supporter. Channel 12’s parent company should answer a simple question: Is the behavior documented at the Capitol last week consistent with its Principles of Ethical Journalism? If not, what will it do about it? Jason Bedrick is a Senior Research Fellow and Matthew Ladner is a Senior Advisor for education policy implementation at The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy. The post BEDRICK & LADNER: Capitol Coordination: When A Reporter Becomes An Activist first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308950197238567831f2cd BEDRICK & LADNER: Capitol Coordination: When A Reporter Becomes An Activist te 2026-06-15T23:22:56.291Z BEDRICK & LADNER: Capitol Coordination: When A Reporter Becomes An Activist By Jason Bedrick & Matthew Ladner  | For months, we have documented the pattern of errors, distortions, and outright fabrications that characterize the coverage of Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program by Channel 12’s political reporter Craig Harris. Each new episode—the fabricated 20% fraud claim, the defiance in the face of correction by the Arizona Department of Education itself, the constant shifting of goalposts as each of his claims is debunked—seemed like it might result in Channel 12 taking appropriate corrective action. But they never did. Last week, at the Arizona Legislature’s final stretch of its 2026 session, the mask came off entirely. While lawmakers debated a series of consequential ESA-related bills and resolutions on Thursday and Friday—including a constitutional amendment to protect military family scholarships—Harris was captured on camera doing something that no journalist who takes the job title seriously can explain away: coordinating, via text message, with members of Save Our Schools Arizona, the anti-school-choice advocacy group that is a principal sponsor of the Protect Education Now ballot initiative, about where they should position themselves inside the Capitol building for maximum political impact. Text message conversation between Channel 12’s Craig Harris and anti-school choice activists. Let that sink in. A reporter on the education beat, covering legislation in real time, was not observing the advocacy groups in the building. He was directing them. The text exchange was visible on the screen of a Save Our Schools activist—readable thanks to a conspicuously large font and no privacy screen—and was flagged by our Heritage Foundation colleague Corey DeAngelis, who shared images of the messages on social media after receiving them from a local activist. Harris subsequently confirmed on X that the images of the group chat, named “ESA DDD Confidential 12News,” were real. After Harris told the activist that he was in the state senate chamber as that is “where [the] bill will first get introduced,” Save Our Schools board member Kathy Boltz asked Harris for advice regarding where their team of activists should place themselves in the capitol building. “Should we be in the senate? Hmm,” she asked. Within a minute, Harris answered in the affirmative. This is not ambiguous. This is not a misunderstanding. This is a journalist using his knowledge of the Arizona Legislature’s political process to provide tactical advice to an advocacy group that has a direct political stake in the legislation he is supposed to be covering neutrally. Harris was no longer covering the news. He was helping to manufacture it. But that wasn’t the worst of it. The same captured text conversation revealed Harris mocking a local school choice supporter, asking whether the individual “stars in porn.” This derision was not just a lapse in professionalism. This was contempt—contempt for the families, advocates, and ordinary citizens who show up at the Capitol to make the case for educational freedom, expressed in a private conversation with advocates on the other side of the issue. Text message conversation between Channel 12’s Craig Harris and anti-school choice activists. Multiple Arizona politicos were quick to call out the behavior publicly. State Senator Jake Hoffman called for Channel 12 to fire Harris and called on the station to “open an investigation into every story he was involved in and retract any instance of undisclosed coordination.” Hoffman observed that this coordination with activists is “precisely the kind of unethical behavior that has caused the majority of Americans to deeply distrust the media.” Arizona Republic columnist and former State Senator Paul Boyer called it “a really bad look” for Channel 12 to have their reporter, “who is also reporting on these same groups” to be discovered “coordinating with them at the legislature to defeat the same type of legislation he’s myopically focused on.” Similarly, J.P. Twist, executive director of Citizens for Free Enterprise, called out Harris for “literally strategizing with a partisan union to undermine parents’ rights.” The parent company of Channel 12 publishes a “Principles of Ethical Journalism” statement committing its journalists to the values of truth, independence, public interest, fair play, and integrity. It’s hard to see how coordinating with one group of political activists and crudely mocking the other side comports with those standards. Sadly, Harris’s breach of journalistic ethics does not end there. Later that night, in a hearing on legislation to protect military family scholarships, Harris took to social media to characterize two of the three supporting witnesses who testified as people “making money off ESAs,” implying their support was financially motivated rather than principled. One of those witnesses was Kevin Biesty, spokesperson for the Arizona Christian Education Coalition. As Biesty detailed on X, he reached out to Harris privately and asked him to correct or remove the post. Harris declined. As Biesty observed, the logic Harris applied to him — that representing clients who are affected by ESA policy makes one a financially conflicted advocate — is never applied to the other side. The staff and lobbyists of Save Our Schools Arizona and the teachers unions, who are paid to oppose the ESA program, are never characterized by Harris as people “making money off” the issue. Harris also claimed that no military family spoke at the hearing. That too was false. Biesty had personally presented a written statement from a military mother who could not remain for the late-night session, and referenced letters from other military families — all of this while Harris was in the room. At no point did Harris ask Biesty for that mother’s contact information or seek to include her perspective in his coverage. He was, however, apparently attentive enough to the gallery to communicate with his Save Our Schools contact — the same ESA mother and SOS board member who, Biesty observed, is never identified as such in Harris’s stories — while sitting at the press desk on the floor. Indeed, when ESA students and their families share their stories, Harris is quick to dismiss them. Recently, a young ESA student with disabilities named Jordan Visser shared on video about the ways the Protect Education Now initiative would harm students like himself. Harris went on social media to dispute his account, claiming that the initiative would not affect students with special needs—effectively accusing a student with disabilities of lying about the impact of a ballot measure on his own situation. He was wrong. As the student’s mother, Kathy Visser, and others documented, the text of the initiative itself bore out what the student had said—the ESA funds that the family had saved to continue providing him with services would be seized by the state if the Save Our Schools ballot initiative were adopted. The irony of Harris’s posture—aggressively checking the credibility of a disabled student while coordinating inside the Capitol with the very advocacy group sponsoring the initiative in question—encapsulates the problem. It is not that Harris is a journalist who occasionally makes mistakes. It is that the mistakes run in one direction, consistently, and that when corrected, he doubles down rather than acknowledging any error. And it is now documented, on camera, that he was coordinating tactics with one side of the debate he was purportedly covering. Arizona families with children in the ESA program deserve better than a reporter who coordinates with the opposition at the very hearings he is assigned to cover. Arizona viewers deserve better than a news organization that has allowed this pattern to continue unchecked. And the thousands of children—including those with disabilities—who rely on these scholarships deserve a press corps willing to represent their stories honestly. Channel 12 has not issued a correction or a retraction of the false fraud statistics. It has not yet acknowledged Harris’s coordination with activists or the mockery of a school choice supporter. Channel 12’s parent company should answer a simple question: Is the behavior documented at the Capitol last week consistent with its Principles of Ethical Journalism? If not, what will it do about it? Jason Bedrick is a Senior Research Fellow and Matthew Ladner is a Senior Advisor for education policy implementation at The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy. The post BEDRICK & LADNER: Capitol Coordination: When A Reporter Becomes An Activist first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308946197238567831f2c4 Supervisors ask voters for a ¼-cent sales tax hike for jail te 2026-06-15T23:22:46.163Z Supervisors ask voters for a ¼-cent sales tax hike for jail Yavapai County reviews jail costs and recidivism The Yavapai Board of Supervisors tackled several issues with regards to county jails during its June 3 meeting including finalizing language to send a jail tax to voters and establishing a fund for coordinated reentry services for inmates. District 5 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308944197238567831f2bb Supervisors ask voters for a ¼-cent sales tax hike for jail te 2026-06-15T23:22:44.145Z Supervisors ask voters for a ¼-cent sales tax hike for jail Yavapai County reviews jail costs and recidivism The Yavapai Board of Supervisors tackled several issues with regards to county jails during its June 3 meeting including finalizing language to send a jail tax to voters and establishing a fund for coordinated reentry services for inmates. District 5 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30893b197238567831f2b2 Supervisors ask voters for a ¼-cent sales tax hike for jail te 2026-06-15T23:22:35.806Z Supervisors ask voters for a ¼-cent sales tax hike for jail Yavapai County reviews jail costs and recidivism The Yavapai Board of Supervisors tackled several issues with regards to county jails during its June 3 meeting including finalizing language to send a jail tax to voters and establishing a fund for coordinated reentry services for inmates. District 5 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308932197238567831f2a9 Attorney Christianson Resigns te 2026-06-15T23:22:26.708Z Attorney Christianson Resigns Moving family to Atlanta; Coady named interim Sedona City Attorney Kurt Christianson is leaving his position for a private sector job in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 13, at which point Assistant City Attorney Monique Coady will be appointed as interim head of the city’s legal department. “I move that c Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308930197238567831f2a0 Attorney Christianson Resigns te 2026-06-15T23:22:24.698Z Attorney Christianson Resigns Moving family to Atlanta; Coady named interim Sedona City Attorney Kurt Christianson is leaving his position for a private sector job in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 13, at which point Assistant City Attorney Monique Coady will be appointed as interim head of the city’s legal department. “I move that c Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308928197238567831f297 Attorney Christianson Resigns te 2026-06-15T23:22:16.350Z Attorney Christianson Resigns Moving family to Atlanta; Coady named interim Sedona City Attorney Kurt Christianson is leaving his position for a private sector job in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 13, at which point Assistant City Attorney Monique Coady will be appointed as interim head of the city’s legal department. “I move that c Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30891d197238567831f28e HB 2917 would put Arizona public safety at risk te 2026-06-15T23:22:05.717Z HB 2917 would put Arizona public safety at risk Scott Bennett As one of 15 county attorneys elected in Arizona, I witness daily how hard law enforcement works across our state. In rural Graham County, the limited size of our departments sometimes requires sending officers to calls alone, miles from backup. In Maricopa County, numerous departments coordinate together to cover one of the largest urban areas in the U.S. Thankfully, technologies have been developed to supplement the dedicated work of our police officers. These innovations help officers find missing people, catch unsafe drivers and document crimes, while bolstering cases my team argues in court to bring offenders to justice. That’s why I’m urging the Legislature to ensure HB 2917 does not move forward. The bill’s intentions aren’t bad. Arizonans have legitimate questions about how public safety technology is used, and we must, as a society, apply limits. But in this case, the bill is written so broadly that it could threaten basic tools most people would never want to restrict, such as police body cameras and courthouse security systems. The problem is that the bill uses a sweeping definition of law enforcement technology that could cover almost any device. Then it treats all of those different technologies as if they were the same as automated license plate readers, for instance, requiring systems to capture only vehicle plates and mandating that data be deleted within three minutes if there’s no match. A body camera can’t meet those requirements. Neither can a security system in a jail, a school or a stadium. It would even undermine the ability of cities and counties to conduct everyday traffic-flow studies. The practical result won’t be a sensible protection of privacy. It will be the elimination of vital, time-tested methods that keep our communities and officers safe. A stark example of this happened down the highway from my office in 2024. A Mississippi man suspected of murdering his mother and two sisters was on the run. After license-plate readers clocked his vehicle near Morenci, Arizona Department of Public Safety officers pulled him over.  Thankfully, officers were alerted to this high-risk individual thanks to information shared across law enforcement agencies, and when the man exited the vehicle with a firearm, officers were prepared and took him down. I am certainly not arguing for zero oversight of criminal investigative tools. Reasonable guardrails make sense. But this bill, as written, goes too far. Not only could it hamper investigations and force important evidence to be thrown out of court, most importantly this legislation will leave communities like mine with fewer tools to protect people. Don’t handcuff our law enforcement officers for no reason. Graham County Attorney Scott Bennett was elected in 2020. He currently serves as chair of the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council and is Arizona’s delegate and board member to the National District Attorneys Association. The post HB 2917 would put Arizona public safety at risk first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30891b197238567831f285 HB 2917 would put Arizona public safety at risk te 2026-06-15T23:22:03.701Z HB 2917 would put Arizona public safety at risk Scott Bennett As one of 15 county attorneys elected in Arizona, I witness daily how hard law enforcement works across our state. In rural Graham County, the limited size of our departments sometimes requires sending officers to calls alone, miles from backup. In Maricopa County, numerous departments coordinate together to cover one of the largest urban areas in the U.S. Thankfully, technologies have been developed to supplement the dedicated work of our police officers. These innovations help officers find missing people, catch unsafe drivers and document crimes, while bolstering cases my team argues in court to bring offenders to justice. That’s why I’m urging the Legislature to ensure HB 2917 does not move forward. The bill’s intentions aren’t bad. Arizonans have legitimate questions about how public safety technology is used, and we must, as a society, apply limits. But in this case, the bill is written so broadly that it could threaten basic tools most people would never want to restrict, such as police body cameras and courthouse security systems. The problem is that the bill uses a sweeping definition of law enforcement technology that could cover almost any device. Then it treats all of those different technologies as if they were the same as automated license plate readers, for instance, requiring systems to capture only vehicle plates and mandating that data be deleted within three minutes if there’s no match. A body camera can’t meet those requirements. Neither can a security system in a jail, a school or a stadium. It would even undermine the ability of cities and counties to conduct everyday traffic-flow studies. The practical result won’t be a sensible protection of privacy. It will be the elimination of vital, time-tested methods that keep our communities and officers safe. A stark example of this happened down the highway from my office in 2024. A Mississippi man suspected of murdering his mother and two sisters was on the run. After license-plate readers clocked his vehicle near Morenci, Arizona Department of Public Safety officers pulled him over.  Thankfully, officers were alerted to this high-risk individual thanks to information shared across law enforcement agencies, and when the man exited the vehicle with a firearm, officers were prepared and took him down. I am certainly not arguing for zero oversight of criminal investigative tools. Reasonable guardrails make sense. But this bill, as written, goes too far. Not only could it hamper investigations and force important evidence to be thrown out of court, most importantly this legislation will leave communities like mine with fewer tools to protect people. Don’t handcuff our law enforcement officers for no reason. Graham County Attorney Scott Bennett was elected in 2020. He currently serves as chair of the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council and is Arizona’s delegate and board member to the National District Attorneys Association. The post HB 2917 would put Arizona public safety at risk first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308912197238567831f27c HB 2917 would put Arizona public safety at risk te 2026-06-15T23:21:54.848Z HB 2917 would put Arizona public safety at risk Scott Bennett As one of 15 county attorneys elected in Arizona, I witness daily how hard law enforcement works across our state. In rural Graham County, the limited size of our departments sometimes requires sending officers to calls alone, miles from backup. In Maricopa County, numerous departments coordinate together to cover one of the largest urban areas in the U.S. Thankfully, technologies have been developed to supplement the dedicated work of our police officers. These innovations help officers find missing people, catch unsafe drivers and document crimes, while bolstering cases my team argues in court to bring offenders to justice. That’s why I’m urging the Legislature to ensure HB 2917 does not move forward. The bill’s intentions aren’t bad. Arizonans have legitimate questions about how public safety technology is used, and we must, as a society, apply limits. But in this case, the bill is written so broadly that it could threaten basic tools most people would never want to restrict, such as police body cameras and courthouse security systems. The problem is that the bill uses a sweeping definition of law enforcement technology that could cover almost any device. Then it treats all of those different technologies as if they were the same as automated license plate readers, for instance, requiring systems to capture only vehicle plates and mandating that data be deleted within three minutes if there’s no match. A body camera can’t meet those requirements. Neither can a security system in a jail, a school or a stadium. It would even undermine the ability of cities and counties to conduct everyday traffic-flow studies. The practical result won’t be a sensible protection of privacy. It will be the elimination of vital, time-tested methods that keep our communities and officers safe. A stark example of this happened down the highway from my office in 2024. A Mississippi man suspected of murdering his mother and two sisters was on the run. After license-plate readers clocked his vehicle near Morenci, Arizona Department of Public Safety officers pulled him over.  Thankfully, officers were alerted to this high-risk individual thanks to information shared across law enforcement agencies, and when the man exited the vehicle with a firearm, officers were prepared and took him down. I am certainly not arguing for zero oversight of criminal investigative tools. Reasonable guardrails make sense. But this bill, as written, goes too far. Not only could it hamper investigations and force important evidence to be thrown out of court, most importantly this legislation will leave communities like mine with fewer tools to protect people. Don’t handcuff our law enforcement officers for no reason. Graham County Attorney Scott Bennett was elected in 2020. He currently serves as chair of the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council and is Arizona’s delegate and board member to the National District Attorneys Association. The post HB 2917 would put Arizona public safety at risk first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30890a197238567831f273 Arizona must protect its healthcare workforce te 2026-06-15T23:21:46.262Z Arizona must protect its healthcare workforce Dr. Keith Frey When I came to Arizona in 1999 as a leader to enhance Mayo Clinic’s family medicine program, the state’s healthcare system was already under pressure from rapid growth. Twenty-seven years later, the challenge has only intensified. Growth has changed the state, and technology has changed the practice of medicine. Those forces will continue. The question now is whether Arizona’s healthcare workforce can keep pace. After more than 40 years in medicine, academic leadership and healthcare administration, I believe the answer is increasingly uncertain unless Arizona makes sustained investments in its healthcare talent pipeline. The physician shortage facing Arizona is real. Current projections suggest the state could be thousands of physicians short in the years ahead due to population growth, increasing demand for care and physician retirements. Just as importantly, many experienced healthcare professionals are leaving the workforce earlier than expected because of burnout and mounting workplace pressures. The Health Resources and Services Administration estimates Arizona needs 558 more primary care physicians to meet its current need. Arizona will also need nearly 2,000 more primary care physicians by 2030. While Arizona is the 14th most populous state in the nation, the state is 42nd in the nation for provider-to-population ratio. Physician well-being and workforce sustainability are issues I have studied closely for much of my career. The causes of burnout are varied, but physicians consistently point to increasing patient loads, staffing shortages, administrative burdens and the growing complexity of care delivery as major contributors. When experienced clinicians leave the profession prematurely, the strain on the rest of the system only intensifies. These workforce shortages affect more than convenience. Delayed care often means patients present with more advanced diseases that could have been prevented or treated earlier. The challenge is especially acute in rural communities, where patients may face long travel distances or limited access to providers altogether. Healthcare workforce challenges are not unique to Arizona, but our state’s rapid growth and large rural footprint make them especially fragile here. That is why it is important for Arizona’s healthcare, academic and business leaders to remain focused on long-term workforce solutions. ASU Health and the new John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering represent an important example of the kind of statewide, collaborative approach Arizona will need in the years to come. The first cohort of 36 students will begin their medical education at the Shufeldt School this August. Through a powerful blend of clinical education, engineering, artificial intelligence, interprofessional collaboration, humanities and systems thinking, graduates will be equipped to solve real-world problems and drive meaningful change in care.  The conversation is not simply about adding another medical school. Arizona’s healthcare challenges extend beyond physician production alone. The state must strengthen career pathways, expand training opportunities, improve access to care in underserved communities, support research and innovation, and create systems that allow healthcare professionals to sustain long careers.  Technology will be essential to easing some of these pressures, making the jobs of our healthcare professionals easier and more patient friendly. That is why ASU’s decision to integrate engineering principles into medical education through the Shufeldt School is so significant. It reflects the kind of innovation, adaptability and long-term thinking Arizona’s healthcare system will require in the decades ahead. The discussion around healthcare workforce development often begins with medical schools, and appropriately so. But Arizona requires more than additional physicians. As part of the larger ASU Health initiative, the School of Technology for Public Health, the College of Health Solutions, and the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation will play important roles in expanding training opportunities, improving access to care in underserved communities, supporting research and innovation, and creating systems that allow healthcare professionals to sustain long careers. Initiatives of this scale and importance require sustained public support. This is not a challenge any one institution can solve alone. Arizona’s universities, health systems, policymakers, healthcare providers and business leaders all have a role to play in strengthening the state’s long-term healthcare workforce capacity. Healthcare workforce development operates on a long timeline. The decisions made today will shape the availability of high-quality care for Arizonans 10, 15 and 20 years from now. Arizona has an opportunity to act now before workforce shortages place even greater strain on patients, healthcare professionals and communities across the state.  This is not yet an emergency, but the warning signs are clear. In healthcare, waiting for conditions to worsen is rarely wise. Dr. Keith Frey is a longtime Arizona physician leader with more than 40 years of experience in medicine, healthcare administration and medical education. The post Arizona must protect its healthcare workforce first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308908197238567831f26a Arizona must protect its healthcare workforce te 2026-06-15T23:21:44.244Z Arizona must protect its healthcare workforce Dr. Keith Frey When I came to Arizona in 1999 as a leader to enhance Mayo Clinic’s family medicine program, the state’s healthcare system was already under pressure from rapid growth. Twenty-seven years later, the challenge has only intensified. Growth has changed the state, and technology has changed the practice of medicine. Those forces will continue. The question now is whether Arizona’s healthcare workforce can keep pace. After more than 40 years in medicine, academic leadership and healthcare administration, I believe the answer is increasingly uncertain unless Arizona makes sustained investments in its healthcare talent pipeline. The physician shortage facing Arizona is real. Current projections suggest the state could be thousands of physicians short in the years ahead due to population growth, increasing demand for care and physician retirements. Just as importantly, many experienced healthcare professionals are leaving the workforce earlier than expected because of burnout and mounting workplace pressures. The Health Resources and Services Administration estimates Arizona needs 558 more primary care physicians to meet its current need. Arizona will also need nearly 2,000 more primary care physicians by 2030. While Arizona is the 14th most populous state in the nation, the state is 42nd in the nation for provider-to-population ratio. Physician well-being and workforce sustainability are issues I have studied closely for much of my career. The causes of burnout are varied, but physicians consistently point to increasing patient loads, staffing shortages, administrative burdens and the growing complexity of care delivery as major contributors. When experienced clinicians leave the profession prematurely, the strain on the rest of the system only intensifies. These workforce shortages affect more than convenience. Delayed care often means patients present with more advanced diseases that could have been prevented or treated earlier. The challenge is especially acute in rural communities, where patients may face long travel distances or limited access to providers altogether. Healthcare workforce challenges are not unique to Arizona, but our state’s rapid growth and large rural footprint make them especially fragile here. That is why it is important for Arizona’s healthcare, academic and business leaders to remain focused on long-term workforce solutions. ASU Health and the new John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering represent an important example of the kind of statewide, collaborative approach Arizona will need in the years to come. The first cohort of 36 students will begin their medical education at the Shufeldt School this August. Through a powerful blend of clinical education, engineering, artificial intelligence, interprofessional collaboration, humanities and systems thinking, graduates will be equipped to solve real-world problems and drive meaningful change in care.  The conversation is not simply about adding another medical school. Arizona’s healthcare challenges extend beyond physician production alone. The state must strengthen career pathways, expand training opportunities, improve access to care in underserved communities, support research and innovation, and create systems that allow healthcare professionals to sustain long careers.  Technology will be essential to easing some of these pressures, making the jobs of our healthcare professionals easier and more patient friendly. That is why ASU’s decision to integrate engineering principles into medical education through the Shufeldt School is so significant. It reflects the kind of innovation, adaptability and long-term thinking Arizona’s healthcare system will require in the decades ahead. The discussion around healthcare workforce development often begins with medical schools, and appropriately so. But Arizona requires more than additional physicians. As part of the larger ASU Health initiative, the School of Technology for Public Health, the College of Health Solutions, and the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation will play important roles in expanding training opportunities, improving access to care in underserved communities, supporting research and innovation, and creating systems that allow healthcare professionals to sustain long careers. Initiatives of this scale and importance require sustained public support. This is not a challenge any one institution can solve alone. Arizona’s universities, health systems, policymakers, healthcare providers and business leaders all have a role to play in strengthening the state’s long-term healthcare workforce capacity. Healthcare workforce development operates on a long timeline. The decisions made today will shape the availability of high-quality care for Arizonans 10, 15 and 20 years from now. Arizona has an opportunity to act now before workforce shortages place even greater strain on patients, healthcare professionals and communities across the state.  This is not yet an emergency, but the warning signs are clear. In healthcare, waiting for conditions to worsen is rarely wise. Dr. Keith Frey is a longtime Arizona physician leader with more than 40 years of experience in medicine, healthcare administration and medical education. The post Arizona must protect its healthcare workforce first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3088ff197238567831f261 Arizona must protect its healthcare workforce te 2026-06-15T23:21:35.394Z Arizona must protect its healthcare workforce Dr. Keith Frey When I came to Arizona in 1999 as a leader to enhance Mayo Clinic’s family medicine program, the state’s healthcare system was already under pressure from rapid growth. Twenty-seven years later, the challenge has only intensified. Growth has changed the state, and technology has changed the practice of medicine. Those forces will continue. The question now is whether Arizona’s healthcare workforce can keep pace. After more than 40 years in medicine, academic leadership and healthcare administration, I believe the answer is increasingly uncertain unless Arizona makes sustained investments in its healthcare talent pipeline. The physician shortage facing Arizona is real. Current projections suggest the state could be thousands of physicians short in the years ahead due to population growth, increasing demand for care and physician retirements. Just as importantly, many experienced healthcare professionals are leaving the workforce earlier than expected because of burnout and mounting workplace pressures. The Health Resources and Services Administration estimates Arizona needs 558 more primary care physicians to meet its current need. Arizona will also need nearly 2,000 more primary care physicians by 2030. While Arizona is the 14th most populous state in the nation, the state is 42nd in the nation for provider-to-population ratio. Physician well-being and workforce sustainability are issues I have studied closely for much of my career. The causes of burnout are varied, but physicians consistently point to increasing patient loads, staffing shortages, administrative burdens and the growing complexity of care delivery as major contributors. When experienced clinicians leave the profession prematurely, the strain on the rest of the system only intensifies. These workforce shortages affect more than convenience. Delayed care often means patients present with more advanced diseases that could have been prevented or treated earlier. The challenge is especially acute in rural communities, where patients may face long travel distances or limited access to providers altogether. Healthcare workforce challenges are not unique to Arizona, but our state’s rapid growth and large rural footprint make them especially fragile here. That is why it is important for Arizona’s healthcare, academic and business leaders to remain focused on long-term workforce solutions. ASU Health and the new John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering represent an important example of the kind of statewide, collaborative approach Arizona will need in the years to come. The first cohort of 36 students will begin their medical education at the Shufeldt School this August. Through a powerful blend of clinical education, engineering, artificial intelligence, interprofessional collaboration, humanities and systems thinking, graduates will be equipped to solve real-world problems and drive meaningful change in care.  The conversation is not simply about adding another medical school. Arizona’s healthcare challenges extend beyond physician production alone. The state must strengthen career pathways, expand training opportunities, improve access to care in underserved communities, support research and innovation, and create systems that allow healthcare professionals to sustain long careers.  Technology will be essential to easing some of these pressures, making the jobs of our healthcare professionals easier and more patient friendly. That is why ASU’s decision to integrate engineering principles into medical education through the Shufeldt School is so significant. It reflects the kind of innovation, adaptability and long-term thinking Arizona’s healthcare system will require in the decades ahead. The discussion around healthcare workforce development often begins with medical schools, and appropriately so. But Arizona requires more than additional physicians. As part of the larger ASU Health initiative, the School of Technology for Public Health, the College of Health Solutions, and the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation will play important roles in expanding training opportunities, improving access to care in underserved communities, supporting research and innovation, and creating systems that allow healthcare professionals to sustain long careers. Initiatives of this scale and importance require sustained public support. This is not a challenge any one institution can solve alone. Arizona’s universities, health systems, policymakers, healthcare providers and business leaders all have a role to play in strengthening the state’s long-term healthcare workforce capacity. Healthcare workforce development operates on a long timeline. The decisions made today will shape the availability of high-quality care for Arizonans 10, 15 and 20 years from now. Arizona has an opportunity to act now before workforce shortages place even greater strain on patients, healthcare professionals and communities across the state.  This is not yet an emergency, but the warning signs are clear. In healthcare, waiting for conditions to worsen is rarely wise. Dr. Keith Frey is a longtime Arizona physician leader with more than 40 years of experience in medicine, healthcare administration and medical education. The post Arizona must protect its healthcare workforce first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3088f6197238567831f258 Arizona exoneration fund to go belly up under new state budget te 2026-06-15T23:21:26.804Z Arizona exoneration fund to go belly up under new state budget Key Points: Arizona’s Erroneous Convictions Fund has lost funding in the new state budget The fund’s $3 million allocation has been depleted by its 11 initial applicants The fund was designed to provide compensation and counseling to those wrongfully imprisoned Just a year ago, state lawmakers and Gov. Katie Hobbs agreed to establish a program to provide those wrongfully convicted of crimes with compensation.  Now that program is gone. Strictly speaking, a provision tucked into the new state budget requires the state’s first-ever Erroneous Convictions Fund to use only money from its own coffers. That’s a problem because the $3 million put into the fund last year is already spoken for. In fact, the 11 people who were the first to apply have already requested more than that. Basically, the program is broke — and the new state budget isn’t stepping in to bail it out.  That has left Rep. Khyl Powell, who got unanimous support for the program a year ago, bitter. The Gilbert Republican reminded colleagues that the whole purpose of the fund was to provide financial relief “for people who lives were destroyed and people who were pardoned because they were put in prison illegally, they were put in prison innocently.” He also wants to ensure the Legislature has its priorities straight. “We just voted on a bill to give $500,000 for helping those who have problems with gambling,” he said. “Yet we cannot find monies … to help somebodies whose lives have been destroyed,” he continued. “To me, it’s incomprehensible.” But Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh said the program was never meant to receive funding beyond its original $3 million. Instead, the Fountain Hills Republican said it was temporary, a program only meant to provide the initial seed money for recovery without plaintiffs having to earn it in court. That’s important because, to Kavanagh, the wrongful convictions aren’t the state’s fault. “We’re paying off wrongs committed by county prosecutors,” Kavanagh said. “The counties (are) responsible for compensating them.” But if the funds run out, that will leave those with wrongful convictions no option but to sue the state for compensation, the very problem Powell said the fund — and its expedited review — were designed to avoid.  As approved last year, the measure entitles those found to be factually innocent with financial relief equal to twice the median income for each of the 12 years they were locked up. But the measure did more than offer payouts, it also offered counseling and job training.  It even featured a built in blocker against any reduction in payments for what it cost to house and feed the newly innocent while incarcerated. It wasn’t just Powell’s arguments that pushedArizona join more than three dozen other states with similar wrongful conviction programs. During hearings last year, lawmakers also heard from those whose lives were forever altered by wrongful convictions. That included Drayton Witt, who said he was stabbed 73 times and nearly killed while imprisoned by the state in Winslow, Arizona. Witt was convicted in 2002 of second-degree murder after being accused of shaking his nearly 5-month-old baby to death. But he was released after the county medical examiner reexamined the evidence and concluded that the death was the result of the child’s medical history and neurological problems. Witt told lawmakers last year that he started a small painting company after being freed in 2012, but it still hasn’t been easy to rebuild his life. “I would lose numerous jobs on a daily basis just simply from a Google search” which turned up his conviction, Witt said. Still, he said, it’s not simply about compensation. “It’s more about integrity, holding people accountable,” Witt continued. “At one point in time, I voted for somebody to be put in a position of power to look out for my best interests,” he said. “And, instead, those people sent me up the river to die.” Since its inception, the program has received the attention of several individuals. As of February — the most recent data available — 11 individuals wrongly convicted have applied for millions of dollars in compensation from the state, swamping the $3 million state fund. In some ways, that was expected, as the legislation was crafted to be retroactive affecting not just new cases but those going back years. Legislative analysts had said there have been 24 exonerations in Arizona since 1989, with an average time behind bars of 5.6 years. Assuming just 20% of those exonerated in that time period submit claims, that’s penciled out to a one-time cost of $4.5 million. But that report also concluded that, based on historical averages, the annual cost going forward would be in the neighborhood of about $641,000 per exoneration. “Their absence of being in the community for 15 or 20 years may have injured their ability to provide for themselves,” he said. “So now they need additional training.” The bill also provides for up to four financial planning or literacy classes within the first year. “We provide outlets for them to be fully restituted and be able to recover so that they then can become a productive member of society,” Powell said. Those benefits led Powell back to the chamber floor to fight for another $3 million for the fund, at least through 2027. But not only did his bill fail to receive a hearing, but his colleagues, through the budget process, confirmed there would be no more cash.  Powell decried that decision on Thursday. “We need to help people whose lives have been destroyed because we destroyed it through our criminal justice system,” he told colleagues. Rep. Alexander Kolodin agreed. “It’s a travesty that we have messed with what I view as one of the greatest achievements during my time in the Legislature,” said the Scottsdale Republican, who noted it was “no small feat” seeing Powell push the measure during his first year as a representative.  Still, Kolodin said the provision gutting the fund was only one part of a plan he still overall supports. So, unlike Powell, he ended up voting for the measure. The post Arizona exoneration fund to go belly up under new state budget first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3088f4197238567831f24f Arizona exoneration fund to go belly up under new state budget te 2026-06-15T23:21:24.790Z Arizona exoneration fund to go belly up under new state budget Key Points: Arizona’s Erroneous Convictions Fund has lost funding in the new state budget The fund’s $3 million allocation has been depleted by its 11 initial applicants The fund was designed to provide compensation and counseling to those wrongfully imprisoned Just a year ago, state lawmakers and Gov. Katie Hobbs agreed to establish a program to provide those wrongfully convicted of crimes with compensation.  Now that program is gone. Strictly speaking, a provision tucked into the new state budget requires the state’s first-ever Erroneous Convictions Fund to use only money from its own coffers. That’s a problem because the $3 million put into the fund last year is already spoken for. In fact, the 11 people who were the first to apply have already requested more than that. Basically, the program is broke — and the new state budget isn’t stepping in to bail it out.  That has left Rep. Khyl Powell, who got unanimous support for the program a year ago, bitter. The Gilbert Republican reminded colleagues that the whole purpose of the fund was to provide financial relief “for people who lives were destroyed and people who were pardoned because they were put in prison illegally, they were put in prison innocently.” He also wants to ensure the Legislature has its priorities straight. “We just voted on a bill to give $500,000 for helping those who have problems with gambling,” he said. “Yet we cannot find monies … to help somebodies whose lives have been destroyed,” he continued. “To me, it’s incomprehensible.” But Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh said the program was never meant to receive funding beyond its original $3 million. Instead, the Fountain Hills Republican said it was temporary, a program only meant to provide the initial seed money for recovery without plaintiffs having to earn it in court. That’s important because, to Kavanagh, the wrongful convictions aren’t the state’s fault. “We’re paying off wrongs committed by county prosecutors,” Kavanagh said. “The counties (are) responsible for compensating them.” But if the funds run out, that will leave those with wrongful convictions no option but to sue the state for compensation, the very problem Powell said the fund — and its expedited review — were designed to avoid.  As approved last year, the measure entitles those found to be factually innocent with financial relief equal to twice the median income for each of the 12 years they were locked up. But the measure did more than offer payouts, it also offered counseling and job training.  It even featured a built in blocker against any reduction in payments for what it cost to house and feed the newly innocent while incarcerated. It wasn’t just Powell’s arguments that pushedArizona join more than three dozen other states with similar wrongful conviction programs. During hearings last year, lawmakers also heard from those whose lives were forever altered by wrongful convictions. That included Drayton Witt, who said he was stabbed 73 times and nearly killed while imprisoned by the state in Winslow, Arizona. Witt was convicted in 2002 of second-degree murder after being accused of shaking his nearly 5-month-old baby to death. But he was released after the county medical examiner reexamined the evidence and concluded that the death was the result of the child’s medical history and neurological problems. Witt told lawmakers last year that he started a small painting company after being freed in 2012, but it still hasn’t been easy to rebuild his life. “I would lose numerous jobs on a daily basis just simply from a Google search” which turned up his conviction, Witt said. Still, he said, it’s not simply about compensation. “It’s more about integrity, holding people accountable,” Witt continued. “At one point in time, I voted for somebody to be put in a position of power to look out for my best interests,” he said. “And, instead, those people sent me up the river to die.” Since its inception, the program has received the attention of several individuals. As of February — the most recent data available — 11 individuals wrongly convicted have applied for millions of dollars in compensation from the state, swamping the $3 million state fund. In some ways, that was expected, as the legislation was crafted to be retroactive affecting not just new cases but those going back years. Legislative analysts had said there have been 24 exonerations in Arizona since 1989, with an average time behind bars of 5.6 years. Assuming just 20% of those exonerated in that time period submit claims, that’s penciled out to a one-time cost of $4.5 million. But that report also concluded that, based on historical averages, the annual cost going forward would be in the neighborhood of about $641,000 per exoneration. “Their absence of being in the community for 15 or 20 years may have injured their ability to provide for themselves,” he said. “So now they need additional training.” The bill also provides for up to four financial planning or literacy classes within the first year. “We provide outlets for them to be fully restituted and be able to recover so that they then can become a productive member of society,” Powell said. Those benefits led Powell back to the chamber floor to fight for another $3 million for the fund, at least through 2027. But not only did his bill fail to receive a hearing, but his colleagues, through the budget process, confirmed there would be no more cash.  Powell decried that decision on Thursday. “We need to help people whose lives have been destroyed because we destroyed it through our criminal justice system,” he told colleagues. Rep. Alexander Kolodin agreed. “It’s a travesty that we have messed with what I view as one of the greatest achievements during my time in the Legislature,” said the Scottsdale Republican, who noted it was “no small feat” seeing Powell push the measure during his first year as a representative.  Still, Kolodin said the provision gutting the fund was only one part of a plan he still overall supports. So, unlike Powell, he ended up voting for the measure. The post Arizona exoneration fund to go belly up under new state budget first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3088eb197238567831f246 Arizona exoneration fund to go belly up under new state budget te 2026-06-15T23:21:15.936Z Arizona exoneration fund to go belly up under new state budget Key Points: Arizona’s Erroneous Convictions Fund has lost funding in the new state budget The fund’s $3 million allocation has been depleted by its 11 initial applicants The fund was designed to provide compensation and counseling to those wrongfully imprisoned Just a year ago, state lawmakers and Gov. Katie Hobbs agreed to establish a program to provide those wrongfully convicted of crimes with compensation.  Now that program is gone. Strictly speaking, a provision tucked into the new state budget requires the state’s first-ever Erroneous Convictions Fund to use only money from its own coffers. That’s a problem because the $3 million put into the fund last year is already spoken for. In fact, the 11 people who were the first to apply have already requested more than that. Basically, the program is broke — and the new state budget isn’t stepping in to bail it out.  That has left Rep. Khyl Powell, who got unanimous support for the program a year ago, bitter. The Gilbert Republican reminded colleagues that the whole purpose of the fund was to provide financial relief “for people who lives were destroyed and people who were pardoned because they were put in prison illegally, they were put in prison innocently.” He also wants to ensure the Legislature has its priorities straight. “We just voted on a bill to give $500,000 for helping those who have problems with gambling,” he said. “Yet we cannot find monies … to help somebodies whose lives have been destroyed,” he continued. “To me, it’s incomprehensible.” But Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh said the program was never meant to receive funding beyond its original $3 million. Instead, the Fountain Hills Republican said it was temporary, a program only meant to provide the initial seed money for recovery without plaintiffs having to earn it in court. That’s important because, to Kavanagh, the wrongful convictions aren’t the state’s fault. “We’re paying off wrongs committed by county prosecutors,” Kavanagh said. “The counties (are) responsible for compensating them.” But if the funds run out, that will leave those with wrongful convictions no option but to sue the state for compensation, the very problem Powell said the fund — and its expedited review — were designed to avoid.  As approved last year, the measure entitles those found to be factually innocent with financial relief equal to twice the median income for each of the 12 years they were locked up. But the measure did more than offer payouts, it also offered counseling and job training.  It even featured a built in blocker against any reduction in payments for what it cost to house and feed the newly innocent while incarcerated. It wasn’t just Powell’s arguments that pushedArizona join more than three dozen other states with similar wrongful conviction programs. During hearings last year, lawmakers also heard from those whose lives were forever altered by wrongful convictions. That included Drayton Witt, who said he was stabbed 73 times and nearly killed while imprisoned by the state in Winslow, Arizona. Witt was convicted in 2002 of second-degree murder after being accused of shaking his nearly 5-month-old baby to death. But he was released after the county medical examiner reexamined the evidence and concluded that the death was the result of the child’s medical history and neurological problems. Witt told lawmakers last year that he started a small painting company after being freed in 2012, but it still hasn’t been easy to rebuild his life. “I would lose numerous jobs on a daily basis just simply from a Google search” which turned up his conviction, Witt said. Still, he said, it’s not simply about compensation. “It’s more about integrity, holding people accountable,” Witt continued. “At one point in time, I voted for somebody to be put in a position of power to look out for my best interests,” he said. “And, instead, those people sent me up the river to die.” Since its inception, the program has received the attention of several individuals. As of February — the most recent data available — 11 individuals wrongly convicted have applied for millions of dollars in compensation from the state, swamping the $3 million state fund. In some ways, that was expected, as the legislation was crafted to be retroactive affecting not just new cases but those going back years. Legislative analysts had said there have been 24 exonerations in Arizona since 1989, with an average time behind bars of 5.6 years. Assuming just 20% of those exonerated in that time period submit claims, that’s penciled out to a one-time cost of $4.5 million. But that report also concluded that, based on historical averages, the annual cost going forward would be in the neighborhood of about $641,000 per exoneration. “Their absence of being in the community for 15 or 20 years may have injured their ability to provide for themselves,” he said. “So now they need additional training.” The bill also provides for up to four financial planning or literacy classes within the first year. “We provide outlets for them to be fully restituted and be able to recover so that they then can become a productive member of society,” Powell said. Those benefits led Powell back to the chamber floor to fight for another $3 million for the fund, at least through 2027. But not only did his bill fail to receive a hearing, but his colleagues, through the budget process, confirmed there would be no more cash.  Powell decried that decision on Thursday. “We need to help people whose lives have been destroyed because we destroyed it through our criminal justice system,” he told colleagues. Rep. Alexander Kolodin agreed. “It’s a travesty that we have messed with what I view as one of the greatest achievements during my time in the Legislature,” said the Scottsdale Republican, who noted it was “no small feat” seeing Powell push the measure during his first year as a representative.  Still, Kolodin said the provision gutting the fund was only one part of a plan he still overall supports. So, unlike Powell, he ended up voting for the measure. The post Arizona exoneration fund to go belly up under new state budget first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3088e2197238567831f23d Republican attorneys general urge EPA to classify mifepristone as water contaminant te 2026-06-15T23:21:06.838Z Republican attorneys general urge EPA to classify mifepristone as water contaminant Fourteen state attorneys general are asking the EPA to classify the abortion medication mifepristone as a water contaminant. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Republican attorneys general from 14 states and 19 GOP members of Congress are asking U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin to classify and regulate the abortion medication mifepristone as a water contaminant. Mifepristone is prescribed as part of a two-drug medication regimen to terminate a pregnancy. Studies have shown medication abortion to be safe and effective. In a letter last Friday, the state officials argued that mifepristone is “a growing threat to the country’s waterways.” The letter was signed by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. A concurrent letter, led by Republican Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, made similar claims and was signed by 18 other GOP members of Congress. Environmental health science experts say there is no evidence that mifepristone in wastewater causes harm to the environment or to humans. “There’s no evidence that medication abortion is affecting U.S. water systems, including drinking water and aquatic wildlife,” the Center for Biological Diversity, which advocates for stronger environmental protections, says on its website. The GOP letters cite a 1996 FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research statement that said harmful environmental effects from mifepristone were “not anticipated,” while acknowledging that the drug may enter the environment via excretion or disposal of pharmaceutical waste. But drug trace amounts in water are a common occurrence, experts say, and state environmental agencies and scientists check for harmful contaminants in water as part of protocols and research. In 2025, state lawmakers in seven states introduced nine bills that included claims about medication abortion and its effects on the environment and water. State lawmakers also introduced legislation calling for testing for mifepristone in water systems. Last year, Republican members of Congress brought up similar concerns in a letter to the EPA. The U.S. Supreme Court decided last month to preserve telehealth access to mifepristone until after the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled on the merits of the high-stakes federal lawsuit Louisiana v. Food and Drug Administration. Medication abortion accounted for nearly two-thirds of all clinician-provided abortions in states without abortion bans in 2023, according to the most recent data available from the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization focused on advancing reproductive rights. Stateline reporter Nada Hassanein can be reached at nhassanein@stateline.org. This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Arizona Mirror, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3088de197238567831f218 New York Times probes Nicholas Kristof columns after report he failed to disclose campaign donor connections te 2026-06-15T23:21:02.263Z New York Times probes Nicholas Kristof columns after report he failed to disclose campaign donor connections The New York Times is reviewing the work of liberal columnist Nicholas Kristof to determine if "clarifications" are necessary after he failed to disclose that subjects of his work previously donated to his political campaign.  Kristof, who briefly left the Times in 2021 to run for governor of Oregon as a Democrat, returned to the newspaper in 2022 after he was deemed ineligible because of the state’s three-year residency requirement. At the time, the Times insisted Kristof would "either refrain from writing about donors or disclose the relationship to readers" going forward.  Semafor reported on Monday that Kristof "wrote favorably" about Bill Gates, who was a significant donor to his failed campaign, on multiple occasions without noting that Gates and his former wife reportedly forked over a combined $100,000. Semafor also reported that Kristof quoted McKinsey Global Managing Partner Bob Sternfels and late Harvard professor Joseph Nye without disclosing their prior donations to his campaign, along with other "undisclosed connections."  ISRAELI PM NETANYAHU INITIATING DEFAMATION LAWSUIT AGAINST NEW YORK TIMES OVER CONTROVERSIAL ‘DOG RAPE’ STORY The Times, which has strict rules about its journalists participating in political activism, announced a probe once Semafor inquired about the potential conflict.  "Previous political donations made by some people Nick Kristof mentioned in his columns should have been made more clear to readers. Editors from Times Opinion are reviewing these articles to determine further clarifications for readers," a Times spokesperson told Fox News Digital.  Meanwhile, Kristof has been outspoken when it comes to news surrounding deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and even directly asked ex-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak about his ties to the convicted pedophile at last year’s New York Times DealBook summit. Kristof has criticized President Donald Trump for alleged ties to Epstein and even spoke with "survivors of sex trafficking and those who work with them" for a February piece.  But Gates, who appeared multiple times over millions of documents released by the federal government as part of its criminal case against Epstein, famously told congressional investigators that Epstein sought to exploit his marital infidelity to gain access to him. Kristof has repeatedly written about Epstein but has not mentioned Gates’ ties to him.  NEW YORK TIMES DEFENDS CONTROVERSIAL ANTI-ISRAEL PIECE, 'NO TRUTH' TO RETRACTION CLAIMS  Gates and Epstein were shown corresponding and socializing between 2011 and 2014, including at Epstein’s New York town house, according to the files. Gates has said he never witnessed Epstein commit criminal behavior and was "never interested" in pursuing a relationship with him despite the sex offender’s efforts to do so. Kristof has pushed various Gates Foundation’s initiatives, covered Gates’ prediction that gene editing could cure AIDS and even mentioned Gates referring to a book as a "must read." None of those pieces included a disclaimer that Gates donated to his campaign and Kristof’s "What Trafficked Girls Think of Jeffrey Epstein and His Pals" made no mention of Gates. The Times and Gates did not immediately respond when asked for comment.  It’s hardly the first time Kristof has caused headaches for the Times. Last month, Kristof penned the infamous opinion piece that sparked outrage with allegations of serial sexual abuse by Israelis against Palestinian detainees. Kristof said a Gaza journalist claimed he was "mounted" by a dog before adding, "Other Palestinian prisoners and human rights monitors have also cited reports of police dogs being coached to rape prisoners." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE The article drew backlash from readers and the Israeli government, which has threatened a lawsuit against The Times. Some commentators called the article into question, noting that several figures whom Kristof interviewed had ties to anti-Israel activism.  Protesters stood inside NYPD barricades during a May protest holding signs that read "Shame on The New York Times for publishing anti-Zionist libels" and "The New York Times: All the blood libel that's fit to print." The Times defended the piece, saying it was "backed by independent studies," and rejected the notion that the article would be retracted. Fox News Digital’s Rachel Wolf, Adam Pack and Bonny Chu contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3088d7197238567831f20f Republican attorneys general urge EPA to classify mifepristone as water contaminant te 2026-06-15T23:20:55.968Z Republican attorneys general urge EPA to classify mifepristone as water contaminant Fourteen state attorneys general are asking the EPA to classify the abortion medication mifepristone as a water contaminant. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Republican attorneys general from 14 states and 19 GOP members of Congress are asking U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin to classify and regulate the abortion medication mifepristone as a water contaminant. Mifepristone is prescribed as part of a two-drug medication regimen to terminate a pregnancy. Studies have shown medication abortion to be safe and effective. In a letter last Friday, the state officials argued that mifepristone is “a growing threat to the country’s waterways.” The letter was signed by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. A concurrent letter, led by Republican Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, made similar claims and was signed by 18 other GOP members of Congress. Environmental health science experts say there is no evidence that mifepristone in wastewater causes harm to the environment or to humans. “There’s no evidence that medication abortion is affecting U.S. water systems, including drinking water and aquatic wildlife,” the Center for Biological Diversity, which advocates for stronger environmental protections, says on its website. The GOP letters cite a 1996 FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research statement that said harmful environmental effects from mifepristone were “not anticipated,” while acknowledging that the drug may enter the environment via excretion or disposal of pharmaceutical waste. But drug trace amounts in water are a common occurrence, experts say, and state environmental agencies and scientists check for harmful contaminants in water as part of protocols and research. In 2025, state lawmakers in seven states introduced nine bills that included claims about medication abortion and its effects on the environment and water. State lawmakers also introduced legislation calling for testing for mifepristone in water systems. Last year, Republican members of Congress brought up similar concerns in a letter to the EPA. The U.S. Supreme Court decided last month to preserve telehealth access to mifepristone until after the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled on the merits of the high-stakes federal lawsuit Louisiana v. Food and Drug Administration. Medication abortion accounted for nearly two-thirds of all clinician-provided abortions in states without abortion bans in 2023, according to the most recent data available from the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization focused on advancing reproductive rights. Stateline reporter Nada Hassanein can be reached at nhassanein@stateline.org. This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Arizona Mirror, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3088cf197238567831f206 Trump celebrates 80th birthday with UFC bloodsport, conspiracy theories at the White House te 2026-06-15T23:20:47.383Z Trump celebrates 80th birthday with UFC bloodsport, conspiracy theories at the White House Justin Gaethje talks to President Donald Trump after defeating Ilia Topuria in a lightweight title bout during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House on June 15, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday Sunday cageside at a multimillion-dollar bloody mixed martial arts event staged on the White House South Lawn, punctuated by fighter jet flyovers, a live military band and fireworks to mark the country’s 250th anniversary.   It also included the airing of a conspiracy theory about a former first lady, Michelle Obama, during post-fight comments by one of the contestants. The spectacle promoted by the Las Vegas-based Ultimate Fighting Championship, billed as Freedom 250, was exclusively shown on the paid subscription platform Paramount+. The Trump-organized event was not affiliated with the national nonpartisan organization America 250, a commission created by Congress. Aside from a blood sport taking place in the backyard of the White House, the night served as a first for several other extraordinary sights. That included live pre-fight sports commentary from inside the White House, and fighters warming up in offices-turned-lockerrooms at the neighboring Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The Ultimate Fighting Championship ring on the White House South Lawn on Thursday, June 11, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom) VIPs, including members of Congress and tech giants, sat under the lights in the temporary arena able to hold up to 4,300 guests. Tens of thousands of UFC fans crowded the Ellipse, where the fights were displayed on two mammoth screens. The event reportedly cost $60 million, according to a government court filing. VIP sponsorship packages, including a chance to sit cage-side under “the claw” cost up to the widely reported price tag of $1.5 million. Between praise for the American military and Jesus Christ, fighters delivered insulting and expletive-laden comments from inside “the Octagon.” Two American fighters, Bo Nikal and Josh Hokit, thanked Trump for having “the balls” to host the event at the White House.  Hokit, a former NFL player, during his live post-fight comments to massively popular podcast host Joe Rogan, insulted Brazilian fighter Alex Pereira’s mother and then repeated a right-wing conspiracy theory claiming former first lady Michelle Obama is “a man.” Josh Hokit gifts @POTUS his chain pic.twitter.com/506ZwmKavg — Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) June 15, 2026 Rogan did not challenge the comment. Shortly after his remark, Hokit placed his victory chain around Trump’s neck and the two shook hands. The moment was captured and posted on social media by White House special assistant Margo Martin. The official UFC YouTube clip of the California heavyweight’s speech does not include his unfounded insult of Obama. Bright lights and flyovers Spotlights from the UFC’s 92-foot steel canopy that dwarfed the White House and towered over “the Octagon” cage could be seen in the night sky from neighborhoods around Washington, D.C., and several residents took to social media to complain that a B-1 bomber flyover at 11:30 p.m. Eastern woke them. Fireworks exploded until nearly 1:30 a.m. Drinks in hand, U.S. service members in short-sleeve dress uniforms celebrated from the seats — several sailors even taking part in the “YMCA” dance during the Marine Corps band’s live cover of the Village People’s 1978 hit, a staple at Trump’s events.  Trump and UFC CEO Dana White entered the arena just before 8:30 p.m. Shortly after, a dozen fighter jets, in a joint “Super Delta” formation performed by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Navy Blue Angels, flew overhead during the national anthem, performed by country music star Zac Brown. Trump sat just below the fighting cage between first lady Melania Trump and White, an ally who has delivered primetime addresses in support of Trump at the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Republican National Conventions. Trump was surrounded by family, including his son, Barron, who sat behind him and shook hands with several guests who approached the president, according to pooled dispatches from the White House press corps. Several winning fighters jumped over the cage rail to shake the president’s hand following the individual matches. Eight US fighters Of the seven-fight card’s 14 competitors, eight were American. The violent bouts were accompanied by cheers of “USA!” and various taunts, including shouts that Canada should be “the 51st state” as American bantamweight fighter Sean O’Malley defeated Canada’s Aiemann Zahabi. Trump applauded O’Malley and shook his hand following the individual fight. The main event featured a title match between lightweights American Justin Gaethje and Spanish-Georgian Ilia Topuria. Officials named Gaethje the winner just after 1 a.m., as the badly battered Topuria, with a bloodied face, was declared incapable of continuing, according to pool reports. Fighters were paid a $250,000 performance bonus sponsored by World Liberty Financial, a crypto currency venture owned by the Trump family, according to broadcast announcers. Cameras delivering the exclusive Paramount stream showed notable lawmakers and tech moguls in the crowd, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., former wrestler and college wrestling coach Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The press corps reported Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., was also nearby. Trump, Zuckerberg and White spoke for several minutes during a break in the fights just before 10 p.m., according to pool reports. Other notable guests included Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com, one of the event’s two primary sponsors, and Polish President Karol Nawrocki. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal defense attorney and his attorney general nominee, shook hands as he moved through the crowd, according to press pool reports. Several other presidential Cabinet members were present, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who on Thursday signed a “sports diplomacy” agreement with UFC. Also in attendance was Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, whose reportedly $111 billion corporate takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, was cleared by the Justice Department Friday, a key last step for the merger.  Paramount+ has a $7.7 billion multi-year content deal to exclusively carry UFC events. The event, which was to start at 8 p.m., was delayed for roughly an hour because of the threat of thunderstorms. The fights wrapped up just after 1 a.m. Weekend festivities included a UFC press conference Friday night in front of the Lincoln Memorial, and a two-day fan festival on the Ellipse that featured motorcycle stunts from the Nitro Circus and a concert from the Georgia-based Zac Brown Band. The UFC controlled media credentialing for the event on the White House grounds. ‘No Kings’ protest The event faced sharp criticism but remained unscathed by an eleventh-hour lawsuit challenging the legality of UFC’s use of the White House lawn. Performers and celebrities staged a counter-concert organized by the Committee for the First Amendment, an activist coalition of artists spearheaded by Jane Fonda.  The No Kings protest organization promoted a livestream from The Town Hall in New York City, and encouraged people to organize remote watch parties for the “Rise Up, Sing Out” concert featuring Patti Smith, Bette Midler and Rufus Wainwright, among others. C-SPAN also streamed the nearly two-and-a-half hour concert, though some performances were muted because of licensing restrictions. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3088c4197238567831f1fb Trump celebrates 80th birthday with UFC bloodsport, conspiracy theories at the White House te 2026-06-15T23:20:36.511Z Trump celebrates 80th birthday with UFC bloodsport, conspiracy theories at the White House Justin Gaethje talks to President Donald Trump after defeating Ilia Topuria in a lightweight title bout during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House on June 15, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday Sunday cageside at a multimillion-dollar bloody mixed martial arts event staged on the White House South Lawn, punctuated by fighter jet flyovers, a live military band and fireworks to mark the country’s 250th anniversary.   It also included the airing of a conspiracy theory about a former first lady, Michelle Obama, during post-fight comments by one of the contestants. The spectacle promoted by the Las Vegas-based Ultimate Fighting Championship, billed as Freedom 250, was exclusively shown on the paid subscription platform Paramount+. The Trump-organized event was not affiliated with the national nonpartisan organization America 250, a commission created by Congress. Aside from a blood sport taking place in the backyard of the White House, the night served as a first for several other extraordinary sights. That included live pre-fight sports commentary from inside the White House, and fighters warming up in offices-turned-lockerrooms at the neighboring Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The Ultimate Fighting Championship ring on the White House South Lawn on Thursday, June 11, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom) VIPs, including members of Congress and tech giants, sat under the lights in the temporary arena able to hold up to 4,300 guests. Tens of thousands of UFC fans crowded the Ellipse, where the fights were displayed on two mammoth screens. The event reportedly cost $60 million, according to a government court filing. VIP sponsorship packages, including a chance to sit cage-side under “the claw” cost up to the widely reported price tag of $1.5 million. Between praise for the American military and Jesus Christ, fighters delivered insulting and expletive-laden comments from inside “the Octagon.” Two American fighters, Bo Nikal and Josh Hokit, thanked Trump for having “the balls” to host the event at the White House.  Hokit, a former NFL player, during his live post-fight comments to massively popular podcast host Joe Rogan, insulted Brazilian fighter Alex Pereira’s mother and then repeated a right-wing conspiracy theory claiming former first lady Michelle Obama is “a man.” Josh Hokit gifts @POTUS his chain pic.twitter.com/506ZwmKavg — Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) June 15, 2026 Rogan did not challenge the comment. Shortly after his remark, Hokit placed his victory chain around Trump’s neck and the two shook hands. The moment was captured and posted on social media by White House special assistant Margo Martin. The official UFC YouTube clip of the California heavyweight’s speech does not include his unfounded insult of Obama. Bright lights and flyovers Spotlights from the UFC’s 92-foot steel canopy that dwarfed the White House and towered over “the Octagon” cage could be seen in the night sky from neighborhoods around Washington, D.C., and several residents took to social media to complain that a B-1 bomber flyover at 11:30 p.m. Eastern woke them. Fireworks exploded until nearly 1:30 a.m. Drinks in hand, U.S. service members in short-sleeve dress uniforms celebrated from the seats — several sailors even taking part in the “YMCA” dance during the Marine Corps band’s live cover of the Village People’s 1978 hit, a staple at Trump’s events.  Trump and UFC CEO Dana White entered the arena just before 8:30 p.m. Shortly after, a dozen fighter jets, in a joint “Super Delta” formation performed by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Navy Blue Angels, flew overhead during the national anthem, performed by country music star Zac Brown. Trump sat just below the fighting cage between first lady Melania Trump and White, an ally who has delivered primetime addresses in support of Trump at the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Republican National Conventions. Trump was surrounded by family, including his son, Barron, who sat behind him and shook hands with several guests who approached the president, according to pooled dispatches from the White House press corps. Several winning fighters jumped over the cage rail to shake the president’s hand following the individual matches. Eight US fighters Of the seven-fight card’s 14 competitors, eight were American. The violent bouts were accompanied by cheers of “USA!” and various taunts, including shouts that Canada should be “the 51st state” as American bantamweight fighter Sean O’Malley defeated Canada’s Aiemann Zahabi. Trump applauded O’Malley and shook his hand following the individual fight. The main event featured a title match between lightweights American Justin Gaethje and Spanish-Georgian Ilia Topuria. Officials named Gaethje the winner just after 1 a.m., as the badly battered Topuria, with a bloodied face, was declared incapable of continuing, according to pool reports. Fighters were paid a $250,000 performance bonus sponsored by World Liberty Financial, a crypto currency venture owned by the Trump family, according to broadcast announcers. Cameras delivering the exclusive Paramount stream showed notable lawmakers and tech moguls in the crowd, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., former wrestler and college wrestling coach Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The press corps reported Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., was also nearby. Trump, Zuckerberg and White spoke for several minutes during a break in the fights just before 10 p.m., according to pool reports. Other notable guests included Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com, one of the event’s two primary sponsors, and Polish President Karol Nawrocki. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal defense attorney and his attorney general nominee, shook hands as he moved through the crowd, according to press pool reports. Several other presidential Cabinet members were present, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who on Thursday signed a “sports diplomacy” agreement with UFC. Also in attendance was Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, whose reportedly $111 billion corporate takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, was cleared by the Justice Department Friday, a key last step for the merger.  Paramount+ has a $7.7 billion multi-year content deal to exclusively carry UFC events. The event, which was to start at 8 p.m., was delayed for roughly an hour because of the threat of thunderstorms. The fights wrapped up just after 1 a.m. Weekend festivities included a UFC press conference Friday night in front of the Lincoln Memorial, and a two-day fan festival on the Ellipse that featured motorcycle stunts from the Nitro Circus and a concert from the Georgia-based Zac Brown Band. The UFC controlled media credentialing for the event on the White House grounds. ‘No Kings’ protest The event faced sharp criticism but remained unscathed by an eleventh-hour lawsuit challenging the legality of UFC’s use of the White House lawn. Performers and celebrities staged a counter-concert organized by the Committee for the First Amendment, an activist coalition of artists spearheaded by Jane Fonda.  The No Kings protest organization promoted a livestream from The Town Hall in New York City, and encouraged people to organize remote watch parties for the “Rise Up, Sing Out” concert featuring Patti Smith, Bette Midler and Rufus Wainwright, among others. C-SPAN also streamed the nearly two-and-a-half hour concert, though some performances were muted because of licensing restrictions. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3088bb197238567831f1f2 Republican legislators put measure to change voting procedures on November ballot te 2026-06-15T23:20:27.925Z Republican legislators put measure to change voting procedures on November ballot Voters wait in line at the Memorial Presbyterian Church to vote in the 2024 Election in Maricopa County on Nov. 5, 2024, in Phoenix, Ariz. In November, voters will decide whether to require ID for mail voting, a proposal that could reshape voting statewide. (Photo by Courtney Pedroza/Votebeat) In a contentious late-night vote, the Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature on Friday placed a measure on the November ballot that, if passed by voters, would significantly alter voting in the state. The measure, HCR 2001, would make various changes to voting procedures, most notably requiring all voters, even those who vote by mail, to provide “valid government-issued proof of identity.” If voters approve the measure, it would take effect in 2028. State lawmakers voted along party lines to pass the referral, also known as the Fast, Accurate, Secure, Transparent Election Results Act. In Arizona, legislators can refer measures to the ballot with a simple majority vote in both chambers, bypassing Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs’ veto pen. State law already mandates that voters casting ballots in person show photo ID or two non-photo documents bearing their name and address, such as a utility bill. But the vast majority of the state’s voters cast ballots by mail. State law currently does not require these voters to provide ID, although they do have to provide identification upon registering to vote and sign their ballot envelopes when voting. Those signatures are then compared against their signatures on file to safeguard against voter fraud. It’s unclear exactly how mail voters might prove their identity should the measure pass in November. State Rep. Alex Kolodin, a Scottsdale Republican who sponsored the legislation in the Arizona House and is running for secretary of state, told members of the Senate Judiciary and Election Committee in March that there were “many potential options,” including a system by which county recorders would issue each voter a unique identification number and require them to write the last four digits of it on their ballot envelope. He suggested state lawmakers should revisit the topic next year if voters approve the measure. The measure is part of a national movement by Republicans to restrict voting by mail. Earlier this week, the GOP-controlled Ohio legislature passed a similar photo ID requirement for mail voters, sending it to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump issued an executive order in March giving the U.S. Postal Service unprecedented oversight over mail voting. That order has been challenged in court, and it remains to be seen if it will be implemented for the 2026 election. “For years, the people of Arizona have been calling out for real election reform,” Kolodin said in March, adding that tightening voter ID requirements was also a priority of the Trump administration. “This measure gives them the opportunity to take it into their own hands.” Voter ID measure aims to speed up vote-counting Among the other changes the measure would make is the one that inspired its acronym, the FAST Election Results Act. It would require counties to give voters who drop off their mail ballot at a polling place on Election Day the option to have their ballot counted on site, rather than transported back to a central location for tabulation. That could speed up the reporting of election results without “even a minor inconvenience” to voters, per Kolodin. A similar law, passed in 2024, just took effect this year. That law gives mail voters the option to show ID when dropping off their ballot, eliminating the need to check their signature later. But unlike state lawmakers’ proposal, that law does not require counties to physically count those ballots at voting sites. Most counties currently transport all ballots back to a central election office after voting ends to tabulate them. Jen Marson, executive director of the Arizona Association of Counties, said in March that the measure would pose huge financial and logistical challenges for those counties. At the time, the measure would have taken effect immediately after passage, giving counties little to no time to adjust. The version of the measure that ultimately passed, however, is not effective until 2028 and includes a provision requiring the state to fund new equipment and other costs associated with its implementation. Marson did not immediately respond to a request for comment late Friday. The legislation would also prohibit noncitizens from contributing money to influence state elections and prohibit any candidates from knowingly accepting such contributions. Additionally, it contains a provision asserting that the state’s elections “shall be decided solely by the votes of eligible citizen voters.” Some other provisions of the measure are already in state and federal law, including that only U.S. citizens are eligible to register to vote. Still, Republicans said on the floor that the legislation addressed many concerns their constituents have about the integrity of the state’s elections, despite no evidence of widespread voter fraud or a rigged vote. “These reforms are necessary,” Rep. Neal Carter, a Republican from San Tan Valley, said on Friday. “They really are.” But Democrats in both chambers viewed it differently. On Friday, they repeatedly described it as an attack on mail voting, which is wildly popular in Arizona. “The intention of this is to eliminate early voting,” said Sen. Analise Ortiz, a Democrat from Phoenix. “We shouldn’t be tiptoeing around the impact of this, because what it means is that senior citizens, rural voters, tribal voters, people with disabilities, people who work multiple jobs and can’t wait in long lines, are going to lose their access to vote by mail. That is shameful.” Voting-rights advocates propose counterinitiative The measure may not be the only voting-related question on the November ballot. A group called Protect the Vote Arizona is collecting signatures to qualify a different ballot initiative that would counteract the Republican-supported one. That measure, the Free, Fair and Secure Elections Act, would enshrine a fundamental right to vote in person at countywide polling places or by early ballot in the state constitution. It would further prescribe that voters who sign up to get a ballot by mail keep getting one until they move, die, or opt out — canceling out a state law scheduled to take effect next year that would remove voters from the early voting list if they haven’t voted using a mail ballot in more than two years. And it would codify the state’s current rules around voter ID in the state constitution to prevent new mandates from being placed on mail voters. In Arizona, if two measures with conflicting provisions both pass, whichever one receives more votes takes effect. It’s unclear exactly who is funding the group behind the initiative. Protect the Vote Arizona’s officers have a history of working with left-leaning politicians and causes. But Stacy Pearson of Lumen Strategies, which is helping manage the campaign, said the effort was “grassroots.” “We didn’t start with big funders telling us what to do,” Pearson said. “We started with, there’s an opportunity here in Arizona to protect what works.” The organization had not received any donations as of March 31, according to a campaign finance report. It will file its next report on July 15. This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3088b5197238567831f1d9 GOP gubernatorial contenders Biggs & Schweikert set for this week's debate ahead of July primary te 2026-06-15T23:20:21.811Z GOP gubernatorial contenders Biggs & Schweikert set for this week's debate ahead of July primary Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3088b1197238567831f1d0 Republican legislators put measure to change voting procedures on November ballot te 2026-06-15T23:20:17.063Z Republican legislators put measure to change voting procedures on November ballot Voters wait in line at the Memorial Presbyterian Church to vote in the 2024 Election in Maricopa County on Nov. 5, 2024, in Phoenix, Ariz. In November, voters will decide whether to require ID for mail voting, a proposal that could reshape voting statewide. (Photo by Courtney Pedroza/Votebeat) In a contentious late-night vote, the Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature on Friday placed a measure on the November ballot that, if passed by voters, would significantly alter voting in the state. The measure, HCR 2001, would make various changes to voting procedures, most notably requiring all voters, even those who vote by mail, to provide “valid government-issued proof of identity.” If voters approve the measure, it would take effect in 2028. State lawmakers voted along party lines to pass the referral, also known as the Fast, Accurate, Secure, Transparent Election Results Act. In Arizona, legislators can refer measures to the ballot with a simple majority vote in both chambers, bypassing Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs’ veto pen. State law already mandates that voters casting ballots in person show photo ID or two non-photo documents bearing their name and address, such as a utility bill. But the vast majority of the state’s voters cast ballots by mail. State law currently does not require these voters to provide ID, although they do have to provide identification upon registering to vote and sign their ballot envelopes when voting. Those signatures are then compared against their signatures on file to safeguard against voter fraud. It’s unclear exactly how mail voters might prove their identity should the measure pass in November. State Rep. Alex Kolodin, a Scottsdale Republican who sponsored the legislation in the Arizona House and is running for secretary of state, told members of the Senate Judiciary and Election Committee in March that there were “many potential options,” including a system by which county recorders would issue each voter a unique identification number and require them to write the last four digits of it on their ballot envelope. He suggested state lawmakers should revisit the topic next year if voters approve the measure. The measure is part of a national movement by Republicans to restrict voting by mail. Earlier this week, the GOP-controlled Ohio legislature passed a similar photo ID requirement for mail voters, sending it to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump issued an executive order in March giving the U.S. Postal Service unprecedented oversight over mail voting. That order has been challenged in court, and it remains to be seen if it will be implemented for the 2026 election. “For years, the people of Arizona have been calling out for real election reform,” Kolodin said in March, adding that tightening voter ID requirements was also a priority of the Trump administration. “This measure gives them the opportunity to take it into their own hands.” Voter ID measure aims to speed up vote-counting Among the other changes the measure would make is the one that inspired its acronym, the FAST Election Results Act. It would require counties to give voters who drop off their mail ballot at a polling place on Election Day the option to have their ballot counted on site, rather than transported back to a central location for tabulation. That could speed up the reporting of election results without “even a minor inconvenience” to voters, per Kolodin. A similar law, passed in 2024, just took effect this year. That law gives mail voters the option to show ID when dropping off their ballot, eliminating the need to check their signature later. But unlike state lawmakers’ proposal, that law does not require counties to physically count those ballots at voting sites. Most counties currently transport all ballots back to a central election office after voting ends to tabulate them. Jen Marson, executive director of the Arizona Association of Counties, said in March that the measure would pose huge financial and logistical challenges for those counties. At the time, the measure would have taken effect immediately after passage, giving counties little to no time to adjust. The version of the measure that ultimately passed, however, is not effective until 2028 and includes a provision requiring the state to fund new equipment and other costs associated with its implementation. Marson did not immediately respond to a request for comment late Friday. The legislation would also prohibit noncitizens from contributing money to influence state elections and prohibit any candidates from knowingly accepting such contributions. Additionally, it contains a provision asserting that the state’s elections “shall be decided solely by the votes of eligible citizen voters.” Some other provisions of the measure are already in state and federal law, including that only U.S. citizens are eligible to register to vote. Still, Republicans said on the floor that the legislation addressed many concerns their constituents have about the integrity of the state’s elections, despite no evidence of widespread voter fraud or a rigged vote. “These reforms are necessary,” Rep. Neal Carter, a Republican from San Tan Valley, said on Friday. “They really are.” But Democrats in both chambers viewed it differently. On Friday, they repeatedly described it as an attack on mail voting, which is wildly popular in Arizona. “The intention of this is to eliminate early voting,” said Sen. Analise Ortiz, a Democrat from Phoenix. “We shouldn’t be tiptoeing around the impact of this, because what it means is that senior citizens, rural voters, tribal voters, people with disabilities, people who work multiple jobs and can’t wait in long lines, are going to lose their access to vote by mail. That is shameful.” Voting-rights advocates propose counterinitiative The measure may not be the only voting-related question on the November ballot. A group called Protect the Vote Arizona is collecting signatures to qualify a different ballot initiative that would counteract the Republican-supported one. That measure, the Free, Fair and Secure Elections Act, would enshrine a fundamental right to vote in person at countywide polling places or by early ballot in the state constitution. It would further prescribe that voters who sign up to get a ballot by mail keep getting one until they move, die, or opt out — canceling out a state law scheduled to take effect next year that would remove voters from the early voting list if they haven’t voted using a mail ballot in more than two years. And it would codify the state’s current rules around voter ID in the state constitution to prevent new mandates from being placed on mail voters. In Arizona, if two measures with conflicting provisions both pass, whichever one receives more votes takes effect. It’s unclear exactly who is funding the group behind the initiative. Protect the Vote Arizona’s officers have a history of working with left-leaning politicians and causes. But Stacy Pearson of Lumen Strategies, which is helping manage the campaign, said the effort was “grassroots.” “We didn’t start with big funders telling us what to do,” Pearson said. “We started with, there’s an opportunity here in Arizona to protect what works.” The organization had not received any donations as of March 31, according to a campaign finance report. It will file its next report on July 15. This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3088a8197238567831f1c7 Kennedy Center under wraps: Tarp hides facade days after Trump name was forced down te 2026-06-15T23:20:08.470Z Kennedy Center under wraps: Tarp hides facade days after Trump name was forced down A weatherproof tarp covers the facade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on June 15, 2026. (Photo by Sam Gauntt/States Newsroom) Days after President Donald Trump’s name was removed from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a large tarp and scaffolding was still blocking the building’s facade from public view Monday afternoon.  Construction crews took Trump’s name off the center early Saturday morning after a federal appeals court upheld a Friday deadline for its removal.  But at the start of the work week, the portion of the building’s facade where Trump’s name was located was almost entirely obstructed.  A weatherproof tarp covers the facade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on June 15, 2026. (Photo by Sam Gauntt/States Newsroom) According to a Kennedy Center spokesperson, the scaffolding and tarp will remain up while crews perform maintenance on the marble and soffit panels on the building’s facade.  The center did not provide any indication about how long the maintenance work will take or when the tarps will be taken down.  The removal of Trump’s name came as a blow to his efforts over the course of his second term to take direct control of the center’s governance and get rid of what he described as “woke” programming.  Early last year, he appointed a new, hand-selected board of trustees for the center. They subsequently named him chair. Last December, he even personally hosted the Kennedy Centers Honors, the annual tribute show celebrating significant contributions to performing arts.  In February, Trump announced that he planned to close the Kennedy Center for two years while working on significant renovations.  Ohio lawmaker sues In the midst of these changes to the center, Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in late December, challenging the legality of the president renaming the center after himself. She amended the suit in February, seeking to block the closure as well.  U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper ruled in favor of Beatty on May 29, ordering that Trump’s name come down, and that the center similarly remove references to Trump from its website and online branding.  The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., with President Donald Trump’s name on the facade is pictured May 5, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom) After Cooper ruled, Trump took to Truth Social and blasted the judge, whom he described as an “anti-Trump Hater,” for stopping the “magnificent structural and aesthetic rebuilding of The Trump Kennedy Center.” Cooper’s order also halted the planned two-year closure of the center. The Trump administration appealed the ruling, but a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld Cooper’s decision Friday evening.  Beatty, one of seven U.S. House members on the center’s board, said in a statement last week that the Kennedy Center’s newly appointed trustees are “more focused on elevating the president than advancing the arts.” “The court was clear in its order because the statute is clear: only Congress can change the name of the Kennedy Center,” Beatty said. “My hope moving forward is that the board restores the integrity of the Kennedy Center, rebuilds programming and respects the rule of law. This beloved national treasure deserves nothing less.” A weatherproof tarp is affixed to the facade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on June 15, 2026. (Photo by Sam Gauntt/States Newsroom) Beatty did not immediately return States Newsroom’s request for comment Monday afternoon.  But even though Trump’s name is gone, the center is still shrouded in legal uncertainty.  In his May order, Cooper wrote that his ruling was not an effort to control how the center should be run or set a plan for it going forward. Rather, he said it was to hold the Kennedy Center’s Board to the requirements set by the law.  Beyond that, he wrote, the court will “let the parties play on.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30889d197238567831f1a8 Kennedy Center under wraps: Tarp hides facade days after Trump name was forced down te 2026-06-15T23:19:57.602Z Kennedy Center under wraps: Tarp hides facade days after Trump name was forced down A weatherproof tarp covers the facade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on June 15, 2026. (Photo by Sam Gauntt/States Newsroom) Days after President Donald Trump’s name was removed from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a large tarp and scaffolding was still blocking the building’s facade from public view Monday afternoon.  Construction crews took Trump’s name off the center early Saturday morning after a federal appeals court upheld a Friday deadline for its removal.  But at the start of the work week, the portion of the building’s facade where Trump’s name was located was almost entirely obstructed.  A weatherproof tarp covers the facade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on June 15, 2026. (Photo by Sam Gauntt/States Newsroom) According to a Kennedy Center spokesperson, the scaffolding and tarp will remain up while crews perform maintenance on the marble and soffit panels on the building’s facade.  The center did not provide any indication about how long the maintenance work will take or when the tarps will be taken down.  The removal of Trump’s name came as a blow to his efforts over the course of his second term to take direct control of the center’s governance and get rid of what he described as “woke” programming.  Early last year, he appointed a new, hand-selected board of trustees for the center. They subsequently named him chair. Last December, he even personally hosted the Kennedy Centers Honors, the annual tribute show celebrating significant contributions to performing arts.  In February, Trump announced that he planned to close the Kennedy Center for two years while working on significant renovations.  Ohio lawmaker sues In the midst of these changes to the center, Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in late December, challenging the legality of the president renaming the center after himself. She amended the suit in February, seeking to block the closure as well.  U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper ruled in favor of Beatty on May 29, ordering that Trump’s name come down, and that the center similarly remove references to Trump from its website and online branding.  The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., with President Donald Trump’s name on the facade is pictured May 5, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom) After Cooper ruled, Trump took to Truth Social and blasted the judge, whom he described as an “anti-Trump Hater,” for stopping the “magnificent structural and aesthetic rebuilding of The Trump Kennedy Center.” Cooper’s order also halted the planned two-year closure of the center. The Trump administration appealed the ruling, but a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld Cooper’s decision Friday evening.  Beatty, one of seven U.S. House members on the center’s board, said in a statement last week that the Kennedy Center’s newly appointed trustees are “more focused on elevating the president than advancing the arts.” “The court was clear in its order because the statute is clear: only Congress can change the name of the Kennedy Center,” Beatty said. “My hope moving forward is that the board restores the integrity of the Kennedy Center, rebuilds programming and respects the rule of law. This beloved national treasure deserves nothing less.” A weatherproof tarp is affixed to the facade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on June 15, 2026. (Photo by Sam Gauntt/States Newsroom) Beatty did not immediately return States Newsroom’s request for comment Monday afternoon.  But even though Trump’s name is gone, the center is still shrouded in legal uncertainty.  In his May order, Cooper wrote that his ruling was not an effort to control how the center should be run or set a plan for it going forward. Rather, he said it was to hold the Kennedy Center’s Board to the requirements set by the law.  Beyond that, he wrote, the court will “let the parties play on.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308894197238567831f19f Trump, Dana White's star-studded White House UFC event draws big names while several invited A-listers skip te 2026-06-15T23:19:48.502Z Trump, Dana White's star-studded White House UFC event draws big names while several invited A-listers skip From athletes and influencers to political allies and celebrities, President Donald Trump's highly anticipated White House UFC event drew a host of high-profile guests. Still, despite the star-studded crowd, several A-list celebrities reportedly invited to the event were notably absent. Trump marked his 80th birthday Sunday night with a celebration on the South Lawn, where 14 fighters from around the world competed inside a wire-mesh cage during the UFC Freedom 250 spectacle. UFC SAYS IT WON’T PROFIT FROM WHITE HOUSE EVENT THAT COULD COST 'UPWARDS OF $60M' The estimated 4,300 people in attendance, which included about 1,200 active-duty service members, greeted the president with loud cheers as the occasional "Happy Birthday" was shouted from the crowd.  The $60 million event kicked off with the Marine Band’s performance of the national anthem, sung by country star Zac Brown, and was capped off with a flyover by the Navy’s Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds. In May, UFC President and CEO, Dana White, confirmed to Time magazine that he had extended invitations to major celebrities such as Adam Sandler, Guy Ritchie, Tom Brady, Jared Leto, Jason Statham, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Mario Lopez. TRUMP MARKS 80TH BIRTHDAY WITH PATRIOTIC UFC FREEDOM 250 SPECTACLE ON WHITE HOUSE SOUTH LAWN While none of them attended, a handful of other celebrities did. Jack Osbourne attended the event with his wife, Aree, and shared photos on Instagram. APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POST "Ultimate Date Night," he wrote in the caption. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Comedians Tony Hinchcliffe and Shane Gillis were also in attendance, as well as Mark Zuckerberg, Joe Rogan, Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Barron Trump and others. During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" last week, Brown defended his decision to participate in the celebration. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "Man, I’m there for the troops, man. I’m there to honor America, this is patriotism, not politics for me," Brown said. "I mean, screw every division. I don't believe in that. Adore this nation. I adore everyone who has made sacrifices to enable me to live the American dream, and I believe that everyone in this country has the opportunity to do so if they put in the necessary effort and make wise choices. Therefore, I don't think it belongs in politics." Many of the fighters thanked Trump for having the "courage" to put on the spectacle, while the majority of victors jogged ringside to shake his hand or have a word after their respective bouts. The patriotic atmosphere set the tone for the remaining America 250 celebrations to come in Washington, D.C., later this summer. "It was beyond anything that anybody's ever seen in sports," the president briefly remarked to reporters as he departed the White House ahead of Monday’s G7 summit in France.  Fox News Digital's Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308889197238567831f196 Trump, Dana White's star-studded White House UFC event draws big names while several invited A-listers skip te 2026-06-15T23:19:37.633Z Trump, Dana White's star-studded White House UFC event draws big names while several invited A-listers skip From athletes and influencers to political allies and celebrities, President Donald Trump's highly anticipated White House UFC event drew a host of high-profile guests. Still, despite the star-studded crowd, several A-list celebrities reportedly invited to the event were notably absent. Trump marked his 80th birthday Sunday night with a celebration on the South Lawn, where 14 fighters from around the world competed inside a wire-mesh cage during the UFC Freedom 250 spectacle. UFC SAYS IT WON’T PROFIT FROM WHITE HOUSE EVENT THAT COULD COST 'UPWARDS OF $60M' The estimated 4,300 people in attendance, which included about 1,200 active-duty service members, greeted the president with loud cheers as the occasional "Happy Birthday" was shouted from the crowd.  The $60 million event kicked off with the Marine Band’s performance of the national anthem, sung by country star Zac Brown, and was capped off with a flyover by the Navy’s Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds. In May, UFC President and CEO, Dana White, confirmed to Time magazine that he had extended invitations to major celebrities such as Adam Sandler, Guy Ritchie, Tom Brady, Jared Leto, Jason Statham, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Mario Lopez. TRUMP MARKS 80TH BIRTHDAY WITH PATRIOTIC UFC FREEDOM 250 SPECTACLE ON WHITE HOUSE SOUTH LAWN While none of them attended, a handful of other celebrities did. Jack Osbourne attended the event with his wife, Aree, and shared photos on Instagram. APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POST "Ultimate Date Night," he wrote in the caption. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Comedians Tony Hinchcliffe and Shane Gillis were also in attendance, as well as Mark Zuckerberg, Joe Rogan, Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Barron Trump and others. During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" last week, Brown defended his decision to participate in the celebration. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "Man, I’m there for the troops, man. I’m there to honor America, this is patriotism, not politics for me," Brown said. "I mean, screw every division. I don't believe in that. Adore this nation. I adore everyone who has made sacrifices to enable me to live the American dream, and I believe that everyone in this country has the opportunity to do so if they put in the necessary effort and make wise choices. Therefore, I don't think it belongs in politics." Many of the fighters thanked Trump for having the "courage" to put on the spectacle, while the majority of victors jogged ringside to shake his hand or have a word after their respective bouts. The patriotic atmosphere set the tone for the remaining America 250 celebrations to come in Washington, D.C., later this summer. "It was beyond anything that anybody's ever seen in sports," the president briefly remarked to reporters as he departed the White House ahead of Monday’s G7 summit in France.  Fox News Digital's Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308881197238567831f18d Steven Spielberg admits he's been converted on UFOs, says he believes the believers te 2026-06-15T23:19:29.044Z Steven Spielberg admits he's been converted on UFOs, says he believes the believers Steven Spielberg spent decades putting aliens on the big screen. Now, the legendary filmmaker admitted years of UFO reports and eyewitness accounts have convinced him that the people claiming to have seen them deserve to be believed. While promoting his new film "Disclosure Day," Spielberg said widespread documentation, smartphone videos and testimony from military and government figures helped move the subject of UFOs from tabloid territory into the mainstream. Though he said he had never personally seen a UFO, the Oscar-winning filmmaker acknowledged he had grown more willing to trust those who claimed they had. "Well, the younger me wouldn't have been exposed to the incredible plethora of visual documentation of what's been going on," Spielberg said during an appearance on "The Daily." REP TIM BURCHETT CONVINCED THAT ALIENS EXIST, SAYS HE'S 'SEEN TOO MUCH' IN GOVERNMENT BRIEFINGS "Seeing is believing and until I see something myself. And why I have not seen a UFO – I don't understand why they haven't come to me yet. I mean, I feel like their agent. So I have not had any sightings whatsoever. However, having said that, so much of the believers, I now believe the believers." Spielberg said he started paying closer attention when UFO stories were no longer confined to the fringes and high-profile voices began stepping forward with their own accounts. "...I really feel that things started to get into the mainstream. And then after that, there was a lot of documentaries were being made, and I saw all of them – every doc made about this. And you can't make a doc unless people come forward. Now, there, it's not under oath, but a lot of people from Congress, from the military started coming forward." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER For "Disclosure Day," starring Emily Blunt and Josh O'Connor, Spielberg said he wrote a story based on science fiction. "The foundation upon which I built my science fiction story is a very, very credible foundation, just based on everything that I've absorbed over many, many decades, but especially over the last decade," he explained. "And there is a consistency in the reporting." "There is circumstantial evidence from tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people who have claimed, not just in America, but all over the world, to have seen something or met people who have had seen things," Spielberg added. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" centers on the revelation that extraterrestrial life has been secretly known about for decades, following a whistleblower and a TV meteorologist who become entangled in efforts to expose a massive government cover-up. The movie marks Spielberg's return to the UFO and alien themes that made films like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "E.T." cultural landmarks. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308876197238567831f184 Steven Spielberg admits he's been converted on UFOs, says he believes the believers te 2026-06-15T23:19:18.176Z Steven Spielberg admits he's been converted on UFOs, says he believes the believers Steven Spielberg spent decades putting aliens on the big screen. Now, the legendary filmmaker admitted years of UFO reports and eyewitness accounts have convinced him that the people claiming to have seen them deserve to be believed. While promoting his new film "Disclosure Day," Spielberg said widespread documentation, smartphone videos and testimony from military and government figures helped move the subject of UFOs from tabloid territory into the mainstream. Though he said he had never personally seen a UFO, the Oscar-winning filmmaker acknowledged he had grown more willing to trust those who claimed they had. "Well, the younger me wouldn't have been exposed to the incredible plethora of visual documentation of what's been going on," Spielberg said during an appearance on "The Daily." REP TIM BURCHETT CONVINCED THAT ALIENS EXIST, SAYS HE'S 'SEEN TOO MUCH' IN GOVERNMENT BRIEFINGS "Seeing is believing and until I see something myself. And why I have not seen a UFO – I don't understand why they haven't come to me yet. I mean, I feel like their agent. So I have not had any sightings whatsoever. However, having said that, so much of the believers, I now believe the believers." Spielberg said he started paying closer attention when UFO stories were no longer confined to the fringes and high-profile voices began stepping forward with their own accounts. "...I really feel that things started to get into the mainstream. And then after that, there was a lot of documentaries were being made, and I saw all of them – every doc made about this. And you can't make a doc unless people come forward. Now, there, it's not under oath, but a lot of people from Congress, from the military started coming forward." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER For "Disclosure Day," starring Emily Blunt and Josh O'Connor, Spielberg said he wrote a story based on science fiction. "The foundation upon which I built my science fiction story is a very, very credible foundation, just based on everything that I've absorbed over many, many decades, but especially over the last decade," he explained. "And there is a consistency in the reporting." "There is circumstantial evidence from tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people who have claimed, not just in America, but all over the world, to have seen something or met people who have had seen things," Spielberg added. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" centers on the revelation that extraterrestrial life has been secretly known about for decades, following a whistleblower and a TV meteorologist who become entangled in efforts to expose a massive government cover-up. The movie marks Spielberg's return to the UFO and alien themes that made films like "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "E.T." cultural landmarks. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30886d197238567831f17b Eight believed dead after B-52 crashes shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base te 2026-06-15T23:19:09.589Z Eight believed dead after B-52 crashes shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base Eight crewmembers are believed to have been killed after a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California, on Monday, officials said. The bomber was carrying eight people on a routine test mission when it went down on the Edwards airfield around 11:20 a.m. PDT, according to the base. "An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress carrying eight people on a routine test mission crashed today shortly after take-off at 11:20 a.m. (PDT). Initial indications are that the crash was not survivable," Edwards Air Force Base said in a statement. "Emergency response personnel are on scene, and officials are working to account for all personnel." 11 SKYDIVERS, ONE PILOT KILLED IN MISSOURI PLANE CRASH NEAR AIRPORT The base said emergency crews responded immediately after the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. The airfield was closed following the crash, and all inbound aircraft were diverted. Photos from the scene showed a plume of smoke rising near the wreckage. "Please join me in praying for the B-52 crew at Edwards Air Force Base and the entire Edwards community," Rep. Vince Fong wrote on X. Edwards Air Force Base, California, and Air Force Pentagon headquarters referred questions to the initial announcement of the crash and declined to provide additional details. The B-52 typically operates with a crew of five, including two pilots, a radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer.  TWO NAVY JETS CRASH MIDAIR AS CREW SUCCESSFULLY EJECTS DURING IDAHO MILITARY BASE AIR SHOW The aircraft is one of 76 B-52s remaining in the Air Force inventory. The fleet is expected to remain in service for decades as the Air Force pursues extensive modernization upgrades. The nuclear-capable bomber first entered service in the 1950s and remains a central component of the U.S. strategic bomber force. The last B-52 airframe lost in a crash was destroyed during a takeoff accident at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam in 2016. Edwards is the Air Force's premier flight-test center, and B-52s stationed there are frequently used for developmental and modernization testing rather than routine operational missions. The crash comes as the Air Force is pursuing a sweeping modernization effort for the B-52 fleet, including new Rolls-Royce F130 engines, upgraded avionics and a new AN/APQ-188 radar intended to keep the bomber flying into the 2050s.  WHAT B-52 BOMBERS BRING TO IRAN FIGHT — AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE WAR NOW In January, the Air Force awarded Boeing a roughly $2 billion contract to modify and test two B-52s equipped with the new engines ahead of a planned fleetwide upgrade. Fox News Digital has asked whether the aircraft was involved in ongoing testing related to the B-52's new engines or radar systems. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308862197238567831f172 Eight believed dead after B-52 crashes shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base te 2026-06-15T23:18:58.721Z Eight believed dead after B-52 crashes shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base Eight crewmembers are believed to have been killed after a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County, California, on Monday, officials said. The bomber was carrying eight people on a routine test mission when it went down on the Edwards airfield around 11:20 a.m. PDT, according to the base. "An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress carrying eight people on a routine test mission crashed today shortly after take-off at 11:20 a.m. (PDT). Initial indications are that the crash was not survivable," Edwards Air Force Base said in a statement. "Emergency response personnel are on scene, and officials are working to account for all personnel." 11 SKYDIVERS, ONE PILOT KILLED IN MISSOURI PLANE CRASH NEAR AIRPORT The base said emergency crews responded immediately after the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. The airfield was closed following the crash, and all inbound aircraft were diverted. Photos from the scene showed a plume of smoke rising near the wreckage. "Please join me in praying for the B-52 crew at Edwards Air Force Base and the entire Edwards community," Rep. Vince Fong wrote on X. Edwards Air Force Base, California, and Air Force Pentagon headquarters referred questions to the initial announcement of the crash and declined to provide additional details. The B-52 typically operates with a crew of five, including two pilots, a radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer.  TWO NAVY JETS CRASH MIDAIR AS CREW SUCCESSFULLY EJECTS DURING IDAHO MILITARY BASE AIR SHOW The aircraft is one of 76 B-52s remaining in the Air Force inventory. The fleet is expected to remain in service for decades as the Air Force pursues extensive modernization upgrades. The nuclear-capable bomber first entered service in the 1950s and remains a central component of the U.S. strategic bomber force. The last B-52 airframe lost in a crash was destroyed during a takeoff accident at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam in 2016. Edwards is the Air Force's premier flight-test center, and B-52s stationed there are frequently used for developmental and modernization testing rather than routine operational missions. The crash comes as the Air Force is pursuing a sweeping modernization effort for the B-52 fleet, including new Rolls-Royce F130 engines, upgraded avionics and a new AN/APQ-188 radar intended to keep the bomber flying into the 2050s.  WHAT B-52 BOMBERS BRING TO IRAN FIGHT — AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE WAR NOW In January, the Air Force awarded Boeing a roughly $2 billion contract to modify and test two B-52s equipped with the new engines ahead of a planned fleetwide upgrade. Fox News Digital has asked whether the aircraft was involved in ongoing testing related to the B-52's new engines or radar systems. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30885a197238567831f169 UFC ring girl Chrissy Blair stole the show at the White House, wild high school baseball ruling & Lindsey Vonn te 2026-06-15T23:18:50.134Z UFC ring girl Chrissy Blair stole the show at the White House, wild high school baseball ruling & Lindsey Vonn Whew. What a weekend. For a random weekend in the middle of June, when it's usually pretty quiet around these parts, America got AFTER it. Well done, everyone. We had the College World Series. We had the Knicks. We had Stanley Cup action. We had the USMNT boat-racing Paraguay. We had golf, and NASCAR and MLB. We also had that pesky UFC fight on the White House lawn Sunday night that capped the whole thing off in spectacular fashion. And just for good measure, WAIT until you see the "show" the Democratic Party put on at the same time. Your jaws will drop. Trust me. Welcome to a Monday Nightcaps — the one where UFC ring girl Chrissy Blair put America in a trance to celebrate the big 2-5-0. Amazing. LINDSEY VONN DITCHES HER UNDERSHIRT IN A FIERY RED PANTSUIT, MAGGIE SAJAK IS A FORCE & COACH ATTACKS UMPIRE! What else? I've got the best of the rest from a loaded weekend of #content, the aforementioned Democratic rebuttal, Lindsey Vonn dusting off a dress for the first time post-surgery, and one of the wildest endings to a high school baseball game you'll ever see. Whew. Like I said, it was a BIG weekend. Let's roll. Grab you something tall, strong — and make it a hurricane (not a real one, please!) — and settle in for a Monday 'Cap! For those who weren't keeping tabs on the Weather Channel's Twitter account Sunday afternoon (and hopefully that's all of you), they pushed out the above post hours before the UFC event at the White House about thunderstorms, lightning, and massive swarms of mosquitoes. Shockingly, none of it happened. Stunning, I know. The weatherman was wrong again! As someone who has lived in Florida his entire life, that's called "Tuesday" down here. Whether it was some poor intern posting from that account, or something more sinister, I have no idea. None. Zero. But they found themselves in a whirlwind of trouble after Trump's team fired off this friendly little rebuttal: "This event is about celebrating America’s unmatched greatness after 250 years — which apparently doesn’t sit well with the friendless loser who wrote this bulls--t clickbait headline. Rain or shine, we’re celebrating our great country no matter what. GOD BLESS AMERICA!" Amazing. "Friendless loser" is a low-key great insult. Never heard that one before, but it's going straight into the arsenal! Well done. Anyway, the whole thing went off without a hitch, and gave us some surreal images ... and reaction. We'll get to those in a bit, but first, let's go ahead and get this class started with UFC ring girl Chrissy Blair, who battled the elements and became a star last night: Imagine hating America today. Goodness gracious, what a country! Sign a peace treaty in the afternoon (don't ask me about the Xs and Os of it, that ain't my wheelhouse), and host a UFC fight that night with ring girl Chrissy Blair stealing hearts. This is what the founding fathers envisioned all those years ago. I'm sure of it. What a weekend. Speaking of, let's get to the best internet #content from the past two days, including a ROCKING alternate broadcast from Democratic National Headquarters last night! Again, just an excellent weekend all around, especially for June. I'm usually having to scratch and claw for content this time of year. Not right now. It's coming fast and furious! A couple thoughts ... The best. Can't believe that dude never won a Super Bowl. Criminal. OK, let's rapid-fire this Monday class into a big Monday night. First up? Somehow, we've STILL got state championship high school baseball going on around the country, including in the Illinois suburbs, where the wildest few innings I've ever seen unfolded over the weekend. Take a look: Whoaaaaaaaaa Nellie! Never seen anything like it, especially the first part of the clip. Where do we stand on this, class? Did the catcher not hold onto the ball long enough? I think it's complete nonsense, personally. To me, it's just another example of an umpire injecting himself into a moment where he didn't belong. I played baseball for over a decade, at every level short of professional baseball. I was a catcher before I got Piazzed later in my career and moved to first. That's an out 100 times out of 100. It just is. I have NEVER seen that call made in baseball. He caught the ball, transferred to his other hand, and then threw it away because the game was over. I know the first base coach was pointing it out immediately, which makes me think the whole thing happened a little too quickly, but whatever. You don't make that call in that spot. Frankly, I'm not sure you make it ever. He clearly caught it. He clearly transferred it. The out was clearly made. There is no reason to make a call there. None. Zero. As for the other play a few innings later ... you have to know the situation if you're the outfielder. Have to. No excuses. You cannot catch that ball, especially at the angle you were forced to take. Ronald Acuna Jr. couldn't have thrown out the runner at home in that spot. Nobody could. It's just not possible. You have to let that ball drop and live to fight another pitch. Tough to blame a kid (a KID) in that spot, especially when he's been trained his whole life to catch that ball. But you can't catch that ball. Brutal way to lose a state championship. OK, that's it for today. Good start to the week. Good start to the second half of June. Lindsey Vonn continues to work her way back from shredding her entire leg earlier this year, and decided to wear a dress, apparently, for the first time since her surgery this past weekend. Big step for her, and she NAILED it. See you Wednesday. OutKick Nightcaps is a daily column set to run Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. (roughly, we’re not robots). Where do we stand on the catcher? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30884f197238567831f160 UFC ring girl Chrissy Blair stole the show at the White House, wild high school baseball ruling & Lindsey Vonn te 2026-06-15T23:18:39.264Z UFC ring girl Chrissy Blair stole the show at the White House, wild high school baseball ruling & Lindsey Vonn Whew. What a weekend. For a random weekend in the middle of June, when it's usually pretty quiet around these parts, America got AFTER it. Well done, everyone. We had the College World Series. We had the Knicks. We had Stanley Cup action. We had the USMNT boat-racing Paraguay. We had golf, and NASCAR and MLB. We also had that pesky UFC fight on the White House lawn Sunday night that capped the whole thing off in spectacular fashion. And just for good measure, WAIT until you see the "show" the Democratic Party put on at the same time. Your jaws will drop. Trust me. Welcome to a Monday Nightcaps — the one where UFC ring girl Chrissy Blair put America in a trance to celebrate the big 2-5-0. Amazing. LINDSEY VONN DITCHES HER UNDERSHIRT IN A FIERY RED PANTSUIT, MAGGIE SAJAK IS A FORCE & COACH ATTACKS UMPIRE! What else? I've got the best of the rest from a loaded weekend of #content, the aforementioned Democratic rebuttal, Lindsey Vonn dusting off a dress for the first time post-surgery, and one of the wildest endings to a high school baseball game you'll ever see. Whew. Like I said, it was a BIG weekend. Let's roll. Grab you something tall, strong — and make it a hurricane (not a real one, please!) — and settle in for a Monday 'Cap! For those who weren't keeping tabs on the Weather Channel's Twitter account Sunday afternoon (and hopefully that's all of you), they pushed out the above post hours before the UFC event at the White House about thunderstorms, lightning, and massive swarms of mosquitoes. Shockingly, none of it happened. Stunning, I know. The weatherman was wrong again! As someone who has lived in Florida his entire life, that's called "Tuesday" down here. Whether it was some poor intern posting from that account, or something more sinister, I have no idea. None. Zero. But they found themselves in a whirlwind of trouble after Trump's team fired off this friendly little rebuttal: "This event is about celebrating America’s unmatched greatness after 250 years — which apparently doesn’t sit well with the friendless loser who wrote this bulls--t clickbait headline. Rain or shine, we’re celebrating our great country no matter what. GOD BLESS AMERICA!" Amazing. "Friendless loser" is a low-key great insult. Never heard that one before, but it's going straight into the arsenal! Well done. Anyway, the whole thing went off without a hitch, and gave us some surreal images ... and reaction. We'll get to those in a bit, but first, let's go ahead and get this class started with UFC ring girl Chrissy Blair, who battled the elements and became a star last night: Imagine hating America today. Goodness gracious, what a country! Sign a peace treaty in the afternoon (don't ask me about the Xs and Os of it, that ain't my wheelhouse), and host a UFC fight that night with ring girl Chrissy Blair stealing hearts. This is what the founding fathers envisioned all those years ago. I'm sure of it. What a weekend. Speaking of, let's get to the best internet #content from the past two days, including a ROCKING alternate broadcast from Democratic National Headquarters last night! Again, just an excellent weekend all around, especially for June. I'm usually having to scratch and claw for content this time of year. Not right now. It's coming fast and furious! A couple thoughts ... The best. Can't believe that dude never won a Super Bowl. Criminal. OK, let's rapid-fire this Monday class into a big Monday night. First up? Somehow, we've STILL got state championship high school baseball going on around the country, including in the Illinois suburbs, where the wildest few innings I've ever seen unfolded over the weekend. Take a look: Whoaaaaaaaaa Nellie! Never seen anything like it, especially the first part of the clip. Where do we stand on this, class? Did the catcher not hold onto the ball long enough? I think it's complete nonsense, personally. To me, it's just another example of an umpire injecting himself into a moment where he didn't belong. I played baseball for over a decade, at every level short of professional baseball. I was a catcher before I got Piazzed later in my career and moved to first. That's an out 100 times out of 100. It just is. I have NEVER seen that call made in baseball. He caught the ball, transferred to his other hand, and then threw it away because the game was over. I know the first base coach was pointing it out immediately, which makes me think the whole thing happened a little too quickly, but whatever. You don't make that call in that spot. Frankly, I'm not sure you make it ever. He clearly caught it. He clearly transferred it. The out was clearly made. There is no reason to make a call there. None. Zero. As for the other play a few innings later ... you have to know the situation if you're the outfielder. Have to. No excuses. You cannot catch that ball, especially at the angle you were forced to take. Ronald Acuna Jr. couldn't have thrown out the runner at home in that spot. Nobody could. It's just not possible. You have to let that ball drop and live to fight another pitch. Tough to blame a kid (a KID) in that spot, especially when he's been trained his whole life to catch that ball. But you can't catch that ball. Brutal way to lose a state championship. OK, that's it for today. Good start to the week. Good start to the second half of June. Lindsey Vonn continues to work her way back from shredding her entire leg earlier this year, and decided to wear a dress, apparently, for the first time since her surgery this past weekend. Big step for her, and she NAILED it. See you Wednesday. OutKick Nightcaps is a daily column set to run Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. (roughly, we’re not robots). Where do we stand on the catcher? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308846197238567831f157 Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump bring family star power to White House UFC event te 2026-06-15T23:18:30.676Z Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump bring family star power to White House UFC event President Donald Trump and his family attended "UFC Freedom 250," a mixed martial arts event held on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sunday. Melania and Ivanka Trump — and Donald Trump Jr.'s new wife Bettina — all brought an unexpected glamour to a knockout event. The event coincided with the president’s 80th birthday and served as an early launch for the United States' upcoming semiquincentennial celebrations. TRUMP MARKS 80TH BIRTHDAY WITH PATRIOTIC UFC FREEDOM 250 SPECTACLE ON WHITE HOUSE SOUTH LAWN A temporary stadium structure, nicknamed "The Claw," was constructed on the grounds to host the seven-card fight night. President Trump entered the venue alongside UFC CEO Dana White, walking down to ringside seats. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER The president was seated in the front row between White and first lady Melania Trump.  The rest of the Trump family occupied the immediate ringside section directly behind them. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Family attendees included Barron Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and his wife Bettina, Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, Eric Trump and his wife Lara, and Tiffany Trump and her husband Michael Boulos. Several of the president's grandchildren were also present in the family section. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ During the event, the family participated in a stadium-wide singing of "Happy Birthday," according to reports. The attendees witnessed a seven-fight main card that experienced a slight delay due to lightning in the area. In the lightweight main event, American fighter Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria. Following the conclusion of each match, the victorious fighters approached the ringside area to greet President Trump and the family. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30883b197238567831f14e Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump bring family star power to White House UFC event te 2026-06-15T23:18:19.806Z Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump bring family star power to White House UFC event President Donald Trump and his family attended "UFC Freedom 250," a mixed martial arts event held on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sunday. Melania and Ivanka Trump — and Donald Trump Jr.'s new wife Bettina — all brought an unexpected glamour to a knockout event. The event coincided with the president’s 80th birthday and served as an early launch for the United States' upcoming semiquincentennial celebrations. TRUMP MARKS 80TH BIRTHDAY WITH PATRIOTIC UFC FREEDOM 250 SPECTACLE ON WHITE HOUSE SOUTH LAWN A temporary stadium structure, nicknamed "The Claw," was constructed on the grounds to host the seven-card fight night. President Trump entered the venue alongside UFC CEO Dana White, walking down to ringside seats. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER The president was seated in the front row between White and first lady Melania Trump.  The rest of the Trump family occupied the immediate ringside section directly behind them. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES Family attendees included Barron Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and his wife Bettina, Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, Eric Trump and his wife Lara, and Tiffany Trump and her husband Michael Boulos. Several of the president's grandchildren were also present in the family section. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ During the event, the family participated in a stadium-wide singing of "Happy Birthday," according to reports. The attendees witnessed a seven-fight main card that experienced a slight delay due to lightning in the area. In the lightweight main event, American fighter Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria. Following the conclusion of each match, the victorious fighters approached the ringside area to greet President Trump and the family. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308833197238567831f145 'ALF' star Anne Schedeen, who played beloved sitcom mom Kate Tanner, dead at 77 te 2026-06-15T23:18:11.226Z 'ALF' star Anne Schedeen, who played beloved sitcom mom Kate Tanner, dead at 77 "ALF" star Anne Schedeen has died, Fox News Digital can confirm. The actress who played the matriarch on the NBC science fiction sitcom was 77. "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share Annie has passed peacefully," a statement from the family shared on Facebook read. "She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of creative energy, whip smart humor, delight in her family, adoration for little dogs, burning hatred for Trump, passion for second-hand thrifting, and love for a good story. We are bereft without her. We loved her so so much, as did all who met her. "She was a force. And it is unimaginable to think about life without her in it. But as she said, 'I’m always with you.' And she’s right. The memories, artwork, belly laughter, handmade jewelry, oil paintings, sculptures, costumes, and all around joie de vivre live on," the statement added. 'BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER' STAR ANTHONY HEAD DEAD AT 72 "Raise a margarita in her honor." Schedeen spent years building her résumé through guest appearances and recurring television roles before landing the part that made her a household name. Her early work included "The Six Million Dollar Man," "The Bionic Woman," "Three's Company" and "The Incredible Hulk." Schedeen's breakthrough came with "ALF," where she appeared in all four seasons of the hit comedy about a suburban family hiding a wisecracking alien from another planet. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Starring as Kate Tanner, she later told People magazine that filming the show was a "technical nightmare, extremely slow, hot and tedious." "If you had a scene with ALF, it took centuries," she claimed. "A 30-minute show took 20, 25 hours to shoot." Her five most notable screen credits are generally considered to be "ALF," "Paper Dolls," "Cheers," "Three’s Company" and "Judging Amy." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Although "ALF" was the defining role of her career, colleagues and fans often remembered Schedeen for her wit, warmth, and professionalism. Schedeen is survived by her husband Christopher Barrett, daughter Tay Barrett, daughter-in-law Hilary Flynn, sister Sarabeth Schedeen, niece Minnie Schedeen, brother Roland "Tony" Schedeen, sister-in-law Julieann Schedeen and her rescue dogs Roo and Red. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308828197238567831f13c 'ALF' star Anne Schedeen, who played beloved sitcom mom Kate Tanner, dead at 77 te 2026-06-15T23:18:00.352Z 'ALF' star Anne Schedeen, who played beloved sitcom mom Kate Tanner, dead at 77 "ALF" star Anne Schedeen has died, Fox News Digital can confirm. The actress who played the matriarch on the NBC science fiction sitcom was 77. "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share Annie has passed peacefully," a statement from the family shared on Facebook read. "She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of creative energy, whip smart humor, delight in her family, adoration for little dogs, burning hatred for Trump, passion for second-hand thrifting, and love for a good story. We are bereft without her. We loved her so so much, as did all who met her. "She was a force. And it is unimaginable to think about life without her in it. But as she said, 'I’m always with you.' And she’s right. The memories, artwork, belly laughter, handmade jewelry, oil paintings, sculptures, costumes, and all around joie de vivre live on," the statement added. 'BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER' STAR ANTHONY HEAD DEAD AT 72 "Raise a margarita in her honor." Schedeen spent years building her résumé through guest appearances and recurring television roles before landing the part that made her a household name. Her early work included "The Six Million Dollar Man," "The Bionic Woman," "Three's Company" and "The Incredible Hulk." Schedeen's breakthrough came with "ALF," where she appeared in all four seasons of the hit comedy about a suburban family hiding a wisecracking alien from another planet. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Starring as Kate Tanner, she later told People magazine that filming the show was a "technical nightmare, extremely slow, hot and tedious." "If you had a scene with ALF, it took centuries," she claimed. "A 30-minute show took 20, 25 hours to shoot." Her five most notable screen credits are generally considered to be "ALF," "Paper Dolls," "Cheers," "Three’s Company" and "Judging Amy." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Although "ALF" was the defining role of her career, colleagues and fans often remembered Schedeen for her wit, warmth, and professionalism. Schedeen is survived by her husband Christopher Barrett, daughter Tay Barrett, daughter-in-law Hilary Flynn, sister Sarabeth Schedeen, niece Minnie Schedeen, brother Roland "Tony" Schedeen, sister-in-law Julieann Schedeen and her rescue dogs Roo and Red. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30881f197238567831f133 Trans athlete wins New York state girls' shot put title, beating second place by more than 2 feet te 2026-06-15T23:17:51.763Z Trans athlete wins New York state girls' shot put title, beating second place by more than 2 feet A trans-identifying male athlete from Cicero-North Syracuse High School is now a New York state champion in girls’ shot put. Julia (formerly "Jeff") Arnold won the girls' Class A shot put title Sunday at the NYSPHSAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, posting a winning throw of 39 feet, 9.25 inches. The second-place finisher managed 37 feet, 4.75 inches — more than two feet short of the championship mark. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE The state title is the latest victory in what has been a nearly spotless spring campaign for Arnold. Just weeks earlier, the senior swept both the shot put and discus competitions at the Section III Class A-1 Championships, recording a personal-best throw of 42 feet, 5.5 inches in the shot put and 132 feet in the discus. Across 10 shot put events this season, Arnold finished first nine times. By the time the state championships arrived, Arnold had already climbed to No. 1 in New York's girls' shot put rankings and No. 2 in girls' discus. AB HERNANDEZ CLOSES HIGH SCHOOL CAREER WITH 2 CALIFORNIA STATE TITLES AMID ONGOING CONTROVERSY Currently, New York state allows athletes to compete based on gender identity rather than biological sex. That policy remains at odds with President Donald Trump's February 2025 executive order, "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," which directed federal agencies to interpret Title IX protections on the basis of biological sex. Following the executive order, New York State Education Department officials and the state attorney general issued guidance reaffirming that trans-identifying students could continue participating in sports consistent with gender identity and that schools could not require students to disclose biological sex before competing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308814197238567831f12a Trans athlete wins New York state girls' shot put title, beating second place by more than 2 feet te 2026-06-15T23:17:40.894Z Trans athlete wins New York state girls' shot put title, beating second place by more than 2 feet A trans-identifying male athlete from Cicero-North Syracuse High School is now a New York state champion in girls’ shot put. Julia (formerly "Jeff") Arnold won the girls' Class A shot put title Sunday at the NYSPHSAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, posting a winning throw of 39 feet, 9.25 inches. The second-place finisher managed 37 feet, 4.75 inches — more than two feet short of the championship mark. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE The state title is the latest victory in what has been a nearly spotless spring campaign for Arnold. Just weeks earlier, the senior swept both the shot put and discus competitions at the Section III Class A-1 Championships, recording a personal-best throw of 42 feet, 5.5 inches in the shot put and 132 feet in the discus. Across 10 shot put events this season, Arnold finished first nine times. By the time the state championships arrived, Arnold had already climbed to No. 1 in New York's girls' shot put rankings and No. 2 in girls' discus. AB HERNANDEZ CLOSES HIGH SCHOOL CAREER WITH 2 CALIFORNIA STATE TITLES AMID ONGOING CONTROVERSY Currently, New York state allows athletes to compete based on gender identity rather than biological sex. That policy remains at odds with President Donald Trump's February 2025 executive order, "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," which directed federal agencies to interpret Title IX protections on the basis of biological sex. Following the executive order, New York State Education Department officials and the state attorney general issued guidance reaffirming that trans-identifying students could continue participating in sports consistent with gender identity and that schools could not require students to disclose biological sex before competing. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30880c197238567831f121 Reporter's Notebook: Lawmakers scramble as FISA fight comes at the worst possible time te 2026-06-15T23:17:32.312Z Reporter's Notebook: Lawmakers scramble as FISA fight comes at the worst possible time There’s the World Cup. America’s 250th birthday. And the conflict with Iran. It’s all a nightmare national security hat trick. "It’s the highest we’ve ever seen," said Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Fox News Sunday about the terrorism threat level. "When I say we arrest terrorists every single week, I’m not exaggerating. Those aren’t the individuals that are coming across our border, those are individuals that are still inside this country." But lawmakers are scared now that the nation’s premier anti-terrorism tool — called FISA Section 702 — expired over the weekend. EXPIRING SPY LAW SPARKS WARNINGS OF 'FATAL' CONSEQUENCES AHEAD OF WORLD CUP "I hope and pray to God that nothing happens in this country where an American is killed," said Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio. "We want to prevent the next 9/11 from happening," said Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., on Fox. "This program goes dark at a time when there are literally hundreds of thousands of people coming to this country for the World Cup," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. Well, not quite. "FISA is operative until next March. That's the legislation," said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Confused? You’re not the only one. Let me explain. SPY PROGRAM CREDITED WITH STOPPING TAYLOR SWIFT TERROR PLOT BARRELS TOWARD EXPIRATION Legal authority sanctioned by Congress for this powerful intelligence-gathering weapon to foil terrorism expired at 11:59:59 p.m. ET Friday night. If nearly any other statute other than FISA Section 702 expired, the government couldn’t continue to rely on the program. "It's a very inopportune time to allow the authorizing statute for 702 to lapse," conceded George Croner, a former National Security Agency counsel. "It has proven to be the most useful by far of any of the intelligence programs that the community has available to it." That’s why there’s worry about unprecedented vulnerabilities with the program expiring. Especially right now. "I think that it's completely irresponsible to have FISA go dark at the beginning of the World Cup," said Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., on FOX Business. A bipartisan coalition tanked an emergency FISA extension in both bodies of Congress last week. "It should have been voted down," said Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo. "And I don't say that lightly." "We don't have the guts to fix it. And I'm tired of hearing people are going to die," said Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., scoffing at potential consequences from a program which ran its statutory course. The House rejected a three-week patch to paper over an imminent lapse in the program on Thursday. "Anybody who votes no on this bill is voting to undermine America's national security," said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. CONSERVATIVE FISA REVOLT POSES FRESH TEST FOR SPEAKER JOHNSON But the GOP House majority failed to muster even 200 yeas for the bill. Nineteen Republicans bolted. They have privacy concerns and raised questions about illegal searches and seizures. "The Fourth Amendment is not a suggestion. We have to have a warrant," said Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas. Still, Republican leaders claimed that it was Democratic resistance which put the country at risk. "(Democrats) are willing to jeopardize the safety and the security of the American people to make a cheap political point," said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. But there was a reason Democrats balked. Congress punted renewing FISA Section 702 on multiple occasions over the past few months, repeatedly approving stopgap measures. Finally, Democrats and Republicans painstakingly negotiated a compromise which would install reforms. But Democrats withdrew their support for the deal once President Trump announced that housing czar Bill Pulte would take over on a temporary basis for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Democrats noted that Pulte lacked any national security or intelligence experience. Moreover, they believed he could weaponize intelligence programs like Section 702 against political opponents. TULSI GABBARD CHANGES TUNE ON CONTROVERSIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOL FOLLOWING GOP LOBBYING Ironically, both sides thought this was ironed out before Memorial Day. But Senate Democrats pulled their votes to advance the FISA measure in a pre-dawn vote late last month. Still, there’s concern about the consequences of not having FISA Section 702 fully in place. "Do Democrats not sleep at night if, God forbid, there's something that happens with FISA turned off?" yours truly asked House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. "Donald Trump should lose sleep," countered Jeffries. "Because Donald Trump decided he wants to elevate Bill Pulte, who is nothing more than a malignant political hack." Here’s how the program works: FISA siphons the calls, emails and texts of foreign intelligence targets that the U.S. tracks. A special, secret court oversees FISA. But it ruled that the intelligence services can still track suspect communications through well into 2026 – despite a break in the law. "Data can still be collected for a year after it expires. So I don't think it's as dire as some think it is," said Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo. She’s not the only one. "(FISA) will not lapse. I try to make this clear. The statute makes it clear that the authorities of FISA are going to be positive and enforceable for the remainder of this year. We think, until March of next year," said Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill. TRUMP SIGNS STOPGAP FISA EXTENSION AFTER SENATE BLOCKS LONG-TERM RENEWAL However, it’s unclear if telecommunications companies will provide digital breadcrumbs to the government, lacking a Congressional safeguard. "That is a gray area and it's one of the things that we're going to have to work through," said Jeffries. Croner, the former NSA counsel, says people shouldn’t worry about the government lacking a FISA Section 702 law. But he offered a caveat. "The carriers are going to become, in my view, increasingly uncomfortable with not having statutory protection for their part in 702 collection," said Croner. When reporting on Congress, you’re only as good as your sources. And the same can be said in spy craft. The government’s digital spooks can’t track possible terrorists if the telecom data vanishes. It was believed a path emerged to re-up FISA late last week. Just as the Senate departed for the week, the President nominated Jay Clayton as the permanent DNI. Clayton’s confirmation hearing is Wednesday before the Senate Intelligence Committee. It’s possible the Senate could step on the gas and try to confirm Clayton on the floor as early as this week. That could clear the path to reauthorize FISA. "The only factor was Bill Pulte," said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., about Democrats dropping their support for a FISA renewal. "And that factor is now, I think, set on the sideline. It should pave the way." Republicans will likely vote to confirm Clayton. But Democrats aren’t so sure. "We have to look very clearly at Jay Clayton," said Reed. "He's a very accomplished lawyer. But the statute requires someone taking this job to have significant national security experience. That has to be measured. I don't think he does." So the Senate may confirm Clayton. But does that guarantee passage of FISA? Not necessarily. President Trump altered the playing field again over the weekend. He’s now demanding that lawmakers connect an extension of FISA Section 702 to the SAVE America Act. That bill is the touchstone of the President’s 2026 agenda. It requires proof of citizenship to vote. While popular among Republicans, the SAVE America Act didn’t even command a simple majority on two test votes in the Senate this spring. REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: TRUMP'S SAVE ACT ULTIMATUM RUNS INTO SENATE REALITY A mix of Democrats and Republicans are necessary to pass FISA. There’s too much internal GOP opposition. Latching the SAVE America Act to FISA Section 702 is a poison pill to Democrats. The measure would never command 60 votes and break a filibuster in the Senate. So where does this land? As Croner suggests, things are likely OK for now, despite the threats. However, a long statuary breach for FISA isn’t good. You’re only as good as your sources in journalism. And perhaps to prevent a terrorist attack, you’re only as good as the law. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308801197238567831f118 Reporter's Notebook: Lawmakers scramble as FISA fight comes at the worst possible time te 2026-06-15T23:17:21.441Z Reporter's Notebook: Lawmakers scramble as FISA fight comes at the worst possible time There’s the World Cup. America’s 250th birthday. And the conflict with Iran. It’s all a nightmare national security hat trick. "It’s the highest we’ve ever seen," said Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Fox News Sunday about the terrorism threat level. "When I say we arrest terrorists every single week, I’m not exaggerating. Those aren’t the individuals that are coming across our border, those are individuals that are still inside this country." But lawmakers are scared now that the nation’s premier anti-terrorism tool — called FISA Section 702 — expired over the weekend. EXPIRING SPY LAW SPARKS WARNINGS OF 'FATAL' CONSEQUENCES AHEAD OF WORLD CUP "I hope and pray to God that nothing happens in this country where an American is killed," said Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio. "We want to prevent the next 9/11 from happening," said Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., on Fox. "This program goes dark at a time when there are literally hundreds of thousands of people coming to this country for the World Cup," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. Well, not quite. "FISA is operative until next March. That's the legislation," said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Confused? You’re not the only one. Let me explain. SPY PROGRAM CREDITED WITH STOPPING TAYLOR SWIFT TERROR PLOT BARRELS TOWARD EXPIRATION Legal authority sanctioned by Congress for this powerful intelligence-gathering weapon to foil terrorism expired at 11:59:59 p.m. ET Friday night. If nearly any other statute other than FISA Section 702 expired, the government couldn’t continue to rely on the program. "It's a very inopportune time to allow the authorizing statute for 702 to lapse," conceded George Croner, a former National Security Agency counsel. "It has proven to be the most useful by far of any of the intelligence programs that the community has available to it." That’s why there’s worry about unprecedented vulnerabilities with the program expiring. Especially right now. "I think that it's completely irresponsible to have FISA go dark at the beginning of the World Cup," said Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., on FOX Business. A bipartisan coalition tanked an emergency FISA extension in both bodies of Congress last week. "It should have been voted down," said Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo. "And I don't say that lightly." "We don't have the guts to fix it. And I'm tired of hearing people are going to die," said Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., scoffing at potential consequences from a program which ran its statutory course. The House rejected a three-week patch to paper over an imminent lapse in the program on Thursday. "Anybody who votes no on this bill is voting to undermine America's national security," said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. CONSERVATIVE FISA REVOLT POSES FRESH TEST FOR SPEAKER JOHNSON But the GOP House majority failed to muster even 200 yeas for the bill. Nineteen Republicans bolted. They have privacy concerns and raised questions about illegal searches and seizures. "The Fourth Amendment is not a suggestion. We have to have a warrant," said Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas. Still, Republican leaders claimed that it was Democratic resistance which put the country at risk. "(Democrats) are willing to jeopardize the safety and the security of the American people to make a cheap political point," said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. But there was a reason Democrats balked. Congress punted renewing FISA Section 702 on multiple occasions over the past few months, repeatedly approving stopgap measures. Finally, Democrats and Republicans painstakingly negotiated a compromise which would install reforms. But Democrats withdrew their support for the deal once President Trump announced that housing czar Bill Pulte would take over on a temporary basis for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Democrats noted that Pulte lacked any national security or intelligence experience. Moreover, they believed he could weaponize intelligence programs like Section 702 against political opponents. TULSI GABBARD CHANGES TUNE ON CONTROVERSIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOL FOLLOWING GOP LOBBYING Ironically, both sides thought this was ironed out before Memorial Day. But Senate Democrats pulled their votes to advance the FISA measure in a pre-dawn vote late last month. Still, there’s concern about the consequences of not having FISA Section 702 fully in place. "Do Democrats not sleep at night if, God forbid, there's something that happens with FISA turned off?" yours truly asked House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. "Donald Trump should lose sleep," countered Jeffries. "Because Donald Trump decided he wants to elevate Bill Pulte, who is nothing more than a malignant political hack." Here’s how the program works: FISA siphons the calls, emails and texts of foreign intelligence targets that the U.S. tracks. A special, secret court oversees FISA. But it ruled that the intelligence services can still track suspect communications through well into 2026 – despite a break in the law. "Data can still be collected for a year after it expires. So I don't think it's as dire as some think it is," said Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo. She’s not the only one. "(FISA) will not lapse. I try to make this clear. The statute makes it clear that the authorities of FISA are going to be positive and enforceable for the remainder of this year. We think, until March of next year," said Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill. TRUMP SIGNS STOPGAP FISA EXTENSION AFTER SENATE BLOCKS LONG-TERM RENEWAL However, it’s unclear if telecommunications companies will provide digital breadcrumbs to the government, lacking a Congressional safeguard. "That is a gray area and it's one of the things that we're going to have to work through," said Jeffries. Croner, the former NSA counsel, says people shouldn’t worry about the government lacking a FISA Section 702 law. But he offered a caveat. "The carriers are going to become, in my view, increasingly uncomfortable with not having statutory protection for their part in 702 collection," said Croner. When reporting on Congress, you’re only as good as your sources. And the same can be said in spy craft. The government’s digital spooks can’t track possible terrorists if the telecom data vanishes. It was believed a path emerged to re-up FISA late last week. Just as the Senate departed for the week, the President nominated Jay Clayton as the permanent DNI. Clayton’s confirmation hearing is Wednesday before the Senate Intelligence Committee. It’s possible the Senate could step on the gas and try to confirm Clayton on the floor as early as this week. That could clear the path to reauthorize FISA. "The only factor was Bill Pulte," said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., about Democrats dropping their support for a FISA renewal. "And that factor is now, I think, set on the sideline. It should pave the way." Republicans will likely vote to confirm Clayton. But Democrats aren’t so sure. "We have to look very clearly at Jay Clayton," said Reed. "He's a very accomplished lawyer. But the statute requires someone taking this job to have significant national security experience. That has to be measured. I don't think he does." So the Senate may confirm Clayton. But does that guarantee passage of FISA? Not necessarily. President Trump altered the playing field again over the weekend. He’s now demanding that lawmakers connect an extension of FISA Section 702 to the SAVE America Act. That bill is the touchstone of the President’s 2026 agenda. It requires proof of citizenship to vote. While popular among Republicans, the SAVE America Act didn’t even command a simple majority on two test votes in the Senate this spring. REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: TRUMP'S SAVE ACT ULTIMATUM RUNS INTO SENATE REALITY A mix of Democrats and Republicans are necessary to pass FISA. There’s too much internal GOP opposition. Latching the SAVE America Act to FISA Section 702 is a poison pill to Democrats. The measure would never command 60 votes and break a filibuster in the Senate. So where does this land? As Croner suggests, things are likely OK for now, despite the threats. However, a long statuary breach for FISA isn’t good. You’re only as good as your sources in journalism. And perhaps to prevent a terrorist attack, you’re only as good as the law. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3087f8197238567831f10f PBS affiliate board chairman under fire after saying he hopes Trump suffers stroke te 2026-06-15T23:17:12.853Z PBS affiliate board chairman under fire after saying he hopes Trump suffers stroke A PBS affiliate's board chairman is facing backlash after a social media post surfaced in which he said he hoped President Donald Trump would suffer a stroke that would leave him unable to walk or speak, prompting the organization to publicly distance itself from the comments. In a screenshot shared by the X account, Libs of TikTok, the X account Republicans Against Trump asked in a Sunday post, "Donald Trump turns 80 today. Any birthday wishes?" and Bob Greene, who was identified in reports online as the board chair for Rocky Mountain PBS, replied, which now appears to have been deleted, "A nice stroke that turns him into a drooling, pooping blob in a wheelchair unable to speak."  On the website for Rocky Mountain PBS, Greene is described as "an experienced senior executive with over 35 years in sales, marketing and operations in the entertainment, interactive and broadband industries" who is "responsible for developing new revenue platforms and partnerships that leverage and enhance the global scale of Liberty." ABC NEWS INSIDER SAYS THERE WAS 'NO ALTERNATIVE' BUT FOR NETWORK TO FIRE TERRY MORAN OVER ANTI-TRUMP POST He is also credited as negotiating "the first deal to bring Netflix onto millions of set top boxes throughout Europe and LATAM," and "is a seasoned veteran in strategy, product development, sales and marketing, with a strong track record of taking established or early stage businesses and maximizing the core revenue while creating expansion into new product lines or platforms." In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for Rocky Mountain Public Media (RMPM) said that it had "only recently become aware of this post in question" and said that it violates their social media guidelines, which state that "Personal views and political positions should be kept separate from the station’s content, and should not appear on any RMPM-operated platform or dedicated page/stream."  The guidelines also say that "when using the internet or social media in your personal life, please make it clear and conspicuous that all of your statements are on your own behalf and are not RMPM’s. Disclaimers such as "opinions are my own" should be used whenever appropriate." UNEARTHED VIDEO REVEALS COLE ALLEN AS QUIET INVENTOR YEARS BEFORE ALLEGED BID TO ASSASSINATE TRUMP "This post does not reflect the values or opinions of Rocky Mountain Public Media, and this level of discourse is never constructive to our collective efforts to strengthen the civic fabric of Colorado," RMPM’s spokesperson said.  Trump celebrated his 80th birthday Sunday night on the South Lawn of the White House, where 14 fighters from around the world fought inside a cage made of wire-mesh during the UFC Freedom 250 event. MAN ACCUSED OF IRAN-BACKED TRUMP ASSASSINATION PLOT COMPARED HIS PLAN TO BUTLER SHOOTING: FBI "This is clearly a deranged individual who should seek professional help," White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said in a statement when reached for comment. "President Trump rightfully defunded PBS last year, and will continue to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not wasted fueling left-wing propaganda but rather leveraged to the benefit of hardworking Americans." Fox News Digital attempted to reach Greene for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3087ed197238567831f106 PBS affiliate board chairman under fire after saying he hopes Trump suffers stroke te 2026-06-15T23:17:01.985Z PBS affiliate board chairman under fire after saying he hopes Trump suffers stroke A PBS affiliate's board chairman is facing backlash after a social media post surfaced in which he said he hoped President Donald Trump would suffer a stroke that would leave him unable to walk or speak, prompting the organization to publicly distance itself from the comments. In a screenshot shared by the X account, Libs of TikTok, the X account Republicans Against Trump asked in a Sunday post, "Donald Trump turns 80 today. Any birthday wishes?" and Bob Greene, who was identified in reports online as the board chair for Rocky Mountain PBS, replied, which now appears to have been deleted, "A nice stroke that turns him into a drooling, pooping blob in a wheelchair unable to speak."  On the website for Rocky Mountain PBS, Greene is described as "an experienced senior executive with over 35 years in sales, marketing and operations in the entertainment, interactive and broadband industries" who is "responsible for developing new revenue platforms and partnerships that leverage and enhance the global scale of Liberty." ABC NEWS INSIDER SAYS THERE WAS 'NO ALTERNATIVE' BUT FOR NETWORK TO FIRE TERRY MORAN OVER ANTI-TRUMP POST He is also credited as negotiating "the first deal to bring Netflix onto millions of set top boxes throughout Europe and LATAM," and "is a seasoned veteran in strategy, product development, sales and marketing, with a strong track record of taking established or early stage businesses and maximizing the core revenue while creating expansion into new product lines or platforms." In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for Rocky Mountain Public Media (RMPM) said that it had "only recently become aware of this post in question" and said that it violates their social media guidelines, which state that "Personal views and political positions should be kept separate from the station’s content, and should not appear on any RMPM-operated platform or dedicated page/stream."  The guidelines also say that "when using the internet or social media in your personal life, please make it clear and conspicuous that all of your statements are on your own behalf and are not RMPM’s. Disclaimers such as "opinions are my own" should be used whenever appropriate." UNEARTHED VIDEO REVEALS COLE ALLEN AS QUIET INVENTOR YEARS BEFORE ALLEGED BID TO ASSASSINATE TRUMP "This post does not reflect the values or opinions of Rocky Mountain Public Media, and this level of discourse is never constructive to our collective efforts to strengthen the civic fabric of Colorado," RMPM’s spokesperson said.  Trump celebrated his 80th birthday Sunday night on the South Lawn of the White House, where 14 fighters from around the world fought inside a cage made of wire-mesh during the UFC Freedom 250 event. MAN ACCUSED OF IRAN-BACKED TRUMP ASSASSINATION PLOT COMPARED HIS PLAN TO BUTLER SHOOTING: FBI "This is clearly a deranged individual who should seek professional help," White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said in a statement when reached for comment. "President Trump rightfully defunded PBS last year, and will continue to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not wasted fueling left-wing propaganda but rather leveraged to the benefit of hardworking Americans." Fox News Digital attempted to reach Greene for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3087e5197238567831f0fd SEE IT: UFC legend denies posting alleged Eric Trump DMs, claims he was hacked te 2026-06-15T23:16:53.399Z SEE IT: UFC legend denies posting alleged Eric Trump DMs, claims he was hacked Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier told Fox News Digital that he did not post viral screenshots alleging an exchange with Eric Trump in which the president's son asked for inside intel about fighter injuries and whether any fights were "rigged" ahead of UFC Freedom 250 at the White House. The now-deleted post from Cormier showed screenshots of what appeared to be direct messages between himself and Eric Trump, with Trump reaching out to Cormier ahead of Sunday’s spectacle asking who he had winning, if any fighters were injured and "cutting to the chase" if any of the fights are rigged. "They’re not real," Cormier told Fox News Digital when asked what happened with the posts showing the alleged messages with Trump. "I can’t believe you guys believed that. Like, who believes that?" he said. JAKE PAUL'S MOST VALUABLE PRODUCTIONS RIPS RIGGED FIGHT CLAIMS IN MIKE TYSON BOUT: 'ILLOGICAL AND INANE' The conversation caught national attention as a potential cheating scandal as it appears to show Trump trying to leverage inside information that could be used toward advancing his own bets.  The account that is labeled as Trump in the screenshots shows a message saying, "I’ll just cut to the chase...are any of the fights tomorrow rigged? I’ve been eyeing the Lopes fight and I think an upset wouldn’t be too unrealistic. $$." The exchange ends with an alleged reply from Cormier to Trump saying, "No none of our fights rigged and honestly I am appalled you would even ask me something like that." DANA WHITE DENIES AMERICA 250 UFC FIGHT AT WHITE HOUSE WILL BE 'POLITICAL,' 'NOT AT ALL' ABOUT POLITICS Both Cormier and Trump posted on X Sunday evening, leading up to the main event of the night, claiming the post was fake. Cormier asked if "people were really that dumb," while Trump posted that the whole thing was "completely fake."  In another post, Trump referred to the screenshots as "fake, AI-generated screenshots" and said he has never even spoken to Cormier. UFC'S DANA WHITE CONFIRMS FBI TALKS OVER UNUSUAL BETTING ACTIVITY ON FIGHTER ISAAC DULGARIAN MATCH Cormier told Fox News Digital that he was hacked and he was not the one to post the alleged interaction to social media. "I got hacked or something," he said when asked if he was denying posting it to his social media. He continued, "Who believes stuff like that? That's crazy." Cormier also told Fox News Digital that the reporting that he posted this is wrong. "Yeah, absolutely," he said when asked if the journalists claiming he posted it to social media are wrong. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3087da197238567831f0f4 SEE IT: UFC legend denies posting alleged Eric Trump DMs, claims he was hacked te 2026-06-15T23:16:42.528Z SEE IT: UFC legend denies posting alleged Eric Trump DMs, claims he was hacked Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier told Fox News Digital that he did not post viral screenshots alleging an exchange with Eric Trump in which the president's son asked for inside intel about fighter injuries and whether any fights were "rigged" ahead of UFC Freedom 250 at the White House. The now-deleted post from Cormier showed screenshots of what appeared to be direct messages between himself and Eric Trump, with Trump reaching out to Cormier ahead of Sunday’s spectacle asking who he had winning, if any fighters were injured and "cutting to the chase" if any of the fights are rigged. "They’re not real," Cormier told Fox News Digital when asked what happened with the posts showing the alleged messages with Trump. "I can’t believe you guys believed that. Like, who believes that?" he said. JAKE PAUL'S MOST VALUABLE PRODUCTIONS RIPS RIGGED FIGHT CLAIMS IN MIKE TYSON BOUT: 'ILLOGICAL AND INANE' The conversation caught national attention as a potential cheating scandal as it appears to show Trump trying to leverage inside information that could be used toward advancing his own bets.  The account that is labeled as Trump in the screenshots shows a message saying, "I’ll just cut to the chase...are any of the fights tomorrow rigged? I’ve been eyeing the Lopes fight and I think an upset wouldn’t be too unrealistic. $$." The exchange ends with an alleged reply from Cormier to Trump saying, "No none of our fights rigged and honestly I am appalled you would even ask me something like that." DANA WHITE DENIES AMERICA 250 UFC FIGHT AT WHITE HOUSE WILL BE 'POLITICAL,' 'NOT AT ALL' ABOUT POLITICS Both Cormier and Trump posted on X Sunday evening, leading up to the main event of the night, claiming the post was fake. Cormier asked if "people were really that dumb," while Trump posted that the whole thing was "completely fake."  In another post, Trump referred to the screenshots as "fake, AI-generated screenshots" and said he has never even spoken to Cormier. UFC'S DANA WHITE CONFIRMS FBI TALKS OVER UNUSUAL BETTING ACTIVITY ON FIGHTER ISAAC DULGARIAN MATCH Cormier told Fox News Digital that he was hacked and he was not the one to post the alleged interaction to social media. "I got hacked or something," he said when asked if he was denying posting it to his social media. He continued, "Who believes stuff like that? That's crazy." Cormier also told Fox News Digital that the reporting that he posted this is wrong. "Yeah, absolutely," he said when asked if the journalists claiming he posted it to social media are wrong. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3087d1197238567831f0eb Ex-MSNBC host Joy Reid curses 'orange a--hole' Trump, calls Bari Weiss a 'zealot' in 'Rise Up' speech te 2026-06-15T23:16:33.939Z Ex-MSNBC host Joy Reid curses 'orange a--hole' Trump, calls Bari Weiss a 'zealot' in 'Rise Up' speech Ex-MSNBC host Joy Reid gave a fiery speech Sunday warning that President Donald Trump and his allies are trying to turn America into North Korea by reshaping its media companies. As Trump hosted a UFC event at the White House and the United States prepared to celebrate its 250th birthday, actress Jane Fonda and other celebrities gathered at "Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment." During the event, Reid delivered a speech condemning "orange a--hole" Trump’s impact on the media landscape, warning, "The threat is not coming, friends – it is here." "Don Lemon arrested, Georgia Fort arrested, Terry Moran fired from ABC, Scott Pelley fired from CBS by the clack [sic] of far-right ideologues who bought it and handed it over to a zealot named Bari Weiss who may soon — she earned those boos — she may soon also control CNN," Reid warned in her speech, as the crowd jeered the mention of Weiss. JOY REID WARNS THAT TRUMP COULD TRANSFORM US MEDIA TO ‘NORTH KOREA’-STYLE PROPAGANDA MACHINE After listing numerous other incidents involving high-profile media figures and networks, she declared, "This is corporate media on its knees. A handful of billionaires consolidating local stations, newspapers, national networks, turning American journalism into what they hope will become a U.S. version of North Korea." "They want us afraid," she said. "Trump wants us to shrink when he calls us crooked, stupid, piggy, and when he screams in the faces of women journalists. And by the way, Barbara Walters would never — she would have eaten him alive. Rest in peace, Barbara." "’We are not afraid, we are not afraid!’" Reid sang. "That stanza from ‘We shall overcome’ is still true. The path forward is independent media and independent voices unbossed and unafraid." JANE FONDA WARNS AMERICA FACES 'EXISTENTIAL' CRISIS AS SHE URGES TURNOUT AT 'NO KINGS' PROTESTS She encouraged listeners to subscribe to her show and also follow other left-wing journalists like Lemon and ex-CNN anchor Jim Acosta, who over the weekend compared the removal of Trump's name from the Kennedy Center to the fall of the Berlin Wall. "We are not shrinking, we are growing! So be louder, be bolder, rise up, sing out!" she said. Fox News Digital reached out to CBS and the White House and did not receive an immediate reply. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3087c7197238567831f0e2 Ex-MSNBC host Joy Reid curses 'orange a--hole' Trump, calls Bari Weiss a 'zealot' in 'Rise Up' speech te 2026-06-15T23:16:23.071Z Ex-MSNBC host Joy Reid curses 'orange a--hole' Trump, calls Bari Weiss a 'zealot' in 'Rise Up' speech Ex-MSNBC host Joy Reid gave a fiery speech Sunday warning that President Donald Trump and his allies are trying to turn America into North Korea by reshaping its media companies. As Trump hosted a UFC event at the White House and the United States prepared to celebrate its 250th birthday, actress Jane Fonda and other celebrities gathered at "Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment." During the event, Reid delivered a speech condemning "orange a--hole" Trump’s impact on the media landscape, warning, "The threat is not coming, friends – it is here." "Don Lemon arrested, Georgia Fort arrested, Terry Moran fired from ABC, Scott Pelley fired from CBS by the clack [sic] of far-right ideologues who bought it and handed it over to a zealot named Bari Weiss who may soon — she earned those boos — she may soon also control CNN," Reid warned in her speech, as the crowd jeered the mention of Weiss. JOY REID WARNS THAT TRUMP COULD TRANSFORM US MEDIA TO ‘NORTH KOREA’-STYLE PROPAGANDA MACHINE After listing numerous other incidents involving high-profile media figures and networks, she declared, "This is corporate media on its knees. A handful of billionaires consolidating local stations, newspapers, national networks, turning American journalism into what they hope will become a U.S. version of North Korea." "They want us afraid," she said. "Trump wants us to shrink when he calls us crooked, stupid, piggy, and when he screams in the faces of women journalists. And by the way, Barbara Walters would never — she would have eaten him alive. Rest in peace, Barbara." "’We are not afraid, we are not afraid!’" Reid sang. "That stanza from ‘We shall overcome’ is still true. The path forward is independent media and independent voices unbossed and unafraid." JANE FONDA WARNS AMERICA FACES 'EXISTENTIAL' CRISIS AS SHE URGES TURNOUT AT 'NO KINGS' PROTESTS She encouraged listeners to subscribe to her show and also follow other left-wing journalists like Lemon and ex-CNN anchor Jim Acosta, who over the weekend compared the removal of Trump's name from the Kennedy Center to the fall of the Berlin Wall. "We are not shrinking, we are growing! So be louder, be bolder, rise up, sing out!" she said. Fox News Digital reached out to CBS and the White House and did not receive an immediate reply. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3087be197238567831f0d9 Ivy League student investigated after alleged antisemitic internship rejection: 'Not working for a Jew' te 2026-06-15T23:16:14.485Z Ivy League student investigated after alleged antisemitic internship rejection: 'Not working for a Jew' Cornell University has opened an investigation after one of its students reportedly turned down an internship with a Jewish-owned company, saying he's "Not interested in working for a Jew." Austin Franco, a Cornell University student, rejected an internship interview with New York City startup VryfID because its co-founders are Jewish, according to owners Gabe and Aiden Einhorn. VryfID says it connects renters with landlords while also verifying their identities, which the company says will prevent fraud. "Hi Austin, I dont think I saw you on the call today. I know Sundays are not the best times for meetings. I would still like to have a quick call and give you more details on the company, as well as what we are building. College students are vital part of helping VryfID grow. As a rising Senior at NYU Stern, I believe fellow students are crucial to the growth and success of what we are building," Aiden Einhorn wrote. "Not interested in working for a Jew. Thanks," Franco reportedly said. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA ORDERED TO REINSTATE LAW STUDENT WHO WAS EXPELLED AFTER ANTI-JEWISH COMMENTS "This kid applied to our job on handshake, we accepted him, and then he responded this," Gabe Einhorn said. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Franco reportedly sent the message through Handshake, a job posting board, after applying for a summer internship at the company. After Gabe Einhorn posted a screenshot of the exchange, Franco said, "I was stating why I was not interested after you had asked to interview 3 times. I found out you were Jewish after the fact." SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER "My experiences with Jews have not been pleasant, both in person and online. This is not to say I havent had positive experiences, but on the aggregate that is not the case," Franco said. "Obviously, the reactions by your community only serves to further prove my point and indicate your post on X was not done in good faith. I am sure that if you indicated you didn't want to work for someone who was white or Christian this would not have blown up to the capacity it has here today nor would you have been intimated as I have been." Cornell University said in a statement to Fox News Digital that it condemns antisemitism, adding that its Office of Civil Rights has opened an investigation. SEND US A TIP HERE "Cornell University learned of a deeply disturbing comment by a student on the Handshake platform in violation of the online job board’s terms of service. This incident has been referred to the Cornell Office of Civil Rights for investigation under university policy," a university spokesperson said. "Cornell condemns antisemitism and all forms of hatred and discrimination in the strongest possible terms. The university is steadfastly committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for every member of our community." ANTISEMITIC ‘VENOM’ INFECTING CAMPUSES GETS WORSE AS UNIVERSITIES PLAY ‘ROPE-A-DOPE’ WITH TRUMP ADMIN: EXPERT Gabe Einhorn told Fox News that Franco is just another example of someone who overgeneralizes others. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST "There's too much hate in the world right now and to overgeneralize one specific religion or one specific race is never a good idea because you see people that are, across the board from different walks of life, that could become friends, do business together, that can build a family together," Gabe Einhorn said. "So I never think it's a good idea to overgeneralize in that sense." Gabe added that he only shared the initial screenshot on X to expose antisemitism. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB "The goal for me in that initial post was just to show the fact that there is clear antisemitism in the world after seeing people try to deny it and tell me that it doesn't exist, I was trying to show an example of, 'look, this is clearly antisemitism, you can't argue against it,'" he said. Franco was supposed to be on an X Space Sunday night, but backed out. "I know everyone was looking forward to a podcast tonight at 10 PM, but I think it would be best to put this on hold. I would like to see how things develop with Cornell and whether or not I will have the opportunity to attend in the fall," Franco said. "Regardless of the decisions made here today or in the future, know that even if you disagree with me, I will fight for what I believe is right—not for money, power, or something material, but for the cause itself." Fox News Digital reached out to Franco for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3087b3197238567831f0d0 Ivy League student investigated after alleged antisemitic internship rejection: 'Not working for a Jew' te 2026-06-15T23:16:03.623Z Ivy League student investigated after alleged antisemitic internship rejection: 'Not working for a Jew' Cornell University has opened an investigation after one of its students reportedly turned down an internship with a Jewish-owned company, saying he's "Not interested in working for a Jew." Austin Franco, a Cornell University student, rejected an internship interview with New York City startup VryfID because its co-founders are Jewish, according to owners Gabe and Aiden Einhorn. VryfID says it connects renters with landlords while also verifying their identities, which the company says will prevent fraud. "Hi Austin, I dont think I saw you on the call today. I know Sundays are not the best times for meetings. I would still like to have a quick call and give you more details on the company, as well as what we are building. College students are vital part of helping VryfID grow. As a rising Senior at NYU Stern, I believe fellow students are crucial to the growth and success of what we are building," Aiden Einhorn wrote. "Not interested in working for a Jew. Thanks," Franco reportedly said. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA ORDERED TO REINSTATE LAW STUDENT WHO WAS EXPELLED AFTER ANTI-JEWISH COMMENTS "This kid applied to our job on handshake, we accepted him, and then he responded this," Gabe Einhorn said. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Franco reportedly sent the message through Handshake, a job posting board, after applying for a summer internship at the company. After Gabe Einhorn posted a screenshot of the exchange, Franco said, "I was stating why I was not interested after you had asked to interview 3 times. I found out you were Jewish after the fact." SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER "My experiences with Jews have not been pleasant, both in person and online. This is not to say I havent had positive experiences, but on the aggregate that is not the case," Franco said. "Obviously, the reactions by your community only serves to further prove my point and indicate your post on X was not done in good faith. I am sure that if you indicated you didn't want to work for someone who was white or Christian this would not have blown up to the capacity it has here today nor would you have been intimated as I have been." Cornell University said in a statement to Fox News Digital that it condemns antisemitism, adding that its Office of Civil Rights has opened an investigation. SEND US A TIP HERE "Cornell University learned of a deeply disturbing comment by a student on the Handshake platform in violation of the online job board’s terms of service. This incident has been referred to the Cornell Office of Civil Rights for investigation under university policy," a university spokesperson said. "Cornell condemns antisemitism and all forms of hatred and discrimination in the strongest possible terms. The university is steadfastly committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for every member of our community." ANTISEMITIC ‘VENOM’ INFECTING CAMPUSES GETS WORSE AS UNIVERSITIES PLAY ‘ROPE-A-DOPE’ WITH TRUMP ADMIN: EXPERT Gabe Einhorn told Fox News that Franco is just another example of someone who overgeneralizes others. LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST "There's too much hate in the world right now and to overgeneralize one specific religion or one specific race is never a good idea because you see people that are, across the board from different walks of life, that could become friends, do business together, that can build a family together," Gabe Einhorn said. "So I never think it's a good idea to overgeneralize in that sense." Gabe added that he only shared the initial screenshot on X to expose antisemitism. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB "The goal for me in that initial post was just to show the fact that there is clear antisemitism in the world after seeing people try to deny it and tell me that it doesn't exist, I was trying to show an example of, 'look, this is clearly antisemitism, you can't argue against it,'" he said. Franco was supposed to be on an X Space Sunday night, but backed out. "I know everyone was looking forward to a podcast tonight at 10 PM, but I think it would be best to put this on hold. I would like to see how things develop with Cornell and whether or not I will have the opportunity to attend in the fall," Franco said. "Regardless of the decisions made here today or in the future, know that even if you disagree with me, I will fight for what I believe is right—not for money, power, or something material, but for the cause itself." Fox News Digital reached out to Franco for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3087ab197238567831f0c7 Austin Metcalf's father rips former Frisco schools chief as 'spineless' over Karmelo Anthony graduation te 2026-06-15T23:15:55.027Z Austin Metcalf's father rips former Frisco schools chief as 'spineless' over Karmelo Anthony graduation The father of slain teen Austin Metcalf has some choice words for the former superintendent of Frisco Independent School District in Texas. Jeff Metcalf's son, Austin, was killed by Karmelo Anthony in April 2025. Anthony was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years behind bars for fatally stabbing the 17-year-old at a track meet. Days after the viral verdict, Metcalf has been voicing his grief and frustrations publicly. Metcalf told Fox News Digital he believes the school system and its leader mishandled his son's case, the aftermath of his murder, and how Frisco went about dealing with Anthony's ability to graduate. GRIEVING TEXAS FATHER SPEAKS OUT AFTER SON WAS STABBED TO DEATH AT HIGH SCHOOL TRACK MEET Addressing former superintendent Mike Waldrip, he said he "folded like a cheap tent under pressure," from Anthony supporters pushing Frisco ISD to allow him to still graduate despite the allegations against him at the time of his graduation last year. GOT A TIP? In a recent interview with Rumble podcast "JinxedSip," the grieving father again went after Waldrip and said he was "the most spineless, coward piece of ---- I've ever met in my entire life," TMZ reported. Metcalf also expressed his anger at the fact that Waldrip allowed Anthony to graduate high school after the stabbing. FOLLOW US ON X "He didn't go back to school after April 2. He might have had the credit, he might have had the grades, but you still have the ability to deny the diploma," he said to Fox News Digital. He told Fox News Digital that Anthony should not have been allowed to graduate based on attendance as he says the killer never returned to school following the stabbing. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL TMZ reported, "Jeff argued that Karmelo shouldn't have been able to graduate because he says the school handbook allegedly declares murder to be grounds for 'mandatory expulsion.'" NASHVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT DEFENDS NO METAL DETECTORS BEFORE SCHOOL SHOOTING: 'UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES' Anthony was convicted of murder more than a year after he fatally stabbed Metcalf. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS Jeff Metcalf also told Fox News Digital the school system didn't have strong enough security at the fateful track meet. He said, "They didn't have metal detectors that the athletes went through, they didn't have proper security. I mean, I can go on and on. They were negligent in this." Waldrip was the school system's superintendent during the time that Metcalf was killed. Frisco ISD announced his retirement in November 2025, more than six months after the murder. Fox News Digital has reached out to Waldrip and Frisco ISD for comment on Metcalf's claims. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3087a0197238567831f0be Austin Metcalf's father rips former Frisco schools chief as 'spineless' over Karmelo Anthony graduation te 2026-06-15T23:15:44.159Z Austin Metcalf's father rips former Frisco schools chief as 'spineless' over Karmelo Anthony graduation The father of slain teen Austin Metcalf has some choice words for the former superintendent of Frisco Independent School District in Texas. Jeff Metcalf's son, Austin, was killed by Karmelo Anthony in April 2025. Anthony was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years behind bars for fatally stabbing the 17-year-old at a track meet. Days after the viral verdict, Metcalf has been voicing his grief and frustrations publicly. Metcalf told Fox News Digital he believes the school system and its leader mishandled his son's case, the aftermath of his murder, and how Frisco went about dealing with Anthony's ability to graduate. GRIEVING TEXAS FATHER SPEAKS OUT AFTER SON WAS STABBED TO DEATH AT HIGH SCHOOL TRACK MEET Addressing former superintendent Mike Waldrip, he said he "folded like a cheap tent under pressure," from Anthony supporters pushing Frisco ISD to allow him to still graduate despite the allegations against him at the time of his graduation last year. GOT A TIP? In a recent interview with Rumble podcast "JinxedSip," the grieving father again went after Waldrip and said he was "the most spineless, coward piece of ---- I've ever met in my entire life," TMZ reported. Metcalf also expressed his anger at the fact that Waldrip allowed Anthony to graduate high school after the stabbing. FOLLOW US ON X "He didn't go back to school after April 2. He might have had the credit, he might have had the grades, but you still have the ability to deny the diploma," he said to Fox News Digital. He told Fox News Digital that Anthony should not have been allowed to graduate based on attendance as he says the killer never returned to school following the stabbing. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL TMZ reported, "Jeff argued that Karmelo shouldn't have been able to graduate because he says the school handbook allegedly declares murder to be grounds for 'mandatory expulsion.'" NASHVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT DEFENDS NO METAL DETECTORS BEFORE SCHOOL SHOOTING: 'UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES' Anthony was convicted of murder more than a year after he fatally stabbed Metcalf. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS Jeff Metcalf also told Fox News Digital the school system didn't have strong enough security at the fateful track meet. He said, "They didn't have metal detectors that the athletes went through, they didn't have proper security. I mean, I can go on and on. They were negligent in this." Waldrip was the school system's superintendent during the time that Metcalf was killed. Frisco ISD announced his retirement in November 2025, more than six months after the murder. Fox News Digital has reached out to Waldrip and Frisco ISD for comment on Metcalf's claims. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308797197238567831f0b5 PGA TOUR: One of these seven golfers will win the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club te 2026-06-15T23:15:35.572Z PGA TOUR: One of these seven golfers will win the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, aka The Cock, on Long Island, New York, is one of the founding members of the United States Golf Association and hosted the second-ever U.S. Open in 1896. So, it’s only fitting that the U.S. Open returns to Shinnecock in 2026, America’s 250th birthday year. Undoubtedly one of the toughest courses in the world, Shinnecock is a par-70 links-style course with uneven lies, deep rough along the fairway with random fescue, elevation changes and brutally difficult greens. Oh, and it’s a coastal track with few trees, making it highly susceptible to wind. After a 90-year hiatus, there have been four U.S. Opens at The Cock from 1986 to 2018. Only four golfers have finished those U.S. Opens under par. Brooks Koepka, Shinnecock’s reigning U.S. Open champion in 2018, won with a score of +1. Basically, what I’m getting at is there will be carnage at The Cock this week. SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER'S FIRST ATTEMPT AT THE CAREER GRAND SLAM TOPS US OPEN STORYLINES TO WATCH AT SHINNECOCK Shifting gears, my PGA TOUR betting record this season is a disgrace. And it’s killing me because golf is my favorite sport to gamble on, and it’s the only sport I can’t beat. I’m down damn near 38 units (u), and I’m not even getting unlucky. I just suck this year. But that all changes this week. I successfully predicted the New York Knicks would meet the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals, then picked New York to win the title. I hit Napoleon Solo at the 2026 Preakness Stakes in May and a 100-to-1 trifecta at the Belmont Stakes two weeks ago. That said, I’m calling my shot and guaranteeing a win at the 2026 U.S. Open because I won’t let my heater go cold. Now that I just jinxed myself, let’s discuss the horses for the course that I’m riding into The Cock.  The following odds are based on my previous bets on the golfers listed below. Subject to change. 🇺🇸 Bryson DeChambeau +3000 at FanDuel (0.67u) and Top-20 with ties +173 at Kalshi (0.75u) 🇺🇸 Russell Henley +4000 at BetMGM (0.5u) and Top-10 with ties +279 at Kalshi (0.5u) 🇺🇸 Patrick Reed +5000 at Fanatics Sportsbook (0.4u) and Top-20 with ties +217 at Kalshi (0.5u) 🇺🇸 Chris Gotterup +5403 (0.37u) and Top-20 with ties +173 (0.75u), both at Kalshi 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Tyrrell Hatton +5713 (0.35u) and Top-20 with ties +228 at Kalshi (0.5u) 🇺🇸 Harris English +13233 at Kalshi (0.15u) and Top-10 with ties +510 at DraftKings (0.25u) 🇦🇺 Cameron Smith +13257 (0.15u) and Top-20 with ties +489 (0.25u), both at Kalshi  I’m buying low on Bryson, who missed the cut at The Masters and PGA Championship this year, where he was +1200 and +2000, respectively. Last year, DeChambeau entered the U.S. Open as the second-betting favorite at +750. WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE A two-time U.S. Open champion in 2020 and 2024, Bryson is the best or second-best driver in golf, and the U.S. Open is the most driver-heavy tournament year in, year out. I mean, he’s gained strokes off-the-tee in every major and LIV Tour event with shot-link data that he’s played in since February 2024. Even if Shinnecock forces these guys to be more strategic off-the-tee, Bryson will still find a way to gain strokes with his driver. Also, DeChambeau is a sneaky good putter and has gained strokes on the greens in eight of his 11 starts this season, according to DataGolf.com, including The Masters and PGA Championship. He finished T25 in the last U.S. Open at Shinnecock while gaining strokes on the field with his driver and putter. Finally, Bryson is a golf nerd who will tailor a game plan to the course he’s playing.  Henley has made the cut in four of his last five U.S. Opens with a T13 in 2021, T14 in 2023, T7 in 2024 and T10 last year. He tied for 25th in the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock and was tied for the lead after the first round. PAR TALK: BUD CAULEY FINALLY GETS WHAT HE DESERVES WITH MAIDEN PGA TOUR VICTORY, PLUS A CHECK-IN ON US OPEN EXPECTATIONS Henley is having another great season, featuring a T3 at The Masters and a win at the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge. He was T10 at The Open Championship last year, his previous visit to a links-style course. Many golf betting analysts are saying that driving accuracy is more important than distance at Shinnecock because you’re dead if you aren’t playing from the fairway. Henley leads the PGA TOUR in driving accuracy this season. Furthermore, he plays well at similar crossover courses. Per Betsperts Golf, Henley is sixth in this field for total strokes gained at similar courses to Shinnecock over the last three years. Henley is good enough to win a major, and he has the game to win here.  Along with Augusta National, where he won the green jacket in 2018, Shinnecock is one of the two courses Reed would draw inspiration from if he were designing a major championship venue, per Joseph LaMagna from TheFriedEgg.com. Reed thinks that much of The Cock. He left LIV before the start of this season to join the DP World Tour and play his way back onto the PGA TOUR. Reed won two of his first four starts on the DP World Tour, tied for second in another and finished T10 in his most recent tournament on the DP World Tour. Now that he essentially locked up his PGA TOUR card for next season, Reed has only played in The Masters and the 2026 PGA Championship since March, where he finished T12 and T10. It's clear his only focus is winning a second major and you know he's been practicing at Shinnecock over the last month. Reed's U.S. Open best finish was fourth here in 2018. He gained strokes across the board in driving, on approach, around-the-green and putting that week at The Cock. Reed has 12 international wins, played for three American Ryder Cup teams, and enters the U.S. Open with great lead-in form. Since last year’s U.S. Open, where he finished a respectable T23, Gotterup has won three times: the 2025 Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, the 2026 Sony Open at Waialae and the 2026 Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. The Renaissance Club is a par-70, driver-heavy links-style course in Scotland. Waialae is another par-70 course in Hawaii with coastal winds, like The Cock. TPC Scottsdale is a "bomber’s paradise" with wide fairways in the desert. These are three different types of courses in different climates and geographies.  Meanwhile, Gotterup is ninth on TOUR in total strokes gained this season and doesn’t have a weak club in the bag. This is why he’s finished third (The 2025 Open Championship), T24 (this year’s Masters) and T10 (2026 PGA Championship) in his last three majors.  Lastly, Gotterup’s swing speed is one of the fastest in golf, allowing him to use any strategy off-the-tee. He’s kind of like a poor man’s DeChambeau in the betting market, but Gotterup is playing better and has nearly double the odds of Bryson.  Hatton’s wife, Emily, had their first child last month, and Tyrrell won his first tournament as a father on the LIV Tour in Andalucia. Eight days before his child’s birth, Hatton missed the cut at the 2026 PGA Championship. Maybe he was distracted by his wife’s pregnancy and can refocus now that their child is out. Regardless, Tyrrell has gained strokes ball-striking (driving and on approach) in the last four majors. On top of winning his last start, Hatton has three more top-10 finishes on the LIV Tour this season and he tied for third at The Masters in April. His best U.S. Open finish was T4 last year at Oakmont Country Club, a comp course to Shinnecock. Hatton’s second-best finish at the U.S. Open was T6 at The Cock in 2018 while gaining strokes across the board. An eight-time DP World Tour winner, the Englishman is familiar with links-style courses.  The five-time PGA TOUR winner and two-time American Ryder Cupper is ranked 17th by DataGolf.com, which is the premier website for golf stats. But English is outside the top-50 in the betting odds to win the U.S. Open. I.e., English is underrated by the market. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! He’s made the cut in all 10 U.S. Opens with three top-10s in 2020-21 and 2023. His last win was the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, which hosted the 2021 U.S. Open. For whatever reason, he didn't play at Shinnecock in 2018, but his game works better at tougher courses. English has finished between 17th and 25th in most starts this season, including a T4 at the RBC Heritage, T18 at the PGA Championship and T17 at the Memorial Tournament in three of his past five events. He was second at last year's Open Championship. The Aussie missed the cut at the 2018 U.S. Open at The Cock, which isn’t great. Yet, the 2022 Champion Golfer of the Year can obviously win on a links-style course. Plus, Shinnecock’s greens are insane, and Smith has a top-three best short game (chipping and putting) in the world. The driver is by far Smith’s worst club in the bag, but The Cock’s fairways are at least wide. His best finish at the U.S. Open is fourth in 2023 at the Los Angeles Country Club, which also has wide fairways, elevation changes and tricky green complexes. After missing the cut at six consecutive majors, Smith parted ways with his longtime swing coach before the 2026 PGA Championship, where he tied for seventh. It’s nothing to brag about, but Smith has finished T16 and T3 in the last two LIV events leading up to this week’s U.S. Open. The bottom line is Smith’s world-class short-game can keep him in the mix at any course, and 130-to-1-ish is too good to pass up on a guy who is a major winner and playing well.  _____________________________ Follow me on X @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my "OutKick Bets Podcast" for more betting content and random rants. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30878c197238567831f0ac PGA TOUR: One of these seven golfers will win the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club te 2026-06-15T23:15:24.703Z PGA TOUR: One of these seven golfers will win the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, aka The Cock, on Long Island, New York, is one of the founding members of the United States Golf Association and hosted the second-ever U.S. Open in 1896. So, it’s only fitting that the U.S. Open returns to Shinnecock in 2026, America’s 250th birthday year. Undoubtedly one of the toughest courses in the world, Shinnecock is a par-70 links-style course with uneven lies, deep rough along the fairway with random fescue, elevation changes and brutally difficult greens. Oh, and it’s a coastal track with few trees, making it highly susceptible to wind. After a 90-year hiatus, there have been four U.S. Opens at The Cock from 1986 to 2018. Only four golfers have finished those U.S. Opens under par. Brooks Koepka, Shinnecock’s reigning U.S. Open champion in 2018, won with a score of +1. Basically, what I’m getting at is there will be carnage at The Cock this week. SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER'S FIRST ATTEMPT AT THE CAREER GRAND SLAM TOPS US OPEN STORYLINES TO WATCH AT SHINNECOCK Shifting gears, my PGA TOUR betting record this season is a disgrace. And it’s killing me because golf is my favorite sport to gamble on, and it’s the only sport I can’t beat. I’m down damn near 38 units (u), and I’m not even getting unlucky. I just suck this year. But that all changes this week. I successfully predicted the New York Knicks would meet the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals, then picked New York to win the title. I hit Napoleon Solo at the 2026 Preakness Stakes in May and a 100-to-1 trifecta at the Belmont Stakes two weeks ago. That said, I’m calling my shot and guaranteeing a win at the 2026 U.S. Open because I won’t let my heater go cold. Now that I just jinxed myself, let’s discuss the horses for the course that I’m riding into The Cock.  The following odds are based on my previous bets on the golfers listed below. Subject to change. 🇺🇸 Bryson DeChambeau +3000 at FanDuel (0.67u) and Top-20 with ties +173 at Kalshi (0.75u) 🇺🇸 Russell Henley +4000 at BetMGM (0.5u) and Top-10 with ties +279 at Kalshi (0.5u) 🇺🇸 Patrick Reed +5000 at Fanatics Sportsbook (0.4u) and Top-20 with ties +217 at Kalshi (0.5u) 🇺🇸 Chris Gotterup +5403 (0.37u) and Top-20 with ties +173 (0.75u), both at Kalshi 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Tyrrell Hatton +5713 (0.35u) and Top-20 with ties +228 at Kalshi (0.5u) 🇺🇸 Harris English +13233 at Kalshi (0.15u) and Top-10 with ties +510 at DraftKings (0.25u) 🇦🇺 Cameron Smith +13257 (0.15u) and Top-20 with ties +489 (0.25u), both at Kalshi  I’m buying low on Bryson, who missed the cut at The Masters and PGA Championship this year, where he was +1200 and +2000, respectively. Last year, DeChambeau entered the U.S. Open as the second-betting favorite at +750. WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE A two-time U.S. Open champion in 2020 and 2024, Bryson is the best or second-best driver in golf, and the U.S. Open is the most driver-heavy tournament year in, year out. I mean, he’s gained strokes off-the-tee in every major and LIV Tour event with shot-link data that he’s played in since February 2024. Even if Shinnecock forces these guys to be more strategic off-the-tee, Bryson will still find a way to gain strokes with his driver. Also, DeChambeau is a sneaky good putter and has gained strokes on the greens in eight of his 11 starts this season, according to DataGolf.com, including The Masters and PGA Championship. He finished T25 in the last U.S. Open at Shinnecock while gaining strokes on the field with his driver and putter. Finally, Bryson is a golf nerd who will tailor a game plan to the course he’s playing.  Henley has made the cut in four of his last five U.S. Opens with a T13 in 2021, T14 in 2023, T7 in 2024 and T10 last year. He tied for 25th in the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock and was tied for the lead after the first round. PAR TALK: BUD CAULEY FINALLY GETS WHAT HE DESERVES WITH MAIDEN PGA TOUR VICTORY, PLUS A CHECK-IN ON US OPEN EXPECTATIONS Henley is having another great season, featuring a T3 at The Masters and a win at the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge. He was T10 at The Open Championship last year, his previous visit to a links-style course. Many golf betting analysts are saying that driving accuracy is more important than distance at Shinnecock because you’re dead if you aren’t playing from the fairway. Henley leads the PGA TOUR in driving accuracy this season. Furthermore, he plays well at similar crossover courses. Per Betsperts Golf, Henley is sixth in this field for total strokes gained at similar courses to Shinnecock over the last three years. Henley is good enough to win a major, and he has the game to win here.  Along with Augusta National, where he won the green jacket in 2018, Shinnecock is one of the two courses Reed would draw inspiration from if he were designing a major championship venue, per Joseph LaMagna from TheFriedEgg.com. Reed thinks that much of The Cock. He left LIV before the start of this season to join the DP World Tour and play his way back onto the PGA TOUR. Reed won two of his first four starts on the DP World Tour, tied for second in another and finished T10 in his most recent tournament on the DP World Tour. Now that he essentially locked up his PGA TOUR card for next season, Reed has only played in The Masters and the 2026 PGA Championship since March, where he finished T12 and T10. It's clear his only focus is winning a second major and you know he's been practicing at Shinnecock over the last month. Reed's U.S. Open best finish was fourth here in 2018. He gained strokes across the board in driving, on approach, around-the-green and putting that week at The Cock. Reed has 12 international wins, played for three American Ryder Cup teams, and enters the U.S. Open with great lead-in form. Since last year’s U.S. Open, where he finished a respectable T23, Gotterup has won three times: the 2025 Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, the 2026 Sony Open at Waialae and the 2026 Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. The Renaissance Club is a par-70, driver-heavy links-style course in Scotland. Waialae is another par-70 course in Hawaii with coastal winds, like The Cock. TPC Scottsdale is a "bomber’s paradise" with wide fairways in the desert. These are three different types of courses in different climates and geographies.  Meanwhile, Gotterup is ninth on TOUR in total strokes gained this season and doesn’t have a weak club in the bag. This is why he’s finished third (The 2025 Open Championship), T24 (this year’s Masters) and T10 (2026 PGA Championship) in his last three majors.  Lastly, Gotterup’s swing speed is one of the fastest in golf, allowing him to use any strategy off-the-tee. He’s kind of like a poor man’s DeChambeau in the betting market, but Gotterup is playing better and has nearly double the odds of Bryson.  Hatton’s wife, Emily, had their first child last month, and Tyrrell won his first tournament as a father on the LIV Tour in Andalucia. Eight days before his child’s birth, Hatton missed the cut at the 2026 PGA Championship. Maybe he was distracted by his wife’s pregnancy and can refocus now that their child is out. Regardless, Tyrrell has gained strokes ball-striking (driving and on approach) in the last four majors. On top of winning his last start, Hatton has three more top-10 finishes on the LIV Tour this season and he tied for third at The Masters in April. His best U.S. Open finish was T4 last year at Oakmont Country Club, a comp course to Shinnecock. Hatton’s second-best finish at the U.S. Open was T6 at The Cock in 2018 while gaining strokes across the board. An eight-time DP World Tour winner, the Englishman is familiar with links-style courses.  The five-time PGA TOUR winner and two-time American Ryder Cupper is ranked 17th by DataGolf.com, which is the premier website for golf stats. But English is outside the top-50 in the betting odds to win the U.S. Open. I.e., English is underrated by the market. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! He’s made the cut in all 10 U.S. Opens with three top-10s in 2020-21 and 2023. His last win was the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, which hosted the 2021 U.S. Open. For whatever reason, he didn't play at Shinnecock in 2018, but his game works better at tougher courses. English has finished between 17th and 25th in most starts this season, including a T4 at the RBC Heritage, T18 at the PGA Championship and T17 at the Memorial Tournament in three of his past five events. He was second at last year's Open Championship. The Aussie missed the cut at the 2018 U.S. Open at The Cock, which isn’t great. Yet, the 2022 Champion Golfer of the Year can obviously win on a links-style course. Plus, Shinnecock’s greens are insane, and Smith has a top-three best short game (chipping and putting) in the world. The driver is by far Smith’s worst club in the bag, but The Cock’s fairways are at least wide. His best finish at the U.S. Open is fourth in 2023 at the Los Angeles Country Club, which also has wide fairways, elevation changes and tricky green complexes. After missing the cut at six consecutive majors, Smith parted ways with his longtime swing coach before the 2026 PGA Championship, where he tied for seventh. It’s nothing to brag about, but Smith has finished T16 and T3 in the last two LIV events leading up to this week’s U.S. Open. The bottom line is Smith’s world-class short-game can keep him in the mix at any course, and 130-to-1-ish is too good to pass up on a guy who is a major winner and playing well.  _____________________________ Follow me on X @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my "OutKick Bets Podcast" for more betting content and random rants. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308784197238567831f0a3 US won't move troops despite 'signed' Iran deal, as doubts linger over Tehran's next move te 2026-06-15T23:15:16.116Z US won't move troops despite 'signed' Iran deal, as doubts linger over Tehran's next move The Trump administration will keep its military buildup in the Middle East in place despite signing a new agreement with Iran, underscoring Washington's continued distrust of Iran as the two sides enter a 60-day negotiating period. "The plan is to keep the current force posture during the 60-day negotiations," a senior U.S. official told reporters on a call Monday. "We hope to draw them down, but we're not doing that yet." "The agreement contemplates the reduction of military forces in the region upon the agreement of a final deal," the official added. Officials said President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf already have signed the memorandum, and that the details of the agreement will be released publicly within the next 24 to 48 hours. A formal signing ceremony is expected later in the week.  BUILT FOR WEEKS OF WAR: INSIDE THE FIREPOWER THE US HAS POSITIONED IN THE MIDDLE EAST The decision means the Pentagon will maintain a military posture that recently included roughly 50,000 troops deployed across the Middle East, one of the largest U.S. force concentrations in the region in more than two decades. Publicly available fleet tracking data indicate at least two carrier strike groups remain in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Officials repeatedly stressed that any sanctions relief, asset releases or future concessions would be tied to verification and Iranian performance, not promises alone, with one senior official acknowledging the two sides remain in the early stages of "building trust." That lack of trust was evident in the administration's description of the agreement, which differs in key respects from accounts published by Iranian officials and state-linked media. VANCE SAYS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S KEY OBJECTIVES HAVE BEEN REACHED IN US-IRAN DEAL White House officials insisted Monday that no frozen Iranian assets have been released and said any sanctions relief would be conditioned on Iranian performance during the upcoming negotiations. "The very simple fact is, $0 of unfrozen assets have been released by the United States or any other country," one official said. Iranian officials and state-linked media, meanwhile, have described the framework as paving the way for the release of roughly $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds and broader economic relief during the negotiation period.  White House officials disputed reports that any funds have already been released and repeatedly emphasized that future economic concessions would be earned through compliance rather than granted upfront. IRAN’S REGIME SPINS NUCLEAR AND STRAIT OF HORMUZ DEAL WITH TRUMP AS VICTORY OVER US, ISRAEL "We'll do some small gestures of that in the beginning, if they make some small gestures to us," an official said. While Trump has portrayed the agreement as a potential turning point in U.S.–Iran relations, the memorandum itself is narrower in scope. The framework extends the ceasefire, establishes a 60-day negotiating window and seeks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments normally pass. The reopening of the Strait may prove to be the agreement's most immediate and economically significant effect. White House officials said the memorandum provides for the opening of the waterway and the lifting of the naval blockade, though they cautioned that commercial shipping could take days or weeks to return to normal levels as mines are cleared and shipping companies regain confidence in the route. Officials also said the agreement requires the Strait to remain open toll-free during the 60-day negotiating period. The administration expects shipping traffic to increase significantly over the coming days, easing pressure on global energy markets. The deal, officials said, creates a framework under which Iran could eventually receive sanctions relief and broader access to the global economy in exchange for verifiable steps to ensure it does not rebuild its nuclear program and curbs support for terrorism and regional instability. "If they're willing to behave like a normal country, then we're willing to treat them like a normal country," one official said. The prospect of renewed traffic through the Strait has already reverberated through global markets. Oil prices fell following news of the agreement as traders bet that one of the world's most important energy choke points could soon return to normal operations. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308779197238567831f09a US won't move troops despite 'signed' Iran deal, as doubts linger over Tehran's next move te 2026-06-15T23:15:05.248Z US won't move troops despite 'signed' Iran deal, as doubts linger over Tehran's next move The Trump administration will keep its military buildup in the Middle East in place despite signing a new agreement with Iran, underscoring Washington's continued distrust of Iran as the two sides enter a 60-day negotiating period. "The plan is to keep the current force posture during the 60-day negotiations," a senior U.S. official told reporters on a call Monday. "We hope to draw them down, but we're not doing that yet." "The agreement contemplates the reduction of military forces in the region upon the agreement of a final deal," the official added. Officials said President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf already have signed the memorandum, and that the details of the agreement will be released publicly within the next 24 to 48 hours. A formal signing ceremony is expected later in the week.  BUILT FOR WEEKS OF WAR: INSIDE THE FIREPOWER THE US HAS POSITIONED IN THE MIDDLE EAST The decision means the Pentagon will maintain a military posture that recently included roughly 50,000 troops deployed across the Middle East, one of the largest U.S. force concentrations in the region in more than two decades. Publicly available fleet tracking data indicate at least two carrier strike groups remain in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Officials repeatedly stressed that any sanctions relief, asset releases or future concessions would be tied to verification and Iranian performance, not promises alone, with one senior official acknowledging the two sides remain in the early stages of "building trust." That lack of trust was evident in the administration's description of the agreement, which differs in key respects from accounts published by Iranian officials and state-linked media. VANCE SAYS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S KEY OBJECTIVES HAVE BEEN REACHED IN US-IRAN DEAL White House officials insisted Monday that no frozen Iranian assets have been released and said any sanctions relief would be conditioned on Iranian performance during the upcoming negotiations. "The very simple fact is, $0 of unfrozen assets have been released by the United States or any other country," one official said. Iranian officials and state-linked media, meanwhile, have described the framework as paving the way for the release of roughly $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds and broader economic relief during the negotiation period.  White House officials disputed reports that any funds have already been released and repeatedly emphasized that future economic concessions would be earned through compliance rather than granted upfront. IRAN’S REGIME SPINS NUCLEAR AND STRAIT OF HORMUZ DEAL WITH TRUMP AS VICTORY OVER US, ISRAEL "We'll do some small gestures of that in the beginning, if they make some small gestures to us," an official said. While Trump has portrayed the agreement as a potential turning point in U.S.–Iran relations, the memorandum itself is narrower in scope. The framework extends the ceasefire, establishes a 60-day negotiating window and seeks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas shipments normally pass. The reopening of the Strait may prove to be the agreement's most immediate and economically significant effect. White House officials said the memorandum provides for the opening of the waterway and the lifting of the naval blockade, though they cautioned that commercial shipping could take days or weeks to return to normal levels as mines are cleared and shipping companies regain confidence in the route. Officials also said the agreement requires the Strait to remain open toll-free during the 60-day negotiating period. The administration expects shipping traffic to increase significantly over the coming days, easing pressure on global energy markets. The deal, officials said, creates a framework under which Iran could eventually receive sanctions relief and broader access to the global economy in exchange for verifiable steps to ensure it does not rebuild its nuclear program and curbs support for terrorism and regional instability. "If they're willing to behave like a normal country, then we're willing to treat them like a normal country," one official said. The prospect of renewed traffic through the Strait has already reverberated through global markets. Oil prices fell following news of the agreement as traders bet that one of the world's most important energy choke points could soon return to normal operations. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308770197238567831f091 Hakeem Jeffries caught off guard when pressed on high gas prices under Biden compared to Trump te 2026-06-15T23:14:56.660Z Hakeem Jeffries caught off guard when pressed on high gas prices under Biden compared to Trump House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., was confronted Monday morning over high gas prices under the Biden administration when criticizing President Donald Trump over "skyrocketing gas prices." Jeffries remarked on gas prices while discussing Trump's peace deal with Iran after months of war and hostilities on "Good Day New York." "It was a reckless war of choice that has obviously cost the American people significantly, particularly as it relates to skyrocketing gas prices in an environment where the cost of living was already too high," Jeffries said. KAMALA HARRIS BLAMES PRESIDENT FOR HIGH GAS PRICES: 'THIS IS A DIRECT RESULT OF DONALD TRUMP'S WAR OF CHOICE' After Jeffries emphasized the importance of "solving our own problems" in America, co-host Rosanna Scotto reminded him that former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden also saw high gas prices during their terms. "Gas prices were up under Obama too. And Biden, right?" Scotto said. While Jeffries attempted to answer, Scotto pressed, "Didn’t we have gas prices over $5?" "Well, there were gas prices in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic situation..." Jeffries remarked. "And I remember eggs were like $12 a dozen," Scotto said. Scotto then moved on to discuss the New York Knicks' NBA championship win with the New York congressman. ENERGY SECRETARY WRIGHT SAYS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OPEN TO SUSPENDING FEDERAL GAS TAX AMID PRICE SURGE Fox News Digital reached out to Jeffries' office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.  Gas prices reached their highest recorded national average at $5.02 per gallon under Biden in June 2022. At the time, members of the Democratic Party largely blamed the price surge on the aftermath of the COVID pandemic and the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, calling it "Putin's price hike." WHITE HOUSE SAYS OIL PRICE SPIKE IS TEMPORARY AS TRUMP PUSHES ENERGY DOMINANCE AMID IRAN WAR Gas prices under President Trump peaked last month at over $4.50 per gallon but have steadily declined over the last few weeks as the Trump administration negotiates with Iran. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308765197238567831f088 Hakeem Jeffries caught off guard when pressed on high gas prices under Biden compared to Trump te 2026-06-15T23:14:45.794Z Hakeem Jeffries caught off guard when pressed on high gas prices under Biden compared to Trump House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., was confronted Monday morning over high gas prices under the Biden administration when criticizing President Donald Trump over "skyrocketing gas prices." Jeffries remarked on gas prices while discussing Trump's peace deal with Iran after months of war and hostilities on "Good Day New York." "It was a reckless war of choice that has obviously cost the American people significantly, particularly as it relates to skyrocketing gas prices in an environment where the cost of living was already too high," Jeffries said. KAMALA HARRIS BLAMES PRESIDENT FOR HIGH GAS PRICES: 'THIS IS A DIRECT RESULT OF DONALD TRUMP'S WAR OF CHOICE' After Jeffries emphasized the importance of "solving our own problems" in America, co-host Rosanna Scotto reminded him that former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden also saw high gas prices during their terms. "Gas prices were up under Obama too. And Biden, right?" Scotto said. While Jeffries attempted to answer, Scotto pressed, "Didn’t we have gas prices over $5?" "Well, there were gas prices in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic situation..." Jeffries remarked. "And I remember eggs were like $12 a dozen," Scotto said. Scotto then moved on to discuss the New York Knicks' NBA championship win with the New York congressman. ENERGY SECRETARY WRIGHT SAYS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OPEN TO SUSPENDING FEDERAL GAS TAX AMID PRICE SURGE Fox News Digital reached out to Jeffries' office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.  Gas prices reached their highest recorded national average at $5.02 per gallon under Biden in June 2022. At the time, members of the Democratic Party largely blamed the price surge on the aftermath of the COVID pandemic and the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, calling it "Putin's price hike." WHITE HOUSE SAYS OIL PRICE SPIKE IS TEMPORARY AS TRUMP PUSHES ENERGY DOMINANCE AMID IRAN WAR Gas prices under President Trump peaked last month at over $4.50 per gallon but have steadily declined over the last few weeks as the Trump administration negotiates with Iran. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30875d197238567831f07f Same-name candidate disqualified from key Senate race over alleged Dem scheme to confuse voters te 2026-06-15T23:14:37.205Z Same-name candidate disqualified from key Senate race over alleged Dem scheme to confuse voters A top Alaska election official booted a same-name Republican challenger to Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, from the primary ballot Monday, ruling the campaign appeared designed to confuse voters.  Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher disqualified Dan J. Sullivan from the state’s hotly-contested Senate race over concerns that his candidacy was "filed with a purpose to confuse or mislead and to thereby compromise the ballot’s fairness or neutrality," in a letter published Monday. Dan J. Sullivan, a retired schoolteacher who filed as a Republican Senate candidate despite having no prior affiliation with the GOP, can appeal the ruling, Beecher wrote.  The letter caps weeks of outrage from the GOP, who argued the political newcomer’s entry into the race just days before the filing deadline was a covert attempt by Democrats to recruit a "sham" candidate into the race to confuse voters. GOP FIGHTS TO STOP MULTIPLE DAN SULLIVANS FROM APPEARING ON ALASKA BALLOT, CALLS CANDIDACY A 'SHAM' Under Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, if Dan J. Sullivan had been allowed to remain on the August primary ballot, both he and Dan S. Sullivan, the incumbent, could have advanced to the general election among the top four vote-getters. Democrats are eying Alaska as a potential flip opportunity as the party mounts a longshot bid to retake control of the upper chamber during the midterms. The incumbent Sullivan is running for a third Senate term against former Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, who was recruited by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., into the battleground contest. Beecher cited several details about Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign that led to her conclusion that it was not filed in "good-faith." The political newcomer requested to appear on the ballot as "Dan Sullivan" despite registering to vote under the name "Daniel J. Sullivan, Jr.," according to the letter. The longshot candidate also attempted to register with the incumbent's initial on one occasion, according to Beecher's letter. "‘S’ is Senator Sullivan’s middle initial, not yours," Beecher wrote. The election official also noted that Dan J. Sullivan had not registered as a Republican before launching his Senate campaign and that his new website used a "color scheme and overall theme" similar to the incumbent’s campaign materials.  Additionally, Beecher discussed Dan J. Sullivan’s connection to Amber Lee, an Alaska Democratic consultant who has previously supported Peltola. Metadata from the campaign’s launch identified the Democratic operative as its author, Fox News Digital previously reported.  FORMER DEM REP. MARY PELTOLA ANNOUNCES U.S. SENATE RUN: "PUT ALASKA FIRST" "This consultant’s work on your behalf is, in isolation, innocuous," Beecher wrote. "Alongside the other facts I have catalogued in this letter, however, it suggests a determined effort and a deliberate attempt to use the similarity of your name to confuse Alaska voters in the upcoming primary election." Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The incumbent Sullivan previously blasted his same-name challenger as a "far-left liberal" who was complicit in Democrats’ efforts to "rig" the election. "Is Schumer or Gillibrand and their staffs or the DSCC or the staff at the DSCC — were they aware? Were they coordinating, orchestrating?
I mean, if that's the case, that would be a huge scandal," Sullivan told Fox News Digital last week. Democrats have denied any involvement with Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign.  The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, took a victory lap after urging Beecher to investigate the same-name challenger’s candidacy. "Alaskans saw right through Chuck Schumer and Mary Peltola’s tricks to confuse and deceive them with a sham candidate," NRSC Regional Press Secretary Nick Puglia said in a statement. "Nobody delivers for Alaskans like Senator Dan Sullivan, which is why Alaska Last Democrats like Mary Peltola are stooping so low." Dan J. Sullivans’ attempt to qualify for the primary ballot also sparked sharp criticism from Senate Republicans, who are expected to aggressively campaign to defend Sullivan’s seat. "Even by Chuck Schumer's low standards, this was an outrageous attempt to trick Alaska voters and rig the election," Senate Republican Conference Chairman Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308752197238567831f076 Same-name candidate disqualified from key Senate race over alleged Dem scheme to confuse voters te 2026-06-15T23:14:26.336Z Same-name candidate disqualified from key Senate race over alleged Dem scheme to confuse voters A top Alaska election official booted a same-name Republican challenger to Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, from the primary ballot Monday, ruling the campaign appeared designed to confuse voters.  Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher disqualified Dan J. Sullivan from the state’s hotly-contested Senate race over concerns that his candidacy was "filed with a purpose to confuse or mislead and to thereby compromise the ballot’s fairness or neutrality," in a letter published Monday. Dan J. Sullivan, a retired schoolteacher who filed as a Republican Senate candidate despite having no prior affiliation with the GOP, can appeal the ruling, Beecher wrote.  The letter caps weeks of outrage from the GOP, who argued the political newcomer’s entry into the race just days before the filing deadline was a covert attempt by Democrats to recruit a "sham" candidate into the race to confuse voters. GOP FIGHTS TO STOP MULTIPLE DAN SULLIVANS FROM APPEARING ON ALASKA BALLOT, CALLS CANDIDACY A 'SHAM' Under Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, if Dan J. Sullivan had been allowed to remain on the August primary ballot, both he and Dan S. Sullivan, the incumbent, could have advanced to the general election among the top four vote-getters. Democrats are eying Alaska as a potential flip opportunity as the party mounts a longshot bid to retake control of the upper chamber during the midterms. The incumbent Sullivan is running for a third Senate term against former Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, who was recruited by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., into the battleground contest. Beecher cited several details about Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign that led to her conclusion that it was not filed in "good-faith." The political newcomer requested to appear on the ballot as "Dan Sullivan" despite registering to vote under the name "Daniel J. Sullivan, Jr.," according to the letter. The longshot candidate also attempted to register with the incumbent's initial on one occasion, according to Beecher's letter. "‘S’ is Senator Sullivan’s middle initial, not yours," Beecher wrote. The election official also noted that Dan J. Sullivan had not registered as a Republican before launching his Senate campaign and that his new website used a "color scheme and overall theme" similar to the incumbent’s campaign materials.  Additionally, Beecher discussed Dan J. Sullivan’s connection to Amber Lee, an Alaska Democratic consultant who has previously supported Peltola. Metadata from the campaign’s launch identified the Democratic operative as its author, Fox News Digital previously reported.  FORMER DEM REP. MARY PELTOLA ANNOUNCES U.S. SENATE RUN: "PUT ALASKA FIRST" "This consultant’s work on your behalf is, in isolation, innocuous," Beecher wrote. "Alongside the other facts I have catalogued in this letter, however, it suggests a determined effort and a deliberate attempt to use the similarity of your name to confuse Alaska voters in the upcoming primary election." Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The incumbent Sullivan previously blasted his same-name challenger as a "far-left liberal" who was complicit in Democrats’ efforts to "rig" the election. "Is Schumer or Gillibrand and their staffs or the DSCC or the staff at the DSCC — were they aware? Were they coordinating, orchestrating?
I mean, if that's the case, that would be a huge scandal," Sullivan told Fox News Digital last week. Democrats have denied any involvement with Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign.  The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, took a victory lap after urging Beecher to investigate the same-name challenger’s candidacy. "Alaskans saw right through Chuck Schumer and Mary Peltola’s tricks to confuse and deceive them with a sham candidate," NRSC Regional Press Secretary Nick Puglia said in a statement. "Nobody delivers for Alaskans like Senator Dan Sullivan, which is why Alaska Last Democrats like Mary Peltola are stooping so low." Dan J. Sullivans’ attempt to qualify for the primary ballot also sparked sharp criticism from Senate Republicans, who are expected to aggressively campaign to defend Sullivan’s seat. "Even by Chuck Schumer's low standards, this was an outrageous attempt to trick Alaska voters and rig the election," Senate Republican Conference Chairman Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308749197238567831f06d American hiker vanishes on tropical trek as flash floods, mudslides turn jungle getaway into desperate search te 2026-06-15T23:14:17.750Z American hiker vanishes on tropical trek as flash floods, mudslides turn jungle getaway into desperate search A California tourist has vanished in Costa Rica after severe flash flooding and mudslides struck the region during her hike, sparking a desperate search that has now been stalled by torrential rains. Ashley Phillips, 30, has been missing since June 2. Now, 13 days into her disappearance, her family says they are living through their "worst nightmare" as hazardous conditions force search-and-rescue teams to stand down. Costa Rican authorities have issued a nationwide green alert, warning that an intensifying rainy season and a developing Pacific low-pressure system threaten to trigger even more catastrophic landslides. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS In an update on June 12, the family marked 10 days since Phillips' disappearance, noting search efforts had become difficult because of the weather. "Due to ongoing severe weather conditions in Costa Rica, the search efforts have been temporarily paused," the family wrote in a GoFundMe. "However, the search is expected to resume once conditions improve and the drier season begins." TOURIST HOT SPOT SHAKEN AFTER HUMAN FOOT WASHES ASHORE; POLICE LAUNCH INVESTIGATION: REPORTS Costa Rica is currently under a nationwide green alert as authorities warn of heavier rains, saturated soils and a growing risk of flooding and landslides across several regions. On June 4, the National Emergency Commission declared the alert for the entire country with unstable weather expected to continue for the next couple of weeks. While they continue to wait, Phillips' loved ones are finding ways to honor her. "As her family reflects on Ashley’s life, they are finding ways to honor her, especially her deep love for animals," the family wrote in the update. "We continue to ask for your prayers for Ashley, for her family, and for peace, strength, and closure during this time," the family wrote. "Thank you all so much." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30873e197238567831f064 American hiker vanishes on tropical trek as flash floods, mudslides turn jungle getaway into desperate search te 2026-06-15T23:14:06.879Z American hiker vanishes on tropical trek as flash floods, mudslides turn jungle getaway into desperate search A California tourist has vanished in Costa Rica after severe flash flooding and mudslides struck the region during her hike, sparking a desperate search that has now been stalled by torrential rains. Ashley Phillips, 30, has been missing since June 2. Now, 13 days into her disappearance, her family says they are living through their "worst nightmare" as hazardous conditions force search-and-rescue teams to stand down. Costa Rican authorities have issued a nationwide green alert, warning that an intensifying rainy season and a developing Pacific low-pressure system threaten to trigger even more catastrophic landslides. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS In an update on June 12, the family marked 10 days since Phillips' disappearance, noting search efforts had become difficult because of the weather. "Due to ongoing severe weather conditions in Costa Rica, the search efforts have been temporarily paused," the family wrote in a GoFundMe. "However, the search is expected to resume once conditions improve and the drier season begins." TOURIST HOT SPOT SHAKEN AFTER HUMAN FOOT WASHES ASHORE; POLICE LAUNCH INVESTIGATION: REPORTS Costa Rica is currently under a nationwide green alert as authorities warn of heavier rains, saturated soils and a growing risk of flooding and landslides across several regions. On June 4, the National Emergency Commission declared the alert for the entire country with unstable weather expected to continue for the next couple of weeks. While they continue to wait, Phillips' loved ones are finding ways to honor her. "As her family reflects on Ashley’s life, they are finding ways to honor her, especially her deep love for animals," the family wrote in the update. "We continue to ask for your prayers for Ashley, for her family, and for peace, strength, and closure during this time," the family wrote. "Thank you all so much." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308736197238567831f05b Live explosive device found near Homeland Security office in Cleveland, forcing mass evacuations te 2026-06-15T23:13:58.298Z Live explosive device found near Homeland Security office in Cleveland, forcing mass evacuations A Homeland Security office in the Cleveland area was evacuated Monday after authorities reportedly discovered a suspicious package nearby containing a live explosive device.  The device was found inside an office complex building in Brooklyn Heights, prompting the evacuation of at least seven nearby buildings, according to FOX 8 News.  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to Fox News Digital that Federal Protective Service (FPS) conducted a sweep after a suspicious package was reported in a UPS drop box. The situation has since been resolved, and everyone has been cleared to return to the building, officials said.  One of the agencies at the 925 Keynote Circle location is a Cleveland Homeland Security office, officials confirmed. The office operates as a satellite location for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the agency's broader Detroit Field Office, according to ICE's website. CUBAN MIGRANT BRINGS WHITE POWDER TO FLORIDA ICE CENTER, HOSPITALIZING GUARD AND PROMPTING EVACUATION "On June 15, 2026, Federal Protective Service was conducting a sweep of a publicly accessible lobby at a ICE office building in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio. During the sweep, a K-9 alerted to a suspicious package in a UPS drop box," a spokesperson said. "FPS immediately contacted local law enforcement and initiated a full evacuation of the facility as a precaution. The FBI, ATF, and local law enforcement arrived on the scene in coordination with FPS. The situation has been resolved and all clear has been given to reoccupy the building." In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) described the scene as a "hazardous device incident." ICE ARRESTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WITH ALLEGED TERROR TIES IN CALIFORNIA, ONE OF THE MOST WANTED MEN IN INDIA According to multiple government websites, the complex also houses other government operations, including the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) bond acceptance facilities. It is unclear whether those buildings were evacuated or affected by the reported package.  No injuries were reported.  The FBI and ATF are leading the investigation. Fox News Digital reached out to the FBI for more information. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30872b197238567831f052 Live explosive device found near Homeland Security office in Cleveland, forcing mass evacuations te 2026-06-15T23:13:47.424Z Live explosive device found near Homeland Security office in Cleveland, forcing mass evacuations A Homeland Security office in the Cleveland area was evacuated Monday after authorities reportedly discovered a suspicious package nearby containing a live explosive device.  The device was found inside an office complex building in Brooklyn Heights, prompting the evacuation of at least seven nearby buildings, according to FOX 8 News.  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to Fox News Digital that Federal Protective Service (FPS) conducted a sweep after a suspicious package was reported in a UPS drop box. The situation has since been resolved, and everyone has been cleared to return to the building, officials said.  One of the agencies at the 925 Keynote Circle location is a Cleveland Homeland Security office, officials confirmed. The office operates as a satellite location for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the agency's broader Detroit Field Office, according to ICE's website. CUBAN MIGRANT BRINGS WHITE POWDER TO FLORIDA ICE CENTER, HOSPITALIZING GUARD AND PROMPTING EVACUATION "On June 15, 2026, Federal Protective Service was conducting a sweep of a publicly accessible lobby at a ICE office building in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio. During the sweep, a K-9 alerted to a suspicious package in a UPS drop box," a spokesperson said. "FPS immediately contacted local law enforcement and initiated a full evacuation of the facility as a precaution. The FBI, ATF, and local law enforcement arrived on the scene in coordination with FPS. The situation has been resolved and all clear has been given to reoccupy the building." In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) described the scene as a "hazardous device incident." ICE ARRESTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WITH ALLEGED TERROR TIES IN CALIFORNIA, ONE OF THE MOST WANTED MEN IN INDIA According to multiple government websites, the complex also houses other government operations, including the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) bond acceptance facilities. It is unclear whether those buildings were evacuated or affected by the reported package.  No injuries were reported.  The FBI and ATF are leading the investigation. Fox News Digital reached out to the FBI for more information. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308722197238567831f049 Elderly fan on a mobility scooter sends cyclists flying through the air after driving onto course mid-race te 2026-06-15T23:13:38.837Z Elderly fan on a mobility scooter sends cyclists flying through the air after driving onto course mid-race Cycling has produced some major crashes over the years. Everything from riding too closely to an opponent to unexpected obstacles can send cyclists to the pavement and cause major pile-ups. I don’t recall ever seeing one caused by an elderly fan on a mobility scooter. Not until today anyway. The fan appears to be trying to get a closer look at the action as cyclists pass when the nose of the scooter ends up on the course. It makes for an obstacle that several riders cannot avoid. There’s no time to avoid it as the group heads past the spectators at full speed. There’s no chance of hitting the brakes. It’s unavoidable and if not for eyewitnesses, you might think it was produced with AI. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE The sound of the crash is almost as insane as the video itself. You hear someone yell, then what sounds like a car accident. The impact sends at least one of the riders flying through the air over his handlebars. According to cycling journalist Eemeli, everyone involved "escaped without major injuries." That’s incredible, especially for the rider in the orange, Paul Vriesman, who was seen doing the full front flip over his handlebars. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! He was the last rider to leave the scene, Eemeli said, but was OK. "This older spectator caused a seriously dangerous incident today at Saarland Trofeo Juniors by trying to get a better look and entering the course with her rollator while riders were flying past at full speed," the journalist wrote of the insane crash on Instagram. "Fortunately, the riders involved escaped without serious injuries despite some spectacular crashes. ...but it should go without saying: please NEVER enter the RACE COURSE while riders are approaching. Even a small step onto the road can have serious consequences at these speeds. This was not even the first incident of this kind during the race. Junior racing is already dangerous enough without spectators making it even more dangerous." You have to have the mobility scooters in park that close to the action, that goes without saying. The only time you even attempt any movement whatsoever on one of those things is when the riders aren't even close to approaching. Taking out several riders is a tough way to find out that you're not as skilled on the mobility scooter as you thought you were. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308717197238567831f040 Elderly fan on a mobility scooter sends cyclists flying through the air after driving onto course mid-race te 2026-06-15T23:13:27.968Z Elderly fan on a mobility scooter sends cyclists flying through the air after driving onto course mid-race Cycling has produced some major crashes over the years. Everything from riding too closely to an opponent to unexpected obstacles can send cyclists to the pavement and cause major pile-ups. I don’t recall ever seeing one caused by an elderly fan on a mobility scooter. Not until today anyway. The fan appears to be trying to get a closer look at the action as cyclists pass when the nose of the scooter ends up on the course. It makes for an obstacle that several riders cannot avoid. There’s no time to avoid it as the group heads past the spectators at full speed. There’s no chance of hitting the brakes. It’s unavoidable and if not for eyewitnesses, you might think it was produced with AI. CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE The sound of the crash is almost as insane as the video itself. You hear someone yell, then what sounds like a car accident. The impact sends at least one of the riders flying through the air over his handlebars. According to cycling journalist Eemeli, everyone involved "escaped without major injuries." That’s incredible, especially for the rider in the orange, Paul Vriesman, who was seen doing the full front flip over his handlebars. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! He was the last rider to leave the scene, Eemeli said, but was OK. "This older spectator caused a seriously dangerous incident today at Saarland Trofeo Juniors by trying to get a better look and entering the course with her rollator while riders were flying past at full speed," the journalist wrote of the insane crash on Instagram. "Fortunately, the riders involved escaped without serious injuries despite some spectacular crashes. ...but it should go without saying: please NEVER enter the RACE COURSE while riders are approaching. Even a small step onto the road can have serious consequences at these speeds. This was not even the first incident of this kind during the race. Junior racing is already dangerous enough without spectators making it even more dangerous." You have to have the mobility scooters in park that close to the action, that goes without saying. The only time you even attempt any movement whatsoever on one of those things is when the riders aren't even close to approaching. Taking out several riders is a tough way to find out that you're not as skilled on the mobility scooter as you thought you were. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30870f197238567831f037 Shania Twain speaks out about the 'unhealthy' lengths she went to stay thin te 2026-06-15T23:13:19.381Z Shania Twain speaks out about the 'unhealthy' lengths she went to stay thin Shania Twain revealed she pushed her body to dangerous extremes in a desperate attempt to stay thin. In a candid conversation about aging and body image, Twain revealed that her pursuit of thinness led to unhealthy habits. "I was malnourished," Twain told The Times. "To be thinner." When menopause brought changes she couldn't control in 2019, the "You're Still the One" singer said she was forced to rethink her relationship with her body. KATE WINSLET SLAMS HOLLYWOOD’S ‘TERRIFYING’ OBSESSION WITH BOTOX AND WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS "In menopause you lose control of your body," Twain, now 60, admitted. "So all of a sudden I’m bloating, and I’m definitely not in control. I can’t just lose five pounds." Twain said the physical changes soon sparked a crisis of confidence. "I stopped looking at myself in the mirror," she recalled. "I hated my body. I’m, like, ‘Oh, I cannot stand this changing body.’ But that was so unhealthy. Who cannot look at themselves in the mirror?" Twain had launched herself into a vigorous exercise routine plus cut out sugar and fats. "I was doing very unhealthy things," she admitted. "And I was working my body more than I was feeding it, to keep up with the strain." SHANIA TWAIN STRIPS DOWN IN BOLD LOOK TO CELEBRATE 60TH BIRTHDAY What once felt devastating ultimately became a lesson in self-acceptance for Twain. "Now I’m like, bring on the mirrors, I’m going to look at myself all day long!" she explained. "Menopause has been very good for me because I’ve learned that some things you cannot control." Before becoming one of country music's biggest stars, Twain said she spent decades feeling uncomfortable in her own skin. "I’ve been very shy about my body from a very young age … to the point where I would not go to the beach in a bathing suit," Twain told "Extra" in 2023. "I would say probably really tortured by it from the age of 10." The country music star spoke about landing her first hit song, "You're Still the One." She released the ballad in 1998 and noted that the music video was something different from her daily life at the time. "I was 30 when I had my first radio hit. … In that video, I’m braless, I’m allowing the platform of stepping out of my daily self into this world of video-making and making decisions that give me this freedom to, like, do things I wouldn’t normally do in my daily life," Twain told the outlet. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER More than three decades into her career, Twain’s influence can still be heard across country and pop music. Often called the "Queen of Country Pop," she has sold over 100 million records worldwide and helped pave the way for later crossover superstars, all while overcoming personal tragedy, health challenges, and long breaks from the spotlight. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Yet she isn't ready to put on the brakes. "I’m not slowing down, and I’ll tell you why," she told The Times. "I just keep finding new things that I love to do. I’ve got a genuine explorer’s heart and I haven’t run out of things to explore. And maybe I will," she said before correcting herself, "No! I never will. I mean, come on, there’s always a new flower, new recipe, new horse – there’s always something new." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308704197238567831f02e Shania Twain speaks out about the 'unhealthy' lengths she went to stay thin te 2026-06-15T23:13:08.514Z Shania Twain speaks out about the 'unhealthy' lengths she went to stay thin Shania Twain revealed she pushed her body to dangerous extremes in a desperate attempt to stay thin. In a candid conversation about aging and body image, Twain revealed that her pursuit of thinness led to unhealthy habits. "I was malnourished," Twain told The Times. "To be thinner." When menopause brought changes she couldn't control in 2019, the "You're Still the One" singer said she was forced to rethink her relationship with her body. KATE WINSLET SLAMS HOLLYWOOD’S ‘TERRIFYING’ OBSESSION WITH BOTOX AND WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS "In menopause you lose control of your body," Twain, now 60, admitted. "So all of a sudden I’m bloating, and I’m definitely not in control. I can’t just lose five pounds." Twain said the physical changes soon sparked a crisis of confidence. "I stopped looking at myself in the mirror," she recalled. "I hated my body. I’m, like, ‘Oh, I cannot stand this changing body.’ But that was so unhealthy. Who cannot look at themselves in the mirror?" Twain had launched herself into a vigorous exercise routine plus cut out sugar and fats. "I was doing very unhealthy things," she admitted. "And I was working my body more than I was feeding it, to keep up with the strain." SHANIA TWAIN STRIPS DOWN IN BOLD LOOK TO CELEBRATE 60TH BIRTHDAY What once felt devastating ultimately became a lesson in self-acceptance for Twain. "Now I’m like, bring on the mirrors, I’m going to look at myself all day long!" she explained. "Menopause has been very good for me because I’ve learned that some things you cannot control." Before becoming one of country music's biggest stars, Twain said she spent decades feeling uncomfortable in her own skin. "I’ve been very shy about my body from a very young age … to the point where I would not go to the beach in a bathing suit," Twain told "Extra" in 2023. "I would say probably really tortured by it from the age of 10." The country music star spoke about landing her first hit song, "You're Still the One." She released the ballad in 1998 and noted that the music video was something different from her daily life at the time. "I was 30 when I had my first radio hit. … In that video, I’m braless, I’m allowing the platform of stepping out of my daily self into this world of video-making and making decisions that give me this freedom to, like, do things I wouldn’t normally do in my daily life," Twain told the outlet. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER More than three decades into her career, Twain’s influence can still be heard across country and pop music. Often called the "Queen of Country Pop," she has sold over 100 million records worldwide and helped pave the way for later crossover superstars, all while overcoming personal tragedy, health challenges, and long breaks from the spotlight. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Yet she isn't ready to put on the brakes. "I’m not slowing down, and I’ll tell you why," she told The Times. "I just keep finding new things that I love to do. I’ve got a genuine explorer’s heart and I haven’t run out of things to explore. And maybe I will," she said before correcting herself, "No! I never will. I mean, come on, there’s always a new flower, new recipe, new horse – there’s always something new." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3086fb197238567831f025 Scotland's Tartan Army soccer fans turned Red Sox game at Fenway Park into a party with bagpipes, singing te 2026-06-15T23:12:59.924Z Scotland's Tartan Army soccer fans turned Red Sox game at Fenway Park into a party with bagpipes, singing In the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted primarily in the United States along with Mexico and Canada, there was widespread criticism from many European fans. Concern that the Trump administration's immigration policies would somehow impact fans' ability to enter the country. Complaints that the host stadiums, places like Los Angeles Stadium, Boston Stadium or Seattle Stadium would somehow prove unworthy of hosting World Cup matches. Those concerns and complaints have proven to be wildly unfounded. The atmosphere in Los Angeles for the U.S. Men's National Team opening match win over Paraguay was widely praised. To the point where even non-American commentators Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović were emotionally moved by the performances and crowd. Other stadiums have created equally impressive scenes, with Brazil-Morocco at New York-New Jersey Stadium one of the prime examples. U.S. FANS WERE OUT IN FULL FORCE AHEAD OF THE USMNT FIRST MATCH OF THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP Then there's Boston. The entire New England region has been taken over by fans of the Scotland national football team, more commonly known as the Tartan Army. The Scottish national anthem echoed around Boston Stadium ahead of their opening match against Haiti. Then they won 1-0, putting fans in an even better mood. But the Scots visiting the Boston area aren't just bringing their passion and energy to soccer. On Sunday night, the Red Sox hosted Scottish Heritage Night at Fenway Park, giving away specially themed Tartan jerseys for the occasion. And boy oh boy, did the Tartan Army show up. SCOTTISH FAN HAS PRICELESS REACTION AFTER SEEING NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS CHEERLEADERS AT WORLD CUP GAME Before the game, fans were performing traditional Scottish music, marching down to the stadium en masse. MLB.com spoke to several fans there for the occasion, who spoke about the welcome they received from Boston fans. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Oh, it's been fantastic, actually," Susan Swindells told the outlet. "I think Boston's really taking us [into] their hearts. We've got a really friendly welcome here, which is fantastic. It's my second time in Boston. I actually came to my first baseball game at Fenway Park and saw the Red Sox beat the Twins a number of years ago. So it’s nice to be back again, and hopefully after we saw Scotland win last night, we’ll get to see another victory today." But the best part? How the Scottish fans brought European soccer singing culture to Major League Baseball. And boy did they bring it. Does it get any better than that? That's the best of sports, right there. Fans from across the globe, having a blast at a random mid-June baseball game they likely don't even fully understand. The Red Sox lost 6-4 to the Texas Rangers to fall to 29-40, but it's a pretty fair bet that this will wind up being the most fun home game of the year at Fenway Park. And yet another sign that the 2026 World Cup has been an enormous success. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3086f1197238567831f01c Scotland's Tartan Army soccer fans turned Red Sox game at Fenway Park into a party with bagpipes, singing te 2026-06-15T23:12:49.055Z Scotland's Tartan Army soccer fans turned Red Sox game at Fenway Park into a party with bagpipes, singing In the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted primarily in the United States along with Mexico and Canada, there was widespread criticism from many European fans. Concern that the Trump administration's immigration policies would somehow impact fans' ability to enter the country. Complaints that the host stadiums, places like Los Angeles Stadium, Boston Stadium or Seattle Stadium would somehow prove unworthy of hosting World Cup matches. Those concerns and complaints have proven to be wildly unfounded. The atmosphere in Los Angeles for the U.S. Men's National Team opening match win over Paraguay was widely praised. To the point where even non-American commentators Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović were emotionally moved by the performances and crowd. Other stadiums have created equally impressive scenes, with Brazil-Morocco at New York-New Jersey Stadium one of the prime examples. U.S. FANS WERE OUT IN FULL FORCE AHEAD OF THE USMNT FIRST MATCH OF THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP Then there's Boston. The entire New England region has been taken over by fans of the Scotland national football team, more commonly known as the Tartan Army. The Scottish national anthem echoed around Boston Stadium ahead of their opening match against Haiti. Then they won 1-0, putting fans in an even better mood. But the Scots visiting the Boston area aren't just bringing their passion and energy to soccer. On Sunday night, the Red Sox hosted Scottish Heritage Night at Fenway Park, giving away specially themed Tartan jerseys for the occasion. And boy oh boy, did the Tartan Army show up. SCOTTISH FAN HAS PRICELESS REACTION AFTER SEEING NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS CHEERLEADERS AT WORLD CUP GAME Before the game, fans were performing traditional Scottish music, marching down to the stadium en masse. MLB.com spoke to several fans there for the occasion, who spoke about the welcome they received from Boston fans. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! "Oh, it's been fantastic, actually," Susan Swindells told the outlet. "I think Boston's really taking us [into] their hearts. We've got a really friendly welcome here, which is fantastic. It's my second time in Boston. I actually came to my first baseball game at Fenway Park and saw the Red Sox beat the Twins a number of years ago. So it’s nice to be back again, and hopefully after we saw Scotland win last night, we’ll get to see another victory today." But the best part? How the Scottish fans brought European soccer singing culture to Major League Baseball. And boy did they bring it. Does it get any better than that? That's the best of sports, right there. Fans from across the globe, having a blast at a random mid-June baseball game they likely don't even fully understand. The Red Sox lost 6-4 to the Texas Rangers to fall to 29-40, but it's a pretty fair bet that this will wind up being the most fun home game of the year at Fenway Park. And yet another sign that the 2026 World Cup has been an enormous success. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3086e8197238567831f013 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' singer Bonnie Tyler out of coma but still in intensive care after cardiac arrest te 2026-06-15T23:12:40.468Z 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' singer Bonnie Tyler out of coma but still in intensive care after cardiac arrest "Total Eclipse of the Heart" singer Bonnie Tyler has woken up from her coma a month after going into cardiac arrest, but still remains "very unwell." On June 15, Tyler's team announced on her official website that she is no longer in her medically induced coma, but remains in the hospital in Portugal. "Bonnie is no longer in a coma but remains very unwell and in intensive care in hospital in Portugal. Although her condition is improving it is a slow process. Her doctors remain confident that she will make a good recovery but it is going to take time," the statement said. Her team announced that any upcoming shows will be canceled and hopefully, the shows scheduled in the fall will still take place. LEGENDARY SINGER BONNIE TYLER RUSHED TO HOSPITAL FOR EMERGENCY INTESTINAL SURGERY The statement shared that they are thankful for the well-wishes being sent Tyler's way, but the family is still asking for privacy during this time. "Bonnie’s family continue to ask for privacy and promise that we will issue further updates as soon as there are significant developments to share," the statement concluded. In May, Tyler's website announced that she was rushed to a hospital in Portugal for emergency surgery. It was later shared that she was induced into a coma. Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins, broke out in the music industry in 1976 with the release of her hit song, "Lost In France," later becoming a global superstar with hits like "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Holding Out for a Hero." She remained popular in Europe throughout the 1990s and later competed in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013, representing the U.K. with the song, "Believe In Me." She continued to perform throughout the 2020s, and is on the Jubilee Tour, celebrating 50 years since her start in the music industry. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "Touring keeps me going. I consider myself a working-class girl, and I’ve never stopped working," she told The Times in January 2025. "Moving my parents from the council house where I was brought up to a cottage in Mumbles is the thing I’m most proud of, but it does feel like an achievement to still be wanted by audiences at my age. I’m pretty energetic." Although her most iconic songs were released in the 1980s, they continue to be relevant today, with "Total Eclipse of the Heart" becoming the unofficial anthem for when there is a solar or lunar eclipse. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "I still get excited when I hear the song on the radio," she told "Good Morning America" in April 2024. "Every time the eclipse comes, everyone all over the world, they play 'Total Eclipse of the Heart,' and I never get tired of singing it." Tyler is married to former Olympic judo competitor and real estate developer Robert Sullivan and has been since July 1973. The couple have no children together and split their time between their homes in Wales and Portugal. Fox News Digital's Lori Bashian contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3086dd197238567831f00a 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' singer Bonnie Tyler out of coma but still in intensive care after cardiac arrest te 2026-06-15T23:12:29.600Z 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' singer Bonnie Tyler out of coma but still in intensive care after cardiac arrest "Total Eclipse of the Heart" singer Bonnie Tyler has woken up from her coma a month after going into cardiac arrest, but still remains "very unwell." On June 15, Tyler's team announced on her official website that she is no longer in her medically induced coma, but remains in the hospital in Portugal. "Bonnie is no longer in a coma but remains very unwell and in intensive care in hospital in Portugal. Although her condition is improving it is a slow process. Her doctors remain confident that she will make a good recovery but it is going to take time," the statement said. Her team announced that any upcoming shows will be canceled and hopefully, the shows scheduled in the fall will still take place. LEGENDARY SINGER BONNIE TYLER RUSHED TO HOSPITAL FOR EMERGENCY INTESTINAL SURGERY The statement shared that they are thankful for the well-wishes being sent Tyler's way, but the family is still asking for privacy during this time. "Bonnie’s family continue to ask for privacy and promise that we will issue further updates as soon as there are significant developments to share," the statement concluded. In May, Tyler's website announced that she was rushed to a hospital in Portugal for emergency surgery. It was later shared that she was induced into a coma. Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins, broke out in the music industry in 1976 with the release of her hit song, "Lost In France," later becoming a global superstar with hits like "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Holding Out for a Hero." She remained popular in Europe throughout the 1990s and later competed in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013, representing the U.K. with the song, "Believe In Me." She continued to perform throughout the 2020s, and is on the Jubilee Tour, celebrating 50 years since her start in the music industry. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "Touring keeps me going. I consider myself a working-class girl, and I’ve never stopped working," she told The Times in January 2025. "Moving my parents from the council house where I was brought up to a cottage in Mumbles is the thing I’m most proud of, but it does feel like an achievement to still be wanted by audiences at my age. I’m pretty energetic." Although her most iconic songs were released in the 1980s, they continue to be relevant today, with "Total Eclipse of the Heart" becoming the unofficial anthem for when there is a solar or lunar eclipse. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER "I still get excited when I hear the song on the radio," she told "Good Morning America" in April 2024. "Every time the eclipse comes, everyone all over the world, they play 'Total Eclipse of the Heart,' and I never get tired of singing it." Tyler is married to former Olympic judo competitor and real estate developer Robert Sullivan and has been since July 1973. The couple have no children together and split their time between their homes in Wales and Portugal. Fox News Digital's Lori Bashian contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3086d5197238567831f001 ESPN's Jay Williams is right. UFC Freedom 250 was a "better event" than the NBA Finals te 2026-06-15T23:12:21.014Z ESPN's Jay Williams is right. UFC Freedom 250 was a "better event" than the NBA Finals Former NBA player Jay Williams attended both UFC Freedom 250 and the NBA Finals last week. According to Williams, the event on the White House South Lawn was the better event. "I was there, 4,000-seat arena [for the UFC]. I gotta be honest, coming off the NBA Finals where I was at multiple NBA Finals games, better event than the NBA Finals," Williams told Stephen A. Smith on ESPN Monday. "It was a better event than the NBA Finals. With the White House literally being right there, incredible." In a post Sunday evening, Smith said the UFC show "look[ed] spectacular" and praised UFC President Dana White. Credit is due to both Smith and Williams, one of ESPN's top analysts, for discussing the event honestly. Much of the sports media would not dare say a positive word about the show, considering President Donald Trump promoted it as part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration. Presumably, there was too much patriotism and too many White people in attendance for some members of the sports media. Former ESPN host Jemele Hill even compared the event to a Klan rally. "This UFC 250 event has the feel of a Klan rally," Hill wrote on Threads. "Just utterly disgraceful and disgusting." Is that so? JEMELE HILL CLAIMS SHE'D HAVE A JOB SHE'S 'UNQUALIFIED FOR' AND A HIGHER SALARY IF SHE WERE WHITE Of course, had the NBA staged a similar event at the White House during Barack Obama's presidency, much of the sports media would have celebrated it. Williams and Smith deserve credit for taking politics out of the equation. And they're right. The scene was special. There has never been anything quite like it. According to Dana White, there will never be anything like it again. "It was an amazing experience; this was a one-of-one," White told reporters after the event. "It will never happen again." White said the UFC spent $60 million to construct the structure housing the Octagon on the South Lawn. DANA WHITE SAYS 'I DON'T GIVE A S---' IF TRUMP FRIENDSHIP COSTS HIM BUSINESS, 250TH EVENT WAS TRUMP'S IDEA The night also served as another reminder that the UFC has established itself as one of the premier sports organizations in the United States. There's an argument that the UFC has surpassed the NHL and PGA, placing it as the fourth most popular league in the United States. Not bad for an organization that many states would not even sanction at its inception, 32 years ago. Oh, and Jay Williams is right. UFC Freedom 250 was a better event than the NBA Finals. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3086ca197238567831eff8 ESPN's Jay Williams is right. UFC Freedom 250 was a "better event" than the NBA Finals te 2026-06-15T23:12:10.143Z ESPN's Jay Williams is right. UFC Freedom 250 was a "better event" than the NBA Finals Former NBA player Jay Williams attended both UFC Freedom 250 and the NBA Finals last week. According to Williams, the event on the White House South Lawn was the better event. "I was there, 4,000-seat arena [for the UFC]. I gotta be honest, coming off the NBA Finals where I was at multiple NBA Finals games, better event than the NBA Finals," Williams told Stephen A. Smith on ESPN Monday. "It was a better event than the NBA Finals. With the White House literally being right there, incredible." In a post Sunday evening, Smith said the UFC show "look[ed] spectacular" and praised UFC President Dana White. Credit is due to both Smith and Williams, one of ESPN's top analysts, for discussing the event honestly. Much of the sports media would not dare say a positive word about the show, considering President Donald Trump promoted it as part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration. Presumably, there was too much patriotism and too many White people in attendance for some members of the sports media. Former ESPN host Jemele Hill even compared the event to a Klan rally. "This UFC 250 event has the feel of a Klan rally," Hill wrote on Threads. "Just utterly disgraceful and disgusting." Is that so? JEMELE HILL CLAIMS SHE'D HAVE A JOB SHE'S 'UNQUALIFIED FOR' AND A HIGHER SALARY IF SHE WERE WHITE Of course, had the NBA staged a similar event at the White House during Barack Obama's presidency, much of the sports media would have celebrated it. Williams and Smith deserve credit for taking politics out of the equation. And they're right. The scene was special. There has never been anything quite like it. According to Dana White, there will never be anything like it again. "It was an amazing experience; this was a one-of-one," White told reporters after the event. "It will never happen again." White said the UFC spent $60 million to construct the structure housing the Octagon on the South Lawn. DANA WHITE SAYS 'I DON'T GIVE A S---' IF TRUMP FRIENDSHIP COSTS HIM BUSINESS, 250TH EVENT WAS TRUMP'S IDEA The night also served as another reminder that the UFC has established itself as one of the premier sports organizations in the United States. There's an argument that the UFC has surpassed the NHL and PGA, placing it as the fourth most popular league in the United States. Not bad for an organization that many states would not even sanction at its inception, 32 years ago. Oh, and Jay Williams is right. UFC Freedom 250 was a better event than the NBA Finals. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3086c1197238567831efef 'Sopranos' star Joe Pantoliano shares his unconventional recipe for optimal mental health te 2026-06-15T23:12:01.573Z 'Sopranos' star Joe Pantoliano shares his unconventional recipe for optimal mental health Joe Pantoliano has three secret weapons when it comes to protecting his mental and physical health. The Emmy award-winning actor, who starred as Ralph "Ralphie" Cifaretto in 21 episodes of the HBO drama "The Sopranos," told Page Six his tried and true recipe for optimal health while chatting at the 30-year "Bound" anniversary during the Tribeca Film Festival. "You need three things — masturbation, medication and meditation," Pantoliano confessed. COUNTRY STAR ASHLEY COOKE SPEAKS OUT ABOUT RARE HEART CONDITION THAT COULD END HER LIFE AT ANY MOMENT Pantoliano further indulged and said while he doesn't meditate, he does take a "wonderful supplement," and "my wife [Nancy Sheppard] takes care of [the masturbation]." The couple married in 1994 and share four children together. HAYDEN PANETTIERE SAYS FILMING 'NASHVILLE' WAS LIKE LIVING THROUGH ADDICTION TWICE In lieu of medication, Pantoliano followed doctor's orders by stepping outside for a casual walk every day. "When I went to McLean Hospital, the brain hospital, they told me that a brisk 15-minute walk is equivalent to like 90 milligrams of Prozac, so I walk every day," he told the outlet. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER The "Bad Boys" star also discussed his history with addiction, and noted that "success" was once a vice before explaining "then sex and then alcohol." "Finding things that make this feeling go away," he said. "I thought if I could become successful, then this feeling that was in the pit of my soul would go away." Pantoliano said that he instead "crashed and burned, didn’t die, and I guess discovered my shortcomings; they weren’t terrible defects, they were, you know, just mental illness." CHARLIE SHEEN CALLS DRUGS AND BOOZE A 'YOUNG PERSON'S GAME' AFTER PIVOTAL MOMENT LED TO SOBRIETY The "Matrix" actor has been candid about his struggles with depression and addiction over the years. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "You find something that fills the void — masturbation, meditation — it doesn’t matter. You have a drink and you go, ‘Ah, this is the feeling I’ve been looking for.’ You’re trying to fill it," he told Page Six in 2020. His own challenges with depression inspired Pantoliano to establish the mental health awareness charity No Kidding, Me Too! At the time, Pantoliano admitted he admired Prince Harry for being a vocal advocate on a difficult subject. "If you think about William and Harry and what they went through," he noted, "the trauma of what happened to them, in a culture that’s saying 'stiff upper lip' — it doesn’t work that way." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3086b6197238567831efe6 'Sopranos' star Joe Pantoliano shares his unconventional recipe for optimal mental health te 2026-06-15T23:11:50.694Z 'Sopranos' star Joe Pantoliano shares his unconventional recipe for optimal mental health Joe Pantoliano has three secret weapons when it comes to protecting his mental and physical health. The Emmy award-winning actor, who starred as Ralph "Ralphie" Cifaretto in 21 episodes of the HBO drama "The Sopranos," told Page Six his tried and true recipe for optimal health while chatting at the 30-year "Bound" anniversary during the Tribeca Film Festival. "You need three things — masturbation, medication and meditation," Pantoliano confessed. COUNTRY STAR ASHLEY COOKE SPEAKS OUT ABOUT RARE HEART CONDITION THAT COULD END HER LIFE AT ANY MOMENT Pantoliano further indulged and said while he doesn't meditate, he does take a "wonderful supplement," and "my wife [Nancy Sheppard] takes care of [the masturbation]." The couple married in 1994 and share four children together. HAYDEN PANETTIERE SAYS FILMING 'NASHVILLE' WAS LIKE LIVING THROUGH ADDICTION TWICE In lieu of medication, Pantoliano followed doctor's orders by stepping outside for a casual walk every day. "When I went to McLean Hospital, the brain hospital, they told me that a brisk 15-minute walk is equivalent to like 90 milligrams of Prozac, so I walk every day," he told the outlet. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER The "Bad Boys" star also discussed his history with addiction, and noted that "success" was once a vice before explaining "then sex and then alcohol." "Finding things that make this feeling go away," he said. "I thought if I could become successful, then this feeling that was in the pit of my soul would go away." Pantoliano said that he instead "crashed and burned, didn’t die, and I guess discovered my shortcomings; they weren’t terrible defects, they were, you know, just mental illness." CHARLIE SHEEN CALLS DRUGS AND BOOZE A 'YOUNG PERSON'S GAME' AFTER PIVOTAL MOMENT LED TO SOBRIETY The "Matrix" actor has been candid about his struggles with depression and addiction over the years. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "You find something that fills the void — masturbation, meditation — it doesn’t matter. You have a drink and you go, ‘Ah, this is the feeling I’ve been looking for.’ You’re trying to fill it," he told Page Six in 2020. His own challenges with depression inspired Pantoliano to establish the mental health awareness charity No Kidding, Me Too! At the time, Pantoliano admitted he admired Prince Harry for being a vocal advocate on a difficult subject. "If you think about William and Harry and what they went through," he noted, "the trauma of what happened to them, in a culture that’s saying 'stiff upper lip' — it doesn’t work that way." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30869a197238567831efd9 How Kratom, an Addictive Gas Station Drug, Found Allies in Trump’s Cabinet te 2026-06-15T23:11:22.643Z How Kratom, an Addictive Gas Station Drug, Found Allies in Trump’s Cabinet With support from Markwayne Mullin and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the kratom industry is pursuing a potentially lucrative policy. Mr. Mullin owns equity in a company that could benefit. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30868f197238567831efd0 How Kratom, an Addictive Gas Station Drug, Found Allies in Trump’s Cabinet te 2026-06-15T23:11:11.263Z How Kratom, an Addictive Gas Station Drug, Found Allies in Trump’s Cabinet With support from Markwayne Mullin and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the kratom industry is pursuing a potentially lucrative policy. Mr. Mullin owns equity in a company that could benefit. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308687197238567831efc7 Inside the Partisan Battle Over America’s 250th Birthday Celebrations te 2026-06-15T23:11:03.187Z Inside the Partisan Battle Over America’s 250th Birthday Celebrations President Trump sidestepped a congressional commission and formed his own group to plan the festivities. The result is a deeply partisan celebration, disgruntled celebrities and plenty of confusion. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30867b197238567831efbe Inside the Partisan Battle Over America’s 250th Birthday Celebrations te 2026-06-15T23:10:51.806Z Inside the Partisan Battle Over America’s 250th Birthday Celebrations President Trump sidestepped a congressional commission and formed his own group to plan the festivities. The result is a deeply partisan celebration, disgruntled celebrities and plenty of confusion. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308673197238567831efb5 Alabama and Georgia Runoff Elections Offer a New Test of Trump’s Influence Tomorrow te 2026-06-15T23:10:43.733Z Alabama and Georgia Runoff Elections Offer a New Test of Trump’s Influence Tomorrow The Peach State, as well as Alabama, will offer new tests of Trump’s influence. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308668197238567831efac Alabama and Georgia Runoff Elections Offer a New Test of Trump’s Influence Tomorrow te 2026-06-15T23:10:32.350Z Alabama and Georgia Runoff Elections Offer a New Test of Trump’s Influence Tomorrow The Peach State, as well as Alabama, will offer new tests of Trump’s influence. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30865e197238567831ef96 Arizona budget deal preserves Tucson’s Rio Nuevo, but adds limits te 2026-06-15T23:10:22.743Z Arizona budget deal preserves Tucson’s Rio Nuevo, but adds limits Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308654197238567831ef8d Potential End of War Tests Trump’s Promise of Quick Economic Rebound te 2026-06-15T23:10:12.895Z Potential End of War Tests Trump’s Promise of Quick Economic Rebound Gas prices and other goods could remain elevated for months, adding to the political challenge facing the White House in the midterm elections. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308641197238567831ef6f Scorching Heat or Scorching Lightning? Miami’s Match Could Have Both. te 2026-06-15T23:09:53.438Z Scorching Heat or Scorching Lightning? Miami’s Match Could Have Both. South Florida was under a severe heat advisory as fans arrived in the hours before kickoff. Scattered thunderstorms are also in the forecast. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30862d197238567831ef66 Montana Democrats Are Divided Over How to Win a Republican-held Senate Seat te 2026-06-15T23:09:33.987Z Montana Democrats Are Divided Over How to Win a Republican-held Senate Seat A rift in Montana between the Democratic nominee and an independent candidate could boost Republican hopes of holding on to an open seat in conservative territory. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30861a197238567831ef5d Marana to vote on a budget that's just capital; OV to jack rates on body-cam footage te 2026-06-15T23:09:14.015Z Marana to vote on a budget that's just capital; OV to jack rates on body-cam footage Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308606197238567831ef54 Republican attorneys general urge EPA to classify mifepristone as water contaminant te 2026-06-15T23:08:54.558Z Republican attorneys general urge EPA to classify mifepristone as water contaminant Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3085f3197238567831ef4b After compromise dies, Arizona GOP rushes through ballot referral to block voucher reforms te 2026-06-15T23:08:35.102Z After compromise dies, Arizona GOP rushes through ballot referral to block voucher reforms Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3085df197238567831ef42 Hobbs signs $18.3B Arizona budget, calling Trump-conforming tax cuts a ‘historic’ win te 2026-06-15T23:08:15.648Z Hobbs signs $18.3B Arizona budget, calling Trump-conforming tax cuts a ‘historic’ win Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3085cc197238567831ef39 Az Legislature ends 2026 session after late-night GOP push to send conservative agenda to voters te 2026-06-15T23:07:56.192Z Az Legislature ends 2026 session after late-night GOP push to send conservative agenda to voters Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3085b8197238567831ef30 Republican legislators put measure to change voting procedures on November ballot te 2026-06-15T23:07:36.736Z Republican legislators put measure to change voting procedures on November ballot Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3085a5197238567831ef27 Free & discounted food available at these Tucson schools, food banks & mobile sites te 2026-06-15T23:07:17.286Z Free & discounted food available at these Tucson schools, food banks & mobile sites Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308591197238567831ef15 Ballet Tucson unveils 2026-27 season celebrating 40th anniversary te 2026-06-15T23:06:57.824Z Ballet Tucson unveils 2026-27 season celebrating 40th anniversary Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30857e197238567831ef0c Happy when it rains... A monsoon tunes playlist te 2026-06-15T23:06:38.368Z Happy when it rains... A monsoon tunes playlist Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30856a197238567831ef03 AG Mayes wins $795K settlement with Tucson mobile home park over failing electrical system te 2026-06-15T23:06:18.914Z AG Mayes wins $795K settlement with Tucson mobile home park over failing electrical system Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308556197238567831eef1 Orbio raises $21 million to automate hiring and onboarding for frontline workers te 2026-06-15T23:05:58.948Z Orbio raises $21 million to automate hiring and onboarding for frontline workers Orbio announces $21 million Series A in round led by Dawn Capital. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308543197238567831eee8 The AI layoff wave is becoming a powder keg te 2026-06-15T23:05:39.488Z The AI layoff wave is becoming a powder keg At the very moment that tens of thousands of workers are being shown the door, a small cohort of AI insiders is becoming wealthy on a scale that's hard to comprehend. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308530197238567831eedf A satellite just learned to find things on its own — here’s what that means te 2026-06-15T23:05:20.034Z A satellite just learned to find things on its own — here’s what that means In April, for the first time ever, an Earth observation satellite found what it was looking for, all on its own. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30851c197238567831eed6 As AI agents become employees, NewCore emerges with $66M to give them identities te 2026-06-15T23:05:00.583Z As AI agents become employees, NewCore emerges with $66M to give them identities NewCore argues the next challenge in enterprise security will be managing AI agents, not people. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308509197238567831eecd Fox to acquire Roku in $22B deal te 2026-06-15T23:04:41.121Z Fox to acquire Roku in $22B deal Fox says the deal will create the third-largest television company in the United States. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3084f5197238567831eec4 Sarvam becomes India’s newest AI unicorn with $234 million funding round led by HCLTech te 2026-06-15T23:04:21.665Z Sarvam becomes India’s newest AI unicorn with $234 million funding round led by HCLTech Indian IT services company HCLTech is investing $150 million in the Bengaluru startup. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3084e2197238567831eebb Salesforce acquires AI customer service platform Fin for $3.6B te 2026-06-15T23:04:02.209Z Salesforce acquires AI customer service platform Fin for $3.6B Salesforce says it wants to use Fin's team and technology to improve Agentforce, its existing enterprise platform that businesses can use to build custom AI agents that automate tasks. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3084ce197238567831eeb2 UK unveils sweeping social media ban for users under 16 te 2026-06-15T23:03:42.240Z UK unveils sweeping social media ban for users under 16 The ban would apply to a range of social media platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3084ba197238567831eea9 SpaceX’s biggest-ever IPO just grew to $85.7 billion raised te 2026-06-15T23:03:22.271Z SpaceX’s biggest-ever IPO just grew to $85.7 billion raised SpaceX's IPO underwriters maxed out their share purchases, adding to an already historic amount of money raised. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a3084a6197238567831eea0 Cybersecurity vets protest ‘dangerous’ US government ban on Anthropic’s most powerful models te 2026-06-15T23:03:02.307Z Cybersecurity vets protest ‘dangerous’ US government ban on Anthropic’s most powerful models A group made up of dozens of cybersecurity experts urged the White House to remove export-control restrictions on Anthropic’s Fable and Mythos models, arguing that the order is going to limit the ability of cybersecurity defenders to secure their software and products. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308492197238567831ee97 These are the countries moving to ban social media for children te 2026-06-15T23:02:42.343Z These are the countries moving to ban social media for children Australia was the first country to issue a ban in late 2025, aiming to reduce the pressures and risks that young users may face on social media, including cyberbullying, social media addiction, and exposure to predators. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30847d197238567831ee8e SpaceX is public: Everything you need to know post-IPO te 2026-06-15T23:02:21.857Z SpaceX is public: Everything you need to know post-IPO TechCrunch has followed SpaceX's start, struggles, and successes from the early days. And we're here for what happens next too. This package of SpaceX IPO coverage includes who stands to win (and maybe some who won't), pre-IPO deals, and what's tucked inside its S-1 registration document. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308469197238567831ee85 Meta’s new ‘AI Mode’ on Facebook pulls from public info across its platforms te 2026-06-15T23:02:01.892Z Meta’s new ‘AI Mode’ on Facebook pulls from public info across its platforms Meta announced Monday that it's rolling out a wave of new AI features on Facebook, the latest sign of the company's effort to catch up in the AI race and keep users more engaged on the platform. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308455197238567831ee7c The US government’s Anthropic models ban was never about an AI jailbreak te 2026-06-15T23:01:41.920Z The US government’s Anthropic models ban was never about an AI jailbreak The Trump administration's decision that forced Anthropic to pull its latest cybersecurity models could be reactionary, retaliatory, or both, but the message is clear: The AI industry isn't immune from U.S. government interference. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308441197238567831ee73 La Fundación UA cede control de desembolsos de fondos de donación te 2026-06-15T23:01:21.954Z La Fundación UA cede control de desembolsos de fondos de donación Leer en inglés La Fundación de la Universidad de Arizona notificó a los donantes que planea transferir a la universidad $70 millones provenientes de los rendimientos de fondos de dotación (que no están destinados a becas) a partir del 30 de junio; todos los pagos futuros seguirán el mismo procedimiento a partir de julio. El cambio, propuesto por la universidad y detallado en una carta dirigida a los donantes por el presidente y director ejecutivo John-Paul Roczniak, otorgaría a la UA la titularidad legal directa de los fondos que anteriormente gestionaba la fundación. En la carta, Roczniak afirmó que esta modificación ayudará a cumplir con los objetivos de liquidez inmediata, específicamente el indicador de "días de efectivo disponible,” exigidos por la Junta de Regentes de Arizona y las agencias calificadoras de bonos de la universidad. El Foco de Tucson contactó a la UA el jueves y el viernes, y a la Fundación de la UA el viernes, para solicitar comentarios. La Fundación de la UA remitió las consultas al portavoz de la universidad, Mitch Zak. La UA no emitió ninguna declaración antes de la publicación de esta noticia. La propuesta surge mientras la UA continúa recuperándose de una crisis financiera que estalló en 2023, cuando la universidad reveló un déficit presupuestario de aproximadamente $240 millones, lo que derivó en despidos, recortes de programas y un mayor escrutinio por parte de la Junta de Regentes de Arizona.. Para junio pasado, la UA reportaba una liquidez estimada de 77 días de efectivo disponible, una cifra aún muy inferior al mínimo de 140 días exigido por la Junta de Regentes de Arizona, según informó Arizona Luminaria. La universidad también ha reducido la ayuda financiera para estudiantes de fuera del estado como parte de una transición hacia una matrícula más reducida y ajustada a la capacidad real de la institución. Esta semana, la UA disolvió su unidad de Ciencias de la Salud; dos fuentes informaron al Arizona Daily Star que 28 empleados fueron despedidos al 7 de agosto. El cambio en la gestión de los fondos de dotación añade una nueva dimensión a la reestructuración financiera que atraviesa la universidad. Bajo el sistema actual, la fundación distribuye los fondos generados por las dotaciones (excluyendo las destinadas a becas) a una tasa anual del 4.25%, calculada sobre la base de una media móvil de tres años. En el caso de algunos fondos de dotación, las unidades o facultades beneficiarias han podido reinvertir sus distribuciones para aumentar el capital del fondo con el tiempo, lo que ayuda a respaldar la planificación estratégica a largo plazo y proyectos de mayor envergadura. Según la declaración más reciente presentada por la fundación ante el IRS, esta contaba con activos netos restringidos por los donantes por un valor cercano a los $1.45 mil millones al 30 de junio de 2025. El personal de la fundación revisa cada solicitud de distribución para garantizar que los fondos se utilicen de conformidad con los acuerdos establecidos con los donantes y la legislación vigente; asimismo, retiene los fondos hasta que la UA los gaste o documente sus planes para hacerlo en un plazo de 90 días. Con el cambio propuesto, la titularidad legal de dichos fondos pasaría a la universidad, la cual los distribuiría directamente para el fin benéfico especificado por el donante. La fundación conservaría el control de las inversiones subyacentes del fondo de dotación. "La universidad considera que esta propuesta... le proporcionará una visión más directa sobre la disponibilidad y el uso de los fondos, favoreciendo así un gasto oportuno y adecuado de los recursos aportados por los donantes," señaló Roczniak en la carta. Se informó a los donantes que tienen derecho a no participar en esta propuesta respecto a sus cuentas individuales de dotación. Las consultas sobre este cambio pueden dirigirse a Craig Barker, vicepresidente sénior y director financiero. La propuesta está sujeta a renovación el 15 de junio de 2031. Esta es una noticia en desarrollo. Vuelva a consultar para obtener actualizaciones o comuníquese con Caitlin Schmidt en caitlin@tucsonspotlight.org si tiene información o pistas. El Foco de Tucson forma a la próxima generación de periodistas del sur de Arizona y publica sus trabajos de forma gratuita para todos. Sin muros de pago ni respaldo corporativo; solo lectores que creen que esta comunidad merece mejores noticias locales. Caitlin Schmidt es editora y publicadora del Foco de Tucson. Puede contactarla en caitlin@tucsonspotlight.org. Esta nota fue traducida por Diana Ramos, exalumna de la Universidad de Arizona, Directora de Iniciativas Bilingües y reportera del Foco de Tucson. Contáctala en diana@tucsonspotlight.org.    El Foco de Tucson es una sala de prensa comunitaria que ofrece oportunidades remuneradas a estudiantes y periodistas emergentes del sur de Arizona. Por favor, considera apoyar nuestro trabajo con una donación deducible de impuestos. Donar a El Foco Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30842e197238567831ee6a Voluntario de Tucson busca justicia tras incidente con ICE te 2026-06-15T23:01:02.498Z Voluntario de Tucson busca justicia tras incidente con ICE Un voluntario de respuesta rápida de Tucson, que fue rociado con gas pimienta por un agente no identificado durante un control de tráfico de ICE en abril en South Tucson, se dirigió al Concejo Municipal, tras haber pasado semanas intentando presentar una denuncia policial sobre la agresión. El 6 de abril, al menos tres vehículos de ICE se encontraban estacionados frente a la farmacia Walgreens, en la intersección de South Sixth Avenue y East 29th Street, llevando a cabo un control de tráfico en la ciudad de South Tucson. Steven Davis, un voluntario que acude a documentar la actividad local de ICE, incluyendo vehículos, agentes y acciones, durante redadas y controles de tráfico, llegó al lugar y comenzó a filmar el suceso desde la distancia, según se observa en un video del incidente. "No estaba obstaculizando a los agentes ni a sus vehículos," declaró Davis. "Acaté todas las órdenes. Otros agentes presentes en el lugar me aseguraron que tenía el derecho legal de observar y documentar." El video muestra a un hombre no identificado junto a un agente de ICE; el sujeto lleva puesta una mascarilla verde, una camisa a cuadros verdes y pantalones de color caqui. La ropa del hombre carecía de emblemas de identificación y este sostenía un aerosol de gas pimienta en la mano izquierda. El individuo no se identifica en ningún momento. Otro video del incidente muestra al mismo hombre no identificado sosteniendo el aerosol, apuntando hacia un transeúnte que se encontraba recostado contra un vehículo de ICE. Sin embargo, no llega a rociarlo. Mientras Davis filma desde una distancia corta, el hombre no identificado pasa caminando junto a él. La segunda vez que pasa, el hombre no identificado rocía a Davis en los ojos, provocando que este caiga de rodillas mientras un miembro de la comunidad lo aparta hacia el borde de la escena. "El ataque en mi contra fue brutal y totalmente injustificado," afirmó Davis. "Mi agresor me roció directamente en el rostro desde una distancia de apenas unas seis pulgadas. Me desplomé en el suelo, sufriendo un dolor inmenso; no podía ver y apenas lograba respirar. Pasaron 30 minutos antes de que pudiera abrir los ojos por más de unos pocos segundos." Steven Davis habla con miembros de los medios de comunicación frente al Departamento de Policía de South Tucson el 30 de abril, durante su segundo intento de presentar una denuncia por la agresión con gas pimienta que, según afirma, ocurrió durante una parada de tráfico realizada por ICE el 6 de abril. Topacio "Topaz" Servellon / El Foco de Tucson. El mismo video muestra al hombre no identificado rociando a otro transeúnte para luego acercarse a Davis y comprobar su estado. "¡Deberían avergonzarse!" grita un miembro de la comunidad en el video. Al menos tres agentes del Departamento de Policía de South Tucson se encontraban en el lugar durante el incidente. Un video muestra a un agente señalando a Davis y hablando con el jefe de policía de South Tucson, Danny Denogean. Esta no es la primera vez que Davis observa a agentes de ICE. En enero, grabó un video en el que cinco agentes de ICE detuvieron y rodearon a un hombre que se encontraba en una camioneta frente al establecimiento Circle K, en la intersección de South Sixth Avenue y la Interestatal 10. Davis relató que el conductor acababa de terminar de comprar víveres en una tienda local. "Esa fue mi cuarta vez (observando) y (documentando) las interacciones de ICE con transeúntes o con detenidos," comentó Davis. "Nunca antes un agente se me había acercado de manera agresiva." Con pruebas en video de la situación, Davis intentó por primera vez presentar una denuncia por agresión ante el Departamento de Policía de South Tucson el 9 de abril. Según Davis, Denogean les comunicó a él y a su abogado que el Departamento de Policía de South Tucson no le permitiría presentar la denuncia y que, en su lugar, debía remitir el asunto al Departamento de Seguridad Nacional. "Si el Departamento de Policía de South Tucson no acepta una denuncia por esta agresión violenta y claramente ilegal, temo no tener ningún recurso para obtener justicia," declaró Davis en un comunicado de prensa. Se invitó a miembros de los medios de comunicación a documentar el segundo intento de Davis de presentar una denuncia policial el 30 de abril, junto con miembros de la comunidad y el abogado Luis Campos. "Sentí horror," expresó Campos al referirse a los videos del encuentro de Davis. "Sentí horror porque esta es nuestra comunidad, y yo esperaría que este tipo de cosas no sucedieran; y si llegaran a suceder, esperaría que... las fuerzas del orden realmente las investigaran." Steven Davis y el abogado Luis Campos ingresan al Departamento de Policía de South Tucson el 30 de abril para presentar una denuncia sobre una agresión que, según Davis, ocurrió durante una parada de tráfico realizada por ICE el 6 de abril. Topacio "Topaz" Servellon / El Foco de Tucson. El panorama legal, sin embargo, complica lo que de otro modo podría parecer un caso sencillo. La separación de poderes, establecida en la Constitución, asigna a los gobiernos federal y local sus propias jurisdicciones, creando límites a la capacidad de los funcionarios estatales y locales para interferir en las operaciones federales de aplicación de la ley. No prohíbe, no obstante, que el estado procese a agentes federales por violaciones de las leyes estatales; un agente individual puede ser procesado por su conducta si existen pruebas de que ha infringido la ley estatal. "Se nos comunicó que cualquier asunto relacionado con agentes federales debe tramitarse a través del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional, mediante un sistema interno de quejas," dijo Campos. "Nos oponemos a esa postura, porque si existe una violación de la ley estatal, algo que el Sr. Davis cree que ocurrió, no existe una inmunidad absoluta. Los agentes federales pueden ser llamados a rendir cuentas, y esa rendición de cuentas comienza en una estación de policía con la presentación de una denuncia." Un obstáculo clave tanto para Davis como para el departamento de policía es que la identidad del agente sigue siendo desconocida. "Se hizo hincapié en que este era un asunto federal competencia del DHS, pero ni siquiera sabemos si el agresor es realmente un agente federal o no," señaló Campos. "Por eso es imperativa una investigación, para que podamos determinar si este individuo es un civil común y corriente." Un empleado del departamento de policía les informó a Davis y a Campos que solo dos agentes estaban de servicio y que tendrían que esperar al siguiente agente disponible para presentar la denuncia. Unos minutos más tarde, un residente entró en la oficina y logró presentar una denuncia ante un detective, cuya presencia en la estación no se les había comunicado a Davis ni a Campos. Tras una hora de espera, dos agentes acudieron para tomar la declaración de Davis. "Presentar una denuncia policial debería ser la parte fácil. No debería tomar dos semanas y media lograr hablar con el departamento y que te permitan presentar una denuncia," afirmó Davis. "He seguido observando y respondiendo cuando nuestros vecinos son detenidos, interrogados o retenidos en South Tucson, y en Tucson, y continuaré realizando el trabajo para el que fui capacitado en Tucson Rapid Response." Steven Davis y el abogado Luis Campos conversan con un empleado del Departamento de Policía de South Tucson el 30 de abril, durante el segundo intento de Davis de presentar una denuncia. Topacio "Topaz" Servellon / El Foco de Tucson. A principios de marzo, el Concejo Municipal de South Tucson aprobó por unanimidad dos resoluciones relacionadas con el ICE. La primera estipulaba que los bienes y recursos de la ciudad no pueden utilizarse para colaborar en operaciones federales de control civil de la inmigración; sin embargo, no impide la ejecución de órdenes judiciales, la aplicación de la ley penal ni la cooperación con otras agencias en investigaciones de carácter criminal. La segunda establece requisitos de identificación para los agentes del orden que operen dentro de los límites de la ciudad. Los agentes de la Policía de South Tucson deben identificarse siempre, portar distintivos visibles del departamento en sus uniformes y tienen prohibido usar cubrebocas durante las llamadas de servicio o las labores rutinarias de vigilancia. Davis relató su experiencia durante la reunión del Concejo Municipal de South Tucson celebrada el 5 de mayo. "Quiero saber el nombre de la persona que me agredió," declaró Davis. "Quiero sentarme frente a él en un tribunal de justicia. Quiero que rinda cuentas por sus actos ilícitos." Si bien Davis está decidido a lograr que su agresor afronte las consecuencias de sus actos, el camino hacia la rendición de cuentas podría resultar más complejo que un simple juicio en un tribunal local. "Si [una persona] considera que ha sufrido daños a manos de un empleado federal, el recurso legal disponible es una demanda civil ante un tribunal federal. Si desea presentar cargos penales, tendría que acudir a la Oficina del Fiscal Federal", explicó Jon Paladini, Asesor Jurídico de la ciudad de South Tucson. "La Constitución otorga... inmunidad soberana a los empleados federales ante los tribunales estatales... Incluso si el fiscal del condado decidiera presentar algún tipo de cargo penal, el caso se transferiría automáticamente a un tribunal federal y quedaría bajo la jurisdicción del Fiscal Federal para el Estado de Arizona." Paladini señaló que, desde un punto de vista práctico, tanto el departamento de policía local como el fiscal del condado carecen de la jurisdicción necesaria para dar curso al caso, aun cuando existiera alguna vía de recurso legal. "Se podría contactar al Departamento de Seguridad Nacional para intentar obtener la identidad de la persona en cuestión, pero dicha entidad no tiene la obligación de proporcionarla," indicó Paladini. "Incluso si lográramos obtener una orden de registro de un tribunal estatal, el gobierno federal, en virtud de la Cláusula de Supremacía, no estaría obligado a acatarla." Davis, sin embargo, no se dejó disuadir. “Si todavía hay alguien que cree que no tenemos derecho a reparación cuando los agentes federales nos agreden, tengo un mensaje sencillo: es hora de que pasen página,” dijo. Topacio “Topaz” Servellon es periodista del Foco de Tucson. Pueden contactarla en topacioserve@gmail.com. Esta nota fue traducida por Diana Ramos, exalumna de la Universidad de Arizona, Directora de Iniciativas Bilingües y reportera del Foco de Tucson. Contáctala en diana@tucsonspotlight.org.    El Foco de Tucson es una sala de prensa comunitaria que ofrece oportunidades remuneradas a estudiantes y periodistas emergentes del sur de Arizona. Por favor, considera apoyar nuestro trabajo con una donación deducible de impuestos. Donar a El Foco Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a30841b197238567831ee61 Oro Valley approves water rate hike, $128M budget te 2026-06-15T23:00:43.043Z Oro Valley approves water rate hike, $128M budget Oro Valley residents will see a modest increase in their water bills this summer as the Town Council approved a 3.6% rate hike and a tentative $128 million budget for fiscal year 2027 at its June 3 meeting. The council previously approved a notice of intent at its March 4 meeting. Water Utility Director Peter Abraham reviewed the changes at the June 3 meeting, noting that the increase per household depends on the size of the water meter, with larger meters seeing a larger price hike. More than 80% of Oro Valley residents have a 5/8-inch meter and consume about 7,000 gallons of water per month, resulting in a $1.86, or 3.6%, increase. The rate hike applies only to potable water and leaves reclaimed water rates unchanged. Councilmember Josh Nicolson raised concerns about a potential 20% cut to Oro Valley's Central Arizona Project allocation, which delivers Colorado River water to major population centers across the state. He said such a cut would drive up consumer water rates and put the town in competition with Tucson and Pima County for resources. Abraham said he was unofficially told to expect a 20% cut to Oro Valley's water allocation by January, in a meeting with Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke. "Nothing officially has come yet, but that was the information we were given," Abraham said, adding that he remains positive about the state of the town's water supply. "We're in a great position from a water resource perspective. We're still (going to be) delivering the same amount of CAP water. It's just (that) we're storing less." Nicolson agreed. "I think we are in a really good water position compared to our cohorts," he said. A table displaying the raises in water rates that Oro Valley residents will experience. For 84% of Oro Valley residents, the increase will only cost about $1.86. Courtesy of the Town of Oro Valley The council unanimously approved the increase before moving on to an update on its police pension fund. Chief Financial Officer David Gephart presented the annual update on the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System, which provides pensions for retired Oro Valley public employees, primarily police officers. The program, funded through government contributions and investment income, had assets valued at about $91 million last fiscal year. If the pension falls short of full funding, the resulting debt must be paid off through amortization payments made in set amounts over regular periods. Gephart reported a funding surplus at the end of fiscal year 2025, driven by investments outperforming projections. Actuaries recommended reducing the town's contribution rate from 12.61% to 10.47%, but Gephart recommended keeping it unchanged, which would direct an extra $214,000 into the fund. "We're basically not going to take the reduction in rate that the actuaries are proposing," Gephart said. Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett said keeping the pension fully funded was a matter of fairness to future generations, who would otherwise be left to cover any shortfall, with the council unanimously approving a motion to keep the pension contribution rate higher than actuaries required. "If we punt that on to the future, especially if we punt it too far into the future, then we're expecting future generations to cover that cost," Barrett said. Two pie charts showing the distribution of the tentative $55 million general fund budget by category and by function. Courtesy of the Town of Oro Valley. Gephart presented the tentative fiscal year 2027 budget, the latest step in a process that began with one-on-one sessions with each councilmember in April, continued with a study session May 4 and a presentation to the Budget and Finance Commission on May 19, where councilmembers suggested changes to the budget recommended by Town Manager Jeff Wilkins. The tentative budget of roughly $128 million is about $2 million less than the recommended budget and more than 15% below the previous fiscal year's budget of $151.5 million. The general fund budget, which allows for discretionary spending, is roughly $55 million, an increase of 0.1% from the recommended budget and 0.7% from last fiscal year. The budget includes a 3% pay increase for town employees, which Gephart said would add about $625,000. After accounting for pay increases in the self-funded water and stormwater utilities, he said the overall impact on the general government fund would be about half a million dollars. "The budget is structurally balanced," said Mayor Joe Winfield. "Reserves remain strong. Debt is being reduced. Pension obligations are essentially fully funded. I think there's a lot of good things that can be said about this budget." The council unanimously approved the tentative budget for fiscal year 2026-27. Benjamin DePue is a University of Arizona student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact him at bdepue@arizona.edu. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a308407197238567831ee58 Tucson fashion show honors missing indigenous women te 2026-06-15T23:00:23.092Z Tucson fashion show honors missing indigenous women Indigenous designers, artists and musicians gathered in Tucson last month to honor missing and murdered indigenous women and children through fashion, drumming and dance. Vendor tables lined the crowd's seating area with handmade jewelry, clothing and trinkets during the May 3 event at Main Event Tucson, each piece a reflection of culture, identity and honor. The show was a collaboration between Main Event and the Tucson Indian Center, the second such collaboration between the two. The family entertainment venue reached out last year to several nonprofit organizations about collaborating on an event and the Tucson Indian Center answered the call. Main Event staffer Kina Miguel said the show aimed to spread awareness in the community and help the MMIW movement continue to grow. "We want to give awareness," said Tucson Indian Center Intake and Supportive Services Case Manager Jerry Romero. "Our goal is to make it visible, but it's hard to get the movement going. People need to know when Indigenous people go missing, especially when people are missing in our community, to try to find how we as a community can gather for support." Romero pointed to the variety of tribes participating in the show. "We have five to seven models," Romero said. "A majority are O'Odham, Navajo, San Carlos Apache, White Mountain Apache, and others." Atendees browse vendor tables at the MMIW fashion show, where Indigenous artists sold handmade jewelry, clothing and other items representing culture, identity and honor. Marlon Bedoy / Tucson Spotlight. Tasha LaBahe, the center's community engagement coordinator, opened the show with remarks before introducing the Four Winds drum group. "As native people, we are 1% of the population," LaBahe said. "When an Indigenous person goes missing, no one cares to look for us. Continue to say the name of those who are Indigenous and missing. There are people in this room still trying to get justice." The drum group was made up of nine people of varying ages, all wearing red MMIW shirts. They blessed relatives, families, friends and victims before offering a moment of silence in honor of the MMIW movement. They played before and after the showcase, their drums booming across the venue. Audience members were invited to join in for a few songs, dancing in a circle with arms linked together. Navajo Nation dancer Jennifer Vega joined the pre-show performance, wearing a long-sleeve black dress with accents in magenta, blue, yellow and green and a white feather headdress, her son trailing behind her, dressed in clothing of the same style. Vega's mother handmade her dress, with other relatives from the Navajo Nation helping with her accessories. LaBahe introduced the designers and models as they stepped onto the runway, with the audience erupting into cheers as the show began. The models represented their tribes with symbolic colors including red, turquoise, black and white. Ak-Chin member Erica Oliver, one of the show's designers, was also a vendor at the event, selling red T-shirts emblazoned with "MMIW" across the front. A model and her escort walk the runway at the MMIW fashion show at Main Event Tucson on May 3, wearing designs that incorporate the symbolic colors of the movement. Marlon Bedoy / Tucson Spotlight. Oliver said she began creating clothing to raise awareness of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls movement after a personal tragedy. "My granddaughter was murdered in 2013," Oliver said. "It's to honor my granddaughter, to give to families, and to honor loved ones." Oliver also designed a white dress for the show to honor her granddaughter's memory. "The white dress represents the innocence of baby Isabelle," LaBahe said, as the model walked across the stage. The designers also incorporated other significant symbols into their garments, including red handprints sewn onto dresses and tops, as seen in Alice Guzman's design. LaBahe explained the meaning behind the symbol. "The red hand symbol signifies the blood of those women who were murdered," LaBahe said. The four cardinal directions, which are sacred and represent natural forces, seasons, life stages and spiritual teachings, were also present in some of the designs, including ribbons on a dress. Miss Tohono O'odham Nation 2026 Shania Manuel closed out the show, singing a song in O'odham while audience members stood. Organizers LaBahe and Romero want the show to return next year and reach a bigger audience, spreading the word about the MMIW movement while also connecting with the community. "This evening was to say their names, say it out loud, say it in prayer," LaBahe said. "It also brought our community together. Let's leave this space with healing." Katlyn Vargas is a University of Arizona student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at katlynvargas@arizona.edu. Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation. Donate to Tucson Spotlight Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/home