https://meenews.co/post/6a489136c2ca79de2363b321 Trump hails America as 'most exceptional nation ever to exist' in Mount Rushmore speech te 2026-07-04T04:51:02.333Z Trump hails America as 'most exceptional nation ever to exist' in Mount Rushmore speech President Donald Trump marked the eve of America's 250th anniversary with a sweeping patriotic address at Mount Rushmore on Friday, declaring the United States the "most exceptional nation ever to exist" and vowing that it would "never be a Communist country." Speaking beneath the granite likenesses of four of his predecessors — George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt — Trump touted American exceptionalism as festivities marking the nation's 250th anniversary ramped up across the country. "In all the chronicles of the ages, never before has any nation celebrated so magnificent a triumph as this one," Trump told the crowd. TRUMP KICKS OFF FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND WITH SYMBOLIC SALUTE TO AMERICA’S LEGACY "At 250 years, America is the oldest republic on earth," he continued. "We are the freest people on earth. We have the most righteous and enduring Constitution on earth. We are the strongest and most powerful country on earth. And by the grace of God, the United States of America is the most successful, most accomplished, most exceptional nation ever to exist in human history." Trump praised the nation's history and argued that no other country had achieved as much as the United States. "The birth and survival of the American nation under God is, quite simply, the best and most incredible thing ever to happen on this planet by human hands, ever," he said. "No other country has done more good for this world than the United States of America." AMERICA’S NEXT 250 YEARS DEPEND ON PASSING FAITH AND FREEDOM TO OUR CHILDREN Before Trump took the stage, the new Air Force One flew over Mount Rushmore as spectators cheered. After his remarks, the president stayed to watch a fireworks display over the Black Hills. Trump argued the country was facing what he described as a growing communist movement that sought to undermine America's "exceptional character" and "alienate us from our history." The president said the movement had raised the question, "What does it mean to be an American?" MAMDANI BLASTS ICE AGENTS, ELON MUSK AND 'SUPREMACY' IN AMERICA 250 SPEECH AHEAD OF JULY 4 WEEKEND Trump described communism as "the greatest threat" facing the United States. "It is the greatest threat to our country, including World War One, World War Two, Pearl Harbor, or even 9/11," Trump said. "We're not going to let this happen to us. Believe me, we're not letting it happen, because communism is the enemy of free people." "Communism is the exact opposite of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — it is death, tyranny and the pursuit of evil," he continued. "But we will not let them win," he added. "They have no chance against us." Trump issued a clear directive: "You can be loyal to Karl Marx, or you can be loyal to America. You can be a communist, or you can be a patriot. You cannot be both." As Americans face those choices, Trump pointed to the nation's past sacrifices as a guide for its future. "Our American ancestors did not shed their blood at Concord and Trenton, Gettysburg and Shiloh, Midway and Normandy, just so that a band of thieves, radicals and lunatics could come in and loot, pillage our nation," he said. Trump also highlighted the four presidents carved into the mountain behind him, saying they represented America's founding ideals. "They were men of action, men of ambition, men of daring, men of destiny, and men of truly great intelligence," he said. "Above all, they were great men of history. Tonight, on the threshold of our 250th year, we stand beneath the monument of these heroes, a true group of unbelievable people. And we rededicate ourselves to being a nation as big, bold, noble, and as great as these American giants." Trump is scheduled to deliver another speech Saturday on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. before a fireworks display celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary. "We know that this is not an ending," Trump said. "This is only the beginning of the golden age of America." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a488eb4c2ca79de2363b2c6 At Mount Rushmore, Trump Veers From Patriotism to ‘Communism’ te 2026-07-04T04:40:20.572Z At Mount Rushmore, Trump Veers From Patriotism to ‘Communism’ On the eve of July 4, President Trump extolled the nation’s founders while branding his opponents as “communists” in what seemed to be a warm-up for November. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a487c0bc2ca79de2363b086 One dead, two seriously injured in Parker area accident te 2026-07-04T03:20:43.226Z One dead, two seriously injured in Parker area accident A traffic accident west of Parker left one victim dead Thursday evening, and two hospitalized with serious injuries. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a487069c2ca79de2363af45 Fourth of July app guides spectators through nine-hour air show from NASA jets to B-1 bombers te 2026-07-04T02:31:05.890Z Fourth of July app guides spectators through nine-hour air show from NASA jets to B-1 bombers Hours before U.S. military aircraft are set to take flight over Washington, D.C., an app was launched to help Americans track the monumental Fourth of July aerial flyovers in real-time. Created by senior White House official Shawn Chittle, the "4th of July Fly Over" app is designed as a companion guide for spectators watching along the National Mall and Washington Monument grounds. To keep up with the fast-moving aerial acts, the app features an adjustable countdown timer set to the official schedule. TRUMP KICKS OFF FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND WITH SYMBOLIC SALUTE TO AMERICA’S LEGACY If the flyovers run late or fast, users can manually adjust the timer, and the app will automatically display which aircraft is coming up next. Spectators can also use the tool to access photos, history and basic facts about the legendary aircraft roaring overhead. The app will serve as an essential tool for navigating the "Freedom 250" schedule, which spans over nine hours of demonstrations. NEW AIR FORCE ONE TAKES FLIGHT AS TRUMP UNVEILS REVAMPED PRESIDENTIAL AIRCRAFT The aerial showcase begins at 1:14 p.m. local time with a NASA F-5 flyover, followed by a series of fleet reviews spanning the Coast Guard, Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy. Crowd favorites will take the stage later in the afternoon, with the Navy Blue Angels scheduled for 4:59 p.m. and the Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration at 6:25 p.m. Just after 7 p.m., Air Force One will fly over, followed at 7:17 p.m. by a "HUGE 1" flyover led by the newly renovated Air Force One. In the evening, there will be a U.S. Stealth Airpower flyover at 7:38 p.m. An F-22 Raptor afterburner display will follow at 7:53 p.m. and B-1 bombers in afterburner at 8:07 p.m. For spectators staying out late, a B-1 afterburner night pass will light up the sky at 10:36 p.m. Observers can bookmark the app or add it directly to their mobile home screens to ensure they do not miss a single moment of the patriotic event. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a486bb5c2ca79de2363ae86 Sports world turns out for Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's Madison Square Garden wedding festivities te 2026-07-04T02:11:01.616Z Sports world turns out for Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's Madison Square Garden wedding festivities Various athletes and sports personalities were among the high-profile guests who attended Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding Friday night at Madison Square Garden. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife, Kelly, were spotted leaving their hotel en route to the celebration, while Fox Sports personalities Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson were also seen arriving for the event. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! OutKick reported earlier Friday that Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and his wife, Jen, were on the guest list as well. PATRIOTS HEAD COACH MIKE VRABEL, WIFE SPOTTED EN ROUTE TO TAYLOR SWIFT AND TRAVIS KELCE'S WEDDING Page Six posted a video of the two on social media, showing them leaving the hotel and getting into a car early Friday evening. ESPN play-by-play commentator Joe Buck attended alongside his wife, Michelle Beisner-Buck. Kelce's football circle was also well represented. Former Chiefs teammate Kareem Hunt and San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle were both in attendance to celebrate. Beyond the guest list, Fox News Digital provided additional details about the ceremony on Friday. Representatives confirmed to People Magazine that the couple's friend Adam Sandler officiated the night. Sandler and Kelce developed a friendship after the Chiefs tight end appeared in Happy Gilmore 2. Swift and Kelce did not have bridesmaids or groomsmen, according to a statement shared with People. As for what the bride and groom wore, the statement noted that the "ceremony looks have been created by Christian Dior Haute Couture. They are designed by Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director of Dior Women’s, Men’s and Haute Couture Collections, in close collaboration with the Bride and Groom. This is the designer's first couture wedding dress for a world-renowned celebrity. Their shoes were custom-made by Christian Louboutin and the bride wore Cartier jewelry." There have not yet been any public sightings of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid or quarterback Patrick Mahomes, though both were expected to attend. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4864c0c2ca79de2363adbf Messi, Argentina avoid a shocking upset in wild knockout stage match against Cape Verde te 2026-07-04T01:41:20.808Z Messi, Argentina avoid a shocking upset in wild knockout stage match against Cape Verde On Friday, Argentina looked to continue its quest for back-to-back World Cup titles, and to do it, they had to get through one of the darlings of this year's tournament, Cape Verde. The small island nation off the coast of West Africa came into the match as the No. 64-ranked team in the world, and they managed to hold Argentina — the No. 2 team behind France at the moment — scoreless for almost thirty minutes. But in the 29th minute, Lionel Messi scored to give Argentina the lead. WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE That was the 20th World Cup goal of his career, and it also made him the first player to score seven or more goals in multiple World Cups, having done it in Qatar as well. It was also Messi's eighth-straight World Cup match with a goal. Well, typically when Argentina takes the lead, they don't cough it up, but early in the second half, Cape Verde's Deroy Duarte pulled off a stunner and tied the game at 1-1. HARRY KANE RESCUES ENGLAND FROM SHOCK WORLD CUP EXIT WITH TWO GOALS IN 11 MINUTES AGAINST DR CONGO While there was some late pressure from Argentina, that included an always-dangerous Messi free kick from just outside the box that Cape Verde managed to stop. And with that, it was off to extra time. However, it only took moments for Cape Verde to find themselves once again battling from behind. Lisandro Martinez found the twine in the 92nd minute to give Argentina the lead. It looked like that would be all she wrote... but Cape Verde had other plans. They stuck with the defending World Cup champs, and in the 103rd minute, Sidny Lopes Cabral scored an unbelievable goal to tie the game again. Coming into this game, Argentina had given up just two goals in their ten-match World Cup winning streak. Cape Verde did that in one match. But in the 111th minute, Messi took an Argentina corner kick and put it in the perfect spot for Cristian Romero to head it to the back post and into the back of the net. This was eventually updated to an own-goal, as it went off the Cape Verde defender's arm, but it counts the same on the scoreboard. Despite a late flurry of chances, Argentina held on to avoid what would have been potentially the biggest upset in World Cup history. What a match, and what a run Cape Verde had in the tournament. Argentina will now have to recompose and get ready for a tough Round of 16 match against Egypt, which will take place on Tuesday in Atlanta. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a486484c2ca79de2363ad9e Trump Pardons Violators of the Clean Air Act and a Major Donor te 2026-07-04T01:40:20.397Z Trump Pardons Violators of the Clean Air Act and a Major Donor The president used his clemency power to further undermine environmental laws and to help a political supporter who pleaded guilty in a fraud involving Jack Abramoff. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a48622dc2ca79de2363ad57 Snow Sharks swim team named one of nation’s top 50 age group programs te 2026-07-04T01:30:21.553Z Snow Sharks swim team named one of nation’s top 50 age group programs The Flagstaff Snow Sharks have been named a top 50 age group program by the American Swimming Coaches Association. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a485da7c2ca79de2363acf3 Three dead, 7 rescued in boating tragedy as severe holiday weekend storm ravages Wisconsin tourist hotspot te 2026-07-04T01:11:03.625Z Three dead, 7 rescued in boating tragedy as severe holiday weekend storm ravages Wisconsin tourist hotspot A fast-moving, destructive storm ripped through southern Wisconsin on Friday, leaving three people dead after their boat overturned on Geneva Lake during the busy Fourth of July holiday weekend. The tragedy unfolded as a powerful storm system swept across Walworth County starting at roughly 12:10 p.m. local time. Amid the chaos, local dispatchers received urgent 911 calls reporting that a boat had capsized on Geneva Lake with multiple people struggling in the water. PROMINENT BUSINESSMAN LEARNS FATE IN BOAT CRASH CASE THAT KILLED TEEN, MAIMED ANOTHER A City of Lake Geneva police boat and the Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency successfully rescued seven people from the water, but three people could not be saved, Walworth County Undersheriff Tom Hausner said during a news conference. Emergency crews later recovered their bodies. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the three victims who died, though sources told CBS News Chicago they were all children. FLORIDA DEPUTY DRAGS 'UNRESPONSIVE' BEACHGOER FROM OCEAN IN DRAMATIC RESCUE The capsizing is currently under joint investigation by the Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Hausner said that while the county's permanent population sits around 106,000, it surges to more than 200,000 visitors on holiday weekends like the Fourth of July. "Our resources, not just the sheriff's office, but all law enforcement resources and fire and EMS are stressed, and this compounded that to levels unprecedented," Hausner said. MASSACHUSETTS TOWN CANCELS JULY 4 CELEBRATION CITING LACK OF 'ADEQUATE PUBLIC SAFETY STAFFING' The sheriff's office initiated an emergency call-in of all off-duty deputies and requested mutual aid from Rock, Kenosha and Jefferson counties, as well as the Wisconsin State Patrol and DNR. City of Lake Geneva Mayor Todd Krause issued an emergency declaration at 12:18 p.m. after the high winds and heavy rains knocked down power lines, shattered trees, damaged buildings and left cars crushed. Numerous storm-related injuries have been reported, forcing area hospitals to enact diversions due to the overwhelming volume of patients. The Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency, City of Lake Geneva Police Department, Walworth County Sheriff's Office and Walworth County did not immediately respond to additional inquiries from Fox News Digital. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources referred all inquiries to the City of Lake Geneva Police Department. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a485674c2ca79de2363ac11 3 Dead After Boat Capsizes on Wisconsin Lake During Severe Storm te 2026-07-04T00:40:20.650Z 3 Dead After Boat Capsizes on Wisconsin Lake During Severe Storm Seven others were rescued from the waters of Geneva Lake, southwest of Milwaukee, the authorities said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a484fa9c2ca79de2363ab64 Taylor Swift marries Travis Kelce te 2026-07-04T00:11:21.665Z Taylor Swift marries Travis Kelce Taylor Swift found her happily ever after. Swift married NFL star Travis Kelce on July 3 at a ceremony held at Madison Square Garden. The couple reportedly hosted around 1,000 guests after renting out the arena for multiple days. The "Love Story" singer began dating Kelce in summer 2023. TAYLOR SWIFT SHUTS DOWN 'OFFENSIVE' FAN THEORY ABOUT HER CAREER AFTER SHE MARRIES TRAVIS KELCE Swift's notoriously private about her relationships, and while their exact timeline is unclear, she was first spotted at a Chiefs game on Sept. 24, 2023. She admitted in an interview with TIME magazine that they actually began dating long before she appeared in the stands. "This all started when Travis very adorably put me on blast on his podcast, which I thought was metal as hell," she said. "We started hanging out right after that. So, we actually had a significant amount of time that no one knew, which I’m grateful for, because we got to get to know each other." She added, "By the time I went to that first game, we were a couple." In July 2023, Kelce joked on his "New Heights" podcast that he missed the opportunity to give Swift a friendship bracelet in person when The Eras Tour rolled through Kansas City. "If you’re up on Taylor Swift concerts, there are friendship bracelets, and I received a bunch of them being there, but I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it," Kelce told his brother, Jason. TAYLOR SWIFT PUTS KANSAS CITY ON THE MAP WITH TRAVIS KELCE RELATIONSHIP LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Swift and Kelce appeared on his podcast on Aug. 13, 2025, where they shared more details of how they met. When asked why she chose to appear on the podcast, she joked, "This podcast got me a boyfriend ever since Travis decided to use it as his personal dating app."  Swift added: "This dude didn't get a meet-and-greet, and he's making it everyone's problem. That's what I thought at first... You realize he didn't even reach out to our management. He came with Pat [Mahomes] and he thought that, because he knows the elevator lady, that he could talk to her about just getting down to my dressing room." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Kelce admitted Swift's music actually gave him a roadmap on how to win her over. "I was sitting there at the Eras Tour listening to every single one of those songs, being like, ‘I know exactly what she wants me to do,'" he said. "I'm the luckiest man in the world." 13 days after the "New Heights" podcast episode featuring Swift dropped, the two announced their engagement on Instagram. "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married," Swift wrote, as she shared photos of Kelce down on one knee during the intimate moment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a484f96c2ca79de2363ab5b USA's Folarin Balogun criticizes referee's red card in first comments since controversial ruling te 2026-07-04T00:11:02.229Z USA's Folarin Balogun criticizes referee's red card in first comments since controversial ruling The United States is currently gearing up to play its biggest game in program history without arguably its top performer of this World Cup. Folarin Balogun will have to sit out Monday's Round of 16 matchup against Belgium after receiving a red card on an incidental, yet ugly-looking, play. In going for a loose ball, Balogun and an opponent got incidentally tangled up to the point where Balogun stepped on the opponent's ankle, causing it to roll awkwardly. The video assistant referee (VAR) ordered the play to be looked at, and Balogun's transgressions were deemed "serious" enough for the red card. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The red card not only ejected Balogun from the game and forced the USA to play the rest of the match with 10 men, but it also meant he would miss the team's Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday. In his first public comments since the ejection (and suspension), Balogun said he disagreed with the ruling. "First and foremost, it was totally unintentional, which I'm sure a lot of people know. But, you know, I think the choice of the referee was, of course, his choice, but I don't think it was the correct call," he told reporters on Friday. "I think a yellow card would have been fair due to it not being intentional. There's not many places I can place my foot in such a scenario. But it's happened, and it's something that I have to accept and move forward from." FORMER TEAM USA STAR WANTS TO SEE RED CARD RULE CHANGE AFTER FOLARIN BALOGUN CONTROVERSY "There’s been lots of different emotions. I’ve been upset, I’ve been happy, it’s been surreal to be honest," he added. "But for me it was just important to stay calm. I never want to react out of anger and emotion. There’s still lots of people we’re inspiring. Little kids, boys and girls are watching. We have to show them the correct way to handle things even when you think it’s unjust, so I felt I did that. I’m happy with the support, not just I’m receiving but the team. I think we’re all looking forward to seeing what we can do against Belgium." Despite the controversial ruling, there was nothing the USMNT could do. Article 9.6 of the 2026 World Cup regulations reads, "No protests may be made about the referee’s decisions regarding facts connected with play. Such decisions are final and not subject to appeal, unless otherwise stipulated in the FIFA Disciplinary Code." "If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match," Article 10.5 states. FIFA did confirm that Balogun would only miss the Belgium game, so he is eligible to return to the quarterfinals if the USA wins on Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a484abcc2ca79de2363a64a Trump Takes Stock of Other Presidencies, Shedding Light on His Own te 2026-07-03T23:50:20.351Z Trump Takes Stock of Other Presidencies, Shedding Light on His Own In his second term, the president has increasingly mused about his predecessors, comparing himself with some and distancing from the failures of others. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a484199c2ca79de2363a551 ESPN makes right decision by removing Rich Eisen from play-by-play amid NFL Network acquisition te 2026-07-03T23:11:21.551Z ESPN makes right decision by removing Rich Eisen from play-by-play amid NFL Network acquisition Rich Eisen confirmed he will no longer call NFL games as a play-by-play commentator following ESPN's acquisition of NFL Network. "I believe I am done," Eisen told Sports Illustrated when asked if he would continue calling games this upcoming season. Eisen had called games for NFL Network since around 2018, including most of the network's international slate. Kurt Warner often served as the color analyst alongside him. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Sources tell OutKick it was ESPN's decision to remove Eisen from game broadcasts. Dave Pasch is expected to replace him on NFL Network-exclusive games. Pasch, who is leaving his role with the Arizona Cardinals, will be a significant upgrade. He is one of ESPN's best play-by-play voices. Eisen never reached that level. His game-calling drew consistent criticism from fans and media observers. He relied too heavily on clichés and talked over replays and the natural sounds of the game. He too often defaulted to the same phrases. Critics frequently pointed to his limited vocabulary, such as repeatedly referring to midfield as "the shield," and his tendency to call games in the passive voice. During the interview, Eisen attributed those struggles to instincts he developed as a studio host. "I enjoyed doing it a lot, man. I enjoyed doing it a lot. But it's so counter to what I normally do," Eisen told SI. "Sitting in this chair on this set, three-hour radio TV simulcast game day morning on Sunday morning, if there's dead air, if there's blank space, if there's no talking, my first thought is to jump in and fill the void. It's the exact opposite when you're calling a game. Your job is to shut the f up after the big moment happens." Fair. Not everyone can excel as both a studio host and a play-by-play announcer. NBC's Mike Tirico is one of the few exceptions. Still, Eisen's standing at ESPN is hardly in jeopardy. Even before the acquisition of NFL Network, he signed a separate deal with ESPN to carry his daily radio show on ESPN Radio and Disney+. He has also hosted several special editions of SportsCenter. ESPN MUST HOLD STEPHEN A ACCOUNTABLE AFTER DOUBLING DOWN ON RACIST REMARKS ABOUT WHITE BASKETBALL PLAYERS Around the industry, Eisen is a polarizing figure. Most people view him as a talented studio anchor and a recognizable face for casual sports fans. However, he also draws criticism for his fixation on his own nostalgia from the 1990s. It's difficult to watch one of his shows without hearing him reference himself from 20 or 25 years ago. He's also more political than ESPN appears to want to be at this stage. Some of the guests on his radio show have included Doug Emhoff, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Tim Walz and CNN host Jake Tapper. At least he's still capable of talking sports without belittling "white dudes" or defending hard fouls on Caitlin Clark. Eisen still has value — just not as a play-by-play commentator. ESPN recognized that before its first season operating NFL Network. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a484186c2ca79de2363a548 Socialist Colorado candidate blames Israel for 'putting Jewish people in great danger' te 2026-07-03T23:11:02.104Z Socialist Colorado candidate blames Israel for 'putting Jewish people in great danger' Socalist Colorado congressional candidate Melat Kiros blamed Israel’s activity in the Middle East for inspiring attacks on Jewish people in other countries during an interview on Wednesday. Kiros is part of a wave of anti-Israel, far-left candidates gaining popularity in the Democratic Party. She won her primary in her Denver-area district this week, ousting longtime incumbent Diana Degette on the heels of far-left candidates winning their primaries in New York last month. Colorado Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Weiser recently condemned her hesitance to answer whether a deadly attack on a pro-Israel rally in Boulder last year could be described as antisemitic, something a 9News host brought up to Kiros earlier this week. MELAT KIROS BECOMES 28TH FAR-LEFT CANDIDATE TO WIN A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY THIS YEAR AS SOCIALISTS AMASS POWER "I just spoke with Attorney General Phil Weiser, who won the Democratic primary for governor last night. He is very likely to be Colorado's next governor in the same way that you are very likely to be a member of the Colorado congressional delegation come next year," the host noted. "He has some real concerns about things that you have said about Israel and in particular about the firebombing of Jewish people in Boulder, and he told me that he would like to sit down and have a conversation with you so that you can hear where he's coming from, and he can hear where you're coming from. Are you open to that?" "Absolutely," she said to the prospect of having a conversation with Weiser. "You know, at the end of the day, what happened in Boulder was a horrific attack on a group of Jewish people that were peacefully protesting, and we are seeing that the actions of Israel are putting Jewish people in great danger, and the hate and the antisemitism that's rising as a result of it is one that I have every intention of prioritizing and combating." She added further, "I really look forward to sitting down with Phil Weiser to figure out how we can work together to combat that hate." COLORADO SOCIALIST CANDIDATE CALLED 9/11 TERROR ATTACKS 'INEVITABLE' DUE TO US FOREIGN POLICY In the aforementioned interview, Kiros had said of the convicted bomber, "I don't know what was in the heart of the perpetrator," and instead claimed, "All I know is that he went and attacked innocent people because of what they might have believed, and I don't even know what the people that were at that protest believed, too. In fact, most of them were probably just there to, you know, ask that the people who were kidnapped during October 7 be returned home to their families. That's not a political statement in and of itself." The attack by Mohamed Soliman happened on June 1, 2025, targeting a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder. Eighty-two-year-old Karen Diamond was killed and about a dozen others were injured. Soliman appeared to disguise himself as a gardener before springing into action, hurling two flaming projectiles at demonstrators, according to prosecutors. He pleaded guilty in May to state charges, including murder, and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. Soliman expressed regret for his crime and even said he deserved the death penalty, the New York Times reported. He denied being motivated by hatred of Jews but instead launched into what the Times called a "rambling diatribe against Zionism, which he described as 'the enemy.'" He could still face the death penalty on federal hate crime charges. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Kiros made her opposition to Israel a centerpiece of her successful primary campaign. In her victory speech after clinching the nomination, she said one of her chief goals was to "end the genocide in Palestine." Fox News Digital reached out to the Kiros campaign for comment. Fox News' Lindsay Kornick and Robert McGreevy contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a483f30c2ca79de2363a4d5 US Coast Guard saves 8, including infant and child, after vessel capsizes off Fort Myers Beach te 2026-07-03T23:01:04.527Z US Coast Guard saves 8, including infant and child, after vessel capsizes off Fort Myers Beach A quick-thinking crew from U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach saved eight lives, including an infant and a child, after a boat capsized Friday afternoon near the Sanibel Causeway in Florida. Responders rushed to the capsized vessel, executing a rapid, coordinated effort that resulted in every person being safely recovered from the water. Officials credited the success of the operation to the crew's "relentless" preparation and teamwork. AT LEAST 6 PEOPLE INJURED AFTER BOSTON DUCK BOAT OVERTURNS NEAR ENTRANCE TO POPULAR TOURIST ATTRACTION "A successful mission is measured by the lives brought home safely," U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach wrote in a statement on Facebook. The Coast Guard emphasized the high-stakes rescue serves as a powerful reminder of why its crews train constantly and remain ready to respond at any hour of the day or night. CBP, COAST GUARD INTERCEPT MIGRANT VESSEL HEADING FOR PUERTO RICO; 40 APPREHENDED INCLUDING UZBEK NATIONAL "When seconds matter, preparation, communication, and teamwork make all the difference," the Coast Guard station wrote. "We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our community and thankful that this incident ended with everyone returning home safely. Our thoughts are with those involved, and we’re proud of every responder who played a role in this successful rescue." The Sanibel Causeway is in southwest Florida, just west of Fort Myers on the Gulf Coast. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a483cafc2ca79de2363a478 Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary Across the Country te 2026-07-03T22:50:23.469Z Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary Across the Country Even as an oppressive heat wave stifled much of the United States, the nationwide party continued. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a483abbc2ca79de2363a446 PASTOR ROBB BRUNANSKY: America Turns 250 Years Old This Week te 2026-07-03T22:42:03.974Z PASTOR ROBB BRUNANSKY: America Turns 250 Years Old This Week By Pastor Robb Brunansky | For many Christians, a large ethical question looms over America’s 250th birthday: biblically speaking, should America ever have come to be? Was it right for the Founding Fathers to rebel against the British crown and establish an independent nation? Or did their actions run afoul of what Romans 13 states about submitting to governing authorities? I’ve been repeatedly asked whether it was right for the Founding Fathers to rebel against Britain and establish the United States of America. Was this country founded in an unbiblical way? If the founders were truly following Scripture, would they have ever started this nation, or would they have willingly paid the taxes, submitted to the British government, and remained part of the United Kingdom? Christians have answered this question many ways. Some argue that the United States should never have rebelled against Britain and that the reasons given were not biblically justified. We need to ask what the Bible says about this situation. The American Revolution was a unique circumstance in history: an unprecedented effort to overthrow a government and establish a new nation that has ultimately thrived in independence for 250 years. When we think about biblical teaching on submission to government, passages like Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 are primarily addressed to individuals. As individuals, we are to submit to governing authorities. I do not have the right to decide that I will not honor the authorities God has established over me, whether in my own nation or one I visit. As a Christian, I am obligated to obey the authorities God has established, honor those over me, obey laws insofar as they do not contradict Scripture, and pay taxes because God has established these authorities. The question is different when it comes to the founding of the United States. Was July 4, 1776, the same as if I, as an individual, said, “I’m going to rebel against the government and start my own state or country”? No. The founding was not a collection of individuals choosing anarchy. It was a different set of circumstances. The founders were steeped in literature, philosophy, theology, and, in many cases, Scripture. They derived much of their theory of government from what the Bible teaches about government, governing authorities, and their role. In the circumstances with Great Britain and the colonies, they recognized an important biblical principle: government is established by God. Biblically speaking, however, government is designed to exist by the consent of the governed—and we see this throughout Scripture. We can especially see this truth in a place we might least expect it: the establishment of the monarchy in Israel when King Saul arose to power and God anointed him to be king. Saul did not become king by imposing his power tyrannically over the people. Instead, God gathered the people together, and the Israelites recognized Saul as the rightful king. Saul was king by divine appointment, but he was also king by the consent of the governed. In other words, God’s plan brings both realities together as complementary; it is not one or the other. A properly established government is designed to function in both ways: God ordains the authorities, and those under the authorities recognize them as God-ordained and submit. We see this truth as well with King David. For seven years, he was king only over Judah while the northern tribes still recognized Saul’s line. David did not simply dominate the north and say, “I’m the rightful king.” Rather, over time it became apparent David was God’s anointed ruler. Then all Israel gathered to recognize him as the king God had ordained. David first reigned over Judah with the consent of the governed, and then for the remaining 33 years over all Israel with that same consent. As our Founding Fathers thought about a biblical philosophy of government—how government should function and who the rightful leaders should be—they recognized both realities coming together in Scripture. A government functioning as God designed does so under His authority and with the consent of the governed, who recognize it as the rightful government. They also recognized Britain was acting in a tyrannical and unjust way toward them, violating the governmental contract, as it were, between the governed and the government. It’s important to understand the American Revolution was not merely individuals throwing off the British crown. The participants formed a counter-government. Our founders established the Continental Congress, a standing army, and the structures necessary to form a nation under the consent of the governed in the colonies. Those residents who recognized British tyranny no longer consented to be governed by Britain; instead, they consented to a newly established American government. This was very different from guerilla warfare or people taking matters into their own hands because they disliked their rulers. We can see the difference by contrasting the American Revolution with the French Revolution. The American Revolution recognized the consent of the governed, established a functioning government before independence, and then signed the Declaration of Independence to mark that reality. The French Revolution, by contrast, did not create a unified counter-government with the consent of the people. It became a struggle among factions and led to totalitarianism, dictatorship, and great loss of life. The difference shows the importance of applying biblical principles to a theology and philosophy of government. When we look at this country’s founding, I believe one reason it worked—and one reason God blessed it—was that it was done in a biblical way. The founding of the United States was not a violation of Romans 13 or 1 Peter 2. It was not simply a group of people saying, “We’re sick of this government. We don’t like our leaders. We’re going to get rid of them.” No, they did something positive. They created a new nation and a new government. Then the people of the United States said, “This is now our government.” They came together as one nation to establish a government that would replace the one previously over them under the British crown. Therefore, when we look at the founding of the United States, we can thank God for it. We can recognize how the Founding Fathers sought to apply biblical principles. Obviously, they did not do so perfectly, and not all were Christians; but they sought to establish government in a way that aligned with Scripture’s teachings about how it ought to be established and its right to rule over those it governs. We see the fruit of this biblically sound founding to this day. That is also a good lesson for us as individual Christians: Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 still apply to us. We are to submit to our governing authorities, pray for them, thank God for them, and honor them. It is not our obligation or right to rebel against our governing authorities. Instead, we should recognize they are duly established by God. These truths should shape how we think about government and voting. With an election coming up, we should seek to elect officials who understand a biblical philosophy of government and uphold the principles this nation was founded upon, governing with the consent of the governed. When that does not happen, tyranny follows. God has given us the responsibility to vote wisely for those who will preserve the principles given in His Word and reflected in this country’s founding. I’m thankful for America as it turns 250. I hope you all have a wonderful time celebrating this country as a great gift from God to us and the world. We pray God will continue to use this nation, and especially the church within, to advance His kingdom. God bless, and happy 4th of July! Dr. Robb Brunansky is the Pastor-Teacher of Desert Hills Bible Church in Glendale, Arizona. Follow him on Twitter at @RobbBrunansky. The post PASTOR ROBB BRUNANSKY: America Turns 250 Years Old This Week first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a483aa5c2ca79de2363a431 Scene pkg July 3 te 2026-07-03T22:41:41.938Z Scene pkg July 3 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a483a69c2ca79de2363a414 America Unites for a Day of Grand 250th Celebrations te 2026-07-03T22:40:41.011Z America Unites for a Day of Grand 250th Celebrations From large events in the biggest cities to small-town gatherings to backyard barbecues, a divided America is finding many ways to salute itself. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a483a55c2ca79de2363a409 Tucson celebrates $1.7 million renovation and reopening of historic Armory Park te 2026-07-03T22:40:21.054Z Tucson celebrates $1.7 million renovation and reopening of historic Armory Park As the sun goes down and the lamp lights turn on Thursday evening, people are wandering in and gathering at the reopening celebration of Armory Park. Families and small groups arrange blankets and lawn chairs on the grass. Others sit at tables or folding chairs set up in the new plaza and performance area to hear speeches from local residents, Ward 6 Council Member Miranda Schubert and Tucson Parks and Recreation staff. “Public parks are some of the few places that truly belong to all of us,” Schubert says from under the park’s new pavilion. “They are where neighbors become friends, children play, older adults gather, musicians perform, our new fur babies make friends. And community takes shape one conversation at a time,” she adds. “Armory Park has been that kind of place for generations, and today, we’re celebrating its next chapter.” Nestled south of downtown, Armory Park is home to both the Children’s Museum Tucson and the Armory Park Senior Center but also includes multiple blocks of historic brick homes and iconic businesses like Owls Club bar. Kids play with giant yard games set out by the City of Tucson while performers from Flam Chen teach attendees juggling and optical illusion techniques at the Armory Park grand reopening in Tucson on July 2, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams The park is dotted with stout monuments honoring those who served their country and dates back to Camp Lowell’s establishment at the site in 1866 by the U.S. Army. The first armory in Arizona was built in 1914 at what neighbors originally called Military Plaza, and now is called Armory Park. The camp consisted primarily of tents and community service was core to its existence: “A poorly built adobe structure functioned as a kitchen, and a rented building in town served as a hospital,” states the city’s park history site. In recent years, the Community Care Tucson mutual aid group has held weekly food and resource distributions for unhoused communities, as well as local residents who are struggling to meet their food, hygiene or first aid needs, in the neighborhood’s namesake park. A couple walks by cars from the El Ray Classic and Lowrider Car Show at the Armory Park grand reopening in Tucson on July 2, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams The Tucson Delivers Proposition 407, a $225 million bond package for community capital improvements approved by voters in 2018, funded the $1.71 million renovation of Armory Park. Updated amenities include a new pavilion, plaza and performance area, benches, picnic tables, a dog park, lighting, a restroom, irrigation and upgraded sidewalks, according to the city’s project website. Over the renovation’s planning process, the city gathered community input through surveys and events since 2023. Then began a historic review process in January 2024.  People dance to Chica Dust’s psychedelic rock and cumbia performance at the Armory Park grand reopening in Tucson on July 2, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams The park had been closed for renovations since September with tall construction fences lining the area. Now, besides a few areas sectioned off for the grass to grow, the park is open for visitors and the community to enjoy.  “We need to encourage people of all types, all backgrounds, all ages, to come in and use the park regularly throughout the week,” says Laurie Starr, a resident of Armory Park. During her speech, she shares a vision of the park continuing to be full of diverse activities, and of community members and city officials coming together to bring more public resources to life. Community members and city officials cut a ribbon at the Armory Park grand reopening in Tucson on July 2, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams “I’m feeling like community connection is more important now than ever, right? And when it happens outside, it’s even better,” Starr says, looking out from her wide brim hat over the historic park and the people filling it once again.  Once the speeches conclude, Tucson’s Parks and Recreation staff, city officials and community members line up behind a long green ribbon with scissors in hand — ready to officially reopen the park and begin the festivities. As the ribbon is cut, Mariachi Valenzuela, led by a legendary Tucson familia that spotlights Mexican arts and culture, begins the renovated park’s first live performance, filling the area with music and echoes of celebration.   The Youth Mariachi Ensemble perform at the Armory Park grand reopening in Tucson on July 2, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams The Mariachi performance is followed by a thumping groove and funk set mixed by DJ Q of Sonido Tambó and a psychedelic rock and cumbia performance by Chicha Dust. The songs serenade parkgoers. Artists from Circus Sanctuary move through the plaza with optical illusions and performing aerial stunts. Fire artists from Flam Chen dance, towering above the crowd on stilts.  A family looks at the cars parked along 13th Street from El Ray Classic and Lowrider Car Show at the Armory Park grand reopening in Tucson on July 2, 2026. Credit: Summer Williams El Ray Classic Car and Lowrider Car Showcase park on 13th Street alongside local food trucks, reflecting the historical significance of the park and the surrounding Barrio Viejo Latino communities. Attendees and passersby purchase hot empanadas, tacos and cool treats to help ease the desert heat — Aqua Frescas with fresh fruit and Italian ice with chamoy. The night is buzzing in a revived neighborhood park.  Families play giant yard games in the grass. Groups eat food together around the plaza. And people dance under the pavilion as colorful lights shine on the area in rhythm to the bands’ percussion and songs.           The post Tucson celebrates $1.7 million renovation and reopening of historic Armory Park appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4835cec2ca79de2363a391 Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, wife spotted en route to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding te 2026-07-03T22:21:02.044Z Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, wife spotted en route to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding is drawing an interesting crowd of some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment to Madison Square Garden. That includes New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, fresh off Super Bowl LX, who was spotted in New York City arriving and then later departing a hotel with his wife, Jen. Page Six posted a video of the two on social media, showing them leaving the hotel and getting into a car early Friday evening. TAYLOR SWIFT AND TRAVIS KELCE'S WEDDING OF THE YEAR: EVERYTHING WE KNOW SO FAR Vrabel — who previously coached the Tennessee Titans — has never coached Kelce, but it's not exactly a surprise to see some of the biggest names in the NFL on hand for the evening. AJ BROWN TRADE OUTCOME: DIANNA RUSSINI PAID A HEAVY PRICE WHILE MIKE VRABEL EMERGED UNSCATHED There is, of course, a gigantic elephant in the room: These photos from Friday also marked the first time Vrabel and his wife had been seen in public together since the coach became embroiled in a scandal involving former The Athletic NFL reporter Dianna Russini. Vrabel and Russini were photographed together at a resort in Sedona, Arizona, and after that, additional photos and videos — some from several years earlier — came to light. While Vrabel stayed at the helm of the Patriots, Russini resigned from her position with The Athletic shortly after the scandal broke. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a483388c2ca79de2363a346 Military allies, historic tall ships converge on New Jersey shores to launch America 250 celebrations te 2026-07-03T22:11:20.989Z Military allies, historic tall ships converge on New Jersey shores to launch America 250 celebrations An international fleet of tall ships arrived on the shores of New Jersey Friday to mark a once-in-a-generation celebration of America’s Semiquincentennial. Organizers and officials gathered in Sandy Hook to outline the scope of the historic Sail4th 250 tribute. "Nearly 250 years ago, it was here at Sandy Hook that George Washington's army drove the British from New Jersey," said Gov. Mikie Sherrill, a former naval officer. "It was from this day that the last British ships of the Revolutionary War departed." NEW ORLEANS HOSTS FIRST STOP OF SAIL 250 AS FLEET BEGINS EAST COAST JOURNEY The site is also home to the country's oldest continuously lit lighthouse, which has guided maritime navigators since 1764. The area is now preserved as part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, a 27,000-acre national park spanning New York and New Jersey that welcomes more than 9 million visitors annually. YOSEMITE, GRAND CANYON LEAD NOTABLE LIST OF NATIONAL PARK CAMPGROUNDS FOR AMERICA'S 250TH Roughly 20 nations have dispatched their premier tall ships to participate in the celebration, with vessels arriving from as far away as Italy, India, Peru, Poland, Spain and Sweden. The legendary U.S. Coast Guard cutter Eagle, which was acquired as a war reparation from Nazi Germany, will lead the official parade of ships.  It is the only active square-rigged sailing vessel in federal service, and has been sailed by every Coast Guard Academy cadet. EUROPE'S $116B FIGHTER JET 'FAILURE' RAISES FRESH DOUBTS ABOUT ABILITY TO DEFEND ITSELF WITHOUT US Sherrill said the presence of the international crews represents something far deeper than a simple tourist attraction, noting the event is a testament to the strength of global security alliances. "America never fights alone because we fight alongside our friends and allies," Sherrill said. "Today, it's a joy to be here, to celebrate with all of our allies and friends." Planning for the monumental maritime review has been underway since April 2020, when organizers first began coordinating with foreign military attachés, according to Christopher O'Brien, president of Sail4th 250. The main festivities will kick off Saturday morning and will include the Tall Ships Parade, International Naval Review and a coordinated International Aerial Review. "Fifty years ago, people lined the Hudson to cheer [on] hundreds of ships from around the world," Sherrill said, referring to the country’s 1976 Bicentennial celebration. "This week, millions will turn out again for another massive boat parade, united by a shared love of country, pride in our history and hope for the future." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a48334cc2ca79de2363a31e Trump Targets Not Just Georgia’s Vote, but Also Trust in Elections te 2026-07-03T22:10:20.066Z Trump Targets Not Just Georgia’s Vote, but Also Trust in Elections The president has sent 260 F.B.I. analysts to Georgia, repeating his baseless claims of fraud in 2020. But critics say the intention is to undermine overall confidence in the electoral process. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a483134c2ca79de2363a2f1 Flyers make stunning offer sheet for Ducks star Leo Carlsson in blockbuster NHL move te 2026-07-03T22:01:24.911Z Flyers make stunning offer sheet for Ducks star Leo Carlsson in blockbuster NHL move One of the most fun things about the NHL is the specter of offer sheets hanging over teams with highly-prized restricted free agents, as was the case this year for the Anaheim Ducks and 21-year-old Swedish superstar Leo Carlsson. While the Ducks have maintained they'll match any offer sheet, they may not have been prepared for the monster offer Philadelphia Flyers GM Danny Briere was willing to make. Five years with an AAV of $18 million, which would make Carlsson the highest-paid player in the league. ALEX OVECHKIN SIGNS A ONE-YEAR DEAL TO RETURN FOR ANOTHER NHL SEASON WITH THE CAPITALS Now, here's where the fun begins: the Ducks have a week to match that offer. If they decide they don't want to, Carlsson will become a Flyer, and the Ducks will receive Philadelphia's first-round draft picks in each of the next four seasons. It's about as high-risk, high-reward as it gets. The Flyers had a surprisingly strong season in 2025-26, and clearly Briere thinks that trend will continue. So, he's willing to push all of his chips to the center of the table for a top-line center, something the Flyers really need. THE TALLEST PLAYER EVER SELECTED IN THE NHL BLEW MINDS IN HIS DEBUT WITH THE SAN JOSE SHARKS Of course, coughing up draft picks like that, should things go sideways, is a real gamble. Anaheim is in a similar bind here. They may not want to part with Carlsson just after the team returned to the postseason. However, according to Puckpedia, they've got just over $17 million in projected cap space (I suspect Daniel Briere was acutely aware of this), meaning to match the offer sheet, they'll have to move some money around. Do they want to do that? Or do they think they can continue without Carlsson while bringing in a haul of draft picks they can also use in trades? We'll have to see what the Ducks decide, but this is exactly why offer sheets are quietly one of the wildest things the NHL has to offer. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a483121c2ca79de2363a2e8 Conservative Keiko Fujimori officially declared winner of Peru's presidential runoff election te 2026-07-03T22:01:05.460Z Conservative Keiko Fujimori officially declared winner of Peru's presidential runoff election Keiko Fujimori, the conservative politician and daughter of the former president, was declared the winner Friday of Peru's presidential runoff election. Fujimori, 51, will take office later this month as Peru's ninth president in 10 years. This was her fourth bid for the position, following years of political instability in the country. Fujimori thanked her supporters in a post on X announcing the conclusion of the election. STATE DEPARTMENT CONGRATULATES KEIKO FUJIMORI AS PERU'S PRESIDENT-ELECT FOLLOWING RAZOR-THIN VOTE COUNT "I receive with profound gratitude the trust that millions of Peruvians have placed in me. A new stage begins. We assume it with responsibility, humility, and a deep sense of duty," she wrote. "Each day of this transition process is an opportunity to listen, engage in dialogue, and arrive prepared at the start of the new government. Through these accounts, we will share the progress of this stage and the work we have been carrying out. I invite you to join us." Peru's top election authority certified the results Friday. Fujimori received 9,223,000 votes, or 50.14% of the total, while nationalist congressman Roberto Sánchez earned over 9,173,000 votes, or 49.87%, the Associated Press reported. She made it to the runoff after defeating 33 other candidates in April. TRUMP ADMIN BACKS BOLIVIA STATE OF EMERGENCY AS LEFTIST EX-LEADER'S LOYALISTS FRACTURE NATION Her election came amid concerns from voters about surging crime, especially extortion by violent organized crime gangs. Fujimori has pledged to act tough on crime with an "iron fist." She is the daughter of the late Alberto Fujimori, the former president whose government in the 1990s defeated the Shining Path extremist rebel group but also took an authoritarian turn. He was convicted in 2009 of human rights abuses in the fight against the rebels, and later on corruption charges. His legacy within Peru remains deeply divisive. On Tuesday, the State Department congratulated the younger Fujimori. "The Trump administration looks forward to deepening collaboration with the Fujimori administration to advance security cooperation and to strengthen bilateral cooperation on investment and trade in our region," the statement read. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4827e8c2ca79de23639cdc Trump grants pardons to 'persecuted' mechanics in right-to-repair crackdown: 'I am setting them all free' te 2026-07-03T21:21:44.743Z Trump grants pardons to 'persecuted' mechanics in right-to-repair crackdown: 'I am setting them all free' President Donald Trump on Friday announced full executive pardons for six people he claims were "persecuted" by the Biden administration for simply "fixing their car." In a Truth Social post Friday afternoon, the president took aim at federal prosecutions that he characterized as part of the "Weaponization and Stupidity" of the prior administration, saying, "I AM SETTING THEM ALL FREE, RIGHT NOW!" The pardons align with Trump’s broader push to defend the "right to repair." Earlier in the week, he signed a presidential memo designed to make it easier for Americans to repair their own vehicles by protecting self-repair rights and opening up options for aftermarket parts. FORMER INDIANA REP STEPHEN BUYER RECEIVES FULL PARDON FROM TRUMP FOR 2023 INSIDER TRADING CONVICTION "It came to my attention because I noticed they were arresting people for fixing their car," Trump said during an Oval Office news conference. "We rule by common sense." The executive clemency is seemingly linked to a federal environmental case involving Elite Diesel Service Inc. and its owner, Troy Lake Sr. Lake received a full and unconditional pardon on Nov. 7, 2025, wiping away his conviction in the case United States v. Elite Diesel Service, Inc. et al. WATCH: TRUMP EPA CHIEF SPARKS EXPLOSIVE HEARING SHOWDOWN OVER GLOBAL WARMING ALARM FROM DEMS: 'I'M TALKING' According to federal plea agreements, Elite Diesel had instructed employees to disable computerized on-board diagnostic systems on at least 344 heavy-duty commercial trucks between January 2017 and December 2020. The diagnostic systems are federally mandated under the Clean Air Act to monitor emissions control systems. Lake was sentenced on Dec. 5, 2024, to more than a year in prison and a $2,500 fine. The company was put on probation for five years, ordered to pay a fine of $37,500, and required to make a $12,500 payment to a Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment program designed to repair emissions systems for low-income drivers. REPUBLICANS DECLARE WAR ON 'ORGANIZED THEFT' WITH GOVERNMENT FRAUD CRACKDOWN Government prosecutors also argued that Elite Diesel's co-conspirators, other diesel truck garages and fleets, hired Lake's company to manipulate the computers so that emission system malfunctions would go undetected, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado. The EPA’s sprawling investigation ultimately swept up eight co-conspirator garages and fleets across seven states, including Kansas, North Dakota and Oklahoma. The businesses were ordered to pay heavy fines and fund local community service projects, such as buying clean school buses or electric groundskeeping equipment to offset environmental impacts, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. At the time, Biden administration officials defended the criminal prosecutions as essential for public health. EPA Criminal Investigation Division special agent Lance Ehrig accused the defendants of leading a "large-scale conspiracy" that "diminished air quality." A study cited by the prosecution claimed the tampered trucks collectively released more than 1,300 tons of excess nitrogen oxides and other pollutants into the air. The Justice Department’s Office of the Pardon Attorney website has not yet been updated to list the people granted clemency by the president on Friday. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4827d5c2ca79de23639cd3 Caitlin Clark named Eastern Conference Player of the Month despite only playing 10 games te 2026-07-03T21:21:25.288Z Caitlin Clark named Eastern Conference Player of the Month despite only playing 10 games Caitlin Clark has spent a lot of time in the headlines this season for reasons that have nothing to do with her play on the court. But it's worth remembering just how dominant she's been whenever she's healthy. Just one day after being named an All-Star starter for the third consecutive season, Clark was named the WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month for June. It's the second time in her career she's earned the honor after also winning Player of the Month and Rookie of the Month in August 2024. She joins Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings as the only players in Indiana Fever history to receive the award, with Catchings winning it three times. CAITLIN CLARK HIGHLIGHTS 3 FEVER PLAYERS NAMED AMONG 2026 WNBA ALL-STAR GAME STARTERS Clark was sensational throughout June, averaging 21.9 points, 8.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds over 10 games while shooting 45.6% from the field and 35.1% from beyond the arc. She ranked fourth in the WNBA in scoring and second in assists, leading Indiana to a 7-4 record while powering the league's highest-scoring offense at 95.5 points per game. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! One of her best performances came on June 11 against Chicago, when she exploded for 32 points and 10 assists. Clark and Aliyah Boston became the first teammates in WNBA history to each record a 30-point double-double in the same game. Five days later, she followed that up with 21 points and a season-high 14 assists in a win over Toronto. From June 11-22, Clark also set a new WNBA record by recording at least 20 points and five assists in six consecutive games. It was the third time in her career she has put together a streak of at least five straight games reaching those marks—something every other player in league history has combined to do just three times. That streak ended only because a back injury forced Clark to leave Indiana's June 24 game against Phoenix in the third quarter after she had already piled up 19 points and eight assists. It was also the game in which Alyssa Thomas made contact with Clark's neck during a play that resulted in a flagrant foul. Clark continues to rewrite the WNBA record books. She enters July needing just nine assists to reach 600 for her career and only five three-pointers to become the fastest player in league history to make 200 career threes. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a482794c2ca79de23639caa The only AI glossary you’ll need this year te 2026-07-03T21:20:20.782Z The only AI glossary you’ll need this year The rise of AI has brought an avalanche of new terms and slang. Here is a glossary with definitions of some of the most important words and phrases you might encounter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a48230ec2ca79de23639c44 Democrats' 'pathetic groveling' for fundraising bashed in New York Times column te 2026-07-03T21:01:02.819Z Democrats' 'pathetic groveling' for fundraising bashed in New York Times column New York Times’ opinion writer Michelle Cottle blasted the Democratic Party on Friday, warning "few people are excited to invest in an insecure loser." Cottle specifically skewered the Democratic Party’s fundraising messaging in a piece headlined, "This Pathetic Groveling Is No Way to Rebuild a Party." "Not infrequently, I open my email to find a fund-raising request from the Democratic Party with a subject line that reads as though it was sent by a contrite boyfriend," she wrote, claiming it has reportedly sent messaging like "’Can I explain?’ ‘You deserve an explanation’ ‘Sorry to reach out on a Sunday, ‘Let me try to convince you, ‘Please.’" JOE SCARBOROUGH GOES OFF ON 'HORRIBLE' DNC CHAIR, 'CRAZY' DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN SCATHING ON-AIR CRITIQUE Her point, she said, "is that, right up front, these messages telegraph insecurity, pleading, chagrin. Hardly the vibe of a confident political team fighting the good fight. My overriding impulse is not to give the party campaign cash but to offer to pay for group therapy." While she recognized that Democrats feel humiliated by having been defeated by President Donald Trump, she urged "enough with the public hand-wringing and self-flagellation, especially when it comes to asking people for money." She argued instead, "The blue team needs to claw back some self-respect and reassure voters that they aren’t being asked to back a bunch of losers." Things aren’t much better across the political aisle, she said, joking that GOP fundraising messaging to their voters amounts to, "Give us $20 right now or Barack [Obama], Hillary [Clinton] and [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] will send their baby-eating, terrorist-coddling, devil-worshiping minions to your house to imprison your family and turn your dog into a Communist." FOX NEWS POLL: 'RESILIENT DISCONTENT' DEFINES THE US MOOD AT 250TH ANNIVERSARY But one aspect that Republicans have going for their messaging, she said, is a primal sense of belonging. "One point in the Republicans’ favor: Scratch away the toxic layers of fear and hysteria in their solicitations and, if you squint hard enough, you can sometimes catch a glimmer of something constructive. Many of the messages are peddling a sense of pride and belonging — primal impulses at the heart of the MAGA movement." Even so, this tribalism, she said, is based on exclusion, something she said Democrats cannot tap into. "A core problem — maybe the core problem — with Trumpism in general is that it relies on divisiveness and hate to foster that sense of community. This only makes it more crucial for Democrats to hawk a strong, confident, appealing counteroffer," she said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE By contrast, she noted that Democrats "can skip the ‘Patriot’ palaver. Its voters don’t roll that way. Likewise, bullying commands are unlikely to resonate in a party not trained to follow a strongman." She went on to note that as dated as some of the Obama-era optimistic messaging was, it at least gave people a sense of hopefulness, and with that in mind, "The Democrats should be focused on making voters proud to support their team again." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a481c05c2ca79de23639b70 FIFA makes final ruling on US soccer star Folarin Balogun's controversial red card suspension te 2026-07-03T20:31:01.800Z FIFA makes final ruling on US soccer star Folarin Balogun's controversial red card suspension The United States Men's National Team is coming off of a massive victory on Wednesday night over Bosnia and Herzegovina, but there is a big cloud hanging over them for the next match against Belgium. That's because the team will be without star striker Folarin Balogun after he was dealt a wildly controversial red card in the second half of the match. That, of course, means a suspension is coming his way, but the U.S. got some good news on Friday when FIFA confirmed that the suspension would be for just one match. MAJOR SOCCER GOVERNING BODY NIXING FIFA'S MOUTH-COVERING RED CARD MANDATE FOR FUTURE GAMES While it was always pretty unlikely that FIFA could add extra games to Balogun's suspension, they've formally decided not to, and that's the best possible outcome for the U.S. in this scenario. There is no mechanism through which the U.S. could appeal this decision, so all it could do was hope the suspension would be limited to one match. Balogun himself gave his first comments on the incident on Friday, shortly after FIFA's decision to keep the suspension at one game was made public. ALEXI LALAS RIPS REFEREES AFTER FOLARIN BALOGUN RED CARD IN TEAM USA WIN: 'AN ABSOLUTE JOKE' "It’s important for me to say, first and foremost, it was totally unintentional," he said Friday. "The choice of the referee was his choice. I don’t think it was the correct choice. I think a yellow card would’ve been fair, due to it not being intentional." "It’s something that happened; we have to move forward, and I have to accept it." Balogun will certainly be missed for Monday's match against Belgium in Seattle, seeing as he's leading the team with three goals in this tournament. But now, if the Americans are able to pull off a bit of an upset over the Belgians, they'll be relieved to know that he'll be back in action in the quarterfinals. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a481526c2ca79de23639aab Waltz calls out Iranian diplomat at UN following drone strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait te 2026-07-03T20:01:42.308Z Waltz calls out Iranian diplomat at UN following drone strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz scolded Iran during this week's UN Security Council meeting, saying Tehran "will not silence" the body following claims by the Islamic Republic's representative that council members were spreading falsehoods about its recent attack targeting neighboring Gulf states. "Let me remind you where you are," Waltz told Iranian diplomat Amir Saeid Iravani. "This is the United States of America. This is the United Nations Security Council. You will not silence this body." Waltz's remarks came during an emergency meeting of the council in response to drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday following new U.S. airstrikes against Iran. GULF COUNTRIES STRONGLY CONDEMN IRAN'S DRONE ATTACK ON BAHRAIN AS RISING TENSIONS THREATEN MOU During his remarks, Iravani argued that the council should not have met, while accusing the U.S., Bahrain and other members of lying. "Once again, the representative of the United States has resorted to lies and disinformation against Iran in a desperate attempt to justify the US's unlawful acts of aggression," Iravani said. He also rejected the "unfounded accusations made by certain Western members of the Council and the representative of Bahrain." IRAN HARDLINER BEHIND US DEAL WARNS TEHRAN WON’T HONOR AGREEMENT IF TRUMP FAILS TO DELIVER "Instead of addressing the root cause of the current crisis, they have ignored the unlawful aggression committed against Iran and sought to shift blame onto the victim," he added. "Their double standards and hypocritical behavior have deprived them of any credibility to lecture others," Iravani stressed. In a post on X, Waltz reiterated his position. "Iran will not silence us on our own soil," he wrote. "That might work in Tehran, but not in the UN Security Council. We will tell the truth." HOW IRAN ATTACKS ARE FORCING THE PENTAGON TO RETHINK ITS DECADES-OLD MIDDLE EAST BASE STRATEGY During the exchange, Waltz held up what he said were images of the aftermath of the Iranian attacks, including a family whose home in Bahrain was destroyed by a Shahed drone, a hotel full of tourists that was also hit, and a building used by first responders that Waltz said was deliberately targeted. "Are they lying?" Waltz said of the victims of the attack. "Is this hypocrisy? Is this what this council is here to denounce today? I ask the representative, are these lies? … I'd say not." Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Bahrain's minister of foreign affairs, said that since Feb. 28, the island nation has been subjected to a total of 808 attacks, comprising 203 ballistic missiles and 605 armed drones. "These attacks deliberately targeted civilian facilities, critical infrastructure and residential areas, resulting in the deaths of three innocent civilians and injuries to 465 others," he said, disputing Tehran's claim that its aggression is directed solely against military objectives. Washington and Tehran have repeatedly accused each other of violating a fragile ceasefire agreement. On June 27, President Donald Trump said U.S. forces struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, after Iran violated the deal. The exchanges of fire began when an Iranian drone struck a merchant vessel off Oman last week and the U.S. military retaliated, officials said. "It is very possible that they will never learn! There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!" Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a481512c2ca79de23639aa2 Glizzy Gambling: Best bets for the 2026 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn te 2026-07-03T20:01:22.853Z Glizzy Gambling: Best bets for the 2026 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn Fireworks, flags and BBQs are Fourth of July staples, but America’s 250th birthday brings an extra helping of absurdity to Coney Island. Yet, none capture the nation's spirit quite like the legendary Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, a Coney Island spectacle dating back to 1916. As ridiculous as it may sound, my favorite Red, White and Boom tradition is betting on the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Since joining OutKick in 2022, I've won money in two of my three on the Super Bowl of Major League Eating (MLE). Elite eaters face a brutal new opponent this year: A scorching Brooklyn weather forecast climbing into the upper 90s. Extreme heat is set to significantly affect swallowing speed, completely shaking up the oddsmakers' lines. Welcome to "Glizzy Gambling," your ultimate betting guide to cashing in on this Independence Day. JOEY CHESTNUT WILL DEFEND NATHAN'S HOT DOG EATING CONTEST TITLE ON JULY 4 WHILE SERVING PROBATION SENTENCE These odds are the best available at the time of writing and are subject to change. First of all, the Glizzy GOAT has eaten 71+ hot dogs and buns (HDB) five times and finished with exactly 70.5 HBD last year. Not to get too nerdy here, but since five out of 16 is 31% and the implied probability of -165 is 62%, I’m getting a good number for the UNDER 70.5 HBD. Yet, when you factor in the projected heat, I’m getting a great price on that Under. Temperatures in Brooklyn for July 4th are forecasted to be in the upper 90s, and it’s harder to down glizzies in the extreme heat. Sweating in the heat leads to dehydration and makes it tougher to juggle all of those hot dogs. Buns become stale and harder to eat. JOEY CHESTNUT REFLECTS ON RETURN TO HOT DOG EATING CONTEST AFTER CONTRACT DISPUTE, TEMPORARY BAN The 17-time Mustard Belt winner ate a personal-low 54 HBD in 2010, and it was 96° outside. When Chestnut downed a record-setting 76 HBD in 2021, the weather was in the mid-70s, which he considers perfect weather for the contest. In 2020, the hot dog eating contest was moved indoors due to the COVID pandemic, and Chestnut ate a then-record 75 HBD. Patrick Bertoletti is the odds-on favorite in this market at -300 based partially on the fact that he won the 2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest when Chestnut was banned from competing because of his sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods. But last July 4th, Bertoletti only ate one more HBD than Webb (46.5-45.5). Bertoletti’s implied win probability at -300 is 75%, and Webb’s implied win probability is 13% on the +650 odds. Simply put, Bertoletti isn’t 62% more likely to down more HBD than Webb, who is second behind Chestnut in MLE with three wins this season. That includes two record-breaking performances by Webb in the ManorPalooza World Texas Sausage-Eating Championship (55 Texas sausages) and Kickoff To Summer Blackberry Moonshine Wing Championship (256 wings). In his two Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contests, Dvořáček has downed 23 HBD in 2024 and 30.5 last year. Oji, on the other hand, has eaten 31+ HBD in eight of his 10 career glizzy contests, including three straight. Dvořáček is 12th in MLE's rankings, and Oji is ninth. Oji won the 2026 National Sweet Corn Eating Championship, whereas Dvořáček doesn’t have a win this season. _____________________________ 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/6a4814d4c2ca79de23639a84 Oppressive Heat Alters Plans for 250th Celebrations in Washington te 2026-07-03T20:00:20.908Z Oppressive Heat Alters Plans for 250th Celebrations in Washington The 100-degree-plus heat that has enveloped the nation’s capital shut down the Great American State Fair until 5 p.m. on Friday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a481074c2ca79de23639a14 Erika Kirk hits back at NY Times newsletter about marriage and kids, accuses writer of missing the point te 2026-07-03T19:41:40.687Z Erika Kirk hits back at NY Times newsletter about marriage and kids, accuses writer of missing the point Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk and head of Turning Point USA, responded to a New York Times newsletter on Friday on X, accusing it of completely missing the point on marriage and children. "This @nytimes op-ed completely misses the point on the purpose of marriage and children and completely misrepresents my views in the process. The entire article is laced with viewing family through the lens of money and career as if those things bring fulfillment and purpose. When you’re on your death bed, your money and your career won’t be whispering in your ear 'I love you' as you take your last breath. The material goods and fortune of this world mean nothing when we go to our eternal resting place," Kirk wrote. New York Times opinion writer Jessica Grose wrote the piece headlined, "The Gap Between the Families We Have and the Ones Conservatives Want," and specifically cited Kirk's comments at the Hillsdale College commencement ceremony in May. JD VANCE WALKS BACK CONTROVERSIAL ‘CHILDLESS CAT LADIES’ COMMENT ON 'THE VIEW' BUT DEFENDS FAMILY MESSAGE Kirk said, per Grose, that if her late husband were alive, he would have encouraged them to get married young. She also said Charlie would have said, "Have more kids than you can afford." Grose pointed to backlash over Kirk's statement, due to elevated gas and grocery prices. "Kirk pitches her message as countercultural, and in a sense, it is. A 21-year-old married speaker at Turning Point’s Women’s Leadership Summit in June said she was going against the culture by proclaiming her husband as the head of her household and feminism as a 'psyop.' But a young marriage isn’t what most Americans want," Grose wrote. Kirk said in her post that the author "conveniently leaves out the part of my Hillsdale commencement speech where I said "marry young, not rushed, but young." "Encouraging more Americans to have families doesn’t have to involve a stubborn, unwanted return to a patriarchal, midcentury Christian idea of marriage," Grose argued. "By casting the ideal 21st-century relationship in antiquated terms, conservatives are ignoring the glaring reality of how Americans actually want to live and are living their lives." Kirk said in her response that people shouldn't put having kids off. YOUNG MEN ARE RETURNING TO CHURCH — AND IT COULD RESHAPE AMERICA’S FUTURE "We serve a God of order and when you live a life ordered there’s a double portion of grace. Meaning marriage first, then kids, and everything else. Timing matters because life is shorter than you might think, and you never know what could happen. The point is, don’t put it off. Don’t rush it or force it if it’s not right, but don’t put it off," Kirk wrote in her response to Grose's piece. Kirk married her husband in 2021 at the age of 32 — Charlie Kirk was 27 at the time — which she neither viewed as too old nor too young, but said she wished they met sooner and were able to start their family sooner. "There is no such thing as perfect timing to have kids. Financial struggles are a part of life, but the problem is a lot of Americans are self-surviving, not self-sacrificing, and they expect to live a very distinct lifestyle based on what they see online. When Charlie encouraged young people to have more kids than they can afford, he wasn’t saying to recklessly bring a child into this world and have them on welfare. He was saying children aren’t a luxury item to have once you meet a certain tax bracket threshold. You don’t need a mansion in order to build a family," she said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Grose cited Stephanie Coontz’s book, "For Better and Worse," throughout the piece, which argues marriage varies across cultures and eras. "I take conservatives at their word that they want more people to get married and for those people to have more children than they are currently having. But it makes absolutely no sense to create a definition of marriage that excludes the desires and ideals of a substantial majority of Americans," she said. The New York Times did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a481061c2ca79de23639a0b Experts say ‘deeply’ concerned over Iran’s work at underground nuclear site te 2026-07-03T19:41:21.231Z Experts say ‘deeply’ concerned over Iran’s work at underground nuclear site One of the leading American institutes devoted to research on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program sounded the alarm this week over the regime's uninspected underground site in the Zagros Mountains. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have not been allowed to visit the secret site, known as Pickaxe Mountain. The highly secretive facility is casting serious doubt on Iran’s willingness to abide by the terms of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) reached with the Trump administration. The United States, together with Israel, launched Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026, targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities. Experts from the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) argue that halting work at Pickaxe Mountain and allowing IAEA inspectors access would be a key good-faith measure to test whether Iran is prepared to abandon its pattern of deception. OBAMA-ERA INSPECTION FLAWS IN IRAN COULD PERSIST AS EXPERTS WARN OF NUCLEAR BLIND SPOTS Spencer Faragasso, a senior fellow with group who covers Iran, North Korea, illicit trade, and nuclear issues, wrote on X: "Important update by us at @TheGoodISIS. The ongoing work at Pickaxe Mountain is deeply concerning. This work has continued steadily since at least 2020. In my view, this is a hedge by Iran in case negotiations fail — they will then have a nuclear facility in a late stage of construction. We assessed that Pickaxe is likely large enough to hold an enrichment plant." Iran has used facilities at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan to enrich uranium, the key material for a nuclear weapons program. Faragasso added, "If Iran is serious about negotiating, it should halt construction at Pickaxe Mountain as a token of good faith. But what can be expected from a regime as brutal and conniving as Iran’s?" The institute posted a detailed analysis of new satellite imagery from late June 2026 showing continued activity at Pickaxe Mountain.  TRUMP ADMINISTRATION UNVEILS SWEEPING TERMS OF PROPOSED IRAN AGREEMENT The institute wrote that "at Pickaxe Mountain, vehicle activity can be seen on the roads leading to the open set of Western tunnel portals, indicating that construction inside the tunnel complex, as well as hardening of the tunnel entrance, are ongoing. The MOU signed between the United States and Iran requires that Iran maintain the status quo, which should prohibit construction at any nuclear-related facility, including Pickaxe Mountain." In late June, the IAEA declined to answer a detailed Fox News Digital query on whether it would seek access to the Pickaxe Mountain facility. According to the satellite imagery obtained by the institute: "At Natanz, little activity can be seen. The access points to the below-ground enrichment halls have not been repaired. The personnel entrances remain destroyed and vehicle entrances remain severely damaged. A single vehicle can be seen on the road outside of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP), which was destroyed in June 2025 but was later covered by Iran." The institute also reported: "As of June 29, 2026, there is no observed activity at Esfahan. The tunnel portals remain backfilled with dirt." ISIS tracked developments at the Fordow site, buried inside a mountain north of the holy Islamic city of Qom. "At Fordow, as earlier reported by the Institute, between May 10 and May 18, Iran added passive defensive measures in the form of earthen/rocky mounds and other objects on the roads leading to the tunnel entrances. The alternating placements of the piles/objects are very precise, which creates a series of chicanes, indicating they are not intended as obstructions but rather to prevent rapid ingress and egress by any vehicle toward the tunnels." The institute added, "The June 21 Vantor image shows that the objects along the road remain there. The tunnel portals also remain backfilled with dirt," at Fordow. Fox News Digital sent questions to the State Department and the Iranian Mission to the United Nations. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a48104dc2ca79de23639a02 Olivia Dunne had a wild 'White Party' while Paul Skenes got shelled, rooftop fight & Jutta Leerdam fires heat te 2026-07-03T19:41:01.783Z Olivia Dunne had a wild 'White Party' while Paul Skenes got shelled, rooftop fight & Jutta Leerdam fires heat Hello? Anyone out there? Is anyone in class today? For those of you who didn't skip, congrats! That's dedication. I'll be be honest, if I wasn't working today, I'd be so far from the internet I'd probably forget it even existed. Nothing like Fourth of July Eve, right? An underrated mini-holiday. Christmas Eve is the GOAT. The night before Thanksgiving is a good one. But the day before the Fourth, especially on the magical year when it falls on a Friday? Elite stuff. This is why we grind in June and keep our heads down during Pride month. For days — and weekends — like the one we're about to get. Happy 250th, America. Let's roll. Welcome to a Friday Nightcaps — the one where Olivia Dunne parties her tail off while Paul Skenes get lit up like a firecracker. What else? I've got the best of the rest from a big week of #content, the WNBA ladies sent Caitlin Clark a DISGUSTING message this week, and how about we end the day with some patriotism, courtesy of Dale Earnhardt Jr.? DALE EARNHARDT JR. BROUGHT NASCAR BACK TO LIFE 25 YEARS AGO THIS WEEKEND, BUT THE PAIN IS BACK Any objections? Of course not! This is America, after all. Grab you a rum punch because the internet tells me that was the most popular drink back in 1776, and settle in for a Friday 'Cap! From the wokes over at Google: In 1776, colonists drank a staggering amount of alcohol, with rum serving as the most popular spirit. Because water was frequently unsafe and tea was politically boycotted, everyday favorites included rum punch, hard cider, and ale. Coffee and hot chocolate were also highly popular. Rum was the undisputed king of colonial spirits. Because it was distilled from Caribbean molasses, it was deeply tied to the "taxation without representation" protests that sparked the war. People drank rum punch at almost every gathering, often sharing from a single communal bowl. There you have it! Can't wait to grab me a ladle and dig into a nice bowl of rum punch this weekend. That stuff is dangerous, by the way. One can turn into five fairly quickly if you're not paying attention. Trust me. OK, that's enough history for today. It's a holiday Friday. We don't need a history lesson. We need a white party! No, it's not what you think. Fanatics founder Michael Rubin throws an annual "White Party" every year, which is basically just a party for the richest people in America and they all have to wear white. Why? I have no idea. Seems a little cultish to me. As always, the stars were OUT at Rubin's Southhampton house, including Olivia Dunne, who was there solo because Paul Skenes was busy getting shelled in Philadelphia. Brutal. Goodness gracious. What in the world has happened to Paul Skenes this year? He got rocked in his first start of the season against the Mets, but settled in nicely after that and everything seemed rosy. But the last two weeks have been atrocious, to the tune of 11 earned runs in his last nine innings. Olivia Dunne, meanwhile, is up in Southhampton partying her tail off with Jake Paul's fiancee, Olympian Jutta Leerdam. Don't love the vibes right now around Paul. Some say his velo is down, which always makes me queasy with these young pitchers who throw 100 mph every pitch. I don't want to say it, but ... we're all thinking it. Let's hope this is just a blip. America is better when Paul Skenes is embarrassing hitters with Livvy in the stands pounding Miller Lites. OK, let's get to the best content from a big week. First up? Let's head up to the rooftop and smash some SKULLS: What a week! And goodness, what a fight. Never quite seen that before. How about that one guy who gets thrown off the roof like a ragdoll? Just humiliating. I'd run for the hills after that and pray I never saw any of them again. OK, let's quickly rapid-fire this Friday class into a big weekend and get outta here. We've all checked out at this point, right? It's all performative. First up? Let's check in on the Caitlin Clark Hate Tour as it continues to roll on through on another week: Incredible. Those insufferable girls voted Caitlin Clark the 11th-best guard in the WNBA. Eleventh!!! The fans voted Clark as the second-best guard in the league, behind Paige Bueckers. That's fair. The media voted Clark as the third-best guard in the league. Again, pretty fair. Her fellow WNBA players, amazingly, ranked her 11th, which is somehow worse than last year when they put her ninth. They really hate her, don't they? REALLY hate her. It's remarkable, especially given she has made these scornful women richer than they ever thought possible. A rising tide lifts all boats, right? Wrong, apparently. There is no world that exists where Caitlin Clark is the 11th-best guard in the WNBA. It's not possible. Have you all watched a WNBA game recently? Heaven help you if you have to watch Angel Reese play for five minutes. And you're telling me that Caitlin Clark isn't one of the best players in the league? Come on! Disgusting. PS: Clark spoke today for the first time since getting mugged, for those interested: Shockingly, Caitlin was the most well-spoken out of everyone whose talked! Didn't see that one coming. And no, that was NOT OutKick or FOX who wrote that stupid headline. It was the wokes over at the New York Times. Again, shocking. OK, that's it for today — and this week. Happy Fourth of July, everyone. Happy 250th, America. Take us home, Dale Jr. Twenty-five years ago this weekend! Nuts. OutKick Nightcaps is a daily column set to run Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. (roughly, we’re not robots). How are you celebrating the big 2-5-0? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a480b9fc2ca79de236397e1 The tallest player ever selected in the NHL blew minds in his debut with the San Jose Sharks te 2026-07-03T19:21:03.926Z The tallest player ever selected in the NHL blew minds in his debut with the San Jose Sharks This year's NHL Draft was fun. Lots of great stories, from Gavin McKenna going to the Leafs, Caleb Malhotra getting drafted by his old man's Vancouver Canucks, and Ottawa selecting Jaxon Cover with the 32nd pick, a player who hails from the Cayman Islands and only started playing ice hockey five years after starting in inline puck. Then there's Alexander Karmanov out of Moldova, who became the tallest player ever selected in the NHL Draft at a towering 7'1". That's a full three inches taller than the great Zdeno Chara, so, in other words, he's downright a giant. MAPLE LEAFS TOP PICK GAVIN MCKENNA KICKS OFF HIS TIME IN TORONTO WITH A ROUGH CEREMONIAL PITCH Karmanov was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the seventh round after playing last season in the OHL's North Bay Battalion. In 2027, he's committed to playing for one of the most up-and-coming programs in college hockey at Penn State But, there are some questions about his NHL readiness, and we got our first taste of what that could look like at the San Jose Sharks development camp. The big knock on Karmanov — as is the case for pretty much any big fella — is his skating. Sure, I get that's a big part of being a hockey player, but also if you're drafting a guy as tall as Shaq, you're not expecting Connor McDavid-like rocket boosters on the back of his skates. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! And while some clips of Karmanov's skating got clowned on social media, you've got to see what he did in the Sharks' prospect game, because while his skating may not be fast and it's certainly not pretty, it sure seems effective. He's easy to spot, and I certainly didn't expect to see him start chugging 200 feet up the ice, but when he did, there was no stopping him. How does an average-sized NHLer go at him? He's got a mile-long reach, and if he shields the puck with his body, you may as well skate to the bench for a line change because you're not getting the puck. If he leans into his strengths like that, I think he could actually work out in the NHL. I know it's a prospects game and something like that wouldn't likely work against NHL regulars, but remember, he's still a couple of years away from being an NHLer himself. I think Karmanov is going to continue to be a problem for every team he plays against in the OHL, and then at Penn State in '27. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a480946c2ca79de2363979b Police swarm Michigan shopping center after 'significant' shooting incident te 2026-07-03T19:11:02.962Z Police swarm Michigan shopping center after 'significant' shooting incident Police in Dearborn, Michigan, rushed to the Fairlane Town Center mall Friday afternoon following a shooting that authorities have labeled a "significant incident." Law enforcement have not yet released information regarding potential casualties, suspect descriptions or what led to the gunfire. The Dearborn Police Department issued an urgent warning to the public on social media, instructing all residents and visitors to avoid the area while officers work to secure the active scene. "We are asking residents and visitors to avoid the area while officers secure the scene and investigators conduct their work," the department said. The department promised additional information will be released as it becomes available. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a48073ec2ca79de2363974b US military deploys MTVRs, airlifts aid to Venezuela following deadly earthquakes te 2026-07-03T19:02:22.153Z US military deploys MTVRs, airlifts aid to Venezuela following deadly earthquakes The U.S. military continued relief efforts in Venezuela on Friday with the delivery of the last of 10 U.S. Marine Corps Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements (MTVRs) to assist victims of last week's deadly earthquakes, in addition to providing other humanitarian assistance. On Friday, a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster cargo aircraft transported the last of the 10 MTVRs being used to assist disaster victims and relief personnel. The MTVR crews will support the logistics efforts to deliver urgently needed assistance to local communities, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). BOY, 2, PULLED ALIVE FROM RUBBLE SIX DAYS AFTER VENEZUELA'S DEVASTATING TWIN EARTHQUAKES More than 1,000 MTVRs have seen service in Iraq and Afghanistan and have been heavily used in contingency operations as well as missions supporting humanitarian operations, according to the Marine Corps. At Simón Bolívar International Airport, which serves the capital of Caracas, the U.S. military’s Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Center (HACC) was working with local authorities, the State Department, and other agencies on the ground to support disaster relief assistance. ARGENTINE SOCCER PLAYER LUCAS TREJO LOSES WIFE, TWO CHILDREN IN VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKE BUILDING COLLAPSE: REPORT Marine, Navy, and Army vertical-lift and rotary-wing aircraft were also conducting airlift and transport flights, including delivering pre-packaged, self-contained meals for earthquake survivors and displaced citizens, SOUTHCOM said in a Friday update. The USS Fort Lauderdale remains at the Port of La Guaira, supporting communications efforts and serving as a distribution point. The Trump administration has moved in to support the South American nation following 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes last week, mobilizing $150 million in humanitarian relief. The administration has also assembled a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which is composed of more than 250 people, including three specialized Urban Search-and-Rescue (USAR) teams. The death toll from the natural disaster stands at nearly 2,000 and continues to rise. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a48072ac2ca79de2363973f No state highway closures over July 4th weekend te 2026-07-03T19:02:02.192Z No state highway closures over July 4th weekend While no construction closures are scheduled on state highways over Fourth of July weekend, the Arizona Department of Transportation says drivers should prepare for heavier traffic at times and be ready in case of delays. ADOT and its contractors will not schedule any full closures along state highways, including Phoenix-area freeways, from now to Monday morning, July 6, to limit impacts on holiday weekend travel. Drivers should allow extra time during peak travel periods, including Sunday afternoon and evening. Multiple agencies, including ADOT, the Department of Public Safety and other first responders, are asking drivers to expect the unexpected while focusing on safety and staying alert during holiday road trips. Unscheduled highway closures are possible due to crashes, disabled vehicles, wildfires or other incidents. ADOT anticipates heavy traffic and possible delays at times on highways in and out of the Phoenix and Tucson areas, including Interstate 10 as well as Interstate 17 north of Phoenix. The I-17 flex lanes system between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point will be open for northbound traffic this week through late Saturday and then available for southbound travel on Sunday. Other highways expected to be busy at times include State Route 87 between Fountain Hills and Payson; US 93 between Wickenburg and Hoover Dam and I-8 and I-10 between the Phoenix area and the California state line. ADOT will have personnel ready to respond to incidents along highways over the holiday weekend. In addition to on-call statewide maintenance crews, the ADOT Incident Response Unit (IRU) patrols Phoenix-area freeways in Maricopa County from 4 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at AZ511.gov, the az511 app or by calling 511. Click on the Weekend Travel Advisory graphic for safety tips when traveling over the holiday weekend. Learn more by visiting the ADOT website. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4806ebc2ca79de2363971d ‘Liberty songs’ by a self‑taught singer & tanner helped fuel the Revolution te 2026-07-03T19:00:59.201Z ‘Liberty songs’ by a self‑taught singer & tanner helped fuel the Revolution Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4806d7c2ca79de23639714 Patriotic playlist: Songs for July 4th te 2026-07-03T19:00:39.748Z Patriotic playlist: Songs for July 4th Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4806c4c2ca79de23639706 July 4th weekend prompts PACC to resume regular intakes te 2026-07-03T19:00:20.306Z July 4th weekend prompts PACC to resume regular intakes Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4804d0c2ca79de236396c4 Knicks champion says he hopes 'truth comes out' after leaving team for Eastern Conference rival te 2026-07-03T18:52:00.726Z Knicks champion says he hopes 'truth comes out' after leaving team for Eastern Conference rival The New York Knicks' first championship team in 53 years is now starting to look a little bit different. They were able to hang on to Jose Alvarado, but the first domino to fall was defensive big man Mitchell Robinson, who signed a three-year deal with the Boston Celtics. Several of Robinson's now-former teammates, including Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby, commented on his farewell post on Instagram, but Robinson's response to Anunoby was rather telling. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Anunoby commented with a sad emoji, and Robinson said he "tried" to get back with the Knicks, hinting the feeling was not mutual. "I tried brother I didn't want this to happen hopefully the truth comes out at some point. I'm gonna miss you big dawg! Keep being great," Robinson replied. Team owner James Dolan said almost immediately after the Knicks won the title that he had no interest in going into the NBA's second apron of payroll, calling it "suicidal." KNICKS OWNER APPEARS TO TAKE SWIPE AT MAMDANI AT NBA CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATION, STIFFS PHOTO OP WITH HIM That alone was enough to tell fans that a roster reconstruction was en route, especially with Brunson eventually set to make up for the massive pay cut he took to help the Knicks win it all. Robinson grabbed the final offensive rebound off a missed free throw that all but clinched the Knicks' title against the San Antonio Spurs last month. Robinson saw both the good and the bad with the Knicks as a second-round draft pick in 2018; in his first season, they were 17-65. But now, he will head to an apparent re-tooling Celtics team as a champion. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4804bdc2ca79de236396bb Trump floats inviting Obama, Biden, Bush to the White House to watch football te 2026-07-03T18:51:41.272Z Trump floats inviting Obama, Biden, Bush to the White House to watch football President Donald Trump suggested during Friday's episode of "Storytime with the Second Lady" podcast that former presidents should have a reunion with him at the White House to watch football. As Trump flipped to a page showing a president hosting a live viewing of the Super Bowl at the White House, he told second lady Usha Vance that it gave him an idea. "Maybe I should invite Barack Hussein Obama, Joe Biden, with the Bushes — or Bush. Maybe I should invite some of those people to watch a football game together," he suggested. "Wouldn't that be a nice story? The press would go wild." "A president reunion? That would be fun!" the second lady agreed. DISNEY AND USHA VANCE TEAM UP TO HONOR MILITARY FAMILIES AND SURPRISE THEM WITH MAGICAL GIFTS The podcast features Vance, the wife of Vice President JD Vance, interviewing guests as they narrate books to children via YouTube. Visitors have ranged from race car driver Danica Patrick to the Artemis II astronauts, and, most recently, Trump himself. Trump narrated a book, "Presidents Play!" published by the White House Historical Association, which showed what presidents throughout American history liked to do in their spare time. Trump, rather than read the text, offered humorous commentary on various past presidents as he flipped to their pages, such as that of William Howard Taft as he tossed a baseball. "He was a large man, very large. And he loved baseball. He'd go to baseball games, loved the hot dogs at the baseball games," he said. "He was our heaviest president, and I have to be careful 'cause I don't want to supersede his record. And a thing like that would be possible if I allowed it to happen." BILL CLINTON REVEALS HOW HE FEELS ABOUT UPCOMING MIDTERMS AFTER SOCIALIST VICTORIES He encouraged those watching to stay in good shape. On another page, he showed former President Bill Clinton jogging on a track that was built for him during his tenure at the White House. "That's nice. I didn't even know that until recently, but he had a track built at the White House," Trump said. "I don't think I'll ever do that. I don't see myself doing that. I don't know. But he actually was a nice guy. I like Bill Clinton a lot. I still do." Trump's living presidential predecessors, including Republican George W. Bush in addition to Clinton and Biden, gathered at Obama's presidential center grand opening last month. Trump, who has been harshly critical of Obama and vice-versa, was not invited. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a480480c2ca79de23639693 Air Force Detains Officer Who Called for Trump’s Impeachment at Capitol te 2026-07-03T18:50:40.344Z Air Force Detains Officer Who Called for Trump’s Impeachment at Capitol Maj. Jason Watson, who was in uniform, was arrested during a protest that followed a news conference on Wednesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a48046bc2ca79de2363967e The browser wars aren’t about search anymore — here are the best alternatives to Chrome and Safari te 2026-07-03T18:50:19.871Z The browser wars aren’t about search anymore — here are the best alternatives to Chrome and Safari We’ve compiled an overview of some of the top alternative browsers available today aiming to challenge Chrome and Safari. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a480251c2ca79de2363965b Philadelphia 'Salute to Independence' parade cancelled Friday as blistering temperatures slam the city te 2026-07-03T18:41:21.531Z Philadelphia 'Salute to Independence' parade cancelled Friday as blistering temperatures slam the city As Americans around the nation celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary this week, a parade that had been slated to take place in Philadelphia, Pa., on Friday was called off due to scorching temperatures expected in the city. Welcome America Inc. noted the cancellation in a post on X, which the city of Philadelphia reposted. "Due to the extreme heat, the Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade is cancelled," the post noted. JUDGE BLOCKS PHILADELPHIA LAW TARGETING MASKED FEDERAL OFFICERS The X account for the National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly noted in a Friday morning post, "If Philadelphia Int'l Airport reaches our forecast high of 104° today, it will be the hottest temp recorded there since July 3, 1966." City Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson extended an ongoing "Heat Health Emergency" through 8 p.m. Sunday, according to the city's Department of Public Health. The parade had been slated to include floats and marching bands, according to an event description. EXCLUSIVE LOOK INSIDE AMERICA250 TIME CAPSULE REVEALS ARTIFACTS PRESERVING US HISTORY Welcome America Inc. President and CEO Michael DelBene noted that the organization's first duty is people's safety. "As much as this decision pains everyone inside our organization, we simply cannot host an event of this size and scale under these dangerous heat conditions. Todd Marcocci and Under the Sun Productions, along with all the parade groups, have been working tirelessly to design something truly historic, and having to cancel it at the last minute is heartbreaking for all of us," DelBene noted in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital. MAMDANI GETS ROASTED AFTER TELLING SWELTERING NEW YORKERS TO SET ACS TO 78 DEGREES: 'COMMIE' "While large-scale celebrations and community events may be our mission, our first responsibility will always be to the safety and security of our staff, our guests, and our event participants," he added. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a48023ec2ca79de23639652 NYC rent board dissenter warns Mamdani-backed freeze could hurt affordable housing over time: 'Slow burn' te 2026-07-03T18:41:02.090Z NYC rent board dissenter warns Mamdani-backed freeze could hurt affordable housing over time: 'Slow burn' Arpit Gupta, the only member of New York City's Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) to vote against the rent freeze, told Fox News Digital the policy could gradually push older rent-stabilized buildings into disrepair by depriving landlords of revenue needed for capital improvements. Gupta is also worried that the freeze, a central campaign promise from Mayor Zohran Mamdani, could make it more difficult for landlords to pay their bills. "It's a little bit of a slow burn," said Gupta, an associate finance professor at New York University’s business school. "The risk is that the buildings do go under more distress. There are a variety of responses. One is...deferred maintenance, which will worsen the physical conditions of buildings." He continued: "There are other avenues of distress, like going behind on mortgage payments, insurance payments, eventually property taxes, which leaves the property to be transferred in ownership to a bank or to the city, possibly for a tax lien sale." NEW YORK PROPERTY OWNER OPENS UP ABOUT THE IMPACT OF RENT FREEZES RGB Chair Chantella Mitchell, whom Mamdani appointed in February, acknowledged in her statement following the June 25 vote that landlords are facing soaring property tax and insurance costs but argued that most "remain able to meet rising costs." Gupta, first appointed to the board by former Mayor Eric Adams in 2022, does not dispute Mitchell's claim that many landlords are doing fine. Rather, he argues that the financial strain on the city's rent-stabilized housing stock is not the same all around, with older buildings that rely almost entirely on regulated rents facing a much greater burden than newer, mixed-income properties. The board under Mamdani went further than it did under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose administration froze rents three times — in 2015, 2016 and 2020 — but only for one-year leases. The current freeze will affect roughly 1 million rent-stabilized apartments and applies to one- and two-year leases that run from Oct. 1, 2026, to Sept. 30, 2027. As a result, landlords could, in the longest possible case, have to wait until late September 2029 before they can legally raise rents. NYC COUNCILMAN AND MAMDANI ALLY CHI OSSÉ ARRESTED DURING EVICTION PROTEST, VIDEO SHOWS Gupta considers the blanket rent freeze a blunt tool that doesn't adequately address the affordability crisis. Instead, he favors targeting aid to struggling tenants while allowing financially-strained buildings to continue raising rents. "About 30% of the tenants in rent-stabilized housing make six figures or more. At the same time, many individuals in market-rate housing are below the poverty line," Gupta said. "So, to have a system that provides so many benefits for one sector of the housing stock while completely leaving out the market-rate tenants — whose rents might actually go up because of the dynamics of freezing one part of the housing stock — means that we have an incompletely targeted program." New York City already has programs that freeze rents for qualifying senior citizens and disabled individuals. Gupta said these programs should be expanded to low-income residents more broadly, rather than limiting relief to rent-stabilized tenants. Another worry Gupta has is that the rent freeze will incentivize landlords to leave units vacant. AMERICA'S HOUSING MARKET COULD RUN OUT OF SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN HOMES In early June, Gothamist reported that more than 57,000 stabilized apartments were vacant in April 2025. At the time, state housing officials said this number did not offer a complete picture, since some of the units included in the count were in the process of getting new tenants. But Gupta argued that some of those apartments are being left vacant because owners cannot recover the cost of rehabilitating them before re-renting them, a problem he believes will be exacerbated by the rent freeze. Many landlords point to the 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act as the main catalyst for falling revenues. The law eliminated the so-called "vacancy bonus," which allowed owners of stabilized units to raise the rent by up to 20% after a tenant left. Landlords say the change made it harder to recoup the cost of renovating apartments before renting them to a new tenant. Gupta told Fox News Digital he sees where Mitchell and his colleagues are coming from and acknowledged that many tenants are seriously struggling to pay their rent, despite the board’s past efforts to ease affordability pressures. "In the five years I’ve been on this board… we have set rents below our estimate of building cost increases, we have set rents below CPI, and we've even set rents below wage growth in the city," Gupta said. GOOGLE CO-FOUNDER SERGEY BRIN OFFLOADS MASSIVE STAKE IN NYC REAL ESTATE FOR PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR Despite that, the city's spending on one-shot deals to cover tenants' back rent more than quintupled between 2022 and 2025, rising from $102 million to $555.8 million, according to the rental board’s income and affordability study. The same study found that last year, 62% of evictions occurred in buildings with rent-stabilized units, a key data point the board used to bolster its case for a rent freeze. While Gupta disagrees with the board's policy choice, he rejected the notion that the outcome was pre-ordained after Mamdani reshaped the municipal body. The mayor appointed six of the nine members of the board in February, and all of his picks voted for the rent freeze. "From my understanding, the administration did not direct or try to influence the vote directly," Gupta said. "My fellow board members tell me that they were independently appointed." HARRIS REACHES OUT TO SOCIALIST MAYOR MAMDANI IN SIGN SHE'S SHORING UP SUPPORT FOR POSSIBLE 2028 BID "What I also hear from board members who joined is that in the vetting process, as they were entering the board, they weren't asked or pressured on their position on the rent freeze," Gupta said. Gupta’s view is not shared by Christina Smyth, another Adams appointee who resigned from the board shortly before the vote. In an open letter posted to social media, she said the board was "rebuilt," was no longer a "fact-finding body" and that it was "required to deliver a rent freeze." Going forward, Gupta’s main concern is that the rent freeze will be extended far beyond what he believes is reasonable, given that Mamdani promised that he would "freeze the rent every year I’m in office." "I've had many discussions with other members of the board, and I've asked, ‘if you vote for the rent freeze now, what are the conditions under which you would vote for rental increases?’" he said. Up to this point, he said he has not gotten a clear answer on that question, with some board members telling him they need to wait for future data to make an informed decision. "I'm not sure whether all the board members believe that's the future, or if maybe the future is just more freezes. Freeze after freeze for four years, as Mamdani campaigned on. That's a very different picture." Fox News Digital asked Mitchell whether she viewed the rent freeze as a temporary measure and about concerns that it could worsen the financial condition of some rent stabilized buildings. She declined to comment beyond the statement she issued following the vote. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47fffec2ca79de236395f9 Interpol issues red notice for Ukrainian woman wanted to Monaco apartment bombing targeting oligarch te 2026-07-03T18:31:26.307Z Interpol issues red notice for Ukrainian woman wanted to Monaco apartment bombing targeting oligarch The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) issued a red notice Friday for Anastasiia Berezovska, a 39-year-old Ukrainian national suspected of bombing a Monaco apartment building that reportedly targeted a Russian-linked Ukrainian oligarch. The June 30 apartment building explosion, according to numerous media reports, injured Vadym Yermolaiev, a Ukrainian-born construction magnate. While declining to identify any of the victims by name, Monaco public prosecutor Stéphane Thibault also revealed the explosion injured a woman and a 13-year-old child in the apartment who media reports widely claim to be members of Yermolaiev's family. 'PARCEL BOMB' EXPLODES IN MONACO RESIDENTIAL AREA, LEAVING 2 CRITICALLY INJURED: REPORTS Berezovska, per Interpol, is now wanted on charges of attempted murder, depositing an explosive device on a public highway with criminal intent and criminal association. Interpol identified he Ukrainian national as a dark-haired German-speaking woman who possibly has a tattoo of a snake on her arm. The 39-year-old suspect was initially believed to be a heavy-set man. Monaco's Deputy Prosecutor Morgan Raymond even initially referred to the suspect in masculine terms. "He stood up a few meters ahead of the victims, placed an explosive device taken from his shopping bag on the entrance steps of the building, then turned to confirm the presence of the three victims before triggering the explosion using a remote control," Raymond said in an initial press conference following the incident. RUSSIA UNLEASHES NEARLY 600 MISSILES AND DRONES ON KYIV IN DEADLIEST STRIKE SINCE MAY Prosecutors reviewed footage of the days leading up to the explosion, finding that a man wearing a fishing hat repeatedly cased the apartment building and surrounding area. However, on June 28, the man was absent from security footage. Instead, a woman - who prosecutors now believe to be Berezovska - followed the same patterns as the man. "The repeated reconnaissance operations and the pauses made in front of the building clearly demonstrate the intention to specifically target the three victims," Raymond said. Investigators tracked her escape across the Monaco-France border, through Italy and into Germany where authorities are now actively looking for her. They raided her Frankfurt apartment on Thursday. Raymond noted that the sophistication of her explosive device gives prosecutors reason to believe she did not act alone. "The relative sophistication of the explosive device and the modus operandi appear to indicate that the person who placed the device was not acting alone," Morgan said. Though authorities have provided no motive, Yermolaiev's status as a sanctioned former Ukrainian is notable. The 58-year-old construction tycoon renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2017, Ukrainian media reported, and has been a citizen of Cyprus since 2019. In 2023, the Ukrainian government sanctioned him for allegedly continuing to engage with Russia, paying taxes to Moscow and facilitating business transactions through his liquor business in Crimea, a Ukrainian peninsula which Russia annexed in 2014. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47ffbdc2ca79de236395c3 The Dune keypad device can be your meeting controller and more te 2026-07-03T18:30:21.292Z The Dune keypad device can be your meeting controller and more The $149 Dune keyboard can be a meeting controller at least and a script-executing keypad at best. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47fd65c2ca79de2363958a Once the Centerpiece of Celebration, a Faded Declaration Recedes te 2026-07-03T18:20:21.068Z Once the Centerpiece of Celebration, a Faded Declaration Recedes Sunlight and abuse have taken a toll on the document, encased in bulletproof glass. But the Trump administration “hasn’t put much emphasis on it,” a former archivist notes. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47fafcc2ca79de23639388 FBI announces 305 arrests, 24 missing children recovered in Chicago during Operation New Dawn te 2026-07-03T18:10:04.850Z FBI announces 305 arrests, 24 missing children recovered in Chicago during Operation New Dawn FBI Director Kash Patel detailed a historic cross-agency operation that resulted in the arrest of over 300 suspects in the Chicago area over the course of 60 days. "Operation New Dawn represents a massive, whole-of-government approach under President Trump’s leadership to cracking down on violent crimes and crimes against children in great American cities," Patel told Fox News Digital in an exclusive statement. "This was a sweeping operation in Chicago that brought together 11 different federal agencies across the government who worked together to execute 305 arrests and recover 24 children – many of whom had been reported kidnapped or missing – as well as charging subjects with robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, child exploitation, and more," he added. "The success of this op and more to come through initiatives like Summer Heat 2.0 should be a clear message that this FBI, our partners, and the Justice Department led by AG Todd Blanche are full throttle on crushing criminal networks in this country no matter where they are." KASH PATEL TOUTS FBI 'FULL-THROTTLE MISSION' AFTER OPERATION SPRING CLEANING YIELDS 615 INDICTMENTS/COMPLAINTS The agencies involved included the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), according to a statement from the United States Attorney's Office of the Northern District of Illinois. Aside from the robbers, kidnappers and drug traffickers Patel detailed, other suspects swept up in the colossal operation included those involved in firearms trafficking, firearm offenses and immigration violations, according to the U.S. Attorney's statement.  The statement described the operation as "badgeless," noting that the numerous federal agencies collaborated "under the banner of the United States flag as opposed to the shield of any agency." U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutrot said the operation and the collaboration it induced represented a new era of law enforcement in America. "It is my view that to combat violence, federal law enforcement must move at the speed of violence," Boutros said in a statement. "The remarkable success of Operation New Dawn resoundingly proves that point. Chicago’s federal anti-violence apparatus united under one banner — the United States flag and not the shield, badge, banner, or logo of any agency — to make their presence felt on the streets of Chicago and make it known that they are a force to be reckoned with in the battle against violence." The ATF's Special Agent in Charge in Chicago, Christopher Amon, concurred. DOJ SAYS 11 MIGRANTS INDICTED IN MULTI-STATE SEX TRAFFICKING, DRUG, FIREARMS CASE "Law enforcement has always been, and always will be, a team sport," Amon said in a statement. "The success of Operation New Dawn reflects the leadership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the trust, commitment, and collaboration among our Chicago federal law enforcement partners. Together, we made a meaningful impact by removing shooters and other violent offenders from our streets making Chicago safer for all." The cooperation enabled the agencies to sweep up criminals like Felipe Dejesus Gomez Ramirez, who HSI noted is a convicted murderer and illegal alien. New Dawn operators also arrested David Collins and Tyrone Thomas, who authorities say are members of Chicago's Traveling Vice Lords criminal gang who were deeply involved in drug trafficking. Both were federally charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. "Operation New Dawn demonstrates the power of coordinated law enforcement efforts to address the interconnected threats of violent crime and drug trafficking," Todd C. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Chicago Field Division said in a statement. "Through the Homeland Security Task Force and in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies combined intelligence, resources and expertise to target individuals and criminal networks that threaten public safety. Reducing violent crime remains one of DEA’s top strategic priorities, and the significant drug seizures resulting from this operation underscore the close relationship between violence and drug trafficking activity. By working together to disrupt criminal organizations, remove dangerous drugs from our communities, and hold offenders accountable, we are enhancing public safety while advancing our commitment to a Fentanyl Free America," Smith concluded. The operation, which began in earnest on May 1, has so far resulted in 179 criminal defendants being charged in federal court across 140 newly-filed criminal cases. Twenty-four children, many of whom were kidnapped, were located and safely returned home, according to the statement. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47f409c2ca79de23639269 Fireworks for the Fourth still set to proceed in Williams te 2026-07-03T17:40:25.023Z Fireworks for the Fourth still set to proceed in Williams In a statement released Thursday morning, Mayor Don Dent said the city “does not take the decision to hold fireworks lightly” but also “will not allow this celebration to be defined by misunderstanding or negativity.” Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47f238c2ca79de23639218 How a tiny Caribbean island made American independence possible te 2026-07-03T17:32:40.279Z How a tiny Caribbean island made American independence possible Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47f224c2ca79de2363920f Political parties can now spend unlimited money supporting candidates te 2026-07-03T17:32:20.814Z Political parties can now spend unlimited money supporting candidates Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47f211c2ca79de23639206 Mail-in voting initiative fails to make the Arizona ballot te 2026-07-03T17:32:01.378Z Mail-in voting initiative fails to make the Arizona ballot Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47f1fdc2ca79de236391fd Calif. man pleads guilty to harassing Guthrie family with bitcoin ransom messages te 2026-07-03T17:31:41.902Z Calif. man pleads guilty to harassing Guthrie family with bitcoin ransom messages Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47f1eac2ca79de236391f4 Mayes & DHS agree to stall ICE detention center in Suprise Az te 2026-07-03T17:31:22.445Z Mayes & DHS agree to stall ICE detention center in Suprise Az Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47f1d6c2ca79de236391eb Records help ID body of Guatemalan girl found on Tohono O'odham Nation in 2007 te 2026-07-03T17:31:02.989Z Records help ID body of Guatemalan girl found on Tohono O'odham Nation in 2007 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47f1c3c2ca79de236391e2 Voucher oversight initiative turns in 420k signatures, more than enough to make Arizona ballot te 2026-07-03T17:30:43.535Z Voucher oversight initiative turns in 420k signatures, more than enough to make Arizona ballot Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47f1b0c2ca79de236391d9 Pima County initiative to provide lawyers for undocumented falls short of making ballot te 2026-07-03T17:30:24.086Z Pima County initiative to provide lawyers for undocumented falls short of making ballot Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47ef92c2ca79de2363919e Nationals pitcher forced to apologize for perceived racism after opponent threw his helmet at him te 2026-07-03T17:21:22.629Z Nationals pitcher forced to apologize for perceived racism after opponent threw his helmet at him Sports are so soft now. Basketball is full of crybabies flopping around like fish out of water, quarterbacks can’t get touched without a 15-yard penalty and a threat of jail time, and baseball is, I guess, filled with players that see classic trash talk as a racist microaggression. I’m talking about the benches-clearing incident between Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli and Red Sox catcher Willson Contreras. On Wednesday, Cavalli struck out Contreras looking in the fourth inning. As Contreras walked away, Cavalli yelled, "Sit down, boy," prompting Contreras to turn back toward the mound. The exchange escalated quickly, with both benches and bullpens emptying. Contreras then threw his helmet in Cavalli’s direction before teammates and coaches separated everyone. Although Cavalli remained in the game, Contreras, Miles Mikolas, Nate Eaton, and Boston interim manager Chad Tracy were ejected. Contreras was in the wrong. He lost his cool. But, Cavalli has been painted as the bad guy in this scenario simply because he used the word, "boy." Liberal sports media and bad actors jumped on this story stating that "boy" has a history of being used as a racial slur toward Black men. Contreras is Venezuelan, though, and this kind of nomenclature has been used by players for decades, regardless of race. If you played sports, and you’re reading this, you’re thinking the same thing: "What’s the big deal?" MLB DROPS HAMMER ON BOSTON'S WILLSON CONTRERAS WITH HEFTY SUSPENSION AFTER HELMET-THROWING INCIDENT Contreras didn’t do Cavalli any favors afterward when he said he did not know whether Cavalli intended the remark in a racist way and said he would let MLB handle the matter. Then, on Thursday, Cavalli publicly apologized, saying he did not intend the comment as a racial insult, acknowledged the word’s historical context, and expressed regret for using it: "I’m extremely torn up about the way that things were perceived," Cavalli said. "Obviously, there was no ill intention behind that. It hurt my heart, knowing that, if there’s a 13-year-old Black kid in D.C. that sees that — that looked up to me and thinks that he perceived it in a way that wasn’t intended the way that it came out, and then he’s not looking up to me anymore. That hurts my heart." My goodness. What a joke. Why are we acting like "boy" is the same as the n-word? Plus, we’re jumping through some major intersectionality hoops if we are now going to bring up derogatory words toward Black people and lump Venezuelans into the same boat. "I’m extremely torn up about the way that things were perceived," Cavalli explained further. "Obviously, there was no ill intention behind that. It hurt my heart, knowing that, if there’s a 13-year-old Black kid in D.C. that sees that - that looked up to me and thinks that he perceived it in a way that wasn’t intended the way that it came out, and then he’s not looking up to me anymore. That hurts my heart." ESPN MUST HOLD STEPHEN A ACCOUNTABLE AFTER DOUBLING DOWN ON RACIST REMARKS ABOUT WHITE BASKETBALL PLAYERS What Cavalli said was nothing to apologize for. If anything, he should’ve called that accusation ridiculous and an attempt at character assassination in a situation where Contreras was the aggressor. There’s no need to go through a struggle session and show remorse for words that don’t need further explanation. You know who has used the term "boy" and the media didn’t lose their mind about it? LeBron James. He said Austin Reaves doesn’t "play like a white boy", while both we’re speaking to Steve Nash on James’ podcast. Golden State Warriors guard Jimmy Butler yelled, "WHITE BOY! WHITE BOY! EVERY TIME! SHUT UP! SHUT THE F*CK UP" to Brooklyn Nets forward Danny Wolf after an and-one in 2025. Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant told an Oklahoma City fan last season, "I know where you live, white boy." Do you get the point? Cavalli was not using this as a racial slur, but plenty of black athletes have used it to demean white people without the league getting involved, without suspensions, and zero fines for their offenses. KIRK HERBSTREIT GOES OFF WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT MODERN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, GETS EVERYTHING WRONG On Thursday, MLB suspended both Cavalli and Contreras for seven games and fined them an undisclosed amount, determining that both players played major roles in escalating the confrontation. In my opinion, MLB suspending Cavalli seven games is insane. Watch the video. Contreas uses his helmet as a weapon, but Cavalli gets the same punishment? Come on, now. Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas received a five-game suspension, while Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton was suspended for three games. Both Cavalli and Contreras were permitted to appeal their suspensions. Sports in 2026 shouldn’t be this soft. It's just silly virtue signaling. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47ef7fc2ca79de23639195 Mamdani blasts ICE agents, Elon Musk and 'supremacy' in America 250 speech ahead of July 4 weekend te 2026-07-03T17:21:03.182Z Mamdani blasts ICE agents, Elon Musk and 'supremacy' in America 250 speech ahead of July 4 weekend New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani took aim at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, Elon Musk and what he described as the "arena of supremacy" in the United States during an immigration-themed America 250 speech on Friday ahead of Fourth of July weekend. Flanked by eight recently naturalized U.S. citizens, Mamdani invoked the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and America's history of immigration before turning his rhetoric on elements of today's U.S. Mamdani also blasted the "world's first trillionaire" --- a milestone Musk achieved with the long-awaited Initial Public Offering (IPO) of SpaceX last month. "We see the wealthiest country in the history of the world, one where children go to sleep hungry while the world's first trillionaire hungers for more," Mamdani said, without naming Musk. "We see monopolies that dominate every industry, and oligarchs who buy elections. We see masked agents terrorizing our streets, eating food cooked by our undocumented neighbors before spiriting them away in unmarked vans." "We see a nation whose immense wealth has been built by those with calloused, dirt-streaked hands, those who toil on factory floors and chisel into stone. And we see a nation that has allowed so much of that wealth to be held instead in the soft hands of a precious few," he added. Mamdani also praised the legacy of immigrants, claiming that they have overcome riots "aimed at their very existence," to create lives in New York. FETTERMAN WARNS MAMDANI RISKS 'CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS' BY VOWING TO DEFY SCOTUS IMMIGRATION RULING "Over the years that followed, despite laws enacted by the federal government to bar their entry, despite sweatshop fires that killed hundreds of women, despite riots aimed at their very existence, immigrants made homes here in New York City, and they helped to make New York City," the mayor said. "That legacy of every generation of Americans insisting that the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness extends to them, too, is no relic of the past. It carried millions of Black Americans north during the Great Migration. It drew hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans to New York City after the Second World War. It invited countless others from the West Indies and South Asia and West Africa and across the world. And it is what brought my family to this city when I was seven years old," he continued. ZOHRAN MAMDANI PRAISED FOR 'FANTASTIC' QUESTION-DODGING ON PRESIDENTIAL ELIGIBILITY Mamdani did not mention his own family's wealth in the speech. His father was an elite Harvard academic, and his mother and acclaimed film director. "My family did not arrive by boat, although we saw the Statue of Liberty from the window of the plane. Even from the air, we could make out the promise of America, the promise of the beautiful patriotic work of rendering America, year after year, a little more faithful to its founding ideals," he said. In his speech, Mamdani blasted those with "power and influence," who he lamented have written American history. "There is a term so often used to describe our nation and those who have shaped it. American exceptionalism. American exceptionalism, the conventional wisdom tells us, makes our freedom a little more free. It is how we dug the Erie Canal and irrigated the West. Is why children in faraway lands grow up dreaming of one day moving here. And yet, the irony is that the story of America has so often been written by those who were told by others with power and influence and wealth, that they were anything but exceptional," Mamdani said. "For generation after generation, we have been told that when the world has sent its people to our shores, it has not sent its best." "It sent Puritans and Sikhs and Quakers and Muslims and Jewish people who were banished for praying the wrong way, worshiping the wrong gods, angering the wrong people. It sent peasants and serfs from slums and shuttles, who were treated as less because they hardly owned clothes, let alone land. It sent immigrants from whom power was something someone else had," he continued. "We are told that America is exceptional because we are richer, stronger, more powerful than everyone else. The truth, my friends, is that America is exceptional because here nothing is fixed into place." Mamdani referenced how he became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018. Mamdani was born in Uganda in 1991 and moved to New York when he was 7. The mayor is a dual U.S.-Ugandan citizen. "Nearly a decade ago, I too felt what you feel the joy of no longer being just a New Yorker, but an American too. You each hold a special power. The power to determine what America means," the mayor said, speaking to the recently naturalized citizens by his side. "The powerful have always known their answer. America, in their view, is an arena of supremacy where only a select few are allowed freedom," Mamdani said. "Where not all are created equal. America, if you ask them, becomes less the more people it welcomes. America, they will tell you, belongs only to those with the right accent or the right shade of skin. The rest of us, they insist, should be grateful for merely being allowed to visit. How small they are, how weak, how unoriginal. At every moment in our past, those who led through exclusion and isolation have tried to win power and enrich themselves by turning us against one another." Mamdani also claimed ICE were invading New York neighborhoods. "We see America each time neighbors link arms with neighbors without asking how long they have lived here or what papers they have as ICE invades our neighborhoods," he added. "We see America each time those young and old stand in the beating rain or the stifling heat to cast their ballots. We see America each time working people demand more not just for themselves, but for their fellow Americans." "There are some who respond to those who ask for more from America with a simple refrain. 'Love it or leave it,' they say. But patriotism has never been about pretending our nation is without flaws. Patriotism is every act of righteous dissent," Mamdani said. "It is every March led under the heavy sun. It is every protest held a decade before its time. It is precisely because we love this nation that we will not leave it." Mamdani ended his speech with a rousing call to America's greatness. "What power each of us holds to bring America ever closer to the greatness so many have seen when they looked upon these shores. The greatness that for 250 years has been America. Thank you. God bless America. God bless New York City. And happy Fourth of July," he concluded. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47ed3ac2ca79de2363913d Cole Hauser says his family helped shape Montana as fans follow Taylor Sheridan from Treasure State to Texas te 2026-07-03T17:11:22.271Z Cole Hauser says his family helped shape Montana as fans follow Taylor Sheridan from Treasure State to Texas Cole Hauser's connection to Montana runs deeper than the "Yellowstone" franchise. Hauser told Fox News Digital that while Taylor Sheridan's hit franchise introduced millions of viewers to Montana, his family's ties to the Treasure State stretch back nearly 140 years. "Montana, my family has been there since 1886. So the Hauser legacy there is huge," Hauser said. "I mean, Samuel T. Hauser was the seventh governor of Montana, helped start that state. So going back there felt like a homecoming for me." Samuel T. Hauser served as the seventh governor of the Montana Territory and was a businessman whose investments in banking, mining and railroads helped shape the territory's early development. For Hauser, stepping into the character meant filming in a place that had already been woven into his family's history long before television cameras arrived. WATCH: COLE HAUSER SAYS MONTANA ROOTS HELPED SHAPE HIS CONNECTION TO RIP WHEELER CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Now, as the Western franchise expands into Texas with "Dutton Ranch," experts say the show's tourism boom may be expanding with it. "Traveling to the sets of popular TV shows, movies, and even books has increased substantially over the past few years," Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Travelmation, told Fox News Digital. "We have even given this travel trend a name: set-jetting. This is when fans 'jet' to the sets of their favorite shows." According to Duckworth, few modern television shows have influenced American travel quite like "Yellowstone." "'Yellowstone' was one of the first shows to spark this trend," he said. "Fans would watch the Dutton family in those breathtaking landscapes and want to see them in person with their own eyes. Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding areas saw a boom in tourism as the show increased in popularity and next we expect that to happen in Texas thanks to the spin-off 'Dutton Ranch.'" Sheridan's original series premiered in 2018 and steadily evolved from a cable drama into one of television's biggest franchises. Along the way, Montana itself became more than a backdrop. Endless mountain ranges, sprawling ranches and wide-open skies became as recognizable to viewers as the Dutton family itself. TAYLOR SHERIDAN’S 'YELLOWSTONE’ FORMULA TURNS COUNTRY STARS INTO SCENE-STEALERS AS MORGAN WADE MAKES HER DEBUT Hauser believes the landscape played an enormous role in the show's success. WATCH:COLE HAUSER SAYS RIP WHEELER IS A ‘THROWBACK TO THE OLD-SCHOOL AMERICAN MAN’ "You know, 10 years ago when we started this, it was a really kind of a grassroot show in Montana and then, you know, we grew out to the edges, Los Angeles, now New York, and now the world," Hauser told Fox News Digital. The actor said he's witnessed the show's global reach firsthand while traveling overseas. "We were just in Europe, and it's amazing to watch, you know, the Germans dress up as cowboys, the English," Hauser said. "I've been to Australia and New Zealand. I mean just how many people have been touched by it." When asked why "Yellowstone" resonated with audiences around the world, Hauser credited Sheridan's storytelling and Montana itself. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I honestly don't know other than it's the tremendous writing and storytelling of Taylor Sheridan," Hauser said. "He created unbelievable characters and, you know, Montana is a character in its own and I think people forget how beautiful the Old West is." That emotional attachment to place is exactly what travel advisers are seeing translate into vacation bookings. Duckworth said fans aren't simply looking for scenic overlooks or filming locations. They want to immerse themselves in the same lifestyle they see on screen. "Any TV show or movie that takes place in a gorgeous setting can ignite a set-jetting trend," he explained. "Fans want to feel like they are their favorite characters by visiting the exact places they are seeing on their screens." "The more remote or luxurious the stay, the more it truly becomes a bucket-list destination," Duckworth continued. "Yes, you can do a place like Yellowstone on a budget but you can also go ultra-lux and stay at an upscale ranch where you are wined and dined and feel like you are a member of the Dutton family." As Sheridan shifts the franchise south, Hauser said filming in Texas brought an entirely different experience. "God, this next iteration, I mean, it has such new challenges," he said. "Obviously the landscape of Texas, the heat that was totally different, the new environment, the new characters that come in, the story." Even with the new setting, Hauser said he and co-star Kelly Reilly wanted to preserve what fans love most about Rip and Beth. "What stayed consistent is Beth and Rip," Hauser said. "Kelly and I were very cognizant of making sure that those two characters continue to be the same polarizing, strong, loyal characters that they've always been." Duckworth believes Texas now stands to benefit from the same television-driven tourism Montana experienced during the height of "Yellowstone." 'YELLOWSTONE’ FANS ‘ABOUT TO PASS OUT’ OVER ‘DUTTON RANCH’ TRAILER AS BETH AND RIP RETURN "'Dutton Ranch' was mainly filmed around Northern Texas," he said. "One of the popular shooting spots was Ferris, Texas, which is about 20 miles outside Dallas. Ferris is known to be growing in popularity and I have no doubt it will quickly expand with all the extra attention on the small town." He also pointed to Saunders Ranch in Weatherford, Texas, as another destination likely to draw devoted fans. "Another place for 'Dutton Ranch' fans is Saunders Ranch in Weatherford, Texas," Duckworth said. "This is a real-life working ranch with a history that dates all the way back to the 1800s. Saunders Ranch is the setting for the show's Edwards Ranch, also known as Rip and Beth's property." Travelmation travel adviser Kris Porter said she's already seeing demand shift from the Rocky Mountains toward Texas as audiences look to re-create the world Sheridan built. "Before the Yellowstone craze, I'd gotten exactly one request for a 'dude ranch' vacation," Porter told Fox News Digital. "Now they come from the most unlikely places." "Families who would typically pick a cruise or an all-inclusive beach resort are instead heading out West to fulfill their dreams of life on a ranch." ‘YELLOWSTONE’ STAR LUKE GRIMES TARGETED BY MONTANA LOCALS AS MOVE FROM LA SPARKS SMALL-TOWN FURY Porter said today's travelers aren't looking for a rustic getaway. Instead, they're seeking luxury experiences that mirror the lifestyle portrayed in Sheridan's television universe. "These clients do not want to do this on a budget," she explained. "They are seeking an elevated, bucket list ranch experience like they are seeing on TV." "They are willing to pay an all-inclusive price that includes Michelin-quality food, while also learning how to ride horses and herd cattle." For many travelers, she said, the appeal is balancing rugged adventure with upscale comfort. "At the end of the day they want to retreat to their comfortable cabin with a nice glass of wine while staring at the stars — a pristine view that their normal, every day life does not allow." The shift toward Texas is already becoming noticeable. "Over the past few years we've seen an increase in bookings for these experiences in Wyoming and Montana, but with 'Dutton Ranch,' clients are now also moving south to Texas," Porter said. She added that Texas offers one advantage Montana can't always promise. "One strong appeal of Texas, besides the show, is the weather, which gives you much more opportunities year-round," Porter said. "Lavish spas and all-inclusive stays can be found in the Lone Star State too, so my clients are traveling to Texas for those higher-end trips with much warmer weather than Wyoming, especially in the spring months." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47ecfcc2ca79de2363911e Louisiana Supreme Court Pauses Case Against State Attorney General te 2026-07-03T17:10:20.837Z Louisiana Supreme Court Pauses Case Against State Attorney General Just hours after a New Orleans grand jury indicted Attorney General Liz Murrill on bullying charges, the court intervened, citing potential flaws in the process. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47ead0c2ca79de236390e5 NBA tests single free throw attempt at Summer League as sport pushes for a faster game te 2026-07-03T17:01:04.688Z NBA tests single free throw attempt at Summer League as sport pushes for a faster game A major experiment will be going on during this year's NBA Summer League. The NBA announced Thursday that the "one free throw rule" will be used at the Summer League events happening this month in Salt Lake City, Northern California and Las Vegas. The G League has used this rule since the 2019-20 season, which is designed to speed up play. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Any foul that would typically result in the awarding of one, two or three free throws will instead result in a single free-throw attempt. That attempt will be worth the same total number of points as the free throws it replaces. The rule doesn’t apply to the entire game, though. Standard free-throw rules — two shots for a two-shot foul, etc. — will be used for the last two minutes of fourth quarters and in all of overtime. It's unclear whether the one-free-throw rule will make it into NBA games, but similar to the minor and independent leagues and Major League Baseball, the Summer League has been a proving ground for eventual rule changes. Among those that started at those levels and eventually got to the NBA are the coach's challenge, resetting the 24-second shot clock to 14 seconds after offensive rebounds and the one-shot award for a transition take foul — which is when a defender intentionally commits a foul to halt a transition opportunity for the opposition. The G League also plays 10-minute quarters, something NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has openly advocated for. The league once tested 11-minute quarters in a preseason game, while exhibition games prior to the "bubble" in 2020 used 10-minute quarters. The Summer League begins on July 9. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47e8b0c2ca79de23639098 American restaurant chain celebrates nation's 250th with 'amazing' hot dog tower te 2026-07-03T16:52:00.975Z American restaurant chain celebrates nation's 250th with 'amazing' hot dog tower For generations, the hot dog has been as much a part of Independence Day as fireworks and parades. This year, one American entertainment chain is putting an over-the-top spin on the holiday staple in celebration of the country's 250th birthday. At its Times Square location, Dave & Buster's is serving up a limited-time Pretzel Dog Tower, turning one of America's most iconic Fourth of July foods into a towering centerpiece designed for sharing. Americans devour a staggering 150 million hot dogs on July 4 alone — a line of franks long enough to stretch from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles more than five times, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. POPEYES TAKES OVER FAMOUS $150 CHICKEN TENDER TOWER AT HAMPTONS CELEBRITY HOTSPOT At Dave & Buster's Times Square location in New York City, general manager Steve Friedl and his team are dialing up the energy to create the ultimate holiday memories. Central to that effort is a limited-time spectacle that has been turning heads across the dining room: the Pretzel Dog Tower. "The Fourth of July is really just about bringing people together," Friedl told Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "We wanted to create a fun, shareable menu item that just kind of reflects that spirit. I mean, the hot dog is one of America's most iconic holiday traditions, so we put together a bigger, bolder spin on the classic." Designed as an eye-catching centerpiece for group celebrations, the massive tower has drawn strong reactions from guests. Friedl recalled checking in on a table that had ordered the promotion shortly after it launched. "I could see all the guests around and the other tables eye-watching it, wondering 'What is that?,' just getting curious," Friedl said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "I went up to the guest and asked her what she thought, and she just looked at me and said, 'It's amazing.'" Overall holiday weekend spending on food and cookouts is expected to top $9 billion nationally, making value a major focus for families looking to celebrate outside the home, according to the National Retail Federation. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Dave & Buster's is leaning heavily into that demand with a packed lineup, including an all-day event featuring unlimited gameplay, a live DJ, an all-American barbecue buffet and the venue's very own hot dog-eating contest. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS "It's really about the energy and the excitement, bringing it to the guests," Friedl said. "Not even just the guests, but my staff. We get dialed in. We just want to create that fun experience." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47e89dc2ca79de2363908f Caitlin Clark finally breaks her week-long silence after being punched in the throat by Alyssa Thomas te 2026-07-03T16:51:41.520Z Caitlin Clark finally breaks her week-long silence after being punched in the throat by Alyssa Thomas Caitlin Clark has finally broken her silence on the punch to the throat by Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas. While speaking to the media on Friday morning, Clark opened her lengthy five-minute statement by saying, "First of all, I know what you’re going to ask, and I did think it was a flagrant foul. Our reffing just needs to be better." Clark then gave the officials some grace stating that "it’s one of the hardest jobs in the world." The conversation about protecting players, specifically, has been a heavily debated topic and to that Clark said, "The league has to do better protecting our players." To the specific foul from Thomas, Clark made a definitive statement. "I don’t think it was up for debate… You can go back and watch the clip. I think it was straight forward." LISA LESLIE SAYS WNBA OFFICIALS 'GOT TO DO BETTER' AFTER ALYSSA THOMAS SHOVED FIST INTO CAITLIN CLARK'S THROAT This response could be seen as a subtle jab at Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts and ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike. Ogwumike claimed, "When narratives are created based off of a freeze-frame, that can create a huge problem. The league was reacting to the optics of that image." Tibbetts claimed something similar when he spoke to the media. "The goal is to clean up our game, but I do think it’s important not to rely on social media screenshots. This is a slippery slope." Another aspect in the aftermath of Thomas’ flagrant foul and weak suspension in my opinion, was how Thomas has played the victim. She has claimed death threats have been hurled her way, Fever head coach Stephanie White has denounced the "hate," and WNBA media has been crying nonstop with inflammatory claims that Fever/Clark fans are spewing racism and division. To this, Clark stated, "The harassment and the hate. None of that is ok." The WNBA’s biggest superstar also stated how difficult it’s been to handle all of the controversy over her first three seasons in the league. "I’m not a robot. I have emotions. I have feelings… I’m 24 years old trying to navigate a lot… There are times where it’s hard." Clark then spoke about how this conversation going on for over a week is a "disservice" to her team, her opponents, and the other "talented" players in the W. She wrapped up this point by stating, "It’s all of our jobs to help refocus the narratives." WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT CONDEMNS 'HATE' AGAINST ALYSSA THOMAS WHILE CAITLIN CLARK STAYS EXPOSED There has undoubtedly been countless conversations about how the Indiana Fever has handled protecting their star. Fans have grilled General Manager/Chief Operating Officer Amber Cox to head coach Stephanie White for a perceived lack of support for what Clark has been subjected to this season, and since she joined the league. To that, Clark made it clear that she feels supported: "I’m thankful to be here in an organization to has my back and will always stand up for me." The storylines have been all over the place when it comes to sports media. While Clark has been adamant about staying off social media as much as possible, she expressed frustration with an article from The Athletic. "The headline read like, ‘This Season Has Been Everything But Fun, Full of Frustration for Clark and the Fever.’ And I’m like, 'No one ever asked me that.' That’s wrong!" The title of that article is "Why aren’t we having fun yet? This season’s Caitlin Clark experience just isn’t enjoyable," where writer Candace Buckner makes definitive claims about Clark and her fan base. "Today, her team, which has championship aspirations, is a meh 10-8. Her base rallies around one thing: not the times when Clark builds on her league record of 20-point and 10-assist games, but when their communal claws come out against the WNBA. Her league stays in constant reactive mode, accused of failing to protect its star of stars. Her coach, Stephanie White, spends as much time serving as Clark’s personal injury lawyer (and a convincing one, at that), as she does drawing up X’s and O’s. And guess who’s having the least fun of all? Caitlin Clark." Clark ended her statement on a positive note , imploring everyone to "get back to a lot more smiling and positivity. I think our world could use a lot of that." Clark also made it clear before she opened it up for questions that she would still be sidelined for Sunday’s game against A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47e88ac2ca79de23639086 Dale Earnhardt Jr. brought NASCAR back to life 25 years ago this weekend, but the pain is back te 2026-07-03T16:51:22.064Z Dale Earnhardt Jr. brought NASCAR back to life 25 years ago this weekend, but the pain is back Hard to believe, but it's been 25 years since Dale Earnhardt Jr. turned tragedy into triumph and injected life back into NASCAR. That's right. Twenty-five years ago this weekend, Junior returned to Daytona International Speedway six months after the track killed his father and won the Pepsi 400. Remember? Of course you do. How could you not? Earnhardt Jr. diced his way through the field in the waning laps in the iconic No. 8 Budweiser Chevy, and conquered more than one demon along the way. NBC's Allen Bestwick delivered arguably the greatest line in sports history. Certainly the greatest line in motorsports history. "It's going to be Dale Earnhardt Jr., using lessons learned from his father to go from sixth to first and score the victory in the Pepsi 400!" DALE JR REVEALS HEARTBREAKING FINAL TEXT MESSAGE FROM KYLE BUSCH, NASCAR GETS A WIN & DRIVER TEASES REVENGE Everything about it was perfect. The roar from the crowd. The call. The track. The finishing order (Junior won, while Michael Waltrip finished second). The celebration that finally got to take place. "It’s as storybook as it can get," Junior once told me years ago. NASCAR is once again at a crossroads. I spoke to Junior about that very moment back in 2021. We talked for nearly an hour. He didn't know me from Adam, but boy, did he enjoy reliving that race. The key, he said, was embracing the track. It was his dad's favorite place. His playground, of sorts. Dale Earnhardt Sr. won just the one Daytona 500 (1998), but he dominated the track in every other way. He won 34 times at Daytona International Speedway. Thirty-four. Busch Clashes. Busch races. Duel races. Shootouts. Twin 125s. July races. IROC races. You name it, Dale Earnhardt won it. "He used to start last in the Busch Clash and then be leading after four laps," Junior told me. "The way he used all those tricks as he approached each car, it was just fun to watch. When I got in the car, and started doing the things I saw him do, and then I saw how the car reacted to that, it was like a light bulb went off. "I was like, 'Oh, wow. So that’s how this works.' " Of course, the track eventually bit back. Earnhardt died on the final turn of the 2001 Daytona 500, and everything changed. Junior changed. The fans changed. The sport, obviously, changed. Everything was different. For a while, everything sort of stood still. Sure, the season went on, but it really wasn't until Junior won at Daytona 25 years ago this weekend that things started to move forward. In a way, the sport faces a similar challenge right now. In May, Kyle Busch became the first active NASCAR driver to die since Earnhardt in 2001. Once again, the sport lost its soul. Its superstar. Its rock. We've all tried to move forward, but, let's be honest ... it's not the same. Not yet, at least. It may never be. It's been a brutal year for NASCAR. Last December, Greg Biffle went down in a plane crash. Less than two weeks later, Denny Hamlin lost his father in a house fire. Let us not forget about the court battle last offseason, which wasn't a good look for anyone. And then the sport lost Kyle Busch days before the Coca-Cola 600 in the cruelest twist to date. A lot has changed in the 25 years since Junior won the Pepsi 400. Unfortunately, some things are the same. NASCAR is again in limbo. It's been a rough year, to put it mildly. There's probably not a "Dale Jr. at Daytona" moment waiting in the wings, either. At least not right now. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS But if that win taught us anything, it's that there will be one. It's possible. We've seen it. This sport produces magical moments all the time. Earnhardt Jr. brought NASCAR back to life 25 years ago this weekend. As the series grapples with immense loss, again, perhaps we can look back at that moment and allow Junior to teach us a lesson this time around. "It seems like a lifetime ago," he told me. "When I think about that race, it’s as storybook as it can get. It’s magical, even after all these years I still watch video of it, watch the celebration, and it’s still so much fun to relive that." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47e876c2ca79de2363907d Dem Colorado gubernatorial nominee balks at socialist Melat Kiros' response to bombing of pro-Israel rally te 2026-07-03T16:51:02.642Z Dem Colorado gubernatorial nominee balks at socialist Melat Kiros' response to bombing of pro-Israel rally Colorado Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Weiser revealed Wednesday he was "concerned" that far-left congressional candidate Melat Kiros could not answer whether the firebombing of a pro-Israel rally was antisemitic. In an interview with 9News last month, Kiros hesitated to answer whether a deadly attack on a pro-Israel rally in Boulder last year which killed one attendee and wounded a dozen others could be described as antisemitic. "I don't know what was in the heart of the perpetrator," Kiros said. "All I know is that he went and attacked innocent people because of what they might have believed, and I don't even know what the people that were at that protest believed, too. In fact, most of them were probably just there to, you know, ask that the people who were kidnapped during October 7 be returned home to their families. That's not a political statement in and of itself." COLORADO SOCIALIST CANDIDATE CALLED 9/11 TERROR ATTACKS 'INEVITABLE' DUE TO US FOREIGN POLICY She continued, "I think the fact that we're having a conversation about whether it was anti-Zionism or antisemitism is a political debate that, you know, I think everyone has the freedom to have, but to me it was a loss of innocent life. Regardless of what the perpetrator had in mind when he took those lives matters less to me than, you know, our responsibility to making sure that people understand that even in the face of these kinds of disagreements that violence is not the answer." When pressed, Kiros repeated that she did not know the perpetrator's intentions. PETER THIEL STUNS LIBERAL ASPEN CROWD, WARNS DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS WILL TAKE OVER THEIR PARTY Weiser, who recently defeated Sen. Michael Bennet in the Democratic primary bid for governor, pointed out that the perpetrator, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, had already been convicted of all charges, including committing a hate crime. "We cannot look at that murder and say anything else happened than a hate crime," Weiser told 9News. "And so, if someone isn’t going to acknowledge that, I am concerned about that, because this was tried. Now we have a conviction. Our judicial system is set up to make a judgment, and the judgment here was it was a hate crime." He referred to the crime as an "antisemitic attack" and expressed remorse for 82-year-old Karen Diamond, who was killed during the demonstration. DE BLASIO DEFENDS SOCIALIST 'INSURGENCY' INSIDE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, SAYS TRUMP HAS BECOME 'STATUS QUO' "This is a point you hear a lot in the context of Black Lives Matter. Now we’re talking Jewish Lives Matter, and for a lot of people this may not have been as clear a conversation, but let me tell you what it means. Black Lives Matter, period. Black Lives Matter. Elijah McClain’s life mattered, period. You don’t put a comma. Jewish lives matter. Karen Diamond’s life mattered. You don’t put a comma, an 'and' or a 'but' — period. That’s the message," Weiser said. Weiser said that he has not yet sat down with Kiros regarding her comments. Fox News Digital reached out to Kiros' campaign for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47e631c2ca79de23639015 Bullhead City Little League Majors fight for chance at District Championship te 2026-07-03T16:41:21.714Z Bullhead City Little League Majors fight for chance at District Championship The Bullhead Little League Majors (10-12) All-Stars faced Parker on Wednesday for the chance to play in the District 9 Championship at Southside Park in Kingman. Following the initial loss to Lake Havasu City on June 27, the team has… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47e5f4c2ca79de23638fee Chevy built an All-American EV truck. Why is nobody buying it? te 2026-07-03T16:40:20.281Z Chevy built an All-American EV truck. Why is nobody buying it? The Chevy Silverado EV is a solid first draft of an EV pickup truck. Here's what could make it better. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47e39ec2ca79de23638fb2 Pilot Was Bitten by Bat After Swarm Invaded Hotel Room, Lawsuit Says te 2026-07-03T16:30:22.883Z Pilot Was Bitten by Bat After Swarm Invaded Hotel Room, Lawsuit Says A pilot, who was treated for possible rabies exposure, sued Marriott International, claiming his Denver hotel failed to offer him a new room after he woke up to a swarm of bats last year. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47e183c2ca79de23638f76 Cheap streaming box could hijack your home internet te 2026-07-03T16:21:23.780Z Cheap streaming box could hijack your home internet That cheap streaming box promising free movies, live sports and premium channels may come with a hidden cost you never agreed to pay. Security researchers are warning about a sprawling Android-based botnet called Popa. It has reportedly forced millions of consumer TV boxes to relay internet traffic tied to ad fraud, account takeovers and mass data scraping. The concern goes beyond one shady app or one off-brand gadget. It points to a bigger problem sitting in living rooms across the country. Your home internet connection can be quietly used by strangers. In other words, that box connected to your TV may be doing more than streaming shows and movies. THE TRICK TO SMOOTHER STREAMING AT HOME AND ON THE ROAD Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report GLOBAL SCAM CRACKDOWN LEADS TO 276 ARRESTS Popa is tied to the wider Vo1d and BADBOX-style ecosystem of compromised Android-based streaming devices. These are often unofficial TV boxes sold online under countless names. Many promise access to paid movies, sports or channels for a one-time price. That should be your first warning sign. KrebsOnSecurity reports that Popa works less like a traditional botnet built for quick attacks and more like a persistent tunneling system. It can register a device, keep encrypted connections open and route traffic through that device when needed. So what does that mean at home? Someone else's internet traffic can appear to come from your house. A residential proxy uses a regular home internet address to send traffic. To a website, that traffic can look like it came from an ordinary household instead of a suspicious server farm. That makes these networks valuable for people trying to hide mass scraping, fake ad clicks, account attacks or other shady activity. It also creates a scary problem for the person who owns the Wi-Fi. Your IP address could show up as the source, even though you had no idea anything was happening. The FBI has warned that compromised internet-connected devices can become part of BADBOX 2.0 and residential proxy services used for criminal activity. Those devices can include TV streaming boxes, digital projectors, digital picture frames and other connected gadgets. For more on how attackers can abuse connected devices, see our report on how the FBI warned that more than 1 million Android devices were hijacked by malware. The numbers are huge. Lumen's Black Lotus Labs told Krebs that Popa averages between 1.5 million and 2.5 million distinct IP addresses each day. The system also reportedly relies on hundreds of internet addresses used to direct its activity. Google previously said BADBOX 2.0 compromised more than 10 million uncertified devices running Android open-source software without Google's built-in security protections. Google also said the devices were used for ad fraud and other digital crimes. That is why this should get your attention. The box under your TV may look harmless. But if it came preloaded with sketchy streaming apps, required workarounds or promised too much for too little money, it may be putting your home network at risk. The Popa story also includes a major dispute. Security firms Qurium and Synthient say Popa is linked to NetNut, a residential proxy provider owned by Alarum Technologies, a publicly traded Israeli company. Synthient said its analysis found traffic associated with NetNut coming from devices running Popa. Alarum disputes the reports. The company says the claims contain flawed conclusions and rejects the characterization of the technology as a botnet. Alarum also says its SDKs are meant for bandwidth-sharing with notice, consent and safeguards. That disagreement is important. But for everyday households, the most important point stays the same. If a device or app can route someone else's traffic through your home connection, you need to know before you plug it in. This problem goes beyond cheap Android TV boxes. Krebs cited research from Spur, a proxy-tracking service, that found some smart TV apps can include hidden tools that share your home internet connection with outside companies. Spur said more than 42% of LG webOS apps it reviewed had these components. It also found similar components in more than 25% of Samsung Tizen apps reviewed. In response, a Samsung spokesperson told CyberGuy, "Samsung wants to reassure our customers that the third-party residential proxy SDKs recently reported in the media cannot access, collect, or store any personal information from the TV, such as account credentials, viewing history, or personal files." Samsung said it has already restricted new app registrations that include those proxy functions. "We are currently implementing strict platform-wide developer policies explicitly banning residential proxy SDKs, and we are working to identify and remove all apps currently available in our store that contain these components," the company said. "The privacy and security of our customers are our top priority, and we will continue to enforce our developer policies to ensure our platform remains safe and trustworthy," the spokesperson added. Samsung's response sounds reassuring on personal TV data. Still, the bigger lesson is to be careful about what you install on any smart TV. Random games, free streaming apps or odd utilities can come with permissions or fine print that most people skip. A TV remote makes it easy to click through prompts without reading much. That is important because an app may be able to use your home internet connection in ways you did not expect. Be careful with any streaming device that promises free access to paid content. Also watch for Android boxes advertised as "unlocked," "fully loaded" or loaded with premium channels. The FBI lists several warning signs, including devices that require Google Play Protect to be disabled, apps from suspicious marketplaces, generic streaming boxes from unknown brands, Android devices that lack Play Protect certification and unexplained internet traffic. If you see one of those signs, unplug the device from power and disconnect it from Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The good news is you do not need to be a cybersecurity expert to lower your risk. Start with the devices connected to your TV, then work outward to your router, apps and passwords. Do not buy cheap Android TV boxes that promise free movies, live sports or paid channels. Those deals can come with malware, backdoors or proxy software. Stick with trusted streaming platforms and certified devices from known brands. A bargain stops looking like a bargain when it puts your home network at risk. Unplug any no-name Android TV box, unlocked streaming device or gadget that required you to disable Google Play Protect. Then remove it from your router's connected-device list. If unknown devices appear on your router, change your Wi-Fi password. After that, reconnect only the devices you recognize. If you use an Android TV device, check whether it is Play Protect certified. Uncertified Android devices may lack Google's built-in security protections. A device that asks you to turn off security settings during setup deserves extra scrutiny. That setup step can be a major red flag. Install apps only from official stores on your smart TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku or Android TV device. Avoid sideloading, which means installing apps from outside the official app store, unless you fully trust the source. The FBI warns that unofficial marketplaces and required app downloads can increase the chance of infection. Go through the apps on your smart TV and streaming devices. Remove games, utilities, free streaming apps and anything you no longer recognize. Pay close attention to apps that mention bandwidth sharing, proxy access or earning rewards from unused internet. Those tradeoffs can be buried in language most people would skip. Keep your router, smart TV, streaming stick and other connected devices updated. Firmware updates often fix security holes that attackers love to exploit. Also, check whether your router supports automatic updates. Turn that on if available. Open your router app or router admin page and look at the connected-device list. Remove anything you do not recognize. Also, watch for devices sending unusual amounts of data. A streaming box should not be creating heavy outbound traffic when no one is watching anything. If you signed into Google, streaming apps or other accounts on a suspicious TV box, change those passwords from a trusted phone or computer. Also, sign out of those accounts on other devices when the service gives you that option. Use a trusted password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords so one compromised account does not open the door to others. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com Remove free VPNs, free streaming apps, coupon extensions, unknown browser extensions and apps that offer to pay you for bandwidth. A trusted VPN can help protect your privacy online, especially on public Wi-Fi. However, a VPN will not clean an infected streaming box or stop a shady TV app from abusing your connection. Use it as one layer, not your only defense. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com Create a separate guest or IoT network for TVs, streaming boxes, cameras, printers and other smart devices. That way, a compromised gadget has less access to your phones, laptops and personal files. Many newer routers make this fairly easy inside the router app. Run a full security scan on your computers and phones with trusted security software. This can help catch malware, risky downloads and suspicious files. But let's be real here. Do not assume antivirus software can fully clean a cheap infected TV box. The FBI has warned that some compromised devices may come with malware before purchase or pick it up during setup. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com A factory reset may sound like enough, but it may fail to remove malware that came preinstalled or lives deeper in the device. If the box came from an unknown brand, pushed you toward sketchy apps or required security workarounds, replacing it is the safer move. If you believe your device or network has been compromised, report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. Also, contact your internet provider if you see strange traffic or get abuse notices tied to your IP address. The scary part here is how ordinary this can look. A cheap streaming box sits under your TV, works well enough and promises free content. Meanwhile, your home internet connection may be getting rented out or abused in ways you never approved. That to me is scary because most people would never think to check whether their TV box is sending traffic in the background. They just want to watch the game or a movie. But if the device came from an unknown brand, promised free paid content or required sketchy setup steps, it deserves a serious look. The safest move is to unplug anything suspicious, use certified streaming devices and keep your smart TV apps under control. Free TV can become expensive fast when your home internet gets dragged into someone else's scheme. Would you unplug a streaming box if you found out strangers might be routing their internet traffic through your home? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47e15ac2ca79de23638f5b This Independence Day, keeping our republic starts here in Arizona te 2026-07-03T16:20:42.311Z This Independence Day, keeping our republic starts here in Arizona Scott Bales Every Fourth of July, Americans gather under fireworks, raise flags, attend parades, and share meals with family and neighbors. These traditions matter. They bring us together across generations. Independence Day is more than a celebration, it is a way to remember what was declared in Philadelphia in 1776: that our government should not rest on the will of a king, a faction, or a distant power, but on the consent of the governed. That idea was revolutionary then. It remains our responsibility now. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it is worth reflecting not only on what the Founders rejected, but on what they tried to build. They objected to arbitrary power, to laws imposed without meaningful representation, and to courts dependent on political authority rather than justice. In the Declaration, they accused King George III of undermining colonial legislatures and making judges dependent on his will alone. Those grievances were not historical footnotes. They were warnings. The Founders understood that liberty requires more than inspiring words. It requires institutions, laws, checks and balances, and citizens willing to defend them. Our system has never been perfect. The promise of equality and self-government announced in 1776 was denied to many Americans for far too long. But the genius of the American experiment is that each generation has been called to make the country more faithful to its founding principles. That work continues today. Here in Arizona, the institutions of self-government are not abstractions. They are made up of people in our own communities: local officials who administer elections, judges who apply the law, clerks who maintain public records, lawyers who help resolve disputes, jurors who weigh evidence, and citizens who participate in civic life. These institutions may not always make headlines, but they are the backbone of our republic. Our republic depends on trust — not blind trust, but earned trust. Citizens have every right to ask questions, demand transparency, challenge decisions through lawful means, and expect accountability from those who serve the public. But our republic cannot endure if every institution is presumed illegitimate simply because it produces an outcome we dislike. As a former chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, I have seen this work up close. During my years on the bench, I saw firsthand how much our constitutional system depends on the steady, often quiet work of people who serve their communities. Our republic is sustained not only by founding ideals or public speeches, but by citizens and public servants who take their responsibilities seriously: following the law, respecting established procedures, weighing evidence, correcting mistakes when they occur, and accepting lawful outcomes even when they are disappointing or politically inconvenient. The rule of law is what separates self-government from raw power. Courts do not exist to favor one party, one candidate, or one public official. Judges do not serve a political cause. Election administrators do not serve a political cause. Public servants, judges, and local officials swear oaths not to personalities, but to constitutions, laws, and the people they serve. This principle is especially important in moments of political tension. When our preferred candidate wins, it is easy to praise the system. The real test comes when our side loses. Peaceful transitions of power, respect for lawful outcomes, and reliance on evidence rather than rumor are not partisan values. They are American values. This is also why civic education matters and why I have worked with Keep Our Republic’s Alliance of Former Chief Justices. The Alliance brings together former state supreme court chief justices from across the country who share a commitment to the rule of law, judicial independence, and public confidence in our constitutional system. Through this work, we help citizens better understand the systems that protect self-government: how courts work, how disputes are resolved, how courts review evidence, and how constitutional safeguards protect every citizen.  It is our civic duty to help citizens understand how the process works, who runs it, and where lawful remedies exist when disputes arise. In a healthy republic, disagreement is expected. But disagreement must be channeled through evidence, law, courts, elections, and constitutional order — not threats, rumors, or contempt for every institution that stands in the way of our preferred result. On our nation’s 250th Independence Day, let us recommit ourselves to that work — here in Arizona, in our communities, and across the republic we have inherited and must keep. Scott Bales served on the Arizona Supreme Court from 2005 to 2019 and as chief justice from 2014 to 2019. He is a member of Keep Our Republic’s Alliance of Former Chief Justices. The post This Independence Day, keeping our republic starts here in Arizona first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47df3fc2ca79de23638f23 Country star Gabby Barrett says she 'slept in the car' before 'American Idol' changed her life te 2026-07-03T16:11:43.415Z Country star Gabby Barrett says she 'slept in the car' before 'American Idol' changed her life Before the glitz and glam of stardom, Gabby Barrett knew all too well about the struggles of "being at the bottom." In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, the 26-year-old country star — who recently released her latest single, "In On It" — opened up about her rise to fame, got candid about the financial and emotional hardships she faced and explained how faith carried her through difficult periods. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Barrett was one of seven children and learned the importance of a strong work ethic at an early age. JENNIE GARTH ADMITS ‘SCARY’ FINANCIAL SPIRAL AFTER ‘90210’ FAME "My parents, growing up in Pittsburgh, were always very hard workers," Barrett said. "Both parents were working. My mom stayed home with us when we were little, which I really appreciate being a mother now. But she's been working for a long time. My dad worked several jobs at a time. My dad's very entrepreneurial, so that kind of bled over onto me. And he's a business guy, and I've always just seen him work really hard my whole life and sacrifice a lot for me too in those beginning years of me singing around Pennsylvania and trying to get my name out there." "There were times… he couldn't pay the light bill or the lights got pulled, and we had to pack up sandwiches in the car because we couldn't afford to stop at the drive-through," she continued. "When I was getting ready to go onto 'American Idol' I remember we all slept in the car. There were like a couple dogs in the car too. It was just crazy. So I understand, you know, what being at the bottom and what kind of being at the top looks like. And I really appreciate my parents for instilling a hard work ethic in me because I do understand it. And there are challenges that come along with it. But I'm really thankful for that." The "I Hope" singer began singing around age nine and found herself performing at local fairs and festivals before competing on Season 16 of "American Idol" in 2018 at 18 years old. WATCH: GABBY BARRETT REVEALS THE STRUGGLE BEHIND HER RISE, SAYS SHE ‘SLEPT IN THE CAR’ BEFORE ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ CARRIE UNDERWOOD SURPRISES 'AMERICAN IDOL' CONTESTANT WITH TIFFANY JEWELRY AND HANDWRITTEN NOTE "I was so nervous," Barrett admitted. "My dad was such a motivational, encouraging person, you know, he'd always help turn a negative into positive for me, even when I had a tough time going through school… I was a minor on 'American Idol,' I was 17, 18, so I kind of went in with that mindset because it was the first time that I really felt myself go, 'Okay, this is some real pressure here.' Like that was my first crack at something global where millions of people are watching you at a time, which is tough. That was tough for being 17, 18. So that was a challenge, but a good challenge." While Barrett landed in third place on the singing competition show, she walked away with a full heart. "I didn't know what was going to come from 'American Idol,' honestly. I had no idea. I had, at first I thought it was like a scam... I got scouted by producer and got emailed like, ‘Hey, "American Idol" wants you to,’ uh, you like that thing. And I was like, this is not real. There's no way. Sure enough, it was real. I auditioned for it and ended up in third place on that season, which I just couldn't be more grateful for the way that things kinda fell out. It was a wonderful experience. It feels like another world though… I'm proud of where I've come from then, and it's been such a fun ride ever since." MILLIE BOBBY BROWN DEFENDS HUSBAND JAKE BONGIOVI AFTER CRITICS BLAST HIM FOR NOT HELPING WITH THEIR BAGS The experience also transformed her personal life: Barrett met her husband, Cade Foehner, while they were both competing on "Idol." The two married one year after appearing on the show together and have since welcomed three children. "I think marriage grows you deeply as a person, and it also shows where your weaknesses are and where your strengths are as well," said Barrett. "You're always going to have frictions. You're always going to disagree somewhere, and it's a matter of figuring out, you know, like am I going to still choose you through that?" "I've been married for almost seven years, got married when I was 19," she continued. "Everybody was like, ‘No!’ You know? Because that's so… young and you're still figuring out life. You just start asking all those big questions. 'Who do I want to be? What do I want to be about?' There's a lot to figure out. And I'm still figuring that out heavily at 26. I'm not saying I have it all together because there are challenges. But it has taught me a lot about me as a person, and it's taught me also just how thankful I am to the Lord for marriage and what a gift that really is." As a working mom of three, Barrett said she's learned one important lesson: there's no such thing as balance. "I like to throw the word balance kind of out the window," said Barrett. "There's really no balance. I'm a believer, and so I really prioritize my family and making sure that they are good. I also really prioritize music and making sure that I'm really intentional about the way that I do music and what I put out... and something I can connect to the fans. And so there is no balance, but it's really fun." "I'm on tour right now… and I take my kids on the tour bus with me and, you know, some nights aren't the best nights of sleep, but it's really cool when you zoom out and get to put it in perspective. Like, I get to take my kids to work. I know that there's a lot of hard-working parents out there that don't get to take their kids to work, or their kids have to go to daycare. And so that's something that I don't take for [granted]. I really am thankful for the life that I get live." With all the challenges that life can throw at her, Barrett remains steadfast in her faith. So much so, that it became the inspiration behind her latest single, "In On It." "The inspiration behind that song really was that God has a plan for your life, regardless of your circumstances," she said. "And this song was pitched to me. It was one that I actually didn't write. So I really had to deeply kind of feel, and want to push the message of the song. And so as soon as this song came to me, I was like, 'Oh, I love it.' And I could see myself writing it and pushing it." "And it's really just like, you know, the author has not given us the script for everything," Barrett continued. "We don't have the blueprint of life right in front of us. And so we just have to trust God even in those uncomfortable circumstances… I've had uncomfortable circumstances, I'm sure, like we all have. And I've gotten past them as time moves on. And then I look back, and I actually can peel some valuable things, even though it didn't feel good at the time, I still made it through. And so, just again, trusting, having faith that God has a plan for your life that's bigger than you can see right now." For Barrett, her Christianity is everything. "I'm a Christian and I like to consider myself a more, you know, forward Christian who's not afraid to talk about that part of my life because it's so just organically woven into the way that I live," she said. "My husband and I have three kids, and so that's something that's really, really important to us. It's something that's woven into all of my music, really. And so I find it heavily important to represent a message like this, especially in a world like we're in right now. I think everybody could use something positive, encouraging, and a message that points back to the Lord." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47df2ac2ca79de23638f11 What Black poets and Latino WWII vets can teach us about American patriotism at 250 te 2026-07-03T16:11:22.426Z What Black poets and Latino WWII vets can teach us about American patriotism at 250 Fencing along the Freedom 250 construction site on the National Mall near Madison Drive and 7th Street NW on June 22, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom) I’ve been celebrating our country’s 250th birthday for several weeks now, though not in the way you might think. No fireworks. No flag waving. No parades. Instead, I’ve been marking the occasion by watching, if you will, fragments of America’s often complicated story play out on stage. When I’m not writing columns, I spend a lot of my time producing live theater. And for the past several weeks, I’ve had the privilege of mounting two shows that have served as reminders of what this country, at its very best, can stand for. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE Let’s Rock: From Shakespeare to Tupac was conceived by my friend and colleague, Rod Ambrose, who’s been making theater in Arizona and across the country for more than 55 years. The play, which closed last week at ASU Kerr, dramatizes the poetry of some of America’s greatest Black poets: Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Frances Ellen Watson Harper, Claude McKay and others. In addition to producing it, I had the honor of directing Rod’s piece, and the privilege of listening from backstage as the show’s actor-poets dramatized some of the most profound literary testaments to the principles of democracy ever written. The repertoire, which ranged in works from the slavery era to Jim Crow to today, included, “If We Must Die” (Claude McKay), “I Apologize” (Oscar Brown Jr.), “Why Is Everything White,” (Rashaad Thomas), “Faith” (Therosia Reynolds) and “In the Event of My Demise,” (Tupac Shakur). More than once, I was brought to tears by Chris Owens’ spoken word piece, “No Sympathy for the Devil,” which opens with Owens prostrate on the floor in a graphic reenactment of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the searing line, “I can’t breathe.” Then, after five seconds of total silence, the actor gasps and bolts upright in a sudden jerk, as if revived by Black America’s centuries-long struggle to survive. After a rapid-fire declamation of more than a dozen names of unarmed Black men and women killed by police in recent years, Owens laments: “Excuse me for not remembering all of your names, but this happens so often I have trouble keeping up.” As I listened to Owens’ performance, it struck me that the thread that tied his work to that of the other poets featured in the show is the idea that Black America, through its resilience, independence and moral righteousness, is as responsible as anyone for this union’s steady, if imperfect, 250-year march toward democracy. Without Black America, we would not be America, and we likely would not have become a true democracy. The other show I produced this summer is called Post 41. The play, which I wrote, is inspired by true events. It’s about a group of Latino WWII veterans who founded an American Legion post in South Phoenix that became a hub for civil rights activism. Its members, like co-founders Tony F. Soza and Ray Martinez, came home after fighting overseas, determined to claim their civil rights here. Among its many successes, the group desegregated the Tempe Beach swimming pool in 1947. Later, post members forced local home developers to desegregate public housing and abide by the provisions of the federal GI Bill, which barred discrimination in the sale of homes to Blacks, Mexican Americans and other people of color. Like their Black counterparts, the Latino vets who built Post 41 — literally brick by brick — knew better than most that the promise of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights was meant to be exercised by all Americans, not just  white people. “When we got out of the service…some of us knew we had a mission,” Martinez once told a local documentary filmmaker. “We knew we weren’t going to put up with the discrimination we faced before. We knew about the Preamble and the Constitution, and we knew after we whipped the Nazis and the Japanese Empire that we had earned the right to pursue the American way of life.” Martinez’s words weren’t hollow patriotism, but an impassioned and active pledge to live up to this country’s democratic ideals. To Martinez, the Fourth of July wasn’t just a day off from work as much as a perennial reminder that, if Americans of every race, creed and color could fight, and sometimes die, side by side in the trenches protecting democracy from the spread of fascism, then surely we could find a way to respect each other’s dignity and equal rights at home. Today’s very real fascist threat, of course, resides in the White House in the personification of an authoritarian president who’s proven himself profoundly corrupt and more determined to pad his bank account than uphold the tenets of our constitution. Yet as we mark the 250th anniversary of this great nation, I take comfort in knowing and believing that in the course of American history we have faced far more formidable threats and managed to survive. Like Martinez and so many of the great Black poets of our ages, most of us know we have a mission, and that without us there would be no America. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47df00c2ca79de23638f01 Marshall Trimble: A piece of Arizona history te 2026-07-03T16:10:40.961Z Marshall Trimble: A piece of Arizona history State Historian Marshall Trimble was born and raised in Arizona. He taught Arizona history to school children and college students. He travelled around the state and struck up conversations at every stop. He recounted the stories he heard in writing.  Now, on America’s 250th anniversary, he reflects on the many tales of opportunity in Arizona’s history and reflects on his own ascent to a nationally published historian writing on the state and country he calls home.  Questions and answers have been lightly edited for style and clarity.  What led you to immerse yourself in Arizona history?  I was born here, and my story is kind of interesting in that we lived in a trailer house. Five of us lived in a little two room trailer house when I was a kid. My dad had been a farmer, but he never owned his own land. He never even graduated from high school. And he used to say to me, Marshall, he said, ‘Go to college if you can. Just know it. If you can, go to college. It’s possible for you to go to college.’  I went to Phoenix College. I came from a high school of about 30 students in a little railroad town, and my dad didn’t make enough money for us all to have anything. My mother had to work as a waitress.  I could go to Phoenix College for $17 a semester, and that was in the 1950s, so that wasn’t that long ago. It sure wasn’t to me, but I was the first in my family to go to college, and I did it working at Encanto Park for $1 an hour and paid my way through the first two years of college. Then I was able to go on to ASU. It had just become ASU in about 1958. I got a master’s degree, and I started out as a school teacher, teaching Arizona history at a local high school here in Scottsdale. It was starvation wages.  Then, I just fell into a job teaching Arizona history at Scottsdale Community College, and next thing you know, my students said, Marshall, you should write a book, and I said, I can’t even write a good term paper, just barely graduated from college, and they said, but “Tell your stories, just tell the stories. Your students love to hear the stories about Arizona.”  I thought about that for a couple of days, and I sat down one night and wrote a whole chapter on a topic. I submitted a manuscript to Doubleday in New York, and doggone it, they published it. I couldn’t believe it when I got word they bought it. They offered me $10,000. That was more than I was making a whole year as a teacher. I thought maybe I hit on something here, and next thing, oh, I’m autographing books, and publishers are asking me to write something else.  I know that was unusual, probably, but the opportunity was there to do that. Only in America could that have happened.  What did you try to imbue in your students as an educator?  I appreciate – today – an education. The opportunity is there, and why throw your life away? Do something, and do something for the people, do something for your community, do something worthwhile, something we can be proud of. And I always had that philosophy. I never preached it that much, I just mentioned it to my students, but over the years I had thousands of students, and I still hear from them today, and I just keep falling back on that. Only in America could you have done something like that.  With your own story in mind, how are you thinking about America’s 250th?  America has lasted just 250 years, which is not very long when you think about it. But we very quickly rose to a world power. It sounds boastful, but it was true. We saved the free world twice in one century, referring to World War I and World War II. You’ve always got dictators and people who seize power, and the people in America always were making their own laws. They may have been fighting each other at the same time, but, we’re in America. We always said we can do this. We should be proud of our history, because we’ve given so much and contributed so much. We love to beat up ourselves, but I say I think we should look at the good because of what we’ve accomplished, and we should be proud of it. So, after 250 years, we’ve done some great things, and things to be proud of. We should be proud to be Americans. How would you describe Arizona in reflecting on the 250th?  We’re the baby state. Well, not anymore, but we were for a long time, and we had a hard time getting statehood. At the time of statehood they wanted to put us together with New Mexico.  We thought, wait a minute, we’re different. We came out here for the gold rush, and we came out here for mining and land. We came here for land. Cattlemen came here for ranches, as big as the state of Rhode Island. It was a land of opportunity, and people could come here and start over again in Phoenix, Tucson, even Flagstaff, Prescott, places like that. We were new. We didn’t want to be part of New Mexico. We wanted to be our own state.  What American values did you see in Arizona history, both before and after statehood?  This was a land of opportunity. You could reinvent yourself out here. Back East things are pretty much set with old families that have been there a long time. It was settled back there, it was older and settled, and these people came out here, having lived there, they saw the opportunities to get a whole new start out here. We’ve seen that a lot here in Arizona, where people came out here with nothing.  What examples of rags to riches stick out to you?  I look at Arizona’s big businesses in territorial days – mining and ranching. People could come out here hardly, barely owning the shirts on their back, but they could start a ranch, and it took a lot of hard work. Even harder work was mining. Look at Ed Schiefflin. He was a poor man, everybody laughed at him when he came to town. There’s old Ed Schiefflin. He’s still looking for the lost mine. They’re still looking to get rich, poor old fellow.  The Apaches were pretty much controlling southern Arizona, and they said all you’re going to find out there is your tombstone, and he kept searching, and one day he found a spot that he thought looked promising, and he started working on it. and his brother came out, and an assayer, a man who knew metals. And he said, Ed, you are a lucky fella. He said yes, I found my tombstone, it turned out to be one of the richest mines in Arizona. It was one of the richest mines in Arizona, and this was a guy who was in rags. That story played out many times in mining, you’re broke one day and rich the next.  Why is studying and documenting Arizona history important?  You should always look back to where you came from, what it was and what it can become.  It’s a chance for people who hadn’t had that chance. It was a land of opportunity, and it was accepting of new people, it was accepting of all kinds of people. Even here today, you hear people say I wasn’t born here but I sure love this place.  It’s a place to start over again. A lot of people don’t have a chance, they need a chance. That’s what the West provided in Arizona especially.  How would you recommend people get involved in Arizona history?  Get in your car and take your, take your spouse and your friends, and get out and get to know it. Travel it. When I first fell in love with Arizona history, I had no idea what was going to happen to me, what it was going to be, what kind of a career it was going to be, what it has been, and all the awards and the ways you’ve been honored.  I used to just get in the car on the weekend in my pickup truck and drive around to get to know the towns. For about 15 years I ran an institute at Scottsdale Community College, where we went out for two weeks. It was a summer school class, so we took two weeks, and we would choose a section of Arizona, and I would lecture on the history there. This is where the battle of Apache Pass was. These are the ruins of Canyon de Chelly. Here’s the Grand Canyon. Let them get to know the state, and they take more of a pride in their state. Go to Springerville, Arizona, and on a Saturday night, or on any night, just stop by the local places, stop at the barbershop, ask questions. Stop at the restaurants, and talk to the waitresses. Most of them grew up there, and tell stories.  I found that’s how to fit in, that’s how that’s how to get something going in one of these towns when you’re an outsider. I never had any trouble when I was writing my books on Arizona history.  The post Marshall Trimble: A piece of Arizona history first appeared on Arizona Capitol Times. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47dcebc2ca79de23638e81 Zoox robotaxi redesign brings big rider upgrades te 2026-07-03T16:01:47.864Z Zoox robotaxi redesign brings big rider upgrades Zoox has a new version of its robotaxi, and yes, it still looks like something that rolled in from the future. The Amazon-owned company has updated its custom-built electric robotaxi with new comfort and usability upgrades. The vehicle still has no steering wheel or pedals, and it can still drive in either direction. However, Zoox now wants the inside to feel less like a tech demo and more like a ride you might actually relax in. That is a big shift. Once robotaxis move beyond early testers and start picking up more riders, small things suddenly become important. A stiff seat, a sliding phone or a cupholder that cannot handle your giant iced coffee can turn a futuristic ride into an annoying one fast. Zoox says the new updates came from testing, early deployments and feedback from half a million riders. In other words, this robotaxi makeover seems designed for the people sitting inside, not the engineers admiring it from the curb. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report. WOULD YOU RIDE IN WAYMO'S NEW OJAI ROBOTAXI? Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join. The biggest changes are inside the cabin. Zoox added more padding and ergonomic curves to the seats and headrests. That should help make the ride feel more comfortable, especially if you hit rough pavement or sit in the vehicle for more than a quick hop across town. The company also updated the color, materials and finish. The new interior uses aloe-green seating with stone-grey flooring and trim. Zoox says the lighter palette creates a calmer cabin. There is another everyday benefit, too. A lighter interior can make it easier to spot your phone, keys or wallet before the vehicle pulls away. Anyone who has ever left something in the back seat of a rideshare knows how stressful that moment can be. Zoox also added fluting to the wireless charging pad to help keep phones in place. The cupholders are larger. The touchscreen is easier to see. None of that sounds dramatic, but those details become important when a vehicle may eventually shuttle lots of people a day. The core Zoox design has not changed. CyberGuy previously reported on Zoox's first public-road robotaxi milestone back in 2023, when the company's autonomous vehicle carried passengers in Foster City, California. This is still a purpose-built autonomous vehicle, not a regular car with self-driving software added later. There is no driver's seat, steering wheel or traditional controls. The vehicle has carriage-style seating for four people, with passengers facing each other. It also has a moonroof, starry night lighting and a sensor setup that includes cameras, radar, lidar and long-wave infrared sensors. The robotaxi can drive bidirectionally, which means it does not need to turn around the way a normal car does. It also uses four-wheel steering and can travel at speeds of up to 75 miles per hour. That design is the whole point of Zoox. The company wants a robotaxi built around riders from the start. Still, that also makes federal approval more complicated because many vehicle rules were written for cars with human drivers. Zoox also made exterior changes that focus on visibility and communication. The company relocated its bidirectional reflectors so people outside the vehicle can better understand which direction it is moving. Zoox says those reflectors rotate color to clearly distinguish the robotaxi's front from its rear. That is important because a boxy robotaxi that can drive both ways may confuse pedestrians, cyclists or other drivers. Zoox also added a new speaker and microphone to the door interface. The vehicle now supports two-way audio, which can help riders talk with Zoox Support. It may also help first responders communicate in an emergency. That may sound like a small upgrade, but it is important. If there is no driver, someone still needs a clear way to talk to the vehicle, the rider or support staff when something goes wrong. Zoox says this latest version is its production intent vehicle, and it plans to move into large-scale production at its robotaxi facility in Hayward, California. Zoox says it is live in Las Vegas and San Francisco, while Austin and Miami are listed as "Now Arriving" on its ride pages. Availability varies by city, so this is still not the same as opening an app anywhere and calling a ride. Zoox says riders can download the app at zoox.com/app to ride in Las Vegas or join the waitlist in other cities. Zoox wants to make the updated robotaxis available to more riders later this year, but that expansion remains subject to regulatory approval. WAYMO RECALLS ROBOTAXIS OVER CONSTRUCTION-ZONE RISK Zoox has petitioned NHTSA for a temporary exemption from certain requirements in eight Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for its automated vehicle. NHTSA previously granted Zoox a demonstration exemption for its driverless vehicles, but broader commercial deployment still depends on regulatory approval. That decision could shape how quickly Zoox moves from limited access to more widespread availability. This update says a lot about where robotaxis are headed. The early race focused on whether autonomous vehicles could safely drive through cities. Now, companies also have to prove that people will enjoy using them. That is a different challenge. You may be willing to try a robotaxi once because it feels new. However, would you use one again if the seat feels stiff, your drink tips over or you cannot figure out how to get help? Probably not. Zoox seems to understand that. The company is polishing the experience before it tries to scale the service. That makes sense because robotaxis will be judged by the whole ride, including whether the vehicle feels safe, comfortable and easy to use. Zoox isn’t alone in the robotaxi race. Waymo already operates in several markets, Tesla has been pushing its own robotaxi plans and other autonomous vehicle companies continue to test driverless technology. Zoox stands out because its vehicle has no traditional driver setup at all. That makes it visually striking, but it also puts the company closer to the center of the regulatory debate. Federal rules still have to catch up with vehicles that were never designed for a human driver. Until that happens, companies like Zoox may need exemptions before they can fully launch paid service. For riders, the question becomes less about whether the technology looks cool and more about whether it feels safe, comfortable and easy to use. Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free CyberGuy Live replay, Kurt the CyberGuy walks you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do at your own pace. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Watch the replay and get our checklist here: CyberGuyLive.com Zoox's updated robotaxi shows how autonomous vehicles are moving into a new phase. The technology still has to prove itself on safety, but the ride experience now counts too. Better seats, clearer screens, larger cupholders and easier communication may sound minor, yet those are the things that become important for everyday riders. The bigger issue is approval. Zoox can make the cabin calmer and more comfortable, but broader commercial deployment still depends on regulatory approval. That is the part to follow closely because it could affect how quickly steering-wheel-free robotaxis show up in your city. Would you climb into a driverless taxi with no steering wheel if it looked this calm inside, or would you still want a human at the controls? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47dcd7c2ca79de23638e74 Enrollment is open for PAC sessions te 2026-07-03T16:01:27.901Z Enrollment is open for PAC sessions PAC team members are gearing up to provide a fun, supportive educational place at schools across the Valley schools where youth can spend their afterschool hours when classes resume in August (photo courtesy of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department). Enrollment opened June 18 for families to join the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department’s Phoenix Afterschool Center (PAC) when school resumes this fall. PAC offers a fun, supportive and educational place for youth ages 6 to 13 to spend critical afterschool hours at school sites citywide. Experienced recreation staff lead structured activities and supervised free-play. What can attendees expect at PAC? Youth will have a dedicated time to complete homework assignments with assistance from PAC staff on a daily basis, and books are provided for all levels of readers to enjoy once homework is finished. Twice a month, participants will engage in fun, interesting and hands-on STEM projects, and enrichment presentations are given by a variety of kid-friendly partners, and organized games, sports and activities designed to promote health and wellness are available. Additionally, weekly nutrition workshops are provided to educate about the importance of healthy eating. Supervised free time allows youths to play, socialize and develop important interaction skills, and they will have the opportunity to expand their creative abilities through a variety art projects. Programs are available at many North Central schools, including in the Osborn and Washington Elementary school districts. To contact the PAC team, call 602-262-7370 or send an email to pac@phoenix.gov. For in-person registration, visit a Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department community center. Find information online at www.phoenix.gov/parks/pac. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47da3cc2ca79de23638e0b Trump to Speak at Mount Rushmore at 250th Anniversary Event te 2026-07-03T15:50:20.706Z Trump to Speak at Mount Rushmore at 250th Anniversary Event It’s not the first time the president has made a big speech at the monument. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47d836c2ca79de23638dd0 Washington Post throws cold water on DC fireworks with report of ‘hazardous air pollution’ te 2026-07-03T15:41:42.055Z Washington Post throws cold water on DC fireworks with report of ‘hazardous air pollution’ Fireworks planned for President Donald Trump's July Fourth celebration on the National Mall are expected to cause hazardous air pollution around the Mall and "very unhealthy" conditions across central Washington, D.C., according to internal National Park Service documents reviewed by The Washington Post. The show is scheduled for Saturday night as part of the 250th anniversary of American independence. George Thurston, a professor of medicine and population health at New York University, told the Post that people attending or living near the display should reduce their exposure to the smoke. "People should use the precautionary principle, which is to minimize exposures," Thurston said. "An N95 mask would be a good idea." FIRST ON FOX: BEHIND THE SCENES OF ARLINGTON’S MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE FOR AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY The fireworks show is part of the Salute of America 250 Celebration & Fireworks, which the official Freedom 250 event page says will feature 850,000 shells launched from 10 sites, including the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, eight Potomac River barges and West Potomac Park. Organizers list the fireworks show as starting at 10:30 p.m. and lasting about 40 minutes. The White House promoted the event as a centerpiece of the nation's anniversary celebration, saying more than a million people will gather on the National Mall for Trump's keynote remarks, entertainment and "the largest pyrotechnics display in the history of the world." The internal modeling reviewed by the Post projected that, in the most likely scenario, the show would generate between 600 and 1,200 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic meter around the Mall. A worst-case scenario would exceed 2,000 micrograms per cubic meter, according to the report. FAMOUS LANDMARKS SLASH VISITING HOURS AS DEADLY HEAT WAVE THREATENS TOURISTS The draft analysis said people near the Mall should "avoid prolonged exposure." PM2.5 refers to fine inhalable particles that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA says those particles can get deep into the lungs and some may enter the bloodstream, posing the greatest health risk among particulate matter categories. The Post reported that downtown Washington, Arlington and Capitol Hill were projected to see "very unhealthy" conditions, with elevated pollution levels lingering for three to six hours after the fireworks show. Another Park Service document recommended N95 masks outdoors and staying inside as much as possible during and after the display, according to the report. FAMOUS LANDMARKS SLASH VISITING HOURS AS DEADLY HEAT WAVE THREATENS TOURISTS The documents also raised questions about who could be affected by the smoke. The fireworks are planned near the Potomac River and the National Mall, not far from Southeast Washington, an area that includes predominantly Black and lower-income neighborhoods, The Post reported. Thurston told The Post that respiratory and cardiovascular problems, including asthma, are more prevalent among lower-income and minority populations. "I definitely think that should not be ignored," he said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE D.C. officials have separately warned residents and visitors to prepare for a large holiday crowd and several days of extreme heat. Mayor Muriel Bowser's office said Monday that hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors are expected for events, including the Salute to America Celebration and Fireworks, parades, World Cup celebrations and Washington Nationals games. The mayor’s office said the National Mall event has been designated a National Special Security Event and advised attendees to arrive early, use public transportation and expect security magnetometers to open at 1 p.m. Saturday. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47d822c2ca79de23638dc7 Major soccer governing body nixing FIFA's mouth-covering red card mandate for future games te 2026-07-03T15:41:22.608Z Major soccer governing body nixing FIFA's mouth-covering red card mandate for future games FIFA introduced a wild rule for this year's World Cup in which players could receive red cards for covering their mouths while speaking; however, one of soccer's largest governing bodies will not be following suit. FIFA established the new rule to prevent players from hiding abusive, discriminatory or offensive language while on the field. But the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) announced Thursday that players will not be sent off the field for the infraction during Champions League, Europa League and Conference League matches next season. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM UEFA did say, however, that players could receive a yellow card if they are "attempting to conceal communication as an act of unsporting behaviour." "This is obviously without prejudice to any disciplinary investigation or proceedings that may follow as a consequence of or in connection with such behaviour," a statement said. FIFA President Gianni Infantino pushed for changes after Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni tried to hide verbal insults toward Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior in a Champions League match. Soccer’s rulemaking panel, the International Football Association Board, agreed that players can be penalized with a red card if they cover their mouths when verbally confronting another player. FORMER TEAM USA STAR WANTS TO SEE RED CARD RULE CHANGE AFTER FOLARIN BALOGUN CONTROVERSY The rule is not mandatory within the Laws of the Game but gives tournament organizers like FIFA the option to use it at their discretion. The rule change was unanimously approved by IFAB, which includes officials from FIFA and the four British soccer federations, at a special meeting ahead of the FIFA Congress. FIFA’s proposal followed Vinícius, backed by Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappé, accusing Prestianni of making a racially charged insult while raising his jersey to cover his mouth during the game in February. Paraguay's Miguel Almiron and Piero Hincapie of Ecuador are the only players to be red-carded for mouth-covering. If a player is shown a red card by an official, the player is ejected from the match and must serve a one-game suspension in the following match. The team is also forced to play the remainder of the match with 10 players. OutKick's Matt Reigle and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47d5ccc2ca79de23638d7f Trump calls out NATO ahead of summit, calling it 'ridiculous' for US to persist on 'one sided path' te 2026-07-03T15:31:24.452Z Trump calls out NATO ahead of summit, calling it 'ridiculous' for US to persist on 'one sided path' President Donald Trump targeted the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), venting frustration about the alliance in Thursday social media posts. "The United States spends more money on NATO than any other country, by far, to protect them, without getting any benefit from so doing: U.S. 999 Billion Dollars, United Kingdom, 90.5 Billion Dollars, France, 66.5 Billion Dollars, Italy, 48.8 Billion Dollars, Poland, 44.3 Billion Dollars. Others, including Germany, are MUCH LOWER. (2014-2025) Ridiculous!" the president asserted in a Thursday morning Truth Social post. A NATO release, which explains that the "cut-off date for information used in this report was 3 June 2025" and that "figures for 2024 and 2025 are estimates," listed the estimated 2025 U.S. defense expenditure as $980 billion, the United Kingdom's as $90.508 billion, France as $66.531 billion, Italy as $48.8 billion, and Poland as $44.314 billion. MOST TRUMP SUPPORTERS STILL BACK NATO DESPITE YEARS OF TRUMP'S CRITICISM, NEW POLL FINDS America's commander in chief also called out NATO in a post on Thursday night. "Ridiculous for the U.S.A. to continue along this one sided path when the relationship is not reciprocal. They were not there for us!!!" Trump exclaimed in the post. The president's vocal complaints about NATO came ahead of the alliance's upcoming summit in Ankara, Turkey, next week. Trump is scheduled to attend. NATO SECRETARY MARK RUTTE PRAISES TRUMP'S IRAN STRATEGY, ADDRESSES PRESIDENT'S FRUSTRATION WITH ALLIES Trump met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House last month. Trump has been critical of NATO amid the U.S. war with Iran. TRUMP ‘RIGHT TO BE OUTRAGED’ BY EUROPE’S BETRAYAL ON IRAN, SAYS FORMER THATCHER ADVISOR "Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help. I TOLD THEM TO STAY AWAY, UNLESS THEY JUST WANT TO LOAD UP THEIR SHIPS WITH OIL. They were useless when needed, a Paper Tiger!" Trump asserted in a mid-April Truth Social post. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47d389c2ca79de23638d37 Dylan Cease gives Toronto Blue Jays a clear edge as Luis Castillo struggles at home for Seatt te 2026-07-03T15:21:45.511Z Dylan Cease gives Toronto Blue Jays a clear edge as Luis Castillo struggles at home for Seatt I've been discussing luck quite a bit when it comes to baseball betting this season. I've been on the bad side of it multiple times this year. However, it is starting to come back in my favor. Yesterday I took the Braves through five innings. They lost the game 11-5. They also allowed three first-inning runs to the Cardinals. Then, in the bottom of the first, they got five off of Cardinals starter Dustin May. No runs were scored for the remaining four innings. I'll take it after the rough stretch from last week. The Toronto Blue Jays are probably also on the bad end of some bad luck this season. None of their stats are all that poor; they just don't seem to be on the bad side of some injuries. It really is hard to point out where the biggest shortcomings of the Blue Jays actually are. They are five games under .500, which is obviously not where they want to be at this point if they hope to make a return push to the World Series. Toronto is just 2-3 over their past five games as well. The good news for them is that their general manager tends to be aggressive, so if they have a move to make, I think they will pursue it. Tonight, they use a symbol of that aggressive move, sending out Dylan Cease to the hill. Cease came over as a free agent in the offseason, and he has been a solid addition to the rotation. For the season, Cease is 4-4 with a 3.02 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. He has been slightly worse on the road than he has been at home, but it really isn't terrible - a 3.34 ERA. The main problem is that he's been a bit inconsistent. He will allow one or two runs, then four or five in another start. The Seattle Mariners are just 13-for-52 for their careers against Cease, with Josh Naylor having half of the hits and at-bats. The Seattle Mariners were one of the teams that most people picked to win the World Series, or at least make a deep run into the playoffs. Right now, they have just as good a chance of winning the American League West as they do to miss the playoffs altogether. They are just 45-43 for the year, but have been solid at home. As I mentioned with Toronto, the Mariners are likely to be very aggressive at the trade deadline to help get them in a better spot. They also have strong statistics, but their batting average is just .232. Perhaps adding a bat will be important to the club, but I'm not really sure what position they can upgrade. They may have to figure out if today's starter is one they need to leave out of any sort of postseason rotation or roster. Luis Castillo has struggled to a 3-6 record with a 4.93 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. He has been even worse with a 5.68 home ERA, compared to a 4.40 road ERA. To make matters worse, he is throwing to a 5.60 ERA at night. June was his best month of the season, and his monthly ERA has gone down each month, but he is still allowing a lot of runs. The Blue Jays are decent enough, but not very successful against the Mariners, batting .220 against him. These two teams met in the American League Championship Series last year, and both of them are very good. This season has to be a big disappointment for both teams, but there is still time to turn it around. What I think is crazy is that with these offenses, they are averaging just about four runs per game. They rank 24th and 25th in the league in runs scored. It doesn't make much sense. Tonight does seem like the night for the Blue Jays based on the starting pitching matchup. The Blue Jays are -126 favorites in tonight's game with one of their best pitcher's on the mound. Luis Castillo has struggled at home, but he does seem to be at least getting into better form. I think I'll split a unit on the Blue Jays to win and then the over seven runs. That total is based more on how the run production has been and the names of the starters than on today's reality. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47d376c2ca79de23638d2e Matthew McConaughey fires up Americans with patriotic speech for Independence Day 250th celebration te 2026-07-03T15:21:26.063Z Matthew McConaughey fires up Americans with patriotic speech for Independence Day 250th celebration Matthew McConaughey is amping people up ahead of the 4th of July. America's 250th birthday is on Saturday, and I can guarantee you the celebrations will be fun, wild and full of patriotism. I hope you already got your grill supplies and beer on ice. Failure to prepare is preparing to fail, and that's not acceptable for Independence Day. CARRIE UNDERWOOD, GARY SINISE LEAD STARS WHO'VE SHARED WHY THEY'RE PROUD TO BE AMERICANS McConaughey certainly appears ready. The popular actor hopped on X early Friday morning to hype up Americans ahead of the celebrations starting tonight and rolling into the weekend. Say no more. Sold. BILL MAHER TELLS LIBERALS TO STOP 'PARTISAN SULKING' AND JOIN AMERICA 250 PARTY The "True Detective" star said the following, in part, in the video: LEE GREENWOOD SAYS HE'S 'VERY PROUD' TO STAND NEXT TO TRUMP DURING AMERICA'S 250TH CELEBRATION You can watch his full comments in the video below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Are you ready to run through a brick wall? I certainly am. Nothing like a little McConaughey hype speech to get the juices flowing for the 4th of July. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS He's also 100% correct that it's supposed to be a celebration about the best of America. It's about bringing people together. It's about reminding ourselves that we live in the greatest country on the planet, and there is no close second. Do you have any exciting plans to celebrate America's birthday? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47d11dc2ca79de23638cac NBA Hall of Famer refusing to let son wear his retired number after joining former team te 2026-07-03T15:11:25.386Z NBA Hall of Famer refusing to let son wear his retired number after joining former team Tim Hardaway Jr. grew up in Miami, where his father is simply a legend. After spending his first six-and-a-half seasons with the Golden State Warriors, the Heat acquired Tim Hardaway Sr. in a trade, and he became one of the franchise's all-time greats. Now, Junior will follow in his father's footsteps, agreeing to a $6.5 million deal to join the Heat and be one of the shooters around the soon-to-be formally acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Hardaway's No. 10 was retired by the Heat in 2009, and to keep it in the family, his son has worn the number in three of his five NBA stops. The Heat are his sixth, but son must still listen to his dad, and No. 10 is off limits. "My legacy is my legacy. Even though he likes to wear No. 10, that is not coming down from the rafters," Tim Hardaway Sr. said on WQAM radio in Miami. "That is tough to do. And when it’s up there, you want (it) to stay up there, and you don’t want nobody to touch it. "I love him. I love him. I’m happy for him... Watching him play through college and the NBA, he’d been to three places I’d never been: the Final Four, a championship, and now, he’s going to his hometown team. I never done that, and so, I’m happy that he’s doing it. LEBRON JAMES THANKS LAKERS AHEAD OF FREE AGENCY DEPARTURE FOR 24TH NBA SEASON: 'HOPE I MADE A FEW PROUD' "But no, he can’t wear No. 10." The elder Hardaway finished fourth and sixth in the MVP vote and was named to the All-NBA First Team and two All-NBA Second Teams during his tenure. The franchise won its fourth title four years after he left with the help of Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal. Hardaway Jr. has previously worn plenty of other numbers in his other stops like No. 5 and No. 3, but those are unavailable thanks to current Heat player Nikola Jovic and Wade, respectively. No. 11, which he wore with the Dallas Mavericks, is also taken by Jaime Jacquez Jr. So, he may have to fork over something to Trevor Keels, who played eight games with the Heat wearing No. 8. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47cc6dc2ca79de23638c01 Michigan Senate candidate confronted repeatedly over Israel’s right to exist, defunding the police te 2026-07-03T14:51:25.504Z Michigan Senate candidate confronted repeatedly over Israel’s right to exist, defunding the police Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed was confronted repeatedly over whether Israel has a right to exist during a tense CNN interview on Thursday, in addition to several social media posts he's deleted about defunding the police. "AIPAC is a big part of this conversation because Israel has become a very central topic, especially inside the Democratic Party, but nationally as well. Do you believe Israel has a right to exist?" CNN's Kasie Hunt asked. El-Sayed responded, "So, Kasie, AIPAC has become a big issue in this election because AIPAC has already spent $30 million in this election — they’re by far the biggest spender in the race. Now, the question about a right to exist is interesting, because nobody’s ever asked me whether I believe Palestine has a right to exist. Every single president who’s served has said they believe in a two-state solution. Israel exists. The question is whether we want a politics where our money is sent over to Israel to fund genocide and apartheid instead of investing in our own kids." MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE CLAIMS ISRAEL 'JUST AS EVIL' AS HAMAS Hunt noted that he said Israel exists, but asked him again if the country had a right to exist. "I didn’t say that. I just said the question of Israel‘s existence is not a question. I‘m not going to play this gotcha game about whether or not it has a right to exist. The question, ultimately, is about whether or not we want a politics that dignifies equal rights," he responded. The CNN host asked a third time, "You’re not going to play the gotcha, but you’re not going to say you think Israel has a right to exist?" HASAN PIKER CLAIMS ISRAEL HAS NO ‘RIGHT TO EXIST’ IN ITS CURRENT FORM El-Sayed dodged again and responded with a question he believed they should be asking instead, "Does everybody have equal rights to peace, dignity, and self-determination? That includes Jews, Israelis, and Palestinians?" DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE CALLED FOR MASS RELEASE OF CRIMINALS DURING PRISON ABOLITION WEBINAR "And to me, the people who should answer what ultimate peace looks like there should be Jews, Israelis, and Palestinians. I want my tax dollars spent here in Michigan — to provide schools in Michigan, to build health care in Michigan, to invest in Michigan — rather than sent abroad to kill Palestinian people through genocide and apartheid. The question of whether Israel has a right to exist is actually quite secondary to whether it has a right to our tax dollars," he continued. He added, "So if you want to ask me about the Palestinian right to exist, if you want to ask me what I want to do for kids in Michigan, I’m happy to answer those questions. But AIPAC and Israel have become questions that too many people have to answer, because our tax dollars keep getting spent over there rather than being spent here." Fox News Digital reached out to El-Sayed's campaign for additional comment.  HARRIS-BACKED DEMOCRAT SCRUBS BLM-ERA POSTS AS HOUSE CAMPAIGN HEATS UP Hunt then brought up the since-deleted social media posts, which expressed support for the defund the police movement, among other thing. "Most major US cities spend WAY TOO MUCH on police departments to police poverty & WAY TOO LITTLE on public schools, health departments, recreation departments, & housing to eliminate poverty. Fixing that is what the #Defund movement is about," El-Sayed wrote in one June 2020 post on X, just several weeks after the death of George Floyd. Hunt asked if he stood by what he previously said or if he thought the police departments should be funded. El-Sayed cited his work as a director of the Department of Health, Human, and Veterans Services in Wayne County, Michigan. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE She pressed and asked again. "Judge me by my work, I funded the system because it needed to be funded. Too often the conversation we have is fund or defund. The question that we don‘t ask is, what kind of system do we really want? I want us to be investing in the kinds of interventions that actually protect people," he said, citing recruitment and retirement for law enforcement, community violence intervention, behavioral health response, and more. El-Sayed then took a shot at CNN and added, "And I think this debate about 2020  and the ways that tweets are going to play are really nice on CNN. If you want to get clicks, they‘re not that effective, and nobody really asks me about them on the streets or in communities in Michigan. So if you want to talk about housing or healthcare or corporate dominance in our politics, I think those are a lot more legitimate questions that people are actually asking me about what they want their next senator to do in the state of Michigan, rather than for clickbait in D.C." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47c9d6c2ca79de23638b89 A Flag Fourth concert returns to Pepsi Amphitheater te 2026-07-03T14:40:22.946Z A Flag Fourth concert returns to Pepsi Amphitheater The patriotic pops concert, an annual Independence Day celebration in Flagstaff, will begin at 3 p.m. and gates open at 2 p.m. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47c7d0c2ca79de23638b4a Angel Reese says she and Dream teammates were 'disrespected' by not being named WNBA All-Star starters te 2026-07-03T14:31:44.332Z Angel Reese says she and Dream teammates were 'disrespected' by not being named WNBA All-Star starters Despite being tied for the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Dream do not have a starter in this year's WNBA All—Star Game. Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray narrowly missed out on the honor, although all three seem to be locks to at least be selected to play in the game. But that is not enough, said Reese. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Reese herself said she "expect[s] to be disrespected" but stood up for her teammates because "they won't say anything." "For those two though, I think they work so hard and they put a lot of work in, and the way that they're guarded every game and they [have to] adjust. The reason why we're where we are is because of those two," Reese said. "For us not to have anyone was just a slap in the face." CAITLIN CLARK'S PEERS MAKE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR THEY HATE HER WITH INSULTING ALL—STAR GAME VOTE Six frontcourt players were named starters (three for each team) based on a point system through voting by fans, media and players - Reese herself was ranked sixth by all three parties, but the weighted point system put her at seventh. As for guards, where there are four starters, Howard and Gray were fifth and sixth. Howard was the second-ranked guard by players but ninth by fans and fourth by media. Caitlin Clark was selected as an All-Star despite being ranked 11th at the guard position by her fellow players while being fifth in the WNBA with 21.2 points per game and second with 8.2 assists - the fans placed her second, and the media third, and she's the only player in the league averaging 20-plus points and eight-plus assists. Reese is once again averaging a double-double in her first season with the Dream, putting up 14.8 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, the latter figure a league high. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47c7bcc2ca79de23638b41 Argentina over 2.5 goals and the draw in Australia vs Egypt are the top World Cup 2026 Round of 16 bets te 2026-07-03T14:31:24.887Z Argentina over 2.5 goals and the draw in Australia vs Egypt are the top World Cup 2026 Round of 16 bets I wonder if the World Cup were held every year, if it would bring that much excitement for everyone. Probably not. Perhaps because it is every few years, that is part of what makes it special. Still, even as I watch this and know the end is near, I can’t help but wish it were more often. Before we get to the end, let's try to get some cash. This is a really good match up, and one that I think is more of an evenly matched game in the entire round. Australia is the underdog in the game. They went 1-1-1 in their three games in the Group Stage. They beat Turkey with relative ease, then lost to the United States 2-0, and finally tied with Paraguay. Egypt is not a powerhouse, but it could find itself advancing in this one. They tied with Belgium, who didn’t look particularly strong in their Round of 32 game. They took down New Zealand 3-1, and then played to a draw against Iran. Looking at these teams, I don’t think there is a clear dominant team. I like the Draw at +190, give me that bet. I also could see both teams scoring, but I’m swinging for the fence here with the draw. IRAN-EGYPT WORLD CUP SHOWDOWN COLLIDES WITH SEATTLE’S PRIDE CELEBRATIONS This is the most lopsided of all the games on the board. Argentina is a -650 favorite to beat Cape Verde. Even a draw after 90 minutes is highly unlikely with a +700 line. Even casual soccer fans know about Lionel Messi and his dominance (six goals already). He will once again be on the hunt for the net. I don’t have much to say about Cape Verde. They played all three games to a draw, with only one game seeing any goals. I just don’t see how they keep up with the Argentina firepower. Messi is a -225 goalscorer for tonight. And, three other players for the team are at -105 or worse odds. That means the expectation is that many people will be scoring goals. Give me Argentina over 2.5 goals for their team total at -115. VAR DENIES CROATIA'S GAME-TYING GOAL AS CRISTIANO RONALDO LEADS PORTUGAL TO ROUND OF 16 Colombia opened this game with a -125 moneyline posting. They have been bet up to -210. I know Ghana will be a challenge, but Colombia should be a favorite here as they probably do have more talent on their side. Colombia had what I would consider a favorable Group Stage, beating Uzbekistan, Congo DR, and drawing with Portugal. Ghana had the tougher matchups and still advanced, winning against Panama and then playing to a draw against England, and finally losing to Croatia. Ghana allowed just two goals in the Group Stage, but Colombia has done the same. I think the total can go either way, but I do lean to the over as I think it's going to be a 2-1 finish. Ghana is getting 1.5 goals, so I like them on the spread, but it is -175. I’ll personally play the Draw for the value and hope that at 90 minutes we get there. I do think the spread is a better bet, though. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47c579c2ca79de23638af3 NFL record-holder Ryan Fitzpatrick reflects on why his journeyman career is something he would never change te 2026-07-03T14:21:45.538Z NFL record-holder Ryan Fitzpatrick reflects on why his journeyman career is something he would never change When Ryan Fitzpatrick had his NFL dreams, he wanted what every kid wanted. Fitzpatrick was hoping to stay with one team for his entire career, but as he recently told Fox News Digital, "That just didn't happen to be my story." Instead, Fitzpatrick holds the NFL record for starting for nine separate teams and is the owner of numerous other oddities when it comes to dressing for nearly a third of the NFL's organizations. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "I always wanted to play. So wherever I went, it was usually with the intention of becoming a starter and playing somewhere. Then inevitably somebody would get drafted, and I would move on and go play somewhere else because I was a guy that enjoyed being out there on the field and not sitting on the bench watching," Fitzpatrick said. "So that was just the way I was going to be able to do that, was to keep moving from team to team." It was certainly an unorthodox career, and Fitzpatrick is the definition of a "journeyman," as he played for the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Commanders. But "I wouldn't change it for the world." "A lot of it was the amount of teammates I was able to have, but it was also the journey that I was able to go on with my wife and with my kids, and all the cool people that we met outside of football," Fitzpatrick said. NFL STAR'S BROTHER CHARGED WITH MURDER OF MOTHER AFTER POLICE FOUND HIM SELF-BARRICADED NEAR BODY "Our neighbors and friends, there are relationships in every city that we'll keep forever. So, yeah, I think when people get drafted, they all have the notion that they're going to be with the same team for their whole career. That just didn't happen to be my story. I wouldn't change it for anything because I absolutely loved every second of it." Those relationships have helped Fitzpatrick off the field, as he will again be one of the many celebrities teeing it up at this month's American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe. This year, he teamed up with Performance Golf to lower his handicap by a few strokes in hopes of being near the top of the leaderboard. "The American Century is so much fun. It's a great group of guys and girls that are out there playing, and it really just feels like family because everybody comes in every year," Fitzpatrick said. "You get to spend the time together, and that's how it is with the golf course. It's just a little bit different of a golf tournament, A, because we're not all great golfers, but B, because of the interactions that we get to have with the fans throughout the tournament. That's probably my favorite part." Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47c528c2ca79de23638acf Trump’s National Guard Deployment in Washington Expands Ahead of Holiday te 2026-07-03T14:20:24.135Z Trump’s National Guard Deployment in Washington Expands Ahead of Holiday Nearly 5,000 Guard troops are in the capital, double the number initially deployed. Many have passed the time washing off graffiti and picking up trash. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47c347c2ca79de23638a98 Carrie Underwood, Gary Sinise lead stars who've shared why they're proud to be Americans te 2026-07-03T14:12:23.470Z Carrie Underwood, Gary Sinise lead stars who've shared why they're proud to be Americans Carrie Underwood, Gary Sinise and other stars have publicly expressed their love for America over the years, using their platforms to celebrate the country's values, freedoms and those who serve it. This year's Fourth of July marks the United States' Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. As the United States prepares to celebrate its milestone birthday on Saturday, patriotic festivities and commemorations have been underway for over a year, with America250 events taking place across the country. CARRIE UNDERWOOD SHARES PATRIOTIC VIDEO OF AMERICAN FLAG DISPLAY NEAR HER TENNESSEE PROPERTY From honoring veterans and first responders to reflecting on the American dream, here's a look at celebrities who have shared why they are proud to call the United States home. Carrie Underwood recently expressed her love for America in a patriotic social media post, Last week, the 43-year-old country star took to Instagram to share a video of a massive, 1,800-American flag display along a fence near her Tennessee property. "I can’t believe I get to live here. Thank you, Lord. #GodBlessAmerica #Grateful #TN," Underwood wrote in the caption. Underwood previously displayed her patriotism in January 2025, when she performed "America the Beautiful" in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda during the inauguration of President Donald Trump. The eight-time Grammy Award winner earned praise when she performed the song a cappella after technical difficulties and told the crowd, "You know the words, help me out here." "I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event," Underwood said in a statement. "I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future." Underwood also frequently honors veterans and military families, including sharing annual Veterans Day tributes on social media. On Veterans Day in 2025, the singer shared a throwback video from her 2006 USO tour overseas in which she was seen shaking hands with a U.S. service member. "Throwing it back this Veterans Day," Underwood wrote in the caption. "Thank you to all that have served for your courage and dedication in protecting our freedom." Gary Sinise is one of the most outspokenly patriotic actors in Hollywood and a celebrated figure within the U.S. Armed forces. After starring as wounded Vietnam veteran Lieutenant Dan Taylor in the 1994 classic "Forrest Gump," the 71-year-old became a passionate, lifelong advocate for American service members. Sinise, who won an Oscar for his performance in "Forrest Gump," formed a rock band inspired by his character in 2003. The Lt. Dan Band has performed hundreds of free concerts for troops globally, participating in dozens of USO tours. In 2011, Sinise founded the Gary Sinise Foundation, which has raised millions of dollars to support veterans, active-duty service members, first responders and their families. Sinise opened up about his devotion to the U.S. in his 2019 memoir "Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service." "I love my country and I'm grateful to be an American," he wrote. "I know where my freedom comes from." Dolly Parton has celebrated America's spirit of generosity, opportunity and resilience throughout her decades-long career. The 80-year-old country music icon has frequently recognized military members and veterans and performed at major patriotic events, including the A Capitol Fourth Independence Day concert in Washington, D.C in 2003. That same year, she released her album "For God and Country," which she dedicated to America and the military and features covers of national standards alongside originals like "Color Me America." In a March 2026 promo video announcing her theme park Dollywood's summer drone and fireworks show, Parton shared, "I've said for many, many years that I am not a political person, but I am a very patriotic person." Mark Wahlberg has often spoken about the opportunities America has given him after overcoming a troubled youth. The 55-year-old actor regularly honors veterans and first responders while supporting organizations that serve military families, including the Wounded Warriors Project. Wahlberg has frequently described his life as an example of the American dream and has said the United States gave him a second chance. Reba McEntire launched her career with a patriotic performance and has supported U.S. troops for decades through military appreciation events and performances. The 71-year-old country music star was discovered at age 19 when she sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" a cappella at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. McEntire has participated in USO initiatives and often pays tribute to veterans and active-duty service members on patriotic holidays. In 2024, McEntire sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl LVIII. In an interview with ABC News, she spoke about what the performance meant to her. "I am honored beyond words to be chosen to get to sing it," she said. "It means that I get to sing a very special song for all Americans, people all around the world who have really worked so hard for our freedom and to give us peace." "It's not about me," McEntire added. "I'm the representation of this song, and I'm just honored to get to sing it." Chris Pratt regularly shares messages of appreciation for America's military members on Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the Fourth of July. The 47-year-old Marvel star has participated in USO events and has consistently expressed his gratitude to service members for protecting the nation's freedoms. In 2023, Pratt delivered a keynote address at a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Pepperdine University, in which he declared himself a "deeply patriotic American" and calling on the nation not to let the spirit of unity fade. Dennis Quaid has frequently spoken about patriotism, national unity and appreciation for America's history. The 72-year-old actor has also honored first responders and military members, calling them "America's finest, America's bravest." In 2024, Quaid starred as 40th president of the United States in a biopic about Ronald Reagan's life. During an interview with Fox News Digital, Quaid said he feels "lucky" to be an American and has hope for the future of the country despite extenuating circumstances. "I was born in the greatest country ever to be on the Earth, to tell you the truth," he said. "When you look at it, as flawed as it is, it's better than everything else that has come before. And, you know, I really believe in the wisdom of the American people as a whole." Quaid added, "We are the hope of the world, still." Patricia Heaton is known for being patriotic and has expressed deep pride in her American heritage. In social media posts, the 68-year-old actress has displayed the American flag prominently in her home, showed off her collection of historic parade flags and featured the flag that draped her father's coffin from his service in the U.S. Army during the liberation of France in World War II. She regularly supports veterans, military families and charitable organizations serving those who have worn the uniform. Heaton has also shared patriotic messages on Independence Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Candace Cameron Bure, who is a devout Christian, often combines expressions of faith with messages celebrating America. The 50-year-old "Full House" star has also marked patriotic holidays with tributes recognizing the nation's freedoms and the sacrifices of military members. Bure has previously spoken about being grateful to live in the U.S. In a 2016 interview with Fox411, she noted, "We all have a vote." "I think that is why this country is so great because we all do have a voice here, and we have the chance for opportunity here," Bure continued. "We have the ability to love God here. I don’t ever want to see that taken away from us. We have freedom here that is what makes America so great and that we have people that are willing to fight for that freedom on a daily basis." "I am so proud to be an American. I got lucky. My parents were born here, and I was born here and that’s really the luck of the draw, right? We can’t say where we are going to be born." "But at the same time, my husband is an immigrant," she added of her longtime spouse, former professional NHL ice hockey player Valeri Bure. "He is Russian, and he came here and became an American because it is such a wonderful country. There is no other country I would want to be a citizen of." Kelsey Grammer has been outspoken about his appreciation for America's founding principles and freedoms. The 71-year-old "Frasier" star has hosted several projects celebrating American history, including the Fox Nation series "The Patriot War" and "Kelsey Grammer's Historic Battles for America." He also serves as host of the NBC series "The Great American Journey." "I do think the greatest hope for any future wisdom in America has already been written in the actions and words of our Founding Fathers," he told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. "We need to look to them for the guidance that they have, that we have today, to become the great nation that they dreamed of," the "Young Washington" actor continued. "We can share that dream. It’s a dream that still holds up. It’s a dream that holds up for everyone. No matter what your origin is, the diversity that we all talk about, this is a unifying concept about what greatness is in a nation, and it has to do with us all being equal." "And it doesn't mean there's an equal result — it just means we have an equal opportunity to carve out our happiness," he added. Throughout his life, Chuck Norris was associated with messages celebrating patriotism, faith and civic responsibility. The late actor, who died at the age of 86 in March, was a U.S. Air Force veteran who spent decades supporting military members and advocating for veterans' causes. The martial artist was an outspoken conservative who authored the 2008 book "Black Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America" to champion traditional American values. Norris often referred to the United States as the greatest nation because of its freedoms and opportunities. Jon Voight has spent years speaking publicly about his love for America and its founding ideals. The 87-year-old actor frequently honors members of the military and has previously described the United States as "the greatest country." Voight has joined forces with other prominent Hollywood figures, including Sinise, Clint Eastwood and Mel Gibson, to participate in corporate and community initiatives designed to salute veterans, train veteran entrepreneurs, and promote veteran hiring. In recent years, Voight has continued sharing patriotic messages about preserving the nation's values. Sara Evans has shown her support for the U.S. military through USO tours and performances for troops overseas. The 55-year-old country singer frequently honors veterans and first responders while recognizing their sacrifices on patriotic holidays. She has sang the U.S. National Anthem at major sporting events and performed at the White House on the Fourth of July in 2018, which was televised as part of the Hallmark Channel's Independence Day special. James Woods has consistently shared patriotic messages recognizing America's history, military and founding principles. The 79-year-old actor frequently marks the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Veterans Day with tributes to those who have served. Woods has also often expressed admiration for the Constitution and the freedoms it protects. Dean Cain has frequently spoken about American exceptionalism and national pride. The 59-year-old "Superman" star has encouraged Americans to celebrate the country's founding values and has participated in veterans' events and patriotic programs. Cain has also defended traditional patriotic themes in popular culture. Robert Davi has often spoken about his appreciation for America and its founding principles. The 75-year-old actor regularly appears at military and veterans' events and has praised the country's freedoms and opportunities in past interviews. "The Goonies" star has also described patriotism as an important part of his personal values. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47c334c2ca79de23638a8f LEE GREENWOOD: Trump can help finish the fight Frank Sinatra started te 2026-07-03T14:12:04.009Z LEE GREENWOOD: Trump can help finish the fight Frank Sinatra started This year, in communities all across America, bands will strike up "God Bless the U.S.A." and crowds will rise to their feet. It will happen at firework shows and small-town parades, at ballgames and backyard cookouts, as our country marks 250 years. I wrote that song more than 40 years ago on a tour bus, between shows, running 300 dates a year. Since then, I've performed it in every state of our union and all across the globe for our troops who are serving a long way from home. I have never once gotten tired of it. But here is something most people do not know. Every time an AM/FM radio station plays that recording, the station makes money, but the artists and musicians who recorded it make nothing. Not me or the other musicians who performed it with me. A radio company can broadcast "God Bless the U.S.A." a thousand times, sell advertising against every play, and never pay the people who made it. That is not because of some deal we signed away. It's because of a loophole in the law that Congress has left open for about a hundred years. AARON TIPPIN SAYS PATRIOTISM IS 'VERY STRONG IN AMERICA' AHEAD OF FORT CAMPBELL 4TH OF JULY SHOW I love radio. Radio has been part of my life and my career for as long as I can remember. This is not about punishing local stations or silencing the voices that connect communities. It is about asking the biggest broadcast companies in America to follow the same basic principle every other platform already follows: when you use music to make money, the people who made that music deserve to share in it. This is a basic American idea: when someone's work creates value, they should be paid fairly for it. When a farmer grows a crop, it's his to sell. When a factory turns out a product, the people who built it get paid. A recording should be no different. The men and women who make a recording create real value in that recording. But AM/FM radio has had a free pass since the early days of broadcasting, and the biggest broadcasting corporations in the country still lean on it today, drawing huge audiences off other people's work, pulling in billions in advertising, and leaving performers high and dry. That's not a free market. It's a government favor handed to one industry and paid for by working musicians, kept alive all these years because the radio industry’s lobbyists spend millions to ensure Congress doesn’t fix it. This is not about my royalty check. I am blessed. I'm grateful for the career I’ve had. This is really about session players, studio musicians, and backup singers, people whose names never make the marquee. They come in, do beautiful work, and go home to their families, and they have never seen a dime from AM/FM radio for any of it. They're working people, and they ought to be paid for the work they do. The radio companies claim they’re giving us free advertising. A spin on the dial sells records and concert tickets, they say, so we ought to call it square. Even if that were true, it would not give radio a right to use our recordings without compensation. And here is what radio leaves out: every other place that puts my recordings in front of a listener pays for that right. Spotify. SiriusXM. YouTube. Internet radio. Only old-fashioned AM/FM takes our music and plays it for free. This loophole costs us beyond our borders, too. Because America doesn't pay performers for radio plays (a fact we hold in common with Cuba, Iran, and North Korea) other countries hold back royalties our artists have already earned, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars each year. And because America doesn’t pay artists, the European Union is now moving to withhold another $287 million annually from our own artists. There’s a bill in Congress that will fix all that. The American Music Fairness Act is a bipartisan proposal that requires big radio corporations to finally play by the rules. It’s a narrowly-tailored bill, led by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), that allows independent, local broadcasters to play unlimited music for a few dollars each day while the biggest, most powerful radio corporations finally pay what they owe. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION If the American Music Fairness Act becomes law, not only will American broadcasters finally start paying artists, but countries around the world that have withheld royalties because of this loophole will finally start paying artists as well. The EU’s proposal to withhold even more money will be dead on arrival. This is not a new fight. Forty years ago, Frank Sinatra rallied artists to ask Congress to close the radio loophole, but Congress didn’t listen. I’m intent on finishing the work that Ol’ Blue Eyes started. And I’m grateful that right now we have a President who knows how to get the job done. In his first term, President Trump signed the Music Modernization Act, which finally got artists paid fairly in the streaming age. The American Music Fairness Act is the part that law left unfinished, and I know that President Trump can be the one to finally get this bill across the finish line after other presidents have failed. America has always made a plain promise that hard work deserves to be rewarded. That promise is a good part of what we'll be celebrating this year as our country turns 250. Closing a hundred-year-old loophole that's left artists unpaid would be a fitting way to honor it, and to finally let the people who recorded America’s soundtrack share in what their work is worth. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47c31fc2ca79de23638a7d America’s 250th birthday is on sale. Where’s all that merch money going? te 2026-07-03T14:11:43.019Z America’s 250th birthday is on sale. Where’s all that merch money going? Merchandise tied to America’s 250th birthday is sold in a stall at Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2026. (Photo by Sam Gauntt/States Newsroom) WASHINGTON — What’s more American than apple pie? Capitalism. And an array of merchandise and influence is on sale for the 250th birthday of the United States. An America250 $275 Liberty Lux American Prosperity decorative throw pillow, anyone? How about a $25 Freedom 250 youth tee? America250, a commission created by Congress a decade ago, and Freedom 250, President Donald Trump’s entity formed last year, each operate on their own respective tracks as a nonprofit and as a limited liability company. Both are employing staff, soliciting corporate donors and spending taxpayer funds.  That means people, businesses and nonprofits are getting a slice of the semiquincentennial pie, some bigger than others. But there is no clear accounting of which entities are getting the bigger shares and no one associated with either organization offered a full explanation to States Newsroom. Reports also show at least $10 million in taxpayer money flowing from America250 to Freedom 250, and some Democratic lawmakers claim more has been redirected. The commission’s nonprofit arm, America250.org, lists 850 items available from its official online store: apparel, toys, games, eyewear, housewares, challenge coins, holiday ornaments, and a premier collectible line including an $8,000 painting by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based “speed painter” Cody Sabol.  America250 and Freedom 250 merchandise for sale at Metro Variety store inside the McPherson Square Metro Station in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom) America250 Chair Rosie Rios said the nonprofit arm receives a portion of the profits. “It’s a licensing arrangement, so we get a percentage of the merchandise sold,” Rios told States Newsroom during a June 22 interview. When asked how to differentiate between America250 the commission and America250 the nonprofit, Rios said “Think of it as one entity. America250 is one entity working together on the planning side and the implementations.” An America250 spokesperson declined to specify what percentage of funds from merchandise that America250’s nonprofit arm received in 2025 and 2026, but provided a written statement. “America250 is proud to be partnering with numerous household brands to bring the America250 logo and merchandise to communities across the country. These partnerships and merchandise are designed to help expand public awareness of the commemoration and give Americans additional ways to participate in the Semiquincentennial,” according to a spokesperson, adding the list of merch has grown in recent months. “Our partners help bring the celebration to Americans through the brands they know and trust, advancing our goal of reaching all 350 million Americans as part of our ‘350 for 250’ initiative,” the statement continued.  In its 2025 legally mandated annual report to Congress, the America250 commission touted “a strong portfolio of strategic licensing agreements” that generated new revenue. States Newsroom reached out to the offices of bipartisan members of Congress who currently serve as commissioners, and several staff replied they did not have information about how much money is being generated by merchandise. The commissioners include Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., as well as Reps. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., Maria Salazar, R-Fla., Dwight Evans, D-Pa., and Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J. America250 t-shirts and other merchandise for sale at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on June 5, 2026. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom) Freedom 250, the Trump entity, offers 62 branded products for sale on its website store, including shirts, hats, can koozies, stickers, pins and a colonial model flag with “250” featured inside the circle of the 13 stars. At least two booths selling merchandise are open at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, one of Freedom 250’s main events. Freedom 250 press officials did not respond to States Newsroom regarding where merchandise profits are directed. Merchandise representing both America250 and Freedom 250 has been spotted in tourist shops in Washington, D.C., and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, just over the Virginia border. Millions in spending Congress initially appropriated $79.8 million over several years to the America250 commission, beginning in 2019, according to the entity’s annual report. Most of its spending in 2025 — $17 million — went to America250 programs, according to the report. That included field trips for roughly 550 students, $250,000 in grants for young entrepreneurs, an America250 time capsule to be buried in Philadelphia on July 4, a “Giving Forth” initiative to raise awareness about mid-year donations to nonprofit organizations, and New Year’s Eve-style ball drops to ring in Independence Day in every U.S. time zone and territory, among other initiatives. “We are driven by purpose, not politics and our bipartisan Commission focuses on serving the interests of all Americans as mandated by our legislation. If the 250th anniversary is going to mean something to all Americans, it needs to be nonpartisan and belong to every American,” an America250 spokesperson said. The organization awarded $935,000 in grants to state and local entities between 2021 and 2025, according to the report. A 990 nonprofit tax filing for 2025 was not yet available on the website. A branded bag is seen at Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2026. (Photo by Sam Gauntt/States Newsroom) The report also showed the White House Task Force 250 — the precursor to Freedom 250 — spent roughly $31 million of the America250 funds last year, with most, $22 million, paying for the June 2025 military parade that occurred on Trump’s birthday, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Army. An America250 spokesperson said a comprehensive list of private donors was not readily available, but the annual report identified new private-sector sponsors as The Coca-Cola Company, Starbucks, Walmart, Kraft Heinz, JPMorgan Chase, General Mills, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM, BNY, and Leidos. According to America250.org’s most recent 990 tax filing, the entity ended 2023 with just under $14.6 million in revenue — $11.1 million of which was program service revenue, and roughly $3.3 million of which came from other gifts and contributions.  The organization spent $12.2 million for the year. A category labeled as “other” clocked in at around $8.3 million. Salaries amounted to just over $1 million, not including employee benefits. Information technology and conferences each amounted to $469,000 and fundraising expenses were nearly $343,000, among other smaller line items.  Nine employees, and one former, are listed on the 990, with salaries ranging from $101,185 to $285,690, including incentive bonuses, the highest of which reached $43,800.  The nonprofit gave out $175,000 in grants to organizations and local governments in 2023, according to the filing. Most of the 16 individual grants were doled out as $10,000 in seed money for state governments, and nonprofit historical societies and foundations, including those in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and West Virginia. Congress allocated $150M  In 2025, as part of the “big, beautiful bill,” the Republican-led Congress approved another $150 million for “events, celebrations, and activities surrounding the observance and commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, to remain available through fiscal year 2028.”  The lawmakers directed the money to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum “acting through the director of the National Park Service.” Burgum is an ex offico member of the America250 commission as well. According to commissioners Coleman and Padilla’s offices, America250 was promised $100 million of the “big beautiful bill” funds. The commission has only received $25 million to date, according to Padilla’s and Coleman’s offices. “Freedom 250 siphoned off funding but the details are murky due to their lack of transparency,” a spokesperson for Coleman’s office said. According to an America250 spokesperson, “The final mix of funding cannot be known at this point as our programs are still in various stages of development and execution, and our fundraising for them continues.” “However, Chair Rios’ commitment to Congress has been to engage the private sector for a true public/private partnership to engage all Americans and not rely on federal funding only,” according to the spokesperson. Bracelets are sold at Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2026. (Photo by Sam Gauntt/States Newsroom) The Department of the Interior did not provide to States Newsroom, as requested, a breakdown of how the funds have been allocated so far, but offered a written statement. “As with all of our signature 250 events, resources have been made available to ensure these historic occasions are a success. The Memorandum of Understanding signed with all 250th related entities made that clear and we are proud to be partners in celebrating these iconic events honoring our 250th thanks to the bold leadership of President Donald J. Trump,” according to the statement from a department spokesperson.  Freedom 250 was formed as a limited liability company in late October 2025, according to division of corporation records in Delaware, where it is registered. The National Park Foundation, a congressionally chartered fundraising arm for the National Park Service, created Freedom 250 as a separate LLC “to help NPS with the execution of these events, while keeping this effort distinct and separate from the day-to-day work NPF does to support our national parks.” ‘From Vanity to Insanity’ U.S. House Democrats slammed Freedom250 in a new report on July 2, calling it “a shadow organization capable of infiltrating the celebrations and injecting America’s 250th with Trump’s extreme, partisan agenda.” The 55-page interim report titled “From Vanity to Insanity: How the White House Cheated the American People Out of their 250th Birthday,” said the administration “hijacked” the celebrations. “Significant questions remain unanswered, beginning with the complete donor lists and the ultimate disposition of the funds that Freedom 250 has raised and spent. But the record already assembled supports a conclusion that should alarm the American people,” according to the report. Shirts tied to America’s 250th birthday are sold in a stall at Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2026. (Photo by Sam Gauntt/States Newsroom) A spokesperson for Freedom 250 dismissed the report Thursday as “categorically false” and “disheartening.” “This so-called ‘report’ is nothing more than a partisan smear from politicians who would rather manufacture division than celebrate America’s 250th birthday alongside the rest of the country. Congressional members should be ashamed they are spending countless hours fabricating a report instead of joining Americans in creating an absolutely beautiful celebration,” according to a statement provided to States Newsroom by Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez. Alvarez criticized America250’s use of money, saying they had “nothing to show for it.” “Freedom 250 was created because the American people deserved better. We stepped in to rescue our nation’s 250th birthday from years of wasted time, wasted money, and failed planning. We are unapologetic about celebrating the greatest nation on earth, and we are delivering the historic celebration Americans deserved,” Alvarez said. Mobile exhibits funded According to USAspending.gov, a $10 million grant originally given to America250.org was transferred to the National Park Foundation in late 2025, via the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and directed to Freedom 250 to fund “Freedom 250 Trucks,” six mobile exhibits stopping at libraries and community events.  The trucks provide curriculum resources from the private, Michigan-based Hillsdale College, a Christian institution led by Trump ally Larry Arnn, who spoke at Freedom 250’s “Rededicate 250,” a faith-based, Christian-oriented event held on the National Mall in May. Freedom 250 did not respond to State’s Newroom’s request for a comprehensive list of donors and amounts pledged to the LLC.  A 250th anniversary flag hangs in an entryway at Union Station in Washington, D.C., on June 29, 2026. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom) The watchdog organization Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington published an investigation of sponsorship money for Freedom 250 in May. Sponsors mentioned in their report included January AI, SAP, United Airlines, Ultimate Fighting Championship and Mosaic. The New York Times reported in February that a donor solicitation obtained by the news organization revealed promises of special access and preferred seating for those who gave $500,000. A private Freedom 250 reception invite was offered, where sponsors who give $1 million can get a photograph with Trump, and the level of $2.5 million reportedly included possible speaking roles at the president’s July 4 program. Freedom 250 did not respond to a request to confirm the Times’ report. Freedom 250 also did not respond to questions about staffing. A quick LinkedIn search puts the range of Freedom 250 employees between two and 10. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47c2cec2ca79de23638a68 No Engine Problems in Skydiving Plane Crash That Killed 12, N.T.S.B. Says te 2026-07-03T14:10:22.641Z No Engine Problems in Skydiving Plane Crash That Killed 12, N.T.S.B. Says A preliminary report said that the fuel was clean and that the plane, which had already made two flights that day, met weight and balance requirements. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47c0f2c2ca79de23638a49 Kurt Harris hands off Sedona’s roads te 2026-07-03T14:02:26.728Z Kurt Harris hands off Sedona’s roads Roxanne Holland takes over from retiring Public Works director Sedona Public Works Director Kurt Harris‘ last day was Wednesday, July 1, after handing over the city’s infrastructure keys to current Director of Wastewater Roxanne Holland, who will jointly leading both departments. “I hope that I left Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47c0dec2ca79de23638a2a Cruz pushes bill to hold tax-exempt sponsors accountable as DOJ probes Singham network te 2026-07-03T14:02:06.762Z Cruz pushes bill to hold tax-exempt sponsors accountable as DOJ probes Singham network FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is doubling down on his bill that would strip the tax-exempt status of individuals and organizations that funnel funds to nonprofits engaging in political violence as the Justice Department probes the finances of far-left financier Neville Roy Singham. Fox News Digital learned that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche authorized the investigation by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton into the financial workings of a network of nonprofits funded by Singham. "I’ve long said that Democrat billionaires are funding left-wing political violence to push anti-American and foreign-aligned interests through tax-exempt entities," Cruz told Fox News Digital. "The DOJ is absolutely right to investigate Neville Roy Singham’s funding network, which has been critical in bankrolling those efforts." PROBE INTO 'SUBVERSIVE' ANTI-AI SINGHAM NETWORK IS 'ENORMOUS,' FORMER TREASURY ADVISOR SAYS In March, Cruz introduced the Stop Proxy Organizations Nurturing Subversive Operations and Riots Act, or SPONSOR Act, which would amend the Internal Revenue Code to expand the liability of 501(c)(3) nonprofits for the groups they fund or sponsor. Under the legislation, such nonprofits would be criminally and civilly liable for violations of the law by their sponsored entities. Critics allege that nonprofits in the Singham network use fiscal sponsorships so projects can avoid detection by law enforcement agencies and tax authorities. Cruz said he introduced the SPONSOR Act to "give law enforcement the tools they need to follow the money, close these loopholes and enforce accountability." According to a Fox News Digital investigation, Singham, a U.S. tech tycoon now living in Shanghai, has funneled $278 million into the broad network of nonprofits since 2017. The nonprofits regularly mobilize agitators for demonstrations across the country, including anti-ICE protests and anti-Israel protests, Fox News Digital has reported. ISRAEL, JEWS TARGETED WORLDWIDE AS WELL-FUNDED LEFTIST, ISLAMIST GROUPS JOIN FOR ‘NAKBA 78’ PROTESTS Singham hasn’t responded to repeated requests for comment that Fox News Digital has sent him over the past several months. Singham routed his financial contributions through Goldman Sachs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc., a donor-advised fund, including $22.44 million to The People's Forum Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit hub for far-left activity in Manhattan. The People’s Forum is connected to a slew of proxy organizations, such as Venceremos Brigade, a controversial organization that has worked with Cuban government officials for decades to bring American activists to Cuba for political and labor solidarity work. The donation page for the Venceremos Brigade identifies it as a fiscally-sponsored project of the People’s Forum. FEDS SAY ARIZONA SUSPECT VANDALIZED ICE FACILITY AND ATTEMPTED TO IGNITE LOBBY AREA ICE Out of New York, which is known for rallying agitators to protest ICE operations, also hosts events at The People’s Forum and has participated in a number of demonstrations with The People’s Forum coordinators. Cruz chairs the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action and Federal Rights, which oversees grants to the Justice Department and is responsible for the regulation of the court system. The committee regularly holds hearings with Justice Department officials. "Loopholes in the Internal Revenue Code allow radical groups to use tax-exempt funds to bankroll violent, anti-American activity opaquely and therefore with impunity," Cruz said in a statement when the bill was introduced. "The violence that has spread in recent years in our cities and on our college campuses is not organic. It is enabled by funding from well-resourced organizations that exploit such loopholes, including and especially through fiscal sponsorships." The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, and the House version was introduced by Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-Texas. "Congress has a duty to safeguard the integrity of our nonprofit system and ensure our tax laws are not exploited by extremist or radical groups operating in the shadows," Moran said in a statement when the legislation was introduced. Cruz is joined by a host of GOP lawmakers who have criticized Singham’s pro-CCP influence in the U.S., with Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, going as far as to call Singham a "traitor." Banks sat down with Fox News Digital on Tuesday, when he said that Singham’s nonprofit network poses a threat to the country. He highlighted CodePink, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that Banks said has targeted and confronted him directly on Capitol Hill. Fox News Digital has identified direct funding from Singham to CodePink, which Singham’s wife Jodie Evans co-founded. "Neville Singham is a traitor to our country. He has ties to the CCP," Banks said. "He is an American citizen, but all of his loyalties lie with the Chinese Communist Party. And when you begin to untangle the web of his massive fortune and his philanthropic activities, the money that he sends to left-wing groups in America, and not just groups that espouse ideologies, but espouse violence." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47c0cbc2ca79de23638a18 Blue-haired World Cup fan breaks silence after his emotional reaction goes viral te 2026-07-03T14:01:47.304Z Blue-haired World Cup fan breaks silence after his emotional reaction goes viral Blue wigs, face paint and bold team colors have been some of the defining fashion statements of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — with Japan's supporters turning heads in the stands in particular. Many fans from all over the world who have been packing stadiums across North America are embracing colorful hairstyles, face painting and elaborate outfits to cheer on their national teams. For supporters of Japan, bright blue wigs turned into one of the tournament's most recognizable looks. The Japan men's national team is known as the "Samurai Blue." Although the country's flag is red and white, the team has worn shades of blue since the 1930s, according to reports. WORLD CUP FANS FALL IN LOVE WITH AMERICAN CULTURE, COMFORT FOOD CLASSICS Today, the deep indigo color is closely associated with the team, inspiring many supporters to wear blue wigs, jerseys and face paint on game day. The trend gained even more attention earlier this week after a blue-haired Japan supporter went viral following the team's Round of 32 match against Brazil on June 29. A video circulating across social media showed the fan cycling through a range of emotions while surrounded by Brazil supporters. The fan, later identified as Japanese streamer gamix.o7, appeared to laugh, cry and celebrate with rival fans after the final whistle. He later said on social media that he'd accidentally purchased a ticket in the Brazil supporters' section. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER The clip quickly spread across social media, with viewers focused as much on the fan's animated reactions as they were on the interaction between Japanese and Brazilian supporters. (Japan lost to Brazil in the Round of 32 at Houston Stadium.) "Bro just went through 13 different emotions in 20 seconds," one viewer commented. Others praised the sportsmanship displayed in the stands. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "What I have learned from watching these last few weeks of [soccer] is these fans have absolutely top-notch humor and sportsmanship. Every country has been fantastic," another user wrote. "They're being good sports for the most part," another commenter added. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Some viewers even predicted the fan and his reactions would become one of the lasting memories of this year's tournament. "Something tells me we'll see him again in the next World Cup, and we are all gonna remember ... it," one user wrote. Blue wigs aren't the only creative way Japan supporters have shown their team spirit. Other videos from the tournament show fans waving bright blue trash bags in unison — creating a sea of the team's signature color in the stands before kickoff. The full schedule of FIFA World Cup games plus coverage and other details can be found on Fox News Sports. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47c0b7c2ca79de23638a0f Riley Green drops new single 'Go Again' with Hannah McFarland ahead of September album te 2026-07-03T14:01:27.857Z Riley Green drops new single 'Go Again' with Hannah McFarland ahead of September album Riley Green has country music fans going crazy with his new song. Green has become one of the most recognizable faces in the country music world, and his spot at the top of the mountain is well-earned. His music tells deep stories and often takes listeners on an emotional roller coaster. It's been awesome watching his rise. COUNTRY STAR RILEY GREEN SETS THE INTERNET ON FIRE AFTER DEBUTING IMPRESSIVE NEW SONG 'LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN' That now includes a new song that is guaranteed to be a monster hit. The incredibly talented country music singer dropped his new single "Go Again" with Hannah McFarland on Friday morning, and it has fans buzzing. It's exactly what his fans have come to expect from the "Jesus Saves" singer. COUNTRY MUSIC STAR RILEY GREEN FIRES UP FANS WITH EPIC NEW SUMMER JAM 'THINK AS YOU DRUNK' Give it a listen below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. It didn't take long at all for the comments on YouTube to start popping off. One person wrote, "This song hits you in the feels." Another added, "This song is so beautiful!!!" A third wrote, "Amazing song!" I think it's safe to say country music fans are loving Riley Green's new music, and there's a lot more on the way. His new album "That’s Just Me" drops on September 18th. Bet the house it will blow up the country music charts. I can't wait. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47bc29c2ca79de23638965 DAVID MARCUS: Commie Dems would destroy everything World Cup fans love about America te 2026-07-03T13:42:01.919Z DAVID MARCUS: Commie Dems would destroy everything World Cup fans love about America Two stories have captured the attention of our nation over the last few weeks: One is the rise of communist candidates within the Democratic Party and the other is the zeal with which European World Cup tourists have come to love America. It turns out these stories are very much related. If you look at what amazes Europeans about our great nation, they are almost all things that Marxists like soon-to-be Democrat member of Congress Darializa Chevalier and her leader, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, would seek to destroy. If you go down the line and match them up, it is almost perfect. What the Europeans love are road trips with cheap gas, big box stores, air conditioning, authentic small towns and free refills. These are all blessings of capitalism. WORLD CUP SOCCER FANS ARE DISCOVERING AMERICA’S GREATNESS. IT’S TIME AMERICANS DID, TOO On the issue of cars, it is crystal clear that the commies in the Democratic Socialists of America want fewer of us driving them. This explains their penchant for congestion pricing that bars private vehicles from certain roads. This anti-car attitude also extends to fuel prices, because these are people who think "Drill baby, drill" will kill the planet, and that if you can’t afford an electric car, you should just be taking the free buses. When it comes to our giant stores, Europeans are treating trips to Walmart, Costco and Buc-ee's as if they are in a museum, amazed not just by the scale, but by the audacious variety of products. You can see the surprise and joy lift their faces to wonder. DEMOCRATS REPORTEDLY FORCED TO 'GRAPPLE UNCOMFORTABLY' WITH WORLD CUP SUCCESS UNDER DONALD TRUMP It's like the Europeans are Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka's Everything Factory. These marvels of 21st century consumerism are detested by the communists, which is why New York City has no Walmarts. And make no mistake, if these peoples take national power, the entire country will have no Walmarts. In fact, under the kind Marxist rule that candidates Mirot Kiros in Colorado and Abdul El Sayed in Michigan want, it's not just the Walmarts, but the small, unique towns they serve, the ones that enthrall our European cousins, that will disappear, as everyone is made to live in the the longhouse, each according to their ability, etc. MAMDANI RIPPED FOR CLAIMING VICTORY OVER CAPITALISM AFTER NYC'S MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR TAXPAYER FUNDED BAILOUT Even on air conditioning, perhaps the wonder of all wonders to our visitors, Commie Mamdani stepped in it this week, urging New Yorkers to set their thermostats at a toasty 78 degrees amid a heatwave. There is no word, of course, on whether hizzoner is himself following this rule he created. It is not a coincidence that the Marxists taking over the Democratic Party seek to destroy everything that amazes Europeans, because their specific and stated goal is to make America more like Europe. Most of the harebrained schemes that the communists like Chevalier support are already on the books in lefty Europe, where socialism has choked economic growth to the point that they aren’t even in the same stratosphere as the United States. What Europeans are experiencing, first hand, is the explosive commercial possibilities that exist in our free-market capitalist society, and to them it looks like science fiction. There really couldn’t be a clearer warning sign of the dangers of Marxism than these visitors, who are living the supposed dream of free healthcare and high taxes on everything, and declaring that Americans live in a wonderland. Sadly, the would-be communist leaders dominating Democratic Party primaries, perhaps because most of them come from money and spend decades getting useless degrees, have absolutely no appreciation for the gifts of capitalism wowing the European tourists. These commies don’t build anything, they just tear things down. That's why they embrace the childlike assumption that something, anything must be better than the capitalism they so despise. Of, course, they argue, there must be better systems out there in the world. Of course, ours cannot be the pinnacle of societies. But guess what? It is, and the gobsmacked testimonials of Europeans, who live under socialism, prove it. The joy that World Cup tourists are finding in America is not just a testament to our nation’s greatness, but to capitalism’s greatness. Almost every moment of shock and awe is a product of our imperfect, but free markets. What the communists in our nation are going to learn is that, outside of their weird little urban bubbles, Americans do not want to live like Europeans. And the World Cup has taught us is that many, many Europeans would prefer to live more like Americans. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM DAVID MARCUS Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47bc16c2ca79de2363895c Democratic Socialists of America leader says ‘many’ in group would be 'thrilled' at AOC in 2028 te 2026-07-03T13:41:42.456Z Democratic Socialists of America leader says ‘many’ in group would be 'thrilled' at AOC in 2028 Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) New York City co-chair Gustavo Gordillo remarked on MS NOW Thursday that his organization would be "thrilled" if Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., decided to run for president in 2028. In light of another DSA-backed candidate defeating an incumbent Democratic candidate in the Colorado primary elections, "MS NOW Reports" host Antonia Hylton asked Gordillo if his organization had begun any work on the 2028 presidential election. "I think that we will be trying to influence the next presidential primary," Gordillo answered. "And it’s still too soon to say how...to say who." AOC TAKES PAGE FROM BIDEN PLAYBOOK IN DODGING INTERVIEWS WITH NATIONAL PRESS He added, "You know, I think that many in the organization would be very thrilled if Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ended up running, but ultimately that’s her decision, and we’ll be in conversation." Fox News Digital reached out to Ocasio-Cortez's office for comment. On Tuesday, Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette, who was first elected to Congress in 1996 and took office in 1997, was defeated by DSA-backed Melat Kiros, a first-time candidate and former attorney who is 29 years old. CARVILLE WARNS DEMS NEED 'SOMEBODY THAT CAN WIN THIS GOD--- THING' WHEN ASKED IF AOC IS VIABLE FOR 2028 Kiros’ stunning victory comes a week after Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old progressive community organizer in New York City, booted incumbent Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and state Assembly Member Claire Valdez, another DSA-aligned contender, won a congressional primary to succeed retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez. Ocasio-Cortez has expressed support for these candidates despite their past controversial comments, such as Chevalier calling the U.S. "a f---ing disgrace." In an interview with MS NOW's Jen Psaki last week, she encouraged Democrats in Congress to show more support for DSA-backed candidates. RAHM EMANUEL WARNS NEW GENERATION OF DEM SOCIALISTS DON'T LIKE AMERICA "I actually think the more important advice that I would give would be to my incumbent colleagues — which is you will create a self-fulfilling prophecy by deciding who these young women are before you've met them," Ocasio-Cortez said. Ocasio-Cortez has not yet committed to a presidential run in 2028 and was coy when asked about it by Fox News Digital last month. "Could I be president?" Ocasio-Cortez said. "Could I not be president? Maybe, maybe not." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47bbc4c2ca79de23638934 Pioneer Museum to hold open house for Fourth of July te 2026-07-03T13:40:20.543Z Pioneer Museum to hold open house for Fourth of July Scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event is free and will offer visitors the opportunity to reconnect with the museum, learn about future plans and experience the history as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47b9adc2ca79de236388fb Jena Sims' golf swing could use some work, buy Rocky's mouthguard & roofers fight on the job te 2026-07-03T13:31:25.629Z Jena Sims' golf swing could use some work, buy Rocky's mouthguard & roofers fight on the job The sun is just starting to rise on this beautiful July 3 morning and Friday Screencaps is here to inspire you to go out and have a weekend the boys will be talking about 250 years from now. Let's start with the elephant in the room –– my MASSIVE golf trip to northern Michigan that spanned parts of seven days and included an astonishing (for me) 166 holes of golf, and not one drop of rain. There was even a first for me on this trip in the weather department –– a round that was called off for lightning that never produced rain over our heads. The round ended as I was standing in the middle of a fairway after a beautiful drive. There I was in the fairway holding my graphite shaft in mid-swing when a bolt flashed right over our heads. I've never moved so fast to a weather shelter than on Monday morning. That round ended after 15 holes, hence the odd number of holes played over the trip. INVESTING IN PRODIGY JACKSON KOIVUN AND FOUR OTHER GOLFERS AT THE 2026 JOHN DEERE CLASSIC It was mission accomplished for not getting electrocuted. Trip details: 16 guys made the first half of the trip; 40 guys were on the second half. Best course we played: The Bear (Traverse City) This one probably isn't close. This Jack Nicklaus course lived up to its reputation as one of the hardest golf courses in Ohio, with more bunkers over 18 holes than I'd ever seen in my life. Let's just say going out the night before playing this beast isn't the best idea. I did card a full integrity 46 on the back to take the sting out of the front nine. WYNDHAM CLARK'S GIRLFRIEND EMILY TANNER IS TURNING INTO A STAR AT THE US OPEN, ALYSSA MILANO BEGS AGAIN & MEAT Believe it or not, I've played at some nice resorts in Michigan, and Grand Traverse might be the classiest. The beer hut behind the 18th green was super classy. The carts were high-end. The soft music coming out 40 or 50 speakers hidden around the clubhouse were at the perfect level. Best party scene: (tie) Shanty Creek Resort (Bellaire, MI - home to Short's Brewery) & Garland Golf Resort I know, I know...have a backbone and pick one, right? Guys, you can't go wrong with either here. Shanty has a ski village area with bars and restaurants with bachelorette parties, wedding parties and golfers right in the mix. Hence, it's a party. Money is flying around. Everyone is in a good mood. Young guys shoulder to shoulder with weekend warrior dad golfers. It's adult summer camp. AMERICA'S FAVORITE BEERS — AND THE JOBS TIED TO THEM — ARE AT THE CENTER OF A BREWING TRADE FIGHT And then there's Garland, which is like partying at your own lodge in the middle of a forest in the middle of nowhere Michigan where cellphone reception can be a legit issue. The tiki hut bar at Garland is sneaky. Very sneaky. If you end up on that patio with the right crew, you're in for a couple of nights you won't soon forget. Dave Sanderson, who runs the place, is a Georgia native, Auburn fan, and an OutKick reader. If you're looking for a resort run by a guy who gets us, Dave is the man. He's one of us. Best golf course food we ate: Garland's hanger steak. Game over. I'm actually surprised the chef didn't run out of hanger steak based on how much of it our group bought over three nights. Runner-up would be Garland's firecracker shrimp. Tuesday night, I witnessed Millennial Chris B. in Bowling Green all but lick his plate clean of the sauce they pour over the shrimp. At Shanty, you're ordering steak bites at the hotel bar. You won't be disappointed. Best sandwich we ate: Get the white pepper sandwich at Short's in Bellaire. It's a turkey avocado with roasted red pepper and an aioli that is to die for. We had the sandwich two straight days. How did I play? Did I shoot in the 80s? No, but I did shoot a 95 at The Legend, the Arnold Palmer course up there that kicked my ass in the fall. Due to the difficulty of the greens, that feels like a major accomplishment. Give me about 3-4 more times playing these courses and I would know where to place my misses. My biggest issue remains around the greens. I need to chip much better, especially when I'm playing on greens that are 50 yards wide and I'm leaving myself 40 footers for pars. I had my fair share of pars, but I also had three-putt triples that are absolutely soul crushing. Bonus weather information: Friday morning, it was in the low-to-mid-50s and we were wearing pants. By Tuesday afternoon, the heat index at Garland was hovering somewhere around 105 and we were playing in a swamp that had received seven inches of rain the week before. Yes, the bugs got bad. Prices: At Shanty, we paid $430 for two nights in their hotel (nice rooms, which actually shocked me because the resort is aging) and four rounds of weekend golf. I think Garland was $530 for three nights, four rounds and a round on The Sawyer, a walkable 10-hole reversible course where you take out three clubs and go for a barefoot stroll, if you're one of us. The Sawyer was a blast. I know some of the guys in our group weren't happy about hitting off a mat, but once we got out there, it was no longer an issue. The course is beautiful, green, spongy and the type of course where you soak up Pure Michigan. If there's one thing I would change, it would be that The Sawyer needs a pop-up bar on the course and maybe a beer cart girl with a cooler on one of the holes. Dave said he's working on a plan. I trust the guy. Were there any trip surprises? Nobody got arrested or needed medical attention. That's a solid trip. But there will be a surprise piece of content from me that you guys will see next week. Garland has a "Tee Shot Tuesday" Facebook content series that they asked me to appear in as a guest golfer. I'd played approximately 158 holes of golf by the time we shot "Tee Shot Tuesday," so keep that in mind when I post the video next week. Bonus suprise: Mrs. Screencaps called to let me know our hot water tank started leaking on Saturday and had to be replaced. Needless to say, that wasn't cheap. Conclusion: I was telling someone before this trip that Up North is now my Vegas. In my 20s and 30s, I needed the action of Vegas to get a dopamine rush. Those days are over. Now I just want to drive through the woods, listen to music, drink some beers with buddies and hit a golf ball a few hundred times. At this point in life, I'm very fortunate to have found guys who share similar feelings about what these trips mean to the soul. It's that brief period of time in life where you can let loose before heading back down I-75 to the real world. It's like when we all used to get back on that plane heading home after a Vegas weekend. You go home with incredible memories, stories we'll tell for years, and a determination to do it all over again next year. Reminder: Jena's husband has five major championships. Let's just say that Jena wouldn't shoot under 200 Up North, but she'd sure love the Garland tiki hut bar scene. Maybe it's by design that Brooks doesn't press Jena to become a better golfer. Guys, if she's a competent golfer, she's going to want into your golf groups. That brings me to a new trend that I heard of over this golf trip –– Women who just want to ride along on the golf course while their husbands/boyfriends play. Is this a huge issue where you live? Courses around here are starting to not allow riders due to cart shortages because so many women want to ride along. Ladies, please, just let us go act like morons for 4 1/2 hours by ourselves. Do you set the thermostat to 78 when it's 95 out? Seems crazy, right? I was talking to my buddy Diesel on the way home from golf and he planned on setting his to 76 because his electric company was charging double for energy rates due to high temps. Are these power companies setting us up for a future where THEY choose what's a reasonable temperature in your house? Remember, we now have these smart meters. Some of you have the smart thermostats that are wired in to the power companies. I have a very, very bad feeling where this is all going. ######################### And with that, we head right into the most important 4th of July I'll live to see. The weather could be a major issue this weekend, but we will soldier on to celebrate the freedom we all enjoy (minus the double energy costs). As I've said many, many times on here, never lose sight at how fortunate we are to call this place home even as we live among people who absolutely hate this country. We must never allow them to become the norm. This country continues to be the greatest experiment in the history of the world because of all of you who believe in what those founding fathers wrote up 250 years ago. Let's have an incredible weekend. I'll be back in the morning to add more perspective. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47b525c2ca79de2363884e Hollywood producer behind 'Apollo 13' rejects politics in his movies, seeks to unite audiences te 2026-07-03T13:12:05.786Z Hollywood producer behind 'Apollo 13' rejects politics in his movies, seeks to unite audiences ASPEN, COLORADO — Academy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer opened up Wednesday about his artistic philosophy when it comes to making films and TV shows. "None of my stories are left or right. I'm not political in any of my movies. 'Frost/Nixon' was just an account of an event. But I'm never political," Grazer said. "I'm only about working on universal themes to create unity with other people, so we demystify other people, other people's problems." Grazer, who has nearly 270 producing credits, including for "Apollo 13," "A Beautiful Mind," "Arrested Development" and "24," appeared alongside "Yellowstone" director and cinematographer Christina Voros and Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Joshua Seftel at the Aspen Institute's Ideas Festival in a discussion titled "Building Bridges at the Box Office." DWAYNE 'THE ROCK' JOHNSON REJECTS HOLLYWOOD’S POLITICAL OBSESSION, BLASTS CELEBRITY ATTACK CULTURE Grazer was asked by panel moderator Steven Olikara of Bridge Entertainment Labs whether Hollywood was still "curious" as many in the industry have rejected viewpoint diversity. "Sure," Grazer responded with a grin after a long pause, sparking laughs from the audience. "I mean, some people are." "The mechanics of the business of Hollywood has changed so significantly in the last four years, it could cause artists to be disincentivized," he said. "The compensation structure is predominantly based on a socialistic system — that was political — but in that everybody gets paid, you know, you get a streaming price. So you're not incentivized to work your ass off, feel the risk of that, own that, and fail, lose money, or make 90 million dollars or something. That's what artists can do." "And so curiosity really always, to me, was, at the very minimum, just being polite to human beings," he continued. "If you're interested in other people. And you ask — you start — you don't look at your phone, you start talking, and you enable the other person to communicate back to you, they usually will, and you usually create a human moment. It becomes memorable, at least for the day." PBS CEO RECOUNTS DRAMATIC YEAR FOR ORGANIZATION, CALLS LEGAL BATTLE WITH TRUMP 'THE MOST SOBERING MOMENT' On the subject of how filmmakers should celebrate the country's 250th, the famed producer insisted the idea of the "American dream" shouldn't be political. "Be grateful to America, be kind to America. I think that's what would be really nice if that lived in the fabric of our culture," Grazer said. Voros, who described herself as being a Brooklyn liberal before moving to a small town in West Texas to work on shows like "Yellowstone," said she had "preconceived notions" that were proven inaccurate based on the conversations she has had with the people there. "I think we as a culture need to be careful of the filters through which we are guided to perceive this country and the stories of this country, because you can get into an echo chamber pretty quickly, regardless of where you live or what you feel," Voros said. She described this as "one of the most important things about storytelling," adding, "It is this moment where you can kind of crack the wall open a little bit and let the light come in." CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST MEDIA AND CULTURE NEWS "I think it's important in storytelling to leave space for the audience to fill in some of the soul of it themselves. If you tell someone exactly how they're supposed to feel, it's very easy for them to reject that conversation creatively at all... You need to leave that space in stories, so people can make those stories their own and draw strength or hope or curiosity from them," she continued, later adding, "I hope as an audience, we remind ourselves to seek out, which is to not carry our assumptions into every story that is brought to us, and to try and leave a little space to learn something." Seftel similarly expressed that he "simply want[s] people to understand each other." "It's not that hard to tell stories that help us understand each other. And I just hope we can keep doing that," Seftel said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47b512c2ca79de23638845 Supreme Court’s awful ruling encourages China’s Hunan Horse to invade America te 2026-07-03T13:11:46.332Z Supreme Court’s awful ruling encourages China’s Hunan Horse to invade America Bad Supreme Court decisions are nothing new, but on the birthright citizenship case, Trump v. Barbara, the justices laid an egg that will hatch some ugly ducklings. The court ruled that children born here "to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ of the United States" and so are citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment. Under this ruling, foreigners with zero allegiance to the United States can continue to give their children all the benefits of American citizenship with none of the responsibilities. 'WEAPONS OF MASS REPRODUCTION': WATCHDOG UNVEILS ACTION PLAN TO CURB BIRTH TOURISM AFTER SUPREME COURT RULING In 2024, Emma Waters and I wrote about birth tourism and surrogacy by Chinese nationals. Like the Trojan Horse of Greek myth, this is a Hunan Horse that uses the 14th Amendment, and the lack of federal and state laws proscribing surrogacy, to smuggle in millions of aliens as citizens. Rich Chinese take advantage of birthright citizenship for financial advantage and as an insurance policy. They can get their kids into state schools at lower tuition, and their kids can eventually sponsor them to immigrate. Corrupt Chinese officials, senior military and intelligence officers do the same thing, perhaps with more sinister motives as well. Their kids will be able to vote, join the military and get security clearances for federal jobs. Wealthy Nigerians, Russians and other aliens, whose money is often the fruit of corruption, also come here using similar birth tourism packages, complete with shopping and spa days. VANCE CALLS SCOTUS BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP RULING A 'MAJOR MISTAKE,' WARNS OF MORE BIRTH TOURISM But many who abuse birthright citizenship are poor and tap immediately into public benefits. They should be denied visas as likely public charges under U.S. immigration law, but they lie about their assets, ties to home and reason for travel. Also, over the years, consular officers have been told to ignore practically every type of welfare benefit when evaluating this ineligibility. Every consular officer serving in a third-world country has seen cases of mothers applying for tourist visas who have American citizen children. In nearly all such cases I saw, the mother had not paid her hospital bill for the birth, and in most cases, she had also used welfare and health care programs meant for indigent American mothers and children. Worse are the cuckoo’s eggs like "progressive" darling Hasan Piker, born here while his Turkish parents were on student visas. They returned to raise him in Turkey, but he returned to the U.S. to make his fortune spewing antisemitic, anti-American, anti-capitalist bile on the internet. JONATHAN TURLEY: BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP RULING LEAVES CONSERVATIVES WITH ONLY ONE PATH You can’t win them all. Trump v. Barbara settled things for now. So, what can be done? Congress could legislate that for (and only for) the purpose of acquiring U.S. citizenship, the phrase "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" in the Fourteenth Amendment does not apply to people whose parents, at the time of their birth, were citizens of other nations. That would bring Justice Brett Kavanagh on board. But there would still be a 5-4 majority, until one of the five were to leave the court and be replaced by one more aligned with Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch. That leaves a long shot: we can and should amend the Constitution. Americans ratified the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments that put an end to slavery and its inherent injustice. But those who wrote and ratified the 14th Amendment did so to protect freed Black Americans, not Nigerian millionaires on birth tourism packages. What is done can be undone: the 18th Amendment banned alcohol, but the 21st Amendment put the beers back in our hands. So, the 14th Amendment must be revised by a new amendment making clear the citizenship and perhaps immigration status that is required of at least one parent for a child born here to become an American citizen at birth. Meanwhile, Congress and the states can pass laws banning surrogacy and imposing costs on aliens who give birth at U.S. taxpayer expense. Lax U.S. laws governing international surrogacy allow foreign nationals to "rent a womb" from American women. The resulting children get full American citizenship. Such cross-border surrogacy for hire is not regulated at the national level in the U.S., and about half of U.S. states openly encourage the industry. Indeed, 75% of foreign intended parents used clinics in California. Commercial surrogacy is illegal in China; why do we allow them to do it here, in any state? CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Abroad, the State Department can ratchet up visa adjudication standards in countries known to abuse birthright citizenship. Women of child-bearing age already must show their intent to return, sufficient funds for support and reason for going to the U.S. AI-driven estimations can help inform consular decisions about the risks of issuing them visas. Furthermore, women who have had prior children in the U.S. on visitor visas, or who have claimed public benefits while in the U.S. shouldn’t be allowed to travel here again for any reason. With AI and better data, consular officers can at least reduce the number of women arriving with the intent of giving birth. And they can certainly stop them returning to repeat it. Most conservatives hoped for a win but knew it was likely we’d lose Barbara. We have no time to sulk – the tools are there to mitigate the damage and we should use them. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47b4fec2ca79de2363883c Yosemite, Grand Canyon lead notable list of national park campgrounds for America's 250th te 2026-07-03T13:11:26.884Z Yosemite, Grand Canyon lead notable list of national park campgrounds for America's 250th As Americans reflect on our 250-year history as a sovereign nation, there's no better time to appreciate the breathtaking natural beauty the country offers. Several campgrounds sit within landscapes that have been federally protected for more than a century. Yosemite Valley, for example, was preserved under the Yosemite Grant, which President Abraham Lincoln signed into law in June 1864. GEORGE WASHINGTON'S REMARKABLE PRAYER FOR AMERICA STILL RESONATES 250 YEARS LATER The area became Yosemite National Park in 1890, decades before many of the country's other iconic national parks were established in the early 20th century. James Kaiser, the Montana-based author of several national park guidebooks, said each of our featured campgrounds offers a unique way to experience America's natural landscapes. "North Pines in Yosemite and Watchman in Zion offer breathtaking scenery — even by national park standards," he told Fox News Digital. "Both are situated beneath towering cliffs, and you’ll enjoy a spectacular light show at [the] golden hour. … When it’s time for bed, you’ll sleep under a glittering blanket of stars." He noted that Blackwoods, Mather and Many Glacier are all situated in forests with more limited views, but campers are very close to some of the country's most spectacular scenery. NEARLY 100 YEARS LATER, BELOVED AMUSEMENT PARK STILL REFUSES TO CHARGE ADMISSION These campgrounds "are steps from some of the most gorgeous scenery in America — the rugged coast of Maine, the multicolored depths of [the] Grand Canyon, and the towering peaks of Glacier," he said. Here are five campgrounds generally considered the best across the nation.  North Pines Campground is one of three campgrounds in Yosemite Valley that accept reservations. The campground is known for waterfalls, granite cliffs, deep valleys and ancient giant sequoias, according to Recreation.gov. Campsites typically sell out within minutes of becoming available, the site notes. The campgrounds are near the Merced River, which offers rafting opportunities. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, fishing and photography are popular as well. This campground is steps from the Grand Canyon's South Rim, where visitors can see the famous panoramic views. The National Park Service's (NPS) website notes that the campground offers 327 camping sites. SECRETS OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLEFIELDS EMERGE 250 YEARS AFTER AMERICA'S FOUNDING "Each includes a campfire ring … picnic table, parking space and room for up to six people, three tents and two vehicles," the site says. There are flush toilets and drinking water, according to the site. The campground offers 15 first-come, first-served sites that go on sale at 8 a.m. each day, and the site does not offer hook-ups or electricity. Near the Virgin River, Watchman Campground offers easy access to hiking trails, biking, ranger programs, photography and stargazing. "Zion is known for its dynamic geologic history and Watchman Campground is no exception," Recreation.gov says. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Named for the rocky peak above it, the campground is surrounded by tall sandstone cliffs that appear red and orange during sunrise and sunset. Campers can also cool down in the river, which runs adjacent to the campground. Many Glacier Campground sits within Glacier National Park, near Browning, Montana. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES The campground offers hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing and fishing amid towering mountain peaks, alpine lakes and dense forest. It is situated in a Douglas fir, lodgepole pine and quaking aspen forest, Recreation.gov notes. "Vegetation is dense and provides partial shade for almost all campsites," the site says.  TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Officials warn that at times there can be strong wind gusts, though tree cover provides some protection. Many Glacier Campground is on the east side of the Continental Divide. Trails are available for day hiking and overnight backpacking, the site says. Maine's Acadia National Park is the only national park in New England.  It offers visitors access to the rugged Atlantic coastline, plus granite peaks and scenic hiking trails. Blackwoods Campground, located on Mount Desert Island, gives campers access to mountains, lakes, streams, wetlands, forests, meadows and beaches. All campground sites are wooded and within a 10-minute walk of the ocean, according to Recreation.gov. Walks along the coastline, mountain hikes, biking, kayaking and canoeing and narrated boat cruises are all favorite pastimes at Acadia. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47b037c2ca79de23638773 James Carville worries about the 'end of the two-party system' as democratic socialists gain popularity te 2026-07-03T12:51:03.866Z James Carville worries about the 'end of the two-party system' as democratic socialists gain popularity Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville and his podcast co-host Al Hunt lamented the rise of radicals in both parties and warned that this may be a sign that the two-party consensus is doomed on Thursday. Carville has been outspoken about condemning the rise of certain democratic socialists who won their primaries in Democratic Party strongholds, to the point where he proposed the party have a schism to keep them out of power. One factor for the radical changes in recent politics, Carville said, is that struggling young people believe that previous generations have utterly failed to help them. Carville argued that while there are some economic struggles, it is nowhere near as dire as young people believe it to be. Talking on "Politics War Room," Carville said that he still believes that the old-guard Democratic pillars of pluralism and a regulated economy with a strong safety net and social insurance is the way for the United States to go, but lamented that younger generations just don’t believe in that vision anymore. JAMES CARVILLE SAYS SOCIALIST DEMOCRAT SHOULDN'T BE IN THE PARTY, CALLS HER VIEWS 'A BRIDGE TOO FAR' "And it’s a very, very, very taxing time. I mean, the only thing on the horizon that was coming up would be the nomination of a Democratic candidate for president in 2028. I think that should be it. But I just think the party may have to splinter," he warned. While Carville admitted that he is an elderly man, there are still young people who share his vision of Democratic Party politics, and yet, "People always talk about the end of the two-party system. We might seem pretty close to the end of it." "There’s certainly no place for anything you would think of as traditional John McCain, Mitt Romney Republicans , because they got nowhere to go," he said. "So I don’t know where this is going, but it’s hard for me to see that the two parties are going to dominate American politics in the future as they have in the past." DSA’S THIRD MAJOR PRIMARY WIN DEEPENS DEMOCRATS’ FIGHT OVER THE PARTY’S FUTURE While Carville and his co-host both noted their differences with some more progressive Democrats like Pramila Jayapal and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Carville warned that the new wave of democratic socialists are a bridge too far. "This new crop that's coming in, this is entirely different. This is not the same thing. I think people might be voting for it and hadn't thought about it. I don't know what they’re doing, but I got to tell you," he said. "This is the new trend and it's a very disturbing trend and it like people are just looking for a quick solution to just do anything that they can to stop the pain they're going through and I got news for you, there are no quick solutions." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47a931c2ca79de2363864e Caitlin Clark's peers make it crystal clear they hate her with insulting All-Star game vote te 2026-07-03T12:21:05.056Z Caitlin Clark's peers make it crystal clear they hate her with insulting All-Star game vote The Caitlin Clark Hate Tour rolled on this week in the WNBA, and the Fever star didn't even have to take a fist to the throat this time. This one, however, may somehow hurt even more. According to her peers, Clark is the 11th-best guard in the league. That's right. Eleven! The 24-year-old was voted as a starter in the July 25 All-Star game, but the breakdown of how the league, media, and fans voted raised some eyebrows. WNBA WANTS A BIGGER STORY THAN CAITLIN CLARK, BUT TV RATINGS KEEP POINTING BACK TO HER The fans voted Clark as the second-best guard in the league, behind Paige Bueckers. That's fair. The media voted Clark as the third-best guard in the league. Again, pretty fair. Her fellow WNBA players, amazingly, ranked her 11th, which is somehow worse than last year when they put her ninth. The WNBA All-Star Game vote counts fans at 50%, while players and media each receive a 25% share of the ballot. What a time to be alive: It's just incredible. This really is one of the most fascinating things I've ever covered, and I've been doing this for more than a decade now. They really hate her, don't they? REALLY hate her. It's remarkable, especially given she has made these scornful women richer than they ever thought possible. A rising tide lifts all boats, right? Wrong, apparently. There is no world that exists where Caitlin Clark is the 11th-best guard in the WNBA. It's not possible. CAITLIN CLARK BREAKS WNBA ASSISTS RECORD TO A CHORUS OF BOOS AS VALKYRIES SPOIL THE MILESTONE I've watched the games. I've suffered through them. Most of the league is awful. Angel Reese misses shots so easy at times, I think she's faking it. I don't mean to shoot a stray at Angel Reese, but seriously, some of her highlights are so bad, you'd think it's AI. No, they don't play the same position. I get it. My point is, though, that it just feels different when you watch Clark play than when you watch the rest of the league. It's why she's so polarizing. And by the way, she's having a good season, especially given she missed most of last year with a dozen different injuries. She's currently second in the WNBA in assists-per-game (8.2) and tied for fourth in points-per-game (21.2). I know very little about basketball, but those are two pretty important stats for a guard, right? Scoring the basketball and distributing it. Two things that are VITAL for a guard to be good at, and Clark is among the best in both categories. Yet, her peers voted her the 11th-best guard in the league? OK. Sure thing. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS The jealousy is off the charts. Every day, it's something new. Last week it was Alyssa Thomas using her throat as a mop. And if that didn't tell you everything you needed to know, this surely does. Just open your eyes, folks! It's now as clear as ever. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47a73bc2ca79de236385e8 Lee Greenwood says he's 'very proud' to stand next to Trump during America's 250th celebration te 2026-07-03T12:12:43.689Z Lee Greenwood says he's 'very proud' to stand next to Trump during America's 250th celebration Lee Greenwood is proud to be an American. The "God Bless the USA" singer told Fox News Digital he’s "very proud" to stand with President Donald Trump this Fourth of July and "flattered and honored" to be part of the country’s 250th anniversary celebration. "I'm a farm kid from California and music was in my life since I was like 10 or 11, 12 years old," he said. "But it was while I was on tour in the United States, coast to coast, I realized there's so much about America we hadn't heard. So I wrote the song, ‘God Bless the USA,’ and ‘Proud to be an American.’ And now here we are on a 250th anniversary of this great country. I am so flattered and honored to be able to sing about it. And I'll be with the President of the United States in Washington, D.C. more than once." VANILLA ICE EXPLAINS WHY HE WILL ALWAYS 'RAISE THE FLAG' AT HIS SHOWS AFTER DOUBLING DOWN ON FREEDOM 250 SHOW Responding to acts having previously pulled out of the event, Greenwood stressed that it shouldn’t be political. "Well, I'm sorry about that. You know, in this case, there's no politics here," he explained. "This is celebrating America, this wonderful place that we have for 250 years of our republic."' WATCH: Lee Greenwood says ‘We have to celebrate America’ ahead of 250th anniversary  He said he wouldn’t be thinking in terms of Democrats, Republicans or Independents while he was singing. COUNTRY STAR ZAC BROWN DEFENDS UFC WHITE HOUSE PERFORMANCE SAYING 'F--- ALL THE DIVISION' "We have to celebrate America, and I'm sorry they're not going to perform," he continued. "I will stand with our fantastic president, however, on … July 4th in Washington, D.C." Greenwood said he’s supported Trump "from the very beginning" and he and his wife, Kimberly Payne, who he said was with the Miss USA pageant for almost 30 years, have been friends with the president for a long time. "I'm just very proud to stand next to the man that I appreciate that runs our country," he said. BILL MAHER TELLS LIBERALS TO STOP 'PARTISAN SULKING' AND JOIN AMERICA 250 PARTY Asked what lessons from our history future generations should remember, he said: "First of all, people say this country is so divided. Do you not remember the Civil War, the Revolutionary War, of course, Vietnam at a time when we just really had to struggle to find out who we were?" But Greenwood said he knows who we are. "We're the only free country in the world that will take care of everyone else," he said. "And as we approach this 250-year anniversary of our country, there'll be more challenges in the future. But God bless this wonderful place." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47a728c2ca79de236385df A landmark Texas ruling breathes new life into one detransitioner's quest for justice te 2026-07-03T12:12:24.233Z A landmark Texas ruling breathes new life into one detransitioner's quest for justice Texas detransitioner Soren Aldaco is speaking out after receiving a big win in a landmark Texas Supreme Court case on June 26 that could reshape how medical malpractice timelines are calculated. The Texas Supreme Court decided that Aldaco did not file her 2023 claims too late to take her healthcare providers to court, reversing a lower court's finding that her lawsuit was "time-barred" due to the state's strict statute of limitations laws. Aldaco shared her reaction to the ruling, that she described as a "huge" win, in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital. TEXAS DETRANSITIONER SHARES HOW DOCTORS AND INTERNET ‘COSPLAY’ GROOMED HER INTO PERMANENT SURGERY "It sets precedent that in this unique area of law, providers can't skirt accountability by playing with the dates and the statute of limitations." Under Texas medical malpractice law, a patient generally has a strict two-year window (statute of limitations) to file a lawsuit. The core battle in Aldaco's case was determining exactly when that two-year countdown began. The therapist's letter is crucial to Aldaco's case because the medical group that conducted her double mastectomy advised her to obtain one. Because Aldaco filed her lawsuit more than two years after that letter was written, the lower court ruled she was too late. The Texas Supreme Court's unanimous opinion delivered by Justice James Sullivan, reversed the lower court's finding that her claims were time-barred. The court concluded that the statute of limitations began when the injury occurred, but not when her therapist referred her for the procedure. The opinion stated, "The court of appeals rejected Aldaco’s arguments and held that the clock began ticking on February 22, 2021, when Wood "penned and provided the allegedly tortious recommendation letter" without which the double mastectomy couldn’t have occurred... We disagree." WHAT THE SCOTUS TITLE IX RULING COULD MEAN FOR LAWSUITS SEEKING DAMAGES FOR WOMEN IMPACTED BY TRANS ATHLETES Aldaco said she plans to continue "moving forward" in her case. "Our goal is to seek every avenue possible to get justice against these providers who took advantage of my vulnerable mental state." The case heard in the Texas Supreme Court only involves her former therapist and the associated counseling group who wrote a letter recommending surgery for Aldaco in Feb. 2021. The office of the attorney representing the physicians who conducted Aldaco's double mastectomy and their medical practice told Fox News Digital when asked about Aldaco's plans to move forward with her case: "The Crane Center Parties were parties to a separate appeal, and Ms. Aldaco’s claims were dismissed pursuant to a separate order entered on grounds unrelated to those at issue in the Texas Supreme Court’s decision." According to Aldaco, "I had two years to sue from the date of harm. And that's what the Texas Supreme Court explored is whether the date of harm started when the letter was written or when I actually had the surgery, or even when I stopped seeing the provider a month before the surgery happened." She thinks this decision will make health care providers "think twice" and "dig deeper" into what patients are experiencing before jumping to invasive medical interventions. "I think in modern medicine, generally, it's really easy to slap a medication, you know, or a diagnosis onto a patient," Aldaco added. I WAS A CHILD AND BELIEVED GENDER TRANSITION WOULD HEAL MY PAIN; IT BECAME A NEW TRAUMA Aldaco said the case had a lot of complexities and described the treatments recommended as "bandage treatments" that didn't address underlying wounds. "The thing about cases having to do with trans-related medical malpractice is there's these developmental factors at play that are unique compared to other areas of medicine," she added.  Aldaco believes her case will inspire others in similar situations. "I just hope that this win that we experienced this week, both in my own case and at the federal, U.S. Supreme Court level, I hope that that encourages other people to seek justice." Aldaco is taking her fight to the Texas Legislature. "In our upcoming 90th legislative session, I intend to do everything I can to pass comprehensive legislation that'll open the statute of limitations for other people who have experienced similar harm." Texas lawmakers expressed interest in addressing this issue. Texas State Rep. Shelby Slawson told The Texan, "As soon as bill filing opens for the 90th Legislative Session, I will be refiling HB888/HB1088, and I am grateful to the sixty colleagues who signed the February statement — and more since then — who are committed to passing an extension of the statute of limitations for injured Texans like Soren." Texas State Rep. Jeff Leach posted on X, "This Supreme Court Opinion, expertly written by the esteemed Justice James Sullivan, is just the next step in this important battle — with much more left to do in the next[Texas Legislative] session." PLASTIC SURGEON APOLOGIZES FOR FAILING TO 'SPEAK UP’ AGAINST YOUTH TRANS SURGERIES AT MAJOR NYC HOSPITAL In a February Fox News Digital op-ed, Aldaco wrote, "On Feb. 11, the Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments in part of my case against the providers who facilitated my medical transition. One of my attorneys, John Ramer, articulated what has felt obvious to me for years: Accountability for doctors does not vanish because a patient "wanted it." During arguments, it was difficult to miss that even the defense doesn’t believe its own words." Aldaco alleges that her transition was facilitated by medical professionals who ignored her underlying trauma and coached her to navigate insurance hurdles. According to Aldaco, her therapist showed no interest in exploring her history of being groomed, despite Aldaco’s explicit requests to discuss it.  Instead, she claims the therapist fast-tracked her medical transition by drafting a surgical recommendation letter that contained a significant falsehood: It stated Aldaco had been living as a male for at least 12 months — a standard clinical milestone Aldaco says she had not actually reached. After the win, Aldaco said, "We need more voices telling their stories because it isn't just the few of us who have gone public, the many of us have gone in public. There's many people who are out there who need to be seen and recognized too." MASSACHUSETTS HEALTH CARE GIANT ENDS YOUTH GENDER CARE TO PROTECT 'HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS' IN FUNDING Aldaco transition journey began at the age of 11. "I discovered the darkest corners of the internet. In these chatrooms, I was sexually groomed by adult strangers who used my love for art against me," Aldaco wrote in the Fox News op-ed. "I made friends with other little girls on art forums around the same time, many of whom had similar experiences. One such girl began identifying as transgender. She told me she felt like "a boy trapped in a girl’s body." Aldaco told Fox News Digital in a previous interview published in March when the Texas Supreme Court was hearing her case, "I was role-playing in these art forums, just like boyfriend, girlfriend role plays, cutesy, like innocent kid things. I mean, the most that we got into that was mature was kissing, right? But online, in those adult chat rooms, obviously I wasn't aware that there was more mature content that adults would end up leading me into," she said.  "I ended up having this psychiatric episode and my family took me to a hospital where the psychiatrist that was responsible for my care pressured me to essentially come out to him as trans," she added.  Aldaco claimed she didn't have intentions of doing so. "This was something I never intended to do. I saw it as the role-play identity, and he insisted that it was safe to tell him, even though it was something I wasn't going to deal with 'til I was an adult," she said. Fox News Digital reached out to the attorney representing Barbara Rose Wood and Three Oaks Counseling. Fox News' Alba Cuebas-Fantauzzi contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47a714c2ca79de236385d6 Cities brace for holiday weekend teen takeovers putting bystanders at deadly risk, former prosecutor warns te 2026-07-03T12:12:04.775Z Cities brace for holiday weekend teen takeovers putting bystanders at deadly risk, former prosecutor warns Cities across America are bracing for a wave of social media-fueled "teen takeovers" this Fourth of July weekend, with police departments in several states taking preemptive steps to stop the chaos before it starts. The so-called teen takeovers, some of which have been organized on social media, have erupted across the country and now threaten to interfere with Americans' Fourth of July weekend. As the holiday weekend approaches, police departments across the country are taking steps to stop the chaos before it even starts. In Falmouth, Massachusetts, police said they have increased staffing and are using drones to combat teen takeovers on beaches and stopping large gatherings before they become dangerous, according to Masslive.com. COPS HALT PLANNED 'TEEN TAKEOVER' AS OFFICIALS BRACE FOR A SUMMER SURGE IN CHAOS AND ARRESTS: POLICE CHIEF Lt. Ryan Hergt said in an interview with the outlet that the agency has taken steps to combat large gatherings, some by teens, after they struggled to contain them in past years. In Ocean City, Maryland, police in June stopped a teen takeover that was advertised on social media as a "Late Night Beach Party Link Up." Police learned about the event through the Baltimore Police Department, and arrested several of the alleged organizers before the teen takeover could even happen, according to WTOP. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X Some towns are going even further. In Greenville, North Carolina, the city's mayor enacted a curfew ahead of the holiday weekend in response to threats of a teen takeover, according to The Reflector. STREET TAKEOVER ARRESTS SURGE ACROSS US AS SUMMER KICKS OFF WITH SOCIAL MEDIA-DRIVEN CRIME TREND "Greenville Mayor P.J. Connelly has established another temporary curfew for juveniles under the age of 18 in downtown Greenville to help ensure their safety," a statement from the city reads. The city dealt with a teen takeover on June 20 in which a large number of fights broke out in the downtown area, with social media posts threatening another similar event on June 27. As a result, a curfew was declared last weekend as well. Past teen takeovers have proven the events have potential to become dangerous. RAMPAGING 1,000-TEEN MOB STORMS TOURIST ATTRACTION, HURTS OFFICERS IN VIOLENT 'TAKEOVER' CAUGHT ON VIDEO In Georgia's Tybee Island, an "unpermitted pop-up event" in April ended up with gunshots ringing out, which sent scores of teens running for their lives. Margaret McLean, a former prosecutor, told Fox News Digital that law enforcement doesn't need to wait for chaos to unfold. SEND US A TIP HERE "It's a big preventative measure that police are using. They're monitoring the social media... arresting some people for rioting. If these organizers are worried that they may face criminal charges or they may get a criminal record or possibly even go to jail, they may step back and decide not to organize one of these events," McLean said. She said teen takeovers are such a priority for police because of the potential for them to turn violent, fast. "People can be trampled," McLean said. "What makes them so dangerous is fights can break out and somebody, some innocent bystander can get pushed down or hurt, or they can fall and hit their head and then die from a bad head wound," she added. Fox News' Stepheny Price contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47a701c2ca79de236385cd Republican unveils Declaration of Independence bill ahead of America's 250th birthday te 2026-07-03T12:11:45.321Z Republican unveils Declaration of Independence bill ahead of America's 250th birthday A newly elected Republican lawmaker is putting America's founding principles back before Congress ahead of the nation's 250th birthday, arguing the country must recommit to them as socialist ideas gain traction on the left. Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn., unveiled legislation reaffirming the Declaration of Independence — a move he said follows a congressional tradition of marking major national anniversaries with the founding document. "Congress did this in America 100 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary," Van Epps told Fox News Digital in an interview. "We felt like this was the right time to do it so that generations forward understand that we love our country at America 250." The Tennessee Republican, who was elected in a December 2025 special election, said he filed the bill in response to socialism’s rise in the Democratic Party, with the far-left attempting a major power grab ahead of November’s midterm elections. AMERICA’S NEXT 250 YEARS DEPEND ON PASSING FAITH AND FREEDOM TO OUR CHILDREN Van Epps specifically referenced a slate of socialist candidates poised to serve in Congress after winning primaries in deep-blue districts anchored in New York City. Democratic congressional nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old activist who won an upset victory against an establishment Democrat, has argued that the deportation of any illegal migrant is wrong, voiced support for the prison abolition movement and questioned Israel’s right to exist. She also co-founded a pro-Palestinian organization at Columbia University that called for "the total eradication of Western civilization." "These folks that are supported and endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America are antithetical to the founding," Van Epps told Fox News Digital. "We've got to fight against that." "Socialism, Marxist, leftist ideas have failed every time they've been tried in the history of the world," he continued, adding that those ideas are "not America at its core." "What the founders set out to do 250 years ago … We've got to continue so that the next generations know about that freedom and liberty and pursuing that greatness." It is unclear when the House will consider the resolution, as lawmakers left Washington early for the July 4 recess after a group of conservative Republicans effectively froze the floor in protest over the SAVE America Act and border security priorities. MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALIST IN HOT SEAT AGAIN OVER DELETED POSTS PRAISING COMMUNISM, MARXISM: 'CRAZYPANTS' Earlier this month, Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., also put the Declaration of Independence on the floor in the Senate, where it easily passed in the upper chamber. Both Schmitt and Van Epps agreed to put forward companion legislation after playing in the annual Congressional baseball game ahead of America’s 250th birthday. For Schmitt, it was to reinvigorate Americans’ pride in their country, which over the years, he contended, has steadily declined. "A generation ago, American pride was nearly universal," Schmitt said on the Senate floor at the time. "After 9/11, more than 90% of Americans said they were proud to be an American. Today, Gallup puts that number at 58%." He described the idea behind the document as an inheritance passed down through the generations to remind Americans why the founding fathers opted to wrench control of the colonies’ future from England, and carve their own path as a new nation. "That inheritance now rests in our hands, and too many powerful voices in this country teach the next generation to receive it with suspicion instead of gratitude," Schmitt said. "We are done being ashamed of America. We love our country. We honor the men who built it. We give thanks for the inheritance they placed in our hand, and we intend to keep it." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47a6edc2ca79de236385c4 BRET BAIER: This July Fourth, let’s find awe in the places that tell America’s story te 2026-07-03T12:11:25.865Z BRET BAIER: This July Fourth, let’s find awe in the places that tell America’s story When I went out into the country to talk about "The Case for America," my book celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary, it was an immersion experience. The capital of our country is in Washington, D.C., and that’s where I’ll be on July 4. But the heart of America lies across the nation — "from the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam," in the great American outdoors. To experience our vast land is always inspiring. It puts things in perspective. Our differences seem to fade away when they’re set against such a grand backdrop. Recently, I had an opportunity on my "Common Ground" podcast to talk with two congressmen — Arkansas Republican Bruce Westerman and California Democrat Jared Huffman — about their bill, the Great American Outdoors Act 250, an enhancement of the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act, which would invest $1.9 billion annually in national parks, public lands and Bureau of Indian Education facilities. Dozens of American institutions support the bill, which has received enthusiastic bipartisan support. Bipartisan bills are also in the spirit of America. And we don’t think about it a lot, but the national parks play a fundamental role in the American story. There are 63 of them, in 33 states and territories. Last year alone, 323 million people visited a national park. TRUMP TAKES INAUGURAL FLIGHT ABOARD NEW AIR FORCE ONE AHEAD OF LIBRARY DEBUT HONORING FAMED OUTDOORSMAN The actor Kevin Costner, a passionate conservationist, testified before the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee in support of the Great American Outdoors Act 250. A passionate advocate for America’s public lands, Costner spoke poetically about their importance. "Nature sits in silence. It's beautiful, it's awe-inspiring, and it's also vulnerable to our worst instincts. There's really no better time for us to reaffirm our commitment to these places that tell America's story. Conservation can't afford to be a partisan issue." In that vein, I’ve been thinking about President Teddy Roosevelt these days. He was perhaps the nation’s greatest conservationist. His love of the American outdoors is among his most important legacies. Roosevelt was the heartland president — and few places say American heartland like Medora, North Dakota, the site of the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, which had its dedication ceremony on July 1. WHITE HOUSE SEIZES ON DELAYED OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER OPENING TO CROWN TRUMP ‘BUILDER-IN-CHIEF’ President Trump flew in for the occasion, delivering heartfelt words about Roosevelt, saying, "We dedicate a living monument to a legend, statesman, soldier, frontiersman, and a true American hero." President Trump has often expressed his admiration for Roosevelt, especially identifying with his forceful personality. It was meaningful that Trump chose the occasion to sign the Great American Outdoors Act Reauthorization inside the museum. How did Roosevelt, a New York City-bred son of an elite family, end up finding a home and purpose in the Badlands of North Dakota? For Roosevelt, this pristine wilderness became a place of healing after the tragic deaths of his wife and mother. BRET BAIER: WHY AMERICANS STILL BELIEVE OUR BEST DAYS ARE AHEAD, EVEN IN DIVIDED TIMES He found, to his amazement, that the unspoiled nature of the land and the people touched a chord deep inside. He wasn’t there long before he admitted, "The country is growing on me." He wrote, "One of the chief attractions of the life of the wilderness is its rugged and stalwart democracy. There every man stands for what he actually is and can show himself to be." He found this authenticity refreshing, and the lifestyle healing. He acknowledged its difficulties but also wrote, "We felt the beat of hardy life in our veins, and ours was the glory of work and the joy of living." Roosevelt went on to achieve greatness as president, but he never lost his connection to the land. North Dakota’s 70,000-acre Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a testament to that. Now it has been joined by the new presidential library, a project spearheaded by Interior Secretary and former Gov. Doug Burgum. The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library will have its grand opening on July 4. Visitors to the Medora library will find an experience that not only evokes Roosevelt’s big, bold personality, but also has the feeling of coming home to Medora. It is the first presidential library to be fully digitized, making it easily accessible to all Americans, no matter where they live. Burgum told me the digital availability is intended to inspire young visionaries across the country to be engaged in the arena, just like Teddy Roosevelt. To the south of Medora is America’s stunning presidential memorial, Mount Rushmore, which I’ve also had the pleasure of visiting. On July 3, I’ll be broadcasting "Special Report" live from the site. I’d encourage all Americans to find a way to see this monument in person. Its vastness is hard to fully describe in words. Set in the Black Hills of South Dakota, on the highest peak, the sculpture is a 60-foot depiction of four presidents: George Washington, representing the nation’s birth; Thomas Jefferson, representing the nation’s growth; Theodore Roosevelt, representing the nation’s development; and Abraham Lincoln, representing the nation’s preservation. When the sculptor Gutzon Borglum spotted the peak where he chose to carve, he announced, "America will march along that skyline." Today, more than 2 million people visit Mount Rushmore every year. Back in Washington last week, I visited another iconic memorial setting, George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon. Since I last visited the site in 2023 for my presidential biography of Washington, it has undergone a remarkable renovation. Touring the new site with Director Doug Bradburn was eye-opening. In every sense, it is a living memorial, a place Americans can bring their children for a fun and educational interactive experience. This is the way we build the values of citizenship into our young people. WORLD CUP SOCCER FANS ARE DISCOVERING AMERICA’S GREATNESS. IT’S TIME AMERICANS DID, TOO Bradburn told me there had been a significant uptick in visitors to the new facility. "People are coming," he said. "I think Americans are looking for answers to questions about who we are and where we come from. Places like Mount Vernon are critical, because kids have got to learn this stuff. They're not going to inherit it through their DNA. They value what their parents value, what their grandparents value, what their schools value. And so, it's important that these places are populated." I expect Mount Vernon will be packed this summer, as Americans seek out meaningful experiences of their history for the 250th. I wrote "The Case for America" as an ode to the nation, and among the most gratifying outcomes has been the feedback of people sharing their own cases. When I asked people to share their videos, I was overwhelmed by the response, and I’ve aired some of them on my show. They cover a wide range of topics, as big as the country — families, young people, military veterans and a cross-section of people sharing their love for our nation. Many of them are immigrants or children of immigrants, expressing gratitude and optimism. It’s an important reminder of how big the American tent is. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION A final thought. The 250th anniversary happens to coincide with the World Cup being played in the United States. This month, we’ve had a huge influx of sports fans from around the world.  Judging from their social media posts and interviews, these global fans are falling in love with America. We’ve seen them in viral videos from the national parks and other sites, and somehow, in their sheer awe and enthusiasm, they’re able to reflect back to us the greatness we don’t always see. Let’s all find that moment of awe for ourselves this Fourth of July, as we celebrate 250 years. Editor's note: Bret Baier's number one bestseller The Case for America: An Argument on Behalf of Our Nation, celebrates America’s 250th. Baier is also the author of six bestselling presidential biographies, including "To Rescue the American Spirit: Teddy Roosevelt and the Birth of a Superpower;" and "To Rescue the Constitution: George Washington and the Fragile American Experiment." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM BRET BAIER Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47a6dac2ca79de236385bb Democratic senate candidate called for mass release of criminals during prison abolition webinar te 2026-07-03T12:11:06.415Z Democratic senate candidate called for mass release of criminals during prison abolition webinar Abdul El-Sayed, a Democrat running for Senate in Michigan, has stated that "​​we need to be investing" in "any and all efforts to get people out of jails and prisons," in a recording reviewed by Fox News Digital. El-Sayed joined a convicted murderer and a registered sex offender in September 2020 to speak at a webinar hosted by the University of Michigan’s Carceral State Project where he argued that the incarceration of criminals was a sign that "society has failed to deal with real problems" and, to address this, criminals should be set free.  While part of El-Sayed’s argument hinged on the notion that overcrowded prisons posed a public health risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, he endorsed continuing to let people out of correctional facilities even after the pandemic passed. His comments came at the height of the defund the police movement, when violent crime spiked and Democratic-led cities made moves to cut their police forces.  El-Sayed, who has aligned himself with independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, is a leading candidate in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary. On the campaign trail, he has promised to be critical of Israel and expand welfare programs if elected.  MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALISTS LOOK TO TAKE NEW YORK PLAYBOOK NATIONWIDE AFTER PRIMARY VICTORIES "There are so many ways that society has failed to deal with real problems and has used policing and jails as a stopgap for all of these failures," El-Sayed told the panel. "We've got policies … which basically force people into jail because they're poor … we've got to think about all of them systematically but any and all efforts to get people out of jails and prisons and to keep people out of jails and prisons is policy that we need to be investing in particularly right now … this doesn't end when the pandemic's over." The American Friends Service Committee, which was also involved in hosting the webinar, advertised it as an opportunity to discuss "the road to decarceration and abolition with Abdul El-Sayed," using the hashtags #FreeThemAll and #AbolishPrison to promote the event. The Washington Free Beacon first reported on the resurfaced comments. El-Sayed appeared alongside a sex offender and a woman convicted of second-degree murder, according to the Free Beacon. "When I was asked to participate in the webinar you’re writing about I did not know Dr. El-Sayed and I still don’t, except for what I see on TV," Martin Vargas, the sex offender, told Fox News Digital. "I don’t follow him nor am associated with his political campaign." Vargas stated that he was almost certain El-Sayed was unaware of his past before agreeing to appear on the webinar. MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE ABDUL EL-SAYED TAKES HEAT FOR KHAMENEI COMMENTS, HASAN PIKER EVENT El-Sayed is locked in a heated Democratic primary to win the Democratic nod to run for Michigan’s open Senate seat in November. He is widely viewed as the most progressive of the three major candidates, raising electability concerns with some leaders in the party, NOTUS reported. "Abdul El-Sayed cannot win a general election in Michigan, full stop," a longtime Democratic strategist previously told Fox News Digital. "This is a candidate who spent years calling police 'standing armies we deploy against our own people,' posted more than a dozen times in support of defunding the police, and then deleted his entire social media history the moment he decided to run statewide, hoping Michigan voters wouldn't notice. They will notice. And so will Mike Rogers." MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE CLAIMS ISRAEL 'JUST AS EVIL' AS HAMAS As alluded to by the Democratic strategist, El-Sayed deleted social media posts he made during the COVID-19 era in which he endorsed defunding the police, an idea once in vogue among Democrats that has since become far more controversial. "The last thing we have to remember is that jails and policing in America are like the ‘duct tape’ that people bring out to fix all the other broken systems," El-Sayed said near the end of the webinar. "If we're serious about fixing policing and, or rethinking policing, and fixing the mass incarceration system then we've got to fix all the broken problems that lead to them, right, where we're then applying the ‘duct tape’ that is so corrosive to the lives of so many people." El-Sayed’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital Wednesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a479fa5c2ca79de236383f5 Flagstaff Event Almanac for July 3 te 2026-07-03T11:40:21.215Z Flagstaff Event Almanac for July 3 July 3 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a479db4c2ca79de236383b2 Trump kicks off Fourth of July weekend with symbolic salute to America’s legacy and more top headlines te 2026-07-03T11:32:04.007Z Trump kicks off Fourth of July weekend with symbolic salute to America’s legacy and more top headlines 1. Trump kicks off Fourth of July weekend with symbolic salute 2. Appeals court sides against the Trump admin 3. Inside Taylor Swift's reported wedding plans BUNGLED DETAIL — Watchdog says Secret Service missed chance after chance before Trump shooting. Continue reading … CABIN CHAOS — Midair horror as passenger admits trying to stab stranger through the eye. Continue reading … BIOENGINEERING — Research team warns their own artificial organism demands an urgent safety framework. Continue reading … SHARIA LAW — Young couple publicly caned under Islamic court after alleged TikTok livestream kiss. Continue reading … ANSWERING THE CALL — MMA fighter says faith led him from chasing glory to chasing suspected child predators. Continue reading … -- HEARTLAND HERO — Patriotic woman fills void after Dem gov shuns America's 250th birthday bash. Continue reading … ELECTION STRATEGY — James Carville breaks with ‘It’s the economy, stupid’ after six years of Trump. Continue reading … POLITICAL WHIPLASH — Dem lawmaker says Hegseth testimony made her want to ‘beat the s--- out of’ him. Continue reading … LAW AND DISORDER — Louisiana AG indicted after allegedly threatening New Orleans officials. Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons…   ACROSS THE AISLE — Karlie Kloss reveals what it's like navigating Trump family ties at dinner table as a Democrat. Continue reading … DEM ON DEM CRIME — Democratic infighting explodes as congresswoman defends socialists from party backlash. Continue reading … 'DEEPLY WEIRD' — CNN panel's bizarre 'read as Jewish' comment about a senator draws fierce blowback. Continue reading … BENCH BRAWL — Democratic lawmaker calls for SCOTUS expansion, says GOP 'stole' seats. Continue reading … MIKE DAVIS — Birthright citizenship gift to foreigners guts what it means to be an American. Continue reading … HEROES NOT VILLAINS — Parents urged to fight back against watered-down history gutting boys. Continue reading … -- DIET CULTURE — America's most-searched ice cream brand isn't Breyers or Häagen-Dazs. Continue reading … LET LOVE RING — Inside Taylor Swift's reported wedding plans and the detail fans didn't expect. Continue reading … PITCH REPORT — Cristiano Ronaldo shatters 2 all-time records to help Portugal beat Croatia at World Cup. Continue reading … DIGITAL'S NEWS QUIZ – Which Dem got ousted by a socialist? Who climbed atop the Empire State Building? Take the quiz here … Tune in as America is gearing up for its landmark 250th anniversary this Fourth of July. 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 Monday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a479da0c2ca79de236383a9 The states that still allow trans athletes in women's sports face questions after Supreme Court ruling te 2026-07-03T11:31:44.555Z The states that still allow trans athletes in women's sports face questions after Supreme Court ruling The U.S. Supreme Court has codified the protection of laws in 27 states that prevent biological males from competing in women's sports. Still, 23 states do not have such a law, and 19 of those states actively allow transgender athletes in girls' sports. The remaining four states restrict participation through state education agencies or athletic association rules rather than official state legislation. Fox News Digital reached out to the governor's offices in all 23 states with questions about where they stand after the ruling. NEWSOM'S OFFICE RESPONDS TO SCOTUS RULING ON WOMEN'S SPORTS AS CALIFORNIA FACES ONGOING TRANS ATHLETE WAVE California has strong state laws (specifically AB 1266) that explicitly protect the rights of transgender students to participate in school programs and athletic teams consistent with their gender identity. They have been in place for over a decade. Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said the Supreme Court ruling will not impact California's current setup. "The Supreme Court’s decision does not affect California’s laws. The state remains committed to ensuring every Californian, including the LGBTQ community, is met with dignity and respect," the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. A source within Newsom's office provided Fox News Digital a bulleted list titled "As a Governor, Governor Newsom has the strongest record in the country on protecting and expanding transgender rights." The list included several bragging points, including "making it easier to update gender markers on official documents," and "appointed multiple trans judges." The list concludes by pointing out, "California is one of 22 states that have laws requiring transgender students to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity. California passed this law in 2013 (AB 1266) and it was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown." California is currently being sued by President Donald Trump's Department of Justice after trans athlete AB Hernandez won a pair of girls' state championships in 2025. Hernandez won back-to-back titles in 2026. The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) handles transgender athlete participation through a formal policy, requiring students to submit documentation to their school to compete in accordance with their gender identity. Gov. JB Pritzker's office responded with a link to a post by Pritzker on X. "Going after LGBTQ+ kids isn't leadership — it's bullying. Today's decision is a setback for equality in this nation where every student deserves to learn and belong, no matter their gender. To those in the LGBTQ+ community, know that there's a place for you in Illinois," Pritzker wrote. The state allows participation based on gender identity, with protections rooted in broader state anti-discrimination laws. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green's office deferred to the state's Department of Education. The Hawaii Department of Education told Fox News Digital the state will continue to comply with those state laws, and allow males to play in girls' sports. "The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education will continue to implement its athletics policies in accordance with state law. The Supreme Court's decision does not change our current policies or practices," a spokesperson told Fox News Digital. While there is no current state law in Nevada to protect girls' sports, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo has been an active advocate to change that. He now says he will be making a new push to get state legislation passed in light of the Supreme Court ruling. "Today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court provides important legal clarity and affirms that states have the authority to protect fair competition in girls’ sports. Nevadans overwhelmingly believe that female athletes deserve a level playing field and the opportunity to compete against other biological females," Lombardo said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Last week, I announced my intention to ask the Legislature to address this issue during the 2027 legislative session. Today’s ruling only reinforces the need for Nevada lawmakers to act. This is no longer a question clouded by legal uncertainty. It is an opportunity for the Legislature to provide a permanent, common-sense solution that reflects both the law and the will of Nevada voters. "I remain committed to protecting opportunities for female athletes while treating every Nevadan with dignity and respect. I urge lawmakers from both parties to come together and finally settle this issue for our students, our schools, and Nevada families." The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) maintains a policy that allows transgender athletes to compete on a case-by-case evaluation basis, preventing a blanket ban. Minnesota's state education agencies are currently being sued by President Donald Trump's Department of Justice for this policy, after a trans pitcher led a girls' softball team to a state championship in 2025. Gov. Tim Walz's office did not respond to a request for comment. The Maine Principals' Association allows students to compete on teams that match their gender identity, and the state's human rights act essentially requires such policies be enforced. Maine is also being sued by Trump's Department of Justice for these policies, after Trump and Gov. Janet Mills had an infamous White House spat over the issue in early 2025. Mills' office did not respond to a request for comment. Colorado currently protects the right of transgender student-athletes to compete on school and collegiate sports teams that align with their gender identity. Colorado voters will decide on a November 2026 ballot measure that could mandate teams based on biological sex. Gov. Jared Polis's office did not respond to a request for comment. The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) allows transgender student-athletes to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity without restrictions. Gov. Ned Lamont's office did not respond to a request for comment. The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) allows participation based on gender identity, though the state has seen recent local and political debates surrounding the issue. Gov. Matt Meyer's office did not respond to a request for comment. The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) provides statewide guidance explicitly allowing students to participate in sports in accordance with their gender identity. Gov. Wes Moore's office did not respond to a request for comment. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) policy states that students shall not be excluded from participating on teams that align with their gender identity. Gov. Maura Healey's office did not respond to a request for comment. The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) evaluates transgender student participation on a case-by-case basis, generally supporting inclusion while lacking a statewide legislative ban. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office did not respond to a request for comment. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) allows students to participate on teams consistent with their gender identity without requiring medical documentation. Gov. Mikie Sherrill's office did not respond to a request for comment. The New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) currently permits athletic participation based on a student's gender identity. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's office did not respond to a request for comment. Transgender students are protected under the state's Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). The state athletic association allows students to play on teams that align with their gender identity. Gov. Kathy Hochul's office did not respond to a request for comment. The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) has a formal policy allowing students to participate on athletic teams consistent with their gender identity. Gov. Tina Kotek's office did not respond to a request for comment. The Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) allows participation in sports in accordance with a student's consistently expressed gender identity. Gov. Dan McKee's office did not respond to a request for comment. The Vermont Principals' Association (VPA) explicitly protects the rights of transgender athletes to participate on athletic teams consistent with their gender identity. Gov. Phil Scott's office did not respond to a request for comment. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) maintains a clear, inclusive policy allowing students to participate in athletic programs consistent with their gender identity. Gov. Bob Ferguson's office did not respond to a request for comment. Restrictions implemented by high school athletic associations or state education agencies Four of the 23 states have policies in place through state agencies or high school sports associations that protect girls' sports, but do not have official state laws. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) significantly changed its stance in early 2025. To comply with federal executive orders regarding Title IX funding, the PIAA removed its inclusive "Transgender Policy." The organization amended its mixed-gender participation rules to reference biological sex rather than gender identity, stating that the rule is binding for member schools that receive federal funding. Still, there is no official state law. Gov. Josh Shapiro's office did not respond to a request for comment. In February 2025, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) updated its eligibility policy to mandate that only students designated female at birth are allowed to participate in girls' competitions, explicitly aligning with federal directives. This now functions as an agency-level ban. Still, Gov. Tony Evers has vetoed attempts to codify the protections in state law. Evers' office did not respond to a request for comment. While there is no state law banning transgender athletes, the Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) voted in 2023 to adopt a policy barring transgender girls from competing in high school girls' sports. This change was implemented at the request of the state's board of education. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS Gov. Mike Dunleavy's office did not respond to a request for comment. Virginia lacks a legislative ban, but in 2023, the administration under Gov. Glenn Youngkin (and continued under current leadership) issued Department of Education model policies requiring students to participate in sports based on their biological sex at birth. Enforcement largely falls to individual school districts. Gov. Abigail Spanberger's office did not respond to a request for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a479d8cc2ca79de23638396 Clearing the Air For the Next School Year te 2026-07-03T11:31:24.072Z Clearing the Air For the Next School Year (NAPSI)—While many parents may breathe a sigh of relief when school reopens in the fall, they may also be glad to know schools can take steps to support cleaner indoor air, including HVAC system inspection and cleaning as part of… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a479d78c2ca79de2363838d Clearing the Air For the Next School Year te 2026-07-03T11:31:04.111Z Clearing the Air For the Next School Year Many schoolchildren may benefit from cleaner indoor air next school year, thanks to a surprising solution. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4798eec2ca79de236382c4 What killed Americans in 1776? The answer is dramatically different from today te 2026-07-03T11:11:42.237Z What killed Americans in 1776? The answer is dramatically different from today The leading causes of death have changed dramatically since America's founding 250 years ago, highlighting how far medicine has come. Diseases that once devastated communities have largely given way to chronic conditions, data shows, reflecting centuries of breakthroughs in public health, prevention and treatment. "The amount of changes that have happened over the past 250 years are immeasurable when it comes to life expectancy and disease," Kenneth J. Perry, M.D., an emergency physician in Charleston, South Carolina, told Fox News Digital. 5 OF AMERICA'S GREATEST MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS REVEALED AS THE NATION MARKS 250 YEARS "Our life expectancy as a country increased from roughly 30 years at the time of the country’s founding to close to 80 years today." Although there were no official national mortality records in 1776, historians agree that the following illnesses were responsible for the largest number of deaths. These conditions had much higher fatality rates in 1776 because Americans had no antibiotics, few vaccines, no understanding of germ theory, no sterile surgical techniques and limited access to hospitals, experts note. There was also a lack of safe drinking water, modern sewage systems and refrigeration, making it more likely for foodborne and waterborne illnesses to spread. Patients also did not yet have access to blood transfusions, anesthesia and other lifesaving medical advances, according to the CDC, NLM and NIH. The first official national mortality statistics were published by the U.S. Census Bureau in 1900. The data points to the following leading causes of death in the 1900s. Nearly one-third of all deaths were caused by pneumonia, tuberculosis and diarrheal diseases, and about 30% of all deaths occurred in children younger than age 5, records show. The introduction of vaccines dramatically reduced certain diseases, including smallpox, polio, diphtheria, measles and whooping cough. In 1980, smallpox became the first human disease ever eradicated worldwide. Improvements in clean water and sanitation also contributed to greater longevity, as cities built sewage systems, water treatment plants and indoor plumbing, according to the CDC. As a result, deaths from cholera, dysentery and typhoid fever fell dramatically. Germ theory also emerged in the late 1800s, in which scientists discovered that germs caused disease. This led to vast transformations in surgery, childbirth, handwashing, sterilization and infection control, per NIH and the Science History Institute. Routine screening has enabled earlier detection of breast, cervical and colorectal cancers, while improvements in surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapy have helped many patients live longer. A recent analysis by the National Cancer Institute found that prevention and screening accounted for about 80% of the cancer deaths averted over the past 45 years for five major cancer types. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ In the 1940s, the widespread use of penicillin allowed for the treatment of diseases that were once fatal, including pneumonia, strep infections, wound infections and sepsis. Advances in childbirth — including prenatal care, Cesarean sections, blood transfusions, antibiotics and neonatal intensive care — also dramatically improved maternal and infant survival compared with colonial America. The mid-20th century also ushered in improvements in heart disease treatments. The use of CPR, defibrillators, coronary care units, bypass surgery, stents, statins and blood pressure medications helped to reduce cardiovascular deaths, according to the American Heart Association. In a vast contrast to 1776, chronic diseases now account for most American deaths, because people generally live long enough to develop them. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Current U.S. health data shows that the following conditions are now the leading causes of death. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES "The transformation of deaths in the last 250 years, largely from infectious diseases to currently chronic debilitating diseases, represents both success and new challenges Americans will have to face," Dr. Omer Awan, a physician and professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital. The uptick in chronic diseases is driven not only by an increasingly aging population, but by people’s lifestyle behaviors, according to the doctor. "The chronic disease epidemic has been fueled by lack of exercise, as well as diets rich in fats, salts and ultraprocessed foods," he told Fox News Digital. "This has also led to the rise of obesity, which contributes to many of the chronic medical conditions that are among the top killers for Americans in the modern era." Public health advances can change the course of health for millions of Americans, Awan said. "Just as vaccines and antibiotics prolonged life centuries ago, so can lifestyle changes, exercise and new therapies that target obesity — like GLP-1 drugs and medications that promote better metabolic health." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4798dac2ca79de236382bb We asked Americans to grade the economy. Then we asked if it would change their vote. te 2026-07-03T11:11:22.780Z We asked Americans to grade the economy. Then we asked if it would change their vote. As Americans gather in the nation's capital to celebrate the Fourth of July and kick off the nation's 250th anniversary festivities, Fox News Digital asked attendees at the Great American Fair on the National Mall whether the economy will influence how they vote in November. While most respondents gave the U.S. economy a passing grade — most commonly a "B" — many said their ballots won't hinge on inflation, jobs or economic growth alone. Instead, they pointed to values, leadership and party affiliation as the factors that will ultimately decide their vote. The responses offer a snapshot of how some voters are weighing one of the nation's top political issues ahead of the 2026 midterms. TRUMP’S MANUFACTURING PROMISE IS DELIVERING IN ONE OF AMERICA’S OLDEST FACTORIES Although respondents expressed cautious optimism about the economy's direction, several said improving conditions would not be enough to change their political preferences, underscoring the role that broader ideological and cultural issues continue to play in shaping voter decisions. "I would probably give the economy, compared to what it was, I would give it a B for sure," Jay Miller of Lafayette, Louisiana, told Fox News Digital. "I think we are on the verge of an economic boom like we've never seen in our nation. And I'm glad that I'm living at this point and this time to witness it firsthand." Miller said he believes lawmakers should work more closely with President Donald Trump to advance the administration's agenda, arguing that doing so would help unlock further economic growth. Donna Festinger from Greenfield, Massachusetts, also gave the economy above average marks, grading it a "B-plus." "I think it's on the rise and we're getting more and more jobs, which I think really helps everyone in America," the retired schoolteacher told Fox News Digital. "I think this administration is working hard to help everybody earn more money and to be able to save more money, which will circle back into a better economy." But not everyone in Washington, D.C. this week was as upbeat. FOX NEWS POLL: MOST RATE THE ECONOMY NEGATIVELY, INCLUDING HALF OF REPUBLICANS Bonnie from Hollister, California gave the economy a "C," citing ongoing concerns about prices, but said she's hopeful conditions will continue improving. "I don't think it's great right now," she said, citing high gas prices in her home state of California. "I would say maybe a C, but I'm hopeful that it's going to turn around and be getting up to a B soon." Dan Cuda, 72, landed somewhere in the middle, saying the economy still has "a lot of upside potential" despite inflation. "Groceries are pricey. I'm an Air Force veteran, and I'm still shopping at the military commissaries, and it's noticeably up," Cuda, a Maryland resident, told Fox News Digital. Military commissaries are grocery stores on military installations that offer discounted prices to eligible service members, veterans and their families. Despite higher food costs, Cuda still said, "I'd call it a... B economy." TRUMP VOTERS SAY COSTS ARE CRUSHING THEIR WALLETS — BUT LOOK PAST PRESIDENT FOR BLAME When the conversation shifted from the economy to politics, several Americans said economic conditions weren't the deciding factor in how they plan to vote. "It doesn't really factor into my vote," Cuda said, adding "I'm voting R no matter what." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Miller echoed that sentiment, saying character and values outweigh economic performance when it comes to casting his vote at the ballot box. "Give me good people," he said. "Give me conservatives. Give me somebody with a little faith, a little family, a little value. And that's got my vote." Bonnie also said the economy matters, but won't change her support for her preferred candidate. "It does matter, but it's not gonna keep me from voting for who I wanna vote for," the Californian said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4798c7c2ca79de236382b2 We’re all missing the socialist takeover that’s happening in plain sight te 2026-07-03T11:11:03.331Z We’re all missing the socialist takeover that’s happening in plain sight The Democratic establishment is in denial as a socialist insurgency grows inside its own party. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calls Democrats "a great united party," even as Democratic Socialists of America-backed challengers defeat incumbents and organize as a disciplined voting bloc. Party leaders dismiss them as a fringe, but the DSA is building a "Freedom Caucus of the left" with the power to withhold votes, pressure leadership and force a socialist agenda. Socialism is becoming the Democrats’ answer to MAGA because both movements are responding to the anger of Americans who feel forgotten by providing solutions. The median first-time homebuyer is now 40. Young Americans are struggling with the costs of housing, inflation and fewer opportunities. Parents are paying more for housing, groceries, healthcare and childcare while it seems like political leaders are insulated from the policies they pass. MAGA speaks to the frustration by offering solutions centered on work, family, ownership, secure borders and national belonging. Democratic leaders keep defining their mission around getting President Donald Trump, leaving socialists to fill the economic void with promises of government relief from every economic hardship. PETER THIEL STUNS LIBERAL ASPEN CROWD, WARNS DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS WILL TAKE OVER THEIR PARTY The DSA does not need to win the nomination to guide the policies of a presidency. It just needs the ability to impact a future Democratic nominee. The greatest warning of a socialist capture is the recent actions by the darling of the Democrat Party, California Gov. Gavin Newsom. He opposed California’s one-time 5% billionaire wealth tax, warning that it would drive wealth from the state. Then he proposed a federal version. He recognized the economic danger but advanced the policy anyway. That is what a takeover looks like. Extremists gain enough power that politicians embrace policies they once rejected just to keep their support. The DSA spent years building a political machine to force submission. It trained organizers, supported candidates, developed policies and targeted low-turnout Democratic primaries. Its candidates have won across at least seven states and Washington, D.C., this election cycle, from local races and state legislatures to congressional primaries. Its influence grows as Democrats, under the guise of a "big tent," embrace the DSA agenda to avoid becoming a primary target. Political fear is forcing Democrats to embrace socialism. NEWSOM BEGS CALIFORNIANS TO VOTE 'NO' ON BILLIONAIRE'S TAX IN FACE OF MASS EXODUS, PITCHES NATIONWIDE TAX HIKE The polling shows why this strategy is working. Half of young Americans say inflation affects them "a lot," while 41% say the same about rising housing costs. Only 29% believe they will be financially better off than their parents. The younger generation is losing faith that hard work will deliver stability, homeownership or upward mobility and is looking for a party to fill the void.The socialist left has swooped in, hiding state control behind the word affordability, and young voters are listening. The DSA offers voters affordability, which sounds like a win. However, the broader agenda includes public ownership, expanded welfare, defunding ICE, antisemitism, wealth redistribution and greater government control over housing. Socialism sells government control to pay for rent, groceries and medical bills, but the cost for this is less freedom over work, property and the future. DSA’S THIRD MAJOR PRIMARY WIN DEEPENS DEMOCRATS’ FIGHT OVER THE PARTY’S FUTURE Gallup finds that 57% of Americans view socialism negatively. This is a massive warning because the DSA does not need to win the presidency to wield power. A DSA congressional bloc can withhold votes and obstruct a president’s agenda until its policy concessions are made. Republicans have already seen how a small House faction can dictate terms to an entire majority and delay key legislation. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The next Democratic president does not need to wave a socialist flag. A president can reject the label while socialist lawmakers block votes and activists enter the administration demanding policy changes. The movement succeeds as it continues to get policy concessions. America’s promise belongs to those born here and those who came legally. It is the freedom to work, build, own property and govern our own lives. The American Dream can be renewed through affordable energy, secure borders, hard work, homeownership, raising a family and the chance to get ahead. Socialism is a dead end because it promises wealth redistribution, punishes ambition and increases government dependency. Socialists are already using their power to dictate how Democratic leaders govern. Americans demanding the return of common sense should recognize the warning before the American Dream becomes the American nightmare. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM MEHEK COOKE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a479670c2ca79de2363825b FIRST ON FOX: James Talarico slammed for calling American flag ‘complicated symbol’ ahead of Independence Day te 2026-07-03T11:01:04.477Z FIRST ON FOX: James Talarico slammed for calling American flag ‘complicated symbol’ ahead of Independence Day FIRST ON FOX: Conservative political action committee Lone Star Liberty is bashing Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico ahead of Independence Day as "an America-laster" for calling the American flag a "complicated symbol." In an attack ad released Thursday, Lone Star Liberty PAC ripped Talarico, a Democratic state lawmaker running to flip a critical Senate seat. The ad juxtaposes Talarico’s statement with images of Americans waving the flag. The ad concludes, "It’s not complicated. It’s 250 years of freedom." Further, Lone Star Liberty spokesperson Gregg Keller told Fox News Digital, "It’s clear from James Talarico’s political record he hates America." "Talarico’s gone out of his way his entire political career to make that clear: whether it’s saying the American flag is a ‘complicated symbol’ or his attacks on the Bible and the American family," Keller said. TALARICO SAYS HE 'HATES CHRISTIANITY' IN UNEARTHED INTERVIEW WITH TRANSGENDER 'LATINX' THEOLOGIAN Keller drew a comparison between Talarico and the Republican Senate nominee, current Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. "We think it’s important Texans realize this Independence Day what the stakes in this election are: an America-loving Patriot, Ken Paxton, or an America-laster, James Talarico," said Keller. JT Ennis, a spokesperson for Talarico’s campaign, responded to the critique by telling Fox News Digital that "James believes the American flag means freedom, opportunity, and hope -– and that this broken, corrupt political system is robbing hardworking Texans of the American dream that our flag promises." He said that "meanwhile, Ken Paxton is vacationing in Iceland for the 4th of July after he became a multimillionaire in office and ripped off Texans by abusing his position of power to benefit himself and his billionaire mega donors." WATCH: OBAMA, HARRIS ADVISOR WARNS ‘BETRAYED’ BLACK VOTERS COULD BE TEXAS SENATE CANDIDATE'S KRYPTONITE Talarico is a former middle school teacher in San Antonio and a Presbyterian seminarian. He was propelled to the national stage earlier this year when he defeated Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, for the Democratic Party’s nomination for U.S. Senate. Since entering the national consciousness, he has taken significant criticism over his history of controversial statements, including saying he "hates Christianity," calling God "nonbinary," and asserting that "radicalized white men are the greatest domestic terrorist threat in our country." In one resurfaced clip, Talarico appears to be giving a sermon in front of a church congregation when he says, "I often think, when reclaiming symbols, I think about the American flag. I think the Confederate flag is a symbol of treason and terrorism. But the American flag is such a complicated symbol for most of us." Talarico goes on to say, "In many ways, like Jesus, like the cross, it's [the American flag] been co-opted and, in some ways, its true meaning has been betrayed." WATCH: TALARICO EMBRACES ‘FREAKY’ IDENTITY AS CROWDS CHANT NAME MEANT AS INSULT: ‘SO WEIRD’ SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Despite the criticism, Eric Koch, a Democratic strategist familiar with the race, told Fox News Digital that "this attack is going to fall flat for a very simple reason: James is a red-blooded American, an 8th generation Texan who was a teacher, preaches across the state, studies the Bible, and served his community in the legislature." Koch said that "over the top attacks that are absurd on their face go in one ear and out the other — especially when you are defending the Most Corrupt Politician in America, Ken Paxton." Fox News Digital reached out to Paxton’s campaign for comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a478d10c2ca79de23637efe Yes, the United States was treated unfairly by the controversial Folarin Balogun red card decision te 2026-07-03T10:21:04.437Z Yes, the United States was treated unfairly by the controversial Folarin Balogun red card decision The USMNT is through to the round of 16 after winning their first knockout stage game at a World Cup since 2002. By any measure, the 2026 tournament has been a resounding success, both for the United States as a host, and for U.S. soccer. For the first time in, well, maybe forever, the U.S. Men's National Team looks, at times, dominant. They control play and control possession. They're threading through balls at an elite international level. They've outscored their opponents 8-1 with their starting 11 on the field. Malik Tillman's free kick goal to cement the 2-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina was world class. And it all might be taken away by absurd, unfair officiating. ALEXI LALAS RIPS REFEREES AFTER FOLARIN BALOGUN RED CARD IN TEAM USA WIN: 'AN ABSOLUTE JOKE' Folarin Balogun's red card came as the result of a series of ridiculous, unforgivable errors from the officials in this match. And the players, coaches, and fans have noticed and pointed out what the laughable "process" has done to the legitimacy of FIFA's officiating staff. The biggest mistake? That the decision to go to VAR was made in the first place. Andy Davies, a referee who worked in the Premier League and Championship and was a Select Group referee for over 12 seasons, published a short analysis of the VAR process on this play for ESPN, saying that the review should never have taken place. "VAR made their recommendation to the referee based on slow-motion and still replays, which is not aligned with VAR protocols, as these should be used for only point-of-contact purposes in a red card tackle situation," Davies wrote. Davies did explain that based on the letter of the rules, the tackle itself was always likely to receive a red card. But the review should never have happened, because it was only recommended based on slow-motion replays. Importantly, too, many other similar plays have happened throughout the tournament, with no reviews or red cards given. And the players know it. "Obviously the ref made a decision that he made, but I think it’s questionable," said USMNT star Weston McKennie after the match. "I think there’s been many other plays like that throughout the tournament on other players that a card wasn’t given at all. It’s disappointing." The most prominent similar play? One involving Argentinian star Lionel Messi. Messi, in the early stages, went after a loose ball against Algeria, only to catch Aissa Mandi with his studs up. Algeria were awarded a free kick, but no card for Messi, and no review from VAR. Algeria were so furious about the no call that they filed a complaint to FIFA for the poor officiating. There have been plenty of other similar plays throughout the World Cup that also received no review. And because FIFA is FIFA, there is no process for appealing Balogun's suspension for the massive Round of 16 matchup against Belgium on Monday. USA WORLD CUP STAR CALLS LACK OF APPEAL PROCESS FOR TEAMMATE'S RED CARD 'BOGUS' The referee on the field, Raphael Claus, has previously been investigated for match fixing in Brazil, though of course, there's no indication that this was a motivating factor in this case. But Claus also did not see anything on the field, at full speed, to warrant a card at all, let alone a red. Only after the VAR official incorrectly used slow-motion to recommend a second look, did he send Balogun off. Fans of the USMNT are right to be furious with this call. Not only were the rules misapplied, according to an expert referee with years of elite experience, but similar plays during this tournament have been ignored. This isn't just about Messi, but it's impossible not to see the double standard. VAR officials would never, ever, call for a review of a red card on the tournament's most famous player. But they did so against Balogun and the USMNT. The USMNT may go on to beat Belgium on Monday, even without their star striker. Or they might get eliminated without him. The former would not excuse the referee's poor decision making and process. The latter would put a permanent stain on the 2026 World Cup and potentially damage the future of the sport in the United States. It's unlikely bordering on impossible that the USMNT win the tournament, with or without Balogun. But a loss, coming after such an absurd, farcical process, and removing the possibility of a gigantic matchup against Spain or Portugal in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles, would be unforgivable. But for FIFA, unforgivable is just another day at the office. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a478b51c2ca79de23637d77 Fox News Digital's News Quiz: July 3, 2026 te 2026-07-03T10:13:37.869Z Fox News Digital's News Quiz: July 3, 2026 Test your news knowledge with this week's Fox News Digital News Quiz, featuring a primary upset in Colorado, while police identify the Empire State Building climbers as foreign daredevils. Looking for another challenge? Second lady Usha Vance mocking The New York Times for reading political significance into her Old Navy maternity dress and the New York Knicks celebrating their NBA title were featured in last week's News Quiz. Test your knowledge of cruise controversies, wedding whispers and more in this week's American Culture Quiz. If you're looking to play even more, you can find all of our quizzes by clicking here. Check back next week for the latest News Quiz from Fox News Digital. Thanks for playing! Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a478b3ec2ca79de23637d6e America's most-searched ice cream brand may surprise you — and there's a healthy reason why te 2026-07-03T10:13:18.420Z America's most-searched ice cream brand may surprise you — and there's a healthy reason why As Americans celebrate National Ice Cream Month this July, the brand they're searching for most online is one that takes an unconventional approach to making frozen desserts. Halo Top was the most-searched ice cream brand from April 2025 through April 2026, according to Google search trends from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., analyzed in a study from Innerbody Research. Halo Top markets its ice cream as a "feel-good treat" with "fewer calories and less sugar than other leading brands, with a good source of protein." AMERICA'S MOST ICE CREAM-OBSESSED STATE REVEALED AS NORTHEAST CRUSHES COMPETITION "From the beginning, Halo Top has taken a different path," the company's website says. "While most ice cream brands hide their calorie counts, we put ours right on the front: big, bold and impossible to miss." Halo Top was founded in 2011 and named "Food Disruptor of the Year" in 2017 by Food Dive after it reported a 2,500% increase in sales the previous year. Ice cream manufacturer Wells Enterprises, which also owns Blue Bunny, acquired Halo Top in 2019. The other ice cream brands with the highest search interest after Halo Top were Cold Stone Creamery, Breyers, Talenti and Häagen Dazs, according to the Innerbody Research report. Searches don't necessarily translate to sales, however. In 2025, Breyers, Blue Bunny and Turkey Hill were the top-selling brands by dollar sales, Dairy Foods Magazine reported. "A most-searched list is often a mirror for our anxieties," food scientist and Johns Hopkins University senior lecturer Kantha Shelke told Fox News Digital. "Halo Top is winning the search bar because it promises indulgence without the consequences naturally associated with that experience." The Halo Top curiosity is the GLP-1 era translated into dessert, Shelke said. "Protein-forward, portion-sized, low-sugar and guilt-free indulgence," she said of Halo Top. Consumers looking for foods that they can enjoy without the guilt is not a new concept, said Maeve Webster, president of Vermont-based food and beverage consulting firm Menu Matters. It happened before with the frozen yogurt trend. "What is new, particularly with Halo Top, is the technology for how you create a healthier ice cream without the crystallization or the poor flavor or the poor mouthfeel that we may have seen in some previous iterations of these kinds of efforts," Webster told Fox News Digital. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "The technology is catching up," Webster added. "And increasingly, we'll be able to create healthier versions of these kinds of products that are closer, if not almost exactly like, the original full-indulgence ice cream experience." Webster also believes social media and inventive marketing played a role in people becoming more interested in Halo Top recently. "With the volume of information people get on a daily basis, they're probably seeing a lot of things they've never heard of before, haven't seen in the stores and suddenly they're curious about it because they see some video on social media," she said. Ice cream is often cited as America's favorite dessert, with 97% of Americans saying they love or like ice cream, according to a 2024 International Dairy Foods Association survey. The average American consumes about 20 pounds — almost 4 gallons — of ice cream each year, the association also reported. Because consumers eat ice cream so often, they're more likely to make an effort to find a brand that enables them to "enjoy ice cream without that guilt and the feeling that you're doing something wrong or bad for yourself," Webster said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS Foods marketed as "natural" are not the same as "risk-free," and "high protein" is not the same as healthy, Shelke noted. "Safety and benefit are designed at the formulation stage, not conferred by a claim on the front of the box," she said. Consumers should beware of light ice creams that use the sugar alcohol erythritol, which is produced through the fermentation of corn, Shelke said. She cited a 2023 Cleveland Clinic study, published in Nature Medicine, that linked higher blood erythritol levels with increased rates of heart attack and stroke and found the sweetener appeared to make platelets more likely to form clots. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "The context matters: that is an association in at-risk cardiac patients, it concerns circulating blood levels rather than any single serving and it has been debated in the literature. The authors notably called for long-term safety studies," Shelke said. "Not a reason to panic. Just a reason to pay attention." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a478b2ac2ca79de23637d65 Massachusetts woman steps in after 'shameful' Dem governor boycotts Great American State Fair te 2026-07-03T10:12:58.957Z Massachusetts woman steps in after 'shameful' Dem governor boycotts Great American State Fair A patriotic woman from Massachusetts took matters into her own hands after leaders in her state decided to boycott the Great American State Fair out of anger at President Donald Trump — and she showed no mercy to those who made that decision. "I came here to represent Massachusetts because I didn't want the public to walk into an empty room. I wanted somebody to be there," said Donna Festinger, who paid her own way from the Bay State to the nation's capital to celebrate 250 years of American independence. Festinger is manning her state's booth at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, part of the Trump-aligned Freedom 250 event that began on June 25 and ends on July 10. DAVID MARCUS: LIBERAL ELITES SEETHE OVER AMERICA'S STATE FAIR She had a clear message for Massachusetts leadership, along with the leadership of other states who also declined to participate in the celebration. "I'm very disappointed that Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts decided — their governments decided not to support this effort to celebrate our American heritage," she said. "It's actually shameful." "It makes me feel like they really don't love America or Massachusetts — my governor," she said of Democrat Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who has had some very public spats with Trump. Festinger, a former teacher who paid her own way to the event in Washington, D.C. and arrived at the beginning of the celebration, says she plans to stay through the entire 16-day event. BILL MAHER TELLS LIBERALS TO STOP 'PARTISAN SULKING' AND JOIN AMERICA 250 PARTY She told Fox News Digital that she thinks the state boycotts are actually a point of unity for the American public, "because most people are upset about it and do not understand why a governor would do that." "And so that's actually uniting people, Democrats, Republicans, independents, and agreeing that every state should be proud of our country," Festinger speculated. She added: "I think the Trump administration is working hard to bring the country together." MIKE MINOGUE HEADS TO MASS GOP CONVENTION READY TO TAKE ON MAURA HEALEY: 'SHE'S BANKRUPTING OUR STATE' Meanwhile, Healey, known for her rabid anti-Trump streak, mocked the fair in an interview with Boston Public Radio. Asked whether she would welcome Trump if he visited the state, she reportedly said the president is "too busy with his Great American State Fair down there that everybody’s bailing on." She also claimed without evidence that Trump is using the fair to "get money into his own pocket," and falsely claimed that states were being charged to participate in the fair. Festinger also recently garnered some backup at the Massachusetts booth. Judith Kalaora, a Boston resident, stood at the state's stand dressed to the nines in a Revolutionary War uniform to honor Deborah Sampson, a Massachusetts woman who disguised herself as a man to fight the British. "I'm hopeful that my being here will unite folks to realize that Boston and Massachusetts have a great spirit, and that that spirit can unite the United States through our nation's heritage and through our military history," said Kalaora. "I believe that the United States of American has accomplished in 250 years than many other nations have accomplished in 400 or 500 years," Eleven states, all run by Democrats, decided to skip the fair. Some had explicitly anti-Trump reasons in declining to participate. Like Illinois Democrat Gov. J.B. Pritzker citing what he said is Trump's "politicization of America 250 activities." Oregon's leadership expressed a similar sentiment, though did not mention Trump by name. "The State of Oregon will not be participating in the Great American State Fair due to both the cost of participating in the Fair and growing concerns that the event in Washington, D.C. is shaping up to be a more partisan affair than originally presented," Democrat Gov. Tina Kotek's office said in a statement. Kalaora, however, remains optimistic. "Times change, and emotions change, and that's okay, as long as we still remember that we've done great things," she said. "I'm happy to be here." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a478b17c2ca79de23637d5c Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's love story in photos as wedding day arrives te 2026-07-03T10:12:39.503Z Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's love story in photos as wedding day arrives Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding day has arrived. The couple first sparked romance rumors in 2023, after Kelce spoke about attending an Eras Tour show in Kansas City in the hopes of getting Swift's number during an episode of his podcast "New Heights." Soon after, Swift was spotted at a Chiefs game, further fueling speculation. Eventually, the two were spotted out together on numerous occasions, confirming they were dating. The two announced their engagement in August 2025, with an Instagram post featuring Kelce on one knee, with the caption, "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married 🧨." TAYLOR SWIFT AND TRAVIS KELCE'S WEDDING OF THE YEAR: EVERYTHING WE KNOW SO FAR As their wedding approaches, here is a look back at their relationship over the years, in pictures. Swift made headlines when she was photographed sitting next to Kelce's mom, Donna, at a Kansas City Chiefs game in September 2023. Rumors of their relationship continued to swirl after they were photographed leaving Arrowhead Stadium together after the game. The rumors first began after Kelce gave her a shout-out on his podcast in July 2023. "We started hanging out right after that. So we actually had a significant amount of time that no one knew, which I’m grateful for, because we got to get to know each other," she told Time in her Person of the Year cover story in December 2024. "By the time I went to that first game, we were a couple. I think some people think that they saw our first date at that game? We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date." In one of their first photos out together as a couple, Swift and Kelce were seen arriving to the "Saturday Night Live" after-party, after they both made appearances in an October 2023 episode. "She's very self-aware," Kelce said of Swift in a June 2024 episode of the "Bussin' with the Boys" podcast. "And I think that's why I really started to really fall for her, was how genuine she is around friends [and] family. It can get crazy for somebody with that much attention ... and she just keeps it so chill and so cool." Swift and Kelce began stepping out into public together more often, as they were photographed holding hands during a date night in New York in October 2023. "I’ve never dealt with it," he told the WSJ in 2024. "But at the same time, I’m not running away from any of it ... The scrutiny she gets, how much she has a magnifying glass on her, every single day, paparazzi outside her house, outside every restaurant she goes to, after every flight she gets off, and she’s just living, enjoying life. When she acts like that, I better not be the one acting all strange." Swift was there to comfort Kelce when his team lost to the Buffalo Bills in December 2023. "I'm enjoying all aspects of life. Me and Taylor are happy," Kelce said on an episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, in January 2025. "I couldn't be happier to have that confidence and that comfort off the field and all the support I could ever ask for in the stadium." Swift and Kelce were all smiles while posing with their arms around one another as they celebrated Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs becoming the 2024 AFC Champions. "I don’t know how they know what suite I’m in," she told Time Magazine. "There’s a camera, like, a half-mile away, and you don’t know where it is, and you have no idea when the camera is putting you in the broadcast, so I don’t know if I’m being shown 17 times or once." "I’m just there to support Travis," she added. "I have no awareness of if I’m being shown too much and pissing off a few dads, Brads, and Chads." Swift and Kelce could not help but show some PDA as they celebrated the Kansas City Chiefs winning the Super Bowl in February 2024. "Thank you for coming, baby. Thank you for the support. Thank you for coming," Kelce said to Swift following the win, according to ABC News. "Thank you for making it all the way across the world. You are the best, baby. The absolute best." Kelce and Swift were spotted getting cuddly while watching the men's singles final match during the US Open in September 2024. "Your most popular pop star, beloved musician, somehow met your most popular beloved athlete, and they actually fell in love, and it's just real," Kelce said in an April 2024 episode of his podcast. "Anyone who hates on it is a bitter loser. But I think a lot of people who maybe would expect to hate on it actually love it, and they acknowledge they love it because there's something so American about it or something. There’s something just classic about it." Kelce surprised audiences when he joined Swift on stage as a dancer during her performance of "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart" on the London stop of her Eras Tour in June 2024. "When you say a relationship is public, that means I’m going to see him do what he loves, we’re showing up for each other, other people are there and we don’t care," she told Time Magazine. "The opposite of that is you have to go to an extreme amount of effort to make sure no one knows that you’re seeing someone. And we’re just proud of each other." Swift and Kelce attended a friend's wedding together in New York in September 2024, and were photographed smiling and holding hands outside. Kelce debuted a new look when he was photographed holding hands with Swift while sporting a Hawaiian shirt and a mustache while the pair were out together in New York in October 2024. Kelce and Swift took a break from football and the Eras Tour to enjoy an outing in Game 1 of the ALCS, played between the Yankees and the Guardians, in October 2024. "Something that I'll always remember is when I would finish a take, and I'd say ‘cut,’ and we'd be done with that take, I would always just hear, like, someone cheering from across the studio where we were shooting it, and that one person was my boyfriend, Travis," she said when accepting her award for Video of the Year at the VMAs in September 2024. "Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic. So, I want to thank him for adding that to our shoot because I’ll always remember that." Swift was there to support Kelce when the Chiefs won the AFC Championship again in January 2025, telling Time Magazine, "Football is awesome, it turns out." She has apparently picked up parts of the game quite quickly, with Kelce telling the "Rich Eisen Show" in September 2024, she even "creates plays for me." "She had just been so open to learning the game, she didn’t know much about the rules or anything…I think she was just curious about the profession...I know none of the plays have gotten to Coach Reid yet, but if they ever do I’ll make sure everyone knows it was her creation." Following the end of football season and the Eras Tour, Swift and Kelce took time to enjoy some other sports, and were all smiles as they watched Game Four of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final in June. "I knew that he wasn't crazy the first couple of times that we talked. I was just like, 'He's truly getting to know me in a way that's very natural, very normal," she said on an episode of "New Heights" in August 2025. "The way that he could make me laugh so immediately about normal things." Kelce posted photos of the two of them having fun and posing with matching hats while on a boat in July 2025. "I hadn't experienced somebody in the same shoes as me, having a partner who understands the scrutiny, understands the ups and downs of being in front of millions," Kelce told GQ in August 2025. "That was very relatable, seeing how exhausted she would get after shows." He added, "She may not think of herself as an athlete. She will never tell anyone that she is an athlete. But I've seen what she goes through. I've seen the amount of work that she puts on her body, and it's mind-blowing." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER The two announced their engagement in August 2025, with an Instagram post featuring Kelce on one knee, with the caption, "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married 🧨." "He's just my favorite person I've ever met, no offense to everyone else, but the fact that this is the person that I get to hang out with every day forever, that's the whole thing of it," she said on the "Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in October 2025. "You look at it and you're like, ‘I'm going to hang out with him forever,' and this represents that." Swift and Kelce have attended many industry events together, including the iHeartRadio Music Awards in March 2026. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Swift and Kelce were most recently spotted sitting court-side at game three of the Eastern Conference Finals played between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks in May 2026. "I feel like whenever I'm on a date I'm always having the sense of like, I'm a man in the situation, I'm like protective, yeah for sure," Kelce said on his "New Heights" podcast in October 2023. "You always kind of have that feeling — or that self-awareness, I guess." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a478b04c2ca79de23637d53 Trump kicks off Fourth of July weekend with symbolic salute to America’s legacy te 2026-07-03T10:12:20.045Z Trump kicks off Fourth of July weekend with symbolic salute to America’s legacy President Donald Trump will open America’s 250th Independence Day weekend with a return to Mount Rushmore, reviving one of the most symbolic scenes of his first administration as the White House stages a week of patriotic events across some of the country’s most recognizable landmarks. Trump last attended a Mount Rushmore fireworks display in 2020, when the landmark hosted its first official fireworks show since 2009.  Trump issued a presidential action in January to honor the history of America, ordering "a grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence on July 4, 2026." On both a federal and state level, the nation has thrown a summer line up of events including the "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall. WORLD CUP SOCCER FANS ARE DISCOVERING AMERICA’S GREATNESS. IT’S TIME AMERICANS DID, TOO Trump kicked off the fair on June 24 by hosting a rally the night before the beginning of the fair. He will return Saturday for the "Salute to America" event, where he is expected to take the stage.  Washington, D.C., has been placed under an "Extreme Heat Alert" until Sunday morning with temperatures predicted to feel like 105°F or hotter, according to DC Homeland Security & Emergency Management. TRUMP TAKES INAUGURAL FLIGHT ABOARD NEW AIR FORCE ONE AHEAD OF LIBRARY DEBUT HONORING FAMED OUTDOORSMAN Trump’s remarks are expected to begin around 9:00 PM ET, prior to a massive fireworks display on the National Mall that has been touted by the administration as the largest in history. The National Mall has garnered special attention this year after a string of vandalism against the Reflecting Pool and monuments. The pattern emerged after Trump ordered a restoration and repainting of the reflecting pool, which was then met with "razor-blade cuts" to its lining, according to the White House.  Earlier this week, Trump attended the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Library in Medora, North Dakota, on Wednesday. Roosevelt was known for his passion for the outdoors – dramatically expanding federal protection of natural resources and public lands. He established national parks, created national monuments and strengthened the U.S. Forest Service. BIDEN-APPOINTED JUDGE ORDERS TRUMP TO RESTORE SLAVERY, CLIMATE CHANGE REFERENCES AT NATIONAL PARKS Trump signed the "Great American Outdoors Act Reauthorization," which centers on previous legislation signed by the 45th and 47th president but renews funding in honor of America’s 250th birthday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a478af0c2ca79de23637d4a Vulnerable House Dem's bipartisanship push clashes with fantasy to ‘beat the s--- out of’ Hegseth te 2026-07-03T10:12:00.590Z Vulnerable House Dem's bipartisanship push clashes with fantasy to ‘beat the s--- out of’ Hegseth Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev., a swing-district Democrat who touts herself as a bipartisan dealmaker, told a liberal audience she wants to "work across the aisle" before saying moments later that watching Pete Hegseth testify made her want to "beat the s--- out of him." Lee made the remarks during an appearance last month before the Sun City Liberal Club in Las Vegas while discussing rare earth minerals and her work supporting MP Materials, a Las Vegas-based company involved in U.S. critical minerals production. The comments come as she seeks re-election in Nevada’s closely divided 3rd Congressional District. "I want to be bipartisan. I want to work across the aisle," Lee told the crowd, according to video of the remarks. But moments later, while discussing Hegseth appearing before her committee, she said, "Now listen, it’s so easy. It’s so easy. Like you just wanna beat the s--- out of him." SWING-DISTRICT DEMOCRAT FACES BACKLASH AFTER VULGAR LATE-NIGHT POST TARGETING TRUMP, DOUBLES DOWN "But you got to bite it," Lee said of wanting to "beat the s---" out of Hegseth. The Hegseth remark is not the first profanity-laced comment to draw scrutiny for Lee. In April, Fox News Digital reported that Lee deleted an expletive-filled late-night social media post targeting Trump after online backlash, then defended her remarks by saying her "nerve was touched" by what she described as attacks on the Constitution. "Secretary Hegseth has made life less safe and more expensive for Americans. The war of choice that he and President Trump started has placed more burden on working families by increasing the cost of gas and groceries. And despite promising to immediately review Congresswoman Lee’s request to get Nevada Test and Training Range veterans the health care they need, Secretary Hegseth has dragged his feet for nearly two months," a spokesperson for Lee told Fox News Digital. "Clearly, there are many areas in which Congresswoman Lee does not see eye to eye with the Secretary." Lee's comments about wanting to beat up Hegseth came while she was teeing up a story to the Sun City Liberal Club about pressing the Secretary of War during a hearing on the Pentagon's decision to invest in an Australian company while supposedly leaving a U.S.-based one out to dry. Lee said she appealed to Hegseth by telling him she believed in "made in America" and questioned why the Pentagon had invested more heavily in a different Australian company as opposed to MP Materials, an American one.  "Now listen, it’s so easy. It’s so easy. Like you just wanna beat the s--- out of him. I mean yea, but you just got to bite it. So this is what I did – he came in front of my committee twice," Lee said as she told the story about the rare earth investments. "You got to lay on their ego, right?" she continued. "Well, three weeks later, they announced a $2 billion investment in MP Materials, okay? I didn’t want to be sweet with Hegseth, okay, I didn’t. But, you know, you got to do what you got to do to get s--- done, right?" "Congresswoman Lee set aside [her differences with Hegseth] on behalf of her constituents to secure an investment in a Nevada-based employer that will create hundreds of jobs in southern Nevada," Lee's spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "She will continue putting politics aside and working with anyone — regardless of party — to lower costs, create jobs, and make life better for her constituents."  But Republicans took aim at the remarks as evidence that Lee’s bipartisan brand is at odds with how she talks about Trump administration officials behind closed doors. DEM REP WHO WENT ON EXPLETIVE-LADEN ANTI-TRUMP RANT WINS PRIMARY "It's unfortunate for our Republic, near our 250th birthday of this great experiment we call America, that town hall comments like this reveal the truth, and Republican voters should be warned that Democrats, if they take over the majority, will simply spend their time going after President Trump and his administration," said Mark Bednar, former head of communications for former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. Republicans also took issue with Lee’s claim that her exchange with Hegseth helped spur a major Defense Department investment in MP Materials, accusing the Nevada Democrat of overstating her role while using the story to burnish her bipartisan credentials. "Either Susie Lee believes her words contain the persuasive power of the word of God, or she's making stuff up and being completely unhinged to boot," said Republican National Committee spokesperson Nick Poché. "Nevadans deserve a leader who will work to deliver for them, not posers whose only objective in office is to improve their stock portfolios like Susie Lee." MP Materials eventually signed a major agreement with the Defense Department, including a $400 million Pentagon investment that made the federal government the company’s largest shareholder and other commitments aimed at strengthening the U.S. rare earth magnet supply chain. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a478addc2ca79de23637d41 MMA fighter leans on faith in quest to catch suspected child predators te 2026-07-03T10:11:41.137Z MMA fighter leans on faith in quest to catch suspected child predators DELRAY BEACH, Fla. – Dustin Lampros strides into a grocery store, scanning the aisles for his target. But it’s not an item on the shelf that he’s pursuing. It’s a suspected child predator. The mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter has been working to expose alleged child predators since 2022. On social media, where he shares about his quest, he’s known as 561 Predator Catcher, a nod to his hometown area code. To his friends and in cage fights, he’s Scrappy. He earned the nickname on the fourth-grade football field after taking on two bigger boys who’d picked on him. His mission to catch adults who prey on children was launched when a friend in cybersecurity told him about the online danger. MMA FIGHTER HELPS NAB FLORIDA UNIVERSITY STUDENT LEADER IN SUSPECTED CHILD PREDATOR STING Lampros had just recommitted to his faith, he told Fox News Digital. He’d started praying to know God’s will for his life. He was stunned when his friend demonstrated the problem. It took minutes to create a fake profile for a 13-year-old girl, "Amy," on a platform known for facilitating connections. TIKTOK IN LEGAL HOT SEAT AS STATE ACCUSES APP OF EXPOSING KIDS TO HARMFUL CONTENT WHILE MISLEADING PARENTS It took seconds for men to make contact. "We had multiple grown adults reaching out trying to talk to who they thought was a 13-year-old," Lampros said, fuming at the memory. That sparked painful memories. "Two people close to me in my life were victims," he said, including a close childhood friend. "He was raped by our principal from sixth to eighth grade." SAN FRANCISCO ARCHDIOCESE AGREES TO $395M SETTLEMENT WITH 530 CLERGY ABUSE SURVIVORS Lampros felt a calling on his life. "Instantly, I knew that I was meant to do something. "I could help." Now, the 32-year-old professional fighter coordinates with people across the country who work as decoys posing as children. They converse online. They exchange photos. Once an in-person meeting is arranged, and plans for sexual activity are discussed, Lampros prepares to pounce. At the agreed-upon time, he waits outside the meet-up location. And when he spots the person who’s been communicating with the child, he places a 911 call to police. Then, he strolls inside. Coolly and confidently, he walks up and addresses his "target" by name. Immediately, Lampros pummels them with questions about why they’re there, who they’d planned to meet, and what they’d planned to do. He films the interactions on Meta glasses. "I've gotten really good at getting these guys to just kind of … admit everything to me," he said. Twice, his targets were women. One was a law enforcement officer. Several have been teachers. When their answers to his questions don’t match the conversations decoys shared with him in screenshots, he brandishes his phone. "I have all the messages right here," Lampros reveals. When police arrive, he turns over the messages and his video of the "catch," as he calls it, as evidence. He credits his MMA training and his faith for his ability to stay calm. "Inside I'm fuming, I'm boiling," he said. "The goal is to get these guys arrested, charged, and convicted, and I know that if I put my hands on them, or if I act out, I know that that can affect the case. So, therefore, I keep myself calm, and keep myself composed." Lampros trains at the MMA Science Academy in Sunrise, Florida. The other fighters and coaches celebrate his successes, said the gym owner, Roger Krahl. By sparring with him and helping him hone his skills, they feel they play a role in his mission, he said. But they’re mystified by how Lampros refrains from flexing his fighting skills when interacting with alleged child predators. "We tell him all the time," Krahl said. "But he’s got the perfect personality for it. He stays very calm and keeps his cool, which is obviously a big thing in the cage. "When you get in there and fight, you’ve got to be calm under pressure. You’ve got to be able to think." Lampros has completed about 100 catches since 2022. About 10 have resulted in convictions, he said. Others still simmer in the legal pipeline. "The cases take years," he said. Meanwhile, his technique has evolved, even softened, he admitted. He used to order catches to do pushups while waiting for police. Now, he coaxes alleged predators to discuss details on video that can be turned over to police. "He’s very comfortable," Krahl said, adding that he doesn’t worry about the 5-foot-7 fighter’s safety. "Obviously, he can protect himself. He’s a high-level professional athlete. "Even though he’s a smaller guy—a bantamweight, 135 pounds—I wouldn’t worry about him versus anybody. Just a trained professional athlete versus an untrained person is not even fair." Lampros and his decoy helpers don’t coordinate with law enforcement. He reveals the details when he calls police. "I tell them exactly what's going on, that there's a grown adult coming there to meet what they believe is a 13- or 14-year-old to engage in sexual activity." When officers don’t arrive quickly, Lampros stalls. Twice the situation spiraled dangerously, he said. Once, a man he was questioning pulled a gun from his car. Lampros and his helper fled. Another man wielded a boxcutter during their interaction. Lampros isn’t deterred. If he’s ever badly injured or killed during a "catch," he’ll know he was doing God’s will, he said. "It took years for police departments and state attorneys to actually look at us as legit and to make these cases stick," Lampros said. Now, about every month, a years-old case yields a conviction, he said. Some lawyers in Florida advertise that they can help defend accused child predators who interacted with Lampros. They accuse him of being a vigilante. They subpoena him for depositions. Some insist he’s "just in it for the clicks," he said. But no matter the cost, Lampros said he’s in this fight for the long term. He won’t stop working to expose child predators, he said. And when his MMA fighting career is over, he hopes to travel the country, educating parents about how to protect children from online dangers. Before starting 561 Predator Catcher, Lampros said he was where any young, professional fighter would want to be. He’d moved from Illinois to South Florida, a hub for the sport. He had a 7-0 record in cage fights, with five knockouts. His sole focus: becoming a fighter for the UFC. The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the world’s largest professional MMA organization. But, "I felt very empty," he said. "My whole identity had been behind being an MMA fighter, being ‘Scrappy’ the fighter. I knew that having UFC as my idol wasn't gonna fulfill me. That's when I realized there's got to be something more for me." He started praying, he said, "asking for His will to be done in my life." It was then that he was introduced to the idea of catching child predators. "When you start focusing on God's plan, the doors kind of open up." "Once I figured that out, and I started living for Him instead of living for Scrappy the Fighter, my life has evolved so much more into such a blessing." He still hopes to be selected as a fighter in the UFC. But, he said, a fight against evil is far more important. "Knowing that God's on my side, whatever happens, I believe it's God's will." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a478ac9c2ca79de23637d38 James Carville breaks with famous ‘It’s the economy, stupid’ slogan because of Trump te 2026-07-03T10:11:21.678Z James Carville breaks with famous ‘It’s the economy, stupid’ slogan because of Trump James Carville, the architect of President Bill Clinton’s 1992 victory over President George H.W. Bush and industrialist H. Ross Perot, said this week that President Donald Trump has forced him to break with the catchphrase that many believe helped win that election and made him a political household name. Carville originally coined "It’s the economy, stupid," as an internal reminder to campaign staff at Clinton’s Little Rock headquarters to stay on-message amid Bush’s rising approval ratings connected to his handling of the Gulf War. But this week, Carville suggested allegations of corruption involving President Donald Trump have supplanted the idea that the economy should remain top of mind during election season. During a discussion on his "Politicon" podcast network, former Mount Holyoke dean Joseph Ellis mentioned "It’s the economy, stupid" before the Ragin Cajun cut him off. FOX NEWS POLL: AS ECONOMIC PAIN DEEPENS, DISAPPROVAL OF TRUMP HITS NEW HIGH "So, professor, I thought about that recently – about ‘It’s the economy, stupid' – it's a great catchphrase. It's maybe one of the most oft-repeated things in politics," Carville said. "I now have come to detest the fact I said that." Without mentioning Trump by name, Carville — who has repeatedly accused the incumbent of corruption in recent months — compared him with the more genteel Bush. "I'll listen to people who say, ‘people don't care about corruption, they care about the economy -- As long as their incomes are up, they don't care what he does’ – and I'm afraid that's right." JAMES CARVILLE SAYS SOCIALIST DEMOCRAT SHOULDN'T BE IN THE PARTY, CALLS HER VIEWS 'A BRIDGE TOO FAR' "But I said it in 1992, and say what you want about George H.W. Bush, he was not… a corrupt man at all; decent man too. We have now the breathtaking, staggering -- I understand if people say, ‘Yeah, you know, you're right, that's all people care about is the economy, and I won't do it, I don't say anything, I'm nice’," he said, appearing to envision voters preferring to focus on the economy over other personality issues. "I want to punch him in the f---ing face. OK? Yes. I'm serious… Because the phrase actually haunts me today." Asked about the invective, White House spokesman Davis Ingle called the Ragin' Cajun a "stone-cold loser." "[Carville] suffers from a severe and incurable disease known as Trump Derangement Syndrome, and it has rotted his peanut-sized brain," Ingle said. During an earlier discussion with his co-host, former Wall Street Journal Washington bureau chief Al Hunt, Carville said that "we are drowning; we’re suffocating in corruption" before accusing Trump of increasing his net worth by $2 billion since becoming president. "I’m just really fearful for the United States," he added. In February, Carville directed one of his segments at Trump as though the president were watching, telling the president that his inner circle "hates" him and that he is a "fat, sorry, sack of s---." SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Since then, he has continued criticizing the president and recently said he is proud to have proverbial "Trump Derangement Syndrome." Carville has been a mainstay in Democratic politics ever since helping engineer Clinton’s 1992 victory, alongside other notable campaign aides, including ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, whom Trump also spars with on occasion. Clinton’s 1992 campaign produced several enduring touchstones, from Carville’s "It’s the economy, stupid," to Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 hit "Don’t Stop," which became the de facto theme song for his successful bid. Carville's comments about his old slogan also come as he recently rebuked socialist nominees taking over his party. Fox News Digital reached out to Carville via his Politicon podcast for further comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a478ab6c2ca79de23637d2f Ahead of America's 250th birthday, faith group urges families to reconnect through patriotic traditions te 2026-07-03T10:11:02.233Z Ahead of America's 250th birthday, faith group urges families to reconnect through patriotic traditions As the U.S. prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, a faith organization is urging parents to make the most of Independence Day by reconnecting with their kids and taking time to teach them about the nation's founding ideals. Ahead of July 4, Communio, a faith-based organization focused on strengthening families, released its "Great American Family Fun Kit," complete with activity ideas, recipes for patriotic treats, and a prayer for the nation. Some of the activities include trying to use 18th-century slang, making a gratitude jar, creating a family flag and having an Independence Day-themed scavenger hunt. "When you think about all the holidays we have as a country, the Fourth of July, the Independence Day is — of our non-religious holidays — it's right up there with Thanksgiving as being the most important family celebration that we have as a country," Communio founder and president J.P. De Gance told Fox News Digital. LDS CHURCH CELEBRATES DELIVERING 6.5M MEALS ACROSS ALL 50 STATES FOR AMERICA250 ANNIVERSARY Communio is using its partnerships that cover 17,000 churches across the U.S. to reach out to families and encourage them to celebrate Independence Day through neighborhood gatherings, block parties and activities to build their communities. "The most fundamental building block of a society is not the individual, it's the family," De Gance said. De Gance told Fox News Digital that Communio's Great American Family Fun Kit reflects the organization's belief that strong families are the foundation of strong communities. "I think there's a lot of recent polling data that shows love of country, good old-fashioned patriotism, has declined in our nation amongst a lot of folks. And the goal here is to tie people back to the ideals of our founding and do so in a really grassroots, organic way at the local level," De Gance said of Communio's Great American Family Fun Kit. COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG GEARS UP FOR AMERICA 250 BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER While the kit's activities are centered around America's 250th birthday, De Gance said their broader purpose is to encourage families to spend more meaningful time together away from screens. The Communio founder and president asserted that even simple activities can create these opportunities for parents and children to connect. "One of the things that we know about family life is that parents and kids who communicate regularly, those kids report a more warm and good relationship with mom and dad," De Gance told Fox News Digital. He added that children who have good relationships with their parents tend to have better long-term outcomes and are more likely to see faith as an important part of their lives. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE While at first glance, the kit appears to be geared toward families with younger children, it also contains activities aimed at teen engagement too. De Gance suggested that the scavenger hunt activity could be used to get children of different ages to do something together. De Gance also pointed to rising rates of reported loneliness and sadness among American teenagers, arguing that family time could be key to combatting these issues. "I think if we were honest with ourselves… there's probably not a high number of those kids who would report having frequent time with their family and siblings and recreation and fun together, right?" he said. "Because when that happens, they're more likely to report having a good relationship with their mom and dad, and they're less likely to report being lonely and being isolated." As he looks to America's future, De Gance would like to see a revival of healthy marriages and family life across the nation. He said he is hopeful that young people are becoming more focused on finding purpose in "enduring things," such as faith, marriage and family. "The pathway to making sure that we celebrate America 300 and America 350 and America 400, really runs through the family," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a478861c2ca79de23637cc7 Maine man uses truck to rescue moose calf from charging bear: 'I knew what I had to do' te 2026-07-03T10:01:05.630Z Maine man uses truck to rescue moose calf from charging bear: 'I knew what I had to do' A Maine couple used their pickup truck to save a moose calf from a charging bear during a routine fishing trip Thursday, helping reunite the young animal with its mother. Todd Malcolm told The Associated Press he believed the bear would catch the calf unless he intervened. "I knew what I had to do and I just did it," Malcolm said. WOMAN STALKED BY CHARGING BEAR ON MORNING DOG WALK CAPTURES TERRIFYING ENCOUNTER ON CAMERA The encounter began when Todd and Elvia Malcolm spotted a female moose near the edge of the woods in Telos Township, Maine, and pulled over hoping to snap a photo. "I said to Elvia, I said, ‘Grab your phone because you’re going to get a chance to get a picture of a moose,’" Todd Malcolm said. After parking their truck, the couple noticed the moose appeared unusually agitated — and, as it turned out, for good reason. TWO HIKERS CAPTURE TERRIFYING VIDEO OF CHARGING GRIZZLY BEARS AT GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Moments later, a bear and the moose calf burst from the woods and sprinted directly toward their truck, they told the AP. Todd Malcolm said he was convinced the bear would catch the vulnerable calf and decided to intervene. "I put the truck in drive and I just stepped on the gas," he said. CALIFORNIA COUPLE FIGHTS OFF 70-POUND BLACK BEAR WITH HATCHET AND WATER BOTTLE OUTSIDE THEIR HOME Malcolm said he didn't want to hurt the bear and only intended to put the truck between the predator and the calf. His plan worked, and the bear darted to the side of the road before disappearing back into the woods. "Boom, gone, right in the woods," he said. The ordeal was just as nerve-racking for Elvia Malcolm. "My heart was racing because I did not want to witness the bear catching the calf," she told the AP. "As soon as the calf got past the truck and we were able to get the bear to give up the chase, I looked up the road and saw that they were together, the mom and the calf." Despite the chaos, Elvia Malcolm said she still managed to capture several photographs of the dramatic encounter. "I really thought I probably got like a bug on the windshield when I started to look at them," she said. "I took them through the front windshield of the truck. I wasn’t outside the truck. No way was I getting outside the truck." The couple later continued their fishing trip after watching the moose calf reunite with its mother. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4783d6c2ca79de23637bfa Louisiana attorney general accused of threatening local officials in criminal indictment te 2026-07-03T09:41:42.721Z Louisiana attorney general accused of threatening local officials in criminal indictment A New Orleans grand jury on Thursday indicted Republican Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill on charges including intimidation and malfeasance, accusing the state's top law enforcement officer of threatening local officials during a high-profile political dispute over the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk's office. The 16-count indictment accuses Louisiana's first female attorney general of threatening local officials with removal from office if they proceeded with actions she believed violated state law. Assistant District Attorney Laurie White, who is prosecuting the case, said Thursday she expects it to be "very simple" and "very open and shut." INDICTED SPLC CHIEF FACES HOUSE GRILLING OVER ALLEGED SECRET PAYMENTS TO KKK MEMBERS Murrill responded in a post on X, calling the indictment "retaliatory, meritless, and unconstitutional" and saying she would immediately appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court. "I will not back down," Murrill wrote. "I will continue enforcing the law, fighting corruption, and doing the job the people of Louisiana elected me to do." Republican Gov. Jeff Landry also defended Murrill, saying he would pardon her "as fast as the law allows." NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR DEMANDS FEDERAL REPARATIONS AFTER ACCUSING DEA OF FUELING STATE'S FENTANYL CRISIS Landry said Murrill "will not have to worry about having her reputation tarnished by this kangaroo grand jury or the Orleans Kangaroo court." "The criminal justice system is a circus at its finest in Orleans and we will not have any of that!" he added. In a follow-up post, Landry called for an investigation into the grand jury proceedings. NEW MEXICO AG LAUNCHES CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO DEA OVER ALLEGATIONS AGENTS LET FENTANYL FLOOD STATE "Based on the information contained in the motion by @AGLizMurrill, I am ordering the State Police to immediately begin investigating the alleged improprieties of this grand jury and those who ran it!" The indictment stems from a months-long dispute between state leaders and New Orleans officials over the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk's office. At Landry's urging, Louisiana lawmakers approved a Republican-backed overhaul that eliminated the elected Orleans Parish criminal court clerk position after Calvin Duncan, a man who spent nearly three decades in prison before his conviction was overturned, won the office. The law transferred the position's duties to the parish's civil court clerk, preventing Duncan from taking office. After New Orleans officials sought to install Duncan or create a path for him to assume the office, Murrill warned they could face removal under Louisiana's "usurper" laws, which prohibit support for an unauthorized officeholder. Prosecutors allege those warnings formed the basis of the criminal charges against her. "We’re very interested in elected officials in New Orleans not being intimidated or threatened by letter or any other way," White told reporters after the indictment was unsealed. Bond for Murrill was set at $400,000 on Thursday, according to court records. Fox News Digital has reached out to Murrill's office for additional comment. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4783c2c2ca79de23637be1 Our View: Mohave College's nursing expansion meets a real community need te 2026-07-03T09:41:22.243Z Our View: Mohave College's nursing expansion meets a real community need Mohave College has cleared its final regulatory hurdle to bring a vital new resource to northwestern Arizona. With the Higher Learning Commission’s official green light, the college can now launch its highly anticipated RN-to-BSN program, opening student enrollment in time… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4783adc2ca79de23637bd8 Congressman Paul Gosar: One Year Later: Republicans Delivered for Arizona te 2026-07-03T09:41:01.785Z Congressman Paul Gosar: One Year Later: Republicans Delivered for Arizona One year ago this week, President Donald J. Trump signed the Working Families Tax Cut Act into law, capping one of the most consequential legislative victories of his presidency and delivering on a promise Congressional Republicans made to the American… Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a477d43c2ca79de23637aa6 The lesson we can learn from Bicentennial history is to party like it’s 1976 te 2026-07-03T09:13:39.919Z The lesson we can learn from Bicentennial history is to party like it’s 1976 Can Americans come together over the next week to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary? With the country seemingly split into irreconcilable, and increasingly violent, camps, storm clouds darken the summer commemorations. Those worrying that the Semiquincentennial will be a giant bust should look no further than the Bicentennial. Plagued by similar fears, the Bicentennial turned into the biggest party the country had ever seen. Today, Americans should take heart and party like it’s 1976. America’s two-hundredth anniversary came either at the worst possible moment or just in time. The previous 13 years had been among the most violent and disruptive since the Great Depression, possibly even the Civil War. The upheavals of the Civil Rights Movement had been punctuated by the tragic assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy. America’s postwar consensus had spectacularly disintegrated barely two decades after the resounding victory in World War II. To many, America had fundamentally changed. After the assassinations and riots, and the lies of Vietnam and Watergate, the country had become more cynical and distrusting of government, the elites, and big business. As a Boston Globe columnist wrote, the great issue in the 1976 presidential campaign would be "to restore confidence of the American people in their government and themselves," short of which he feared the country would remain "purposeless, rudderless, powerless." MS NOW GUEST ADMITS 'GREAT TREPIDATION' ABOUT CELEBRATING AMERICA'S 250TH, CLAIMS COUNTRY IS BEING DESTROYED In a country at once exhausted and divided, it could well be questioned whether Americans would celebrate or jeer the Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence. Overwhelmingly, they celebrated. As the jubilee approached, Bicentennial fever swept the country. A torrent of words on the Declaration and the Revolution poured off the presses, most with praise, many also arguing that America still struggled to live up to the promises of her founding document. Over 12,566 towns and cities participated in the Bicentennial Communities project, renovating parks and historic buildings or building new community centers. Over seven million Americans visited the Freedom Train, which left Wilmington, Del., on April 1, 1975, and crisscrossed the country before ending its run on Dec. 31, 1976. As many as 10 million tourists toured Independence Hall and saw the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Queen Elizabeth II made a triumphal state visit, landing first in Philadelphia. HOW CAPITALISM MISSED OUT AND FAILED TO CAPITALIZE ON AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY Against all expectations, the Bicentennial turned into both the greatest patriotic celebration and the greatest sales event in American history. Decades before e-commerce made buying with a click ubiquitous, Bicentennial hats, shirts, flags, medallions, coins, mini–Liberty Bells, commemorative booklets, posters, pillow covers, bed linens and pewter engravings sold by the millions through mail-order or catalogs. Not surprisingly, Washington, D.C., was the center of the celebrations. Over 1.2 million people viewed the Declaration and Constitution at the National Archives over the course of 1976, while on July 2, the Archives opened its doors for a marathon seventy-six-hour "vigil," during which over 10,000 visitors stood in lines more than three hours long to gaze up at the priceless parchment. Two days later, a street party took over Constitution Avenue in front of the National Archives, as 8,000 people gathered for a reading of the Declaration, heard patriotic songs and then joined in the cutting of a six-foot-tall, multilayered birthday cake. NEW ORLEANS HOSTS FIRST STOP OF SAIL 250 AS FLEET BEGINS EAST COAST JOURNEY On the morning of July 4, famed composer Leonard Bernstein read the Declaration before a crowd in Manhattan’s Battery Park. At 2 p.m. Eastern Time, bells rang out across the nation for two minutes, from church steeples, town halls and firehouses. Parades large and small snaked through Main Streets across the nation as people celebrated with barbecues, sports activities and bands. That evening over a million people packed the National Mall and lined the Potomac to witness a gigantic pyrotechnics display depicting eras in America’s past. The Bicentennial celebrations did not magically solve all of America’s problems or create eternal fellowship. There were protests and condemnations of the country. However, the vast majority of Americans showed both pride and some badly needed perspective on their history. As an opinion poll taken by the Gallup Organization in June 1976 revealed, 77% of respondents felt that "we had succeeded over these 200 years in achieving the ideals for which this country was founded." This year, away from the drama in Washington, social media anger and media sensationalism, it’s likely many Americans will feel the same way about their country’s 250th. There is a "Freedom Plane" currently touring the country, and exhibitions at the National Archives, Library of Congress and Smithsonian Institution, as well as at local museums and presidential libraries are drawing thousands of Americans to view artifacts from the country’s past. A new bevy of books on the founding, the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence all are being published, and documentaries are being streamed. Despite the anger manifested online and in the streets, despite rising incivility and political cage-match rhetoric, and even despite assassination attempts by a handful of deranged individuals, the vast majority of the country goes about its daily life peacefully. Debate and even heated argument about the country’s past are part of our tradition, not signs of imminent civil war. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Our economic problems are serious, our politicians often incompetent, and our schools failing, among other concerns. Yet we need to remember why millions still come to these shores, why opportunity here is still open for the taking, and why very few Americans would trade life here for political systems in China, Russia or even most of Europe. As America reaches 250, we remain a great nation, even as we strive to fix our ills and create a more perfect Union. If that task remains forever unfinished, it does not delegitimize the country’s existence or our achievements, but calls us to recommit to the principles of the Declaration. Most of us, I am willing to bet, would agree deep down with the words of the Memphis Tri-State Defender, a Black newspaper, written in 1976: "this land is the only land that we have to live in, and most importantly, few Black Americans want to leave it for some other place." So, don’t worry, be happy, and embrace the "Spirit of ’76." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a477d30c2ca79de23637a9d Navy SEAL who killed bin Laden says America's 250th proves hard work still pays, warns of 'victimhood' culture te 2026-07-03T09:13:20.463Z Navy SEAL who killed bin Laden says America's 250th proves hard work still pays, warns of 'victimhood' culture Former U.S. Navy SEAL Robert O'Neill, who is credited with killing Usama bin Laden, reflected on America's 250th anniversary, praising opportunities for those willing to work hard while urging Americans to preserve the nation's values amid what he described as a growing hatred of its history. "As we come up on our 250th anniversary of being the greatest country ever, it's just the opportunity here from my personal experience that reminds me, and I almost get to a point where I'm jealous of younger men that were my age when I joined because they literally have the world at their fingertips," O'Neill told Fox News Digital. "You can do anything, seriously, in this country." O'Neill, who served with SEAL Team 6 during Operation Neptune Spear, the 2011 raid that killed the al Qaeda mastermind and chief, encouraged more young people to step outside their comfort zones and contribute to America’s success. BILL MAHER TELLS LIBERALS TO STOP 'PARTISAN SULKING' AND JOIN AMERICA 250 PARTY "I'm able to attribute a lot of my successes in life simply because I left the house," he said. "I went to join the military, and I did. In this country, I just proved you can do anything by not doing one thing. I just didn't stop. I never quit." Looking back on his service, O'Neill said it was a "great honor" to leave home, rise through the ranks on merit, and earn a place on a team chosen solely on ability, calling his experience an example of "the greatness of the country." "That team was proof of equal opportunity," he said. "You have an equal opportunity to try out, but you're gonna be tested every day, and if you don't pass, we're just gonna get rid of you. But the team was built because of this country, and the country has the ability to do that over and over again." As millions prepare to celebrate the anniversary, O'Neill acknowledged that not everyone views the milestone positively, blaming a growing "victimhood" mindset for turning people away from the nation's history. YOUTUBER AMIR ODOM CHALLENGES BLACK AMERICANS TO REJECT VICTIMHOOD AND RECLAIM THEIR FUTURE "Part of the issue is we stop teaching our kids the past, and we're actually raising a lot of victims," he said. "I don't know why the victimhood is here. Maybe it's because the country is so great, we have to look back on the past and invent problems, and that's what we're doing right now." A driving force behind this growing disdain is "institutional cowardice," according to O'Neill, who warned that "if we keep importing the enemy and won't call it what it is," the country risks deeper political division and, ultimately, "civil war." "We're at a place right now of institutional cowardice where we're importing people based on untruths because people in political positions know that they'll vote for them if they keep doing what they're doing," he said. "Once that base starts growing, they're going to get rid of what was referred to by communists as the 'useful idiots.' It's growing right now. I mean, it's almost ironic that we can look over the ocean at Great Britain on an anniversary from a country where we gained independence, and it's not like looking at another nation. We're looking at a glimpse into our future." O'Neill said the nation loses its strength despite its ability to "win anything with force," arguing America would need to "import the enemy in order to lose." "We're seeing right now that we can win anything with force, but we need to import the enemy in order to lose," he said. "What I mean by that is if we get infiltrated, pound for pound, we're never gonna lose a fight. Instead of telling the truth, we just try to appease. That's what we're seeing right now. We win the wars that we're in until we involve too many laws that we make up ourselves." WHO IS RAISING AMERICA'S CHILDREN? MENTOR WARNS KIDS ARE SEEKING ROLE MODELS ONLINE AS COMMUNITIES FADE But O'Neill said America can continue to succeed if it preserves its founding values, saying the country is "fragile" as "it's still an experiment." Pointing to the British, Persian, and Ottoman empires as examples of powerful nations that eventually declined, O’Neill said America's 250-year run does not guarantee its future and people "need to reflect on our great nation and how it's very important that we keep it that way." "We gotta realize that the American project, the experiment that it is, it's still worth continuing, and it's good to see that we made it 250 years, but also keep in mind, that's usually the lifetime of most empires," he said. O'Neill said people should not take the country's freedoms and opportunities for granted, saying he has seen "true poverty and real dictators" and that "it's a blessing" to be here. "We need to realize that we have been padded by two oceans, the Pacific and the Atlantic, and you don't want to do the whole 'don't know what you got until it's gone,' because this country is great," he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a477d1dc2ca79de23637a94 Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wild wedding weekend could include unusually long 'cocktail hour' te 2026-07-03T09:13:01.007Z Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wild wedding weekend could include unusually long 'cocktail hour' As Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce get set to tie the knot at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday, July 3, a hot topic of debate is the celebrity couple's plans for a cocktail hour ahead of their ceremony — an event that could far surpass the traditional hour and instead go as long as 2.5 hours, according to multiple reports about the weekend events. "Yes, cocktail hours traditionally last one hour," said Florida-based etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore in response to reports about the unusual length of the pre-wedding event as part of a whirlwind day that could last into the wee hours of Friday evening. "This gives the newly married couple time to take pictures, and it gives the guests time to socialize and relax." But "sometimes," she said, "the cocktail party can last more than an hour if the wedding party is quite large, running late — or if guests and the wedding party have to travel quite a distance to the reception venue." TAYLOR SWIFT'S UNUSUAL WEDDING GIFTS RULE IGNITES ETIQUETTE DEBATE: 'HONOR THEIR WISHES' Whitmore also said that, in her view, "it’s perfectly acceptable for the cocktail hour to run longer, as long as enough food and beverages are provided. Otherwise, the guests will most likely get cranky." As Fox News Digital previously reported, Swift’s wedding to three-time Super Bowl winner Kelce may be a days-long affair involving street closures, hundreds of VIPs, a special police detail and taxpayer-funded security measures, according to a source with knowledge of the event. Roughly 1,000 guests are expected to attend — with many described as "high profile" and "VIP" by the police department.  The reported schedule is igniting debate, however. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "Hospitality is measured by comfort, not by the clock," said Lisa Mirza Grotts, a California-based etiquette expert and founder of Golden Rules Gal. "If guests are well-fed and have plenty to drink, comfortable seating and opportunities to mingle, the celebration simply begins earlier. At larger weddings, an extended cocktail party also allows the couple more time to greet family and friends before the ceremony." She also said that today's weddings "are less about following a timeline and more about creating an experience. Traditionally, the ceremony came first and the celebration followed. Today, many couples are reimagining that order." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER She noted that a "cocktail party before the ceremony allows guests to relax, connect with one another and settle into the celebration before the vows are exchanged." When a bride writing on Reddit asked about her own planned two-hour cocktail party, many commenters had strong opinions. "So cocktails are from 4:30-6:30? That does seem like a long time," one Reddit user said. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "Don’t do this to your guests. A lot of couples just don’t attend cocktail hour because of photos and that’s totally fine. If you really want to attend cocktail hour, do all your photos beforehand," another said. "I think two hours is [way] too long. One hour should be the cap for a cocktail hour. You can sneak away for the sunset photos during dinner," a third person chimed in. A fourth said, "There’s a reason it’s called cocktail HOUR, and not cocktail two-hours! You could push it to 90 minutes if absolutely necessary, but two hours is definitely too long." "Seems a little long! I'd be exhausted and people may get very drunk," yet another said. Whitmore said etiquette rules are in place for a reason. Still, "wedding traditions have changed, and that’s perfectly fine," said the Florida-based authority. "The one thing that should never go out of style is consideration for your guests." Michael Ruiz of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a477d09c2ca79de23637a8b Democrats' socialist surge proves America's 250-year fight for freedom isn't over te 2026-07-03T09:12:41.560Z Democrats' socialist surge proves America's 250-year fight for freedom isn't over Just two years ago, no one would have believed it. While Donald Trump and Republicans celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of America, the freest and most powerful nation on Earth, Democrats and their rising radical tide are embracing communism, the worst and most destructive political system in history. In June, Marxist radicals calling themselves Democratic Socialists swept the New York City primaries, confirming the trend that’s upended the Democratic establishment and created what one of those candidates dubbed "the Commie Corridor," stretching from New York to other blue states and cities. DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM IS SWEEPING THE NATION. VOTERS SHOULD BE ALARMED Don’t be fooled by the name. Democratic Socialists of America may not call themselves communists, but they work closely with communist fronts like Red Star and Springs of Revolution, and even the Communist Party of China. The DSA has successfully drawn young people and other dupes into the Marxist fold, with their promise of free everything by confiscating the wealth of Elon Musk and other "billionaires and oligarchs." They’ve vowed to replace the "rugged individualism" of American capitalism with what their kingmaker, Zohran Mamdani, calls the "warmth of collectivism" — another name for communism. Let’s look at the record of that collective warmth. Since the first revolution in Russia in 1917, communist governments have cost, by a very conservative estimate, more than 100 million lives, including 20 million in the Soviet Union, 65 million in China, 3 million in Vietnam and Cambodia, and millions more from Cuba to Africa and North Korea. MY MOTHER FLED CUBA AND FOUND THE FREEDOM TOO MANY AMERICANS NOW FORGET Communist-style socialism has brought poverty, mass starvation and subsistence misery to tens of millions worldwide. It has turned countries with once-flourishing societies like Venezuela into economic basket cases; reduced others like Poland and Romania to Third World status — including the former Soviet Union — until Ronald Reagan and the United States won the Cold War and set them free. Socialists like to say, "Capitalism kills," but socialism and communism kill many, many more. What’s the United States’ record during those same years? Radicals like to attack the American "military-industrial complex," even though it managed to set free millions with victory in World War II and then in the Cold War. It may be poised to do something similar in Iran. AMERICA’S NEXT 250 YEARS DEPEND ON PASSING FAITH AND FREEDOM TO OUR CHILDREN They blame America for supposed "genocide" against Native Americans, just as they blame Israel for genocide today. The truth is, deaths of Native Americans in frontier wars pale by comparison with the actual genocide waged by Spanish settlers in Mexico and across Latin America, or the Russians in conquering Siberia — or the Chinese against their Muslim Uyghur minority today. They attack Trump for "anti-immigrant" policies when, in fact, it’s been America’s highly successful capitalist economy that’s drawn immigrants, legal and illegal, for 250 years. By contrast, socialist and communist economies attract no one. Just the opposite: People flee the result as soon as they can, as they did from East Germany, Cuba and North Korea, and just as they’re doing from America’s socialist offshoots in California, Illinois and New York. That’s because, in the end, socialism and Marxism are a rebellion against human nature, even — with their embrace of transgender extremism — against nature itself. Socialism asks people to abandon their sense of individualism, their personal commitment to family, faith and nation, in order to serve what socialists call the common good — which means what their socialist and communist masters decide is the common good. That includes handing over whatever you own or have earned for yourself. Socialists like to say private property is theft. In fact, under socialism, government is theft. "What you thought was yours," it tells its citizens, "is actually mine. And I’ll decide how much I’m going to leave you after I take what I want." Abraham Lincoln once said the principle behind slavery was, "You work and toil and earn bread, and I'll eat it." That’s the principle behind socialism, as a modern version of slavery. It’s one millions in the former Soviet Union endured, and that millions more in Cuba, North Korea and China are enduring still. Fortunately, our Founding Fathers knew this. They knew enough history to know how, in a free society, demagogues like Zohran Mamdani and Sen. Bernie Sanders could manipulate millions of voters into believing that economics is a zero-sum game and that the only way to make their lives better is by stealing from other citizens. Therefore, our Founders built into their Declaration of Independence the principle that our rights are God-given, not government-given, including that all-precious "pursuit of happiness," which is left to the individual, not government, to define and discover. They included the Fifth Amendment in the Bill of Rights, which protects your property under the takings clause. They also made sure that the power of individuals to create and discover new ideas and technologies would be safe under our Constitution, with the creation, under Article I, Section 8, of the right to intellectual property and patents, which Lincoln, himself a patent holder, predicted would unleash the "fire of genius" that has grown and sustained the freest and richest economy on Earth, from the telegraph and electric light bulb to the automobile, the microchip, and today’s AI and quantum computers. What America as a free society is able to create, communist regimes like China have to steal, as socialism dries up human creativity and imagination, even as it rejects human nature. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION In short, our Founding Fathers made sure America would become a fountainhead of other founders — people with the vision, drive and realization that risk is a signal for opportunity, not danger — who would spawn businesses, industries, institutions and even movements like civil rights under Martin Luther King Jr. and Turning Point USA under the late Charlie Kirk. Founders who would boost their fellow Americans’ pursuit of happiness and freedom, instead of forcing them to submit to the Marxist dream of utopia. Americanism or communism; freedom or slavery; an economy built on human creativity and invention, or one built on organized theft. That’s the choice Americans face, not just in the upcoming midterms and then in 2028, but far into the future. The original Founders trusted us enough to believe we’d continue to make the right choice, as we have over the last 250 years. Let’s hope and pray they were right. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ARTHUR HERMAN Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a477cf6c2ca79de23637a82 We should tell real American adventure stories to teach our boys about heroes te 2026-07-03T09:12:22.095Z We should tell real American adventure stories to teach our boys about heroes My 13-year-old son’s "social studies" textbooks appear to be written by committees whose chief concern is to dull boys’ minds in order to make them open to indoctrination by politically correct dictum. Indeed, the very term "social studies" was promulgated by a Progressive Era committee. "The social studies are understood to be those whose subject matter relate to the organization and development of human society, and to man as a member of social groups," decided the National Education Association’s (NEA) Committee on Social Studies in 1916. They thought it would be better to present history in the context of social narratives to teach politically useful interpretations. OBAMA TAKES NEW SWIPE AT FOUNDING FATHERS AHEAD OF AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY: 'DEEP FLAW' The bad idea soon spread across the land. And so boys, now for more than a century, have not been told the real story about how George Washington had two horses shot out from under him in the Battle of the Monongahela in 1755, yet still attempted to get the stubborn British general to change tactics as they were being slaughtered, and when this failed, how a then 23-year-old Washington saved what was left of the British army. Today’s textbooks don’t set the scene to vividly show how Washington rallied a frozen army to cross the Delaware River to take Trenton on Christmas in 1776. They certainly don’t put the boys in the room to show an older Washington wiping his glasses as he made his former officers feel shame for attempting to make him a dictator or king in the Newburgh Conspiracy in 1783. SECRETS OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLEFIELDS EMERGE 250 YEARS AFTER AMERICA'S FOUNDING No, all of those stories have, at best, become dead dates on a page. The stories of adventure and human achievement are gone. In their place are narratives about social ills and the conflicts between races, men and women, the rich and the poor. All of those are important themes, but instead of honestly putting today’s students in the footsteps of human action, our boys are drowned in passively written prose, or worse, in preachy diatribes, as if to purposely uninspire them — or perhaps to safely, as committees will, navigate around the real things that teach. DISCOVERIES THAT RESHAPED WHAT HISTORIANS KNEW ABOUT AMERICA'S FOUNDING FATHERS We now wonder why our boys are struggling in school. When we do, we talk about how growing boys need to get up from those rows of desks, move around, play sports and experiment. Again, that is all true, but no one is talking about how real tales of adventure have been turned into thin politically correct gruel. Instead of just telling boys how many patents Thomas Edison had or simply reporting that he gave us a long-lasting incandescent lightbulb, how about telling them how he was tossed out of school for being "addled" when he was a boy? How about teachers explaining about how one of Edison’s experiments set fire to a train when he was 12 years old — a period in which he was busy printing his own newspaper on that train? As they do, they could explain that just after he was thrown off that train, the stationmaster at Mount Clemens — who owed Edison for saving his son’s life — taught Edison how to be a telegraph operator and so helped to set the course of his life and thereby changed the world. An educator could then set the scene of Edison, much later, as he ran his "Invention Factory," a place that must have inspired the Tony Stark (Iron Man) character. If a teacher started telling real stories of adventure like these, I guarantee the boys in class would sit still a lot longer and listen a lot more attentively. The real stories stay with us. Indeed, within them are the themes that school administrators, via social-studies classes, want to emphasize; only, instead of dumbed-down narratives designed to indoctrinate, they’d be teaching well-rounded, honest history. Consider Davy Crockett. We could toss out his years and note that he was caught between the cultural friction then occurring between people of European descent moving west and members of Native American tribes. Or we could talk about his heroic stand against the Indian Removal Act and how, after he lost his seat in Congress the second time because of this moral stand, he said (this is the popular paraphrase of the quote), "You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." Then, talk about his last stand at the Alamo and even show a picture of the knife he died fighting with — it is now on display in the San Jacinto Museum in Harris County, Texas. Boys would go home still talking about that! CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION Instead of doing any of that, the committees who write our kids’ textbooks flipped the script in the Progressive Era so they could reduce the great men of history into useful caricatures as they shoved history into politically correct filters. Parents need to push back, as the real stories are what excite and teach boys. Real stories about the Founders and other great leaders stay with us. Anyone who has heard about Teddy Roosevelt’s capture of the three outlaws in Dakota Territory in 1886 can picture how he marched them at gunpoint for 36 hours straight and that, after getting them to the town of Dickinson, everyone, including the bad guys, was surprised he had not simply hung them on the spot. America has some of the coolest heroes, but we don’t do a good job these days of telling their stories. This is, of course, why I wrote "Cool Heroes for Boys—20 True Tales of Adventure" for my son and for America’s boys, but don’t just hand them a book. Rather, talk to them about these heroes and all they faced and what they got right and wrong. As you do, you’ll find that it’s the real stories of adventure that gets boys interested in learning. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM FRANK MINITER Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a477ce2c2ca79de23637a79 Mamdani's advice for seniors gets brutally mocked after urging New Yorkers to limit AC use te 2026-07-03T09:12:02.642Z Mamdani's advice for seniors gets brutally mocked after urging New Yorkers to limit AC use Shortly after urging city residents to scale back their air conditioning use to reduce strain on the power grid, socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned older residents to be mindful of prolonged summer heat. "If you have an older loved one, friend or neighbor, check in with them today. Make sure they’re staying hydrated, spending time in the air-conditioned spaces whenever possible and know where to find the nearest cooling center," Mamdani wrote in a post to X. It didn’t take long for the reactions online to point out the clashing sets of instructions. "You just told old people to keep their air at 78. Are you on drugs?" Gina Milan, a conservative media personality, wrote in a post to social media. "Mamdani: Older adults are at greater risk for heat-related illness, especially during prolonged periods of extreme heat. Also Mamdani: set you AC to 78 degrees," another observer wrote. MAMDANI CLAIMS DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS CAN WIN ‘ANYWHERE’ AS DEMOCRATS FEUD OVER PARTY’S FUTURE "How does he expect these older adults to stay cool if he wants them to keep their thermostat at 78?" another user wrote. Social media users continue to monitor Mamdani's online directives and his policies as the self-proclaimed socialist navigates the realities of implementing many of his campaign promises. In the lead-up to his mayoral victory in November, Mamdani claimed that quality of life could not be separated from reactions to climate change. "Climate and quality of life are not two separate concerns. They are, in fact, one and the same," Mamdani said in an interview with the Nation last year, proposing new school infrastructure that would serve as shelters during extreme heat waves. However, Mamdani noted earlier this week that the city’s existing infrastructure was struggling with capacity, asking residents to cap their AC units at 78 degrees. SOCIALISM VS CAPITALISM: HOUSE DEMS CLASH OVER WHAT NY ELECTION RESULTS MEAN FOR PARTY "New York: it's hot out there, and the power grid is working overtime to keep us cool," Mamdani posted on X. The request is a part of a series of other measures the city is deploying to counter the heat, including Cooling Outreach On-Location (COOL) vans, extending poor hours and an additional eight cooling centers through sites such as libraries. "Set your AC to 78 degrees, turn off lights/electronics you're not using, and unplug what you can. Our City is doing its part too: maintaining the 78 degrees rule in our buildings, dimming/turning off our lights during peak electricity demand, asking private partners to do the same, and powering down non-essential equipment. A stable grid means the AC stays on, and lives are saved. Let's ease demand — and get through the heat — together." Conservatives expressed skepticism of the plan. "Show us your thermostat, commie," reality TV star and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt posted on X. FAMOUS LANDMARKS SLASH VISITING HOURS AS DEADLY HEAT WAVE THREATENS TOURISTS Notably, one observer on X pointed out that Republican New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani had issued similar instructions in 1999, citing an archived press release. According to the New York Mayoral Office, the city is predicting a heat wave that could reach up to 112, calling it "historic," in a press release on Wednesday. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a477ccfc2ca79de23637a70 Socialist Surge: Far-left Democrats test national playbook after blue-city primary shocks te 2026-07-03T09:11:43.184Z Socialist Surge: Far-left Democrats test national playbook after blue-city primary shocks The far left is taking its political playbook nationwide, moving from high-profile primary wins in New York City and Colorado to a string of upcoming Democratic contests in Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida. After far-left and socialist-aligned candidates scored ballot-box victories over establishment-backed contenders in congressional primaries in New York City and Colorado the past two weeks, the left is taking aim at the Midwest. Hours after Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) backed challenger and first-time candidate Melat Kiros toppled 15-term Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette in Tuesday's primary in Denver's deep blue 1st Congressional District, former Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri pledged on social media, "On August 4th, St. Louis will do the same." Kiros’ victory, coupled with wins a week earlier by three far-left congressional candidates heavily supported by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is emboldening progressives as they try to turn isolated blue-city upsets into a national pressure campaign against the Democratic Party.  VICTORIES BY MAMDANI-BACKED CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES SPOTLIGHTS GROWING RIFT IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY "Only socialism can solve decades of capitalist mismanagement in the US. Our newly elected leaders will fight for the working class — not for crumbs," the DSA proclaimed in a social media post on Wednesday. In Missouri, the DSA-backed Bush is running to win back her seat in the state's St. Louis-anchored 1st Congressional District. Bush, a nurse, pastor and Black Lives Matter activist, first ran against Democratic Rep. Lacy Clay in 2018 before ousting him in the 2020 Democratic primary. But two years ago, she lost renomination to St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Wesley Bell, who was backed by millions in outside money, including pro-Israel groups opposed to Bush's position on the war in Gaza. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB Fast forward to today, and Bush and Clay are locked in an expensive and combative rematch. The far left is also training its firepower on the crucial Great Lakes battleground of Michigan, which holds its primary on the same day as Missouri. Abdul El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health director who unsuccessfully ran for governor eight years ago as an insurgent, is one of three major candidates trying to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, D-Fla. Backed last year by far left champion Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, El-Sayed on Thursday was endorsed by progressive rockstar Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. THESE MIDTERM RACES WILL DETERMINE WHETHER REPUBLICANS HOLD THEIR SENATE MAJORITY "AOC has changed the trajectory of American politics and inspired a generation to believe that government really can work for working people," El-Sayed wrote on social media. "Together, we’re proving that even in the face of unprecedented outside spending, a movement powered by the people can win." One week later, on Aug. 11, Wisconsin holds primaries. Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong is on the rise among a crowded field of candidates in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. "It’s a great day to be a democratic socialist," the DSA-aligned Hong posted on X last week after the progressive victories in New York City, in which two Democratic congressional incumbents lost renomination. "Wisconsin is next!" A week later, the spotlight will shine on Florida, where DSA-backed Oliver Larkin is challenging two-term Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., in the state's 25 Congressional District, which includes portions of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. "Tonight, @MelatKirosCO, tomorrow @OliverALarkin. The movement moves from New York to Colorado to FLORIDA!," the DSA wrote on X hours after Kiros' victory. Kiros, who lost her job as a lawyer in New York after writing an essay critical of Israel, was also backed by Justice Democrats, the nearly decade-old political group known for heavily supporting "Squad" members Ocasio-Cortez, and Reps. Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib as they toppled entrenched incumbents in their initial elections to Congress.  Hasan Piker, the controversial far-left streamer who attended Kiros’ primary night event in Denver, told Fox News, "I think progressive politics, left populism, a politics that centers the needs of the working class, can work in every district, in every state. That's why I kept saying over and over again, it's coming to a city near you."  Progressives also scored an impressive victory in the neighboring 8th Congressional District, a crucial swing seat which stretches along the I-25 corridor north of Denver. State Rep. Manny Rutinel tallied a convincing double-digit victory over former state Rep. Shannon Bird, a more moderate candidate. Rutinel will now take on Republican Rep. Gabe Evans, who flipped the seat in the 2024 cycle. The race is considered one of two or three dozen that will determine if the GOP holds onto its razor-thin House majority in the midterms. Longtime Democratic strategist Joe Caiazzo, a veteran of progressive champion Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, told Fox News Digital that "it is undeniable that progressives have built a coalition and have a message that can serve to buoy a candidate when they are an acceptable alternative to the status quo." While plenty of mainstream Democrats have racked up primary victories in recent weeks, it is the far left's wins that are grabbing the media spotlight. And that is giving Republicans who are facing a rough political climate as they work to hold their slim House and Senate majorities, more ammunition as they portray all Democrats as radicals. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned of a "communist" threat. Vice President JD Vance argued Tuesday on Fox News’ "The Ingraham Angle" that Democrats have "a view that the United States is an evil country that must be dismantled from the ground and then built back up. That's communism at its core, and you see more and more momentum in that direction from the Democrat Party." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a477c92c2ca79de23637a3b How Communities Across the U.S. Are Ringing in America’s 250th te 2026-07-03T09:10:42.256Z How Communities Across the U.S. Are Ringing in America’s 250th Plans include an air show in Texas, 18,500 fireworks in Idaho and a frog-jumping contest in Missouri. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a477c7ec2ca79de23637a32 A Big Gamble for the Left: Can Socialism Appeal in a Swing State? te 2026-07-03T09:10:22.804Z A Big Gamble for the Left: Can Socialism Appeal in a Swing State? Francesca Hong, a state legislator running for governor of Wisconsin, wants to prove that a democratic socialist can win in a battleground. Some say she would hand the race to Republicans. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4770eec2ca79de23637840 WATCH: Controversial SCOTUS decision strikes a divide among lawmakers te 2026-07-03T08:21:02.458Z WATCH: Controversial SCOTUS decision strikes a divide among lawmakers Lawmakers on Capitol Hill had split reactions to the Supreme Court’s ruling to strike down President Donald Trump’s bid to end birthright citizenship, further allowing children born in the United States to be recognized as U.S. citizens. "It's a terrible decision," Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital. "Regulate folks before they come in — in terms of not coming here just to have a baby and leave," Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said. "In terms of the immigration process coming in, there should be regulation. Not that once you're born here that we're going to denaturalize you," he continued. REPUBLICAN ACCUSES SCOTUS OF BETRAYING US, PUSHES BILL RESTRICTING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP, PREGNANT VISITORS The case, which left many Republicans and Democrats divided, challenged Trump’s executive order to detach birthright citizenship from the 14th Amendment. Most Democrats who Fox News Digital spoke to argued that if the ruling had gone the other way, it would have been considered unconstitutional. "I think they got it right," Rep. Christian Menefee, D-Texas said. "The Supreme Court said that the Constitution says what it says. That if anybody even has a question about what the 14th Amendment says, I think it's a little embarrassing. So I'm glad they got it right." TRUMP SUFFERS MAJOR SUPREME COURT DEFEAT AS JUSTICES UPHOLD BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP "I believe in the Constitution," Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., said when asked about the ruling. "The Constitution is the Constitution. If you don't like the Constitution, you can try to change it," Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., said. "But honestly, I think we've got much bigger problems as a country than Americans trying to live their lives as birthright citizens." The 6-3 decision highlights a significant loss for Trump’s immigration agenda as he has criticized birthright citizenship as a "magnet for illegal immigration." ICE SURGES ENFORCEMENT, MAKES 10,000 ARRESTS IN FIVE DAYS AMID SUPREME COURT BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP DECISION "I think the president has an obsession with immigrants in this country," Rep. Sarah Elfreth, D-Md., said. "He's hell bent on making it as uncomfortable as possible. We've seen that time and again with ICE, we've seen this with an attack on the 14th Amendment." Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Samuel Alito were the three to dissent — arguing the 14th Amendment does not guarantee birthright citizenship to all children born to parents who are unlawfully and temporarily in the country. Alito cited that the ruling fails to recognize the rise of "birth tourism," the concept that foreigners come to America just to give birth, potentially opening the door to national security threats. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., declined to comment on the ruling to Fox News Digital. "Americans should be happy, because the Constitution means more than one guy’s opinion," Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a476ee7c2ca79de236377d2 Protect The Vote Arizona Ends Ballot Measure Effort On Early And Mail Voting te 2026-07-03T08:12:23.988Z Protect The Vote Arizona Ends Ballot Measure Effort On Early And Mail Voting By Matthew Holloway | Protect the Vote Arizona will not submit signatures for its proposed Free, Fair and Secure Elections Act, ending the group’s effort to place a constitutional amendment that supporters said would preserve early voting and mail-in voting on Arizona’s November ballot. The campaign said it collected 439,000 raw signatures with the help of more than 2,000 volunteers after filing the initiative in mid-March, but the measure needed 383,923 valid signatures by July 2 to qualify for the ballot. Stacy Pearson, who led the campaign, said the raw signature total would have required nearly 88 percent of the signatures to be validated. She said the campaign made a “strategic decision” not to turn over the petitions, citing Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap by name. “Facing an impossible 88 percent validity requirement, the campaign made a strategic decision to not turn over the signatures of hundreds of thousands of mail-in voting supporters to the very election-denying politicians (i.e. Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap) that this measure was designed to protect against,” the campaign said in a statement. BREAKING: Protect the Vote Arizona's election initiative won't be on the ballot this year. The group didn't collect enough signatures and decided not to give supporters' information to "the very election-denying politicians… that this measure was designed to protect against." pic.twitter.com/AMVKTZzPWH — Sasha Hupka (@SashaHupka) July 1, 2026 “The Protect the Vote Arizona team is filled with gratitude for the encouragement, support and hard work across the state,” the group said. The campaign said it will now focus on challenging HCR 2001 in court and supporting what it called “pro-democracy candidates” in November. The Free, Fair and Secure Elections Act would have amended the Arizona Constitution to enshrine voting by mail, early in-person voting, Election Day voting at county voting centers, and the ability of voters to sign up to receive a ballot for every election. The campaign also said the measure would have codified Arizona’s voter ID requirements, required election outcomes to be determined by votes cast by eligible U.S. citizen voters, and barred the Legislature from eliminating mail-in voting or reducing the early voting period. Protect the Vote Arizona’s decision leaves HCR 2001, also known as the Arizona Secure Elections Act, as a major statewide election measure on the issue currently headed to voters. The measure would require every voter to show valid government-issued proof of identity before casting a ballot “whether voting in person or by any other method,” require Arizona elections to be decided solely by the votes of eligible citizen voters, prohibit foreign nationals from contributing or spending money to influence Arizona elections, and give voters the option to have their ballot tabulated at their voting location on Election Day. The measure would also allow Arizona voters and the Legislature to enact laws governing elections, including early voting and mail voting, if those laws are “rationally connected to a legitimate state interest,” including timely and accurate election results, efficient election administration, election security, and preserving public confidence in elections. HCR 2001 would apply to elections taking place on or after Jan. 1, 2028, if approved by voters. The enrolled text designates the measure as the “Fast Accurate Secure Transparent Election Results Act” or “FAST Election Results Act.” Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R-LD3), the Scottsdale Republican who sponsored HCR 2001, told lawmakers in March that there were “many potential options” for implementing the ID requirement for mail ballots, including a system in which county recorders would issue voters a unique identification number and require voters to write the last four digits on their ballot envelope. Votebeat reported that if two Arizona ballot measures with conflicting provisions were to pass, the measure receiving more votes would take effect. With Protect the Vote Arizona no longer submitting signatures, that potential ballot conflict has been removed. 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 Protect The Vote Arizona Ends Ballot Measure Effort On Early And Mail Voting first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a476ed3c2ca79de236377c9 Prop 211 Donor-Doxxing Law Faces Renewed Free Speech Challenge After Arizona Supreme Court Ruling te 2026-07-03T08:12:03.509Z Prop 211 Donor-Doxxing Law Faces Renewed Free Speech Challenge After Arizona Supreme Court Ruling By Matthew Holloway | The Arizona Supreme Court has kept a constitutional challenge to Arizona’s donor disclosure law alive, ruling that conservative organizations and anonymous donors may try to prove Proposition 211 violates the state constitution’s free speech protections as applied to them. In its June 29 decision in Center for Arizona Policy Inc. v. Arizona Secretary of State, the court did not strike down Proposition 211, also known as the Voters’ Right to Know Act. The justices rejected the plaintiffs’ broad facial challenge to the law, along with their claims under the Arizona Constitution’s Private Affairs Clause. But the court ruled that the Center for Arizona Policy, the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, and two anonymous donors sufficiently alleged that the law’s disclosure requirements could unconstitutionally burden protected political speech and association. The case now returns to the Maricopa County Superior Court, where the plaintiffs will have the opportunity to develop their as-applied challenge and attempt to show that compelled disclosure of donors could expose supporters to harassment, retaliation, reprisals, or other harms tied to their advocacy. Scott Freeman, senior attorney at the Goldwater Institute, which represented the plaintiffs, called the ruling “an important victory for every Arizonan who believes people should be free to support the causes they care about without fear of government-compelled disclosure.” He added that the court recognized that citizens are entitled to try to prove compelled donor disclosure violates Arizona’s free speech protections. “From the very start, this case has been about protecting the freedom of everyday Arizonans,” said Peter Gentala, President of Center for Arizona Policy (CAP). “No one should have to choose between supporting a cause they believe in and fearing harassment, retaliation, cancellation, or personal safety. Today’s decision affirms what we’ve always known to be true: our constitutional freedoms belong to every one of us, not just to those whose views happen to be popular at the moment.” The Voters’ Right to Know Act requires nonprofit groups that weigh in on ballot measures or reference incumbents near an election to publicly disclose their donors—not just names and amounts, but also home addresses and employers—in a searchable database. The court’s majority opinion was authored by Chief Justice Ann Timmer and joined by Justices James Beene and William Montgomery, along with retired Justice Rebecca Berch. Justice Kathryn Hackett King concurred in part and dissented in part, joined by Vice Chief Justice John Lopez and Justice Clint Bolick. Justice Maria Elena Cruz was recused. The majority held that Arizona courts must interpret the state constitution’s Speak Freely Clause independently from the First Amendment. The court said federal free speech cases may be consulted when helpful, but the Arizona Constitution remains its own source of free speech protection. “The Speak Freely Clause tolerates no censorship or restraint…for speech that falls within the Clause’s protective scope,” Timmer wrote. The court also concluded that donations made to an organization for the purpose of funding campaign media or knowingly allowing donations to be used for that purpose can constitute expressive conduct protected by the Arizona Constitution’s Speak Freely Clause. For compelled election disclosure laws, the court adopted an Arizona-specific standard requiring the state or another defender of the law to show that the disclosure requirement meaningfully furthers election integrity or transparency and does not unreasonably burden or hinder protected expression. Applying that framework, the court found that Proposition 211 meaningfully furthers election integrity and transparency. The court also found, however, that the plaintiffs had sufficiently alleged that the disclosure requirements may impose a concrete burden on their speech because public disclosure could expose donors or organizations to harassment, retaliation, reprisals, or other harms tied to their advocacy. The court cited allegations that CAP and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club (AZFEC) had faced threats and harassment connected to their issue advocacy. The opinion noted that CAP alleged it received a message stating, “Sooner or later, you will die, and some of us pray it is sooner,” and “You are a cancer that will soon be sliced out of our nation’s sick body. I will make it my personal mission to bury every single one of you.” AZFEC reported that staff had received threats of violence and that one staff member’s car had been vandalized in retaliation for communicating AZFEC’s message. The two anonymous donors alleged that they had previously donated more than $5,000 to nonprofit organizations involved in campaign media and would limit future donations to avoid disclosure. The court found those allegations sufficient at this stage to allow the as-applied free speech claim to proceed. “Free societies depend on people being willing to speak, advocate, and support important causes without fear of retaliation,” said Scot Mussi, President of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club. “Today’s decision ensures that Arizonans will have the opportunity to demonstrate that the Arizona Constitution protects those freedoms.” Andrew Gould of Holtzman Vogel, who argued the case for the plaintiffs, said the decision establishes that the Arizona Constitution is an “independent source of liberty” and confirms that Arizona courts are not required simply to follow federal free speech doctrine, adding it “recognized that plaintiffs may challenge compelled donor disclosure when it chills protected expression.” The Goldwater Institute’s case page states that the organization represents the Center for Arizona Policy, the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, and two private donors in the lawsuit against the Arizona Secretary of State, the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission, and public officials charged with implementing and enforcing Proposition 211. Campaign Legal Center, which represents Voters’ Right to Know, framed the ruling as a victory for disclosure. In a statement, the organization said the court affirmed Proposition 211’s constitutionality by rejecting the broad challenge to the law while allowing the plaintiffs to attempt to prove serious harm from the disclosure requirements as applied to them. Campaign Legal Center President Trevor Potter said the ruling affirmed “Arizonans’ right to know” who is spending major money to influence elections. The organization said Proposition 211 was supported by 72% of Arizona voters in 2022 and was designed to trace original sources of money spent in elections. Justice King’s partial dissent, joined by Lopez and Bolick, would have gone further than the majority. The dissent argued that political advocacy before an election is core political speech and that anonymous speech contributes to liberty. The case now returns to the Maricopa County Superior Court for further proceedings on the plaintiffs’ as-applied Speak Freely Clause claim. The court did not strike down Proposition 211, and the plaintiffs still must prove that the law unconstitutionally burdens their speech as applied to them. 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 Prop 211 Donor-Doxxing Law Faces Renewed Free Speech Challenge After Arizona Supreme Court Ruling first appeared on AZ FREE NEWS. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a476ebdc2ca79de236377b2 Gas prices July 3 te 2026-07-03T08:11:41.506Z Gas prices July 3 National average: $3.85 Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a476ea9c2ca79de236377a9 Davis Dam releases for July 3 te 2026-07-03T08:11:21.523Z Davis Dam releases for July 3 Saturday Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a476e95c2ca79de236377a0 Best Bets: Friday, July 3, 2026 te 2026-07-03T08:11:01.562Z Best Bets: Friday, July 3, 2026 Coming Up Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a475e36c2ca79de236373c0 Appeals court blocks Trump admin from holding migrants without bond for over 90 days te 2026-07-03T07:01:10.742Z Appeals court blocks Trump admin from holding migrants without bond for over 90 days An appeals court on Thursday ruled that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement cannot detain immigrants for more than 90 days without giving them an opportunity to seek release on bond while their deportation proceedings are pending. In a 2-1 ruling, the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided against the administration, potentially affecting thousands of immigrants who have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in states within the court 's jurisdiction, including Texas and Louisiana. Judge Leslie Southwick, writing for the majority, said the U.S. Supreme Court found in 2001 that the due process clause protects everyone, including two Mexican citizens and one Honduran whose cases were at issue in this case. "It is part of the historic majesty of this long-ago founding charter that it makes no exceptions in providing basic rights to those within our boundaries, including a right to be heard when personal liberty is taken," Southwick wrote. FEDERAL APPEALS COURT UPHOLDS TRUMP MASS DETENTION POLICY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS In a dissenting opinion, Judge Cory Wilson said the majority "marginalizes the Constitution's express grant of plenary authority over immigration matters to Congress." A different panel of the same court had previously been the first in the country to side with the administration's novel interpretation of a federal immigration statute allowing mandatory detention of non-citizens living in the U.S. However, that ruling in February did not address whether the due process protections of the U.S. Constitution's Fifth Amendment require giving the immigrants an opportunity to seek release on bond by appearing before an immigration judge. Rebecca Cassler, a lawyer for the migrants at the American Immigration Council, said in a statement to Reuters that the group is "delighted that the panel recognized the core constitutional principle that the due process clause does not allow the government to lock them away indefinitely." The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement to the outlet that it disagrees with the ruling, adding that it is "confident in its legal position regarding mandatory detention." Fox News Digital reached out to the department for comment. Last week, the administration had asked the Supreme Court to review a similar ruling by a different appeals court. Federal immigration law states that "applicants for admission" ​to the country are ​subject to mandatory detention ⁠while their cases proceed in immigration courts, making them ineligible for bond hearings. BIDEN JUDGE OVERRULED ON KEY TRUMP IMMIGRATION POLICY Despite a long-standing interpretation of immigration law, the Department of Homeland Security claimed last year that non-citizens who are already in the U.S. qualify as "applicants ​for admission" subject to mandatory detention, rather than only people arriving at the border. The Board of Immigration Appeals, which is part of the Justice Department, announced in September ​that it had adopted the Department of Homeland Security's interpretation. Immigration judges employed by the ​department began ordering mandatory detention across the country. Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a474dc7c2ca79de23637048 Judge blocks Philadelphia law targeting masked federal officers te 2026-07-03T05:51:03.812Z Judge blocks Philadelphia law targeting masked federal officers A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked Philadelphia from enforcing against federal officers a law that restricted law enforcement officers’ use of masks, concealed identification and unmarked vehicles. U.S. District Judge Chad Kenney, issued a preliminary injunction blocking Philadelphia from enforcing the mask ban and other restrictions against federal officers before they are set to take effect on Tuesday. The judge ruled that the city cannot determine how federal officers conduct operations, siding with the Justice Department, which sued last month and argued the measure was a "blatantly unconstitutional" attempt to regulate federal agents. "When the Philadelphia City Council voted to pass Bill No. 260060 … it attempted to sidestep the Constitution’s clear mandate and disregarded this fundamental principle of law that has informed American jurisprudence for over 200 years," Kenney wrote, citing the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which establishes that federal law preempts state and local law in cases of conflict. DOJ ESCALATES BLUE-STATE ICE STANDOFF AFTER STATES REFUSE KEY FEDERAL REQUEST "Endorsing the City of Philadelphia's position would mean ... municipalities could decide whether to pass their own laws regulating how, when, where, and whether federal law enforcement officers can conceal their identities," he added. Philadelphia's mask ban against federal officers was approved earlier this year as part of a larger legislative package passed by the City Council amid a national debate over masked immigration agents carrying out raids targeting migrants in communities across the country, with some of these agents documented shooting people, including two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January. The measure applied to local, state and federal law enforcement officers, but Thursday’s injunction blocked Philadelphia from enforcing it against federal officers. The statute would ban covered officers from wearing masks or shielding their identities while on duty and interacting with the public, with exceptions including medical masks, religious coverings, certain tactical equipment and hazardous conditions. They would also be required to wear visible badges and use marked vehicles in certain circumstances. The statute would ban federal officers from wearing masks or shielding their identities. They would also be required to wear visible badges and use marked vehicles. Officers could be subject to civil and criminal penalties under the ordinance. "This type of direct regulation of the federal government by a municipality is blatantly impermissible," Kenney wrote. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, a Democrat, declined to sign the bill, saying the city solicitor's office informed her it presented significant legal problems. Kenney wrote that Parker "acted with civic wisdom and courage to stand up for the Constitution and follow the rule of law where it led" by not signing the measure. But the bill was not vetoed and became law in May after Parker allowed it to take effect without her signature. Fox News Digital reached out to the city for comment on Thursday's ruling. In a statement to Reuters, the Justice Department praised the court's ruling and said the department "will keep fighting jurisdictions that try to obstruct President Trump's immigration enforcement with policies that endanger agents and public safety." Fox News Digital reached out to the Justice Department for comment. MINNESOTA SENATE VOTES TO BAN ICE FROM WEARING MASKS, ALLOW RESIDENTS TO SUE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS This is just the latest in ongoing legal fights between the Trump administration and state and local governments that have attempted to adopt mask bans or identification requirements affecting federal officers. On Tuesday, a federal judge blocked a new law in Virginia barring federal law enforcement from wearing masks. In February, a federal judge halted a California law that prohibited federal officers from wearing masks while on duty. The Justice Department also sued New Jersey to block a similar mask ban targeting federal officers. Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47443cc2ca79de23636e13 Politician who investigated spyware abuses had his phone hacked with Pegasus spyware te 2026-07-03T05:10:20.264Z Politician who investigated spyware abuses had his phone hacked with Pegasus spyware A government customer of NSO Group used the company's Pegasus spyware to hack into the phone of a European politician, who at the time was serving on an EU committee tasked with investigating the spyware industry. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47366bc2ca79de23636bc8 'American Kitchen' serves up the ultimate backyard barbecue menu with steak, ribs, seafood and more te 2026-07-03T04:11:23.070Z 'American Kitchen' serves up the ultimate backyard barbecue menu with steak, ribs, seafood and more As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, backyard barbecues and home-cooked meals remain at the heart of many Independence Day traditions. A new Fox Nation special, "American Kitchen: An America 250 BBQ," celebrates those flavors with patriotic recipes, grilling inspiration and dishes that reflect the country's diverse culinary traditions.  Premiering July 3, the special features decorated U.S. Army veteran and celebrity chef Andre Rush alongside chef David Burke, with appearances by chef Robert Irvine, as they showcase classic American cooking and Fourth of July favorites. GEORGE WASHINGTON'S 1757 BEER RECIPE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE AHEAD OF AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY Below are nine recipes featured in the special, offering everything from classic barbecue favorites to regional dishes inspired by communities across the country. A rustic, open-fire method that layers salmon over banana leaf and cedar plank, allowing gentle oak smoke to flavor the fish while keeping it exceptionally moist over live coals.  The banana leaf acts as a protective barrier, preventing the salmon from sticking or drying out during the slow roast. (Yields: 6–8) For the Salmon 1 side salmon fillet (3–4 lbs), skin-on, pin bones removed 1 untreated cedar plank (large enough to fit fillet) 1 large banana leaf 4–6 food-safe stainless steel nails or metal skewers Chunk oak firewood, burned down to glowing coals Spray bottle filled with water Herb & Garlic Marinade 8 garlic cloves, roughly chopped Shallots, roughly chopped 1 cup olive oil 1 bunch parsley, roughly chopped 1 bunch dill, roughly chopped ½ cup capers, drained 1 bunch basil Zest and juice of 2 lemons Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste Buttermilk Herb Sauce 1½ cups buttermilk ¾ cup mayonnaise ¾ cup sour cream ½ bunch basil 2 tbsp chopped dill 2 tbsp chopped parsley 2 tbsp capers 2 hard-boiled eggs Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste 'AMERICAN KITCHEN' CHEF SERVES CREAMY ACORN SQUASH SOUP IN EDIBLE BOWLS 'THAT EVERYONE WILL LOVE' 1. Prepare the Cedar Plank & Banana Leaf Submerge the cedar plank in water for at least 1–2 hours, or overnight if possible. This prevents the wood from burning too quickly over the fire. Run the banana leaf under warm water or briefly pass it over a flame for several seconds until pliable. Trim to fit the plank. 2. Build the Fire Use chunk oak firewood to build a live fire. Allow the wood to burn down until you have a steady bed of glowing coals with low, controlled flames. The goal is gentle smoke and indirect heat rather than aggressive flames. 3. Make the Marinade In a food processor or blender, combine garlic, shallots, olive oil, parsley, dill, capers, basil, lemon zest and juice. Blend until rustic but spoonable. Season with salt and black pepper. Spread the mixture generously over the salmon fillet. Let marinate at room temperature for 20–30 minutes. 4. Assemble the Plank Lay the banana leaf over the soaked cedar plank. Place the salmon skin-side down on top of the leaf. Secure the salmon, banana leaf and plank together using stainless steel nails or skewers. The banana leaf protects the fish while allowing the cedar and oak smoke to gently perfume the salmon. 5. Cook the Salmon Place the planked salmon near — not directly over — the oak coals. Cook slowly for 35–45 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the internal temperature reaches approximately 140°F. Keep the spray bottle nearby to control any flare-ups from the cedar plank. 6. Make the Buttermilk Herb Sauce Whisk together buttermilk, mayonnaise and sour cream. Finely chop the basil, dill, parsley, capers and hard-boiled eggs. Fold into the dressing mixture and season with salt and pepper. Chill until ready to serve. 7. Serve Carefully remove the plank from the fire using heat-resistant gloves. Lift the salmon from the banana leaf and serve directly from the cedar plank alongside the chilled buttermilk herb sauce. Serve with grilled lemons, charred vegetables, roasted potatoes or fire-toasted bread. Slow-smoked until deeply tender and finished with a glossy Korean-inspired bulgogi glaze, these St. Louis ribs balance smoke, sweetness, heat and umami. The combination of soy, garlic, ginger, sesame and gochujang creates a lacquered finish that caramelizes beautifully during the final stage of cooking. CHEF ON 'AMERICAN KITCHEN' SHARES COMMON SPICE THAT TURNS ORDINARY POTATOES INTO MEDITERRANEAN DELIGHT Two full racks comfortably serve 6–8 people, depending on portion size and sides. (Yields: 6–8) For the Ribs 2 full racks St. Louis-style pork ribs Yellow mustard, for binding Dry Rub 3 tbsp brown sugar 2 tbsp smoked paprika 1 tbsp kosher salt 1 tbsp black pepper 1 tbsp garlic powder 1 tbsp onion powder 1 tsp cayenne pepper Bulgogi Marinade & Glaze 1 cup soy sauce ½ cup brown sugar ¼ cup honey 1 Asian pear, grated (or 1 apple) 8 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated 3 tbsp sesame oil 2 tbsp rice vinegar 2 tbsp gochujang 1 tbsp black pepper 2 green onions, chopped Finishing Sauce ½ cup barbecue sauce ¼ cup reserved bulgogi glaze 1 tbsp butter Garnish Sesame seeds Sliced green onions Pickled vegetables Fresh cilantro, optional 'AMERICAN KITCHEN' CELEBRITY CHEF SHARES SECRET OF MAKING RESTAURANT-QUALITY PRIME RIB AT HOME 1. Prepare the Ribs Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs using a paper towel for grip. Lightly coat both sides of the ribs with yellow mustard. In a bowl, combine all dry rub ingredients and season the ribs generously on all sides. Allow the ribs to rest at room temperature while preparing the smoker. 2. Make the Bulgogi Glaze Combine all bulgogi marinade ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and cool completely. Reserve 1 cup of the glaze for basting and finishing later. 3. Prepare the Smoker Preheat the smoker to 250°F. Use applewood, hickory, oak or a combination for balanced smoke flavor. Once the smoker is stable and producing clean smoke, place the ribs bone-side down directly on the grates. 4. Smoke the Ribs Smoke the ribs uncovered for approximately 3 hours. During this stage, the ribs will develop color, bark, and smoke flavor. Lightly brush the ribs with bulgogi glaze during the final hour if desired. 5. Wrap the Ribs Remove the ribs from the smoker. Brush generously with bulgogi glaze, then wrap each rack tightly in heavy-duty foil with 2 tbsp butter and an extra splash of bulgogi glaze. Return the wrapped ribs to the smoker and continue cooking for 1½–2 hours, until tender. The ribs should bend easily and the meat should begin pulling back from the bones. 6. Finish & Caramelize Carefully unwrap the ribs and return them to the smoker uncovered. Combine the barbecue sauce, reserved bulgogi glaze and butter to make the finishing sauce. Brush the ribs generously with the finishing sauce. Smoke uncovered for an additional 30–45 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize into a sticky, lacquered finish. 7. Rest & Serve Transfer the ribs to a cutting board and rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Finish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, pickled vegetables and fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve warm with additional glaze alongside steamed rice, grilled vegetables or crisp slaw. A grill-friendly version of a classic coastal clambake, cooked in foil packets over indirect heat until the clams steam open and the butter, wine, lemon and smoky sausage create a rich broth inside the packet. This recipe can be made as individual foil packets for each guest or one large foil packet served family-style. FROM YELLOWSTONE TO YOSEMITE, NEW COOKBOOK REVEALS RECIPES INSPIRED BY AMERICA'S MOST ICONIC PARKS Serve with additional melted or drawn butter on the side, if desired. (Yields: 6–8) 1. Prepare the Grill Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium heat, approximately 375°F. For charcoal grills, arrange coals to one side for indirect cooking. For gas grills, leave one burner on low or off to create an indirect heat zone. Close the lid and allow the grill to fully preheat. 2. Par-Cook the Potatoes & Corn Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the potatoes for about 10 minutes until slightly tender. Add the corn during the final 3–4 minutes of cooking. Drain well. 3. Assemble the Foil Packets Tear large sheets of heavy-duty foil. For individual packets, divide all ingredients evenly among 6–8 packets. For one large packet, use a double layer of foil and pile everything into the center. Layer potatoes, corn, sausage, cherry tomatoes, peppadew peppers and clams. Pour the white wine and lemon juice evenly over the mixture. Distribute the cubed butter throughout the packets. As the packets cook, the butter combines with the wine, clam juices and lemon to create the broth. Season lightly with kosher salt and black pepper. Top with pea shoots. Seal the packets tightly, crimping all edges securely to trap the steam. 4. Grill the Clambake Place the packets on the indirect heat side of the grill. Close the lid and cook for 30–40 minutes, depending on packet size and grill temperature. Rotate the packets once during cooking for even heat distribution. The clambake is ready when the clams have fully opened, the potatoes are tender, the broth is bubbling and the sausage is heated through. Discard any clams that remain closed after cooking. 5. Serve Carefully open the foil packets — hot steam will escape immediately. Serve directly from the packets or transfer to a large serving platter with plenty of the buttery broth spooned over the top. Finish with fresh lemon wedges, parsley, or additional pea shoots. Serve additional melted or drawn butter on the side, if desired. A rustic, fire-cooked clambake designed for cooking directly over hot coals in a fire pit. Clams, sausage, potatoes, sweet corn, tomatoes, butter, white wine and bright lemon steam together inside foil packets until smoky, briny and deeply flavorful. This recipe can be prepared as individual foil packets for each guest or one large shared foil packet for serving family-style. 'AMERICAN KITCHEN' CHEF SHARES SECRET TO HOMEMADE LASAGNA THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MEASUREMENTS Additional melted or drawn butter can be served on the side, if desired. (Yields: 6–8) 60 littleneck clams, scrubbed clean 6 ears corn, cut in halves or thirds 1¼ lbs smoked sausage, sliced into thick rounds 1 cup dry white wine 1¼ lbs unsalted butter, divided ½ cup fresh lemon juice ¾ lb pee wee potatoes (or small baby potatoes), halved if needed 1 pint cherry tomatoes 1 small handful pea shoots ½ cup sliced peppadew peppers (estimated amount) Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper Fresh parsley or additional pea shoots, for garnish Heavy-duty aluminum foil 'AMERICAN KITCHEN' CHEF'S POPOVERS RISE TO THE OCCASION 1. Build the Fire Prepare a wood fire in a fire pit and allow it to burn down to a steady bed of hot coals with moderate heat. You want enough residual heat to steadily steam and roast the packets without scorching them. 2. Par-Cook the Potatoes & Corn Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the potatoes for about 10 minutes until just beginning to soften. Add the corn during the final 3–4 minutes. Drain well. This ensures everything finishes cooking evenly inside the packets. 3. Assemble the Packets Tear large sheets of heavy-duty foil. For individual packets, divide ingredients evenly among 6–8 packets. For one large packet, double-layer the foil and pile everything in the center. Layer in potatoes, corn, sausage, cherry tomatoes, peppadew peppers and clams. Pour the wine and lemon juice evenly over everything. Cut the butter into cubes and distribute throughout the packets. The butter melts into the seafood broth as the clambake cooks. Season lightly with kosher salt and black pepper. Top with pea shoots. Seal the foil tightly, crimping all edges well to trap the steam. 4. Cook Over the Fire Place the foil packets directly over the hot coals or on a grill grate positioned above the fire. Cook for 35–45 minutes, rotating occasionally if needed for even heat. The clambake is ready when the clams have opened, the potatoes are tender, the sausage is heated through and the broth is bubbling and fragrant. Discard any clams that remain closed after cooking. 5. Serve Carefully open the packets — hot steam will escape immediately. Serve directly from the foil with crusty bread and additional melted or drawn butter on the side, if desired. Finish with extra lemon, parsley or fresh pea shoots before serving. This grill-friendly version captures the same wood-fired character and slow-roasted texture of traditional plank salmon without the banana leaf or nailed presentation.  Cooking the salmon directly on a soaked cedar plank allows the fish to absorb gentle oak smoke while staying tender and moist over indirect heat. (Yields: 6-8) WORLD CUP FANS FALL IN LOVE WITH AMERICAN CULTURE, COMFORT FOOD CLASSICS For the Salmon 1 side salmon fillet (3–4 lbs), skin-on, pin bones removed 1 untreated cedar plank, large enough to fit the salmon Chunk oak firewood or oak smoking chunks Neutral oil, for lightly brushing the plank if desired Herb & Garlic Marinade 8 garlic cloves, roughly chopped 4 shallots, roughly chopped 1 cup olive oil 1 bunch parsley, roughly chopped 1 bunch dill, roughly chopped ½ cup capers, drained 1 bunch basil Zest and juice of 2 lemons Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste Buttermilk Herb Sauce 1½ cups buttermilk ¾ cup mayonnaise ¾ cup sour cream ½ bunch basil 2 tbsp chopped dill 2 tbsp chopped parsley 2 tbsp capers 2 hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste 1. Soak the Cedar Plank Submerge the cedar plank in water for at least 1–2 hours, or overnight if possible. This helps prevent the plank from burning too quickly on the grill. If desired, lightly brush the top of the soaked plank with neutral oil to further reduce sticking. 2. Prepare the Grill Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium heat, approximately 350–375°F. For charcoal grills, push the coals to one side for indirect cooking. Add chunk oak firewood or oak smoking chunks directly onto the hot coals. For gas grills, use indirect heat by leaving one burner off or lowering one side of the grill. Add oak chunks in a smoker box or foil packet with ventilation holes. Close the lid and allow smoke to develop. 3. Make the Marinade In a food processor or blender, combine garlic, shallots, olive oil, parsley, dill, capers, basil, lemon zest and juice. Pulse until rustic but spreadable. Season generously with kosher salt and black pepper. Spread the marinade evenly over the salmon fillet and let sit for 20–30 minutes at room temperature. 4. Grill the Salmon Place the marinated salmon skin-side down directly onto the soaked cedar plank. Transfer the plank to the indirect heat side of the grill and close the lid. Cook for 30–40 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork, the internal temperature reaches approximately 140°F and the edges are lightly caramelized and smoky. If the plank begins to smolder aggressively, lightly mist the edges with water. 5. Make the Buttermilk Herb Sauce In a bowl, whisk together buttermilk, mayonnaise and sour cream. Fold in basil, dill, parsley, capers and chopped hard-boiled eggs. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 6. Serve Carefully remove the cedar plank from the grill using heat-resistant gloves. Serve the salmon directly from the plank with the chilled buttermilk herb sauce alongside grilled lemons, charred vegetables, roasted potatoes, or toasted rustic bread. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES A straightforward, American summer cookout staple.  Fresh sweet corn is grilled until lightly charred, then finished with melted butter, salt, black pepper and fresh lemon. Simple, smoky, and built for backyard barbecues, smoked ribs, burgers and Fourth of July gatherings. (Yields: 6-8) 8 ears fresh sweet corn, husks removed 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted Kosher salt Freshly cracked black pepper 1 lemon, cut into wedges Chopped fresh parsley, optional 1. Prepare the Grill Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Clean and lightly oil the grates if needed. 2. Grill the Corn Place the corn directly on the grill grates. Cook, turning every few minutes, until the corn is tender and lightly charred on all sides, about 12–15 minutes total. The kernels should develop dark golden spots without becoming overly blackened. 3. Finish the Corn Transfer the grilled corn to a platter. Brush generously with melted butter while still hot. Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Squeeze fresh lemon over the corn and sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired. 4. Serve Serve immediately alongside smoked meats, barbecue ribs, grilled burgers, sausages, baked beans, potato salad or watermelon. Additional melted butter can be served on the side for guests. These Korean-inspired St. Louis ribs are slow-cooked on the grill until tender, then lacquered with a sweet-savory bulgogi glaze layered with soy, garlic, ginger, sesame and gochujang.  Finished over live heat for caramelization, the ribs develop a sticky, smoky crust without requiring a smoker. Two full racks typically serve 6–8 people comfortably, depending on sides and portion size. (Yields: 6–8) For the Ribs 2 full racks St. Louis-style pork ribs Yellow mustard, for binding Dry Rub 3 tbsp brown sugar 2 tbsp smoked paprika 1 tbsp kosher salt 1 tbsp black pepper 1 tbsp garlic powder 1 tbsp onion powder 1 tsp cayenne pepper Bulgogi Marinade & Glaze 1 cup soy sauce ½ cup brown sugar ¼ cup honey 1 Asian pear, grated (or 1 apple) 8 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated 3 tbsp sesame oil 2 tbsp rice vinegar 2 tbsp gochujang 1 tbsp black pepper 2 green onions, chopped Finishing Sauce ½ cup barbecue sauce ¼ cup reserved bulgogi glaze 1 tbsp butter Garnish Sesame seeds Sliced green onions Pickled vegetables Fresh cilantro, optional TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ 1. Prepare the Ribs Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs using a paper towel for grip. Lightly coat the ribs with yellow mustard. In a bowl, combine all dry rub ingredients and season the ribs generously on all sides. Allow the ribs to rest at room temperature while preparing the grill. 2. Make the Bulgogi Glaze Combine all bulgogi marinade ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Cool completely. Reserve 1 cup of the glaze for basting and finishing later. 3. Prepare the Grill Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to approximately 275°F using indirect heat. For charcoal grills, bank coals to one side. For gas grills, leave one burner off or on very low. If desired, add wood chunks or foil packets of wood chips for light smoke flavor. 4. Slow Grill the Ribs Place the ribs bone-side down on the indirect heat side of the grill. Close the lid and cook for approximately 2½–3 hours, maintaining a steady temperature around 275°F. Rotate occasionally for even cooking. 5. Wrap the Ribs Brush the ribs generously with bulgogi glaze. Wrap each rack tightly in heavy-duty foil with 2 tbsp butter and an additional splash of bulgogi glaze. Return the wrapped ribs to the grill over indirect heat and cook for another 1½–2 hours, until tender. 6. Finish & Caramelize Carefully unwrap the ribs. Combine the barbecue sauce, reserved bulgogi glaze and butter to make the finishing sauce. Brush generously over the ribs. Return the ribs to the grill uncovered for 15–30 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize and become sticky and lacquered. Watch carefully during this stage to prevent burning. 7. Rest & Serve Transfer the ribs to a cutting board and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Finish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, pickled vegetables and fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve hot with additional glaze on the side. Yields 4 portions – family style For the roasted beets 1 lb. yellow beets 2 tbsp evo oil ½ cup water For the dressing ¼ cup red wine vinegar 2 tsp Dijon mustard 2 tsp dried oregano flakes ½  tsp kosher salt 1 dash ground black pepper ½ cup evo oil For the salad 8 oz stracciatella cheese 1 lb. multi-color heirloom tomatoes, 1/2" thick sliced 2 each cara cara oranges, segmented 1 large fennel bulb, sliced thin 6 oz thin sliced prosciutto ham 2 tbsp fig balsamic glaze (or regular balsamic glaze) ¼ cup fresh basil sprigs, torn ¼ cup pistachios, chopped 2 tsp maldon sea salt flakes (optional) CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER For the Roasted Beets For the Dressing For the Salad Yields 4 portions For the steak dry rub 1/4 cup porcini mushroom powder 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup kosher salt 1 tbsp ground black pepper 1 tsp red pepper flakes 2 tbsp ground coriander For the chimichurri sauce 1 bunch fresh cilantro 3 bunches fresh parsley 5 each peeled whole garlic cloves 2 cups grapeseed oil 3 each lemons, zested and juiced ¼ cup red wine vinegar 2 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp ground black pepper Other ingredients 1 each 36 oz prime (or choice) dry-aged porterhouse steak 2 tbsp grapeseed oil (to oil the grill with) For the steak dry rub For the chimichurri sauce Grill and serve Fox News Digital's Kelly McGreal contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a472d0bc2ca79de23636a0d VAR denies Croatia's game-tying goal as Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal to Round of 16 te 2026-07-03T03:31:23.825Z VAR denies Croatia's game-tying goal as Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal to Round of 16 Croatia thought their FIFA World Cup hopes were still alive when they scored the game-tying goal just before the end of stoppage time in the second half. But a VAR review said Mario Pasalic was offside, and it was Portugal moving on instead. Gonçalo Ramos’ goal just minutes earlier — a beautiful header into the back of the net in the 94th minute — was the decider in this 2-1 victory for Portugal. And it was only the second time in Portuguese World Cup history the nation needed to come from behind to win, underscoring its resilience on the sport's biggest stage. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM It was a controversial ending, though, and one where Croatia tried to argue the ball never hit the head of Igor Matanovic, which made Pasalic offside during VAR review. It’s also worth noting that a new chip within the ball shows when it is touched, giving more concrete evidence to the referee’s final decision in such a crucial time of the match. This was the 10th goal overruled by VAR thus far in the World Cup. GABRIEL MARTINELLI'S 96TH-MINUTE GOAL RESCUES BRAZIL FROM JAPAN UPSET IN WORLD CUP ROUND OF 32 So, with the goal annulled, Croatia’s time at the tournament has ended. As a result, Croatian legend Luka Modrić is finishing his fifth World Cup, which will likely be the 40-year-old midfielder’s final one. But another older legend on the pitch will move on, as Cristiano Ronaldo made some World Cup history during this match. When No. 7 stepped foot on the pitch and the ball was kicked, he became the oldest player to participate in a knockout stage match at the World Cup at 41 years and 147 days old. He also became the oldest player to score in a knockout stage match when he saw a penalty situation while Portugal was down 1-0 in the match. Ivan Perisic got the first goal of this game and put Portugal’s back against the wall. But after a foul was committed inside Croatia’s box in the 67th minute, it was time for Ronaldo to get his first career knockout goal, and he didn’t disappoint. Ronaldo was ecstatic, sprinting toward the corner flag and performing his signature "SIU!" celebration, which the crowd bellowed with the score at 1-1. Ronaldo had also seemed to get that first knockout goal just minutes earlier but he was called offside. Modrić and Ronaldo, two former teammates on Real Madrid, also made history together, as they were the first two players 40 years or older to play in the same match together. It was also an emotional moment after the match, as Ronaldo wore the jersey of late Portugal teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident a year ago. A team photo was taken on the pitch, with Ronaldo holding up Jota's jersey alongside his squad. Now that the job is done in the Round of 32 for Portugal, they face a big challenge against a key rival in the Round of 16. Spain, who dominated Austria with a 3-0 finish earlier on Thursday, awaits Portugal at Dallas Stadium on July 6 at 3 p.m. ET. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a472ab3c2ca79de23636999 The Democratic socialists are no longer on the fringe te 2026-07-03T03:21:23.774Z The Democratic socialists are no longer on the fringe No one will struggle to keep warm amid an historic heat wave gripping the eastern U.S. But how about keeping "your comrade warm?" No. You’re not back in the USSR. But you might be in the Democratic party. SOCIALISTS SWEEP NYC AS AMERICANS BALK AT MOVEMENT’S BRUTAL CATCH: ‘TALK TO IMMIGRANTS’ "You deserve to make sure that your international comrades are actually working with you and getting the benefits that you that you all deserve," said Democratic New York House nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier at a union rally in New York City. "Half of the people here are strangers to you all. But now you have comrades," said Colorado Democratic Congressional nominee Melat Kiros who defeated Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) Tuesday. "I’ve got to give a shout out to my comrades," said Missouri Democratic Congressional candidate Hartzell Gray on a podcast interview. To Democratic Socialists, you don’t know how lucky you are. "You have the solidarity of the entire labor movement. And you have my solidarity, too," said Democratic New York House nominee Claire Valdez. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) didn’t endorse either Avila Chevalier nor Valdez. However, he did congratulate them. Jeffries naturally needs Avila Chavalier, Valdez and Democratic New York House nominee Brad Lander to win. They probably will this fall. But when asked about progressives who prevailed in the New York primary – who he didn’t endorse – Jeffries delivered a nuanced answer. "I will support every single Democratic incumbent in the New York Congressional delegation and beyond," said Jeffries. CNN resuscitated a set of old tweets from Avila Chevalier. Some praised communism. Others called for more Marxist literature in libraries. Yours truly pressed Jeffries about whether he should call out Avila Chevalier for some of her old social media postings. "Should she apologize or clarify some of these very inflammatory tweets that she sent?" I queried. "That’s a question you're going to have to ask her," answered Jeffries. "But as Leader, is that a problem?" I followed up. "I've spoken to this issue. I've expressed my position as it relates to many of the things that she has said in the past over Twitter. my statement speaks for itself," answered Jeffries. Then the 29-year-old Melat Kiros whipped 29-year House veteran Diana DeGette in Colorado. Kiros’s victory demonstrated that the Democratic Socialist message didn’t just resonate in the urban canyons of lower Manhattan. But in the Rocky Mountains, too. "What we are fighting for is Medicare for all. Universal child care. Abolishing ICE. And ending the genocide in Gaza," said Kiros. These are core subjects for the left. "They're winning on platforms like Medicare for all. Universal health care. Universal childcare. Raising the minimum wage," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). "These ideas, whether you call it socialism or not, they are very popular across the country." Progressive influencer Hasan Piker believes victories by these candidates in New York and Colorado are just the beginning. "Progressive politics, left populism. It can work in every district in every state. That's why I kept saying over and over again, it's coming to a city near you," said Piker. But not everyone is on board. "Will Democrats continue to defend crazypants?" asked Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) on Fox. Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) is another. He’s a moderate, pro-Israel Democrat in a battleground district in which President Trump carried in 2024. HAKEEM JEFFRIES CONFRONTED ON 'YOU'RE NEXT' CHANTS FOLLOWING NY DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST VICTORIES "My folks want really normal folks. Democrats, Republicans, just people who are going to get things done. And so they see this because this is what gets attention," said Landsman. "I hope the party doesn't go in that direction. Having a diversity of opinions is one thing. But some of what some of them think is beyond the pale. It's just outrageous." Landsman wished Democratic leaders would speak out against controversial candidates and nominees. "The fact that they won't even call it out, I think is an underlying current within the Democrat Party that they're scared of their own base," said Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC). Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) is retiring after 32 years in Congress. She’s not aligned with her likely successor, Claire Valdez. "So what do you make of some of the controversy about your prospective successor? And is that driving a wedge through the party?" yours truly asked Velazquez. "Look, we are celebrating the outcome of this Supreme Court decision that reaffirm the fundamental principle of the Constitution that anyone born in this country is an American citizen," answered Velazquez, trying to change the subject. "But do you have but did you not see things eye to eye with your prospective successor here?" I followed up. Velazquez sighed. "Look, she won and I wish her well. And I offered myself to sit down with her and discuss the transition. But this is how democracy works," said Velazquez. Still, other Democrats believe the party can operate under a "big tent" and court voters. "There's room for conversations about where we go. But we're not the party of one person or coalition and there's going to be those discussions about where we move forward," said Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL). Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) asserted that wins by Democratic Socialists in New York City carried outsized weight. She also said that it was natural for the press corps to capitalize on possible divisions in the party. "I think that you all try to stir it up. Stir up this language. Try to pit people against each other," said Dingell. I asked Dingell about "controversial things" which Avila Chevalier peddled over the years. "I don't have to agree with everything that she said. The Republicans are putting kerosene on the fire," said Dingell. "Didn't she pour kerosene on it to start with?" I asked. "Look, I wouldn't have said some of the things that she said. But I don't vote in New York. They do," answered Dingell. SOCIALISM GOES WEST AS DSA-BACKED CHALLENGER OUSTS LONGTIME DEMOCRAT Republicans are adamantly opposed to socialism. But in a weird way, the Democratic lurch left might actually help the GOP beat the historic odds and hold the House. "They're a complete socialist party now," said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC). "They’ve got to either own it or disassociate themselves from it." When the Beatles released Back In the USSR, American conservatives and right-wing reactionaries said this proved that the group harbored communist sentiments. Now the American right says the Democratic party has turned to the left. Republicans say listen to the rhetoric of Democratic Socialists espousing their views. And to hear the GOP tell it, those candidates may as well be back in the USSR. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a471ca2c2ca79de236366d8 MLB drops hammer on Boston's Willson Contreras with hefty suspension after helmet-throwing incident te 2026-07-03T02:21:22.773Z MLB drops hammer on Boston's Willson Contreras with hefty suspension after helmet-throwing incident Major League Baseball handed down four suspensions Thursday in the aftermath of Tuesday night's benches-clearing brawl between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Washington starter Cade Cavalli and Boston first baseman Willson Contreras each received seven-game suspensions and undisclosed fines for their roles in the fourth-inning altercation. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! The suspensions stemmed from an incident during Washington's 8-1 victory Tuesday, when Cavalli struck out Contreras looking on a full-count pitch and yelled, "Sit down, boy." WATCH: Contreras answered by charging the mound, then firing his batting helmet toward Cavalli, prompting both benches and bullpens to empty. MLB also disciplined two players who left the dugout and became involved in a separate scuffle. Nationals right-hander Miles Mikolas was suspended five games, while Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton received a three-game ban. Both players were also fined undisclosed amounts and ejected during the game. BREWERS PITCHER ABNER URIBE GETS A ONE-GAME SUSPENSION FOR CROTCH-CHOPPING CELEBRATION All four suspensions are scheduled to begin Friday. The Red Sox open a three-game series in Anaheim on Friday, while the Nationals host the Pittsburgh Pirates. Boston figures to feel the impact more immediately. While Cavalli and Mikolas are likely to miss only one turn through the rotation, Contreras will be out of the Red Sox lineup for a full week. Cavalli apologized Wednesday, saying he regretted using the word "boy" and now understands its historical weight. He added that the incident kept him awake that night because of the example he wants to set for young fans. Nationals officials also addressed the matter with the right-hander. Contreras, meanwhile, entered Tuesday's game after an emotional stretch. The veteran first baseman had been ejected the previous night for arguing a checked-swing call and has also spoken publicly about the stress of devastating earthquakes in his home country of Venezuela. Any appeals would delay the suspensions until MLB's review process is complete. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a471832c2ca79de23636602 Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko awaits feeling in lower half after C6-C7 spinal surgery following collision te 2026-07-03T02:02:26.006Z Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko awaits feeling in lower half after C6-C7 spinal surgery following collision A top Athletics outfield prospect still can’t feel his lower half after spinal surgery was needed to repair fractured vertebrae following a scary collision with a teammate in Double-A ball. Ryan Lasko, a 24-year-old outfielder in the Athletics system, was injured during a game with Double-A Midland RockHounds after diving to catch a ball while playing center field. The problem was Lasko’s right field teammate was also barreling down to catch the ball. They both gave up their bodies for the potential catch, but collided as they hit the turf. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Lasko’s teammate, Devin Taylor, was able to get up and field the rolling ball that split the two defenders, but Lasko stayed on the ground in what was a pretty ugly crash. After he was carted off , it was found that Lasko fractured his C6-C7 vertebra, according to MLB.com. He needed spinal decompression and stabilization surgery to repair the injury, and he was in stable condition. However, due to swelling, Lasko still doesn’t have feeling in his lower half just yet. REDS' DANE MYERS CARTED OFF FIELD AFTER CRASHING INTO WALL MAKING ACROBATIC CATCH VS BREWERS Athletics manager Mark Kotsay discussed Lasko’s injury on Wednesday, saying that "there’s hope the feeling comes back." Lasko is one of the Athletics’ top prospects, entering the season as the franchise’s No. 18 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. He was taken by the Athletics’ in the 2023 MLB Draft in the second round. While he opened the season in Double-A, Lasko made it to Triple-A Las Vegas last season. This year, Lasko is slashing .209/.275/.360 with six home runs, five triples and 34 RBI. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47181ec2ca79de236365f9 Driver charged with manslaughter after Tesla crashes into Texas home, kills grandmother te 2026-07-03T02:02:06.550Z Driver charged with manslaughter after Tesla crashes into Texas home, kills grandmother A Texas man has been charged with manslaughter after authorities said his Tesla crashed into a home last month, killing a 76-year-old grandmother. According to court documents, Michael David Butler, 44, told investigators he was driving a Tesla Model 3 with a Tesla driver-assistance system engaged when it crashed into Martha Avila's home in Katy on June 19. He later told paramedics the vehicle was on "Autopilot," according to the affidavit. Tesla has disputed that account. Avila was inside the residence when the vehicle crashed into the home. She was flown by Life Flight to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. CHARTER BUS DRIVER WHO ALLEGEDLY CAUSED CRASH KILLING 5 IN VIRGINIA CHARGED WITH INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER Butler was arrested Thursday and charged with manslaughter, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. According to an arrest affidavit, Butler told investigators he was making a DoorDash delivery when he adjusted the music on the Tesla's touchscreen before he "passed out." The affidavit alleges the vehicle reached 73 mph — more than double the posted speed limit — and that the brake pedal was not applied during the minutes leading up to the crash. NASA NUCLEAR ENGINEER FOUND DEAD IN BURNED TESLA AFTER VANISHING FROM HIS ALABAMA HOME LAST YEAR The sheriff's office said Butler failed to maintain a single lane before leaving the roadway and crashing through the side of the home. Ring doorbell footage of the crash shows the vehicle slamming into the house at a high rate of speed. According to the affidavit, Butler denied feeling ill or consuming alcohol or drugs before the crash. 'TESLA ROAD RAGE DRIVER' SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON AFTER ATTACKING MOTHER AND DAUGHTER IN HAWAII Tesla has disputed Butler's account. CEO Elon Musk said a vehicle operating in Full Self-Driving mode would travel slowly through residential streets, while Tesla's head of AI, Ashok Elluswamy, said Butler manually overrode the system by fully depressing the accelerator. "In this case, the driver manually overrode self-driving by pressing the accelerator all the way to 100% of the accel pedal in this residential area," he wrote in a post on X. KHOU-TV reported Butler appeared in probable cause court Thursday, where his bail was set at $150,000. He was also ordered to wear an ankle monitor and not drive. Avila's family sued Tesla last week, alleging her death resulted from the company's gross negligence and failure to warn consumers that its self-driving systems were defective. Fox News Digital has reached out to Tesla for comment. Fox News Digital's Tessa Hoyos and Reuters contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47180bc2ca79de236365f0 Fitness influencer pleads guilty in violent gym attack after beating man with weightlifting belt te 2026-07-03T02:01:47.093Z Fitness influencer pleads guilty in violent gym attack after beating man with weightlifting belt Social media fitness influencer Wes Watson pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated battery in connection with a confrontation at a Miami-Dade County gym, resolving the case ahead of sentencing later this month. Watson, 42, entered the plea in Miami-Dade County court as part of a negotiated agreement with prosecutors. Under the deal, prosecutors recommended a sentence of 21 months in prison, including credit for time already served, followed by seven years of probation and court-ordered mental health treatment. He is scheduled to be sentenced July 17. Watson, a former prison inmate who built a large online following as a fitness influencer and motivational personality after his release, was charged after a Dec. 29, 2024, altercation at Elevation Fitness in Miami-Dade County. FITNESS INFLUENCER SAYS LUFTHANSA TOLD HER SHE LOOKED ‘NAKED,’ FORCED HER TO ZIP UP BEFORE BOARDING FLIGHT He has amassed millions of followers across social media, where he shares content focused on fitness, discipline, entrepreneurship and his life after prison. According to an arrest affidavit, Watson told responding officers he was working out when the victim approached him and said he wanted to fight. Investigators said surveillance footage showed Watson striking the man with a weightlifting belt during the confrontation. During Thursday's hearing, Watson's attorney argued the circumstances surrounding the incident were unusual, saying the alleged victim intentionally sought out his client because of Watson's online notoriety. "There's been a lot that's been argued in this case about stand your ground," defense attorney Eric Clayman said, according to Local 10. JETS' GENO SMITH UNDER ACTIVE INVESTIGATION IN FLORIDA FOR ALLEGED ASSAULT AT HIS HOME: POLICE "What's unique is you have an alleged victim that sought somebody out because of his presence online. This guy bought a plane ticket, came through New Jersey, showed up at the gym for the sole purpose of confronting Mr. Watson. That turned into something else." The Miami-Dade case is separate from multiple pending felony cases Watson faces in neighboring Broward County. Prosecutors there have charged him with felony battery, aggravated assault, witness tampering and charges related to an alleged domestic violence incident involving his girlfriend. Those charges remain pending. The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for additional comment. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4717f7c2ca79de236365e7 Massachusetts city imposes curfew ahead of historic World Cup match te 2026-07-03T02:01:27.647Z Massachusetts city imposes curfew ahead of historic World Cup match A Massachusetts city with one of the nation's largest Cape Verdean communities has imposed a temporary curfew ahead of Friday's historic World Cup match between the West African nation and Argentina. The curfew will be in effect in Brockton, just south of Boston, from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Saturday.  City officials said the decision follows recent World Cup celebrations that led to dangerous and unlawful behavior.  "World Cup celebrations have resulted in incidents of reckless driving, illegal street gatherings, vandalism, assaults, fireworks violations, disorderly conduct, and other criminal activities," the city said.  WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE Brockton is home to one of the largest Cape Verdean communities in the United States, with nearly one in four residents identifying as Cape Verdean, according to local outlet The Enterprise. Friday's match was expected to draw large celebrations, as the 2026 tournament marks the first time the African island nation has qualified for the FIFA World Cup. Following previous World Cup matches, Brockton police said several people were injured in shootings that erupted during postgame celebrations, according to local outlet Boston 25 News — prompting city officials to impose the temporary curfew ahead of Friday's matchup.  FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE Under the curfew order, no one will be permitted to enter establishments serving alcohol after 7 p.m. Patrons already inside will be allowed to remain until 10 p.m., but "last calls" for alcoholic beverages must end by 9:30 p.m.  The city said only limited exceptions to the curfew will be permitted. Such cases include law enforcement officers and other first responders, individuals traveling directly to or from lawful employment, those seeking medical care, and those responding to emergencies.  Brockton officials described the measure as a public safety measure intended to preserve public order.  "The purpose of this curfew is to protect public safety, reduce criminal activity associated with post-match celebrations, and enable police, fire, and emergency personnel to effectively maintain order and respond to emergencies," the city said.  "Residents and visitors are urged to celebrate responsibly, obey all laws, avoid unlawful gatherings, and cooperate with public safety officials to ensure that all World Cup celebrations remain peaceful and safe." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a471345c2ca79de23636504 Karlie Kloss reveals what it's like navigating Trump family ties at dinner table as a Democrat te 2026-07-03T01:41:25.833Z Karlie Kloss reveals what it's like navigating Trump family ties at dinner table as a Democrat Supermodel Karlie Kloss defended the importance of bipartisan dialogue on Wednesday as she spoke about being part of President Donald Trump’s extended family. Emily Chang of "The Circuit" via Bloomberg Originals spoke to the model, who is married to Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, noting, "You're married to a man whose brother happens to be married to Ivanka Trump. How do you deal with everything that comes with that?" "Well, I know who I am," Kloss replied. "I know the values that guide my life and the issues that I care about. So, you know, I haven't lost sight of who I am, but also, it's my husband's family." PEREZ HILTON HEAPS PRAISE ON IVANKA TRUMP, TAKES SWIPE AT KARDASHIANS DURING APPEARANCE ON TOMI LAHREN'S SHOW "What's conversation like at family dinners?" Chang asked. "Well, we're sitting here in St. Louis, which is a blue dot in a red state," the model replied. "Since as long as I can remember, I've always been exposed to a lot of different political points of view and I think that trained me for my life." She added further, "You know, I'm a Democrat. I think it's possible to have relationships with people who you politically don't align with, and I think this country has always been a place for, for dialogue. We have to be able to talk to each other." MICHELLE OBAMA WARNS LIBERALS AGAINST PIGEONHOLING TRUMP VOTERS, SAYS THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO When asked whether she had ever actually met Trump himself or spoken to him about politics, the model revealed she has never met him. In a 2019 interview with TIME Magazine, she offered a similar answer about balancing her life while being associated with such an influential family. "It’s been hard," she told the outlet. "But I choose to focus on the values that I share with my husband, and those are the same liberal values that I was raised with and that have guided me throughout my life." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a470e97c2ca79de2363642c Mexican national made knife from pens, tried stabbing passenger in the brain on Vegas-bound flight, DOJ says te 2026-07-03T01:21:27.172Z Mexican national made knife from pens, tried stabbing passenger in the brain on Vegas-bound flight, DOJ says A Mexican national who was granted lawful permanent resident status in 2018 pleaded guilty Thursday after admitting he bundled three pens together with hair bands before boarding a Seattle-to-Las Vegas flight, then tried to stab another passenger "through the eye to reach his brain," according to federal prosecutors. The terrifying attack unfolded about 30 minutes before the plane was scheduled to land in Las Vegas, when Julio Alvarez Lopez allegedly left his seat, walked to the restroom and, after returning, suddenly began punching, hitting and stabbing a passenger seated across the aisle, according to a federal criminal complaint obtained by Fox News Digital. Witnesses told investigators there was "blood everywhere" as the victim's wife screamed at Lopez to stop attacking her husband. During the struggle, the complaint says she was struck while shielding the couple's 7-year-old son. After the attack, Lopez "began walking towards the front of the aircraft," according to the complaint. As he moved up the aisle, a witness told investigators Lopez repeatedly yelled, "I'll only talk to the FBI." CHAOS ERUPTS ON AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT AS UNRULY PASSENGER ALLEGEDLY BITES FELLOW TRAVELER MIDAIR A sworn law enforcement officer aboard the flight ordered Lopez to sit down before flight attendants provided flex cuffs and passengers restrained him for the remainder of the flight, according to the complaint. The flight landed safely at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, where officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department took Lopez into custody. PASSENGER ALLEGEDLY BOARDS FLIGHT WITH FAKE BOARDING PASS, FORCING PLANE BACK TO GATE According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada, Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon stemming from the Jan. 24, 2024, attack. During an interview with FBI agents and after waiving his Miranda rights, Lopez admitted he made the weapon before boarding the aircraft by bundling three pens together with hair bands. Investigators said Lopez told them he believed the victim, identified in court documents as C.R., had been following him during the flight. Lopez also said he believed C.R. "was the Cartel" and that he was trying to get him to stop following him. 'HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER' ACTOR NICK PASQUAL CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER FOR STABBING EX-GIRLFRIEND The complaint further states Lopez told investigators he had never seen C.R. before the flight but, "planned on attacking and killing him." According to investigators, Lopez admitted he intended to kill the victim by stabbing him in the eye. "I planned on attacking and killing him," Lopez told investigators, according to the complaint. Lopez also admitted to investigators he was trying to stab C.R. "through the eye to reach C.R.'s brain to kill him." According to prosecutors, the victim suffered injuries to his body and eye area that required stitches. Court documents say witnesses noticed Lopez acting strangely before the attack. One passenger told investigators Lopez appeared "fidgety," repeatedly put gloves on and took them off, got into his backpack several times and avoided making eye contact with other passengers. A witness described Lopez as having "gray/white hair tied in a bun on the top of his head," and wearing a sweatshirt at the time. Another witness said Lopez stood up twice as the aircraft began descending into Las Vegas, went to the restroom, then returned to his seat before suddenly launching the attack. The complaint also states Lopez told investigators he was seeking asylum in the United States and believed the mafia had been chasing him for several months. Lopez is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 22. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a470c76c2ca79de2363639e Dana White says Donald Trump wouldn't stop pushing to make the White House UFC event bigger te 2026-07-03T01:12:22.876Z Dana White says Donald Trump wouldn't stop pushing to make the White House UFC event bigger The UFC's Freedom 250 event at the White House was a total success. And after putting on the most-watched UFC fight of all time, UFC chief Dana White is taking a victory lap. White is prominently featured in the new Fox documentary, UFC Fight House: The Making of the Biggest Fight in History. TRUMP MARKS 80TH BIRTHDAY WITH PATRIOTIC UFC FREEDOM 250 SPECTACLE ON WHITE HOUSE SOUTH LAWN The UFC president visited "The Will Cain Show" on Thursday and broke down the massive success of the June 14 UFC festivities on the White House South Lawn. WATCH: Real UFC fans celebrated the incredible main event, while others marveled at the spectacular show staged right at the doorstep of the White House. White told Cain that the reality of the situation surpassed anything Hollywood could dream up. "If you wrote a script, you wouldn't believe all the things that happen in this thing," White said. Clips from the show displayed President Donald Trump leading discussions during the early stage-building phase of the project. The man's a builder. Standing on the historic grounds before the fight, Trump mapped out the massive outdoor setup, looking to squeeze in as many seats as possible. "You could have an arena of 8,000 right here, and then you could do something there nice, whether it's stand-up or seats, around the fountain. What do you think your maximum is?" Trump said in the clips. Trump didn't beg; he demanded an impressive stage build on the lawn, even if the historic terrain presented unique obstacles. "My concept was right smack at the front door to the White House, build it as big as you can, you know, we're a little confined because of trees and these beautiful plantings and everything else, so it's not easy," the president said during the planning. Cain pointed out that having the president of the United States greasing the wheels definitely helped speed things along. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM White agreed, saying Trump helped lead the logistical challenge of pulling off the event. "Well, he was the one that kept pushing us harder and harder to be able to get more seats and to get people in there," White said. "[Trump] was pushing hard on that, and every time he would push, we would try to figure it out. But, I mean, we built basically a stadium on the South Lawn of the White House, and then I think what we did at The Ellipse is even more impressive. "I mean everything that went into that and the amount of people that were over there." According to the UFC, the Freedom 250 event shattered records as the most-watched domestic event in company history, racking up 34 million global viewers. Also, an estimated 85,000 fans packed the Fan Fest at the Ellipse. The most unbelievable moment of the entire event came down to the elements. White detailed a bizarre, almost miraculous weather event that saved the outdoor fight night just as things looked grim. "Literally, the storm is coming to hit the White House and it breaks apart and goes around the White House and the Ellipse and continues on," White shared. "It's incredible, unbelievable, and it was an amazing night." Things got off to a shaky start when a thunderstorm struck D.C. that fight weekend, pushing back the fighters' Friday night press conference at the Lincoln Memorial. Ultimately, the high-stakes gamble paid off perfectly for everyone involved. "And battling the weather, the elements, you know, all the unknown, the event could not have gone better," White concluded. Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a470c63c2ca79de23636395 Democratic infighting grows as congresswoman exposes ‘disrespectful’ welcome of socialists into ‘big tent’ te 2026-07-03T01:12:03.382Z Democratic infighting grows as congresswoman exposes ‘disrespectful’ welcome of socialists into ‘big tent’ A deepening rift within the Democratic Party is coming into sharper focus as the establishment grows frustrated with the rising influence of the party’s socialist wing. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., called out her Democratic colleagues for their "disrespectful" welcome of socialists into the "big tent" party. "I think that there are a lot of very disrespectful comments that are coming from some parts of the Democratic Party that are dismissing the voters who elected these individuals," Jayapal told CNN. Her comments come as socialism gains ground within the Democratic Party, with socialist candidates securing major primary victories and unseating established Democrats. RAHM EMANUEL WARNS NEW GENERATION OF DEM SOCIALISTS DON'T LIKE AMERICA All three congressional candidates endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani – Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier – won their respective Democratic primaries, reflecting an increasing acceptance of the far-left movement within the party. Jayapal, who serves as chair emerita of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, argued the victories show that Americans are seeking fiercer leadership. DSA’S THIRD MAJOR PRIMARY WIN DEEPENS DEMOCRATS’ FIGHT OVER THE PARTY’S FUTURE "I think people are sick and tired of the old establishment politics that too many Democrats were part of moving forward, and they're ready for something bolder," the Democratic representative said. Jayapal raised concerns about the treatment of moderates compared with progressives within the "big tent" party, urging for fairer treatment of the latter. "Why is it that every time a moderate wins an election, people are like, ‘That's the new blueprint for the Democratic Party.’ But if a progressive or a Democratic socialist wins, ‘Oh, the whole party's falling to hell in a handbasket.’" MS NOW HOST ACCUSES DEMOCRATIC SENATOR OF GASLIGHTING AFTER HE DODGED ON SOCIALIST'S POSTS Jayapal slammed Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a prominent Democrat, saying he was "wrong" for arguing that some Democratic socialists are engaging in performative politics. She said Democrats must learn to understand what it means to be a "big tent" party. "I find it really insulting to say that Democratic socialists are just making noise," she told CNN. "I think you have to ask, ‘Why is it that we've lost so many Democratic voters?’ In these races, where Democratic socialists are winning, where progressives are winning, even in very tough swing states, it's because they are bringing voters back." Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a470c4ec2ca79de23636379 Holiday weekend brings return of out-of-town parking fees at Rotary Park te 2026-07-03T01:11:42.900Z Holiday weekend brings return of out-of-town parking fees at Rotary Park BULLHEAD CITY — The Independence Day holiday brings the return of parking fees for out-of-town visitors at Rotary Park. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a470c3ac2ca79de23636370 ‘Be a shark’: GCU soccer’s Addie Vali perseveres after battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma te 2026-07-03T01:11:22.939Z ‘Be a shark’: GCU soccer’s Addie Vali perseveres after battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma Grand Canyon University athletes gather in prayer during a beach volleyball fundraiser last year to support GCU soccer player Addie Vali’s cancer battle. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a470546c2ca79de23636238 Couple publicly caned after alleged TikTok kiss sparks outrage in Indonesia te 2026-07-03T00:41:42.607Z Couple publicly caned after alleged TikTok kiss sparks outrage in Indonesia A young couple in Indonesia was publicly caned Thursday after allegedly kissing during a TikTok livestream. The couple — a 22-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman — each received 21 lashes, according to the Associated Press (AP). They were reportedly convicted of violating local morality laws under an Islamic sharia court in Indonesia’s conservative Aceh province.  The pair, who were detained in March, had already spent four months in prison prior to the punishment, which ultimately reduced their sentence from 25 lashes to 21, the AP said.  SOUTH CAROLINA FITNESS TRAINER TOLD FRIENDS SHE WANTED TO LEAVE HER NOW-HUSBAND YEARS BEFORE BODY WAS FOUND According to local authorities, the couple filmed a TikTok video inside a car one night in March. As the video went viral, they were subsequently apprehended for what officials described as an "immoral act."  "Their actions were uncovered thanks to reports from residents who were disturbed by their immoral livestream content," Sharia police said in April.  "The trigger was their livestream on TikTok while engaging in immoral acts in the car," Head of the Sharia Police Muhammad Rizal added in his statement. "This sparked criticism from netizens and local residents, who then reported them to the authorities." THREE HIKERS KILLED AFTER CLIMBING RESTRICTED INDONESIAN VOLCANO TO CREATE ONLINE CONTENT, POLICE SAY The court also confiscated a cellphone and a USB flash drive containing the TikTok video, which authorities promised to destroy, according to the AP. A Banda Aceh resident who attended the caning, 22-year-old Aini Nadhirah, said she believed the punishment was "entirely justified." "In my opinion, this caning is entirely justified because it serves as a warning to other Aceh residents to be more careful when using social media," Nadhirah said, according to the AP. "It also raises awareness that such actions are unacceptable, thereby educating the public." STUNNING PHOTOS CAPTURE MOMENT ONE OF INDONESIA'S MOST ACTIVE VOLCANOES ERUPTS Aceh is the only province in Muslim-majority Indonesia that enforces its own Islamic Criminal Code governing moral conduct.  The province’s right to implement Islamic law was granted by Indonesia’s secular central government around 2005 as part of a peace deal to end a separatist insurgency. The policy was later expanded to apply to non-Muslims as well.  Under the law, moral offenses — including adultery and same-sex relations — can carry penalties of up to 100 lashes. Caning is also used for individuals accused of gambling, drinking, adultery and premarital intimacy.  Public caning in Aceh has long drawn criticism from human rights groups, including Amnesty International Indonesia, which has called the practice cruel and degrading. Despite Indonesia having ratified international conventions prohibiting cruel punishment, local authorities in Aceh defend the practice, arguing it does not fall under such definition.  The Associated Press contributed to this report. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a470533c2ca79de2363622f 'Milestone': Scientists claim to build synthetic cell, raising concerns in step toward artificial life te 2026-07-03T00:41:23.161Z 'Milestone': Scientists claim to build synthetic cell, raising concerns in step toward artificial life Scientists at the University of Minnesota say they have built the most life-like synthetic cell yet, creating a laboratory-made system assembled entirely from nonliving components that can grow, replicate its genetic material, divide and even pass beneficial traits to future generations. The researchers describe the work as a major step toward building artificial life, but said the synthetic cells cannot survive outside carefully controlled laboratory conditions and require externally supplied nutrients and specialized components to grow and divide. Their findings were published Thursday as a preprint on bioRxiv, meaning the research has not yet undergone peer review. SCIENTISTS UNVEIL 'LIVING BANDAGE' THAT COULD DRAMATICALLY SPEED WOUND HEALING "One of the most ambitious and fascinating goals of bioengineering is to build a biochemical system that could cross the threshold from chemistry to life," the researchers wrote. They said the work demonstrates "the first minimal cell with a cell cycle, genetically encoded growth and division, all coupled to selection and competition." The researchers call the synthetic cell "SpudCell." Unlike earlier approaches that started with living organisms, SpudCell was assembled from chemically defined, nonliving components. Its 90,000-base-pair genome enables the synthetic cell to produce proteins, replicate its DNA, feed, grow and divide into daughter cells. AI-DESIGNED 'UNIVERSAL VACCINE' PASSES FIRST HUMAN CLINICAL TRIAL, COULD PREVENT FUTURE PANDEMICS Researchers also introduced a genetic mutation that allowed some synthetic cells to grow faster than others. After several generations, those faster-growing cells produced more offspring and became increasingly common in the population, demonstrating a basic form of natural selection. The team said the work represents "key milestones towards construction of synthetic life" and could eventually provide a foundation for "fully artificial organisms" designed for biotechnology applications. Still, the researchers acknowledged that the system remains far less capable than even the simplest living cells. The synthetic cells cannot survive outside laboratory conditions, require externally supplied nutrients and specialized components and rely on ribosomes purified from E. coli bacteria. After five generations, researchers found that only about 30% of daughter cells inherited the complete synthetic genome. SCIENTISTS UNVEIL 'LIVING BANDAGE' THAT COULD DRAMATICALLY SPEED WOUND HEALING Those limitations mean the work falls well short of creating self-sustaining artificial life, but researchers said it demonstrates that many of life's defining characteristics can be recreated from nonliving materials. The researchers also acknowledged that increasingly sophisticated synthetic cells could raise new biosafety and biosecurity questions. Fox News Digital has reached out to the University of Minnesota research team for comment on the matter. "This project offers a significant milestone towards evolvability of synthetic cells, making it more likely that more robust, autonomous systems will be available soon," the authors wrote, adding that the progress "highlights the urgent need to develop a safety and security framework for future synthetic cell engineering." Future work, the researchers said, will focus on making synthetic cells more self-sufficient by regenerating more of their own molecular machinery, improving how genomes are distributed during cell division and allowing mutations to arise naturally rather than being introduced by researchers. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a4702f1c2ca79de236361be The unwinnable war America's Founding Fathers fought and won changed human history forever te 2026-07-03T00:31:45.593Z The unwinnable war America's Founding Fathers fought and won changed human history forever Two hundred and fifty ago, 56 men met in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia to commit treason against the most powerful empire on Earth.  Representing 13 colonies of that empire, these men – a mix of landowners, entrepreneurs, politicians and others – had become enamored with a new set of ideas flowing from enlightenment thinkers and Christian teaching. Those convictions led them to start a war no sane person believed they could win. Remember what government looked like back then. We now live in the world those 56 men created – a world in which even dictatorships like North Korea cloak themselves in the language of "republic."  But in 1776, freedom, equality and self-governance were nascent concepts espoused by philosophers and adopted only incompletely in a few small enclaves. The vast majority of countries in the world were hereditary monarchies and empires under which equal rights and individual liberty were not contemplated. The Founders’ fight seemed incomprehensible. UNCANCEL THE MINUTEMEN: CELEBRATE LEXINGTON AND CONCORD HEROES, BLACK AND WHITE, ON BATTLE'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY In launching it, the Second Continental Congress largely tasked one man – Thomas Jefferson – with drafting the document that would articulate their vision for humanity and this new country and reshape history. Imagine how he must have felt. Jefferson secluded himself from June 11 to June 28 in a rented home on Market Street to draft the document. He was 33 years old at the time. In isolation in that rented townhome he drafted what I think is one of the most beautiful passages in history: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Read it again. Read it as if you were living under a Spanish colony in South America or under the iron fist of the Qing dynasty in China. Read it as if you were a poor tenant farmer under the oppressive rule of King George in Virginia or an enslaved person in Georgia (whose freedom under the principles of the Declaration was still decades away).  WHY THE MAGA MOVEMENT IS THE 1776 REVOLUTION OF OUR TIME Read it as if you grew up in a system that assumed you were worth less than your neighbor by virtue of your social station, and under which your future was limited by the circumstances of your birth. The Declaration was, in fact, a "revolutionary" statement articulating the ideological and factual basis for a coup against empire. But spiritually, it was more important than that.  It was a revolution against history. It was a revolution against the idea that some men (and women) are worth more than others. It was a revolution for the idea of dignity, human rights, and equality before law. And when Jefferson submitted his document to the Congress, and those 56 men signed it and shipped it off to King George and to others rulers around the world, they ignited a war in the America colonies that would become a centuries-long war to transform the globe from tyranny to liberty. READ: THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE War they got. Five of the signers were captured, tortured and killed. Nine died from wounds or hardships fighting in the war. All were impacted – raked by violence, their homes and property ravaged, their children thrust into the violence they created. They starved. They lost battles. They must have wondered if it was worth it – these ideals that had caused them to plunge a nation into violence. And then, unexpectedly, they won. In creating America, those Founding Fathers reshaped history. We now live in a world in which nearly half of countries are democracies. The combination of political freedom, free markets and the technological innovation unleashed by those systems has lifted billions of people out of poverty – creating a world more than 100 times richer than the one that existed at the time of the Declaration of Independence.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION The dominant ideology now globally is the one articulated in the Declaration. And the revolution in America has become a revolution in human history. This weekend in the United States we celebrate Independence Day. We celebrate 56 men who risked everything. But we also solemnly reflect on the charge of the Declaration and its authors. All people are created equal. We are all endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights. Each of us deserves life, liberty, and the ability to pursue our own unique paths to flourishing. But those inalienable rights are not guaranteed. As our forebears, we are called to embrace and fight for them.  Abraham Lincoln once noted that great men "thirst and burn for distinction" and will have it, "whether at the expense of emancipating slaves, or enslaving free men." And around the world the powers that oppose liberty, dignity and opportunity fight ceaselessly to dominate others. May we, on this Independence Day, marking America's 250th, fight back. May we have the audacity and conviction to oppose the enemies of liberty and to continue to fight for the promise of the Declaration and America’s spiritual foundation. May we do so out of love – for our neighbors and for the blessings of the Creator. And may we gain courage from the example of those 56 men, their hundreds of thousands of compatriots, and the unwinnable war they won. Happy Independence Day. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JOHN COLEMAN Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a47029dc2ca79de23636183 “Art doesn’t have to be beautiful”: Esteban Barrón’s painting after violence te 2026-07-03T00:30:21.634Z “Art doesn’t have to be beautiful”: Esteban Barrón’s painting after violence Esteban Barrón’s painting changed over time. He moved from bouquets of flowers and warm landscapes to geometric forms influenced by architecture. Then came another language: pain. A language built from a loss that forced him to rethink not only his work, but also the meaning of making art. Esteban’s canvases became filled with skulls, entrails and fragmented bodies. One of Esteban Barrón’s works explores violence through figures that evoke pain, fear and the lasting impact of organized crime. Courtesy Esteban Barrón “What I was doing was a representation of pain, horror, shock, sadness and helplessness,”  the binational artist says in Spanish. Esteban divides his life between México and Arizona. He found in painting a way to name what he could not express any other way. In February of last year, a relative he considered a younger brother died. Members of organized crime tried to forcibly recruit him. He says that when he refused, they killed him in front of his friends on a street in Colonia Nueva de Guantes, a community in Valle de Santiago, Guanajuato, a town of fewer than 500 residents.  “I have to put it this way,” Esteban says. “It’s an endless source of pain. The only thing you can do is try to minimize it.” There is silence. “Give me a second,” Esteban says. A few moments pass before he speaks again. “You think time is going to heal. But the days go by. The months go by. The pain is still the same as it was on the first day.” His voice cracks. “It shook all of us tremendously, especially me,” he says. Esteban is about to turn 40. He was in Arizona when he heard what happened. He spent weeks seeking sanity. “I spent that month almost in limbo, trying to understand what was happening. I wanted to come back and scream at the system, at people, at those who are spreading harm. I wanted them to stop. To stop doing this. To stop committing so much brutality.” Esteban soon realized that doing so also carried a risk. Speaking out could make him a target for organized crime. He returned to painting. “Once again, I realized that the only tool I had to raise my voice, even if only quietly, was art,” he says in a calm, steady voice, speaking without haste. That is how Estaban’s two most recent exhibitions came to life: Collided Emotions 2025 and Curated Experience 2026. Esteban Barrón stands beside one of his works at Skyline Lofts Gallery in Phoenix, Arizona, during the Collided Emotions 2025 exhibition. Courtesy Esteban Barrón Collided Emotions Esteban came to the United States from México as a child. In Arizona, he found an art classroom and a teacher who saw talent where he only saw a crumpled drawing. Soon afterward, he struggled to adapt to a school where he knew no one. Art became his refuge. He spent hours at school creating. Esteban found his place. He won competitions and graduated from high school recognized by both teachers and classmates. He studied architecture at Arizona State University, convinced it offered greater stability.  He never stopped painting.  After graduating, he worked as an architect. Esteban says the work environment ultimately pushed him away. He resigned and returned to the canvas as a way of life.  One of Esteban Barrón’s paintings during the Curated Experience exhibition at Skyline Lofts Gallery in Phoenix, Arizona, 2026. Courtesy Esteban Barrón For a time, his work was defined by geometry, lines and colors inspired by architecture. “I enjoyed it very much, but I felt it lacked a cause, a purpose,” he says. Esteban realized art can become a vehicle for speaking about injustice, but above all about emotions: “those we cannot express at just any moment because they are fragile and heartbreaking.” Esteban birthed Collided Emotions in July 2025 at Skyline Lofts Gallery in Phoenix. His work was no longer meant to be decorative for others only to collect. “Some pieces are visually intense. That helped me understand that art doesn’t have to be beautiful. It doesn’t have to be something people look at and say, ‘What a lovely landscape.’ Like the work I used to make. It can also communicate ideas, emotions and realities.” For Esteban, those realities cross borders. He speaks of organized crime violence in México, immigration raids in the United States and the suffering caused by wars in other parts of the world. “At the end of the day, what I ask myself is how we have come to inflict so much pain on one another,” he says, with frustration laced in his words. Art as a way to heal In his first exhibition, Esteban turned his attention to people and systems he saw as perpetrators. “To create awareness, you first have to know who is causing the pain and the terror. You have to know the source of that harm,” he says. Esteban Barrón speaks with an attendee at the Curated Experience exhibition, presented at Skyline Lofts Gallery in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2026. Credit: Beatriz Limón He shared truths, as witnessed and confronted by his communities. “I portrayed them as monsters. Much of that work was made up of skeletons, skulls surrounded by entrails and figures with horrific features. That was the intention: to paint them the way I saw them. Even though I know I fell short.” His second exhibition Curated Experience took a different direction. Instead of looking at the perpetrators, it focused on those who survive. “That’s where I talk about the emotions experienced. About what I lived through, and what anyone who has lost a family member or someone close to them continues to live through,” says the artist born in Guanajuato. Esteban looks back and compares the two stages of his work. “When I look at what I used to do, I feel it had no spirit, no soul, no purpose. Now I look at what I’m doing, and I feel it has all of those things.” He repeats a phrase. “This was the mission.” The post “Art doesn’t have to be beautiful”: Esteban Barrón’s painting after violence appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46fe66c2ca79de23635cc8 Zohran Mamdani admits he wants to end his ‘one-sided beef’ about taxes with rapper 50 Cent te 2026-07-03T00:12:22.820Z Zohran Mamdani admits he wants to end his ‘one-sided beef’ about taxes with rapper 50 Cent New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani admitted on Wednesday that he would love to end his one-sided feud with rapper 50 Cent. While appearing on the Complex podcast, Mamdani was put on the spot by host Jillian Superstar, where she asked the socialist mayor, "If you were to have a dinner party — that I know I'd be invited to after this interview — who would be your dream dinner party guest, dead or alive?" His first choice, he answered, would be Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, who he touted as the greatest mayor of New York City in its entire history. ZOHRAN MAMDANI PRAISED FOR 'FANTASTIC' QUESTION-DODGING ON PRESIDENTIAL ELIGIBILITY "I would throw in 50 Cent so we could have a conversation around tax policy," he added. "A very much needed conversation," the interviewer agreed. During an interview on "The Breakfast Club" last year, the mayor noted that while he was a fan of 50 Cent, the musician wasn't a fan of his tax policy. "I know if 50 Cent is listening, he's not going to be happy about this. He tends to not like this tax policy, but I want to be very clear this is about $20,000 a year. It's a rounding error. And all of these things together, they make every New Yorker's life better, including those who are actually getting taxed now," Mamdani said in the June 2025 podcast. The rapper responded shortly after by asking, "Where did he come from? Whose friend is this? I’m not feeling this plan. No. I will give him $258,750 and a first-class one-way ticket away from NY. I’m telling Trump what he said too!" BILLIONAIRE FIRES BACK AT MAMDANI, SAYS BUSINESS LEADERS MUST 'FIGHT FOR THEIR CITY' Mamdani noted during Wednesday's interview that he was still a fan of 50 Cent, even if 50 Cent wasn't a fan of his policies. Superstar showed this to be true, playing a clip of the mayor quoting the rapper’s song "Get rich or die tryin'" during a recent commencement speech. "So, it's a one-sided beef?" the interviewer asked. "It's a one-sided beef," Mamdani agreed. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "I think we're always going to have a disagreement on that tax policy," he added. "I want to increase taxes on the wealthiest. He does not want that to happen. But I will still appreciate the song 'Many Men,' whatever our disagreements are." 50 Cent's representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46fe52c2ca79de23635cb5 Advocates celebrate expanded Maricopa County early voting sites te 2026-07-03T00:12:02.355Z Advocates celebrate expanded Maricopa County early voting sites Steve Gallardo, a Democrat who sits on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, celebrates the increase in early voting sites for the state’s primary election and criticizes the county recorder’s efforts to sow mistrust in the county’s election processes in Phoenix on July 2, 2026. The board and the recorder, Republican Justin Heap, have been at odds over who controls the county’s early voting processes for months. (Photo by Gloria Rebecca Gomez/Arizona Mirror) Maricopa County will have more than a dozen early voting sites open ahead of the state’s primary election on July 21, an expansion that activists are hailing as a win amid ongoing spats between the county’s election officials.  Standing down the street from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors offices in downtown Phoenix, Gina Mendez, an organizer with Living United for Change in Arizona, called the increase in voting sites a “victory for voting access.” The board approved an early voting plant that increased the number of voting sites from 12 to 16. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE “That means that voters will have more opportunities to cast their ballots,” Mendez said. “More working families, seniors, students, rural voters, voters with disabilities, Black and brown and indigenous communities, Latino and immigrant communities all across Maricopa County will have access to early voting.”  Mendez lauded the board’s actions as “holding the line” against Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap, who has been criticized by progressive groups for what they view as efforts to chip away at trust in the county’s election processes. Heap and the county board of supervisors have been at odds since he took office and the two have been entrenched in a legal battle over election duties for more than a year.  In June 2025, Heap filed a lawsuit against the board over an agreement made with his predecessor that stripped the recorder’s office of much of its control of early voting processing. While a recent ruling from the Arizona Court of Appeals leaves the board in charge of early voting ahead of the primary, litigation continues. Disagreement over who is in control of early voting has resulted in several spats between Heap and the board, including one that arose after surveillance footage caught Heap’s staffers removing voting equipment from the city’s central tabulation center. Heap claimed the equipment rightfully belonged to his office.  Critics say Heap, a Republican, has used his position to cast doubt on the county’s election processes instead of working to make them more accessible. In March, Heap referred more than 200 names to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for investigation he said were noncitizens who were registered to vote. That claim has been frequently advanced by the Trump administration and Republicans across the country in a bid to undermine trust in elections. And the federal database that Heap used to identify the alleged noncitizens has produced multiple false positives in other states.  Steve Gallardo, who sits on the county board of supervisors and represents District 5, which spans the southwest part of the county, denounced Heap for pushing election conspiracy theories. He accused Heap of purposefully attacking the county’s election processes with the end goal of petitioning the Trump administration to take over. Gallardo said he would continue to oppose Heap’s actions and said voters can remain confident in the county’s oversight of early voting this month. “This primary election in three weeks is going to be run safe, secure, accurate and transparent,” he said. “Voters can vote with confidence, when they cast their ballots their ballots are going to be counted. That’s the message that we want to send to all the voters across Maricopa County, regardless of all the rhetoric and false statements.”  YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. SUPPORT Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46fe00c2ca79de23635c85 “El arte no tiene por qué ser hermoso”: La pintura de Esteban Barrón tras la violencia te 2026-07-03T00:10:40.413Z “El arte no tiene por qué ser hermoso”: La pintura de Esteban Barrón tras la violencia La pintura de Esteban Barrón cambió con el tiempo. Pasó de los bouquets florales  y los paisajes cálidos a formas geométricas influenciadas por la arquitectura. Luego, llegó otro lenguaje: el dolor. Un lenguaje construido a partir de una pérdida que lo obligó a replantearse no sólo su obra, sino también el significado de hacer arte. Los lienzos de Esteban comenzaron a llenarse de calaveras, entrañas y cuerpos fragmentados. “Lo que yo estaba haciendo era una representación del dolor, del horror, del shock, de la tristeza, de la impotencia”, dice el artista binacional. Esteban alterna su vida entre México y Arizona.  Una de las obras de Esteban Barrón aborda la violencia a través de figuras que evocan el dolor, el miedo y las secuelas del crimen organizado. Cortesía Esteban Barrón. Él encontró en la pintura una forma de nombrar lo que no podía decir de otra manera. En febrero del año pasado perdió a un familiar al que consideraba como un hermano menor. Integrantes del crimen organizado intentaron reclutarlo a la fuerza. Él contó que, cuando se negó, lo mataron delante de sus amigos en una calle de Colonia Nueva de Guantes, una comunidad en Valle de Santiago, Guanajuato, un pueblo de menos de 500 habitantes. Lo tengo que poner así, dice, “es una fuente interminable de dolor y lo único que puedes hacer es tratar de minimizarlo”. Se hace un silencio. “Dame un segundo”, dice Esteban. Pasan unos instantes antes de que vuelva a hablar. “Uno piensa que el tiempo lo va a curar. Pero pasan los días. Pasan los meses. El dolor sigue igual que el primer día”. Su voz se quiebra. “Nos sacudió monumentalmente a todos, especialmente a mí”, dice. Esteban está a punto de cumplir 40 años. Estaba en Arizona cuando se enteró de lo ocurrido. Pasó semanas tratando de recuperar la cordura. “Me pasé ese mes casi en el limbo, tratando de entender qué estaba pasando. Quería venir y gritarle al sistema, a la gente, a las personas que están sembrando el daño. Que pararan. Que dejaran de hacer esto, de cometer tanta barbarie”. Esteban pronto se dio cuenta de que hacerlo también implicaba un riesgo. Alzar la voz podría convertirlo en un blanco para el crimen organizado. Volvió a pintar. “Otra vez me di cuenta de que la única herramienta que tenía para alzar la voz, aunque fuera queditamente, era el arte”, dice con una voz tranquila y firme, sin prisa. Es así como surgen sus dos últimas exposiciones: Collided Emotions (Emociones Colisionadas) 2025 y Curated Experience (Experiencia Sanadora) 2026.  Esteban Barrón posa junto a una de sus obras en Skyline Lofts Gallery, en Phoenix, Arizona, durante la exposición Emociones Colisionadas 2025. Cortesía Esteban Barrón. Emociones Colisionadas Esteban llegó a Estados Unidos desde México cuando era niño. En Arizona encontró un salón de clases de arte y a una maestra que vio talento donde él solo veía un dibujo arrugado. Poco después, mientras luchaba por adaptarse a una escuela donde no conocía a nadie. El arte se convirtió en su refugio. Pasaba horas creando en la escuela. Esteban encontró su lugar. Ganó concursos y se graduó de la preparatoria con el reconocimiento de maestros y compañeros. Estudió Arquitectura en la Universidad Estatal de Arizona, convencido de que le ofrecería una mayor estabilidad. Nunca dejó de pintar. Después de graduarse, trabajó como arquitecto. Esteban dice que el ambiente laboral terminó por alejarlo. Renunció y regresó al lienzo como una forma de vida. Durante un tiempo, su obra estuvo marcada por la geometría, las líneas y los colores inspirados en la arquitectura.  Una de las pinturas de Esteban Barrón durante la exposición Curated Experience, en Skyline Lofts Gallery, en Phoenix, Arizona, en 2026. Cortesía Esteban Barrón. “Lo disfrutaba mucho, pero sentía que carecía de causa, de propósito”, dice.  Esteban comprendió que el arte puede convertirse en un vehículo para hablar sobre la injusticia, pero, sobre todo, sobre las emociones: “aquellas que no podemos expresar en cualquier momento porque son frágiles y desgarradoras”. Esteban dio vida a Collided Emotions en julio de 2025 en la Skyline Lofts Gallery, en Phoenix. Su obra no estaba destinada a ser decorativa para que otros simplemente la coleccionen.  “Visualmente algunas piezas son fuertes. Eso me ayudó a entender que el arte no tiene por qué ser hermoso. No tiene que ser algo que uno vea y diga: ‘Qué agradable paisaje’. Como la obra que yo hacía antes. También puede comunicar ideas, emociones y realidades”.  Para Esteban, esas realidades cruzan fronteras. Habla de la violencia del crimen organizado en México, de las redadas migratorias en Estados Unidos y del sufrimiento causado por guerras en otras partes del mundo. “Al final del día, lo que me pregunto es cómo hemos llegado a causarnos tanto dolor entre nosotros”, dice con la frustración entrelazada en sus palabras. El arte como forma de sanar En su primera exposición, Esteban dirigió su atención a las personas y sistemas que él percibía como perpetradores. “Para crear conciencia, primero tienes que saber quién está causando el dolor y el terror. Tienes que conocer la fuente de ese daño”, dice. Compartió verdades, tal como fueron vistas y enfrentadas por sus comunidades. Esteban Barrón conversa con un asistente durante la exposición Curated Experience en Skyline Lofts Gallery, Phoenix, Arizona, en 2026. Cortesía Esteban Barrón. Credit: Beatriz Limón “Los representé como monstruos. Gran parte de esa obra estaba compuesta por esqueletos, cráneos rodeados de vísceras y figuras con rasgos horroríficos. Esa era la intención: retratarlos como yo los veía. Aunque sé que me quedo corto”. Su segunda exposición Curated Experience tomó una dirección distinta. En lugar de mirar a los perpetradores, se centró en quienes sobreviven. “Ahí hablo de los sentimientos que viven las víctimas. De lo que viví yo y de lo que sigue viviendo cualquier persona que ha perdido a un familiar o a alguien cercano”, dice el artista nacido en Guanajuato. Esteban mira hacia atrás y compara las dos etapas de su obra. “Cuando miro lo que hacía antes, siento que no tenía espíritu, ni alma, ni propósito. Ahora miro lo que estoy haciendo y siento que tiene todo eso”. Repite una frase. “Esta era la encomienda”. The post “El arte no tiene por qué ser hermoso”: La pintura de Esteban Barrón tras la violencia appeared first on AZ Luminaria. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46fdecc2ca79de23635c68 Last chance to apply — Startup Battlefield Australia applications close July 6 te 2026-07-03T00:10:20.452Z Last chance to apply — Startup Battlefield Australia applications close July 6 If you're going to apply for Startup Battlefield Australia, now is the time. Applications close July 6, and once the deadline passes, the opportunity is gone. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46fbfcc2ca79de23635c2d ESPN must hold Stephen A. accountable after doubling down on racist remarks about White basketball players te 2026-07-03T00:02:04.081Z ESPN must hold Stephen A. accountable after doubling down on racist remarks about White basketball players Stephen A. Smith is doubling down on his racist commentary, insisting the Los Angeles Lakers cannot succeed if their top three players are White. On Wednesday, Smith mocked the team's trade for Walker Kessler, pairing him with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. "Where the hell the Los Angeles Lakers think they are going with a bunch of White dudes?" he asked on his podcast. "Your three top players are White dudes. Really? This is basketball." He then asked, "In NBA history, when has a team led by three White dudes ever gone to the promised land? Somebody gotta say it." After facing criticism, Smith responded Thursday by declaring he "ain't backing down." He argued it's "just facts" that championship teams need "Black brothers" to help "White dudes" win. https://x.com/stephenasmith/status/2072744504650559747 Consider that Smith is this worked up simply because the Lakers' top players happen to be White. Notice, too, how illogical his argument becomes. In defending himself, Smith acknowledged the greatness of Larry Bird, Dirk Nowitzki, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Steve Nash and Cooper Flagg. If he acknowledges that White players can be just as great as Black players, then there's no logical reason three elite White players couldn't win together without "Black brothers." By Smith's own logic, it would simply mean no team has assembled the right White trio yet. But that isn't what he argued. He claimed a team cannot win with three White stars because no team has. The distinction matters. By that reasoning, no NFL team could win a Super Bowl with a Black quarterback, Black head coach and Black general manager. Of course, that's not true. It just hasn't happened yet. Still, if someone argued otherwise, Smith and his ilk would rage in fury. The double standard is obvious. LET'S HAVE AN HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT CAITLIN CLARK, RACISM, AND MEDIA COWARDICE | BOBBY BURACK Notice how much stronger the reaction has been to Colin Cowherd reporting that teams viewed new 76ers forward Jaylen Brown as "arrogant," a possible explanation for his underwhelming trade market. Cowherd relayed what teams reportedly believed. Smith, meanwhile, is explicitly arguing that White players are inherently inferior. Smith didn't make these comments off the cuff. His social media team promoted the clips, and he has continued defending them. In his latest video, he argued the comments "had to be said." It's unclear why, other than that he appears to believe White players should know their place. But the larger issue isn't just Stephen A. Smith. Since 2020, society has increasingly normalized, if not rewarded, for making openly hostile racial comments about White people. There is no accountability for it. In some cases, there are incentives, with White executives continuing to elevate personalities who traffic in racial grievance because it's safer than confronting them. That's why certain media figures seem to pretend to be racist, including Jemele Hill and former ESPN broadcaster Mark Jones. Whether genuine or performative, they understand there's value with their bosses and with "Black Twitter" in cultivating hostility toward White people. It's transparent. And it's ugly. Smith did not respond to OutKick's request for comment. ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW! Smith's comments should not be acceptable. Even on his own platform, he remains one of ESPN's most prominent personalities. Yet there's little reason to believe his employer will hold him accountable. OutKick has repeatedly asked ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro over the past year why he allows Black commentator to make bigoted remarks about White people and White athletes. On occasion, Pitaro has sent a PR stooge to call me names off the record. Pitaro himself has never publicly addressed the issue -- or privately. Sources tell OutKick that Pitaro backed Mark Jones in 2020 when Jones falsely accused police officers of plotting to shoot him. He also defended Kendrick Perkins in 2023 after Perkins falsely accused NBA MVP voters of favoring White players based on inaccurate claims about the racial makeup of the voting pool. Just imagine the message Pitaro could send if he simply acknowledged Smith's comments as racially inappropriate. It would cause lesser-known race idolaters at ESPN to think twice before making similar remarks on air. But he likely won't. Pitaro has shown a consistent pattern of cowardice since assuming the chairman role in 2018. That's why the consensus ESPN commentary about Caitlin Clark is that the Black women who cheap-shot and hard-foul her out of animosity are the true victims, not Clark, no matter how many black eyes and injuries she sustains. It's pathetic. Pitaro has enabled a culture in which black commentators feel beyond consequence, while everyone else walks on eggshells, hoping he doesn't lay them off. Still, one has to ask a simple question: Who exactly is the target audience for segments like Stephen A.'s rant about "white dudes" on the basketball court? Seriously. Maybe Black people are better at basketball than White people on average. It's certainly possible. But so what? Who tunes into sports talk to hear that? What's the point? Likewise, who is looking for a sports talk show to argue that white people are better at golf, as Smith also claimed during his rant? Anyone? We ask because Smith's former colleagues tried this approach before. ESPN gave Bomani Jones three shows that covered sports primarily through a racial lens. All of them failed and posted historically poor ratings in their respective time slots. Jemele Hill tried it. It failed. Dan Le Batard leaned heavily into similar commentary and saw ESPN's radio affiliate count dramatically shrink during his tenure. Believe it or not, sports fans don't watch games counting the number of White and Black athletes involved. Only the media does. And until a Black commentator is held responsible for making openly hostile remarks about White people, nothing will change. In other words, nothing will change. As soon as these anti-White commentators are done dog-whistling about the Lakers' new White trio and Caitlin Clark, they'll move on to the media-generated race war between Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. Rinse and repeat. But since Stephen A. Smith is so eager to point out patterns, here's one. His show most days features him alongside an almost entirely Black panel of commentators. First Take's ratings have become a problem. They're sluggish compared with the shows immediately before and after it, hosted by White dudes Mike Greenberg and Pat McAfee. In fact, sources say Smith has told executives at ESPN to stop booking guests who appear on his show on Greenberg's the same day, as a result. Should we point that out because it's "just facts"? Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46fbaac2ca79de23635c0b County to review funding for Parks Police dispatch services te 2026-07-03T00:00:42.671Z County to review funding for Parks Police dispatch services Mohave County supervisors are expected to ratify a $55,000 budget transfer July 6 to continue paying the Sheriff's Office for dispatch services that keep Parks Police officers connected to emergency communications 24 hours a day. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/post/6a46fb94c2ca79de23635be6 As Ukraine War Escalates, Witkoff and Kushner Are Focused on Iran te 2026-07-03T00:00:20.159Z As Ukraine War Escalates, Witkoff and Kushner Are Focused on Iran Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are pivotal players at a moment when the posts of U.S. ambassador to Moscow and Kyiv are both vacant. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana https://meenews.co/home